1
LANGUAGE OF LETTERS
The Roman alphabet took thousands of years to develop, from the picture writing of the ancient Egyptians through
modifications by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and others. Yet in just a dozen years, one man, Sequoyah, invented an alphabet for
the Cherokee people. Born in eastern Tennessee, Sequoyah was a hunter and a silversmith in his youth, as well as an able
interpreter who knew Spanish, French, and English.
Sequoyah wanted his people to have the secret of the “talking leaves”, as he called the books of white people, and so he
set out to design a written form of Cherokee. His chief aim was to record his people’s ancient tribal customs. He began by
designing pictographs for every word in the Cherokee vocabulary. Reputedly, his wife, angry at him for his neglect of garden and
house, burned his notes, and he had to start over. This time, concluding that picture-writing was cumbersome, he made symbols
for the sounds of the Cherokee language. Eventually, he refined his system to eighty-five characters, which he borrowed from the
Roman, Greek and Hebrew alphabets He presented this system to the Cherokee General Council in 1821, and it was
wholeheartedly approved. The response was phenomenal. Cherokees who had struggled for months to learn English lettering in
school picked up the new system in days. Several books were printed in Cherokee, and in 1828, a newspaper, the Cherokee
Phoenix, was first published in the new alphabet. Sequoyah was acclaimed by his people.
In his later life, Sequoyah dedicated himself to the general advancement of his people. He went to Washington, D.C., as a
representative of the Western tribes. He helped settle bitter differences among Cherokee after their forced movement by the
federal government to the Oklahoma territory in the 1830s. He died in Mexico in 1843 while searching for groups of lost Cherokee.
A statue of Sequoyah represents Oklahoma in the Statuary Hall in the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. However, he is probably
chiefly remembered today because sequoias, the giant redwood trees of California, are named for him.
(READING 1) Answer the questions according to the text.
1.
The passage is mainly concerned with ___________ .
a) the accomplishments of Sequoyah
b) the development of the Roman alphabet
c) Sequoyah’s experiences in Mexico
2. the pictographic system of writingAccording to the passage, how long did it take to develop the Cherokee alphabet?
a) Twenty years
c) Twelve years
b) Eighty-five years
d) Thousands of years
3. There is NO information in the passage that, as a young man, Sequoyah___________ .hunted game.
a) served as a representative in Washington.
b) made things from silver.
c) served as an interpreter.
4. According to the passage, Sequoyah used the phrase talking leaves (line 11) to refer to ___________ .
a) newspapers
c) symbols for sounds
b) books
d) redwood trees
5. What was Sequoyah’s main purpose in designing a Cherokee alphabet?To publish a newspaper
a) To write books in Cherokee
b) To write about his own life
c) To record Cherokee customs
6. The word cumbersome in line 19 is closest in meaning to …….
a) difficult
c) radical
b) simple
d) unfamiliar
7. In the final version of the Cherokee alphabet system, each of the characters represents a
a) thought
c) sound
b) picture
d) word
8. All of the following were mentioned in the passage as alphabet systems that Sequoyah borrowed from EXCEPT …….
a) Hebrew
c) Greek
b) Egyptian
d) Roman
9. The word wholeheartedly in line 24 is closest in meaning to …….
a) ultimately
c) fashionably
b) enthusiastically
d) differently
10. According to the passage, a memorial statue of Sequoyah is located in …….
a) Tennessee
c) Washington, D.C.
b) Oklahoma
d) Mexico
11. Why does the author mention the giant redwood trees of California in the passage?
a) The trees were named in Sequoyah’s honor.
b) Sequoyah was born in the vicinity of the redwood forest.
c) Sequoyah took his name from those trees.
d) The trees inspired Sequoyah to write a book.
12. The author begins to describe the Cherokees’ reaction to the invention of a written language in …lines 32-42
a) lines 21-31
b) lines 10-20
c)lines 1-9
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HIBERNATION
Hibernation is one of the main adaptations that allow certain northern animals to survive long, cold winters. Hibernation is
like a very deep sleep that allows animals to save their energy when there is little or no food available. The body functions of ‘true
hibernators’ go through several changes while they are hibernating. Body temperature drops, and the heart rate slows. For
example, a hibernating woodchuck’s body temperature drops by more than 30 degrees Celsius, and its heart rate slows from 80 to
4 beats per minute! Other true hibernators include the jumping mouse, little brown bat, eastern chipmunk, and several ground
squirrels. Other animals, such as the skunk and raccoon, are not considered true hibernators, as they wake up in the winter to
feed, and their body functions do not change as much. Since they only sleep for a little bit at a time, the term dormancy or ‘light
sleeping’ is used to describe their behavior. The largest animals to hibernate are bears. Their heart rate may slow down from a
usual 40 –50 beats per minute to 8-12 beats per minute, but their body temperature changes very little, so they are able to wake
up quickly. Hibernating animals have a special substance in the blood called hibernation inducement trigger, or HIT. This substance
becomes active in the fall, when the days become cooler and shorter. When HIT becomes active, the animals start preparing for
winter. Some animals store food so that they can eat when they wake up, and some animals eat a lot in late summer and fall to
add excess fat to their bodies. This fat keeps them warmer and acts as a source of energy while they are sleeping. Some animals
also make changes to the places where they will sleep (dens). They add leaves and grasses to keep them warm.
(READING 2) Answer the questions about hibernation.
1. Why do animals hibernate?
______________________________________________________________
2. What changes occur in the functions of an animal’s body when it hibernates?
_______________________________________________________________
3. Why are raccoons and skunks not ‘true hibernators’?
_______________________________________________________________
4. What is the term used to describe the behavior of raccoons and skunks?
_______________________________________________________________
5. What does HIT stand for?
_______________________________________________________________
6. When does HIT become active?
_______________________________________________________________
7. How do animals prepare for hibernation?
_______________________________________________________________
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MOUNT EVEREST
At an elevation of 29,028 feet (8848 meters) above sea level, Mount Everest is the world’s tallest mountain. Mount Everest is
relatively young, having been formed only 60 million years ago, and it is still growing a few millimeters every year! Mount Everest
is in the mountain range called the Himalayas. The summit ridge of Mount Everest separates Nepal and Tibet. Each place has a
special name for this giant mountain. The Nepalese name is Sagarmatha, which means “goddess of the sky”. The Tibetan
name is Chomolungma, which means “mother goddess of the universe”. In English, Mount Everest is named after Sir George
Everest, the first person to record the height and location of the mountain. A climb to the summit was attempted by George
Mallory in 1922, who famously gave his reason for wanting to climb Everest as “becauseit’s there.” He attempted to reach the
summit again in the company of Andrew Irvine in 1924, but on this trip both climbers disappeared. The first successful ascent (and
descent) of Mount Everest was accomplished by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29th, 1953. The first ascent by a
woman was on May 16th, 1975, by Junko Tabei from Japan. Between 1921 and 2007, over two thousand people have climbed
Mount Everest, some more than once. Since the first ascent in 1953, more than 600 climbers from 20 different countries have
reached the summit. However, over two hundred climbers have died attempting to climb Mount Everest, most commonly from
avalanches, but also from falls in crevasses, cold, or high-altitude sicknesses.
(READING 3) Answer the questIons about Mount Everest.
1. How high is Mount Everest?
a) 8848 feet
b) 29,028 meters
c) 29,028 feet
d) 8848 meters
2. In what way does Mount Everest change annually?
a) It is shrinking a very small amount.
c) It is shifting slightly to the north.
b) It is getting a little wider.
d) It is growing a very small amount taller.
3. Mount Everest is in the mountain range called the ________.
a) Rocky Mountains
b) Andes
c) Himalayas
d) Alps
c) Tenzing Norgay
d) Junko Tabei
4. Who wanted to climb Mount Everest “because it’s there”?
a) George Mallory
b) Edmund Hillary
5. The first team to successfully reach the summit was _________.
a) George Mallory and Andrew Irvine
c) George Mallory and Edmund Hillary
b) Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
d) Tenzing Norgay and Andrew Irvine
6. Since 1953, how many people have reached the summit?
a) about 20
c) exactly 600
b) fewer than 600
d) more than 600
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1
ALBERT EINSTEIN
Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Germany. His parents were Hermann and Pauline Einstein. Albert’s
father was an accountant but he was also a businessman, working with his brother, Jacob. Jacob Einstein was an inventor and
together the Einstein brothers invented and sold a variety of electrical equipment. At this time, electric lights were just starting to
replace gas lights.
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As a child, Albert was a considerable worry to his parents: he did not speak. In fact, he did not begin to talk until he reached
the age of three. As the story goes, he finally spoke at a family dinner one night, skipping over baby language and astounding
everyone with a fully-formed sentence, “The soup is too hot”.
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When asked why he had not spoken before, he replied, “Because up to now, everything was in order.” After this first
discussion, Albert still did not like to talk a great deal. Nor did he like to play with other children. Instead, like many children, he took
his toys extremely seriously and would play with them endlessly, trying to understand how they worked.
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Albert’s shyness did not extend to adults, if he wanted to know the answers to questions. And he had many questions.
Typical of these were questions about gravity. Why, for example, does a leaf fall down while the moon stays suspended in the sky? He
was fortunate that his parents and uncle were able to answer his questions. Many other parents – and teachers- would have laughed
and ignored him.
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A real turning point in Albert’s “education” happened when he was five. He fell sick and was confined to bed. During this
time, his father gave him a present that was to fascinate him as much as his question about the moon: a magnetic compass. Albert
struggled to understand why its needle always pointed north.
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In 1885, Albert started school but immediately hated it. Under the German system of the time, the teachers could punish
wrong answers with beatings. The classes were generally boring with students forced to memorize and repeat exactly what their
teachers said. Fortunately, Albert excelled in science and mathematics because of his natural interest in these subjects, but other
subjects were difficult for him. His teachers had few hopes he would ever amount to anything.
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Outside of school, Albert discovered other interests: sailing and music. He joked that sailing was a wonderful sport because it
required so little energy. As for music, his mother played piano and encouraged Albert to take up the violin. He enjoyed playing the
violin for the rest of his life, although he wasn’t the best player. Albert often played with other mathematicians and physicists in small
groups, but one fellow musician complained about him. When playing music with others, it’s necessary to count the beats of the
music to stay in time with each other. Einstein- the most famous mathematician of all time- couldn’t count!
8
Another turning point in Albert’s education was his introduction to a young medical student, Max Talmey. It was the custom
for families to help out university students by inviting them for dinner, and Max was a frequent visitor to the Einstein home. Albert
always had many questions for Max about mathematics and science, and Max began supplying Albert with advanced textbooks on
these subjects. By the time he was twelve, Albert knew much more than Max and more than most math teachers.
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By the time he was sixteen, Albert had begun to ask questions about the nature of light and gravity. Answering those
questions would lead him to the Nobel Prize as well as ideas that made possible the creation of the atomic bomb.
(READING 4) Choose the best answer below.
1. What is the passage mainly about?
a) The Life of Albert Einstein
b) Albert Einstein’s family
c) How Albert Einstein became a scientist
d) Important events in Albert’s education
2. It is understood from the passage that_______ .
a) Albert was shy among his friends
b) Max and Albert became good friends
c) his parents ignored his questions
d) he spent most of his time alone
3. In paragraph 1, what does the underlined word “replace” possibly mean?
a) to turn down
c) to take place of
b) to be common
d) to be more in number
4.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Which of the following is not true about the text?
Albert’s parents were worried about him a lot until he began to talk at age three.
Albert had many questions about gravity when he was a child.
Albert did not like school because teachers punished students for their wrong answers.
Albert had to stop his education for a long time when he became sick.
5. In paragraph 3, what does the underlined word “they” refer to?
a) Other children
c) Questions
b) His toys
d) Things around him
6.
a)
b)
c)
It can be said that_______ .
Albert’s family supported him with his education.
Albert felt bored in math lessons like other children
His teachers motivated him towards science.
7. In the late 1800s, education system in Germany_______ .
a) was quite different than today
b) aimed at developing students’ creative skills
d) He was talented at music as well.
c) taught math and science efficiently
d) was discouraging students from learning.
8. In paragraph 8, what does the underlined word “supplying” probably mean?
a) providing
b) lending
c) taking
d) explaining
9. Which of the following can be true about Albert?
a) His parents probably received a good education.
b) Albert was shy all his life.
10. “His teachers had few hopes he would ever amount to
anything” (in paragraph 6), what does this sentence mean?
a) His teachers had few ideas about his knowledge.
b) His teachers were hopeful about his success.
c) He was not interested in sports.
d) He owed all of his mathematical knowledge to Max.
c) His teachers predicted that he would be a successful
student.
d) His teachers did not have much faith in him.
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Consumer Needs and Motivation
We have all grown up ‘knowing’ that people are different. They seek different pleasures; spend their money in different ways.
A couple may spend their vacation traveling in Europe; their friends are content with two weeks in a cottage by the sea. A
caring father may buy his son a set of encyclopedias; another may buy his son a set of electric trains. Different modes of
consumer behavior – different ways of spending money – do not surprise us. We have been brought up to believe that the
differences in people are what makes life interesting. However, this apparent diversity in human behavior often causes us to
overlook the fact that people are really very much alike. Psychologists and consumer behaviorists agree that basically most
people experience the same kinds of needs and motives; they simply express these motives in different ways. For this reason,
an understanding of human motives is very important to marketers: It enables them to understand, and even anticipate,
human behavior in the marketplace.
Several basic concepts are connected to an understanding of human motivation. Motivation can be described as the driving
force within individuals that impels them to action. This driving force is produced by a state of tension, which exists as the
result of an unfilled need. Individuals try – both consciously and subconsciously – to reduce this tension through behavior
that will fulfill their needs and thus relieve them of the stress they feel. The specific goals they select and the patterns of
action they undertake to achieve their goals are the results of individual thinking and previous learning. Therefore, marketers
who understand motivational theory attempt to influence the consumer’s thinking or cognitive processes.
Every individual has needs; some are innate, others are acquired. Innate needs are physiological (i.e., biogenic). They include
the needs for food, water, air, clothing, shelter, and sex. Because all of these factors are needed to sustain biological life, the
biogenic needs are considered primary needs or motives.
Acquired needs are needs that we learn in response to our culture or environment. These may include needs for esteem,
prestige, affection, power, and for learning. Because acquired needs are generally psychological (i.e., psychogenic), they are
considered secondary needs or motives. They result from the individual’s subjective psychological state and from his or her
relationships with others. For example, all individuals need shelter from the elements; thus, finding a place to live fulfills an
important primary need for a newly transferred executive. However, the kind of house she buys may be the result of
secondary needs. She may seek a house where she can entertain large groups of people (and fulfill her social needs);
furthermore, she may want to buy a house in an exclusive community in order to impress her friends and family (and fulfill her
ego needs). The house that an individual ultimately purchases thus may serve to fulfill both primary and secondary needs.
Goals are the expected results of motivated behavior. For marketers, it is important to know the consumers’ generic goals;
that is, the general classes or categories of goals they select to fulfill their needs. Marketers are even more concerned with
consumers’ product-specific goals; that is, the specifically branded or labeled products they select to fulfill their needs. For
example, the Thomas J. Lipton Company wants consumers to view iced tea as a good way to satisfy summer thirst (i.e., as a
generic goal). However, it is even more interested in having consumers view Lipton’s iced tea as the best way to satisfy
summer thirst (i.e., as a product-specific goal).
For any given need, there are many different and appropriate goals. The goals selected by individuals depend on their
personal experience, physical capacity, existing cultural norms and values, and the goal’s accessibility in the physical and social
environment. For example, an individual may have a strong hunger need. If he is a young American athlete, he may picture a
steak as his goal-object; however, if he is also an orthodox Jew, he may require that the steak be acceptable to obey the rules
of Jewish dietary laws. If the individual is old or in poor health, he may not have the physical capacity to chew or digest a
steak; therefore, he may select a hamburger instead. If he has never tasted steak – if it is out of his area of personal
experience – he will probably not even think of steak as a goal-object but instead will select a food that has satisfied his
hunger before (perhaps fish or chicken).
Finally, the goal-object has to be both physically and socially accessible. If the individual were shipwrecked on an island
without a supply of food or living animals, he could not realistically select steak as his goal-object, though he might fantasize
about it. If he were in India where cows are considered holy gods, he could not realistically hope to consume steak because to
do so might be considered disrespectful. Therefore, he would have to select another goal more appropriate to the social
environment.
An individual’s personal history shaped by inborn and learned needs, age, condition of health, and social training as well as
the availability of a particular goal-object play a large role in that individual’s choice of goals. Analyzing the needs and goals of
the consumer, marketers can predict their behavior in the market. By doing so, they are better able to plan a sales strategy
and thereby achieve market success.
(READING 5) Read the passage and answer the following questions by circling the best answer.
