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PHAN 2: DOC HIEU - VSTEP
Thoi gian: 60 phit
86 cau héi: 40
Directions: In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different
passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40,
‘you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D for each question.
Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in
the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.
‘Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what is
stated or implied in that passage.
You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to
transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
PASSAGE 1 — Questions 1-10
It takes a long time to raise a family of owlets, so the great homed
owl begins early in the year. In January and February, or as‘late as
March in the North, the male calls to the female with a resonant hoot.
The female is larger than the‘male. She sometimes reaches a body
length of twenty-two to twenty-four inches, with a wingspread up to
fifty inches. To impress her, the male does a strange courtship dance.
He bobs. He bows. He ruffles his feathers and hops around with an
important air. He flutters from limb to limb and makes flying sorties
into the air. Sometimes he returns with an offering of food. They share
the repast, after which she joins the dance, hopping and bobbing about
as though keeping time to the beat of an inner drum.
Owls are poor home builders. They prefer to nest in a large
hollow in a tree or even to occupy the deserted nest of a hawk or crow
These structures are large and rough, built of sticks and bark and lined
with leaves and feathers. Sometimes owls nest on a rocky ledge, or
even on the bare ground.
The mother lays two or three round, dull white eggs. Then she
stoically settles herself on the nest and spreads her feather skirts about
her to protect her precious charges from snow and cold. It is five
weeks before the first downy white owlet pecks its way out of the
shell. As the young birds feather out, they look like wise old men with
their Wide eyes and quizzical expressions. They clamor for food and
keep the parents busy supplying mice, squirrels, rabbits, crayfish, and
12beetles. Later in the season baby crows are taken. Migrating songsters,
waterfowl, and game birds all fall prey to the hungry family. It is
nearly ten weeks before fledglings leave the nest to search for their
own food. The parent birds weary of family life by November and
drive the young owls away to establish hunting ranges of their own.
1. What is the topic of this passage?
A. Raising a family of great homed owls
B. Mating rituals of great homed owls
C. Nest building of great homed owls
D. Habits of young great homed owls
2. The phrase "a_resonant hoot" in the passage is closest in
meaning to
A. an instrument B.asound
C.amovement D. an offering of food
3. It can be inferred from the passage that the courtship of great
horned awls
A. takes place on the ground —_B. is an active process
C. happens in the fall D. involves the male alone
4, According to the passage, great horned owls__.
A. are discriminate nest builders
B. need big nests for their numerous eggs
C. may inhabit a previously used nest
D. build nests on tree limbs
5. According to the passage, which of the following is the mother
owl's job?
A. To initiate the courtship ritual
B, To feed the young
C. To sit on the nest
D. To build the nest6. The phrase "precious charges" in paragraph 3 refers to___.
A. the eggs B, the nest
C. the hawks and crows D. other nesting owls
7. According to the passage, young owlets eat everything
EXCEPT___.
A. other small birds B. insects
C. small mammals D. nuts and seeds
8. The word "they" in the passage refers to___.
A. the wise old men B. the adult birds
C. the young birds D. the prey
9. What can be inferred from the passage about the adult parents
of the young great horned owls?
A. They are sorry to see their young leave home.
B. They are lazy and careless about feeding the small owlets.
C. They probably don't see their young after November.
D. They don't eat while they are feeding their young.
10. The phrase "weary of" in the passage is closest in meaning to
A tire of B, become sad-about
CC. support D. are attracted to
PASSAGE 2 — Questions 11-20
In the early 1800s, to reach the jump-off point for the West, a
family from the East of the United States could either buy steamboat
passage to Missouri for themselves, their wagons, and their livestock
or - as happened more often- simply pile everything into a wagon,
hitch up a team, and begin their overland trek right in their front yard.
Along the macadamized roads and tumpikes east of the Missouri
River, travel was comparatively fast, camping easy, and supplies
plentiful. Then, in one river town or another, the neophyte emigrants
would pause to lay in provisions. For outfitting purposes, the town of
Independence had been preeminent ever since 1827, but the rising
4momentum of pioneer emigration had produced some rival jump-off
points. Westport and Fort Leavenworth flourished a few miles upriver.
St. Joseph had sprung up 55 miles to the northwest; in fact, emigrants
who went to Missouri by riverboat could save four days on the trail by
staying on the paddle-wheelers to St. Joe before striking overland.
‘At whatever jump-off point they chose, the emigrants studied
guidebooks and directions, asked questions of others as green as
themselves, and made their final decisions about outfitting. Thcy had
various, sometimes conflicting, options. For example, either pack
animals or two-wheel carts or wagons could be used for the overland
crossing. A family man usually chose the wagon. It was the costliest
and slowest of the three, but it provided space and shelter for children
and for a wife who likely as not was pregnant. Everybody knew that a
top-heavy covered wagon might blow over in a-praitie wind or be
overtumed by mountain rocks, that it might mire in river mud or sink
to its hubs in desert sand - but maybe if those things happened on this
trip, they would happen to someone else. Anyway, most pioneers,
with their farm background, were used to wagons.
11. Whatis the topic of this passage?
A. Important river towns
B, Getting started on the trip west
C. The advantages of traveling by wagon
D. Choosing a point of departure
12. All of the following can be inferred from the passage about
travel cast of the Missouri EXCEPT that it :
A. was faster than in the West
B. was easier than in the West
C. took place on good roads
D. was usually by steamboat
13. The phrase "jump-off point" in the passage is closest in
meaning to :
A. abridge across a river B. a point of departure
C.a gathering place D. a trading post14. Which of the cities that served as a jump-off point can be
inferred from the passage to be farthest west?
A. Independence B. St. Joseph
C. Westport D, Fort Leavenworth
15. The word "preeminent" in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. oldest B. superior
C. most easily reached D. closest
16. The author implies in the passage that the early emigrants
A. knew a lot about travel
B. were well stocked with provisions when they left their homes
C. left from the same place in Missouri
D. preferred wagon travel to other types of travel
17. The word "neophyte" in the passage is closest in meaning to
‘A. eager B. courageous
C. prosperous D. inexperienced
18. All of the following were mentioned in the passage as options
for modes of transportation from the Missouri River to the West
EXCEPT.
A.a wagon B. a riverboat
C. apack animal D. a two-wheel cart
19. The word "striking" in the passage is closest in meaning to _
A hitting B, orienting
C. departing D, marking
20. All of the following features of the covered wagon made it
unattractive to the emigrants EXCEPT ___.
