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READING TEST
TEST 4
Part 1. Guided cloze
Frescoes painting is the age-old technique which (1)________ painting on a damp plaster walls. It is
known to have been used to decorate homes for at least 5000 years and has probably existed in one
form or another for (2)________ longer. Its very nature makes it (3)_________ for adorning large
surfaces, which explains its (4)_________in churches and government buildings. (5)___________ oil
paintings, which are glossy and reflect light, making it difficult to view them from certain angles,
frescoes have a pleasing matte finish. As fresco plaster bleaches relatively easily, artists do not use as
wide a range of pigments as in other types of painting, sticking mainly to pale earth (6)_______.
Fresco painting is considered to have reached its (7)__________ in Italy during the Renaissance, with
Michelangelo being perhaps the most famous artist to (8)__________ this technique. A great many
churches in Europe (9)__________ wonderful frescoes, while more recently celebrated artists such as
the renowned Mexican muralist Diego Rivera have used the technique to great (10)_________.
1. A. composes B. comprises C. involves D. consists
2. A. greatly B. noticeably C. perceptibly D. considerably
3. A. ideal B. pertinent C. relevant D. absolute
4. A. ubiquity B. universality C. preoccupation D. all-presence
5. A. On the contrary B. Unlike C. Conversely D. In reverse
6. A. tones B. tints C. shades D. hues
7. A. summit B. crest C. height D. top
8. A. operate B. enlist C. engage D. employ
9. A. demonstrate B. boost C. expose D. boast
10. A. result B. success C. effect D. reaction

Part 2. Open cloze

Impressionism was a movement that fundamentally changed how art was (1) _______ in the late 19th
century and many of the Impressionists have become so well known today that (2) _______ recognizes
their names and their work. What is (3) _______ widely known is that women were also involved in
the movement, (4) _______ facing challenges.
These women (5) _______ artistic values with the other Impressionists. They emphasized color over
lines and shapes, and chose to depict transient moments from modern life, as (6) _______ to painting
classical themes. They were interested in the movement of light and less (7) _______ with strict
realism than the art establishment of the time. And alongside their male (8) _______ they faced
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repeated rejection by the influential Académie, where art was judged and displayed in Paris, and (9)
_______ in the independent Impressionist exhibitions that were organized in response, first shocking
and (10) _______ winning over the public.

Part 3. Multiple choice

Biological Patents
The patenting on biological matter has become particularly awkward and publicly controversial in
recent times. The reason for this is that scientists are patenting life itself, though we should be careful
about what we mean by 'life'. Many countries have allowed people to own and register plant varieties
for decades. America took the lead, starting with the 1930 Plant Patent Act, followed by Germany and
other European countries. Britain passed its Plant Varieties and Seeds Act in 1964, when it awarded a
full monopoly right to the owner of any plant that can be shown to be novel, distinct, uniform and
stable. The test of novelty is much looser than that required for an industrial patent (who knows what
plants may be growing in the wild?). So, a plant qualifies for protection even if it has a history of
growing wild as long as it has not been sold commercially for more than four years.
At the same time, patenting a seed or a plant for agricultural purposes was regarded as being no
different from patenting a chemical or biological recipe for pharmaceutical purposes. This notion was
particularly welcome for Western farmers and horticulturalists who were eager to increase yields as
their own costs grew (especially farm wages) and foreign imports from low-wage countries undercut
their prices. They were also keen to grow new varieties that could be harvested and brought to market a
few weeks earlier. So, the huge investments in faster-growing and more disease-resistant seeds over the
past fifty years might not have been made if the seed companies had not been able to protect their
work.
Over that period the number of applications for plant and genetic patents has increased rapidly.
Technological advances in biotechnology have extended scientists' ability to exploit biological matter
from whole plants into their various components; from whole animals to parts of animals; and from
animals to humans. Developments in DNA and in cell technology have allowed scientists to identify,
nurture and remix cells so that they can create living material. The identification of the human genome,
which contains the genes that control the 'design' of each human, will also require a property contract.
But should the genome be public property in the same way as the knowledge of blood types is? Or
should it be private property? In 1952, the American Supreme Court famously said, 'Anything under
the sun that is made by man is patentable.' Since then, its position has shifted. In Diamond v.
Chakrabarty in 1980, it was asked to rule on a patent application by Anand Chakrabarty for a
genetically modified bacterial microorganism designed to gobble up oil spills at sea. It decided to shift
the dividing line to between the product of nature, whether living or not, and human-made inventions
which may, of course, be living, and it approved the patent. In 1987, the US Patent Office issued new
guidelines which stated that all bio-organisms except humans could be patented.
The Patent Office later issued a patent to Harvard University for an experimental mouse known as
Oncomouse, into which an oncogene had been inserted for the purpose of medical research. The
European Patent Office, after initially demurring, did likewise. It said Oncomouse was such a
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considerable manipulation of genetic material as to be new and unique. It was protested on ethical
grounds that the mice would suffer during the research, but the EPO decided that the benefit to society
outweighed the loss to the mouse; a neat variation on the 'property contract' that balances the creator's
reward against the social gain. This rapid shift over seven years was a breath-taking expansion of
private property and a massive change in attitude towards the ownership of life.
Another odd case that reinterpreted the property contract against our common instincts occurred when a
Californian University medical centre managed to own and patent the cell line found in a spleen taken
from a patient John Moore, who had hairy-cell leukaemia. The doctors had discovered that Moore's T-
lymphocytes were extremely rare and of great medical value. Without informing him, they carried out
intensive tests that ended with the removal of his spleen. The cells were indeed as valuable as expected,
generating products worth hundreds of millions of dollars. When Moore discovered how the university
had privatised his cells, and made huge profits, he sued, but he lost. The Supreme Court of California
decided that we do not have an exclusive right to ownership of our cells after they have left our body.

