Kỳ khảo sát chất lượng THPT 2019 - 2020 lần 2 - Môn Tiếng Anh

Mã đề thi: [1207.78901]-[00010] Số câu hỏi: 50 Câu hỏi

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the sentence that is closest in

1 meaning to each of the following questions.
“Don’t forget to submit your assignments by Thursday,” said the teacher to the
students.

The teacher encouraged the students to submit their assignments by

A.
Thursday.
B. The teacher ordered the students to submit their assignments by Thursday.

The teacher reminded the students to submit their assignments by

C.
Thursday.
D. The teacher allowed the students to submit their assignments by Thursday.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the sentence that is closest in

2 meaning to each of the following questions.
Students who earn their own money tend to spend it wisely.

A. Earning their own money encourages students to spend it wisely.

B. As they earn their money by themselves, students tend to spend it wisely.

C. Earning their own money tends to make students spend it wisely.

D. Students earning their own money tend to spend it wisely.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the sentence that is closest in

3 meaning to each of the following questions.
They expect that recent changes will bring about an overall improvement in the
quality of the country’s education.

Recent changes are expected to lead to an overall improvement in the

A.
quality of the country’s education.
It was expected that recent changes would result in an overall improvement
B.
in the quality of the country’s education.

The quality of the country’s education is expected to be the consequence of

C. recent changes.

It is expected that recent changes are caused by an overall improvement in

D.
the quality of the country’s education.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the
4 correct answer to each of the questions.
The green building movement, started in the 1970s as a way to reduce
environmental destruction, is changing the way buildings are constructed. In the
early years, green builders were a small minority, and their goals of reducing the
environmental impact of buildings were considered unrealistic. Now, however, the
movement is growing, as builders have been able to take advantage of new
technology.
Green builders try to make use of recycled materials, which means less waste
in dumps. Also, they reduce environmental impact by reducing the energy
requirements of a building. One way is to provide an alternative, non-polluting
source of energy. First, with solar panels, it is possible to produce electricity from
the rays of the sun. Once installed, they provide energy at no cost and with no
pollution.
Another solution is to reduce the amount of energy required in a building. It is
possible to cut down the electricity use noticeably by improving natural lighting and
installing low-energy light bulbs. To reduce the amount of fuel needed for heating or
cooling, builders also add insulation to the walls so that the building stays warmer
in winter and cooler in summer.
One example of this advanced design is the Genzyme Center of Cambridge,
the most environmentally responsible office building in America. Every aspect of
the design and building had to consider two things: the need for a safe and
pleasant workplace for employees and the need to lessen the negative
environmental impact. 75 percent of the building materials were recycled materials,
and the energy use has been reduced by 43 percent and water use by 32 percent,
compared with other buildings of the same size.
In other parts of the world, several large-scale projects have recently been
developed according to green building principles. One of these is in Vauban,
Germany, in an area that was once the site of army housing. The site has been
completely rebuilt with houses requiring 30 percent less energy than conventional
ones. These houses, heated by special non-polluting systems, are also equipped
with solar panels.
A larger project is under way in China. The first phase of this project will
include houses for 400 families built with solar power, non-polluting bricks, and
recycled wall insulation. In a second phase, entire neighborhoods in six cities will
be built. If all goes well, the Chinese government plans to copy these ideas in new
neighborhoods across China.
Green building ideas, on a small or large scale, are spreading. Individuals,
companies, and governments are beginning to see their benefits. Green buildings
not only are environmentally friendly, improve living and working conditions but also
save money in the long run.
(Adapted from “Advanced Reading Power” by Beatrice S.Mikulecky and Linda
Jeffries)

Which of the following does the passage mainly discuss?

A. Economic benefits of environmentally responsible buildings.

B. Successful green building projects all over the world.

C. New technologies applied to constructing office buildings.

D. An environmentally friendly approach to constructing buildings.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the
5 correct answer to each of the questions.
The green building movement, started in the 1970s as a way to reduce environmental
destruction, is changing the way buildings are constructed. In the early years, green
builders were a small minority, and their goals of reducing the environmental impact of
buildings were considered unrealistic. Now, however, the movement is growing, as
builders have been able to take advantage of new technology.

