Choose the best answer:
When you read something in a foreign language, you frequently come across words you do not (45)______ understand. Sometimes you (46)______ the meaning in a dictionary and sometimes you guess. The strategy you adopt depends very much upon the (47)______of accuracy you require and the time at your disposal. If you are the sort of person who tends to turn to the dictionary frequently, it is (48)_______remembering that every dictionary has its limitations. Each definition is only an approximation and one builds up an accurate picture of the meaning of a word only after meeting it in a (49)__________of contexts. It is also important to recognize the special dangers of dictionaries that translate from English into your native language and vice versa. If you must use a dictionary, it is usually far safer to (50)________an English- English dictionary. When you read something in a foreign language, you frequently come across words you do not (45)______ understand. Sometimes you (46)______ the meaning in a dictionary and sometimes you guess. The strategy you adopt depends very much upon the (47)______of accuracy you require and the time at your disposal. If you are the sort of person who tends to turn to the dictionary frequently, it is (48)_______remembering that every dictionary has its limitations. Each definition is only an approximation and one builds up an accurate picture of the meaning of a word only after meeting it in a (49)__________of contexts. It is also important to recognize the special dangers of dictionaries that translate from English into your native language and vice versa. If you must use a dictionary, it is usually far safer to (50)________an English- English dictionary

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When the word "endangered" is mentioned, people usually think of particular species, like the panda or whooping crane. However, we would like to encourage you to think about (1) _______ in a broader context. It is (2) _______, the physical places where species live and interact with one another. Although the development of special breeding programs, also known as captive conservation, may help some species in some cases, it is clearly not (3) _______ answer to the global problem. Indeed, (4) _______ we are able to protect natural areas where endangered species actually live, they have no future Species become endangered for a wide (5) ________ of reasons. By analyzing and grouping many individual cases, however, we find the same broad causes (6) _________ again and again. They are Habitat Destruction, Exotic Species, and Overexploitation. Among other factors threatening particular species are limited: distribution, disease, and pollution. Limited distributions are often a consequence of other threats: populations confined to one or a few small areas because of habitat (7) _________, for example, may be disastrously affected by random factors. Diseases can have severe (8) _________ on species lacking natural genetic protections against particular pathogens, like the rabies and canine distemper viruses that are currently devastating carnivore populations in East Africa. Domestic animals are usually the reservoirs of these and other diseases affecting wild (9) _________, showing once again that human activities lie at the root of most causes of endangerment. Pollution has seriously done harm (10) _________ number of terrestrial species, although species living in freshwater and marine ecosystems are also suffering

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:
Most Americans look forward to their vacation. Most American employees receive an annual vacation with pay, and it is traditional to use this time off for travel.
Travelling within the United States is very popular because foreign travel generally takes more time and money. Every year about thirteen million people travel abroad. The most popular periods are during the summer and the two-week school break on Christmas and New Year holidays. These periods are also the most crowded and the most expensive time to travel, so people who can adjust their schedules sometimes choose to travel in the autumn.
American tourists often travel by car. Most families own a car, and those who do not have a car can rent one. Cars are usually the most economical way to travel, especially for families. It is also fairly fast and convenient. Exellent highway with motels and restaurants nearby connect the nation’s major cities. They enable tourists to travel at a speed of 55 to 66 miles an hour. Tourists that want to travel faster often fly to their destination and then rent a car when they get there.

Which of the following is not mentioned in the text?

Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answer.

Traditions, saying, beliefs, language, and values are just a few things that make up our culture. Culture is the framework in which families are structured. It shapes our expectations and ideals. Culture plays a part in the meaning of marriage and our roles as husbands, wives, children and parents. Understanding cultural differences and similarities related to marriage is important. Culture affects the roles that spouses take within marriages, the age at marriage and number of children a couple have, the meaning of divorce, cohabitation and non-marital childbearing, and the way parents raise children. Understanding how relationships and marriages vary across cultural contexts, and how they are similar, we will be able to identify the unique ways that marriages and family life affect people of various cultures. As a result, we will be able to help families and sustain happy marriages. A cross cultural marriage or similar love relationship can be extremely exciting. The cultural background, visits to the other country, the language of the country and learning to speak it, the different habits and ways of doing and saying things that people from other cultures have, are all very exciting indeed. What of the disadvantages of a cross cultural marriage or love relationship with someone from another country or cultural background? No matter how much you love your husband or wife, no matter how high your level of cross cultural awareness, cross cultural communication and respect for differences. Misunderstanding seems to be unavoidable.

The passage is about _________.

