IX    Read the passage.

      Over a million people working in America’s fields, and far more globally, are about to face competition from workers who never get tired or ask for a living wage.

      As field robots have gotten cheaper, a steady stream of farm jobs are being automated. Lettuce weeding is one of the first where the cost of robots now matches human labor. Weeding lettuce is slow, expensive, and potentially dangerous due to chemical exposure. Farm workers must spray individual weeds from a pesticide-filled backpack. Automated systems like the one designed by Danish firm F. Poulsen Engineering replace this with mechanical weeding and computer vision to distinguish between crops and pests. The company says it can do the job much faster and at no extra cost.

            Robots will likely make inroads fastest in areas where the labor is backbreaking, and peak harvest times create a short supply of workers. Most robots have been built for specialized tasks: grapevine pruners, lettuce thinners, strawberry picking and cow-­milking robots. But corn and other commodity crops are already taking advantage of economies of scale to get ahead of the cost curve. Large corn farmers in the US are buying features like self-steering tractors to save money. Even though the technology isn’t expected to reach price parity with human labor until 

2020 for most farmers, about 10% of US farmer have adopted the technology because of their scale.

 Answer the question below.

      51. What does “the workers never getting tired or asking for a living wage” refer to?

            .........................................................................................................................................

      52. What farm job is not too costly to use agriculture robots?

            .........................................................................................................................................

      53. What do farm workers carry when they apply some chemicals to vegetables?

            .........................................................................................................................................

      54. What can the automated system distinguish?

            .........................................................................................................................................

      55. To reduce cost, what do some American farmers buy?

            .........................................................................................................................................

 Fill in the blank with a suitable word/ phrase from the passage.

      56. Weeding lettuce can do harm to farmers’ health because of ................................ .

      57. The automated system designed by Danish doesn’t require   ................................ .

      58. The majority of robots are specifically designed for  ................................ .

      59. The ................................ between most agriculture robots with human labor hasn’t been achieved yet.

      60. The proportion of Americans using automated machine in their farming occupies ................................ .

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 from 28 to 34.

   In the last few decades, the world of work has dramatically changed how people earn their living and plan their work lives. This new labour market is evolving at accelerating speed as old industrial-age jobs are replaced by knowledge-based work and information technology continues to alter how we work, play and learn. This dramatic change in how goods and services are produced and distributed has been labelled the “New Economy.” The old economy was based on resources; the New Economy is based on knowledge and is driven by technology and information.

   Working in new ways: In this New Economy, new forms of work are being created, as employment in a “job-for-life” is replaced by a variety of “work alternatives.” These work alternatives can include working part time, contracting, consulting or owning a business where you hire your own employees.

   In British Columbia, more and more people are working in this way, and economists are predicting that this trend will continue in the future. Career counsellors are encouraging people to prepare for these work alternatives rather than for just a full-time job.

   New thinking for a new millennium: The New Economy demands that we change our thinking about the labour market. Traditional job patterns that we took for granted for most of the last century have disappeared. Letting go of the way things used to be in the world of work is one of the hardest challenges that career planners face today. Here are some trends that all workers will have to adapt to:

   Change: Rapid change will be constant in the workplace of the new millennium. Those who understand change and can manage it effectively will be more successful.

   Just-in-time training: In the information economy, it is impossible to leam everything you need to know ahead of time to do a job. Rapid learning will be commonplace. The advantage will go to those who can leam - and instruct - the fastest. Workers must commit to continuous learning throughout their life or work.

   Fusion: Job classifications and occupational titles will become less important. The jobs of the future will be hyphenated; in other words, there will be a fusion of titles like carpenter-architect, accountant-sales rep, or graphic designer-webmaster. Being able to combine a variety of skills to apply to a particular task will be increasingly important.

