TEXT 1

In 2010, researchers estimated that 8 billion kg of plastic entered  the ocean in a single year, and that number would sharply increase by 2025. When it enters the ocean, plastic waste disrupts marine ecosystems, travels to central locations, and forms a trash island which can cover an area of more than 1.6 million square km. These plastics never degrade, but rather break up into smaller sizes. They eventually become microplastics that stay in the environment for hundreds of years.

Scientists at the University of California San Diego have invented a new biodegradable material that is designed to replace the commonly used plastics. The material started to biodegrade in seawater within four weeks. The team found that various marine organisms colonize the material and break it into nutrients for their consumption.

The research of this new plastic is joined by experts in biology, chemistry, and marine science. They have shown that it is possible to make durable plastics that also can degrade in the ocean. Plastics should not be going into the ocean in the first place. But now, if they do, this new plastic can become food for microorganisms and not harmful trash.

TEXT 2

Plastic is everywhere and important to the growth of many industries, such as packaging, building, and automotive. About 83.5% of consumer products rely on plastic in some ways. Food without plastic packaging would spoil long before it reaches consumers’ fridges. PVC pipes made of plastic are an essential building part that reduce leakage and corrosion to conserve water and energy. Plastics make cars dramatically lighter, which increases fuel efficiency.

Researchers have been working to improve the plastic recycling process since it was realized that plastic was harming the environment. Recycling plastic not only helps the environment and reduces trash, but it also creates more jobs. The recycling sector generates up to 30 times more jobs than the common disposal sector. In fact, Tellus Institute reports that over 1.5 million new jobs would be created if the national recycling rate could be increased to 75%.

Modern recycling techniques can transform plastic into more useful products. Some experts have seen the opportunity to make jet fuel from plastic. However, even a simple recycling strategy has commercial benefits. Over 3 million plastic bottles have already been converted into pillow fillers by IHG Hotels & Resorts. Customers are happy to sleep well and use a product that benefits the environment, according to IHG. And it is all thanks to plastic.
What is the relationship between Texts 1 and 2?

TEXT 1

In 2010, researchers estimated that 8 billion kg of plastic entered  the ocean in a single year, and that number would sharply increase by 2025. When it enters the ocean, plastic waste disrupts marine ecosystems, travels to central locations, and forms a trash island which can cover an area of more than 1.6 million square km. These plastics never degrade, but rather break up into smaller sizes. They eventually become microplastics that stay in the environment for hundreds of years.

Scientists at the University of California San Diego have invented a new biodegradable material that is designed to replace the commonly used plastics. The material started to biodegrade in seawater within four weeks. The team found that various marine organisms colonize the material and break it into nutrients for their consumption.

The research of this new plastic is joined by experts in biology, chemistry, and marine science. They have shown that it is possible to make durable plastics that also can degrade in the ocean. Plastics should not be going into the ocean in the first place. But now, if they do, this new plastic can become food for microorganisms and not harmful trash.

TEXT 2

Plastic is everywhere and important to the growth of many industries, such as packaging, building, and automotive. About 83.5% of consumer products rely on plastic in some ways. Food without plastic packaging would spoil long before it reaches consumers’ fridges. PVC pipes made of plastic are an essential building part that reduce leakage and corrosion to conserve water and energy. Plastics make cars dramatically lighter, which increases fuel efficiency.

Researchers have been working to improve the plastic recycling process since it was realized that plastic was harming the environment. Recycling plastic not only helps the environment and reduces trash, but it also creates more jobs. The recycling sector generates up to 30 times more jobs than the common disposal sector. In fact, Tellus Institute reports that over 1.5 million new jobs would be created if the national recycling rate could be increased to 75%.

Modern recycling techniques can transform plastic into more useful products. Some experts have seen the opportunity to make jet fuel from plastic. However, even a simple recycling strategy has commercial benefits. Over 3 million plastic bottles have already been converted into pillow fillers by IHG Hotels & Resorts. Customers are happy to sleep well and use a product that benefits the environment, according to IHG. And it is all thanks to plastic.