A. speed at which it could travel _ B. its bulk
C. its familiarity and size D. its costbe
to
PASSAGE 3 — Questions 21-30
Alexander the Great commissioned the city of Alexandria to
create a Mediterranean stronghold in Egypt to rival Rome and cities in
Greece. He died before his idea came to fruition, but his successors
built it into one of the greatest cities of the Hellenistic world. The
Royal Library of Alexandria has achieved an almost mythical status
among scholars of classical studies. As with many ancient topics,
scholarship on the matter often conflicts and relies heavily on hearsay
and supposition. We will examine the importance of the library during
its heyday and how it operated.
As with many ancient landmarks, there is much debate and
controversy over Alexandria's library, especially regarding its
destruction. The tale has been retold by countless historians and
attributed to just as many different factions and rulers, not to profile
this landmark of education, but as a tool for political slander. It is
estimated that there are over 4000 writings regarding its destruction,
yet very little data exists regarding the structure, layout, organization,
administration, ot whereabouts of the complex. The accuracy of the
available information is suspect. However, 20" century scholars have
reached some gencral consensus from the remaining sources.
Most historians have come to the conclusion that-the original
library (also known as the Temple of the Muses) was commissioned
by Ptolemy I, Alexander's key general. More accurately, it was
commissioned by the Athenian exile Demetrius of Phaleron under
Ptolemy I's patronage. Traditionally it was attributed to his son
Ptolemy I. However, it was later shown that Demetrius was
antagonistic toward Ptolemy II and did not survive for much of his
reign. Ptolemy I can be seen as responsible for the fruition and
completion of the library and museum complex. H.G. Wells asserts
that Ptolemy and his son encouraged 'a blaze of knowledge and
discovery at Alexandria’ through their funding of the library and other
endowments.
The library itself was not a ‘library’ in the modem etymology. In
fact, the library was essentially a collection of scholars and scribes
encouras to_expand _scientific_and_philosoy wisdom and
musings brought about because of the ambition and drive of
Ptolemy I. It was not the first institution of its type, developing about
a half-century after Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum, About
730-50 scholars were probably permanently housed there, fed, and
funded, first by the royal family, and later, according to an early
Roman scroll, by public money. It served a religious, as well as an
intellectual, function and it was the centerpiece of a so-called cult of
the muses, governed by a priest.
[A] The library's output was created through observation and
deduction in math, medicine, astronomy, and geometry, the editing of
texts and manuscripts, and debating various advances in Western
knowledge. [B] For two or three generations, the scientific output at
Alexandria was considerably good. Its achievements included the
introduction of the first steam engine, the first star map, and an
astoundingly accurate estimate of the Earth's diameter. [C] Famous
scholars employed there included Euclid, Eratosthenes, Apollonius,
and Hero. [D]
. The library may have consisted of a group of buildings, including
lecture halls, study rooms, dining rooms, gardens, and an astronomical
observatory. In organization of the library, it is believed that, in the
time of Ptolemy I, the scrolls were haphazardly stored and grouped
by general category. From the time of Callimachus onwards, they
used an early iteration of a subject catalog. Subject divisions outlined
by Callimachus included mathematics, medicine, astronomy, and
geometry, as well as philology. At its peak, it is estimated about
600,000 scrolls were held within its walls, although that is likely an
overstatement.
The Ptolemys achieved their goal of creating the largest
collection of its kind by varied and often forceful means. At the time
of its founding, Greek libraries were usually collections of
manuscripts by private individuals. Ptolemy had a vision to collect all
accepted literature on all matters scientific, philosophical and spiritual.
The library tried to get copies of all known books and would send
agents far and wide to acquire them. Ptolemy TI wrote a letter "to all
the world’s sovereigns" asking to borrow their books. On more than a
few occasions, scribes made copies and kept the originals. Supposedly,
all ships entering Alexandria's harbor were searched for books to copy.
The Royal Library of Alexandria was created at an ideal time and
place in world history. It was able to combine the deductive
techniques of Greek thought toward the leaming of other: world
cultures. As such, it holds a legendary position among historians as an
18a
ne
important center of classical knowledge. Although much of the story
has been buried with time and conflict, the importance ‘and
significance of its contributions are clear.
21, All of the following sentences express important ideas in the
passageEXCEPT
A. The library was essentially a collection of scholars and
scribes encouraged to expand scientific and philosophical wisdom.
B. In the time of Callimachus, the scrolls were haphazardly
stored and grouped by general category.
C, It is estimated that there were over 4000 writings about its
destruction, yet very little evidence exists,
D. The library tried to get copies of all known books and would
employ several methods of acquiring them.
22, The word "factions" in the Passage is closest in meaning
to, .
A. sections B. insubordinates
C. cliques D. conspiracies
23. The word "its" in the passage refers to___,
A. data
B. education
C. the Royal Library of Alexandria
D. destruction
24. The author mentions "its destruction" in the passage in order
to. :
A. introduce the idea that the destruction was caused by natural
disaster
B. illustrate that there are so many arguments surrounding its
demise and disappearance
C. indicate the difference between its destruction and other
libraries destruction
D. highlight the difference between the library and other historic
sites
1925. Which of the following best expresses the essential information
in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect answer
choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out
essential information.
‘A. Commissioned by Ptolemy I, the Royal Library was a place
where people who wanted to learn gathered to study and record their
philosophies. :
B. The library was a large building where students gathered to
research and study,
C. Philosophers often visited the library to further their studies.
D. Many people gathered at the Royal Library in Alexandria in
order to socialize with their friends.
26. According to paragraph 6, what was true about the early
iteration of a subject catalog?
A. All the books were grouped within two general categories.
B. The books were chosen for their innovation, thematic impact,
and popular appeal.
C. The librarians organized the collection of books
systematically.
D. The library achieved an astonishing collection and many
developments.
27. The word “overstatement” in the passage is closest in meaning
to
A. estimation B. falsehood
C. exaggeration D. presumption
28. Which of the following can be inferred about the Royal
Library from the passage?
‘A. Most of the manuscripts from the library are preserved in
modem museums.
B. Several writings from the library have been scanned and can
be viewed on the Internet. :
C. Little of the manuscripts contained in the library are in
existence today.
20D. The library is currently being reconstructed.
29. According to historians, all of the following were true about
the Royal Library of Alexandria EXCEPT. .
A. It probably contained over 600,000 writings.
B, Little is known of its exact location.
C. It was responsible for the first star map.
D, Itwas the largest and most magnificent library in history.
30. Look at the four squares |_| that indicate where the following
sentence can be added to the passage.
It remained an important intellectual center for over 500 years until
numerous fires and other problems eroded its significance.
Where would the sentence best fit?
