Choose the letter A, B, C or D to complete the passage below.

"Kumbh Vivah: India

Indian men and women born as Mangliks - meaning Mars is situated in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th house of a person’s Rashi (Indian astrological moon sign) - are believed __________ (1). It is believed that Mangalik Dosha negatively impacts married life, causing tension and sometimes the untimely death of one of the partners. To cancel ___________ (2) effects, a Kumbh Vivah can be performed before the wedding. This is a wedding between a Mangalik and either a statue of Vishnu or a Peepal tree or banana tree. The celebrated Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai had one such marriage with a tree before marrying her husband, Abhishek."

1. Indian men and women born as Mangliks - meaning Mars is situated in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th or 12th house of a person’s Rashi (Indian astrological moon sign) - are believed __________ (1)

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

"“Customs, then, is the great guide of human life,” wrote Scottish (1)…..  David Hume. Knowing the customs of a place is a guide to understanding the soul of that place and its (2)….. . The customs of a nation: how people marry, how families celebrate holidays and other (3)…… , what people eat, how they socialize and have fun (4) ….. many things about their country and their inner thoughts and feelings.
 In Wales, a (5)…… handshake is usual when first being introduced, but is often dispensed with thereafter. When meeting for the first time, a common (6)….. is “How do you do?” or “Pleased to meet you.” On other occasions, “How are you?” may be used. Good friends, (7) ……  young people, use “Hello” and “Hi” to greet each other. Women who are close friends may kiss each(8) ….. once slightly on the cheek; sometimes men also kiss women this way.
 Many women remain seated when being introduced and shaking hands. First (9) …… are widely used. The Welsh enjoy visiting friends and neighbors, and often call without an invitation. If invited for a meal, however, it is (10) ……. impolite to arrive late."

3. The customs of a nation: how people marry, how families celebrate holidays and other (3)…… , what people eat,

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.
Years ago, in their private family role, women quite often dominate the male members of the  household. Women were quite (1) .................. to their families. However, the public role of women has changed (2)..........since the beginning of World War II. During the war, men were away from home to the battle. As a (3)......... , women were in complete control of the home. They found themselves doing double and sometimes triple duty. They began to take over the work of their absent husbands and to work outside. They accounted for 73% of the industrial labor force. Women were forced by economic realities to work in the factories. The women who worked there were (4).................. low wages, lived in crowded and small dormitories. (5).................. they found themselves a place as active members of society.

(2)........................

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When you read something in a foreign language, you frequently come across words you do not (45)______ understand. Sometimes you (46)______ the meaning in a dictionary and sometimes you guess. The strategy you adopt depends very much upon the (47)______of accuracy you require and the time at your disposal. If you are the sort of person who tends to turn to the dictionary frequently, it is (48)_______remembering that every dictionary has its limitations. Each definition is only an approximation and one builds up an accurate picture of the meaning of a word only after meeting it in a (49)__________of contexts. It is also important to recognize the special dangers of dictionaries that translate from English into your native language and vice versa. If you must use a dictionary, it is usually far safer to (50)________an English- English dictionary. When you read something in a foreign language, you frequently come across words you do not (45)______ understand. Sometimes you (46)______ the meaning in a dictionary and sometimes you guess. The strategy you adopt depends very much upon the (47)______of accuracy you require and the time at your disposal. If you are the sort of person who tends to turn to the dictionary frequently, it is (48)_______remembering that every dictionary has its limitations. Each definition is only an approximation and one builds up an accurate picture of the meaning of a word only after meeting it in a (49)__________of contexts. It is also important to recognize the special dangers of dictionaries that translate from English into your native language and vice versa. If you must use a dictionary, it is usually far safer to (50)________an English- English dictionary

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If you‘ve been told by your boss to improve your knowledge of a foreign language you‘ll know that success doesn‘t come quickly. It generally takes years to learn another language well and constant (33) _____ to maintain the high standards required for frequent business use. Whether you study in a class, with audio cassettes, computers or on your (34) _____ sooner or (35) _____ every language course finishes and you must decide what to do next if you need a foreign language for your career. Business Audio Magazine is a new product designed to help you continue language study in a way that fits easily into your busy schedule. Each audio cassette (36) _____ of an hour-long program packed with business news, features and interviews in the language of your choice. These cassettes won‘t teach you how to order meals or ask for directions. It‘s (37) _____ that you can do that already. Instead, by giving you an opportunity to hear the language as it‘s really spoken, they help you to (38) _____ your vocabulary and improve your ability to use real language relating to, for example, that all-important marketing trip. The great advantage of using audio magazines is that they (39) _____ you to perfect your language skills in ways that suit your lifestyle. For example, you can select a topic and listen in your car or hotel when away on business. No other business course is as (40) _____ and the unique radio magazine format is as instructive as it‘s entertaining. In addition to the audio cassette, this package includes a transcript with a business glossary and a study (41) _____. The components are structured so that intermediate and advanced students may use separately or together, (42) _____ on their ability

