Closet Test Practice Questions - Verbal Ability -- Free Practice

Question 1

Some parts of the sentences in the passages below are left blank. Fill them with the best alternative.

We ….. reached the top of the pass. It was lined by a large ……. of rocks …… with white silk scarves and ragged prayer flags. We all took a turn round the rocks in the clockwise direction, as was the …... and Tsetan checked the tyres on his vehicle.

1 (a) immediately
(b) hesitantly
(c) finally
(d) currently

2. (a) cairn
(b) monument
(c) assembly
(d) shaft

3. (a) garnished
(b) festered
(c) festooned
(d)enriched

4. (a) habit
(b) fashion
(c) etiquette
(d) tradition

A

1- c, 2 - a ,3 – c,4 - d✓✗

B

1 – d ,2 - b,3- a, 4 - d✓✗

C

1 – a, 2 – c , 3- c,4 - a✓✗

D

1 – d,2 – a,3 – c, 4 - b✓✗

Explanation

The passage reads "We finally reached the top of the pass. It was lined by a large cairn of rocks festooned with white silk scarves and ragged prayer flags... as was the tradition". So the choices are (c), (a), (c) and (d).

Option B is wrong because (d) currently and (b) monument do not fit the story.
Option C is wrong because (a) immediately and (c) assembly do not fit the meaning.
Option D is wrong because (d) currently does not fit, and (b) fashion does not fit "as was the ...".

Question 2

Some parts of the sentence in the passage below are left blank. Fill them with the best alternative.

When trade unions …(1)….. computerization, they were ……(2). that computerization would create more jobs, only with different …(3)..requirements.

1. a) understood
b) approved
c) protested
d) resisted

2. a) worried
b) fearful
c) confirmed
d) assured

3. a) quality
b) skill
c) aptitude
d) language

A

1 - d ,2 - d,3 - b✓✗

B

1 - a, 2 - b, 3 - d✓✗

C

1 - b,2 - c, 3 - a✓✗

D

1 - a, 2 - d, 3 - a✓✗

Explanation

The passage reads "When trade unions resisted computerization, they were assured that computerization would create more jobs, only with different skill requirements". So the choices are (d), (d) and (b).

Option B is wrong because (a) understood does not fit, and (b) fearful does not follow "they were ...".
Option C is wrong because (b) approved does not fit, and (a) quality does not match "requirements".
Option D is wrong because (a) understood does not fit, and (a) quality does not match "requirements".

Question 3

Some parts of the sentence in the passage below are left blank. Fill them with the best alternative.

It's easier than ever to ……(1)…., to hear what your customers say about you, to read what your friends are ….(2)… , to …(3)…….

1. a) listen
b) hear
c) hear in
d) listen in

2. a) pinging
b) sending
c) sticking
d) posting

3. a) monitor
b) eavesdrop
c) overhear
d) intrude

A

1 – d, 2 – d, 3 – b✓✗

B

1 – b, 2 – d , 3 – c✓✗

C

1 – a,2 – c , 3 - b✓✗

D

1 - d,2 – c, 3 - c✓✗

Explanation

The passage reads "It's easier than ever to listen in, to hear what your customers say about you, to read what your friends are posting, to eavesdrop". So the choices are (d), (d) and (b).

Option B is wrong because (b) hear does not give the sense of "listen in", and (c) overhear needs an object.
Option C is wrong because (a) listen and (c) sticking do not fit the meaning.
Option D is wrong because (c) sticking does not fit "what your friends are ...", and (c) overhear does not fit.

Question 4

Some parts of the sentence in the passage below are left blank. Fill them with the best alternative.

All afternoon the usual line of tourists from around the …(1)….., had descended into the (2)……… rock-cut tomb some 26 feet …(3)….. to pay their respects.

1. a) universe
b) earth
c) country
d) world

2. a) airy
b) spacious
c) awe-inspiring
d)cramped

3. a) high
b) underground
c) wide
d) out of sight

A

1- c,2 - d ,3 - a✓✗

B

1 -d,2 - d ,3 - b✓✗

C

1- a,2 - c,3 – b✓✗

D

1- a,2 - b, 3 - c✓✗

Explanation

The passage reads "tourists from around the world had descended into the cramped rock-cut tomb some 26 feet underground". So the choices are (d), (d) and (b).

