1. Sandra :- I saw a news programme on TV the other evening about the long-term negative effects of a global population decline. Leslie :-
----Sandra :- That’s right. And no easy solutions are on offer.
Leslie :- So it really is a serious problem.. A) So did I. It seems that the industrialized countries
especially are being threatened.
B) Yes, I did. France seems to be making a quick recovery.
C) The population in many industrialized nations has been increasing for decades.
D) Of course not. People are having fewer children these days as the cost of raising and educating them has increased.
E) Improved medical services have also contributed.
2. Elizabeth :- According to this article, the world is now a safer place than it was during the Cold War.
Philip :-
----Elizabeth :- Not as much as you might think. The number of governments possessing nuclear arms has actually declined since the end of the Cold War.
Philip :- So even though terrorists attack more often, they don’t kill the high number of people that a nuclear warhead would..
A) It must be due to increased security at national borders.
B) That can’t be true. You’d better re-read the article! C) What about the recent rise in international
terrorism? Doesn’t that make the world more dangerous?
D) I completely agree. Just think of all the missiles the US and Russia had pointed at each other during the 1980s!
E) What do you think is the reason for this situation?
3. Marian :- What do you think about multi-millionaire Donald Trump? It says in this article that he may not be as rich as people think. Susan :-
----Marian :- But most of his money is sunk into businesses, many of which are failing.
Susan :- He always seems to stay on top, though, doesn’t he?.
A) What do you think the secret of his success is? B) From his lifestyle, it certainly seems as though he
has a lot of money.
C) He has a very charismatic personality, I suppose that explains it.
D) I think he should be doing more charity work with all his income.
E) How did he make his fortune in the first place?
4. Walt :- Don’t you think that the children are watching too much television?
Sandra :- I don’t think so. They only watch after they’ve finished their homework.
Walt :-
----Sandra :- I suppose you’re right. Sporting activities might be the answer..
A) Have they finished their homework yet this evening?
B) Tell them to turn it off and read a book! C) Why don’t you ask if they’d like to read a book? D) I don’t remember watching this much TV when I
was a child.
E) But I think they should be involved in other activities as well.
5. Peter :- Have you read this article? It says that two thirds of all the senior citizens who have ever lived are alive today.
Katie :- Yes. With the world’s large aging population, I’m surprised that so many companies still market their products to the younger generation.
Peter :-
----Katie :- That’s right. In addition to being the largest market, seniors are also the richest market today..
A) What about the grown children of seniors? Aren’t they a large market?
B) I’m not. You know what a “youth culture” we have in the world these days.
C) But aren’t there an awful lot of rich young people around?
D) You’re right. There’s a lot of money to be made in products tailored for older people.
E) I don’t think the senior market is as large as is often suggested.
6. Hannah :-
----Bob :- Yes; it also seems that if women continue to have a larger share of the labour market, it will create social problems.
Hannah :- Really? Like what?
Bob :- Well, it says in this article that male unemployment and crime will rise, leading to over-crowded prisons and difficult family life.. A) Women today are receiving a better education than
they used to.
B) It seems that women are now working outside the home more than ever before.
C) It says here that in secondary schools, girls do better than boys on standardized tests in all subjects, even in maths and science.
D) Women shouldn’t be willing to work for less money than men.
E) I think it’s wonderful that more and more women are working in managerial positions.
7. John :- Have you heard about the apart-hotel in the Netherlands that has moveable cloth walls in the rooms?
Anne :-
----John :- What a good idea.
Anne :- Yes, it really allows for a lot of flexibility.. A) No, I haven’t. What do you mean by cloth walls? B) Yes, since the walls are made of cloth, the rooms
can be made larger or smaller to suit the needs. C) Yes, but since the walls are made of cloth, wouldn’t
that be a fire hazard?
D) I think it’s a terrible idea. You’d be able to hear everything through the cloth walls.
E) Why do they need moveable walls in the room? You’d have to rearrange the furniture every time you moved the walls!
8. Jack: I never knew you were an urban explorer. Is that what you were doing at the weekend? Sam:Yes, I've been doing it for about a year now.
