PRACTICE 4

I. LEXICO–GRAMMAR

Part 1: Choose the best answer (A, B, C, or D) to each of the following questions and write your answers in the
corresponding numbered boxes.
1. The _____ of the Syrian boy drowned off Turkey has aroused the world’s pity.
A. event B. situation C. case D. plight
2. At long last the building is nearing______.
A. finish B. termination C. completion D. finale
3. There is a(n)______ of difference between our two lifestyles.
A. land B. way C. world D. arm
4. People can make themselves walk on nails or through fire. It’s a question of mind over______.
A. body B. material C. matter D. facts
5. Many people were wounded after the terrorists started ______ with machine guns.
A. blazing away B. whipping up C. shouting out D. blazing up
6. At the moment, the ruling party is on the ______ of a dilemma.
A. hooves B. points C. feet D. horns
7. By attacking the old lady, the youth committed a _____ crime.
A. naughty B. heinous C. bad D. evil
st
8. Twelve European countries ____ over to the euro on January 1 2002.
A. shifted B. switched C. transformed D. altered
9. Some of the chocolate bars were found to contain glass and the whole batch had to be____.
A. overthrown B. overdrawn C. recalled D. retracted
10. His voice has been_____ to that of Elton John.
A. equated B. equaled C. likened D. associated
11. The match was _____ and will be played next Wednesday.
A. pelted down B. poured out C. rained off D. seen through
12. He didn’t have a ______ of evidence to support his claims.
A. scrap B. sign C. sense D. state
13. I bought the chocolates on______: I saw them while I was queuing up to pay.
A. desire B. urge C. spontaneity D. impulse
14. Members of the rock group were asked to ____ their behavior or else leave the hotel.
A. modify B. amend C. transfer D. convert
15. We have all passed our final exams. We are going to ______ the town red to celebrate.
A. color B. decorate C. paint D. make
16. The organizing committee should be quite small. Too many cooks spoil the _____.
A. soup B. porridge C. cake D. broth
17. I have a _____ in my throat. I think I am getting a cold.
A. fly B. bee C. toad D. frog
18. Some supporters were _____ at the entrance because the ground was full.
 A. sent off B. turned away C. booked up D. shut down
19. Suddenly a car ______ and an important-looking official got out.
A. stopped over B. drew up C. stopped out D. called by
20. It’s a good idea to divide a task up into ______ chunks.
A. portable B. pliable C. manageable D. thinkable

Part 2: For questions 21–30, read the following text which contains 10 mistakes. Underline the errors and write the
corrections in the corresponding numbered boxes. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Line The Malaysian Airlines plane MH 370 is not the first disappearing without trace. Even if it is, this is
highly unusual. In 2009, an Air France airbus jet also vanished of radar screen. Wreckage from the lost
aircraft were eventually found in the Atlantic yet the causes of the crash remained mystery until voice and
data recorders were found years later. The final report said human error was partly blamed. ‘Today
5 aircrafts are incredibly reliable and you do not get some sudden structure failure in a flight’, said Mr.
Louis, an aviation expert in New York said. ‘It just doesn’t happen. It just won’t happen’, he added.
Boeing describes its 777 model a super star. First flown in 1995, more than a thousand planes now rolled
up the production line. It can travel for 16 hours non-stop and experts point to its impressive safe record
with one fatal crash in 5 million flights. It could take investigators months if years to determine what
10 exactly happened to the Malaysian aircraft but experts believe what happened was quick and left the pilot
no time to put a distress call.
LINE MISTAKE CORRECTION LINE MISTAKE CORRECTION

Part 3: For questions 31–40, fill in the gaps in the following sentences with suitable prepositions. Write your answers
in the corresponding numbered boxes. There is an example at the beginning (0).

