Reading passages

248- Compared with the beginning of the twentieth century, the damage resulting from hurricanes in America .............. .
A) has increased instead of decreasing
B) has been decreasing each year
C) has never been as much as it was in 1990s
D) has caused less suffering to Americans
E) has been much more reimbursable for insurance companies
249- One of the benefits of predicting a hurricane is........... .
A) that local governments will provide their citizens with better infrastructure
B) that insurance companies won't have difficulty reimbursing the damages
C) to help civil engineers and architects design safer buildings
D) that those living in risky areas will easily be convinced of the danger
E) to be able to warn people about its dangers earlier


During the 19th century painters in Western societies began to lose their social position and secure patronage. Some artists countered the decline in patronage support by holding their own exhibitions and charging an entrance fee. Others earned an income through touring exhibitions of their work. The need to appeal to a marketplace had replaced the similar, if less impersonal, demands of patronage, and its effect on the art itself was probably similar as well. Generally, artists can now reach an audience only through commercial galleries and public museums, although their work may be occasionally reproduced in art periodicals. They may also be assisted by financial awards or commissions from industry and the state. (c,d,e,)
250- According to the passage, some painters losing their patrons supported themselves by........... .
A) exhibiting their works without paying any money to the art galleries
B) selling their best paintings to the upper class families
C) opening exhibitions by themselves and collecting money from visitors
D) going on tours to the countries where their works were appreciated
E) painting portraits of the royal members