Although I did not totally agree _____ feminist’s policies, I certainly admired their audacity, dedication and courage.

(486)______

Choose the best answer:
In the Us, the first stage of compulsory education ___________ as elementary education.

FAMILY HISTORY

In an age when technology is developing faster than ever before, many people are being (21).........  to the idea of looking back into the past. One way they can do this is by investigating their own family history. They can try to (22) ............ out more about where their family came from and what they did. This is now a fast-growing hobby, especial in countries with a (23).............  short history, like Australia and the United States.

It is (24).................  thing to spend some time (25) ................... through a book on family history and to take the (26) .............. to investigate your own family’s past. It is (27) ............. another to carry out the research work successfully. It is easy to set about it in a disorganised way and (28) ................ yourself many problems which could have been (29)............ with a little forward planning.

If your own family stories tell you that you are (30) ........... with a famous character, whether hero or criminal, do not let this idea take over your research. Just treat it as an interesting possibility. A simple system for collecting and storing your path. The most important thing, though, is to get started. Who knows what you might find?

(24).........

Choose the best answer:
They came to their office______ bus.

Read the passage below carefully, and then choose the best answer:
The Wonders of Wetlands
If you’re searching for scenic places or areas, visiting wetlands probably won’t be high on your list. Wetlands are areas of land that are often saturated with water and they are quite an eyesore. Although they might not look very pretty, they play an important part in keeping the environment clean and suitable for plant and animal life. With the exception of Antarctica, wetlands occur naturally on every continent. There are many different types of wetlands on the Earth, including bogs, swamps, and marshes. Along with rainforests, they are among the most diverse places on the Earth. In addition to naturally-occurring wetlands, humans are creating artificial ones for a number of purposes related to water management. One of the main benefits of wetlands is that they can prevent floods. They do so by storing water temporarily and then slowly releasing it over time. Wetlands operate similarly to a sponge. When it rains heavily and water levels rise, they absorb the excess water. This prevents runoff from entering streams and keeping them from overflowing. Then, when water levels become low in the future, they will release it. In many cases, wetlands offer a much more affordable solutions than dams. However, it’s important to note that wetlands, like dams, don’t eliminate all dangers from flooding. In cases of extremely heavy rainfall, wetlands can fill up and any additional water will start to run off. Wetlands can also play a part in water purification. Agricultural practices, urban runoff, and sewage waste are a major cause of water pollution. Wetlands contain plants and organisms that can reduce this pollution by filtering out unwanted substances such as chemicals, and decomposing matter, as well as sediment. Wetlands have additional benefits for the environment as well. They can help to feed nearby fish populations by releasing vegetative matter to rivers. Also, many amphibians use wetlands as breeding grounds because it provides places for foraging and the shallow water they require for reproduction. Some birds also use wetlands for migration, as they can settle in trees and then raid the wetland’s waters for fish when they’re hungry. Although wetlands may not look pretty, it’s clear that they are capable of doing the dirty work required to keep our planet clean and ensure that the circle of life remains unbroken.
3. What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?

