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Quick Practice Tests For Level b2 54042e9451d87

The document contains practice tests for English language learners at levels B2, B2+, C1, and C2, including sections on listening comprehension, reading comprehension, use of English, and writing. Each test features various tasks such as multiple-choice questions, cloze tests, and sentence transformations. Additionally, there are instructions for completing each section and guidelines for writing compositions.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
26 views24 pages

Quick Practice Tests For Level b2 54042e9451d87

The document contains practice tests for English language learners at levels B2, B2+, C1, and C2, including sections on listening comprehension, reading comprehension, use of English, and writing. Each test features various tasks such as multiple-choice questions, cloze tests, and sentence transformations. Additionally, there are instructions for completing each section and guidelines for writing compositions.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Quick Practice Tests for Levels B2, B2+, C1 & C2 са нов вариант на старите: Practice Tests for Level

B1+, Extra Practice Tests for


Level B2 & Extra Practice Tests for Level C2! Моля, уведомете ни в случай на забелязани грешки.

TEST ONE

PART ONE: LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Directions: You will hear an interview about a book twice. Before you listen to it, you have 2
minutes to read questions 1-5. While listening for the first time, you can look at the questions
and the suggested choices, but you are not allowed to take notes. When you hear the whole
interview, you have 4 minutes to answer the questions, choosing among A, B, C or D. Then,
you will hear the interview again and will have 1 minute to check your answers.

1. What was the author’s intention for writing this book?


A) to educate parents
B) to provide a set of guidelines for everyone
C) to help teachers in the classroom
D) to end confusion between teachers

2. The author learned correct punctuation usage …


A) during her own school experience.
B) writing letters to a colleague.
C) through her work.
D) reading newspapers.

3. The author thinks we should be concerned most about …


A) confusing messages and ideas.
B) different sets of rules.
C) relying on technological aids.
D) showing little or no interest.

4. According to the author, emails and text messages …


A) allow people to neglect punctuation.
B) help people use punctuation correctly.
C) are easy to comprehend.
D) are good examples of writing.

5. The author thinks that correct punctuation in writing is …


A) appropriate.
B) convenient.
C) simple.
D) essential.

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 1


PART TWO: READING COMPREHENSION

Directions: Read the text below. Then, read the questions that follow it and choose the best
answer to each question, correspondingly among A, B, C or D.

The moonlight was blocked from the mouth of the cave, for Shere Khan’s great square
head and shoulders were pushed into the entrance. Tabaqui, behind him, was squeaking. “My
lord, my lord, it went in here!”
“Shere Khan does us great honour,” said Father Wolf, but his eyes were very angry.
“What does Shere Khan need?”
“My quarry. A man’s cub went this way,” said Shere Khan. “Its parents have run off.
Give it to me.”
Shere Khan had jumped too near a woodcutter’s campfire and was furious from the pain
of his hurting feet. But Father Wolf knew that the mouth of the cave was too narrow for a
tiger to come in. Even where Shere Khan stood now, his shoulders and fore paws were
cramped because there wasn’t enough room.
“The wolves are a free people,” said Father Wolf. “They take orders from the Head of
the Pack, and not from any striped cattle-killer. The man’s cub is ours – to kill if we choose.”
“You choose and you do not choose! What talk is this of choosing? By the bull that I
killed, am I to stand with my nose inside your dog’s den waiting for what is mine? It is I,
Shere Khan, who speaks!”
The tiger’s roar filled the cave with thunder. Mother Wolf shook herself clear of the
cubs and jumped forward, her eyes like two green moons in the darkness, facing the blazing
eyes of Shere Khan.
“And it is I, Raksha, who answers. The man’s cub is mine! He shall not be killed. He
shall live to run with the Pack and to hunt with the Pack; and in the end, look at you, hunter of
little naked cubs – frog-eater – fish-killer – he shall hunt you! Now leave, or by the animal
that I killed (I do not eat starved cattle), you will go back to your mother weaker than the day
you were born! Go!”
Father Wolf looked on amazed. He had almost forgotten the days when he won
Mother Wolf in a fair fight from five other wolves. Shere Khan might have faced Father
Wolf, but he could not stand up against Mother Wolf. He knew that because of his position,
she had the advantage and would fight to the death. So he backed out of the cave mouth
growling, and when he was clear he shouted, “Each dog barks in his own yard! We will see
what the Pack will say to this looking after of man cubs. The cub is mine, and to my teeth he
will come in the end, O bush-tailed thieves!”

1. Before appearing at the cave, Shere Khan had …


A) burned himself.
B) fought with Mother Wolf.
C) killed the cub’s parents.
D) looked for the cub’s parents.

2. Father Wolf refused to do what Shere Khan wanted because …


A) he didn’t like him.
B) Shere was smaller than him.
C) Shere was not his leader.
D) he was jealous of him.

3. Father Wolf’s plans for the man’s cub ...

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 2


A) involved violence.
B) included his protection.
C) were not yet clear in his own mind.
D) were not revealed to the tiger.

4. From the text, we learn that …


A) Father Wolf was afraid of Shere Khan.
B) Father Wolf was ashamed of Mother Wolf.
C) Mother Wolf kept the man’s cub.
D) Mother Wolf attacked Shere Khan.

5. The text is mainly about …


A) how the man’s cub arrived at the den.
B) Shere Khan’s hunting trip.
C) how Father Wolf met Mother Wolf.
D) Shere Khan’s visit to the wolves’ cave.

