[PASSAGE 1] READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND CHOOSE THE LETTER A, B, C, OR D TO INDICATE THE CORRECT ANSWER TO EACH OF THE QUESTIONS.

Any list of the greatest thinkers in history contains the name of the brilliant German physicist Albert Einstein. His theories of relativity led to entirely new ways of thinking about time, space, matter, energy, and gravity. Einstein's work led to such scientific advances as the control of atomic energy, even television as a practical application of Einstein's work. In 1902, Einstein became an examiner in the Swiss patent office at Bern. In 1905, at age 26, he published the first of five major research papers. The first one provided a theory explaining Brownian movement, the zig¬zag motion of microscopic particles in suspension. The second paper laid the foundation for the photon, or quantum, theory of light. In it, he proposed that light is composed of separate packets of energy, called quanta or photons, that have some of the properties of particles and some of the properties of waves. A third paper contained the "special theory of relativity" which showed that time and motion are relative to the observer if the speed of light is constant and the natural laws are the same everywhere in the universe. The fourth paper was a mathematical addition to the special theory of relativity. Here Einstein presented his famous formula, E = m(cc), known as the energy-mass equivalence. In 1916, Einstein published his general theory of relativity. In it, he proposed that gravity is not a force, but a curve in the space-time continuum, created by the presence of mass. Einstein spoke out frequently against nationalism, the exalting of one nation above all others. He opposed war and violence and supported Zionism, the movement to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine. When the Nazis came to power in 1933, they denounced his ideas. He then moved to the United States. In 1939, Einstein learned that two German chemists had split the uranium atom. Einstein wrote to President Franklin d. Roosevelt warning him that this scientific knowledge could lead to Germany developing an atomic bomb. He suggested the United States begin its own atomic bomb research.

Question 1: Einstein's primary work was in the area of

A. chemistry               B. biology                C. physics            D. engineering

Question 2: Which of the following inventions is mentioned in the passage as a practical application of Einstein's discoveries?

A. Radio                     B. Automobiles        C. Computers      D. Television

Question 3: According to the passage, Einstein supported all of the following except

A.  the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine

B.  nationalism

C.  atomic bomb research in the United States.

D.  the defeat of the Nazis.

Question 4: In which country was Einstein born?

A. Switzerland            B. United States       C. Germany        D. Israel

Question 5: What is the "Brownian movement"?

A.  The zig-zag motion of microscopic particles in suspension

B.  The emission of electrons from solids when struck by light

C.  The motion of photons in the light

D.  The basis of the theory of relativity

Question 6: Einstein was a citizen of all of the following countries EXCEPT

A. Belgium                 B. Germany            C. Switzerland       D. United States

Question 7: It is clear from the tone of the passage that the author feels

A.  Einstein's work in physics was somewhat tarnished by his conservative political views.

B.  Albert Einstein was one of the most brilliant thinkers in history.

C.  Einstein's work in physics, though theoretically impressive, led to few practical applications.

D.  Einstein's theories have been consistently proven incorrect.

Question 8: According to Einstein's special theory of relativity

A.  all properties of matter and energy can be explained in a single mathematical formula.

B.  light is composed of separate packets of energy.

C.  time and motion are relative to the observer.

D.  some solids emit electrons when struck by light.

Question 9: In line 15, the word "exalting" most nearly means

A. elevation                B. criticism              C. support           D. elimination

Question 10: According to Einstein, light is composed of separate packets of energy called

A. electrons                B. photoelectrons   C. quanta            D. gamma rays

[PASSAGE 2] READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE AND CHOOSE THE LETTER A, B, C, OR D TO INDICATE THE CORRECT ANSWER TO EACH OF THE QUESTIONS.

The human criterion for perfect vision is 20/20 for reading the standard lines on a Snellen eye chart without a hitch. The score is determined by how well you read lines of letters of different sizes from 20 feet away. But being able to read the bottom line on the eye chart does not approximate perfection as far as other species are concerned. Most birds would consider us very visually handicapped. The hawk, for instance, has such sharp eyes that it can spot a dime on the sidewalk while perched on top of the Empire State Building. It can make fine visual distinctions because it is blessed with one million cones per square millimetre in its retina. And in water, humans are farsighted, while the kingfisher, swooping down to spearfish, can see well in both the air and water because it is endowed with two foveae - areas of the eye, consisting mostly of cones, that provide visual distinctions. One fovea permits the bird, while in the air, to scan the water below with one eye at a time. This is called monocular vision. Once it hits the water, the other fovea joins in, allowing the kingfisher to focus both eyes, like binoculars, on its prey at the same time. A frog's vision is distinguished by its ability to perceive things as a constant motion picture. Known as "bug detectors", a highly developed set of cells in a frog's eyes responds mainly to moving objects. So, it is said that a frog sitting in a field of dead bugs wouldn't see them as food and would starve.

