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2013 ‫מועד אוקטובר‬ - 47 - ‫ פרק שנ י‬- ‫ אנגלית‬

12. Scientists are currently constructing artificial brains of an intricacy unfathomable even

two years ago.

(1) It was only two years ago that scientists began to realize how enormous a task it
would be to create artificial brains.

(2) Scientists now believe that they have the capability to create artificial brains that are
far more intricate than those made only two years ago.

(3) Within two years, scientists should be able to construct artificial brains of
remarkable sophistication.

(4) As recently as two years ago, it would have been impossible to imagine the
complexity of the artificial brains now being built by scientists.

Reading Comprehension

This part consists of two passages, each followed by several related questions. For each
question, choose the most appropriate answer based on the text.

Text I (Questions 13-17)

(1) When we think of mailing a letter today, we generally assume that the letter will be
enclosed in an envelope. The envelope protects the letter on its journey and bears
stamps indicating that postage has been paid for, as well as information about the letter's
origin and destination.

(5) Yet envelopes were a relatively late development in the history of letter writing. In
the past, because paper was very expensive, letters were simply folded, sealed and sent.
Only in the 17th century did envelopes appear in Spain and France. According to
Maynard Benjamin, president of the American Envelope Manufacturers Association, it
was King Louis XIV of France who popularized the use of envelopes to ensure the

(10) privacy of letters.

In the 19th century, machines to make envelopes were invented. However, the glue
for constructing the envelope still had to be applied by hand – a slow and laborious
procedure. As a result, manufacturers could not keep up with the demand for envelopes
and many people continued to send their letters the old-fashioned way. Eventually,

(15) machines for applying and drying the glue were invented. As more and more envelopes
were produced, their design and decoration became more elaborate. In the early 20th
century, governments often printed patriotic messages and pictures on envelopes, and
merchants put advertisements on them.

Today, the golden age of the envelope seems to have ended. Not only are
(20) contemporary envelopes plain and uninspired compared to those of the past, but

electronic mail and faxes are increasingly replacing posted letters – and their envelopes.

)‫© כל הזכויות שמורות למרכז ארצי לבחינות ולהערכה (ע"ר‬

.‫ בלא אישור בכתב מהמרכז הארצי לבחינות ולהערכה‬- ‫ כולה או חלקים ממנה‬- ‫ או ללמדה‬,‫אין להעתיק או להפיץ בחינה זו או קטעים ממנה בכל צורה ובכל אמצעי‬