B1.

3 – 13 SLOTS -26 HOURS – STUDENT’S VERSION

FORMAT

LISTENING:

PART 1: QUESTIONS 1-8 (8 SHORT ANNOUNCEMENTS)

PART 2: QESTIONS 9-20 (9-12, 13-16, 17-20)

PART 3: QESTIONS 21-35 (21-25, 26-30, 31-35)

READING:

PASSAGE 1: 36-45

PASSAGE 2: 46-55

PASSAGE 3: 56-65

PASSAGE 4: 66-75

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READING 1:

1. What do most people find difficlut when they meet each other for the first time?
a. Social interaction
b. Culture
c. Custom
d. Behavior
2. What advice does the writer give about questions to ask people?
a. Be quite and wait for someone to ask first
b. Try to be sociable
c. Avoid asking personal questions
d. Ask easy questions at first and do not be afraid to ask personal questions
3. Why is finding things in common a good idea?
a. It makes conversation easier beccause you have a lot of things to say to each other
b. It helps you make good impression
c. Other people will know you more
d. It makes you less anxious
4. Why shoudn’t you say things which aren’t true to make people feel good?
a. Because it breaks your relationship
b. Because they may notice and think you’re insincere

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 c. Because they may feel uncomfortable
d. Because they do not like this
5. What two things does the writer say we should use to show interests?
a. Eye-contact and words
b. Eye-contact and body language
c. Words and body language
d. Gestures and emotion
6. Why is over-politeness not recommended?
a. It can make people feel colder
b. It can lead to misunderstanding
c. It can leave bad impression on other people
d. It is a bad behavior

READING 2

1. Take a/an…….to see the sights.

a. Bus
b. car
c. roller coaster
d. train

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 2. Appreciate the views in your city at……
a. Sunrise
b. Sunset
c. Mid-day
d. Mid-night
3. We should make the time to catch up with….
a. relatives
b. Family
c. Friends
d. Lovers
4. You can feel like you’re on holiday of you do something……..from what you usually do.
a. Different
b. better
c. more meaningful
d. more impressive
5. Leave your………at home so you can enjoy the moment.
a. Assets
b. Camera
c. Money
d. wallet

READING 3

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1. What drink is popular with breakfast in India?
a. Tea
b. Roti
c. Dosas
d. Rice
2. Which country has lots of meat-free options?
a. Wales
b. Japan
c. Spain
d. India
3. Why is breakfast a simple meal in Spain?
a. To have room for lunch
b. It is not necessary
c. People are busy to have breakfast
d. They do not like breakfast
4. What does the writer recommend trying as part of breakfast in Spain?
a. Hot milk
b. A strong cup of espresso with hot milk?
c. White coffee
d. Black coffee
5. In Wales, what breakfast ingredient is from the sea?
a. Boiled food
b. butter
c. Seaweed
d. oats
6. According to the article, how is laverbread cake cooked?
a. It is fried in butter
b. It is medium-cooked
c. It is well-cooked
d. It is cooked with different ingredients
7. In Japan, what is usually eaten for breakfast if people don’t have a lot of time in the morrning?
a. Toast and egg
b. Toast and a green salad
c. Bread and milk
d. Toast and milk
8. According to the article, why is breakfast so important?
a. It provides energy
b. It is nutritious
c. It makes a country different from others
d. Because of the importance of routine and habit, tradition and custom

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READING 4

1. What did Martin do to try and deal with stress?

a. He decided to take more time for himself
b. He decided to stay off-line
c. He decided to take a course to learn how to deal with stress
d. He decided to spend more time for the whole family
2. What does Martin make sure he does every day?
a. He watches something funny
b. He spends time with friends
c. He reads jokes
d. He takes time to laugh every day
3. When did Maggie start designing clothes?
a. About four years ago
b. About five years ago
c. Five and a half years ago
d. Since she started her office job
4. Why did Maggie quit her office job?
a. That was a boring job
b. That was a low-paid job
c. So that she could meet the demand and continue to make clothes

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 d. So that she could spend more time for her family
5. Why did Dave go on holiday?
a. He needed to do something different
b. He wanted to make new friends
c. He hoped to learn new cultures
d. He wanted to do research on wildlife
6. Where did Dave go?
a. Somewhere to switch off
b. He went to South Africa on a wildlife safari
c. Somewhere with wildlife animals
d. He went to on a safari
7. Why should you try to get away from the office?
a. Because it helps you learn more
b. Because you can find a better job
c. Because it’s been shown to reduce stress and increase levels of happiness
d. Because you can get your job done well

READING 5

1. How long are English classes?

a. one hour
b. two hours with a break
c. three hours without break

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d. four hours
2. How many types of outdoor activities do students do every week?
a. three
b. five
c. seven
d. six
3. What does the brochure say about the weather in England?
a. It rains all year.
b. It rains a lot, even in summer.
c. It doesn't rain much.
d. It doesn’t rain at all
4. According to the brochure, the manor ...
a. is new.
b. is modern
c. has changed a lot since it was built.
d. is cold during the night.
5. What does the brochure say that students cannot bring?
a. a waterproof coat
b. an animal
c. lunch
d. canned food
6. Who would the course be suitable for?
a. Someone who just wants to focus on learning English, and doesn't like physical exercise.
b. Someone who loves nature and travel, and wants to learn English.
c. Someone who loves to visit big cities when they travel.
d. Someone who loves to do research on nature

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READING 6

1.

