Reading 1
Unit 2 Achievement Test
Name: ________________________________/ Group: …………………../ Number: ………..
Date: _________________________________
PART 1: READING SKILLS
Read the article. Then use the information to complete the activities that follow.
Paul Jackson Pollock
1 Paul Jackson Pollock was an American painter who lived from 1912 to 1956. He
made paintings, but not drawings or sculptures. Pollock had a unique 1 style. His
art was very different from other paintings. Pollock spilled colored paint onto
large canvases. He thought that his paintings were energetic because of their
bright colors and big designs. He often put a canvas on the floor, walked around
it, and dripped2 paint all over it. However, many people did not like Pollock’s
paintings. They said that his art looked like graffiti.
2 In 1949, Pollock started to become more famous. LIFE magazine published an
article that asked, “Is he the greatest living painter in the United States?” This
article was like an ad for Pollock’s paintings, and Pollock became a part of pop
culture. The public started to consider Pollock’s paintings as statements about
social history and politics. They thought his paintings were symbols of freedom.
However, Pollock had a hard, sad life. He suffered from depression and had a
drinking problem. When he was 44 years old, Pollock died in a car accident.
People still buy posters of Pollock’s art. Today we can see his paintings in
museums all over the world.
A. Choose the best answer.
1. Paul Jackson Pollock’s art was ____.
A. boring B. dark
C. funny D. unique
2. People called his art “graffiti” because it was ____.
A. different B. famous
C. great D. popular
3. The made his paintings bright.
A. colors B. designs C. styles D. people
4. The LIFE magazine article ____.
A. helped people understand artists B. caused people to become artists
C. changed Pollock’s life D. made Pollock paint better
5. Today, Pollock’s art is ____.
A. mostly forgotten B. still popular
C. only found in stores D. given away for free
B. Write the correct numbers to complete the sentences.
6. Pollock started to become famous in ____.
7. Pollock was ____ years old when he died.
8. Pollock died in the year ____.
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Reading 1
PART 2: VOCABULARY
A. Read the sentences. Use the words from the box to fill in the blanks. Not all of the words will be used.
ads famous museum public
drawing graffiti posters sculpture
9. The _____________________ in the city has some of Pollock’s art on display.
10. Keith Haring drew _____________________ on walls and buildings in New York.
11. Everyone came to see the _____________________ artist talk about his work.
12. Many works of art are used for magazine _____________________.
13. The _____________________ of the horse was made out of clay.
14. We made large _____________________ for the art show and hung them around town.
B. Complete the chart with the correct word forms.
Noun Verb Adjective
energy energize 15.
16. symbolize symbolic
painting 17. X
Unit 3 Achievement Test
PART 1: READING SKILLS
Read the article. Then use the information to complete the activities that follow.
Try a New Career
1 Is your job boring? Do you want to try something new? If your answer is “yes,”
read about my job as a professional antiques collector. You can be an antiques
collector, too.
2 Every morning I read my local newspaper. I find out where the yard sales 1 are. I
go around to all of the yard sales. I am a regular guest. Everyone at the yard sales
knows me because I go to all of the sales, and I buy old and rare things. I often
buy similar antiques like lamps, furniture, and jewelry. Even though they are old,
they are in good condition. They do not look very old. They have to be in good
condition to be worth a lot of money.
3 I bring the things that I buy to antique dealers. They are the experts. They know
a lot about antiques. They look at the antiques and tell me how valuable the items
are. One time I brought in a ring that was worth $50,000. Another time I had a
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Reading 1
painting that was worth $100,000! It was part of a collection by a famous painter.
These things do not have sentimental value because I buy them at yard sales. They
are not my family’s favorite possessions, so I sell these antiques and make a lot of
money.
4 Do you want to become an antiques collector? Call me at (555) 782-5580 to learn
more.