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the undelined part that needs correction in each of the following questions:
It takes a long time to raise a family of owlets, so the great horned owl begins early in the year. In January and February, or as late as March in the North, the male calls to the female with a resonant hoot. The female is larger than the male. She sometimes reaches a body length of twenty-two to twenty-four inches, with a wingspread up to fifty inches. To impress her, the male does a strange courtship dance. He bobs. He bows. He ruffles his feathers and hops around with an important air. He flutters from limb to limb and makes flying sorties into the air. Sometimes he returns with an offering of food. They share the repast, after which she joins the dance, hopping and bobbing about as though keeping time to the beat of an inner drum. Owls are poor home builders. They prefer to nest in a large hollow in a tree or even to occupy the deserted nest of a hawk or crow. These structures are large and rough, built of sticks and bark and lined with leaves and feathers. Sometimes owls nest on a rocky ledge, or even on the bare ground. even to occupy the deserted nest of a hawk or crow. These structures are large and rough, built of sticks and bark and lined with leaves and feathers. Sometimes owls nest on a rocky ledge, or even on the bare ground. The mother lays two or three round, dull white eggs. Then she stoically settles herself on the nest and spreads her feather skirts about her to protect her precious charges from snow and cold. It is five weeks before the first downy white owlet pecks its way out of the shell. As the young birds feather out, they look like wise old men with their wide eyes and quizzical expressions. They clamor for food and keep the parents busy supplying mice, squirrels, rabbits, crayfish, and beetles. Later in the season baby crows are taken. Migrating songsters, waterfowl, and game birds all fall prey to the hungry family. It is nearly ten weeks before fledglings leave the nest to search for their own food. The parent birds weary of family life by November and drive the young owls away to establish hunting ranges of their own.

It can be inferred from the passage that the courtship of great horned owls

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(35) ….. educational specialists believe that early schooling should provide children (36) ….. an awareness of their own abilities (37) ….. the self – confidence (38) ….. their abilities. One approach recognized by many experts (39) ….. promoting these qualities is the Montessori method, first practiced by Maria Montessori of Italy (40) ….. the early 1900s. Nancy McCormick Rambusch is credited with (41) ….. the method in the United States, where today (42) ….. over 400 Montessori schools. The method helps children (43) ….. for themselves by providing them with instructional materials and tasks that facilitate acts of discovery and manipulation. Through such exploration, children develop their sense of touch and learn (44) ….. do everyday tasks without adult assistance. Other benefits include improvement in language skills, and acquaintance with elements of science, music, and art

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Looking for an unforgettable way to celebrate that special occasion? Well, the (1)__ of options open today‘s youngster – or even ― oldster‖ for that matter, is a far cry from the traditional party or restaurant visit. No longer is it (2)__sufficient to invite your friends round, buy some food and get a barker to produce a cake. No, today‘s birthday boy or girl is looking for something out of the ordinary, ranging from the (3)__ expensive to the downright dangerous. Anything goes, as long as it is unusual and impressive. Top of this year ‗s popular (4)__are as follows: taking some friends rally driving, helicopter lessons, plane trip and parachuting, and hot air ballooning . Then there is always group bungee jumping or taking your buddies on a stomach – churning, while water rafting (5)__down rapids. The desire of adventurous celebration is not restricted to the (6)__. I recently met an octogenarian who celebrated (7)__the milestone of eighty by having a fly lesson. Of course, if you have money the world is your oyster. A very rich relation of mine flew fifty of his friends to a Caribbean islandto mark the passing of his half century. Unfortunately I was only a (8)__relation. Undoubtedly, the more traditional forms of celebration do continue to (9)__the less extravagant or less adventurous among us. However, with my own half century looming on the horizon I would not say no to a weekend in Paris and a meal at the Eiffel Tower. I can (10)__dream. Perhaps by the time I‘m eighty I‘ll be able to afford it.

