PART 2: READING PASSAGES

In this section you will find each of the passages a number of questions or unfinished
statements about the passage, each with four suggested answers or ways of finishing.
You must choose the one which you think fits best. Read each passage right through
before choosing your answers.

Practice 1

Questions 1-5 refer to the following fax.

Attn: Mike Bradshaw

Dear Mike,
Thank you for your interest in the sales position at Topfield Electronics. We enjoyed speaking with
you in the interview last Thursday. The executives have reviewed your resume and were very
impressed. We have decided to hire you for the position. As you will notice, I have sent the contract
along with this fax. Please read it thoroughly, sign it, and fax it back to our office by Friday at 6:00
p.m. If possible, we would like you to begin working for us as early as May 23 rd, approximately two
weeks from now. If you have any questions about the contract or the position, please call me at 895-
368-6457. Congratulations. We look forward to working with you.
Regards,
Samuel Stone

1. Who is Topfield Electronics looking for?

A. Managers C. Salespeople
B. Executives D. No information is given.
2. What does Samuel Stone include in the fax?
A. A detailed work schedule C. A work agreement
B. A job application D. A letter from the executives
3. What should Mike Bradshaw do by Friday at 6:00 p.m.?
A. Interview the employee C. Schedule an appointment
B. Reply to the fax D. Call Samuel Stone
4. When will Mike Bradshaw probably start work?

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 A. Within two weeks C. By Friday
B. Two weeks later D. Next Thursday
5. What will Mike do if he wants further information about the position?
A. Contact Samuel Stone by phone C. Contact Samuel Stone by post
B. Contact Samuel Stone by fax D. See Samuel Stone in person

Questions 6 – 10 refer to the following message.

TELEPHONE MESSAGE

To: Mr. Ramen

Date 12 August Time 10:15 am
While you are out
Mr. Sam Keng
Of Hotel Service Corporation
Telephone (202) 555-1234 x341
Area Code Number Extension
 Telephoned
 Please call
 Returned your call
 Will call
Message: Unable to make tomorrow’s meeting; let’s meet next Monday
Taken by: Ms. Murohisa (operator)

6. Who made the phone call?

A. Mr. Sam Keng C. Ms. Murohisa
B. Mr. Ramen D. Hotel Service Corporation
7. Who took the message?
A. Mr. Sam Keng C. Ms. Murohisa
B. Mr. Ramen D. Hotel Service Corporation

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8. Why was the call made?
A. to cancel a meeting C. to leave a message
B. to check a meeting D. to return a call
9. What will happen next?
A. Mr. Keng will call Mr. Ramen.
B. Mr. Keng and Mr. Ramen will meet on Monday.
C. Mr. Ramen will telephone Mr. Keng.
D. Ms. Murohisa will return Mr. Keng’s call.
10. When was the call made?
A. in the morning C. in the evening
B. in the afternoon D. at midday

PRACTICE 2

Questions 1 - 5 refer to the following passage.

Worldwide Commodities Service helps companies to monitor worldwide developments

The service provides information 24 hours a day, 5½ days a week. The information includes news
of:
 Major political and economic events that influence commodities such as metal, coffee, cotton
and other natural and synthetic fibers.
 Government decisions
 Selected commodity prices
 Mergers and other changes in commodity companies
 Price changes and production statistics
The service provides the most comprehensive, up-to-the-minute information available. It’s quick,
convenient and reliable.

1. Which of the following statements is NOT true about Worldwide Commodities Service?
A. It provides the most comprehensive, up-to-the-minute information about the world.
B. It enables companies to monitor worldwide developments in commodities.
C. It provides information 24 hours a day, 5½ days a week.
D. It informs companies of quick, convenient and reliable TV programs.

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2. What hours does Worldwide Commodities Service operate?
A. 5½ days a week C. All day and all night
B. 12 hours D. No information is given.
3. How do traders get up-to-the-minute information of all factors that can influence the market?
A. They use Worldwide Commodities Service.
B. They ask for help from Television Service.
C. They use production statistics.
D. They read and talk to each other.
4. The word “available” is nearest in meaning to ___________.
A. free to be seen C. easily understood
B. free to be talked to D. easily obtained
5. Worldwide Commodities Service does not give prices of _________.
A. natural and synthetic fibers C. coffee
B. metals D. rubber

Questions 6 – 10 refer to the following article.

