Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

When firefighters turn up to put out a fire, traditionally people expect them to be men. However, underneath the protective clothing, helmet and visor, there are more and more women. One such woman is Krystyna Krakowski. She became a firefighter in Florida in 2000, when there were very few women to work beside or guide her in the service. She is now not only successful but also recruiting more females into the profession. In September 2020, Ms. Krakowski was one of the five women at Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue who made department history by working an entire shift with no male colleagues. “We are capable of anything. Don’t let anything stop you,” Ms. Krakowski said.

Women in the United States have a long history of fighting fires. During World War II, women fought fires while men fought overseas. At that time, some fire departments were staffed entirely by women. Nowadays, female firefighters account for 4% of professional firefighters nationwide. However, their numbers and influence in the ranks are on the rise. Being a firefighter is a challenging but rewarding job. Firefighters need to wear heavy equipment, use various tools and perform rescue operation. Therefore, they have to be quick thinkers, strong and courageous. They work 24-hour shifts and then get 48 hours off before they repeat the same routine. During their shifts, they respond to calls involving incidents like structure fires, car accidents, medical emergencies and traumatic injuries. They also provide fire safety education and other measures that can help communities prevent accidents or avoid injuries.

1. When Ms. Krakowski became a firefighter, __________.

A. there were few female colleagues

B. she didn’t have anyone beside her

C. nobody guided her

D. she recruited a lot of female firefighters

2. What was the special event in Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue department in 2020?

A. She recruited a lot of female firefighters.

B. There were no male firefighters in the department.

C. There were five women working in the department.

D. There was an all-female fire rescue crew for the first time.

3. According to the passage, which of the following statement is TRUE?

A. Nowadays, there are more female firefighters than during World War II.

B. 4% of professional firefighters in Florida are women.

C. During World War II, women served as firefighters to replace male firefighters who joined the military.

D. Firefighters work on shifts that can last up to 48 hours.

4. All of the following are requirements to become a firefighter EXCEPT __________.

A. have a good physical condition

B. be brave

C. be able to make decisions fast

D. be able to avoid injuries effectively

5. One of the objectives of the fire service is __________

A. to encourage people to join the profession.

B. to stop fires from happening.

C. to show citizens how to perform operations.

D. to answer phone calls about traffic.