Part One: Structure and Language Use

A. Directions: questions 1-15 are incomplete sentences. Beneath each sentence, you will see four words or
phrases, marked a, b, c, and d. Choose one word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

1. Photography changed dramatically ___ introduced instant pictures.

a. when was
b. when Polaroid
c. Polaroid
d. it when Polaroid

2. Our hotel is within walking distance, and so ___ our club.

a. should
b. will
c. does
d. is

3. The Copperhead is a venomous serpent, found as far North as the Blue Hills in Massachusetts and ___ bite
has proved dangerous to hikers and joggers.
a. its
b. whose
c. who
d. whom

4. The closer we ___ to our trip to Boston the more excited my students become.
a. it has
b. are
c. have
d. the

5. I took a detour to avoid the town center, and so ___ Mary.

a. would
b. does
c. did
d. had

6. ___ in 1939, the Borne Bridge spans the Cape Cod Canal and is one of the many grand projects of the
Depression era.
a. Completing
b. Completes
c. Completed
d. Complete
7. Gio will often spend his evenings ___ upside-down from the ceiling in his room.
a. hanging
b. which hanging
c. was hanging
d. that are

8. Strangely enough, the Bunker Hill monument ____ on Breed's Hill where the actual battle took place.
a. to situate
b. is located
c. has situated
d. locating

9. George can drink ___ a gallon of beer in one sitting.

a. so much that
b. mostly
c. their
d. as much as

10. The USS Constitution, the oldest ship still in active service in the U.S. Navy, ____ in 1797.
a. that was launched
b. launching
c. was launched
d. when it launched

11. ___ the end of the whaling industry came hard times for seaports like New Bedford and Nantucket.
a. Moreover
b. Was it
c. This
d. With

12. Samuel Adams argued that to live in a truly free and noble state the people permitted to vote ___ even to the
point of including women.
a. should be increased
b. is
c. would be larger
d. should larger

13. The Boston Marathon ___ every April on Patriot's Day to commemorate the Battles of Lexington and
Concord.
 a. run
b. is run
c. ran
d. is running

14. One purpose ___ to make up for money spent in the French and Indian War.
a. of the Stamp Act which was
b. the Stamp Act
c. of the Stamp Act was
d. of the Stamp Act

15. With the publishing of Thoreau's On Walden Pond _____ of the wonder of Nature.
a. came a new appreciation
b. the author appreciated
c. appreciated
d. his appreciation

B. Directions: In questions 16-25, each sentence has four underlined words or phrases marked a, b, c, and
d. Identify the one underlined word or phrase that must be changed in order for the sentence to be
correct.

16. Finland is heaviest forested and contains thousands of lakes, numerous rivers, and extensive
A B C D
areas of marshland.

17. The main routes used by the pony express were equipped with stops providing stables,
A B C
lodging, and eating.
D

18. Small animals can survival the desert heat by finding shade during the daytime.
A B C D

19. America’s first satellites exploded before it had risen three and a half feet off the ground.
A B C D

20. It should not be assume that the lower the price, the happier the buyer.
A B C D

21. On twelve-person juries there is not much vocal participation as on six-person juries.
A B C D

22. There was four groups of twenty rats each involved in the test.
A B C D

23. Drying food by means of solar energy is ancient process applied wherever food and climatic
A B C D
conditions made it possible.
24. It was not until 1937 when the southernmost source of the Nile River was discovered.
A B C D

25. The head proctor tells the students when they should begin the exam, how long they have to
A B
complete it and what the procedures are for turning in.
C D

Part Two: Vocabulary and Reading

C. Directions: In sentences 26-37, you are to choose the one best answer a, b, c, and d, to each of the given
sentences. Choose one word that best completes the sentence.

26. Coal is still ___ in Britain.

a. grown
b. manufactured
c. mined
d. built

27. Can you put me ___ for the weekend?

a. down
b. up
c. in
d. away

28. His job was so tiring that he felt absolutely ___ .

a. sharpened
b. scrabbled
c. scattered
d. shattered

29. The ___ is downstairs in the kitchen.

a. sink
b. bath
c. toilet
d. hall

30. The princess ___ down and slept for twenty years.
a. lain
b. lay
c. laid
d. lied
31. You will pass this test if you work ___ .
a. hardly
b. hard
c. excellent
 d. good

32. My father’s farm has a lot of _____.

a. lands
b. fields
c. gardens
d. harness

33. Sorry, I can't repay you this week. I'm completely ___ .
a. broke
b. broken
c. dead
d. destroyed

34. I often ___ money from my parents.

a. lend
b. cash
c. borrow
d. save

35. Nick is Mary's father, so Mary is Nick's ___ .

a. daughter
b. niece
c. wife
d. nephew

36. I tried to call you but your line was ___ .

a. engaged
b. taken
c. occupied
d. connected

37. Members of Parliament are ___ by the people.

a. represented
b. nominated
c. voted
d. elected

D. Directions: Read the following text and then choose the correct alternative a, b, c, or d below for each
of the numbered gaps.

