READING COMPREHENSION

The First Computer Programmer

Ada Lovelace was the daughter of the poet Lord Byron. She was taught by Mary
Somerville, a well-known researcher and scientific author, who introduced her to Charles
Babbage in June 1833. Babbage was an English mathematician, who first had the idea for a
programmable computer.
In 1842 and 1843, Ada translated the work of an Italian mathematician, Luigi Menabrea,
on Babbage's Analytical Engine. Though mechanical, this machine was an important step in
the history of computers; it was the design of a mechanical general-purpose computer.
Babbage worked on it for many years until his death in 1871. However, because of financial,
political, and legal issues, the engine was never built. The design of the machine was very
modern; it anticipated the first completed general-purpose computers by about 100 years.
When Ada translated the article, she added a set of notes which specified in complete
detail a method for calculating certain numbers with the Analytical Engine, which have since
been recognized by historians as the world's first computer program. She also saw
possibilities in it that Babbage hadn't: she realised that the machine could compose pieces
of music. The computer programming language 'Ada', used in some aviation and military
programs, is named after her.
Q1 - Ada Lovelace's teacher introduced her to Charles Babbage.
A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q2 - Babbage programmed the first computer

A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q3 - Ada translated the article in 1842.

A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q4 - The Analytical Engine was electronic.

A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q5 - Luigi Menabrea designed the first computer.

A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q6 - Babbage finished the machine before he died.

A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q7 - Babbage's design was ahead of its time.

A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q8 - Ada's work was instantly recognised as being the first computer program.
A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q9 - Babbage saw that his machine could write music.

A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q10- Ada wrote military and aviation computer programs.

A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Reality Television
Reality television is a genre of television programming which, it is claimed, presents
unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and features ordinary
people rather than professional actors. It could be described as a form of artificial or
"heightened" documentary. Although the genre has existed in some form or another since
the early years of television, the current explosion of popularity dates from around 2000.
Reality television covers a wide range of television programming formats, from game or quiz
shows which resemble the frantic, often demeaning programmes produced in Japan in the
1980s and 1990s (a modern example is Gaki no tsukai), to surveillance- or voyeurismfocused productions such as Big Brother.
Critics say that the term "reality television" is somewhat of a misnomer and that such shows
frequently portray a modified and highly influenced form of reality, with participants put in

exotic locations or abnormal situations, sometimes coached to act in certain ways by offscreen handlers, and with events on screen manipulated through editing and other postproduction techniques.
Part of reality television's appeal is due to its ability to place ordinary people in extraordinary
situations. For example, on the ABC show, The Bachelor, an eligible male dates a dozen
women simultaneously, travelling on extraordinary dates to scenic locales. Reality television
also has the potential to turn its participants into national celebrities, outwardly in talent and
performance programs such as Pop Idol, though frequently Survivor and Big Brother
participants also reach some degree of celebrity.
Some commentators have said that the name "reality television" is an inaccurate description
for several styles of program included in the genre. In competition-based programs such as
Big Brother and Survivor, and other special-living-environment shows like The Real World,
the producers design the format of the show and control the day-to-day activities and the
environment, creating a completely fabricated world in which the competition plays out.
Producers specifically select the participants, and use carefully designed scenarios,
challenges, events, and settings to encourage particular behaviours and conflicts. Mark
Burnett, creator of Survivor and other reality shows, has agreed with this assessment, and
avoids the word "reality" to describe his shows; he has said, "I tell good stories. It really is
not reality TV. It really is unscripted drama."
Q1 - In the first line, the writer says 'it is claimed' because
A.

they agree with the statement.

B.

everyone agrees with the statement

C.

no one agrees with the statement

D.

they want to distance themselves from the statement.

Q2 Reality television has

A.

always been this popular

B.

has been popular since well before 2000

C.

has only been popular since 2000.

D.

has been popular since approximately 2000.

Q3 Japan
A.

is the only place to produce demeaning TV shows

B.

has produced demeaning TV shows copied elsewhere.

C.

produced Big Brother.

D.

invented surveillance focused productions.

Q4 - People have criticised reality television because

A.

it is demeaning.

B.

it uses exotic locations.

C.

the name is inaccurate.

D.

it shows reality.

Q5 Reality TV appeals to some because

A.

it shows eligible males dating women.

B.

it uses exotic locations.

C.

it shows average people in exceptional circumstances.

D.

it can turn ordinary people into celebrities.

Q6 - Pop Idol
A.

turns all its participants into celebrities.

B.

is more likely to turn its particiapants into celebrities than Big Brother.

C.

is less likely to turn its particiapants into celebrities than Big Brother.

D.

is a dating show.

