ENGLISH PRACTICE 1

B. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY

I. Choose the word or phrase that best fits each of the blank spaces.
1. ___________ from John, all the students said they would go.
A. Except B. Only C. Apart D. Separate
2. If you work for us, you’ll get somewhere to live _____ free.
A. for B. at C. out D. of
3. The new manager explained to the staff that she hoped to _____ new procedures to save time and money.
A. manufacture B. establish C. control D. restore
4. They took pride _______ being the best players of the school.
A. in B. with C. on D. for
5. She’d prefer to go out ________ home.
A. than to stay B. than staying C. rather than staying D. rather than stay
6. They received _______ advice from their parents that they became successful.
A. so good B. such a good C. so good an D. such good
7. Have you got a car ________ ?
A. of your own B. of yourself C. of you D. of your
8. There is a fault at our television station. Please do not ______ your television set.
A. change B. adjust C. repair D. switch
9. If you want to attend the course, you must pass the ................... examination.
A. write B. written C. wrote D. writing
10. Either Peter and his brothers _______ the keys to the car.
A. has been taken B. has taken C. have taken D. have been taken
11. We can tell you that we often have a friendly _______ in our class.
A. atmosphere B. air C. matter D. impression
12. These clothes are fashionable and _______ . Do you agree with me?
A. only B. merely C. unique D. uniquely
13. He _______ to have a very big fortune and a beautiful wife.
A. rumors B. rumored C. has rumored D. was rumored
14. Did you use to do a _______ when you were at the university.
A. full-time job B. part-time C. full-time D. part-time job
15. My house is just _______ . I live in the nearby neighborhood.
A. near here B. near to C. near by D. near from
II. Complete the passage below using the correct forms of the words in brackets.
People are becoming more security conscious these days. Crimes like burglary and (1.THIEF)_________ are definitely on the increase. One of the
most (2. PAIN) _________ experiences a home (3.OWN) _________ can have is to arrive home and find that his or her (4. VALUE) _________
havedisappeared, because a window had (5. ACCIDENT) _________been left open. What can we do to protectourselves? The most important piece
of (6. ADVISORY) _________ is to make sure that your (7. INSURE)________ coverage is up to date. Another (8. SENSE) ________ thing to do
is to go along to your localpolice station, where they will be more than willing to make (9. SUGGEST) _________ on (10. RELY)_________ ways
of safeguarding your property.
III. Identify the errors in the following sentences and correct them.
1/ We won't mind your (A) being late – (B) beside, it's (C) hardly your (D) mistake.
2/ (A) The whole report is (B) badly typed. (C) Moreover, it's (D) imaccurate.
3/ I'm not (A) astonish she (B) shouted at us! (C) How would we like (D) to be pushed into a wall?
4/ Nguyen is (A) everything we'd ever (B) want (C) in a man - brilliant, (D) fun and attractive.
5/ They just hope (A) that the money (B) goes to those (C) who are mainly in (D) needs.
6/ A doctor (A) with profession , this is his first (B) pleasure trip (C) into writing (D) for the theatre.
7/ She (A) views her life (B) like a spiritual (C) voyage towards a superior (D) understanding of her confidence.
8/ Trung was a (A) youthful sailor (B) on his first (C) sea (D) excursion.
9/ The (A) journey guide (B) pointed out the message (C) that runs round (D) the inside of the sports ground.
10/ (A) Supersonic airplanes can (B) go (C) more fast than (D) the speed of sound.
C. READING
II. Read the following passage and choose the correct answer.
The search for alternative sources of energy has led in various directions. Many communities are burning garbage and other biological waste products
to produce electricity. Converting waste products to gases or oil is also an efficient way to dispose of waste.
Experimental work is being done to derive synthetic fuels from coal, oil shale and coal tars. But to date, that process has proven expensive. Other
experiments are underway to harness - power with giant windmills. Geothermal power, heat from the earth, is also being tested.
Some experts expect utility companies to revive hydroelectric power derived from streams and rivers. Fifty years ago hydroelectric power provided
one third of the electricity used in the United States, but today it supplies only four percent. The oceans are another potential source of energy.
Scientists are studying ways to convert the energy of ocean currents, tides, and waves to electricity. Experiments are also underway to make use of
the temperature differences in ocean water to produce energy.
1. Which is the best title of the passage?
A. Efficient Ways of Disposing of Waste B. The Use of Water Productions for Energy
C. The Search for Alternative Sources of Energy D. New Discoveries in Geothermal Power
2. In the second paragraph, the phrase “synthetic fuels” could best be replaced by which of the following?
A. Biological fuels B. Low burning fuels C. Fast burning fuels D. Artificial made fuels
