A. Yorkshire
Visitors flock to Yorkshire because there is no place on earth like God’s Own County. It considers its food and drink reputation as now the best in Britain. Yorkshire boasts more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else in the country (apart from the clogged streets of London and who wants to go there?
The sheer beauty of the county, sometimes as unexpected as a dilapidated mill chimney stabbing up through a leaden sky, has inspired generations of painters: from John Atkinson Grimshaw’s moonscapes to the Victorian artists of the Staithes Group to David Hockney’s Yorkshire Wolds.
B. Cotswolds
The glorious, honey-coloured towns and villages of the Cotswolds look as if they have strayed into the 21st century from another era. The area is characterised by gentle dynamism, with lively galleries, vibrant festivals and a liberal endowment of intriguing museums.
Covering nearly 800 square miles across five counties (Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire), this region of 'wolds', or rolling hills is the biggest of the 38 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England and Wales.
C. Devon
Craggy coves and cream teas, surf breaks and strolls, picnics and pints in pub gardens – holidays in Devon are wholesome, simple and scenic. Most people are drawn to the magnificent beaches on the south and north coasts, but inland Devon has its appeal, too.
A visit here mixes two of life’s loveliest pleasures: good food and the great outdoors. Devon folk make the most of the rich larder of food on their doorstep. Lamb, venison, pheasant, pork and seafood are staples, and the county’s farmers’ markets are full of artisan producers selling delicious cider, apple juice, cheese and ice cream.
D. Lake District
Visit the Lake District for Britain’s finest scenery, greenest countryside and grandest views. Its picturesque patchwork of lakes, valleys, woodlands and fells make it one of the best places in Britain to get out and experience the great outdoors, whether it’s on a leisurely bike ride down country lanes or a day-long hike across the hills.
The Lake District also has numerous artistic and literary connections, most famously William Wordsworth, who was born in Cockermouth in 1770 and drew much of his poetic inspiration from the surrounding landscape. And while the weather is notoriously unpredictable (locals will tell you it’s not unusual to experience all four seasons in a single day), showers and racing clouds only emphasise the grandeur of the magnificent scenery.
E. Norfolk
Norfolk's undulating countryside and sleepy, flint-built villages are perfect for gentle cycling, walking or touring by car. Stately homes, ruined castles, medieval churches and half-timbered wool towns with fascinating museums make for enjoyable days out.
Although East Anglia gets less rain than many other holiday destinations in the UK, northerly and easterly winds over the North Sea can keep temperatures low. But even on cold, bright days in winter, the beach car parks can be busy with dog- walkers and hikers.
F. Suffolk
The beaches fringing the curved Norfolk and Suffolk coastline are the chief draw for visitors to the region. Even on the busiest summer’s day, there is always space for games, kite flying or a quiet family picnic in the dunes. It’s also a wild landscape of dense pine forest, open heathland and great expanses of salt marsh.
Birdlife is astonishingly rich, and coastal wildflowers include yellow-horned poppies and purple-flowering sea pea, while the unique wetlands of the Broads, one of England’s 10 designated National Parks, is home to more than 400 rare species, including butterflies, dragonflies, moths and snails.
Women enjoy most freedoms today that men enjoy, and have joined the American workforce in droves to work as doctors, lawyers, teachers, designers, truck drivers and in many other professions. Discrimination against women still exists in various forms, particularly in the workplace. Women should know their rights as U.S. workers and take responsibility for helping to stop rights violations in the workplace.
History
Women have worked in some capacity in the U.S. since its inception, but only in menial jobs for very low pay. During World War I, women entered the workforce in higher numbers due to the shortage of men. It wasn’t until World War II that they went to work in force. During this period, women took positions formerly open only to men; 7 million women entered the workforce, 2 million of those in heavy industry. They still had no formal workplace rights until the passage of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This act states that employers may not discriminate against people on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex or national origin.
Significance
Title VII makes it illegal for employers to exclude qualified women from any available position. Employers would often hire less qualified men for positions to which women had applied. This law empowers women to sue if they feel a potential employer has excluded them from a position based on gender.
President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act in 1963, which states that employers must pay women the same amount they would pay a man in the same position. In the past, companies paid women far less than their male counterparts for the same position. Women can sue their employers if they can prove that a male in the same position earns higher wages. Both of these laws significantly increase the status of women in the workforce.
Types
Women’s rights in the workplace include many facets, such as the right to work if pregnant. An employer cannot exclude a woman from a position due to pregnancy as long as she can perform satisfactorily. Employers cannot refuse to hire any person due to marital status, gender or age.
In addition, an employee of any company where a woman works may not sexually harass the woman in any way. This includes a hostile work environment where the woman must endure sexual comments, touching or materials, as well as unwanted sexual advances that put her in fear of losing her job if she does not comply. Women should report all advances of this sort to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or a supervisor.
Benefits
Because of workplace rights, women enjoy the freedom to work in almost any position they choose. They join the armed forces, work as cab drivers, own businesses and become executives in large corporations. As the financial status of women increases, so does the welfare of their families, children and the nation.
