Assignment 5

I. This part of the assignment consists of a number of sentences, in which some part or the whole is in bold print. Each sentence is followed by five alternative versions of the marked portion. Select the alternative you think both the most effective and most correct to the requirements of standard written English. Do not select the answer which changes the meaning of the original sentence.

1. The possibility is unlikely in the near future due to the lack of mining technology and capital in this small South American country.

a) because of the lack of mining technology and

b) because there was no mining technology

c) because of the lack of mining technology and there was no

d) thanks to the lack of mining technology and

2. Many scientists are worried about the unhealthy interest in such pseudo-scientific topics as flying saucers and the occult, fearing that this interest may mark a new dark age.

a) care about the interest

b) are troubled by the sick enthusiasm

c) are interested

d) are fond of

II. For the following question, choose the best answer among the listed alternatives.

1. Lavoisier, the 18^th century scientist, became more influential and famous than most of his colleagues because not only did he discover and isolate many of the chemical elements but he also gave them names which both described the element in terms of its power and function and which came to be accepted by other generations of scientists.

What conclusion can be made from the passage?

a) Lavoisier wanted to become famous and influential in scientific circles.

b) All elements in the 18^th century were named after Lavoisier.

c) Some of the elements that Lavoisier isolated were given names that described their properties.

d) Lavoisier was the most influential and famous scientist of his time.

III. Each of the following sentences has four words or phrases marked A, B, C and D. Identify the one word or phrase that must be changed in order for the sentence to be correct.

1. Albert Einstein was such brilliant (A) scientist that many of his colleagues (B) had to (C) study really hard to understand (D) his theories.

2. How much time (A) did Pierre and Maria Curie had to (B) make the experiment before they obtained (C) the (D) results they had expected?

3. A (A) liter is (B) one of the (C) metric measurements, aren’t they (D)?

4. The (A) geology professor showed us a ( B)sample of volcanic rock which (C) dated back seven hundreds (D) years.

5. After checking out (A) the motor and the carburetor for problems, Jesse found (B)that a noise (C) was caused by (D) a loose fan belt.

6. Scientists (A) were interested about (B) the (C) radioactivity emanating from the (D) nuclear power plant.

7. Gunpowder, in some ways (A) the most effective (B) of all the explosive materials, are (C) a mixture of (D) potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur.

8. It is said (A) that the (B) Einstein felt very bad about (C) the application of his theories to the creation of weapons of war (D).

IV. The following sentences are incomplete. Beneath each sentence you will see four words or phrases. Choose the one word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

1. A vacuum will neither conduct heat nor …

a) transmit sound waves

b) transmitting sound waves

c) sound waves are transmitted

d) the transmission of sound

2. Double stars orbit …

a) each to the other

b) each other

c) each other one

d) one and another

3. When a body enters the earth’s atmosphere, it travels …

a) very rapidly

b) in a rapid manner

c) fastly

d) with great speed

4. The sun is a gaseous sphere, … a solid body like the earth.

a) not only

b) only

c) not

d) nor

5. When … a body cell, it takes over the cell and manufactures more viruses.

a) infection by a virus

b) infects a virus

c) does a virus infect

d) a virus infects

6. The earth might look like a sphere, but careful measurements …

a) show is not

b) show that it is not

c) that show it is not

d) show it that is not

7. To form clouds, water vapor must have nuclei around which to coalesce, …. pearls need grains of sand.

a) for

b) just as

c) that is

d) whether or not

8. The accomplishments of modern science would be impossible …. highly specialized instruments.

e) without

f) except

g) but there are

h) among

V. Questions 1-5 are based on the following reading:

After inventing dynamite, Swedish-born Alfred Nobel became a very rich man. However, he foresaw its universally destructive powers too late. Nobel preferred not to be remembered as the inventor of dynamite, so in 1895, just two weeks before his death, he created a fund to be used for awarding prizes to people who had made worthwhile contributions to mankind. Originally there were five awards: literature, physics, chemistry, medicine, and peace. Economics was added in 1968, just sixty-seven years after the first awards ceremony.

Nobel’s original legacy of nine million dollars was invested, and the interest in this sum is used for the awards which vary from $30,000 to $125,000.

Every year, on December, 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death, the awards (gold medal, illuminated diploma, and money) are presented to the winners. Sometimes politics plays an important role in the judges’ decisions. Americans have won numerous science awards, but relatively few literature prizes.

No awards were presented from 1940 to 1942 in connection with World War II. Some people have won two prizes, but it is very rare; others have shared their prizes.

1. Why was the Nobel prize established?

a) to recognize worthwhile contributions to humanity

b) to resolve political differences

c) to honor the inventor of dynamite

d) to spend extra money

2. When did the first award ceremony take place?

a) 1895

b) 1901

c) 1962

d) 1968

3. In which area have Americans receive the most awards?

a) literature

b) peace

c) economics

d) science

4. Which of the following statement is not true?

a) Awards vary in monetary value

b) Ceremonies are held on December, 10 to commemorate Nobel’s invention

c) Politics can play an important role in selecting the winners

d) A few individuals have won two prizes.

5. In how man fields are prizes bestowed?

a) 2

b) 5

c) 6

d) 10

VI. Write an essay about the following topic:

Although scientific progress has improved living standard, people are not generally happy with their lives. Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your choice and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience. Write about 150 words