Disappearing Alaskan seals (On a winter aftemoon, a dozen male Northern fur decline, But lately its been fling drastically, seals ae on an island off south-western Alsska. declining at an alarming 5 OF 6 per cent Tao them, fighting for territory on ayear since 1998. From a 6 of more the rocks, i's hard to imagine that they are atthe than 2 million in Alasta in 1988, their numbers 5 —_ofa baling scientific mystery: why have fallen to about 1 milion. is this species beginning to disappear? So7, none has been able to ‘Thest seals - which can weigh up to 270 cstablish a precise cause for this although theories ‘llograms ~ have an important and symbolic The seal food supply may be 2_—___in Alaska's history. Their soft and "or anotner species may be luxurious fur, the coveted prize ding the huge 10 on the seals ~ perhaps killer whales, commercial sea harvest that were legal herein which no longer have as many great whales to eat the Bering Sea through the early 20th century, because of harvesting af those mammals. Some was once so valuable it? Alaska’s __ people have suggested that the decline can be conomy. Starting inthe 1950s, for reasons that are 11 to entanglement in fishing nets, but ‘ ‘because the harvests by then tended scientists say they doubt that this alone could, to be fairly small, the seal population began a slow 2 the recat population decline. 1 A midde 8 centre inside focus 2 Rlocation ——«B situation place D spot 2 A drove B inspires C motivated set © Ronclear ——B unsure C uncettled undecided 5A speed B pace © scale D rate © Ate B summit crest D high 7 klong B far Con forth © Aflourih ——B mushroom abound D escalate © Rthinver = tighter slimmer scarcer 20 A preying ——B-devouring ——C hounding —_ ravaging 21 A designated B attibuted stipulated consigned © Arearonvith —Banswerto ——_C accountfor__O match up eee eee eee eee eer reer rere er errr errr rr rer) In rock’n’roll, older means richer eee eee ee eee eer ‘The universal fantasy about being a rock star at least the tame part, goes something 0___ this: you make wildly popular new music, see 9 likeness splashed across magazine covers, and worry occasionally 1 becoming old. But according to a new lst of the fifty top-earning pop stars, old rock stars are enjoying the 15 ____success, Half the top ten earners are older than fifty, and two are 16, sixty. Only one act has members under thirty The annual ist reverses the common perception 17__ pop music. Nt only sit not the province of youth. ts also i the province of CD sales, hit songs and music videos. While young stars 8____their turn on the charts, which rank popular artists, songs and albums, the real pop pantheon, 20. seems, isan older group, no 2 producing new hit, but re-enacting songs that are ‘older than many of today’s pop idols. This always 22 as.a shock to fans,’ said oe Levy of Rolling Stone magazine. The biggest-selling artists arent the ones who make the most money. The artists learn the hard 23. that money comes from concert tickets and T-shirts, not selling records. That's the lesson ~ you build a brand over time, and you ‘can sell the brand 2 __if you car'tsell the albums’ This means that, while its good to be in demand, it is 25___to be yesterdays in-demand performer. 2°_____ pop music glorifies the young and the new, it actually sells these qualities 27____a discount,EXITINTERVIEWS \Fyou are thinking of leaving your job, you may think that handing inyour letter of 0___is the end of the matter. But an increasing RESIGN ‘number of companies now conduct‘exit interviews’ with staff in an attempt to improve staff retention and communication. For the employee, an exit interview may feel ike an ideal opportunity to.ant and rave about every litle 28___that has troubled them ANNOY since they got the job. But, 29__in mind that you will probably BEAR still need a 30__ from these people itis best to avoid getting REFER angry or 3i___ and just answer the questions as calmly and EMOTION with as much 22, as possible Honest For employers, the ext interview isa rae opportunity to gather some valuable information about the way staff perceive the internal 33. work of the company. 34__ employees may not wish to cause exist '35___to the boss or damage their chances of promotion, so are oFFeND unlikely to36__theirreal feelings about the company.However, CLOSE someone who has already resigned is more tikely to be 37____when TRUE, siving their opinions. 38 I think shes got a very good__ of succeeding as a musician because she’s very talented. He took the job because it was his only __ of earning a living. By __, the two of us happened to be at the airport at exactly the same time. 39 Please ___ the terrible state of this room, | haven't had time to tidy it up. | know that she’s under a lot of pressure, but nothing can __ her terrible behaviou Would you____ me for a moment - | need to leave the room and make a phone call 40 Vanessa is tired because she’s had a lot of nights recently. There were lots of _____ arrivals at the party because of traffic problems. Mike was in his ____ thirties when he finally found a career that he liked. 41 Im having a party at my — next weekend, would you like to come? IF he keeps playing so badly, he will lose his __ in the team. This café isa very good ____ for meeting people. 42 | expect we'll again one day, but bye for now. The company’s service didn't my requirements. You're going to alot of problems as you go through life.43 Ive just noticed that the car has almost run out of petrol. HARDLY I've just noticed that _____________left in the car. 44 \didn't know that cars were so expensive in this country. IDEA |____ so much in this country. 45 Don't get depressed because of such a small problem. LeT It’s such a small problem that you shouldn't ____ down. 46 Its reported that he is now recovering in hospital. RECOVERY He is reported ______in hospital now. 47 Laura's teacher says that she doesn’t have a serious enough attitude to her w SERIOUSLY Laura doesn’t _ to her teacher. 48 He lost his job because he couldn't do what was required. INABILITY He lost his job because what was required. 49 Lhaven't got the energy to argue with you. BOTHERED I an argument with you. 50 What's confusing you so much? Lot What is it that’s ___________ confusion?