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LISTENING: NOTE-TAKING (10 questions)
Based on the notes you have taken choose the best alternative.
1. As we learn from the lecture, Antarctica …………… .
A) is the largest continent on Earth
B) covers Earth’s North Pole
C) is always sunny in summer
D) is always on the side of Earth tilted toward the sun
2. According to the lecture, when it snows in Antarctica, ……….. .
A) thin sheets of ice are formed
B) the continent turns into a desert
C) all trees and bushes die
D) the snow never melts and builds up
3. In the lecture, all of the following is mentioned as inhabitants of Antarctica EXCEPT
……..… .
A) whales
B) bears
C) seals
D) penguins
4. As we understand from the lecturer, scientists ……………….. .
A) never go to Antarctica
B) go to Antarctica only in winter
C) go to Antarctica only in summer
D) do research in Antarctica for short periods of time
5. We learn from the passage that scientists try to find out what the changes in Earth’s
…………….. are doing to Antarctica’s ice sheets.
A) climate
B) oceans
C) population
D) movement
6. As stated by the lecturer, ICESat ………………… .
A) was launched three years ago
B) helps measure changes in the population of bears in Antartica
C) stands for the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite
D) can send useful data only in summer
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7. As stated by the lecturer, meteorites ………… .
A) are rocks that fall from the moon to space
B) are destroyed by the ice of Antarctica in a short time
C) never fall to Antarctica
D) are easier to see on the white ice of Antarctica
8. According to the lecture, Antarctica and Mars …………… .
A) are home to similar living creatures
B) are visited by scientists on a regular basis
C) have a lot in common
D) have similar effects on Earth climate
9. Which of the following sentences are TRUE according to the lecture?
A) Antarctica has two seasons.
B) Earth is not tilted.
C) Antarctica is always dark in autumn.
D) It snows a lot in Antarctica.
10. Which of the following sentences is FALSE according to the lecture?
A) Antarctica has a lot of glaciers, ice shelves and icebergs.
B) The only plants that can live in Antarctica are moss and algae.
C) No detailed maps of Antarctica are available.
D) Scientists use satellites to study Antarctica.
WHILE LISTENING (8 questions)
You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 11 – 18, choose the
best answer.
11. You hear a man talking on the local radio station. What are you listening to?
A) a travel programme
B) an advertisement
C) an economics programme
12. You hear a TV chat host talking about someone called George Grosvenor. What is
George Grosvenor?
A) a politician
B) a farmer
C) a fisherman
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13. You hear a man and a woman talking. Where are they?
A) in a film studio
B) in a radio studio
C) in a TV studio
14. You hear a doctor talking to a patient. How does the patient feel?
A) depressed
B) tired
C) in pain
15. You hear a news item about a woman called Mrs. Turner. What is she supposed to
do?
A) pay £58 a week rent
B) pay 15 pence a week to the judge
C) pay the Borough Council money
16. You hear a young man talking. What is he?
A) a parent
B) a student
C) a teacher
17. You hear a short news item about a cancelled theatre performance. What is the
theatre going to do?
A) put on an additional performance
B) cancel all matinees
C) change the dates for afternoon performance
18. You hear a woman talking on the telephone. Who is she talking to?
A) a lawyer
B) a secretary
C) a builder
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CLOZE TEST (10 questions)
Fill in the blanks with best alternatives.
The number of salmon seen in the River Seine dropped (19) ……….. at the beginning of the
20th century because of the new high levels of pollution in its water. By 1995, no salmon any
longer swam up the river to the French capital Paris, and only four species of fish (20)
…………… in the river’s dirty waters then. (21) …………. , over the past fifteen years,
French authorities (22) …………… out a major clean-up project and the river is (23) ……….
to safely swim in once again.
19.
A) carefully
B) shortly
C) eternally
D) affectionately
E) significantly
20.
A) can find
B) could be found
C) must have found
D) should be found
E) has to be found
21.
A) Despite
B) Since
C) Moreover
D) However
E) Thanks to
22.
A) will have carried
B) are carrying
C) carry
D) were carrying
E) have been carrying
23.
A) clean enough
B) cleaner than
C) so clean that
D) such clean
E) as clean as
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Nutritionist Niall Smith, from the Cambridge Think Tank on Diet and Health, says that our
children eat too much fatty food. In a two-year study of 900 schoolchildren who (24)
…………… between 11 an 15, Smith and his team have found out that children eat double
the amount of fat that (25) ……….. by nutritionists. He says for the last (26) …………..
decades, hamburgers, chips, chocolate and fizzy soft drinks have been the most favoured risky
kind of food. He (27) …………. that parents should be conscious about the problem and take
action. The nutritionist also has held the media responsible (28) ………….. the current
problem as they are powerful enough to affect the society.
