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The Thames is the longest and best-known river in Britain. It is 210 miles/338 kilometres ___(1)___ and flows from the Cotswolds in central England to the North Sea after through London. Other famous towns on the river ___(2)___ Oxford, Windsor 1, Henley and Greenwich. ___(3)___ bridges across the Thames in London are London Bridge, Tower Bridge and Westminster Bridge. Large ships can sail ___(4)___ the Thames ___(5)___ London and smaller ones a further 86 miles/138 kilometres. A large area in the east of London was formerly a major port on the river, but in recent times this Docklands area has been ___(6)___. The Thames Barrier is a large barrier ___(7)___ across the River Thames at Woolwich, east of London, to prevent London from being flooded. It was completed in 1982 and ___(8) ___ opened in 1984. It consists of ten gates, which ___(9)___ on the bottom of the river when the barrier is not required. If there is a danger of flooding, the gates rise to form a solid ___(10)___ 50 feet/15 metres high

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Voluntary work is work that you do not get paid for and usually involves in doing things to help other people, especially the elderly or the sick. or working on (1)_____of a charity or similar organization. Most charitable organizations rely on unpaid volunteers, and thousands of Americans and British people give many hours of their time to doing some form of social work or organizing - fund raising events to support the work. Volunteering is especially popular in the US and the reasons this may be found in (2)_____ American values such as the Protestant work ethic, the idea that work improves the person who does it, and the belief that people can change their (3)_____ if they try hard enough. In the US young people over 18 can take part in AmeriCorps, a government programme that (4)_____ them to work as volunteers for a period of time, with the (5)_____ of help in paying for their education later. Older Americans who do not work may spend much of their free time volunteering. In Britain a lot of voluntary work is directed towards supporting the country‘s social services.The WRVS and other organizations run a meals- on- wheels service in many parts of Britain, (6)_____hot food for old people who are (7)_____to cook for themselves. The nationwide Citizens Advice Bureau, which offers free advice to the public (8)_____ a wide range of issues, is run (9)_____by volunteers, and the Blood Transfusion Service relies on voluntary blood donors to give blood for use in hospitals. Political parties use volunteers at election time, and Churches depend on volunteers to (10)_____building clean

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How lucky can you be? Twelve-year-old Eloise Noakes has got the best job in the world – trying out (34) ______ new games. A leading company held a competition to find young testers and Eloise was selected to test games which are about to be (35) ______ onto the market. Each week she is given a different game to play before recording her thoughts on a form (36) ______ was designed by the company. As the company director said, “What better way to find out about games than to put them in the hands of the customers who will make most use of them?” Eloise is delighted with her new job, but she also takes it very seriously. She is allowed to keep the games after testing them. (37) ______, she has decided instead to give them away to children less (38) ______ than herself. “I’ve got plenty of games and some children don’t have any,” she explained

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Years ago there were many social rules and etiquette procedures (1)_______ introductions. Some formal introductions between two people were (2)_______ by letter by third party. A person had to be very careful to weigh the importance of social class or status, age, and gender when deciding (3)_______ person should be presented or introduced to the other person first. (4) ________, times have changed, and most of the social rules about introducing older people to younger ones, women to men, and those in higher positions to those in lower positions have changed, too. Many people now feel much more (5) _______ about making introductions. In most situations, handshaking is (6) ________, but these days it is more often done than not-especially in formal social or business settings. It's very common for one person (or both) to (7) ________a hand when meeting someone. If you are in this situation, and you are offered a hand to shake, you should grasp it firmly and shake it briefly. People often tend to make some (8)_____________about someone (9)_________ to their handshakes, so make sure yours is not too weak or limp, not too hard, and not too longlasting. It  should be firm and brief

