Population in big cities

A United Nations report on world population trends has provided some interesting information for thought on the future demographics of our planet. The world’s population is currently 6.5 billion and is set (1) ________ and level off to about 9 billion people. The report says population explosions will occur in Africa and Asia, but not in the (2) _________ of the world, “Considerable diversity exists in the expected population growth of countries. The population of many countries, (3) __________ in Africa and Asia, will increase greatly in the coming decades.”  (4)___________, population levels in developed countries are expected to fall, because of decreased fertility rates caused by increased contraceptive use. The report also indicates half of the world’s population will be city (5) _________ by 2007. That is a huge jump from the figure of 30% urbanization in 1993. The five most populated cities today are Tokyo (35 million people), Mexico City (19 million), New York (18.5 million), Bombay (18.3 million) and Sao Paulo (18.3 million). In 1950 only Tokyo and New York had populations of more (6) _________ 10 million people. By 2050 there will be 22 cities of that size. The report concludes, “the current population picture is one of dynamic population changes, reflected in new and diverse patterns of childbearing, mortality, migration, urbanization and ageing. The (7) ___________ and consequences of these population trends present opportunities as well as (8) __________for all societies in the twenty-first century.”

(3) ________

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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

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My Favorite TV Programme (1) _____, I must say that I don‘t watch much television . This is because I‘ve always got so (2) _____ other things to do. My two favourite programmes are Hard Rock and Open Air –I try not to (3) _____ them. Hard Rock is on every Friday night from 9 to eleven and usually has the brilliant rock bands playing (4) _____. They interview the bands, (5) _____ talk about music, their future plan and how they started playing. Open air is (6) _____ different –It‘s a magazine programme about the environment. It‘s on every Sunday evening at 7.30. Each week they investigate an issue which is (7) _____ in some way with the environment. L ast week they looked into pollution, and next week they are (8) _____ the presidents of Friends of the Earth. There are a lot of people who watch television every night. There are also many programmes to (9)_____ from that they can always find something interesting . I don‘t know why they do it –I think most T.V is just a (10) _____ of time

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In this week‘s issue, our resident film critic discusses the etiquette of cinema going, and the (1) ____ who prefer chewing hot-dogs, slurping drinks, gossiping and rustling crisp papers to actually watching the film. Fair complaint, or just cinema snobbery ? It‘s the munchers and talkers, not those who complain about them, who are (2) _____ other people‘s (3) ______ pleasures and the (4)_______ seem to me to be self-evident. Junk (5) _______ and even popcorns and choc ices, when eaten in a(6) _______ and possibly crowded space, are inclined to demand living space. They spread themselves about – usually onto other people‘s(7) _______ Crisps, peanuts, and boiled sweets make a lot of noise, first when being (8) ______ then when being crushed or sucked. These are definite(9) _______ , especially if you yourself – having merely come to see and hear the film – are not eating and therefore generously(10) ________ your friend onions, mustard and ketchup with the trousers of the stranger in the next seat

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:
Most Americans look forward to their vacation. Most American employees receive an annual vacation with pay, and it is traditional to use this time off for travel.
Travelling within the United States is very popular because foreign travel generally takes more time and money. Every year about thirteen million people travel abroad. The most popular periods are during the summer and the two-week school break on Christmas and New Year holidays. These periods are also the most crowded and the most expensive time to travel, so people who can adjust their schedules sometimes choose to travel in the autumn.
American tourists often travel by car. Most families own a car, and those who do not have a car can rent one. Cars are usually the most economical way to travel, especially for families. It is also fairly fast and convenient. Exellent highway with motels and restaurants nearby connect the nation’s major cities. They enable tourists to travel at a speed of 55 to 66 miles an hour. Tourists that want to travel faster often fly to their destination and then rent a car when they get there.

How many people travel abroad every year?

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We are using up the world‘s petroleum. We use (1) ______ in our cars and to heat our building in winter. Farmers use petrochemicals to (2) ____ the soil rich. They use them to kill insects (3) ______ eat plants. These chemicals go (4) ______ rivers and lakes and kill the fish there. Thousands of pollutants also go into the air and pollute it. Winds carry this (5) _____ air to other countries and other continents. Poor farmers use the same land over and (6) _____ The land needs a rest so it will be better next year. However, the farmers must have food this year. Poor people cut down forests (7) _____ firewood. In some areas when the trees are gone, the land (8) ______ desert. Poor people can‘t save the environment for the (9) _____ . This is not a problem for one country or one area of the world. It is a problem for allhumans. The people and the nations of the world must work together to (10) _______ the world‘s resources.

