Half of the money … to Mr. Lam.

People from all cultures and civilizations are also (i) _______ with numbers, dates and festival days. In North America, the number 13 is considered (ii) _______ unlucky that often high-rise buildings do not have a 13th floor and the apartment that should be number 13 is given another number. There is no clear reason behind this superstition, (iii) _______ there is evidence for a pathological fear of the number 13, called triskaidekaphobia. Conversely, in Japan, Korea and China, the number 4 is the one bringing bad luck since the character for this number, ‘shi’ sounds like the word ‘death’. Yet all cultures seem to agree (iv)  _______the importance of New Year’s Day. Virtually all countries have rituals surrounding this first day of the year to (v)________ good luck for the future.

(ii)_______

I have several good friends but I (i) _______ that my best friend is Ellen. We have been friends with each other since we were very young because she (ii) _______ next door to me. We have always been in the same class al school, although she has always been much cleverer than me. I don’t mind (iii) _______, because she often helps me with my homework! Anyway, I’ve always been better at sports than she is. I always beat her at tennis, and she doesn’t like that. In fact, she hates losing al anything and gets very annoyed if she docs. That’s the only thing that 1 don’t like about her. Otherwise, she has a great sense of humour and she’s always making me laugh. We get on very well together, although occasionally we’ve had arguments – usually about silly little things. Ellen and her family moved to another district last year, but I still see her a lot. We’re planning to go on a trip around Europe next summer, I’m really (iv) _______ to it because 1 think we’ll have a lot of fun and sec exciting places. Of course, it’s going to be hard -to afford such a wonderful and exciting trip, so we’re both going to get jobs and try to (v) _______ enough money for it

(i)____

The USA has seen a steady stream of immigrants (i) ______  into their country over the past few centuries. While in the beginning, most immigrants came from Ireland or Germany, current immigrants originates mostly from Central America and less developed South East Asian territories. (ii) ______  , the country that has supplied the largest number of immigrants to the US is Mexico, with over 8,500,000 people moving into their new country in 2004 alone. The figure is expected to rise by almost a quarter in 2010. China and India place second and third, (iii) ______  contributing a whopping 1,600,000 and 1,250,000 respectively (iv) ______  the United States’ population growth, and (v) ______   current uncommonly large trends continue, it is estimated that 3,000,000 people from both countries will immigrate to the USA over the next five years.

(ii)_____

Work engineers are (i) _______ riding with drivers, timing everything from stops at traffic lights, to wait at customer’s doorway, to stairway climbs, to coffee break. And they are not (ii) _______  to pointing out the occasional inefficiency. Additionally, supervisors ride with the least good drivers, noting how they work and constantly (iii) _______ them until their work is up to standard. The (iv) _______ of all this work engineering is efficiency, and UPS has been called one of the most efficient companies anywhere. Il’s also a highly profitable company. Most drivers take the regimentation in stride: many show pride in meeting the UPS standards each day. Others, however, feel that they are constantly being pushed, that it is impossible for them to (v) _______ at work. UPS officials claim that the standards provide accountability. And, they say, employees who work according to UPS standards should feel less tired al the end of the day.

(i)____

Precision and uniformity of movement are two characteristics of step-dancing which most people recognize. And (i) _______ traditional step-dancing does not pennit the use of hands, some of the more modem versions allow it. Before the early 1900s, though, step-dancers often performed their synchronized movement while dancing with their hands on their hips. That trend has somewhat faded and now most step-dancing is done with the participants’ arms held firmly down to their sides and their hands made into a fist. The straight, clean lines of the body add to the impression (ii) _______ it is the intricacy of the foot work which is the most important aspect of the presentation. Chorus line dancing, which is another variation or type of line dancing, was an extremely popular way that dancing and elegance were included in movie productions for several years. Today fewer scenes of chorus lines (iii) _______  inmovies, but many movies with “Western” or “country” themes include modem forms of line dancing. Many people simply refer to the modem type of dancing as “line dancing” but (iv) _______ whether it has a special name, modem line dancing is usually associated with a country and western theme. With modem line dancing, there may only be one line or there can be several. Sometimes, when there is more than one line, the lines lace in the same direction with one line being in back of the other, but sometimes the lines face each other. This type of dancing docs not always require interaction between dancers, and the dancers often move independently from each other. But the beauty of this dance form permits interaction, like weaving in and out of different lines, if the dancers desire. And sometimes the dancers even may make contact with each other if clapping becomes part of their (v) _______.