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Few people now question the reality of global warming and its effects on the worlds climate. Mary scientists (1) ________ the blame for recent natural disasters on the increase in the worlds temperatures and are convinced that, more than (2) ________ before, the Earth is at risk from the forces of the wind, rain and sun. (3) ________ to them, global warming is making extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and droughts, even more (4) ________ and causing sea levels all around the world to (5) ________ . Environmental groups are putting (6) ________ on govemments to take action to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide which is given (7) ________ by factories and power plants, thus attracking the problem at its source. They are in (8) ________ of more money being spent on research into solar, wind and wave energy devices, which could then replace existing power (9) ________ . Some scientists, (10) ________ , believe that even if we stopped releasing carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere tomorrow, we would have to wait several hundred years to notice the result. Global I warming, it seems, is to stay

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(35) ….. educational specialists believe that early schooling should provide children (36) ….. an awareness of their own abilities (37) ….. the self – confidence (38) ….. their abilities. One approach recognized by many experts (39) ….. promoting these qualities is the Montessori method, first practiced by Maria Montessori of Italy (40) ….. the early 1900s. Nancy McCormick Rambusch is credited with (41) ….. the method in the United States, where today (42) ….. over 400 Montessori schools. The method helps children (43) ….. for themselves by providing them with instructional materials and tasks that facilitate acts of discovery and manipulation. Through such exploration, children develop their sense of touch and learn (44) ….. do everyday tasks without adult assistance. Other benefits include improvement in language skills, and acquaintance with elements of science, music, and art

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It is now extremely popular to take a gap year between school and university or university and work, and tospend it travelling. There are plenty of reasons to recommend it - travel (1) ______ the mind, you‟re only youngonce,lifeisn't a rehearsal and so on.And if you don't do it, you may always regret that you didn't take the (2) ______. In the end, there's only one response: well, why not? The idea may have its (3) _____ from the 18thcentury. Grand Tour once undertaken by the young, rich and noble, but it the middle classes who have (4) ____ it into something that 200.000 British youngsters do every year. (5) ______ has never been so easy and cheap, with more places open to tourists than ever. Also, the gap year is now (6) ______ by many employers and universities. The States, the Far East and Australia were among the original (7) _______ and although these remain in the (8) ________ five, young explorers are now going (9) _______ farther. The most far-flung comers of the world are (10) _______ in popularity year by year.

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According to a recent TV program, noise pollution is becoming an increasingly serious problem. Background noise such as (18)_____, police sirens and aeroplanes is growing year by year, and complaints to the police are becoming more and more (19)_____. However, for people like Mary Norman, who lives close to London Heathrow airport, the situation is particularly bad. ―It‘s becoming very difficult to (20)_____ a normal family life,‘ she told an interviewer, ‗because the planes start first thing in the morning. They make a terrible noise, as you can imagine, and it (21)_____ on all day long. Of course I have complained about it but nobody takes any notice. I‘m fed (22)_____ with living here, but unfortunately I can‘t afford to move. Researchers believe that the problem is getting worse. They have found that people who are exposed to high levels of noise become (23)_____ aggressive. Take the case of Henry Wilson, who was (24)_____ mad by a neighbor who insisted on playing his music at full volume. One night, he finally lost his (25)_____. After being forced to listen to heavy metal songs for hours, he burst into his neighbor‘s house, poured petrol all over the carpets and (26)_____ to set fire to the place. When he finally appeared in court, the judge was surprisingly understanding. He (27)_____ to send him to jail, saying that he had suffered enough

