LANGUAGE USE

PART A) Choose the best option.

Online education today is an important part of education sector. One of the first famous online
schools ___________ (1) in Los Angeles, America. It was called “Online Academy”. The main
advantage of studying in that school was that people__________ (2) commute to a school every
day. In order not to _____________ (3) the regular schools, the course tried to provide the best
education with famous teachers with lots of interactive exercises online. However, there were
also some arguments against this course. Some people claimed that students ___________(4)
lacked in computer skills couldn’t reflect their real performance during the lessons. Seeing these
arguments, the institution decided ___________ (5) computer course at the weekends. Students
had the chance to learn not only computer skills but also how to prepare good presentations
during those courses. By the time the course ___________(6) many students had already made a
great progress in their lessons. Parents were also satisfied with this situation as they paid
___________ (7) money compared to the previous years. If they had sent their children to
private schools, they___________ (8) much more money for their education.Nearly 10 years
ago, there were about 1000 online education institutions available in different subjects. In the
last 10 years, this number ____________(9) and nowadays this trend has taken over the world.
As an education expert, I am sure that more and more students _____________ (10) these
online courses due to their convenient conditions in the future. Technology has made our lives
easier, but is it valid for education sector? This question can’t be answered accurately until we
___________(11) the long-term consequences of these online courses. You should consult an
expert before ___________ (12) your education path.

1. a.was founded b. is founded c.founded d.had been founded

2 a.had to b.were able to c. didn’t have to d.couldn’t
3. a.keep up with b.fall behind c. catch up with d. set out
4. a.who b. when c. whose d.which
5. a.doing b.to do c. do d.to be done
6. a.ended b.had ended c. were ended d.has ended
7. a.more b.less c.the least d.much
8.a. would spent b.would have spent c. couldn’t have spent d. will have spent
9. a.doubled b. has been doubling c.was doubled d.has doubled
10. a. will prefer b.would prefer c. are going to prefer d.will be preferred
11. a.see b.will see c. have been seen d.may see
12. a.choose b.to choose c.chosen d.choosing

PART B: Choose the best option.

Even if you have never touched a cigarette in your life, you are still at risk from smoking-
related diseases if you live, work or travel with smokers. When smokers and non- smokers share
the same room, the non-smokers cannot avoid ___________ (13) in some of the smokers'
tobacco smoke. This is called 'passive smoking'.
People's awareness ___________ (14) the dangers of smoking has increased a lot in recent
years.
Nowadays more people ___________ (15) up smoking than ever before. Recently, smoking
_________(16) from most forms of public transport, and nearly all public buildings
___________ (17) 'smoke-free zones'. ___________ (18), in the workplace many people are
exposed to the danger and discomfort of passive smoking.
There are many benefits to an employer taking action to create a smoke-free environment.
Firstly, the company has a better, cleaner image. Secondly, the workforce are___________ (19)
before, less likely to take time off due to illness, and more likely to stay with the company.
Thirdly, cleaning costs are greatly reduced for ___________ (20) the employer and the
employee, neither of them have to go home in clothes ___________ (21) stink of smoke.
Whenever a non-smoking policy ___________ (22), there is usually some protest to the
smokers. But eventually if the smokers ___________ (23) the benefits of working in a smoke-
free environment, many will be encouraged to give up ________(24) altogether. All of the non-
smokers hope that most smokers ___________(25) this unhealthy habit one day.

13. a.to breathe b.breathing c.breathe d.to be breathed

14. a.at b.about c.of d.for
15. a.are giving b.had given c.will give d.gave
16. a.banned b.has been banned c.is banning d.will ban
17. a. has b.are having c.have had d. had
18. a.Besides b.Although c.However d.In addition
19. a.healthier than b.the healthiest c. healthy d. so healthy
20. a.either b.both c.not only d.nor
21. a.whose b.where c.who d.which
22. a.was introduced b.is introduced c.will be introduced d.had been introduced

23. a.understood b.had understood c.understand d. will understand

24. a. smoking b.to smoke c.smoke d. smoked

25. a. will stop b. stopped c. would stop d. have stopped

PART C: Choose the best option.

Modern technology has brought about enormous improvements in communications, ___(16)___
many people are still worried about using the latest computer technology. I am often surprised
to meet colleagues who still don’t know ___(17)___ the ‘e’ in e-mail stands for and they are too
embarrassed to ask. They assume you have to be skilled ___(18)___ computers to send a
message via e-mail, but in fact it is ___(19)___ thing in the world. It is also cheaper to send an
e-mail message than to send an ordinary letter or a ‘snail’ message which also takes ___(20)___
longer.
26. a) for b) yet c) therefore d) despite
27. a) that b) where c) which d) what
28. a) in b) about c) to d) into
29. a) simpler b) simplest c) the simpler d) the simplest
30. a) few b) many c) much d) a lot of
VOCABULARY

Choose the best answer to make meaningful sentences.

