READING SKILLS

TASK 1: For questions 1-10, choose correct heading for paragraphs B-G from the list of headings.
Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes. There is an example at the beginning.
List of Headings
i. The biological clock
ii. Why dying is beneficial
iii. The ageing process of men and women
iv. Prolonging your life
v. Limitations of life span
vi. Models of development of different species
vii. A stable life span despite improvements
viii. Energy consumption
ix. Fundamental differences in ageing of objects and organisms
x. Repair of genetic material

HOW DOES THE BIOLOGICAL CLOCK TICK?

A. Our life span is restricted. Everyone accepts this as ‘biologically’ obvious. ‘Nothing lives forever!’
However, in this statement we think of artificially produced, technical objects, products which are
subjected to natural wear and tear during use. This leads to the result that at some time or other the object
stops working and is unusable (‘death’ in the biological sense). But are the wear and tear and loss of
function of technical objects and the death of living organisms really similar or comparable?
B. Our ‘dead’ products are ‘static’, closed systems. It is always the basic material which constitutes the
object and which, in the natural course of things, is worn down and becomes ‘older’. Ageing in this case
must occur according to the laws of physical chemistry and of thermodynamics. Although the same law
holds for a living organism, the result of this law is not inexorable in the same way. At least as long as a
biological system has the ability to renew itself it could actually become older without ageing; an organism
is an open, dynamic system through which new material continuously flows. Destruction of old material
and information of new material are thus in permanent dynamic equilibrium. The material of which the
organism is formed changed continuously. Thus our bodies continuously exchange old substance for new,
just like a spring which more or less maintains its form and movement, but in which the water molecules
are always different.
C. Thus ageing and death should not be seen as inevitable, particularly as the organism possesses many
mechanisms for repair. It is not, in principle, necessary for a biological system to age and die. Nevertheless,
a restricted life span, ageing, and then death are basic characteristics of life. The reason for this is easy to
recognize: in nature, the existent organisms either adapt or are regularly replaced by new types. Because of
changes in the genetic material (mutations) these have new characteristics and in the course of their
individual lives they are tested for optimal or better adaptation to the environmental conditions. Immortality
would disturb this system- it needs room for new and better life. This is the basic problem of evolution.
D. Every organism has a life span which is highly characteristic. There are striking differences in life span
between different species, but within one species the parameter is relatively constant. For example, the
average duration of human life has hardly changed in thousands of years. Although more and more people
attain an advanced age as a result of developments in medical care and better nutrition, the characteristic
upper limit for most remains 80 years. A further argument against the simple wear and tear theory is the
observation that the time within which organisms age lies between a few days (even a few hours for
unicellular organisms) and several thousands years, as with mammoth trees.
E. If a life span is genetically determined biological characteristic, it is logically necessary to propose the
existence of an internal clock, which in some way measures and controls the ageing process and which
finally determines death as the last step in a fixed programme. Like the life span, the metabolic rate has for
different organisms a fixed mathematical relationship to the body mass. In comparison to the life span this
relationship is “inverted”: the larger the organism the lower its metabolic rate. Again this relationship is
valid not only for birds, but also, similarly on average within the systematic unit, for all other organisms
(plants, animals, unicellular organisms).
F. Animals which behave “frugally” with energy become particularly old, for example, crocodiles and
tortoises. Parrots and birds of prey are often held chained up. Thus they are not able to “experience life”
and so they attain a high life span in captivity. Animals which save energy by hibernation or lethargy (e.g.
bats or hedgehogs) live much longer than those which are always active. The metabolic rate of mice can be
reduced by a very low consumption of food (hunger diet). They then may live twice as long as their well
fed comrades. Women become distinctly (about 10 per cent) older than man. If you examine the metabolic
rates of the two sexes you establish that the higher male metabolic rate roughly accounts for the lower male
life span. That means that they live life “energetically”- more intensively, but not for as long.
G. It follows from the above that sparing use of energy reserves should tend to extend life. Extreme high
performance sports may lead to optimal cardiovascular performance, but they quite certainly do not prolong
life. Relaxation lowers metabolic rate, as does adequate sleep and in general an equable and balanced
personality. Each of us can develop his or her own “energy saving programme” with a little self-
observation, critical self-control and, above all, logical consistency. Experience will show that to live in this
way not only increase the life span but is also very healthy. This final aspect should not be forgotten.
0. Paragraph A 1. Paragraph B 2. Paragraph C 3. Paragraph D.
4. Paragraph E 5. Paragraph F 6. Paragraph G

For questions 7 -10, write in the corresponding numbered boxes:

Y if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage
N if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage
NG if there is no information about this in the passage
7. The wear and tear theory applies to both artificial objects and biological systems.
8. Through mutations, organisms can adapt better to the environment.
9. In principle, it is possible for a biological system to become older without ageing.
10. Within seven years, about 90 percent of a human body is replaced as new.

TASK 2. The reading passage below has eight paragraphs, A-H. Reading the passage and do the
tasks below.