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yard sale: a sale of used possessions held on the front yard of the seller’s home
A. Read each detail. Find the information in the article. Then write the paragraph number on the line.
1. The writer is a professional antiques collector.
2. You can make a lot of money selling antiques.
B. Choose the best answer.
3. The writer looks for antiques that ____.
A. need to be fixed B. are worth money
C. look old and worn D. have emotional value
4. The writer thinks collecting antiques is ____.
A. boring B. difficult C. exciting D. quick
5. The writer buys antiques and then ____.
A. gives them away B. keeps them at home
C. sells them to dealers D. brings them to yard sales
6. The writer once had a painting worth ____.
A. $5,000 B. $10,000 C. $50,000 D. $100,000
C. Read each sentence. Choose probably yes if it is likely to happen or probably no if it is not likely to
happen. Use the information in the article to help you make inferences.
7. The writer will continue to try to find antiques at yard sales. (paragraph 2)
A. probably yes B. probably no
8. The writer will stop making money from antiques. (paragraph 3)
A. probably yes B. probably no
PART 2: VOCABULARY
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Reading 1
A. Match each boldfaced vocabulary word on the left with its definition on the right. Write the letter of the
definition next to each word.
___ 9. similar A. state of being
___ 10. expert B. emotional
___ 11. condition C. thing
___ 12. rare D. person with a special skill
___ 13. sentimental E. most liked
___ 14. favorite F. alike in some way
___ 15. item G. not usual or common
B. Complete the sentences with the correct word form. One of the words will not be used.
(collection / collect / collector)
16. Do you ______________ antiques?
17. I have a ______________ of coins from the nineteenth century.
Unit 3 Achievement Test
PART 1: READING SKILLS
Read the article. Then use the information to complete the activities that follow.
1 Louise Melson is the owner of a small bookstore in a big city. She has only three
employees. Down the block is a huge chain store. It has many more products and
services. It also sells the same books at lower prices. As a result, Louise will have
to close her shop. She will be forced to find another way to make a living. How
does she feel about this?
2 “It’s a sad day, to be sure,” says Louise. “My family has owned this little shop for
years. We are unique in that we have helped local artisans and vendors from the
area. They sell their crafts here. It just doesn’t seem fair that we should have to
close because the ‘big boys’ have moved into town.”
3 Louise’s customers are just as unhappy. They are used to receiving personal
attention when they shop at Louise’s store. “She is like an old friend to me,” says
Arnold Bruhill. “Shopping just won’t be the same at one of those chain stores!”
4 Like it or not, the marketplace is changing from small to big. People like Louise
are finding it harder and harder to keep their businesses open in today’s world.
Not everyone may like the changes taking place, but sadly we all must learn to live
with it.
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Reading 1
A. Choose the best answer.
1. What is a good title for this article?
A. “Small Shops Fight Back”
B. “Small Shops Are Disappearing”
C. “Chain Stores the Same as Other Stores”
D. “Chain Stores Not as Good as They Were”
2. Louise Melson’s words in paragraph 2 shows that she is ____.
A. confused B. excited C. surprised D. upset
3. What is the feeling in Arnold Bruhill’s words in paragraph 3?
A. angry B. happy C. uncaring D. unsure
4. Based on the clues in paragraph 2, what does the word local mean?
A. hard to find B. pretty to look at
C. from the same area D. from the chain store
B. Read each sentence. Write T if the statement is true or F if it is false.
___ 5. Louise Melson’s family has owned the same bookstore for years.
___ 6. A chain bookstore is causing Louise to close her shop.
___ 7. Arnold Bruhill enjoys visiting chain bookstores.
___ 8. Everyone will like chain stores more than small shops.
PART 2: VOCABULARY
A. Choose the best vocabulary word to complete each sentence.
9. Every store needs a lot of ____ to make money.
A. owners B. customers
10. Some stores sell only one ____, such as books.
A. product B. service
11. A ____ is made up of many stores.
A. shop B. marketplace
12. These tiny ____ are made of yarn.
A. artisans B. crafts
13. Many outside ____ come to sell different things at the store.
A. vendors B. employees
14. I think ____ is more important than how much something costs.
A. price B. personal attention
B. Complete each sentence with a gerund or gerund phrase from the box.
going shopping going to the food store making money owning a business
15. ________________ is my favorite thing to do, but I spend too much money on clothes!
