B2 Reading preparation

By Lingua.com

Human body parts and organs

It goes without saying that humans (mammals identifiable as those that stand upright and are comparatively advanced
and capable of detailed thought) have pretty remarkable bodies, given all that they've accomplished. (Furthermore, an
especially intelligent human brain produced this text!) To be sure, humans have overcome predators, disease, and all sorts
of other obstacles over thousands of years.
To fully understand and appreciate these accomplishments, let's take at some of the most well-known parts of the human
body!
The head, or the spherical body part that contains the brain and rests at the top of the human body, has quite a
few individual organs and body parts on it. (It should quickly be mentioned that hair occupies the space on top of the
head, and the ears, the organs responsible for hearing, are located on either side of the head.) From top to bottom,
the eyebrows, or horizontal strips of hair that can be found above the eye, are the first components of the head.
The eyes are below them, and are round, orb-like organs that allow humans to see.
The eyes make way for the nose, or an external (sticking-out) organ that plays an important part in the breathing and
bacteria-elimination processes. Below that is the mouth, or a wide, cavernous organ that chews food, removes bacteria,
helps with breathing, and more. The mouth contains teeth, or small, white-colored, pointed body parts used to chew food,
and the tongue, or a red-colored, boneless organ used to chew food and speak.
The neck is the long body part that connects the head to the chest (the muscular body part that protects the heart and
lungs), and the stomach, or the part of the body that contains food and liquid-processing organs, comes below that.
The legs are the long, muscular body parts that allow humans to move from one spot to another and perform a variety of
actions. Each leg contains a thigh (a thick, especially muscular body part used to perform strenuous motions; the upper
part of the leg) and a calf (thinner, more flexible body part that absorbs the shock associated with movement; the lower
part of the leg). Feet can be found at the bottom of legs, and each foot is comprised of five toes, or small appendages that
help balance.
Arms are long, powerful body parts that are located on either side of chest, below the shoulders;arms are comprised
of biceps (the thicker, more powerful upper portion), and forearms (the thinner, more flexible lower portion). Hands, or
small, gripping body parts used for a tremendous number of actions, are at the end of arms. Each hand contains
five fingers, or small appendages used to grip objects.
The aforementioned shoulders are rounded body parts that aid arms' flexibility. One's back is found on the opposite side
of the stomach, and is a flat section of the body that contains important muscles that're intended to protect the lungs and
other internal organs, in addition to helping humans perform certain motions and actions.

Did you understand the text?

Please answer the following questions of understanding:
Question 1:
Which of the following body parts is not located on the head or
face?
a Eye
b Nose
c Mouth
d Leg

Question 2:
Legs are comprised of which of the following?
a Feet
b Calves
c Thighs
d All of the above
Question 3:
How many toes and fingers are on each foot/hand?
a Ten
b Five
c Four
d Two
Question 4:
The part of the body that contains important organs that aid digestion is:
a The back
b The head
c The stomach
d The neck
Question 5:
Which of the following is not a body part/organ on the human body?
a Quilt
b Neck
c Head
 Arm

Las Vegas
Last April, John took a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is a popular destination in
the western portion of the United States. The town is most popular for its casinos, hotels,
and exciting nightlife.
In downtown Las Vegas, John spent a lot of time on The Strip, which is a 2.5 mile stretch
of shopping, entertainment venues, luxury hotels, and fine dining experiences. This is
probably the most commonly visited tourist area in the city. The Strip at night looks
especially beautiful. All of the buildings light up with bright, neon, eye-catching signs to
attract visitor attention.
A stay in Las Vegas can feel similar to a visit to many popular cities worldwide. Many of
the hotels have miniature versions of important international sites and monuments.
These famous landmarks include the Eiffel Tower, Venice, and even ancient Rome.
One day, John took a side trip outside of the city to visit the Grand Canyon, one of the
Seven Wonders of the Natural World. The canyon offers a breathtaking view of
Nevada’s ridges and natural landscape. John especially liked the canyon because it was
removed from all of the noise and movement in downtown Las Vegas.
John had a great time during his trip to Las Vegas. He did not win a lot of money in the
casinos. However, he managed to see a lot of amazing sites during his visit to this city
that never sleeps.

Did you understand the text?

Please answer the following questions of understanding:
Question 1:

When did John travel to Las Vegas?

a Yesterday

b Last weekend

c Last spring

d Last summer
Question 2:

What is an activity that a tourist cannot do on The Strip?

a Visit the Grand Canyon

b Eat

c Shop

d Stay overnight
Question 3:

Which best describes the purpose of the Las Vegas Strip?

a It keeps tourists safe.

b It offers a lot of activities for tourists.

c It is a 2.5 mile stretch.

d There are too many neon lights.

Question 4:

Explain why John liked his visit to the Grand Canyon.

a The Grand Canyon offers a breathtaking view.

b John does not enjoy spending time in cities.

c It is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

d The setting was very different from downtown Las Vegas.

