Test in Reading 9

Task 1 Match the missing sentences (a–e) with the correct place in the text (1–5).

The Martian: a book review

The Martian tells the story of Mark Watney, an astronaut on the Ares 3 mission to Mars. After a terrible storm almost destroys the ship and the base, the crew of his ship believe he is dead. 1) ………………… . Alone on the red planet, he has to survive until the next mission to Mars arrives. While this novel is fiction, in some ways it feels like non-fiction. It is very scientific and packed with details about survival on Mars. Watney is a botanist and engineer, and he begins to grow food and produce water in his artificial camp. How does he do this? 2) ………………… . The author is Andy Weir, and this is his first published book. In it he has created a realistic character. There is a lot of humour in the story, and the reader can identify with the emotions (although no one can really imagine what it’s like to be on Mars). Watney admits at the beginning that he is in deep trouble, but he never gives up. 3) ………………… . Instead, what The Martian gives us is a realistic look at an intelligent person alone on a planet and trying to survive.

The majority of the plot takes place on Mars and is written in the form of Watney’s journal entries. 4) ………………… . Unfortunately, the other characters in the book (his fellow crew members, the scientists at NASA on Earth) do not get much development and so they often feel one-dimensional.

I should also mention that the book is thrilling to read. You will be on the edge of your seat until the very end. 5) ………………… . It’s good not only for space travel fans and scientists but for anyone who is looking for a unique and exciting story. The Martian was so popular that it was made into a film starring Matt Damon in 2015, but I recommend reading the book first. 

Which of the following sentences should be in the first gap?

Task 1 Match the missing sentences (a–e) with the correct place in the text (1–5).

The Martian: a book review

The Martian tells the story of Mark Watney, an astronaut on the Ares 3 mission to Mars. After a terrible storm almost destroys the ship and the base, the crew of his ship believe he is dead. 1) ………………… . Alone on the red planet, he has to survive until the next mission to Mars arrives. While this novel is fiction, in some ways it feels like non-fiction. It is very scientific and packed with details about survival on Mars. Watney is a botanist and engineer, and he begins to grow food and produce water in his artificial camp. How does he do this? 2) ………………… . The author is Andy Weir, and this is his first published book. In it he has created a realistic character. There is a lot of humour in the story, and the reader can identify with the emotions (although no one can really imagine what it’s like to be on Mars). Watney admits at the beginning that he is in deep trouble, but he never gives up. 3) ………………… . Instead, what The Martian gives us is a realistic look at an intelligent person alone on a planet and trying to survive.

The majority of the plot takes place on Mars and is written in the form of Watney’s journal entries. 4) ………………… . Unfortunately, the other characters in the book (his fellow crew members, the scientists at NASA on Earth) do not get much development and so they often feel one-dimensional.

I should also mention that the book is thrilling to read. You will be on the edge of your seat until the very end. 5) ………………… . It’s good not only for space travel fans and scientists but for anyone who is looking for a unique and exciting story. The Martian was so popular that it was made into a film starring Matt Damon in 2015, but I recommend reading the book first. 

Which of the following sentences should be in the second gap?

Task 1 Match the missing sentences (a–e) with the correct place in the text (1–5).

The Martian: a book review

The Martian tells the story of Mark Watney, an astronaut on the Ares 3 mission to Mars. After a terrible storm almost destroys the ship and the base, the crew of his ship believe he is dead. 1) ………………… . Alone on the red planet, he has to survive until the next mission to Mars arrives. While this novel is fiction, in some ways it feels like non-fiction. It is very scientific and packed with details about survival on Mars. Watney is a botanist and engineer, and he begins to grow food and produce water in his artificial camp. How does he do this? 2) ………………… . The author is Andy Weir, and this is his first published book. In it he has created a realistic character. There is a lot of humour in the story, and the reader can identify with the emotions (although no one can really imagine what it’s like to be on Mars). Watney admits at the beginning that he is in deep trouble, but he never gives up. 3) ………………… . Instead, what The Martian gives us is a realistic look at an intelligent person alone on a planet and trying to survive.

The majority of the plot takes place on Mars and is written in the form of Watney’s journal entries. 4) ………………… . Unfortunately, the other characters in the book (his fellow crew members, the scientists at NASA on Earth) do not get much development and so they often feel one-dimensional.

