New ADVANCE READING DAY-5

Reading Passage 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13 which are based on Reading Passage 1.

The Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves

A: Most caves are found in coastal regions, their existence being down to pure water erosion.
Other common cave formations include those caused by lifting and volcanic lava streams.
Eisriesenwelt, which holds the longest known system of ice caves in the world, was not formed
by any one of these processes alone, and, in fact, owes its existence primarily to the water-
soluble nature of the limestone rock found in the limestone mountains of the Austrian Alps
around Salzburg.

B: The Alps themselves, one of the largest mountainous regions on earth, which stretch across
most of Austria, Germany, Switzerland and on into Italy and France as well, were created by a
process called lifting. The African and European tectonic plates moved towards each other. The
impact of the eventual collision of the plates resulted in the formation of a large mountainous
ridge stretching across the impact line. As the two plates continued to push towards each other,
the ridge grew in size, eventually leading to the formation of cracks, rock displacements and fault
lines. Once the Alps were raised, the hollow areas formed by pressure cracks started to be
worked on by outside influences, especially water, and these influences then played their part
over millions of years in the creation of the subterranean passages of Eisriesenwelt that we are
familiar with today.

C: Rock composition also played an important role in the formation of the alpine caves.
Extensive cave systems like Eisriesenwelt tend only to be located in the limestone Alps,

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primarily on account of limestone being water soluble, especially when it comes into contact
with rain water that has been enriched with organic material. Over time, the limestone which
came into contact with rain water broke down and dissolved, leaving large hollow areas to form
underground. When the caves were first forming a few million years ago, the climate of the
region was sub-tropical; meaning the level of solubility was even higher than it is today, so the
erosion of the limestone occurred at a higher rate, too.

D: Corrosion is the chemical dissolution of rock. In the case of Eisriesenwelt, when rain water
came into contact with the limestone rock, lime, or CaC03, was being corroded.

But water alone is not enough to corrode rock. Pure water has fewer H+ ions and would not cause
lime to dissolve. Only when carbon dioxide or C02 from the air and vegetation is introduced is an
aggressive acid, known as carbonic acid, formed. When this acid permeates the cracks in the
limestone, the limestone dissolves. As it dissolves, wider cracks open in the stone allowing more
water to pass through, which, in turn, causes greater erosion of the rock. High levels of
precipitation, characteristic of the alpine region, resulted in greater volumes of water collecting
and flowing through the hollow areas of the stone, and at faster rates. The greater volume of water
and rate of flow combined eroded the caves further and led to an increasing amount of material
being washed away. This resulted in the formation of the spectacular geological features of the
Alps, such as the long gorges, shafts and canyons to be found there.

E: In short, the Eisriesenwelt caves were formed as a result of a combination of various factors:
primarily lifting, corrosion and water erosion. The caves themselves are unremarkable, though,
similar examples being relatively widespread in limestone areas around the world. What sets
Eisriesenwelt apart is the unique ice formations that are present in a significant amount of the
cave expanse. Of the millions of known cave systems in the world, relatively few are genuine ice
caves in which ice is present year-round. That is what makes the Eisriesenwelt caves so special.

F: Eisriesenwelt is what’s known as a dynamic ice cave system, the other types being static ice
caves and glacier caves. Static ice caves, as the name would suggest, have a consistent level of
ice cover year-round and a fairly even temperature. In winter, the air temperature outside the
cave might reach below minus 20 degrees Celsius for example. When it becomes colder than the
air inside the cave, the air in the cave rises to escape and the cold air fills the space left behind. In
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summer, though, the temperature outside the cave is warmer than it is inside and the cold air in
the cave, being heavier than the hot air outside, cannot escape and remains in a cold pocket,
keeping the cave at a fairly constant temperature below freezing. Glacier caves are easier to
explain, simply the product of melt water carving a route for itself down from the mountain.

G: Dynamic caves are a little different and the basic principle of a dynamic ice cave is the
chimney effect: the requirement for a cave to have at least two entrances, one at relatively low
altitude and the other at a much higher altitude. In winter, when the outside temperature is very
low, the (comparatively) warm temperature within the cave system’s rock causes a draft which
rises up through the cave towards the uppermost cave entrance. As a result of cold air streaming
in from outside, the rock in the lower part of the cave then starts to radically cool. In summer,
the outside temperature is much higher than the inside one, so the draft goes the other way, with
warm air streaming in from the topmost entrance towards the lower levels.
But, before this warm air can reach the lower levels of the cave, it has cooled considerably, so, as
a result, the lower levels maintain a fairly constant year-round temperature close to freezing.
Consequently, water that seeps into the lower part of the cave tends to freeze causing ice to build
up, giving the spectacular ice formations for which the area has become known.

