current_events midterm 2012 and answer key copy-1
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Current Events ExamTRANSCRIPT
Name: _____________ Class: ____________ Date: ________
Current Events (Autumn 2012) Midterm Exam (100 points)
Section A: Vocabulary (20 points)
Choose the correct word (or words) to complete each sentence
layer renal authorities debtsleased environmentalists uninhabited spatmannerisms hearing economists reputationtweezers absorb powerhouses furiousrecord attribute melt shrinks
1. Many students in the US now have huge _________ after finishing college. 2. I am looking for an ______________ stretch of the beach.3. We __________ this quotation to Shakespeare. 4. China, Korea and Japan are the economic _______________ of Asia.5. A new drug has been found which __________ cancer tumors.6. When the political cartoon was published, many people were unhappy and even _________.7. _________________ say that the Earth's ozone ___________ has been torn apart.8. We __________ the apartment for two years.9. _________________ believe that there will be a big tax rise next year.. 10. Enormous black holes __________ all matter and even light.11. That person entered the country illegally, so the _____________ deported him.12. ________ the butter over a low heat in the frying pan.13. Usain Bolt still holds the world __________ for the 100 meters sprint.14. There are other risks too, such as _________ failure and heart failure.15. Members of the public will be able to attend the ___________ at the Town Hall16. This restaurant has a long standing _____________ for great food.17. After a recent __________, Twilight stars Kristin Stewart and Robert Pattinson have split up.18. She uses _____________ to pluck her eyebrows.19. During an interview, check for ________________, do not bite your nails or twirl your hair.
Section B: True/False (8 points)
1. The article says ice in Antarctica has shrunk to an all-time low. True / False
2. The article says there may be no Arctic ice in the summer in future. True / False
3. In 2012, there was 70,000 sq. km less ice than the previous low. True / False
4. An expert likened the Arctic ice to a giant frozen soft drink. True / False
5. Most of the Arctic ice melts in the summer. True / False
6. The last six years have seen record falls in Arctic ice cover. True / False
7. The Arctic sea ice needs to absorb the sun’s rays. True / False
8. A storm that hit the Arctic in early August made the ice stronger. True / False
Section C : Synonyms (15 points)
Match the words on the left with their synonyms on the right
1. _____ enhance 2. _____ consistent 3. _____ clamp down 4. _____ sheet 5. _____ important 6. _____ replicate 7. _____ tit-for-tat 8. _____ somewhat 9. _____ induce 10. _____ beneficiary 11. _____ bought 12. _____ charged with 13. _____ occurred 14. _____ survive 15. _____ announced
a. retaliatory b. recipient c. layer d. prominent e. duplicate f. purchased g. partly h. boost i. constant j. bring about k. prevent l. happened m. declared n. accused of o. get through
Section D: Listening Comprehension (20 points)
A surgeon and eight other people (1) ____ ____ ____ _____ ____ China over the case of a teenager who sold a kidney to buy an iPad and iPhone. The (2) _____ ____ _______ _______ on Friday and judges will decide on possible guilty (3) ______ _____ ___________ soon. Defendant He Wei is charged with organising the illegal kidney trade in 2011. He hoped to clear his gambling debts (4) ____ __________ ______ the scam. Song Zhongyu, the surgeon, from a provincial hospital in Yunnan Province, was paid just over $8,000 to perform the operation. (5) _______ _________ ______ Tang Shimin, who leased an operating theatre for the procedure, and Su Kaizong, the contractor of the (6) ________ _________ at a local hospital.
The 17-year-old teenager, surnamed Wang, found the offer of $3,400 for a kidney on an (7) _____ ______ room. Soon after he left the hospital he (8) ________ _______ _______ and became ill, needing more hospitalization. His kidney was sold to (9) _____ ___________ ____ _______ $35,000. Wang's mother told the court that her son did not sell his kidney to purchase the Apple devices: "My son (10) _____ _________ _____ the illegal organ traders and was afraid (11) _____ ______ ______ _____ such a large amount of money, so he bought a cell phone and a tablet PC," she said. Chinese authorities have been (12) _______ ________ _____ ______ illegal trade in human organs. Police arrested 137 people last month, including many doctors.
Section E: Multiple Choice (17 points)
The British government has (1) __________ more than 2,500 visas of foreign students studying at the London Metropolitan University (LMU). The students are now desperately trying to find an (2) __________ to being deported. Britain has given the students 60 days to find other courses or leave the country. The (3) __________ expulsion has created a scandal within Britain’s (4) ___________ community. Britain’s immigration officials said LMU was not following visa rules (5) ________ non-European Union students and so has removed its right to teach those outside the EU. Critics of the move believe it is part of the government’s attempt to reduce migration into Britain by cutting (6) _______ on overseas student numbers.
