Full name:_________________________ Class: __________ Student ID: _____________

MID-TERM EXAMINATION
Course: Reading – Writing B2 (Reading)
Time Allotted: 75 minutes Exam Date: __________________
Notes: Materials and dictionaries of all kinds are NOT allowed.

A. VOCABULARY (2 points)

Question 1-10: Choose the lettered words/phrases to complete the sentences. (1 point)
Example: Keep away from the __________ of the cliff - you might fall.
A. border B. edge C. line D. area

1. Prior to law school, he worked for several years as a ____________ and network systems
administrator, and before that he earned undergraduate degrees in computer science.
A. computer programmer C. firefighter
B. bookkeeper D. car dealer
2. There are many transport companies out there. You can go to a local ______________ and
ask them for names of some high end cars like BMW, Mercedes etc. They will give you
more detailed information.
A. taxi driver C. office manager
B. computer programmer D. car dealer
3. He had been stripped of his title and was touring college ____________ to talk about his
case and to raise money for the antiwar movement.
A. dormitories C. libraries
B. campuses D. laboratories
4. Our ____________ arts students are trained to specialize in a number of different cuisines
including Asian, Western and European.
A. cultivate C. culinary
B. cutlery D. cultural
5. Our high living standards cause our current population to ____________ 25 percent of the
world's oil.
A. convene C. concern
B. consume D. contain
6. Soybeans, peanuts, and sweet potatoes will be selected for their ____________ as well as
their cleansing value.
A. nutritional C. physical
B. clinical D. statistical
7. She tried to ____________ the pain in my knee by putting manual pressure on the joint.
A. fix C. scrub
B. aid D. cure

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 8. Over the years he has been considered a rock ____________, producing albums for bands
like The Pogues.
A. performer C. pioneer
B. director D. creator
9. These photographs ____________ the essence of working-class life at the end of the
century.
A. concern C. capture
B. release D. affect
10. The Mississippi River forms a natural ____________ between Iowa and Illinois.
A. stationery C. boundary
B. resource D. format

Questions 11-20: Choose the lettered words/phrases that are closest in meaning to the
underlined part in each of the following sentences. (1 point)
Example: The movie company has come under criticism for focusing too heavily on marketing
and not enough on innovative ideas. They are expected to come up with original ones.
A. creative B. constructive C. marvellous D. ambitious

11. Hearing a piece of music evoked memories from a person's past, and spurred conversation
with others about past experiences.
A. encouraged C. evolved
B. captured D. extracted
12. My experience is that the majority of teachers are industrious, dedicated and committed to
their pupils. They always work with a lot of effort.
A. realistic C. investigative
B. hard-working D. adventurous
13. These designers are responsible for browsing through the cases and for selecting the most
appropriate one to solve the problem at hand.
A. having the ability to C. having a passion for
B. having a chance of D. having the job or duty of
14. Some vegetables can stimulate cells to manufacture a cancer-fighting enzyme.
A. progress C. activate
B. medicate D. praise
15. Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Because the bacteria live on food
particles and produce acid that decays the enamel on your teeth.
A. transform C. absorb
B. destroy D. acutate
16. Ethyl alcohol is used because it has virtually no flavor of its own and it is very good at
extracting the flavor from other substances.
A. avoiding B. evoking

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 C. exchanging D. removing
17. If you're going hiking in the mountains, a decent pair of boots is essential.
A. necessary C. realistic
B. extinct D. conventional
18. The invention marked the beginning of a revolution in information technology.
A. convention C. transformation
B. investigation D. expansion
19. Although a warmer climate may sound appealing, the effects of the heat can be difficult to
deal with.
A. reasonable C. artistic
B. attractive D. mature
20. We’ve incorporated many environmentally friendly features into the design of the
building.
A. managed C. included
B. enhanced D. contributed

B. READING COMPREHENSION (8 points)

Passage 1:
JAZZ MUSICIAN
Reporter John Bungey meets the US singer Gregory Porter, one of the hottest names in jazz.

A. Gregory Porter may be tired - he arrived from Zurich just 40 minutes ago — but at least he
knows where he is. This is not always the case. There is a smile as he sinks into a comfortable
hotel chair. “Yeah, it happens all the time. I wake up slowly, I’m kind of brain dead and I'm not
sure where I am…. and then you can lose days — fly over some date line, and what happened to
Thursday?” If any singer has a right to be disorientated it is Porter, thanks to a midlife surge that
propelled him from obscurity into becoming jazz's music’s number one vocal draw. Last year he
spent 300 days on the road playing 250 dates. Every one sold out.

B. Porter sings jazz, gospel and soul in a rich baritone voice. He’s a road dog whose career
depends on profitable live shows, not on the slim pickings of digital music streaming services.
Hence a performing tour that sees him in Europe, with the odd American detour, all spring and
summer. “To be the most streamed artist in jazz, what does that mean? A cheque for about $120.”

C. Porter, at 1.9 metres, has the build of the professional American football player he hoped he
would be before injury intervened. He’s wearing trainers and jogging bottoms plus a smart tweed
jacket and waistcoat - sort of half off-duty, half on. And then there's the famous cap with its
enveloping chin strap.

