TATCDR2 –PRACTICE TEST 4- STRATEGIES UNETI

PRACTICE TEST 4
PART 1: LISTENING
Questions: 1-5
You will hear five short conversations.
You will hear each conversation twice. There is one question for each
conversation.
For questions 1-5, put a tick (✓) under the right answer.
Example:
0. How many peole were at the meeting?

A B C
1. How will Jill go to the football match?

A B C
2. Who’s going to visit the woman?

A B C
3. What will Ruby do tonight?

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A B C
4. How much did the woman’s desk cost?

A B C
5. Where is the man’s watch?

A B C

PART 2: (part 2- test 1-pet 4)

Questions: 6-11
Listen and circle the correct option to compelete the sentences
You will here interview with Angela Morgan, who has recently flown around the
world in a helicopter.
For each question, circle in the correct answers.
6. The main reason for Angela’s trip was to
A. Make money for her business
B. Make money for other people
C. Have an exciting adventure
7. What does Angela say about her life now?

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A. She feels much older.

B. She likes to be active and busy
C. She is lonely without her children.
8. When Angle had fiving lessons
A. Her course lasted five months.
B. Her husband took lesson as well
C. She got to know her teacher well
9. What did Angela enjoy most about the trip?
A. Flying at night
B. Walking in the desert
C. Watching the changes in the scenery.
10. What did Angela miss most while she was away?
A. Modern bathrooms
B. Regular exercise
C. Interesting entertainment

PART 3:
Questions: 11-15
Listen and decide True(T) or False (F) for these sentences (2.5 marks)
11. Llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos are all related to camels.
12. Llamas are the smallest of the four.
13. Llamas only spit at humans if you treat them badly.
14. Alpacas look as if they are sad.
15. Llamas and alpacas can’t live in the UK.

PART 4:
Question 16-25
Fill each of the blanks with ONE suitable word. You will hear twice. (2.5 marks)
FAVOURITE THING
A (boy)
My favourite thing has to be my new tablet. It’s really light and quite small, so I take it
with me everywhere. I’m always writing messages to friends and it’s big enough to do
college work on it too. It (16) ______ really good photos, and I play games and listen to
music on it as well, of course. I often download films onto it and watch them in bed. My
mum says I’m (17) ______, because I’m always on it. I even read things on it at breakfast

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time. I’m not allowed to at dinner time, though. I have to be polite and talk to people
then.“Welcome back to real life," my mum says.
B (girl)
My favourite thing? Does my cat count as a thing? She’s not really a thing, but anyway.
She’s a really beautiful little cat. I’ve had her since she was four months old. You know
how some cats are really (18) ______ and hardly talk to you? I know cats don’t really
talk, but you know what I mean. Well, she’s not like that at all. She’s really (19) ______
and comes up to me as soon as I get home, purring away like mad. She makes a lot of
noise for a tiny thing. She loves being stroked and comes and curls up next to me when
I’m on the sofa. She’s great company.
C (boy)
My new scooter! It’s quite small, but fun, and just what I needed for getting around the
city. I used to have quite a long walk to the metro, then a longish walk at the other end
to get to college. But now I can just whiz there on my (20) ______ And there’s no
problem parking, there’s always space for it. You have to be careful with the cars and
lorries – they don’t always see you – and when it rains the surface of the road is terrible,
it gets really (21) ______ But in general it’s perfect for me, and I can fit a friend on the
back too – I’ve got an extra helmet for a friend. It’s great. Riding along makes me feel
so free.
D (girl)
This might sound a bit old-fashioned, but my sewing machine is my favourite thing. I’m
studying fashion and love making things, as well as (22) ______ them. I also love clothes
myself and often buy second-hand clothes – everyone loves the “vintage” look at the
moment – and then I adapt them to my size. It’s much easier using a machine to do that
than doing it by hand. I do alterations for my mum and my sister too. If I don’t make it
as a designer, I suppose I can always set up my own alterations and customising
business. (23) ______ clothes, by taking things off and adding things on, is actually very
creative, so I wouldn’t mind that.
E (boy)
My set of Japanese knives. That sounds a bit sinister, doesn’t it, but I’m not a murderer
or anything. They’re chef’s knives and the best ones come from Japan. Cooking is my
new hobby. I got into it when I started watching Masterchef on TV. Then I went to an
evening class for beginners, and I haven’t looked back since. I try and have a dinner for
between four and eight friends every two or three weeks. That gives me something to
work (24) ______ and I always do new dishes so they can try them out and give me
feedback. It’s quite an expensive hobby if you use good(25) ______, but now my friends
help towards the cost. They still get a good meal for a very low price.