Britain's media is reporting the government’s (7) __________ will damage the country’s (8) ___________ as a (9) __________ of world-class higher education. They also say it will cause as much as $1.5 billion in damage to the (10) __________ economy. The average (11) __________ spends close to $50,000 each (12) __________ their three-year stay in Britain. People also note the decision is (13) ________ timing, as London is the host of the Olympics and Paralympics. The students themselves are (14) ______. They enrolled in LMU in good faith, believing Britain to be a trustworthy and reliable country in (15) _________ to study. Student Camila Alvarez, 25, from Brazil, said: "This is (16) ____________ for us. We are here legally and have gone through a (17) _________ procedure to get into Britain.”
Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.
1. (a) destroyed (b) blitzed (c) shut (d) cancelled
2. (a) altercation (b) alter (c) alternative (d) alternator
3. (a) pass (b) mass (c) lass (d) sass
4. (a) academic (b) pandemic (c) epidemic (d) endemic
5. (a) regard (b) regarded (c) regarding (d) regards
6. (a) up (b) over (c) through (d) down
7. (a) momentum (b) move (c) precision (d) play
8. (a) reputation (b) competition (c) precision (d) decision
9. (a) provider (b) conspirator (c) host (d) participant
10. (a) Scottish (b) English (c) Irish (d) British
11. (a) tourist (b) terrorist (c) student (d) worker
12. (a) within (b) during (c) inside (d) encompassing
13. (a) good (b) bad (c) great (d) average
14. (a) furiously (b) fury (c) furious (d) furry
15. (a) which (b) when (c) where (d) while
16. (a) debilitating (b) scintillating (c) humiliating (d) fleeting
17. (a) imprint (b) variation (c) exact (d) strict
Section F: Short Answer (10 points)
1) There is currently a dispute between China, Japan, and Taiwan over which islands in the East China Sea? (2 points)__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2) After Japan nationalized three of the islands, what happened in China? (2 points)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3) Name two possible retaliatory measures that Chinese economists are considering. (2 points) __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
4) How is this dispute similar (or different) to the Korea/Japan Dokdo islands issue? (4 points) __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
Section G: Writing: (10 points)
In this section, answer question A or B. Write at least 10 complete sentences!
A. What do you know about global warming? In your opinion, what are its causes? Explain how it might affect the world in the future. Try to include as much detail as possible (who, what, where, when, how etc).
B. Write about a recent current event, and why it's important in your opinion. Try to include as much detail as possible (who, what, where, when, how etc).
Question to be answered: ________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Name: _____________ Class: ____________ Date: ________
Current Events (Autumn 2012) Midterm Exam Answer Key (100 points)
Section A: Vocabulary (20 points)
Choose the correct word (or words) to complete each sentence
layer renal authorities debtsleased environmentalists uninhabited spatmannerisms hearing economists reputationtweezers absorb powerhouses furiousrecord attribute melt shrinks
1. Many students in the US now have huge debts after finishing college. 2. I am looking for an uninhabited stretch of the beach.3. We attribute this quotation to Shakespeare. 4. China, Korea and Japan are the economic powerhouses of Asia.5. A new drug has been found which shrinks cancer tumors.6. When the political cartoon was published, many people were unhappy and even furious . 7. Environmentalists say that the Earth's ozone layer has been torn apart.8. We leased the apartment for two years.9. Economists believe that there will be a big tax rise next year.. 10. Enormous black holes absorb all matter and even light.11. That person entered the country illegally, so the authorities deported him.12. Melt the butter over a low heat in the frying pan.13. Usain Bolt still holds the world record for the 100 meters sprint14. There are other risks too, such as renal failure and heart failure.15. Members of the public will be able to attend the hearing at the Town Hall16. This restaurant has a long standing reputation for great food.17. After a recent spat , Twilight stars Kristin Stewart and Robert Pattinson have split up.18. She uses tweezers to pluck her eyebrows.19. During an interview, check for mannerisms , do not bite your nails or twirl your hair.
