Dialogues

5.
David: I've got a new office now…
Maria: ……………………..(1)
David: I'll need a desk and some cabinets. How many cabinets are there in your office?
Maria: ……………………..(2)
David: And do you have any furniture in your office? I mean other than the chair at your
desk.
Maria: ……………………..(3)
David: Are there any tables in your office?
Maria: ……………………..(4)
David: Is there a computer in your office?
Maria: ……………………..(5)
David: Are there any flowers or plants in your office?
Maria: ……………………..(6)
David: Where's your sofa?
Maria: ……………………..(7)
David: Thanks a lot for your help, Maria. This gives me a good idea of how to arrange my
office.
Maria: ……………………..(8)
A: I think there are four cabinets in my office.
B: Oh yes, I've got a sofa and two comfortable armchairs.
C: That's great! Congratulations.
D: Oh yes, I keep a laptop on my desk next to the phone.
E:Yes, I've got a table in front of the sofa.
F: Yes, there are a few plants near the window.
G: My pleasure. Good luck with your decorating!
H:The sofa is in front of the window, between the two armchairs.

6.
Betsy: I telephoned you yesterday afternoon but you didn't answer? Where were you?
Brian: ……………………..(1)
Betsy: What were you working on?
Brian: ……………………..(2)
Betsy: I was looking for Tom and couldn't find him. Do you know where he was?
Brian: ……………………..(3)
Betsy: Oh, I see. What did you do yesterday?
Brian: ……………………..(4)
Betsy: Well, at 9 I had a meeting with Ms. Anderson. After that, I did some research.
Brian: ……………………..(5)

A: I was photocopying a report that I needed to send to a client. What were you doing when you
telephoned?
B: I was in another room when you called. I didn't hear the phone ringing until it was too late.
C: Tom was driving to a meeting.
D: Sounds like a boring day!
E: I met the representatives from Driver's in the morning. In the afternoon, I worked on the report and
was just finishing when you telephoned. What did you do

7.
Interviewer: Good evening, I hope you don't mind answering a few questions.
Alice: ……………………..(1)
Interviewer: Just a few questions.
Alice: ……………………..(2)
Interviewer: I'd like to ask your opinion about consumer electronics. As far as consumer electronics is
concerned, which is the most reliable brand?
Alice: ……………………..(3)
Interviewer: Which brand is the most expensive?
Alice: ……………………..(4)
Interviewer: Which brand do you think is the worst?
Alice: ……………………..(5)
Interviewer: And which brand is the most popular with young people?
Alice: ……………………..(6)
Interviewer: One last question, Have you tried using any HP products?
Alice: ……………………..(7)
Interviewer: I enjoy using them. But I didn't stop you to tell you what I think. Thank you for your time.
Alice: ……………………..(8)

A: Not at all.
B:That's a difficult one to answer for me. I think that Sony is probably the most popular with young
people.
C: No, I haven't. Are they good?
D: I think LG is the worst. I really can't remember using any of their products that I liked.
E: Well, Samsung is also the most expensive brand. I guess that's why it's the best.
F: I guess I can manage to answer a few questions. Go ahead.
G: I'd say that Samsung is the most reliable brand.
H: How long will it take?
8.
Jane: My name is Jane. Nice to meet you.
Peter: ……………………..(1)
Jane: Yes, it is. Where are you from?
Peter: ……………………..(2)
Jane: :Amsterdam? Are you German?
Peter: ……………………..(3)
Jane: Oh, you're Dutch. Sorry about that.
Peter: ……………………..(4)
Jane: I'm from London, but I'm not British.
Peter: ……………………..(5)
Jane: Well, my parents were Spanish, so I'm Spanish, too.
Peter: ……………………..(6)
Jane: Thank you. It is a wonderful place.

A:I'm from Amsterdam.

B: No, I'm not German. I'm Dutch.
C:It's a pleasure. This is a great party!
D:That's OK. Where are you from?
E: That's very interesting. Spain is a beautiful country.
F:No, what are you?
9.
Carol: This is a lovely house!
Martha: ……………………..(1)
Carol: It's very close to work, isn't it?
Martha: ……………………..(2)
Carol: I usually take the bus. It takes so long!
Martha: ……………………..(3)
Carol: Oh, it takes about 20 minutes.
Martha: ……………………..(4)
Carol: (taking a bite of some cake) this is delicious! Do you bake all of your own cakes?
Martha: ……………………..(5)
Carol: You're a wonderful cook!
Martha: ……………………..(6)
Carol: I never cook. I'm just hopeless. My husband, David, usually does all the cooking.
Martha: ……………………..(7)
Carol: Yes, when he doesn't have time to cook, we go out to eat somewhere.
Martha: ……………………..(8)
Carol: Too many! You can eat at a different restaurant every day. Monday - Chinese,
Tuesday - Italian, Wednesday - Mexican, on and on ...
A: Yes, it is. I always walk to work - even when it rains!
B: Thank you. Carol, we call it home.
C: How long does it take?
D: That is a long time. Well, have some cake.
E: Yes, I usually bake something at the weekend. I like having sweets in the house.
F :Do you often go out to eat?
G: Thank you, it's nothing really.
H: There are some wonderful restaurants in the city.
10.
Peter: Hi Janet. Can you help me for a moment?
Janet: ……………………..(1)
Peter: I'm not able to understand this math problem.
Janet: ……………………..(2)
Peter: You were able to all the problems last semester, weren't you?
Janet: ……………………..(3)
Peter: Here you go.
Janet: ……………………..(4)
Peter: Yes, that's why I'm asking for help!
Janet: ……………………..(5)
Peter: Great. So what's the answer?!
Janet: ……………………..(6)
Peter: Of course you can. Sorry.
Janet: ……………………..(7).
A: Yes, that's right, but I can't do everything. Let me see.
B: Sure, what's up?
C: Really. I think I can help, but I'm not that good at math.
D:OK. After I explain this, you'll be able to do without any problems.
E: Interesting, are you sure you're not able to do this?
F: No problem.
G: Don't be in a hurry. Can I have a few minutes to think?
11.
Barbara: Hi, Katherine, how are you today?
Katherine: ……………………..(1)
Barbara: VERY busy! I'm jogging now, but later I have to do a lot!
Katherine: ……………………..(2)
Barbara: Well, first of all, I have to do the shopping. We don't have anything to eat at
home.
Katherine: ……………………..(3)
Barbara: Little Johnny has a basketball game this afternoon. I'm driving him to the game.
Katherine: ……………………..(4)
Barbara: They're doing very well. Next week, they're traveling to Toronto for a
tournament.
Katherine: ……………………..(5)
Barbara: Well, Johnny likes playing basketball. I'm happy he's enjoying it. What are you
doing today?
Katherine: ……………………..(6)
Barbara: You're so lucky!
Katherine: ……………………..(7)
A: ... and then?
B: I'm great and you?
C: What do you have to do?
D: Oh, how is his team doing?
E: I'm not doing much. I'm meeting some friends for lunch, but, other than that, I don't have much to do
today.
F: That's impressive.
G: No, you're the lucky one. I'd like to have so many things to do.

