TASK 1

Select a word from the list (A-J) that has the most similar meaning to the words (1-5). There
are 5 extra words you will not need.

0. need 0. require
a. include
1. build b. exit
c. fail
2. hurt d. construct
e. let
3. finish f. conclude
g. happen
4. close h. injure
i. locate
5. leave j. shut

YOUR ANSWERS: 0) L 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

TASK 2
Complete each definition (6-10) using a word from (A-J). There are 5 extra words you will not
need.

6. To entertain people by dancing, singing, etc. is to … a. Hurry

b. Charge
7. To be the right size is to … c. Perform
8. To say hello to someone is to … d. Complain
e. Transfer
9. To make someone pay money for something is to … f. Weigh
10. To say you are unhappy about something is to … g. Hire
h. Insist
i. Greet
j. fit

YOUR ANSWERS: 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

TASK 3
Write the letter of the word on the right (A-J) that matches the definition on the left (11-15).
Use each word once only. You will not need 5 of the words.

11. Usual or normal. a. Artificial

b. Effective
12. Wanting to know about something c. Typical
13. Happening once a year d. Entertaining
e. Unique
14. Very big f. Jealous
15. Having lots of money g. Enormous
h. Curious
i. Annual
j. wealthy

YOUR ANSWERS: 11) 12) 13) 14) 15)

TASK 4
Complete the sentences (16-20) using a word from (A-J). There are five extra words you will
not need.

00. follow 00. go after

a. employees
16. The police are looking for … to solve the crime.
b. responsibility
17. The new road will benefit the … of the village. c. description
d. inhabitants
18. All … will get a nous at the end of this month.
e. anniversary
19. Are you going to put up some … for the party? f. evidence
g. tendency
20. George has a(n) … to get tired very quickly.
h. disappointment
i. sales
j. decorations.

YOUR ANSWERS: 16) 17) 18) 19) 20)

TASK 5
Select a word from the list (A-J) that is most often used with a word from (21-25). There are
five extra words you will not need.

00. Train 00. station

21. Outstanding a. animal

b. sign
22. Luxurious c. effort
23. Illustrious d. path
e. tree
24. Notorious f. list
25. ferocious g. money
h. apartment
i. writer
j. criminal

YOUR ANSWERS: 21) 22) 23) 24) 25)

TASK 1
Choose one word (A, b or C) for each group gap (1-5). The first one (00) is marked as an
example.

Dear Mark,
Would you like to come to a (00) … on Tuesday? A friend of mine is (1) … her 21st birthday.
A friend of mine is (1) … her 21st birthday. She’s (2) … lots of her friends and has asked me,
too. She said I could (3) … a guest. The party will be at a hotel which has a (4) … so we’ll be
able to go swimming. So, don’t (5) … to bring your swimming costume, if you come!
Tell me what you think.
Best wishes,
Emma
A B C YOUR ANSWER
0 wedding party appointment 0 B
1 making celebrating choosing 1
2 written picked invited 2
3 buy carry bring 3
4 park pool stadium 4
5 forget have remember 5
TASK 2
Order the sentences (B-G) to make a story. Write your answers (6-11). The first sentence of the
story is given as an example.

a. J.K. Rowling grew up with her parents and sister in the southwest of England
b. Sadly, when J.K. Rowling was a teenager, her mother died and life became difficult.
c. She was a great support I her daughter’s early years.
d. Most children love reading the Harry Potter books but few know this sad story behind
them.
e. When she was only 6 years old, she wrote her first book about a rabbit.
f. But it was this terrible event that helped Rowling to create Harry Potter.
g. Her mother, Anne, praised her work and encouraged her to write more.