The bee has a "compound" eye, which is used for navigation. It has 15,000 facets that divide what it sees into a pattern of dots or mosaic. With this kind of vision, the bee sees the sun only as a single dot, a constant point of reference. Thus, the eye is a superb navigational instrument that constantly measures the angle of its line of flight in relation to the sun. A bee's eye also gauges flight speed. And if that is not enough to leave our 20/20 "perfect vision" paling into insignificance, the bee is capable of seeing something we can't - ultraviolet light. Thus, what humans consider to be "perfect vision" is in fact rather limited when we look at other species. However, there is still much to be said for the human eye. Of all the mammals, only humans and some primates can enjoy the pleasures of colour vision.

Question 1: What does the passage mainly discuss?

A. limits of the human eye                 B. perfect vision

C. different eyes for different uses     D. eye variation among different species

Question 2: The word "criterion" in line 1 is closest in meaning to

A. standard                  B. need               C. expectation               D. rule

Question 3: The phrase "without a hitch" is closest in meaning to

A. unaided                                         B. without glasses

C. with little hesitation                       D. easily

Question 4: According to the passage, why might birds and animals consider humans very visually handicapped?

A.  humans can't see very well in either air or water

B.  human eyes are not as well suited to our needs

C.  the main outstanding feature of human eyes is colour vision

D.  human eyes can't do what their eyes can do

Question 5: The word "that" in line 8 refers to

A. foveae          B. areas of the eye            C. cones        D. visual distinctions

Question 6: According to the passage, "bug detectors" are useful for

A. navigation                                                  B. seeing moving objects

C. avoiding bugs when getting food               D. avoiding starvation

Question 7: According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true

A.  kingfishers have monocular vision

B.  bees see patterns of dots

C.  hawks eyes consist mostly of cones that can allow it to scan with one eye at a time

D.  humans are farsighted in water

Question 8: Where in the passage does the author discuss that eyes are useful for avoiding starvation?

A. lines1-3               B. lines 4-6              C. lines 12-14           D. lines 17-20

Question 9: The phrase "paling into insignificance" is closest in meaning to

A. fading away                        B. of less importance

C. without coloured light          D. being reduced to little importance

Question 10: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A.  eyes have developed differently in each species

B.  bees have the most complex eye

C.  humans should not envy what they don't need

D.  perfect vision is not perfect

Good luck to you all!

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.

Which of the following can result from the loss of one species in a food chain?

A. The connections among the creatures in the food chain become closer.

B. Larger predators will look for other types of prey.

C. There might be a lack of food resources for some other species.

D. Animals will shift to another food chain in the community.

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.

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Animal and plant species which pose threats to humans will die out soon.

B. Saving popular animal and plant species should be given a high priority.

C. Humans will make changes in their lifestyles to save other species.

D. The dilemma humans face between maintaining their lives and saving other species remains

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   22  to  26

A.   Read the passage carefully, then choose the correct answer.

The ruined temples of Angkor are perhaps one of the mast impressive Seven Wonders of the World. Located in modern day Cambodia near Lake TonIe Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Asia, Angkor was the seat of power for the Khmer Empire from the ninth to the fifteenth century. The ruins of Angkor are documented as same .of the mast impressive ones in the world, rivaling the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Why this mighty civilization died out is a question that archeologists are now only beginning to ponder. The answer, it turns out, may be linked with the availability of fresh water.

One possible explanation far the downfall of the Khmer Empire has to do with the inhabitants' irrigation system. The temple and palaces of Angkor were constructed around a series of artificial reservoirs and canals which were annually flooded to capacity by the Mekong River. Once filled, they were used to irrigate the surrounding rice patties and farmland during the course of the year. Farmers were completely dependent upon the water for their crucial rice crop. Without consistent irrigation, the farmers would have been unable to maintain functional crop production.