Option A is wrong because (c) country does not fit "from around the ...", and (a) high does not fit descending into a tomb.
Option C is wrong because (a) universe and (c) awe-inspiring do not fit the meaning.
Option D is wrong because (a) universe and (b) spacious do not fit the meaning, and (c) wide does not fit "26 feet".

Question 5

In the question below some parts of the sentences in the passage are left blank. Fill them with the best alternative.

He pondered over her …… situation as he passed her in the long …….. where she was busy ……….

1. (a) catch 22
(b) abnormal
(c) piteous
(d) hysterical

2. (a) roof
(b) doorway
(c) alley
(d) gate

3. (a) sweeping
(b) fumbling
(c) sewing
(d) bickering

A

1-b, 2-c, 3-a✓✗

B

1-c, 2-c, 3-a✓✗

C

1-c, 2-b, 3-b✓✗

D

1-a, 2-c, 3-a✓✗

Explanation

The passage reads "He pondered over her piteous situation as he passed her in the long alley where she was busy sweeping". These words fit the situation.

Option A is wrong because "abnormal" (1-b) does not describe a situation that he pities.
Option C is wrong because "doorway" (2-b) and "fumbling" (3-b) do not fit the sentence.
Option D is wrong because "catch 22" (1-a) is not a description of her situation as an adjective.

Question 6

In the question below some parts of the sentences in the passage are left blank. Fill them with the best alternative.

A ……(1)…. house with broken windows, …….(2)…. verandas, and all the signs of …(3)……… was in front of me.

1. (a) brand new
(b) palatial
(c) huge
(d) stupendous

2. (a) sprawling
(b) gigantic
(c) tumbledown
(d) marbled

3. (a) old age
(b) renovation
(c) dilapidated condition
(d) history

A

1 - c, 2 - c, 3 - a✓✗

B

1 - a, 2- c, 3 - a✓✗

C

1 - a, 2 - b, 3 - c✓✗

D

1 - c, 2 - b, 3 - a✓✗

Explanation

The passage reads "A huge house with broken windows, tumbledown verandas, and all the signs of old age was in front of me". These words fit the description of a house in bad condition.

Option B is wrong because "brand new" (1-a) cannot describe a house with broken windows.
Option C is wrong because "brand new" (1-a) and "gigantic" (2-b) do not fit a house with broken windows and ruined verandas.
Option D is wrong because "gigantic" (2-b) does not describe verandas that are falling apart.

Question 7

In the question below some parts of the sentences in the passage are left blank. Fill them with the best alternative.

Soybeans ……. to the legume family. The beans are the …… of the leguminous soybean plants. They can be grown in a variety of soils and in a wide range of ……..

1. (a) adhere
(b) contend
(c) belong
(d) come from

2. (a) seeds
(b) offshoot
(c) fruits
(d) output

3. (a) sunlight
(b) weather
(c) climates
(d) factors

A

1 - (a), 2 - (b), 3 - (b)✓✗

B

1 - (a), 2 - (b), 3 - (c)✓✗

C

1 - (c), 2 - (a), 3 - (c)✓✗

D

1 - (c), 2 - (b), 3 - (a)✓✗

Explanation

The passage reads "Soybeans belong to the legume family. The beans are the seeds of the leguminous soybean plants. They can be grown in a variety of soils and in a wide range of climates." So the choices are (c), (a) and (c).

Option A is wrong because (a) adhere does not fit "belong to the family", and (b) offshoot is not the correct word for beans.
Option B is wrong because (a) adhere does not fit the blank, and (c) fruits is less exact than seeds.
Option D is wrong because (b) offshoot is wrong for beans, and (a) sunlight does not go with "a wide range of".

Question 8

In the passage below, fill in the numbered blanks with the correct alternative:

Other cultures are strange, (1), even shocking to us. It is unavoidable that we will make mistakes in dealing with them and feel (2) and confused. The real issue is how quickly we are prepared to learn from mistakes and how bravely we (3) to understand a game in which "perfect scores" are an illusion, and where (4) only comes after a difficult passage through (5) territory.

