Reading comprehension, the 2nd term

Read the text below, For assignments (6--11) choose the correct answer (A, B, C, D).

The Earth is one of nine planets revolving around the Sun, a fairly small and ordinary star, which lies in the outer areas of the Milky Way galaxy. There are about 250 billion stars in our galaxy and billions of galaxies in the universe. People have always rendered about the possibility of intelligent life forms on other planets. In

recent years, this has become serious scientific speculation. Some scientists believe that there must be large numbers of stars with planets which could support living intelligent beings. Perhaps we will never know. The nearest star is 4,3 light years away. A light year is the distance covered by light travelling at about 186,000 miles a second in one year. It would take the fastest Earth spacecraft about 40,000 years to reach the nearest star.

For a number of years, radio telescopes have been trying to pick up signals from outer space, so far without success. There are, however, millions of possible radio frequencies, and there is no reason why a completely alien civilization should not use a different type of communication, such as X-rays or even a type of wave we have not yet discovered. Suppose contacts were made with beings 300 light years away. By the time we had sent our reply and received their response, the Earth would be 600 years old. It would be an interesting, but rather slow-moving conversation!

6. The nearest star is                        [A 4,3 light years away, B I,5 light years away, C 2light years away, D 10 light years away]

7. There are about ... in our galaxy                     [A 100 billion stars, B 200 billion stars, C 250 billion stars, D 10 billion stars]

8. A light year is the distance covered by light travelling at about ... in one year.                          [A 186,000 miles a second, B 100,000 miles a second, D 10,000 miles a second, C 20,000 miles a second]

9. Suppose contacts were made with beings.                        [A 100 light years away, B 200 light ycars away, C 10 light years away, D 300 Iight years away]

10. It would take the fastest spacecraft about. To reach the nearest star.                 [A 40,000 years, B 10,000 years, C 200,000 years, D15,000 year]

11. By the time we had sent our reply and received their response, the Earth would be ..                     [A 600 years older, B 400 years older, D 100 years older, C 600 years younger]

Read the text below. Choose from (A-H) the one which best fits each space (17-22)

Outside the city, we met two boys, who were selling strawberries.

My friend spoke to the boys and found out that they were brothers. Niccolò, was 13. Jacopo. The smaller one, was almost 12. We bought their strawberries and continued (17)   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H]

The next morning, we saw the two boys again near our hotel in Verona. They were shining the shoes of the men (18)   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H]They were very busy, but they said 'hello' to us in a friendly way.

I thought you sold strawberries, I said. We do many things, sir, Niccolò answered seriously

In the week (19)   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H]we saw Niccolò and Jacopo several times. These twvo brothers worked all day under the hot sun, shining shoes, selling fruit and newspapers. They always looked very busy.

One morning, while Niccolò was shining my shoes, I said: You and Jacopo work very hard. Tell me, how do you spend your money?"

We have plans, sir', the boys said. As we were soon leaving Verona, we wanted to do (20)   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H] for the boys who were friendly to us.

Well." I said, "can we do anything for you before we go"

Every Sunday we go to a village not far from Verona,' Niccolò began. We usually go by bus; but tomorrow, sir, maybe you will take us in your car.

On Sunday I took the boys to the village. I stopped my car where the boys asked. It was a lovely big house

The boys promised not to be long and entered the building. I waited a few minutes, and then I followed the boys.

Excuse me,' I said to a nurse who came to the door, I just brought two small boys here.

Ah. yes, she said with a smile. Nicolò and Jacopo came. To visit their sister, They are alone in the world,

except for their sister. Their mother and father died before the war, When the fascists came to Verona in the boys

began to carry (21)   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H] to the mountains. When the war ended, they found their sister sick with tuberculosis.

They brought her to our hospital. And every week the boys come to pay for their sister.

I thanked the nurse and waited outside. Soon the boys came back to the

car. They sat (22)   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H], looking serious and proud, these two gentlemen of Verona.

A which followed

B died after the war

C who passed by

D something pleasant

E secret messages in their shoes

F beside me

G not far from Switzerland

H our way to Verona

Read the text and choose the best option.

Brenda Gordon is a receptionist in a five-star hotel. She says that what appeals to her most in her work is the diversity of the challenges she faces every day. She first came to the hotel when she was on a year’s work experience from university and now she works part-time, which allows her to continue her education with her degree course in management. She advisers everyone not to pay much attention to low wages at the start of the career. Having the right degree or diploma is no guarantee of promotion, but the right attitude and excellent ommunication skills will get you a long way in profession.