3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as an alternative source of energy?
A. Burning of garbage B. Geothermal power C. Synthetic fuels D. Electricity
4. According to the author, the impracticability of using coal, oil shale and coal tars as sources of energy is due to ___________ .
A. their being time consuming B. their being money consuming
C. the scarcity of sources D. the lack of technology their being money consuming
5. The word “it” in the last paragrph refers to ____.
A. alternative source B. the United States C. hydroelectric power D. Electricity
6. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A. Hydroelectric power will be the main source of energy
B. Synthetic fuels will be the principal source of alternative energy
C. Alternative energy will come from a variety of sources
D. All alterenative production of energy will be delivered from water.
III. Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D that best fits the blank in the passage.
Speech is one of the most important (1)___ of communicating .It consists of far more than just making noises . To talk and also to (2)____ by other
people, we have to speak a language ,that is, we have to use combinations of (3)____that everyone agrees to stand for a particular object or idea.
Communication wouldbe impossible if everyone made up their own language. Learning a language properly is very( 4)___. The basic( 5)____of
English is not very large, and only about 2,000 words are needed to speak it quite (6)___.But the more idea you can (7)____ the more precise you can
be about their exact meaning. Words are the (8)____thing we use in communicating what we want to say. The way we( 9)____the words is also very
important. Our tone of voice can express many emotions and ( 10)____whether we are pleased or angry, for instance.
1. A. reason B. tests C. ways D. rules
2. A. be spoken B. be examined C. be understood D. be talked
3. A. systems B. sounds C. languages D. talks
4. A. easy B. important C. simple D. expensive
5. A. grammar B. word C. vocabulary D. structure
6. A. fluent B. good C. well D. perfect
7. A. need B. grow C. express D. pass
8. A. main B. certain C. full D. most
9. A. talk B. say C. pass D. send
10. A. show B. ask C. understand D. know
IV. In the following text, six sentences or parts of sentences have been removed. Above the extract you will find the six removed sentences PLUS
one sentence which doesn't fit. Choose from the sentences (A-G) the one which fits each gap (1-6). Remember, there is one extra sentence you do
not need to use. Write the correct letter in the box.
Choose from the following sentences to fill the spaces in the text. There is ONE extra.
A. Using a microwave for cooking a large food mass is difficult due to limited penetration of microwaves.
B. This can be overcome by leaving the food to stand for a few minutes when cooking is completed.
C. It is advised that the water should be poured slowly into another container that already contains the powder.
D. In this way, buying a microwave oven with a turntable ensure the food is cooked throughout.
E. Conversely the microwaves do not heat glass, ceramic and plastic containers.
F. If the microwaves are not absorbed inside the oven, the oven can be damaged by electrical arcs and overheating of the microwave source.
G. When water in that state is disturbed, it can suddenly and unexpectedly boil violently.
MICROWAVING
Microwaving is a method of cooking where food is bombarded by microwaves, usually within an appliance called a microwave oven which excite the
water, fat and sugar molecules, thereby heating (cooking) both the outside and center of the food at the same time. (1)…………………
(A common myth is that a microwave oven cooks from the center of the food outward. This appears to happen because heat generated at the surface
escapes more readily from the surface of the food into the surrounding air.) One advantage of microwaving is that small amounts of food can be
heated very quickly, making it useful for reheating leftovers.
The disadvantage is that food which is microwaved does not undergo some of the chemical reactions, such as browning, which makes the food
visually attractive. Primitive microwave ovens often do not cook evenly, leading to a concern that bacteria easily killed by more traditional cooking
methods may survive the quick cooking time in "cold spots", though the food item as a whole is cooked to a safe average temperature. (2) ……
Some high-end microwave ovens are combined with a convection oven which basically cook the food using microwave and hot air simultaneously to
achieve both the fast cooking time and browning effect.
(3) …………………
However microwave ovens are used in some fast food chains and special microwave bags are available for cooking fowl or large joints of meat.
Professional chefs generally recommend using microwaves for a limited set of tasks, including: melting fats (such as butter) and chocolate, cooking
grains like oatmeal and grits, cooking rice, thawing frozen meats and vegetables before cooking by other methods and quickly reheating already-
cooked foods.
Using a microwave to boil water is potentially dangerous, due to superheating. In a microwave, water can be raised quickly to a temperature above
