General Training Reading sample task – Multiple choice

Greenhouse gases arise from a wide range of sources and their increasing concentration
is largely related to the compound effects of increased population, improved living
standards and changes in lifestyle. From a current base of 5 billion, the United Nations
predicts that the global population may stabilise in the twenty-first century between 8 and
14 billion, with more than 90 per cent of the projected increase taking place in the world’s
developing nations. The associated activities to support that growth, particularly to
produce the required energy and food, will cause further increases in greenhouse gas
emissions. The challenge, therefore, is to attain a sustainable balance between
population, economic growth and the environment.

The major greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are carbon dioxide (CO2),
methane and nitrous oxide. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the only major contributor to
the greenhouse effect that does not occur naturally, coming from such sources as
refrigeration, plastics and manufacture. Coal’s total contribution to greenhouse gas
emissions is thought to be about 18 per cent, with about half of this coming from
electricity generation.

The worldwide coal industry allocates extensive resources to researching and

developing new technologies and ways of capturing greenhouse gases. Efficiencies are
likely to be improved dramatically, and hence CO2 emissions reduced, through
combustion and gasification techniques which are now at pilot and demonstration
stages.

Clean coal is another avenue for improving fuel conversion efficiency. Investigations are
under way into super-clean coal (35 per cent ash) and ultraclean coal (less than 1 per
cent ash). Super-clean coal has the potential to enhance the combustion efficiency of
conventional pulverised fuel power plants. Ultraclean coal will enable coal to be used in
advanced power systems such as coal-fired gas turbines which, when operated in
combined cycle, have the potential to achieve much greater efficiencies.

Defendants of mining point out that, environmentally, coal mining has two important
factors in its favour. It makes only temporary use of the land and produces no toxic
chemical wastes. By carefully preplanning projects, implementing pollution control
measures, monitoring the effects of mining and rehabilitating mined areas, the coal
industry minimises the impact on the neighbouring community, the immediate
environment and long-term land capability.
General Training Reading sample task – Multiple choice

Dust levels are controlled by spraying roads and stockpiles, and water pollution is
controlled by carefully separating clean water runoff from runoff which contains
sediments or salt from mine workings. The latter is treated and reused for dust
suppression. Noise is controlled by modifying equipment and by using insulation and
sound enclosures around machinery.
Since mining activities represent only a temporary use of the land, extensive
rehabilitation measures are adopted to ensure that land capability after mining meets
agreed and appropriate standards which, in some cases, are superior to the land’s
pre-mining condition. Where the mining is underground, the surface area can be
simultaneously used for forests, cattle grazing and crop raising, or even reservoirs and
urban development, with little or no disruption to the existing land use. In all cases,
mining is subject to stringent controls and approvals processes.
General Training Reading sample task – Multiple choice

Questions 1 – 5

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

Write your answers in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.

1 The global increase in greenhouse gases has been attributed to

A industrial pollution in developing countries.

B coal mining and electricity generation.
C reduced rainfall in many parts of the world.
D trends in population and lifestyle.

2 The proportion of all greenhouse gases created by coal is approximately

A 14 per cent.
B 18 per cent.
C 27 per cent.
D 90 per cent.

3 Current research aims to increase the energy-producing efficiency of coal by

A burning it at a lower temperature.

B developing new gasification techniques.
C extracting CO2 from it.
D recycling greenhouse gases.

4 Compared with ordinary coal, new, ‘clean’ coals may generate power

A more cleanly and more efficiently.

B more cleanly but less efficiently.
C more cleanly but at higher cost.
D more cleanly but much more slowly.

5 To control dust at mine sites, mining companies often use

A chemicals which may be toxic.

B topsoil taken from the site before mining.
C fresh water from nearby dams.
D runoff water containing sediments.
General Training Reading sample task – Multiple choice

Question 6

Choose the most suitable title for the text from the list below. Write the

correct letter, A, B, C or D, in box 6 on your answer sheet.

