Despite the fact that _____, we enjoyed our trip.

(300)______

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions :
As more and more people concentrate in cities, planners are looking for ways to (1) _______ cities into better living spaces. This can be (2) _______ by improving existing infrastructure while also creating more public spaces that are both beautiful and green. This can be hard to accomplish, especially in cities with a haphazard fashion. Some cities have been created with the idea of a green city as the goal. One such city, Masdar City in the United Arab Emirates, aims to become a (3) _______ . for other cities to follow. It is being known as a truly green city that relies strictly on renewable sources such as solar energy to provide all of its energy needs. In addition, it will be a zero waste city in which (4) _______ that is used can be recycled. (5) _______ it will truly accomplish its goal remains to be seen, but it will also act as an experiment for environmentally-friendly areas to be tested.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions:
We are being bombarded with advertisements all the time and a lot of them are targeted at young people. Smaller children, (1) _______ spending their own pocket money, can also influence what their parents buy, so many TV ads are created with kids (2) _______ . For example, adverts for drinks feature cartoon animals. Then, as two-year-olds are being pushed around the shop by their parents in a trolley, they (3) _______ the drink from the advert and ask the adults to buy it. As children grow older, some products are marketed to them as ‘must-have’ items, (4) _______ that children won’t be liked by their friends if they don’t get them. Teenagers are incredibly (5) _______ of adverts, so products aimed at them have to be advertised much more cleverly. For example, advertisers give away stickers which direct teens to a website with more information about the product

Choose the best answer:
Carlos was ………. the first prize in the essay competition.

Choose the best answer:
Sam didn't get much formal _______.

Read‌ ‌the‌ ‌following‌ ‌passage‌ ‌and‌ ‌mark‌ ‌the‌ ‌letter‌ ‌A,‌ ‌B,‌ ‌C,‌ ‌or‌ ‌D‌ ‌on‌ ‌your‌ ‌answer‌ ‌sheet‌ ‌to‌ ‌indicate‌ ‌the‌ ‌correct‌ ‌
answer‌ ‌to‌ ‌each‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌questions‌ ‌from‌ ‌31‌ ‌to‌ ‌35.‌ ‌
 ‌
The‌ ‌relationship‌ ‌between‌ ‌Britain‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌US‌ ‌has‌ ‌always‌ ‌been‌ ‌a‌ ‌close‌ ‌one.‌ ‌Like‌ ‌all‌ ‌close‌ ‌relationships‌ ‌it‌ ‌has‌ ‌had‌ ‌difficult‌ ‌times.‌ ‌The‌ ‌US‌ ‌was‌ ‌first‌ ‌a‌ ‌British‌ ‌colony,‌ ‌but‌ ‌between‌ ‌1775‌ ‌and‌ ‌1783‌ ‌the‌ ‌US‌ ‌fought‌ ‌a‌ ‌war‌ ‌to‌ ‌become‌ ‌independent.‌ ‌The‌ ‌US‌ ‌fought‌ ‌the‌ ‌British‌ ‌again‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌War‌ ‌of‌ ‌1812.‌ ‌
In‌ ‌general,‌ ‌however,‌ ‌the‌ ‌two‌ ‌countries‌ ‌have‌ ‌felt‌ ‌closer‌ ‌to‌ ‌each‌ ‌other‌ ‌than‌ ‌to‌ ‌any‌ ‌other‌ ‌country,‌ ‌and‌ ‌their‌ ‌foreign‌ ‌policies‌ ‌have‌ ‌shown‌ ‌this.‌ ‌During‌ ‌World‌ ‌War‌ ‌I‌ ‌and‌ ‌World‌ ‌War‌ ‌II,‌ ‌Britain‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌US‌ ‌supported‌ ‌
each‌ ‌other.‌ ‌When‌ ‌the‌ ‌US‌ ‌looks‌ ‌for‌ ‌foreign‌ ‌support,‌ ‌Britain‌ ‌is‌ ‌usually‌ ‌the‌ ‌first‌ ‌country‌ ‌to‌ ‌‌come‌ ‌forward‌‌ ‌and‌ ‌it‌ ‌is‌ ‌sometimes‌ ‌called‌ ‌“the‌ ‌51st‌ ‌state‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌union”.‌ ‌
But‌ ‌the‌ ‌special‌ ‌relationship‌ ‌that‌ ‌developed‌ ‌after‌ ‌1945‌ ‌is‌ ‌not‌ ‌explained‌ ‌only‌ ‌by‌ ‌shared‌ ‌political‌ ‌interests.‌ ‌An‌ ‌important‌ ‌reason‌ ‌for‌ ‌the‌ ‌friendship‌ ‌is‌ ‌that‌ ‌the‌ ‌people‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌two‌ ‌countries‌ ‌are‌ ‌very‌ ‌similar.‌ ‌
They‌‌ ‌share‌ ‌the‌ ‌same‌ ‌language‌ ‌and‌ ‌enjoy‌ ‌each‌ ‌other's‌ ‌literature,‌ ‌films‌ ‌and‌ ‌television.‌ ‌Many‌ ‌Americans‌ ‌have‌ ‌British‌ ‌ancestors,‌ ‌or‌ ‌relatives‌ ‌still‌ ‌living‌ ‌in‌ ‌Britain.‌ ‌The‌ ‌US‌ ‌government‌ ‌and‌ ‌political‌ ‌system‌ ‌is‌ ‌based‌ ‌on‌ ‌Britain's,‌ ‌and‌ ‌there‌ ‌are‌ ‌many‌ ‌Anglo-American‌ ‌businesses‌ ‌operating‌ ‌on‌ ‌both‌ ‌sides‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Atlantic.‌ ‌In‌ ‌Britain‌ ‌
some‌ ‌people‌ ‌are‌ ‌worried‌ ‌about‌ ‌the‌ ‌extent‌ ‌of‌ ‌US‌ ‌influence,‌ ‌and‌ ‌there‌ ‌is‌ ‌some‌ ‌jealousy‌ ‌of‌ ‌its‌ ‌current‌ ‌power.‌ ‌The‌ ‌special‌ ‌relationship‌ ‌was‌ ‌strong‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌early‌ ‌1980s‌ ‌when‌ ‌Margaret‌ ‌Thatcher‌ ‌was‌ ‌Prime‌ ‌Minister‌ ‌in‌ ‌Britain‌ ‌and‌ ‌Ronald‌ ‌Reagan‌ ‌was‌ ‌President‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌US.‌ ‌

