GK/2017

RATIONAL CLOZE

HOLIDAY
ASSIGNMENT SPM
2017

ENGLISH LANGUAGE
SECTION A (PART 11)
RATIONAL CLOSE

NAME: ..
CLASS/SET: .
TEACHERS NAME:

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PRACTICE 1

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Dear Naim,

Thank you for the invitation to join your family for a holiday in Pulau Langkawi. I would
___1___ to accept. I am looking forward to ___2___ you and the others. You told me that you
would ___3___ your parents in Penang first. Give them my ___4___ when you see them. It's
been many years ___5___ I last saw them. I think it was at your sister's wedding. By the way,
___6___ is your grandmother? She must now be over eighty years of age ! My family doing fine
except for my mother who ___7___ from arthritis and frequently ___8___ of pain. I have been
really busy and the ___9___ of a holiday by the sea is really attractive. I'll meet you ___10___
the hotel on the fifteenth. I will be taking the afternoon flight and should be there by dinner time.
Goodbye for now.
Your beloved friend,
Adib

1. (A) love 6. (A) who

(B) happy (B) where
(C) eager (C) when
(D) delighted (D) how

2. (A) see 7. (A) suffer

(B) saw (B) suffers
(C) seen (C) suffered
(D) seeing (D) has suffered

3. (A) visit 8. (A) talks

(B) visits (B) discusses
(C) visited (C) suggests
(D) visiting (D) complains

4. (A) wishes 9. (A) dream

(B) regards (B) wonder
(C) affection (C) idea
(D) greetings (D) ambition

5. (A) before 10. (A) by

(B) after (B) at
(C) since (C) on
(D) when (D) outside
PRACTICE 2

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Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Years ago, as a newly-qualified teacher, I was posted to a school in a small village. There was
only one coffee shop, ___1___ sundry shop and a bicycle repair shop. The village had piped
water ___2___ no electricity supply. There ___3___ no public transport at night. ___4___, the
lack of amenities in the village did not bother me much. The students ___5___ hardworking and
eager to learn. There were no discipline ___6___. I had to ___7___ a set of living quarters with
two others and we had to cook our own meals. In the evenings and during weekends we went
fishing or ___9___ round the many surrounds villages. At weddings we and festivals, we were
showered with food. ___9___ village folk respected ___10___ and made us feel wanted. I'll
never forget their warmth and kindness.

1. (A) a 6. (A) problems

(B) an (B) difficulties
(C) the (C) challenges
(D) -- (D) attitudes

2. (A) and 7. (A) live

(B) but (B) make
(C) or (C) share
(D) both (D) divide
3. (A) is 8. (A) cycle
(B) are (B) cycles
(C) was (C) cycled
(D) were (D) cycling

4. (A) Moreover 9. (A) A

(B) Therefore (B) An
(C) Since (C) The
(D) However (D) --

5. (A) is 10. (A) us

(B) are (B) we
(C) was (C) me
(D) were (D) you

PRACTICE 3

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

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Students today have to sit for exam after exam. Studying for exams is ___1___ inevitable part of
a ___2___ life. Some study regularly and systematically. ___3___ do it in fits and starts, finally
cramming at the last minute, ___4___ themselves unnecessary stress. When you study or read,
write brief notes on ___5___ points in the margin. Write a summary of each chapter. Writing the
notes in your own ___6___ means that you have ___7___ what you have read or studied. Then
there is no need to reread everything ___8___ the exam. Looking ___9___ your notes or your
summaries will help ___10___ remember or recall what you have read as you can't memorize
everything you read.

1. (A) a 6. (A) words

(B) an (B) ideas
(C) the (C) way
(D) -- (D) writing

2. (A) student 7. (A) understand

(B) students (B) understands
(C) student's (C) understood
(D) students' (D) understanding

3. (A) Other 8. (A) near

(B) Others (B) before
(C) Any (C) during
(D) Another (D) prior

4. (A) cause 9. (A) at

(B) causes (B) by
(C) caused (C) for
(D) causing (D) after

5. (A) certain 10. (A) one

(B) special (B) us
(C) important (C) you
(D) interesting (D) them

PRACTICE 4

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

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We are gathered here today to bid farewell to our beloved teacher, Mrs Lee. She ___1___ in our
school ___2___ fifteen years. Before she came here, she ___3___ in Pontian and Kluang. Her
teaching career has spanned thirty years and now she ___4___. It is indeed a great loss to the
school and the profession. Many students past and present owe their good ___5___ of English to
Mrs Lee. Our volleyball team is the district champion because of her untiring ___6___. Students
who have problems know that ___7___ can always talk to her. She listens without prejudice and
___8___ us helpful advice. We shall all ___9___ her. On behalf ___10____ all the students and
teachers of this school, I wish her all the best in her retirement.

1. (A) teach 6. (A) ability

(B) teaches (B) help
(C) taught (C) dedication
(D) has taught (D) efforts

2. (A) for 7. (A) he

(B) since (B) we
(C) during (C) they
(D) wile (D) those

3. (A) serve 8. (A) give

(B) serves (B) gives
(C) served (C) gave
(D) has served (D) given

4. (A) retires 9. (A) miss

(B) retired (B) misses
(C) is retiring (C) missed
(D) has retired (D) missing

5. (A) fluency 10. (A) at

(B) command (B) by
(C) technique (C) of
(D) method (D) with
PRACTICE 5

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

When I first worked in Muar in the sixties, the town was quiet and the pace of life unhurried. I
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shared a rented room ___1___ a friend. Most people traveled by bicycle ___2___ trishaw as
buses were few. I had never ___3___ a bicycle before in my life ___4___ I was determined to
learn as the alternative was to travel ___5___ trishaw if we wanted to go anywhere. I learned the
hard way the first time I rode a bicycle. My friend had explained where the brake ___6___ and
how to use it. After riding a few meters in great nervousness, I completely forgot about braking
when I ___ 7___ a bus parked ahead. I rammed into it but ___8___ caused no injury to myself or
___9___ to the bicycle. By the time I left the following year. I was ___10____ to ride a bicycle
reasonably well.

1. (A) by 6. (A) is
(B) from (B) are
(C) with (C) was
(D) beside (D) were

2. (A) or 7. (A) see

(B) and (B) saw
(C) as (C) seen
(D) beside (D) seeing

3. (A) ride 8. (A) however

(B) rode (B) unluckily
(C) riding (C) instead
(D) ridden (D) fortunately

4. (A) and 9. (A) hurt

(B) but (B) injury
(C) so (C) damage
(D) until (D) wound

5. (A) by 10. (A) able

(B) on (B) unable
(C) with (C) happy
(D) through (D) good
PRACTICE 6

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

What does the work of a nurse involve ? Many believe it is simply taking care of ___1___,
making beds and removing bedpans. There is ___2___ to it than that. Nurses are now doing
some of the work formerly ___3___ by doctors. Nurses also work in the public health service, in

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hospices and old folks' homes. New technology in medical science means nurses have to use new
machines and learn new operating techniques to keep ___4___ with changes. There is an
increasing need ___5___ specialized care, so degree courses are now available to enhance the
___6___ of health care. The ___7___ for nurses in private hospitals has resulted in ___8___
shortage and many government hospitals are understaffed. This ___9___ the workload of nurses.
Few however ___10___ them. Many just take them for granted. Let's not forget that many nurses
work with patience and dedication.

