Yeditepe University
Sample Proficiency Test

USE OF ENGLISH
In questions 1 – 18, choose the correct word or phrase that best completes the sentence. 1. ________were not placed under the government’s protection disappointed many people.
a. That some historic buildings in the city centre
b. Some historic buildings in the city centre
c. Being historic, some buildings in the city centre
d. Some historic buildings that are in the city centre
2. France refused to admit into the country hundreds of illegal immigrants arriving from North Africa and _____.
a. either did Germany
c. neither did Germany

b. so did Germany
d. nor did Germany

3. The old man managed to tell his son ________ he kept all his money only a few minutes before he died.
a. whether

b. which

c. when

d. where

4. Robin Smith’s first novel enjoyed enormous success. It was first published in
January and by the beginning of May it________ over three million copies.
a. sold

b. has sold

c. was selling

d. had sold

5. Jessica and her husband have been arguing a lot recently. She wants to move to
Boston but ______ in New York.
a. he’d rather live
c. he’d rather lived

b. he’d rather living
d. he’d rather to live

6. This room is freezing cold. ____ you mind _____ the air-conditioner?
a. Would / if I turn off
c. Would / turning off

b. Do / if I turned off
d. Do / having turned off

7. The Prime Minister’s speech caused a lot of anger and dissatisfaction among immigrants and ethnic minorities. Many officials wish he ______ that speech.
a. has never made
c. never made

b. would never make
d. had never made

8. If I ____ that learning Russian was going to be so difficult, I _____ that course.
a. had known / would never take
c. had known / would never have taken

b. knew / would never take
d. knew / would never have taken

9. The Johnsons ___ their luxurious house anywhere. I simply do not understand why they chose such a bad location.
a. must have built
c. can build

b. could have built
d. might build

10. Last time I decided to travel, I _____ my ticket _____ directly to my office. I suggest you do the same as it is really convenient.
a. have / sent

b. had / sent

c. get / send

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d. got / send

Yeditepe University
Sample Proficiency Test

11. I think my mother-in-law really appreciated _____ giving her a hand.
a. my

b. I was

c. mine

d. I am

12. Last week, the Colombian President denied _____ the imprisonment of several famous journalists.
a. to order
c. to have ordered

b. having ordered
d. have been ordering

13. Today, the word “emigrant” refers to a person who leaves his own country to settle in another country, ____ the word “immigrant” refers to a person who enters and settles in a new country.
a. whereas

b. therefore

c. in as much as

d. among

14. The more he thought about the problem, _______ the solution seemed to be.
a. easier

b. the easiest

c. easiest

d. the easier

15. I remember very clearly my mother ______ me how to write. She would spend hours writing down the letters of the alphabet one by one.
a. to teach
c. teaching

b. to have taught
d. teach

16. Scientists have speculated that the destruction of the Amazon Forest would
______ plants and animals to dangerous acid rain.
a. have been exposed
c. expose

b. have been exposing
d. be exposed

17. By the end of the course the students _________ the most important grammar structures.
a. have mastered
c. have been mastering

b. will have mastered
d. are mastering

18. I’m sure you will get a high grade in your exam ________ you study systematically and do all your homework.
a. unless

b. nevertheless

c. provided that

d. hence

In questions 19 – 20, choose the appropriate statement for the situation given.

19.

A friend of yours complains that apart from her, all the other colleagues in her office have received a pay raise. She feels hurt so she wants to quit immediately. You think she is behaving unreasonably. Since she cannot afford to remain unemployed, you advise her to be more careful. You say:

a. Your colleagues are not better than you. Why does your boss refuse to give you a pay raise?
b. How can you survive on such a low salary? I would suggest that you start looking for another job.
c. I understand how you feel, but why don’t you find another job before you quit?
d. I feel sorry for you. I think your boss simply does not trust you. It is better to be unemployed than work for him.

