CAE 2 T8 READING U/E
CAE 2 T8 READING U/E
  • I tuoi dati
  • Reading (Domande 1 - 5)

Reading and use of English

 

Part 1

 

 

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Citizen Science

 

 

'Citizen Science' is a new term given to scientific research which is (0) ........ by members of the public, working in (1) ........ with professional scientists and scientific institutions. The type of research involved ranges from fairly passive activities, such as downloading software which allows your home computer to analyse scientific data, to more active research such as recording (2) ........ of endangered species in your local area.

 

 

The term 'Citizen Science' may be relatively recent, but the (3) ........ is centuries old. Amateur scientists, particularly naturalists, have contributed to science for hundreds of years. However, the internet has (4) ........ changed the way in which enthusiasts can work together and share their findings. One example of this is 'Galaxy Zoo', which (5) ........ on volunteers to classify galaxies on line. Within the first seven months of the project, volunteers had analysed 900,000 galaxies - a rate of analysis that would (6) ........ have been unachievable.

 

 

In addition to aiding researchers, citizen science projects also (7) ........ an educational purpose, encouraging more people to become actively (8) ........ in science.

Reading and use of English

 

 

Part 2

 

 

For questions 9-16, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

 

Example: 0. ON

Walking - the Best Exercise

 

 

Exercise researchers at Edinburgh University have discovered that British people walk (0) ....... average 120km less per year than they (9) ........ just a decade ago. Experts recommend that people should walk (10) ........ 10,000 and 12,000 steps a day to stay healthy, but if their figures (11) ........ to be believed, the (12) ........ of British people only manage 3,000. Naturally, this concerns the researchers, who. point out the wide range of physical and mental health benefits to people of all ages.

 

 

For people who want to take things (13) ........ stage further and use walking as a keep-fit activity, much information is now available online on walking technique; and new exercise concepts like 'speed walking' and 'power walking' have become popular. According to these sources, it is important to relax the shoulders and keep them down, to swing the arms in time (14) ........ the stride and to lean forward slightly from the ankles. Also, in (15) ........ to increase walking speed, it is advised to concentrate on frequency of steps made as opposed (16) ........ length of stride.

Reading and use of English

 

 

Part 3

 

 

For questions 17—24, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Living with Skyscrapers

 

Example: (0) ARCHITECT: ARCHITECTURAL

 

 

Skyscrapers are (0) ......... wonders of modern cities. There is an increasing (17) ........ on them to maximise city space and tourists love to admire them. But while tall buildings look (18) ........ from afar, in many ways their most (19) ........ impact is at ground level.

 

 

Wind speed increases in (20) ........ to height, and tall buildings force winds that would normally stay well above street level groundwards. This creates micro-climates at the foot of the building that feel (21) ........ colder than surrounding areas. Skyscrapers also cast (22) ........ shadows. In hot climates this is appreciated, but in colder countries, where the sun is welcomed, it's more likely to be a cause of (23) ......... Groups of tall buildings also affect the transmission of sound at ground level and can result in noise being amplified to intolerable levels.

 

 

Some architects have been accused of being (24) ........ of the impact of skyscrapers on pedestrians' lives and of disregarding the fact that, in order to encourage walking and street life, buildings need to interact with what is at their base.

Reading and use of English

 

 

Part 4

 

 

For question 25—30, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given.

Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. Here is an example (O).

 

 

Example:

 

0. James would only speak to the head of department alone.

 


ON

 


James …………………………………………………… to the head of department alone.

 

 

The gap can be filled by the words 'INSISTED ON SPEAKING'.

 

Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

25. It's none of your business what I choose to do in my free time.

 

 

NOTHING

 

 

What I choose to do in my free time ........................................ with you.

26.We will let you know if your travel itinerary needs to be changed in any way.

 

 

NOTIFY

 

 

We will ........................................ that need to be made to your travel itinerary.

27. There was no need for us to rush to the station as our train was delayed.

 

 

TAKEN

 

 

We could ........................................ getting to the station as our train was delayed.

28. David reduced the amount of chocolate he ate, because his doctor advised him to.

 

 

ADVICE

 

 

As a result of ........................................ down on the amount of chocolate he ate.

29. That was the most stimulating lecture on climate change that I've ever heard.

 

 

MORE

 

 

I've yet ....................................... stimulating lecture on climate change.

30. As soon as the company advertised the job vacancy, the applications came flooding in.

 

 

HAD

 

 

No ........................................ advertised, than the applications came flooding in.

