The whale is a mammal - warm-blooded, air-breathing, giving birth to its young alive, sucking them-and, like all mammals, originated on land. There are many signs of this. __1__ front flippers, used for steering and stability, are traces of feet.

　　Immense strength is built into the great body of the big whales, and in fact most of a whale's body is one gigantic muscle. The blue whale's pulling __2__ has been estimated at 400 horsepower. One specimen was reported to have __3__ a whaling vessel for seven hours at the __4__ of eight knots.

　　An enraged whale will attack a ship. A famous __5__ of this was the fate of whaler Essex, which was sunk __6__ South America early in the last century. More recently, steel ships have had their plates buckled in the same way. Sperm whales were known to __7__ the old-time whaleboats in their jaws and crush them.

　　The greatest mystery of whales is their diving ability. The sperm whale __8__ the bottom for his favourite food, the octopus. __9__ he is known to go as far down as 3,200 feet, where the pressure is 1,400 pounds, to the square inch. Doing __10__ he will remain submerged as long as one hour. Two feats are involved in this : storing up enough __11__(all whales are air-breathed) and withstanding the great change in pressure. Just __12__ he dose it scientists have not determined. It is believed that some of the oxygen is stored in a special system of blood vessels, rather than just held in the lungs. And __13__ that a special kind of oil in his head is some sort of compensating mechanism that automatically adjusts the internal pressure of his body. But __14__ you can't bring a live whale into the laboratory for study, no one __15__ just how these things work.

　　EXERCISE:

　　1. A)Their B)His C)Theirs D)Its

　　2. A)strength B)width C)height D)length

　　3. A)eaten B)crashed C)towed D)lifted

　　4. A)distance B)rate C)voyage D)sail

　　5. A)picture B)film C)example D)book

　　6. A)off the coast of B)of the coast of C0away the coast of D)in the coast of

　　7. A)hit B)seize C)damage D)overturn

　　8. A)sink to B)rest on C)dive to D)hide on

　　9. A)In that search B)Because of this C)In spite of that D)In support of this

　　10. A)so B)such C)above D)the same

　　11. A)air B)oxygen C)energy D)heat

　　12. A)what B)where C)how D)when

　　13. A)it is believed B)he believes C)we believe D)it believes

　　14. A)because of B)due to C)since D)owing to

　　15. A)communicates B)knows C)hears D)develops

　　KEY:D A C B C A B C A A B C A C B

　　Racial Prejudice

　　In some countries where racial prejudice is acute, violence has been taken for granted as a means of solving differences; and this is not even questioned. There are countries ___1___ the white man imposes his rule by brute force; there are countries where the black man protests by __2__ fire to cities and by looting and pillaging. Important people on both sides, who would in other respects appear to be __3__ men, get up and calmly argue __4__ violence- --as if it were a legitimate solution, like any other. What is really frightening, what really fills you __5__ despair, is the realization that when it comes to the crunch, we have made no actual progress __6__. We may wear collars and ties instead of war-paint, but our instincts remain basically unchanged. The whole of the __7__ history of the human race, that tedious documentation of violence, has taught us absolutely nothing. We have still not learnt that violence never __8__ a problem but makes it more acute. The sheer horror, the bloodshed and the suffering __9__ nothing. No solution ever comes to light the morning after when we dismally contemplate the smoking ruins and wonder __10_ hit us.

　　The truly reasonable men who know where the solutions __11__ are finding it harder and harder to get a hearing. They are despised, mistrusted and even persecuted by their own __12__ because they advocate such apparently outrageous things __13__ law enforcement. If half the energy that goes into violent acts were __14__, if our efforts were directed at cleaning up the slums and ghettos, at improving living- standards and providing education and employment __15__ all, we would have gone a long way to arriving at a solution.