Why did Jenny contact her future employer?

a. She has always wanted to work with orangutans.

b. She was researching her PhD.

c. She replied to emails they sent her about animal conservation.

d. She was a part of the organization

2. Why was Jenny unsure about taking the job?

a. Her children wanted to stay with their friends.

b. Her husband was happy in his job and they had young children.

c. It was a fantastic opportunity.

d. Her husband did not agree with her

3. What did they think about the weather in Indonesia?

a. Like England, it was raining all the time.

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b. It was hotter than they thought it would be.

c. It was hot and very wet.

d. It was not raining at all

4. What were the bathroom facilities like in their new home?

a. They had to wash using cold water and a bucket.

b. There weren't any bathroom facilities.

c. They wished they were back in England.

d. They had to pay for new facilities

5. How did they feel about living in Indonesia at the beginning?

a. They thought they had made the wrong decision to move here.

b. They knew they'd like it after a couple of weeks.

c. They wished it was like their old home in the UK.

d. They cried a lot

6. What was the traffic like in Indonesia, compared to England?

a. This information isn't in the article.

b. It was louder.

c. There were more vehicles on the roads.

d. The roads were narrow

7. What do the Andersons think about English people now?

a. They're nicer and friendlier than Indonesians.

b. They aren't as friendly as Indonesians.

c. They're the nicest people she has ever met.

d. They’re more introvert

8. What do they think about living there now?

a. They wish they hadn't gone there but the children like the animals.

b. The children like the wildlife and Jenny enjoys her work.

c. They want to go home soon but think the people are friendly.

d. They do not like the wildlife

9. Which sentence best describes the Anderson family’s experience?

a. It was a good opportunity for Jenny’s career and they're happy with the choice they made.

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b. They didn't like it at first but now they're planning to stay.

c. Jenny is the happiest member of the family but the others don't mind living there.

d. They thought they made right decision

READING 7

Read the online discussion. Choose the correct answer.

Sunbeam_82: I just can't believe how much it costs to go to university now. You have to have rich parents who can pay for
you, or you have to take out a loan. I don't want to borrow money and have to pay it back for the rest of my life. It's not fair
for people like me.

IronHammer: I agree that borrowing so much money at your age is crazy, Sunbeam. But I also think it's wrong for everyone
to go to university immediately after school. Not many kids really know what they want to do with their lives at 18. How
many people my age did degrees in a subject that has nothing to do with their job now? It's a waste of time and money.

Cagebird: Everyone should have the right to go to university, IronHammer. It's important to have a good education.

IronHammer: I don't disagree, Cagebird. And I think university should be free for everyone. If someone is sure they want to
be a doctor when they are 18 then they should be allowed to go to university without paying anything. I just think too
many people go to university because they think they should. They should only go if it's important for the career they want
to follow.

Sunbeam_82: But employers want to see qualifications on CVs. If you don't have a degree, you won't get a job.

DominoFX: IronHammer's right. And employers could employ school leavers without a degree for a lower salary. Then
young people without degrees would get experience, which would be great for their CVs.

IronHammer: Right. And if they wanted to go to university later, they would be able to go for free. I didn't go to university
until I was 30. But I got the exact degree I needed for my job as an engineer. And I love my job. If I'd chosen a degree when
I was 18, I'd have chosen English Literature or History or something else that I'm not really interested in now.

Cagebird: I see what you mean, IronHammer. Now, I think it is a good idea.

Sunbeam_82: Yeah, it might be a good idea in the future but it doesn't help me now. I know I want to be a lawyer but I
don't know if I want such a big loan.

DominoFX: Why don't you take a year off and travel? You could think about what you want to do while picking grapes in
France or working in a bar on the Mediterranean coast. You would make money while having a good time. And get time to
think about your career.

Sunbeam_82: Hmm. That sounds like a really good idea. I'm not sure if my parents would agree though.

1. What is Sunbeam_82's problem?

a. She wishes she had rich parents.
b. She's very poor.
c. She doesn't want to borrow money.
d. She wants a part-time job
2. IronHammer thinks that
a. students shouldn't have to borrow money.

