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Državna Matura English study materials
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Državna Matura English practice questions

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Question 1Reading comprehension

Read this sentence: 'The volunteers, who had arrived before dawn, were already sorting the donated clothes.' Which statement best describes the function of the clause between the commas?

  1. It adds extra information about the volunteers without identifying which volunteers are meant. Correct answer.
  2. It identifies exactly which group of volunteers the writer is referring to.
  3. It expresses the main action that the volunteers performed that morning.
  4. It contrasts the volunteers with another group mentioned earlier.

Explanation

A non-defining relative clause is set off by commas and supplies additional, non-essential information about an already identified noun phrase. Removing it leaves a complete sentence, which confirms that it does not identify the group. A defining clause would appear without commas and would restrict the reference.

Question 2Reading comprehension

In the sentence 'The report, which was published in March, criticised the company's safety record,' what does the relative clause 'which was published in March' refer to?

  1. The safety record
  2. The report Correct answer.
  3. The company
  4. March

Explanation

In a non-defining relative clause the pronoun 'which' refers back to the nearest suitable noun phrase that makes sense, here 'the report'. The safety record is not published, and 'March' is inside the clause itself. Agreement and logic both point to the report as the antecedent.

Question 3Reading comprehension

A travel article says: 'The museum is worth visiting, although the queue can be long.' What does the writer imply about the museum?

  1. The queue is usually short on most days.
  2. The long queue makes the visit not worthwhile.
  3. Visitors should avoid the museum at weekends.
  4. The museum is worth visiting despite the queue. Correct answer.

Explanation

The conjunction 'although' introduces a concessive clause, meaning the second idea does not cancel the first. The writer therefore recommends the museum while acknowledging the drawback of the queue. 'Despite' and 'although' both signal that the positive evaluation survives the negative point.

Question 4Reading comprehension

In a formal letter, the writer states: 'I would be grateful if you could confirm receipt of my application.' What is the writer's main purpose?

  1. To ask for feedback on the application's content.
  2. To complain that the application was not received.
  3. To request confirmation that the application has arrived. Correct answer.
  4. To withdraw the application before it is processed.

Explanation

The polite conditional structure 'I would be grateful if you could confirm receipt' is a formal request for acknowledgement that something has arrived. It expresses a request, not a complaint or a withdrawal. No mention is made of feedback on content.

Question 5Reading comprehension

Read: 'Sales rose sharply in the first quarter, then levelled off for the rest of the year.' Which description of the trend is accurate?

  1. Sales increased rapidly and then remained stable. Correct answer.
  2. Sales fluctuated wildly from month to month.
  3. Sales fell steadily throughout the whole year.
  4. Sales stayed constant and then dropped suddenly.

Explanation

'Rose sharply' indicates a rapid increase, and 'levelled off' means the figure stopped changing and stayed roughly constant. The two verbs describe a sequence: growth followed by stability. Neither a fall nor constant fluctuation is stated.

Question 6Reading comprehension

A notice reads: 'Passengers are advised to allow extra time for their journey owing to engineering works.' Why should passengers allow extra time?

  1. Because ticket prices have increased.
  2. Because of scheduled maintenance on the railway. Correct answer.
  3. Because the station is closing permanently.
  4. Because a new timetable has been introduced.

Explanation

'Engineering works' is the standard British term for maintenance or construction on the railway, and 'owing to' introduces the reason. The notice therefore advises extra time because of this maintenance. The other options introduce causes not stated in the notice.

Question 7Reading comprehension

Which word in this sentence carries the main contrast? 'The hotel was comfortable; nevertheless, the service was disappointing.'

  1. service
  2. comfortable
  3. disappointing
  4. nevertheless Correct answer.

Explanation

'Nevertheless' is a conjunctive adverb signalling that the second clause contrasts with the first. It is the explicit marker of contrast, while the adjectives simply describe the two situations. Recognising such signposts helps a reader follow the writer's argument.

Question 8Reading comprehension

An advertisement says: 'Only a handful of tickets remain for Saturday's performance.' What is the advertiser trying to achieve?

