ACT English Practice Test 1

Body Armor

If you were an officer of the law or an armed military person, would you prefer to wear a “bullet-proof vest” or “soft body armor” under your suit and uniform? Q1Most often the person Q2 would probably opt for the bullet-proof vest, as its name tends to denote a higher level of security. The problem, though, is that no “bullet-proof vest” is really bullet-proof. Q3 In fact, there is no protective clothing currently available that offers complete protection from firearms.

As weaponry and ammunition have changed through the centuries; so Q4 have the materials from which protective clothing is made. During the black powder era of the 1700s, silk was the material of choice Q5 to ward off injury or death from a black powder ball. Black powder propelled lead balls were much slower than present-day bullets, and silk was sometimes fairly effective protection against weapons at longer ranges. During World War II, the “flak jacket” was developed as a protective device. Soon, Q6 the best this attire could do was to protect the wearer from shrapnel, not from the bullets themselves. Today’s modern Q7 protective vests are made from a variety of synthetic materials, some of which are more with effectiveness Q8 than others. The idea is to produce a material that is strong enough to ward off high-speed bullets yet light enough to allow for ease of movement. This can be a daunting task when cost is also considered, Q9

Most people have the idea that protective gear causes a bullet to deflect off of it, almost similar to Q10 a Ping-Pong ball hitting the lid of a tin can. However, these vests actually absorb the impact of the bullet spreading Q11 its energy around the body rather than been sustained in a single area.Q12

Normally, Q13 the layers of the vest’s material will stop the bullet from entering the body. However, the vest’s wearer is very likely to sustain bruises and perhaps even internal injuries. Q14

Most police officers and military personnel are happy to don their protective clothing as they head out on their assignments. However, they know better than anyone that their safety and security cannot be entrusting Q15 completely to their protective gear.