16. Nothing feels as good as ________________ from your own business.
17. ________________ is difficult when there are so many big chain stores in this marketplace.
18. I order meals online when ________________ is not possible.
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Reading 1
FURTHER PRACTICE
PART 1. Questions 1 – 5. Look at the text in each question. What does it say?
1. Will the last person to leave please switch off the lights.
A. Don’t turn the lights on until it’s necessary.
B. Switch the lights on when you’re in the room.
C. Don’t leave the lights on if the room is empty.
2.
To: All students
From: College secretary
Monday 6 May
Can I remind you that all essays are due this Friday. No late work will be accepted unless
accompanied by a doctor’s letter.
A. The college secretary will post students their essays on Friday.
B. Students may hand in their essays after Friday if they can prove illness.
C. Unless your essay is due by Friday, you do not need to reply.
3. Ben,
Why not bring your new game round tonight – we can use my brother’s PC. I’m playing football
till 7.00, so anytime after that.
Kim
Kim suggests
A. meeting at the football match.
B. going to Ben’s house later.
C. playing on his brother’s computer.
4. Message
Helena,
Ronan called from the theatre: the café opposite is closing so everyone’s going down to the club early.
Join them there when you ca.
Where should Helena meet the others?
A. At the café
B. B. At the theatre
C. At the club
5. We have many flats available to rent in this area.
A. We offer a choice of flats to rent in this area.
B. This is the best area to find a flat.
C. Flats in this area do not cost a lot.
PART 2. Look at the sentences below about Nene Valley Railway.
Read the text and decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect. If it is correct blacken A on your answer sheet.
If it is not correct, blacken B on your answer sheet.
6. Nene Valley Railway carries goods between distant cities.
7. One adult and three children can buy a Family Fare.
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Reading 1
8. The Railway is the only attraction in Nene Park.
9. The biggest steam engine at Wansford is French.
10. You can see the German engine only at certain times of the year.
11. Passengers must pay extra to see the train collection at Wansford.
12. The Railway has appeared in at least one film.
13. Groups of school children can only visit the railway in May or June.
14. A group of fifty pupils pays more per child than a group of sixty.
15. You can book a train for a private party.
NENE VALLEY RAILWAY
About the Railway
The twelve kilometer-long Nene Valley Railway passes through the lovely Nene Park, from an Eastern terminus
at Peterborough to the Railway’s headquarters at Wansford (next to the A1 main road). A two-kilometer
extension of the Railway takes passengers through Wansford Tunnel to the quiet beauty of Yarwell, the present
Western end of the line.
Fares: adult £10.00, child £5.00, Family Fare (up to 2 adults and 3 children) £25.00. Special prices may apply
on public holidays.
Nene Park
With golf courses and a large Caravan Club site, why not make it a complete day out for the family by visiting
Nene Park? There are thousands of hectares of public parkland with boating lakes, picnic areas and a nature
reserve, as well as a miniature railway.
Wansford
Wansford Station is the home of a unique collection of historic trains from many parts of Europe. This includes
such famous types as the elegant De Glen Compound locomotive from France, and the German Class 52
Kriegslok (the largest working steam engine in Britain) as well as “92 Squadron” and “Mayflower” which were
built in Britain. You can see these engines all year round whether or not the Nene Valley Railway is running.
The buffet, bar and souvenir shop, however, are only open on days when the train is running. A site entrance fee
of £2.00 for adults and £1.00 for children is charged at Wansford.
A Famous Railway
Nene Valley Railway is a favourite with film makers, due in particular to its ability to take on the appearance of
a railway in any part of Europe. Octopussy, in the series of James Bond movies, is a good example of what can
be done. Come and see where it was filmed.