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Sample Proficiency Test

20. You get stuck in heavy traffic on your way to an important job interview.
You arrive there thirty minutes late and when you finally meet your interviewer, you offer your apologies and try to explain why you were late.
You say:
a. I apologize for being late. I knew that there would be a lot of traffic on the roads today. b. I am terribly sorry that you had to wait for me. I have no excuse for being so late.
c. Please forgive me for keeping you waiting. I apologize for all the inconveniences that
I might have caused.
d. I apologize for being so late. If there had not been a lot of traffic on the roads, I would have arrived here on time.

In questions 21 – 30, choose the correct sentence with the closest meaning to the given sentence.

21. It was not until they watched the evening news that people realized how much damage the storm had caused.
a. People did not know how much damage the storm had caused until they watched the evening news.
b. People watched the evening news because they realized that the storm had caused a lot of damage.
c. Before watching the evening news, people knew that the storm had caused a lot of damage. d. After they realized that the storm had caused a lot of damage, people watched the news until late in the evening.
22. In the 19th century, Europeans wanting to immigrate to the USA could do so as long as they did not have any infectious diseases.
a. European immigrants of the 19th century suffered from infections for as long as they stayed in the USA.
b. In the 19th century, only healthy Europeans could immigrate to the USA.
c. In the 19th century, whenever Europeans got sick, they tried to immigrate to the
USA.
d. Europeans with infectious diseases could stay in the USA only for a short time in the
19th century.
23. The new sports centre will provide more opportunities for students and teachers alike.
a. The new sports centre will provide more opportunities for students than for teachers.
b. The opportunities that the new sports centre will offer are similar for both teachers and students.
c. Both teachers and students will be provided with more opportunities by the new sports centre.
d. Teachers like the fact that the new centre will provide more opportunities for their students. 3/13

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Sample Proficiency Test

24. No sooner had the administration announced the policy change than the students began their protest.
a.
b.
c.
d.

The administration changed the announced policy as a result of the students’ protest.
The students began protesting because the policy change was announced too late.
As soon as the students began to protest, the administration announced the policy change. The students began protesting the moment the administration announced the policy change. 25. Since nitrogen is one of the constant components of protein, scientists can measure protein by measuring nitrogen.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Scientists can measure protein by measuring nitrogen because nitrogen is a constant component of protein.
Scientists can measure protein by measuring nitrogen only if the level of nitrogen is not constant.
Measuring protein enables scientists to measure nitrogen as nitrogen is made up of constant components.
By measuring nitrogen, the scientists can measure the constant components of protein. 26. London is second only to Paris as the most visited city in the world.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Both Paris and London are considered to be the most visited cities in the world.
Paris is the second most visited city in the world after London.
London is the second city in the world which is visited more than Paris.
After Paris, London is the most visited city in the world.

27. The hormone androvine acts as a painkiller and is six times as strong as morphine or ecotrin.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Androvine is a painkiller which can be as powerful as morphine or ecotrin.
Androvine acts as a painkiller only when it is six times stronger than morphine.
Neither ecotrin nor morphine is as strong as androvine in killing pain.
Although androvine is a hormone, it can be used up to six times as a painkiller.

28. I am amazed that we arrived at the airport on time.
a.
b.
c.
d.

We made an amazing appointment to meet at the airport on time.
I did not expect to get to the airport on time but surprisingly, we did.
I am surprised that we had so much time left before we boarded the plane.
My friend and I were amazed to see each other at the airport at the same time.

29. When used in small amounts, antibiotics do not kill bacteria; they only help them become stronger.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Bacteria become stronger if low doses of antibiotics are used.
Strong amounts of antibiotics do not kill bacteria but make them less dangerous.
Antibiotics which fail to kill bacteria should be used in small amounts.
When the number of bacteria is small, antibiotics do not work.

30. You only have to visit your local hospital to see that the system is not working. a.
b.
c.
d.

In order to visit the local hospital, you have to see that the system isn’t working.
It is enough to visit the local hospital to understand that the system isn’t working.
Since the system does not work, you have to go and visit your local hospital.
Because this system works only in your local hospital, you have to visit it.

