For some, the advent of television marked the beginning of the end of civilised society. More and more, people have watched TV at the (i)  _______  of playing cards or board games, or other communal pastimes. Many fear that the Internet too will further limit social interaction. That may be true but, as researehers at Stanford University in the USA are the first to say, further study is needed. In a recent survey they found that the Internet and the use of email have actually increased some forms of human interaction. What’s more, people who go online are (ii) _______  watch less television than others. The study makes two things clear. Contrary to all the fuss in the media, the Internet’s popularity is still in its infancy. More than half of US households are not connected yet, but the Internet’s potential impact (iii) _______  we live and interact is enormous. Workers may be using the Web on the job for such personal ends as checking sports scores but, according to the study, they also use the Internet to work from home. Just 4 per cent of the surveyed Internet users said they had cut back on their working hours since getting connected to the Internet.But will the Internet make US more isolated socially? While a fourth of the Internet users say they spend less lime talking on the telephone with friends and relatives, email allows them to stay in touch, regardless of distance. Since email is (iv) _______  and can be sent and received at any hour of the day, it has many built-in advantages. For some, it has actually revived the highly social art of letter writing. As for spending less time on the telephone, the continuing boom in mobile phone use makes an overall decrease less and less likely. Few would argue that the Internet has had a profound effect on the lives of many in its first decade of common use. But assessing its long-term impact is difficult. That’s why for all the questions they raise, studies such as Stanford’s are so useful. If we don’t pay close attention to how we use the Internet, it will change our lives not just for (v) _______  , but for worse.

(i)_____

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word or phrase that is CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined part in each of the following questions: 

 In astronomy, a scale of magnitude from one to six denotes the brightness of astar. 

Instead of throwing in the towel, Shakira kept her focus on music and participated (i)  ______  a televised singing competition for children, (ii) ______  she started being invited to various events in Barranquilla and became a local celebrity. When she turned 13, she caught the eye of theatre producer Monica Ariza, who took her under her wing and made her name (iii) ______  outside Barranquilla. On a flight from her hometown to the Colombian capital of Bogota, Ariza happened to sit next to Sony executive C’iro Vargas, who agreed to hold an audition for Shakira a few weeks later inside a hotel lobby. Vargas was (iv) ______  impressed with the budding new artist and praised her in lavish terms to the Sony artist directors. They, (v) ______  , were less excited and thought Shakira was a “lost cause’’ until Vargas tricked them into a surprise audition with the singer at a bar in Bogota, which resulted in Shakira’s signing a deal with Sony for three recorded albums.

(iv)_____

Scientists therefore agree that it is (i) ________ spread of global warming before it is too late. Solar radiation and volcanic emissions (ii) ________ produce natural global warming. Yet. the major responsibility for turning global warming into a potential dangerous activity falls on humans. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, the burning of fossil fuels to power cars and generate electricity (iii) ________ to the ever-increasing emission of toxic carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat and lead to the formation of the so-called greenhouse effect, which in turn (iv) ________ global temperatures. Only decisive government measures will curb down and limit the growth of this destructive (v) ________ on our planet.

(v)______

Animism is another important belief of Polynesian cultures. With animism, the spirits (i) _______ to have personalities and human-like traits. Sometimes the spirits are referred to as “he” and “she” by people who believe in animism. Spirits are reported to animate natural objects and everything in nature – whether a flower, dirt, or a rock – are thought to have their own unique, different spirit. The Native American cultures also believed in animism, but their concept of this belief was (ii) _______ different from the Polynesians’ belief. While the Polynesians believed everything possessed different spirits, the Native Americans believed that everything in nature had the same spirit. Both cultures believed that the spirits could be good, bad, or neutral (iii) _______ that the spirits could be loving, frightening, or mischievous.

They also believed that if people did things to displease the spirits then the spirits might respond to those who had displeased them in unfriendly and unpleasant ways. Most cultures believe in the ghosts or souls of ancestors because most cultures believe there is a separation of the body and soul (iv) _______ death.

The cultures which believe in ancestral spirits believe these spirits remain an integral part of the family and that, if treated well, the ancestors will bless the families in many ways – whether in business success, agricultural production, or personal relationships. Asian cultures (v) _______ to have a more favourable attitude about ancestral spirits than do the European cultures who often believe that the ghosts of ancestors can be dangerous and do frightening things such as haunting houses.

(iv)_____

 In India, the demand for ___________ has always been more than the supply.

