Part I. Fill in each numbered blank with one suitable word.

Write your
answers in the numbered spaces given below. ( 5.0 points)
Society has changed in many ways since the introduction of computers, and
people's lives at home and at the office have been (1) affected . Most people
are working for fewer hours per week than they (2) used to, and
manufacturers and advertising agencies are becoming much more interested
in (3) how people spend this extra leisure time. One recent report stated that
(4) although the number of hobbies had not increased; each hobby had
become more specialized. A second (5) finding is that nowadays, many
managers would rather spend time with their families than stay (6) late in the
office every day. Home life seems to be just as important as working. Some
companies now make managers (7) take their annual holidays even if they
don't want to, because this leads to such an (8) improvement in their
performance if they have some rest. In spite of these changes, some people
are working harder than ever before. The standard of exams is getting higher,
and increased competition is (9) making it harder to get into university than it
was 20 years ago.School children and students are now having to work so
hard that in many cases they work (10) longer hours than their parents.
Part II. Read the text below and decide which answer A, B, C or D best
fits each gap. Write your answers in the numbered spaces given below. (
5.0 points)
In a healthy relationship, both partners respect, trust and embrace (0)
____differences. Both partners are able to communicate (1) ____ their needs
and listen to their partner, and work to resolve conflict in a rational and (2)
____ way. But maintaining a healthy relationship (3) ____ for skills many
young people are never taught. A lack of these skills, and (4) ____ up in a
society that sometimes celebrates violence or in a community that
experiences a high (5) ____ of violence, can lead to unhealthy and even
violent relationships among youth.
Dating violence (6) ____ psychological or emotional violence, such as
controlling behaviours or jealousy; physical violence, such as hitting or
punching. More than 20 per cent of all adolescents report having experienced
(7) ____ psychological or physical violence from an intimate partner - and
underreporting remains a concern.
Adolescents, (8) ____ older adolescents, often have romantic relationships,
which are long-term, serious, and intimate. Society has a responsibility to
provide young people with the resources, skills, and space (9) ____ to
safeguard their physical and emotional well being in these (10) ____ dating
abuse victimisation. Research also has shown that programmes intended to
prevent dating violence can be successful
0. A. another's B. each another's C. each other's D. one another's
1. A. effective B. effectively C. effectiveness D. ineffective
2. A. non-violent B. violently C. violent D. violence
3. A. asks B. calls C. looks D. requires
4. A. bringing B. growing C. raising D. taking
5. A. amount B. number C. rate D. scale
6. A. comprises B. consists C. contains D. includes
7. A. both B. either C. neither D. whether
8. A. especial B. especially C. special D. specially
9. A. necessitating B. necessarily C. necessary D. necessity
10. A. address B. confess C. deny D. obey
Part III. Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to
each of the following questions (A, B, C or D). Write your answers in the
numbered spaces given below. (5.0 points)
The Winterthur Museum is a collection and a house. There are many
museums devoted to the decorative arts and many house museums, but rarely
in the United States is a great collection displayed in a great country house.
Passing through successive generations of a single family, Winterthur has
been a private estate for more than a century. Even after the extensive
renovations made to it between 1929 and 1931, the house remained a family
residence. This fact is of importance to the atmosphere and effect of the
museum. The impression of a lived-in house is apparent to the visitor; the
rooms look as if they were vacated only a short while ago ― whether by the
original owners of the furniture of the most recent residents of the house can
be a matter of personal interpretation. Winterthur remains, then, a house in
which a collection of furniture and architectural elements has been
assembled. Like an English country house, it is an organic structure; the
house, as well as the collection and manner of displaying it to the visitor, has
changed over the years. The changes have coincided with developing
concepts of the American arts, increased knowledge on the part of collectors
and students, and a progression toward the achievement of a historical effect
in period-room displays. The rooms at Winterthur have followed this current,
yet still retained the character of a private house.
The concept of a period room as a display technique has developed gradually
over the years in an effort to present works of art in a context that would
show them to grater effect and would give them more meaning for the
viewer. Comparable to the habitat group in a natural history museum, the
period room represents the decorative arts in a lively and interesting manner
and provides an opportunity to assemble objects related by style, date, or
place of manufacture.
