NVK®/EnglishDepartment-ULIS-VNU/GiftedStudentTraining/2013-2014.Term 1/Private Tutorial/Date: December, 2013 Test 2.

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ASSORTED PRACTICE TEST 2

(Time: 50 minutes)

NAME: ………….…….………..…………………….…………..
SCORE:…………………./100
SCHOOL: ……………….………..…………………....………….
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PART ONE
For questions 1–20, choose the word or phrase (A, B, C or D) which best completes each sentence.
1. Diana and I met at elementary school and we’ve ________ our friendship ever since.
A kept to B carried over C kept up D taken on
2. The tiger silently ________ its prey through the tangle of trees at the edge of the
forest.
A prowled B stalked C crept D lurked
3. Paul was in the ________ of despair when he heard that Jane was leaving him.
A abyss B depths C valley D pits
4. I’ve been trying to explain things to Jackie but it’s like hitting your head against a
_________ wall.
A brick B stone C hard D rock
5. What Susie told me last night ________ me thinking.
A began B got C made D prompted
6. Steve has done really well in life, ________ the poor start he had.
A estimating B regarding C considering D remarking
7. The depletion of the rain forests has ________ to a decline in the number of species there.
A led B resulted C got D attributed
8. The results of the experiment were studied with _________ interest by the scientists.
A sharp B firm C utter D keen
9. Shining her torch, Maria could just ________ a shadowy figure crouched behind a tree.
A work out B make out C put out D draw out
10. With a sigh, Paul _______ himself that he was visiting the city for the very last time.
A reminisced B remembered C reminded D recalled
11. I managed to slip into the house without Mum hearing me but it was a ______ thing.
A fine B narrow C close D just
12. My neighbor’s music was ________ out so loudly I couldn’t get a wink of sleep.
A pouring B blaring C blazing D roaring
13. Sorry I couldn’t ring you yesterday but my phone is on the ________.
A blink B wink C go D run
14. I _______ you are sorry for what you’ve done?
A assume B presume C imply D infer
15. Stop _________ me! I’ll get it done in time!
A interfering B malingering C tampering D harassing
16. Didn’t you know that Amy was going out with one of the tutors? I thought it was
________ knowledge.
A common B shared C general D joint

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17. When I got stuck in the elevator, I was scared out of my ________.
A brains B head C wits D nerves
18. When I was at the auction house, I was lucky enough to _______ upon this really
marvelous find.
A find B light C dig D nudge
18. The real estate market is very quiet over Christmas but sales should ________ up
when the spring arrives.
A rise B lift C raise D pick
20. ‘My ________ bleeds for John since his wife left him.’
A head B soul C heart D body

PART TWO
For questions 21–30, read the following text which contains 5 words which should not be there
and 5 mistakes. Underline the unnecessary words and the mistakes and write the corrections to
the mistakes in the spaces provided. There are 2 examples at the beginning.
Packing for a holiday
When it comes to packing for a holiday, there seems to be two distinctly different
groups: the ones who they want to be prepared for every eventuality and those who
prefer to travel light. What drives the need to pack everything? Is it the desire that
wherever you are, you can still make up a cup of tea, put on your slippers and read your
favourite magazine? People who do this don’t really want to be away from home at all.
They need a break, perhaps, but will only relax if they’ve packed to protect themselves
against anything unfamiliar with they might encounter while they’re away. This
includes clothing for all possible climatic condition, remedies for the world’s deadliest
diseases, and a kit bag to cope with the sort of holiday hazards described in the
newspaper columns entitled ‘My worst holiday ever’. They’re not really packing for a
holiday – they’re going prepared for a survivor experience. What about the
holidaymakers who take an alternative approach? The free spirits who leave the
complexities of their lives at home, pack light and walk past the baggage reclaim to walk
straight out into a new world when they’ll adapt to whatever situations they do meet.
Their minimal supplies won’t last long, so they’ll have to skip the sightseeing and
sunbathing to search out laundry facilities, tablets for a stomach setup and something to
deter from the swarms of biting insects which emerge after dark. I’m not sure either of
these groups are really on holiday at all. What do you think?
_____seem_____
______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________

PART THREE
For questions 31–40, complete the sentences by a suitable verb form in column A with a
preposition in column B to make a phrasal verb. Some verbs and prepositions may be used more
than once. There is an example at the beginning (0).

A B
bring come do fall find away into on out
get light make pick think through up upon up with

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0. It is costly to ____do away___ with all these plastic bags.