Precision and uniformity of movement are two characteristics of step-dancing which most people recognize. And (i) _______ traditional step-dancing does not pennit the use of hands, some of the more modem versions allow it. Before the early 1900s, though, step-dancers often performed their synchronized movement while dancing with their hands on their hips. That trend has somewhat faded and now most step-dancing is done with the participants’ arms held firmly down to their sides and their hands made into a fist. The straight, clean lines of the body add to the impression (ii) _______ it is the intricacy of the foot work which is the most important aspect of the presentation. Chorus line dancing, which is another variation or type of line dancing, was an extremely popular way that dancing and elegance were included in movie productions for several years. Today fewer scenes of chorus lines (iii) _______  inmovies, but many movies with “Western” or “country” themes include modem forms of line dancing. Many people simply refer to the modem type of dancing as “line dancing” but (iv) _______ whether it has a special name, modem line dancing is usually associated with a country and western theme. With modem line dancing, there may only be one line or there can be several. Sometimes, when there is more than one line, the lines lace in the same direction with one line being in back of the other, but sometimes the lines face each other. This type of dancing docs not always require interaction between dancers, and the dancers often move independently from each other. But the beauty of this dance form permits interaction, like weaving in and out of different lines, if the dancers desire. And sometimes the dancers even may make contact with each other if clapping becomes part of their (v) _______.

(v)____

Choose the best option:

If you need help finding a new job, I ____ you.

Every country has its own traditions, some of which have existed for centuries. In my opinion, we should do everything possible to preserve them. Some people think that in today’s high-tech world, traditional celebrations are too old-fashioned and (i) _______ to our lives. However, events such as Carnival, are important, as they bring communities together and make US think about other people and not just computers. (ii) _______ argument against traditional festivals is that they are expensive to organise. To some extent this is true, particularly when there are firework (iii) _______ or parades. On the other hand, it is a small price to pay for brightening up our lives with entertainment and colour. Moreover, celebrations like the ‘Fallas’ in my home town of Valencia attract many tourists and their money. Finally, although 1 agree that some traditional customs (iv) _______ their original significance, they can provide an opportunity for US to learn about our past. For example, Bonfire Night teaches British children about a particular period of their country’s history. To conclude, traditional celebrations are a source of great pleasure and interest, and they are certainly (v) _______ keeping

(v)_____

The professor (i) _______ the ancient symbol in the course of researeh for a visual history of the 20th century, to be published by the Trecca in Encyclopedia. The first (ii) _______ instance of its use, he says, occurred in a letter written by a Florentine merchant on May 4th, 1536. He says the sign made its (iii) ________  along trade routes to northern Europe, where it came to represent “at the price of” – its contemporary accountancy (iv) _______  . Professor Stabile believes that Italian banks may possess even earlier documents (v) _______ the symbol lying forgotten in their arehives. The oldest example could be of great value. The race is on between the mercantile world and the banking world to sec who has the oldest documentation of @.

(v)_____

In retrospect, it is believed that the land (i) _______ by Hcrjolfsson was indeed part of North America, and the first European to actually touch its grounds was (ii) _______ other than the Red’s son, Leif Ericsson. (iii) _______ to follow in his father’s footsteps and become as respected as his parents, Leif Ericsson left Greenland (iv) _______  1,000 AD and sailed southwest towards the promised land.

Evidence unearthed at the arehaeological site of L’Anse aux Meadows proves that the Vikings had landed at three points of the eastern American coast, which (v) _______ termed “Markland” or “forest land” in today’s Labrador, “Hcluland” or “slab-land” after Baffin Island’s rocky landscape, and finally “Vinland” or “vine-land”, located either in New England or

(i)___

Ang Lee’s work caught the (i) _______ of the William Morris Agency. This agency became interested in Ang’s movies and hired him. But in the end, they did not give Ang Lee a chance to make movies in the USA. (ii) _______ 6 years, Lee stayed home to take (iii) _______ of the house and his two children. His wife, Jane Ling, was a molecular (iv) _______ and supported the family. This situation was embarrassing for Lee because of the culture he grew (v) _______  in. But, during this hard time, he wrote many screenplays for movies

(i)____

Every country has its own traditions, some of which have existed for centuries. In my opinion, we should do everything possible to preserve them. Some people think that in today’s high-tech world, traditional celebrations are too old-fashioned and (i) _______ to our lives. However, events such as Carnival, are important, as they bring communities together and make US think about other people and not just computers. (ii) _______ argument against traditional festivals is that they are expensive to organise. To some extent this is true, particularly when there are firework (iii) _______ or parades. On the other hand, it is a small price to pay for brightening up our lives with entertainment and colour. Moreover, celebrations like the ‘Fallas’ in my home town of Valencia attract many tourists and their money. Finally, although 1 agree that some traditional customs (iv) _______ their original significance, they can provide an opportunity for US to learn about our past. For example, Bonfire Night teaches British children about a particular period of their country’s history. To conclude, traditional celebrations are a source of great pleasure and interest, and they are certainly (v) _______ keeping

(i)_____-

SOME GOLDEN TIPS FOR MANAGING STRESS

Notice what makes you feel very anxious. Face your anxieties.
See what you can change in those areas (i)_______ you are doing too much.
Are you (ii) ______ to things? Is it necessary to get so upset/ anxious / angry?
Are you breathing too fast? Slow, deep breathing helps you relax.
Try using some relaxation techniques (iii) ______ yoga or biofeedback. They can be very useful inhelping you relax.