12.
Martha: What horrible weather today. I'd love to go out, but I think it will just continue
raining.
Jane: ……………………..(1)
Martha: I hope you're right. Listen, I'm going to have a party this Saturday. Would you like
to come?
Jane: ……………………..(2)
Martha: Well, a number of people haven't told me yet. But, Peter and Mark are going to
help out with the cooking!
Jane: ……………………..(3)
Martha: Would you? That would be great!
Jane: ……………………..(4)
Martha: That sounds delicious! I know my Italian cousins are going to be there. I'm sure
they'll love it.
Jane: ……………………..(5)
Martha: No, no. They're not like that. They'll love it.
Jane: ……………………..(6)
Martha: No, I don't think so. Just a chance to get together and have fun.
Jane: ……………………..(7)
Martha: But I'm going to hire a clown!
Jane: ……………………..(8)
Martha: No, no. As I child, I always wanted a clown. Now, I'm going to have my clown at
my own party.
Jane : ……………………..(9)
Martha: That's the plan!
A: I'll make lasagna!
B: Oh, I don't know. Perhaps the sun will come out later this afternoon.
C: Oh, I'd love to come. Thank you for inviting me. Who's going to come to the party?
D: Hey, I'll help, too!
E :Well, if you say so... Is there going be a theme for the party?
F: Italians? Maybe I'll bake a cake...
G: I'm sure it'll be lots of fun.
H :I'm sure everyone will have a good laugh.
I: A clown! You're kidding me.
13.
Susan: Doug, can I talk with you for a moment?
Doug: ……………………..(1)
Susan: I'm concerned about the delays we're experiencing with some of our suppliers.
Doug: ……………………..(2)
Susan: Could you give me an approximate timeline?
Doug: ……………………..(3)
Susan: That's not good. We can't make excuses to our clients. Are all shipments affected?
Doug: ……………………..(4)
Susan: Where are most of our suppliers located?
Doug: ……………………..(6)
Susan: How does that affect deliveries?
Doug: ……………………..(7)
Susan: Is there any way around these delays?
Doug: ……………………..(8)
Susan: Are they expensive?
Doug: ……………………..(9)
A: We're doing everything to get back on schedule.
B: No, but it is summer and some companies are cutting back until September.
C: A number of deliveries are arriving tomorrow. Unfortunately, this time of year is often troublesome.
D: What can I do for you Susan?
E: Well, there are weather delays and shipment delays due to reduced production. Sometimes, larger
packages are delayed because of a bottleneck at the distribution point.
F: Well, most of them are in China, but there are a few in California.
G: Yes, they're very expensive at that cuts into our bottom line.
H: Well, we often work with delivery services such as UPS, Fed ex or DHL for our most urgent shipping.
They guarantee door-to-door deliveries within 48 hours.

14.
Receptionist: Who's calling please?
Caller: ……………………..(1)
Receptionist: Sorry, I didn't catch your name.
Caller: ……………………..(2)
Receptionist: Thank you. And where are you calling from?
Caller: ……………………..(3)
Receptionist: OK Ms Beare. I'll try and put you through. … I'm sorry but the line's busy.
Would you like to hold?
Caller: ……………………..(4)
Receptionist: He should be free in half an hour. Would you like to call back?
Caller: ……………………..(5)
Receptionist: Certainly.
Caller: ……………………..(6)
Receptionist: Shipment delayed … arriving next Monday.
Caller: ……………………..(7)
Receptionist: Certainly. Could you give me your number please?
Caller: ……………………..(8)
Receptionist: That's 503-589-9087
Caller: ……………………..(9)
Receptionist: Goodbye.
A: Oh, that's a shame. This concerns an upcoming shipment and it's rather urgent.
B: Sun Soaked Vineyards
C: I'm afraid I'll be in a meeting. Could I leave a message?
D: Could you tell Mr Adams that our shipment will be postponed and that the 200 cases ordered should
arrive next Monday.
E: Yes, and could you ask him to call me back when the shipment arrives?
F: This is Anna Beare.
G: Anna Beare. That's B E A R E
H:Yes, it's 503-589-9087
I: Yes, that's right. Thanks for your help. Goodbye
15.
Patient: How do I raise my bed? I can't find the controls.
Nurse: ……………………..(1)
Patient: Could I have another pillow?
Nurse: ……………………..(2)
Patient: No, thank you.
Nurse: ……………………..(3)
Patient: Oh, just a moment. Can you bring me another bottle of water, too?
Nurse: ……………………..(4)
Nurse: (coming in the room) I'm back. Here's your bottle of water. Please put the
thermometer under your tongue.
Patient: ……………………..(5)
Nurse: Yes, you have a slight fever. I think I'll take your blood pressure as well.
Patient: ……………………..(6)
Nurse: No, no. Everything's fine. It's normal to have a bit of fever after an operation like
yours!
Patient: ……………………..(7)
Nurse: You're in good hands here! Please hold out your arm...
A: OK, I'll be right back with the thermometer.
B: Certainly, I'll be back in a moment.
C: Here you are. Is that better?
D: Certainly, Here you are. Is there anything else I can do for you?
E: Thank you. (puts the thermometer under the tongue)
F: Yes, I'm so glad everything went well.
G: Is there anything to worry about?
16.

 Sam: Good morning. I have an appointment with Dr. Peterson at 10.30.

 Receptionist: ……………………..(1)
 Sam: Yes, it's Sam Waters.
 Receptionist: ……………………..(2)
 Sam: No, I had my teeth cleaned and checked last year.
 Receptionist: ……………………..(3)
 Sam: No, I haven't.
 Receptionist: ……………………..(4)
 Sam: Of course! I floss twice a day and use a water-pick.
 Receptionist: ……………………..(5)
 Sam: No, I don't think so. Oh, I changed my insurance. Here's my new provider
card.
 Receptionist: ……………………..(6)
 Sam: Well, yes. I've been having some gum pain recently.
 Receptionist: ……………………..(7)
  Sam: ... and I'd like to have my teeth cleaned as well.
 Receptionist: ……………………..(8)
 Sam: Oh, yes, of course. Will I have x-rays taken?
 Receptionist: ……………………..(9).
 Sam: No, that's alright. I'd like to make sure everything is OK.
 Receptionist: ……………………..(10)

A: Yes, Mr. Waters. Is this the first time you've seen Dr. Peterson?
B: Good morning, can I have your name, please?
C: OK, just a moment, I'll get your [Link] you had any other dental work done
during the past year?
D: I see you have a few fillings. Have you had any trouble with them?
E: Have you flossed regularly?
F: Thank you. Is there anything in particular you'd like the dentist to check today?
G: Of course, Mr. Waters, that'll be part of today's dental hygiene.
H: Alright, I'll make a note of that.
I:Great. Please have a seat and the Dr. Peterson will be with you momentarily.
J: Yes, the dentist likes to take x-rays every year. However, if you'd prefer not to
have x-rays, you can opt out.

17

 Receptionist: We'll need to schedule an appointment to come in for the fillings you
need?
 Sam: ……………………..(1)
 Receptionist: Let's see... How about next Thursday morning?
 Sam: ……………………..(2).
 Receptionist: How about two weeks from today?
 Sam: ……………………..(3)
 Receptionist: Can you come at 10 o'clock in the morning?
 Sam: ……………………..(4)
 Receptionist: Perfect, we'll see you on Tuesday, March 10th at 10 o'clock.
 Sam: ……………………..(6)

 A: Yes, that sounds good. What time?
 B: OK. Do you have any openings next week?
 C: Yes. Let's do that.
 D: I'm afraid I have a meeting
 E: Thank you.