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D. At the age of 45, delayed success is all the sweeter. After college he tried odd jobs in a
dog-food factory and mixing aromatherapy oils. In his free time he acted occasionally, but singing
was a constant. ‘I had a great voice when I was 22, but I was looking for someone to make me —
a producer and an arranger — and they never came. And I suffered.’

E. He says he has often reflected on the forces that shape a life. “What fascinates me is: how do
you find your soil? Where is the best place to grow, to be what you can be?” Perhaps some people
never do find their place. “Yeah,” he says. “Maybe that's the angry person behind the window
when you've got to buy your ticket. Some people have settled in their discontent. I was pretty near
there... I just needed to make a statement, however small, even if nobody heard it.’

F. That small statement — a demo, not a finished record — earned a hearing in Russia, where he
played in concert halls to great acclaim.

G. Porter writes more of his material than most singers in his field and says that spending so
much of life being transported around between concerts does not get in the way; in fact sitting in
the back of a car watching the scenery trundle by can inspire. “Something about my eyes darting
back and forth as things pass. Something about motion always triggers me and my brain goes into
a place where I start thinking about my past, my dreams, my future. The poetry comes to me; the
melody comes to me; they come together.”

For questions 21-26, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to
the text. (1.8 points)

21. When he meets the writer, Porter is

A. relieved to find he has the right time and place.
B. more alert than he can sometimes be.
C. unaware of how late he is.
D. apologetic for being tired.

22. The phrase ‘slim pickings’ (paragraph B) tells us that Porter

A. is now in a position to choose the work he wants.
B. is listened to by relatively few younger people.
C. likes the simplicity of the idea of streaming.
D. earns little from streaming services.

23. In his description of Porter’s appearance, the writer suggests that Porter
A. doesn’t care much about how he looks off-stage.
B. doesn’t yet have a well-planned individual image.
C. doesn’t fit with the marketing image created for him.
D. doesn’t use his muscular physique enough when performing.

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 24. When Porter says he ‘suffered’ in his twenties, he is referring to the fact that
A. none of the jobs he tried suited him.
B. certain people he trusted didn’t support him.
C. the opportunity he longed for didn’t happen.
D. he was often too busy to keep up his singing.

25. The ‘angry person behind the window’ (paragraph E) represents someone who
A. has no capacity for deep thoughts about life.
B. thinks of themselves before other people.
C. should make more of an effort in their job.
D. has accepted they're never going to achieve their dreams.

26. Porter says that travelling in the back of a car

A. is something he’s had to get used to.
B. enables him to think creatively.
C. is less than ideal for writing down new songs.
D. has become his way of switching off and relaxing.

Passage 2:
THE CACAO: A SWEET HISTORY
A. Historians believe the Maya people of Central America first learned to farm cacao plants
around two thousand years ago. The Maya took cacao trees from the rainforests and grew them in
their gardens. They cooked cacao seeds, then crushed them into a soft paste. They mixed the
paste with water and flavorful spices to make an unsweetened chocolate drink. Cacao and
chocolate were an important part of Maya culture. Ruling families drank chocolate at special
ceremonies. Historians believe that cacao seeds were also used in marriage ceremonies as a sign
of the union between a husband and a wife.

B. After the Spanish soldiers defeated the Aztec empire, they were able to seize the supplies of
cacao and send them home. Spain later began planting cacao in its colonies in the Americans in
order to satisfy the large demand for chocolate. The wealthy people of Spain first enjoyed a
sweetened version of chocolate drink. Chocolate remained a drink that only wealthy people could
afford to drink until the eighteenth century.

C. Cacao trees grow in the shady areas of the rainforests near the Earth’s equator. They require an
exact amount of water, warmth, soil and protection. After about five years, cacao trees start
producing large fruits called pods, which grow near the trunk of the tree. The seeds inside the
pods are harvested to make chocolate. Cacao trees grown on farms are much more easily
threatened by diseases and insects than wild trees. Farmers sell their harvest on a futures market.
This means that economic conditions beyond their control can affect the amount of money they
will earn.

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D. To become chocolate, cacao seeds go through a long production process in a factory. Workers
must sort, clean and cook the seeds. Then they break off the covering of the seeds so that only the
inside fruit, or nibs, remain. Workers crush the nibs into a soft substance called chocolate liquor.
Chocolate makers have their own special recipes in which they combine chocolate liquor with
exact amounts of sugar, milk and cocoa fat. They finely crush this “crumb” mixture in order to
make it smooth.

Chocolate making is big business. The market value of the yearly cacao crop around the world is
more than five billion dollars. Chocolate is especially popular in Europe and the United States.