Jack:----Sam: I just love the thrill of exploring, especially in the abandoned tunnels under the streets.. A) It sounds like a thrilling experience. Is it scary? B) How long have you been exploring such places? C) Is it just something to do at the weekend? D) In your opinion, which is the best city to go urban
exploring?
E) So you explore old forgotten places in our cities. Why do you do it?
9. Peter: I've just been to the European Festival Science on Stage.
Alison:Yes, I heard about it. There was a lot of talk about young people, wasn't there? Peter : There was, especially on how to ensure that in the future we have enough scientists. Alison :
----Peter:That's exactly what I think too. Children are our future..
A) There\'s no problem. We\'ll always have enough people who want to be scientists.
B) Personally, I don\\'t think it has anything to do with age.
C) There has really been a decrease in the number of young scientists.
D) Yes, it\\'s all to do with education. Science teachers need to inspire young people.
E) I think scientists are really lucky. They\\'re doing a job that they love.
10. Paul: Did you hear the news that they found a whale in the River Thames in the middle of London?
Henry: Yes, I did. No one knows why the poor whale ended up in the river.
Paul:
----Henry: Well, that’s a credible explanation.. A) I think people have petitioned to have it placed in
the zoo.
B) They say the cause of its death can only be known after an autopsy.
C) Do you think a whale has to eat in order not to get dehydrated?
D) I guess it was too young to find its way out to the North Sea.
E) Whales always use their sense of navigation not to get lost.
11. John: I can’t believe this! Psychologists believe that gossip can be a healthy social activity. Kate:
----John: Well, apparently through gossip, people can make social comparisons, and learn what is and isn’t acceptable.
Kate: That sounds reasonable..
A) Which group of psychologists would be right in this matter?
B) What did they say against gossiping?
C) What if they were all wrong and people were right? D) Why do they have to make comments like that? E) What sort of claim are they making?
12. Bill:- What are the consequences of a debt crisis? Jack:- Either inflation or deflation.
Bill:-
----Jack:- Well, it depends on the government’s economic priorities..
A) The crisis can be avoided right from the start. B) I think inflation is worse than deflation. C) I hope neither of them will happen. D) What measures can be taken against them? E) How do you make your investments?
13. James: Did you read about that 13-year old who climbed Mt. Everest?
Steve: No, when was that? James:
----Steve: You’re right. What was his father thinking?.
A) For a teenager, he was extremely brave. B) He wet last summer with his father and three
friends.
C) Last summer, with his father. Too young, wasn’t he?
D) He was really lucky that his father decided to take him.
E) I think he was the first teenager ever to have climbed Mt. Everest.
14. John:- Creditors always carry a remote risk of extreme loss.
Terry:- How do they protect themselves against it?
John:-
----Terry:- I think it’s a good idea..
A) Actually, a number of banks have gone bankrupt. B) I think most loans are not paid back in time. C) The government provides a variety of incentives. D) Most economists can anticipate the amount of
future losses.
E) They invest in Treasury bonds.
15. Clark: I just read an interesting article in this magazine about what makes business successful. Sally: What does it say?
Clark:
----Sally: Well, that sounds very interesting. I never thought of it in that way before..
A) I don’t know if I agree with you, because the idea sounds ridiculous.
B) It seems that high-performance businesses use their expertise not just to serve markets, but also create them.
C) The article is a bit difficult to explain to a person with no background in business administration. D) It says something about how to make a business
profitable, but I don’t quite understand it. E) It is very difficult for a large company to stay in
businesses these days.
16. John: What do you think is the most serious threat to our children’s future?
Nicole: Well, probably that there won’t be enough energy. We need to develop alternatives to fossil fuels like petrol.
John:
----Nicole: Probably, wind power. We need to use energy from the wind to meet our energy needs in the future..
A) How will that work? Are you saying we should stop using our cars?
B) That doesn’t sound right. I am afraid I disagree with you.
C) What do you think is the best form of alternative energy?
D) Global warming is forcing everyone to think about alternative energy.
E) People should give up their luxurious lifestyles and use less energy.
17. Joan :- My credit card bill arrived this morning. My debt is far greater than I had expected. Benjamin :-
----Joan :- No, but I always pay at least the required minimum.