Questions 1-3

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

1. The majority of caves around the world are found in coastal areas and were formed as a
result of what substance acting on rock? _________

2. What process is responsible for the creation of the large mountainous ridge which stretches
across much of Europe, more commonly known as the Alps? ___________

3. What large areas were enabled to form by the limestone rock present in parts of the
Alps? _________

Questions 4-9

Reading Passage 1 has seven sections, A-G. Which section contains the following information?
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 Write the correct letter, A-G. Some letters may be used more than once; others not at
all.

4. How rare ice caves and ice-cave systems are

5. How serious weathering of limestone rock in the Alps was responsible for the formation of
other features besides caves

6. An explanation of why limestone was eroded more quickly in the distant past than it is
being today

7. How the mountain range which is home to the Eisriesenwelt caves was formed

8. How caves with more than one entrance from which air can escape all year round can
always remain cold enough in parts for ice to be present

9. How rock corrosion and water erosion do not necessarily have to play a direct role in the
formation of ice caves

Questions 10-13
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

10. Which type of cave formation is represented in the diagram?

A Static ice cave in winter Static

B ice cave in summer Dynamic

C ice cave in winter Dynamic ice

D cave in summer
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11. Which type of cave formation is represented in the diagram?

A Static ice cave in winter Static

B
ice cave in summer Dynamic

C ice cave in winter Dynamic ice

D cave in summer

12. Which of the following statements is accurate?

A Air is escaping from dynamic ice caves all year round, but it only escapes
from static ice caves when the temperature is cooler inside the cave than it is
outside.

B Air is escaping from dynamic ice caves all year round, but it only escapes
from static ice caves when the temperature is warmer inside the cave than it is
outside,
C Air is escaping from dynamic ice caves all year round, but it never escapes
from static ice caves, hence the name ‘static’.
D Air escapes from dynamic ice caves in winter, whereas wind escapes
from static ice caves during the summer months.

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13. Which of the following statements is accurate?

A Dynamic ice caves produce upward air currents in summer and winter.
B
Dynamic ice caves will produce drafts throughout the year.
C
Cold air is channelled downwards through dynamic ice caves in winter.
D
Cold air is channelled upwards through dynamic ice caves in summer.

Reading Passage 2
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-26, which are based on Reading Passage
Two.

What's the best smartphone on the market?

The new HTC 4G is, for now at least, restricted from showing us its true potential since, as
Australia's first 4G phone, it is ahead of its time and must wait for the 4G infrastructure to be put
in place before it can really be appreciated. As things stand, and limited to use as a 3G handset,
the HTC stacks up well against its competitors though. There is a very generous screen size of
4.3 inches, and the graphics and screen resolution are very sharp. This is perhaps both the
phone's greatest strength and its greatest weakness because, for all the good of having a large,
sharp screen image, this comes at a cost, that being that the HTC is a bulkier, weightier model
than most of its peers. Size issues aside however, you cannot help but admire the sheer range of
features on this handset. An 8-megapixel camera, and a front-side 1.2 megapixel for voice calls,
and high-definition image quality should you switch to recording mode make the need to carry
any casual photographic or recording equipment around with you almost redundant Perhaps no
more than a blip, as company engineers and programmers assure us a fix will be issued shortly,
but it must be said that the battery life is slightly disappointing; a regular daily charge is simply a
necessity as any longer would leave you, well, flat!

The Nexus employs energy-efficient screen technology, making it an instant hit for the many who
have been thus far frustrated by the lack of battery longevity smartphones have offered up Design
isn't compromised either and this handset is light and compact (the practicalities are covered then)
not to mention sleek and funky. The 5-megapixel rear-facing camera is handy to have in an
emergency, but can hardly be relied upon to produce the sort of imagery we have come to expect
from such products. Autofocus and an inbuilt flash do help to enhance image quality, but this
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device falls just a few too many pixels short and so trails behind its rivals in the multimedia
department, and not by a neck, but several lengths at least.

The iPhone series have been market leading devices ever since Apple entered the smartphone
sector, and seldom is there more excitement in techie circles than when a new iPhone model is
released. Cue fierce applause and much gasping then, for Apple's latest offering is now on sale
in a store near you! The new iPhone has the sharpest and clearest display of any smartphone on
the market, and, quite simply, in almost every aspect of design, it is king. In fact, the quality of
kit gone into this phone almost beggars belief and gives the handset the feel of being
indestructible, which, given the quality of manufacture, is not too far wide off the mark.