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PART 2: READING
I. Which notice (A-H) says this (1 - 20) (2.5 mark)
For questions 1 - 20, mark the correct letter A-H on your answer sheet.
Example:
You can’t pay by check.
1. You can leave your luggage here.
2. They need someone to work here.
3. Please let anybody carrying a lot of
bags sit here.
4. You must not leave any food here.
5. You must not take photographs in
here.
6. You can pay more cheaply for all
travel books.
7. You must not eat here.
8. You cannot come here
tomorrow.
9. Go here if you need help.
10. You can only buy your ticket
here if you have cash.
UNETI
Answer: A B C D E F G H
A Please take your picnic things home,
after eating
B City Trains
Please put large bags between seats
ACCIDENT
C These ticket machines take $10
No credit cards
D These seats are for people with
heavy suitcase
WANTED – Sales assistant to help in
E
children’s book department
Can’t find the right book?
F
Ask at the information desk
G BUY NOW, PAY LATER
0% INTEREST
SOUTHPORT ART MUSEUM
H Sorry, no cameras
I SALE
All travel books – half price
J Please do not take any
food or drink into theatre
K The ABC cinema closes for two
weeks today for repairs
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III. Clozet text (2.5 marks)

For questions 11-20, read the text below and choose the correct word for each
space and mark the correct letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet.
Example:
0 A. of B. down C. in D. through
Answer: A B C D
The Rockies
The Rocky Mountain run almost the length (0) ………….. North America. They start
in the North-west, but lie only a (11) ………….. hundred miles from the centre in more
southern areas. Although the Rockies are smaller (12) ………….. the Alps, they are no
less wonderful.
There are many roads across the Rockies, (13) ………….. the best way to see them is
to (14) ………….. by train. You start from Vancouver, (15) ………….. most attractive
of Canada’s big cities. Standing with its feet in the water and its head in the mountains,
this city (16) ………….. its residents to ski on slopes just 15 minutes by car from the
city (17) …………...
Thirty passenger trains a day used to (18) ………….. off from Vancouver on the cross-
continent railway. Now there are just three a week, but the ride is still a great adventure.
You sleep on board, (19) ………….. is fun, but travel through some of the best (20)
………….. at night.
11. A. few B. lot C. many D. couple
12. A. from B. to C. as D. than
13. A. but B. because C. unless D. since
14. A. drive B. travel C. ride D. pass
15. A. a B. one C. the D. its
16. A. lets B. allows C. offers D. gives
17. A. centre B. circle C. middle D. heart
18. A. leave B. get C. take D. set
19. A. when B. which C. who D. where
20. A. scenery B. view C. site D. beauty

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IV. READING COMPREHENSION (3 marks)

Passage 1
Read the passage and choose the best answer to each question
If you want to take the whole family on holiday, and keep everybody happy, then I
have found just the palace for you. I recently went with a group of friends to stay at the
Greenwood Holiday Village, which is open from May until October.
Built in the centre of a forest, Greenwood is a great place to stay whatever the
weather. Its main attraction for families is the indoor World of Water, where young and
old can have fun in the different pools.Some of these, however, are for serious swimmers
only.
For sporty people, The Country Club offers tennis, squash and badminton. If your
children are too young to join in these sports, there are activity clubs. Greenwood is a
good place for families as it is traffic-free – you explore on foot or by bike. Some people
complained that this was inconvenient, but I was pleased to be out in the fresh air. For
evening entertainment, there are shows and cinemas.
Accommodation is in a variety of apartments of different sizes. These have up to
four bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom, as well as a dining area. Before going, I
thought the apartments might not be big enough for all of us, But I was pleasantly
surprised – it was not too crowded at all.
I’ll definitely go back to Greenwood next year. Why don’t you give it a try? Visit
their website for further information now!
21. What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this text?
A. to give her opinion of the holiday village
B. to describe what her family did at the holiday village
C. to give advice to a friend going to the home village
D. to complain about the holiday village
22. From the text, the reader can find out ___________
A. the best way to get to the holiday village
B. the best time of year to visit the holiday village
C. what activities are available at the holiday village
D. how to reserve accommodation a the holiday village
23. What does the writer think about the holiday village?
A. The apartments there are not big enough.
B. It is not convenient because you cannot use your car.
C. It can only be enjoyed in good weather.
D. There is something there for all ages.
24. What does the writer say about the apartments?