1. He finds it hard to put _________ the noise of the nearby factory.

31. President Obama’s statement was seen as an allusion______ the recent mass shooting.
32. I don’t think Mr. Anderson is convinced ______ the man’s honesty.
33. Wealth is not necessarily synonymous _______ happiness.
34. Rob drove the audience mad because he spent half of his presentation beating______ the bush.
35. They made a surprise assault ______ their enemies and gained control of the town.
36. ______retrospect, she was the person who had made the greatest sacrifice to him.
37. The film was so funny that everybody seemed to laugh their head_____.
38. The police are combing the area for two men who held_____ the local bank and got away with a million
dollar.
39. I was very impressed with the standard of the speaker. He was brilliant at answering questions _____ the cuff.
40. The mother was blind _____ her son’s fault and tried to defense him stubbornly.

Part 4: For questions 41–50, use the word in capitals at the end of each of the following sentences to form a word
that fits suitably in the blank. There is an example at the beginning (0).
 ANGER

We’ve all felt anger at some time, whether as faint (0)________________(ANNOY) or blind rage. Anger is a normal,
sometime useful human emotion, but uncontrolled (41)_______________ (BURST) of temper can be destructive.
People who give free rein to their anger, regardless of the (42) ________________(OFFEND) this may cause, haven’t
learned to express themselves (43)__________________(CONSTRUCT),’ says Martin Smolik, who runs weekend
residential courses in anger management. ‘It is important to maintain your (44) ________________(COMPOSE) and
put your case in an assertive, not aggressive manner without hurting others. Being assertive doesn’t mean being pushy
or demanding; it means being (45) ______________ (RESPECT) of yourself and other people.’ He adds that people
who are easily angered are (46)________________ (TOLERATE) of frustration, inconvenience or irritation and, not
surprisingly find relating to other people very difficult. But what causes people to behave like this? It seems there is
evidence to support the idea that some children may be born (47) ______________ (IRRITATE) and prone to anger
and this tendency is sometimes apparent from a very early age. However, research also suggests that a person’s family
(48)________________(GROUND) may have an influence. Very often, people who are
(49)_________________(TEMPER) and often find it difficult to express their emotions come from
(50)_________________(ORGANIZE) and disruptive families.

Your answers

0. Annoyance 41. 42. 43.

44. 45. 46. 47.
48. 49. 50.

II. READING

Part 1: For questions 1–15, read the following passages and decide which answer (A, B, C, or D) best fits each gap.
Write your answers in corresponding numbered boxes. There is an example at the beginning (0).

KIWI SURPRISE

When a work project ()_______ me the opportunity to return to New Zealand, I spent several weeks (1)_______ a
country I had left in my early twenties. I’d forgotten about the petrol stations where men in smart uniforms
(2)_______ to you. They fill your tank, (3)_______your oil and still (4)_______you less than one third of the British
price for fuel. And the people rush to your assistance if they see you (5)_______over a map. Or the blissful
(6)_______of tips. Locals simply cannot understand why anybody should (7)_______to pay extra for friendly
efficient service.

Given that New Zealand has about 3,000 kilometers of coastline, it should come as no (8)_______that social life
(9)_______around the sea. When Auckland office workers leave their desks at the end of the working day, they don’t
(10)_______home. Instead, they (11)_______ a beeline for the marina and spend the evening (12)_______ sail on the
Hauraki Gulf. There are more yachts in Auckland than in any other city in the world- no wonder it’s called the City of
Sails. Even those who can’t afford a (13)_______ of their own will always know someone who has one, or at the
(14)_______ least, will windsurf the offshore breezes at speeds that make the commuter ferries appear to stand
(15)_______.

1. A. gave B. offered C. sent D. lent

2. A. regaining B. recapturing C. refamiliarizing D. rediscovering
3. A. assist B. attend C. supply D. serve
4. A. control B. measure C. check D. calculate
5. A. charge B. ask C. require D. demand
6. A. pointing B. doubting C. clamoring D. puzzling
7. A. absence B. shortage C. removal D. neglect
8. A. accept B. insist C. expect D. respond
9. A. wonder B. surprise C. amazement D. news
10. A. centers B. revolves C. turns D. gathers
11. A. move B. aim C. head D. divert
12. A. have B. do C. get D. make
13. A. under B. by C. with D. on
14. A. vehicle B. hull C. vessel D. receptacle
15. A. simple B. single C. utmost D. very
16. A. still B. dead C. afloat D. upright

Part 2: For questions 16–25, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only ONE word
in each gap. Write your answers in corresponding numbered boxes.

