TEST 1

A. MULTIPLE CHOICE (40 pts)

I. WORD CHOICE (05 pts)
Choose the best options to complete the following sentences.
1. The plague, otherwise known as the Black Death, was a ..............disease.
A. contagious B. contiguous C. contingent D. congenial
2. The young man felt..............in the presence of so many young ladies.
A. inhospitable B. hindered C. inhibited D. prohibited
3. The Conservatives declared their intention of..............the whole Act once they came into
power.
A. repulsing B. repelling C. impelling D. repealing
4. The Prime Minister will decide whether to release the prisoner or not; that's his.............. .
A. prerogative B. derogatory C. abdication D. humanity
5. The new town development has begun to..............on the surrounding green belt.
A. reach B. encroach C. enter D. intrude
6. I was informed by the police officer that he would be forced to take me into.............. .
A. guardianship B. bail C. custody D. protection
7. They continued fighting despite all the..............they met with.
A. adversities B. amenities C. properties D. liabilities
8. The media are always keen on reporting.............. .
A. mishaps B. calamities C. reverses D. hardships
9.Not only is little Johnny's grammar incoherent and his spelling atrocious but also
his punctuation.............. .
A. slothful B. sluggish C. hazard D. haphazard
10. The dealer wanted £40 and I was only willing to pay £30, but we finally agreed
to..............the difference.
A. drop B. decrease C. split D. divide

II. GRAMMAR AND STRUCTURES (05 pts)

Choose the best options to complete the following sentences.
1. I am in a favor of his proposal that a special committee ..............to examine the problem.
A. set up B. be set up C. will be set up has to be set up
2. A new generation of performers, ..............those who by now had become a household
name, honed their skills before following the path onto television.
A. no less talented than B. along with talented as
C. together with talented as D. having been more talented than
3. I..............at the exam paper lying on Mr. Gregson’s desk, but I didn’t want to risk it.
A. could look B. can look C. can have looked D. could have
looked
4. If I ..............hear from Nigel, I’ll tell him you were asking after him.
A. happened B. should happen to C. should to D. will happen to
5. They had ..............that it was invisible from the road.
A. so designed it B. designed it to be C. desgned it such as D. designed it
like
6. Beacon Hill, ..............cobblestone streets, is one of boston’s most charming historical
sections.

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 A. where Colonial brick houses line B. where Colonial brick lines houses
C. Colonial brick houses line where D. houses where Colonial brick lining
7. In the Eastern part of New Jersey .............. , a major shipping and manufacturing center.
A. lies the city of Eliaebeth B. the city of Elizabeth lies there
C. around the city of Elizabeth lies D. there lies the city of Elizabeth around
8. Although most of algae are predominantly single-celled, those masked with brown and red
pigments ..............multicellular.
A. for B. the C. are D. when
9. The growth of psychobiology owes ..............to major conceptual advances in the way
people think about the brain.
A. much B. as much as C. much which D. there is so
much
10. Owning and living in a freestanding house is a goal of young adults, ..............earlier
generations.
A. as did B. as it was of C. like that of D. so have

III. PHRASAL VERBS AND PREPOSITIONS (05 pts)

Choose the best options to complete the following sentences.
1. I was sitting in a train looking out of the window, when my mind suddenly ..............back to
that amazing trip we made to India.
A. put B. flashed C. stirred D. associated
2. Roberto should try not to let his regrets for what he has done ..............away at him.
A. come B. eat C. stick D. flood
3. The class went to see the performance of Macbeth because it ..............in well with the
project they were doing on Scottish history.
A. crammed B. stood C. tied D. booked
4. Morag is very good at ..............off the teacher in her school.
A. sending B. calling C. taking D. putting
5. Why don’t you get your homework ..............with so you can enjoy the rest of the evening?
A. around B. over C. by D. away
6. She hasn’t spoken German for over a year and I think she wants to blush.............. a few
things.
A. out in B. on with C. up on D. over on
7. I’d been cooped ..............in my office all morning so I went out for a walk and a spot of
fresh air.
A. over B. by C. down D. up
8. As their bookshop wasn’t doing well, they decided to branch ..............and sell compact
discs and cassettes as well.
A. out B. over C. down on D. out for
9. The door burst open and his mother barged ............... “I thought so”, she said. “You’re not
doing your homework.”
A. into B. in C. on D. along
10. Polynesia. The very name conjures ..............images of sundrenched beaches and warm
turquoise seas.
A. out B. up C. over D. in

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IV. COLLOCATIONS AND IDIOMS(05 pts)
Choose the best option to complete the following sentences.
1. When asked about his own party’s transport policies, the candidates.............. a sideswipe at
his opponent by mentioning the recent rail strikes.
A. made B. did C. took D. gave
2. The threat of redundancy is ..............over everyone at the factory.
A. hanging B. holding C. keeping D. swinging
3. I hope you didn’t ..............exception to any of my comments.
A. find B. take C. make D. put
4. I wish he wouldn’t make such unkind and.............. remarks.
A. lapse B. disparaging C. inconsolable D. rough
5. I always use mnemonics to help me recall important ..............of information.
A. spots B. objects C. items D. stuff
6. We ..............all the different ways of getting home before eventually deciding to fly.
A. exploded B. exploited C. explicated D. explored
7. It is a good idea to divide a task up into ..............chunks.
A. portable B. manageable C. edible D. thinkable
8. I know you have a good voice and have ambitions to be an opera singer but don’t give up
your day.............. yet.
A. situation B. work C. job D. place
9. Breaking his leg dealt a ..............to his chances of becoming a professional footballer.
A. thump B. strike C. hit D. blow
10. Harry blew a .............. when his holiday was cancelled.
A. switch B. fuse C. plug D. socket
V. READING COMPREHENSION (10 pts)
Read the text below and choose the best answer to each question.
READING PASSAGE 1:
Demographic transition

