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Vstep Test2
Vstep Test2
READING (60 minutes)
Directions: In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each
followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best
answer A, B, C or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of
the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have
chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what is stated or
implied in that passage.
PART ONE
ASPIRIN
Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid is a drug in the family of salicylic acid. One of the
first recorded uses of salicylic acid was by the Greek physician Hippocrates. In the
5th century, he wrote about a bitter powder that had been taken from the bark of
the willow tree. He said it could alleviate pain and fever. Ancient Sumer, Lebanon
and Assyria used similar preparations. Native American Indians also used willow
bark to relieve pain. In 1828 a French pharmacist named Henri Leroux and an
Italian chemist named RaffaellePiria extracted the ingredient from willow bark and
produced salicylic acid. Although these preparations were effective in reducing
pain, they caused serious irritation, bleeding and even death. French chemist,
Charles Frederic Gerhardt coated it with a protective solution, and although it
worked, he decided not to patent his version.
[A] In 1897, Felix Hoffmann, a research assistant at Bayer, a German chemical and
drug company founded by Friedrich Bayer, discovered a way to further lessen the
negative effects of salicylic acid. Hoffmann made the first synthetic drug from the
chemical reactions of salicylic acid. He tested the drug by giving it to his father who
suffered from arthritis. [B] The drug eased his pain without the usual side effects of
salicylic acid. He was patented on March 6, 1899. Hoffmann marketed aspirin and
heroin, which was also his invention. People thought heroin was better and more
healthful than aspirin. However, people easily became addicted to it, so aspirin
began selling more and more.
[C] It was Bayer that introduced aspirin tablets and registered “Aspirin” as a
trademark in 1915. The company, however, lost the aspirin trademark after World
War I because the Allies acquired and resold its foreign assets. [D] The right to use
the name “Aspirin” was purchased from the United States government by the
Sterling company in 1918. After all, Bayer bought Sterling Drug in 1994, and
thereby the company reacquired the trademark right.
FERNDIG ISLANDS
Three miles across the water from the town of Blascott lies the group of islands
known as the Ferndigs. The main island is St Michael. Separated by a narrow
channel of water is St Michael's little sister, St Margaret. People first lived on these
islands 1,500 years ago. By the 1950s the population had gone down to below twenty,
and in 1960 the last person left the islands. But in 1991 two families moved back,
and since then more people have followed. Tourists now visit regularly to enjoy the
beautiful scenery.
Visit the one shop on the islands which sells butter, cheese and bread produced by
the families who live there. The produce is also taken by boat to restaurants in
Blascott, where it can be enjoyed by visitors to the area. Perhaps more interestingly,
a range of perfumes is made from the wild flowers and herbs which grow on the
island and can be bought in the shop. They are produced mainly for export and are
very special. So a visit to the shop is a must!
St Michael Island is easily explored on foot but, in the interests of safety, visitors are
requested to keep to the main footpaths. From where the boat lands, walk along the
cliff until you reach a steep path signposted to the church. When you get there, it is
worth spending a moment in this lovely old building. Carry on along the same path
which continues to climb to the highest point on the island. There is a wonderful
view from here along the coastline. If it is warm, you may like to finish your day
relaxing on the beach. Priory Beach on the eastern side of the island is safe for
swimming. Sandtop Bay on the western side is the other sandy beach, but swimming
is not advised here.
It is possible to hire a boat to cross to the islands, or you can take one of the boat
trips which depart from Blascott harbour in summer, Monday to Friday. The
islands are always open to visitors apart from on Sundays. Buy a ticket for a boat
trip from the kiosk in Blascott harbour. The charge for landing on the islands is
included in the ticket but, if you take your own boat, remember to take some money.
The crossing takes thirty minutes, and boats run every fifteen minutes. Before you
set off on a trip, visit the exhibition centre which tells the history of the islands and
gives information about birds and wildlife you may see when you get there.
__________________________________
11. According to the first paragraph, which is TRUE about St Margaret Island?
RELIGION
It has been said that thoughts of death lead necessarily to the development of
religion. It is difficult to imagine what need there would be for religion in a world in
which no one ever died or became ill. The literatures of all religions attempt to give
answers to basic questions: From where did the world come? What is the meaning
of human life? Why do people die and what happens afterward? Why is there evil?
How should people behave? In the distant past, these questions were answered in
terms of mythology. In literature, they are dealt with in poetry. Modern sciences try
to investigate them.
Four centuries earlier the German social reformer Martin Luther spoke in similar
terms about God. He stated that to have a god was to “have something in which the
heart trusts completely.” Putting Tillich’s and Luther’s definitions together, it is
possible to see that religion does not necessarily have to be involved with shrines,
temples, churches, or synagogues. It does not need complex doctrines or clergy. It
can be anything to which people devote themselves that fills their lives with
meaning.
Regardless of definition, all religions (as the word is normally used) have certain
elements in common: rituals to perform, prayers to recite, places to frequent or
avoid, holy days to keep, means by which to predict the future, a body of literature
to read and study, truths to affirm, charismatic leaders to follow, and ordinances to
obey. Many have buildings set aside for worship, and there are activities such as
prayer, sacrifice, contemplation, and perhaps magic.