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Yeditepe University
Sample Proficiency Test

In questions 31 – 40, choose the correct answer that best completes each sentence.

31. Many pharmaceutical companies are conducting clinical trials___________.
a.
b.
c.
d.

in the hope that they find anti-cancer drugs which they have discovered anti-cancer drugs whether or not the government sponsors them is not important if they want to discover powerful drugs that reduce pain

32. Even though adding a new floor to the museum is not advisable, _____.
a.
b.
c.
d.

which is what the council is planning to do therefore, the council won’t put its project into practice the council is planning to go ahead with the project so that the council’s project has been cancelled

33. ___________ that the basic needs of tomorrow’s travelers will be much different from the needs of today’s travelers.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Since transportation has changed considerably
Further changes in technology will result
The argument put forward by several agencies
There is more than one reason to assume

34. ________ despite all the attempts the government has made to control inflation. a.
b.
c.
d.

In 2008, the economic slowdown affecting the country
As the country has rarely enjoyed economic stability
A general rise in the prices of goods has been noticed
Witnessing the economic crisis which hit the country

35. __________ takes three to five days.
a.
b.
c.
d.

For a patient to recover from eye surgery
To the patient who recovers from eye surgery
That a patient who is recovering from eye surgery
In most patients, recovering from eye surgery

36. They have invested so much time and energy in this project _________.
a.
b.
c.
d.

for as long as they work together as a team that everyone expects them to succeed as they have put great effort every single day since people do not have trust in them

37. Since his family is the most important part of his life, ____________.
a.
b.
c.
d.

whenever he thinks about his children and wife he makes sure he is always present in his children’s lives. so that he does not have any regrets in the future that’s the reason why he tries to satisfy all his children’s desires

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Sample Proficiency Test

38. Teachers who believe homework helps students learn better _______.
a.
b.
c.
d.

because more practice increases students’ confidence and assist them in acquiring a second language faster should design exercises according to their students’ needs which is what many parents and education specialists think

39. Alex asked to be excused from class __________.
a.
b.
c.
d.

if he had not been feeling well all day why he was feeling so sick and tired since he had apologized for doing so as he felt a terrible pain in his stomach

40. It has only recently been discovered _______.
a.
b.
c.
d.

in case deadly viruses can develop resistance to drugs that bacteria can be transmitted through household plants because nowadays technology has made everything easier why are children developing more health problems than before

VOCABULARY
In questions 41 – 50, choose the correct word that has the closest meaning to the underlined word.

41. The anti-smoking campaign of the government made quite an impact on young people as the number of young smokers is in decline.
a. effect

b. increase

c. problem

d. respect

42. The Black Sea region is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty and the sincere hospitality of its local people.
a. exciting

b. famous

c. protected

d. deserted

43. Research indicates that over 81 % of teachers are dissatisfied with their salaries and want more money.
a. clears

b. represents

c. prevents

d. shows

44. Several colleges in Turkey have rigid rules about student behavior and do not tolerate lack of discipline.
a. strict

b. valuable

c. creative

d. responsible

45. Many businesswomen find it difficult to cope with the pressure of working with male superiors and quit their jobs.
a. create

b. deal

c. try

d. leave

46. The majority of the local inhabitants had to abandon their houses after the earthquake and moved to safer locations.
a. live

b. destroy

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c. leave

d. build

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Sample Proficiency Test

47. After the president of the IMF was taken into custody, he was given no special privileges and was treated just like every other prisoner.
a. favors

b. excuses

c. practices

d. commands

48. The school is required to notify parents if their children fail to come to school.
a. notice

b. annoy

c. confirm

d. inform

49. Despite the developments in science and technology, it's still not possible to accurately predict the occurrence of earthquakes.
a. constantly

b. variably

c. frequently

d. correctly

50. I still can’t figure out why he killed his wife after 50 years of marriage.
a. explain

b. understand

c. convince

d. criticize

In questions 51 – 60, choose the correct word that best completes the sentence.

