Directions: 

Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D to select the best
answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the next question. 
 
 

         

 
 
   
   
   

In many countries around the world, the New Year's holiday is a time
for getting together with friends and family to remember the past year
and to wish for a successful new year. Each country celebrates with its
own interesting customs and traditions such as parties, fireworks,
bonfires, parades, and special holiday foods and drinks. 

In Japan, the New Year’s celebrations continue for three days, from
January 1 to January 3. Because the Japanese believe that the new
year must be completely separate from the old year and should be the
start of a new beginning, the house is completely cleaned, inside and
outside, all business is finished, and all bills are paid before New Year’s
Day. The Japanese eat special long noodles on New Year’s Eve. The
long noodles are for a long and healthy life and lots of luck for the
future. On New Year’s Day, many Japanese eat a special soup
called ozoni, made with rice cakes. It’s a Japanese custom to relax on
New Year’s Day, and ozoni is perfect for the occasion. The rice cakes
for the ozoni are made before New Year’s Day. They stay fresh, so
nobody has to work to make the soup on New Year’s Day. 
   

Italians celebrate holidays with food and rituals. So it’s no surprise

that during New Year’s, people in Italy enjoy eating many special sweet
cakes and foods, and they watch beautiful fireworks light up the sky.
The Italians take the idea of cleaning the house further than the
Japanese do. Italians throw old things out of their windows to help
them forget everything that was bad about the past year and to wish
for good luck and success in the new year. 

In the U.S.A., Americans usually begin celebrating the new year on

New Year’s Eve. They have parties and stay awake until midnight so
that they can welcome the new year by toasting with champagne,
shaking hands, and hugging or kissing each other. At exactly twelve
o’clock, everyone shouts, “Happy New Year!” and people make a lot of
noise with bells, whistles, and noisemakers. On New Year’s Day,
Americans make promises to do good things or change something in
 their lives for the new year. Many people watch football games or
parades. Others invite friends and families to their homes to visit, eat,
and drink. It has been a tradition since the 1800s to serve holiday
  guests a drink called eggnog, made with eggs and milk and sometimes
 
Top of Form 
According to the article, which statement is
NOT true? 

 
  (A)  People in Japan eat a soup made
with long noodles for good luck on
New Year's Day. 
  (B)   Italians celebrate New Year's by
watching beautiful fireworks and
eating desserts. 
  (C)   Americans have parties on New Year's
Eve and make a lot of noise at
midnight. 
  (D)   Americans celebrate New Year's by
drinking eggnog. 

 
Bottom of Form 
 
 

 
Next 
15 of 16     
 
 
Top of Form 
According to the article, what do
Americans promise to do in the new year? 

 
  (A)   to welcome friends and family into
their homes for food and drink 
  (B)   to finish all their business and pay
their bills from the past year 
  (C)  to make changes in their lives
and do good things in the new
year 
  (D)   to throw old things out of the window
for good luck and success 

 
Bottom of Form 
 
 

 
Next 
16 of 16     
 
 
 
 
Reading 
READING 
 
 
Directions: 
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D to select
the best answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the next question. 
 
 

 
Are you frustrated with the boring options for business dinners? Are you hesitant to
take a client out to eat? Well, a new restaurant in town may be just what you are
looking for! Andre's has been open only three months but it's already positioned as
the "in" place to go for a special treat.  
Named for its chef, Andre Dupont, the restaurant is decorated in the colors and
images of the South Pacific. "I love the Orient and the tropics," comments Dupont,
who is in charge of the menu as well as the decor and the artwork. In addition, he
selects all the wines for the wine list.  
The menu features a French-Asian blend of innovative dishes. You can start with a
cocktail and a wide range of appetizers, including seafood and  
 
salads. I had the spinach salad with hot bacon dressing. For the entree, try one of the
unique salmon dishes. Whether you prefer your fish sauteed, grilled, or steamed, all
of the sauces can be created from mild to spicy, as you prefer. 
 