Read the passage below carefully, and then choose the best answer:
The Magical Mind of Leonardo Da Vinci
When someone shows great skills in a certain field, we call them a genius. In particular, the term is most associated with two people. One is the famed scientist Albert Einstein, and the other is Leonardo Da Vinci. However, unlike Einstein, whose achievements were essentially all related to science, Leonardo Da Vinci was a master at art, architecture, invention, and several other areas. Da Vinci was bom in Italy in 1452. He took to art at an early age and at age 14, he went to study as an apprentice in Florence under the artist Verrocchio. For the next six years. Da Vinci picked up drawing, carpentry, sculpting, and many other techniques from his master and his talent was evident. In fact, Da Vinci was such a good painter that his talent frustrated his master. Eventually, Verrocchio was so frustrated by his student’s genius that he stopped painting altogether. By the age of 20, Da Vinci was considered a master artist and set up his own workshop. It was there that Da Vinci was approached to create a painting for the Duke of Milan. The Duke was so impressed by his work that he would bring him under his service. In addition to creating paintings and sculptures, the Duke also had him design innovative buildings, machines, and weapons. Da Vinci would draw up plans for several futuristic inventions including tanks, submarines, and flying machines. He also mastered the art of drawing every muscle and detail of the human body. The only criticism one could make of Da Vinci is that his brilliant mind jumped so quickly from subject to subject that he rarely completed the works he started. The ones he did finish were often spectacular masterpieces, such as his paintings The Last Supper and the timeless Mona Lisa. The latter, which is on display at the Louvre in Paris, is arguably the most famous painting of all times because of its incredible detail and realism. Although Da Vinci died in 1519, his effect on the art world has never waned. He helped coin the term “Renaissance man” which refers to someone who excels in many different areas. Perhaps the greatest present Da Vinci left behind was his journals. Admirers and students of his work can examine 13,000 pages of his notes, drawings, and ideas to better understand what made this genius tick.
7. What does the passage say about Da Vinci’s journals in paragraph 3?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.
Many people today would like the traditional two-parent family back, that is to say, they want a man and a  woman to (1)...................for life; they also think the man should support the family, and the woman should stay home with the children. However, few families now (2)................. in the this category. In fact, if more women decide to have children on their own, the single-parent household may become more typical than the traditional family in many countries. Also, couples may decide to have more children, or they might take in foster children or (3).............. . And because people are staying single and living longer, there may be more one-person households. (4).......... the otherhand, some people believe that similar events happen again and again in history. if this is true, people may go back to the traditional (5).................. or nuclear family of the past. Others think that the only certainty in history is change. in other words, the structure of the future family could begin to change faster and faster and in more and more ways.

(1)......................................

Read the passage below carefully, and then choose the best answer:
The Finer Points of Fair Trade
Throughout the year, we buy foods and beverages from a variety of sources. However, few of us take the time to consider the lives of the people who make these things. In many cases, these goods are produced by poor workers who have trouble surviving on their salaries. A social movement called “Fair Trade” is trying to change this by ensuring that workers are paid decent wages for their efforts. The Fair Trade movement aims to create a membership between customers and producers that is based on respect and fairness. Consumers hope that by supporting fair trade goods they are empowering workers in developing countries to live better lives. Consumers also benefit because they receive high-quality products and have peace of mind that these workers aren’t mistreated. Fair Trade also benefits the environment, as Fair Trade goods are produced with minimal pesticides and pollutants. The first Fair Trade mark was introduced in 1988 by a Dutch group called Solidaridad, which focused on labeling fair trade coffee imported into Holland from Mexico. Shortly after, other groups in North America and Europe followed their lead. These groups started to seek Fair Trade benefits for workers producing wine, honey, bananas, flowers, and several other goods. Then, in 1997, the Fairtrade Labeling Organization International (FLO) was established to unite all of these independent groups into one organization and set unified standards worldwide. In 2002, the FLO launched the FAIRTRADE Certificate Mark, which became an international symbol that labeled goods met the environmental, economic, and social requirements set by FAIRTRADE International (FLO). If consumers spot this mark on goods, they are assured that the workers producing them are receiving a suitable payment for their services. Major corporations are also getting involving in the Fair Trade movement, deluding Starbucks. The multi-national coffee retailer now purchases over 93 percent of its coffee from ethical sources. Furthermore, it has pledged to increase that number to 100 percent by 2025. If you are willing to join Starbucks and millions of other consumers around the globe, keep your eyes out for the FAIRTRADE mark next time you go food shopping.
3. The word “this” in paragraph 1 refers to __________.