Euro -Youth is a new kind of low-cost rail ticket available to young people under 24. It has been
designed to take you from London to any one of around 200 selected destinations and let you travel
at your own pace.

You can stop off at as many points as you like, for as long as you like within the two-month period
that your ticket lasts.

The destinations and the routes you can choose from include the European cities that are most often
visited by young travelers from around the world: Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Budapest,
Venice and many more. And at prices starting as low as 120 dollars all the fares are terrific value.

There is a choice of one-way or return travel tickets, each valid for two months from the date of
departure.

Prices include travel from London and ferry crossings from the UK to mainland Europe.

You must have your passport with you when you buy your ticket.

You will have to pay extra on express trains on the Continent, such as the French TGV services, and
for sleeping accommodation on other trains.

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You are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the period of your journey. This is
quickly and easily arranged where you can buy this Euro-Youth ticket.

6. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A. Euro-Youth, a new destination for travelers
B. Euro-Youth, a new kind of rail ticket
C. Euro-Youth, a newly developed holiday resort
D. Euro-Youth, a new city in Europe
7. Which of the following is NOT true about Euro-Youth?
A. It offers you a tour from London to 200 selected destinations.
B. It lets you stop off at anywhere you like.
C. It is said to be considerably cheap.
D. It lasts more than two months.
8. How many kinds of tickets are there?
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5
9. What is a requirement of buying a ticket for the tour?
A. travel insurance C. passport
B. extra payment D. age of 24
10. Which of the following is INCLUDED in the prices?
A. travel insurance
B. a travel from London to American cities
C. express trains
D. ferry crossings from the UK to mainland Europe

PRACTICE 3

Questions 1 - 5 refer to the following table.

Contents
I. Computer Manufacturers 2
II. Languages 3
A. BASIC 4
B. C++ 6
C. FORTRAN 9

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 D. PASCAL 14
III. Operating Systems 21
A. DOS 22
B. OS/2 25
IV. Software 30
V. Peripherals 32
A. Monitors 33
B. Tape Drives 35
C. Modems 38
D. Keyboards 39
E. CD-ROMS 40

1. What does the word ‘languages’ refer to in the table?

A. body languages C. foreign languages
B. computer languages D. sign languages
2. What does the word ‘peripherals’ refer to in the table?
A. additional equipment C. chapter headings
B. field of vision D. kinds of computers
3. Where is the table probably from?
A. a magazine B. a newspaper C. a book D. a film
4. Under which of the following would you look to learn more about BASIC?
A. peripherals B. languages C. manufacturers D. software
5. How many chapter headings are there?
A. three B. four C. five D. six

Questions 6-10 refer to the following email.

From: Helen Martin

To: All advertising associates
Subject: Employee Lunch

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to remind you all that the annual employee luncheon will be held this Friday, March
16th. It will be held at 1 p.m. at the Emerald Country Club. Lunch will be provided, but we would

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like each associate to bring one dessert. There is a sign-up sheet in the break room next to the water
cooler. Also, this year we will be celebrating the achievements of Bob Hopley, the Director of
Advertising, who will be retiring at the end of March. Mr. Hopley has worked for Best Advertising
for thirty years, and was responsible for the successful merger with McKinley Advertising in 2004.
He will be missed greatly, and we are asking each associate to contribute $25 for a goodbye gift. The
gift will be handed to him at luncheon. Please give the money to Barbara Whales in Human
Resources by Thursday, March 15th.

Thanks,
Helen Martin

6. What information is discussed in the email?

A. A possible merger with another company
B. A plan to hire a new director
C. A schedule for an upcoming event
D. A request to reschedule a meeting
7. When will the party be held?
A. On March 15th
B. On March 16th
C. At the end of March
D. No information is given.
8. What will advertising associates do if they want to take part in the party?
A. Bring one dessert
B. Go to the break room
C. Contribute $25
D. Sign-up for it
9. What will Bob Hopley most likely receive on March 16th?
A. A promotion
B. A retirement present
C. Retirement benefits
D. A campaign proposal

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10. Why does Helen Martin also want people to celebrate Bob Hopley?
A. Because he has got great achievements
B. Because he has been responsible for the successful merger with McKinley Advertising
C. Because he will be retiring
D. Because he has just been promoted to the Director of Advertising

PRACTICE 4

Questions 1- 5 refer to the following letter.

