PRACTICE TEST 1

READING PASSAGE 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13 which are based on Reading Passage 1
below.

The Green Revolution in China

A couple of weeks ago, China's highest government body published their conclusions from the second
research session on continental climate change over a period of twelve months. Due to China's new
global role and the number of unprecedented environmental issues in China, the Chinese prime minister
was very keen to raise climate change as an important issue at the upcoming G8 summit in Hokkaido,
Japan.
It should be highlighted that the Chinese central government also had a similar meeting and that China
is a rapidly industrializing country with new coal-fueled power plants opening every week. China is like a
terrifying carbon-guzzling monster. As a result of thirty years of industrialization, China now has the
highest level of carbon dioxide emissions in the world. Carbon dioxide emissions are increasing up to
eight per cent a year. The EU achieved a twenty per cent reduction, but China's emission rate was twice
as much approaching the 2010 IPCC deadline for carbon dioxide emissions reduction.
However, it could be misleading to put too much emphasis on these statistics. A non-governmental
organization (Climate Group) newspaper report presents a slightly different picture. According to Clean
Revolution in China, China is a nation that is more than aware of its environmental issues but also has the
potential to achieve a second miracle in 30 years.
The environmental price of the first "miracle" was that Chinese people always saw their daily lives. That's
why most of the policies are related to energy efficiency, energy saving and other alternative energy
sources. Those policies have already been met with some concern.
Whilst the personal sectors are so strong and developing, they are able to aid the central government to
introduce laws, like the National Renewable Energy Law in 2006. This has set hard targets, including
increasing the amount of energy made from new renewable sources from eight per cent to fifteen per
cent until 2020. Also, it has guaranteed at least three per cent of renewable energy sources, such as
biomass, solar and wind.
Both wind and solar power are so successful, but their origins are very different. With 6 gigawatts of
energy made from wind turbines, surprisingly China is now ranked behind Germany, the US, Spain and
India. Also, some believe China will reach 100 GW by 2020.

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Wind power successfully shows that with central government aid China is ready for new policies,
subsides and advanced technology. This situation also has a role in the domestic market. The amount of
electricity produced by the wind farms can be a burden to fund.
Even though western countries invented an open marketplace set to dominate in China, there were few
domestic incentives for solar power. In the global solar photovoltaic cell market, it is second only to Japan
and growing fast. In China, the solar market has been a small business, because the cells are so expensive.
This puts pressure on the government to rapidly follow up on their policies, for example, the role of the
Climate Group is important in developing domestic markets.
However, the image of new coal-fueled power stations still looms large as they are opening every week.
It is hard to imagine that China has achieved a 10.5 per cent of growth rate without such stations in the
last quarter. However, how many people actually know that China has been closing its small power
stations over the last couple of years? Step by step China is reducing its small power stations, first the 50
megawatt ones then the 100 megawatt ones and next will be the 300 megawatt power stations.
This policy is operated by the Chinese central government and backs up the new generation of coal
stations using the most advanced technologies with supercritical and ultra-supercritical improved clean
coal. Capture functions and plants of carbon are researched and developed, but advanced thinking for
the future is based on the technology of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) that turn coal
materials into synthetic gas to make power.
These days, Chinese consumers demand better homes and vehicles. Public awareness of energy saving
is on the rise. The Chinese government introduced a standard fuel economy for vehicles in 2004 of 15.6
kilometers per litre. This is higher than the US, Canada and Australia but behind Europe and Japan. In the
meantime, in spite of a high 20 per cent tax on SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) the sale of these sorts of cars
continues to increase.
Up to now, China has been the kingdom of the bicycle, importing the electric bike at 1,500 yuan ($220)
per vehicle. Some of these vehicles have adopted an intelligent recovery system similar to that of hybrid
cars. In 2007, the sale of electric bikes increased considerably and China is estimated to make up three
quarters of the world electric vehicle market.
China, already, is doing a lot on the bottom line. So, could it do more? The answer is yes. China should
learn and open its mind through the international communities. According to the Climate Group, they
report the world should refine their image of China, just not fear it and, constructively, work in unison.
At the same time, China's government should develop the clean revolution and maintain internal
pressure for improvements.

Questions 1-7
Do the following statements reflect the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 1?

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In boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet, write

YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer

NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

1. The Central Government of China concluded the second research scheme of climate change in
less than one year.
2. The main topic of the G8 Meeting in Japan was to discuss greenhouse gas emissions.
3. The Chinese Government must compensate the European Union for loss of climate change.
4. NGO's group reported about truth of problems of a climate change in China.
5. Solar energy has increased the amount of energy.
6. With different launching, both wind and solar power are inefficient.
7. The high cost of cells causes less activity in the solar market in China.

Questions 8-13
Complete the sentences. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 8-13 on your answer sheet.

8. China is emitting ____________of the so outstanding rates in the world.

9. Statistics that can be misleading have been corrected by a ____________.
10. In 2006, ____________has set a hard target, waxing the amount of renewable sources.
11. What including the amount of sources which are renewable is like ____________.
12. Wind energy is based on subsides, policies and the equitable ____________.
13. ____________should support to develop the domestic market in China facing financial problems.

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-26, which are based on Reading Passage 2
below.

Stepwells

A millennium ago, stepwells were fundamental to life in the driest parts of India. Richard
Cox travelled to north-western India to document these spectacular monuments from a
bygone era

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 During the sixth and seventh centuries, the inhabitants of the modern-day states of Gujarat and
Rajasthan in north-western India developed a method of gaining access to clean, fresh
groundwater during the dry season for drinking, bathing, watering animals and irrigation.
However, the significance of this invention - the stepwell - goes beyond its utilitarian application.

