Section II

Read the following passage and look at the table and diagram which follow it. Complete the table by writing labels for the diagram.

House construction in various parts of the world depends mainly on the availability of building materials. For example, the Eskimos, living in a treeless region of snow and ice, sometimes build temporary homes out of thick blocks of ice. People who live in deserts, on the other hand, use the most available material, mud or clay, which provides good insulation from the heat. In Northern Europe, Russia and other areas of the world where forests are plentiful, people usually construct their homes out of wood. In the islands of the South Pacific, where there is a plentiful supply of bamboo and palm, people use these though fibrous plants to build their homes.

Section III

Use the information in the following text to answer the questions which follow it. Write your answer in the space provided.

CURIOSITY SHOP

The Old Curiosity shop in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia is perhaps the strangest memorial a man ever left to himself. For forty-three years until his death in 1898, bricklayer James Warwick decorated almost every centimetre of his quaint home with an endless medley of objects, broken and whole, in a great variety of colours. The many thousands of items cemented into the walls include teapot lids and spouts; dolls' heads, legs, arms and bodies, including one doll in porcelain now worth about $2000; jugs; dishes; plaques; shells; rocks; bottles; broken glass; statuettes; ornaments; and so on. The inside of the house in crammed with a motley collection of valuables and curiosities. It was given the name Old Curiosity Shop, after the Dickens novel, by local children who received a small reward from Warwick for any items of interest they brought him, even if in pieces. The house is open daily to the public.

1. Where is The Old Curiosity Shop?

___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

2. What is the profession of the owner of the house?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

3. Why is this shop interesting?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

4. How did the house get its name?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

Section IV

Read the following passage and then circle the best alternative for each question.

Lek Boonma and her husband Tongbai moved into a small rented house soon after they arrived in Bangkok. In their hometown of Udornthani, Tongbai was a farmer, but here he has only been able to get a job as a waiter. Lek also works (as a worker in a factory), but she isn't satisfied with her work, either. The Boonmas are saving every baht they can to fulfill a dream of theirs. They want to open a small food stall in Bangkok. Today a letter arrived from the bank with some information that both Lek and Tongbai have been waiting for. This is what the letter said:

February 7, 1993

Mr. and Mrs. Boonma
120 Nuanta Lane Theves, Bangkok 10100

Dear. Mr. and Mrs. Boonma,

In response to your inquiry of February 3, we are enclosing an information sheet on our bank loan services.

We hope that this enclosure will answer most of your questions. If you need additional information, either call our loan department between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. or visit us in person.

We look forward to having the opportunity of serving you.

Yours sincerely,

Malinee Intharangsri
Chief Loan Officer

Here is the information sheet that the bank enclosed:

I.O.U TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK
INFORMATION FOR BORROWERS

For your convenience, here are the answers to the questions that most applicants ask about our loan services

Is if easy to get a loan? If your credit rating is good and you are earning sufficient income, your chances are favorable, especially if you are a regular client at our bank.

What do you require of your borrowers? If you are requesting a loan for business purposes, we must receive a summary of your business plan. Naturally, it is our policy to give priority of applicants with a high probability of success. Any sizeable business or personal loan requires collateral, or security for repayment of the amount borrowed, but loans for less than 20,000 baht may be approved on the applicants' signatures alone.

How can we apply for a loan? Obtain a loan application from the nearest branch of our bank. To provide an accurate account of your individual situation, please fill out the form with a complete financial and employment history for all applicants. We will begin processing your application as soon as we receive it and will set up an appointment for a personal interview as well.

What is the rate of interest? The percentage that each borrower pays on a loan will depend on both the terms of the loan and the current interest rates. These begin at 10% per year.

What is the term of the loan? The length of time allowed for you to repay a loan will depend on your individual situation. The longer the term, the higher the total interest, but a longer term permits the borrower to make smaller monthly payments.

The next day Lek picked up a loan application and set up an appointment for a personal interview for herself and Tongbai with Malinee Intharangsri. At the interview, the Boonmas were pleased to learn that the head loan officer came from the same province they did. They hoped that their common background as well as their attitudes and goals would help them to get approval for their loan.

1. The Boonmas are saving and trying to borrow money to ....

a. fulfill a business dream.
b. go back to Udorn Thani
c. pay off a loan
d. open a bakery.

2. Chances are favorable that applicants will get a loan if ....

a. they offer very little money as collateral.
b. they pay interest at a lower percentage rate than usual.
c. their credit and salaries are good.
d. they bribe the bank manager.

