IELTS

READING TEST BANK

27 PASSAGES WITH MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

RESULT SCHOOL

TASHKENT, 2023
 Reading Test Bank (27 passages)
1. The official language of the Czech Republic is Czech, a highly complex western Slavic tongue. Any
attempt from foreigners to speak Czech will be heartily appreciated, so do not be discouraged if people
fail to understand you, as most will be accustomed to hearing foreigners stumble through their language.
If you don't know any Czech, brush up on your German, since, among the older generation at least, it is
still the most widely spoken second language. Russian, once the compulsory second language has been
practically wiped off the school curriculum, and the number of English speakers has been steadily
increasing, especially among the younger generation.
1. It is clear from the passage that ----.
A. more Czechs speak German than any other foreign language
B. as their own language is so difficult, Czechs prefer German
C. everyone in the Czech Republic speaks several languages
D. Czechs usually laugh at foreigners who try to speak Czech
E. Czechs learn English during childhood and German later
2. The author informs us that ----.
A. it is now illegal for Czechs to speak Russian
B. Czechs do not want to speak German as it reminds them of the German occupation
C. most Czech schools offer courses in the Russian language
D. the influence of Russia is still felt in certain areas of the Czech Republic
E. Czechs were once required to study Russian at school
3. This passage would most likely appear in ----.
A. a grammar book of the Czech language
B. a history book of the Czech Republic
C. a book about English language teaching
D. a travel guide for the Czech Republic
E. an article on the social history of the Czech people

2. Benjamin Franklin, who was to become one of the best known American writers, politicians and
scientists, was born in Boston in 1706. He was one of 17 children, and as a child, he worked in the shop
of his father, who was a soap and candle maker. As he loved to read and study, however, working for his
father did not appeal to him, so when he was 12, he was sent to assist his brother James, who had a
printing shop. There, surrounded by books, he would often stay up late at night reading on a wide range
of subjects. As he read, he practised improving his own style of writing.
1. It is stated in the passage that Benjamin Franklin ------ .
A. was born into a family including well -known people
B. started to work in his father's shop when he was 12
C. was not content to be working with his father
D. had a decent formal education
E. came from a wealthy background
2. We can conclude from the passage that the work Benjamin's brother was doing
A. required Benjamin to work until late at night
B. was, in the first place, financed by their father
C. was a lot more profitable than his father's work
D. was too hard for a twelve -year -old
E. was well suited to Benjamin's interests
3. It is obvious from the passage that ---- .
A. Benjamin Franklin's father had plenty of free time to spend with his son
B. Benjamin Franklin grew into a man of many talents
C. lacking a formal education, Benjamin Franklin didn't achieve much in writing
D. Benjamin Franklin's relationship with his father was distant
E. Benjamin's father was illiterate
3. Computers have led to a greater change in our society in recent decades than any other force and are
likely to continue to do so until the next century. The industry surrounding computers is growing
quickly, providing employment for many but meanwhile making others redundant. Jobs that computers
can do much more reliably, faster, and cheaper are lost. The redeployment of labour and the prospect of
increased leisure are causing social upheavals which require new ideas and significant changes of
attitude.
1. It is pointed out in the passage that the introduction of computers into daily life________ .
A. has definitely solved the problem of unemployment
B. has had no effect on the traditional habits of society
C. can be regarded as the greatest technical achievement of the age
D. has led to an improvement in working conditions
E. has brought a lot of benefits but has also created some serious problems
2. According to the passage, the impact computers have had on society
A. will certainly continue to increase right through the next century
B. has been unnecessarily exaggerated in recent years
C. has generally been confined to industrial life
D. has exceeded that.of any other technological development in recent times
E. is very much less than it has been on industry
3. As is implied in the passage, the widespread use of computers in industry_______ .
A. has made considerable changes in the working system inevitable
B. has unfortunately increased production costs
C. has reduced the working hours but not the work load
D. will, in the next century, lead to even more disillusionment
E. has given rise to many new solutions to the problems of unemployment

