Task 2
Directions: This task is the same as Task 1. The 5 questions or unfinished statements are numbered 41 through 45.
Thomas Alva Edison lit up the world with his invention of the electric light. Without him, the world might still be a dark place. However, it was not his only invention. He also invented the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and over 1,200 other things. About every two weeks he created something new.
Born in Milan, Ohio, on February 11, 1847, Edison's family moved to Port Huron, Michigan when he was seven years old. Surprisingly, he attended school for only two months. His mother taught him a few things, but Thomas was mostly self-educated. His natural curiosity led him to start experimenting at a young age with electrical and mechanical things at home.
When he was 12 years old, he got his first job. He became a newsboy on a train. He set up a laboratory in a baggage car of the train so that he could continue his experiments in his spare time. Unfortunately, he was fired when he accidentally set fire to the floor of the baggage car.
Thomas then worked for five years as a telegraph operator, but he continued to spend much of his time on experiments. He got his first patent in 1868 for a vote recorder run by electricity. However, the vote recorder was not a success. In 1870, he sold another invention, a stock-ticker, for $40,000. A stock-ticker is a machine that automatically prints stock prices on a tape. He was then able to build his first shop in Newark, New Jersey.
Thomas Edison was totally deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other, but thought of his deafness as a blessing in many ways. It kept conversations short, so that he could have more time for work. He called himself a "two-shift man" because he worked 16 out of every 24 hours. Sometimes he worked so intensely that his wife had to remind him to sleep and eat.
Thomas Edison did things in this order ______.
A. he became a telegraph operator, a newsboy, and then got his first patent
B. he became a newsboy, got his first patent, and then became a telegraph operator
C. he got a patent, became a telegraph operator, and then became a newsboy
D. he became a newsboy, a telegraph operator, and then got a patent
What does the Indian chief mean in saying "Without our brothers, the animals, we would all
A. Indians die from hunger if they don't live with animals.
B. Animals are so important to us that we cannot live without them.
C. We would all be very lonely without pets.
D. Only animals are important to the Indians.
Section A
Directions: In this section, there are 10 incomplete sentences. You are required to complete each one by deciding on the most appropriate word or words from the 4 choices marked A , B, C, and D.
Dr. Seaman would prefer the matter ______ at the next meeting.
A. to be discussed
B. being discussed
C. discussing
D. discussed
Section A
Directions: This section is to test your ability to understand short dialogues. There are 5 recorded dialogues in it. After each dialogue, there is a recorded question. The dialogues and the questions will be spoken only once. When you hear a question, you should decide on the correct answer from the 4 choices A , B, C, and D.
(1)
A. Return some books.
B. Read Bob's books.
C. Go home.
D. Leave class early.