Question 1-5: Answer the questions below. (5pts)
I. Read the text and fill each gap with ONE suitable word. (7.5 pts)
Sleep deprivation can make us very angry, which is why snoring – the human equivalent of a car alarm _____ (1) set off at night– can be so irritating.
Most people snore occasionally, but in middle age about 40% of men and 20%
of women _____ (2) so regularly. Snoring can ruin relationships and be intensely embarrassing. Snorers _____ (3) go into hospital, for example, may worry that they’ll keep the whole ward awake. But snoring doesn’t _____ (4) afflict the unafflicted, snorers may also disturb _____ (5) and feel sleepy during the day.
Snoring can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious condition. Up _____ (6) 6% of men and 2% of women suffer from sleep apnoea, a syndrome in which breathing _____ (7) significantly disrupted during sleep. Some people may start off _____ (8) uncomplicated snorers, but develop sleep apnoea as they get older. The word apnoea is derived _____ (9) the Greek and means “no breathing”. People _____ (10) sleep apnoea have airways that become obstructed during sleep. Typically, they snore loudly, stop breathing, struggle _____ (11) air, partly wake up (although often unaware of it), gulp a bit, and then recommence snoring. The cycle may _____ (12) repeated over 100 times an hour.
_____ (13) surprisingly, people with sleep apnoea feel unrefreshed in the morning. They may have problems concentrating during the day, feel depressed and fall asleep _____ (14) socially unacceptable times. At worst, they can fall asleep _____ (15) driving or operating dangerous machinery.
II. Read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each space. (7.5 pts)
THE NEW WAY TO BURN FAT
People who want to lose weight are being _____ (1) a startling new way to burn fat. Would-be slimmers are flocking to a spa in Hong Kong that _____ (2) to reduce their waistlines by smearing them with Chinese herbs, dousing them with alcohol and then _____ (3) light to them, all for £78 a session. The spa claims that the _____ (4) heat of the fire penetrates deep tissue, increasing circulation and helping the body to absorb the herbal concoction which works to detoxify the body and _____ (5) down fat. It boasts that the results are _____
(6), with customers recording losses of up to 15 centimeters of fat after the first _____ (7).
Karen Chu, owner of The Life of Life Healing Spa in Hong Kong’s busy Causeway Bay district, says that about 100 customers have successfully _____
come here for the Aqua-Fire treatment,” she said. “It is _____ (10) safe. You are _____ (11) from the flame by wet towels. We have never had any complaints or problems. In Asia, people are more _____ (12) to the idea of fire being a healing _____ (13). It is only the Westerners who are afraid of the fire. If a customer is really afraid we don’t go _____ (14).” Ms. Chu claims the fire treatment also boosts the immune system, relieves stress, cleanses the skin and _____ (15) muscular pains and stomach problems.
1. A. proposed B. suggested C. offered D. advanced
2. A. predicts B. promises C. considers D. assures
3. A. making B. giving C. holding D. setting
4. A. soaking B. bitter C. intense D. forced
5. A. bring B. take C. work D. break
6. A. session B. part C. chapter D. period
7. A. immediate B. early C. straight D. rushed
8. A. undercut B. undergone C. underused D. undertaken 9. A. casualties B. damages C. warnings D. cautions 10. A. strongly B. fiercely C. perfectly D. deeply 11. A. treatment B. cure C. correction D. better
12. A. prevented B. kept C. protected D. stopped
13. A. familiar B. acceptable C. prepared D. open
14. A. through B. ahead C. forward D. along
15. A. eases B. disappears C. lightens D. recovers III. Read the following passage and choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) to each question. (5pts)
INTERNET JOBS
Contrary to popular belief, one does not have to be a trained programmer to work online. Of course, there are plenty of jobs available for people with high- tech computer skills, but the growth of new media has opened up a wide range of Internet career opportunities requiring only a minimal level of technical expertise. Probably one of the most well-known online job opportunities is the job of webmaster. However, it is hard to define one basic job description for this position. The qualifications and responsibilities depend on what tasks a particular organization needs a webmaster to perform.
To specify the job description of a webmaster, one needs to identify the hardware and software that the website the webmaster will manage is running on. Different types of hardware and software require different skill sets to manage them. Another key factor is whether the website will be running internally (at the firm itself) or externally (renting shared space on the company servers). Finally, the responsibilities of a webmaster also depend on whether he or she will be working independently, or whether the firm will provide people to help. All of these factors need to be considered before one can create an accurate webmaster job description.
Webmaster is one type of Internet career requiring in-depth knowledge of the latest computer applications. However, there are also online jobs available for which traditional skills remain in high demand. Content jobs require excellent writing skills and a good sense of the web as a “new media”.
The term “new media” is difficult to define because it encompasses a constantly growing set of new technologies and skills. Specifically, it includes websites, email, Internet technology, CD-ROM, DVD, streaming audio and video, interactive multimedia presentations, e-books, digital music, computer illustration, video games, virtually reality, and computer artistry.
Additionally, many of today’s Internet careers are becoming paid-by-the-job professions. With many companies having to downsize in tough economic
common business practice. The Internet provides an infinite pool of buyers from around the world with whom freelancers are able to work on projects with companies outside their own country of residence.
How much can a person make in these kinds of career? As with many questions related to today’s evolving technology, there is no simple answer.
There are many companies willing to pay people with technical Internet skills salaries well above $70,000 a year. Generally, webmasters start at about $30,000 per year, but salaries can vary greatly. Freelance writers working online have been known to make between $40,000 and $70,000 per year. (431 words)
1. The word “identify” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to _____.
A. name B. estimate C. discount D. encounter
2. The word “them” in paragraph 2 refers to _____.
A. companies B. new job opportunities
C. hardware and software D. webmasters 3. What does “it” in paragraph 4 refer to?
A. modern technology B. new media
C. the Internet D. a webmaster’s career
4. According to the passage, which of the following is true of webmasters?
A. They never work independently.
B. They require a minimal level of expertise.
C. The duties they perform depend on the organization they work for.
D. They do not support software products.
5. According to the passage, all of the following are true EXCEPT _____.
A. There are online job available for workers with minimal computer skills.
B. Webmasters must have knowledge of the latest computer applications.
D. “New media” is not easy to define.
6. Which of the following is not mentioned as part of “new media”?
A. websites B. Internet technology C. writing skills D. video games 7. It can be inferred from the passage that _____.
A. online workers can work full-time online B. only skilled workers make good money C. it is easy to become a webmaster
D. workers with limited computer skills cannot work online
8. The word “vary” in paragraph 6 could best be replaced by which of the following?
A. change B. decrease C. increase D. differ
9. What is the purpose of the passage?
A. To inform people about the tasks and role of a webmaster.
B. To inform people about the computer industry.
C. To inform people about employment related to the Internet.
D. To explain why webmasters make a lot of money.
10. Which of the following is true of the job of freelance writers?
A. They may work with others at the company.
B. They require in-depth knowledge of applications.
C. They manage hardware and software.
D. It is considered a “content” job.