1. Because of the _____ gravitational pull of the Moon, the shape of the Earth actually changes
as the largest oceans are pulled toward the Moon.
a) successful b) redundant c) dogmatic d) enormous
2. Deciding on which school to go to was a(n) _____ decision for me so I consulted anybody
who could be of help.
a) honest b) selective c) crucial d) irregular
3. The production and _____ of goods and services are the ultimate aim of all economic
endeavour.
a) conscience b) consumption c) broadcast d) disappearance
4. It is a well-known fact that the _____ of a large house requires a great deal of work.
a) purification b) solidarity c) consequence d) maintenance
5. A law that _____ tobacco advertising in newspapers and magazines has just been made
public.
a) prohibits b) recycles c) surrenders d) overcomes
6. Towards the end of the summer, all airlines are forced to _____ fares heavily in order to spur
demand.
a) discount b) satisfy c) spread d) reform
7. Although the literacy rate has increased _____ in the last fifty years, the overall quality of
education in the secondary schools has markedly deteriorated.
a) emotionally b) physically c) dramatically d) economically
8. Even though it was his first public concert, my brother performed _____ well the other night.
a) outstandingly b) ambiguously c) impatiently d) previously
9. It is our _____ to provide your business with the lowest possible rate combined with highest
level of customer service.
a) confidence b) attitude c) assignment d) priority
10. Do you think some TV programmes _____ public opinion through their selective publishing
and presentation of "news"?
a) adapt b) manipulate c) deviate d) promote

READING

PART A) Choose the best answer.

Rain Forests and the Earth’s Climate
The Importance of Rain Forests
Rain forests cover only about six percent of the earth’s surface, but they are very important to
the earth. What is a rain forest? It is an area of land that gets a lot of rainfall and is mostly
covered by tall, old trees. Some rain forests get up to 33 feet (10 meters) of rain each year. Some
of their trees are thousands of years old. Most of the world’s rain forests are in Africa, Asia,
Australia, Central America, and South America. More than half of the world’s plant animal
species live in rain forests or originally came from rain forests. Scientists continue to discover
plants in the rain forests that have medical value (useful for treating medical problems). In fact,
over 25 percent of the medicines we have come from rain forest plants. And there are still a lot
of plants.
The Effects of Rain Forests on the Earth’s Climate
But rain forests are important not only for the plants and animals that live in them and for the
medicines that come from them. They also have major effects on the earth’s atmosphere and
climate. According to some scientists, global warming is causing dangerous changes to earth’s
climate. Rain forests can help us fight global warming. Some scientists believe that rain forests
cool the atmosphere by absorbing the sun’s heat. Absorb means to soak up. Also, plants and
trees use carbon dioxide. The cause of global warming is an increase of gases like carbon
dioxide in our atmosphere. So rain forests can clean some of the excess (extra) carbon dioxide
out of the air.

How We Are Destroying Rain Forests

Rain forests are so important to the earth, but we are cutting them down and burning them very
quickly. Why? Some companies want to use the trees to make wood and paper. Others want to
use the land to raise animals or grow crops (plants that farmers grow to use as food). This is
dangerous for the climate in two ways. First, we are destroying something that helps cool down
the earth’s atmosphere. And second, by burning rain forests, we add a lot of carbon dioxide to
the air. In fact, the burning of rain forests is responsible for about 30 percent of the carbon
dioxide in our atmosphere. Some people believe that in 40 years, all the rain forests will be
destroyed. What will happen to the earth’s climate when the all rain forests are gone?
1. What is the main idea of this article?
a. Rain forests are important because they are very old and most of our medicines come from
their plants.
b. We need to protect rain forests because they are important to the earth in many ways.
c. We are destroying the rain forests very quickly.
d. The rain forests are important, but they do not have a major effect on the earth’s climate.
2. In some rain forests,……………
a. the trees grow to 33 feet
b. there are no animals because there is so much rain.
c. 33 feet of rain falls each year
d. 25 percent of the plants can be used for medicine.
3. Rain forests can be helpful to the earth because……………
a. they heat the atmosphere.
b. they put carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
c. they burn the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
d. they soak up the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
4. Scientists and researchers probably……………
a. are still looking for medicinal plants in rain forests.
b. are not looking for medicinal plants in the rain forests anymore.
c. don’t believe there are any more important plants to find in the rain forests.
d. all agree that global warming is harming the earth’s atmosphere.
5. Burning rain forests……………
a. helps farmers grow strong crops
b. adds carbon dioxide to the air
c. cools the atmosphere
d. cools the carbon dioxide in the air

PART B. Choose the best answer.