1. Under the 1964 Act, one requirement that qualified a plant for a patent was that it
A. had been developed as a result of commercial exploitation.
B. had been discovered in the wild fewer than four years earlier.
C. exhibited characteristics that distinguished it from other plants.
D. had no prior history of being used in an industrial process.
2. The word horticulturalists refers to those who
A. grow flowers B. study cultures C. import seeds D. grow organic foods
3. Why were Western farmers keen to raise production levels in the 1960s?
A. Their overheads were making them less competitive.
B. The market price of their products had been reduced.
C. Disease that could destroy their crops was becoming rife.
D. Fast-growing weeds were making their harvest less lucrative.
4. The writer suggests that advances in biotechnology
A. have allowed scientists to conduct their experiments more precisely.
B. are dependent on the financial rewards they can generate.
C. will ultimately lead to the introduction of designer babies.
D. may be considered unethical if they involve exploitation.
5. The phrase gobble up mostly means
A. consuming B. supplying C. spreading D. destroying
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6. The shift in position of the US Supreme Court in 1980 meant that

A. any biological organism could be patented.
B. knowledge of how DNA functions was patentable.
C. patents were no longer restricted to inanimate things.
D. tinkering with cells from living creatures was immoral.
7. The word demurring mostly means
A. advocating B. objecting C. reinforcing D. investigating
8. The European Patent Office ruling on Oncomouse
A. was never in doubt because Harvard University was involved.
B. became open to interpretation by experts in property laws.
C. totally disregarded the moral issues related to the case.
D. highlighted the emphasis on the greater good in legal decisions.
9. Which saying is most appropriate to the verdict handed down in the case involving John Moore?
A. Property has its duties as well as its rights.
B. No person's property is safe while legislature is in session.
C. If something is worth money, it is worth possessing.
D. Possession is nine-tenths of the law.
10. Which of the following is NOT true, according to the passage?
A. Patenting Oncomouse met with some disapprovals concerning ethical matters.
B. The USA blazed a trailed in patenting kinds of plants.
C. The doctors removed Moore’s spleen unbeknownst to him.
D. Companies’ patenting their seeds provided an incentive for agricultural breakthroughs.
Part 4. Matching(headings)
List of Headings

i Technological developments improve CRSP data

ii Initial findings of the CRSP project

iii A request and a far-reaching result

iv Difficulties in collecting CRSP data

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v What the future holds

vi Too much data for people to have an overall understanding

vii Other university departments which depend on CRSP

viii CRSP data not always being a useful basis for investment

Investment in shares versus investment in other assets - which gives the greater gain?

How one university collected the data to try and answer this question

A It all began in 1958 with a phone call from Louis Engel, a banker at Merrill Lynch, a US-based
financial management company, who wanted to know how investors in shares had performed relative
to investors in other assets such as low risk investments with guaranteed returns. 'I don't know, but if
you gave me $50,000 I could find out,' replied Jim Lorie, a dean at the University of Chicago's business
school. Louis Engel soon agreed to provide the funding, and more. The result, in 1960, was the launch
of the University's Center for Research in Security Prices. Half a century later CRSP (pronounced
'crisp') data are everywhere. They provided the foundation of at least one-third of all empirical research
in finance over the past 40 years, according to a presentation at a symposium held this month. They
probably influenced much of the rest.