Green builders try to make use of recycled materials, which means less waste in dumps.
Also, they reduce environmental impact by reducing the energy requirements of a
building. One way is to provide an alternative, non-polluting source of energy. First, with
solar panels, it is possible to produce electricity from the rays of the sun. Once installed,
they provide energy at no cost and with no pollution.

Another solution is to reduce the amount of energy required in a building. It is possible to

cut down the electricity use noticeably by improving natural lighting and installing low-
energy light bulbs. To reduce the amount of fuel needed for heating or cooling, builders
also add insulation to the walls so that the building stays warmer in winter and cooler in
summer.

One example of this advanced design is the Genzyme Center of Cambridge, the most
environmentally responsible office building in America. Every aspect of the design and
building had to consider two things: the need for a safe and pleasant workplace for
employees and the need to lessen the negative environmental impact. 75 percent of the
building materials were recycled materials, and the energy use has been reduced by 43
percent and water use by 32 percent, compared with other buildings of the same size.

In other parts of the world, several large-scale projects have recently been developed
according to green building principles. One of these is in Vauban, Germany, in an area
that was once the site of army housing. The site has been completely rebuilt with houses
requiring 30 percent less energy than conventional ones. These houses, heated by
special non-polluting systems, are also equipped with solar panels.

A larger project is under way in China. The first phase of this project will include houses
for 400 families built with solar power, non-polluting bricks, and recycled wall insulation.
In a second phase, entire neighborhoods in six cities will be built. If all goes well, the
Chinese government plans to copy these ideas in new neighborhoods across China.

Green building ideas, on a small or large scale, are spreading. Individuals, companies,
and governments are beginning to see their benefits. Green buildings not only are
environmentally friendly, improve living and working conditions but also save money in
the long run.

(Adapted from “Advanced Reading Power” by Beatrice S.Mikulecky and Linda Jeffries)

The word “insulation” in paragraph 3 mostly means ______.

A. panels that convert solar energy into electricity.

B. devices that monitor changes in temperature.

C. materials that prevent heat loss and absorption.

D. systems that protect buildings from the sun’s rays.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the
6 correct answer to each of the questions.
The green building movement, started in the 1970s as a way to reduce environmental
destruction, is changing the way buildings are constructed. In the early years, green
builders were a small minority, and their goals of reducing the environmental impact of
buildings were considered unrealistic. Now, however, the movement is growing, as
builders have been able to take advantage of new technology.

Green builders try to make use of recycled materials, which means less waste in dumps.
Also, they reduce environmental impact by reducing the energy requirements of a
building. One way is to provide an alternative, non-polluting source of energy. First, with
solar panels, it is possible to produce electricity from the rays of the sun. Once installed,
they provide energy at no cost and with no pollution.

Another solution is to reduce the amount of energy required in a building. It is possible to

cut down the electricity use noticeably by improving natural lighting and installing low-
energy light bulbs. To reduce the amount of fuel needed for heating or cooling, builders
also add insulation to the walls so that the building stays warmer in winter and cooler in
summer.

One example of this advanced design is the Genzyme Center of Cambridge, the most
environmentally responsible office building in America. Every aspect of the design and
building had to consider two things: the need for a safe and pleasant workplace for
employees and the need to lessen the negative environmental impact. 75 percent of the
building materials were recycled materials, and the energy use has been reduced by 43
percent and water use by 32 percent, compared with other buildings of the same size.

In other parts of the world, several large-scale projects have recently been developed
according to green building principles. One of these is in Vauban, Germany, in an area
that was once the site of army housing. The site has been completely rebuilt with houses
requiring 30 percent less energy than conventional ones. These houses, heated by
special non-polluting systems, are also equipped with solar panels.

A larger project is under way in China. The first phase of this project will include houses
for 400 families built with solar power, non-polluting bricks, and recycled wall insulation.
In a second phase, entire neighborhoods in six cities will be built. If all goes well, the
Chinese government plans to copy these ideas in new neighborhoods across China.

