While both groups did better than chance would predict, nearly half the participants in each group made the wrong choice two or more times. Two people go all four samples wrong. Overall, half the participants did about as well on the last round of tasting as on the first, so fatigue, or taste burnout, was not a factor. Our preference test results suggest that only a few Pepsi participants and Coke fans may really be able to tell their favorite brand by taste and price.
56. According to the passage the preference test was conducted in order to _______.
A) find out the role taste preference plays in a person’s drinking
B) reveal which cola is more to the liking of the drinkers
C) show that a person’s opinion about taste is mere guess-work
D) compare the ability of the participants in choosing their drinks
57. The statistics recorded in the preference tests show ______.
A) Coca-Cola and Pepsi are people’s two most favorite drinks
B) there is not much difference in taste between Coca-Cola and Pepsi
C) few people had trouble telling Coca-Cola from Pepsi
D) people’s tastes differ from one another
58. It is implied in the first paragraph that _______.
A) the purpose of taste tests is to promote the sale of colas
B) the improvement of quality is the chief concern of the two cola companies
C) the competition between the two colas is very strong
D) blind tasting is necessary for identifying fans
59. The word “burnout” (Line 4, Para.5) here refers to the state of ______.
A) being seriously burnt in the skin
B) being unable to burn for lack of fuel
C) being badly damaged by fire
D) being unable to function because of excessive use
60. The author’s purpose in writing this passage is to ______.
A) show that taste preference is highly subjective