4. Tigers usually grow to lengths of more than nine feet and can be bigger than the largest lion. They have
great strength. They clutch their prey to them, holding on with their claws, and depend on the crushing
bite of their powerful jaws. They swim very well and can often be seen splashing about in water on very
hot days, as they apparently suffer from the heat. When the air is cool, however, they avoid wet or damp
vegetation. They can climb, but do not approach the leopard's ability in this. They can survive in rocky
areas but generally prefer to stay on level ground. They are not as well equipped with senses as one
might expect. They apparently depend on their hearing while hunting. Their eyesight is not particularly
good, and they cannot spot prey until it moves.
1. It is clear in the text that tigers. .
A. are the most talented climbers of all wild animals
B. rely heavily on their huge claws to catch their prey
C. are sensitive to significant variations in climate
D. closely take after lions as regards speed ,size and strength
E. rely on their eyesight in finding and catching prey
2. As is expressed in the passage, a flat terrain. .
A. is usually the favoured place of the tige
B. provides camouflage for other wild animals
C. rather than rocky cliffs gives tigers better chances to hunt
D. usually has varied vegetation which shelters better prey
E. is usually chilly, so tigers prefer higher levels
3. From the passage we can infer that, contrary to what is generally thought,
A. climbing is the least developed ability of the tiger
B. as soon as a prey starts to move a tiger can rarely catch it
C. hilly areas are invariably avoided by all wild animals
D. the leopard's hunting ability is much worse than that of the tiger
E. the tiger's senses are not well developed
5. The concept of a national library is a recent one in the developing countries. In the developed countries,
national libraries have existed since at least the sixteenth century. By the nineteenth century, most
countries in Europe had already established national libraries. The typical national library is meant to be
the finest collection of books in the country, the national book archive, and a source of national pride.
Although it is important for a national library in a developing country to collect the national literature,
and any other literature pertaining to that country, it is also important for the library to collect a wide
range of scholarly literature published in other countries
1. We learn from the passage that --- .
A. every country must have a national library.
B. national libraries only exist in developed countries
C. by the nineteenth century most developing countries had established national libraries
D. developed countries have had national libraries for longer than developing ones
E. a national library is relatively easy to establish
2. According to the passage, in the 19th century, there were few ---- .
A. European countries without a national library
B. developing countries that hadn't established a national library
C. libraries in the developing countries owning books published in other countries
D. libraries having the finest collection of world literature
E. developing countries having a work of literature that has existed since the l6th century
3. The author believes that a national library in a developing country should ----
A. contain the country's written works as well as foreign scholarly works
B. try to be better than a similar library in a developed country
C. take into account the prevailing climatic conditions of the country
D. develop a concept that has existed for a longer time in developed countries
E. establish guide -lines for the national literature

6. The piranha, in spite of its tiny size, is one of the most feared fish in the world. Piranhas live in the
Aaron River, have very sharp teeth, and are capable of eating four times their body weight daily. This
would not be so bad, if it were not for the way they attack in numbers. Even the smallest movement, like
splashing your hand in the water, is enough to attract 300 piranhas in an instant A piranha attack can
transform a live cow into a skeleton in a matter of minutes. When there is nothing else to eat, they will
even eat each other.
1. According to the passage, the piranha ---- .
A. is the world's smallest fish
B. would not be so bad if it was better understood
C. has sharp teeth and a large appetite
D. lives largely on a diet of its own species
E. is a salt water fish, similar to the shark
2. The passage tells us that ----- .
A. piranhas are dangerous because so many of them gather to attack their prey
B. a single piranha can eat a cow in a matter of minutes
C. the average piranha eats four other piranhas every day
D. piranhas are useless because they are not edible E) the Amazon River is full of cow skeletons
3. It is stated in the passage that in the absence of food, piranhas ----- .
A. feed on each other
B. migrate to other rivers
C. get smaller in size
D. face a decline in their numbers
E. attack anything moving in the water
7. There are two kinds of water pollution. The first is when rubbish, sewage or chemicals are thrown into
the water. This waste upsets the natural environment and can prove dangerous or fatal to fish and other
life in the water. The second type of pollution is thermal, or warm water pollution. This is most
commonly caused by hydroelectric power plants. These take water from a lake or river, convert it into
steam for running the plant's turbines, change the steam back into water, then return the water to the
original lake or river. Though this water is no dirtier than when it was taken out, it is often five to ten
degrees above its original temperature. This causes a change in the environment which can be as
dangerous to, aquatic life as waste 'pollution.
1. It is stated In the passage that ---- .
A. thermal pollution is more dangerous than pollution from rubbish or chemicals
B. warm water pollution Is as harmful as thermal pollution
C. hydroelectric plants put dirty water back into the environment
D. thermal pollution occurs when the temperature of a river or lake is raised
E. aquatic life is merely disturbed by thermal pollution
2. Rubbish, sewage or chemicals ---- .
A. are all part of the natural environment
B. can kill aquatic life when they are thrown into the water
C. are the main cause of warm water pollution
D. are by -products of hydroelectric plants
E. have, on occasions, proved to be beneficial to aquatic life
3. The author argues that ---- .
A. there is nothing that can be done to correct thermal pollution
B. water pollution is a fact of life that we must learn to live with
C. tile world would be better off without hydroelectric power stations
D. fish are less affected by the second kind of pollution than by the first
E. both kinds of pollution are equally bad for the natural environment