ATA] B. [B]
C.[C] D.[D]
PASSAGE 4 ~ Questions 31-40
The Pacific Ocean contains approximately. 20,000 to 30,000
islands. Islands, excluding Australia, that are south of the Tropic of
Cancer are grouped into three divisions: Melanesia, Micronesia, and
Polynesia.
‘Melanesia incluides the nation of Papua New Guinea, provinces of
Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands. Micronesia means. ‘small
islands,’ most of which are north of the equator. Finally, Polynesia,
which means ‘many islands,’ includes the Hawaiian Islands, Tonga,
Tuvalu, and Easter Island, among others. Migrants from South East
Asian cities were the first settlers. The next wave of migrants
Bopulated New Guinea, gradually spreading to Fiji. The last of the
Pacific islands to be settled was Polynesia, Hawaii was disvovered
sometime between the 7th and 13th centuries.
Bats were the only mammals on these islands until the arrival of
the first humans. Birds adapted to environmental niches, like grazers
and insectivores, Due to the cool and humid location, New Zealand
lost plants and animals, like the giant flightless bird, that were
intolerant of its climate. However, the extinction coincided with the
arrival of the Melanesians, so it was probably caused by hunting and
21fires. Adding to that, mining and a natural drought destroyed a
majority of the natural habitat. This was repeated on Easter Island,
where early settlers wiped out 22 species of sea birds and land birds.
By the time the Europeans had arrived, most of the plant life was
extinct and nearly 30% of the forests were cleared.
‘The invasion of New Zealand by the Europeans resulted in a
complete transformation of the island, importing over 3,198 species of
plants and animals and filling most of the wetlands. Australia also
imported animals and plants from many Pacific island countries.
Sheep, pigs, goats and foxes were brought to Australia, which further
disrupted the native ecosystems. Many plants and animals are. -
presently endangered.
The plants and animals that inhabit Pacific islands are found
nowhere else on earth. They are often adapted to specific habitats and
live on a small part of a few islands. New Caledonia isan island that
has been isolated from other lands for over 80 million years. 66
percent of the plant life there evolved on the island. Numerous plant
species, unique in the world, are on a small area of one mountain and
are represented by only a few specimens.
This varied genetic heritage is of such scientific importance that
New Caledonia has been listed as one of the ten hot spots where the
primary forest is in danger of extinction, It also boasts 68 species of
bird; the most diverse bird life in the Southwest Pacific.
During the first Jee Age, ocean levels were much lower than they
are at present, Levels in the shallow seas, naw separating Asia from
North America near the present-day Bering strait, dropped
approximately 300 feet, creating 1,000 miles of grassland plain.
Called the ‘Bering Land Bridge,’ this linked Asia and North America
together. The Bering Sea has a long history of stable animal .
populations, despite the harsh environments, which sustain human life.+
Lemmings, ox, and mammoths all made the joumey across the land -
bridge. Although mammoths have been extinct for quite a while now,
the other two have remained. ‘
Pacific walruses inhabit shallow waters of the Bering Sea during
winter. They congregate to feed on clams, their principal food. [A] :
This type of feeding releases nutrients into the water, providing food
for starfish and increasing the roughness of
impact of the ecology of bottom communities is unknown, but
2la
ad,
ds,
as
la
of
so.
aay
walruses, along with other animals like beavers and sea otters,
have huge effects on the biological communities they occupy. [C}
Animals such as seals, bowhead whales, and walruses are important
for the subsistence of their community. [D]
Pacific islands have the same pollution and over fishing problems
as most countries. Destructive forms of fishing in Asian nations have
taken their toll on marine animals such as birds and tuna. Many of
these nations have now entered joint venture agreements to enable
them to develop their marine resources more efficiently.
31. The word "populated" in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. inhabited B. exiled
C. traveled D. governed
32, The word "it" in the passage refers to
A. arrival B. extinction
C.climate D. hunting
33. Why does the author mention "The invasion of New Zealand
by the Europeans" in the passage?
A. To demonstrate its destructive effect on local ecosystems
B. To explain how many of New Zealand’s species came into
being
C. To show the lack of responsibility that early settlers had
toward new places
D. To draw a comparison to the way Australia expanded in the
Pacific
34. According to paragraph 5, what is unique about the Pacific
Islands?
‘A. They have a long history of traditional management
approaches for marine resources.
B, They are home to rare and unique animals.
C, They are made up of 66% plant life.
D. They have all been damaged by European settlers.
2335. The word "specimens" in the passage is closest in meaning
to. : .
A. genres B. features
C. examples D. images
36. According to paragraph 7, how has the Bering Sea aided life
forms in the past?
A. By providing creatures with plentiful food
B. By being home to a diverse and varied ecosystem
C. By allowing transit across the great iceshelves in the
‘Americas
D. By keeping creatures cool and comfortable in the ice
37. According to the passage, which of the following is true of
walruses?
A. They protect the surrounding ecosystem by preventing over-
fishing.
B. Their unique feeding habits enrich the ecosystem with
‘nutrients.
C. They are solitary animals which hunt and eat by themselves.
D. They are usually found living in the deepest regions of the
Bering Sea.
38. Which of the following best expresses the essential information
in the highlighted sentence? Incorrect answer choices change the
meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
A. Although ecological impacts are not known, many species
are largely dependent on animals occupying a sub-level.
B, The true biological diversity of all the walruses is revealed
only below the species level.
C. Beavers and otters are strongly related to the walrus family
because there is a clear cause-effect relationship.
D. There is a great deal that still needs to be learned about
biological communities and ecosystems.
241
39. According to paragraph 9, what measures have been taken to
protect sea creatures?
A. Protection agencies have begun guarding areas known for
high fish population.
B. Destructive fishing methods such as drag-nets have been
outlawed.
C. Agreements have been made to ensure that marine resources
are used carefully.
D. Restrictions have been placed on amounts permitted to be
fished in certain areas.
40. Look at the four squares [_] that indicate where the following
sentence can be added to the passage.
Walruses blow the clams loose with a jet of water, then ‘suck them
from their shells.
Where would the sentence best fit?
ATA] B.[B]
c.{C] D.[D]
THIS IS THE END OF THE READING PAPER.
NOW PLEASE SUBMIT:
YOUR TEST PAPER AND YOUR ANSWER SHEET.
25PHAN 2: DOC HIEU - VSTEP
Théi gian: 60 phat
86 cau héi: 40
Directions: In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different
passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40,
you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D for each question.
‘Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in
the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.
Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what is
stated or implied in that passage.
