Life 2nd Ed.

Placement Test
Lv1: 39/42 - Lv2: 36/42 - Lv3: 31/42 Méd. corte: < 75%

10. _______ there a television in my hotel

1. Martin _______ from Texas.
room?
a. is
a. Are
b. am
b. Is
c. are
c. Am
2. This _______ my camera.
11. Sam _______ very busy at school last
a. am not week.
b. are not
a. did
c. is not
b. was
3. Pablo and Anna are in _______ c. had
classroom.
12. This restaurant _______ in 2014.
a. they
a. open
b. they’re
b. opens
c. their
c. opened
4. _______ sandwiches are very expensive.
13. What did Jack _______ for lunch today?
a. That
a. eaten
b. This
b. ate
c. These
c. eat
5. Akiko can’t _______ very fast.
14. Ryan _______ the kitchen right now.
a. running
a. cleaning
b. runs
b. is cleaning
c. run
c. cleans
6. _______ Kevin like sports?
15. The notebook is on the _______ .
a. Does
a. bag
b. Has
b. window
c. Is
c. desk
7. Mark and his friends _______ school at
16. Today is Monday. Tomorrow is _______.
8:15 in the morning.
a. Thursday
a. starts
b. Sunday
b. start c. Tuesday
c. starting
17. Ellen is not _______ . She is short.
8. _______ work late.
a. tall
a. She often reaches b. old
b. She reaches often c. young
c. Often reaches she
18. I’m going to the _______ . I need to get
9. This train _______ stop at Baker Street
some money.
station.
a. park
a. isn’t b. cafe
b. don’t
c. bank
c. doesn’t

1
19. Can you _______ a bicycle? 27. Alex _______ some money on the
ground.
a. drive
b. play a. bought
c. ride b. found
c. met
20. You can write a note with a _______ .
28. Marcus is cooking dinner in the _______ .
a. pen
b. book a. bedroom
c. purse b. kitchen
c. bathroom
21. I don’t like sports very much. They’re
_______ . 29. Can you spell it, please?
a. boring a. Yes. It’s theirs.
b. fantastic b. Yes. It’s there.
c. great c. Yes. It’s T-H-E-I-R.
22. What time does Edward _______ class in 30. How old are you?
the morning?
a. I’m very happy.
a. go b. I’m almost 18.
b. work c. It’s my birthday.
c. start
31. How much is this watch?
23. Let’s ask a _______ to drive us to our
a. It’s $40.
hotel. b. Cash, please.
a. photographer c. A credit card.
b. store clerk
32. How about pizza tonight?
c. taxi driver
a. I really love him.
24. How often do you _______ the bus? b. That’s a good idea.
a. travel c. It’s not very late.
b. take
33. Hi. I’m sorry I’m late. I got up late.
c. visit
a. Yes. It was at 10 o’clock.
25. Is there any food in the _______? b. Thank you. It’s very late.
a. desk c. That’s OK. Don’t worry.
b. fridge
34. Did you take a vacation in Italy last year?
c. couch
a. Yes. I often visit its museums.
26. My brother was born _______ August b. Yes. It was very beautiful.
19th. c. Yes. I can speak Italian.
a. at
b. in Sandra: I’m on vacation. I’m with Susan and
c. on Jane. We’re in Africa. This is a
mountain in Tanzania. It’s beautiful.

Joanna: I’m on vacation. I’m with Linda, Will,

and Maria. They’re my friends. We’re

2
 in South America. This is Lake Titicaca.
It’s in Bolivia. It’s beautiful.
David: I’m on vacation. I’m with my friend
Jack. We’re in Asia. This is a beach in
Phuket. It’s in Thailand. It’s beautiful.
35. Who is on vacation with three other
people?
a. Sandra
b. Joanna
c. David
36. Who is NOT on vacation near water?
a. David
b. Joanna
c. Sandra
Hi Oscar,
How are you? Are you in Italy? I’m in Portugal,
and I have a new job in a restaurant! And no, I
don’t wash dishes. I’m a waiter! My boss
speaks English, and my customers are usually
tourists. The job isn’t difficult. The customers
always order the same thing— pizza or pasta!
The restaurant opens every day from noon to
eleven o’clock in the evening, so I usually
work late and get up late. I don’t work on
Mondays, so let’s talk later on Skype.
Craig
37. When is Craig usually NOT at work?
a. In the evening
b. In the afternoon
c. In the morning
38. What does Craig do at the restaurant?
a. He washes dishes.
b. He serves food.
c. He orders pizza.
Acapulco is a great place for a weekend trip
because there is a lot to see and do! It’s easy
to get to. There’s an international airport, and
it’s only 45 minutes away from Mexico City.
Once you’re there, it’s easy to travel around
because there are a lot of taxis and buses.
Visit Acapulco from October to March
because the weather is warm and sunny.
Don’t go in August because it’s very rainy. And
don’t go in April because there are a lot of
people—many American students like to visit
Acapulco in spring.
Try fishing in Acapulco Bay, or play golf next
to the sea. Visit a theme park or a water park
with your family. And don’t miss the cliff
divers because they are amazing!
39. When is a good time to visit Acapulco?
a. August
b. October
c. April
40. Why is Acapulco a good place to visit?
a. There are many activities.
b. There are many students.
c. There is nice weather all year.
Michael Palin
Michael Palin was born in 1943. He studied
history at Oxford University. Palin met his wife
in 1959, but they didn’t marry until 1966.
After university, he didn’t work as a
historian—he worked as an actor and a TV
writer from 1965 to 1980.
Then, in 1980, he made a TV show about a
trip by train, and he found that he loved travel
and exploration. So he changed his job. He
made travel programs for thirty years.
Palin started to write a personal diary in 1969.
He wrote something almost every day. In
2006, he published three books of his diaries.
Each book described a period of ten years in
his life. Palin says when he prepared the three
books, he remembered many things from his
life.
41. What job did Michael Palin NOT do?
a. write books about his life
b. work at a university
c. make TV shows about travelling
3
42. Michael Palin got married after he … 51. Mary and Naomi _______ to the movie
theater this evening.
a. traveled for 10 years.
b. started writing a diary. a. is going
c. started working as an actor. b. are going
c. be going
43. He’s my brother. _______ name is Jonas.
52. My daughter and her friends are ......
a. Its
b. Her travel around Australia.
c. His a. going to
b. go to
44. _______ shoes are new.
c. going
a. This
b. These 53. _______ the program about whales on
c. That TV last night?

