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2012 ‫מועד דצמבר‬ - 39 - ‫ פרק ראשו ן‬- ‫ אנגלית‬

Reading Comprehension

This part consists of two passages, each followed by several related questions. For each question,
choose the most appropriate answer based on the text.

Text I (Questions 13-17)

(1) Fingerprints are the impressions, or marks, made by the lines in the skin of the fingers.
These lines form a pattern which remains unchanged throughout a person's life. No two
people's fingerprints have, as yet, been found to be exactly alike. For this reason,
fingerprinting is one of the most accurate methods of identifying a person.

(5) In the past, methods of identification included trying to recognize clothing or distinctive
body markings, or measuring different parts of the body. However, the use of these methods
resulted in many cases of mistaken identity. As a means of identification, fingerprinting has
been proven to be far superior.

A person may leave latent, or hidden, fingerprints when he or she touches an object.
(10) Latent prints are usually difficult to see and require the use of chemicals and powders to make

them visible. The value of the latent print for purposes of identification depends on the
clearness of the print and where the print is found. Latent fingerprints are most frequently
used in criminal investigations.

Fingerprints have been used as a means of identification for thousands of years.
(15) Historians believe that as far back as 1000 B.C.E., the Chinese used thumbprints to sign

documents. Babylonian writers signed their works by leaving fingerprints on clay tablets. In
modern times, people have tried to find a reliable and scientific method for using fingerprints
as a means of identification. Sir William J. Herschel, a British government official who lived
in India in the 1850s, is credited with being the first to do this successfully. By 1890, his
(20) system had been replaced by the one developed by Sir Francis Galton.

Questions

13. The main purpose of the text is to discuss -

(1) the history of fingerprinting since the 1850s
(2) scientific methods used in criminal investigations
(3) why fingerprints do not change over time
(4) an extremely useful means of identification

)‫© כל הזכויות שמורות למרכז ארצי לבחינות ולהערכה (ע"ר‬

.‫ בלא אישור בכתב מהמרכז הארצי לבחינות ולהערכה‬- ‫ כולה או חלקים ממנה‬- ‫ או ללמדה‬,‫אין להעתיק או להפיץ בחינה זו או קטעים ממנה בכל צורה ובכל אמצעי‬