Green building ideas, on a small or large scale, are spreading. Individuals, companies,
and governments are beginning to see their benefits. Green buildings not only are
environmentally friendly, improve living and working conditions but also save money in
the long run.

(Adapted from “Advanced Reading Power” by Beatrice S.Mikulecky and Linda Jeffries)

What is one common characteristic shared by the Genzyme Center of

Cambridge and the project in Vauban, Germany?

Both were built based on green building principles, which reduces energy
A.
use considerably.
Both were built out of entirely recycled materials instead of conventional
B.
ones.

Both took advantage of new insulation technology, which cuts down on

C. construction costs.

D. Both are housing complexes with special, non-polluting heating systems.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the
7 correct answer to each of the questions.
The green building movement, started in the 1970s as a way to reduce environmental
destruction, is changing the way buildings are constructed. In the early years, green
builders were a small minority, and their goals of reducing the environmental impact of
buildings were considered unrealistic. Now, however, the movement is growing, as
builders have been able to take advantage of new technology.

Green builders try to make use of recycled materials, which means less waste in dumps.
Also, they reduce environmental impact by reducing the energy requirements of a
building. One way is to provide an alternative, non-polluting source of energy. First, with
solar panels, it is possible to produce electricity from the rays of the sun. Once installed,
they provide energy at no cost and with no pollution.

Another solution is to reduce the amount of energy required in a building. It is possible to

cut down the electricity use noticeably by improving natural lighting and installing low-
energy light bulbs. To reduce the amount of fuel needed for heating or cooling, builders
also add insulation to the walls so that the building stays warmer in winter and cooler in
summer.

One example of this advanced design is the Genzyme Center of Cambridge, the most
environmentally responsible office building in America. Every aspect of the design and
building had to consider two things: the need for a safe and pleasant workplace for
employees and the need to lessen the negative environmental impact. 75 percent of the
building materials were recycled materials, and the energy use has been reduced by 43
Thời gian còn lại: 00:41:02
Nộp bài
percent and water use by 32 percent, compared with other buildings of the same size.
Số câu hoàn thành: 21 / 50 !
In other parts of the world, several large-scale projects have recently been developed
according to green building principles. One of these is in Vauban, Germany, in an area
that was once the site of army housing. The site has been completely rebuilt with houses
requiring 30 percent less energy than conventional ones. These houses, heated by
special non-polluting systems, are also equipped with solar panels.

A larger project is under way in China. The first phase of this project will include houses
for 400 families built with solar power, non-polluting bricks, and recycled wall insulation.
In a second phase, entire neighborhoods in six cities will be built. If all goes well, the
Chinese government plans to copy these ideas in new neighborhoods across China.

Green building ideas, on a small or large scale, are spreading. Individuals, companies,
and governments are beginning to see their benefits. Green buildings not only are
environmentally friendly, improve living and working conditions but also save money in
the long run.

(Adapted from “Advanced Reading Power” by Beatrice S.Mikulecky and Linda Jeffries)

The phrase “under way” in paragraph 6 mostly means ______.

A. being notified
B. being inspected

C. being certified

D. being launched

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the
8 correct answer to each of the questions.
The green building movement, started in the 1970s as a way to reduce environmental
destruction, is changing the way buildings are constructed. In the early years, green
builders were a small minority, and their goals of reducing the environmental impact of
buildings were considered unrealistic. Now, however, the movement is growing, as
builders have been able to take advantage of new technology.

Green builders try to make use of recycled materials, which means less waste in dumps.
Also, they reduce environmental impact by reducing the energy requirements of a
building. One way is to provide an alternative, non-polluting source of energy. First, with
solar panels, it is possible to produce electricity from the rays of the sun. Once installed,
they provide energy at no cost and with no pollution.

Another solution is to reduce the amount of energy required in a building. It is possible to

cut down the electricity use noticeably by improving natural lighting and installing low-
energy light bulbs. To reduce the amount of fuel needed for heating or cooling, builders
also add insulation to the walls so that the building stays warmer in winter and cooler in
summer.

