Highschool Entrance Exam Practice

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Assorted Test 9
Read the following article about a health problem and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet
to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 1 to 10.
FINDING A HEALTHY BALANCE
1 As a growing boy, I don't think anyone would have called me health-conscious. I was typical of
my peer group – the odd fizzy drink, trips to meet friends at the local fast food restaurant. However, I
was lucky to have a mother who made sure I ate well. She enjoyed cooking and all our meals were
varied and delicious!
At the age of eighteen, I moved to a university far from home and suddenly had to look after
myself. I really missed my mum’s home-cooked meals. She had sent me away armed with recipes,
but I never wanted to cook when I got back to the flat, after a hard day of lectures. For this reason, it
wasn't long before my friends and I discovered our local hamburger bar, just two roads from our
home. It was so easy to get our dinner there and, compared to our few attempts in the kitchen, the
food tasted great. Visiting on the way back from classes became a regular habit.
After a couple of months, I started to notice some changes in myself; I was getting acne and my
clothes were getting tight and uncomfortable. I was also very lethargic and friends complained that I
would get irritable, often for no good reason. At first, I didn't pay too much attention to it all. I wasn't
surprised that the stress of university was taking its toll. However, over the weeks that followed, I
15 was getting colds and headaches on a regular basis. My health seemed to be deteriorating, but
everyone else appeared to be coping. I started to question if I was cut out for university.
I decided to listen to friends' suggestions to visit a doctor. I went along and, after a five-minute
discussion of my unhealthy eating habits, she referred me to a nutritionist. I have to admit I was a
little sceptical, I could accept that my acne and weight gain might result from the foods I ate, but the
moods, headaches, colds – surely diet couldn't cause these too?
Nonetheless, I made the appointment and soon found I had underestimated the importance of
diet. I was told that the food I ate was high in fat but low in goodness. The lack of fruit, vegetables,
and other food groups in my diet wasn’t balancing this out and my body was struggling to keep up
with the demands I was putting on it. She explained that if I continued to eat so unhealthily, I would
be at risk of obesity and diabetes. Apparently, obesity was now an epidemic in America, and
26 England was following suit. Fast food seemed to be a serious health hazard.
Some simple blood tests revealed that I had an iron deficiency, so to combat this and my
generally rundown system, the nutritionist made me a personalised plan of nutritious meals to
prepare and listed the vitamins I needed to supplement my diet with. She was very stern when giving
me the advice. She told me not to expect it to be easy, since it is now believed that the body becomes
addicted to a junk food diet. I'd never heard this claim before and was completely taken aback. There
was a lot to do to get back on track.
After four weeks, I could really see a difference. The headaches and colds had completely
disappeared and the acne and weight gain were well on the way to being rectified. A few relieved
friends were also pleased to have their happy flat mate back! It took time to learn about food and
prepare decent meals. But it soon became a habit, just like my unhealthy lifestyle had. My energy
levels were really high and maintaining my grades was no longer a massive struggle. I'm not saying
38 that everyone should abstain from fast food completely, but we should all be health conscious. Once
you experience the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, you won't want to see another hamburger again!
 Highschool Entrance Exam Practice

1: What does the writer mean when he says he was not ‘health conscious’? (line 1)
A. he did not worry much about the food he consumed
B. he ate lots of unhealthy foods
C. he didn't understand that some foods were unhealthy
D. it was normal for people his age to eat fast food
2: Why did the writer start to eat fast food meals at university?
A. because it was easy and convenient
B. because the restaurant was close to his flat
C. because they tasted better than his own cooking
D. because he didn't want to cook in the flat
3: As time progressed, what began to concern the writer?
A. He was getting ill on a frequent basis.
B. Other people were aware of his unhealthy diet.
C. He wasn't sure he could succeed at university.
D. He was the only person who was struggling.
4: The word ‘deteriorating’ in line 15 is closest in meaning to
A. enhancing B. worsening C. recovering D. improving
5: Why wasn't the writer enthusiastic about seeing a nutritionist?
A. Because his friends had forced him into it.
B. He was doubtful that they could be of help.
C. He felt the doctor made her decision too quickly.
D. He didn’t agree that diet could cause many of his symptoms.
6: Why does the writer call fast food a ‘health hazard’? (line 26)
A. Fast food has a high fat content.
B. Obesity is a serious problem in America.
C. The food he ate was not nutritious.
D. A poor diet can result in ill health.
7: On visiting the nutritionist, what did the writer find surprising?
A. The amount of effort it would take to get better.
B. That fast food can be addictive.
C. That his body wasn't getting enough iron.
D. The nutritionist’s stern manner.
8: The writer found the new healthy eating plan to be
A. good at first, but he developed bad habits.
B. a success, something that everyone should do.
C. a little difficult but worth the effort.
D. good, it quickly got rid of all his symptoms.
9: How does the writer's attitude towards diet develop over the course of the article?
A. He has become totally against eating fast food.
B. He pays attention to the food he eats.
C. He thinks it is too hard to maintain a balanced diet.
D. He believes healthy eating is too time-consuming.
10: The word ‘abstain’ in line 38 is closest in meaning to
A. refrain B. choose C. prevent D. prohibit