8. Vitamin C occurs most abundantly in oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and raw tomatoes and cabbage.
Several other fruits and vegetables, including potatoes, contain lesser amounts. It is, however, easily
destroyed by cooking. vitamin C is necessary for the development of bones, teeth, blood vessels, and
other tissues, and plays a part in the functioning of most of the cells in the hotly. Deficiency shows itself
in painful haemorrhages around the bones and in swollen, bleeding gums, a condition called scurvy. For
a long time, in the days when a sailor's diet consisted of salted and dried food and ship's biscuits, scurvy
was the curse of sailors on long voyages.
1. It is obvious from the passage that vitamin C --- .
A. is an essential part of a healthy diet
B. is present is both raw and well -cooked vegetables
C. is less important for adults than it is for children
D. was once more important than it is now
E. is the best cure for a cold
2. The passage implies that scurvy among sailors was caused by --- .
A. a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables
B. cooking food for too long
C. having to work under difficult conditions
D. the fact that their journeys were too long
E. their fondness for fish and biscuits
3. The best way to ensure having enough vitamin C in one's diet is to --- .
A. thoroughly cook all food to destroy harmful bacteria
B. try to avoid diseases affecting bones and teeth
C. make sure that it includes lightly cooked meat
D. eat plenty of salads and citrus fruits
E. include such items as salted and dried food
9. Each year, about 7.000 people in the United States are bitten by poisonous snakes. Fewer than a dozen of
these persons die, but many are left with disability of a limb and scarring at the site of the bite. Persons
at greatest risk are those who handle snakes for purposes of entertainment, religion or science. Outside
the high -risk group, hunters, farmers and fishermen are the most likely to be bitten. The best way to tell
the difference between a poisonous and a non –poisonous bite is to identify the snake. A non -poisonous
bite doesn't usually cause much pain or swelling, though the wound may bleed freely. When there is any
doubt as to whether the snake is venomous, presume that the bite was poisonous and take precautions.
1. According to the passage, the people who have the highest chance of being bitten by a snake
are those who --- .
A. hunt animals for sport or who deal with farming
B. try to catch snakes and put them in captivity
C. are unable to distinguish between different snakes
D. work directly with snakes or worship using them
E. are very religious and don't think they'll be bitten.
2. The passage informs us that in the USA ---.
A. fewer than twelve people die of snakebites annually, although many people are bitten
B. people who have been bitten by snakes get rid of its effects
C. completely in the long term only twelve percent of those who have been bitten by snakes lose their
lives
D. farmers and fishermen are more likely to be bitten by snakes than entertainers using snakes
E. many people bitten by snakes are too afraid to revisit the place where it happened.
3. The author suggests that if you have been bitten, and haven't managed to identify the snake, -.
A. you shouldn't panic but should wait to see whether the bitten area will swell or not
B. you should make the wound bleed in order to remove any poison
C. you can assume you're not at risk if the bite doesn't hurt a lot
D. it is doubtful that the snake that bit you was venomous
E. you should be treated as if the snake was poisonous
10. Some underweight individuals enjoy an active, healthy life, but some people are underweight owing to
smoking habits or poor health. An underweight person, especially an older adult, may be unable to
preserve lean tissue during the fight against a wasting disease such as cancer or a digestive disorder,
especially when accompanied by malnutrition. Without adequate nutrient and energy reserves, an
underweight person will have a particularly tough battle against such medical stresses. In fact, many
people with cancer die, not because of the cancer itself, but from malnutrition. Underweight women may
become infertile. Exactly how infertility develops is unclear, but contributing factors cover not only
body weight, but also restricted energy and fat intake and depleted body fat stores.
1. The author points out that infertility in women ------- .
A. may partly be due to the state of being underweight
B. follows a distinct pattern as it develops
C. can always be effectively treated with a balanced diet
D. can lead to a variety of wasting diseases
E. undermines the body's energy reserves
2. The points is made in the passage that an underweight person ------- .
A. is most probably suffering from stomach cancer
B. is not necessarily to be unhealthy
C. obviously has poor eating habits
D. is likely to be a heavy smoker
E. easily develops some form of digestive disorder
3. We can infer from the passage that under weight accompanied with malnutrition ------- .
A. is rarely found among old ladies
B. has a negative effect on heavy smokers
C. means that the body finds it difficult to resist a wasting disease
D. has no damaging effect on the body's energy reserves
E. is best treated with a generous intake of fat
11. Of all the environmental problems facing us today, global warming is likely to have the most devastating
effects, In order to combat these, the emission of harmful gases must be reduced; for this purpose, the
rainforests, which absorb carbon dioxide in vast quantities must be protected. Global warming will place
a premium on energy efficiency, for controlling global warming inescapably means reducing the burning
of fossil fuels. The two industries that are most obviously going to be affected are the power suppliers
and the vehicle manufacturers, but since energy is consumed by almost everything we manufacture,
design or do, the effects will be felt everywhere.
1. It is emphasized in the passage that global warming seems to be
A. easier to control than other environmental problems
B. of less of a threat than formerly it used to be
C. the most terrible of the problems facing the environment
D. one of the causes for the disappearance of the rainforests
E. a simple matter
2. The author explains that unless the burning of fossil fuels is radically reduced .
A. global warming cannot possibly be held in check
B. they will soon be used up
C. traditional power supplies will not be adequate
D. energy efficiency cannot be achieved
E. there will be no energy crisis
3. According to the passage, power supply and vehicle manufacturing
A. are two industries that do not affect global warming
B. rely heavily on fossil fuels
C. are environmentally less harmful than other industries
D. have carried the problems of global warming everywhere
E. have no common bases

