I. Pronunciation ⇱
II. Choose the answer (A, B, C or D) that best fits the space in each question. ⇱
Question 14. Pam and Jim are sharing their memories.
Jim: “You looked nostalgic when you came across this bracelet. ______”
Pam: “It reminds me of my grandmother, but she passed away last year.”
III. Look at each sign or notice. Choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) that matches its meaning. ⇱
IV. Choose the word (A, B, C or D) that best fits each blank space in the following passage. ⇱
THE CRYPT OF CIVILISATION
A time capsule which is made of metal or (17) ______ plastic serves as a snapshot of the culture, lifestyle and technology of the era (18) ______ it was created. One of its most notable examples is the Crypt of Civilisation, an extraordinary time capsule project located at Oglethorpe University, Georgia.
(19) ______ by Dr. Thornwell Jacobs in the 1930s and sealed in 1940, the monumental time capsule holds within its stainless steel a treasure (20) ______ of artifacts, documents and recordings representing the 20th-century civilisation. The purpose of the crypt is to show people in the future how life was in the past. (21) ______ that future generations open, they will gain insight (22) ______ the accomplishments and aspirations of their forebears. All in all, the Crypt of Civilisation is a special place that connects past, present and future in a timeless embrace of human endeavour.
V. Read the following and do as directed. ⇱
Summer is coming round the corner, and you are still making a plan for your vacation. But, you don’t want to visit travel agencies. What will you do? No worries. Travel-focused AI assistants will do you a favor.
Over the last few years, these intelligent chatbots have revolutionized the way we plan, book and experience our journey. Not only do they spin up a list of things to do on your vacation, but they also suggest more eco-friendly travel options. With a few simple but specific prompts like destinations, length of stay and interests, the software can come up with a personalized list of tourist attractions, accommodations, activities and means of transportation. But the assistance does not stop there. Once we’ve made our selection, the AI bot turns into a trip planner, scouring the internet for the best flight deals and optimizing every aspect of your itinerary to make sure that we will have a memorable trip.
However, there are undeniably a few limitations. First, misinformation is undeniable due to the software’s overreliance on the quality and accuracy of the data on the internet. Some AI-powered travel apps are known to offer generic advice like “enjoy lunch at a local restaurant”, suggest activities that are out of season or too far apart, repeatedly recommend the same restaurant, consistently steer you to their advertisers or point you to locations that have closed. Moreover, unlike human travel advisors who offer a high level of empathy, creativity and improvisation, these apps are unable to provide solutions to unexpected events or changing circumstances during the journey.
Travel-focused AI software has made our trip planning easier and more convenient, no matter what weaknesses it may have. AI travel apps are improving as they learn, and, hopefully, they will be more useful and trustworthy in the near future.
(Adapted from “Artificially Intelligent Help for Planning Your Summer Vacation” by J. D. Biersdorfer – The New York Times)
a. Decide whether the following sentences are True or False:
b. Choose the correct answer to each question: ⇱
VI. Supply the correct form of the word given in each sentence. ⇱
VII. Choose the letter (A, B, C or D) that indicates the correct arrangement of the sentences to make a meaningful paragraph / letter. ⇱
35. Dear Sir or Madam,
a. Your assistance in providing this information would greatly help me in planning my trip.
b. Additionally, I would appreciate any information on the best times of the year to visit and any recommendations for preparing for the climb.
c. I am writing to request more information about a trip to Mount Fuji that your travel agency offers.
d. I am particularly interested in details about the itinerary, costs, accommodation options, and any special events included in the trip, such as guided sunrise hikes.
e. Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Timothy Benson
36. Dear Mr. Benson,
a. The cost of the trip varies depending on the accommodation options you choose.
b. We are delighted to provide you with the information you requested.
c. Our Mount Fuji trip includes a detailed itinerary with guided hikes to the summit.
d. For preparation, we advise bringing suitable hiking gear and being in good physical condition.
e. We recommend visiting from early July to mid-September, for the best weather conditions.
We look forward to helping you plan an unforgettable trip to Mount Fuji.
Yours faithfully
VIII. Rewrite each of the following sentences in another way so that it means almost the same as the sentence printed before it. ⇱
37. My grandmother once owned this diamond ring, but I’ve just inherited it. (USED)
> > I have just come (37) belong to my grandmother.
38. It is annoying that Kate keeps her bedroom untidy. (FORGETTING)
> > Kate is (38) _her bedroom.
39. The boy is really excited about testing his new bike. (FORWARD)
> > The boy is really (39) out his new bike.
40. I started to follow her on Instagram last year. (FOLLOWER)
> > On Instagram, I have (40) last year.
VIII. Look at the entry of the word “star” in a dictionary. Use what you can get from the entry to complete the sentences with TWO or THREE words. ⇱
