UNIBEN English Language 2007/2008 Past Questions

Practice each question, then open it to see the full details.

Question 1
INSTRUCTION: Read the following passage and answer the questions through the options that follow
Every work of art is the child of its age and, in many cases, the mother of our emotions. It follows that each period of culture produce an art of its own which can never be repeated. Efforts to revive the art principles of the past will at best produce an art that is still-born. It is impossible for us to live and feel as the ancient Greeks. In the same way those who strive to follow the Greek methods in sculpture achieve only a similarity of form, the work remaining soul less for all time. Such imitation is mere ping.
Externally the monkey completely resembles the human being, he will sit holding a book in front of his nose and turn over the pages with a thoughtful aspect but his actions have for him no real meaning.
There is, however, in art another kind of external similarity which is founded on a fundamental truth. When there is a similarity of inner tendency in the whole moral and spiritual atmosphere a similarity of ideas, at first closely pursued but later lost to sight, a similarity in the inner feeling of any one period to that of another, the logical result will be a revival of the external forms which served to express those inner feelings in an earlier age. An example of this today is our sympathy, our spirituals relationship, with the Primitives.
Like ourselves, these artists sought to express in their work only internal truths, renouncing in consequence all considerations of external form. This all-important spark of inner life today is at present only a spark. Our minds, which are even now only just awakening after years of materialism, are infected with the despair of unbelief, of lack of purpose and ideal.
The nightmare of materialism, which has turned the life of the universe into an evil useless game, is not yet past: it holds the awakening soul still in its grip. Only a feeble light glimmer like a tiny star in a vast gulf of darkness. This feeble light is but a presentiment, and the soul, when it sees it trembles in doubt whether the light is not a dream and the gulf of darkness reality. This doubt and the still-harsh tyranny of the materialistic philosophy divide our soul sharply from that of the Primitive rings cracked when we seem to play upon it, as does a costly vase, long buried in the earth, which is to have a flow which it is dug once more. For this reason, the Primitive phase, through which we are now passing with its temporary similarly of form, can only be of short duration.
Which of the following is- the best title for this passage?
  • A.The Art of the early 20th Century
  • B.The Dangers of Materialism
  • C.Why Primitive Art cannot be Rekindled
  • D.The Similarities in Artistic Movements
Objective
Question 2
INSTRUCTION: Read the following passage and answer the questions through the options that follow
Every work of art is the child of its age and, in many cases, the mother of our emotions. It follows that each period of culture produce an art of its own which can never be repeated. Efforts to revive the art principles of the past will at best produce an art that is still-born. It is impossible for us to live and feel as the ancient Greeks. In the same way those who strive to follow the Greek methods in sculpture achieve only a similarity of form, the work remaining soul less for all time. Such imitation is mere ping.
Externally the monkey completely resembles the human being, he will sit holding a book in front of his nose and turn over the pages with a thoughtful aspect but his actions have for him no real meaning.
There is, however, in art another kind of external similarity which is founded on a fundamental truth. When there is a similarity of inner tendency in the whole moral and spiritual atmosphere a similarity of ideas, at first closely pursued but later lost to sight, a similarity in the inner feeling of any one period to that of another, the logical result will be a revival of the external forms which served to express those inner feelings in an earlier age. An example of this today is our sympathy, our spirituals relationship, with the Primitives.
Like ourselves, these artists sought to express in their work only internal truths, renouncing in consequence all considerations of external form. This all-important spark of inner life today is at present only a spark. Our minds, which are even now only just awakening after years of materialism, are infected with the despair of unbelief, of lack of purpose and ideal.
The nightmare of materialism, which has turned the life of the universe into an evil useless game, is not yet past: it holds the awakening soul still in its grip. Only a feeble light glimmer like a tiny star in a vast gulf of darkness. This feeble light is but a presentiment, and the soul, when it sees it trembles in doubt whether the light is not a dream and the gulf of darkness reality. This doubt and the still-harsh tyranny of the materialistic philosophy divide our soul sharply from that of the Primitive rings cracked when we seem to play upon it, as does a costly vase, long buried in the earth, which is to have a flow which it is dug once more. For this reason, the Primitive phase, through which we are now passing with its temporary similarly of form, can only be of short duration.
