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 the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)
Even if families don’t sit down to eat together as frequently as before, millions of Britons will nonetheless have got a share this weekend of one of that nation’s great traditions: the Sunday roast. 1 a cold winter’s day, few culinary pleasures can 2 it. Yet as we report now. The food police are determined our health. That this 3 should be rendered yet another quality pleasure 4 to damage our health.
The Food Standards Authority (FSA) has 5 a public worming about the risks of a compound called acrylamide that forms in some foods cooked 6 high temperatures. This means that people should 7 crisping their roast potatoes, reject thin—crust pizzas and only 8 toast their bread. But where is the evidence to support such alarmist advice? 9 studies have shown that acrylamide can cause neurological damage in mice, there is no 10 evidence that it causes cancer in humans.
Scientists say the compound is 11 to cause cancer but have no hard scientific proof 12 the precautionary principle it could be argued that it is 13 to follow the FSA advice. 14, it was rumoured that smoking caused cancer for years before the evidence was found to prove a 15.
Doubtless a piece of boiled beef can always be 16 up on Sunday alongside some steamed vegetables, without the Yorkshire pudding and no wine. But would life be worth living? 17, the FSA says it is not telling people to cut out roast foods 18, but reduce their lifetime intake. However its 19 risks coming a cross as being pushy and overprotective. Constant health scares just 20 with one listening.
1. [A] In[B] Towards[C] On[D] Till
2. [A] match[B] express[C] satisfy[D] influence
3. [A] patience[B] enjoyment[C] surprise[D] concern
4 .[A] intensified[B] privileged[C] compelled[D] guaranteed
5. [A] issued[B] received[C] compelled[D] guaranteed
6. [A] under[B] at[C] for[D] by
7. [A] forget[B] regret[C] finish[D] avoid
8. [A] partially[B] regularly[C] easily[D] initially
9. [A] Unless[B] Since[C] If[D] While
10. [A] secondary[B] external[C] conclusive[D] negative
11. [A] insufficient[B] bound[C] likely[D] slow
12. [A] On the basis of[B] At the cost of[C] In addition to[D] In contrast to
13. [A] interesting[B] advisable[C] urgent[D] fortunate
14. [A] As usual[B] In particular[C] By definition[D] After all
15. [A] resemblance[B] combination[C] connection[D] pattern
16. [A] made[B] served[C] saved[D] used
17. [A] To be fair[B] For instance[C] To be brief[D] In general
18. [A] reluctantly[B] entirely[C] gradually[D] carefully
19. [A] promise[B] experience[C] campaign[D] competition
20. [A] follow up[B] pick up[C] open up[D] end up .
Section II Reading Comprehension
Part A Directions:
Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing [A], [B], [C], or [D]. Mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET. (40 points)
Text 1
A group of labour MPs, among them Yvette Cooper, are bringing in the new year with a call to institute a UK “town of culture” award. The proposal is that it should sit alongside the existing city of culture title, which was held by Hull in 2017 and has been awarded to Coventry for zoz1. Cooper and her colleagues argue that the success of the crown for Hull, where it brought in £220m of investment and an avalanche of arts, out not to be confined to cities. Britain’ town, it is true are not prevented from applying, but they generally lack the resources to put together a bit to beat their bigger competitions. A town of culture award could, it is argued, become an annual event, attracting funding and creating jobs.
Some might see the proposal as a boo by prize for the fact that Britain is no longer be able to apply for the much more prestigious title of European capital of culture, a sough-after award bagged by Glasgow in 1990 and Liverpool in 2008. A cynic might speculate that the UK is on the
verge of disappearing into an endless fever of self-celebration in its desperation to reinvent itself for the post-Brexit world: after town of culture, who knows that will follow— village of culture? Suburb of culture? Hamlet of culture?
It is also wise lo recall that such titles are not a cure-all. A badly run “year of culture” washes in and out of a place like the tide, bringing prominence for a spell but leaving no lasting benefits to the community. The really successful holders of such titles are those that do a great deal more than fill hotel bedrooms and bring in high-profile arts events and good press for a year. They transform the aspirations of the people who live there; they nudge the self-image of the city into a bolder and more optimistic light. It is hard to get right, and requires a remarkable degree of vision, as well as cooperation between city authorities, the private sector, community. groups and cultural organisations. But it can be done: Glasgow’s year as European capital of culture can certainly be seen as one of complex series of factors that have turned the city into the power of art, music and theatre that it remains today.
A “town of culture” could be not just about the arts but about honouring a town’s peculiarities
—helping sustain its high street, supporting local facilities and above all celebrating its people and turn it into action.
21. Cooper and her colleagues argue that a “town of culture” award could
[A] consolidate the town-city ties in Britain.
[B] promote cooperation among Britain’s towns.
[C] increase the economic strength of Britain’s towns.
[D] focus Britain’s limited resources on cultural events.
22. According to Paragraph 2, the proposal might be regarded by some as
[A] a sensible compromise.
[B] a self-deceiving attempt.
[C] an eye-catching bonus.
[D] an inaccessible target.
23. The author suggests that a title holder is successful only if it
[A] endeavours to maintain its image.
[B] meets the aspirations of its people.
[C] brings its local arts to prominence.
[D] commits to its long-term growth.
24. Glasgow is mentioned in Paragraph 3 to present
[A] a contrasting case. (B] a supporting example.
[C] a background story.
[D] a related topic.
25. What is the author’s attitude towards the proposal?
[A] Skeptical.
[B] Objective.
[C] Favourable.
[D] Critical.