1: a. Ambiguous b. Sarcastic c. Esoteric d. Occult -- 2: a. Disjointed b. Perturbed c. Baffled d. Muddled -- 3: a. Antagonize b. Struggle c. Hanker d. Repel -- 4: a. Rapprochement b. Tranquilization c. Reconciliation d. Propitiation -- 5: a. Alien b. Grant c. Amends d. Solace

A

1. a, 2. d, 3. b, 4. c, 5. a✓✗

B

1. b, 2. a, 3. d, 4. b, 5. c✓✗

C

1. c, 2. c, 3. c, 4. d, 5. b✓✗

D

1. d, 2. d, 3. a, 4. c, 5. a✓✗

Explanation

"Strange, ambiguous, even shocking," "feel muddled and confused," "how bravely we struggle to understand," "reconciliation only comes," and "alien territory" together form a coherent, grammatically correct passage.

Question 9

In the passage below, fill in the numbered blanks with the correct alternative:

Unaccompanied people in communitarian (1) are assumed to lack status. If there is no one to take notes for you or (2) you carry bags, you cannot be very important. If you (3) unaccompanied in Thailand, for example, they may (4) underestimate your status and power at (5). 1: a. Cultures b. Cultural c. Culture d. Cult -- 2: a. Helpful b. Helping c. Help d. Helps -- 3: a. Arrival b. Arrive c. Arrives d. Arrived -- 4: a. Serious b. Seriousness c. Serene d. Seriously -- 5: a. Homely b. Home c. Homes d. Humours

A

1. a, 2. c, 3. b, 4. d, 5. b✓✗

B

1. c, 2. a, 3. a, 4. a, 5. c✓✗

C

1. d, 2. c, 3. c, 4. b, 5. b✓✗

D

1. b, 2. d, 3. b, 4. c, 5. c✓✗

Explanation

"Communitarian cultures," "or help you carry bags," "if you arrive unaccompanied," "may seriously underestimate," and "power at home" together form a coherent, grammatically correct passage.

Question 10

In the passage below, fill in the numbered blanks with the correct alternative:

In a butcher's shop in Italy I once saw the butcher unwrap salami at the (1) of one customer and then shout "who else for salami?" The sequential (2) is not entirely absent. People still pay in turn when they are finished, but if a customer has all she wants, she (3) as well pay and (4) earlier than someone wanting additional cuts. The method serves more people in less time. 1: a. Request b. Requested c. Requests d. Requesting -- 2: a. Ideas b. Idea c. Ideal d. Deal -- 3: a. Mighty b. Myth c. Might d. May -- 4: a. Left b. Leaving c. Leaves d. Leave

A

1. a, 2. c, 3. d, 4. a✓✗

B

1. a, 2. b, 3. c, 4. d✓✗

C

1. c, 2. b, 3. a, 4. a✓✗

D

1. b, 2. c, 3. d, 4. a✓✗

Explanation

"At the request of," "sequential idea," "she might as well pay," and "leave earlier" together form a coherent, grammatically correct passage.

Question 11

In the passage below, fill in the numbered blanks with the correct alternative:

During the first year of the (1) period there were continuous discussions among the affected employees. Five sales people left the company because they were (2) the system treated them unjustly. Total sales did not increase as a result of all this. (3) this disaster, management continued the experiment because they (4) that this kind of change was necessary and would take time to be (5). 1: A) Trial B) Experimental C) Try D) Tried -- 2: A) Conveyed B) Convenience C) Convinced D) Conveyance -- 3: A) Despair B) Dejection C) Depression D) Despite -- 4: A) Believing B) Believed C) Belief D) Accepted -- 5: A) Accepted B) Accept C) Except D) Expect

A

1. A) 2. C) 3. D) 4. B) 5. A)✓✗

B

1. C) 2. D) 3. D) 4. A) 5. A)✓✗

C

1. B) 2. C) 3. D) 4. A) 5. A)✓✗

D

1. C) 2. D) 3. A) 4. B) 5. A)✓✗

Explanation

"Trial period," "convinced," "despite this disaster," "believed," and "would take time to be accepted" together form a coherent, grammatically correct passage.

Question 12

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (1).

In most towns, the busy season for bookshops begins about a month before schools reopen. Parents start their ...(1)... early, because the book lists given by schools are long and popular titles sell out quickly. Some shops even hire ...(2)... extra helpers to handle the crowds. A family usually spends more on books and stationery in this one month than in ...(3)... other month of the year. Shop owners ...(4)... this rush and order large stocks in advance. To draw customers, many of them offer small ...(5)..., such as free book covers with every purchase.

A

shopping✓✗

B

purchase✓✗

C

sale✓✗

D

buy✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "Parents start their shopping early". "Start one's shopping" is the natural phrase for beginning to buy what is needed. So option (1) is correct.

