"I haven't been very open-minded," said the manager. 

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 following questions from 46 to 50 

     The word robot first appeared in a 1921 stage play by Czech writer Karel Capek. In the play, a man makes a machine that can think, which he calls a robot and which ends up killing its owner. In the 1940s, the American science fiction writer Isaac Asimov wrote a series of stories about robots and invented the term robotics, the science of robots. Meanwhile, in the real world, the first robots were developed by an engineer, Joseph F. Engelberger, and an inventor, George C. Devol. Together they started Unimation, a manufacturing company that produces the first real robot in 1961, called the Unimate. Robots of this type were installed at a General Motors automobile plant and proved to be a success. They worked reliably and saved money for General Motors, so other companies were soon acquiring robots as well. These industrial robots were nothing like the terrifying creatures that can often be seen in science fiction films. In fact, these robots looked and behaved nothing like humans. They were simply pieces of computer-controlled machinery, with metal "arms” or “hands". Since they were made of metal, they could perform certain jobs that were difficult or dangerous for humans, particularly jobs that involve high heat. And since robots were tireless and never got hungry, sleepy, or distracted, they were useful for tasks that would be tiring or boring for humans. Industrial robots have been improved over the years, and today they are used in many factories around the world. Though the use of robots has meant the loss of some jobs, at the same time other jobs have been created in the design, development, and production of the robots. 

Rise of the Robots, Silicon Valley Entrepreneur, Martin Ford, 1988.

What is Unimation?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from from 29 to 33 

     Urbanization programs are being carried out in many parts of the world, especially in densely (29) ______ regions with limited land and resources. It is the natural outcome of economic development and industrialization. It has brought a lot of benefits to our society. However, it also (30) ________ various problems for local authorities and town planners in the process of maintaining sustainable urbanization, especially in developing countries. 

     When too many people cram into a small area, urban infrastructure can't be effective. There will be a (31) ________ of livable housing, energy and water supply. This will create overcrowded urban districts with no proper facilities. Currently, fast urbanization is taking place predominantly in developing countries where sustainable urbanization has little relevance to people's lives. Their houses are just shabby slums with poor sanitation. Their children only manage to get basic education. Hence, the struggle for (32) _________ is their first priority rather than anything else. Only when the quality of their existence is improved, can they seek (33) ________ other high values in their life.

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 37 to 43 

     Today, there are 600 million cars in the world. They may seem like a lot. However, there are over 7 million people on our planet. Most of the world's population uses public transportation to get around. The number of people using public transportation continues to rise. Subway systems worldwide carry 155 million passengers each day. That's more than 30 times the number carried by all the world's airplanes. Every day in Tokyo passengers take more than 40 million rides on public transportation.

     Yet many people see public transportation as “a depressing experience”, says author Taras Gresco. They say it is slow, crowded, or too expensive. In fact, Gresco says, it is actually 'faster, more comfortable and cheaper than driving a car. Like millions of people, Taras Gresco is a 'straphanger’- a person who rides public transportation. In his book straphanger: Saving Our Cities and Ourselves from the Automobile, Gresco describe the benefits of public transportation. Firstly, it is better for the environment. When people use public transportation, they use less fuel. Twenty people on one bus use much less fuel than 20 people in 20 cars. Fewer cars mean less pollution and cleaner air. Using public transportation can be good for your health in other ways. It can even help you lose weight. In one study, a group of people took public transportation every day for six months. Each day they walked to a bus stop or train station. In six months, each person lost an average of six pounds - almost three kilograms. Taking public transportation has another benefit, says Gresco. It helps people become part of their community. When you are alone in your car, you don't talk to anyone. One Tokyo straphanger told Gresco, “To use public transport is to know how to cooperate with other people,' It teaches you how to behave in a public space’. So, public transportation is more than a way to get to work or school. It can help lead to cleaner cities. It may also lead to a healthier and more cooperative world population.

According to the passage, the number of people travelling by planes each day is about 

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word or phrase that is OPPOSITE in meaning to the bolded part in each of the following questions from 10 to 11

He didn't bat an eyelid when he realized he failed the exam again. 

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions from 4 to 5

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the most suitable response to complete each of the following exchanges from 6 to 7

John: " You're already leaving? The ball is only starting."

- Peter: " But it's very late, so __________." 

_________, they were surprised to find their favourite band playing there. 

Event organisers should plan everything carefully so as to leave nothing to _________.

Most universities have trained counselors who can reassure and console students who have academic or personal problems. 

What is not true about Taras Gresco according to the reading passage? 

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions from 1 to 3 

They believe that burning fossil fuels is the main cause of air pollution. 

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word whose underlined part differs from the other three in pronunciation in each of the following questions from 4 to 5

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions from 12 to 26

- “Are you thinking of flying business class?” - “_____________.” 

If you watch this film, you ________ about the cultures of Southeast Asian countries.