45. Where _______ live? a. Were you seeing

b. Have you seen
a. is she c. Did you see
b. does she
c. do she 54. There’s _______ at the door. Can you see
who it is?
46. _______ early for school.
a. anybody
a. Am always I b. somebody
b. Always I am c. everybody
c. I am always
55. You _______ wear a uniform at work.
47. Alan can _______ the piano very well. You can wear your normal clothes.
a. playing a. don’t have to
b. plays b. don’t have
c. play c. haven’t
48. How _______ money do you have? 56. _______ United States of America has 50
a. much states.
b. many a. An
c. any b. A
49. Naomi _______ at a school. She worked c. The
at a bank. 57. My uncle John’s daughter is named
a. don’t worked Jenna. She is my only _______ .
b. not worked a. cousin
c. didn’t work b. niece
50. New York City is _______ Toronto. c. nephew

a. larger as 58. We can look on the _______ to find the

b. the larger restaurant.
c. larger than
a. backpack
b. camera
c. map

4
59. Many people live in the city, so the
streets are often _______ .
67. I don’t like horror movies. They are too
a. quiet _______ for me.
b. crowded
a. scary
c. popular
b. funny
60. I _______ swimming three times every c. interesting
week.
68. Kelly _______ ten new Korean words
a. play every day.
b. do
a. knows
c. go
b. memorizes
61. When you go to the store, could you buy c. forgets
a _______ of sauce, please?
69. Many people visit Mexico because the
a. piece _______ is very sunny and warm.
b. slice
a. currency
c. bottle
b. climate
62. This food is _______ ! It doesn’t taste c. temperature
very good at all.
70. During vacation season, you should
a. fine _______ a hotel room in advance.
b. terrible
a. book
c. fantastic
b. check
63. We should _______ a bus to the library. c. rent
It is quite far.
71. Excuse me. How much are these T-shirts?
a. drive
a. There are four kinds.
b. travel
b. We have just a medium one.
c. take
c. They’re twenty dollars.
64. Before I take my vacation, I have to
72. How well can you play guitar?
_______ my dollars into Euros.
a. I’ve had a guitar for one year.
a. change
b. Yes, I can play the guitar.
b. pay
c. I’m not very good at it, actually.
c. borrow
73. How was your vacation last week?
65. My car is very _______ . I should clean it
today. a. We had a great time, thanks.
b. We usually go to Europe.
a. cheap c. Our vacation was five days long.
b. dirty
c. hard 74. Could you lend me ten dollars for lunch?
66. In the winter I wear pants, but in the a. No, I’m afraid I don’t have any cash.
summer I usually wear _______ . b. No, I can’t borrow some money from
you.
a. socks c. No, I’m sorry about the money.
b. shorts
c. belts

5
75. I’m sorry, is that Mr. Dupont?
a. No, this is Thomson speaking.
b. Yes, you spell it with D for Dupont.
c. That’s OK. I’m happy to speak to him.
76. How about spending the day at the
beach tomorrow?
a. Yes, but you could travel on your own.
b. That sounds like a great idea.
c. Maybe you’re right about that.
Information for visitors to Canyonlands
National Park
We want all visitors to our beautiful park to
have a great experience. Please read this
safety information at the beginning of your
visit.
• The weather can change quickly in the park.
When it’s cold, you lose 80% of your body’s
heat from your head. Take a hat with you and
wear it when you are cold.
• You can get medical help at the National
Park visitor’s center, but take a first-aid kit
with you on long walks.
• For long walks and climbing, you can buy a
map from the National Park store. This shows
all the walks and routes through the park.
• There are three levels of routes for walkers
and climbers in the park: green is easy, orange
is difficult, red is very difficult. On green
routes you can wear normal shoes, but on
orange and red routes wear strong walking
boots.
77. The information says that visitors to the
park should be careful …
a. not to get lost.
b. to avoid red routes.
c. to carry certain items.
78. The information says that …
a. visitors should wear good walking
boots on the difficult routes.
b. all visitors to the park need a route
map.
c. visitors can buy clothes in the park.
Tshewang Wangchuk, conservationist
Tshewang works with animals and nature in
areas with mountains and rivers. He has an
office in Washington, D.C. and in Thimphu,
Bhutan. When he travels, he always takes a
good book with him. He likes cycling and
enjoys listening to and playing music. On the
weekend, he spends time with his wife and
children. He says, “When you enjoy your
work, you don’t need separate free time.”
Shannon Switzer, photographer and
journalist
Shannon loves the outdoors, so a lot of her
photography is of mountains or the ocean.
She is also interested in the conservation of
water. She works in an office, but she doesn’t
often stay inside all day. Shannon likes riding
horses and surfing. And at home, she says, “I
love spending time with family, playing
games, and eating big meals together.”
Knicole Colón, astronomer
Knicole sometimes goes to observatories and
looks at space through a telescope. But she
usually goes to her office and studies
information about space and stars. In her free
time, she likes watching a good movie or
playing video games. But she also likes “doing
nothing.”
79. Which person does not spend much time
outside?
a. Shannon
b. Tshewang
c. Knicole
6
 fastest route to every theater. For 150 years,
they have had to pass this test to become a
80. Who does NOT enjoy games?
taxi driver.
a. Knicole
b. Tshewang Learning “The Knowledge” can take over two
c. Shannon years. When they think they are ready, taxi
drivers take the test. They answer questions
such as “What’s the fastest route from
Lost Ship Discovered Buckingham Palace to London Zoo?” They
In 1533, a Portuguese ship traveled from can’t use a map. They can only use the map
Portugal to India with lots of gold and inside their head.
diamonds. But at the southern part of Africa, 83. Why do London taxi drivers memorize all
the weather was bad and the ship never the streets of London?
arrived. It sank and the crew died.
a. They like to please tourists with their
Five hundred years later, a worker in Namibia knowledge.
discovered a small piece of metal in the b. It is necessary to become a taxi driver
Orange River. It was money. Later, in London.
archaeologists pulled more gold coins from c. It is faster than using a map to get
the river. There were also parts of a ship. It around London.
was the old Portuguese ship, so the 84. What is probably true about London taxi
archaeologists learned more about people’s drivers?
lives five hundred years ago.
a. They know the location of many
81. What happened to the ship? popular sites in London.
b. They usually take less than a year to
a. All of the people on the ship got sick.
pass the test.
b. It experienced dangerous weather.
c. They often take tourists to police
c. It got lost and reached a new
stations.
destination.
85. Sarah _______ for school.
82. Why is the discovery of the ship
important? a. is late often
b. is often late
a. Portugal was happy to have its ship
c. often is late
back.
b. The coins are worth a lot of money. 86. Why is she worried about _______ on a
c. It teaches us a lot about the past. plane?
a. going
London is famous as a historic city with lots of b. to go
interesting places to visit. It’s also famous for c. goes
difficult roads. Tourists and visitors to London
87. Can you believe it? Richard is as _______
quickly become lost in the old streets—even
as Kevin.
with a map on their phone. It’s much easier to
catch a taxi. That’s because taxi drivers in a. old
London have memorized the whole city. b. older
c. oldest
Since 1865, trainee London taxi drivers have
studied for a test called “The Knowledge.”
They have learned the name of every street,
the location of every police station, and the

