Practice Test 5

Reading and Use of English 1 hour 15 minutes

PA RT 1
For questions 1 – 8, 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 occasions B times C events D days

0 A B C D

LEttEr writing

Because of national festivals such as Christmas or personal (0) ........ like birthdays, there is
undoubted pleasure in waiting for a letter to (1) ........ through the letterbox, as opposed to getting
a text or an email.

People love receiving handwritten letters, but are not as (2) ........ on replying to them. A survey of
letter writers in the UK showed that young people are among the most (3) ........ letter writers. They
are also prepared to begin emailing a person they may never meet.

Two of the survey’s (4) ........ were particularly interesting when taken together; while 94% of people
(5) ........ that a letter showed that someone had put time and thought into its (6) ........ , a large
proportion – 81% – said they would always (7) ........ to send an email or text, rather than write a
letter. Overall, almost a third thought that receiving good (8) ........ was the best thing about receiving
letters.

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1 A post B enter C drop D push

2 A keen B anxious C eager D fond

3 A usual B frequent C busy D ordinary

4 A problems B matters C results D decisions

5 A shared B wondered C liked D agreed

6 A creation B material C matter D argument

7 A desire B consider C prefer D enjoy

8 A details B facts C news D greetings

Reading and Use of English 93

 Practice Test 5, Reading and Use of English

PA RT 2
For questions 9 – 16, 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 E

Shopping list of the future

Foods with special health effects are the big idea of (0) ........ future. (9) ........ is claimed that
one milk drink will be able to protect people against cancer and another drink product will
increase brain power. These foods, known (10) ........ ‘functional foods’, are the result of
increased scientific understanding of (11) ........ makes a healthy diet.

One of the milk drink products is marketed in packs of seven tiny bottles – one for (12) ........
day of the week – and contains a thin brown liquid which is said to protect people against
various diseases. Another drink product is thought to be the answer to dental problems
caused (13) ........ sugary drinks. One manufacturer said: ‘We are moving to the position
(14) ........ we can tell which elements of food have which effects. (15) ........ the commercial
point of view, functional foods have a tremendous future.’ (16) ........ there is no question that
these foods have some value, the extent to which they really benefit health remains uncertain.

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PA RT 3
For questions 17 – 24, 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 space 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 R E C O G N I T I O N

thE PArALymPiCS

The Paralympic Games continue to gain (0) ................ worldwide, and like the rECOgniSE
Olympic Games they are held every four years immediately after the Summer
Olympics. (17) ................ come from all over the world to demonstrate their COmPEtE
sports skills and to join in the celebration of their athletic (18) ................ . AChiEVE

The rise of the Paralympics led to the first fully (19) ................ ‘parallel’ games nAtiOn
in Seoul in 1988. They were enormously (20) ................ and were followed by SUCCESS
even bigger events at subsequent Olympics.

The parathletes always show tremendous (21) ................ and commitment DEtErminE
and it is therefore (22) ................ that the Paralympics receive sponsorship SUrPriSE
and funding from all sorts of organisations, government bodies and private
businesses. The Paralympics have certainly caught the public’s (23) ................ AttEnD
and imagination. They seem set to reach even greater heights in the years to
come and are sure to become increasingly (24) ................ in the world of sport. inFLUEnCE

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 Practice Test 5, Reading and Use of English

PA RT 4
For questions 25 – 30, 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 The suitcase is not light enough for me to carry.

TOO

The suitcase ...................................................................................... for me to carry.

The gap can be filled by the words ‘is too heavy’, so you write:

Example: 0 IS TOO HEAVY

Write only the missing words in CAPitAL LEttErS on the separate answer sheet.

25 I lost my way because I didn’t take a map.

hAD

If I ......................................................................................... , I wouldn’t have lost my way.

26 Bill Gates is thought by many people to be among the richest men in the world.

thAt

Many people ......................................................................................... world’s richest men is

Bill Gates.

27 This coffee is too weak for me.

nOt

This coffee ......................................................................................... for me.

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28 Have you any idea who owns this house?

hOUSE

Have you any idea ......................................................................................... is?

29 It’s not my fault that the car was damaged.

BLAmE

Don’t ......................................................................................... being damaged.

30 Although my parents don’t have much money, they are very generous.

DESPitE

My parents are very generous ......................................................................................... much

money.

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 Practice Test 5, Reading and Use of English

PA RT 5
You are going to read a magazine article about a woman who helps business executives to improve
their image. For questions 31 – 36, 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.

