UNIT 5. INVENTIONSPART I. PHONETICS

Exercise 11. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer

to each of the questions.

THE VANISHING INVENTION

In 1998, a Valencian professor made an amazing claim. Professor Antonio Cervilla discovered

how to use water as a substitute for petrol. The scientist said that you could drive from Bilbao to

Valencia on just half a litre of water. His invention uses a molybdenum compound to break down

water into hydrogen and oxygen. Unlike other methods, no electricity is required and the reaction

happens at atmospheric temperature. This impressive technology is based on the way plant enzymes

break down water. The use of molybdenum is the perfect choice because, although rare, it is cheap

and found all around the planet.

Since the claims were made, nothing more has been heard about this fabulous technology.

There is no explanation for the disappearance anywhere on the internet, apart from a list of similar

inventions which have also vanished. An inventor from the Philipines called Daniel Dingel developed

a water-fuelled car but was arrested and sentenced to 20 years in prison. If this technology were to

become widely available, it would prove disastrous for petrol station owners and would also save

the planet from the impending environmental catastrophes being caused by pollution.

118. The word “substitute” in the passage is closest in meaning to_________.

A. addition B. alternative C. imitation D. solution

119. Which of the following is NOT true about Cervilla’s invention?

A. It happens at atmospheric temperature. B. It imitates something in nature.

C. It requires no electricity. D. It uses enzymes to break down water.

120. The word “it” in the passage refers to_________.

A. enzyme B. molybdenum C. petrol D. water

121. The word “vanished” in the passage is opposite in meaning to_________.

A. appeared B. produced C. introduced D. invented

122. It is stated in the passage that water-fuelled cars may contribute to_________.

A. save energy B. save environment C. save money D. save time