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A. There is not much space between them.

B. Each one has its own bathroom.
C. They all have four bedrooms.
D. Not all of them have dining areas
25. Which postcard would somebody send from the holiday village

Passage 2
Read the passage and choose the best answer to each question.
COLORS AND EMOTIONS
Colors are one of the most exciting experiences in life. I love them, and they are
just as important to me as emotions are. Have you ever wondered how the two are so
intimately related?
Color directly affects your emotions. Color both reflects the current state of your
emotions, and is something that you can use to improve or change your emotions. The
color that you choose to wear either reflects your current state of being, or reflects the
color or emotion that you need.
The colors that you wear affect you much more than they affect the people around
you. Of course they also affect anyone who looks at or sees you, but you are the one
cope with the color all day! I even choose items around me based on their color. In the
morning, I choose my clothes based on the color or emotion that I need for the day. So
you can consciously use color to control the emotions that you are exposed to, which
can help you to feel better.
Colors, sound, and emotions are all vibrations. Emotions are literally energy in
motion; they are meant to move and flow. This is the reason why real feelings are the
fastest way to get your energy in motion. Also, flowing energy is exactly what creates
healthy cells in your body. So, the fastest way to be healthy is to be open to your real
feelings. Alternately, the fastest way to create disease is to inhibit your emotions.
26. What is the main idea of the passage?

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A. Colorful clothes can change your mood.

B. Emotions and colors are closely related to each other.
C. Colors can help you become healthy.
D. Colors are one of the most exciting.
27. Which of the following can be affected by color?
A. Your need for thrills. B. Your friend’s feeling
C. Your appetite. D. Your mood.
28. Who is more influenced by colors you wear?
A. The people around you are more influenced.
B. Neither A nor C.
C. You are more influenced.
D. Both A and C.
29. The word “they” in paragraph 3 refers to………
A. emotions B. people C. colors D. none of the above
30. What is the purpose of the passage?
A. To persuade the reader that colors can influence emotions and give a person
move energy.
B. To show that colors are important for a healthy life.
C. To give an objective account of how colors affect emotions.
D. To prove the relationship between color and emotion.
Passage 3
Read the passage and choose the best answer to each question.
Flatfish
Members of the flatfish family, sand dabs and flounders, have an evolutionary advantage
over many colorfully decorated ocean neighbors in that they are able to adapt their body
coloration to different environments. These aquatic chameleons have flattened bodies
that are well-suited to life along the ocean floor in the shallower areas of the continental
shelf that they inhabit. They also have remarkably sensitive color Vision that registers
the subtlest gradations on the sea bottom and in the sea life around them. Information
about the coloration of the environment is carried through the nervous System to
chromatophores, which are pigment-carrying skin cells. These chromatophores are able
to accurately reproduce not only the colors but also the texture of the ocean floor. Each
time that a sand dab or flounder finds itself in a new environment, the pattern on the
body of the fish adapts to fit in with the color and texture around it.
31. It is NOT stated in the passage that sand dabs _________.
A. are a type of flattish

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B. are in the same family as flounders

C. have evolved
D. are colorfully decorated
32. According to the passages, it is NOT true that sand dabs and flounders ________.
A. have flattened bodies
B. live along the ocean floor
C. live in the deepest part of the ocean
D. live along the continental shelf
33. All of the following are stated about the Vision of sand dabs and flounders
EXCEPT that they are _________.
A. overly sensitive to light
B. able to see colors
C. able to see the sea bottom
D. aware of their surroundings
34. It is NOT true that chromatophores ___________.
A. are skin cells
B. carry pigment
C. adapt to surrounding colors
D. change the ocean floor
35. It is NOT mentioned in the passage that sand dabs and flounders __________.
A. move to new environments
B. adapt their behavior
C. can change color
D. adapt to textures around them
Passage 4
Read the passage and choose the best answer to each question.
Although dinosaurs roamed virtually the whole earth for 160 million years, dinosaur
skeletons are relatively scarce. Many dinosaurs are known only from a single tooth or
bone chip. The reason is that it takes very special conditions to make a fossil and a lot
of luck to find one.
For many years, information about Tyrannosaurus rex was sketchy at best. However, in
the summer of 1990, the first nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever found
was excavated in the Montana badlands. That same year a second, even more complete,
skeleton was found in South Dakota. Together these skeletons yielded surprising new
insights into the most famous of the dinosaurs, about the anatomy and behavior of T.
rex and the world in which it lived.

