Q

A

Explanation

Skill tested

15

A

`Hit rock-bottom; means `reaching the lowest point'. `After a Russo-Japanese war of words over Russians President Boris Yeltsin's aborted trip to Tokyo' is the reason for reaching the lowest point. Since it deals with foreign relation between countries, therefore option A is the answer: the news came as relations between Tokyo and Moscow.

Understanding the context.

16

D

It is related to Boris Yeltsin going to Tokyo, it is a trip to Tokyo.

“Going to a trip” is a common expression in English.

1. Understanding the context
2. Collocation

17

C

`Fled' is parallel to `were expelled' because the former means `sb left actively'; and latter, `sb were forced to leave'.

Understanding the context

18

B

`Disputed' means `try to stop sb from winning'. Since the islands were under Russian's control, but Japanese lived there. These two countries claimed the control of the islands, therefore `disputed' is used to describe the two islands.

Understanding the context

19

C

“A haven” is a place of safety or rest. This match with the theme “controversial resort deal”.

Understanding the context

20

A

`Hotels, casinos, a dog track, and a cock-fighting arena' are the facilities for a haven, a place for relaxation.

Understanding the context

21

A

`Demanding' means `ask as if one is commanding'. `Demanding the return of the islands' is sth of great importance.

Understanding the context

22

C

Refer to the second line in the third paragraph, `A Hong Kong property company is said to have been awarded a contract to develop a resort on one of the disputed islands. `Is said to be' means `alleged, sth stated without being proved.

1. Understanding the context
2. Collocation

23

D

`”Inquiries” implies investigation.

1. Understanding the context

2. Collocation

24

A

`However' means `sth opposite in sense.' The writer can not only identify the company, but also a manufacturing business occupies the premises.

Use of discourse markers

25

C

“To have heard” implies the sense that they had never had heard of Sanders and Maple.

The use of perfect infinitive implies the action expressed by the infinitive takes place before the action of the main verb.

1. Understanding the context

2. Use of perfect infinitive

26

C

1. At the beginning of the third paragraph, it states the alleged contract. Here, the writer refers to what has mentioned earlier.
2. The name with a title, the Director of the company, should be a contract.

27

C

deleted

28

D

deleted

29

A

“Are banned' collocates with activities: cock-fighting or gambling.

Collocation

30

D

`Adopted' collocates with `approach'.

Collocation

31

B

`Opposing' collocates with `negotiations.

Collocation

32

B

`Official' collocates with `Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary' who represents the Japanese Government.

1. Understanding the context

2. Collocation

33

D

`Story' refers to the controversial resort deal: an account of the past events.

1. Understanding the context

2. Collocation