PROFICIENCY TEST

SECTION ONE: GRAMMAR (30 MARKS)

Choose the best answer (A, B, C, or D) to fill in each gap in the

following sentences.

1. The giraffe uses its long neck ______ feeding to pull down leaves and move
aside branches that are in the way.
A. when B. is C. that it is D. was
2. The Wildlife Management Act of 1983 spelled out the basic rules that apply in
the US today but ______ heavy punishments on poachers selling illegal furs.
A. no B. include C. included no D. are including
3. Warmer temperatures led to changes in the ecology of Europe, ______ the
animal population and methods of hunting.
A. affecting B. and affected C. which affects D. effecting
4. ______ Henry Ford was a Nazi sympathizer was well known, but that hardly
stopped him from displaying an astonishing ability as a businessman.
A. That B. Because C. While D. Being
5. Perhaps, we should think in terms of raising interest rates ______ them, in
consideration of the new reports about inflation reported last June.
A. then reducing B. and reduce C. although reduce D. rather than
reducing
6. Martin Luther King Jr., after his father’s assassination, ______ the mission of
his father to fight for the rights of blacks in America and achieved some
notable success in the 1970s.
A. continued B. continuing C. and continues D. is continuing
7. The Blood Band Indian tribe supports the Montana operations on the reserve,
and, backed by casino profits, ______ the show piece of Winston-Salem.
A. the Kootenay Band Tribe becoming
B. while The Kootenay Band Tribe becomes
C. because The Kootenay Band Tribe became
D. the Kootenay Band Tribe has become
8. There are two core requirement courses that must be passed to successfully
gain credit for the computer engineering course: software programming and
______.
A. hardware designing B. another that is hardware designing
C. One is hardware designing D. Also hardware designing
9. Although he suffered from discrimination, Martin Luther King was a man who
believed in reconciliation, and only rarely ______ a grudge during his Civil
Rights movement.
A. he carried B. did he carry C. when he carried D. that he carried
10. On most of automobile factories, ______ the assembly line production is now
computer guided for efficient manufacturing and inventory control.
A. even such age old techniques as B. when even such an age old

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 C. even such an age old technique as D. even such an age old technique is
11. Neither the poor record of the management staff nor the high debt ratio of
the firm ______ to have deterred the influx of investors.
A. seem B. and seems C. but would seem D. seems
12. Laser eye surgeries, once considered risky and dangerous, ______ that 90
percent of recipients can now expect to live more than a year after the
operation.
A. which are now so successful B. are now so successful
C. they are now so successful D. is now so successful
13. The superior efficiency of solar energy houses ______ reflects years of
experiment, research and refinement.
A. over traditional electrically heated ones
B. more than traditional electrically heated ones
C. above traditional electrically heated ones
D. instead of traditional electrically heated ones
14. In their quest to create a law-abiding, clean and green society, the
Singaporean government ______ the entire population under tight regulations.
A. opens and keeps B. openly kept C. openly keeping
D. openly keeps
15. ______ the Internet’s speed and efficiency in sending mail
electronically rather than by transport, it has become more popular among
young people than traditional mail.
A. Since B. As a consequence C. However D.
Because of
16. When World War I broke out in 1914, The Becton Dickinson
Company ______ importing German elastic bandages and start making then in
the USA.
A. had stopped B. had to stop C. stopped D. was stopped
17. The Olympic marathon distance ______ in the ancient times
to honor a messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver vital news
and then died.
A. established B. was established C. establishing D. which
established
18. According to legend, coffee beans ______ in the town of
Kaffa.
A. first discovered B. were first discovered
C. discovered first D. have first discovered
19. Tomatoes became a permanent part of American culture
when they were ______.
A. focus of health fad B. the focus of a
health fad
C. health fad focus D. health focus
20. The Hope Diamond is probably the most famous jewel in
the Western world, and it carries with it ______.
A. the most one famous curses B. the famous curses
C. one of the most famous curses D. the most of famous curses

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21. Chimpanzees, apes, orangutans and a few other primates
laugh, but ______.
A. another animals also laugh B. so other animals do.
C. no other animals do D. also do other animals laugh
22. At the beginning of the 20th century, people made coffee
______ a cloth bag full of coffee grounds into boiling water.
A. to dump B. by dumping C. dumping at D. that is dump
23. The forerunner of modern computers called the “analytical
engine” ______ of a mathematical engineer named George Babbage.
A. which was brainchild B. was brainchilded in
C. brainchild D. was the brainchild
24. In 1950, aspirin earned a place in the Guinness Book of
World Records ______.
A. in the world’s best selling painkiller B. in the world as a best selling
painkiller
C. as the world’s best-selling painkiller D. of the world’s
best selling painkiller

