Part 1 - Grammar Exercise April, 19th

Read the following essay. Complete the answer by filling the gaps with a word from the box
below.

which / at / where / if / still / though / the/ that / my / although / by / than/ in / when/ to / however /

there / yet / nonetheless / nevertheless

It is rare for there to be an equal number of male and female students on a university
course. Traditionally, in Britain…………least, physics students are mainly male.
………………..contrast, students studying modern languages such as French tend to be
female. This raises two important questions: is this because of discrimination, and what,
if anything, should be done about it?

In ……………….. mind, most universities do not discriminate in terms of gender. On

……………………contrary, they are keen to increase the number of women on physics
courses, and increase the number of men on French courses. The reason why there are
more women on certain courses is that more women apply. It may well also be true that,
with certain courses, …………. equal number of male and female students apply, the
female applicants, for example, have better qualifications …………….. the male
applicants, and are so given more places.

It is essential that universities are allowed to choose the best-qualified students for each
subject. ……………. they are forced to accept students because of their gender rather
than ability, then the high standards of the university will decline. For this reason, I am
opposed to rules ……….. control how many male and female students they accept. ,
…………………..that does not mean there is not a problem. In my opinion, the solution is
to encourage children at a young age to take an interest in a wide range of subjects.

In conclusion, …………. is no doubt that some university courses have more male or
female students. While this is not ideal, the solution is not to force universities to accept
an equal number of students. Universities should always choose the best students for
each course, whatever their gender.

PART II SPEAKING

Describe a place that you would like to visit.

You should say:

● where the place is?

● why would you like to visit that place?

● what you would do there?

Here is part of a sample answer to the task. Fill in the gaps with the correct form
of the verbs in brackets to make true sentences.

I think the place I would most like ……….. (visit) is England. I ………………….(learn)
English for about seven years now and I still ………………(be) to an English-speaking
country. I think if I……………… (go) somewhere like England, I'd be able to learn about
the culture of another country. I ………………(go) to Europe once with my family, but
that was to Italy. I really enjoyed …………….. (see) all the tourist attractions but it's
difficult when you don't speak the local language. My father used ……………(live) in
England when he was a student and he says that if he …………….. (do) that, then
wouldn't have learned to speak English with a good accent. One of my ambitions is
…………………………(study) there like he did, which I am planning to do if I
………………… (pass) all my exams.

Part III Read the following essay. Choose the best adjective to fill spaces in the
answer.

STRESS BASIC UNDERSTAND FRESH NUTRITION

HARMFUL INCREASE CONVENTIONAL COMPLICATE INDEPENDENCE

In today’s……………….. world, where both parents are usually working full time, the
……………….. dependence on ready-made meals should come as no surprise. Even
people without children show little desire to cook a …………………. meal after working
all day, which is entirely ……………………. If they are earning and can afford to buy
convenience food or go out to restaurants, why shouldn’t they? At the same time, it
cannot be denied that because of this, we are losing the ability to cook ……………….
meals at home.

The fact is that ready-made meals are not usually that good for us. They contain high
levels of salt and sugar, not to mention ………………. preservatives and artificial
colorants. A diet that is exclusively made up of such food is bound to be unhealthy.

Moreover, it is extremely important for children to learn how to cook, so that they will be
fully ………………………. when they grow up. Given that schools have no time to devote
to cooking on the curriculum, the only place where children can learn
………………culinary skills is in the home. Speaking personally, I have always enjoyed
experimenting in the kitchen, by cooking slightly ……………….. meals. Whatever recipe
I decide on, I only use …………………. seasonal ingredients. Both my mother and father
cook at home, and I have learned a lot of useful tips from them. If I have children of my
own, I shall make sure that they learn how to cook as soon as they are old enough to
enjoy the experience.

In conclusion, although some use of convenience food is natural, no one should rely on
it exclusively at the expense of home-cooked food. Not only is this unhealthy but it is
also threatening important skills with extinction.
Part IV - Listening

Table completion questions are always heard in order. As well as using the headings to
help you predict the answers, check if you need to read horizontally or vertically. Don’t
miss an answer because you’re reading in the wrong direction!

You will hear two friends talking about a new spa opened up called RelaxWell Spa. First
you have some time to look at Questions 1-5.

Now Listen carefully and answer Questions 1 to 5:

Questions 1-5

Listen and answer the questions.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND / OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Time and
Treatment Benefits cost Special offers

Floating seaweed foot 60 minutes, None available

massage for tired, aching …………………… £45
feet removal

Indian head massage ● Reduces 60 minutes, Taster, £30, pay in

stress £ ………… advance
● Improves
energy
and
…………
………….

Rejuvenating facial for ● Restores 90 minutes, £ ………

tired eyes and skin youthful £80
………….. when booked with
● Removes another treatment
bags and
circles