Grammar Language is more than a very long list of words. In fact, to make ourselves understood, changes in the form of the words have to be (26) ______. For this reason, the necessity for grammar exists. Grammar gives us an understanding of the structure of the language (27) ______ we ourselves speak. It is also a requirement if we want to learn or teach a foreign language. In its early beginnings, grammar was (28) ______ with interpreting language that had become outdated and incomprehensible to most people. In ancient Greece, educators did not succeed in using the epics of Homer until five centuries after they had been created, which was an ever-growing problem for later generations, particularly those who did not share Homer’s dialect. Given that in ancient times, most people hardly travelled outside (29) ______ square miles of their place of birth, it was not surprising that a great number of local dialects had been formed. (30) ______, a system was needed to cope with the problems this caused, and this need has been the basis of most grammar books ever since.
(Adapted from IELTS Practice Tests)

The pursuit of fame has never been more popular than it is today. Where fame was once reserved for the most gifted artists in the entertainment industry, these days it seems that anyone from a reality TV contestant to an online video blogger can become famous.
Most talent show contestants and video bloggers are young people with little or no idea about how to handle fame. They can struggle to cope with the sudden glare of the spotlight.
Then, as their new-found fame ends and the public’s attention turns elsewhere, these fading stars often struggle to readjust to normality. However, hanging on to fame has its own pitfalls. Fame brings a loss of privacy as a star’s life becomes the subject of media attention and, sometimes, cruel rumor. This can have a serious effect on their friendships.
People who desire fame have to be prepared to live their life under a microscope. Fame may build confidence, but it can also destroy this confidence, bringing insecurity, depression and loneliness.
It is important to put human emotions and relationships before fame because, after all, fame does not bring happiness. The bright lights of fame have blinded many wannabes who, later, end up feeling lonely and confused. Fame is fleeting for most people, but the real world is lasting for everyone.
(Adapted from On Screen by Virginia Evans and Jenny Dooley)

Modern civilization is heavily dependent on energy. Without reliable power sources, we couldn’t operate machines, use transportation, communicate via the internet, or do many other things. Although everyone recognizes the importance of energy, deciding what kind of energy the world should use in the future is not a simple task. The two leading candidates for this role are green energy and nuclear energy.
Currently, most of the energy we use is derived from fossil fuels. Although this energy source has got us this far, there are several problems with it. For starters, it is a finite resource which is quickly running out. Some analysts have even estimated that the Earth could run out of coal and oil within the next 50 years. Burning fossil fuels also creates large amount of pollution, which is harmful to the environment. Although fossil fuels still provide the majority of our power, governments are seeking better energy sources to use going forward.
Green energy is one option that is becoming increasingly attractive. It includes technologies such as solar, wind, and hydro power. These are seen as clean sources of energy because they cause very little pollution. In addition, they are completely renewable, so there is no danger that it will run out. The major disadvantage with green energy sources is that they are not cheap.
The other alternative is nuclear power. Like green energy, it is also a renewable source of power that will not run out, and it also doesn’t produce air pollution. In addition, nuclear power is more reliable than green energy, as it doesn’t depend on sunshine, rain, or wind to operate. The major issues with nuclear power are safety concerns and nuclear waste. Nuclear power plants create a considerable amount of nuclear waste which is extremely hazardous to people’s health. If they happen to have a meltdown, this could destroy the surrounding area for years to come.
The recent nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan brought this reality into the spotlight once again. In response, Germany announced it would close down eight of its nuclear plants immediately, and close the rest by 2022. Meanwhile, other nations refuse to give up on nuclear power, stating that these disasters are rare. The debate of whether to use green or nuclear power will likely continue for some time. In the end, it is quite possible that both energy sources will be used to fuel our planet.
(Adapted from Intensive Reading Comprehension Skills)