Based on information from the two texts, which of the following will most likely happen in the future?

Text 1

You’ve been working and saving for decades for just this moment: retirement. Even though you may be ready to stop working full-time, now comes the hard part: letting yourself use your savings, since you no longer will be bringing in that paycheck, which until now has covered your monthly expenses. Making the psychological shift from saver to spender is no small effort for most people.

“Now you have this lump sum and have to draw it down. For some it’s almost physically painful,” said David John, a senior strategic policy advisor. Unpredictable factors like market performance, life expectancy and health issues make spending your money easier said than done. That’s why people may be hesitant to tap their savings because they think, “I have X dollars and it has to last me my whole life, but I have a very uncertain future. So, if I touch that I’m putting myself at risk.”

Research shows that among retirees with savings, many do not draw down very much, choosing instead to live off fixed sources of funds, such as Social Security or pensions or income from part-time work they take up. A study found that the vast majority of retirees in America still have at least 80% of their savings after two decades in retirement. No doubt this is partly because they are among the last generation of workers to benefit from corporate pensions.

The psychological reluctance to tap one’s savings is a factor for most people regardless of their financial condition. It may become more acute for soon-to-be retirees as they face inflation, unstable markets and a lack of pensions, John said. They’re trying to figure out who they are now that their primary career is over and figuring out what they can and can’t do financially.

What is the main idea of Text 1?

Text 2

It’s hard to manage your money well in retirement unless you’re realistic about what you have. The first thing to do is to make a budget and sketch out a plan to cover your expenses.

Before retiring, keep track of your spending and regular expenses, like housing, food, health care, etc. Then assess how those expenses might change in retirement (e.g., if you plan to move to a less expensive home or area; and if your insurance costs will be subsidized by your old employer).

You should also consider paying for a child’s wedding, buying a car, or taking a major vacation. Then assess what fixed income you will have come in (e.g., Social Security or pension payments). The difference between your expected spending and your fixed income is the amount you will need to draw from your savings.

It would also help to consult with a professional. A financial advisor can help you strategize how to manage and use your money in the years ahead. The one common feeling is that people say they are overwhelmed with all the choices they need to make to live off their savings in retirement. With the different types of accounts many have, the potential for penalties and higher taxes if withdrawals are taken incorrectly and sorting out how their investments may need to shift for retirement income, it can be a lot for a new retiree to get their head around.

Which of the following best restates the second sentence in Paragraph 1 in Text 2?

Text 2

It’s hard to manage your money well in retirement unless you’re realistic about what you have. The first thing to do is to make a budget and sketch out a plan to cover your expenses.

Before retiring, keep track of your spending and regular expenses, like housing, food, health care, etc. Then assess how those expenses might change in retirement (e.g., if you plan to move to a less expensive home or area; and if your insurance costs will be subsidized by your old employer).

You should also consider paying for a child’s wedding, buying a car, or taking a major vacation. Then assess what fixed income you will have come in (e.g., Social Security or pension payments). The difference between your expected spending and your fixed income is the amount you will need to draw from your savings.

It would also help to consult with a professional. A financial advisor can help you strategize how to manage and use your money in the years ahead. The one common feeling is that people say they are overwhelmed with all the choices they need to make to live off their savings in retirement. With the different types of accounts many have, the potential for penalties and higher taxes if withdrawals are taken incorrectly and sorting out how their investments may need to shift for retirement income, it can be a lot for a new retiree to get their head around.

The purpose of Text 2 is to ….

Text 1

You’ve been working and saving for decades for just this moment: retirement. Even though you may be ready to stop working full-time, now comes the hard part: letting yourself use your savings, since you no longer will be bringing in that paycheck, which until now has covered your monthly expenses. Making the psychological shift from saver to spender is no small effort for most people.

