Pathways Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking, 2e Level 3: Unit Test

Name: ________________________ Class: ___________________ Date: __________

UNIT 4: OUR CHANGING PLANET

VOCABULARY: Lesson A
Read the text. Notice the bold words. Then choose the correct answer for each bold word.

Some sea creatures have a hard shell. When these creatures die, they fall to the bottom of the ocean. As
time passes, layers of these shells build up. The layers at the top put pressure on the layers at the bottom. Over
time, this can lead to the formation of a kind of rock under the water. Dramatic events like earthquakes or
changes in sea level mean this rock may rise above water. Over hundreds and thousands of years, wind, rain, and
snow can gradually erode the rock. Sometimes this causes caves or unique and unusual shapes like rock knives to
form. If the action of wind, rain, and snow continues for even longer, the roofs of the caves may collapse or the
rock knives may get reduced to rounded rock shapes.

1. The word pressure is closest in meaning to ____.

a. action
b. force
c. habit
d. touch

2. The word formation is closest in meaning to ____.

a. addition
b. creation
c. location
d. variation

3. The word dramatic is closest in meaning to ____.

a. immediate
b. excellent
c. impossible
d. extreme

4. The word erode is closest in meaning to ____.

a. react or deal with
b. reduce or wear down
c. replace or put back
d. respond or speak to

5. The word unique is closest in meaning to ____.

a. common but attractive
b. different and special
c. interesting but typical
d. remote and hard to find

6. The word collapse is closest in meaning to ____.

a. calm down
b. close down
c. fall down
d. look down

© 2018 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning Company 1

Pathways Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking, 2e Level 3: Unit Test

Name: ________________________

VOCABULARY: Lesson B
Write the correct word from the box to complete the sentence. Two of the answers will not be used.

analysis compromise fragile impact

balance consultant harm preserve

7. The professor’s _________ analysis _______ of the survey results took a long time, but her students found it very
helpful.

8. A good instructor will balance how much attention he gives to every student so that nobody feels left out.

9. The woman’s suggestions had a significant impact on the opinions of the other students in the class.

10. Before the field trip, the geology professor reminded her students not to harm any plants or animals they came
across.

11. Ben and Jason wanted to hold their study meeting at 6:00 p.m., but Megan wanted to meet at 7:00. Luckily they
reached a(n) compromise and agreed to meet at 6:30.

12. The professor invited a well-known consultant to speak to his business class about marketing strategies.

LISTENING FOR MAIN IDEAS

Listen to a lecture and take notes on a piece of paper. Then choose the correct answer.
(U4 Track 1)

13. What does the professor mainly discuss?

a. How hard rocks differ from softer rocks
b. The formation of a particular piece of rock
c. The importance of water in rock creation
d. Why rocks are destroyed by the weather

14. What point does the professor emphasize about geological processes?
a. Most geological processes are easy to understand and explain.
b. Some of these processes are still not completely understood.
c. The majority of these processes are affected by human activity.
d. These processes typically take thousands or millions of years.

15. Which of the following is true of the rock the professor holds in her hand during the lecture?
a. It first formed less than 10,000 years ago.
b. It is made of rare and valuable materials.
c. It underwent several geological processes.
d. It was found at a remote overseas location.

© 2018 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning Company 2

Pathways Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking, 2e Level 3: Unit Test

Name: ________________________

LISTENING FOR DETAILS

Listen to part of the lecture again. Complete the sentence with one word from the lecture.
(U4 Track 2)

16. The professor says that igneous rocks are formed by volcanos

17. Erosion is the process by which rocks can gradually be destroyed by the weather

18. Sedimentary rocks are formed when layers of sediment experience pressure and heat

19. Over time Earth can change, and underwater layers of rock can be raised up to form hills

LISTENING SKILL: Recognizing Digressions

Listen to an excerpt from the lecture. Then answer the question. Choose Yes or No.

20. Is the professor making a digression when she says, “At first, the lava from the volcano was so hot . . . ”?
(U4 Track 3)
a. Yes
b. No

21. Is the professor making a digression when she says, “Interestingly, some sedimentary rocks can be fairly hard
. . . ”?
(U4 Track 4)
a. Yes
b. No

22. Is the professor making a digression when she says, “Incidentally, we’ll meet all of these terms again . . . ”?
(U4 Track 5)
a. Yes
b. No

PRONUNCIATION: Word Stress for Emphasis

Listen to the sentence and choose the correct answer.

23. Why does the speaker emphasize Sunday? (U4 Track 6)

a. To highlight a mistake
b. To express a contrast
c. To emphasize an idea

24. Why does the speaker emphasize much? (U4 Track 7)

a. To highlight a mistake
b. To express a contrast
c. To emphasize an idea

© 2018 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning Company 3

Pathways Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking, 2e Level 3: Unit Test

Name: ________________________

25. Why does the speaker emphasize $20? (U4 Track 8)

a. To highlight a mistake
b. To express a contrast
c. To emphasize an idea

26. Why does the speaker emphasize me? (U4 Track 9)

a. To highlight a mistake
b. To express a contrast
c. To emphasize an idea

GRAMMAR FOR SPEAKING: Passive Voice

Write P if the sentence is passive voice, or A if it is active voice.

