A good deal of fascinating research has been done about the reading patterns of young people, and it is surprising to discover at what an early age children start expressing preferences for particular kinds of books

READING 1

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Read the text and questions below. For each question choose ONE suggested answer which you think fits best.

A good deal of fascinating research has been done about the reading patterns of young people, and it is surprising to discover at what an early age children start expressing preferences for particular kinds of books. A recent report which examined in detail the reading habits of primary-school children showed that even seven-year-old boys and girls have clear views about what they want to read. Girls, in general, read more, and far more girls than boys preferred reading stories. Boys were showing a taste for the more instant appeal of picture stories, or else books about their hobbies.

These tastes continue unchanged until girls are teenagers. Apparently girls read more in general, but more fiction in particular. You could say that there are more opportunities for girls to read fiction: magazines encourage the fiction habits in girls in their early teens, and by their late teens they have probably moved on to the adult womens magazines. Teenage boys tend to buy magazines about their hobbies: motorcycles, heavy transport and so on.

Adult reading tastes are also the subject of research. Again the number of women who read for pleasure is considerably higher than the number of men. It seems that the majority of women still want love stories. There has also been some analysis of what men actually read. Apparently only 38 percent of men read anything, but 50 percent of what they read is fiction in the form of action-packed stories of space or gunmen.

() Recent research into childrens reading has showed that they ______________.

A. start to read at a very early age

B. have formed their reading tastes by the time they are seven

C. examine in detail what they read at school

D. can read clearly and distinctly in primary school

() A close look at the reading habits of boys and girls shows that ____________.

A. school gives more encouragement to girls than to boys

B. magazines appeal more to boys than to girls

C. picture stories appeal more to girls than to boys

D. girls are more interested in fictions than boys

() Research into adult reading habits has showed that ______________.

A. the majority of men read nothing at all

B. women do not read about their hobbies

C. 38% of men have difficulty in reading

D. men prefer to read about current affair

() According to the passage, ________________.

A. far more boys than girls are interested in love stories

B. there are more opportunities for girls to buy magazines than for men

C. children generally dont care what they should read

D. teenage boys show a taste for magazines about their hobbies

() The word fascinating means most nearly the same as _______________.

A. having a lot of action B. having a lot of information

C. having great attraction D. having great pleasure

2. The United States has a new national park. It is Great Basin. It is the first national park in Nevada. The new park is in the eastern part of Nevada, near the border with Utah. It is far from any city.

An American explorer John Charles Fremont traveled through the area in the early 1800s. He found the land shaped like a bowl. So he named it the Great Basin. It is a land of unusual beauty and sharp differences.

For example, you can climb a mountain covered with green forest, and then cool yourself in a field of snow as you arrive at the top. Here and there, sharp rocks push out through the snow. Among the rocks you might see homes of the golden hawk, a bird that was once in danger of dying out.

You can camp in a campground on the edge of Lehman Caves. These caves are a group of large underground rooms made of limestone. You can walk through them for about a kilometer. Before the park opened, the caves were the center of interests for anyone traveling through this area.

The State of Nevada has wanted a national park more than sixty years. There have always been the opposite ideas from people who believed that a park would harm mining and agricultural interests. The bill that set up the park, however, promises that mines will remain open, and that sheep and cows will continue to feed on the mountain sides.

() Lehman Caves are . A. connected with each other.

B. about a kilometer each.

C. what visitors made.

D. rooms built of limestone.

() No national park was built in the Great Basin for a long time because ..A. some considered it harmful in some way.

B. it is far from any city.C. the place was found not long ago.

D. the weather was bad there.

() You may reasonably conclude that ..

A. the mountains there are quite high above sea level.

B. there are high mountains in the middle of the park.

C. the park is about one square kilometer it often snows in the Great Basin.

D. it often snows in the Great Basin.() Where might the nests of the golden hawk be seen?

A. In a field of snow.B. On the edge of Lehman Caves. C. On the mountain sides.

D. Amid the rocks.() The best title for this passage should be ..A. A new park for unusual beauty.

B. Great Basin, a new national park.

C. How the Great Basin was founded.

D. How the national park was founded.3. SHOPPING CENTRES

In many old cities in Europe, there are narrow twisting roads with a lot of shops huddling together along the two sides. These commercial places are not so modern and convenient as those called shopping centres in modern cities, especially in the suburds of the big cities in the United States.

Shopping centres have been developing reapidly because of the shift of the population to the suburbs, the growing use of and dependence upon the automobile and the heavy traffic in downtown areas.