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to show the underlined part that needs correction.
11: As long as I know, he’s going on a long journey to do some research for his next book.
A B C D
12: Sociologists always seem to come up with interesting pieces of research which have surprised results.
A B C D
13: They’ve replaced workers with computer-controlled machines in near all their factories.
A B C D
 Highschool Entrance Exam Practice

14: She reached the top of her profession by means of hard works and useful contacts.
A B C D
15: We’re expecting an increase in a number of tourists coming to our hotel this year.
A B C D
16: I’d like my steak rarely, Carol would like hers well-done, and Pam would rather have lamb chops.
A B C D
17: Last night’s storm was terrible; the thunder and lightning kept me wakeful for hours.
A B C D
18: He managed to speak with a steady, even voice, despite the fact that he was very furious with them.
A B C D
19: They haven’t set a day for the wedding, but it will be sometimes next spring.
A B C D
20: The twins’ hairs couldn’t have been more different: Jane’s was dark and Sue’s was fair.
A B C D

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following
questions.
21: Sales of sport shoes are three times they were ten years ago.
A. what B. how much C. how many D. whatever
22: The couple embraced for a long time because they knew it would be a long time before they
again.
A. met B. were meeting C. would meet D. would have met
23: Millie’s father accused her of .
A. trying not hard enough B. trying hard not enough
C. not trying hard enough D. trying not enough hard
24: He tried to make out that the fake painting he had genuine.
A. been B. being C. to be D. was
25: Many a program has been arranged for this special tracking up to this date, but none of them are
suitable to carry out .
A. economy B. economics C. economies D. economically
26: It was the first time I on stage so I must admit that I felt nervous.
A. appeared B. was appearing C. had appeared D. had been appearing
27: The public library to all readers who are interested in reading and doing research.
A. is opening B. is open C. is opened D. is being opened
28: I bought some new shoes. They felt a bit strange because I wasn’t used to them.
A. first B. at first C. firstly D. first of all
29: I quickly packed my few belongings and spent money I had on a one-way ticket home.
A. little B. a little C. the little D. a little of
30: “The weather may actually get worse.” — “I .”
A. don’t hope so B. don’t hope it C. hope not D. don’t hope that
31: Nearly every organisation has a scapegoat, gets blamed for all the problems that arise.
A. which B. that C. who D. it
32: the final score, I’m sure this will be an exciting game.
A. Apart from B. In spite of C. Except for D. Regardless of
33: While trying to help Jane with her English, I got impatient because she pay attention to
what I was saying.
A. wouldn’t B. needn’t C. mustn’t D. mightn’t
34: Nathalie seems very tough at work. She’s a different person at home, .
A. though B. although C. as though D. even though
35: I kept out of the conversation because it me.
A. wasn’t concerned B. wasn’t concerning C. didn’t concern D. didn’t concern to
36: The entire city was _ electricity last night – it was chaotic.
A. no B. almost no C. hardly any D. without
 Highschool Entrance Exam Practice

