Copyright 1996

Question 15 
According to the passage which ONE of the following statements is true? Write 
the appropriate letter in the space numbered 15 on the answer sheet. 
A The search for extraterrestrial intelligence depends on an old-fashioned 
listening device. 
B   Dr Kel Wellington designed the Australia Telescope. 
C  The stars selected for scrutiny fall within a specified age limit. 
Questions 16-18 
Choose the appropriate function from the list below for each piece of equipment. 
Write the appropriate letter corresponding to the function in the spaces numbered 
16-18 on the answer sheet. 
Note that there are more functions than you will need. 
Equipment 
16.  antenna 
17.  feed-horn 
18.  computer 
Functions 
 
A   searches for stars within 120 light years of Earth  
B   scans channels  
 
C   looks for the clearest signal  
 
D   closely examines 200 stars one by one  
 
E   scans blocks of stars  
 

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Questions 19-23 
Which of the following factors are mentioned as part of the Drake equation? 
Write Y for those which are mentioned or N for those which are not mentioned. 
Write your answers in the spaces numbered 19-23 on the answer sheet. An 
example has been done for you. 
 
Example: 
Answer:  
how many life-supporting stars have planets 
Y  
19.  how life-supporting stars are formed 
20.  how frequently life-supporting stars are formed 
21.  how many earthlike planets each solar system has 
22.  how large the stars are 
23.  how great the populations of earthlike planets are 
Questions 24-30 
Below is a list of the steps which would be taken on discovery of an interesting 
signal. Put them in the appropriate order by writing the letter for each step A-G in 
the spaces numbered 24-30 on the answer sheet. 
List of steps 
 
A 
B 
C 
D 
E 
F 
G  
call press conference 
ask colleagues around the world to check 
check three times over 
decide whether to respond 
call up colleagues in other parts of the world 
contact US and Australian Government leaders 
cross-check through FUDDs  

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QUESTIONS 31-n 
You are advised spend 20 minutes on Questions 37—41 which refer to Reanding 
Passage
1
 3 below 
READING PASSAGE 3 
THE PROBLEMS OF MATURE TOB HUNTERS
 
 
 
By the year 2000 nearly half the workforce will
be over 40 and yel throughout Europe there is
a deep ambivalence — if not outright
suspicion — towards the capabilities of older
Belgium-even initiated 
incentive schemes for 
business to encourage 
older employees to take  
u orkers  
 
early retirement provided that younger  
Those o\ er the age of 40 generally take longer
trainees were taken on in their place As more  
to find new employment, but European
and more employees took early retirement,  
governments ha\e done httle to protect their
often willingly, a new, youth-oriented culture  
employment rights Only Germany, with
permeated business throughout most of  
incentives to business to encourage the
Europe — even in those countries that had taken
emplo) merit of older people, and France, with
no active measures to promote it  
the introduction of legislation making it illegal
Demographic trends mean that governments  
to use age barriers in recruitment — or to make
are now anxious to slow down the policy of  
employees redundant because of their age —
early retirement as they realise that they simply
ha\ e done an) thing substanliv e to combat age
do not have the funds to meet their pension  
discrimination  
promises But reversing business attitudes is no
Yet even in these tun countries then has been
easy matter Dianah Wurman, a policy adviser 
no noticeable improve mint in the lot of the
for the Institute of Personnel and  
older worker, indeed in f ranee |ob  
Development said  There is a widely held  
advertisements flout the law openly bv asking
belief that older people are less adaptable and 
for applicants of a certain age So should
trainable This is just not true research has  
1 rance and Germany be lightening up their
shown that differences in capability are as wide
laws and should the rest of Luri'pe follow suit?
Within age groups as they are between them'  
Bill Robbins, a careers consultant w ith
7
So what can older job seekers do  On a  
outplacement specialist DBM, believes not He
practical level it is often recommended that  
said  1egislation against age discrimination
applicants either omit their age from a CV or  
has been in existence for well over ten years in
leave it to the end, to ensure that at least it gets
the US and Canada but has had no eflect perse
read Yet Tony Milne, an independent careers  
Employers will always be able to find some
consultant, believes that the way forward is for
Reason for turning down an older applicant
older people themselves to adopt a positive  
Without appearing to break the law. Age laws
attitude to their age when applying for work  
Merely act is a symbol of a commitment to
Viu can't expect someone else to give you a  
Change socictal attitudes and it is these that
job it you think you might be too old for it  
Must be changed it we are to make progress.
Many older applicants are extremely  
Ironically it was governments which played a
aggressi\ c or defensix e about their age in  
Leading role in hardening business culture
interviews They are immediately labelled by  
against older workers in the first place In the
potential employers as difficult characters who
late 1470s man) huropean countries were
would have problems fitting into a new  
extremely concerned about the levels of youth
organisation and it is for these reasons rather  
unemployment, and France, Germany and
than their age that they are rejected If older  
workers can learn to become relaxed and  
confident about their age, then I am sure that a
change in business attitudes will follow '  

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Questions 33-33 
Answer the following questions by writing the appropriate letter A-D in spaces 
numbered 30-32 on the answer sheet. 
31.  Which of the following words best characterises the European attitude to 
older workers? 
A disapproval 
B dismay 
C distrust 
D dislike 
32.  France, US and Canada have all taken which of the following steps to 
discourage age discrimination? 
A  encourage business to employ older people by offering rewards 
B  make age discrimination in respect of employment illegal 
C  refuse to employ younger workers 
D  enforce age discrimination laws strictly 
33.  What did governments do to discourage the employment of older workers in 
the 1970s? 
A  offer early retirement to all employees 
B  offer incentives to businesses to take on younger employees 
C  only employ young trainees 
D  set specific age limits for employment 
Questions 34-42 
Which of the following points are mentioned in the passage as causing problems 
for older workers? Indicate by writing Y for Yes or N for No in the spaces 
numbered 34-41 on the answer sheet. 
34.  lack of protection offered by European governments 
35.  advertisements specifying a desired age for applicants 
36.  government concern over youth unemployment 
37.  government refusal to acknowledge the worth of older workers 
• 38.  popular beliefs and attitudes favouring younger workers 
39.  unwillingness of older people to adapt to new methods 
40.  research into different skill levels in different age groups 
41.  being negative about their age in interviews 
 

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READING TEST 9 
QUESTIONS 1-14 
You are advised to spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-14 which refer to 
Reading 
Passage I below