1. (A) sick 6. (A) nature

(B) patients (B) quality
(C) invalids (C) type
(D) people (D) character

2. (A) more 7. (A) need

(B) much (B) want
(C) most (C) desire
(D) many (D) demand

3. (A) do 8. (A) a
(B) did (B) an
(C) doing (C) the
(D) done (D) --

4. (A) track 9. (A) increase

(B) abreast (B) increases
(C) moving (C) increased
(D) knowledge (D) has increased

5. (A) by 10. (A) like

(B) to (B) enjoy
(C) for (C) appreciate
(D) of (D) encourage
PRACTICE 7

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

The Education Ministry has called for public opinion on caning in schools. It wants to decide
___1___ the cane should be brought back to the classroom to ___2___ discipline. Discipline
among schoolchildren has worsened. In 1983 the Ministry issued guidelines to ___3___ teachers
did not misuse their authority and abuse students. Unfortunately this has had an adverse

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___4___. Students today do not have respect ___5___ authority and are not afraid of their
teachers. In fact they are not even afraid of their own parents. Students have become more rude
___6___ undisciplined as they know teacher cannot cane them. An informal telephone poll
shows that many people are in favor ___7___ using the cane as it is an effective deterrent. Others
___8___ the idea as they feel that ___9___ should remain the parents' responsibility. They fear
that teachers ___10___ abuse their power.

1. (A) why 6. (A) of

(B) when (B) but
(C) whether (C) and
(D) should (D) if

2. (A) instill 7. (A) of

(B) show (B) to
(C) encourage (C) for
(D) increase (D) with

3. (A) certain 8. (A) against

(B) sure (B) unhappy
(C) ensure (C) refuse
(D) assure (D) oppose

4. (A) affect 9. (A) problem

(B) effect (B) caning
(C) effects (C) teaching
(D) effective (D) discipline

5. (A) to 10. (A) can

(B) for (B) many
(C) with (C) will
(D) from (D) must
PRACTICE 8

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

The diary of Anne Frank is an extraordinary account of a young girl's life spent in hiding. Anne
and her family ___1___ two years in an attic in Amsterdam, hiding from the Nazis. Anne's
family ___2___ from Germany to Amsterdam where Jewish refugees ___3___ treated well.
When Hitler conquered Holland in 1940, ___4___ Jewish people lost their freedom. The Frank
family went into hiding to ___5___ being sent to a German labor camp. Anne was thirteen years

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old when she went into hiding. She began to record her thoughts and feelings in her ___6___. In
1944 the Nazis were tipped off about their ___7___ place. There were arrested and ___8___ all
of the family died in concentration camps ___9___ for Mr. Frank. One of his employees who
discovered the diary and kept it safe, handed it to Mr. Frank, ___10___ decided to publish it.

1. (A) spend 6. (A) book

(B) spent (B) record
(C) was spent (C) notes
(D) have spent (D) diary

2. (A) move 7. (A) hide

(B) moves (B) hid
(C) moved (C) hiding
(D) moving (D) hidden

3. (A) is 8. (A) last

(B) are (B) lastly
(C) was (C) therefore
(D) were (D) eventually

4. (A) a 9. (A) but

(B) an (B) except
(C) the (C) accept
(D) -- (D) unless

5. (A) avoid 10. (A) who

(B) escape (B) whom
(C) stop (C) whose
(D) prevent (D) which

PRACTICE 9

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

With recent advances in technology, more people are now able to work from home. Their homes
___1___ their offices. This is especially helpful to ___2___ who have young children. Working
from home cuts down time spent traveling to and ___3___ the office. Working from home does
not mean you become less efficient or productive. You should ___4___ your office from your
private area. This means your children ___5___ not use your office phone or play games on your
computer. Working ___6___ should be strictly defined. ___7___ shopping or doing housework

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when you should be working. ___8___ appropriately when working in your office area. Getting
into smarter clothes will ___9___ you psychologically for work even if you are not ___10____
clients.

1. (A) become 6. (A) hour

(B) becomes (B) hours
(C) became (C) day
(D) becoming (D) period

2. (A) them 7. (A) Avoid

(B) they (B) Don't
(C) those (C) Refrain
(D) theirs (D) Prevent

3. (A) in 8. (A) Wear

(B) from (B) Clothe
(C) out (C) Dress
(D) near (D) Attire

4. (A) divide 9. (A) help

(B) remove (B) prepare
(C) detach (C) treat
(D) separate (D) get

5. (A) ought 10. (A) expect

(B) should (B) expects
(C) could (C) expected
(D) might (D) expecting
PRACTICE 10

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

What is the difference between creative thinking and logical thinking ? In creative thinking, we
try to ___1___ up with as many ideas as ___2___. We call this brainstorming. We keep ___3___
open mind about the ideas for the time being, ___4___ the ideas are practical or not. No idea is
considered ridiculous because ___5___ the most outlandish idea may work. This way we have a
___6___ of several possible solutions. In logical thinking, we are looking for ___7___ right
answer. Once we find a working solution, we stop looking for ___8___, without realizing that
there could be better solutions. Most problems have more than one possible solution. Creative
thinking ___9___ us to choose the best of them. Creative thinking and logical thinking don't
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oppose ___10___ other but they complement each other in fact.

1. (A) come 6. (A) choose

(B) think (B) chose
(C) work (C) chosen
(D) create (D) choice

2. (A) can 7. (A) a

(B) likely (B) an
(C) reasonable (C) the
(D) possible (D) --

3. (A) a 8. (A) solutions

(B) an (B) answers
(C) the (C) others
(D) -- (D) alternatives

4. (A) if 9. (A) enable

(B) since (B) enables
(C) whether (C) enabled
(D) despite (D) has enabled

5. (A) but 10. (A) the

(B) despite (B) one
(C) even (C) each
(D) since (D) some

PRACTICE 11

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

I grew up in a big family. When I ___1___ young, times were hard. With six children to feed,
clothe and educate, my parents ___2___ a tough time. They ___3___ to make ends meet. Food
was sometimes scarce. We rarely had new clothes or shoes. ___4___, we had a lot of fun
___5___ our own games. I read a lot as there were few other ___6___ of entertainment. This
opened a whole new ___7___ to me. I often neglected to do my share of the chores when I
became ___8___ in a book. Now everyone has ___9___ up and most are working away from
home. They come back frequently and when they ___10___, the house is full of noise and
laughter.

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1. (A) am 6. (A) sources

(B) are (B) methods
(C) was (C) ways
(D) were (D) places

2. (A) has 7. (A) universe

(B) have (B) world
(C) had (C) earth
(D) having (D) land

3. (A) struggle 8. (A) taken

(B) struggled (B) caught
(C) have struggled (C) obsessed
(D) had struggled (D) absorbed

4. (A) And 9. (A) grew

(B) Since (B) is growing
(C) Besides (C) grown
(D) However (D) growing

5. (A) invent 10. (A) do

(B) invents (B) did
(C) invented (C) done
(D) inventing (D) have done
PRACTICE 12

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

My dog was a puppy when we first got him. My brother ___1___ him on a playing field and
brought him home. We ___2___ him Rudi. He growled at us and slunk into a corner ___3___ he
got to know us. Then he would jump into our laps and snuggle up to us. He is really intelligent.
___4___ morning he will run to the gate to check whether it ___5___. If by some chance it is
not, he will push the gate open and run out. He returns in a few minutes but the sense of freedom
it gives him appears to be important to him. When it is time for food, he waits ___6___ at the
kitchen door. If it is not ready ___7___ time, he barks at my mother. He knows that he is not
allowed inside the house. However after his weekly ___8___, he will wait at the door, and if
invited, he will come in ___9___ that he will not be chased ___10___ as he is clean.

1. (A) find 6. (A) expect

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(B) finds (B) expecting

(C) found (C) expectant
(D) was found (D) expectantly

2. (A) name 7. (A) in

(B) named (B) on
(C) was named (C) by
(D) had named (D) at

3. (A) as 8. (A) bath

(B) when (B) baths
(C) while (C) bathe
(D) until (D) bathing

4. (A) Every 9. (A) know

(B) One (B) knew
(C) Some (C) known
(D) Another (D) knowing

5. (A) bolt 10. (A) off

(B) bolts (B) back
(C) bolted (C) out
(D) is bolted (D) away

PRACTICE 13

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Forests are being sacrificed for high-rise buildings and golf courses, some say. At the same time,
the authorities ___1___ money on tree planting. While tree planting should be encouraging,
existing forests must be ___2___. People need ___3___ from the pressure of urban living. It is
___4___ to maintain pockets of green in the city to improve the quality of living. Trees help to
filter pollutants, ___5___ noise pollution and maintain a cooler atmosphere as they ___6___
solar radiation. Urban forests or green lungs in the city also ___7___ as bird sanctuaries. If these
forests are cut ___8___ the cities are going to become hotter and ___9___ and unpleasant to live
in. Even if developers try to reforest areas they have developed, they cannot ___10___ the
biodiversity.

