I.

LISTENING (40 points):

Section 1: Questions 1 – 5: You will hear two students talking about their presentations at university. For
each of the following questions, choose the option which fits best to what you hear. You will listen to the
recording twice. (10 pts)
1. Sarah felt nervous because____.
A. too many people were watching her.
B. she doesn’t like Professor Stone.
C. she realized the professor would be taking notes.
2. Sarah thought that Charlie’s main weakness was _____.
A. his Power Point presentation.
B. the accompanying music.
C. the speech itself.
3. Charlie feels that he can improve if he _______.
A. spends more time on his visuals.
B. provides more examples.
C. reduces the length of his speech by two minutes.
4. Sarah is worried about her written work because ______.
A. her essays are too long.
B. she feels her grades are low.
C. she hasn’t done enough essays.
5. What does Charlie think about Sarah’s presentation?
A. He thinks it is useful.
B. He thinks it doesn’t have a focus.
C. He thinks some parts are redundant.
Section 2: Questions 6 – 10: You will hear a conversation between a man, Marcus and a woman, Cora,
who work in the same office. Decide if each of the following statement is true (T) or false (F) according
to what you hear. You will listen to the recording twice. (10 pts)
6. Cora disagrees with Marcus about the cause of the traffic jams.
7. Marcus agrees that cycling to work would be good for him.
8. Marcus believes employers should provide buses.
9. Marcus agrees to try coming to work by bus tomorrow.
10. Cora suggests that Marcus is lazy.
Section 3: Questions 11 – 20: You will hear a woman talking to a man who works for a travel agency.
Complete the note below with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER. Write your
answer in the corresponding numbered boxes. You will listen to the recording twice. (20 pts)
SAFARI HOLIDAY

● Holiday begins on (11)__________.

● Minimum age is (12) _________ years.

● Each day group covers (13) _______ of the Serengeti plains.

● Holiday costs (14) ______ per person sharing.

● All food included except (15) ______.

● More information is available at www. (16)________.com

● Price is inclusive of (17) _______.

● The holiday promoter offers a (18) _______ of your money back if all the animals on the
list are not spotted.

● Tour is popular, so travelers are advised to (19) _______.

 ● A (20) ______ of 500 pounds is required to secure your place.

II. LEXICO–GRAMMAR (60 points)

Part 1: Choose the best answer (A, B, C, or D) to each of the following questions and write your answers in
the corresponding numbered boxes. (20 pts)
1. The _____ of the Syrian boy drowned off Turkey has aroused the world’s pity.
A. event B. situation C. case D. plight
2. At long last the building is nearing______.
A. finish B. termination C. completion D. finale
3. There is a(n)______ of difference between our two lifestyles.
A. land B. way C. world D. arm
4. People can make themselves walk on nails or through fire. It’s a question of mind over______.
A. body B. material C. matter D. facts
5. Many people were wounded after the terrorists started ______ with machine guns.
A. blazing away B. whipping up C. shouting out D. blazing up
6. At the moment, the ruling party is on the ______ of a dilemma.
A. hooves B. points C. feet D. horns
7. By attacking the old lady, the youth committed a _____ crime.
A. naughty B. heinous C. bad D. evil
8. Twelve European countries ____ over to the euro on January 1st 2002.
A. shifted B. switched C. transformed D. altered
9. Some of the chocolate bars were found to contain glass and the whole batch had to be____.
A. overthrown B. overdrawn C. recalled D. retracted
10. His voice has been_____ to that of Elton John.
A. equated B. equaled C. likened D. associated
11. The match was _____ and will be played next Wednesday.
A. pelted down B. poured out C. rained off D. seen through
12. He didn’t have a ______ of evidence to support his claims.
A. scrap B. sign C. sense D. state
13. I bought the chocolates on______: I saw them while I was queuing up to pay.
A. desire B. urge C. spontaneity D. impulse
14. Members of the rock group were asked to ____ their behavior or else leave the hotel.
A. modify B. amend C. transfer D. convert
15. We have all passed our final exams. We are going to ______ the town red to celebrate.
A. color B. decorate C. paint D. make
16. The organizing committee should be quite small. Too many cooks spoil the _____.
A. soup B. porridge C. cake D. broth
17. I have a _____ in my throat. I think I am getting a cold.
A. fly B. bee C. toad D. frog
18. Some supporters were _____ at the entrance because the ground was full.
A. sent off B. turned away C. booked up D. shut down
19. Suddenly a car ______ and an important-looking official got out.
A. stopped over B. drew up C. stopped out D. called by
20. It’s a good idea to divide a task up into ______ chunks.
A. portable B. pliable C. manageableD. thinkable