Section B: True/False (8 points)
1. The article says ice in Antarctica has shrunk to an all-time low. True / False
2. The article says there may be no Arctic ice in the summer in future. True / False
3. In 2012, there was 70,000 sq. km less ice than the previous low. True / False
4. An expert likened the Arctic ice to a giant frozen soft drink. True / False
5. Most of the Arctic ice melts in the summer. True / False
6. The last six years have seen record falls in Arctic ice cover. True / False
7. The Arctic sea ice needs to absorb the sun’s rays. True / False
8. A storm that hit the Arctic in early August made the ice stronger. True / False
Section C : Synonyms (15 points)
Match the words on the left with their synonyms on the right
1. __h_ enhance 2. __i___ consistent 3. __k__ clamp down 4. __c___ sheet 5. __d___ important 6. __e___ replicate 7. __a___ tit-for-tat 8. __g___ somewhat 9. __j___ induce 10. __b___ beneficiary 11. __f___ bought 12. __n___ charged with 13. __l___ occurred 14. __o__ survive 15. __m__ announced
a. retaliatory b. recipient c. layer d. prominent e. duplicate f. purchased g. partly h. boost i. constant j. bring about k. prevent l. happened m. declared n. accused of o. get through
Section D: Listening Comprehension (20 points)
A surgeon and eight other people (1) ____ ____ ____ _____ ____ China over the case of a teenager who sold a kidney to buy an iPad and iPhone. The (2) _____ ____ _______ _______ on Friday and judges will decide on possible guilty (3) ______ _____ ___________ soon. Defendant He Wei is charged with organising the illegal kidney trade in 2011. He hoped to clear his gambling debts (4) ____ __________ ______ the scam. Song Zhongyu, the surgeon, from a provincial hospital in Yunnan Province, was paid just over $8,000 to perform the operation. (5) _______ _________ ______ Tang Shimin, who leased an operating theatre for the procedure, and Su Kaizong, the contractor of the (6) ________ _________ at a local hospital.
The 17-year-old teenager, surnamed Wang, found the offer of $3,400 for a kidney on an (7) _____ ______ room. Soon after he left the hospital he (8) ________ _______ _______ and became ill, needing more hospitalization. His kidney was sold to (9) _____ ___________ ____ _______ $35,000. Wang's mother told the court that her son did not sell his kidney to purchase the Apple devices: "My son (10) _____ _________ _____ the illegal organ traders and was afraid (11) _____ ______ ______ _____ such a large amount of money, so he bought a cell phone and a tablet PC," she said. Chinese authorities have been (12) _______ ________ _____ ______ illegal trade in human organs. Police arrested 137 people last month, including many doctors.
Section E: Multiple Choice (17 points)
The British government has (1) __________ more than 2,500 visas of foreign students studying at the London Metropolitan University (LMU). The students are now desperately
trying to find an (2) __________ to being deported. Britain has given the students 60 days to find other courses or leave the country. The (3) __________ expulsion has created a scandal within Britain’s (4) ___________ community. Britain’s immigration officials said LMU was not following visa rules (5) ________ non-European Union students and so has removed its right to teach those outside the EU. Critics of the move believe it is part of the government’s attempt to reduce migration into Britain by cutting (6) _______ on overseas student numbers.
Britain's media is reporting the government’s (7) __________ will damage the country’s (8) ___________ as a (9) __________ of world-class higher education. They also say it will cause as much as $1.5 billion in damage to the (10) __________ economy. The average (11) __________ spends close to $50,000 each (12) __________ their three-year stay in Britain. People also note the decision is (13) ________ timing, as London is the host of the Olympics and Paralympics. The students themselves are (14) ______. They enrolled in LMU in good faith, believing Britain to be a trustworthy and reliable country in (15) _________ to study. Student Camila Alvarez, 25, from Brazil, said: "This is (16) ____________ for us. We are here legally and have gone through a (17) _________ procedure to get into Britain.”
Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.
1. (a) destroyed (b) blitzed (c) shut (d) cancelled
2. (a) altercation (b) alter (c) alternative (d) alternator
3. (a) pass (b) mass (c) lass (d) sass
4. (a) academic (b) pandemic (c) epidemic (d) endemic
5. (a) regard (b) regarded (c) regarding (d) regards
6. (a) up (b) over (c) through (d) down
7. (a) momentum (b) move (c) precision (d) play
8. (a) reputation (b) competition (c) precision (d) decision
9. (a) provider (b) conspirator (c) host (d) participant
10. (a) Scottish (b) English (c) Irish (d) British
11. (a) tourist (b) terrorist (c) student (d) worker
12. (a) within (b) during (c) inside (d) encompassing
13. (a) good (b) bad (c) great (d) average
14. (a) furiously (b) fury (c) furious (d) furry
15. (a) which (b) when (c) where (d) while
16. (a) debilitating (b) scintillating (c) humiliating (d) fleeting
17. (a) imprint (b) variation (c) exact (d) strict
Section F: Short Answer (10 points)
1) There is currently a dispute between China, Japan, and Taiwan over which islands
in the East China Sea? (2 points)__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2) After Japan nationalized three of the islands, what happened in China? (2 points)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3) Name two possible retaliatory measures that Chinese economists are considering. (2 points) __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
4) How is this dispute similar (or different) to the Korea/Japan Dokdo islands issue? (4 points) __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
Section G: Writing: (10 points)
In this section, answer question A or B. Write at least 10 complete sentences!