You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to
transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
PASSAGE 1 — Questions 1-10
Scientists do not yet thoroughly understand just how the body of
an individual becomes sensitive to a substance that is harmless or even
wholesome for the average person, Milk, wheat, and egg, for example,
rank among the most healthful and widely used foods. Yet these foods
can cause persons sensitive to them to suffer greatly. At first, the body
of the individual is not harmed by coming into contact with the
substance. After a varying interval of time, usually longer than a few
weeks, the body becomes sensitive to it, and an allergy has begun to
develop. Sometimes it's hard to figure out if you have a food allergy,
since it can show up so many different ways. Your symptoms could
be caitsed by many other problems. You may have rashes, hives, joint
pains mimicking arthritis, headaches, irritability, or depression. The
most common food allergies are to milk, eggs, seafood, wheat, nuts,
seeds, chocolate, oranges, and tomatoes. Many of these allergies will
not develop if these foods are not fed to an infant until her or his
intestines mature at around seven months. Breast milk also tends to be
protective. Migraines can be set off by foods containing tyramine,
phenethylamine, monosodium glutamate, or sodium nitrate. Common.
foods which contain these are chocolate, aged cheeses, sour cream,
red wine, pickled herring, chicken livers, avocados, ripe bananas,
cured meats, many Oriental and prepared foods (read the labels!).
Some people have been successful in treating their migraines with
~ supplements of B-vitamins, particularly B6 and niacin. Children who
are hyperactive may: benefit from eliminating food additives,
40especially colorings, and foods high in salicylates from their diets. A
few of these are almonds, green peppers, peaches, tea, grapes. This is
the diet made popular by Benjamin Feingold, who has written the
book Why Child is Hyperactive. Other researchers have had mixed
results when testing whether the diet is effective.
1. The topic of this passage is
A. Teactions to foods C. infants and allergies
B. food and nutrition D. a good diet
2, According to the passage, the difficulty in diagnosing allergies
tofoodsisdueto___.
‘A. the vast number of different foods we eat
B. lack of a proper treatment plan as
C. the similarity of symptoms of the allergy to other problems
D, the use of prepared formula to feed babies
3. The word "symptoms" in the passage is closest in meaning
Se
A. indications B. diet
C. diagnosis D. prescriptions
4. The phrase "set off" in the passage is closest in meaning
to, s
A relieved B. identified
C. avoided D. triggered
5. What can be inferred about babies from this passage?
‘A. They can eat almost anything.
B. They should have a carefully restricted dict as infants.
C. They gain little benefit from being breast fed.
D. They may become hyperactive if fed solid food too early.
6. The word "hyperactive" in the passage is closest in meaning
to. :
A. overly active B, unusually low activity
C. excited D. inquisitive
417. The author states that the reason that infants need to avoid
certain foods related to allergies has to do with the infant's q
A. lack of teeth
B. poor metabolism
C. underdeveloped intestinal tract
D. inability to swallow solid foods
8. The word "these" in the passage refers to__.
A. food additives B. food colorings
C. inmutritious foods D. foods high in salicylates
9. Which of the following was a suggested treatment for migraines
in the passage? =
A. Eating more ripe bananas
B. Avoiding all Oriental foods
C. Getting plenty of sodium nitrate
D. Using Vitamin B in addition to a good diet
10. According to the article the Feingold diet isNOT__.
‘A. verified by researchers as being consistently effective
B. available in book form
C. beneficial for hyperactive children
D. designed to eliminate foods containing certain food additives
PASSAGE 2 — Questions 11-20
Until recently, most American entrepreneurs were men.
Discrimination against women in business, the demands of caring for
families, and lack of business training had kept the number of women
entrepreneurs small. Now, however, businesses owned by women
account for more than $40 billion in annual revenues, and this figure is
likely to continue rising throughout the 1990s. As Carolyn Doppelt
Gray, an official of the Small Business Administration, has noted,
"The 1970s was the decade of women entering management, and the
1980s turned out to be the decade of the woman entrepreneur."
‘What are some of the factors behind this trend? For one thing, as
42more women eam advanced degrees in business and enter the
corporate world, they are finding obstacles. Women are still excluded
from most executive suites. Charlotte Taylor, a management
consultant, had noted, "In the 1970s women believed if they got an
MBA and worked hard they could become chairman of the board.
Now they've found out that isn't going to happen, so they go out on
their own."
In the past, most women entrepreneurs worked in "women's"
fields ‘cosmetics and clothing, for example. But
Consider ASK Computer Systems, a $22-million-a-year computer
software business. It was founded in 1973 by Sandra Kurtzig, who
was then a housewife with degrees in math and engineering, When
Kurtzig founded the business, her first product was software that let
weekly newspapers keep tabs on their newspaper carriers and her
office was a bedroom at home, with a shoebox under the bed to hold
the company’s cash. After she succeeded with the newspaper software
system, she hired several bright computer-science graduates to
develop additional programs. When these were marketed and sold,
ASK began to grow. It now has 200 employees, and Sandra Kurtzig
owns $66.9 million of stuck. :
Of course, many women who start their own businesses fail, just
as men often do. They still face hurdles in the business world,
especially problems in raising money; the banking and finance world
is still dominated by men, and old attitudes die hard. Most businesses
owned by women are still quite small. But the situation is changing;
th likciy to be anaaiy siore Sandra Kn
11, What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Women today are better educated than in the past, making
them more attractive to the business world.
B. The computer is especially lucrative for women taday.
C. Women are better at small businesses than meni are.
D. Women today are opening more businesses of their own.
12. The word “excluded” in the passage is closest in meaning
to.
A. not permitted in B. often invited to
C. decorators of D. charged admission to
4313. All of the following were mentioned in the passage as
detriments to women in the business world EXCEPT___.
‘A. women were required to stay at home with their families
B, women lacked ability to work in business
C. women faced discrimination in business
D. women were not trained in business
14, The word "that" in the passage refers to__.
‘A. awoman becomes chairman of the board
B, women working hard
C. women achieving advanced degrees
D. women believing that business is a place for them
15. According to the passage, Charlotte Taylor believes that
women in the 1970s__-
'A. were uprealistic about their opportunities in business
management
B. were still more interested in cducstion than business
opportunities
C. had fewer obstacles in business than they do today
D. were unable to work hard enough to succeed in business
16. The author mentions the "shoebox under the bed" in the third
iE er T_
‘A. show the frugality of women in business
B, show the resourcefulness of Sandra Kurtzig
C. point out that initially the financial resources of Sandra
Kurtzig's business were limited
D. suggest that the company needed to expand
17. The word "this" in the passage refers to__.
A. women becoming entrepreneurs
B. women buying cosmetics and clothing
C. women working in "women's fields”
D. women staying at home
4418. The expression "keep tabs on" in the passage is closest in
meaning to___.
