Choose the letter A, B, C or D to complete the sentences

Nowadays, the divorce rate is higher than it used to be________ young people are allowed to decide on their marriage.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

The Southeast Asian Games owes its origins to the Southeast Asian Peninsular Games or SEAP which was first (23) _____________ in Thailand in 1959. At the first time only six countries (24) _____________ in the games. Laung Sukhumnaioradit, the then Vice-President of the Thailand Olympic Committee. Proposed that a regional sports (25) _____________ would help promote cooperation, understanding, and relations among countries in the Southeast Asian region. At the 8th SEAP Games in 1975, the SEAP Federation considered the inclusion of Indonesia and the Philippines. The two countries were formally (26) _____________in 1977, the same year when SEAP Federation changed its (27) _____________ to Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF), and the games were known as the Southeast Asian Games. Brunei was admitted at the 10th SEA Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, and East Timor at the 22nd SEA Games in Hanoi Vietnam.

27._____________

Choose the letter A, B, C or D to answer these following questions

The meanings of the terms science and technology have changed significantly from one generation to another. More similarities than differences, however, can be found between the terms.

Both science and technology imply a thinking process, both are concerned with causal relationships in the material world, and both employ an experimental methodology that results in empirical demonstrations that can be verified by repetition. Science, at least in theory, is less concerned with the practicality of its results and more concerned with the development of general laws, but in practice science and technology are inextricably involved with each other.

The varying interplay of the two can be observed in the historical development of such practitioners as chemists, engineers, physicists, astronomers, carpenters, potters, and many other specialists. Differing educational requirements, social status, vocabulary, methodology, and types of rewards, as well as institutional objectives and professional goals, contribute to such distinctions as can be made between the activities of scientists and technologists; but throughout history the practitioners of “pure” science have made many practical as well as theoretical contributions.

The varying _________ of the two can be observed in the historical development of many practitioners.

Choose the word or phrase (a, b, c or d) that best fits the blank space in the following passage.

One of the greatest advances in modern technology has been the (61)__________ of computers. They are already (62)______ used in industry and in universities and the time may come when it will be common for (63)________ people to use them as well. Computers are capable of doing extremely complicated work in all (64)_________ of learning. They can (65)______ the most complex mathematical problem and put thousands of unrelated facts (66)______ order. Because they work accurately and at high speeds they (67)______ research workers years of hard work. (68)____ is a mistake to believe that these machines could “think”. There is no (69)_____ that human beings will be controlled by machines. Though computers are capable of (70)______ from their mistakes and improving on their performance, they need detailed (71)_______ from human beings in order to be able to operate. They can never, as it were, (72)________ independent lives or rule the world by making decisions of their (73)___________. Computers are the most efficient (74)____ man has ever had and there is no limit to the ways they can be used to (75)_____ our lives.

72___________

Read the passage and choose the correct answer to each question.

There is growing evidence that urbanization has a sharp impact on climate, causing changes that can wreak havoc on precipitation patterns that supply the precious resource of water. The heavy amounts of heat and pollution rising from cities both delay and stimulate the fall of precipitation, depriving some areas of rain while drenching others.

Cities are on average one to ten degrees warmer than the surrounding undeveloped areas. Cities also produce large amounts of pollutants called aerosols, gaseous suspensions of dust particles, or byproducts from the burning of fossil fuels. Both heat and pollutants change the dynamics of clouds. When hoisted up in the sky, the microscopic particles act as multiple surfaces on which the moisture in clouds can condense as tiny droplets. This can prevent or delay the formation of larger raindrops that fall more easily from the sky, or it can cause the rain to fall in another location.

In California, pollution blows eastward and causes a precipitation shortage of around one trillion gallons a year across the Sierra Nevada mountain range. By contrast, in very humid cities, such as Houston, heat and pollutants seem to invigorate summer storm activity by allowing clouds to build higher and fuller before releasing torrential rains.

One of the changes in climate by urbanization is _____ .

Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each question.

If there is a building which symbolizes a country, such as the Eiffel Tower for France and the Sydney Opera House for Australia, then it has to be the Taj Mahal for India.

