Passage 1

In the late 18th century the Industrial Revolution began to transform life
in Britain. Until then, most people lived in the countryside and made
their living from farming. By the mid-19th century most people in Britain
lived in towns and made their living from mining or manufacturing
industries. In 1712 a man named Thomas Newcomen (1663-1729)
made primitive steam engines for pumping water from mines. In 1769
James Watt (1736-1819) patented a more efficient steam engine. In
1785 his engine was adapted to driving machinery in a cotton factory.
The use of steam engines to drive machines slowly transformed
industry. Meanwhile, during the 1700s Britain built up a great overseas
empire. The North American colonies were lost after the War of
Independence 1776-1783.
On the other hand, after the Seven Years War 1756-1763, Britain
captured Canada and India. Britain also took Dominica, Grenada, St.
Vincent and Tobago in the West Indies. In 1707 the Act of Union was
passed. Scotland was united with England and Wales. England
became part of Great Britain. Owning land was the main form of wealth
in the 18th century. Political power and influence were in the hands of
rich landowners. At the top were the nobility. Below them were a class
of nearly rich landowners called the gentry. In the early 18th century
there was another class of landowners called yeomen who were small
landowners, described as farmers of the middle class. However, during
the century this class became less and less numerous. However other
middle class people such as merchants and professional men became
richer and more numerous, especially in the towns.
Below them were the great mass of the population, craftsmen and
labourers. In the 18th century probably half the population lived at
subsistence or bare survival level. In the early 18th century England
suffered from gin drinking. It was cheap and it was sold everywhere as
you did not need a license to sell it. Many people ruined their health by
drinking gin. Sadly, for many poor people drinking gin was their only
comfort. The situation improved after 1751 when a tax was imposed on
gin. At the end of the 17th century it was estimated the population of
England and Wales was about 5 1/2 million. The population of Scotland
was about 1 million. The population of London was about 600,000. In
the mid-18th century the population of Britain was about 6 1/2 million. In
the late 18th century it grew rapidly and by 1801 it was over 9 million.
The population of London was almost 1 million.
During the 18th century, towns in Britain grew larger. Nevertheless,
most towns still had populations of less than 10,000. However, in the
late 18th century new industrial towns in the Midland and the North of
England mushroomed. Meanwhile, the population of London grew to
nearly 1 million by the end of the century. Other towns were much
smaller. The population of Liverpool was about 77,000 in 1800.
Birmingham had about 73,000 people and Manchester had about
70,000. Bristol had a population of about 68,000. Sheffield was smaller
with 31,000 people and Leeds had about 30,000 people.
1. By the end of the 18th century the population of Britain was:

1. around 5 1/2 million

2. over 9 million

3. almost 6 1/2 million

4. about 1 million
2. Around what time period did the British capture Canada and India?

1. 1745-1752

2. 1756-1763

3. 1663-1729

4. 1776-1783
3. Among the following towns, which had the maximum population?

1. Birmingham

2. Liverpool

3. Manchester

4. Bristol
4. The number of new towns increased in Britain during the 18th
century basically because of:

1. increase in mining

2. growth of population

3. increase in farming

4. growth of industry
5. The main theme of the passage is:

1. society in 18th century England

2. towns in 18th century England

3. expansion of the English Empire in 18th century

4. habits of Englishmen in 18th century England

6. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

1. After the War of Independence, Britain had colonies in North America.

2. In the mid-19th century the towns grew and most people were engaged in
mining and manufacturing.

3. In 18th century England almost half the population consisted of poor

people.

4. Before the Industrial Revolution, most of the people in England lived in

villages and were engaged in agriculture.
7. Which of the following was NOT a colony of Britain in the West
Indies?

1. Tobago

2. Canada

3. Dominica

4. Grenada
8. Which of the following transformed life in 18th century England?

1. Making of Great Britain

2. The Industrial Revolution

3. Invention of the steam engine

4. Farming and mining

9. In British society, what was the social hierarchy of the following
classes from top to bottom? Select the correct order.

A. Yeomen and merchants

B. Craftsmen and labourers

C. Nobility

D. Gentry

1. CDAB 2. CADB

3. BADC 4. DCBA
10. In the early 18th century, people in England drank a lot of gin
because of which of the following reasons?

a. It was cheap.

b. It was easily available.

c. For many poor people drinking gin was their only comfort.

1. Only a and b are correct. 2. Only b and c are correct.

3. Only a and c are correct.

4. a, b and c all are correct.