Cross-Cultural Business Blunders*

Many visitors to different countries don’t realize how important it is to understand a country’s culture.
Sometimes people learn this lesson by making a big cross-cultural blunder, or embarrassing mistake. In business
situations, these blunders can cost a lot of money or end business relationships.
When companies are trying to sell products, it’s very important for them to understand what is important to their
potential customers, and to understand a bit of their language. For example, one company wanted to sell
toothpaste in Southeast Asia. In their advertisements, they claimed that their toothpaste whitens teeth. They
didn’t understand that many of the local people chewed betel nuts to make their teeth black, and that these
people thought black teeth were attractive. In another case, a car company tried to sell a car called “Matador” in
a Spanish speaking country. The company thought that it was a strong name because it means “bullfighter”. In
Spanish, matador is indeed a noun meaning “bullfighter”. But it is also an adjective meaning “killing”. Imagine
driving around in a car called “Killing”!
Business meetings with people from another country can be very tricky when you don’t understand the other
ecountry’s culture. A European businessman had an important meeting with a company in Taiwan. He wanted to
bring gifts for the people he was meeting with. He thought that something with his company’s logo on it would
be a nice gift. So he bought some very nice pocket knives and had his company’s logo printed on them. He
didn’t know that giving a knife as a gift symbolizes cutting off a friendship! The Taiwanese businessmen were
very offended (angry and upset). But luckily, the European businessman was able to repair the relationship with
a lot of explanation and apology.
It’s very easy to make blunders like these people did. But it’s also very easy not to. Before you visit a new
country, research that country’s customs and etiquette (social rules for polite behavior). You can find a lot of
information online. Just go to a search engine and type in key words like “cross-cultural etiquette” or cultural
information Taiwan”. By spending a few minutes doing research, you can save yourself from a lot of
embarrassment and make sure you don’t accidentally offend anyone.
*Blunder: careless or stupid mistake

6. What is the main idea of this article?

a. People in Southeast Asia like to chew betel nuts.
b. It’s important to understand other people’s culture’s before you do business with them.
c. It’s dangerous to understand other people’s cultures before you do business with them.
d. Proper business etiquette in most countries is difficult for foreigners to understand.

7. The toothpaste company probably ________

a. changed their advertisement in Southeast Asia.
b. tried to convince people in Southeast Asia that betel nuts are bad for your teeth.
c. kept using the same advertisement in Southeast Asia.
d. started to sell cars instead of toothpaste.

8. The car company that tried to sell a car to a Spanish-speaking country probably ____
a. sold a lot of Matador cars in that country.
b. changed the name of the car to “Killing”.
c. didn’t sell many Matador cars in that country.
d. were offended by their potential customers.

9. The European businessman probably ______

a. researches new cultures before he visits them now.
b. doesn’t do business in Taiwan anymore.
c. always brings pocket knives as gifts to business meetings
d. didn’t care that he offended the Taiwanese businessmen.

10. What can you do to save yourself from making cross-cultural blunders?
a. You can’t do anything.
b. You can disagree with people when they say you did something wrong .
c. You can teach people from other countries how you do things in your culture.
d. You can do research on the Internet.

PART C) Choose the best answer.

Most countries have anti-smoking laws. However, whether or not these laws are enforced differs by country. In
Canada, smoking laws are enforced. Police have shut down bars and restaurants simply because people were
smoking in them.
Singapore is even stricter. Not only are public places smoke free, but you can be fined if you smoke while
waiting for a taxi or bus–outside! And these fines are high, sometimes up to six thousand dollars.
However, Bhutan takes the award for being the most anti-smoking nation. Although visitors to Bhutan can take
cigarettes into the country, it is illegal for them to give cigarettes to Bhutanese people. It is illegal for the people
of Bhutan to smoke anywhere, and you cannot buy cigarettes in Bhutan.
On the other side of the coin, China does have anti-smoking laws, but you wouldn’t know it. China banned
smoking in public places in 1996, but the ban is ignored. If you are fined for smoking, it isn’t much more than a
dollar or two. It’s the same in Russia. People are still smoking at work and in hospitals. You can, however, be
fined for smoking on public transportation.

11.What would be the best title for this reading?

a. Smoking in Russia
b. Dying for a Cigarette
c. How to Enforce Anti-smoking Laws
d. Smoking by Country

12. In the first paragraph, “them” refers to____.

a. police
b. anti-smoking laws
c. bars and restaurants
d. people

13. What does the passage imply about anti-smoking laws in Bhutan?
a. They are enforced.
b. They are not enforced.
c. They were enacted only recently.
d. They were enacted over a hundred years ago.
14.What is the best definition for “fine” (paragraph 2) as used in this reading?
a. Good or OK
b. Of very high quality
c. Very thin or small
d. Paying money for doing something wrong

15. Which of the following sentences is NOT true?

a. China has strict anti-smoking laws.
b. Bhutan has the strictest anti-smoking laws.
c. Russia’s anti-smoking laws are not as strict as Canada’s.
d. Anti-smoking laws are enforced in Singapore.