31. When he first went to college, Clive found his studies very difficult, but he is now
________________ very well.
32. You say you were just lucky to pass your driver’s test but I don’t think luck
________________ it. You drove brilliantly!
33. I’ll have to ________________ the problem very carefully before I can give you an
answer.
34. I was very fortunate to ________________ an excellent private tutor to help me with
my studies.
35. I can’t tell the teacher I’m going to the beach rather than her class – I’ll have to
________________ a better excuse than that!
36. The headmaster is trying to ________________ why that student dropped out in the
middle of the semester. It is now still a complete mystery.
37. Class numbers are very low just now as a lot of students have the flu but they
should ________________ soon.
38. Shelly and Emma used to be good friends until they ________________ on the
subject of boyfriends.
39. They had a terrible quarrel but they soon ________________.
40. Promise me you’ll never _______________ the subject of racial discrimination again.

PART FOUR
For questions 41–48, use the word in capitals in brackets to form a word that fits suitably in the
blank. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Troubled Waters
There is a swift-moving, (0)____dangerous___ (DANGER) current in the Arctic Ocean
which flows back and forth between Moskenesoya and Masken, two of the Logoten
Islands off the north-western coast of Norway. It is this phenomenon which causes the
Maelstrom, or Moskenstraumen in Norwegian, which has destroyed (41)______________
(NUMBER) small ships.
The Maelstrom is a whirlpool, a mass of water which spins round rapidly in a
(42)_____________ (CIRCLE) motion and which is formed by rocks and tides that
oppose the current. It is 5 miles (8 km) wide and alternates in flow between the open sea
to the west and Vestfjorden to the east, its current attaining a velocity of 7 miles (11 km)
an hour as the tides change.
Strong local winds add to the hazard of a sea-crossing here, blowing against the current
between high and low tide, which is when (43)_______________ (TREACHERY)
whirlpools are created. It was the French novelist Jules Verne, in conjunction with the
American poet Edgar Allan Poe, who brought the term “maelstrom” into common
parlance, exaggerating it to the (44)_____________ (EXTEND) that it means a cataclysmic
whirlpool (45)______________ (GULF) everything in its path. With the (46)____________
(PASS) of time, it has come to have a meaning that is (47)______________ (FIGURE) as
well as literal, so that now we can use the expression “maelstrom” to speak of
(48)_____________ (CONFLICT) feelings, or emotional turmoil.

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PART FIVE
For questions 49–60, read the text below and then decide which word (A, B, C or D), best fits
each space. Circle the correct answer (A–D). There is an example at the beginning (0).
Eat breakfast and lose weight
Eating breakfast helps teenagers lose weight, a survey of eating (0)____A____ in the United
States has found. The study showed that those who have a (49)________ meal at breakfast
time – and therefore end up with a higher (50)________ intake – are more likely to be within
a healthy weight range than those who (51)________ the first meal of the day.
Although it may seem (52)________ to swallow, the people who ate more did more
(53)_______ activity during the day, and that may be because they didn’t feel so
(54)_______. Dr Pereira, who led the research, said that even cooked breakfasts were
better than missing out on food altogether. ‘While it’s best to (55)_______ for a healthy
option – a wholegrain cereal for instance – the evidence does (56)_______ that eating
anything is better than eating nothing.’
Other studies have also shown that those who eat breakfast are less likely to feel
(57)_______ mid-morning and snack on high-fat foods before lunch. They therefore have
a more (58)________ diet.
Dr Pereira said: ‘This study clearly supports what other studies have shown: kids
who don’t eat breakfast tend to (59)_______ on more weight.’ This obviously has a
(60)________ effect on their long-term health. Missing breakfast is a common approach
to dieting, particularly among teenage girls, but they would do well to heed advice and
develop a taste for breakfast.
0. A habits B routine C behaviour D practice
49. A whole B round C square D main
50. A nutrients B calorie C ingredient D nourishment
51. A jump B leap C step D skip
52. A hard B bad C difficult D tough
53. A vitalising B invigorating C brisk D refreshing
54. A immobile B inoperative C lethargic D redundant
55. A go B eat C nibble D pick
56. A offer B propose C persuade D suggest
57. A parched B allergic C peckish D fussy
58. A beneficial B nutritious C healthful D energetic
59. A take B get C gain D put
60. A hurtful B detrimental C unfavourable D disadvantageous

PART SIX
For questions 61–75, complete the following article by writing the correct word in each space.
Use only one word for each space. The exercise begins with an example (0).
Fuel for thought
Henry Ford’s Model T motor cars appeared (0)____on____ the streets in about 1920. At
that time he could have had (61)________________ way of knowing the full effects of
(62)________________ he was doing. He was (63)________________ people the new and
fundamental freedom (64)________________ personal mobility.