Q7 The term reality television is inaccurate

A.

for all programs.

B.

just for Big Brother and Survivor.

C.

for talent and performance programs.

D.

for special-living-environment programs.

Q8 Producers choose the participants

A.

on the ground of talent.

B.

only for special-living-environment shows.

C.

to create conflict among other things.

D.

to make a fabricated world.

Q9 - Paul Burnett
A.

was a participant on Survivor.

B.

is a critic of reality TV.

C.

thinks the term 'reality television' is inaccurate.

D.

writes the script for Survivor.

Q10 - Shows like Survivor

A.

are definitely reality TV.

B.

are scripted.

C.

have good narratives.

D.

are theatre.

The Digital Divide

A recent survey has shown that the number of people in the United Kingdom who do not
intend to get internet access has risen. These people, who are know as 'net refuseniks',
make up 44% of UK households, or 11.2 million people in total.
The research also showed that more than 70 percent of these people said that they were
not interested in getting connected to the internet. This number has risen from just over 50%
in 2005, with most giving lack of computer skills as a reason for not getting internet access,
though some also said it was because of the cost.
More and more people are getting broadband and high speed net is available almost
everywhere in the UK, but there are still a significant number of people who refuse to take
the first step.
The cost of getting online is going down and internet speeds are increasing, so many
see the main challenge to be explaining the relevance of the internet to this group. This
would encourage them to get connected before they are left too far behind. The gap
between those who have access to and use the internet is the digital divide, and if the gap
continues to widen, those without access will get left behind and miss out on many
opportunities, especially in their careers.
Q1 - More people in the UK do not intend to get internet access than before.
A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q2 - The majority of people on the UK are net refuseniks.

Q3 - Most of those without internet access want to get it.
A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q4 - The minority of the people surveyed in 2005 werent interested in having internet
access.
A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q5 - The main reason for not getting internet access is the cost.

A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q6 - High speed internet is not available everywhere in the UK.

A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q7 - Both costs and speeds are increasing.

A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q8 - Many people think that getting the costs down is the key to the problem.
A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q9 - The digital divide is widening in the UK.

A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q10 - Not having access to the internet will only affect peoples careers.
A.

True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Scottish Independence
The majority of people in Scotland are in favour breaking away from the rest of the UK
and becoming independent, according to a poll taken just before the 300th anniversary of
the Act of Union, which united Scotland and England.
A pair of Acts of Parliament, passed in 1706 and 1707 that came into effect on May 1,
1707, created Great Britain. The parliaments of both countries were dissolved, and replaced
by a new Parliament of Great Britain in Westminster, London.
The poll showed support for independence for Scotland is running at 51%. This is the
first time since 1998 that support for separation has passed 50%, and the first time since
devolution gave power to the country in 1999. Six months before elections for the Scottish
Parliament, these poll results come as good news to the Scottish Nationalist Party, who are
hoping to make progress against Labour and further the cause of an independent Scotland.

Many people have become disillusioned with devolution, and believe that the Scottish
Parliament has failed to deliver what they had hoped it would; only a tenth have no opinion.
In fact, only 39% of those polled want to keep things as they are.
Q1 - Scotland and England
A.

have always been united.

B.

want to break up the union.

C.

have been united for a long time.

D.

were united by war.

Q2 - Great Britain
A.

was formed by an Act of Parliament in 1706.

B.

was formed by two Acts of Parliament in 1707.

C.

was formed by an Act of Parliament that came into effect on May 1st 1707.

D.

was formed by Acts of Parliament that came into effect on May 1st 1707.

Q3 - People who want indepence for Scotland

A.

are the vast majority.

B.

are in the minority.

C.

are the slight majority.

D.

have decreased in number since devolution.

Q4 - The majority of people wanted independence for the first time

A.

before devolution

B.

in 1999.

C.

after devolution.

D.

before and after independence.

Q5 - The results of the poll are good news

A.

for Labour.

B.

for both parties.

C.

for the Scottish Nationalist Party.

D.

for devolution.

Q6 Most peoples opinions of devolution

A.

have gone up.

B.

have gone down.

C.

are the same.

D.

make progress against Labour.

Q7 - The number of people who want to keep things as they are

A.

is greater than those that don't know.

B.

is smaller than those that don't know.

C.

is increasing.

D.

is the majority.

Bully for you

The makers of a controversial computer game about bullying have decided to go ahead and
launch it despite calls for it to be banned. In the game, players take on the role of a new
students at a school and have to fight the bullies, by punching them or hitting them with a
baseball bat.
Critics have said that the game encourages violence, but the makers deny this and say that,
while there is violence in the game, it is just an amusing look at school life, besides which, the
violence in the game is directed against the bullies to protect pupils who are being bullied. The
makers also say that players will learn to stand up to bullies.