7
88. I _______ sleeping when you called. You a. used to
woke me up. b. were used
c. had used to
a. was
b. have been 97. My friend _______ eaten sushi before I
c. did took him to a Japanese restaurant
yesterday.
89. We don’t have _______ milk in the
fridge. a. hasn’t
b. didn’t
a. many
c. hadn’t
b. much
c. some 98. If I lived in the countryside, _______ to
buy a car.
90. We need to stop at the supermarket
_______ some vegetables. a. I’d need
b. I‘d needed
a. to buy
c. I’ll need
b. for buying
c. buy 99. There was so much traffic that I _______
home very late today.
91. The team hasn’t won a match _______
1995. a. got
b. fell
a. since
c. stayed
b. for
c. until 100. Many people think that watching sports
is good _______ .
92. This is the cable _______ connects the
printer to the computer. a. entertainment
b. games
a. that
c. players
b. who
c. what 101. If you take the bus to Rome, the _______
is twenty euros.
93. When you _______ this button, it turns
the lights on. a. receipt
b. change
a. will press
c. fare
b. press
c. pressed 102. In Japan, the trains are very _______ .
People expect them to arrive on time.
94. Who _______ the doctor?
a. comfortable
a. called
b. traditional
b. did call
c. reliable
c. did you call
103. Maryam has been a doctor for twenty-
95. A new type of plant _______ in the
five years, so she is the most _______
Amazon last week.
doctor at the hospital.
a. was discovered
b. discovered a. positive
c. had discovered b. patient
c. experienced
96. My brothers _______ help in my father’s
store when they were young.

8
104. The new laptop costs $515. In other 111. I love visiting _______ in the fall. It’s so
words, it costs _______ $500. beautiful to see all the yellow, orange,
and red leaves.
a. under
b. nearly a. forests
c. about b. mountains
c. deserts
105. In many celebrations, people wear
traditional _______ or masks. 112. All of the roads are covered with deep
water because of the _______ .
a. costumes
b. decorations a. lightning
c. parades b. flood
c. hail
106. The elevator isn’t working at the
moment, so you’ll have to take the 113. I don’t feel very well.
_______ .
a. Do you have a temperature?
a. hallway b. How does it feel?
b. stairs c. You should try harder.
c. entrance
114. I’d like a train ticket to Boston, please.
107. Martin _______ to an online newspaper
a. It’s at the station, isn’t it?
because it’s more convenient than b. One-way or round-trip?
buying a print newspaper. c. Is it at the platform?
a. uploads 115. I’d like to return this jacket that I bought
b. subscribes
last week.
c. searches
a. Unfortunately, we don’t have it in
108. You need to _______ the red button to stock anymore.
turn on the machine. b. Would you like a refund for that?
a. pull c. We apologize for the delay with your
b. charge order.
c. press 116. Can you tell me your reasons for applying
109. It’s a good idea to _______ your hotel for this job at our restaurant?
rooms online before you go on vacation. a. I think that you have a lot of
a. check in experience working in restaurants.
b. book b. I’m a student and I’d like to earn some
c. unpack money during the summer.
c. Do you provide training for all new
110. It’s difficult for me to understand this employees?
new computer program because it’s not
very _______ . 117. What do you think of this travel website?

a. old-fashioned a. I see what you mean. It’s a little

b. fashionable confusing.
b. I disagree. It’s a little confusing.
c. user-friendly
c. In my opinion, it’s a little confusing.

9
118. The problem is that our store is too
small.
a. No, a larger location won’t work.
b. How about moving to a larger
location?
c. Yes, but it’s a very large location.
Walking Soccer
Globally, more people play soccer than any
other sport, and more people watch the
World Cup on TV than the Olympic Games.
Every weekend, thousands of teams meet in
different countries to compete against each
other. That includes famous teams such as
Real Madrid and Manchester United, and
local teams of people playing competitively or
just for fun. From an early age, schoolchildren
play soccer in their physical education classes
and compete against teams from other
schools.
Now, a new type of soccer is growing in
popularity. It’s called “walking soccer.” Most
soccer players retire from competitive games
in their 30s, but walking soccer is for people
over 50. It’s a great way to keep fit and it can
help older people live longer. Doctors also say
it’s good for the mind. Most walking soccer
matches are informal and social. Most of the
rules are the same as for normal soccer, but
everything is much slower. Players have to
walk with the ball—they can’t run. Also,
players have to keep one foot on the ground
at all times, so they can’t jump.
Not surprisingly, walking soccer doesn’t get
many spectators because it is very slow. But
more and more people like playing it. For
example, in the United Kingdom, there were
around 100 teams two years ago. Now there
are over 800, with regular competitions in
different parts of the country every year.
119. What is true about “walking soccer”?
a. It is a good kind of exercise for older
people.
b. It has many different rules from
normal soccer.
c. It began as a game in children’s
physical education classes.
120. We can see that “walking soccer” is
popular because …
a. there are many games between
children’s school teams.
b. the number of “walking soccer” teams
keeps increasing.
c. more and more people enjoy
watching “walking soccer” games.
Alex Sheshunoff is a writer, and Sarah Kalish
was a lawyer. Both had good jobs and an
apartment in Iowa City. However, one day
they decided to leave it all behind and build a
new home for themselves. Most people
would be happy to look locally, but Alex and
Sarah planned to find a place in paradise to
create their new home.
For Alex, it was fairly easy to choose an island
with everything he wanted. As a scuba diver,
Alex first visited the Palau group of islands
years ago. He continued to go back from time
to time, so this seemed like a good choice.
The islands are about 7,500 kilometers (4,660
miles) west of Hawaii and are difficult to
reach. They have green forests with
interesting wildlife and are surrounded by a
blue ocean full of colorful fish.
In the end, Alex and Sarah chose one island in
particular—Angaur. Angaur is thirteen
kilometers (8 miles) around, with a population
of about 150 people. Before Alex and Sarah
could start building a house, they had to get
permission from the head of the island—an
83-year-old woman. She was worried they
intended to develop the area for other
tourists, but Alex explained that they just
wanted to build a simple house. They agreed
on the rent of $100 a month for twenty years.
10
The head of the island was happy. She said,
“Angaur welcomes you.”
121. Alex and Sarah moved to Angaur because
…
a. they wanted to live in a beautiful
place.
b. they could find better jobs there.
c. Alex was invited there by the island’s
leader.
122. What is true about Angaur?
a. It wants to attract more tourists.
b. It is one island in a group of islands.
c. It is an expensive place to live in.
An invention that has saved millions of lives
In recent history, there have been some
amazing inventions that have changed our
lives. The airplane has made international
travel faster and easier. The computer can
store the contents of a library. And you
probably know the names of some famous
inventors like Henry Ford or Steve Jobs. But
for every famous invention and inventor,
there are many everyday objects that we
don’t notice and we don’t know who invented
them.
Take the inventor who invented the modern-
day car seat belt. Nils Bohlin’s invention has
saved millions of lives. In 1959, Bohlin was an
engineer who was working for the car
manufacturer Volvo. There were other types
of seat belts, but Bohlin developed the first
one that went across the chest and across the
legs, and then joined at the same place.
Amazingly, this was an idea that no one had
tried before.
Volvo soon started selling the new seat belt in
the countries where it had the most
customers. At that time, and probably still
today, the biggest market was the US.
However, it took a long time for the invention
to become popular there. Even in cars that
had the invention, many drivers didn’t use it.
People enjoyed driving without a seat belt. It
was difficult to change their habits, even
though more people survived a car crash
when they wore Bohlin’s seat belt. Over the
years, more and more governments made
laws that forced drivers to wear the seat belt.
Today, Nils Bohlin’s simple invention still
saves thousands of lives every year.
123. What is NOT true about Nils Bohlin?
a. He worked for an automobile
company.
b. His idea has saved many lives.
c. He invented the first seat belt.
124. What is true about Bohlin’s seat belt?
a. It was made from a new type of
material.
b. It goes across two different parts of
the body.
c. Drivers started using it immediately.
The internet of things
Nowadays, we are all used to the internet in
our daily lives. We use it to get information,
watch videos, and communicate with friends.
But some products are also designed to
connect with us through the internet, and in
the future, the objects in our homes will do
this more and more.
The basic idea behind “the internet of things”
is that it lets humans “talk” to their devices.
For example, there are fridges that can text
you if you don’t have any milk. You can also
use your cell phone to control the heating in
your house via the internet. So if it’s cold, you
can switch the heating on when you are going
home from work or school. In the workplace,
some manufacturing companies are using the
internet of things to order more tools and
machines when they need them. And more of
us are wearing internet-connected devices
around our wrists to check our health and
measure our physical exercise.
Some people think the internet of things is
bad for us because all our devices collect lots
of personal data about us. Companies learn
11
more about their customers from this. And 131. He can’t speak to you now because he’s
your electronics know when you are at home in a meeting, but _______ him to call you
and when you are out, which someone online later.
could also find out. So does this pose a
a. I’m asking
problem for personal security? There are still b. I’ll ask
lots more unanswered questions like this c. I ask
about the internet of things.
132. If you get this promotion, _______
125. What is the article mainly about? definitely go out to celebrate.
a. How people can communicate with a. we’re
the internet b. we’ll
b. How the internet can connect with c. we’ve
different devices
c. Why it is not good to have too many 133. Let’s pack our suitcases now _______ we
internet devices don’t have to do it in the morning.

