PART 1 Reading Comprehension (20 marks)

Passage 1
Read the passage given below and answer ALL the questions that follow.
Question 1 10 are based on the following passage.
I

Many South East Asian proverbs are used for making strong moral
points, and at the same sayings are often applicable to more than one
situation or circumstance. In the rich store of local proverbs, food is
a favourite theme. It is constantly used to depict or to compare
various aspects of life and behaviour, such as courtship, marriage,
etiquette,
humility,
propriety
and
even
hypocrisy.

II

Naturally, rice is an important subject. The common Malay saying

be like a padi it bows low when it is heavy with ripe grain; the
lalang stands arrogant but has nothing to show for it - is an obvious
warning to practice humility and not to show off.

III

That older is wiser is implied by the crisp Burmese proverb he ate

rice first, which is similar to the Chinese maxim, I have eaten
more salt than you have had rice, meaning I have seen more life.
The need to work hard to achieve success is expressed by the
proverb do not wait for rice to be served up at your knees (as you
sit crossed legged), while propriety - doing things in the correct
manner or proper order is taught by the expression pound rice in a
mortar, boil rice in a pot. Eating from a cauldron is a mocking
remark at grown children who are still dependent on their parents.

IV

Seafood also features prominently in many local sayings. The fish

that gets away is the big one is the usual complaint about a loss of a
good opportunity. The big fish devours the little fish, of course,
needs no elaboration. The crab that instructs its young to walk
straight is a humorous wise saying about a non exemplary
character, while the shrimp knows not its own humped back is a
rebuke for empty pride.

Many other sayings are taking from the natural world. The durian
has its own share of sayings, not all which are complimentary. A
durian showing its carpels means a person revealing his true
colours, while a character with many fouls tricks up his sleeve is
known simply as durian. However, the durian has its own good
qualities, as may be seen in the saying the difference between a

weak and a strong character is like the difference between the

cucumber and the durian.
VI

Vegetables are also featured in various South East Asian proverbs,

through perhaps less frequently than rice or fruits. A sharp character
is called Mallaca chilli the small cili padi is tiny but has a powerful
sting. The Burmese saying a real chilli, seven fathoms underwater,
will still taste hot refers to someone or something that is genuine the equivalent of the Chinese adage that real gold fears no fire.

VII

Indeed the list of sayings related to food is inexhaustible. However,

the examples above are sufficient to illustrate how fundamental the
subject is to the cultures of South East Asia. Not only does not
figure prominently in the social, religious, and other important
activities of the people of the region, but it has also found its way
into various languages.
1. Naturally, rice is an important subject in (line 6). The word
naturally suggests that
A there are many proverbs related to rice
B the subject of rice comes easily to mind
C the mention of rice is expected since it is a common food in the
region
D rice is the most obvious choice of food among people in South
East Asia.
2. Be like a padi it bows low when it is heavy with ripe grain; the
lalang stands arrogant but has nothing to show for it (line 6). This
proverb
A
B
C
D

contrasts a humble attitude with pride

compares the strength of both padi and lalang
contrasts the fruitfulness of padi with the emptiness of lalang
compares the need to work hard with just waiting for success

3. The following proverb teaches proper social behaviour:

A
B
C
D

He ate rice first.

Eating from a big cauldron.
Pound rice in mortar, boil rice in a pot.
Do not wait for rice to be served up your knees.

4. The following words in the passage have the same meaning as

proverb except
A
B
C
D

maxim (line 10)

saying (line 6)
adage ( line 31)
rebuke ( line 20)

5. its in line 20, refers to

A
B
C
D

shrimp
fish
crab
durian

6. The proverb the shrimp knows not its own humped back teaches us
A that we can never understand ourselves completely
B that we should be like the shrimp and accept our faults and
weaknesses
C not to criticize others when ourselves are not exemplary in
character
D not to have a high opinion of ourselves as we all have our own
weaknesses
7. The word sting (line 29, paragraph 6) can be best replaced with
A
B
C
D

tasteless
dainty
tingle
bitterish

8. when you are called a durian, it means that

A
B
C
D

you are being complimented

you cannot be trusted
you are revealing your true colours
you have both good and bad qualities