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The popular image of student life is of young people with few responsibilities enjoying themselves and (1)_____ very little work. This is often not true. Many older people now study at college or university, sometimes (2)_____ a part-time basis while having a job and looking after a family. These students are often (3)_____ motivated and work very hard . Younger students are often thought to be lazy and careless about money but this (4)_____ is changing. In Britain reduced government support for higher education means that students can no longer rely on having their expenses (5)_____ for them. Formerly, students received a grant towards their living expenses. Now most can only get a loan (6)_____ has to be paid back. Since 1999 they have paid over $1 000 towards tuition (7)_____ and this amount will increase up to a maximum of $ 3 000. In the US students already (8)_____ pay for tuition and room and board . Many get a financial aid package which may include grants, scholarships and loans. The fear of having large debts places (10)_____ pressure on students and many take part-time jobs during the term and work full-time in the vacations

Choose the best answer:
Lifelong learning is now becoming a must for everyone in the modern world. Many people, however, find it overwhelming, as being lifelong learners means they will have to keep studying for their entire life. The following are several strategies to promote lifelong learning. First, start with a clear purpose. Study something that you will likely have many uses in the future. Design learning goals that should serve you in your career path, as well as in your personal interests. You will need to think of the learning experience as continuous investment rather than a one-off endeavor. Second, choose something that is really enjoyable for you. You will need to have fun all through the pursuit of knowledge and skills, which will be an endless journey. The ‘fun' part will always keep you motivated, even during the hard times. Third, lifelong learning is not just about keeping on studying; you will need to think through what you have learned, and find out how to apply it in your work and personal life. Don't read too much and use your brain too little. Think more often; meditate on the ideas that you feel might make your work and/or life better. Those are the key strategies to make sure your lifelong learning is studying smart rather than studying hard. Remember, the lifelong learning movement is unstoppable.
5. Which of the following is NOT true about strategies for lifelong learning?

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:
No matter who we are or where we are from, we only have 24 hours each day to get things done. Some people seem to make the most of their time, using it to achieve their goals and dreams. Others feel that life is passing them by and they aren’t accomplishing anything. If you are in the latter group, it is not too late to turn things around. By implementing a few simple hacks, you can start getting better results very quickly.
If you want to become more productive, it pays to learn about the Pareto principle (which is also known as the 80-20 rule). It states that for most tasks, 80 percent of the results we get come from 20 percent of the work we do. For example. 80 percent of the company sales usually come from 20 percent of customers. Therefore, the trick is to focus your efforts on the key 20 percent of actions that truly matter to greatly improve your results.
In some cases, people may be busy from morning to night but still seem to get nothing done. In this situation, the problem might be that clear goals haven’t been set. To fix this, set some time aside to list the things you want to achieve in life. Then, select the top three or four that you want to focus on for the next year. Look at your goals every night before bedtime and ask yourself what are the next actions to accomplish each day. Then, promise yourself that you will finish these tasks no matter how busy you get. If possible try completing the tasks first thing in the morning so you are assured of success.
Another common mistake regarding productivity is not considering our energy levels. If we try to work around the clock, we will eventually get tired and quit. Everyone needs time to sleep, eat, socialize with friends, and unwind from the stress of the day. To make sure you don’t burn out, be sure to schedule some time for breaks and fun activities into your schedule every day. Finally, no matter how difficult your goals may seem, remember the old saying that “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

Which of the following sentences is true?

Choose the best answer:
Our family has got many books. All the …(33)……… of our family buy books and read them. My mother says that books help us in self-education. In ancient times, books ……(34)…… written by hand. It was difficult to write a book …(35)……… a pen. Then printing came into our life. Printing played an important ……(36)…. in the development of literature and culture. Now there are a lot of books in the shops, there are many books in our flats. But it is difficult to buy all books …(37)……… we want to read. That‘s why we get books in public libraries. There are some problems in our life and sometimes it is difficult to ……(38)… them. I think that books can help us. Last year I read a very interesting book ― An American Tragedy‖ by Theodore Dreiser. This novel was …(39)…… at the beginning of the 20th century. The novel ……(40)……. The tragic fate of a boy and a girl, Clyde and Roberta ……(41)…… name. It is a sad story. This novel was written many years ago, but it is …(42)……… nowadays. Books must be our friends during our life