1.
a)
b)
c)
d)
What is the main idea of the passage?
Knowing about human motives helps marketers achieve market success.
Consumer needs determine their behavior in the market place.
Motivated behavior brings about goals.
Consumer behavior is always goal oriented.
2. In paragraph 1, line 5, ‘this apparent diversity’ refers to ......
a) different ways
b) different modes
c) different pleasures
d) differences
3. Which of the following is not a basic concept in understanding human motivation?
a) an unsatisfied need
c) a driving force
b) an effort to reduce tension
d) an attempt of influence
4. Look at the four ( ) that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage. Where would the sentence best
fit? Circle the letter that shows the point where you would insert this sentence.
They are needs essential for the body.
Every individual has needs; some are innate, others are acquired. (A) Innate needs are physiological (i.e., biogenic). (B) They include
the needs for food, water, air, clothing, shelter, and sex. (C) Because all of these factors are needed to sustain biological life, the
biogenic needs are considered primary needs or motives. (D)
5. In paragraph 3, the word ‘innate’ is closest in meaning to...
a) learned
b) life expectant
c)
born with
d) first hand
6. Which of the following is an example of satisfying innate (primary) needs?
a) A couple spend their vacation traveling in Europe to fulfill social needs.
b) A caring father buys his son a set of encyclopedias to fulfill learning needs.
c) An executive buys a big house to impress others to fulfill her ego.
d) A consumer buys a can of iced-tea to fulfill his summer thirst.
7.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A person who will only wear Levi’s jeans is fulfilling a secondary need with a product specific goal
A person who will wear a dress she bought at the bazaar is fulfilling a secondary goal with a generic goal
A person who will only drink Coca Cola is fulfilling both a primary and secondary need with a generic goal
A person who will eat home made pizza is fulfilling a primary need with a product specific goal
8.
a)
b)
c)
d)
What can be inferred from paragraph 6?
A goal selected for a need depends on who you are, where you are, your health, and what you have learned.
People decide on a goal according to how easily they can achieve it.
There are appropriate goals for different needs and the social environment is an underlying factor in the goal you select.
The goal or object for a need depends mainly on your health and religion.
9. In paragraph 7, line 4, ‘to do so’ refers to...
a) to fantasize about it
b) to consume
c) to realistically select
d) to consider
10. What type of essay is the text?
a) Compare and Contrast
b)
c) Narrative
d) Cause and Effect
Argumentative
6
HIDDEN DISABILITY
1
Tomorrow Lynnie Ozer will graduate from New York University with a doctorate in German literature—the completion of eight
years of dedication. A momentous occasion in anyone’s life, it was a miracle in hers because she was born retarded.
When she was sixteen months old she was diagnosed by a team of doctors as a cretin dwarf. The doctors treated her and after
one month she was changed into a normal looking infant. One of the doctors told her mother that she would most likely be
physically normal but that permanent mental retardation was highly probable.
Her parents brought her back home to New York and began their determined battle for her normalcy. They became her
therapists, making her walk when she crawled, reading to her day and evening. At the age of four she began to read every book
she found. The mental retardation was completely gone! It was fortunate that she had books and the companionship of her
parents because the neighborhood children would have nothing to do with her. Despite the doctor’s prognosis, her physical
development was severely retarded. For example, when she was five years old she could not walk without falling.
When she was nine, her father took a position as a rabbi in a small Long Island town. She was the new girl at school. During
physical education classes, the competitive girls discovered her inability to perform like them. She became the outcast for her
classmates who would follow her out of the locker room screaming ‘creep’ and ‘freak’ at her. How could she have explained
cretinism to them when she herself didn’t understand it? Her condition fell under the category of ‘hidden disability.’ Diabetics,
epileptics and others with illnesses that are not obvious are expected to be like everybody else. When an illness reveals itself, it
is usually not understood and therefore criticized. Because there were no crutches to excuse her lack of ability, her peers
perceived her failure as laziness.
When she was eleven years old, her mother explained her condition to her and emphasized that the constant rejection she
experienced from her peers was not her fault. Both her parents increased their efforts to be companions to her. When it was
discovered that she could sing very well, she was given voice and piano lessons. By the time she was in her early teens she had
some status at school because of the leading roles she was given in the musicals. She began to dream of being a great star. Her
mother, with her usual realism, discouraged her ambition. Her father, however, encouraged her dreams.
Her father deserved a great deal of credit for her survival during her childhood and teen years. Her mother set her on the firm
ground of reality, which prepared her for life’s hardships later on. Her father gave her the wings of fantasy she could put on at
all times.
A week before she entered college her father died. During the last year of his life he promised her he would always be with
her, and he was and is. There is no doubt that she is indebted for whatever she has achieved and overcome to her
courageous and loving parents.
When she completed her undergraduate work in singing and drama with high honors, she spent seven years abroad
teaching, translating and singing concerts. Although her performing career was only part-time, it brought her an enormous
sense of worth. Out of a sense of obligation toward the medical profession which had made it possible for her to lead a
productive life, she took a graduate degree in medical translation and worked in Munich as a translator for a psychiatric
research institute. When she returned to New York, she found that there were no jobs for her as a teacher or translator.
Thus, she took a job as a bilingual administrative assistant in a music publishing company. She worked hard until she was
promoted to the level of German Language Specialist. Still, she was unfulfilled creatively.
One evening her mother came to her apartment and told her that she had the solution to her problem. She would pay her
tuition toward a doctorate in German literature. She said, ‘You have not had the success you wanted and certainly even
deserved. That is true. But you have achieved something rarer than most successful people. Don’t ever underestimate your
accomplishment in overcoming your illness and all the problems in your childhood. You were privileged to triumph.’ Thus,
her path toward the goal of a doctorate began.
She believes that many people suffer far more from their disabilities than she does. She has been fortunate. She has
achieved success in her life, but the gratitude she should feel at all times is not always there. She wonders if she will be able
to rise above these feelings too. She looks at her father’s picture and recalls how he loved to sing with her the freedom song
‘We Shall Overcome.’ He would want her to try—at least to try.
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(READING 6) Read the text and answer the following questions.
1. What is the main idea of the text?
a) In spite of her disability, Lynnie Ozer was successful in her life.
b) Lynnie Ozer had a difficult life because of her disability.
c) Lynnie Ozer’s parents made her life easier because she was disabled.
d) Everyone made fun of Lynnie Ozer because she was disabled.
2. What does it refer to in paragraph 1?
a. New York University
b. German Literature
c. Eight years of dedication
d. A momentous occasion
3. How did Lynnie prove the doctors wrong?
a. She became physically normal
b. She became mentally normal
c. She could crawl as a child
d. She could get up and walk
4. In paragraph 4, what is meant by “hidden disability?”
a. Disabled people try to hide their disability.
b.
It is a disability which is normally criticized
c. A disability which cannot be seen so everyone sees you as normal.
d.
A disability which is obvious and people think you are lazy.
5.
a.
b.
c.
d.
What can be inferred about Lynnie’s father?
He loved her very much but did not encourage her much.
He was understanding and made her believe she could do any thing.
He was courageous because he could make her well.
He was always with her throughout her life to support her.
6.
a.
b.
c.
d.
What can be inferred about Lynnie’s mother?
She loved her very much and always encouraged her to do as she liked.
She was more loving than her father and was with her all the time.
Lynnie loved her more than she did her father because she was realistic.
She was strong, realistic, and helped Lynnie overcome her disability.
7. Look at the four ( ) that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the text. Where would the sentence best
fit? Circle the letter where you would insert this sentence.
If they had not been there for her, she would not have been as successful.
(A) A week before she entered college her father died. (B) During the last year of his life he promised her he would always be
with her, and he was and is. (C) There is no doubt that she is indebted for whatever she has achieved and overcome to her
courageous and loving parents. (D)
8. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the passage excerpt from paragraph 8?
Out of a sense of obligation toward the medical profession which had made it possible for her to lead a productive life,
she took a graduate degree in medical translation and worked in Munich as a translator for a psychiatric research
institute.
a) Lynnie become a translator at a medical institution because she wanted to pay the medical field back for helping her to lead
a normal life.
b) Lynnie wanted to become a medical translator because she had always wanted to work in Munich at the psychiatric research
institute.
c) Lynnie wanted to work at a medical institution so she went to school to become a translator.
d) Lynnie liked the medical profession and therefore, she got a degree in medical translation.
9. Which word in paragraph 9 is closest in meaning to accomplishment?
a) solution
b) goal
c) triumph
10. Which of the following words are closest in meaning to gratitude in paragraph 10?
a) thanks
b) happiness
c) remorse
d) privileged
d) anger
7
THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
The Golden Gate Bridge is a well-recognized landmark in the United States. It spans the Golden Gate Strait - a mile-wide
stretch of water that connects the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. The Golden Gate Bridge itself connects the city of San
Francisco with Marin County on the other side of the Strait. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges in the
world. It is also one of the tallest. The idea for a bridge across the strait had been around for many years, because San Francisco
suffered from its isolated location. The only practical way to get across the San Francisco Bay was to take a ferry. Planning for the
Golden Gate Bridge began in 1916, but the design underwent many changes before construction finally started in 1933. Joseph
Strauss was the chief engineer in charge of the bridge project. However, he had little experience with the construction of
suspension bridges. For this reason, other engineers, architects, and designers made vital contributions to the design and
construction of the bridge. For example, the bridge owes its art deco style and distinctive orange color (“international orange”)
to the architects Irving and Gertrude Morrow. Charles Alton Ellis, an expert on structural design, was the main engineer on the
project, and did much of the technical work necessary to build the bridge. It was not easy to get the project started. Financing
had to be found, and there was muchopposition to the very idea of a bridge. The U.S. Navy, for example, feared that a bridge
would obstruct ship traffic. The Southern Pacific Railroad, which ran the ferry fleets, feared competition from the bridge. Many
experts did not believe that it would be possible to build such a long bridge under such difficult circumstances. A suspension
bridge of that length had never before been built. There are strong currents and heavy winds on the bridge site, which made
construction dangerous. The construction of the bridge finally began in 1933. The construction work set new standards for safety
– workers were among the first required to wear hard hats, and an innovative safety net saved the lives of nineteen men while
the bridge was built. The Golden Gate Bridge was completed in 1937, when the bridge opened to pedestrians. (It was opened to
cars one year later.) The bridge was finished ahead of schedule and cost much less than originally budgeted. Today, the Golden
Gate Bridge has a main span of 4,200 feet (almost a mile) and a total length of 8,981 feet, or about 1.7 miles, making it one of
the longest bridges in the world (it was the longest until 1964). The bridge is 90 feet wide, and its span is 220 feet above the
water. The towers supporting the huge cables rise 746 feet above the waters of the Golden Gate Strait, making them 191 feet
taller than the Washington Monument. Each steel cable is 7,650 feet long and has a diameter of 36 inches. About 40 million
automobiles cross the bridge every year: proof that the bridge serves a vital function. There are foghorns to let passing ships
know where the bridge is, and aircraft beacons on the tops of the towers to prevent planes from crashing into them. Because
the Golden Gate Bridge is the first sight for many people arriving in the United States
by ship, it is sometimes called the “Statue of Liberty” for the West Coast.
(READING 7) Answer the following questıons.
1. The Golden Gate Bridge _____________ .
a) spans the San Francisco Bay
b) is the best-known symbol of the United States
c) spans the Golden Gate Strait
d) is painted gold and has a gold-plated gate at each end
2. The idea for a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait _____________ .
a) was first suggested in 1916
b) was perfected by Irving Morrow in 1933
c) was around for many years before construction started
d) was first put forth by Joseph Strauss
3. The bridge proponents wanted to_____________ .
a) give the West Coast a new tourist attraction
c) prove that the innovative project could succeed
b) connect San Francisco to the land across the Bay
d) compete with the ferry fleets
4. Safety innovations during the construction of the bridge included ____________ .
a) hardhats and a safety net
c) aircraft beacons
b) foghorns and radar
d) all of the above
5. Put the right pairs together:
a) 7,650 feet
e) length of bridge
b) 3 feet
f) length of main span
c) 4,200 feet
g) diameter of cable
d) 8,981 feet
h) length of cable
8
THE SPARROW
This very small bird is found throughout the world. There are many different species of sparrow. There are about fifty
different species of sparrows living in North and South America. Sparrows are only about four to six inches in length. Many
people appreciate their beautiful song.
Sparrows prefer to build their nests in low places. Their nests are usually built on the ground, clumps of grass, low trees,
and low bushes. In cities, they build their nests in building nooks and other holes. They rarely build their nests in high places.
Sparrows build their nests out of twigs, grasses, and plant fibers. Their nests are usually small and well-built structures. Female
sparrows lay four to six eggs at a time. The eggs are white with reddishbrown spots. The eggs hatch within eleven to fourteen
days. Both the male andfemale parents care for the young. Insects are fed to their young after hatching. Young sparrows are
ready to leave the nest eight to ten days after hatching. The large feet of the sparrow are used for scratching seeds. Adult
sparrows mainly eat seeds. Sparrows can be found almost anywhere there are humans. Some species of sparrows prefer to live
in deserts, prairies, swamps, marshes, forests, and other bushy areas. Some sparrows in northern North America will migrate
south in winter, although most stay in one area year-round. The older adult males of the migrating sparrows usually spend their
winters near their breeding area. Many people throughout the world enjoy these delightful birds.
(READING 8) Answer the questions.
1. The chief food for adult sparrows is __.
a) seeds
b) nuts
c) insects
2. Where do sparrows live?
a) throughout the world
b) wherever there are humans
c) in cities and in the country
d) all of the above
3. The word species means __.
a) adult
b) kinds
c) nests
d) foods
4. Which of the following is true?
a) All sparrows migrate in winter.
b) Young sparrows are able to leave the nest about twenty days after hatching.
c. Sparrows rarely build their nests in high places.
d. Sparrows are some of the largest birds found in North and South America.
5. The care of the young sparrows __.
a) is mainly done by the father
b) is mainly done by the mother
c) is shared by both parents
d) none of these
6. The second paragraph of this passage mainly discusses ____.
a) where sparrows are found
b) the diet of the sparrow
c) the nests of the sparrow
d) migration of sparrows
7. The nests of Sparrows are ___.
a) usually built in low places
b) built out of twigs, plant fibers, and grasses
c) small, well-built structures
d) all of these
d) eggs of other birds
9
“WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE, NOT ANY DROP TO DRINK”
At the present time, the distribution of world oil supplies is a source of conflict among many nations. However, more
future battles may be fought over drinking water than over oil. Given the enormous amount of water on earth, this may seem
hard to cubic miles of water on this planet, 97.2 % of which is found as saltwater in oceans, inland seas, and underground
reservoirs. Of the remaining water, 2.2% is frozen in icecaps and glaciers. This leaves only 478 cubic miles of liquid fresh water
available for human use. 97.74% of this water is underground, while the rest is on the surface in lakes, rivers, streams, and soil.
This valuable, limited resource is facing an increasing demand from ever-growing populations, severe pollution problems, and
possible global climatic changes. Now is the time for mankind to start planning how to avoid a water crisis in the next century.
One thing that can be done to protect drinking water supplies is to stop using water to farm infertile land. A good
example of this practice can be found in the United States. Under the high plains states of Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Texas,
and Oklahoma there is a huge underground pool of water known as the Ogallala Aquifer. While much of the land above it
requires no irrigation, there are large areas of marginal cropland which are being farmed only by pumping water out of the
Ogallala. So far, more than 25 % of the water has been pumped out. With the excess amount of grain produced in this country, it
makes little sense to grow more at the expense of the water supplies of cities in this area.
Perhaps an even more important way to protect the world’s water supply would be to stop wasting water. This can
include such measures as repairing irrigation canals and pipes and using low flow toilets, faucets, and shower heads. It has been
reported that a single hotel in Michigan saved $750.000 over eight years just by using water-saving devices for the toilets and
showers. Some cities now offer to reduce the water bills of homes which use this equipment. In addition, the large amount of
poisonous chemicals poured into water supplies by manufacturers could be greatly reduced by recycling the chemicals. This can
also be economically helpful to the companies.
Another promising new advancement in water conservation is the use of plants and animals to help purify waste water.
In Arcata, California, for example, the final step in waste water processing is to pass the water through two attractive men-made
lakes which are also used for duck habitats. In Providence, Rhode Island, where land is not so plentiful, a system called solar
aquatics is being developed. In this process waste water passes through large tanks of water filled with snails, crayfish, algae,
bacteria, and plants, all of which remove impurities from the water.
At times the problems of pollution can seem too large for any one person to handle. With a projected world population
of over six billion in the year 200, it appears that time is running out for possible solutions. Yet more and more solutions are
becoming available. The greatest need now is for individuals to become aware of the difficulties facing them. Once they become
conscious of the dimensions of the problem, citizens of all countries can begin to demand and to take action to prevent a water
crisis in the next century. If we all work together, we can have water, water, everywhere, and plenty for everyone to drink.