9. Food figures prominently in the following except

A
B
C
D

the languages
the social
sports
the religion

10. A suitable title for the passage is

A
B
C
D

Proverbs
Food in South East Asia
The Language of Food
A Comparison of South East Asian proverbs

Passage 2
Read the passage given below and answer ALL the questions that follow.
Question 1 - 20 are based on the following passage.
I

With the rise of HIV cases in the 1980s, there was a need to prevent
and control infectious diseases by the handling medical waste
correctly. In 1992, a study was carried out by Health Ministry of
Malaysia which saw medical waste being classified as hazardous
waste and coming under the purview of the Environmental Quality
(Scheduled Wastes) Regulations of 1989.

II

Clinical waste contains, in part, human tissue, blood or bloody

fluids, excretions, drug or other pharmaceutical products, swabs or
dressings, syringes and needles or other sharp instruments. Such
waste may somehow infect any human being who comes into contact
into it.

III

In Malaysia, all clinical waste is incinerated at 900 C. before

disposal, the waste is first segregated and put into different
couloured plastic bags. Normal waste is put in black plastic bags
and put out for the neighbourhood garbage collectors. Infectious
waste is put into light blue bags and disinfected. Other highly toxic
waste is placed in yellow bags. The contents of yellow bags are
detailed and the bags are tagged. Sharp instruments such as used
syringes, needles, broken glass are put into yellow cylindrical
container which is then put into the yellow bag.

IV

To date, three medical waste handling incinerators in the country

efficiently dispose of nearly 90% of the waste. The remaining of
10% is in the form of ash which remains hazard to health. Despite
this, this substance is often disposed of by dumping it in landfills
licensed for this particular purpose.

While incineration is one good way of getting rid of waste, it is by

no means an efficient disposal system. The by products of

incineration process are compounds and toxin that are hazardous to

health. For example, the combustion of certain hospital products
such as IV bags which contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can release
chlorine into the medical waste stream. The incineration of chlorine
in turn produces dioxins, a cancer causing agent that effect the
bodys nervous and endocrine systems. It is this same dioxin that
was responsible for the Belgium food scare in June 1999.
VI

Although landfills designated for the purpose of captaining clinical

waste are made secure with plastic lining, there is no guarantee that
the processed waste will not leach out into the surrounding
environment and subsequently affect the water table.

VII

Other methods of disposal are also not without their disadvantages.

High temperature steam cleaning or autoclave, for example, has a
thousand times more volatile organics, 15 times more mercury, 23
times more lead and 14 times more cadmium than the incinerator as
revealed by a 1993 study carried out by the Mayo Clinic of
Minnesota. Chemical disaffection systems, on the other hand, tent to
use chlorine dioxide or sodium hypochlorite in which pre shredded
waste is saturated. As a result, the liquid affluent discharges of some
of these systems have been found to contain high concentrations of
organics, chlorinated compounds and metals.

VIII

Which ever system is used, the problem of the processed residue

waste still persists. The processed waste is almost always dumped in
landfills. The waste continues to be hazardous although there are
different degrees of danger depending on the treatment process.

IX

At present, there is no technology to render the processed waste

completely clean. Therefore, the only solution for us is to reduce the
amount of waste. However, in todays world, this is indeed a
challenge. The invention of the disposal needle in the 1980s to
overcome the problem inadequate sterilization and the risk of
infections has led to a wave of disposable items that have sometimes
no link to the spread of infections. More and more medical
equipment and items are made of PVC. Unless, manufacturers and
others in the business as well as the man in the street make conscious
attempts to find alternatives and so reduce the amount of waste, our
precious water table will constantly be under the threat of
contamination.

11. What prompted the government to classify clinical waste as hazardous

waste?
A
B

The increasing number of hospital disposal items being used.

The increasing accumulation of discarded human tissue, blood
and body fluids.
The spread of infectious disease.
The onslaught of HIV disease.