It was set up by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. From the time they got married, they wouldn’t be separated. She followed him to wars, advised him on affairs of state, and was loved by his people for her good work. But she died in 1631 during her childbirth. The emperor was heartbroken and had the Taj Mahal built as a sign of his love.

It took more than 20 years for the Taj Mahal to be built. Workers were brought in, not only from all over India but from central Asia too. A total of 20,000 people worked on the building.

In 1657, Shah Jahan fell ill, and in 1658 his son, Aurangzeb imprisoned his father and seized power. Shah Jahan stayed in prison until he died in 1666. He was finally buried there with his wife, who he could never forget.

The Taj Mahal is worth more than a single visit. As it is built with white marble stones, its character changes in different lights. It looks more beautiful at sunrise and sunset. At sunset, for example, the color of the Taj Mahal changes from white to yellow, then to pink. As the moon rises, it turns silvery-white. To show respect to the Taj Mahal, tourists are asked to take off their shoes during their visit.

Which of the following about the Taj Mahal is NOT true?

Read the passage and choose the correct answer to each question.

There is growing evidence that urbanization has a sharp impact on climate, causing changes that can wreak havoc on precipitation patterns that supply the precious resource of water. The heavy amounts of heat and pollution rising from cities both delay and stimulate the fall of precipitation, depriving some areas of rain while drenching others.

Cities are on average one to ten degrees warmer than the surrounding undeveloped areas. Cities also produce large amounts of pollutants called aerosols, gaseous suspensions of dust particles, or byproducts from the burning of fossil fuels. Both heat and pollutants change the dynamics of clouds. When hoisted up in the sky, the microscopic particles act as multiple surfaces on which the moisture in clouds can condense as tiny droplets. This can prevent or delay the formation of larger raindrops that fall more easily from the sky, or it can cause the rain to fall in another location.

In California, pollution blows eastward and causes a precipitation shortage of around one trillion gallons a year across the Sierra Nevada mountain range. By contrast, in very humid cities, such as Houston, heat and pollutants seem to invigorate summer storm activity by allowing clouds to build higher and fuller before releasing torrential rains.

What does the phrase “wreak havoc on” in paragraph 1 probably mean?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Although most families in the United States enjoy a high living standard, many American women have to work (23) __________ at home and in their offices. Despite their husbands’ (24) __________ of the housework, women have to do most of the housekeeping tasks. In single-parent families, the mothers may not have (25) __________ I children to take care of, but they have to raise their families alone and have to provide for all the housekeeping money. Therefore, the (26) __________ mothers have to work very hard to earn their living. Moreover, in spite of the fact that the single mothers If have all the (27) __________ conveniences at their homes, they find that bringing up their teenage children alone is not easy.

25____________

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

"To make matters even more interesting some researchers suggest that Elisha Gray, a professor at Oberlin College, applied for a caveat of the telephone on __________ (1) same day Bell applied for his patent of the telephone- these gentlemen didn’t actually visit the Patent Office, their lawyers did __________ (2) their behalf. In Historical First Patents: The First United States Patent for Many Everyday Things (Scarecrow Press, 1994), Travis Brown, reports that Bell’s lawyer got to the patent office first. The date was February 14, 1876. He was the fifth entry of that day, __________ (3) Gray’s lawyer was 39th. Therefore, the U.S. Patent Office ___________ (4) Bell with the first patent for a telephone, US Patent Number 174,465 rather than honor Gray's caveat. _________, (5) some authors dispute this story and suggest that there was malfeasance by certain individuals at Patent Office, and possibly Bell himself."

4. Therefore, the U.S. Patent Office ___________ (4) Bell with the first patent for a telephone, US Patent Number 174,465 rather than honor Gray's caveat.

Their children ______ lots of new friends since they moved to that town.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

In the early 17th century, most of the southern region of Vietnam was nearly uninhabited and in the position of Ho Chi Minh City, there was a small village formed with a few residents. However, thanks to its advantage in location, the town grew both economically and politically. By the 19th century, this had become a cultural hub of the South as well as an important trading center of the country.