126. One problem with “the internet of a. for

things” is that … b. so that
c. to
a. it can discover too much about us.
b. it might be bad for our health. 134. We _______ shopping at this store all the
c. it makes our lives more complicated. time when we were children.

127. We need to hurry because they _______ a. used to go

dinner at the moment. b. would have gone
c. have gone
a. have prepared
b. do prepare 135. Everything happened much _______
c. are preparing than anyone expected.

128. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a a. more quickly

theater in this town _______ 2002. b. so quickly
c. most quickly
a. for
b. in 136. Peter and Edward _______ each other
c. since since the first grade of elementary
school.
129. She _______ to someone when we
arrived, so we waited until she was free. a. have been knowing
b. have known
a. was talked c. have been known
b. was talking
c. has talked 137. We went to the wrong location because
we _______ the correct information
130. He needed to look for a new position
about where to go.
because he _______ quit his job.
a. haven’t given
a. had b. weren’t given
b. has c. didn’t give
c. was

12
138. We have to hire a couple of people 146. The atmosphere and food were great,
_______ can speak Spanish or French. but the waiter took too long to bring our
_______ at the end of the meal.
a. which
b. whose a. check
c. who b. order
c. menu
139. She said to me that she _______ her
assignment on time. 147. When I visit a new city, I like to spend
some time exploring its most interesting
a. finished
b. has finished _______ .
c. had finished a. residents
b. neighborhoods
140. I _______ have mentioned the situation
c. atmospheres
if I had known you would be so upset.
148. My third grade teacher gave me some
a. wouldn’t
b. didn’t really _______ advice that I still
c. won’t remember to this day.

141. I don’t like change, but my sister usually a. economical

b. energetic
takes a _______ of new things in her life.
c. beneficial
a. positive view
b. happy idea 149. What do you want to do tomorrow?
c. good decision _______ sightseeing again, or just take it
easy?
142. Look out the window. The view of the
lake is _______ , isn’t it? a. Do
b. Go
a. entertaining c. Be
b. spectacular
c. cheerful 150. I arrived at the airport early, but my flight
has been _______ , so now I have to wait
143. I had a car accident yesterday, but around for a few hours.
_______ I wasn’t hurt.
a. delayed
a. fortunately b. canceled
b. carefully c. scheduled
c. suddenly
151. He usually doesn’t buy very cheap goods
144. When are you planning to _______ because he thinks they’re not good
college? _______ .
a. enter into a. special offers
b. apply to b. value for money
c. go forward c. budgets
145. I really need to _______ some of my bad 152. I bought this last week but I’d like to
habits. _______ it for a smaller size.
a. reduce a. exchange
b. change b. return
c. avoid c. order

