Wednesday review

Compression

Passage:

The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” is one of the most vital
ecosystems on the planet. Covering over 5.5 million square kilometers, it produces
approximately 20% of the world’s oxygen and serves as a massive carbon sink, absorbing vast
amounts of carbon dioxide and mitigating climate change. Despite its critical role, the Amazon
faces unprecedented threats from human activity. Deforestation, primarily driven by agricultural
expansion, illegal logging, and urbanization, has led to the loss of millions of hectares of forest
each year. This destruction not only reduces the Amazon’s capacity to regulate the Earth’s
atmosphere but also disrupts its rich biodiversity, placing countless plant and animal species at
risk of extinction.

Experts warn that continued deforestation could lead the Amazon to a “tipping point,” where the
rainforest would no longer be able to sustain itself. Once this point is reached, large sections of
the forest could degrade into a savanna-like ecosystem, permanently altering its ability to
absorb carbon dioxide and exacerbating global climate change. The consequences of such a
shift would be dire, potentially accelerating rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and
worsening extreme weather events worldwide.

Efforts to combat deforestation have included reforestation projects, stricter environmental laws,
and international agreements aimed at protecting the Amazon. However, these measures often
face challenges such as weak enforcement, corruption, and resistance from industries that
benefit economically from forest exploitation. Additionally, many local communities in and
around the Amazon depend on farming and logging for their livelihoods, complicating
conservation efforts. To address these issues, experts emphasize the importance of promoting
sustainable resource management, which balances environmental preservation with economic
development. Global cooperation, combined with education and financial incentives for
sustainable practices, is crucial for ensuring the long-term survival of the Amazon rainforest and
its ability to support life on Earth.

I.​ Multiple-Choice Vocabulary Questions:

1.What does the term “carbon sink” most likely mean in the context of the passage?

a) A device that stores carbon

b) A natural system that absorbs and stores carbon dioxide

c) A process of carbon production

2.What does tipping point mean as used in the passage?

a) A critical moment after which irreversible changes occur

b) A geographical feature of the rainforest

c) The balance between forest and savanna ecosystems

d) A specific location where deforestation is most severe

Answer: a) A critical moment after which irreversible changes occur

3.What does the word mitigating mean in the phrase “mitigating climate change”?

a) Worsening

b) Reducing

c) Observing

d) Ignoring

4.What does the word biodiversity most likely refer to in the passage?

a) The ability of forests to absorb carbon dioxide

b) The variety of plant and animal species in the Amazon

c) The impact of agriculture on the rainforest

d) The economic resources available in the Amazon

5.What is meant by “sustainable resource management” in the passage?

a) The destruction of forests for economic gain

b) The use of resources in a way that balances preservation and development

c) The elimination of all human activity in the Amazon

d) The enforcement of stricter environmental laws

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2. What are the major threats to the Amazon rainforest mentioned in the passage?

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3. What is the significance of the Amazon rainforest as a “carbon sink”?

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4. How does deforestation impact biodiversity in the Amazon?

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5.What role does sustainable resource management play in preserving the Amazon rainforest?

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III.​ VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT

1.The price of kerosene is skyrocketing due to the Arab-Israeli war. What does “skyrocketing”
mean in this context?

a) Falling quickly

b) Rising sharply

c) Staying the same

d) Decreasing steadily

2.The teacher commended the student for their diligence in completing the assignment on time.
What does “commended” mean here?

a) Criticized

b) Praised

c) Ignored
d) Questioned

3.The politician’s controversial speech caused an uproar among the audience. What does
“uproar” mean in this context?

a) Quiet approval

b) Lively celebration

c) Angry reaction

d) Peaceful protest

4.The company unveiled its latest innovation at the conference, impressing investors. What
does “unveiled” mean here?

a) Hid

b) Showed

c) Discussed

d) Ignored

5.Despite initial skepticism, the scientist’s groundbreaking research was eventually accepted by
the community. What does “groundbreaking” mean here?

a) Unoriginal

b) Revolutionary

c) Misleading

d) Unimportant

verbs:

6.After weeks of planning, they managed to pull off the charity event despite numerous
challenges. What does “pull off” mean here?

a) Complete successfully

b) Abandon

c) Fail at

d) Postpone
7.The CEO decided to step down from the position after the company faced financial difficulties.
What does “step down” mean here?

a) Take over

b) Resign from a position

c) Work harder

d) Enter the office

8.The team worked tirelessly to wrap up the project before the deadline. What does “wrap up”
mean here?

a) Begin the project

b) Complete or finish

c) Prolong the work

d) Start organizing

9.The company has to cut back on expenses in order to stay profitable. What does “cut back”
mean here?

a) Increase spending

b) Reduce or decrease spending

c) Delay payments

d) Promote more incentives to the employees

10.She had to hold off on making a decision until all the facts were gathered. What does “hold
off” mean here?

a) Rush to make a decision

b) Delay or postpone

c) Ignore the facts

d) Take immediate action

Type 1: Analogies

1.Clock is to Time as:

b) Mirror is to Reflection

c) Pen is to Writing

d) All of the above

e) None of the above

2.Bird is to Sky as:

a) Fish is to Water

b) Horse is to Land

c) Tree is to Forest

d) All of the above

e) None of the above

3.Painter is to Canvas as:

a) Writer is to Book

b) Chef is to Recipe

c) Singer is to Microphone

d) All of the above

e) None of the above

Type 2: Sentence Rearrangement ( paragraph coherence)

​ 1.​

a. Technology has revolutionized communication across the world.

b. From smartphones to video conferencing, we are more connected than ever.

c. However, this reliance on technology has its drawbacks.

d. Excessive use can lead to social isolation and a loss of face-to-face interactions.

e. Striking a balance is key to making the most of these advancements.

B. aebdc

C. bcade

D. abced

​ 2.​

a. Climate change poses a significant threat to our planet.

b. Rising sea levels, extreme weather, and loss of biodiversity are just some of its effects.

c. Governments and individuals must work together to address this crisis.

d. Solutions include reducing carbon emissions and adopting sustainable practices.

e. If we act now, we can mitigate the worst consequences.

A. abdce

B. badec

C. aedcb

D. abcde

1.​

Mariam: Don’t you think social media has a negative impact on mental health?

Alex: ——————————————————————————————————

A. It does, but it also depends on how people use it.

B. I completely agree; it’s causing a lot of stress and anxiety.

C. I think the benefits outweigh the negative effects.

D. Social media has no impact on mental health at all.

​ 2.​

Helen: Should governments prioritize space exploration over solving problems on Earth?
Daniel: ——————————————————————————————————

A. I don’t think space exploration should come before urgent Earth issues.

B. Exploring space might provide solutions to problems here on Earth.

C. Both are important and can be worked on simultaneously.

D. Space exploration is a waste of money altogether.

​ 3.​

Lily: Do you believe artificial intelligence will replace human jobs in the future?

Sam: ——————————————————————————————————

A. Yes, but it will also create new opportunities for people.

B. No, AI will always need human oversight and input.

C. It depends on how we integrate AI into different industries.

D. AI will replace all human jobs eventually, leaving people unemployed.