Read the following short texts and then show that you have understood them by marking the most suitable alternative (A, B, C, or D).
Texting
The stripped-down form of writing that goes with texting has been with us for more than 120 years, dismissing claims that standards of English are declining. Abbreviations like ‘hw r u’ and ‘I’m pty wl’ were already common in telegraphic communication. A newspaper magazine noted in 1890: “Telegraphers use abbreviations to say considerably more in a certain period of time”.
Fanatic
A Julia Roberts fanatic has tattooed his body with 82 images of her face, spending a small fortune. It started after he watched her in Erin Brockovich, a film about a legal assistant who brings down a US energy company single-handedly. The actress is pictured in artwork inspired by film scenes. As long as he has the space on his body, his tribute will continue, he says.
Nutcrackers
When it comes to birdbrained ideas, the Japanese crow has set a cracking pace. In Japan, learner drivers are not allowed out on to the roads until they have passed their driving tests. Before that, they practise in a sort of grownup miniature park and the crows have discovered that if they drop walnuts from above the cars and fly down after them, the cars crack open the nuts. The traffic is slow-moving enough for them to land and pick up the pieces.
Bruno the Swan
There once was an ugly duckling, but when this particular bird grew into a handsome swan he was not admired for his beauty, but feared for his viciousness. Bruno, a black swan from Australia, was obtained as a substitute for another swan killed by a fox. He soon began to make his presence felt by attacking patients, nurses and doctors at Conquest Hospital. Soon, anyone passing the lake on the grounds of the hospital at Hastings, East Sussex, became his victim and warning signs were put up. After Bruno was given a final chance, he went for the former mayor of nearby Rye, Robert Beckwith, who said: “The bird attacked me from behind and hauled me to the ground. It was very powerful so I kicked it in the chest to get it off. It then chased others around the lake and nurses had to help them escape.” Bruno and his mate have now been removed to a sanctuary at Egham, Surrey. The hospital is to replace them with two hand-reared swans.
- Read the text first before you attempt to answer any questions.
- Find the part of the text which answers the question. The answers to the questions will generally follow in the same order in the text.
- Make sure there is evidence for your answer in the text and that it is not just an answer you think is right.
- Don’t choose an answer simply because a word in the question appears in the text. Sometimes specific words are used to trick you.
- Check that your chosen option is correct by trying to find out why the other options are incorrect.