One example of this advanced design is the Genzyme Center of Cambridge, the most
environmentally responsible office building in America. Every aspect of the design and
building had to consider two things: the need for a safe and pleasant workplace for
employees and the need to lessen the negative environmental impact. 75 percent of the
building materials were recycled materials, and the energy use has been reduced by 43
percent and water use by 32 percent, compared with other buildings of the same size.

In other parts of the world, several large-scale projects have recently been developed
according to green building principles. One of these is in Vauban, Germany, in an area
that was once the site of army housing. The site has been completely rebuilt with houses
requiring 30 percent less energy than conventional ones. These houses, heated by
special non-polluting systems, are also equipped with solar panels.

A larger project is under way in China. The first phase of this project will include houses
for 400 families built with solar power, non-polluting bricks, and recycled wall insulation.
In a second phase, entire neighborhoods in six cities will be built. If all goes well, the
Chinese government plans to copy these ideas in new neighborhoods across China.

Green building ideas, on a small or large scale, are spreading. Individuals, companies,
and governments are beginning to see their benefits. Green buildings not only are
environmentally friendly, improve living and working conditions but also save money in
the long run.

(Adapted from “Advanced Reading Power” by Beatrice S.Mikulecky and Linda Jeffries)

According to the passage, which of the following statements about green

buildings is TRUE?

A. They are more economical and produce no pollution.

B. They are environmentally responsible constructions with gardens.

C. They have only been built in technologically developed countries.

D. They are gaining in popularity in different parts of the world.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the
9 correct answer to each of the questions.
Biological diversity has become widely recognized as a critical conservation
issue only in the past two decades. The rapid destruction of the tropical rain forests,
which are the ecosystems with the highest known species diversity on Earth, has
awakened people to the importance and fragility of biological diversity. The high
rate of species extinctions in these environments is jolting, but it is important to
recognize the significance of biological diversity in all ecosystems. As the human
population continues to expand, it will negatively affect Earth’s ecosystems. In
terrestrial ecosystems and in fringe marine ecosystems (such as wetlands), the
most common problem is habitat destruction. In most situations, the result is
irreversible. Now humans are beginning to destroy marine ecosystems through
other types of activities, such as disposal and runoff of poisonous waste; in less
than two centuries, by significantly reducing the variety of species on Earth, they
have irrevocably redirected the course of evolution.
Certainly, there have been periods in Earth’s history when mass extinctions
have occurred. The extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by some physical
events, either climatic or cosmic. There have also been less dramatic extinctions,
as when natural competition between species reached an extreme conclusion. Only
0.01 percent of the species that have lived on Earth have survived to the present,
and it was largely chance that determined which species survived and which died
out.
However, nothing has ever equaled the magnitude and speed with which
the human species is altering the physical and chemical world and demolishing the
environment. In fact, there is wide agreement that it is the rate of change humans
are inflicting, even more than the changes themselves, that will lead to biological
devastation. Life on Earth has continually been in flux as slow physical and
chemical changes have occurred on Earth, but life needs time for the proliferation
of new genetic material and new species that may be able to survive in new
environments.

What does the passage mainly discuss?

A. The variety of species found in tropical rain forests

B. The impact of human activities on Earth’s ecosystems

C. The causes of the extinction of the dinosaurs

D. The time required for species to adapt to new environments

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the
10 correct answer to each of the questions.
Biological diversity has become widely recognized as a critical conservation
issue only in the past two decades. The rapid destruction of the tropical rain forests,
which are the ecosystems with the highest known species diversity on Earth, has
awakened people to the importance and fragility of biological diversity. The high
rate of species extinctions in these environments is jolting, but it is important to
recognize the significance of biological diversity in all ecosystems. As the human
population continues to expand, it will negatively affect Earth’s ecosystems. In
terrestrial ecosystems and in fringe marine ecosystems (such as wetlands), the
most common problem is habitat destruction. In most situations, the result is
irreversible. Now humans are beginning to destroy marine ecosystems through
other types of activities, such as disposal and runoff of poisonous waste; in less
than two centuries, by significantly reducing the variety of species on Earth, they
have irrevocably redirected the course of evolution.
Certainly, there have been periods in Earth’s history when mass extinctions
have occurred. The extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by some physical
events, either climatic or cosmic. There have also been less dramatic extinctions,
as when natural competition between species reached an extreme conclusion. Only
0.01 percent of the species that have lived on Earth have survived to the present,
and it was largely chance that determined which species survived and which died
out.
However, nothing has ever equaled the magnitude and speed with which
the human species is altering the physical and chemical world and demolishing the
environment. In fact, there is wide agreement that it is the rate of change humans
are inflicting, even more than the changes themselves, that will lead to biological
devastation. Life on Earth has continually been in flux as slow physical and
chemical changes have occurred on Earth, but life needs time for the proliferation
of new genetic material and new species that may be able to survive in new
environments.