PART THREE: USE OF ENGLISH

Cloze Text

Directions: Read the text below and for each numbered gap choose the letter (A, B, C or D)
of the word that best suits the gap.

‘Coming of age’ is a concept that is present in most cultures. It (1) … the time when a
child becomes an adult. It is a complicated concept, which can be broken down into three
parts: when a child is mature physically, when a child is mature psychologically, and when a
child legally reaches adulthood. The (2) … age at which the transition from child to adult is
believed to occur varies from one culture to another.
Many traditional cultures considered physical maturity most important. In other words,
when children looked physically like men and women, usually in their early teens, they were
considered adults who were old enough to be married. Nowadays people place more (3) … on
psychological maturity, that is, when a young person is responsible enough to make the
correct decisions to keep themselves and their society safe. In most (4) … western societies,
the idea of adulthood is (5) … on the age of psychological maturity, and recognised legally
somewhere between the ages of 18 and 21.
In western cultures, there are (6) … associated with becoming an adult. Young people
may then make the decision to live on their own, drive a vehicle, vote in elections and take a
job. They will have a greater choice of entertainment, and can decide for themselves who they
will associate with and what activities they will be (7) … in. But along with all of these rights
come a (8) … of responsibilities. Adults are expected to be responsible for the consequences
of their actions – both by their families and society in general. Becoming an adult is hugely
important. It is an enormous change for a person and (9) … love and support from their
environment. Having a positive role model to (10) … and help young people through this life
stage can be very helpful. Most importantly, they should trust themselves, make good
decisions and learn from every experience.

1. A) reveals B) measures C) represents D) challenges


2. A) precise B) authentic C) current D) honest
3. A) interest B) contrast C) investigation D) emphasis

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 3


4. A) contemporary B) controversial C) acceptable D) frequent
5. A) made B) ruled C) based D) put
6. A) assets B) benefits C) prizes D) outcomes
7. A) implied B) associated C) composed D) involved
8. A) measure B) weight C) count D) number
9. A) asks B) inquires C) requires D) requests
10. A) guide B) bring C) show D) lead

Sentence Transformations

Directions: Complete the second sentence so that it is as close as possible in meaning to the
first one.

1. I think you should apologise to your girlfriend.


You’d ...........................................................................................................................................
2. It’s been two years since I last went to the cinema.
I ....................................................................................................................................................
3. Although Maria studied hard, she didn’t pass the exam.
In spite ..........................................................................................................................................
4. They are building a new shopping centre in our neighbourhood.
A new shopping centre .................................................................................................................
5. Jessica is not in the mood to go out tonight.
Jessica doesn’t feel .......................................................................................................................
6. All the students from our class went on the excursion except for Lily.
Lily was ........................................................................................................................................
7. This museum has not been visited by many tourists since it was opened a year ago.
Only ..............................................................................................................................................
8. Shall I give you a lift to the airport?
Would ...........................................................................................................................................
9. “Turn down the music because I am trying to do my homework!” Nina said to Jim.
Nina told Jim ................................................................................................................................
10. It would be a good idea to go straight home and have a rest.
If I .................................................................................................................................................

PART FOUR: WRITING


Directions: Write a composition of about 160-170 words on ONE of the following topics.

1. A sports camp for children is looking to hire a young person to work during the summer.
The person they hire will be responsible for teaching the children sports activities and
supervising them, so he or she must be responsible and good with children. Write a letter to
apply for this job. Explain why you would like to do the job, and why you would be an ideal
candidate.

2. An English magazine has asked its readers to send in reviews of movies they have recently
seen and you have decided to write one. You should include the genre of the film, who the
lead actors were, and where and when the film was set. Give a brief summary of the plot, say
what you liked and didn’t like about the film, and whether or not you would recommend it to
others.

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 4


TEST TWO

PART ONE: LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Directions: You will hear a text about dogs twice. Before you listen to it, you have 1 minute
to read questions 1-5. While listening for the first time, you can look at the questions and the
suggested choices, but you are not allowed to take notes. When you hear the whole text, you
have 3 minutes to answer the questions, choosing among A, B or C. Then, you will hear the
text again and will have 1 minute to check your answers.

1. Man has been keeping dogs for more than eleven centuries.
A) True B) False C) No information in the text

2. Some ancient civilisations worshipped dogs.


A) True B) False C) No information in the text

3. It is believed that the oldest dog bones were found in Israel.


A) True B) False C) No information in the text

4. In a number of countries people hunt dogs for food.


A) True B) False C) No information in the text

5. Nowadays, growing numbers of dogs have health insurance.


A) True B) False C) No information in the text

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 5


PART TWO: READING COMPREHENSION

Directions: Read the text below. Then, read the questions that follow it and choose the best
answer to each question, correspondingly among A, B, C or D.