Historically, as countries have developed industrially, they have undergone declines in death
rates following by declines in birth rates. Over time they have tended to move from rapid
increases in population to slower increases, then to zero growth and finally to population
decreases. The model which demographers use to help explain these changes in population
growth is known as the demographic transition model. In order to properly appreciate the
demographic transition model, it is necessary to understand two basic concepts: the crude
birth rate (CBR) and the crude death rate (CDR). The CBR is determined by taking the
number of births in a country in a given year and dividing it by the total population of the
country and then multiplying the answer by one thousand. So, for example, the CBR of the
United States in 2004 was 14 (in other words, there were 14 births per thousand living people
in that year). CDR is worked out in a similar way. The CDR for the United States in 2004 was
8 per thousand.

The first stage of the demographic transition model portrays a preindustrial era when both
the birth rate and the death rate were high. Typically, women gave birth to a large number of
babies. This was partly due to cultural and religious pressures but also because families
required a large number of children, since often many didn’t survive into adulthood due to the
harsh living conditions. Furthermore, children were needed to help adults work the land or

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perform other chores. The death rate was high due to the high incidence of diseases and
famine and also because of poor hygiene. Total population tended to fluctuate due to
occasional epidemics, but overall there was only a very gradual long-term increase during this
stage.

During the second stage, improvements in hygiene, medical care, and food production led to a
decrease in the death rate in newly industrializing regions of Western Europe. However, birth
rates remained high due to tradition and because many people were involved in agrarian
occupations. The combination of a lowered CDR and a stable CBR led to dramatic increases
in population starting at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

In stage three, birth rates also began to fall. In cities there was less incentive to produce large
numbers of children, since city dwellers no longer worked the land, and the cost of raising
children in an urban environment was greater than in rural districts. Furthermore, more
children survived into adulthood due to improved living conditions. The economic pressures
led to a lower CBR and over time the numbers of people being born started to approximate
the numbers dying.

The final stage, which some demographers have called the postindustrial stage, occurs when
birth rates and death rates are about equal. In this case there is zero natural population growth.
Over time the birth rate may fall below the death rate, and without immigration the total
population may slowly decreases. By the early twenty-first century, several European
countries were experiencing population declines due to the CDR outstripping the CBR. For
example, in Italy in 2004 there were about 9 births per thousand against 10 deaths per
thousand.

The demographic transition took about 200 years to complete in Europe. Many developing
countries are still in stage two of the demographic transition model: births far outstrip deaths.
In these countries, CDR has declined due to improvements in sanitation and increases in food
productivity, but the birth rate has still not adjusted downward to the new realities of
improved living conditions. This imbalance of births over deaths in the developing world is
the fundamental reason for the dramatic population explosion in the latter half of the twentieth
century. However, population statistics indicate that in many less developed countries the
CBRs have begun to decline over recent decades, giving rise to optimism in some quarters
about future trends. The rapid industrialization of many parts of the developing world has
meant that these countries have reached stage three of the model much faster than countries in
the developed world did during the nineteenth century. This fact has led many demographers
to predict that world population will reach an equilibrium level sooner and at a lower total
than more pessimistic earlier predictions.

1. The word “it” in the passage refers to

A. population B. year C. country D. number
2. According to the paragraph 1, what is useful about the demographic transition model?
A. It helps explain trends in population growth over time.
B. It can be used to measure birth and death rates.
C. It clarifies the causes of population increase.
D. It predicts the relative speed of population patterns.
3. The word “portrays” in the passage is closest in meaning to

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 A. suggests B. represents C. transmits D. associates
4.In paragraph 2, which of the following is NOT mentioned as relevant to the high birth rates
in the preindustrial stage?
A. The high level of childhood deaths
B. The need for help in work situation
C. The pressures of tradition
D. The high rate of maternal deaths
5.What can be inferred from paragraph 2 about eh effect of epidemic diseases on population
during the preindustrial stage?
A. They tended to dramatically lower the population growth.
B. They caused the population to decline temporarily.
C. They reduced overall population significantly.
D. They led to sudden overall increases in the birth rate.
6. The word “agrarian” in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. basic B. menial C. farming D. village
7.According to paragraph 4, what was one of the main causes of the drop in birth rates?
A. The improvements in hygiene
B. The lack of agricultural work
C. The development of urbanization
D. The superior environment
8. The word “equilibrium” in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. economic B. stable C. variable D. fixed
9. According to paragraph 6, what is at the root of the huge population increases during the
twentieth century?
A. The improvements in health throughout the developing world
B. The fact that birth rates are increasing in many countries
C. The lack of resources in many developing countries
D. The failure of the CDR to respond to economic pressures
10.Why does the author mention the optimism felt in some quarters about future population
trends?
A. To introduce the fact that birth rates in some developing countries may be declining
faster than anticipated
B. To emphasize that most researchers have taken a pessimistic view of population
expansion
C. To show that the demographic transition is a valid model of population trends
D. To suggest that some countries have worked hard at reducing birth rates

READING PASSAGE 2:
The word ‘laser’ was coined as an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated
Emission of Radiation. Ordinary light, from the Sun or a light bulb, is emitted spontaneously,
when atoms or molecules get rid of excess energy by themselves, without any outside
intervention. Stimulated emission is different because it occurs when an atom or molecule
holding onto excess energy has been stimulated to emit it as light.