358 High Street, Apt. 6

El Camino, CA

Benco Camera Corporation

92 Diamond Street
Ellsworth, NJ
September 12, 2000

Dear Sir or Madam

A year ago I bought a Benco camera second-hand. It’s an SJ 605 model and I think it’s about ten
years old. I don’t know what the problem is, but the automatic light meter doesn’t seem to operate,
and my pictures are coming too dark. I checked the batteries and they are still good. I took the
camera to several repair shops, but they said they couldn’t repair it because the model is too old, and
they don’t have any parts for it.
Do you have parts in stock for this model? If so, could I send you the camera for repairs? How much
would the repairs cost? I’m going to buy your new SJ 1005 model soon, but I would still like to fix
this old one.
Thank you very much.

Yours faithfully

Eva Kovacs

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1. How long ago did Eva buy the camera?
A. One year C. Ten years
B. Five years D. She couldn’t remember
2. How old does Eva say the camera is?
A. It is new. C. Ten years old
B. Five years old D. She has no idea.
3. What is wrong with the camera?
A. The flash is broken.
B. The light meter does not work.
C. Acid from the batteries has ruined it.
D. Some parts are missing.
4. Why couldn’t she have the camera repaired?
A. Because she couldn’t find a camera repair shop near her house.
B. Because all the repairmen were not available.
C. Because none of the repair shops have any parts for it.
D. Because the repair cost her too much.
5. What does Eva want?
A. A new camera in exchange
B. A refund
C. Free repairs
D. To ask about repairs

Questions 6 – 10 refer to the following notice.

DANGER! Highway 10 westbound is closed for the next 13 miles because of rock slides. Detour
here for Route 20 through Pine Bluff, Whisper Falls, and Albion. Highway 10 can be re-entered at
Exit 5, west of Albion. Motorists should expect delay.

6. Why is Highway 10 closed?

A. There has been an accident.
B. There are falling rocks.
C. The road is ice-covered.
D. The road is under construction.

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7. Through how many cities will motorists be detoured?
A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 5
8. Where will motorists be able to re-enter the highway?
A. at Albion
B. at Pine Bluff
C. at Whisper Falls
D. at the next Route 20 exit
9. What will motorists be meeting?
A. roadwork B. flood C. delays D. storms
10. On which way will motorists be advised NOT to go?
A. Highway 10 B. Route 20
C. Exit 5 D. No information is given.

PRACTICE 5

Questions 1 - 5 refer to the following index.

CATALOGUE INDEX
TITLE COPYRIGHT PAGE
Books
Birds and Bees 2002 21
Oceans of the World 2003 46
Powers of Nature 2001 34
Secret World of Animals 2000 24

Videotapes
Animal Babies 1999 66
Insects 2003 67
Portrait of a Whale 2003 63

1. What does ‘Copyright’ most likely mean?

A. year copied

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 B. year published
C. year corrected
D. year written
2. What kind of titles are included in the index?
A. Magazines
B. Books and Videos
C. Birds and Bees
D. Copyright
3. What subject area does the index cover?
A. Chemistry
B. Political science
C. Nature
D. Social issues
4. Which book has the most recent copyright?
A. Oceans of the World
B. Birds and Bees
C. Portrait of a Whale
D. Insects
5. Where should you look to learn more about young animals?
A. page 46 B. page 66 C. page 67 D.page 21

Questions 6 – 10 refer to the following report.

The Bureau of Tourism reports that travel in 2003 between Hong Kong and Shanghai has doubled
since 2001. The increase is due to the commercial relations between the two cities. The Textile
Trade Agreement (TTA) of 2000 is said to be responsible for the increase. Textile manufacturers in
Hong Kong and Shanghai are now making clothes for markets in the United States and Europe.
6. According to the passage, how many people traveled between Hong Kong and Shanghai in
2003?
A. twice as many as in 2001
B. half as many as in 2001
C. less than in 2000

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 D. the same number as in 2000.
7. According to the passage, what is the reason for the increase in travel?
A. tourism
B. diplomacy
C. commerce
D. the film industry
8. According to the passage, what products are being manufactured?
A. computers
B. stereos
C. films
D. clothing
9. In which of the following places will the products be used?
A. Korea
B. Europe
C. Hong Kong
D. Shanghai
10. What does the word ‘manufacturers’ mean in the report?
A. traders
B. tourists
C. marketers
D. producers

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