Sample Erasmus English Proficiency

ISTANBUL COMMERCE UNIVERSITY
SAMPLE ERASMUS ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
Section 1: STRUCTURE
Questions 1-10 are incomplete sentences. Choose the one word or phrase that
best completes the sentence.
1. So far there is no vaccination _____ in sight for the common cold.

a) or curing b) has cured c) or cure d) having cured
2. Jan Malzeliger’s invention, the “shoe-lasting” machine, _____ production, but it also cut the
cost of the shoe production by half.
a) not only increased c) increased only
b) not increased only d) only have increased
3. Mathematics helps meteorologists to predict the weather more accurately, to calculate the
speed of storms, and _____.
a) determining for the wind to blow
b) causes the wind blowing to be determined
c) to determine what causes the wind to blow
d) determine the wind’s blowing
4. In the West, the birth of a girl is welcomed with an enthusiasm _____ to that of a boy.
a) and equal b) equally c) equals d) equal
5. Before _____, they used horse-drawn wooden carts.

a) farmers have had tractors c) having tractors farmers
b) tractors were owned by farmers d) farmers had tractors
6. Physical fitness exercises can cause injuries _____ the participants are not careful.
a) that b) if c) unless d) to
7. Total weight of all ants in the world is much greater than _____.
a) that of all human beings c) is of all human beings
b) to all human beings d) human beings altogether
8. _____ for overall health.

a) Helpful one’s diet is extra fiber c) Extra fiber in one’s diet is helpful
b) Extra fiber is one’s helpful diet d) One’s diet is helpful in extra fiber
9. ______ types of guitars: acoustic and electric.

a) Basically, there are two c) Basically, two
b) Two of the basic d) They are two basic
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February 2013 - Erasmus
10. Van Gogh’s famous painting Sunflowers _____ $39.9 million, three times the previous
record.
a) for sale once b) once sold for c) selling for once d) for once sold
Section 2: READING COMPREHENSION
Passage 1:
1 The locations of stars in the sky relative to one another do not appear to the naked eye to
change, and as a result, stars are often considered to be fixed in position. Many unaware
stargazers falsely assume that each star has its own permanent home in the nighttime sky.
In reality, though, stars are always moving, but because of the tremendous distances
5 between stars themselves and from stars to Earth, the changes are barely perceptible here.
An example of a rather fast-moving star demonstrates why this misconception prevails; it
takes approximately 200 years for a relatively rapid star like Bernard’s star to move a
distance in the skies equal to the diameter of the Earth’s moon. When the apparently
negligible movement of the stars is contrasted with the movement of the planets, the stars
10 are seemingly unmoving.
Questions 11 – 15 Answer the questions following the passages on the basis of what is
stated or implied in those passages.
11. The expression “naked eye” in line 1 most probably refers to _____.
a) a telescope
b) a scientific method for observing stars
c) unassisted vision
d) a camera with powerful lens
12. In line 6, a “misconception” is closest in meaning to a(n) _____.

a) idea b) proven fact c) erroneous belief d) theory
13. The passage implies that from the Earth it appears that the planets _____.
a) are fixed in the sky
b) move more slowly than the stars
c) show approximately the same amount of movement as the stars
d) travel through the sky considerably more rapidly than the stars
14. The word “negligible” in line 9 could most probably replaced by _____.
a) negative b) insignificant c) rapid d) distant
15. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

a) Stars do not appear to the eye to move.
b) Although stars move, they seem to be fixed.
c) Bernard’s star can be said to move quickly in comparison with other stars.
d) The large distances between stars and the Earth tend to magnify movement to the eye.
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Passage 2:
Biofeedback is on the verge of becoming an important tool in medical therapy. Using

biofeedback, a patient can learn to control certain body systems, such as heartbeat, temperature or
blood pressure, that are normally autonomic or self-regulating. The patient is attached to a
machine measuring the function he wishes to control. When the desired result is achieved, the
patient hears a steady tone that indicates that the patient has successfully manipulated that body
function to a more desirable state. For example, if a patient wishes to control his heartbeat, he is
attached to a biofeedback machine monitoring his heartbeat. When the patient manages to
successfully slow his heartbeat, the biofeedback machine rewards him with a low, dull noise.
Today researchers are using biofeedback to treat patients with such maladies as irregular
heartbeat, migraine headaches, and high blood pressure. The medical community foresees myriad
applications that may be treated with biofeedback in the future.
16. The main purpose of this passage is to _____.

a) describe a medical technique that is being used extensively today throughout the medical
community
b) describe a new, potentially helpful medical treatment
c) teach patients how to use biofeedback machines
d) explain how a patient uses biofeedback to control his heartbeat or blood pressure
17. According to the passage, what is an autonomic (line 3) body process?