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Skilling has become a way of life for many people. From the moment the first snowflake falls until the spring (1) ______ skiers put skis on their cars and (2) ______ for slopes. There are many reasons behind the (3) ______ of this winter sports. Skiing is a true family sport that can be enjoyable by all people, whether 3 or 93 years old. Being able to (4) ______ a hill, to turn at will and nature at its loveliest are (5) ______ for all age groups. Skiing is also interesting because it provides a variety of experiences. Snow conditions change hourly as the temperature and weather conditions change during the day. Moreover, every trail is different. Rarely does one pass over the same (6) ______ twice. Improvement in skis equipment, clothing, and ski areas have made the sport more pleasurable, comfortable and available. Warm and light clothing has replaced (7) ______ of heavy sweaters. Ski equipment made with modern materials has made skis and poles lighter, more flexible and suited to people of all ages. The (8) ______ of skiing had also improved by snow-making equipment. Even in areas of the countries that have (9) ______ snowfall, snow can be made (10)______ the temperature be below 30 degrees Celsius. For many people, skiing is an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the out-of-doors, to challenge their physical abilities and, finally, to simply have fun. It is a sport world-wide and appears to be gaining in popularities 

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 Jits each of the numbered blanks.
                              CRITICISM
It can take a long time to become successful in your chosen field, however talented you are. One thing you have to be aware of is that you will face criticism along the way. The world is full of people who would rather say something negative than positive. If you’ve made up your (1)................ to achieve a certain goal, such as writing a novel, don’t let the negative criticism of others prevent you from reaching your  target,  and  let the (2).................criticism have a positive effect on your work. If someone says you’re  totally  lacking  in  talent,  ignore  them.  That’s  negative  criticism. If, (3)............... , someone advises you to revise your work and gives you good reasons for doing so, you should (4) ................... their suggestions very carefully. There’re many movie stars who were once out of work. There’re many famous novelists who made a complete trash of their first novel – or who didn’t, but had to put off approaching hundreds of publishers before they could get it published. Being successful does depend on luck, to a (5)................. . But things are more likely deal with well if you persevere and stay positive.

(3)....................

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Last summer, air pollution in Paris reached dangerous levels on six separate occasions. As a result, the government have recently decided that public transport in French cities will be (1) ……… on days when pollution becomes a (2) ……… to people‘s health, in a(n) (3) ……… to encourage people to leave their cars at home. The Mayor of Paris said that he had several other ideas to reduce the pollution problem, such as free parking on the (4) ……… of the city on hot, still days when exhaust fumes tend to accumulate. He has also announced a $6 million plan for 56 km of bicycle tracks, new pedestrianised zone and a new tram line for southern Paris. His most popular measure (5) ……… becoming mayor last May has been to (6) ……… traffic from several streets on Sundays. Every summer, air quality is at its (7) ……… in Paris during holiday weekends, especially one weekend in July when the (8) ……… of the population leave by car for their summer holidays. Condition then improve for the summer, but deteriorate again when most residents return at the end of August. The free transport (9) ……… is part of the response to a new environmental regulation which says that local authorities must guarantee safe air. If it is (10) ……… seriously, locals can look forward to a cleaner Paris in the future

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:
Vietnam officially became a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on July 28, 1995. Since then, Vietnam has worked together with other ASEAN member countries to reinforce regional cooperation and made great contributions to maintaining peace, stability and reconciliation in the region.
In the past years in the ASEAN, Vietnam has reaped (obtained) many successes in all social and economic fields. The country has gradually restructured its administrative apparatus to suit a market economy and to integrate into the international community. Vietnam has made a good impression on ASEAN countries with its achievements in economic development especially in hunger eradication and poverty alleviation. ASEAN countries' investment into Vietnam has also increased sharply. With a high economic growth rate averaging seven percent each year, Vietnam has been able to decrease economic gap slightly with Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei.
In addition, Vietnam actively works to integrate culturally and socially with the Southeast Asian region while preserving its own cultural features. Thirteen is not a long period for such an important political event but what has been achieved in relations between Vietnam and the association is creating splendid prospect for the future.

With a     growth rate averaging seven percent each year.