I should also mention that the book is thrilling to read. You will be on the edge of your seat until the very end. 5) ………………… . It’s good not only for space travel fans and scientists but for anyone who is looking for a unique and exciting story. The Martian was so popular that it was made into a film starring Matt Damon in 2015, but I recommend reading the book first. 

Which of the following sentences should be in the third gap?

Task 1 Match the missing sentences (a–e) with the correct place in the text (1–5).

The Martian: a book review

The Martian tells the story of Mark Watney, an astronaut on the Ares 3 mission to Mars. After a terrible storm almost destroys the ship and the base, the crew of his ship believe he is dead. 1) ………………… . Alone on the red planet, he has to survive until the next mission to Mars arrives. While this novel is fiction, in some ways it feels like non-fiction. It is very scientific and packed with details about survival on Mars. Watney is a botanist and engineer, and he begins to grow food and produce water in his artificial camp. How does he do this? 2) ………………… . The author is Andy Weir, and this is his first published book. In it he has created a realistic character. There is a lot of humour in the story, and the reader can identify with the emotions (although no one can really imagine what it’s like to be on Mars). Watney admits at the beginning that he is in deep trouble, but he never gives up. 3) ………………… . Instead, what The Martian gives us is a realistic look at an intelligent person alone on a planet and trying to survive.

The majority of the plot takes place on Mars and is written in the form of Watney’s journal entries. 4) ………………… . Unfortunately, the other characters in the book (his fellow crew members, the scientists at NASA on Earth) do not get much development and so they often feel one-dimensional.

I should also mention that the book is thrilling to read. You will be on the edge of your seat until the very end. 5) ………………… . It’s good not only for space travel fans and scientists but for anyone who is looking for a unique and exciting story. The Martian was so popular that it was made into a film starring Matt Damon in 2015, but I recommend reading the book first. 

Which of the following sentences should be in the fourth gap?

Task 1 Match the missing sentences (a–e) with the correct place in the text (1–5).

The Martian: a book review

The Martian tells the story of Mark Watney, an astronaut on the Ares 3 mission to Mars. After a terrible storm almost destroys the ship and the base, the crew of his ship believe he is dead. 1) ………………… . Alone on the red planet, he has to survive until the next mission to Mars arrives. While this novel is fiction, in some ways it feels like non-fiction. It is very scientific and packed with details about survival on Mars. Watney is a botanist and engineer, and he begins to grow food and produce water in his artificial camp. How does he do this? 2) ………………… . The author is Andy Weir, and this is his first published book. In it he has created a realistic character. There is a lot of humour in the story, and the reader can identify with the emotions (although no one can really imagine what it’s like to be on Mars). Watney admits at the beginning that he is in deep trouble, but he never gives up. 3) ………………… . Instead, what The Martian gives us is a realistic look at an intelligent person alone on a planet and trying to survive.

The majority of the plot takes place on Mars and is written in the form of Watney’s journal entries. 4) ………………… . Unfortunately, the other characters in the book (his fellow crew members, the scientists at NASA on Earth) do not get much development and so they often feel one-dimensional.

I should also mention that the book is thrilling to read. You will be on the edge of your seat until the very end. 5) ………………… . It’s good not only for space travel fans and scientists but for anyone who is looking for a unique and exciting story. The Martian was so popular that it was made into a film starring Matt Damon in 2015, but I recommend reading the book first. 

Which of the following sentences should be in the fifth gap?

Task 2. Read the article, then decide whether these statements are true or false.

A FUTURE IN THE COUNTRY ?

More and more people want to live the rural life... but...

   City life is cool; but is country life cooler?

   Apparently yes.

  After the terrible Covid-19 epidemic of 2020, lots of people would like to leave their city and live in the country.

   More and more people in Britain want to live in the country, and this is causing more and more problems in some rural areas.

   The population of British cities has been falling for years. Cities like Liverpool and Glasgow have lost about 30% of their population in 30 years. But Britain's population is still growing. Where are the people going?

   Answer: to the country.

   The English countryside has a classic image. People imagine that life in the country is slow and calm; that there are no traffic jams, no pollution, and no crime. In some places, this is true; but in others it is not.