A. recognize the appearance of
B. keep records of
C. provide transportation for
D. pay the salaries of
19. It can be inferred from the passage that the author believes
that businesses operated by women are small because,
A. women prefer a small intimate setting
B. women can't deal with money
C. women are not able to borrow money easily
D. many women fail at large businesses
20. The author's attitude about the future of women in business
is .
A. skeptical B. optimistic
C. frustrated D. negative
PASSAGE 3 - Questions 21-30
Symbiosis is a close ecological relationship between two
dissimilar organisms. They assist each other with feeding, defending,
and reproducing. In symbiosis, at least one of the pair benefits from
the relationship. The other may. be injured (parasitism), unaltered
(Commensalism), or may also benefit (mutualism).
An interesting mutually dependent relationship exists between the
pine and the pinon jay. Blue pinon jays settle on the tops of pine trees
and pick at the dark round seeds from the sticky cones. They store the
seeds in their throats, fly off and hide them somewhere, and then
retum to repeat the process again, It seems the reproductive cycle of a
Pine jay corresponds with the ripening of the pine’s seed. Similarly,
the pine is dependent on the pinon jays for distribution of the seeds,
Seeds are stored in the bark of a tree or in the ground, Using their
{ong bills, pinon jays plant and store them for later consumption, Their
can expand to hold a large number of seeds; one pinon jay has
been reported carrying 50 seeds in one trip. After they have planted
45the seeds, they retum to eat them, Using their bills like a woodpecker,
they hammer the seed until the shell breaks. Any unrecovered nuts are
then grown into new trees. This fascinating relationship has been
ongoing for thousands of years.
‘When both species benefit each other, this is called mutualism.
An example of mutualism is a plant and fungi. The fungus occupies
the cartex cells of the secondary roots of the plant. This relationship is
called.a ‘mycorrhiza.’ It helps the plant absorb inorganic nitrogen and
phosphorus from the soil. Some fungi also produce antibiotics which
may prevent the invasion of parasitic fungi and bacteria. Another
example of mutualism is pollination. Bees carry pollen from one plant
to the next when they seek out plants for nectar. They feed themselves
on the nectar, and the plants reproduce after fertilization by the pollen
from other plants.
Mutualism can also bring together two very different organisms,
for example, a buffalo and an ox bird. These birds joumey on the
backs of African buffalo eating their parasites. The bird receives food,
and the buffalo is rid of irritating insects. There are also a number of
fish that provide an excellent example of mutualism. Known as
‘cleaner fish,’ these fish get rid of parasites and dead skin found on
other fish. The best-known example is the ‘cleaner wrasse,” which
dwells in the Pacific and Indian oceans. They clean large predatory
fish by eating tissue and parasites off their skin. This relationship
provides food and protection for the wrasse and several health benefits
for the other fish. :
The other two types: of symbiosis, besides mutualism, are
commensalism and parasitism. [A] Commensalism refers to a
symbiotic relationship where one organism eats the unused food of
another. [B] One benefits, but the other is not affected. Examples
include the remora and the shark. The remora attaches itself to the
shark, when the shark feeds itself, the remora picks up scraps. [C] One
example of commensalism in humans is bacteria living in our
intestines that feed on food in our gut. [D]
In parasitism, one organism benefits and the other is harmed.
Parasites live off the body of other organisms and_receive
nourishment from their tissues, while also inflicting damage o
their hosts. Plants are parasitized by bacteria, fungi, and a handful of
other plants. Parasites cause harm by entering the tissue of the host for
their own nutritional benefit.
46None of these relationships are fixed, and it is likely that what
starts as a parasitic relationship may gradually evolve into a
mutualistic one. For example, in 1966, amebas were discovered that
had become infected with bacteria. However, after five years, it was
found that the core of the amebas had become dependent on the
bacteria; thus, parasitism had evolved into mutualism. Unfortunately,
the inverse is also possible; mutualistic associations may evolve into
parasitic ones.
21. According to paragraph 2, what does the pinon jay do for the
pine tree?
A. It gives the tree important nutrition.
B. It provides a primary means of Seed dissemination for pinon
trees.
C. It keeps the tree free from parasites.
D. Ithelps the tree produce larger seeds.
22. The word "corresponds" in the passage is closest in meaning
to .
A. matches B. includes
C. exposes D. protects
23. According to paragraph 3, how does the blue pinon jay store
the seeds for later?
A. By holding up to 50 in its mouth
B, By burying them in the ground
C. By protecting them in its nest
D. By allowing them to develop into new trees
24. The word "It" in the passage refers to___.
A. bacteria B. mutualism
C. mycorthiza D. fungus
25, According to paragraph 5, what is an example of a mutual
relationship? :
A. An animal eating parasites from another
B, An animal licking the body of another
47C. An animal providing protection for another
D. An animal keeping another awake and alert
26. The author mentions "the remora and the shark" in the
passage inorder to___.
A. explain the details behind a mutualist association
B. demonstrate a connection between an active parasite picker
and host
C. show how one animal can benefit from the acts of another
D. give an example of one animal causing the suffering of,
another
27. Which of the following best expresses the essential information
in the highlighted sentence? Incorrect answer choices change the
meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
‘A. There are many types of creatures that are very well
developed and have the strength to support other species.
B. Sometimes, the organisms supplying parasites are very
harmful to their hosts.
C. Some animals are selfish and only cause damage to their
hosts.
D. Organisms which must depend on others die easily because
they are not strong.
28. The word “gradualiv" in the passage is closest in meaning
to i
A. slowly B. increasingly
C. constantly D. rapidly
29. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT an
example of mutualism?
A.A plant and its fungi
B. Pollen transfer from one plant to another
C. The remora and the shark
D. A buffalo and an ox bird
4830. Look at the four squares [_] that indicate where the following
sentence can be added to the passage.
They are completely safe and may possibly help us, hence a
commensalism relationship.
Where would the sentence best fit?
AIA B.[B]
c.[C] D.D]
PASSAGE 4 — Questions 31-40
Earth has several distinct layers; the outermost of these is the
crust, which has an inconsistent thickness of 35-70 km in the
continents and 5-10 km in the ocean basins. The. second layer is
known as the mantle, which is about 2900 km thick, and-divided into
an upper and lower mantle. Most of Earth’s internal heat is situated
here. The upper mantle has an area known as the low-velocity zone,
where secondary waves decrease rapidly and then gradually increase.
‘The last layer is the core. This is a thick ball of iron and nickel divided
into two layers, the inner core and the outer core.
