The highlight of mid-term test, 2nd smt, grade xi, science class, 2011
CELEBRITY AMBASSADORS
In the 1950s, the United Nations first had the idea of using celebrity ambassadors, when they took on Hollywood star Danny Kaye to promote children’s rights. Ever since, hundreds stars, from screen icon Sophia Loren to boxing legend Muhammad Ali, have been seen spreading the word of the international peace organization at photocalls throughout the world.
Most stars are recruited independently by the various UN agencies. The UN Development Program uses Brazilian footballer Ronaldo to bring attention to the issue of poverty. And the refugee agency UNHCR uses Angelina Jolie, who these days is probably as famous for her humanitarian work as she is for her acting to highlight the condition of those people left homeless through war.
But perhaps the agency most represented by the rich and famous is UNICEF the UN children’s fund. It has a whole host of stars who act as Goodwill Ambassadors, including singer Ricky Martin and actresses Whoopi Goldberg and Susan Sarandon. There are also celebrities who are used to promote one-off projects every now and then, Pop star Robbie Williams, for example, although not a Goodwill Ambassador, has done several concerts for UNICEF. Of course, it’s important that the UN, which has offices in more than 200 countries, is represented by an international mix of celebrities. And many of their most important stars, such as Mis Universe, Mpula Kwelagobe, who was recently appointed Goodwill Ambassador for Botwana, are not household names in the UK.
Choosing the right person must be done extremely carefully. The organization looks for celebrities who have not only made it big globally, but who are also going to remain famous for many years to come. “We can’t have someone who has just enjoyed success for a few minutes and then disappeared, “says a spokeswoman. Likewise, the star must have already shown a true passion for the cause and they must want to do more than just appear caring in front of the cameras. “Our celebrities do it because they have real compassion for children, “says the spokeswoman. “They should have the power to draw the cameras but without wanting the attention for themselves”.
1. What is Angelina Jolie famous for, apart from her acting?
A. A war peace maker in some countries.
B. A homeless donator for refugees.
C. A housing developer to facilitate refugees.
D. A humanitarian worker for homeless though war.
E. A facilitator to collect the donation for refugees though war.
2. What role have celebrities played in the UN since the 1950s?
A. Giving charity for The United Nation
B. Promoting the issues of children’s right, homelessness, and poverty
C. Making an organization under the United Nation lead
D. Promoting peace under the flag of the United Nation.
E. With other celebrities, collecting money for charity
3. What factors are taken into consideration when choosing UN Goodwill ambassador?
A. Celebrities who are well-know, even only a short time.
B. Celebrities who have got multi talented skills
C. Celebrities who are well-known for a long time and care helping
D. Celebrities who are successful in their career and family.
E. Celebrities who have power to draw the camera and their own attention
4. What is the suitable topic for the last paragraph?
A. Stars put children first
B. A few of the familiar faces
C. More than fifty years of tradition
D. Not just any star will do
E. Famous celebrities
(13 – 20)
DEFORESTATION
The jungle and rainforests of tropical countries are home to millions of different species. There are so many species living in these habitats, and lots of unknown species are yet to be discovered. Unfortunately, deforestation has killed some of these species before they are even discovered. Deforestation has not only given negative impacts to the living things but also to the environment.
Since ancient times, men have cleared forests for timber, agriculture and housing. What once used to be lush greenery can be transformed into cities and farms in just a matter of years or even months. With heavy machinery, clearing trees is just like taking a broom to sweep the floor. What takes decades to grow a tree to that size takes only a few minutes to take it down. In fact, for every tree destroyed, hundreds of species who made their homes on that tree are also displaced or destroyed. Moreover, deforestation comprising illegal and uncontrolled loggings as well as forest fires have caused adverse environmental consequences to mankind, such as global warming, pollutions, landslide and flood.
Deforestation along with its negative impacts is a global problem that affects the whole world. Therefore, it is the international community to resolve these problems swiftly before it is too late. Until deforestation is reversed, we are living in a world threatened by disasters caused by irresponsible people.
