MOCK TEST 15 Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions The advent of the Internet may be one of the most important technological developments in recent years Never before have so many people had access to so many different sources of information For all of the Internet's advantages, however, people are currently becoming aware of some of its drawbacks and are looking for creative solutions Among the current problems, which include a general lack of reliability and numerous security concerns, the most crucial is speed First of all, the Internet has grown very quickly In 1990, only a few academics had ever heard of the Internet In 1996, over 50 million people used it Every year, the number of people with access to the Internet doubles The rapid growth has been a problem The computer systems which run the Internet have not been able to keep up with the demand Also, sometimes, a request for information must pass through many routing computers before the information can be obtained A request for information made in Paris might have to go through computers in New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo in order to obtain the required information Consequently, the service is often slow and unpredictable Service also tends to be worse when the Internet is busiest - during the business day of the Western Hemisphere - which is also when companies need its service the most Some people are trying to harness the power of networked computers in such a way as to avoid this problem In 1995, a group of American universities banded together to form what has come to be known as Internet II Internet II is a smaller, more specialized system intended for academic use Since it is more specialized, fewer users are allowed access Consequently, the time required to receive information has decreased Businesses are beginning to explore a possible analogue to the Internet II Many businesses are creating their own "Intranets" These are systems that can only be used by the members of the same company In theory, fewer users should translate into a faster system Intranets are very useful for large national and international companies whose branches need to share information Another benefit of an Intranet is an increased amount of security Since only company employees have access to the information on the Intranet, their information is protected from competitors While there is little doubt that the Internet will eventually be a fast and reliable service, industry and the academic community have taken their own steps toward making more practical global networks 1.According to the passage, which of the following is not true of the Internet? A: It has become increasingly less popular B: It tends to be unreliable C: It is too expensive to access D: It has created a sense of financial security 2.According to the passage, which of the following statements was true in 1990? A: The Internet experienced enormous growth rates B: Internet data proved to be impractical C: The Internet was a secure means to gain information D: Few people were using the Internet 3.According to the author, what is one reason why the Internet is sometimes slow? A: Often a request must travel through many computers before it reaches its final destination B: Most people not have computers that are fast enough to take advantage of the Internet C: Scientists take up too much time on the Internet, thus slowing it down for everyone else D: Phone lines are often too busy with phone calls and fax transmissions to handle Internet traffic 4.The word "obtained" in the passage is closest in meaning to _ A: understood B: distributed C: acquired D: purchased 5.The word "harness" in the passage is closest in meaning to _ A: block B: disguise C: utilize D: steal 6.According to the passage, what benefits does Internet II have over the Internet I? A: Small businesses pay higher premiums to access to the Internet B: Internet II has fewer users and therefore is faster to access C: There is no governmental intervention regulating Internet II D: Internet II contains more information than the Internet 7.The word "analogue” in the passage most nearly means _ A: use B: solution C: alternative D: similarity 8.The word "their" in the passage refers to _ A: Intranets B: companies C: company employees D: competitors 9.With which of the following conclusions would the author probably agree? A: An Internet system with fewer users would be quicker B: The technology used by Internet creators is too complex for computer owners to understand C: Companies who develop their own Intranets are limiting their information data base D: Fewer academic communities need to create their own Internet systems 10.All of the following are advantages of business "Intranets" mentioned in the passage EXCEPT A: they share information with other company branches B: they provide a higher level of security C: they are cheaper than other alternatives D: they move data faster Mark the letter A, B, C or D to show the underlined part that needs correcting 11.In just three months H.G Wells wrote the famous classic The Time Machine for what he won a Newberry Caldecott award 12.A mighty and powerful presidency characterizes American political life, but Congress also plays a vital role 13.Passengers are required to arrive to the gate fifteen minutes before departure time 14.A smile can be observed, described, and reliably identify, it can also be elicited and manipulated under