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:
It's called 42 - the name taken from the answer to the meaning of life, from the science fiction series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. 42 was founded by French technology billionaire Xavier Niel, whose backing means there are no tuition fees and accommodation is free. Mr Niel and his co-founders come from the world of technology and start-ups, and they are trying to do to education what Facebook did to communication and Airbnb to accommodation.
Students at 42 are given a choice of projects that they might be set in a job as a software engineer - perhaps to design a website or a computer game. They complete a project using resources freely available on the Internet and by seeking help from their fellow students, who work alongside them in a large open- plan room full of computers. Another student will then be randomly assigned to mark their work.
The founders claim this method of learning makes up for shortcomings in the traditional education system, which they say encourages students to be passive recipients of knowledge. "Peer-to-peer learning develops students with the confidence to search for solutions by themselves, often in quite creative and ingenious ways."
Like in computer games, the students are asked to design and they go up a level by completing a project. They graduate when they reach level 21, which usually takes three to five years. And at the end, there is a certificate but no formal degree. Recent graduates are now working at companies including IBM, Amazon, and Tesla, as well as starting their own firms.
"The feedback we have had from employers is that our graduates are more apt to go off and find out information for themselves, rather than asking their supervisors what to do next," says Brittany Bir, chief operating officer of 42 in California and a graduate of its sister school in Paris. Ms Bir says 42's graduates will be better able to work with others and discuss and defend their ideas - an important skill in the "real world" of work. "This is particularly important in computer programming, where individuals are notorious for lacking certain human skills," she says.
But could 42's model of teacherless learning work in mainstream universities? Brittany Bir admits 42's methods do not suit all students. "It suits individuals who are very disciplined and self- motivated, and who are not scared by having the freedom to work at their own pace," she says.

Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

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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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Tattooing is an old art. In ancient Greece, people who had tattoos were regarded as members of the (16) __________ classes. On the other hand, tattooing was (17) __________ in Europe by the early Christians, who thought that it was a sinful thing to (18) __________. It was not until the late 18th century, when Captain Cook saw South Sea Islander decorating their bodies with tattoos that attitudes began to change. Sailors came back from these islands with pictures of Christ on their backs and from then on, tattooing (19)__________ in popularity. A survey by the French army in 1881 (20) __________ that among the 387 men (21) __________there were 1,333 designs. Nowadays, not everybody finds tattoos acceptable. Some people thing that getting one is silly because tattoos are more or less permanent. There is also some (22) __________ about (23) __________ a blood disease from unsterilized needles. Even for those who do want a tattoo, the (24) __________ of getting one is not painless, but the final result, in their eyes, is (25) __________ the pain

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Denmark is the smallest and most southerly of the countries of Scandinavia. (1) ____ lie in northern Europe. It is probably best (2) ____ for being home to the powerful Vikings, (3) ____ 1,000 years ago. Denmark is a small country, with limited natural (4) ____. Nevertheless, it has become one of the richest countries in the (5) ____. Denmark has its own (6) ____ culture and traditions, and a tongue−twisting language, which includes several different dialects. Although Denmark is a member (7) ____ the European Union, recently it has been reluctant to work more closely with the EU and give up (8) ____ of its independence. Wealth in Denmark is shared out more evenly than in most countries, because people pay high taxes. Many workers pay more than 50 percent of their wages in tax. The money is used to pay (9)____ a welfare system which includes health care, benefits for the unemployed and the elderly, and public services. Compared to the rest of the world, it is (10) ____ to become either very rich or very poor in Denmark

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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. 

Choose the best answer:
However objective we believe ourselves to be, most of us do not judge a product solely on its merits, considering quality, value and style before making a decision. (1)________, we are easily influenced by the people around us. There is nothing (2)___________ with this. It is probably a smarter way to make decisions than (3)________ on only our own opinions. But it does make life hard for companies. They have long understood that groups of friends and relatives tend to buy the same products, but understanding the reasons has been tricky. It is because they are so similar with (4)_______ to how much money they make and what television ads they watch that they independently (5)________ at the same decision? Or do they copy one another, perhaps (6)______ envy or perhaps because they have shared information about the products? Research in Finland recently found overwhelming evidence that neighbours have a big influence on buying decisions. When one of a person‘s ten nearest neighbours bought a car, the chances that that person would buy a car of the same brand during the next week and a half (7)__________ by 86 per cent. The researchers argued that it was not just a (8)_________ of envy. Used cars seemed to attract neighbours even more than new cars. This suggested that people were not trying to (9)_______ up with their neighbours, they were keen to learn from them. Since used cars are less reliable, a recommendation of one can (10)________influence a buying decision

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Bodies are made to move! They are not (19) _________for sitting around in front of the television or reading magazines. Keeping fit doesn‘t (20) _________you have to be a super-athlete, and even (21) ______exercise can give you a lot of fun. When you are fit and healthy, you will find you look better and feel better. You will develop more energy and self-confidence. Every time you move, you are exercising. The human body is designed to bend, stretch, run, jump and climb. (22) _________it does, the stronger and fitter it will become. Best of all, exercise is fun. It‘s what your body likes doing most-keeping on the (23) _________. Physical exercise is not only good for your body. People who take regular exercise are usually happier, more relaxed and more alert (24) _________people who sit around all day. Try an experiment-next time you are (25) _________a bad mood, go for a walk or play a ball game in the park. See how much better you feel after an hour. A good (26) _________of achievement is yet another benefit of exercise. People feel good about themselves when they know they have (27) _________their fitness. People who exercise regularly will tell you that they find they have more energy to enjoy life. So have (28) _________-you‘ll soon see and feel the benefits

