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2014 ‫מועד דצמבר‬ - 39 - ‫ פרק ראשו ן‬- ‫ אנגלית‬

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) The world's most popular word processing and graphics system does not allow
users to back up their work or check their spelling automatically. It cannot search for
words or change the format of a page. Still, people keep buying it.

For four hundred years, people have been writing with pencils. Even in today's
(5) technological world, many people still choose pencils over pens or computers. "Twenty

years ago, I was worried that the pencil would go out of style," says Count Anton-
Wolfgang von Faber-Castell, head of the world's oldest and largest pencil manufacturing
company. His concerns proved to be unfounded. Since the year 2000, the production of
pencils has risen by 12 percent, and annual sales now reach 15 billion worldwide.

(10) There are several reasons for the pencil's continuing popularity. The world's most
commonly used writing instrument also costs the least. It does not require electric
power, and it never leaks. It is easy to carry. It works in outer space, under water, and
everywhere in between. All a user needs to keep it working properly is a simple
sharpener.

(15) For pencil lovers, however, these explanations miss the point. Many authors,
including John Steinbeck and Günther Grass, wrote with pencils, using bold strokes and
lighter shades to express their feelings. Moreover, computers offer only standardized
character fonts, while each person has a unique handwriting style. Pencils have thus
remained the writing implement chosen by a great many writers, thinkers, architects,

(20) and musicians who find that newer and more sophisticated methods have their
limitations.

Questions four hundred years ago.

13. It can be understood from the second paragraph that

(1) pencils were more popular than pens
(2) people started using pencils
(3) Count von Faber-Castell started making pencils
(4) pencils went out of style

)‫© 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