12. Women do not compete against men in sport because of medical misconceptions about their bodies, says
Ellis Cashmore, a professor of sociology. He claims it's only in the past 300 years that anatomists have
pointed out the differences between men’s and women's bodies, apart from the most obvious ones.
Before then, they were seen as fairly similar. By the late 19th century, closer examination led to
anatomists looking for inferiorities in women's bodies and believing that even their organs had different
functions to men's. Cashmore's argument is that despite women's exclusion from most sports for the first
half of this century, they have caught men up rather rapidly. Women's best times in the marathon have
improved by an average per year of 2 minutes 47 seconds while men's have improved by a mere 66
seconds.
1. It can be inferred from this passage that Cashmore believes that ---- .
A. modern medicine is based more on myth than on genuine scientific fact
B. sociologists are better qualified to discuss human anatomy than medical researchers
C. in the last three centuries, there have been significant changes in the anatomy of women
D. it is quite obvious that women should not be allowed to participate in sport against men
E. there's no good reason why men and women shouldn't compete against each other in sport
2. Accordlog to the passage, 19th century anatomists ---- .
A. were surprised to learn that there were hardly any differences between men and women
B. were Claiming that women shouldn't be excluded from various sports
C. discovered that, apart from the obvious differences, men and women were alike
D. supported the idea that women were physically weaker than men
E. were concerned with the reasons why men seemed to outperform women in sport
3. The author quotes the times 2 minutes 47 seconds and 66 seconds to illustrate that --- .
A. despite progress, women still take more than twice as long as men in marathons
B. women are actually superior to men in long distance running
C. the gap between men's and women's performances in sport is shrinking
D. his theory is scientific by including mathematical figures
E. women will one day surpass men in athletic endeavours
13. It is an obvious fact that people of different nations tend to use different languages. Along with physical
appearance and cultural characteristics, language differences are part of what distinguishes one nation
from another. Of course it is not only across national boundaries that people speak different languages.
In Canada, inhabitants of the same cities and rural areas have spoken different languages for centuries. In
Quebec province, ethnic French-Canadians maintain a strong allegiance to the French language, while
ethnic Anglos maintain a loyalty to English. In India, literally dozens of languages are spoken, some
confined to small areas, others spoken regionally or nationally. In some parts of India, two or more
languages are spoken by different ethnic groups.
1. We learn from the passage that ............. .
A. in a country where different races live, it is quite normal for people to speak different languages
B. nations can be differentiated from each other only by their physical characteristics
C. no matter where you are, you can hear a different language spoken by minorities
D. one can use not only visible and cultural but also communication features to differentiate countries
E. from one another
F. there might be more than two ethnic groups speaking the same tongue
2. From the passage , we can understand that............. .
A. no two ethnic groups use the same tongue
B. urban and suburban people have been expressing themselves using different languages for hundreds
C. of years
D. dozens of languages are spoken by millions of people in Canada
E. geographically and phonetically speaking, Canada lies between America and England
F. having accepted French the formal language of Quebec, the government of Canada has opened the
country to the effects of French
3. It is implied in the passage that, one of the functions of a language is to ............. .
A. help us decide where our listener comes from
B. help us find a suitable friend who may help us when we are abroad
C. separate countries from each other
D. allow us to make friends wherever we are
E. provide easier methods to make financial contacts with foreigners
14. Babies whose mothers smoke during pregnancy could be at higher risk of growing up to be criminals,
new research suggests. This is the first study to examine the relationship between mothers who smoke
and their children's adult behaviour. The findings were based on data for 4,169 males born in
Copenhagen between September 1959 and December 1961. Their arrest records at age 34 were studied.
It was discovered that the number of cigarettes their mothers had smoked during the last third of their
pregnancy affected the men's arrests for both violent and non -violent crimes. This was true even when
other possible causes, such as use of alcohol, divorce, income, and home environment had been taken
into consideration.
1. The main idea of the passage is that --- .
A. smoking during pregnancy increases the possibility of the child committing crimes in adult life
B. pregnant women who smoke should be regarded as criminals and be punished
C. 4.169 males were born in Copenhagen between the years 1959 and 1961
D. most criminals are heavy smokers
E. most of the men at age 34 in Copenhagen have arrest records
2. The research mentioned in the passage ---- .
A. concentrated on the effects of smoking before and after pregnancy
B. was a repetition of several previous studies, which were inconclusive
C. mainly dealt with the adult behaviour of the children of smoking mothers
D. worked with smoking mothers below the age of 34
E. studied only the last third of a mother's pregnancy
3. From the passage, we can say that the researchers were careful because --- .
A. they monitored the lives of their subjects from birth to age 34
B. they chose subjects who had only committed minor crimes
C. all men born between September 1959 and December 1961 were studied
D. other possible causes of crime were also considered
E. they studied so many men from so many different countries
15. Sir Isaac Newton was drinking tea under the apple trees in his garden one summer afternoon in 1665
when an apple fell from an overhanging branch, hit him on the head and immediately provided the
inspiration for his law of gravitation. According to the story that is how it happened, anyway. It may
indeed be true, but no one knows for certain. Even the famed British astronomer Sir Harold Spencer
Jones, who stated in 1944 that the story was probably true, later changed his mind, noting that ‘one
cannot be sure either way.' The story of Newton's Apple first appears in Voltaire's Elements de la
Philosophic de Newton, published in 1738, long after the great Englishman had died and 73 years from
the time the disputed apple fell.
1. The legend that's being questioned in the passage. ----- .
A. has been shown to be complete nonsense
B. refers to how Newton was prompted to investigate gravitation
C. was first created by Sir Harold Spencer Jones
D. is a complete fiction invented by the French author Voltaire
E. expresses the luxurious life Newton was leading
2. According to the passage, Sir Harold Spencer Jones --- .
A. has a reputation for knowing everything about Newton
B. should not be taken too seriously as he is known to be indecisive
C. is well known for his work, which involves observing the universe
D. firmly denies that the incident with Newton and the apple ever happened
E. feels that nothing, including the story about Newton, can be known for certain
3. We can conclude from the passage that ---- .
A. Voltaire knew more about Newton's life than anyone today possibly can
B. Newton deliberately spread the apple story to make his discovery striking
C. Newton came up with his theory just a few years before he died
D. Newton asked Voltaire to tell people about his incident with the apple
E. it's doubtful whether the popular myth about Newton's Apple is true

