Read the passage and mark A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the blanks.

The position of sport in today's society has changed out of all recognition. People no longer seem to think of sports as 'just a game' - to be watched or played for the (26)________ of enjoyment. Instead, it has become big business worldwide. It has become accepted practice for leading companies to provide sponsorship. TV companies pay large sums of money to screen important matches or competitions. The result has been huge rewards for athletes, some of (27)_______ are now very wealthy, particularly top footballers, golfers and tennis players. (28)_______ it is not unusual for some athletes to receive large fees on top of their salary, for advertising products or making personal appearances.

A trend towards shorter working hours means that people generally tend to have more free time, both to watch and to take in sporting activity; sport has become a significant part of the recreation industry that we now rely (29)________ to fill our leisure hours. Professional sport is a vital part of that industry, providing for millions of (30)________ people all over the world.

Question 27:

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that best combines each pair of sentences in the following questions.

The guest on our show who has won the Opera. He is the youngest professional golfer that has won this award so far.

People say that Mr Goldman gave nearly a million pounds to charity last year.

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.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

My father hit the roof when he found that I’d damaged the car.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word that differs from the other three in the position of primary stress in each of the following questions.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

He was attentive as Betsy and I talked about our charity concert to help the victims of the recent floods

The Netherlands, with much (A) of its land lying (B) lower than sea level, have (C) a system of dikes and canals for controlling (D) water.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

The palace was badly damaged by fire, but was eventually restored to its original spiendor.

I’m going on business for a week, so I’ll be leaving everything ________.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D in your answer sheet to indicate the underlined part that needs correction in each of the following questions.

Fruit and vegetables should be carefully (A) washed whether (B) eaten fresh (C) or cook (D).

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.

The police have concluded tentatively that the explosion was caused by a bomb.

We missed the ferry yesterday morning. It ________ by the time we arrived at the pier.

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.

With its thousands of rocks and caves ________ out of the water, Ha Long Bay has won international recognition.

_______, the town does not get much of an ocean breeze.