B level mid-year_2013-2014

January 2, 2014 B LEVEL MID-YEAR

Name: Score:Class: Duration: 2.5 hrs.SECTION I. LISTENING. Answer the questions using your notes from the lecture called ″Nikola Tesla″.

(10x1.5=15 pts.)1. The lecturer states that Nikola Tesla took after ----, who was a person who enjoyed inventing things.

A) his father B) his mother C) a school teacher D) a university professor

2. When he first went to a formal school, ----.A) Tesla was caught cheating and almost forced to leave schoolB) Tesla disliked mathematics and science lessonsC) Tesla predicted he would make use of the power of Niagara FallsD) Tesla’s teachers encouraged him to be a priest like his father

3. The lecturer says that one of Tesla’s professors at Austrian Polytechnic School ----.A) realized he was a genius C) helped make DC power more efficientB) developed his interest in AC power D) laughed at Tesla’s predictions about AC power

4. Which of the following statements about Thomas Edison is TRUE?A) He refused to give Tesla a job.B) He was not willing to consider Tesla’s ideas about AC power.C) After talking with Tesla, he thought Tesla was not very intelligent and offered him a boring job.D) He paid Tesla $50,000 for his work in his company but then fired him.

5. Tesla was able to set up his own laboratory because ----.A) his family sent him some money C) of a payment from George Westinghouse B) he saved money he made as a digger D) of money he earned from improving power stations

6. Thomas Edison claimed that DC power was like a river because ----.A) it flowed calmly and smoothly like a riverB) it contained great power, like a river going over a waterfallC) it was unpredictable, like a river which stopped and started flowingD) it was destructive, like a river that had flooded

7. The 1893 World Fair that took place in Chicago ----.A) was the beginning of the DC vs. AC power warB) was the time when the potential of AC power became clearC) proved that DC power was very dangerousD) had an AC power display, but few people took notice of it

8. The lecturer states that the Niagara Falls hydroelectric project was ----.A) an idea of Tesla’s that worked well C) a project which harmed the environment B) an idea of Tesla’s that made him rich D) a project that caused Tesla great stress

9. While working on his project to transmit electricity without using wires, Tesla ----.A) improved a small town’s electric supply C) also advanced knowledge of radio communicationsB) managed to build a 100-meter tower D) was given $150,000 to build a power plant

10. The lecturer says that Tesla’s project to transmit electricity without wires ended in failure, ----.A) but he later made other inventions C) so he returned to his family in EuropeB) but he managed to remain optimistic D) and he died a poor, unhappy man

SECTION II. READING. Read the texts carefully and answer the questions. (20x1.5=30 pts.)

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Text I. THE HISTORY OF DRAG RACINGI. Ever since the invention of the motor car, drivers have been obsessed with speed, and this lust for the ultimate fast ride evolved into one of the most popular sports in America.II. Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete at an unbelievable speed such as 340 or 400 km/h in order to be the first to cross a set finish line. The race follows a straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, most commonly 402 meters or a shorter. The vehicles are sometimes so fast that they even need a parachute to slow down.