A Pollution control in coal mining

B The greenhouse effect
C The coal industry and the environment
D Sustainable population growth

Read the text below and answer Questions 1-8.

London to Brighton Bike Ride

The start
The bike ride starts at Clapham Common tube station.
• Your Start Time is indicated by the colour of your body number in this pack. It is also printed
on the address label of the envelope. Please arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before that
time.
• We allocate an equal number of cyclists for each Start Time to ensure a steady flow. Please
keep to the time you've been given so we can keep to our schedule and avoid delaying other
riders and prevent 'bunching' further down the route.
• An Information Point, toilets and refreshment stands will be open from very early in the day.

Ride carefully
We put together as many facilities as possible to help ensure you have a troublefree day. But
we also rely on you to ride safely and with due consideration for other cyclists and road
users. Although many roads are closed to oncoming traffic, this is not always the case and
you should be aware of the possibility that there could be vehicles coming in the opposite
direction. Please do not attempt reckless overtaking whilst riding – remember it is NOT a
race.

Follow all instructions

Every effort is made to ensure that the route is well signed and marshalled. Please obey all
directions from police and marshals on the route. If you hear a motorcycle marshal blow
his/her whistle three times, move left.

Wear a helmet
Every year we are delighted to see more riders wearing protective helmets, but we would like
to see every cyclist on the ride wearing one. More than half of reported injuries in cycling
accidents are to the head, and a helmet gives the best protection when the head hits the
ground.

Attracting assistance
If you have an accident, ask a marshal for help; they are in contact with the
support/emergency services. To call for help from our motorcycle marshals, give a 'thumbs
down' signal. The marshal will do all he/she can to help, providing he/she is not already going
to a more serious accident. If a motorcycle marshal slows down to help you, but you have
just stopped for a rest and don't need help, please give a 'thumbs up' signal and he/she will
carry on. Remember – thumbs down means 'I need help'.
General Training Reading sample task – Identifying information

In case of breakdown
Refer to your route map and make your way to a Mechanics Point. Mechanical assistance is
free when you show your Rider Identity Card; you just pay for the parts.

Refreshment stops
Look out for these along the route. Most are organised by voluntary clubs and their prices
give you real value for money. They are also raising money for their local communities and
the British Heart Foundation, so please give them your support.

Rain or shine – be prepared

In the event of very bad weather, watch out for signs to wet weather stations en route. Good
waterproofs, like a cycle cape, are essential. Our first aid staff can only supply bin liners and
by the time you get one you may be very wet. However, the English summer is unpredictable
– it may also be hot, so don't forget the sun protection cream as well!

If you have to drop out

We will try to pick up your bike for you on the day. Call Bike Events (01225 310859) no more
than two weeks after the ride to arrange collection. Sorry, we cannot guarantee this service
nor can we accept liability for any loss or damage to your bike. Bike Events will hold your bike
for three months, after which it may be disposed of. You will be charged for all costs incurred
in returning your cycle.
General Training Reading sample task – Identifying information

Questions 1 – 8

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the

text? In boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1 You should not arrive more than half an hour before your allocated starting time. 2

Your Rider Identity Card will be sent to you before the event. 3 Some roads may have
normal traffic flow on them.

4 Helmets are compulsory for all participants.

5 Refreshments are free to all participants during the ride.

6 If you need a rest you must get off the road.

7 First aid staff can provide cycle capes.

8 Bike Events will charge you for the return of your bike.
General Training Reading sample task – Identifying information

General Training Reading sample task – Matching information

SECTION 1 Questions 1 – 8 Questions 1 – 8

Look at the five advertisements, A-E.

Which advertisement mentions the following?

Write the correct letter, A-E, in boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet. NB You may use any letter
more than once.