1. What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. The reason that Winterthur was redesigned
B. Elements that make Winterthur an unusual museum
C. How Winterthur compares to English country houses
D. Historical furniture contained in Winterthur
2. The word “assembled” in line 11 is closest in meaning to
A. summoned B. appreciated
C. brought together D. fundamentally changed
3. According to the passage, objects in a period room are related by all of the
following EXCEPT
A. date B. style C. place of manufacture D. past ownership
4. What is the relationship between the two paragraphs in the passage?
A. The second paragraph explains a term that was mentioned in the first
paragraph.
B. Each paragraph describes a different approach to the display of objects in
a museum.
C. The second paragraph of explains a philosophy art appreciation that
contrasts with the philosophy explained in the first paragraph.
D. Each paragraph describes a different historical period.
5. Where is the passage does the author explain why displays at Winterthur
have changed?
A. Lines 1-3 B. Lines 5-6 C. Lines 7-10 D. Lines 13-16
Part IV. Read the following text, then choose the best phrase from A-G
to fill in each of the gaps. There is one extra phrase you don’t need to
use. Write your answers in the numbered table. There is an example at
the beginning. (5 points)

A. Choose your author D. You can read wherever you

are
B. If necessary, be brutal E. Change your free time
C. You don’t have to finish F.The importance of reading
every book

0. …F. The importance of

reading………………………………………..
Nobody would argue that reading books is a bad thing. We may feel that
Arnold Bennett was going slightly over the top when he said that the man
who does not read books is merely not born. He can’t see, he can’t hear, he
can’t feel, in any full sense. He can only eat his dinner but more often than
not, we would agree, reading a book is normally better than watching
television. So, most of us would really quite like to read.
1 …
. E………………………………………………………………………..
A recent government survey of what we actually do revealed that the
average woman spends the equivalent of only five days a year reading ( the
average man four days), compared to 56 days watching television. Cutting
down on time spent in front of the box should give you some spare hours,
and if you are male you’re even luckier. The same survey also discovered
that the average man spends 17 days a year ‘doing nothing at all’.
2 ……
. D…………………………………………………………………….
 If you examine your day for reading opportunities, you will discover
lots of free time. Standing at the dentist’s waiting room, queuing up for
things: the occasional 10-20 minutes here and there quickly add up. But the
time will fly if you always have your book with you.
3 …………
. B……………………………………………………………….
Books are there to be read. You can generally buy classics for £1, so
don’t be overprotective with them. Read in the bath (in the shower may not
be such a good idea). I once found myself with 75 pages of a Dickens novel
left to read, and a plane to catch. Rather than spend a two-week holiday
lumbered with a 900-page book I pulled the last 100 pages out and took them
with me.
4 …………
. A……………………………………………………………….
There are 106,000 books published in Britain every year. The best of
seven centuries worth of literature is published in paperback. There has to be
something you would like. Identifying it may take time. Be guided by what
you have enjoyed in the past and branch out from there: Roald Dahl ? Then
try R. L Stine. Stephen King ? Then try Clive Barker. Agatha Christie? Then
try Patricia Highsmith or Ruth Rendell.
5 …………
. C……………………………………………………………….
If you are not particularly enjoying a book, you are guaranteed to find 143
other things to do instead of reading. Consequently, it will take months to
finish and put you off picking up another. When you find this happening,
stop reading this book and start another immediately.
Part I. Fill in each gap with ONE suitable word to complete the following
paragraph. (20.0 points)
Charlie Chaplin was born in a very poor part of London. (1) his father
was a comedian and his mother worked (2) asa dancer and a singer. Neither
of them (3) was successful so the family (4) had very little money. The first
time he himself earned (5) money by dancing and singing, he was only five
years old. He did many kinds of jobs, but what he loved best was working (6)
in the theatre.
 When he (7) was about fifteen, he joined a traveling theatre company
and went on trips to America. On one such tour, (8) he was offered a part in a
film, so he went to Hollywood, where he eventually became both a famous
actor (9) and film director.
He died in Switzerland in 1977, at the (10) age of 88. There is now a
statue of him in Leicester Square, London, the city of his birth and early up-
bringing.
Part II. Choose the correct answer A, B, C or D that best fits each of the blank
spaces. (10.0 points)
Teenagers do not spend as much money as their parents suspect – at least not
according to the findings of a (1) _____ survey. The survey (2) _____ 300
teenagers, 13 - 18 years old, from all over Britain.