24.
A) are aging
B) have been aged
C) age
D) aged
E) are aged
25.
A) recommends
B) is recommended
C) will recommend
D) is recommending
E) recommended
26.
A) few
B) a lot of
C) little
D) a few
E) many
27.
A) has been suggested
B) is suggested
C) suggests
D) was suggested
E) would suggest
28.
A) with
B) for
C) to
D) against
E) on
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REWRITE (5 questions)
29. The more you play computer games, the more you improve your decision-making
skills.
A) Playing computer games frequently will develop one’s decision-making skills a lot.
B) It’s not a good idea to play computer games a lot as it can affect your decision-making
skills negatively.
C) Experts say that it is possible to improve our decision-making skills only by playing
computer games frequently.
D) It’s surprising that games which we play on the computer can improve our decisionmaking skills.
E) Playing computer games is a good way of improving some of our essential skills.
30. In 2005, Lance Armstrong became the first cyclist to win the Tour de France seven
times.
A) Before Lance Armstrong, in 2005, no one had succeeded in coming first in the Tour de
France seven times.
B) It was in 2005 that Lance Armstrong, the winner of the Tour de France, came seventh in
the race.
C) The seventh-time winner of the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong couldn’t win the tour in
2005.
D) Lance Armstrong was the only cyclist who had won the Tour de France seven times before
2005.
E) After seven attempts, Lance Armstrong, in 2005, managed to win the Tour de France
again.
31. The poem my daughter recited was far more beautiful than all the others.
A) There were other poems as well, but my daughter’s was better than most of them.
B) Of all the poems recited, my daughter’s was the most beautiful.
C) Nobody’s poem was as beautiful as the one which I recited.
D) My daughter was given the first prize as she recited her poem better than everybody else.
E) My daughter was among those who were much better at reading poems than the rest.
32. The car you want is more or less the same price as the one I offered.
A) There isn’t much difference in price between the car you want and the one I offered.
B) I offered a cheaper car than the one you want to buy.
C) There is a huge difference in price between your car and mine.
D) The car I recommend is far more expensive than the one you want.
E) The car I offered will cost you less than the one you prefer.
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33. American English has more simply constructed vocabulary than its British version,
which makes it easier to learn.
A) The Americans have totally different vocabulary than the British, therefore it is difficult to
memorize them.
B) The words in American English are easy to learn because there are more words in British
English.
C) British English is twice as hard as the American one, so avoid it.
D) The Americans learn their language much faster than the British.
E) The words in British English have a difficult structure compared to Americans ones, so it is
harder to learn British English.
SENTENCE COMPLETION (5 questions)
34. The vast majority of living organisms are so small …….
A) as life can be found in other planets in the near future.
B) that they cannot be seen without the aid of a microscope.
C) than complex organisms found in different parts of the world.
D) for most fish and aquatic organisms to survive.
E) that are dependent on the light of the Sun.
35. ……………. unless some more buses are added.
A) The city’s new metro system has been welcomed by the public so far
B) Although it is considered uncomfortable by many
C) Overcrowding on public transport will continue to exist
D) The municipality is thinking of increasing the number of buses
E) In the United States, public transport was improving extensively
36. This car seems to be the most fuel-efficient …….. .
A) as the other one, which was also less comfortable
B) that we should do our best to buy one
C) than all the others available on the market today.
D) just like all the others we had seen on the Internet
E) of all that we have been shown so far
37. The first fully Turkish computer game Pusu is similar ………. .
A) to Max Payne in terms of its graphics and sounds
B) as the creators of the game were both born in Germany
C) whereas the former is rather more difficult
D) from any other games that were made in Europe
E) enough for professional gamers to be able to master it
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38. It is an unusual fact that the longer they are married, ……… .
A) people become too suspicious of each other
B) the less they seem to understand each other
C) more and more problems arise with each day
D) as they have always been full of respect to one another
E) my parents don’t seem as happy as they were several years ago
PARAGRAPH COMPLETION (5 questions)
39. There has been an alarming rise in the number of people committing suicide at train
station in Tokyo. A total of 68 people threw themselves under trains in the last six
months. This compares with 42 suicides in the same period a year earlier. …….. They
are fitting blue lights on station platforms, which they hope will create a more relaxing
atmosphere and thus reduce people’s depressed mood.
A) Suicides have risen sharply in the past decade due to poor economic conditions.
B) Therefore, train companies in Tokyo are taking action to reduce the number of people
jumping in front of trains.
C) There are also a lot of young people jumping off tall buildings.
