Reading Comprehension

Which statement best expresses the main idea of the following paragraph? "The people of Venice, called Venetians, were proud of their splendid city. Visitors admired the city, too. A French diplomat visiting Venice was very impressed with this unusual city. "The houses are very large and loft and built of stone," he reported. "Most of them have rich marble chimney pieces, gold-colored bed frames and doors, and beautiful furnishings. It is the most triumphant city I have ever seen."

• The town of Venice had more than 400 bridges.
• The town of Venice was wealthy and filled with expensive things.
• Many buildings in Venice rest on pillars driven in the mud.
• Many canals connected the islands of Venice.

"How did Venice gain its prosperity? Venice built its wealth mostly on trade. Over two centuries, the Venetians created an extensive trading empire. Venetians wanted to gain more and more territory so they could carry on their trading activities without interference." In the passage, the author asks How did Venice gain its prosperity?" What is a synonym of the word prosperity?"

• success or wealth
• illness
• health
• failure or poverty

In the following paragraph, which TWO words help the reader understand what the word splendid means? "The people of Venice, called Venetians, were proud of their splendid city. Visitors admired the city, too. A French diplomat visiting Venice was very impressed with this unusual city. "The houses are very large and loft and built of stone," he reported. "Most of them have rich marble chimney pieces, gold-colored bed frames and doors, and beautiful furnishings. It is the most triumphant city I have ever seen."

• city, diplomat
• diplomat, visitors
• visitors, beautiful
• beautiful, impressed

Fill in the blank with the correct agreement in the Past Tense. Michelangelo ______ rushed while painting the Sistine Chapel.

• feeled
• felt

Fill in the blank with the correct agreement in the Past Tense. Patrons _____ to care about art.

• seemed
• semt

Fill in the blank with the correct agreement in the Past Tense. Back in the day, philosophers ______ about science and the arts.

• thinked
• thought

Fill in the blank with the correct agreement in the Past Tense. Leonardo da Vinci ______ things differently than others.

• seed
• saw

Fill in the blank with the correct agreement in the Past Tense. The Renaissance ______ a period of rebirth.

• is
• was

Fill in the blank with the correct agreement in the Past Tense. Women of the Renaissance ______ used to having an arranged marriage.

• is
• were

Fill in the blank with the correct agreement in the Past Tense. I _____ a fun time learning about the Renaissance.

• haved
• had