Albert Einstein was to first to suggest the existence of stimulated emission in a paper
published in 1917. However, for many years physicists thought that atoms and molecules
always were much more likely to emit light spontaneously and that stimulated emission thus
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always would be much weaker. It was not until after the Second World War that physicists
began trying to make stimulated emission dominate. They sought ways by which one atom or
molecule could stimulate many others to emit light, amplifying it to much higher powers.

The first to succeed was Charles H. Townes, then at Columbia University in New York.
Instead of working with light, however, he worked with microwaves, which have a much
longer wavelength, and built a device he called a ‘maser’, for Microwave Amplification by
the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Although he thought of the key idea in 1951, the first
maser was not completed until a couple of years later. Before long, many other physicists
were building masers and trying to discover how to produce stimulated emission at even
shorter wavelengths.

The key concepts emerged about 1957. Townes and Arthur Schawlow, then at Bell
Telephone Laboratories, wrote a long paper outlining the conditions needed to amplify
stimulated emission of visible light waves. At about the same time, similar ideas crystallized
in the mind of Gordon Gould, then a 37-year-old graduate student at Colombia, who wrote
them down in a series of notebooks. Townes and Schawlow published their ideas in a
scientific journal, physical Review Letters, but Gould filed a patent application. Three
decades later, people still argue about who deserves the credit for the concept of the laser.

1. The word ‘coined’ in paragraph 1 can best be replaced by

A. created B. mentioned C. understood D. discovered
2. The word ‘intervention’ in paragraph 1 can best be replaced by
A. need B. device C. influence D. source
3. The word ‘it’ in paragraph 1 can best be replaced by
A. light bulb B. energy C. molecule D. atom
4. Which of the following statements best describes a laser?
A. A device for stimulating atoms and molecules to emit light
B. An atom in a high-energy state
C. A technique for destroying atoms or molecules
D. An instrument for measuring light waves
5. Why was Townes’ early work with stimulated emission done with microwaves?
A. He was not concerned with light amplification.
B. It was easier to work with longer wavelengths.
C. His partner Schawlow had already begun work on the laser.
D. The laser had already been developed.
6. In his research at Colombia University, Charles Townes worked with all of the following
EXCEPT
A. stimulated emission
B. microwaves
C. light amplification
D. a maser

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7. In approximately what year was the first maser built?
A. 1917 B. 1951 C.1953 D. 1957
8. The word ‘emerged’ in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to
A. increased B. concluded C. succeeded D. appeared
9. The word ‘outlining’ in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to
A. assigning B. studying C. checking D. summarizing
10. Why do people still argue about who deserves the credit for the concept of the laser?
A. The researchers’ notebooks were lost.
B. Several people were developing the idea at the same time.
C. No one claimed credit for the development until recently.
D. The work is still in complete.

VI. GUIDED CLOZE TEST(10 pts)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word
for each of the blanks.

GUIDED CLOZE 1
The knowledge and eloquence that people gain through travelling is usually perceived as the best ________ in life.
It is the inquisitive human nature that impels people to seek (2)______ experiences and to set out on an exploration
trip. Those who travel frequently and to diverse places benefit from establishing new relationships and
(3)________a better knowledge about other cultures and lifestyles. However, there is a grain of truth in the
assumption that people are prone to (4)________ cliché and unfounded prejudices about other nations and their
characteristics. Sometimes, it is only the first-hand encounter that can help change the (5)________ towards the so-
called “inferior communities”. This direct contact with a different civilization enables travelers to (6)_________
their baseless assumptions and get (7) _________ with the real concept of life in all four corners of the globe.
Beyond question, travelling (8)__________ friendship and makes it easier for many individuals to acknowledge the
true value of different traditions and customs. Yet, it does not always mean enjoyment. It may also
(9)_________coming close with the atrocities of real existence as well as becoming aware of the challenges and
hardships that other people have to struggle with. Hence, a true voyage is the one with a good deal of experience to
(10) _________ about, very often combined with exposure to abhorrent sights and incredible ordeals. The learning
to be complete, thus, requires an ability to observe and analyze the surroundings, both their glamour and brutality.

