PRACTICE TEST 34

SECTION A: LISTENING
Part 1. You will hear part of a talk about best-selling books Use NO MORE THAN FIVE WORDS
AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

1. According to the research, what do most successful autobiographies write about?

The celebrities’ struggle
2. What do cookery books have that is attractive to readers?
An air of sophistication
3. What feature do all sports bestsellers share?
A wealth of anecdotes
4. What do history books contain that make them interesting?
A human aspect to history
5. Before advising on career promotion, what did self-help books deal with?
Personal relationships or happiness
Part 3. You will hear a conversation between Carla and Rob on cities built by the sea. Listen carefully
and decide the following statements are TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN according to what you hear.

1. Carla and Rob were surprised to learn that coastal cities conclude most of the world’s largest cities. T
2. According to Rob, building coastal cities near to rivers may not bring pollution to the cities may reduce
the land available for agriculture. F
3. When building water drainage channels in Miami in the 1950s, they used unsuitable materials. NG
4. Rob and Carla think the authorities in Miami should pay for a new flood prevention system immediately.
T
5. Greater coordination of activities should be the priority for international actions. T

Part 4. You will hear part of an interview with the astronaut Charles Duke, who is talking about his
trip to the moon. Choose the answer (A, B, C or D) that fits best according to what you hear.
1. How did Charles feel about space travel as a boy?
A. He thought it was unlikely to happen. B. He regarded it as more than science fiction
C. He was fascinated by the idea of it. D. He showed no particular interest in it.
2. What did Charles consider to be the hardest part of the training?
A. feeling trapped in the heavy spacesuit.
B. endlessly practicing the lunar surface landing
C. constantly being afraid of making a mistake
D. being unable to move his arms and hands
3. What was Charles’s reaction when he first found out he was going to the moon?
A. He realized he had to be cautious. B. He felt proud to be given the opportunity.
C. He tried to control his excitement. D. He reflected on his chances of survival.
4. How did the crew feel when they had landed on the moon?
A. They felt as if they were coming home.
B. The realized they had achieved something special.
C. They were afraid of what they might find on the surface.
D. They were worried about how they would take off again.
5. What feature of the moon made the greatest impact on Charles?

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 A. the brightness of the sun B. the vastness of the sky
C. the loneliness of place D. the absence of any stars