18.
Henry: Hi Tom! It's great to see you again. I've been away on business.
Tom: ……………………..(1)
Henry: Well, first I flew to New York for two meetings. After that, I flew to Atlanta, where I
had to make a presentation at a company conference.
Tom: ……………………..(2)
Henry: Yes, I've been very busy. It's good to be home again. What have you been doing
lately?
Tom: ……………………..(3)
Henry: I didn't know she has family in Chicago.
Tom: ……………………..(4)
Henry: How long have you lived here in Colorado?
Tom: ……………………..(5)
Henry: Have you lived in the same house since you arrived?
Tom: ……………………..(6)
Henry: Yes, my wife Jane and I love this neighborhood.
Tom: ……………………..(7)
Henry: We've only lived here for two years.
Tom: ……………………..(8)
Henry: No, we moved here in 2006.
Tom: ……………………..(9)
Henry: I have to agree with you on that. It seems like yesterday that I graduated from
college. I can't believe I've been working for more than 10 years!
Tom: ……………………..(10)
Henry: Really? You don't look a day over 40!
Tom: ……………………..(11)
Henry: No, really. Well, I have to get going. Work is waiting for me. Have a good day.
Tom: ……………………..(12)
A: It sounds like you've been busy.
B: Really, where did you go?
C: Oh, nothing much. I've been working in the garden these past few days. Alice has been away for the
past two weeks visiting her relatives in Chicago.
D: We've lived here for over 10 years. We moved here in 1998 because I had a new job as a sales
representative.
E: Yes, that's right. We met at university in California. She was born in Chicago and lived there until she
went to college
F: And how long have you lived in your house?
G: No, first we lived in a condo in downtown Denver. We moved here four years ago. We've lived on the
street for four years and they've been the happiest years of our lives.
H: How time flies!
I: That's strange, it seems like you have lived here longer than that.
J: You, too. Glad to have you back in the neighbor!
K: Thank you. You're a great neighbor!
L: I've been working for more than 30 years! I'm going to retire soon.
19.
Mark: Hi Peter! How are you doing these days?
Peter: ……………………..(1)
Mark: I'm sorry to hear that. What seems to be the problem?
Peter: ……………………..(2)
Mark: That's too bad. Why did you leave your last job?
Peter: ……………………..(3)
Mark: That makes sense. A job without opportunities AND a difficult boss isn't very
attractive.
Peter: ……………………..(4)
Mark: Have you tried looking online for a job?
Peter: ……………………..(5)
Mark: I can understand that. How about going to some of those networking groups?
Pete: ……………………..(6)
Mark: They're groups of people who are also looking for work. They help each other
discover new opportunities.
Peter: ……………………..(7)
Mark: I'm glad to hear that. So, what are you doing here?
Peter: ……………………..(8)
Mark: There you go. That's the spirit. I'm sure things will look up for you soon.
Peter: ……………………..(9)
A: Well, my boss treated me badly, and I didn't like my chances of advancing in the
company.
B: Oh, Hi Mark. I'm not doing very well, actually.
C: ... you know I've been looking for work. I can't seem to find a job.
D: Exactly! So, anyway, I decided to quit and find a new job. I sent out my resume to more
than twenty companies. Unfortunately, I've only had two interviews so far.
E: I haven't tried those. What are they?
F : Yes, but so many of the jobs require moving to another city. I don't want to do that.
G: That sounds great. I'll definitely try some of those.
H:Yes, you're probably right. I hope so!
I: Oh, I'm shopping for a new suit. I want to make the best impression possible at my job
interviews!
20.
Mark: I saw Peter today.
Susan: ……………………..(1)
Mark: Not too well, I'm afraid.
Susan: ……………………..(2)
Mark: He told me had been looking for work, but hadn't found a job.
Susan: ……………………..(3)
Mark: He told me his boss had treated him badly. He also said he didn't like his chances of
advancing in the company.
Susan: ……………………..(4)
Mark: That's true. But he's been working hard at finding a new job.
Susan: ……………………..(5)
Mark: He said he had sent out his resumes to more than twenty companies. Unfortunately,
he told me that only two had called him for an interview.
Susan: ……………………..(6)
Mark: Tell me about it. However, I gave him some advice and I hope it helps.
Susan: ……………………..(7)
Mark: I suggested joining a networking group.
Susan: ……………………..(8)
Mark: Yes, well, he told me he would try a few groups.
Susan: ……………………..(9)
Mark: I saw him at the mall. He told me he was shopping for a new suit.
Susan: ……………………..(10)
Mark: No, no. He said he wanted to make the best impression possible at his job
interviews.
Susan: ……………………..(11)
A: Why's that?
B: That surprises me. Was he fired or did he quit his last job?
C: Quitting doesn't sound like a very wise decision to me.
D: How's he doing?
E: That's tough.
F:What's he done?
G : What did you suggest?
H: Where did you see him?
I: That's a great idea
J: What?! Buying new clothes and no work!
K :Oh, that makes sense.
Reading

6.

Everyone knows that bees are busy. There is even a saying in English that one can be "as busy as a bee". However, little is
known about how bees play. Scientists have discovered one way that bees could relax after a busy day making honey - they
play with balls. The scientists are from Queen Mary University of London. They did different tests on bees "playing" with
different things. The insects particularly liked playing with small, wooden balls. The researchers said the way bees played
was a little like how humans play. Younger bees rolled more balls than older bees, while adult males spent longer playing
with balls than adult females. The ball-rolling bees are the first known insects to "play".

The researchers experimented on 45 bumblebees in a specially designed test area. The bees were given two options. The
first choice was to fly or walk directly to get a sugary treat. The second choice was to get to the treat by going around
different coloured wooden balls. Most of the bees decided to play with the balls and then get their treat. A researcher said
the experiments showed that bees are more thoughtful than people believed. She said: "Bees are a million miles from the
mindless, unfeeling creatures they are traditionally believed to be." She added that: "This research provides a strong
indication that insect minds are far more sophisticated than we might imagine."

1. b 2. d 3. a 4. c 5. b 6. a 7. c 8. a 9. a 10. d

1) Who does the article say knows that bees are busy?
a) beekeepers
b) everyone
c) honey shop owners
d) children
2) What do bees do that they need to relax?
a) buzz
b) play with balls
c) fly all day
d) make honey
3) What London university are the researchers from?
a) Queen Mary University
b) London School of Economics
c) the London Bee University
d) City University
4) What kind of balls did the bees like playing with?
a) bouncing balls
b) rubber balls
c) small, colourful wooden balls
d) soccer balls
5) Who spent longer playing with balls than female bees?
a) female wasps
b) male bees
c) female hornets
d) male wasps

6) How many bees were in the experiments?

a) 45
b) 46
c) 44
d) 47
7) How many choices did the bees have?
a) one
b) three
c) two
d) four
8) What kind of treat could the bees get?
a) a sugary treat
b) a special treat
c) a flowery treat
d) an expensive treat
9) How far did a researcher say bees are from being mindless creatures?
a) a million miles
b) a long way
c) unbelievably far
d) as far as far can be

10) What are insect minds more than we might imagine?

a) mindless
b) busy
c) huge
d) sophisticated

7.