Unique to this region, stepwells are often architecturally complex and vary widely in size and
shape. During their heyday, they were places of gathering, of leisure and relaxation and of
worship for villagers of all but the lowest classes. Most stepwells are found dotted round the
desert areas of Gujarat (where they are called vav) and Rajasthan (where they are called baori),
while a few also survive in Delhi. Some were located in or near villages as public spaces for the
community; others were positioned beside roads as resting places for travellers.

As their name suggests, stepwells comprise a series of stone steps descending from ground level
to the water source (normally an underground aquifer) as it recedes following the rams. When
the water level was high, the user needed only to descend a few steps to reach it; when it was
low, several levels would have to be negotiated.

Some wells are vast, open craters with hundreds of steps paving each sloping side, often in tiers.
Others are more elaborate, with long stepped passages leading to the water via several storeys.
Built from stone and supported by pillars, they also included pavilions that sheltered visitors from
the relentless heat. But perhaps the most impressive features are the intricate decorative
sculptures that embellish many stepwells, showing activities from fighting and dancing to
everyday acts such as women combing their hair or churning butter.

Down the centuries, thousands of wells were constructed throughout northwestern India, but
the majority have now fallen into disuse; many are derelict and dry, as groundwater has been
diverted for industrial use and the wells no longer reach the water table. Their condition hasn’t
boon helped by recent dry spells: southern Rajasthan suffered an eight-year drought between
1996 and 2004.

However, some important sites in Gujarat have recently undergone major restoration, and the
state government announced in June last year that it plans to restore the stepwells throughout
the state.

In Patan, the state’s ancient capital, the stepwell of Rani Ki Vav (Queen’s Stepwell) is perhaps the
finest current example.It was built by Queen Udayamati during the late 11th century, but became

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silted up following a flood during the 13th century. But the Archaeological Survey of India began
restoring it in the 1960s, and today it is in pristine condition. At 65 metres long, 20 metres wide
and 27 metres deep. Rani Ki Vav features 500 sculptures carved into niches throughout the
monument. Incredibly, in January 2001, this ancient structure survived an earthquake that
measured 7.6 on the Richter scale.

Another example is the Surya Kund in Modhera, northern Gujarat, next to the Sun Temple, built
by King Bhima I in 1026 to honour the sun god Surya. It actually resembles a tank (kund means
reservoir or pond) rather than a well, but displays the hallmarks of stepwell architecture,
including four sides of steps that descend to the bottom in a stunning geometrical formation.
The terraces house 108 small, intricately carved shrines between the sets of steps.

Rajasthan also has a wealth of wells. The ancient city of Bundi, 200 kilometres south of Jaipur, is
renowned for its architecture, including its stepwells.

One of the larger examples is Raniji Ki Baori, which was built by the queen of the region.
Nathavatji in 1699. At 46 metres deep. 20 metres wide and 40 metres long, the intricately carved
monument is one of 21 baoris commissioned in the Bundi area by Nathavatji.

In the old ruined town of Abhancri, about 95 kilometres east of Jaipur, is Chand Baori, one of
India’s oldest and deepest wells: aesthetically it's perhaps one of the most dramatic. Built in
around 850 AD noxt to the temple of Marshal Mata, the baori comprises hundreds of zigzagging
steps that run along three of its sides, steeply descending 11 storeys, resulting in a striking pattern
when seen from afar. On the fourth side, verandas which are supported by ornate pillars
overlook the steps.

Still in public use is Neemrana Ki Baori, located just off the Jaipur-Delhi highway. Constructed in
around 1700, it is nine storeys deep, with the last two being underwater. At ground level, there
are 86 colonnaded openings from where the visitor descends 170 steps to the deepest water
source.

Today, following years of neglect, many of these monuments to medieval engineering have been
saved by the Archaeological Survey of India, which has recognised the importance of preserving
them as part of the country’s rich history. Tourists flock to wells in far-flung corners of
north¬western India to gaze in wonder at these architectural marvels from hundreds of years

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ago, which serve as a reminder of both the ingenuity and artistry of ancient civilisations and of
the value of water to human existence.

Questions 14-18:

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 2?

In boxes 14-18 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

14. Examples of ancient stepwells can be found all over the world.
15. Stepwells had a range of functions, in addition to those related to water collection.
16. The few existing stepwells in Delhi are more attractive than those found elsewhere.
17. It took workers many years to build the stone steps characteristic of stepwells.
18. The number of steps above the water level in a stepwell altered during the course of a
year.

Questions 19-21:

Answer the questions below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 19-21 on your answer sheet.

19. Which part of some stepwells provided shade for people?

20. What type of serious climatic event, which took place in southern Rajasthan, is
mentioned in the article?
21. Who are frequent visitors to stepwells nowadays?

Questions 22-26: Complete the table below.

Choose ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

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Write your answers in boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet.

Stepwell Date Features Other notes

Rani Ki Vav Late As many as 500 sculptures Restored in the 1960s

11th decorate the monument
century
Excellent condition, despite the
22. _________of 2001
Surya Kund 1026 Steps on the Looks more like a 24._________
23. _________ produce a than a well
geometrical pattern

Carved shrines

Raniji Ki Baori 1699 Intricately carved monument One of 21 baoris in the area
commissioned by Queen
Nathavatji

Chand Baori 850 AD Steps take you down storeys Old, deep and very dramatic
to the bottom
Has 25._________which
provide a view of the steps

Neemrana Ki 1700 Has two 26._________ Used by public today

Baori
levels

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