1. (A) spend 6. (A) cut

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(B) spent (B) reduce

(C) is spending (C) remove
(D) are spending (D) hinder

2. (A) kept 7. (A) serve

(B) guarded (B) provide
(C) protected (C) give
(D) preserved (D) support

3. (A) rest 8. (A) off

(B) relief (B) up
(C) change (C) down
(D) cure (D) away

4. (A) good 9. (A) dust

(B) needed (B) dusty
(C) required (C) dustier
(D) important (D) duster

5. (A) less 10. (A) save

(B) lesser (B) return
(C) lessen (C) replant
(D) least (D) replace

PRACTICE 14

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

How can we prevent household poisoning? First of all, lock ___1___ all potentially dangerous
___2___ like medicine, pesticides and harmful chemicals. Put them ___3___ immediately after
use or throw them away if they are no longer needed. Never keep poisonous substances in food
containers or beverage bottles. Keep them in ___4___ original containers. Double check before
___5___ medicine. Don't mix different tablets or capsules in one bottle. Do not self prescribe or
give drugs to anybody. That is a ___6___ responsibility. ___7___ there is adequate ventilation
when using cleaning fluids. Keep your eyes ___8___. Parents should educate their children from
an early ___9___ about the dangers ___10___ poisons.

1. (A) in 6. (A) doctor

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(B) up (B) doctors

(C) out (C) doctor's
(D) away (D) doctors'

2. (A) things 7. (A) Sure

(B) stuff (B) Ensure
(C) materials (C) Assure
(D) substances (D) Certain

3. (A) in 8. (A) closed

(B) out (B) shut
(C) up (C) covered
(D) away (D) protected

4. (A) them 9. (A) age

(B) they (B) year
(C) their (C) time
(D) theirs (D) period

5. (A) consume 10. (A) in

(B) consumes (B) by
(C) consumed (C) of
(D) consuming (D) over

PRACTICE 15
Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Parents in North America can now use an electronic censor known as a V-chip. This device will
soon be ___1___ in television sets in the United States. It is an automatic ___2___ of stopping
children from watching violence ___3___ television. The screen automatically ___4___ blank
when a scene of violence is about to occur on the program. ___5___ parents can now protect
their children from the harmful ___6___ of watching violence on television. They can adjust the
setting to select what they think is ___7___. This may make the broadcasting industry try to
produce better., more positive programs. Other countries ___8___ Canada have also become
___9___ in this technology and the system will be made available to Canadian parents
___10___.

1. (A) made 6. (A) effects

(B) located (B) affects
(C) installed (C) aspects
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(D) situated (D) problems

2. (A) way 7. (A) relevant

(B) form (B) proper
(C) manner (C) important
(D) method (D) suitable

3. (A) in 8. (A) as
(B) on (B) like
(C) at (C) such
(D) by (D) example

4. (A) go 9. (A) interest

(B) goes (B) interests
(C) went (C) interested
(D) gone (D) interesting

5. (A) Thus 10. (A) soon

(B) But (B) early
(C) Besides (C) later
(D) However (D) after

PRACTICE 16
Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Modern Turkey has a mixture of races. Turks, Arabs, Jews, Greeks, Kurds ___1___ Armenians
live there. This is a legacy of the Ottoman Empire ___2___ lasted more than six centuries. The
'Father' of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kamal Attaturk ___3___ a war of independence against the
powers which occupied his country after World War 1. ___4___ tried to form ___5___ Western
country from the mixture of races and cultures. The reforms he ___6___ ranged from writing
Turkish in the Latin alphabet to safeguarding the rights ___7___ women. He curbed Islamic
fundamentalism. ___8___ Attaturk founded the nation, about 80% of the people lived by
working the land. Today 60% of the population live in urban areas. Turkey wants to be a power
in the region. It has formed economic alliances ___9___ the countries bordering ___10___ Black
Sea.

1. (A) as 6. (A) make

(B) and (B) makes
(C) also (C) made
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(D) beside (D) has made

2. (A) who 7. (A) to

(B) when (B) in
(C) where (C) of
(D) which (D) after

3. (A) lead 8. (A) When

(B) led (B) Then
(C) fight (C) After
(D) has fought (D) Whenever

4. (A) He 9. (A) by
(B) His (B) for
(C) It (C) from
(D) They (D) with

5. (A) a 10. (A) a

(B) an (B) an
(C) the (C) the
(D) -- (D) --
PRACTICE 17

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the biggest in the United States of America. It is perhaps
the ___1___ and least known park. Some of the highest mountains in the United States are also
___2___ there and it has many glaciers. ___3___ such as bears, wolves, caribous, moose and
mountain goats ___4___ the park. ___5___ few people live in it all year round. Only two gravel
roads ___6___ the park, one from the west, the ___7___ from the north. Hunting is permitted in
designated ___8___, about one-third of the park acreage. Guides are assigned a quota of clients.
Only a specified ___9___ of each species can be hunted, to keep game population healthy. In
summer, thousands of tourists arrive to ___10___ the beauty and solitude of the park.

1. (A) wild 6. (A) reach

(B) wilder (B) enter
(C) wildest (C) serve
(D) wildly (D) pass

2. (A) find 7. (A) one

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(B) finds (B) other

(C) finding (C) others
(D) found (D) another

3. (A) Animals 8. (A) spot

(B) Creatures (B) space
(C) Life (C) area
(D) Living (D) areas

4. (A) live 9. (A) amount

(B) roam (B) quantity
(C) wander (C) number
(D) move (D) numbers

5. (A) And 10. (A) look

(B) Therefore (B) see
(C) However (C) share
(D) Moreover (D) enjoy

PRACTICE 18

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

More and more people are suffering from stress today. Stress is ___1___ to work or personal
factors. The Type A personality ___2___ is achievement oriented and a perfectionist is more
___3___ to stress. A ___4___ amount of stress can be constructive as it stimulates creativity and
diligence. ___5___ stress can be destructive. It has a negative ___6___ on performance. Stress is
manifested in a change in eating ___7___, in aches and pains, in sleeping problems and in many
other ways. One way of ___8___ stress is to be flexible and take one thing at a time. It is helpful
to understand one's limits and not try to please everybody. You should ___9___ through physical
exercise or recreational activities. You should also ___10___ to friends or family members about
your problems and fears as this also helps reduce stress.

1. (A) related 6. (A) affect

(B) promoted (B) impact
(C) affected (C) influence
(D) caused (D) result

2. (A) who 7. (A) food

(B) whom (B) habits

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(C) which (C) styles

(D) whose (D) ways

3. (A) likely 8. (A) fighting

(B) open (B) coping
(C) ready (C) curing
(D) prone (D) overcoming

4. (A) few 9. (A) relax

(B) little (B) rest
(C) sufficient (C) recreate
(D) moderate (D) refresh

5. (A) Exceed 10. (A) talk

(B) Excess (B) chat
(C) Excessive (C) discuss
(D) Excessively (D) disclose

PRACTICE 19

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Why do people get hungry ? Hunger is nature's way of telling us to eat. Our bodies ___1___ food
so that our brains can think, our hearts can beat and our muscles can work. ___2___ we are
hungry, we have difficulty in concentrating and may become ___3___ or even light-headed. Our
stomachs may growl and make all sorts of embarrassing noises. Once we have satisfied our
hunger, ___4___ symptoms disappear. How do we know when we ___5___ enough ? The body
___6___ carbohydrates into sugar called glucose which ___7___ to the cells through the blood.
A chemical called insulin helps the cells ___8___ the sugar. The insulin releases a chemical
___9___ serotonin in the brain and this chemical tells the body that it has had enough food.
___10___ you get the satisfied feeling and are not hungry anymore.