B Getting the CRSP data together was a tough process in what were then the early days of computers.
Up to three million pieces of information on all the shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange
between 1926 and 1960 were transferred from paper in the exchange's archive to magnetic tape. A lot
of time was spent adjusting prices to take account of complexities in the market. Lorie and his co-
researcher, Lawrence Fisher, chose January 1926 as the start date because they wanted the data to span
at least one complete business cycle from boom to bust, or vice versa.

C When these two economists published the first study based on the CRSP data in 1964, they reported
that the annual compound return on the shares over the entire 35-year period was (depending on the tax
status of the investor) between 6.8% and 9%.

Acknowledging that good data on the performance of other assets were not available, the study claimed
that the rate of return on shares was 'substantially higher than for alternative investment media,'
providing the first empirical support for the still popular idea that shares outperform other investments
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over the long run. Fisher and Lorie also observed that many people chose to invest in assets with lower
returns because they were cautious by nature, and were concerned about the risk of loss inherent in
investing in the stock market.

Economists today call the amount of extra return that investors need to compensate them for this
additional risk the 'equity risk premium', although they differ greatly on how big investors should
expect it to be.

D After Fisher and Lorie's 1964 report there was no stopping the love affair between financial
economists and the data that studying these numbers produced. Myron Scholes, now a Nobel laureate,
became director of CRSP in 1974, and ensured the database was both kept up to date and made readily
available to academic economists everywhere. In turn, this resource became ever more useful as
computing power became more affordable. The CRSP database has since been expanded to include a
full range of different types of investments. It has been replicated across the world.

E One of the earliest uses of CRSP data was by Eugene Fama, an economist at the University of
Chicago, to support his 'efficient-market hypothesis'. He found that over a lengthy period share prices
tended to rise and fall randomly, without showing much of a pattern. Markets are efficient, he said,
because all relevant information is reflected in share prices at any given moment, meaning there are no
predictable movements in prices for smart investors to exploit. Fama did concede that there was some
evidence of temporary short-term predictability in share prices, however. That stipulation has resulted
in a vast number of papers based on discovering such 'variations' through data mining. In theory, such
anomalies are potentially lucrative for investors, but as believers in efficient markets observe with
satisfaction, it seems that no sooner are such anomalies discovered and reported in journals than they
typically disappear.

F However, the sheer volume of material means that financial economists are becoming increasingly
specialised, which may have costs as well as benefits.

Some economists worry that much of this statistical analysis is creating some interference that drowns
out serious thinking about the big questions, such as why the financial system nearly collapsed in 2008
and how a repeat can be avoided. Robert Shiller, an economist at Yale University and a long-time
sceptic about the efficient-market hypothesis, feels that with the creation of the CRSP database
economists suddenly believed that finance had become scientific. According to Shiller, conventional
ideas about investing and financial markets - and about their vulnerabilities - seemed out-of-date to the
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new empiricists. He worries that academic departments are full of economists who are so specialised in
data analysis that they fail to see and understand the whole. They get a sense of authority from work
that contains lots of data.

To have seen the 2008 global financial crisis coming, he argues, it would have been better to 'go back
to old-fashioned readings of history, studying institutions and laws. We should have talked to grandpa.'

G Scholes responds to this criticism with the contention that the usefulness of this empirical analysis is
proven by the fact that demand for it continues to grow. At CRSP's 50th anniversary symposium, plans
were unveiled to publish indicators on an expanding range of investments, as well as for growth and
value stocks. These indicators, CRSP claims, will be more academically rigorous and cheaper than
existing ones. For believers in the efficiency of markets, that should be enough to ensure CRSP's
continuing success.

1. Paragraph A ___
2. Paragraph B ___
3. Paragraph C ___
4. Paragraph D ___
5. Paragraph E ___
6. Paragraph F ___
7. Paragraph G ___

TEST 5
Part 1. Guided cloze
Many artefacts of (1) …………. cultural significance from the last century were made from plastic. It
was always confidently assumed that this rather (2) …………. material was virtually indestructible.
Now that some of these artefacts have become museum (3) …………., we have discovered that this (4)
…………. was sadly mistaken.
The degradation of plastics is worrying both scientists and historians, who are racing against time to
save our plastic heritage before it (5) …………. into dust. Our love affair with plastics (6) ………….
in large part from the fact they can be (7) …………. into just about any shape imaginable. When it
comes to longevity, however, they have a serious (8) ………….: their chemical structure breaks down
when they are exposed to air and sunlight.
Many now argue that we must consider the cultural (9) …………. we will be leaving future
generations. Without urgent (10) …………. many artefacts will be lost forever. But developing
effective conservation strategies is difficult because what works to preserve one type of plastic can
have a catastrophic effect on the lifespan of another.