(READING 9) Answer the following questions.
1. Which one of these can not be a reason for limited source of fresh water available for human use?
a) Population increase
c) The climatic change
b) Contamination
d) Fossil fuels underground
2. In the second paragraph, it is stated that the precaution to use water supplies more carefully is ____ .
a) not to use water to irrigate infertile lands
c) not contaminate in lakes and rivers
b) to keep underground reservoirs for future century
d) to use sea water instead of fresh water
3. Which statement is true according to paragraph 2?
a) The high plains states of Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas have lands convenient for farming.
b) More water should be pumped out of the Ogallala to be used in farming.
c) The extra grain grown would not worth the extra water pumped out of the Ogallala
d) The lack of grain in the United States is an important problem.
4. According to third paragraph, it is stated that the precaution to use water supplies more carefully is___ .
a) not to waste usable water at homes and business places
b) to ban water use in factories
c) to recycle the chemicals to reduce its poisonous effects
d) to widen irrigation canals and pipes
5. Which one of the following is not one of the promising advancement in water conservation?
a) Using of some animals and plants.
c) Processing water through minerals.
b) Using of solar aquatics.
d) Using artificial lakes.
6. In the last paragraph, the ultimate solution not to waste water is to_______ .
a) expect human beings more aware of the coming difficulties
b) decrease world population
c) overcome the contamination of water sources
d) have a consolidated agreement not to waste water
7. The word “this” in paragraph 3 refers to ________ .
a) Using water saving devices
b) Reducing the water bills
c) Not pouring large amounts of poisonous chemicals
d) Recycling the chemicals
8. The word “impurities” in paragraph 4 means
a) parts which are pure
b) parts which are not pure
c) parts which include snails, crayfish algae, bacterial, and plants
d) parts which do not include snails, crayfish, algae, bacterial, and plants
9. The word “them” in paragraph 5 refers to ________.
a) solutions
b) individuals
10
c) difficulties
d) citizens
THE FROZEN MAN
On a September day 1991, two Germans were climbing the mountains between Austria and Italy. High up on a
mountain pass, they found the body of a man lying on the ice. At that height (3200 meters), the ice is usually
permanent but 1991 had been an especially warm year. The mountain ice had melted more than usual and so the body had
come to the surface.
Who was this man? How and when had he died? Everybody had a different answer to these questions. The mountain
climbers who had found the body said it seemed thousands of years old. But others thought that it might be from this century.
Perhaps it was the body of a soldier who died in World War I. In fact, several World War I soldiers had already been found in that
area of the mountains. On the other hand, a Swiss woman believed it might be her father. He had died in those mountains 20
years before and his body had never been found.
When Italian and Austrian scientists heard about the discovery, they rushed to the mountaintop. The body could not
possibly be the Swiss woman’s father, they said. The boots, the gloves, and the ax that were found with this man were clearly
from further back in the past. For the same reason, they said it could not be a World War I soldier. It had to be at least several
centuries old, they said, may be even five centuries. It could have been one of the soldiers in the army Fredrick, Duke of Austria.
Before they could be sure about this guess, however, the scientists needed more data. They needed to bring the body down the
mountain so they could study it in their laboratories. The question was, “whom did it belong to?” It was lying almost exactly on
the border between Italy and Austria. Naturally, both countries wanted the frozen man for their laboratories and their museums.
For two days, the body lay there in the mountains while diplomats argued. Finally, they decided that it lay on Austrian ground.
By that time the body was partly unfrozen and somewhat damaged.
When the Austrian scientists examined the body more closely, they changed their minds. They did not know yet how he had
died, but they did know when: In about 2700 BC. This was a very important discovery, they said. It would teach them a great deal
about this very distant period of European history. From the clothes and tools they could learn about how men lived in those
times.
(READING 10) Answer the following questions.
1. How did the dead body stay without any damage until two Germans found them?
a) It was found high up on a mountain pass.
c) The ice prevented it from getting damaged.
b) The mountain ice melted before its due time.
d) It was killed a short while ago.
2. How did the body appear after such a long time?
a) At 3200 meters such things normally happen.
b) High temperatures caused the ice to melt.
c) That September was quite warm.
d) The mountaineers dug it out.
3. Why did some people think that the body could be a soldier who died in World War I?
a) Because it was wearing an army uniform.
c) Because it did not look thousands of years old.
b) Because other soldiers had been found in the area.
d) Because a woman was sure that it was her father.
4. Why did the scientists think that the body had to be at least several centuries old?
a) Because its tools and clothes did not look like any modern ones.
c) Because the army of Duke Fredrick wore the some
clothes.
b) Because its boots were the same as the ones worn in World War I. d) Because it could not be the Swiss woman’s father.
5.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Why did scientists not immediately study the body in their labs?
That the body was lying on Austrian ground was obvious.
The partly unfrozen and somewhat damaged body disappointed the scientists.
The diplomats in Italy and Austria did not want to send the area any scientists.
Neither Italy nor Austria allowed the body to be examined on the other side.
6.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Why was the discovery of this body’s age important?
2700 BC is a period scientists know a lot about.
Museums would display the body and attract a lot of people.
It would give a lot of information about the period it lived.
How it died would teach the scientists a great deal about its life.
11
H.G. WELLS
H.G. Wells was born in 1866 in Bromley. He claimed to have a very ordinary brain, but in fact he predicted air attacks
and atomic bombs long before they existed. He took no pleasure in being right though. Instead it just added to his growing
feeling of pessimism. His last book was Mind at the End of its Tether, a work full of despair. In his final year he spent his time
painting a mural in his home which showed the process of evolution, ending with the figure of Man. Beneath this figure he wrote
“Time to Go”.
Wells’ parents were, at various times, shopkeepers and servants. Wells was destined to become a shop assistant, but after
suffering an accident as a child he was forced to spend a long time in bed. This period of inactivity gave him a love of reading
which developed his imagination. After leaving school he first worked in a curtain shop, then trained as a teacher and biologist,
but after this decided to write books for a living. At the age of 27, working by candlelight in a room in Kent (his landlady
complained he used too many candles), he wrote the book that made his name, The Time Machine. It is the story of an unnamed
time traveler who meets strange people in the future and witnesses the end of the world. It was a great success with Victorian
readers.
Wells went on to produce “scientific romances” and short stories which were serialized in publications like the Strand
Magazine. Many science fiction themes- aliens coming to earth, planetary disasters and so on were dealt with in these early
stories. Wells’ ability to create such original work was amazing. He turned everyday events into incredible fantasies: a
conversation about colonialism became The War of the Worlds and a walk round London was turned into The Invisible Man.
Some of the predictions made in his books included the use of aero planes and tanks in war, the rise of the middle class, the
liberation of women and the need for a world state.
His own background gave him the basic materials for his best novels, which were realistic comedies of lower-middle-class life.
In these he was at his peak as an artist. Though he continued to write novels, his talent as a fiction writer was gradually
overwhelmed by his enthusiasm for scientific knowledge and social change. His idea was that civilization was “a race between
education and catastrophe”, and though the catastrophe of the First World War damaged his optimism, he continued to fight for
social change.
Wells’ most important act is probably his least known. At the start of World War II, Wells produced a statement of human
rights and formed a committee to work on this. The Declaration of the Rights of Man was published in many different languages
and stimulated discussion worldwide. After the War, this document greatly influenced the wording of the United Nations
Declaration of Human Rights.
(READING 11) Answer the questions.
1.
a)
b)
2.
a)
What made Wells become displeased in later life?
having an ordinary brain
c) being right about the future
making wrong predictions
d) being a pessimist
What type of work was Wells originally destined to do?
administration
b) writing
c) cleaning
d) sales
3.
a)
What helped his imagination to grow?
reading
b) listening to his parents
4.
a)
b)
Wells’ first book __________
was based on his own experience.
was written in London.
c) making predictions
d) writing books
c) did not interest readers.
d) gained him popularity.
5.
a)
What sort of stories did Wells write at first?
romantic
b) futuristic
6.
a)
b)
Wells’ “incredible fantasies” were developed from
alien invasions of earth.
exploring planets.
c) ordinary incidents.
d) scientific predictions.
7.
a)
b)
How did the First World War affect Wells?
It changed his writing style.
He became more hopeful.
c) He stopped writing novels.
d) He became less positive.
8.
a)
The word “despair” in paragraph 1 means ____ .
desire
b) excitement
c) psychology
d) hopelessness
9.
a)
The word “inactivity” in paragraph 2 means ____ .
full of activity
b)lack of activity
c) indoor activity
d) free from activity
10. The word “ class” in paragraph 3 means ____ .
a) social division
b) style
c) group of students
d) excellence
11. The word “ these “ in paragraph 4 refer to?
a) novels
b) basic materials
c) social classes
d) backgrounds
12. The word “this” in paragraph 5 refers to ______ .
a) the act
b) the World War II
c) a statement of human rights
d) a committee
12
c) war
d) mystery
INVENTOR
Late one night more than a hundred years ago, an American inventor ran into a problem that seemed impossible to solve.
He was trying to design a sewing machine, but he couldn’t think of a way to get the thread to run smoothly around the needle.
He was exhausted and finally went to bed. However he was so worried that he slept very badly. He had a nightmare in
which he dreamt that he had been captured by a tribe of terrible savages. Their king threatened to kill and eat him unless he
could build a perfect sewing machine. When he tried to do so, he ran into the same problem as before. The king was so angry
that he ordered his soldiers to kill him immediately. Suddenly, the inventor noticed something. The soldiers were all carrying
spears, and in the tip of each one of them, there was a hole that looked just like an eye.
The inventor woke up and realized that he had just found the solution to the problem. Instead of trying to make the thread
run around the needle, he should make it run through a small “eye” or hole in the tip.
The inventor’s name was Elias Howe, and this simple idea enabled him to design and build the first really successful sewing
machine. He was not the only famous person to find solutions to difficult problems in this way. Thomas Edison, who invented
the electric light bulb, said that his best ideas came to him in his dreams. So did Albert Einstein, the great mathematician and
physicist. The novelist Charlotte Bronte also got inspiration from her dreams when writing Jane Eyre. Igor Stravinsky, the great
composer, said that he “slept” on his problems, and when he woke up they were solved.
Few people understand the meaning of dreams. In order to do so, you have to understand what happens when you sleep.
When you are awake, you notice all sorts of things and get lots of ideas without realizing it. When you are asleep, the
unconscious part of your brain is active and it begins to “digest” this information mentally. Sometimes it is that part of the brain
that notices something important that the conscious part of your brain didn’t. The unconscious part of your mind, however, has
its own logic and language. This is why the strange images in our dreams are sometimes called “secret messages to ourselves”.
(READING 12) Choose the best answer.
1. What was the inventor’s problem?
a) He was so tired he couldn’t think.
b) He wasn’t using the right kind of thread.
c) He hadn’t designed the needle correctly.
d) The needle was in the wrong place.
2. The idea for the solution came from something _________ .
a) the king said in the dream
b) the inventor noticed about the soldiers’ weapons
c) the inventor saw after he woke up
d) he saw in the eyes of one of the soldiers
3. Albert Einstein is mentioned because he _____________ .
a) was a great physicist and mathematician
b) got inspiration from Howe and Edison
c) also had strange dreams
d) got many good ideas from his dreams
4.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Dreams are sometimes called “secret messages to ourselves” because _____________ .
it is better if other people don’t understand them
they often tell us important things through strange images.
we have them when we are asleep and never understand their real meaning.
our brains notice things other people don’t want us to notice.
5.
a)
b)
c)
d)
What do you think is the general “message” of the whole story?
Only inventors, artists and scientists can understand what their dreams are trying to say.
If you work too hard and too late, you may have terrible nightmares.
Elias Howe wasn’t the only person who solved problems when he was asleep.
Howe was the first person we know who solved a problem while he was asleep.
13
WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
One of Britain’s most famous products which is sold in most countries around the world, actually originated in India.
Worcester sauce introduced in Britain in 1834, was brought from India by an English nobleman, Lord Sandy’s. Like other British
soldiers serving in the hot Indian climate he ate in army food halls where Indian spiced relishes and ketchups were used to add
flavor to the otherwise dull food.
On his return to Britain, Lord Sandys handed the recipe for his favorite sauce to a chemist in the town of Worcester, and
asked him to make it up. After mixing the salted anchovies, garlic, raw chilli peppers and spices, they tasted the sauce. It was
disgusting. The chemist put the mixture in the cellar, having no use for it himself. After collecting a small amount of it, Lord
Sandys failed to come back for more
But it turned out that time was the missing ingredient. The sauce lay forgotten for three years, until the chemist tasted
it again. It had improved in flavor dramatically he had to admit that it was extremely tasty but he could never have guessed how
popular the sauce was to become throughout the world.
Today, sales in the US are even greater than in the UK -the Americans even use it as a cocktail ingredient. It is also
popular in the Far East. The fastest growing market is Japan, where it is used as a dipping sauce for sushi.
In its early days the sauce was restricted to upper class gentlemen's clubs, but since the decline of such clubs the advertisers
have aimed their campaign at average, middle-class families. The company itself has had a complicated history, passing out of
the hands of chemists Lea and Perrins in the 1930’s to join HP sauces. More recently, it was acquired by the French company
BSN. Despite all these changes, the sauce continues to be made in the city from which it gets its name.
Over the years counterfeiters have made rough copies of the sauce and used the famous bottle and label to trick-buyers
but it is almost impossible to make a sauce which tastes the same as the original. Making it is a lengthy process, which has
changed little since the 19th century. Onions, shallots and garlic are pickled for three years, together with anchovies~ a type of
small salted fish. Then the mixture is kept in tanks for three months with raw chillis before being sweetened. Vinegar and spices
are added in the final stage of this unique and complicated blending process.
(READING 13) Answer the questions.
1. Why were relishes used by British soldiers in India ?
a) They preserved food in the hot climate.
b) They kept fresh in the Indian climate.
c) They made meals more interesting.
d) They were traditionally used by British soldiers elsewhere.
2. Who originally made the sauce?
a) Lord Sandys
b) Lea and Perrins chemists
c) British soldiers
d) Indian cooks
3. Why was the sauce left in the cellar for three years?
a) Lord Sandys didn't collect it.
b) To improve the taste.
c) Lord Sandys told the chemist to do so.
d) The chemist didn't like the flavor.
4. Why is time important in making the sauce?
a) The sauce improves with age.
b) It takes a long time to mix the ingredients.
c) The sauce goes off after 3 years.
d) The recipe is easily forgotten.
5. Where has the sauce recently become very popular?
a) the Far East
b) the USA
c) Great Britain
6. The sauce ___________
a) is still produced in Great Britain.
b) has been produced by three different companies.
c) was first produced in the 1930's.
d) is now made in France.
7. What do people find difficult to copy?
a) the bottle
b) the production process
c) the ingredients
14
d) Japan
d) the label
NUCLEAR ENERGY
An atom is the smallest part of an element. An atom is very small; in fact, it's so small that you cannot see it, but it does
exist. There are six sextillion (6,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) atoms in a single drop of water. An atom also contains three
smaller parts. It contains positive (+) charges and neutral (0) particles in the center. The positive charges added to the neutral
particles determine the weight of the atom. Then there is a lot of empty space around the central part. After the empty space,
there are rings that carry the third part of the atom, the negative ( -) charge. All atoms carry the same number of positive ( + )
charges as negative ( -) charges.
The part of the atom that is the most important is the neutral particle in the center of the atom. This holds the most
powerful force ever discovered: nuclear atomic energy.
Every element contains different combinations of atoms. Each atom has a different number of neutral charges in its center. The
center of the hydrogen atom contains only one neutral particle. That is why the hydrogen atom is the lightest of all atoms. It is
often used to fill balloons, making them lighter than air. However some atoms are very heavy. For example, uranium is a very
heavy element because the center of a uranium atom has 92 positive charges and 143 neutral particles. When added together
they equal 235. Scientists call this uranium "U-235." It is the heaviest and most complicated element known.
A very strong force in the center of an atom keeps the positive and neutral parts locked together. Scientists have
discovered that when a neutral particle from a uranium atom shoots out from the center of the atom, it makes the atom
unstable or radioactive. Every time a neutral charge flies away from the atom, it loses some energy. This is what is meant by
nuclear energy .The neutral particle crashes into another uranium atom and causes it to lose some energy. These two neutral
parts crash into the centers of other atoms also causing them to give of energy. Scientists call this a "chain reaction." We see the
chain reaction as an atomic explosion. One-pound ofU-235, smaller than a tennis ball, produces more energy than three million
gallons of oil.
(READING 14) Select the best answer according to the text.
