A Guide to the GRE/Reading Practice 3

Reading Practice 3

The Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul presents a noteworthy example of a mixture between Moorish and Middle- Eastern architectural styles as well as the 5 traditional European Gothic style - a medley which naturally resulted from the history of the structure. Built in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, in 1897, the cathedral harkens back to an era which saw a great 10 influx of French and Italians into Tunis, as the city was at the time a French protectorate - thus, its construction drew upon the skills and preferences of the locals, both French and Italian as well as 15 Tunisian. The result is a unique construction, featuring the domes and arches typical of the Islamic mosque, and greeted with palm trees at its front entrance, but adorned with crosses, both at 20 the façade and at its steeple. Though the Roman Catholic population has sharply declined in Tunis since Tunisian independence, the Archdiocese of Tunis still maintains the building and uses it as 25 the seat of its presence in the city.

1. According to the passage, which one of the following is true about the Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul?

(A) When it was built, Tunis was a protectorate of France. (B) It was the first Roman Catholic cathedral constructed in Tunis. (C) It has features which are also associated with Islamic mosques.

2. Which of the following can be inferred about Tunis, based on the passage?

(A) Its Roman Catholic population has decreased since the Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul was built. (B) It is the capital of Tunisia. (C) It has many instances of Gothic and other European architectural styles which harken back to its days as a French protectorate.

Answers to Practice Questions

1. (A), (C)

Choice (A) can be inferred from lines 10-11, which explain that Tunis was a French protectorate at the time. Answer (C) can be similarly inferred from lines 15-18, which describe the features of the cathedral.

Answer (B), however, cannot be inferred. While the passage states that there was a great influx of Roman Catholics to Tunis, it does not state that the cathedral was the first in the region.

2. (A), (B)

Choice (A) can be inferred from lines 20-23 and their discussion of Tunisian independence. Lines 7-8 establish choice (B) - that Tunis was the capital of Tunisia. The third choice, however, cannot be inferred. The passage doesn't establish that there are many instances of Gothic and other European architectural styles. Only one is discussed - the cathedral in question.