51. Although it was the last day of school, students expressed ___________ interest in the class.
a. genuine

b. indifferent

c. attractive

d. impulsive

52. The school will give ___________ to science, maths and modern languages rather than arts and physical education.
a. productivity

b. priority

c. privacy

d. practicality

53. Since the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, the Muslim population in the USA has been suffering from ___________ and unfair treatment because of their religion.
a. justice

b. disservice

c. prejudice

d. sacrifice

54. The New York Times used to have the highest ___________ in the USA but today the Herald Tribune sells more.
a. circulation

b. combination

c. calculation

d. constitution

55. Scientists are working on new methods to make plants more ___________ to disease and harsh weather.
a. dependent

b. convenient

c. resistant

d. consistent

56. Changes in the ___________ of the atmosphere are thought to be responsible for global warming.
a. composition

b. connection

c. conservation

d. cooperation

57. The ___________ of bacteria inside the mouth leads to bad breath and tooth infections.
a. accumulation

b. acceleration

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c. addiction

d. alienation

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58. The mayor is trying to ___________ local businesses to play a more active role in the project.
a. preserve

b. persuade

c. control

d. compensate

59. Before deciding to ___________ in a company, one should do some research into how much profit it makes every year.
a. invent

b. involve

c. invade

d. invest

60. When you are working such long hours, it's inevitable that your marriage will start to _____.
a. suffer

b. strike

c. sacrifice

d. steal

READING

Answer questions 61 – 80 according to the reading passages.

HOW DID THEY DIE?
I
When Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile in 1821, autopsy reports pointed at stomach cancer as the possible cause of his death. However, when a study in 1961 found high levels of arsenic in Napoleon’s hair, some historians wondered if the former emperor had been poisoned.
Some speculated that enemies who feared Napoleon had poisoned him; others blamed the arsenic in the paints that were used for coloring the wallpaper in his home. But many scientists reject these possibilities. A 2002 French analysis called the poisoning theory unlikely, and a
2005 study added support to the cancer theory by recording the decreasing waist sizes of
Napoleon’s final pairs of trousers, suggesting that he lost a lot of weight in his final days due to stomach cancer.
II
In 2008, Italian researchers asked museums for samples of Napoleon’s hair cut at different times -- during his childhood in Corsica, during an earlier exile in Elba, and after his death. Under laboratory conditions, the team measured the concentrations of arsenic in the samples. They found the levels were much higher than today’s standards, but the amounts did not change throughout Napoleon’s life. The arsenic levels were also similar to those found in the hair samples from his wife and child, which means everyone was more or less exposed to the poison in those days.
III
When it comes to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s death, researchers do not have much to go on. After his death in December 5, 1791, no autopsy was performed and the poor musician was buried in an unmarked grave in Vienna.
IV
In 2009, a group of researchers attempted to determine the most probable cause of
Mozart’s death by looking at how everyone else in Vienna died. They analyzed the causes of death for 5,011 adults who died in November, December, and January of the same year as
Mozart. They found out that the majority of these people had died of streptococcal infection.
Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that the cause of the death of the famous composer must have been an untreated streptococcal infection.

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Yeditepe University
Sample Proficiency Test

61.

What finding increases the possibility that Napoleon died of stomach cancer? a.
b.
c.
d.

There were high concentrations of arsenic in his hair samples.
The waist sizes of his trousers became smaller and smaller towards the end of his life.
The hair samples of his wife and child exhibited relatively high levels of arsenic. The walls of his house were covered with wall paper that contained arsenic

62. All of the following are true about arsenic EXCEPT:
a.
b.
c.
d.

It was found naturally in the environment in the nineteenth century.
People used it to kill their enemies.
It is a substance that can be traced by examining body hair.
It is a major cause of stomach cancer.

