C1- EXERCISE 2 (Total: 130)

I. You should spend about 20 minutes on questions 1-12, which are based on the reading passage.
Storytelling
Dr Tom Sjoblom, University of Helsinki, explores the link between narratives and memories.
Storytelling seems to be a fundamental feature of human existence. In a recent article, Paul Hernadi points out that
storytelling and narratives are such widespread phenomena that they could justifiably be included in the list of human
universals (Hernadi, 2001). But, our craving for narratives, or stories, goes deeper than this. It is embedded in our mental
images of whatever happens around us (Boyer, 2001 ). In other words, creating narratives is our way of connecting and
interacting with our environment (Mink, 1978).
As a species, we humans appear to have a much more active attitude towards our environment than any other species.
Our bodies and minds not only adapt to the surrounding world, but we actively shape and construct our environment to better
suit our needs (Plotkin, 1993). From this perspective, culture is nothing more than an environment that we create ourselves.
Culture is not something in opposition to nature. Instead it is a part of it, it is - in a way - nature modified to better suit the
requirements of the human life form. Thus, culture and all aspects of it are basically products of natural selection and, more
specifically, the evolution of the human mind (Boyer, 2001 ).
Between 60,000 and 20,000 years ago the first signs of art and religion appeared and humans started to build houses
and invent more sophisticated tools and weapons, such as bows and arrows. This period has been called the 'big bang' of
human culture. There is still much controversy over how to explain this period of innovation, but a growing consensus connects
the greater cultural energy and innovation of the period to the emergence of individuals as creative beings (Mellars, 1994).
The archaeologist Steven Mithen has suggested that this creativity can be explained by the emergence of a 'cognitively
fluid' mentality, in other words, an ability to link together information from different areas of our life. Cognitive fluidity makes it
possible for human beings to emerge from the concrete situational present and to adopt a more general and abstract approach
(Mithen, 1996). As Gerald Edelman puts it: 'With that ability come the abilities to model the world, to make explicit comparisons
and to weigh outcomes; through such comparisons comes the possibility of reorganizing plans.' (Edelman, 1992) Edelman
goes further than this and argues that it is the flexibility of our memory system which is the key for understanding how cognitive
fluidity afects our ability to learn new things in general (Edelman, 1992). The basic idea here is that our memory does not
really represent the past as it happened. In most of the cases it does not even represent it as it is stored and coded into our
brains. Instead, our memory prefers creating the past from the perspective of how relevant it is to our present situation. Striving
for this kind of coherence, our mind combines stored representations and blends information stored in them (Holyoak &
Thagard, 1995). Thus, all things being equal, we do not remember the past, we create it.
The medieval art of memory, known as memoria, has interested historians for a long time, but seldom from a psychological
or cognitive perspective. Recently, this has been changed through the work of Mary Carruthers. According to Carruthers,
memoria was the reason why literature, in a fundamental sense, existed in medieval Europe. It was the process by which a
work of literature became both institutionalised by the group and learned by its individual members (Carruthers, 1990).
For those medieval experts who were educated in the art of memory there were two principal strategies for achieving their
goal. The first and older of these strategies, attributed to Aristotle, relied on the concept of 'mental images'. Supporters of this
strategy argued that remembering was to see mental pictures, which are firmly imprinted upon the memory. Thus, the best
way to memorise narratives is to stimulate the act of memorising by using visual aids such as emotion-provoking
representations, or so-called 'word pictures'. Descriptive language can also be used to create a kind of mental painting,
although no actual pictures are present (Carruthers, 1990). As Albertus Magnus (1193-1280) puts it: 'something is not secure
enough by hearing, but it is made firm by seeing' (Albertus 1.1. II. 6-7).
The second, and more popular, strategy for memorising narratives was by rote learning. This was achieved by the frequent
repetition of a text until it was accurately memorised. In this case, the process of memorising was aided by the use of rhythmic
and/or formulaic expressions, and by breaking longer texts into numbered segments and then memorising them one by one
(Carruthers, 1990).