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.
For kids, water sports are adventurous and fun filled, but safety has to be given first (1)....... . All kids should compulsorily wear life jackets, (2) ...........they know how to swim. All boats and rafts should  also carry (3)..........life jackets, whistles and lifebuoys. While playing water sports, kids need to be accompanied by an adult, preferably an attentive lifeguard, who must know how to swim. He should  also  know  what   to   do   during   times   of   emergency   and   the   ABCs   of   giving   first   (4)............. Water sports should always be carried out when the climate is pleasant. If the weather is sunny, do apply sun screen cream to protect the children from radiations.
There  are  different  kinds  of  water  sports  for  children.  Let's  start  with  a  simple  water  sport (5).................. boating, which is very much enjoyable. In most of the kids and youths camps you'll find boating and canoeing. If you want an adventurous water sport, then sailing has to be your first choice.

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

Choose the best answer:
Feminism, collective term for systems of belief and theories that pay special (24) to women‘s rights and women‘s position in culture and society. The term tends to be used for the women‘s rights movement, which began in the late 18th century and continues to campaign for complete political, social, and economic equality between women and men. This article (25) specifically with the development of the ideas behind that movement and their (26) and impact. Feminists are united by the idea that women‘s position in society is unequal to (27) of men, and that society is structured in such a way as to benefit men to the political, social, economic (28) of women. However, feminists have used different theories to explain these (29) and have advocated different ways of redressing inequalities, and there are marked geographic and historical variations in the nature of feminism. Historically, feminist thought and activity can be divided into two waves. The first wave, which began in about 1800 and (30) until the 1930s, was largely concerned with gaining equal rights between women and men. The second wave, which began in the late 1960s, has continued to fight for (31) but has also developed a (32) _ of theories and approaches that stress the difference between women and men and that draw attention to the (33) needs of women

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Years ago there were many social rules and etiquette procedures (1)_______ introductions. Some formal introductions between two people were (2)_______ by letter by third party. A person had to be very careful to weigh the importance of social class or status, age, and gender when deciding (3)_______ person should be presented or introduced to the other person first. (4) ________, times have changed, and most of the social rules about introducing older people to younger ones, women to men, and those in higher positions to those in lower positions have changed, too. Many people now feel much more (5) _______ about making introductions. In most situations, handshaking is (6) ________, but these days it is more often done than not-especially in formal social or business settings. It's very common for one person (or both) to (7) ________a hand when meeting someone. If you are in this situation, and you are offered a hand to shake, you should grasp it firmly and shake it briefly. People often tend to make some (8)_____________about someone (9)_________ to their handshakes, so make sure yours is not too weak or limp, not too hard, and not too longlasting. It  should be firm and brief

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the undelined part that needs correction in each of the following questions:
One of the highest honors for formalists, writers, and musical composers is the Pulitzer Prize. First awarded in 1927, the Pulitzer Prize has been won by Ernest Hemingway, Harper Lee, John F. Kennedy, and Rodgers and Hammerstein, among others. As with many famous awards, this prize was named after its founder, Joseph Pulitzer.
Joseph Pulitzer’s story, like that of many immigrants to the United States, is one of hardship, hard work and triumph. Born in Hungary, Joseph Pulitzer moved to United States in 1864. He wanted to be a reporter, but he started his American life by fighting in the American Civil War. After the war, Pulitzer worked for the German - language newspaper, the Westliche Post. His skills as a reporter were wonderful, and he soon became a partial owner of the paper.
In 1978, Pulitzer was able to start a newspaper of his own. Right from the first edition, the newspaper took a controversial approach to new. Pulitzer wanted to appeal to the average reader, so he produced exciting stories of scandal and intrigue. Such an approach is commonplace today, but in Pulitzer’s time it was new and different. The approach led to the discovery of many instances of corruption by influential people. Pulitzer ‘paper became very famous and is still produced today.
The success of Joseph Pulitzer’s newspaper made him a very wealthy man, so he wanted to give something back to his profession. Throughout his later years, he worked to establish university programs for the teaching of journalism, and he funded numerous scholarships to assist journalism students. Finally, he wanted to leave a legacy that would encourage writers to remember the importance of quality. On his death, he gave two million dollars to Columbia University so they could award prizes to great writers.
The Pulitzer Prize recipients are a very select group. For most, winning a Pulitzer Prize is the highlight of their career. If an author, journalist, or composer you know has won a Pulitzer Prize, you can be sure they are at the top of their profession.