D) The economic recession that hit in the late 1990s seemed to increase the number of
suicides.
E) The world’s busiest train station is Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, Japan.
40. The United Nations has created a special day to honor Nelson Mandela. July 18th,
Mandela’s birthday, is now officially Nelson Mandela International Day. The UN said it
decided to create this occasion to say “Thank you” to a great man. ………….. It also
recognizes Mandela’s contributions towards improving race relations and human rights
in South Africa.
A) He is today one of the most respected statesman.
B) Nelson Mandela led the fight against apartheid in South Africa for several decades.
C) The day celebrates Mandela’s promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.
D) In the opening speech, the president of the U.N. General Assembly Ali Treki explained
how Mandela suffered to create a better world.
E) In 1994, Mandela became his country’s first black president and served for five years
before stepping down in 1999.
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41. The dog is no longer at the top of pet world. He is now outnumbered in homes by the
cat. After years of steady growth, the dog population reached a peak of 7 million in
2003. Since then, the popularity of dogs declined, and there has been a slow reduction in
their numbers. Meanwhile, the number of cats has crept up noticeably. ………….. A cat
is much more practical, more economical and less demanding pet for people who are at
work all day.
A) One of the reason for this is economics.
B) This is because dogs are known to be more loyal to their owners than cats.
C) It is difficult to find a suitable home with a loving owner who will care for your dog.
D) Therefore, don’t buy cats from pet shops as there are many in the streets.
E) A pet, either a cat or a dog, should be taken to the vet regularly.
42. School inspectors have found that, contrary to popular belief, children don’t hate
doing homework. …………………….. The inspectors’ findings add to the evidence of
the beneficial effects of homework on students’ achievement. International comparisons
suggest that a typical 14-year-old does six hours of homework in Britain, eight in Italy,
and almost nine hours in Japan.
A) This is despite the fact that many parents encourage their children to do homework.
B) Therefore, teachers often complain about lazy students who never turn in their assignments
on time.
C) Online teaching has enabled parents to check their children’s achievement.
D) In fact, many enjoy doing it and do more than their teachers suggest.
E) However, there are some others who like doing homework.
43. The history of teddy bears goes back no more than 1903. In that year, a cartoon
appeared in a newspaper showing President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt refusing to
shoot a bear cub on a hunting expedition. …………………. He then displayed them in
his shop window with a sign said “Teddy’s bear”. These bears proved to be so popular
that they soon sold out and it wasn’t long before a factory was established to take
advantage of the great demand for these new toys.
A) These days, teddy bears are a good investment.
B) Roosevelt used to go hunting regularly with a group of friends.
C) However, it is obvious that Roosevelt was afraid of the bear.
D) Instead, he ordered the cub to be caught and put in a zoo.
E) Soon after this, a toy shop owner in New York made some toy bears.
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VOCABULARY (12 QUESTIONS)
Choose the best alternative.
44. When TV first appeared, it was expected to make an extraordinary ____________ to
education and culture.
A) success
B) reduction
C) respect
D) rehearsal
E) contribution
45. The family is still the main unit in developed societies; yet, it is losing much of its
____________ structures and values.
A) traditional
B) irrelevant
C) external
D) supreme
E) valid
46. In 1980s, Steven Spielberg’s thrillers on ghosts and spirits attracted a lot of public
____________.
A) population
B) realism
C) suggestion
D) attention
E) scheme
47. It may be great pleasure for some to play endless hours of chess, but for others, it
could be complete ______________.
A) relic
B) threat
C) tribute
D) strength
E) frustration
48. Mass production may be more efficient, but to workers, there is more
______________ in doing a job from start to finish because it gives them a feeling of
content.
A) secret
B) satisfaction
C) structure
D) allowance
E) truth
49. It is true that some tooth decay can be ___________ by brushing the teeth just after
eating.
A) invested
B) observed
C) avoided
D) neglected
E) secured
50. Despite the existence of the Internet, an infinite material provider, the library is still
a/an ______________ source of information in schools.
A) identical
B) essential C) coherent
D) controversial
E) involuntary
51. In London, there are buses and underground trains that _____________ 24 hours a
day to take you to all parts of the city.
A) promise
B) reach
C) run
D) remain
E) pursue
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52. Almost all writers experience a feeling of satisfaction and ____________ when they
complete a piece of writing.
A) removal
B) prosperity
C) justice
D) accomplishment E) response
53. The traffic over the bridge stopped due to a huge truck that ___________ in the
middle of the road.
A) broke down
B) called off
C) carried away
D) went off
E) went out
54. The Blue Whale is in danger of becoming __________; therefore, it should be
protected.