the boiling point before major bubbles form, especially if it is purified and in a very clean glass vessel. (4) …………………
This effect is rare, even for scientists who try to deliberately recreate it, and any seed whatsoever for boiling is likely to prevent the problem. Boiling
water with, for instance, a teabag already in it will prevent any dangers by providing a seed, as will using a mug that is not perfectly clean.
The risk greatly increases when water has already been boiled once in the same container. This situation can occur if the user of the oven boiled the
water once, forgot about it, then came back later to boil it again. The first time the water boils, the seed bubbles (microscopic bubbles of air around
which larger steam bubbles grow) are used up and largely eliminated from the water as it cools down. When the water is heated again, the lack of
seed bubbles causes superheating, and a risk of a steam explosion when the water's surface is disturbed.
Placing something in the water before heating can mostly alleviate this risk. If you are planning to mix something with the water, say tea or hot
chocolate, adding it before heating will insure that the water boils. Otherwise, placing a wood object, for instance a chopstick, in the water before
heating will also work.
Care should be taken when removing heated water from a microwave. Make sure that the hands are protected from possible liquid boil-over, place the
container on a level, heat-proof surface and stir liquid with a warm spoon. Also, never add powdered substances (such as instant coffee or cocoa mix)
to the container taken from the microwave, due to the addition of all those seed bubbles and the potential for violent, spontaneous boiling. (5)
…………………
Metal objects, such as metal utensils, in a microwave oven can lead to dangerous situations. Metals do not absorb microwaves effectively. Instead,
metals reflect microwaves, thereby preventing the latter from reaching the food. (6) …………………
Thin metal layers, such as metal foil and mugs with metal trim can melt or burn due to the strong electrical currents that are generated in metal
objects. However, small solid metal objects, such as spoons, in combination with a large amount of absorbing food or liquid, normally do not lead to
problems.
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Original Wikipedia article.
D. WRITING
I. Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning of the printed sentences.
1. The phone stopped ringing the moment I got down stairs.
No sooner _______________________________________________
2. He is determined to carry on working when he is 65.
He has no ________________________________________________
3. He was very sorry that he didn’t see Audrey on her trip to London.
He greatly ______________________________________________
4. She agreed to go out to dinner with him because she assumed he was not married.
Had she __________________________________________________
5. Everyone was surprised that the singer had very little money when he died.
The singer had _____________________________________________
II. Children today are too dependent on computers and electronic entertainment. It would be better for them to be outside playing sports and
taking part in more traditional past times than spending all day indoors.
Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
You should write at least 200 words.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
KEYS – PRACTICE 1
B. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY (4 points)
I. (1.5 point;0,1point/correct amswer)
1. C 2. A 3. B 4. A 5. D
6. D 7. A 8. B 9. B 10. C
11. A 12. C 13. D 14. D 15. A
II. (1.5 point;0,15point/correct amswer)
1. theft 2. painful 3. owner 4. valuables 5. accidentally
6. advice 7. insurance 8. sensible 9. suggestions 10. reliable
III. (1.5 point;0,1point/correct amswer)
1. (B) beside → besides 2. (D) imaccurate → 3. (A) astonish → 4. (D) fun → funny 5. (D) needs → need
inaccurate astonished
6. (A) with profession → 7. (B) like → as 8. (D) excursion → 9. (A) journey guide → 10. (C) more fast than →
by profession voyage tour guide faster than
C. READING (3 points)
II. (0.6 point;0,1 point/correct answer)
1. C 2. D 3. D 4. B 5. C
6. A

III. (0,8 point/0,08 point/correct answer)

1. C 2. C 3. B 4. B 5. C
6. C 7. C 8. A 9. B 10. A
IV. (0.6 point; 0,1 point/correct answer)
1. E 2. B 3. A 4. G 5. C
6. F

D. WRITING
I. (0.5 point;0.1 point/correct answer)
1. No sooner had I got downstairs than the phone stopped ringing.
2. He has no intention of giving up working/ retiring when he is 65.
3. He greatly regretted not seeing Audrey on her trip to London.
4. Had she known that he was married, she would not have agreed to go out to dinner with him.
5. The singer had very little money (left) when he died, which surprised everybody.
II. Write about the following topic: 1.5 pts
The impression mark is based on the following scheme:
1. Content (50% pts): a provision of all main ideas and details as appropriate
2. Language (25%pts): a variety of vocabulary and structures
3. Presentation(25%pts): coherence, cohesion, and style appropriate to the level of English language gifted secondary students.