By the time they reach their teens, most children see their weekly (3) ______
rise dramatically to an amazing national average of £20. Two thirds think
they (4) ______ enough money, but most expect to have to do something to
get it.
Although they have more cash, worry about debt is (5) ______ among
teenagers. Therefore, the majority of children make an effort to (6) ______
some aside for the future.
Greater access (7) ______ cash among teenagers does not, however, mean
that they are more irresponsible (8) ______ a result. Instead of wasting (9)
______ pocket money they have on sweets or magazines, the 13-year-olds
who took part in the survey seem to (10) ______ to the situation by saving
more than half of their cash.
1.A.late B.recent C.latest D.fresh
2.A.included B.contained C.counted D.enclosed
3.A.allowance B.support C.bonus D.profit
4.A.accept B.earn C.make D.get
5.A.gaining B.heightening C.increasing D.building
6.A.put B.save C.spare D.keep
7.A.to B.with C.from D.along
8.A.like B.as C.for D.in
9.A.that B.whether C.which D.what
10.A.reply B.answer C.respond D.return

Your answers:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Part III. Read the passage below and choose the best answer A, B, C or
D. (10.0 points)
How social media affect teens’ mental health
In a recent study, more than one-third of teens say that they are using social
media sites such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. There are
certain risks to teens’ mental health when they overuse social media.
First, too much use of social media can occupy their time for other important
activities. They may be reluctant to be in person with friends and family or
not get enough sleep. If these problems continue in a long time, teens may
suffer from stress and anxiety. Second, contents on social media may be
violent, dangerous or inaccurate. Watching violent acts may give teens the
sense that aggression is normal and acceptable. This may lead them to
behave aggressively as what they see online. Social media can also present
idealised images of people, which may result in increasing worries about
body image in teens.
All in all, it is important that parents encourage healthy social media habits
for their teens. They may do so by establishing family rules about social
media use, being a role model of healthy internet use, and having ongoing
conversations with teens about their activities on social networking sites.
These should be done on a regular basis.
1. According to the text, about ____________ of teens are using social
media.
A. 33% B. 25% C. 20% D. 13%
2. The lack of ____________ and in-person contact with friends may lead to teens’
stress and anxiety.
A. family B. social media C. contents D. sleep
3. Seeing violence on social media sites may result in teens’ ____________
behaviours.
A. normal B. acceptable C. anxious D. aggressive
4. Parents should establish good social media ____________ for their teens.
A. sites B. habits C. image D. safety
5. The word ongoing in the last paragraph is closest in meaning with
____________.
A. moving B. never-ending C. regular D. immediate
Part I. Fill in each gap with ONE suitable word to complete the following
passage. (10 points)
All men should (1) study We study to (2)widen our knowledge and develop
our intelligence. Education (3)plays an important role in our life. First of all,
we have to learn (4) how to observe accurately, to think truthfully, to speak
correctly and to write clearly. Education gives us (5)knowledge of things
around us and it preserves the national noble traditions and customs from
generation to generation. Education makes a person perfect. An (6) educated
man is both talented and virtuous. In every country, the government consider
education (7) considers the most important policy. Some (8) a us sometimes
think that we have finished our education when we left school or (9)graduate
from a university. Actually, real education should (10) never finish.
Your answers:
1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.
Part II. Choose the best option A, B, C or D to fill in spaces in the following
passage. (20 points)
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
Earth is the only place we know of in the universe that can support human
life (1) ______ human activities are making the planet less fit to live on. As
the western world carries on consuming two-thirds of the world's resources
while half of the world's population do so (2) ______ to stay alive we are
rapidly destroying the (3) ______ resource we have by which all people can
survive and prosper. Everywhere fertile soil is (4) ______ built on or washed
into the sea. Renewable resources are exploited so much that they will never
be able to recover (5) ______ We discharge pollutants into the atmosphere
without any thought of the consequences. As a (6) ______ the planet's ability
to support people is being reduced at the very time when rising human
numbers and consumption are (7) ______increasingly heavy demands on it.
The Earth's (8) ______ resources are there for us to use. We need food,
water, air, energy, medicines, warmth, shelter and minerals to (9) ______ us
fed, comfortable, healthy and active. If we are sensible in how we use the
resources they will (10)______ indefinitely. But if we use them wastefully
and excessively they will soon run out and everyone will suffer.