Read the following passage and choose the best answer (A, B, C, D):
Glenbrook South (GBS) High School is in a suburb of Chicago, lllinois, in the United States. It is an award-winning school with a highly competent teaching staff. It has over 400 Asian Pacific American students-over 17 percent of the students in the school. Of these, the majority are Korean American. This is very unusual in a state where Korean Americans are less than 1 percent of the population. The interactions of the Korean American students at GBS were the subject of an article in Asian Week magazine. Different Korean American students react differently to being in a high school where most students are white. Professor Pyong Gap Min, an expert on Korean life in America, believes that Korean Americans in this situation can sometimes feel inhibited or ashamed of their Korean identity. Asian Week interviewed a number of GBS students, and each had a different attitude. Eighteen-year-old Alice said that she used to spend time only with Korean American friends. Although she felt secure with those friends, she found herself motivated to form closer relationships with non-Koreans, too. She said that she felt she was missing out on new experiences and challenges. Seventeen-year-old John moved in the opposite direction. In junior high school, most of John's friends were white. After coming to GBS, his sense of his Korean American identity was restored, and he decided to have mainly Korean American friends. He feels that he and his Korean American friends understand each other better. For example, they understand about severe parental pressures to succeed at school; John felt his white friends couldn't really understand. Sixteen-year-old Paul has some Korean American friends, but he says he spends most of his time with his white friends. He is often the only Asian American in the group, but he doesn't mind. What Paul likes about the white culture is that he can be more radical - he can be as loud and funny as he wants to be. He says he doesn't see as much of that among the Asian students. Without belittling the importance of what these students had to say, it's important to remember that their opinions at this phase of their lives are bound to change as they grow into adulthood. But these honest opinions can help US better understand issues of cultural relations, and their honesty might help Americans from different cultural groups to get along better in the future. 
3. The phrase "agent of education" in paragraph 2 can be replaced by:

Beginning on March 15, we will be using a new payroll service that will affect a number of our current payroll processes. First, weekly payroll checks will be mailed on Thursday instead of Friday. Direct-deposit payroll payments will also be processed a day---139---. Second, pay stubs for direct-deposit payments will no longer be e-mailed. Instead,  employees will be able to  ---140--- this information by accessing their payroll accounts online.

Other processes will remain the same. All-time cards will continue to be due to the payroll department by Monday at 6:00 P.M.---141---. A complete, updated list of instructions for payroll procedures ---142--- to all employees on or before March 1. If you have any questions before then, please contact Leonti Belousov at ext. 5810.

142......................

Read the passage below carefully, and then choose the best answer:
Fighting Back against Bullying
It is often said that childhood is the most joyful period in a person’s life. This is supposed to be a time when children can focus on their studies and enjoy their free time with friends. However, these days more and more children are experiencing a stressful and miserable adolescence due to bullying. Bullying occurs when one student, or a group of students, uses aggression to harm another child and try to make them feel bad. This abuse can either be physical, such as pushing or beating another student, or it could take the form of mental abuse, such as taunting and teasing the student. Although it may seem harmless to some, studies show that bullying can greatly impact a child’s life and have long-lasting negative effects. People who have been bullied may experience self-esteem issues and start to lack confidence in almost everything they do. These traits can make it difficult to manage relationships and even cause them to have trouble holding down a steady job. One of the most harmful types of bullying that is on the rise is cyberbullying. The bullied student is targeted in cruel or threatening e-mails, instant messages, or hateful public posts about them. In many cases, bullies will post embarrassing pictures of the victim or spread nasty rumors about them through social media. In some tragic cases, children have even turned to suicide, feeling that they can’t deal with the humiliation. If you are being bullied by another student, you don’t have to accept it or suffer. There are some steps you can take to deal with the problem. At first, you may try to ignore the bully, as they will often lose interest in bothering you if you don’t react. If the bullying persists, however, you should tell a trusted adult as soon as possible. This could be a parent, a family friend, a teacher, a school guidance counselor, or even the school principal. Until recently, many teachers and school officials turned a blind eye to bullying, believing that the students would eventually sort it out by themselves. But this mindset has changed in recent years in light of some of the tragedies that have occurred. If for any reason you feel that your complaints are not being taken seriously, there are other groups available online who will help you deal with bullying. By dealing with bullying at an early stage, you can stop it before it gets much worse.
7. Nowadays, the community has ________

Find the word which has a different sound in the part underlined.

