Passage 1 The Benefits of Urban Green Spaces
Urban green spaces, such as parks, gardens,
and green roofs, are becoming increasingly important in cities around the
world. These areas offer numerous environmental, social, and health benefits.
As urbanization expands, green spaces play a vital role in reducing pollution,
improving air quality, and controlling urban temperatures. Trees and plants
absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful gases while releasing oxygen, which
helps create a cleaner and healthier atmosphere.
In addition to environmental benefits, green
areas also improve the mental and physical well-being of city residents.
Studies show that people who live near parks tend to have lower stress levels,
better mood, and a more active lifestyle. Children who grow up around green
spaces often develop better social skills and have increased opportunities for
play and exercise.
Socially, green spaces bring communities
together. Public parks serve as gathering places where people of all ages and
backgrounds can connect, relax, and take part in recreational activities. These
interactions can strengthen social bonds and reduce feelings of loneliness and
isolation, particularly among the elderly.
From an economic perspective, cities with
accessible and well-maintained green spaces often experience higher property
values. Businesses are also more likely to invest in locations that offer
attractive and healthy environments for workers and customers alike.
Overall, the presence of green spaces in urban
areas provides a wide range of benefits that contribute to a higher quality of
life. City planners and governments are now prioritizing the inclusion of green
areas in urban development to create more sustainable and livable cities.
Sentence Completion Questions
Complete the sentences using NO MORE THAN
TWO WORDS from the passage.
1.
Urban
green spaces help reduce air pollution and control __________.
2.
Trees
absorb harmful gases and release __________.
3.
Green
spaces promote both mental and __________ health.
4.
People
living near parks experience lower __________ levels.
5.
Green
spaces offer children better social skills and more chances for __________.
6.
Public
parks help in building stronger __________ among residents.
7.
Elderly
individuals benefit from reduced __________ in green environments.
8.
Green
areas can lead to increased __________ values in cities.
9.
Businesses
prefer areas that are attractive and __________.
10.
City
planners aim to make urban areas more __________ and livable.
Passage 2 The History of Paper
Paper
was first invented in China around 105 AD by Cai Lun, a court official of the
Han dynasty. Before the invention of paper, people wrote on bamboo strips,
animal skins, or silk, which were expensive or difficult to handle. Cai Lun
experimented with mulberry bark, hemp, and rags to create a new writing
surface. His invention was lightweight, affordable, and easy to produce.
The
knowledge of papermaking eventually spread to Korea, Japan, and later to the
Arab world, after the Battle of Talas in 751 AD. The Arabs improved the process
and introduced paper mills in Baghdad and Damascus. By the 12th century,
papermaking reached Europe, where it revolutionized communication and
education.
The
invention of the printing press in the 15th century greatly increased the
demand for paper. As literacy rates rose, books and newspapers became widely
available, transforming societies by spreading knowledge quickly and cheaply.
Sentence Completion (NO MORE THAN
TWO WORDS):
1.
Paper was invented by __________ in
China.
2.
Before paper, people wrote on bamboo,
silk, and __________.
3.
Paper was more __________ and
convenient than earlier materials.
4.
The Arabs learned papermaking after
the Battle of __________.
5.
Paper mills were set up in Baghdad and
__________.
6.
Papermaking reached Europe in the
__________ century.
7.
The __________ press increased the
need for paper.
8.
Paper helped spread __________ to the
masses.
9.
Literacy rates rose as __________
became more common.
10.
Paper transformed communication and __________.
Passage 3 Honeybee Communication
Honeybees
are fascinating insects not only for their ability to produce honey but also
for their complex communication system. One of the most remarkable discoveries
in entomology is the “waggle dance.” This dance is used by bees to communicate
the direction and distance of food sources to other members of the hive.
A
bee performs a waggle dance in a figure-eight motion, vibrating its body in a
specific direction that corresponds to the angle of the sun. The duration of
the waggle indicates the distance to the food source. Scientists believe this
communication method is vital for the efficiency and survival of the hive.
