7. English Gat
Part 1: Vocabulary
Directions: Chose the correct answer.
1. The government's (1) a. decide, b. decision. c. decisive,
d. decisively, to lift the minimum wage will (2) a. effect,
b. effective, c. affect, affection, economic growth by 0.2% on (3)
a. average, b. privilege, c. beverage, d. coverage, says the
Finance Ministry, while this year's growth will (4) a. deprive,
b. depose, c. deceive, d. decline, slightly to between 7.3% and
7.4% (5) a. according to, b. due to, c. prior to, d. similar to, the
recent floods. (20 words)
2. The Gold Traders Association this morning (1) a. denounced,
b. pronounced, c. announced. d. renounced, the buying price at
19,116.76 baht per baht-weight for gold (2) a. ornaments,
b. compliments, c. documents, d. supplements, and 19,400 baht
per baht-weight for gold bar. (10 words)
3. Have you ever called 199 _ the call service (1) a. manipulated,
b. populated, c. operated, d. calculated, by the Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration to (2) a. deal with, b. depend on,
c. show off, d. support for, unwanted visitors? (10 words)
4. Flood-related (1) a. health, b. wreath, c. death. d. wealth, toll had
(2) a. raised, b. arisen, c. risen, d. rose, to 255 on Friday, as the
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8. Meteorological Department warned more rain is (3) a. inspected,
b. expected, c. respected, d. impacted, in the South due to a
strengthening northeast monsoon. (15 words)
5. The army has (1) a. located, b. estimated, c. donated,
d. indicated, 300,000 baht to Cambodia to provide
(2) a. assistance, b. resistance, c. acceptance, d. attendance, to
families of festival-goers killed and (3) a. inspired, b. injured,
c. induced, d. introduced, in a riverside stampede on Monday
night. (15 words)
Part 2: Cloze
Situation : Jane meets a friend she hasn’t seen for 5 years at Chatuchak
Market on Saturday.
Jane : Karen is that you?
Karen : Jane! How great to run into you like this. 1 ?
Jane : Fine, but really busy. I 2 you. You look terrific! Have you
lost weight since 3 .
Karen : Yes, I was feeling tired all the time so I started an exercise
program. 4 did I begin to feel more energetic but I also
started to lose weight. I’ve lost 10 kilos in the past year.
Jane : I wish I could lose some weight. 5 I have no time to
exercise.
Karen : 6 .Get up an hour earlier and exercise before you go to work.
Jane : Where do you go to exercise?
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9. Karen : I’ve been doing aerobics at the park near my house three
mornings a week.
Jane : I can’t exercise before work. 7 to shower and get ready.
Karen : Then exercise after work.
Jane : But all the places that offer aerobics are either too expensive
or too crowded.
Karen : 8 . If you really want to lose weight, just turn on your
TV to the sports channel and do your aerobics at home in front of the
TV.
Jane : I don’t have cable TV.
Karen : You’re too much! 9 .
Jane : Just seeing you has been an inspiration. I’m going to start
walking more. And taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Karen : 10 . It was very nice seeing you again. Goodbye.
Jane : Bye Karen, and thanks for the good advice.
1. a. How have you been? b. How do you do?
c. What have you done? d. What are you doing?
2. a. didn’t want to forget b. wouldn’t remember
c. tried to think of d. almost didn’t recognize
3. a. I didn’t see you b. you were fat
c. I saw you last d. the time before
4, a. That’s when b. Not only
c. Then d. So
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10. 5. a. At some point, b. That’s why
c. In other words, d. The problem is
6. a. You have to make the time b. Let’s spend more time
c. Make a difference d. Don’t spend so much
7. a. I want to spend one more hour
b. It would take me another hour
c. It needs much more time
d. I have to use overtime
8. a. Excuse yourself b. Don’t apologize
c. Stop making excuses d. Apology accepted
9. a. I give up b. I couldn’t agree more
c. Wait a minute d. Take it easy
10. a. That’s a good start b. Have a good trip
c. You never listen to me d. Don’t take any chance
Part 3: Reading comprehension
Beijing is a city with deep-rooted traditions. It has a history of more
than 3,000 years, and has been the national capital for some 800 of
these. Some half a million years ago, Peking Men lived in Zhoukoudian.
The Palace Museum (Forbidden City) with its ancient architecture and a
history of more than 570 years of the 24 emperors who lived and
reigned there: The temple of heaven, the structure of which holds on an
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11. important position in the history of the Chinese architecture, have all
aroused people’s imagination concerning its uniqueness and mystery.