Option 2 is wrong because "their purchase" is singular and does not fit buying many books over days.
Option 3 is wrong because a sale is what the shop holds, not what parents do.
Option 4 is wrong because "buy" is a verb here and cannot follow "their".

Question 13

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (2).

In most towns, the busy season for bookshops begins about a month before schools reopen. Parents start their ...(1)... early, because the book lists given by schools are long and popular titles sell out quickly. Some shops even hire ...(2)... extra helpers to handle the crowds. A family usually spends more on books and stationery in this one month than in ...(3)... other month of the year. Shop owners ...(4)... this rush and order large stocks in advance. To draw customers, many of them offer small ...(5)..., such as free book covers with every purchase.

A

a little✓✗

B

two or three✓✗

C

much✓✗

D

few✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "hire two or three extra helpers". "Helpers" is a countable plural, so it needs a number; "two or three" fits the sense of a small addition. So option (2) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because "a little" is used with uncountable nouns.
Option 3 is wrong because "much" is used with uncountable nouns.
Option 4 is wrong because "few" (without "a") means hardly any, which contradicts hiring help for the crowds.

Question 14

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (3).

In most towns, the busy season for bookshops begins about a month before schools reopen. Parents start their ...(1)... early, because the book lists given by schools are long and popular titles sell out quickly. Some shops even hire ...(2)... extra helpers to handle the crowds. A family usually spends more on books and stationery in this one month than in ...(3)... other month of the year. Shop owners ...(4)... this rush and order large stocks in advance. To draw customers, many of them offer small ...(5)..., such as free book covers with every purchase.

A

every✓✗

B

each✓✗

C

all✓✗

D

any✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "than in any other month of the year". After a comparative ("more ... than"), "any other" compares one month with all the rest. So option (4) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because "every other month" means alternate months, which changes the meaning.
Option 2 is wrong because "each other" means one another and does not fit.
Option 3 is wrong because "all" needs a plural noun ("all other months").

Question 15

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (4).

In most towns, the busy season for bookshops begins about a month before schools reopen. Parents start their ...(1)... early, because the book lists given by schools are long and popular titles sell out quickly. Some shops even hire ...(2)... extra helpers to handle the crowds. A family usually spends more on books and stationery in this one month than in ...(3)... other month of the year. Shop owners ...(4)... this rush and order large stocks in advance. To draw customers, many of them offer small ...(5)..., such as free book covers with every purchase.

A

expect✓✗

B

ignore✓✗

C

hate✓✗

D

recommend✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "Shop owners expect this rush and order large stocks in advance". Ordering stock in advance only makes sense if the owners expect the rush. So option (1) is correct.

Option 2 is wrong because ignoring the rush contradicts ordering large stocks for it.
Option 3 is wrong because the owners gain from the rush, and "hate" does not explain the ordering.
Option 4 is wrong because one does not "recommend" a rush.

Question 16

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (5).

In most towns, the busy season for bookshops begins about a month before schools reopen. Parents start their ...(1)... early, because the book lists given by schools are long and popular titles sell out quickly. Some shops even hire ...(2)... extra helpers to handle the crowds. A family usually spends more on books and stationery in this one month than in ...(3)... other month of the year. Shop owners ...(4)... this rush and order large stocks in advance. To draw customers, many of them offer small ...(5)..., such as free book covers with every purchase.

A

prices✓✗

B

bills✓✗

C

gifts✓✗

D

losses✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "many of them offer small gifts, such as free book covers". A free book cover given with a purchase is a small gift. So option (3) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because a free book cover is not a price.
Option 2 is wrong because shops do not draw customers by offering bills.
Option 4 is wrong because a shop does not offer losses to customers.

Question 17

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (1).

Before vaccines were developed, diseases such as smallpox and polio ...(1)... millions of lives every century. A vaccine works by training the body's immune system ...(2)... a germ before the germ can cause serious harm. Edward Jenner is remembered for ...(3)... the first successful vaccine, against smallpox, in 1796. ...(4)... the next two centuries, vaccines were developed for many other diseases. Today, the routine vaccination of babies and young ...(5)... protects them in almost every country of the world.