III. Drag racing was born in the dry lake beds in the California deserts. In the 1930s as engines got better and drivers got braver, speeds began topping 150 km/h. But it wasn’t until after World War II that a bunch of kids with cars, hanging out with nowhere in particular to go, turned into something more serious. Popularity grew steadily, but drag racing still proceeded largely as an underground activity. Races frequently took place on disused military runways with the first organized event dating back to 1949 at the Goleta Air Base in California. Things were simple and low-tech in those days. Drivers raced the length of a city block, but without the aid of safety barriers or regulated track conditions. There were no grandstands or seating for the spectators. As the decade turned, drag racing began to get organized. The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) was founded in 1951, and within the decade two classes of competition, ‘Unmodified Stock’ and ‘Top Eliminator’, had developed. As the sport grew the first drag racing superstars emerged. The Albertson Olds and the Dragmaster Dart were the famous cars to beat. The Dragmaster Dart was owned by Dode Martin and Jim Nelson, and was so successful that they used it as a model to build cars for other drivers.IV. The 1960s saw things become more technical. The traditional race starter, the flagman who stood between the two racing cars, was replaced with an electronic lighting system. More thought was given to the design of the cars with a shift in shape from wide and short to long and thin, and an increasing number of organizations sprung up including the World Series of Drag Racing. This decade also brought about big business involvement. Ford and Chrysler battled to make the best cars with designs becoming more radical. ‘Funny cars’ were introduced which were comprised of a one-piece fiberglass body which had to be lifted up so the driver could climb inside.V. However, it wasn’t until one of the most serious accidents in early drag racing history in the 1970s that the fundamentals of car design changed. When Don Garlit’s front-motored dragster suffered a transmission explosion which split his car in half and cut off his right foot, he vowed to invent a car with the engine in the back capable of being a winner. He succeeded and within two years all car engines sat behind the drivers.VI. After the 1970s, drag racing began to take its modern shape. This was the era of sponsorship with big companies throwing their support behind teams. Volunteer crewmembers were suddenly given wages, and even the NHRA found a sponsor, allowing it to offer bigger prize money. When the NHRA celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2011, it was clear to all that drag racing had truly stamped its mark on the heart of the American public.VII. However, in some countries like France, things are different. Some racers claim it is officially becoming increasingly difficult to organize drag races in France, and that they will no longer have access to the numerous airfields they have been using for years and through which drag racing has thrived in France. To show the authorities and the financiers that there is genuinely strong interest for these races, they have even created a petition.

11. The word lust in paragraph I could best be replaced by ---.A) invention B) desire C) kingdom D) loss

12. Which one of the following aspects of drag racing is NOT mentioned in paragraph II?

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A) The number of vehicles that join a drag race C) The high-speed of vehicles in a drag raceB) The distance of the road vehicles compete on D) The type of vehicles competing in a drag race

13. The word proceeded in paragraph III could best be replaced by ---.A) continued B) won C) sold D) decreased

14. Based on the information in paragraph III, it is TRUE that drag racing was ---.A) considered something serious until World War IIB) still an underground activity in the 1950sC) traditionally watched by spectators sitting on the side of a track since the 1930sD) already being watched by the public before the 1950s

15. According to paragraph III, the Dragmaster Dart ---.A) was an infamous drag racer C) became a design model to further drag race carsB) owes its reputation to a racer, Albertson Olds D) was beaten by the Albertson Olds

16. From paragraph IV, we can infer that before the 1960s ---.A) race cars were wide and long in shapeB) the World Series of Drag Racing had not been organizedC) funny cars were made using fiberglassD) wide race cars were often designed by Ford and Chrysler

17. Based on the information in paragraphs IV and V, which of the following is NOT a novelty in drag racing that had come about by the 1960s?A) Official races C) Rivalry between car manufacturers B) Changing of the fundamentals of car design D) Electronic lighting system

18. According to paragraph V, Don Garlit ---.A) was a retired racer in 1970, who only dealt with designing race carsB) was the first racer to succeed in a race with a race car whose engine was at the backC) believed he was injured as the engine was in the wrong position of his carD) persuaded manufacturers to invent a car whose engine was at the back

19. From paragraph VI, we can understand that ---.A) big companies were still rejecting sponsorship despite great teams being formed after the 1970s B) NHRA gave money to a winner as a prize before and after the 1970sC) NHRA’S celebration of its 60th anniversary in 2011 caused the American public to feel sorrowD) once volunteer crewmembers were given wages in the 1970s, they lost enthusiasm 20. According to paragraph VII, French racers complain since ---.A) drag racing has not been popular in France over the past decadesB) many airfields they have been using for years require maintenanceC) the petition that they have created has not been signed by many people yetD) legal limitations are being put on drag racing