“Now you have this lump sum and have to draw it down. For some it’s almost physically painful,” said David John, a senior strategic policy advisor. Unpredictable factors like market performance, life expectancy and health issues make spending your money easier said than done. That’s why people may be hesitant to tap their savings because they think, “I have X dollars and it has to last me my whole life, but I have a very uncertain future. So, if I touch that I’m putting myself at risk.”

Research shows that among retirees with savings, many do not draw down very much, choosing instead to live off fixed sources of funds, such as Social Security or pensions or income from part-time work they take up. A study found that the vast majority of retirees in America still have at least 80% of their savings after two decades in retirement. No doubt this is partly because they are among the last generation of workers to benefit from corporate pensions.

The psychological reluctance to tap one’s savings is a factor for most people regardless of their financial condition. It may become more acute for soon-to-be retirees as they face inflation, unstable markets and a lack of pensions, John said. They’re trying to figure out who they are now that their primary career is over and figuring out what they can and can’t do financially

Text 2

It’s hard to manage your money well in retirement unless you’re realistic about what you have. The first thing to do is to make a budget and sketch out a plan to cover your expenses.

Before retiring, keep track of your spending and regular expenses, like housing, food, health care, etc. Then assess how those expenses might change in retirement (e.g., if you plan to move to a less expensive home or area; and if your insurance costs will be subsidized by your old employer).

You should also consider paying for a child’s wedding, buying a car, or taking a major vacation. Then assess what fixed income you will have come in (e.g., Social Security or pension payments). The difference between your expected spending and your fixed income is the amount you will need to draw from your savings.

It would also help to consult with a professional. A financial advisor can help you strategize how to manage and use your money in the years ahead. The one common feeling is that people say they are overwhelmed with all the choices they need to make to live off their savings in retirement. With the different types of accounts many have, the potential for penalties and higher taxes if withdrawals are taken incorrectly and sorting out how their investments may need to shift for retirement income, it can be a lot for a new retiree to get their head around.

Which of the following statements shows the author’s positive attitude toward an investment analyst?

What has caused the increasing popularity of the GREEN PEACE MOVEMENT during recent years? Is there a possibility that the public is being informed by scientists of dangers to the world more than in the past? Or, is it possible that politicians are not hiding the facts that have been known to them but which have not been told before? These factors probably have had an influence on the GREEN PEACE MOVEMENT, but the damage to nature can actually be seen by everyone today. It affects every society in all regions of the world. It is frightening and people are now starting to take a stand against industrialization and other developments which are destroying their lives and the future of their children.

The passage is about …………………….

What has caused the increasing popularity of the GREEN PEACE MOVEMENT during recent years? Is there a possibility that the public is being informed by scientists of dangers to the world more than in the past? Or, is it possible that politicians are not hiding the facts that have been known to them but which have not been told before? These factors probably have had an influence on the GREEN PEACE MOVEMENT, but the damage to nature can actually be seen by everyone today. It affects every society in all regions of the world. It is frightening and people are now starting to take a stand against industrialization and other developments which are destroying their lives and the future of their children.

The GREEN PEACE MOVEMENT ………………..

What has caused the increasing popularity of the GREEN PEACE MOVEMENT during recent years? Is there a possibility that the public is being informed by scientists of dangers to the world more than in the past? Or, is it possible that politicians are not hiding the facts that have been known to them but which have not been told before? These factors probably have had an influence on the GREEN PEACE MOVEMENT, but the damage to nature can actually be seen by everyone today. It affects every society in all regions of the world. It is frightening and people are now starting to take a stand against industrialization and other developments which are destroying their lives and the future of their children.

The word it refers to ……………….

Mary was blind at birth. Doctors during those years had been unable to do anything to correct the situation and although her parents lived in anguish, not being able to see was normal for her. After years of training to live in a dark world, Mary got a job and moved into her own flat. Several years later, the doctors she occasionally visited for check-ups told her that a new technique had been found. This technique could restore her sight. One would think that Mary would have jumped at the possibility to see, but actually, she was not at all happy about this situation. She had never seen anything before. She had established a life for herself in a world without sight and the thought of changing this lifestyle was frightening. She was more frightened of seeing than of not.

