III. READING COMPREHENSION.(2,0pts)

Part 1. Circle the best answer (A, B, C, or D) to complete the text below. (1.0 pt)

Tel Avil will be the first city in the world to have a skyTran system. This system will help the city reduce traffic (17)___________ Moreover, skyTran will provide a greener, less expensive, faster, and more comfortable mode of travel than cars and buses. The system has many pods and each pod has 2 seats. The pods run (18)___________ electricitry and can travel at speeds up to150mph while passengers will still have a smooth ride. The system is about 70m above the ground. The cost is higher than (19)___________ a bus but lower than taking a taxi. So, many people think it will be a perfect means of trasport to replace traditional ones. (20)___________USA and many Asian countries are interested in building skyTran networks in the very near future.

17. A. congestion   B. rule      C. safety   D. passenger

18. A. in                  B. for       C. from      D. on

19. A. doing            B. taking  C. talking   D. going

20. A. The               B. A          C. An         D. Ø

Part 2. Read the text carefully then answer the questions. (1,0 pt)

THE ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FESTIVAL

The Albuquerque International Hot- air Balloon Festival is the largest gathering of hot - air balloons in the world. The festival is a nine-day event in early October. It takes place in Albuquerque, a city in New Mexico, the USA. Every year, the festival atracts a great number of balloon makers. They bring about five hundred balloons to the festival. Many artists spend weeks or even months painting their balloon. Together with them are thousands of photographers, video markers, reporters and visitors. The most exciting moment of the festival is when all the balloons in different shapes, sizes, and colours rise up high into the sky. The scene is really fantastic.

21. Where does the festival take place?

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22. How long does it last?

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23. Do the artists spend weeks or months painting their balloons before the festival?

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24. Who goes to the festival?

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