Reading 09 - 05

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5 10 15 20	In taking up a new life across the Atlantic, the early European settlers of the United  States did not abandon the diversions with which their ancestors had traditionally  relieved the tedium of life. Neither the harshness of existence on the new continent nor the scattered population nor the disapproval of the clergy discouraged the majority from the pursuit of pleasure.      City and country dwellers, of course, conducted this pursuit in different ways. Farm  dwellers in their isolation not only found it harder to locate companions in play but  also, thanks to the unending demands and pressures of their work, felt it necessary to  combine fun with purpose. No other set of colonists took so seriously one expression of the period, "Leasure is time for doing something useful." In the countryside farmers  therefore relieved the burden of the daily routine with such double-purpose relaxations  as hunting, fishing, and trapping. When a neighbor needed help, families rallied from  miles around to assist in building a house or barn, husking corn, shearing sheep, or  chopping wood. Food, drink, and celebration after the group work provided relaxation and soothed weary muscles.      The most eagerly anticipated social events were the rural fairs. Hundreds of men,  women, and children attended from far and near. The men bought or traded farm  animals and acquired needed merchandise while the women displayed food prepared in  their kitchens, and everyone, including the youngsters, watched or participated in a variety of competitive sports, with prizes awarded to the winners. These events  typically included horse races, wrestling matches, and foot races, as well as some  nonathletic events such as whistling competitions. No other occasions did so much to  relieve the isolation of farm existence.      With the open countryside everywhere at hand, city dwellers naturally shard in some of the rural diversions. Favored recreations included fishing, hunting, skating,  and swimming. But city dwellers also developed other pleasures, which only compact  communities made possible.
42. What is the passage mainly about ? (A) Methods of farming used by early settlers of the United States (B) Hardships faced by the early settlers of the United States (C) Methods of buying, selling, and trading used by early settlers of the United States (D) Ways in which early settlers of the United States relaxed 43. What can be inferred about the diversions of the early settlers of the United States ? (A) They followed a pattern begun in Europe. (B) They were enjoyed more frequently than in Europe. (C) The clergy organized them. (D) Only the wealthy participated in them. 44. Which of the following can be said about the county dwellers' attitude toward "the pursuit of pleasure" ? (A) They felt that it should help keep their minds on their work. (B) They felt that it was not necessary. (C) They felt that it should be productive. (D) They felt that it should not involve eating and drinking. 45. The phrase "thanks to" in line 8 is closest in meaning to (A) grateful for (B) help with (C) because of (D) machines for 46. The word "their" in line 8 refers to (A) ways (B) farm dwellers (C) demands (D) pressures 47. What is meant by the phrase "double-purpose" in line 11 ? (A) Very frequent (B) Useful and enjoyable (C) Extremely necessary (D) Positive and negative 48. The phrase "eagerly anticipated" in line 16 in closest in meaning to (A) well organized (B) old-fashioned (C) strongly opposed (D) looked forward to 49. Which of the following can be said about the rural diversions mentioned in the last paragraph in which city dwellers also participated ? (A) They were useful to the rural community. (B) They involved the purchase of items useful in the home. (C) They were activities that could be done equally easily in the towns. (D) They were all outdoor activities. 50. What will the author probably discuss in the paragraph following this passage ? (A) The rural diversions enjoyed by both urban and rural people (B) Leisure activities of city dwellers (C) Building methods of the early settlers in rural areas (D) Changes in the lifestyles of settlers as they moved to the cities
42. D 43. A 44. C 45. C 46. B 47. B 48. D 49. C 50. B