A group of 178 men all sharing the name Tanaka Hirokazu convened in Tokyo on Saturday to break the Guinness World
Record for the largest gathering of people with the same first and last name. The successful record attempt was organized
by the Tanaka Hirokazu association. This group was established by a guy called Tanaka Hirokazu (surprise, surprise) in
1994. Mr Tanaka's inspiration came from seeing a namesake of his drafted into a professional Japanese baseball team. Ex-
baseball player Tanaka Hirokazu was also part of Saturday's record meeting. The 178 new record holders span the
generations, with the youngest being three years old, and the eldest being an octogenarian.

Association leader Tanaka Hirokazu, 53, was elated at breaking the world record. His association had tried twice before, in
2011 and 2017, to break the record. These attempts were thwarted largely because of the association's insistence on all
participants having to have the same Chinese characters (kanji) in their name. Saturday's meeting had a more lenient
criterion. The association deemed that anyone with the name Hirokazu Tanaka was eligible, regardless of the kanji used to
spell their name. Mr Tanaka reflected on his world-beating achievement. He told reporters: "I never expected we would
achieve such a ridiculous record." He added that the 178 Tanakas had "set an example of silliness".

1. b 2. d 3. a 4. c 5. b 6. c 7. d 8. a 9. a 10. b

1) In which city did the men break the world record?

a) Sydney
b) Tokyo
c) Lima
d) Beijing
2) When was the Tanaka Hirokazu association started?
a) 1991
b) 1992
c) 1993
d) 1994
3) Who started the Tanaka Hirokazu association?
a) Tanaka Hirokazu
b) Guinness World Records
c) the Namesake Association
d) Genealogy International
4) What sport did one of the record breakers use to play?
a) ice hockey
b) football
c) baseball
d) tennis
5) How old was the oldest record breaker?
a) 79
b) in his eighties
c) 90
d) a centenarian

6) How did Tanaka Hirokazu feel about breaking the world record?
a) bewildered
b) relieved
c) elated
d) mildly surprised
7) How many times in total did the group try to break the record?
a) ten
b) four
c) two
d) three
8) What did the first attempts require all names to have?
a) the same Chinese characters
b) a middle name
c) a birth certificate
d) a history
9) Who did Tanaka Hirokazu talk to about breaking the record?
a) reporters
b) Mrs Tanaka
c) his neighbours
d) a group on Zoom
10) What did Tanaka Hirokazu call the world record an example of?
a) naming
b) silliness
c) hard work
d) achievement

8.

Teachers and schools try many things to stop students cheating in exams. However, it is difficult to stop all students from
cheating. Modern technology has given students new and novel ways to cheat. A college in the Philippines has adopted a
low-tech way of making sure students keep their eyes only on their paper and not on those of students' around them. The
Bicol University College of Engineering is getting students to wear anti-cheating hats during tests. The hats prevent students
from being able to see around them and peeking at others' papers. They can focus only on their own test paper. Students
are happy with the idea because they get to design and make their own hat.

Photos of the anti-cheating hats have gone viral on social media. Students have come up with all kinds of weird and
wonderful creations. They have used cardboard boxes, egg cartons, coat hangers and other recycled materials to create
their hats. A professor said the hats were a "fun way" to make sure there was "integrity and honesty" in her tests. She added
that the hats had been "really effective" in keeping students focused. The professor said: "I'm proud of my students because
their engineering mid-term exams can be full of pressure and be stressful, yet they managed to add some colour and fun."
Many students finished their tests early and no one was caught cheating.

1. c 2. a 3. b 4. d 5. c 6. b 7. d 8. b 9. b 10. a

1) What does the article say about the technology in the anti-cheating hats?
a) they are hi-tech
b) they need microchips
c) they are low-tech
d) nothing
2) What do the students wearing the hats study?
a) engineering
b) hat making
c) fashion
d) English
3) What do the hats prevent students from looking at?
a) the window
b) other students' papers
c) the clock
d) the teacher
4) What do the hats mean students can focus on?
a) their futures
b) their hat design
c) studying
d) their own test
5) How do students feel about making their own anti-cheating hat?
a) bored
b) fed up
c) happy
d) angry

6) What has gone viral on social media?

a) photos of the tests
b) photos of the hats
c) student comments
d) test questions
7) What kinds of boxes have students used in making their hats?
a) tissue boxes
b) small boxes
c) colourful boxes
d) cardboard boxes
8) How well did the professor say the hats worked?
a) not so well
b) really effective
c) perfectly
d) hard to say
9) How does a professor feel about her students?
a) frustrated
b) proud
c) worried
d) sad
10) How many students were caught cheating while wearing the hats?
a) none
b) one
c) two
d) four

9.

Species around the world are being increasingly threatened by human activity. Lamentably, hundreds of thousands of
creatures have already become extinct as the result of humans' ever-increasing demands on Earth's resources. Gold mining
in a national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo is putting at risk an animal called the okapi. The park is called the
Okapi Wildlife Reserve. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The okapi is also called the forest giraffe as it is a relative of
the giraffe. However, its neck is nowhere near as long as that of a giraffe's. It is also known as the zebra giraffe due to its
striped hind legs. The okapi is only found in the area of Congo that is being mined.

Conservationists have called for an immediate halt to the "rapidly expanding" levels of mining. They have urged the
government to revoke the mining company's license, to "protect the unique forest ecosystem and the local communities that
depend on it". The conservationists warned that: "Miners are literally eating the reserve out of its wildlife by hunting animals
for food. There is almost no wildlife left around the mine itself, and wildlife numbers are massively reduced around mining
towns. There have even been cases of armed hunters trafficking okapi skins and elephant ivory in and around the mines."
They added that: "If the Congo government acts now, this unique World Heritage Site can still be saved."

1. b 2. d 3. c 4. a 5. b 6. a 7. c 8. a 9. d 10. c

1) What does the article say species are being threatened by?
a) climate change
b) human activity
c) demand for goal
d) predators
2) Where in Congo is the gold mining taking place?
a) all over
b) the north
c) in the mountains
d) the Okapi Wildlife Reserve
3) What part of the okapi is not as long as that of a giraffe?
a) its tail
b) its tongue
c) its neck
d) its DNA
4) Why is the okapi also called the zebra giraffe?
a) it has striped legs
b) it neighs like a zebra
c) it has stripes all over
d) it belongs to the zebra family
5) Where is the only place the okapi is found?
a) central Africa
b) the Okapi Wildlife Reserve
c) Congo and Burundi
d) Congo, Burundi and Rwanda

6) What do conservationists want to be revoked?

a) the mining company's license
b) climate change
c) all mining
d) gold
7) Who depends on the national reserve?
a) aid workers
b) farmers
c) local communities
d) teachers
8) Why has so much wildlife disappeared around the mines?
a) hunters killed it for food
b) climate change
c) deforestation
d) invasive species
9) What are hunters trafficking?
a) okapi skins and people
b) people and okapi skins
c) elephant ivory and people
d) elephant ivory and okapi skins
10) What might happen to the World Heritage Site if the government acts?
a) it could grow
b) it could close down
c) it might be saved
d) it could be the world's biggest gold mine

10/
Members of one of the world's most popular pop bands will soon be in the army. The South Korean boy band BTS will soon
be taking a break from music. The seven band members will be joining the military to do two years of national service. South
Korea is one of the few countries in the world to require men to do military service. All able-bodied men aged between 18
and 28 must serve about two years in the military. This is because technically, South Korea is still at war with North Korea.
The two nations never signed a peace treaty after the Korean War ended in 1953. The agency that looks after BTS said the
band members want to do their duty. It said: "It's the perfect time and the members of BTS are honoured to serve."

