Multi-Level Record Abror Rahmatullayev

PART 1

Read the text. Fill in each gap with ONE word. You must use a word which is
somewhere in the rest of the text.

The environment is under threat as a result of the continuous growth of plastic

waste, leading to significant problems worldwide. Plastic pollution negatively
impacts nature, wildlife and human well-being.
Plastics are man-made materials that take a very long time to break down
naturally. When they enter the (1) ………………………………………………………………….. , they stay
for centuries, accumulating in landfills, rivers, oceans, and remote places like
the Arctic.
Sea creatures like turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals can get trapped in
plastic debris or confuse it for food, causing harm and death. Additionally,
microplastics, tiny plastic pieces, have been discovered in the oceans and
possibly entering the (2) ………………………………………………………………….. chain and affecting
(3) ………………………………………………………………….. health.
To tackle this problem, we must adopt sustainable practices and implement
policies that reduce plastic usage and encourage recycling and proper waste
management.
Governments, businesses and individuals all have a significant role in cutting
down plastic waste. Some effective approaches include using reusable bags and
containers, choosing products with minimal (4)
………………………………………………………………….. packaging, and supporting the development of

biodegradable and eco-friendly alternatives.

By working together to address the (5) ………………………………………………………………….. of
plastic garbage, we can strive for a cleaner and more (6)
………………………………………………………………….. environment for future generations.
Multi-Level Record Abror Rahmatullayev

READING PART 2
Read the texts 7-14 and the statements A-J. Decide which text matches with the situation
described in the statements. Each statement can be used ONCE only. There are TWO extra
statements which you do not need to use.

If you are interested in...

A) Learning about significant historical events
B) Discovering little-known facts about famous people
C) Reading weird and unusual stories from the past
D) Finding eyewitness accounts of important moments
E) Learning about disastrous accidents and their causes
F) Exploring controversial conspiracy theories
G) Seeing vivid photographs and film footage
H) Listening to podcasts about the past
I) Watching documentaries on overlooked topics
J) Researching your family history

Read the text below and answer questions 7-14.

7. www.historyuncovered.com
Explore important moments in history and lesser-known shifts that tend to be forgotten.
Discover surprising new information about old societies, life in the past, efforts to
establish colonies, and other topics. Immerse yourself in carefully written articles that
bring life to past times.
8. www.weirdhistory.com
Begin an exploration of the peculiar and offbeat aspects of history, ranging from curious
medieval medical techniques to unconventional trends in the Victorian era. Uncover
bizarre artifacts, unsettling traditions, and absurd cultural occurrences from times gone by.
An enthralling read crafted for enthusiasts of historical eccentricities.
9. www.eyewitnesshistory.com
Immerse yourself in the experiences of people from the past by reading their letters,
journals, and personal stories that describe important happenings such as wars, disasters,
and new ideas. This will help you truly grasp significant moments in history, as you get a
direct view of these events from the perspective of those who were there.
10. www.historypodcasts.com
Explore a wide collection of podcasts covering various periods and aspects of history.
Immerse yourself in subjects that stretch from ancient Rome to the popular trends of the
1980s. Expand your understanding while on your way to work or during exercise, and you
even have the choice to read through episode transcripts for a deeper dive.
Multi-Level Record Abror Rahmatullayev

11. www.historyflix.com
View documentaries, historical plays, and similar videos about forgotten individuals,
occurrences, and eras. The compilation covers times before recorded history up to the
present time. Acquire knowledge of the past through skillfully crafted movies and
television programs.
12. www.conspiracyhistory.com
Examine alternative explanations or viewpoints that challenge the established narratives
concerning major historical events, such as the JFK assassination, 9/11, and the perplexing
circumstances surrounding the death of Princess Diana.
13. www.ancestorhunt.com
Access a comprehensive database of records and strategic insights to uncover the story of
your family lineage. Discover valuable documents such as census records,
birth/marriage/death certificates, and military archives that span across generations. Piece
together a detailed family tree to establish a meaningful connection with your ancestral
past.
14. www.historyimages.com
Explore this extensive compilation of historical photographs and footage, categorized by
event, locale, or subject matter. Zoom in on high-definition images and watch captivating
film snippets and newsreels capturing monumental occurrences in real time.