   Small towns and villages are becoming more and more popular; people have more space and most houses have gardens. But problems are growing. Lots of people want to live in the country and work in the city; so more and more people travel long distances each day, to go to work. Of course they don't use buses (they are too slow) or trains (they don't stop in the country); they use cars. And although they live in the country, they want to use supermarkets and good fast roads.... but they do not want to see them or hear them. Besides, lots of young people say that life in the country is boring: there is not enough to do, there are not enough activities and excitements.

   Little villages now have traffic problems in the morning, just like big cities! And they are getting worse.

   The problems are very complicated! If everyone moves into the country, large parts of the countryside will disappear! People leave cities and big towns, to escape from urban problems; but more and more, they are bringing their problems with them.

   On warm summer days, and cold winter days, air pollution can be a big problem in large parts of the south of England, not just in London. Traffic jams are now often part of life, even in the country; crime has become a serious problem in rural areas.

   Perhaps there is hope for the future. Soon Britain's population will stop rising. From about the year 2030, it will perhaps start to fall. In 100 year's time, there will be less people in Britain than today - perhaps two million less. No doubt there will be less pollution too; oil and petrol will probably be rare by then.

1. There were more people in Britain in 1980 than today.

2. There are good fast bus services in rural parts of England.

3. Air pollution and traffic are problems in parts of the country.

4. Young people particularly like living in the country.

5. There is very little crime in rural areas of England.

6. The British population will start to get smaller before the year 2030.

Is the first statement true or false?

Task 2. Read the article, then decide whether these statements are true or false.

A FUTURE IN THE COUNTRY ?

More and more people want to live the rural life... but...

   City life is cool; but is country life cooler?

   Apparently yes.

  After the terrible Covid-19 epidemic of 2020, lots of people would like to leave their city and live in the country.

   More and more people in Britain want to live in the country, and this is causing more and more problems in some rural areas.

   The population of British cities has been falling for years. Cities like Liverpool and Glasgow have lost about 30% of their population in 30 years. But Britain's population is still growing. Where are the people going?

   Answer: to the country.

   The English countryside has a classic image. People imagine that life in the country is slow and calm; that there are no traffic jams, no pollution, and no crime. In some places, this is true; but in others it is not.

   Small towns and villages are becoming more and more popular; people have more space and most houses have gardens. But problems are growing. Lots of people want to live in the country and work in the city; so more and more people travel long distances each day, to go to work. Of course they don't use buses (they are too slow) or trains (they don't stop in the country); they use cars. And although they live in the country, they want to use supermarkets and good fast roads.... but they do not want to see them or hear them. Besides, lots of young people say that life in the country is boring: there is not enough to do, there are not enough activities and excitements.

   Little villages now have traffic problems in the morning, just like big cities! And they are getting worse.

   The problems are very complicated! If everyone moves into the country, large parts of the countryside will disappear! People leave cities and big towns, to escape from urban problems; but more and more, they are bringing their problems with them.

   On warm summer days, and cold winter days, air pollution can be a big problem in large parts of the south of England, not just in London. Traffic jams are now often part of life, even in the country; crime has become a serious problem in rural areas.

   Perhaps there is hope for the future. Soon Britain's population will stop rising. From about the year 2030, it will perhaps start to fall. In 100 year's time, there will be less people in Britain than today - perhaps two million less. No doubt there will be less pollution too; oil and petrol will probably be rare by then.

1. There were more people in Britain in 1980 than today.

2. There are good fast bus services in rural parts of England.

3. Air pollution and traffic are problems in parts of the country.

4. Young people particularly like living in the country.

5. There is very little crime in rural areas of England.

6. The British population will start to get smaller before the year 2030.

Is the second statement true or false?

Task 2. Read the article, then decide whether these statements are true or false.

A FUTURE IN THE COUNTRY ?

More and more people want to live the rural life... but...

   City life is cool; but is country life cooler?

   Apparently yes.

  After the terrible Covid-19 epidemic of 2020, lots of people would like to leave their city and live in the country.

   More and more people in Britain want to live in the country, and this is causing more and more problems in some rural areas.

   The population of British cities has been falling for years. Cities like Liverpool and Glasgow have lost about 30% of their population in 30 years. But Britain's population is still growing. Where are the people going?