There are, of course, the trademark front-and rear-display cameras on the new iPhone, and,
though at 8 megapixels the main camera is, well, hardly earth-shatteringly impressive, don't be
too quick to write off the iPhone's multimedia credentials. Remember to start with that the screen
and recording devices operate in High Definition, and let's not overlook the vast number of
complementary media apps - Apple is in a league of its own in the apps market, and this is
perhaps one of the main reasons it has so many diehard fans. Another factor which is crucial to
this device's popularity is the fact that you can leave home confident there will be no need to beg
for a charger from someone in the office halfway through the day. Battery life on this handset is
not market-leading, but the iPhone certainly outperforms its nearest rivals in that department. A
genuine contender for best buy.

The new Motorola should not be thought of so much as a smartphone; as a mini- computer, such
is the manner in which this device performs. With massive processing and memory capabilities,
Motorola users can download video, image and music files without giving a second thought to
whether or not there is enough unused space, and, with 16GB internal memory and scope to add
on another 32GB via an external memory card, why would you? The main camera though, given
how high-spec everything else about this device seems to be, is somewhat of a disappointment.
At only 5 megapixels, you do wonder what the designers were thinking; after all, had they even
matched their rivals at HTC in this area, the Motorola would have been a standout handset that
left its competitors trailing in its wake. As things stand, the Motorola is a definite player and will
appeal to those for whom the smartphone is primarily a work-related device, as its unrivailed
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processing capability and compatibility with most office software make it the perfect travel
companion for every busy businessman and businesswoman out there.

However, Motorola have missed a trick or two in failing to target the many smartphone buyers
more interested in entertainment features like high-megapixel cameras. Had they combined their
download power with a better 'picture snapper', they could have cornered the entire market; this
is an opportunity lost, you feel.

Questions 14-20
Look at the following statements, 14-20, and decide which smartphone model, A-D,
the statements relate to.

A HTC 4G
B Nexus
C iPhone
D Motorola
Write the correct letter, A-D.

14. This phone will not be able to showcase all of its strengths until the country’s
communication system has been upgraded.

15. This phone is a very practical device that can process information quickly and has very high
storage capacity

16. This phone’s greatest asset is also a liability which makes it more burdensome to carry
around.

17. This phone would stand up to a lot of abuse; such is the quality of manufacture gone into it

18. This phone could have threatened to dominate the smartphone market had it not overlooked
an important entertainment feature.

19. This phone provides access to a lot more of something than any of the rival phone models
can

20. This phone employs special technology designed to conserve energy and enhance battery life

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Questions 21-23

Complete each sentence with the correct ending, A-E, below. Write the correct letter, A-E.

A that of a small computer, except in the memory and processing stakes

where it comes up short.
B that the excellent flash and focus functions are still not enough to
compensate.
C that of devices specifically designed to execute far more complex tasks
than a phone is supposed to.
D that it is no longer necessary to carry extra camera and recording
equipment unless you are looking for professional results.
E that professional and amateur photographers alike will find that it
satisfies all their needs.

21. The HTC 4G has such a high-quality camera

22. The failings of the Nexus camera are such
23. The functionality of the Motorola can be likened to

Questions 24-26

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage 2? Write:

24. In order to produce an energy-efficient phone, the Nexus manufacturers have compromised
on certain design features

25. The iPhone is superior to its rivals in many design aspects

26. The Motorola Atrix is unlikely to be a huge success since there are more smartphone users
who use their phones for entertainment than for work purposes

Reading Passage 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27-40, which are based on Reading Passage
Three.

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 The Australian Visa Application Process Explained

Applications for Australian visas are now accepted online. You should, however, be in
possession of the following documents before you embark on the application process: (i) your
current passport (valid for at least 6 months at the date of application), (ii) your sponsor and
associated nomination approval number or transaction reference number [(ii) only applies to
Long-Stay Temporary Business Visa applicants]. In order to proceed online, you should also
have up-to-date internet browsers loaded on your computer and an internationally accepted
credit card to pay the application charge.

Before embarking on the application process, it is recommended that you understand a little more
about what this process entails and the steps involved. That is why this guide has been designed.
Please read on to get a better understanding of what will happen next once you start your
application.

The first and most important thing to do is to check that the visa you have selected is appropriate
to your circumstances. At the start of the online application, you will be asked a number of
questions that will help you to confirm that you have chosen the right kind of visa to apply for.
Please remember that certain visas are not available to apply for over the internet and may
require your presence at your local Australian embassy or consulate should you wish to proceed
with your application. In general, however, most people will find that they can apply online as
our most common types of visas (working-holiday, student, employer-sponsored, etc.) can be
accessed over the internet.