13
153. The doctor didn’t know what was wrong,
but he gave the patient some medicine
to _______ her symptoms.
a. cure
b. heal
c. treat
154. It usually doesn’t rain here in July, so it’s
very _______ that it would rain today.
a. impossible
b. unlikely
c. unsure
155. Hello. _______ Let me introduce myself.
I’m Miles Trotter.
a. It’s been good talking to you.
b. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
c. Would you like to meet again?
156. Do you mind helping us with our
homework?
a. I’m not sure about that.
b. I don’t really like it.
c. Sure, no problem.
157. Excuse me? _______ Our luggage hasn’t
arrived.
a. Don’t worry.
b. Is something wrong?
c. I wonder if you could help us.
158. Could I see that leather jacket over there,
please?
a. You can return it if you don’t like it.
b. Yes. It’s actually on sale right now.
c. Let me see if it’s in stock.
159. My arm hurts when I move it.
a. It’s just a sprain.
b. It doesn’t hurt.
c. I feel kind of sick.
160. Could I speak to James Fleming, please?
a. He’s away from his desk. My number
is 9623 5601.
b. He’s away from his desk. Can I take a
message.
c. He’s away from his desk. I’ll try to call
you later.
Mental challenges are as difficult to pass as
endurance tests. You pass through failure to
success. You do not avoid failure. To me, the
most exciting time is when things aren't going
right. As a leader, you can’t give up. — Robert
D. Ballard, marine explorer
When I had to decide between the comfort of
a staff news job and the risk of freelance
photography, my mother told me that no
great chasm was ever leaped in two small
jumps. — Jodi Cobb, National Geographic
photographer
People can build their willpower deliberately.
We are born with a certain amount, but that
is just a platform. I think you can build
willpower and be strong and achieve a lot.
Start with a step you feel comfortable with
and take it one step ahead. — Børge Ousland,
polar explorer
161. Who took a chance with their career?
a. Robert D. Ballard
b. Jodi Cobb
c. Børge Ousland
162. Who says a bad situation can lead to a
good result?
a. Børge Ousland
b. Jodi Cobb
c. Robert D. Ballard
Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is one of the
world’s most remote inhabited islands. It’s
part of the Polynesian islands in the South
Pacific Ocean, and it is 2,000 kilometers away
from the nearest inhabited island (Pitcairn
Island) and 3,000 kilometers from the coast of
Chile. The mystery of Easter Island is not
really how people arrived there, but it is
connected to what those people did—they
made huge stone statues. The statues are so
big that nobody knows exactly how they were
moved and placed into the positions we see
them in today.
14
There are more than 800 of these giant again as “ecovillages.” Their new residents are
human figures, called moai, at various sites looking for a simpler way of life.
around the island. The statues are carved out
The little village of Matavenero, in northern
of volcanic stone, and they represent the
Spain, is one example. In 1989, five friends
islanders’ ancestors. Scientific techniques like
from Germany were looking for a place where
carbon dating suggest that the moai were
they could have a better life than in their
carved over a very long period, perhaps about
large German city. They heard about
600 years. The last statues were probably
Matavenero. Getting permission from the
made about 400 years ago. Some of the moai
local government much more quickly than
are wearing “hats”—these are round red
they expected, they moved there to start a
stone additions to the top of the statues.
new life. A few more people from Denmark
These hats, called pukao, are over two meters
joined them, and they began to build the
high. It seems probable that the meaning of
ecovillage that exists today. Everyone has
the pukao was connected to how important
their own reasons for moving to Matavenero.
the ancestors were. In other words, the
Some wanted to live more peacefully, some
figures with pukao might have been especially
more cheaply or less stressfully. But most of
important people. Most of the statues are
the residents seem to feel that the simpler
made from stone. This stone is located far
the life, the better.
from where the statues stand today. In
addition, the pukao are made from a different As there is no road to the village, you can’t get
type of rock to the main statue, which means there by car. It takes about three hours to
they must have been added after the main walk there from the nearest road. Once there,
figure was carved. you won’t find many of the typical things that
make up modern life, although there is a small
163. Which statement about Easter Island is
school, a bakery, a library, and a small store.
NOT true?
The Matavenero residents grow food, make
a. The island is far away from other things to sell locally, and some also work in
places. regular jobs. This kind of life is attractive to
b. The island has hundreds of large lots of people and some come to try it out.
statues. However, some of the new arrivals find that
c. Nobody currently lives on the island.
they have to work harder than they expected,
164. Which statement does NOT describe the and more than half actually leave before a
pukao? year. But for the rest of the community, the
village is a successful way of life.
a. They might suggest the social position
of a person. 165. It is probably true that people who move
b. It took people hundreds of years to to Matanero …
carve them.
c. They were made of a specific kind of a. are dissatisfied with their life in some
colored stone. way.
b. are not interested in driving a car.
c. cannot afford to live in another place.
In rural Spain, there are more than 2,000
villages that used to be full of life but are now
abandoned. Their residents left to move to
cities or to other countries, and slowly the
villages became emptier and emptier until
there was nobody left. Now, however, some
of these remote places are coming to life

15
166. What can be inferred about life in 169. The fire alarm _______ for more than an
Matavenero? hour now.
a. It is neither as easy nor as simple as a. has been ringing
many people expected. b. had been ringing
b. It is so difficult that most people are c. is still ringing
leaving the village.
c. It was hard when few people lived 170. I think that Room 102 _______ by Dr. Eng
there, but it easier now. at the moment.
a. is using
b. is being used
Tim Berners-Lee was an English engineer and
c. has been used
computer scientist. He invented the World
Wide Web in 1989, and the general public 171. I’ve changed my mind, and I think ….. a
started using it in 1991. The information age pizza instead of a salad.
grew because of the World Wide Web, and
a. I ordered
many people started using personal b. I‘m ordering
computers. Now, we can use the World Wide c. I‘ll order
Web for social networking, like Facebook or
Twitter. 172. _______ children are required to take
the final exam.
Dian Fossey was a conservationist who
a. Every one
studied groups of mountain gorillas in
b. All the
Rwanda. She was very active in opposing
c. Some of
poaching and worked toward saving gorilla
habitats. She was murdered in her cabin in 173. Even though there were a lot of people
1985, and it is believed that her murder was at the party next door, there wasn’t
connected to her conservation work. _______ noise.

Wangari Maathai created the Green Belt a. many

Movement that focuses on environmental b. little
c. much
conservation. She encouraged the women of
Kenya to plant trees throughout the country, 174. We could try driving in this bad weather,
and even paid the women a small amount of but I don’t think it’s worth _______ the
money for each tree they planted. A 2016 risk.
documentary talked about her work, for
a. to take
which she was awarded the Nobel Peace
b. taking
Prize. c. taken
167. Whose death does the passage discuss? 175. In the end, we _______ buy the car
a. Dian Fossey because it was too expensive.
b. Tim Berners-Lee a. didn’t decided to
c. Wangari Maathai b. decided not to
168. Whose work did NOT involve preserving c. decided to don’t
nature? 176. I like my new job, but I’m not used to
a. Tim Berners-Lee _______ to wake up so early.
b. Dian Fossey a. had
c. Wangari Maathai b. have
c. having

