PASSAGE 1: "The History of Coffee"
Coffee has a long and rich history, dating back to the ancient coffee forests of Ethiopia. Legend has it that coffee was discovered by a goat herder named Kaldi, who noticed that his goats became energetic after eating the berries from a certain tree. Kaldi shared his discovery with a local monastery, where the monks began using the berries to create a drink that kept them awake during evening prayers.
From Ethiopia, coffee spread to the Arabian Peninsula, where it became a staple in the culture. By the 15th century, coffee was being cultivated in the Yemeni district of Arabia and was known in Persia, Egypt, and the Ottoman Empire. Coffee houses, known as "qahveh khaneh," began to appear in cities across the Middle East, and these places became hubs for social interaction, as well as intellectual exchange.
Europeans discovered coffee in the 17th century, and it quickly became popular across the continent. The first coffeehouse in England opened in 1652, and soon after, coffeehouses spread across Europe. Today, coffee is one of the world’s most beloved beverages, consumed by millions of people daily.
Questions 1-14
Complete the sentences below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text.
1. Coffee was originally discovered in ________.2. Kaldi noticed his ________ became more energetic after eating berries.
3. The first coffeehouses were called ________ in the Middle East.
4. Coffeehouses in the Middle East were places for social interaction and ________.
5. The first European country to open a coffeehouse was ________.
6. Coffee was first cultivated in ________ during the 15th century.
7. The consumption of coffee helped monks stay ________ during prayers.
8. Coffee became popular in Europe during the ________ century.
9. Coffee spread to the Arabian Peninsula from ________.
10. Coffee is a drink enjoyed by ________ of people today.
11. The spread of coffee across Europe began in the ________ century.
12. A goat herder named ________ is said to have discovered coffee.
13. Coffeehouses in the Middle East were called ________.
14. Coffee was introduced to ________ in the 17th century.
PASSAGE 2: "The Future of Electric Vehicles"
Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a thing of the distant future. With rapid advancements in technology, EVs are becoming a practical option for consumers looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Many governments around the world are encouraging the transition to EVs by offering incentives, such as tax breaks and rebates, to both manufacturers and consumers.
Despite their benefits, there are still some challenges associated with EVs. One of the primary concerns is the availability of charging stations. While many urban areas have adequate infrastructure, rural regions often lack the necessary facilities to support EVs. Additionally, the range of electric vehicles remains a concern for many potential buyers. Although battery technology is improving, most EVs still cannot match the range of traditional gasoline-powered cars.
Nevertheless, the future looks promising for electric vehicles. Major automakers are investing heavily in the development of EVs, and several countries have announced plans to phase out the sale of petrol and diesel cars within the next decade. As battery technology continues to improve and charging infrastructure becomes more widespread, it is likely that EVs will become the dominant form of transportation in the near future.
Questions 15-27
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
15. What is one of the main reasons consumers are choosing electric vehicles?- A) Lower costs
- B) Environmental benefits
- C) Faster speeds
- D) Easier to maintain
- A) Free charging stations
- B) Lower insurance rates
- C) Tax breaks
- D) Extended warranties
- A) High maintenance costs
- B) Limited range
- C) Lack of consumer interest
- D) Competition with hybrid cars
- A) Urban areas
- B) Suburban areas
- C) Rural areas
- D) Industrial areas
- A) Uncertain
- B) Promising
- C) Declining
- D) Irrelevant
- A) Focusing on hybrid cars
- B) Investing in EV development
- C) Phasing out electric vehicles
- D) Reducing production of EVs
- A) Stagnant
- B) Improving slowly
- C) Advancing quickly
- D) Regressing
- A) High prices
- B) Lack of knowledge
- C) Limited battery range
- D) Government regulations
- A) 5 years
- B) 10 years
- C) 20 years
- D) 30 years
- A) To boost the economy
- B) To reduce pollution
- C) To create jobs
- D) To increase energy usage
- A) The United States
- B) The United Kingdom
- C) China
- D) Norway
- A) Reduced waste production
- B) Lower greenhouse gas emissions
- C) Decreased land use
- D) Improved water quality
- A) It will remain the same
- B) It will decrease
- C) It will become more widespread
- D) It will become more expensive
PASSAGE 3: "The Rise of Online Education"
Online education has grown exponentially over the past decade, driven by the increasing availability of the internet and the demand for flexible learning options. Unlike traditional classroom-based education, online education offers students the ability to learn at their own pace, from anywhere in the world.
One of the key advantages of online education is accessibility. Students no longer need to be physically present in a classroom, allowing them to study from remote locations or balance their education with work and family commitments. Additionally, online courses tend to be more affordable than traditional degree programs, making higher education more accessible to a wider audience.
However, online education is not without its challenges. Many students struggle with the lack of face-to-face interaction and the self-discipline required to complete coursework independently. Furthermore, the quality of online education can vary greatly between institutions, with some courses being of high academic standard and others lacking rigor.
As technology continues to advance, online education is likely to play an increasingly important role in the future of learning. Universities and educational institutions are adapting to this trend by offering more online degree programs and integrating digital tools into their teaching methods.
Questions 28-40
Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage? 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.
29. One of the main benefits of online education is flexibility.
30. Students must attend physical classes for online education.
31. Online education is more expensive than traditional education.
32. Online education makes higher education accessible to more people.
33. The quality of online courses is consistent across all institutions.
34. Some students find it difficult to stay motivated with online education.
35. Online education requires more discipline from students.
36. Universities are slow to offer online programs.
37. The demand for online education is increasing.
38. Online education offers the same level of interaction as traditional classes.
39. Technology will likely lead to the growth of online education in the future.
40. Online education is expected to replace traditional classroom education entirely.
ANSWERS
Passage 1:
1. Ethiopia2. goats
3. qahveh khaneh
4. intellectual exchange
5. England
6. Yemen
7. awake
8. 17th
9. Ethiopia
10. millions
11. 17th
12. Kaldi
13. qahveh khaneh
14. Europe