S7 June 2024
Name and Surname: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……
UOE: …………..…… Reading: ………….….… Writing: …………… Listening: ……….……… Speaking: …………….……
READING (100 points)
Part 1 (42 points – 7 points each)
You are going to read an article about the loss of darkness from our everyday lives. For questions 1-6, choose the
answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.
Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.
Bright nights, big problems
Author Paul Bogard discusses why we should turn off the lights and appreciate the dark.
Astronomers rate the darkness of our skies on a scale of 9 (brightest) to 1 (darkest). Most of us spend our lives in
the radiance of levels 5 to 8, only rarely venturing into areas ranked 3 or darker. Because of the rapid growth of
light pollution over recent decades, most Americans under 40 have never known real darkness. All over the globe
our nights are growing brighter, and almost nowhere are they growing darker. We are just beginning to learn the
true cost of all this light. Studies increasingly link our overuse of light at night with health concerns such as sleep
disorders and disease. Other studies report the damaging ecological consequences, the tremendous waste of
energy, and even the decrease in safety and security. But the steady loss of darkness from our lives is not easily
measured, for like the similarly endangered qualities of solitude and quiet, the true value of darkness is something
we are barely aware of.
Take a brilliantly starry sky. Since the beginning of time, a sky plush with stars was part of the common human
experience. Everywhere on Earth, on most nights, our predecessors came face to face with the universe. This
experience influenced their beliefs, mythologies, art - their very understanding of their place in the world. Today,
because of light pollution, many of us live under skies which are polluted by light. For the tens of millions who live
under a night sky showing 25 stars or fewer, it is nearly impossible to imagine a natural sky of some 2,500
individual stars backed by great swathes of uncountable billions. Our night sky continues to shape us, but now it
is the absence of the universe around us that influences our beliefs, our myths, our impulse to create. We are
being shaped by a diminished experience of darkness, and most of us don't even know what we are missing.
Our Milky Way galaxy is home to several hundred billion stars, and the universe home to several hundred billion
other galaxies. A sky wiped clear of stars encourages us to exaggerate our importance, to imagine humanity as
the centre of all things. Face to face with the endless immensity of the universe, we have the chance to know how
insignificant we really are. But we might also realise the true largeness of our living on this planet, and realise that
we have an enormous responsibility to care, that there is no other place to go, that home is here.
And what of beauty? 'Everyone needs beauty as well as bread,' wrote John Muir, American naturalist and author,
line 24 and varied degrees of darkness are rich with this. Lighting designers in Paris understand that without darkness,
there is no 'city of light', and work constantly to create their city's atmospheric beauty by subtly mixing artificial
light with darkness. And with night's moonlit geographies, its scents of desert rain and autumn fires, its pulsing
insect symphonies punctuated by a bird's solo call on a northern lake, natural darkness has many offerings of its
own.
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Yet we live immersed in artificial light. Much of this lighting is wholly unnecessary, born of habit and lack of
awareness. So let us become aware: simply by shielding our existing lights we could significantly reduce their
negative effects on our body, our mind, our soul. Artificial light at night is a miracle, a wonder, a quality that
enriches our lives. But the same has always been true of darkness, and can be again.
1 What does the writer say about lack of darkness in the first paragraph?
A lt is impossible to reverse its effects.
B lt is something that many people are unhappy about.
C lts effects are something that need to be studied further.
D lt can be compared with other things that people often fail to appreciate.
2 In the second paragraph, the writer says that because of light pollution we
A are considerably less creative than our ancient ancestors were.
B experience the world in a different way to previous generations.
C are aware that we are missing out on a great natural phenomenon.
D need a great deal of imagination in order to understand the universe.
3 What does the writer think about us/humans in the third paragraph?
A We ignore the need to look after our planet.
B We have an over-confident belief in our own value.
C We behave as though nothing exists apart from ourselves.
D We prefer to avoid thinking too deeply about our role on Earth.
4 What does 'this' refer to in line 24?
A beauty
B darkness
C variety
D lighting
5 Why does the writer include references to rain, fires and wildlife in the fourth paragraph?
A to describe what he enjoys least about night-time
B to explain why he some people think that lighting is necessary at night
C to provide an example of the attractive qualities of night-time
D to highlight the differences between urban and natural environments
6 In the final paragraph, we understand that the writer is
A irritated by people's lack of interest in darkness.
B understanding of the reasons why artificial light is essential.
C keen to draw comparisons between artificial light and darkness.
D hopeful that people are becoming aware of the negative impact of light.
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Part 2 (58 points – 5.8 points each)
You are going to read an article about four people who enjoy different forms of dance. For question
7-16, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.
Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.
Which person
says that her dance includes challenging movements from a different form of 7
exercise?
says that dancing is the physical representation of her feelings? 8
appreciates the fact her dance form helps her to switch off from everyday 9
routine?
admits that what first appealed about her dance form became less important 10
over time?
enjoys the ability to use her creative skills more than anything else? 11
is keen to explain why her dance form should be recognized in the dance world? 12
compares herself to an artist in a different field from dance? 13
realised that her dance form required harder work than she'd expected? 14
was attracted to the dance form because of its modern appearance? 15
is pleased that she put so much into achieving her current status? 16
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The challenge of dance
Four professional dancers talk about the forms of dance they love.
A Eva Smolienko: ballet dancer C Jenny Hardcastle: contemporary dancer
I won't pretend the idea of wearing a tutu and satin The fact that contemporary dance is an expressive
shoes wasn't what attracted me to ballet as a girl, but dance form which combines several other forms is why
through the years of demanding training that helped I find it so fascinating. Contemporary dance focuses on
me become a ballerina, wearing beautiful costumes the connection between mind and body, and nothing is
faded into insignificance, as love for the art form itself more satisfying than exploring movement and making
took over from the desire to look pretty. And far from up my own dance sequences. Contemporary dance is
skipping about pretending to be a butterfly, I more flexible and free than traditional dance forms like
discovered to my disappointment that ballet requires ballet, though like ballet, it helps the dancer work on
an enormous amount of self-discipline in order to meet balance and strength, as well as being aware of the
its physical demands and mental challenges. space around them. Dancers aim for fluid movements
Committing to ballet meant developing critical thinking and allow gravity to pull them to the floor — there's
skills, becoming musically aware and building stamina. lots of floor work involved. When I'm dancing, I use my
The route to the fancy dresses was tough, involving body to express my deepest emotions, from sadness to
anti-social hours, strain on the body, and intense joy. Sometimes I feel exhausted afterwards, but I also
mental focus. But the effort paid off, and I wouldn't feel as though a weight has been lifted from my
have had it any other way, because I truly appreciate shoulders.
where I am today as a principal dancer in the company.
D Tamara Whitely: street dancer
B Cherry Proctor: tap dancer
Street dance is still relatively new and it therefore
It was without doubt the percussive element of tap comes under close examination from the critics in its
dance that attracted me to it, and I love the sound the field. But I would argue that there are elements of
metal on the shoes makes when it strikes the floor. I've techniques and styles from all kinds of older disciplines
always been attracted to rhythm and movement, and wrapped up in street dance. Street is a loosely-
tap dance is the perfect combination of these. As a tap structured form of dance and what first appealed to me
dancer I consider myself a musician, as essentially, I'm was its 'street cred'. In other words, it's current, and it
making music with my feet. Tap's fast and furious, and looks cool. It's easy to make the mistake of thinking
terrifically tricky, but the rewards that come with that because it looks so unstructured, there's little real
mastering the skill are worth all the effort of battling to skill involved but that couldn't be further from the
get your head, or rather, feet, around the complicated truth. While it may not conform to the strict principles
beat patterns and speed. It's like my feet become of dances such as ballet, its choreography can be really
musical instruments when I dance. Tap is excellent for quite complex. It often makes use of gymnastic
developing coordination and mine has improved elements which require strength, agility and
enormously. It also concentrates the mind when you're coordination, which, as I found out, are not the easiest
involved in performing challenging routines, which is skills to acquire.
certainly a welcome release from the pressures of daily
life.
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USE OF ENGLISH (100 POINTS)
Part 1 (20 points – 5 points each gap)
For questions 1-4, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an
example at the beginning (0).
Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.
Example:
0 A shape B place C form D part
0 A B C D
Precious metals
What is known as the 'California Gold Rush' took (0) ……………… in the US in the middle of the 19th century.
Miners searched for gold, silver and copper in the (1) ……………… of becoming rich. As they dug, they created
piles of unwanted dirt and rocks. The miners who worked there so long ago would have been amazed to
know that over 150 years later, these waste products are in great demand. Geologists have analysed
samples and discovered that some of them contain valuable minerals, called rare earth elements, which
are used in the production of (2) ……………… electronic devices.
Rare earth elements are not actually very rare, but they are (3) ……………… to mine. This is mainly because
they happen naturally in very small quantities and are difficult to divide from other elements surrounding
them. In (4) ……………… , the precious minerals are relatively easy to extract from the 19th century mines'
unwanted waste products.
