After the peak year of 1957, the birth rate in Canada
began to decline. It continued falling until in 1966 it stood at the
lowest level in 25 years. Partly this decline reflected the low
level of births during the depression and the war, but it was
also caused by changes in Canadian society. Young people
were staying at school longer, more women were working,
young married couples were buying automobiles or houses
before starting families, rising living standards were cutting
down the size of families. It appeared that Canada was once
more falling in step with the trend toward smaller families that
had occurred all through the Western world since the time of
the Industrial Revolution.
Although the growth in Canada s population has slowed
down by 1966(the increase in the first half of the 1960 s was
only nine percent). Another large population wave was coming
over the horizon. It would be composed of the children of the
children who were born during the period of the high birth
rate prior to 1957.
10. What does the passage mainly discuss?
(A) Educational changes in Canadian society.
(B) Canada during the Second World War
(C) Population trends in postwar Canada
(D) Standards of living in Canada
11. According to the passage, when did Canada s baby boom begin?
(A) In the decade after 1911
(B) After 1945
(C) During the depression of the 1930 s
(D) In 1966
12. The word "five" in line 4 refers to
(A) Canadians
(B) Years
(C) Decades
(D) Marriages
13. The word "surging" in line 5 is closest in meaning to
(A) new
(B) extra
(C) accelerating
(D) surprising
14. The author suggests that in Canada during the 1950 s
(A) the urban population decreased rapidly
(B) fewer people married
(C) economic conditions were poor
(D) the birth rate was very high
15. The word "trend" in line 15 is closest in meaning to
(A) tendency
(B) aim
(C) growth
(D) directive