The Seasoning and Kiln-Drying of Wood is Such an Important Process GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question

The seasoning and kiln-drying of wood is such an important process in the manufacture of woods that a need for fuller information regarding it, based upon scientific study of the behavior of various species at different mechanical temperatures, and under different drying processes is keenly felt. Everyone connected with the woodworking industry, or its use in manufactured products, is well aware of the difficulties encountered in properly seasoning or removing the moisture content without injury to the timber, and of its susceptibility to atmospheric conditions after it has been thoroughly seasoned. There is perhaps no material or substance that gives up its moisture with more resistance than wood does. It vigorously defies the efforts of human ingenuity to take away from it, without injury or destruction, that with which nature has so generously supplied it.

In the past but little has been known of this matter further than the fact that wood contained moisture which had to be removed before the wood could be made use of for commercial purposes. Within recent years, however, considerable interest has been awakened among wood-users in the operation of kiln-drying. The losses occasioned in air-drying and improper kiln-drying, and the necessity for getting the material dry as quickly as possible after it has come from the saw, in order to prepare it for manufacturing purposes, are bringing about a realization of the importance of a technical knowledge of the subject.

“The seasoning and kiln-drying of wood is such an important process”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. According to the passage, which of the following could be a difficulty involved in the seasoning of wood?

(A) Seasoning involves the removal of moisture from wood.
(B) The wood that contains moisture cannot be used for commercial purposes such as making furniture.
(C) The timber can get damaged in the process.
(D) Unseasoned wood is susceptible to atmospheric conditions.
(E) The process can get prohibitively expensive.

2. What is the primary purpose of the passage?

(A) To advocate the use of kiln drying process for seasoning of wood
(B) To evaluate the different processes available for the seasoning of wood
(C) To explain the renewed interest in the seasoning of wood
(D) To discuss the importance of and the difficulties involved in the seasoning of wood
(E) To recommend further research on the subject matter of seasoning of wood

3. Which of the following can be inferred from the information in the passage?

(A) Extensive scientific data is available about the process of seasoning of wood.
(B) Kiln-drying is cheaper than air-drying.
(C) Wood readily gives up moisture.
(D) With reference to the seasoning of wood, practical knowledge is more important than technical knowledge.
(E) Kiln-drying is more popular now than it has been in the past.

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