PART 3
Read the text and choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of
headings below.
There are more headings than paragraphs, so you will not use all of them. You
cannot use any heading more than once. Mark your answers on the answer sheet.
List of Headings:
A. Unknown Long-Term Impacts 15. Paragraph I
B. Promise for Treating Genetic Diseases 16. Paragraph II
C. Need for Caution and Restraint
17. Paragraph III
D. Scope for Enhancing Agriculture
E. Dangers of Misuse and "Designer Babies" 18. Paragraph IV
F. Calls for Oversight and Regulation 19. Paragraph V
G. Prospect of Unexpected Health Risks
20. Paragraph VI
H. Potential to Advance Human Capabilities
Multi-Level Record Abror Rahmatullayev

I. The groundbreaking emergence of gene editing technologies such as CRISPR has

transformed the landscape of biological research, presenting a wealth of opportunities for
combating genetic diseases. However, it is crucial to recognize that these advancements
come with ethical implications if employed irresponsibly or without proper supervision.
As one of the most significant technological breakthroughs in recent decades, gene editing
demands cautious consideration and conscientious application.
II In the sphere of medicine, gene editing boasts an astonishing potential. It has the
capacity to pave the path for focused therapies aimed at a diverse spectrum of genetic
conditions, encompassing illnesses like sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis, among
others. CRISPR's prowess in modifying mutations responsible for diseases carries the
hope of providing enduring remedies for disorders that are presently only manageable.
While clinical trials are presently underway to gauge the feasibility of CRISPR-based
treatments, a more comprehensive research undertaking remains essential to ensure the
dual aspects of safety and efficacy.
III. The applications of gene editing extend beyond the boundaries of medicine,
encompassing possibilities in agriculture, livestock breeding, and even the control of
disease-carrying insects. By harnessing this technology, we could potentially tackle the
challenge of feeding the world's burgeoning population in an environmentally sustainable
manner. However, tampering with the delicate balance of nature may lead to unforeseen
repercussions within ecosystems, necessitating a deeper understanding of the long-term
effects.
IV. While the prospects presented by CRISPR are undeniably exciting, it is essential to
acknowledge the inherent risks, including the contentious issue of designer babies,
weaponization of genetic modifications, and unintended consequences. Without
appropriate safeguards, gene editing could pave the way for a new era of eugenics,
wherein parents could customize their children's genetic makeup according to their
preferences. In the most extreme scenarios, genetically enhanced humans and even
bioweapons could emerge, underscoring the urgency of implementing vigilant oversight.
V. Another critical aspect to consider is the limitation of our current knowledge. Despite
CRISPR's remarkable precision, scientists still grapple with the challenge of accurately
predicting the full extent of altering complex gene interactions. The possibility of
unforeseen mutations activating cancer-causing genes or introducing heritable conditions
cannot be discounted. Furthermore, genetic changes may perpetuate indefinitely through
generations in unpredictable ways, necessitating cautiousness in the face of these
uncertainties.
VI. Ultimately, the responsible and ethical application of gene editing demands a
thoughtful approach that maximizes its benefits while mitigating its risks. Establishing
binding international guidelines, implementing licensing procedures for CRISPR usage,
and imposing moratoriums on germline editing in humans are all indispensable measures
to regulate this groundbreaking technology. By embracing a conscientious outlook, gene
editing has the potential to revolutionize human health and society profoundly.
Nonetheless, we must remain vigilant, prioritizing the alleviation of suffering over the
pursuit of enhancing humans or playing the role of creators.
Multi-Level Record Abror Rahmatullayev

