TEST
NAME
I. Read this passage about the Polar Regions, then copy and complete the table which follows it with the
differences between the two regions
The northern and southern Polar Regions are different in many ways. The most important difference concerns
the distribution of land and water. The northern Arctic regions are ice-covered sea, almost completely
surrounded by land. The pole itself is in deep water. In the south, Antarctica is a huge continent which is
surrounded by a great ocean. Because of this basic difference other differences occur. The Arctic has a varied
climate, while the Antarctic climate varies little; the Arctic has much plant life but the Antarctic is an empty
desert. And whereas the Arctic has been exploited economically for centuries, trade has never really touched
Antarctica.
Interest in the Arctic began when America was discovered, and explorers tried to find a western sea route to
India and China. In their search to find the 'North-West Passage' the main problem facing the explorers was how
to avoid the ice. One explorer, Nansen, found a unique answer to this problem. He deliberately became stuck in
the ice, and travelled with it across the Arctic Ocean! But although many explorers tried, it was not until 1903
that the Arctic polar region was crossed by sea. Antarctic exploration begins with Ptolemy. He believed that all
the oceans were surrounded by land, and that therefore there was a huge continent somewhere in the south. His
idea led to centuries of search, and again trade played its part. The real discoverers of Antarctica were the
hunters who travelled far south to catch seals.
One reason for the present interest in both Polar Regions is that the world may soon be short of fresh water. The
world's population is doubling every 35 years, and in the United States alone an average person uses - taking
everything into account - 1,500 gallons of fresh water a day. The ice in the northern and southern Polar Regions
is actually frozen fresh water. In fact over 85% of the earth's entire fresh water is found in the polar ice. If we
could find a way of carrying this ice to other parts of the world, this would solve all our fresh water problems.
Arctic Antarctic
1 . ice-covered sea 1. huge continent
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
6. 6.
7. 7.
II. Which of these sentences best describes the writer's main point'?
In Paragraph 1 the writer:
(a) talks about differences in Arctic and Antarctic climate.
(b) says why the Arctic is more interesting than the Antarctic.
(c) contrasts the Arctic and Antarctic.
In Paragraph 2 the writer:
(a) describes the exploration of the polar regions.
(b) describes how the Arctic was first crossed.
(c) describes the importance of trade to exploration.
III. Choose the correct answer:
For those people who go out in (0) search of adventure, a long-distance flight in a hot-air balloon is a
particularly exciting (1) ...... Indeed, a round-the-world balloon trip is widely regarded as the (2) ...... challenge.
One well-known adventurer, David Hemplemann-Adams would not agree, however. Recently, he became the
first man to (3) .......the North Pole in a hot-air balloon, a more significant (4)......in his eyes, (given that the
distance and altitudes (5) ......are comparatively modest, you might wonder why the trip from Canada to the Pole
should present such a challenge.
0 A search B chase C seek D hunt
1 A campaign B prospect C motion D engagement
2 A ultimate B extreme c utmost D eventual
3 A meet B reach c attain D fulfil
4 A recognition B acquisition c achievement D realisation
5 A engaged B regarded c involved D connected
IV. Fill in the gaps with a suitable word
There are fifteen capital cities in the world in a position to be wiped out (1) .............seriously damaged by
volcanic eruptions. So why then (2) ................ people continue to live in (3)...................dangerous areas? Many
of these people are poor and have (4)...................choice, while others disregard the risk, (4)................is, after all,
rather (5).................. than the risks involved in smoking or driving a car. What attracts people to volcanic areas
(6) ............... fertile land. The soils from volcanic ashes are light, easily worked, drain well and are full
(7)....................plant nutrients. A light fall of ash, (8).................it may destroy one year's crop, often pays the
farmer (9).............in future years (10) ........................ the fertility it adds to the soil.
V. For question 1-5, use the words in the boxes to the right of the texts to form one word that fits the
same numbered space in the text.
Nature's marvels often go (1) ........................................, but one that has
been appreciated throughout history is thermal water. During its long underground (1)RECOGNISE
journey, it is believed to draw healing power from the earth. Among these (2) SCIENCE
amazing waters, the spring water from Avene in France particularly fascinates (3) BENEFIT
(2) ............................., who agree that it is rich in (4) MIRACLE
(3)....................................proprieties. Legend attributes seemingly (5) TREAT
(4)................................ cures to the water and the first Avene thermal spa for the
(5) ........................... of skin complaints was built in 1743, and it was not long
before its reputation spread.
VI. Choose the most appropriate word
a. Many small houses and huts were flooded away/pushed away/washed away when the river burst its banks.
b. Poor farming methods are responsible for soil devaluation/erosion/migration in many areas
c. During the earthquake, many people were buried/collapsed/covered alive.
d. Villagers are hoping for rain this month after nearly a year of draft/draught/drought.
e. Before the hurricane struck, many people were abducted/evacuated/shifted to higher ground.
f. Thousands of children are suffering from malnutrition/starvation/under nourishment.
g. Heavy snow has fallen in the mountains and many villages have been blocked out/cut off/swept away for
the past two days.
h. The Aids epidemic/outbreak/plague has begun to have serious effects in many African countries.