37: The robbery has no connection with that occurred in the capital last month.
A. what B. one C. those D. these
38: He remarked that I didn’t look a day older than when he’d seen me.
A. last B. late C. lately D. lastly
39: Keep your ticket you have to show it to an inspector.
A. if B. in case C. unless D. supposing
40: You should have contacted the police, not the law into your own hands.
A. take B. taking C. taken D. to take
41: He always aside some time every day to read to his children.
A. sets B. leaves C. spares D. lets
42: This year’s good harvest will up for last year’s bad one.
A. take B. pull C. make D. build
43: For the past few months she’s been as a street selling fruit and veg.
A. dealer B. trader C. pusher D. vendor
44: The nurse cleaned the wound to reduce the risk of .
A. affection B. confection C. defection D. infection
45: I used weedkiller to the weeds in the garden.
A. get rid of B. get out of C. get away with D. get in the way with
46: If there is new evidence that proves his innocence, it is likely that the authorities will him
from jail.
A. release B. relieve C. remove D. rehabilitate
47: The defendant’s lawyer wasn’t very good and he was found by the jury.
A. faulty B. mistaken C. guilty D. sinful
48: The dish was so tasty that I asked for a second .
A. helping B. portion C. ration D. share
49: The ice wouldn’t have if you’d put it back in the freezer.
A. flowed B. melted C. defrosted D. removed
50: Henry was overweight, so he went on a strict diet and twenty kilos.
A. missed B. lost C. failed D. fell
51: He was arrested because he answered to the description of the man.
A. searched B. pursued C. wanted D. hunted
52: The residents had no time to get away as the storm hit without warning.
A. initial B. previous C. prior D. precedent
53: Humanity has done great damage to the environment in its search for materials.
A. live B. raw C. crude D. rude
54: When the concert was cancelled, we were allowed to turn in our tickets for a .
A. repay B. recount C. retrieval D. refund
55: If the package looks suspicious, open it with extreme .
A. caution B. alertness C. vigilance D. alarm
56: In judging their performances, you make allowances for the _ circumstances.
A. contrary B. opposite C. adverse D. paradoxical
57: The interviewer questioned the artist at length about his for the painting.
A. inspiration B. aspiration C. expiration D. deliberation
58: People who claim to have had encounters with aliens often face a great deal of .
A. criticism B. skepticism C. objectivism D. protestantism
59: As soon as the president appeared, the band started playing the national .
A. anthem B. hymn C. choir D. melody
60: Many inventors display an almost desire to experiment with new ideas.
A. unsatisfactory B. insufficient C. insatiable D. unlimited
 Highschool Entrance Exam Practice

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word whose underlined part is
pronounced differently from that of the rest in each of the following questions.
61: A. OCCASION B. CASUAL C. COMPOSURE D. PRESENT
62: A. COMB B. NOTICE C. POST D. MONUMENT
63: A. FEW B. BLEW C. GREW D. FLEW
64: A. ICON B. STRIPE C. RIVALRY D. RIVER
65: A. EXPERIMENT B. EXPERIENCE C. COMMENT D. ATHLETICS

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.
66: A. decompose B. recognize C. demonstrate D. emigrate
67: A. rehearse B. enrol C. sunbathe D. compile
68: A. position B. precaution C. requirement D. resident
69: A. picturesque B. generous C. sceptical D. viable
70: A. participate B. misrepresent C. consolidate D. evaluate

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 from 71 to 80.
When in Britain, you must never complain. Complaining is very un-British. If you are (71)
waiting half an hour in a shop, if a bus conductor is rude to you, if a waiter brings your
food ice-cold – you keep your mouth shut. The (72) upper lip is the British way. Other
nationalities might make a (73) , protest loudly or call for the manager, but not the British.
Remember also that British ears are simply not tuned to hear complaints. A friend of mine was a
regular (74) at a famous and expensive London restaurant. Every day at 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. the
elderly manager would come out (as he had been doing for the last 37 years), go from table to table and
(75) ‘Did you enjoy your meal?’ For 37 years, hundreds of thousands of properly (76) up
English people had replied to him: ‘Very much indeed.’ The man would smile, say
‘Thank you very much’, and (77) to the next table.
One day, however, the lunch was so (78) that my friend (Dutch mother, Albanian father)
decided to tell him the naked truth. So, when the antiquated manager appeared at his table as usual and
asked, ‘Did you enjoy your meal, sir?’ my friend replied: ‘(79) not at all. It was appalling.’
To which the manager gave his customary, obsequious smile, said: ‘Thank you very much, sir’, and
moved on, quite (80) .
71: A. made B. kept C. stayed D. held
72: A. hard B. inflexible C. firm D. stiff
73: A. discussion B. argument C. quarrel D. fuss
74: A. supporter B. purchaser C. customer D. guest
75: A. inquire B. query C. request D. probe
76: A. raised B. grown C. educated D. brought
77: A. motion B. progress C. stride D. shift
78: A. offensive B. painful C. abominable D. harrowing
79: A. Sincerely B. Largely C. Bluntly D. Frankly
80: A. convinced B. fulfilled C. satisfied D. complete