A shopping centre is a large group of stores facing a huge central enclosed mall which may be covered, heated and air-conditioned. A shopping centre is also surrounded by a parking area with space for thousands of cars.

We can buy all kinds of food and get anything we need in a shopping centre. Unlike a supermarket, where gloceries are chiefly sold, a shopping centre provides us with all services besides food. We can get our hair cut, eyes examined, clothes washed; we can book our tickets for a world tour and even enroll in special classes.

Shopping centres are, therefore, very convenient for customers, but they lack the sense of closeness as felt in older commercial centres.

() The rapid development of shopping centres is mainly due to

A. the fast-growing prosperity of suburban people.

B. the increased use of the automobile.

C. the growing use of heavy cars in big cities.

D. the shift of population to downtown areas.

() A shopping centre is a large group of stores facing a huge central enclosed mall which is

A. narrow and winding.

B. very crowded with automobiles.

C. used as a store-house for heaters and conditioners.

D. shaded and comfortable.

() American shopping centres are especially established in the suburbs because

A. the customers want to avoid the heavy traffic in downtown areas.

B. the traffic is heavier in the suburbs than in the downtown areas.

C. there are few people moving from the downtown areas to the neighbouring regions.

D. the stress in downtown areas are narrow and twisting.

() Customers cant find the sense of closeness in a modern shopping centre because

A. all the items in the stores are expensive.

B. the shopkeepers are not very friendly.

C. it is too modern and conventional.

D. they worry too much about the safety of their cars.

() In the shopping sections of many old cities in Europe, the stores are located

A. in the suburbs.

B. in the residential areas.

C. along poor, dirty roads.

D. along small, winding streets.

In the 1960s, the Beatles were probably the most famous pop group in the whole world. Since then, there have been a great many groups that have become famous, so it is perhaps difficult now to imagine how shocking the Beatles were at that time. They were four boys from the north of England and none of them had any training in music. They started by performing and recording songs by black Americans and they had some success with these songs. Then they started writing their songs and that was when they became really popular. The Beatles changed pop music. They were the first pop group to get great success from songs they wrote themselves. After that it became common for groups and singers to write their own songs. The Beatles did not have a long career. Their first hit record was in 1963 and they split up in 1970. They stopped doing live shows in 1966 because it became too dangerous for them- their fans were so excited that they surrounded them and tried to take their clothes as souvenirs! However, today some of their songs remain as famous as they were when they first came out. Throughout the world, many people can sing part of a Beatles song if you ask them.

() The passage is mainly about:

A. why the Beatles split up after 7 years

B. The Beatles fame and success

C. how the Beatles became more successful than other groups

D. many peoples ability to sing a Beatles song

() The word popular is closest in meaning to

A. public

B. known

C. famous

D. familiar

() What is NOT TRUE about the Beatles ?

A. The members had no training in music.

B. They had a long career.

C. They became famous when they wrote their own songs.

D. They changed pop music.

() When was the Beatles first hit record?

A. In 1963

B. In 1970

C. In 1966

D. In 1960

() The Beatles stopped their live shows because..

A. they were afraid of being hurt by fans

B. they spent more time writing their own songs

C. they didnt want to work with each other

D. they had earned enough moneyRead the text and questions below. For each question choose ONE suggested answer which you think fits best.

The building company Hong Kong Housing is building a new suburb in Shanghai, a city with a population of more than 15 million people. But this suburb is not like other parts of Shanghai. It is a little piece of England. The name of the new area is "English Town". The manager of Hong Kong Housing, Shi Guangsheng, says many people in this area of China want to buy an English house and live in an English town.

"This town is like Bristol or Chester. There is an English square and there are pigeons to feed like in Trafalgar Square, London. There are four English-style pubs and you can buy English beer to drink. There is a canal and you can row a boat there like in Cambridge."

Are there any cricket fields? "No, there aren't any places to play cricket because nobody in Shanghai can play this game. But there is a football stadium like those in England. And the thing we are very proud of is our shopping street. There are several shops where you can buy traditional English food like fish and chips or Christmas Pudding."

The rich Shanghai businessman can do some gardening too. For with every house in "English Town", there is an English lawn and there are long gardens with ponds and tall hedges.

But there is one problem. The houses in this part of town cost a minimum of $400,000!

() Where is English Town?

A. England

B. Shanghai

C. Hong Kong

D. Bristol

() What does the word it in paragraph 1 refer to

A. Parts

B. Shanghai

C. Suburb

D. The name of the new area

() There are these things in English Town, excepts from

A. An English square

B. Four English-style pubs

C. A canal

D. Pigeon cages

() What are people in Shanghai proud of?