A. The history of human civilization is entwined with the history of the ways we have learned to
manipulate water resources. As towns gradually expanded, water was brought from increasingly
remote sources, leading to sophisticated engineering efforts such as dams and aqueducts. At the
height of the Roman Empire, nine major systems, with an innovative layout of pipes and well-built
sewers, supplied the occupants of Rome with as much water per person as is provided in many parts
or the industrial world today.
B. During the industrial revolution and population explosion of the 19 th and 20th centuries, the demand
for water rose dramatically. Unprecedented construction of tens of thousands of monumental
engineering projects designed to control floods, protect clean water supplies, and provide water for
irrigation and hydropower brought great benefits to hundreds of millions of people. Food
 production has kept pace with soaring populations mainly because of the expansion of artificial
irrigation systems that make possible the growth of 40% the world’s food. Nearly one fifth of all the
electricity generated worldwide is produced by turbines spun by the power of falling water.
C. Yet there is a dark side to this picture: despite our progress, half of the world’s population still
suffers, with water services inferior to those available to the ancient Greeks and Romans. As the
United Nations report on access to water reiterated in November 2001, more than one billion
people lack access to clean drinking water; some two and a half billion do not have adequate
sanitation services. Preventable water - related diseases kill an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 children
every day, and the latest evidence suggests that we are falling behind in efforts to solve these
problems.
D. The consequences of our water policies extend beyond jeopardizing human health. Tens of millions
of people have been forced to more from their homes - often with little warning or compensation -
to make way for the reservoirs behind dams. More than 20% of all freshwater fish species are now
threatened or endangered because dams and water withdrawals have destroyed the free-flowing
river ecosystems where they thrive. Certain irrigation practices degrade soil quality and reduce
agricultural productivity. Groundwater aquifers are being pumped down faster than they are
naturally replenished in parts of India, China, the USA and elsewhere. And disputes over shared
water resources have led to violence and continue to raise local, national and even international
tensions.
E. At the outset of the new millennium, however, the way resource planners think about water is
beginning to change. The focus is slowly shifting back to the provision of basic human and
environmental needs as top priority - ensuring ‘some for all,’ instead of ‘more for some’. Some
water experts are now demanding that existing infrastructure be used in smarter ways rather than
building new facilities, which is increasingly considered the option of last, not first resort. This shift
in philosophy has not been universally accepted, and it comes with strong opposition from some
established water organizations. Nevertheless, it may be the only way to address successfully the
pressing problems of providing everyone with clean water to drink, adequate water to grow food
and a life free from preventable water-related illness.
F. Fortunately - and unexpectedly - the demand for water is not rising as rapidly as some predicted. As
a result, the pressure to build new water infrastructures has diminished over the past two decades.
Although population, industrial output and economic productivity have continued to soon in
developed nations, the rate at which people withdraw water from aquifers, rivers and lakes has
slowed. And in a few parts of the world, demand has actually fallen.
 G. What explains this remarkable turn of events? Two factors: People have figured out how to use
water more efficiently, and communities are rethinking their priorities for water use. Throughout the
first three-quarters of the 20th century, the quantity of freshwater consumed pen person doubled on
average; in the USA, water withdrawals increased tenfold while the population quadrupled. But
since 1980, the amount of water consumed per person has actually decreased, thanks to a range of
new technologies that help to conserve water in homes and industry. In 1965, for instance, Japan
used approximately 13 million gallons of water to produce $1 million of commercial output; by
1989 this had dropped to 3.5 million gallons (even accounting for inflation) - almost a quadrupling
of water productivity. In the USA water withdrawals have fallen by more than 20% from their peak
in 1980.
H. On the other hand, dams, aqueducts and other kinds of infrastructure will still have to be built,
particularly in developing countries where not been met. But such projects must be built to higher
specifications and with more accountability to local people and their environment than in the past.
And even in regions where projects seem warranted, we must find ways to meet demands with
fewer resources, respecting ecological criteria and to a smaller budget.

For questions 1-7, choose the correct heading for paragraphs B-H from the list of headings below
Write the correct number, i-ix.

List of headings

i. Scientists’ call for a revision of policy

ii. An explanation for reduced water use

iii. How a global challenge was met

iv. Irrigation systems fall into disuse

v. Environmental effects

vi. The financial cost of recent technological improvements

vii. The relevance to health

viii. Addressing the concern over increasing populations

ix. A surprising downward trend in demand for water

x. The need to raise standards

xi. A description of ancient water supplies

 Example: Paragraph A: xi

1. Paragraph B …….
2. Paragraph C …….
3. Paragraph D …….
4. Paragraph E ….…
5. Paragraph F …….
6. Paragraph G …….
7. Paragraph H …….

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage. For question 8-10 write
down

Yes If the statement agrees with the claims of the writer

No If the statement contradicts the claims of the writer

Not given If it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

8. Feeding increasing populations is possible due primarily to improved irrigation systems

9. Modern water systems imitate those of the ancient Greeks and Romans

10. Industrial growth is increasing the overall demand for water.

TASK 3:

Read the text carefully and then choose the correct answers.