1. (A) want 6. (A) works

(B) need (B) converts
(C) get (C) makes
(D) give (D) produces

2. (A) If 7. (A) carries

(B) Once (B) carried
(C) Unless (C) is carried

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(D) Whether (D) has carried

3. (A) irritate 8. (A) absorb

(B) irritating (B) change
(C) irritable (C) receive
(D) irritability (D) transform

4. (A) this 9. (A) called

(B) that (B) stated
(C) these (C) identified
(D) those (D) defined

5. (A) eat 10. (A) After

(B) ate (B) Thus
(C) eaten (C) Moreover
(D) have eaten (D) Consequent

PRACTICE 20

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

When you start working, you begin earning money of your own. You then have to make ___1___
on how you'll spend the money, how much you'll save and so on. The ___2___ way to become a
good manager of money is to ___3___ some basic rules of budgetting. ___4___ planning will
improve your bank balance. ___5___ budget is simply a plan. On one side you add up what you
have earned. On the ___6___ side you ___7___ all your expenses, like rent, electricity bills,
fares, insurance and so on. The ___8___ is to have a balance after deducting the expenses
___9___ the income earned. Many people get into debt by using plastic money or credit cards.
___10___ not use cards to buy things your budget shows you cannot afford.

1. (A) choices 6. (A) next

(B) selections (B) other
(C) devices (C) back
(D) decisions (D) reverse

2. (A) one 7. (A) list

(B) only (B) copy
(C) best (C) state
(D) right (D) item
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3. (A) learn 8. (A) aim

(B) adapt (B) hope
(C) acquire (C) ambition
(D) investigate (D) target

4. (A) Practice 9. (A) by

(B) Practices (B) to
(C) Practical (C) away
(D) Practically (D) from

5. (A) A 10. (A) Can

(B) An (B) Do
(C) The (C) Must
(D) -- (D) Should

PRACTICE 21

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Tom Hanks is a top movie actor. ___1___ he is talented and popular, he is ___2___ ordinary man
off-screen. He is rather ___3___ and does not like to talk much about ___4___. This is partly
because he had an unsettled childhood. Constantly ___5___ from house to house and changing
schools meant he didn't have many ___6___. However, he says he had a lot of fun growing up
___7___ the drawbacks. Most of the ___8___ he plays are lovable. He has acted as a perplexed
businessman, as an absent-minded policeman and as a teenage romantic ___9___ others. His
___10___ known film is Forrest Gump which became a big hit.

1. (A) Although 6. (A) peers

(B) However (B) friends
(C) Since (C) comrades
(D) Nevertheless (D) partners

2. (A) a 7. (A) though

(B) an (B) even
(C) the (C) despite
(D) -- (D) however

3. (A) timid 8. (A) people

(B) humble (B) actors
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(C) reserved (C) films

(D) retired (D) characters

4. (A) it 9. (A) with

(B) his (B) for
(C) him (C) among
(D) himself (D) between

5. (A) move 10. (A) best

(B) moves (B) most
(C) moved (C) famous
(D) moving (D) popular

PRACTICE 22

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Insomnia or inability to sleep is serious problem. Doctors sometimes ___1___ sleeping pills but
this is only a temporary solution. Sleeplessness ___2___ tiredness and lack of concentration. It
can ___3___ to more serious problems. Accidents on roads and in the work place ___4___ by
sleep disorders. People who work shifts are more prone to sleeplessness. Worrying about a
problem, depression or stress can cause restlessness. There are some ways of ___5___ the
problem. ___6___ used to waking up at the same time each morning. Don't smoke before
bedtime as nicotine is a ___7___. You should not watch television in the bedroom as this
___8___ to make you wakeful. Exercise each day as this will ___9___ sleep. A hot milk drink
sometimes ___10___. If you continue to suffer from insomnia, you should seek professional
help.

1. (A) give 6. (A) Be

(B) prescribe (B) Get
(C) proscribe (C) Stay
(D) produce (D) Accustom

2. (A) causes 7. (A) stimulate

(B) results (B) stimulus
(C) effects (C) stimuli
(D) makes (D) stimulant

3. (A) lead 8. (A) prone

(B) leads (B) tends
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(C) led (C) likely

(D) leading (D) liable

4. (A) caused 9. (A) induce

(B) have caused (B) induces
(C) has been caused (C) induced
(D) have been caused (D) inducing

5. (A) coping 10. (A) help

(B) curing (B) helps
(C) overcoming (C) helpful
(D) encountering (D) helpless
PRACTICE 23

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Pelangi Beach Resort on Langkawi Island has intricately carved wooden chalets with high
sloping roofs. The gardens ___1___ beautifully landscaped to ___2___ the cottage setting.
Pathways meander through luxuriant flora and foliage. Pelangi means rainbow ___3___ Malay.
Like the proverbial pot of gold ___4___ the end of the rainbow, Pelangi Beach Resort is a rich
treasure trove ___5___ those who seek to unwind in peaceful surroundings. ___6___ the rainbow
itself, the resort ___7___ you a colorful holiday away from the city crowd and to snap the hold
___8___ routine.You can see smiling waiters eager to wait ___9___ you; the sparkling waters
and white-powdered sand. There are lots of activities to keep you ___10___ the go -- the
beautifully landscaped swimming pool, jacuzzi and water sports facilities. The resort even has
tennis and squash courts.

1. (A) is 6. (A) Like

(B) are (B) Likes
(C) was (C) Unlike
(D) were (D) Besides

2. (A) enhance 7. (A) promise

(B) enhanced (B) promises
(C) enhances (C) promised
(D) enhancing (D) is promising

3. (A) at 8. (A) of
(B) by (B) off
(C) with (C) on
(D) in (D) at
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4. (A) at 9. (A) at
(B) in (B) for
(C) off (C) on
(D) by (D) by

5. (A) from 10. (A) in

(B) who (B) on
(C) for (C) for
(D) at (D) along
PRACTICE 24

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

In 1969, something of a sensation was caused at the Palace Hotel when Mr J. Smith and his
eleven-man team of demolition workers reported alarming and apparently ___1___ happenings
at this thousand-room hotel. Eerie voices were heard from empty rooms and corridors on the
second floor and the four-ton ___2___ was said to have moved up and down many times of its
own volition. After conducting an investigation, the North Wales Electricity Board asserted that
not an amp of power was going into the hotel; ___3___ having been, in fact, cut off weeks
earlier. One of the men stated that he entered the foyer in the company of eight others and they
all saw the doors slam shut and the lift move up to the second ___4___. One Mrs Templeman
called at the hotel on business and was talking to workmen when she saw the lift suddenly begin
to move ___5___ . She said there was no sound whatsoever; the lift moved about two metres,
almost to the second floor and then stopped. Mrs Templeman ran up to the winding room with
one of the workmen. They discovered that the lift brake was still firmly at the "on" position and
there seemed no ___6___ way to explain the movement of the lift. The emergency winding
handle for cranking the lift had been removed by this time. At length it was decided to cut the
cables to ___7___ the lift and although this was done, the lift did not budge. Now the main shafts
were ___8___ and still the lift would not move. It was continually thumped with twenty-eight-
pound hammers for twenty-five minutes before it eventually plunged to the bottom of the lift
shaft and buried itself one meter into the cellar. The workmen all agreed that it was ___9___ :
although the lift had moved, silently and without apparent effort by itself on so many occasions,
it should have been so difficult to knock down. During the course of a television broadcast a dog
was shown ___10___ to pass the second floor landing although it had no such objection to
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passing other, apparently identical, landings.