Question 5:

What does it mean that Las Vegas is a “city that never sleeps?”
a A lot of people here have sleep disorders.

b Las Vegas offers exciting activities at all hours.

c There is too much noise here for people to sleep.

d The neon lights keep people awake at night.

https://www.examenglish.com/B2/b2_reading_countries.htm

 Job adverts
A
IT Recruitment Officer
We are looking for recent graduates who would like to work with some of the most important
companies in the digital industry. This post is based in Dubai.  Once you have received training on our
computer system, you will be responsible for:
- liaising with recruiters to create job descriptions
- advertising jobs
- sourcing possible candidates
- updating the database
We are looking for someone with passion, drive and commitment.  Recruitment Resourcers must be
able to work under pressure and be self-motivated and people-focused. These qualities will help you
progress within the company.  Recruitment Resourcers who are willing to learn can train to become
Account Managers and Account Directors.
- Competitive basic salary plus commission

B
Logistics Associate
Our company is looking for someone to work in the sales and customer service department to ensure
that customers have a professional service from the moment they place an order until they receive
their shipment. The job is for 27 hours per week. Hours are negotiable. Opportunities for overtime are
likely.
Your responsibilities will include:
- placing and processing orders
- keeping accurate records
- processing returns and refunds
The successful candidate will:
- be educated to degree level
- be able to work efficiently and to deadlines in a high pressured environment
- have good IT skills
Candidates should have experience in business logistics, purchasing and supply management or
operations management.

C
Insurance Telesales
Do you have previous sales experience? Are you available from January 6th until the end of March?
We are currently looking for someone to deal with insurance renewals sales. The role will involve
calling existing customers and asking them if they intend to renew their policy, and if necessary,
discuss how we can keep them as a customer. The role is a 3-month fixed term contract. The hours of
work will be 8:45am until 5pm Monday to Friday. We are looking for a hard worker who is computer
literate and has a good telephone manner.

D
Data Analyst
As a Data Analyst you will join a team that analyses research data for anomalies and presents
findings to people within and outside the company. A graduate with an eye for detail and a love of
working with figures would be ideal. Confident communications skills are also vital. If you enjoy
problem solving, have an investigative and enquiring mind, have a good knowledge of word
processing and spreadsheet software, and excellent numerical skills, this could be a great career
opportunity for you.
A great benefits package is available including health cover and gym membership.
E
Project Assistant
Reporting to the Project Manager, you will undertake property surveys, site inspections and attend
site meetings to ensure that work undertaken by our contractors is being carried out properly. You
must have initiative, as you will be required to work on your own. It is essential that you have your
own transportation. An allowance will be provided. Candidates should have: Good keyboard and IT
skills, an organised and methodical approach, good written and verbal communication skills.
REQUIREMENTS
* Minimum 2-year Construction related qualification.
* Minimum of two year's relevant experience or transferrable skills from a relevant background.
1. Which job(s):

requires applicants to have their own car?     

2. does not require applicants to have IT skills?     

3. is temporary?     

4. is part-time?     

5. is located abroad?     

6. offers people the chance of promotion?    

7. is suitable for a mathematician?     

8. requires the employee to work alone?    

9. does not involve working with people?     

10. gives employees the opportunity to earn more by making sales?    

11. gives employees the opportunity to earn more by working extra hours?    

12. requires experience in the building trade?    

13. offers perks?    

14. requires the employee to make presentations?    