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b. students should start university straight after school.
c. university is a waste of time and money.
d. university is the only way to be successful
3. Cagebird and IronHammer
a. have the same opinion about the right to go to university.
b. have different opinions about the right to go to university.
c. disagree that university should be free.
d. argue about the right to go to university
4. IronHammer believes many students
a. go to university because their friends do.
b. think it's necessary to go to university after they finish school but don't want to.
c. should go to university after they finish school if it's their wish.
d. go to university because their parents wish them to.
5. Sunbeam_82's opinion is that
a. getting work without a degree is hard.
b. getting a degree is hard.
c. employers need to have degrees.
d. getting a degree is not important
6. What does IronHammer think about his own choice not to go to university when he left school?
a. He should have chosen to study engineering when he left school.
b. He would have chosen a subject which is different to his interests now.
c. English Literature and History are not useful degrees for getting a job.
d. English Literature and History are useful degrees for getting a job
7. The conversation
a. has helped Sunbeam_82 make her mind up about the course she should take.
b. has made Sunbeam_82 decide to become a lawyer.
c. helps Sunbeam_82's original problem.
d. doesn't help Sunbeam_82's original problem.
8. DominoFX's advice to Sunbeam_82
a. has made her think about having a break from studies.
b. has made her decide to go to Europe to work.
c. is that she should forget about being a lawyer.
d. Is that she should listen to her parents
9. How many of the people in the conversation are NOT at university?
a. three
b. more than three
c. less than three
d. This information is not given in the conversation.

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READING 8

1. Kara's job is about

a. management.
b. keeping guests entertained and out of danger.
c. making sure that guests do some activities in the valleys and mountains.
d. giving adivce
2. Which part of the text shows that this area of Wales is famous for walking?
a. '...walks can be all levels from easy to challenging.'
b. '... you can take part in, including walking (of course!)'
c. '... see some spectacular scenery as you walk down deep valleys.'
d. ‘We have some expert guides here who can take you on some wonderful hikes.’
3. The walking guides are
a. experienced.

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 b. quite old.
c. friendly.
d. extrovert
4. Why do you think Kara says 'Believe it or not, you should bring sunscreen'?
a. because it's very hot in the summer
b. because Snowdonia is known to be usually quite wet and cold
c. because she doesn't know what the weather will be like
d. because she is sure about the bad weather
5. How do we know that the hostel cares about the environment?
a. because it suggests that everyone brings sunscreen in the summer
b. because noise should be kept to a minimum
c. because guests are advised to recycle bottles
d. because guests are told to use the recycle bins

READING 9

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1. Which sentence best describes Jorge's feelings about technology?
a. He thinks it is necessary in modern life.
b. He has no real feelings about it. It's normal.
c. He doesn't understand why people talk about life before it.
d. He wonders why people spend too much time on it.
2. Which sentence best describes Beth's feelings about technology?
a. It has been challenging for her but she doesn't mind it.
b. She misses life before it.
c. Her daughter persuaded her to use it.
d. Her daughter explained its importance to her.
3. Which sentence best describes Mark's feelings about technology?
a. He knows he will have to use it eventually.
b. He's worried about privacy and the future of technology.
c. He can't afford to have computers and the internet at home.
d. He finds it hard to use it
4. Which sentence best describes Cheikou's feelings about technology?
a. He loves the freedom to travel which technology gives us.
b. His friend convinced him to use it so he could access information.
c. He feels great thanks to the benefits that technology brings to his job.
d. He is excited about the speedy advance of technology and its uses.
5. What does Beth mean by 'I've had problems keeping up with all the new developments'?
a. Technology is changing so quickly, so she finds it difficult to understand it all.
b. Technology in schools has happened too quickly and she doesn't agree with it.
c. She doesn't follow the news and so doesn't know much about the world.
d. Technology causes a lot of troubles to her life.
6. What does Mark mean by '... but it's becoming more necessary all the time'?
a. He wants to take part more in modern life than he does now.
b. Electronic gadgets are a part of everyone's life.
c. People will be left behind if they do not know how to use technology.
d. Modern life increasingly requires a person to use technology on an everyday basis.
7. What does Cheikou mean by '... within a few seconds I was flying over it using an app on my phone'?
a. He was able to call a plane taxi using his smartphone.
b. He was able to make use of satellite imagery from his smartphone.
c. He was able to play an online game set in Montenegro.
d. He was able to get his job done thanks to his smartphone

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READING 10

1. What do you think a 'blockbuster' is? _____ .

a. a film with exploding buildings in it
b. an expensive and popular film
c. a film with the most famous actors in it
d. a film with meaningful messages
2. What does the writer mean by 'a step down in their careers'? _____ .
a. The actor is moving into television
b. The actor is no longer as popular or as successful as before
c. The actor wants to be more serious in his or her job choices
d. The actor has a new choice for his or her career.