I. Where are the positive (+) charges and neutral (0) particles of an atom located?
a) on the outside rings of the atom
c) in the center of the atom
b) near a drop of water
d) outside the empty space
2. Which part of an atom is the most important for nuclear energy?
a) the outside charges
c) the space around the center
b) the plus charges
d) the neutral particle in the center
3. Which atom is the lightest of all atoms?
a) uranium
b) hydrogen
4. Radioactivity is caused by the action of _____________ .
c) oxygen
d) water
a) the neutral particle in the center of an atom
b) a force from the plus charges
c) a negative charge from the outer ring
d) scientists locked together
5. A “chain reaction” occurs when ________________ .
a) we study the properties of atoms
b) a neutral particle crashes into another atom
c) the empty space is closed
d) U-235 is replaced with oil
6. Why are hydrogen and uranium mentioned in the reading?
a) because all countries use these elements
b) because only these elements can produce nuclear energy
c) because they are examples of light and heavy atoms
d) because they cost a lot of money to develop
7. Which sentence best applies to the reading?
a) Oil is a better source of energy than nuclear energy.
b) Scientists do not know how to use atomic energy.
c) Atoms and their parts are not natural.
d) Atomic energy is one of the most recent forms of energy.
8. According to the reading, what can be said about atomic energy?
a) It is safe.
b) It can be dangerous.
c) It has no value.
d) It cannot replace other fuels.
9. What is the purpose of the reading?
a) to explain how nuclear energy works
b) to convince people to use nuclear energy
c) to make people be careful about how to use it
d) to explain how science is important
10. Which sentence is the best summary of the reading?
a) The atom's neutral particle is a source of great energy.
b) There are many atoms in water.
c) Hydrogen is the lightest of all elements.
d) U-235 is important for future transportation.
11.The word “them” in paragraph 3 refers to
a) neutral charges
b) hydrogen atoms
c) baloons
12.The word “pound” in paragraph 4 means
a) hit
b) standard unit of money in Britain
c) a unit for measuring weight
d) a kind of atomic explosion
15
d) some atoms
RECYCLING
Julie Lewis from Oregon, in the United States, is wearing an expensive looking pair of boots. They are durable yet
fashionable. To look at them you would never know that they were made entirely of recycled materials. Julie owns her own
shoemaking company and has achieved a long term ambition to turn waste into something useful. The shoes are made from all
sorts of otherwise useless materials, including textile scraps, rubber from tires, and plastic bags. Julie knows that she cannot
solve the world’s environmental problems single-handed, but nonetheless she feels she is doing good at a local level.
Recycling has become extremely popular in the US, particularly in recent years when the number of recycling schemes
has increased by 500 percent. 65 percent of aluminum cans are recycled plus a quarter of paper and 20 percent of glass. The
enthusiasm for re-using materials has come from the realization that Americans produce far more waste per person than most
Europeans; a total of 200 million tons a year. This is twice as much per capita as Germany for example, and it would be enough
to fill a line of dustbin lorries stretching eight times around the world.
America even exports its waste. Taiwan buys used paper to make more paper and Japan uses American scrap metal and
makes it into new cars, which it then sells back to the US. Two thirds of the remaining waste is buried in landfill sites. Disposal of
waste poses a major problem. Landfill sites can cause pollution of water supplies the atmosphere. The obvious answer, then, is
to recycle more. Recycling is already big business Julie Lewis being a perfect example. Her company has already attracted
millions of dollars worth of investment. Recycled products are no longer seen as poor quality goods but as desirable alternatives.
A hugely successful scheme has been operating in Palm Beach County since 1988. Rubbish is sorted into different
categories. Paper, glass and plastic are sold to recycling firms. Kitchen waste is used to power a generator which supplies
electricity to 30, 000 houses. Other materials are used to make soil, which is then used for growing fruit and vegetables.
There are of course economic arguments against recycling. It can be expensive to run the schemes. And as Lynn Scarlett,
a government adviser from Los Angeles argues, it does not make economic or environmental sense to transport materials for
recycling from areas which still have plenty of landfill space.
Manufacturers in Germany are trying to solve the problem at the production stage, mainly by looking at how their
goods are packaged. Soap powders are now more concentrated and packed in small containers, toothpaste tubes are sold
without boxes and plastic wrapping has been reduced.
In a time when newspapers and TV news bulleting are filled with depressing stories of environmental disasters, it is
important to remind people, especially children, that they can make a difference. After all, they can recycle their waste every day
of their lives.
(READING 15) Select the best answer according to the text.
1. Julie Lewis has always wanted _______.
a) to run her own business.
b) to be involved in recycling.
c) to look fashionable.
d) to wear expensive shoes.
2. Americans now recycle far more than they used, to because _________.
a) they are competing with Germany.
c) they need more aluminum.
b) they want to make a profit from recycling.
d) they produce more rubbish than other countries.
3. What does "this" in line 15 refer to?
a) the type of rubbish produced
b) the amount of rubbish produced
c) Americans' enthusiasm
d) the re-use of waste materials
4. Of what is Julie Lewis a "perfect example"? ;
a) The fact that re-using waste is a money- making activity.
b) The fact that more rubbish should be burnt.
c) The fact that women can attract investment.
d) The fact that recycled products can be of high quality.
5. What does the Palm Beach County scheme involve?
a) making energy out of waste
b) selling fruit and vegetables for profit
c) producing plastic bottles
d) opening new recycling businesses
6. One of the arguments against recycling is that __________.
a) it makes no sense using landfill sites.
b) it damages the environment.
c) no one is interested in running the schemes.
d) it can be uneconomical to ship waste products cross-country.
7. German manufacturers ___________ .
a) are concentrating on improving soap powders.
b) sell toothpaste in boxes instead -of tubes.
c) have cut down on packaging.
d) are trying to make goods cheaper.
8. Why is recycling particularly important for children?
a) It encourages them to read newspapers.
b) It shows them that they can do something useful.
c) It is depressing.
d) It is specially planned for them.
16
LANGUAGE LEARNING
Once you realize that no method of language teaching is going to give you the ability to speak a foreign tongue to business
standards in a few weeks, the selection of a system of teaching becomes a simple calculation of time, money and need.
There are three levels of language ability -tourist, social and fluent -and the gaps between them are huge. Most of us are aware
that the schoolboy German that gets us into hotels and through supermarkets is not sufficient to keep up a pleasant dinner party
conversation. Similarly, the ability to join in such a conversation, which is about as much as most of us could hope to achieve, is a
long way from a full intelligent grasp of the language and its culture.
For a quick introduction to the basics, I prefer the cassette/book system. Language books alone cannot offer the necessary
pronunciation skills, skills which you are going to need in order to understand, for example, the train announcements on the
Moscow underground. Cassettes, however, have proved a great aid for the language student.
The essential requirement when learning a language, even at that level, remains effort. The more willingness the student
brings to the task, the easier the course will be. For European languages that effort comes a little easier. The Londoner learning
French or the Parisian learning English can readily find newspapers, radio stations and restaurants where the language is used
and can thus become familiar with that culture before his visit. If the tongue is to be Tamil or Serbo-Croat, the task is a little
more difficult. With languages such as French and German, it is also possible to listen to, or record, the BBC Schools programs,
which are always helpful. There is no question, however, that the best teaching, and obviously the most expensive, is in the
classroom, the very best being a one-to-one teaching basis, that is, private tutoring. For this, you will be paying a few hundred
pounds per week and it is important to check carefully on the chosen place of learning. Language teaching attracts some
dishonest establishments. Watch out for the school that promises an ability to 'reach the moon' after a couple of hours in the
language lab!
(READING 16) Select the best choice.
1 .Which of the following is true?
a) No method of language teaching will make you speak a foreign language to business standards.
b) It is not easy to select a system that will teach you English for business in a few weeks.
c) You should consider your needs, money and the time available to choose the right system of language learning.
d) You can select a system of language teaching that will give you the ability to speak the language fluently in a few weeks.
2. If you are at the social level in a foreign language, you __________ .
a) have a full intelligent grasp of the language and its culture
b) can join in a pleasant dinner party conversation
c) are only able to use the language when shopping
d) will probably find it very easy to reach a higher level of language ability
3. Cassettes are necessary because they__________ .
a) can offer the necessary pronunciation skills
b) are an essential requirement
c) require an effort to be a useful aid
d) are a quick introduction to the basics .
4. When learning a foreign language, __________ .
a) you will learn more easily if you have the desire to do so
b) it is essential to listen to the BBC
c) one should go to restaurants, read newspapers and take the underground
d) it is helpful to learn a European language
5. Students learning a non-European language are at a disadvantage because __________ .
a) they are unwilling to learn
b) of the difficulty of becoming familiar with the language
c) it is possible to listen to the BBC language programs
d) such a language doesn't require much effort
17
HOMELESS
Most homeless people are grateful for any food received. Many support organisations appreciate and show gratitude for all
food donations. The food donated, however, is often what other folks don’t want to eat. As a result, the quality of food in most
soup kitchens is abysmal. Limited to whatever food is donated, the meals served are often high in fats, sugar, and sodium.
Vegetables served are often expired canned goods or beginning to rot. People have become physically ill from eating food well
past the expiration date. The attitude presented to the needy is ‘beggars can’t be choosers,’ but a poor diet for the homeless can
contribute to increased medical costs for everyone.
Ken Hughes is dealing with health issues that have destroyed his finances. He is now forced to eat at soup kitchens to survive.
This statement comes from Mr Hughes’ personal experience: ‘Because of bacterial contamination, I have become sick five or six
times from eating at a certain soup kitchen. I know of several other people who have become sick after eating there also. I don’t
eat there any more.’ Mr Hughes goes on to praise another group that feeds the needy: ‘Picnic in The Park serves fresh salads and
homemade casseroles, and they handle the food in a sanitary manner.’
The saying that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ certainly applies when you consider the cost of a healthy
diet versus that of emergency room visits. Hospitals have no choice but to pass the expense on to the customers who can afford
to pay. According to Barbara Glidewell, Oregon Health and Science University Patient Advocate and Ombudsman, ‘Individuals
who endure homelessness for lengthy periods of time are at risk for nutritional deficits which may severely impact their health.’
For example, diabetes, an increasingly common disease that requires careful maintenance of blood sugar levels, can become
more severe or even fatal because of a poorly managed diet. Adds Glidewell, ‘Many homeless do not have health-care insurance,
and thus often use hospital emergency rooms for care that would otherwise be provided in primary care clinics.’
One solution is to donate foods with health in mind. Ken Lane, programme manager of FISH Emergency Services, explains,
‘People donate in one of three manners: some donors dump food on us, usually items they don’t want and we can’t use.
Another person may see something on sale, buy a lot of it, and then donate it. Then there are people who show true concern by
calling to ask what is needed, then go to the effort of acquiring those foodstuffs and donating what is needed most.’
‘Although our community soup kitchens gratefully accept food donations from various food purveyors and restaurants in the
community,’ explains Glidewell, ‘it is well known that much of the food donations contain high fat or sugar content. While this
provides needed energy, especially for enduring the hardships of living outside, over time, the homeless person who consistently
eats at the soup kitchens may experience digestion problems, kidney dysfunction, and significant dental or gum problems. Eating
a balanced diet may be one of the more difficult obstacles to maintaining health when food is scarce. If food purveyors,
restaurants, grocery outlets, and green grocers were able to donate whole grain items, fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as
meats not high in fat content, the cumulative effect could bring less medical problems to homeless individuals requiring urgent
care.’
According to Sue Woodbury, a registered dietician and director of dining services for Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center, ‘A
healthy diet for individuals coping with illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, or immune system disorders includes
fresh vegetables, fruits, and protein items (such as) fish, beans and lean meat. Excessive sugars, salt and fats contribute to
problems.’
When looking for the right kinds of food to donate, think first of nutritious foods. The staples requested include: fresh
vegetables and fruits, powdered milk, canned vegetables and fruits, peanut butter, canned meals such as chicken, tuna, soups,
stews, and chilli. All food donations are welcomed, but these items are particularly desirable.
(READING 17) Read the article about the homeless and choose the best answer .
1. A typical attitude to the poor food donated to the homeless is
a) they shouldn’t eat it.
b) they don’t deserve it.
c) they should be grateful for it.
2. Ken Hughes ____________ .
a. finds it impossible to get healthy food
b. knows others in a similar situation to him
c. has stopped going to soup kitchens
3. The homeless often end up in emergency rooms because _________ .
a) they aren’t insured
b) everywhere else is full
c) they’re very ill
4. According to Ken Lane, some people donate food because _________ .
a) they have bought too much
b) they can’t throw it away
c) it’s what they’ve been asked for
5. Barbara Glidewell wants people to provide _________ .
a) more energy-giving food
b) more fruit
c) less meat
18
THE STORY OF THE TELEPHONE
"Mr. Watson, come here please; I want you."
With these commonplace words a new era was ushered in. That sentence marked the achievement of a man who changed the
face of the world in his lifetime. For the speaker was Alexander Graham Bell, and the sentence was the first to be spoken and
received over the telephone.
Although telegrams had been in use for some time and the equipment was in some ways similar, the morse-code being
tapped out on the same telegraph wires, it was not sophisticated enough to pick up speech. No other invention has surpassed
the usefulness of the telephone.
Alexander Bell was born on March 3, 1847 in Edinburgh. His genius was inherited from his father, who was a famous teacher
of elocution, and an expert on phonetics. Even as a boy his mind was inventive, but in 1870 Bell's health began to fail and there
were fears of tuberculosis. So, he left his native country with his father and went to Canada. Two years later he was in Boston,
where he set up a school for training teachers of the deaf and he also gave instruction in the mechanics of speech. Here he
started experimenting on a machine, which he believed would make the deaf 'hear'. While he was doing this, he accidentally
came across the clue for the correct principles of telephony. "If," he said, "a current of electricity could be made to vary in
intensity precisely as the air varies in density, during the production of sound, I should be able to transmit speech telegraphically.
" 'So, he turned to studying the workings of a deaf man's ear, and the movement of air while a sound is produced.
By February 15, 1876, Bell had filed an application for a patent for his 'improvement in telegraphy' at the United States
Patent Office. Only two hours later, Elisha Gray of Chicago filed an application for almost the same invention! The great Edison,
A.E. Dolbear and Daniel Drawbraugh were all working in the same field: all claimed the invention or part of the invention of
the telephone. The great telephone war was on! There was hardly any time to spare.
Bell and his assistant, Watson, hid themselves in two rooms of a cheap Boston boarding house, rigged up apparatus and
worked day and night trying to transmit and receive sentences spoken by the human voice over the telephone. On the afternoon
of March 10, 1876, Watson was in the basement with the receiver to his ear. Suddenly he started. Words -real distinguishable
words -had come through at last. Sharply and clearly the sentence came through, "Mr. Watson, come here, please; I want you."
Watson flung down the receiver, rushed up the stairs like a schoolboy, clearing them two at a time, and burst into Bell's
room, shouting, "I heard you; I could hear what you said! "
That year Bell exhibited his telephone at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia. Nobody thought much of the invention at
first, until Don Pedro, the Emperor of Brazil, picked up the receiver. Bell at the other end of the wire, recited the famous
soliloquy from 'Hamlet', "To be or not to be ". "My God!" cried the Emperor, "It speaks!" The telephone was from that moment
given pride of place in the exhibition. Bell soon withdrew from active work on the telephone and settled down in a fine country
home at Baddeck, Nova Scotia and devoted himself to invention. He interested himself in dynamic flight, sheep breeding and a
universal language based on the phonetics of the English language. He perfected a hydroplane and claimed he had invented a
breathing apparatus for explorers and travelers through the deserts. Although nothing has come of any of these inventions, work
is still being carried out on the telephone.
Nowadays, of course, the telephone has developed in ways that Bell would never have imagined. Radio telephones, car
telephones, international link-ups via satellite have all combined to allow immediate, clear communication between any two
people anywhere in the world. But modem technology has not really done anything but improve on Bell's original invention. It
was Bell who made it possible for two people to talk to each other when separated by a great distance.
Years after Bell's invention, there is a story told of a woman whom he met at a social gathering. When she was introduced to the
great inventor, she expressed pleasure in meeting him and then said smilingly, "But often I wish you had never been born." Bell
looked startled and hurt and then he smiled and said, "I sympathize. I never use the beast. "
The most extraordinary thing is that Bell hated the telephone and he hardly ever used it. He stuffed his telephone bell with
paper, to prevent it from interrupting his work.
(READING 18) Select the best choice.
