Reading GRADE 11

1. You are going to read a text about robots. For questions 1-4, mark the answer
that fits best from options A, B, C or D.

The future of Robotics

Who do you think will make the most use of robots in the future – teenagers or elderly people?
Although we all know that in general younger people feel more comfortable with new technology
than their parents and grandparents, robotics scientists are predicting that as robot technology
advances, human-like machines will become something we associate with the older generation.
That’s both because people who are less mobile and independent are more likely to need
machines to carry out their household chores, and because older people tend to feel more
confident dealing with technology if it looks, sounds and behaves like a person. Although there
are, of course, plenty of “silver surfers” who can browse the Internet as well as their grandchildren,
there are probably many more over-60s who convince themselves that they can’t use anything
computerised.
In Japan there are already experimental robots in existence that can help people to get out of bed,
to get back on their feet after they fall over and even to wash their hair. Robot designers are now
close to creating robots that can not only remind people of when they need to take medication, but
also administer the medication just as a nurse would if necessary, and even send video reports on
patients to doctors. Before long, there could be robots that can act as all-round carers with the
minimal of human input. They won’t even need a human being to give them a power supply.
Instead, they will know how to plug themselves in when they need to be charged up. One expert in
artificial intelligence has said that these care assistant robots have the potential to revolutionise
people’s lives as much as the invention of reading glasses and the discovery of fire. People in
need of constant care will have no problem finding it via robotic nurses, and human carers will
benefit from more breaks.
Robots are also being designed to help elderly people who are in good health to maintain their
wellbeing and improve their fitness. Researchers at the University of Southern California have
created a robotic gym instructor which demonstrates the movements it asks people to make. The
robot has a built-in video camera, which it uses to “watch” the movements of the person who’s
working out in front of it. If he or she does the exercises right, it praises them verbally. Perhaps
surprisingly, when its designers tested the robotic gym instructor on people of all ages, and asked
them whether they would prefer to take instructions from a gym instructor on a video screen or the
gym robot, their creation was by far the most popular choice, and among people across the
generations!

1 According to the text, who will benefit from the new technology in the future?
A teens with mobility problems
B people who have difficulty surfing the Internet
C older people who need help at home
D teens who are not confident around technology

2 The Japanese robots mentioned in the second paragraph

A have been designed by doctors.
B are still in a testing phase.
C are used in scientific experiments.
D are very human-like.

3 According to the artificial intelligence expert, the Japanese robots

A will help people with reading problems.
B will run on minimal energy.
C will completely replace human carers.
D will make a nurse’s job easier.
4 The robotic gym instructor
A shows people how to do their exercises.
B isn't as popular as the video instructor.
C can suggest how people can improve their fitness.
D is mostly liked by young people.

Read the text again and mark the following statements as T (true) or F (false).

5 The elderly are more at ease

with technology if it resembles _____
humans.
6 In the future, robots will be
able to generate their own _____
power.
7 Robotic gym instructors will
help someone ill become ____
better.
8 Robotic gym instructors can
monitor a person’s workout. ____

Every day English

2. Choose the correct response.

1 A: Our hotel room was filthy.

B: a I’m very sorry to hear that.
b Why not?

2 A: Do come to my party on Saturday.

B: a I’ve been so busy lately.
b I’m afraid I can’t.

3 A: The airline lost our luggage.

B: a You must be joking!
b What was the problem?

4 A: How about going to the cinema later?

B: a Sounds good!
b Thank you.

5 A: Did you like the restaurant?

B: a That’s too bad.
b The food was awful.
 Use of English

3. Choose the correct answer.

1 Jeremy always ____ to his older brothers when he needs help or advice.
A depends
B trusts
C turns
D relies

2 It was a disappointing film that didn’t live up to our ____ .

A inspirations
B anticipations
C hopes
D expectations

3 Archaeologists are doing some restorative work in order to ____ the ancient monument.
A continue
B keep
C preserve
D maintain

4 There’s no need for a taxi; there’s a(n) ____ bus service to the airport.
A frequent
B common
C customary
D ordinary

5 Ships and aircraft travelling in the Bermuda Triangle have been known to disappear without a(n) ____.
A evidence
B proof
C trace
D hint

6 The continuous destruction of natural habitats put thousands of species at ____ of extinction.
A danger
B risk
C threat
D trouble

7 Zoe knows it’s time for her lunch break when the clock ____ one.
A beats
B strikes
C knocks
D hits

8 As the events in the plot ____, the story becomes more and more interesting.
 A unfold
B expand
C broaden
D grow

9 I just need a postcard from Finland to ____ my collection of postcards from Europe.
A finalise
B cease
C conclude
D complete

10 The police ____ the local residents to come forward with any information on the robbery.
A insisted
B recommended
C triggered
D urged

11 There’s no need for you to help me with the preparations; I ____ everything by the time you get home.
A ’ll have finished
B ’m finishing
C ’ll finish
D ’ll be finishing

12 Bill would rather we ____ to the Thai restaurant; he prefers the French bistro on the corner.
A not go
B not going
C don't go
D didn’t go

13 Mr Harris ____ very little free time before he quit his second job.
A was having
B used to have
C would have
D had been having

14 The law clearly states that you ____ camp in this area.
A mustn't
B needn't
C might not
D wouldn’t

15 The Amur Leopard, ____ is a critically endangered species, is a stunning animal.

A that
B who
C which
D whose

16 More ____ people are choosing to spend their holidays at home instead of abroad.
 A than most
B and most
C than many
D and more

17 I wish I ____ my credit card with me when I left home this morning.
A took
B had taken
C were taking
D would take

18 He gave us ____ shocking news that it took a few minutes to sink in.
A such
B a so
C such a
D so a

19 Make sure the paint is mixed ____ thinner before you start painting the walls.
A with
B from
C in
D by

20 Seeing Dali’s original works from up close was ____ unique experience for me.
A the
B an
C a
D —

21 If you ____ more, you’d feel a lot better.

A exercise
B would exercise
C will exercise
D exercised

22 Frank suggested ____ the tube to go to the city centre.

A to take
B taking
C having taken
D to be taking

23 Ben couldn’t find his glasses and asked me ____ them anywhere.
A had I seen
B whether I have seen
C if I had seen
D did I see

24 You had better ____ a warm jumper with you in case it gets cold.
 A to bring
B be bringing
C bring
D bringing

25 There’s no need to change the dress; it ____ you fine.

A is suiting
B suits
C has suited
D suited