Choose the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s).
Stay away from the boss today - he's spitting blood over that printing mishap.
Choose the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s).
The student did exhaustive research before writing the term paper.
Choose the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s).
On second thoughts, I think I will go with you to the theater.
Choose the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s).
The changes in a person's physical and emotional state caused by drinking alcohol are known as intoxication.
Choose the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s).
The manager of this company is always courteous to customers.
Choose the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s).
The caffeine in coffee invigorates a coffee drinker.
Choose the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s).
During World War II, many countries joined forces to defeat a common enemy.
Choose the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s).
Most universities have trained counselors who can reassure and console students who have academic or personal problems.
To complete our work, we need to _____ the computer problem preventing us from retrieving necessary data.
We have already discovered that there are many kinds of metals, _____ its special properties.
The mountain path was so _____ that only experienced climbers dared to attempt it.
The new law will soon come into _____ after being passed by the constitution.
Her health has improved in _____.
Before streaming was popular, people often _____ CDs to share music.
The board proposes that the majority of this year's profits _____ in new product development.
_____, he would have been able to pass the exam.
Read the text and choose the best answer to fill in the blanks.
Sunday May 4th will be World Laughter Day. Dr. Madan Kataria, who introduced this annual event, says we need more laughter in our lives to the global rise of stress and loneliness. But surely that strange sound that we make periodically can't be the to such problems.
If an alien were to land on our planet and take a stroll among a crowd of earthlings, it would hear a lot of 'ha-ha' noises. It might wonder what this strange habit served. If we ask ourselves what a good laugh, the obvious answer is that it is a response to something funny. But one scientist, Robert Provine, says humor has surprisingly little to do with that. Instead, it lies at the of such issues as the perception of self and the evolution of language and social behavior.
Provine realized that you cannot capture laughter in the lab because as soon as you it under scrutiny, it vanishes. So, instead, he gathered data by hanging around groups of people, noting when they laughed.
He collected 1,200 laugh episodes and episodes being defined as the comment immediately preceding the laughter and the laughter itself. His analysis of this data revealed some important facts about laughter. "If it's a message we send to other people — it disappears when we're by ourselves," he says. "And it's not a choice. Ask someone to laugh and they'll either try to fake a laugh or say they can't do it on command."
Read the passage then choose the best answer to each question.
In the early 19th century, football was very popular in the top private schools in England. Initially, each school had its own rules, and while the pupils were still at school the fact that they played by these particular rules hardly mattered. When, however, they left for the universities or for business in the provinces, it became clear that if they were to continue playing football they were going to need a universal set of rules, acceptable to all teams.
Up until the 1850s, two teams at, say, Oxford University, would only be playing a familiar game if every player had been to the same school. As things turned out, a major game was often preceded by a long correspondence with lengthy arguments about the rules. Was handling to be allowed? How many players on each side? How long should the pitch be? How wide the goals? Would carrying the ball be permitted? ('Yes', would say all the ex-pupils of Rugby school; 'No', would say almost everyone else.) And even when the game got underway, confusion and protests would necessitate long midfield conferences between the two captains.
In the time it became usual for the ex-Rugby students and their small but growing company of followers from other schools to play 'rugby' football on their own, and for the others to come to some agreement over the rules of the more popular version. Few of these early codes of rules have come down to us complete, but snatches from them give a clear idea of the patterns of the early game, and in particular how boring it must have been to stand in the cold and watch.
The first serious attempts at laying down the rules of football were made at Cambridge University in 1848 and these were adapted and tightened up twice in the 1850s. Then in November 1862, the Cambridge Rules have revised yet again and specified 11-a-side, an umpire from each side plus a neutral referee, goals 12 feet (3.7 m) across and up to 20 feet (6.15 m) high, and an hour and a quarter's play only. These rules were said to have worked well; in the following year, they formed a vital part of the rules of the newly formed-Football Association.
The formation of the Football Association was bitter and often ill-tempered. With neither side willing to give way, the split between rugby players and the rest became too wide ever to be mended. The real disagreement was not over running with the ball but over 'hacking'. Rugby players felt it was manly and courageous to tackle an opponent by kicking him on the leg; the others did not and voted against it. The rugby men called them cowards and walked out.