   Self-reliance: Work is becoming more “entrepreneurial” in the sense that workers have to be prepared for a variety of work alternatives and take the initiative to market their skills more creatively. As a result, people will need to be more responsible for their own career development. The notion of “career self-management” is emerging as a means not only of surviving in the New Economy, but also of thriving and making the best of its new opportunities.

   Emphasis on skills: Workers can no longer expect long-term job security, but they can rely on “skills security”. If workers keep their skills up-to-date and market them effectively in areas of the economy that are growing, they will be able to find work. An essential ingredient of career self-management is knowing and developing skill sets and then finding areas of work where they can be applied.

   Balance in life/work: Information technology is fuelling the accelerating pace of change. We are “plugged in” to work more than ever before through communications (e-mail, phone, fax, pagers, the Internet). To maintain their health and well-being, workers will have to rethink how and where they work and find balance between earning a living and living their lives.

   Finding opportunity. In this New Economy, it is beneficial for people to use their creativity to find new opportunities where they can apply their skills and abilities. This means keeping an open mind about where and how you work.

   The New Economy is very different from the old. It offers even more opportunities to find challenging, rewarding and satisfying work. If you spend time and energy planning for this new reality, you will be able to create a career plan that offers excitement, anticipation and hope for the future.

Who should read this passage?

A. Interviewers

B. Employers

C. Undergraduates

D. Parents.

I) Read the passage carefully and the fill in the blank wuth a suitable word

• enough, dependent, older, who, not, hem, life, spend, retirement, difficult

People have always dreamed of living forever, and although we all know that this will (1)... happen, we still want to live as long as possible. Naturally, there are advantages ansld disadvantages to have a long (2)...

In the first place, people(3) ... live longer can spend more time with their family and friends. Secondly, people who have busy working live look forward to a long, relaxing(4) ... when they can do things they have never had time for

On the other hand, there are some serious disadvantages. Firstly, many people become ill and consequently have to (5)... in hospital or become (6)... on their children and friends. Many of (7)... find this dependence annoyibg or embarrassing. In addition to this, the (8)... people get the fewer friends they seem to have because old friend die or become ill and this is often (9)... to make friends

To sump up, it seems that living to a very oldage is worth while dor people who stay healthy (10)... to remain independent and enjoy life

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.

    Telecommunicating is a form of computer communication between employees’ homes and offices. For employees whose jobs involve sitting at a terminal or word processor entering data or typing reports, the location of the computer is of no consequence. If the machine can communicate over telephone lines, when the work is completed, employees can dial the office computer from a distant site and transmit the material to their employers. A recent survey in USA Today estimates that there are approximately 8.7 million telecommuters. But although the numbers are rising annually, the trend does not appear to be as significant as predicted when Business Week published "The Portable Executive" as its cover story a few years ago. Why hasn't telecommuting become more popular?

    Clearly, change simply takes time. But in addition, there has been active resistance on the part of many managers. These executives claim that supervising the telecommuters in a large work force scattered across the country would be too difficult, or, at least, systems for managing them are not yet developed, thereby complicating the manager's responsibilities.

          It is also true that employees who are given the option of telecommuting are often reluctant to accept the opportunity. Most people feel that they need regular interaction with a group, and many are concerned that they will not have the same consideration for advancement if they are not more visible in the office setting. Some people feel that even when a space in their homes is set aside as a work area, they never really get away from the office.

How many American workers are involved in telecommuting?

A. More than 8 million  

B. More than predicted in Business Week

C. Fewer than estimated in USA Today

D. Fewer than last year

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 following questions.

Telecommunicating is a form of computer communication between employees’ homes and offices. For employees whose jobs involve sitting at a terminal or word processor entering data or typing reports, the location of the computer is of no consequence. If the machine can communicate over telephone lines, when the work is completed, employees can dial the office computer from a distant site and transmit the material to their employers. A recent survey in USA Today estimates that there are approximately 8.7 million telecommuters. But although the numbers are rising annually, the trend does not appear to be as significant as predicted when Business Week published "The Portable Executive” as its cover story a few years ago. Why hasn't telecommuting become more popular?