  1. To inform readers that the performance has been cancelled.
  2. To explain how the ticketing system works.
  3. To persuade readers to buy quickly because availability is limited. Correct answer.
  4. To warn readers that Saturday is a bad time to attend.

Explanation

'Only a handful remain' emphasises scarcity, a common persuasive technique that encourages immediate action. The purpose is to create urgency rather than to inform neutrally. No cancellation or criticism of Saturday is mentioned.

Question 9Reading comprehension

Read: 'Had the council consulted residents earlier, the dispute might have been avoided.' What does the sentence suggest about the council?

  1. It avoided the dispute by ignoring residents.
  2. It consulted residents and the dispute was avoided.
  3. It plans to consult residents in the near future.
  4. It did not consult residents early enough, and a dispute arose. Correct answer.

Explanation

This is a third conditional with inversion ('Had the council consulted...'), describing an unreal past situation. It implies the council did not consult early enough and that a dispute did occur. The result clause 'might have been avoided' confirms the dispute was not avoided.

Question 10Reading comprehension

In the sentence 'The scientist whose research was funded by the charity gave a public lecture,' what is the role of 'whose research was funded by the charity'?

  1. It defines which scientist is meant. Correct answer.
  2. It explains why the charity gave money.
  3. It states the main event of the sentence.
  4. It adds optional extra information about the scientist.

Explanation

A relative clause without commas is defining: it restricts the noun 'scientist' to the particular person identified by the funded research. The main event is 'gave a public lecture'. Commas would be needed for the clause to be non-defining and optional.

Question 11Reading comprehension

Read this paragraph: 'Many cities now plant trees along busy roads. These trees absorb pollutants, provide shade and reduce noise. However, young trees need years of care before they deliver these benefits.' Which statement best captures the writer's overall point?

  1. Noise reduction is the most important benefit of urban trees.
  2. Trees should be planted only in quiet residential areas.
  3. Planting roadside trees is pointless because the benefits take too long.
  4. Roadside trees bring real benefits, but they require long-term investment. Correct answer.

Explanation

The paragraph first lists concrete benefits and then uses 'However' to add a condition: young trees need years of care. The balanced overall point is therefore that benefits exist but require sustained investment. A summary must account for both parts of the paragraph.

Question 12Reading comprehension

A review says: 'The film is far from flawless, but it is hard to imagine anyone leaving the cinema unmoved.' What is the reviewer's attitude?

  1. Largely positive despite admitted weaknesses Correct answer.
  2. Entirely neutral
  3. Confused about the plot
  4. Completely negative

Explanation

'Far from flawless' concedes weaknesses, while 'hard to imagine anyone leaving unmoved' is strong praise for its emotional impact. The concessive 'but' shows the praise outweighs the criticism. The overall stance is therefore favourable with reservations.

Question 13Reading comprehension

In a text about recycling, the writer notes: 'While glass can be recycled indefinitely, the energy used in collection and melting is considerable.' What is the writer doing with this sentence?

  1. Presenting a benefit and then a counterbalancing drawback. Correct answer.
  2. Describing the technical process of melting glass.
  3. Arguing that glass should never be recycled.
  4. Proving that glass recycling is environmentally harmful overall.

Explanation

'While' introduces a concession: the first clause gives an advantage (endless recyclability) and the second adds a cost (energy use). The sentence balances two sides rather than proving an overall verdict. This is a common structure in discursive texts.

Question 14Reading comprehension

Read: 'Not until the final chapter does the author reveal the identity of the narrator.' Which statement is correct about this sentence?

  1. The inversion is a grammatical error and should be removed.
  2. The inversion makes the sentence a question.
  3. The inversion occurs because the sentence begins with a negative adverbial. Correct answer.
  4. The sentence means the author never reveals the narrator's identity.

Explanation

When a sentence opens with a negative or restrictive adverbial such as 'Not until...', English requires subject-auxiliary inversion, giving 'does the author reveal'. This is a formal stylistic device, not an error or a question. The meaning remains that the reveal happens only in the final chapter.