1. A. still B. despite C. yet D. although
2. A. for B. just C. already D.
entirely
3. A. lone B. Individual C. lonely D.
alone
4. A. sooner B. rather C. either D.
neither
5. A. completely B. quite C. greatly D. utterly
6. A. result B. product C. development D. reaction
7. A. having B. doing C. taking D.
making
8. A. natural B. real C. living D.
genuine
9. A. stay B. keep C. maintain D. hold
10. A. last B. stand C. remain
D. go
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Part III. Read the following passage and select the best answer to each of the
questions. (20 points)
Butterflies are among the most extensively studied insects-an estimated 90
percent of the world's species have scientific names. As a consequence, they
are perhaps the best group of insects for examining patters of terrestrial biotic
diversity and distribution. Butterflies also have a favorable image with the
general public. Hence, they are an excellent group for communicating
information on science and conservation issues such as diversity.
Perhaps the aspect of butterfly diversity that has received the most attention
over the past century is the striking difference in species richness between
tropical and temperate regions.
For example, in 1875 one biologist pointed out the diversity of butterflies in
the Amazon when he mentioned that about 700 species were found within an
hour's walk, whereas the total number found on the British islands did not
exceed 66, and the whole of Europe supported only 321. This early
comparison of tropical and temperate butterfly richness has been well
confirmed.
A general theory of diversity would have to predict not only this difference
between temperate and tropical zones, but also patterns within each region,
and how these patterns vary among different animal and plant groups.
However, for butterflies, variation of species richness within temperate or
tropical regions, rather than between them, is poorly understood. Indeed,
comparisons of numbers of species among the Amazon basins, tropical Asia,
and Africa are still mostly "personal communication" citations, even for
vertebrates. In other words, unlike comparison between temperate and
tropical areas, these patterns are still in the documentation phase.
In documenting geographical variation in butterfly diversity, some arbitrary,
practical decisions are made. Diversity, number of species, and species
richness are used synonymously; little is known about the evenness of
butterfly distribution. The New World butterflies make up the preponderance
of examples because they are the most familiar species. It is hoped that by
focusing on them, the errors generated by imperfect and incomplete
taxonomy will be minimized.
1. Which aspect of butterflies does the passage mainly discuss?
A. Their adaptation to different habitats B. Their names
C. Their physical characteristics D. Their variety
2. The word “consequence” in the passage is closest in meaning to "
_______".
A. explanation B. result C. analysis D. requirement
3. Butterflies are a good example for communicating information about
conservation issues because they ________.
A. are found mainly in temperate climates B. have been given scientific
names C. are simple in structure D. are viewed
positively by people
4. The word striking in the passage is closet in meaning to "_______".
A. successful B. noticeable C. confusing D. physical
5. The word exceed in the passage is closet in meaning to "_______".
A. come close to B. locate C. go beyond D. allow
6. All of the following are mentioned as being important parts of a general
theory of diversity EXCEPT.
A. migration among temperate and tropical zones
B. variation of patterns of distribution of species among different animals
and plants C. differences between temperate and tropical zones
D. patterns of distribution of species in each region
7. The author mentions tropical Asia in the passage as an example of a
location where _______.
A. butterflies are affected by human populations
B. documenting plant species is more difficult than documenting butterfly
species C. butterfly behavior varies with climate
D. a general theory of butterfly diversity has not yet been firmly
established
8. Which of the following is NOT well understood by biologists?
A. Differences in species richness between temperate and tropical regions
B. Comparisons of behavior patterns of butterflies and certain animal groups
C. European butterfly habitats
D. Differences in species richness within a temperate or a tropical region
9. The idea "little is known about the evenness of butterfly distribution" is
that _______.
A. we know about butterfly evenness distribution to some extent.
B. we don't know anything about butterfly evenness distribution.
 C. there are many other things that we don't know about butterfly evenness
distribution. D. we know much about butterfly evenness distribution.
10. The word generated in the passage is closet in meaning to "_______".
A. caused B. assisted C. estimated D.
requested
Your answers:
Part I. Fill in each gap with ONE suitable word to complete the
following paragraph. (20 points)
A hundred years ago, most people traveled on foot, by train, or on horseback.