16. Skiing is a popular sport enjoyed by people of all ages. The best skiers, that is, the professionals have
until recently been Europeans. The Austrians, the French, the Italians have generally been the fastest in
international competitions. Recently, however, skiers from other countries have also come to the fore
and demonstrated their skills. As a result, interest in the sport has become world- wide, and this has led
to a highly competitive ski industry.
1. It is clear from the passage that European countries .......... .
A. are determined to improve their skiing skills
B. are momentarily witnessing dwindle in their supremacy in skiing over others
C. have all but lost domination in the ski industry in the world
D. are prone to regard skiing as the world’s most popular sport
E. has a great deal to do in the ski industry so as to regain the once lost reign
2. The writer can be understood to favour the notion that the development of the ski industry in
the world .......... .
A. owes a little to the growing international interest in this sport
B. is faster in countries outside Europe
C. has been the result of the efforts made by the European professionals
D. has been to the benefit of other countries, to the detriment of the European countries
E. is attributable to the growing international idolisation of skiing as a sport
3. As cited in the passage, as a sport, skiing ............ .
A. shakes up little enthusiasm outside Europe
B. is merely under the care of professionals
C. isn’t confined to any special age group or gender
D. ordinarily came into being in Austria
E. has proved too expensive a sport to take up
17. India, one of the poorest countries in the world. has the most HIV positive citizens, an estimated 4
million people. However, it is estimated that less than 1 percent of those living with HIV in India can
afford the medication; about 20 pills of various types which has become known as the "AID cocktail".
Indigenous production of drugs which will eliminate the cost of import, and perhaps even development
of a vaccine may be the only way for India to combat AIDS But costs remain high, even though an
Indian company has begun to produce some of the treatment drugs in India.

1. It is stated in the passage that --- .

A. 4 million people in India are taking medication for HIV
B. none of the HIV medication is produced in India
C. HIV positive Indians may have got the disease at cocktail parties
D. if the HIV medication were a little cheaper, everyone would be able to afford it
E. there is no country in the world with more HIV positive citizens than India
2. The "AIDS cocktail" ---- .
A. is widely available and inexpensive
B. is produced in India by an Indian company
C. is taken by all HIV positive Indians every day
D. consists of about 20 different kinds of medicine
E. was devised, by an Indian doctor to combat AIDS
3. The word 'indigenous" in the passage probably means ------ .
A. inexpensive
B. local
C. imported
D. convenient
E. efficient

