III. Read the following passage then choose the best answer from the four options (marked A, B, C and D) to complete the numbered blanks in the passage. Identify your answers by writing the corresponding letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet.

If asked who ____________(1) the game of baseball, most ___________(2) would probably reply that it was Abner Doubleday. At the beginning of this century, there was some disagreement over ___________(3) the game of baseball had actually originated, so sporting-goods manufacturer Spaulding inaugurated a commission to research the ____________(4). In 1908 a report was published by the commission _________(5) which Abner Doubleday, a U.S. Army officer from Cooperstown, New York, was ____________(6) credit for the intervention of the game. The National Baseball Hall of Fame was established in Cooperstown in __________(7) of Doubleday.

Today, most sports historians are in agreement that Doubleday ____________(8) did not have much to do with the development of baseball. __________(9), baseball seems to be a close ____________(10) to the English game of rounders and probably has English rather than American roots. 

1. A. discovered B. founded C. invented D. found

2. A. Americans B. American C. The US D. America

3. A. what B. how C. when D. that

4. A. problem B. question C. matter D. issue

5. A. at B. to C. of D. in

6. A. provided B. passed C. given D. delivered

7. A. honor B. reward C. award D. ceremony

8. A. truly B. really C. as well D. probably 

9. A. But B. Moreover C. Instead D. Additionally

10. A. relate B. relationship C. relative D. relation

II. Read the following passage and then choose the best answer by writing the letter A, B, C or D on the answer sheet.

Alfred Bernhard Nobel, a Swedish inventor and philanthropist, bequeathed most of his vast fortune in trust as a fund from which annual prizes could be awarded to individuals and organizations who had achieved the greatest benefit to humanity in a particular year. Originally, there were six classifications for outstanding contributions designated in Nobel’s will, including chemistry, physics, physiology or medicine, literature and international peace.

The prizes are administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm. In 1969, a prize for economics endowed by the Central Bank of Sweden was added. Candidates for the prizes must be nominated in writing a qualified authority in the filed of competition. Recipients in physics, chemistry, and economics are selected by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; and physiology or medicine by the Caroline Institute; in literature by the Swedish Academy; and in peace by the Norwegian Nobel Committee appointed by Norway’s parliament. The prizes are usually in Stockholm on December 10, with the King of Sweden officiating, an appropriate tribute Alfred Nobel on the anniversary of his death. Each one includes a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash award of about one million dollars.

1: What does this passage mainly discuss?  

A. The Nobel prizes  B. Alfred Bernhard Nobel

C. Swedish philanthropy  D. Great contributions to mankind  

2: Why were the prizes named for Alfred Bernhard Nobel?  

A. He won the first Nobel prize for his work in philanthropy 

B. He is now living in Sweden

C. He left money in his will to establish a fund for the prizes

D. He serves as chairman of the committee to choose the recipients

3: How often are the Nobel prizes awarded?

A. Five times a year B. Once every two years 

        C. Once a year                                    D. Twice a year

4:  The word “outstanding” in line 3 most closely means _______.  

A. recent B. exceptional C. unusual D. established  

5: The word “will” in line 4 could best be replaced by _____.

A. Nobel’s wishes B. a legal document

        C. a future intention D. a free choice  

6: A Nobel prize would NOT be given to _______.  

A. an author who wrote a novel                     B. a doctor who discovered a vaccine

C. a diplomat who negotiated a peace            D. a composer who wrote a symphony

7:  The word “one” in paragraph 2 refers to _____. 

A. tribute B. anniversary   C. candidate D. prize  

8:  The word “appropriate” in the passage most closely means _______.  

        A. prestigious B. suitable                   C. customary D. transitory 

9:  Which individual or organization serves as administrator for the trust?  

A. The King of Sweden  

B. The Nobel Foundation  

C. The Central Bank of Sweden

        D. Swedish and Norwegian academies and institutes  

10:  Why are the awards presented on December 10?  

            A. It is a tribute to the King of Sweden.                    

       B. Alfred Bernhard Nobel died on that day.  

       C. That date was established in  Alfred Nobel’s will.

       D. The Central Bank of Sweden administers the trust

I. Fill in each numbered blank with ONE suitable word to complete the passage.
       Christmas is a Christian holiday. It commemorates the __________ (1) of Jesus Christ more than 2,000 years ago. Christian churches hold ___________(2) services to celebrate Christmas ______(3) midnight on Christmas ____________(4), most churches hold special candlelight services.
But Christmas is also a social and family____________(5). It is a festival of goodwill, a time____________ (6) family, friends, food, and gift-giving.
Many Americans share Christmas cookies, decorate their home, and place presents ____________(7) the family Christmas tree. Children often hang up stockings for Santa Claus to fill _________(8) small gifts. __________ (9) to tradition, Santa comes  on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. Presents are ____________(10) opened on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

II. Supply the correct form of the words in brackets.

1. The students are already _____________ with the work of Shakespeare. (ACQUAINT)

2. The children all have very different ____________(PERSON)

3. An _______________ is a person who is concerned about the natural environment and wants to improve and protect it. (ENVIRONMENT)

4. She had never been greatly concerned about her ___________(APPEAR)

5. The _____________ of people interviewed prefer TV to radio. (MAJOR)

6. She’sextremely ______ about the history of art . (know)

7. I’m afraid you aren’t suitably _____ for the job . (qualification)

8. Thousands of people are living in ______ after earthquake . (miserable)

9. She has an ______ command of the language. (impress)

10. You can always rely on Barbara. She is very _____ . (depend)

11. We are planning to go on a ___________ holiday this summer.

            A. packing                   B. pack                        C. packed                    D. package

12. The series is watched by millions of ___________

            A. viewing                  B. viewees                   C. viewers                   D. views

13. Be careful! The mountain road is ____________slippery.

            A. terrify                     B. terrifyingly             C. terrifying                D. terrified

14. Teacher will never be ___________ by computers in the classroom.

            A. replaced                  B. exchanged              C. worked                   D. preferred

15. If he ___________ late, he ____________sleepy now .

            A. hadn’t stayed up/ wouldn’t have been                  B. didn’t stay up/ wouldn’t be                      

C. didn’t stay up/ wouldn’t have been                       D. hadn’t stayed up/ wouldn’t be