The followers of this strategy criticised the use of visual imagery because of its inaccuracy. It was argued that the use of
visual aids was marginally helpful at best, providing cues for recollection, but could not in itself guarantee the accuracy of the
memorising process (Carruthers, 1990). The latter countered the criticism by arguing that, while in ordinary circumstances the
accuracy of visual imagery could not be trusted, this problem would disappear if the visual imagery was strong enough to
make a person emotionally engaged with the text. Indeed, they argued, it is the creation of strong emotional responses that
makes the use of visual images such a powerful tool for memory creation (Carruthers, 1990).
Questions 1-8. Look at the following theories (questions 1-8) and the list of people below. Match each person with
the correct theory. Write the correct letter (A-H) next to questions 1-8.
1. _________ Early European storytelling came about because of a traditional form of List of people
memorizing. A. Hernadi
2. _________ Cognitive fluidity allowed early humans to make and change arrangements. B. Mink
3. _________ Telling stories allows us to relate to our surroundings. C. Plotkin
4. _________ The brain changes our recollection of past events to match our current D. Mithen
circumstances. E. Edelman
5. _________ Telling stories is a trait which is common to all nations. F. Holyoak &
6. _________ Early humans became more inventive when they were able to make a connection Thagard
between different ideas. G. Carruthers
7. _________ Your memory of something will be improved if you visualise it rather than just H. Albertus
listen to it.
8. _________ Humans adjust to their surroundings as well as changing them.

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Questions 9-12 Complete each sentence with the correct ending A-F from the box.
9. Those who memorised using Aristotle's theory were helped by _________
10. The experts who used rote learning were helped by _________
11. Those who supported rote learning believed that _________
12. Supporters of Aristotle's method of memorising believed that _________
A ... writing down their stories.
B ... using paintings aided the memory.
C ... visual aids were of limited help when memorising text.
D ... if images evoked a passionate response then the memory would be more accurate.
E ... creating a vivid image in their mind.
F ... turning a long text into a series of short parts.
II. Fill in each blank with ONE suitable word or phrase to form a meaningful idiom.
13. It's a safe ___________ that he will be late again; he never comes punctually.
14. The child ran into the road and the driver only managed to step on his brakes in the ________ of time to avert a tragedy.
15. The visitors were warned to steer ___________ of the districts where robberies and assaults were rife.
16. Get the load off your ___________ and tell us what the matter is instead of moping about all day round.
17. That day was terrible. Our car broke down, we were robbed at the airport and on ________ of all that Sam lost his
ticket.