‘The inner core is solid, whereas the outer core is so hot that the
metal is always molten. However, because the force at the inner core
is so immense, it cannot melt. Due to Earth’s rotation; the outer core
spins around the ihner core, which causes the Earth’s magnetism. The
inner core consists of iron, nickel and other elements, probably a mix
of carbon, oxygen, sulphur, silicon, and potassium. The temperature is
extremely high, and due to pressure, the core is solid. Because the
outer core is liquid, mainly consisting of iron, nickel and about 10%
oxygen and sulphur, here the temperature is not as high.
Both the outer and inner cores together create the Earth’s
magnetism. The core has a huge influence on Earth. Because it is so
hot, it radiates a natural heat to the upper layers, setting off a current of
heat, which in tum causes the movement of the tectonic plates.
Because of Earth’s rotation, the outer core spins, but the inner core
does not because it is solid. This provides a sort of dynamo effect and
causes the Earth’s magnetic force.
A seismic wave is a wave that travels through Earth; it is often the
result of a tectonic earthquake, There are two kinds of scismic
waves, “body waves” and “surface waves.” Other waves do exist, but
49are of little importance. Body waves travel through the center of Earth,
following ray paths which are bent by the unstable density and
stiffness of Earth’s interior. These differ according to temperature,
phase, and structure. Body waves send out the first tremors of an
earthquake as well as any later ones.
There are two kinds of body waves, “primary” and “secondary
waves. Primary waves are compression waves, meaning the ground is
altemately compressed and expanded in the direction of propagation.
These waves can travel slightly faster through solids than secondary
waves can, and are also able to travel through any type of material.
‘Through air, they take the form of sound waves and so travel at the
speed of sound.
Primary waves, when created by an earthquake, are less
destructive than sound waves due -to their minor amplitudes.
Secondary waves are tilted waves; in other words, the ground is
shifted vertically in the direction of transmission. Here, the ground
moves from one side to the other. Secondary waves are only able to
travel through solids, not liquids or gases, and thus are unable to travel
through Earth’s core. Primary waves are faster than secondary waves.
Primary and secondary waves are usually produced by carthquakes
‘and volcanoes. However, they can also be produced by people using
explosives or large machinery.
Surface waves are comparable to water waves traveling just under
Earth’s surface. They travel at slower speeds than body waves.
Surface waves can be the most devastating type of seismic wave due
to their low frequency, long duration, and large amplitude. In theory,
they are understood as a system which relates to primary and
secondary waves.
[A] The moment an earthquake occurs, seismographs try to
record its primary and secondary waves. but often they cannot
detect the secondary waves of a distant earthquake. [B] This may
be due to the fact that secondary waves are unable to pass through
liquids. [C] This information about wave. travel helps scientists
determine the internal structure of the planet. [D]
31. In paragraph 1, what does the author say about the presence
of the low-velocity zone in the Earth’s interior?
‘A. It causes the high-frequency stimulation.
B. Its width is consistent with the fault zone.
50C. It induces regionally extensive oscillations.
D. Itis located just above the lower crustal boundary.
32. The word "immense" in the passage is closest in meaning
‘to.
A. compressed B. dilated
C. immeasurable D. varied
33. According to paragraph 2, which of the following is NOT true
about the inner core?
A. It contributes to the Earth's magnetic field.
B, Itis always molten and liquid.
C. It is under a lot of pressure:
D. It mainly consists of iron, nickel and some lighter elements.
34, According to paragraph 3, which of the following is the reason
for tectonic plate movement?
A. The convection of heat from the core
B, The gravitational effect of the core
C. The powerful magnetic forces of the core
D. The spinning of the inner and outer core together
35. Why does the author mention "a tectonic earthquake" in the
passage?
‘A. To show that primary waves are far more powerful than
secondary waves
B, To demonstrate the effect of seismic waves on the Earth
C. To develop understanding of the structure of the Earth’s
interior
D. To explain that scientific detection methods are very efficient
36. The word "phase" in the passage is closest in meaning to__-
‘A. change B. period
C. heat D. construction
Si37. The word "devastating" in the passage is closest in meaning
to,
A. faint B, destructive
C. productive D. quiet
38. Which of the following best expresses the essential information
in the highlighted sentence? Incorrect answer choices change the
meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
A. Although primary and secondary waves would be recorded,
the secondary waves are not strong enough to be detected at a distance.
B. Seismic waves are too small to be felt as a noticeable
earthquake, but detectable by seismographs.
C. Secondary waves can be generated as a result of nonlinear
interaction, so seismographs cannot detect them.
D, Because of extensive fault repetition, the primary wave is the
most powerful force in an earthquake.
39. It can be inferred from the passage that the author most likely
believes which of the following about earthquakes in the world?
‘A. Volcanoes would not exist if earthquakes never happened.
B, They are caused by the force of primary waves hitting the crust.
C. They are primarily caused by the heat from the Earth’s core.
D. There is no more destructive thing in the world.
40. Look at the four squares [_] that indicate where the following
sentence can be added to the passage.
For example, with the use of secondary waves, scientists were able to
suggest that Earth has a liquid outer core.
‘Where would the sentence best fit?
A.[A] B. [B]
¢.[C] D.[D]
THIS IS THE END OF THE READING PAPER.
NOW PLEASE SUBMIT
YOUR TEST PAPER AND YOUR ANSWER SHEET.
52PHAN 2: BOC HIEU - VSTEP
‘Thdi gian: 60 phit
Sé cau hdi: 40
Directions: In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different
passages, each followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40,
you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D for each question.
Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in
the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.
Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what is
stated or implied in that passage.
You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to
transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
PASSAGE 1 — Questions 1-10 ~
This rapid transcontinental settlement and these new urban
industrial circumstances of the last half of the 19th century were
accompanied by the development of a national literature of great
abundance and variety. New themes, new forms, new subjects, new
regions, new authors, new audiences all emerged in the literature of
this half century. As a result, at the onset of World War I, the spirit
and substance of American literature had evolved remarkably, just as
its center of production had shifted from Boston to New York in the
late 1880s and the sources of its energy to Chicago and the Midwest.
No longer was it produced, at least in its popular forms, in the main by
solemn, typically moralistic men from New England and the Old
South; no longer were polite, well-dressed, grammatically correct,
middle-class young people the only central characters in its narratives;
no longer were these narratives to be set in exotic places and remote
times; no longer, indeed, were fiction, poetry, drama, and formal
history the chief acceptable forms of literary expression; no longer,
finally, was literature read primarily by young, middle class women.
