READING

READING 1

Being Special

Everybody likes to feel special. Sadly, many of us grow up believing that we're not special at all.
We wish that we could be more attractive or better at sports. We wish we had more money or
more beautiful clothes. Like the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, or the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard
of Oz, we think we're not good enough just as we are. In the film, The Tin Man wishes he had a
heart. The Scarecrow wishes that he had a brain, and the Lion wants courage. Eventually, each
of them realizes that he already has what he wants.

Nearly all parents want us to be the best we can be. They occasionally attempt to encourage
us to do better by comparing us to others. They mean well, but the message we usually get is
that we're not good enough. We start to believe that the only way we can be special is by
being better than somebody else, but we are frequently disappointed. There will always be
somebody out there that is better than we are at something. There are a lot of people around
who may not be as intelligent as we are but who are better at sports. Or they may not be as
handsome, but they have more money. It is unthinkable for us to be better than everybody
else all the time. Like the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion, we all need what we
believe will make us better people.

What we don't understand is that often we already have inside us the very things that we look
for in life. Our parents often forget to tell us that we are special, that we are good enough just
as we are. Perhaps no one told them when they were growing up, or maybe they just forgot.
Either way, it's up to us to remind them sometimes that each of us, in our own way, is special.
What we are is enough!

1. What is the writer's main aim in writing the text?

A to talk about your family problems
B to explain the importance of being yourself
C to describe how intelligent we are
D to suggest how people can change their way of life
2. This essay was most likely written by …
A a young person
B a coach
C a teacher
D a parent
3. What does the writer say about our parents?
A They always tell us that we are good enough.
B They never forget to tell us that we are special.
C They always tell us that we are special.
D They frequently forget to tell us that we are special.
4. The author of this essay believes that …
A we are all good enough just the way we are
 B the richer you are, the better you are
C intelligent people are more special than others
D not everyone can be special
5. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
A What Makes You Laugh?
B What Makes You Happy?
C What Makes You Special?
D What Makes You Stronger?

READING 2: The people below all want to visit somewhere. Opposite there are descriptions
of eight places. Decide which place would be the most suitable for the people below. There
are more places than people.

Marco studies physics and is interested in anything to do with science. He'd like to visit
somewhere to see some examples of early mechanical engines.

Gemma wants to take her 5-year-old to see some animals. She'd also like to look around some
shops to buy something for her mother's birthday.

Ingrid's eldest daughter is learning about English history and would like to go somewhere to
bring this subject to life. Ingrid is really interested in flowers.

Trevor is an artist and enjoys drawing wildlife. He recently visited a zoo and drew large animals
and would like to try sketching something smaller.

Sarah and her husband would like to spend the day outdoors. They don't like going on rides
but are both interested in history and how people used to live.

Places to go this summer

1. Stratford Butterfly Farm: The biggest butterfly farm in Europe. Whatever the weather come
and see these beautiful creatures as they would live in their natural environment. Walk around
a tropical rainforest as butterflies fly freely around you. See them as they come into the world
in the Caterpillar Room. And don't miss Insect City where you can view huge spiders and our
very own scorpion colony!

2: National Sea-Life Centre: You wouldn't expect to bump into a hammerhead shark whilst
visiting Brum city centre. But yes, it's true, The National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham is the
only aquarium in the UK where you can see this creature along with our Sea Dragons from
Australia and baby stingrays from the Amazon. We guarantee an experience you'll never
forget.

3: Coventry Transport Museum: Coventry Transport Museum hosts the world's largest
transport collection. A day out here will give you the chance to see some of the earliest motor
cars as well as more modern vehicles like the De Lorean 'back from the future' car. You can
also design your own car and experience what breaking the sound barrier at 763 miles an hour
feels like.

4: Warwick Castle: Regarded by many as Britain's greatest Medieval Castle. Visit exhibitions,
climb the castle towers, relax as you walk around the gardens, designed and created in 1753
by Capability Brown. Experience the preparations for battle in the Kingmaker exhibition or
witness a Victorian Royal Weekend. And if your interest is more in the darker side of the
Castle's history visit The Castle Dungeon.