1. A. completion B. fulfillment C. conclusion D. resolution

2. A. irritating B. bewildering C. delighting D. thrilling
3. A. acquiring B. educating C. learning D. studying
4. A. preserving B. cherishing C. indulging D. persisting
5. A. prejudice B. manner C. outlook D. approach
6. A. drop B. cease C. fail D. quit
7. A. informed B. realized C. acquainted D. defined
8. A. facilitates B. affords C. effects D. influences
9. A. involve B. derive C. consist D. enclose
10. A. commemorate B. reminisce C. resemble D. remind

GUIDED CLOZE 2
A new threat to our health seems to have arisen in our midst, confusion and stress caused by technology. All you
need to do to (1)_________ this to yourself is to telephone a large company ; a recorded voice will offer you a
bewildering list of choices, and when you have finished answering its questions, you will probably be
(2)_________to several minutes of piped music before you eventually make (3)_________ with a human being.
But the stress you undergo as a result is negligible compared to the impression the telegraph (4)_________ on
people 150 years ago. Until then, messages could only travel as fast as a messenger could carry them. But now they
could be sent great distances in seconds. Before long, submarine cables were (5)_________ across the oceans, and

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thirty years later, the network reached 20,000 towns around the world. When the first transatlantic cable was
completed in 1858, the Queen and the President exchanged messages, preachers found (6)_________ for it in the
Bible , and the New York jewelers, Tiffany’s , bought unused pieces of the cable and sold them as souvenirs. But
then, as now, everyone was not (7)_________of the technological advantages .
Information arrived so quickly, often (8)_________ what had previously been transmitted , that businessmen had to
work much harder to (9)_________ up with developments. They arrived home tired and stressed. If we find
difficulty with the Internet, which is technological evolution, not revolution, our (10)_________ had afar harder
task in getting used to the invention in the first place.

1. A. confirmed B. prove C. show D. test

2. A. oppressed B. subdued C. subjected D. submitted
3. A. collision B. connection C. communication D. contact
4. A. did B. got C. made D. worked
5. A. laid B. lain C. put D. set
6. A. apology B. argument C. excuse D. justification
7. A. believed B. convinced C. pleased D. satisfied
8. A. contradicting B. differing C. disagreeing D. objecting
9. A. keep B. maintain C. remain D. stay
10. A. ancestors B. elders C. fathers D. forerunners

IV. SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION (20 pts)

Rewrite the following sentences with the given words or beginning in such a way that their meanings remain
unchanged. You MUST NOT change the given words in any way.

1. No one listened to what the politician was saying last night. (EARS)
_________________________fell on deaf eaes_________________________________________________
2. His father was very angry with him when he heard he had damaged the car. (BLEW)
__________________________________blew his top________________________________________
3. Winning the lottery has its good and bad points. (BLESSING) ____________________________mixed
blessing______________________________________________
4. He’s a pleasant man socially but he is a tough businessman. (BARGAIN)
__________________________drive a hard bargain________________________________________________
5. Sharon and I are not speaking to each other. (TERMS)
________________________not on speaking terms with each
other___________________________________________________
6. In my opinion, it was an absolute miracle that they survived the accident.
The fact that they survived the accident was____miraculous_______________________, in my opinion.
7. When do you think this bridge was built?
How ______________old do you think the ______________________________________________bridge is?
8. Rita doesn’t realize how serious her husband’s operation is going to be.
Little ___________________does rita know________________________________________ going to be.
9. Tim insisted on being told the complete story.
Nothing ______________________but a complete story coould
satisfy_________________________________________Tim.
10. I don’t really like her, even though I admire her achievements.

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Much _________as I admire her achivemennts, I don’t really like__________________ her.

KEY TO SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION

1. What the politician was saying last night fell on deaf ears.
2. His father blew up at him when he heard he had damaged the car.
3. Winning the lottery has definitely been a missed blessing.
4. He’s a pleasant man socially but he drives a hard bargain in business.
5. Sharon and I are not on speaking terms with each other.
6. nothing short of miraculous / a miracle
7. old do you think this bridge is?
8. does Rita realize how serious her husband’s operation is
9. but the complete story would satisfy
10. as I admire her achievements, I don’t really like

TEST 2
I. MULTIPLE CHOICE (40 pts)
1. WORD CHOICE (5.0 pts)
Choose the best options to complete the following sentences.
1. She nearly _____ on her sandwich as she was eating very fast.
A. suffocated B. drowned C. choked D. fainted
2. She wasn’t allowed into the country; _____ because her papers aren’t in order.
A. subsequently B. presumably C. admittedly D. paradoxically
3. He’s _____ his health, and takes dozens of vitamins every day.
A. fanatical about B. fascinated by C. obsessed in D. enthusiastic about
4. Andrew is a very disciplined employee. He _____ great importance to coming to work in time.
A. affixes B. attributes C. admits D. attaches
5. His public announcement of the secret plans was dealt a sheer _____ of confidence and was heavily criticized
by the other members of the council.
A. damage B. breach C. crash D. fracture
6. Nobody, even the best doctors, expected Frank’s _____ to be so quick and successful after so severe an
accident.
A. renewal B. resumption C. recuperation D. remuneration
7. Unanswered, the demands for nuclear deterrents have _____ fears of civil war.
A. flashed up B. prognosticated C. sidetracked D. stoked up=aroused
8. Little did I imagine The Amazing Race would entail long-winded journeys and ups and downs _____.
A. aplenty B. inexhaustibly C. profusely D. superabundant
9. Researchers have made a(n) _____ plea for more sponsorship so that they can continue their project.
A. compassionate B. dispassionate C. encompassed D. impassioned
10. The game keeper was on the alert as there has been some _____ on the estate.
A. poaching B. punching C. pouching D. pushing