Theatrical workshops – for business people

Maura Fay is a casting agent. That means she chooses actors for films, advertisements, soap
operas, and so on. Her life is filled with people who refer to each other as ‘darling’, even if
they have never met before, and who kiss the air in an artificial display of affection when they
meet. It is not an environment which is immediately attractive to serious business people.
Yet Maura Fay is now finding that her new courses, which are intended to improve nervous
executives’ presentation techniques, are being taken very seriously indeed.

‘It began,’ says Ms Fay, ‘about four years ago during one of the workshops I set up for actors
– not stars, but those who could take on small, character parts. Teenagers especially, or
people in their fifties and sixties who might well have talent, but simply have no idea of how
line 10 to present themselves in front of an audience. That’s when it struck me, in the middle of one
of these sessions. I suddenly thought, this is what the business community needs. I could see
that what I was doing had relevance beyond the world of actors.’

For Ms Fay it was obvious. Business people are trained to do business, not to perform. Yet
if they are to put across their ideas, their knowledge and their information in a memorable
way, they need to understand actors’ techniques. So Maura Fay set about teaching business
people how to win and influence their audiences, how to handle nerves, how to control
their breathing and how to make a good impression. It took a long time to put together a
comprehensive course but the outcome was worth it.

‘Most of our trainers are drama teachers. Many have been actors and some still are. In every
workshop we do, we involve professional actors. So you can be taught by someone you’ve seen
on television the night before. It’s all very exciting and part of the innovative management
thinking of the twenty-first century. Technology has changed the face of offices throughout the
world, but companies are also made up of people, and they are of fundamental importance.’

Some business communities have been slower to accept Maura Fay’s techniques. Meanwhile
other organisations are working along similar lines and using theatrical workshops not only
for putting across business ideas, but also for dealing with how people treat others. Theatrical
workshops, like music, can cross linguistic and cultural frontiers. Different nationalities will
interpret things in different ways, but that is one reason why a theatrical workshop is so
interesting and useful.

Maura Fay’s work is also concerned with how to do business in different cultures and she
employs actors from various countries to help with multi-cultural workshops. These actors
then demonstrate exactly how clients in their own countries would behave in certain business
situations, and that is a very valuable experience for companies looking to do business
overseas in a particular country.

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31 How have business people’s attitudes changed towards Maura Fay because of her new
courses?

A They value what she can offer them.

B They no longer take her seriously.
C They think she is a very good agent.
D They find her less convincing as a business person.

32 In line 10, ‘it’ refers to the idea of

A choosing young stars for new films.

B advertising Maura Fay’s existing courses.
C developing ideas for businesses.
D setting up business courses for actors.

33 What did Maura Fay think business people needed?

A to include more details in presentations

B to learn how to remember information
C to understand the importance of speaking more slowly
D to develop certain skills

34 How does Maura Fay feel about her business courses?

A They’re very hard work.

B They’re very up-to-date.
C They’re very impersonal.
D They’re very dramatic.

35 What does the writer say about theatrical workshops?

A Many participants find them challenging.

B They can focus on interpersonal relationships.
C They are the most successful part of Maura Fay’s work.
D Many participants attend more than one workshop.

36 What is the writer’s purpose in the text?

A to complain about new business training methods

B to help people change their profession
C to provide information about training people
D to argue that actors are good at business

Reading and Use of English 99

 Practice Test 5, Reading and Use of English

PA RT 6
You are going to read a newspaper article about tourism. Six sentences have been removed from
the article. Choose from the sentences A – g the one which fits each gap (37 – 42). There is one
extra sentence which you do not need to use.
Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Wish you weren’t here

From the Antarctic to Lapland, from Siberia to the There is also the psychological side, in which
Amazon rainforest, there are few places in the upmarket travellers grow to dislike a resort
world which are untouched by tourism. For those because it is no longer reserved for people like
who want to get away from other people and the themselves. So as the most popular destinations
pressure of everyday life, it is becoming become ‘ruined’, more people are looking for new
increasingly difficult to find privacy. Complaints destinations. 40
about the impact and the numbers and behaviour
of tourists are nothing new. As long ago as 1870 The Middle East has seen the fastest growth in
an English clergyman and diarist complained the number of foreign tourists visiting it over the
about British tourists being offensive. 37 past decade. Much of this is due to the enormous
increase in tourism among countries in the region
Until 1915 most European states did not require and huge investment in the development of
travellers to carry a passport for entry. But that tourist facilities.
changed with the growth of travel, which
increased after the Second World War. In 1950 There is little doubt that tourism can bring
there were 25 million tourists according to the enormous economic benefits. In some countries it
World Tourism Organisation; December 2012 saw may be the single biggest contributor to the
the symbolic arrival of the one billionth tourist; economy and the biggest employer. 41
an Englishman visiting Spain for three days.
38 However, the balance between running tourism
at a profit but not at the expense of natural
Holiday destinations which are far away from the resources has begun to concern everyone in the
mass-market package holiday hot spots are industry. The authorities in many of the world’s
considered by many people to convey a social developing destinations are becoming better at
status. Your position in society is higher if you can managing the environmental impact of their
take your holiday on an island which has remained foreign visitors. 42 This limitation
undeveloped, for example, well away from other reduces the bad effects on the environment and
people. But as more people follow, such an island maintains its attraction for the well-off travellers.
becomes increasingly less attractive. There is a This balance is important because a tourist
limit to the amount of deserted beach which any destination depends on the attractiveness of its
island can offer. 39 physical surroundings.