Considerations
According to Sexual Harassment Support, a nonprofit support group for victims of sexual harassment, only 5 percent to 15 percent of victims of workplace sexual harassment report these violations to their employers or proper authorities for fear of ridicule, losing their jobs or not being believed. All victims of sexual harassment should seriously consider reporting it. Taking this step protects America’s workforce from workplace rights violations.
SECTION 2 - QUESTIONS 15-29
Read the text and answer Questions 15 - 21
A. You’ll learn more about yourself.
Joining a student organization presents many opportunities to learn more about yourself, your goals, and your strengths. You can learn from how other students handle certain situations and test your current knowledge. You can also find out what you’re good at, whether that’s multitasking, staying organized, generating ideas, or serving others. This self-awareness will be beneficial for your future career.
B. You’ll develop soft skills.
Soft skills are essential “people skills” — they’re the skills that allow us to effectively interact with others, like communication, attitude, and work ethic. Participating in a student organization not only teaches you these skills but also helps you broaden and improve those you already have. You’ll learn the best way to communicate with both individuals and large groups, and you’ll gain emotional intelligence as you develop new relationships.
C. You’ll learn how to work with a team.
Knowing how to work well with a team is an essential skill for any career. Being in a student organization teaches you how to do this by putting you in situations where you are required to take advice from others, as well as give your own.
D. You’ll get networking opportunities.
Another great benefit of student organizations (and graduate programs as a whole) is that you get the opportunity to network. Meeting new students, making connections, and building relationships will all help down the line when you’re looking for a job. Because you’re all part of the same organization, you know the people you’re meeting have at least a few of the same interests as you, so their connections will be valuable. Corbett said:
“Many of our organizations are professionally-focused and host several events with alumni or panel discussions with local professionals. These events are excellent opportunities for the student leaders, and can often lead to a potential internship or employment opportunities in the future!”
E. You’ll gain practical experience in a safe environment.
Participating in a club or an organizations based around your particular area of study will give you practical experience within that field. And what’s great about student clubs is that while you learn to use skills like project management, event planning, and fundraising, you get to test them out in a safe environment where making mistakes are OK. Everyone is there to support you, so there’s no fear in messing up or being wrong.
F. You’ll be able to use the skills you’ve learned in class.
“As business students, you are able to apply classroom experience in your student organizations, and also develop leadership and life skills that help you become more effective in classroom team projects.”
Corbett also mentioned that being part of an organization allows you to put all of those things you’ve been learning in class to the test in real-world situations. You’ll get to learn what works and what doesn’t, and you’ll be able to take that knowledge back to the classroom, and then, of course, along with you in a future career.
G. You’ll learn how to engage with diverse groups of people.
Chances are, the organization you choose to participate in will include a diverse group of people — you’ll be faced with the same situation in the working world! Learning how different people respond and react to certain situations will help you develop your skills in presenting and implementing ideas. Corbett said student organizations can also provide you with the opportunity to learn about different cultural backgrounds.
Read the text and answer Questions 22 - 29
International Students House is a unique club and accommodation centre for British and overseas students in London. It is located in the heart of London's West End and is close to all public transport facilities.
ACCOMMODATION
» comfortable accommodation for up to 450 people in single, twin, 3/4 bedded and multi-bedded rooms
» 44 self-contained flats for married students and families.
» long and short stays welcomed.
MEMBERSHIP
Club membership is open to all full-time students, professional trainees, student nurses and au pairs. Membership costs are kept to an absolute minimum to enable the widest possible access. You can join for as little as one month and for up to one year at a time. Membership entitles you to use the various facilities of the House. It has:
The best way to check out all we have on offer is to drop in any Tuesday evening between 7.15 pm and 8.30 pm for Open House in the Club Room. This is an opportunity for you to meet the staff and other club members, enjoy a free cup of coffee and find out all about what's going on. You can take advantage of special membership offers. (Useful tip: bring along 3 passport size photographs if you wish to take out membership.)
ADVICE SERVICE
Thanks to the support of STA Travel and in association with LCOS (the London Conference on Overseas Students) International Students House now provides the service of an International Students Adviser. This new welfare service is open to all students at London's bona-fide academic institutions. It aims to provide welfare support to help students overcome any personal or practical difficulties they may be experiencing whilst studying in Britain. One of the key features of the Advice Service is that the Adviser can be seen during the evenings until about 8 pm, Monday to Thursday.
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR
Unable to get home for Christmas? How about joining in the fun at International Students House! Check out our special programme of activity taking place over the Christmas period. Even come and stay - the House will be offering reduced accommodation rates for students wishing to spend a few days in London over Christmas. We'll also have an exciting New Year's Eve party so come and join us and ring in the New Year in the spirit of internationalism.