In the west of England, on an island in the middle of a quiet, slow-moving river, Jake
and Marianne Smith have been living like homeless people for the past thirteen months. For
eight weeks, they were even living without a bathroom or running water, and were forced to
take showers at a local leisure centre.
Yet they are very happy, and, in their words, ‘on a mission to create the perfect life’.
They are one of many fearless families who have set about renovating rundown buildings in
order to create unique and interesting homes.
The couple is in the process of fixing up two former mills on an island in the River
Frome, which runs through the middle of the town of Frome. The buildings are listed as being
of historical importance, which means that any and every piece of work done on them has to
be approved by the local authorities. In particular, the Smiths must retain the original external
appearance of the buildings.
The enthusiasm of homebuyers for converting anything, from old schools to abandoned
barns, seems to have no limits. The Ecology Building Society, which gives financial
assistance to people who want to convert abandoned buildings into comfortable homes, lists a
railway signal box and a cemetery gate building among properties purchased with the help of
one of their loans.
Buyers who want to change a building’s use need to apply for planning permission.
Some buildings come with the planning permission already in place. In other cases, buyers
should find out what needs to be done before they purchase the original building, because in
some instances, permission is refused. Often, there is much more to converting old buildings
into new homes than simply adding a cooker and a bathroom.
Unfortunately, a lot of builders and developers do not understand the construction of
older buildings. They can make the mistake of trying to fix or change things with modern
techniques that don’t always work with older materials. When this happens, the results can be
disastrous.
Although work completed on historical buildings is controlled by government rules and
regulations, there is no guarantee the renovations will be done properly. Most of the
restrictions apply to the appearance of the building rather than the actual design and structure.
Therefore, it is important to look around for builders and developers who have plenty of
experience and knowledge when you have your heart set on converting an old building.

1. The Smiths are described as being happy because they …


A) now have a bathroom and running water.
B) like being isolated from other people.
C) are trying to follow their dreams.
D) were able to afford a home.

2. The Smiths are restricted in what they can do with the mills since …
A) the buildings are located on an island.
B) the authorities do not approve of any changes.
C) the outside of the buildings must be kept the same.
D) they must use one of the mills for business.

3. The Ecology Building Society …

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 6


A) sells old buildings to people.
B) helps people find a new home.
C) gives homebuyers technical advice.
D) lends money to homebuyers.

4. It can be a mistake to buy an old building because …


A) the authorities may not understand your needs.
B) it may not be possible to change the use of the building.
C) the land on which it has been built might be faulty.
D) you may have to change the outer appearance of the building.

5. According to the writer, …


A) adding a bathroom to an old building is essential.
B) nobody knows how buildings were constructed in the past.
C) using modern building materials can make problems worse.
D) builders today have not been trained to convert old buildings.

PART THREE: USE OF ENGLISH

Sentence Completion

Directions: For each of the sentences below, choose the letter (A, B, C or D) of the word or
phrase that best completes its meaning.

1. When we lived in the Bahamas, our mum … us to the beach almost every day.
A) had taken B) was used to take C) was taking D) would take
2. My father thinks that our country house needs … .
A) to redecorate B) redecorated C) to be redecorated D) to redecorating
3. Marie and Paris were soaked to the skin since they … in the heavy rain for hours.
A) are walking B) have been walking C) had been walking D) used to walk
4. Nick took a taxi … late for his first meeting with the new owner of the company.
A) so as not be B) so to be not C) so he’s not D) so as not to be
5. Remember … the cooker and the TV before you go out with Samantha and Peter.
A) turning off B) to turn off C) turn off D) to turning off
6. Jessica was watching TV when she heard someone … in the street.
A) to scream B) to have screamed C) screams D) screaming
7. I’d rather you … with them because I know that they are not well-mannered boys.
A) don’t go out B) haven’t gone out C) didn’t go out D) will not go out
8. Every day, Jessica and Tim spend at least two to three hours … the Internet.
A) surf B) to surf C) surfing D) to surfing
9. Don’t tell Bob about the surprise, …?
A) will you B) won’t you C) do you D) don’t you
10. There were hardly … people in the streets at half past five in the morning.
A) any B) some C) no D) none
Cloze Text

Directions: Read the text below and for each numbered gap choose the letter (A, B, C or D)
of the word or phrase that best suits the gap.

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 7


Skiing is a sport, like golf, where practice alone is not enough. Whatever your level,
from complete beginner to potential World Cup star, you need expert (1) … to progress.
Throughout the winter, a growing (2) … of specialist courses in Europe and North America
promise to correct bad technique by providing a friendly alternative approach to conventional
ski schools.
The nervous skier
The feeling of anxiety, and a general (3) … of control on skis, are all too often what
holds people back. Small children whiz past, bigger snowboarders thunder by, and you
sometimes feel like (4) … and going home.
The Ski Company, which holds courses for nervous skiers, is based in Courchevel, with
its gentle and beautifully (5) … slopes. The teaching principle aims to put you in (6) … of
your skis so that you can decide where you want to go and how fast.
Tip: Learning to relax is one of the key elements to (7) … a better skier.
Dates: January 19th and January 26th, maximum eight skiers per group. Level 1 is for
people who are (8) … on the nursery slopes and level 2 is for those who can handle an easy
‘black’ run down the slope.
Holiday cost: £740 for seven nights, six-day lift pass, three hours of (9) … and video
analysis five days a week, flights and transfers.
Course only: £200 for three teaching hours on (10) … of the five days.
Bookings: The Ski Company: Telephone #: 0870 12345678; Website:
www.theskicompany.co.uk

1. A) learning B) coaching C) studying D) discovering


2. A) amount B) quantity C) number D) capacity
3. A) famine B) shortage C) excess D) lack
4. A) surrendering B) giving up C) submitting D) providing
5. A) maintained B) retained C) destroyed D) supported
6. A) responsibility B) duty C) charge D)
obligation
7. A) converting B) growing C) turning D) becoming
8. A) convinced B) confident C) persuaded D) doubtful
9. A) tuition B) education C) knowledge D) awareness
10. A) other B) each C) another D) few

PART FOUR: WRITING

Directions: Write a composition of about 160-170 words on ONE of the following topics.