1. (A) identifiable 6. (A) legible

(B) inexplicable (B) logical
(C) indefinite (C) magical
(D) undefeatable (D) critical

2. (A) floor 7. (A) release

(B) safe (B) empty
(C) lift (C) deliver
(D) board (D) raise

3. (A) water 8. (A) turned on

(B) all lights (B) cut through
(C) electric current (C) pushed out
(D) the floor (D) pulled up

4. (A) lift 9. (A) normal

(B) dining room (B) expected
(C) hotel (C) incredible
(D) floor (D) usual

5. (A) up and down 10. (A) refusing

(B) downwards (B) enthusiastic
(C) upwards (C) agreeing
(D) sideways (D) defeating

PRACTICE 25

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

COMPLAINT : When Madam Chen bought her house in Wang Garden , she was hoping for a
quiet life. She wanted to relax and just ___1___ her home and neighborhood. There was a pond
in front of her house. The pond was filled with beautiful fish. For a while ___2___ seemed
perfect. Then one day, the pond, which was actually an oxidation pond, turned from a thing of
beauty into a hellish pit. Madam Chen said the first thing that happened was that she saw fish
___3___ in the pond. Soon the dead fish started to smell terribly. After some time, she saw some
men from HighBuild the developer of the housing estate, removing the dead fish. She asked

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___4___ what had killed the fish and they told her the fish had died ___5___ an electrical trip a
few days ago. However, Madam Chen complained that the men did not take out all the dead fish
and the smell became ___6___. She said she tried calling HighBuild but there did not seem to be
anyone who could do anything about her complaint. ACTION : A spokesman for HighBuild said,
"We realize that there is ___7___ problem here. we are looking into the best possible way to
solve it. The problem started early this year when there was a break ___8___ the electrical
supply during a public holiday. There was no one to work the oxygen pump then. As a result,
many of the fish in the pond died because of ___9___ of oxygen. we cannot say exactly
___10___ we can solve the problem, but we will do so as soon as we decide on the best thing to
do."

1. (A) enjoy 6. (A) better and better

(B) enjoys (B) worse and worse
(C) enjoyed (C) no worse
(D) enjoying (D) no use

2. (A) anything 7. (A) a

(B) nothing (B) an
(C) everything (C) the
(D) something (D) --

3. (A) float 8. (A) in

(B) floats (B) for
(C) floated (C) with
(D) floating (D) over

4. (A) us 9. (A) a supply

(B) him (B) an excess
(C) they (C) a lack
(D) them (D) a drop

5. (A) in spite of 10. (A) why

(B) because of (B) what
(C) therefore (C) when
(D) since (D) where

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PRACTICE 26
Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

The secretary of the club approached them, asking them to take ___1___ places on the stage. The
members of the proposition team had already started taking their places ___2___ the desks on
the right. The timekeeper for the debate was already seated with the stopwatch and bell on the
desk in front of him. Lisa Mary, the chairwoman for the debate, was out front, adjusting the
___3___. Kenny, the president of the club, went over to help her. Larry and his friends ___4___
to their places hurriedly. Then the debate began. Larry listened carefully as each speaker
___5___ his or her opinion in various ways. Some were extremely vehement, pounding on their
desks or waving their hands in the air. Some were humorous, acting out little comic sketches by
themselves ___6___ the audience roared with laughter. However, Larry did not take much notice
of this. he was busy trying to jot down the weak statements of his ___7___, but his hands were
shaking so much that he ___8___ hardly write properly. Suddenly, he heard the chairwoman
introducing him. It was his turn. at that very instant, he was no longer nervous. He knew that he
could win ___9___ the hearts and minds of the judges and the audience. He stood up and began
___10___ eloquently.

1. (A) his 6. (A) because

(B) him (B) while
(C) they (C) after
(D) their (D) but

2. (A) around 7. (A) opponents

(B) behind (B) exponents
(C) over (C) opposites
(D) beside (D) rivals

3. (A) microphone 8. (A) could

(B) microscope (B) would
(C) megaphone (C) might
(D) telephone (D) should
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4. (A) have got 9. (A) in

(B) will get (B) by
(C) get (C) with
(D) got (D) over

5. (A) provided 10. (A) speak

(B) voted (B) to speak
(C) voiced (C) had spoke
(D) pointed (D) was speaking

PRACTICE 27

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Julia loved to cycle around the neighborhood every evening. She would race ___1___ the
neighborhood children. The children would challenge one another as to ___2___ would reach the
imaginary finishing line at the end of the road. The children would paddle as fast as they could,
each wheel turning ___3___ endless circles. Today, Julia can only ___4___ at the front door of
her house and watch the other children ___5___ their hearts out as they try to outdo each other in
the race. It ___6___ not too long ago that Julia was among them, the heroine in most races. But
fate ___7___ cruelly robbed her of those triumphant moments. Julia came down with a high
fever a few months ago which ___8___ her paralyzed from the waist downwards. Numerous
___9___ to clinics, hospitals and traditional medicine men could not make her ___10___ again.
The doctors diagnosed that a virus had attacked her spinal cord and damaged the nerves there.
Julia will be bedridden for the rest of her life.

1. (A) with 6. (A) seemed

(B) by (B) seem
(C) about (C) seeming
(D) for (D) look

2. (A) whom 7. (A) has

(B) that (B) have
(C) who (C) did
(D) which (D) was

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3. (A) from 8. (A) leaving

(B) by (B) left
(C) for (C) leave
(D) in (D) leaves

4. (A) sat 9. (A) visiting

(B) sitting (B) excursions
(C) sit (C) treatments
(D) seated (D) visits

5. (A) screamed 10. (A) walking

(B) scream (B) walk
(C) screams (C) walks
(D) shout (D) walked

PRACTICE 28

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Obesity is a common problem today. It ___1___ millions of people all over the world. Obesity
tends to run ___2___ families. Some people have a genetic tendency to gain weight ___3___
than others because they burn calories more slowly. ___4___ genes strongly influence body type
and size, the environment also plays a role. People gain weight because of unhealthy food
___5___ like fast food or family habits like nibbling food in front of the television. Sometimes
people ___6___ food for emotional reasons, such as when they feel stressed, anxious or even
bored. When ___7___ happens, they often eat more than they need. Obesity can lead to many
health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

1. (A) affect 5. (A) choice

(B) affects (B) choices
(C) is affecting (C) kind
(D) has affected (D) kinds

2. (A) in 6. (A) kick up

(B) on (B) turn to
(C) through (C) come across
(D) across (D) turn down

3. (A) easy 7. (A) this

(B) easiest (B) that
(C) more easily (C) these
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(D) most easily (D) those

4. (A) Due to
(B) However
(C) Because
(D) Although

PRACTICE 29

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Almost every day we read about or hear accounts of accidents. What can be ___1___ to prevent
or reduce the number ___2___ accidents on our roads ?
This is the ___3___ of all road users. Motorists must not ___4___. They must obey ___5___ the
traffic rules and they must be vigilant ___6___ all times. One wrong judgment or small mistake
could ___7___ someone's life. Motorcyclists are often a menace on the road ! Many of ___8___
weave in and out of traffic, dart in front of other vehicles without looking or travel at lightning
speed along highways. it is not surprising that many of them are involved in accidents !

1. (A) do 5. (A) none

(B) does (B) many
(C) done (C) all
(D) did (D) some

2. (A) at 6. (A) in
(B) of (B) by
(C) with (C) for
(D) in (D) at

3. (A) response 7. (A) cost

(B) responsible (B) costs
(C) responses (C) costed
(D) responsibility (D) costing

4. (A) speed 8. (A) they

(B) speeds (B) their
(C) speeding (C) them
(D) sped (D) us

PRACTICE 30

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

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Joan made sure that she was not followed. She walked faster as she approached the mansion.
This mansion ___1___ at the top of a bill. Three storeys tall, it rested on a foundation of
blackish-green stone. A blanket of ___2___ , ark ivy crawled over the stone, up and ___3___ the
rows of brown bricks. Curling around the ___4___ windows and doorways, the ivy crept nearly
to the second storey. Joan felt very uneasy as she stared at the building. A long curved stone
stairway and two tall turrets on either side of the house ___5___ Joan of a castle in a fairy tale. It
was like a castle ___6___ an evil spell. A peaked grey roof and a tall, spindly chimney ___7___
the unsettling impression. Joan approached the door bell and pressed it. After about ten minutes,
the door opened and she came face to face with a white-haired lady.