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My younger sister is a potential star of state and screen, or at least that's what she tells me. Last week she had an interview. It was for the (38)……………..of Juliet in Shakespear‘s Romeo and Juliet. It went well and she starts (39)……………..next week. This is the first play that she has been in, but she has done quite a lot of TV advertising work and she has been in a couple of films. The last film she was in was called The magician. It was set in ancient Egypt and she was in a crowd (40)……………..with thousands of other people When I went to see it, I sat in the front (41)……………..so that I could see the (42)…………….. really clearly, but I couldn‘t pick out my sister in the crowd. She says the (43)……………..was one of the best professionals she has worked with but I must say the (44)……………..seemed a bit stupid to me. It was all about a very clever magician who had managed to travel back through time to the Court of Tutankhamen. The (45)……………..were magnificent and so were some of the sets but having an actor saying (46)……………..in present day American English just didn‘t work. The ending was really ridiculous. The magician got accidentally buried with Tutankhamen. Funnily enough, the rest of the (47)……………..seemed to have rather enjoyed the film

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Speech is one of the most important (35) ...... of communicating .It consists of far more than just making noises . To talk and also (36) ........ to by other people, we have to speak a language ,that is, we have to use combinations of (37).......  that everyone agrees to stand for a particular object or idea. Communication would be impossible if everyone made up their own language.  Learning a language properly is very (38)........ . The basic (39)......... of English is not very large, and not only about 2,000 words are needed to speak it quite (40)............ .But the more idea you can (41)........ the more precise you can be about their exact meaning. Words are the (42)........ thing we use in communicating what we want to say. The way we(43)........... the words is also very important. Our tone of voice can express many emotions and (44).......... whether we are pleased or angry, for instance

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Lifelong learning is now becoming a must for everyone in the modern world. Many people, however, find it overwhelming, as being lifelong learners means they will have to keep studying for their entire life. The following are several strategies to promote lifelong learning. First, start with a clear purpose. Study something that you will likely have many uses in the future. Design learning goals that should serve you in your career path, as well as in your personal interests. You will need to think of the learning experience as continuous investment rather than a one-off endeavor. Second, choose something that is really enjoyable for you. You will need to have fun all through the pursuit of knowledge and skills, which will be an endless journey. The ‘fun' part will always keep you motivated, even during the hard times. Third, lifelong learning is not just about keeping on studying; you will need to think through what you have learned, and find out how to apply it in your work and personal life. Don't read too much and use your brain too little. Think more often; meditate on the ideas that you feel might make your work and/or life better. Those are the key strategies to make sure your lifelong learning is studying smart rather than studying hard. Remember, the lifelong learning movement is unstoppable.
1. What is the passage mainly about?

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."

7. Good friends, (7) ……  young people, use “Hello” and “Hi” to greet each other.

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.
                  AS OLD AS YOU FEEL
It might after all be true that you are only as old as you feel. A British clinic is carrying out new high-tech  tests  to  calculate  the  “real”  biological  age  of patients (1)..........on the rate of physical deterioration. Information on every aspect of a patient’s health, fitness, lifestyle and family medical history is (2)........ into a computer to work out whether they are older or younger than their calendar age suggests.
The availability and increasing accuracy of the tests has prompted one leading British gerontologist to call for biological age to be used to determine when workers should retire. He (3)............ that if an employee’s biological or “real” age is shown, for example, to be 55 when he reaches his 65th birthday, he should be incited to work for another decade. Apparently most employers only take into (4)............... a person’s calendar years, and the two may differ considerably. Some of those prepared to pay a substantial sum of money for the examinations will be able to smugly walk away with medical evidence showing that they really are as young as they feel, giving them the confidence to act and dress as if they were younger. Dr Lynette Yong, resident doctor at the clinic where the tests are offered claims that the purpose of these tests will be to motivate people to (5).................. their health.
The concept of “real” age is set to become big business in the USA with books and websites helping people work out whether their body is older or younger than their years. Others firmly believe that looks will always be the best indicator of age.

(4)......................

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Women are expert at gossiping, and they always talk about trivial things, or at least that‘s what men have always thought. However, some new research (1) _____ that when women talk to women, their (2) ______ are far from frivolous, and cover many more (3) _____ (up to 6 subjects) than men talk to other men. Women‘s conversations (4)_____ from health to their houses, from politics to fashion, from movies to family, from education to relationship problems. Sports are notably (5)_____. Men tend to have a more limited range of subjects, the most popular being work, sports, jokes, cars, and women. According to Professor Petra Boynton, a psychologist who interviewed over 1000 women, women also tend to move quickly from one subject to another in (6)_____, while men usually stick to one subject for longer periods of time. At work, this (7) _____ can be an advantage for men, as they can put other matters aside and concentrate matter aside and concentrate (8) ______ on the topic being discussed. On the other hand, it also means that they sometimes find it hard to concentrate when several things have to be discussed at the same (9) _____ in a meeting. Professor Boynton also says that men and women talk for different reasons. In social (10) _____ women use conversation to solve problems and reduce stress while men talk with each other to laugh or to compare opinions

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

"Throughout the world there are different (1) …. for people to greet each other. In much of the world, a handshake is the (2)….  form of welcoming and greeting someone. In many countries around the Mediterranean Sea a (3) … kiss on the cheek is the appropriate way to welcome friends and family. It can be a very (4)… surprise if you expect to shake hands and get a kiss or a hug instead.
 At times, it is difficult to tell what sort of greeting (5)… is followed. People may bow, (6)….. another’s arm or even slap the other person on the back. In some places people just smile, look at (7)….. face and say nothing.
 Most people in the world are (8) ….of visitors and don’t mind what travelers do that seems wrong as long as the visitors are (9)… . A big part of the (10)…. of world travel is experiencing different customs."