Part 2: For questions 21–30, read the following text which contains 10 mistakes. Underline the errors and
write the corrections in the corresponding numbered boxes. There is an example at the beginning (0). (10
pts)
Line The Malaysian Airlines plane MH 370 is not the first disappearing without trace.
Even if it is, this is highly unusual. In 2009, an Air France airbus jet also vanished
of radar screen. Wreckage from the lost aircraft were eventually found in the
Atlantic yet the causes of the crash remained mystery until voice and data recorders
 5 were found years later. The final report said human error was partly blamed.
‘Today aircrafts are incredibly reliable and you do not get some sudden structure
failure in a flight’, said Mr. Louis, an aviation expert in New York said. ‘It just
doesn’t happen. It just won’t happen’, he added. Boeing describes its 777 model a
super star. First flown in 1995, more than a thousand planes now rolled up the
production line. It can travel for 16 hours non-stop and experts point to its
impressive safe record with one fatal crash in 5 million flights. It could take
10
investigators months if years to determine what exactly happened to the Malaysian
aircraft but experts believe what happened was quick and left the pilot no time to
put a distress call.

15
Part 3: For questions 31–40, fill in the gaps in the following sentences with suitable prepositions. Write
your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes. There is an example at the beginning (0). (10 pts)
1. He finds it hard to put _________ the noise of the nearby factory.
31. President Obama’s statement was seen as an allusion______ the recent mass shooting.
32. I don’t think Mr. Anderson is convinced ______ the man’s honesty.
33. Wealth is not necessarily synonymous _______ happiness.
34. Rob drove the audience mad because he spent half of his presentation beating______ the bush.
35. They made a surprise assault ______ their enemies and gained control of the town.
36. ______retrospect, she was the person who had made the greatest sacrifice to him.
37. The film was so funny that everybody seemed to laugh their head_____.
38. The police are combing the area for two men who held_____ the local bank and got away with a
million dollar.
39. I was very impressed with the standard of the speaker. He was brilliant at answering questions _____
the cuff.
40. The mother was blind _____ her son’s fault and tried to defense him stubbornly.

Part 4: For questions 41–50, use the word in capitals at the end of each of the following sentences to form a
word that fits suitably in the blank. There is an example at the beginning (0). (20 pts)
ANGER
We’ve all felt anger at some time, whether as faint (0)________(ANNOY) or blind rage. Anger is a normal,
sometime useful human emotion, but uncontrolled (41)_________ (BURST) of temper can be destructive.
People who give free rein to their anger, regardless of the (42) __________(OFFEND) this may cause,
haven’t learned to express themselves (43)____________(CONSTRUCT),’ says Martin Smolik, who runs
weekend residential courses in anger management. ‘It is important to maintain your (44)
_________(COMPOSE) and put your case in an assertive, not aggressive manner without hurting others.
Being assertive doesn’t mean being pushy or demanding; it means being (45) __________ (RESPECT) of
yourself and other people.’ He adds that people who are easily angered are (46)____________
(TOLERATE) of frustration, inconvenience or irritation and, not surprisingly find relating to other people
very difficult. But what causes people to behave like this? It seems there is evidence to support the idea that
some children may be born (47) _________ (IRRITATE) and prone to anger and this tendency is sometimes
apparent from a very early age. However, research also suggests that a person’s family
(48)___________(GROUND) may have an influence. Very often, people who are
(49)_____________(TEMPER) and often find it difficult to express their emotions come from
(50)___________(ORGANIZE) and disruptive families.