(iv)____

In Britain, greetings cards are sold in chain stores and supermarkets, in newsagents’ shops, comer shops and, increasingly, in shops that specialize in the sale of cards and paper for wrapping presents in. The (i)  _______ cards are birthday and Christmas cards. Many Christmas cards are sold in aid of charity and special ‘charily card shops’ are often set up in temporary premises in the weeks before Christmas. A wide (ii) _______ of birthday cards is available to cater for different ages and tastes. Some, especially ones for young children or for people (iii) _________ a particular birthday, have the person’s age on the front. Many have comic, often risque, messages printed on them, and cartoon-style illustrations. Others are more sober, with reproductions of famous paintings or attractive original designs. The usual greeting on a birthday card is ‘Happy Birthday’, ‘Many Happy Returns’ or ‘Best Wishes for a Happy Birthday’. Some people also send special cards for Easter and New Year,Easter cards (iv) _______ portray images of spring, such as chicks, eggs, lambs, spring flowers, etc., or have a religious theme. Cards are produced for every ‘milestone’ in a person’s life. There are special cards for (v) _______ engagement, a marriage, a new home, a birth, success in an examination, retirement, a death in the family, etC. Some are ‘good luck’ or ‘congratulations’ cards. Others, for example ‘get weir cards for people who are ill, express sympathy.

(i)______

The use of “code talkers” had its beginnings in World War I when the Americans used Choctaw Indians during the battle of the Meuse Argonne in France in 1918. But none of the volunteers in war were (i) _______ recognized or honored for their contributions to the war effort until several years after the end of the Second World War. And it was not the Americans who (ii) _______ tribute to these volunteers first. It was the French, who, in 1989, honored the survivors by presenting them with an Order of Merit, which is the second-highest honor (iii) _______ valor that the French bestow. Ten years later, the United Slates Department of Defense recognized the sole surviving Comanche “code talker” for his bravery and achievements in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. and they presented him with an award created a few years before by the intelligence corps to recognize contributions such as the Comanchcs had made. The Comanche volunteers made an additional contribution to society as a (iv) _______  by their wartime efforts. These men, all of whom had attended school in America and had been chastised for trying to retain English, can be credited not only with helping to win the war but also with insuring the preservation of a language, which until after the war, had been nearly destroyed by its non-use. their native languages and criticized when they did not (v) _______ English, can be credited not only with helping to win the war but also with insuring the preservation of a language, which until after the war, had been nearly destroyed by its non-use.

(ii)___

A recent investigation by scientists at the US Geological Survey shows that strange animal behaviour might help (i) _______ future earthquakes. Investigators found such (ii) _______ about ten kilometres from where a fairly recent earthquake took place. Some birds made strange sounds and flew about wildly; dogs barked and ran around (iii) _______. Scientists believe that animals can sense these environmental changes as early as several days before (iv) _______ disaster. In 1976, after observing animal behaviour, the Chinese scientists were able to predict a (v) _______  earthquake. Although hundreds of thousands of people were killed, the government was able to evacuate millions of other people and thus keep the death toll al a lower level.

(iv)______

The groom usually traveled to the house of the bride for the ceremony, then stayed there for three days (i) _______ taking his new bride to his family’s home. The actual ceremony involved many small rituals, with many bows and symbolic gestures. The (ii) _______were expected to control their emotions and remain somber. (iii) _______ Koreans have kept several aspects of the traditional ceremony, most modem ceremonies resemble Western marriage ceremonies more than (iv) _______ Korean ones.

However, many folk villages and museums across the country regularly perform ceremonies to (v) _______ the traditions alive.

(v)_____

Today the move away from rigid rules makes it much easier (i) _________  the right way to behave because there are fewer out and out ‘wrongs’. Of course there are still a few situations where inflexible lilies apply although these are mainly concerned with official functions. But nine times out of ten, the way you choose to behave is (ii) _________you, with one very important proviso that you keep firmly in mind the basis on which etiquette has grown up; in other words, the need to always consider other people’s feelings first. Some people, for instance, are very informal and outgoing by (iii) _________, while others prefer to be more reserved and formal. Younger people tend to be less formal than their parents. Habits can (iv) _________in different parts of the country. Behavior which may be commonplace in the capital – like arriving later than the stated time – can often be unconventional elsewhere. Just remember the basic rule of consideration for others, and when in doubt, follow the example of those around you. Etiquette is a skill that is easily learned and it brings the benefits of other people’s appreciation whenever you (v) _________ in practice. It’s a pleasure to spend time with people who are reliably courteous and considerate; it’s also pleasant to feel that you will always know what to do or say in any circumstances, mundane or extraordinary.

(iv)_______

The Amazon rainforest is in very big danger of disappearing. 9,169 square miles of forest (i) _______ down in 2003 in Brazil (ii) _______. An area of the size of a football field is burned down basically every minute, which means that the rain forest may be gone by the year 2030. The dangers related to this type of activity are very obvious. Trees (iii) _______ poisonous carbon dioxide from the air and give off oxygen. There is more oxygen and (iv) _______ carbon dioxide around a rainforest. When trees are cut down, however, the amount of carbon dioxide increases and the air gets wanner. This leads to global wanning, which is extremely harmful to the environment. (v) _______ is estimated that the burning of Brazilian rainforests alone produces 200 million metric tones of carbon dioxide a year.