The word “jolting” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ______.

A. unknown
B. predicted

C. illuminating
D. shocking

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the
11 correct answer to each of the questions.
Biological diversity has become widely recognized as a critical conservation
issue only in the past two decades. The rapid destruction of the tropical rain forests,
which are the ecosystems with the highest known species diversity on Earth, has
awakened people to the importance and fragility of biological diversity. The high
rate of species extinctions in these environments is jolting, but it is important to
recognize the significance of biological diversity in all ecosystems. As the human
population continues to expand, it will negatively affect Earth’s ecosystems. In
terrestrial ecosystems and in fringe marine ecosystems (such as wetlands), the
most common problem is habitat destruction. In most situations, the result is
irreversible. Now humans are beginning to destroy marine ecosystems through
other types of activities, such as disposal and runoff of poisonous waste; in less
than two centuries, by significantly reducing the variety of species on Earth, they
have irrevocably redirected the course of evolution.
Certainly, there have been periods in Earth’s history when mass extinctions
have occurred. The extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by some physical
events, either climatic or cosmic. There have also been less dramatic extinctions,
as when natural competition between species reached an extreme conclusion. Only
0.01 percent of the species that have lived on Earth have survived to the present,
and it was largely chance that determined which species survived and which died
out.
However, nothing has ever equaled the magnitude and speed with which
the human species is altering the physical and chemical world and demolishing the
environment. In fact, there is wide agreement that it is the rate of change humans
are inflicting, even more than the changes themselves, that will lead to biological
devastation. Life on Earth has continually been in flux as slow physical and
chemical changes have occurred on Earth, but life needs time for the proliferation
of new genetic material and new species that may be able to survive in new
environments.

The author mentions the reduction of the variety of species on Earth in the
last sentence of paragraph 1 to suggest that ______.

A. some species have been made extinct by human activity

B. new habitats can be created for species

C. understanding evolution can prevent certain species from disappearing

D. humans are often made ill by polluted water

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the
12 correct answer to each of the questions.
Biological diversity has become widely recognized as a critical conservation
issue only in the past two decades. The rapid destruction of the tropical rain forests,
which are the ecosystems with the highest known species diversity on Earth, has
awakened people to the importance and fragility of biological diversity. The high
rate of species extinctions in these environments is jolting, but it is important to
recognize the significance of biological diversity in all ecosystems. As the human
population continues to expand, it will negatively affect Earth’s ecosystems. In
terrestrial ecosystems and in fringe marine ecosystems (such as wetlands), the
most common problem is habitat destruction. In most situations, the result is
irreversible. Now humans are beginning to destroy marine ecosystems through
other types of activities, such as disposal and runoff of poisonous waste; in less
than two centuries, by significantly reducing the variety of species on Earth, they
have irrevocably redirected the course of evolution.
Certainly, there have been periods in Earth’s history when mass extinctions
have occurred. The extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by some physical
events, either climatic or cosmic. There have also been less dramatic extinctions,
as when natural competition between species reached an extreme conclusion. Only
0.01 percent of the species that have lived on Earth have survived to the present,
and it was largely chance that determined which species survived and which died
out.
However, nothing has ever equaled the magnitude and speed with which
the human species is altering the physical and chemical world and demolishing the
environment. In fact, there is wide agreement that it is the rate of change humans
are inflicting, even more than the changes themselves, that will lead to biological
devastation. Life on Earth has continually been in flux as slow physical and
chemical changes have occurred on Earth, but life needs time for the proliferation
of new genetic material and new species that may be able to survive in new
environments.