　　EXERCISE:

　　1. A) where B) that C) which D) who

　　2. A) giving B) catching C) setting D) letting

　　3. A) reasonable B) reasonably C) reasonless D) reason

　　4. A) for the sake of B) for fear of C) in case of D) in favor of

　　5. A) for B) with C) by D) up

　　6. A) at all B) after all C) at last D) in the end

　　7. A) record B) recording C) recorded D) records

　　8. A) keeps B) deals C) answers D) solves

　　9. A) meant B) mean C) is meaning D) are meaning

　　10. A) what B) that C) / D) which

　　11. A) lay B) lays C) lie D) lies

　　12. A) kind B) way C) right D) rule

　　13. A) like B) so C) that D) as

　　14. A) put to use good B0 put to good use C0 put good to use D) good put to use

　　15. A) by B) at C) for D) with

　　KEY:A C A D B A C D B A C A D B C

　　Public and Private Schools in the Unite States

　　Religious and private schools receive little or no support from public taxes in the Unite States, and, as a result, are usually somewhat expensive to_1_. The largest group of religious schools in America _2_ by the Roman Catholic Church. While religious schools tend to be_3_ expensive than private schools, there are usually some fees.

　　When there is free education available to all children in the Unite States, why do people _4_ money on private schools? Americans offer_5_ great variety of reasons for doing so, including the desire of some parents to _6_ their children to schools _7_ classes tend to be smaller, or where religious instruction is included as part of the educational program, or because, _8_ their opinion, the public schools in their area are not _9_ high enough quality to meet their needs. Private schools in the Unite States _10_ widely in size, quality, and in the kind of program that are offered to meet _11_ of certain students.

　　The degree _12_ American parents are active in their children's schools is often _13_ to people of other countries. Most schools have organizations _14_ of both parents and teachers, usually called P.T.A for Parent-Teacher-Association. They meet together to _15_ various matters concerning the school. Parents often give their time to help with classroom or after school activities.

　　1.A) go B) attend C) take part in D) enroll

　　2. A) were run B) run C) is run D) is running

　　3.A) less B) more C) rather D) much

　　4. A) spend B) pay C) cost D) take

　　5. A) a B) the C) some D) /

　　6 A) bring B) bringing C) send D) sending

　　7. A) which B) what C) in that D) where

　　8. A) to B) in C) on D) for

　　9. A) / B) in C) of D) on

　　10. A) differ B) varies C) extend D) differs

　　11. A) the needs B) the satisfaction C) needs D) need

　　12. A) on which B) to which C) which D) what

　　13. A) surprise B) surprised C) surprising D) striking

　　14. A) consisting B) comprising C) composing D) making up

　　15. A) talk to B) comment C) discuss D) exchange

　　key: BCAAA CDBCA ABCAC

　　The Central Problem of Economics

　　The central problem of economics is to satisfy the people's and nation's wants.

　　The problem we are faced with is that our resources, here identified as money, are __1__. The only way we can resolve our problem is to make choices. After looking at our resources, we must examine our list of __2__ and identify the things we need immediately, those we can postpone, and __3__ we cannot afford. As individuals, we face the central problem involved in economics-deciding just how to allocate our limited our limited resources to provide __4__ with the greatest satisfaction of our wants.

　　Nations face the same problem. As a country's population ___5__, the need for more goods and services grows correspondingly. Resources necessary to production may increase, but there __6__ are enough resources to satisfy the total desires of a nation. Whether the budget meeting is taking place in the family living room, in the conference room of the corporation __7__ of directors, or in the chamber of the House of Representatives in Washington, the basic problem still exists. We need to find __8__ of allocating limited resources in order to satisfy unlimited wants.

　　A short time ago economists divided goods into two categories, free and economic. The former, like air and water, were in __9__ abundance that economists had no concern for them. After all, economics is the __10__ of scarcity and what to do about it. Today many of these "free goods" are __11__ very expensive to use. Pollution has made clean air and water expensive for producers' extra costs, and __12__ taxpayers who pay for the government's involvement in cleaning the environment.

　　In the 1990s, almost all goods are __13__. Only by effort and money __14__ obtained in the form people wish.

　　Meeting needs of people and the demands from resource available __15__ the basic activity of production. In trying to meet unlimited wants from limited economic goods, production leads to new problems in economics.

