Unlock 3 - Reading - Progress Test 1

READING AND WRITING SKILLS 3
NAME DATE
MID-LEVEL TEST
UNITS 1 – 5
TIME 1 HOUR
INSTRUCTIONS
Do not open the test paper until your teacher tells you to.
Write your name and the date at the top of the paper.
Write your reading answers on this page.
Write your writing answers at the back of the test paper.
Reading passage 1
1 11
2 12
3 13
4 14
5 15
6 16
7 17
8 18
9 19
10 20
Try to answer all of the questions. You will not lose marks for wrong answers.
READING AND WRITING SKILLS 3 MID-LEVEL TEST PHOTOCOPIABLE © Cambridge University Press 2014
READING (20 MARKS)
You should spend about 20 – 30 minutes on Questions 1 – 20, which are based on the
Reading Passage.
DO WE REALLY NEED HIGH-SPEED RAIL ?

A In the 1980s, any train that could travel at 200 kph E Members of STOP HS2 argue that the
or more was considered to be a high-speed train. government’s research is wrong. They say that
Nowadays however, 300 kph is normal for high- similar projects in France have been unsuccessful
speed trains and some can go even faster. In in helping the unemployed find jobs and making
Europe, France has had high-speed trains since homes in big cities less expensive. In other words,
1981 and by 2014 it had more than 2,000 km they say that HS2 will have the opposite effect to
of high-speed track. Although Spain’s first HSR what the government wants: there will be even
service did not begin until 1992, by 2013 it fewer jobs in the north and London will become
already had over 3,000 km of track – more than even bigger and more expensive than it is today.
any other European country. High-Speed Rail F The central argument against HS2 is the
(HSR) is becoming more common and more negative effects that it will cause to local people
popular all over the world. and the environment. Hundreds of homes in
B The British government has decided to follow London will need to be destroyed before HS2
their European neighbours. They are planning to can be built, and outside of the city, large areas
spend £50 billion ($84 billion) on a new HSR of the countryside will also be affected. Some
line from London to the North of England. The opponents have even claimed that HS2 will
project, called High-Speed 2 (or HS2), will take cause damage to many beautiful, historical
15 years to complete. The government claims buildings – some of them more than 500 years
that HS2 will bring many benefits to the UK and old.
especially to the North of England. However, not G The government has predicted that HS2 will cost
everyone is happy. The group STOP HS2, which £50 billion ($84 billion). However, nobody can
already has thousands of members, argues that be certain how much the project will actually
the project is a complete waste of money. cost. Some economists argue that the cost
C The government has two main arguments for might be as much as £80 billion ($134 billion).
why it wants to invest in HSR. It argues that the Opponents of HS2 claim that the real cost may
main benefit is that it will help people to find be even higher than that because HS2 will still
work. HS2 will create thousands of new jobs need government money even after it has been
in areas of unemployment and after the project completed. In France, for example, it is estimated
has been completed it will make it easier for that about half the cost of HSR is met by
people to travel to different parts of the country government subsidy as it does not make enough
for work. money from passengers.
D The government also believes in a second benefit H The British government clearly needs to invest
to HS2. London is one of the most expensive in Britain’s aging rail network and at the same
cities in the world and so many people cannot time, make it easier for people to find jobs in the
afford to live there, even if they have a job, north of the country. However, on balance, it is
because flats and houses cost too much. However debatable whether the high costs, both financial
with HS2, the government believes that people and environmental, are worthwhile. Perhaps
who now live and work in London will be able to investment in the current rail network would
continue working in the south while also finding provide better results.
cheaper homes in the north.
1 READING AND WRITING SKILLS 3 MID-LEVEL TEST PHOTOCOPIABLE © Cambridge University Press 2014
READING FOR MAIN IDEAS
Questions 1 – 8
The eight paragraphs in the text are labelled A – H. Write the letter of the correct paragraph
next to each question, 1 – 8.
1 the cost of living in the capital
2 high-speed rail in Europe
3 an alternative rail solution
4 cost of running an HSR network
5 a campaign group against the British HSR plan
6 a case study showing jobs will flow the wrong way
7 the main reasons for funding HSR in Britain
8 environmental damage
SCANNING TO FIND INFORMATION
Questions 9 – 16
Answer questions 9 – 16 by writing NO MORE THAN ONE WORD OR A NUMBER in each gap.
9 A which can travel at 200 kph can be classified as ‘high-speed’.
10 In France received its first high-speed trains.
11 There is more than km of high-speed track in Spain.
12 Many additional are expected to come from HS2 in areas
where not everyone is in employment.
13 HS2 will allow London workers the opportunity to afford less expensive
in the North.
14 The construction work will have an effect on the .
15 Some think the true cost of HS2 will be $50 billion higher than
the government’s expected budget.
16 The do not pay enough to cover the cost of running the high-
speed trains in France.
IDENTIFYING PURPOSE AND AUDIENCE
Questions 17 – 20
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
17 STOP HS2 think the high-speed rail link
A is a reasonable use of public money.
B will damage beautiful buildings.
C is a misuse of public funds.
D will make people unhappy.
18 The British government
A wants to build cheap homes in the South.
B would like to make travel around the UK easier.
C wants people to build houses in the North of England.
D wants people to work in London.
19 STOP HS2
A is worried about the effects of the construction on the local people and land.
B is concerned about damage to many historic buildings.
C predicts the cost will be £50 billion.
D does not think that costs will be higher than predicted.
20 The author of the article
A thinks HS2 is probably a good idea.
B is certain HS2 is a very bad project.
C is in favour of investment in HS2.
D is unsure about the HS2 project.

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READING AND WRITING SKILLS 3

DO WE REALLY NEED HIGH-SPEED RAIL ?

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