I. Choose the word, phrase, or sentence that best fits the space in each sentence or best answers the question. (3.5 pts). ⇱
7. Resident 1: It's taking me longer and longer to get to work these days.
Resident 2: I know, the streets are getting too _________ because there are too many vehicles.
Resident 1: We need better public transportation options!
II. Look at the sign or the notice. Choose the best answer for questions 15 and 16. (0.5 pt) ⇱
III. Choose the word that best fits the blank space in the following passage. (1.5 pts) ⇱
Climate change
Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet as a (17) _________. Climate change may cause weather patterns to be less predictable. These unexpected weather patterns can make it difficult to maintain and grow crops in regions that rely on farming (18) ___________ expected temperature and rainfall levels can no longer be relied on. Climate change has also been connected with other (19) ____________weather events such as more frequent and more intense hurricanes, floods, downpours, and winter storms.
The cause of current climate change is largely human activity, like burning fossil fuels, like natural gas, oil, and coal. Burning these materials releases (20) __________ are called greenhouse gases into Earth’s atmosphere. There, these gases trap heat from the sun’s rays inside the atmosphere causing Earth’s average temperature (21) __________. Throughout Earth’s history, climate has continually changed. When occurring naturally, this is a slow process that has taken place over hundreds and thousands of years. The human influenced climate change that is happening now is occurring at a (22) _________ faster rate.
IV. Read the following passage. Decide if the statements from 23 to 26 are True or False. Choose the correct answer for questions 27 and 28. (1.5 pts) ⇱
Drought
A drought is a period of time when an area or region experiences below- normal precipitation. The lack of adequate precipitation, either rain or snow, can cause reduced soil moisture or groundwater, diminished stream flow, crop damage, and a general water shortage. Droughts are the second-most costly weather event after hurricanes.
Unlike with sudden weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms, it is often difficult to pinpoint when a drought has started or when it has ended. The initial effects of a drought may be difficult to identify right away so it may take weeks or months to determine that drought has started. The end of a drought is hard to identify for the same reason. A drought may last for weeks, months, or even years. Sometimes, drought conditions can exist for a decade or more in a region. The longer a drought lasts, the greater the harmful effects it has on people.
V. Use the correct form of the word given in each sentence. (1.5 pts) ⇱
VI. Look at the entry of the word “connection” in a dictionary. Use what you can get from the entry to complete the sentences with two or three words. (0.5 pt) ⇱