A) adverse
B) faint
C) extinct
D) critical
E) decent
55. Although the two hemispheres of a human brain cooperate for many functions,
research ___________ that they control different activities.
A) indicates B) confesses
C) compares D) denies
E) characterizes
READING COMPREHENSION 1
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
Life on Saturn’s Moon?
In 2005, a fountain of water vapor1 was discovered coming from the planet Saturn’s moon
Enceladus, and it has intrigued scientists ever since. An analysis of data recently collected by
the Cassini spacecraft now shows that the water in the fountain is full of organic molecules 2,
and may increase the possibility of life in the Saturn system.
Experts are not entirely clear how life actually begins, but they guess it requires chemicals
like those detected by the Cassini: a little water, and some unknown ‘spark3.’ It seems that
this new information contains enough new data to really stir up previous ideas about life in
space.
Cassini made its observations during a high-speed pass 30 miles above Enceladus, and
recorded the highest temperatures yet detected on the icy moon's southern pole. What this
means is that Enceladus' surface temperatures may be higher than previously thought. It is
1
water vapor steam
molecules tiny units of atoms joined together
3 spark
a tiny particle that can cause something to catch on fire
2
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still awfully cold, but the higher surface temperature means that it has to be even warmer
under the surface of that ice, and raises the possibility of water below.
The surprising thing is that the chemistry of Enceladus—what's coming out from inside—is
similar to that of a comet. However, Enceladus is not a comet. In fact, it is very different from
a comet. Comets have tails and orbit the sun; Enceladus does not have a tail, and it orbits
Saturn. Enceladus' activity is powered by internal heat, while comet activity is powered by
sunlight.
It appears that in addition to carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide 4 and other compounds—
organic molecules from gases such as methane, propane, acetylene, and formaldehyde—were
detected in Enceladus' icy fountains. Enceladus' mixture is like carbonated water with an
essence of natural gas.
Many scientists are now saying that the moon Enceladus could be one of the most important
and staggering places in the solar system. Many believe that all the ingredients for life could
be present just below the rough surface of Enceladus.
Enceladus has warmth, water, and organic chemicals—the three basic requirements to provide
a minimum for the origin of life. There is one catch5, however: still more data is needed to
verify that liquid water, a key element to the origin of life, exists on the moon, rather than just
steam.
At this point, there is still no evidence that Enceladus contains liquid water. Likewise, even if
it is confirmed, we still do not know if that water may be a habitat for life. However, future
exploration by the Cassini plans to focus on just those questions. With five more journeys
planned for the next two years, the proof of celestial company may just be closer than we ever
thought possible.
56.What did scientists discover in 2005?
A.
B.
C.
D.
A new moon in the Saturn system
Water on Saturn
Steam coming from one of Saturn’s moons
Live molecules on Enceladus
57. In paragraph 2, it can be inferred that the Cassini spacecraft has _____.
A. provided significant new data in the search for life in outer space
B. proven that previous theories about life in space are wrong
C. revealed the substances needed for life to form in space
D. made scientists feel more certain about the existence of life in space
58. All of the following are true about the recent Cassini observations except _____.
A. it recorded temperatures below the icy surface of Enceladus
B. it came as close as 30 miles from the surface of Enceladus
C. it recorded the highest temperatures yet observed on Enceladus
4
5
carbon dioxide = CO2 carbon monoxide = CO
catch an unseen problem
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D. it did not discover water below the surface of the southern pole of Enceladus
59. Which of the following is most surprising to scientists about Enceladus?
A. It is actually a comet, not a moon.
B. It is not powered by sunlight.
C. It does not have a tail.
D. The chemical makeup is like a comet’s.
60. The steam coming from Enceladus seems to be the most similar to _____.
A. carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide
B. methane, propane, acetylene, and formaldehyde
C. organic water molecules
D. carbonated water and natural gas
61. Where do scientists most likely expect to find evidence of life on Enceladus in the
future?
A. Around its southern pole
B. Under its rough surface
C. In its water vapor
D. Throughout the Saturn system
62. Which key life-giving ingredient still hasn’t been discovered on Enceladus?
A. Water vapor
B. Liquid water
C. Warmth
D. Organic chemicals
63. In the last paragraph, the word ‘habitat’ is closest in meaning to _____.
A. an unusual place
B. a workplace
C. a natural home
D. an outdoor setting
64. In the last paragraph, it can be inferred that _____.
A. Scientists see further exploration of Enceladus as a high priority.
B. Scientists are sure they will find water on Enceladus.
C. If water is found, life will be possible on Enceladus.
D. Water must be found on Enceladus within two years to continue research.
65. The author’s purpose in writing this article is to _____.
A. justify research money spent on exploring Saturn’s moons
B. describe recent discoveries that could eventually lead to finding life in space
C. persuade politicians to invest more heavily in the space program
D. argue that discoveries on Enceladus do not prove that there is life in space
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READING COMPREHENSION 2
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
Appreciating Art
Throughout history, the collection and appreciation of art has mainly been the realm of the
intellectual elite and the very rich. The average person quite often finds the art world a
mysterious and daunting place. However, art can actually be found and appreciated on a daily
basis. You simply need to know where to look and what to look for.