experimental conditions 15.I think she will be suitable for the work because she has been working like a teacher for a long time Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word or phrase that is OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined part in each of the following questions 16.We can’t make any conclusions right now with this paucity of information A: timidity B: certainty C: scarcity D: excess 17.I can't stand people who treat animals cruelly A: cleverly B: brutally C: gently D: reasonably Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions A rather surprising geographical feature of Antarctica is that a huge freshwater lake, one of the world's largest and deepest, lieshidden there under four kilometers of ice Now known as Lake Vostok, this huge body of water is located under the ice block that comprises AntarcticA The lake is able to exist in its unfrozen state beneath this block of ice because its waters are warmed by geothermal heat from the earth's core The thick glacier above Lake Vostok actually insulates it from the frigid temperatures on the surface The lake was first discovered in the 1970s while a research team was conducting an aerial survey of the areA Radio waves from the survey equipment penetrated the ice and revealed a body of water of indeterminate size It was not until much more recently that data collected by satellite made scientists aware of the tremendous size of the lake; the satellite-borne radar detected an extremely flat region where the ice remains level because it is floating on the water of the lake The discovery of such a huge freshwater lake trapped under Antarctica is of interest to the scientific community because of the potential that the lake contains ancient microbes that have survived for thousands upon thousands of years, unaffected by factors such as nuclear fallout and elevated ultraviolet light that have affected organisms in more exposed areas The downside of the discovery, however, lies in the difficulty of conducting research on the lake in such a harsh climate and in the problems associated with obtaining uncontaminated samples from the lake without actually exposing the lake to contamination Scientists are looking for possible ways to accomplish this 18.The word "hidden" in paragraph is closest in meaning to _ A: undiscovered B: undrinkable C: untouched D: unexploitable 19.What is true of Lake Vostok? A: It is beneath a thick slab of ice B: It is heated by the sun C: It is completely frozen D: It is a saltwater lake 20.Which of the following is closest in meaning to "frigid" in paragraph 1? A: easily broken B: lukewarm C: extremely cold D: quite harsh 21.All of the following are true about the 1970 survey of Antarctica EXCEPT that it _ A: was conducted by air B: could not determine the lake's exact size C: was controlled by a satellite D: made use of radio waves 22.It can be inferred from the passage that the ice would not be flat if _ A: the lake were not so big B: Antarctica was not so cold C: radio waves were not used D: there were no lake underneath 23.The word "microbes" in paragraph could best be replaced by which of the following? A: Rays of light B: Tiny organisms C: Pieces of dust D: Tiny bubbles 24.Lake Vostok is potentially important to scientists because it _ A: may have elevated levels of ultraviolet light B: can be studied using radio waves C: may contain uncontaminated microbes D: has already been contaminated 25.The word "downside" in paragraph is closest in meaning to _ A: underside B: bottom level C: buried section D: negative aspect 26.The last paragraph suggests that scientists should be aware of _ A: further discoveries on the surface of Antarctica B: the harsh climate of Antarctica C: ways to study Lake Vostok without contaminating it D: problems with satellite-borne radar equipment 27.The purpose of the passage is to _ A: provide satellite data concerning Antarctica B: present an unexpected aspect of Antarctica's geography C: discuss future plans for Lake Vostok D: explain how Lake Vostok was discovered Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the word whose underlined part is pronounced differently from the others in the list 28.A: odourless B: resources C: exhaust D: poured 29.A: liked B: promised C: laughed D: played Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the word that is stressed differently from the others in the list 30.A: mountainous B: sociable C: habitat D: gorilla 31.A: marine B: apply C: idea D: fauna 32.A: necessary B: comfortable C: memorable D: community Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions 33. _, she received a big applause A: After she finishes speaking B: Speaking has finished C: Finished her lecture D: When the speaker finished 34.When the personnel director realized _, he immediately added two more staff to the project A: what it was a formidable task B: how formidable was it a task C: it was what a formidable task D: what a formidable task it was 35.The facilities of the older hospital are as good _ A: or better than the new hospital B: as or better than those of the new hospital C: as or better than the new hospital D: as or better that the new hospital 36.She was _ she could not say anything A: so that surprised for the news B: so surprised at the news that C: so surprise of the news that D: such surprised at the news that 37.