Railways made (1) it possible to travel rapidly over long distances. (2)
bicycles were also becoming popular, after the invention of the air - filled
tire, which made cycling a lot more comfortable. Buses, trams and
underground railways (3) were invented, and cities all over the (4) have
already had traffic jams. There were very (5) few private cars and city streets
were still full of horses.
What a difference a hundred years have made? Nowadays we have got
used (6) to the problem of private cars, and some cities are (7) so noisy and
polluted that in many places vehicles have been banned from the city center.
(8) how will we travel in a hundred years’ time? Perhaps by then there will
be only personal helicopters. (9) theremay be no need to travel to work or
school in the future, since everyone will have a computer at home. There
might even be more (10) people walking and horse - riding, for pleasure and
exercise.
Write your answers here:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Part II. Choose the best word A, B, C or D to fill in spaces in the

following passage. (10 points)
The computer is undoubtedly one of the most (1) ............ and important
inventions of the twentieth century. Boring or time-consuming jobs which, in
the past, would have been (2) ............ by hundreds of workers can now be
done by one small computer. However, the (3) ............ of the computer has
not been entirely problem-free. Many people feel that we are already too
(4) ............ on computers. They think that computers themselves are
(5) ............ too powerful, and that people are no longer in control of them.
One of the problems with a computer is that, like any other machines, it
can (6) ............ If a computer is (7) ............, the information it is storing can
be lost. If a computer program has a(n) (8) ............ in it, the computer’s
calculation can be seriously (9) ............ . A faulty program in a hospital or
police computer could (10) . ............ terrible mistakes.
1. A- shocking B- amazing C- astonishing D- surprising
2. A- done out B- made out C- carried out D- figured out
3. A- usage B- experiment C- introduction D- operation
4. A- dependent B- based C- influenced D- carried
5. A- becoming B- getting C- running D- turning
6. A- break up B- break downC- break into D- break out
7. A- changed B- modified C- contaminated D- damaged
8. A- foul B- abnormality C- wrongdoing D- error
9. A- devalued B- affected C- fooled D- broken
10. A- do B- produce C- find D- cause
Part III. Read the passage and choose the correct answer. (10 points)
Various types of fog are essentially clouds that from at the earth’s surface,
produced by temperature differences and moisture in the air. As warm,
moisture-laden air cools, its relative humidity (the amount of moisture that
air can contain, which depends on the temperature) increases. Warm air can
hold more water vapor than cold air. So if the air is cooled suffiently it will
reach saturation, or the dew point, at which point the moisture begins to
condense out of the air and form wate droplets, creating fog.
1. What is the author’s main purpose in this passage?
A. To describe various types of fog
B. To explain how fog is formed
C. To define relative humidity.
D. To conpare the effects of warm air and cold air
2. It can be concluded from the passage that
A. Foggy days are caused by cold nights.
B. Fog is likely to form in desert areas.
C. Hot humid days are usually followed bay coid, foggy nights
D. Fog could form on a cld evening after a warm day.
3.This passage would most likely be written by...................................
A. An archeologist B. A biologist
C. A meteorologist D. A psychologist
4.Warm air can hold more water vapour than..........................................
A. Cold air B.polluted C.Fresh air D.Hot air
5.The tone of this pasage could best be described as................................
A. Humorous B. Argumentative
C. Objective D.Persuasive
Part I. Fill in each gap with ONE suitable word to complete the
following paragraph (5 points)
THE IMPORTANCE OF READING
Reading is good (1) for us. In fact, there is plenty of evidence that
reading for pleasure is more than just another leisure pursuit - it actually
improves our mental and (2) physical health. Reading extended texts such as
novels or biographies, (3) which requires intense concentration for a
considerable period of time, helps to lengthen attention spans in children and
improves their ability to think clearly. However, experts say it is essential to
acquire the habit of reading extensively (4) from a small child, while the
brain is still developing.
Reading can undoubtedly (5) be beneficial to our mental well-being. Reading
not (6) only helps combat feelings (7of loneliness, it also allows people to
relax and forget their problems for (8) a while. The concentration required (9
in the act of reading seems to ease muscle tension and slow the heart rate.
Researchers have found that just six minutes of reading can reduce stress
levels by as (10) much as two-thirds.