IS TECHNOLOGY HARMING OUR CHILDREN’S HEALTH?

Technology is moving at such a breakneck speed that it is enough to make your head spin. It can be
difficult to keep up. However, with each new technological marvel come consequences. Much of the
research conducted has shown the extent of the damage being done to our health by technology. It is a
scary thought, and with teenagers and children being heavy consumers and users of these gadgets, they run
the risk of being harmed the most.

The digital revolution in music has enabled people to download, store and listen to songs on a tiny,
portable device called an MP3 player. The process is quick and afterwards you can have access to a library
of thousands of songs that can fit into your palm. But experts say that continuously listening to loud music
on these small music players can permanently damage hair cells in the inner ear, resulting in hearing loss.
For instance, old-fashioned headphones have been replaced with smaller ones that fit neatly into the ear,
instead of over them, which intensifies the sound. In addition to that, digital music does not distort and
keeps its crystal clear sound, even on loud settings, which encourages children to crank up the volume.
Combine that with the fact that many children will spend hours listening to their iPods, and you have the
recipe for hearing loss. Put into further perspective, most MP3 players can reach levels of 120 decibels,
which is louder than a chainsaw or lawnmover. When you consider 85 decibels is the maximum safe
decibel level set by hearing experts over the course of a working day, and that children will listen to music
at higher decibel levels than that for long periods of time, hearing will invariably suffer.

Apart from hearing damage, there are other serious health risks. We are living in a wireless age.
Calls can be made and received on mobiles from anywhere and the internet can be accessed without the
need for cables. The advantages are enormous, bringing ease and convenience to our lives. It is clear that
mobiles and wireless technology are here to stay but we are paying the price for the new technology?
Studies have shown that the rapid expansion in the use of wireless technology has brought with it a new
form of radiation called ‘electropollution’.

Compared to two generations ago, we are exposed to 100 million times more radiation. The human
body consists of trillions of cells which use faint electromagnetic signals to communicate with each other,
so that the necessary biological and physiological changes can happen. It is a delicate, natural balance. But
this balance is being upset by the constant exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) that we face in our
daily lives and it is playing havoc with our bodies. EMR can disrupt and alter the way in which our cells
communicate and this can result in abnormal cell behaviour. Some studies have shown that exposure to
wireless technology can affect our enzyme production, immune systems, nervous system and even our
moods and behaviour. The most dangerous part of the phone is around the antenna. This area emits
extremely potent radiation which has been shown to cause genetic damage and an increase in the risk of
cancer.

Research shows that teenagers and young adults are the largest group of mobile phone users.
According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, 70 percent of Europeans aged 12-13 own a mobile phone and
the number of children five to nine years old owning mobiles has greatly increased over the years. Children
are especially vulnerable because their brain and nervous systems are not as immune to attack as adults. Sir
William Stewart, chairman of the National Radiological Protection Board, says there is mounting evidence
to prove the harmful effects of wireless technologies and that families should monitor their children’s use
of them.

Besides the physical and biological, technology can also have serious mental implications for
children. It can be the cause of severe, addictive behaviour. In one case, two children had to be admitted
into a mental health clinic in Northern Spain because of their addiction to mobile phones. An average of six
hours a day would be spent talking, texting and playing games on their phones. The children could not be
separated from their phones and showed disturbed behaviour that was making them fail at school. They
regularly deceived family members to obtain money to buy phone cards to fund their destructive habit.
There have been other cases of phone addiction like this.

Technology may also be changing our brain patterns. Professor Greenfield, a top specialist in brain
development, says that, thanks to technology, teenage minds are developing differently from those of
previous generations. Her main concern is over computer games. She claims that living in a virtual world
where actions are rewarded without needing to think about the moral implications makes young people
“lose awareness of who they are”. She claims that technology brings a decline in linguistic creativity.

As technology keeps moving at a rapid pace and everyone clamours for the new must-have gadget
of the moment, we cannot easily perceive the long-term effects on our health. Unfortunately, it is the most
vulnerable members of our society that will be affected.

Questions 1-5. Complete the table below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A
NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

How MP3 players can threaten health

MP3 player features Harmful results Effects

Problem new…………………….………… creates intense sound

(1) fit inside ears
A

Problem ……………..…………….……(2) is invites children to increase

distortion-free with clear quality ……….…………………(3)
B damage to hair
sound
cells and loss of
Problem capable of producing sound at as loud as a lawnmower or hearing
…………………….……………(4) chainsaw – over
C
recommended safe …….
……………………(5)

Questions 6-10. Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in the passage?

Write YES if the statement agrees with the writer’s views

NO if the statement contradicts the writer’s views

 NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

6. There are considerable benefits to our wireless world. ___________

7. Wireless technology is a permanent part of our lives. ___________

8. Exposure to EMR can lead to criminal behaviour. ___________

9. It is impossible to become obsessed with technology. ___________

10. Using technology always helps with academic success. ___________