Talking about Countries

Read part of an employee handout regarding working with businesses in other countries.
Like most companies in an increasingly globalised world, our firm does business with other firms
abroad.  Company cultures vary worldwide, and it is important for delegates from our company to
recognise how company culture overseas might be different from our own. This document will give
you a brief guide to company culture in the countries we associate with.
Russia
Until recently, people and businesses were oppressed by the state and this has affected people’s
attitudes.  It is not uncommon for laws to be ignored and taxes to go unpaid. In some cases, only
contracts between close personal friends are acknowledged. Therefore, networking is vital for
successful business. Presently, the legal situation in Russia is in a state of flux, with laws constantly
being rewritten. Those that exist are often unenforceable. Most agreements are therefore made on a
trust basis, so it is vital that personal relationships do not break down. The management style is
centralised and directive. Too much debate can indicate a lack of decisiveness.  Subordinates take
orders from the ‘big boss’.  Many westerners see this as a lack of initiative on the part of middle
managers, but in actual fact, middle managers have little power. Most delays occur because the
question has not been presented to actual decision-maker. However, things are changing in Russia.
The old regime is gradually being replaced by western business style, and younger managers will
have a much more modern approach than their older counterparts.
South Korea
South Korea is one of the world’s most successful economies, having seen five consecutive decades
of high economic growth. When faced with adversity, South Koreans change direction quickly and
effectively. Despite the frantic economic growth, South Korean society is still very conservative and
conformist due to the influence of Confucian values. Companies are hierarchical and regimented and
‘face’ is very much valued. Consequently, change can sometimes be slow and painful. Managers are
paternalistic, authoritative figures who expect their instructions to be carried out obediently and
respectfully. In return, they give their subordinates support and help, not only in work issues but in
home issues as well. Group harmony is important, so South Koreans avoid confrontation and blame,
especially among people of equal rank. Friendship is therefore vital to business success. The Korean
saying 'make a friend first and a client second' sums this up exactly.
Australia
Australia has a relatively small population in relation to its vast size. Its geographic isolation and its
small domestic market mean that international trade is essential to guarantee future prosperity.
Increasingly, this is done in countries in Asia rather than Commonwealth countries. Australian
managers are not considered to have superior status to other workers. Their jobs are just different. 
Authoritative management styles are not appreciated among Australians workers. Instead, managers
adopt a more consultative and inclusive style which encourages open debate. Challenging superiors
is acceptable, indeed it is a sign of commitment and professionalism. Outsiders may consider such
dialogues confrontational, but Australians regard them as effective ways to communicate ideas.
Australian managers like to be seen as ‘one of the boys’ and they are more likely to socialise with
their team than segregate themselves and just mix with other managers.
UK
In the last half century, Britain, like many industrialised countries, has moved away from heavy
engineering towards service and high-tech industries. With this has come a major shift in
management style. Hierarchical systems have been swept aside and replaced by modern business
models, heavily influenced by the US. The ‘job for life’ is rare. Neither managers nor junior workers
expect to climb the corporate ladder within one company; rather, they manage their own career paths
by progressing from company to company. Such short-termism can be frustrating for outsiders. 
British managers tend to be generalists rather than specialists, and are not necessarily the most
technically competent person in the team. Instead, they are expected to have the necessary
interpersonal skills to ensure the team works together effectively. They cultivate a close and
humorous relationship with subordinates, which may be considered too soft.  Giving direct orders can
be seen as impolite, so managers often make indirect requests rather than explicit instructions, which
is sometimes confusing for non-British people.
1. Which country is being referred to in these statements?

“The people I deal with keep moving on to new jobs.”    

2. “Unless you’re friends, they may not honour your agreement.”     

3. “It’s frustrating because the official regulations keep changing.”     

4. “Disagreements between colleagues are frowned upon.”     

5. “I thought the manager had the authority to make a decision, but it turned out that he didn’t.”

  
6. “The manager and another member of staff had a huge disagreement in the meeting, and no-one

seemed to care.”     
7. “They weren’t terribly charming – they just wanted to get on with making the deal.”

  
8. “I expected the manager to have more technical knowledge than he actually did.”

  
9. “I dealt with two companies in this country last year. One was really hierarchical, but the other was

really modern.”     
10. “The manager kept asking me about my wife and children. I don’t know why it was so important to

him.”     

11. “He has a PhD but he never refers to himself as a doctor.”     

12. “I thought that there’d be tariffs to pay, but the firm seemed quite content to overlook them.”

  
13. “I didn’t realise I was expected to do it this way.  I thought the manager was just offering a tip.”

  
14. “The managers sat with the junior workers at lunch. I expected them to have their own table.”

  

15. “The junior workers do what their boss wants them to do without question.”    
 
16. “I hoped the senior manager would be prepared to discuss the matter with me, but he refused to

engage in any form of debate.”      

Description of places

She knew the street backwards, of course. How many times had she been dragged up it as a child by
the wrist, whining and snivelling, always wishing she were somewhere else?  Now she had no desire
to be anywhere but here.  This bustling traffic, these fuming buses, these chipped paving stones and
boarded-up shop fronts, they were hers.  Here, she would grow from defiant teenager to independent
woman.  When she was an old woman, she would gaze out over the lawns and say ‘Ah, Knox Road,
that’s where I really came into my own’.
Number 126 was only a short walk from the bus stop, and she heaved her multiple bags onto her
shoulders and trudged off, trying to maintain the elation as the straps dug into the flesh of her neck
and fingers.  Number 126 was set back slightly from the main road, with a concrete path and weed-
patch at the front.  The window frames were rotten and the paint chippe  Holly tried not to min  It was
what was inside that counted, after all.  The coming-together of six individuals from diverse
backgrounds. discussing politics, culture and art late into the night, sharing ideas, recipes, milk,
shower gel and lovers – that would be what she’d look back on of course, not the paintwork.  In the
absence of either a bell or knocker, she rapped firmly on the door.
There was no reply. Holly peered through gap in curtains in the downstairs window, but there was
nothing but gloom within.  She could hear a faint thudding of a bass beat, but was not sure which
house it belonged to.  She rapped more firmly, and was searching for a pebble to throw to the upstairs
window when the door openeA shirtless, overweight twenty-something, with bleary eyes and greasy
hair stood in the doorway wearing boxer shorts and mismatched socks.
“I’ve come for the upstairs room, I’m the new tenant,” said Holly brightly.
The man grunted slightly and moved aside. He gestured up the dim, uncarpeted stairway and began
to shuffle along the dark hallway to the rear of the house.
“Top floor, is that right?  I guess I just follow my nose!” Holly gave a high laugh, and received another
grunt in reply. Then the man was gone.
Not to worry, he must be the quiet moody type, thought Holly, too caught up in his own profound
thoughts for inane chit-chat.  One day she would penetrate his hard outer shell and release the free
spirit inside.  Anyway, now for the stairs.
The four flights of stairs would be worth it, she’d decided when she picked out the flat, even if it did
mean her going downstairs to get to the bathroom, because the room faced the front, and she could
watch the world scurry by as she sipped her morning coffee.  Kicking one bag in front and dragging
the others behind, she finally made it up the four flights and flung open the door to her new room, her
new haven, her new adult life. 
Peeling beige wallpaper, a lumpy mattress on a chipboard bedframe, a bare light bulb, a flat-pack
wardrobe inexpertly put together.  All this, Holly could just about put up with, but when she saw the
view from her window – a dull patch of grey sky, invariable whatever the angle, she finally had to
admit to herself that her adult life was not getting off to a great start.

