ACA FLEX Reading 2-9

There is a romantic notion that the forests of North America lay largely untouched before the arrival of European settlers and that the lifestyle of indigenous North American people had had little impact on this pristine wilderness. But studies of pollen and tree survey data have shown a predominance of fire-adapted species such as oak and hickory, which points to a regular, deliberate burning of the undergrowth and low lying trees. It seems that, like the creation of so-called wood pastures in Europe, this burning was a form of forest management practised by indigenous people to promote plant species needed for food and animal fodder.

• Ato criticise the European settlers’ destruction of the forests of North America
• Bto assert that indigenous Americans’ lifestyle had only a negligible effect on the landscape
• Cto refute the idea that indigenous Americans exerted no control over their environment
• Dto contrast natural North American forests with the man-made forests of Europe to contrast natural North American forests with the man-made forests of Europe - no response given

Conglomerations of tower blocks sprung up in suburban Britain in the 1950s. Initially intended to help improve the health of local inhabitants and to house the burgeoning population, the concept seemed as if it would be a resounding success. The revolution was not meant to be. Even though they had replaced neighbourhoods which were squalid and over-polluted, by the end of the following decade, the new tower blocks were being torn down due to the isolation and alienation felt by their residents. These supposed harmonious, community-focused paradises were the antithesis of their architectural expectations.

• ALocal residents of suburban Britain were leading the changes described.
• BNew architectural designs were set to transform suburban living.
• CThe population boom created a need to tackle loneliness.
• DThe population boom created a need to tackle loneliness.

Good customer service relates to the service you and your employees provide before, during and after a purchase. For example, it’s how you ________ (3) with your customers. Improving your customer service skills can lead to great customer satisfaction and a more enjoyable experience for them. No matter the size of your business good customer service needs to be at the heart of your business model if you wish to be successful. it is important to provide good customer service; to all types of customers, including ________ (4), new and existing customers. Although it can take extra resources, time and money, good customer service leads to customer satisfaction which can generate positive ________ (5) for your business, keep your customers happy and encourage them to purchase form your business again. Good customer service can help your business grow and prosper.

The problem caused by plastic pollution is getting out of hand, but public ________ (6) and intervention are about to change that. About 9 billion kilograms of plastic waste reaches the world's ocean from coastal areas annually. This plastic causes ________ (7) and harm to the marine creatures such as turtles, whales, and seabirds that starve because their bellies are full of plastic particles leaving no room for real food. A ________ (8) study about the potential adverse impacts of tiny pieces of plastic in the marine food chain says that it might adversely ________ (9) human health and food security.

Hibernation is a way for many creatures - from butterflies to bats - to survive cold, dark winters without having to forage for food or migrate to somewhere warmer. ________ (10) , they turn down their metabolisms to save energy. Animals in hot climates also ________ (11) a form of hibernation called aestivation. This works in a similar way and enables them to survive extreme heat, drought or lack of food. Hibernating is much more ________ (12) than simply sleeping, though. Depending on the species, it can vary from long, deep unconsciousness to light spells of inactivity. But hibernation carries risks as the dormant animal is ________ (13) to predators and the unpredictable climate.

The morality of the welfare state depends on contribution and responsibility. Since some people don't contribute and many are irresponsible, the choices of those who do contribute and are responsible are either to ________ (14) the free riders, refuse to pay for the ________ (15) of their irresponsibility or trust the state to ________ (16) them. Hence the government campaigns against smoking, alcoholism, obesity and gas guzzling ‐ the first two solidly in place, the other two ramping up. But the British state now goes further: it acts in favor of sexual and racial minorities. In the case of gay men and women this means progressively removing the legal disadvantages under which they have lived, and ensuring that society as a whole observes the new order.

Here is a part of Spain's sun-baked Andalucia that is extraordinary not only because of its unspoiled terrain and authentic Spanish traditions but also because of its caves. These are not dark, damp holes, with dripping water and evil smells. They are residences, ancient Bronze Age dwellings now being refurbished for hundreds of 21st century Spaniards. In Galera, the region's most important village, it's estimated that there are at least 1,000 such habitations carved into its hillsides. We take old caves renovate them, then sell them on, says Rob Oakley, office manager of leading developer Galera enterprises. Our company was set up by someone who discovered the area of Galera when it was just a tourist attraction 15 years ago and saw its potential. The ancient abodes are transformed from rough caves into relatively luxurious homes, equipped out with amenities like electricity and sewage, phone lines, running hot water, even internet connections.

• AHoles
• BHillsides
• CAbodes
• DAmenities
• EEnterprises
• FDwellings
• GHabitations

In the year 1852, a clerk rushed into the chamber of Sir Andrew Waugh, India's surveyor general, and exclaimed that a Bengali computer named Radhanath Sikhdar, working out of the Survey's Calcutta bureau, had discovered the highest mountain in the world. In 1865, nine years after Sikhdar's computations had been confirmed, Waugh bestowed the name Mount Everest on Peak XV, in honor of Sir George Everest, his predecessor as surveyor general. As it happened, Tibetans who lived to the north of the great mountain already had a more mellifluous name for it, Jomolungma, which translates to "goddess, mother of the word," and Nepalis who resided to the south called the peak Sagarmatha, "goddess of the sky", But Waugh pointedly chose to ignore these native apellations (as well as official policy encouraging the retention of local or ancient names), and Everest was the name that stuck.

• AThe mountain should be named after Tibet and Nepali
• BThe mountain should be named Nepali because it is located in Nepal
• CWaugh should not name the mountain after his elders
• DHe should keep the name Peak XV
• EThe mountain shouldn’t be named Everest

By the laws of probability, most decisions made under pressure should be flawed ones, yet psychologists have found that people routinely make correct judgments most of the time, even with limited information. One of Gladwell's surprising points is that we can actually learn how to make better snap judgments, in the same way that we can learn logical, deliberative thinking. But first we have to accept the idea that thinking long and hard about something does not always deliver us better results, and that the brain actually evolved to make us think on our feet.

• AThe brain is designed to enable quick decision making.
• BThinking long and hard improves decision making
• CLimited information prevents one from making decision
• DDecisions made under pressure are flawed
• EQuick decision making can be improved.

The Emperor Penguin is a penguin that lives in Antarctica. It is the tallest and heaviest of all penguin species. Emperor Penguins are black and white like all penguins but the sides of their neck are golden. Emperors live in the coldest climate on earth. They breed at the beginning of the Antarctic winter (March and April), on the ice all around the Antarctic continent. The shape of their body helps them to survive. They have short wings that help them dive up to 900 feet to catch larger fish. They can swim up to 12 miles per hour for a short time, which lets them escape from their main enemy, the Leopard Seal. They can stay warm because they have a thick layer of blubber. In addition, the layer of soft feathers trap air that keeps the body heat in and cold air and water out.

• Ashould be examined more closely by the scientists
• Blet them stay alive in one of the harshest climatic conditions of the world
• Cpresent certain differences from other penguin species
• Dmakes them effective against cold weather as they have a thick layer of blubber and a layer of soft feathers.
• Eare believed not to have changed a lot throughout time