18. Throughout her life, Ms Pumpkin suffered from terrible loneliness. She didn't have a ___________ to cry on.
19. I guess you are in the ___________. Mr Klein isn't a secret agent, but a simple post office clerk.
20. There is much hope of our team winning the game, but we have to keep our ___________ crossed.
21. Women don't like to be taken for ___________ by their husbands no matter how busy the men are.
22. Arthur has fallen head over ___________ in love with Muriel. He does nothing but speak about her all day round.
III. Choose one correct option (A, B, C or D) to complete each of the following sentences.
23. It is a crime to _________ evidence relating to a police investigation.
A. withhold B. swear C. infer D. inquire
24. There is a great deal of pressure in the newspaper industry; editors might work a 12-hour day with no _________.
A. come-down B. letdown C. let-up D. crackdown
25. It’s not worth keeping the old computer – the technology is _________ now.
A. illiterate B. ambiguous C. contemporary D. obsolete
26. Our lecturer _________ the importance of taking clear notes.
A. responded B. reiterated C. retained D. recruited
27. The author submitted an _________ of her proposed novel for her publisher’s approval.
A. outline B. outlook C. underline D. underestimate
28. Vegetarians are often advised to take iron and vitamin _________ to make up for any deficiencies in their diet.
A. complements B. ailments C. imitations D. supplements
29. These days most _________ is sent by email.
A. quotation B. legend C, inscription D. correspondence
30. Campers under 18 need their parents’_________ before they can take part in any extreme sports at this camp.
A. consonant B. consent C. context D. contract
31. I've tried ___________ with the controls but I still can't get a picture on the screen.
A. fidgeting B. adjusting C. fiddling D. tampering
32. The tent was very complicated to erect but simple enough to ___________
A. dismantle B. dismount C. disconnect D. detach
33. I had a good chance of getting the job but I'm afraid I ___________ the interview by saying all the wrong things.
A. fumbled B. gambled C. bungled D. stumbled
34. The crime was ___________ in the middle of a busy street, in full view of people returning home from work.
A. achieved B. committed C. performed D. practised
35. As a trusted employee, she had ___________ to highly confidential information.
A. admission B. entrance C. contact D. access
36. A good friend is one who will ___________ you when you're in trouble.
A. stand for B. stand up to C. stand by D stand over
37. I'm hopeless at making decisions. I even ___________ for ages over which toothpaste to buy.
A. totter B. dodder C. dither D. falter
38. The electronic anti-theft device was far from easy to ___________ in my car.
A. implant B. install C. insert D. immerse
39. You may think him rather on the quiet ___________ when you first meet him, but he can be extremely witty.
A. hand B. side C. level D. part
40. As he was caught in ___________ of an offensive weapon, he was immediately a suspect.
A. possession B. ownership C. handling D. control
41. His football career ___________ to an abrupt halt after he was injured.
A. went B. came C. brought D. dropped
42. The meat was beautifully cooked, I agree, but the vegetables were a bit too salty for my ___________.
A. appetite B. desire C. liking D. favour
43. The safe deposit box ___________ a high-pitched sound when it was moved.
A. ejected B. expelled C. emitted D. exuded
44. The gang is ___________ to have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to computer equipment.
A. alleged B. claimed C. announced D. blamed
45. Traffic is being ___________ from the High Street while the water-main is under repair.

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 A. averted B. perverted C. diverted D. subverted
46. Some of the members of the management board criticized the CEO for _____________ spending plans.
A. profligate B. proliferate C. procuring D. prophetic
IV. Fill in each blank with one suitable word.
The early human race
Scientists traditionally believed that a species which ranged over parts of Africa, Europe and Asia, eventually developed (47)
__________ both Homo sapiens (the species modern human beings belong to) and Neanderthals. (48) __________
Neanderthals, who evolved in Europe and Asia, Homo sapiens emerged in Africa, later spreading into Europe and replacing
Neanderthals.
Not (49) __________ ago, some remains of what appeared to be a distinct species of early human beings were found in
Siberia, but it was far (50) __________ clear where this group - given the name 'Denisovans' - fitted into the picture. They
were assumed to have hardly (51) __________ connection with Homo sapiens.
However, tests on fossils in Spain have uncovered DNA that includes Denisovan material. This suggests that they, or at (52)
__________ their DNA, might have spread much further than was previously thought, interbreeding (53) __________ Homo
sapiens, and possibly also Neanderthals. (54) __________ the precise connection may have been, the population dynamics
are potentially very complex.
We would know nothing about the relationship were (55) __________ not for recent advances in DNA retrieval and
sequencing.
V. Choose one correct option (A, B, C or D) to fill in each blank of the following passages.
In Aboriginal Australia, children grow up accepting tribal custom (56) _________. Pregnant women talk to their babies in
the womb, telling them of folklore, customs, family histories, myths; speaking to the infant from the day it is born. Children
grow up learning their culture in day to day conversation. Discipline for the children is maintained within the family. For any
(57) _________ of Sacred Law, ritual leaders, the Tribal Council, decide on the appropriate punishment and for (58)
_________ offences there would be a gathering of many tribes at special punishment grounds. Traditional custom is a (59)
_________ factor in aboriginal society. Oral history, spiritual matters, myths and gossip songs are told around the evening
campfire within a clan, or with a corroboree when there is a gathering of tribes. Mythology is a cultural treasure, (60) _________
from one generation to the other. Aboriginal traditional art also relays tribal or religious customs. Drawings and paintings (61)
_________ food, display items available for trading (like an advertising notice board) and map the sacred paths of ancestral
beings. In addition it is a creative practice which reflects the cultural life of the community.