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But now we are in a situation (65)_______________ half of the world’s air pollution
comes from car exhausts. Nowhere (66)_______________ this more apparent than in
America’s fume-laden city of Chicago.
But the people of Chicago are not prepared to watch their city choke to
(67)______________ . New plans for ridding the area (68)______________ pollutants are
well (69)______________ hand. Prohibitive taxes (70)______________ fuel will restrict the
use of cars for daily commuting, and car manufacturers will (71)______________ to start
making ‘cleaner’ models. One (72)______________ perhaps there will even
(73)______________ cars that suck up polluted air, (74)______________ it as fuel and emit
clean air (75)______________ their exhausts.

PART SEVEN
For questions 76–80, Choose the best phrase or sentence (given below the text) to fill each of the
blanks in the following text. Write one letter (A-G) in each of the numbered spaces. Two of the
suggested answers do not fit at all.
Ancient Wanderers
When was America discovered? Nobody knows, The first people to set foot on
American soil had no way of calculating time, they had no calendar. They could not
write. Their geographical concepts were too limited for them to realize that they had
reached a new continent.
(76)______________, and they spent their lives, like their forefathers, roaming the
frozen coasts of Arctic Siberia, until one fine day they found themselves on the eastern
shore of the ice-covered Bering Strait. (77)______________.
We do not know if they had walked across frozen water, or paddled with their
crude fishing tackle in a frail craft along the naked shore of tundra and snowdrifts. Nor
do we know when their descendants began to spread southward through Alaska and
down through the whole of North, Central and South America. (78)_____________, but
this view is not universally held. All agree, however, that the first steps into America
were taken in prehistoric times.
(79)____________, and recent discoveries indicate that primitive family groups
continued to move back and forth between Siberia and Alaska. Inside America, from
Alaska in the north to Tierra del Fuego in the south, the rising generation settled in
igloos, in wigwams, in leaf huts and in caves. (80)_____________. Thus a long chain of
highly distinct Indian tribes began to develop inside America. Not only did they differ
strikingly from one another in facial type and body build, but they spoke quite
unrelated languages and evolved completely different ways of life.
A. Finding homes was of course extremely important
B. Some believe that it was about 17,000 years ago
C. The narrow gap between Arctic Asia and Alaska was always passable
D. They could not have suspected that only Arctic animals had roved here before them
E. Others continued to live in Siberia
F. The key to success lay in quick adaptation to local conditions
G. They were homeless, nomadic hunters and fishermen

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PART EIGHT
For questions 81–89, read the following passage and choose the best option to complete the blanks
or answer the questions.
The human brain is the largest primate brain that has ever existed. However, its
structure is typical of that of other primates, with the same major cortical and
subcortical structures, arranged in the same configurations and composed of neurons
with the same cell architectures. Nevertheless, the human brain must be unique in
anatomy and function because it controls such special human adaptations as symbolic
communication, speech, tool production and culture.
The largest size of the human brain with respect to body is reflected in unique
differences in the relative growth of these structures. All primate fetuses, including
those of humans, follow a common brain and body growth curve in which the brain is
about 12 per cent of the body size and both grow at about the same rate. In most
primates, this pattern changes around the time of birth as brain growth slows but body
growth continues. In human infants, this slowing of brain growth does not occur until
more than a year after birth while body growth follows patterns similar to those of the
great apes.
Our brains grow as though they were in the body of a very large primate. We give birth
to babies only slightly larger than expected for our size but which are neurologically quite
immature. The increased parental care required by the helplessness of our large-brained
infants was probably important in the evolution of human social behavior.
The volume of the brain or the number of neurons might seem to be an obvious
measure of brain size. However, this leads to the unlikely prediction that large ungulates
are more intelligent than monkeys and that elephants and whales are more intelligent than
ourselves. Comparisons of the size of the brain with respect to the body give more
reasonable predictions of comparative intelligent, especially with regard to humans.
Note: ‘ungulates’ are hoofed mammals.
81-82. According to the writer, the human brain ________.
A. is identical to the brains of other primates
B. is the largest that has ever existed
C. is totally unlike any other brain
D. resembles the brains of other primates in many ways
82-83. The word “anatomy” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to _______.
A. structure B. figure C. build D. physique
84-85. Before birth, the human brain _________.
A. develops more quickly than the body
B. is the same size as that of most other primates
C. grows at the same rate as the body
D. grows at a different rate to that of other primates
85-86. In comparison with other primates, the body of a human infant grows ________.
A. much more slowly B. 12 per cent bigger
C. a great deal more quickly D. at the same rate
87-88. Human social behavior may have evolved because ________.