1 up-to-date teaching systems

2 that the institution has been established for a significant time 3 examination classes

4 that arrangements can be made for activities outside class 5 the availability of courses

for school students 6 language teaching for special purposes

7 a wide variety of language choices

8 evening classes
General Training Reading sample task – Matching information
 TERNATIONAL LANGUAGE CENTRE INSTITUTE
TECHNOLOGY

ENCH & JAPANESE

MMER INTENSIVE

so commencing January 2005

Mandarin * Cantonese *Thai
ietnamese *Korean * Indonesian * English
panish *Italian *German * Russian

r further details contact:

missions & Information Office
Bligh Street,
h. Sydney, 2000

: 295 4561
x: 235 4714

A B Global Language Learning Centre

ONE OF THE WORLD'S BEST

LANGUAGE SCHOOLS IS
NOW IN SYDNEY

LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

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Phone for Appointment

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ery sport imaginable
C DO YOU WANT TO LEARN ENGLISH
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vernment owned TAFE Colleges
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gh standards of facilities and staff
Then come to Perth, aximum flexibility
the Picturesque Capital City of Western stel or homestay accommodation
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nsive English Courses Available
Situated on the beautiful Swan River, Perth offers ntakes per year
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Cost: $2000 AUD per 10 weeks ub Français
Study Tours Available Claire St, Sydney, Phone 227 1746

PLAN THE PROGRAM

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further details, contact:
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ephone: 619 320 3777

IVERSITY OF CANBERRA
arn English in Australia's National Capital

he TESOL Centre has more than 24 years'

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Test preparation, possibility of further
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General Training Reading sample task – Matching headings

Questions 27 – 32

The text has seven paragraphs, A-G.

Choose the correct heading for paragraphs A, B and D-G from the list of headings
below.

Write the correct number, i-ix,in boxes 27-32 on your answer sheet.
t of Headings

obots working together

reparing LGVs for takeover
Looking ahead
The LGVs’ main functions
Split location for newspaper production vi
wspapers superseded by technology vii Getting
e newspaper to the printing centre viii Controlling
e robots
Beware of robots!

27 Paragraph A

28 Paragraph B

Example

Paragraph C ix

29 Paragraph D

30 Paragraph E

31 Paragraph F

32 Paragraph G
General Training Reading sample task – Matching headings

ROBOTS AT WORK

robots (to give them their correct name,

A LGVs or laser guided vehicles) look for
The newspaper production process has the world like enthusiastic machines
come a long way from the old days when m a science fiction movie, as they follow
the paper was written, edited, typeset and r own random paths around the plant
ultimately printed in one building with the ily getting on with their jobs. Automation
journalists working on the upper floors and his kind is now standard in all modern
the printing presses going on the ground wspaper plants. The robots can detect
floor. These days the editor, subeditors and uthorised personnel and alert security
journalists who put the paper together are f immediately if they find an “intruder”;
likely to find themselves in a totally different surprisingly, tall tales are already being
building or maybe even in a different city. about the machines starting to take on
This is the situation which now prevails in sonalities of their own.
Sydney. The daily paper is compiled at the
editorial headquarters, known as the
prepress centre, in the heart of the city, but robots’ principal job, however, is to shift
printed far away in the suburbs at the newsprint (the printing paper) that
printing centre. Here human beings are in ves at the plant in huge reels and
the minority as much of the work is done by erges at the other end some time later
automated machines controlled by newspapers. Once the size of the
computers. ’s paper and the publishing order are
ermined at head office, the information is
B ched into the computer and the LGVs are
Once the finished newspaper has been grammed to go about their work. The LGVs
created for the next morning’s edition, all ect the appropriate size paper reels and
the pages are transmitted electronically e them where they have to go. When the
from the prepress centre to the printing ss needs another reel its computer alerts
centre. The system of transmission is an LGV system. The Sydney LGVs move busily
update on the sophisticated page facsimile und the press room fulfilling their two key
system already in use on many other ctions to collect reels of newsprint either
newspapers. An imagesetter at the printing m the reel stripping stations, or from the
centre delivers the pages as film. Each page ked supplies in the newsprint storage area.
takes less than a minute to produce, the stripping station the tough wrapping
although for colour pages four versions, helps to protect a reel of paper from
once each for black, cyan, magenta and gh handling is removed. Any damaged
yellow are sent. The pages are then er is peeled off and the reel is then
processed into photographic negatives and ghed.
the film is used to produce aluminium
printing plates ready for the presses.
n one of the four paster robots moves in.
C cifically designed for the job, it trims the
A procession of automated vehicles is busy er neatly and prepares the reel for the
at the new printing centre where the Sydney ss. If required the reel can be loaded
Morning Herald is printed each day. With ctly onto the press; if not needed
lights flashing and warning horns honking, mediately, an LGV takes it to the storage
 area. When the press computer calls for a reel, uty of it is that if you want to change the
an LGV takes it to the reel loading area of thetes, you can work out a new route on your
presses. It lifts the reel into the loadingmputer and lay it down for them to follow”.
position and places it in the correct spot withen an LGV’s batteries run low, it will take
complete accuracy. As each reel is used up, lf off line and go to the nearest battery
the press drops the heavy cardboard core into ntenance point for replacement batteries.
a waste bin. When the bin is full, another LGV all this is achieved with absolute
collects it and deposits the cores into a imum human input and a much reduced
shredder for recycling. of injury to people working in the printing
tres.
F
The LGVs move at walking speed. Should
anyone step in front of one or get too close, question newspaper workers must now
sensors stop the vehicle until the path is however is, “how long will it be before the
clear. The company has chosen a laserguide ots are writing the newspapers as well as
function system for the vehicles because, as ning the printing centre, churning out the
the project development manager says “The st edition every morning?”