‌‌Britain‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌US‌ ‌are‌ ‌close‌ ‌to‌ ‌each‌ ‌other‌ ‌NOT‌ ‌because‌ ‌of‌ ‌their‌ ‌___________.‌ ‌ ‌

Read the passage below carefully, and then choose the best answer:
The Advancing Development of Artificial Limbs
It wasn’t very long ago that losing a limb automatically meant a drastic drop in the quality of a person’s life. Thanks to the wonders of modern science, people now are recovering from all sorts of horrendous injuries that let them disabled. The reason they are able to do so is remarkable advances made in the field of artificial limbs. Doctors have been creating prosthetic limbs for their patients dating back to ancient Greece. For most of history, however, these replacements were mainly for cosmetic purposes. Pirates, knights, loot soldiers that lost their limbs in battle would get them, so they wouldn’t lose face when returning to society. It wasn’t until the mid-19th century that doctors were able to perform surgeries to reliably attach limbs to people’s bodies and amputate limbs without causing serious infection. Modern artificial limbs represent a tremendous leap forward in terms of form and function. Today’s limbs are far more durable and can withstand a lot more wear and tear. An amazing example of how far artificial limbs have progressed is the Flex-Foot Cheetah. Made from carbon fiber, it is able to store energy as the person moves, which enables the wearer to run and jump. The technology is so good that approximately 90 percent of all Special Olympic amputees use them in competition. Meanwhile, the Bebionic3 has emerged as the most advanced prosthetic arm available. It has been nicknamed “The Terminator” because it is similar to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s mechanical limbs in the famous blockbuster film. The Bebionic3 can perform a multitude of tasks including writing, tying a shoelace, lifting heavy objects, and even pouring a beer. Wearers simply push a button on the base of the arm and the Bebionic3 will work its magic. In September 2013, scientists took another giant leap forward when they successfully fitted a patient with an artificial leg that can be controlled by thought. Two of the patient’s nerves were attached to his hamstring muscle. These nerves then interact with sensors inside the artificial leg. Sensors will then transmit these messages to a computer which will follow through on his instructions. Therefore, if the patient wants to stretch out his leg, the computer will understand this command and send a message to the limb and instruct it to do so. If artificial limb technology keeps advancing like this, losing a limb may not be such a big deal.
8. The word “it” in the last paragraph refers to __________