16
177. I really wish the conference _______ held 184. Mark is very ..... of other people. For
in August. I won’t be able to take a example, he always holds the door for
vacation. the person behind him.
a. won’t be a. dependable
b. isn’t b. considerate
c. wasn’t c. outgoing
178. It _______ that the Queen of England 185. Susan _______ her appreciation for all
stayed in this house in 1565. the help she received during the project.
a. believed a. expressed
b. had believed b. encouraged
c. is believed c. engaged
179. It's not an easy place to get to, so it 186. This building is one of the earliest
might take us _______ or more. structures made of _______ in the
country.
a. an hour
b. the hour a. concrete
c. hour b. leather
c. cardboard
180. The old house _______ is located on
Logan Avenue was once owned by a 187. The museum is holding a new _______ of
famous writer. 18th-century Chinese paintings.
a. where a. artwork
b. that b. gallery
c. whose c. exhibition
181. Jake _______ beating his own personal 188. Melissa is rich enough to live in _______
record in the triathlon. apartment in one of the city’s best
neighborhoods.
a. completed by
b. managed to a. a luxury
c. succeeded in b. an exotic
c. a hectic
182. I take the subway to work every day.
_______ the subway, too. 189. If you go camping in the mountains, you
should _______ in mind that the weather
a. My colleague always takes
b. Always my colleague takes can be extremely unpredictable.
c. My colleague takes always a. have
b. keep
183. Harold and Gina don’t _______ very well,
c. change
so they should work on different
projects. 190. Employers should _______ their
outstanding employees with bonuses and
a. stand by
b. meet up other incentives.
c. get along a. reward
b. praise
c. spoil

17
191. The future looks _______ for many 198. The remote control doesn’t seem to be
endangered animals such as the tiger as working.
there are few solutions in sight.
a. Thank you. I just got a new one.
a. worried b. I’m afraid I can’t find it,
b. alarmed c. Have you tried changing the battery?
c. hopeless
199. I think we should buy a new apartment.
192. “Let me help you with that heavy bag,”
a. He certainly has a lot of experience
the young man _______ . with that.
a. advised b. I don’t think you’ve really considered
b. admitted all the factors.
c. offered c. On the other hand, the price is really
low.
193. Many animals have a much more highly-
developed sense of _______ than 200. Do you want to go out for dinner at that
humans. new restaurant?

a. seeing a. We’re able to go to a movie, though.

b. hearing b. I heard it didn’t get a review.
c. feeling c. I’d rather stay home and relax.

194. After graduating with a degree in English,
Jessica decided to _______ for a position
as a professional editor.
a. experience
b. apply
c. serve
195. She had to _______ college in order to
help her parents run the family business.
a. turn up for
b. come up with
c. drop out of
196. The company has been more successful
after making a major _______ in research
and development.
a. spending
b. earnings
c. investment
197. Hey Alfred! Nice to see you! What’s up?
a. I’m doing fine. How about you?
b. Not bad. How about you?
c. Not much. How about you?
201. Did you hear that Jon lost his job?
a. It doesn’t surprise me.
b. That’s a possibility.
c. I hear what you’re saying.
202. The doctor’s office is at 1120 Gerrard
Street, Suite 102.
a. Can we follow up with that next
week?
b. I don’t think it’s in the building.
c. Sorry, I didn’t catch that.
For every problem, we always hope there will
be a magic answer that will make the problem
go away. That’s human nature. But problems
like overpopulation are complex and demand
complex solutions. Let’s outline a few basic
facts.
First, each person on the planet takes up
space, consumes resources, and creates
waste. So the more people there are, the
greater the problems of overcrowding,
decreasing resources, and pollution are going
to be. Second, when people’s standard of
living rises, this has exactly the same effect.
Rich people have bigger houses, buy more
consumer goods, and produce more waste. So