In context, the word "aspect" in paragraph one most nearly means
  • A.meaningful perspective
  • B.facial expression
  • C.configuration
  • D.contemplation
Objective
Question 3
INSTRUCTION: Read the following passage and answer the questions through the options that follow
Every work of art is the child of its age and, in many cases, the mother of our emotions. It follows that each period of culture produce an art of its own which can never be repeated. Efforts to revive the art principles of the past will at best produce an art that is still-born. It is impossible for us to live and feel as the ancient Greeks. In the same way those who strive to follow the Greek methods in sculpture achieve only a similarity of form, the work remaining soul less for all time. Such imitation is mere ping.
Externally the monkey completely resembles the human being, he will sit holding a book in front of his nose and turn over the pages with a thoughtful aspect but his actions have for him no real meaning.
There is, however, in art another kind of external similarity which is founded on a fundamental truth. When there is a similarity of inner tendency in the whole moral and spiritual atmosphere a similarity of ideas, at first closely pursued but later lost to sight, a similarity in the inner feeling of any one period to that of another, the logical result will be a revival of the external forms which served to express those inner feelings in an earlier age. An example of this today is our sympathy, our spirituals relationship, with the Primitives.
Like ourselves, these artists sought to express in their work only internal truths, renouncing in consequence all considerations of external form. This all-important spark of inner life today is at present only a spark. Our minds, which are even now only just awakening after years of materialism, are infected with the despair of unbelief, of lack of purpose and ideal.
The nightmare of materialism, which has turned the life of the universe into an evil useless game, is not yet past: it holds the awakening soul still in its grip. Only a feeble light glimmer like a tiny star in a vast gulf of darkness. This feeble light is but a presentiment, and the soul, when it sees it trembles in doubt whether the light is not a dream and the gulf of darkness reality. This doubt and the still-harsh tyranny of the materialistic philosophy divide our soul sharply from that of the Primitive rings cracked when we seem to play upon it, as does a costly vase, long buried in the earth, which is to have a flow which it is dug once more. For this reason, the Primitive phase, through which we are now passing with its temporary similarly of form, can only be of short duration.
Which of the following is an example of the "fundamental truth" mentioned in paragraph two
  • A.the inability of great artists like Vincent Van Gogh to achieve fame in their life time
  • B.the tendency of artist from all cultures to eschew social conventions
  • C.the failure to reproduce art work that was created in the fourth Century BC
  • D.the similarity between two paintings created a century apart, each in the midst of a great class war
Objective
Question 4
INSTRUCTION: Read the following passage and answer the questions through the options that follow
Every work of art is the child of its age and, in many cases, the mother of our emotions. It follows that each period of culture produce an art of its own which can never be repeated. Efforts to revive the art principles of the past will at best produce an art that is still-born. It is impossible for us to live and feel as the ancient Greeks. In the same way those who strive to follow the Greek methods in sculpture achieve only a similarity of form, the work remaining soul less for all time. Such imitation is mere ping.
Externally the monkey completely resembles the human being, he will sit holding a book in front of his nose and turn over the pages with a thoughtful aspect but his actions have for him no real meaning.
There is, however, in art another kind of external similarity which is founded on a fundamental truth. When there is a similarity of inner tendency in the whole moral and spiritual atmosphere a similarity of ideas, at first closely pursued but later lost to sight, a similarity in the inner feeling of any one period to that of another, the logical result will be a revival of the external forms which served to express those inner feelings in an earlier age. An example of this today is our sympathy, our spirituals relationship, with the Primitives.
Like ourselves, these artists sought to express in their work only internal truths, renouncing in consequence all considerations of external form. This all-important spark of inner life today is at present only a spark. Our minds, which are even now only just awakening after years of materialism, are infected with the despair of unbelief, of lack of purpose and ideal.