There was a lot of talk in Korea about BTS not doing military service. Many people feel that the band are too important to be
taking a break to join the army. Many Koreans view them as national treasures. In 2020, Korea's government said the band
could delay their military service until the age of 30. The oldest member, Jin, is currently 29 years old. BTS have brought a
lot of worldwide attention to their country. They have also received a lot of praise for speaking out about mental health
issues. South Korea's defence minister said it could be possible for the band to perform together while in the army. He said:
"There could be a way to give them a chance to practice and perform together."
1. a 2. c 3. b 4. d 5. a 6. d 7. b 8. d 9. c 10. b

1) What are BTS taking a break from?

a) music
b) performing
c) military service
d) lunch
2) For how long will BTS do military service?
a) six months
b) a year
c) about two years
d) 18 months
3) How many countries require people to do military service?
a) a dozen
b) a few
c) several
d) 17
4) When did the Korean War end?
a) 1952
b) 1955
c) 1954
d) 1953
5) How do BTS feel about serving?
a) honoured
b) happy
c) worried
d) terrified

6) What do many Koreans view BTS as?

a) the best band in the world
b) good dancers
c) essential
d) national treasures
7) How old is the oldest BTS member?
a) 28
b) 29
c) 26
d) 24
8) What issues did BTS talk about?
a) bad words in song lyrics
b) rap
c) climate change
d) mental health issues
9) Who said BTS might be able to perform together in the army?
a) South Korea's president
b) an army general
c) South Korea's defence minister
d) a soldier
10) What could there be to give BTS a chance of performing together?
a) a stadium
b) a way
c) money
d) a concert

11,
They say age is just a number, and that you are as young as you feel. The former prime minister of Malaysia, Mahathir
Mohamad, is proving this to be true. Mr Mahathir is pushing back the years and running for office at the ripe old age of 97.
He has been the country's leader twice before. The first time was for 22 years, between 1981 and 2003; the second time
was a near-two-year term from May 2018. He has announced he will run for parliament in his country's upcoming general
election. He was typically coy on whether or not he has his eyes set on the top job once again. He told journalists: "We have
not decided who will be prime minister because the prime minister candidate is only relevant if we win."

Mahathir Mohamad has been an ever-present force in Malaysian politics. He first became a member of parliament in 1964.
He is widely regarded as being a visionary for changing his country's economic fortunes. He spearheaded Malaysia's rapid
economic transformation throughout the 1980s. Mahathir's decision to contest the parliamentary seat of Langkawi marks his
11th general election campaign. Many commentators in Malaysia are sceptical about Mr Mahathir's chances because of his
recent ill health. He has a history of heart trouble and has had several heart attacks and bypass operations, including a
quadruple bypass surgery. He was discharged from hospital last month after contracting Covid-19.
1. b 2. d 3. c 4. a 5. b 6. a 7. c 8. a 9. d 10. c

1) What does the article say age is?

a) old
b) just a number
c) young
d) a great numeral
2) What does the article say Mahathir Mohamad is pushing back?
a) doubts
b) voters
c) elections
d) the years
3) What's the longest time Mahathir Mohamad has spent as prime minister?
a) nearly two years
b) 18 months
c) 22 years
d) 12 years
4) How was Mahathir Mohamad being with journalists?
a) coy
b) angry
c) informative
d) jovial
5) Who did Mr Mahathir say would be prime minister?
a) himself
b) he doesn't know
c) he said it was a two-horse race
d) anybody

6) When did Mr Mahathir first become a politician?

a) 1964
b) 1965
c) 1962
d) 1968
7) What does the article say Mr Mahathir changed in Malaysia?
a) the voting system
b) laws
c) its economic fortunes
d) people's incomes
8) How many elections has Mr Mahathir already contested?
a) 10
b) 11
c) 12
d) 13
9) What are commentators sceptical about?
a) Malaysia's future
b) elections
c) democracy
d) Mahathir's chances of winning
10) What kind of surgery did Mr Mahathir have?
a) a hernia operation
b) one for COVID-19
c) quadruple bypass surgery
d) cosmetic surgery

12,
Many of us know that eating late is bad. A new study says that eating late at night could make us sick. Researchers say that
eating a few hours before bed means there is a higher risk of obesity. The researchers are from Brigham and Women's
Hospital, which is a teaching university linked to Harvard Medical School in the USA. The research team looked into why
eating late increased the risk of gaining weight. It found that eating late increases hunger by as much as two times, so we
eat more. When we eat earlier, we are less hungry, so we eat less food. Later eaters also eat unhealthier food, especially
fast food. Finally, late eaters move around less before sleeping. This means they do not burn off calories.

The study was a small scale one. The researchers looked at the eating habits of five women and 11 men between the ages
of 25 and 59. All of the participants had a high body mass index (BMI). They were all in the overweight or obesity BMI range.
All of the people were in good health. They ate breakfast regularly and exercised a little. For two weeks before each test, the
participants did not drink coffee or alcohol. They also did not smoke or take any medicine or drugs. They all had to keep a
sleep diary so researchers knew their sleeping and waking times. Researcher Professor Kelly C. Allison said: "I think what
the study is telling us is that it probably really is beneficial to stop eating late into the night."
1. d 2. b 3. c 4. a 5. c 6. b 7. d 8. a 9. c 10. b

1) Who knows that eating late at night is bad for us?

a) healthier people
b) obese people
c) everyone
d) most of us
2) What school is Brigham and Women's Hospital linked to?
a) MIT
b) Harvard Medical School
c) London School of Economics
d) high school
3) How much hungrier are people late at night?
a) a little
b) a lot
c) two times hungrier
d) 10 times hungrier
4) What kind of food do people eat late at night?
a) unhealthy food (or fast food)
b) cakes
c) pizza and hot dogs
d) cereal
5) What is it difficult to burn off late at night?
a) sweat
b) sleep
c) calories
d) fat

6) How big was the study?

a) huge
b) a small one
c) the biggest ever
d) medium sized
7) How old were the participants?
a) between 26 and 59 years old
b) between 25 and 58 years old
c) between 24 and 57 years old
d) between 25 and 59 years old
8) How often did the participants eat breakfast?
a) regularly
b) occasionally
c) once in a blue moon
d) every now and then
9) What kind of diary did the participants have to keep?
a) a secret diary
b) a daily diary
c) a sleep diary
d) a dietary diary
10) What did a professor say it was beneficial to do?
a) eat salad for lunch
b) stop eating late at night
c) sleep before 9 pm
d) exercise in the afternoon

13.
Protests by women, school girls and university students are gaining in momentum in Iran. The uprisings began following the
death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on the 16th of September at the hands of Iran's morality police. She became an instant
martyr after she took off her headscarf and showed her hair in public. Her death ignited a whole series of demonstrations
throughout Iran. Hundreds of thousands of women have replicated Ms Amini's actions to openly send a message to Iran's
leaders. They took off their headscarves en masse in the streets, on buses and in schools. Many burnt their hair coverings
and cut their hair in public. They have marched in the streets chanting their rallying cry of "women, life, freedom".
The latest uprising in Iran is the result of decades of pent-up fury at Iran's regime. Women are tired of being forced to cover
their hair. It became obligatory in April 1983 for them to do so. Punishments for violating this law range from financial
penalties to imprisonment. The death of 16-year-old Nika Shakarami last week has further fuelled the intensity of the
protests. Hundreds more have died in the past month at the hands of the authorities. An Iranian professor said hair
coverings were the tip of the iceberg. She said: "There's a lot of compulsion in Iranian culture, and so the demand is
freedom. The current protests… are engaging students… who are ready to live life freely. They're done with death and grief
and mourning."
1. b 2. d 3. a 4. c 5. b 6. a 7. c 8. a 9. a 10. d