Text II. A FORMULA FOR HAPPINESSI. Happiness has traditionally been considered something temporary and difficult to find. To some, even trying to achieve it is a pointless exercise. It has been said that “Happiness is like a butterfly. When pursued, it is always beyond our grasp, but if you sit down quietly, it may come to you.” However, social scientists may have caught the butterfly. After 40 years of research, they

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attribute happiness to three major sources: genes, events and values. Armed with this knowledge and a few simple rules, we can easily improve our lives and the lives of those around us. II. Psychologists and economists have studied happiness for decades. They begin simply enough: They ask people how happy they are. The University of Chicago’s General Social Survey, a survey of Americans conducted since 1972, shows that the numbers on happiness are surprisingly consistent. Every other year for the past four decades, about a third of Americans have said they’re “very happy,” and about half report being “pretty happy.” The rest typically say they’re “not too happy.” These averages always include some demographic differences. For many years, researchers found that women were happier than men, although recent studies show that the gap has narrowed or may even have been reversed. It is also interesting that conservative women are particularly happy: about 40 percent say they are very happy. That makes them slightly happier than conservative men and significantly happier than liberal women. The unhappiest of all are liberal men; only about a fifth consider themselves very happy. III. But even people in the same social group vary in their happiness. What explains this? One of the answers is our genes. Researchers at the University of Minnesota have tracked identical twins who were separated as infants and raised by separate families. As genetic carbon copies brought up in different environments, they are ideal for social scientists. Studying them has helped social scientists differentiate nature from nurture. They found that we genetically inherit a surprising proportion of our happiness at any given moment - around 48 percent. If about half of our happiness is present in our genes, what about the other half? We may think that once-in-a-lifetime events like getting a dream job will permanently bring the happiness we seek. Studies suggest that events like this control a large fraction of our happiness, about 40 percent. However, while daily events have a large influence on our happiness, each single event’s effect is surprisingly evanescent. Huge goals may take years of hard work to meet, but the happiness they create decreases quickly, after just a few months. IV. That leaves only about 12 percent. That might not sound like much, but the good news is that we can bring that 12 percent under our control. It turns out that choosing to pursue four basic values of faith, family, community and work is the surest path to happiness. The first three are fairly uncontroversial. Evidence shows that faith, family and friendships increase happiness. Few dying patients regret overinvesting in rich family lives, community ties or spiritual journeys.V. Work, though, seems a bit different. Although rewarding work is important, it is not the money which makes us happy. Economists find that money only makes truly poor people happier when it reduces the burdens of everyday life — getting enough to eat, having a place to live or taking your kid to the doctor. However, it was found that once people reach a little beyond the average middle-class income level, even big financial gains do not lead to much, if any, increase in happiness. For many jobless people, despite the unemployment benefit they get, that is, the money paid to people who do not have a job, unemployment is a disaster for their happiness. The rates of divorce and suicide and the severity of disease seem to increase because of it. VI. Think about these clues and your brain will conclude what your heart already knew: Work can bring happiness by combining our passions with our skills, empowering us to create value in our lives and in the lives of others. To pursue the happiness within our reach, we should do our best to pour ourselves into faith, family, community and meaningful work.

21. According to paragraph I, ---.A) the search for happiness is thought to be hard but is worth it as it is believed to last longB) happiness is short-term and you want more of it when you reach itC) research has proved that people who keep looking for happiness are less likely to find itD) social scientists have found out that old beliefs about happiness may be wrong

22. According to paragraph II, the General Social Survey indicates that ---. A) the number of the people who state they aren’t very happy is lower than the number who are very or pretty happyB) women, especially conservative ones, have always been happier than menC) conservative women are only a little happier than liberal women D) the results of the survey are surprising as they are completely different every year

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23. The pronoun they in paragraph III refers to ----.A) answers C) researchers at the University of MinnesotaB) different environments D) identical twins brought up in separate families

