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Toronto Man’s Home Was a Castle
       Once upon a time, in a not-so-faraway land, a knight of the realm spent much of his fortune building a fairy-tale castle fit for royalty. With 98 rooms, 23 fireplaces, a 1,700-bottle wine cellar and plans for a 60-foot indoor swimming pool complete with gold swans, Casa Loma, located on the Davenport Hill in Canada, was built from 1911 to 1914. Its owner Sir Henry Pellatt was so wealthy that he could control around 25% of Canada’s economy. In 1923, Sir Henry--although never charged with wrongdoing – was implicated in the complicated and interwoven dealings of the two organizations that had led to Home Bank’s insolvency. Sir Henry would never again be an influential member of the business community, and when he died in 1939 at the age of 80, the man who had made millions was broke.
       At present, the Liberty Entertainment Group takes charge of Casa Loma. When visiting the castle today, it is easy to imagine the grandeur that once was. Recently, there have been some mysteries of Casa Loma that draw the public’s discussion. By listening carefully it is possible to hear the polite dinner chatter of honored guests in the family dining room. Or perhaps the society ladies of Toronto have gathered for tea in the Palm Room and the discussion is of orchids and palms. Or maybe Sir Henry and his architect, Edward Lennox, are to be seen enjoying a relaxing game in the billiard room.
       The Garden Club of Toronto is currently restoring the extensive gardens, and by exiting the castle from the Great Hall onto the vast sweeping upper terrace, a visitor can catch a glimpse in these gardens of some of the members of the Queen’s Own Rifles, Sir Henry’s military regiment. Or maybe Lady Pellatt’s Girl Guides have gathered and the gardens are alive once again with the high spirits of the young. In the winter, look for the glimmer of lights hanging in the lower garden. Sir Henry’s staff may be playing a game of hockey on the flooded rink. In fact, it is widely reported that Sir Henry, his wife Lady Pellatt, and the White Lady have haunted the century-old castle. The White Lady was said to be a maid working at Casa Loma, and a number of guests and staff have witnessed her being dressed in white in the palace. As for Sir Henry and Lady Pellatt, legend has it that the unwillingness to leave their loving house had them haunt repeatedly.
       Visitors are sure to marvel at some designs Casa Loma has. It was a private home equipped with the first elevator of its kind. In addition, so huge were those ovens in the castle that an entire ox could be cooked. Its central vacuuming system, telephone exchange, secret passages, and stairwells all showed the modern design of the castle in the early 1900s. Lastly, Casa Loma has been the venue for movie-shooting such as The Tuxedo, The Perfect Man, X-Men, and Cocktail, which starred Tom Cruise. A Hollywood star, Richard Gere, even had his office in Chicago renovated according to Oak Room in Casa Loma.
Adapted from “Toronto Man’s Home Was a Castle” by YVONNE BUTORAC

(2) Based on the passage, design 3 reading comprehension check questions, one of which shall be the pattern of competency-based type. (12分)