Scientists speculate that toward the end of the Khmer Empire the hydraulic systems of the reservoirs and canals broke down. The construction of hundreds of sandstone temples and palaces required an enormous amount of physical labor. In addition, as the capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor contained upwards of one hundred thousand people who resided in and around Angkor. In order to feed so many people, the local farmers were driven to grow food quicker and more efficiently. After centuries of continual use, the irrigation system was pushed beyond its capacity. Soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and the loss of water led to decrease in the food supply. With less food available, the people of Angkor slowly began to migrate to other parts of Cambodia thus leaving the marvelous city of Angkor to be swallowed by the jungle. Therefore, it is speculated that the Khmer Empire may have fallen victim to its own decrepit infrastructure.

22. What is the passage mainly about?

A. Modern day agricultural procedures in Cambodia.

B. A possible explanation for the, decline of a civilization.

C. The essential role water plays in farming.

D. Religious temples of the ancient Khmer Empire.

23. The passage preceding the passage most likely discusses ______.

A. architecture of ancient Asian civilization

B. religious practices of the people of Angkor

C. the form of government practiced by the Khmer Empire

D. the other six wonders of the world

24. According to the passage, Lake Tonle Sap in Cambodia ______.

A. is an enormous fresh body of water in Asia

B. was unable to supply enough fish for the people of Angkor

C. became polluted due to a population explosion

D. is one of the Seven Wonders of the World

25. Why does the author mention the hydraulic systems of the reservoirs?

A. They supplied irrigation from the Indian Ocean.

B. They became non-functional due to overuse.

C. They were destroyed by nearby warrior tribes.

D. They helped transport the sandstones for constructing temples.

26. It can be inferred from the passage that the inhabitants of the Khmer Empire ______.

A. were intentionally starved by the farmers

B. lost their food source due to excess rainfall

C. supplemented their diets with 'meat hunted in the nearby jungles

D. depended upon rice as their main source of food

27. All the following are mentioned as events that can affect food supply EXCEPT.

A. erosion of soil                                       B. contamination of soil

C. reduction of nutrients                            D. loss of water supply

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 36 to 40.

What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Human ancestors became predominantly right-handed when they began to use tools.

B. It is difficult to interpret the significance of anthropological evidence concerning tool use.

C. Humans and their ancestors have been predominantly right-handed for over a million years.

D. Human ancestors were more skilled at using both hands than modern humans.

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 36 to 40.

What is the main idea of the passage?

A. outline

B. hand

C. wall

D. paint

X. 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.                                                

Almost everybody has some kinds of  hobby. My hobbies are listening to music and watching television.

I am very fond of music. When I am free, I often listen to my favourite songs from an old cassette recorder. At weekends, I usually go to music shops in the downtown areas to buy good CDs. Of the famous pop singers, I prefer Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Madonna and Paul MCCartney.

I also spend an hour after dinner watching news and documentary programmes. I particularly enjoy the programme “The World Here and There” because it boardens my knowledge of nature and human civilizations.

I think that my hobbies are very useful. They widen my knowledge, relax my mind, and make me feel better about myself.

Question 1.  The writer’s hobbies are………………..

A. watching TV and listening to music                             

B. listening to music and playing games

C. reading books and playing games

D. playing games and watching TV

Question 2.  .The writer often listens to his favourite songs from…………………..

A.a CD player                   B. a cassette recorder                C. a mobile phone    D. a computer

Question 3. What does he usually do at weekends?

A. listen to music with his friends

B. stay at home and listen to music                                   

C. go downtown to buy CDs

D.listen to music at music shops.

Question 4.  When does the writer usually watch TV.

A. before dinner         B. before lunch                     C. after dinner           D. after lunch

Question 5. Why does he enjoy the programme “ The World Here and There”.

A. Because he can see his most famous singers. 
B. Because it widens his knowledge.         

C. Because it contains some music programmes.

D. Because he prefers to listen to Paul McCartney.

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 36 to 40.

The word “clues” in line 14 is closest in meaning to

A. solutions

B. details

C. damage

D. informatio

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 43 to 50.

What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

A. Gerontologists have controlled the process of aging. 

B. Gerontologists are working hard to help people live longer and more healthily. 

C. Gerontologists are trying to give people an eternal life. 

D. Gerontologists are now able to slow down the process of aging.

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