1. A. enduring B. lingering C unceasing D. perennial

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.
2. A. trivial B. routine C customary D. mundane
.
3. A. items B. articles C pieces D. objects
.
4. A. concept B. premise C notion D. proposition
.
5. A. crumbles B. shatters C erodes D. shrivels
.
6. A. starts B. sparks C stems D. sprouts
.
7. A. cast B. moulded C engraved D. dissected
.
8. A. fault B. snag C stigma D. flaw
.
9. A. bequest B. legacy C endowment D. heirloom
.
10. A. intervention B. interception C interference D. intercession
.
Part 2. Open cloze
About two hundred years ago man lived in greater harmony with his environment because industry was
not much developed. Today the situation is quite (1) _________. People all over the world are worried
about what is happening to the environment, because of modern industry and the need for more and
more energy. Newspapers and magazines write (2) _________water pollution, air pollution and land
pollution. Why is there so much (3) ________ about pollution. After all, people have been polluting the
world around them for thousands and thousands of years. But in the past, there were not many people
and (4) ________of room in the world so they could move to another place when their settlements
became dirty.
Now, however, many parts of the world are (5)_________, people live in big cities and much of our
waste, especially waste from factories, electric (6) _______ stations, the chemical industry and heavy
industry is very dangerous. Fish die in the lakes, rivers and seas; forest trees die (7) _______. Much of
this dangerous waste goes into the air and is carried by the wind for great distances. The earth is (8)
________home. We must take care of it for ourselves and for the next generations. This means (9)
_________our environment clean.
The importance of this task is pointed out by ecologists, the scientists who study the (10) _______
between living things and the environment. However, each of us must do everything possible to keep
the land, air and water clean.
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Part 3. Multiple choice

ISLAND BIOGEOGRAPHY MODEL
Since the 1960s, scientists have been studying the composition and stability of island communities.
Specifically, they have been interested in what it takes to maintain life in these isolated areas. As a
result, they developed the island biogeography model, a model that not only provides information on
island populations, but also provides insights into conservation.
The island biogeography model theorizes that the number of different species on an island will
maintain equilibrium, or a state of balance, amid the fluid: changes of immigration and extinction. In
other words, the number of species on an island remains constant. In an experiment in the US state of
Florida, islands of mangrove trees were found to house many different species of arthropods. Scientists
documented the numbers and types of species. They then sprayed insect poison over the islands,
destroying all of the arthropods there. They observed the islands over the next year, as species of
arthropods from the area surrounding the mangrove islands moved onto the island and repopulated it.
Within a year, the number of species of arthropods was almost identical to what it had been before
spraying the poison. However, the scientists soon discovered that the individual species were not
identical to the ones that had been there before. So, while the number of species was the same, the
diversity of species was quite different. This study proves that although the species number remains
constant, the types of species do not.
The island biogeography model can also apply in places that are not technically islands. In fact, the
islands used in this research were man-made, isolated areas that had been created to meet an ever-
increasing demand for land and natural resources. These islands form when humans clear out vast
amounts of vegetation for arable land and living space. Their actions cut off small areas of land and
forest from larger communities, such as when loggers separate a small parcel of forest area from the
larger forest. Hence, these isolated pockets become "islands," or areas separated from their larger
communities.
By reducing areas of land into islands, humans have a significant impact on wildlife. The island
biogeography model states that the larger the island, the higher the rate of extinction. ■ A) This is due in
part to a larger number of species coming to the island to colonize it. As new species immigrate, there
begins a competition for resources on the island. ■ B) Since there is a fixed amount of resources on any
given island, some species will not survive in the struggle. ■ C) On a smaller island, the rate of
extinction would be lower, and so would the corresponding immigration of new species. ■ D) The
more isolated these small islands are, the fewer species they are able to sustain. Certain species of
birds and animals may only be found on these islands. If they lose the competition for resources, they
will be gone forever. For example, the Bogor Botanical Garden in Indonesia was created fifty years
ago, leaving an isolated woodland area where lush forest had once been. Twenty of the sixty-two
original species of exotic birds have disappeared completely, and four species are severely endangered.
The model scientists developed has provided beneficial information regarding the conservation of these
areas that are threatened by man's need for resources. While the demand for land and natural resources
will continue, many feel that with planning and a concerted effort, life in these precious island
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ecosystems can be preserved to some degree. One solution suggests that a natural corridor be sustained
between the isolated communities. For example, scientists in the Netherlands are looking at the
possibility of leaving paths of trees and shrubs between these islands. They feel it will aid in
maintaining the diversity of species there. The island biogeography model has inspired biologists to
begin researching conservation methods. Such methods include the establishment of nature reserves
and programs to help plan the use of land in a way that would protect the natural habitat as much as
possible.
It is a harsh reality that much of the life on these islands cannot be sustained. Some species will
inevitably become extinct. The island biogeography model first started as a way to explain life in the
communities of these isolated ecosystems but has developed into a catalyst that has sparked heavier
conservation efforts on behalf of these endangered habitats. The model has served as a tool that has
opened the eyes of many who hope to conserve as much tropical forest life as possible.