2. GRAMMAR AND STRUCTURES (5.0 pts)

Choose the best options to complete the following sentences.
1. The growth of two-income families in the United States _____ of people moving to a new social class.
A. has resulted in millions B. resulting in millions
C. results of millions D. millions of results
2. Stars differ fundamentally from planets _____ they are self-luminous whereas planets shine by reflected light.
A. from which=thanks to B. when C. and D. in that
3. “Did you know Jim’s car broke down on the highway late at night?”
“Unfortunately, that’s a situation anyone _____.”
A. might have to confront with B. might be confronted with
C. might be confronted D. might have been confronted
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4. Although he acts tough, _____.
A. his bark is worse than his bite B. he’s a tough nut to crack
C. he’s learned the hard way D. he isn’t up to scratch
5. What a dangerous thing to do! You _____ have been killed!
A. may B. can C. must D. might
6. On his desk _____, which he usually sits in front of and looks at.
A. stood the picture of us B. it is the picture of us
C. standing the picture of us D. stands the picture of us
7. The scientists _____ the festival of Ramadan, but they were too busy with their research in the laboratory.
A. would have liked to commemorate B. would have loved to have observed
C. would prefer to have obeyed D. would sooner have celebrated
8. The man _____ of carrying out the burglary was released _____ by police.
A. to be suspected/followed questioning B. having been suspected/following questioned
C. suspected/following questioning D. being suspected/followed questioned
9. A new generation of performers, _____ those who by now had become a household name, honed their skills
before following the same path onto television.
A. no less talented than B. along with talented as
C. together with talented as D. having been more talented than
10. In some countries, acupuncture is used as an anesthesia, permitting patients to have major surgery _____.
A. while fully conscious B. what is fully conscious
C. that fully consciousness D. which is fully conscious

3. PHRASAL VERBS AND PREPOSITIONS (5.0 pts)

Choose the best options to complete the following sentences.
1. Towards the end of the film Thelma and Louise, a large truck is _____ by the main characters when they shoot
its tank, which is full of oil.
A. shot off B. struck in C. poured out D. blown up
2. In the novella, Hadji Murat is an important figure among the Chechens, but he _____ the main leader Sheikh
Shamil following an argument.
A. sets apart from B. falls out with C. cuts back on D. keeps out of
3. I thought the movie was going to an end, but it just _____.
A. dragged in B. dragged on C. dragged into D. dragged up
4. When he saw her with John, Jack _____ anger.
A. showed up B. bristled with C. pricked with D. brushed with
5. Ben’s so unlucky in love. Why does he _____ the type of woman who brings trouble?
A. fall for B. catch on C. put before D. set out
6. My father decides to apprentice me _____ a lawyer although I don’t agree.
A. with B. to C. for D. into
7. China, which has been producing cars _____ joint ventures with foreign partners, is now launching its own
brand _____ the global market.
A. through – on B. to – along C. of – throughout D. among – for
8. I muddled _____ the jigsaw pieces and the children did the puzzle again.
A. up B. off C. over D. for
9. We flicked _____ a few magazines while we waited in the doctor’s waiting room.
A. through B. on C. at D. over
10. Karen was terribly nervous before the interview but she managed to pull herself _____ and act confidently.
A. through B. over C. together D. off
4. COLLOCATIONS AND IDIOMS (5.0 pts)
1. If you want a flat in the centre of the city, you have to pay through the _____ for it.
A. teeth B. head C. nose D. arm
2. I like my new job; the only fly in the _____ is the fact that I have to work every other weekend.
A. fat B. porridge C. soup D. ointment
3. I caught the last bus by the skin of my_____.
A. mouth B. leg C. neck D. teeth
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4. Since he started his own business, he has been making money hand over_____.
A. fist B. heel C. head D. palm
5. He was wearing very shabby, dirty clothes and looked very _____.
A. easy-going B. down to teeth C. out of shape D. down at heel
6. I’m afraid you’ve caught me on the _____. I wasn’t expecting you until this afternoon.
A. stove B. grapevine C. spot D. hop
7. The escaped prisoner fought _____ before he was finally overpowered.
A. head over heels B. tooth and nail C. heart and soul D. foot and mouth
8. I didn’t suspect anything at first, but when I noticed her going through the office drawers I began to smell
_____.
A. a rat B. a pig C. a thief D. a culprit
9. Nagging Susan to stop smoking has no effect on her. It’s like water off _____.
A. a windmill B. a duck’s back C. a dripping tap D. an umbrella
10. I hope the computer course starts this term. We’re all as keen as _____ to get going.
A. coffee B. mustard C. a gigolo D. cornflakes