1. The words "Mr. Watson, come here please; I want you," were important because___________ .
a) they were the words of the first telephone call
c) they were spoken by Alexander Graham Bell
b) Bell wanted to tell Watson about his new invention
d) they were the words of the first telegram
2. Telegrams were similar to the telephone in that___________ .
a) they had been in use for some time
b) messages were sent by the tapping of the morse-code
c) both systems used the same wires
d) they were not sophisticated enough to pick up speech
3. Alexander Bell went to Canada because___________ .
a) his father had a job there
b) he became ill
c) his father became ill
d) he was adventurous
4. In Boston, Bell___________ .
a) invented a machine to help people speak
b) taught deaf people how to hear
c) by chance had an idea which led to the invention of the telephone
d) by chance invented a machine which helped deaf people hear
5. Bell and Watson hid themselves in Boston because___________ .
a) they didn't want their competitors to know what they were doing
b) they were scared
c) they had no money
d) they didn't have much time
6. In the two rooms of a cheap Boston boarding house, Bell and Watson___________ .
a) studied the movement of air while a sound is produced
b) claimed part of the invention of the telephone
c) tried to transmit and receive sentences spoken by the human voice over the telephone
d) set up equipment in order to apply for a patent for improvement in telegraphy
7. After he heard Bell's words, Watson___________ .
a) discovered that he could hear
b) obeyed Bell immediately, because he was his assistant
c) got very excited
d) dropped the telephone
8. The Emperor of Brazil___________ .
a) didn't pay any attention to the telephone at first
b) spoke into the telephone
c) brought the telephone to the Philadelphia Exhibition
d) made the telephone famous
9. After he had invented the telephone, Bell ___________ .
a) continued to develop it
b) stopped working
c) learned how to fly
d) worked on some less successful inventions
10. Modern technology has___________ .
a) allowed two people to talk to each other over long distances
b) developed, but not changed, Bell's original invention
c) changed, but not developed, Bell's original invention
d) done everything that Bell imagined, but didn't do himself
11. The woman at the social gathering___________ .
a) didn't like Bell
b) didn't like his invention
12. Bell___________ .
a) felt sorry for the woman
b) accused her of being rude
19
c) asked for Bell's sympathy
d) liked meeting great inventors
c) understood what she meant, and agreed with her
d) said that he wouldn't use the telephone again
THE CIRCLES IN THE WHEAT
In the summer of 1978 an English farmer named Ian Stevens was driving his tractor through a field of wheat when he discovered
something strange. Some of his wheat was lying flat on the ground. The flattened wheat formed a circle about six meters across.
Around this circle were four smaller circles of flattened wheat. The five circles were in a formation like five dots on dice.
Three years later a farmer who lived nearby discovered similar circles in one of his fields. These circles were larger—nearly 15
meters across. That same year, yet another English farmer discovered three circles of flattened wheat on his land—one large circle
between two small circles.
During the following years, farmers in England found the mysterious circles in their fields more and more often, in 1987 they
discovered 50 circles; in 1988, 98 circles; and in 1989. 270 circles.
The circles are called "crop circles" because they appear in fields of grain—usually wheat or corn. The grain in the circles lies flat on
the ground but is never broken; it continues to grow horizontally, and farmers can later harvest it Farmers always discover the crop
circles in the morning, so the circles probably form at night. They appear only in the months from May to September. What causes
the crop circles? At first, people suspected that the circles were a hoax. They thought that teenagers were making them as a joke, or
that farmers were making them to attract tourists, (in fact, in 1991, two men said they made the circles themselves, but many
scientists don't believe them.) To prove that the circles were a hoax, people tried to copy them- they tried to make circles exactly
like the ones the farmers had found. They couldn't do it. They couldn't enter a field of grain without leaving tracks, and they couldn't
flatten the grain without breaking it. The crop circles are apparently not a hoax. Many people believe that beings from outer space
are making the circles. Some think that the beings are trying to communicate with us from far away and that the crop circles are
messages from them. Others believe that the beings have actually landed on earth and that the circles are marks left by their
spaceships. Several times people reported seeing strange flying objects near fields where crop circles later appeared.
Scientists who have studied the crop circles say they’re not sure what causes them. They have suggested several theories. For
example, some scientists say that “microburst” of wind create the circles. A microburst is a downward rush of cool air-the same
downward rush of air that sometimes causes an airplane to crash. Other scientists say that forces within the earth cause the circles
to appear. There is one problem with all the scientific theories. Crop circles often appear in formations, like the five dot formation
that Ian Stevens found. It is hard to believe that any natural force could create those formations. And recently farmers have
discovered not only circles, but rectangles, triangles and other shapes in their fields. Could any natural force create a perfect triangle
in a field of grain?
In the summer of 1990 some scientists spent three weeks in the part of England where many circles have appeared. They had all
the latest high-tech equipment. This equipment worth 1,8 million dollars-recorded nothing. But one night, as the scientists were
watching a field, crop circles formed in the field behind them. These circles are shown in the photograph. The scientists had neither
seen nor heard anything.
When Ian Stevens discovered the crop circles on his land in 1978, he said, “It was just like something had landed in the field
from the air and gone back up again I don’t know what to make of these things.”
Crop circles have appeared not only in England, but in fields in Japan, the United States, the Soviet Union and New Zealand.
Experts from all over the world have studied them. What do the experts say about the crop circles? They say what Ian Stevens said:
They don’t know what to make of these things.
(READING 19) Answer the questions.
1.
a)
b)
2.
a)
b)
3.
a)
b)
4.
a)
b)
5.
a)
b)
6.
a)
b)
7.
a)
b)
c)
d)
The circle of wheat that Ian Stevens found in 1978 _________ .
was about six meters across
c) had four smaller circles around it
was lying flat on the ground
d) was made by his tractor
The crop circles __________ .
are making farmers in England rich
c) usually appear in fields of wheat or corn
probably form at night
d) appear only from May to September
The grain inside the circles __________ .
always lies flat on the ground
c) can be eaten only farm animals
is never broken
d) can be harvested
People said that the circles were made by _____________ .
teenagers who wanted to play a joke
c) animals who slept in the fields at night
farmers who wanted to attract tourists
d) beings from outer space
Scientists think the circles might be caused by _____________ .
microbursts of wind
c) Forces within the earth
Helicopters
The problem with the scientific theories is that it is hard to believe that any natural force could__________ .
create formations like the five dot formation
c) Create crop circles during the night
Create shapes like rectangles and triangles
In the summer of 1990 some scientists _______________ .
spent three weeks in the part of England where many circles have appeared
Had all the latest high-tech equipment
Did not see or hear anything when the crop circles in the photograph formed
Thought of some important new theories about crop circles
20
EARTHQUAKES
Earthquakes are probably one of the most frightening and destructive happenings of nature that man experiences. The
effects of an earthquake are often terrible. Earthquakes have caused the death of many human beings, much suffering, and
great damage. Today, the study of earthquakes has grown greatly as scientists all over the world study the causes of
earthquakes. Scientists hope that their studies will improve the ways of predicting earthquakes and also develop ways to reduce
their destructive effects.
The scientific study of earthquakes is somewhat new. Until the 18th century, few factual descriptions of earthquakes
were recorded; In general, people did not understand the cause of earthquakes. Many believed that they were a punishment
from God. One early theory was that earthquakes were caused by air rushing out of caverns deep in the interior of the earth.
On November 1, 1755, a serious earthquake occurred near Lisbon, Portugal. Shocks from the quake were felt in many
parts of the world. After the quake, Portuguese priests were asked to observe the effects and to make written records. These
records
were the first scientific steps to write down the effects of an earthquake. Since that time, detailed records have been kept of
almost every major earthquake.
Most earthquakes occur in areas around the Pacific Ocean. This belt of areas is called the 'ring of fire' and includes the
Pacific coasts of North and South America, the Aleutian Islands, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Half a million people within
the 'ring of fire' have died because of earthquakes and much valuable property has been severely damaged or destroyed.
An earthquake is the oscillatory, sometimes violent, movement of the earth's surface that comes after a release of
energy in the crust of the earth. Most destructive quakes are caused by the dislocation of the crust. Forces from beneath the
surface of the earth cause the crust to bend and then break and the rocks on the surface move into a new position. The breaking
of the rocks causes vibrations called 'seismic waves'. These vibrations travel from the source of the earthquake to distant places
along the surface of the earth. The seismic waves cause the entire planet to tremble or ring like a bell.
The vibrations produced by earthquakes are discovered, recorded, and measured by instruments called seismographs.
Vibrations are of two general types: surface waves and body waves. Surface waves travel along the earth's surface and body
waves travel through the earth. Surface waves usually have the strongest vibrations and probably cause most of the damage
done by earthquakes.
Currently, scientists are making studies to predict earthquakes. At the present time, scientists do not have the
knowledge required to predict the time and size of earthquakes. However, a large group of scientists at the National Centre for
Earthquake Research in California, has been able to predict the areas where earthquakes might occur. Research at the centre
about the physical and chemical nature of rocks and their behavior under the force of an earthquake will help engineers to
design and build structure for areas that often suffer from earthquakes.
(READING 20) Mark the best choice.
1. Line 13, 'caverns' are probably_______________ .
a) earthquakes occurring in the interior of the earth
c) rivers and lakes in major earthquake areas
b) strong winds caused by earthquakes
d) deep holes under the ground
2. The first detailed records of an earthquake_______________ .
a) were kept in the 17th century
b) showed that earthquakes were a punishment from God
c) were written down in Portugal
d) explained the theory that earthquakes started in the caverns in the interior of the earth
3. The rocks on the surface of the earth change their position when _______________ .
a) the crust of the earth is bent and broken by underground forces
b) forces on the surface of the earth bend and break the crust of the earth
c) the earth trembles or rings like a bell
d) great damage and much suffering are caused
4. Seismic waves can be defined as_______________ .
a) the bending and breaking of the rocks on the surface of the earth
b) the vibrations that result from the breaking of rocks
c) the release of energy in the crust of the earth
d) the dislocation of the earth's crust
5. Which of the following is not mentioned in the text?
a) Information about the types of vibrations.
b) Studies on earthquake prediction at present.
c) Examples of the biggest earthquakes that have occurred so far.
d) History of the scientific study of earthquakes.
21
LIFE IN SPACE
We haven't conquered space. Not yet. We have sent some 20 men on camping trips to the moon, and the USA and the
Soviet Union have sent people to spend restricted lives orbiting Earth. Several trips have been made into space to show that
ordinary (non- astronaut) scientists can live and work in space -for a few days only. All these are marvellous technical and human
achievements, but none of them involves living independently in space. The Russians need food and even oxygen sent up from
Earth. It is only in fiction, and in space movies, that people spend long periods living more or less normally deep in space.
But in about a decade -say, by the year 2010 -this may have changed. There could be settlements in space where adventurers
would lead normal lives. The idea of a space settlement seems like science fiction -but it is not. It is based on plans produced by
efficient people: engineers and scientists, headed by Gerard O'Neill of Princeton University. These people are keen on space
research, of course, but they are not dreamers.
The settlement is a large wheel, a tube more than 400 ft in diameter bent into a ring. The wheel spins gently once a
minute. It is this gentle circular movement that makes this settlement different from the space shuttles, because the spin
produces a force that feels like gravity. Every space trip has shown that the human body needs gravity if it is to continue
functioning normally. Nobody would want to live for long in a space settlement where everything -people and equipment and
the eggs they were trying to fry -moved weightlessly around.
With gravity, life in space can be based on our experience on Earth. We can have fanning and factories and houses and meeting places that are not designed by guesswork. The need for gravity is one of the reasons for building a space colony, rather than
sending settlers to an existing location such as the moon or the planets. The moon is inhospitable; its gravity is tiny -and any one
place on the moon has 14 days of sunlight followed by 14 of night, which makes agriculture impossible and means solar energy
cannot be used.
In the settlement, which floats in permanent sunlight, the day-length is controlled by a huge mirror about a mile in
diameter. This mirror floats weightlessly above the ring of the settlement. The sunlight is constant during the 'daytime', so
fanning is far more productive than it can be on Earth. The aim is to provide a diet similar to that on Earth, but with less fresh
meat. The farms will be arranged in layers with fish ponds and rice paddies on the top layer; wheat below; vegetables, soya, and
maize on the lower layers.
The population of the settlement is fixed at about 10,000 people. In this way, farm output can be accurately planned:
about 64 square metres of vegetables, fruits and grains will be needed for each person, and just over five square metres of grass
land. The place where the people live won't look very different from modern small towns on Earth, and this is deliberate. Science
fiction films show only huge glass tower blocks, but real-life space settlers won't want these. Throughout history, settlers have
tried to put up buildings like the ones they left behind, because these are familiar. Space settlers will do the same.
And where would the settlement be? “At L5, of course," say the experts. This reference describes a point on the moon's
orbit around Earth, equidistant from the moon and Earth, where the gravitational forces of the two bodies balance. (The L stands
for Lagrange, a French mathematician who listed a number of 'balance' points.) Those who intend to settle in space have formed
an L5 society. And the members are not at all impractical eccentrics.
(READING 21)Mark the best choice.
1.To spin (line 19} means to ______________ .
a) live in a wheel of over 400 ft in diameter
b) turn around a central point
c) be different from other space shuttles
d) produce a force similar to gravity
2. Lines 30-31, 'The moon is inhospitable' means it is _____________ .
a) an ideal place for settlers
c) unsuitable for a settlement
b) a location that already exists
d) not easy to find its location
3. Line 43, 'farm output' is___________ .
a) what is produced on a farm
b) an agricultural settlement area
c) accurate planning on a farm
d) the amount of grass land for each person
4. Lines 50-51, 'do the same' refers to____________ .
a) build structures like the ones in science fiction films
b) construct buildings similar to the existing ones
c) live in huge glass tower blocks
d) settle in modern towns that are different from the ones on Earth
5. L5_______________ .
a) is a point of location on the moon suitable for settlement
b) gets its name from a French astronaut
c) is a settlement on the moon's orbit where space settlers are living
d) is the same distance away from the moon and Earth
6. Which of the following statements is true?
a) The scientists and engineers headed by G.O'Neill are only dreamers.
b) It would be fun living in space, where everything moved around weightlessly.
c) L5 would be the place to set up the first space colony.
d) The population of a space settlement can vary between 10,000 and 64,000.
7. Which of the following statements is true?
a) The day-length in a space colony can be controlled by means of a mirror located in the centre of the settlement.
b) The L5 society has been formed by a group of mathematicians interested in 'balance' points.
c) According to the writer, it is very unlikely that people will be living in space settlements in the 21 st century .
d) A force like gravity will make it possible to design life in space similar to our experience on Earth.
22
GEORGE WASHINGTON
It is not unfair to say that the early history of the colonies is, in some respect, the history of the colony of Virginia. For it
was from Virginia that many of the ideas came that transformed America from a group of docile colonies into a hotbed of
revolutionary fervor. And, it was from this large mid-Atlantic colony that numerous leaders appeared in all fields ranging from
politics and agriculture to military affairs and art. It is not surprising, therefore, that four of the first five American presidents
were Virginians.
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, the son of Augustine and Mary Ball
Washington. An ambitious settler, Augustine had set himself the task of buying land, planting crops, and building mills. By the
time he died in 1743, Augustine had become a major Virginia landowner and had even sent George's two older half-brothers,
Lawrence and Augustine, to England for schooling even though he did not have the means to do so.
It was at his father's death that the young Washington became the ward of Lawrence, a man of wisdom and love who
gave George the space and guidance he needed to develop his intellect and manners. In fact, for the next few years, Washington
lived
with Lawrence and Augustine alternately until finally moving exclusively to the former’s estate, Little Hunting Creek--later called
Mount Vernon.
Particularly enjoying the study of mathematics, the sixteen year old Washington chose surveying as his profession and
in 1746 went on a long expedition to survey the five million acre farm of Lord Fairfax in northern Virginia. Having established a
name
for himself, Washington continued to ply his trade until 1751, when he accompanied Lawrence to Barbados. His brother later
sought treatment for tuberculosis. Narrowly escaping death from smallpox, George returned with Lawrence in 1752. In July of
that year, his beloved brother died, and George inherited Mount Vernon with its 50,000 acres of land. In 1753, he joined the
army and fought against the French in the Ohio territory losing an important battle with the French at Fort Necessity on July 3,
(READING 22)Answer the questions.
1.
a)
b)
c)
d)
What is the main idea of this passage?
The state of Virginia.
George Washington and the presidency.
The first president of the United States.
The early life of George Washington.
2. According to the passage, what major role did Virginia play in the history of the colonies?
a) It provided soldiers for the coming war.
b) It revolutionized British thinking.
c) It provided leaders in many fields.
d) It supplied food to the colonies.