25. For the first time in 70 years, ______ aspirin’s potential

beyond reducing pain, fever and inflammation.
A. researchers were beginning to understand
B. researchers begin understanding
C. researcher’s understanding of
D. researchers began their understanding
26. The typical elephant herd ______ adult females and the
young of both sexes.
A. that is made up B. is made of C. is made D. is made up of
27. According to the fireworks industry’s own estimates, ______
by 4th of July fireworks as were killed in the Revolutionary War.
A. as many people have been killed B. that many people killed
C. many people were killed D. who people have killed
28. In the summer of 1974, a film producer named Allan Carr
saw Grease on Broadway and ______ the next day to see if the film rights
were still available.
A. was so impressed that he called B. impressed so much he called
C. so much so impressed he called D. was much impressed that he called
29. The use of the word “new” is restricted by regulation, so
an advertiser ______ certain requirements.
A. can always use it in B. can use it and meet
C. can’t make sure whether it meets D. can’t just use it without meeting

30. The incredible thing about telephones ______ across the

continents, but that you can recognize the other person’s voice.
A. is not that people can instantly talk to each other
B. is that people can talk instantly to each other
C. is it provides instant talking to each other
D. is it allows people to talk instantly

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SECTION TWO: VOCABULARY (20 MARKS)

Choose the answer (A, B, C, or D) that best fill in the following gaps
in each sentence.
1. An international hotel has recently been built on the ______ of the old school.
A. expedition B. landscape C. site D. ground
2. He was ______ manslaughter.
A. indicted for B. blamed for C. condemned to D. respected for
3. Many taxpayers are ______ at what they regard as an illegal use of public
funds.
A. indifferent B. interested C. happy D. indignant
4. Due to the nature of the earthquake, a much larger ______ of the population
might be affected.
A. segment B. density C. totality D. division
5. They continued fighting despite all the ______ they met with.
A. adversities B. amenities C. properties D. liabilities
6. He was in an extreme state of ______ when his wife left him.
A. calamity B. mishap C. distress D. trail

7. At length, it ______ him that his life wouldn’t take a turn for the better unless
he left his present employment.
A. dawned on B. assumed that C. happened to D. realized that

8. Unfortunately, not all scientists are working for a good ______.

A. end B. aim C. effect D. cause

9. The media are always keen on reporting ______.

A. mishaps B. calamities C. reverses D. hardships

10. The threat of a general strike can only be ______ through

government intervention.
A. averted B. converted C. subverted D. diverted

On a yearly (11) ______, the United States is afflicted by hurricanes on the

east coast, flooding in the mid-west, forest fires, earthquakes, and any number
of tornadoes, blizzards and storms. Historically, the weather has (12) ______ as
harsh a chord in people's lives as any we feel today. Historians list the four
major events to wreak devastation on the country as the Chicago fire of 1871,
the Johnstown flood of 1889, the Galveston hurricane of 1900, and the San
Francisco earthquake of 1906. These disasters provide a(n) (13) ______ of the
havoc nature's storms have wrecked on humanity, and our reactions to them.
Galveston, Texas, located on the island of Galveston in the gulf of New Mexico,
thrives on industry and exports. Its over 30,000 citizens in the early 1900s were
generally economically successful and comfortable with (14) ______ conditions.
Until the ill-fated morning of September 7, 1900, the people of Galveston
enjoyed their life on the remote island. However, weather watchers had been
following a growing storm in the Atlantic for several days and were warning of
the impending danger of a hurricane. Unfortunately, people ignored the
warnings. A day after the hurricane had hit the island, all that remained of the

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beautiful city was a mass of crumbled buildings, debris and forlorn, hopeless
survivors wandering aimlessly with the stench of rotting flesh all around. It is
(15) ______ that over 8,000 people and most of the animals died that day,
victims of one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history. Chicago's 'storm'
of 1871, although (16) ______ to the hurricanes of the southeastern coast, was
described by poet John Greenleaf Whittier as a 'fiery hurricane' that struck the
great city with such (17) ______ that two days later, half of the city had been
destroyed and 300 lives lost. Those relating the events of that catastrophic
'hurricane' say that too little rain and a strong wind blowing off the prairie had
been the cause behind the destruction of the Windy City. According to (18)
______, however, responsibility was placed on one slovenly cow who kicked over
a lantern in her barn somewhere in the southwest corner of Chicago, igniting the
dry and highly flammable barn and ultimately bringing destruction to a large
part of the city. Two days after the sparks ignited, a steady rain on the burning
city put out the flames and within days hope had returned. Signs that the city
was beginning to heal became (19) ______ everywhere - soon new buildings
were (20) ______ the burned, and the lifeblood of the ravaged city was being.