RECYCLING GLASS
A - Recycling Glass
Most glass bottles and jars produced in the United States now contain at least 27% recycled glass - which also saves on energy to produce glass made from new materials. Some glass cannot be made into other products, or doing so is not economically feasible. If your local recycler doesn’t participate in glass recycling, it’s due to the market for that glass being very small or non-existent. However, if glass recycling is available, it’s important to keep in mind as you recycle that even small amounts of some materials mixed in can contaminate entire loads. Find out more about the types of glass and how they are recycled below.
B - Clear Glass
About 61% of glass containers produced in this country are clear. Clear glass is made of a combination of silica (sand), soda ash, and limestone. Marketing professionals often prefer clear glass containers because they make the product inside visible.
However, the clear glass may cause some products to degrade because of light exposure. That's why about 39% of the glass produced is coloured. Clear glass is sometimes used for beverages. More often, it's used to package solids or thick liquids, such as pasta sauce, that may not be sensitive to light.
C - Brown Glass
About 31% of glass containers produced in this country are brown in colour. To produce brown glass, the manufacturer adds nickel, sulfur and carbon to molten glass. The "brown" in the glass cannot be removed. Thus, brown bottles can be used only to make other brown bottles. Brown glass protects the container's contents from direct sunlight, thus preserving freshness and flavour. It is the most common colour used for beer bottles.
D - Green Glass
About 7% of glass containers produced in this country are green in colour. To produce green glass, the manufacturer adds iron, chromium or copper to molten glass. Green glass comes in a variety of shades. The "green" cannot be removed. Thus, green bottles can be used only to make other green bottles. Green glass helps keep sunlight and temperature from affecting the contents, which explains why it is often used in the manufacture of wine bottles.
E - More About Recycling Glass
The glass is taken to a manufacturing or recycling plant where it is broken up into smaller pieces known as "cullet." The cullet is crushed, sorted, cleaned, and prepare to be mixed with other raw materials. When the glass is produced from virgin materials, it requires high temperatures to melt and combine all the ingredients.
Since cullet melts at a lower temperature, the more of it you add to a batch of raw materials, the less energy needed to melt it.
Ceramics such as coffee cups and plates present a problem in the glass-making process because they can weaken the glass. Even a small amount of ceramics can contaminate a whole batch of glass and cost the glassmaker millions of dollars.
F - What Not To Recycle
Not all glass can be recycled. The following items should not be placed in your recycling bin:
Questions 1-8
The text has six descriptions of places to visit in England, A-F
Which description mentions the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 1-8.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
Old architecture and cold temperatures.
Great beaches and plenty of places to eat good food.
Lots of creatures to see here, including birds and butterflies.
One of the largest places in England that has phenomenal beauty.
You can ride bikes or walk over hills.
The home of creative minds and amazing landscapes.
The best food can be eaten here.
Painters have called this home.
Do the following
statements agree with the information given in the text?
TRUE - if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE - if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN - if there is no information on this
During World War 2 there
were more women working than men.
Women now earn at least 10 times more than men in certain roles.
Discrimination towards women still happens in the present day .
A small number of women report sexual harassment in the workplace.
Women have no rights to work if they are pregnant.
Women are the highest paid CEO's in the USA.
Look at the article 'Reasons Why You Should Join a Student Organization '. Why should you join an organization?
Write the appropriate letter A-G for questions 15-21.
You may use each letter more than once.
You would like to make connections that could help you to find a job.
You want to learn how to communicate with others.
You would like an opportunity to learn your strengths.
You would like to practice your skills, without risks.
You want to meet other people from all over the world.
You are interested in using the information you have learned in lessons.
You want to meet some people and work together.
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?
TRUE - if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE - if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN - if there is no information on this
The club has long-term dormitory accommodation.
Membership must be renewed monthly.
The club provides subsidised restaurant meals.
The club is open to non-members on Tuesday evenings.
STA Travel help finance the Students Adviser.
The services of the Students Adviser are free to all club members.
You must make an appointment to see the Students Adviser.
There will be a surcharge for accommodation over the Christmas period.
Complete the summary below of the first two paragraphs of the Reading Passage.
Choose ONE OR TWO WORDS from the Reading Passage for each answer.
Write your answers in blanks 30-36.
Not all can be used again and made into other objects. This must be, separated and cleaned before recycling and if any of the different types of glass are mixed, they can large amounts of the product. Transparent glass is often used by many as they are pleasing to look at and easy to use when trying to sell products to customers. This type of glass is made from three different materials combined, including; and . Using see-through containers for some items may cause them to deteriorate, so more often glass is used.
Look at paragraphs C, D, E and F and, using the information in the passage, complete the flow chart below.
Write your answers in blanks 37-41.
Use ONE OR TWO WORDS for each answer.
| The glass is taken to a bank or recycling plant where it is broken up into smaller pieces known as "cullet." | The cullet is crushed, sorted, cleaned and prepared to be mixed with other |
| | When the glass is produced from virgin materials, it requires high to melt and combine all the ingredients. |
| Since cullet melts at a lower temperature, the more of it you add to a batch of , the less energy needed to melt it |
