Choose the word which has the underlined part pronounced differently from the others.
assuage
envisage
pillage
ravage
exist
exhaustion
explorer
exhibit
Choose the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s).
The politician is as crooked as a dog's hind leg and nobody trusts him.
Choose the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s).
A number of programs have been initiated to provide food and shelter for the underprivileged in the remote areas of the country.
Choose the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s).
The systems caused by ingestion of a harmful chemical must be counteracted within minutes in order to avoid permanent damage to the kidneys and other vital organs.
Choose the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s).
Without demur, then, she turned and accompanied the rascally Malay toward the harbour.
Choose the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s).
Most of the school-leavers are sanguine about the idea of going to work and earning money.
Choose the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s).
"I was not dreaming," I said, with some warmth, for her brazen coolness provoked me.
There's nothing to _____ as it's a general knowledge quiz.
Read the text and choose the best answer to fill in the blanks.
THE TRADE-IN RHINO HORN
Last year thieves broke into a Scottish castle and stole only one thing: a rhino horn, which is at 1.5 meters, was the longest in the world. In China, pharmaceutical factories have been building up of antiques made from rhino horn, for the sole purpose of smashing them to powder to make the ingredient of many of their medicines. And in Africa, poachers continue to die in the of the black rhino.
Recently, conservationists have met to plan a campaign to persuade countries where rhino horn is still a part of the traditional medicine to switch to substitutes. The biggest threat to the survival of the rhinoceros is the refusal of certain countries to enforce a ban on domestic in rhino horn.
The rhino horn is included in many aids for disorders ranging from fevers to nosebleeds. Horn, like fingernails, is made keratin and has no proven medicinal . Traditional substitutes, such as horn from buffalo or antelope, are second best.
The battle is thought to be winnable. But it may be harder than the battle against the trade in ivory, for there is a between the two commodities. Ivory is a luxury, while rhino horn, people believe could save.
Read the passage then answer the questions.
MORAL BEHAVIOR
The dictionary defines morality as "being in accord with standards of right or good conduct." The argument over whether our moral behavior is innate or whether it is developed by our environment and culture has been raging for ages. Many people feel morality is based on reason, while others feel it comes from religion or one's own spirituality. Biologists believe that humans' tendency to obey the Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"- is a product of evolution.
At first, moral behavior seems to oppose the rules of Charles Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest and natural selection. However, researchers in the field of biology feel that as animals evolved to live in groups, the propensity to look only after the group's success as a whole, every member had to look only after one's own needs had to fade in order for a group mentality to emerge. To ensure the group's success as a whole, every member had to look out for the interests of the majority, a concept known as utilitarianism. This is a system of beliefs based on what does the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
A researcher named Jonathon Haidt at the University of Virginia believes that morality is driven by two separate mindsets-one ancient and one modern. Dr. Haidt declares that the human mind is unaware of the distinction between the two. The ancient mental system is based on the emotion behind moral behaviors, which is a type of intuitive sense of what is right and wrong that evolved before language developed. These are the "gut reactions" people experience in tough situations that call for quick action. The more modern system of thought came with the development of language, as people became able to express verbally why something was right or wrong. The two work together when we are put in morally compromising situations. When confronted with a moral dilemma, one's intuition immediately decides what is right or wrong. Rational thought and judgment about the morality of an issue follow the decision that one's emotional reaction already made.
Dr. Haidt identified five areas of moral conduct that are common in most countries and systems throughout the world, and he describes these as the foundation for all moral behavior. These moral components conceptualize how people treat others and what is important in being part of a group. Regardless of their background, religion, socioeconomic status, or educational level, Dr. Haidt found that the majority of people hold to these moral concepts. The first moral concept is the prevention of harm. Generally, people believe that it' is wrong to harm another human being or animal for cruel and needless reasons. The second moral concept is fairness, which holds that all people should be treated fairly. For instance, people should treat the poor in the same manner as the wealthy, and the weak the same as the strong. The third moral concept is loyalty to one's group. This entails a strong devotion to the values of the group as a whole. People with strong loyalties believe that adherence to the laws of society is important because it upholds the integrity of that society. The idea of loyalty is closely interwoven with the fourth moral foundation: respect for authority. People who value authority believe in the strength of a governing body and a strong hierarchy with established roles and rules. The fifth concept involves upholding high standards of purity. This deals with the way that members of a group view their bodies. The idea of purity comes into play in the standards of cleanliness in the society. Daily hygiene routines, eating food that has not been contaminated in some way, and burial rules and rituals fall into this category.