Cloze Test - 1
Castles are home to a rich history. From blood feuds to tragic pasts, (1)
love affairs to alleged ghosts, no castle is ever (2) a secret to unveil.
Known locally as Chateaux Picomtal, Picomtal Castle (3) came under new
ownership. During renovation of the(4), a surprising discovery was made.
Messages (5) long ago were found on the floorboards of (6) upper
chambers. The messages were written (7)1880 and 1881 by Joachim
Martin; the carpenter (8) installed the flooring. His messages were a diary
of 72 entries of his daily (9), personal thoughts along with his emotions
and feelings. Joachim’s (10) is indeed a very personal account of the
history of those times. The discovery gives us an honest look at an
average person’s daily life over 135 years ago.
1. 1. since 2. from 3. till 4. with
2. 1. with 2. including 3. without 4. excluding
Castles are home to a rich history. From blood feuds to tragic pasts, (1)
love affairs to alleged ghosts, no castle is ever (2) a secret to unveil.
Known locally as Chateaux Picomtal, Picomtal Castle (3) came under new
ownership. During renovation of the(4), a surprising discovery was made.
Messages (5) long ago were found on the floorboards of (6) upper
chambers. The messages were written (7)1880 and 1881 by Joachim
Martin; the carpenter (8) installed the flooring. His messages were a diary
of 72 entries of his daily (9), personal thoughts along with his emotions
and feelings. Joachim’s (10) is indeed a very personal account of the
history of those times. The discovery gives us an honest look at an
average person’s daily life over 135 years ago.
3. 1. momentarily 2. presently 3. recently 4. justly
4. 1. property 2. land 3. possessions 4. commodity
Castles are home to a rich history. From blood feuds to tragic pasts, (1)
love affairs to alleged ghosts, no castle is ever (2) a secret to unveil.
Known locally as Chateaux Picomtal, Picomtal Castle (3) came under new
ownership. During renovation of the(4), a surprising discovery was made.
Messages (5) long ago were found on the floorboards of (6) upper
chambers. The messages were written (7)1880 and 1881 by Joachim
Martin; the carpenter (8) installed the flooring. His messages were a diary
of 72 entries of his daily (9), personal thoughts along with his emotions
and feelings. Joachim’s (10) is indeed a very personal account of the
history of those times. The discovery gives us an honest look at an
average person’s daily life over 135 years ago.
5. 1. wrote 2. written 3. to write 4. writing
6. 1. the 2. this 3. an 4. a
Castles are home to a rich history. From blood feuds to tragic pasts, (1)
love affairs to alleged ghosts, no castle is ever (2) a secret to unveil.
Known locally as Chateaux Picomtal, Picomtal Castle (3) came under new
ownership. During renovation of the(4), a surprising discovery was made.
Messages (5) long ago were found on the floorboards of (6) upper
chambers. The messages were written (7)1880 and 1881 by Joachim
Martin; the carpenter (8) installed the flooring. His messages were a diary
of 72 entries of his daily (9), personal thoughts along with his emotions
and feelings. Joachim’s (10) is indeed a very personal account of the
history of those times. The discovery gives us an honest look at an
average person’s daily life over 135 years ago.
7. 1. between 2. among 3. across 4. from
8. 1. who 2. that 3. which 4. what
Castles are home to a rich history. From blood feuds to tragic pasts, (1)
love affairs to alleged ghosts, no castle is ever (2) a secret to unveil.
Known locally as Chateaux Picomtal, Picomtal Castle (3) came under new
ownership. During renovation of the(4), a surprising discovery was made.
Messages (5) long ago were found on the floorboards of (6) upper
chambers. The messages were written (7)1880 and 1881 by Joachim
Martin; the carpenter (8) installed the flooring. His messages were a diary
of 72 entries of his daily (9), personal thoughts along with his emotions
and feelings. Joachim’s (10) is indeed a very personal account of the
history of those times. The discovery gives us an honest look at an
average person’s daily life over 135 years ago.
9. 1. time 2. being 3. life 4. breath
10. 1. message 2. diary 3. notebook 4. copy
 Cloze Test - 2
The air has become very dirty in (1) parts of the world. This is of
course (2) to your health. Experts say many people die (3) it each
year. There is a new study on (4) pollution which comes from the
experts of the World Health Organization (WHO) (5) is an agency of
the United Nations. If you (6) unhealthy air for long periods of time,
you could (7) sick. Air pollution has been linked to many diseases (8)
stroke and cancer. The WHO says that seven million (9) die each year
as a result of the (10) air.
1. 1. many 2. much 3. every 4. any
2. 1. harmful 2. wasteful 3. useful 4. helpful
3. 1. through 2. by 3. from 4. with
4. 1. land 2. noise 3. air 4. water
The air has become very dirty in (1) parts of the world. This is of
course (2) to your health. Experts say many people die (3) it each
year. There is a new study on (4) pollution which comes from the
experts of the World Health Organization (WHO) (5) is an agency of
the United Nations. If you (6) unhealthy air for long periods of time,
you could (7) sick. Air pollution has been linked to many diseases (8)
stroke and cancer. The WHO says that seven million (9) die each year
as a result of the (10) air.
5. 1. what 2. who 3. which 4. whom
6. 1. draw 2. gulp 3. inhale 4. gasp
7. 1. became 2. becoming 3. becomes 4. become
8. 1. similar 2. like 3. such 4. same
The air has become very dirty in (1) parts of the world. This is of
course (2) to your health. Experts say many people die (3) it each
year. There is a new study on (4) pollution which comes from the
experts of the World Health Organization (WHO) (5) is an agency of
the United Nations.If you (6) unhealthy air for long periods of time, you
could (7) sick. Air pollution has been linked to many diseases (8)
stroke and cancer. The WHO says that seven million (9) die each year
as a result of the (10) air.
9. 1. human 2. individual 3. people 4. person
10. 1. polluted 2. grimy 3. grubby 4. muddy
Sentence Arrangement
1. A. His role also includes the smooth flow of goods from farms and
factories to the consumer.