3. According to the passage, which of the following activities did Augustine NOT engage in?
a) Educating his children
c) Developing cities
b) Constructing places to process flour
d) Engaging in agriculture
4. It can be inferred that Lawrence's relationship with George could best be described as
a) friend-friend
b)father-son
c) brother-brother
d) teacher-student
5. According to the passage, who was most responsible for shaping George's social behavior?
a) Lawrence
b) Augustine
c) Anne
d) Mary Ball
7. It can be inferred that during the period of 1747-1750, George Washington was
a) Practicing his new found occupation
b) Leaning to be a soldier
c) Farming in northern Virginia
d) Serving as Lord Fairfax's assistant
8. It can be inferred that Washington's initial military career
a) Displayed strategic brilliance
b) Was spent in alliance with the French
c) Was served in France
d) Was not successful
23
AN UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE
ONE summer afternoon Jean and Clothilde Lestarquit, an elderly couple, visited their daughter at her home in Lille,
France. A few minutes before six o’clock, the Lestarquits decided to leave. They said goodbye to their daughter, walked to their
car, and got in. They expected a quiet, uneventful ride home. The ride, however, was anything but quiet and uneventful.
Mr" Lestarquit , was about to start the car when a gunman jumped up from the back seat. He held a gun to Mr Lestarquit’s head.
"Drive me to Paris!" he demanded.
"All right," Mr Lestarquit replied. "I'll drive you anywhere you want to go. But first let my wife out of the car."
The gunman agreed to let Mrs. Lestarquit go. After she was safely out of the car, Mr. Lestarquit started the engine, pulled away
from the curb, and drove down the street. He was driving slowly, but his mind was racing. Unarmed and 81 years old, he knew
he could not fight the gunman. He knew he needed help. Where were the police? As he drove through each intersection, he
looked up and down the side streets, hoping to spot a police car. There was none in sight. "Just my luck," he thought. “If I were
speeding, there would be a police car on every corner."
Suddenly Mr. Lestarquit realized how he could attract the attention of the police. He pushed his foot down on the accelerator of
his Mercedes, and the car sped forward. "What are you doing?" shouted the gunman. "Avoiding the police," Mr. Lestarquit lied.
"I thought 1 saw a police car back there."
Mr. Lestarquit began driving like a madman. He drove 60 miles an hour on side streets, ran red lights, and drove the
wrong way on one-way streets On two-way streets he drove on the wrong side of the road. Not one police officer saw him.
Obviously, Mr. Lestatquit's plan was not working. He needed a new plan. But what? Suddenly he remembered that the Lille
police station was only a few blocks away. "All right." he thought. "If I can't bring the police to my car, I'll bring my car to the
police." He turned a corner and saw the police station ahead. Immediately his heart sank;. There was a courtyard in front of the
police station, and the two largo doors (that led to the courtyard were closed. Mr. Lestarquit hesitated for a moment. Then he
pushed the accelerator to the floor and Steered straight for the doors.
The car crashed through the doors and stopped in the courtyard. Mr. Lestarquit yelled, "Help! He's going to kill me!"
Then he reached back to grab the man's gun. Just as he grabbed it, the gunman pulled the trigger. The bullet grazed_Mr.
Lestarquit's hand and went through the windshield. Before the gunman could pull the trigger again, Mr. Leslarquit opened the
car door and fell to the ground. Officers from the police station, who had come running when they heard the crash, quickly
captured the gunman. It was 6:30 P.M.— exactly 35 minutes since the Lestarquils had left their daughter's house on a quiet
street in Lille.
It seemed to Jean Lestarquit that for those 35 minutes he had stepped out of reality and into an action movie. There were
so many things action movies have—a gunman, a hero, a speeding car, and a car crash. Fortunately for Jean Lestarquit, there
was one more thing most action movies have: a happy ending.
(READING 23)Answer the questions according to the passage.
1.
a)
b)
2.
a)
b)
3.
a)
b)
4.
a)
b)
5.
a)
b)
About six o’clock Mr. And Mrs. Lestarquit __________ .
decided to leave their daughter’s house
c) said goodbye to their daughter
arrived home safely
d) walked to their car and got in
Mr. Lestarquit was about to start the car when a gunman ____________ .
jumped up from the back seat
c) demanded that Mr. Lestarquit drive him to Paris
held a gun to Mr. Lestarquit’s head
d) pulled the trigger
After Mrs. Lestarquit was out of the car. Mr. Lestarquit _____________ .
started the engine
c) got into his car
pullet away from the curb
d) tried to spot a police car
After Mr. Lestarquit realized how he could attract the attention of the police he _____________ .
drove 60 miles an hour on side streets
c) drove the wrong way on owe-way streets
ran red lights
d) said, “Let my wife out of the car”
After Mr. Lestarquit crashed through the doors leading to the courtyard, _____________ .
the car stopped.
c) the gunman pulled the trigger.
he grabbed the gun.
d) the gunman shouted, “What are you doing?”
24
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRICKS FOR AVOIDING FAILURE
BY JOANNIE M. SCHROF
Bad luck always seems to strike at the worst possible moment. A man I'm about to interview for his dream job gets stuck in
traffic. A law student, taking her final exam wakes up with a blinding headache. A runner twists, his ankle minutes before a big
race. Perfect examples of cruel fate.
Or are they? Psychologists who study such common mishaps now believe that in many instances, they may be carefully
orchestrated, schemes of the subconscious mind. In their new book, "Your Own Worst, Enemy" (Basic Books, $21), Steven
Berglas of Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass., and Roy Baumeister of Case Western Reserve
University contend that people often engage in a form of self-defeating behavior known as self-handicapping-or, in plain terms,
excuse making. It's a simple process: By taking on a crippling handicap, a person makes it more likely that he or she will fail at an
endeavor. Though it seems like a crazy thing to do, Berglas and Baumeister say it is actually a clever trick of the mind, one that
sets up does fail. A classic self-handicapper is the French chess champion Deschapelles, who lived during the l8th century.
Deschapelles was a phenomenal player who quickly became champion of his region. But when competition grew tougher, he
adopted a new condition for all matches: He would compete only if his opponent would remove one of Deschapelle's pawns and
make the first move, increasing the odds that Deschapelles would lose. If he did lose, he could blame it on the other player's
advantage and no one would know the true limits of his ability; but if he won against such odds, he would be all the more
revered for his amazing talents. Psychologists now use the term "Deschapelles coup" to refer to acts of self-sabotage rampant in
today's world.
Excusing Men
Overall, men are more likely than women to make excuses. Several studies suggest that men feel the need to appear competent
in all realms, while women worry only about the skills in which they've invested heavily. Ask a man and a woman to go scuba
diving for the first time, and the woman is likely to jump in, while the man is likely to first make it known that he's not feeling too
well.
Ironically, it is often success that leads people to flirt with failure. Praise garnered for mastering a skill becoming the best trial
lawyer in the state, wooing the most clients-suddenly puts one in the position of having everything to lose. Rather than putting
their reputation on the line again, many successful people develop a handicap drinking, fatigue, depression-that allows them to
keep their status no matter what the future brings. One of Berglas's patients, an advertising executive hospitalized for
depression shortly after winning an award, put it this way: "Without my depression, I'd be a failure now; with it, I'm a success 'on
hold. "
In fact, the people most likely to become chronic excuse makers are those obsessed with success, says Berglas, who is a
consultant to several leading business executives. Such people are so afraid of being labeled a failure at anything that they
constantly develop one handicap or another in order to explain away failure.
Though self-handicapping can be an effective way of coping with performance anxiety now and then, in the end,
researchers say, it is a Faustian bargain*. Over the long run, excuse makers fail to live up to their true potential, thwart their own
goals and lose the status they care so much about. And despite their protests to the contrary, they have only themselves to
blame.
* Faustian bargain An agreement that will bring the bargainer to ruin. Johann Faust was a sixteenth- century German doctor who
performed magic and died mysteriously. According to legend he sold his soul to the devil in exchange for youth knowledge and
magical power.
(READING 24)Circle the letter of the choice that best completes the sentence or answers the question.
1. Which of the following is the main topic of the article?
a) a comparison between the ways men and women avoid failure
b) the psychological tricks some people use to avoid failure
c) the life of a classic self-handicapper, Deschapelles
d) how trial lawyers and advertising executives avoid failure
2. The author feels that________________ .
a) people obsessed with success are most likely to become chronic excuse makers
b) self-handicapping is usually an effective method of coping with performance anxiety
c) women are more likely to be self-handicappers than men
d) people who often fail at their endeavors should practice self- handicapping
3. According to the passage, which of the following is not an example of self-handicapping?
a) removing one of your pawns before a chess game
c) leaving in plenty of time for an important meeting
b) twisting your ankle before an important race
d) getting stuck in traffic on the way to a job interview
4. It can be inferred from the passage that a student who wanted to engage in self-handicapping would
a) study as hard as possible for a big exam
c) get drunk the night before a big test
b) try to cheat on a test to get a high score
d) do extra-credit work for a course
5. The words such people in paragraph 6 refer to ________________ .
a) business executives
c) people obsessed with success
b) chronic excuse makers
d) consultants
6. The word it in the last line of paragraph 5 refers to ________________ .
a) success
b) failure
c) handicap
d) depression
7. Where does the author mention a book about self-handicapping?
a) paragraph 1
b)paragraph 2
c) paragraph 3
d) paragraph 5
8. Which of the following conclusions does the article support?
a) Self-handicapping is ultimately a destructive behavior.
b) Chronic excuse making is a sign of depression.
c) Self-handicapping is an effective way to improve status.
d) Self-handicapping is a difficult and complicated process.
9. The word strike in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to which of the following?
a) disappear
b) adapt
c) occur
d) stop
10. The word endeavor in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to which of the following?
a) interview
b) attempt
c) event
d) offer
25
HOW TO LIVE TO BE A HUNDRED
For adults who remain physically childlike in old age, there has to be a sustained enthusiasm for some aspect of life.
People who want a long life with an alert old age should never retire. If they are forcibly retired, they should immerse
themselves in some new, absorbing activity.
Some people are naturally more physically active than others, and are at a considerable advantage, providing their
activities are not the result of stress. Such activities as walking and gardening prolong life spectacularly because they are 'nonintensive' forms of all-over bodily movement. The more earnest ageing exercisers display a conscious or unconscious anxiety
about their health. If they take exercise too seriously, it will work against them. Older individuals who take up intensive athletic
activity are usually people who fear declining health. Yet, it is crucial that physical exercise -as we grow past the young
sportsman stage -should be extensive rather than intensive and, above all, fun.
A calm temperament favours longevity. Those who are sharply aggressive, emotionally explosive or naggingly anxious
are at a grave disadvantage. But it is important to make a distinction between calmly relaxed and passively lazy. Relaxation does
not contradict the idea of passionate interest. Indeed, zest for living, eagerness to pursue chosen subjects are vital in long life.
Thinking about 'the good old days', complaining about how the world is deteriorating, criticising the younger
generations are sure signs of an early funeral.
Being successful is a great life-stretcher, and can even override such life-shorteners as obesity and fondness for drink.
But, in gaining success, individuals should not overstress themselves. And success must always be measured in personal terms. A
hill-shepherd may feel just as successful in his own way as a Nobel Laureate.
Long-lived individuals seem to be more concerned with what they do than who they are. They live outside themselves
rather than dwelling on their own personalities.
In personal habits, the long-lived are generally moderate. Extremes of diet are not common. A mixed diet seems to
favour longevity. Puritanical arguments about smoking and drinking have little to support them. Many long-lived individuals
enjoy nicotine and alcohol -in moderation.
Most long-lived people have a sense of self-discipline. That does not imply a harsh military-style masochism, but the
ordering of life and the imposition of a pattern on the events of the day. The man who lives long because he walks a mile a day
does so because he does it every day, as part of an organized existence.
Over and over, during my researches, it emerged that long life goes with a 'twinkle in the eye'. A sense of humour,
impishness, a feeling that life is fun, are strong weapons against ageing. The sour-faced puritan and the solemn bore soon begin
to lose ground, leaving their more amused contemporaries to enjoy the last laugh.
Most important of all, we should always keep in mind that nothing is to be gained by a head-in-the-sand avoidance of
the facts of life and death. The healthiest solution is to accept that one's span on Earth is limited and then to live every day, in
the present, and to the full.
(READING 25) Mark the best choice.
1. Retirement is not recommended because _____________.
a) it keeps you alert in old age
b) it may take away the enthusiasm of life
c) other activities can never replace a real job
d) people who retire become physically active
2. Non-intensive forms of physical activity _____________.
a) display an unconscious anxiety about one's health
b) become less popular as people get older
c) contribute to longevity to a great extent
d) work against the people who do them
3. People with a calm temperament_____________.
a) are usually aggressive and emotionally explosive
b) are usually lazy and don't have many interests
c) may live longer than anxious ones
d) have a stronger zest for living
4. _____________may cause an early death.
a) Being happy with one's present status
b) Lack of interest in world affairs
c) Getting on with young people
d) Thinking too much about the past
5. A life-stretcher is _____________.
a) anything that allows you to live longer
b) a kind of activity that you are fond of
c) something that can never be measured
d) something that causes too much stress
6. A successful person____________ .
a) should have a socially desirable profession
b) can live long even if he eats and drinks more than he
should
c) may die early because of the stress of his job
d) should overstress himself to gain more success
7. People who live long____________.
a) are usually outgoing
b) are not very much concerned with their personalities
c) do not think much about what they do
d) Both (a) and (b).
8. For most long-lived people, self-discipline means____________.
a) having control over what goes on around you
b) doing certain activities in an organised fashion
c) deciding to do something no matter what may happen
d) being very strict about one's own life style
9. Having a 'twinkle in the eye'____________ .
a) is necessary to keep others amused
b) is a weapon against ageing ,
c) makes people look young
d) Both (b) and (c).
10. Which of the following best summarises the author's approach to longevity?
a) People should accept that death is unavoidable and try to make the most out of their lives.
b) People should be enthusiastic and self-disciplined to have longer lives.
c) Success, moderation and a sense of humour are the necessities of a long life.
d) Keeping active even if you are retired is the secret of a long life.
26
1
FOOTBALL GAMES
It's a game which never quite caught on with the rest of the world but it is very much a part of the American sport scene.
Basketball, tennis and volleyball can all well be considered international sports, but American football is distinctly American in the
same way that sumo is uniquely Japanese.
American football evolved in the 19th century as a combination of rugby and soccer. The first intercollegiate football match in the
United States dates back to 1869 between Princeton University and Rutgers College at New Brunswick, New Jersey, but it was more
of a kicking match than modern football as we know it.
2
In 1880 Walter Camp established the standard formations now used in football and introduced the current systems used
for scoring and tackling. From all external appearances it is an excessively violent sport in a way in which tennis, for example, is not.
To play American football it is necessary to be well protected with a helmet, shoulder pads and knee guards. When fully attired, a
football player may well look ready to enter the battlefield.
3
Blocking and tackling make football one of the most rugged of sports. As far as games are concerned football also has one
of the highest numbers of casualties. Players often end up with broken bones, dislocated hips and kneecaps, sprained backs and
shoulders and twisted ankles. Although steps were introduced at the turn of the century to make the game more safe, the violence
of the game continued. This American game is played by two teams of 11 men each on a field that measures 91.4 by 48.8 meters. At
each end of the field is an end zone 9.14 meters deep in which stand H -shaped goal posts. Play is directed toward gaining
possession of the football and moving it across the opponent's goal line thereby scoring a touchdown with six points. Additional
points are also scored by kicking the ball over the crossbar between the goal posts.
4
Professional football began in the 1890s. A professional football association was formed in 1920 and renamed the National
Football League (NFL) in 1922. But it was not until the rise of television after World War II that it became one of the dominant sports
in America.
5
The game is never easy for a novice to follow and it is quite easy to lose track of who possesses the ball. In volleyball, for
example the ball is always visible. It can be seen bouncing from one player to the next in full view of the spectators. In football it is
another matter. Even the shape of the ball defies convention. It is oval shaped rather than rounded thus making it impossible to
bounce. Therefore, it is often passed secretly from one player to another or thrown across the field to another member of the team.
After each play there is a heap of jumbled players amassed somewhere on the field as the crowds cheer their team onward to
victory.
6
Yet, there is a fanaticism and enthusiasm with each game which is difficult to describe. There is hardly a major college in
American which doesn't have a team, and schools often award scholarships to promising athletes who can enhance the power and
prestige of their team. The height of the professional football season is the Super Bowl when the winners of the national and
American football leagues vie for the national championship. This Super Bowl game for league Championship has been a major
sports spectacle since it was introduced in 1967.
(READING 26)Answer the questions.
1. Which of the following events happened first?
a) Basketball was invented.
b) Baseball began in the U.S.
2.
a)
b)
c)
d)
c) World Cup competition was invented.
d) Organized soccer games began.
Which of the following is definitely true?
The name soccer was given by the English.
Soccer is an abbreviation for the word association.
The name soccer certainly came from the high socks that players wear.
In Europe soccer, football and association football are the names of the same sport.
