*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 on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each blank.

We are descendents of the ice age. Periods of glaciation have spanned the whole of human existence for the past 2 million years. The rapid melting of the continental glaciers at the end of the last ice age spurred one of the most dramatic climate changes in the history of the planet. During this interglacial time, people were caught up in a cataclysm of human accomplishment, including the development of agriculture and animal husbandry. Over the past few thousand years, the Earth’s climate has been extraordinarily beneficial, and humans have prospered exceedingly well under a benign atmosphere.

Ice ages have dramatically affected life on Earth almost from the very beginning. It is even possible that life itself significantly changed the climate. All living organisms pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and eventually store it in sedimentary rocks within the Earth’s crust. If too much carbon dioxide is lost, too much heat escapes out into the atmosphere. This can cause the Earth to cool enough for glacial ice to spread across the land.

In general the reduction of the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been equalized by the input of carbon dioxide from such events as volcanic eruptions. Man, however, is upsetting the equation by burning fossil fuels and destroying tropical rain forests, both of which release stored carbon dioxide. This energizes the greenhouse effect and causes the Earth to warm. If the warming is significant enough, the polar ice caps eventually melt.

The polar ice caps drive the atmospheric and oceanic circulation systems. Should the ice caps melt, warm tropical waters could circle the globe and make this a very warm, inhospitable planet.

Over the past century, the global sea level has apparently risen upwards of 6 inches, mainly because of the melting of glacial ice. If present warming trends continue, the seas could rise as much as 6 feet by the next century. This could flood coastal cities and fertile river deltas, where half the human population lives. Delicate wetlands, where many marine species breed, also would be reclaimed by the sea. In addition, more frequent and severe storms would batter coastal areas, adding to the disaster of the higher seas.

The continued melting of the great ice sheets in polar regions could cause massive amounts of ice to crash into the ocean. This would further raise the sea level and release more ice, which could more than double the area of sea ice and increase correspondingly the amount of sunlight reflected back into space. The cycle would then be complete as this could cause global temperatures to drop enough to initiate another ice age.

 What is the main topic of the passage?

A. The possibility that the popular ice caps will melt 

B. The coming of another ice age 

C. Man’s effect on the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere 

D. The climate of the Earth over the years

Read the following passage and mark the letter on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each blank.

We are descendents of the ice age. Periods of glaciation have spanned the whole of human existence for the past 2 million years. The rapid melting of the continental glaciers at the end of the last ice age spurred one of the most dramatic climate changes in the history of the planet. During this interglacial time, people were caught up in a cataclysm of human accomplishment, including the development of agriculture and animal husbandry. Over the past few thousand years, the Earth’s climate has been extraordinarily beneficial, and humans have prospered exceedingly well under a benign atmosphere.

Ice ages have dramatically affected life on Earth almost from the very beginning. It is even possible that life itself significantly changed the climate. All living organisms pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and eventually store it in sedimentary rocks within the Earth’s crust. If too much carbon dioxide is lost, too much heat escapes out into the atmosphere. This can cause the Earth to cool enough for glacial ice to spread across the land.

In general the reduction of the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been equalized by the input of carbon dioxide from such events as volcanic eruptions. Man, however, is upsetting the equation by burning fossil fuels and destroying tropical rain forests, both of which release stored carbon dioxide. This energizes the greenhouse effect and causes the Earth to warm. If the warming is significant enough, the polar ice caps eventually melt.

The polar ice caps drive the atmospheric and oceanic circulation systems. Should the ice caps melt, warm tropical waters could circle the globe and make this a very warm, inhospitable planet.

Over the past century, the global sea level has apparently risen upwards of 6 inches, mainly because of the melting of glacial ice. If present warming trends continue, the seas could rise as much as 6 feet by the next century. This could flood coastal cities and fertile river deltas, where half the human population lives. Delicate wetlands, where many marine species breed, also would be reclaimed by the sea. In addition, more frequent and severe storms would batter coastal areas, adding to the disaster of the higher seas.