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3. The writer feels that _____ .
a. dramas and thrillers are the best kind of film
b. sci-fi movies are the best
c. if the plots of superhero movies were better, he'd watch them
d. cinemas no longer show films which focus on good stories
4. What is the writer referring to when he says actors are 'dressed in colourful tights and capes'? _____ .
a. They're wearing superhero clothes
b. They're wearing fashionable clothes
c. They're wearing make-up for their acting
d. They’re wearing out-dated clothes
5. The writer believes _____ .
a. money is beginning to be another reason actors are moving to television
b. money is starting to go into cinemas from online television services
c. money might begin to go into online television services
d. money is the roof of career choices
6. Overall, what do you think best summarises the writer's opinions? _____ .
a. As the quality of television programmes improves, cinema might get better as a result
b. Good thrillers and dramas are only available at the cinema so TV needs to improve
c. Acting in television is not bad for your career any more and cinema will lose all the good actors
d. Sci-fi movies are not popular any more

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READING 11

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1. Ken's son is ___ .
a. older than Keith's sons
b. older than his daughters
c. one year older than his daughters
d. younger than his daughters
2. How often does Ken socialise with Rich?
a. sometimes more than once a week
b. sometimes less than once a week
c. only once a week
d. about twice a week
3. What is the it Ken refers to when he writes 'it is so different'?
a. raising a boy
b. raising a girl
c. raising children
d. raising an orphan
4. What do you think Ken means when he says that Dima and he 'really hit it off'?
a. They argued a lot.
b. They got on really well.
c. They met often.
d. They hated each other
5. What do you think Ken is referring to when he says that they are 'doing something positive'?
a. studying about the environment
b. supporting global warming
c. facing danger
d. protecting the environment
6. Ken invites Keith to do what, if he wants to?
a. stay at their house
b. visit Cornwall
c. meet his wife
d. explore new places

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READING 12

Should I take a gap year?

For many British students, deciding whether to take a year out to work or travel, or whether to go straight to university
from school instead can be a tough decision. On the one hand, a gap year is useful for students who can’t decide which
course they want to do at university. Not only does it give them more time to consider their options, but the experience
can help them to see things in different ways. It’s also a chance to make some money and save up for the university years
ahead. On the other hand, it seems a waste of time and money to some to delay their studies when they could be learning
the skills required to get the career of their dreams.

These days, the decision about whether to take a gap year or not is complicated by the fact that getting, and paying for, a
place at university is not as easy as it once was. In Britain, tuition fees are higher than ever before, and the competition for
places at university has never been tougher. A lot of students believe that they have to start university sooner rather than
later as the costs can only go up. As a direct result of all this, for a majority of students, having a year out does not seem as
practical or sensible an option as it once was and, as a result, numbers of gap-year students are falling.

In the UK, there are travel companies which specialise in organising student gap-year trips, many of which, to my mind,
have considerably improved the gap-year experience for young people over the years. These companies have started
offering ‘mini-gap’ trips, which last only three or four months, thus taking advantage of that short window between leaving
school in June and starting university in October. They are also offering year-long gap trips which are more vocational than
in the past, as well as more courses to train young people to learn a skill.

A recent survey tried to discover how supportive of the gap-year experience future employers might be, and found that
young people who had spent a year doing voluntary work or learning a new skill had a clear advantage when it came to job
seeking after university. This was because they had done something to make their job applications stand out. Although
there can be no career advantage in just travelling around the world and hanging out on beaches, choosing to spend time
working with disadvantaged kids in the developing world, or on work placements in offices and factories closer to home,
will help young people get a job in the future.

Read the text. Choose the correct answers.

1 According to the text, what sort of student might find taking a gap year useful?

A A student who feels the need to have money in the bank before going to university.

B A student with a clear idea about what subject to study or what job to get.

C A student who isn’t sure about whether to go to university or not.

D A student who needs further skills or qualifications to get a university place.

2 Which of the following factors is currently influencing whether students take a gap year or not?

A The high cost of renting a place to stay when studying at university.

B A fear that studying at university may become even more expensive in the future.

C The fact that current courses of study are becoming increasingly difficult.

D A concern that there aren’t as many good universities as there used to be.

3 Which of the following is expressed as an opinion rather than a fact by the writer?

A The need for travel companies to change the way they provide gap-year travel.

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B The way many travel companies have begun to concentrate on mostly providing gap-year trips.

C The need for young people to take advantage of the opportunities offered by travel companies.

D The way a number of travel companies have helped students get more out of their gap years.

4 In what way have travel companies recently changed the sort of gap-year trips they offer?

A They no longer offer just one-year-long trips.

B Now all the trips they offer last fewer than six months.

C Their trips now all involve work experience.

D Their gap-year trips now start in June, not October.

5 What did the recent survey show?

A Employers weren’t particularly interested in whether young people took a gap year or not.

B Employers were more likely to give jobs to gap-year students who worked abroad rather than in their own country.

C Employers favoured students who had taken a gap year and didn’t mind how they spent it.

D Employers preferred students who had been on a gap year to learn or work to students who went straight to
university.

READING 13

The teenage polar explorer

You may not have heard of Parker Liautaud, but back in 2013 he was big news. Having announced that, at the age of
nineteen, he was planning to break the record for skiing across Antarctica, the world’s media were keen to get to meet the
ambitious adventurer. What follows is just one of the many news stories written at the time.