a) Self-controlling c) Consciously regulated
b) Usual d) Disorganized
18. According to the passage, how does a patient know that he has achieved a desired result
when using a biofeedback machine?
a) The machine records the results. c) The doctor gives him a reward.
b) He hears a sound. d) The machine monitors the process.
19. Which of the following medical problems would probably NOT be treated by biofeedback?
a) A tension headache. c) Irregular heart rhythm.
b) Fever. d) A broken heart.
20. According to the passage, what do medical authorities see in the future for biofeedback?
a) Numerous problems.
b) Decreased implementation.
c) Many different uses.
d) Rejection by the medical community.
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Passage 3:
Algae is a primitive form of life, a single-celled or simple multiple celled organism that is
able to conduct the process of photosynthesis. It is generally found in water but can also be found
elsewhere, growing on such surfaces as rocks or trees. The various types of algae are classified
according to pigment.
Blue-green algae, or Cyanophyta, can grow at very high temperatures and under high-
intensity light. This type of algae is the oldest form of life with photosynthetic capabilities.
Fossilized remains of blue-green algae more than 3.4 billion years old have been found in parts of
Africa.
Green algae, or Chlorophyta, is generally found in fresh water. It reproduces on the
surfaces of enclosed bodies of water such as ponds or lakes and has the appearance of a fuzzy
green coating on the surface of the water.
Brown algae, or Phaephyta, grows in shallow, temperate water. This type of algae is the
largest in size and is most recognizable as a type of seaweed. Its long stalks can be enmeshed on
the ocean floor, or it can float freely on the ocean’s surface.
Red algae, or Rhodophyta, is a small, delicate organism found in the deep waters of the
subtropics. This type of algae has an essential role in the formation of coral reefs: it secretes lime
from the seawater to foster the formation of limestone deposits.
21. Which of the is NOT is not true about algae?

a) All types have one cell only. c) All types can use photosynthesis.
b) It can be found out of water. d) It is not a relatively new form of life.
22. The word “pigment” at the end of the first paragraph means _____.
a) size b) shape c) composition d) color
23. Green algae is generally found _____.

a) on the ocean floor c) throughout ponds and lakes
b) on top of the water d) surrounding enclosed bodies of water
24. According to the passage, red algae is _____.

a) sturdy c) fragile
b) huge d) found in shallow water
25. It can be inferred from the passage that limestone deposits serve as the basis of _____.
a) red algae c) secret passages
b) subtropical seawater d) coral reefs
4/9
Section 3: VOCABULARY
Questions 26-30: Choose the word or phrase that best keeps the meaning of the
original sentence if it is substituted for the underlined word or phrase.
26. Birds exhibit unusual adaptations to their environment.

a) require b) develop c) attempt d) display
27. Weather forecasters must know as much as possible about the state of the atmosphere.
a) location b) condition c) organization d) composition
28. There is a wide diversity of opinion on the question of unilateral disarmament.

Unfortunately, there is no consensus.
a) evolution b) adaptation c) variation d) satisfaction
29. Learning how to execute any skill should be kept enjoyable.

a) teach b) perform c) practice d) evaluate
30. Personal experience is often an inadequate basis on which to form generalizations.

a) a precarious b) a compelling c) a trivial d) a deficient
Section 4: WRITING
Choose ONE of the topics below and write a well-organized essay of at least 300 words.
 “It is much easier to learn in a small class than in a large one.”

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Use specific examples and reasons to
support your answer.
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of continuing your education abroad? Give
specific examples and reasons.
STUDENTS ARE TESTED ON FOUR SKILLS IN THE EXAM.AFTER THE WRITTEN

EXAM THERE WILL BE SPEAKING EXAM WHERE LISTENING AND SPEAKING ARE
TESTED.
PLEASE NOTE THAT NUMBER OF QUESTIONS CHANGES IN EACH EXAM.
THIS IS JUST A SAMPLE OF QUESTIONS TAKEN FROM PREVIOUS EXAMS.
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ISTANBUL COMMERCE UNIVERSITY

SAMPLE ERASMUS ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

1. So far there is no vaccination _____ in sight for the common cold.

5. Before _____, they used horse-drawn wooden carts.

8. _____ for overall health.

9. ______ types of guitars: acoustic and electric.

Section 2: READING COMPREHENSION

12. In line 6, a “misconception” is closest in meaning to a(n) _____.

15. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

Biofeedback is on the verge of becoming an important tool in medical therapy. Using

16. The main purpose of this passage is to _____.

17. According to the passage, what is an autonomic (line 3) body process?

21. Which of the is NOT is not true about algae?

23. Green algae is generally found _____.

24. According to the passage, red algae is _____.

26. Birds exhibit unusual adaptations to their environment.

28. There is a wide diversity of opinion on the question of unilateral disarmament.

29. Learning how to execute any skill should be kept enjoyable.

30. Personal experience is often an inadequate basis on which to form generalizations.

 “It is much easier to learn in a small class than in a large one.”

STUDENTS ARE TESTED ON FOUR SKILLS IN THE EXAM.AFTER THE WRITTEN

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