College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Department of English Language and Literature

English for Academic Purposes (0202112)
Final Exam – Spring Semester 2015-2016
Tuesday, May 24th, 2016
Time: 14:00– 16:00
Student’s Name : : ______________________________________________
Instructor’s Name : ______________________________________________
Section : _____

Student ID

 Time allowed: (2) hours

 Number of pages is 11 pages including the cover sheet and answer sheets
 Dictionaries are not allowed.
 Answer all the reading questions on the answer sheet.

ANSWER SHEET
 PLEASE WRITE ALL YOUR ANSWERS HERE
A. Reading Comprehension
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Mark
/7

B. Vocabulary in Context

8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Mark

/5

C. Topic, Main Idea Sentences and Patterns of Organization

13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Mark
/8
Total
Mark
/20
 D. Writing
Mark
/25
Total /45
Would You Eat Genetically Modified Food?

1 Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods produced from organisms that have had
changes introduced into their DNA using the methods of genetic engineering. In Britain
and throughout Europe, people are aware of the health risks of genetically modified
foods. They have even started a trade war with the United States. Britain's Prince Charles
has said that he would never eat GM foods and won't stand for it being grown on his land.
Americans, however, appear less aware of GM foods. Many Americans are quite
surprised to learn that GM foods are sold in most supermarkets.
2 Farmers have long engaged in traditional genetics, using seeds from plants with the
most desirable characteristics. Scientists have also tried to speed up the growth of plants
by using chemicals and radiation. These ongoing experiments produce hundreds of
changes among genes, and some of these changes may be useful.
3 (1) The ability to alter or to modify diverse forms of plant life through genetic
engineering has had a profound effect on U.S. agriculture and on the food Americans
purchase in the grocery store. (2) An example is the “Flavr-Savr” tomato, that softens more
slowly, meaning it can stay on the vine longer and develop a fuller taste. (3) Because it
ripens more slowly, it can last on the supermarket shelves for a longer time, and this in
return reduces waste. (4) Tomatoes are best eaten when they are ripe.
4 The use of genetically modified seed is now estimated to approach 40 to 60 percent
of all U.S. planting. For example, bioengineered corn and soybeans in particular are used as
ingredients in a wide range of processed food, from soft drinks to chips and breakfast cereal.
Genetically modified organisms are fed to farm animals. Even health-food products like tofu
and canola oil often contain genetically modified ingredients.
5 Genetically modified crops reduce food production costs, grow larger in less time
and can produce their own pesticides and herbicides. Modified foods being developed
now are yielding more productive grains, fruit and vegetables. Some GM crops are being
developed to be more nutritious and flavorful. Caffeine-free coffee beans and even plants
that produce drugs and vaccines have been developed.

What Are the Possible Health Risks?

6 (1) While the advantages of higher-yielding GM food seem appealing, many

people raise a number of serious health concerns about foods altered in this way. (2)
First, GM food foes warn that we do not know enough about the way genes operate and
interact to be sure of the outcome of any genetic modification. (3) In addition, they worry
that alterations could accidentally lead to substances that are poisonous or that trigger
allergies. (4) Allergies are also caused by other sources of food such as peanuts and
soybeans. (5) Critics also fear that the use of DNA from plant viruses and bacteria in the
modification of crops may also somehow trigger disease.

Can You Avoid GM Food?

7 As more and more Americans learn about GM foods, they are beginning to ask,
"Should I be avoiding GM foods?" As a result, some companies are responding to
consumers’ concerns by staying away from genetically modified ingredients. Baby food
manufacturers such as Gerber and Heinz have removed themselves from the debate by
saying no to genetically modified corn and soybeans, at least for now. Frito-Lay stopped
using engineered corn in its chips. McDonald's has asked suppliers to stop shipping
genetically modified potatoes, as has McCain Foods, the world's largest producer of
French fries. Britain, Japan, Australia, Italy, and a dozen other nations currently require
labels on foods containing genetically altered ingredients. The Food and Drug
Administration so far has refused similar labeling requirements, saying GM foods are no
different from those grown in conventional ways.