The continued melting of the great ice sheets in polar regions could cause massive amounts of ice to crash into the ocean. This would further raise the sea level and release more ice, which could more than double the area of sea ice and increase correspondingly the amount of sunlight reflected back into space. The cycle would then be complete as this could cause global temperatures to drop enough to initiate another ice age.

The word “this” in the third paragraph refers to 

A. man’s upsetting the equation

B. the reduction of the level of carbon dioxide. 

C. a volcanic eruption

D. the melting of the polar ice caps

Read the following passage and mark the letter on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each blank.

We are descendents of the ice age. Periods of glaciation have spanned the whole of human existence for the past 2 million years. The rapid melting of the continental glaciers at the end of the last ice age spurred one of the most dramatic climate changes in the history of the planet. During this interglacial time, people were caught up in a cataclysm of human accomplishment, including the development of agriculture and animal husbandry. Over the past few thousand years, the Earth’s climate has been extraordinarily beneficial, and humans have prospered exceedingly well under a benign atmosphere.

Ice ages have dramatically affected life on Earth almost from the very beginning. It is even possible that life itself significantly changed the climate. All living organisms pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and eventually store it in sedimentary rocks within the Earth’s crust. If too much carbon dioxide is lost, too much heat escapes out into the atmosphere. This can cause the Earth to cool enough for glacial ice to spread across the land.

In general the reduction of the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been equalized by the input of carbon dioxide from such events as volcanic eruptions. Man, however, is upsetting the equation by burning fossil fuels and destroying tropical rain forests, both of which release stored carbon dioxide. This energizes the greenhouse effect and causes the Earth to warm. If the warming is significant enough, the polar ice caps eventually melt.

The polar ice caps drive the atmospheric and oceanic circulation systems. Should the ice caps melt, warm tropical waters could circle the globe and make this a very warm, inhospitable planet.

Over the past century, the global sea level has apparently risen upwards of 6 inches, mainly because of the melting of glacial ice. If present warming trends continue, the seas could rise as much as 6 feet by the next century. This could flood coastal cities and fertile river deltas, where half the human population lives. Delicate wetlands, where many marine species breed, also would be reclaimed by the sea. In addition, more frequent and severe storms would batter coastal areas, adding to the disaster of the higher seas.

The continued melting of the great ice sheets in polar regions could cause massive amounts of ice to crash into the ocean. This would further raise the sea level and release more ice, which could more than double the area of sea ice and increase correspondingly the amount of sunlight reflected back into space. The cycle would then be complete as this could cause global temperatures to drop enough to initiate another ice age.

 The word “inhospitable” is closest in meaning to

A. imperfect.

B. uninhabitable.

C. unlikable

D. cruel.

Read the following passage and mark the letter on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each blank.

We are descendents of the ice age. Periods of glaciation have spanned the whole of human existence for the past 2 million years. The rapid melting of the continental glaciers at the end of the last ice age spurred one of the most dramatic climate changes in the history of the planet. During this interglacial time, people were caught up in a cataclysm of human accomplishment, including the development of agriculture and animal husbandry. Over the past few thousand years, the Earth’s climate has been extraordinarily beneficial, and humans have prospered exceedingly well under a benign atmosphere.

Ice ages have dramatically affected life on Earth almost from the very beginning. It is even possible that life itself significantly changed the climate. All living organisms pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and eventually store it in sedimentary rocks within the Earth’s crust. If too much carbon dioxide is lost, too much heat escapes out into the atmosphere. This can cause the Earth to cool enough for glacial ice to spread across the land.

In general the reduction of the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been equalized by the input of carbon dioxide from such events as volcanic eruptions. Man, however, is upsetting the equation by burning fossil fuels and destroying tropical rain forests, both of which release stored carbon dioxide. This energizes the greenhouse effect and causes the Earth to warm. If the warming is significant enough, the polar ice caps eventually melt.

The polar ice caps drive the atmospheric and oceanic circulation systems. Should the ice caps melt, warm tropical waters could circle the globe and make this a very warm, inhospitable planet.

