What I really like about the show Game of Thrones is that the creators have made up a (1) __________ of various lands, people and stories. And while most fantasy stories focus on the battle between good and evil, the characters in Game of Thrones usually have a mix of both, (2) __________ makes the storylines so interesting. My main (3) __________ is that it is incredibly violent, but the show's creators argue that this reflects the reality of war and life (4) __________ the medieval world.

Overall, I'd recommend Game of Thrones. It is a very entertaining series with (5) __________ original ideas. It is sometimes very shocking, (6) __________ it is definitely worth watching.

(Adapted from Venture into First for Schools)

HISTORIC LONDON

Tower Bridge

Probably the most recognisable bridge in the world, Tower Bridge was designed so that its central section can be raised to allow ships (1) __________ through it. Still in working order today, it is opened 900 times a year. During those times, traffic is prevented from crossing (2) __________ bridge. A joint ticket for (3) __________ to the Tower Bridge Experience and The Monument can be purchased for just £7 per adult.

London Bridge

The first London Bridge was built in 80 AD, but this was (4) __________ by an invading Viking army in 1014. The first bridge (5) __________ of stone. It had so many arches that the flow of the river was slowed down (6) __________, causing it to freeze over every winter, enabling fairs to be held on the frozen ice.

(Adapted from Mastermind Use of English)

There are many people who can speak many languages, or hyperglots, in the world today. With globalization, there will be a growing number of them in the future. A central question is whether hyperglots are born or made. Are their achievements genetic or do hyperglots have secrets (1) __________?

These people generally have advantages they are born with. Hyperglots seem to possess excellent memories and have brains that are more efficient in processing speech sounds. (2) __________. This means that the difference between a top performer and someone who is just “very good” is that the top performer has practised for 10,000 hours instead of 6,000.

The fact is that most ordinary language learners lack these natural advantages and (3) __________. So is there any hope for us? Research on hyperglots can offer some useful lessons. For example, they often have limited ambitions in terms of individual languages. They are happy to get by, or (4) __________, or not to have a perfect accent. Additionally, they are practical. If they cannot travel, they look for opportunities to use the language closer to home. Some simply imagine conversations in their heads. (5) __________. Finally, they are never afraid to make mistakes or appear stupid and so never give up.

(Adapted from Outcomes)

1. Around the world, Rio de Janeiro is famous for its beautiful beaches, and Carnival celebration. But the city is also known for its poor areas, known as favelas. For years, many favelas had high poverty and crime rates. However, things are starting to change.

2. In the past, favelas received little government support. Neighbourhood residents had to build their own homes and streets, while gangs and guns were common. Now, a new government plan is changing that. Thousands of police officers are being sent into favelas to remove gangs. In some areas, the plan is working – crime is down, kids are playing outside again, new buildings are going up, and more city services are available. “In 20 years,” says a police officer Leonardo Nogueira, “the children here will be different people.”

3. Police influence is changing the favelas, but something else is, too. Today, more Brazilians are moving into these neighbourhoods because housing is expensive in other parts of Rio. “Favelas are a place for young doctors without money to get started and young architects to start working,” explains Simone Miranda, a Rio tour guide. In the past, favela residents felt different – separated from the rest of Rio. “But now,” says Miranda, “they feel part of the society of Brazil.”

4. Life is improving in the favelas, but there are still challenges. In some areas, poverty rates are still high. As students, families, and foreigners move into the favelas, property costs skyrocket. In some areas, housing has more than doubled in price. Despite this, favela residents are hopeful. If Rio can develop these favelas for all residents – both poor and middle classes – the city could become a model for other cities with similar problems.

(Adapted from ngl.cengage.com)

1. The flag, the most common symbol of national identity in the modern world, is also one of the most ancient. The traditional flag of fabric is still used to mark buildings, ships, and diplomatic cars of nations, but its visual design makes it adaptable for other roles as well. Most flags have a compact, rectangular shape and distinct visual symbolism. Their strong colors and geometric patterns are usually instantly recognizable even if miniaturized to less than a square centimeter. Images of flags can thus serve as identifying icons on airliners, television broadcasts, and computer displays.

2. Despite its simplicity, the national flag as we know it today is in no way a primitive artifact. It is, rather, the product of millennia of development in many corners of the globe. Historians believe it had two major ancestors, of which the earlier served to indicate wind direction. Early human societies used very fragile shelters and boats. Their food sources were similarly vulnerable to disruption. For all these reasons, they feared and depended on the power of the wind, which could bring warmth from one direction and cold from another.

3. [I] Some nations, particularly those whose colors and emblems date back several hundred years, have different flags for different official uses. [II] For example, the flag of Poland is a simple rectangle with a white upper half and red lower half. [III] They originated as the colors of the Piast family, which during its rule displayed a crest bearing a white eagle on a red field. [IV] Homage is paid to the Piast Dynasty in the Polish ensign, the flag officially used at sea. Unlike the familiar plain flag flown on land, the ensign has a red shield with a white eagle centered on its upper white stripe.

(Adapted from Cracking the TOEFL iBT)