SECTION B: USE OF ENGLISH

I. Choose the best answer for each question.
1. In spite of his owner’s cruelty, the dog ………………… no grudge against humans.
A. takes B. bears C. carries D. supports
2. Some of the cattle were placed in quarantine for fear of the disease being ………………… .
A. contractual B. contagious C. congenital D. contentious
3. They were married ……………….. .
A. secret B. in secret C. in a secret D. in the secret
4. The mechanic explained in great ……………….. .
A. clarity B. information C. detail D. example
5. Her ability, ………………… with a determination to succeed, should make her very successful.
A. connected B. coupled C. joined D. related
6. We shall be competing ………………… some of the best teams in the country.
A. over B. against C. between D. beside
7. They said they were happy they had put their trust ………………… me.
A. in B. on C. on to D. with
8. There is a large car park ……………….. to the station.
A. across B. by C. right D. close
9. Why don’t you do something worthwhile with your time instead of just ……………….. it!
A. spending B. using C. wasting D. passing
10. But why did the police suspect you? It just does not make ……………….. to me.
A. reason B. right C. sense D. truth
11. My car was so old that I could only sell it for ..................... .
A. scrap B. rubbish C. debris D. waste
12. The country’s wealth comes chiefly from its many ..................... .
A. herd of cattle B. herd of cattles C. herds of cattles D. herds of cattle
13. We looked everywhere but the intruder was nowhere ……………….. .
A. to be seen B. seen C. to see D. having seen
14. I looked up their number in the telephone ……………….. .
A. directory B. list C. guide D. catalogue
15. ……………….. what most people say about him, he has a very good sense of humour.
A. Contrary to B. Against C. Opposite to D. Opposing
16. Send for our free brochure by ……………….. the coupon below.
A. filling B. responding C. answering D. completing
17. Children can be difficult to teach because of their short attention ………………..
A. limit B. span C. duration D. time
18. He isn’t ……………….. run the business alone.
A. capable of B. good at C. able to D. used to
19. They were left a lot of money in their aunt’s ……………….. .
A. testament B. will C. heritage D. against
-testament: proof
20. I know it’s not sunny now; ……………….. I shall take my sunglasses.
A. as though B. even so C. although D. even though
II. Use the word given in capitals in brackets to form a word that fits in the gap.
Childhood self-esteem can overwhelm academic disadvantage or social
deprivation in determining future earnings power, according to major new
research.
There is now clear evidence that the earnings of people who had higher self-
esteem at age ten (1) ___outstrip____ those of their peers whose academic 1. STRIP
performance was better at the same age. Bright children often have higher self-
esteem, as do some from more affluent (2) __background_____. But the study 2. GROUND
compared children from similar families and still found that those who were
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psychologically well-balanced at ten were now (3) ___outperforming____ their
peers. 3. PERFORM
The research also found, surprisingly, that it is not unusual for children to have
high academic (4) __achievements_____ and low self-esteem, leading to 4. ACHIEVE
significant later (5) _under-performance______ in the jobs market. A 5. PERFORM
spokesman for the British Association for Counselling said: ‘(6) 6. COURAGE
_discouragement______ for children doesn’t come only from crude parental
hostility at home; it can just be (7) _resentment______ or the constant feeling 7. RESENT
that they’re making you tired. Children pick that up. Nor is it only (8) 8. PRIVILIGE
___underprivileged____ children who suffer. All too often you can ask affluent
parents who the important people in their child’s life are – teachers, friends and
so on – and they haven’t a clue.’
Bearing out the findings of this research, many (9) __outstandingly_____ 9. STAND
successful entrepreneurs, such as Richard Branson, were (10) __outshone_____ 10. SHINE
academically when they were at school but had the advantage of supportive
families.

SECTION C: READING COMPREHENSION

Passage 1: Read the following passage and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap.
As time passes, the power of newspapers seems to be on the (1)……………… . This is odd because in the
relatively (2)……………… past people were predicting that the influence of the written word would
diminish in direct proportion to the rate of increase of the spoken word and moving image through TV and
video. The Internet, cable and satellite television, Teletext and multi-media computers in (3)………………
other home should surely have done for newspapers by now, particularly alongside a perceptible resurgence
in the audiences for news-carrying radio stations. How have these organs survived, let alone (4)
………………, particularly on a Sunday? Why do people who have seen a football or tennis match live or
on the small screen rush the next day to read a (5)……………… version of it in four or five columns which
surely cannot mean more to the reader than that self-same viewer of the previous afternoon or evening? Why
would anyone who has seen a film and formed a (6)……………… impression of it the following day read a
review of the (7)……………… film in a newspaper? To see if he/ she is right? Isn’t that what friends are
for? Don’t we have colleagues for just that purpose – to see if our ideas on any (8)……………… song, film
or programme tally with others? What is this product that (9)……………… of not much more than
outrageous headlines, wayward comment, subjective editorials and hyperbolic sports pages still doing in our
lives? It seems for the time being to be leading a charmed life. When it finally goes, though, many may
come to mourn its (10)……………… .
1. A. increase B. rise C. expansion D. build
2. A. latest B. distant C. immediate D. recent
3. A. all B. any C. every D. one
4. A. flourished B. bloomed C. flowered D. rooted
5. A. curtailed B. cut C. reduced D. potted
6. A. vivid B. coloured C. bright D. direct
7. A. latter B. aforesaid C. previous D. above-mentioned
8. A. given B. taken C. subjected D. written
9. A. comprises B. contains C. consists D. informs
10. A. perishing B. dying C. falling D. passing