According the passage, who receives the Pulitzer Prize?

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The latest addiction to trap thousands of people is Internet, which has been (1) ............... for broken relationships, job losses, finacial ruin and even one suicide. Psychologists now recognize Internet Addiction Syndrome (IAS) as a new illness that could (2) ................... serious problems and ruin many lives. Special help groups have been set up to (3) .................. sufferers help and support. IAS is similar to (4) ................... problems like gambling, smoking and drinking : addicts have dreams about Internet; they need to use it first thing in the morning; they (5) ............... to their partners about how much time they spend online; they (6) .................. they could cut down, but are unable to do so . A recent study found that many users spend up to 6 hours a week on the Internet; (7) .................... they felt guilty, they became depressed if they were (8) ................... to stop using it. Almost anyone can be at risk. Some of the addicts are teenagers who are already hooked on computer games and who (9) .................... it very difficult to resist the games on the Internet. Surprisingly, however, psychologists (10) .................. that most victims are middle-aged housewives who have never used a computer before

Choose the best answer:
Why is it that many teenagers have the energy to play computer games until late at night but can‘t find the energy to get out of bed (35) ________ for school? According to a new report, today‘s generation of children are in danger of getting so (36)_______ sleep that they are putting their mental and physical health at (37)_______. Adults can easily survive on seven to eight hours‘ sleep a night, (38)_______teenagers require nine or ten hours. According to medical experts, one in five youngsters (39)________ anything between two and five hours‘ sleep a night less than their parents did at their age. This (40) _____ serious questions about whether lack of sleep is affecting children‘s ability to concentrate at school. The connection between sleep deprivation and lapses in memory, impaired reaction time and poor concentration is well (41) _______. Research has shown that losing as little as half an hour‘s sleep a night can have profound effects (42) ______how children perform the next day. A good night‘s sleep is also crucial for teenagers because it is while they are asleep (43)______ they release a hormone that is essential for their ‗growth spurt‘ (the period during teenage years when the body grows at a rapid rate). It‘s true that they can, to some (44) ______, catch up on sleep at weekends, but that won‘t help them when they are dropping off to sleep in class on a Friday afternoon

Choose the best answer:
In the United it is not customary to telephone someone very early in the morning. If you telephone him early in the day, while he is shaving or having breakfast, the time of the (1) _______ shows that the matter is very important and requires immediate attention. The same meaning is (2) _______ to telephone call (3) _______ after 11:00 p.m. If someone receives a call during (4) _______ hours, he assumes it is a matter of life and death. The time chosen for the call communicates (5) _______ importance. In social life, time plays a very important part. In the USA guests tend to feel they are not highly regarded if the invitation (6) _______ a dinner party is extended only three or four days before the party date. But it is not true in all countries. In other areas of the world, (7) _______ may be considered foolish to make an appointment too far in advance (8) _______ plans which are made for a date more than a week tend to be forgotten. The meaning of time differs in different parts of the world. (9)_______, misunderstandings arise between people from cultures that treat time (10) _______

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Parents whose children show a special interest in a particular sport have a difficult decision to (47) ______ about their children‘s career. Should they allow their children to train to become top sportsmen and women? For many children it (48) ______starting very young and school work, going out with friends and other (49) ______ have to take second place. It‘s very difficult to explain to a young child why he or she has to train for five hours a day, even at the weekend, when (50) _______ of his or her friends are playing. Another problem is of course money. In many countries money for training is (51) ______ from the government for the very best young sportsmen and women. If this help cannot be given, it means that it is the parents (52) ______ have to find the time and the money to support their child‘s development- and sports clothes, transport to competitions, special equipment etc. can all be very expensive. Many parents are understandably (53) _______ that it is dangerous to start serious training in a sport at an early age. Some doctors agree that young (54) _______ may be damaged by training before they are properly developed. Professional trainers, however, believe that it is only by starting young that you can reach the top as a successful sports person. What is clear is that very (55) _______ people reach the top and both parents and children should be prepared for failure even after many years of training