11. A. foundation B. theory C. basis D.

institution
12. A. punched B. struck C. pinched D.
played
13. A. scent B. flavor C. recipe D.
ingredient
14. A. existing B. remaining C. enduring D.
staying
15. A. anticipated B. predicted C. estimated D.
forecast
16. A. disconnected B. unaccustomed C. unrelated D.
discredited
17. A. stimulus B. force C. charisma D.
constraint
18. A. tradition B. culture C. phenomenon D.
legend
19. A. concealed B. notorious C. obscure D.
evident
20. A. replacing B. rebuilding C. designing D.
refurbishing

SECTION THREE: READING (15 MARKS)

A. Choose the best ending for each of the following paragraphs.
1. In recent decades, cities have grown so large that now about 50% of the
Earth's population lives in urban areas. There are several reasons for this
occurrence. First, the increasing industrialization of the nineteenth century
resulted in the creation of many factory jobs, which tended to be located in
cities. These jobs, with their promise of a better material life, attracted many
people from rural areas. Second, there were many schools established to
educate the children of the new factory laborers. The promise of a better
education persuaded many families to leave farming communities and move
to the cities. Finally, as the cities grew, people established places of leisure,
entertainment, and culture, such as sports stadiums, theaters, and museums.

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 For many people, these facilities made city life appear more interesting than
life on the farm, and therefore __________.
A. made them more aware of urban growth
B. discouraged them from moving out of their farms
C. drew them away from rural communities
D. posed great dangers to rural people
2. My old high school principal, Principal Chea Dara, was not a man that I knew
very well simply because his personality had all the characteristics of a rock.
To begin with, he never smiled, nor did he ever blink an eye, especially when
it came to speaking to any of the students at my old high school. Standing
still, he looked like a statue–stone cold. Mr. Chea was also known for his set
of rules and standards at our school, which were never to be broken, and if
someone tried to change them, Principal Chea stood his ground and never
moved. He always said that good rules weren't made to be broken, and his
attitude made him stubborn and hard-headed. After having described
Principal Chea as having all the characteristics of a rock, I must say that
because of these characteristics, he was highly respected by all of his
students. Most of us have come to the conclusion that __________.
A. being compared to a rock when you are a principal of a high school is very
positive
B. a strict high school principal is always stubborn and rock-like
C. Principal Chea is not powerful over his teaching and non-teaching
members of staff
D. a principal of a high school should not behave the way Mr. Chea did
3. A close look on professional and college football reveals some stark contrasts
between the two in terms of players, fans, stadiums, and ticket prices to the
game itself. For example, professional players are paid lofty sums of money
for their skills while college players receive only a scholarship and cheers
from the fans for their hard work. Another difference is that professional
football fans tend to be a little laid back, whereas college fans include
rambunctious students and spirited alumni who have become almost like a
twelfth player to their team. Many pro teams play in newer, state of the art
stadiums, but college teams and fans are content to play in older, tradition-
rich stadiums. The contrast in players’ salaries and stadium maintenance
costs are shown in the ticket prices. Pro football ticket prices are __________.
A. often much more expensive than those of university tickets
B. usually a lot cheaper than those of university tickets
C. roughly at the same prices with the college football tickets
D. not as high as those of college football tickets

4. My choices of friends have kept me from getting into trouble on more than
one occasion. When I was in high school, I did not pay much attention to
whom I should befriend with, and unfortunately I was not ready for what this
friendship had in stock for me. However, my college friends are much
different. When I was trying to give up drugs and smoking, they were there
supporting me and protecting me from my former high school “friends.” They
even housed me when I did not have anywhere to sleep for the night. They