1. The word “fluid” in the passage is closest in meaning to ______.

A. unpredictable B. unstable C. changing D. graceful
2. The word “they” in paragraph 2 refers to ______.
A. species B. arthropods C. mangrove trees D. scientists
3. Why does the author discuss the mangrove tree islands in Florida?
A. To demonstrate the equilibrium hypothesis.
B. To contrast man-made and natural islands.
C. To explain the origin of the island biogeography model.
D. To confirm the research regarding immigration.
4. According to paragraph 4, why is the extinction rate higher on larger islands?
A. Larger islands house a larger number of predators.
B. The rate of immigration is higher on larger islands.
C. Newer species take over all the resources.
D. They house a number of older species.
5. Which of the following is NOT true about the repopulation of islands?
A. Nature tends to keep the islands in equilibrium.
B. Immigration balances species extinction.
C. The number of species usually remains constant.
D. The diversity of the species stays the same.
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6. The word “sustain” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to ______.

A. cultivate B. encounter C. feed D. support
7. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 4?
A. Man's destruction of nature must come to a halt to preserve island life.
B. Endangered species will be saved when humans stop creating isolated islands.
C. Species will maintain equilibrium if these islands are left untouched.
D. Most island extinctions are caused by human's need for resources.
8. Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence?
A. Life in isolated areas can be conserved despite the high demand for natural resources.
B. With planning, substitutes for natural resources can be found and island life preserved.
C. The number of islands can be reduced, so more species will survive the danger of extinction.
D. The danger of extinction can be lessened if humans work to conserve natural energy and resources.
9. The word “catalyst” in the passage is closest in meaning to ______________.
A. means B. process C. awareness D. legislation
10. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the
passage.
“However, while many of the island's older inhabitants may lose out to newer species, the number of
species on the island will stay the same.”
Where would the sentence best fit?
A. First square B. Second square C. Third square D. Fourth square

TEST 6
Part 1. Guided cloze
WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?
Students and jobseekers keen to get on to the course or into the place of their (0)
___________hope that voluntary work will help them (1) _______from the crowd. This chance to
(2)___experience - personally and professionally - is (3) _________on the wish-list of young people.
A survey carried out last year revealed that young and old (4) _________said volunteering had
improved their lives, particularly those (5) ______in conservation and heritage work.
Businesses recognize its importance and get to (6) _____their profile in the community, while
staff get a break from their daily routine to develop "soft skills", such as initiative and decision-making.
One volunteering organization is (7) ______another survey to find out if volunteering does make a
difference in the workplace, or if it is something businesses do simply to improve their (8) _______.
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Not (9) _________are business-sponsored placements becoming more common, the government
is also investing money and aiming to (10) ______volunteers. The push is clearly on to make
volunteering as attractive as possible to everyone.
And the more people who participate, the more the act fulfils its aim of making the world a
better place.
Example: 0. B
0. A. alternative B. choice C. option D. selection
1. A. point out B. stand out C. pick out D. lift out
2. A. win B. collect C. achieve D. gain
3. A. high B. strong C. sharp D. extreme
4. A. alike B. also C. similar D. same
5. A. associated B. committed C. connected D. involved
6. A. raise B. motivate C. increase D. arouse
7. A. conducting B. directing C. guiding D. governing
8. A. figure B. image C. look D. representation
9. A. merely B. only C. simply D. just
10. A. bring B. recruit C. claim D. enter