Benjamin :- Then that’s probably why it is so high. You pay interest on the remainder of your debt..
A) Had you repaid the whole of your debt? B) Didn’t you look at the details?
C) Had the bank called you about your debt? D) Did you spend less last month?
18. Jane : Can you do me a favour, please? Tony : Of course.
Jane : Can you pick up my 12-year-old sister from the airport tomorrow, at 2 p.m.?
Tony : ----.
A) Wasn’t she rather young to be travelling on her own?
B) I haven’t seen her for a long time, so I didn’t recognize her.
C) Certainly. I’II be pleased to do so. D) She’s a very grown-up 12-year-old.
E) You should have told her I’d be meeting her; then she wouldn’t have worried.
19. Kenny :- I’ve heard that they are privatizing this bank.
Peter :- Yes, so they say. Kenny :-
----Peter :- I don’t have any precise information about them, but there are rumours that there are at least two..
A) When is the privatization taking place? B) Do you know anything about the bidders? C) How many people are employed at the bank? D) Do you know whom they sold it to?
E) For how long has this bank operated?
20. Molly :- It says here that Gertrude Stein was one of the century’s most publicized but least read authors.
Eileen :- I find that very sad. If one writes, one must want to be read.
Molly :-
----Eileen :- Right. And just look who listened to her:Hemingway, Thornton Wilder and even Picasso!.
A) In fact, Picasso painted her portrait.
B) Yes. But she had the satisfaction of knowing that people visited her to listen to her ideas.
C) She actually spent more of her life in Paris than in America.
D) Though she spent very little time in America she actually understood its people and culture very well.
E) It wasn’t very wise of her to stay in France during the German occupation, for she was Jewish.
21. Molly: - It says here that Gertrude Stein was one of the century's most publicised but least read authors.
Eileen : - I find that very sad. If one writes, one must want to be read.
Molly:- ----
Eileen: - Right. And just look who listened to her - Hemingway, Thornton Wilder and
even Picasso!.
A) In fact, Picasso painted her portrait.
B) Yes. But she had the satisfaction of knowing that people visited her to listen to her talking. C) She actually spent more of her life in Paris than in
America.
D) Though she spent very little time there she actually understood America very well.
E) It wasn\'t very wise of her to stay in France during the German occupation for she was Jewish.
22. Fred :- Have you read this article about Lady Bird Johnson, the wife of former US president Lyndon Baines Johnson?
Bob :-
----Fred :- That’s right. The article is largely about her commitment to cleaning up America and making it more beautiful by planting trees and flowers in the cities.
Bob :- Well, that’s a worthy cause, and I think she succeeded during her lifetime. .
A) No, I haven’t. How do you find the time to read so many articles?
B) No; I was never a big fan of either President or Mrs Johnson.
C) No. What does it say about her?
D) No, but I’d like to have a look at it when you’re through.
E) No, I haven’t. Didn’t she die last year?
23. Gerald :- Well, all three candidates seemed pretty good tome.
Mary :- ----Gerald :- Why?
Mary :- He has both the academic qualifications and the organizing ability we are looking for.. A) Agreed. But, the last one we interviewed is the one
I favour.
B) The first one, though, didn’t really impress me. C) I’m not sure that any of them could work under
pressure.
D) The young one seemed to me too immature for this post and lacking in experience.
24. Gerald: - Well, all three candidates seemed pretty good to me.
Mary: - ---- Gerald:- Why?
Mary: - He has both the academic qualifications and the organising ability we are looking for.. A) I\'m not sure that any of them could work under
pressure.
B) The first one, though, didn\'t really impress me. C) Agreed. But, the last one we interviewed is the one
I favour.
D) The young one seemed to me too immature for this post and lacking in experience.
E) Right. There\'s not much to judge between them.
25. Oscar :- This article tells how a poor woman in Bangladesh borrowed money from a bank and set up a small profitable business.
Ernie :-
----Oscar :- I had never heard of it until I read this article. Very interesting.
Ernie :- Imagine. When she has finished paying off the loan, she’ll make an even greater profit! . A) So you are interested in economic matters, are
you?
