Comprehension ( 18 ) Upper Intermediate & Advanced

18 - ] Comprehension 

Upper Intermediate & Advanced 

 Read the following passage , then answer the questions below . Do not look back at the passage . Compare your answers to the Answer Key . Check any incorrect answers by reading the passage .

            In present-day Hawaii , there are at least twelve different ethnic groups . None of these is large enough to form a majority of the population . The largest groups are The Japanese , the Europeans , the Chinese , the Filipinos , the part-Hawaiians , and the people from mixed families .

           No other state in the United States gas such a mixed population . However , in many other states the ethnic groups are growing . Soon those states may be like Hawaii , with many cultural groups living together . Hawaii is thus a good example of how people from different ethnic groups can get along .

           In Hawaii , in fact , the lack of an ethnic majority means that people from different ethnic groups must work together .One result is that everyone has more opportunities to meet people of other ethnic groups and to learn about their cultures . With this experience , people can learn to respect each other’s ideas and ways of life . Children can grow up to be more tolerant as adults , more willing to accept differences . This tolerance can have obvious benefits for society as a whole . In the long run , it can mean less social tension , and probably less poverty and violence .

          One way to measure the level of tolerance in Hawaii is by the percentage

of mixed marriages . In fact ,over 45 percent of the marriages in Hawaii are between people from different ethnic groups . Children from mixed marriages are called “hapas” . The children from these marriages may marry people from yet other ethnic groups . Their children may have quite a complex ethnic mixture in their blood . Here are some real examples of the many possible cultural mixtures : Irish , Portuguese , Japanese , German , Spanish , and other East Indian .

            The special mixture of cultures that is Hawaii also gives the individual more opportunities for different cultural experience . Hawaiians , in general , take good advantage of these opportunities . Each ethnic group keeps its traditions - its style of cooking , its costumes and music . But many people also participate in some way in the traditions of other groups . Frequent ethnic festivals give everyone a chance to learn about the traditions of other groups . These events are usually well-attended , and not just by the ethnic group in question .

            Many different ethnic foods are available everywhere . Restaurants serve dishes from all corners of the earth . In every supermarket , you can find a wide variety of food specialties : noodles from the Philippines , fish from Portugal , special snacks from Japan , and vegetables from China . And , of course , the traditional Hawaiian dish called “poi” is in every shop , too .

         As some Hawaiians like to say , Hawaiian society is like a rainbow . Each ethnic group brings its color to the rainbow , because each group has something important and beautiful to offer . But what is really special is the way the people are living side by side , creating a beautiful whole .

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Circle the best answers to the following questions . Do not look back at the passage .

1 . This passage is about

( A ) mixed marriages .

( B ) Hawaii’s majority culture .

( C ) rainbows in Hawaii .

( D ) the mixture of cultures in Hawaii .

2 . Hawaiian society is unusual because

( A ) there are few mixed marriages .

( B ) all Hawaiians have the same beliefs .

( C ) it is a mixed society .

( D ) there are many Japanese families .

3 . In Hawaii there is no majority culture , so

( A ) problems are never solved .

( B ) people don’t get along .

( C ) different groups must work together .

( D ) people are afraid of other cultures .

4 . One advantage of a mixed society is that

( A ) people have many choices .

( B ) people do not have to make many choices .

( C ) ethnic groups do not have to mix .

( D ) people have “hapas” .

5 . Mixed marriages in Hawaii

( A ) are not accepted by most Hawaiians .

( B ) make up almost half the marriages .

( C ) cause prejudice and unhappiness .

( D ) are not permitted .

6 . Hawaiians use the word “hapa” for

( A ) a person who marries someone from another ethnic group .

( B ) someone who is part-Hawaiian .

( C ) the child of a mixed marriage

( D ) any child who is born in Hawaii .

7 . You can infer that everyone who lives in Hawaii  

( A ) eats the same kind of food .

( B ) marries someone from another ethnic group .

( C ) is uninterested in ethnic traditions .

( D ) learns something about native Hawaiian traditions .

8 . Some Hawaiians say that the ethnic groups in Hawaii

( A ) are all becoming the same .

( B ) are like a colorful rainbow .

( C ) will never get along .

( D ) are unimportant .

Answer Key

1 . D 2 . C 3 . C 4 . A 5 . B 6 . C 7 . D 8 . B