TEXT H USA/IRAN First read the questions. 53. The writer advises that the problems between Iran and the USA might be best dealt with in the UN by getting the support of ____. A. Americas NATO allies in the West. B. Islamic Third World countries. C. Russia. D. Britain. Now go through TEXT H quickly to answer the question. Sir, The present quarrel between the US and Iran seems to be drifting dangerously near to a confrontation between the West and the Third World. It is understandable that the US should seek support from her allies within NATO but the result of this could be seen as an attempt by a group of powerful industrial countries to bully the people of a Third World country which, in recent years, had no cause to be grateful for the policies of the US. Surely the appropriate forum in which to search out a settlement to this extremely dangerous quarrel is the UN and the West should do its utmost, within that forum, to gather the greatest possible support from Third World, and particularly Islamic countries. I am well aware that the matter has been considered by the Security Council and the General Assembly and that the International Court of Justice has also pronounced in favor of the American case. I myself in no way support the behavior of the Iranians on this issue, which I believe to be dangerous and provocative. Nevertheless, it is my view that it would be wise for the Western powers to continue to use the quiet diplomacy of the UN and also, if this should prove practicable, the good offices of Islamic countries who have no desire to be caught up in a middle Eastern conflict arising from the present tension between Iran and the US. In addition to exploiting still further the use of the machinery of the UN, I also consider that European leaders ought to suggest that it would be helpful if a summit meeting could take place between the American and Russian leaders to exchange views about the whole situation in the Middle East. Such an exchange of views would be unlikely to produce instant solutions, but it might help the Russian and American governments to read each others minds and seek methods of backing away from the perilous trial of strength in that part of the world. Yours sincerely Frank Hooley, MP House of Commons, London SW1
53. The writer advises that the problems between Iran and the USA might be best dealt with in the UN by getting the support of ____.
A) America's NATO allies in the West.
B) Islamic Third World countries.
C) Russia.
D) Britain.
TEXT I GOLD! GOLD! GOLD! First read the question. 54. The purpose of the passage is to ____. A. describe the mining of gold. B. describe mans pursuit of gold. C. determine the importance of gold. D. discuss the role of gold. Now go through TEXT I quickly to answer the question. Gold has enthralled man since the dawn of civilization. For centuries he braved arctic cold, tropic heat and inhuman privations to wrest gold from the earth. He used it for religious objects, sculpture, jewellery and as a symbol of wealth. Paradoxically, he often buried it —— for use in the afterlife, as the pharaohs did, or for safekeeping against the uncertainties of this life. Golds luster and rarity, which implied its owner possessed great power, gave it a musical quality from the start. Gold was considered divine in ancient Greece and was used to adorn temples and as an offering to the gods. Despite their reverence, the ancients were quick to recognize golds practical qualities, particularly its malleability, which made it ideal for jewellery. Even Cleopatra used gold ornaments to enhance her charm. However, it has been as a symbol of wealth —— of nations as well as individuals —— that gold has played its most dramatic role. The quest for gold changed the course of history —— shifting nations borders and opening wildernesses. The cry "Gold!" probably launched more ships than a hundred Helens of Troy. History books tell us Columbus expedition was inspired by his scientific curiosity. But it was also backed by Queen Isabella, who may have been motivated to donate her jewels by more than just sympathy for his cause or desire for a trade route to the East. Whatever the original motive might have been, certainly her royal spouse was moved by more than scientific triumph in 1511 when he wrote to his men in South America: "Get gold," he commanded, "humanely if possible, but at all hazards get gold." The intrinsic value of gold, perhaps enhanced by its mystique, made it a medium of exchange in many parts of the world. Payments were made in gold hundreds of years before 550 B.C., when the first known gold coins were cast. King Croesus of Lydia [western Turkey], whose legendary wealth inspired the phrase "rich as Croesus", is generally credited with that minting. However, gold played a relatively minor monetary role until the great 19th century gold rushes