Over the past century, the global sea level has apparently risen upwards of 6 inches, mainly because of the melting of glacial ice. If present warming trends continue, the seas could rise as much as 6 feet by the next century. This could flood coastal cities and fertile river deltas, where half the human population lives. Delicate wetlands, where many marine species breed, also would be reclaimed by the sea. In addition, more frequent and severe storms would batter coastal areas, adding to the disaster of the higher seas.

The continued melting of the great ice sheets in polar regions could cause massive amounts of ice to crash into the ocean. This would further raise the sea level and release more ice, which could more than double the area of sea ice and increase correspondingly the amount of sunlight reflected back into space. The cycle would then be complete as this could cause global temperatures to drop enough to initiate another ice age.

The word massive can be replaced to 

A. wide

B. huge

C. dense

D. thick

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. (1.0 point)

The computer age is producing an army of robots - machines that are directed by electronic brains and which replace human labor in industrial operations. Many are artificial arms which reach into areas man enters only at his peril, such as the inside of a nuclear reactor. Already in 1980 there were over 8000 such robots working in industrial plants throughout the world. The big changeover to the robot, however, is likely to come only when their costs go down while workers' wages continue to rise.

Question 36. Sentence 1 indicates that robots are used mainly

 A. to fight wars.                                     B.to operate computers.

C. to take the place of human workers.        D.to direct electronic brains.

Question 37. An observer today is most likely to see robots in operation in

    A. modern factories.     B. military battles.            C. Business offices.          D. scientific laboratories.

Question 38. The article makes clear that a very valuable use of many robots is to

             A. act as a teacher to human beings.                   

 B. do tasks extremely dangerous for humans to do.

             C. aid doctors in medical operations.                  

 D. replace the human brain in producing computers.

Question 39. Which one of the following statements about the last sentence in the passage is certainly true?

   A. Robots are becoming cheaper all the time.

   B. The cost of a human worker is higher than that of the average robot.

   C. Robots are becoming more expensive all the time.

   D. The cost of the average robot is higher than that of a human worker.

Question 40. The writer indicates that the widespread replacement of human labor by industrial robots

   A. has already begun worldwide.                             

   B. is starting especially in the developing nations.

   C. is being delayed mainly for economic reasons.    

   D. will not take place before the end of this century.

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 numbered blank.

Around the age of sixteen, you must make one of the biggest decisions of your life. Do I stay on at school and hopefully go on to university (23) ________? Do I leave and start work or beginning a training (24) ________? The decision is yours, but it may be (25) ________ remembering two things: there is more unemployment among who haven’t been to university, and people who have the right skills will have a big advantage in the competition of jobs. If you decide to go (26) ________into a job, there are many opportunities for training. Getting qualifications will help you to get on more quickly in many careers, and evening classes allow you to learn (27) ________ you earn. Starting work and taking a break to study when you are older is another possibility. This way, you can save up many for your student days, as well as getting practical work experience.

Question 23. A. after B. later C. then D. past

Question 24. A. school B. class C. course D. term

Question 25. A. worth B. necessary C. important D. useful

Question 26. A. straight B. just C. direct D. rather

Question 27. A. where B. while C. when D. what

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.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES

A number of different energy sources are used every day. Burning of fossil fuel is a main energy source. Sources other than this fossil fuel are known as alternative energy sources and there are several of them being used every day.

First of all is water. Water energy can be harnessed to perform work by using waterwheels. In a hydroelectric plant the running or falling water spins a generator to create electricity.

Not only does water spin a wheel, but wind can do so as well. Windmills work in the same manner as a waterwheel. Windmills are used as wind turbines that can generate electricity.

The internal heat of the earth is another energy source. It is called geothermal energy. Geothermal energy can be used to heat homes and produce electricity.

Solar energy is often thought to be sunlight. Sunlight is full of energy. People are finding new ways to harness the power of sunlight. One major way is to trap or concentrate sunlight with the use of solar panels. This trapped sunlight can be used to heat homes and water. Also solar cells are devices that convert sunlight into electric energy.

