Read the passage then choose the best answer to each question that follows. Identify your answer by writing the corresponding letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet.

            The symptoms of hay fever include watery and itchy eyes and a runny, congested nose. People suffering from hay fever may experience occasional wheezing and repeated bouts of sneezing and may even lose their sense of smell. Some victims of hay fever may also have stopped-up ears. About 30 percent of those who suffer from hay fever may develop the symptoms associated with periodic asthma or a sinus infection. The allergen-antibody theory does not fully explain allergic reactions because the membranes and glands in eyes and ears are controlled by the independent nervous system, which keeps these organs in balance. But the independent nervous system itself is part of the emotional- response center and may cause the feelings of anger, fear, resentment, and lack of self-confidence in reaction to allergy-causing substances.

           The most common cause of hay fever is the pollen of ragweed, which blossoms during the summer and autumn. When airborne pollen particles, as well as mold, come into contact with the victim’s membranes, they can cause allergic reactions that release histamine and result in virtual blockage of air passages. To prevent hay fever or to decrease the severity of its symptoms, contact with the ragweed pollen should be reduced. Although some communities have attempted to eliminate the plants that cause the reactions, elimination programs have not been successful because airborne pollen can travel considerable distances. Antihistamine can help with short but severe attacks. Over extended periods of time, however, patients are prescribed a series of injections of the substance to which they are sensitive in order to increase immunity and thus be relieved of the seasonal allergy.

                                                                (Resource: Toefl test strategies by Eli Hinkel, Ph.D)

 

It can be inferred from the passage that the phrase “hay fever” refers to________.

There are 10 errors in the following passage. Identify and correct them like the example provided.

Mark the the word that differs from the other three in the position of primary stress

Mark the the word that differs from the other three in the position of primary stress

Supply the correct FORM of the word in capital letters. Write your answers on your answer sheet.

Before going to an interview, it is advisable to go through a mock interview. This will give you the opportunity to try out your technique and answers live. It is also a chance to receive feedback that is (1. BENEFIT) __________ in guiding you towards improving your interview style and general (2. PRESENT) __________. Just one mock interview will result in a (3. NOTICE) ______ improvement in your interview skill. Why? For the same reason that a (4. SPEAK) _______ doesn’t exist while it is still on paper or floating in your head. It only exists when you give it        (5. ORAL)_______. The first time you give it in front of an audience, it will come out nothing like the one you prepared.

It is the same with being interviewed. It is not enough to look at a question and say, ‘Yeah, I know the answer to that one.’ You need to practise your answer live; this is not the time to talk to yourself in front of a mirror. Seek out a (6. PROFESSION) _______ and have the session videotaped. Then you will have two opinions – the interview’s and your own. You will find you get a completely different (7. IMPRESS)________ when listening to yourself than when you are watching yourself saying something. Just as your voice always sounds different on tape, so do your (8. RESPOND) _______. You will be glad the image is captured on tape and not in a potential employer’s mind. For maximum effect, you should (9. VISIT)________ your answers and go through a second mock interview. This should help with any (10. EASE)________ and give you more confidence for the real interview.

Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only ONE word in each space. Write your answers on your answer sheet.

Travel Insurance

           When going on holiday, it is always a good idea to take out travel insurance. This is just in case something goes (1) _____ along the way. You could lose your luggage, you could be robbed, or even become ill and need expensive medical treatment. For millions of holiday makers, travel insurance is just a precaution (2)_______ will help them have an enjoyable and worry-free holiday. But for (3)_____, travel insurance is a way of earning money  (4) ______ making false claims against insurance companies. For (5) ______ some people pretend that they have had expensive equipment stolen which in (6) ______ never even existed, and then claim large sums in compensation. Such claims cost insurance company a total (7)_____ £50 million per year. But the cheats’ luck is about to run (8)____ . (9) ______ to a new computer system, companies will be able to tell at a glance (10) _____ someone has made a claim within the last three years. Honest travelers will no longer have to pay through the nose for other people’s dishonesty.