III. READING (60 points)

Part 1: For questions 1–15, read the following passages and decide which answer (A, B, C, or D) best fits
each gap. Write your answers in corresponding numbered boxes. There is an example at the beginning (0).
(15 pts)
KIWI SURPRISE
When a work project ()_______ me the opportunity to return to New Zealand, I spent several weeks
(1)_______ a country I had left in my early twenties. I’d forgotten about the petrol stations where men in
smart uniforms (2)_______ to you. They fill your tank, (3)_______your oil and still (4)_______you less
than one third of the British price for fuel. And the people rush to your assistance if they see you
(5)_______over a map. Or the blissful (6)_______of tips. Locals simply cannot understand why anybody
should (7)_______to pay extra for friendly efficient service.
Given that New Zealand has about 3,000 kilometers of coastline, it should come as no (8)_______that social
life (9)_______around the sea. When Auckland office workers leave their desks at the end of the working
day, they don’t (10)_______home. Instead, they (11)_______ a beeline for the marina and spend the evening
(12)_______ sail on the Hauraki Gulf. There are more yachts in Auckland than in any other city in the
world- no wonder it’s called the City of Sails. Even those who can’t afford a (13)_______ of their own will
always know someone who has one, or at the (14)_______ least, will windsurf the offshore breezes at
speeds that make the commuter ferries appear to stand (15)_______.
1. A. gave B. offered C. sent D. lent
2. A. regaining B. recapturing C. refamiliarizing D. rediscovering
3. A. assist B. attend C. supply D. serve
4. A. control B. measure C. check D. calculate
5. A. charge B. ask C. require D. demand
6. A. pointing B. doubting C. clamoring D. puzzling
7. A. absence B. shortage C. removal D. neglect
8. A. accept B. insist C. expect D. respond
9. A. wonder B. surprise C. amazement D. news
10. A. centers B. revolves C. turns D. gathers
11. A. move B. aim C. head D. divert
12. A. have B. do C. get D. make
13. A. under B. by C. with D. on
14. A. vehicle B. hull C. vessel D. receptacle
15. A. simple B. single C. utmost D. very
16. A. still B. dead C. afloat D. upright

Part 2: For questions 16–25, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only
ONE word in each gap. Write your answers in corresponding numbered boxes. (15 pts)
HERBS AND SPICES
There is nothing (16) ________in the use of herbs and spices. They have enriched human life for thousands
of years, providing (17) _______comfort and luxury. They have flavored our food, cured our ailments and
surrounded us with sweet scents. They have also played their (18)______in our folklore and magic. It
(19)_______be a very different world without them.
Nobody really knows who first used herbs and spices, or for (20) ______ purpose. All their properties were
known to the ancient Greeks and Egyptians as well as those (21) ______ in early Biblical times. The
knowledge that they employed, and that we still use today, must have been based on the trial and (22)
______ of early human, who was originally drawn to the plants (23)______ of their tantalizing aroma. He
gradually discovered their individual effects on his food and well-being and our use of them comes from
those early experiments. For centuries herbs and spices were appreciated to the (24)_______ but in modern
times the arrival of the convenience foods and new medicines of the twentieth century almost made us forget
them. But anything that has been so much loved and valued will never be completely neglected. The
knowledge has been (25) ______ alive and in our present-day search for all things natural, herbs and spices
have come into their own again.