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Researchers in the field of psychology have found that one of the best ways to make an important decision, such as choosing a university to attend or a business ……(1)…….., involves the utilization of a decision worksheet. Psychologists ……(2)…….. optimization compare the actual decisions made by people to theoretical ideal decisions to see how similar they are. Proponents of the worksheet procedure believe that it will yield optimal, that is, the best decisions. ……(3)…….. there are several variations on the exact format that worksheets can take, they are all similar in their essential aspects. Worksheets require defining the problem ……(4)…….. a clear and concise way and then listing all possible solutions to the problem. Next, the pertinent considerations that will be affected by each decision are listed, and the relative importance of each consideration or consequence ……(5)……... Each consideration is assigned a numerical value to reflect its relative importance. A decision is mathematically calculated by adding these values together. The alternative with the highest number of points emerges as the best decision. Since most important problems are multifaceted, there are several alternatives to choose from, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. One of the benefits of a pencil and paper ……(6)…….. procedure is that it permits people to deal with more variables than their minds can generally comprehend and remember. …… (7)…….., people can keep about seven ideas in their minds at once. A worksheet can be especially useful when the decision involves a large ……(8)…….. of variables with complex relationships. A realistic example for many college students is the question "What will I do after graduation?" A graduate might seek a position that offers specialized training, pursue an advanced degree, or ……(9)…….. for a year. A decision-making worksheet begins with a succinct statement of the problem that will also help to narrow it. It is important to be clear about the distinction between long-range and immediate goals because long-range goals often involve a different decision than short-range ones. Focusing on long-range goals, a graduating student might revise the question above to "What will I do after graduation that will ……(10)…….. a successful career?"

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It can (45) _________along time to become successful in your chosen field, however talented you are. One thing you have to be (46) _________ of is that you will face criticism along the way. The world is full of people who would rather say something negative than positive. If you‘ve made up your (47) _________ to achieve a certain goal, such as writing a novel, don‘t let the negative criticism of others prevent you from reaching your (48)_________ and let constructive criticism have a positive (49) _________ on your work. If someone says you‘re totally (50) _________ in talent, ignore them. That‘s negative criticism. If, however, someone advises you to revise your work and gives you good reasons for doing so, you should (51) _________ their suggestions carefully. There are many film stars who were once out of (52) _________. There are many famous novelists who made a complete (53) _________ of their first novel - or who didn‘t, but had to keep on approaching hundreds of publishers before they could get it published. Being successful does depend on luck, to a certain extent. But things are more likely to (54) _________ well if you persevere and stay positive

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the undelined part that needs correction in each of the following questions:
As a result of pollution, Lake Erie, on the borders of the USA and Canada, is now without any living things. Pollutions in water are not simply a matter of “poisons” killing large numbers of fish overnight. Very often the effects of pollution are not noticed for many months or years because the first organisms to be affected are either plants or plankton. But these organisms are the food of fish and birds and other creatures. When this food disappears, the fish and birds die in this way a whole food chain can be wiped out, and it is not until dead fish and water birds are seen at the river’s edge or on the sea shore that people realize what is happening. Where do the substances which pollute the water come from? There are two main sources – sewage and industrial waste. As more detergent is used in the home, so more of it is finally put into our rivers, lakes and seas. Detergents harm water birds dissolving the natural substance which keep their feather waterproof. Sewage itself, if it is not properly treated, makes the water dirty and prevents all forms of life in rivers and the sea from receiving the oxygen they need. Industrial waste is even more harmful since there are many high poisonous things in it, such as copper and lead. So, if we want to stop this pollution, the answer is simple, sewage and industrial waste must be made clean before flowing into the water. It may already be too late to save some rivers and lakes, but others can still be saved if the correct action is taken at once.

The living things die because there is no     in the lake or river.

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One of the hottest topics on the international development agenda is how to harness the power of International Monetary Fund for the benefit of developing countries. What is sometimes called ―the death of distance‖, brought about by the (55) , allow (56) education and training to be provided easily and quickly to (57) areas. Some of the gains can be seen in countries as diverse as India and Morocco, where innovations range from (58) government announcements to local craftsmen selling their wares to a (59) market. But already a huge and expanding (60) divide is opening up between developed and developing nations. The major tasks facing world leaders at present is to (61) everybody on the planet with clean water, basic education and the drugs needed to fight preventable diseases. Installing a (62) in every classroom and liking us to (63) must be a lesser (64) , for the time being at least