1) What does the article say protests are growing in?

a) size
b) momentum
c) Tehran
d) importance
2) When did Mahsa Amini die?
a) September the 15th
b) September the 18th
c) September the 14th
d) September the 16th
3) What did Mahsa Amini's death ignite throughout Iran?
a) a whole series of demonstrations
b) passions
c) flames
d) a series of explosions
4) Who do protestors want to send a message to?
a) the UN
b) the world
c) Iran's leaders
d) the USA
5) What does the article say the chant "women, life, freedom" is?
a) a slogan
b) a rallying cry
c) important
d) a request for change

6) For how long have women in Iran felt pent-up anger?

a) decades
b) centuries
c) millennia
d) years
7) When did it become law for women in Iran to cover their hair?
a) April 1988
b) August 1983
c) April 1983
d) August 1988
8) What can happen to women (besides fines) for not covering their hair?
a) imprisonment
b) community service
c) naming and shaming
d) hair cutting
9) What did a professor say the hair covering issue was the tip of?
a) the iceberg
b) the matter
c) someone's tongue
d) a pen
10) What are students done with, besides death and grief?
a) remonstrating
b) marching
c) demonstrating
d) mourning

14.
Britain's King Charles III is a well-known environmentalist. For decades, he has spoken on green issues. He made the world
aware of the dangers of climate change long before many world leaders did. He had been invited to attend the 27th UN
climate change conference in Egypt next month to give a speech. However, officials say there has been a change of plan
and he will not be attending. Many newspapers in the U.K. say King Charles will not attend the conference after Britain's
new prime minister, Liz Truss, advised him not to. A royal expert told a newspaper that: "It is no mystery that the King was
invited to go there. He had to think very carefully about what steps to take for his first overseas tour."

Many newspapers in England are reporting that Liz Truss did not want the new King to attend COP 27 because he
disagrees with her government on climate change. Ms Truss became prime minister four weeks ago. She has already lifted
a ban on fracking in the U.K. Fracking was banned in the U.K. because of the risk of environmental damage and the
possibility of earthquakes. King Charles has a history of "declaring war" on climate change. At COP21 in Paris in 2015, he
called for a "vast military-style campaign" and "trillions, not billions, of dollars" to fight it. U.S. President Biden praised King
Charles' leadership on climate change. He said: "We need you badly."\
1. b 2. c 3. d 4. b 5. a 6. a 7. d 8. c 9. d 10. b

1) What is King Charles well known for?

a) his crown
b) being an environmentalist
c) living in a big castle
d) farming
2) How many UN climate change conferences have there been?
a) 27
b) 28
c) 26
d) 25
3) What did officials say there was a change of?
a) venue
b) heart
c) mind
d) plan
4) Who said it was no mystery that Charles had been invited to COP27?
a) Liz Truss
b) a royal expert
c) Prince William
d) an environmentalist

5) How many overseas tours has King Charles made as king?

a) none
b) one
c) two
d) three

6) Who does King Charles disagree with on climate change?

a) the UK government
b) everyone
c) an environmentalist
d) Prince William
7) What did Liz Truss lift a ban on?
a) electric cars
b) energy
c) LED lights
d) fracking
8) What has Charles declared war on?
a) energy
b) fossil fuels
c) climate change
d) wind farms
9) When did Charles call for trillions of dollars?
a) five years ago
b) in 2021
c) last month
d) in 2015
10) Who said we badly needed King Charles?
a) the French president
b) U.S. President Biden
c) Prince William
d) an environmentalist

15/
Hollywood has made many sci-fi movies about asteroids crashing into Earth and destroying us all. The U.S. space agency
NASA may have an answer to this end-of-the-world possibility. It has tested a spacecraft that could change the direction of
an asteroid that might hit our planet. The spacecraft is called DART, which means Double Asteroid Redirection Test. The
$325m craft set off on its journey in November 2021. Its goal was to crash into an asteroid called Dimorphos. The mission
was a success. DART collided with the centre of the asteroid at 24,000 kph on Monday. Scientists do not yet know if they
have changed the asteroid's direction. They will find out from data they will get in a few weeks' time.

It is the first time that humans have tried to change the direction of a space object. NASA spokesperson Glen Nagle said
DART was the first of many "planetary protection missions". He compared our chances of surviving an asteroid hit to the end
of the dinosaurs. He said: "We want to have a better chance than the dinosaurs had 65 million years ago." He added that in
pre-history, all the dinosaurs could do was to "look up and say, 'Oh asteroid'". Another spokesperson, Lori Glaze, said DART
represented a "new era for humankind". She said: "It's an era in which we potentially have the capability to protect ourselves
from something like a dangerous, hazardous asteroid impact."

1) What has made many movies about asteroids hitting Earth?

a) NASA
b) Hollywood
c) an asteroid company
d) a university
2) How much did the spacecraft cost?
a) $352 million
b) $235 million
c) $523 million
d) $325 million
3) When was DART launched?
a) November 2020
b) November 2019
c) November 2021
d) November 2012
4) How fast was DART travelling when it crashed into the asteroid?
a) 24,000 kph
b) 25,000 kph
c) 22,000 kph
d) 28,000 kph
5) When will NASA get data about the spacecraft?
a) tomorrow
b) in a few weeks' time
c) next month
d) next year

6) Who is Glen Nagle?

a) a NASA spokesperson
b) an astronaut
c) a scientist
d) the designer of the DART spacecraft
7) What did Mr Nagle compare the chances of surviving an asteroid hit to?
a) a black hole
b) global warming
c) the end of the dinosaurs
d) roulette
8) When did the dinosaurs die out?
a) 65 million years ago
b) 64 million years ago
c) 63 million years ago
d) 62 million years ago
9) Who did a NASA spokesperson say DART represented a new era to?
a) scientists
b) asteroid researchers
c) aliens
d) humankind
10) What did NASA say we have the capability to do?
a) mine asteroids
b) destroy asteroids
c) protect ourselves
d) talk to aliens

1. b 2. d 3. c 4. a 5. b 6. a 7. c 8. a 9. d 10. C
16.
We all love to move (or groove) to music. At the very least, we cannot resist tapping our foot or nodding our head when we
hear music. New research suggests that moving our body to musical beats is genetic. Our dancing ability is in our genes.
Parents pass their sense of rhythm down to their children. The study is from the Vanderbilt University in the USA, and the
genomics and biotechnology company 23andMe. Researchers found 69 genes that affect how people react to musical
rhythms. The researchers said different genes affect our ability to move in sync with music beats. They said the genes work
in similar ways to those for other biological rhythms, such as breathing, walking and sleeping.

The researchers used bio-data from over 600,000 people in their research. Researcher Dr David Hinds said: "The large
number of…study participants offered a unique opportunity…to capture even small genetic signals." He added: "This
research represents a leap forward for scientific understanding of the links between genetics and musicality." Researcher Dr
Reyna Gordon said: "Rhythm is not just influenced by a single gene. It is influenced by many hundreds of genes." She
added: "Tapping, clapping and dancing in synchrony with the beat of music is at the core of our human musicality." The
research could one day help doctors use music and rhythm to make us healthier.

