Question:
Q1-Q5 are based on the following passage.
The atmosphere forms a gaseous, protective envelope around Earth. It protects the planet from the cold of space, from
harmful ultraviolet light, and from all but the largest meteors. After traveling over 93 million miles, solar energy strikes the
atmosphere and Earth’s surface, warming the planet and creating what is known as the biosphere, the region of Earth capable
of sustaining life. Solar radiation in combination with the planet’s rotation causes the atmosphere to circulate. Atmospheric
circulation is one important reason that life on Earth can exist at higher latitudes because equatorial heat is transported
poleward, moderating the climate.
The equatorial region is the warmest part of the earth because it receives the most direct and, therefore, strongest solar
radiation. The plane in which the earth revolves around the sun is called the ecliptic. Earth’s axis is inclined 23 degrees with
respect to the ecliptic. This inclined axis is responsible for our changing seasons because, as seen from the earth, the sun
oscillates back and forth across the equator in an annual cycle. On or about June 21 each year, the sun reaches the Tropic of
Cancer, 23 degrees north latitude. This is the northernmost point where the sun can be directly overhead. On or about
December 21 of each year, the sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn, 23 degrees south latitude. This is the southernmost point
at which the sun can be directly overhead. The polar regions are the coldest parts of the earth because they receive the least
direct and, therefore, the weakest solar radiation. Here solar radiation strikes at a very oblique angle and thus spreads the
same amount of energy over a greater area than in the equatorial regions. A static envelope of air surrounding the earth would
produce an extremely hot, uninhabitable equatorial region, while the polar regions would remain inhospitably cold.
The transport of water vapor in the atmosphere is an important mechanism by which heat energy is redistributed poleward.
When water evaporates into the air and becomes water vapor, it absorbs energy. At the equator, air saturated with water vapor
rises high into the atmosphere where winds aloft carry it poleward. As this moist air approaches the polar regions, it cools and
sinks back to earth. At some point, the water vapor condenses out of the air as rain or snow, releasing energy in the process.
The now-dry polar air flows back toward the equator to repeat the convection cycle. In this way, heat energy absorbed at the
equator is deposited at the poles and the temperature gradient between these regions is reduced.
The circulation of the atmosphere and the weather it generates is but one example of the many complex, interdependent
events of nature. The web of life depends on the proper functioning of these natural mechanisms for its continued existence.
Global warming, the hole in the atmosphere’s ozone layer, and increasing air and water pollution pose serious, long-term
threats to the biosphere. Given the high degree of nature’s interconnectedness, it is quite possible that the most serious threats
have yet to be recognized.
Q1. Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?
Options and Responses:
a. The circulation of atmosphere, threatened by global warming and pollution, protects the
biosphere and makes life on Earth possible.
(selected by student)
b. If the protective atmosphere around the earth is too damaged by human activity, all life on
Earth will cease.
c. Life on Earth is the result of complex interdependent events of nature, and some of these
events are a result of human intervention.
d. The circulation of atmosphere is the single most important factor in keeping the biosphere
alive, and it is constantly threatened by harmful human activity.
Score: 1
Question:
Which of the following best represents the main ideas of each of the four paras in the passage?
Options and Responses:
Definition and description of the circulation of the atmosphere - How the atmosphere affects heat
and water in the biosphere - How the circulation of the atmosphere works - What will happen if
human activity destroys the atmosphere and other life-sustaining mechanisms
Origin of the atmosphere and ways it protects the biosphere - How the circulation of the
atmosphere affects the equator and the poles - How the circulation of the atmosphere
interrelates with other events in nature to protect life on Earth - Threats to life in the biosphere
Definition and description of the circulation of the atmosphere - Protective functions of the
circulation of the atmosphere - Relationship of the circulation of the atmosphere to other life-
sustaining mechanisms - Threats to nature’s interconnectedness in the biosphere
(selected by student)
The journey of the atmosphere 93 million miles through space - How the atmosphere circulates
and protects the biosphere - How the atmosphere interrelates with weather in the biosphere
- How damage to the biosphere threatens life on Earth
Score: 1
Question:
Which of the following sentences from the passage best supports the author’s point that circulation of the atmosphere is vital
to life on Earth?
Options and Responses:
a. The equatorial region is the warmest part of the earth because it receives the most direct and,
therefore, strongest solar radiation.
b. The circulation of the atmosphere and the weather it generates is but one example of the
many complex, interdependent events of nature.
c. [The atmosphere] protects Earth from the cold of space, from harmful ultraviolet light, and from
all but the largest meteors.
d. A static envelope of air surrounding the earth would produce an extremely hot, uninhabitable
equatorial region, while the polar regions would remain inhospitably cold.