18. An average child of 5 years old uses only 1,500 of the 150,000 "dictionary" words that a modern
language contains. But this small treasury is used very intensively, by him during the years of learning,
at the rate of about 1,000 words an hour, or from 7,000 to 15,000 words each day for an active child.
School quickly increases his vocabulary, but leaves him with less opportunity for using it. At 10 years
old, his treasury amounts to 7,000 words, of which about 30% are used actively -the remainder is seldom
or never used and in an hour he will use about 700 words. By the time he enters university, his word
inventory will have grown to 20.000, and on graduation to 60.000, but of these only 10% -20%will be in
active use.
1. According to the passage, in general, a 5 -year old -child ----- .
A. has an enormous, vocabulary for his age
B. can learn 1.000 words in an hour
C. knows, but doesn’t use, about 150~000 words
D. learns about 7.000 to 15.000 words each day
E. uses only one percent of avai1able words
2. The passage tells us that when a child goes to school, ----- .
A. the amount of vocabulary he knows, and his usage of it, increase considerably
B. he is able to use more than half of the words found in a standard dictionary
C. he learns many words, but uses a smaller percentage of them than before
D. he finds more opportunity to use his ,vocabulary
E. he starts using about 7.000 words daily
3. An average university student ------- .
A. spends at least fifteen hours of a day listening or speaking
B. uses about 7,000 words, though he knows almost all the vocabulary
C. can only use half of the words he knows in everyday life
D. graduates with less than half of the vocabulary of his mother tongue
E. can actively use most of the words he has learnt during education
19. Ever since the 1978 Camp David Agreement and the 1979 peace treaty signed between Egypt and Israel,
the Suez Canal has been filled with a constant flow of maritime traffic. It is 163 km long, but still not
wide enough to accommodate modern ships sailing in opposite directions. There are plans to widen the
canal but, for now, ships can pass only at two points-the Bitter Lakes and Al - Ballan. With a depth of
19,5 metres, the canal is deep enough for most ships, except for super tankers. The canal is the prime
source of hard currency for Egypt's troublesome economy. Each of the 50 ships that pass through the
canal each day is charged a fee based on its size and weight. The average fee is about $70,000.
1. It is implied in the passage that ---- .
A. the famous Camp David is located near the Suez Canal
B. the Suez Canal was constructed sometime after 1979
C. there are no bridges anywhere that cr6ss the Suez Canal
D. in the period before 1979, fewer ships used the Suez Canal
E. the traffic on the Suez Canal makes shipping dangerous
2. 17-The passage suggests that ---- .
A. the Egyptians could make more money if they widened the Suez Canal
B. without the canal, the Egyptian government would be much better off
C. super tankers must proceed very carefully while going through the canal
D. the bigger and heavier a ship is, the more it has to pay to use the canal
E. the Israelis get a sizeable commission from the Suez Canal's traffic
3. 18 -It can be determined from the figures in the passage that ---- .
A. most ships on the Suez Canal are under 20 metres tail
B. a large ship pays about $1,400 to pass through the canal
C. the Egyptians make, on average, Over $3.500.000 a day from the canal
D. the Suez Canal is less than 20 metres wide in most parts
E. passage through the canal costs almost $100 per kilometer
20. The shiny metal supermarket shopping trolley. port of the landscape since the 1960s, is on the way out.
Sainsbury's is introducing what it calls a bionic trolley, made of recyclable plastic, which is lighter,
easier to control and, in theory, lasts for ever. Its headquarters in Ashford, Kent, has ordered 450 plastic
trolleys, and eventually the company plans to replace 250.000 metal ones at its 395 stores. The new
brightly coloured plastic trolley is made of a substance called Durethan, which is a recyclable material
used for making cars. The only metal part of the trolley will be the nuts used to hold it together. A
Sainsbury's spokeswoman said that unlike the existing metal trolleys, which have to be removed from
service if damaged and have an average life of seven years. the new trolleys can be taken apart and
repaired.
1. We may conclude from the passage that the old supermarket trolleys ---- .
A. were supposed to last for ever when they were first introduced
B. are being replaced in response to customer demand
C. are not at all heavy or difficult for shoppers to use
D. are often removed from the shops and left lying around
E. are less environmentally -friendly than the new ones
2. It is obvious from the passage that Sainsbury's .-.
A. plans to supply the new trolleys to other firms
B. is a company which runs a chain of supermarkets
C. is replacing all its trolleys with 450 plastic ones
D. will be constructing its own trolleys from Durethan
E. has about 250.000 plastic trolleys in storage
3. One way in which the new 'bionic' trolleys differ from the old metal trolleys is that -- .
A. the new ones will only have to be repaired about every seven years
B. the old style of trolley has to be repaired on a regular basis
C. the old metal ones have to be sent away for regular servicing
D. the new ones will last for about seven years longer than the old ones
E. the new trolleys are reparable and thus don't have to be replaced
21. Eliminating poverty is largely a matter of helping children born into poverty to rise out of it. Once
families escape from poverty, they do not fall back into it. Middle-class children rarely end up poor. The
primary reason poor children do not escape from poverty is that they do not acquire basic mental skills.
They cannot read, write, calculate, or articulate. Lacking these skills, they cannot get or keep a well-paid
job. The best mechanism for breaking this vicious circle is to provide the poor with better educational
opportunities. Since children born into poor homes do not acquire the skills they need from their parents,
they must be taught these skills in school.
1. The writer makes the point that, once people have overcome poverty, ............. .
A. the skills of reading and writing cease to be important for them
B. they cease to mix socially with the poor
C. they soon learn to adopt middle-class manners and ways
D. it is most unlikely that they will ever become poor again
E. they become eligible for well-paid employment in industry
2. According to writer, if poverty is to be overcome, ............. .
A. the only effective means for this would be to provide better education
B. more well-paid jobs should be offered to the poor.
C. all children, regardless of their class should receive the same formal education
D. middle-class children should be given better educational opportunities
E. the education of children should be based on mental skills
3. The main argument of the passage is that............. .
A. the children of the poor must learn basic mental skills at school so that they can escape from poverty.
B. middle class children do not need to learn basic mental skills at school ,since they learn them at
home
C. the elimination of poverty can only be achieved if he poor and the rich attend the same school
D. since basic mental skills are not being taught efficiently at schools, educational reform is essential
E. a child born into a poor family will inevitably stay poor all through his life