In sum, American literature in these years fulfilled in considerable
measure the condition Walt Whitman called for in 1867 in describing
Leaves of Grass: it treats, he said of his own major work, each state
and region as peers “and expands from them, and includes the world
connecting an American citizen with the citizens of all nations”. At
the same time, these years saw the emergence of what has been
66designated "the literature of argument", powerful works in sociology,
philosophy, psychology, many of them impelled by the spirit of
exposure and reform, Just as America learned to play a role in this half
century as an autonomous international political, economic, and
military power, so did its literature establish itself as a producer of
major works.
1. The main idea of this passage is__.
A. that the new American literature was less provincial than the old
B. that World War I caused a dramatic change in America
C. that centers of culture shifted from East to West
D. that most people were wary of the new literature
2. It can be inferred that the previous passage probably
discussed
A. the importance of tradition to writers
B. new developments in industrialization and population shifts
C. the fashions and values of 19th century America
D. the limitations of American literature to this time
3. The word "evolved" in the passage is closest in meaning
to. =
A. became famous B. tumed back
C. diminished D. changed
4. The word "it" in the passage refers to
A. the population B. the energy
C. American literature D. the manufacturing
5. The word "exotic" in the passage is closest in meaning
oo
A. urban B. unusual
C. well-known D. old-fashioned
6. The author uses the word "indeed" in the passage for what
purpose?
"A. To emphasize the contrast he is making
67B. For variety in a lengthy paragraph
C. To wind down his argument
D. To show a favorable attitude to these forms of literature
7. The phrase "these years" in the passage refers to
A. 1850-1900 B. the 1900s
C. the early 1800s D. the present
- 8. It can be inferred from the passage that Walt Whitman___.
A. disliked urban life
B. was disapproving of the new literature
C. wrote Leaves of Grass
D. was an international diplomat
9. All of the following can be inferred from the passage about
the new literature EXCEPT_-__.
A. It was not highly regarded internationally.
B. It introduced new American themes, characters, and settings.
C. It broke with many literary traditions of the past.
D. It spoke to the issue of reform and change.
10. This passage would probably be read in which of the
following academic courses?
‘A. European history B. American literature
C. Current events D. Intemational affairs
PASSAGE 2 — Questions 11-20
When Daniel Boone died peacefully in bed in his son Nathan's
elegant stone Missouri farmhouse on September 26,1820, the surge of
emigrants along the Oregon Trail was still a generation away. But
Boone already exemplified the pioneer at his best. He was neither the
physical giant (five feet nine) nor the innocent child of nature that
legend has made of him. He was an intelligent, soft spoken family
man who cherished the same wife for 57 years. He befriended Indians,
preferred company to solitude, and when he told his wife it was time
to move because a newcomer had settled some 70 miles away, he was
68joking, Pennsylvania- born, Boone was one of 11 children in a family
of Quakers who migrated to North Carolina. There Boone was
recruited at age 40 to undertake a scheme designed to open up
Kentucky to settlers and establish it as a 14th colony. He arranged a
deal by which the Cherokees sold 20 million acres for $20,000 worth
of goods to Boone's employers, the Transylvania Company. It was all
fair and square the Indians had an attomey, an interpreter, and the
sound advice of their squaws. The deal completed, Boone led u party
from Tennessee through the Cumberland Gap, hacked out the
Wildemess Road, and set up a town Boonesboro and a government.
Elected a legislator, he introduced on the first session's first day a bill
to protect game against wanton slaughter and a second bill to
"improve the breed of horses." He got 2,000 acres for his work, but
after the Revolution in which Boone won considerable fame as a
militia commander the scheme of the Transylvania Company was
declared illegal and Boone lost his land. Undaunted, he staked out
more claims and lost them because he impatiently neglected to register
his deeds. Ever hopeful, he accepted an invitation from Spanish-held
Missouri to come and settle there and bring others with him. The
Spanish gave him 8,500 acres and made him a judge. But the
Louisiana Purchase, which embraced Missouri, again left him but not
his children landless. Old and broke, Boone cheerfully continued
hunting and trapping long afier his hands shook. Shortly before he
died, he was talking kucwledgeably with young men about the joys to
be experienced in setiling California.
11, What is the author's purpose in writing this passage?
A. To chronicle the life of a model pioneer
B, To romanticize the legend of Daniel Boone
C. To show Boone's many successes on the frontier
D. To trace Boone's explorations in Kentucky, Missouri, and
Louisiana
12, It can be inferred that one area in which Boone was NOT
successful was. :
A. politics B. bunting and trapping
C. business D. the military
913. The phrase “fair and square" in the passage is closest in
meaning to :
‘A. honest B, simple
C. efficient D. lucrative
14, It can be inferred from the passage that Boone died__-
A. arich man B. an eternal optimist
C. in California D. alonely trapper
15. According to the passage, where is Boone's namesake city
located?
A. In North Carolina B. In Transylvania
C.n Kentucky D.InMissouri ~~
16. The Transylvania Company wanted Boone to___.
A. settle Kentucky B. ensure animal rights
C. be fair to the Indians D. claim Missouri
17. The word "undaunted" in the passage is closest in meaning
to, +
A. unscrupulous B. fearless
C. undiscouraged D. uninformed
18, According to the
A
B, revoked the earlier Spanish bequest to Boone
C. drove the Spanish from the East
‘D. excluded Missouri from its jurisdiction
sage, the Louisiana Purchase___.
sized Boone's land claim in Missouri
19. What can be inferred from the passage about Boone's
children?
A. They were better off financially than Boone.
B, They supported Boone's desire to settle new areas.
C. They lived in Kentucky.
D. They had no land due to Boone's bad investments.
7020. The author's attitude toward Daniel Boone in the passage
can bebest described as.
A. admiring B. critical
C. admonishing D. indifferent
PASSAGE 3 — Questions 21-30
The Solar System, as we know it, contains aver 178 objects
which revolve around our central star, ot the Sun. Some of these
objects can be seen from Earth with the unaided eye or an earth-based
telescope, but the majority have only been detected through the
development of instruments such as the Hubble Space Telescope, or
unmanned probes like Voyager. These instruments operate outside
Earth’s atmosphere collecting information on the composition and
behavior of objects in the Solar System, which has enabled
researchers to hypothesize their origins.
[A] It is generally thought that a cloud of interstellar gas and dust
known as a ‘nebula’, was disturbed by some major event in space,
possibly a supernova, about five billion years ago and began to
collapse under its own gravity, forming a cloud. [B] The center of the
cloud became so hot that it eventually exploded into a star with the
cooler gases flowing around it. [C] In time, the gases condensed into
dust, metals, and various kinds of ice in the cold outer reaches of
space. [D] These solid particles collided with each other to form larger
objects, or asteroids, as they continued to spin around our central star.