1. More and more young people are giving up on education to try and achieve fame in music
or film. Write an opinion essay. Think about: Why do so many people want to work in film or
music? What do you think their chances of success are? Should young people follow their
dreams, or should they be more realistic? Is it always necessary to start young?

2. You are going to throw a party on New Year’s Eve in your house. Write an email to a
friend of yours who lives in another city/town/village inviting him/her to join you. Think
about: Who will be present at the party? How will you entertain your guests? What have you
already planned? What else needs to be arranged?

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 8


© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 9
TEST THREE

PART ONE: LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Directions: You will hear an interview about a businesswoman twice. Before you listen to it,
you have 2 minutes to read questions 1-5. While listening for the first time, you can look at
the questions and the suggested choices, but you are not allowed to take notes. When you hear
the whole interview, you have 4 minutes to answer the questions, choosing among A, B, C or
D. Then, you will hear the interview again and will have 1 minute to check your answers.

1. Cynthia’s business will …


A) plan parties for certain age groups only.
B) guarantee a certain number of guests.
C) arrange parties for a variety of occasions.
D) provide the catering for any kind of party.

2. Cynthia asks her clients to …


A) come up with an original party idea.
B) choose the subject matter for their party.
C) send invitations well in advance.
D) participate in each step of the preparations.

3. The interviewer is impressed by …


A) how much money Cynthia makes.
B) how many events Cynthia organises.
C) how efficiently Cynthia organises her time.
D) how Cynthia does all the necessary tasks.

4. Cynthia started her company because …


A) she didn’t like the job she was doing.
B) she was working too hard.
C) she realized people were too busy to plan events.
D) a relative of hers told her people needed help with events.

5. The interviewer asks Cynthia to advise listeners on how to …


A) organise successful events.
B) work for successful companies.
C) begin their own businesses.
D) find good jobs.

PART TWO: READING COMPREHESNION

Directions: Read the text below. Then, read the questions that follow it and choose the best
answer to each question, correspondingly among A, B or C.

So I came back. For a long time I was not aware of being in the machine. The flashing
of the days and nights had started again. I breathed easier. I looked at the dials and noticed the
hands were spinning backwards. At last, I saw the shadows of the houses, evidence of human
life. I slowed the machine down. Finally, I recognized our own familiar architecture. I slowly
stopped the machine and looked around me and saw the old walls of my laboratory. I got out

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 10


of the machine, my legs shaking and sat down on my bench. For several minutes, I had been
trembling violently. Then I calmed down. Around me, was my old workshop again.
Everything seemed so familiar – perhaps I had fallen asleep and the whole thing had been a
dream! For some time, I couldn’t think. My brain felt so heavy. After a while, I got up and
walked through the hall, limping because my foot was still sore. I saw the newspaper on the
table next to the door and looked at it. I found the date was indeed today, and looking at the
clock, I saw that the time was almost eight o’clock. I heard your voices and then the clatter of
plates. You know the rest: I washed, dined and now I am telling you the story. “I know,” he
said, after a pause, “that all of this seems absolutely incredible to you. To me, the one
incredible thing is that I am here tonight in this old familiar room looking at your friendly
faces and telling you these strange adventures.”

1. The narrator is an experienced traveller.


A) True B) False C) No information in the text

2. The narrator’s tools and appliances were where he had left them.
A) True B) False C) No information in the text

3. The narrator knew that he had been dreaming.


A) True B) False C) No information in the text

4. The narrator had been injured.


A) True B) False C) No information in the text

5. The narrator knew that his story sounded unbelievable.


A) True B) False C) No information in the text

PART THREE: USE OF ENGLISH

Cloze Text

Directions: Read the text below and for each numbered gap choose the letter (A, B, C or D)
of the word that best suits the gap.

Are you up to your neck in deadlines? Deadlines in business are like weekly wedding
anniversaries: (1) … one might be easy, but dealing with the consequences ahead is not.
Having said that, many office deadlines are (2) … imaginary. Your boss will whip you into a
frenzy to get a report finished in a day and then, when you have (3) … a mess of it, they will
give you another two weeks to rewrite it. On the other (4) … if you have done a particularly
good piece of work, there no longer (5) … to be a deadline, at all.
Business is (6) … up and expectations are much higher. Deadlines used to be more (7)
… . Nowadays, if you are not trying to (8) … a deadline, you are lucky. In general, working
people are expected to do more in less time with fewer (9) … . Somehow, we have got to slow
it all down and (10) … the time to do our jobs well while finding some enjoyment in the
process.

1. A) lacking B) losing C) missing D) misplacing


2. A) barely B) purely C) hardly D) wholly
3. A) caused B) done C) had D) made
4. A) end B) way C) hand D) side

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 11


5. A) appears B) emerges C) reveals D) shows
6. A) hurrying B) quickening C) rushing D) speeding
7. A) bending B) elastic C) flexible D) movable
8. A) beat B) meet C) score D) win
9. A) supports B) resources C) supplies D) sources
10. A) give B) pass C) spend D) take

Sentence Transformations

Directions: Complete the second sentence so that it is as close as possible in meaning to the
first one.