10 May – The city of Cherville boasts charming architecture and breathtaking countryside that has long been appreciated by residents. Thanks to the recent introduction of train service, tourists are now able to ---135--- the city as well. As a result of Cherville's rise in popularity, existing tourism-related businesses are booming. ---136---. To help tourists and businesses, the Cherville Commerce Bureau has debuted the Citycard. When swiped, the card automatically applies ---137--- at local businesses and attractions. The Bureau believes that the Citycard will please tourists, who will benefit from lower prices. ---138---, the card should encourage retail traffic, leading to increased profits for businesses.

138................

Rewrite sentences without changing the meaning
Did you fly to Los Angeles?

Choose the best answer:
It _______________last night because the ground is really wet.

Choose the best answer:
My dad enjoys ________ his bike to work.

Rewrite the sentence
Mr. and Mrs. Black have a son, John.

Choose the best answer:
He is not flexible in his work; that is why he doesn't have many friends.

 Choose the word or phrase among A, B, C or D that best fits the blank space in the following passage:

"Men are lazy in the home, according to an official survey (1)……… today. They have about six hours a week more free time than wives, but play very little(2)…… in cooking, cleaning, washing, and ironing, according to the Social Trends Survey by the Central (3)…… Office.
 Nearly three quarters of married women (4)…… to do all or most of the housework, and among married men the proportion who admitted that their wives did all or most of the housework was only slightly lower.
 The survey (5)…… that washing and ironing was the least popular task among men, with only one percent (6)…… this duty, compared with 89 percent of women, and 10 percent sharing equally.
 Only 5 percent of men (7)….. the evening meal, 3 percent carry out household cleaning duties, 5 percent household shopping, and 17 percent wash the evening dishes. But when household gadgets break down, (8)……  are carried out by 82 percent of husbands.
 The survey says that, despite our economic problems, the majority of Britons are substantially better (9)….. than a decade ago. We’re healthier, too - eating healthier foods and smoking less.
 The (10)…..  Briton, not surprisingly, is more widely travelled than a decade ago. More people are going abroad for holidays, with Spain the favorite destination."

6. with only one percent (6)…… this duty, compared with 89 percent of women, and 10 percent sharing equally.

Read the following passage and choose the best answer (A, B, C, D):
It is commonly believed in the United States that school is where people go to get an education. Nevertheless, it has been said that today children interrupt their education to go to school. The distinction between schooling and education implied by this remark is important. Education is much more open-ended and all-inclusive than schooling. Education knows no bounds. It can take place anywhere, whether in the shower or on the job, whether in a kitchen or on a tractor. It includes both the formal learning that takes place in schools and the whole universe of informal learning. The agents of education can range from a revered grandparent to the people debating politics on the radio, from a child to a distinguished scientist. Whereas schooling has a certain predictability, education quite often produces surprises. A chance conversation with a stranger may lead a person to discover how little is known of other religions. People are engaged in education from infancy on. Education is, then, a very broad, inclusive term. It is a lifelong process, a process that starts long before the start of school, and one that should be an integral part of one's entire life. Schooling, on the other hand, is a specific, formalized process, whose general pattern varies little from one setting to the next. Throughout a country, children arrive at school at approximately the same time, take assigned seats, are taught by an adult, use similar textbooks, take exams and so on. The slices of reality that are to be learned, whether they are the alphabet or an understanding of the working of government, have usually limited by the boundaries of the subject being taught. For example, high school students know that they are not likely to find out in their classes the truth about political problems in their communities or what the newest filmmakers are experimenting with. There are definite conditions surrounding the formalized process of schooling
6. The word "they" in paragraph 3 refers to: 

Choose the best answer:
Earl was one of the first American artists ___________ landscapes.