Target Vocabulary Practice

Complete the sentences with the words below. Write the words in the blanks. Use each word only once.

countryside
emerging
estimated
expertise
finite
megacities
migrate
overpopulation
reveals
urbanization

 1.More and more cities are becoming _________, especially in Asia where so many people are moving into the cities for economic reasons.  

  2.It is __________ that the world's population will be 9 billion by the year 2050.   

 3.In the future, there will be a greater need for people with __________ in city planning.   

 4.People are leaving their homes in the __________ to move to the cities.  

  5.Non-renewable resources such as oil and coal are __________; they will run out eventually.   

  6.Many birds and animals _________ to warmer places when it gets cold.    

7.New cities are __________ where once there were only small towns.  

  8.When city dwellers travel out of the city, many are surprised by what the darkness __________ in the night sky. In the city, there are too many lights to see the stars clearly.  

  9.Many problems of modern cities today are a result of rapid __________ .   

10.One way China has tried to solve the problem of __________ has been to offer financial incentives to Chinese people who agree to have only one child.

Reading Skills and Strategies: Main Ideas and Details (Part 2)

Read the passage and answer the questions. Choose the best answer.

                             The Challenges of Multiple Births

[A] Although multiple births are still relatively rare, in vitro fertilization has brought about a sharp increase in the number of multiples—twins, triples, and quadruplets. In the past, couples who were not able to have children could either remain childless or adopt a child. However, some were reluctant to adopt because they were not comfortable with the idea of taking in a stranger's child. Others had a very strong desire for their own biological offspring. With the development of in vitro fertilization, many of these couples are now able to have biological children of their own. Between 1980 and 2000, the number of twins born in the United States increased by 74 percent. At the same time, the number of higher order multiples—triplets or more—increased by 500 percent.

[B] Multiple births can be very challenging to the mother-to-be. Imagine having several infants developing in the space designed for one. Although some of these women experience no problems, many have difficult pregnancies. Some mothers find themselves feeling extremely tired and short of breath. This is because the developing babies require a lot of iron and the mother begins to experience an iron deficiency. In order to carry the additional weight, her feet may grow as much as one shoe size. The shape of her body may also change permanently. As the babies develop, they push out the rib cage, expanding the size of her abdomen. To carry the additional weight, the thighs often become heavier. Despite a prescribed exercise program, these changes in body shape often remain after the pregnancy.

[C] And it's not just the mothers who are affected. Many multiple-birth children face physical and other challenges as well. Many are premature babies and will spend months in the hospital before they can go home. If the respiratory system is underdeveloped, the baby may have trouble breathing. If the nervous system is not fully developed, the child may be born with cerebral palsy. Later in life, learning difficulties sometimes emerge. The good news is that medical science is constantly uncovering ways to help these tiny infants survive and thrive.

[D] After the initial shock of having several children at once wears off, the parents-to-be are soon struck by the financial realities. "Oh, no! We can't afford five children!" they cry. However, most of these families make out just fine. People donate clothing, diapers, cribs, and baby food. Community groups raise money so the family can add living space to their house. Grocery stores come up with special discounts. Over time, these families somehow manage to survive. And with all the extra love in the house, money becomes less and less of an issue as time goes on.

1.The number of twins born in the U.S. between 1980 and 2000 has increased by what percentage? 

200%

500%

20%

74%  

2.Why do some mothers of multiples feel extremely tired during pregnancy? 

The movement of the infants crowded into a small space prevents the mother from sleeping.

Carrying the additional weight is exhausting.

The babies use large amounts of iron so there is not enough iron for the mother.

Doctors may recommend demanding exercise programs.  

3.Which of the following statements is probably true according to the information in Paragraph B?

 Multiple births are not easy for most mothers-to-be.

Developing babies don't require a lot of iron.

Multiple birth babies often have large rib cages.

Multiple birth babies often have less energy than single birth babies.

  4.Which of the following is not mentioned as a change that may happen to the bodies of mothers of multiples during pregnancy? 

upper body 

weight gain

abdominal expansion

enlargement of the feet

larger upper legs

  5.What does the last sentence in Paragraph C tell us? 

There will be better medical treatments for premature babies in the future

.Parents of premature babies don't want to hear bad news about their children's medical problems.

