Lesson 19 - curs engleză

1. Fill each of the numbered blanks with one suitable word.

Whether or not we are …………… (1) in the universe is a question that has vexed humankind for centuries. But we are …………… (2) to live in an era when the technology exists to allow us to come …………… (3) to giving an answer. Up to now, …………… (4) only was a belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life often …………… (5) on personal rather than religious conviction, …………… (6) was perhaps …………… (7) much based on faith. Bu scientifically the possibility cannot be discounted and, perhaps more …………… (8) at any other time in history, the subject is no longer liable …………… (9) be dismissed as a crank’s discipline. For example, can we estimate the number of civilizations within our own Milky Way galaxy? These days scientists believe that in some …………… (10) they now have a not …………… (11) knowledge of the factors involved in producing such civilizations.

The rate of formation of suitable starts – that is, ones …………… (12) Earth which are hot …………… (13) to sustain life and live long enough to allow life to evolve – is a …………… (14) starting point.

Astronomers are confident …………… (15) they can assess this rate of formation at …………… (16) one star per year. However, these stars also need to have habitable planets. …………… (17) in the last five years have scientists found evidence that at least some stars (other than our own star, the sun) have planetary systems. Broadly …………… (18), perhaps one in ten stars have planets orbiting them. But we also require that these planets are warm enough to have liquid water, and are not lacking …………… (20) an atmosphere that can both provide protection and sustenance to developing life.

2. Fill each of the gaps of these sentences with a suitable word or phrase.

1. Unfortunately, the restaurant next door is nowhere ………………… as it used to be.

2. I don’t find this new vacuum cleaner anything ………………… as the old one.

3. Prices here are much ………………… as elsewhere in the country.

4. I’ve often wished I could afford to work less, as ………………… people, I suspect.

5. There are times when Harry seems almost ………………… of common sense.

3. Put the corresponding letter of the right word into the blank of each sentence.

1. The painting bears a ……… resemblance to El Greco’s earlier works.

a. heated b. fine c. striking d. comparable

2. I don’t think it’s fair to ……… a comparison between the two sisters.

a. do b. strike c. draw d. take

3. She gave a ……… performance of the concerto that had the audience on its feet.

a. matchless b. suitable c. listless d. competent

4. Saying you enjoy rock music is ……… to admitting you are completely cloth-eared.

a. bound b. tantamount c. liable d. virtually

5. I think you’ll find that the Americans are ……… ahead of us when it comes to space research.

a. kilometers b. streets c. ages d. inches

6. Adding salt at this stage is not going to make one ……… of difference.

a. gram b. iota c. measurement d. shred

7. Most people think the 306 ………favourably to earlier models.

a. compares b. matches c. equals d. draws

8. Considerations of safety were eventually ……… by those of cost.

a. compared b. outweighed c. predominated d. prevailed

9. The brothers remain ……… apart in terms of sporting achievement.

a. streets b. poles c. totally d. strips

10. As a poet, I think she ……… comparison with the greatest this century.

a. makes b. stands c. leads d. matches

11. I enjoy swimming, but ……… I avoid crowded pools.

a. on the contrary b. on the face of it c. as a rule d. in a nutshell

12. I have often helped my wife with the cleaning, though ……… not for some time.

a. in contrast b. especially c. alternatively d. admittedly

13. They still haven’t made a decision ……… to the new colour scheme.

a. on reflection b. with regard c. in view d. by contrast

14. Everyone agrees that with ……… they shouldn’t have chosen pink.

a. retrospect b. fairness c. practice d. hindsight

15. ……… they seem to be in agreement, though there are still some details to be settled.

a. Shortly b. Overall c. Nonetheless d. Subsequently