Rugby did, however, leave behind one significant innovation - the more precise name for its competitor. The story may not be true, but the legend is that one Charles Wreford-Brown, who later became a notable official of the Football Association, was asked by some friends at Oxford whether he would join them for a game of rugby or 'rugger', as it was now often called. He refused, claiming that he was going to play 'soccer' - evidently a play on the word 'association'. It caught on.
In the beginning of the 19th century, it became clear that ______.
In the mid-19th century, the rules for important games were mainly settled by _____.
What is the passage mainly about?
Alex is talking to his colleague Tom at the tea break.
Alex: Do you fancy a drink this evening?
Tom: _____
Lora is talking to Maria about her failure at applying for a job.
Lora: _____
Maria: Never mind, better luck next time.
Daniel: Do you think it’s bad to keep all the candy to yourself?
Jacob: _____
Two friends are talking about the university entrance examination.
Peter: My parents gave me no choice but to study business.
Danny: _____
Two high school students, Jane and John, are talking about their plans after graduation.
Jane: _____
John: As far as I’m concerned, there’s no doubt about it.
Jack: Would you mind sending those flowers to Ms. Jolly?
Linda: _____.
Choose the sentence CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
If Dick had John's position in the company, everybody believes he would be able to motivate the workers better.
Choose the sentence CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
The opinions of the teaching staff were divided as to whether they should change the course book or follow the old one.
Choose the sentence CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
Communicating with locals in a foreign country is a bit like becoming a mime since you must often rely on hand gestures.
Choose the sentence CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
It is her sense of humour and the supportive friends surrounding her that make it possible for her to endure these difficult times.
Choose the sentence CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
When she arrived in New York fresh from college and a trip abroad, she was broke but excited.
Choose the sentence that best combines this pair of sentences.
Coral reefs create underwater habitats that are essential for many species of marine organisms. There are also some fish who use them as a refuge from predators.
Choose the sentence that best combines this pair of sentences.
That film can't have been the one that Susan was telling us about. The story of it was far too simple and it wasn't in French.
Choose the sentence that best combines this pair of sentences.
There are few truly natural places left in the world. Most of them are practically inaccessible.
Choose the sentence that best combines this pair of sentences.
Peter didn’t realize Frances, who cycling behind, had lost track of him. Therefore, he continued travelling without stopping at the corner.
Choose the sentence that best combines this pair of sentences.
James Bond is the best-known hero of spy fiction in the late 20th century. It is created by British novelist Ian Fleming.
Read the passage and choose the correct answer.
(1) _____. This, however, couldn’t be further from the truth. (2) _____ a recent study carried out by the Media Insight Project, 85% of youngsters say that keeping up to date with the news is important to them, and 69% receive news on a daily basis. Perhaps what some of the older generation fail to understand is that just (3) _____. Born into a digital age, or more specifically the age of the internet, the younger generation simply accesses news through the digital devices they grew up using: (4) _____. A recent study produced by Ofcom revealed that 60% of youngsters in the UK use the internet or apps for news, compared to just 21% of those in the older age range. (5) _____. Most youngsters actually don’t seek out news from social media but choose to follow it once they see it there. (6) _____, they encounter it accidentally and therefore following the news is secondary.
Choose the correct answer for (1).
Choose the correct answer for (2).
Choose the correct answer for (3).
Choose the correct answer for (4).
Choose the correct answer for (5)
Choose the correct answer for (6)
After participating in a regional technology competition, the engineering club managed to get in the final round. Their members are modifying their robot’s code, testing sensors, and adjusting wiring to meet the strict criteria of this round.
What expression best describes this situation?
The boss needed someone for a very difficult new task that no one wanted. After a long silence, one employee finally volunteered to take on the challenge.
What phrase best describes this employee's action?
My Dad insisted he didn't need a map for our road trip. Hours later, completely lost, he finally pulled over and admitted he should have listened to Mom and used the GPS.
What expression best describes Dad's reaction?
When John's small business was struggling, it was close to shutting down. His supplier, Mr. Chen, let him delay payments, which helped John stay open. Years later, when a storm damaged Mr. Chen’s factory, John raised money with other local businesses to help him.
What expression best describes this situation?
Write an academic essay of about 250 words on the following topic.
In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.