A

saved✓✗

B

claimed✓✗

C

spared✓✗

D

cured✓✗

E

treated✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "smallpox and polio claimed millions of lives". "Claim lives" means to cause deaths, which is what these diseases did before vaccines. So option (2) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because diseases do not save lives.
Option 3 is wrong because "spared" means the opposite of killing.
Option 4 is wrong because a disease cannot cure lives.
Option 5 is wrong because a disease cannot treat lives.

Question 18

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (2).

Before vaccines were developed, diseases such as smallpox and polio ...(1)... millions of lives every century. A vaccine works by training the body's immune system ...(2)... a germ before the germ can cause serious harm. Edward Jenner is remembered for ...(3)... the first successful vaccine, against smallpox, in 1796. ...(4)... the next two centuries, vaccines were developed for many other diseases. Today, the routine vaccination of babies and young ...(5)... protects them in almost every country of the world.

A

recognised✓✗

B

recognising✓✗

C

to recognise✓✗

D

recognition✓✗

E

recognises✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "training the body's immune system to recognise a germ". The pattern is "train someone to do something", so the infinitive "to recognise" is needed. So option (3) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because the past participle does not follow "train ... ".
Option 2 is wrong because "training ... recognising" is not the correct pattern.
Option 4 is wrong because a noun cannot take "a germ" as its object here.
Option 5 is wrong because a finite verb cannot follow "training the system".

Question 19

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (3).

Before vaccines were developed, diseases such as smallpox and polio ...(1)... millions of lives every century. A vaccine works by training the body's immune system ...(2)... a germ before the germ can cause serious harm. Edward Jenner is remembered for ...(3)... the first successful vaccine, against smallpox, in 1796. ...(4)... the next two centuries, vaccines were developed for many other diseases. Today, the routine vaccination of babies and young ...(5)... protects them in almost every country of the world.

A

treating✓✗

B

spreading✓✗

C

curing✓✗

D

developing✓✗

E

operating✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "remembered for developing the first successful vaccine". A vaccine is developed, and Jenner is known as the one who developed it. So option (4) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because one treats a patient, not a vaccine.
Option 2 is wrong because spreading a vaccine is not what he is remembered for and does not fit "the first successful".
Option 3 is wrong because a vaccine is not cured.
Option 5 is wrong because one does not operate a vaccine.

Question 20

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (4).

Before vaccines were developed, diseases such as smallpox and polio ...(1)... millions of lives every century. A vaccine works by training the body's immune system ...(2)... a germ before the germ can cause serious harm. Edward Jenner is remembered for ...(3)... the first successful vaccine, against smallpox, in 1796. ...(4)... the next two centuries, vaccines were developed for many other diseases. Today, the routine vaccination of babies and young ...(5)... protects them in almost every country of the world.

A

Over✓✗

B

While✓✗

C

After✓✗

D

Since✓✗

E

Until✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "Over the next two centuries, vaccines were developed". "Over the next two centuries" describes things happening during that whole period. So option (1) is correct.

Option 2 is wrong because "While" needs a clause, not a noun phrase.
Option 3 is wrong because "After the next two centuries" would put the events after 1996, which is wrong.
Option 4 is wrong because "Since" does not go with "the next".
Option 5 is wrong because "Until the next two centuries" makes no sense with "were developed".

Question 21

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (5).

Before vaccines were developed, diseases such as smallpox and polio ...(1)... millions of lives every century. A vaccine works by training the body's immune system ...(2)... a germ before the germ can cause serious harm. Edward Jenner is remembered for ...(3)... the first successful vaccine, against smallpox, in 1796. ...(4)... the next two centuries, vaccines were developed for many other diseases. Today, the routine vaccination of babies and young ...(5)... protects them in almost every country of the world.

A

germs✓✗

B

doctors✓✗

C

children✓✗

D

hospitals✓✗

E

diseases✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "the routine vaccination of babies and young children". "Babies and young children" are the people routinely vaccinated, and "protects them" refers back to them. So option (3) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because germs are not vaccinated.
Option 2 is wrong because "young doctors" does not pair with "babies".
Option 4 is wrong because hospitals are not vaccinated.
Option 5 is wrong because diseases are not vaccinated.

Question 22

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (1).

Without question, the internet has changed the way people live and work. Yet the internet is only a tool; ...(1)... it is used wisely, it can do as much harm as good. A useful habit for any student is to check a fact against more than one ...(2)... before believing it. Many claims that spread quickly online have never been ...(3)..., and some are simply false. Careful readers treat every striking claim with some ...(4)... until they find good evidence for it. Schools now teach students ...(5)... to judge whether a website can be trusted.