HERBS AND SPICES

There is nothing (16) ___________in the use of herbs and spices. They have enriched human life for thousands of
years, providing (17) ___________comfort and luxury. They have flavored our food, cured our ailments and
surrounded us with sweet scents. They have also played their (18)___________in our folklore and magic. It
(19)___________be a very different world without them.

Nobody really knows who first used herbs and spices, or for (20) ___________ purpose. All their properties were
known to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians as well as those (21) ___________ in early Biblical times. The knowledge
that they employed, and that we still use today, must have been based on the trial and (22) ___________ of early
human, who was originally drawn to the plants (23)___________ of their tantalizing aroma. He gradually discovered
their individual effects on his food and well-being and our use of them comes from those early experiments. For
centuries herbs and spices were appreciated to the (24)___________ but in modern times the arrival of the
convenience foods and new medicines of the twentieth century almost made us forget them. But anything that has
been so much loved and valued will never be completely neglected. The knowledge has been (25) ____________
alive and in our present-day search for all things natural, herbs and spices have come into their own again.

Part 3: For questions 26–35, read the text below and choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D). Write your answers
in corresponding numbered boxes.
 Forgetful Brains

Humans have always had trouble remembering certain details. One person has the unique experience of recalling
in almost exact detail a memory from his childhood, but he cannot remember what he ate for lunch yesterday. Another
cannot recall names of people she met five minutes ago, but she remembers the names of people she met from an hour
before. Psychologists have searched for answers to the memory phenomenon to better understand how the brain
functions and what triggers memory or causes forgetfulness. After extensive research over the past century, they have
come up with some basic theories to help explain memory loss.

There are times when an individual loses all recollection of an event. This is referred to as the decay theory, which
states that if memories are not recalled from time to time, they fade and then gradually drop from a person’s memory.
Decay is proven to occur with sensory memories, or short-term memories, if they are not recalled or rehearsed. Decay
of long-term memory is harder to explain because these memories last through the passage of time. In fact, some
knowledge can be accessed many years after it was first learned. Research on students who took Spanish courses in
high school revealed that they still remembered a great deal of Spanish fifty years later, even though they had hardly
used the language. While some memories tend to decay, others remain burned into the recesses of the brain, causing
psychologists to further ponder the workings of memory.

Another explanation made by researchers concerning memory loss is known as interference. Under this theory, an
individual forgets a memory when similar information enters the mind and interferes with the original memory in
either the storage or retrieval area of the brain. The information is somewhere in the person’s memory, but it gets
confused with other details. This occurs in both short-term and long-term memory and is most common when a
person tries to recall isolated facts. For instance, a woman goes to a party and meets a man named Joe at the front
door. Half an hour later, she is introduced to Jason. When she sees Joe again, she accidentally calls him Jason. This is
retroactive interference. The newest information input replaces the old information, causing the woman to mistakenly
call the first man by the wrong name. Additionally, people may suffer from proactive interference. A new student
meets his first professor, Dr. Mack, in his English class. When he has history, he meets Dr. Miller. However, he
frequently calls both teachers Dr. Mack, since that is the first name he had learned. Remembering the first set of
information and not remembering the next is proactive interference. The old information interfered with the student’s
ability to recall the newer information.

When a person needs to remember something, he frequently relies on cues, or reminders, to help him retrieve a
specific memory. When he lacks the cue to recall the memory, the person suffers from cue-dependent forgetting. This
may be the most common type of forgetfulness. Psychologist Willem Wagenaar did a year-long study during which
he recorded events from his life daily. After a year’s time, he could not remember twenty percent of the critical
details, and after five years, he had forgotten sixty percent. However, he compiled cues from ten witnesses to some
events in his past that he believed he had forgotten, and he was able to recall pieces of information about all ten. Thus,
when he had cues to help him retrieve his memories, he could remember his experiences, illustrating that he was
somewhat cue-dependent. Cognitive psychologists believe that these specific cues help direct a person to the area
of the brain where the memory is stored or they match up with information linked to the actual memory the
person is seeking.
26. The word ‘triggers’ in the passage is closest in meaning to

(A) closes (B) cues (C) review (D) erases

27. According to paragraph 2, decay of short-term memories can be avoided by

(A) remembering associations (B) removing immediate distractions

(C) recollecting information often (D) taking time to acquire input

28. What can be inferred about the decay theory from paragraph 2?

(A) Memories from big events always remain in the mind.

