Rewrite sentences without changing the meaning
The soil is poisoned because farmers use too many pesticides and herbicides.

 

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We often get up early in order to get __________ for the new working day.

That's no excuse! You know you ______ this report by today.

(105)________

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The reporter is talking about the ____________ of the fire.

Rewrite sentences without changing the meaning
We can use a solar charge for charging mobile devices

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________ we conserve natural resources, they will run out very soon.

This e-mail serves as a receipt for your registration---139--- confirms your participation in the Seventeenth Annual Polton County Farm Fair from July 14 to July 16. As a returning exhibitor, Swanton Farm Feed will be offered ---140--- space at a discounted rate.
Please be aware of a new requirement when preparing your space. This year, all booths must be completely ready by 8 P.M. on July 13. 141---.Tables will be provided by the organizer,  as in past years. Thank you once again for your participation in our---142---.

141..............

Choose the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from that of the others.

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The man ______without trace.

Read the passage below carefully, and then choose the best answer:
India’s Classical Jewel
If you are looking for a refreshing break from the standard pop songs on the radio and you have an open mind, give Indian classical music a try. It dates back to thousands of years to when the Vedas, India’s sacred holy texts were written. This makes it one of the oldest unbroken musical traditions in the world. In fact, the music itself is closely linked to Hinduism. The songs and chants were originally parts of devotional rituals performed to please the gods. The music features several instruments that are uniquely Indian, but two in particular are featured prominently. The first is the sitar, a stringed instrument with an extremely long neck. The sitar is a far more complex instrument than the guitar, as it can have as many as 20 strings. When played, it lets off a buzzing vibration that has a relaxing effect on listeners. The other instrument which is essential for classical Indian music is the tabla. Tablas are a special kind of hand drum that provides the tempo and rhythm. Tabla players sit on the floor and keep the drum in place by locking it between their knees. Unlike Western drummers, tabla players use their hands and fingers to play the instrument. The player’s fingers keep the beat, while a sudden flick of the wrist and a slide of the palm can change the pitch of the drum. Instead of songs, classical Indian music revolves around the concept of ragas, which are more accurately defined as musical themes. Players take these ideas and begin to improvise their own melodies around them. Ragas tend to be a bit longer than typical songs, and in some cases they can go for several hours. Each raga is expected to have a wide range of tempos to help viewers experience different emotions during the performance. One of the most influential classical Indian musicians was a sitar player named Ravi Shankar. After training for years to master his craft, he travelled to the US and Europe during the 1950s to perform for Western audiences. He would eventually become close friends with Beaties’ guitarist George Harrison, and his music would influence several of the band’s songs. Although he passed away in 2012, his music continues to inspire both Eastern and Western musicians alike.
5. Why does the speed of the music change during ragas?

My mother used to be a woman of great _____ , but now she gets old and looks pale.

(164)________

Read the passage below carefully, and then choose the best answer:
Say Sayonara to Sushi?
There are few meals as nutritious as a plate of fresh fish. Whether eaten steamed or raw, fish provides our bodies with healthy fats and it tastes great, too. Yet for years, the fishing industry has practised overfishing, depleting the world’s oceans. It has been estimated that 85 percent of stocks worldwide have been diminished to a dangerous level. Statistics show that the average person consumes more than four times as much fish as someone from the 1950s. As the world’s population grows and more people are able to afford pricier foods, the problem will likely get worse. In truth, knowledge of the shortage of fish is not something new. Since the late 1980s, despite increased technology and a greater demand for fish, the total global catch has not increased. Eager to make a buck, some fishermen have resorted to illegal tactics to catch more fish and increase their income. They will violate regulations by fishing in waters that are supposed to be off-limits. To make matters worse, they often use mile-long drift nets which trap and kill large numbers of unwanted marine life for no reason at all. These practices only serve to destroy fishes’ habitats and speed up the rate of population decline. As a result of dwindling fish supplies, many nations are turning to farmed fish. About half of the fish sold today is derived from this practice. Supporters point out its efficiency and that it is more feasible to support populations in this manner than with land animals. However, there are still many hurdles to overcome. Many of the current farm fisheries are poorly run by their owners. Poor practices can lead to marine pollution, as waters can be filled with fish manure and extra feed that is not consumed. Some farmed fish have limited space, which causes disease. This in turn can lead to health issues for the people who consume the fish. Still, some regard fish farming as the way of the future. They suggest that with a few modifications, it would be possible to meet the growing demand for fish. Others have suggested more drastic measures, such as placing a ten-year ban on capturing some species, to deal with the shortage. These people argue that a decade would provide sufficient time for the fish population to replenish itself hack to healthy levels. Hopefully, nations can come together and agree upon an effective course of action before it is too late.
1. What is the main problem mentioned in the passage?

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A hydroelectric dam ______________ in this area now.