Before starting the application process officially (by clicking the Apply Online button), please
read all the accompanying guidelines and information about the type of visa application you
have chosen to make. These details will appear on Page 1 of the online application and should be
read through thoroughly before the applicant continues and the process officially starts. It is also
necessary to accept the terms and conditions before you continue by checking the I Agree box.

Once you have moved on to the actual application form itself, there will be between 5 and 9
short screens to complete, depending on the type of visa you are applying for. As a rough
estimate, allow yourself about 4 minutes to fill in the information on each screen. On this basis,
it should take you a maximum of about 40 minutes to complete the form. All applications will
ask you for your personal details, namely your passport number, travel document details, name
and current place of residence, contact information, declarations with respect to your health and
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character, etc.

Applicants for Long-Stay Business visas will also be asked for details of their business sponsor.
Student visa applicants should outline their education history and their intended course of study
in Australia. Applicants for Tourist visas should outline their travel plans, reason for visiting and
employment status, and so on. Once you have completed all the screens that form part of the
application form, answering all questions as truly and honestly as possible, you will be given the
opportunity to review the information you have supplied and print a copy of the visa application
for reference purposes if you wish.

You are now ready to submit your application, but there is one more thing you must do before
the option to submit appears - make the payment. You will be prompted to enter your payment
information after you have confirmed that all the details entered in your application are, to the
best of your knowledge, true. When the bank accepts payment, a Transaction Reference Number
will be automatically generated. You should make a note of this and keep it safe as it should be
quoted when making any inquiries related to your application in the future. Once the application
has been submitted, you may be prompted to download and print certain health forms, but only
if you are applying from overseas (not applicable to those applying from inside of Australia
itself). Please follow any other requirements as stipulated on the screen as special pre-entry
conditions must be met for some types of visas.

Most applications will be processed electronically and notification will be sent by post or email
(whichever method you selected on your application form) within the time frame outlined
onscreen during your application. For student visas, that’s about 10 working days. Tourist visas
are normally finalised in less than two weeks. Working-holiday visas take no more than 2 days
and so on. Occasionally, it may be necessary for a representative from the immigration department
to contact you, and, in some cases, further health checks, information, or a formal interview may
be required.

Questions 27-36

Complete the flowchart below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A
NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

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 Online Application Process

(i) Complete the onscreen questionnaire to confirm you have

chosen the correct type or visa for your circumstances. REMEMBER

Not all types of visa

applications can be accessed

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(ii) Click Apply Online. Read the guidelines on Page 1 on how
to apply carefully. Then, to start the actual application process,

tick the 28 once you have familiarised yourself

with, and if you accept, the
29 REMEMBER

Allow yourself approximately

31 at most to complete
(iii) You are now in the main application form. You will the form, or 4 mintes for
have to fill in information on between 5 and 9 short screens,
32
depending on which visa you want. Fill in the

form carefully and answer all questions 30

(iv) 33 the details you have entered and, if you

wish, print a copy of the application for your
34

REMEMBER

(v) Wait to be 35 , then enter your payment If applying from overseas, you may
information. Record your 36 , which will be be prompted to download and
generated once your bank has accepted the payment complete certain health forms.
request. Now click Submit and your application has Follow any requirements stipulated.
gone through.

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Questions 37-38

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

37 Before starting the online application process, all applicants are expected to
hand

A their sponsor and nomination approval or transaction reference number.

B
a passport that is six months or less old and a valid credit card.
C a globally recognised credit card and a passport valid for at least another
half a year.
D a valid credit card, passport with six or more months validity left, and
your nomination approval or transaction reference number.

38 Once an online application has been submitted,

A your visa will be approved or rejected within a maximum of 10 working

days.

B it is possible for any applicant to be required to download and print

further forms and follow the associated instructions.
C applicants from outside Australia will be required to download and
complete further forms.
D it will, in most cases, then be handled electronically, and you will be told
whether or not it has been successful within the timeframe stated onscreen.

Questions 39-40

Choose the TWO correct letters from A, B, C, D and E.

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 A Student visas, tourist visas and working-holiday visas should all take under
two weeks to be approved or rejected.
B It is a requirement of Australian immigration that all those applying for a
visa undertake a formal interview.
C Officials from the immigration department may conduct health checks on
and/or hold an interview with certain applicants.
D Working-holiday visa applicants can expect to receive a comparatively fast
confirmation of whether or not their application has been successful.
E Successful visa applicants have a limited amount of time within which to
finalise their travel plans and arrive in Australia.

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