Read an article about horror film Clichés and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the...

Read an article about horror film Clichés and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 40.

            Since almost the beginning of cinema, we have had scary films. Of all the genres that exist, horror is perhaps one of the most conventional. Many horror films rely on specific plot devices, also called tropes, to make their audience frightened. When a trope is used too much, it can become a cliché. But when used well, it can really make us jump out of our skin. Here are some of the most used, and perhaps abused, clichés in horror films.

         No matter what kind of house it is, the basement is a scary place in horror films. That's usually where something is hiding or where the evil psychopath has hidden their tools. Basements are always dark and often damp. You can only reach them by a narrow staircase. And basements are always creepy, even when there isn't anything down there.

        In older horror films, when protagonists were in desperation, it was difficult or impossible for them to call for help or call the police. [I] Mobile phones have made that situation a bit less believable now. [II] What's the solution to maintain suspense? [III] No phone coverage! [IV] If you're a hero in a horror film, it's almost certain that at a key moment, just when you absolutely need to call for help, you will not have any coverage at all. Or your phone battery will die just as you are making the call. Or both.

        Horror films love uninhabited places. This could be an abandoned hospital, a scary empty house or a ghost town. There's something about lonely, empty places. What was it like when people lived there? Why did they leave? Maybe it's also that they are so quiet, which can be very scary too. Of course, abandoned places are also handy for horror film directors in that it's more believable that you will have no phone coverage there either .

        The hero has been driving for hours. It's night-time and it's beginning to rain. Suddenly he sees a person on the side of the road. Maybe the company will keep him awake? In horror films, giving anybody a ride is asking for trouble. The hero always does it, and it always ends badly.

        This horror film cliché was especially popular with horror films of the late 20th century. It starts with a group of teenagers all enjoying themselves, and it ends with everyone dead except one girl. At the beginning the girl is usually innocent, shy and not particularly strong. By the end, she has become the toughest and most resourceful person in the world. The last girl almost always wins in the end.

(Adapted from UK – British Film Institute)

Question 31: The phrasal verb “call for” in paragraph 3 is CLOSEST in meaning to ____________.

        A. ask for                B. shout at                        C. look for                        D. send for

Question 32: Where in paragraph 3 does the following sentence best fit?

"However, modern technology presents a challenge for filmmakers trying to create a sense of isolation."

        A. [I]                        B. [II]                                C. [III]                                D. [IV]

Question 33: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 2 as a characteristic of basements?

        A. The presence of a narrow set of stairs.                B. The dark and humid environment inside.

        C. The sound of footsteps from the floor above.        D. The possibility of hidden dangerous tools.

Question 34: Which of the following best summarises paragraph 4?

A. The historical reasons why people abandoned their old houses.

B. The advantages of using empty settings to build atmosphere.

C. The psychological impact of total silence on movie audiences.

D. The difficulty of finding filming locations in modern cities.

Question 35: The word “jump out of our skin” in paragraph 1 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

        A. remain completely calm                                 B. be scared to death        

        C. jump for joy                                        D. become thick-skinned

Question 36: The word “them” in paragraph 2 refers to ____________.

        A. scary films                B. plot devices                        C. the basements                D. narrow stairs

Question 37: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 5?

In horror films, giving anybody a ride is asking for trouble.

A. Within the horror framework, extending kindness to hitchhikers is portrayed as a guarantee of a disastrous predicament.

B. In the horror genre, the protagonist’s refusal to assist strangers is often depicted as the primary cause of death.  

C. Many horror scripts suggest that characters intentionally court danger by opting to drive alone during extremely severe weather.  

D. Cinema directors utilize the act of offering transportation to emphasize that external companionship is crucial for the hero's survival.  

Question 38: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. A trope becomes a cliché only when it is used effectively by directors.

B. Mobile phones have made horror movies much more terrifying than before.

C. Abandoned locations help explain why characters cannot call for assistance.

D. The "final girl" is usually the strongest character at the start of the film.

Question 39: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Modern filmmakers must adapt traditional tropes to maintain a sense of realism despite technological advancements in the real world.

B. The evolution of horror cinema suggests that audiences today are much harder to frighten than those from the previous century.

C. Successful horror directors usually avoid using clichés to ensure that their movies remain completely unique and unpredictable for the viewers.

D. Characters in horror movies would likely survive their ordeals if they possessed better technological skills and more reliable mobile communication.

Question 40: Which of the following best summarises the passage?

A. The passage explores various recurring horror clichés and plot devices, explaining how directors use these conventional elements to maintain suspense and frighten audiences throughout the film.

B. The text describes how horror filmmakers utilize spooky basements, dead mobile batteries, and deserted locations to trap innocent characters and ensure they remain in constant danger always.

C. This reading highlights how modern horror cinema has adapted traditional tropes like the final girl and abandoned buildings to keep audiences frightened despite advances in technology.

D. The author argues that horror movies have become overly predictable because directors frequently rely on the same exhausted clichés, such as isolated settings and the hitchhiker trope.