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 Test 5

A For example, Bhutan, sandwiched E Yet it was an Englishman, Thomas Cook,

between India and China, charges visitors who founded the travel agency which still
$250 a day, which increases income and bears his name and organised the first of
reduces numbers. many package holidays in 1841.

B The unspoilt gets spoilt as hotels and F By the year 2020 the number of tourists
casinos are built, golf courses mapped travelling internationally is expected to
out, and roads constructed through reach 1.6 billion a year.
areas of natural beauty.
g But the chances of finding such
C For many countries in the developing destinations is low, especially as growing
world, tourism is an ideal source of job numbers of people expect to travel.
creation and wealth, if managed properly.

D The Mediterranean, which attracts 120

million tourists a year, is known as one
of the dirtiest seas in the world.

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 Practice Test 5, Reading and Use of English

PA RT 7
You are going to read a magazine article in which some young people talk about their experience of
being young in the UK. For questions 43 – 52, choose from the young people (A – D). The people
may be chosen more than once.

Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

which person

expresses admiration for a parent? 43

sees a relative as a role model? 44

shares a sporting interest with a parent? 45

is looking forward to having a family? 46

is considering an active career? 47

is fashion-conscious? 48

hopes to spend time away without parents? 49

has parents who are annoyed by their habits? 50

regularly goes out with friends at weekends? 51

is suspicious of people in public life? 52

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 Test 5

Young lives
Children are growing up faster than ever. What is it really like to be a young person today?
Some young people talk openly and honestly about themselves.

A Simon (18) C Ewan (17)

I’m sport mad. Football, basketball, gymnastics,
I’m studying geography, maths and sciences,
cricket. I’d love to make a living from sport. My
although I think I’d eventually like to do something
parents get really fed up with me because I tend
with computers. I think if you know something
to plan my homework around what sport’s on
about computing, it’s much easier to get a job these
television.
days.
I don’t have much free time because of all the sport
I spend a lot of time at home with my sister and my
and training I do, although just occasionally I might
mum and dad. My father and I get on quite well and
go to a party at the weekend with some of my friends.
we watch a lot of sport together on TV, especially
I think my parents have always given me enough
football. During the week I have piles of homework
freedom, but even when I was younger I never
to do, but at weekends I like going out. I generally
really asked to stay out late or overnight because I’m
meet up with some of my schoolmates and we go
always up early to do my sports training.
into town to a cinema or a coffee bar.
Most people think marriage is very important, but
I’m quite fussy about my clothes and the way
I’m not so sure. I see myself getting an education
my hair looks, so although my mum buys all my
and a job, and then maybe I’ll settle down and get
clothes, I tell her what to get me – like the right
married.
jeans and trainers.
I don’t have much time for politicians as all they
B Rosie (15) seem to do is argue, and I think they put their
personal interest before the good of the country
I watch about an hour’s television every day and I because they want to get to the top.
watch videos a lot, too. I love action films, horror
films and comedy. At weekends I go swimming with D Laura (16)
my brothers and if I get bored in the evenings, I read
and draw. When I’m not at school I like to play football with
my brothers and I also like watching football on
I really respect my mother, who has done a great
television.
deal for us as my father is in the army and away from
home for long periods of time. My best friend lives opposite and we get on really
well together. We see each other most evenings
Every year we all go on holiday – me, my parents
but usually we stay in each other’s room chatting.
and my two brothers. We usually rent a cottage
She and I are about the same size so we share our
somewhere abroad and close to the sea. We went to
clothes.
France last year and that was brilliant – I actually
got to use my French when I had to ask for ice-cream The person I would most like to grow up to be like
and things. I think when I’m a bit older, I’d like to go is my grandmother because she’s done so much and
on holiday with my friends although I suppose I’d lived in lots of different countries. She’s creative,
expect my parents to pay for it! intelligent and talented, and is very active for her
age. I’d like to be just like her.
One day I hope I’ll have a husband and children,
which will be great, and I really want a car. And I
want to travel as well and be able to go on holidays
abroad.