The Palace Museum is located in the middle of Beijing and is the
former place of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It’s the
largest and best preserved group of ancient wooden architecture in the
world. First built in 1406 in the fourth year of Emperor Yongle, it is the
place where 24 emperors were enthroned. Occupying an area of
720,000 square meters, the Palace Museum has 9,999 rooms, In 1987,
the UNESCO listed the Palace Museum as part of world cultural heritage.
In the northern part of the vast land of China there lies the Great Wall
which stretches from east to west, winding over mountains, across
grasslands and through in numerous twists and turns.
Spanning a total of 5,660 kms, it starts from the banks of the Yalu
River in the east and meanders toward the Qilin and Tianshan
Mountians in the west. Its gigantic proportions of construction, long
history and great magnificence have made it known throughout the
world and brought it the reputation as one of the world’s seven
wonders in the medieval times. Moreover, as the American astronaut
Neil Armstrong who manned the spacecraft “Apollo”put it, the Great
Wall is one of the twp construction projects on the earth that can be
seen clearly from space. While the United Nations named it one of the
world’s cultural heritages in 1987, the imposing Great Wall has long
been the symbol and soul of China.
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12. 1. Which is the best title of this story?
a. Beijing the imperial city in Asia
b. Peking men in China
c. Unseen tourist attractions
d. Seven’s wonders in the world
2. ‘there’ in line 5 refers to
a. Beijing
b. Zhoukoudian
c. The Palace Museum
d. the temple of heaven
3. The word ‘located’ in paragraph 2 can be replaced by
a. preserved
b. arouse
c. situated
d. concerned
4. ‘it’ in the last paragraph refers to
a. the Great Wall
b. a spacecraft ‘Apollo’
c. a construction project
d. Tianshan Mountains
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13. 5. Why does the Palace Museum was listed as part of the UNESCO’s
cultural heritage?
a. Because it used to be the former palace of emperors of Ming
and Qing dynasties.
b. Because it holds on an important position in Beijing
c. Because it was first built in the fourth year of Yongle.
d. Because it is the best largest group of wooden architecture.
6. Which are the wooden architectures from the passage?
a. The Great Wall, The Palace Museum
b. The Palace Museum, The Great Wall
c. The Forbidden City. The Palace Museum
d. the temple of heaven, The Forbidden City
7. The phrase ‘winding over mountains’ we can conclude that
a. the vast land in the northern part of China
b. The Great Wall of China in summer
c. The Great Wall of China stretches from east to west
d. an American astronaut can see clearly from space
8. According to the passage, we can know that the Great Wall of
China
a. is one of the constructions which can be seen from the moon
b. was first built in the reign of emperor Qin Sehung in 200 B.C.
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14. c. isn’t in the middle of Beijing but in Xian.
d. like a lying dragon from east to west.
9. Which alternative is not correct from the passage?
a. The emperor Yongle was the first one who ruled the imperial
China.
b. The Palace Museum is not situated outside Beijing.
c. Neil Armstrong said that he could the Great Wall of China from
the moon.
d. The Great Wall of China is the symbol of China nowadays.
10.What of the author’s purpose of this story?
a. supportive
b. informative
c. advisory
d. inviting
Part 4: Structural reading
Coral reefs found damaged
Up to 90% of coral reefs off the Phi Phi islands has been damaged by
bleaching and human activities, a study has found.
The latest survey by the Phuket Marine Biological Centre found the
reefs, particularly those around popular diving sites off Phi Phi Don, Phi
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15. Phi Lae, Koh Pai, Koh Yung , Koh Bita Nai and Koh Bita Nok, had been
damaged and many of them had died, a marine biologist at the centre
said.
Malinee Thongtham said a major contributor to the damage was the
coral bleaching caused by unusual high sea temperatures during the hot
season. Sea temperatures began to rise in April this year.
Living corals around the Phi Phi islands have been dying from severe
bleaching since June, Ms Malinee said.
Another factor posing a serious threat to the coral reefs around popular
dive sites was human activity, she said.
The survey found up to 90% of staghorn coral at Koh Yung and Koh Pai
had been badly harmed by diving activities.
Coral bleaching and diving caused more damage to coral reefs in the
area than the 2004 tsunami.
Ms Malinee said some divers trampled on the reefs while viewing the
marine life. The survey also found many fishing nets left near the coral.
The feeding of fish arranged by tour companies was also affecting the
condition of the coral reefs as fish shunned algae in favour of the food
distributed by tourists. This meant the reefs were becoming covered by
algae.
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16. The marine biologist urged agencies and tour operators to work
together to protect the coral.
