Improving Vocabulary-Build English 12 Read

rs will be much more modern
6/. The word “efficiently” in paragraph 2, line 12 is CLOSEST in meaning to _________.
 A. well, safely 
 B. slowly
 C. carefully
7/. The phrase “contribute to” in paragraph 2, line 12 is CLOSEST in meaning to _________.
 A. well, safely 
 B. be worried about
 C. give a hand with
8/. It can be INFERRED from the passage that the writer is quite _______ about life in the future.
 A. pessimistic	B. optimistic	C. neutral
B. VOCABULARY AND STRUCTURES:
List the words or phrases you have learnt from this passage.
UNIT 2: CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Traditionally, Americans and Asians have very different ideas about love and marriage. Americans believe in “romantic” marriage – a boy and a girl are attracted to each other, fall in love, and decide to marry each other. Asians, on the other hand, believe in “contractual” marriage – the parents of the bride and the groom decide on the marriage; and love – if it ever develops – is supposed to follow marriage, not precede it. 
To show the differences, a survey was conducted among American, Chinese and Indian students to determine their attitudes toward love and marriage. Below is a summary of each group’s responses to the four key values. 
Physical attractiveness: The Americans are much more concerned than the Indians and the Chinese with physical attractiveness when choosing a wife or a husband. They also agree that a wife should maintain her beauty and appearance after marriage. 
Confiding: Few Asian students agree with the American students’ view that wives and husbands share all thoughts. In fact, a majority of Indians and Chinese think it is better and wiser for a couple not to share certain thoughts. A large number of Indian men agree that it is unwise to confide in their wives. 
Partnership of equals: The majority of Asian students reject the American view that marriage is a partnership of equals. Many Indian students agree that a woman has to sacrifice more in a marriage than a man. 
Trust built on love: Significantly, more Asian students than American students agree that a husband is obliged to tell his wife where he has been if he comes home late. The Asian wife can demand a record of her husband’s activities. The American wife, however, trusts her husband to do the right thing because he loves her not because he has to. 
The comparison of the four values suggests that young Asians are not as romantic as their American counterparts.
Notes:
- survey: (n) a set of questions that ask a large number of people to know about their opinions about something.
- conducted: (v) carried out, organized
- attitude: (n) opinions and behaviour (what people think and how they act)
- demand a record: (phr) to ask for what has happened
v Exercise 1: Complete each of the blank spaces in the following sentences with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.
1/. In ___________ marriage, or love marriage, a boy and a girl fall in love and decide on the marriage themselves.
2/. In ___________ marriage, the parents of the __________ and the bride decide on their marriage. 
3/. Americans are more concerned about beauty or _________________, their husbands or wives’ appearance.
4/. Most of Indians and Chinese believe that it is ____________ for a couple to share all about what they think.
5/. Most Asian students ___________ the Americans’ view that a man and a woman are equal in marriage.
6/. An American woman __________ her husband because he loves her himself. 
v Exercise 2: Guessing meanings
1/. The word “precede” in paragraph 1, line 6 is CLOSEST in meaning to ________.
 A. go after or follow	
 B. go or happen before
 C. improve a lot
2/. The word “determine” in paragraph 2, line 2 is CLOSEST in meaning to ________.
 A. find out about
 B. help
 C. look after 
3/. The word “confide in” in paragraph 4, line 4 means ________.
take care of
 B. listen to attentively
 D. tell something secret
4/. The word “sacrifice” in paragraph 5, line 3 means ________.
 A. to suffer something, or to decide not to have something you want.
 B. to follow or pursue what you want to have
 C. to listen more attentively
5/. The word “obliged” in paragraph 6, line 2 is CLOSEST in meaning 
to ________.
 A. helpful
 B. free
 C. required
II/. VOACABULARY LIST:
List the key words or phrases you have learnt from this reading passage.
III/. STRUCTURES:
UNIT 3: WAYS OF SOCIALISING
To attract someone’s attention so that we might speak to that person, we can use either verbal or non-verbal forms of communication. Let us look at non-verbal communication in English. Probably the most common way of attracting someone’s attention is by waving. For example, if we are at a noisy party and see a friend come in the door about 20 metres away, we might raise our hand and wave to her as a signal that we see her. 