Passage 2: Read the following passage and choose the best answer to each question.
Smart Energy
The next few decades will see great changes in the way energy is supplied and used.  In some major
oil producing nations, 'peak oil' has already been reached, and there are increasing fears of global warming. 
Consequently, many countries are focusing on the switch to a low carbon economy. This transition will lead
to major changes in the supply and use of electricity.  [A] Firstly, there will be an increase in overall
demand, as consumers switch from oil and gas to electricity to power their homes and vehicles.  [B]
Secondly, there will be an increase in power generation, not only in terms of how much is generated, but
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also how it is generated, as there is growing electricity generation from renewable sources. [C] To meet
these challenges, countries are investing in Smart Grid technology.  [D] This system aims to provide the
electricity industry with a better understanding of power generation and demand, and to use this information
to create a more efficient power network.
Smart Grid technology basically involves the application of a computer system to the electricity
network.  The computer system can be used to collect information about supply and demand and improve
engineer's ability to manage the system.  With better information about electricity demand, the network will
be able to increase the amount of electricity delivered per unit generated, leading to potential reductions in
fuel needs and carbon emissions.  Moreover, the computer system will assist in reducing operational and
maintenance costs.
Smart Grid technology offers benefits to the consumer too.  They will be able to collect real-time
information on their energy use for each appliance.  Varying tariffs throughout the day will give customers
the incentive to use appliances at times when supply greatly exceeds demand, leading to great reductions in
bills.  For example, they may use their washing machines at night.  Smart meters can also be connected to
the internet or telephone system, allowing customers to switch appliances on or off remotely.  Furthermore,
if houses are fitted with the apparatus to generate their own power, appliances can be set to run directly from
on-site power source, and any excess can be sold to the grid.
With these changes comes a range of challenges.  The first involves managing the supply and
demand.  Sources of renewable energy, such as wind, wave and solar, are notoriously unpredictable, and
nuclear power, which is also set to increase as nations switch to alternative energy sources, is inflexible. 
With oil and gas, it is relatively simple to increase the supply of energy to match the increasing demand
during peak times of the day or year.  With alternative sources, this is far more difficult, and may lead to
blackouts or system collapse.  Potential solutions include investigating new and efficient ways to store
energy and encouraging consumers to use electricity at off-peak times.
A second problem is the fact that many renewable power generation sources are located in remote
areas, such as windy uplands and coastal regions, where there is currently a lack of electrical infrastructure. 
New infrastructures therefore must be built.  Thankfully, with improved smart technology, this can be done
more efficiently by reducing the reinforcement or construction costs.
Although Smart Technology is still in its infancy, pilot schemes to promote and test it are already
underway.  Consumers are currently testing the new smart meters which can be used in their homes to
manage electricity use.  There are also a number of demonstrations being planned to show how the smart
technology could practically work, and trials are in place to test the new electrical infrastructure.  It is likely
that technology will be added in 'layers', starting with 'quick win' methods which will provide initial carbon
savings, to be followed by more advanced systems at a later date.  Cities are prime candidates for investment
into smart energy, due to the high population density and high energy use.  It is here where Smart
Technology is likely to be promoted first, utilizing a range of sustainable power sources, transport solutions
and an infrastructure for charging electrically powered vehicles.  The infrastructure is already changing fast. 
By the year 2050, changes in the energy supply will have transformed our homes, our roads and our
behaviour.
1.  According to paragraph 1, what has happened in some oil producing countries?
 A. They are unwilling to sell their oil any more.
B. They are not producing as much oil as they used to.
C. The supply of oil is unpredictable.
D. Global warming is more sever here than in other countries.
2.  Where in paragraph 1 can the following sentence be placed?
There is also likely more electricity generation centres, as households and communities take up the
opportunity to install photovoltaic cells and small scale wind turbines.
A B C D
3.  Which of the following is NOT a benefit of Smart Grid technology to consumers?
 A. It can reduce their electricity bills.
B. It can tell them how much energy each appliance is using.
 C. It can allow them to turn appliances on and off when they are not at home.
 D. It can reduce the amount of energy needed to power appliances.
4.  According to paragraph 4, what is the problem with using renewable sources of power?
A. They do not provide much energy. B. They often cause system failure and blackouts.
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 C. They do not supply a continuous flow of energy. D .They can't be used at off-peak times.
5.  In paragraph 5, what can be inferred about cities in the future?
 A. More people will be living in cities in the future than nowadays.
 B. People in cities will be using cars and buses powered by electricity.
 C. All buildings will generate their own electricity.
D. Smart Grid technology will only be available in cities.
6.  The word 'remote' in paragraph 5 could be best replace by:
A. isolated B. crowded C. attractive D. alone
7. The word 'underway' in paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to:
A. permanent B. complete C. beneficial D. in progress
8.  What is the main idea of the final paragraph? (paragraph 6).
 A. To describe who will benefit from Smart Grid technology first.
 B. To outline the advantages of Smart Grid technology.
 C. To summarise the main ideas in the previous paragraphs.
 D. To describe how, where and when Smart Technology will be introduced.
9.  In paragraph 6, what can be inferred about the introduction of Smart Grid Technology?
 A. The technologies which produce most benefits will be introduced first.
 B. The cheapest technologies will be introduced first.
 C. The technologies which are most difficult to put into place will be introduced first.
 D. Technologically advanced systems will be introduced first.
10. The word “infancy” in paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to:
A. completion B. beginning C. old age D. malnutrition