Mount Vesuvius, a volcano (38) ………. between the ancient Italian cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, has
received (39) ……... attention because of its frequent and destructive eruptions. The volcano had been inactive
for centuries. There was little warning of the coming eruption, (40) ……… one account unearthed by
archaeologists says that a hard rain and a strong (41) ……. had disturbed the celestial calm during the preceding
night. Early the (42) …….. morning, the volcano poured a huge river of molten rock (43) ………. upon
Herculaneum, completely burying the city and filling the harbor with coagulated lava.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain, cinders, stone and ash rained down on Pompeii. Sparks from the
burning ash ignited the combustible rooftops (44) ………... Large portions of the city (45) ……… destroyed in
the conflagration. Fire, however, was not the only cause of destruction. Poisonous sulfuric gases saturated the
air. These heavy gases were not buoyant in the atmosphere and therefore sank toward the earth and suffocated
people.

By (46) ……… data, scientists have concluded that the eruption changed large portions of the area's geography.
For instance, it turned the Sarno River from its course and (47) ………the level of the beach along the Bay of
Naples. Meteorologists studying these events have also concluded that Vesuvius caused a huge tidal wave that
affected the world's climate.

38. a. located b. is c. presence d. existence

39. a. an b. lots c. many d. much
40. a. because b. so c. since d. although
41 a. sun b. volcano c. wind d. man
42. a. after b. preceding c. next d. followed
43. a. down b. up c. downside d. upside
44. a. very b. quickly c. mainly d. softly
45. a. is b. are c. were d. was
46. a. learning b. writing c. analyzing d. reading
47. a. lifted b. lowered c. minimized d. raised

E. Directions: Read each of the texts below carefully, and then answer the questions that follow by
choosing one option a, b, c, or d.

Passage 1: The Incredible Machine

Everyone has a favorite attraction at an amusement park, and I am no different. However, unlike most people
who seem to prefer rollercoasters, my favorite ride is a little gentler. Every time I go to Coney Island, Navy
Pier, or the Santa Monica Pier, I absolutely have to ride the Ferris wheel.

The Ferris wheel is simple and yet also quite complex. That is, riding it is easy, but how it works is
complicated. A series of carts are attached to a wheel, which is attached to a rim. That rim rotates vertically
around an axis, and gravity keeps the carts upright. As simple as the ride seems, only advanced engineers can
make safe and fun Ferris wheels.

While the Ferris wheel is not as thrilling as a rollercoaster, it is still very exciting. The fact of being high in the
air makes it so much more entertaining than a lot of rides. I mean, how often do you hang from that high up in
daily life?
Nevertheless, I have to admit, I don’t seek Ferris wheels out because of their excitement. Rather, I find them
very relaxing. At the top of the Ferris wheel, you get beautiful sights of the park. You also get a sense of calm
that you don’t get in the hustle and bustle of the park below. Additionally, Ferris wheels are also gorgeous to
look at when they are lit up at night. In fact, the original Ferris wheel was designed as much to be seen as to be
ridden.

The first Ferris wheel was made by and named after George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. He designed it for the
Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. It was the tallest attraction there, standing 264 feet high.
However, visitors to the fair were impressed by the size of the ride as well as the mechanics of it.
In 1893, anything that was not turned by hand was considered a sight to see. And the wheel, which was a
machine, was truly incredible to see. Further, as one visitor put it, the wheel was amazing because it seemed to
be missing support. That is, it did not look like it could stand on its own. And yet it did and even rotated!
Ferris wheel technology has only improved since then. Most of today’s Ferris wheels are much larger than that
first one. The largest in the world is the "Singapore Flyer", which stands slightly taller than twice what Ferris’s
did!

Today, the Ferris wheel is the most common amusement park ride. But that does not mean you
should take them for granted. Instead, be thankful for Ferris’ invention. The next time you’re at an
amusement park, don’t just look up at the impressive wheel in the sky on your way to a newer attraction.
Take it for a spin!

48. As used in paragraph 1, the word attraction most nearly means

a. Interesting location
b. Sense
c. Park
d. Vision

49. It can be understood that Coney Island, Navy Pier, and the Santa Monica Pier are all examples of
a. vacation spots
b. amusement parks
c. Ferris wheels
d. boat docks

50. As used in paragraph 2, which is the best antonym for complex?

a. Impressive
b. Simple
c. Beautiful
d. Exciting

51. What does the author like best about Ferris wheels?
a. the impressive engineering and beauty of them
b. the excitement and thrills they guarantee
c. the fact that most amusement parks have one
d. the beautiful sights and relaxation they allow

52. According to the passage, the Ferris wheel was originally designed for
a. Coney Island
b. Disneyworld
c. The World Fair
d. Singapore
53. This passage was most likely written to
a. explain the original design of Ferris wheels and how they work today
b. describe the author’s favorite amusement park rides
c. describe the history of Ferris wheels and why they are so popular
d. explain the history of Ferris wheels and why the author likes them

54. Using information in the passage, the reader can understand that the tallest Ferris wheel in the world
is
a. under 250 feet tall
b. between 250 and 500 feet tall
c. over 750 feet tall
d. between 500 and 750 feet tall

Passage 2: Sod Houses

Sod houses are an almost vanished part of America's past. Yet in Nebraska and some other states a century ago
they were very common. Sod houses were built, as the name suggests, from sod - the top, grassy layer of the
ground. The ground of the Nebraska plains was particularly suitable for this, because it was held together by the
thick wiry roots of the grass that grows there.