PART 4
Engaging in new endeavors often entails taking risks, whether it be a diver exploring an
underwater cave, a scientist delving into the research of a dangerous disease, or an
entrepreneur investing in a new business venture. These individuals willingly embrace
significant risks driven by various motives such as fame, financial gain, or the desire to
save lives. While many people are willing to take calculated risks to achieve their goals,
the number of individuals who continue to push forward diminishes as the level of danger
increases. Only the most audacious risk-takers persist in the face of adversity. This begs
the question: what propels these individuals to persevere where others would retreat?
To answer this question, scientists are studying the biological factors involved in risk-
taking. Their research focuses on certain chemicals in the brain. An important chemical in
risk-taking is dopamine. It motivates us to seek out and learn new things, and it helps us
process emotions like anxiety and fear. People whose brains don't produce enough
dopamine often lack motivation and interest in life. On the other hand, "someone who
takes risks to accomplish something—to climb a mountain or start a company—that's
driven by motivation, and motivation is driven by dopamine." says Larry Zweifel, a
neurobiologist at the University of Washington. "It's what compels humans to move
forward."
When we successfully accomplish a task, dopamine floods our system, imparting a sense
of satisfaction and euphoria. The riskier the endeavor, the greater the surge of dopamine,
intensifying our feelings of fulfillment. With this in mind, one might wonder why not
everyone is eager to scale mountains or embark on entrepreneurial ventures. Part of the
answer lies in the role of autoreceptors, which are small molecules that regulate dopamine
utilization in the brain. Individuals with a greater number of autoreceptors tend to be more
cautious since they have less freely circulating dopamine. Neuropsychologist David Zald
aptly compares dopamine to gasoline, while autoreceptors act as the brakes in a car.
Someone with reduced braking ability is more inclined to take risks.
While dopamine production brings about positive emotions, being exposed to high-risk
situations over an extended period can also induce stress and pose potential dangers.
Successful risk-takers must learn to navigate and manage the fear associated with such
circumstances, ensuring their own safety while minimizing stress.
In reality, adapting to risk is a skill that we all acquire. Consider the example of learning to
drive a car. Initially, a novice driver may feel apprehensive about traveling on highways.
However, as experience is gained, comfort grows, allowing the driver to navigate
smoothly through fast-moving traffic with less concern for the potential hazards.
Similarly, a tightrope walker begins by practicing on a beam on the ground, gradually
progressing to a slightly elevated rope, and eventually conquering the high wire. Through
practice and progression, the tightrope walker gains control and perceives the activity as
less perilous. By engaging in challenging activities and honing their skills, humans can
become accustomed to risk, effectively manage danger, and exert control over the fear that
accompanies such situations.
Multi-Level Record Abror Rahmatullayev

Marine biologist and deep-sea diver Rhian Waller's work exemplifies this principle. She
conducts research in some of the deepest and coldest waters on Earth, encountering
significant risks in her line of work. How does she maintain composure, control fear, and
ensure her own safety? "It comes with practice," she explains. "Knowing precisely what to
do when something goes wrong is crucial. We meticulously prepare for each expedition
and make every effort to minimize risks."
It is essential to recognize that risk-taking is not limited to tightrope walkers or deep-sea
divers. It is an inherent aspect of being human. Our innate curiosity and desire for new
experiences drive us to take chances. In doing so, we expose ourselves to the possibility of
failure, but we also open doors to personal growth and exciting discoveries.

21. According to the article, what is one common reason for people to take large risks?
a. a desire for fame
b. a lack of dopamine
c. to control motivation
d. to learn new things
22. What is one of the main functions of dopamine?
a. It allows us to talk.
b. It allows us to be alert.
c. It helps us process emotions.
d. It makes us fear dangerous situations.
23. What do autoreceptors do?
a. They make us less careful.
b. They make us feel better.
c. They control dopamine in our brain.
d. They connect molecules in our brain.
24. What is the purpose of paragraph 5?
a. to show why driving and tightrope walking are such risky activities
b. to give examples of how practicing a risky activity can reduce fear of it
c. to illustrate how some people are attracted to risky activities while others aren't
d. to explain why some activities are riskier and more dangerous than others

25. What can we infer about marine biologist Rhian Waller?

a. She has learned to adapt to risk.
b. She has been afraid of the ocean for most of her life.
c. She prefers to do her job when there is danger involved.
d. She thinks it is impossible to prepare for most risks.

For questions 26-29, decide if the following statements agree with the
information given in the text. Mark your answers on the answer sheet.

