Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questi...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 7 to 16.

Taking Home the World Cup

        Standing just 36 centimeters tall, the FIFA World Cup Trophy symbolizes the pinnacle of football achievement.  Every four years, teams worldwide compete for it, but no one ever takes the trophy home. Made of 18-carat gold, the original trophy remains under FIFA's protection, with winners receiving only a replica. This measure safeguards it from theft, as the trophy has been stolen twice in its history.

        The original trophy was made by a French sculptor, Abel LaFleur, and was called the “Jules Rimet Cup,” in honor of the founder of the World Cup tournament. Sometime during the first three World Cup events (1930, 1934, and 1938), the name changed to simply the “World Cup.” Then during World War II, not much was seen or heard of the trophy. It was being kept hidden in a shoe box under the bed of Dr. Ottorino Barassi, the Italian vice-president of FIFA, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Nazi army. In 1966, the Cup was stolen during a public showing of the trophy prior to the World Cup tournament in England. Luckily, it was found a short time later, none the worse for wear, in a trash container by a little dog named Pickles. Four years later, Brazil earned permanent possession of the original trophy by winning its third World Cup title. Unfortunately, the trophy was stolen a second time in 1983 and was never recovered. The Brazilian Football Association had to have a duplicate trophy made.

        (I) After the first trophy became the possession of Brazil’s football association, a new World Cup Trophy for FIFA was designed by an Italian artist, Silvio Gazzaniga, in 1974. (II) This trophy cannot be won outright, but remains in the possession of FIFA, and rest assured they are watching it very closely. Today, World Cup winners are awarded a replica of the trophy that is gold-plated, rather than solid gold like the real one. (III) Gazzaniga’s World Cup trophy weighs almost five kilograms. (IV) Its base contains two layers of a semi-precious stone called malachite, and has room for seventeen small plaques bearing the names of the winning teams enough space to honor all the World Cup champions up to the year 2038. After that, a new trophy will have to be made.

(Adapted from Reading Challenge 3)

Question 7. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence?

        A. Although small, the FIFA World Cup Trophy is a prestigious symbol of football success.

        B. The FIFA World Cup Trophy represents an achievable goal for most football teams.

        C. The FIFA World Cup Trophy is a modest yet iconic award in football tournament.

        D. The FIFA World Cup Trophy's size reflects the scale of football excellence in the world.

Question 8. The word "it" in paragraph 1 refers to:

        A. FIFA                                                B. the competition                        

        C. the original trophy                                        D. the replica

Question 9. Which of the following is NOT a reason for FIFA keeping the original trophy under protection?

        A. Its significant monetary value                        B. The risk of it being lost in transit

        C. Its history of being stolen twice                        D. The fact that it is made of 18-carat gold

Question 10. The phrase "none the worse for wear" could best be replaced by:

        A. entirely replaced        B. barely noticeable                C. slightly damaged                D. completely intact

Question 11. Where in paragraph 3 does the following sentence best fit?

"It was a decision made to prevent the trophy from being stolen again."

        A. (III)                        B. (IV)                                C. (I)                                D. (II)

Question 12. The word "outright" in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to:

        A. partially                B. temporarily                        C. gradually                        D. indefinitely

Question 13. Which of the following best summarizes paragraph 3?

        A. The original trophy was stolen and replaced by a duplicate.

        B. Gazzaniga’s design includes features ensuring its long-term use.

        C. FIFA now awards winners a replica to protect the original.

        D. A new trophy designed in 1974 cannot be won outright.

Question 14. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

        A. Brazil permanently kept the original trophy after winning their third World Cup.

        B. Pickles was the name of the dog that found the trophy in 1974.

        C. The current World Cup Trophy has space for plaques up to 2040.

        D. The original trophy was never recovered after it was stolen in 1966.

Question 15. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

        A. FIFA plans to redesign the current trophy before 2038.

        B. The replica trophies are also made of 18-carat gold.

        C. The current trophy is more secure than the original.

        D. Brazil no longer competes for the World Cup trophy.

Question 16. Which of the following best summarizes the main point of the passage?

A. The World Cup Trophy has undergone numerous changes to prevent theft and then  accommodate more and more winners.

B. FIFA's decision to create a replica trophy highlights the history of the history of the trophy surrounding the World Cup.

C. The FIFA World Cup Trophy is a highly valued and carefully protected prize, symbolizing the pinnacle of football achievement.

D. The history of the FIFA World Cup Trophy reflects its importance and ongoing legacy in international football tournament.