TEXT 1

The Environment

In our modern world, there are many factors that place the wellbeing of the planet in jeopardy.
While some people have the opinion that environmental problems are just a natural occurrence,
others believe that human beings have a huge impact on the environment. Regardless of your
viewpoint, take into consideration the following factors that place our environment as well as the
planet Earth in danger.

Global warming or climate change is a major contributing factor to environmental damage.

Because of global warming, we have seen an increase in melting ice caps, a rise in sea levels, and
the formation of new weather patterns. These weather patterns have caused stronger storms,
droughts, and flooding in places that they formerly did not occur.

Air pollution is primarily caused as a result of excessive and unregulated emissions of carbon
dioxide into the air. Pollutants mostly emerge from the burning of fossil fuels in addition to
chemicals, toxic substances, and improper waste disposal. Air pollutants are absorbed into the
atmosphere, and they can cause smog, a combination of smoke and fog, in valleys as well as
produce acidic precipitation in areas far away from the pollution source.

In many areas, people and local governments do not sustainably use their natural resources.
Mining for natural gases, deforestation, and even improper use of water resources can have
tremendous effects on the environment. While these strategies often attempt to boost local
economies, their effects can lead to oil spills, interrupted animal habitats, and droughts.

Ultimately, the effects of the modern world on the environment can lead to many problems.
Human beings need to consider the repercussions of their actions, trying to reduce, reuse, and
recycle materials while establishing environmentally sustainable habits. If measures are not
taken to protect the environment, we can potentially witness the extinction of more endangered
species, worldwide pollution, and a completely uninhabitable planet.

1) The text's introduction presents:

a) All of the factors that damage the environment
b) Scientific support regarding global warming
c) Questions about the effects of environmental problems
d) Two opinions about environmental problems

2) Which term means the same thing as "global warming?”

a) Air pollution
b) Biodiversity
c) Climate change
d) Deforestation
3) What is the primary cause of air pollution?
a) Uncontrollable forest fires
b) Smog formation in valleys
c) Heavy amounts of acid precipitation
d) Excessive carbon dioxide emissions

4) Which is a logical effect of overusing the natural water supply?

a) Deforestation
b) Droughts
c) Oil spills
d) Flooding

5) All of the following are effects of environmental problems except:

a) Space travel
b) Animal extinction
c) Worldwide pollution
d) An uninhabitable planet

6) Which is the best title for the article?

a) How to Prevent Global Warming
b) Top Environmental Concerns
c) Water Conservation Strategies
d) Protecting Endangered Species

TEXT 2

Las Vegas

Last April, John took a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is a popular destination in the
western portion of the United States. The town is most popular for its casinos, hotels, and
exciting nightlife.

In downtown Las Vegas, John spent a lot of time on The Strip, which is a 2.5 mile stretch of
shopping, entertainment venues, luxury hotels, and fine dining experiences. This is probably
the most commonly visited tourist area in the city. The Strip at night looks especially
beautiful. All of the buildings light up with bright, neon, eye-catching signs to attract visitor
attention. A stay in Las Vegas can feel similar to a visit to many popular cities worldwide.
Many of the hotels have miniature versions of important international sites and monuments.
These famous landmarks include the Eiffel Tower, Venice, and even ancient Rome.
One day, John took a side trip outside of the city to visit the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven
Wonders of the Natural World. The canyon offers a breathtaking view of Nevada's ridges and
natural landscape. John especially liked the canyon because it was removed from all of the
noise and movement in downtown Las Vegas.

John had a great time during his trip to Las Vegas. He did not win a lot of money in the
casinos. However, he managed to see a lot of amazing sites during his visit to this city that
never sleeps.

7. When did John travel to Las Vegas?

a) Yesterday
b) Last weekend
c) Last summer
d) Last spring

8. What is an activity that a tourist cannot do on The Strip?

a) Eat
b) Shop
c) Stay overnight
d) Visit the Grand Canyon

9. Which best describes the purpose of the Las Vegas Strip?

a) It is a 2.5 mile stretch.
b) It offers a lot of activities for tourists.
c) There are too many neon lights.
d) It keeps tourists safe.

10. Explain why John liked his visit to the Grand Canyon.
a) The setting was very different from downtown Las Vegas
b) John does not enjoy spending time in cities.
c) It is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
d) The Grand Canyon offers a breathtaking view

11. What does it mean that Las Vegas is a "city that never sleeps?”
a) A lot of people here have sleep disorders
b) There is too much noise here for people to sleep.
c) Las Vegas offers exciting activities at all hours.
d) The neon lights keep people awake at night.
TEXT 3
Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918

The deadliest virus in modern history, perhaps of all time, was the 1918 Spanish Flu. It
killed about 20 to 50 million people worldwide, perhaps more. The total death toll is
unknown because medical records were not kept in many areas.

The pandemic hit during World War I and devastated military troops. In the United
States, for instance, more servicemen were killed from the flu than from the war itself.
The Spanish flu was fatal to a higher proportion of young adults than most flu viruses.

The pandemic started mildly, in the spring of 1918, but was followed by a much more
severe wave in the fall of 1918. The war likely contributed to the devastating
mortality numbers, as large outbreaks occurred in military forces living in close
quarters. Poor nutrition and the unsanitary conditions of war camps had an effect.

A third wave occurred in the winter and spring of 1919, and a fourth, smaller wave
occurred in a few areas in spring 1920. Initial symptoms of the flu were typical: sore
throat, headache, and fever. The flu often progressed rapidly to cause severe pneumonia
and sometimes hemorrhage in the lungs and mucus membranes. A characteristic feature
of severe cases of the Spanish Flu was heliotrope cyanosis, where the patient's face
turned blue from lack of oxygen in the cells. Death usually followed within hours or
days.

Modern medicine such as vaccines, antivirals, and antibiotics for secondary infections
were not available at that time, so medical personnel couldn't do much more than try
to relieve symptoms.

The flu ended when it had infected enough people that those who were susceptible had
either died or developed immunity.

12. Which pandemic is the deadliest in modern history?

a) The bubonic plague in the 14th century
b) The Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic in 1793
c) The Spanish Flu in 1918
d) The Covid-19 coronavirus in 2020

13. The Spanish Flu pandemic occurred during which war?

a) The French Revolution
b)The Spanish-American War
 c) World War I
d)World War II

14. Where did the Spanish flu originate?

a) Spain
b) United States
c) That information is not provided
d) Italy

15. Why are total deaths for the Spanish Flu not known?
a) No one cared because of the war
b)Many areas did not keep medical records
c) Most medical records were destroyed in the war
d)No one wants to know how bad it was

16. When was the first wave of the Spanish Flu pandemic?
a) Spring 1918
b)Summer 1918
c) Fall 1918
d)Winter 1918

17. What contributed to deaths from the flu in military personnel?

a) Close quarters
b)Poor nutrition
c) Unsanitary conditions
d)All of the above

18. What is a characteristic feature of serious cases of the Spanish Flu?

a) Coma
b)Face turning blue
c) Liver failure
d)Extremely high fever

19. What caused the Spanish Flu pandemic to end?

a) They created a vaccine for it
b)Improved medical care
c) The end of the war caused better conditions
d)Those who were susceptible had either died or were immune