T1 Reading Exam Prac

Read this paragraph and answer the question.

In summary, there is now growing research into how mobile phones can cause distraction and impact a variety of activities, including driving, social interactions, and academic performance. Recent research has also found that even just having a phone nearby can result in a minor distraction. This has been found to have a significant consequence on tasks requiring close attention. Therefore, despite the rules and regulations restricting the use of mobile phones while driving, and in classrooms and the workplace, the presence of a phone is still potentially distracting. This suggests that in some contexts, keeping phones out of sight should be a requirement. Additionally, if having a phone nearby can lower attention and performance, future research should consider if other mobile devices like smartphones and tablets have similar effects.

Which statement would the author, most probably, agree with?

• Current regulations for smartphones should be relaxed

• Current regulations for smartphones should be broadened

• Current regulations for smartphones should be reversed

• Current regulations for smartphones should be supported with fines

Read this conclusion and answer the questions.

Due to factors like population growth, increased consumption in developing countries, and the use of crops for fuel, the current rise in world food prices cannot be seen as temporary. In addition to these, issues like soil erosion, water depletion, converting farmland for other uses, and climate change also play a role in the inflation of global food prices. Therefore, there can no longer be an expectation of a return to normality, because in a world with a rapidly changing climate system there is no longer a norm to return to. The recent unrest is just the beginning. Unless governments quickly redefine security and change their priorities from military spending to investing in solutions to the issues mentioned above, the world will likely face more climate instability, political unrest, and food price volatility in the future.

Which statement best summarises the main idea of this paragraph?

• The increase in global food prices can be reversed with better agricultural techniques.

• Persistent factors and climate change mean that high food prices are likely here to stay.

• The rise in food prices is mainly due to the conversion of farmland for other uses.

• Governments need to urgently shift their focus to environmental and agricultural investments.

Read the following sentences and put them in the correct order to make a paragraph.

• It is claimed that allergic type responses can occur when contact with certain food is made.

• Thus, the introduction of genetically modified plants into the human food chain could be of risk and more research into its safety is recommended.

• This is due to the fact that these new crops can contain particular allergens that can seriously affect the human immune response.

• Another challenge associated with the rise in the production of GM crops is the transfer of allergens into new crops.

• This indicates that there are still significant risks to the consumption of GM foods, especially for those suffering from hypersensitivity disorders.

Although insects form part of the human diet in many countries and regions of the world, their consumption is often not promoted and Western dietary patterns seem to be dominant. However, in future, meat-centric diets will become increasingly expensive and grain-livestock systems environmentally unsustainable. Hence, insects provide a viable and much needed alternative food source. Their production generates less greenhouse gases and ammonia than conventional livestock; insects have a much greater efficiency in their feed conversion rations and their edible body mass is greater as a percentage. In rearing insects there are fewer problems with disease and they require considerably less water to produce. Therefore, while Western societies have never seriously considered eating insects as an option, a new industrial sector for insects as food and feed is ready for development.

What is the attitude of the author towards meat consumption?

• uncertain

• concerned

• neutral

• positive

Although insects form part of the human diet in many countries and regions of the world, their consumption is often not promoted and Western dietary patterns seem to be dominant. However, in future, meat-centric diets will become increasingly expensive and grain-livestock systems environmentally unsustainable. Hence, insects provide a viable and much needed alternative food source. Their production generates less greenhouse gases and ammonia than conventional livestock; insects have a much greater efficiency in their feed conversion rations and their edible body mass is greater as a percentage. In rearing insects there are fewer problems with disease and they require considerably less water to produce. Therefore, while Western societies have never seriously considered eating insects as an option, a new industrial sector for insects as food and feed is ready for development.

Which statement best summarises the main idea of this paragraph?

• a new industrial sector for edible insects is unlikely ever to emerge

• the ways that insects can be used as food

• insects are a viable alternative food source

• the advantages and disadvantages of insects

In its simplest form, product placement consists of an advertiser or company introducing branded content into various forms of entertainment in order to sell something. While product placement is riskier than conventional advertising, it is becoming a common practice to place products and brands into mainstream media including films, television programs, computer and video games, blogs, music videos/DVDs, magazines, books, comics, the Internet, and mobile phones. Due to media fragmentation, media proliferation, and declining advertising efficacy, product placement is becoming an increasingly effective way to reach both consumers and non-users. It is estimated that two-thirds of television viewers cut the sound during commercials, channel-surf, or skip them altogether because they are felt to be annoying or irrelevant. Hence, brand placement and brand-integrated programs have become common in television advertising.

Which of the following ideas are mentioned in the text? (Choose THREE by selecting below)

• Product placement is becoming a standard practice in various entertainment forms.

• Approximately two out of three viewers skip or mute commercials.

• Integrating brands into programs is a response to declining advertising efficacy.

• Conventional advertising is still more effective than product placement.

• Product placement is riskier than traditional advertising methods.