Euro B2 Diagnostic - Reading - QUESTION PAPER Page 1

Task Three: Multiple-Choice Reading (15 minutes) Questions 14-20

You will read an article about the life of a woman.
Read the following text.
Answer the multiple-choice questions about it and choose the correct answer: A, B, C or D.
Place a X in the appropriate box on your Answer Sheet.
Martha Helen Hooke
Martha Helen Hooke was born in New Zealand in 1916. She had two
older brothers and a younger sister. Her father was very strict and never
showed any affection to his children. He worked hard as a clerk with the
railways and never bought anything until he had the money in his hand.
Although her first name is Martha after her maternal grandmother, she
was always called Helen in the family. Her mother was determined that
all her children would get a good education and encouraged them all to
get a school leaving certificate. She wanted them to have a better life than
she did, because she was forced to leave school at a very early age to help
look after all her siblings. This was often the fate of the eldest daughter in
those days.
Martha was a good student and received her school leaving certificate after three years instead of
the usual four. She left school and studied shorthand and typing. After a series of unexciting jobs,
she finally took a position in a hardware and building firm, starting as a junior clerk and ending up
as secretary to the Managing Director. She left this position after seven years.
At 30, she started her training as a nurse. It was at this time that she met a young man and fell
in love. However, due to the fact that he was nine years younger than her, marriage was not
considered a possibility then. Heartbroken, she decided to leave New Zealand and went to Sydney
to get over it.
She settled down, gave up nursing, and made some good friends. It was through these friends that
she was to meet the real love of her life, her husband Richard. By this time she was 43 years old
and many people had thought she would never get married, Martha said afterwards cheekily, You
see miracles do happen if you wait long enough!
Richard and Martha had been married for five years when another miracle occurred - they were
given permission, due to Marthas nursing experience, to adopt a three months premature baby
boy who needed very special care and attention. Given all the loving care his doting parents
showered on him, he grew up to be a fine, strong handsome young man.
Martha went to Macquarie University when she was 68. Her main subject was English literature,
and she graduated in May 1990 aged 73. She even considered teaching for a while.
Martha remarked to her son that she would love to learn to use a computer. As a surprise, he
built one for her, using office discards where possible and had it ready for her 80th birthday
She always had aspirations towards writing, but other things seem to have got in the way.
Although writing a novel was beyond her, she has written a story, The Wedding Dress , which
illustrates her whimsical sense of humour and a highly original writing style.
Euro B2 Diagnostic - Reading - QUESTION PAPER Page 2
Questions for Task Three:
14 About Marthas family we know that
A they had a warm and loving relationship.
B her father didnt want to spend money on anything.
C that her grandmother gave her the name Martha.
D her father didnt like having debts.
15 Marthas mother
A was part of a large family.
B had to work hard to finish school.
C had an elder sister.
D had an adventurous life.
16 As a young woman, Martha
A didnt finish her studies.
B had several good jobs.
C worked for seven years as secretary.
D worked in a hardware shop.
17 Martha went to Sydney
A to become a nurse.
B because her future husband lived there.
C to recover from an emotional crisis.
D because she had some friends there.
18 In Sydney Martha
A first lived with friends.
B met her former love.
C thought she wouldnt get married.
D found happiness.
19 When Martha became old
A her son bought her a computer.
B she wanted to go to a computer course.
C she taught English literature.
D she received a special birthday present.
20 The author of this text wanted to introduce Martha because
A she is an excellent writer.
B she differs from the ordinary.
C she is a celebrity in Australia.
D of her age.