B. As the final link between the producer and the consumer, he plays a
key role in the economy.

C. It is he who promotes or impedes the sale of products.

D. The retailer determines the final cost of a product.

1. BACD 2. CABD

3. DCBA 4. ABCD
2. A. He stamped them mechanically and returned them to us.

B. They had information that large sums of money were being

smuggled out of the country.

C. No sooner had he left than the custom officers entered.

D. An official entered our train compartment and asked for passports.

1. CBDA

2. DCBA

3. ACBD 4. DACB
3. A. My father is the only breadwinner in the family.

B. My mother happily lends a helping hand in his hard work.

C. I belong to a family where it is difficult to make both ends meet.

D. He earns a rather meagre amount, working as a mason.

1. CADB

2. ACBD

3. ABCD

4. CBDA
4. A. Arrogance inflames prejudice and hatred, but humble speech
soothes.

B. Humility is the quality of being courteously respectful of others.

C. It is the opposite of arrogance, aggressiveness and vanity.

D. Thus, a humble demeanour is what is required to live in peace.

1. CADB 2. DACB

3. ACBD

4. BCAD
5. A. There are several factors that contribute to wisdom.

B. Doing this has become more difficult than before owing to the
complexity of the specialised knowledge required.

C. This is the capacity to take account of all important factors in a

problem and to attach to each its due weight.

D. Of these, I should put first a sense of proportion.

1. ACBD 2. ADCB

3. CDBA 4. CBAD
6. A. This usually results from a conviction on the part of the worker that
the boss is genuinely interested in his growth and development.

B. More attention should be paid to make this contact constructive and

productive.

C. The most vital spot in management is the contact between the

workers and the boss.

D. Constructive conditions prevail when mutual confidence and respect

exists between the supervisor and the supervised.

1. CBDA 2. CADB 3. DBCA 4. DABC

7. A. Some of these attachments can be quite cumbersome to use.

B. Appliances like food processors come with a load of attachments.

C. But, finding the right blade and fixing it in the right slot can be quite
a job.

D. For each different vegetable, you need to fix a different blade.

1. DCAB 2. BADC

3. BDAC

4. DACB
8. A. In fact he began his career as a peon in a small firm.

B. Before he joined us as the accounts officer, he was a junior clerk.

C. He learnt typing, accounting and even graduated.

D. But he gradually improved his qualifications.

1. CDAB 2. BADC

3. CBAD

4. BCDA
9. A. Suddenly, a motor bike came towards me from the opposite
direction.

B. The consequence of my daredevilry was a sprained ankle and a

bruised arm.

C. I was enjoying my hands-free ride at top speed.

D. I tried to swerve out of the way but lost control and fell.

1. CBDA 2. BCDA

3. BADC 4. CADB
10. A. She hugged my mom and almost screamed when she saw me.

B. It was a long ride before we finally reached.

C. A plump, over excited woman greeted us at the door.

D. Apparently, she had seen me as a baby and behaved as if she

didn’t expect me to grow up!

1. ADBC 2. CABD

3. BCAD

4. DACB