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A. large-brained human infants had neurological problems

B. human infants were unable to fend for themselves
C. human babies were larger than expected for their size
D. parents were helpless at caring for their infants
88-89. It seems that ________.
A. intelligence should be measured by comparing the size of brain with the body
B. some animals are more intelligent than humans
C. intelligence can be measured by the size of the brain
D. animals with larger brains appear to be the most intelligent

PART NINE
For questions 90–100, 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. You must use between two
and eight words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
0. In an emergency, Peter is someone you can always rely on.
down
Peter ……will never let you down…….. in an emergency.
90. Scientists think the two diseases may be linked.
connection
Scientists think ……………………………………..………………….. two diseases.
91. Maggie is in the habit of coming into the room without knocking first,
barge
Maggie tends ………………………………………….. without knocking first.
92. Harry got his tutor’s support when he applied for the scholarship.
backed
Harry …………………………………………… when he applied for the scholarship.
93. Smoking in restaurants is disapproved of in many countries today.
upon
Smoking in restaurants ……………………………………… in many countries today.
94. The film script was very different from the novel it was based on.
resemblance
The film script ……………………………………………… the novel it was based on.
95. Trying to persuade someone to agree with you can be a formidable task.
bring
Trying to ……………………………………………………… can be a formidable task.
96. I couldn’t care less which one of you does the shopping.
difference
It ………………………………………………… which one of you does the shopping.
97. In spite of herself, Penny was shocked by little Johnny’s behaviour.
help
Penny …………………………………………………….. little Johnny’s behaviour.
98. You may visit the museum as many times as you like with this ticket.
restrictions

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There ………………………………………………………… you can visit the museum

with this ticket.
99. On public holidays this timetable may be altered.
subject
This timetable ……………………………………………………… on public holidays.
100. After all you’ve done for me, it’s only fair that I should take you out for a meal.
least
After all you’ve done for me, ……………………………………………. out for a meal.

– THE END –

ASSORTED PRACTICE TEST 2

Part one
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

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C B B A B C A D B C C B A A D A C B D C

Part two
Packing for a holiday
When it comes to packing for a holiday, there seems to be two distinctly different
groups: the ones who they want to be prepared for every eventuality and those who
prefer to travel light. What drives the need to pack everything? Is it the desire that
wherever you are, you can still make up a cup of tea, put on your slippers and read your
favourite magazine? People who do this don’t really want to be away from home at all.
They need a break, perhaps, but will only relax if they’ve packed to protect themselves
against anything unfamiliar with they might encounter while they’re away. This
includes clothing for all possible climatic condition, remedies for the world’s deadliest
diseases, and a kit bag to cope with the sort of holiday hazards described in the
newspaper columns entitled ‘My worst holiday ever’. They’re not really packing for a
holiday – they’re going prepared for a survivor experience. What about the
holidaymakers who take an alternative approach? The free spirits who leave the
complexities of their lives at home, pack light and walk past the baggage reclaim to walk
straight out into a new world when they’ll adapt to whatever situations they do meet.
Their minimal supplies won’t last long, so they’ll have to skip the sightseeing and
sunbathing to search out laundry facilities, tablets for a stomach setup and something to
deter from the swarms of biting insects which emerge after dark. I’m not sure either of
these groups are really on holiday at all. What do you think?
____seem_____
____conditions____ ____survival____ ____where____ ____upset____
_____is____

Part three
31 Getting on 36 Find out
32 comes/came into 37 pick up
33 Think through 38 fell out
34 light upon 39 made up
35 Come up with 40 bring up

Part four

41 Numerous 45 engulfing
42 circular 46 Passage
43 Treacherous 47 figurative
44 extent 48 conflicting

Part five
49 C 52 A 55 A 58 B
50 B 53 B 56 D 59 D
51 D 54 C 57 C 60 B

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Part six
61 NO 65 Where 69 In 73 be
62 What 66 Is 70 On 74 Use
63 giving 67 death 71 Have 75 From/through
64 Of 68 of 72 day
Part seven

76 G 78 B 80 F
77 D 79 C

Part eight
81-82 D 85-86 C 88-89 A
83-84 A 87-88 B

Part nine
90 There may be a conncetion between
91 to barge in
92 was backed by his tutor
93 Is frowned upon
94 Bore little resemblance to
95 Bring somebody roung to your poit of view
96 makes no difference to me
97 counldn’t help being shocked by
98 Are no restrictions on how many times
99 is subject to change
100 the least I can do is take you

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