I. Read the following passage and then choose the most suitable word for each space. Schools in the United States have not always had a large number of libraries. As (46)_____ as 1958 about half of the public schools in the United States had no libraries at all. The number of public school libraries increased dramatically (47)____ the federal government passed the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965, (48)_____ provided funds for school districts to improve their education programs and ...

I. Read the following passage and then choose the most suitable word for each space.

Schools in the United States have not always had a large number of libraries. As (46)_____ as 1958 about half of the public schools in the United States had no libraries at all.

The number of public school libraries increased dramatically (47)____ the federal government passed the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965, (48)_____ provided funds for school districts to improve their education programs and facilities, including their libraries. (49) ___, many educators claim that since the legislation was passed federal spending has not increased sufficiently to meet the rising (50)____ of new library technologies such as computer databases and Internet access.

Because the federal government provides only limited funds to schools, individual school districts (51)____ on funds from local property taxes to meet the vast majority of public school expenses. Therefore, the libraries of the public schools tend to reflect the (52)____ capabilities of the communities in which they are located. Districts in wealthy suburbs often have fully staffed libraries (53)_____ abundant resources, spacious facilities, and curricular and instructional support. In (54)_____ school districts in many poor areas house their libraries in ordinary classrooms or in small rooms. The libraries in such areas are generally staffed by volunteers, who organize and (55)_____ books that are often out-of-date, irrelevant, or damaged.