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READING PASSAGE 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1–16, which are based on Reading Passage 1 below.

Evolution of the Calculator

Before the invention of the electronic calculator, people used a number of devices to help them with mathematical calculations.


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Questions

Questions 1-6

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?

TRUE   if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE  if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. Counting methods before the abacus were limited to small quantities.
2. Development of trade helped spread the use of the abacus to Europe.
3. For 4,500 years, the abacus was constantly being improved.
4. The abacus can carry out some calculation tasks better than other tasks.
5. A complex knowledge of arithmetic was essential when using Napier’s bones.
6. Napier’s bones were automated counting devices.
Questions 7-16

Complete the table below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Invention: Pascal Calculator
Inventor: Blaise Pascal

• 7 was not needed to carry out calculations
• high price was due to manufacturing 8

Invention: Arithmometer
Inventor: Thomas de Colmar

• the first of several devices with improved 9
• its 10 was impractical

Invention: Curta
Inventor: Curt Herzstark

• people’s 11 about previous devices led to its invention
• his design initially focused on the 12 of the device
• because it was so small, it was 13
• the device received 14 from a royal
• it was operated by moving a 15
• Curta calculators can be found today in 16