Grade 12

Part 1. Specific Thinking

Read the text and choose a, b or c.
1. No one knows when we started using color, but we think that ancient cultures may have used colors to symbolize
specific things. For instance, we believe that the Cherokee Indians used blue to symbolize sadness – something that
we might recognize today from the expression ‘feeling blue’. But research shows us that each culture had a different
system for color use. In other words, the people chose what the colors represented – blue in one culture could mean
the opposite in another.

2. People often choose colors that are new to them. Studies in history suggest that new colors quickly became
popular, probably because they were different. To take a more recent example, the first mass-produced cars were all
black. When different colored paint was developed, people chose those colors because they were new. The same
thing happened when color was introduced to other materials, such as plastic. The first color televisions didn’t have
very realistic colors, but almost everyone preferred them to black and white.

3. Colors also affect us on a deeper level. Experiments have shown that colors can have a physical effect on us. For
example, red is said to make our breathing and heartbeat faster, and yellow makes our metabolism faster. On the
other hand, blue can make our bodies release chemicals that calm us down, and green can have a similar relaxing
effect.

4. Perhaps there is an important reason for our reaction to color, however. Research suggests that over the years,
we have learned to recognize various colors as a warning. If a primitive man cut his hand and saw his blood, the red
color truly represented danger – it told him to do something about it or he could die. Similarly, he would not eat
meat if it was blue or green – something tells us that green or blue meat is bad. This is an experiment you can try for
yourself with food coloring. Try serving a meal to your friends with the potatoes or rice colored blue. You know that
the food is harmless, but your guests will probably not eat it. And when they refuse the food, they are using a
universal ability that humans have developed over thousands of years.

1. (5 points) In paragraph 1, the writer says that the Cherokee Indians used the color blue
a. before any other cultures.
b. in the same way as all ancient cultures.
c. in the way we sometimes use it today.
2. (5 points) The word ‘mass-produced’ in paragraph 2 refers to
a. the way cars were made.
b. the colors used on cars.
c. the process of making paint.
3. (5 points) Which color or colors might help someone who was feeling stressed?
a. red only
b. blue only
c. blue and green
4. (5 points) If you serve blue food to a friend, he or she
a. will become ill.
b. is unlikely to try it.
c. knows it is harmless.
5*. (Bonus 5 points) What is the main idea of paragraph 1?
a. How colours affect us physically.
b. Early use of colour
c. Why we have a favourite colour
6*. (Bonus 5 points) What is the main idea of paragraph 3?
a. Why we have a favourite colour.
b. Life in black and white.
c. How colours affect us physically.
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Part 2. Time-bound Estimation
Choose a, b or c.

7*. (Bonus 2 points) Do you think he’ll recover from the accident? He’s not looking good, I’d say the ………. are slim.

a. chances b. opportunity c. possibility

8*. (Bonus 2 points) We can’t just …….. up at the party without an invitation.

a. go b. reach c. turn
9. (1 point) It’s so wet here, it ………. rains non-stop for several days.
a. seldom b. frequently c. never
10. (1 point) Please will you just tidy your room and stop …….. excuses!
a. taking b. having c. making
11. (1 point) Jenny is …….. on holiday for a week.
a. away b. out c. to
12. (1 point) They…….. their living by selling fruits and vegetables.
a. gain b. earn c. win
13. (2 points) Oh, I’m sorry! ......... disturbing you?
a. Do I b. Have I c. Am I
14. (2 points) I don’t like…. on clothes in shops because I don’t want people to see in something that doesn’t suit me.
a. putting b. trying c. handing
15. (2 points) I don’t think T-shirts and jeans will ever go ………. of style, do you?
a. away b. out c. off
16*. (Bonus 3 points) Ed ……… at the clock and realized he was late for the meeting.
a. glimpsed b. observed c. glanced
17. (2 points) Don’t ……….. the potatoes in oil; that’s so unhealthy!
a. fry b. boil c. grill
18. (2 points) The woman ……… purse I found has offered to give me a reward.
a. whose b. who c. to whom
19. (2 points) Why can’t you ……. David’s example and wear a tie to work?
a. set b. follow c. do
20*. (Bonus 3 points) I’ve got a/an ……….. for the school play tomorrow. I really hope I get a main part.
a. rehearsal b. practice c. audition
21. (2 points) I’m going to stay in and …………TV tonight.
a. see b. watch c. view
22. (2 points) There’s a pack of ………. vegetables in the freezer, I think.
a. frozen b. icy c. freezing