A British politician, a former minister, has called for it to be banned as it might affect the way
young people perceive violence.
Anti-bullying charities have said that the game might make people respond violently to bullies,
which might make things more complicated and result in injuries.
Q1 -The makers of the computer game decided not to release it.
A. True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q2 - In the game, the player takes on the role of a bully.

A. True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q3 - The game is set in a university.

A. True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q4 - Everyone agrees that the game encourages violence.

A. True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q5 - A British politician has spoken in favour of the game.

A. True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q6 - The politician used to be a minister.

A. True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q7 - The politician thinks it might make young people look at violence differently.
A. True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q8 - The anti-bullying charity thinks the game is good because it might make pupils stand
up to bullies.
A. True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q9 - The anti-bullying charity thinks that people might get hurt because of this game.
A. True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Q10 - The makers of the game have changed the contents before releasing it in the UK.
A. True

B. False

C. Doesnt say

Biofuels and the Environment

Leading investors have joined the growing chorus of concern about governments and
companies rushing into producing biofuels as a solution for global warming, saying that
many involved in the sector could be jeopardising future profits if they do not consider the
long-term impact of what they are doing carefully.
It is essential to build sustainability criteria into the supply chain of any green fuel project
in order to ensure that there is no adverse effect on the surrounding environment and social
structures. The report produced by the investors expresses concern that many companies
may not be fully aware of the potential pitfalls in the biofuel sector.
Production of corn and soya beans has increased dramatically in the last years as an
eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels but environmental and human rights campaigners are
worried that this will lead to destruction of rain forests. Food prices could also go up as there
is increased competition for crops as both foodstuffs and sources of fuel. Last week, the UN
warned that biofuels could have dangerous side effects and said that steps need to be taken
to make sure that land converted to grow biofuels does not damage the environment or
cause civil unrest. There is already great concern about palm oil, which is used in many
foods in addition to being an important biofuel, as rain forests are being cleared in some
countries and people driven from their homes to create palm oil plantations.
An analyst and author of the investors' report says that biofuels are not a cure for climate
change but they can play their part as long as governments and companies manage the
social and environmental impacts thoroughly. There should also be greater measure taken
to increase efficiency and to reduce demand.
Q1 - ____ are worried about the boom in biofuels.
A.

Few people

B.

Many people

C.

Only these leading investors

Q2 - Biofuel producers ____ know about the possible problems.

A.

do not

B.

might not

C.

must not

Q3 - Environmentalists believe that increased production of corn and soya

A.

has destroyed rain forests

B.

may lead to the destruction of rain forests.

C.

will lead to the destruction of rain forests.

Q4 - Biofuels might
A.

drive food prices up.

B.

drive food prices down.

C.

have little or no impact on food prices.

Q5 - The increased production of palm oil

A.

just affects the environment.

B.

just affects people.

C.

affects both people and the environment.

Q6 - The author of the report says that biofuels

A.

have no role to play in fighting global warming

B.

can be effective in fighting global warming on their own

C.

should be part of a group of measures to fight global warming.

SAMPLE TEST
2010
Subject I
Read the text below. Are the sentences 1-7 Right (A) or Wrong (B)? If there
is not enough information to answer Right (A) or Wrong (B), choose Doesnt
say (C). Mark A, B, or C on your exam sheet.

I moved from Korea to the USA when I was 14 years old. The first few weeks were
great everything was exciting and different. Going to the supermarkets was an
adventure: the foods were all new to me and everything was so big!
The biggest culture shock for me was going to high school. First of all, I looked
different. All the other girls looked so much older than me. They wore make-up and
coloured their hair. And I never went to a school with boys before. So the first thing I did
to try to fit in was have a perm. I also started wearing make-up, but I wasnt very good at
putting it on. My eye-liner always seemed to smudge and my lipstick was always the
wrong colour. I loved nail polish though. I used to wear different colours on each finger. I
also got my ears pierced.
I found Americans a lot more open than Koreans. When I ate my dinner in the
cafeteria, I always tried to ignore the boys and girls kissing each other over the table.
People dont do that in Korea. I found it hard to eat my dinner! The other thing I found
hard was holding hands (or not holding hands). In Korea girls hold hands with girls, but
in America people think thats really weird. Instead girls hold hands with their boyfriends.
I thought that was really weird! I wasnt cool either. In Korea its good to be clever and do
well at school, but in America I was a nerd for liking study (and I wore glasses, which
made it worse). I found making friends really hard.
(www.hveser.de)
1. The author moved to the USA when she was in kindergarten.
A Right B Wrong C Doesnt say
2. The author liked her first weeks in the USA.
A Right B Wrong C Doesnt say
3. High school girls wore uniforms in the USA.
A Right B Wrong C Doesnt say
4. The author had a perm.
A Right B Wrong C Doesnt say
5. In Korea girls hold hands with girls.
A Right B Wrong C Doesnt say
6. It is good to do well at school in Korea.
A Right B Wrong C Doesnt say
7. It was not difficult for the author to make friends.
A Right B Wrong C Doesnt say
Subject II
Read the text below. For questions 1-10, choose the answer (A, B, C or D)
which you think fits best according to the text.
Sports Violence
In ancient societies, athletics and especially competitive contact games always
have been rough, but aggression in the past was tempered by an insistence that playing

