Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it.
On 10 April, 1912, the largest and finest luxury ship in the world sailed from Southampton in England to New York. She was called the Titanic and it was her maiden voyage. She was crossing the Atlantic and was built with great care. The passengers talked and laughed. They were happy and proud because they were travelling in the best ship in the world. For four days the Titanic sailed smoothly. Then came 14 April.
The night was cold, the sky was clear and the sea was calm. Time ticked on……. ten O’clock, eleven half-past eleven…….
Eleven forty! On top of the ship, the man who kept watch suddenly saw an iceberg which stood right in the path of the Titanic. He telephoned the engine-room. Captain Smith and his crew fought hard to steer the ship away from the iceberg but its side scraped the ice berg and made big holes along the ship’ side, through which water began to pour into the engine room and lower decks. Captain Smith and his crew’ tried to stop it but they *****. They now’ knew that the Titanic was in great danger. Captain smith began to send radio signals at twelve-fifteen. ‘Help! Struck an Iceberg’.
A ship called the California was only about 18 kilometers away, but she did not receive the Titanic signals. This was because her radio had been shut at 12 O’clock . The Titanic continued to send signals. At last, a small ship called the Carpathia heard the call, she changed course and sailed at full speed towards the Titanic, Meanwhile the Titanic was sinking rapidly. Then, at 2.20 A.M. on 15 April she vanished into the sea forever. About fifteen-hundred people including Captain Smith, went down with her.
When the Carpathia reached the lifeboats it was 4 A.M. She was able to save only seven hundred people. The Titanic now **** deep down at the bottom of the ocean.
(a) When did the Titanic begin its voyage?
(b) What did people call the Titanic?
(c) How did the people on board feel?
(d) What did the man who kept watch notice at 11.40 P.M.?
(e) Who tried to steer the ship away?
(f) Why did water pour into the engine room?
(g) What message did Capt. Smith give?
(h) Why couldn’t California receive the radio signals?
(i) How many people could Carpathia save?
(j) Where is the Titanic n