YOUR ANSWERS: 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11)

TASK 2B
Order the sentences (a-f) to make a story. Write your answers (12-17). The first
sentences of the story is given as an example.

a. Andrew Sanders was born in the UK in 1895, but his childhood wasn’t a happy
one.
b. That was when he first learned to cook, and he improved very quickly.
c. Over the next ten years Andrew developed his secret hamburger recipe that made him
famous.
d. Sanders enjoyed a long retirement and visited restaurants all over the world until he
died in 1978, aged 83.
e. His father passed away when he was five and his mother had to find a job to support
the family, so Andrew stayed at home to take care of his younger sister.
f. In the 1970s he decided to close down his own restaurant and sold the secret recipe to
other resourceful businesses, one of which became McDonald’s.
g. He left home when he was thirteen and travelled to the USA. There he had several
different jobs, including being a kitchen assistant in Corbin, Kentucky, where he
cooked for hungry travellers.

YOUR ANSWERS: 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17)

TASK 3:
Read the text answer and every question (18-24) by choosing one of the texts (A-D).

Who:
18. dislikes being under pressure?
19. likes variety in life?
20. had a pleasant surprise?
21. isn’t good at schoolwork?
22. isn’t interested in the family business?
23. has changed their opinion?
24. says their parents are unrealistic?

18) 19) 20) 21) 22) 23) 24)

TASK 4:
Read the text below. Match the headings (A-I) to the paragraphs (25-31). There is an
extra heading you will not need.

HEADINGS YOUR ANSWERS

0. Introduction 0.0
a. Special privileges 25.
b. Visual humour 26.
c. More responsibility 27.
d. Not for everyone 28.
e. A misleading name 29.
f. Sacred and secular roles 30.
g. Emergence of the modern clown 31.
h. Role differentiation

0. Slapstick humour and an endearing gaucheness are attributes of the modern-day circus clown.
Both fool and entertainer, the clown is an amusing social misfit that we love bot to laugh at, and
with. However, the staple entertainment of children’s parties and circuses alike is a far cry from
the original incarnation of the clown in ancient times. For the role and appearance of the clown
have undergone changes so drastic as to render the modern circus clown unrecognisable from his
ancient counterpart.

25. Pictorial evidence in the form of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs indicates that the earliest clowns
date back to 2500 BC. However, far from being merely an amusing diversion, clowns at this time
had a socioreligious role. Adorned in leopard skins, with their faces obscured by bizarre masks,
these ‘clowns’ performed ritual dances in the royal courts, personifying diverse gods, such as Bes,
the god of dance and battle. It wasn’t unknown either for priests to take on the role of the ‘clowns’
although the role was not reciprocal; the clowns always sticking to their prescribed role.

26. Ancient China and India too, had clowns dating back to 300 BC. In both instances, the clown,
whilst being a respected member of the royal court, played the role of fool. Whilst the Chinse
clown did little more than fulfil his job description of court entertainer, the Indian clown doubled
up as interpreter, translating the Prakrit language to the general population.

27. Not to be outdone Ancient Greeks also had their own version of a clown. However, these clowns
had a comical appearance bordering on the grotesque. Wearing a tunic, known as a ‘chiton’,
padded both at the front and rear and tights that were really knitted socks, the clown in Ancient
Greece provoked mirth more by way of his outlandish appearance than due to artful jesting and
sophisticated wordplay. More often than not, crude physical jokes were part of these clowns’
repertoire, which left little to the imagination.

28. During the Roman Empire, clowns took on a variety of roles, conforming to a stereotype
associated with each role. The clowns known as ‘Sannio”, for example, excelled in mime, pulling
grimaces and contorting their bodies into comical positions. Others, known as ‘Stupidus’,
 indulged in predominantly slapstick humour, interspersed with innuendo and riddles. Clowns
playing this role had a somewhat unprepossessing appearance, being invariably bald and wearing
a long, pointed hat. However, the role of fool in its true sense was reserved for clowns known as
‘Stulti’ and ‘Fatui’ who were characterised by a dull wit and plodding nature.

29. With the passing of the years, the clown became less of a fool and more court jester, able to
supply humour on demand in the medieval court. At this time, court jesters also enjoyed a
popularity unrivalled by most clowns either past or present. They were also held in high esteem by
royalty and allowed to express opinions that would be considered treasonable offences if voiced
by any member of the general public. In addition, the closeness of the court jester to royalty often
gave the former considerable power over the latter. This did not endear them to other members of
the court circle, however and often created enemies.

