GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the bold word.

1. My boss was very _____________ when I was sick - she told me to stay home until I was feeling better. (SYMPATHY)

2. The most _____________ job I've ever done is packaging hamburgers in a processed food factory. (REPEAT)

3. I get on surprisingly well with my neighbour, despite the differences in our political _____________ . (BELIEVE)

4. The noises in the flat above me aroused my _____________ , so I went upstairs to see what was happening. (CURIOUS)

5. The government has launched a new campaign to increase _____________ of the importance of vaccinations. (AWARE)

6. Some civilians were deeply _____________ of their behaviour during the victory celebrations. (SHAME)

7. Ecologists have expressed strong _____________ to the creation of an artificial lake in the area. (OPPOSE)

8. My aunt felt a great sense of _____________ when her youngest daughter left home. (LOSE)

9. The army has been ordered to put down the _____________ . (REBEL)

10. Rescue teams searched among the ruined buildings for _____________ of the earthquake. (SURVIVE)

5. Complete the email below with a suitable word.
Dear Mr Schwarz,
Thank you for your email. Before you proceed with any legal action, it is essential that you (1) _______________ certain facts into account with regard to yacht chartering.
It is a standard requirement that at least one member of the crew should (2) _______________ a recognised yacht master’s licence. (3) _______________ you been able to produce such a document, it would not have been necessary for the boat owner to hire a skipper. Your frustration at not being told that this would involve you paying an extra fee is understandable. Be that as it (4) _______________ , this information is clearly stated in the Charter Party contract, which you had already signed. In legal terms, therefore, (5) _______________ it to say, it was your responsibility to read this before signing.
Since the contract is legally binding, (6) _______________ you to take matters further, I fear the outcome would be unfavourable. For this reason, I strongly recommend that you (7) _______________  your decision. (8) _______________ you wish to contact me, I would be happy to discuss an alternative solution.
Yours sincerely, 
Helena Vickers

PART B: READ THE PASSAGE AND THEN CHOOSE FROM THE LIST A-G GIVEN BELOW THE BEST SENTENCE TO FILL IN EACH OF THE BLANKS. TWO OF THE SUGGESTED ANSWERS DO NOT FIT AT ALL. (5 PTS)

One of the strangest phenomena in the universe is the black hole. (1)                           . Like vacuum cleaners, black holes will suck up anything that crosses their path. The incredible sucking power that black holes generate comes from gravity. (2)

                      . Even light cannot escape the grasp of black holes. Since they are able to pull in light, black holes are nearly impossible to see even with high-powered telescopes. (3)                       . Black holes can originate in a few ways. (4)                                             . They can also occur when the mass of a neutron star becomes so great that it collapses in on itself. (5)                           . These cosmic collisions unleash immense energy and can lead to the formation of massive black holes, further expanding our understanding of the universe’s complexity and diversity.

(A) They can quickly swallow up anything, including planets, space debris, and anything else imaginable

(B)  One type of black hole occurs when a star comes to the end of its lifecycle and dies in a supernova explosion

(C)  In the vast expanse of the universe, black holes remain as enigmatic cosmic entities, shrouded in mystery and intrigue

(D)  However, scientists are able to detect the presence of black holes in space because of their effect on an observed area

(E)  For years, scientists have studied black holes in an attempt to better understand how they function

(F)  The first photograph of a black hole was captured by the Event Horizon Telescope in 2019, marking a significant achievement in astronomy

(G) Black holes may also occur when several large and dense stars collide with one another in space

READING PASSAGE 1:

And we all know how important it is to eat well but did you know doing? So can even improve your mind study show that certain foods can enhance memory and cognitive function. In one study participants with memory issues who drank 500 milliliters of purple grape juice daily for 12 weeks improved on a memory task compared to a control group. It's been shown that children who ate blueberries perform better on word recall tests. Remembering more. Words accurately after two hours, both are rich in plant chemicals called polyphenols known to increase blood flow to the brain. This then provides more energy, nutrients, and oxygen, improving our cognition. One study even found that women over 70, who regularly, eat two or more servings of strawberries and blueberries each week showed lower cognitive decline by up to two and a half years. And it's not just berries, long-term consumption of green tea. Has also been linked to enhanced short-term memory working, memory, attention, and reduce risk of cognitive decline. While walnuts are packed with protein and healthy fats with one study finding that those who ate more scored higher on tests, there are so high on a mega-3 known to be good for the brain. While flavanols found in 70%, dark chocolate can improve our episodic memory, our memory of past events. And of course, fatty fish is another source of a mega-3, providing the essential fats EPA and DHA, which the body cannot produce itself. These fats are crucial for brain health heart function, and overall well-being, but just as important as eating, well, is avoiding harmful foods. In one study, when individuals who typically eat well switch to a diet high in processed foods, for only one week, it leads to impaired learning memory and worse appetite regulation. While another recent study links and Ultra process diet, to memory, Decline, and stroke risk, this shows that we all have the power to improve our nutrition to help us think better simply by what we eat.

