Test 1

READING

SECTION 1 Questions 1-14

Read the text below and answer Questions 1-7.

Gobridge Tramlink - Frequently Asked Questions

(FAQs)
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about the tram service in
Gobridge town

When do the trams run?

Gobridge Tram link operates a network of trams that run throughout the year and
provide links to main services, stations and the airport. Timetables are reviewed in
October and March, and may alter slightly so check before you travel. Our first tram
from the city centre leaves from Marvin Square at 6.30 am, half an hour after the first
city bus service.

Can I get a tram from the airport?

Trams from the airport to the city centre start running at 6.15 am and leave every
fifteen minutes until 7 .30 pm when the evening schedule takes over. Trams then run
to the main railway station at 35-minute intervals and end at 11.35 pm. If your flight
arrives later than this, the number 207 airport bus runs every hour through the night.

What do I do if I don't have a ticket?

Tickets are not sold by anyone on the tram. Ticket vending machines are located at all
tram shelters. Check your route and make sure you buy the correct price ticket. If the
vending machine does not work, you should push the red button on the machine and
speak into the microphone. A member of staff will either fix the machine straight away
or contact the tram inspector onboard your tram. He or she cannot sell you a ticket,
but you will not be obliged to pay the £8 on-board fine for not having one.

Can I take my bike on the tram?

Each tram is licensed to carry a maximum of two bicycles, though drivers may refuse to
allow cyclists to get on if the tram is crowded. Bicycles may only be taken on the trams
during off-peak travel periods: up to 7 .30 am, between 10 am and 2.30 pm and after
7 pm. Festivals and other large events may also mean that bicycles are prohibited as
trams carry extra passengers at these times. Once on board, riders should remain with
their bicycles throughout the journey and ensure they do not obstruct the entrance,
exit or any other area of public access.

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Questions 1- 7

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text on page 16?

In boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1 The city buses start operating later than the trams.

2 You can get a tram from the airport to the city centre up to midnight.
3 The 207 bus service stops at the main railway station.
4 The cost of a tram ticket varies depending on your journey.
5 Bicycles are allowed on the trams between 7 .30 am and 10 am.
6 Additional trams run during the Gobridge festival period.
7 Cyclists may be asked to leave the tram if they block the exit.

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Test 1

Read the text below and answer Questions 8- 14.

Adorable knitwear
Online customer reviews

A Mary-Anne
I spent a while thinking about buying this sweater because of the price, but I'm
glad I finally did. It's a long sweater but that's good as I'm quite tall. I normally
find that the sleeves are too short when I try on a top, but not with this one. I
tend to take medium but went for large, which was a wise decision as there is
plenty of room for a T-shirt underneath when I wear it with jeans.

B Davina
These sweaters are an ideal weight for office wear. The purple one is pretty,
though I expected a lighter shade from the picture. I wear a US size 12 I UK 16,
and the medium is big enough to fit over a shirt with room to spare. It has long
sleeves that I love to roll up at the wrist. I'm now trying to resist the temptation
to buy it in grey too.

C Naga
This knitted sweater looks great in the pictures. I ordered the olive green
with stripes and, although I wasn't sure it was going to look right on me,
I was pleasantly surprised when I put it on. It's very soft and I love the long
past-the-wrist sleeves too. I opted for the medium, but it was too tight so
I exchanged it.

D Libby
This is the third of your sweaters that I've bought over the past two years. It's
true to size and perfect for the winter months, though I should add that its
loose knit means it's best to avoid playing with cats or young dogs when you're
wearing it as they could pull threads in the body or sleeves.

E Laura
I couldn't decide which colour to get so I bought the deep blue and the charcoal
grey, with every intention of sending one of them back. That didn't happen, of
course! I would say both colours match the online pictures. I bought size small,
and the length is perfect for me, despite the unnecessarily long sleeves! These
sweaters are lovely to wear with jeans but also stylish enough to wear to work.

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Questions 8- 14

Look at the five online customer reviews of sweaters, A-E, on page 18.

For which review are the following statements true?

Write the correct Jetter, A-E, in boxes 8-14 on your answer sheet.

NB You may use any letter more than once.

8 The colour of the sweater did not match the website image.
9 The customer took some time to decide on the purchase.
10 The customer initially bought the wrong size.
11 The customer changed her mind about returning a sweater.
12 The customer bought a bigger size than she usually does.
13 The sweater can be worn for smart or casual occasions.
14 The customer was worried that the sweater wouldn't suit her.

-+I~ p. 122 1 19
Test 1

SECTION 2 Questions 15-27

Read the text below and answer Questions 15-21.