in California, Alaska, Canada and South Africa produced sufficient quantities to make wide-scale monetary use practical. The artistic, industrial and ornamental uses of gold have changed little since ancient times, but its monetary use has been transformed. Gold ducats, double eagles and sovereigns cant meet industrial societies need for convenient and efficient money. Modern nations use paper currency, base-metal coins, and checkbook balances to meet the needs of their fast-paced economies. As a rule, nations now keep gold for payments to each other. The "coin" used in these payments is a gold bar, often about the size and shape of a common building brick, weighing about 400 troy ounces [about 27 avoirdupois pounds] and valued at about 17,000 at todays official U.S. Government price. In the "free" market, where the forces of supply and demand constantly determine golds value, this same bar was worth about thirteen times as much in early 1981. When nations trade gold, it is done at the market price rather than at the official price. TEXT I GOLD! GOLD! GOLD! First read the question. 54. The purpose of the passage is to ____. A. describe the mining of gold. B. describe mans pursuit of gold. C. determine the importance of gold. D. discuss the role of gold. Now go through TEXT I quickly to answer the question. Gold has enthralled man since the dawn of civilization. For centuries he braved arctic cold, tropic heat and inhuman privations to wrest gold from the earth. He used it for religious objects, sculpture, jewellery and as a symbol of wealth. Paradoxically, he often buried it —— for use in the afterlife, as the pharaohs did, or for safekeeping against the uncertainties of this life. Golds luster and rarity, which implied its owner possessed great power, gave it a musical quality from the start. Gold was considered divine in ancient Greece and was used to adorn temples and as an offering to the gods. Despite their reverence, the ancients were quick to recognize golds practical qualities, particularly its malleability, which made it ideal for jewellery. Even Cleopatra used gold ornaments to enhance her charm. However, it has been as a symbol of wealth —— of nations as well as individuals —— that gold has played its most dramatic role. The quest for gold changed the course of history —— shifting nations borders and opening wildernesses. The cry "Gold!" probably launched more ships than a hundred Helens of Troy. History books tell us Columbus expedition was inspired by his scientific curiosity. But it was also backed by Queen Isabella, who may have been motivated to donate her jewels by more than just sympathy for his cause or desire for a trade route to the East. Whatever the original motive might have been, certainly her royal spouse was moved by more than scientific triumph in 1511 when he wrote to his men in South America: "Get gold," he commanded, "humanely if possible, but at all hazards get gold." The intrinsic value of gold, perhaps enhanced by its mystique, made it a medium of exchange in many parts of the world. Payments were made in gold hundreds of years before 550 B.C., when the first known gold coins were cast. King Croesus of Lydia [western Turkey], whose legendary wealth inspired the phrase "rich as Croesus", is generally credited with that minting. However, gold played a relatively minor monetary role until the great 19th century gold rushes in California, Alaska, Canada and South Africa produced sufficient quantities to make wide-scale monetary use practical. The artistic, industrial and ornamental uses of gold have changed little since ancient times, but its monetary use has been transformed. Gold ducats, double eagles and sovereigns cant meet industrial societies need for convenient and efficient money. Modern nations use paper currency, base-metal coins, and checkbook balances to meet the needs of their fast-paced economies. As a rule, nations now keep gold for payments to each other. The "coin" used in these payments is a gold bar, often about the size and shape of a common building brick, weighing about 400 troy ounces [about 27 avoirdupois pounds] and valued at about 17,000 at todays official U.S. Government price. In the "free" market, where the forces of supply and demand constantly determine golds value, this same bar was worth about thirteen times as much in early 1981. When nations trade gold, it is done at the market price rather than at the official price.
54. The purpose of the passage is to ____.
A) describe the mining of gold.
B) describe man's pursuit of gold.
C) determine the importance of gold.
D) discuss the role of gold.
53. The writer advises that the problems between Iran and the USA might be best dealt with in the UN by getting the support of ____.
A) America's NATO allies in the West.
B) Islamic Third World countries.
C) Russia.
D) Britain.