The nightmare of materialism, which has turned the life of the universe into an evil useless game, is not yet past: it holds the awakening soul still in its grip. Only a feeble light glimmer like a tiny star in a vast gulf of darkness. This feeble light is but a presentiment, and the soul, when it sees it trembles in doubt whether the light is not a dream and the gulf of darkness reality. This doubt and the still-harsh tyranny of the materialistic philosophy divide our soul sharply from that of the Primitive rings cracked when we seem to play upon it, as does a costly vase, long buried in the earth, which is to have a flow which it is dug once more. For this reason, the Primitive phase, through which we are now passing with its temporary similarly of form, can only be of short duration.
In saying that the soul "trembles in doubt" in paragraph three when it sees the "feeble light" in the same paragraph, the author suggests, that
  • A.artists have doubts about whether the era of materialism is truly past
  • B.the public is unsure that its hunger for art will be met
  • C.artists do not know from where their next inspiration will come
  • D.the Primitives found mysterious Lights more frightening than modern people do
Objective
Question 5
INSTRUCTION: Read the following passage and answer the questions through the options that follow
Every work of art is the child of its age and, in many cases, the mother of our emotions. It follows that each period of culture produce an art of its own which can never be repeated. Efforts to revive the art principles of the past will at best produce an art that is still-born. It is impossible for us to live and feel as the ancient Greeks. In the same way those who strive to follow the Greek methods in sculpture achieve only a similarity of form, the work remaining soul less for all time. Such imitation is mere ping.
Externally the monkey completely resembles the human being, he will sit holding a book in front of his nose and turn over the pages with a thoughtful aspect but his actions have for him no real meaning.
There is, however, in art another kind of external similarity which is founded on a fundamental truth. When there is a similarity of inner tendency in the whole moral and spiritual atmosphere a similarity of ideas, at first closely pursued but later lost to sight, a similarity in the inner feeling of any one period to that of another, the logical result will be a revival of the external forms which served to express those inner feelings in an earlier age. An example of this today is our sympathy, our spirituals relationship, with the Primitives.
Like ourselves, these artists sought to express in their work only internal truths, renouncing in consequence all considerations of external form. This all-important spark of inner life today is at present only a spark. Our minds, which are even now only just awakening after years of materialism, are infected with the despair of unbelief, of lack of purpose and ideal.
The nightmare of materialism, which has turned the life of the universe into an evil useless game, is not yet past: it holds the awakening soul still in its grip. Only a feeble light glimmer like a tiny star in a vast gulf of darkness. This feeble light is but a presentiment, and the soul, when it sees it trembles in doubt whether the light is not a dream and the gulf of darkness reality. This doubt and the still-harsh tyranny of the materialistic philosophy divide our soul sharply from that of the Primitive rings cracked when we seem to play upon it, as does a costly vase, long buried in the earth, which is to have a flow which it is dug once more. For this reason, the Primitive phase, through which we are now passing with its temporary similarly of form, can only be of short duration.
How would the author characterize the Effect of materialism on the artist's soul?
  • A.supportive
  • B.confusing
  • C.calming
  • D.oppressive
Objective
Question 6
It is capital misery fora man to be at once both old and ignorant. If he were only old, and had some knowledge, he might lessen the tediousness of decrepit age by the pleasures of contemplation. If he were young, though he knew nothing, his later years would serve him to labour and learn, so that in "the winter of his time" when he is weary, he might find some comfort in his chair. But now, there is no man as wretched as he whose body is being withered by the passage of time and whose mind is totally unfurnished by those great ideas of science and the world in general.
A grey head with a wise mind is a treasure of grave precepts, experience and judgment. But foolish old age is a barren vine in a season of harvest, or a university where foolishness is studied: every action is a pattern of infirmity. While his body sits, he does not know to find his mind' saction; and there is no life as burdensome or disgusting as that of idleness.
