Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

     The world above the forest floor can be observed by all of US. Rarely, however, do we take the time to notice the teeming life and bustling activity that occurs beneath the ground we walk on.

     Of all soil-dwelling creatures, the most abundant are mites and springtails, insect-like creatures that literally eat their way through caverns of subterranean vegetation. The tiny, eight-legged mites lay their eggs on plant matter, which their larvae eat and convert into fresh soil. The bright-colored springtails are named for their ability to leap long distances during their search for decomposed plant matter to eat.

     Both mites and springtails are prey to a host of soil-dwelling predators. They thus anchor one end of the food chain that extends to higher forms of forest "lowlife", such as moles that feed on earthworms and shrews that eat beetles.

     Those mammals, in turn, dig tunnels that function as underground byways for other subterranean species. Hibernating chipmunks, turtles, and salamanders sift and mix the soil when they burrow to winter dens. Cottontails and gray foxes excavate shallow dens as sanctuary from predators and harsh weather, while gray squirrels, hiding acorns for the lean season, further blend the earth. From microbe to people, thousands of species work the land upon which all life depends.

According to the passage, which of the following are the most numerous inhabitants of the soil?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

     According to some scientists, high-risk sports can be valuable for certain types of people. Such activities help them learn that being frightened doesn't mean that they have to (23) _______control. The recent fashion for jumping from bridges attached to a length of elastic rope, known as “bungee jumping”, has now been tried by millions of people over the world, and (24) _______in it is continuing to grow.

     Before the special elastic rope is tightened around them, jumpers reach speeds of nearly 160 kph. First-timers are usually too (25) _______ to open their mouths, and when they are finally lowered safely to the ground, they walk around with broad smiles on their faces, saying (26) _______how amazing it was. However, for some people, it is only the embarrassment of refusing to jump at the last (27) _______that finally persuades them to conquer the fear of

heights and push them off into space.

When you bought that new computer a couple of years ago, you probably thought its 500-megabyte hard disk would last forever.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

My mother often tells me never to accept a lift from someone I've just met!

The widespread use of pesticides and herbicides has led to contamination of groundwater in some areas.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

It is imperative that they arrive on time for the lecture. They mustn't be late.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the most suitable response to complete each of the following exchanges.

- “What about some soya milk? They are full of protein.” - “_______”

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word that differs from the other three in the position of primary stress in each of the following questions.

It/ better/ play safe/ exams/ give/ original answer

Choose the correct sentence A, B, c, or D that is built from the words and phrases given.

world’s oceans/ vast/ cope/ present levels/ pollution

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

     There are some unattended level crossings, with gates which road-users have to open themselves, 'Stop' signs, and small red and green lights. Do not cross when the red light is showing, as a train is coming. There is a special railway telephone, and if you are driving a very large or slow moving vehicle, or are on foot with animals, you must first telephone the nearest station to make sure it is safe for you to cross. Open both gates before you cross and close them after you. When you have crossed, telephone the station to let them know you are over.

     Some other unattended level crossings have gates but have no red lights. At such crossings, stop, look both ways, listen and make sure there is no train coming. If there is a special railway telephone, first telephone to make sure it is safe for you to cross. Before you cross with a vehicle or with animals, open the gates on both sides wide, and then check once again that no train is coming. Drive your vehicle or animals right across and well clear of the crossing and then close both gates.

All the level crossings described in the passage have_______.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

     In England, there is a traditional belief that whoever first arrives at the threshold of the household will bring good luck to the family for the coming year. The tradition is (23) _______ ‘First Footing’. As part of ‘First Footing’ tradition, English people pray for a young, healthy, handsome, and dark-haired male to be their first footer of the New Year. A woman, a blonde, or a red-colored person is not welcome for the day, (24) _______they are considered to bring bad luck for the entire year.

     Moreover, if that person carries coal, money, bread, salt, or holy mistletoe with him, then it is considered to be a (25) _______ of good luck and prosperity for the rest of the year. Traditionally, the first footer is meant to follow certain customs and traditions. One of them is that the first footer (26) _______always enter the house from the front door, and exit from the back door. Also, the first footer should place the fuel (as carried along) on the fire, should place the loaf on the table, and should (27) _______water on the head of the householder. Tradition also calls for gifting of the mistletoe by the visitor to any household member.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

Later that evening, when I was almost asleep, the sound of a crowd brought me back to full consciousness.