Part 3: For questions 26–35, read the text below and choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D). Write your
answers in corresponding numbered boxes. (15 pts)
 Forgetful Brains
Humans have always had trouble remembering certain details. One person has the unique experience of
recalling in almost exact detail a memory from his childhood, but he cannot remember what he ate for lunch
yesterday. Another cannot recall names of people she met five minutes ago, but she remembers the names of
people she met from an hour before. Psychologists have searched for answers to the memory phenomenon to
better understand how the brain functions and what triggers memory or causes forgetfulness. After
extensive research over the past century, they have come up with some basic theories to help explain
memory loss.
There are times when an individual loses all recollection of an event. This is referred to as the decay
theory, which states that if memories are not recalled from time to time, they fade and then gradually drop
from a person’s memory. Decay is proven to occur with sensory memories, or short-term memories, if they
are not recalled or rehearsed. Decay of long-term memory is harder to explain because these memories last
through the passage of time. In fact, some knowledge can be accessed many years after it was first learned.
Research on students who took Spanish courses in high school revealed that they still remembered a great
deal of Spanish fifty years later, even though they had hardly used the language. While some memories tend
to decay, others remain burned into the recesses of the brain, causing psychologists to further ponder the
workings of memory.
Another explanation made by researchers concerning memory loss is known as interference. Under this
theory, an individual forgets a memory when similar information enters the mind and interferes with the
original memory in either the storage or retrieval area of the brain. The information is somewhere in the
person’s memory, but it gets confused with other details. This occurs in both short-term and long-term
memory and is most common when a person tries to recall isolated facts. For instance, a woman goes to a
party and meets a man named Joe at the front door. Half an hour later, she is introduced to Jason. When she
sees Joe again, she accidentally calls him Jason. This is retroactive interference. The newest information
input replaces the old information, causing the woman to mistakenly call the first man by the wrong name.
Additionally, people may suffer from proactive interference. A new student meets his first professor, Dr.
Mack, in his English class. When he has history, he meets Dr. Miller. However, he frequently calls both
teachers Dr. Mack, since that is the first name he had learned. Remembering the first set of information and
not remembering the next is proactive interference. The old information interfered with the student’s ability
to recall the newer information.
When a person needs to remember something, he frequently relies on cues, or reminders, to help him
retrieve a specific memory. When he lacks the cue to recall the memory, the person suffers from cue-
dependent forgetting. This may be the most common type of forgetfulness. Psychologist Willem Wagenaar
did a year-long study during which he recorded events from his life daily. After a year’s time, he could not
remember twenty percent of the critical details, and after five years, he had forgotten sixty percent.
However, he compiled cues from ten witnesses to some events in his past that he believed he had forgotten,
and he was able to recall pieces of information about all ten. Thus, when he had cues to help him retrieve his
memories, he could remember his experiences, illustrating that he was somewhat cue-dependent. Cognitive
psychologists believe that these specific cues help direct a person to the area of the brain where the
memory is stored or they match up with information linked to the actual memory the person is
seeking.
26. The word ‘triggers’ in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) closes (B) cues (C) review (D) erases
27. According to paragraph 2, decay of short-term memories can be avoided by
(A) remembering associations
(B) removing immediate distractions
(C) recollecting information often
(D) taking time to acquire input
28. What can be inferred about the decay theory from paragraph 2?
(A) Memories from big events always remain in the mind.
(B) Memory decay arises from specific circumstances.
(C) Recalling old memories prevent their decay.
(D) Most people suffer from some degree of memory decay.
29. Where can the following sentence be most possibly added to the passage?
However, the age of the memory does not enable psychologists to predict which memories will
disappear and which will remain.
(A) Right before the sentence “This is referred to as…a person’s memory”
(B) Right before the sentence “In fact, some knowledge…first learned”
(C) Right before the sentence “Research on students…the language”
(D) Right after the sentence “while some memories…of memory”
30. The word ‘ponder’ in the paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to
(A) consider (B) explain (C) forget (D) understand
31. All of the following are mentioned in paragraph 3 as interference EXCEPT:
(A) Confusing newly learned facts with other details
(B) Confusing old memories with current situations
(C) Remembering the first information but forgetting the second set
(D) Recalling the last information acquired but losing the first
32. In paragraph 3, the author discusses remembering and forgetting names in order to
(A) demonstrate memory interference
(B) refute proactive and retroactive interference
(C) advocate acquiring new memories
(D) reveal the workings of forgetfulness
33. The word ‘isolated’ in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) complex (B) angry (C) remote (D) ignored
34. It can be inferred from paragraph 4 that a cue-dependent person
(A) can remember detai ls or events when clues are present
(B) relies on clues too much when retrieving his memories
(C) cannot remember details or events without assistance from other people
(D) can only remember details or events unless clues are present
35. Which of the sentences below best express the essential information in the bold sentence “Cognitive
psychologists…..the person is seeking.” in the passage4? Incorrect choices change the meaning in
important ways or leave out essential information.
(A) Cues about an event lead a person back to the part of the brain storing the memory.
(B) Psychologists are able to link cues to areas of a person’s brain when he or she is forgetful.
(C) Information stored within the brain cannot be linked to specific memories after time.
(D) A person can find specific memories by using context cues about an experience.
Part 3. For questions 36–40, choose the correct heading for each paragraph A–F from the list of headings
below (i-ix). There are more headings than paragraphs. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered
boxes. There is an example at the beginning.
List of Headings