Question 15Reading comprehension

A job advertisement states: 'The successful candidate will be expected to hit the ground running.' What does this idiom mean in context?

  1. To work only during the busiest periods.
  2. To travel frequently as part of the job.
  3. To complete a lengthy training programme first.
  4. To start work immediately and perform effectively without delay. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Hit the ground running' is an idiom meaning to begin a task energetically and competently from the outset, without a slow adjustment period. In a job advertisement it signals that the employer expects immediate effectiveness. It has nothing to do with travel or training.

Question 16Reading comprehension

In the sentence 'The committee's decision, which surprised many observers, was announced on Friday,' which element could be removed without making the sentence ungrammatical?

  1. 'was announced'
  2. 'on Friday'
  3. 'which surprised many observers' Correct answer.
  4. 'The committee's decision'

Explanation

The clause 'which surprised many observers' is non-defining, marked by commas, so it is grammatically optional. Removing it leaves 'The committee's decision was announced on Friday', a complete sentence. The subject, verb and time adverbial are all required for the sentence to stand.

Question 17Reading comprehension

A news report says: 'The minister denied that the figures had been suppressed, insisting that publication had simply been delayed.' How does the report present the minister's position?

  1. The minister admitted suppressing the figures but blamed officials.
  2. The minister confirmed that publication had been cancelled.
  3. The minister rejected the accusation and offered an alternative explanation. Correct answer.
  4. The minister refused to comment on the figures.

Explanation

'Denied that...' reports a rejection of the accusation, and the participle clause 'insisting that...' presents the minister's alternative account: a delay rather than suppression. The report thus conveys rejection plus explanation. There is no admission and no refusal to comment.

Question 18Reading comprehension

Read: 'The scheme was piloted in three schools; subsequently, it was rolled out nationwide.' What does 'subsequently' indicate about the two events?

  1. The first event was cancelled before the second.
  2. They happened at the same time.
  3. The second event caused the first.
  4. The second event happened after the first. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Subsequently' is a time marker meaning 'afterwards', so it places the nationwide rollout after the pilot. It signals sequence, not simultaneity or causation. Recognising sequence markers is essential for following chronological order in a text.

Question 19Reading comprehension

A leaflet says: 'Unless residents separate their waste, collection charges will rise.' What condition would lead to higher charges?

  1. Residents separate their waste properly.
  2. Residents do not separate their waste. Correct answer.
  3. Residents request extra collection bins.
  4. Residents pay their charges on time.

Explanation

'Unless' means 'if not', so 'unless residents separate their waste' equals 'if residents do not separate their waste'. The promised consequence, higher charges, follows from failing to separate waste. This is a conditional structure with a negative condition.

Question 20Reading comprehension

In an academic text: 'The results should be interpreted with caution, given the small sample size.' What is the writer's reason for caution?

  1. The findings contradicted earlier research.
  2. The data were collected too quickly.
  3. The study involved too few participants. Correct answer.
  4. The results were not statistically analysed.

Explanation

'Given the small sample size' states the reason directly: a small sample limits how far results can be generalised. 'Given' here means 'considering'. The other options add reasons the sentence does not contain.

Question 21Reading comprehension

Read: 'So convincing was her argument that even her critics changed their minds.' What is the effect of beginning the sentence with 'So convincing'?

  1. It emphasises the strength of the argument through fronting and inversion. Correct answer.
  2. It introduces a comparison with a second argument.
  3. It turns the sentence into a direct question.
  4. It weakens the claim by expressing doubt.

Explanation

Fronting 'so + adjective' triggers inversion ('was her argument') and places strong emphasis on the adjective. The result clause shows the argument's persuasive power. This emphatic construction is common in formal and literary writing, not a question or a hedge.

Question 22Reading comprehension

A text states: 'Far from resolving the disagreement, the new policy deepened it.' Which paraphrase is most accurate?