   Answer: to the country.

   The English countryside has a classic image. People imagine that life in the country is slow and calm; that there are no traffic jams, no pollution, and no crime. In some places, this is true; but in others it is not.

   Small towns and villages are becoming more and more popular; people have more space and most houses have gardens. But problems are growing. Lots of people want to live in the country and work in the city; so more and more people travel long distances each day, to go to work. Of course they don't use buses (they are too slow) or trains (they don't stop in the country); they use cars. And although they live in the country, they want to use supermarkets and good fast roads.... but they do not want to see them or hear them. Besides, lots of young people say that life in the country is boring: there is not enough to do, there are not enough activities and excitements.

   Little villages now have traffic problems in the morning, just like big cities! And they are getting worse.

   The problems are very complicated! If everyone moves into the country, large parts of the countryside will disappear! People leave cities and big towns, to escape from urban problems; but more and more, they are bringing their problems with them.

   On warm summer days, and cold winter days, air pollution can be a big problem in large parts of the south of England, not just in London. Traffic jams are now often part of life, even in the country; crime has become a serious problem in rural areas.

   Perhaps there is hope for the future. Soon Britain's population will stop rising. From about the year 2030, it will perhaps start to fall. In 100 year's time, there will be less people in Britain than today - perhaps two million less. No doubt there will be less pollution too; oil and petrol will probably be rare by then.

1. There were more people in Britain in 1980 than today.

2. There are good fast bus services in rural parts of England.

3. Air pollution and traffic are problems in parts of the country.

4. Young people particularly like living in the country.

5. There is very little crime in rural areas of England.

6. The British population will start to get smaller before the year 2030.

Is the third statement true or false?

Task 2. Read the article, then decide whether these statements are true or false.

A FUTURE IN THE COUNTRY ?

More and more people want to live the rural life... but...

   City life is cool; but is country life cooler?

   Apparently yes.

  After the terrible Covid-19 epidemic of 2020, lots of people would like to leave their city and live in the country.

   More and more people in Britain want to live in the country, and this is causing more and more problems in some rural areas.

   The population of British cities has been falling for years. Cities like Liverpool and Glasgow have lost about 30% of their population in 30 years. But Britain's population is still growing. Where are the people going?

   Answer: to the country.

   The English countryside has a classic image. People imagine that life in the country is slow and calm; that there are no traffic jams, no pollution, and no crime. In some places, this is true; but in others it is not.

   Small towns and villages are becoming more and more popular; people have more space and most houses have gardens. But problems are growing. Lots of people want to live in the country and work in the city; so more and more people travel long distances each day, to go to work. Of course they don't use buses (they are too slow) or trains (they don't stop in the country); they use cars. And although they live in the country, they want to use supermarkets and good fast roads.... but they do not want to see them or hear them. Besides, lots of young people say that life in the country is boring: there is not enough to do, there are not enough activities and excitements.

   Little villages now have traffic problems in the morning, just like big cities! And they are getting worse.

   The problems are very complicated! If everyone moves into the country, large parts of the countryside will disappear! People leave cities and big towns, to escape from urban problems; but more and more, they are bringing their problems with them.

   On warm summer days, and cold winter days, air pollution can be a big problem in large parts of the south of England, not just in London. Traffic jams are now often part of life, even in the country; crime has become a serious problem in rural areas.

   Perhaps there is hope for the future. Soon Britain's population will stop rising. From about the year 2030, it will perhaps start to fall. In 100 year's time, there will be less people in Britain than today - perhaps two million less. No doubt there will be less pollution too; oil and petrol will probably be rare by then.

1. There were more people in Britain in 1980 than today.

2. There are good fast bus services in rural parts of England.

3. Air pollution and traffic are problems in parts of the country.

4. Young people particularly like living in the country.

5. There is very little crime in rural areas of England.

6. The British population will start to get smaller before the year 2030.

Is the fourth statement true or false?

Task 2. Read the article, then decide whether these statements are true or false.

A FUTURE IN THE COUNTRY ?

More and more people want to live the rural life... but...

   City life is cool; but is country life cooler?

   Apparently yes.

