Read the passage and then choose the best answer.
The British ship H.M.S Breadalbane sank in the Canadian Arctic on August 21 1853, after being crushed by encroaching ice while on a rescue mission. The 31 crewmen aboard escaped over the ice to a companion vessel as the Breadalbane went down in 15 minutes.
Canadian scientists now report that after a three-year search of records about the ship, they have located it sitting upright in 110 meters of water. Using a robot camera device, they said they have taken remarkably clear pictures of the Breadalbane, which has been well preserved by the ice and the supercold water "What we have is a treasure trove of 19th century Arctic exploration." reported one scientist. Located 1000 kilometers above the Arctic Circle, the Breadalbane is the world's northernmost known shipwreck.
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According to the passage, the Breadalbane was sailing where it was on August 21, 1853, mainly to
A. explore the area in which it sank. B. defend that area for the British government.
C. find a northwest passage to the Orient. D. save the lives of other people. -
What happened to the Breadalbane's crew?
A. Some survived but most perished. B. Most survived but a few perished.
C. All perished in the accident. D. All were rescued by another ship. -
The scientists can prove they have found the exact location of the Breadalbane because they
A. have taken underwater photos of the ship.
B. dived down to the wreck to explore it
C. managed to refloat the boat using modern engineering techniques.
D. retrieved some objects from the wreck with the ship's name on them.
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The reason that the scientists called the wreck a "treasure trove" is that they expect it to yield a lot of
A. precious metals. B. valuable foreign goods. C. precious stones. D. valuable information.
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The main reason that they can be sure to expect to learn a great deal about 19th century Arctic exploration from the wreck is that
A. no other ship ever sank in waters so far north.
B. water currents are gentle there so the ship was not moved.
C. the camera they are using is a robot.
D. the ship has been extremely well preserved by the severe cold. -
The principal historical distinction of this wreck when compared with other is that
A. it has lain underwater for so long.
B. the scientists expect to become wealthy from its discovery.
C. no other has been found so far north.
D. until now it has been impossible to take pictures in such icy waters.