31. What does the passage mainly discuss? (A) How sediments were built up in oceans during the Cretaceous period (B) How petroleum was formed in the Mesozoic era (C) The impact of changes in oceanic animal and plant life in the Mesozoic era (D) The differences between plankton found in the present era and Cretaceous plankton

32. The passage indicates that the Creiaceous period occurred (A) in the early part of the Mesozoic era (B) in the middle part of the Mesozoic era (C) in the later part of the Mesozoic era (D) after the Mesozoic era

33. The passage mentions all of the following aspects of plankton EXCEPT (A) the length of their lives (B) the level of the ocean at which they are found (C) their movement (D) their size

34. The word "accumulated" in line 8 is closest in meaning to (A) depended (B) matured (C) dissolved (D) collected

35. According to the passage, the most dramatic change to the oceans caused by plankton during the Cretaceous period concerned (A) the depth of the water (B) the makeup of the sediment on the ocean floor (C) the decrease in petroleum-producing sediment (D) a decline in the quantity of calcareous ooze on the seafloor

36. The "white chalk cliffs of Dover" are mentioned in line 14 of the passage to (A) show where the plankton sediment first began to build up (B) provide an example of a plankton buildup that scientists cannot explain (C) provide an example of the buildup of plankton sediment (D) indicate the largest single plankton buildup on Earth

37. The word "prolific" in line 16 is closest in meaning to (A) fruitful (B) distinct (C) determined (D) energetic

38. The word "ideal" in line 19 is closest in meaning to (A) common (B) clear (C) perfect (D) immediate

39. The word "it" in line 21 refers to (A) biological productivity (B) oil (C) organic material (D) petroleum

Questions 40-50 Of all modern instruments, the violin is apparently one of the simplest. It consists in essence of a hollow, varnished wooden sound box, or resonator, and a long neck, covered with a fingerboard, along which four strings are stretched at high tension. The beauty of Line design, shape, and decoration is no accident: the proportions of the instrument are (5) determined almost entirely by acoustical considerations. Its simplicity of appearance is deceptive. About 70 parts are involved in the construction of a violin, Its tone and its outstanding range of expressiveness make it an ideal solo instrument. No less important. however, is its role as an orchestral and chamber instrument. In combination with the larger and deeper-sounding members of the same family, the violins form the nucleus (10) of the modern symphony orchestra. The violin has been in existence since about 1550. Its importance as an instrument in its own right dates from the early 1600’s, when it first became standard in Italian opera orchestras. Its stature as an orchestral instrument was raised further when in 1626 Louis XIII of France established at his court the orchestra known as Les vingt-quatre (15) violons du Roy (The King’s 24 Violins), which was to become widely famous later in the century. In its early history, the violin had a dull and rather quiet tone resulting from the fact that the strings were thick and were attached to the body of the instrument very loosely. During the eighteenth and nineteenth century, exciting technical changes were inspired (20) by such composer-violinists as Vivaldi and Tartini. Their instrumental compositions demanded a fuller, clearer, and more brilliant tone that was produced by using thinner strings and a far higher string tension. Small changes had to be made to the violin’s internal structure and to the fingerboard so that they could withstand the extra strain. Accordingly, ,a higher standard of performance was achieved, in terms of both facility (25) and interpretation. Left-hand technique was considerably elaborated, and new fingering patterns on the fingerboard were developed for very high notes.