18
even if the population remains the same,
economic growth will create similar problems.
But economic optimists don’t worry about
population growth because, according to
them, people don’t reduce resources; they
create them. For the optimists, more people
mean more brains to find clever ways to
boost resources. One example they give is the
“Green Revolution.” Over the last sixty years,
agricultural food production has grown
dramatically—faster than the population, in
fact. Through the discovery of better seeds
and plants, which are more resistant to
disease, experts predict that there will be
enough food for all of us in the future.
203. What is the passage mainly about?
a. A particular issue that is difficult to
solve
b. Food production in the developed
world
c. A possible solution to an
environmental problem
204. Which of the following statements is
true?
a. The population has been rising faster
than our ability to grow food.
b. If the population stops growing, a lack
of resources might continue to be a
problem.
c. When people become richer, the size
of the population will begin to
decrease.
What’s on in London?
Batman Live
Part theater, part circus act, and part visual
and special effects spectacle, this show is
produced by “Warner Bros Consumer
Products,” which should, I suppose, tell you
that it’s not going to be a serious play. In fact,
it’s really just eye candy. Although the actors
do their best, the storyline is not very strong.
The emphasis is on the visual aspect—
especially the set, which includes a fantastic
giant Joker’s head.
This is Design
The Design Museum has used various
examples from its collection to make an
exhibition that looks at the impact modern
design has had on our daily lives. The
collection includes classic designs like the
Swiss army knife and the Mini car, as well as
more mundane objects, such as road signs
and work clothes. Most of the designs aren’t
new, but it’s still a fascinating exhibition that
challenges us to take a closer look at things
around us that we usually take for granted.
The Floating Cinema
At first appearance, this event—organized by
artists Nina Pope and Karen Guthrie as part of
the Create11 summer festival—seems to be
just a big screen on a boat. But there’s more
to it than that. Some movies are projected
onto the walls of buildings next to the canal
where the boat is situated, and one or two
are followed by workshops so you can learn
about the making of the movie in more detail.
You don’t have to be able to swim to attend,
but you may get wet—the weather forecast
for the weekend isn’t great!
205. Which event has an educational
element?
a. This is Design
b. Batman Live
c. The Floating Cinema
206. What is NOT mentioned about one of the
events?
a. The Floating Cinema is one part of a
larger series of events.
b. Certain aspects of the Batman Live
performance are disappointing.
c. The objects in the design exhibition
are interesting because they are
unfamiliar.
The forget-it list
In 1940, a fifteen-year-old American boy
decided to make a list of everything he
wanted to do in his life. John Goddard, who
19
later became an anthropologist, wrote down
127 goals, most of them very ambitious. They
included climbing the world’s highest
mountains, flying a jet, running a mile in five
minutes, reading the whole Encyclopedia
Britannica, mastering surfing, and visiting the
moon. Amazingly, he managed to do most of
them and add several more before he died in
2013. He left behind a book about his
adventures, but he also left another legacy—
the “bucket list.” This idea (a list of the things
you want to do before you die) was made
popular by the 2007 movie The Bucket List.
Now everyone, it seems, has a bucket list,
from Bill Clinton to my neighbor who’s just
celebrated her thirtieth birthday and feels
that life is passing her by.
I have some issues with this. First, why do you
need the excuse of dying to have wishes
about what you want to achieve? We’re all
going to die at some point. Second, it
becomes rather competitive. Are these really
the things that you want to do (for example,
become an expert salsa dancer), or are they
the things that you would like other people to
be impressed by? And finally, what happens if
you fail to achieve some of your goals? You
will probably be more full of regret than if you
had not made a list in the first place.
So I’ve come up with an alternative idea: the
“forget-it list.” This is a list of all the wishes
you have that are unlikely to come true and
all the things that you might think will make
you happier or more fulfilled, but may not be
so wonderful after all. For example, I wish I
was a professional musician. Forget it—I have
a good job and great colleagues. I wish I could
spend a year traveling around South America.
Forget it—I have a family to support—a family
I love being with, by the way. I wish I could
trek across the Himalayas. Forget it—even
though it must be beautiful, it would probably
break me physically. What I’m trying to say, in
short, is: want what you have, and stop
wanting what you don’t have.
207. What is NOT mentioned about “bucket
lists”?
a. The man who invented them inspired
many other people by his example.
b. They might lead to disappointment
rather than a sense of achievement.
c. Many people are beginning to think
that they are a bad idea.
208. According to the writer, what is the main
point of “forget-it lists”?
a. People should appreciate what they
already possess.
b. People should not set personal goals
for themselves.
c. People should focus on just one or
two ambitions.
There are three main ingredients for a
successful economy. The first is a good
exchange rate with the countries that you
want to trade with. No one is going to buy
your goods if they are too expensive. The
second is technology. In the early 19th
century, Britain became the dominant
industrial power in the world because the
Industrial Revolution started there. Britain
was able to benefit from homegrown
innovations like the railway and the mass
production of goods. By the end of the same
century, the US was the dominant power
because they took the technological
revolution forward with the telephone, the
radio, and then the airplane. In the early 20th
century, Germany too became a major
economy, developing its own new chemical
and automobile industries.
Technological innovation was very important
for transforming the economies of Britain, the
US, and Germany in this period—but their
success would not have been possible without
the third key ingredient: cheap labor. The
history of successful economies has always
been a story of cheap labor. If you can get
people to work for not much money, your
business will be more profitable. In 1830, the
United States had only seventy kilometers of
20
railroad, but by 1890 it had over 250,000 213. I had _______ a good time at the party
kilometers. This was made possible by on Saturday.
employing thousands of immigrants on low
a. fairly
wages. b. quite
These days, you can follow the movement of c. pretty
an industry—textiles and tuna canning are 214. To be honest, I ….. have bought this
two striking examples—to where the work jacket; it’s too expensive and doesn’t
can be done more cheaply. Improved really suit me.
communications systems have meant that
a. mustn’t
goods can be manufactured where labor costs
b. couldn’t
are lowest. The goods can then be
c. shouldn’t
transported, at relatively low cost, to the
places (usually richer countries) where they 215. The weather forecast says that it’s
are consumed. UK insurance companies have _______ to rain this afternoon, so take
IT centers in India, French energy companies an umbrella if you go out.
have call centers in Morocco, and US a. possible
engineering companies have their machines b. probable
produced in China and the Philippines. c. likely
209. What is the passage mainly about? 216. _______ I remember most about Sardinia
a. The relationship between economic is the beautiful, clean seawater.
growth and labor costs a. That
b. How technology has driven economic b. What
growth in European countries c. Which
c. The history of the industrial
revolution and how it began 217. Pat knows Ken isn’t right for her, but she
can’t _______ .
210. From the passage, it can be inferred that
… a. him give up
b. give him up
a. most technological advances now c. give up him
come from countries such as China
and India. 218. The manager insists _______ on time in
b. the economics of labor have not the morning.
changed very much for a long time.
a. everyone to arrive
c. there is less free trade now than there
b. on everyone arriving
was in the 19th century.
c. that everyone’s arrival
211. It’s been a long time _______ we had a
219. It _______ that the politician will lose her
really relaxing weekend.
seat in the next election.
a. since
a. is expecting
b. while
b. could expect
c. during
c. is expected
212. This package absolutely must be _______
220. Ali moved to America _______ his
to the customer no later than noon.
children could have a better life.
a. delivering
a. in order
b. delivered
b. so that
c. delivery
c. because of

21
221. The value of his car has gone down 229. It’s a complicated project, so we’ll just
_______ the scratches on the paintwork. have to take it _______ .
a. due to a. on and on
b. because b. step by step
c. as a result c. hand in hand
222. Not only _______ used as food, but 230. I’m _______ aside two hundred dollars
honey also has several medicinal every month to save up for my vacation.
properties.
a. setting
a. can it be b. keeping
b. it can be c. pushing
c. can be it
231. After her trip, Sarah _______ the hotel
223. I wish I _______ to her advice, but now where she stayed on several travel
it’s too late to change my mind. websites.
a. was listening a. posted
b. would listen b. reviewed
c. had listened c. uploaded
224. This software company releases _______ 232. Steve Martin is both a successful actor
twenty new products every year. and an _______ musician.
a. more a. accomplished
b. some b. attained
c. least c. achieved
225. The fans were very _______ about the 233. The police _______ some evidence that
new star player that their team had just conclusively proved that the suspect was
acquired. innocent of the crime.
a. reliable a. deduced
b. enthusiastic b. determined
c. resourceful c. uncovered
226. Many experts were _______ critical of 234. Gerald _______ Mark of eating his snack
the government’s new plan. from the staff fridge, but Mark denied it.
a. highly a. suffered
b. fully b. accused
c. closely c. blamed
227. I _______ several terms I wasn’t familiar 235. In our family, everybody plays a _______
with while I was reading the article. when it comes to keeping the house
clean.
a. came across
b. came through a. hand
c. came up with b. task
c. part
228. I’m not confident that I’m ready for the
test, but I’ll certainly give _______ .
a. it my best
b. a clean try
c. it a thought