1. It is forbidden to use reference books and dictionaries when you sit an exam.
You are not ..................................................................................................................................

2. Kate can’t decide what present to buy for her brother’s birthday.
Kate can’t make ...........................................................................................................................

3. Mr and Mrs Evans have not seen their daughter for about three and a half months.
The last .........................................................................................................................................

4. I can’t wait to spend my summer holiday at my grandparents’.


I am ..............................................................................................................................................

5. People say that Judy was the most intelligent person in the village.
Judy is ..........................................................................................................................................

6. “I am sorry I cancelled the appointment,” the client said.


The client apologised ...................................................................................................................

7. Emma and Louise both dislike Jonathan.


Neither …………………………………………………………………………………………..

8. If you don’t have a very good memory, you should take notes.
Unless ...........................................................................................................................................

9. Karen really likes to learn languages.


Karen is …………………………………………………………………………………………

10. With a little more money I could get a very good smartphone.
If I ……………………………………………………………………………………………….

PART FOUR: WRITING

Directions: Write a composition of about 160-170 words on ONE of the following topics.

1. Your class has just had a debate on school uniforms and your teacher has asked that you
write a for-and-against essay on the compulsory wearing of school uniforms. Think about:
What are the arguments for the wearing of school uniforms? What are the arguments against
the wearing of school uniforms? What do you think?

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 12


2. The editor of a teen magazine has invited its readers to write an article entitled ‘The one
object or device that has changed our lives most’. Think about: What object/device has
changed our lives most? How has it changed our lives? Are the changes positive or negative?
How do you personally feel about this?

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 13


TEST FOUR

PART ONE: LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Directions: You will hear a talk about football twice. Before you listen to it, you have 1
minute to read questions 1-5. While listening for the first time, you can look at the questions
and the suggested choices, but you are not allowed to take notes. When you hear the whole
talk, you have 3 minutes to answer the questions, choosing among A, B or C. Then, you will
hear the talk again and will have 1 minute to check your answers.

1. The speaker has had an interest in football since the age of eight.
A) True
B) False
C) No information in the text

2. The speaker believes that football is for all ages.


A) True
B) False
C) No information in the text

3. The speaker’s son still calls him to talk about football.


A) True
B) False
C) No information in the text

4. Middle-aged fathers have always been fascinated with football.


A) True
B) False
C) No information in the text

5. Most people are too busy to play football.


A) True
B) False
C) No information in the text

PART TWO: READING COMPREHENSION

Directions: Read the text below. Then, read the questions that follow it and choose the best
answer to each question, correspondingly among A, B, C or D.

Julie Lewis, from Oregon, in the United States, is wearing an expensive-looking pair
of boots. They are durable yet fashionable. Just by looking at them, you would never know
that they were made entirely of recycled materials. Julie owns her own shoemaking
company and has achieved a long-term ambition to turn waste into something useful. The
shoes are made from all sorts of otherwise useless materials, including textile scraps, rubber
from tyres, and plastic bags. Julie knows that she cannot solve the world’s environmental
problems single-handed, but nonetheless she feels she is doing good at a local level.
Recycling has become extremely popular in the US, particularly in recent years when
the number of recycling schemes has increased by 500 percent. 65 percent of aluminium
cans are recycled plus a quarter of paper and 20 percent of glass. The enthusiasm for re-

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 14


using materials has come from the realisation that Americans produce far more waste per
person than most Europeans; a total of 200 million tons a year. This is twice as much per
capita as Germany, for example, and it would be enough to fill a line of dustbin lorries
stretching eight times around the world.
The US even exports its waste. Taiwan buys used paper to make more paper and Japan
uses American scrap metal and makes it into new cars, which it then sells back to the US.
Two thirds of the remaining waste is buried in landfill sites. Disposal of waste poses a major
problem. Landfill sites can cause pollution of water supplies. And as sites fill up, new ones
need to be found. Some rubbish is burnt but this pollutes the atmosphere. The obvious
answer, then, is to recycle more. Recycling is already big business - Julie Lewis being a
perfect example. Her company has attracted millions of dollars worth of investment.
Recycled products are no longer seen as poor quality goods but as desirable alternatives.
A hugely successful scheme has been operating in Palm Beach County since 1988.
Rubbish is sorted into different categories. Paper, glass and plastic are sold to recycling
firms. Kitchen waste is used to power a generator which supplies electricity to 30,000
houses. Other materials are used to make soil, which is then used for growing fruit and
vegetables.
There are of course economic arguments against recycling. It can be expensive to run
the schemes. And as Lynn Scarlett, a government adviser from Los Angeles, argues it does
not make economic or environmental sense to transport materials for recycling from areas
which still have plenty of landfill space.
Manufacturers in Germany are trying to solve the problem at the production stage,
mainly by looking at how their goods are packaged. Soap powders are now more
concentrated and packed in small containers, toothpaste tubes are sold without boxes and
plastic wrapping has been reduced.
In a time when newspapers and TV news bulletins are filled with depressing stories of
environmental disasters, it is important to remind people, especially children, that they can
make a difference. After all, they can recycle their waste every day of their lives.

1. Julie Lewis has always wanted …


A) to run her own business.
B) to be involved in recycling.
C) to look fashionable.
D) to wear expensive shoes.

