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

Today, roller skating is easy and fun. But a long time ago, it wasn't easy at all. Before 1750, the idea of skating didn’t exist. That changed because of a man named Joseph Merlin. Merlin’s work was making musical instruments. In his spare time he liked to play the violin. Joseph Merlin was a man of ideas and dreams. People called him a dreamer.

One day Merlin received an invitation to attend a fancy dress ball. He was very pleased and a little excited. As the day of the party came near, Merlin began to think how to make a grand entrance at the party. He had an idea. He thought he would get a lot of attention if he could skate into the room.

Merlin tried different ways to make himself roll. Finally, he decided to put two wheels under each shoe. These were the first roller skates. Merlin was very proud of his invention as he dreamed of arriving at the party on wheels while playing the violin.

On the night of the party Merlin rolled into the room playing his violin. Everyone was astonished to see him. There was just one problem. Merlin had no way to stop his roller skates. He rolled on and on. Suddenly, he ran into a huge mirror that was hanging on the wall. Down fell the mirror, breaking to pieces. Nobody forgot Merlin’s grand entrance for a long time!

The text is mainly about __________.

Researchers have discovered 2,000 types of new plants but also say                                are at risk.

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.

We have to take on extra staff to deal with the increased workload.

Therapists are currently using mental imagery in the hope that                                 in the treatment of cancer.

Elephants ____________ the ecosystems they live in, and make it possible for a lot of other species to survive in those environments as well.

With only two days of____________negotiating time left, hope of progress was quickly evaporating at the climate talks.

Susie and Fran _____________us last night, so I had to quickly defrost a pizza.

I think you need to ______________your ideas more clearly so that the reader doesn’t get confused.

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 most suitable response to complete each of the following exchanges.

- “Hello. Could I speak to the manager, please?” – “___________________”

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 president’s compassion for the refugees caused him to admit a very large number of them.

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.

“ You should take more care of your health or you may regret it,” the doctor said to her.

Generic medications are just as ______________, and much less expensive.

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 sentence that is closest in meaning to each of the following questions.

He has been giving most of his money to charity. He hopes to ease the pain and suffering of the disadvantaged.

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

The village has 60 (A) historic buildings, (B) many of them were carefully (C) transported from various locations to (D) help recreate the seaport as it used to be.