SIMULARE ADMITERE 2010 I.

READING COMPREHENSION Read the text below and solve the proposed items, by choosing the right variant out of the four proposed for each item Although the great detective Sherlock Holmes is read in almost every language, his first appearance in print was a less than auspicious occasion. His creator, Conan Doyle, was a practicing doctor when he wrote his first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet, which was rejected three times before a publisher agreed to pay the author 25 for the copyright. The story appeared in 1887 but neither it nor its follow-up The Sign of Four got very much attention in the literary world. Then, in 1891, Conan Doyle sent A Scandal in Bohemia to The Strand magazine. The story was published in the July issue and Sherlock Holmes achieved fame at once. This fame, however, grew to such an extent that Doyle is reported to have said he takes my mind from better things. After becoming famous, Doyle complained that he would like to spend his time writing more worthy historical novels. At one time he killed Holmes but was forced by public outcry to restore him to life for a new series of adventures. It is over a century since the most enduring detective of all time first took residence at 221b Baker Street, which never existed. His fame lives on and many admirers of his ingenious methods of deduction still write to him at that address. 1. Sherlock Holmes is: A. a writer B. a fictional character C. an actor D. a publisher 2. Before achieving success Conan Doyle had written: A. three books B. no books C. one book D. two books 3. Conan Doyles first novel was: A. The sign of the four B. A Scandal in Bohemia C. A Study in Scarlet D. Sherlock Holmes 4. Conan Doyle was offered..........for his first novel: A. a huge amount of money B. a miserable sum C. a good deal D. unsatisfactory recognition and little money 5. Conan Doyles first two novels proved to be: A. complete failures which remained unknown by the readers B. huge successes among the readers of that time C. gripping novels D. not so well written 6. A Scandal in Bohemia was published: A. in June

B. in July C. in winter D. in December 7. Sherlock Holmes became famous in: A. 1891 B. 1887 C. it is not known D. it is not mentioned 8. The creator of Sherlock Holmes achieved fame: A. with his first novel B. later in his career C. shortly after the publishing of his third novel D. once the character of Sherlock Holmes was created 9. At first Conan Doyle, soon after his character had become famous: A. was very enthusiastic B. was not so pleased C. considered it distracted him from other more important things D. considered his career had come to an end 10. Conan Doyle considered: A. historical novels as boring B. historical novels as interesting C. historical novels as worthier to be written D. historical novels as less interesting than the fictional ones 11. For a certain period of time the character of Sherlock Holmes: A. disappeared B. was made to disappear by its creator C. was not heard of D. was rejected by the readers 12. The character of Sherlock Holmes reappeared due to: A. the public outcry B. the public need C. the authors will D. the authors creativity 13. The impressing image of this detective lasted for: A. more than 100years B. more than 50 years C. less than 100 years D. over a decade 14. Sherlock Holmes address, mentioned in the book: A. really existed B. still exists C. never existed D. has been recently relocated 15. Sherlock Holmes fame is based extensively on his: A. appearance B. intelligence C. witty lines D. ingenious methods of deduction

II. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY Items 16 to 25 are incomplete sentences. Choose among the four variants given under each sentence the one word or phrase that completes the sentence correctly. 16. The book which I ..yesterday when you called is excellent. A. was reading B. read C. had read D. have read 17. It is high time everybody .. what is at stake. A. understood B. will have understood C. has understood D. understands 18. You didnt have a good time at that beach party,..? A. did you B. have you C. shall you D. will you 19. John asked his girlfriend where .. to go after classes. A. does she want B. she wanted C. did she want D. she wants 20. Mr. Jones is very keenpunctuality. His lessons always start time and you get trouble if you're late. A. at /on/ in B. on/ on/ into C. at/ on/ into D. on/ in/in Each of the sentences from 16 to 25, contains one error. Identify the error from the four underlined words. 21. Everybody told him he might end up bad and everything could be worse, but he wont hear. 22. He kept looking at her, wondering where he saw her before. 23. As soon as I will arrive at home, I will tell you what has happened. 24. I am not used to work until 7 p.m. 25. He suggested to call him as soon as we arrived there.

From 26 to 30 you have four variants derived from the word written in capitals at the end of each line. Choose one variant that best fits in the gap. Only one variant is correct. 26. Father has agreed.........to his sons request to sell the house. WILL A. willingness B. willing C. willingly D. unwilling 27. What do you know about her ........in this issue? INVOLVE A. involvement B. involving C. uninvolved D. involved 28. She heard the entire conversation, and yet she was looking at me........DOUBT A. doubted B. doubtful C. doubting D. doubtfully 29. The jury have found the ......not guilty. DEFEND A. defendant B. defendent C. defence D. defending 30. I am watching a ............show on TV. SENSE A. sensation B. senses C. sensationally D. sensational

In items 31 to 35 each sentence has a word or phrase underlined. Choose among the four variants the one word or phrase that is the best substitute for the underlined word or phrase. 31. He was nearly run over by a car in full speed. A. almost B. very C. quite D. near 32. He was very focused on his work last night. A. dedicated to B. fond of C. keen on D. concentrated on 33. That boy reminded me of my uncle. A. recalled B. remembered C. seemed D. brought back

34. Therefore, we are unable to help you. A. Thus B. Moreover C. Nevertheless D. As 35. I am deeply sorry for what happened. A. very B. sincerely C. honest D. indeed III. WRITING You live near a dangerous road junction where several accidents have occurred. Write a letter to the authorities describing the problem. Choose among the variants offered the one that best fits the context, completing thus the whole letter: Dear Sir/Madam, 36. I am writing ..........the dangerous state of the road junction between Ellis Road and Wiltshire Avenue in the village of Hazlemere. A. to announce you B. to bring to your attention C. in order for to announce you D. because you must know 37. During the last year ...........a large number of accidents at this junction and it seems to me that something............ A. there have been/ must be done B. it have been/ must be done C. it has been/should have been done D. there were/must do 38. The basic problem is the lack of road signs on Ellis Road warning drivers of the junction. ..............traffic approaching from the north, there are no warning signs at all. A. Mostly for B. As for C. In particular for D. Especially 39. ........., the junction also presents a danger to the children ............the local primary school. A. Still/which walk to and from B. Nevertheless/that walking to and from C. Otherwise/walking to and for D. Furthermore/ walking to and from 40. ..............there is no safe place to cross, several children have been injured in minor accidents. A. Due to the fact that B. Because of C. As D. yet

41. Yet more accidents ..........by the fact that drivers have swerved to avoid children stepping off the pavement. A. were caused B. are caused C. had been caused D. have been caused 42. One solution to the problem would be to install signs on Ellis Road. These ............and large enough to make drivers aware of the junction. A. must be clear to see B. should be obvious C. can be clear visible D. should be clearly visible 43. Also, the speed limit should be reduced ...........cars travel at a speed at which they are able to slow down and stop safely. A. so as B. so as not to C. in order for D. to make sure that 44. I hope ............and that suitable measures will be taken before more accidents occur. A. you will give this matter your urgent consideration B. you will look out for this matter C. you are going to do something D. you will read this letter 45. ..........., K. J. Wright A. Yours sincerely B. Yours sincere C. Yours faithful D. Yours faithfully