2. Americans now recycle far more than they used to because …


A) they are competing with Germany.
B) they want to make a profit from recycling.
C) they need more aluminium.
D) they realised how much they waste.

3. What is Julie Lewis a “perfect example” of?


A) The fact that re-using waste is a money-making activity.
B) The fact that more rubbish should be burnt.
C) The fact that women can attract investment.
D) The fact that recycled products can be of high quality.

4. What does the Palm Beach County scheme involve?


A) making energy out of waste
B) selling fruit and vegetables for profit

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C) producing plastic bottles
D) opening new recycling business

5. Recycling is particularly important for children because …


A) it encourages them to read newspapers.
B) it shows them that they can do something useful.
C) it is depressing.
D) it is specially planned for them

PART THREE: USE OF ENGLISH

Sentence Completion

Directions: For each of the sentences below, choose the letter (A, B, C or D) of the word or
phrase that best completes its meaning.

1. This time tomorrow, I … to Budapest where I will attend a conference.


A) will fly
B) will have been flying
C) will be flying
D) have flown

2. She asked herself if she … New York and Washington DC again.


A) will ever visit
B) would ever visit
C) had ever visited
D) has ever been visiting

3. Paul says that his girlfriend dresses … than mine.


A) much more smartly
B) a lot more smarter
C) much smartlier
D) very smartly

4. “What … Micky? Look at your new T-shirt and shorts. They’re covered in mud.”
A) were you doing
B) have you been doing
C) will you have been doing
D) had you been doing

5. If only you … to me, you wouldn’t have made the same mistake.
A) listened
B) have listened
C) had listened
D) would listen

6. Unfortunately, I have … hope of having the chance to meet her again.


A) few
B) little
C) a little

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D) few

7. It is the first time my best friend Georgiana … by plane.


A) travelled
B) travels
C) has ever travelled
D) is travelling

8. The suspect refused … the policeman’s questions.


A) answer
B) answering
C) to answering
D) to answer

9. The mason promised us that the wall … by the weekend.


A) would be built
B) is being built
C) is going to be built
D) will be built

10. Nigel … to bed yet. The lights are still on.


A) must have gone
B) can’t have gone
C) shouldn’t have gone
D) might have gone

Cloze Text

Directions: Read the text below and for each numbered gap choose the letter (A, B, C or D)
of the word that best suits the gap.

Samuel Pepys wrote many diaries about the events of the 1660s. Our (1) … knowledge
of that decade is in no small part due to him. Pepys was an adult at the time of the Restoration
of the English monarchy. It was a time when many (2) … freedoms and rights were returned
to the citizens. For instance, the theatre, an important (3) … of entertainment, was given to
them. Theatres were reopened in 1660, after having been closed down in 1649.
The 1660s was a period of great change; people could start to relax more. A (4) … of
this could be seen in the fashions of the time. Bright, colourful clothes were being introduced.
Also, much of what we know about 17th century diet and (5) … habits is due to Pepys, as he
described his meals and fondness for food in some detail.
Pepys socialised in a wide (6) … of circles and mixed as easily with the working (7) …
as with the aristocrats. Samuel Pepys had a gentle touch and a deep (8) … of humanity.
Pepys witnessed two major events in history, the Great Plague and the Great Fire of
London. His compassion for the suffering (9) … by both is clear in his diaries. His sorrow at
the devastating (10) … of the plague is visible on page after page of his entries for 1664-1665.
On completing his diary in 1669, Pepys still had half his career ahead of him, and he devoted
the rest of his life to public service until his death in 1703.

1. A) considerate B) copious C) considerably D) considerable


2. A) personnel B) personal C) person D) personality

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3. A) brand B) form C) means D) style
4. A) reflection B) reflector C) reflect D) reflex
5. A) eat B) eater C) eating D) eatery
6. A) area B) choice C) range D) variety
7. A) group B) crowd C) class D) world
8. A) feel B) sense C) feeling D) sensation
9. A) caused B) done C) made D) blamed
10. A) affects B) effects C) effectives D) effectiveness

PART FOUR: WRITING

Directions: Write a composition of about 160-170 words on ONE of the following topics.

1. Write a story for your school magazine that ends with the following sentence: “If only I had
listened to my parents”. Think about: Where were you? Who were you with? How does the
story begin? What happened? How does the story end? How did you feel?

2. You are a member of a club. Recently, members have not been coming and there have been
no new members joining. Write a report making suggestions on how to attract new members
to the club. Think about: Why are members not coming? What can be done to make the club
more interesting and fun?

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KEY

TEST ONE

Part One: Listening Comprehension


1. B, 2. C, 3. C, 4. A, 5. D

Part Two: Reading Comprehension


1. A, 2. C, 3. D, 4. C, 5. D

Part Three: Use of English

Cloze Text
1. C, 2. A, 3. D, 4. A, 5. C, 6. B, 7. D, 8. D, 9. C, 10. A

Sentence Transformations
1. … better apologise to your girlfriend.
2. … haven’t been to the cinema for two years.
3. … of studying hard, Maria didn’t pass the exam.
4. … is being built in our neighbourhood.
5. … like going out tonight.
6. … the only student from our class who didn’t go on the excursion.
7. … a few tourists have visited this museum since it was opened a year ago.
8. … you like me to give you a lift to the airport?
9. … to turn down the music because she was trying to do her homework.
10. … were you, I would go straight home and have a rest.