A. Shopping street

B. Cricket fields

C. Football stadium

D. Traditional English food

() How much do houses in English Town cost?

A. Four hundred thousand dollar

B. Four thousand hundred dollar

B. Fifteen million dollar

D. Fifty million dollar

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Read the text and questions below. For each question choose ONE suggested answer which you think fits best.

In the United States, friendships can be close, constant, intense, generous and real, yet fade away in a short time if circumstances change. Neither side feels hurt by this. Both may exchange Christmas greetings for a year or two, perhaps a few letters for a while then no more. If the same two people meet again by chance, even years later, they pick up the friendship where it left off and are delighted.

In the States, you can feel free to visit peoples homes, share their holidays, or enjoy their lives without fear that you are taking on a lasting obligation. Do not hesitate to accept hospitality because you cant give it in return. No one will expect you to do so for they know you are far from home. Americans will enjoy welcoming you and be pleased if you accept their hospitality easily.

Once you arrive there, the welcome will be full and warm and real. Most visitors find themselves readily invited into many homes there. In some countries it is considered inhospitable to entertain at home, offering what is felt as only home cooked food, not doing something for your guest. It is felt that restaurant entertaining shows more respect and welcome. Or for other different reasons, such as crowded space, language difficulties, or family custom, outsiders are not invited into homes. In the United States, both methods are used, but it is often considered more friendly to invite a person to ones home than to go to a public place, except in purely business relationships. So, if your host or hostess brings you home, do not feel that you are being shown inferior treatment.

() The word fade away in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to

A. die suddenly

B. pass away

C. disappear gradually

D. last forever

() Americans .. their foreign friends to make a return for their hospitality.

A. dont expect

B. ask

C. wish

D. never allow

() In some other countries, giving a dinner party at home is considered .. than in a restaurant.

A. more natural

B. more popular

C. less hospitable

D. less friendly

() According to the passage, who of the following are not brought to an Americans home?

A. His relatives

B. His friends

C. His business counterparts

D. His teachers

() Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A. American friendships

B. American invitation

C. American welcome

D. American hospitality

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Read the text and questions below. For each question choose ONE suggested answer which you think fits best.

Carnegie Hall, the famous concert hall in New York City, has again undergone a restoration. While this is not the first, it is certainly the mostextensivein the buildings history. As a result of this new restoration, Carnegie Hall once again has the quality of sound that it had when it was first built. Carnegie Hall owes its existence to Andrew Carnegie, the wealthy owner of a steel company in the late 1800s. The hall was finished in 1891 and quickly gained a reputation as an excellent performing ads hall where accomplished musicians gained fame. Despite its reputation, however, the concert hall suffered from severaldetrimentalrenovations over the years. During the Great Depression, when fewer people could afford to attend performances, the directors sold part of the building to commercial businesses. As a result, a coffee shop was opened in one corner of the building, for which the builders replaced the brick and terra cotta walls with windowpanes. A renovation in 1946 seriously damaged the acoustical quality of the hall when the makers of the film Carnegie Hall cut a gaping hole in the dome of the ceiling to allow for lights and air vents. The hole was later covered with short curtains and a fake ceiling, but the hall never sounded the same afterwards.In 1960, the violinist Isaac Stern became involved in restoring the hall after a group of real estate developers unveiled plans to demolish Carnegie Hall and build a high-rise office building on the site. This threat spurred Stern to rally public support for Carnegie Hall and encourage the City of New York to buy the property. The movement was successful, and the concert hall is now owned by the city. In the current restoration, builders tested each new material for its sound qualities, and they replaced the hole in the ceiling with a dome. The builders also restored the outer walls to their original appearance and closed the coffee shop. Carnegie has never sounded better, and its prospects for the future have never looked more promising.

() What was Isaac Sterns relationship to Carnegie Hall?

A. He made the movie Carnegie Hall in 1946

B. He performed on opening night in1891

C. He tried to save the hall, beginning in 1960

D. He opened a coffee shop in Carnegie Hall during the Depression

() This passage is mainly about

A. changes to Carnegie Hall

B. the appearance of Carnegie Hall

C. Carnegie Halls history during the Great Depression

D. Damage to the ceiling in Carnegie Hall

() The word extensive' in paragraph 1 could be best replaced by which of the following?

A. fabulous

B. thorough

C. devoted

D. continuous

() Who was Andrew Carnegie?