1. (A) stand 5. (A) remind

(B) stands (B) reminds
(C) standing (C) reminding
(D) stood (D) reminded

2. (A) thin 6. (A) under

(B) thick (B) with
(C) shaky (C) over
(D) long (D) in

3. (A) over 7. (A) filled in

(B) in (B) added to
(C) on (C) came into
(D) through (D) came across

4. (A) arch
(B) arches
(C) arched
(D) arching

PRACTICE 31

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

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Five siblings, aged between one and ten, were killed when they were trapped in their bedroom in
a shophouse during a fire at Park Garden this morning. The children had been sleeping in their
bedroom ___1___ the first floor of their double-storey shophouse when the fire broke out in the
early ___2___ of the morning. Their other brothers and sisters, their mother and two workers
managed to escape from the burning building. The ___3___ mother, Mrs Katie, 44, had been
with a worker in the kitchen on the ground floor when, suddenly, the worker noticed smoke was
___4___ into the room. She told Mrs Katie about it. Mars Katie, ___5___ that the smoke was
coming from upstairs, was greatly ___6___ and immediately rushed up the stairs to ___7___ her
children. However, she was forced back by the flames.

1. (A) in 5. (A) denying

(B) on (B) deciding
(C) of (C) thinking
(D) above (D) realizing

2. (A) hours 6. (A) excited

(B) minutes (B) alarmed
(C) time (C) confused
(D) -- (D) disorganized

3. (A) child 7. (A) save

(B) child's (B) saves
(C) children's (C) saved
(D) -- (D) saving

4. (A) whistling
(B) wrestling
(C) wafting
(D) warming

PRACTICE 32

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Anyone who has a dog as a pet will agree that it must be trained to obey orders. One basic
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training exercise is to ___1___ a dog to sit. With a little patience, you will be ___2___ to get
your dog to obey your commands ___3___ a short time. Some dogs tend to be ___4___ . If this
is the case, be firm ___5___ gentle, and keep repeating the command until it is obeyed. As
___6___ as the dog does sit, immediately give it a ___7___ . A few dog biscuits will be
sufficient. Do not ___8___ to praise it also. Animals, like humans, respond well to praise. Other
commands can also be taught in the same way. If you persevere, you will be surprised at what
you can train your dog to do.

1. (A) teach 5. (A) or

(B) taught (B) and
(C) teaching (C) but
(D) teacher (D) nor

2. (A) ability 6. (A) soon

(B) enable (B) sooner
(C) able (C) more sooner
(D) disabled (D) soonest

3. (A) with 7. (A) treatment

(B) without (B) treated
(C) within (C) treat
(D) whereas (D) treats

4. (A) played 8. (A) forgetting

(B) players (B) forgotten
(C) playing (C) forgot
(D) playful (D) forget

PRACTICE 33

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Your automatic teller machine (ATM) card and your personal identification number (PIN) are the
twin keys to your bank account. Without either one of ___1___, no one else can withdraw money
from ___2___ bank account. It is your responsibility to ___3___ sure that your ATM card is kept
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in a ___4___ place at all times. Where your PIN is concerned, do not ever ___5___ the digits
down. Memorize the digits ___6___ remember them. If you are worried you may ___7___ them,
write them down on a sheet of paper and leave it at home. Make sure nobody is ___8___ too
close to you when you are withdrawing money at an ATM machine.

1. (A) their 5. (A) write

(B) they (B) wrote
(C) them (C) written
(D) theirs (D) writing

2. (A) you 6. (A) not

(B) yours (B) so
(C) you're (C) and
(D) your (D) until

3. (A) make 7. (A) forgot

(B) made (B) forget
(C) makes (C) forgetting
(D) making (D) forgotten

4. (A) saving 8. (A) stand

(B) safety (B) stands
(C) save (C) standing
(D) safe (D) stood

PRACTICE 34

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

About 30,000 people in Gombak sighed with relief when water supply was fully restored after
five days of dry taps. Water supply was cut ___1___ since last Friday in 14 areas after the Sungai
Gombak water treatment plant was polluted ___2___ palm oil after an accident ___3___ two
tankers at the 29th kilometer of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway. A student said that it was a
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relief as ___4___ at his hosted toilet had deteriorated during the water cut. Another ___5___
resident said he was happy the water supply was back as he did not have to bathe in the open
___6___. A hospital staff remarked that they were glad to have water supply restored ___7___ it
had been difficult to maintain normal hygiene standards without water.

1. (A) up 5. (A) affected

(B) off (B) stressful
(C) out (C) sad
(D) away (D) hopeless

2. (A) on 6. (A) some more

(B) in (B) any time
(C) by (C) anymore
(D) with (D) ever

3. (A) involving 7. (A) so

(B) involved (B) as
(C) involve (C) and
(D) -- (D) but

4. (A) conditioning
(B) situations
(C) conditions
(D) atmosphere

PRACTICE 35

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

An orchard owner went to his orchard as usual this morning. However, this time he ran ___1___
his life when he saw two tigers prowling about his orchard. He stopped a ___2___ motorist who
brought him to the nearest police station. There, he made a police ___3___ . Later, several
policemen accompanied him to his orchard ___4___ the footprints. They were ___5___ to see
the tigers eating durian fruits. According to the owner, that was the first time tigers were seen in
the ___6___ . No wonder, the durians ___7___ earlier were all open. The policemen said that
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they did not realize that tigers lived the fruit.

1. (A) off 5. (A) shock

(B) for (B) shocks
(C) of (C) shocked
(D) in (D) shocking

2. (A) passes 6. (A) park

(B) passed (B) town
(C) passing (C) jungle
(D) had passed (D) vicinity

3. (A) notes 7. (A) gather

(B) letter (B) gathers
(C) article (C) gathered
(D) report (D) gathering

4. (A) check
(B) checks
(C) checked
(D) to check

PRACTICE 36

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Dear Sir
I am writing to inform you of the kind of service rendered by some of the employees of your
company, the United Bus Company. Firstly, the drivers of some of the buses ___1___ do not stop
the buses directly in front of the bus stops, as one would expect, but twenty or thirty meters
before ___2___ after them. This results ___3___ having the people run to catch the bus. I use the
word "run" because, after stopping for only about two minutes, the bus starts ___4___ again. The
bus driver and conductor seem to be unaware that people who are walking ___5___ the bus
might also be interested in boarding it. I know this for certain because, having a heart ___6___, I
try to make it a practice not to run. As a result, your buses have left me behind six times.
Secondly, your conductors seem to feel that they are in charge of ___7___ the public. Once, I
was rudely told by a conductor, "You are a man. Why don't you stand up for this lady?" It was
very embarrassing. As the manager, I am sure that you will wish the public to have a good
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impression of the company. I hope you will take steps to rectify this situation.