Have you any idea where you’ll be waking up on Christmas morning? Well, if everything goes to plan, teenager Parker
Liautaud will be spending the day at the South Pole. For now, though, the nineteen-year-old Californian is in London,
completing his preparations and seeking publicity for his adventure. I set out to meet him in the tent he had pitched in a
glass box full of snow not far from London’s famous Tower Bridge. Inside the climate-controlled box, the temperature was
well below freezing, and passing Londoners were all keen to climb inside to get a selfie with Parker. I was happier to chat
out in the milder air of a September afternoon in the capital. Parker turned out to be not just a well-connected adventurer
from a wealthy background, but a young man determined to raise the issue of climate change to a broader audience. While
crossing the Antarctic ice from the continent’s coast to its pole, Parker and his co-explorer Doug Stoop will be carrying out
vital scientific experiments to investigate the impact of global warming.

Despite his youthful appearance, Parker is an experienced polar explorer. He grew up with an interest in the icy wastes and,
even in his early teens, had a passion for protecting these last great wildernesses. That’s why he took advantage of the fact
that his family was rich to finance trips to the Arctic and Antarctic. He wanted to see what was happening for himself, and
to publicise the problems for the world to see. He went on his first polar expedition at the age of fourteen and attempted,
unsuccessfully, to walk across the Arctic to the North Pole at fifteen. By the age of eighteen, he had reached the North Pole
on three occasions. As we finished our conversation, and he made his way back to the glass box, I wished him all the best.
With luck, by the end of the year, he will have achieved his latest dream.

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So, in the end, what happened to Parker’s exhibition to the South Pole? Well, following a 560-kilometre trek on skis from
the edge of Antarctica, the young man and his co-explorer Stoop reached their goal. It was the fastest human-powered trek
from the coast to the South Pole, and Parker became the youngest man to ski to the Pole.

Read the text. Choose the correct answers.

1 In the introductory paragraph, the writer says that in 2013 …

A media interest in Parker’s story was not as big as it is now.

B a lot of journalists around the world showed an interest in Parker.

C the media were awaiting the announcement of Parker’s next record attempt.

D there was just as much excitement about Parker’s trip as there is today.

2 In the second paragraph, the writer says that when he met Parker, …

A all his plans had already been finalised.

B he was trying to increase general awareness of his trek.

C he was hard to find among all his admirers.

D the adventurer had only just arrived in London.

3 In the second paragraph, the writer says that …

A he had to interview Parker inside a specially-erected glass box in central London.

B he was surprised by how much interest Londoners were showing in Parker.

C he decided to have his photo taken with Parker in or near his tent.

D the general public wished to meet Parker Liautaud.

4 In the third paragraph, it is revealed that …

A Parker had been to the Antarctic a number of times before the age of fourteen.

B Parker has only recently developed a concern for polar ecology.

C Parker’s motivation for going to the poles wasn’t only about having an adventure.

D Parker struggled to finance the early polar trips he made.

5 In the final paragraph, we find out that …

A the trek to the Pole was further than Parker and Stoop had expected.

B it took longer to reach their final destination than Parker and Stoop had planned.

C the expedition broke at least two polar travel records.

D nobody younger than either Stoop or Parker had completed the trek.

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READING 14

1.How did Sally feel when she first arrived?

A She was hungry and cold.

B She missed her family.

C She was angry with the camp leaders.

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D She wanted the evening to end early.

2.The next morning, Sally

A put up a tent.

B saw something amazing.

C rode a horse for the first time.

D cooked breakfast on a campfire.

3.What types of activities did Sally do at the camp?

A sports and cooking

B drama and art

C art and sports

D drama and cooking

4.What happened after she came home from the camp?

A Ingrid visited her.

B Her parents went into hospital.

C She made something for her parents.

D She emailed Ingrid photos of the camp.

5.Overall, how does Sally feel about Camp Lomond?

A It was too tiring.

B It was a very good experience.

C She didn’t like sleeping in a tent.

D It helped her to become a friendlier person.

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READING 15

25
 1. The writer says that in the past

A people didn’t invent many things.

B most inventions were to do with farming.

C people didn’t want to use wheels.

D it took time for new ideas to change things. ( technology and progress was very slow)

2. Why does the writer use the example of the aeroplane?

A To explain how space travel started.

B Because he thinks it’s the most important invention in history.

C To show how an invention developed quickly.

D To explain why transport changed in the 20th century.

3. What does the writer say about the future of communication?

A We won’t need devices like smartphones.

B We can’t know what the most popular social media will be.

C We won’t use the internet as much.

D Microchips will become faster. ( we may all use these technologies)

4. In the future, people will use space for

A making things in space factories.

B getting between places on Earth faster.

C living and visiting on holiday.