What then? Knowledge is not hurtful, but helps a good mind; anything that is laudable to learn. If I die tomorrow, my life today shall some what be sweeter for knowledge; and if my days prove a summer one, it will be perfectly all right to have my mind as my companion. I remember the answer given by Antisthenes, the Anthenian philosopher, when he was asked what he had gained from all his studies. "By them is said "I have learned both to live and talk with myself'.
The word 'capital'(line 1) most nearly means
  • A.much discussed
  • B.centrally fixed
  • C.critically important
  • D.deadly true
Objective
Question 7
It is capital misery fora man to be at once both old and ignorant. If he were only old, and had some knowledge, he might lessen the tediousness of decrepit age by the pleasures of contemplation. If he were young, though he knew nothing, his later years would serve him to labour and learn, so that in "the winter of his time" when he is weary, he might find some comfort in his chair. But now, there is no man as wretched as he whose body is being withered by the passage of time and whose mind is totally unfurnished by those great ideas of science and the world in general.
A grey head with a wise mind is a treasure of grave precepts, experience and judgment. But foolish old age is a barren vine in a season of harvest, or a university where foolishness is studied: every action is a pattern of infirmity. While his body sits, he does not know to find his mind' saction; and there is no life as burdensome or disgusting as that of idleness.
What then? Knowledge is not hurtful, but helps a good mind; anything that is laudable to learn. If I die tomorrow, my life today shall some what be sweeter for knowledge; and if my days prove a summer one, it will be perfectly all right to have my mind as my companion. I remember the answer given by Antisthenes, the Anthenian philosopher, when he was asked what he had gained from all his studies. "By them is said "I have learned both to live and talk with myself'.
According to the author, the pains of old age can be made more bearable if one
  • A.insufficiently wealthy
  • B.is well educated
  • C.understands science
  • D.inherited good genes
Objective
Question 8
It is capital misery fora man to be at once both old and ignorant. If he were only old, and had some knowledge, he might lessen the tediousness of decrepit age by the pleasures of contemplation. If he were young, though he knew nothing, his later years would serve him to labour and learn, so that in "the winter of his time" when he is weary, he might find some comfort in his chair. But now, there is no man as wretched as he whose body is being withered by the passage of time and whose mind is totally unfurnished by those great ideas of science and the world in general.
A grey head with a wise mind is a treasure of grave precepts, experience and judgment. But foolish old age is a barren vine in a season of harvest, or a university where foolishness is studied: every action is a pattern of infirmity. While his body sits, he does not know to find his mind' saction; and there is no life as burdensome or disgusting as that of idleness.
What then? Knowledge is not hurtful, but helps a good mind; anything that is laudable to learn. If I die tomorrow, my life today shall some what be sweeter for knowledge; and if my days prove a summer one, it will be perfectly all right to have my mind as my companion. I remember the answer given by Antisthenes, the Anthenian philosopher, when he was asked what he had gained from all his studies. "By them is said "I have learned both to live and talk with myself'.
The chief advantage in being young according to the passage is that one has
  • A.strength and good health
  • B.time to enjoy life without weakness
  • C.future years in which to acquire knowledge
  • D.prospects of avoiding troubles of old age
Objective
Question 10
It is capital misery fora man to be at once both old and ignorant. If he were only old, and had some knowledge, he might lessen the tediousness of decrepit age by the pleasures of contemplation. If he were young, though he knew nothing, his later years would serve him to labour and learn, so that in "the winter of his time" when he is weary, he might find some comfort in his chair. But now, there is no man as wretched as he whose body is being withered by the passage of time and whose mind is totally unfurnished by those great ideas of science and the world in general.
A grey head with a wise mind is a treasure of grave precepts, experience and judgment. But foolish old age is a barren vine in a season of harvest, or a university where foolishness is studied: every action is a pattern of infirmity. While his body sits, he does not know to find his mind' saction; and there is no life as burdensome or disgusting as that of idleness.
