501 Critical Reading Questions

e. Lines 44–46 state that the problem of seating a large crowd of spec-
tators did not come up before the International Committee (choice a).
In fact, it was a local Athenian committee (choice e) composed of
most of the citizens conspicuous for wealth or position, and some resi-
dent foreigners (lines 52–53) that were posed with the question of
seating for the games in Athens.
501
Critical Reading Questions

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446.
a. Lines 35–37 state that if Olympia were to be considered a viable
site for the modern Olympics, it would demand the organization of
a first-class commissary department, and that too for a service of half a
month only. Half a month is roughly two weeks, choice a. It is true
that line 40 states that the games were just a few days (choice e)
every four years, but that is in reference to the ancient Olympic
games.
447.
c. Before Greece switched to the Euro in 2002, Greek money was
called drachma. The answer to this question lies in line 61–63,
where it states that nine hundred thousand drachmas were worth
about one hundred thousand dollars.
448.
b. In lines 31–32 the author states that a successful athletic contest
cannot be held in the wilderness and demands a crowd and sustenance
for a crowd. Holding the games at Olympia would have sentimen-
tal value because of its history, but it would not be practical because
Olympia does not have the proper facilities and resources to
accommodate the crowds that would descend upon the games.
449.
d. In lines 29–30, the author uses the phrase the feeling that thirty
centuries looked down upon them to emphasize the sentimental value
of holding the modern games at the site of Ancient Olympia
(choice d). But the author goes on to say that despite the senti-
mental value, it just wouldn’t be practical.
450.
a. In lines 34–35, the narrator of Passage 1 mentions At sea we do
meet with rough weather at times. In Passage 2, lines 44–45, the
boy recounts that his boat ran into a vicious Atlantic storm, and the
waves tossed the Alba around like it was a tiny raft. Choice d may
seem like an attractive answer, but there is only evidence that the
Alba leaks (line 47), not the yacht, and the question requires sup-
port from both passages.
451.
c. In the last sentence of Passage 2 the narrator questions his deci-
sion to take the voyage aboard the Alba by asking himself What
have I gotten myself into? This self-doubt indicates that he believed
his decision may have been a mistake. This choice best answers
the question.
452.
d. In lines 2–3, the author of Passage 1 tells of the beautiful prop-
erty belonging to the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and implores the
reader to visit Plymouth if they ever get the chance. He then goes
on to describe the bustling harbor at Plymouth and finishes with:
there is a great deal to see at Plymouth besides the sea itself (lines 8–9).
In short, he describes all the interesting sights to behold at Ply-
mouth. All the other choices either do not make sense or are not
specifically supported by details from the text.
2 4 2
501