D producing energy and visiting. ( spaces tourism has already begun/ trying to develop a space solar power station)

5. The best title for the article would be:

A More and more inventions

B Progress now and then

C Man in space

D Will computers rule the world?

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READING 16

27
 1. Sophie set up a blind date because ............
a) her friend suggested it.
b) her married friends met that way.
c) she rarely meets new people. ( the only people.. is my 65 years old postman)
2. Before her date, Sophie knew ............
a) a lot about her date.
b) a little about her date.
c) nothing about her date.
3. What was different about Sophie's evening out? ............
a) She spent more time on her appearance than usual. ( it took me far longer to get ready than normal….impression)
b) It was her first time at the Italian restaurant.
c) She felt uncommonly nervous about the situation.
4. Why do you think Lucas said he could tell that Sophie was a journalist? ............
a) She was more talkative than he was.
b) She asked him a lot of questions. ( I ask him a lot about his job…)
c) She chatted a lot about her work.
5. What does Sophie say is the advantage of a traditional blind date? ............
a) You get to learn about the person directly from them.
b) You can share your experiences with friends online.( I’d recommend to friend…)
c) You don't have to spend a lot of time with the person.
6. What might Sophie say about her experience? ............
a) 'It's something all my friends have tried at one time or another.'
b) 'There are only benefits to traditional dating.'
c) 'I'm glad I tried it but I doubt I'll do it again.' ( I think I just have to make… a club)

READING 17

Read the article again and choose the correct answer.

Undecided about your future? Read on!

How can you make the right career choice? Wouldn't it help to find out more about a job before you commit to it? Would
you be better off going to university or starting a training programme? These are all difficult questions and the UK Job Fair
may be able to provide the answers. This free two-day event is aimed at 15 to 21-year-olds who need advice to make
potentially life-changing decisions. Their parents are welcome to come, too.

Training information

Going to university is not for everyone and there will be a huge number of employers at the fair offering a range of
apprenticeships in areas such as banking, computer programming and health and engineering. They will be glad to provide
information on the training opportunities they offer.

Presentations about different careers

A really good way for young people to find out more about possible careers is through attending some of the information
talks on both days. These consist of short but useful 15-minute presentations that give an idea of various occupations by
people who actually do the jobs they're talking about. What better way could there be of discovering what your dream job
is really like?

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Finding out about possible jobs

For young people who want to enter the world of work as soon as possible, there will be an electronic Jobs Board where
employers attending the fair will display their vacancies. If you like the look of a job, you can visit the employer on their
stand, and ask questions about the role and find out how to apply. On many of the stands there will be employees who are
already doing the kinds of jobs that are advertised.

The skills gap

Despite recent news reports of robots taking over jobs, three out of every four employers at the moment say they are
finding it difficult to find people with the right skills for the jobs they offer. For this reason there are an estimated 30,000
vacancies across the country at the moment. This is why it may be worth considering getting the right qualifications either
at university or through an apprenticeship to give you exactly those skills that are really needed at the moment.

The further education route

Of course, some young people will have already decided to go to university, but not be sure about which one to go to, or
which course to choose. For these people, there will be over 100 universities visiting the fair. Their teams will be offering
one-to-one appointments with potential students and their families where they can learn about the courses on offer and
the application process. There will also be final-year students there who are happy to talk about their experience of
university, giving you valuable information on what university life is like.

1. The jobs fair is aimed at

a. teenagers.
b. unemployed people.
c. young people and their parents.
2. The following career is not mentioned:
a. teaching
b. banking
c. engineering
3. The career presentations will
a. give information about how to apply for jobs.
b. be given by people working in different fields.
c. only take place on the first day.
4. The career presentations last for
a. a quarter of an hour.
b. half an hour.
c. two days.
5. The electronic jobs board is set up by
a. employers.
b. people attending the event.
c. students.
6. If you see a job vacancy you like, you can
a. find out more information about it.
b. attend an interview immediately.
c. ask for an application form.

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 7. At the moment, many employers
a. are cutting jobs due to more use of robots.
b. need more employees with the right skills.
c. are offering apprenticeships to teenagers.
8. Doing a degree or apprenticeship
a. means you can apply for 30,000 vacancies.
b. might give you the skills employers need.
c. will give you valuable information about life.
9. Some young people want to go to university
a. and their families will choose where they go.
b. and will get information on 100 courses.
c. but don't know which one to attend.
10. At the fair can you can
a. arrange to visit a university.
b. arrange to visit a university.
c. find out about university courses.
11. Current students
a. can provide useful information on universities.
b. can help candidates with application processes.
c. are offering one-to-one appointments with potential students.

READING 18

Read the text again and choose the correct answer.

Favourite hotel

As a travel journalist, I'm often asked to recommend hotels, and my absolute favourite is Hotel Alexander in the hills above
the city of Sorrento, with views across the blue sea of the Bay of Naples. The hotel is actually an old palace, but the owners
decided to paint and decorate it last year, so now it looks more modern than it used to. But it still has lots of character and
atmosphere.

