Israel and Palestine have been at war with each other (i) _______ many years now. The reason behind the conflict is religion. Palestine is a very old country lying in the Middle East. It is an Arabic nation where most of its population is Muslim. Israel (ii) _______ at the border with Palestine. It is a much younger country formed by Jews (iii) _______ religion is radically and completely different from the Muslim religion. Israel grew stronger after the Second World War, when it became a friend and ally of the United States. It started to occupy land from surrounding countries (iv) _______ on the fact that Jews used to live on that land (v) _______  years ago.

(ii)_____

Health experts suggest that to stay healthy and happy, it’s important to keep our lives in balance. Chinese philosophy, which has spanned thousands of years, uses the principles of yin and yang to explain importance of balance in life. Explained simply, yang represents the active elements of the universe, (i) _______ the yin represents the passive elements. This expresses the importance of balance in all aspects of living. Today health experts agree that it’s important to have a balanced life. For example, they’ve said it’s necessary to have a balance between work and rest and to have a balanced exercise program. (ii) _______, I’m sure you’d agree that in our busy world, it’s not always easy to get and keep balanced in our lives. Due to business or study deadlines, many people work to excess, leaving little time at the end of their busy day to spend with family and friends. They cat fast-food and don’t get enough rest or recreation and then suffer badly from the effects of stress. It’s sad that this situation often is the answer to happen when people believe that access to (iii)   happiness instead of understanding the importance of balanced living.While ambition can be a good thing, having too much ambition can cause a person to become ‘out of balance’. Of course it’s also unbalanced to spend too much time on entertainment and pleasure activities, with little or no time (iv) _______ to work or education. Balance means allocating enough time for all the important aspects of life, such as spending time with family and friends, working or studying, as well as resting and relaxing. Experts now tell US that having balance in our life is the answer, not only to health and happiness, but also to success. If you’re balanced, you’ll have more energy and you’ll reach your ambitions in a more relaxed fashion, with less stress. So  (v) _______ is your life? Do you need to allocate your time differently to have better balance in your life?

(v)______

People from all cultures and civilizations are also (i) _______ with numbers, dates and festival days. In North America, the number 13 is considered (ii) _______ unlucky that often high-rise buildings do not have a 13th floor and the apartment that should be number 13 is given another number. There is no clear reason behind this superstition, (iii) _______ there is evidence for a pathological fear of the number 13, called triskaidekaphobia. Conversely, in Japan, Korea and China, the number 4 is the one bringing bad luck since the character for this number, ‘shi’ sounds like the word ‘death’. Yet all cultures seem to agree (iv)  _______the importance of New Year’s Day. Virtually all countries have rituals surrounding this first day of the year to (v)________ good luck for the future.

(v)_______

(i) ________ November 13rd, 1991, a new animation movie was making waves around the world. This movie that everyone was (ii) ________ about was Beauty and the Beast. It was made by Disney and was the first animation movie ever to (iii) ________  for an Academy Award. The Movie Academy in Hollywood chooses five movies every year to receive the famous Oscar Prize. But in the end only one can win. In 1991, Beauty and the Beast won the Oscar for Best Music and for Best Song in a movie, which was performed (iv) ________ the popular Celine Dion. In the same year, Beauty and the Beast (v) ________ got the prestigious Golden Globe Awards for Best Picture. That was a high honor for an animation film.

(iv)_____

In 1977, the United States enacted the Mine safety and Health Act, and since that time the overall number of deaths related to mining accidents (i) _______ decreased. But, unfortunately, in the United States, several coal mine explosions have recently (ii) _______ the lives of several miners and increased this year’s mining- related deaths above of the total number of mining-related deaths recorded last year. The mining industry and the United States government take seriously the safety problems confronting miners. (iii) _______ is being done to help protect the miners is important in the mining industry throughout the world. The United States Congress has recently considered legislation increasing the amount of oxygen miners must have available to them as they work below the earth’s surface because a lack of available oxygen may have caused the death of some of the trapped miners in recent coal mine explosions. When an explosion (iv) _______ in an underground mine and air packs are in short supply or those available to miners are not in working condition, the successful rescue efforts can be crippled even though rescue workers are (v) _______ valiant efforts to save lives.