56. A. unquestioningly B. undoubtedly C. irreversibly D. definitely
57. A. fracture B. crack C. breakage D. breach
58. A. primary B. major C. great D. main
59. A. potential B. powerful C. mighty D. vigorous
60. A. passed round B. passed through C. passed over D. passed on
61. A. describe B. portray C. depict D. delineate
THE KANGAROO GENERATION
The French have a name for them – le generation kangaroo – because kangaroos carry their (62) ________ around in a
pouch for months after birth. They are the 20-somethings who have realized that living at (63) ________ with their parents is
(64) ________ to struggling to be independent. A few years ago, anyone approaching 30 still (65) ________ under the parental
roof would have been an object of concern, if not ridicule. Today it is fast becoming the norm. To a certain (66) ________, this
shift is due to economic pressures; (67) ________ prices in Western Europe have soared, making mortgage payments out of
(68) ________ for most people on starting salaries. And why pay a fortune to rent a (69) ________ bedsit when relatively
luxurious accommodation is available rent-free? These days, parents also seem more willing to continue to perform (70)
________ chores like cooking, washing and ironing. Of course, some mums and dads were unprepared for the burden of (71)
________ to go on so long. The previous generation, who often married young, (72) ________ expected that once their
children left for university, their years of freedom would begin. They are now finding that times have changed and there is a
(73) ________ possibility that their kids will want to stick around indefinitely.
62. A. offspring B. childhood C. relationship D. notices
63. A. house B. room C. home D. place
64. A. preferential B. preferable C. better D. key
65. A. resting B. holding C. keeping D. residing
66. A. instance B. extent C. amount D. prospect
67. A. property B. estate C. dwelling D. district
68. A. catch B. touch C. reach D. chance
69. A. fixed B. built up C. fight D. cramped
70. A. housewarming B. domestic C. normal D. interior
71. A. leadership B. parenthood C. sponsorship D. household
72. A. generally B. totally C. greatly D. flatly
73. A. foregone B. distinct C. little D. slim
VI. For questions 74-83, choose from the sections (A-D). The sections may be chosen more than once.
In which section does the writer ...
74. ________ mention certain viewers being able to relate to what artists had in mind?
75. ________ refer to a doubt about the merit of a piece of artwork?
76. ________ highlight a need for artists to strike the right balance?
77. ________ indicate a possible reason for difficulty in reaching a consensus?
78. ________ state that people may have a shallow reason for liking a piece of art?
79. ________ suggest that some artists are aware of how they can satisfy the brain?
80. ________ refer to a shift in her own perception?
81. ________ point out shortcomings in a specific piece of research?
82. ________ mention the possibility of extending the scope of an existing research area?

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83. ________ describe a procedure employed in the gathering of some scientific data?
A scientific view of modern art
Kat Austen investigates scientific research on modern art and why we appreciate it
A. Standing in front of Jackson Pollock's Summertime: Number 9A one day I was struck by a strange feeling. What I once
considered an ugly collection of random paint splatters now spoke to me as a joyous celebration of movement and energy.
It was the first time a piece of abstract art had stirred my emotions. Like many, I used to dismiss these works as a waste
of time and energy. How could anyone find meaning in what looked like a collection of colourful splodges thrown
haphazardly at a canvas? Yet here I was, in London's Tate Modern gallery, moved by Pollock's work. So, why are we
attracted to paintings and sculptures that seem to bear no relation to the physical world? Little did I know that researchers
have already started to investigate this question. By studying the brain's responses to different paintings, they have been
examining the way the mind perceives art, and how masterpieces hijack the brain's visual system.
