Read the following passages and then choose the best answer for each question

Passage 1

“I Have a Dream” is a public speech delivered by American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. In his speech, he called for an end to racism in the United States and called for civil and economic rights. Delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters, the speech was a defining moment of the civil rights movement. Beginning with a reference to the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed millions of slaves in 1863, King remarked that “one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free”. Toward the end of the speech, Mahalia Jackson shouted to the king from the crowd: “Tell them about the dream!” King departed from his prepared text for a partly improvised address on the theme “I have a dream”. In this part of the speech, which most excited the listeners and has now become its most famous, King described his dreams of freedom and equality arising from a land of slavery and hatred. Jon Meacham writes that with this single sentence, Martin Luther King joined others in the ranks of great orators. The speech was ranked the top American speech of the 20th century.

1. In paragraph 2, line 7, “its” refers to ……………… .

2. In paragraph 2, line 9, “orators” is closest in meaning to ………..……….. .

3. According to the passage, which sentence about Mahalia Jackson is correct?

4. The most important part of Martin Luther King’s speech was about …..….. .

5. Who was King’s audience?

6. According to the passage, King talked about ……….. .

7. What pushed King to speak “I have a dream”?

8. In paragraph 1, line 1, “delivered” is closest in meaning to ……………… .

9. In paragraph 1, line 5, “defining” is closest in meaning to …………… .

10. In paragraph 2, line 5, “improvised” is the OPPOSITE of …………. .

Passage 2

The human brain remembers negative experiences more easily than positive ones. Our brains have developed this way because threats, like dangerous animals, has a more immediate effect on our ancestors” survival compared to positive things, like food or shelter. As a result, you likely know what makes you unhappy, but do you know what makes you happy?      Research suggests that our level of happiness depends partly on factors we cannot control- our genes and our life circumstances, but our level of happiness is also shaped by the choices we make. I you’ve been chasing wealth, fame, material things, and power, you may be looking for happiness in all the wrong places. Psychologists suggest that the following habits make people happier.      People who form close relationships tend to be happier than those who do not. The number of friends we have is not important. What matters is the quality of our relationships. Relationships that bring happiness usually involve the sharing of feelings, mutual respect, acceptance, trust, fun, and empathy.      People who make a habit of caring for the wellbeing of others tend to be happier. This might involve volunteering for an organization or reaching out to support friends and family on a regular basis.      People who exercise regularly improve both their physical and mental wellbeing. Some research has shown that exercise can be as effective as medication in treating depression.      When we are so interested in an enjoyable activity that we lose track of time, we are in a state of flow. The activity could be making art, reading a book, swimming, or playing a game. People who are completely involved in their work or hobby tend to be happier.      People who include spirituality in their daily lives tend to be happier. Practicing spirituality is a way of recognizing and trying to understand the wonder and beauty of existence. Many people do this by going to a place of worship. Some people practice yoga or meditation. Some people go for long walks in nature.      People are more likely to be happy if they know what their strengths are and use them regularly. People who set goals and use their strength to achieve them tend to be happier. People are especially happy when they can use their strength to serve the greater good.      People who think positively by being grateful, mindful, and optimistic are more likely to be happy. Being grateful means being thankful. Being mindful means being open to, focusing on, and enjoying the experiences of the present moment. Being optimistic means being hopeful about the future.

1. In paragraph 4, line 1, “wellbeing” is the opposite of …………. .

2. In paragraph 6, line 1, “lose track of time” is closest in meaning to …….. .

3. We understand from the passage that ………… is not a way of caring for the wellbeing of others.

4. It was pointed out in the passage that our brain does not remember positive experiences as much as negative ones because ……………… .

5. …………. is not mentioned in the passage as a way people can include spirituality in their daily lives.

6. The passage implies that …………. is part of a quality relationship.

7. ………………………. is part of thinking positively.

8. According to the passage, …….. can help those who experience depression.

9. In paragraph 3, line 1, “close” is closest in meaning to ……………. .

10. In paragraph 3, line 4, “mutual” is closest in meaning to ……………. .

Passage 3

Many great inventions are initially greeted with ridicule and disbelief. The invention of the airplane was no exception. Although many people who heard about the first powered flight on December 17, 1903 were excited and impressed, others reacted with laughter. The idea of flying an aircraft was repulsive to some people. Such people called Wilbur and Orville Wright, the inventors of the first flying machine, impulsive fools. Negative reactions, however, did not stop the Wrights. Impelled by their desire to succeed, they continued their experiments in aviation.

