CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: UNIT 5 TEST

Unit 5 test
Reading exercise
Read the article, in which four people (A–D) describe their last holiday. Then answer questions (a)–(i).

My last holiday
A Yasmin
Last year, we went on holiday to Spain. I speak good Spanish and it’s nice to use it! My parents rented a villa
through a holiday company. Of course, often when you arrive somewhere new the reality is never as good as
the website image, but here the opposite was true! We loved exploring the area, but we were also happy just
spending time in each other’s company. It brought us closer together; we’re so busy that we had forgotten how
well we get on. The company we booked through also organised local sailing trips, and we went on one. We
imagined ourselves jumping off the boat, swimming in clear waters with dolphins, just like in the brochure.
That trip would have been a real highlight if only the dolphins had put in an appearance, as they were really
the reason we booked it to be honest. It was a shame, but the swimming was perfect.

B Lili
My last holiday was a trip to the state of Vermont in the USA. We were there in autumn, which is definitely the
time to go – the colours of the trees are incredible. We went to visit my aunt and my two cousins, which is always
fun. We live a long way away but we know each other really well – we keep in touch online, for example. They
live on a mountain, and while we were there, we spent one night camping at the top. I’d never had the chance
to go camping before, and I loved it. I helped carry our stuff 10 kilometres up the mountain to the camping spot,
and by the time we arrived I was proud to have discovered a determination I never knew I had! While we were
there, we met some volunteers who were making that same journey daily to plant trees on the mountain, which
I think was incredibly worthwhile.

C Sammy
Last year, I had what I think was probably the best holiday ever. My parents and I went to an island off the
coast of Scotland and stayed in a house right next to the beach. When I heard where we were going, I felt a bit
pessimistic. Because the island was small I assumed it would be boring, especially as it was just the three of us,
even though my parents and I generally get on really well. But it turned out that I need not have worried – there
would be plenty to keep us entertained. A quick search online showed us there was a fantastic range of activities
that we could book in advance, so by the time we arrived we already had a good idea of how we would fill our
days. One piece of advice I would pass on to visitors is to take plenty of insect spray if you go there – the tiny
biting flies can be really annoying!

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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: UNIT 5 TEST

D Melanie
My last holiday was when we went to Thailand for my parents’ wedding anniversary in November, which was
extra special! We stayed on the coast, and the beaches and the views were even more impressive that I had
imagined. On our first day, we just relaxed on the sand, but soon we wanted to explore. In the resort, we signed
up to spend a morning constructing safe areas for sea turtles to lay their eggs, which we all enjoyed. There was
even a late-night trip back to the site during the night to watch and see if any turtles came to visit! We were still
pretty tired from our flight so we decided to save that for later in the week. Unfortunately, we realised too late
that we should have reserved our places in advance, because it was a really popular trip and was fully booked.

For each question, write the correct letter A, B, C or D on the line.

Which person
(a) offers a recommendation for the best time to visit the area? .......... [1]
(b) admits to having had an unfair opinion about the place they went to? .......... [1]
(c) regrets not being quick enough to take up an opportunity during the holiday? .......... [1]
(d) explains the effect of their holiday on a relationship? .......... [1]
(e) mentions being impressed by some people they met? .......... [1]
(f) states that something they took part in benefited the local area? .......... [1]
(g) describes some preparations they made before going on holiday? .......... [1]
(h) mentions finding one holiday activity rather disappointing? .......... [1]
(i) describes feeling pleased about an achievement? .......... [1]
[Total: 9]

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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: UNIT 5 TEST

Writing exercise
Your class has just returned from a weekend camping trip. Your teacher wants you to write a report
about the trip, to help the school plan for the same event next year.
In your report, say what you liked about the camping trip, and suggest how it could be improved
next time.
Here are some comments from other students in your class:

There was lots to do

at the campsite.

The food wasn’t

very good.

We arrived really
late at night on the
first day.
The campsite staff
were really friendly.

Now write a report for your teacher.

The comments above may give you some ideas, and you should also use some ideas of your own.
Write about 120 to 160 words.
You will receive up to 6 marks for the content of your report and up to 9 marks for the language used.
[Total: 15]
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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: UNIT 5 TEST

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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: UNIT 5 TEST

05
Listening exercise
You will hear five short recordings. For each question, choose the correct answer,
A, B or C, and put a tick (ü) in the appropriate box.
You will hear each recording twice.
You will hear a girl talking about staying in a hotel.

1 Why did the girl’s family choose this particular hotel?

A It was a bargain price.

B It had unusual interior design.

C It was in a beautiful location.

[1]

2 What did the hotel organise for her family on the second day?

A free transport to the city centre

B an excursion to the coast

C advice from a personal trainer

[1]
You will hear a boy talking about an unusual trip he made.

3 Before the trip, how did the boy spend most of his time?

A He talked to a friend who had done something similar.

B He studied some old travel books.

C He watched a documentary.
[1]

4 What does he say about his experience?

A He was able to learn a lot about the local culture.

B It wasn’t difficult to stay in basic accommodation.

C The lack of public transport was inconvenient.

[1]

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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: UNIT 5 TEST

You will hear two students talking about a coach trip they went on.

5 What do they agree was the worst part of the coach trip?

A the boring scenery

B the frequent delays

C the lack of information about the schedule

[1]

6 What did the boy think was the best thing about the village they visited?

A the chance to meet friendly people

B its historic character

C the good food they enjoyed there

[1]
You will hear a teacher talking about something called ecotourism.

7 What does the teacher say ecotourism meant in the 1980s?

A working to protect animal species

B visiting beautiful wild places

C living a simple life far from home

[1]

8 What does the teacher think about ecotourism today?

A It is not totally realistic.

B It has not helped local economies.

C More people need to support it.

[1]

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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: UNIT 5 TEST

You will hear two friends talking about a hiking holiday they went on.

9 Before the holiday, what was the boy worried about?

A the need to be fit

B the unpredictable weather

C the relationships with others

[1]

10 What impressed the girl on the hiking holiday?

A the extra activities that were available

B the personal qualities of the leader

C the wild landscapes

[1]
[Total: 10]

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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: UNIT 5 TEST

Speaking exercise
If possible, record your response to this exercise.

GOING ON HOLIDAY

Your family are planning to go for a one-week holiday soon and are considering the following options:
• a holiday by the sea

• a holiday in your capital city

Discuss the positives and negatives of each option. Say which option you would prefer, and why.

[Total: 10]
[Unit test total: 44]

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