Medical science is looking for ways to prevent premature births.

Scientists need to work harder to discover ways to help premature babies.  

6.In Paragraph D, which of the following is something many parents might think upon discovering they are going to have multiples? 

Money will become less of an issue.

Community groups will raise money for us.

We can't afford so many children.

We will somehow manage to survive.  

7.Which of the following is the best paraphrase for the title "The Challenges of Multiple Births" ? 

Choosing Whether or Not to Have Several Children at Once 

The Difficulties of Having Several Children at Once 

Doctors Don't Recommend Having Twins

The Good Things About Having Multiples

Vocabulary Building: Suffixes (Part 1)

Complete the sentences with the italicized words plus the correct suffixes from the list below. Write the words in the blanks. You will use some suffixes more than once.

-able
-al
-er
-ful
-ity
-less
-ment
-ous

 1.A situation that is easy to accept is an _______________________ situation.   

 2.A _______________________ engine is an engine with a lot of power.    

3.Something that is only done on occasion is _______________________.   

 4.My mother can drive very well. She is a good _______________________.   

 5.Many people desire to live in that neighborhood. It is a _______________________ neighborhood.    

6.Europe is composed partly of islands and partly of a continent. The countries that are not on islands are part of _______________________ Europe.  

  7.Many people believe that there is no end to the universe. They believe the universe is _______________________.    

8.When people first settle in a new place, that place is called a _______________.  

  9.The nation where you are born determines your _______________.  

 10.The word _______________ describes a region with many mountains.   

11.The word _______________ is the noun for the verb develop.

Target Vocabulary Practice

Complete the sentences with the words below. Write the words in the blanks. Use each word only once.

abandoned
cooperation
drought
evidenced
founder
impact
overcrowded
routes
take off
traditional

 1.When something makes an __________ on something else, it has a strong influence on that thing.  

  2.Airplane schedules often get disrupted because planes don't __________ on time.  

  3.Most big cities are noisy and __________.   

 4.Max was sure the identity of the thief was his neighbor as ___________ by the fingerprints on the door and the footprints outside the window.  

  5.The need for trade created many different __________; but most ships had to sail around the southern tip of South Africa.  

  6.Although many young people prefer doing things in new ways, the __________ ways are sometimes the best ways.   

 7.Some companies encourage __________ between their employees because they believe that when people work together, the end result is usually better.

    8.In expensive parts of cities, when the rents get too high for shopkeepers and store owners to pay, you often find many empty and __________
buildings.    

9.The movie "The Social Network" tells the story of Mark Zuckerberg, the __________ of Facebook.  

 10.Many plants are dying as a result of the __________ and the heat.

Reading Skills and Strategies: Main ideas (Part 1)

Read the passage and answer the questions. Choose the best answer.

                               The Challenges of Multiple Births

[A]

[B] 

[C] 

[D] .

1.What is the main idea of the complete passage? 

Families of multiples will always have financial difficulties.

Having multiple births always results in children with learning disabilities.

The community will always reach out to help parents of multiples.

Having multiples can be very difficult, but it can also be extremely rewarding.  

2.The main idea of Paragraph A is not stated in one sentence, but which of the following sentences expresses the main idea? 

Childless couples used to have only two choices; have children naturally, or adapt.

The occurrence of multiple births has increased considerably as a result of in vitro fertilization.

Most couples want children whether or not they can have them.

Multiple births are becoming very common, even though they are still relatively rare.  

3.What is the main idea of Paragraph B?

 Changes in body shape often remain after the pregnancy.

A woman's shoe size may increase during pregnancy.

Multiple births can cause problems for the mother.

Mothers of multiples should follow an exercise program after the pregnancy. 

 4.Which sentence from Paragraph C gives the main idea?

 Later in life, learning difficulties sometimes emerge.

Many multiple-birth children face physical and other challenges as well.

If the respiratory system is underdeveloped, the baby may have trouble breathing.

The good news is that medical science is constantly uncovering ways to help these tiny infants survive and thrive. 

 5.Paragraph D is mainly about _____. 

the shock of having several children

the assistance that families receive after multiple births

the financial benefits of having several children

the discounts that some families receive at grocery stores