Most people are so caught up in the details of their daily grind that they fail to stop and
appreciate the things around them. Taking a little time each day to appreciate art and learn the
history of the art around us can be a relaxing and rewarding part of everyone’s life.
So, what is art?
Art—especially fine art—can be thought of as anything that has been created specifically for
aesthetic6 purposes. Art generally relates to emotion and sensation, and is appreciated for its
beauty the way it makes us feel. Fine art can come in the forms of sculpture, painting,
drawing, graphics, and even architecture.
When it comes to appreciating fine art, there is no right or wrong. We have all heard the
expression, ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’ Well, this especially holds true when it
comes to looking at art.
Then how do I recognize real ‘fine art’?
When fine art is viewed, it will often fill you with a very powerful emotion. It may bring a
smile to your face, a feeling of joy, or even a tear to your eye. Fine artwork has a way of
drawing you in. You may become engrossed with the spectacle of it, and find that it is almost
as if a spell had been cast on you. A piece of art that touches your emotions will stick with
you for a long time afterwards.
Beauty, however, is not a defining characteristic of fine art. Even something that disgusts you
might be considered a piece of fine art. Whenever you see a piece of fine art, you will be able
to recognize it by the strong emotions you feel upon encountering it.
Where do I view all this fine art?
The great thing about art is that it is all around us. Our cities and towns are filled with
wonderful examples of architecture, paintings, sculpture, and especially graphic design. The
best way to appreciate art on a daily basis is simply to look for it. When you spot something
that catches your attention, take the time to stop for a moment and really take it in. Think
about the time and effort that the artist or architect put into creating the piece. Enjoy all there
is to look at, and if you have the time, research more about the history of the things you see.
Try to make finding and appreciating whatever you consider to be fine art a lifelong hobby.
Slow down and enjoy the beauty that makes up our lives. Your life will be richer for it.
6
aesthetic
giving pleasure through beauty
15
66.
What is the main idea of the article?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Art has traditionally only been appreciated by the rich and elite.
Art is everywhere; you just have to know where to look.
Most people don’t stop to look at art in their lives.
Most intellectuals have always known how to appreciate art.
67. According to the author, what are some of the benefits of appreciating art?
A. It can be relaxing and rewarding.
B. It can make you smarter.
C. It can be very mysterious.
D. It can help you feel emotional.
68. All of the following are mentioned as forms of fine art except _____.
A. painting
B. sculpture
C. architecture
D. pottery
69. Which of the following phrases from the reading contains an analogy?
A. The average person quite often finds the art world a mysterious and daunting place.
B. It may bring a smile to your face, a feeling of joy, or even a tear to your eye.
C. You may become engrossed with the spectacle of it, and find that it is almost as if a
spell had been cast on you.
D. When you spot something that catches your attention, take the time to stop for a
moment and really take it in.
70. Which of the following statements is true, according to the reading?
A. There’s generally one accepted way to recognize fine art.
B. You should avoid the wrong ways of looking at art.
C. Finding beauty depends on your eyesight.
D. There isn’t any correct way to look at art.
71. All of the following are mentioned as characteristics of fine art except _____.
A. it can make you cry
B. it is made to express beauty
C. it can make you feel joy
D. it will stick in your memory for a long time
72. The expression ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ is closest in meaning to _____.
A. Everyone sees beauty in art.
B. Art is more beautiful if you are closer to it.
C. Everyone sees art differently.
D. Artists help people understand what is beautiful.
73. If you find a piece of art you like, the author suggests you should _____.
A. contact the artist to let him/her know
B. stop and take a picture of it
C. spend at least an hour with it
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D. try to research the history of the piece
74. It can be inferred from the last paragraph that the author thinks appreciating art
_____.
A. is something people should try to do every day
B. takes time away from people’s everyday routines
C. can make people richer
D. is more worthwhile when a person is older
75. The author’s purpose in writing the article is to _____.
A. encourage people to appreciate art that is all around them
B. explain his own definition of fine art
C. persuade people to study art history
D. point out that more and more people appreciate art nowadays