(B) Memory decay arises from specific circumstances.

(C) Recalling old memories prevent their decay.

(D) Most people suffer from some degree of memory decay.

29. Where can the following sentence be most possibly added to the passage?

However, the age of the memory does not enable psychologists to predict which memories will disappear and
which will remain.

(A) Right before the sentence “This is referred to as…a person’s memory”

(B) Right before the sentence “In fact, some knowledge…first learned”

(C) Right before the sentence “Research on students…the language”

(D) Right after the sentence “while some memories…of memory”

30. The word ‘ponder’ in the paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to

(A) consider (B) explain (C) forget (D) understand

31. All of the following are mentioned in paragraph 3 as interference EXCEPT:

(A) Confusing newly learned facts with other details

(B) Confusing old memories with current situations

(C) Remembering the first information but forgetting the second set

(D) Recalling the last information acquired but losing the first

32. In paragraph 3, the author discusses remembering and forgetting names in order to

(A) demonstrate memory interference (B) refute proactive and retroactive interference
(C) advocate acquiring new memories (D) reveal the workings of forgetfulness

33. The word ‘isolated’ in the passage is closest in meaning to

(A) complex (B) angry (C) remote (D) ignored

34. It can be inferred from paragraph 4 that a cue-dependent person

(A) can remember details or events when clues are present

(B) relies on clues too much when retrieving his memories

(C) cannot remember details or events without assistance from other people

(D) can only remember details or events unless clues are present

35. Which of the sentences below best express the essential information in the bold sentence “Cognitive
psychologists…..the person is seeking.” in the passage4? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or
leave out essential information.

(A) Cues about an event lead a person back to the part of the brain storing the memory.

(B) Psychologists are able to link cues to areas of a person’s brain when he or she is forgetful.

(C) Information stored within the brain cannot be linked to specific memories after time.

(D) A person can find specific memories by using context cues about an experience.

Part 3. For questions 36–40, choose the correct heading for each paragraph A–F from the list of headings below (i-
ix). There are more headings than paragraphs. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes. There is an
example at the beginning.

List of Headings
i How fragile X syndrome was discovered
ii The genetic basis of the fragile X syndrome
iii Fragile X syndrome and developmental delays in the brain
iv New treatments for fragile X syndrome
v The comparative frequency of fragile X syndrome
vi Research into understanding fragile X syndrome
vii Reason for the increase of fragile X syndrome
viii Other conditions related to cognitive development
ix Examples of the symptoms of fragile X syndrome