C
D

12. The word disinfected is the opposite of

A
B
C
D

clean
contaminated
hygienic
sterilize

13. The word incinerated (line 10, paragraph 3)

A
B
C
D

Kept
Burned
Clean
Waste

14. Complete the diagram below.

HOSPITAL WASTE CATEGORIES

Into black bags

- normal waste

Into light blue bags

- infectious waste

Into yellow bags

- _________ waste

15. This in line 20 refers to

A
B
C
D

Broken glass
Needle
Syringe
Ash

16. How many forms of clinical waste disposal systems are described in the
passage?
A
B
C
D

One
Two
Three
Four

17. Although all medical waste in Malaysia in incinerated safely, why is the
residual ash still hazardous?
A
B
C
D

There is still a lot of mercury left.

There is still a lot of bacteria is not destroyed.
There are still a lot of unburnt syringes and IV bags.
There are still compounds and toxins that are harmful to people.

18. What does IV as found in line 26 stand for?

A
B
C
D

Four
Intravenous
Intervention
Inter ventilation

19. The residue of incinerated hospital waste is often dumped in landfills specially
licensed for this purpose. From the passage, it is most important that such
designated areas are should be situated far from
A
B
C
D

housing estates
land used for agriculture
catchment areas
commercial centres

20. Why is it becoming increasingly difficult to reduce hospital waste?

A
B
C
D

There are insufficient incinerators.

More and more people are getting sick.
There are more items are made of PVC.
There are more and more disposable items being manufactured.

PART 2 Grammar (40 marks)

Answer ALL questions.

21. Nightmare _______ Elm Street is the title of a horror movie.

A. in

B. on

C. out

D. up

22. A bird can fly ____________ it cannot swim.

A. because

B. and

C. so

D. but

23. My father gave me __________ advice before I went to college.

A. a

B. an

C. the

D. one

24. The police __________ the robbers after they __________ some information from
the public last night.
A. catch, will received

B. caught, received

C. catch, received

D. will catch, will received

25. The moon is beautiful tonight, _________?

A. is it

B. isnt it

C. wasnt it

D. doesnt it

26. She ________ to class early yesterday.

A. come

B. came

C. go

D. went

27. ______________ them last night?

A. Did you scolded

B. Were you scolded

C. Have you scold

D. Did you scolding

28. You will have to go to school __________ you are ill.

A. while

B. wherever

C. when

D. even though

29. The taxi driver shouted ___________ at the motorcyclist who overtook him.

A. angry

b. anger

C. angrily

D. angrier

30. All the passengers _________ when the earoplane crashed into the mountains.
A. died

B. dead

C. death

D. deaths

Choose the correct synonyms to the underlined words

31. Due to its uniqueness and beauty the wau bulan is used as the logo for Malaysia
Airlines.
A. inimitability
B. loveliness
C. splendor
D. magnificence
32. The festivals of Malaysia reflect the root of the various races.
A. derivation
B. mirror
C. diverse
D. assorted
33. Modern-day pirates are not after treasure chests brimming with gold and precious
stones.
A. cache
B. valuable
C. crammed
D. varied
34. Our breathing, heartbeat and many other body functions have an intrinsic rhythm.
A. deliberation
B. contemplation
C. utility
D. essential

Choose the correct antonyms to the underlined words

35. The right to stuff your travel kit with a swank hotels soup and shoe buffer has always
been part of the room rent.
A. swagger
B. brag
C. modest
D. strut
36. Turtles have roamed the earth for a very long time but in all these years, their living
and eating habits have not changed.
A. wandered
B. drifted
C. settled
D. floated
37. My mother also planted the prickly pear cactus which has fruits that look like pear
and can be eaten.
A. puncture
B. perforate
C. barbed
D. smooth
38. It also allows people to trek through the jungles to see the animals at first hand and
enjoy the splendid natural beauty.
A. marvelous
B. impressive
C. obnoxious
D. spectacular
Select the meaning of the underlined words in the sentences below using the
contextual clues given.
39. Many parties regard aquaculture as the future of seafood industry because it brings
handsome profit.
A. associations of people having the same political aims
B. occasions when people meet together usually by invitation
C. groups of people sharing ideas or thoughts on certain issues
D. groups of people involved in agreement or disagreement