How to become a great leader

Stepping into a new management role can be unnerving. Here's how to inspire
your team:

Set the tone of your leadership style from the outset. Be confident, self-assured and
respectful with everyone you meet. Speak as you want to be spoken to, and remember
to listen. The first few weeks is when people develop their perceptions of you, so work
hard to earn their trust. This will be key to effective change and progress.

Part of a leader's brief is to set bold goals. They could take years to achieve, but they
need to be specific enough that everyone in the organisation understands them, buys
into them and is willing to work together to achieve them.

Don't do everything yourself. Great leaders surround themselves with talented

individuals and they should trust them to make things happen. If things need changing,
tell people and involve them in making the changes by participating in the design of
a new strategy. If the team is too cautious to embrace change, give them one more
chance but be clearer about what you want.

Stamp out the 'them and us' culture. In many organisations, employees feel distant from
senior management. The message must be plain: we all work together, but leaders need
to work hard to ensure this filters through to everyone in the organisation.

Allow time for innovation. It's important to give staff time to come up with new ideas and
solutions that will fix new problems. However, be clear that a decision is expected; set a
time limit and stick to it.

It is likely that the formula that makes the business you are managing successful will
have been created many years ago - but it's important to remember how the business
started. Honour those early pioneers and instil a sense of pride across the organisation.

Leaders need to accept that some risk may be required if the situation calls for it.
Playing it safe is never a good business rule, and leaders must make sure their business
stays ahead by being prepared to act quickly.

Show you are passionate and enthusiastic. People spend a large part of their lives
working for an organisation, and having a leader who is genuinely thrilled about its future
is hugely inspiring.

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Questions 15-21

Complete the sentences below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 15-21 on your answer sheet.

15 Initially, a leader needs to focus on gaining the ......................................................... of the staff.

16 A leader should decide on ......................................................... that their staff are happy to fulfil.
17 Leaders should involve their staff in the process of producing a different
································--·······•••ot•••········ .
18 If tricky issues arise, leaders should give staff the space to find
......................................................... to them.
19 Leaders need to encourage their staff to feel ......................................................... in the past
achievements of the company.
20 It is important for leaders to agree to a certain degree of .........................................................
when necessary.
21 If leaders find the ......................................................... of the company exciting, their staff will be
more motivated to work hard.

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Test 1

Read the text below and answer Questions 22- 27.

Resigning from a job in a professional manner

When you take the decision to resign and move on to another job, you might really want
to dance your way out of the door, or get your own back by criticising your boss to the
whole office. But you need to resist these temptations because in future you might find
you're working with your ex-line manager or other colleagues in a different company.

Letting your manager know

Show courtesy by telling your boss first. Request a meeting to say that you're leaving,
following up soon after with an official letter. Before the meeting with your boss, write a
list of ongoing tasks along with status updates and suggestions concerning completion.
Use the meeting to clarify any other points, such as your notice period and leaving
date, and how you will inform others (colleagues or external clients, contacts and
suppliers). Ask about a reference too; your employer may only supply the most basic
type but your line manager might also give you a more personal one. Making sure you
get a good one can make subsequent job hunting less stressful.

Preparation
Work out how you can ensure a smooth transition and minimise disruption to your
employer. There may be a range of things you can do to hand over professionally, such
as completing projects, working out the priorities with your line manager, and leaving
clear documentation for the successor in your post concerning processes or software.

Your letter of resignation

Keep your letter short. You don't need to give lots of explanations or justification for why
you're leaving. Don't be tempted to address the failings of the company or your boss,
either. Instead, thanking your employer for the job and mentioning what you appreciated
about it is a graceful touch. Here's an idea of what to include:

• First paragraph - the basics

Inform the employer that you wish to resign and confirm the agreed final date
at work.

• Second paragraph - thank your employer

Mention any particular career-building projects you worked on or opportunities to
develop skills and contribute to the employer's goals and successes. You can also
mention your appreciation at being able to work in a great team.

• Third paragraph - handover

State your willingness to finish existing projects and hand over your work smoothly.

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Questions 22- 27

Complete the notes below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 22-27 on your answer sheet.

The best way to resign

Avoid all 22 ......................................................... to resign in an angry way. Instead follow this

procedure:

Arrange a meeting with the boss to:

• mention any projects which are underway and give ideas for their
23 .........................................................

• discuss how much notice you need to give before you go.
• request information on the type of 24 ......................................................... you will receive.

Steps you can take before you leave:

• Work to cause as little 25 ......................................................... as possible to the organisation.

• Make sure your successor has adequate guidance on the organisation's

systems.

In the resignation letter:

• avoid mentioning any 26 ......................................................... in the organisation.

• show appreciation for aspects of the job, e.g., the chance to improve your
27 ......................................................... .

• indicate your wish to leave everything in good order.

-. 113 p. 122 1 23