5. READING COMPREHENSION
Read the following passages and choose the best option to complete the blank or answer the question.
Passage 1: (10 pts)
THE BALANCE IN THE OCEANS
The oceans' predators come in all shapes and sizes. For example, one of the less infamous ones is
the colorful starfish, which feeds on plant life, coral, or other shellfish such as mussels for sustenance. A
more bloodcurdling example, especially to human beings and most other species of fish, is the shark,
though most scientists agree that only ten per cent of the 450 plus species of sharks have been documented
as actually attacking a human. Still, there is another predator lurking invisibly in the bodies of water of the
world, one which poses one of the greatest threats to all species of ocean life - bacteria. Though many
types of fish are continually stalking and evading one another for survival, they all band together in
an attempt to keep bacteria levels at bay in order to allow their own existence to continue.
Bacteria play a dual role in the ecosystems of the oceans. On the one hand, they are beneficial as they
stimulate plant life through food decomposition, which releases the necessary chemicals for the growth of plant
life. This is called nutrient recycling and helps keep the oceans alive. But, on the other hand, bacteria are a major
predator for all fish because they attack fragile, weaker individuals. If they are allowed to run rampant and not
kept in check, they could virtually suffocate the oceans. In water, bacteria prove to be an even greater threat than
on land because, as they proliferate, they reduced the oxygen levels necessary for organisms in the oceans to live.
Further, when fish populations become depleted due to factors like overfishing, microbes such as algae expand
and threaten the fragile ecosystems of the ocean. Therefore, ocean predators play a critical role by thwarting
bacteria growth and maintaining the oceans’ equilibrium by reducing vulnerable links in the food chain.
In many ways, the balance within the oceans’ ecosystems mirrors the human body. That is, all of their
components must work in harmony for them to stay healthy, efficient, and alive. If one of them is missing or
deficient, an entire system can be placed in jeopardy. In both the human body and the ocean, bacteria play a vital
role because, at manageable levels, they aid in protecting and cleaning each system of foreign agents that can be
of harm. On the other hand, if bacteria levels increase and become out of control, they can take hold of a system,
overrun it, and become debilitating. Therefore, both oceans and the human body have a kind of custodian that
maintains bacteria levels. In the human body, it is called a phagocyte. Phagocytes eat up sick, old, or dying cells,
which are more prone to bacterial invasion, and thus keep the body healthy. Like in the human body, bacteria can
prove fatal to the living organisms in the ocean.
Like phagocytes in the human body ocean predators work as antibacterial custodians of the seas. In essence,
they are the immune system and a vital link in the food chain because they remove small, injured, or sickly fish
from the ocean environment before bacteria can become too comfortable and multiply. By ridding the ocean of
weaker fish, predators allow the stronger ones to multiply, making their species stronger and more resilient.
Without their services and with their declining numbers, bacteria will blossom to levels that will eventually
overpower and kill even the strongest species of fish because of the depletion of their number one source of life, all
important oxygen.
While the greatest battle in the ocean may seem on the surface to be the survival of the fittest fish, closer
look reveals something completely different: fish versus microorganisms. Clearly, most living organisms in the
oceans are hunters by nature, but this way of life does not merely provide a food source for a dominant species. It
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also maintains a healthy level of bacteria in an ocean’s ecosystem, thus ensuring the continuation of all species of
life within. Major predators are necessary, like the antibacterial cells of the human body, to keep this delicate
balance in synch. If their numbers continue to decline and humans ignore their vital role in the ocean, dire
consequences will definitely result.

1. The word “lurking” in the passage is closest in meaning to _____

A. attacking B. increasing C. waiting D. approaching
2. According to paragraph 1, which of the following is true of ocean predators?
A. The shark is the deadliest one for all other kinds of life in the oceans.
B. One of the most threatening to all fish populations is bacteria.
C. Starfish do little damage to the population of mussels and shellfish.
D. Most of the killers that hide in the oceans are unknown to humans.
3. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 1 about bacteria?
A. They can be extremely detrimental to fish if their numbers increase.
B. They are able to feed off themselves when other food sources are limited.
C. They stimulate plant life, which in turn releases oxygen into the water.
D. They present themselves in numerous shapes and forms as well as colors.
4. The author discusses “nutrient recycling” in paragraph 2 in order to………….
A. show how bacteria act similarly in the ocean and the human body
B. explain the different roles of nutrients and oxygen for species of fish
C. indicate that bacteria do have a positive impact in the oceans
D. note how chemicals from bacteria are able to stimulate plant growth
5. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the sentence in bold (“Though...
continue”)?
A. Evasion tactics help fish escape from the threats posed by an increasing number of bacteria.
B. Various species of fish prey upon one another in order to lower bacteria levels in the ocean.
C. High bacteria levels in the ocean help most species of fish to survive by providing them with food.
D. Rivals or not, all fish help one another survive by preventing bacteria from proliferating.
6. The word “thwarting” in the passage is closest in meaning to _____
A. encouraging B. preventing C. slowing D. Sustaining
7. According to paragraph 2, bacteria are dangerous to ocean life because _____
A. they have the capability to attack both strong and weaker fish
B. they could monopolize the critical breathable gas in the ocean
C. they get rid of vulnerable links, like dying fish, in the food chain
D. they blossom out of control when overfishing becomes dominant
8. The word “debilitating” in the passage is closest in meaning to _____
A. stimulating B. hindering C. elevating D. weakening
9. The author’s description of phagocytes mentions all of the following EXCEPT:
A. They rid the human body of potentially dangerous organisms.
B. They act in a similar manner as the predators of the ocean.
C. They dispose of bacteria to make weakened cells revive.
D. They are cleaning agents in humans to maintain bacteria levels.
10. The word “It” in the passage refers to _____
A. nature B. way of life C. food source D. dominant species

Passage 2: (10 pts)

