ENGLISH PRACTICE 34

PART I: VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR. (7, 0 POINTS)

I. Choose the best option to complete each of the sentences. (2,0 points)
1. The strike was ___ owing to a last minute agreement with the management.
A. called off B. broken up C. set back D. put down
2. Lindsay’s excuses for being late are beginning to ___ rather thin.
A. get B. turn C. wear D. go
3. ___ the people who come to this club are in their twenties and thirties.
A. By and large B. Altogether C. To a degree D. Virtually
4. My cousin was nervous about being interviewed on television, but she rose to the ___
wonderfully.
A. event B. performance C. incident D. occasion
5. The train service has been a ___ since they introduced the new schedules.
A. shambles B. rumpus C. chaos D. fracas
6. Is an inexperienced civil servant ___ to the task of running the company.
A. capable B. skilled C. eligible D. suited
7. We ___ have been happier in those days.
A. can’t B. couldn’t C. might not D. must not
8. You’ve lived in the city for most of your life, so ___ you’re used to the noise.
A. apparently B. presumably C. allegedly D. predictably
9. The storm ripped our tent to ___
A. slices B. shreds C. strips D. specks
10. He ____ so much harm on the nation during his regime that it has never fully recovered.
A. indicted B. inferred C. induced D. inflicted
11. Hotel rooms must be ____ by 10 a. m, but luggage may be left with porters.
A. vacated B. evacuated C. abandoned D. left
12. I do not think there is so much as a ____ of truth in that rumor.
A. crumb B. speck C. grain D. pebble
13. He’s not exactly rich but he certainly earns enough money to ____
A. get through B. get by C. get on D. get up
14. I have very ____ feelings about the plan – it might possibly work or it could be a
disaster.
A. certain B. mixed C. doubtful D. troubled
15. The noise of the typewriter really ____ me off. I just couldn’t concentrate.
A. put B. pulled C. set D. took
16. The sixth time he called me at night was the ____
A. last cause B. last straw C. touch and go D. hot air
17. All three TV channels provide extensive ____ of sporting events.
A. broadcast B. network C. coverage D. vision
18. They seemed to be ____ to the criticism and just carried on as before.
A. disinterested B. sensitive C. uncaring D. indifferent
19. “Shall we go out tonight?” - “____”
A. Yes, I can B. Yes, we are C. Yes, we go D. Yes, let’s
20. It's no use ___ over ___ milk.
A. crying/ spilt B. to cry/ spilling C. crying/ spilling D. crying/
to spill
Your answers:
 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
II. Read the passage below. Use the word given in bold to form a word that fits in the
numbered gap. (2, 5 points)
BLACK WIDOW SPIDER
The black widow spider’s notoriety is not without foundation. However, an element
of exaggeration has led to certain _misconception__ (1. CONCEPT) regarding its evil nature.
Firstly, this spider is not as dangerous as is often thought. While it is indeed one of
the most _venomous__ (2. VENOM) species of spider, its venom being fifteen times
stronger than that of the prairie rattlesnake, its bite injects such as amount of venom by
_comparison__ (3. COMPARE) that it is unlikely to kill humans. In fact, _fatalities__ (4.
FATAL) are rare.
Black widows bite only if they are touched or their web is threatened. Furthermore,
only the adult female is poisonous. Those most at risk from the female are the spider’s
natural pray-insects-and male black widow spiders. The latter are vulnerable as the female is
_solitary__ (5. SOLITUDE) by nature, and has been known to kill and eat the male after
mating. Such _occurences__ (6. OCCUR) are rare, but they explain how the spider got its
name – and its reputation.
Nevertheless, the _unpleasant__ (7. PLEASE) effects of this spider’s bite should not
be _underestimated__ (8. ESTIMATE), and if you live in a temperate climate and have a
fireplace in your home, it is advisable to take _precautions__ (9. CAUTION). Black widow
spiders often inhabit wood piles, so you should wear gloves when handling firewood.
Furthermore, since black widow spiders are _resistant__ (10. RESIST) to many insecticides,
you should regularly clean out likely hiding places.
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
III. Complete each sentence with the correct form of ONE of the two-word verbs. (2, 0
point)
bring out do up slow down save up hang
over
mix up grow up go with dress up run
for
1. Silence _hung over__the theatre as the audience awaited the opening curtain with
expectation and excitement.
2. Having seen a sharp bend ahead, Tim pressed hard on the brake pedal to _slow down__.
3. Charles Dickens was born near Portsmouth, Hampshire on 7 February 1812, but
relocated to and _grew up__ in Camden Town in London.
4. Barrack Obama has decided to _run for__ the American presidency in the election that
will take place next year.