Services for Schools
The Railway runs special timetable services from May to July to allow school groups to visit the railway and for
teachers to set projects. The work can be done while pupils are here or in the classroom. A special educational
pack is available, price £1.50 plus postage. At other times of the year, school parties can hire the train (‘Teddy
Bear”) with up to 3 carriages to travel along the Railway on non-service days. One month’s prior booking is
requested. There are special low fares for groups of 60 or more pupils. Telephone 01780 for further information.
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Reading 1
Private Hire of Trains
The Railway is a popular place for special family occasions or a company visit. It can provide the setting for a
most interesting afternoon or evening out. Special programs can be arranged to meet your wishes to include
buffet, bar and entertainment, discos,… For further information please contact the General Manager at
Wansford Station.
PART 3. Read the text and questions below. For each question, blacken the correct answer A, B, C or D
on your answer sheet.
When I opened the first “Body Shop” in 1976 my only object was to earn enough to feed my children. Today
“The Body Shop” is an international company rapidly growing all around the world. In the recent years since
we began I have learned a lot. Much of what I have learned will be found in this book, for I believe that we, as a
company, have something worth saying about how to run a successful business without giving up what we
really believe in.
It's not a normal business book, nor is it just about my life. The message is that to succeed in business you have
to be different. Business can be fun, a business can be run with love and it can do good. In business, as in life, I
need to enjoy myself, to have a feeling of family and to feel excited by the unexpected. I have always wanted
the people who work for “The Body Shop” to feel the same way.
Now this book sends these ideas of mine out into the world, makes them public. I’d like to think there are no
limits to our “family”, no limits to what can be done. I find that an exciting thought. I hope you do, too.
16. What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this text?
A. To tell the reader her life story
B. To introduce her ideas to the reader
C. To explain how international companies operate
D. To tell the reader how she brought up a family
17. What would someone learn from this text?
A. How to make a lot of money
B. How to write a book about business
C. What the writer’s family is like
D. What the writer’s book is about
18. How does the writer fell about the business she runs?
A. She doesn’t care about success if her children are fed.
B. She just runs if for her own entertainment.
C. It is not like any other company.
D. It is likely to become even more successful.
19. What kind of workers does the writer like to employ?
A. Workers who can explain her ideas
B. workers who get on well with the public
C. workers who have the same attitudes as she does
D. workers who have their own families
20. What kind of person does the writer seem to be?
A. She seems to be someone with strong opinions.
B. She doesn’t seem to very confident.
C. She is mainly interested in making money.
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Reading 1
D. Se sees running a business as just a job.
PART 4. Read the text below and choose the correct word for each space. For each question, blacken the
correct word A, B, C or D on your answer sheet.
THE FIRST WOMAN SCENTIST
Hypatia was born in Alexandria, in Egypt, in 370 A.D. For many centuries she was (21) _____ only woman
scientist to have a place in the history books. Hypatia’s father was director of Alexandria University, and he
(22) _____ sure his daughter had the best education available. This was unusual, as most women then had few
(23) _____ to study.
After studying in Athens and Rome, Hypatia returned to Alexandria (24) _____ she began teaching
mathematics. She soon became famous (25) _____ her knowledge of new ideas.
We have copies of her books, (26) _____ we know that she wrote several important mathematical works.
Hypatia was also interested in technology and (27) _____ several scientific tools to help with her work.
At the (28) _____ many rulers were afraid of science, and (29) _____ connected with it was in danger. One day
in March 415, Hypatia (30) attacked in the street and killed.
21. A. one B. the C. a D. an
22. A. could B. made C. said D. put
23. A. classes B. customs C. opportunities D. teachers
24. A. where B. how C. there D. which
25. A. from B. by C. for D. in
26. A. because B. but C. or D. as
27. A. did B. experimented C. invented D. learnt
28. A. day B. period C. year D. time
29. A. anyone B. nobody C. all D. something
30. A. was B. had C. has D. is