TEXT I GOLD! GOLD! GOLD! First read the question. 54. The purpose of the passage is to ____. A. describe the mining of gold. B. describe mans pursuit of gold. C. determine the importance of gold. D. discuss the role of gold. Now go through TEXT I quickly to answer the question. Gold has enthralled man since the dawn of civilization. For centuries he braved arctic cold, tropic heat and inhuman privations to wrest gold from the earth. He used it for religious objects, sculpture, jewellery and as a symbol of wealth. Paradoxically, he often buried it —— for use in the afterlife, as the pharaohs did, or for safekeeping against the uncertainties of this life. Golds luster and rarity, which implied its owner possessed great power, gave it a musical quality from the start. Gold was considered divine in ancient Greece and was used to adorn temples and as an offering to the gods. Despite their reverence, the ancients were quick to recognize golds practical qualities, particularly its malleability, which made it ideal for jewellery. Even Cleopatra used gold ornaments to enhance her charm. However, it has been as a symbol of wealth —— of nations as well as individuals —— that gold has played its most dramatic role. The quest for gold changed the course of history —— shifting nations borders and opening wildernesses. The cry "Gold!" probably launched more ships than a hundred Helens of Troy. History books tell us Columbus expedition was inspired by his scientific curiosity. But it was also backed by Queen Isabella, who may have been motivated to donate her jewels by more than just sympathy for his cause or desire for a trade route to the East. Whatever the original motive might have been, certainly her royal spouse was moved by more than scientific triumph in 1511 when he wrote to his men in South America: "Get gold," he commanded, "humanely if possible, but at all hazards get gold." The intrinsic value of gold, perhaps enhanced by its mystique, made it a medium of exchange in many parts of the world. Payments were made in gold hundreds of years before 550 B.C., when the first known gold coins were cast. King Croesus of Lydia [western Turkey], whose legendary wealth inspired the phrase "rich as Croesus", is generally credited with that minting. However, gold played a relatively minor monetary role until the great 19th century gold rushes in California, Alaska, Canada and South Africa produced sufficient quantities to make wide-scale monetary use practical. The artistic, industrial and ornamental uses of gold have changed little since ancient times, but its monetary use has been transformed. Gold ducats, double eagles and sovereigns cant meet industrial societies need for convenient and efficient money. Modern nations use paper currency, base-metal coins, and checkbook balances to meet the needs of their fast-paced economies. As a rule, nations now keep gold for payments to each other. The "coin" used in these payments is a gold bar, often about the size and shape of a common building brick, weighing about 400 troy ounces [about 27 avoirdupois pounds] and valued at about 17,000 at todays official U.S. Government price. In the "free" market, where the forces of supply and demand constantly determine golds value, this same bar was worth about thirteen times as much in early 1981. When nations trade gold, it is done at the market price rather than at the official price. TEXT I GOLD! GOLD! GOLD! First read the question. 54. The purpose of the passage is to ____. A. describe the mining of gold. B. describe mans pursuit of gold. C. determine the importance of gold. D. discuss the role of gold. Now go through TEXT I quickly to answer the question. Gold has enthralled man since the dawn of civilization. For centuries he braved arctic cold, tropic heat and inhuman privations to wrest gold from the earth. He used it for religious objects, sculpture, jewellery and as a symbol of wealth. Paradoxically, he often buried it —— for use in the afterlife, as the pharaohs did, or for safekeeping against the uncertainties of this life. Golds luster and rarity, which implied its owner possessed great power, gave it a musical quality from the start. Gold was considered divine in ancient Greece and was used to adorn temples and as an offering to the gods. Despite their reverence, the ancients were quick to recognize golds practical qualities, particularly its malleability, which made it ideal for jewellery. Even Cleopatra used gold ornaments to enhance her charm. However, it has been as a symbol of wealth —— of nations as well as individuals —— that gold has played its most dramatic role. The quest for gold changed the course of history —— shifting nations borders and opening wildernesses. The cry "Gold!" probably launched more ships than a hundred Helens of Troy. History books tell us Columbus expedition was inspired by his scientific curiosity. But it was also backed by Queen Isabella, who may have been motivated to donate her jewels by more than just sympathy for his cause or desire for a trade route to the East. Whatever the original motive might have been, certainly her royal spouse was moved by more than scientific triumph in 1511 when he wrote to his men in South America: "Get gold," he commanded, "humanely if possible, but at all hazards get gold." The intrinsic value of gold, perhaps enhanced by its mystique, made it a medium of exchange in many parts of the world. Payments were made in gold hundreds of years before 550 B.C., when the first known gold coins were cast. King Croesus of Lydia [western Turkey], whose legendary wealth inspired the phrase "rich as Croesus", is generally credited with that minting. However, gold played a relatively minor monetary role until the great 19th century gold rushes in California, Alaska, Canada and South Africa produced sufficient quantities to make wide-scale monetary use practical. The artistic, industrial and ornamental uses of gold have changed little since ancient times, but its monetary use has been transformed. Gold ducats, double eagles and sovereigns cant meet industrial societies need for convenient and efficient money. Modern nations use paper currency, base-metal coins, and checkbook balances to meet the needs of their fast-paced economies. As a rule, nations now keep gold for payments to each other. The "coin" used in these payments is a gold bar, often about the size and shape of a common building brick, weighing about 400 troy ounces [about 27 avoirdupois pounds] and valued at about 17,000 at todays official U.S. Government price. In the "free" market, where the forces of supply and demand constantly determine golds value, this same bar was worth about thirteen times as much in early 1981. When nations trade gold, it is done at the market price rather than at the official price.
54. The purpose of the passage is to ____.
A) describe the mining of gold.
B) describe man's pursuit of gold.
C) determine the importance of gold.
D) discuss the role of gold.