‘As these asteroids increased in size, their gravity began to pull in
all the material in their immediate surroundings, and.the largest of
these went on to become planets. The very different composition of
the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars) and the
outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus) has le
astronomers to hypothesize that their distances from the Sun
gaused them to develop _at different rates and in different ways.
According to the most widely-held opinions, the planets closest to the
Sun, where all the ice particles were vaporized due to the incredible
heat, were formed mostly of rock, silicates, and metals with high
melting points. These particles collided and were pulled together by
gravity. These inner planets have thin atmospheres or none at all, and
few, if any, satellites, which would indicate that most of the available
material was either pulled into their own gravity or burned away in the
heat of the Sun.
nThe inner and outer planets are separated by an asteroid belt,
consisting of material that was not able to form into planets due to
Jupiter’s immense gravity. Beyond this area, as more dust and ice
particles escaped destruction by the Sun, four larger planets formed
over a longer period of time in a far colder environment as material
was thrown out from the center by the spinning star's centrifugal force.
About a million years after the cooling of the original nebula, the Sun
began to emit a stream of charged protons and electrons known as
solar wind which blew the remaining gases outwards, to be sucked in
by the outer planets which became gas giants. These planets attracted
many objects in their vast gravity fields, some of which are big
enough to be termed ‘satellites’, and countless smaller fragments
which formed rings around the planets.
The discovery of more objects in the Solar System in recent times
has led: to the need for further classification. Far beyond the outer
planets lies Pluto, which was originally considered to be the ninth
planet, but which has since been found to be a binary system of two
dwarf planets, the other being Charon. Pluto’s origins may be in the
recently discovered Kuiper Belt, the source of many of the comets
which travel through the Solar System. This theory is based on Pluto’s
rock/ice composition which is similar to that of a comet. At one time,
also thought to be a moon of Neptune, Pluto/Charon was reclassified
in 2006 as one of three dwarf planets discovered so far, the others
being Eris and Ceres.
Scientific knowledge is only as good as the ability of scientists to
collect evidence, so as new advances are made in astronomy, the
present theories may be disproved, as in the case of Pluto. The above
account represents the consensi:s of current opinions on the matter.
21. in paragraph 1, what does the author say about the role of
the Hubble Space Telescope?
A. It is too defective for our scientists to come up with definite
answers to the origin of the universe.
B. Scientists discovered billions of new planets by combining
measurements from the Hubble Space Telescope with Voyager
measurements.
C. It solved the age of the universe and measured the age of
what may be the youngest galaxy ever seen in the universe.
2D. It has helped unveil many mysteries or queries about our
universe,
22. The word "composition" in the Passage is closest in
meaning to___.
A. make-up B. musical
C. evolution D. revolution
23. The word "disturbed" in the passage is closest in meaning
to.
A. broken B. attracted
C. bothered D. imported
24. Which of the following best expresses the essential
information in the highlighted sentence in : the passage?
Incorrect answer choices change the meaning in important
ways or leave out essential information.
A. Planets formed from gases and dust particles after comets
collided with the Sun.
B. According to scientists, the manner in which planets
developed was wholly dependent on their distance from Jupiter’s rings.
C. The dissimilar make-up of the planets closest to the Sun and
those farthest from the Sun suggests that their distance from the Sun
affected their formation.
D. Scientists believe the Sun evolved from the composition of
several older planets in the solar system.
25, According to paragraph 4, the inner and outer planets are
separated by what?
A. An asteroid belt b. A star
C. Comets d. A moon
26. According to the passage, all of the following are true about
our solar system EXCEPT___.
A. Planets nearest the Sun were formed mostly of rock.
B. There continue to be new discoveries as technology improves.
C. Colliding asteroids eventually formed planets.
BD. Most of the comets in the solar system can be seen with the
naked eye during an annular solar eclipse.
27. Why does the author mention "Pluto" in paragraph 5?
A. To discuss Pluto's rock/ice composition
B, To introduce the concept of planet formation
C. To. show that new discoveries are always occurring
D. To introduce the distinction between planets and dwarf
planets .
28. It can be inferred from the passage that the planets__,
A. broke off from the rapidly spinning Moon -
B. collided more frequently, to spur the formation and growth of
protoplanets
C. were initially asteroids
D. were formed by the collision of massive objects circling a
black hole in eccentric orbits
29. According to the passage, what were the universe’s origins?
A. A nebula collapsed under its gravity.
B. A black hole exploded and merged to create the universe.
C. A super being wished it into existence,
D. The Sun collapsed in on itself,
30. Look at the four squares [_] that indicate where the
following sentence canid be added to the passage.
This cloud began to rotate rapidly as it got smaller and denser and
heated up to several thousand degrees, causing some of its elements to
vaporize into gas.
Where would the sentence best fit?
A.{A] B.[B]
C.[C] D.(D)
14PASSAGE 4 — Questions 31-40
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a method of
producing electricity developed from the temperature difference that
subsists between deep and shallow waters. It converts solar radiation
to electric power. The system uses the ocean's natural thermal gradient
to direct a power-producing cycle. To produce a significant amount of
power, the temperature between warm water on the surface and deep
cold water should differ by about 20 degrees Celsius. On average, 23
million square miles of tropical seas absorb an amount of solar
radiation equal in heat content to about 250 million barrels of oil. If
less than one tenth of this could be converted into electric power, it
would provide more than 20 times the total amount of electricity
utilized in America on any given day.
Oceans are a huge renewable resource with the possibility of
producing millions of watts of electric power. Some experts think the
cold, deep seawater that is used in the OTEC process is rich in
nutrients and, therefore, can be used to culture marine and plant life on
shore or on land.
There are certain conditions which have to be met to enable
OTEC to work. First, commercial OTEC facilities must be located in
an environment that is stable enough for efficient system operation.
This means that they must be built on land or submerged on the
continental shelf. In addition, the natural ocean thermal gradient
necosszcy for OTEC operation is generally found between latitudes
2, Nand 20° S. The temperature of the surface water must differ
from that of deep water and allowances should be made for a wide-
open space. Tropical islands meet the requirements for a wide space,
so they are areas for OTEC development. Land-based facilities offer
advantages. For example, plants do not require extensive maintenance,
and they can be installed in sheltered areas, safe from storms and
general bad weather. Land-based sites allow OTEC plants to function
with related industries.
‘Thermal energy from the ocean was first proposed as far back as
1881. However, it wasn’t until 1930 that a system was built,
producing 22kw of electricity. Another was constructed sometime
later, but It was destroyed by waves. In 1980, the U.S department of
energy built a site for OTEC heat exchangers on board a navy ship.
Tests revealed that OTEC systems are able to function on slow
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