The author mentions all of the following as examples of the effect of humans
on the world’s ecosystems EXCEPT ______.

A. the introduction of new varieties of plant species

B. habitat destruction in wetlands

C. destruction of the tropical rain forests

D. damage to marine ecosystems

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the
13 correct answer to each of the questions.
Biological diversity has become widely recognized as a critical conservation
issue only in the past two decades. The rapid destruction of the tropical rain forests,
which are the ecosystems with the highest known species diversity on Earth, has
awakened people to the importance and fragility of biological diversity. The high
rate of species extinctions in these environments is jolting, but it is important to
recognize the significance of biological diversity in all ecosystems. As the human
population continues to expand, it will negatively affect Earth’s ecosystems. In
terrestrial ecosystems and in fringe marine ecosystems (such as wetlands), the
most common problem is habitat destruction. In most situations, the result is
irreversible. Now humans are beginning to destroy marine ecosystems through
other types of activities, such as disposal and runoff of poisonous waste; in less
than two centuries, by significantly reducing the variety of species on Earth, they
have irrevocably redirected the course of evolution.
Certainly, there have been periods in Earth’s history when mass extinctions
have occurred. The extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by some physical
events, either climatic or cosmic. There have also been less dramatic extinctions,
as when natural competition between species reached an extreme conclusion. Only
0.01 percent of the species that have lived on Earth have survived to the present,
and it was largely chance that determined which species survived and which died
out.
However, nothing has ever equaled the magnitude and speed with which
the human species is altering the physical and chemical world and demolishing the
environment. In fact, there is wide agreement that it is the rate of change humans
are inflicting, even more than the changes themselves, that will lead to biological
devastation. Life on Earth has continually been in flux as slow physical and
chemical changes have occurred on Earth, but life needs time for the proliferation
of new genetic material and new species that may be able to survive in new
environments.

The author mentions the extinction of the dinosaurs in paragraph 2 to

emphasize that ______.

A. Earth’s climate has changed significantly since the dinosaurs’extinction

the cause of the dinosaurs’ extinction is unknown
B.

actions by humans could not stop the irreversible process of a species’

C.
extinction
D. not all mass extinctions have been caused by human activity

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the
14 correct answer to each of the questions.
Biological diversity has become widely recognized as a critical conservation
issue only in the past two decades. The rapid destruction of the tropical rain forests,
which are the ecosystems with the highest known species diversity on Earth, has
awakened people to the importance and fragility of biological diversity. The high
rate of species extinctions in these environments is jolting, but it is important to
recognize the significance of biological diversity in all ecosystems. As the human
population continues to expand, it will negatively affect Earth’s ecosystems. In
terrestrial ecosystems and in fringe marine ecosystems (such as wetlands), the
most common problem is habitat destruction. In most situations, the result is
irreversible. Now humans are beginning to destroy marine ecosystems through
other types of activities, such as disposal and runoff of poisonous waste; in less
than two centuries, by significantly reducing the variety of species on Earth, they
have irrevocably redirected the course of evolution.
Certainly, there have been periods in Earth’s history when mass extinctions
have occurred. The extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by some physical
events, either climatic or cosmic. There have also been less dramatic extinctions,
as when natural competition between species reached an extreme conclusion. Only
0.01 percent of the species that have lived on Earth have survived to the present,
and it was largely chance that determined which species survived and which died
out.
However, nothing has ever equaled the magnitude and speed with which
the human species is altering the physical and chemical world and demolishing the
environment. In fact, there is wide agreement that it is the rate of change humans
are inflicting, even more than the changes themselves, that will lead to biological
devastation. Life on Earth has continually been in flux as slow physical and
chemical changes have occurred on Earth, but life needs time for the proliferation
of new genetic material and new species that may be able to survive in new
environments.

The word “magnitude” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to ______.

