Section I Use of English

Directions: Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark A, B, C or D on ANSWER SHEET 1. (10 points)

People are, on the whole, poor at considering background information when making individual decisions. At first glance this might seem like a strength that __1_ the ability to make judgments which are unbiased by _2_ factors. But Dr Simonsohn speculated that an inability to consider the big _3_ was leading decision-makers to be biased by the daily samples of information they were working with. _4_, he theorised that a judge _5_ of appearing too soft _6_crime might be more likely to send someone to prison __7_he had already sentenced five or six other defendants only to forced community service on that day.

To __8__this idea, they turned their attention to the university-admissions process. In theory, the ____9___ of an applicant should not depend on the few others___10____ randomly for interview during the same day, but Dr Simonsohn suspected the truth was____11____.

He studied the results of 9,323 MBA interviews _12_ by 31 admissions officers. The interviewers had _13_ applicants on a scale of one to five. This scale _14_ numerous factors into consideration. The scores were _15_ used in conjunction with an applicant’s score on the GMAT, a standardised exam which is _16_out of 800 points, to make a decision on whether to accept him or her.

Dr Simonsohn found if the score of the previous candidate in a daily series of interviewees was 0.75 points or more higher than that of the one _17__ that, then the score for the next applicant would_18_ by an average of 0.075 points. This might sound small, but to_19_the effects of such a decrease a candidate would need 30 more GMAT points than would otherwise have been _20__.

1. A grants B submits C transmits D dilivers

2. A minor B external C crucial D objective

3. A issue B vision C picture D moment

4. A Above all B On average C In principle D For example

5. A fond B fearful C capable D thoughtless

6. A in B for C to D on

7. A if B until C though D unless

8. A. test B.emphasize C.share D.promote

9. A.decision B.quality C.status D.success

10. A.found B.studied C.chosen D.identified

11. A.otherwise B.defensible C.replaceable D.exceptional

12. A. inspired B. expressed C. conducted D. secured

13. A. assigned B. rated C. matched D. arranged

14. A. put B. got C. took D. gave

15. A. instead B. then C. ever D. rather

16. A. selected B. passed C. marked D. introduced

17. A below B after C above D before

18. A jump B float C fluctuate D drop

19. A achieve B undo C maintain D disregard

20. A necessary B possible C promising D helpful