sewage
teenage
image
advantage
drought
dough
mould
though
Choose the word that differs from the rest in the position of the main stress.
Choose the word that differs from the rest in the position of the main stress.
This government would destroy all our civil liberties, ______ half a chance.
There has been a lot of _____ surrounding the government’s proposed scheme.
Warning: anyone caught stealing from these premises will be _____.
The local authorities need to _____ down on illegal parking, in my opinion.
If the service isn’t up to standard, I think you have _____ right to complain.
Jim’s a tough character and certainly won’t let anyone push him _____.
Slow down! I can’t _____ with you!
It’s very important in today’s world to be able to _____ a foreign language.
Could you tell me _____?
After a momentary ______ of concentration, Simon managed to regain his focus and completed the test.
Read the text below and decide which answer best fits each gap.
Skiing holidays in Colorado
To ski or snowboard in Colorado is to experience the pinnacle of winter sports. The state of Colorado is known for its spectacular scenery and (BREATH) views, which inspire today’s travelers as much as they spurred on the (SETTLE) who first arrived in this part of the US over a century ago. And whether you’re seeking the outdoor adventure of a (LIFE), exciting nightlife, or a great family getaway, Colorado has everything you need.
November through April, snow conditions are (CONSIST) and reliable, featuring Colorado’s (LEGEND) ‘champagne powder’ snow. Extensive snowmaking and grooming operations always keep trails in top shape.
The mountain destinations in the Colorado Rockies can turn your wildest ski dreams into thrilling (REAL). There, you’ll find the best skiing and snowboarding on {{picturesque} (PICTURE) slopes, as well as the finest ski schools in the US. Together, they present an (PARALLEL) winter paradise. And the best part is that you’ll enjoy friendly, (CARE) service in resorts that are (COMMIT) to delivering the highest quality amenities.
Read the text and choose the best answer to fill in the blanks.
The life of a deputy literary editor is not an especially one. The job had been to him as a sop. Angus had promised to make him a political columnist, but the present was hard to shift. Few people seemed to realize that in any practical sense it was Ivo who the real power. It was Ivo who – unless Marian her foot down – decided who got what to review, Ivo who the wheel of fortune, Ivo who laid out the page. Yet it was his boss to whom those work or coverage usually demanded to speak and, really almost everyone who wanted to review these days. Anyone with something to sell, or something to hide, anyone long in the or fresh out of college, rang Marian. Marian, however, spoke only to those she considered her social , which caused many people to take considerable .
Read the following passage then choose the best answer to each question below.
A recent survey of crime statistics shows that we are all more likely to be burgled now than 20 years ago and the police advise everyone to take a few simple precautions to protect their homes. The first fact is that burglars and other intruders prefer easy opportunities, like a house which is very obviously empty. This is much less of a challenge than an occupied house, and one which is well-protected. A burglar will wonder if it is worth the bother.
There are some general tips on how to avoid your home becoming another crime statistic. Avoid leaving signs that your house is empty. When you have to go out, leave at least one light on as well as a radio or television, and do not leave any curtains wide open. The sight of your latest music centre or computer is enough to tempt any burglar.
Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place. The first place a burglar will look is under the doormat or in a flower pot and even somewhere more 'imaginative' could soon be uncovered by the intruder. It is much safer to leave a key with a neighbor you can trust. But if your house is in a quiet, desolate area be aware that this will be a burglar's dream, so deter any potential criminal from approaching your house by fitting security lights to the outside of your house.
But what could happen if, in spite of the aforementioned precautions, a burglar or intruder has decided to target your home? Windows are usually the first point of entry for many intruders. Downstairs windows provide easy access while upstairs windows can be reached with a ladder or by climbing up the drainpipe. Before going to bed you should double-check that all windows and shutters are locked. No matter how small your windows may be, it is surprising what a narrow gap a determined burglar can manage to get through. For extra security, fit window locks to the inside of the window.
What about entry via doors? Your back door and patio doors, which are easily forced open, should have top quality security locks fitted. Even though this is expensive it will be money well spent. Install a burglar alarm if you can afford it as another line of defense against intruders.
A sobering fact is that not all intruders have to break and enter into a property. Why go to the trouble of breaking in if you can just knock and be invited in? Beware of bogus officials or workmen and, particularly if you are elderly, fit a chain and an eye hole so you can scrutinize callers at your leisure. When you do have callers never let anybody into your home unless you are absolutely sure they are genuine. Ask to see an identity card, for example.
If you are in the frightening position of waking in the middle of the night and think you can hear an intruder, then on no account should you approach the intruder? It is far better to telephone the police and wait for help.
A well-protected house:
According to the writer, we should:
The writer thinks that hiding a key under a doormat or flower pot:
The 'aforementioned precautions' refer to steps that:
Gaining entry to a house through a small window:
According to the writer, window locks, security locks and burglar alarms:
The writer argues that fitting a chain and an eye hole:
The best title for the text is:
Read the text and choose the best answer to fill in the blanks.