Passage 3: Read the passage and fill in the blank with a suitable word.
A.
Put simply, an allergy is a disorder in which the body over-reacts to harmless substances which in
(1)__normal____ circumstances should not produce any reaction at all. An allergy can occur in
(2)__almost____ any part of your body, and can be caused by just about anything. Mainly though, allergies
become evident on parts of the body (3)__directly____ exposed to the outside world. Certain allergies occur
only at certain times of the year, while others are there all the time. Those that occur all the year
(4)__round____ are probably caused by something you come into (5)__contact____ with every day of your
life, some seemingly harmless (6)__things____ such as your deodorant or the pillow you lie on each night.
Allergies can occur at any time during you life, but usually do so before your fortieth birthday. Sometimes
the symptoms are so (7)___light___ you do not even know you have an allergy, and it may take years for an
allergy to become noticeable. It all (8)__depends____ on the amount of the substance to which you are
exposed and for how long. Sometimes an allergy can disappear as suddenly as it arrived, without any
(9)______ . Sometimes it comes and goes for no apparent (10)___reason___ , and with no regularity.
B.
How often do you go along to a gig and see (11)___something______ new? Well, Quest's Friday night gig
at the City Hall certainly caught my (12)____attention_____. Having heard one or two tracks online, I was
(13)_____expecting____ a group of about six musicians. Imagine my surprise when just three young men
walked on stage.
It was clear that the band already have a small but (14)____loyal_____ following. A group of fans in front
of the small stage were singing (15)__along_______ to at least half of the songs. And it was easy to see
why. Quest have a clever combination of catchy (16)__lyrics_______, an irresistible beat, and very much
their own sound. All three of the band members play with great energy and expertise (17)___despite______
their age.
The only downside was when it came to the encores. They (18)____ended_____ up repeating some of their
material and giving us cover (19)____versions_____ of early rock classics. A bit disappointing, but give
them time and I'm sure they'll be writing a lot more.
I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot more from Quest. Check them out every Friday at the City Hall until the end
of the month. It's well (20)____worth_____ it.

Part 5: Read throught the following text and choose from the list A- the best sentence to fit each blank.