6) How many people were part of the research?

a) just fewer than 600,000
b) exactly 600,000
c) more than 600,000
d) around 600,000
7) What kind of leap does the research in the article represent?
a) a leap forward
b) a leap for mankind
c) a leap in the dark
d) a leap into the unknown
8) What did a researcher say rhythm is not just influenced by?
a) our heart
b) jazz
c) a single gene
d) dancing
9) What is tapping, clapping and dancing at the core of?
a) apples
b) our human musicality
c) computers
d) microprocessors
10) What might doctors use in the future as part of their healthcare?
a) music and rhythm
b) drum sticks
c) MP3 players
d) opera

6) How many people were part of the research?

a) just fewer than 600,000
b) exactly 600,000
c) more than 600,000
d) around 600,000
7) What kind of leap does the research in the article represent?
a) a leap forward
b) a leap for mankind
c) a leap in the dark
d) a leap into the unknown
8) What did a researcher say rhythm is not just influenced by?
a) our heart
b) jazz
c) a single gene
d) dancing
9) What is tapping, clapping and dancing at the core of?
a) apples
b) our human musicality
c) computers
d) microprocessors
10) What might doctors use in the future as part of their healthcare?
a) music and rhythm
b) drum sticks
c) MP3 players
d) opera

1. d 2. b 3. d 4. c 5. d 6. c 7. a 8. c 9. b 10. A
17.
Further light has been shed on the possible dangers of eating ultra-processed food. A new study has revealed that
consuming food such as sausages, frozen pizza, ready-to-eat meals, sodas and cakes can increase the risk of cancer, heart
disease or an earlier death. Ultra-processed food includes products made in factories from ingredients that are largely or
entirely made in a laboratory. They are added with things like preservatives, flavour enhancers, colourings, sugar and fats.
The research was conducted on over 200,000 people in the USA over a 28-year period. Researcher Dr Fang Fang Zhang
said men who ate a lot of ultra-processed food had a 29 per cent higher risk of developing bowel cancer.

Ultra-processed foods make up a growing proportion of the food we eat. The WHO says they account for around two-thirds
of calories in the diets of American children and teenagers. Dr Zhang said children who ate ultra-processed food gained
weight more quickly than those who ate a more nutritious and well balanced diet. She said: "Americans consume a large
percentage of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods." She gave advice on how people can look after their bodies
better through their diets. She said: "We should consider substituting ultra-processed foods with unprocessed or minimally
processed foods in our diet for cancer prevention and for the prevention of obesity and cardiovascular diseases."

1) What has been shed on the dangers of ultra-processed food?

a) information
b) cabins
c) further light
d) a torch
2) What kind of pizza constitutes ultra-processed food?
a) frozen pizza
b) Hawaiian pizza
c) four-cheese pizza
d) Margherita
3) Where are most of the ingredients in ultra-processed food from?
a) factories
b) test tubes
c) shops
d) chemicals
4) How many people were part of the research?
a) exactly 200,000
b) over 200,000
c) just fewer than 200,000
d) around 200,000
5) Who had a higher risk of developing bowel cancer?
a) vegetarians
b) children
c) women
d) men

6) How much of the calories of U.S. teens are from ultra-processed food?
a) three-quarters
b) two-thirds
c) three-fifths
d) seven-eighths
7) What do children who eat ultra-processed food gain?
a) weight
b) knowledge
c) immunity
d) satisfaction
8) What did a doctor say we needed to look after?
a) the planet
b) gardens
c) our bodies
d) tomatoes
9) What should we substitute ultra-processed food with besides processed food?
a) meat
b) cheese
c) tofu
d) minimally processed foods
10) What conditions did a doctor say we should prevent besides obesity?
a) cardiovascular diseases
b) neurological diseases
c) congenital diseases
d) genetic diseases

1. c 2. a 3. a 4. b 5. d 6. b 7. a 8. c 9. d 10. a
18.
It is common knowledge that sea creatures like dolphins have a high level of intelligence. Scientists have now discovered
that octopuses also have "remarkable" intelligence. A team of Italian marine biologists have revealed that octopi have a
gene that also determines the intelligence of humans. The eight-tentacled sea creature has short sequences of DNA called
"jumping genes". These same genes make up 45 per cent of the human genome. The researchers said the DNA sequences
are important for learning and for creating and storing memories in the brain. The scientists say the DNA may give
octopuses cognitive abilities that are similar to those humans have.

The scientists say their research findings are important as they give an insight into how octopuses amend their behaviour in
response to different stimuli. Scientists describe this process as "behavioural plasticity". Biologist Graziano Fiorito suggested
that the research could help us understand more about intelligence in humans. He said: "The brain of the octopus is
functionally analogous in many of its characteristics to that of mammals.…For this reason [the DNA] represents a very
interesting candidate to study to improve our knowledge of the evolution of intelligence." He says the brain structure of
octopuses may mean the creatures are more similar to mammals than invertebrates and other sea life.

1) What does the article say has a high level of intelligence?

a) apes
b) dolphins
c) jelly fish
d) whales
2) Where are the scientists from who conducted the research?
a) Egypt
b) Fiji
c) Australia
d) Italy
3) What are the DNA sequences called that were part of this research?
a) jumping genes
b) jumping jacks
c) jumping Jennies
d) jamming jacks
4) What did scientists say the DNA was important for creating in the brain?
a) connections
b) neurons
c) memories
d) protein

5) What similar ability do octopuses and humans have?

a) predicting soccer match results
b) cognitive ability
c) touching
d) fishing

6) What did the octopuses respond to?

a) different stimuli
b) music
c) colour
d) flashes
7) Who is Graziano Fiorito?
a) am octopus breeder
b) an octopus expert
c) a biologist
d) a journalist
8) What did scientists say was analogous to mammal characteristics?
a) the octopus brain
b) octopus tentacles
c) human charcateristics
d) dolphins
9) What might octopus brains help us to understand the evolution of?
a) intelligence
b) fish
c) molluscs
d) sea life

10) What do the researchers say octopus brains are similar to?
a) apes
b) dolphins
c) lobster
d) mammals
1. b 2. d 3. a 4. c 5. b 6. a 7. c 8. a 9. a 10. d
19.
The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most famous sights. The 324-metre-tall iron tower attracts millions of tourists to Paris
every year. It has been an iconic part of Paris' skyline for 133 years. However, it is showing its age. Engineers recently
conducted a survey of the monument. They found that its metal is full of rust. They said it is "in a poor state". They added
that if its designer Gustave Eiffel was alive today and saw his creation, "he would have a heart attack". Engineers say there
are many cracks in the iron. The tower needs many repairs. A 2016 report on the tower stated there were 698 faults on the
tower. These were serious enough to put the tower's long-term future in doubt.

Construction of the Eiffel Tower started in January 1887. It opened to the public on the 31st of March, 1889. It was built to
celebrate the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. Builders needed 10,100 tons of iron to make the tower. It was made from 18,000
sections and 2.5 million rivets. The original plan was for the tower to be taken down after 20 years. However, the French
government changed its mind and kept it in place. The tower is currently being repainted ahead of the 2024 Olympics.
Engineers say painting the metal will not make the rust problem go away. They say the existing paint needs to be completely
removed first. However, this will take too long and the tower would lose tourist revenue.