The Cult of Celebrity
Once children had ambitions to be doctors, explorers, sportsmen, artists, or scientists. Now, taking their lead from TV, they just “want to be famous”. Fame is no a reward for gallant service or great, perhaps even selfless endeavour. It is an end in , and the sooner it can be achieved the sooner the lonely bedroom mirror can be replaced by the TV camera and flashgun, the . Celebrity is the profession of the moment, a vainglorious vocation which, some 18th-century royal court, seems to exist largely so that the of us might watch and be amazed while its members live out their lives in public, like self-regarding members of some glittering soap opera.
Today, anyone can be famous. Never has fame more democratic, more ordinary, more achievable. No wonder it's a modern ambition. It’s easy to see why people crave celebrity, why generations reared on the instant fame offered by television want to step out of the limousine with the flashlights bouncing around them. doesn’t want to be the of attention at some time in their lives?
Modern celebrity, peopled by the largely vain and vacuous, fills a need in our lives. It talks shows, sells goods and newspapers and rewards the famous for - well, being famous.
Read the following passage and choose which of the headings from A - J match the blanks. There are two extra headings, which do not match any of the paragraphs.
Headings:
A. A valid concern
B. The experiment
C. More food for rats
D. Possible threats
E. Bad news
F. A place of the research
G. The difference between species
H. The widespread destruction of woods
I. The reason for bad reputation
Black rats rainforest invasion 'speeded by deforestation'
Paragraph 1:
Cutting down trees in rainforests facilitates the spread of invasive black rats, a study suggests. The rodents normally avoid mature forests with large trees as they provide little in the way of cover. But researchers, writing in Biotropica, say that logging makes rainforests more attractive for rats as fallen wood contains more insects which they eat.
Paragraph 2:
Scientists are concerned that the invading black rats will be bad news for native mammals. Sometimes called the ship rat, these rodents have spread around the world over the past 400 years, often causing the extinction of native species and spreading disease.
Paragraph 3:
Much of their notoriety rests on the idea that black rats were the origin of bubonic plague, although recent research casts doubt on that notion. Black rats have usually avoided older forests as they contain large trees that do not provide much in the way of ground level protection. They also tend to have leafy forest floors which are noisy for rats to run through, as they attract predators.
Paragraph 4:
This new study examined the idea that logging of trees in rainforests might facilitate the spread of the rodents. The researchers looked at the island of Borneo where large tracts of the natural forest have been degraded.
Paragraph 5:
It had been believed that black rats were confined to urban areas in Borneo. To test the idea that they might spread into deforested regions, the scientists trapped rats from four different species - they then attached small spools of cotton thread to their backs and tracked their movements.
Paragraph 6:
Across the animals in the study, the researchers found that the black rats had the strongest preference for the type of disturbed habitat associated with logging. The increased amount of fallen wood boosted the amount of insects that the rats eat. The logged forests also have more undergrowth which provides better cover. The researchers believe that black rats favor these small changes far more than related species.
Paragraph 7:
"Logging creates micro-environments that black rats love, helping them move in," said study co-author Dr. Rob Ewers from Imperial College London. "This could be bad news for native mammals who might not be able to compete with black rats for food and resources. It's also bad for the forest, as many small mammals are important seed dispersers, helping rainforest plants to grow, and they are also prey for larger animals."
Paragraph 8:
The researchers say that the widespread destruction of forests throughout the tropics may well be multiplying the threat from invasive species like black rats. They believe the presence of these rats could pose a significant threat to nesting birds and other small mammals. The scientists say that the way that logging is done can have a big impact on the suitability of the land for the black rats. The more dead wood that is left behind the better the black rats like it. If felled trees were more accurately cleared as well as the vines that connect the trees, the rat's progress might be curbed.
Complete the second sentence, so that it has a similar meaning to the first one, using the words given.
The mechanic is repairing his car.
=> His car.....
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning to the first.
More and more tourists are visiting the ancient towns in the mountains.
=> There has ……….
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning to the first.
Jimmy sat on the fence looking lost and alone.
=> On .……….
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning to the first.
Can anyone solve this problem?
=> Can anyone come ......?
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning to the first.
Experts say that things are bound to improve.
=> Experts say that there ......
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning to the first.
Her remarks simply made his rage more uncontrollable.
=> Her remarks simply added ……….
Complete the second sentence using the word given so that it has the same meaning to the first.
She was concentrating so hard on her work that she didn't notice when I came in. (wrapped)
=> She was .......... that she didn't notice when I came in.
Complete the second sentence using the word given so that it has the same meaning to the first.
They still haven't found out what caused the accident. (cause)
=> They have yet .......... the accident was.
Complete the second sentence using the word given so that it has the same meaning to the first.
I reluctantly signed the contract. (signature)
=> It was with .......... on the contract.
Complete the second sentence using the word given so that it has the same meaning to the first.
Suzanne is far superior to me in terms of technical knowledge. (match)
=> When it comes .......... for Suzanne.
Complete the second sentence using the word given so that it has the same meaning to the first.
Anthony wasn't at all discouraged by this bad experience. (put)
=> This bad experience .......... least.
Write a paragraph of about 140 words to answer the following question.
Should students have a long summer holiday or should terms be longer?