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

Baseball evolved from a number of different ball-and stick games (paddle ball, trap ball, one-old-cat, rounders, and town ball) originating in England. As early as the American Revolution. It was noted that troops played “baseball” in their free time. In 1845 Alexander Cartwright formalized the New York Knickerbockers’ version of the game: a diamond shaped infield, with bases ninety feet apart, three strikers - you’re - out , batter out on a caught ball , three outs per inning , a nine man team. “The New York Game” spread rapidly , replacing earlier localized forms. From its beginnings, baseball was seen as a way of satisfying the recreational needs of an increasingly urban - industrial society. At its inception it was it was played by and for gentlemen. A club might consists of 40 members. The president would appoint two captains who would choose teams from among the members. Games were played on Monday and Thursday afternoons, with the losers often providing a lavish evening’s entertainments for the winners

During the 1850- 70 period the game was changing, however, with increasing commercialism (charging admission), under - the - table payments to exceptional to players, and gambling on the outcome of games. By 1868 it was said that a club would have their regular professional ten, an amateur first - nine , and their” muffins “ (the gently duffers who once ran the game) . Beginning with the first openly all - salaried team (Cincinnati’s Red Stocking Club) in 1869, the 1870- 1890 period saw the complete professionalization of baseball, including formation of the National Association of Professional baseball players in 1871. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs was formed in 1876, run by business- minded invertors in joint-stock company clubs. The 1880s has been called Major League BasebalTs “Golden Age”. Profits soared, player’s salaries rose somewhat, a season of 84 games became one of 132, a weekly periodical “ The sporting News” came into being, wooden stadiums with double-deck stands replaced open ííelds, and the standard refreshment became hot dogs, soda pop and peanuts. In 1900 the Western League based in the growing cities of the Mid-west proclaimed itself the American League.

Question:Where in the passage does the author first mention payments to players?

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
Would you mind turning down your stereo ?’’        - “                                              ”.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each of the blanks

Years ago there were many social rules and etiquette procedures (16)________introductions. Some formal introductions between two people were (17)_________by letter by third party. A person had to be very careful to weigh the importance of social class or status, age, and gender when deciding (18)                 person should be presented or introduced to the other person first. (19)_________, times have changed, and most of the social rules about introducing older people to younger ones, women to men, and those in higher positions to those in lower positions have changed, too. Many people now feel much more (20)                         about making introductions.In most situations, handshaking is (21)               , but these days it is more often done than not- especially in formal social or business settings. It’s very common for one person (or both) to (22)                        a hand when meeting someone. If you are in this situation, and you are offered a hand toshake, you should grasp it firmly and shake it briefly. People often tend to make some (23)                  about someone (24)_______to their handshakes, so make sure yours is not too weak or limp, not too hard, and not too long-lasting. (25)                       should be firm and brief.

Question 16

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
Helen asked me                               the film called 'Star Wars'.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
The visitors were complaining                          in the rain.

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

- How lovely your pets are!  

-                                                    

Choose the sentence which is closest in meaning to the one above or that has been completed from the given word cues.
"Shall I help you with the washing-up, Jane?" John said.

Choose the sentence which is closest in meaning to the one above or that has been completed from the given word cues.
Tom regrets to say that he has left his tickets at home.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
She was a devoted nurse, always very                to the needs of her elderly patients.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
She told me that she                             physiology.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
Why did you object                              the scheme for building a kindergarten in our neighborhood?

Identify the underlined word ỏ phrase that is incorrect
The author has not rarely written anything that was not a best-seller.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
She regretfully told him that                                                 .

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each of the blanks

Years ago there were many social rules and etiquette procedures (16)________introductions. Some formal introductions between two people were (17)_________by letter by third party. A person had to be very careful to weigh the importance of social class or status, age, and gender when deciding (18)                 person should be presented or introduced to the other person first. (19)_________, times have changed, and most of the social rules about introducing older people to younger ones, women to men, and those in higher positions to those in lower positions have changed, too. Many people now feel much more (20)                         about making introductions.In most situations, handshaking is (21)               , but these days it is more often done than not- especially in formal social or business settings. It’s very common for one person (or both) to (22)                        a hand when meeting someone. If you are in this situation, and you are offered a hand toshake, you should grasp it firmly and shake it briefly. People often tend to make some (23)                  about someone (24)_______to their handshakes, so make sure yours is not too weak or limp, not too hard, and not too long-lasting. (25)                       should be firm and brief.

Question 24

Choose the sentence which is closest in meaning to the one above or that has been completed from the given word cues.
"What will you do if you have ten days off school?" he asked.

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