15 . ( I ) It ’ s often believed that the birthplace of chess is China , though it is not . ( II ) The mental gymnastics of chess often seem to sap the mind and spirit as much as they exalt the memory . ( Ill ) Top level matches are such a strain that professionals train for them like athletes , combining theoretical research with roadwork , cross-country skiing , swimming or weight lifting . ( IV ) It is common for a player to lose ten or 15 pounds in the course of a professional match , which usually lasts for several weeks . ( V ) With a few exceptions , it is a young man ’ s game : age exacts a tribute off altering memory , jangled nerves and brute physical exhaustion .
A ) I B ) II C ) III D ) IV E ) V
16 . ( I ) The history of manned space flight has been marred by a number of tragic accidents involving the early spacecraft . ( II ) They were comparatively small , weighing only a few kilograms , and performed no useful scientific experiments . ( III ) Nevertheless they served as proof that mankind had the means to place objects in the sky , outside the Earth ' s atmosphere , and to keep them there . ( IV ) There are now a considerable number of artificial satellites at distances varying between several hundred and several thousand kilometres above the surface of the Earth . ( V ) They have become highly sophisticated , and perform functions from weather forecasting to home entertainment .
A ) I B ) II C ) III D ) IV E ) V
17 . ( I ) Remarkable development has taken place in New Zealand since 1850 . ( II ) The Dutch navigator , Abel Tasman , got a hostile reception from the Maoris , the native New Zealanders , when he discovered the islands in 1642 . ( III ) They forced him to sail away before he gained any real knowledge of the land . ( IV ) This task was left to Captain James Cook , who made his first visit in 1759 , to map the coast thoroughly . ( V ) He also came to know the Maoris and managed to befriend them .
18 . ( I ) In the United States , a short interruption in the workday is called a coffee break . ( II ) In other parts of the world , it is more likely to be a tea break . ( III ) In all of Asia , Europe , the Middle East and North Africa , tea is the more popular drink of the two . ( IV ) On any busy afternoon in Istanbul , Cairo , or any of several other Muslim cities , runners can be seen making their daily rounds carrying small trays of glasses filled with steaming hot tea . ( V ) And nowadays , almost any hot drink that is not coffee or chocolate may be called tea .
A ) I B ) II C ) III D ) IV E ) V
19 . ( I ) Skyscrapers were developed to achieve a maximum exploitation of restricted and costly urban areas . ( II ) The Empire State Building was built in 1931 and has 102 storeys . ( III ) They were first built in America in the late 19th century , especially by L : Sullivan . ( IV ) The first genuine skyscraper was the 1883 Home Insurance Building in Chicago , but the great development of skyscraper architecture occurred in New York . ( V ) This purely American Style of building has now spread to many other countries in the world .
A ) I B ) II C ) III D ) IV E ) V
20 . ( I ) Violent behaviour in children can nearly always be linked to violence in the home . ( II ) If there is no explanation for aggressive behaviour , doctors generally blame his behaviour on a chemical imbalance . ( III ) As most psychologists believe violence is an acquired rather than innate human characteristic . ( IV ) So , they conclude , the violent youth must have learned this behaviour somewhere . ( V ) Because the home is the most influential environment upon child ' s development , this is the first place psychologists look to account for the violent behaviour .
A ) I B ) II C ) III D ) IV E ) V
A ) I B ) II C ) III D ) IV E ) V