5: ThinkTank: At Thinktank you will find four floors of hands-on exhibits and historical
collections that will amaze and inspire you, showing you the science of the world all around us
from the past, the present and the future. From galleries and exhibitions to an exciting
programme of events and activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy, whether your
interest is steam engines, looking into deepest space or seeing how doctors perform life-saving
surgery.

6: Drayton Manner: One of the UK's most popular attractions. The park is home to some of the
scariest rides you'll find like Stormforce 10 and Apocalypse, which has been voted the UK's
most frightening ride. You'll also find an indoor and outdoor play area and of course, Drayton
Manor Zoo with over one hundred different species, including twelve rare breeds from across
the world.

7: Hatton Country World: If you're keen on seeing unique crafts and craft work side-by-side
with antique shops and a traditional butchers shop, Hatton Country World is the place for you.
As well as these wonderful shops you'll be able to enjoy the Farm Park with many farm animals
to help keep the kids entertained.

8: Black Country Museum: It's been called Britain's friendliest open-air museum. Come to
Black Country Museum and discover an old-fashioned village by the canal. Look around original
old-fashioned shops and houses, see what it's like down a mine and take a ride on a tramcar.

READING 3

Belinda works for a large Art Company and she feels she needs to improve her computer skills.
She already has a basic understanding of some common computer programmes, but she wants
to learn how to organise her work and store information.

Jenny is interested in a career in design, and wants to learn how to create art and change
photographs using special computer programmes. She wants a course that will fit into her
normal school day.

George is unable to travel because he has difficulty walking, but he wants to learn more about
the wildlife and scenery in different parts of the world.

Chris wants a change in career, so he’s looking for a full-time course in which he can learn
everything there is to know about photography and how to use computers to change and sell
his work.

Harriet is 71, and is interested in painting and drawing. She would like to go somewhere in the
summer where she can learn new tips and paint attractive scenery.

A - Form and Colour

This is year-long course is perfect for people who want to learn about how to use a camera and
who want to take it up as a profession. Students will learn how to use light and shade, colour
and different shapes. The course will also teach students to change their work using computer
technology. Tips will be given on how best to get started in the profession.
B - Practice makes Perfect
Learn about how to use computer software to make your work life easier. This course is
designed for people who use computers regularly as part of their career, but who feel they are
unable to make the most of the technology. Learn about new software for storing documents
and photographs and keeping records. This evening class runs for ten weeks from September
to December.
C - Armchair Explorer
This is a series of daytime lectures by people who have lived and worked in wild places. Each
of the six talks will focus on a different continent. Lecturers will show photographs of the
animals and plants, and explain why they are only found in one area. Lecturers will include Leo
Holland, a scientist from the Antarctic project, and Milly Oliphant, who researches birds in the
Amazon rainforest. Tea and Biscuits provided.
D - Art Starter
Are you interested in a career in art? If so, this full-time, eight-week course will be perfect for
you. Learn about different methods used by artists, including painting, drawing, photography
and computer design. Artists will create work for an exhibition which will be displayed in the
Town Hall for one month in September. Top businessmen and women from the design
industry will be invited to attend the exhibition, so this could be a great start to your career!
E - Wild Design
Whether you want a career in art, or you just want to enjoy your hobby, this holiday course is
for you. Wild Design is a two-week summer course situated on the wild coast of South
Wales. We teach all kinds of art, including photography and painting, and the wild sea,
beautiful flowers and great wildlife will definitely give you lots of creative ideas. Even if you
already have a good understanding of art, you are sure to learn something new from our team
of professional tutors.
F - Explore your Imagination
Do you want to show your friends a photograph of you beside the Egyptian pyramids or in the
jungles of Borneo? Well now you can tell your friends that you have travelled the world
without actually leaving the country! Join this evening class and learn how to use the latest
technology and software to change photographs to a professional standard. You will also learn
how to make your own computer designs using the computer programmes used by
professionals.
G - Technology for You
Do you feel as if everyone is using a computer except you? Join in this five-day course and
learn the basics. You’ll learn how to store your personal files, send emails and use simple
programmes to write and print letters. In the afternoons you will have the choice of either
learning how to make Birthday Cards and other designs on a computer, or you can join our
‘Basic computers for Work’ class.
H - Wildlife Photographer
Travel to a different wild place every week and learn how to take photographs of animals,
plants and scenery. Our expert teachers will advise you how to take the best pictures. This
course will run for six weeks on Saturdays. Students should already have a good
understanding of photography and their own equipment. The class is suitable for everyone, as
there is very little walking involved.
READING 4
Night Shift Work
Many people have jobs that are not very interesting, but a lot of people have to work at night,
and this is very difficult. When everybody else is getting ready to go out, they have to go to
work, and this puts a lot of psychological stress on them. It is also not very healthy because the
human body is designed to be active in the day and to rest in the dark. If this cycle is reversed
it can have a bad effect on a person's health. So, why do people do the night shift?
Nowadays many businesses have to offer a 24-hour service, like hotels, delivery companies,
some supermarkets are open all night and all day, call centres and hospitals. It is true that
some people only need a few hours of sleep at night but the majority need eight hours.
Humans are most active in the middle of the day, and the time when they are least able to
concentrate and be efficient is between 2 am and 4 am.
This is the worst time to drive or to do anything that needs concentration. The body finds it
very difficult to adapt to the opposite cycle. Things are not likely to get better in the future
because more and more businesses are working 24-hour cycles to keep in step with our 24-
hour society.
1. What is the writer's main aim in writing the text?
A to describe the importance of work.
B to help people change their way of life.
C to say how working at night can be harmful.
D to suggest how to become a night shift worker.
2. What does the writer say about night jobs?
A You get better working conditions.
B There is a variety of them.
C It is easier than working during the day.
D Many people refuse to work at night.
3. What would a reader learn about sleep from the text?
A Everybody needs the same amount.
B It's difficult to change your sleeping needs.
C People sleep better in the early morning.
D It's easy to change your sleeping habits.
4. What does the writer say about the future?
A Fewer people will work during the day.
B Many people will stop working during the day.
C Some jobs will always be done at night.
D Nobody will work at night.
5. Which of the following could also be a title for this text?
A society is changing but our bodies are not!
 B a good night's sleep can change your life!
C a worker that sleeps more, works more!
D it's time to end the night shift!