3. What does ‘dazzling’ mean?
a) amazing
b) lightning
c) funny
d) difficult
4. The text is mainly about ________________ .
a) popular sports in the United States
b) the most popular sport: football
c) the history of some popular sports
d) the history of the World Cup
5. It is clear that _____________ .
a) Abner Doubleday invented basketball
b) athletics is practiced in 130 countries
c) today peach baskets are still used
d) soccer is the most popular sport
6. What conclusion can you draw from this article?
a) Sports are more popular in Brazil than in the U.S.
b) Most sports involve kicking a ball.
c) Most sports are very dangerous.
d) Sports are popular in many different countries all around the world.
7. The word ‘bounce ‘ may mean?
a) To move up or away after hitting a surface
b) To prevent something from being seen
c) To pull or be pulled apart
d) To touch something with sudden force
8. According to the text _________________ .
a) basketball was invented by the British
b) Pelé is the only famous player in Brazil
c) World Cup is held every four years
d) basketball is a game as old as soccer
9. We can understand from the text that ____________________ .
a) in baseball, a team scores points by getting the ball into the basket
b) baseball started in the 19th century
c) no game mentioned in the text can be taken as a rough sport
d) it was certain that baseball was invented by Abner Doubleday
10. It is highlighted in the text that ____________ .
a) bottomless nets were used before 1913
c) Naismith wanted to invent a gentle game
b) baseball is played with five players
d) football is the most popular sport in the USA
27 INSTRUCTION IN THE ARTS BUILDS SKILLS THAT TODAY'S STUDENTS MUST HAVE TO SUCCEED
BY DEBRA COOPER-SOLOMON
The arts in education have often been considered a frill, something to entertain us, but not important enough to achieve the status
of the academic areas of math, science and reading. There are many individuals who are skeptical about the practical benefits of
arts study. These are the kinds of attitudes art educators must counter if art education is to take a more central role in the school
curriculum. As an art teacher, I have long been aware of the important role the arts play in a child's development. I strongly believe
the arts are an essential and fundamental part of a child's education.
Vital Tool in Building Self –Esteem
During the past eight years teaching the visual arts in both public and private school settings, I have seen how the arts can be a vital
tool in building self-esteem and how they can be used to stimulate and facilitate academic learning. This is a topic of critical
importance in an age of budgetary constraints, where many schools are facing a reduction or total elimination of arts programs.
Research by cognitive psychologists and the experience of schools that include the arts as a part of the basic curriculum, strongly
suggest that this reduction will not produce the results intended.
According to Eric Oddleifson, President of the Center for the Arts in the Basic Curriculum, arts education does a lot more that just
enhance the traditional curriculum.
"The arts should be the basis of education, because the deepest and most lasting learning is participatory and whole-brained. This is
precisely what the arts offer," Oddleifson said.
Cultivating Creativity, Discipline and Teamwork
Research into the records of several schools indicates that a curriculum that devotes 25 percent or more of the school day to the
arts produces youngsters with academically superior abilities. Many advocates now argue that instruction in the arts cultivates
creativity, discipline, and teamwork, skills that today's students must have to succeed both during and after completing school.
"Many people do not associate the arts with 'thinking. ' We are aware of the art 'product'-the song, the picture, the play-but less
aware of the “process” which creates the product,” said Oddleifson.
“The arts are not so much a result of inspiration and innate talent as they are a person’s capacities for creative thinking and
imagining, problem solving, creative judgment and a host of other mental processes. The arts represent forms of cognition every bit
as potent as the verbal and logical / mathematical forms of cognition that have been the traditional focus of public education.”
The Seven Intelligences
Psychologist Howard Gardner, places the arts firmly in the cognitive domain. Gardner believes we learn not just through the
linguistic and mathematical methods of schooling, but through seven intelligences: logical/ mathematical, verbal/linguistic, visual/
spatial, body /kinesthetic, musical / rhythmic, intrapersonal and interpersonal. Because of the variety in learning styles, schools
must teach students through all forms of intelligence. Through an understanding of Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, we
are now starting to appreciate the diverse ways in which children learn.
Mara Krechevsky, an associate of Gardner's at Harvard, tells the story of a first grader who loved to take things apart and put them
together, but who wouldn't write in his journal at school. His spatial-mechanical strength outstripped his linguistic ability until his
teacher suggested that he create a "tool dictionary" in which every entry consisted of a drawing of a tool and the word for it. In
time, the child wrote whole sentences about tools and eventually became a leader who began to help other kids. In this boy's case,
tools and his spatial and kinesthetic intelligences were an entry or abridge to an area of difficulty.
Working from a Child's Strengths
"If a child feels better about himself because he is experiencing success in one area, that may just spill over into other activities,"
Krechevsky said.
The teachers Krechevsky talked with who have worked with Multiple Intelligence Theory spoke of this "spillover" in terms of greater
risk-taking by students. Given a chance to learn through the various domains of intelligences, children tend to try what is harder for
them, because they have experienced success in easier areas. Multiple Intelligence Theory helps a teacher work from a child's
strengths.
My work during the past four years has been as a teacher of the visual arts at the Learning Prep School, a school for languageimpaired and learning-disabled students. Gardner's theory puts into words what I have long suspected to be true there are many
different ways of learning, and the arts are an area where some students can excel.
Achieving Success through the Visual Arts
The children at the Learning Prep School in West Newton, Massachusetts, have not succeeded in the traditionally accepted areas of
intelligence (logical/mathematical and verbal/linguistic). These students are, however, capable of conceptual thinking, even though
their use of language is often limited. The visual arts have been one of the areas in which a number of students have been able to
succeed. The visual arts have been integrated into the traditional curriculum in order to enhance learning and to build on a child's
strengths.
In many ways, the arts can help shape the total child. The visual arts encourage and stimulate language development, and promote
conversations that eventually lead to a greater willingness and ability to express oneself verbally. Vocabulary building can very
naturally be brought into the discussion of art projects by using words that describe color, texture, shape and size. Auditory skills of
listening and following directions are reinforced. In addition, many children increase their power of observation and become more
aware of the world around them. They can learn to concentrate and sustain interest in something meaningful to them. By using
tools and materials, children increase manipulative skills, dexterity and coordination. They learn to make decisions of personal taste,
color and materials, and they learn to share through creative expression.
Exercising Creativity
The arts also teach children that not all problems have a single correct answer. This is a different lesson from much of what is
taught in the primary grades where many of the basic skills have only one correct answer to any question. The arts teach students
the importance of using imagination, multiple perspective, and personal interpretation. Instead of demands of conformity, the arts
enable children to think and exercise creativity.
The evidence is compelling that when the arts are treated as a serious academic subject, as well as when they are integrated
into the standard academic curriculum, we create the right environment in which a child can learn, and we are better preparing our
children for the present and future world.
(READING 27)Circle the letter of the choice that best completes the sentence .
1. The article mainly discusses__________ .
a) how to teach an art class
b) the importance of art in education
c)
d)
the theory of multiple intelligences
budgetary constraints in the public schools
2. According to the article, many schools are reducing or eliminating their art programs because__________ .
a) there are few qualified art teachers
c) art is not a valuable skill for students to learn
b) not enough students are interested in taking art courses
d) they are experiencing budgetary constraints
3. The author included the example of a first grader who created a ‘tool dictionary’ to __________ .
a) demonstrate how spatial and kinesthetic intelligences can be used as a bridge to an area of difficulty
b) prove that some children are greater risk-takers than others
c) show that art can shape the total child
d) prove that children can increase manipulative dexterity and coordination by using tools
4. According to the author, one thing that children can learn from studying art is__________ .
a) there is a right and wrong way of doing everything
c) not all problems have a single correct answer
b) the theory of multiple intelligences
d) imagination is not as important as intelligence
5. Which of the following is not an example of one of the seven intelligences?
a) visual/ spatial
c) verbal/linguistic
b) musical/rhythmic
d) artistic/ creative
6. Research from several studies shows that a curriculum that devotes at least one-fourth of the day to the arts produces ____ .
a) children with superior academic skills
b) classes that are easier to manage
c) individuals who are skeptical about the practical benefits of art
d) students with lower linguistic ability
7. The word they in paragraph 7 refers to…………….
a) the arts
b) a person’s capacities
c)
d)
mental processes
academic skill
28
DISNEYLAND AND THEME PARKS
Among the many tourist sights which people around the world often wish to visit in America the Disney Parks hold a rather
special and prominent place. They are more than just an average vacation spot for a typical American family. They are a total
experience which is both exciting and enjoyable. They are self-contained worlds of magic, mystery and fun.
These Disney Parks are places where fantasy and reality freely mix with each other and one can indulge oneself totally at
whichever age level one wants to be.
One can become part of the past or journey into the future. Attractions in the park are based on the tales and legends which
nurture the imagination of a child's world and take the adult back on a journey into his own past.
These parks are places where adults can once again become a child, and children can live in the dreams of their youth. The
Disney characters made popular through animated films come alive and invite the visitors of the park to become part of their
world. Children can take a picture with Snow White and shake hands with Mickey Mouse himself. Donald Duck, Goofy, and the
Seven Dwarves walk about the streets and avenues of the park like living celebrities ever ready for a photo or a signature. The
magical world of Disney creates an innocent homespun mythology which speaks directly to the child within each of us.
Although the first Disney park was opened several decades ago in a suburb of Los Angeles in Anaheim, California, a second park
was later established on the East Coast of America in Orlando, Florida. It was not long before a Disneyland opened near Tokyo
and later one was built in Paris. One wonders which other cities will become future satellite centers for the Disney characters
and Sleeping Beauty's castle to weave their magic.
Since the advent of Disneyland, other theme parks have emerged throughout the country using Disney as their model for
success. Over the years they also have established themselves and have grown and expanded offering wholesome
entertainment for the family. In America alone Busch Gardens and Six Flags Over Texas are representative of this kind of holiday
destination.
Obviously their popularity is based on the need to offer a valuable service to the public. They provide vacationing families with a
wholesome atmosphere especially designed for children but which offers enough diversity to entertain adults as well.
(READING 28)Answer the questions.
1. What's one of the most popular places for the family to visit in America?
a) Grand Canyon
c) Disneyland
b) New York City
d) Las Vegas
2. Which of the following is TRUE about Disney Parks?
a) They are only for Americans
b) They are for the whole family
c) They are only for children.
d) They are tourist attraction mostly enjoyed by foreign visitors
3. When was the first Disney Park opened?
a) In 1955
b) In 1940
c) In 1995
d) In 1995
4. Where was the first Disney Park established?
a) Anaheim, California.
b) New York, New York.
c) Orlando, Florida.
d) Chicago, illinois.
5. How many people visited the first Disney Park in the first six months after it opened?
a) 1,500,000 people
b) 100,000 people
c) 500,000 people
d) 1,000,000 people
6. What became a symbol of the first Disney Park?
a) Neuswanstein Castle
b) Mickey Mouse
c) Sleeping Beauty's castle.
d) Donald Duck
7. In what year was the Disney Park in Orlando, Florida opened?
a) In 1965
b) In 1980
c) In 1971
d) In 1970
8. What was the Disney Park in Orlando, Florida called?
a) Walt Disney World
b) Epcot Center
c) Walt Disney's Magic
d) Freedomland, U.S.A.
9. Which two other cities in the world have Disney Parks?
a) Tokyo and Beijing
b) Paris and Rome
c) Tokyo and Paris
d) Shanghai and Beijing
10. Which of the following theme parks were not successful?
a) Six Flags Over Texas
b) Busch Gardens
c) Freedomland, U.S.A.
d) Six Flags Over Georgia.
29
PULP FRICTION
Every second, 1 hectare of the world's rainforest is destroyed. That's equivalent to two football fields. An area the size
of New York City is lost every day. In a year, that adds up to 31 million hectares -- more than the land area of Poland. This
alarming rate of destruction has serious consequences for the environment; scientists estimate, for example, that 137 species
of plant, insect or animal become extinct every day due to logging. In British Columbia, where, since 1990, thirteen rainforest
valleys have been clearcut, 142 species of salmon have already become extinct, and the habitats of grizzly bears, wolves and
many other creatures are threatened. Logging, however, provides jobs, profits, taxes for the govenment and cheap products of
all kinds for consumers, so the government is reluctant to restrict or control it.
Much of Canada's forestry production goes towards making pulp and paper. According to the Canadian Pulp and Paper
Association, Canada supplies 34% of the world's wood pulp and 49% of its newsprint paper. If these paper products could be
produced in some other way, Canadian forests could be preserved. Recently, a possible alternative way of producing paper has
been suggested by agriculturalists and environmentalists: a plant called hemp.
Hemp has been cultivated by many cultures for thousands of years. It produces fibre which can be made into paper, fuel,
oils, textiles, food, and rope. For centuries, it was essential to the economies of many countries because it was used to make
the ropes and cables used on sailing ships; colonial expansion and the establishment of a world-wide trading network would
not have been feasible without hemp. Nowadays, ships' cables are usually made from wire or synthetic fibres, but scientists
are now suggesting that the cultivation of hemp should be revived for the production of paper and pulp. According to its
proponents, four times as much paper can be produced from land using hemp rather than trees, and many environmentalists
believe that the large-scale cultivation of hemp could reduce the pressure on Canada's forests.
However, there is a problem: hemp is illegal in many countries of the world. This plant, so useful for fibre, rope, oil, fuel and
textiles, is a species of cannabis, related to the plant from which marijuana is produced. In the late 1930s, a movement to ban
the drug marijuana began to gather force, resulting in the eventual banning of the cultivation not only of the plant used to
produce the drug, but also of the commercial fibre-producing hemp plant. Although both George Washington and Thomas
Jefferson grew hemp in large quantities on their own land, any American growing the plant today would soon find himself in
prison -- despite the fact that marijuana cannot be produced from the hemp plant, since it contains almost no THC (the active
ingredient in the drug).
In recent years, two major movements for legalization have been gathering strength. One group of activists believes that
ALL cannabis should be legal -- both the hemp plant and the marijuana plant -- and that the use of the drug marijuana should
not be an offense. They argue that marijuana is not dangerous or addictive, and that it is used by large numbers of people who
are not criminals but productive members of society. They also point out that marijuana is less toxic than alcohol or tobacco.
The other legalization movement is concerned only with the hemp plant used to produce fibre; this group wants to make it
legal to cultivate the plant and sell the fibre for paper and pulp production. This second group has had a major triumph
recently: in 1997, Canada legalized the farming of hemp for fibre. For the first time since 1938, hundreds of farmers are
planting this crop, and soon we can expect to see pulp and paper produced from this new source.
(READING 29)Answer the questions.
1. The main idea of paragraph one is:
a) Scientists are worried about New York City
b) Logging is destroying the rainforests
c) Governments make money from logging
d) Salmon are an endangered species
2. The main idea of paragraph two is:
a) Canadian forests are especially under threat
b) Hemp is a kind of plant
c) Canada is a major supplier of paper and pulp
d) Canada produces a lot of hemp
3. The main idea of paragraph three is:
a) Paper could be made from hemp instead of trees
b) Hemp is useful for fuel
c) Hemp has been cultivated throughout history
d) Hemp is essential for building large ships
4. The main idea of paragraph four is:
a) Hemp is used to produce drugs
b) Many famous people used to grow hemp
c) It is illegal to grow hemp
d) Hemp is useful for producing many things
5. The main idea of paragraph five is:
a) Hemp should be illegal because it is dangerous
b) Recently, many people have been working to legalize
hemp
6. How many species of salmon have become extinct in BC?
a) 27
b) 31
c) Hemp was made illegal in 1938
d) Marijuana is not a dangerous drug
c) 137
d) 142
7. How much of the world's newsprint paper is supplied by Canada?
a) 31%
b) 49%
c) 34%
d) 19%
8. What equipment on a ship was made from hemp?
a) Ropes
b) waterproof cloth
c) engine fuel
d) life rafts
9. What drug can be obtained from a relative of hemp?
a) cocaine
b) heroin
c) amphetamine
d) marijuana
10. Where was hemp farming recently legalized?
a) the USA
b) Canada
c) Singapore
d) the Netherlands
11. How long does it take for 100 hectares of rainforest to be destroyed?
a) less than two minutes
c) two hours
b) about an hour
d) a day
12. Why is pulp and paper production important to Canada?
a) Canada needs to find a way to use all its spare wood.
b) Canada publishes a lot of newspapers and books.
c) Pulp and paper export is a major source of income for Canada.
13. Who is suggesting that pulp and paper could be produced without cutting down trees?
a) the logging industry
b) the government
c) the environmental lobby
14. Why was the plant hemp essential to world-wide trade in the past?
a) Ships' ropes were made from it.
c) Hemp was used as fuel for ships.
b) Hemp was a very profitable export.
d) Hemp was used as food for sailors.
15. Why do agriculturalists think that hemp would be better for paper production than trees?
a) It is cheaper to grow hemp than to cut down trees.
b) More paper can be produced from the same area of land.
c) Hemp produces higher quality paper.