What then? Knowledge is not hurtful, but helps a good mind; anything that is laudable to learn. If I die tomorrow, my life today shall some what be sweeter for knowledge; and if my days prove a summer one, it will be perfectly all right to have my mind as my companion. I remember the answer given by Antisthenes, the Anthenian philosopher, when he was asked what he had gained from all his studies. "By them is said "I have learned both to live and talk with myself'.
Which of the following is the most striking characteristic of the language in the above passage?
  • A.rich use of figures of speech
  • B.abstract diction and argument
  • C.unusually complex verbal structures
  • D.simple and direct sentences.
Objective
Question 11
Use the correct word from he following to fill the numbered gaps in the passage, below. Try to determine the meaning of unknown words using context or word analysis.
To most people ........11 and encyclopaedias are closely linked and are sometimes considered ........12 but they are essentially different kinds of .........13 with different purposes. A dictionary is a book that lists words in ..........14 order and describes their ..........15. Modern dictionaries often include .......16 About spelling, pronunciation, word origin, usage, synonyms, and grammar and sometimes pictures as well. An ........17 on the other hand, is a collection of articles about every branch of ........18. Although their ..........19 and descriptions go beyond the information given in the .......20.
  • A.dictionaries
  • B.stories
  • C.novels
  • D.textbooks
Objective
Question 12
Use the correct word from he following to fill the numbered gaps in the passage, below. Try to determine the meaning of unknown words using context or word analysis.
To most people ........11 and encyclopaedias are closely linked and are sometimes considered ........12 but they are essentially different kinds of .........13 with different purposes. A dictionary is a book that lists words in ..........14 order and describes their ..........15. Modern dictionaries often include .......16 About spelling, pronunciation, word origin, usage, synonyms, and grammar and sometimes pictures as well. An ........17 on the other hand, is a collection of articles about every branch of ........18. Although their ..........19 and descriptions go beyond the information given in the .......20.
  • A.different
  • B.right
  • C.wrong
  • D.interchangeable
Objective
Question 13
Use the correct word from he following to fill the numbered gaps in the passage, below. Try to determine the meaning of unknown words using context or word analysis.
To most people ........11 and encyclopaedias are closely linked and are sometimes considered ........12 but they are essentially different kinds of .........13 with different purposes. A dictionary is a book that lists words in ..........14 order and describes their ..........15. Modern dictionaries often include .......16 About spelling, pronunciation, word origin, usage, synonyms, and grammar and sometimes pictures as well. An ........17 on the other hand, is a collection of articles about every branch of ........18. Although their ..........19 and descriptions go beyond the information given in the .......20.
  • A.same
  • B.different
  • C.true
  • D.false
Objective
Question 14
Use the correct word from he following to fill the numbered gaps in the passage, below. Try to determine the meaning of unknown words using context or word analysis.
To most people ........11 and encyclopaedias are closely linked and are sometimes considered ........12 but they are essentially different kinds of .........13 with different purposes. A dictionary is a book that lists words in ..........14 order and describes their ..........15. Modern dictionaries often include .......16 About spelling, pronunciation, word origin, usage, synonyms, and grammar and sometimes pictures as well. An ........17 on the other hand, is a collection of articles about every branch of ........18. Although their ..........19 and descriptions go beyond the information given in the .......20.
  • A.alphabetical
  • B.serial
  • C.numerical
  • D.grammatical
Objective
Question 15
Use the correct word from he following to fill the numbered gaps in the passage, below. Try to determine the meaning of unknown words using context or word analysis.
To most people ........11 and encyclopaedias are closely linked and are sometimes considered ........12 but they are essentially different kinds of .........13 with different purposes. A dictionary is a book that lists words in ..........14 order and describes their ..........15. Modern dictionaries often include .......16 About spelling, pronunciation, word origin, usage, synonyms, and grammar and sometimes pictures as well. An ........17 on the other hand, is a collection of articles about every branch of ........18. Although their ..........19 and descriptions go beyond the information given in the .......20.