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 36-42
From smartphones and tablets to apps and social media, society is ambushed from all sides with technology. Naturally, all generations embrace it differently, with younger “digital natives” generally being more connected, more switched-on and more tech literate than older age groups.
According to Pew Research, 92% of Millennials (born 1981–1996) own smartphones, compared with 85% of Gen Xers (born 1965–1980) and 67% of Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964). In terms of tech behavior, older generations tend to use their phones mostly for making calls, whereas for younger generations, a phone is their digital window to the world. Phones are used for social media, going online, texting, emailing, playing games, listening to music, and recording and watching videos.
The daily media consumption of different generations also vastly differs. Gen Z and Millennials favor streaming and online services, with 46% of teens saying they use Netflix compared to 31% of those aged over 16. Furthermore, 16-24s spend 30% of their downtime watching TV or video, compared to 40% of time spent on these activities by the average UK adult. Boomers spend a whopping 344 minutes a day watching regular TV, significantly more than any other age group.
Size also matters more depending on your decade of birth. Younger generations prefer smaller screens sizes, opting for a smartphone as their go-to tech, while Generation X and technology newbies - the Boomers, are going bigger, owning more desktops and tablets. Always in the front of the queue for the hottest tech, younger generations see technology as an integral part of their existence, and since few Millennials and Gen Z can remember a time without social media, they’re more fearless and carefree when it comes to technology. So much so, that a LivePerson report revealed 65% of Millennials and Gen Z interact more with each other online than they do in the real world.
Fundamentally, these behaviors and preferred technologies combine to create a technological generation gap, where employees, shaped by their personal experiences, demonstrate different levels of ability and willingness to adopt new tech. Constantly chasing the next update or device, switched on Millennials and Gen Z are quick to lap up the latest apps, games, and platforms, while Gen X and Boomers are generally slower to embrace technology - both at home and in the workplace.

Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the passage?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions:
Foot racing is a popular activity in the US. It is seen not only as a competitive sport but also as a way to exercise, to enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded people, and to donate money to a good cause. Though serious runners may spend months training to compete, other runners and walkers might not train at all. Those not competing to win might run in an effort to beat their own time or simply to enjoy the fun and excrcise. People of all ages, from those of less than one year (who may be pushed in astrollers) to those in their eighties, enter into this sport. The races are held on city streets, on college campuses, through parks, and in suburban areas, and they are commonly 5 to 10 kilometers in length.
The largest footrace in the world is the 12-kilometer Bay to Breakers race that is held in San Francisco every spring. This race begins on the east side of the city near San Francisco Bay and ends on the west side at the Pacific Ocean. There may be 80.000 or more people running in this race through the streets and hills of San Francisco. In the front are the serious runners who compete to win and who might finish in as little as 35 minutes. Behind them are the thousands who take several hours to finish. In the back of the race are those who dress in costumes and come just for fun. One year there was a group of men who dressed like Elvis Presley, and another group consisted of firefighters who were tied together in a long line and who were carrying a fire hose. There was even a bridal party, in which the bride was dressed in a long white gown and the groom wore a tuxedo. The bride and groom threw flowers to bystanders, and they were actually married at some point along the route.

The word “beat” as used in paragraph 1 could be best replaced by which of the following?

Read the passage below carefully, and then choose the best answer:
The Rise of E-books
Over the past decade, e-books have revolutionized the way people consume written formation. It will probably come as no surprise the total global sales number continues to rise each year. There are several reasons why readers are buying more e-books. For starters, reading a lengths e-book in front of your computer isn't the most comfortable thing to do. But since tablet sales have exploded, readers can now relax and read their favourite e-books in bed from the beach. Many e-books are often sold at lower prices than traditional books. Since there is almost zero cost for producing e-books, some authors are offering their novels at lower prices. Another factor is convenience. In the past, keeping a large book collection meant setting aside a lot of extra space in one's home. With e-books, it is now possible for readers to carry a portable library, which contains thousands of books. To really understand e-book market though, it is important to keep up with national trends. Recent data suggests that the e-book market in the US and the UK have matured. In both of these countries, e-book sales account for roughly 20 percent of overall book sales. Although that percentage continues to increase, it is going up at a slower rate than in the past. The popularity of e-books has exploded in Russia. In one poll, 70 percent of Russians claim to have read at least one e-book. However, publishers are not too pleased with this new because approximately 92 percent of e-books in Russia are acquired illegally. In France, consumers don't appear to be loo keen on e-books at this time. Although in 2012, e-book sales comprised about 3 percent of the market, it is predicted that this number will increase at a very slow pace. Some French people believe that reading e-books on small screens is uncomfortable. Others say that the French are a cultural exception, as they like the feeling of holding a dusty old physical book. This demonstrates that no matter how popular e- books get, it is unlikely that traditional books will disappear any time soon.
3. The phrase “account for" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ___

Choose the best answer:
Do you ______ flowers?

Choose the best answer:
I prefer ___________ abroad to travelling within the country.

Read the reading below carefully, and then complete it with the best option A, B, C or D given below:
Other disabilities include hearing, visual, or orthopedic impairments; autism; (1) _______ traumatic brain injury. An increasing number of children in the United States are identified as having attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and (2) _______ special education services. Many schools in the United States provide special education services (3) _______ gifted children, although federal law does not mandate these services. Gifted children demonstrate (4) _______ high abilities in intellectual, creative, academic, leadership, or artistic areas. Estimates of the gifted (5) _______ in the United States range from 3 to 5 percent of all schoolchildren.

