Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 36 to 42.

Certain birds are, more often than not, considered bad luck, or even a sign of impending death. For example, all over the world, both crows and ravens have some connection to war, and death. In early times, crows and ravens were thought to accompany the gods of war, or be signs of the god’s approaching arrival. This idea later changed. Crows  in particular were thought to be harbingers of ill fortune or, in some cases, guides to the afterlife. Woe be it to the person who saw a single crow or raven flying overhead, for this was most certainly a portent of death in the near future.

Interestingly, though potentially bad luck for people individually, the raven is considered to be  good luck for the crown of England. So much so, in fact, that a “raven master” is, even today, an actual government position in London. He takes care of the ravens there and also clips their wings, ensuring that these birds can never fly far from the seat of the British government. This way, the kingdom will never fall to ill fortune. 

Another bird that is thought to play a part in forecasting the fortunes of people is the swallow. Depending on how and when it is seen, the swallow can be a harbinger of either good or ill fortune. Perhaps inspired  the swallow’s red-brown breast, Christian people initially related the swallow to the death of Jesus Christ. Thus, people who saw a swallow fly through their house considered it a portent of death. Later, however, farmers began to consider swallows signs of good fortune. Any barn that has swallows living in it is sure to be blessed in the following year. Farmers also have to beware of killing a swallow; that would be certain to end any good luck they might have had. 

Though many people think these superstitions are old wives’ tales, there is actually some evidence to support them. For example, crows and ravens, being scavengers, appear at the aftermath of battles. Thus, large numbers of crows and ravens could be good indications of war in an area. As well, swallows feed on insects that can cause infections in cattle. Thus, a farmer who has many swallows in his barn may actually have healthier animals on his farm. Therefore, the next time you feel inclined to laugh at an old wives’ tale, maybe you  had better find out if there is any truth to it first

Which birds are considered harbingers of bad luck?

Read the following passage and blacken the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to the following questions. 

     South Pole explorer Ernest Shackleton never reached his goal of crossing Antarctica, but the circumstances that prevented him from reaching that goal pushed him to achieve an even more amazing feat. In January 1915 Shackelton’s ship Endurance became trapped in the ice of Antarctica. He and his crew of twenty-seven lived on the ship trapped in the ice floes for nine months, until they had to abandon the ship when the ice crushed it. The day the ship sank, Shackleton wrote his new goal: “The task is to reach land with all members of the expedition.” The group camped on the ice floes for six months, until the ice broke up and they took small lifeboats to nearby uninhabited Elephant Island. During their time on the ship, ice, and island, Shackleton’s group endured temperatures as low as twenty degrees below zero and had no daylight from May to July. They had to hunt scarce seals and penguins for food, and were hunted themselves by killer whales and sea leopards, which would rise through the ice in search of prey. Throughout this time, Shackleton demonstrated his leadership by rationing food, rotating use of warmer sleeping bags, and keeping a calm, positive attitude that helped morale. 

          He also showed great courage as he and five of his men crossed eight hundred miles of dangerous ocean to the nearest inhabited island to seek help. Despite no maps and terrible weather, Shackeleton’s small boat reached the island where Shackleton and an even smaller group crossed unexplored, jagged mountains to reach a whaling station. He organized a rescue party to retrieve the rest of his crew, and despite the perils of living in south polar waters for almost two years, all twenty-seven men came back from the expedition. Shackleton never crossed the South Pole, but he completed the task of bringing back all of his crew alive

When did the expedition crew leave the Endurance?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on you answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions. 