A. a violinist

B. an architect

C. a steel mill owner

D. mayor of New York City

() What was probably the most important aspect of the recent renovation?

A. restoring the outer wall

B. expanding the lobby

C. restoring the plaster trim

D. repairing the ceiling

4. .

Some people have complained about this years collection, New Writing 3, although I cannot understand why. Surely 500 pages of original writing of this quality, for 6.99, is pretty amazing?

Fiction both parts of novels and complete short stories make up most of the book. There are some enjoyable pieces by famous writers, such as Candia McWilliam and Rose Tremain. Its a strange fact that the less well-known people seem to have written mainly about food. Take my advice about Jane Harriss Those Nails this piece should definitely not be read just after meals. It contains some very unpleasant scenes which could turn your stomach!

There is fine work from nineteen poets, including R.S Thomas and John Burnside. There are pieces from novels-in-progress by Jim Crace and Jane Rogers. Finally, there is a little non-fiction, which includes a very funny article by Alan Rusbridger on certain newspapers, and an extraordinary piece about herself from Ursula Owen. This is an exceptional collection and I for one cant wait to see what next years choice will include.

() What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A. give her opinions about a new book

B. give some information about new writers

C. give some advice to writers

D. give her opinion of newspaper journalists

() Why would somebody read the text?

A. to find out more details about something

B. to learn what next years collection will contain

C. to find out about Alan Rusbridgers new novel

D. to decide whether to complain about something

() What does the writer think of New Writing 3?

A. Its too long.

B. Its very amusing.

C. Its very good.

D. Its too serious.

() How might you feel after reading Jane Harriss piece?

A. hungry

B. excited

C. unhappy

D. sick

() Which of following describes New Writing 3?

A. Great value: two novels, poems and articles for only 6.99

B. Great value: the best of new writing for only 6.99

C. Great value: poems by Tremain, Harris and Burnside for only 6.99

D. Great value: newspapers for a whole year for only 6.99

In the 1920s, new technology allowed filmmakers to attach to each film a soundtrack of speech, music and sound effects synchronized with the action on the screen. These sound films were initially distinguished by calling them talking pictures, or talkies. The next major step in the development of cinema was the introduction of color. While the addition of sound to film revolutionized the medium, quickly driving out silent movies, color was adopted more gradually. The public was relatively indifferent to color photography as opposed to black-and-white. But as color processes improved and became as affordable as black-and-white film, more and more movies were filmed in color after the end of World War II, as the industry in America came to view color an essential to attracting audiences in its competition with television, which remained a black-and-white medium until the mid-60s. By the end of the 1960s, color had become the norm for filmmakers.

() We can understand from the passage that the introduction of sound films

A. was not easy because it was not affordable.

B. was an important milestone in the film industry.

C. occurred at the time of the introduction of color films.

D. was delayed until after the end of World War II.

() What were sound films first called ?

A. pictures

B. films.

C. talkies

D. sounds.

() It is stated in the reading that A. color TVs were expensive initially.

B. 1920s marked the end to the era of sound films.

C. color movies did not appear until the mid- 60s.

D. the transition to color films was not as rapid as the transition to sound films.

() When did color become the norm for filmmakers?

A. In the 19780s.

B. By the end of 1960s.

C. In 1962.

D. In 1960

() One can understand from the passage that A. black-and-white films are still a wonderful source of entertainment

B. the film industry fell into a serious crisis after the end of World War II.

C. the public was indifferent to sound films.

D. the arrival of sound films ended the popularity of silent movies

A UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) is any object flying in the sky which cannot be identified by the person who sees it. Sometimes the object is investigated. If people can still not figure out what the object is after an investigation, it is called a UFO. If they figure out what the object is, it can no longer be called a UFO because it has been identified. Even though UFOs can be anything, people often use the word UFO when they are talking about alien spacecraft. Flying saucer is another word that is often used to describe an unidentified flying object. Studies estimate that 50%-90% of all reported UFO sightings are identified later. Usually 10%-20% are never identified. Studies also show that very few UFO sightings are hoaxes (tricks). Most UFOs are actually natural or man-made objects that looked strange. 80%-90% UFOs are identified as one of three different things:

Astronomical causes (for example: planets, stars, or meteors)

Aircraft

Balloons

10%-20% of UFOs are other causes (such as birds, clouds, mirages, searchlights, etc)

() What does the word figure out in paragraph 1 mean?

A. observe B. explain C. calculate D. require

() Another word used to describe a UFO is _________.

A. spacecraft

B. astronaut

C. flying saucer

D. cooking oil

() How many percent of all reported UFO sightings are not identified?