　　EXERCISE:

　　1. A) limited B) unlimited C) scarcity D) abundant

　　2. A) want B) problem C) wants D) resources

　　3. A) those B) some C) others D) many

　　4. A) them B) themselves C) ourselves D) ours

　　5. A) expand B) extends C) grows D) increase

　　6. A) always B) sometimes C) often D) never

　　7. A) management B) function C) board D) group

　　8. A) people B) economists C ) way D) methods

　　9. A) so B) great C) such D) such an

　　10. A) form B) study C) means D) source

　　11. A) practically B) in practice C)in reality D) practicably

　　12. A) the B) / C) for D) with

　　13. A) plentiful B) scarce C) abundant D) in full supply

　　14. A) they can be B) can they be C) they must be D) must they be

　　15. A) are led to B) leads C) lead to D) leads to

　　KEY:

　　A C A C C D C D C B C C B B D

　　Newspaper Reports

　　There are many type of reports. A report is simply __1__ of something that has happened. The commonest are __2__. We get them in newspapers, over radio and __3__ television. Sometimes cinemas also show us newsreels.

　　The main purpose of a newspaper __4__ provide news. If you __5__ a newspaper closely, you will find that there are all types of news: accidents, floods, fires, wars, sports, books, etc. The news __6__ everything that happens to people and their surroundings. Sometimes there are news items which are very __7__.

　　The big __8__ bold words above the news items are called headlines. Their purpose is to __9__ attention so that people will buy the newspaper because they want to read __10__ of the news.

　　A news report is usually very short, __11__ when it is about something very important, but it __12__ a lot of information. It is also written in short paragraphs. The first paragraph is in __13__ a summary of the news item. It gives all the necessary information: what, when, where, how, why. The other paragraphs give __14__ of the subject. There may also be interviews __15__ people. The words actually spoken by them are within inverted commas.

　　Often there are photographs to go with the news to make it more interesting.

　　1. A) a count B) an account C) an accident D) an incident

　　2. A) news reports B) new reports C) news report D) new report

　　3. A) over B) by C) on D) through

　　4. A) is to B) is C) is to have D) is to be

　　5. A) examine B) watch C) look D) see

　　6. A) concludes B) covers C) conclude D) cover

　　7. A) amuse B) amused C) amusing D) to amuse

　　8. A) or B) as well C) both D) also

　　9. A) give B) attain C) pay D) attract

　　10. A) the rest B) rest C) other D) the other

　　11. A) besides B) apart from C) except D) except for

　　12. A) composes B) concludes C) confirms D) contains

　　13. A) details B) reply C) all D) fact

　　14. A) fully details B) full details C) details fully D) details full

　　15. A) with B) between C) to D) among

　　KEYS: BACAA BCADA CDDBA

　　The Great Newspaper War

　　Up until about 100 years ago, newspapers in the United States appealed only to the most serious readers. They used __1__ illustrations and the articles were about politics or business.

　　Two men changed that - Joseph Pulitzer __2__ the New York World and William Randolph Hearst of the New York Journal. Pulitzer bought the New York World __3__ 1883. He changed it from a traditional newspaper into a very__4__ one overnight. He added __5__ illustrations and cartoons. And he told his reporters to write articles on __6__ crime or scandal they could find. And they did. One of them even pretended she was crazy and then she __7__ to a mental hospital. She then wrote a series of articles about the poor treatment of __8__ in those hospitals.

　　In 1895, Hearst came to New York from __9__ California. He wanted the Journal to be more sensational and more exciting __10__ the world. He also wanted it to be __11__, so he reduced the price by a penny. Hearst attracted attention because his headlines were bigger than__12__. He often said, "Big print makes big news."

　　Pulitzer and Hearst did anything they __13__ to sell newspapers. For example, Hearst sent Frederic Remington, the famous illustrator, __14__ pictures of the Spanish-American War. When he got there, he told Hearst that no fighting was__15__. Hearst answered, "You furnish the pictures. I'll furnish the war."