63. We can UNDERSTAND from the text that ______________.
a.
b.
c.
d.

streptococcal infection can be fatal if it is not treated properly it was normal to bury people in unmarked graves in the 18th century in Vienna streptococcal infection is more dangerous in adults than in children
Mozart refused to be treated for his illness because he was poor

64. The word “they” in paragraph II refers to ______________.
a. arsenic concentrations
c. Italian researchers

b. hair samples
d. laboratory conditions

65. The word “attempted” in paragraph IV is closest in meaning to ________.
a.

joined

b. arrived

c. concluded

d. tried

A NEW WAY TO POWER YOUR HOME
I
A super efficient system that has the potential to power, heat and cool homes is being developed at Newcastle University. The system works by burning vegetable oil to power a generator and provide electricity for the home. The waste heat from this process is then used to provide heating and hot water, and is also converted to cool a fridge. This three-way utilization of energy is known as micro-trigeneration.
II
Created by experts at the Institute for Energy Research at Newcastle University, the design also includes a unique energy storage system. The energy storage system is designed to allow home owners to store the extra electrical energy during ‘off-peak’ times, for example during the night, and to efficiently release energy when it is needed most.
III
One of the potential oils to be used in the system comes from the seeds of the Croton
Megalocarpus plant which grows in East Africa. Croton Megalocarpus brings with it the advantage of growing fast and on poor soil that is not suitable for traditional farming or food production. This means providing a fuel without sacrificing land for food crops. In addition, the
Croton Megalocarpus plant cleans the air by absorbing carbon while growing.
66.

All of the following are reasons why we could call the system unique
EXCEPT:
a.
b.
c.
d.

It provides electricity in the home by burning vegetable oil.
It heats and cools without wasting energy.
Its source of power helps reduce air pollution.
It turns excess hot water into ice water in the fridge.

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Sample Proficiency Test

67. The energy storage system______________.
a.
b.
c.
d.

gives out extra energy during the night saves energy to be used when it is needed does not allow home owners to use energy efficiently releases extra energy at all times

68. All of the following may be reasons for choosing the seed of Croton
Megalocarpus as a fuel for the new system EXCEPT:
a.
b.
c.
d.

It
It
It
It

helps the development of traditional farming in East Africa. can grow in poor soil where other crops cannot easily grow. cleans the air while it grows. does not require a long time to grow.

69. What does “it” in paragraph II refer to?
a. design

b. night

c. energy

d. storage system

70. The word “converted” in paragraph I is closest in meaning to ________.
a. engaged

b. transformed

c. abandoned

d. separated

AUTOCRATIC MANAGEMENT STYLE
I
Autocratic management style is based on a belief system that says workers will not try to improve their performance unless they are motivated to do so. This belief system behind autocratic management style is called Theory X. According to Theory X, workers have no interest in work, including the quality of their work. The job of managers is to deal with them by using "carrots and sticks." The "carrot" is usually money, such as a pay raise or a bonus.
The "stick" is pay cuts for poor quality or missed production targets. Simply, Theory X claims that only money can motivate the lazy, disinterested worker.
II
In addition to using “carrots and sticks” for motivation, autocratic managers try to control all aspects of work as much as possible. A major threat to control is job complexity.
Complex jobs are more difficult to learn and workers who are able to perform complex tasks are difficult to find. Thus, autocratic managers aim to simplify work to reduce worker responsibility and gain maximum control.
III
In times of stress or emergency, some workers may actually prefer to be managed by an autocratic style. Indeed, autocratic management can be very effective when times are stressful and workers need to be told exactly what to do. However, in less stressful times, it presents certain disadvantages. Firstly, the communication style of autocratic managers is usually one way. In other words, it is only the manager who communicates with the workers.
This can be frustrating if the manager only criticizes the employees when they make mistakes, and provides little praise when they do something right. In addition, autocratic management style can create an environment of fear and resentment. Such an environment causes an increase in the number of absent workers and can slow down progress and production. Moreover, it can discourage creative ideas that might make the company more competitive. 71. Which of the following BEST summarizes the main idea behind Theory X?
a. Workers are not willing to make a contribution to their own work voluntarily.
b. The only way for a manager to improve quality is to threaten the workers.
c. Pay raises or bonuses only work if the workers are disinterested.
d. Pay cuts require workers to miss their production targets.