i How fragile X syndrome was discovered

ii The genetic basis of the fragile X syndrome

iii Fragile X syndrome and developmental delays in the brain

iv New treatments for fragile X syndrome

v The comparative frequency of fragile X syndrome

vi Research into understanding fragile X syndrome

vii Reason for the increase of fragile X syndrome

viii Other conditions related to cognitive development

ix Examples of the symptoms of fragile X syndrome

Example Answer
Paragraph E v

36 Paragraph A
37 Paragraph B
38 Paragraph C
39 Paragraph D
40 Paragraph F

A. A condition that causes children to dislike being hugged and sometimes reject all physical affection
is closer to being understood following research into the part of the brain responsible for our senses.
Scientists at Northwestern University, Illinois, and the University of Edinburgh explored fragile X
syndrome, a condition associated with hypersensitivity to sounds, touch, smells and visual stimuli
that can result in social withdrawal or anxiety. Hypersensitivity is a condition in which the person
affected responds in an excessive way to contact with the world around them. Some sufferers are
even hypersensitive to material on their skin.
B. The scientists found that critical phases in the brain’s development may be wrongly timed in people
with the condition. This may result in delayed communication between certain neurons in the brain.
By recording electrical signals in the brains of mice, bred to exactly copy the effect of the condition,
the researchers found that connections in the brain’s sensory cortex were late to develop fully. The
study, published in the journal Neuron, found that normal neural connections in the sensory cortex
occur much earlier than previously thought: in the first week of pregnancy in mice, which is
equivalent to the middle of the second trimester (or fifth month) of pregnancy in humans. In fragile
X syndrome, the mistiming also has a domino effect, causing further problems with the correct
wiring of the brain. The hope is that by understanding how and when the functions of the brain are
affected in fragile X syndrome, a therapy may become possible.
C. ‘There is a “critical period” during development, when the brain is very plastic and is changing
rapidly,’ said Anis Contractor, from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.
‘All the elements of this rapid development have to be coordinated so that the brain becomes wired
correctly and therefore functions properly.’ People with the syndrome have cognitive problems as
well as sensory problems that make them physically weaker. ‘They have tactile defensiveness,’ Dr
Contractor said. ‘They don’t look in people’s eyes, they won’t hug their parents, and they are
hypersensitive to touch and sound. All of this causes anxiety for family and friends as well as for the
fragile X patients themselves.’ Peter Kind, who led the study at the University of Edinburgh, said:
‘We know there are key windows during which the brain develops, both in the womb and afterwards.
The general principle is that if these time windows have shifted, then that could explain the cognitive
problems.’
D. Professor Kind said that this could be demonstrated by the fact that a child with a cataract (a medical
condition in which the lens of the eye becomes less and less transparent) that was not corrected
would become permanently blind in the affected eye, whereas an adult would be able to regain their
sight after an operation. ‘We’ve learnt that these changes happen much earlier than previously
thought, which gives valuable insight into when we should begin therapeutic intervention for people
with these conditions,’ he said. ‘It’s also has implications for the treatment of autism since the
changes in the brains of people with fragile X syndrome and autistic people are thought to
significantly overlap.’ Autism, as many people know, is a disability that affects how a person
communicates with and relates to other people, and how they make sense of the world.
E. Fragile X syndrome is as common as cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that commonly affects the
lungs and causes breathing difficulties, and that affects about 1 in 4,000 males and 1 in 8,000 females
worldwide. The Fragile X Society believes that there are many people who have fragile X syndrome
but have never been diagnosed. It shows up in early infancy and progressively worsens throughout
childhood, causing intellectual disability as well as social, language and behavioral problems.
F. Fragile X syndrome is caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome – one of the two
chromosomes that determine the gender or sex of a person. The mutation interferes in the production
of a protein called fragile X mental retardation protein. Fragile X is so-named because the X
 chromosome appears broken or kinked. Tim Potter, of the Fragile X Society, said: ‘We welcome any
research that helps us understand fragile X and which may open the way to reversing the effect of
preventing them ever happening’.
Question 41-45
Complete the summary of paragraphs A and B below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in spaces 41-45
People with fragile X syndrome are extremely sensitive to sensory (41)_________. Some sufferers are even
(42)_______ to clothing. The condition is the result of the connections within the (43 _______ of the brain
not being made at the right time. Instead, the neurons of people with the condition establish connections
later than should happen, which is normally in the second (44)_______ of pregnancy in humans. By
understanding how the brain’s (45)_______ are affected, scientists hope to develop a treatment.
IV. WRITING (40 points)
Part 1:
For questions 1–5, finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the There is an
example at the beginning (0).
1. I haven’t enjoyed myself so much for years.
It’s years …………….…....since I enjoyed myself so much……….…... .
1. “I think opinion polls are worthless,” he said.
He dismissed…………………………………………………………
2. The harsh criticism of the Prime Minister was quite unjustified.
There…………………………………………………………………
3. It was more of a business contract than a marriage.
It was not so…………………………………………………………..
4. They stand a good chance of winning the case.
The chances..…………………………………………………………..
5. It doesn’t matter what happens, we’ll stay side by side.
Come………………………………………………………………….
For questions 6–10, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence,
using the word given. Do not change the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
0. It’s no use arguing: I’ve made up my mind.
point
…..…. There’s no point in arguing: ……… I’ve made up my mind.
6. I need someone to take my place at the ceremony. (STAND)
…………………………………………………………………………
7. He owed his life to a passer-by. (INDEBTED)
…………………………………………………………………………
8. I had suspicion when they offered me such a high interest rate. (RAT)
…………………………………………………………………………
9. It is certain that the new cuts will worry the staff. (BOUND)
…………………………………………………………………………
10. Money has no value on a desert island. (COUNTS)
…………………………………………………………………………
Part 2:
It has been said, “Not everything that is learned is contained in books.” Compare and contrast
knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books, in your opinion, which source
is more important? Write a paragraph of about 150 words to express your opinion.