For dessert, I suggest the Hawaiian strawberry pie, with fresh strawberries and
bananas. "I like to experiment," says Dupont. "New food combinations are fun and
exciting. It is my vision to combine traditional French seafood recipes with tropical
fruits and the spices of Asia." 
And at Andre's, a stylish meal doesn't have to be expensive. The prices are very
reasonable. Andre's is always crowded, so be sure to call ahead to book a table.  
 
Top of Form 
According to the review, at this restaurant,
Andre Dupont __________. 

 
  (A)   is the manager as well as the owner
and decorator 
  (B)   prefers to eat fish sauteed, grilled, or
steamed 
  (C)   combines some spices with bananas
and strawberries 
  (D)  likes to experiment with new
combinations of food 

 
Bottom of Form 
 
 

 
Next 
1 of 16     
 
 
Top of Form 
In this article, innovative means
__________. 

 
  (A)   traditional 
  (B)   tropical 
  (C)   expensive 
  (D)  original 

 
Bottom of Form 
 
 

 
Next 
2 of 16     
 
 
READING 
 
 
Directions: 
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D to select
the best answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the next question. 
 
 

 
James,  
Mr. Lee will be arriving tomorrow at 7:45 a.m. on Asia Airlines. We
have arranged for him to be picked up and driven to our office. He
should get here around 8:30 a.m. or a little later. I will greet him
when he arrives at the office.  

We want him to have a tour of our production  . Would you mind

being the one to show him around? It should only take thirty minutes
for this introductory tour.  
After a short meeting with Mr. Turner, the Vice President of
Production, we would like to take Mr. Lee out for a very nice lunch. I
was thinking of the Italian restaurant, Primo. Would you mind making
a lunch reservation for five people at 1 p.m. tomorrow at this
restaurant?  
Call me if there is any problem with the reservation.  
Thanks for your help,  
Susan  
 
 
 
 
Top of Form 

Look at the word  in the email. Which

words or phrases mean the same thing

as  ? 

 
  (A)   the production management
workers 
  (B)   the production machines 
  (C)   all the work places and services
in the production area 
  (D)  the areas outside the production
department 

 
Bottom of Form 
 
 

 
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3 of 16     
 
 
Top of Form 
How many people are going to lunch at
Primo? 

 
  (A)   four, including Mr. Lee 
  (B)   three 
  (C)   two, just Mr. Lee and Mr.Turner 
  (D)  five 

 
Bottom of Form 
 
 

 
Next 
4 of 16     
 
 
READING 
 
 
Directions: 
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D to select
the best answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the next question. 
 
 
Layoffs May Be Looming! 
 
Are you feeling worried? Anxious? Even overwhelmed? Does your career
seem limited? Are you concerned that you may be laid off? What if the
rumors about a takeover are true? 
Well, your worries may be justified. Statistics show that even well-trained,
senior workers can't count on guaranteed employment these days. The
corporate world is volatile--even cut-throat. Downsizing is rampant. Says
Mitch Jones, head of Future Alternatives, Inc., "Workforces everywhere are
being reduced. Even skilled employees run the risk of losing their jobs, and
possibly their careers, if they are not flexible." 
Could this happen to you? If you are over 30, you are a prime target for being
laid off. If you haven't been keeping your skills current, you also could be in
serious danger. 
What can you do if you're afraid that you may lose your job? The consensus
among career counselors is that today's workers need to keep their skills up
to date and have an emergency fund in a savings account. Clare DeBout is
head of Career Choices, an Atlanta firm that helps people make a new start
after they've been laid off. She says, "It also helps to have an optimistic
outlook about the future. Anything you can do to boost your skills and
knowledge base will help you after a layoff." 
Consider taking evening classes in a subject that interests you. And
remember, in the long run, it's smart to pursue more than one career option.
Don't limit your vision of the future to a narrow range of jobs. Think about
what you'd like your next job to be! 
 
 Top of Form 
According to the article, employees should
__________. 

 
  (A)   be cut-throat on the job 
  (B)  be flexible in job choices 
  (C)   cash their paychecks 
  (D)   pursue one career option 

 
Bottom of Form 
 
 

 
Next 
5 of 16     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top of Form 
In this article, the word this refers to
__________. 