(selected by student)
Score: 1
Question:
The first paragraph of the passage deals mainly with which of the following effects of the atmosphere on the earth?
Options and Responses:
a. its sheltering effect
(selected by student)
b. its reviving effect
c. its invigorating effect
d. its cleansing effect
Score: 1
Question:
Which of the following is NOT supported by the passage?
Options and Responses:
The circulation of the atmosphere is a complex event of nature
The circulation of the atmosphere is completely understood by human beings
(selected by student)
Any changes in the circulation of the atmosphere can threaten biosphere
The atmosphere protects the earth from ultraviolet light
Score: 1
Question:
Q6-Q10 are based on the following passage.
Today, bicycles are elegantly simple machines that are common around the world. Many people ride bicycles for recreation,
whereas others use them as a means of transportation. The first bicycle, called a draisienne, was invented in Germany in 1818
by Baron Karl de Drais de Sauerbrun. Because it was made of wood, the draisienne wasn’t very durable nor did it have
pedals. Riders moved it by pushing their feet against the ground.
In 1839, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith, invented a much better bicycle. Macmillan’s machine had tires with
iron rims to keep them from getting worn down. He also used foot-operated cranks, similar to pedals, so his bicycle could be
ridden at a quick pace. It didn’t look much like the modern bicycle, though, because its back wheel was substantially larger
than its front wheel. Although Macmillan’s bicycles could be ridden easily, they were never produced in large numbers.
In 1861, Frenchman Pierre Michaux and his brother Ernest invented a bicycle with an improved crank mechanism. They
called their bicycle a vélocipède, but most people called it a “bone shaker” because of the jarring effect of the wood and iron
frame. Despite the unflattering nickname, the vélocipède was a hit. After a few years, the Michaux family was making
hundreds of the machines annually, mostly for fun-seeking young people.
Ten years later, James Starley, an English inventor, made several innovations that revolutionized bicycle design. He made the
front wheel many times larger than the back wheel, put a gear on the pedals to make the bicycle more efficient, and lightened
the wheels by using wire spokes. Although this bicycle was much lighter and less tiring to ride, it was still clumsy, extremely
top heavy, and ridden mostly for entertainment.
It wasn’t until 1874 that the first truly modern bicycle appeared on the scene. Invented by another Englishman, H.J. Lawson,
the safety bicycle would look familiar to today’s cyclists. The safety bicycle had equal-sized wheels, which made it much less
prone to toppling over. Lawson also attached a chain to the pedals to drive the rear wheel. By 1893, the safety bicycle had
been further improved with air-filled rubber tires, a diamond-shaped frame, and easy braking. With the improvements
provided by Lawson, bicycles became extremely popular and useful for transportation. Today, they are built, used, and
enjoyed all over the world.
Q6. Which of the following BEST summarises the main idea of the passage?
Options and Responses:
several people contributed to the development of the modern bicycle (selected by student)
for most of the nineteenth century, few people rode bicycles just for fun.
bicycles with wheels of different sizes cannot be ridden easily
earlier bicycles were used for transportation but today they are more for fun
Score: 1
Question:
The main purpose of this passage is to
Options and Responses:
persuade readers to use bicycles for transportation.
describe the problems that bicycle manufacturers encounter.
compare bicycles used for fun with bicycles used for transportation.
tell readers a little about the history of the bicycle (selected by student)
Score: 1
Question:
Read the following sentence from the fourth paragraph: “Ten years later, James Starley, an English inventor, made several
innovations that revolutionized bicycle design”.
As it is used in the sentence, the underlined word revolutionized most nearly means
Options and Responses:
cancelled
changed drastically (selected by student)
became outdated
exercised control over
Score: 1
Question:
Which of the following is NOT supported by the passage?
Options and Responses:
Today designing and manufacturing bicycles is simple but it was not so in the past
The simple bicycle enjoyed worldwide today is actually the result of innovations for more than
two centuries
Designing bicycles for transport purposes was easier than those for fun purposes
(selected by student)
Earlier bicycles were built in select countries but now they are manufactures worldwide
Score: 1
Question:
Which of the following BEST represents the organisation of the passage?
Options and Responses:
Definition of bicycles and explanation of manufacturing process
Definition of bicycles and narration of the life of a spirited innovator
Description of bicycles and a chronological account of the development process
(selected by student)
Description of bicycles and reasons for failure of earlier models
Score: 1