The most frightening experience

People also ask if I've ever been frightened on my travels and the answer is yes! My worst experience was in 2008, when I
was invited to write about some British scientists doing research for the South African government. They wanted to find
out if a particular cave in a place called Mpumalanga would be a good destination for tour groups. It was all going well until
I looked up and saw thousands of bats hanging from the roof of the cave. I completely forgot that bats never attack
humans, and I ran out screaming. I spent the remaining days looking at the birds and butterflies around the cave.

An essential travel item

It was lucky I was there, though, as one of the scientists was badly bitten by mosquitoes and became very ill. It turned out
that she'd had an allergic reaction to them. Something similar happened to me once and now I never go anywhere without
a first aid kit, so I had some cream to give her.

A life-changing experience

Something else quite scary happened to me last year on a trip to Australia. I'm a strong swimmer and I was a long way out
at sea when suddenly I was surrounded by sharks. I didn't know what to do, but the next minute a group of dolphins

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arrived and they started attacking the sharks who swam off. Then just as quickly the dolphins disappeared. It was an
amazing experience. Since then, I've only gone on holidays that don't cause damage to the environment. I feel terrible that
so many wonderful animals, such as tigers and elephants, are in danger of disappearing. I now use my writing to campaign
for the protection of the planet's amazing wildlife .

The strangest experience

I had a letter from a young boy last month asking me about the weirdest place I've ever visited. It was another cave, but
this was one in a cliff by the sea in a part of Wales where people used to mine coal many years ago. I was asked to write an
article about the cave by my editor because his son was doing some research there. What made the cave so unusual were
the strange noises I kept hearing. I was very glad to get out of there, I can tell you.

Next holiday

I'm really looking forward to my next trip. I'm going to an island in Thailand where I've enrolled on an art course. I'll need to
get fit before I go, though, as I'll be staying in an old Buddhist temple at the top of a hill. We're going to start painting when
the sun comes up every day to make the best use of the light before it gets too hot, so it certainly won't be the most
relaxing holiday I've ever been on!

1. Tim's favourite hotel ____.

a. is by the sea
b. is in the centre of a city
c. looks over a city
2. The hotel ____.
a. is next to the site of an old palace
b. was recently improved
c. is very old-fashioned
3. In 2008, Tim visited a cave ____.
a. as the guest of a South African minister
b. as part of a private tour group
c. with a team of British scientists
4. Tim is scared of ____.
a. bats
b. birds
c. butterflies
5. Tim always travels with ____.
a. a first aid kit
b. a powerful torch
c. mosquito spray
6. On a recent visit to Australia, Tim ____.
a. was bitten by a shark
b. was helped by dolphins
c. nearly drowned
7. Tim now only goes on ____ holidays.
a. adventure
b. environmentally-friendly
c. wildlife
8. Tim also campaigns for more protection for ____.
a. natural environments

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 b. marine life
c. mammals
9. The strangest place Tim has ever been is ____.
a. an underwater cave
b. a cave in a cliff by the sea
c. a coal mine
10. Tim went to the cave ____.
a. as part of his work
b. to see an old friend
c. to help with some research
11. On his next holiday, Tim is going to ____.
a. relax
b. get fit
c. attend lessons

READING 19

Read the article again and choose the correct answer.

Research work to help puffins

I recently spent a fascinating week working with a team of scientists in the Farne Islands, which are about five kilometres
from the coast of northeast England. This team have launched a new project to help puffins. These wonderful little birds,
with their stripes and large eyes are a favourite with people, but their numbers have fallen a lot in recent years. As part of
the project, the scientists will attach GPS devices to puffins that will show where they go to feed.

Using technology to predict puffin numbers

This data is essential in helping to increase puffin numbers because unless something is done soon, more than half the
puffin population worldwide could disappear by 2060.

Surprising little birds

I'd never seen puffins in their natural environment and I was really excited when Kim, one of the scientists, asked me to join
them in their work. She knew about my scientific work with birds – so she was really pleased to have me on the team.
When I caught my first puffin, I was amazed by how violent the birds can be. They may look cute, but they're tough when
they fight to defend themselves.

How to use the tracking device

Puffins spend most of the year out at sea, travelling long distances looking for food, and, with luck, can live for more than
40 years. And it's this food that scientists want to find out more about. They attach a GPS device to the back of every
healthy puffin they catch, which, including the battery, weighs less than eight grams. The tag sends information every half
an hour and works for seven days. Every time the puffin comes back home, the data is downloaded. This helps scientists to
locate the important areas where they catch fish.

Changes in diet

In the past, puffins mainly ate sand eels (small fish that are their main food), but the numbers of these are falling. We
watched puffins flying over with just a few baby sand eels in their mouths, rather than the fatter sand eels that they should
be eating. Like many scientists, Kim believes the fall in puffin numbers has happened because sea temperatures are rising,

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which is one of the effects of global warming. Rising sea temperatures means there are fewer sand eels near the Farne
Islands. However, it's not quite so simple, as some puffin colonies, for example those on the Farne Islands and the Isle of
May, are less badly hit than puffin colonies in Iceland, where puffin numbers have fallen far more.