Reading and Use of English 103

 Practice Test 5, Writing

Writing 1 hour 20 minutes

PA RT 1
You must answer this question. Write your answer in 140 – 190 words in an appropriate style.

1 In your English class you have been talking about the different reasons people have for
choosing to go on a particular type of holiday.

Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.

Essay question
Is it better to spend a holiday relaxing somewhere or to
have an active holiday doing sports?

Notes
Things to write about

1. why some people choose a relaxing holiday

2. why some people choose an active holiday
3. your own idea

Write your essay. You must use grammatically correct sentences with accurate spelling and
punctuation in a style appropriate for the situation.

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 Test 5

PA RT 2
Write an answer to one of the questions 2 – 4 in this part. Write your answer in 140 – 190 words in
an appropriate style.

2 Your friend is recovering from an operation and has been feeling rather bored. Write a letter
suggesting something you could both do while he/she has to stay at home which would cheer
him/her up.

Write your letter.

3 You have just seen this message on an internet site which has book reviews.

We’re always looking for more book reviews! This month we’re
looking for reviews of books that have a particularly interesting
female character. Would you like to write a review for the website?
We’d love to hear from you.

Write your review.

4 Your English teacher has asked you to write a report on websites for learning English. You
should consider the types of activities they offer and whether the websites have materials for
all levels of English. You should also say which ages the material is suitable for.

Write your report.

Writing 105
 Practice Test 5, Listening

Listening 40 minutes

PA RT 1
You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1 – 8, choose the best answer,
(A, B or C).

1 You hear a man explaining something to a child.

What is he talking about?

A a computer game
B a telescope
C a camera

2 You hear a man talking to a friend about a shop he went to recently.

What is his opinion of the shop?

A The range of clothes was limited.

B The shop assistants were unhelpful.
C The layout of the store was confusing.

3 You hear two friends talking about a journey.

What happened?

A The flight was very late.

B The flight was cancelled.
C The train was delayed.

4 You hear a man talking to his wife about the football match he has just been to.

How does he feel about the match?

A irritated by the referee’s attitude

B glad that the players are experienced
C critical of the condition of the pitch

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 Test 5

5 You overhear a man talking to his colleague on the phone.

What does he want to borrow?

A some keys
B a document
C a computer

6 You hear a woman talking to a hotel receptionist.

Why is she complaining?

A The air conditioning in her room doesn’t work.

B She is disturbed by noise from the hotel night club.
C Her breakfast was served late this morning.

7 You hear a boy talking about a day out.

Where has he been?

A an air show
B a swimming pool
C an aquarium

8 You hear a woman talking to her sister.

What does she want her sister to do?

A iron some clothes

B do the shopping
C cook a meal

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 Practice Test 5, Listening

PA RT 2
You will hear part of a radio programme in which an expert, Charlie Barlow, talks about sleep. For
questions 9 – 18, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.

SLEEP

According to Charlie, apart from babies, (9) ................................................ need the most
sleep.

An organisation in northern England runs an activity called

‘ (10) ................................................ Sleep’.

Charlie says people sleep best in conditions where there is no

(11) ................................................ .

Charlie explains that people need to feel warm and (12) ................................................ if they
are to sleep well.

A very narrow (13) ................................................ leads to the cave.

Charlie suggests that people should take a (14) ................................................ for the
sleep activity.

People who have slept in the cave say that their (15) ................................................ has
improved.

Charlie believes that people who go to bed after (16) ................................................ do not
get quality sleep.

Charlie explains that sleeping on your back is good for people who suffer from pain in their
(17) ................................................ .

People who do not sleep enough can develop health problems such as poor
(18) ................................................ .

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 Test 5

PA RT 3
You will hear five different people talking about a famous film star. For questions 19 – 23, choose
from the list A – h which of the opinions each speaker expresses. Use the letters only once. There
are three extra letters which you do not need to use.

A She is a moody person. Speaker 1 19

B She is very ambitious.

Speaker 2 20
C She ignores criticism.

D She is quite secretive.

Speaker 3 21
E She is well liked by foreign audiences.

F She is a modest person.

Speaker 4 22
g She enjoys attention.

h She is not very talented. Speaker 5 23

Listening 109
 Practice Test 5, Listening

PA RT 4
You will hear a radio discussion about an arts festival. For questions 24 – 30, choose the best
answer (A, B or C).