Read the passage below carefully, and then choose the best answer:
Flying Drones into Danger Zones
A plane is sent deep into the enemy territory with a deadly mission. It is assigned to eliminate several key targets with a precision bombing campaign. This mission won’t be easy, however, as to be successful, the plane will have to avoid enemy rockets and tank fire. There will be no risk to the life of the “pilot” of the plane because he will not be able to aboard the vessel. Instead, he will be thousands of miles away inside a control tower, as he is operating a drone. Drones, which are also called UVAs or unmanned aerial vehicles, marked a major step forward in technology. Inventors have been working on them since the early 1900s. Although some devices were designed back then, they weren’t able to do much more than a standard model airplane. In fact, it was not until a US plane was shot down in 1959 during the Cold War that the US military really got serious about drones. The aim was to save pilots’ lives while flying over hazardous territories. Drones usually fall into two categories. The first type of drones relies on human control from a remote location. The second type of drones is pre­programmed with computer instructions, and it then completes its mission operating autonomously. In addition to protecting pilots’ lives, drones also have several other advantages. They can stay in the air for longer periods of time because there is no concern for eating, sleeping, or rest breaks that pilots typically require. Drones can also be produced cheaper since manufacturers don’t need to value safety precautions as they would for aircraft flown by humans. Despite their usefulness, military drones have been the cause of great criticism over the past decade. There have been cases of British and American drones missing their targets and killing innocent civilians instead. The Brookings Institution released a statistic that for every military leader who is killed by a drone strike, ten civilians die. Some suggest that if human pilots were flying these planes, they wouldn’t have made these errors. Drones don’t always have targets that they must eliminate. The military also employs special surveillance drones that use long-range cameras to gather information about buildings, enemy soldier formations, and other vital information from the ground. In the end, whether people are for or against the use of drones, it appears that they are certain here to stay.
3. The word “_surveillance_” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to ________

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She made a big ________ about not having a window seat on the plane.

It is a good book. I think it is interesting enough for you to ______.

(390)______

 Knowing your skills and strengths is ______ important part of the job search process.

(267)______

Read the following passage and choose the best answer (A, B, C, D):
Mickey Mouse was not Walt Disney’s first successful cartoon creation, but he is certainly his famous one. It was on a cross-country train trip from New York to California in 1927 that Disney first drew the mouse with the big ears. Supposedly, he took his inspiration from the tame field mice that used to scamper into his old studio in Kansas City. No one is quite sure why he dressed the mouse in the now- familiar shorts with two buttons and gave him the yellow shoes. But we do know that Disney had intended to call him Mortimer until his wife Lillian intervened and christened him Mickey Mouse. Capitalizing on the interest in Charles Lindsborg, Disney planned Mickey’s debut in the short cartoon Plane Crazy, with Minnie as a co-star. In the third short cartoon, Steamboat Willie, Mickey was whistling and singing through the miracle of the modern soundtrack. By the 1930s Mickey’s image had circled the globe. He was a superstar at the height of his career. Although he has received a few minor changes throughout his lifetime, most notably the addition of white gloves and the alterations to achieve the rounder forms of a more childish body, he has remained true to his nature since those first cartoons. Mickey is appealing because he is nice. He may get into trouble, but he takes it on the chin with a grin. He is both good-natured and resourceful. Perhaps that was Disney’s own image of himself. Why else would he have insisted on doing Mickey’s voice in all the cartoons for twenty years? When interviewed, he would say: “There is a lot of the mouse in me.” And that mouse has remained one of the most pervasive images in American popular culture.
2. Where in the passage does the author relate how Mickey got his name?

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The children seem to be totally capable ________ working by themselves.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions:
There are three valid arguments to support the preservation of endangered species. Aesthetic justification contends that biodiversity contributes to the quality of life because many of the endangered plants and animals are particularly appreciated for their unique physical beauty. The aesthetic role of nature in all its diverse forms is reflected in the art and literature of every culture attaining symbolic status in the spiritual life of many groups. According to the proponents of the aesthetic argument, people need nature in all its diverse and beautiful forms as part of the experience of the world.
Another argument that has been put forward, especially by groups in the medical and pharmacological fields, is that of ecological self-interest. By preserving all species, we retain a balance of nature that is ultimately beneficial to humankind. Recent research on global ecosystems has been cited as evidence that every species contributes important or even essential functions that may be necessary to the survival of our own species. Some advocates of the ecological argument contend that important chemical compounds derived from rare plants may contain the key to a cure for one of the diseases currently threatening human beings. If we do not protect other species, then they cannot protect us.
Apart from human advantage in both the aesthetic and ecological arguments, the proponents of a moral justification contend that all species have the right to exist, a viewpoint stated in the United Nations World Charter for Nature, created in 1982. Furthermore, if humankind views itself as the stewards of all the creatures on Earth, then it is incumbent upon human beings to protect them, and to ensure the continued existence of all species. Moral justification has been extended by a movement called “deep ecology,” the members of which rank the biosphere higher than people because the continuation of life depends on this larger perspective. To carry their argument to its logical conclusion, all choices must be made for the biosphere, not for people.

The author mentioned all of the following as justifications for the protection of endangered species EXCEPT     .

I ____ come to the conclusion that nowadays nobody cares about anything.

(202)______