Apart
from dancing, bees also use pheromones—chemical signals—to alert others to
danger or to mark flowers they have visited. These complex behaviors show that
bee societies are highly organized and intelligent.
Sentence Completion (NO MORE THAN
TWO WORDS):
1.
Honeybees are known for producing
__________ and communicating.
2.
The waggle dance helps bees find
__________.
3.
Bees move in a __________ pattern
while dancing.
4.
The dance shows both direction and
__________.
5.
The waggle's angle matches the
position of the __________.
6.
The longer the waggle, the greater the
__________.
7.
Bees also use __________ to send
chemical signals.
8.
Pheromones can signal __________ to
the hive.
9.
Bees use scent to mark __________.
10.
Their behavior shows that bee
societies are __________.
Passage 4 The Importance of Coral Reefs
Coral
reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. They provide a habitat
for thousands of marine species and protect coastlines from erosion. Despite
covering less than 1% of the ocean floor, coral reefs support about 25% of all
marine life.
Corals
are tiny animals that live in colonies and build limestone skeletons. Over
time, these structures form large reefs. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is
the largest coral reef in the world, visible even from space.
However,
coral reefs are under threat due to rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and
overfishing. When water becomes too warm, corals expel the algae living in
their tissues—a phenomenon known as coral bleaching. Without algae, corals lose
color and eventually die.
Sentence Completion (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS):
1.
Coral reefs protect __________ from
erosion.
2.
They support around __________ of
marine life.
3.
Coral colonies build __________ skeletons.
4.
The Great Barrier Reef is located in
__________.
5.
It is so large it can be seen from
__________.
6.
Coral reefs are threatened by
__________ and pollution.
7.
Bleaching occurs when corals lose
their __________.
8.
Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the
__________.
9.
Algae provide corals with food and
__________.
10.
Dead coral reefs cannot support
__________.
Passage 5 The Invention of the Telephone
The invention of
the telephone marked a turning point in global communication. Alexander Graham
Bell is credited with inventing the first practical telephone in 1876. He developed
a device that could convert sound into electrical signals and transmit them
over a wire.
Bell’s invention
quickly gained popularity, and telephone lines spread rapidly across the United
States and Europe. The telephone changed the way people interacted, allowing
them to talk to one another instantly, even from great distances.
Over the years,
telephone technology evolved. Rotary dials were replaced by push buttons, and
analog systems gave way to digital networks. Eventually, mobile phones and
smartphones emerged, making communication faster and more portable than ever
before.
Sentence Completion (NO MORE THAN
TWO WORDS):
1.
The telephone was invented by
__________.
2.
Bell's invention used __________
signals.
3.
The telephone allowed people to talk
__________.
4.
Telephone lines first spread in the US
and __________.
5.
Rotary dials were replaced by
__________.
6.
Analog systems changed into __________
networks.
7.
Mobile phones made communication more
__________.
8.
The invention changed human
__________.
9.
Bell’s telephone worked through
__________.
10.
Communication became faster and more
__________.
Answers
"The Benefits of Urban Green Spaces":
1.
urban
temperatures
2.
oxygen
3.
physical
4.
stress
5.
play
6.
social
bonds
7.
isolation
8.
property
9.
healthy
10. sustainable
The History of Paper
1.
Cai
Lun
2.
animal
skins
3.
affordable
4.
Talas
5.
Damascus
6.
12th
7.
printing
8.
knowledge
9.
books
10. education
Honeybee Communication
1.
honey
2.
food
sources
3.
figure-eight
4.
distance
5.
sun
6.
distance
7.
pheromones
8.
danger
9.
flowers
10.
intelligent
The Importance of Coral Reefs
1.
coastlines
2.
25%
3.
limestone
4.
Australia
5.
space
6.
rising
temperatures
7.
algae
8.
ocean
floor
9.
energy
10.
marine
life
The Invention of the Telephone
1.
Alexander
Bell
2.
electrical
3.
instantly
4.
Europe
5.
push
buttons
6.
digital
7.
portable
8.
interaction
9.
a
wire
10. efficient
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