  1. The policy was introduced far away from the disagreement.
  2. The policy resolved the disagreement, although it deepened it slightly.
  3. The policy deepened the disagreement before eventually resolving it.
  4. The policy did not resolve the disagreement and actually made it worse. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Far from + -ing' means 'instead of' or 'rather than', negating the expected outcome. The sentence therefore says the policy did not resolve the dispute and in fact worsened it. The contrast is emphatic rather than partial.

Question 23Reading comprehension

Read: 'It is not that the data are unreliable; it is rather that they are incomplete.' What distinction is the writer making?

  1. The problem lies in completeness rather than in reliability. Correct answer.
  2. Neither reliability nor completeness is in question.
  3. The data are reliable because they are incomplete.
  4. The data are both unreliable and incomplete.

Explanation

The 'not that... rather that...' construction explicitly rejects the first characterisation and substitutes the second. The writer therefore locates the problem in incompleteness, not in unreliability. This contrastive frame is a common feature of academic argument.

Question 24Reading comprehension

A passage notes: 'The proposal, ostensibly aimed at reducing costs, in practice transferred them to local authorities.' What does 'ostensibly' signal about the stated aim?

  1. The stated aim is presented as genuine and fully achieved.
  2. The stated aim is presented as claimed but possibly not the real one. Correct answer.
  3. The stated aim is legally binding.
  4. The stated aim was never publicly mentioned.

Explanation

'Ostensibly' means 'apparently' or 'as claimed', often implying scepticism about whether the stated reason is the true one. Combined with 'in practice', it contrasts the declared aim with the actual effect. The writer thus doubts the sincerity of the cost-reduction aim.

Question 25Reading comprehension

Read: 'Only when the last speaker had sat down did the chairperson allow questions.' Which paraphrase preserves the meaning exactly?

  1. The chairperson allowed questions before the last speaker sat down.
  2. The chairperson allowed questions only after the last speaker had finished. Correct answer.
  3. The chairperson never allowed questions during the meeting.
  4. The chairperson allowed questions while the last speaker was still speaking.

Explanation

'Only when... did...' is a restrictive construction meaning the second event happened solely at that point. Questions were allowed only after the last speaker sat down, that is, after finishing. The inversion after 'only when' is required in formal style.

Question 26Reading comprehension

A museum sign reads: 'Visitors are kindly requested to leave large bags in the cloakroom before entering the galleries.' What are visitors asked to do?

  1. Collect their bags from the cloakroom at closing time
  2. Avoid bringing any bags to the museum at all
  3. Carry their bags with them through every gallery
  4. Store large bags in the cloakroom before going into the galleries Correct answer.

Explanation

The sign states a request to leave large bags in the cloakroom, and it specifies the timing as 'before entering the galleries'. The word 'kindly' softens the instruction but does not change its content, so the action required is clear and limited to large bags.

Question 27Reading comprehension

Read: 'The library will be closed on Monday for staff training, reopening at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.' Which statement is correct?

  1. The library opens at 9 a.m. on Tuesday after closing on Monday Correct answer.
  2. The library is closed on both Monday and Tuesday
  3. The library closes at 9 a.m. on Monday for training
  4. The library reopens on Monday afternoon after training

Explanation

The sentence gives two facts: closure on Monday and reopening at 9 a.m. on Tuesday. The phrase 'reopening at 9 a.m. on Tuesday' attaches the time to Tuesday, not Monday. Any option that moves the closure or the reopening to a different day misreads the timeline.

Question 28Reading comprehension

A sign in a car park says: 'Vehicles parked without a valid permit may be clamped and released only on payment of a fee.' What does the sign warn drivers about?

  1. Drivers without permits will be asked to move their cars immediately
  2. Permits are sold at the car park entrance during opening hours
  3. A fee is charged to remove a clamp from a car parked without a permit Correct answer.
  4. Clamping applies only to vehicles left overnight

Explanation

The sign links two consequences for parking without a valid permit: clamping and a release fee. The word 'only' emphasises that payment is the sole route to release. Nothing in the sign mentions selling permits, overnight rules or a request to move.

