Comprehension , Upper Intermediate & Advanced ( 11 )

Comprehension 

11 - ] Upper Intermediate & Advanced

Kauai 

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 .

                   Of all the Hawaiian Islands , Kauai may be the best example of a tropical paradise . In fact , when some film directions were looking for a place to film the movie “South Pacific” , they chose Kauai . Since then , millions of people around the world have seen that Hollywood classic . So now Kauai , with its beautiful landscapes , is their idea of the perfect tropical island .

                   All the islands ,including Kauai , have been affected by development in recent years . The tourist industry , agriculture , and spreading cities have destroyed much of the natural beauty . But on Kauai , there are also large areas that have remained untouched by development - so far , at least .

                      Thick green rain forests cover many square miles of Kauai . In other areas , there are great swamps - wet places of rain , mist , water plants , and mud . Near the beaches that circle the island , there are palm trees and flowering bushes . Everywhere , the air is warm and mist , with a hint of perfume from all the flowers . This air makes your skin feel soft and smooth . In fact , after some time on Kauai , you will feel healthier all over . There is little pollution here , and no stress .

                      The beaches of Kauai are a large part of its beauty . They all have lovely , clean white sand . At some beaches , the waves can be large and dangerous . At others , the water is so calm that even small children can play in it safely . Many kinds of brightly colored fish usually swim close to the shore . If you put on a mask and air tube ( snorkel ) , you can swim among them .

                       But Kauai’s scenery also offers some dramatic contrasts . Along one shore of the island , in an area called Napali , there are steep cliffs . No roads can be built in this area , so the only way to visit is by foot . Hiking here is a real adventure , since the trails are narrow and steep . Along these trails , you can get a close look at rare and beautiful plants and birds . Each turn in the trail brings a breathtaking view . For the visitor , the scene may seem unreal : the green vegetation , the white beaches below , and the wide blue ocean may seem too colorful to be real .

                     Kauai has its mountains , too . The tallest of these , Mount Waialeale , catches clouds and collects rain . This mountainside is called the “wettest spot on earth” . About 460 inches of rain fall on it every year . Streams and rivers rush down the mountain to the sea . It is not surprising that Kauai is full of wonderful gardens that bloom all year round .  

                    A few miles from Mount Waialeale , a very different landscape can be seen : the Waimea Canyon . This canyon is often called “Grand Canyon of the Pacific .” That is because its tall cliffs resemble those of the Grand Canyon in the western United States . The rocks and earth in the Waimea Canyon are reddish brown . All around is the rich green of the treed and bushes . It is an unforgettable scene .

Circle the best answer . Do not look at the passage .

1. This passage is about

( A ) the features of the Waimea Canyon .

( B ) what makes Kauai a tropical paradise .

( C ) hiking on the Napali cliffs .

( D ) the beaches of Kauai .

2 . Kauai is like a paradise because

( A ) “South Pacific” was filmed there .

( B ) it has a warm climate and beautiful scenery .

( C ) it has tall cliffs .

( D ) it rains a lot there .

3 . Unlike some of the other islands , Kauai  has

( A ) large undeveloped area .

( B ) many gardens .

( C ) many birds .

( D ) trees near the beaches .

4 . You can infer from this passage that  

( A ) all of the beaches in Kauai are dangerous .

( B ) the beaches cannot be reached by car .

( C ) children do not like to go swimming because of all the fish .

( D ) snorkeling is probably a popular spot on Kauai .

5 . Kauai is a good place for hiking because

( A ) there are many scenic trails .

( B ) you can drive to every interesting place .

( C ) it is very cool all year round .

( D ) the swamps are so full of med .

6 . Mount Waialeale is called the wettest spot on earth because it

( A ) is very tall .

( B ) has many gardens .

( C ) collects lots of rain .

( D ) has many rivers and streams .

7 . You can infer from this passage that Kauai’s climate is

( A ) uncomfortable for tourists .

( B ) very dry .

( C ) cooler than the other islands .

( D ) good for growing flowers .

8 . The Waimea Canyon is called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” because it 

( A ) is the only canyon in the Pacific .

( B ) has reddish-brown rocks .

( C ) looks like the Grand Canyon in the western United States .

( D ) is so large .

Answer Key

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