22. Sleep researchers have found that people can make themselves wake up at a given time simply by
deciding to do so before they go to sleep. Scientists took two groups of volunteers and, at nightfall, told
one group that they would be woken at 6 a.m. and the other that they would be woken at 9 a.m. The
sleepers' levels of the hormone adrenocorticotropin, which is known to cause spontaneous awakening,
were then measured. In each group, there was a rise in the levels of the hormone one hour before the
volunteers expected to get up. The three -hour difference between the rise in hormones in the two groups
suggests that the body can be programmed to wake up on command.
1. The people studied by the researchers ---.
A. participated in the experiment at their own will
B. suffered from insomnia
C. were having difficulty getting up early
D. were unable to wake up by other means
E. came from similar backgrounds
2. It seems that adrenocorticotropin ---- .
A. exists in higher levels in people who wake up very early
B. is produced by the body some time before a person wakes up
C. can't be measured without waking up the person being studied
D. is used by doctors for people who have difficulty getting up
E. is responsible for causing sleeplessness in a number of people
3. The experiment related in the passage has indicated that -- .
A. people who wake up at 6 a.m. have more hormones than 9 a.m. risers
B. computers can be used to help people wake up earlier than usual
C. our bodies are capable of being conditioned to wakeup at a suggested hour
D. the hormones that wake people up have a three -hour long cycle
E. hormones are more effective than outside stimuli for waning people
23. Stuttering is the term given to the condition in which the sufferer speaks with difficulty because he or
she cannot easily say the first sound of a word. Overall, there are about 50 million stutters in the world.
Despite decades of research, the cause of stuttering is not known, though contrary to popular opinion-it
is not thought to be caused by emotional distress. Some believe it might be caused genetically, but
scientists have been unable to pinpoint the actual reasons. What is known, however, is that it affects four
times more men than women, and that 25% of all children go through a stage of development during
which they stutter. Stuttering can be extremely demoralising. Those who are severely affected often
attempt to avoid speaking situations altogether.
1. The passage tells us that stuttering --- .
A. is passed down genetically from fathers to sons
B. usually stems from the sufferer experiencing a sudden shock
C. is a type of speech problem that affects a large number of people
D. can be avoided by neglecting to say the Initial sounds of words
E. is an incurable disease, and sufferers have no hope of recovery
2. We learn from the passage that scientists---- .
A. know that stuttering is genetic, but haven't found the gene that causes it
B. doing research into stuttering generally agree with public opinion
C. have not yet been able to determine exactly what causes stuttering
D. have discovered that both genetics and psychology cause stuttering
E. feel that stuttering is caused by emotional problems but can't prove this
3. It is implied in the passage that stuttering---- .
A. will always cause people suffering from it to be unable to speak at all
B. can be avoided by trying not to speak around too many people
C. affects only one -quarter of all women, but practically all men
D. can have a large negative impact on the social life of the sufferer
E. is easily treated if people are willing to avoid speaking in public