The best title for this passage is ………………….

Mary was blind at birth. Doctors during those years had been unable to do anything to correct the situation and although her parents lived in anguish, not being able to see was normal for her. After years of training to live in a dark world, Mary got a job and moved into her own flat. Several years later, the doctors she occasionally visited for check-ups told her that a new technique had been found. This technique could restore her sight. One would think that Mary would have jumped at the possibility to see, but actually, she was not at all happy about this situation. She had never seen anything before. She had established a life for herself in a world without sight and the thought of changing this lifestyle was frightening. She was more frightened of seeing than of not.

The word occasionally can be best replaced with ……………

Mary was blind at birth. Doctors during those years had been unable to do anything to correct the situation and although her parents lived in anguish, not being able to see was normal for her. After years of training to live in a dark world, Mary got a job and moved into her own flat. Several years later, the doctors she occasionally visited for check-ups told her that a new technique had been found. This technique could restore her sight. One would think that Mary would have jumped at the possibility to see, but actually, she was not at all happy about this situation. She had never seen anything before. She had established a life for herself in a world without sight and the thought of changing this lifestyle was frightening. She was more frightened of seeing than of not.

Being able to see was …………………………

Mary was blind at birth. Doctors during those years had been unable to do anything to correct the situation and although her parents lived in anguish, not being able to see was normal for her. After years of training to live in a dark world, Mary got a job and moved into her own flat. Several years later, the doctors she occasionally visited for check-ups told her that a new technique had been found. This technique could restore her sight. One would think that Mary would have jumped at the possibility to see, but actually, she was not at all happy about this situation. She had never seen anything before. She had established a life for herself in a world without sight and the thought of changing this lifestyle was frightening. She was more frightened of seeing than of not.

According to the passage, Mary’s inability to see was …………………

Meditation is an important part of most eastern religions and philosophies. The major eastern religions of Hinduism and Buddhism both present meditation as part of their philosophies. In these religions, meditation is referred to as Yoga. Yoga means: "diversion of the senses from the external world and concentration of thought within". The aim of Yoga is to control the body and cleanse the mind to achieve purity and awareness of the self. Many Yoga techniques are used throughout the world today as a form of relaxation. Most meditation starts with exercises that help control breathing. Westerners find that Yoga helps them cope with the pressures of everyday life.

According to this passage, Yoga is ……………………..

Meditation is an important part of most eastern religions and philosophies. The major eastern religions of Hinduism and Buddhism both present meditation as part of their philosophies. In these religions, meditation is referred to as Yoga. Yoga means: "diversion of the senses from the external world and concentration of thought within". The aim of Yoga is to control the body and cleanse the mind to achieve purity and awareness of the self. Many Yoga techniques are used throughout the world today as a form of relaxation. Most meditation starts with exercises that help control breathing. Westerners find that Yoga helps them cope with the pressures of everyday life.

Hinduism and Buddhism ……………………….

Chinese scientists had been playing with saltpeter — a common name for the powerful oxidizing agent potassium nitrate — in medical compounds for centuries when one industrious individual thought to mix it with sulfur and charcoal. The result was a mysterious powder from which, observers remarked in a text dated from the mid-9th century, "smoke and flames result, so that [the scientists'] hands and faces have been burnt, and even the whole house where they were working burned down." Gunpowder was quickly put to use by the reigning Sung dynasty against the Mongols, whose constant invasions into the country plagued the Chinese throughout the period. The Mongols were the first to be subject to flying fire — an arrow fixed with a tube of gunpowder that ignited and would propel itself across enemy lines. More gunpowder-based weapons were invented by the Chinese and perfected against the Mongols in the next centuries, including the first cannons and grenades. Gunpowder somehow remained a monopoly of the Chinese until the 13th century, when the science was passed along the ancient silk trade route to Europe and the Islamic world, where it became a deciding factor in many Middle Age skirmishes. By 1350, rudimentary gunpowder cannons were commonplace in the English and French militaries, which used the technology against each other during the Hundred Years' War. The Ottoman Turks also employed gunpowder cannons with abandon during their successful siege of Constantinople in 1453.