A. concern

B. extent

C. carelessness
D. determination

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the
15 correct answer to each of the questions.
Biological diversity has become widely recognized as a critical conservation
issue only in the past two decades. The rapid destruction of the tropical rain forests,
which are the ecosystems with the highest known species diversity on Earth, has
awakened people to the importance and fragility of biological diversity. The high
rate of species extinctions in these environments is jolting, but it is important to
recognize the significance of biological diversity in all ecosystems. As the human
population continues to expand, it will negatively affect Earth’s ecosystems. In
terrestrial ecosystems and in fringe marine ecosystems (such as wetlands), the
most common problem is habitat destruction. In most situations, the result is
irreversible. Now humans are beginning to destroy marine ecosystems through
other types of activities, such as disposal and runoff of poisonous waste; in less
than two centuries, by significantly reducing the variety of species on Earth, they
have irrevocably redirected the course of evolution.
Certainly, there have been periods in Earth’s history when mass extinctions
have occurred. The extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by some physical
events, either climatic or cosmic. There have also been less dramatic extinctions,
as when natural competition between species reached an extreme conclusion. Only
0.01 percent of the species that have lived on Earth have survived to the present,
and it was largely chance that determined which species survived and which died
out.
However, nothing has ever equaled the magnitude and speed with which
the human species is altering the physical and chemical world and demolishing the
environment. In fact, there is wide agreement that it is the rate of change humans
are inflicting, even more than the changes themselves, that will lead to biological
devastation. Life on Earth has continually been in flux as slow physical and
chemical changes have occurred on Earth, but life needs time for the proliferation
of new genetic material and new species that may be able to survive in new
environments.

According to the passage, natural evolutionary change is different from

changes caused by humans in that changes caused by humans ______.

A. affect fewer ecosystems

are less devastating to most species
B.

C. are occurring at a much faster rate

D. are reversible

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the
16 correct answer to each of the questions.
Biological diversity has become widely recognized as a critical conservation
issue only in the past two decades. The rapid destruction of the tropical rain forests,
which are the ecosystems with the highest known species diversity on Earth, has
awakened people to the importance and fragility of biological diversity. The high
rate of species extinctions in these environments is jolting, but it is important to
recognize the significance of biological diversity in all ecosystems. As the human
population continues to expand, it will negatively affect Earth’s ecosystems. In
terrestrial ecosystems and in fringe marine ecosystems (such as wetlands), the
most common problem is habitat destruction. In most situations, the result is
irreversible. Now humans are beginning to destroy marine ecosystems through
other types of activities, such as disposal and runoff of poisonous waste; in less
than two centuries, by significantly reducing the variety of species on Earth, they
have irrevocably redirected the course of evolution.
Certainly, there have been periods in Earth’s history when mass extinctions
have occurred. The extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by some physical
events, either climatic or cosmic. There have also been less dramatic extinctions,
as when natural competition between species reached an extreme conclusion. Only
0.01 percent of the species that have lived on Earth have survived to the present,
and it was largely chance that determined which species survived and which died
out.
However, nothing has ever equaled the magnitude and speed with which
the human species is altering the physical and chemical world and demolishing the
environment. In fact, there is wide agreement that it is the rate of change humans
are inflicting, even more than the changes themselves, that will lead to biological
devastation. Life on Earth has continually been in flux as slow physical and
chemical changes have occurred on Earth, but life needs time for the proliferation
of new genetic material and new species that may be able to survive in new
environments.

With which of the following statements would the author be most likely to
agree?

Human influence on ecosystems should not be a factor in determining

A.
public policy.
Technology will provide solutions to problems caused by the destruction of
B.
ecosystems.

Humans should be more conscious of the influence they have on

C.
ecosystems.
The extinction of a few species is an acceptable consequence of human
D.
progress.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to

17 the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.
Adverse weather conditions made it difficult to play the game.

A. Comfortable
B. Severe

C. Bad
D. Favorable

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to

18 the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.
Judy has just won a full scholarship to one of the most prestigious universities in
the country; she must be on cloud nine now.

A. extremely panicked
B. obviously delighted

C. incredibly optimistic
D. desperately sad

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word whose underlined part differs
19 from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions.

A. helped
B. checked

C. laughed
D. weighed

Mark the letter A , B, C, or D to indicate the word whose underlined part

20 differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following
questions.

A. blanket