Reading GRADE 8

1. Read the text below from which four sentences are missing. Complete the gaps

(1-4) with appropriate sentences A-E. Write appropriate letters (A, B, C, D or E) in

the gaps. One sentence is extra and does not match any of the gaps.

A Telescope to Tell us Everything!

Have you always thought of the time machine as an impossible invention from science fiction films? Think
again! Soon, we’ll be able to look back billions of years and witness the beginning of the universe itself!

The James Webb Space Telescope, or JWST, is the future of space and time exploration. A joint effort
between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA)
and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), JWST really is an international triumph in teamwork.
1 They are getting it ready for its October 2018 launch date when it will depart for outer space, 1.5
million km from Earth, on the back of a huge rocket!

Scientists have used advanced techniques and technologies in the design of what will be the world’s
biggest and best telescope. 2 This means it’ll be able to capture in detail things never before seen by
humans; the first stars and galaxies! The structure will feature a folding, lightweight mirror of 18 separate
segments as well as a massive spectrograph. This is a special instrument that measures light, wavelength
and radiation. 3.. And, protecting all this equipment from the heat of the Sun will be a five-layer sunshield
the size of a tennis court.

If the JWST is a success, it will allow astronomers from all over the globe to make incredible discoveries
about the history and mysteries of the universe. For example, they’ll be able to determine how the stars,
planets and solar systems first formed and what physical and chemical materials they consist of. .4
This amazing research opportunity will hopefully last a while because the Webb will be carrying enough fuel
for a ten year mission. So, the past 13.5 billion years will soon await you: Get ready for the longest lesson
of your life!

A Firstly, it’s going to use infrared vision to pick up signals from unimaginably long distances away.
B It will help us to understand the origins of life on our planet.
C Over 1000 people in more than 17 different countries are working on it right now.
D In fact, they even aim to identify the first sources of light that ever existed following the Big Bang.
E A radio transmitter will send this data, as well as other kinds of information, back to Earth.

ANSWERS
1. D
2. A
3. B
4. C
 Everyday English

2. Read the dialogues (1-3). Complete the dialogues (1-3) with appropriate responses
by circling the appropriate letter (A, B or C).

1 X: How are you finding your new computer?

Y: ....................................................................................................

A No, I’m not happy.

B I’m not pleased with it.
C That’s very disappointing.

2 X: ....................................................................................................
Y: Yes. The red car skidded on the ice and crashed.

A Can you tell me what you saw?

B Please call us if you remember anything.
C What did you do?

3 X: Don’t you think something needs to be done about the graffiti?

Y: ....................................................................................................
X: That could work. Great idea!

A Good thinking!
B Action needs to be taken.
C Yes, it would help if we had more CCTV cameras.

ANSWERS
1.B
2.A
3.C
 Use of English

3.Choose the correct item.

1 The ____ invested a lot of money in the play.

A director
B playwright
C producer
D screenwriter

2 Thomas loves to ____ with oils on canvas.

A paint
B carve
C sculpt
D design

3 Henry worked hard to ____ his exam.

A resit
B succeed
C pass
D fail

4 The ____ across the Atlantic Ocean takes four days.

A journey
B trip
C tour
D voyage

5 I don’t like lemons, they are too ____ .

A spicy
B sour
C creamy
D bitter

6 Jerry ____ his hand on the hot plate.

A bruised
B twisted
C sprained
D burnt

7 Anna didn’t see Tim so he ____ her name loudly across the street.
A growled
B yelled
C recited
D mimicked

8 The suitcase was so heavy that she had to ____ it to the car.
A drag
 B rush
C slip
D leap

9 Alex had an unhappy ____ on his face.

A shout
B frown
C cry
D smile

10 You should ____ your skin with sun cream when you go out into the sun.
A protect
B strengthen
C heal
D care

ANSWERS
1C
2A
3C
4D
5B
6D
7B
8A
9B
10 A
11 I’ll reserve a ticket ____ they sell out before the show.
A in order
B so as
C so that
D in case
12 She’s played tennis for years, ____?
A has she
B hasn’t she
C isn’t she
D is she
13 Kevin told me that he ____ the film already.
A had seen
B have seen
C saw
D sees
14 I think people ____ electric cars in the future.
A have
B will have
C are going to have
 D are having
15 If you want my advice, you ____ join a charity.
A must
B may
C would
D should

16 I was alone and there was ____ to help me.

A someone
B anyone
C no one
D everyone

17 Exhaust fumes ____ been proven to increase global warming.

A are
B have
C were
D will
18 As soon as you ____ your homework you can go out.
A finish
B will finish
C finished
D had finished
19 The hottest desert in the world is ____ Sahara Desert.
A −
B the
C a
D an
20 You should all go to the cinema and enjoy ____ .
A myself
B yourself
C yourselves
D ourselves

ANSWERS
11 D
12 B
13 A
14 B
15 D
16 C
17 B
18 A
19 B
20 C