A

if✓✗

B

unless✓✗

C

until✓✗

D

because✓✗

E

since✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "unless it is used wisely, it can do as much harm as good". "Unless" means "if not": the tool does harm when it is not used wisely. So option (2) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because "if it is used wisely, it can do harm" contradicts the sense.
Option 3 is wrong because "until" refers to time and does not fit.
Option 4 is wrong because "because it is used wisely" cannot explain harm.
Option 5 is wrong because "since it is used wisely" cannot explain harm.

Question 23

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (2).

Without question, the internet has changed the way people live and work. Yet the internet is only a tool; ...(1)... it is used wisely, it can do as much harm as good. A useful habit for any student is to check a fact against more than one ...(2)... before believing it. Many claims that spread quickly online have never been ...(3)..., and some are simply false. Careful readers treat every striking claim with some ...(4)... until they find good evidence for it. Schools now teach students ...(5)... to judge whether a website can be trusted.

A

rumour✓✗

B

guess✓✗

C

source✓✗

D

mistake✓✗

E

habit✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "check a fact against more than one source". A fact is checked by comparing it with other sources of information. So option (3) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because checking a fact against a rumour does not confirm it.
Option 2 is wrong because a guess is not something a fact is checked against.
Option 4 is wrong because one does not check facts against mistakes.
Option 5 is wrong because "habit" does not fit "check a fact against".

Question 24

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (3).

Without question, the internet has changed the way people live and work. Yet the internet is only a tool; ...(1)... it is used wisely, it can do as much harm as good. A useful habit for any student is to check a fact against more than one ...(2)... before believing it. Many claims that spread quickly online have never been ...(3)..., and some are simply false. Careful readers treat every striking claim with some ...(4)... until they find good evidence for it. Schools now teach students ...(5)... to judge whether a website can be trusted.

A

spread✓✗

B

shared✓✗

C

liked✓✗

D

checked✓✗

E

clicked✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "Many claims that spread quickly online have never been checked". The point is that the claims were never verified, which is why some are false. So option (4) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because the claims did spread, so "never been spread" contradicts the sentence.
Option 2 is wrong because claims that spread quickly were shared, so this contradicts the sentence.
Option 3 is wrong because whether a claim was liked has nothing to do with its being false.
Option 5 is wrong because "never been clicked" does not explain why some claims are false.

Question 25

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (4).

Without question, the internet has changed the way people live and work. Yet the internet is only a tool; ...(1)... it is used wisely, it can do as much harm as good. A useful habit for any student is to check a fact against more than one ...(2)... before believing it. Many claims that spread quickly online have never been ...(3)..., and some are simply false. Careful readers treat every striking claim with some ...(4)... until they find good evidence for it. Schools now teach students ...(5)... to judge whether a website can be trusted.

A

doubt✓✗

B

certainty✓✗

C

excitement✓✗

D

precision✓✗

E

confirmation✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "treat every striking claim with some doubt until they find good evidence". Until evidence is found, a careful reader keeps some doubt about the claim. So option (1) is correct.

Option 2 is wrong because certainty before evidence is the opposite of careful reading.
Option 3 is wrong because excitement is not a careful response.
Option 4 is wrong because one does not treat a claim with precision.
Option 5 is wrong because there is no confirmation yet, since evidence is still being looked for.

Question 26

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (5).

Without question, the internet has changed the way people live and work. Yet the internet is only a tool; ...(1)... it is used wisely, it can do as much harm as good. A useful habit for any student is to check a fact against more than one ...(2)... before believing it. Many claims that spread quickly online have never been ...(3)..., and some are simply false. Careful readers treat every striking claim with some ...(4)... until they find good evidence for it. Schools now teach students ...(5)... to judge whether a website can be trusted.

A

that✓✗

B

how✓✗

C

about✓✗

D

why✓✗

E

what✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "Schools now teach students how to judge whether a website can be trusted". "Teach someone how to do something" is the correct pattern. So option (2) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because "teach students that to judge" is ungrammatical.
Option 3 is wrong because "teach students about to judge" is ungrammatical.
Option 4 is wrong because "teach students why to judge" does not fit the meaning.
Option 5 is wrong because "what to judge whether" is ungrammatical.

Question 27

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (1).

