Practising exam techniques SYNONYMS 1. The Sahara has one of the harshest climates in the world. The prevailing north-easterly wind often causes sand storms and dust devils. When the wind blows towards the Mediterranean, it is known as sirocco and often reaches hurricane speeds in North Africa and southern Europe. Half of the Sahara receives less than 20 mm of rain per year, and the rest receives up to 100 mm per year. The rainfall happens very rarely, but when it does it is usually torrential when it occurs after long dry periods. Find words with the same meaning as the phrases below: a) the most severe, unpleasant b) the most frequent, common c) fine particles of matter (as of earth) d) severe, often destructive storm, esp. a tropical cyclone e) pouring or flowing fast, violently, or heavily MISSING PHRASES 2. Quality of cartographic message depends on 1…….. and symbols. During map design process, symbol specification is often uncertain. Graphical signs 2…… to tastes, needs and context of use. Colours use is of special relevance to environmental, topographic and thematic maps whose primary purpose is to 3……. of main characteristics conveyed by the map. Communication in colour is more effective if the 4…….. . Colours choices, as mistakes or misunderstandings, are often highlighted: too many colours, 5…... , too meaningful colours, etc. involving disturbances when readers try to 6…….. . A colours used are appropriate B choices may be unsuitable C understand its cartographic message D create a mental image E kinds of chosen data F colours un-adapted to user’s data 3. Places near the equator 1_______because the sun shines straight down. These rays are more concentrated and 2_______of atmosphere than sunrays at places near the poles. Air has weight and exerts pressure and so light, warm air tends to rise and exert low pressure. Heavy, cold air 3______and so air moves from high pressure to low pressure. There are general, prevailing patterns of moving air throughout the world called global winds. Ocean currents are also caused by unequal heating at different latitudes. Unequal heating 4______between warm and cool parts of the oceans. The global winds, caused by unequal heating, 5________along in their direction. Warm ocean currents, such as the North Atlantic Drift, 6_____ and keep harbors in high latitudes free of ice. From K. Kelly, Geography,p.200 A sets up convection currents B raise sea and air temperatures C help to drag the ocean currents D travel through a lesser depth E receive sunrays from almost directly overhead F presses down and exerts high pressure 4. Sentence transformations. Rewrite the sentences using the given words. 1. It is possible that Arctic rocks contain oldest remnants of the Earth. Arctic rocks …………………. oldest remnants of the Earth. (2 words missing) 2. Melting and mixing processes modified the material of the early Earth. The material of the early Earth …………………melting and mixing processes. (3 words) 3. It seems that the Arctic rocks contain chemicals from the time just after the Earth’s origin. The Arctic rocks …………….. chemicals from the time just after the Earth’s origin. (3 w.) 4. Dr Jackson unearthed the oldest remnants of our planet’s beginnings. The oldest remnants of our planet’s beginnings …………………….. Dr Jackson. (3 words) 5. Although they erupted only 60 million years ago, the lavas contain chemicals of a more ancient source. Despite ………………. 60 million years ago, the lavas contain chemicals of a more ancient source. (2 words) 6. If proven, the new discovery would challenge our understanding of the early Earth. If the conclusions ………………….., the new discovery would challenge our understanding of the early Earth. (2 words) Key Ex 1 a] harshest b] prevailing c] dust d] hurricane e] torrential 2 1E 2B 3D 4A 5F 6C 3 1E 2D 3F 4A 5C 6B 4. 1 may/might/could contain 2 was modified by 3 seem to contain 4 were unearthed by 5 erupting only 6 were proven/proved