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 do not force me to drink and provoke fights with others. Instead, they
encourage me to be in school studying and help me a lot with my school
work. I would not be the person I am today if I __________.
A. had not changed my home address away from my old friends
B. had not known them when I started my college life
C. realized how great my high school friends were to me
D. had started a fight with my high school friends
5. I have dyed my hair numerous times, and dying my hair has had many
effects on the health, manageability, and the color of my hair. At one time I
had very healthy hair, but since I have dyed it so much, it is brittle and I have
split ends. After I dye it, it seems as though my hair just does not want to be
fixed. I now have very stubborn hair. I bleached my hair out completely
white, and now I am in the process of trying to get it back to somewhat of a
normal color. Consequently, since my hair had no pigment in it, it took
whatever color I dyed it and went crazy with it. I have had pink hair, when
trying for red. I have had purple hair, when trying to dye it black cherry.
Dying my hair is getting very expensive, too. I wish __________.
A. I had enough money for another dye today
B. my hair would listen to me more
C. I had not bleached my hair out completely white
D. I had just stuck with my normal hair color

6. Camera shake, which can cause blurred pictures, can occur for two reasons.
Sometimes the camera itself is held incorrectly. To be certain the camera is
steady, wrap your right hand around the camera grip and stead your hand by
setting your elbow lightly against your body. Use your left hand to hold the
lens from underneath. When you are ready to look through the viewfinder,
press the camera against your forehead. Even though the camera may be
held correctly, camera shake can still occur if the shutter button is incorrectly
depressed. To correctly depress this button, always use the center of your
finger to touch the shutter button. Be certain you are holding the camera
with your entire right hand before depressing the shutter button. When you
are ready to take the picture, __________.
A. locate the button carefully to avoid pressing the wrong button
B. make sure you do not press the button twice
C. apply steady but gentle pressure to the button
D. put yourself into the correct standing position to take the photo
7. To postpone studying at the college level for other activities is to court
certain disaster. The most immediate consequence of not studying is that the
student is ill-prepared for the next class. Not only will the student be unable
to participate in discussions, he or she likely will be unable to effectively
understand the lecture, especially if it involves technical explanation. Beyond
the immediate consequences, not studying on a regular basis means putting
in additional work at a later time just to catch up. This can lead to cramming.
A student who has crammed for an exam is almost certain to do poorly, and
__________.
A. he or she tends to be less troubled by the exam
B. this makes him or her think that the exam is very difficult
C. he or she is likely to feel sick during the exam day as well
D. this can lead to failure in achieving a passing score

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B. For Questions 8-15, look at the list of eight television series (A-H).
Answer the questions that follow by writing the letters of the
appropriate series (A-H).
Education Program on Channel 7

A. A world of music: This award-winning six-part series introduces music from

an international perspective. Featuring musicians from five continents, each
30-minute program focuses on the origin of music and the role of music in
people’s lives. Tuesday 7.30am and Friday 7.00am.
B. Ancient civilisations: How do civilisations begin? Why do they fall? This five-
part series looks for answers to these questions in the ancient civilisations of
Rome, meso-America and China. Each 30-minute program includes computer-
generated reconstructions of daily life in these societies. Saturday 5.00am.
C. Mathematics and you: This innovative 12-part series takes the sting out of
mathematics. Presented by secondary students, each 15-minute program
shows how mathematics relates to your daily life. Explanations and examples
are easy to follow and fun. Tuesday 6.00am.
D. Working life: This series looks at jobs in various employment sectors such as
the hospitality industry, information technology, horticulture and childcare.
Each of the 20-minute programs in the ten-part series follows a person who
actually works in that sector. Friday 5.00am.
E. The last millennium? As we enter the third millennium, the question arises:
will this be the last? Will the world succumb to environmental degradation?
Using a case-study approach, each 60-minute program in this three-part
series takes a detailed look at an environmental problem. How will this
problem affect the people living in that area? What are the implications
globally?

F. Faces in the news: This ten-part series examines two people who have been
in the news limelight during the last year. Each ten-minute program presents
the original news reports, provides background information, summarises the
main points of the report and explains the vocabulary used in the reports.
Monday 7.00am.
G. Naturally England: This four-part series examines the natural environment in
England. Each 60-minute program explores a different reason, outlining the
interaction of climate, plants and animals. Both informative and beautiful, the
series has been nominated for two cinematography awards. Tuesday 5.00am.
H. The USA and IT: This three-part series takes a look at information technology
in the United States of America in the coming twenty-first century. In this new
so-called “information age” how will people study, work, communicate and
identify themselves? Each 30-minute program is presented by students.
Wednesday 11.00pm.

8. Which series has won awards?

9. Which series is NOT screened in the morning?
10. Which series shows the way people used to live?
11. Which series has the most parts?
12. Which series would help students looking for a job?
13. Which series is NOT about people?
14. Which series stresses that its topic is not as difficult as viewers might
consider?

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15. Which series gives the meaning of words?

This is the end of your Test.