1   What can be inferred from the text?

  This is Holly’s first time living away from home.  

 Holly visited the house before deciding to move in.  

 Holly is new to this part of the town.  

 Holly already knows someone who lives in this house.  

2  Where is Knox Road?

 in a town centre  

 in a suburb  

 in a village  

 on a housing estate  

3  Which word best describes 126 Knox Road?

 austere  

 run-down  

 quaint  

 pristine  

4  What can be inferred about the character of Holly?

 She is a daydreamer.  

 She is ambitious.  

 She is prejudiced  

 She is reckless.  

5  Which one is NOT true of 126 Knox Road?

 There isn’t a front garden.  

 The window frames need painting.  

 There isn’t a doorbell or a door knocker.  

 The downstairs curtains are drawn.  

6  Which word does NOT describe the man who answered the door?

 distinguished  

 ill-mannered   

 unreceptive  
  unkempt  

7  What can be inferred about the man who opened the door?

 He owns the property.  

 He had not expected Holly.  

 He lives in the front, ground floor room.  

 He had been asleep.   

8  Which one is NOT true of Holly’s room?

 It is on the fourth floor.  

 It is furnished  

 It has an en suite bathroom.  

 It is at the front of the house.  

9  What aspect of the house most disappoints Holly?

 her housemates  

 the furniture  

 the view  

 the decor  

10  Which best describes the change in Holly’s emotions?

 nervous → optimistic  

 optimistic → disillusioned  

 disappointed → resigned  

 eager → nervous  
Sport
The World of Parkour
In 1902, a volcano in the Caribbean island of Martinique blew up.  A French naval officer on the
scene, Lt. George Hébert managed to coordinate the rescue of over 700 people, both indigenous and
European.  He noticed, as he did so, how people moved, some well, some badly, around the
obstacles in their path, and how this affected their chances of survival.  Hébert had travelled widely
and was well aware of skills many indigenous people exhibited in being able to traverse the natural
environment.  From these experiences, Hébert developed a training discipline which he called ‘the
natural method’ in which climbing, jumping and running techniques were used to negotiate obstacles. 
His method was adopted by the French military and became the basis for all their training.  In time, it
became known as parcours du combattant – the path of the warrior.
Raymond Belle was a practitioner of parcour in Vietnam in the 1950s.  He had great athletic ability,
and the skills and agility he had learnt through parcour earned him a reputation as an agile and elite
soldier.  In later life, he returned to France and passed on his skills to his son, David, who combined
what he had learnt from his father with his own knowledge of martial arts and gymnastics, and in time,
the sport of parkour was born.
Parkour involves a range of ‘moves’, although none are official.  They involve vaulting, jumping and
landing accurately on small and narrow features, catching ledges, traversing high wall and landing
with a rolling impact to absorb impacts.
Belle formed a group of traceurs called the Yamikasi, meaning ‘strong man, strong spirit’, that
included his friend, Sebastian Foucan.  In time, the two of them started to follow different paths.  Belle
concentrated on the art of getting from place to place in the most efficient way possible, while Foucan
developed his own style which involved more self expression.  This he termed freerunning.
From the late 1990s, the art and sport of parkour spread worldwide.  Both Belle and Foucan gave
interviews and appeared on television.  In 2003, filmmaker Mike Christie made the film Jump London,
and urban freerunning, or freeflow, began to dominate the London scene.  But it was the arrival of
YouTube in 2005 that really brought freerunning to a global audience. People around the world began
to post their videos online, making freerunning a mainstream sport, and in 2007, the first major
freerunning and parkour competition was held in Vienna.
Since parkour values freedom, there are few facilities dedicated to the practice. Traceurs use both
rural and urban areas, typically parks, offices and abandoned buildings. Traceurs generally respect
the environment they practice in, and since part of their philosophy is ‘leave no trace’, there have
been few concerns over damage to property. However, law enforcement and fire and rescue teams
argue that freerunners are risking their lives needlessly., especially when they practice at height. 
However, practitioners argue that injuries are rare, because they rely on their own hands and feet
rather than things out of their immediate control, such as ice and wheels, as is the case with skiing
and race-driving.
1  George Hebert developed parcour du combattant because...

 he saw native people doing it in Martinique.  

 he saw how it could save lives.  

 he saw how the French were poor at negotiating obstacles.  