24 What did Roland Welsh feel about his trip before he went?

A He was not keen on the idea.

B He thought it sounded excellent.
C He had heard it was quite dull.

25 The weekend consisted of

A getting discounted tickets for shows.

B watching live entertainment.
C queuing for various shows.

26 What surprises the interviewer?

A Tourists get free invitations.

B People perform for nothing.
C Visitors buy cheap tickets.

27 Some events last

A the whole evening.

B over two hours.
C less than an hour.

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 Test 5

28 What impressed Roland about the weekend?

A the careful planning

B the range of activities
C the original ideas

29 How was the city kept clean?

A It was swept at the end of the day.

B It was cleared at the end of the festival.
C It was cleaned throughout the day.

30 What is Roland’s opinion of the weekend?

A It must be expensive to run.

B It’s not something to do every year.
C It’s very effective advertising.

Listening 111
 Practice Test 5, Speaking

Speaking 14 minutes

PA RT 1 (2 minutes)
The teacher (interlocutor) invites each candidate to speak in turn and give personal information
about themselves.
Candidates can expect a variety of questions, some of which will require short answers, and some
requiring longer answers about their present circumstances, past experiences and future plans,
such as:
Where are you from?
What are you studying? / What does your job involve?
How important is learning English for you?
What kind of music do you most enjoy listening to?
How interested are you in either playing or watching sport?
What do you want to do in the future?
Candidates talk to each other and the interlocutor.

PA RT 2 (4 minutes)
teacher In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like you to talk
about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a question
about your partner’s photographs.
X, it’s your turn first. Here are your two photographs. They show people enjoying
themselves.
(Show photos 1 and 2 on page 133 to X.)
I’d like you to compare the photographs and say why you think these people have
chosen to enjoy themselves in this way.
All right?
(Allow about a minute for X to talk without interruption.)
Thank you.
y, which of these activities would you most enjoy? … Why?
(Allow Y about 30 seconds.)
Thank you. Now y, here are your photographs. They show people living in the
countryside.
(Show photos 3 and 4 on page 134 to Y.)
I’d like you to compare the photographs and say what you think are the advantages and
disadvantages for these people of living in the country.
All right?
(Allow about a minute for Y to talk without interruption.)
Thank you.
X, would you rather live in a town or in the country? … Why?
(Allow X about 30 seconds.)
Thank you.

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 Test 5

PA RT 3 (4 minutes)
teacher Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.
I’d like you to imagine that a website is recommending different ways for young people
to keep in touch. Here are some of the ways that they could use and a question for you
to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task.
(Show the diagram on page 135 to X and Y. Allow 15 seconds.)
Now, talk to each other about the advantages and disadvantages of keeping in touch in
these different ways.
(Allow two minutes.)
Thank you.
Now you have about a minute to decide which two ways are the most suitable for young
people to keep in touch.
(Allow one minute.)
Thank you.

PA RT 4 (4 minutes)
teacher How important do you think it is to keep in touch with people?
Do you prefer to receive an electronic card or a paper card on your birthday?
Why? / Why not?
Why do you think many young people like to spend time phoning the friends they see
at school / college every day?
Some people want to have as many ‘friends’ as possible on social networking sites.
What do you think about that?
How important do you think face-to-face communication is?
Do you think that using a pen / pencil to write with is a skill that will be unnecessary in
the future? Why? / Why not?
Thank you. That is the end of the test.

Speaking 113
 Visual materials 133
Visual materials for Test 5
Why have the people chosen to enjoy themselves in this way?

2
Diagram for Part 3
workshops where
a comfortable café people make copies of
museum exhibits
How successful might
3-D films on topics relating these ideas be for virtual computer tours
to museum exhibits attracting more visitors of outer space, etc.
to a museum?
Visual materials for Test 4

interactive exhibits

132
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4
3
Visual materials for Test 5
What are the advantages and disadvantages for these people of living in the country?

Diagram for Part 3

using social networking

using email
sites

What are the advantages

and disadvantages of sending handwritten
talking on the phone
keeping in touch in these letters
different ways?

meeting up with people

Visual materials for Test 5

Visual materials 135

134
4
3
Visual materials for Test 5
What are the advantages and disadvantages for these people of living in the country?

Diagram for Part 3

using social networking

using email
sites

What are the advantages

and disadvantages of sending handwritten
talking on the phone
keeping in touch in these letters
different ways?

meeting up with people

Visual materials for Test 5

Visual materials 135