Journalism is a demanding ...(1)... that combines writing skill with a sense of public duty. A reporter must gather facts quickly and present them ...(2)... and fairly. The work is not only about writing; it also involves interviewing people, checking records and ...(3)... deadlines. Although the hours can be long and ...(4)..., many journalists find the work deeply satisfying. Those who are curious and patient will find that the field offers wide ...(5)... for growth.

A

procedure✓✗

B

profession✓✗

C

portion✓✗

D

product✓✗

E

process✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "Journalism is a demanding profession". Journalism is a career, that is, a profession. So option (2) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because journalism is not a procedure.
Option 3 is wrong because journalism is not a portion of anything here.
Option 4 is wrong because journalism is not a product.
Option 5 is wrong because journalism is not a process.

Question 28

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (2).

Journalism is a demanding ...(1)... that combines writing skill with a sense of public duty. A reporter must gather facts quickly and present them ...(2)... and fairly. The work is not only about writing; it also involves interviewing people, checking records and ...(3)... deadlines. Although the hours can be long and ...(4)..., many journalists find the work deeply satisfying. Those who are curious and patient will find that the field offers wide ...(5)... for growth.

A

accurate✓✗

B

accurately✓✗

C

accuracy✓✗

D

accurateness✓✗

E

inaccurately✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "present them accurately and fairly". An adverb is needed to describe "present", matching the adverb "fairly". So option (2) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because "accurate" is an adjective and cannot describe the verb.
Option 3 is wrong because "accuracy" is a noun.
Option 4 is wrong because "accurateness" is a noun.
Option 5 is wrong because presenting facts inaccurately contradicts "fairly" and the duty of a reporter.

Question 29

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (3).

Journalism is a demanding ...(1)... that combines writing skill with a sense of public duty. A reporter must gather facts quickly and present them ...(2)... and fairly. The work is not only about writing; it also involves interviewing people, checking records and ...(3)... deadlines. Although the hours can be long and ...(4)..., many journalists find the work deeply satisfying. Those who are curious and patient will find that the field offers wide ...(5)... for growth.

A

doing✓✗

B

taking✓✗

C

meeting✓✗

D

giving✓✗

E

passing✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "checking records and meeting deadlines". "Meet a deadline" means to finish work by the set time. So option (3) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because one does not "do" a deadline.
Option 2 is wrong because one does not "take" a deadline.
Option 4 is wrong because a reporter does not give deadlines.
Option 5 is wrong because "passing deadlines" would mean missing them, which is not part of the job.

Question 30

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (4).

Journalism is a demanding ...(1)... that combines writing skill with a sense of public duty. A reporter must gather facts quickly and present them ...(2)... and fairly. The work is not only about writing; it also involves interviewing people, checking records and ...(3)... deadlines. Although the hours can be long and ...(4)..., many journalists find the work deeply satisfying. Those who are curious and patient will find that the field offers wide ...(5)... for growth.

A

rewarding✓✗

B

encouraging✓✗

C

pleasant✓✗

D

relaxing✓✗

E

tiring✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "Although the hours can be long and tiring". "Although" sets up a contrast with "deeply satisfying", so a negative word is needed. So option (5) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because "rewarding" is positive, so there is no contrast.
Option 2 is wrong because "encouraging" is positive, so there is no contrast.
Option 3 is wrong because "pleasant" is positive, so there is no contrast.
Option 4 is wrong because "relaxing" contradicts "long hours".

Question 31

Read the passage below and choose the word or phrase that best fills blank (5).

Journalism is a demanding ...(1)... that combines writing skill with a sense of public duty. A reporter must gather facts quickly and present them ...(2)... and fairly. The work is not only about writing; it also involves interviewing people, checking records and ...(3)... deadlines. Although the hours can be long and ...(4)..., many journalists find the work deeply satisfying. Those who are curious and patient will find that the field offers wide ...(5)... for growth.

A

facility✓✗

B

scope✓✗

C

decorum✓✗

D

satisfaction✓✗

E

infrastructure✓✗

Explanation

The completed sentence reads: "the field offers wide scope for growth". "Wide scope for growth" means plenty of room to advance. So option (2) is correct.

Option 1 is wrong because "wide facility for growth" is not idiomatic.
Option 3 is wrong because decorum (good manners) has nothing to do with growth.
Option 4 is wrong because "satisfaction for growth" is not idiomatic.
Option 5 is wrong because "infrastructure for growth" does not fit a career.