I.S.P. "Dr. Joaqun V.

Gonzlez"
Departamento de Ingls
Curso de Consolidacin
Docente a cargo: Lic. Daniela Fiorina
Name: .

Reading Comprehension Exercise # 220

Below the passage, you will find a number of questions or unfinished statements about the
passage, each with four suggested answers or ways of finishing. You must choose the
one which you think fits best. Give one answer only to each question. Show your choice
by circling a letter. Read the passage right through before choosing your answers.

Simpkins period of office as a local politician was nearly over. He felt reluctant to go
through all the bother of standing for re-election. His tentative voicing of this feeling
shocked Baden.
Youre never going to give up after all this time?
Thats the point about it, Baden. Perhaps Ive gone on too long. I feel tired, somehow.
Tired! Look at me. Im not tired and I can give you ten years. How long have you been
on the council now?
Eighteen years.
Baden snorted. It was nothing beside his thirty-five years of unbroken service, during
which hed been three times mayor. Simpkins winked at Badens wife, Maude, and she,
looking up from her embroidery, gave him back a small smile. Simpkins sometimes felt
that it was not a mere ten years which separated Baden and himself, but two world wars.
The years of his boyhood before the first war were the golden age that Baden looked back
to. It all ended after that, he had said more than once. We never saw its like again. It
was no use arguing that the quality of life was better for more people now, because Baden
wouldnt have it. There were men working for my father who had six, seven and eight
children. They brought them up all right though they hadnt much money. Now its all
grab. They want money, cars, drink and holidays abroad. And nobodys happy.
Were they ever? Simpkins wondered. Was an obsession with keeping body and soul
together a necessary condition of human happiness?
They were talking in the new bungalow Baden had built where Maude could find
amusement watching the traffic go by.
A drink, anyway, Tom?
Id not say no to a drop of whisky, Baden.
The floorboards trembled as Baden crossed the room.
How much do you weigh? Simpkins asked.
Too much, Maude chipped in.
Oh, I dont know, Baden said sharply. Fifteen and a half stone.
Add a bit to that, Simpkins thought.
You must have iron legs. Im bigger than you and I dont weigh that much.
You dont have my belly, though, Tom. Baden placed his two hands on the swell of his
waistcoat. Its good solid stuff, not just a bag of wind.
Maude tut-tutted Really, Baden- while Simpkins laughed.
There s nothing the matter with me in spite of Maude always going on about it.
Its no use me saying anything, Maude said. He stopped listening to me years ago.
Simpkins sensed some bitterness behind the mild comment. Always headstrong, and
domineering where he met resistance, Baden instinctively treated women as people to be
kept in their place.
1. For how long have Simpkins and Baden been politicians together?
A.
B.
C.
D.

For equal length of time.

Since the First World War.
For ten years.
For the last eighteen years.

2. When the two men discuss the past

A.
B.
C.
D.

they are inclined to lose their tempers.

Simpkins claims that life used to be harder.
Baden thinks that living used to be more expensive.
they agree that life used to be better.

3. How does Maude react to her husband?

A.
B.
C.
D.

She
She
She
She

resents his treatment of her.

thinks he can do no wrong.
finds his appearance embarrassing.
resists his suggestions.

4. What is Badens attitude towards his wife?

A.
B.
C.
D.

He
He
He
He

admires her.
underestimates her.
is indulgent towards her.
dislikes her.

5. What is Simpkins attitude towards Baden?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Critical disapproval.
Secret admiration.
Jealous rivalry.
Amused tolerance.