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17. Context Clues
It may be possible to guess the meaning of a word from the context. For
example, consider this sentence:
Timothy scowled when he saw the dent in his new car.
We can guess that Timothy is upset when he notices a dent in his new
car. Although, we can’t know the exact meaning of ‘scowl’ from the
context, we can guess that it is the way of showing displeasure. We
might further guess that most people show they are upset by their facial
expression. Thus, we have arrived at a definition of ‘scowl’: a facial
expression that shows displeasure.
It is not always possible to get a clue to the meaning of a word from the
context. For example, consider this sentence:
Timothy scowled when he saw Aunt Agatha.
Unless we know what Timothy’s opinion of Aunt Agatha is, we cannot
guess the meaning of ‘scowled’ here. However, other sentences in the
passage might indicate what his opinion is, and these could give a clue
to the meaning.
Vocabulary meanings are given in English in various ways. The following
exercises reflect some of these ways.
1. Using the verb ‘to be’
The object following the verb ‘to be’ is frequently used to identify the
subject.
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18. Example
A salmon is a fish.
The meaning of ‘salmon’ is identified by the word ‘fish.’
Exercise 1
1. Hypoxia is an illness caused by a deficiency of oxygen in the tissues
of the body.
2. A porcupine is a large climbing rodent that is covered with sharp
spines for defense.
3. The atom is the smallest part of a chemical element that can exist
and still have the properties of the element.
4. A meteorite is a falling star that reaches the earth without burning
up.
5. A drone is a male bee.
2. Using appositives
A noun or noun group which follows a noun and is set off by commas is
an appositive. It identifies the noun it follows.
Example
Mercury, the silver-colored metal used in thermometers, is usually in
liquid form.
The meaning of ‘mercury’ is identified by its appositive, ‘the silver-
colored metal used in thermometers.’
By adding the words ‘which is / are’ or ‘who is / are’, you can test if the
noun is appositive.
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19. Example
Mercury, which is the silver-colored metal used in thermometers, is
usually in a liquid form.
Exercise 2
1. The coelacanth, a large-body hollow-spined fish, was thought to be
extinct until recently.
2. Pacemakers, small electrical devices that stimulate the heart muscle,
have saved many lives.
3. Many residents of Hawaii used to believe that the volcano’s flarings
were tirades of their goddess, Pele.
4. Morse code, a system of telegraphic signals composed of dots and
dashes, was invented by Samuel F.B. Morse.
5. Studying supernovas, the catastrophic explosions of dying stars, may
give answers to questions of modern cosmology.
3. Using Punctuation
Punctuation marks are sometimes used to set off a word which is being
used to identify another word. Some of the punctuation marks you may
see used in this way are:
, (comma)
[ ] (bracket)
- (dash)
( ) (parenthesis)
‘ ‘ (single quotation mark)
“ “ (double quotation mark)
Example
In laser printing, the greater the number of dpi (dots per inch), the
higher the quality of the image produced.
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20. The meaning of “dpi” is identified by the words in parentheses, “dots
per inch.”
Exercise 3
1. Intensity – loudness or softness – depends on the extent or
amplitude of vibrations.
2. The use of carved birds, “decoys,” is not a new idea in hunting.
3. If you are ectomorphic (the slender type), you are likely to be good
in such sports as track, tennis, and basketball.
4. A path to the chieftain’s headquarters winds through ancient
petroglyphs – inscriptions in stone.
5. Oral history – the use of the tape recorder to capture memories of
the past in private interviews – has become increasingly popular
among professional historians.
4. Using “or”
A word is sometimes identified by a synonym following the word “or”.
Example
The husky, or sled dog, of the North, is a hardy breed.
The meaning of the word “husky” is identified by the word “sled dog”
following the word “or”
Exercise 4
1. Altitude, or the height above sea level, is a factor that determines
climate.
2. Vespers, or evening worship, can be heard at St. Matthew’s
Cathedral.
3. In some American Indian tribes, the squaw, or woman, was the
owner of all property.
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21. 4. The central nervous system of grasshoppers, fruit flies, and other
insects includes both the brain and a chain of simpler segmental
ganglia, or groups of nerve cells.
5. Claustrophobia, or the fear of being enclosed, is more common than
many people realize.
5. Using Examples
A word is sometimes identified by examples. These terms often
introduces examples:
as for example such as
like for instance
Example
Percussion instruments, such as drums, cymbal, and tambourines:
“drums,” “cymbals,” and “tambourines.” are the most favorite choice of
study here.
The meaning of “percussion instruments” is identified by the three
examples: “drums, cymbals, and tambourines.”