THE SOLOIST
By Mark Salzman
An idea came to me, and I turned off the lights in the studio. In the darkness, I put
the cello's spike into a loose spot on the carpet, tightened the bow and drew it across
the open strings. I took off my shirt and tried it again; it was the first time in my life
I'd felt the instrument against my bare chest. I could feel the vibration of the strings,
travel through the body of the instrument to my own body. I'd never thought about
that; music scholars always talk about the resonating properties of various
instruments, but surely the performer's own body must have some effects on the
sound. As I dug into the notes I imagined that my own chest and lungs were
extensions of the sound box; I seemed to be able to alter the sound by the way I sat,
and by varying the muscular tension in my upper body.
After improvising for a while, I started playing the D minor Bach suite, still in the
darkness. Strangely freed of the task of finding the right phrasing, the right
intonation, the right bowing, I heard the music through my skin. For the first time I
didn't think about how it would sound to anyone else, and slowly, joyfully,
gratefully, I started to hear again. [A] The notes sang out, first like a trickle, then
like a fountain of cool water bubbling up from a hole in the middle of a
desert. [B] After an hour or so I looked up, and in the darkness saw the outline of
the cat sitting on the floor in front of me, cleaning her paws and purring loudly. [C]
So that is what I do now with my cello. At least once a day I find time to tune it,
close my eyes, and listen. It's probably not going to lead to the kind of comeback I'd
fantasized about for so long_ years of playing badly have left scars on my technique,
and, practically speaking, classical musicians returning from obscurity are almost
impossible to promote_ but I might eventually try giving a recital if I feel up to
it. [D] Or better yet, I may play for Dr. Polk if our date at the concert goes well.
Occasionally I feel a stab of longing, and I wish I could give just one more concert
on a great stage before my lights blink off, but that longing passes more quickly
now. I take solace in the fact that, unlike the way I felt before, I can enjoy playing
for myself now. I feel relaxed and expansive when I play, as if I could stretch out my
arms and reach from one end of the apartment to the other. My body does not
actually extend to the edges of my living space, but the sounds of my music
reverberate from wall to wall, filling the room. A feeling of completeness and dignity
surrounds me and lifts me up.
_____________________________
31.What is the passage mainly about?
A. [D]
B. [C]
C. [B]
D. [A]
38. What is NOT true about the musician?
A. He might try making a comeback.
B. He has scars from playing the cello for years.
C. He has just discovered the joy of playing for himself.
D. He, a classical musician, has not given a public performance recently.
39. Why does the musician feel expansive when he plays now?
A. Because he can play his favourite pieces of music.
B. Because he can stretch his arms from wall to wall.
C. Because the room is filled with the echo of the music.
D. Because his body can extend to the edges of his room.
40. Based on the information in paragraph 3, what can be inferred about the cellist’s
attitude toward playing?
A. He feels nervous.
B. He feels demotivated.
C. He feels optimistic.
D. He feels pessimistic.
LISTENING (40 minutes)
INSTRUCTIONS: You will hear a number of different recordings and you will have
to answer the questions on what you hear. There will be time for you to read the
instructions and questions and you will have chance to check your work. All the
recordings will be played once only. At the end of the test, you will be given five
minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
PART 1: You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1-
8, choose the best answer A, B or C.
A. A patient
B. A teacher
C. A receptionist
2. Where is this announcement being made
A. In a school
B. In a factory
C. In a computer store
3. What should the passengers do when they get off the bus?
A. Go to the ticket gate
B. Leave their valuables
C. Go to the loading area
4. Where did Mike take the equipment from?
A. The office
B. The parts room
C. The lab
5. How will the man book tickets for the show?
A. by phone
B. on the internet
C. by post
6. What will the man do this winter?
A. work as a builder
B. work as a gardener
C. work in the supermarket
7. How does the man want the woman to help him?
A. give him a lift
B. bring the ladder
C. clean the bedroom window
8. Which TV programme is on at 9 o’clock tonight?
A. Nature
B. Cookery
C. Sports
PART 2: You will hear a number of conversations between two people. You will be
asked to answer three questions about what they say in each conversation. For each
question, choose the best answer A, B, or C.
Questions 9-11:
A. in a store
B. in an elevator
C. in an office
13. Who is the woman visiting?
A. her brother
B. a college friend
C. a work colleague
14. What is the man’s opinion of the building?
A. It’s a bad building.
B. He likes it.
C. It’s too close to the shop.
Questions 15-17:
Questions 21 - 23:
A. A restaurant
B. A sailboat
C. A food market
22. What is mentioned about Saigon House?
A. The interior is unique.
B. The prices are economical.
C. It is well-known for its service.
23. What can be seen in one of the dining rooms?
A. A couch
B. A sailboat
C. A map of Vietnam
Questions 24 – 29:
You will hear someone talking to a group of students about a visit to an Arts Centre.
You will hear a talk about the effect of architecture on people’s mood.
WRITING (60 minutes)
TASK 1
You are going to spend some time with your Scottish friend Douglas next Saturday.
Crime is a problem all over the world and there is nothing that can be done to prevent
it.
To what extent do you agree?
Give the reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task
fulfillment, Organization, Vocabulary and Grammar.
SPEAKING (12 minutes)
A group of international students visit your town/ city and want to get involved in some
local cultural activities. The Youth Secretary recommends the following festivals for them
to take part in: Mid-Autumn Festival, Fishing Village Festival, and Handicraft Festival.
In your opinion, which is the best choice?