  After the terrible Covid-19 epidemic of 2020, lots of people would like to leave their city and live in the country.

   More and more people in Britain want to live in the country, and this is causing more and more problems in some rural areas.

   The population of British cities has been falling for years. Cities like Liverpool and Glasgow have lost about 30% of their population in 30 years. But Britain's population is still growing. Where are the people going?

   Answer: to the country.

   The English countryside has a classic image. People imagine that life in the country is slow and calm; that there are no traffic jams, no pollution, and no crime. In some places, this is true; but in others it is not.

   Small towns and villages are becoming more and more popular; people have more space and most houses have gardens. But problems are growing. Lots of people want to live in the country and work in the city; so more and more people travel long distances each day, to go to work. Of course they don't use buses (they are too slow) or trains (they don't stop in the country); they use cars. And although they live in the country, they want to use supermarkets and good fast roads.... but they do not want to see them or hear them. Besides, lots of young people say that life in the country is boring: there is not enough to do, there are not enough activities and excitements.

   Little villages now have traffic problems in the morning, just like big cities! And they are getting worse.

   The problems are very complicated! If everyone moves into the country, large parts of the countryside will disappear! People leave cities and big towns, to escape from urban problems; but more and more, they are bringing their problems with them.

   On warm summer days, and cold winter days, air pollution can be a big problem in large parts of the south of England, not just in London. Traffic jams are now often part of life, even in the country; crime has become a serious problem in rural areas.

   Perhaps there is hope for the future. Soon Britain's population will stop rising. From about the year 2030, it will perhaps start to fall. In 100 year's time, there will be less people in Britain than today - perhaps two million less. No doubt there will be less pollution too; oil and petrol will probably be rare by then.

1. There were more people in Britain in 1980 than today.

2. There are good fast bus services in rural parts of England.

3. Air pollution and traffic are problems in parts of the country.

4. Young people particularly like living in the country.

5. There is very little crime in rural areas of England.

6. The British population will start to get smaller before the year 2030.

Is the fifth statement true or false?

Task 2. Read the article, then decide whether these statements are true or false.

A FUTURE IN THE COUNTRY ?

More and more people want to live the rural life... but...

   City life is cool; but is country life cooler?

   Apparently yes.

  After the terrible Covid-19 epidemic of 2020, lots of people would like to leave their city and live in the country.

   More and more people in Britain want to live in the country, and this is causing more and more problems in some rural areas.

   The population of British cities has been falling for years. Cities like Liverpool and Glasgow have lost about 30% of their population in 30 years. But Britain's population is still growing. Where are the people going?

   Answer: to the country.

   The English countryside has a classic image. People imagine that life in the country is slow and calm; that there are no traffic jams, no pollution, and no crime. In some places, this is true; but in others it is not.

   Small towns and villages are becoming more and more popular; people have more space and most houses have gardens. But problems are growing. Lots of people want to live in the country and work in the city; so more and more people travel long distances each day, to go to work. Of course they don't use buses (they are too slow) or trains (they don't stop in the country); they use cars. And although they live in the country, they want to use supermarkets and good fast roads.... but they do not want to see them or hear them. Besides, lots of young people say that life in the country is boring: there is not enough to do, there are not enough activities and excitements.

   Little villages now have traffic problems in the morning, just like big cities! And they are getting worse.

   The problems are very complicated! If everyone moves into the country, large parts of the countryside will disappear! People leave cities and big towns, to escape from urban problems; but more and more, they are bringing their problems with them.

   On warm summer days, and cold winter days, air pollution can be a big problem in large parts of the south of England, not just in London. Traffic jams are now often part of life, even in the country; crime has become a serious problem in rural areas.

   Perhaps there is hope for the future. Soon Britain's population will stop rising. From about the year 2030, it will perhaps start to fall. In 100 year's time, there will be less people in Britain than today - perhaps two million less. No doubt there will be less pollution too; oil and petrol will probably be rare by then.

1. There were more people in Britain in 1980 than today.

2. There are good fast bus services in rural parts of England.

3. Air pollution and traffic are problems in parts of the country.

4. Young people particularly like living in the country.

5. There is very little crime in rural areas of England.

6. The British population will start to get smaller before the year 2030.

Is the sixth statement true or false?