Tenses 2 + Answers

Complete the following passage with the correct form of the verb given. (20 marks)

 

In education, for a long time there (1) ________ (be) different opinions regarding the arts and more practical subjects such as mathematics and science. Our parents’ generation

(2) ________ always ________ (advise) not to major in arts for better prospects. Today this bias still (3) ________ (persist) quite strongly even though the nature of education (4) ________ (alter) by technological and social changes. But (5) ________ (imagine) a world without arts. What

(6) ________ it ________ (be) like? The question is whether arts subjects are outdated or whether they still serve the purpose of keeping alive creativity and (7) ________ (remind) us of the value of beauty.

                                               

A criticism often (8) ________ (level) at the arts is that they (9) ________ (not…develop) real skills. However, many arts subjects are the starting points for varying professions: design is a field that offers a huge range of careers. The study of literature (10) __________ (enable) students to express themselves clearly, (11) _________ (develop) necessary skills for any job that

(12) ________ (require) good communication.

 

It is also argued that the arts are impractical. How can we allow young minds this luxury when there are so many economic and environmental threats to the safety of humankind? Once, an appreciation of the arts (13) ________ (see) as necessary in order for the upper classes

(14) ________ (prove) their sophistication and higher status. Literacy and culture (15) ________ (restrict) to the upper classes who (16) ________ (strive) to emulate such luxuries of a life of leisure. However, society now is much more egalitarian* so the study of music and painting

(17) ________ (may…pursue) by students with genuine talent – for others, it might be a relaxing hobby rather than a waste of vital study time.

 

Clearly, the clash between the arts and science subjects (18) ________ (continue). It is a battle between abstract concepts and concrete facts. In short, it is the left brain (19) ________ (argue) with the right brain as to which of them should take charge in the challenge to make the world a better place. In terms of learning, perhaps the best attitude we can take is (20) ________ (see) them as inseparable and equally vital to the development of civilisation.

 

* egalitarian: believing that all people are equally important and should have the same rights and opportunities in life.

Tenses (20 marks, 1m@)

1. have been	11. developing
2. was (always) advised	12. requires
3. persists	13. was seen
4. has been altered	14. to prove
5. imagine	15. were restricted
6. would (it) be	16. strove
7. reminding	17. might be pursued
8. levelled (X leveled)	18. will continue
9. do not develop	19. arguing
10. enables	10. to see / see