          There are three basic types of classroom learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. These learning styles describe the most common ways that people learn. Individuals tend to instinctively prefer one style over the others; thus each person has a learning style that is dominant even though he or she may also rely somewhat on the other approaches at different times and in different circumstances. Visual learners prefer to sit somewhere in the classroom where no obstructions hinder their view of the lesson. They rely on the teacher's facial expressions and body language to aid theirlearning. They learn best from a blend of visual displays and presentations such as colorful videos, diagrams, and flip-charts. Often, these learners think in pictures and may even close their something. When they are bored, they look around for something to watch. Many visual learners lack confidence in their auditory memory skills and so may take detailed notes during classroom discussions and lectures. Auditory learners sit where they can hear well. They enjoy listening and talking, so discussions and verbal lectures stimulate them. Listening to what others have to say and then talking the subject through helps them process new information. These learners may be heard reading to themselves out loud because they can absorb written information better in this way. Sounding out spelling words, reciting mathematical theories, or talking their way across a map are examples of the types of activities that improve their understanding. Kinesthetic learners may find it difficult to sit still in a conventional classroom. They need to be physically active and take frequent breaks. When they are bored, they fidget in their seats. They prefer to sit someplace where there is room to move about. They benefit from manipulating materials and learn best when classroom subjects such as math, science, and reading are processed through hands-on experiences. Incorporating arts-and-crafts activities, building projects, and sports into lessons helps kinesthetic learners process new information. Physical expressions of encouragement, such as a pat on the back, are often appreciated. In addition to these traditional ways of describing learning styles, educators have identified other ways some students prefer to learn. Verbal learners, for example, enjoy using words, both written and spoken. Logical learners are strong in the areas of logic and reasoning, Social learners do best when working in groups, whereas solitary learners prefer to work alone. Research shows that each of these learning styles, as well as the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic styles, uses different parts of the brain. Students may prefer to focus on just one style, but practicing other styles involves more of the brain's potential and therefore helps students remember more of what they learn

According to the last paragraph, students will get the best result if they use of ________ learning.

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

Choose the underlined part among A, B, C or D that needs correcting

John congratulated us of passing our exam.

Jen had confided her secret to Mark; but he betrayed her _________.

I don't enjoy _________ at by other people.

Choose the letter A, B, C or D the word that has the underlined part different from others.

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

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to choose the word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

            In addition to the challenge to be excellent, American schools have been facing novel problems. They must ….(11) … with an influx of immigrant children, many of whom speak little or no English. They must respond to demands ….(12) ….the curriculum reflect the various cultures of all children. Schools must make sure that students develop …(13) … skills for the job market, and they must consider the needs of nontraditional students, such as teenage mothers.

            Schools are …(14)…. these problems in ways that reflect the diversity of theUSeducational system. They are hiring or training large numbers of teachers of English …(15)… a second language and, in some countries, setting up bilingual schools. They are opening …(16)… the traditional European-centered curriculum to embrace material from American, Asian, and other cultures.

            Schools are also teaching cognitive skills to the …(17)… 40 percent of American students who do not go on to higher education. In the …(18).. of a recent report by the Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, “A strong back, the willingness to work, and a high  school diploma were once all that was necessary to …(19) ….

a start inAmerica. They are no longer. A well-developed mind, a continued willingness to learn and the ability to put knowledge to work are the new keys …(20) .. the future of our young people, the success of our business, and the economic well-being of the nation”.( Extracted from Info USA-CD Version).

Question 17

Choose the letter A, B, C or D to answer these following questions

Games and sports are an important and essential part of a person's life. Along with the study, games, and sports are also important. Hence, most schools conducts various games competitions and sports. Along with the mental development of every person, physical development is also which needs to be taken into consideration. Sports is an important part of a student’s life as well. So, what is the importance of sports and games?

Sports gives us a good exercise which makes us physically strong and increases our stamina and strength. Regular sports activities make us active and lead to good health. Playing Games makes us aware of our environment i.e. Makes us mentally awake and increases our concentration power. Various Games needs good strategies for better performance and teamwork, so it increases our thinking ability and teaches us the power of teamwork and to find a way out of difficult situations. Games and sports also need a lot of energy. It makes us energetic. Games and Sports needs a lot of cooperation between the players. Hence it increases cooperation with each other.

And at last, all of the games have their own rules and regulations which if not followed, leads to negative points. Hence, we can say that it teaches us the importance of following rules in life.

What does the word “it” in line 10 refer to?