Ques: Read the article and select the best answer. Article: In the face of rising gas costs, many consumers are beginning to consider the choice of a hybrid vehicle--one which operates on both gas and electricity. All of the models of hybrid car will save money, but are they really effective when all of the costs of maintenance and other considerations are included in? First of all, consider the cost of buying a hybrid vehicle. Depending on the model, hybrid vehicles can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 more than the traditional models. However, some say that as the hybrid cars become increasingly more available as a reflection of demand, the prices can be expected to drop, making them more cost effective when it comes to the initial investment. Also important to keep in mind is the fact that the hybrid cars have a much more specialized system than the standard vehicle, and will therefore require more specialized workers to repair them when they break down. It seems as though, at least for the time being, the purchase of a hybrid vehicle for the average consumer may not be the best choice when it comes to saving money. It is important to keep several things in mind, however, when considering purchasing a hybrid model. Many consumers are choosing to purchase these cars because they represent a significant development in terms of environmental concerns over standard models. They also mean that as a whole, Western nations will become less dependent on oil as the only means of power. Finally, it is necessary to remember that the hybrid car is a very new technology. Developed only within the last few years, the technology is still in the starting stage, where costs will continue to be high. As time passes, the development of the hybrid technology will begin to push prices down to the point where hybrids are more competitive with the traditionally fueled models of the past. Question: What do we know from the passage? Options: A: The hybrid technology is very new and mature as well. B: It's not easy to repair a hybrid car due to its special system. C: Many average consumers can not afford to buy hybrid cars. D: The traditional vehicles are much safer to drive than hybrid cars.
Ans: B

Ques: Read the article and select the best answer. Article: You've probably grown accustomed to texting in the glow of a mobile phone screen. Well, there's some good and bad news coming for those of you who spend hours speedily tapping messages to one another. The good news is that the hours you spend face-to-phone are paying off. You may have become fluent in a second language. The bad news, however, is that this language is texting. Worse still, there isn't yet a texting section in your school exams, so you'll need to work harder to recover the grammar skills you might be killing with every LOL and BRB (Be right back). A new study confirms what many parents suspect. The more kids send and receive texts, the poorer their grammar skills become. With "the culture of mobile communication--quick back and forth , there are compromises on traditional, cultural writing", said S. Shyam Sundar, professor of Pennsylvania State University, which conducted the study. "Techspeak", as Sundar and his research partner Drew P. Cingel call it, has become so prevalent among young users that it's changing their foundation of basic grammar. "Routine use of textual adaptations by current and future generations of 13-to-17-year-olds may serve to create the impression that this is normal and accepted use of the language, "they said in their published findings. It seems teenagers are unable to "code switch-shift" between standard grammar and the abbreviations used in text messages, Sundar said. These abbreviations have become the real words for them now. However, linguists aren't particularly disturbed by the trend, Sundar added. "The linguists will tell you the language is very dynamic. " Still, students have exams to worry about. Here's a sample of the questions, so you can test yourself to see how texting has affected your grammar: *During the flood, we (dranked, drank, drunk, drunked) bottled water. *Fortunately, Jim's name was (accepted, excepted) from the list of those who would have to clean bathrooms because he was supposed to go downtown to (accept, except) a... Question: According to the new study, the more you text, _ . Options: A: the faster you may learn a second language B: the poorer your communication skills might become in real life C: the more it could affect your ability to write using traditional language D: the better you will become at shifting between standard grammar and abbreviations
Ans: C

Ques: Read the article and select the best answer. Article: I was waiting in a check-in line at Arlanda International Airport. The man ahead of me was quite a big guy. As an airport baggage handler checked through a customer at the roadside, he accidentally knocked over the man's luggage. He quickly collected the fallen bags and apologized for his mistake. However,the traveler burst into anger, shouting at the baggage handler for his carelessness. The baggage handler calmly apologized and smiled all the time. The customer continued to berate the man, even as he turned away and headed for his gate. Through it all the baggage handler smiled and remained calm. The other customers in line witnessed the incident and admired the baggage handler's professionalism and self-control. "I have never seen such restraint and humility," one of the customers sighed, "How do you keep your cool when somebody is attacking you so viciously?" "It's easy," the baggage handler answered. "He's going to London, but his bags are going to Tokyo." I won't recommend that we use revenge to relieve stress. But let me tell you about one of my friends who has found a way to go through most of his life unaffected by the _ that disturbs most people. He is one of the calmest people I've ever known and he describes how he keeps his cool no matter how turbulent a situation becomes. He says, "I look at it this way. A traffic jam has no power to make me angry. It just stops my car. And that's the way I try to look at most of what happens to me." With that philosophy, this guy goes through life with a calmness I can only envy. My friend likes to say things like, "A rude customer has no power to make me angry; he just fusses." And, "A mistake I made has no power to make me upset; it's just a chance to do better." He shows how we can truly find calmness in the midst of chaos. Question: The airport baggage handler remained calm during the customer's berating because _ . Options: A: he was good at self-control B: he wanted to show his professionalism C: he wanted to revenge the customer D: he knew well the airport rules
Ans:
C