Monday, December 6, 2010

Preliminary Test - 2006



             
[Preliminary Test - 2006]

ECPE - Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English
Michigan ELI Testing


GRAMMAR, CLOZE, VOCABULARY, AND READING SECTION INSTRUCTIONS

There are 35 multiple-choice problems in this test: 10 grammar, 10 cloze, 10 vocabulary, and 5 questions about a reading passage. You will have 30 minutes to answer all 35 problems.


GCVR - GRAMMAR

1. __________ great at math, but she can also speak three languages.
a. Although Lisa is
b. Not only Lisa is
c. Whereas is Lisa
d. Not only is Lisa 

2. Henry is __________ often than not, lucky at card.
a. quite
b. very
c. most
d. more

3. It seemed like __________ concept to learn.
a. a somewhat cofusing
b. confusing somewhat
c. somewhat confusing
d. a confusing somewhat

4. I never bought a telephone answering machine. The're just not __________ usefull.
a. that
b. too
c. that far
d. that much

5. It's important to always be __________ with one's neighbors.
a. consider
b. considered
c. considering
d. considerate

6. Many studies have shown that smokers have a shorter life span, __________ nonsmokers.
a. as compared to
b. as comparing
c. in compared to
d. in comparison

7. If I bought a new car I __________ have to borrow money.
a. will
b. would
c. should
d. could

8. Everyone who came to the last two meetings __________ at the reception today.
a. were
b. have been
c. are
d. was

9. I really enjoy gardening after it __________.
a. rains
b. rained
c. had rained
d. was raining

10. Doctors recomment starting each day __________ a healthy breakfast.
a. with eating
b. while eating
c. by eating
d. to eat

GCVR - CLOZE

Global warming may be threatening one of the world's most important crops: rice. Increased nighttime temperatures are associated with significant declines in crop ___(11)___, according to a study conducted by researchers at the International Rice Institute. The researchers analyzed twelve years of rice production along with twenty-five years of temperature data.

This study, a direct measurement of yields produced under normal field conditions, using ___(12)___ that good farmers normally employ, has ___(13)___ previous simulations and suggests that temperature increases due to global warming will make it increasingly difficult to feed the Earth's growing population. Average ___(14)___ temperatures, which increased 0.35 degrees Celsius over the ___(15)___ of the study, have little effect on rice production. ___(16)___, a strong correlation exists  between warmer nighttime temperatures, which have risen an average of 1.1 degrees, and decreasing rice yields. Although the ___(17)___ cause of this relationship is ___(18)___, researchers speculate that plants work harder to maintain themselves in response to the warmer nights and ___(19)___ divert energy from growth. Thus, an average increase of just one degree Celsius can ___(20)___ in a ten percent reduction in yields. Similar findings have been reported for corn and soybean yields in the United States.

11. a. yields          b. records          c. mass          d. amount
12. a. ones          b. habits          c. behaviors          d. practices
13. a. done          b. improved          c. confirmed          d. had
14. a. nighttime          b. daytime          c. higher          d. lower
15. a. average          b. course          c. results          d. measurement
16. a. However          b. Despite         
      c. Furthermore          d. Fortunately
17. a. final          b. base          c. underlying          d. known
18. a. clear          b. surprising          c. unknown          d. near
19. a. instead          b. consequently          c. days          d. to
20. a. result          b. respond          c. react          d. reduce

GCVR - VOCABULARY

21. He always __________ back to his childlike manner when he's around his mother.
a. revolves
b. retains
c. reverts
d. restores

22. The man __________ under the weight of the large desk he was carrying.
a. paced
b. strangled
c. staggered
d. rippled

23. George's only __________ is that he's too friendly.
a. blame
b. fault
c. error
d. restraint

24. Not much happened on our trip. It was rather __________.
a. unspeakable
b. unthinkable
c. unlikely
d. uneventful

25. Your children often ask many questions because they are naturally __________.
a. intriguing
b. inquisitive
c. ingenious
d. captivating

26. The mother __________ lovingly at her new baby.
a. glowered
b. gawked
c. gazed
d. gaped

27. No matter what she tried, nothing would __________ Jane's fear of flying.
a. withdraw
b. dismiss
c. repel
d. dispel

28. Sandy's father helped her remove a small __________  of wook from her finger.
a. splinter
b. morsel
c. flake
d. drop

29. We knew he was sad because a tear slowly __________ down his cheek.
a. gushed
b. leaked
c. tumbled
d. trickled

30. She had __________ reaction to the medicine and broke out in a rash.
a. a converse
b. a reverse
c. an adverse
d. an inverse

GCVR - READING

During his reign as the ruler of the ancient kingdom of Babylon, Hammurabi codified a set of laws that came to be known as the Code of Hammurabi. The Code was inscribed on an eight-foot-high stone stele and was displayed for all to read and obey. The monument is engraved in the Babylonian language of Akkadian, in 51 columns, using cuneiform script. At the topo of the stele, Hammurabi is pictured receiving the code from the sun god Shamash. Though not the first legal code, originating as it does from earlier Sumerian traditions, the Code was the first publication of laws governing a society. Earlier systems of law, not written down, could be more easily manipulated to suit the rulers who dictated them. "Written in stone" is a legal concept that originates from the Code and still applies today in the way that Hammurabi intended: that is, that a society's laws should exist unchanged over time.

The Code contains rules that cover topics as diverse as trade, family law, and criminal law, with the notable exception of religion. Assault and theft, marriage and divorce, debt and repayment are all described, along with strict punishments without exceptions for special circumstances. The expression "an eye for an eye" has its origins in the Code and exemplifies its severity and emphasis on individual responsibility. On the other had, the Code is seen by some modern-day commentators as humane for its time. It did not allow for vigilante justice, but rather demanded a trial by judges, along with witnesses who could vouch for someone's innocence. It also protected all classes of Babylonian society, including women, the poor, and even slaves.

31. What is a stele?
a. a code of law
b. a religious artifact
c. a type of cuneiform engraving
d. a stone monument

32. According to the passage, how is the Code of Hammurabi different from other laws of the times?
a. It was based on the worship of Shamash.
b. It was the first Sumerian code.
c. It was publicly displayed.
d. It included laws concerning religious beliefs.

33. What is one key feature of the punishments in the Code?
a. They don't apply to everyone.
b. The judges decide them.
c. No exceptions are made.
d. They are only given in special circumstances.

34. In the middle of the second paragraph, what does an eye for an eye illustrate?
a. the origins of the Code
b. the diversity of the Code
c. the strictness of the Code
d. the permanence of the Code

35. What can you infer about the society before the Code was established?
a. All members were treated fairly.
b. People did not understand the laws.
c. There were no laws.
d. Enforcement of laws was arbitrary.

***

1 comments:

  1. Answer Key:

    Grammar
    1.d 2.d 3.a 4.a 5.d
    6.a 7.b 8.d 9.a 10.c

    Cloze
    11.a 12.d 13.c 14.b 15.b
    16.a 17.c 18.c 19.b 20.a

    Vocabulary
    21.c 22.c 23.b 24.d 25.b
    26.c 27.d 28.a 29.d 30.c

    Reading
    31.d 32.c 33.c 34.c 35.d

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