English Unit Test Reading Passages Critical Skills Practice 4

English | Unit Test Reading Passages | Critical Skills Practice 4

1. Unit Test Reading Passages Critical Skills Practice 4

Passage 1

5 Instructions: Use this passage to answer Questions 1–5 of the online portion of the Unit Test for the Critical Skills Practice unit. from Emma by Jane Austen

Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy 10 disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her. She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most affectionate, indulgent father; and had, in consequence of her sister's marriage, been mistress of his house from a very early period. Her mother had died too long ago for her to have more than an indistinct remembrance 15 of her caresses, and her place had been supplied by an excellent woman as governess, who had fallen little short of a mother in affection. Sixteen years had Miss Taylor been in Mr. Woodhouse's family, less as a governess than a friend, very fond of both daughters, but particularly of Emma. Between them it was more the intimacy of sisters. Even before Miss Taylor had ceased to hold the nominal office of 20 governess, the mildness of her temper had hardly allowed her to impose any restraint; and the shadow of authority being now long passed away, they had been living together as friend and friend very mutually attached, and Emma doing just what she liked; highly esteeming Miss Taylor's judgment, but directed chiefly by her own. The real evils indeed of Emma's situation were the power of having rather too much 25 her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself; these were the disadvantages which threatened alloy to her many enjoyments. The danger, however, was at present so unperceived, that they did not by any means rank as misfortunes with her. Sorrow came—a gentle sorrow—but not at all in the shape of any disagreeable consciousness.—Miss Taylor married. It was Miss Taylor's loss which first brought grief. It was 30 on the wedding-day of this beloved friend that Emma first sat in mournful thought of any continuance. The wedding over and the bride-people gone, her father and herself were left to dine together, with no prospect of a third to cheer a long evening. Her father composed himself to sleep after dinner, as usual, and she had then only to sit and think of what she had lost.

35 Instructions: Use this passage to answer Questions 21–25 of the online portion of the Unit Test for the Critical Skills Practice unit. Codfish by Troy Wilbur

(1) Cod, a fish found in ocean water around the world, the fish has been one of the most common fish 40 eaten by humans throughout history. (2) The flavor of the fish is mild and in addition the texture of the flesh is tender and flaky. (3) The nutritional value of the fish cannot be denied. (4) Its oils are full of important vitamins and nutrients. (5) It is also easy to find in most parts of the world. (6) Another feature of cod that makes it useful is that it can be eaten fresh or it can be salted and 45 preserved. To use the salt cod, it can be reconstituted with water. (7) In England, cod is often fried in pieces for the famous “fish and chips.” (8) In other parts of Europe, cod is often the fish of choice for daily consumption, be it in Italy or Portugal. (9) On the other side of the Atlantic, cod has made its way into some unique dishes. (10) For example, Newfoundland cod cakes are a mainstay for many of many of these coastal Canadians. (11) A cod cake is made from chunks of cod, potatoes, onions, and 50 herbs. (12) The mixture is breaded and fried and often served with a sauce. (13) To learn more about the fascinating history of the codfish, consider reading the book by Mark Kurlansk. (14) It is called Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World.