1. (A) often 5. (A) onwards

(B) never (B) forward
(C) always (C) towards
(D) seldom (D) backwards

2. (A) and 6. (A) deficient

(B) but (B) decision
(C) also (C) position
(D) or (D) condition

3. (A) of 7. (A) educate

(B) in (B) educated
(C) on (C) educating
(D) for (D) education

4. (A) of
(B) off
(C) on
(D) out

PRACTICE 37

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

A woman executive fought off a snatch thief and helped nab him in the process. She sustained
bruises ___1___ her hands and legs when she fell and struggled to hold ___2___ the thief. The
26 year-old victim, who wanted to be identified only as Rose, was making a telephone call
___3___ waiting for her fiend in front of a bank when the thief, ___4___ pillion on a motorcycle,
grabbed her cellphone. She grabbed his leg after falling down, causing him to fall off the
machine too. Passersby rushed to help her ___5___ the thief. The thief was later handed over to
the police who arrived shortly after the ___6___ . The rider of the motorcycle fled the scene. The
executive was happy to have recovered her cellphone. The police ___7___ her for not giving in
to the snatch-thief.
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1. (A) at 5. (A) detain

(B) over (B) detains
(C) on (C) detaining
(D) through (D) detained

2. (A) into 6. (A) incidence

(B) onto (B) incident
(C) toward (C) accident
(D) forward (D) occurrence

3. (A) as 7. (A) commenting

(B) during (B) commented
(C) while (C) commending
(D) in (D) commended

4. (A) ride
(B) rides
(C) rode
(D) riding

PRACTICE 38

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

We are living at a time when natural disasters seem to be a regular occurrence. Over the past few
years, ___1___ people have died all over the world due ___2___ one natural disaster or another.
Before we can ___3___ to terms with one disaster in a particular area, we are ___4___ by
another one in another part of the world. It almost seems as ___5___ nature has declared war
against humanity. We do not really know when ___6___ where the enemy will strike next.
Neither do we know ___7___ to cope with a calamity effectively when it does occur. Man, who
is so proud of his ___8___ and knowledge, has to eat humble pie and accept the fact that when
he comes face to face with the ravages of nature, he will most certainly emerge as the loser.

1. (A) counted 5. (A) also

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(B) countable (B) too

(C) counting (C) if
(D) countless (D) so

2. (A) with 6. (A) but

(B) to (B) until
(C) for (C) not
(D) because (D) or

3. (A) come 7. (A) when

(B) comes (B) why
(C) came (C) how
(D) coming (D) where

4. (A) hit 8. (A) humility

(B) hits (B) generosity
(C) hitting (C) wisdom
(D) will hit (D) appearance

PRACTICE 39

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

A few months ago, I took my sons to buy shoes. Siew Ming is fourteen ___1___ autistic. Siew
Nam is eight and normal. Before we got to the store, Siew Nam said, "Mum, you just ___2___
on buying shoes. If Siew Ming throws a tantrum, I ___3___ handle him." I nodded and gave him
a pat on the head.
One aspect of autism that rarely gets talked about is the brothers and sisters of autistic children.
They are often embarrassed about their autistic sibling and they feel guilty ___4___ having these
feelings. One way of helping them cope with this is to educate them early on, by ___ 5___ their
sibling's disorder. Another is to include non-autistic children in ___6___ to the doctor or other
autism professionals. ___7___ , kids can be brought to meet other siblings of autistic children,
which they can do at sibling workshops. These workshops give the siblings of the autistic to
share experiences and learn that they are not alone.
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1. (A) or 5. (A) explain

(B) but (B) explains
(C) and (C) explaining
(D) because (D) explained

2. (A) concentrate 6. (A) visit

(B) concentrates (B) visits
(C) concentration (C) visited
(D) concentrating (D) visiting

3. (A) can 7. (A) However

(B) could (B) Consequently
(C) shall (C) Furthermore
(D) should (D) Nevertheless

4. (A) on
(B) in
(C) of
(D) for

PRACTICE 40

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

The alligator is a large reptile closely related to the crocodile. It has a tougher skin and a
___1___ head than the crocodile. ___2___ teeth are hidden when its mouth is closed. The
crocodile is very ___3___. The alligator however fears people and ___4___ attacks them. The
alligator's long, thick tail gradually ends ___5___ a point. The tough skin of the adult is almost
black. ___6___ animal can live up to 60 years or more. Some alligators ___7___ six meters in
length. However three to four meters is more ___8___. The alligator likes to ___9___ its time in
the water ___10___ to sun itself on a long.

1. (A) broad 6. (A) ---

(B) broader (B) A
(C) broadly (C) An
(D) more broader (D) The

2. (A) Its 7. (A) reach

(B) They (B) reaches
(C) Them (C) are reaching

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(D) Their (D) has reached

3. (A) beautiful 8. (A) common

(B) timid (B) popular
(C) tame (C) famous
(D) vicious (D) well-known

4. (A) always 9. (A) stay

(B) often (B) live
(C) rarely (C) spend
(D) sometimes (D) use

5. (A) on 10. (A) or

(B) at (B) but
(C) in (C) if
(D) of (D) so that

PRACTICE 41

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Heavy rain fell throughout the day without any sign of stopping. All of us ___1___ to worry. It
was the monsoon season and there was ___2___ much we could do but to wait and see if we had
___3___ evacuate. The drains were already overflowing and ___4___ our garden compounds
were flooded. Our houses were ___5___ not affected as they were built on stilts. Some children
were splashing about in the water but they were soon asked to stay indoors as the water level
___6___. We had lost a child in the last flood and we ___7___ not want another tragedy. By 3
o'clock it was obvious that we would have to ___8___ our homes. The water was already seeping
___9___ our living-room. We had already stacked out clothes, electrical ___10___ and other
valuable items on top of cupboards. Two hours later our whole house was two feet deep in water.

1. (A) begin 6. (A) rise

(B) began (B) rose
(C) begun (C) rises
(D) are beginning (D) risen

2. (A) nothing 7. (A) are

(B) anything (B) had
(C) something (C) did
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(D) everything (D) do

3. (A) to 8. (A) leave

(B) by (B) depart
(C) for (C) go away
(D) with (D) remove

4. (A) recently 9. (A) in

(B) newly (B) on
(C) soon (C) into
(D) lately (D) to

5. (A) already 10. (A) tools

(B) yet (B) machines
(C) just (C) furniture
(D) still (D) appliances

PRACTICE 42

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

The Mingo Red Indians were resting in the clearing. For a moment they were deeply shocked.
Then ___1___ a terrible cry they sprang to attack. Just then ___2___ even louder voice was
heard ___3___ all the Mingos stopped and turned back to look behind them. Their eyes were
filled with wonder and fear to ___4___ about 60 English soldiers dressed in bright red uniforms
steadily ___5___ towards them. At first the Mingos did not ___6___ what to do. They were in a
terrible position; on three sides ___7___ water and on the fourth, the advancing soldiers. The
warriors ___8___ for their rifles as the soldiers charged. It is not ___9___ to describe what
followed for the air was filled with clouds of smoke from the guns. There was ___10___
shouting and screaming with people running in all directions.

1. (A) wither 6. (A) known

(B) with (B) now
(C) within (C) knew
(D) without (D) know

2. (A) other 7. (A) were

(B) and (B) ---
(C) --- (C) was
(D) an (D) of

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3. (A) an 8. (A) rushed

(B) of (B) to rush
(C) and (C) rushing
(D) from (D) rush

4. (A) see 9. (A) too easy

(B) saw (B) easiest
(C) be seen (C) easy
(D) seeing (D) easier

5. (A) march 10. (A) less

(B) to march (B) much
(C) marching (C) more
(D) marched (D) many

PRACTICE 43

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

I was only nine years old and off on a great adventure. I had just joined the scouts and was going
on a camping trip. This would be the first time I had ever ___1___ out in the open. The day came
for the trip ___2___ in no time, we were on our way to our camping site. We arrived at our
destination after about half ___3___ hour of cycling along a quiet country road. The camping
ground was a small clearing in the forest, about 300 meters ___4___ the main road. So, it was
very quiet there, except for the sounds of the insects. Occasionally, we would hear the faint
___5___ of a vehicle passing on a distant road. Our first task was to pitch our tents. ___6___, we
all fell to the task. Soon, all our tents were ready. Then, our Scout Master ___7___ us how to tie
knots and make gadgets which would be useful to us in the wild. These were all new experiences
for me and I was really excited when I saw that we could really make useful things out of
branches and leaves.