30. Around the 1600s, the first use of the word ‘clown’ appears in Shakespeare’s plays. However, it is
somewhat of a misnomer, seen from the modern-day perspective. For the Shakespearean ‘clown’
as personified by the gravedigger in Hamlet, is a boorish, clumsy figure. Although the antics of
the clowns serve to lighten the atmosphere in plays with a tragic theme, they amuse but also
inspire repugnance in equal measure.

31. It was only a century later that the clown, in the form of Pantaloon, a figure from the Italian
Commedia dell’arte (a company specialising in improvising comedy) took on his modern-day
guise as an amusing fool, prone to slapstick humour. Joseph Grimaldi in the early 19th century
then added the final touches, doing away with a mask and substituent it for make-up to create the
modern-day clown.

1. Listen to an announcement about today’s work meeting. When will the meeting begin? The
meeting will begin at…
a. 3.30
b. 3.00
c. 5.30

2. Listen to Paul leaving a message for his brother, talking about their family. Who won the
lottery?
a. Paul’s mom
b. Uncle Lewis
c. Grandma Lilly

3. Listen to the woman talking about finances. What is her opinion on investment?
a. It’s not a safe use of your money.
b. It’s better than having a 401K
c. It’s risky, but worth it when done right.
4. Listen to Ken and Ana talking in a pet store. What new pet does Ana want to buy?
a. A cat
b. A puppy
c. A turtle

5. Listen to two friends in a shopping centre. Which device does the woman want to buy?
a. A phone
b. A laptop
c. A camera

6. You will hear a conversation between Sarah and her friend about buying a painting. What
painting will Sarah buy?
a. The mountain painting
b. The castle painting
c. The ocean painting.

7. Listen to Anne talking to his mother about where his book is. Where did Anne leave his book?
a. In the park
b. In the café
c. In the car

8. Listen to Kate and her friend talking about Kate’s visit to the zoo. Which animals did Kate see
at the zoo?
a. Giraffes, Zebras and Dolphins
b. Giraffes, Polar Bears and Penguins
c. Zebras, Giraffes and Polar Bears

9. Listen to a conversation about summer plans. Where does the girl usually do volunteer work in
the summer?
a. A hotel
b. A camp
c. The beach

10. Noelle is going to read a biography about a famous individual. Whose biography does Noelle
choose to read?
a. Marilyn Monroe
b. Elton John
c. Steve Jobs.

11. Listen to a woman talking about the things she must do when she arrives at her house. What
will the woman do when she gets home?
a. Wash the dishes
b. Vacuum the living room
c. Set the table
12. Listen to two friends talking about something that they read about in the newspaper. What
natural disaster did the man read about in the newspaper?
a. A hurricane
b. A fire
c. A tornado

13. Two musicians are talking about the album that they are recording. How long will it take to
record the album?
a. 8 days
b. 4 days
c. 9 days

14. Four people are talking about shopping. Complete the sentences below.
A. Bought the sixth Book of R.K. Bowling. 1. Speaker a …
B. Wanted to try a different style for the summer. 2. Speaker b …
C. Wants to know what happens in the new book of R.K. 3. Speaker c …
Bowling. 4. Speaker d …
D. Needed a new black belt.
E. Bought a scarf at half of the original price.
F. Has and old Coat with holes.

15. Listen to a man and a woman talking about a documentary they watched about Western
Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Read the opinions below and decide whose
opinion matches the statements made by the man, the woman or both the man and the woman.
a. A lot of the information from the video was new and interesting
b. Traditional Chinese Medicine is not as reliable as Western Medicine.
c. Trying Traditional Chinese Medicine could be a good idea.
d. Western Medicine is scientifically better.

16. Listen to the speaker discussing the positives and negatives of the U.S. Healthcare system and
answer the questions below.
Question1: What is her general opinion on the U.S healthcare system?
a. She thinks that there is not enough money spent on the system and therefore it does not
function well.
b. She thinks that the U.S. healthcare system provides good service when it comes to end-of-
life care
c. She thinks that the U.S. healthcare system is comparable to those of many European
countries.