Question 29Reading comprehension

An email from a course provider says: 'Places on the evening course are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.' What does this tell applicants?

  1. Applicants may reserve a place and pay later
  2. Applications are accepted in the order they arrive until the course is full Correct answer.
  3. Applicants must sit an entrance test before being accepted
  4. Priority is given to applicants who live nearest the venue

Explanation

'First-come, first-served' is a fixed expression meaning that places go to whoever applies earliest, with no other selection criterion. It says nothing about testing, location or delayed payment. The key idea is order of arrival, not merit or proximity.

Question 30Reading comprehension

Read: 'The council has come under pressure to reconsider the plan, though it insists nothing has been finalised.' What is the council's position?

  1. It maintains that the plan is still open to change Correct answer.
  2. It refuses to discuss the plan with residents
  3. It has already finalised the plan despite the pressure
  4. It has formally withdrawn the plan after public criticism

Explanation

The concessive 'though' contrasts outside pressure with the council's own claim. Saying 'nothing has been finalised' means the plan remains undecided and could still change. The council is therefore defending itself by stressing that no final decision exists.

Question 31Reading comprehension

A brochure says: 'The spa is open to hotel guests exclusively.' Who may use the spa?

  1. Only people staying at the hotel Correct answer.
  2. Anyone who buys a day pass
  3. Local residents at weekends
  4. Guests and their visitors

Explanation

The adverb 'exclusively' restricts the group to hotel guests and excludes everyone else. It functions like 'only' and is placed after the group it limits. Any option that adds outsiders contradicts this restriction.

Question 32Reading comprehension

Read: 'The report stops short of recommending a ban, calling instead for stricter labelling.' What does the report recommend?

  1. Clearer labels rather than a prohibition Correct answer.
  2. No change to current labelling rules
  3. Voluntary action by manufacturers alone
  4. An immediate and complete ban

Explanation

The phrase 'stops short of' means the report does not go as far as a ban. The word 'instead' signals the alternative it does propose: stricter labelling. The recommendation is therefore a labelling measure, not a prohibition.

Question 33Reading comprehension

Read: 'The scheme, originally intended for rural areas, was eventually extended to every region.' Which statement is correct?

  1. The scheme remained limited to rural areas throughout
  2. The scheme's scope grew beyond its original target area Correct answer.
  3. The scheme was cancelled before it reached rural areas
  4. The scheme was designed for cities and later moved to the countryside

Explanation

'Originally intended for' marks the initial plan, and 'eventually extended to every region' marks a later, wider application. The contrast between the two shows that the scope expanded. The scheme was not cancelled, and its starting focus was rural.

Question 34Reading comprehension

In a text about public transport, the writer says: 'Cheaper fares would be welcome, but they are unlikely to persuade drivers to abandon their cars.' What is the writer's view of cheaper fares?

  1. They are the most effective way to reduce car use
  2. They would have no value at all
  3. They should be introduced only for rural routes
  4. They are desirable but insufficient on their own to change behaviour Correct answer.

Explanation

The concessive structure 'would be welcome, but...' concedes a benefit while denying that it is enough. The writer therefore sees cheaper fares as positive yet not decisive. The key is the contrast between approval and doubt about effectiveness.

Question 35Reading comprehension

Read: 'The new bridge, hailed as an engineering triumph, has done little to ease congestion in the town centre.' What does the writer imply?

  1. The bridge is poorly built and should be demolished
  2. The bridge has reduced congestion more than expected
  3. The bridge is impressive technically but has failed to solve the traffic problem Correct answer.
  4. The bridge was not designed to carry traffic

Explanation

The writer sets praise for the engineering against the practical outcome, using 'has done little to ease'. This contrast implies admiration for the construction but disappointment with its effect. The bridge is not criticised as badly built, only as ineffective for congestion.

Question 36Reading comprehension

Read: 'The author's prose is economical: not a word is wasted, and yet nothing essential is missing.' What does the writer praise?