(i)____

Based on measurements of the expansion of the universe, of the position of galaxies, as well as of the cosmic microwave background radiation, the birth of the universe is said to (i) _______  13.7 billion years ago, when the early cosmos was a dense gaseous fireball of plasma, with temperatures 100,000 times higher than (ii) _______  of the sun’s core. 10 microseconds after the initial explosion, the universe experienced a period of huge exponential (iii) _______  called cosmic inflation, allowing basic particles such as quarks and gluons to stop moving around willy-nilly without purpose and form strong bonds of protons and neutrons. 100 seconds later, as temperatures dropped even further, these protons and neutrons would form helium and other hydrogen composites in a period cissalled nucleosynthesis. Matter would (iv) _______  to a halt and stop moving, (v) _______  gravitational forces come into play, and after 380,000 years the first atoms would make their appearance.

(ii)______-

In northern Europe, during the same time period traders developed a similar type of customary law for commercial relationships. The system, referred to as the Law Merchant, also prevented those who had not traded fairly and honestly with merchants (i) ______ merchants participating in the system. The Law Merchant, unlike the Maghribi association, included a system of arbitration to settle disputes. The merchants’ goal of expediting and facilitating commercial transactions continued as customary law for commercial transactions throughout the centuries. In the United States, the Law Merchant has been adapted and codified as the Uniform Commercial Code. Folk law is also customaiy law. Recently in Botswana, Africa, (ii) ______ has been an attempt to codify folk law, but some lawmakers oppose the idea because they believe that codification would limit the diversity of cultures which exists throughout the country. The legislators’ belief is that customary law relates to individual tribes and (iii) ______ the culture of each tribe is different and should be preserved. Those who (iv) ______     codification, on the other hand, contend that tribal culture would be better preserved and would provide tribal chiefs with a set of guidelines for administering justice rather than requiring the chiefs to depend upon customary laws (v)  ______ down by words of mouth from earlier generations.

(iv)______

It would fall (i) _______ the shoulders of the rulers of the Middle Kingdom to restore Egypt’s former glory and herald the beginning of the classical era. After a century of civil war, the southern warrior princes of Thebes defeated their northern rivals in Hcraklciopolis and were responsible for placing Egypt under one single ruler. Under the 11th Dynasty, Egypt’s capital was moved from Memphis to Thebes, while the local god Amun of Karnak gained significant status and (ii) _______ up replacing Ra as the main god. Pharaoh Mentuhotep (2008 – 1957 BC) continued the tradition of building royal and religious structures With the construction of a funerary temple in Thebes. (iii) _______  pharaohs kept strengthening the royal administration, reclaiming land for agricultural purposes and (iv) _______ art and classical literature. The energetic and capable Amcncmhct III established new trading routes by digging a canal to connect the Nile river with the Red Sea just as Senwosret III consolidated and expanded Egypt’s borders to include (v) _______ fertile territories as Nubia, Sudan and Canaan

(ii)_____

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.

(iii)_____

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) _______.

(ii)____

Bill seems unhappy in his job because he doesn’t get _______ his boss. 

When (i) _______ people think of sports, the first ones that come to mind are probably football – both American and European soccer – and basketball, hockey, tennis, and baseball. But that knights in shining armour who rode horses and carried sharp swords and lances in their hands to knock (ii) _______ knights off their horses, created the new sport of jousting. The idea of jousting dates back to really times before the 1100s and had its origins in France where jousting was not really a sport. Instead, it was really more of an occupation since jousting tournaments were really warring tournaments held between the families of nobility for the purpose of gaining notoriety and monetary wealth. As jousting became more of a sport, a code of “fair play” was enacted and chivalry entered (iii)  _______  the picture as well as the ideas conveyed in the talcs of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. In addition to the Inaugural code of ethics, the concepts of fair maidens and brave knights continues to (iv) _______  an important role in jousting. And even to this (v) _______ day, the idea of chivalry has an impact on the pageantry and activities of jousting tournaments.