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Among the surprising discoveries were that T. rex was a far sleeker, but more powerful,
carnivore than previously thought, perhaps weighing less than 61/2 tons, no more than
a bull elephant, and that T. Rex’ s habitat was forest, not swamp or plain as previously
believed. Moreover, there appears to have been two forms of T. rex, the male quite
different from the female. Scientists hope that future fossil discoveries and increasingly
more sophisticated techniques will provide more accurate and complete information
about not only T. rex but all the dinosaurs, giving us a window on the world so many
millions of years into the past.
36. It can be inferred from the passage that much of what scientists know about T. rex
___________.
A. has been known for many years
B. has not come from fossil discoveries
C. has been derived from the most sophisticated techniques
D. Has been recently discovered
37. The passage implies that fossils ____________.
A. are usually found in the Midwest
B. are usually found in beds containing complete skeletons
C. are few in comparison to the number of dinosaurs that roamed the earth
D. are easy to discover but difficult to excavate
38. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
A. Interest in fossils is relatively recent.
B. It takes advanced techniques to find fossils.
C. The search for fossils has been going on for many years.
D. Dinosaurs were continued to a relatively small area.
39. Which of the following can be inferred about T. rex?
A. It was a small but powerful dinosaur.
B. It was a strong, meat-eating dinosaur.
C. It was a fast, plains-dwelling dinosaur.
D. It was a gigantic, forest-dwelling dinosaur.
40. The passage implies which of the following?
A. Not all the conclusions scientists make are accurate.
B. We have all the information we need about life millions of years ago.
C. New discoveries are confirming old theories.
D. A whole skeleton is required for information about a dinosaur.

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PART 2: WRITING
I. Write letter (3.5 marks)
You have just started a new summer job. Write an email to your English friend, Pat.
Say:
• What your new job is
• Which days you work
• Why you like it
Now write the email on your answer sheet. (80-100 words)
II. Write essay (6.5 marks)
Write an essay about public transportation in Vietnam (120-150 words)

PART 4: SPEAKING
I. Introduce yourself (2 marks)
II. Topic. (5 points)
Talk about - The most interesting place you have been to.
III. Free talk (3 marks)

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KEY
PRACTICE TEST 4
LISTENING
PART 1:
1B 2A 3C 4A 5B
PART 2:
PART 3:
11F 12F 13T 14F 15F
PART 4
16-takes
17-addicted
18- independent
19-affectionate
20- scooter
21- slippery
22- designing
23-Customising
24-towards
25- ingredients
READING
1. B 5. H 9. G 13. A 17. A 21. A 25. C 29. C 33.A 37.C
2. E 6. I 10. C 14. B 18. D 22. C 26. B 30. A 34.D 38.C
3. D 7.J 11. A 15. C 19. B 23. D 27. D 31.D 35.B 39.B
4. A 8. K 12. D 16. B 20. A 24. B 28. C 32.C 36.D 40.A

TRANSCRIPT
PRACTICE TEST 4
Part 1:
Now look at the instructions for Part One.
You will hear five short conversations. You will hear each conversation twice. There is
one question for each conversation. For questions 1-5, put a tick under the right answer.
Here is an example:
How many people were at the meeting?
Woman: were there many people at the meeting?
Man: about thirty.
Woman: that’s not many.
Man: No,but more than last time.
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The answer is thirty ,so there is a tick in box C. Now we are ready to start. Look at
question one.
Question 1:
One. What are the boys going to do?
Boy: Let’s go fishing. You never want to play football unless there’s a lot of people.
And it’s too hot to play tennis, isn’t it?
Friend: I don’t think so. If we play in the park, we can go and get a drink in the cafe’
there afterwards.
Boy: Well, all right... but I don’t want to play for long.
Friend: Ok. It’ll be fun, you’ll see, and fishing is boring anyway.
Now listen again.
Question 2:
Two . Which tent does the girl choose?
Man: This tent’s very nice- it’s big enough to stand up in.
Girl: But I need one that I can carry.
Man: This round one’s for three people, and not too heavy. And this one here is for two
people, so it’s even lighter.
Girl: Oh, that’ll be best. I’m travelling alone but the extra space will be nice.
Question 3:
Three. Which one is Ruth’s bike?
Girl: I’m taking your bike to the library, Ruth. Is that all right?
Friend: Fine. You can use the bag on the back to put your books in.
Girl: Yours has got a water bottle too, hasn’t it? I don’t want to take the wrong one.
Friend: That’s right.
Now listen again.
Question 4: Four. What does Sarah’s dad do?
Boy: Are your mum and dad both doctors, Sarah? I saw them in the hospital together
yesterday.
Girl: Only my mum is. My dad was a cook, but he works for he works for the hospital
now. He drives an ambulance.
Boy: That’s nice for them, to work in the same place.
Girl: Yes,my dad is much happier now.
Now listen again.
Question 5:
Five.Which picture is the woman asking about?