1) How tall is the Eiffel Tower?

a) 342 metres
b) 423 metres
c) 234 metres
d) 324 metres
2) How old is the Eiffel Tower?
a) 132 years old
b) 133 years old
c) 135 years old
d) 134 years old
3) What did engineers say the tower was full of?
a) screws
b) nails
c) air
d) rust
4) What might Gustave Eiffel have if he were alive today?
a) hope
b) pride
c) a heart attack
d) an honor
5) How many faults were on the tower in 2016?
a) 968
b) 689
c) 896
d) 698

6) In what year did the Eiffel Tower open to the public?

a) 1898
b) 1886
c) 1889
d) 1888
7) How many rivers were used to make the tower?
a) 2.5 million
b) 3.5 million
c) 12.5 million
d) 7.5 million
8) How long was the tower originally designed to stand for?
a) 2 years
b) 12 years
c) 20 years
d) 200 years
9) What is the tower being repainted for?
a) Bastille Day
b) the 2024 Olympics
c) the return of tourism
d) a festival of romance
10) What would the tower lose if it was closed to take the paint off?
a) revenue
b) the number one spot
c) workers
d) time

1. d 2. b 3. d 4. c 5. d 6. c 7. a 8. c 9. b 10. a
20
Australia is home to some of the most amazing creatures and plant life in the world. It is famous for its diversity of species.
However, scientists have just reported a "shocking" loss of biodiversity. The government has released its State of the
Environment Report. It is depressing reading. The report reveals a serious decline in biodiversity, an increase in habitat loss,
and increasing levels of pollution. It concludes that the condition of Australia's environment is "poor and deteriorating".
Australia has been hit by drought, fires and floods in the past five years. These have killed many animals and caused the
loss of natural habitat. Climate change is also harming Australia's ecosystems.

Australia publishes its State of the Environment Report every five years. Each report has painted a sadder picture. The
Australian Conservation Foundation said Australia's natural environment is suffering because the government is not taking
action. It said: "There's nothing in this report we don't know. This is the fourth…report and every time it has told us that the
environment is getting worse and worse and worse because we're not taking the type of action we need." Australia has lost
more mammal species than any other continent. More than 100 Australian species are now extinct. An environmentalist said
the report was, "a wake-up call to the damage humans are doing to the world around us".

1) Where does the article say is home to amazing plant life?

a) the Outback
b) the Great Barrier Leaf
c) the Blue Mountains
d) Australia
2) What does the report say there are increasing levels of?
a) biodiversity
b) pollution
c) shocks
d) deterioration
3) What do scientists say Australia's environment is, besides deteriorating?
a) lovely
b) hot
c) cool
d) poor
4) When was Australia hit by droughts and floods?
a) in the 1900s
b) last week
c) in the past five years
d) on Tuesday afternoons
5) What does the article say is harming Australia's ecosystems?
a) mining
b) invasive species
c) the Internet
d) climate change

6) How often does Australia publish its environment report?

a) yearly
b) once every two years
c) every five years
d) every decade
7) How many environment reports have there been?
a) four
b) five
c) three
d) six
8) What does a conservation group say the government is not doing?
a) working
b) creating zoos
c) taking action
d) talking
9) How many species of Australian mammals are now extinct?
a) 1,208
b) more than 100
c) thousands
d) dozens
10) Who did an environmentalist say is damaging the world around us?
a) humans
b) politicians
c) the government
d) loggers

1. d 2. b 3. d 4. c 5. d 6. c 7. a 8. c 9. b 10. A

Matching
1.
5.

6.

(A) A funicular is a cable railway in which a cable attached to a pair of tram-like vehicles on rails moves them up and down a
steep slope. The ascending and descending vehicles counter-balance each other. Funiculars of one sort or another have
existed for hundreds of years and continue to be used for moving both passengers and goods.

(B) The basic idea of funicular operation is that two cars are always attached to each other by a cable, which runs through a
pulley at the top of the slope. Counterbalancing of the two cars, with one going up and one going down, minimises the
energy needed to lift the car going up. Winching is normally done by an electric drive that turns the pulley.
(C) Early funiculars used two parallel straight tracks, four rails, with separate station platforms for each vehicle. The Swiss
engineer Carl Roman Abt then invented a method that allowed cars to be used with a two-rail configuration, by placing a
‘passing track’ in the middle of the line. This meant that the two cars would use the same track until they reached the middle
where the track would split in two directions so the cars could pass each other and then return to the single track.

(D) Some funiculars have been built using water tanks under the floor of each car that are filled or emptied until an
imbalance is achieved to allow the cars to move. The car at the top of the hill is loaded with water until it is heavier than the
car at the bottom, causing it to descend the hill and pulling up the other car. The water is drained at the bottom, and the
process repeats with the cars exchanging roles.

(E) The oldest funicular is the Reisszug, a private line providing goods access to Hohensalzburg Castle at Salzburg in
Austria. The line originally used wooden rails and a hemp haulage rope and was operated by human or animal power.
Today, steel rails, steel cables and an electric motor have taken over, but the line still follows the same route through the
castle's fortifications. Modern funicular railways operating in urban areas date from the 1860s.

(F) Hong Kong's Peak Tram was one of the first funiculars in Asia. It was proposed by Alexander Findlay Smith who
presented the idea to the Governor of Hong Kong in 1881. It took three years to build the Peak Tram. Most of the heavy
equipment and rails needed for the construction was hauled uphill by the workers, who had no mechanical support. The
tram finally opened in 1888, with a maximum grade of 48%, 1.4 km long, and is now one of Hong Kong's major tourist
attractions. As a revolutionary new form of transport to Asia at the time, the tramway was considered a marvel in
engineering upon its completion.

(G) The Scenic Railway at Katoomba Scenic World, Blue Mountains, Australia (which supports multiple tourist attractions
such as the Skyway and Cableway), is claimed to be the world's steepest passenger-carrying funicular railway, with a
maximum incline of 52 degrees or 122%, with a total incline length of 310 metres. The railway is on an old mining track.

(H) In Ukraine, The Kiev Funicular serves the city of Kiev, connecting the historic Uppertown, and the lower neighborhood of
Podil up the steep Volodymyrska Hill overseeing the Dnieper River. The funicular was constructed during 1902-05.

(I) Private funiculars on steep sections provide easier access from the street to a house than steep paths or steps. They are
common in hilly cities, such as Wellington, New Zealand, which has about 300. These have a small car for two to four
people permanently attached to a cable from a winch, which runs on an inclined pair of rails (beams) or a single rail at a low
speed (0.3 to 1.0 metres/second). They are often called "cable cars" or "lifts" (elevators), e.g., in the New Zealand standard
for private cable cars.

A) 1 ✘ Correct answer: 2. Definition of a funicular

B) 1 ✘ Correct answer: 6. How a funicular works
C) 1 ✘ Correct answer: 11. Increasing operational efficiency
D) 2 ✘ Correct answer: 5. A method to help the upper car move the lower car
E) 1 ✘ Correct answer: 8. The first funicular
F) 10 ✘ Correct answer: 1. Challenges in building a funicular
G) 2 ✘ Correct answer: 9. A record breaking funicular
H) 8 ✘ Correct answer: 3. A funicular for commuters
I) 11 ✘ Correct answer: 4. A practical solution to reach hillside residences

7.