You might not know that there was a time Saigon was referred to as the Pearl of the Far East. Sadly, having been through various occurrences and two disastrous wars has stunted the city’s development. Only after the political instabilities had settled, Saigon recovered miraculously and maintained its leading position in terms of both economics and culture. Officially named Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon today has 22 districts in total and attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually.

What is the best title of the passage?

Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each question.

If there is a building which symbolizes a country, such as the Eiffel Tower for France and the Sydney Opera House for Australia, then it has to be the Taj Mahal for India.

It was set up by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. From the time they got married, they wouldn’t be separated. She followed him to wars, advised him on affairs of state, and was loved by his people for her good work. But she died in 1631 during her childbirth. The emperor was heartbroken and had the Taj Mahal built as a sign of his love.

It took more than 20 years for the Taj Mahal to be built. Workers were brought in, not only from all over India but from central Asia too. A total of 20,000 people worked on the building.

In 1657, Shah Jahan fell ill, and in 1658 his son, Aurangzeb imprisoned his father and seized power. Shah Jahan stayed in prison until he died in 1666. He was finally buried there with his wife, who he could never forget.

The Taj Mahal is worth more than a single visit. As it is built with white marble stones, its character changes in different lights. It looks more beautiful at sunrise and sunset. At sunset, for example, the color of the Taj Mahal changes from white to yellow, then to pink. As the moon rises, it turns silvery-white. To show respect to the Taj Mahal, tourists are asked to take off their shoes during their visit.

The underlined word “who” in the passage refers to ______ .

Choose the best answer: 
In the world of messengers and chat rooms, the use of Internet (1) ___________ is as naturalas seeing another selfie maker at the street. Some people call it Internet slang since manyabbreviations are (2) ___________ used in informal conversations of specific groups in socialmedia networks. However, the typical slang of British English, American English, Australian English, and others are typically localized (3) ___________ Internet abbreviations are universal and used by any person who catches the gist of a chat.

The likelihood you can come up (4) ___________ ten common internet abbreviations isalmost as high as the fact that you text or (5) ___________ your friends each day. Test yourself,what does NSFW mean in texting? And can you decode at (6) __________ half of the followingabbreviations? LOL, ASAP, OMG, XOXO, B4N, FYI, G2G, FB, MSG, TTYL. Easily?

By the way, FYI, ASAP, as well as other acronyms and abbreviations (7) __________ BTW(By the way), IMO (In my opinion), LMK (Let me know), PRB (Please reply by) havebeen included to the business email conversation (8) __________ almost never happens withcommon slang.

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

Computers are widely used nowadays and have _________ (1) benefits. First of all, they are used in various aspects _________ (2) our life such as science, industry, airline, military and so on. Computers are also the tool with which we are able _________ (3) the internet, watch animated television shows and other entertainment programs. Moreover, industrialization could not make its miracle jump without the support of computers. Computers, as well as advances in information technology, _________ (4) our life modern, convenient and civilized. Besides, computers and the internet bring us a great means of communication. Distance is no longer a matter of concern _________ (5) we can send emails within a few seconds or make cheap internet phone calls. In short, computers have become an indispensable device and are of vital use in the life of the human being.

Choose the word or phrase that best fits each blank in the following passage. (1.5 pts)

On a yearly (1)______, the USA is afflicted by hurricanes on the east coast, flooding in the Midwest, forest fires, earthquakes, and any number of tornadoes, blizzards, and storms. Historically, the weather has (2)_________ as harsh a chord in people’s lives as any we feel today. Historians list the four major events to wreak devastation (3)________ the country as the Chicago fire in 1871, the Johnstown flood and the Galveston hurricane of 1900, and the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. These (4)_______ provide a flavor of the havoc that natures storms have wrecked on humanity and our reactions to them. Galveston, Texas, (5) _______ on the island of Galveston in the Gulf of New Mexico, (6)_________ on industry and exports. It's over 30,000 citizens in the early 1900s were generally economically successful and comfortable with existing conditions. (7)___________ the ill-fated morning of Sept. 7, 1900, the people of Galveston enjoyed their life on the remote island. (8)______ weather watchers had been following a (9)_______ storm* in the Atlantic for several days and were warning of the (10)_____________ danger of a hurricane. Unfortunately, people (11)_________ the warnings. A day after the hurricane had hit the island, all that (12)____________ of the beautiful city was, a mass of crumbled buildings, debris, and hopeless survivors (13)___________ aimlessly with the stench of rotting flesh all around. However, a few days later, that the city was beginning to heal became (14) ______________  everywhere – soon new buildings were (15) _______ the burned, and the lifeblood of the ravaged city was returning.