27. ____ The last major eruption of Mount Vesuvius, a volcano in Italy, was in 1944.

28. ____ Karst landscapes are formed when water flows over limestone for long periods of time.

29. ____ According to legend, Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland was built by the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill.

30. ____ Some scientists believe that the Colorado River carved out parts of the Grand Canyon over the last 5 to 6
million years.

31. ____ For his work protecting the world’s important rivers, Pete McBride was selected as a Freshwater Hero by
the National Geographic Society.

SPEAKING SKILL: Answering Questions Effectively

Choose the best response to complete the short conversation in a natural way.

32. A: What do you know about the history of the theory of plate tectonics?
B: ____

a. Could you repeat your third question?

b. So, what you’re asking for is a theory?
c. Sorry. The history of which theory?

33. A: What effect did the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 have on global weather conditions?
B: ____ Well, I’ve heard that it caused short-term global cooling, for one thing.

a. So, you want to know the weather forecast.

b. Sorry. What was the name you just said?
c. You asked about the impact of Krakatoa.

© 2018 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning Company 4

Pathways Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking, 2e Level 3: Unit Test

Name: ________________________

34. A: Is erosion caused by tourists a big problem in national parks in your country?
B: ____
A: Oh, it’s what happens when rocks and landforms are gradually destroyed by wind, weather, and so on.

a. Could you repeat the first thing you said?

b. Sorry, but what does erosion mean?
c. You asked about erosion in my country.

SPEAKING TASK
Read the question. Spend one minute thinking about how to respond. Then speak for one to two minutes.

35. Tell a legend or traditional story from your country. Make sure you include what the story means, why it is
important to people in your country, and how the story makes you feel.

© 2018 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning Company 5

 ID: U

UNIT 4: OUR CHANGING PLANET

Answer Section
1. ANS: B PTS: 2 REF: Lesson A TOP: Vocabulary
MSC: TOEFL
2. ANS: B PTS: 2 REF: Lesson A TOP: Vocabulary
MSC: TOEFL
3. ANS: D PTS: 2 REF: Lesson A TOP: Vocabulary
MSC: AWL | TOEFL
4. ANS: B PTS: 2 REF: Lesson A TOP: Vocabulary
MSC: AWL | TOEFL
5. ANS: B PTS: 2 REF: Lesson A TOP: Vocabulary
MSC: AWL | TOEFL
6. ANS: C PTS: 2 REF: Lesson A TOP: Vocabulary
MSC: AWL | TOEFL
7. ANS: analysis

PTS: 2 REF: Lesson B TOP: Vocabulary MSC: AWL

8. ANS: balance

PTS: 2 REF: Lesson B TOP: Vocabulary

9. ANS: impact

PTS: 2 REF: Lesson B TOP: Vocabulary MSC: AWL

10. ANS: harm

PTS: 2 REF: Lesson B TOP: Vocabulary

11. ANS: compromise

PTS: 2 REF: Lesson B TOP: Vocabulary

12. ANS: consultant

PTS: 2 REF: Lesson B TOP: Vocabulary MSC: AWL

13. ANS: B PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A | Lesson B
TOP: Listening for Main Ideas MSC: TOEFL
14. ANS: D PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A | Lesson B
TOP: Listening for Main Ideas MSC: TOEFL
15. ANS: C PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A | Lesson B
TOP: Listening for Main Ideas MSC: TOEFL
16. ANS:
volcanoes
volcanos

PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A | Lesson B TOP: Listening for Details

MSC: IELTS

© 2018 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning Company 1

 ID: U

17. ANS: weather

PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A | Lesson B TOP: Listening for Details

MSC: IELTS
18. ANS: heat

PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A | Lesson B TOP: Listening for Details

MSC: IELTS
19. ANS: hills

PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A | Lesson B TOP: Listening for Details

MSC: IELTS
20. ANS: N PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A TOP: Listening Skill
21. ANS: Y PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A TOP: Listening Skill
22. ANS: Y PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A TOP: Listening Skill
23. ANS: B PTS: 3 REF: Lesson B TOP: Pronunciation
24. ANS: C PTS: 3 REF: Lesson B TOP: Pronunciation
25. ANS: A PTS: 3 REF: Lesson B TOP: Pronunciation
26. ANS: B PTS: 3 REF: Lesson B TOP: Pronunciation
27. ANS: A

PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A TOP: Grammar for Speaking

28. ANS: P

PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A TOP: Grammar for Speaking

29. ANS: P

PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A TOP: Grammar for Speaking

30. ANS: A

PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A TOP: Grammar for Speaking

31. ANS: P

PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A TOP: Grammar for Speaking

32. ANS: C PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A TOP: Speaking Skill
33. ANS: C PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A TOP: Speaking Skill
34. ANS: B PTS: 3 REF: Lesson A TOP: Speaking Skill
35. ANS:
Answers will vary.

PTS: 10 REF: Lesson A | Lesson B TOP: Speaking Task: Free Speaking

MSC: IELTS

© 2018 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning Company 2