ENGLISH TEST – HIGH SCHOOL (2)

READ THE PARAGRAPH AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

Erosion is regarded not merely as the physical removal of soil by water and wind, but rather as the
deterioration of all the component parts of the habitat in which man and his crops and livestock have to
exist. Since there is no conclusive evidence for any major climatic change in historic times to explain this
deterioration, we must conclude that the eroding of the total environment has been due primarily to
thoughtless destruction of the vegetative cover. This has led to deterioration of the microclimate above and
below the surface, generally in the direction of a general drying out of the soil which has exposed it to erosive
action of wind and rainfall of high intensity or frequency, and to the loss of organic matter in the soil, thus
reducing its capacity to resist erosion by conserving the water that falls on the surface. If everything possible
is done within the total environment to conserve the naturally planted or cultivated vegetation, this will also
ensure optimal conservation of soil and water.

1 - It is argued in the passage that the impoverishment of the world's habitat ______________.

A) is first and foremost due to man's irresponsible abuse of the vegetable cover of the earth
B) is largely due to gradual changes in climate over long years
C) became inevitable as soon as agricultural and animal husbandry developed
D) cannot be remedied
E) has been needlessly exaggerated

2 - The definition of erosion given in this passage _________________.

A) is a strictly regional one
B) disregards man's role in it
C) concentrates on flooding
D) assumes that the process is inevitable
E) is a broad one

3 - It is pointed out in the passage that the loss of organic matter in the soil ________________ .
A) led to the destruction of the world's vegetative cover
B) is a direct result of insufficient rain
C) is an irreversible process
D) has made the soil more susceptible to erosion
e) came about through over planting which robbed the soil of nutrients
CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER:
4 - I wish I could go camping with you next weekend, it sounds fun. _________ though I have to work.
a) Unfortunately b) Basically c) Hopefully

5 - A: What's your new boss ____? B: He seems OK. He lets her get on with the job.
a) look b) seem like c) like

6 - I wish I ________ home earlier last night. I'm so tired today.

a) was going b) had gone c) went

COMPLETE THE SECOND SENTENCE SO THAT IT HAS A SIMILAR MEANING TO THE FIRST SENTENCE, USING
THE WORD GIVEN. DO NOT CHANGE THE WORD GIVEN. YOU MUST USE BETWEEN TWO AND FIVE WORDS,
INCLUDING THE WORD GIVEN.

7 - 'Do you know the way to the Italian restaurant?' Julie asked Maria.
where
Julie asked Maria _________________________________ the Italian restaurant was.

8 - They decided to advertise their house on the internet.

put
They decided _______________________________ their house on the internet.

9 - The family went skiing a month ago.

month
It _________________________________ the family went skiing.

EXCLUDE THE ODD SENTENCE:

(I) Symbolism is the bridge between Romanticism and Modernism and its use provides a basis of continuity.
(II) Romantic writers mostly used symbols drawn from nature or from mythology. (III) Modern writers tend
to use less obvious symbols. (IV) Rhyme is rarely used in modern poetry. (V) In one modern novel a bar of
soap, for instance, has great symbolic force.

10 - Which of the numbered sentences can be excluded from the passage above?
a) I b) II c) III d) IV e) V
(I) The declaration of Human Rights gives great emphasis to education. (II) After all, the declaration shows
how near the world is to being ideal. (III) This is natural as advances in the cause of freedom and of social
rights depend very largely on education. (IV) Indeed, educators must accept a major share of the
responsibility for shaping a society's attitudes towards Human Rights. (V) If they do not do so, the document
will remain ineffective.

11 - Which of the numbered sentences can be excluded from the passage above?
a) I b) II c) III d) IV e) V

WRITING

12 - YOU ARE KEEN TO STUDY ENGLISH IN LONDON. READ THE SCHOOL ADVERTISEMENT AND THE NOTES
FROM YOUR TEACHER. THEN WRITE AN EMAIL TO MR WILLIAMS AT THE BIG BEN LANGUAGE SCHOOL
ASKING FOR DETAILS.
Language courses in London at the Big Ben School of English
Our well-equipped school offers English language courses in the
heart of London.
The school has a friendly atmosphere and organises a full range
of sporting and social activities as well as excursions out of
London.
The school is conveniently located near the museums and the
river. Accommodation can be arranged with carefully selected
British families.
Contact Jim Williams by email (jw@bigbenschool.org.uk) for
further details.

TIPS:
When you write to the school make sure you find out:

 how many students there will be in the school and in each class
 what qualifications the teachers have
 what resources the school has
 what is included in the price

EMAIL TO LANGUAGE SCHOOL:

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________