Orville and Wilbur Wright had always had a compelling interest in aeronautics and mechanics. As young boys they earned money by making and selling kites and mechanical toys. Later, they operated a bicycle-repair shop. In 1896, when they read about the death of Otto Lilienthal, the brothers’ interest in flight grew into a compulsion.

Lilienthal, a pioneer in hang-gliding, had controlled his gliders by shifting his body in the desired direction. This idea was repellent to the Wright brothers, however, and they searched for more efficient methods to control the balance of airborne vehicles. In 1900 and 1901, the Wrights tested numerous gliders and developed control techniques. The brothers’ inability to obtain enough lift power for the gliders almost led them to abandon their efforts.

After further study, the Wright brothers concluded that the published tables of air pressure on curved surfaces must be wrong. Because of their efforts, the old tables were replaced by the first reliable figures.

They even designed and built a lightweight gasoline engine. When they started the engine on December 17, the airplane jumped up and down wildly before taking off. The plane managed to stay aloft for 12 seconds. However, by 1905 the Wrights had perfected the first airplane that could turn, circle and remain airborne for half an hour.

1. In paragraph 1, line 4, such people refers to those people who ……….….. the invention of the airplane.

2. In paragraph 1, line 7, “impelled” is closest in meaning to …..…………. .

3. In paragraph 5, line 3, “aloft” is closest in meaning to …….…….. .

4. In paragraph 5, line 3, “However” can be replaced by ………….. .

5. Some people thought that the Wrights had …….…….. .

6. It is pointed out in the passage that the Wrights’ interest in flight grew into ……………………….….. .

7. Some people ……….. the idea of flying an aircraft.

8. We understand from passage that Lilienthal’s idea about controlling airborne vehicles ……….….. the Wrights.

9. Because of the Wright’s research, the old tables and figures for air pressure on curved surfaces were ……..…….. .

10. It is clear from the passage that the invention of airplane was first faced with ……….…….. by some people.

Passage 4

Mount Vesuvius, a volcano located between the ancient Italian cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, has received much attention because of its frequent and destructive eruptions. The volcano had been dormant for centuries. There was little warning of the coming eruption, although archaeologists asserted that a hard rain and a strong wind had come during the preceding night. Early the next morning, the volcano poured a huge river of molten rock down upon Herculaneum, completely burying the city with coagulated lava.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain, large portions of the city Pompeii were destroyed in the fire. Fire, however, was not the only cause of destruction. Poisonous gases saturated the air. These heavy gases were not buoyant in the atmosphere and therefore sank toward the earth and suffocated people. Over the years, excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum have revealed a great deal about the behavior of the volcano. By analyzing data, much as a zoologist cuts apart an animal for research, scientists have concluded that the eruption changed large portions of the area’s geography. For instance, it turned rivers from their courses. Meteorologists studying these events have also concluded that Vesuvius caused a huge tidal wave that affected the world’s climate.

In addition to making these investigations, archaeologists have been able to study the skeletons of victims by using distilled water to wash away the volcanic ash. Scientists have been able to draw conclusions about the diet and habits of the residents. Finally, the excavations at both Pompeii and Herculaneum have yielded many examples of classical art, such as jewelry made of bronze. Today, volcanologists can locate and predict eruptions, saving lives and preventing the destruction of other cities and cultures.

1. One can infer from the passage that tidal waves ………….……. .

2. In paragraph 2, line 1, “dormant” is closest in meaning to ………… .

3. In paragraph 2, line 3, “preceding” is the opposite of ………… .

4. In paragraph 5, line 2, “distilled” is closest in meaning to …….………. .

5. According to the passage, Pompeii ……………… .

6. It was pointed out in the passage that Herculaneum was buried under …………………

7. Based on the passage, which sentence is NOT correct?

8. It is clear from the passage that the poisonous gases ………………. .

9. Scientists who studied atmospheric conditions have concluded that the volcanic eruption caused ……….………. .

10. The author of the passage made a comparison between a zoologist and …………………. .