TEST TWO

Part One: Listening Comprehension


1. B, 2. C, 3. B, 4. C, 5. A

Part Two: Reading Comprehension


1. C, 2. C, 3. D, 4. B, 5. D

Part Three: Use of English

Sentence Completion
1. D, 2. C, 3. C, 4. D, 5. B, 6. D, 7. C, 8. C, 9. A, 10. A

Cloze Text
1. B, 2. C, 3. D, 4. B, 5. A, 6. C, 7. D, 8. B, 9. A, 10. B

TEST THREE

Part One: Listening Comprehension


1. C, 2. B, 3. D, 4. C, 5. C

Part Two: Reading Comprehension


1. C, 2. C, 3. B, 4. A, 5. A

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Part Three: Use of English

Cloze Text
1. C, 2. B, 3. D, 4. C, 5. A, 6. D, 7. C, 8. B, 9. B, 10. D

Sentence Transformations
1. … allowed to use reference books and dictionaries when you sit an exam.
2. … up her mind what present to buy for her brother’s birthday.
3. … time Mr and Mrs Evans saw their daughter was about three and a half months ago.
4. … looking forward to spending my summer holiday at my grandparents’.
5. … said to have been the most intelligent person in the village.
6. … for cancelling/having cancelled the appointment.
7. … Emma nor Louise likes Jonathan.
8. … you have a very good memory, you should take notes.
9. … keen on learning languages.
10. … had a little more money, I could get a very good smartphone.

TEST FOUR

Part One: Listening Comprehension


1. C, 2. A, 3. A, 4. B, 5. C

Part Two: Reading Comprehension


1. B, 2. D, 3. A, 4. A, 5. B

Part Three: Use of English

Sentence Completion
1. C, 2. B, 3. A, 4. B, 5. C, 6. B, 7. C, 8. D, 9. A, 10. B

Cloze Text
1. D, 2. B, 3. B, 4. A, 5. C, 6. D, 7. C, 8. B, 9. A, 10. B

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TRANSCRIPTS

TEST ONE

Directions: You will hear an interview about a book twice. Before you listen to it, you have 2
minutes to read questions 1-5. While listening for the first time, you can look at the questions
and the suggested choices, but you are not allowed to take notes. When you hear the whole
interview, you have 4 minutes to answer the questions, choosing among A, B, C or D. Then,
you will hear the interview again and will have 1 minute to check your answers.

Interviewer: How has a book on punctuation become a bestseller? I have its author,
Louise Marsh, here with me to talk about commas, hyphens and the importance of correct
semi-colon usage. Your book, ‘Punctuation is Everything’ is very popular with the book-
buying public. Who do you think is buying the book?
Louise: I don’t know exactly, but I would guess that parents and educators might be
buying it for their children and students. I hope some people are buying it just for their own
educational purposes. When I was in school, I was always running into problems with
different teachers believing different things about punctuation. My hope for this book was to
provide a basic understanding of punctuation that could be followed by everyone.
Interviewer: Do you think that the present education system is to blame for bad
punctuation?
Louise: Well, I can't remember being taught punctuation at my school in the late 60s
and early 70s. I think things might be improving. It is obviously being taught at the moment,
but I don't think there is enough consistency or enough importance placed on it.
Interviewer: So, if you didn't learn punctuation at school, where did you learn it?
Louise: I learned to write and punctuate English early in my career as a journalist. I was
a news writer for a local paper, and it was crucial that I wrote things the proper way. My work
was always on display, so it had to be right. I was lucky to have a co-worker who would look
over my pieces and make any necessary corrections for me. Eventually, I learned all of the
rules on my own and now I am passing on my knowledge through my book.
Interviewer: What do you see as the biggest problem for writers these days?
Louise: Well, as I mentioned earlier there is a great deal of inconsistency and a general
lack of concern for proper usage of punctuation. I think people are confused. I see the biggest
culprit being all of the new technology. People have become lazy and do not even think about
proper usage anymore when they write on their computers. They expect things like spell
check to correct their mistakes.
Interviewer: Do you believe writing emails and sending text messages is creating
problems?
Louise: Yes, I do. Typically, when people send emails or text messages they use
abbreviations and little or no punctuation. I find punctuation helps to give rhythm and a tone
of voice to writing. I think it's no accident that readers of emails and text messages often find
it difficult to understand what the person means.
Interviewer: Do you think punctuation will still be important in the future?
Louise: Of course! It's necessary because as long as people want to have high quality
written communication they will need these simple little marks here and there – or at least one
hopes!

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TEST TWO

Directions: You will hear a text about dogs twice. Before you listen to it, you have 1 minute
to read questions 1-5. While listening for the first time, you can look at the questions and the
suggested choices, but you are not allowed to take notes. When you hear the whole text, you
have 3 minutes to answer the questions, choosing among A, B or C. Then, you will hear the
text again and will have 1 minute to check your answers.