3. The amount borrowed, the rate of interest, and ________ will depend on the borrowers' individual situation.

a. the terms of the loan.
b. the items in the application.
c. the request for a financial history.
d. the monthly payment.

4. The Boonmas hope that their ______ will help them to get approval of their loan application.

a. letter writing style
b. background and goals
c. former jobs.
d. determination

5. Which of the following statements is not mentioned?

a. The rate of interest is usually the same for all situations.
b. Banks prefer to lend money to applicants who will probably be financially successful.
c. To get a loan, borrowers must fill out an application with a complete financial and employment history and set up an interview.
d. The longer the term of the loan, the higher the total interest but the smaller the monthly payments.

6. In the article 'Information for Borrowers", paragraph 3, line 3, the word 'collateral' means

a. favorable.
b. security
c. willingness.
d. commitment.

Section V

Read the following passages and then answer the questions which follow it.

A.
Dec.20 Depart Los Angeles 7:50 a.m. Arrive Phoenix 9:55 a.m. American West Fight #64 Nonstop service
Dec.26 Depart Albuquerque 4:42 p.m. Arrive Los Angeles 5:35 p.m. PSA Fight #39 Nonstop service Tour members are allowed one suitcase per person. An additional suitcase may be included for an extra handling charge. Each tour member is also allowed one piece of small hand-carried luggage. There is one Shangri-La Travel Agency luggage tag per person in the flight we provide. Please fill out this tag and attach it to your luggage before the tour.

B.

Passengers may be contacted at the above addresses.

C.
Temperatures will range from the mid 40s to the high 60s. Weather will be fairly mild. Comfort is the main objective when selecting your wardrobe. Bring a sweater or an all-weather coat for cooler days, as well as a fold-up plastic raincoat in case of rain.

We would remind you that comfortable walking shoes are a must.

D.

E.
On a group tour every individual is responsible for being punctual; otherwise the entire group may be unfairly delayed. Please bring a wrist watch and a travel alarm clock as hotels cannot always be relied upon for wake-up calls. Make sure you have an ample supply of any prescription medicine you may require. If you rely on prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, it is wise to bring an extra pair. Sunglasses are good even if you don't normally wear them. Don't forget your camera, fresh batteries, and a supply of film. Film is available en route, but shops often run out of the more popular types and it may be more expensive than at home. Avoid disappointment!

F.
For meals included in the tour, when presented with the check, sign your name, Shangri-La Travel Agency, and your room number. We take care of gratuities for meals provided by the Shangri-La Travel Agency. For your convenience, we have opened an account in your name for personal expenses at each hotel, not included in the tour cost. Typical of these incidental charges are valet, liquor, phone, room service, doctor, etc. These charges must be paid directly to the hotel cashier.

G.
Your tour director will explain our seat rotation system. Rotation takes place twice daily, once in the morning upon leaving the hotel and once after the lunch stop. This gives each member of the tour the opportunity to meet new people each day. There will be no smoking on the coach as we travel. We make morning and afternoon stops, as well as frequent picture stops and a lunch stop every day.

1. Match each of the excerpts above with one of the descriptions below, by entering one of the letters [A - G] in the space provided on your answer sheet.

1. _____one day's itinerary (travel plan)
2. _____the addresses and telephone numbers of tour accommodation
3._____instructions for the tour bus
4._____flight and baggage information
5._____weather information and clothing advice
6._____ things you should bring along
7._____ information about payments during the trip

2. According to article D, the trip is by ........

a. train
c. car
b. air
d. bus

3. According to article A, there is and for one suitcase.

a. a limit, a charge
c. a limit, no charge
b. no limit, no charge
d. no limit, a charge

4. How many different states will the tour pass through?

a. Two
c. Four
b. Three
d. Five

5. The weather may be cool, so group members should bring along ..........

a. some sun tan lotion.
b. a warm piece of clothing.
c. some slippers.
d. a straw hat.

6. In the tour, all meals ......... at no extra charge by the travel agency.

a. including tips are provided
b. excluding tips are provided
c. including tips, room service are provided
d. can be ordered from a hotel restaurant

7. Why is a seat rotation system used on the coach?

a. Because this will separate smokers from non smokers.
b. Because the group members have requested this.
c. Because each member will have the chance to meet someone new each day.
d. Because it is easier for the tour members to take photos.