For questions 27-31, match the following information with the chapter containing it. (1.2
points)

27. the part of cacao trees used to produce chocolate ___C___

28. where the first sweetened chocolate drink appeared ___B___

29. risks faced by farmers in the cacao business ___C___

30. how ancient American civilizations obtained cacao ___A___

For questions 32-36, mark each sentence as TRUE or FALSE according to the information
given in the passage. (1.2 points)

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

31. Using cacao and chocolate in ceremonies were restricted to Maya royal families. FALSE

32. Chocolates became so popular in Spain that anyone can afford to buy them. FALSE

33. Some parts in cacao seed are got rid of during the chocolate process. TRUE

34. Chocolate is welcomed more in some countries or continents than other parts
TRUE
around the world.

Passage 3:
Careers in hairdressing: _________________________

A. They were some of the people we missed most during the lockdowns of 2020, with many of us
realising just how much skill our hairdressers have when we were faced with trying to do their
job. Yet hairdressing is often overlooked as a career path. Apprenticeships are a common entry

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into the industry, bringing benefits of on-the-job training for apprentices and appeal for employers
in the form of government incentives.

B. Matthew Curtis, founder of Matthew Curtis Hair Design, started as an apprentice himself and
has worked around the world as a session stylist – styling models, celebrities and actors on
catwalks, photoshoots, film sets and events. He says that apprentices are the backbone of the
business and they help salons run effectively and learn their craft while doing it. (A) Similarly
Jane Nixon, owner of Hair Eden in Worsley, started her career as an apprentice and takes on at
least two apprentices every year. (B) She wants to employ those who not only know how to do
hair, but to manage their time and clients. (C) For Anthea Mitchell, owner of Hair Professional in
Maidstone, apprentices quickly learn that hairdressing comes with plenty of technical demands. It
has become more complex in terms of skills they have to have. (D)

C. There’s no denying 2020 presented difficulties – both for the businesses and their apprentices.
Nixon says rather than business being steady throughout the year, they had months where they
couldn’t work then months of working six days a week. Their apprentices were still able to work
towards their qualifications, but she is not convinced they progressed at the same speed.
Coronavirus restrictions also made it difficult for apprentices to practise. Cutis’s salon usually
holds training nights when the apprentices would train at the same time.

D. Despite the difficulties, those with a career in hairdressing are more than happy with their
choice. But they admit it is still overlooked by many as a career. “There still needs to be work
done to encourage people into it,” says Curtis, who goes into private schools to talk about the
benefits of apprenticeships.

E. Things are changing but admits they could still improve, says Nixon. A lot of parents are
actively encouraging their kids to try a career like hairdressing, whereas 15 years ago it felt like
everyone was being pushed to go to university. It’s a creative job, and clever kids are pushed into
‘clever’ career paths even if they are creative people.

For questions 35-44, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to
the text. (3 points)

35. Choose the best title for the reading passage:

A. how to make the cut as an apprentice.
B. how to deal with potential challenges in the job market.
C. how to overcome difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.
D. how to recruit apprentices for your hair salon.

36. In paragraph A, line 3, the word ‘overlooked’ is closest in meaning to

A. disregarded B. forgiven C. noticed D. respected

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37. The word “they” in Paragraph B refers to
A. owners of hair salons
B. apprentices
C. styling models
D. actors

38. All of the following about apprenticeships in hairdressing are mentioned in paragraph B
EXCEPT
A. Apprentices can learn the craft and take part in operating the salon.
B. Customer service skills are more appreciated than hairdressing skills.
C. Apprentices need to acquire more complicated technical skills than they thought.
D. Many have started their careers as an apprentice before becoming successful.

39. Look at paragraph B in the text above with the letters (A), (B), (C), and (D). Where would
the following sentence best fit?
It’s really technical in addition to the soft people skills.
A. Choice A
B. Choice B
C. Choice C
D. Choice D

40. In paragraph C, line 2, the word ‘steady’ is closest in meaning to

A. common B. unchanged C. busy D. flat

41. According to the text, which hair salon usually organizes training sections at night for
apprentices?
A. Hair Care
B. Hair Professional
C. Hair Eden
D. Matthew Curtis Hair Design

42. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph D?

A. Hairdressers are not always satisfied with their choice of jobs because there are many
challenges.
B. Although a career in hairdressing is often overlooked, many people working in this area
are still happy.
C. Visiting schools is a way to encourage students taking up apprenticeships in
hairdressing.
D. Difficulties can discourage people starting a career in hairdressing.

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43. Which of the following can be inferred from the statement below in paragraph E?
“It’s a creative job, and clever kids are pushed into ‘clever’ career paths even if they are
creative people.”
A. A lot of parents expect their children to have a clever job instead of a creative one.
B. Children have no freedom to choose between clever and creative career paths.
C. It is better for a clever kid to follow a clever career path rather than a creative one.
D. Children are expected to pursue clever careers regardless of their personality.

44. Which best characterizes how the author feels about the future of apprenticeships in
hairdressing?
A. positive
B. neutral
C. distressed
D. skeptical

For questions 45-48, mark each sentence as TRUE or FALSE according to the information
given in the passage. (0.8 points)

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

45. Employers are supported by the government when they take on apprentices. TRUE

46. Nixon is not satisfied with their apprentices’ learning space regardless of their FALSE
capability.

47. Hair salon business often stay stable throughout the years. FALSE

48. In the past, parents preferred their children to continue onto university. TRUE