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the undelined part that needs correction in each of the following questions:
In the 1960s, The Beatles were probably the most famous pop group in the whole world. Since then, there havebeen a great many groups that have achieved enormous fame, so it is perhaps difficult now to imagine how sensational The Beatles were at that time. They were four boys from the north of England and none of them had any training in music. They started by performing and recording songs by black Americans and they had some success with these songs. Then they started writing their own songs and that was when they became really popular. The Beatles changed pop music. They were the first pop group to achieve great success from songs they had written themselves. After that it became common for groups and singers to write their own songs. The Beatles did not have a long career. Their first hit record was in 1963 and they split up in 1970. They stopped doing live performances in 1966 because it had become too dangerous for them - their fans were so excited that they surrounded them and tried to take their clothes as souvenirs! However, today some of their songs remain as famous as they were when they first came out. Throughout the world, many people can sing part of a Beatles song if you ask them.

The word “they” in line 10 refers to     .

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Higher Education in the UK Students who have successfully completed an A-level course may go to university to do (1)_____ three- or four-year course leading to a first degree such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), etc. They apply to several universities which then (2)_____ an offer of a place specifying the minimum grades the student needs to obtain in the A level subjects studied. Higher education is not (3)_____. In principle, students have to pay a contribution to the cost of teaching (tuition fees) and have also to pay their living costs (maintenance). The government provides (4)_____ to help them pay for university education which have to be paid back from earnings once their income reaches a certain (5)_____. In recent years government policy has been to (6)_____ the percentage of 18-year olds (7)_____ go to university, which is now, at 40%, double the 1990 figure, but this growth has been at the (8)______ of the amount of financial support given to individual students. Universities receive money (9)_____ the state for each student and are responsible for employing staff and deciding which courses to offer. The head of a university, who is (10)_____ for its management, is called a vice-chancellor.

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School exams are, generally speaking, the first kind of test we take. They find out how much knowledge we have gained. But do they really show how intelligent we are? After all, isn‘t it a (1) ________ that some people who are very academically successful don‘t have any common sense. Intelligence is the speed (2) ________ which we can understand and react to new situations and it is usually tested by logic puzzles. Although scientist are now preparing (3)________ computer technology that will be able to ―read‖ our brains, (4)________ tests are still the most popular ways of measuring intelligence. A person‘s IQ is their intelligence (5) ________ it is measured by a special test. The most common IT tests are (6)________ by Mensa, an organization that was found in England in 1946. By 1976, it had 1,300 members in Britain. Today there are 44,000 in Britain and 100,000 (7)___________, largely in the US. People taking the tests are judged in (8)________ to an average score of 100, and those who score over 148 are entitled to join Mensa. This works out at 2 percent of the population. Anyone from the age of six can take tests. All the questions are straightforward and most people can answer them if (9)________ enough time. But that‘s the problem; the whole (10)________ of the test is that they‘re against the clock

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the undelined part that needs correction in each of the following questions:
Under the Medicare insurance policy, people approaching 65 may enroll during the seven-month period that includes three months before the sixty-fifth birthday, the month in which the birthday falls, and three months after the birthday. However, if they wish the insurance coverage to begin when they reach 65, they must enroll three months before their birthday. People who do not enroll within their first enrollment period may enroll later, during the first three months of each year. Those people, however, must pay 10% additional for each twelve-month period that elapsed since they first could have enrolled.
The monthly premium is deducted from social security payment, railroad retirement or civil service retirement benefits.

The period after the sixty-fifth birthday during which people may apply for Medicare is     .

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that bestfits each of the numbered blanks.
The relationship between students and teachers is less formal in the USA than in many other countries. American students do not stand up (1)......... their teachers enter the room. Students are encouraged to ask questions during class, to stop in the teacher’s office for extra help, and to phone if they are absent. Most teachers (2) .................. students to enter class late or leave early if necessary. (3)........ the lack of formality, students are still expected to be polite to their teachers and fellow classmates.
When students want to ask questions, they usually (4) .................. a hand and wait to be called on. When a test is being given, talking to a classmate is not only rude but also risky. Most American teachers consider that students who are talking to each other (5)........a test are cheating.

