After inventing dynamite, Swedish-born Nobel became a very rich man. However, he foresaw its universally
Question: After inventing dynamite, Swedish-born 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 humanity. 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 125,000.
Every year on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death, the wards (gold medal, illuminated diploma, and money) 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.
Question 1: The word “foresaw” in the first paragraph is nearest in meaning to ________.
A. prevailed
B. postponed
C. prevented
D. predicted
Question 2: The Nobel prize was established in order to _________.
A. recognize worthwhile contributions to humanity
B. resolve political differences
C. honor the inventor of dynamite
D. spend money
Question 3: In which area have Americans received the most awards?
A. Literature
B. Peace
C. Economics
D. Science
Question 4: 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.
Question 5: In the first paragraph, “worthwhile” is closest in meaning to ________.
A. economic
B. prestigious
C. trivial
D. valuable
Question 6: How much money did Nobel leave for the prizes?
A. $30,000
B. $125,000
C. $155,000
D. $9,000,000
Question 7: What is the main idea of this 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 of his money to science
D. Alfred Nobel made a lasting contribution to humanity
Question 8: The word “legacy” in the second paragraph means most nearly the same as
A. legend
B. bequest
C. prize
D. debt