PASSAGE 8
An Absent-minded Professor
Professor Smith lived alone. He was very absent-minded. He used to __1__ the university to give a lecture and find that he had forgotten to bring his notes. Or he __2__ lose his spectacles and be unable to see the __3__. He could never find any chalk to __4__ with, and he often forgot the time and would ramble __5__ for hours because he had __6__ his watch at home. But the most __7__ thing of all about him was his __8__. His overcoat was rarely __9__, as most of the buttons were __10__. His shoes were usually untied because he had lost the laces. He __11__ his comb as well because his hair was always standing __12__, that is unless he was __13__ his battered old hat with the brim missing. His trousers were __14__ by an old tie instead of a belt. He was a chain smoker. He would smoke __15__ in class. Cigarette ash was liberally scattered over his waistcoat.
1. A) arrive in B) arrive at C) arrive D) arriving
2. A) was used to B) was accustomed to C) could D) would
3. A) blackboard B) floor C) door D) window
4. A) teach B) deliver C) write D) address
5. A) of B) at C) in D) on
6. A) put B) placed C) left D) forgotten
7. A) exciting B) amazing C) attractive D) delightful
8. A) appearance B) act C) behavior D) conduct
9. A) tied B) fastened C) ironed D) patched
10. A) losing B) falling C) missing D) hanging
11. A) has lost B) loses C) must have lost D) must lose
12. A) on end B) up C) aside D) back
13. A) putting on B) wearing on C) wearing D) having
14. A) rounded up B) stuck together C) put together D) held up
15. A) even B) frequently C) constantly D) continuously
Keys: BDACD CBABC CACDA
PASSAGE 9
Highways in the United States
The United States is well-known for its network of major highways designed to help a driver get from one place to another in the shortest possible time. __1__ these wide modern roads are generally __2__ and well maintained, with few sharp curves and __3__ straight sections, a direct route is not always the most __4__ one. Large highways often pass __5__ scenic areas and interesting small towns. Furthermore, these highways generally __6__ large urban centers which means that they become crowded with __7__ traffic during rush hours, __8__ the "fast, direct" way becomes a very slow route. However, there is almost always another route to __9__ if you are not in a hurry. Not for from the relatively new "superhighways", there are often older, __10__ heavily traveled roads which go through the countryside. __11__ are good lane roads; others are uneven roads curving __12__ the country. These secondary routes may go up steep slopes, along hilly cliffs or down frightening hillsides to towns __13__ in deep valleys. Though these are less __14__ routes, longer and slower, they generally go to places __15__ the air is clean and the scenery is beautiful, and the driver may have a chance to get a fresh, clean view of the world.
1. A) Although B) But C) Since D) Because
2. A) uneven B) bumpy C) rough D) smooth
3. A) little B) much C) many D) few
4. A) terrible B) horrible C) tolerable D) enjoyable
5. A) to B) into C) at D) by
6. A) merge B) connect C) combine D) mix
7. A) busy B) small C) large D) heavy
8. A) when B) where C) which D) that
9. A) walk B) go C) take D) fix
10. A) more B) less C) very D) extremely
11. A) All of these B) None of these C) All roads D) Some of these
12. A) out of B) out C) through D) from
13. A) lying B) lie C) lies D) lay
14. A) direct B) indirect C) enjoyable D) beautiful
15. A) these B) which C) that D) where
Keys: ADCDD BDACB DCAAD
PASSAGE 10
A Biological Clock
Every living thing has what scientists call a biological clock that controls behavior. The biological clock tells __1__ when to form flowers and when the flowers should open. It tells __2__ when to leave the protective cocoon and fly away, and it tells animals and human beings when to eat, sleep and wake.
Events outside the plant and animal __3__ the actions of some biological clocks. Scientists recently found, for example, that a tiny animal changes the color of its fur __4__ the number of hours of daylight. In the short __5__ of winter, its fur becomes white. The fur becomes gray brown in color in the longer hours of daylight in summer.
Inner signals control other biological clocks. German scientists found that some kind of internal clock seems to order birds to begin their long migration __6__ twice each year. Birds __7__ from flying become restless when it is time for the trip, __8__ they become calm again when the time of the flight has ended.
Scientists say they are beginning to learn which __9__ of the brain contain biological clocks. An American researcher, Martin Moorhead, said a small group of cells near the front of the brain __10__ to control the timing of some of our actions. These __11__ tell a person when to __12__, when to sleep and when to seek food. Scientists say there probably are other biological clock cells that control other body activities.
Dr. Moorhead is studying __13__ our biological clocks affect the way we do our work. For example, most of us have great difficulty if we must often change to different work hours. __14__ can take many days for a human body to accept the major change in work hours. Dr. Moorhead said industrial officials should have a better understanding of biological clocks and how they affect workers. He said __15__ understanding could cut sickness and accidents at work and would help increase a factory's production.
1. A) scientists B) humans C) plants D) animals
2. A) insects B) birds C) fish D) snakes
3. A) effect B) affect C) effected D) affected
4. A) because B) for the reason that C) because of D) since
5. A) months B) days C) minutes D) weeks
6. A) flight B) fly C) movement D) transportation
7. A) prevented from B) ordered by C) helped by D) intruded on
8. A) and B) but C) therefore D) however
9. A) portions B) parts C) sections D kinds
10. A) try B) tries C) seem D) seems
11. A) things B) parts C) cells D) actions
12. A) awaken B) wake C) awake D) wake-up
13. A) how B) why C) where D) what
14. A) We B) It C) They D) You
15. A) so B) with C) such D) if
KEYS: CABCB AABBD CAABC
