II. VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR

1. NASA has sent 11 orbiters and 8 landers to Mars__________1994.

A. since B. in C. from D. until

2. While still a small child, John was very fond__________ creating new things.

A. with B. at C. of D. for

3. Text messaging, or texting, is a fast and efficient way to__________ information.

A. make B. collect C. receive D. exchange

4. One day, we’ll be able to send thoughts to each other directly using__________ technology.

A. video conference B. social media C. telepathy D. holography

5. Italian__________ Galileo Galilei was the first person to look at the Moon through a telescope.

A. astronomer B. astronaut C. archeologist D. explorer

6. By the next morning, several villages around Mount Sinabung were buried in ash and debris.

           A. damaged                             B. carried                    C. covered                  D. collapsed

7. __________ its proximity to the Sun, Mercury is not the hottest planet in our solar System.

A. Due to B. Since C. Even though D. Despite

8. Young people__________ text their friends instead of speaking to them in person.

A. prefer B. enjoy C. would rather D. would like

9. Scientists wonder__________ extraterrestrials have ever visited Earth.

A. that B. if C. what D. where

10. “I believe that somewhere out in the universe, there are other forms of life.” “__________”

A. Why not? B. Absolutely not! C. Me neither. D. So do I.

11. Air pollution has many effects_________ the environment and living organisms.

A. in B. of C. for D. on

12. The volcano has erupted approximately once every ten years_________ 1970.

A. since B. in C. from D. for

13. After a severe storm, there is often_________ along the shore that will need to be removed.

A. waste B. debris C. lava D. junk

14. In the 1980s, acid rain_________ widespread damage to forests in the areas.

A. made of B. resulted in C. led for D. caused by

15. _________  plastic takes so long to break down, it pollutes the land and water.

A. Even though B. While C. Since D. Because of

16. If I had the chance to take part in an international summer camp, I_________ very excited.

A. am B. was C. will be D. would be

17. _________ do earthquakes usually last? – Less than one minute.

A. How strong B. How long C. How often D. How far

18. Niagara Falls is a great natural_________ on the border of the USA and Canada.

A. castle B. loch C. spectacle D. symbol

19.  The 2010 Haiti earthquake was the most_________ natural disaster in the history of this country.

A. destructive B. permanent C. unique D. awesome

20. “A hurricane is heading toward our hometown.” – “_________”

A. That’s a relief. B. How interesting! C. Glad to hear. D. Oh my God!