5. Who makes the jungles and rainforests their home?
A. Millions of different species
B. The tigers and lions
C. The birds and monkeys
D. The snakes and wild cats
E. The dogs and cats
6. What makes some species become extinct before they are even discovered?
A. Negative impact
B. Environment
C. Deforestation
D. Rainforest
E. Tropical countries
7. The reasons why men clear forest ________.
A. the clear forest for money and employment.
B. they clear forest for improvement.
C. they clear forest for exploration and research
D. they clear forest for science and experiment.
E. they clear forest for timber, housing and agriculture.
8. What once used to be lush greenery is now transformed into cities because of ______.
A. illegal and uncontrolled loggings
B. urbanization sets in
C. deforestation takes place
D. livelihood of humans
E. modernization takes place
9. What do people use to clear tress?
A. They use the axe and elephant.
B. They use the saw and winch
C. They use a chisel and hammer
D. They use heavy machineries
E. They use the crane
10. What are the adverse consequences derived from deforestation?
A. Pollution, global warming, landslide and flood
B. Reduction of rainfall
C. Drought, heat and disease
D. Food, earthquake, and acid rain
E. Cancer , heart attack and cough
11. Who is actually responsible for rectifying the problems?
A. The illegal logger
B. The developer
C. The farmer
D. The government
E. Everyone of us
12. Which of the following is not true according to the text?
A. The forest is the home of the species
B. Deforestation make life easier
C. Men cleared forest for timber
D. Deforestation has adverse effects to the environment
E. Deforestation threatens environment
13. We need to find a safe way of getting rid of nuclear waste.
The word “getting rid of” means _______.
A. becoming extinct
B. disposal of
C. polluting
D. destroying
E. utilizing
14. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more petrol stations like this ______ the end of the year.
A. during
B. time
C. until
D. for
E. by
15. I am going to stay at school _______ I’m 18 years old.
A. until
B. since
C. by
D. for
E. during
16. Scientists are going to have to work ______ days if they want to solve this.
A. until
B. from
C. for
D. during
E. by
17. A : But if you do a Saturday job, you won’t be able to play in the volleyball team.
B : ______________ I need the money.
A. Point taken!
B. Since when…?
C. Stuff like that
D. So what?
E. Come off it!
18. A TV announcement ________by David Beckham was used to raise money.
A. that made
B. made
C. makes
D. making
E. that makes
OUR LIFE – 50 YEARS FROM NOW
Hurricane in Florida! Deadly forest fires in Portugal! Floods in large parts of China! Hardly a month goes by without headlines that tempt us all to believe that the world will be coming to an end soon. And indeed there are lots of warnings from scientists that the future of the earth will be a gloomy one if we carry on exploiting natural resources and polluting our environment.
But isn’t the history of mankind a record of warnings that perfectly able to come up with new inventions and ideas that have overcome difficult situations? The answer to these questions can only be yes – and yes it has to be!
So, let’s look forward. Exciting times are ahead of us. Over the next decades, the governments of the most powerful countries of the world will learn to accept that our planet need place, and the creativity and talent of people from all countries. By the year 2020, the world therefore will be a peaceful place. All the weapons of mass destruction will be destroyed, and best minds of mankind, men and women, will be working together to find solutions to all the world’s problems. By 2040, more than half of the world’s population will be living in big cities under the seas. Of course, the water of the oceans will have been cleaned by then, and scientists will have found new fuels that do not pollute the environment. Although the fish in the oceans will have disappeared, new ways of producing food will have been found to prevent starvation.
I am absolutely sure that in 50 years’ time from now the world will be a place where people will love to live.
19. Which of the following statement is not mentioned by the writer?
A. Scientist warnings concerning the Earth’s future
B. His/her own beliefs about what the future will be like
C. People’s life styles
D. Peace vs. war
E. The future of cars and other means of transport
20. By the year 2020, why will the world be peaceful place?
A. There will be new inventions in war technologies.
B. Genius people will have increased significantly.
C. The mass destruction weapons will be destroyed.
D. Some people will leave in other planets.
E. The powerful countries will not produce weapons anymore.
Key: 1. D 2. B 3. C 4. D 5. A 6. C 7. E 8. A 9. D 10. A 11. E 12. B 13. B 14. C 15. A 16. C. 17. D 18. B 19. E 20. C
