Question

3. Read the texts A and B again and answer the questions 1-4. Choose a, b, c or d.

A. Visit Malaysia

Malaysia is a country with a multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multilingual society. It is a bustling melting pot where Malays, Indians, Chinese and many other ethnic groups all live together in perfect harmony. Malaysia is home to some of the most prominent structures in the world. The Petronas Twin Towers, one of the world’s tallest twin towers, and the KL tower, one of the tallest communications towers in the world, are just two examples of contemporary architecture in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. Visitors to this vibrant city are struck by the extreme contrasts; towering skyscrapers look down upon traditional wooden houses built on stilts, and luxurious five star hotels with all their opulence stand several metres away from ancient reefs. Nearby, cool and serene hideaways in the highlands, where one can find peace and tranquility, roll down to warm, sandy beaches. And speaking of beaches, Malaysia’s shores offer more idyllic locales than one could explore in a lifetime. Lapped by clear crystal waters, the beaches range from powdery stretches of sand that characterise the eastern coastline of Peninsular Malaysia to the black sand beach of Pantai Pasir Hitam and the smooth pebble beach of Pantai Batu Kerikil. The beaches are havens of breathtaking coral and lush tropical views served by some of the most elegant and enchanting resorts in Asia. With the diversity of races living here, Malaysia’s gastronomic heritage has drawn from each of its constituent cultures as well as from neighbouring states to produce one of the most delicious cuisines of the world. Excellent and inexpensive food can be found almost anywhere thanks to the countless food stalls. Dining at a roadside stall may not sound exciting but in Malaysia it’s a very common practice. The best stalls are as popular and as crowded as any restaurant. From delightful indulgence to tranquil charm, there is something to appeal to everyone. Sumptuous elegance and exceptional service, it is all here. For the perfect holiday full of surprises, eclectic cultures and natural wonders, visit Malaysia!

1. What is the purpose of the text? a. to provide factual information b. to educate the reader c. to inform the reader and attract his/her attention d. to give a personal account of a holiday destination

2. According to the text, what are visitors to Kuala Lumpur impressed by? a. Malaysian traditions b. the historical sites c. the tranquility of life in the city d. the coexistence of the past and the present

B. Leaving Earth
Humanity cannot remain in its Earthly cradle forever. Earth is full to the brim and it’s creaking. We’re facing climate change and we’re running out of essential resources such as oil, coal and fresh water, to name just two urgent issues. Perhaps we could learn to live within our means on the planet. But we would have to sacrifice not just population growth, but economic expansion too, which, let’s face it, is highly unlikely to happen. It is our inability to compromise on issues such as this that will lead to our ultimate migration to the stars. Earth is just one world in a sky full of worlds. There is water on Mars, minerals waiting to be mined from the asteroids, and whole moons made of ice further out. And we’re even beginning to detect planets that may be similar to the Earth orbiting other stars. Our first footsteps off Earth may be taken in search of resources off the planet to sustain our civilisation back home. But once we get started, it’s unlikely we would stop there. A Galactic empire has been a dream of science fiction from the days of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series in the 1950s. But even travelling at lightspeed, it would take years or centuries to reach the nearer stars, and a hundred thousand years to reach the far side of our galaxy. And that’s almost as long as humanity has existed. What effect will these immense scales in space and time have on our future history? If we leave Earth, will we conquer the Galaxy - or will the Galaxy conquer us?

3. What will be the initial purpose of our departure from Earth? a. the search for resources in space b. the building of civilisations c. the transportation of resources to space ports d. the detection of planets similar to Earth

4. According to the text, a Galactic empire will a. most probably be built sometime in the immediate future. b. never be built. c. take an inconceivable amount of time to build. d. be built as soon as we reach the nearest star.