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72. In paragraph I, “them” refers to _____________.
a. carrots

b. workers

c. sticks

d. managers

73. Which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of autocratic management style? a. It leads to fear and dislike for their jobs among workers.
b. It discourages workers from coming to work every day.
c. It leads to unfair competition among workers.
d. It results in slower progress and production rates.
74. In paragraph III, “praise” is closest in meaning to _______________.
a. approval

b. approach

c. apology

d. appeal

75. It can be UNDERSTOOD from the text that autocratic management can be useful in times of____.
a. competition

b. peace

c. stability

d. crisis

THE MELTING POT OR THE SALAD BOWL?
I
For many years, the cultural model that was widely accepted in the United States was that the country was a melting pot for immigrants. The melting pot symbolizes the different groups of people who migrated to the United States and brought their own characteristics with them. Once they were in the United States, these people and their cultures were expected to mix and assimilate into a uniform United States culture in which it is impossible to notice the diverse cultures that made it up.
II
In recent years, however, the idea of the melting pot is being replaced by a new one. Many new immigrants to the United States do not feel they should be required to change. They believe that they can contribute and belong to the United States, and be its citizens while still keeping some of the culture, beliefs and even the language that they brought with them. Therefore, the new model that is being suggested for the United
States is the salad bowl. The salad bowl describes a multicultural society where people do not have to conform to make a new unity, but keep their original character while living side by side with each other.
III
It is not certain whether either of these two models is correct for the modern
United States. The melting pot seems to be over-idealistic and outdated. Also, older
Americans may be suspicious of newer arrivals and do not welcome them, whereas newer
Americans may feel that it is impossible to give up their past and their cultural characteristics. The salad bowl is not a perfect model, either. New immigrants who have not learned English or accepted the culture and beliefs common in the United States have difficulty in being a part of the American society. As a result, they are often accused of being unwilling to change, in other words, of not being American enough.

76. Which of the following is WRONG about the “melting pot” model?
a. It requires immigrants to change their culture and beliefs.
b. It used to be the dominant cultural model for a long time.
c. It is an up-to-date and realistic model for the United States.
d. Its main purpose is to create a uniform national culture.

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77. Which of the following BEST explains the “salad bowl” model?
a. Immigrants are expected to change and assimilate into a single culture.
b. Immigrants are allowed to keep their original cultural identities and beliefs.
c. Immigrants are no longer a part of the United States if they refuse to change.
d. Immigrants are asked to learn English and be American as soon as possible.
78. In paragraph 1, “it” refers to ___________.
a. United States culture
c. cultural model

b. noticing diverse cultures
d. migration to the United States

79. In paragraph 2, “conform” is closest in meaning to ______________.
a. adapt

b. arrange

c. acquire

d. absorb

80. It can be UNDERSTOOD from the text that _________.
a. the salad bowl is a more agreeable model than the melting pot for older Americans.
b. new immigrants prefer the salad bowl model rather than the melting pot model.
c. learning English makes it more difficult for immigrants to adapt to American culture.
d. older Americans always welcome new immigrants if they choose to be American.

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Sample Proficiency Test

ANSWER KEY
1

A

21

A

41

A

61

B

2

B

22

B

42

B

62

D

3

D

23

C

43

D

63

A

4

D

24

D

44

A

64

C

5

A

25

A

45

B

65

D

6

C

26

D

46

C

66

D

7

D

27

C

47

A

67

B

8

C

28

B

48

D

68

A

9

B

29

A

49

D

69

C

10

B

30

B

50

B

70

B

11

A

31

A

51

A

71

A

12

B

32

C

52

B

72

B

13

A

33

D

53

C

73

C

14

D

34

C

54

A

74

A

15

C

35

D

55

C

75

D

16

C

36

B

56

A

76

C

17

B

37

B

57

A

77

B

18

C

38

C

58

B

78

A

19

C

39

D

59

D

79

A

20

D

40

B

60

A

80

B

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