  • A.illustrations
  • B.pictures
  • C.meanings
  • D.statures
Objective
Question 16
Use the correct word from he following to fill the numbered gaps in the passage, below. Try to determine the meaning of unknown words using context or word analysis.
To most people ........11 and encyclopaedias are closely linked and are sometimes considered ........12 but they are essentially different kinds of .........13 with different purposes. A dictionary is a book that lists words in ..........14 order and describes their ..........15. Modern dictionaries often include .......16 About spelling, pronunciation, word origin, usage, synonyms, and grammar and sometimes pictures as well. An ........17 on the other hand, is a collection of articles about every branch of ........18. Although their ..........19 and descriptions go beyond the information given in the .......20.
  • A.news
  • B.information
  • C. stories
  • D.beliefs
Objective
Question 17
Use the correct word from he following to fill the numbered gaps in the passage, below. Try to determine the meaning of unknown words using context or word analysis.
To most people ........11 and encyclopaedias are closely linked and are sometimes considered ........12 but they are essentially different kinds of .........13 with different purposes. A dictionary is a book that lists words in ..........14 order and describes their ..........15. Modern dictionaries often include .......16 About spelling, pronunciation, word origin, usage, synonyms, and grammar and sometimes pictures as well. An ........17 on the other hand, is a collection of articles about every branch of ........18. Although their ..........19 and descriptions go beyond the information given in the .......20.
  • A.illustrations
  • B.analysis
  • C.encyclopedia
  • D.imagery
Objective
Question 18
Use the correct word from he following to fill the numbered gaps in the passage, below. Try to determine the meaning of unknown words using context or word analysis.
To most people ........11 and encyclopaedias are closely linked and are sometimes considered ........12 but they are essentially different kinds of .........13 with different purposes. A dictionary is a book that lists words in ..........14 order and describes their ..........15. Modern dictionaries often include .......16 About spelling, pronunciation, word origin, usage, synonyms, and grammar and sometimes pictures as well. An ........17 on the other hand, is a collection of articles about every branch of ........18. Although their ..........19 and descriptions go beyond the information given in the .......20.
  • A.trees
  • B.subjects
  • C.grammars
  • D.knowledge
Objective
Question 19
Use the correct word from he following to fill the numbered gaps in the passage, below. Try to determine the meaning of unknown words using context or word analysis.
To most people ........11 and encyclopaedias are closely linked and are sometimes considered ........12 but they are essentially different kinds of .........13 with different purposes. A dictionary is a book that lists words in ..........14 order and describes their ..........15. Modern dictionaries often include .......16 About spelling, pronunciation, word origin, usage, synonyms, and grammar and sometimes pictures as well. An ........17 on the other hand, is a collection of articles about every branch of ........18. Although their ..........19 and descriptions go beyond the information given in the .......20.
  • A.description
  • B.illustration
  • C.definition
  • D.comments
Objective
Question 20
Use the correct word from he following to fill the numbered gaps in the passage, below. Try to determine the meaning of unknown words using context or word analysis.
To most people ........11 and encyclopaedias are closely linked and are sometimes considered ........12 but they are essentially different kinds of .........13 with different purposes. A dictionary is a book that lists words in ..........14 order and describes their ..........15. Modern dictionaries often include .......16 About spelling, pronunciation, word origin, usage, synonyms, and grammar and sometimes pictures as well. An ........17 on the other hand, is a collection of articles about every branch of ........18. Although their ..........19 and descriptions go beyond the information given in the .......20.
  • A.textbook
  • B.novel
  • C.story
  • D.dictionary
Objective
Question 30
In question 26 to 30, a list of interpretations is given below every sentence or phrase. Choose the Interpretation that gives the correct meaning of the underlined idiom in the sentence or phrase.
The two communities have been advised to turn swords into ploughshares. This means the Communities
  • A.should encourage their people to plough the land
  • B.should substitute peace for hostilities
  • C.should replace old equipment with modern equipment
  • D.should invest huge money in agriculture
Objective