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 best fits each of the numbered blanks.
English is the first language of many people in countries outside the United Kingdom. When you meet speakers of English from around the world, you immediately notice that they do not speak in the same way. There are also some (23) …………… in the words they use, including the names of (24) …………… objects that are part of everyone's daily life. Although pronunciation and (25) …………… are not the same everywhere, it is interesting that English speakers (26) ……………. opposite sides of the world can understand each other quite easily. It does not seem to matter where they learnt the language. And of course, this is one reason why speakers of other languages are keen on learning English too. If you know English, you are more (27) ……………… to be able to study or work in all sorts of exciting places, such as the United States or Australia.
23. A. mistakes B. corrections C. changes D. differences
24. A. common B. popular C. favourite D. general
25. A. reading B. composition C. dictation D. vocabulary
26. A. of B. in C. from D. at
27. A. likely B. probably C. possibly D. luckily
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.
Are Sports Bad for Kids?
People think children should play sports. Sports are fun, and children stay healthy while playing with others. However, playing sports can have negative effects on children. It may produce feelings of poor self-esteem or aggressive behavior in some children. According to research on kids and sports, 40 million kids play sports in the US. Of these, 18 million say they have been yelled at or called names while playing sports. This leaves many children with a bad impression of sports. They think sports are just too aggressive.
Many researchers believe adults, especially parents and coaches, are the main cause of too much aggression in children’s sports. They believe children copy aggressive adult behavior. This behavior is then further reinforced through both positive and negative feedback. Parents and coaches are powerful teachers because children usually look up to them. Often these adults behave aggressively themselves, sending children the message that winning is everything. At children’s sporting events, parents may yell insults at other players or cheer when their child behaves aggressively. As well, children may be taught that hurting other players is acceptable, or they may be pushed to continue playing even when they are injured. In addition, the media makes violence seem exciting. Children watch adult sports games and see violent behavior replayed over and over on television.
As a society, we really need to face up to this problem and do something about it. Parents and coaches should act as better examples for children. They also need to teach children better values. They should teach children to enjoy themselves whether they win or not. It is not necessary to knock yourself out to enjoy sports. Winning is not everything. In addition, children should not be allowed to continue to play when they are injured. Sending a child with an injury into a game gives the child the message that health is not as important as winning. If we make some basic changes, children might learn to enjoy sports again.
28. What is the main idea of the reading?
A. Children often become like their parents.
B. Children need to play sports in school.
C. Playing sports may have negative results.
D. Some sports can cause health problems.
29. How many children said they had some negative experience when playing sports?
A. All of the children B. More than half of the children
C. Less than half of the children D. About ten percent of the children
30. Which is described as the main cause of more aggressive playing?
A. Adults B. Children with low grades in school
C. New rules in sports D. Other players
31. What does the writer suggest?
A. Aggressive sports should not be shown on television.
B. Children should not play sports until high school.
C. Coaches should be required to study child psychology.
D. Parents should teach children to play sports for fun and exercise.
32. What would probably NOT be done when “facing up to a problem”?
A. Ignoring the problem B. Finding the reason
C. Admitting there is a problem D. Looking for a solution
Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer the correct answer to each of the questions.
For many people the language of the Internet is English. “World, Wide, Web"-Three English Words, was the name of an article by Michael Specter in the New York Times a few years ago. The article went on to say: “If youwant to take full advantage of the Internet, there is only one real way to do it: learn English.”
In general, it is not difficult to learn to use Internet services. But although Internet services are rather easy to use, you will have considerable difficulties if you are not familiar with English. In fact, a good knowledge of English is one of the most important aspects that help you use the Internet. Learning to use a new Internet service may take a few hours, a few days or some weeks, but it takes years to learn a language so that you can use it fluently and confidently. Of course, when you know some English, you can learn more just by using it on the Internet. But at least your English should be good enough to understand commonly used words and to know what to do on the Internet.
31. It _____ to learn to use Internet services.
A. is easy
B. is difficult
C. takes a few minutes
D. takes a very long time
32. According to the article by Michael Specter, you should _____ to take full advantage of the Internet.
A. learn to type fast B. learn to use the Internet services
C. learn English D. learn the names of some websites
33. Learning to use a language fluently and confidently may take _____.
A. a few days
B. a few hours
C. a few weeks
D. a few years
34. If you do not know English very well, you will _____ when using the Internet.
A. be laughed at B. have many difficulties
C. feel more comfortable D. spend a few days
35. Which of the following could be the best title for the passage?
A. “English and the Internet B. “Ways to take full advantage of the Internet”
C. “Practising your English on the Internet” D. “How to use Internet services”