B) Oh, I know. It is an example of the micro-credit system practised in Bangladesh.
C) How did she find a bank that would lend her the money?
D) As you may recall, the per capita income in Bangladesh has always been very very low. E) Bangladesh is not an industralized country, and the
rate of unemployment there is very very high.
26. Andrew :- Are the five linked circles the symbol of the Olympic Games?
Roger :- Yes. That’s why everyone in the competitions wears them.
Andrew :-
----Roger :- They certainly do. They symbolize that Earth’s five continents are linked in sporting activities..
A) Do they have a meaning? B) What do they mean? C) Are there always five circles? D) Why are there five circles? E) Why are the circles linked?
27. Della :-Did you know that Eugene O’Neill was the son of a Shakespearean actor?
Hector:---Della :-That’s right. Instead, he started acting in plays where he could make more money, and Eugene spent his first seven years travelling with him while he was acting in such a play.
Hector:-I suppose that had an effect on the plays that Eugene O’Neill would write in the future.. A) No, I didn’t. Did Eugene O’Neill act as well? B) And he had a long and distinguished
Shakespearean career.
C) Didn’t he have a brother who died at the age of two?
D) Yes, but didn’t his father give up acting Shakespeare?
E) He won the Pulitzer Prize a year after his death, for Long Day’s Journey into Night.
28. Interviewer:- Are you unhappy about the lack of privacy?
Film Star:- Not at all. Privacy has never been that important to me.
Interviewer:-
----Film Star:- Well, why would you choose this sort of a life and then worry about privacy?.
A) That’s exactly what I think about it. B) So, you’re complaining about it? C) Really? That surprises me. D) That sounds like a good idea. E) My private life has to be my own.
29. Lucy :- I hear Mary got the first prize in that painting competition.
Rosemary :- ----Lucy :- Did she really?
Rosemary :- Yes she did. I saw her painting and it really was good..
A) She is developing a new style that is most interesting.
B) Well, that is a surprise! Shell be pleased. C) I thought she might. It was a good picture. D) She is really a very talented young woman. E) Oh, Im so glad. She certainly deserved it.
30. Tony :- Are you going on a walking holiday again this year?
Andrew :- No, Im going on a cycling holiday. You can get farther on a bike.
Tony :-
----Andrew :- No neither have I. It doesn't matter. We don't have to go long distances everyday.. A) You know Id love to join you, but I havent done
much cycling.
B) My ideas of the perfect holiday is something much more restful.
C) Where are you thinking of going? Somewhere mountainous?
D) That would be too energetic for me. Im lazy, I suppose.
E) I think its time I did something more adventurous like that.
31. Liz :- Do you think books for children should avoid social problems and unpleasant subjects? Clare :- No, I dont. Do you?
Liz :-
----Clare :- In fact, they can often face it better than adult scan!.
A) Certainly not! The children I know are quite capable of facing reality.
B) I\'m not sure. I dont like to read about unpleasant situations myself!
C) No. But I think the best childrens books are the imaginative ones.
D) You know Im very fond of fairy tales, and there are a lot of problems and evil characters in them. E) Yes I do. Let the children live in a good world for as
long as possible.
32. Brian :- Did you go to the gym last night? Danny :- Yes, I did. And I feel much better for it. Why don't you join me?
Brian :-
----Danny :- Stop wondering and make it definite! Be ready at 8.15 on Friday!.
A) I cant help wondering where you get the energy for it!
B) I\'m wondering whether my doctor will agree. C) No thanks! I was just wondering what it was like. D) Actually, I have been wondering about doing so. E) I wish I could. I wonder how you find time for it.
33. Charles :- Have you heard from your brother recently?
Pat :- Yes, I have. Hes really enjoying himself at the Military Academy.
Charles :-
----Pat :- That was only natural. It really meant a new start for him and he'd never even been away from home before..
A) He\'ll do fine there. Hes a natural leader you know.
B) I knew he would be. Thats why I encouraged him to go there.
C) Of course he is! An active life like that is exactly right for him.
D) I\'m sure he will be very satisfied with the training offered.
E) I\'m glad to hear that. He seemed a bit worried about whether he would like it.