Example Answer
Paragraph E v
36 Paragraph A ……………
37 Paragraph B ……………
38 Paragraph C ……………
39 Paragraph D ……………
40 Paragraph F ……………
A. A condition that causes children to dislike being hugged and sometimes reject all physical affection is closer
to being understood following research into the part of the brain responsible for our senses. Scientists at
Northwestern University, Illinois, and the University of Edinburgh explored fragile X syndrome, a condition
associated with hypersensitivity to sounds, touch, smells and visual stimuli that can result in social
withdrawal or anxiety. Hypersensitivity is a condition in which the person affected responds in an excessive
way to contact with the world around them. Some sufferers are even hypersensitive to material on their skin.
B. The scientists found that critical phases in the brain’s development may be wrongly timed in people with the
condition. This may result in delayed communication between certain neurons in the brain. By recording
electrical signals in the brains of mice, bred to exactly copy the effect of the condition, the researchers found
that connections in the brain’s sensory cortex were late to develop fully. The study, published in the journal
Neuron, found that normal neural connections in the sensory cortex occur much earlier than previously
thought: in the first week of pregnancy in mice, which is equivalent to the middle of the second trimester (or
fifth month) of pregnancy in humans. In fragile X syndrome, the mistiming also has a domino effect, causing
further problems with the correct wiring of the brain. The hope is that by understanding how and when the
functions of the brain are affected in fragile X syndrome, a therapy may become possible.
C. ‘There is a “critical period” during development, when the brain is very plastic and is changing rapidly,’ said
Anis Contractor, from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. ‘All the elements of this
rapid development have to be coordinated so that the brain becomes wired correctly and therefore functions
properly.’ People with the syndrome have cognitive problems as well as sensory problems that make them
physically weaker. ‘They have tactile defensiveness,’ Dr Contractor said. ‘They don’t look in people’s eyes,
they won’t hug their parents, and they are hypersensitive to touch and sound. All of this causes anxiety for
family and friends as well as for the fragile X patients themselves.’ Peter Kind, who led the study at the
University of Edinburgh, said: ‘We know there are key windows during which the brain develops, both in the
womb and afterwards. The general principle is that if these time windows have shifted, then that could
explain the cognitive problems.’
D. Professor Kind said that this could be demonstrated by the fact that a child with a cataract (a medical
condition in which the lens of the eye becomes less and less transparent) that was not corrected would become
permanently blind in the affected eye, whereas an adult would be able to regain their sight after an operation.
‘We’ve learnt that these changes happen much earlier than previously thought, which gives valuable insight
into when we should begin therapeutic intervention for people with these conditions,’ he said. ‘It’s also has
implications for the treatment of autism since the changes in the brains of people with fragile X syndrome and
autistic people are thought to significantly overlap.’ Autism, as many people know, is a disability that affects
how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they make sense of the world.
 E. Fragile X syndrome is as common as cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that commonly affects the lungs and
causes breathing difficulties, and that affects about 1 in 4,000 males and 1 in 8,000 females worldwide. The
Fragile X Society believes that there are many people who have fragile X syndrome but have never been
diagnosed. It shows up in early infancy and progressively worsens throughout childhood, causing intellectual
disability as well as social, language and behavioral problems.
F. Fragile X syndrome is caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome – one of the two chromosomes that
determine the gender or sex of a person. The mutation interferes in the production of a protein called fragile X
mental retardation protein. Fragile X is so-named because the X chromosome appears broken or kinked. Tim
Potter, of the Fragile X Society, said: ‘We welcome any research that helps us understand fragile X and which
may open the way to reversing the effect of preventing them ever happening’.

Question 41-45

Complete the summary of paragraphs A and B below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in spaces 41-45

People with fragile X syndrome are extremely sensitive to sensory (41)___________________. Some sufferers are
even (42)_______________ to clothing. The condition is the result of the connections within the (43
________________ of the brain not being made at the right time. Instead, the neurons of people with the condition
establish connections later than should happen, which is normally in the second (44)_______________ of pregnancy
in humans. By understanding how the brain’s (45)________________ are affected, scientists hope to develop a
treatment.

III. WRITING

Part 1:
For questions 1–5, finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the There is an example
at the beginning (0).

1. I haven’t enjoyed myself so much for years.

It’s years …………….…....since I enjoyed myself so much……….…... .
1. “I think opinion polls are worthless,” he said.
He dismissed…………………………………………………………
2. The harsh criticism of the Prime Minister was quite unjustified.
There…………………………………………………………………
3. It was more of a business contract than a marriage.
It was not so…………………………………………………………..
4. They stand a good chance of winning the case.
The chances..…………………………………………………………..
5. It doesn’t matter what happens, we’ll stay side by side.
 Come………………………………………………………………….

For questions 6–10, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).

0. It’s no use arguing: I’ve made up my mind.

point
…..…. There’s no point in arguing: ……… I’ve made up my mind.

6. I need someone to take my place at the ceremony. (STAND)

…………………………………………………………………………
7. He owed his life to a passer-by. (INDEBTED)
…………………………………………………………………………
8. I had suspicion when they offered me such a high interest rate. (RAT)
…………………………………………………………………………
9. It is certain that the new cuts will worry the staff. (BOUND)
…………………………………………………………………………
10. Money has no value on a desert island. (COUNTS)
…………………………………………………………………………