Exercise 5
1. Such large fish as groupers and moray eels recognize the wrasse as a
friend that will help them.
2. Creatures such as the camel and penguin are so highly specialized
that they can only live in certain area of the world.
3. The sand absorbs enough moisture to support drought-resistant
plants such as mesquite, as well as several species of grasses.
4. Camping paraphernalia such as tents, sleeping bags, and cooking
equipment can range from very simple to quite complex.
5. Much can be done to that the process of desertification. For
example, asphalt-like petroleum can be sprayed onto sand dunes,
and seeds of trees and shrubs can then be planted. The oil stabilizes
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22. the sand and retains moisture, allowing vegetation to become
established.
6. Using Clauses
Adjective clauses sometimes identify words. They are introduced by the
words:
who whom which that whose
when where why
Example
Airships, which are cigar-shaped, steerable balloons, have many uses,
such as filming, advertising, and entertainment.
The meaning of “airships” is identified by the adjective clause “which are
cigar-shaped, steerable balloons.”
Exercise 6
1. Recent tests show that silver sulfadiazine, which is a compound used
in the treatment of burns, can cure the most serious types of African
sleeping sickness.
2. The kiva, where Pueblo Indians hold their secret ceremonies, is
entered by an opening in the roof.
3. Melody, which is the succession of sounds, takes on new interest
when fit into a rhythmic pattern.
4. Nonlethal techniques, those that do not kill coyotes, are being
developed to protect sheep and other livestock.
5. The “O” in many Irish names comes from the Gaelic word ua, which
means “descended from.”
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23. 7. Using Referents
Referents are words that refer back or forward to other words in the
sentence or paragraph.
Example
The solar-powered batteries in the ERS-1 are expected to function for at
least two years, during which time the satellite will be able to gather
more information than any previous satellite.
The meaning of ERS-1 is identified by its referents “satellite.”
Exercise 7
1. The farmers were concerned about the growing number of boll
weevils. An infestation of these insects could destroy the cotton
crop overnight.
2. At least 50 weed species fight off competitors by emitting toxins
from their roots, leaves, or seeds. These poisons do their work in a
dozen ways, such as inhibiting germination of seeds and destroying
photosynthesis abilities.
3. Important officials visiting president Roosevelt were surprised by his
managerie of pets. No previously president had filled the White
House with such as variety of animals.
4. The groom struggled with is tuxedo. He wondered why he had to
wear these kinds of clothes to get married.
5. Emma was told to put the sheets in the hamper, but she found the
basket too full of soiled clothes to fit the sheets in.
8. Using Contrasts
Sometimes the meanings of words can be understood because they are
in contrast to another word in the sentence. Words that indicate a
contrast are.
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24. but in contrast or
despite in spite of unlike
however instead whereas
Example
The brief scenes in the movie focus on the boy’s point of view, whereas
the longer scenes depict the father’s side.
“Brief” scenes are understood to be “short” scenes because they are in
contrast to the “longer” scenes.
Exercise 8
1. The bite of a garter snake, unlike that of the deadly cobra, is benign.
2. The bluebonnet, the Texas state flower, thrives in dry, poor soil but
dies in overly wet conditions.
3. Despite proposed cutbacks in financial support for domestics
students, assistance for foreign students studying and training in the
United States is to be sharply increased.
4. Unlike her gregarious sister, Jane is a shy, unsociable person who
does not like to go to parties.
5. At the Indian Reservation Trading Post, tourists can buy trinkets or
they can buy expensive handmade items.
9. Other Words in the Sentences
Other words in a sentence can sometimes help identify a word.
Example
In order to sip the nectar with his long tongue, the bee must dive into
the flower in so doing becomes dusted with the fine pollen grains from
the anthers.
We can guess that “nectar” is the substance that bees collect from a
flower because the bee must “sip ….. with its long tongue.” and “dive
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25. into the flower.” We can guess that “anther” is a part of the flower
because the bee gets “dusted with the fine pollen grains from the
anthers” when it dives into the flower.
Exercise 9
1. The bright purple gentian grows wild in Colorado and blooms in late
summer.
2. While blowing air into the leather bag, the bagpipe player produces
melodies by fingering the chanter.
3. Unfortunately, the plant’s hairs kill useful insects, but this problem
can be alleviated by controlling the amount of hair.
4. The much longer hull of the multidecked round ship allowed it to
carry more supplies, more men, more guns, and more sails, all of
which were necessary for long voyages of commerce and discovery.
5. In the third century B.C., Ctesibuis, the Greek engineer and theorist,
first exercised his inventive talents by making an adjustable mirror
and then creating ingenious toys which could move under their own
power.
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