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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)____

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The first question we might ask is: What can you learn in college that will help you in being an employee? The school teach a (1) ____ many things of value to the future accountant, doctor or electrician. Do they also teach anything of value to the future employee? Yes, they teach the one thing that it is perhaps most valuable for the future employee to know. But very few students bother (2) _____ it. This basic is the skill ability to organize and express ideas in writing and in speaking. This means that your success as an employee will depend on your ability to communicate with people and to (3) _____ your own thoughts and ideas to them so they will (4) _____ understand what you are driving at and be persuaded. Of course, skill in expression is not enough (5) _____ itself. You must have something to say in the first place. The effectiveness of your job depends (6) ____ your ability to make other people understand your work as they do on the quality of the work itself. Expressing one's thoughts is one skill that the school can (7) _____ teach. The foundations for skill in expression have to be (8) ____ early: an interest in and an ear (9) ___ language; experience in organizing ideas and data, in brushing aside the irrelevant, and above all the habit of verbal expression. If you do not lay these foundations (10) ___ your school years, you may never have an opportunity again

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.

To word “elapsed” in the passage most closely means     .

Read the following passage and then choose the best answer.

When people plan to marry, they expect to find in their partner not only a lover but a friend also. They find a person with whom they can share their opinions, their emotions, thoughts and fears. In marriage we are looking for a partner who will be able to understand our values, our likes and dislikes.

If a man and a woman are born and raised in the same country, most likely they are familiar with the same songs, movies, jokes, books and life in general. They basically have the same roots. In the case of a western man and foreign woman family everything is more complicated and requires much more patience and understanding from both spouses. On one hand each of the partners has an opportunity to learn a great deal about the other's country, culture, traditions and life styles which can be very interesting. On the other hand it can be very disappointing if there is the inability to understand your partner's excitements and frustrations. For example, you are watching the television and suddenly you see a famous actor or singer, or other type of an artist whose name you have grown up with. Maybe this artist was an idol for your parents and the music of this artist was often played in your house when you were a child. Unfortunately you realize that your wife is unable to understand your feelings because she has no idea who this artist is. Her eyes are absolutely empty because she has never even heard the song before. You feel rather disappointed! Remember that your wife has the same situation with you. You do not know her country's songs, her country's famous actors, her books. She has her own memories and in actuality, for her, everything is much more difficult than it is for you. At least, you live in your own country where everybody can understand you. She lives in completely strange surroundings, where she has nobody to share her feelings with, except you.

Do some research and learn about your wife's country, culture and lifestyles. Talk with her, ask her questions, get to know what songs she likes, what movies and books are of interest to her. The Internet will give you a great opportunity to find anything! Tell her about your country's culture, let her listen to the music that you like, rent a movie for her that left you with great impression. Let her understand you better through the things that you like. Patience and time will help you to fight cultural differences.

A spouse should …………

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According to a magazine article I read recently, we (1) _____live in an age of increasing leisure. Not only are more and more people reaching (2) _____ age with their taste for enjoyment and even adventure relatively (3) _____ but the working week is becoming shorter and the opportunities for (4) _____ are becoming greater and greater all the time. Not to mention the fact that people tend to spend less time traveling to work or may even be working from home. What I can‘t understand, however, is who these people are. As far as I can (5) _____ the whole thing is another one of those journalistic fictions. I admit that there are a lot of retired people (6) _____but I am not sure that all of them are dashing about learning hang-gliding or sailing single-handed (7) _____ the world. My own parents seem to spend most of their time gazing at the television. And as for the shorter working week, I wish someone would remind my company about it. I seem to be working longer hours (8) _____the time. The little leisure time I have is eaten into by sitting in traffic jams or waiting for trains to (9) _____up at rain-swept platforms. I haven‘t noticed any dramatic improvements in my (10) _____either, but perhaps I just have to wait until I get my pension

Choose the best answer:
Nearly 200 of the 1500 native plant species in Hawaii are at risk of going extinct in the near future because they have been (1) ____ to such low numbers. Approximately 90 percent of Hawaii's plants are found nowhere else in the world but they are (2) ____ by alien invasive species such as feral goats, pigs, rodents and (3) ____ plants. The Hawaii Rare Plant Restoration Group is striving to (4) ____ the extinction of the 182 rare Hawaiian plants with fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the (5) ____ . Since 1990, (6) ____ a result of their "Plant Extinction Prevention Program", sixteen species have been brought into (7) ____ and three species have been reintroduced. Invasive weeds have been removed in key areas and fencing put up in order to (8) ____ plants in the wild. In the future the Hawaii Rare Plant Restoration Program aims (9) ____ collecting genetic material from the remaining plants in the wild for storage as a safety net for the future. They also aim to manage wild populations and where possible reintroduce species into (10) _____