General Training Reading sample task – Sentence completion

At first, von Frisch thought the bees were responding only to the scent of the food. But
what did the third dance mean? And if bees were responding only to the scent, how
could they also ‘sniff down’ food hundreds of metres away from the hive*, food which
was sometimes downwind? On a hunch, he started gradually moving the feeding dish
further and further away and noticed as he did so that the dances of the returning scout
bees also started changing. If he placed the feeding dish over nine metres away, the
second type of dance, the sickle version, came into play. But once he moved it past 36
metres, the scouts would then start dancing the third, quite different, waggle dance.

The measurement of the actual distance too, he concluded, was precise. For
example, a feeding dish 300 metres away was indicated by 15 complete runs
through the pattern in 30 seconds. When the dish was moved to 60 metres away, the
number dropped to eleven.

Von Frisch noted something further. When the scout bees came home to tell their
sisters about the food source, sometimes they would dance outside on the horizontal
entrance platform of the hive, and sometimes on the vertical wall inside. And,
depending on where they danced, the straight portion of the waggle dance would point
in different directions. The outside dance was fairly easy to decode: the straight portion
of the dance pointed directly to the food source, so the bees would merely have to
decode the distance message and fly off in that direction to find their food.

But by studying the dance on the inner wall of the hive, von Frisch discovered a
remarkable method which the dancer used to tell her sisters the direction of the food in
relation to the sun. When inside the hive, the dancer cannot use the sun, so she uses
gravity instead. The direction of the sun is represented by the top of the hive wall. If
she runs straight up, this means that the feeding place is in the same direction as the
sun. However, if, for example, the feeding place is 40º to the left of the sun, then the
dancer would run 40º to the left of the vertical line. This was to be the first of von
Frisch’s remarkable discoveries. Soon he would also discover a number of other
remarkable facts about how bees communicate and, in doing so, revolutionise the
study of animal behaviour generally.

* Hive – a ‘house’ for bees; the place where they build a nest and live
General Training Reading sample task – Sentence completion

Questions 38 – 40

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 38-40 on your answer sheet.

38 Von Frisch discovered the difference between dance types by changing the position
of the .................. .

39 The dance outside the hive points in the direction of the ............... .

40 The angle of the dance from the vertical shows the angle of the food from the
............... .