Part VI. Reading Comprehension Directions: This part is to test your reading ability. You should read the reading materials carefully and do the tasks as you are instructed. Task 1 Communication between villages and the nearest town was poor. Roads were bad; there was some attempt to keep them in order, but as each parish ( 教区 ) was responsible for its own section of the road, the state of repair depended on the enthusiasm of the parish officers. There was, however, little wheeled traffic except for farm coaches used by men of wealth. Most traffic was by means of pack horses. Travelers rode on horseback or walked. Since communication was so difficult, the local markets, held weekly at the nearest town, or the fairs, held annually at the greater cities, became important places for the exchange of goods of all kinds.