Help from the public

Recently, people were asked to send in photos of puffins carrying food. Scientists have been studying individual photos to
discover what the parents of baby puffin chicks give them to eat in various areas of the UK. When they looked at photos of
colonies in the sea off northern England, they discovered that puffin chicks are getting almost two-thirds of their diet from
sand eels, compared with baby puffins in north-west Scotland where the figure is more like half.

I left the Farne Islands feeling sad about the fall in puffin numbers, but very happy to know that scientists like Kim and her
colleagues are working so hard to help them.

1. The scientists want to attach GPS devices to puffins to find out

a. where they disappear to during the winter.
b. how far they fly each day.
c. where they find their food.
2. Scientists believe that by 2060, puffin numbers could fall by more than
a. thirty percent.
b. fifty percent.
c. twenty-five per cent.
3. The writer joined the team because she
a. has relevant experience.
b. asked if she could.
c. is an expert on puffins.
4. The writer was surprised by how
a. noisy puffins are.
b. cute baby puffins are.
c. aggressive puffins are.
5. Puffins
a. spend most of the year on land.
b. can live for over 40 years.
c. are unable to fly long distances.
6. The GPS device that is attached to the puffin
a. will only work for a week.
b. will transmit data every 10 minutes.
c. weighs less than 8 grams without the battery.
7. Puffins' main diet used to be
a. plants found in the sea.
b. adult sand eels.
c. baby sand eels.
8. Kim says puffin numbers are falling because of
a. too much fishing.
b. global warming.
c. increased tourism.
9. The puffins that are suffering most live
a. on the Farne islands.
b. on the Isle of May.

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 c. in Iceland.
10. Thanks to photos sent in by members of the public, scientists have been able to
a. identify individual puffins.
b. examine what types of food puffins feed their chicks.
c. explore areas where puffin numbers are falling.
11. According to the article, puffins in northern England get
a. over sixty percent of their diet from sand eels.
b. more than half their diet from sand eels.
c. around a quarter of their diet from sand eels.

READING 20

Which Mobile App Is Right for You?

1. Thanks to the availability of smart phones, more people are beginning to use mobile payment apps around the world.
These apps make it easy to transfer money between friends and purchase goods and services. PayPal®, Google Pay®, and
Apple Pay® are popular mobile apps in some countries. All three apps are easy to use, but they each have some distinct or
special features.

2. PayPal is compatible with *Android™, iPhone®, and the Internet. You can use it with all of these devices. This app uses
your debit, credit, or bank accounts to transfer money. You can use PayPal to shop online or to send money to friends. One
of its greatest advantages is its large transfer limit—you can send or receive up to $10,000 in one transaction. PayPal's
biggest disadvantage is its expensive transaction fee of 2.9 percent when using debit and credit cards. Bank transfers are
free.

3. Google Pay is compatible with the same devices as PayPal. It also has a large transaction limit of $9,999. However, it has
no fees for debit cards or bank transfers. Google Pay's biggest advantage is that it is integrated with other Google services.
For example, you can ask for money by pressing the dollar sign in the Gmail tool bar.

4. Apple Pay is only compatible with iPhone, so you can only transfer money to other iPhone users. However, it is easy to
send money using the Messages app, which is already integrated into most iPhones. The fees are similar to Google Pay, but
it is not possible to make bank transfers. In addition, the transaction limit is only $3,000.

5. Everyone has different preferences when choosing a mobile payment app. The app you choose will likely depend on the
features that are important to you.

*Android is a trademark of Google LLC.

1. What is the main idea of the article?

a. Smartphones are used by people all over the world.
b. Mobile payment apps such as PayPal have similarities and differences.
c. People use a mobile payment app if they like its features.
d. PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay are all mobile payment apps.
2. What are the similarities between PayPal and Google Pay?
a. They are used with the same devices.
b. They both charge fees for transfers.
c. They both charge fees for debit transactions.
d. They are integrated with Google.

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3. What is one benefit of using Apple Pay?
a. It is only compatible with iPhones.
b. It has a large transaction limit.
c. It has free bank transfers.
d. It is integrated into most iPhones.
4. What is the correct meaning of the word distinct in paragraph 1?
a. natural
b. similar
c. special
d. different
5. Which app has the smallest transaction limit?
a. Apple Pay
b. They all have the same limit.
c. Google Pay
d. PayPal
6. Which app has the most expensive fees?
a. They all have the same fees.
b. Apple Pay
c. Google Pay
d. PayPal
7. What is the main idea of paragraph 1?
a. There are only three mobile apps in the world.
b. Each of the mobile apps has special features.
c. Mobile apps can be difficult to use.
d. Mobile apps are popular with millennials.

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