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Part 3. Realistic Assessment
Choose a, b or c.
23. *(Bonus 3 points) No sooner ………. down than the phone rang.
a. had I sat b. I had sat c. was I sitting

24. *(Bonus 3 points) Never ………… a greater day in the history of mankind.
a. did there be b. was there c. there was

25. (2 points) If he hadn’t fallen asleep while driving he…………….his Honda.

a. hadn’t crashed b. wouldn’t have crashed c. crashed

26. (3 points) I visited Alaska ……… and I thought it was beautiful.

a. just b. currently c. recently

27. (3 points) I ………. play sport when I was younger. Why did you stop?
a. would b. never c. used to

28. *(Bonus 4 points) The crowd is getting very excited. The race ………. start.
a. is about to b. is due to c. is just

29. (3 points) “It’s hot in here. …….. I open the window? ”

a. Do b. Shall c. Would

30. (3 points) They’ve finally announced that the elections are ……… on 21 June.
a. to take place b. happening c. probably

31. (3 points) John moved away three weeks ………. .

a. since b. before c. ago

32. (3 points) I ………. with my aunt when I go to Mexico next summer.

a. will have stay b. will be staying c. will have been staying

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Part 4. Measurable Opinion
Read the text and choose a, b or c.
The university Entertainments Committee meeting was held (33)………. recent financial losses. The Events Officer
reported on the last two events. He said that students had been very busy (34)……….. the exams and (35)………. ticket
sales had been poor. The finances Officer blamed the losses on the high charges made by the performers at those
events.

(36)………. these charges, he said, the events would have lost money even if every ticket had been sold. One
suggestion was to increase ticket prices in future but it was felt that, (37)……… many students have little money, this
wouldn’t (38)…………. to an improvement in the financial situation. After discussion it was agreed that (39)………… the
seriousness of the situation and (40)………. there was a real danger of the university authorities closing down the
Entertainments Committee, the next two events would have to be cancelled immediately. This would (41)……… that
the performers in question would have to be contacted immediately, (42)…….. the fact that contracts had already
been signed with them.

33. (2 points) a. owing b. because of c. on account

34. (3 points) a. due to b. as a result c. therefore
35. (3 points) a. then b. since c. so
36. (3 points) a. Since b. Because c. On account of
37. (3 points) a. as b. so c. then
38. (3 points) a. cause b. lead c. make
39. (3 points) a. because b. in view of c. as
40. *(Bonus 3 points) a. since b. then c. due to
41. *(Bonus 3 points) a. cause b. lead c. mean
42. *(Bonus 4 points) a. therefore b. since c. owing to

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Part 5. Achievable Glance
Circle the correct sentence.
43. (3 points)
a. Make sure you make your homework before you go out.
b. Make sure you solve your homework before you go out.
c. Make sure you do your homework before you go out.
44. (3 points)
a. Do you think you could pass that book through to me, please?
b. Do you think you could pass that book under to me, please?
c. Do you think you could pass that book over to me, please?
45. (3 points)
a. I hadn’t studied, so when the teacher asked me I had none idea.
b. I hadn’t studied, so when the teacher asked me I had no idea.
c. I hadn’t studied, so when the teacher asked me I had not idea.
46. *(Bonus 5 points)
a. I still have a lot to learn about the English language.
b. I still have a lot for learning about the English language.
c. I still have lot learning about the English language.
47. (3 points)
a. The debate will be place tonight.
b. The debate will take place tonight.
c. The debate will make place tonight.
48. *(Bonus 5 points)
a. Do you know where can I find a book about insects?
b. Do you know where could I find a book about insects?
c. Do you know where I can find a book about insects?
49. (4 points)
a. Don’t drop your sweet wrapper on the floor, will you?
b. Don’t drop your sweet wrapper on the floor, do you?
c. Don’t drop your sweet wrapper on the floor, aren’t you?
50. (4 points)
a. The new law prevents people to leave their rubbish in certain areas.
b. The new law prevents people of leaving their rubbish in certain areas.
c. The new law prevents people from leaving their rubbish in certain areas.