Complete the summary below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 1 – 3 on your answer sheet.

HOW NUTRITION AFFECTS COGNITIVE FUNCTION

Studies suggest that certain foods can enhance both memory and 1. _____________ . For instance, participants who drank grape juice daily showed improvement in memory tasks, while children who ate 2. _____________ performed better in recall tests. In addition, long-term consumption of foods like green tea and walnuts has been linked to better memory and a reduced risk of cognitive 3. _____________ . On the other hand, diets high in processed foods can impair memory and increase the risk of stroke.

Complete the table below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 4 – 9 on your answer sheet.

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT FOODS ON COGNITION

Read the following passage about Typhoon Yagi and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 37.
        The death toll continues to climb from Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm Asia has seen this year. After making landfall in Vietnam on Saturday, it has already left a trail of destruction through the Philippines and China, resulting in dozens of casualties and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Southeast Asia correspondent Lauren Daye reports that despite Yagi being downgraded to a tropical depression, its impact has been catastrophic. The storm, which is the biggest of the year in Asia and the second largest globally after Cyclone Beryl, first hit the Philippines about a week ago, resulting in the death of 20 people and significant devastation.
         Yagi then intensified as it moved towards Hainan, a major tourist destination in China often referred to as China's Hawaii. Authorities managed to evacuate hundreds of thousands of residents before the storm's arrival, yet it still claimed four lives and caused around $100 million in damage to infrastructure. Following its path, Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Vietnam, bringing winds of up to 200 kilometres per hour that ripped roofs from buildings and uprooted trees. The resulting floods and landslides have been disastrous, particularly in northern Vietnam, where harrowing scenes emerged, including the sweeping away of a passenger bus and the collapse of a major bridge into the Red River.
         As the death toll continues to rise and with many still missing, the economic impact is also becoming apparent. The hardest-hit provinces host significant industrial operations, including factories for major companies like LG and Apple suppliers. The storm also severely affected power and telecommunications infrastructure, leading to the loss of power for approximately 5.7 million people. Although much power has been restored, the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. Authorities warn that further rain, flooding, and landslides are expected, keeping the entire region on edge as they prepare for potential additional impacts.

Question 31: The word catastrophic in paragraph 1 could be best replaced by _____________ .
A. unfortunate       B. devastating        C. appalling        D. detrimental
Question 32: The word harrowing in paragraph 2 is CLOSEST in meaning to _____________ .
A. inspiring          B. terrifying          C. distressing          D. disturbing
Question 33: What is the main reason for the high death toll linked to Typhoon Yagi?
A. The storm was unexpected and caught many off guard.
B. The storm's intensity increased as it approached land.
C. Evacuations were ineffective in preventing casualties.
D. Infrastructure damage hampered emergency response efforts.
Question 34: What can be inferred about the authorities' response to Typhoon Yagi?
A. They were carefully unprepared for the impact of the storm.
B. They acted proactively by evacuating residents in advance.
C. They prioritized the protection of tourist facilities over residential areas.
D. They delayed evacuations until the storm was imminent.
Question 35: The phrase keeping the entire region on edge in paragraph 3 suggests that residents are _____________ .
A. feeling calm and reassured about safety measures
B. experiencing anxiety and uncertainty about future storms
C. confident in the government's disaster response
D. indifferent to the potential for further rain and landslides
Question 36: What is the significance of mentioning "LG and Apple suppliers" regarding the impact of Typhoon Yagi?
A. It highlights the storm's effect on global supply chains.
B. It indicates that these companies assisted during the storm.
C. It suggests that these companies are responsible for the storm damage.
D. It demonstrates that the storm had little impact on major corporations.
Question 37: Which of the following best summarises the passage?
A. Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm of the year in Asia, caused widespread destruction and loss of life, particularly in the Philippines and Vietnam, highlighting the need for better disaster preparedness and response measures.
B. The catastrophic impact of Typhoon Yagi on infrastructure and local economies underscores the vulnerability of regions to natural disasters, emphasizing the importance of effective evacuation and recovery strategies.
C. Typhoon Yagi resulted in extensive damage across several countries, prompting concerns about future storms and the region's ability to recover, while also revealing the inadequacies in current disaster response efforts.
D. As Typhoon Yagi swept through Southeast Asia, its devastating winds and floods led to big casualties and economic losses, illustrating the urgent need for improved disaster management and infrastructure resilience.