Idioms: Advanced vo gra 179
\Essential cae 115,113
Essential cae 112
Essential cae 114
Vanilla Surprise
Vanilla is such a common flavour that it comes as a surprise to learn that it is also
one of the world's most expensive crops. The vanilla plant is a(n) (1)……….of the
Americas. Its flowers grow in (2)…………………. , and in nature they are pollinated by
hummingbirds and bees. The (3) ……………seed pods resemble oversized French beans,
and develop their (4)………..flavour and fragrance during the curing process. Aher
harvesting, the beans are treated with heat or hot water and are placed in the sun
every day for many weeks. When they have (5)…………… to a fifth of their original size,
they are (6) .......................according to size and quality.
Like other spices that we (7) ………….for granted today, vanilla has a fascinating history.
In the sixteenth century, the Spanish imported the spice to Europe. However, attempts
to grow vanilla in other locations (8)………….with failure: the plants would not produce
pods, and it was only when a way was found to pollinate the flowers artificially that
the commercial exploitation of this valuable crop (9) ………..under way.
Today vanilla is used in the manufacture of perfumes and cosmetics, as well as in the
culinary arts, where it is often aln) (10)……………... of puddings. Recently, it has also been
used in more (11) ……………..ways. Lobster and vanilla is now a popular dish in certain
restaurants - proving that chefs can (12) ……………up with amazing ideas to tickle the taste
buds.
1 A resident B aborigine C native D inhabitant
2 A groups B bouquets C teams D bunches
3 A deriving B resulting C producing D arising
4 A distinctive B appetising C tasteful D potential
5 A reduced B shrunk C diminished D lessened
6 A classed B split C divided D sorted
7 A consider B do C make D take
8 A resulted B ended C met D finished
9 A got Bwent Ccame D began
10 A substance B element C additive D ingredient
11 A imaginative B fabulous C unimaginable D different
12 A get B come C make D run
Lexical text:
Reading comprehension:
TAG QUESTIONS
1. So you're having a baby soon, are you? Congratulations!
2. Open the door, will you?
3. Don't smoke in this room, will you?
4. I'm talking to the walls, aren't I?
5. It seems that you are right, aren’t you?
6. I don’t believe Mary can do it, can she?
7. I think you said she wouldn’t come, didn’t you?
8. I wish to study English, may I?
9. She must have been out, hasn’t she?
10. That must be her new boy friend, isn’t it?
11. They must study hard, needn’t they?
12. Let us use your car, will you?
13. Let me help you, may I?
14. I like apples, don’t you?
15. He used to wear long hair, didn’t he?
1.There is a real possibility that these animals could be frightened, ……………….a sudden loud
noise./should there be
2.Excessive logging of forests in the past century has resulted in ………………as
deforestation./what becomes known
3.I have several problems at the moment, …………………….of which is lack of money./not the
least
4……………………smoke and the noise, the party made me feel quite ill./What with the
5.He seems to find the way Mimi behaves ……………….of amusement than
embarrassment./more a source
6.I’d sooner ……………..badly in the last exam./ you hadn’t done
7.The collapse of tin prices in 1980s destroyed the tin-mining industry,…………former
employees have since turned in desperation to growing coca./many of whose
8.I drove 200 miles to the concert , …………..that I had gone on the wrong day./only to find
9. Nick …………………………….passwords, but using IE instead of Firefox cured the problem!
10.I think we ought to see the rest of the exhibition as quickly as we can, …………….closes in
half an hour./given that it
1.Stephen really lost his …………. when his dental appointment was cancelled yet again.
A. head B. voice C. calm D. rag
2.Don't take it as ………………that you'll be promoted in your job; other colleagues stand
a good chance too.
A. fixed B. standard C. read D.word
3The weekend is over, so tomorrow morning it's back to the ……………
A. grind B. labour C. drudgery D. toil
4.Looking after a house, four children, a lazy husband and two dogs is real ………..
A. labour B. drudgery C. toil D. grind
5.The experimental play was only a …………..success, which disappointed the
playwright.
A. local B. qualified C. reserved D. cautious
6.It takes time to get a financial system up and…………… after the introduction of a
new currency.
A. walking B. proceeding C. running D. going
7.The professor's …………….. theory is that singing preceded speech.
A. fancied B. fond C. pet D. preferable
8.If he tries to …………….. ignorance as his excuse, just tell him we've got a copy of the
authorisation with his signature on it.
A. defend B. plead C. pretend D. protest
9.We were working overtime to cope with a sudden ………… in demand.
A. boost B. impetus C. surge D. thrust
10.The confidence trickster……………… the old lady out of her life savings.
A. deceived B. misled C. robbed D. swindled
11.The door hinges had all been oiled to stop them ……………….. .
A. Squeaking B. screeching C. shrieking D.squealing
12.You should……………… at least three days for the journey.
A. Expect B. permit C. accept D. allow
13.Few people can do creative work unless they are in the right ………….. of mind.
A. frame B. trend C. attitude D. tendency
14.All the applicants for the post are thoroughly ………………for their suitability.
A. Searched B. investigated C. vetted D. scrutinized
15."1 think we ought to see the rest of the exhibition as quickly as we can, ………….
that it closes in half an hour."
A. Granted B. assuming C. given D. knowing
16.Ellen decided that election to the local council would provide a …………… to a career
in national politics.
A. Springboard B. turning-point C. milestone D. highway
17.I was……………….. in the book I was reading and didn't hear the phone.
A. Distracted B. submerged C. gripped D. engrossed
18.It is very important to check the……………… print in any contract.
A. Little B. tiny C. small D. minute
19.The sky darkened and there was a distant ……………..of thunder.
A.clap B.clang C.groan D.flash
20.A common cause of …………is the use of untreated water in the preparation of foods, which
is quite common incertain underdeveloped countries.
A.displeasure B.malnutrition C.eupepsia D.dysentery