A. Reading Comprehension

1. To what extent is genetically modified seed used for crop planting in the United States?
a. less than 5 percent
b. approximately 10 to 15 percent
c. approximately 40 to 60 percent
d. more than 90 percent
2. An example of traditional genetics is:
a. selecting a single gene for a single characteristic and inserting that
segment of DNA into another organism.
b. "miracle" rice that contains higher levels of vitamin A.
c. using seeds from plants with the most desirable characteristics.
d. all of the above
3. Consumers who want to avoid GM foods often find this difficult because:
a. the Food and Drug Administration does not require US. companies to label
food products indicating that they do or do not contain GM ingredients.
b. GM ingredients are used in almost all brand-name food products available
in supermarkets today.
c. even health-food products contain GM ingredients.
d. foods produced without GM ingredients are more expensive than food
produced with GM ingredients.
4. Labels indicating whether or not food products contain genetically modified
ingredients are currently required in:
a. all health-food stores.
b. the United States.
c. Britain.
d. some fast-food establishments.
5. Genetically modified (GM) foods:
a. are banned in Britain and throughout Europe.
b. are sold in most supermarkets throughout the United States.
c. have been available since the 1940s.
d. are more expensive and time consuming to produce.

6. According to information in the selection, genetically modified crops can:

a. grow larger in less time.
b. produce their own pesticides.
c. reduce food production costs.
d. all of the above

7. Which of the following describes the authors' main purpose for writing
this selection?
a. to convince consumers to avoid buying any foods with genetically
modified ingredients
b. to explain both the advantages and the disadvantages of GM foods
c. to convince consumers GM foods are safe
B. Vocabulary in Context

Read the following two sentences to determine the meaning of the word in italics.

8. Modified foods being developed now are yielding more productive grains, fruit and
vegetables.
Now that our vegetable garden is properly irrigated, it is yielding a lot of tomatoes,
beans, and peppers.
yielding means:
a. developing
b. spending
c. producing; bearing
d. coming up with; inventing
9. GM food foes warn that we do not know enough about the way genes
operate and interact to be sure of the outcome of any genetic modification.
Members of the animal rights organization view people who buy and wear fur coats as
their foes.
foes means:
a. scientists
b. opponents; enemies
c. supporters; friends
d. consumers
10. The Food and Drug Administration so far has refused similar labeling requirements,
saying GM foods are no different from those grown in conventional ways.
To please their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, Michelle and
William agreed to have a conventional family wedding.
conventional means:
a. experimental
b. expensive
c. out of the ordinary; unusual
d. traditional

11. The ability to alter or to modify diverse forms of plant life through genetic
engineering has had a profound effect on U.S. agriculture and on the food we
purchase in the grocery store.
Sara altered her dress. It was too big. Now, it fits her perfectly.
altered means:
a. substituted; replaced
b. modified; changed
 c. shortened; reduced
d. lengthened; increased

12. Which of the following is the meaning of the phrase engaged in as it is used in
paragraph (2) of the selection?
a. to have been involved with
b. to have been against
c. to have made a promise

III Topic, Main Idea Sentences, and Patterns of Organization

13. The implied main idea sentence of paragraph (1) is:
a. Americans are aware that GM foods are now sold in most supermarkets.
b. Britain's Prince Charles has said that he would never eat GM foods and
won't stand for it being grown on his land.
c. GM foods are responsible for a trade war between Britain and the United
States.
d. In Britain and Europe fears about genetically modified foods are wide-
spread; however, Americans are less aware of genetically modified foods.

14. The topic of paragraph (5) is:

a. Genetically modified crops
b. Characteristics of GM crops
d. GM coffee

15. Write the number of the stated main idea sentence in paragraph (6). _______

16. Write the number of the irrelevant sentence in paragraph (6). _______
17. The pattern of organization for paragraph (6) is:
a. definition
b. sequence
c. comparison-contrast
d. cause-effect

18. The topic of paragraph (7) is:

a. Avoiding GM food
b. Gerber, McDonald’s and Frito-Lay
c. American companies which are not using GM food

19. Write the number of the irrelevant sentence in paragraph (3). _______

20. The implied main idea sentence of paragraph (5) is:

a. Genetically modified crops reduce food production costs and the need
for pesticides and herbicides.
b. Some genetically modified crops are being developed to be more nutritious
 and flavourful.
c. Genetically modified food has several advantages.
d. Genetically modified food includes caffeine-free coffee and plants that produce
drugs and vaccine.

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