English Test

Part 1: Reading Comprehension Directions: Read the story.Then answer the questions below.

                                          “Blizzard in Birmingham”

The Turner kids were not accustomed to snow. The most they ever got in their southern city of Birmingham was an inch or so per year. Even that was quite infrequent—it never snowed more than once or twice each winter. And on the few occasions that it did snow, it was always too warm for the snow to accumulate. The temperature almost never got below freezing.What was funny was that even the slightest bit of snow was enough to cancel school and close businesses. No one knew how to drive in the stuff. It was never enough for young Lily Mae Turner, though, because the snow that came was always too sparse to build a snowman or to go sledding.But one night, in March of 1993, something magical happened.An unexpected blast of cold air from Canada and moist air from the Caribbean converged on the eastern part of the United States to create the “Storm of the Century.”All that the Turner kids knew was that when they woke up Saturday morning, there was 17 inches of unbelievable snow on their front lawn and as far as the eye could see.The Turner parents were in shock. Most folks in town were ill-prepared for such a storm. They had no shovels to dig their way out and no salt to keep from slipping.They had no idea what to do.While the adults seemed paralyzed with disbelief, the Turner kids set about having the time of their lives. Lily Mae discovered that a rope tied to a metal trashcan lid made a perfect sled. John Henry figured out that if he put his feet in plastic grocery bags before putting on his rain boots, his feet stayed warm for a longer time. Rachel made snow angels in every part of the yard. Together, all the kids made a huge snowman and dressed it in their dad’s hat and jacket. (Mr.Turner didn’t own a scarf!)For three straight days, the Turner kids had a splendid time. On Tuesday, the temperature hit 70 degrees, and life for these Southerners went back to normal.

 

1) As used at the beginning of the story, what does accustomed mean?

What conclusions can be drawn about what the weather is typically like in Birmingham during the month of March?

I. It is warm.

II. It does not snow.

III. It is windy.

What can be said about the Turner kids' ideas for playing in the snow without the usual snow gear?

I. They were creative.

II. They were effective.

III. They were complicated

Part 2: Usage of English: Choose the correct word to fill in the gaps presented by the question number.

The Skywalk

The Grand Canyon in the United States (11) created by the River Colorado. People visit the Grand Canyon Park to go walking and running but (12) to look at the view. It is a wonderful view made (13) better by the Skywalk. The distance (14) the Skywalk to the bottom of the Grand Canyon is 1219 metres. It is a platform (15) walls and floor are built of glass (16) that you can see the beautiful rocks of the canyon.Up to 120 people are allowed to stand on it at the same (17) . It opened in 2007 and since (18) thousands of people have used it.You have to (19) special covers over your shoes to (20) scratching the glass beneath your feet. Walking onto the Skywalk makes you (21) like a bird floating high up in the air. 

 

11)