(iii)____

Scientific remedies are not the only ways people combat motion sickness. Ginger has long been used as a traditional home remedy to (i) ________ upset stomach. Now ginger being used to help alleviate the nauseous effects of motion sickness. Ginger root, taken in the form of capsules, has been the subject of studies on motion sickness and has been found to be effective in helping keep the sickness from materializing. Ginger root, consumed in its raw form, however, has been found to have severe irritating effects on people. The effectiveness of the capsules containing ginger root (ii) ________ to result from the herb’s acting within the gastrointestinal tract to absorb toxins and gastric activity. Ginger tea, cookies, candy and even ginger ale have also been found helpful in preventing and remedying motion sickness. Vitamin B6 has been reported to be a nausea (iii) ________ as has been aromatherapy. (iv) ________ all of the scientific and natural herbal remedies considered to be solutions for motion sickness, some people think that scientific assistance is (v) ________ little value and that keeping their eyes on the horizon, eliminating reading in closed quarters, rest, and getting as much fresh air as possible are better solutions for the balance problems caused by motion.

(iii)_______

An interesting form of (i) _______ throughout the British Empire in the 18th-19th centuries. At that time, England had established many colonies all around the globe. But these places were very far away. If people came to live there, they did not return to England ever again since traveling (ii) _______ ship was rather long and dangerous. Englishmen who settled in such far-off colonies often found (iii) _______ alone. The only women around were the natives. But (iv) _______ and Dutch saw no trouble in marrying native women, Englishmen were very conservative. They would write letters home and ask relatives or neighbors to send them a local wife. Many women had no dowry so they agreed to the transaction. The man would pay for their ship voyage to the colonies and the woman would work all her life to pay him back. It is believed that these marriages were (v) _______ of all.

(i)_________

Gun-control groups use this terrible accident to show why guns should (i) _______ illegal. They argue that guns actually make people more (ii) _______. Some researeh has shown that for every time a gun is used to prevent a crime, there are 22 shootings by accident. 76.6% of all victims were killed by a relative or someone they knew, and only 3.6% were shot at by criminals. The rest of the shootings involved police or the army. The risk for violence is five times greater in households (iii) _______  there are guns available. Most of the shootings happen after family members fight with each other. In other serious eases, teenagers brought guns to school and began shooting (iv) _______ their teachers and classmates. In the end, they committed suicide by killing (v) _______ with the same gun.

(ii)____

Scientists therefore agree that it is (i) ________ spread of global warming before it is too late. Solar radiation and volcanic emissions (ii) ________ produce natural global warming. Yet. the major responsibility for turning global warming into a potential dangerous activity falls on humans. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, the burning of fossil fuels to power cars and generate electricity (iii) ________ to the ever-increasing emission of toxic carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat and lead to the formation of the so-called greenhouse effect, which in turn (iv) ________ global temperatures. Only decisive government measures will curb down and limit the growth of this destructive (v) ________ on our planet.

(ii)______

As President, Grant had the task of continuing to attempt (i) _______ reunify the American nation after its Civil War. One of Grant’s accomplishments as President was the enactment of the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution which ensured voting rights for blacks. Grant is also remembered as the President who signed the bill into law which created America’s first national park – Yellowstone Park. But financial problems throughout the land while Grant was in office (ii) _______ the Panic of 1873.

Grant was criticized for his indecisiveness, failure to lake decisive action, and inability to helo the American economy during the Panic, and in the next elections the (iii) _______  won more scats in Congress and look the Presidency. Several scandals occurred during Grant’s administration. Grant was an (iv) _______ man but had appointed loyal friends and supporters to serve in governmental capacities.

Some of his appointees were involved in the corruption. It is thought that Grant’s early business failures and lack of success in personal relationships with other military leaders and businessman (v) _______ reasons why Grant appointed those who had remained loyal to him and had been nice to him even though they were not political astute.

(ii)_____

We still have a long way to go before we ______ all the current financial difficulties. 

Gothic cathedrals were decorated with many sculptures and paintings. They all had religious meanings, and were usually stories taken from the Bible or images of Saints. Gothic sculptures are different (i) ______ they are very natural looking. They remained a model for the next generation of sculptors. Gothic paintings appeared (ii) _______  50 years alter Gothic sculptures and buildings. They are very emotional, dark and somber looking. Gothic paintings appear in four different forms. Frescoes are paintings done (iii) _________ on the church wall (iv) _________ panel paintings are done on woodwork.

Illuminated manuscripts are fine paintings done on paper that decorate holy books and pieces of writings.

There is also the art of stained glass done (v) church windows. _______

(ii)_____