But how hard can we wave in a situation like this? Suppose you are at the airport, and you see your brother get off the plane and begin walking toward you. If you are excited, you might jump up and down and wave as hard as you can to attract his attention. This is the instance where big, obvious non-verbal signals are appropriate.
There are, however, some social situations where smaller non-verbal signals are more appropriate. In a restaurant, for example, if we want to attract the attention of our waiter, we have several choices. We can wait until he passes near us, catch his eye, and nod slightly to let him know we would like him to come to our table. Or we can raise our hand slightly to show that we need assistance. We do not whistle or clap our hands to get the person’s attention. That is considered impolite and even rude. 
In most social situations where some informality is allowed, a brief raise of the hand and a small wave is fine. For instance, if you are walking across the schoolyard and see your teacher approaching you, a small friendly wave to attract his or her attention is appropriate. 
Once you’ve got your friend’s attention, you shouldn’t point at the person or thing you want her to look at. A slight nod will do. Pointing at someone is usually considered rude. Of course, there are times when pointing is perfectly acceptable, such as when a teacher wants to get someone’s attention in class. The teacher often points to the student and says, “David, would you read the next sentence, please?” Pointing here is not impolite; it’s simply a way to get someone’s attention.
EXERCISE 1: 
Put the following words / phrases into the correct column.
a. wave	b. nod or shake our head
c. talk	d. put our hand up
e. speak	e. jump up
f. say	g. sing
h. shout	i. point at somebody or something
j. clap our hands
Verbal
Non-verbal
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
EXERCISE 2:
1/. The phrase “raise our hand” in paragraph 1, line 6 means ________.
 A. put our hand up	B. put our hand down	C. wash our hand
2/. The word “get off” in paragraph 2, line 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ________.
 A. go away	B. get on	C. look around
3/. What are some examples of obvious non-verbal signals?
 A. jump up and down, wave hard
 B. nod our head
 C. raise our hand slightly
4/. The word “obvious” in paragraph 2, line 5 is CLOSEST in meaning to ________.
 A. small	B. light	C. clear 
5/. The word “appropriate” in paragraph 3, line 2 means ________.
 A. bad, difficult	B. good, suitable	C. easy, beautiful 
6/. The word “assistance” in paragraph 3, line 6 is CLOSEST in meaning to ________.
 A. help	B. look	C. food 
7/. The word “rude” in paragraph 3, line 7 means ________.
 A. polite and helpful
 B. caring and friendly 
 C. impolite and discourteous 
8/. The word “approaching” in paragraph 3, line 6 is CLOSEST in meaning to ________.
 A. going away 	B. coming near to	C. whispering to
9/. Why is it not impolite when the teacher points at someone in the class?
 A. Because the teacher has the right to do that.
 B. Because a slight nod will not be ok. 
 C. Because it’s simply a way to attract attention. 
EXERCISE 3: Complete each of the blank spaces with one verb from the box. For some spaces, there is more than one correct answer.
raise attract get clap nod
point wave 
1. Anyone, please ______________ your hands if you have any questions.
2. When eating in a restaurant, putting your hand up is a way to _______________ the waiter’s attention.
3. Most often, people _____________ to the person who are seeing them off as a good-bye signal.
4. In most countries in the world, people _____________ their head as a signal of agreement.
5. We often _____________ our hands to show that somebody has done something well.
6. We often __________ at something when we want somebody to look at it.
II/. VOACABULARY LIST:
List the key words or phrases you have learnt from this reading passage.
UNIT 4: SCHOOL EDUCATION SYSTEM 
Schooling is compulsory for all English children from the age of 5 to 16. The academic year in England runs from September to July and is divided into 3 terms. Autumn Term is from the beginning of September to mid-December. Spring Term is from the beginning of January to mid-March and Summer Term from early April to mid-July. Each term is separated by a one-week break called half term, usually at the end of October, mid-February and the end of May. 
There are two parallel school systems in England. The first is the State school system, which is free to all students and paid for by the state. The second category is the “independent” or “public” school system, which is fee-paying. The State school system, which educates 93% of the pupils in England, can be divided into two levels of education: primary education and secondary education. 
(See the Table below for more information about the school education system in England.)