24. The word evanescent in paragraph III could best be replaced by ---.A) complex B) harmful C) temporary D) essential

25. From paragraph III, we can understand that the study of identical twins ---. A) proved that genes form a big part of our happiness, about 40 percent B) helped researchers understand the influence of the environment and genes on happiness C) indicated that the happiness that genes create does not last very longD) is very important as it showed the adverse effects on twins of being raised by separate families

26. According to paragraph III, one-in-a-lifetime events ---. A) will eventually give us long-lasting happiness if we patiently wait for them B) are usually hard goals that we will only accomplish if we rely on our luck C) cannot give us happiness because they usually change every aspect of our lives D) will make us happy only for a short time, even if they are very important

27. The word burdens in paragraph V could best be replaced by ---.A) difficulties B) effectiveness C) importance D) differences

28. The pronoun it in paragraph V refers to ---.A) money B) unemployment C) happiness D) the severity of disease

29. From paragraph V, we can understand that ---. A) middle class people are hard to satisfy as they want bigger financial gains and better life conditionsB) rewarding work can only make poor people happy as it is the only satisfaction they have in life C) not having a job can make us very unhappy even if we have enough money to surviveD) divorce, suicide and diseases may lead to unhappiness that will last for a long time

30. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the text? A) Some people regret spending more time with their family and friends and not focusing on work instead.B) There are three major values that we can control and devote ourselves to in order to be happy. C) 20 percent of liberal men say they are very unhappy according to General Social Survey. D) About half of our happiness is not under our control in any way as it is genetically determined.

SECTION III. RESTATEMENT. Choose the sentence which best expresses the meaning in the given sentence. (10x1.5=15 pts.)31. Despite the importance of science and technology in modern life, we see few scientists in leading governmental positions.A) Plenty of scientists in governmental positions insist that science and technology are very important in modern life.B) A majority of people in governmental positions, who emphasize the importance of science and technology in modern life, are scientists.C) Although science and technology have great importance in modern life, few scientists in leading governmental positions give importance to them.D) The number of scientists in leading governmental positions is too low when the importance of science and technology in modern life is considered.

32. When Ms Blyden was interviewed, she admitted using the stolen card, but denied having stolen it.A) Ms Blyden said that she was the one who had used the stolen card, but not the one who had stolen it, when in the interview.

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B) Ms Blyden avoided admitting the theft of the stolen card in the interview as well as the use of it.C) Ms Blyden was regretful to have stolen the card, but denied that she had used it in the interview.D) It was obvious in the interview that Ms Blyden had stolen and used the card although she denied both.

33. Overcrowding in U.S. federal prisons is such a severe problem that it might go on for years even if steps are taken to reduce the number of people behind bars.A) If people continue to be sent to jail despite not committing crime, the overcrowding problem in U.S federal prisons will be such a severe problem that it could go on for years.B) Although some measures are taken to reduce crime rate, still lots of people are being sent to prison, which causes overcrowding in U.S federal prisons.C) That there are so many people in U.S federal prisons is such a serious problem that this overcrowding will probably continue even if measures are taken to decrease the number of people who go to jail.D) Unless steps are taken to decrease the number of people behind bars, the problem of overcrowding in U.S federal prisons will arise and go on for years.

34. If you are too busy trying to make others happy, and, as a result, have no time for yourself, you are risking your health.A) When you are too busy, do not try to make others happy until there is no time left for yourself; otherwise, you risk your health.B) If you are trying to make others happy so much that you are not sparing time for yourself, your health is at stake.C) Unless you are risking your health, you can be busy trying to make others pleased and you get no time left for yourself.D) If you try to make others happy, you waste your time and risk your health since they will not ever become happy.

35. Many men find it difficult to convince a girl to date.A) Many men think it is no good trying to persuade a girl to date.B) Getting a girl to date is thought to be difficult by many men.C) Many men find letting a girl date difficult.D) To have a girl to date, many men try to convince a girl for hours.

