Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 3 to 9.

        Most people can remember a phone number for up to thirty seconds. When this short amount of time elapses, however, the numbers are erased from the memory. How did the information get there in the first place? Information that makes its way to the short term memory (STM) does so via the sensory storage area. The brain has a filter which only allows stimuli that is of immediate interest to pass on to the STM, also known as the working memory.

        There is much debate about the capacity and duration of the short term memory. The most accepted theory comes from George A. Miller, a cognitive psychologist who suggested that humans can remember approximately seven chunks of information. A chunk is defined as a meaningful unit of information, such as a word or name rather than just a letter or number. Modern theorists suggest that one can increase the capacity of the short term memory by chunking, or classifying similar information together. By organizing information, one can optimize the STM, and improve the chances of a memory being passed on to long term storage.

        When making a conscious effort to memorize something, such as information for an exam, many people engage in "rote rehearsal". By repeating something over and over again, one is able to keep a memory alive. Unfortunately, this type of memory maintenance only succeeds if there are no interruptions. As soon as a person stops rehearsing the information, it has the tendency to disappear. When a pen and paper are not handy, people often attempt to remember a phone number by repeating it aloud. If the doorbell rings or the dog barks to come in before a person has the opportunity to make a phone call, he will likely forget the number instantly. Therefore, rote rehearsal is not an efficient way to pass information from the short term to long term memory. A better way is to practice "elaborate rehearsal". This involves assigning semantic meaning to a piece of information so that it can be filed along with other pre-existing long term memories.

        Encoding information semantically also makes it more retrievable. Retrieving information can be done by recognition or recall. Humans can easily recall memories that are stored in the long term memory and used often; however, if a memory seems to be forgotten, it may eventually be retrieved by prompting. The more cues a person is given (such as pictures), the more likely a memory can be retrieved. This is why multiple choice tests are often used for subjects that require a lot of memorization.

The word “elapses” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ______.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions from 24 to 25.

We run a very tight ship here, and we expect all our employees to be at their desks by eight o’clock and take good care of their own business.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions from 10 to 21.

I don’t think Jill would be a good teacher. She’s got little patience, _____?

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions from 10 to 21.

More tourists would come to this country if it ______ a better climate.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions from 10 to 21.

Sara bought in a lot of business last month; she should ask for a pay rise while she’s still on a _____.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 38 to 42. Fill in the appropriate word in question 42

        The popular image of student life is of young people with few responsibilities enjoying themselves and (38) _____ very little work. This is often not true. Many older people now study at college or university, sometimes (39) _____ a part-time basis while having a job and looking after a family. These students are often highly motivated and work very hard.

        Younger students are often thought to be lazy and careless about money (40) _____ this situation is changing. In Britain reduced government support for higher education means that students can no longer rely on having their expenses paid for them. Formerly, students received a grant towards their living expenses. Now most can only get a loan (41) _____ has to be paid back. Since 1999 they have paid over £1,000 towards tuition fees and this amount will increase up to a maximum of £3,000. In the US students already have to pay for tuition and room and board.

        Many get a financial aid package which may include grants, scholarships and loans. The fear of having large debts places (42) _____ pressure on students and many take part-time jobs during the term and work full-time in the vacations.

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions from 10 to 21.

Children shouldn’t be allowed ____ time ____ computer games.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 38 to 42. Fill in the appropriate word in question 39

        The popular image of student life is of young people with few responsibilities enjoying themselves and (38) _____ very little work. This is often not true. Many older people now study at college or university, sometimes (39) _____ a part-time basis while having a job and looking after a family. These students are often highly motivated and work very hard.

        Younger students are often thought to be lazy and careless about money (40) _____ this situation is changing. In Britain reduced government support for higher education means that students can no longer rely on having their expenses paid for them. Formerly, students received a grant towards their living expenses. Now most can only get a loan (41) _____ has to be paid back. Since 1999 they have paid over £1,000 towards tuition fees and this amount will increase up to a maximum of £3,000. In the US students already have to pay for tuition and room and board.

        Many get a financial aid package which may include grants, scholarships and loans. The fear of having large debts places (42) _____ pressure on students and many take part-time jobs during the term and work full-time in the vacations.