Choose the best answer:
seeing/ I/ London/ London Eye/ in/ enjoy/ the

Read the passage below carefully, and then choose the best answer:
Frozen Fitness
A man stands over a bathtub that is filled with ice. Although it is the middle of winter, he slowly slides into the tub and submerges his body underneath the water. Within seconds, he begins to shiver, but after a few minutes he is able to settle down. Despite the temperature, he will remain in the tub for the next 30 minutes. He is taking advantage of cold thermogenesis, a growing trend that could improve people’s health. Thermogenesis is an internal process that mammals undergo to generate heat when they are subjected to cold temperatures. In modern society, humans rarely requires this ability because we have heated homes and offices during the winter season. Recent studies, however, indicate that by doing so we could be missing out on some wonderful health benefits. Being subjected to cold temperatures regularly has been shown to boost men’s testosterone levels. It also boosts metabolism, which allows people to burn fat more efficiently. Some people have reported that cold thermogenesis also provides a mental lift once you have overcome the initial shock of the cold water. The positive effects of thermogenesis were known before, but it only started to become popular after the 2008 Olympics. One man who helped spark this craze was Ray Cronise, a NASA scientist and entrepreneur. He was reading an article that reported Michael Phelps ate 12,000 calories per day while training. The calories were so high that led him to believe that something else besides exercise was helping Phelps to stay thin and muscular: the icy water in the swimming pool. So he conducted his own experiment by drinking several glasses of ice water and exposing himself to cold water. After six weeks of this regiment, he had lost 30 pounds. There are several routines that a person can adopt if they are interested in starting their own thermogenesis routine. One method is ice baths. This method may be a bit too drastic for average people though. Instead, people may want to begin by dunking their face in cold water for a few seconds, and then gradually increase the time. Next, they can progress to cold showers and baths before moving on ice baths. An even more convenient way is to place an ice packet on the back of your neck for 15 to 20 minutes every evening. Although these methods may be extreme, many are willing to give them a go to improve their health
7.  What does the author advise most people to do when starting thermogenesis?

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word or phrase that is OPPOSITE meaning to the underlined part in each of the following questions.
Nobody seemed to be interested in the news. It was greeted with a lack of enthusiasm

Choose the best answer:
She got a swollen spot ________ a bee sting.

Thomas has often boasted ______ his son’s golfing ability.

(485)______

Read the passage below carefully, and then choose the best answer:
Learning to Dig Jazz Music
It has been said that jazz is America’s greatest contribution to music. It mixes the powerful rhythm of African traditions with elements of European classical music. The beginnings of jazz music are a bit unclear, but many people believe it originated in New Orleans during the late 1800s. New Orleans was a melting pot where local tribes mixed with immigrants who came from Africa and Europe to form a new, unique culture. Jazz has several elements which set it apart from other styles of music. Compared to rock music, jazz is more complex and versatile. Whereas rock bands typically consists of a drummer, some guitarists, and a singer, jazz bands can be big or small and they are made up from a wide variety of instruments. Another thing which sets jazz apart from other forms of music is improvisation. Musicians start with a basic structure, perhaps a few chords, and then they decide what to play in the moment. Therefore, even if the same songs are repeated, you can be certain that no two jazz concerts are the same. Over the years, many sub-genres of jazz came about. Ragtime is one of the first styles that came about, and it consists mainly of upbeat piano compositions. Dixieland Jazz started in the 1920s and it incorporated blue music and brass bands. Next came the Big Band era, which showcased groups with 10 or more musicians playing different instruments. In the Bebop era of the 1940s, jazz musicians returned to smaller groups of four to six musicians, but they started playing far more complex melodies.  If you are just becoming interested in jazz, you should start by listening to the works of some of its masters. Louis Armstrong is considered one of the grandfathers of jazz, as he helped to spread jazz to the masses in the 1920s. Armstrong is perhaps best-known today for singing the classic song “What a Wonderful World”, but in his prime, he was a talented bandleader and an incredible trumpet player. Charlie Parker was all the rage during the bebop age, as every saxophone player was trying to imitate him. Miles Davis is another pioneering jazzman who everyone should check out, as he was always changing his style. During his long career, Davis won nine Grammy awards. Although jazz music is an acquired taste, once you begin to appreciate it, it is like a fine wine that gets better with age.
2. What is the second paragraph mainly about?

Rewrite the sentence
No one in the class is more intelligent than Long.

Read the reading below carefully, and then complete it with the best option A, B, C or D given below:
World Wide Web (WWW), computer-based (1) _______ of information resources that combines text and multimedia. The information on the World Wide Web can be accessed and searched through the (2) _______, a global computer network. The World Wide Web is often (3) _______ to simply as “the Web.” The Web started to become a (4) _______ resource after 1993 when the first widely distributed browser provided a convenient way to (5) _______ a variety of information on the Internet