hard, playing to win, did not countenance playing to cheat and to hurt. One of the very
first nations that expressed athletic ideals, were the Greeks. As enunciated by Pindar,
the athletic ideal incorporated courage and endurance with modesty, dignity, and fairmindedness, those elusive qualities the Greeks called Aidos. As sports became more
specialized, the general populace increasingly withdrew into spectatorship. Sports
history reveals that although Greek sports had increasingly marred by corruption and
bribes, nonetheless they flourished in an era which witnessed the rapid expansion of
stadiums and arenas under the Roman Empire. During the Roman Empire, violence in
sports became the generally accepted principle and spectators not only endorsed it, but
also embraced it as a social norm.
In recent years sports violence has become to be perceived as a social problem.
Commissions have been appointed in Canada and England to investigate violence
among hockey players and soccer fans. Numerous examples of violence in professional
sports exist today, as countries like the United States, Canada, Greece, Italy and
Germany, report court cases have been heard which concern the victims of violence
perpetrators. Newspapers, magazines and television programs portray bloodied athletes
and riotous fans at hockey, boxing, football, soccer, baseball, and basketball games with
what appears to be increasing regularity. But are sports violence incidents actually
increasing, and if so, what is the reason of such a negative increase? Or does the
heightened public attention and media focus on sports violence reflect not an increase in
the incidence or severity of aggression, but greater public concern with moral issues and
political discourse?
Contrary to popular belief, there appears to be growing dissatisfaction with sports
violence. Changes in sports rules, developments in the design of equipment, and even
the physical characteristics of modern sports arenas evolved in an effort to reduce
violence or its consequences. But still, among athletic management teams, government
officials, fans and athletes themselves, there is an ambivalence attitude towards sports
violence. The ambivalence takes the form of justifying the existence of violence in
sports, but not taking personal responsibility for it. Coaches and managers tend to blame
fans, saying that violence is what attracts people into stadiums, as the risk entailed
makes the game more "interesting". Athletes frequently admit that they are opposed to
violence, but it is expected of them by coaches. Fans justify it by attributing
aggressiveness to athletes and to situational aspects of the game. Spectators view
violence as an inherent part of some sports as one cannot play games like hockey or
football, without accepting the necessity of violent action.
Nevertheless, public opinion tends to focus more and more on sports violence as
major advances in the technologies used have increased media coverage making
information available to a vast global audience. Thus, contemporary critics tend to
consider sports violence as a worldwide phenomenon with highly disturbing future
course and social outcomes.
1. In ancient societies
A athletics and competitive contact games were rough.
B football and contact games were rough.
C only competitive contact games were rough.
D no game was rough.
2. During the Roman Empire, spectators
A tried to tolerate violence in sports.
B detested any type of violence in sports.
C regarded violence in sports as a social norm.

D did not support violence in sports.

3. Sports violence has started to be regarded as a social problem
A lately.
B since the 70s.
C these days.
D since the beginning of the 20th century.
4. Canada and England
A are able to explain violence among hockey players.
B are trying to discover the cause of violence among hockey players.
C show no concern about sports violence.
D are in favour of sports violence.
5. Regarding sports violence there seems to be a feeling of
A appreciation.
B dissatisfaction.
C indifference.
D support.
6. In order to reduce violence
A only sports rules have been changed.
B mass media coverage has been banned.
C sports rules and equipment design have been modified.
D sport rules, equipment design and sports arenas have been adjusted.
7. Government officials, fans and athletes
A have the same attitude towards sports violence.
B are ambivalent towards sports violence.
C take personal responsibility for sports violence.
D try not to justify sports violence.
8. Risk makes the game more interesting according to
A coaches.
B fans.
C athletes.
D government officials.
9. The tendency of the public opinion towards sports violence is
A to show less interest.
B to be more concentrated on it.
C to show disapproval.
D to accept it.
10. Critics regard sports violence as
A an international reality.
B a local reality.
C a regional reality.
D a national reality.