A. 10%-20%

B. 20%-30%

C. 30%-50%

D. 80%-90%

() Most of UFOs are identified as one of the following things except _________.

A. stars B. balloons C. meteors D. rains

() Which of the following sentences is NOT true according to the passage?

A. UFO means Unidentified Flying Object.

B. UFO is often used to talk about alien spaceships.

C. Many UFO sightings are hoaxes.

D. Over half of all reported UFO sightings are identified.

FINDING MISTAKE

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There is a mistake in the four underlined parts of each sentence. Find the mistake.

Id like telling you something about myself.

A B C D

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We are going to visit our grandparents when we will finish our final exams.

A B C D

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I am working hard for two weeks and now I feel like a rest. A B C D[]

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Tom used to going to a lot of parties when he was a student. A B C D

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On Saturday, I enjoy to go to the concert with my friends.

A B C D

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There is a mistake in the four underlined parts of each sentence. Find the mistake.

I would love coming to your wedding but it just isnt possible.

A B C D

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Everybody at the party was very colourful dressed.

A B C D

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Either my mother nor my father wants me to be an engineer.

A B C D

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Jim never gets used to work eight hours a day.

A B C D

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The food that Mark is cooking in the kitchen is smelling delicious.

A B C D

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There is a mistake in the four underlined parts of each sentence. Find the mistake.Do you know where is Church Street? Go straight on at the light. Its on the conner

A B C D

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His new Internet company, Opportunites.com, did a big profit in its first year.

A B C D

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We would all have a better life if there was no wars.

A B C D

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The first dark glasses were wear in China by Chinese judges.

A B C D

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People wont definitely use a telephone to talk to their friends. They might use the Internet.

A B C D

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There is a mistake in the four underlined parts of each sentence. Find the mistake.

Its ages since I last meet my grandparents.

A B C D

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He usually spends three hours study foreign languages.

A B C D

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I worked hard because I've got exams next week.

A B C D

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That's my husband over there, he stands near the window.

A B C D

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Peter's a businessman, he's work all over the world.

A B C D

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There is a mistake in the four underlined parts of each sentence. Find the mistake.How many wine had they drunk before they were asked to stop?

A B C D

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Susan had yet printed the report before her boss requested it

A B C D

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We said them their houses were very nice.

A B C D

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If it stopped rain, I would not stay at home.

A B C D

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I would pick my friends up in my yacht if they would want to spend their holidays on my island.

A B C D

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There is a mistake in the four underlined parts of each sentence. Find the mistake.

People didnt eat burgers and drink coca-cola in 500 years ago.

A B C D

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They got married after six months and lived happy together until the wife died of lung cancer.

A B C D

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The couple next door lived there for twenty-five years: Im sure theyll never move.

A

B C

D

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I would rather live in a farm than to live in a city.

AB

CD

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Children will work hard if the lessons are interested.

AB

CD

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There is a mistake in the four underlined parts of each sentence. Find the mistake.

Average world temperatures have risen on half a degree Celsius since the mid-nineteenth century.

A B C D

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Dimness of light will not harm the eyes any more than taking a photograph in dimly light can harm a camera. A B C D

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Johns teeth were troubling him, so he went to a dental surgeon to see about having them pull.

A B C D

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It was near end of prehistoric times that the first wheeled vehicles appeared.

A B C D

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We said them their houses were very nice.

A B C D

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Finally she got married to a typically Frenchman and they lived happily together.

A B C D

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The secretary has done many mistakes in typing the letter for her boss.

A B C D

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Some researchers believe that an unfair attitude toward the poor will contributed to the problem of poverty.

A

B C D

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The amount of copper sulfate used in the experiment depends from the intensity of the heat.

A

B C

D

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Hes one of the most bored people Ive ever met. He never stops talking and he never says anything

A

B

C

interesting.

D

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When he stayed in Paris, he used to going for a walk along river Seine.

A B C D

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We wont probably see a lot of changes in the next few days.

A B C D

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This exam is very important for Mark; before she passes the exam, she can go to university.

A B C D

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When a child I didnt use to have many colds and I only went to hospital once.

A

B C

D

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When I was young, collect stamps interested me a lot.

A B C

D

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Claudia used to had a bike, but she sold it when her parents gave her a motorbike.

A B C D

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When we arrived home, some friends are waiting for us.

A B C D

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To walk in the country helps you to relax.

A B C D

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My sister has been living in German since 5 years.

A B CD

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If I had enough money, Ill buy a big house now.

A B C D

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