The main idea of the passage is…

Chinese scientists had been playing with saltpeter — a common name for the powerful oxidizing agent potassium nitrate — in medical compounds for centuries when one industrious individual thought to mix it with sulfur and charcoal. The result was a mysterious powder from which, observers remarked in a text dated from the mid-9th century, "smoke and flames result, so that [the scientists'] hands and faces have been burnt, and even the whole house where they were working burned down." Gunpowder was quickly put to use by the reigning Sung dynasty against the Mongols, whose constant invasions into the country plagued the Chinese throughout the period. The Mongols were the first to be subject to flying fire — an arrow fixed with a tube of gunpowder that ignited and would propel itself across enemy lines. More gunpowder-based weapons were invented by the Chinese and perfected against the Mongols in the next centuries, including the first cannons and grenades. Gunpowder somehow remained a monopoly of the Chinese until the 13th century, when the science was passed along the ancient silk trade route to Europe and the Islamic world, where it became a deciding factor in many Middle Age skirmishes. By 1350, rudimentary gunpowder cannons were commonplace in the English and French militaries, which used the technology against each other during the Hundred Years' War. The Ottoman Turks also employed gunpowder cannons with abandon during their successful siege of Constantinople in 1453.

The word ’propel’ in paragraph 2 means ...

Chinese scientists had been playing with saltpeter — a common name for the powerful oxidizing agent potassium nitrate — in medical compounds for centuries when one industrious individual thought to mix it with sulfur and charcoal. The result was a mysterious powder from which, observers remarked in a text dated from the mid-9th century, "smoke and flames result, so that [the scientists'] hands and faces have been burnt, and even the whole house where they were working burned down." Gunpowder was quickly put to use by the reigning Sung dynasty against the Mongols, whose constant invasions into the country plagued the Chinese throughout the period. The Mongols were the first to be subject to flying fire — an arrow fixed with a tube of gunpowder that ignited and would propel itself across enemy lines. More gunpowder-based weapons were invented by the Chinese and perfected against the Mongols in the next centuries, including the first cannons and grenades. Gunpowder somehow remained a monopoly of the Chinese until the 13th century, when the science was passed along the ancient silk trade route to Europe and the Islamic world, where it became a deciding factor in many Middle Age skirmishes. By 1350, rudimentary gunpowder cannons were commonplace in the English and French militaries, which used the technology against each other during the Hundred Years' War. The Ottoman Turks also employed gunpowder cannons with abandon during their successful siege of Constantinople in 1453.

The best summary for paragraph 3 is…

Chinese scientists had been playing with saltpeter — a common name for the powerful oxidizing agent potassium nitrate — in medical compounds for centuries when one industrious individual thought to mix it with sulfur and charcoal. The result was a mysterious powder from which, observers remarked in a text dated from the mid-9th century, "smoke and flames result, so that [the scientists'] hands and faces have been burnt, and even the whole house where they were working burned down." Gunpowder was quickly put to use by the reigning Sung dynasty against the Mongols, whose constant invasions into the country plagued the Chinese throughout the period. The Mongols were the first to be subject to flying fire — an arrow fixed with a tube of gunpowder that ignited and would propel itself across enemy lines. More gunpowder-based weapons were invented by the Chinese and perfected against the Mongols in the next centuries, including the first cannons and grenades. Gunpowder somehow remained a monopoly of the Chinese until the 13th century, when the science was passed along the ancient silk trade route to Europe and the Islamic world, where it became a deciding factor in many Middle Age skirmishes. By 1350, rudimentary gunpowder cannons were commonplace in the English and French militaries, which used the technology against each other during the Hundred Years' War. The Ottoman Turks also employed gunpowder cannons with abandon during their successful siege of Constantinople in 1453.

The word ‘which’ in paragraph 3 refers to…