Reading passages

289- The author points out that Mellon senior made the money and that Mellon junior disposed of it, ------- .

A) so it is Mellon senior who is to be blamed

B) but that the achievement of each was equally great
C) which accounts for the tension between the two men
D) but that both men were primarily interested in culture
E) he is therefore very critical of Mellon Junior's behaviour


290- As we can infer from the passage, Carnegie was of the opinion that ------- .

A) his father should have been more philanthropic

B) the capitalist system was not wrong at all
C) the best expression of a nation's culture was its art galleries
D) the same energy that makes a man rich should be employed for the benefit of society
E) Rockefeller was the first and the greatest of the American philanthropists


291- The author admires Paul Mellon because he used his father’s money ---- .

A) in a generous manner, for the benefit of the society at large

B) and he had the same business skills
C) to make those who had worked for his father happy
D) to set up new businesses all over the world and increase his wealth
E) rather more extravagantly than even Carnegie had ever dreamed of


Venice is famous for its both architecture and paintings. Venetian architecture reflects the Byzantine influence, though Gothic became the main style in the 14th century and the first Renaissance building dates from the second half of the 15th century. The Venetian school of painters was established firstly in the 15th century. The centre of Venetian life is St. Mark's square which is surrounded with marble pavements. Round this and the adjoining Piazzetta are grouped buildings of great beauty and interest. At the eastern end of the square is the basilica of St Mark, a fitting cathedral for the patriarch of Venice.


292- The author maintains that Venetian architecture ------- .

A) makes use of marble as the main material in the buildings

B) is best reflected by the basilica of St Mark
C) actually reflects two different architectural characteristics prior to the Renaissance
D) has remained almost unchanged since the second half of the 15th century
E) was an important source of inspiration for Venetian painters