Reading Comprehension

Instincts

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations, and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield. Even if one didn't know from concrete examples that international sporting contests lead to celebration of hatred, one could deduce it from general principles.

Amazed

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations, and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield. Even if one didn't know from concrete examples that international sporting contests lead to celebration of hatred, one could deduce it from general principles.

Inclination

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations, and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield. Even if one didn't know from concrete examples that international sporting contests lead to celebration of hatred, one could deduce it from general principles.

Utmost

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations, and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield. Even if one didn't know from concrete examples that international sporting contests lead to celebration of hatred, one could deduce it from general principles.

Combative

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations, and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield. Even if one didn't know from concrete examples that international sporting contests lead to celebration of hatred, one could deduce it from general principles.

Aroused

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport creates goodwill among nations, and that if only the common people of the world could meet one another at football or squash, they would have no inclination to meet on the battlefield. Even if one didn't know from concrete examples that international sporting contests lead to celebration of hatred, one could deduce it from general principles.

Betrays

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled so that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English is used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. The student's reading in his own subject slows down, and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in areas where he knows the correct language forms. His social relations are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going, so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all, rudeness. Instead of the student being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.
All this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-­discipline required to correct one's mistake is very great indeed.

Cope

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled so that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English is used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. The student's reading in his own subject slows down, and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in areas where he knows the correct language forms. His social relations are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going, so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all, rudeness. Instead of the student being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.
All this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-­discipline required to correct one's mistake is very great indeed.

Comprehension

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled so that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English is used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. The student's reading in his own subject slows down, and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in areas where he knows the correct language forms. His social relations are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going, so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all, rudeness. Instead of the student being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.
All this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-­discipline required to correct one's mistake is very great indeed.

Coldness

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled so that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English is used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. The student's reading in his own subject slows down, and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in areas where he knows the correct language forms. His social relations are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going, so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all, rudeness. Instead of the student being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.
All this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-­discipline required to correct one's mistake is very great indeed.

Anxious

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

In the past, learning English as a separate subject seemed relatively easy. The textbook selected and graded items of language which were put into context and then practiced intensively. New items were carefully controlled so that the student could cope quite easily. Now that English is used as a medium of instruction, however, all this has changed. Unknown items of grammar and vocabulary appear in texts which attempt to explain new and often difficult information. The student's reading in his own subject slows down, and his comprehension becomes less secure. He expresses himself slowly and often fails to convey his ideas exactly. He is disappointed to find that under pressure he makes a lot of unnecessary mistakes in areas where he knows the correct language forms. His social relations are difficult as he cannot find the right phrase quickly enough to keep a conversation going, so his language often betrays him into dullness, coldness, or worst of all, rudeness. Instead of the student being in control of the language, the language seems now to be in control of the student.
All this can be very depressing and the student can start to feel anxious. Working in a foreign language is also very tiring, and the concentration and self-­discipline required to correct one's mistake is very great indeed.

Prosper

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

All animal life on planet earth depends on sufficient supply of oxygen for its day-to-day survival. The trees that now just sporadically dot our landscapes, but once heavily blanketed earth’s surface, still are able to provide a large portion of oxygen supply. Through a process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide from surrounding air and in return create a sizeable amount of oxygen. Ironically, human beings, who cut down large number of trees to create land, shelter, and energy, pose the most significant threat to survival of world–wide tree population.
But humans are not the only forces that threaten the survival of these mighty members of plant kingdom. Lighting, fire, volcanoes and earthquakes not only destroy many square miles of old growth forest in a matter of hours but may prevent new trees from going. Disease causing fungi and insect pests can either eradicate certain types of trees or weaken their branches.     
Climate also determines whether particular species of tree will prosper in a given area. Amount of rainfall and range of temperature also affect distribution of tree species.

Eradicate

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

All animal life on planet earth depends on sufficient supply of oxygen for its day-to-day survival. The trees that now just sporadically dot our landscapes, but once heavily blanketed earth’s surface, still are able to provide a large portion of oxygen supply. Through a process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide from surrounding air and in return create a sizeable amount of oxygen. Ironically, human beings, who cut down large number of trees to create land, shelter, and energy, pose the most significant threat to survival of world–wide tree population.
But humans are not the only forces that threaten the survival of these mighty members of plant kingdom. Lighting, fire, volcanoes and earthquakes not only destroy many square miles of old growth forest in a matter of hours but may prevent new trees from going. Disease causing fungi and insect pests can either eradicate certain types of trees or weaken their branches.     
Climate also determines whether particular species of tree will prosper in a given area. Amount of rainfall and range of temperature also affect distribution of tree species.

Blanketed

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

All animal life on planet earth depends on sufficient supply of oxygen for its day-to-day survival. The trees that now just sporadically dot our landscapes, but once heavily blanketed earth’s surface, still are able to provide a large portion of oxygen supply. Through a process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide from surrounding air and in return create a sizeable amount of oxygen. Ironically, human beings, who cut down large number of trees to create land, shelter, and energy, pose the most significant threat to survival of world–wide tree population.
But humans are not the only forces that threaten the survival of these mighty members of plant kingdom. Lighting, fire, volcanoes and earthquakes not only destroy many square miles of old growth forest in a matter of hours but may prevent new trees from going. Disease causing fungi and insect pests can either eradicate certain types of trees or weaken their branches.     
Climate also determines whether particular species of tree will prosper in a given area. Amount of rainfall and range of temperature also affect distribution of tree species.

Mighty

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

All animal life on planet earth depends on sufficient supply of oxygen for its day-to-day survival. The trees that now just sporadically dot our landscapes, but once heavily blanketed earth’s surface, still are able to provide a large portion of oxygen supply. Through a process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide from surrounding air and in return create a sizeable amount of oxygen. Ironically, human beings, who cut down large number of trees to create land, shelter, and energy, pose the most significant threat to survival of world–wide tree population.
But humans are not the only forces that threaten the survival of these mighty members of plant kingdom. Lighting, fire, volcanoes and earthquakes not only destroy many square miles of old growth forest in a matter of hours but may prevent new trees from going. Disease causing fungi and insect pests can either eradicate certain types of trees or weaken their branches.     
Climate also determines whether particular species of tree will prosper in a given area. Amount of rainfall and range of temperature also affect distribution of tree species.