2  The natural method...

 was replaced by Hebert’s new discipline.  

 was taught to Hebert by indigenous people.   

 was widely practiced by the French military.  

3  Raymond Belle...

 was trained by George Hebert.  

 gave the discipline its new name.  

 was a notable practitioner of the natural method.  

4  David Belle...

 brought in moves from other disciplines.  

 also learnt parcour while in the French military.  

 learnt parcour from his father in Vietnam.  

5  A traceur is...

 a parkour move.  

 someone who practices parkour.  

 an obstacle in a parkour course.   

6  Freerunning differs from parkour in that...

 it is faster.  

 it is more creative.  

 it is more efficient.  

7  What brought parkour and freerunning to an international audience?

 TV appearances and interviews  

 a British documentary  
  a video sharing website  

8  According to practitioners, where is the best place to do parkour or free-running?

 in cities  

 in safe facilities  

 wherever you like  

9  Which of the following is NOT true about freerunning?

 There are a large number of reported injuries.  

 There are now international competitions.  

 Practitioners often cause damage to public property.  

10  Parkour and freerunning practitioners...

 require a lot of equipment.  

 rely on their own bodies.  

 avoid taking risks.  

The Environment
Read about a proposal to build a solar farm near a British village called Barnley. Then answer the
questions.
The Barnley Village Committee is opposed to plans to build a 6,890 panel solar farm on a 15-acre site
adjacent to the village recreation ground, currently used for agriculture. Under the proposed scheme,
the area will be surrounded by an 8ft-high fence. The panels themselves will be about 7 feet high. 
The committee has already lodged an appeal to the local authority against construction of the solar
farm. The councillors are due to meet on 13th March to vote whether or not plans will go ahead. Local
residents are invited to attend.  Our objections will be presented before the board, and a
representative from the solar firm SunGen will put forward the case for the development.
Residents are encouraged to voice their objections to the development. These must address the
aspects of the scheme that violate the current planning policy. However, you are welcome to make
your objections personal, by stating how the plans will affect you as a user of the recreation ground. 
Some of the most common objections are listed below:
1. The extensive views from the village and recreation ground across the open country will be blocked
by the panels and high fencing. Furthermore, once the site has been built upon, it may be considered
brownfield, thus an acceptable site for housing or industrial development. It does not, therefore,
comply with the local policy which states that developments must not adversely effect on the
appearance or character of the landscape.

2. The recreation ground has recently undergone major improvements including a perimeter running
track, new playground equipment and seating. It is heavily used by families, sports teams and dog
walkers, and is regularly used for village events.  Cricket and football teams regularly use the
recreation ground and it is not uncommon for balls to enter the field. Cricketers are worried that they
may become liable for damage to solar panels. If teams are forced to relocate, this would adversely
affect the character of the village, and may jeopardise participation in the children’s teams. This goes
against the National Planning Policy Framework which requires developments to promote high quality
public space  and encourage the active and continual use of public areas.
3. There has been no assessment of the extent to which noise from inverters and cooling fans will
affect local residents.

4. As the ground beneath the solar panels will be surfaced, there will be more additional run-off of
rainwater. The recreation ground already has problems with drainage, and these may be exacerbated
by this development. A formal flood risk assessment must be submitted.

5. The lighting and security systems have not been outlined, it is not clear how the area will be made
safe for children
Email your objections to planning@barnelycouncil.gov.uk, and quote the reference BLY7458/00578 in
the subject line.

1  What is the committee’s opinion of the development?

 It is opposed to the development.  

 It supports the development.  

 It is waiting for comments from residents before taking a viewpoint.  

2  The solar farm would be built...

 on the recreation ground.  

 in an agricultural field.  

 on a brownfield site.  

3  The meeting with councillors...

 has already taken place.  

 will take place shortly.  

 has been proposed, but not planned.  

4  Which of the following is NOT true of the proposed solar farm?

 It will be surrounded by a high fence.  

 It will comprise of 6,890 7-foot high panels.  

 The solar panels will be placed directly on the grass.  

5  People who want to object the development are advised...

 not to write about their personal feelings.  

 to refer to the village’s planning policy.  

 to send a letter in the mail.  

6  What is inferred about brownfield sites?

 It is easier to get permission to develop brownfield sites.   

 There are already too many brownfield sites in the village.  

 A brownfield site is not a suitable location for a solar farm.  

7   Teams may no longer play on the recreation ground because...

 parents will be worried about their children’s safety.  

 spectators won’t want to watch matches at the recreation ground.   

 players will be worried about damaging the panels.   

8   Which of the following is NOT true of the recreation ground?

 It has recently received considerable investment.  

 It occasionally floods.   

 It is well-lit.  

Health

Read about a government scheme to keep people healthy.