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Part II. Choose the best word A, B, C or D to fill in spaces in the

following passage. (5 points)
Fish farming is only one of the many (1)_______ experiments man has
begun in the endless battle to feed himself. It is not as easy as it (2)_______ .
One doesn’t simply find a pond, stock it with fish and wait for them to
(3)______ . I knew one amateur who did just this. He (4)________ on his
pond as a fishing hole for his friends. One morning he awoke to find its
surface (5)__________ with dead fish. They had died quite naturally –
(6)_______ suffocation. Commercially (7)______ fresh – water fish need just
that – and plenty of it. A good stream feeding the pond is one way to
(8)_____________ that fish will stay healthy. (9)____ does it supply life-
giving oxygen, it also helps to clear away the fish’s own (10)_______ matter.
With the oceans being overfished in recent decades, fish farming may soon
take over there too.
1. A. new B. modern C. late D. recent
2. A. sounds B. hears C. listens D. feels
3.A. bear B. grow C. grow up D. multiply
4. A. looked B. thought C. worked D. went
5. A. full B. filled C. covered D. spread
6. A. of B. from C. because of D. due to
7. A. fed B. made C. raised D. kept
8. A. insure B. ensure C. assure D. reassure
9. A. Only B. Not only C. Nor D. What
10. A. D. thrown-
rubbish B.refuse C. waste away
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Part III. Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to
each of the questions below. (10 points)
Charity organizations are responsible for most of the help extended to the
destitute. Each organization caters to a different group of people. .
The Red Cross is a well-known organization that has centers in countries
all over the world, it had its beginnings in a smail Italian town in 1859. A
fierce battle was taking place then and more than forty thousand people were
wounded. The medical services of the army were inadequate. The situation
horrified a Swiss businessman who then wrote a book depicting the dreadful
situation. His book was the impetus for the setting up of the charity
organizations,
Today, countries emulate the workings Of the Red Cross. They carry out
fund raising activities to help children who cannot receive an education or
victims of natural disasters. Both the young and old contribute willingly to
these organizations. In fact, without these charity organizations, millions of
people around the world would perish because of poverty or natural disasters.
In India, a compassionate woman started PUSS (Palli Unnayan Sevi Samiti).
Supported by social workers and teachers, she has helped hundreds of
children received proper education. Without her help, the literacy rate in
India would be much lower than what it is today.
Charity organizations are crucial today: They cannot function without the
benevolent people who help to run these organizations.
1. Charity organizations .
A. are willing to most of the help even people not having food.
B. only help people who don’t have food and other things necessary for life.
C. are in charge of deaf people who don't have money.
D. provide food and drinks for a group of people.
2.
The word “well-known'' (line 3) has closest meaning with_________ .
A. thankful B. popular C. available D. gratitude
3. The first center of the Red Cross was in ________
A. India B. SwitzerlandC. Italy D. Singapore
4. The purpose of setting up the Red Cross is helping__________ .
A sick children B. injured soldiers C. hungry people D. beggars
5. What is the book (paragragh 2) about?
A. People’s poverty. B. People suffering in the world.
C. Children with no education. D. Help from charity organizations.
6. Nowadays, many countries try to__________.
A. found the Red Cross B.do as best as the Red
Cross
C. improve the activities of the Red Cross. D. admire the Red Cross
II. Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer A, B, C, or D
to each of the following questions.(20 points)
Aviculturists, people who raise birds for commercial sale, have not yet
learned how to simulate the natural incubation of parrot eggs in the wild.
They continue to look for better ways to increase egg production and to
improve chick survival rates.
When parrots incubate their eggs in the wild, the temperature and humidity
of the nest are controlled naturally. Heat is transferred from the bird’s skin to
the top portion of the eggshell, leaving the sides and bottom of the egg at a
cooler temperature. This temperature gradient may be vital to successful
hatching. Nest construction can contribute to this temperature gradient. Nests
of loosely arranged sticks, rocks, or dirt are cooler in temperature at the
bottom where the egg contacts the nesting material. Such nests also act as
humidity regulators by allowing rain to drain into the bottom sections of the
nest so that the eggs are not in direct contact with the water. As the water that
collects in the bottom of the nest evaporates, the water vapor rises and is
heated by the incubating bird, which adds significant humidity to the
incubation environment.