1. (A) slept 5. (A) roar

(B) sleep (B) rumble
(C) sleeps (C) sputter
(D) sleeping (D) explosion

2. (A) but 6. (A) Obviously

(B) and (B) Suddenly
(C) with (C) Eagerly
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(D) until (D) Lazily

3. (A) the 7. (A) began

(B) a (B) showed
(C) an (C) ordered
(D) -- (D) introduced

4. (A) between
(B) across
(C) beside
(D) from

PRACTICE 44

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

The lion is a magnificent animal. It has often been referred ___1___ as the 'King of the jungle'.
Anyone ___2___ has seen this animal at close range will definitely ___3___ that this is indeed
an apt title. What does a full ___4___ lion look like ? Well, it has a large head, small rounded
ears and ___5___ pair of piercing eyes. It also has a thick ___6___ mane, which gives the animal
its majestic appearance. Lions are ___7___ mostly in the jungles of Asia and Africa. They can
___8___ be seen at game reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and zoos. In many countries, lions have
become protected animals. This means people are not allowed to kill them.

1. (A) for 5. (A) some

(B) to (B) a
(C) by (C) the
(D) with (D) any

2. (A) which 6. (A) colorful

(B) whom (B) crooked
(C) who (C) golden
(D) whose (D) scanty

3. (A) agree 7. (A) find

(B) agrees (B) found
(C) agreed (C) founded
(D) agreement (D) finding

4. (A) grown 8. (A) and

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(B) grew (B) or

(C) growing (C) also
(D) grows (D) never

PRACTICE 45

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

The coconut palm is extremely useful to us. The slender trunk can serve ___1___ a bridge across
a stream or canal. It can also be ___2___ up and used as firewood. Mats, baskets and even roofs
can be made ___3___ woven leaves. The veins of the leaves can be ___4___ to make brooms.
The fruit, however, is the ___5___ useful part. Its husk can be woven to ___6___ rope. It can
also be used as a filling for mattresses or burnt as fuel. Coconut water is ___7___ to drink
especially on hot days. Oil can be extracted from the kernel and used for cooking. Coconut oil is
also used to make soap as ___8___ as cosmetics. The list of uses of the coconut palm goes on
and on. We are fortunate indeed that coconut palms grow in such abundance in our country.

1. (A) for 5. (A) more

(B) as (B) very
(C) with (C) so
(D) by (D) most

2. (A) chop 6. (A) make

(B) chopping (B) makes
(C) chopper (C) made
(D) chopped (D) making

3. (A) in 7. (A) insipid

(B) on (B) delicious
(C) from (C) deliciously
(D) by (D) disgusting

4. (A) use 8. (A) often

(B) uses (B) also
(C) used (C) well
(D) using (D) good

PRACTICE 46

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

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The mention of HIV strikes terror in the hearts of most people. HIV stands ___1___ 'human
immunodeficiency virus'. This virus has the ability to ___2___ down and destroy ___3___
body's immune system. Many people ___4___ are infected by the virus may not show ___5___
symptoms of the disease for months or ___6___ years. Once the body's immune system ___7___
to break down, the body will ___8___ longer be able to protect itself. When this happens, even
the simplest of infections could prove to be fatal.

1. (A) for 5. (A) no

(B) at (B) much
(C) by (C) plenty
(D) from (D) any

2. (A) broke 6. (A) not

(B) broken (B) even
(C) break (C) never
(D) breaking (D) most

3. (A) a 7. (A) begins

(B) an (B) begun
(C) the (C) begin
(D) -- (D) beginning

4. (A) whom 8. (A) any

(B) who (B) much
(C) whose (C) no
(D) what (D) more

PRACTICE 47

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Butterflies and moths are both insects. These two insects may both ___1___ to be similar, but
there are many differences ___2___ them. Butterflies can often be seen fluttering about ___3___
the day. They rest with ___4___ wings pointed upwards. At the end ___5___ their antennae or
feelers, they have club-like tips. Moths, however, are ___6___ seen during the daylight hours.
They prefer to ___7___ out at night. Unlike butterflies, they are not brightly ___8___. When
they stop to rest, their wings are folded flat across their bodies. Their antennae, which are often
branched or feathery, do not have club-like tips like the butterflies.
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1. (A) appear 5. (A) of

(B) appears (B) with
(C) appeared (C) by
(D) appearing (D) at

2. (A) in 6. (A) always

(B) between (B) frequently
(C) with (C) seldom
(D) among (D) regularly

3. (A) on 7. (A) come

(B) at (B) came
(C) by (C) comes
(D) during (D) coming

4. (A) its 8. (A) color

(B) their (B) colors
(C) theirs (C) colored
(D) them (D) coloring

PRACTICE 48

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

China was the first country to use paper. The Europeans, however, were only ___1___ to it in the
15th century. In ___2___ early days, cotton and linen rags were used ___3___ paper-making.
Paper at that time was ___4___ expensive because it was hand-made. Skilled ___5___ were few
and the process was slow and tedious. Nowadays, paper-making is ___6___ by machine. Instead
of using cotton or linen, wood pulp is most ___7___ used. Mass-produced paper is now ___8___
available worldwide at comparatively reasonable prices. Nearly everyone can afford to buy or
use paper products.

1. (A) introduce 5. (A) working

(B) introducing (B) workers
(C) introduced (C) works
(D) introduction (D) work

2. (A) a 6. (A) do

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(B) an (B) does

(C) the (C) did
(D) some (D) done

3. (A) with 7. (A) commonly

(B) for (B) common
(C) by (C) commoner
(D) at (D) commonest

4. (A) seldom 8. (A) easy

(B) never (B) easier
(C) extreme (C) easily
(D) extremely (D) easiest

PRACTICE 49

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens was extremely naughty when he was young. He and his friends
were ___1___ up to pranks. When he ___2___ up, he decided to write about his ___3___
experiences. He chose the name Mark Twain as ___4___ pseudonym or pen-name. He wrote a
number ___5___ books in his lifetime. They were all ___6___ the adventures of carefree boys
___7___ lived in small towns in America. Mark Twain's books are now read all over the world
by people of all ages. They have also been translated ___8___ numerous languages. Anyone who
has had an interesting, adventure-filled childhood should consider writing about it. He or she
could gain fame and fortune the way Samuel Clemens did !

1. (A) always 5. (A) at

(B) never (B) of
(C) seldom (C) for
(D) barely (D) from

2. (A) grow 6. (A) with

(B) growing (B) by
(C) grew (C) about
(D) grown (D) for

3. (A) childlike 7. (A) who

(B) childs (B) whom
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(C) children (C) which

(D) childhood (D) whose

4. (A) he 8. (A) to
(B) him (B) for
(C) his (C) into
(D) himself (D) at

PRACTICE 50

Choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D.

I had been looking forward to the trip for weeks, as it would be my first visit to a forest reserve.
It was a nature study trip, organised by a local children's magazine. My elder brother had been
allowed to go on the trip and, after a great deal of ___1___, my parents allowed me to go along
too. Finally, the day arrived. My mother drove ___2___ down to the bus station where we could
see lots of other children ___3___ with their parents. The bus engine was already running and
some of the children were ___4___ it. Quickly, we scrambled out of the car and joined the other
children. My brother told my mother that she should go home but she just parked her car by the
side of the road and waited for us to leave. Then, at last we were ___5___! After a two-hour
journey, we arrived at the forest reserve. All I could see were lots of tall trees. One of the adults
started pointing out the different ___6___ of trees to the children and some of the children wrote
___7___ their names. However, others became bored and wandered off to look around on their
own.

1. (A) decision 5. (A) on

(B) co-operation (B) of
(C) assurance (C) off
(D) persuasion (D) out

2. (A) we 6. (A) species

(B) me (B) specimens
(C) us (C) varieties
(D) him (D) creations

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3. (A) wait 7. (A) off

(B) waits (B) up
(C) waited (C) on
(D) waiting (D) down

4. (A) climbing
(B) boarding
(C) entering
(D) ascending

50