ARTISANS AND INDUSTRIALIZATION
Before 1815 manufacturing in the United States had been done in homes or shops by skilled artisans.
As master craft workers, they imparted the knowledge of their trades to apprentices and journeymen. In
addition, women often worked in their homes part-time; making finished articles from raw material
supplied by merchant capitalists. After 1815 this older form of manufacturing began to give way to factories
with machinery tended by unskilled or semiskilled laborers. Cheap transportation networks, the rise of
cities, and the availability of capital and credit all stimulated the shift to factory production.
The creation of a labor force that was accustomed to working in factories did not occur easily. Before
the rise of the factory, artisans had worked within the home. Apprentices were considered part of the
family, and masters were responsible not only for teaching their apprentices a trade but also for
providing them some education and for supervising their moral behavior. Journeymen knew that if
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 they perfected their skill, they could become respected master artisans with their own shops. Also, skilled
artisans did not work by the clock, at a steady pace, but rather in bursts of intense labor alternating with
more leisurely time.
The factory changed that. Goods produced by factories were not as finished or elegant as those done by
hand, and pride in craftsmanship gave way to the pressure to increase rates of productivity. The new
methods of doing business involved a new and stricter sense of time. Factory life necessitated a more
regimented schedule, where work began at the sound of a bell and workers kept machines going at a
constant pace. At the same time, workers were required to discard old habits, for industrialism demanded a
worker who was alert, dependable, and self-disciplined. Absenteeism and lateness hurt productivity and,
since work was specialized, disrupted the regular factory routine. Industrialization not only produced a
fundamental change in the way work was organized; it transformed the very nature of work.
The first generation to experience these changes did not adopt the new attitudes easily. The factory
clock became the symbol of the new work rules. One mill worker who finally quit complained revealingly
about "obedience to the ding-dong of the bell-just as though we are so many living machines." With the loss
of personal freedom also came the loss of standing in the community. Unlike artisan workshops in which
apprentices worked closely with the masters supervising them, factories sharply separated workers from
management. Few workers rose through the ranks to supervisory positions, and even fewer could achieve
the artisan's dream of setting up one's own business. Even well-paid workers sensed their decline in status.
In this newly emerging economic order, workers sometimes organized to protect their rights and
traditional ways of life. Craft workers such as carpenters, printers, and tailors formed unions, and in 1834
individual unions came together in the National Trades' Union. The labor movement gathered some
momentum in the decade before the Panic of 1837, but in the depression that followed, labor's strength
collapsed. During hard times, few workers were willing to strike or engage in collective action. And skilled
craft workers, who spearheaded the union movement, did not feel a particularly strong bond with
semiskilled factory workers and unskilled laborers. More than a decade of agitation did finally bring a
workday shortened to 10 hours to most industries by the 1850's, and the courts also recognized workers'
right to strike, but these gains had little immediate impact.
Workers were united in resenting the industrial system and their loss of status, but they were divided
by ethnic and racial antagonisms, gender, conflicting religious perspectives, occupational differences,
political party loyalties, and disagreements over tactics. For them, the factory and industrialism were not
agents of opportunity but reminders of their loss of independence and a measure of control over their lives.
As United States society became more specialized and differentiated, greater extremes of wealth began to
appear. And as the new markets created fortunes for the few, the factory system lowered the wages of
workers by dividing labor into smaller, less skilled tasks.

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about articles manufactured before 1815?
A. They were primarily produced by women.
B. They were generally produced in shops rather than in homes.
C. They were produced with more concern for quality than for speed of production.
D. They were produced mostly in large cities with extensive transportation networks.
2. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the
passage? Incorrect answer choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
A. Masters demanded moral behavior from apprentices but often treated them irresponsibly.
B. The responsibilities of the master to the apprentice went beyond the teaching of a trade.
C. Masters preferred to maintain the trade within the family by supervising and educating the
younger family members.
D. Masters who trained members of their own family as apprentices demanded excellence from
them.
3. The word “disrupted” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to
A. prolonged B. established C. followed D. upset
4. In paragraph 4, the author includes the quotation from a mill worker in order to _____
A. support the idea that it was difficult for workers to adjust to working in factories
B. to show that workers sometimes quit because of the loud noise made by factory machinery
C. argue that clocks did not have a useful function in factories
D. emphasize that factories were most successful when workers revealed their complaints
5. All of the following are mentioned in paragraph 4 as consequences of the new system for workers EXCEPT a
loss of _____
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 A. freedom B. status in the community
C. opportunities for advancement D. contact among workers who were not managers
6. The phrase “gathered some momentum” in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to _____
A. made progress B. became active C. caused changes D. combined forces
7. The word “spearheaded” in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to _____
A. led B. accepted C. changed D. resisted
8. Which of the following statements about the labor movement of the 1800's is supported by paragraph 5?
A. It was most successful during times of economic crisis.
B. Its primary purpose was to benefit unskilled laborers.
C. It was slow to improve conditions for workers.
D. It helped workers of all skill levels form a strong bond with each other.
9. The author identifies “political party loyalties, and disagreements over tactics” as two of several factors
that _____
A. encouraged workers to demand higher wages
B. created divisions among workers
C. caused work to become more specialized
D. increased workers' resentment of the industrial system
10. The word “them”, in paragraph 6 refers to _____
A. Workers B. political party loyalties
C. disagreements over tactics D. agents of opportunity