(ii)_____

The town of Bunol in Spain is famous for La Tomatina, the world’s largest vegetable fight. The event takes place during a week-long celebration (i) _______ festivities and with even greater anticipation for the battle ahead. La Tomatina started during the 1940s, when (ii) _______ of friends started a tomato fight and passers-by got dragged into it. From that day forward, the fiesta has been celebrated annually and is expected to draw record numbers this time around. The reason for the fight has never been established and it hardly matters since the point is fun. La Tomatina has blossomed into a huge fiesta that coincides with the festival for the town’s patron saint. This is partly in an effort to draw more tourism into Bunol, and at the same time many more targets. The night before La Tomatina, the narrow’ streets are filled with tomatoes, and in a much (iii) _______ form than the next day. No one can do battle on an empty stomach so huge pans filled with delicious paella are on offer. Then, early Wednesday morning, shopkeepers set about covering windows and doors in preparation for the mess. Large trucks rumble up the streets to arrive in the square and be cheered by the 20,000 strong crows. Men on top of the tracks then begin the attack (iv) _______ soft tomatoes from the four comers of Spain. The victims retaliate against the trackers, each other, and anyone else that strays within their range. When all the tomatoes have been demolished, (v) _______ heads to the river to clean it all off.

(i)____

In 1977, the United States enacted the Mine safety and Health Act, and since that time the overall number of deaths related to mining accidents (i) _______ decreased. But, unfortunately, in the United States, several coal mine explosions have recently (ii) _______ the lives of several miners and increased this year’s mining- related deaths above of the total number of mining-related deaths recorded last year. The mining industry and the United States government take seriously the safety problems confronting miners. (iii) _______ is being done to help protect the miners is important in the mining industry throughout the world. The United States Congress has recently considered legislation increasing the amount of oxygen miners must have available to them as they work below the earth’s surface because a lack of available oxygen may have caused the death of some of the trapped miners in recent coal mine explosions. When an explosion (iv) _______ in an underground mine and air packs are in short supply or those available to miners are not in working condition, the successful rescue efforts can be crippled even though rescue workers are (v) _______ valiant efforts to save lives.

(i)____

A recent investigation by scientists at the US Geological Survey shows that strange animal behaviour might help (i) _______ future earthquakes. Investigators found such (ii) _______ about ten kilometres from where a fairly recent earthquake took place. Some birds made strange sounds and flew about wildly; dogs barked and ran around (iii) _______. Scientists believe that animals can sense these environmental changes as early as several days before (iv) _______ disaster. In 1976, after observing animal behaviour, the Chinese scientists were able to predict a (v) _______  earthquake. Although hundreds of thousands of people were killed, the government was able to evacuate millions of other people and thus keep the death toll al a lower level.

(ii)______

I know you ___________ my cosmetics again as right now, I ___________ my perfume in the room.

find that have too much work. t’s _______ into my spare time and don’t stand for that. 

In northern Europe, during the same time period traders developed a similar type of customary law for commercial relationships. The system, referred to as the Law Merchant, also prevented those who had not traded fairly and honestly with merchants (i) ______ merchants participating in the system. The Law Merchant, unlike the Maghribi association, included a system of arbitration to settle disputes. The merchants’ goal of expediting and facilitating commercial transactions continued as customary law for commercial transactions throughout the centuries. In the United States, the Law Merchant has been adapted and codified as the Uniform Commercial Code. Folk law is also customaiy law. Recently in Botswana, Africa, (ii) ______ has been an attempt to codify folk law, but some lawmakers oppose the idea because they believe that codification would limit the diversity of cultures which exists throughout the country. The legislators’ belief is that customary law relates to individual tribes and (iii) ______ the culture of each tribe is different and should be preserved. Those who (iv) ______     codification, on the other hand, contend that tribal culture would be better preserved and would provide tribal chiefs with a set of guidelines for administering justice rather than requiring the chiefs to depend upon customary laws (v)  ______ down by words of mouth from earlier generations.

(v)______

In 1866, the United States Congress passed legislation which permitted the use of the metric system in commercial dealings. The law, permissive rather than mandatory, (i)  _______  that any contract or dealing – as well as any court pleadings – would not be considered objectionable or invalid because of the use of the metric system in the dealing or reference to metric measurements and (ii) _______ in the legal documents or pleadings. American business people and scientists have continued to use the metric system and support it. Metrication is evident in America because goods that are produced (iii) _______ commercial purposes are labelled in metric units as well as non-mctric units. As the result of legislation in the 1980s, the federal government and (iv) _______ its agencies are now required to use metric measures. There are a few exceptions to this law and those exceptions (v) _______ around documents which are intended for consumers but the primary purpose of this law is to promote and strengthen the American manufacturing and trade posture and competitiveness throughout the metric world of nations

(iv)_____

I began volunteering at the age of fourteen. At the time, there was no mandatory volunteering requirement; volunteering was a personal choice (i) _______ my own interest. My interests centered on helping children – especially children with special needs. At our school we had a special needs classroom with a number of special needs children. Twice a week I would work (ii) _______ the teacher’s helper.

Through the work I did, I (iii) _______ two things: I was happiest when I volunteered, and I was good at helping special needs students. I am now (iv) _______, have a college degree in special education, and still do volunteer work at a community center (v) _______ troubled teenagers. I guess I would say that the volunteer work I did at age fourteen changed my life forever.

(ii)____

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word or phrase that is OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined part in each of the following questions: Fruit and vegetables grew in abundance on the island. The islanders even exported the surplus.