Local governments have had to take on a new responsibility; that of ensuring that people stay fit and
healthy. Birmingham council is already hot on the case.  For the past few years they have been
encouraging local residents to enrol on the Be active scheme, which allows them to use local leisure
services completely free of charge. 
Participants must register to obtain a membership card.  They can then use the facilities in leisure
centres across the city at certain times of the day. 
29 leisure centres are signed up to the scheme.  Each leisure centre must offer a minimum of one
hour of swimming time and an hour of gym time to Be Active members.  In reality, in some
establishments in the more deprived areas, 70% of opening hours are reserved for Be Active
members. Exercise classes and badminton courts are also made available on top of the standard
facilities.  Be Active classes are also being provided in schools and community centres.  There are
guided bike rides, and even proposals to roll out activities in public spaces such as rounders games in
parks, and buggy pushes for new mothers.
Since it was launched in 2008, a third of the local population, a total of 360,000 people, has signed up
for the scheme. 60% of these are from minority groups, and the average age is 49, as opposed to 29,
the figure for private gyms.   The majority were not previously members of a sports club of any kind,
half were overweight or obese, and a fifth considered themselves to be in poor health, indicating that
the scheme is reaching the people who need it most.  Research also shows that since the scheme
was set up, there has been a rise in demand for information about reducing alcohol intake and quitting
smoking.
Statistics show that for every £1 spent on the Be Active scheme, £23 is saved in the health service. 
Sadly, the scheme has suffered from budget cuts, and lately it has had to reduce the hours available
to members.  Nonetheless, other councils are interested in the great strides made by Birmingham
council, and officials from Birmingham have been holding workshops with representatives from other
councils to spread the word about what can be achieved.
Source: Triggle, N. (2013) Can free leisure services get people fit?  BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22350807
1. Choose true or false.

The Be Active scheme started up earlier this year.     

2. Everyone in Birmingham is eligible for Be Active.     

3. Participants must pay a one-off fee to register.     

4. Participants can use the leisure facilities at any time of day.     

5. Participants can use their Be Active membership cards at any sports centre in Birmingham.

  

6. Participants can only use the leisure facilities for two hours per week.     

7. Some sports centres dedicate over half their opening hours to Be Active members.   
 

8. Some Be Active activities take place outside leisure centres.     

9. The Be Active scheme was not as popular as the council hoped.     

10. The Be Active scheme attracts both slim and overweight people.     

11. The majority of participants are White British.     

12. The scheme is saving the government money in health costs.     

13. Less money is available for Be Active now than in the past.     

14. The Be Active Scheme is currently only available in Birmingham.     

Transportation

Look at the website below which gives advice about Transportation and Distribution in International
Trade.

Innovation Support
Industrial Advice for Businesses Large and Small
Home >  Business > Importing and Exporting > Transporting Goods
Advice on transporting goods internationally by road, sea, air and rail.  Information on imports, exports, customs,
regulations and freight management.
Click on the links below for detailed information on each topic.
A Assessing your Transport Needs F  Warehousing
B International Road Transport G Documentation
C International Transport by Sea H Using a Freight Forwarding Service
D International Rail Transport I   Transportation of Specialist Goods
E  International Air Transport J  Taxes
1.
Read these extracts from the website. Which links on the website (A-J) would contain this
information?
Although extensive networks allow for speedy delivery, there may be delays as a result of
breakdowns and congestion. There may also be extra toll charges, and there is more risk of damage

to goods while in transit.    

2.
In some cases it is necessary to comply with industry regulations. For livestock, please refer to the
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website. If transporting dangerous
goods, see the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website for compliance procedures. 

  
3.
Two options are available: private and public.  Individual traders tend to use the private option, where
the proprietor will take some responsibility for the items. Public facilities do not accept responsibility
for stored goods. Note that meat may not be stored in either type of facility.

  
4.
Before deciding which mode of transport you wish to use, ask yourself how quickly the goods need to
arrive, how much you can afford to spend, where your goods need to go and what the infrastructure is

like in that location.     

5.
If you would prefer not to manage the logistics yourself, you can engage another company to do so.
These tend to have detailed knowledge of the relevant rules and regulations, and can save you time
and money by consolidating your shipments with those of other companies. 

  
6.
This is the fastest way of delivering goods over long distances.  Fragile and valuable items can be
transported with security and low risk of damage. However, it is more costly, and there is always the

risk of cancellation and delay.     

7.
Generally costs are lower using this method, and it has the added advantage that containers can be
easily transferred to road or rail.  However, the routes and timetables are usually inflexible, and there

will be extra port duties and taxes.      

8.
Although this method is fast and environmentally friendly, the density of the network will vary, and in
most cases, an additional method of transportation will be required between the depot and the final
destination. Services may also be disrupted due to industrial action or engineering works. 

  
9.
All shipments require a Standard Shipping Note as this helps port authorities to process your
consignments. Dangerous goods should carry a dangerous goods declaration. If using a freight
forwarder, you will also need to complete an Export Cargo Shipping Instruction. 

  
10. Tariffs may need to be paid when transporting goods internationally, although you should consult
your local Inland Revenue office to find out if you are eligible for some form of relief. 