6. GUIDED CLOZE TEST:

Read the passages below and decide which answer best fits each space.
Passage 1: (10 pts)
Over the past thirty years or so, the methods used for collecting money from the public to (1) _____
the developing world have changed out of all recognition, along with the gravity of the problems faced, and
the increasing awareness among the population that something must be done. At the beginning of this
period, it would have been common to put (2) _____ in a collecting box, perhaps on the street or at church,
or to receive a small ‘flag’ to wear in the lapel. The 1960s saw the development of shops which sold
secondhand goods (3) _____ by the public, and which also began to sell articles manufactured in the
developing world in projects set up by the parent charity, to guarantee a fair income to local people.
The next development was probably the charity 'event', in which participants were (4) _____ to run,
cycle, swim and what have you, and collected money from friends and relatives according to how far or
long they managed to keep going. The first hint of what was to become the most successful means of (5)
_____ money was the charity record, where the artists donated their time and talent and the proceeds from
sales went to a good cause. This was perhaps a reflection of the fact that young people felt increasingly
concerned about the obvious differences between (6) _____ in Europe and the United States, and that in
most of Africa and Asia, and this concern was reflected in songs besides being clearly shown on television.
The problems were becoming hard to (7) _____, but a feeling of frustration was building up. Why was so
little being done? The huge success of Band Aid, and subsequent televised concerts, reflected the (8) _____
of the media, and of music in particular but also differed in style from other events. People phoned up in
their thousands on the day and (9) _____ money by quoting their credit card numbers. After all, if you have
enough money to buy CDs and a stereo player, you can afford something for the world's (10) _____
children.

1. A. finance B. aid C. pay D. loan

2. A. this B. money C. them D. funds
3. A. donated B. freed C. offered D. awarded
4. A. sponsored B. invited C. required D. used
5. A. borrowing B. such C. further D. raising
6. A. being B. life C. them D. lifestyles
7. A. avoid B. understand C. define D. implement
8. A. mass B. ability C. style D. power
9. A. loaned B. handed in C. pledged D. raised
10. A. famine B. underdeveloped C. starving D. own

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Passage 2: (10 pts)
The money that some professional sportsmen earn shouldn’t impress anyone when you take into (1)
_____ the fact that only a few of them manage to attain immortality and everlasting fame. And once they
reach their (2) _____ and display their talent at their best, they are fully conscious that their brilliant careers
won’t last forever. They live under a constant of being (3) _____ and subsequently replaced by someone
who is younger, faster and more accomplished. For that reason, objectives like retirement benefits and
pensions are (4) _____ great concern to all professional athletes.
Some of the retired competitors go as far as to organize strikes and rallies to voice their protest
against any policy unresponsive to their demand (5) _____ the younger professionals seek more upgrading
solutions to the problem as more and more of them attach a proper significance to (6) _____ a solid
education, even at university level. Such an approach should help them find interesting and well-paid jobs
(7) _____ their sports career is over.
A completely new strategy has been devised by the schools priding themselves (8) _____ supporting
their own teams. Their authorities insist that the sports clubs members achieve high academic standards or
else they are debarred from partaking certain sports events, which may lead to further disruption in their
professional careers.
By these practical and most effective (9) _____, combining education with sports activity, the (10)
_____ of the professional athlete as being brainless and unintelligent may eventually be changing to the
sportsmen’s benefit.

1. A. reflection B. attention C. examination D. consideration

2. A. prime B. shape C. best D. capacity
3. A. outcast B. outshone C. outstayed D. outgrown
4. A. with B. in C. at D. of
5. A. whereby B. whereas C. whereupon D. wherein
6. A. mastering B. learning C. receiving D. attending
7. A. right away B. promptly C. barely D. once
8. A. with B. on C. for D. in
9. A. grounds B. results C. factors D. means
10. A. vision B. outlook C. image D. judgment

IV. SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION (20pts)

Rewrite the following sentences with the given words or beginning in such a way that their meanings remain
unchanged. You MUST NOT change the given words in any way.
1. We only came to this restaurant because you insisted that we did so.
 It was _at your insistence that we came to this restaurant_________________________________________.
2. Melissa’s father was very busy, but he still played with her.
 Busy __as melissa’s father was, he still played with her__________________________________________.
3. Success in academic field depends on your ability to amass qualifications.
 The more qualifications you are able to amass, the more successful in academic field you
are___________________.
4. It was pure chance that a policeman was passing as I was attacked.
 Only ___by chance was the policeman passing as I was attacked______________________________.
5. I couldn’t make Julie give a definite answer.
 I couldn’t pin ____julie down to a definite answer___________________________________.
6. I hope his story will help us to understand what happened. (SHED)
 Hopefully when he tells us his story, it will shed a light on what happen______________.
7. He was finally able to adjust himself to the new working condition. (SWING)
 He finally got ___into the swing of the new working condition_________________.

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8. Her role in the plot was of secondary importance. (SECOND FIDDLE)
 _she played the second fiddle in the plot_____________________________.
9. The offer to go and work in Brazil was a complete surprise. (BLUE)
 The offer to go and work in Brazil was out of the blue_____________________________.
10. This liver condition is common in those who drink a lot. (DRINKERS)
 This liver condition is common among drinkers ____________________________________.

KEY TO SENTENCE TRANSFORMATION

1. It was at your insistence that we came to this restaurant.
2. Busy as / though he was, Melissa’s father still played with her.
3. The more qualifications you are able to amass, the more success you will have in the academic field.
4. Only by chance was a policeman passing as I was attacked.
5. I couldn't pin Julie down to a definite answer.
6. Hopefully when he tells us his story, it will shed light on what happened.
7. He finally got into the swing of the new working condition.
8. She played second fiddle in the plot.
9. The offer to go and work in Brazil came (completely) out of the blue.
10. This liver condition is common in heavy drinkers.

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