Clearly, change simply takes time. But in addition, there has been active resistance on the part of many managers. These executives claim that supervising the telecommuters in a large work force scattered across the country would be too difficult, or, at least, systems for managing them are not yet developed, thereby complicating the manager's responsibilities.

It is also true that employees who are given the option of telecommuting are often reluctant to accept the opportunity. Most people feel that they need regular interaction with a group, and many are concerned that they will not have the same consideration for advancement if they are not more visible in the office setting. Some people feel that even when a space in their homes is set aside as a work area, they never really get away from the office.

Question:How many American workers are involved in telecommuting?

A. More than 8 million

B. More than predicted in Business Week

C. Fewer than last year

D. Fewer than estimated in USA Today

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 from 28 to 34.

  When we talk about living a healthy life, there is a famous old saying, you are what you eat. In fact, it is not just what people eat, but their whole lifestyle, which is important. The best way to stay healthy is to live a balanced lifestyle. Are you living a balanced lifestyle both physically and mentally?

Physical Balance

  The human body needs physical exercise at least once a day. In today’s world, many working people spend most of their day sitting at a desk. To add more exercise to your daily life, try to stop what you are doing about once an hour and stretch or take a short walk. After work, take a brisk walk or go to the gym. Your body will thank you for it.

  For good health, nutritionists say we should eat at least four servings of raw food a day. By eating many colorful fruits and vegetables, you can be sure you are getting the correct nutrients. Have a red apple with your breakfast, a green salad at lunch, some carrots for your afternoon snack, and grapes for dessert instead of cake or cookies. Of course, for a healthy balance, your body also needs other foods.

Mental Balance

  Mentally balanced people are usually emotionally balanced. They are generally happy with the things they have. They do not need to have more and more things. A mentally balanced person also feels good about who they are. They don’t worry about the past, and generally have good relationships with the people around them. That doesn’t mean that mentally healthy people never have negative feelings, but they don’t let these types of feelings control them or their behavior. It’s normal for people to feel their emotions-life always has its challenges and tragedies. But mentally healthy people face those challenges and resolve them quickly instead of allowing them to take control of their lives. By taking a little time each day to eat well, exercise, and clear your mind, anyone can live a more balanced and healthier lifestyle.

The following statements are recommended as ways to get physical exercise EXCEPT _____________.

A. stretching

B. taking a walk

C. going to a gym

D. playing sports

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 from 28 to 34.

   In the last few decades, the world of work has dramatically changed how people earn their living and plan their work lives. This new labour market is evolving at accelerating speed as old industrial-age jobs are replaced by knowledge-based work and information technology continues to alter how we work, play and learn. This dramatic change in how goods and services are produced and distributed has been labelled the “New Economy.” The old economy was based on resources; the New Economy is based on knowledge and is driven by technology and information.

   Working in new ways: In this New Economy, new forms of work are being created, as employment in a “job-for-life” is replaced by a variety of “work alternatives.” These work alternatives can include working part time, contracting, consulting or owning a business where you hire your own employees.

   In British Columbia, more and more people are working in this way, and economists are predicting that this trend will continue in the future. Career counsellors are encouraging people to prepare for these work alternatives rather than for just a full-time job.

   New thinking for a new millennium: The New Economy demands that we change our thinking about the labour market. Traditional job patterns that we took for granted for most of the last century have disappeared. Letting go of the way things used to be in the world of work is one of the hardest challenges that career planners face today. Here are some trends that all workers will have to adapt to:

   Change: Rapid change will be constant in the workplace of the new millennium. Those who understand change and can manage it effectively will be more successful.

   Just-in-time training: In the information economy, it is impossible to leam everything you need to know ahead of time to do a job. Rapid learning will be commonplace. The advantage will go to those who can leam - and instruct - the fastest. Workers must commit to continuous learning throughout their life or work.