Reading and use of English

 

 

Part 5

 

 

You are going to read a magazine article about light pollution. For questions 31—36, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

 

Our Vanishing Night

 

If humans were truly at home under the light of the moon and stars, we would go in darkness happily, the midnight world as visible to us as it is to the vast number of nocturnal species on this planet who feel at home in it. Instead, we are diurnal creatures, with eyes adapted to living in the sun's light. This basic fact is engrained deep in our genetic make-up, even though most of us don't think of ourselves as diurnal beings any more than we think of ourselves as primates or mammals or Earthlings. Yet it's the only way to explain what we've done to the night.

 

 

We've somehow managed to engineer the night to receive us by filling it with light. This kind of control is no different from the feat of damming a river. Its benefits come with consequences - called light pollution - whose effects scientists are only now beginning to study. Light pollution is largely the result of bad lighting design, which allows artificial light to shine outward and upward into the sky, where it's not wanted, instead of focusing it downward, where it is. Ill-designed lighting washes out the darkness of night, altering light levels and light rhythms to which many forms of life, including ourselves, have adapted. Wherever manmade light spills into the natural world, some aspects of life - migration, reproduction, feeding - is affected.

 

 

For most human history, the phrase 'light pollution' would have made no sense. Imagine walking towards London on a moonlit night around 1800, when it was Earth's most populous city. Nearly a million people lived there, making do, as they always had, with candles, torches and lanterns. Only a few houses were lit by gas, and there would be no public gaslights in the streets or squares for another seven years. From a few miles away, you would have been more likely to smell London than to see its dim collective glow.

 

 

We've lit up the night as if it were an unoccupied country, when nothing could be further from the truth. Among mammals alone, the number of nocturnal species is astonishing. Light is a powerful biological force, and on many species it acts as a magnet attracting them to it. The effect is so powerful that scientists speak of songbirds and seabirds being 'captured' by searchlights on land or by the light from gas flares on marine oil platforms, circling and circling in the thousands until they drop. Migrating at night, birds are apt to collide with brightly lit tall buildings; immature birds on their first journey suffer disproportionately. Some birds - blackbirds and nightingales, among others - sing at unnatural hours in the presence of
artificial light.

 

 

It was once thought that light pollution only affected astronomers, who need to see the night sky in all its glorious clarity. Unlike astronomers, most of us may not need an undiminished view of the night sky for our work, but like most other creatures we do need darkness. (line 29) Denying darkness is futile. It is as essential to maintaining our biological welfare as light itself; the price of modifying our internal clockwork means it doesn't operate as it should, causing various physical ailments. The regular oscillation of waking and sleep in our lives is nothing less than a biological expression of the regular oscillation of light on Earth. So fundamental are these rhythms to our being that messing with them is akin to altering our center of gravity.

 

 

In the end, humans are no less trapped by light pollution than the frogs in a pond near a brightly lit highway. Living in a glare of our own making, we have cut ourselves off from our evolutionary and cultural heritage - the light of the stars and the rhythms of day and night. In a very real sense, light pollution causes us to lose sight of our true place in the universe, to forget the scale of our being, which is best measured against the dimensions of a deep night with the Milky Way- the edge of our galaxy - arching overhead.

 

Reading and use of English

 

 

Part 6

 

 

You are going to read a magazine article about light pollution. For questions 31—36, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

The Role of Zoos

 

A. I'm very well aware of the downsides of maintaining wild animals in captivity, but the fact that they're far from ideal for the particular specimens which are unfortunate enough to be held captive doesn't mean that zoos can't help wildlife in general. Those who would like them all to close should remember that many people can't afford to go and see animals in their natural habitat. I condemn completely the practice of having animals such as dolphins and monkeys put on shows for visitors, but having one of the zoo keepers give a short talk on an animal while children look at it is an excellent way of teaching them about wildlife. Furthermore, zoos, particularly the bigger, more famous ones, have become leaders in projects such as the reintroduction of captive-born animals to the wild, which are boosting efforts to save those threatened with extinction.

 

 

B. Having worked in many different zoos over the years, I have developed something of an ambivalent attitude towards them. Zoos have always been in the entertainment business, and as long as the animals are not suffering, and the tricks they are asked to carry out are activities they would do naturally, that's fine. This doesn't mean, however, that I like seeing animals in cages. Animals in zoos are plagued with mental and behavioural problems which lead to a drastically shortened life expectancy. Far more could be done to improve their quality of life, but unfortunately, many boards and directors see their zoos as a community resource similar to the local pool or library, and fail to consider the needs of the animals when it comes to allocating budgets.