Dr. Haidt's research concludes that these moral concepts are inherent in our physical makeup and are learned behaviors, reinforced by our environments from a very early age. The five moral foundations are interpreted differently from society to society, and people rate them differently in order of importance. While morality may take different forms across the many different cultures of the world, it remains true that the basic task of morality, restraining selfishness, is a part of all humanity's moral behavior.
Two friends Diana and Anne are talking about their friend Bob’s new hairstyle.
Diana: “Bob looks so impressive with his new hairstyle, Anne.”
Anne: “_____”
Thang was asking Huong, his classmate, for her opinion about the novel he had lent her.
Thang: "What do you think about the novel?"
Huong: "_____"
Lan: “Would you say the Great Wall is among the seven man-made wonders of the world?”
Trang: “_____”
Jane: “Thank you very much for the lovely flowers.”
Susan: “_____"
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful conversation.
a. Do they help you run faster?
b. I’ll wait until I wear this pair out.
c. No, but my feet don’t hurt anymore.
d. I’ve bought some new shoes.
e. You might want to buy a pair.
f. Then they’re worth every penny.
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful conversation.
a. But you didn’t tell me to wake you up.
b. Don’t ever be in a hurry.
c. I’m in a hurry.
d. It’s not my fault because you didn’t wake me up.
e. You’re driving too fast.
f. Well, I meant to.
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful conversation.
a. I was picking it a little bit.
b. I didn’t have a tissue.
c. Don’t pick your nose.
d. I couldn’t wait. It was an emergency.
e. Then wait till you find a tissue.
f. Use the tissue next time.
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful conversation.
a. I like my food hot and fresh.
b. I’m stuffed.
c. You like to see it disappear.
d. Of course, you are. You ate everything on the table.
e. I’m glad to hear there’s something you don’t like to eat.
f. I don’t like to eat leftovers.
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful conversation.
a. Why would he do that?
b. I don’t think he even got paid for it.
c. A guy rowed across the Atlantic Ocean.
d. Some people do it just to do it.
e. Perhaps he wanted to set the world record.
Choose the sentence CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
During competition, figure skaters are awarded points based on how well they execute the maneuvers as well as on artistic merit.
Choose the sentence CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
I believe that she can't have been ignorant of the company’s dirty connections, though she strongly denied knowing anything about them.
Choose the sentence CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
Native Americans have always struggled to protect their culture from the onslaught of Western influence.
Choose the sentence CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
Lawyers often win cases by playing upon the emotions of the jury, which is the disadvantage of the jury system.
Choose the sentence CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
Jean often goes to vinyl record stores in case she should come across album covers that might trigger an inspiration for a poster or a new ad campaign.
Choose the sentence that best combines this pair of sentences.
The river Amazon was first explored by the Spaniard Francisco de Orellana. He named it after the legendary warrior women, the Amazons, when rumours were heard of a female tribe living in that area.
Choose the sentence that best combines this pair of sentences.
Oars Brown uses gravity boots while writing. He finds it easier to work out difficult points in his plots while hanging upside-down from the ceiling.
Choose the sentence that best combines this pair of sentences.
The Spanish were unable to beat down the forces of Abd el-Krim in Morocco. It was only when they were backed up by the French and started using chemical weapons that they could win.
Choose the sentence that best combines this pair of sentences.
The harnessing of the wind to generate electricity dates back to 1890. However, few notable advances were made until 1970 when energy prices began to rise fast.
Choose the sentence that best combines this pair of sentences.
Great or notorious leaders seem to have unusual and distinctive capabilities. That's why they stand out from the rest of us.
Read the passage and choose the correct answer.
(1)__________.
Gruen’s aim was to provide a pleasant, quiet and spacious shopping environment with large car parks, which usually meant building in the suburbs. (2)__________. He (3)_______ using building designs that he knew people would feel comfortable with but placed them in landscaped ‘streets’ that were entirely enclosed and often covered with a curved glass roof. This was done to imitate some of the older shopping arcades of city centers, but (4)__________, Gruen’s shopping malls were on a much grander scale.
Access to the whole shopping mall was gained by using the main doors, which separated the shopping ‘streets’ from the parking areas outside. (5)__________ there was no need to keep out bad weather, shops no longer needed windows and doors, and people could wander freely from shop to shop. In many cities, shopping malls now contain much more than just shops; cinemas, restaurants and other forms of entertainment are also growing in popularity.
Choose the correct answer for (1)
Choose the correct answer for (2)
Choose the correct answer for (3)
Choose the correct answer for (4)
Choose the correct answer for (5)