To make a house, the settlers used a sod-cutter, drawn by horses, that cut through the top layer of the grassland.
This had the additional benefit that the land cleared of grass in this way was suitable for planting corn. The
builders would then cut the top layer they had ploughed into sections of about 50kg each, clearing about two
acres of grass in the process. These sections were stacked on top of each other to make a thick-walled house that
was cool in summer and warm in winter. Because many were built into the side of hills for extra stability, they
were even useful shelters from tornadoes.

Sod houses spread across Nebraska, Kansas and North and South Dakota. They were common there, because all
these areas had the same problem - there were no trees on the great plains, and so no wood to build with. Wood
which was needed for the roofs was by far the most expensive part of each house, as it had to be painfully
transported by wagon. The problem of building materials was solved by the arrival of the railways which could
transport wood and other materials quickly and cheaply. Sod houses were abandoned for more modern
buildings, and began to disappear. Now less than 100 remain, but they are carefully preserved as relics of
pioneer life on the prairie.

55. Sod houses are made from –

a. Grass
b. Wood
c. Wood and soil
d. Grass and soil

56. Sod houses were built

a. Only in Nebraska
b. Near the railways
c. On the prairies
d. On the hills

57. The houses were

a. Rather fragile
 b. Very strong
c. The wrong temperature
d. Only temporary

58. The place the grass was taken from

a. Was planted with crops
b. Began to disappear through erosion
c. Was stacked into sections
d. Was used for horses

59. The main reason that sod houses began to disappear was
a. they were destroyed by tornadoes
b. there were no trees for wood
c. other building materials became available
d. they were too expensive

60. The article says that the remaining sod houses are
a. smaller than they were 100 years ago
b. not inhabited anymore
c. sites of historical interest
d. now derelict

61. Which part of the house cost most?

a. The walls
b. The roof
c. The sod
d. The floor

62. This article is mainly about

a. developments in social history
b. The history of a type of house
c. patterns of architecture
d. American urban housing solutions

Passage 3: The US Constitution

Two fundamental rights in the US constitution are found in the fourteenth amendment: due process and equal
protection.

The due process provision protects persons from being "deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due
process of law" and the provision goes on to give the steps that must be followed to make sure the process is
"fundamentally fair." A process is considered to be fundamentally fair if there has been due notice, a hearing, an
unbiased fact finder, the opportunity to present evidence and to cross examine witnesses, and the right of
appeal.
Under the equal protection provision, no person may be denied equal protection under the laws. "Equal
protection does not prohibit all differences in the way people are treated, but it requires that these differences be
reasonable. For cases involving the control of various businesses, and for ordinary cases, equal protection is
fairly loose. However, when classifications such as race, religion, or national minorities are involved, then the
equal protection is enforced much more strictly. This is also true when basic rights are involved: basic rights are
voting, marriage, privacy, access to a court if one is needed, and travel between the states. In these cases, the
right of the government to treat people differently under the law is extremely limited.

Due process and equal protection apply both to individuals and to businesses. Although businesses may seem to
be different from individuals, the law generally treats a registered business as a person.

63. What is the subject of this passage?

a. civil liberties
b. the due process
c. American basic rights
d. equal protection

64. "Due process of law" signifies-

a. that the law has been properly applied
b. that nothing illegal has been done
c. that it is time for the law to be processed
d. that no one has been deprived of their life or liberty

65. For a process to be "fundamentally fair" there must have been

a. an opportunity to present the evidence
b. a trial with a judge and jury
c. an opportunity to question the evidence which has been presented
d. both a and c

66. According to the text, you cannot suffer a legal penalty if

a. if you are to be deprived of your liberty
b. you have not been informed that there is a case against you
c. if the case involves basic rights
d. if you are not involved with marriage, voting, or minorities

67. "Equal protection" means

a. that the constitution has been amended
b. that everybody is entitled to the same protection under the law
c. that businesses and people are treated the same
d. that due process of law is sometimes amended

68. Protection does not have to be exactly equal if

a. nobody has complained to the court
b. the cases only involve business
c. you are not traveling between the states
d. the cases do not involve sensitive issues
69. In the eyes of the law businesses are considered
a. to be the same as people
b. to be organized differently
c. not to be involved in due process
d. a part of the fourteenth amendment

70. Where would you find this text?

a. A legal textbook
b. In a magazine article
c. A mystery story
d. A book of American history

Part Three: Writing (30%)

Write a well-developed essay on one of the following topics.

Topic One: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Teenagers should lawfully obtain their driving license starting from the age of 16.

Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Topic Two: Technological advancement and progress can sometimes be dangerous. What do you think?

Use specific reasons and examples to support your response.

Assessment rubric:
Content and Ideas 7%
Organization 6%
Conventions (grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization): 6%
Word Choice 4%
Voice (personality and sense of audience) 2%
Sentence Fluency 5%