40. Fishing nets pose the greatest menace to the survival of many species.
A. to sit or stand in a particular position
B. to be the cause of something difficult to deal with
C. to behave unnaturally
D. pretended to be more than what that person is
41. They face so many threats to extent that their future is in question.
A. a doubt or uncertainty
B. a matter that needs to be settled
C. a sentence or phrase which asks for information
D. an issue that need to be discussed and dealt with
42. Not only the operating farms are destroying the environment, those which are
abandoned are giving the coastal communities a hard time.
A. full of difficulty and trouble
B. difficult to do or understand
C. showing no kindness
D. not gentle
43. Our oceans have become a dumping ground for a wide variety of pollutants.
A. the surface of the earth
B. the bottom of the sea or the shore
C. a piece of land used for a particular purpose
D. an area of land without trees or building
Choose the correct vocabulary words to fill in the blanks.
44. As the swelling _________, the pain becomes worse.
A. expands
B. increases
C. broadens
D. widens
45. The response to an outbreak tends to be _________ with rapid quarantining of
infected areas.
A. active
B. robust
C. energetic
D. vigorous

46. The vertebrata can be forced out of their normal position, reducing their ________ of
motion.
A. area
B. range
C. scope
D. coverage
Read the passage carefully. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate tenses.
Mobile phones are (47)_________ ever more popular. The increase in mobile
phones (48)________ triggered worries about their safety. They have been blamed for a
wide range of health problems, from cancer to headaches, which has led some people to
demand that they carry health warnings, like packs of cigarettes.
Mobile phones are a cross between a radio and a telephone. They (49)_________
invented in the early 1980s. The handset of a mobile phone is a kind of radio transmitter
and receiver. Mobile phones are linked to the national telephone exchange by base
stations (pylons). When a mobile phone is switched on it releases a signal around 20
seconds saying Im here to the nearest base station, so the location of the phone
(50)_________ and it can receive and make calls. With mobile phones, the sound is sent
and (51)__________ as a micro-radio-wave.
People have voiced their concern regarding the radio waves which (52)_________
used to transmit and receive mobile telephone calls. Radio waves can pass through the
body and when they do, some of their energy can be (53)__________. This movement of
energy is known as radiation. All electrical goods give off a certain amount of radiation,
but this is seen as harmless.
However, some radiation is harmful to the body, for example, the radiation
(54)__________ off by a nuclear explosion or even from direct sunlight. Harmful
radiation such as X-rays and gamma-rays can affect body tissues to such an extent that
they change cells and DNA. (55)__________ changes can lead to cancer and genetic
defects. Mobile phones do expose us to radiation but at a very low level. The radiation is
not like X-rays or gamma-rays. The micro-radio waves used by mobile phones can be
absorbed by tissue and (56)___________ heat producing which is why we used
microwave ovens in kitchen to cook our food. That is not to say the brain is being
cooked, but research has (57)__________ they do cause slight warning effect on human
tissue. In the case of mobile phone is close to. The question is, could the type of radiation
we get from mobile phones cook the body enough to cause health problems?
Most experts say this radiation is not dangerous. Human brains (58)__________
to cope with large temperature changes for example, we sweat and cool down after
exercise and most scientist say the low level warming (59)_________ by mobile
phones should not cause problems. Some advisory groups recommend limits of exposure
to microwave radio radiation. Mobile phones fall within their advised limit which is 0.1
watts of power absorbed in any 10 grams of tissue in the head. 0.1 watts is not very much
your body produces at least 60 watts just (60)___________ your normal temperature!

47.

A. grow

B. growing

C. grows

D. grown

48.

A. has

B. have

C. had

D. had had

49.

A. were

B. was

C. is

D. are

50.

A. is known

B. are known C. was known D. were known

51.

A. receive

B. receives

C. received

D. receiving

52.

A. are

B. is

C. was

D were

53.

A. absorbed

B. absorbing C. absorbs

D. absorb

54.

A. give

B. given

D. gives

55.

A. ThisB. These

56.

A. are

B. is

C. was

D. were

57.

A. shows

B. show

C. showed

D. shown

58.

A. have evolved
B. has evolved
C. was evolved
D. were evolved

59.

A. cause

C. caused

D. causing

60.

A. to maintain
B. to maintains
C. to maintained
D. to maintaining

C. gave

C. Those

B. causes

D. That