8__________

 Read the following passage carefully, and then select the best option A, B, C or D to complete it:

"London is the capital of the United Kingdom and the home of its queen, Elizabeth II. It’s also the largest city in Europe. About 7 million people call London home.
LONDON LANDMARKS
Millions of people visit London every year from all (1) _______ the world. If you travel there, you’ll find many (2) _______ things to see and do.
During August and September, you can visit Buckingham (3) _______. That’s where the queen lives most of the year. It has about 600 (4) _______, but you’ll see only state rooms where the queen entertains guests. In the morning, a colorful ceremony (5) _______ “changing of the guard” takes place in the palace courtyard. One group of palace guards (6) _______ off duty, and another troop arrives to replace them.
You can (7) _______ the Tower of London, a historic fortress that was once a royal palace. It was also used as a (8) _______ for hundreds of years. Two of the wives of King Henry VIII—Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard—were put (9) _______ death here. The Crown Jewels are a popular attraction at the Tower. This (10) _______ of jeweled crowns, swords, scepters, and other royal objects is only used on (11) _______ occasions, such as the crowning of a new ruler.
Be (12) _______ to visit Westminster Abbey, one of Britain’s famous (13) _______. The nation’s kings and queens are crowned here. Many rulers and famous citizens are (14) _______ here.
There are also monuments to political figures and poets.
The (15) _______ of Parliament are along the Thames River, near Westminster Abbey. This is where the government meets. Look (16) _______ to see the clock tower with Big Ben, London’s famous (17) _______ that rings every hour. You can get on a boat (18) _______ for a ride on the Thames.
Other places you might want to see are Scotland Yard, Madame Tussaud’s, (19) _______ the British Museum. You can find out about London’s famous criminals in the (20) _______ Museum at Scotland Yard, the home of London’s Metropolitan Police. At Madame Tussaud’s, you’ll see eerily(21) _______, life-size wax figures of pop idols and historic figures. A great thing to see at the British Museum is the collection of mummies, tomb (22) _______, and gold jewelry from ancient Egypt. The museum’s Egyptian collection is (23) _______ of the largest in the world.
For a good (24) _______ of London, take a ride in the London Eye. This enormous wheel takes you 443 feet (135 meters) above the London skyline. Unlike a traditional Ferris wheel, the (25) _______ carries its passengers in enclosed compartments."

10. This (10) _______ of jeweled crowns, swords, scepters, 

Tokyo is the capital of Japan. It is a big city with many incredible attractions and destinations. Each of them has their own character and appeal that attract people from all over the world. Tokyo attracts millions of tourists each year, and the number keeps on increasing. Tokyo has a distinct character that makes it so attractive to tourists from all over the world.

For itinerary ideas for your 3-day Tokyo trip, my recommendation is TripleLights. From the website, not only you can find ideas for places to visit for an itinerary, you can even choose the private tours with set itineraries made by professional tour guides. You can customize and personalize the itinerary according to your preferences and needs. If you don’t want to do the planning on your own, private guides are also available to guide you and help you experience Tokyo and learn the destinations and the culture deeper. You can talk to the guides to make sure that your itineraries are perfectly made according to your preferences.