36. Prisoners in Vladimir Central Prison were made to get out of their cells and given such severe beatings by guardians that they had to be dragged back to their cells, as they could not walk.A) Guardians had the prisoners who escaped from their cells in Vladimir Central Prison beaten severely and dragged them back to their cells.B) Guardians forced prisoners in Vladimir Central Prison to get out of their cells and beat them so seriously that the prisoners, who could not walk, were dragged back to their cells.C) After some prisoners in Vladimir Central Prison made other prisoners leave their cells and got them severely beaten by guardians, they dragged them back to their cells.D) When prisoners in Vladimir Central Prison resisted getting out of their cells, they were so severely beaten by guardians that their bones were broken.

37. Iranian President Rohani said at a UN meeting on nuclear disarmament that no country should have nuclear weapons.A) That no country should have had nuclear weapons was declared by Iranian President Rohani at a UN meeting on nuclear disarmament.B) At a UN meeting on nuclear disarmament, Iranian President Rohani claimed that his country couldn’t have had nuclear weapons.C) At a UN meeting on nuclear disarmament, Iranian President Rohani said that it is not right for any country to have nuclear weapons.D) No country would have had nuclear weapons unless Iranian President Rohani had attended a UN meeting on nuclear disarmament.

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38. There were so few people attending Kanye West‘s performance in Kansas that even the seats were not filled.A) Most people could not find a place to sit as Kanye West’s performance in Kansas was attended by too many people.B) It was impossible to find an empty seat in Kanye West‘s performance in Kansas, so only a few people could watch it. C) Since Kanye West’s performance in Kansas did not draw much of a crowd, some seats were empty.D) There were so few seats in the concert hall where Kanye West’s performance took place that most people had to watch the performance while standing.

39. Russia welcomed the Syrian government's cooperative approach to a UN investigation into the use of chemical weapons.A) The Syrian government’s willingness to cooperate with the UN in investigating the use of chemical weapons was praised by Russia.B) The Syrian government’s hesitation to work together with the UN in the investigation of the use of chemical weapons was confirmed by Russia.C) The cooperation of the Syrian government with Russia in the investigation of the use of chemical weapons was offered by the UN.D) The UN investigation into the use of chemical weapons was started by Russia and cooperated with the Syrian government.

40. The manager asked the employee, “Why aren’t you coming to work tomorrow?A) The manager asked the employee the day before why he had not come to work.B) The manager wondered if the employee was coming to work the day after.C) The manager had told the employee the day before to come to work that day.D) The manager wanted to learn why the employee was not coming to work the next day.

SECTION IV. VOCABULARY. Circle the best answer. (10x2=20 pts.)41. Some people measure their self-esteem and confidence on how much money they make or how many cars or houses they own. Money is the driving force in those people’s lives. However, while money is important because of survival, it should not be the determining factor. That is, making money should not be people’s number one _________________ in life.A) gender B) priority C) domain D) contribution

42. A spoonful of peanut butter and a ruler can be used to _________________ early stage Alzheimer's disease. University of Florida health researchers have found that by placing a spoonful of peanut butter on a ruler, they could identify early stages of Alzheimer's disease, based on patients’ ability to detect its smell at certain distances.A) decline B) wander C) diagnose D) abandon

43. Many people claim that a new _________________ is in place and we now inhabit a new digital media universe instead of a traditional media one. However, statistically, they are mistaken. Today, digital accounts for roughly 15% of global media expenditure. 85% of budgets are still dedicated to traditional media. A) vaccine B) paradigm C) fluctuation D) abuse

44. New research suggests that memory can be strengthened by listening to recently learned information while taking a nap. The findings are especially appropriate for musicians. Northwestern University researchers say a way to really learn a new tune is to take a nap with the recently learned melody playing during your sleep since recently acquired memories can be _________________ during naptime.A) reinforced B) depended C) acknowledged D) facilitated