Part 2. Open cloze

TIME MANAGEMENT FOR STUDENTS
Learning to manage your time involves using a variety of life skills together. First of all, you need to
know yourself. Only you know (1) ____ you are a morning or an evening person, for example.
Understanding when you are (2) ____ your best can help you decide when to do certain things you
have to do - like studying. Then, you need to prioritise and decide which things are the most (and least)
important. After that, you need to get organised and start planning a schedule, (3) ____ could include
when to study, as well as when to relax. It is important to be realistic when you are trying to (4) ____
your time. You need to factor in time to sleep, for (5) ____, and this should be based on your normal
sleep patterns there is no (6) ____ in planning to study at six in the morning if you have never managed
to get out of bed before eight. Many people forget to include socialising, but this is a mistake because it
is unhealthy to avoid seeing people, just as it is a mistake to (7) ____ all your time socialising while
your list of things to do grows longer and longer.
On the subject of lists, it is important to remember that these may have to change. You need to plan for
the unexpected - a visit from a friend, for example - and this means that you may have to (8) ____ your
to-do list, perhaps crossing out something that is less important. Flexibility is the key here, (9) ____
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you risk becoming extremely disorganised. It is better to have to change a plan than to lose it
completely.
Finally, remember the old saying - 'If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. In the end, managing your time
better will help you (10) ____ stress, and that can only be a good thing.
Part 3. Multiple choice
Traditionally in America, helping the poor was a matter for private charities or local government. A
living immigrants depended mainly on predecessors from their homeland to help them start a new life.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several European nations instituted public-welfare programs.
But such a movement was slow to take hold in the United States because the rapid pace of the
industrialization and the ready availability of farmland seemed to confirm the belief that anyone who
was willing to work could find a job.
Most of the programs started during the Depression era were temporary relief measures, but one of the
programs – Social Security – has become an American institution. Paid for by deduction from the
paychecks of working people, Social Security enables that retired persons receive a modest monthly
income and also provides unemployment insurance, disability insurance and other assistance to those
who need it. Social Security payments to retired persons can start at age 62, but many wait until age 65,
when the payments are slightly higher. Recently, there has been concerned that the Social Security fund
may not have enough money to fulfill its obligations in the 21st century, when the population of elderly
Americans is expected to increase dramatically. Policy makers have proposed various ways to make up
the anticipated deficit, but a long-term solution is still being debated.
In the year since Roosevelt, other American presidents have established assistance programs. These
include Medical and Medicare; food stamps, certificates that people can use to purchase food; and
public housing which is built at federal expense and made available to persons with low incomes.
Needy Americans can also turn to sources other than government for help. A
broad spectrum of private charities and voluntary organizations is available. Volunteerism is on the
rise in the United States, especially among retired persons. It is estimated that almost 50 percent of
Americans over age 18 do volunteer work, and nearly 75 percent of U.S. household contribute money
to charity.
1. New immigrants to the U.S. could seek help from _____.
A. the U.S. government agencies B. volunteer organizations
C. the people came earlier D. only charity organizations.
2. Public-welfare programs were able to take firm root in the U.S. due to the fast growth of _____.
A. population B. uranization C. modernization D. industrialization
3. The word “instituted” in the first paragraph mostly means_____.
A. enforced B. introduced C. carried out D. studied
4. The Social Security program has become possible thanks to _____.
A. people’s willingness to work B. enforcement laws
C. deductions from wages D. donations from companies
5. Most of the public assistance programs _____ after the severe economic crisis.
A. did not become institutionalized B. did not work in institutions
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C. were introduced into institutions D. functioned fruitfully in institutions

6. That Social Security payments will be a burden comes from the concern that _____.
A. the program discourages working people B. younger people do not want to work
C. elderly people ask for more money D. the number of elderly people is growing
7. Person with low incomes can access public housing through _____.
A. state spending B. federal expenditure C. low rents D. donations
8. Americans with low incomes can seek help from_____.
A. government agencies B. federal government
C. non-government agencies D. state governments
9. Public assistance has become more and more popular due to _____.
A. people’s growing commitment to charity B. taxpayer’s increasing commitment pay
C. young people’s volunteerism D. volunteer organizations
10. The passage mainly discusses _____.
A. immigration into America B. public assistance in America
C. funding agencies in America D. ways of fund-raising in America

TEST 7
Part 1. Guided cloze
The impact of technology
Technology has become an integral part of modern life, 1.______ shaping how we communicate,
work, and live. The rapid advancement of technology has 2.______ transformed various aspects of
society, bringing both benefits and challenges. One of the most notable benefits of technology is its
ability to 3.______ access to information and knowledge. With the internet and digital devices,
individuals can easily access a wealth of information on almost any topic. This has 4. ______
opportunities for learning and education, enabling people to acquire new skills and stay informed about
global developments.
Furthermore, technology has revolutionized the way businesses operate. From automation and
artificial intelligence to e-commerce and digital marketing, technology has 5.______ businesses to
streamline processes, reach new markets, and improve efficiency. However, this reliance on technology
also raises concerns about job displacement and the 6.______ divide between those who have access to
technology and those who do not.
In addition to its impact on communication and business, technology has also 7.______ how we
interact with the world around us. Smartphones and social media platforms have 8. ______ people to
connect with others, share experiences, and mobilize for social change. However, there are concerns
about the 9.______ effects of excessive screen time and the erosion of face-to-face interactions. Despite
these challenges, technology continues to 10. ______ innovation and progress, shaping the future of
society in ways we have yet to imagine.
1.A. gradually B. drastically C. negligibly D. uniformly
2. A. steadily B. randomly C. scarcely D. periodically
3. A. restrict B. hinder C. facilitate D. obstruct
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4. A. limited B. expanded C. decreased D. prohibited

