MID – TEST READING & WRITING ENG 8

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HOMEWORK
Part IV. Reading (2,5 points)
A. Read the passage and decide if the statements are true (T) or false (F)
Air pollution is a serious problem in many cities. Motor vehicles, factories and other sources create
so much air pollution that it may hang in the air like dirty fog. Air pollution threatens the health of the
people who live in cities. City wastes cause water pollution when they are poured into the waterways.
These wastes kill fish and make some areas unfit for swimming. In addition, many large cities have
difficulties in disposing of their garbage. The amount of garbage grows each year, but places to put it
are quickly filling up. Citizens, governments, industries, scientists, and business people must work
together in different ways to gradually reduce pollution. For example, most cities have introduced
recycling programmes.

 1. Motor vehicles and factories are among some sources of air pollution.

 2. Air pollution doesn’t endanger people’s health in some cities.

 3. Air pollution is the only problem of the environment mentioned in this passage.

 4. Garbage disposal is a problem in many large cities.

 5. Everyone must cooperate to reduce pollution.

 6. We can reduce pollution by recycling programmes only.

B. Read the passage and answer questions:

In the world today there are 5,000 to 6,000 living languages, of which English is the most widely
used. As a mother tongue, it ranks second only to Chinese, which is little used outside China.

English is the most international of languages. It is used as the language of aviation, international
sport and pop music. Sixty percent of the world’s radio stations broadcast in English, and more than
half of the world’s scientific papers are printed in English.

It is true that a great number of people are involved in the use of English. To people in Africa, Asia,
and South America, English is an important foreign language to master. In most countries in the world,
the English language is used as the language of business, commerce, and technology. English is now an
effective medium of international communication. However, it is the written English which is not
systematically phonetic, that causes difficulties to non-native speakers.

1. Which language is used as the language of aviation, international sport and pop music?
___________________________________________________________
2. Why is English an important foreign language used in many countries?
___________________________________________________________
3. What difficulties may learners of English be confronted with? Why?
___________________________________________________________
4. Name three countries in which English is spoken as a first language.
___________________________________________________________
5. As a mother tongue, why does English rank second only to Chinese?

C. Read the passage and choose the best option (A, B, C or D)

Two of the most dangerous storms which affect America are hurricanes and tornadoes. They are
very much feared by anyone who may live in the path of their destruction.

Every year homes are destroyed by their fury and often lives are lost. Most people who live near the
coast are forced to evacuate their homes and to move to safer areas until the storm passes. Floods are
caused along the coasts by both the heavy rain and a storm tide that is considerably above normal water
level. The high winds, coastal flooding and heavy rains associated with a hurricane cause enormous
damage.

Hurricanes usually develop between July and October. Once they hit land they carry tremendous
power with driving rain and wind.

Tornadoes are violent low - pressured storms. These storms occur most often during the summer
months and are noticeable by their strong wind and lack of rain. The sky turns black as dust is sucked
up into the air. Tornadoes are capable of lifting quite heavy objects from the ground. They can pick up
trees and cars right into the air and even uplift heavier objects such as homes and railway cars.

Both hurricanes and tornadoes cause millions of dollars’ worth of damage to life and property every
year. Today they can be predicted more easily than in the past, but they cannot be stopped or ignored.

1. What are two of the most dangerous storms which affect America?
A. Hurricanes and tornadoes. C. Thunderstorms and hurricanes.
B. Typhoons and thunderstorms. D. Hurricanes and typhoons.

2. At which part of the year do hurricanes usually develop?

A. July and August only. C. From the seventh to the ninth month.
B. All the year round. D. Between July and October.
3. What is the major similarity of both a hurricane and a tornado?
A. They cover only a small area. C. They are not accompanied by rain.
B. They can cause great damage. D. They have either wind or speed.
4. Which of the following is true of tornadoes and hurricanes?
A. They cannot be predicted with accuracy.
B. They are easier to control today than in the part.
C. They can be predicted today with greater accuracy.
D. They cannot be predicted today with greater accuracy.
5. Which of the following was not mentioned in the article?
A. The number of people killed each year by these storms.
B. The tremendous power killed each year by these storms.
 C. The damage caused by hurricanes and tornadoes.
D. The time of year when they are most likely to strike.
D. Read and fill one word in each blank (cloze/ guided)
Fill the gaps with ONE suitable word.
The English language is the most widely spoken language in the world. It is used as either first or
second language .................... (1) many countries.

During the 16th century, only about two million people spoke English. All of them lived in what is
now the United Kingdom. Over the centuries, as a result of various historical events, English has
spread throughout .................... (2) world. Today, about 400 million people speak English as their
native .................... (4). Most of them live in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New
Zealand, South Africa, and the Unites States.

About 100 million people, chiefly living in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and in many
African .................... (5), speak English in addition to their own language. An additional 200 million
people in the world probably know at least some English. English is really ................. (6) international
language.

V. Writing (2,5 points)

A. Rewrite
1. We couldn’t go out because it was raining hard.
→ Because of………………………………………………..
2. The fish die due to water pollution. (so)
→ The water is ...................................................................
3. The traffic in the city is heavy, so the air is polluted.
→ If the traffic ....................................................................
4. The villagers had left their houses by the time the volcano erupted.
→ Before ………………………………………………………………………
5. I went to bed after finishing my homework.
→ Before I went to bed, .................................................................................
6. People have provided the victims with lots of food.
→ The victims have…………………………………………………………
B. Combine each pair of sentences to make one sentence, using the words given in brackets.
1. Nam can’t go to the concert with us. He is busy. (If)
.........................................................................................................
2. The typhoon was very bad, that’s why the trees were heavily damaged. (so)
.........................................................................................................
3. People speak different languages. They can’t understand each other. (If)
.........................................................................................................
4. She ate breakfast. Then she went to school. (before)
.........................................................................................................
5. Nam is hungry. He hasn’t eaten anything since yesterday. (because)
.........................................................................................................