   Fusion: Job classifications and occupational titles will become less important. The jobs of the future will be hyphenated; in other words, there will be a fusion of titles like carpenter-architect, accountant-sales rep, or graphic designer-webmaster. Being able to combine a variety of skills to apply to a particular task will be increasingly important.

   Self-reliance: Work is becoming more “entrepreneurial” in the sense that workers have to be prepared for a variety of work alternatives and take the initiative to market their skills more creatively. As a result, people will need to be more responsible for their own career development. The notion of “career self-management” is emerging as a means not only of surviving in the New Economy, but also of thriving and making the best of its new opportunities.

   Emphasis on skills: Workers can no longer expect long-term job security, but they can rely on “skills security”. If workers keep their skills up-to-date and market them effectively in areas of the economy that are growing, they will be able to find work. An essential ingredient of career self-management is knowing and developing skill sets and then finding areas of work where they can be applied.

   Balance in life/work: Information technology is fuelling the accelerating pace of change. We are “plugged in” to work more than ever before through communications (e-mail, phone, fax, pagers, the Internet). To maintain their health and well-being, workers will have to rethink how and where they work and find balance between earning a living and living their lives.

   Finding opportunity. In this New Economy, it is beneficial for people to use their creativity to find new opportunities where they can apply their skills and abilities. This means keeping an open mind about where and how you work.

   The New Economy is very different from the old. It offers even more opportunities to find challenging, rewarding and satisfying work. If you spend time and energy planning for this new reality, you will be able to create a career plan that offers excitement, anticipation and hope for the future.

What can be inferred from the passage about the future workers?

A. They can combine some jobs at the same time to earn a good living.

B. They may keep their mind open to welcome the new trends.

C. They have to plan and manage their career better.

D. They can get the job excitement more easily in the New Economy.

II. Read the passage. Circle A, B or C to answer each question or complete each sentence.

The Peace Corps is one of the most famous organisations in the world that help people. This organisation was founded in 1961 by the former US President John Kennedy.

People working in this organisation are called volunteers. They are both men and women. They live and work in other countries for two years at a time. They share skills with people to help solve challenging problems in developing countries.

Peace Corps volunteers work as teachers at schools. They also help communities to protect their environment and prevent the spread of diseases. They also help farmers grow more food efficiently.

Peace Corps volunteers build bridges of cross-cultural understanding with people of other countries. They help people from other countries learn more about who they are. Peace Corps volunteers also bring home with them better understanding of other peoples and cultures.

What can be the best title for the passage?

A.The Efforts of the Peace Corps

B.A John Kennedy's Creation

C.Building the Bridge Between Cultures

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each of the questions.

          Telecommunicating is a form of computer communication between employees’ homes and offices. For employees whose jobs involve sitting at a terminal or word processor entering data or typing reports, the location of the computer is of no consequence. If the machine can communicate over telephone lines, when the work is completed, employees can dial the office computer from a distant site and transmit the material to their employers. A recent survey in USA Today estimates that there are approximately 8.7 million telecommuters. But although the numbers are rising annually, the trend does not appear to be as significant as predicted when Business Week published "The Portable Executive" as its cover story a few years ago. Why hasn't telecommuting become more popular?

          Clearly, change simply takes time. But in addition, there has been active resistance on the part of many managers. These executives claim that supervising the telecommuters in a large work force scattered across the country would be too difficult, or, at least, systems for managing them are not yet developed, thereby complicating the manager's responsibilities.

          It is also true that employees who are given the option of telecommuting are often reluctant to accept the opportunity. Most people feel that they need regular interaction with a group, and many are concerned that they will not have the same consideration for advancement if they are not more visible in the office setting. Some people feel that even when a space in their homes is set aside as a work area, they never really get away from the office.

It can be inferred from the passage that the author is ___________

A. a telecommuter

B. the manager

C. a statistician

D. a reporter