Question

a crowd of people surged in to the eighth avenue express at 89th street. by elbowing other passengers in the back, by pushing and heaving, they forced their bodies into the coaches, making room for themselves where no room had existed before. as the train gathered speed for the long run to 125th street, the passengers settled down into small private worlds, thus creating the illusion of space between them and their fellow passengers. the worlds were built up behind newspapers and magazines, behind closed eyes or while staring at the varicolored show - cards that bordered the coaches.

1. why was it difficult to get on the train?

a the train didnt stop long enough.
b there was a barrier in the way.
c the train was already full.
d the people were reading newspapers.

1. the newspapers helped the passengers

e pass the time more quickly.
f forget where they were going.
g sleep.
h feel that they were by themselves.

1. staring at the show - cards served the same purpose as

i finding a seat.
j getting on the train.
k shutting ones eyes.
l staring at other passengers.

1. in this passage, the word run means

m trip.
n race.
o string of good luck.
p series of performances.

Explanation:

1. The text mentions people "forced their bodies into the coaches" and "making room for themselves where no room had existed before", indicating the train was full.
2. The text states "The worlds were built up behind newspapers... creating the illusion of space between them and their fellow passengers", meaning newspapers helped them feel alone.
3. Staring at show - cards, like closing eyes, helps create a private world away from fellow passengers.
4. "the train gathered speed for the long run to 125th Street" implies "run" here means the train's trip.

Answer:

1. C. The train was already full.
2. H. feel that they were by themselves.
3. K. shutting one’s eyes.
4. M. trip.