(v)____

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: 

Don’t you ever mention that matter again. I will not hear anything of it.

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)_______

In order to get married in this state, one must present a medical report along with your identification.

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.

(iv)____

Let's not enter _____ details at this stage. 

The town of Bunol in Spain is famous for La Tomatina, the world’s largest vegetable fight. The event takes place during a week-long celebration (i) _______ festivities and with even greater anticipation for the battle ahead. La Tomatina started during the 1940s, when (ii) _______ of friends started a tomato fight and passers-by got dragged into it. From that day forward, the fiesta has been celebrated annually and is expected to draw record numbers this time around. The reason for the fight has never been established and it hardly matters since the point is fun. La Tomatina has blossomed into a huge fiesta that coincides with the festival for the town’s patron saint. This is partly in an effort to draw more tourism into Bunol, and at the same time many more targets. The night before La Tomatina, the narrow’ streets are filled with tomatoes, and in a much (iii) _______ form than the next day. No one can do battle on an empty stomach so huge pans filled with delicious paella are on offer. Then, early Wednesday morning, shopkeepers set about covering windows and doors in preparation for the mess. Large trucks rumble up the streets to arrive in the square and be cheered by the 20,000 strong crows. Men on top of the tracks then begin the attack (iv) _______ soft tomatoes from the four comers of Spain. The victims retaliate against the trackers, each other, and anyone else that strays within their range. When all the tomatoes have been demolished, (v) _______ heads to the river to clean it all off.

(i)____

How to protect children web fans from unsuitable material online while encouraging them to use the Internet has long been discussed in the U.S. For some parents, the Internet can seem like a jungle, filed with danger for their children. But jungles contain wonders as well as hazard and with good guides, some education, and a few precautions, the wilds of the Internet can be safely navigated. “Kids have to be online. If we tell our kids they can’t (i) _______ the Internet, we’re cutting them off from their future,” said an expert.

Most kids have started to use seareh engines. Many of them are great for finding tons of interesting Internet sites, and they can also locale places where you might not want your kids to go. There are seareh engines (ii) _______ just for kids. A certain software contains only sites that have been selected as safe.

The most popular way to limit access would be to use what is known as a “content screener”. But this can’t be wholly reliable, and the best thing parents can do is to talk to their kids and let them know what is OK or not OK to see or do on the Internet. Another way is that mum or dad is nearby when the child is surfing the Internet.

A few other tips:

Don’t put the PC in a child’s room but keep it in an area where mum or dad can keep (iii) _______ hings. That also makes the Internet more of a family activity.

Ask your child (iv) _______ he or she has been doing and about any friends they make online.
Tell your child not to give on-line strangers (v) _______ information, especially like address and phone number.

And tell your children never to talk to anyone they meet online over the phone, send them anything, accept anything from them or agree to meet with them unless you go along.

(i)______

We are using up the world’s petroleum. We use (i) _______ in our cars and to heat our building in winter. Farmers use petrochemicals to make the soil rich. They use them to kill insects (ii) _______ eat plants. These chemicals go into rivers and lakes and kill the fish there. Thousands of pollutants also go into the air and pollute it. Winds carry this (iii) _______ air to other countries and other continents. Poor farmers use the same land over and over. The land needs a rest, so it will be better next year. However, the farmers must have food this year. In some areas when the trees are gone, the land (iv) _______ desert. The people and the nations of the world must work together to (v) _______ the world’s resources.

(ii)______

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. _______

(i)_____