After a few days in Tokyo, you might find yourself asking, "What's that thing they always say when I walk in?" Whether it's sweaty, aproned guys shouting in unison as you walk into an izakaya (lively restaurants that serve alcohol with lots of small dishes) or one perfectly coiffed woman murmuring as you enter the hush of a small boutique, they're saying the same thing: "Irasshaimase." It's a polite way of saying "welcome." Although your instinct may be to reply -- "Thank you?" "Hello?" -- locals insist no response is required. A friendly little bow in response doesn't hurt, though.

What is the function of TripleLights?

Read the passage and choose the best answers to the question. 

In the early days of the United States, postal charges were paid by the recipient, and charges varied with the distance carried. In 1825, the United States Congress permitted local postmasters to give letters to mail carriers for home delivery, but these carriers received no government salary and their entire compensation depended on what they were paid by the recipients of individual letters.

In 1847 the United States Post Office Department adopted the idea of a postage stamp, which of course simplified the payment for postal service but caused grumbling by those who did not like to prepay. Besides, the stamp covered only delivery to the post office and did not include carrying it to a private address. In Philadelphia, for example, with a population of 150,000, people still had to go to the post office to get their maiL The confusion and congestion of individual citizens looking for their letters was itself enough to discourage the use of the mail. It is no wonder that during the years of these cumbersome arrangements, private letter-carrying, and express businesses developed. Although their activities were only simi-legal, they thrived and actually advertised that between Boston and Philadelphia they were a half-day speedier than the government mail. The government postal service lost volume to private competition and was not able to handle efficiently even the business it had. 

Finally, in 1863, Congress provided that the mail carriers who delivered the mail from the post offices to private addresses should receive a government salary and that there should be no extra charge for that delivery. But this delivery service was at first confined to cities, and free home delivery became a mark of urbanism. As late as 1887, a town had to have 10,000 people to be eligible for free home delivery. In 1890, of the 75 million people in the United States, fewer than 20 million had mail delivered free to their doors. The rest, nearly three-quarters of the population, still received no mail unless they went to their post office

Which of the following was seen as a disadvantage of the postage stamp?

Sydney _________ (1) one of the world's greatest cities. It is the cultural and financial heart of Australia. It is ___________ (2) for Sydney Opera House. It is located on Bennelong Point ___________ (3) Sydney Harbor. The opera house was completed in 1973 after 16 years of construction. A Danish architect named Jørn Utzon ____________ (4) the landmark. It was a very __________ (5) to create the building. The top of the opera house looks like sails from a boat or large shells.

(5).........................

New York City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and with good reason. NYC is the mecca of business in the United States, and as a melting pot of American culture, there is something for every style, taste and budget in New York City. With so much to see and do in NYC, it's important for NYC tourists to do their research ahead of time before their vacation in New York City.

New York is America’s safest large city, but visitors should still use common sense to protect themselves and their property. Be aware of your surroundings, and make sure to always use licensed, reputable businesses for any services you need. For example, don’t hail livery cabs (as opposed to taxis) at the airport, and don’t rent bikes from companies that seem suspicious. If you’re not sure where to find legitimate businesses, the listings at nycgo.com are a good place to start, as are those published by the Better Business Bureau. Your hotel concierge should be able to answer questions on this topic and will be helpful if you need more information about neighborhoods in the five boroughs. Another useful resource is 311, the City’s official government services and information hotline.

NYC is the mecca of business in the United States.

Choose the best answer: 
Nowadays, some people choose to live and work in the countryside. New ways of working, such as online working, have made it (1)____________for more people to live there. There are both advantages and disadvantages to living in the countryside.

On the one hand, life in the countryside is very (2)____________. There are less cars and that means that there is less noise, and that it is less (3)____________ . Furthermore, there is more land available in the countryside, and people can often live in bigger houses or flats than in cities. Finally, it is easier to do a lot of (4)____________ activities such as walking or cycling if you live in the countryside. On the other hand, life in the countryside can be (5)____________. There are fewer restaurants, cinemas and shops to go to. Moreover, there is little public transport, which makes it difficult to get (6)____________ if you don’t have a car. Finally, you can feel (7)____________ if you live a long way from other people.

In (8)____________, there are both pros and cons to living in the countryside. However, in my opinion, the peacefulness of the countryside makes it a very attractive option.