26. Fewer individuals choose to progress as the level of danger increases.

A) True B) False C) No information
Multi-Level Record Abror Rahmatullayev

27. A sense of contentment is produced by dopamine when we choose to give up on a task.

A) True B) False C) No information

28. Long-term exposure to high-risk situations can evoke stress

A) True B) False C) No information

29. Tightrope walkers are more inclined to embrace risks than deep-sea divers.
A) True B) False C) No information
Multi-Level Record Abror Rahmatullayev

PART 5

A black hole is one of the most incredible things in the universe. It forms when a star
collapses and becomes so dense that even light cannot escape its strong gravity. This is
hard for us to imagine because it challenges what we think is possible. Even Albert
Einstein, a famous scientist, thought it was too unbelievable to be real, but he was wrong.
Our sun, which is an average-sized star, will also go through changes when it runs out of
fuel. Its outer layers will float away, and the center will become much smaller due to
gravity. This leftover star is called a white dwarf, and it will be about a million times
smaller than the sun, similar in size to the Earth.
If a star is ten times heavier than our sun, its death is more dramatic. The outer layers
explode and create a supernova, which is one of the brightest things in the universe. The
center collapses under gravity and becomes a spinning ball called a neutron star. A neutron
star is incredibly dense, and even a small piece of it would weigh a billion tons on Earth.
But the most extreme death happens to stars that are 20 times heavier than our sun. Their
centers collapse, and temperatures reach incredibly high levels. The force of gravity
becomes so strong that everything gets squeezed into tiny bits, including iron pieces bigger
than Mount Everest. Atoms are even destroyed. This intense squeezing creates a black
hole, which is the tiniest and densest form a star can become.
Inside a black hole, gravity is incredibly strong. Nothing, not even light, can escape its
pull, which is why it looks black. We can't see what's inside a black hole because it's cut
off from the rest of the universe by a boundary called an event horizon. Anything that
enters a black hole, like a star or a planet, is lost forever and cannot be observed from
outside.
Interestingly, even though Albert Einstein came up with the theory that predicted the
existence of black holes, he didn't think they were real. He believed nature wouldn't allow
such objects to exist because it seemed impossible that gravity could become so powerful.
However, in the 1960s, telescopes became more advanced, and scientists discovered that
many galaxies have a super dense object at their center, which can only be a black hole.
These black holes are incredibly massive. The one in the center of our galaxy, the Milky
Way, is 4.3 million times heavier than the sun. There are even bigger black holes in other
galaxies, weighing as much as billions or even tens of billions of suns. Black holes grow
by consuming stars, planets, and gas clouds. In fact, there are likely trillions of them in the
universe.
Despite their immense size and influence, black holes are invisible. We can't directly see
them, but scientists can deduce their existence by observing their effects on surrounding
objects. For example, if a planet or star comes close to a black hole, we can see the
powerful gravity trying to pull them in. Scientists are planning to capture images of a
Multi-Level Record Abror Rahmatullayev

black hole in action as it consumes a large object, which will be the best evidence of their
existence so far.
Black holes are messy eaters. As objects get closer, they get hotter, and the extreme heat
and spinning of the black hole cause large amounts of matter to break up and fly away at
incredibly high temperatures. This heated matter then cools down, comes together, and
eventually forms new stars in the galaxy.
In recent years, scientists have started to consider the idea that our universe is not the only
one out there. They propose the concept of a multiverse, which is a vast collection of
separate universes. This is still a theory, but it suggests that to create a new universe, you
would need to take material from an existing universe, compress it, and seal it within a
black hole.
According to this theory, our universe may have originated from a black hole in another
older universe. Around 13.8 billion years ago, our universe began when a black hole
exploded suddenly. Just before the explosion, everything was packed into an extremely
dense speck called a singularity. This theory of the multiverse can be compared to an
acorn falling into the ground and sprouting into an oak tree. Similarly, a singularity acts as
the seed for a new universe.

For questions 1-4, fill in the gaps in the numbered spaces.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS and /or A NUMBER for each
question

Black holes form when stars collapse, with gravity so strong that even
(30)………………………………….. is unable to escape.

The death of a star ten times the size of the sun causes an explosion that generates a
(31)…………………………………...

The event horizon forms a (32) ………………………………….......... that isolates a black hole from the
rest of the universe.

Scientists are exploring the possibility of a (33) ………………………………….........., where numerous

other universes might exist alongside our own.

34. What caused people in the scientific community to start to think about black holes in a
new way?
a. Albert Einstein presented his theory of relativity.
Multi-Level Record Abror Rahmatullayev

b. New telescopes began to be widely used.

c. Astronauts in the 1960s brought back new information.
d. Advances in physics proved black holes existed.

35. Which statement is a theory, and not a proven fact?

a. Black holes are extremely common.
b. There are billions of galaxies in the universe.
c. The black hole in our galaxy is more than four million times heavier than the sun.
d. Our universe is the product of a black hole in another, older universe.