  

Holidays
Read information on a website about a tour of Iceland.
Highlights of Iceland
In this exciting tour, you will discover glaciers, waterfalls and geysers and relax in the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon.
You will also have the opportunity to ride snowmobiles across the ice, or take a tour in a jeep across the lava fields (all
year round). In summer months you will have the chance to go on a boat tour and search for whales, and in the winter,
you may see the northern lights.
Tour Basics
Number of nights: 3 Meals included: Breakfast only
Transport: Bus Group size: 14-20
Flights included: Optional Accommodation: 2* Hotel
Day 1 Useful Information
Our representative will meet you at the airport and All room are twin-bed, so single travellers will have to
a bus will transfer you to your hotel in the capital, share with another group member of the same sex.  Single
Reykjavik.  After checking in, your guide will give rooms are available at extra cost.
you an orientation tour and you will have an The local currency is the Icelandic Krona (ISK). Currency
opportunity to visit some of the city’s highlights, is readily available at the airport, banks, post offices and
such as the splendid cathedral. After dinner, you ATMs in the city and credit cards are widely accepted. 
can spend the evening relaxing in the warm waters The optional tours on day 3 cost extra, and a minimum of
of the Blue Lagoon. 4 people is required for both the jeep and snowmobiling
Day 2 tours.  Current Costs: Thorsmork Jeep tour: 27,000 ISK;
We tour Iceland’s Golden Circle, taking in Snowmobile tour 34,200 ISK (based on two people
Thingvellir National Park, Gulfoss Waterfall and sharing). Whale-watching (summer only) 9000 ISK;
the geothermal sites in Geysir. Here you’ll Puffin Tour (4700 ISK)
see Strokkur, or the Butter Churn, which spouts a Tipping is voluntary, but is expected in this part of the
100 foot jet of water into the air every 3-5 minutes. world for workers in the tourism industry, such as your
Day 3 bus driver and restaurant staff. If you wish to tip your tour
Day 3 is left free so that you can try out our guide it would undoubtedly be appreciated.
optional tours. Explore the glacial Thorsmork You must have travel insurance to travel on our tours.
Valley on a jeep ride. Another option is to drive You can arrange for this yourself, or buy it through our
out onto the glaciers and take a snowmobile tour. company.
Whale-watching and puffin-spotting boat trips are
also available from Reykyavik harbour. You can either book a flight with us or arrange your own
flights. If you choose the latter, you will have to make
Day 4 your own way to the hotel, details of which will be sent to
The tour ends at the city airport. you in advance.
1.
You have noted down the following questions about the Iceland tour.  Is the answer available
in the text above? 

Answer ✓ if the answer to the question is given in the text.

Answer ✗ if the answer to the question is NOT given in the text.

How long does the tour last?    

2. What day of the week does the tour start?     

3. Are meals included in the price?     

4. Are flights included in the price?     

5. How much does the trip cost?     

6. Do I get a discount for booking multiple places on the tour?     

7. I’m travelling alone. Will I get my own room?     

8. Is the cost of the jeep tour included in the price?     

9. Will I have time to go snowmobiling and whale-watching?     

10. Is the snowmobiling tour available in the summer?     

11. Will I need to leave tips?     

12. If I book my own flight, will you collect me from the airport?     

13. How many people will there be on the tour?     

14. What sort of clothing should I bring?     

15. Does the tour run every week of the year?     

16. What is the exchange rate (pounds to Icelandinc Krona)?     

17. When will we get to go to the Blue Lagoon?     

18. Does the cost of the tour include travel insurance?     

19. Will the orientation tour take us to the cathedral?     

20. Where will we eat meals? 

https://www.englishaula.com/en/cambridge-english-test-exam-
preparation/cambridge-english-first-b2-first/reading-use-of-english/exam-
parts/exercise-practice-test/2-1-1-5954784519520256/

Silk

Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be (1)   into
textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin, and is

(2)   by certain insect larvae to form cocoons. The best-known silk is
obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori,

which is reared in (3)  .

The shimmering appearance of silk is due to the triangular prism-like structure of the

silk fibre, which (4)   silk cloth to refract incoming light at different
angles, thus producing different colours.
Silk is produced by several insects, but, over the years, only the silk of moth

caterpillars has been used for textile (5)  , although there has been

some (6)   into other types of silk.

Silk is mainly produced by the larvae of insects undergoing (7)   

metamorphosis, but some insects such as webspinners and raspy crickets produce

silk (8)   their lives.