Read the following article about a weather forecaster's job and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your
answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 81 to 90.
Millions of people tune into the weather forecast each evening on television. Most of them
imagine that the presenter does little more than arrive at the studio a few minutes before the
broadcast, read the weather, and then go home.
In fact, this image is far from the truth. The two-minute bulletin which we all rely on when we
need to know tomorrow's weather is the result of a hard day's work by the presenter, who is actually
a highly-qualified meteorologist.
Every morning after arriving at the TV studios, the first task of the day is to collect the latest data
 Highschool Entrance Exam Practice

from the National Meteorological Office. This office provides up-to-the-minute information about
weather conditions throughout the day, both in Britain and around the world. The information is very
detailed and includes predictions, satellite and radar pictures, as well as more technical data. After
gathering all the relevant material from this office, the forecaster has to translate the scientific
terminology and maps into images and words which viewers can easily understand.
The final broadcast is then carefully planned. It is prepared in the same way as other programmes.
The presenter decides what to say and in what order to say it. Next a "story board" is drawn up which
lays out the script word for word. What makes a weather forecast more complicated than other
programmes are the maps and electronic images which are required. The computer has to be
programmed so that the pictures appear in the correct order during the bulletin.
The time allocated for each broadcast can also alter. This is because the weather report is screened
after the news, which can vary in length. The weather forecaster doesn't always know how much
time is available, which means that he/she has to be thoroughly prepared so that the material can be
adapted to the time available.
Another related complication is that the weather forecast has to be a live broadcast; it cannot be
pre-recorded. Live shows are very nerve-racking for the presenter because almost anything can go
24 wrong. Perhaps the most worrying aspect for every weather forecaster is getting the following day's
25 predictions wrong. Unfortunately for them this is not an unusual occurrence: the weather is not
always possible to predict accurately.
The weather is a national obsession in Britain, perhaps because it is so changeable. It's the
28 national talking point, and most people watch at least one daily bulletin. It can be mortifying for a
weather man or woman who has predicted rain for the morning to wake up to brilliant sunshine.
These days, a weather forecaster's job is even more complicated because they are relied upon to
predict other environmental conditions. For example, in the summer the weather forecast has to
include the pollen count for hay fever sufferers. Some also include reports on ultra-violet radiation
intensity to help people avoid sunburn.
The job of a weather forecaster is certainly far more complicated than just pointing at a map and
describing weather conditions. It's a job for professionals who can cope with stressful and demanding
conditions.

81: What perception do most people have of weather forecasters?

A. They have many qualifications. B. They do a hard day's work at the studio.
C. They work very short hours. D. They always tell the truth.
82: Meteorologists get their forecasting information from
A. the TV studio. B. the country's main weather centre.
C. satellite and radar information. D. their office.
83: Creating a weather report is complex because
A. maps have to be drawn.
B. a lot of data has to be interpreted.
C. radar pictures are technical.
D. the information includes unreliable predictions.
84: The computer has to be carefully programmed
A. so that the visuals are sequenced correctly.
B. so that the script is visible to the presenter.
C. because the script has to be written on a story board.
D. because electronic maps are used.
85: Weather forecasters have to know the material well because
A. the broadcast is pre-recorded.
B. the forecast may be incorporated into the news broadcast.
C. the content of the report may have to change.
D. the length of the report may have to change.
86: The word ‘aspect’ in line 24 is closest in meaning to
A. direction B. appearance C. concern D. feature
 Highschool Entrance Exam Practice

87: What does "this" in line 25 refer to?

A. the weather forecaster's worry B. reading the weather 'live'
C. giving a forecast that doesn't come true D. an accurate prediction
88: In Britain, people's attitude to the weather
A. is not changeable.
B. makes it a top discussion topic.
C. depends on the prediction being for a sunny or rainy day.
D. is a national problem.
89: The word ‘mortifying’ in line 28 is closest in meaning to
A. amusing B. embarrassing C. ashamed D. dying
90: Nowadays, weather forecasters have to
A. do experiments to determine the pollen count.
B. simply point at maps and describe weather conditions.
C. cope with professionals.
D. be able to cope under pressure.