 

 

C. The work that zoos do on a global level to co-ordinate population management of endangered species has made a real difference. One notable success in this area is the case of the Californian condor, for
instance. Having said that, I still question whether we should be keeping animals in zoos at all. In recent decades, huge sums have been spent on improving the habitats of animals at many zoos, but ultimately we have to accept that an enclosure, however stimulating, isn't the right place for a wild creature. If we have to keep animals in captivity, then surely safari parks, in which the humans are enclosed in vehicles, while the animals roam free, are a better alternative. Additionally, by setting wildlife in a more natural environment, they provide real opportunities for visitors to develop their understanding of the animals, which is a claim I have never believed when it's made by zoos.

 

 

D. I imagine that many of the strongest critics of zoos rarely set foot in one, but I would urge them to take another look. Entry charges are high, but when you look at the first-class facilities for both visitors and animals, you can see that the money is being used wisely. Zoo animals across the globe now live in conditions which closely resemble their natural habitat and allow them to behave in as natural a way as possible. It's unfortunate that, despite making these changes, some zoos have chosen to continue the practice of having animals perform for the crowds. These distasteful displays have no place in modern society. The emphasis now needs to be firmly on the well-being of animals - not just those in zoos, but also those whose continued existence in the wild is in question. This is an area where zoos could do much more to make use of their considerable expertise.

 

Which scientist...

 

Reading and use of English

 

 

Part 7

 

 

You are going to read a magazine article about geothermal power in Iceland. Six paragraphs have been removed from the article. Choose from the paragraphs A – G the one which fits each gap (41 – 46). There is one extra paragraph which you do not need to use.

Geothermal Power in Iceland

Iceland makes use of geothermal power, where heat from the centre of the earth causes water below the surface to become superheated in the form of hot springs or geysers

Around 24 million years ago, Iceland first rose from the ocean as a collective of lava and gas-spewing volcanoes. Perched atop the rift between divergent North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, this island of fire and ice is still shaped by powerful subterranean forces. Eruptions, mud pools and spouting geysers are all part of daily Icelandic life.

Fast forward in time, and geothermal resources now produce 25% of Iceland's electrical power, as well as meeting the country's heating and hot water needs. On the face of it, Iceland appears to be sitting pretty with regard to renewable energy supplies. However, the country's geothermal resources aren't quite as clean, green or limitless as you might imagine. Studies have shown that the overuse of geothermal resources degrades water reserves permanently, or for significant
lengths of time. According to energy consultant Ketill Sigurjonsson, there is an ongoing debate about just how sustainable Iceland's geothermal resources are. 'If energy companies can't find a way to stabilise the national power output, then this may create severe difficulties for them further down the line,' he explains.

Much of this is directed at the government's policy several
years back of selling vast quantities of energy to metalproducing
companies and approving construction of several smelters - the machines used to extract metals from ores. When Iceland's oldest smelter started production more than four decades ago, the country's metal industry accounted for no more than 3% of its Gross Domestic
Product.

The smelters now consume about 75% of all electricity generated in Iceland. The contracts the government negotiated with the metal companies mean they pay relatively little for the energy they consume. Measures are therefore being taken to reduce Iceland's dependence on metal production, with the government trying to attract other large-scale end users of electrical power.

'The Icelandic government and geothermal energy companies are now pushing again for the exploitation of Iceland's geothermal resources to serve industry,' says Miriam Rose, a geologist at Reykjavik-based NGO Saving Iceland. 'However, there's increasing evidence that their
estimates of available energy are overstated, and there are also serious pollution considerations. Many Icelanders are very worried about this, especially as the springs and geysers are a major tourist attraction.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal sites release around five percent of the carbon dioxide, one percent of the sulphur dioxide, and less than one percent of the nitrous oxide that's emitted by a coal-fired site of an equal size. But crucially, Reykjavik Energy's Hellisheidi and Nesjavellir geothermal plants currently emit around 28,000 tonnes of hydrogen sulphide annually. A recent study linked emissions of this gas with the increased incidence of asthma among Reykjavik's residents, and strict new government regulations established in 2010 have forced the geothermal industry to slash hydrogen sulphide emissions from its plants or face closure.

Perhaps the biggest shake-up in the Icelandic geothermal industry will take place if 'lcelink' - a 1,000 kilometre undersea power cable connecting the Icelandic and British grids - gets the go-ahead. Still in the conceptual stage, it would be the longest undersea cable in the world, costing around US$6.6 billion and taking four years to build.

A. However, not everyone is convinced that this is the way forward. Experts maintain that compared to the geological time scale of oil regeneration, geothermal energy is relatively renewable.