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 What do we mean by being ‘talented’ or ‘gifted’? The most obvious way is to look at the work
someone does and if they are capable of significant success, label them as talented. The purely quantitative
route - ‘percentage definition’ - looks not at individuals, but at simple percentages, such as the top five per
cent of the population, and labels them - by definition - as gifted. (1) ……F……………..
The IQ test has been eclipsed in turn. Most people studying intelligence and creativity in the new
millennium now prefer a broader definition, using a multifaceted approach where talents in many areas are
recognised rather than purely concentrating on academic achievement. (2)……J…………….. Mental
dysfunction - such as schizophrenia - can, so is an efficient mental capacity passed on from parent to child?
Animal experiments throw some light on this question, and on the whole area of whether it is
genetics, the environment or a combination of the two that allows for intelligence and creative ability. (3)
……………..If these are brought up in normal conditions and then mn through a maze to reach a food goal,
the ‘bright’ strain make far fewer wrong turns that the ‘dull’ ones. But if the environment is made dull and
boring the number of errors becomes equal. Return the rats to an exciting maze and the discrepancy returns
as before - but is much smaller. In other words, a dull rat in a stimulating environment will almost do as well
as a bright rat who is bored in a normal one. (4) ……………
Evidence now exists that most young children, if given enough opportunities and encouragement, are
able to achieve significant and sustainable levels of academic or sporting prowess. (5) …G……….. They
may also talk earlier, and this, in turn, breeds parental interest. This can sometimes cause problems with
other siblings who may feel jealous even though they themselves may be bright. Their creative talents may
be undervalued and so never come to fruition. Two themes seem to run through famously creative families
as a result. (6) …A………..Individual differences were encouraged, and friendly sibling rivalry was not seen
as a particular problem. If the father is, say, a famous actor, there is no undue pressure for his children to
follow him onto the boards, but instead, their chosen interests are encouraged. (7) ………………….
Martin Sheen was the seventh of ten children born to a Spanish immigrant father and an Irish mother. (8)
……………… His acting successes in films such as Badlands and Apocalypse Now made him one of the
most highly-regarded actors of the 1970s. Three sons - Emilio Estevez, Ramon Estevez and Charlie Sheen -
have followed him into the profession as a consequence of being inspired by his motivation and enthusiasm.
A stream seems to run through creative families. Such children are not necessarily smothered with love by
their parents. (9) ……E………..They may see from their parents that it takes time and dedication to be
master of a craft, and so are in less of a hurry to achieve for themselves once they start to work.

(10) …………I…………………This last point - luck - is often not mentioned where talent is concerned but
plays an undoubted part. Mozart, considered by many to be the finest composer of all time, was lucky to be
living in an age that encouraged the writing of music. He was brought up surrounded by it, his father was a
musician who encouraged him to the point of giving up his job to promote his child genius, and he learnt
musical composition with frightening speed - the speed of a genius. Mozart himself simply wanted to create
the finest music ever written but did not necessarily view himself as a genius - he could write sublime music
at will, and so often preferred to lead a hedonistic lifestyle that he found more exciting than writing music to
order.

A. The first is that the parents were able to identify the talents of each child, and nurture and encourage these
accordingly but in an even-handed manner.
B. Despite intense parental disapproval he turned his back on entrance exams to university and borrowed
cash from a local priest to start a fledgling acting career.
C. If we are therefore assuming that talented, creative or gifted individuals may need to be assessed across a
range of abilities, does this mean intelligence can run in families as a genetic or inherited tendency?
D. This principle applies to humans too - someone may be born with innate intelligence, but their
environment probably has the final say over whether they become creative or even a genius.
E. They feel loved and wanted, and are secure in their home, but are often more surrounded by an
atmosphere of work and where following a calling appears to be important.
F. This definition has fallen from favour, eclipsed by the advent of IQ tests, favoured by luminaries such as
Professor Hans Eysenck, where a series of written or verbal tests of general intelligence leads to a score of
intelligence.

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G. Bright or creative children are often physically very active at the same time, and so may receive more
parental attention as a result - almost by default - in order to ensure their safety. They may also talk earlier,
and this, in turn, breeds parental interest.
H. There need not even by any obvious talent in such a family since there always needs to be someone who
sets the family career in motion, as in the case of the Sheen acting dynasty.
I. The generation of creativity is complex: it is a mixture of genetics, the environment, parental teaching and
luck that determines how successful or talented family members are.
J. Different strains of rats show great differences in intelligence or ‘rat reasoning’.

SECTION D: WRITING
Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means the same as the sentence printed
before it.
1. I think he’s at last beginning to agree with me. ROUND
I suppose ___ he's at last coming round to my way of thinking ____________.
2. When he won the scholarship, Alan began to realize just how lucky he was. DAWN
When he won the scholarship, it began ________________________________.
3. Do you have any idea about how Jack made enough money to buy that new sports car? LIGHT
Can you _ cast/shed/throw light on how Jack made enough money to buy his new?
__ to buy that new sports car?
4. Anne complained about the weather throughout the holiday. ENTIRE
Anne ___________________________________________________________.
5. He said there was no way the government would send financial aid to the region. RULED
He __ ruled out the possibility of the government sending financial aid to the region _
sending financial aid to the region.
6. Did you see how concerned Jessie was? EXPRESSION
Did you see____ the expression of concern on Jessie’s face_________.