　　EXERCISE:

　　1. A) no B) many C) a lot D) little

　　2. A) on B) for C) in D)of

　　3. A) on B) in C) at D) about

　　4. A) excite B) excitingly C)exciting D) excited

　　5. A) a lot B) few C) a few D) lots of

　　6. A) every B) all C) both D) many

　　7. A) admitted B) was admitted C) could admit D) has admitted

　　8. A) patients B) patience C) patient D) patiences

　　9. A) an B) the C) a D) /

　　10. A) than B) as C) in D) for

　　11. A) cheap B) cheaper C) cheapest D) the cheapest

　　12. A) anyone B) anyone's C) anyone else D) anyone else's

　　13. A) may B) might C) can D) could

　　14. A) draw B) drew C) to dray D) drawn

　　15. A) going B) going out C) going on D) going off

　　Key: ADBCDABADABDDCC

　　Shopping for Clothes

　　Shopping for clothes is not the same experience for a man as it is for a woman. A man goes shopping because he needs something. His purpose is settled and decided in __1__. He knows what he wants, and his __2__ is to find it and buy it. All men simply walk into a shop and ask the assistant for what they want. If the shop has it in stock, the deal can be and often is completed in less than five minutes, with hardly any chat and to everyone's __3__.

　　For a man, slight problems may begin when the shop does not have what he wants. In that __4__ the salesman tries to sell the customer something else - he offers the nearest to the article required. Good salesman brings out such a substitute with __5__: "I know this jacket is not the style you want, sir, but would you like to try it for size. It __6__ to be the colour you mentioned." Few men have __7__ with this treatment, and the usual response is: "This is the right colour and may be the right size, but I should be __8__ my time and yours by trying it on."

　　For a woman, buying clothes is always done in the __9__ way. Her shopping is not often __10__ on need. She has never fully decided what she wants, and she is only "having a look round". She is always open to persuasion, willing to try __11__ any number of things. Uppermost in her mind is the thought of finding something that __12__ thinks suits her. Most women have an excellent sense of value and are always on the look-out for the unexpected __13__. Faced with a roomful of dresses, a woman nay easily spend an hour going from one rail to another __14__ selecting the dresses she wants to try on. It is a tiresome process, but apparently a(n) __15__one. Most dress sho　ps provide chairs for the waiting husbands.

　　EXERCISE:

　　1. A) detail B) advance C) hurry D) full

　　2. A) objective B) need C) dream D) reason

　　3. A) sadness B) amusement C) surprise D) satisfaction

　　4. A) time B) event C) case D) situation

　　5. A) care B) skill C) attention D) interest

　　6. A) happens B) is C) changes D) comes

　　7. A) experience B) is C) interest D) patience

　　8. A) losing B) wasting C) spending D) giving

　　9. A) same B) similar C) opposite D) clever

　　10. A) relied B) done C) related D) based

　　11. A) on B) with C) by D) people

　　12. A) nobody B) someone C) surprise D) everyone

　　13. A) deal B) bargain C) surprise D) people

　　14. A) before B) after C) as D) by

　　15. A) exhausting B) boring C) enjoyable D) graceful

　　Key: BADCBADBCDADBAC

An Absent-minded Professor

　　Professor Smith lived alone. He was very absent-minded. He used to __1__ the university to give a lecture and find that he had forgotten to bring his notes. Or he __2__ lose his spectacles and be unable to see the __3__. He could never find any chalk to __4__ with, and he often forgot the time and would ramble __5__ for hours because he had __6__ his watch at home. But the most __7__ thing of all about him was his __8__. His overcoat was rarely __9__, as most of the buttons were __10__. His shoes were usually untied because he had lost the laces. He __11__ his comb as well because his hair was always standing __12__, that is unless he was __13__ his battered old hat with the brim missing. His trousers were __14__ by an old tie instead of a belt. He was a chain smoker. He would smoke __15__ in class. Cigarette ash was liberally scattered over his waistcoat.