5. Because I hate _doing up__ my shoes, I have bought a pair of shoes without any laces.
6. Sarah wanted to buy some curtains that would _go with__ his furniture, so she had
brought a photo of her sofa with her to the store.
7. Kate had been _saving up__ in order to buy a new laptop, but then she decided to use
the money on the guitar lessons instead.
8. Even though two of the bands are dead, a new ‘The Beatle’ album called Love was
recently _brought out__.
9. Brendan was worried about having to _dress up__ for the boss’ retirement dinner as he
didn’t own any formal clothes.
10. He _ mixed up__ his grandmother’s phone number with his girlfriend’s, which led to
some embarrassment for him.
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
IV. The passage below contains TEN mistakes. Underline them and write the correct forms
in the numbered boxes. (2, 5 points)
Large animals inhabit the desert have evolved adaptations for reducing the effects of
extreme hot. One adaptation is to be light in color, and to reflect the Sun's rays. Desert
mammals also depart from the normal mammalian practice of maintaining a constantly
body temperature. Instead of try to keep down the body temperature inside the body, what
would involve the expenditure of water and energy, desert mammals allow their
temperatures rise to what would normally be fever height, and temperatures as high as 46
degree Celsius have been measured in Grant's gazelles. The overheated body cools down
during the cold desert night, and indeed the temperature may fall unusual low by dawn, as
low as 34 degrees Celsius in the camel. This is a advantage since the heat of the first few
hours of daylight absorb in warming up the body.
Your answers:
1. inhabit  2. hot  heat 3. constantly  4. try  trying 5. what  which
inhabiting constant
6. rise  to 7. degree  8. unusual  9. a  an 10. absorb 
rise degrees unusually absorbed
PART II: READING COMPREHENSION. (6, 0 POINTS)
I. Read the passage and fill in each of the blanks with ONE suitable word. (2,0 points)
True relaxation is most certainly not a matter of flopping down in front of the
television with a welcome drink. Nor is it about drifting (1) _into__ an exhausted sleep.
Useful though these responses to tension and over-tiredness (2) _can__ be, we should
distinguish between them and conscious relaxation in (3) _terms__ of quality and effect. (4)
_Regardless__ of the level of tiredness, real relaxation is a state of alert yet at the same
time passive awareness, in which our bodies are (5) _at__ rest while our minds are awake.
Moreover, it is as natural for a healthy person to be relaxed when moving as resting.
(6) _Being__ relaxed in action means we bring the appropriate energy to everything we do,
so as to have a feeling of healthy tiredness by the end of the day, (7) _rather__ than one of
exhaustion. Unfortunately, as a result of living in today’s competitive world, we are under
constant strain and have difficulty in coping, (8) _let__ alone nurturing our body’s abilities.
What needs to be rediscovered is conscious relaxation. With (9) _this__ in mind we must
apply ourselves to understanding stress and the nature of its causes (10) _how__ deep-
seated.
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
II. Read the text and do the tasks as follow. (2, 0 points) OUT OF THE ASHES
Paragraph A
 On the afternoon of 30 August 1989, fire broke out at Uppark, a large eighteenth
th

century house in Sussex. For a year builders had been replacing the lead on the roof, and by
a stroke of irony, were due to finish the next day, on August 31 . Within fifteen minutes of
st

the alarm being sounded, the fire brigade had arrived on the scene, though nothing was to
survive of the priceless collection on the first floor apart from an oil painting of a dog which
the firemen swept up as they finally retreated from the blaze. But due to the courage and
swift action of the previous owners, the Meade-Featherstonhaugh family, and the staff,
stewards and visitors to the house, who formed human chains to pass the precious pieces of
porcelain, furniture and paintings out on to the lawn, 95 percent of the contents from the
ground floor and the basement were saved. As the fire continued to rage, the National
Trust’s conservators were being mobilised, and that evening local stationers were especially
opened to provide the bulk supplies of blotting paper so desperately needed in the salvage
operation.
Paragraph B
The following morning, Uppark stood open to the sky. A sludge of wet charcoal
covered the ground floor and basement, and in every room charred and fallen timbers lay
amongst the smoke. It was a scene of utter devastation.
Paragraph C
After the initial sense of shock, the days which followed the fire were filled with
discoveries. Helped by volunteers, the National Trust’s archaeologists and conservators
swung into action, first of all marking the site out into a grid and then salvaging everything
down to the last door handle. The position of each fragment was recorded, and all the
debris was stored in countless dustbins before being sifted and categorised.
