PASSAGE 1 - Questions 1-10

Internet Jobs
Contrary to popular belief, one does not have to be a trained programmer to work
online. Of course there are plenty of jobs available for people with high-tech computer skills,
but the growth of new media has opened up a wide range of Internet career opportunities
requiring only a minimal level of technical expertise. Probably one of the most well-known
online job opportunities is the job of webmaster. However, it is hard to define one basic job
description for this position. The qualifications and responsibilities depend on what tasks a
particular organization needs a webmaster to perform.
To specify the job description of a webmaster, one needs to identify the hardware and
software that the website the webmaster will manage is running on. Different types of
hardware and software require different skill sets to manage them. Another key factor is
whether the website will be running internally (at the firm itself) or externally (renting shared
space on the company servers). Finally, the responsibilities of a webmaster also depend on
whether he or she will be working independently, or whether the firm will provide people to
help. All of these factors need to be considered before one can create an accurate webmaster
job description.
Webmaster is one type of internet career requiring in-depth knowledge of the latest
computer applications. However, there are also online jobs available for which traditional
skills remain in high demand. Content jobs require excellent writing skills and a good sense of
the web as a "new media."
The term "new media" is difficult to define because it encompasses a constantly
growing set of new technologies and skills. Specifically, it includes websites, email, Internet
telephony, CD-ROM, DVD, streaming audio and video, interactive multimedia presentations,
e-books, digital music, computer illustration, video games, virtual reality, and computer
artistry.
Additionally, many of today's Internet careers are becoming paid-by-the-job
professions. With many companies having to downsize in tough economic times, the
outsourcing and contracting of freelance workers online has become common business
practice. The Internet provides an infinite pool of buyers from around the world with whom
freelancers can contract their services. An added benefit to such online jobs is that freelancers
are able to work on projects with companies outside their own country of residence.
How much can a person make in these kinds of careers? As with many questions
related to today's evolving technology, there is no simple answer. There are many companies
willing to pay people with technical Internet skills salaries well above $70,000 a year.
Generally, webmasters start at about $30,000 per year, but salaries can vary greatly.
Freelance writers working online have been known to make between $40,000 and $70,000 per
year.

1. Which of the following is true about Internet jobs?

A. Most of them require excellent technical expertise.
B. Job opportunities are open to both proficient and non-proficient people.
C. Only trained programmers are suitable for the jobs.
D. It is not possible for people with limited technical expertise to find a job.
2. The word "identify" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to _______.
A. name B. estimate C. discount D. encounter
3. According to the passage, what is a feature of webmasters?
A. They never work independently.
B. They require a minimal level of expertise.
 C. Their duties depend on the organization they work for.
D. They do not support software products.
4. The word "them" in paragraph 2 refers to _______.
A. companies B. new job opportunities
C. hardware and software D. webmasters
5. In paragraph 3, what is mentioned as one requirement of a webmaster position?
A. Good communication skill
B. Excellent writing skill
C. The ability to work independently
D. Understanding of the latest computer applications
6. Websites can be defined as a kind of _______.
A. computer illustration
B. interactive multimedia presentations
C. new media
D. computer artistry
7. The outsourcing and contracting of online freelancers has become popular as a result of
_______.
A. the downsizing of companies in difficult economic times.
B. the better quality of online workers.
C. the expansion of online business.
D. the abundance of online projects.
8. The word "vary" in paragraph 6 could best be replaced by which of the following?
A. change B. decrease C. increase D. differ
9. It can be inferred from the passage that _______.
A. freelancers can contract with foreign companies.
B. only skilled workers make good money.
C. it is easy to become a webmaster.
D. workers with limited computer skills cannot work online.
10. What is the purpose of this passage?
A. To inform people about the tasks and role of a webmaster
B. To inform people about the computer industry
C. To inform people about employment related to the Internet
D. To explain why webmasters make a lot of money

PASSAGE 2 – Questions 11-20

People have been donating blood since the early twentieth century to help accident
victims and patients undergoing surgical procedures. Usually a pint of whole blood is
donated, and it is then divided into platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells. People can
donate blood (for red blood cells) about once every two months.
Transfusing the blood from the donor to the recipient is straightforward. It involves
taking the blood from a donor's arm vein by means of a hypodermic syringe. The blood flows
through a plastic tube to a collection hag or bottle that contains sodium citrate, which prevents
the blood from clotting.
When the blood is given to a patient, a plastic tube and hypodermic needle are
connected to the recipient's arm. The blood flows down from the container by gravity. This is
a slow process and may last as long as 2 hours to complete the infusion of blood into the
recipient. The patient is protected from being infected during the transfusion. Only sterile
containers, tubing, and needles are used, and this helps ensure that transfused or stored blood
is not exposed to disease causing bacteria.
Negative reactions to transfusions are not unusual. The recipient may suffer an allergic
reaction or be sensitive to donor leukocytes. Some may suffer from an undetected red-cell
incompatibility. Unexplained reactions are also fairly common. Although they are rare, other
causes of such negative reaction include contaminated blood, air bubbles in the blood,
overloading of the circulatory system through administration of excess blood, or sensitivity to
donor plasma or platelets.
Today, hospitals and blood banks go to great lengths to screen all blood donors and
their blood. All donated blood is routinely and rigorously tested for diseases, such as HIV
(which causes AIDS), hepatitis B, and syphilis. When the recipient is a newborn or an infant,
the blood is usually irradiated to eliminate harmful elements. Donated blood is washed, and
the white blood cells and platelets are removed.
Storing the blood sometimes requires a freezing process. To freeze the red blood cells,
a glycerol solution is added. To unfreeze, the glycerol is removed. The ability to store blood
for long periods has been a boon to human health.
1. Which of the following words is closest in meaning to the word “donating” in
paragraph 1?
A. Adorning
B. Giving
C. Taking
D. Distributing
2. In paragraph 1, the word “it” refers to ______.
A. accident victims
B. surgical procedures
C. a pint of whole blood
D. surgery patients
3. According to the passage, how often can people donate blood for red blood cells?
A. Every four months
B. Every three months
C. Every two months
D. Every month
4. Where in the passage is the best place for the sentence: “Inserting the needle into the
recipient’s arm causes little pain.”?
A. After the last sentence in the first paragraph
B. After the word “syringe” in paragraph 2
C. After the word “arm” in paragraph 3
D. After the word “transfusion” in paragraph 3
5. Which sentence in paragraph 2 explains how clotting is prevented in the blood
container?
A. The first sentence
B. The second sentence
C. The third sentence
D. None of the above
6. All of the following are mentioned as potential negative reactions to transfusions
EXCEPT ______.
A. allergies
B. red-cell incompatibility
C. air bubbles in the blood
D. sensitivity to donor leukocytes
7. What answer choice is closest in meaning to the word “undetected” in paragraph 4?
A. Not wanted
B. Not captured
C. Not found
D. Not illustrated
8. Look at the phrase “go to great lengths to screen” in paragraph 5. Choose the word
that has the same meaning.
A. routinely
B. rigorously
C. irradiated
D. removed
9. Based on the information in the passage, what can be inferred about blood transfused
to infants and newborns?
A. It is as rigorously tested as blood for adults.
B. It is treated with radiant energy.
C. It is not treated differently from adults.
D. It is not dangerous for children.
10. What does the author imply in the passage?
A. Transfusing blood is a dangerous process
B. Storing blood benefits mankind
C. Clotting cannot be prevented
D. Freezing blood destroys platelets