　　1. A) arrive in B) arrive at C) arrive D) arriving

　　2. A) was used to B) was accustomed to C) could D) would

　　3. A) blackboard B) floor C) door D) window

　　4. A) teach B) deliver C) write D) address

　　5. A) of B) at C) in D) on

　　6. A) put B) placed C) left D) forgotten

　　7. A) exciting B) amazing C) attractive D) delightful

　　8. A) appearance B) act C) behavior D) conduct

　　9. A) tied B) fastened C) ironed D) patched

　　10. A) losing B) falling C) missing D) hanging

　　11. A) has lost B) loses C) must have lost D) must lose

　　12. A) on end B) up C) aside D) back

　　13. A) putting on B) wearing on C) wearing D) having

　　14. A) rounded up B) stuck together C) put together D) held up

　　15. A) even B) frequently C) constantly D) continuously

　　Keys: BDACD CBABC CACDA

　　Highways in the United States

　　The United States is well-known for its network of major highways designed to help a driver get from one place to another in the shortest possible time. __1__ these wide modern roads are generally __2__ and well maintained, with few sharp curves and __3__ straight sections, a direct route is not always the most __4__ one. Large highways often pass __5__ scenic areas and interesting small towns. Furthermore, these highways generally __6__ large urban centers which means that they become crowded with __7__ traffic during rush hours, __8__ the "fast, direct" way becomes a very slow route. However, there is almost always another route to __9__ if you are not in a hurry. Not for from the relatively new "superhighways", there are often older, __10__ heavily traveled roads which go through the countryside. __11__ are good lane roads; others are uneven roads curving __12__ the country. These secondary routes may go up steep slopes, along hilly cliffs or down frightening hillsides to towns __13__ in deep valleys. Though these are less __14__ routes, longer and slower, they generally go to places __15__ the air is clean and the scenery is beautiful, and the driver may have a chance to get a fresh, clean view of the world.

　　1. A) Although B) But C) Since D) Because

　　2. A) uneven B) bumpy C) rough D) smooth

　　3. A) little B) much C) many D) few

　　4. A) terrible B) horrible C) tolerable D) enjoyable

　　5. A) to B) into C) at D) by

　　6. A) merge B) connect C) combine D) mix

　　7. A) busy B) small C) large D) heavy

　　8. A) when B) where C) which D) that

　　9. A) walk B) go C) take D) fix

　　10. A) more B) less C) very D) extremely

　　11. A) All of these B) None of these C) All roads D) Some of these

　　12. A) out of B) out C) through D) from

　　13. A) lying B) lie C) lies D) lay

　　14. A) direct B) indirect C) enjoyable D) beautiful

　　15. A) these B) which C) that D) where

　　Keys: ADCDD BDACB DCAAD

　　A Biological Clock

　　Every living thing has what scientists call a biological clock that controls behavior. The biological clock tells __1__ when to form flowers and when the flowers should open. It tells __2__ when to leave the protective cocoon and fly away, and it tells animals and human beings when to eat, sleep and wake.

　　Events outside the plant and animal __3__ the actions of some biological clocks. Scientists recently found, for example, that a tiny animal changes the color of its fur __4__ the number of hours of daylight. In the short __5__ of winter, its fur becomes white. The fur becomes gray brown in color in the longer hours of daylight in summer.

　　Inner signals control other biological clocks. German scientists found that some kind of internal clock seems to order birds to begin their long migration __6__ twice each year. Birds __7__ from flying become restless when it is time for the trip, __8__ they become calm again when the time of the flight has ended.

　　Scientists say they are beginning to learn which __9__ of the brain contain biological clocks. An American researcher, Martin Moorhead, said a small group of cells near the front of the brain __10__ to control the timing of some of our actions. These __11__ tell a person when to __12__, when to sleep and when to seek food. Scientists say there probably are other biological clock cells that control other body activities.

　　Dr. Moorhead is studying __13__ our biological clocks affect the way we do our work. For example, most of us have great difficulty if we must often change to different work hours. __14__ can take many days for a human body to accept the major change in work hours. Dr. Moorhead said industrial officials should have a better understanding of biological clocks and how they affect workers. He said __15__ understanding could cut sickness and accidents at work and would help increase a factory's production.

　　1. A) scientists B) humans C) plants D) animals

　　2. A) insects B) birds C) fish D) snakes

　　3. A) effect B) affect C) effected D) affected

　　4. A) because B) for the reason that C) because of D) since

　　5. A) months B) days C) minutes D) weeks

　　6. A) flight B) fly C) movement D) transportation

　　7. A) prevented from B) ordered by C) helped by D) intruded on

　　8. A) and B) but C) therefore D) however

　　9. A) portions B) parts C) sections D kinds

　　10. A) try B) tries C) seem D) seems

　　11. A) things B) parts C) cells D) actions

　　12. A) awaken B) wake C) awake D) wake-up

　　13. A) how B) why C) where D) what

　　14. A) We B) It C) They D) You

　　15. A) so B) with C) such D) if

　　KEYS: CABCB AABBD CAABC