SHE WAS HIRED BY THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, WHERE SHE W...

1936, she was hired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where she worked most of her life.

Carson’s first book, Under the Sea Wind, was published in 1941. It received excellent reviews,

but sales were poor until it was reissued in 1952. In that year she published The Sea Around Us,

which provided a fascinating look beneath the ocean’s surface, emphasizing human history as well as

geology and marine biology. Her imagery and language had a poetic quality. Carson consulted no less

than 1,000 printed sources. She had voluminous correspondence and frequent discussions with

experts in the field. However, she always realized the limitations of her nontechnical readers.

In 1962, Carson published Silent Spring, a book that sparked considerable controversy. It

proved how much harm was done by the uncontrolled, reckless use of insecticides. She detailed how

they poison the food supply of animals, kill birds and fish, and contaminate human food. At the time,

spokesmen for the chemical industry mounted personal attacks against Carson and issued propaganda

to indicate that her findings were flawed. However, her work was proved by a 1963 report of the

President’s Science Advisory Committee.

(Source: TOEFL Reading)

Question 43. The passage mainly discusses Rachel Carson’s work

A. as a researcher B. at college

C. at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service D. as a writer

Question 44. According to the passage, what did Carson primarily study at Johns Hopkins

University?

A. oceanography B. zoology C. literature D. history

Question 45. When she published her first book, Carson was closest to the age of

A. 26 B. 29 C. 34 D. 45

Question 46. It can be inferred from the passage that in 1952, Carson’s book Under the Sea Wind

A. was outdated B. became more popular than her other books

C. was praised by critics D. sold many copies

Question 47. Which of the following was NOT mentioned in the passage as a source of information

for The Sea Around Us?

A. printed matter B. talks with experts

C. a research expedition D. letters from scientists

Question 48. Which of the following words or phrases is LEAST accurate in describing The Sea

Around Us?

A. highly technical B. poetic C. fascinating D. well-researched

Question 49. The word “reckless” in line 11 is closest in meaning to

A. unnecessary B. limited C. continuous D. irresponsible

Question 50. According to the passage, Silent Spring is primarily

A. an attack on the use of chemical preservatives in food

B. a discussion of the hazards insects pose to the food supply

C. a warning about the dangers of misusing insecticides

D. an illustration of the benefits of the chemical industry