(2)..........................

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The overall outlook for the hotel and tourism industry in Vietnam is very (1)____ . Tourism is viewed as an important economic (2)____ in the future development of this country, and it is easy to see why Vietnam , among the countries in South East Asia, has become increasingly popular as a new (3)____ destination. The sublime beauty of the country‘s natural settings is very (4)____ . The sights, the sounds and the tastes of Vietnam leave a lasting memory for many foreign (5)____ . Its key destination such as Dalat, PhanThiet, Hoi An or NhaTrang are offering, indeed, great tourism (6)____ . Combine this with the friendly nature of the Vietnamese people and the current political (7)____ , and we are set for solid growth pattern for the years to come. It is therefore not a surprise that foreign (8)____ to Vietnam have steadily increased during the past few years. Also important is the increasing demand from the domestic market. It is projected that 17 million domestic (9)____ will make a short trip in 2005 within the country for leisure and (10)____

Choose the letter A, B, C or D to complete the passage below.

"Kumbh Vivah: India

Indian men and women born as Mangliks - meaning Mars is situated in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th house of a person’s Rashi (Indian astrological moon sign) - are believed __________ (1). It is believed that Mangalik Dosha negatively impacts married life, causing tension and sometimes the untimely death of one of the partners. To cancel ___________ (2) effects, a Kumbh Vivah can be performed before the wedding. This is a wedding between a Mangalik and either a statue of Vishnu or a Peepal tree or banana tree. The celebrated Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai had one such marriage with a tree before marrying her husband, Abhishek."

2. To cancel ___________ (2) effects, a Kumbh Vivah can be performed before the wedding. This is a wedding between a Mangalik and either a statue of Vishnu or a Peepal tree or banana tree.

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Throughout history people have always communicated with one another, not only by speech but also by movements of the hands and body. It is, however, only (42) ______ the last few years that these aspects of communication have been studied at all widely. This type of communication is known as body language or non-verbal communication. People sometimes wonder (43) ______ you can learn how body language works. It is of course possible to read books on the subject but you also need to (44) ______ time observing people‘s movements. A railway station is a particular good place for such observation, as here people can be seen openly expressing eagerness, sorrow, delight, impatience and many other human emotions by (45) _____ of movement. If you turn down the sound on your television set and try to understand (46) _____ is happening simply by watching the picture you will learn even more about communication (47) _____ words. By turning the sound back up every five (48) ______ or so, it is possible to check how accurate your (49) ______ is. Having studied the art of body language you will have a definite (50) ______ at a boring party. You will be able to sit on your own for the whole evening and thoroughly enjoy yourself by both watching (51) ______ interpreting the body language of all the other people there

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The well-being of America's rural people and places depends upon many things - the availability of good-paying jobs; (1)______ to critical services such as education, health care, and communication; strong communities; and a healthy natural environment. And, (2)______ urban America is equally dependent upon these things, the challenges to well-being look very different in rural areas than in urban areas. Small-scale, low-density settlement (3)______ make it more costly for communities and businesses to provide critical services. Declining jobs and income in the natural resource-based industries that many rural areas depend on (4)______ workers in those industries to find new ways to make a living. Low-skill, low-wage rural manufacturing industries must find new ways to challenge the increasing number of (5)______ competitors. Distance and remoteness impede many rural areas from being connected to the urban centers of economic activity. Finally, changes in the availability and use of natural resources located in rural areas (6)______ the people who earn a living from those resources and those who (7)______ recreational and other benefits from them. Some rural areas have met these challenges successfully, achieved some level of prosperity, and are ready (8)______ the challenges of the future. Others have neither met the current challenges nor positioned themselves for the future. Thus, concern for rural America is real. And, while rural America is a producer of critical goods and services, the (9)______ goes beyond economics. Rural America is also home to a fifth of the Nation's people, keeper of natural amenities and national treasures, and safeguard of a/an (10)______ part of American culture, tradition, and history