1. What do you know about global warming? In your opinion, what are its causes? Explain how it might affect the world in the future. Try to include as much detail as possible (who, what, where, when, how etc).
2. Write about a recent current event, and why it's important in your opinion. Try to include as much detail as possible (who, what, where, when, how etc).
Question to be answered: ________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Section A: Vocabulary (14 points)
Choose the correct word (or words) to complete each sentence1.
heartthrob hordes topple standbydeployed chronic tyrants iron-fistedsensation other half segregate disguisedbig bucks stark
1. More than 17 million people nationally suffer with long term chronic illness 2. We do not segregate or judge people by race, religion, ideology or physical condition.3. His other half works in Seoul, so they are only able to meet at weekends. 4. General Tojo, Stalin, and Mao Tse-Tung were some the most bloodthirsty tyrants to ever
walk the earth.5. The Mongol hordes of Ghengis Khan conquered not only China, but even advanced to the
borders of Europe.6. Despite dating the pop heartthrob for over a year, the actress said she will not move in with
him.7. The fire engine is on permanent standby for serious incident response8. The government issued a stark warning to parents, urging them to alert their children to the
dangers of playing near railways.9. The goal of the Iraq war was to topple Saddam Hussein, and free the Iraqi people. 10.The CEO worked for big bucks in that organization.11.Troubled singing sensation Amy Winehouse has died, aged 27 .12.The iron-fisted rule of Libyan leader Muammar Gadaffi has finally come to end.13.A cheaper more flexible solution is needed which can be rapidly deployed.14..The king walked the streets disguised as an old beggar.
Section B: True/False (8 points)
Please circle True (T) or False (F) for each of the following sentences:a. The number of disabled in the world has fallen to one billion. T / Fb. The percentage of disabled in the world has fallen since the 1970s. T / Fc. Less than 200 million people have a really bad disability. T / Fd. A WHO doctor said the number of disabled will rise in the future. T / Fe. Disabled people will face less discrimination in the future. T / Ff. The disabled have bigger problems finding work in developed countries. T / F
g. The WHO says no country has dealt with the disabled properly. T / Fh. A doctor says half of us will have a disability at some stage in our life. T / F
Section C : Synonyms (11 points)
Please match the words on the left with their synonyms on the right
1. _____ estimate 2. _____ tyrant 3. _____ make certain 4. _____ cosmetics 5. _____ inevitably 6. _____ target 7. _____ likely 8. _____ deployed 9. _____ ready 10. _____ put forward 11. _____ concern
e. forecast d. dictator k. ensure i. makeup a. unavoidably b. victim g. probable c. used j. set h. nominated f. worry
Section D: Gap Fill - Healthcare - (15 points)
Florida healthcare universal Sloveniamoney 5 healthy finebone marrow free unlimited educated\most 37 6
1. Dr Linda Peeno, worked as a medical reviewer. She said the doctor with the most healthcare denials got a bonus.
2. Tracy Pierce of Kansas City died because his HMO (Health maintenance Organization) refused a life-saving bone marrow transplant (calling it experimental).
3. President Nixon’s advisor: “the less (health) care they give them, the more money they can make.” President Nixon: “Fine”, “Not bad!”
4. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), the US healthcare system is ranked at number 37 just above Slovenia.
5. Canadian Larry Godfrey had a golf accident while on vacation in Florida.6. In the UK, a new mother gets 6 months off work (paid), and has the choice to take 6 more
months off (unpaid).7. According to Tony Benn, “An educated , healthy , and confident nation is harder to govern”.8. Full and part-time workers in France get unlimited sick days a year.9. 9/11 rescue worker Reggie Cervantes’s medicine in the US costs $120, but in Cuba only costs
3.20 pesos (about 5 cents).10. The US is the only country in the western world without free, universal, healthcare.