Question 2: What is her opinion on how the U.S. healthcare system can be improved?
a. She thinks that the U.S. healthcare could improve by giving more citizen access to it.
b. She thinks that the U.S. healthcare could improve by enforcing the usage of health
insurance.
c. She thinks that the U.S. healthcare could improve by investing more money in their
facilities.
 17. Listen to a man talking about how tablets can be beneficial to school students and answer the
questions below.
Question 1: What does the man think about using tablets in schools?
a. It is a great way for students to save money on books.
b. It can reduce potential health risks that physical textbooks may cause.
c. It is not realistic to provide every student with a tablet.

Question2: What does the man think about the consequences of using a tablet?
a. Tablets contain features that prevent students from having any issues with their eyes.
b. Tablets may result in the need to spend more money if they break or become defective.
c. Tablets have bright and vivid images which can distract students from the actual learning.

TASK 1: PERSONAL QUESTIONS

You want to join a learning club to learn English. You have 5 messages from a member of the
club. Write short answers (1-5 words) to each message.

- Do you work?
- Would you rather spend time alone or with friends?
- How many languages do you speak? Which ones?
- Do you like studying?
- Have you got any brothers or sisters?

TASK 2

You are a new member of the language course. Fill in the form. Write in sentences. Use 20-30
words. You have 7 minutes in total.

Please tell us about why you think it is important to learn another language.

YOUR ANSWER:
TASK 3

You have just finished your first language lesson. You are talking to three other students in
the language course chat room. Talk to them using sentences. Use 30 to 40 words per answer.
You have 10 minutes in total. Answer all three questions. .

Mary: it’s great to speak to another new student. Do you feel shy when you are with other people?
What do you do if you feel nervous?

YOUR ANSWER:

Juan: Hi! It was a good lesson, wasn’t’ it? What did you like best about it?

YOUR ANSWER:

Lucy: Have you ever been on a language exchange trip? If not, would you like to go on one?

YOUR ANSWER:

TASK 4

You are a member a language course. You received this e-mail from the teacher of the course.

Dear student,
Every term we like to plan an event which will bring our students together outside the classroom.
Normally it is some form of social event which in some way is also linked to the course itself.
This term we are hoping to see a film at the local cinema. The film will be in English without
subtitles, so you will have an opportunity to really focus on listening to English as it is spoken.
Afterwards, we will meet in a bar or café to discuss the film.
If you are interested in going, please let me know as soon as possible.

INFORMAL: Write an e-mail to your friend. Write about whether you would like to attend and
why it is / isn’t of interest to you. Write 40-50 words. You have 10 minutes.

FORMAL: Write an e-mail to your teacher. Write about whether you would like to attend and
why it is / isn’t of interest to you. Write 120-150 words. You have 20 minutes
SPEAKING
TASK 1

In this part you have to answer to three short questions about yourself and your interests. You
will have 30 second for each response.

- What do you like to do to relax?

- Tellme about someone who is important to you
- How do you like to celebrate special occasions?

TASK 2

In this part, you have to describe a picture and then answer two questions about it. You will
have 45 seconds for each response. Begin speaking when you hear this sound (beep). Make
sure you answer as fully as possible. Describe this picture.

- Tell me what is your favourite type of exercise.

- Do you think it is important for everyone to exercise? Why / Why not?
TASK 3

In this part, you have to compare two pictures and then answer two questions about it. You
will have 45 seconds for each response. Begin speaking when you hear this sound (beep). Make
sure you answer as fully as possible. Compare these pictures.

- Where do people go for these types of holiday?

- Which of these types of holiday would be more relaxing? Why?

TASK 4

In this part, you will be shown a picture and will have to answer three questions. You will
have 1 minute to think about your answers before you start speaking. You will have 2 minutes
to answer all three questions.

- Tell me about a time when you went to a concert or music festival.

- Was it a memorable experience?
- Why do people prefer going to concerts or festivals rather than listening to music at
home?