16. When was hemp production banned in Canada?
a) 1930
b) 1960
c) 1996
17. Why was hemp banned?
a) It is related to the marijuana plant.
b) It can be used to produce marijuana.
c) It was no longer a useful crop.
d) It was destructive to the land.
18. What chemical ingredient of cannabis plants is a powerful drug?
a) Fibre
b) Marijuana
d) 1938
c) THC
19. True or false: Some activists believe that both marijuana and hemp should be legal.
a) True
b) False
20. True or false: Canada has just legalized marijuana.
a) True
b) False
21. "Every second, 1 hectare of the world's rainforest is destroyed. That's equivalent to two football fields." What does
"equivalent to" mean?
a) more than
b) less than
c) the same as
22. "In British Columbia, where, since 1990, thirteen rainforest valleys have been clearcut, 142 species of salmon have
already become extinct." What does "clearcut" mean?
a) a few trees have been cut down
b) many trees have been cut down
c) all the trees have been cut down
23. "Logging, however, provides jobs, profits, taxes for the govenment and cheap products of all kinds for consumers, so the
government is reluctant to restrict or control it."
What does "reluctant" mean?
a) doesn't want to
b) is not allowed to
c) would like to
24. "According to its proponents, four times as much paper can be produced from land using hemp rather than trees." What
does "proponents" mean?
a) people who are against something
b) people who support something
c) people in charge of something
25. "In the late 1930s, a movement to ban the drug marijuana began to gather force."
What does "gather force" mean?
a) appear
b) get stronger
26. "One group of activists believes that ALL cannabis should be legal."
What does "activists" mean?
a) people trying to change something
b) people against the government
c) people who smoke marijuana
c) get weaker
30
DOGGIE BAGS & BROWN BAG RESTAURANTS
In America everything is considered "big" and portions in a restaurant are often so generous that even a person with a large
appetite might not be able to consume all the food that is placed before him. Rather than to let the uneaten food go to waste
many diners prefer to take it home to be eaten later. The waiter is summoned to the table and politely asked for a doggie bag.
After all, it has been paid for, so it might as well be taken home rather than go to waste.
The inference to this request is that the unfinished meal will be given to one's pet who is protecting the homestead. It really
doesn't matter that one's dog doesn't enjoy creamed broccoli, scalloped potatoes, french fries or the varied items found on a
gourmet's menu, nor that one may have goldfish rather than a golden retriever. The doggie bag is never really meant to be given
to man's best friend in the first place. Its contends will most likely be eaten by the pet's owner.
This take-home food might well be eaten later that same night as a midnight snack or perhaps reheated a day later as leftovers
and served as part of a regular meal. When the waiter returns with the check, he will also hand the diner his doggie bag. Some
restaurants even have heavy duty paper bags with a picture of a puppy imprinted on the side.
A "brown bag' restaurant, however, is something quite different. There are some restaurants which are not allowed to serve liquor
because they do not have a license to do so. If they should be caught selling beer, wine or whiskey, they can be forced to close in
violation of the law or else be subjected to a heavy fine. However, there is a way of getting around the legality of the situation.
Patrons can bring in their own spirits in a brown paper bag and serve themselves.
The customers at the restaurant with a brown bag into which is carried their preferred alcoholic beverage for the evening to be
consumed with their dinner. It may be wine, beer, whiskey or any other kind of alcoholic drink. The waiter merely provides the
guests with the can opener or corkscrew after the meal has been ordered. In this way the management can never be accused of
either selling or serving drinks without a license. It is a simple yet honest way of getting around a legal problem while providing an
added service for the customer.
This custom of brown bagging is very popular and satisfies both the customer who has come to dine and the manager of the
restaurant who wants to maintain his business. The customer likes it because he can enjoy his meal with a carafe of wine, a
bottle of whiskey or a can of beer purchased cheaply from the outside. The owner of the restaurant is satisfied because he is
guaranteed the continued patronage of his customers without the added expense of maintaining a liquor license.
(READING 30) Answer the questions.
1. How can one describe the portions served in a typical American restaurant?
a) They are varied and colorful.
c) They are greasy.
b) They are sufficient.
d) There is more food than necessary.
2. What do many diners do with the food left uneaten in the restaurant?
a) They bring it home to their pets.
c) They ask for a discount on the bill.
b) They take it home an usually eat it later.
d) They send it back to the kitchen.
3. When a diner wants to take home food from a restaurant what does he ask the waiter for?
a) A plastic bag.
b) A thermos.
c) A take-out order.
4. What is food which is taken home, reheated and eaten later called?
a) Reheatables.
b) Reedibles.
c) Junk food.
5. What is meant by a "brown bag" restaurant?
a) It is a restaurant that serves food in a brown bag.
b) It is a restaurant that serves only take-out orders.
c) It is a restaurant where one can bring in alcohol from the outside.
d) It is a restaurant where leftovers can be taken home in a brown bag.
6.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Why can't the management of a "brown bag" restaurant serve alcoholic drinks?
Because the drinks are too expensive.
Because they are afraid of alcoholic abuse.
Because the police will not permit it.
Because they don't have a liquor license to serve alcohol.
7. Why do most customers like to go to a "brown bag" restaurant?
a) Because they can enjoy their wine and beer which they can cheaply purchase outside.
b) Because they are opened 24 hours a day.
c) Because they have inexpensive meals.
d) Because the service is usually polite.
8.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Why are the owners of "brown bag" restaurants satisfied with their business?
Because they don't lose their customers.
Because there is no alcohol in the restaurant.
Because the waiters can concentrate on serving only the food.
Because they don't have to have the extra burden of carrying a liquor license.
9. What may happen if a restaurant sells alcohol without a license?
a) They may be forced to close or pay a fine.
c) They may lose their customers.
b) The price of the food may go up.
d) The service charge is increased
d) A doggie bag.
d) Leftovers.
31
CLICK, CLICK, CLICK. WHAT'S THAT? ANOTHER ONLINE SALE
1 The winter gift-giving season is responsible for twenty percent of all retail spending at American businesses.
2
But how and when people buy holiday gifts is changing.
3
Record numbers of Americans are turning to the Internet. More than one hundred million people are expected to buy
something online this holiday season.
4
Traditionally, the biggest shopping day of the year was in late November on the day after Thanksgiving. People still call it
"Black Friday." The idea was that it could push businesses "into the black" -- the traditional color for recording profits. Red is for
debts.
5
But now the busiest days are right before Christmas. Many people wait for last-minute price reductions.
6
With the rise of the Internet, the National Retail Federation came up with a new term. "Cyber Monday" is the Monday after
Thanksgiving.
7
The idea is that many people look in stores over the weekend. Then, to save time, they order online using the Internet at
their jobs when they return to work.
8
Cyber Monday is a big day online. But market researchers at comScore Networks reported Wednesday that the biggest day
of the holiday season so far was December thirteenth. The company said people spent almost six hundred seventy million dollars
at American sites that day. That did not include travel sites.
9
Online spending during the holiday season was up a reported twenty-five percent over last year. ComScore estimates that
online holiday spending will reach almost twenty-five billion dollars.
10 Online selling makes it easier for businesses to react to changing conditions. It costs less to change the advertising on a Web
site than in stores.
11 Physical stores remain by far the most popular places to shop. But electronic commerce continues to grow, and not just at
Christmas time. In the three-month period ending in September, it made up almost three percent of all retail sales in the United
States.
12 But wherever selling takes place, the holiday season means intense competition. For example, demand for flat-panel
televisions has jumped recently. Competition has pushed down prices for these popular thin TVs. The Best Buy Company
reported selling some at a loss to avoid losing market share to big competitors like Wal-Mart and Circuit City.
(READING 31) Answer the questions according to the text.
1.
a)
b)
c)
d)
What is the passage mainly about?
Internet using for holidays
On-line spending to buy holiday gifts
Effect of computers to buy a holiday trip
Giving a holiday gift to someone
2.
a)
b)
c)
d)
In paragraph 1, the word retail is closest in meaning to ________.
Telling something again
Adding a tail on goods
The sale of goods to consumers
Buying and selling goods
3.
a)
b)
c)
d)
In paragraph 3, what can be inferred about American people?
Americans are beginning to learn to use the internet
The internet is very important for American people
Americans like using the internet very much
The internet is gaining more importance to Americans for on-line shopping
4.
a)
b)
c)
d)
According to the text, American people prefer on-line shopping because__________.
They like using the internet
They want to save time
On-line shopping is cheaper to do
They find it tiring
5.
a)
b)
c)
d)
In paragraph 8, what does that refer to?
The money which is spent at American sites
American companies which want to sell their products
The money which is earned on December 13th
People who spend their money
32
IMMIGRATION
The USA is a land of immigrants. Between 1815 and 1914, the world witnessed the greatest peaceful migration in its history:
35 million people, mostly Europeans, left their homelands to start new lives in America. Why did these people risk everything by
leaving their homes and families to see what the New World had to offer? How had the Old World disappointed them?
First, what forced emigrants to make the momentous decision to leave? One major cause of the exodus among European
people was the rise in population which led to ‘land hunger’. Another was politics. Nationalism brought about increased taxation
and growth of armies, and many young men fled eastern Europe to avoid military service. Also, the failure of the liberal
revolutions in Europe caused the departure of hundreds of thousands of refugees.
Physical hunger provided another pressing reason. Between 1845 and 1848, the terrible potato famine in Ireland ended in
deaths of one million Irish people and the emigration of a further million who wished to escape starvation. Following the
collapse of the economy of southern Italy in the 1860s, hundreds of thousands decided to start afresh in America.
In short, people chose to leave their homes for social, economic and religious reasons. As a result, by 1890, among a total
population of 63 million, there were about nine million foreign-born Americans.
But what were the attractions? First of all, there was the promise of land which was so scarce in Europe. Next, factories were
calling out for workers, and working conditions were much better than back home. Men were needed to build the long railroads,
and settlers were needed to populate new towns and develop commerce. There was the space for religious communities to
practice their faith in peace and comparative isolation.
This immigration meant that by around the 1850s Americans of non-English origin had started to outnumber those of English
extraction. As we know, there were losers. To start with, there were those immigrants who were brought to the land by force,
the slaves, to be used as a source of cheap labor for the tobacco plantations of the South. Nor should we forget the equally awful
fate of the American Indians. By 1860, there were 27 million free whites, four million slaves and a mere 488,000 free blacks.
Nowadays, the USA is still seen by millions as the Promised Land. Gone are the days when you could buy US citizenship for one
dollar. Yet, even though entry is strictly limited, refugees continue to find freedom and people from poorer countries a better
way of life. As always, it remains a magnet to the ambitious and the energetic who are ready to commit themselves to the land
that gives them a second chance.
(READING 32) Answer the following questions according to the text.
1. The lives of the 19th century European people were difficult because ________ .
a) of the peaceful relationships among the nations of Europe.
b) the population was going down gradually.
c) there were too many of them, which caused a shortage of land.
d) they had decided to leave their homelands for the USA.
2. What is not given as a reason for emigration in the text?
a) Avoidance of military service
b) Politics
c) The search for adventure
d) Economy
3. Approximately how much of the American population was made up of foreign-born Americans in 1890?One seventh
a) One third
b) A half
c) One fifth
4. Which of the following is mentioned as an attraction of the USA in the text?
a) There were opportunities to get a good education.
b) Jobs were available.
c) People could lead a long and healthy life.
d) All of the above.
5. Which of the following is not true?
a) The story of the American Indians is as sad as that of the slaves.
b) Despite the strictly limited entry, people still go to the USA hoping to find a better life.
c) Religious communities found peace and isolation in the USA.
d) Millions of people, most of whom were Europeans, migrated to the USA in the 18th century.
ANSWER KEY
1. LANGUAGE OF LETTERS
2. a
3. b
4.
a
5.
b
6.
d
7.
a
8.
c
9.
b
10. b
11. b
12. a
2. HIBERNATION
1. Animals hibernate to save energy during the winter when there is little food for them to eat.
2. An animal’s body temperature drops and its heart beat slows when it is hibernating.
3. Raccoons and skunks are not ‘true hibernators’ because they wake up in the winter to eat. Additionally, the changes in the
functions of their bodies aren’t as great.
4. The term used to describe the behavior of raccoons and skunks is dormancy. ‘Light sleeping’ is also used.
5. HIT stands for Hibernation Inducement Trigger.
6. HIT becomes active in the fall, when the days are shorter and the temperature cooler.
7. To prepare for hibernation, animals store food and eat a lot to add excess fat to their bodies. They also add leaves and grasses
to their dens to keep them warm while they sleep.
3. MOUNT EVEREST
1. c
2. d
3. c
4. a
5. b
6. d
4. ALBERT EINSTEIN
1.d
2.a
3. c
4. d
5. b
6. a
7. d
5. CONSUMER NEEDS AND MOTIVATION
1. a
2.d
3.a
4.c
5.c
6.d
7.a
8.a
9.b
10.d
6. HIDDEN DISABILITY
1. a
2. d
3.b
7.d
8.a
9.c
10.a
8.
1. c
4. c
5. b
6.d
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
2. c
3. b
9. THE SPARROW
1. a
2. d
4. a
3. b
8. a
9. a
10. d
5. a-h, b-g, c-f, d-e
4.c
5. c
6. c
7. D
10. WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE, NOT ANY DROP TO DRINK
1. d
2.a
3.c
4.a
5.c
6.a
7.d
8.b
9. b
10. THE FROZEN MAN
1.c
2.b
11. H.G. WELLS
1. b
2. d
3.b
3. a
4.a
4. d
5. b
5.?
6. c
7. d
8. d
12. INVENTOR
1. c
2.b
3.d
4.b
5.a
13. WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
1. c
2.d
3.a
4.a
5. d
14. NUCLEAR ENERGY
1. c
2. d 3.
15.RECYCLING
1. b
2.
d
b
4.
a
3.
5.
b
b
6.
c
4.
a
6. ?
7.
d
6. a
8.
5.
9. b
b
d
9.
10. a
11. a
12. c
7. b
a
10. a
6.
d
11. c
7.
12. c
c
8.
b
16.LANGUAGE LEARNING
1.C
2.B
17. HOMELESS
1. c
2.b
3. a
3.A
4. c
4.A
5.B
6.A
5. b
18. THE STORY OF THE TELEPHONE
1.a
2.c
3.b
4.c
5.a
19. THE CIRCLES IN THE WHEAT
1.d
2.a
3.c
20.EARTQUAKE
1. d
2.c
3.a
4.b
5.c
21. LIFE IN SPACE
1.b
2.c
3.a
4.b
5.d
6.c
7.c
8.d
9.d
4.c
6.c
10.b
11.b
5.b
12.
6.c
7.d
7.d
22. GEORGE WASHINGTON
1. D
2.C
3.C
23. AN UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE
1.b
2.d
4.B
5.A
3.c
4.d
6.A
7.D
5.d
24. PSYCHOLOGICAL TRICKS FOR AVOIDING FAILURE
1. b
2.b
3.c
4.c
5.c
6.d
7.b
8.a
9.c
10. B
25. HOW TO LIE TO BE A HUNDRED
1.b
2.c
3.c
4.d
5.a
6.c
7.d
8.b
9.d
10.a
26. FOOTBALL GAME
1. b
2.d
3.a
6.d
7.a
8.c
9.b
10.a
4.c
5.d
27. INSTRUCTION IN THE ARTS BUILDS SKILLS THAT TODAY'S STUDENTS MUST HAVE TO SUCCEED
1. b
2. d
3. a
4. c
5. d
6. a
7.a
28. DISNEYLAND AND THEME PARKS
1.
c
2.
b
3.
a
4.
a
5.
9. d
10. b
11. a
12. c
d
6.
c
7.
c
8.
17. a
18. c
19. a
20. b
d
7.
a
9.
c
10. c
29. PULP FRICTION
1. a
2. c
3. a
4. c
5. b
6. d
7. b
8. a
30. DOGGIE BAGS & BROWN BAG RESTAURANTS
1. d
2. b
3. d
4. d
13. c
14. a
5.
15. b
16. d
c
6.
31. Click, Click, Click.
1.b
2. C
3. D
4. B
5. A
32. IMMIGRATION
1.C
2.C
3.A
4.B
5.D
a
21. c
22. c
8.
23. a
24. b
25. b
26. a
d
9.
a
READING 1
Acclaim: applause, praise,
Approve: support, ,
cumbersome; unwieldy, burdensome
Dedicate: devote, contribute, offer
Modification: change, variation, adaption
Neglect: pass over, abandon,
Permanent: stable
Phenomenal: extraordinary, unusual,
Pictograph: symbol, primitive writing, drawing
Refine: purify, improve
Reputedly: apparently, so they say,
start over: make a fresh start; forgive and forget, start afresh
Struggle; fight, great effort
Tribal; ethnic, ancestral
Wholeheartedly: sincerely, entirely, enthusiastically