Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer for each of the questions.
In 1960, Laura Ashley, a housewife with young children, began designing and selling clothes. After some early success, her husband, Bernard, an experienced businessman, joined her and was able to provide considerable help and advice. The business expanded rapidly. Laura had started working at home, and soon there were several "Laura Ashley" shops where women could buy pretty, traditional clothes in a country style, made of natural materials. By the 1980s, the company had developed into a multi-million pound international organization with branches in places as far apart as London, Brussels, San Francisco and Tokyo.
Laura Ashley was a woman of simple tastes and strong moral beliefs. She was born in Wales and one of her largest factories producing clothes was situated in the countryside there. Her employees were encouraged to lead healthy lives, enjoy the fresh air and a good diet. Many of the Ashley family were involved in the business, but in 1985 it was decided that the public should be given the opportunity to invest money in the company. Obviously this was a major development and a clear sign of commercial success. But the woman whose ideas had been the basics of the company's development did not live to see it. She fell down the stairs while staying at a friend's house and died in hospital a few days afterwards. She was only sixty-one.
Question 39. Laura Ashley started her business by
A. running an international organization B. working at home
C. organizing branches in cities D. opening some shops
Question 40. Which of the following is TRUE about Laura Ashley?
A. She was a young housewife with children when she started doing business.
B. Her husband had helped her in the first place.
C. Her business did not go well for many years after the start.
D. Women came to her shops to buy expensive clothes made of luxury materials.
Question 41. We can infer from the passage that by 1985.
A. Many members of her family had worked in her company.
B. Only Laura had done the business of the company.
C. None of the Ashley family, except her husband, had worked in the company.
D. No one else in the family had helped Laura in business.
Question 42. Which of the following would be the best title of the passage?
A. The expansion of a company B. A woman's excellent ideas
C. The success story of a housewife D. How a woman runs a business
Question 43. The word "Obviously" in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. Apparently B. Consequently C. Lately D. Generally