READING 5
The Zookeeper
My name's Mark Porter. I've been interested in the natural world since I was very young. I
used to keep insects, and I spent a lot of time drawing them. After I finished school, I went to
work in a pet shop - that was great fun, but I knew I had to go to college if I wanted a better
job. So I went to university to study Biology and then got a job in Florida working at a sea-life
centre, looking after the dolphins.
While I was working there, I saw an advertisement for my current job - a keeper for the fish
department at a zoo in California - and applied. Although it was for the same money, I was
pleased when they immediately offered me the job because there are lots of different
activities I'm involved in here. As part of my job, I get to do research, and I manage an
education centre where I tell people of all ages about what they can do to protect fish and
animals.
People think that my job is exciting because I go diving as part of my research work on sharks.
However, I work long hours, and I worry if I have to call a medical specialist to come and look
after a sick fish. Conditions at work can be uncomfortable too, as a lot of the fish I look after
bite, so I have to be careful. Then there are the visitors. Some are OK, but some try to touch
the fish or put sweet wrappers in the water - that makes me angry. However, my job is very
rewarding, and I hope that you'll think about working with animals, too.
1. What is the writer trying to do in this text?
A how people can protect animals
B give an account of one day in his life
C describe some of the people he works with
D encourage people to have a career with wildlife.
2. What can a reader find out from this text?
A what subject Mark needed to learn to get a better job
B how many hours a day does Mark have to work
C how long Mark has been keen on animals
D where you can find the best sea-life centres
3. What does Mark say about his current job?
A It allows him to do a variety of things.
B It was quite difficult to get.
C It is better paid than his last job.
D It gives him time off work to go diving.
4. How does Mark feel about visitors to the zoo?
 A nervous that a fish might hurt them
B annoyed when they don't behave well
C upset when they take the fish out of the water
D sad when they don't ask questions
5. What might Mark write in his diary today?
A Today, I performed an operation on a sick fish that had eaten a sweet wrapper.
B I spent all day in the research laboratory again today doing boring experiments.
C I gave a talk today to a group of schoolchildren about looking after animals.
D Today I watched my boss go swimming with sharks - I wish I was allowed to do that
too!