34. Albert:- By the way, what do you think of Johns performance in the sales department?
Richard:- As the manager of the department, I find him most promising. All he needs is a bit of encouragement.
Albert:-
----Richard:- Dont you worry! I'll do my best for him..
A) Well, then, give him some whenever you have the opportunity. Hes a nice chap.
B) You seem to have a grudge against him; do you? C) He is very well qualified.
D) How long has he been working in your department? E) His self-confidence is a valuable asset and should
help him to succeed.
35. Molly :- What are you doing on Saturday? Agnes :-
----Molly :- Do you need any help?
Agnes :- I certainly do! You can use a sewing machine, cant you?.
A) I\'ve still not finished the costumes for the end-of term play. So I\'ll be busy with them.
B) I promised to help mother in the garden. There really is a lot to do there.
C) My little brother is having a birthday party and Im on duty; organizing the games I suppose.
D) Nothing at all. I\'ve been terribly busy all week and Im determined to do nothing at all on Saturday.
36. John :- Youre looking worried. Whats the matter?
Martin :-
----John :- Then dont listen to them. Keep it simple and include only what you think is necessary. Martin :- Yes; Im sure that will be best.. A) I wish I hadnt agreed to play table tennis with
them this evening.
B) I really want to apologize for breaking that window, but dont know what to say.
C) They keep trying to persuade me to go on that bicycle trip with them, but I dont want to. D) It\'s that letter of application. Everyone is trying to
advise me; and they are all saying different things! E) I know I didnt do at all well at that interview, so I
wont be offered the job. What can I do to improve myself?
37. Ken :- I plan to spend two to three months in France when I finish school, and get fluent in French.
Paul :-
----Ken :- Not necessarily. And, besides, Im earning quite a bit of money now with a part-time job as a waiter.
Paul :- Good for you! You really are very enterprising..
A) I\'d come with you if only I had the money. B) I\'d like to go to Germany for the same reason. C) That\'s a good idea. But wont it be expensive? D) Lucky you! Where is the money coming from? E) Will you be in Paris most of the time?
38. Sue : The latest scientific findings suggest that a huge comet hit North America about 13, 000 years ago.
Paul: Isn't that around the time when mammoths became extinct?
Sue
:----Paul:Sounds like a good explanation to me.. A) That\'s right. North America was full of mammoths
at that time.
B) Yes, that probably explains why they no longer exist. The impact must have killed them all. C) Yes, so all the mammoths had to leave their natural
habitat and move to South America.
D) No, I think they died out much later than what people think.
E) Exactly, so it seems that they have finally come up with a reasonable theory.
39. Sally : What did you learn in school today? Bob: Apparently, when the universe was only a few minutes old, the only element was hydrogen. Sally
:----Bob: Well, they were formed later.. A) How can scientists know that? B) Do you know why?
C) Where did it come from?
D) Really? What about the other elements? E) That\'s amazing! What do you think?
40. Aylin: - Do you know anything about Chicago? Pat: - Not really. I've spent a couple of weeks there. It's famous for its architecture, and deservedly so.
Aylin: -
----Pat: - Most certainly! There are lots to see there and lots to do. Don't miss the chance.. A) If I go, it will be for a year; and hat\'s an awfullong
time!
B) Yes. I\'d heard about that. The city was rebuiltafter a fire.
C) I\'ve the chance of going either to Chicago orto Boston.
D) I gather the university is quite a way out oftown. E) I\'ve been offered a post there for a year at
theuniversity. Should I go?
41. Pam: - What a ridiculous advertisement this is! Sue: -
----Pam: - It says: We've added a million innovations.
Sue: - Yes; even for an advert, that is pretty farfetched..
A) Is it another one for cell-phones? B) Tell me later. I\'m busy now. C) What are they advertising?
D) Most of them are these days. Continue.
E) I used to worry about all the paper they wastewith it.
42. Brenda: - I see the British government is still the most monolingual in Europe.
Andrew: - But Tony Blair's French is quite competent, I believe.
Brenda: - ----
Andrew: - That's true. Suppose we don't have much of an incentive to team a foreign language..