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 from 91 to 100.
WIND - The untamable weather machine
On 15 October 1987, the southern counties of Britain were struck by the strongest winds they had
experienced in 200 years. Gusts of over 130 kilometres per hour slammed across the region and £1.5-
billion-worth of damage was (91) in just a few hours.
Extreme weather events like this are dramatic (92) of the power of the wind. It’s one part
of the weather we generally don't give a second thought to in Britain but it plays a vital role in people’s
lives across the world. Without the formation and circulation of winds there would quite (93)
be no climate.
Some parts of the world seem to suffer more than others from the effects of ‘ill winds’, and links
between particular winds and psychological problems (94) back centuries. The Föhn, the hot
dry wind that slides off the slopes of the Alps, is capable of boosting temperatures quite suddenly by
10°C or more. It affects as many as one in three people in its (95) , making them feel anxious,
irritable and generally ill. In California, many people (96) the arrival of the Santa Ana, which
rushes down from the high Mojave desert. Lyall Watson, in his book Heaven’s Breath, claims that when
the Santa Ana blows, murder rates soar.
The wind may get into the headlines when it comes in the form of tornadoes and hurricanes, but for
the (97) part it goes about its job of shifting huge masses of air around the planet. Plants take
(98) of this free ride to send their pollen grains far and wide. Trees (99) on it to
remove old leaves and make way for new growth. Spiders have been caught (100) a lift at
altitudes of almost 4.5 kilometres.
91: A. made B. caused C. destroyed D. completed
92: A. reminders B. recollections C. mementos D. memorials
93: A. easily B. rightly C. surely D. simply
94: A. last B. originate C. pass D. date
95: A. line B. road C. path D. bypass
96: A. despair B. respect C. dread D. warn
97: A. most B. maximum C. majority D. general
98: A. benefit B. chance C. occasion D. advantage
99: A. need B. trust C. hope D. rely
100: A. travelling B. hitching C. borrowing D. making
 Highschool Entrance Exam Practice

A. Complete the passage below by writing one word in each gap.

MY FAVOURITE PEN FRIEND
I have many pen friends since I first started writing to people from other (1) , but the best friend I
have ever had (2) a girl called Yvette. Yvette is seventeen years old and she is from France. We have (3)
friends for six years and I still remember the first (4) she wrote me a letter.
In fact it was the longest letter I have (5) received. She wrote all about her life and sent twelve (6)
of herself, including some with her family. When I wrote back I had to (7) for not
writing such a long letter, but she didn’t mind at (8) . It was then that I realised how nice she
(9) . She has a wonderful personality and I feel I can (10) her everything about my life
whenever I write to her. She (11) tells me about her problems and I think we have become more
(12) sisters than pen friends. We haven’t already met but I am planning to (13) Paris
next summer. Yvette and I are really looking (14) to seeing each other for the first time and we are
both sure we will (15) on well together.
B. Use the words given in capitals at the end of each sentence to form a word that fits in the space.
1. They regarded him as the of their country. SAVE
2. She bought a about the castle from the tourist office. BOOK
3. It’s impossible to prove that the factory is responsible for the pollution. CONCLUDE
4. The sounds made by young babies are very similar to those used in early speech. VOICE
5. Children from a(n) background are statistically more likely to become involved in crime. PRIVILEGE
6. The line between the real and the is very blurred in the film world. FABLE
7. This attack on a defenceless elderly person is an act of pure . COWARD
8. A UN force has been sent in to try and the area worst affected by the civil war. PEACE
9. The program will take a detailed and look at the problem of homelessness. PROVOKE
10. He became editor of the Irish journal “The Bell”. LEGEND

C. Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the same as the sentence printed before it.
1. The administration's billion dollar aid package is likely to be approved by Congress.
There is .
2. The only reason I am late is that the traffic was so heavy.
Had it not .
3. Her passport and other identification were stolen.
She .
4. Her boyfriend was so proud of being a fire fighter.
Her boyfriend prided .
5. What she said was ignored.
Nobody .
6. The two sisters do not intend to ever speak to their mother again.
The two sisters have .
7. It was thought that there is something marvellous about the relations between all those tropical species.
There .
8. She was completely taken aback by the bald question.
The bald question came .
9. Four years ago she joined IQ Financial Systems, which develops financial software.
She has .
10. Which restaurant we go to for tonight's meal is entirely up to you.
The choice .

D. For each of the sentences below, write a new sentence as similar as possible in meaning to the original
sentence, but using the word given. This word must not be altered in any way.
1. We don’t believe Rafique Aziz is responsible for this. BELIEF
__________________________________________________________________
2. We need to consider extraordinary situations like Haiti. ALLOWANCES
__________________________________________________________________
3. Could you possibly close all the doors as you go? KIND
__________________________________________________________________
4. She accepted that nothing would ever change. RESIGNED
__________________________________________________________________
5. My mother rarely breaks a promise of any kind. GOES
 Highschool Entrance Exam Practice

__________________________________________________________________
E. Write in 150-180 words on either of the following topics.
Should students be allowed to use cell phones in school?
A person who has made a difference in your life.