C. Reading (2.5ms)
Questions 21-25: Read the passage about learning English. Choose the best word or phrase, a, b, c or d, for each numbered space (1.25ms).
My most favourite subject is English, which is today one of the most important languages and it is (21)…. and understood in all parts of the world.
English has become an (22)……. language for a variety of reasons. One of the most important of those is that the English people have been well-known for their knowledge of science, medicine, engineering, government and all other matters that are useful for the progress of the human race. It is thanks to the scientists of England that the motor-engine has become the most important machine in the world today.
The thirst for knowledge of the English scholars has contributed to the progress of man in almost all fields of his activity. Thousands of books have been written (23)….. such scholars on almost every subject that one can think of. Thus, people whose mother tongue is not English have (24)…….. English with great interest as a means of acquiring knowledge of all human affairs.
As a result of this interest, English is used almost everywhere in the world. It is used in all the important meetings and conferences in the United Nations. It is also used in all leading universities in the world and in international trade and commerce. As it is used so widely, English has indeed become a very rich language. People of all the countries of the world have contributed new ideas and thoughts to this language. Thus, more and more new words are being created to make this language more and more (25)…. for the communication of ideas and information among the peoples of the world.
21. a. speak b. spoken c. speaking d. to speak
22. a. foreign b. worldwide c. international d. national
23. a. by b. on c. to d. at
24. a. learn b. learning c. to learn d. learnt
25. a. useless b. useful c. use d. used
Questions 26 - 30: Read the passage about life in the past and answer the questions (1.25ms).
Life in the past
It is interesting to learn about life in the past. Unlike today, people used simple tools and technologies to perform daily tasks. Life was much slower, and people often spent more time talking each other. For example, families would gather around the fireplace in the evenings to share stories and enjoy each other's company. There were no smartphones or internet, so people had to find creative ways to entertain themselves.
Transportation was also different. People often traveled on foot, by horse, or in carriages, which made journeys much longer and sometimes more adventurous. Communication took longer too; letters were sent by post, and it could take weeks or even months for a message to reach its destination.