NOTHING (DO) _________TO CHANGE THE BAD SITUATION RECENTLY

4. Nothing (do) _________to change the bad situation recently.

D. READING

I. Fill in each of the numbered blanks with ONE suitable word to complete the following passages.

Kobe is a major commercial port city in Japan, the capital of Hyogo Prefecture, southwestern

Honshu Island, on Osaka Bay, near the city (1) _________Osaka. Local agricultural production

includes rice and other grains, fruits and vegetables, and tea. Shipbuilding and production of rubber

goods are of primary (2) _________to the city. Chemicals, machinery, railway cars, electrical

equipment, textiles, refined sugar, flour, and sake are also (3) _________here. Behind the narrow

coastal site of the city (4) _________the Rokko Mountains, on which there are hot springs and

suburban residences (5) _________hotels. The city did not become important until (6) _________

1860s, when Japan was opened to foreign trade.

(7) _________January 17, 1995, a strong earthquake struck below Awaji Island across the bay

from Kobe. It was the most deadly (8) _________to hit Japan since 1923. The quake caused buildings

and bridges to collapse and fires broke out throughout the city. In all, about 5,000 people died and

more than 21,000 people were (9) _________. More than 30,000 buildings were damaged by the quake

and resulting fires, and hundreds of thousands were left (10) _________.

II. Read the passage carefully, then choose the correct option marked A, B, C or D to answer the

questions.

Gelatin is a protein substance that comes from the skins and bones of animals. Most people

know it as the substance used to make a jellylike salad or dessert. Not only is it useful in making these

foods, but it is also beneficial to the consumer because of its high protein content. Gelatin is also

commonly used in the photographic industry and in making medicinal capsules.

The process for producing gelatin is a long and complex one. In the processing of gelatin made

from bones (which varies slightly from that of gelatin made from skin), the grease first must be

eliminated. Then the bones are soaked in a solution of hydrochloric acid in order to rid them of

minerals and washed several times in water. Next, the bones are placed in distilled water, heated to

over 90

F for a few hours, placed in fresh distilled water, and then heated again at a little over 100

F. A

fluid forms from this heating, and it is concentrated, chilled, and sliced. Finally, it is dried and ground.

In its final form, gelatin is white, tasteless, and odorless.