After inventing dynamite, Swedish-born Alfred Nobel became a very rich man. However, he foresaw its universally destructive powers too late. Nobel preferred not to be remembered as the inventor of dynamite, so in 1895, just two weeks before his death, he created a fund to be used for awarding prizes to people who had made worthwhile contributions to mankind. Originally there were five awards literature, physics, chemistry, medicine, and peace. Economics was added in 1968, just sixty-seven years after the first awards ceremony.
Nobel's original legacy of nine million dollars was invested, and the interest on this sum is used for the awards which vary from $30,000 to $125,000.
Every year on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death, the awards are presented to the winners. Sometimes politics plays an important role in the judges' decisions. Americans have won numerous science awards, but relatively few literature prizes.
No awards were presented from 1940 to 1942 at the beginning of World War II. Some people have won two prizes, but this is rare; others have shared their prizes.
76. The word "foresaw" is nearest in meaning to ................
A. prevailed B. postponed C. prevented D. predicted
77. All of the following statements are true EXCEPT:
A. awards vary in monetary value.
B. ceremonies are held on December 10 to commemorate Nobel's invention.
C. politics plays an important role in selecting the winners.
D. a few individuals have won two awards.
78. The passage implies that Nobel's profession was in ...............
A. economics B. medicine C. literature D. science
79. The word "worthwhile" is closest in meaning to ...............
A. economic B. prestigious C. trivial D. valuable
80. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Alfred Nobel became very rich when he invented dynamite.
B. Alfred Nobel created awards in six categories for contributions to humanity.
C. Alfred Nobel left all his money to science.
D. Alfred Nobel made a lasting contribution to humanity.
76. The word "foresaw" is nearest in meaning to ................
A. prevailed B. postponed C. prevented D. predicted
77. All of the following statements are true EXCEPT:
A. awards vary in monetary value.
B. ceremonies are held on December 10 to commemorate Nobel's invention.
C. politics plays an important role in selecting the winners.
D. a few individuals have won two awards.
78. The passage implies that Nobel's profession was in ...............
A. economics B. medicine C. literature D. science
79. The word "worthwhile" is closest in meaning to ...............
A. economic B. prestigious C. trivial D. valuable
80. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Alfred Nobel became very rich when he invented dynamite.
B. Alfred Nobel created awards in six categories for contributions to humanity.
C. Alfred Nobel left all his money to science.
D. Alfred Nobel made a lasting contribution to humanity.
1 D
2 B
3 D
4 D
5 D