The patient's condition was _____ than the doctor had orginally thought it was.
The soup tastes better when you add a secret _____ that enhances the flavor.
Choose the underlined part that needs correction.
That film is about the boy which lost all of his money in the fire.
Choose the underlined part that needs correction.
My father often spends a hour working in the garden every day.
Choose the underlined part that needs correction.
Many living organisms depend largely on the environment for the satisfaction of its needs.
Choose the underlined part that needs correction.
A recent research shows that walking for even twenty minutes a day can have significance health benefits.
Choose the underlined part that needs correction.
The movie including all the previews take about two hours to watch.
Choose the sentence that is CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
My mother was so busy that she couldn’t have dinner at home.
Choose the sentence that is CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
“If I were you, I wouldn't read the job advertisement and position description carelessly,” Helen said.
Choose the sentence that is CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
The traffic accident caused a traffic jam, which lasted 2 hours.
Choose the sentence that is CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
She's only lived in Paris for a few weeks, so I'm sure she doesn't speak French very well.
Choose the sentence that is CLOSEST in meaning to the sentence given.
I don't have a lot of money so I can't buy a car.
Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions.
Black Friday
The day after Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday shopping season. Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday, so the day after is a Friday. This day has come to be known as Black Friday. It has been the busiest shopping day of the year since 2005.
Most stores offer great deals on Black Friday. They open their doors in the wee hours of the morning. They try to attract shoppers with big discounts. Some items like TVs are much cheaper than usual. Stores may even lose money on these items. They hope that shoppers will buy gifts for other people while they are in the store.
Black Friday is a great time to get good deals. The problem is that there are not enough low-priced items to go around. Each store may only have a few. These items are in high demand. People stand in long lines to get such great deals. They may line up hours before a store opens. They may be hoping to get a low price on a TV or laptop, but not everyone who wants one will get one. Some people leave disappointed. The situation can be tense. Some Black Friday events have been violent. Large, eager crowds have trampled workers. Fights have broken out or people have been cutting in line. People have shot one another over parking spots. But most Black Friday events are safe and fun. Still, if you plan on going, expect large crowds and a bit of shoving.
So where does the name "Black Friday" come from? It was first used in Philadelphia in the 1950s. The police called this day Black Friday because of the heavy traffic it drew. In the 1960s, stores tried to rename the day "Big Friday.” It did not stick. The name "Black Friday" continued to spread across the country. Now people all over the country take part in the event known as Black Friday. Costa Rica Black Friday is known as "Viernes Negro." And in Mexico, stores offer annual weekend discounts. They call it "El Buen Fin," which means "the good weekend" in Spanish.
Read the passage and choose the correct answers.
OH, NO! NOT ANOTHER TEST
Think about the last test you took. How much of what you learned for the test do you still remember? Many people take tests to pass a course or get a promotion, but they often forget the information afterward! This is especially the case for people taking large international tests like TOEFL or IELTS. These tests usually involve multiple-choice questions, and people often study to increase their scores, not to learn important information. In fact, educators are divided on whether these kinds of tests are the most effective way to assess a person’s abilities.
Those who support such tests say they are the only way for educators and employers to compare people based on their test scores. However, there are people trying to reform this system. They believe that standard tests aren’t the best way to measure a person’s ability. These reformers also believe that intelligent people are not always good at taking tests or memorizing facts. A multiple-choice test cannot always tell what people have learned, or whether they can apply that knowledge in the future.
Reformers believe that other types of evaluation achieve better results. Tests that contain a mix of written and spoken questions give a more complete assessment of what the person is capable of. A portfolio, or a collection of work done throughout a course, can show how much the student has improved individually. Group interviews, where a group of people are interviewed at the same time, can also be useful for employers since they show how people interact with others.
Alternative educational institutions such as Montessori and Waldorf schools don’t believe that education should be focused on testing. At these schools, the classroom is very relaxed and “free,” with students learning from each other as much as they learn from teachers. Some of these schools even allow students to choose what they study. Teachers create activities designed to let students show their abilities or knowledge of a certain subject. In these schools, the focus is on learning by experiencing and doing things.
The debate on testing continues, and educators have yet to find a perfect method of evaluating learning. Until that day comes, old test methods will be used and new test methods will continue to develop. But one thing’s for sure, testing will continue to play an important part in all our lives - so study hard!
(Adapted from Active Reading)