Reading and Writing

Placement Test A

Name:____________________ Date:________________
Section A
Read the article. Then answer questions 1-12.

Monopoly

Some claim that the original version of the game Monopoly started around 1900, and that it was
developed as a way of explaining tax laws. The best-known version of the story, however – and
the one that is generally accepted as correct – is that it was invented in 1934 by a man named
Charles B. Darrow from Germantown, Pennsylvania. Darrow made the game himself and sold it
on a small scale to friends and some small stores, before it was taken over by the games
company, Parker Brothers. At that time, the world was going through a severe financial crisis,
and the idea of becoming very rich – even in a game – appealed to many.

The object of the game is to make as much money as possible. Players do this by buying up
‘properties’ as they go around the board. They can then choose to spend money developing these
properties with the purpose of charging a higher ‘rent’ to other players who land on them.
Players aim to own as many properties as possible so that they eventually make their opponents
so poor that they have to leave the game. The winner is either the player who owns so many
properties that the other players have to drop out or the player with the most money after an
agreed time limit. Of course, it’s only Monopoly money, made out of small pieces of paper that
come with the game, and which is looked after by the ‘banker’. It isn’t the players’ own money.

Part of the fun of the game is enjoying seeing your opponents losing their money. This has led to
a certain amount of criticism, however. Some people point out that it is not healthy to encourage
young people to value money so highly. They also say that the game is based on unhealthy
competition and does not teach good moral values. Although a lot of people say that the game
helps develop useful skills for real life, some feel that it is unfair to make fun of people because
they become poor.

Despite the criticism, there is no doubt that the game has been extremely popular. The number of
games sold throughout its history is measured in the hundreds of millions. Several changes have
been made in the last 80 years and many updated versions have appeared in different countries.
One version, made with gold and silver pieces, sold for $25,000.

A. Read the statements. Write T (true) or F (false).

_______ 1. Darrow created the game of Monopoly
_______ 2. The object of Monopoly is to make as much real money as possible.
_______ 3. Players buy properties which other players pay rent for when they land on them.
_______ 4. People criticize Monopoly because it encourages negative values.
_______ 5. Playing Monopoly can help people develop practical experience.
_______ 6. Monopoly hasn’t changed since it was first designed.

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 Reading and Writing
Placement Test A

B. Match each underlined word with the noun it is referring to in the text. There is one
noun that you do not need.

______ 7. It was originally created to explain tax laws. A. criticism

______ 8. The world was suffering from it when Monopoly was B. players
invented. C. Monopoly
______ 9. They buy up properties as they move around the board. D. money
______ 10.You can charge this to people who land on your E. a time limit
properties. F. rent
______ 11. You could agree on this before you start to play the G. a financial crisis
game.
______ 12. Monopoly has received a lot of it over the years.
1 point for each correct answer 12

Section B
One of the sentences is incorrect. Identify the incorrect sentence and write it correctly.

13.
I don’t live in the city.
He doesn’t lives in the city.
My children don’t go to school.
______________________________________________

14
I didn’t went on holiday.
He spoke English well.
She played hockey over the weekend.
______________________________________________

15
He watched TV when the phone rang.
We were living in Paris when we met.
When you came home I was cooking dinner.
______________________________________________

16
She has been a teacher for two years.
He has wrote two books.
I’ve lived here since I was six.
______________________________________________
17

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 Reading and Writing
Placement Test A

We haven’t met before, have we?

You don’t like Chinese food, do you?
She moved to France last year, hasn’t she?
______________________________________________

18
Coffee has been grown in South America for a long time.
Arabic spoken in Baghdad.
She wasn’t born until 1979.
______________________________________________

19
She won’t be ready until 5.
Breakfast will be served at 9.
By six, I have been here for an hour.
______________________________________________

20
He had been married before.
I’ve met the manager already.
I wish I have more time.
______________________________________________

1 point for each correct answer 8

Section C
Complete the sentence. Choose A, B, or C.
21. He is my aunt’s son, so that means he’s my ____________.
A. nephew B. cousin C. brother

22. In order to ________________ your English, you must communicate every day.
A. increase B. better C. improve

23. The students worked all night because they’d made a _______________ to turn in their
project the next day.
A. solution B. problem C. commitment

24. Some lights can _____________when you are in the room.

A. discover B. sense C. occur

25. I am looking for a more _____________ work schedule that will let me get home at the same
time every evening.

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 Reading and Writing
Placement Test A

A. successful B. sensitive C. stable

26. Graduating from college is a great________________ in a person’s life.

A. achievement B. reward C. performance

27. Ads often _________________ that a product is perfect for you.

A. ignore B. imply C. prove

28. __________, his application was not successful on this occasion.

A. Unfortunately B. Usually C. Significantly

1 point for each correct answer 8

Section D
Put the word(s) from the word bank into the correct sentence. There are two word(s) that
you do not need.

while / despite / for example / although / in addition to / unless / therefore / alternatively

29. The customers complained about the air conditioning _____ the dirty bathroom.
30. She recovered from the illness _____ the doctors didn’t expect her to.
31. She spent every night studying for the exam, _____ she passed.
32. I love sleeping _____ it’s raining outside.
33. Several medicines could be used in the situation, _____ paracetamol or ibuprofen.
34. You’ll be late for work _____ you leave now.

1 point for each correct answer 6

Section E
Read about city breaks and answer the questions.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a large, well-developed city in South East Asia and is the capital of Malaysia.
With a range of religions and peoples, the city has modern, almost futuristic architecture as well
as historic temples, mosques and high rise apartment buildings. There are wonderful restaurants
and a great bird park. The Batu caves are a real highlight and they’re free!

Tallinn

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 Reading and Writing
Placement Test A

Tallinn is small city on the Baltic sea in Estonia. With five-star cultural attractions, Tallin is a
beautiful medieval city with hill top towers, ancient streets and historic churches. Tallinn is also
great value. You'll pay a lot for food and drink inside the Old Town walls, but in the rest of the
city, prices are very reasonable.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is an historic city and the capital of Scotland. It has famous sites such as the Castle,
the palace of Holyrood and the Royal Mile. Edinburgh isn’t a busy city and if you have time, you
can walk around the Botanic Gardens, up Arthur’s Seat or to the docks. The restaurants and pubs
have world class food and the locals are friendly.

A. Choose the correct title for each review. There is one title you do not need.

A) A historic but expensive city B) Enjoy quiet history and fine dining
C) A modern city with a mix of cultures D) Best cultural destination on a budget

35. _____ Kuala Lumpur

36. _____ Tallinn
37. _____ Edinburgh

B. Choose the best conclusion for each city review. There is one error of spelling or
punctuation in each one. Correct it.

38. _____ Visit this city if you enjoy a mix of British history and fresh air.
39. _____ This is a city for travelers who don’t mind getting lost in steep, narrow streets.
40. _____ Are you looking for variety and diversity. Then this place is for you.

1 point for each correct answer 6

Total score 40

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