CROSS REFERENCE

READING PRACTICE SET 1

Questions 1 and 2

Text A

What would happen if the world went vegan? Some would say, “That’ll never happen.” Others would start
campaigning and some others would ask, “What is ‘vegan’?” Well, in a revolutionary study the National
Academy of Sciences published their estimate for both the health and climate change impacts that would
occur if the world switched to eating a plant-based diet. Researchers at Oxford University studied the
effects of four different diets by the year 2050: one that follows global guidelines including minimum
amount of fruits and vegetables and limits on red meat, sugar and total calories; a vegetarian diet; a
vegan diet and the one currently followed by the world’s population. The global guidelines could avoid 5.1
million deaths per year, a significant figure, but not as much as the 8.1 million that would be spared in a
world of vegans, who do not consume animal products, including eggs and milk. As for climate change,
a vegan diet would cut food related emissions by 70 percent; following global dietary recommendations
the number would drop to 29. Last but not least, the study also found that dietary shifts could produce
savings of $700 billion to $1 trillion per year on healthcare, unpaid care and lost working days. These are
good enough reasons to go vegan, don’t you think? I do.

Text B

A pretty obvious reason for going vegan and staying vegan is compassion for animals. Having emotional
attachments with animals may be part of the reason, but many believe that all sentient creatures have
a right to life and freedom. Avoiding animal products is one way to oppose animal cruelty and animal
exploitation.

The second most common motivation for going vegan has to do with its proven health benefits. Well-
planned plant-based diets are rich in protein, iron, calcium and other essential vitamins and minerals and
help reduce some health issues like obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

The third reason is the impact that a non-vegan lifestyle has on the environment. The production of meat
and other animal products places a heavy burden on the environment – from crops and water required to
feed the animals, to the transport and other processes involved from farm to fork, not to mention the part
cow flatulence plays on the greenhouse effect.

1. What do texts A and B have in common?

a. They define veganism.
b. They mention the financial impact of a plant-based diet.
c. They provide evidence of the increasing number of vegans in the world.
d. They give reasons why one should go vegan.

2. How does text A differ from text B?

a. It doesn’t mention one of the main reasons for people to go vegan.
b. It focuses on the impact of veganism on people’s health.
c. It states facts but not the author’s opinion.
d. It explains the impact of a vegan lifestyle on the environment.
 CROSS REFERENCE
READING PRACTICE SET 1

Questions 3 and 4

Text A

Base jumping, skydiving, cliff diving, heli-skiing, ice climbing… While it is true that extreme sports do
not appeal to the masses, there are still a significant number of people to whom these activities are an
important and fulfilling part of their lives. So the question is, “What drives them to risk their lives in such
activities?” The adrenaline rush is what differentiates extreme sports from any other type of sports, so the
most attractive factor is certainly the thrill provided by them. Because when they do it, they either live or
die. It’s a feeling that can’t be duplicated in any other activity, and for many people it is a true sense of
feeling alive. Extreme sports are also about pushing the limits. Facing danger and overcoming barriers
while testing how much your body can endure becomes an addiction and athletes go for experiences that
are increasingly more challenging and risky.

Text B

It starts off with a 2.4-mile swim. Then there is a 112-mile bike ride. If that’s not enough, the final leg of
the race is a 26.6-mile run – a full marathon. This is the Ironman triathlon. As I see it, it’s pure agony, so
why would anyone in their right mind want to submit themselves to it? Psychologists say some people are
attracted by the adrenaline they get. It is very much like those people who jump out of planes or go climb
the highest mountains in the world. Their motivation seems to stem from achieving a goal, while being
competitive would come in as the second factor. It’s also knowing that you are one of very few people
who have dared to dream and have achieved that dream.

3. What is the connection between text A and text B?

a. Sports that are life threatening.
b. People who enjoy pushing their limits.
c. Sports addiction.
d. Risk taking as a life goal.

4. What do people who run the Ironman triathlon and those who go base jumping have in common?
a. They seek the adrenaline provided by the activity.
b. They need to take risks to feel alive.
c. They are very competitive.
d. They are not afraid to die.
 CROSS REFERENCE
READING PRACTICE SET 1

Questions 5 and 6

Text A

One-day Photo Workshop

Improve your skills with a renowned professional photographer.

Get tips on composition, lighting and exposure compensation.

Dates & Prices

• Groups (4-6 people)

Saturday: 8:00-18:00
Cost: $250.00

• Individual
Any day from Wednesday through Saturday: 8:00-18:00
Cost: $750.00

Costs include lunch and a one-hour photo analysis session.

All participants must bring a digital SLR camera.

Text B

Digital photography has granted people from all social classes access to a medium that was previously
only for a few privileged groups. Today more people are taking more photos than ever before, and they
are sharing them online with friends and family in record numbers. So comparisons are inevitable. It’s
easy to blame the camera or your smartphone if your images aren’t as nice as some others you see
online, but learning a few tips can help you improve the quality of your photos without having to spend big
bucks on a sophisticated new camera. You can find guidelines on composition, lighting, shooting mode,
flash use, white balance and much more by simply searching the Net. Keep them in mind next time you
head out to capture the world around you, and you’ll certainly see the difference.

5. What do texts A and B agree on?

a. Attending a photography workshop will improve your photos.
b. There is no need to have a sophisticated camera to take good photos.
c. Learning a few tips can help you take better photos.
d. Learning to take better photos will cost you a lot of money.

6. How does the suggestion in text A differ from what is recommended in text B?
a. It is intended for a specific group of people.
b. It doesn’t require a particular schedule.
c. It is not suitable for amateur photographers.
d. There is no immediate feedback.
 CROSS REFERENCE
READING PRACTICE SET 1

Questions 7 and 8

Text A

Ask Barbara

Dear Barbara,
I’m a college student looking for work (and I do need the extra money), but I’m worried that I won’t have
enough time to devote to academics. What can I do?

Broke Jack

Dear Broke Jack,

You didn’t mention your major, so I’m going for the general. If you’re a senior, junior or even a
sophomore, chances are you know your campus well. You can take advantage of that knowledge and
work for your college’s admissions department. They rely on outgoing, friendly students to give group and
personal tours, as well as talk to potential students about all that the college has to offer. If you think it’s a
job for you, ask your admissions department about openings. Not only is it a job that looks good on your
résumé, but it’s also convenient because you don’t even have to leave campus to get to work.

Text B

For some students, working in college is a necessity; for others, it is simply a desire. Obviously, a huge
plus to having a job is the income. Although part-time work is usually not enough to live on, it could
pay for rent, gas, books or entertainment. Besides, one of the best things a college job can provide is
an opportunity to develop professional skills that employers will be expecting upon graduation. Any
on-campus job can teach students skills such as verbal and written communication, teamwork, time
management, and customer service while also providing opportunities to build a professional network.
One thing to keep in mind though is how much you’ll work. Too many hours may impair your studies, but
research shows that students who work 10 to 15 hours per week on campus are more likely than other
students – even students who do not work at all – to persist and earn degrees.

7. What is the connection between text A and text B?

a. Text A contradicts text B.
b. Text B supports the content of text A.
c. Text B is a practical example of the situation in text A
d. Text A presents a problem that is solved in text B.

8. What do texts A and B agree on?

a. Students work in college because they want to.
b. Working in college has a negative effect on the students’ academic performance.
c. Outgoing students can get better jobs on campus.
d. Working on campus provides benefits other than the increase in income.