3. In many countries around the Mediterranean Sea a (3) … kiss on the cheek is the appropriate way to welcome friends and family.

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It can (45) _________along time to become successful in your chosen field, however talented you are. One thing you have to be (46) _________ of is that you will face criticism along the way. The world is full of people who would rather say something negative than positive. If you‘ve made up your (47) _________ to achieve a certain goal, such as writing a novel, don‘t let the negative criticism of others prevent you from reaching your (48)_________ and let constructive criticism have a positive (49) _________ on your work. If someone says you‘re totally (50) _________ in talent, ignore them. That‘s negative criticism. If, however, someone advises you to revise your work and gives you good reasons for doing so, you should (51) _________ their suggestions carefully. There are many film stars who were once out of (52) _________. There are many famous novelists who made a complete (53) _________ of their first novel - or who didn‘t, but had to keep on approaching hundreds of publishers before they could get it published. Being successful does depend on luck, to a certain extent. But things are more likely to (54) _________ well if you persevere and stay positive

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The first question we might ask is: What can you learn in college that will help you in being an employee? The school teach a (1) ____ many things of value to the future accountant, doctor or electrician. Do they also teach anything of value to the future employee? Yes, they teach the one thing that it is perhaps most valuable for the future employee to know. But very few students bother (2) _____ it. This basic is the skill ability to organize and express ideas in writing and in speaking. This means that your success as an employee will depend on your ability to communicate with people and to (3) _____ your own thoughts and ideas to them so they will (4) _____ understand what you are driving at and be persuaded. Of course, skill in expression is not enough (5) _____ itself. You must have something to say in the first place. The effectiveness of your job depends (6) ____ your ability to make other people understand your work as they do on the quality of the work itself. Expressing one's thoughts is one skill that the school can (7) _____ teach. The foundations for skill in expression have to be (8) ____ early: an interest in and an ear (9) ___ language; experience in organizing ideas and data, in brushing aside the irrelevant, and above all the habit of verbal expression. If you do not lay these foundations (10) ___ your school years, you may never have an opportunity again

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Voluntary work is work that you do not get paid for and usually involves in doing things to help other people, especially the elderly or the sick. or working on (1)_____of a charity or similar organization. Most charitable organizations rely on unpaid volunteers, and thousands of Americans and British people give many hours of their time to doing some form of social work or organizing - fund raising events to support the work. Volunteering is especially popular in the US and the reasons this may be found in (2)_____ American values such as the Protestant work ethic, the idea that work improves the person who does it, and the belief that people can change their (3)_____ if they try hard enough. In the US young people over 18 can take part in AmeriCorps, a government programme that (4)_____ them to work as volunteers for a period of time, with the (5)_____ of help in paying for their education later. Older Americans who do not work may spend much of their free time volunteering. In Britain a lot of voluntary work is directed towards supporting the country‘s social services.The WRVS and other organizations run a meals- on- wheels service in many parts of Britain, (6)_____hot food for old people who are (7)_____to cook for themselves. The nationwide Citizens Advice Bureau, which offers free advice to the public (8)_____ a wide range of issues, is run (9)_____by volunteers, and the Blood Transfusion Service relies on voluntary blood donors to give blood for use in hospitals. Political parties use volunteers at election time, and Churches depend on volunteers to (10)_____building clean

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The role of translation enabling literature to pass beyond its natural frontiers is receiving growing recognition. In view of the general increase in this (30)_____, it is not surprising that many people with literary interests and a knowledge of languages should think of adopting translating as a full-or part-time (31)_____. Some advice may usefully be given to such would-be translators. The first difficulty the beginner will (32)_____is the unwillingness of publishers to entrust a translator to anyone who has not already (33)____a reputation for sound work. The least publishers will (34)____ before commissioning a translator is a fairly lengthy specimen of the applicant‘s work, even if unpublished. Perhaps the best way the wouldbe translator can begin is to select some books of the type (35)_____ he or she feels competent and eager to translate, translate a (36)_____section of the book and then submit the book and the translation to a suitable publisher. If he or she is extremely lucky, this may result in a commission to translate the book. More probably, however, publishers will(37) the book as such but if they are favorably (38) by the translation, they may very possibly commission some other books of a (39) nature which they already have in mind