22
236. Caroline felt _______ after she lost her
job, but she’s feeling better now.
a. miserable
b. optimistic
c. invaluable
237. It takes _______ six hours to fly from
New York to London.
a. rapidly
b. widely
c. roughly
238. We decided to buy a _______ new car
rather than a second-hand one, despite
the cost.
a. model
b. store
c. brand
239. I think that the first candidate we
interviewed, Helen Davis, is the best.
a. I’m not convinced she’s ideal for the
job.
b. I’m sorry, but she seems the most
suitable.
c. On the other hand, we talked to her
yesterday.
240. These reading passages use very typical
vocabulary and grammar, but …
a. we can’t always find a suitable
situation, I’m afraid.
b. it’s not something I’ve really expected
to happen.
c. having said that, some of the subjects
are a little inappropriate.
241. I suggest that we go to The Bistro for
dinner.
a. Considering the food, it’s an
exception.
b. Surprisingly, it’s a little bit expensive.
c. They tend to be a little busy on
Fridays.
242. What would you do if you lost your job at
the car factory?
a. I’ve never really thought about it.
b. How about applying for a job there?
c. I don’t think it’s really a great place to
work.
243. Are the tickets for the concert sold out?
a. No, and neither am I.
b. Yes, I’m afraid so.
c. Oh! That’s too bad.
244. There’s no need to be rude!
a. Sorry. I’m just a little frustrated.
b. Sorry. You seem a little troubled.
c. Sorry. I didn’t expect that.
Mustang, a former kingdom in north-central
Nepal, is home to one of the world’s great
archaeological finds. In this incredibly
inhospitable, wind-savaged place, hidden
within the Himalayas, there are an
extraordinary number of human-built caves.
Some sit completely by themselves, a single
open mouth on a vast face of weathered rock.
Others are in groups, occasionally stacked
eight or nine floors high, making a sort of
vertical neighborhood. Some were dug into
the cliff-side; others were tunneled from
above. Many are thousands of years old. The
total number of caves in Mustang,
conservatively estimated, is 10,000. Why
anyone would choose to build rooms that are
extremely difficult and dangerous to access
has remained a mystery, and the evidence
that might supply an answer has been almost
totally erased.
We know that 700 years ago, Mustang was a
bustling place: a center of scholarship and art,
and a key place on the salt trade route from
Tibet to India. Salt was then an extremely
valuable commodity. Later, when cheaper salt
became available in India, an economic
decline set in. Soon the region was all but
forgotten, lost beyond the great mountains.
23
245. What is the passage mainly about?
a. An archaeological project in Nepal
b. An intriguing abandoned site
c. An unexplained natural phenomenon
246. What is NOT true about Mustang?
a. It is a difficult place to access.
b. It had a very strategic location.
c. Its people left a great many artifacts.
In recent years, there has been an increased
focus among practitioners of all types of
sports on cross-training. It has become in fact
a critical part of most top athletes’ regular
routines. Simply put, cross-training means
practicing other sports or forms of exercise to
improve, indirectly, your abilities in your main
or target sport. An example of this would be a
cyclist going swimming a couple of times a
week. Swimming requires you to control your
breathing, and so it can also help more
generally to increase a cyclist’s endurance. It
also lets you build strength in a more relaxed
way because the support of the water puts
less strain on joints and muscles.
There are several benefits to cross-training.
First, it tends to be more interesting for the
athlete to be engaged in different activities. If
their sport is a solitary one, like marathon
running, playing a team sport like soccer could
provide a social aspect to their training.
Second, it can strengthen and improve joints
and muscles that are vital if they are to
succeed in performing their sport at the
highest level. Finally, and most importantly, it
prevents athletes from getting the kind of
repetitive strain injuries that they often suffer
from if they only practice the same activities
day in, day out. It can not only improve
performance, but also extend an athlete’s life.
In recent years, several soccer players have
used yoga to enable them to continue playing
into their late thirties and even in some cases,
their early forties.
247. What is NOT mentioned as a benefit of
cross-training?
a. More opportunities for competition
b. The chance to meet new people
c. Less chance of getting hurt
248. What is implied in the article?
a. More athletes cross-train now than in
the past.
b. Swimming is the best cross-training
exercise.
c. Cross-training has less benefit as
athletes age.
For those businesses that are unfamiliar with
it, social media marketing can be a minefield.
Because there are so many different channels
to choose from—YouTube, Instagram,
LinkedIn, and Twitter to name just a few—
each with a different user profile, it is difficult
to know where to begin. And although every
business has the same ultimate goal of selling
more, each will want to go about this in a
different way through its social media
campaigns, for example, by trying to attract
more visitors to its website or by encouraging
interest in a specific product. If you use social
media incorrectly, it can actually put
customers off; yet not using it is not really an
option since it is now a key area in which
companies compete with each other for
customers’ attention. There are, however,
some simple principles you can follow to
make sure that you are successful.
The first thing is to plan a list of measures that
are both achievable and measurable (there
are various analytic software tools available at
a relatively low cost that monitor both
customer traffic and the reaction of those
who see your campaign). The second point is
to create content that has an equal mix of
promotional material, new ideas, and
engaging content. Third, it is important to
keep your brand identity strong and your
message coherent in your social media
marketing; just as it is in any other type of
advertising that you run. And lastly, as
24
mentioned above, it is vital to choose the
right social media channels to reach your
target customers. Remember that it is not
how many people you reach but whether you
reach people with a message that appeals to
them.
249. What is the article mainly about?
a. How social media is a necessary but
potentially harmful tool for businesses
b. Which social media platforms are
most suitable for businesses
c. Why customers dislike most
advertising they see on social media
250. According to the article, businesses that
use social media should …
a. collect personal information about
their customers to improve sales.
b. use a variety of approaches in their
social media campaigns
c. imitate what other successful
companies are doing on social media
sites.
William Thompson was a small-time fraudster
who was active in New York City in the 1840s.
His main claim to fame is that he is said to be
responsible or the coining of the term
“confidence trickster” or “con artist.” Preying
on upper-class citizens, he would engage
them in polite conversation and at a certain
point ask if they “had confidence in him” to
lend him their watch or some money until the
following day. Believing him to be a
gentleman (Thompson was always well-
dressed and well-spoken), they would
generally hand over the watch or money,
never to see it again. He was arrested and put
on trial in 1849 and subsequently sent to
prison.
Mithilesh Kumar Srivastava, known as
Natwarlal, was an Indian con man who was
arrested nine times in his life and sentenced
to a total of 113 years in prison for his crimes.
Considering that he had been charged with
over eighty crimes of fraud and forgery, the
length of these sentences is not surprising. He
was an expert forger and also a master of
disguises, but the frauds for which he is best
known are those where he “sold” various
famous buildings, including the Taj Mahal, to
tourists. On every occasion that he was
caught, Natwarlal managed to escape again.
He was last arrested in 1996 when he was 84
and, having given the police the slip at Delhi
station on his way to prison, was never seen
again, and presumably now never will be.
Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr. was known as
“The Great Impostor.” During his life, he
impersonated a monk, an editor, a lawyer, a
child-care expert, and a psychologist, among
other things. He claimed that the secret of his
success was finding roles to fill that did not
threaten other people’s positions in an
organization. Also, compared to other
impersonators, Demara was unusual in that
he seems not to have been interested in
money. Having published the story of his
exploits in the 1950s, Demara became quite a
well-known figure in the U.S., making it
difficult for him to carry out further
impersonations. Knowledge of his past also
discouraged employers from giving him work,
despite the fact that he was a highly
intelligent man. After a long period of time in
the hospital, he died in 1982.
251. Which fraudster had a different motive
from the other two?
a. William Thompson
b. Natwarlal
c. Ferdinand Waldo Demara, Jr.
252. What can be inferred from the passage?
a. It is difficult to discourage con artists
from committing crimes.
b. Con artists usually come from poor
family backgrounds.
c. Con artists tend to be more physically
attractive than typical people.
25