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45. Pictures taken coincidentally sometimes result in _________________ photos that even the photographer would not have imagined. Photographers are often admired for capturing such strange and astonishing scenes in the eye of the camera. However, these photos of unexpected and unusual situations are the result of coincidence, and it could not be said that it is all because of the expertise of the man behind camera. A) tough B) rational C) steady D) extraordinary

46. Most people are familiar with the typical dental checkup visit. A dentist will clean your teeth and do an overall evaluation. From time to time, however, your dentist should do a more _________________ examination. This is called a comprehensive examination. It includes a more detailed look at your entire mouth, head and neck area. The dentist also will ask about your medical history, and you will get X-rays if necessary.A) prosperous B) thorough C) summarized D) sound

47. Radiation cannot be _________________ by human senses. However, a variety of handheld and laboratory instruments is available for identifying and measuring radiation. A) detected B) utilized C) transmitted D) exposed

48. Failure to _________________ your doctor’s recommendations is not unique to diabetes patients. In fact, it is widespread and occurs throughout medicine and with virtually all diseases. In fact, it is often a reason why medical treatment of a health-related problem is not successful. For several reasons, however, a diabetes patient is particularly likely to apply their doctor’s recommendations poorly.A) pull together B) migrate to C) exhibit at D) comply with

49. A Japan waitress at a Japanese restaurant is expected to do emotional work such as always smiling and expressing positive emotion towards clients. A great importance is placed on smiling in the Japanese service industry, particularly for young women. However, smile mask syndrome, a psychological disorder, in which subjects develop depression and physical illness as a result of prolonged, unnatural and _________________ smiling, has become common among Japanese women recently.A) severe B) awakened C) obligatory D) flexible

50. Not all the information on the Internet is reliable, so if you want to _________________ information that you have gathered from the Internet, you should check the information presented on a number of sites that have a good reputation for presenting facts truthfully.A) presume B) validate C) visualize D) mobilize

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NAME: SCORE:CLASS: SECTION V. WRITING. Choose one of the following topics and write a paragraph of 150-200 words. You may use the ideas listed below or you may create your own ideas. Be careful about UNITY and COHERENCE. (20 points)Make sure that your paragraph includes:

A proper topic sentence At least 2 supporting sentences with supporting details A concluding sentence

What are the causes of immigration? economic instability civil war political corruption injustice terrorism poverty religious oppression / differences lack of job opportunities cultural oppression / differences

Why do automobile accidents happen? inexperience speeding intoxication through drink or drugs recklessness lack of traffic signs lack of knowledge of traffic laws weather conditions

Why do people play computer games? socialization

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challenge addiction having lots of free time money finding friends lack of other hobbies

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ANSWER KEY QUESTIONS 1-40 (1.5 points each) QUESTIONS 41-50 (2 points each)1. B2. C3. D4. B 5. C6. A7. B8. A 9. D10. D11. B12. A13. A14. D15. C16. B17. B18. C19. B20. D21. D22. A23. D 24. C25. B26. D27. A28. B29. C30. D31. D32. A33. C34. B 35. B36. B37. C

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38. C 39. A40. D41. B42. C43. B44. A45. D46. B47. A48. D49. C50. B

SUGGESTED PARAGRAPH GRADING CRITERIA (20 POINTS)

Deduct 5 points if the paragraph is clearly under 150 words.

STRUCTURE AND CONTENT (10 points):

A proper topic sentence (2 points)

A concluding sentence that clearly restates the topic sentence (2 points)

Each supporting sentence is 2 points. (2 x 2= 4 points)

Each supporting detail is 1 point. (2 x 1= 2 points)

GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY (10 points):

GRAMMAR (5 points):

Correct use of tenses (1 point) Structures (If clauses, relative clauses, etc.) (1 point) Cause / Effect structures (3 points)

VOCABULARY (5 points):

Correct use of connectors and other transition signals (3 points) A good variety of words relevant to the topic (2 points)

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Education

B level mid-year_2013-2014