Section E: Listening Comprehension (20 points)
Teen heartthrob Justin Bieber _ delighted hundreds of his loyal fans on Thursday when he appeared at a party hosted by the fashion brand Dolce and Gabbana (D&G). He also gave his fans some advice on makeup. _Hordes of young women showed up outside D&G’s trendy boutique in New York’s Upper East Side. He disappointed many by slipping in through the back door. The party was the prelaunch of D&G’s new lipstick, called “Passion Duo”. Despite the passionate duo’s theme of the evening, Bieber came alone, without his other half Selena Gomez. His makeup advice for women was: "A little's fine, but at the end of the day, you have to be yourself. If there's more makeup on your face than your face, then that’s kind of weird ," he said.
In other Bieber news, the young singer and actor is now officially a major brand. The young Canadian has become a merchandising sensation since hitting the big time in 2008. Amazon has a huge list of back-to-school products that feature Bieber on them. Schoolgirls around the world have been buying up backpacks, pencil cases, rulers, erasers and any other stationery they can get hold of with Bieber’s image on it. He even has a fragrance for men named after him. Bieber has been nominated for and received numerous awards over the past few years. In 2010, he won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards. He was also nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album. It is likely his looks and clean-cut image will continue to bring in the big bucks for merchandisers.
Section F: Multiple Choice (12 points)
Read the article and circle the best answer for each number below: (10 Marks)
Britain is set to use (1) ____-to-air missiles (SAMs) to protect the London Olympics from an attack by air. U.K. Defence Minister Philip Hammond said on Monday: "All necessary (2) ____ to ensure the security and safety of the London Olympic Games will be taken including, if the advice of the military is that it is required, appropriate ground-to-air defences." Such (3) ____ weapons have been made available before to protect an international sporting event. China (4) ____ them near its main venues for the Beijing games in 2008. Missiles were also on (5) ____ for the Athens Games in 2004. It is the first time missiles will be used in Britain since World War II. London's Olympic security coordinator Chris Allison said the (6) ____ of SAMs were not true.The 2012 Games are likely to be the best-(7) ____ Olympics ever. They have been the target of terrorists before. At the Munich Olympics in 1972, members of the Palestinian Black September group killed eleven Israeli athletes and coaches and a West German police officer. In an attack (8) ____ the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, two people died and 111 were injured in a bomb attack at the Olympic Park. The USA has (9) ____ the security measures. They are sending (10) ____ to 1,000 FBI and (11) ____ agents to protect American athletes and diplomats. More than 6,000 British soldiers disguised as security guards plus 10,000 volunteer guards and 12,000 police will (12) ____ security for the London Games.
1. (a) surface (b) shelter (c) suffice (d) standalone2. (a) measured (b) measures (c) measuring (d) measure3. (a) might (b) monument (c) military (d) militia
4. (a) deploy (b) deploys (c) deployment (d) deployed5. (a) standalone (b) standoffish (c) standing (d) standby6. (a) essays (b) paragraphs (c) reports (d) writings7. (a) defended (b) defensive (c) defending (d) defends8. (a) to (b) on (c) as (d) up9. (a) hello (b) waved (c) welcomed (d) farewell10. (a) up (b) down (c) as (d) from11. (a) under (b) underling (c) understood (d) undercover12. (a) beast (b) boost (c) boast (d) baste
Section G: Short Answer (10 points)
1) a. What is the Arab Spring? (1 Point)
The Arab Spring is a revolutionary wave of pro-democracy demonstrations and protestsoccurring in the Arab world. _____________________________________________
b. When did it start? (1 Point)
Spring 2011. (December 2010 also acceptable)___________________________________
c. Name three countries that are part of the Arab Spring? (3 Points)
Any three of the following: Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Syria, Yemen, Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, and Oman_________________________________________________
2) Describe what you think Libya will look like 20 years from now? (2 Points)
Free answer___________________________________________________________
3) Would it have been better for Gadaffi to have lived and gone on trial?Why, or why not? (3 Points)
Free answer____________________________________________________________
Section H: Writing: (10 points)
In this section, answer question A or B. Please write at least 10 complete sentences!
A. In your opinion, how important are the Olympic Games? Do you think it is easy or difficult for terrorists to attack the Olympics? What do you think about the Olympics being protected by missiles?
B. Michael Moore described the different healthcare systems in several countries: the US, Canada, the UK, France, and Cuba. In your opinion, how does the Korean healthcare system compare? In what ways is the Korean system better or worse?
Question to be answered: ________
Answers will vary