READING COMPREHENSION 01

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate
the correct answer to each of the questions from 1 to 8.

Globally, population has doubled since 1968 and grown by almost 40 percent since reaching 5 billion
in 1987, an event that led to the first World Population Day. Growth will continue at least until
midcentury despite dramatic declines in the average number of children per woman, according to UN
population division.

Current estimates indicate that roughly 83 million people are being added to the world’s population
every year. Even assuming that fertility levels will continue to decline, the global population is
expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100, according to the
medium-variant projection.

The UN Population Division collaborates closely with the agencies, funds, programmes and bodies of
the United Nations system in the implementation of the work programme on population and in the
follow-up to the International Conference on Population and Development. United Nations missions,
national Government offices, United Nations offices, researchers, media representatives and the public
regularly consult the Population Division regarding population estimates and projections, and
information and analyses on population and development issues.

At its thirty-eighth session, the Statistical Commission requested the United Nations Statistics Division
and other international agencies to increase their technical assistance to national statistical offices in
order to strengthen national capacity for the implementation of the 2010 World Programme on
Population and Housing Censuses. In addition, the Commission requested countries to begin
implementation of the revised Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) works with many partners, both within and outside the
United Nations system, including Governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society, faith-
based organizations, religious leaders and others, to achieve its mission. To better respond to local
needs, UNFPA increasingly devotes resources to country-led efforts, placing emphasis on country-
focused and country-led implementation to achieve improved results, at the same time addressing
mutual accountability and strengthening harmonization and alignment.

UNFPA works to support family planning by: ensuring a steady, reliable supply of quality
contraceptives; strengthening national health systems; advocating for policies supportive of family
planning; and gathering data to support this work. UNFPA also provides global leadership in increasing
access to family planning, by convening partners – including governments – to develop evidence and
policies, and by offering programmatic, technical and financial assistance to developing countries.

The United Nations observes designated days, weeks, years, and decades, each with a theme, or topic.
By creating special observances, the United Nations promotes international awareness and action on
these issues. The majority of observances have been established by resolutions of the United Nations
General Assembly, although some have been designated by UN specialized agencies. The United
Nations also observes anniversaries of key events in its history.

Question 1: Which is the best title of the passage?

A. The Mission of United Nations Population Fund
B. The Event that Led to the World Population Day
C. The United Nations and Its Organizations
D. The Snapshot of Global Population
Question 2: The word “fertility” in paragraph 2 is closest meaning to ______.
A. birth
B. growth
C. marriage
D. death
Question 3: According to paragraph 3, it is implied that the Population Division ______.
A. helps with the implementation of the work programme on population
B. provides valid and reliable information and analysis on population issues
C. regularly makes population estimates and projections as well as analysis
D. works in good cooperation with other organizations working on population
Question 4: The word “its” in paragraph 4 refers to ______.
A. the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses’
B. the International Conference on Population and Development’s
C. the United Nations Statistics Division’s
D. the Statistical Commission’s
Question 5: According to the passage, which of the following is the role played by the United Nations
Statistics Division?
A. gathering statistics for Housing Censuses
B. providing technical assistance in statistics
C. implementing the World Programme on Population
D. implementing the Recommendations for Population
Question 6: The word “advocating” in paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to ______.
A. providing
B. agreeing
C. supporting
D. protecting
Question 7: According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true about UNFPA?
A. It does anything with mutual accountability.
B. It cooperates with non-governmental organizations.
C. It cooperates with partners within United Nations.
D. It provides financial aid for female students.
Question 8: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
A. UNFPA helps countries around the world identify and advise the best way to ensure sustainable
global development.
B. UNFPA is committed not only to promoting sustainable development, but to reducing over our own
carbon footprint.
C. UNFPA works separately to support family planning and development issues as well as financial
assistance to developing countries.
D. UNFPA provides programmatic, technical and financial assistance to developed countries around
the world.

Answer sheet:
Question Answer
1. D
2. A
3. B
4. D
5. B
6. C
7. D
8. C