 
  (A)   not being flexible at work 
  (B)  workers losing their jobs 
  (C)   continued employment 
  (D)   getting a good education 

 
Bottom of Form 
 
 

 
Next 
6 of 16     
 
 
READING 
 
 
Directions: 
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D to select
the best answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the next question. 
 
 
Top of Form 

 
  
   
Annual Sales Report 
 
We had an excellent year at Dymo Industries. Total sales were US$550
million. This is an impressive growth of 10% compared to last year.  
There are a few important reasons for the large increase in sales. All
the international divisions performed very well. The new sales training
helped many of us promote our new line of toys. In addition, the
 creation of new products opened more markets for us.  
We continued last year to provide our customers with improved

products. We all know that product  can lead to larger market

shares. Therefore, we hope to continue increasing our sales by
creating better products in the coming year.  
I am pleased to end this report with further good news. Because of our
dramatic rise in sales, employees will be receiving a yearly bonus of
twice the amount given last year.  
Congratulations on your great teamwork! We look forward to reporting
on another successful year this time next year. 
 
 
Bottom of Form 
 
Top of Form 
Which of the following is NOT a reason for
Dymo Industries' increased sales? 

 
  (A)   sales training 
  (B)  a new international division 
  (C)   new markets 
  (D)   good performance 

 
Bottom of Form 
 
 

 
Next 
7 of 16     
 
 
Top of Form 

Look at the word  in the sales report.

Which phrase or words mean the same

thing as  ? 

 
  (A)   increased numbers 
  (B)   promotion 
  (C)   customer satisfaction 
  (D)   improvement 

 
Bottom of Form 
 
 

 
Next 
8 of 16     
 
 
READING 
 
 
Directions: 
Read the document below. Then read the question. Click A, B, C, or D to select
the best answer. Click on the arrow button to go to the next question. 
 
 
 Tip Selects Chadwick and Sons 
Tip of New York, the five-star restaurant owned by the Atlantic Gold Corporation,
announced yesterday that Chadwick and Sons of New York, a division of the
GlobeCom Group, is taking over the creative side of its branding initiatives. 
The Tip account had been handled by Reveres in Los Angeles, part of the Capades
Group. 
Tip's costs in this deal are thought to be close to US$500,000. 
Tip considered four firms during a lengthy review that became quite competitive,
according to Matthew St. Michael, Public Relations Director at Tip. Potential
agencies included Reveres; Bell, Bond & Bar of New York; and Gold, Choi &
Partners of London, part of the Gold Choi Creative Outlet division of TNT Partners. 
"Our primary goal is to work toward reestablishing consistency in Tip's local and
national branding," said Galina Felton, Vice President of Public Relations and
Branding at Chadwick and Sons. "Tip is an icon of purity in the preparation 
 
and presentation of fine foods. We will capitalize on that to reinforce their image of
quality, excellent service, and luxury." 
Ms. Chadwick said that clientele should remember eating at Tip as a "healthful and
seductive experience. The new branding campaign will accomplish that goal," she
said.  
Chadwick and Sons holds accounts with more than 20 major restaurants in the New
England and Mid-Atlantic regions.  
Tip opened in 1967 and was owned privately by Chef Remi St. Jean until 1987, when
it was sold to the Atlantic Gold Corporation for US$2.7 million. Rumors have
circulated for years that Atlantic Gold intended to open new Tip restaurants in
several major U.S. cities. The move to Chadwick and Sons is seen by some
restaurant industry insiders as an obvious first step in that direction. 
 
Top of Form 
According to the article, Chadwick and
Sons will __________. 

 
  (A)   make the most of Tip's wealthy
customers 
  (B)   seduce Tip customers with creative
pricing 
  (C)  try to create the same image of
Tip everywhere 
  (D)   help Tip improve its food presentation
practices 

 
Bottom of Form 
 
 

 
Next 
9 of 16     
 
 
Top of Form 
In the article, that refers to __________. 

 
  (A)   Tip's local and national branding 
  (B)   an impression of a lifestyle of luxury 
  (C)   reestablishing local branding
consistency 
  (D)  being a symbol of purity in food
 service 

 
Bottom of Form 
 
 

 
Next 
10 of 16