5. A. enabled B. disabled C. obstructed D. disrupted
6. A. digital B. technological C. social D. economic
7. A. altered B. maintained C. preserved D. diminished
8. A. isolated B. connected C. detached D. estranged
9. A. B. adverse C. neutral D. indifferent
beneficial
10. A. inhibit B. impede C.foster D. deter

Part 2. Open cloze

The relationship 1.______ the modern consumer and their rubbish is a complex one. 2.______ rid of
rubbish has come to mean a great deal more than simply consigning breakfast leftovers to a plastic bag.
With the advent of recycling, rubbish has now invaded many people's personal lives 3.______ an
unprecedented degree. 4.______ was a time, in living memory, when rubbish collection was a simple
matter - but today's household rubbish, before 5.______ discarded, has to be filed and sorted into
colourcoded containers according to its recycling category. 6.______is more, we are brought out in a
rash of irritation by the suggestion that, 7.______ rubbish collections were to become more infrequent,
people would then make the effort to cut 8.______ on shopping and recycle more. We might be
excused for wondering how this would be possible. Can people realistically buy 9.______ eggs or tubes
of toothpaste than their lives require? Recycling is supposed to be good for us. But for some, it's just a
10.______ of rubbish!
Part 3. Multiple choice
The Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife
Climate change poses significant threats to wildlife populations around the world. As temperatures rise
and weather patterns become more unpredictable, many species are facing challenges in their natural
habitats. Here are some of the ways climate change is impacting wildlife:
One of the most significant impacts of climate change on wildlife is the loss of habitat. Rising
temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can alter ecosystems, leading to the destruction of
critical habitats such as forests, wetlands, and coral reefs. As habitats disappear, many species are
forced to migrate to new areas in search of suitable conditions, leading to increased competition for
resources and potential conflicts with humans.
Climate change is causing shifts in the timing and routes of animal migrations. Many species rely on
specific environmental cues, such as temperature and daylight, to guide their migration patterns.
However, as temperatures change, these cues may become less reliable, leading to disruptions in
migration patterns. For example, some bird species may arrive at their breeding grounds too early or
too late, impacting their ability to find food and reproduce successfully.
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Climate change can also impact the reproductive behavior of wildlife species. Warmer temperatures
can alter breeding seasons, leading to mismatches between the timing of reproduction and the
availability of food resources. Additionally, changes in temperature and precipitation can affect the
behavior of wildlife species, such as their hunting and foraging habits. For example, warmer
temperatures may lead to increased activity among some species, while others may become more
inactive to conserve energy.
Perhaps the most concerning impact of climate change on wildlife is the increased risk of extinction.
As habitats disappear and ecosystems become destabilized, many species are facing heightened threats
from factors such as habitat loss, food shortages, and increased competition from invasive species.
Without intervention, these threats could lead to the loss of biodiversity and the extinction of many
vulnerable species.
Climate change presents significant challenges for conservation efforts aimed at protecting wildlife
species. Conservationists must adapt their strategies to address the impacts of climate change, such as
by creating corridors to facilitate species migration, restoring degraded habitats, and implementing
measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, conservation efforts must be integrated
with broader climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives to address the root causes of habitat
loss and ecosystem degradation.
Overall, climate change represents a significant threat to wildlife populations worldwide. Urgent action
is needed to address the impacts of climate change and protect the biodiversity of our planet for future
generations.
1. What is a significant consequence of climate change on wildlife?
A. Growth in biodiversity B. Habitat depletion
C. Decline in worldwide temperatures D. Enlargement of natural habitats
2. How does climate change influence wildlife migration patterns?
A. It has no bearing on migration behaviors B. It alters migration timing and pathways C. It accelerates
migration velocities D. It reduces the distances of migration routes
3. What effect can elevated temperatures have on wildlife reproduction?
A. Hastening of breeding seasons B. Delaying of breeding periods C. No alteration to breeding
schedules D. Reduction in offspring numbers
4. What is a possible outcome of climate-induced shifts in wildlife behavior?
A. Rise in predation rates B. Decrease in resource competition
C. Enhanced stability within ecosystems D. Decreased energy expenditure
5. Which impact of climate change on wildlife is of greatest concern?
A. Decrease in invasive species B. Heightened threat of extinction
C. Expansion of natural habitats D. Enhancement of biodiversity
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6. What hurdles does climate change pose for conservation endeavors?