 

 

 

B. In less than a decade, these new plants were producing 870,000 tonnes annually, virtually all destined for overseas markets. Soon, such exports were eclipsing fisheries exports in value for the first time in the island's history.

 

 

 

C. Not only that, but Iceland's geothermal power sector as a whole is likely to incur public criticism. Given that the industry has already drawn some negative publicity, it could do without further condemnation.

 

 

 

D. Geothermal resources may be renewable if used sustainably, but they aren't emissions free, as locals and visitors who walk the streets of Iceland's capital can testify. However, emissions rates associated with geothermal power plants are much lower than emissions from coal or natural gas-fired power plants.

 

 

 

E. Given the vast amounts of energy flowing just below the ground, it's little wonder that Iceland is now pushing the boundaries of geothermal technology and resource use. While naturally hot water has long been
harnessed by Iceland's inhabitants, it wasn't until the oil and gas price hikes of the 1970s that the island began to use it to produce electricity.

 

 

 

F. Acting on these requirements, experiments and projects are underway at various sites to ensure that the situation is brought under control. It should soon be clear how successful they've been.

 

 

 

G. It was recently announced, for example, that the national power company had signed an agreement to supply power to a new silicon production plant being constructed in Helguvik on Iceland's southwest coast. Ecologists, however, have renewed their concerns.

Reading and use of English

 

 

Part 8

 

 

You are going to read an article about polyglots, people who speak many languages. For questions 47 – 56, choose from the sections (A – D). The sections may be chosen more than once.

Natural Born Linguists

What drives multi-language speakers? Martin Williams finds out.


A. Ludmila Orlova
Being multilingual is fundamental to who I am because I think in different languages. My mind starts a thought in one language, then finds a particular word in another language that fits exactly what I am
thinking. Each language resonates with me in a distinct way. Russian makes me more melancholic because of its minor tone, for example. There's a downside, though: when I'm in a monolingual environment for too long, I yearn to switch to a different language. I have to think 'will this person understand me if I say something in language X?' I had an early start at learning languages. I moved to the US from the former Soviet Union when I was three and learnt English quickly. For some reason though, my primary teacher didn't think I was bright enough to study languages at secondary school, which just goes to show you that
general academic achievement isn't always a good indicator of one's ability to learn a language. If I had studied languages the formal way in school, I would never have become a polyglot.

 

B. Simon Richards

I was always fascinated by languages and accents - I tried to mimic them all the time when I was a child. At school I was always drawn to the kids who had some link to abroad and I wanted to find out more. I got to study languages at school and university eventually, and it grew from there. Today, my daily life is multilingual. I often get mistaken for other nationalities and I honestly no longer regard nationality as important. It seems almost odd for me to talk about being just British now. Learning languages is an endless and ongoing process for me, which I intend to continue for as many years as my body and mind will allow. When I'm really in the learning zone, my focus is narrow and I try to forget about my other languages. If I didn't, I'd go mad. I simply start a new language and don't think about the others, unless I see obvious links to help the learning process and to understand grammar.

 

C. Anthony Fields
I used to spend long summers in Greece and Japan as a child, trying to play with the other kids, but none of them spoke any English. It struck me how nice it would be to be able to talk to anybody in the world, regardless of what language they spoke. Pronunciation is the most important thing for me. So I start off really basic, focusing on that. Once I feel more confident, I move on to music from the language to tune in further. The dead time when you're on a bus or doing any mundane task is ideal for squeezing in crucial subconscious language learning, which will pay off in the long run. Learning new languages never stops: there is always more to learn. But my student days are almost over and the prospect of searching for a career is looming closer - so I am thinking about taking a couple of languages to a much higher level.
Speaking other languages at native level is an entirely different task to just being a polyglot.

 

D. Liam Clarke
I did poorly in languages in school. I barely passed German and, until I was 21, I only spoke English. I moved to Spain after graduating; after six months, I still hadn't learned any Spanish. I kept telling myself that I didn't have the language gene. Eventually, I decided to put my excuses aside and dive in. It took a while, but as soon as I had a basic conversation, I got hooked. That was ten years ago, and since then I've travelled the world, learning many languages. I don't think visiting the country where the language is spoken is really that necessary nowadays, because of the internet. But if you do t ravel, it opens a lot of interesting doors. I recently had a birthday lunch with four generations of Italians, for example. No way would that have happened if I'd only spoken English. The initial stage is the hardest, but the only real way to get through this is to grin and bear it. I've learned to ignore the fact that I'm making mistakes. That confidence allows me to strive for the next level.

Which person mentions...