Question 28. Which of the following is a device that converts sunlight into electric energy?

A. Solar cells B. Solar panels C. Converters D. Hydro panels

Question 29. Which of the following is a tool used to trap or concentrate sunlight to be used for energy?

A. Solar cells B. Solar panels C. Solar devices D. Solar censors

Question 30. Which of the following is NOT an alternative source of energy?

A. Water B. Wind C. Sun D. Plants

Question 31. Sources of energy other than fossil fuel are called which of the following?

A. Alternative sources of energy B. Geothermal energy

C. Solar energy D. Water energy

Question 32. Water energy can be harnessed by using which of the following tools?

A. Windmills B. Waterwheels

C. Aqua cells D. Hydroelectric wheels

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 from 34 to 38.

The human body is a symphony of intricate rhythms, orchestrated (34) _____ an invisible conductor known as the body clock. It is the mastermind behind our sleep-wake (35) _____, regulating our internal processes with unwavering precision. Like a skilled maestro, it synchronises our biological functions, guiding us through the ebb and flow of each day.

This internal timekeeper, also (36) _____ as the circadian rhythm, governs our sleep patterns, hormone production, and metabolism. It dances to the beat of external cues, such as sunlight and darkness, aligning our bodies with the (37) _____ rhythms of the world around us. But this remarkable clock isn't just a mechanical timepiece. It has the power to shape our physical and mental well-being. When in harmony, it bestows us with vitality, alertness, and a sense of balance. However, (38) _____ disrupted, it can unleash chaos, leading to sleep disorders, mood swings, and even compromised immune function.

34. A. with B. by C. on D. for

35. A. circle B. recycle C. cycle D. archive

36. A. nominated B. famous C. famed D. known

37. A. superficial B. natural C. dominant D. obvious

38. A. until B. because C. since D. when

Read the following passage and mark the letter on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each blank.

We are descendents of the ice age. Periods of glaciation have spanned the whole of human existence for the past 2 million years. The rapid melting of the continental glaciers at the end of the last ice age spurred one of the most dramatic climate changes in the history of the planet. During this interglacial time, people were caught up in a cataclysm of human accomplishment, including the development of agriculture and animal husbandry. Over the past few thousand years, the Earth’s climate has been extraordinarily beneficial, and humans have prospered exceedingly well under a benign atmosphere.

Ice ages have dramatically affected life on Earth almost from the very beginning. It is even possible that life itself significantly changed the climate. All living organisms pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and eventually store it in sedimentary rocks within the Earth’s crust. If too much carbon dioxide is lost, too much heat escapes out into the atmosphere. This can cause the Earth to cool enough for glacial ice to spread across the land.

In general the reduction of the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been equalized by the input of carbon dioxide from such events as volcanic eruptions. Man, however, is upsetting the equation by burning fossil fuels and destroying tropical rain forests, both of which release stored carbon dioxide. This energizes the greenhouse effect and causes the Earth to warm. If the warming is significant enough, the polar ice caps eventually melt.

The polar ice caps drive the atmospheric and oceanic circulation systems. Should the ice caps melt, warm tropical waters could circle the globe and make this a very warm, inhospitable planet.

Over the past century, the global sea level has apparently risen upwards of 6 inches, mainly because of the melting of glacial ice. If present warming trends continue, the seas could rise as much as 6 feet by the next century. This could flood coastal cities and fertile river deltas, where half the human population lives. Delicate wetlands, where many marine species breed, also would be reclaimed by the sea. In addition, more frequent and severe storms would batter coastal areas, adding to the disaster of the higher seas.

The continued melting of the great ice sheets in polar regions could cause massive amounts of ice to crash into the ocean. This would further raise the sea level and release more ice, which could more than double the area of sea ice and increase correspondingly the amount of sunlight reflected back into space. The cycle would then be complete as this could cause global temperatures to drop enough to initiate another ice age.

 According to the passage, carbon dioxide is stored in each of the following EXCEPT

A. polar ice caps.

B. sedimentary rocks.

C. rain forests.

D. fossil fuel.