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It is surely more than coincidence that the beginning of a new millennium is being (1)…... by renewed interest in sundials: (2)………used to measure time according to the position of the sun. A hundred years ago, they were a vital time-keeping (3)………, essential for everyone who hopes to keep their clocks working accurately. Then, as clocks and watches became more (4)……….. and reliable, the sundial was relegated to the (5)………….of garden ornament _ a romantic and intriguing ornament, but (6)…………an anachronism, in a brave new technological age. Now the clock has been (7)…………. They are again being taken seriously. David Harber, a sundial maker, believes that their appeal (8)………..in their direct link with the planets. He said that when he delivers one, there is a (9)…………..of magic when it starts working. They are still calm, romantic objects that (10)…………..us of our place in the cosmos

Choose the item among A, B, C or D that best answers the question about the passage:

"There are many stereotypes about the character of people in various parts of the United States. In the Northeast and Midwest, people are said to be closed and private. In the South and West, however, they are often thought of as being more open and hospitable. Ask someone from St. Louis where the nearest sandwich shop is, and he or she will politely give you directions. A New Yorker might eye you at first and after deciding it is safe to talk to you, might give you a rather unexpected explanation. A person from Georgia might be very kind about directing you and even suggest some different places to eat. A Texan just might take you to the place and treat you to lunch.
 American stereotypes are known for their hospitality and warmth. New Englanders are often thought of as being friendly and helpful. Southerners are known for their hospitality and warmth. People from the western part of the United States are often considered very outgoing. These differences in character can be traced to different factors such as climate, living conditions, and historical development.
 When travelling from place to place, Americans themselves are often surprised at the different degrees of friendliness in the United States."

4. The word “outgoing” in the second paragraph may probably mean:

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Nearly 200 of the 1500 native plant species in Hawaii are at risk of going extinct in the near future because they have been (33)_______ to such low numbers. Approximately 90 percent of Hawaii's plants are found nowhere else in the world but they are (34)_______ by alien invasive species such as feral goats, pigs, rodents and (35)_______ plants. The Hawaii Rare Plant Restoration Group is striving to (36)_______ the extinction of the 182 rare Hawaiian plants with fewer than 50 individuals remaining in the (37)_______ . Since 1990, (38)_______ a result of their "Plant Extinction Prevention Program", sixteen species have been brought into (39)_______ and three species have been reintroduced. Invasive weeds have been removed in key areas and fencing put up in order to (40)_______ plants in the wild. In the future the Hawaii Rare Plant Restoration Program aims (41)_______ collecting genetic material from the remaining plants in the wild for storage as a  safety net for the future. They also aim to manage wild populations and where possible reintroduce species into (42)_______ 

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According to a magazine article I read recently, we (1) _____live in an age of increasing leisure. Not only are more and more people reaching (2) _____ age with their taste for enjoyment and even adventure relatively (3) _____ but the working week is becoming shorter and the opportunities for (4) _____ are becoming greater and greater all the time. Not to mention the fact that people tend to spend less time traveling to work or may even be working from home. What I can‘t understand, however, is who these people are. As far as I can (5) _____ the whole thing is another one of those journalistic fictions. I admit that there are a lot of retired people (6) _____but I am not sure that all of them are dashing about learning hang-gliding or sailing single-handed (7) _____ the world. My own parents seem to spend most of their time gazing at the television. And as for the shorter working week, I wish someone would remind my company about it. I seem to be working longer hours (8) _____the time. The little leisure time I have is eaten into by sitting in traffic jams or waiting for trains to (9) _____up at rain-swept platforms. I haven‘t noticed any dramatic improvements in my (10) _____either, but perhaps I just have to wait until I get my pension

Choose the best answer:
The latest addiction to trap thousands of people is Internet, which has been (1) ............... for broken relationships, job losses, finacial ruin and even one suicide. Psychologists now recognize Internet Addiction Syndrome (IAS) as a new illness that could (2) ................... serious problems and ruin many lives. Special help groups have been set up to (3) .................. sufferers help and support. IAS is similar to (4) ................... problems like gambling, smoking and drinking : addicts have dreams about Internet; they need to use it first thing in the morning; they (5) ............... to their partners about how much time they spend online; they (6) .................. they could cut down, but are unable to do so . A recent study found that many users spend up to 6 hours a week on the Internet; (7) .................... they felt guilty, they became depressed if they were (8) ................... to stop using it. Almost anyone can be at risk. Some of the addicts are teenagers who are already hooked on computer games and who (9) .................... it very difficult to resist the games on the Internet. Surprisingly, however, psychologists (10) .................. that most victims are middle-aged housewives who have never used a computer before