No discernible impediments
Only minor obstacles
Significant challenges
Climate change facilitates conservation efforts
7. What must conservationists undertake to counteract climate change repercussions?
A. Neglect climate change effects B. Modify conservation tactics
C. Increase forest clearance D. Decrease greenhouse gas emissions
8. What action can conservationists implement to mitigate climate change effects on wildlife?
A. Dismantle habitats B. Erect migration barriers C. Rehabilitate degraded
habitats D. Intensify pollution levels
9. What is the main message conveyed in the text?
Climate change has no impact on wildlife
Immediate action is essential to safeguard wildlife from climate change
Climate change is advantageous for wildlife populations
Climate change is an inherent occurrence
10. What is the optimal approach to shield wildlife from climate change?
A. Take no action B. Adjust conservation strategies
C. Heighten greenhouse gas emissions D. Disregard climate change effects
Part 4. Matching(headings)
LIST OF HEADINGS
i. A fresh and important long-term goal
ii Charging for roads and improving other transport methods
iii Changes affecting the distances goods may be transported
iv Taking all the steps necessary to change transport patterns
v The environmental costs of road transport
vi The escalating cost of rail transport
vii The need to achieve transport rebalance
viii The rapid growth of private transport
ix Plans to develop major road networks
x Restricting road use through charging policies alone
xi Transport trends in countries awaiting EU admission
European Transport Systems 1990 - 2010
What have been the trends and what are the prospects for European transport systems?
A
It is difficult to conceive of vigorous economic growth without an efficient transport system. Although
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modern information technologies can reduce the demand for physical transport by facilitating teleworking
and teleservices, the requirement for transport continues to increase. There are two key factors behind this
trend. For passenger transport, the determining factor is the spectacular growth in car use. The number of cars
on European Union (EU) roads saw an increase of three million cars each year from 1990 to 2010, and in the
next decade, the EU will see a further substantial increase in its fleet.
B
As far as goods transport is concerned, growth is due to a large extent to changes in the European economy
and its system of production. In the last 20 years, as internal frontiers have been abolished, the EU has moved
from a “stock” economy to a “flow” economy. This phenomenon has been emphasized by the relocation of
some industries, particularly those which are labor intensive, to reduce production costs, even though the
production site is hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away from the final assembly plant or away from
users.
C

The strong economic growth expected in countries which are candidates for entry to the EU will also increase transpor

D
However, a new imperative-sustainable development - offers an opportunity for adapting the EU's common
transport policy. This objective, agreed by the Gothenburg European Council, has to be achieved by
integrating environmental considerations into Community policies, and shifting the balance between modes
of transport lies at the heart of its strategy. The ambitious objective can only be fully achieved by 2020, but
proposed measures are nonetheless a first essential step towards a sustainable transport system which will
ideally be in place in 30 years’ time, that is by 2040.
E

In 1998, energy consumption in the transport sector was to blame for 28% of emissions of CO2the leading greenhouse

F
At the same time, greater efforts must be made to achieve a modal shift. Such a change cannot be achieved
overnight, all the less so after over half a century of constant deterioration in favor of road. This has reached
such a pitch that today rail freight services are facing marginalization, with just 8% of market share, and with
international goods trains struggling along at an average speed of 18km/h. Three possible options have
emerged.
G
The first approach would consist of focusing on road transport solely through pricing. This option would not
be accompanied by complementary measures in the other modes of transport. In the short term, it might curb
the growth in road transport through the better loading ratio of goods vehicles and occupancy rates of
passenger vehicles expected as a result of the increase in the price of transport. However, the lack of measures
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available to revitalize other modes of transport would make it impossible for more sustainable modes of
transport to take up the baton.
H
The second approach also concentrates on road transport pricing but is accompanied by measures to increase
the efficiency of the other modes (better quality of services, logistics, technology). However, this approach
does not include investment in new infrastructure, nor does it guarantee better regional cohesion. It could help
to achieve greater uncoupling than the first approach, but road transport would keep the lion’s share of the
market and continue to concentrate on saturated arteries, despite being the most polluting of the modes. It is
therefore not enough to guarantee the necessary shift of the balance.
I
The third approach, which is not new, comprises a series of measures ranging from pricing to revitalizing
alternative modes of transport and targeting investment in the trans-European network. This integrated
approach would allow the market shares of the other modes to return to their 1998 levels and thus make a
shift of balance. It is far more ambitious than it looks, bearing in mind the historical imbalance in favor of
roads for the last fifty years, but would achieve a marked break in the link between road transport growth and
economic growth, without placing restrictions on the mobility of people and goods.
1. Paragraph A _______________
2. Paragraph B _______________
3. Paragraph C _______________
4. Paragraph D _______________
5. Paragraph E _______________
6. Paragraph G _______________
7. Paragraph H _______________
8. Paragraph I _______________