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Woman: You have some lovely picture for sale. Can you tell me who painted the one in
your window? It’s very good.
Man: The oil painting of the Swiss mountains?
Woman: That’s beautiful, but I meant the one below it.
Man: Oh,the summer flowers- that’s by George Anderson. Look, there’s a picture of
him here in this art magazine.
Now listen again.
This is the end of Part One.
PART 2:
Hello, International welfare office?
Hello, may I speak to Miranda Rickson please?
Speaking.
Oh, er hello, Mrs… er Ms Rickson. My name’s Daniel Parker. I saw your advertisement
for the welfare officer job on the internet, and I wondered if I could get more information
about it.
Oh, sure, well, what would you like to know?
Well, the job is for the summer, isn’t it?
Yes, that’s right. We need welfare officers for seven weeks, for about 50 hours per week.
Officers? So there is more than one job available?
Yes, that’s right. We’re actually looking for three welfare officers. We need someone to
look after our students at evenings and weekends, not just during the daytime, you
see. Last year we had four welfare officers looking after two hundred students. We’re
expecting about a hundred more students this year, so we want to recruit two more
officers. Three of last year’s officers are returning, so we need three more.
So, the job is looking after students?
Yes, students from overseas.
Which countries are the students coming from?
Well, a few come from the Far East, you know, China, Korea, Japan… and about a
quarter are from the Middle East, but the majority are from Eastern Europe.
Oh, … I don’t speak any other languages except English.
Don’t worry about that. They will all speak English, and they’ll understand you, if you
talk slowly. The job involves making sure their accommodation is okay, helping them
out if they get sick, taking them on trips and so on.
That doesn’t sound so complicated.
It’s not, especially if you know the local area. Do you?
Yes – well, I moved here a few months ago. I’m a student here.

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That’s fine. But the work can be stressful. The hours are long and you won’t get much
time away from people. You need to be ready for anything.
Am I expected to work evenings and weekends?
Yes. You’ll have to work at least three evenings a week on weekdays, and at least one
full day at the weekend, sometimes both days.
Wow.
Yes, you see, we put on events for the students, sports activities, film nights, quizzes
and so on. And at the weekends there are usually two trips; one long distance coach trip,
and another one a little closer to home. We need two officers on each trip.
So what hours am I expected to work?
Well, the officers take turns to do daytime and evening duties. You will either work
from ten in the morning until five pm, or from four pm until ten or eleven at night. On
weekends, you’ll work about nine hours a day.
Well, that’s okay. I need to earn some money, so I don’t mind working long hours! So,
the students are here for seven weeks?
Actually, no. The first week is for training. There’s a lot to learn before the students
arrive, but you’ll only be required for about five hours a day, so the first week is fairly
relaxed. But the students arrive at the weekend, so you’ll be needed on the Saturday or
the Sunday.
Well, thanks for the information. I am definitely interested. I’ll fill in the application
form and send it in.
No problem. There’s still a week until the closing date.
Thanks, Bye!

PART 3
Llamas
Zoo guide: OK, are we all together? Right, next we’re going to look at the llamas, but
actually here we have four different animals which are all from South America and all
related to camels. Llamas, which you have probably heard of, over here. And over there
alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos.
Llamas and alpacas are both domesticated animals and vicuñas and guanacos are wild.
Llamas are the biggest animal – they can grow up to 1.8 metres tall and in the past they
were used to carry things. Llamas are very sociable animals and live together in groups,
in herds.
Teenager 1: Don’t they spit at people, though?
Guide: Well, yes, they can. All members of the camelid family sometimes spit. You
don’t want to mistreat a llama; it might even spit some of the contents of its stomach at
you.
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Group of teenagers: Uuuugggh!

