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

     In 1960, Laura Ashley, a housewife with young children, began designing and selling clothes. After some early success, her husband, Bernard, an experienced businessman, joined her and was able to provide considerable help and advice. The business expanded rapidly. Laura had started working at home, and soon there were several "Laura Ashley" shops where women could buy pretty, traditional clothes in a country style, made of natural materials. By the 1980s, the company had developed into a multi-million pound international organization with branches in places as far apart as London, Brussels, San Francisco and Tokyo.

Laura Ashley was a woman of simple tastes and strong moral beliefs. She was born in Wales and one of her largest factories producing clothes was situated in the countryside there. Her employees were encouraged to lead healthy lives, enjoy the fresh air and a good diet. Many of the Ashley family were involved in the business, but in 1985 it was decided that the public should be given the opportunity to invest money in the company. Obviously this was a major development and a clear sign of commercial success. But the woman whose ideas had been the basics of the company's development did not live to see it. She fell down the stairs while staying at a friend's house and died in hospital a few days afterwards. She was only sixty-one.

Question 39. Laura Ashley started her business by      

      A. running an international organization                               B.   working at home

      C. organizing branches in cities                                          D. opening some shops

Question 40. Which of the following is TRUE about Laura Ashley?

      A. She was a young housewife with children when she started doing business.

      B.   Her husband had helped her in the first place.

      C. Her business did not go well for many years after the start.

      D. Women came to her shops to buy expensive clothes made of luxury materials.

Question 41. We can infer from the passage that by 1985.      

      A. Many members of her family had worked in her company.

      B.   Only Laura had done the business of the company.

      C. None of the Ashley family, except her husband, had worked in the company.

      D. No one else in the family had helped Laura in business.

Question 42. Which of the following would be the best title of the passage?

      A. The expansion of a company                                         B.   A woman's excellent ideas

      C. The success story of a housewife                                  D. How a woman runs a business

Question 43. The word "Obviously" in the passage is closest in meaning to   

      A. Apparently                              B. Consequently            C. Lately                        D. Generally

*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 question.  

School education system in England

Schooling is compulsory for all English children from the age of 5 to 16. The academic year in England runs from September to July and is divided into three terms. Autumn Term is from the beginning of September to mid – December. Spring Term is from the beginning of January to mid- March and Summer Term from early April to mid – July. Each term is separated by a one-week break called half terms, usually at the end of October, mid- February and the end of May.

There are two parallel school systems in England. The first is the state school system, which is free for all students and paid for by the state. The second category is the “independent” or “public school system, which is fee-paying. The state school system, which educates 93% of the pupils in England, can be divided into two levels of education: primary education and secondary education.

The National Curriculum is set by the government and must be followed in all state schools. It is made up of the following subjects : English, Design and Technology , Geography, Maths, Information Technology , Music , Science , Arts , Physical Education , History and a Modern Foreign Language. English, Maths and Science are core subjects, which are compulsory in the national examination at certain stages of the school education system.

Question 8:  When do children in England start their compulsory schooling?

A. When they are from 5 to 16 years old.                    B. When they are under 5 years old.

C. When they are 16 years old.                                    D. When they are 5 years old.

Question 9:  When do students in England take their half terms?

A. At the end of the school year B. At the end of each term                   

C. In the middle of each term                          D. At the beginning of each term                

Question 10:  The phrase is made up of in the passage means………………

A. exclude                       B. be compulsory

C. include                           D. produce               

Question 11:  Which of these statements is NOT true about the school education system in England?

A. The students who go to state school do not have to pay tuition fees.

B. Most students in England go to state school.

C. There are three half terms in a school year, which last one week each.

D. The National Curriculum is set by the government and must be followed in all schools.

Question 12:  What does the word it in paragraph 3 refer to? 

A. Primary education B. The government          

C. The state school system              D. The national curriculum        

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.

The word "They" in paragraph 2 refers to ______.

A. human-related effects

B. some species

C. low birthrates

D. natural obstacles

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.

The word “they” in the last paragraph refers to _______.

A. today’s musicians

B. Scott Joplin and Bessie Smith

C. the musicians’ music

D. the names of the earliest African-American singers

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.

The word “they” in the last paragraph refers to _______

A. today’s musicians

B. Scott Joplin and Bessie Smith

C. the musicians’ music

D. the names of the earliest African-American singers

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.

The word “they” in the last paragraph refers to _______.

A. today’s musicians

B. Scott Joplin and Bessie Smith

C. the musicians’ music

D. the names of the earliest African-American singers

VI. 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. (1 pt)

In the USA, there are two days for children to express their love and gratitude to their parents: Mother day and Father's Day. Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. On this day, mothers usually receive greeting cards and gifts from their husbands and children The best gift of all American moms is a day of leisure. The majority of American mothers have outside jobs as well as housework, so their working days are often very hard. Flowers are an important part of the day. Mothers are often given a plant for the occasion, particularly if they are elderly. Father's Day is celebrated throughout the USA on the third Sunday in June. The holiday customs are similar to Mother's Day. Dad also receives the same gifts as what moms get on their day.

1. This passage is mainly about

A. celebrations for teachers                     B. festivals in the USA

C. celebrations for parents in the USA    D. festivals for parents in the world.

2. According to the passage, Mother’s Day is celebrated

A. on the third Sunday in May         B. on the second Sunday in May

C. on the last weekend in may        D. on the first weekend

3. According to the passage, which can mother NOT receive on Mother's Day?

A. greeting cards    B. a day of leisure         

C. flowers               D. a wedding dress

4. Father's Day is held

A. in the west of the USA            B. outside the USA

C. throughout the USA                D. in the east of the USA

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.

What is the closest meaning to the word “chorus” used in the passage?

A. A group of singers that sing together.

B. The main part of a song.

C. An accompanying singer.                          

D. None of the above.

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.

What is the closest meaning to the word “chorus” used in the passage?

A. A group of singers that sing together.

B. The main part of a song.

C. An accompanying singer.

D. None of the above.

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.

What is the closest meaning to the word “chorus” used in the passage?

A. A group of singers that sing together

B. The main part of a song

C. An accompanying singer

D. None of the above