4/13 TOEFL Reading
Daily coursework (2/2)
I. Read the Passage
Over the past month, world leaders have been to the forefront, rallying their nations to battle the spread of coronavirus. But there's been one notable exception -- President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, who has not been seen in public for over 40 days.
The last time the 74-year-old leader was seen in person was during a televised military event on February 21. He was seen virtually on March 12, when he participated in an online conference call with heads of state from Central America's System of Integration (SICA) to discuss the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Nicaragua has come under fire for its casual approach to the crisis. The border, public schools and universities remain open and the strict preventative measures seen in neighboring countries are not in place.
The government has not imposed any rules to enforce social distancing, though some in Nicaragua have taken it upon themselves to self-quarantine and otherwise avoid spreading the virus.
This past weekend, a market festival with tasting events in Managua and Easter celebrations such as a summer festival in Matagalpa organized by the local tourism institute took place. The government state-run Digital 19 summarized the nationwide events as ways to, "celebrate in family and community our religious and cultural traditions."
(from CNN)
II. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is “notable” most similar to?
Real
Significant
Happening now
What was Ortega doing the last time he was seen?
Giving a lecture at a university
Celebrating religious and cultural traditions
Having a virtual meeting
True or False — “The Nicaraguan government has imposed social distancing rules.”
True
False
III. Short Answer
Answer in either 50 words (if written) or 30 seconds (if spoken).
If you were the leader of a country, how would you respond to Coronavirus?
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