B. Studies in the emerging field of neuroaesthetics have already offered insights into many masterpieces. The blurred
imagery of paintings of the Impressionist era towards the end of the 19th century seems to stimulate a part of the brain
which is geared towards detecting threats in our rather blurry peripheral vision. The same part of the brain also plays a
crucial role in our feelings and emotions, which might explain why many people find these pieces so moving. Could the
same approach tell us anything about modern art, the defining characteristic of which has been to remove almost
everything that could be literally interpreted? Although such works often sell for vast sums of money, they have attracted
many sceptics, who claim that modern artists lack the skills or competence of the masters before them. Instead they
believe that many people claim to like these works simply because they are in fashion.
C. In an attempt to make sense of how we perceive art, scientists have designed experiments that play with volunteers'
expectations of the pieces they are viewing. The volunteers viewed pairs of paintings - either creations by famous abstract
artists or the doodles of infants, chimps and elephants. Then they had to judge which they liked best. A third of the
paintings were given no captions, while the rest were labelled. The twist was that sometimes the labels were mixed up so
that the volunteers might think they were viewing a chimp's messy brushstrokes, while they were actually seeing an
abstract piece by a famous artist. Some sceptics might argue that it is impossible to tell the difference, but in each set of
trials, the volunteers generally went for the work of the well-accepted human artists. Somehow it seems that the viewer
can sense the artist's vision in these paintings, even if they can't explain why. Yet, the experiment did not explain how we
detect the hand of the human artist, nor the reason why the paintings appeal to us. But how does the artist hold our
attention with an image that bears no likeness to anything in the real world? Of course, each artist's unique style will speak
to us in a different way, so there can be no single answer.
D. A few studies have tackled the issue of how people process images, a case in point being Robert Pepperell's attempt to
understand the way we deal with works which do not offer even the merest glimpse of a recognisable object for the brain
to latch on to. But they may instead catch our attention through particularly well-proportioned compositions that appeal to
the brain's visual system. We may also be drawn in by pieces that hit a specific point in the brain's ability to process
complex scenes, which, in turn, may be why certain artists use a particular level of detail to please the brain. According
to one psychologist, if there is too little detail we find the work boring, but too much complexity results in a kind of perceptual
overload.
VII. Use the words given in capitals form a word that fits in the space.
Cacti have enjoyed an (84. ENDURE) ____________ popularity among gardeners spanning several centuries. Perhaps this
is due in part to their unusual appearance: more often than not, they consist of (85. SWELL) ____________ stems covered
in spines. Unlike other plants, cacti can squat in their pots, (86. APPEAR) ____________ in suspended animation, for months,
showing little sign of growth or development; then suddenly, their flowers will burst forth, dazzling observers with their (87.
GLORY) ____________ vibrant colours. Added to this is the fact that they come in a huge (88. VARIOUS) ____________ of
shapes, sizes and forms, so many gardeners, myself included, find themselves (89. RESIST) ____________ drawn to these
extraordinary plants.
You do not have to be an expert to grow cacti, and the (90. INITIATE) ____________ needn't be concerned about cultivating
them because they are among the easiest of plants to care for. Their (91. REQUIRE) ____________ are simple and few.
Plenty of light, a little compost and occasional watering will keep them happy and healthy. Also, their hardy constitution (92.
ABLE) ____________ them to withstand harsh climatic conditions in the wild. So should you neglect to water them, they are
(93. LIKE) ____________ to object. For this reason, I recommend them to the young (94. ENTHUSE) _____________ who
ask me about starting their own windowsill gardens.
VIII. Think of one word only which can be used appropriately in all three sentences.
95. Milton received a ___________ to his pride when he failed to get the job.
The victim was knocked unconscious by a violent ___________ to the head.