Guide: But if you treat them properly they are not likely to. They respond well to being
trained and they are usually gentle and curious. OK, over here we have the alpacas. As
you can see, they are smaller than the llamas. They’ve got smaller
faces and they always look as though they are smiling. Look at this one’s face.
Group of teenagers: Aaaah!
Guide: The alpaca is famous for its wool, which is softer and warmer than sheep’s wool.
There’s a big demand for alpaca wool from the fashion industry.
Right, next to the alpacas we have the vicuñas. As I said before, these animals are wild
and they are thought to be the ancestors of the alpacas. Vicuñas are very elegant and
graceful creatures. Look at this one. She’s beautiful.
Group of teenagers: Mmmm. She’s lovely. (etc.)
Guide: Have you heard of the Incas? The ancient rulers of Latin America who lived in
the Andes? Well, they wore clothes made from vicuña wool – only the royal family were
allowed to wear the wool. It is even softer than alpaca wool but vicuñas can only be
shorn of their wool every three years. For that reason the wool’s very expensive.
And, lastly, we have the guanacos. They are similar to the vicuñas, but larger and
stronger. They are capable of surviving at over 4,000 metres in the Andes. When they
are in the desert they survive by licking the water off the cacti and other desert plants.
Right, any questions?
Teenager 2: I think I can hear this llama making a noise.
Guide: Ah, yes. That could be the llama humming. They don’t open their mouths, they
just make this strange noise. They hum when they are stressed, or the opposite, feeling
relaxed.
Teenager 1: Can llamas live in the UK?
Guide: Yes, there are quite a lot of llamas and alpaca in the UK. They adapt very well
to our climate. They make good pets and sometimes they’re used for trekking. You go
on a picnic and use a llama to carry your food.
Teenager 3: Cool! I want to do that!
Guide: And sometimes farmers use them as guard dogs, I mean guard llama. The adult
males will protect sheep and hens from animals that might attack them, like dogs or
foxes. They’re really useful animals.
PART 4:
FAVOURITE THING
A (boy)
My favourite thing has to be my new tablet. It’s really light and quite small, so I take it
with me everywhere. I’m always writing messages to friends and it’s big enough to do
college work on it too. It takes really good photos, and I play games and listen to music
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on it as well, of course. I often download films onto it and watch them in bed. My mum
says I’m addicted, because I’m always on it. I even read things on it at breakfast time.
I’m not allowed to at dinner time, though. I have to be polite and talk to people
then.“Welcome back to real life," my mum says.
B (girl)
My favourite thing? Does my cat count as a thing? She’s not really a thing, but anyway.
She’s a really beautiful little cat. I’ve had her since she was four months old. You know
how some cats are really independent and hardly talk to you? I know cats don’t really
talk, but you know what I mean. Well, she’s not like that at all. She’s really affectionate
and comes up to me as soon as I get home, purring away like mad. She makes a lot of
noise for a tiny thing. She loves being stroked and comes and curls up next to me when
I’m on the sofa. She’s great company.
C (boy)
My new scooter! It’s quite small, but fun, and just what I needed for getting around the
city. I used to have quite a long walk to the metro, then a longish walk at the other end
to get to college. But now I can just whiz there on my scooter. And there’s no problem
parking, there’s always space for it. You have to be careful with the cars and lorries –
they don’t always see you – and when it rains the surface of the road is terrible, it gets
really slippery. But in general it’s perfect for me, and I can fit a friend on the back too –
I’ve got an extra helmet for a friend. It’s great. Riding along makes me feel so free.
D (girl)
This might sound a bit old-fashioned, but my sewing machine is my favourite thing. I’m
studying fashion and love making things, as well as designing them. I also love clothes
myself and often buy second-hand clothes – everyone loves the “vintage” look at the
moment – and then I adapt them to my size. It’s much easier using a machine to do that
than doing it by hand. I do alterations for my mum and my sister too. If I don’t make it
as a designer, I suppose I can always set up my own alterations and customising
business. Customising clothes, by taking things off and adding things on, is actually
very creative, so I wouldn’t mind that.
E (boy)
My set of Japanese knives. That sounds a bit sinister, doesn’t it, but I’m not a murderer
or anything. They’re chef’s knives and the best ones come from Japan. Cooking is my
new hobby. I got into it when I started watching Masterchef on TV. Then I went to an
evening class for beginners, and I haven’t looked back since. I try and have a dinner for
between four and eight friends every two or three weeks. That gives me something to
work towards and I always do new dishes so they can try them out and give me feedback.
It’s quite an expensive hobby if you use good ingredients, but now my friends help
towards the cost. They still get a good meal for a very low price.

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