1 A luck B hope C chance D wish
2 A frequent B wanted C popular D daily
3 A uneasy B stubborn C clumsy D awkward
4 A conflict B difference C opposition D contrast
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Part 2 (20 points – 5 points each gap)
For questions 5-8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap.
There is an example at the beginning (0).
Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.
Example:
0 T H A T
Vanilla
Vanilla is the seed pod of an orchid flower (0) …………. grows close to the equator. Another name for vanilla is 'black
flower', because the pod and beans turn black shortly after being picked. Vanilla is used (5) …………. over the world
as a flavouring in food, drinks and medicines, as well as in many perfumes.
The first people to use vanilla were probably the Totonac Indians in Mexico, and it was taken to Europe in 1520. Only
very few people (6) …………. afford it, however, until in 1841 a 12-year-old boy called Edmond Albius discovered that
it was possible to transfer pollen from flower to flower by hand. After that, growers (7) …………. longer had to rely on
bees and other animals to do this, and vanilla was grown in far larger quantities. A number of different countries now
export it, and Mexico, (8) …………. the vanilla orchid originated, produces only a small percentage of the harvest these
days.
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Part 3 (28 points – 7 points each sentence – 3.5 points for each half sentence correct)
For questions 9-11, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.
Here is an example (0).
Example:
0 I’ve never seen a film as boring as this one.
SUCH
I’ve never seen ……………………………………….. as this one.
The gap can be filled by the words 'such a boring film', so you write:
Example:
0 SUCH A BORING FILM
Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.
9 I don't want to go to my piano lesson today.
FEEL
I don’t …………………………………………………….. to my piano lesson today.
10 His boss said to Jan that he must do the work quickly.
TOLD
Jan did the work quickly because his boss had……………………………………………….. so.
11 I only went out because I was sure you had your keys.
HAD
I wouldn't have gone out ……………………………………………….. you didn't have your keys.
12 Xavier can’t wait to start university.
FORWARD
Xavier’s really ………………………………………………………… university.
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Part 4 (32 points – 8 points each gap)
For questions 13 — 16, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a
word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.
Example:
0 D A N G E R O U S
The truth about wolves
Wolves are considered one of the world's most (0) ………….. animals. However, it is extremely DANGER
unusual for them to ever attack humans and even then they only do so when they are (13)
……………….. . These highly intelligent creatures are, in fact as afraid of us as we are of them. THREAT
The largest of the dog family, wolves share (14) ………….…….. with their — often domesticated — SIMILAR
cousins. Frequently misrepresented in stories as evil creatures that howl at the moon, wolves really
use this call to communicate their location to other members of their pack. Far from the (15)
………………….. the traditional image suggests, wolves raise their heads to howl simply because this is MAD
how the sound is physically produced.
Just like dogs, wolves also use warning barks, indicate dominance through a low growl and (16)
………….. whimper when they want to make a friendly SOFT
greeting. Wolf handlers have been known to say they feel safer with wolves than people!
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LISTENING (100 POINTS)
Part 1 - Track 10 (60 points – 6 each)
You will hear a man called James Perry talking about growing olives, a king of fruit used to make oil for food. For
questions 1-10, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.
Olive farming
As James' olives were growing, some trees were affected by an unexpected (1) ………………………………………..…………… .
James says that a kind of (2) ………………………………………..……………………… was one creature found on his olive trees.
James decided to pick his olives by (3) ………………………………………..……………………… when they were ready.
James collected his olives using a (4) ………………………………………..……………………… rather than a traditional container.
James says he found cleaning (5) ………………………………………..……………………… out of the olives extremely boring.
After sorting them, James said that the olives had left (6) ………………………………………..……………………… over his
kitchen.
At the olive press, James hadn't expected to wait in a (7) …………………………………………………………………….
James’ wife joked they could use his first oil in (8) …………………………………………………………………… as well as for
cooking.
James says that the olives need to be (9) …………………………………………………………………… when you pick them.
James hopes next year's oil will have the flavour of (10) ........................ ........................ , which he likes.
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Part 2 – Track 11 (40 points – 8 points each)
You will hear five short extracts in which people are talking about why they studied astronomy, the scientific study
of stars and planets. For questions 11-15, choose from the list (A—H) the reason each speaker gives for choosing to
study the subject. Use the letters only once. There are three extra letters which you do not need to use.
A to gain access to the latest equipment
Speaker 1 11
B to follow a family tradition
Speaker 2 12
C to earn a good salary Speaker 3 13
D to improve career opportunities Speaker 4 14
Speaker 5 15
E to prove something to other people
F to apply knowledge of another subject
G to increase the opportunity to travel
H to satisfy a childhood ambition
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