Who is man’s best friend? The dog of course! This wonderful creature is the most
popular domesticated animal in the world and relationships between dogs and humans go way
back. In fact, it is believed that humans domesticated a wolf-like ancestor of the dog around
10,000 years ago. Since then, the dog has been a companion, a protector and above all, a loyal
friend to humans. In ancient times, in some parts of the world, dogs had a special status. The
ancient Greeks, and the ancient Mayans of Central America, both associated dogs with death
and the after-life. Archaeologists have found remains of the domestic dog all over the world.
Throughout the centuries, many dog breeds were developed for specific tasks such as hunting,
herding, and guarding. Dog bones discovered so far date back to the period 10,000- 7,000 BC.
They have been found in Israel, Iraq, Denmark, the UK, Czechoslovakia, Russia and
Germany, with the earliest thought to be in Asia.
While in some parts of the world dogs have had it quite well, in others you could say
that they really have had a dog’s life. In fact, across the planet different civilisations and
cultures have treated the dog in different ways. Unfortunately for them, in some countries
dogs are constantly ill treated and not fed and often have to search in rubbish bins for food. In
Western Europe, in contrast, a dog is considered part of the family and is often treated like a
child, having its own space, bed, toys, and special diets. A rising number of dogs in these
countries even have health insurance and get regular medical check-ups. It isn’t surprising
then that the life expectancy of dogs in these societies is growing.
Dog are quite a unique species and have perhaps evolved alongside man and
sometimes play important roles in our society. They provide companionship to millions of
people, serve as guides for blind people, and can help people recover from illnesses. They
protect people and guard their property and even pull sleds. What’s more, they do a variety of
security work in police departments and the army and some breeds of dogs are professional
rescuers. We can safely say that the dog isn’t man’s best friend for nothing.

TEST THREE

Directions: You will hear an interview about a businesswoman twice. Before you listen to it,
you have 2 minutes to read questions 1-5. While listening for the first time, you can look at
the questions and the suggested choices, but you are not allowed to take notes. When you hear
the whole interview, you have 4 minutes to answer the questions, choosing among A, B, C or
D. Then, you will hear the interview again and will have 1 minute to check your answers.

Interviewer: Hello, everyone and welcome to our show. Our special guest today is
Cynthia Garfield. Cynthia is the successful owner of a company called Perfect Parties. Thanks
for joining us, Cynthia. First of all, tell us something about your company.
Cynthia: Well, basically we organise all kinds of parties, from weddings to children’s
parties. We do everything from planning the menu and preparing the food to sending out the
invitations. Whatever you are celebrating, we can guarantee that it will be a success.
Interviewer: So, let’s say I wanted you to plan my little girl’s fifth birthday party, what
could Perfect Parties do for me?

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Cynthia: Well, first we’d ask you to pick a theme for the party. We have several
options, for example, “The Fairy Princess”, “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic” or “The Junior Pop
Star”. For each theme we provide costumes, music, food, invitations and – the cake, of course.
Interviewer: Wow, Cynthia, you really do take care of everything! The clients have
nothing to do! But tell me, what gave you the idea for a party-planning company?
Cynthia: Well, I am the mother of two young children. I also come from a large family
and there is always some celebration or party to organise. My husband and I both worked full
time and I found that planning parties was something that I just didn’t have the time or energy
to do. When I mentioned this to family and friends, just about everyone said they felt the same
way. That’s when I decided that there was a need for a professional party planner.
Interviewer: Well, we’re glad to see that your company is doing well and we wish you
and Perfect Parties continued success. Do you have some advice for any of our listeners who
are thinking of starting their own company?
Cynthia: Yes, I do! Believe in your product, believe in yourself, do your homework and
don’t give up when things get difficult!
Interviewer: Thanks for those words of encouragement, Cynthia. Now, let me
introduce our next guest, Jim Saunders, owner of The Bagel Bakery.

Adapted from Club No. 4, March 2002

TEST FOUR

Directions: You will hear a talk about football twice. Before you listen to it, you have 1
minute to read questions 1-5. While listening for the first time, you can look at the questions
and the suggested choices, but you are not allowed to take notes. When you hear the whole
talk, you have 3 minutes to answer the questions, choosing among A, B or C. Then, you will
hear the talk again and will have 1 minute to check your answers.

I had never been to a football match with my own father. He was disabled and was
bed-ridden during most of my childhood. So I had always had this image that if I had ever had
a son, we’d go to a football game together, hand in hand.
By eight, my son was a passionate supporter. He would write out his own lists of goals
and records in his horrible handwriting. He would go to bed reading his Spurs books and
programmes, falling asleep with them on his little chin. He only lives three streets away now
and we still talk about football all the time. This is because football is not just a game that
begins and ends. Football is a passion for life, cutting across all ages, all classes, and all
backgrounds.
As a parent, it’s hard to share interests with your children and find common ground.
However, with football, there are no generation gaps. You can discuss the match, any match,
with the very old or the very young, and your opinion will be listened to.
I used to ring my father-in-law, who died at 96, every Saturday at 5:30pm after Sports
Reports for decades just to discuss how Carlisle United had got on. It was our point of
contact, what we had in common. Yes, I know a pretty superficial point of contact, but is
going on about shopping, babies or relationships really all that more meaningful?
My son rings me after he has seen a match on television or at half-time on his mobile,
if he’s at a match without me. He might be indulging me as I indulged my father-in-law, but
that doesn’t bother me.
Football has replaced the zoo as the half-day a week treat for divorced fathers. You
also see middleclass, middle-aged fathers suddenly acquiring an interest in football, which

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 23


they never had before, as a way of establishing a relationship with their children whom
they’ve hardly talked to for 20 years because they were so busy in their careers.

© Express Publishing PHOTOCOPIABLE 24

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