‘'Mark wasn't there last night.'' A: neither I was “ _.” B: I wasn’t too C: so was I D: I wasn’t either 38.Because of _ weather conditions, California has an advantage in the production of fruits and vegetables A: favourably B: favour C: favourite D: favourable 39.UNICEF _ supports and funds for the most disadvantaged children all over the world 10 A: assists B: presents C: provides D: offers 40.Is there anyone who _ the plan put forward by the committee? A: objects B: opposes C: differs D: disagrees 41.Everybody in the house woke up when the burglar alarm _ A: went out B: came about C: went off D: rang off 42.The children had been _ of the danger, but had taken no notice A: prevented B: warned C: shown D: noticed 43.Some kinds of birds are on the _ of extinction 11 A: brink B: side C: tip D: edge 44.Please _ your cigarette I am going to get choked A: blow out B: cut down C: put out D: put aside 45.We went to the airport to _ off a friend who was leaving for New York A: see B: join C: say D: tell 46.So little _ about mathematics that the lecture was completely beyond me A: I know B: I knew C: I have known D: did I know 47.Our landlord had the broken window _ before winter 12 A: fixed B: fix C: to fix D: fixing 48.Research has shown that there is no difference at all between the brain of the average woman and _ of the average man A: what B: which C: that D: one 49.If she let this chance slip, she _ it for the rest of her life A: would have regretted B: would regret C: regret D: will regret 50.Nowadays the majority of overseas telephone calls _ by satellite A: transmitted B: transmit C: are transmitted D: are transmitting 51.I am sending you my curriculum vitae _ you will have a chance to study it before our interview 13 A: since B: because C: for D: so that Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the word or phrase that is CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined part in each of the following questions 52.Since the research studies have shown a relationship between cancer and cigarette smoking, many people have cut down A: decreased the number of cigarettes B: gotten sick C: become frightened D: ceased smoking 53.Trees have to be pruned seasonally or annually to ensure that they continue to bear fruit A: trimmed B: harvested C: fertilized D: weeded 54.A two-thirds majority in Congress is required if a bill is to become law A: necessary B: acquired C: optional 14 D: desirable Read the text below and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer which best fits each spaces London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and cultural centre London is an (1) _ city It is more than twenty centuries old The population of London (2) _ the suburbs is nine million people London is one of the biggest cities of the world and it is also an important port It is (3) _ on the banks of the river Thames, which divides the city into two large parts - the West and the East End London (4) _ for 30 miles from north to south and for 30 miles from east to west Its most important sections are the City, the West End and the East End The City is a small part of London, (5) _ it is the financial and business centre of the country There are many big banks and various offices there The West End is the part of London (6) _ the rich people live The houses, streets and parks are the finest in the capital The best theatres, cinemas, concert halls, large museums, hotels and big shops (7) _ here The most beautiful London park - Clyde Park is in this district too The East End is the poorest part of London The workers and the poorest people live here There are no beautiful houses and parks here The East End is unattractive in (8) _ but it is very important in the country’s economy Most of the government buildings are in Westminster The Westminster Palace is the (9) _ of the British Parliament There are many architectural, art and historical monuments and museums in London such as the famous British Museum, the National Gallery, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Nelson Column and others Thousands of tourists from all (10) _ of the world come to see them 55.A: ancient B: early C: antique 15 D: old 56.A: composing B: consisting C: containing D: including 57.A: put B: positioned C: situated D: placed 58.A: enlarges B: stretches C: extends D: lengthens 59.A: but B: although C: while D: whereas 60.A: that 16 B: where C: which D: for 61.A: stand B: hold C: live D: are found 62.A: appearance B: figure C: face D: surface 63.A: seat B: head C: place D: office 64.A: regions B: sections C: parts 17 D: areas 18 WRITE The hotel didn’t come up to our expectations The hotel fell _ Mr Hung is the most intelligent person I’ve ever known I have never _ The only way you can become a good English speaker is by practising English every day Only by _ “It certainly wasn’t me who stole your bag! “ said Lan Lan denied _ Write a paragraph about the advantages studying abroad ... and reliably identify, it can also be elicited and manipulated under experimental conditions 15. I think she will be suitable for the work because she has been working like a teacher for a long... ice Now known as Lake Vostok, this huge body of water is located under the ice block that comprises AntarcticA The lake is able to exist in its unfrozen state beneath this block of ice because its... accomplish this 18.The word "hidden" in paragraph is closest in meaning to _ A: undiscovered B: undrinkable C: untouched D: unexploitable 19.What is true of Lake Vostok? A: It is beneath a thick