In artificial incubation programs, aviculturists remove eggs from the nests of
parrots and incubate them under laboratory conditions. Most commercial
incubators heat the eggs fairly evenly from top to bottom, thus ignoring the
bird’s method of natural incubation, and perhaps reducing the viability and
survivability of the hatching chicks. When incubators are not used,
aviculturists sometimes suspend wooden boxes outdoors to use as nests in
which to place eggs. In areas where weather can become cold after eggs are
laid, it is very important to maintain a deep foundation of nesting material to
act as insulator against the cold bottom of the box. If eggs rest against the
wooden bottom in extremely cold weather conditions, they can become
chilled to a point where the embryo can no longer survive. Similarly, these
boxes should be protected from direct sunlight to avoid high temperatures
that are also fatal to the growing embryo. Nesting material should be added
in sufficient amounts to avoid both extreme temperature situations mentioned
above and assure that the eggs have a soft, secure place to rest.
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Nesting material varies according to the parrots’ environment.
 B. Humidity is an important factor in incubating parrots’ eggs.
C. Aviculturists have constructed the ideal nest box for parrots.
D. Wild parrots’ nests provide information useful for artificial incubation.
2. What happens when the temperature of the sides and bottom of the egg is
cooler than the top?
A. There may be a good chance for successful incubation.
B. The embryo will not develop normally.
C. The incubating parent moves the egg to a new position.
D. The incubation process is slowed down.
3. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT TRUE?
A. Nests in the wild can regulate humidity.
B. Nest construction plays a pivotal role in the successful hatching.
C. Aviculturists are not aware of how to simulate the natural incubation of
parrot eggs in the wild.
D. The condition in the laboratory is more ideal for the survivability of
hatching chicks than that in nature.
4. According to paragraph 2, the construction of the nest allows water to
__________.
A. provide a beneficial source of humidity in the nest
B. loosen the materials at the bottom of the nest
C. keep the nest in a clean condition
D. touch the bottom of the eggs
5. The word “They” in the first paragraph refers to __________.
A. people B. survival rates C. aviculturists D. parrot eggs
6. All of the following are parts of a parrot’s incubation method EXCEPT.
__________.
A. heating water vapor as it rises from the bottom of the nest
B. arranging nesting material at the bottom of the eggshell
C. transferring heat from the parent to the top of the eggshell
D. maintaining a constant temperature on the eggshell
7. The word “suspend” is closest in meaning to __________.
A. build B. paint C. hang D. move
8. According to paragraph 3, a deep foundation of nesting material provides
__________.
A. a constant source of humidity B. a strong nest box
 C. more room for newly hatched D. protection against cold weather
chicks
9. The word “fatal” is closest in meaning to __________.
A. close B. deadly C. natural D. hot
10. It can be inferred from the passage that commercial incubators
__________.
A. lack the natural temperature changes of the outdoors
B. are unable to heat the eggs evenly
C. do not transfer heat to the egg in the same way the parent bird does
D. are expensive to operate
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
III. Read the passage carefully and fill each blank with ONE suitable
word. (20 pts)
Most human diets (1) __________ between 10 and 15 percent of their total
calories as protein. The rest of the (2) __________ energy comes from
carbohydrates, fats, and in some people, alcohol. The proportion of calories
from fats (3) __________ from 10 percent in poor communities to 40 percent
or more in rich communities.
In addition to providing energy, fats have several other functions in the body.
The fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K, are (4) __________ in fats, as their
name implies. Good sources of these vitamins have high oil or fat content,
and the vitamins are (5) __________ in the body’s fatty tissues. In the diet,
fats cause food to remain longer in the stomach, thus increasing the feeling of
fullness for some time after a meal is eaten. Fats add variety, taste, and
texture to foods, which (6) __________ for the popularity of fried foods.
Fatty deposits in the body have an insulating and protective value. The
curves of the human female body are (7) __________ mostly to strategically
located fat deposits.
(8) __________ a certain amount of fat in the diet is essential to human
health is not definitely known. When rats are fed a (9) __________ diet, their
growth eventually ceases, their skin becomes inflamed and scaly, and their
reproductive systems are damaged. Two fatty acids, linoleic and arachidonic
acids, prevent these abnormalities and hence are called essential fatty acids.
They also are required by a number of other animals, but their roles in human
beings are debatable. Most nutritionists consider linoleic fatty acid an
essential (10) __________ for humans.