24. On August 11, 1911, the Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, was stolen from the Louvre
Museum in Paris. The thief, Vincenzo Peruggia, a Louvre employee, stored the painting in the false
bottom of a trunk in his flat for two years and then tried to sell it to his native Italy for $95,000. Italian
officials promptly arrested him and returned the 300 -year old masterpiece to France without a scratch.
At his trial in Florence, Peruggia convinced the jury that his act was one of patriotism-that his sole
motive was to return the famous painting to the land of its creator. Because of this declaration, he
received a relatively light sentence of 1 year and 15 days.
1. It's understood from the passage that the thief, Vincenzo Peruggia, ---- .
A. stole the Mona Lisa at the wish of the Italian authorities
B. was an Italian living and working in 'France
C. had stolen many other priceless works of art
D. was a master criminal wanted in many countries
E. was a descendant of Leonardo da Vinci
2. After its two -year stay in Peruggia's flat, the Mona Lisa ---- .
A. had a few scratches on its surface
B. was found by the French police
C. had been totally destroyed
D. was completely undamaged
E. was sold to an Italian museum
3. Peruggia's trail resulted in a somewhat easy punishment because --- .
A. his crime was considered a minor one
B. the Jury believed that the Mona Lisa actually belonged to Italy
C. the Mona Lisa was not damaged at all
D. the painting was safely returned to the Louvre Museum
E. the Jurors were moved by his love of Italy
25. This summer Britons are predicted to spend £6 billion on package holidays. According to a new survey,
the happiest holiday -makers are those who book with small, specialist companies. The survey suggests
that choosing the right tour company may be more important than choosing the right resort or hotel. So,
how can you make sure you end up with the sort of holiday you had in mind? If your budget is tight,
work out exactly what you can afford. Then, find a travel agent who has time to listen to your
requirements. This can be hard though, as many large high street chains set sales targets for heir staff,
and may even limit the amount of time employees spend per customer.

1. The recent survey mentioned in the passage shows that ----- .

A. small travel agencies usually satisfy their customers better
B. British people spend £6 billion on package holidays annually
C. most British people book their holidays through small travel agencies
D. luxurious holiday resorts are rarely preferred E) the staff at travel agencies deal with customers
efficiently
2. Following the advice in the passage, if you want to have a low -budget holiday, ---
A. it would be a good idea to go on a working holiday
B. make sure that you choose an excellent resort
C. decide exactly what you want before approaching an agency
D. a package holiday would be the best option
E. you should plan your finances carefully
3. The author warns that you may have difficulty in finding a travel agent who will
A. offer you a cheap holiday
B. give you a discount on the price
C. listen to you at length
D. offer decent holidays at lower prices
E. offer a wide variety of package holidays

26. Anger, fear or the shock of sudden sorrow brings physical changes in our bodies. The digestion is shut
down, the blood pressure is raised, the heart speeds up and the skin becomes cold. Maintained over a
prolonged period, this emergency status makes the body — and the personality —tight, dry and rigid. In
people who are afraid to let themselves pour forth their painful emotions, doctors find the suppressed
tears can trigger such ailments as asthma, migraine headache and many others. Weeping, on the other
hand, comes as part of the reversal of conditions of alarm, shock and anger. Tears do not, therefore,
mark a breakdown or low point, but a transition to warmth and hope and health. So there is a genuine
wisdom in tears. In permitting ourselves to weep instead of repressing the impulse, we help ourselves to
health.
1. From the statement in the passage, we can infer that some people ................ .
A. regard crying as a weakness or failure
B. don't consult their doctors about certain ailments
C. find that migraine headaches cause them to weep
D. develop personality problems from ailments such as asthma
E. go to the doctor more often for emotional reasons than physical
2. According to the writer, not crying ............... .
A. is a common characteristic of asthmatics
B. is a sign that a person is in poor health
C. causes the digestion to shut down
D. helps us to control our feelings of shock or anger
E. can bring on many unpleasant side-effects
3. In the writer's opinion ............... .
A. people should visit their doctors in times of emotional emergency
B. we need to cry in order to recover from traumas
C. weeping can cause alarm, shock or even anger in others
D. doctors don't do enough to help patients with motional problems
E. crying when we feel ill is as beneficial as visiting the doctor
27. All contact lenses are now made of plastic, but hard and soft varieties are available. The newer and more
expensive soft lenses can be bent and will return to their original shape. Made of water - absorbing
plastic, they cause very little discomfort and can be worn for as short or as long a period as you like.
Lenses of hard plastic do cause discomfort during the adjustment period and must be worn regularly so
that another break -in period isn't necessary. However, vision through soft contacts isn't as good as
through hard contacts. Another disadvantage of soft lenses is their tendency to absorb eye secretions and
mists from hair spray, room deodorant and the like.

1. One advantage soft contact lenses have over hard ones is that they ---- .
A. are made of natural products
B. are completely flexible
C. correct short -sightedness
D. aren't as expensive
E. come in two varieties
2. We learn from the passage that hard plastic lenses --- .
A. are water absorbent
B. must not be worn too often
C. are initially uncomfortable
D. may break if dropped
E. do not provide clear vision
3. We can conclude from the passage that a person wearing soft plastic lenses ---- .
A. ought to use them for short periods
B. has to get them adjusted by the optician
C. won't have any difficulty seeing clearly
D. should avoid using aerosol sprays
doesn't need to have them checked frequently