  1. The author's decision to omit important details
  2. The author's preference for technical vocabulary
  3. The author's use of long, elaborate descriptions
  4. The author's ability to say what matters in few words Correct answer.

Explanation

'Economical' in this context means concise and efficient, and the clause 'nothing essential is missing' clarifies that brevity does not cost meaning. The praise is for compactness combined with completeness. Length and technical language are not what the comment describes.

Question 37Reading comprehension

Read: 'It would be wrong to blame the teachers alone for the fall in results; funding cuts and staff shortages played their part.' What is the writer arguing?

  1. Staff shortages were the single cause of the fall
  2. Teachers are entirely responsible for the fall in results
  3. Funding cuts had no effect on the results
  4. Responsibility for the results should be shared among several causes Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'blame the teachers alone' is rejected, and two further causes are named. The writer therefore distributes responsibility across multiple factors rather than attributing it to one. This is a balanced causal argument, not a defence of a single explanation.

Question 38Reading comprehension

A text states: 'Contrary to popular belief, the ancient wall was built for taxation, not defence.' What does the text claim?

  1. The wall was built for defence, as most people think
  2. The wall served both taxation and defence equally
  3. The wall's purpose was collecting taxes rather than protection Correct answer.
  4. The wall had no practical purpose at all

Explanation

'Contrary to popular belief' signals that the following claim corrects a common assumption. The construction 'for taxation, not defence' sets the true purpose against the mistaken one. The text therefore asserts taxation as the purpose and denies defence.

Question 39Reading comprehension

Read: 'The committee's report is thorough; whether it is readable is another matter.' What does the second clause suggest?

  1. The report may be difficult to read despite being detailed Correct answer.
  2. The report is too short to be useful
  3. The report is both thorough and easy to read
  4. The report was written by several authors

Explanation

The idiom 'another matter' politely sets a new issue apart from the one just praised. Having affirmed thoroughness, the writer raises readability as a separate and doubtful question. The implication is that the report's detail may come at the cost of readability.

Question 40Reading comprehension

Read: 'No sooner had the announcement been made than shares in the company fell sharply.' Which statement is correct?

  1. The announcement followed a long period of falling shares
  2. The announcement had no effect on the share price
  3. The share price rose before the announcement was made
  4. The share price dropped immediately after the announcement Correct answer.

Explanation

'No sooner... than' is an inverted structure meaning that the second event happened at once after the first. The announcement comes first, and the sharp fall follows immediately. The sentence describes rapid sequence, not a prior decline or a lack of effect.

Question 41Reading comprehension

Read: 'The museum's collection is modest in size but remarkable in range.' What is the writer emphasising?

  1. The collection is large but poorly organised
  2. The collection is small and limited in scope
  3. The collection is small yet unusually varied Correct answer.
  4. The collection is large and highly specialised

Explanation

The 'but' contrast sets 'modest in size' against 'remarkable in range'. The writer concedes limited quantity while praising breadth of variety. The emphasis therefore falls on the surprising diversity of a small collection.

Question 42Reading comprehension

Read: 'Visitors who expect a quiet afternoon in the gardens should note that a music festival takes place there this weekend.' What is the purpose of the sentence?

  1. To announce that the gardens are closed for the weekend
  2. To invite visitors to buy tickets for the music festival
  3. To warn visitors that the gardens will be noisy this weekend Correct answer.
  4. To complain about the noise from previous festivals

Explanation

The sentence addresses people who 'expect a quiet afternoon' and then supplies information that undermines that expectation. Its function is therefore a practical warning about noise. It does not sell tickets, announce closure or complain about past events.

Question 43Reading comprehension

Read: 'The novelist refused to discuss her new book, saying only that readers would find it "rather different".' What does the quotation suggest?

  1. The book is almost identical to her earlier work
  2. The book departs from what readers expect from her Correct answer.
  3. The book will not be published
  4. The book is a collection of interviews

Explanation

The refusal to say more, combined with the hedged phrase 'rather different', hints at a change from her usual style. The quotation marks show the author's own cautious wording. Nothing suggests the book is unpublished or a collection of interviews.

