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Reading Comprehension

33. Strauss’s blue jeans were originally designed - (1) to meet the needs of cowboys (2) to meet the needs of miners (3) for maximum comfort (4) to fit tightly

35. The main purpose of the text is to discuss - (1) the influence of Europe on the American West (2) the textile industry in the 19th century (3) Levi Strauss (4) the development of jeans

34. In line 16, "the material" refers to -

(1) cotton twill (2) heavy-duty canvas (3) serge de Nimes (4) indigo blue

TEXT 8

Nature has a way of preserving its own - for as long as 10,000 years. That is how long the seeds of an arctic lupine remained buried in frozen silt in the icy wastes of the Yukon, Canada, before they were dug out and germinated in 1996. While this is an exceptional case, the seeds of the American lotus are known to be able to sprout after 1000 years, and many common or garden seeds can be germinated successfully after 20 5 years. Today scientists are able to match nature and preserve seeds artificially for hundreds of years. In refrigerated rooms around the world seeds are being stored for the 21st century and beyond. 10 Botanic Gardens. At Wakehurst Place, a 400-year-old mansion hidden deep in the English countryside, scientists have stored the seeds of over 2000 different species of garden plants and wildflowers. The seeds come from more than 50 countries and form one of the most comprehensive collections in the world. 15 freezer rooms. Tests indicate that most seeds can be stored for up to 25 years and some for more than a century. Moreover, research suggests that essential seeds such as barley and other grains may have a storage life of many thousands of years. One of the most successful seed banks in the world is managed by Britain's Royal The seeds are first dried, then frozen and kept on ice at -30 degrees Celsius in three The seed bank represents a considerable investment in the future. Many of the seeds are of rare or threatened species and are being saved from possible extinction. Others 20 have no known use at the moment but in future years may prove to be valuable, possibly providing new sources of drugs, food, or fuel. As such they could benefit the economies of many developing countries.

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