Vocabulary

Choose one variant (a, b, c or d) which could be used in place of the word or phrase underlined without changing the meaning of the sentence

1. We also have a series of public lectures given by guest speakers.

a) number c) means

b) matter d) sort

2. It is now common corporate policy for a company to have a mission statement explaining the aims of the business.

a) strategic c) international

b) domestic d) organizational

3. I want you to illustrate your point by providing some supporting examples.

a) receiving c) obtaining

b) removing d) supplying

4. More and more students decide to study for a Master’s degree to boost their knowledge.

a) employ c) evaluate

b) enhance d) apply

5. You are obliged to present an electronic version of your report.

a) informed c) required

b) known d) proposed

6. The amount of money owed by some countries is so enormous that it will probably never be repaid.

a) insufficient c) tiny

b) huge d) average

7. The experiments were conducted simultaneously in London and Rome.

a) at the same time c) in the same place

b) step by step d) from time to time

8. When testing a hypothesis, every effort is made to eliminate subjective or biased ideas.

a) consider c) avoid

b) modify d) reduce

9. People should be aware of the ecological threats caused by this kind of production.

a) ignorant c) conscious

b) careful d) opposite

10. Scientists are still speculating about the origin of the Universe.

a) experimenting c) arguing

b) thinking d) explaining

Reading Comprehension

Read each passage and choose the best answer (a, b, c or d) to each question

Text 1

The Stone Age was a period of history which began in approximately 2 million B.C. and lasted until 3000 B.C. Its name was derived from the tools and weapons that modern scientists found. This period was divided into Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic Ages. During the first period, (2 million to 8000 B.C.) the first hatchet and use of fire for heating and cooking were developed. As a result of the Ice Age, which evolved about 1 million years into The Paleolithic Age, people were forced to seek shelter in caves, wear clothing, and develop new tools.

During the Mesolithic Age (8000 to 6000 B.C.) people made crude pottery and the first fish hooks, took dogs hunting, and developed a bow and arrow, which was used until the fourteenth century A.D.

The Neolithic Age (6000 to 3000 B.C.) saw humankind domesticating sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle, being less nomadic than in previous eras, establishing permanent settlements, and creating governments.

1. Into how many periods was the Stone Age divided?

a) Two.

b) Three.

c) Four.

d) Five.

2. Which of the following was developed earliest?

a) The fish hook.

b) The fish hatchet.

c) The bow and arrow.

d) Pottery.

3. Which of the following developments is not related to the conditions of the Ice Age?

a) Farming.

b) Clothing.

c) Living indoors.

d) Using fire.

4. Which period lasted longest?

a) Paleolithic.

b) Ice Age.

c) Mesolithic.

d) Neolithic.

5. The author states that the Stone Age was so named because …

a) it was very durable;

b) the tools and weapons were made of stone;

c) there was little vegetation;

d) the people lived in caves.

Text 2

After inventing dynamite, Swedish-born Alfred Nobel became a very rich man. However, he foresaw its universally destructive powers too late. Nobel preferred not to be remembered as the inventor of dynamite, so in 1895, just two weeks before his death, he created a fund to be used for awarding prizes to people who had made worthwhile contributions to mankind. Originally there were five awards: literature, physics, chemistry, medicine, and peace. Economics was added in 1968, just sixty-seven years after the first awards ceremony. Nobel's original legacy of nine million dollars was invested, and the interest on this sum is used for the awards which vary from $30,000 to $125,000.

Every year on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death, the awards (gold medal, illuminated diploma, and money) are presented to the winners. Sometimes politics plays an important role in the judges' decisions. Americans have won numerous science awards, but relatively few literature prizes.

No awards were presented from 1940 to 1942 at the beginning of World War II. Some people have won two prizes, but this is rare; others have shared their prizes.