The witness gave the police a _____________ by account of what he had seen.
a ˌblow-by-ˌblow acˈcount, deˈscription, etc. (of something)
(informal) a description of an event which gives you all the detailsin the order in which they happen
96. Expecting me to cook a meal for six with only an hour's warning is a bit ___________ order!
John told a ___________ story to his teacher about the dog eating his homework!
That very ___________ tree has been on our property since my grandmother's day.
97. You could have ___________ me down with a feather when she told me she was getting married.
He didn't look where he was going and ___________ a boy off his bike.
We've ___________ down our prices by an extra twenty-five percent!
98. Some of the tourists are hoping to get compensation for the poor state of the hotel, and I think they have a very
____________ case.
There's no point in trying to wade across the river, the current is far too ____________.
If you're asking me which of the candidates should get the job, I'm afraid I don't have any __________ views either way.
99. There's a ____________ in the text at this point, so the meaning is far from clear.
After a period of unemployment, the actor had a lucky ____________ and got the starring role in a big musical.
During the meeting, there was a ____________ in the proceedings while the votes were counted.
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100. It took the children some time to ____________ down after the excitement of seeing their school win the football match.
Ivana has decided that she definitely wants to ____________ in America.
Stefan says the time has come to ____________ this matter once and for all.
IX. Fill in each blank with a suitable preposition.
101. You can deal with this _______ your discretion.
102. Dr. Smith sees patients only _______ appointment.
103. I ‘ll leave the key with the porter _______ convenience.
104. His life is _______ the balance but the doctors say he will recover.
105. Keep your enthusiasm _______ limits.
106. You can’t interfere; what he does is _______ no concern to you.
107. I’m not free just now, but come at 6; I’ll be _______ duty then.
108. We were late _______ account of the rain.
109. At first there was confusion, but we soon got the situation _______ control.
110. Have you anything to say _______ regard to the proposal?
X. Rewrite the following sentences, using the words in bold. Use between 3 and 8 words.
111. Nick said that the swimming lesson cost $20, but was well worth it. (fact)
Nick said that __________________________________________, the swimming lesson was well worth it.
112. We were surprised that John didn't turn up at the meeting as agreed. (from)
To our surprise, __________________________________________ meeting,
113. Grant's tutor told him he had too many scientific terms in his presentation. (cut)
Grant's tutor told him __________________________________________ of scientific terms in his presentation.
114. Did the cast dance any better in last night's performance? (in)
Was __________________________________________ dancing in last night's performance?
115. Her friends still hadn’t arrived by 9 o’clock so Helen went to the party alone. (sign)
There __________________________________________ 9 o’clock, so Helen went to the party alone.
116. Leo doesn't understand why his sister is opposing his plan. (what)
Leo doesn't understand __________________________________________ his plan is.
117. It has never been explained why he decided to relinquish his position as director. (decision)
No __________________________________________ to relinquish his position as director.
118. There was no question that the Rangers were going to win the final as the Rovers were so far behind. (hands)
It was obvious that the Rangers were going __________________________________________ in the final.
119. We did not think that canceling the order was a good idea. (inadvisable)
We thought __________________________________________ the order.
120. Someone rang the police with information about an impending robbery. (tipped)
The __________________________________________ about an impending robbery.
121. Since there was no better candidate, we offered the job to Roberto. (absence)
In __________________________________________ offered the job.
VIII. Complete the following sentences using verbs in the gerund form and any other necessary words.
122. Don't ever attempt to mend a fuse before ____________ the electricity at the mains.
123. I have no intention ____________ any unnecessary risks.
124. It's no use ____________ to dissuade me. My mind is made up!
125. I blame myself for ____________ the fire brigade sooner.
126. At the police station he was charged ____________ money under false pretences.
127. He clearly wasn't used ____________ orders from a woman.
128. His parents thoroughly disapprove ____________ his studies in order to take a job abroad.
129. He congratulated me ____________ to represent the university in the national championship.
130. I'm very disappointed ____________ the opportunity to see you when you were in town.
--- THE END ---

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