Paragraph D
There was great excitement as remnants of the lantern from the Staircase Hall were
pulled out from the debris of two fallen floors, and also three weeks later when the Red
Room carpet, thought to have been totally lost, was found wrapped around the remains of a
piano. There was a lucky reprieve for the State Bed too. Staff who had left the scene at 3
a.m on the night of the fire had thought its loss was inevitable, but when they returned the
next morning it had escaped largely undamaged. Firemen, directed by the National Trust’s
conservators from outside the Tapestry Room window, dismantled the silk-hung bed and
passed it out piece by piece. Twenty minutes later the ceiling fell in.
Paragraph E
The scale of the task to repair Uppark was unprecedented in the National Trust. The
immediate question was whether it should be done at all. A decision had to be taken
quickly, as the building was unsound and whatever had not been damaged by the fire was
exposed to the elements. Within a month, after consulting many experts and with the
agreement of the National Trust’s Executive Committee, the restoration programme began.
It was undertaken for three main reasons. After the fire it had become apparent just how
much remained of the structure with its splendidly decorated interiors; to have pulled the
house down, as one commentator suggested, would have been vandalism. Also the
property was covered by insurance, so the repairs would not call upon the National Trust’s
own funds. Lastly, much had been saved of the fine collection acquired especially for Uppark
from 1747 by Sir Matthew Featherstonhaugh and his son Harry. These objects belonged
nowhere else, and complete restoration of the house would allow them to be seen and
enjoyed again in their original setting.
Paragraph F
 The search for craftsmen and women capable of doing the intricate restoration work
was nation-wide. Once the quality and skill of the individual or company had been
ascertained, they had to pass an economic test, as every job was competitively tendered.
This has had enormous benefits because not only have a number of highly skilled people
come to the fore - woodcarvers for example, following in the footsteps of Grinling Gibbons -
but many of them, for example plasterers, have relearnt the skills of the seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries which can now be of use to other country house owners when the
need arises.
Paragraph G
In June 1994 the building programme was completed, on time and on budget. The
total cost of the work to repair the house and its contents came to be nearly £20 million,
largely met from insurance. In addition, it made economic sense for the National Trust to
invest time and money in upgrading water and heating systems, installing modern
environmental controls, and updating fire and security equipment.
Paragraph H
The final stages of restoration and the massive programme of reinstallation took
eight months. The family and the room stewards were visibly moved when returning to their
old haunts, perhaps the best testament that the spirit of Uppark had not died. But the
debate will no doubt continue as to whether or not it was right to repair the house after the
fire. The National Trust has done its best to remain true to Uppark; it is for others to judge
the success of the project. Note: The National Trust is a charitable organisation in Britain set
up over a hundred years ago to preserve the national heritage.
Questions 1–6. The text has eight paragraphs, A–H. Which paragraphs contain the
following information? Write the appropriate letters, A–H, in the boxes.
1. The procedure for sorting through the remains of the fire. C
2. How Uppark looked after the fire. B
3. Improvements made to the rebuilt Uppark. G
4. The selection of people to carry out the repair work. F
5. Why the National Trust chose to rebuild Uppark. E
6. How people reacted to the rebuilt Uppark. H
Questions 8–10. Answer the questions below. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS
from the text for each answer. Write your answers in the boxes.
7. On what date in 1989 should the original repairs to the roof have been completed? On
Agust 31st
8. By what method were things rescued immediately from the burning house? Human chain
9. After the fire, what did the conservators require large quantities of immediately? blotting
paper
10. Into what did the conservators put material recovered from the fire? dustbins
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
III. Read the following passage and choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) to each question.
Write your answer in the numbered box. (2, 0 points)
A recent survey of crime statistics shows that we are all more likely to be burgled
now than 20 years ago and the police advise everyone to take a few simple precautions to
protect their homes.
 The first fact is that burglars and other intruders prefer easy opportunities, like a
house which is very obviously empty. This is much less of a challenge than an occupied
house, and one which is well-protected. A burglar will wonder if it is worth the bother.
There are some general tips on how to avoid your home becoming another crime
statistic. Avoid leaving signs that your house is empty. When you have to go out, leave at
least one light on as well as a radio or television, and do not leave any curtains wide open.
The sight of your latest music centre or computer is enough to tempt any burglar.
Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place. The first place a burglar will
look is under the doormat or in a flower pot and even somewhere more 'imaginative' could
soon be uncovered by the intruder. It is much safer to leave a key with a neighbour you can
trust. But if your house is in a quiet, desolate area be aware that this will be a burglar's
dream, so deter any potential criminal from approaching your house by fitting security lights
to the outside of your house.