The Tribune
(1)
A stitched

B woven

C knitted

D crocheted
(2)
A produced

B manufactured

C invented

D offered
(3)
A chains

B cell

C prison

D captivity
(4)
A encourages
B tempts

C allows

D forces
(5)
A fabricating

B constructing

C assembling

D manufacturing
(6)
A scrutinising

B probing

C research

D interrogation
(7)
A complete

B entire

C thorough

D intense
(8)
A through

B entirely

C completely

D throughout
Check

Akbar

Akbar was a Mughal Emperor from 1556 until his death. He was the third ruler of the

Mughal (1)   in India. A strong (2)   and a successful

general, Akbar gradually enlarged the Mughal Empire. His power and influence,

however, (3)   over the entire country because of Mughal military,

political, cultural, and economic dominance. To unify the vast Mughal state, Akbar
established a centralised system of administration throughout his empire and

adopted a policy of conciliating (4)   rulers through marriage and

diplomacy. To preserve peace and order in a religiously and culturally

(5)   empire, he adopted policies that won him the support of his non-

Muslim subjects. Mughal India (6)   a strong and stable economy,

leading to commercial expansion and greater patronage of culture. Akbar himself

was a (7)   of art and culture. He was (8)   of literature, and
created a library of over 24,000 volumes.
The Tribune
(1)
A Sect

B Clan

C Dynasty

D Family
(2)
A personality

B celebrity

C idol

D icon
(3)
A stretched

B extended

C covered

D encompassed
(4)
A conquered

B humiliated

C dominated

D subdued
(5)
A disparate

B contrasting

C assorted

D diverse
(6)
A matured

B advanced

C developed

D progressed
(7)
A sympathizer

B advocate

C owner

D patron
(8)
A fond

B keen

C adored

D cherished
Check
Top Tips for Preparing for the
Cambridge First Reading Exam
Questions
Reading is a skill that can be very difficult to improve without proper practice. One
reason for this could be that as a student you simply don’t read enough in your own
language. Another reason might be that you don’t know what techniques to use
when doing each task in the exam.

There are many little tricks that you should think about when preparing for and
doing each of the reading questions in Paper 1. At Atlas, we provide our students
with the tools to get better scores in the reading.

Here are a few of the best.

1. Using graded readers

One reason that some students don’t like to read in English is because they find
English novels too complicated with too much unknown vocabulary. They just
don’t enjoy reading such books in English as they are still learning the language.
However, there is a solution to this… choose to read a graded reader.

What is a graded reader? Well, they are books based on the original novel and the
language is adapted to different levels. What’s more, they can include activities at
the back of the book related to each chapter to help you understand the context and
language of the text better.

While studying for the Cambridge First exam, we recommend that you get one for
your level. That would be a B2 graded reader. It might also be an idea to choose
one that at some point has been made into a film. After reading the book you could
then also watch the movie and compare the stories. Was the movie true to the
story? english-language graded readers can truly make reading more enjoyable, so
taking advantage of them will really help you with your reading.
Picture taken by “Hana Ticha”, eltpics

2. How to guess the meaning of words you

don’t know?
So what happens when you don’t understand a word and you can’t use your
dictionary to look it up? First, we recommend that you don’t worry, before, second,
moving on to try to work out the meaning for yourself.

Here are a few tricks that can help you to do this:

A. Use the picture clues

Sometimes a Cambridge First text can come with pictures so see if they provide
any clues.

B. Break down the word

Let’s have a look at the following sentence:

The book was unputdownable. I loved it.

It contains a word that you not have seen before ‘unputdownable”. So let’s break it
down to see if we can understand it better.

Prefix: Un = not

Phrasal Verb: Put down = to leave something down

Suffix: -able = not able to be

So if we put it all together we can see that she was not able to put down the book
because she loved it.

C. Relate it to a word you know

When you don’t recognise try to think of a word that looks similar.

For example: The movie was absolutely disastrous.

Can you think of another word that has a similar word form to disastrous?

If you got disaster then you are correct.

D. Keep reading or re-read the sentence

Make sure to read the whole sentence to get the meaning of the word or even the
following sentence to see if it contains any information about what the word is
about.

For example:

John never really got on with Jane. They were always fighting and arguing about
stupid things.

We can see that the people probably weren’t very friendly with each other, so “get
on” could mean that they didn’t have a good relationship, which it does.

Remember, though, guessing meaning of words from their context is generally

difficult. Don’t forget, also, at best it will be an educated guess so you need to stay
open-minded to the actual meaning.
Picture taken by “Ian James” eltpics

3. Use the process of elimination for multiple

choice tasks
When you have too many options, a little trick to help you get to the answer is to
use the process of elimination.

We recommend that you make sure which answer it is not first, and cross it out so
you are left with fewer options. You can use this technique even in the listening
and Use of English parts of the First exam.
4. How to improve your multiple matching
task
Is this the task you have most difficulty with? Well, for a lot of students it is. One
reason is usually that the students don’t know what to look for in order to answer it
better. What this part of the exam is usually testing you on is the use of pronouns
(e.g., this, these, it, he, him, their etc), and also contrasting language (e.g.,
however, but, although etc.).

If we look at the gap in the example below, we can see that they are talking about
how a logo was designed. After the gap we can see “The three arrows in it look
like strips of folded-over paper. What is the ‘it’? Well if we look at our options we
can see that ‘it’ refers to the image in answer B.

Example taken from; http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/cambridge-english-

first-handbook-2015.pdf, 

Page 25.
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These tips and suggestions will hopefully put you on the right track for preparing
for the reading parts of the Cambridge First exam. Remember, though, above all,
you will learn to read better by reading more. So, choose your texts, read widely
and talk about your texts with others. This will help you make reading fun.