The National Curriculum is set by the government and must be followed in all state schools. It is made up of the following subjects: English, Design & Technology, Geography, Maths, Information Technology, Music, Science, Arts, Physical Education, History, and Modern Foreign Language. English, Maths and Science are core subjects, which are compulsory in the national examination at certain stages of the school education system.
School education system in England
Level
Grade/Year
(from – to)
Age
(from – to)
Pre-school
childcare environment
3-4
Infant or Primary school
4-5
Primary education
1-3
5-7
4-6
8-10
Secondary
education
7-9
11-14
10-11
14-16
(end of compulsory education)
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)
EXERCISE 1: 
1/. Education is required for children _______.
 A. at the age of 5
 B. from the age of 16
 C. between the age of 5 and 16
2/. The word “academic” in paragraph 1, line 2 is CLOSEST in meaning to _______.
 A. school	B. new	C. old
3/. How long is a mid-term break?
 A. two weeks 	B. one month	C. one week
4/. In which schools do students have to pay for their school fees?
 A. state or public	
 B. public or independent
 C. state or independent
5/. The word “category” in paragraph 2, line 3 is means ________.
 A. type	B. state	C. level
6/. The word “it” in paragraph 3, line 2 refers to ________.
 A. the government
 B. national examination	
 C. the National Curriculum
7/. The word “core” in paragraph 3, line 5 is CLOSEST in meaning to _________.
 A. main, key	
 B. difficult, compulsory
 C. easy, required
8/. In England, how long does primary education last?
 A. 3 years	B. 4 years	C. 5 years
EXERCISE 2: synonyms
Find the words or phrases in the reading passage that can be defined or explained as in the column on the right.
Paragraph
Word/phrases
Meaning
1
required
1
divide into different parts
2 
not free (having to pay money)
3
is composed of, consists of
II/. VOACABULARY LIST:
List the key words or phrases you have learnt from this reading passage.
UNIT 5: HIGHER EDUCATION 
Three students talk about their first impressions of university life. Read the passages, and then do the exercises that follow.
Sarah
On the first weekend I went out with my new friends, walking around campus. It was exciting, thinking how I was at college, meeting people who could become good friends of mine. The most exciting thing was that I didn’t have to explain to my parents where I was going, who with, or what time I’d be home! 
On Saturday night, I followed my roommate to a party. The people at the party were busy playing some game, and no one seemed to notice my existence. I suddenly felt so lonely. Fighting back tears, I ran back to my room, thinking I would never feel at home at college. 
Ellen
My roommate left the window open all the time, even when it was 10 degrees Celsius out, and went to bed at 10 every night. When she got sick after midterms, she blamed my typing and having a light on while she was trying to sleep. 
At first, college was a little daunting. I graduated from a small school. After seeing the same people over and over for many years, it was amazing, but a little scary, to be in a place where it seemed like I never saw the same person twice. 
Brenden
The first year at college was probably the best and most challenging year of my life. Academically, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Taking part in the Advanced Engineering project gave me a chance to use my creativity and knowledge to help society. 
Socially, I made lots of new friends both through engineering and living at St John’s College on campus. The social calendar of the colleges provides plenty of opportunities to meet non-engineering students as well as other engineers, many of whom have become my best mates.
EXERCISE 1: Find out who did the following or was in the following situations. Write the names of each person on the space provided.
1/. _Sarah__ didn’t have to tell her parents what time she would get home.
2/. ________ doesn’t get on very well with her roommate.
3/. ________ really enjoyed the first year at college.
4/. ________ thought the first year at college was very boring.
5/. ________ has made a lot of friends from social activities at college.
6/. ________ felt very lonely at college in the first week.
EXERCISE 2:
1/. At first why did Sarah think college was very exciting?
 A. Because she could go out with her roommate.
 B. Because she could meet new friends and freely do whatever she liked.
 C. Because life at home was very boring and she had no friends there.
2/. Why did Sarah run back home from the party she went to on Saturday night in the first weekend?
 A. Because she missed her parents
 B. Because she felt lonely
 C. Because everybody noticed her being there.
3/. How did Ellen feel at college when it seemed to her that everybody was strange?
 A. excited	B. scary	C. daunted
4/. Brenden made many of his friends from _________.
 A. joining social activities at college
 B. his engineering classes
 C. the Advanced Engineering Project
EXERCISE 3: Match the words on the left column to their meanings on the right.