But what could happen if, in spite of the aforementioned precautions, a burglar or
intruder has decided to target your home. Windows are usually the first point of entry for
many intruders. Downstairs windows provide easy access while upstairs windows can be
reached with a ladder or by climbing up the drainpipe. Before going to bed you should
double-check that all windows and shutters are locked. No matter how small your windows
may be, it is surprising what a narrow gap a determined burglar can manage to get through.
For extra security, fit window locks to the inside of the window.
What about entry via doors? Your back door and patio doors, which are easily forced
open, should have top quality security locks fitted. Even though this is expensive it will be
money well spent. Install a burglar alarm if you can afford it as another line of defence
against intruders.
A sobering fact is that not all intruders have to break and enter into a property. Why
go to the trouble of breaking in if you can just knock and be invited in? Beware of bogus
officials or workmen and, particularly if you are elderly, fit a chain and an eye hole so you
can scrutinise callers at your leisure. When you do have callers never let anybody into your
home unless you are absolutely sure they are genuine. Ask to see an identity card, for
example.
If you are in the frightening position of waking in the middle of the night and think
you can hear an intruder, then on no account should you approach the intruder. It is far
better to telephone the police and wait for help.
1. A well-protected house …………
A. is less likely to be burgled. B. is regarded as a challenge by most criminals.
C. is a lot of bother to maintain. D. is very unlikely to be burgled.
2. According to the writer, we should …………
A. avoid leaving our house empty. B. only go out when we have to.
C. always keep the curtains closed. D. give the impression that our house is
occupied when we go out.
3. The writer thinks that hiding a key under a doormat or flower pot …………
A. is predictable. B. is useful.
C. is imaginative. D. is where you always find a spare key.
4. What word best replaces “desolate” in paragraph 4?
A. isolated B. populous C. dissatisfying D. depressing
5. The phrase “aforementioned precautions” in paragraph 5 refers to steps that …………
A. will tell a burglar if your house is empty or not.
 B. are the most important precautions to take to make your home safe. C. will stop a
potential burglar.
D. will not stop an intruder if he has decided to try and enter your home.
6. Gaining entry to a house through a small window …………
A. is surprisingly difficult.
B. is not as difficult as people think.
C. is less likely to happen than gaining entry through a door.
D. is tried only by very determined burglars.
7. According to the writer, window locks, security locks and burglar alarms …………
A. cost a lot of money but are worth it. B. are good value for money.
C. are luxury items. D. are absolutely essential items.
8. The writer argues that fitting a chain and an eye hole…………
A. will prevent your home being burgled.
B. avoids you having to invite people into your home.
C. is only necessary for elderly people.
D. gives you time to check if the visitor is genuine.
9. What word best replaces “scrutinise” in paragraph 7?
A. glance B. gaze C. search D. examine
10. The best title for the text is …………
A. Increasing household crime. B. Protecting your home from intruders.
C. Burglary statistics. D. What to do if a burglar breaks into
your home.
Your answers:`
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
PART III. WRITING. (4,0 POINTS)
I. Complete each of the sentences so that it has similar meaning to the given one, using
the word given in bold. Do NOT change the form of the word given. (1, 0 point)
1. Although Joe kept on attempting to contact his cousin, he didn't manage to speak to her
until the next day. → Despite repeated ..attempt to get in touch with........... his cousin,
Joe didn't manage to speak to her until the next day.
2. When it comes to computer games, Jack is a real expert.
CONCERNED
→ As far ...as computer games are concerned........., Jack is a real expert.
3. David said that the accident was his fault.
TOOK
→ David ..took responsibility for ...... the accident.
4. If he doesn’t get that job, who knows what he’ll do.
KNOWING
→ If he doesn’t get that job, ...there is no knowing........ what he’ll do.
5. The stranded climber would never have been rescued if his brother hadn’t had an
ingenious plan. INGENUITY
→ But ....for his brother’s igenuity in the......... plan, the stranded climber would never have
been rescued.
II. Use the word given and make any necessary additions to complete a new sentence in
such a way that it is as similar as possible to the original one. Do NOT change the form of
the word given. (1, 0 point)
1. They will try John for murder at the High Court next week.
(trial)
→ John …will stand trial murder at the High Court next week…………
2. How do our sales compare with those of other firms?
(relation)
→ How do …our sales stand in relation to those of other firms?…………
3. The number of accidents has gone down steadily since the speed limit was imposed.
(decline)
→ There has …been a steady decline in the number of accidents since the speed limit was
imposed……………
4. This new record is certain to sell a lot of copies. (doubt)
→ There is…no doubt that this new record will sell a lot of copies……………
5. I certainly won’t change my mind about resigning.
(question)
→ My changing ……my mind about resigning is out of question……