A) Really? I wasn\'t aware of, the fact.
B) I guess so. Is he putting pressure on hisministers to learn French?
C) I don\'t know about that. Anyhow, translators need jobs.
D) So I hear. What about his German? E) Yes it is; but he\'s the exception, you know.
43. Jane: - Are you looking at the criminal statistics? Rosemary: - Yes, I am. They're horrifying! Over 39, 000 recorded street crimes in London alone over the year.
Jane: -
----Rosemary: - No. In well over half the cases it was cell phones, they were after..
A) Have you ever been attacked? B) Actually, that doesn\'t surprise one. C) Mostly bag-snatching, I suppose?
D) Men are careless about where they carry their wallets.
E) If the streets are crowded, it\'s easy enough.
44. Janet: - How's your brother? Has he fully recovered from his accident?
Helen: - Yes. He's very resilient. I got a postcard from him the other day, from New York.
Janet: - ----
Helen: - Oh, he's an opera fan. And there was a production he just couldn't miss..
A) What\'s he doing there? B) Does he often write to you? C) How long does he plan to stay? D) Are you going to join him there? E) How nice of him to write!
45. Stephen :- I see some of the big car companies are going through a hard time.
Jan: - They certainly are. Some have to make economies on quite a large scale. Stephen :- ----
Jan: - Some of them started novelty advertising last year, but the results were poor..
A) Why do they keep on bringing out new models? There\'s too much choice already.
B) How do you feel about that?
C) After all, there are far too many cars on the roads! I can\'t think how beginners manage!
D) Well, what do you think would get them out of their difficulty?
E) Will that help? I doubt it. Better advertising might be worth a try.
46. Brian: - There really has been a spate of scandals in the business world recently.
Gordon: - Yes. But they are serving to impress on us what the hallmarks of good management are. Brian: - ----
Gordon: - Integrity, straightforwardness and openness..
A) That\'s a positive way of looking at it. B) In your opinion, what are they? C) I hadn\'t thought about that at all. D) How do you account for that?
E) What\'s the worst one as far as you\'re concerned?
47. Helen: - The Tower of London is really a museum, isn't it?
Jane: - Yes, but it's also a historical monument and dates back to William the Conqueror. Helen. - ---
Jane: - It certainly was. And many famous people, Anne Boleyn for instance, were not
only imprisoned there but also executed there.. A) Wasn\'t it a prison at one time?
B) Weren’t the crown jewels kept there? C) I imagine it\'s well worth a visit.
D) How long did it take to go round the Armory? E) Why does the staff wear Tudor period dress?
48. Paul: - Wasn't the Rio company founded to mine copper in Spain?
Peter: - That's right In 1873. And the company was set up in the same year. 200, 000
shares were put on offer at UK £10. Paul: - ---
Peter: - So it seemed. But by the end of the century Rio was the largest mining company in the world..
A) How many of them were sold?
B) Some people were being far too optimistic, weren\'t they?
C) There\'s been a merger since then, hasn\'t there? D) Who was responsible for all this?
E) Does the company only mine copper?
49. Andrew: - Software engineers have programmed a computer to investigate suspicious
deaths. That sounds interesting.
Mark: - Tell me more about the programme. Andrew: - ----
Mark: - Sounds sensible. In detective fiction, the police are invariably on the wrong track because it appears to be the most likely one..
A) The problem is obviously the huge volume ofinformation you would have to put in. B) One can only learn the truth by asking
relevantquestions. C) The software also has a
D) I suppose it could help to prevent miscarriagesof justice.
E) It\'s designed to help detectives explore lines of enquiry other than the obvious ones.
50. Clare: - Has Brian made up his mind about what he wants to do?
Brenda: - Oh, yes. The details have yet to be decided on. But it's always been clear that he would have a career connected with animals. Clare: -
----Brenda: - Perhaps. But in the end I think he'll go out to Africa working on safaris..
A) A lot of young people feel like that; but thenthey change their minds.
B) Is he going to be a veterinary doctor then? C) That wouldn\'t suit my son at all.
D) Good luck to him! It can\'t have been easy for him. E) I hadn\'t realized he was that keen on animals.