Question 44Reading comprehension

Read: 'Although the training programme was expensive, staff turnover fell by a third within a year.' What does the sentence suggest about the programme?

  1. It had no measurable effect on the company
  2. It was cheaper than the company had expected
  3. It may have justified its cost through its effect on staff retention Correct answer.
  4. It failed because it cost too much

Explanation

The 'although' clause concedes high cost, while the main clause reports a substantial drop in turnover. Presenting the benefit as the main clause implies the expense may be offset by the result. The sentence does not state that the programme failed or was cheap.

Question 45Reading comprehension

Read: 'The guidelines are intended as a framework, not a straitjacket.' What does the writer mean?

  1. The guidelines must be followed exactly in every case
  2. The guidelines offer structure while allowing flexibility Correct answer.
  3. The guidelines should be ignored where inconvenient
  4. The guidelines are legally binding on all staff

Explanation

A 'framework' provides structure, whereas a 'straitjacket' implies rigid restriction. By rejecting the second image, the writer says the guidelines should guide rather than constrain. The contrast is between guidance and excessive rigidity, not between obedience and disregard.

Question 46Reading comprehension

A text says: 'The council's promise to plant a thousand trees by 2030 has been met with cautious optimism.' What does 'cautious optimism' indicate?

  1. People welcome the plan but have doubts about whether it will happen Correct answer.
  2. People strongly oppose the tree-planting plan
  3. People are indifferent to the council's promise
  4. People are completely confident the promise will be kept

Explanation

'Cautious optimism' combines approval with reservation: the plan is welcome, but confidence is limited. The modifier 'cautious' signals doubt about delivery. It is neither full confidence nor opposition nor indifference.

Question 47Reading comprehension

Read: 'The study's findings, far from settling the debate, have given both sides fresh ammunition.' What is the effect of the study?

  1. It has been rejected by both sides as unreliable
  2. It has conclusively resolved the scientific debate
  3. It has strengthened the arguments of both sides rather than ending the dispute Correct answer.
  4. It has persuaded one side to abandon its position

Explanation

'Far from settling' negates the expected outcome, and 'fresh ammunition' is a metaphor for new material to support an argument. Together they mean the study intensified the debate on both sides. Resolution, rejection and surrender are all contradicted.

Question 48Reading comprehension

Read: 'The instructions are straightforward, provided you read them carefully.' What does the sentence mean?

  1. The instructions are unnecessary for experienced users
  2. The instructions are easy to follow only if they are read with care Correct answer.
  3. The instructions should be read only once
  4. The instructions are difficult even when read carefully

Explanation

'Provided you' introduces a condition, meaning 'on condition that'. The sentence therefore makes ease of use dependent on careful reading. It does not claim the instructions are hard, that they should be read once, or that they can be skipped.

Question 49Reading comprehension

Read: 'Only a minority of respondents opposed the change, and even they accepted that it was inevitable.' What does the sentence indicate about opposition to the change?

  1. It was widespread and strongly held
  2. It disappeared completely after the survey
  3. It came mainly from the majority of respondents
  4. It was limited and partly resigned to the change happening Correct answer.

Explanation

'Only a minority' limits the size of the opposition, and 'even they accepted' shows that opponents acknowledged the change would happen. The opposition is thus small and somewhat resigned. It is not widespread, majority-based or shown to vanish.

Question 50Reading comprehension

Read: 'The restaurant's menu changes with the seasons, so diners never quite know what to expect.' What is presented as a consequence of the seasonal menu?

  1. Customers cannot predict exactly what will be available Correct answer.
  2. Customers are guaranteed their favourite dishes
  3. The restaurant closes outside the main seasons
  4. The prices fall at the end of each season

Explanation

The linking word 'so' introduces a result of the menu changing with the seasons. That result is uncertainty about what diners will find. Guaranteed favourites, closures and price changes are not stated as consequences.