Words
Meanings
1. blame [for]
(Ellen, P1, L3)
2. daunting 
(Ellen, P2, L1)
3. amazing 
(Ellen, P2, L3)
4. challenging 
(Brenden, P1, L1)
5. mate 
(Brenden, P2, Last line)
A. wonderful, surprising
B. complain about
C. friend
D. boring, dull
E. difficult, tough 
II/. VOACABULARY LIST:
List the key words or phrases you have learnt from this reading passage.
A. READING PASSAGE:
UNIT 6: FUTURE JOBS 
Read the passage and do the tasks that follow.
Preparing for a job interview can be stressful, particularly when you are called for the first interview. Below are some pieces of advice that can help you reduce the feeling of pressure and create a good impression on your interviewer.
Before the interview
You should find out as much as possible about the job and the vacancy. Before the interview, you have to send a letter of application and your résumés to the company to express your interest in the job and to show that you might be the most suitable candidate for the position. 
When you come to the interview, remember to bring with you your school certificates and letters of recommendation from your teachers or your previous employers. In addition, you may jot down your qualifications and experience that can relate to the job and prepare for the questions that are often asked during the interview. 
Make sure you know where the interview is and how to get there. Be on time or a few minutes early. Don’t forget to dress neatly and formally.
During the interview
You should concentrate on what the interviewer is saying and make a real effort to answer all the questions the interviewer asks. Be clear, polite and honest. If you do not know something about the more technical aspects of the job, admit it and stress that you are willing to learn. Show enthusiasm when the job is explained to you. Always show your best side, your keenness to work and your sense of responsibility. 
Don’t forget to say goodbye to the interviewer before leaving the office. 
v Exercise 1: Answer the following questions
1/. The word “reduce” means _________.
 A. make something become less.
 B. increase
 C. expand something
2/. The word “create” in paragraph 1, line 3 can be replaced by ________.
 A. develop	B. make	C. tell
3/. The word “vacancy” in paragraph 2, line 1 means _________.
 A. the job someone applies for
 B. the interview
 C. the interviewer
4/. The word “résumés” in paragraph 2, line 3 means _________.
 A. a copy of school record and certificates.
 B. a letter of recommendation from someone’s previous employers.
 C. a short written account of someone’s education and previous jobs.
5/. The word “candidate” in paragraph 2, line 4 means _________.
 A. the job that is available
 B. the interviewer 
 C. the person who applies for that job
6/. The word “keenness” in the last line of paragraph 5 means _________.
 A. effort	B. eagerness	C. happiness
v Exercise 2: Choose A, B or C that indicates the best option for each of the following sentences.
1/. It can be quite __________ to get prepared for a job interview.
 A. nervous 	B. stressful	C. impressive
2/. Which of the following should you send to the company you apply for the job before the interview?
 A. a letter of recommendation and your qualifications
 B. your school certificates and a résumés 
 C. your letter of application and résumés
3/. Which of the following are you NOT advised to do before the job interview?
 A. call the interviewer to talk about your experience on the job.
 B. write down your qualifications and experience and the questions that may be asked.
 C. look for information about the job as much as possible.
4/. Which of the following you should NOT do at the interview?
 A. Listen carefully to the interviewer and try to answer all the questions.
 B. Show that you are willing to learn some aspects of the job that you don’t know yet.
 C. Let the interviewer know all your weaknesses or bad habits to show that you are honest.
5/. Which of the following is NOT true?
 A. Getting well-prepared for a job interview can help you make a good impression on the interviewer.
 B. You should get to know as much as possible about the job before the interview and be on time and get well-dressed for it.
 C. You should try to avoid answering questions about your weaknesses at the interview.
B. VOCABULARY AND STRUCTURES:
List the words or phrases you have learnt from this passage.
A. READING PASSAGE:
UNIT 8: LIFE IN THE FUTURE 
Read the text and do the tasks that follow.
What will life be like in the future? Different people have different answers to this question; some are pessimistic while others optimistic.
Things will be much worse than they are nowadays, pessimists say. The whole world will experience a period of economic depression. Many large corporations will be wiped out and millions of jobs will be lost. The security of the earth will be threatened by terrorism as terrorist groups will become more powerful an