Eng12CD PracTest 1 NoKey
Eng12CD PracTest 1 NoKey
PRACTICE TEST 1
PART A: LISTENING
I. You will hear 8 different extracts. Listen carefully and choose the best answer A, B or C.
1 You hear a voicemail message. Why is the girl calling?
A to make an offer B to plan something C to confirm an arrangement
2 You hear a boy talking about cooking. Why did things go wrong?
A He didn't have the right ingredients. B He couldn't concentrate properly. C He didn't have enough time.
3 You hear a review of a new TV program. What does the man say about it?
A It lived up to expectations. B It received negative reviews in the press. C It was seen by fewer people than predicted.
4 You hear two people talking about a health problem. What does the girl do?
A She gives some advice. B She is sympathetic. C She offers to help.
5 You hear two people talking about eating habits. Why is the girl irritated?
A The boy doesn't follow her advice. B The boy doesn't like her cooking. C The boy doesn't act consistently.
6 You hear a man talking about his life. What inspired him?
A other people's success B the need to be good at something C the desire to lose weight
7 You hear two people talking about a TV program. What effect did the program have on the girl?
A It amazed her. B It confused her. C It worried her.
8 You hear a woman recommending somewhere to go. What does she mention?
A the lovely location B the unusual meals C the efficient service
II. You will hear a man talking about developing new medicines. Listen and use NO MORE THAN TWO
WORDS to complete the sentences.
1 We started to use antibiotics in ______________.
2 Alexander Fleming made an important _______________ after a family holiday.
3 It's possible that some major diseases might _______________ if we don't have good antibiotics.
4 People can pick up dangerous infections today in _________________.
5 In the past, antibiotics were given regularly outside the medical profession by ________________.
6 We depend on _________________ to finance and produce new medicines.
7 We haven't had a new antibiotic since the ___________________.
8 Scientists have to look in unusual _____________________ to find possible answers to the problem.
9 The idea of using alligator blood came from a scientist called __________________ Merchant.
10 British scientist has used the __________________ of an insect in his research.
PART B: LEXICO-GRAMMAR
I. Choose the best answer A, B, C or D.
1.On the surface, his decision seems like a mistake, but looking at the big ________, it was the right choice.
A. vision B. sight C. picture D. view
2.Although I explained the situation, he didn’t seem to ______ the degree of danger he was in.
A. seize B. grab C. catch D. grasp
3.The candidate still expects to be re-elected ________ the result of the latest opinion poll.
A. apart B. without C. nevertheless D. notwithstanding
4.Of course you won’t become more intelligent if you eat a lot of fish – that’s just an old ______ tale.
A. wives’ B. ladies’ C. mothers’ D. maids’
5.Does Sheila work full time at the supermarket? – No, only _______ when they need extra staff.
A. in and out B. on and off C. by and by D. up and around
6.Not until Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave had been completely explored in 1972 ________.
A. when was its full extent realized B. that its full extent was realized
C. was its full extent realized D. the realization of its full extent
7. We are prepared to overlook the error on this occasion _______ your previous good work.
A. with a view to B. thanks to C. in the light of D. with regard to
8. Living by the ocean really _______ your ________. Once you’ve lived there, you never want to leave.
A. came in – heart B. gets in – heart C. gets in – blood D. came in – blood
9. There is no _______ for hard work and perseverance if you want to succeed.
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A. alternative B. substitute C. equivalent D. imitation
10. Despite the high divorce rate, the _______ of marriage remains popular.
A. practice B. habit C. institution D. state
II. Supply the correct form of the words given.
1. Every Christmas, they donate some food and clothes to the __needy__. NEED
2. The _incoming (recently chosen)_ President is about to appoint a committee of five to take care of a serious political
problem. COME
3. The mother of the child hurried _breathlessly_to her neighborhood drugstore. BREATH
4. Children quickly __gr__ their shoes and clothes. GROW
5. Town planners would make the city more inhabitable by __pedestrianize__ the center. PEDESTRIAN
6. The EIU put Mr. Trump on the same level of risk as “the rising threat of Jihadi terrorism __destabilize__ the global
economy”. STABLE
7. As a result of her __b__, Ethel has strong sense of the difference between right and wrong. BRING
8. Have our arguments convinced or do you need any more __assurance__? ASSURE
9. Gift exchange is an expression of an existing social relationship or of the establishment of a new one that differs from
___personal__ market relationships. PERSON
10. Because of the lack of cooperation he decided to leave the project __unfinished__. FINISH
III. Complete the sentences with the suitable particles or prepositions.
1. I’d like to exchange this car ____with___ a new model but I can’t afford it.
2. Everybody put Mr. Spark's success ____ ____his extraordinary cleverness at persuading people to entrust their money
with him.
3. School children are gifted _________ coining nicknames for their teachers.
4. Van Gogh had an eye _________ detail and many of his works were mistaken for photographs.
5. When the child was healed, her parents were delirious _________ joy.
6. The painting was a valuable family possession which had been handed_______from generation to generation.
7. The factory smoke looked white _________ the gray winter sky.
8. He wasn't allowed in the cinema because he was _________ age.
9. It was such a sad film that we were all reduced _________ tears at the end.
10. It always pays to buy high quality goods. _________ the long run it’s cheaper.
PART C: READING
I. Choose the word that best fits each space in the following passage.
What is the world largest desert? I’m sure the first that (1)______ to mind is the legendary Sahara – but that’s 3 rd . It’s
actually the desert on the Antarctic (2)______, measuring just under 14,000,000kms2, closely followed by the Arctic
desert. Most people living away from deserts associate this kind of (3)______ with sand, but only 10% of deserts are
actually made up of sand (4)______.
The term ‘desert’ in fact describes a (5)______ which receives almost no (6)______, meaning rainfall, snow, ice or hail.
The term can also apply to regions where there is greater evaporation of (7)______ than rainfall. In other words, more
water is absorbed back into the (8)______ than stays on or within the ground. So, in (9)______ deserts, you’re mainly
talking about ice sheets and a little rock, not sand, of course. The surface of many other deserts is comprised of loose
rock where the finer particles of dust and sand have been (10)______ away.
It may surprise you to know that deserts exist all over the (11)______, from the Kalahari in Africa to the Great Victoria
in Australia and so on, and that they (12)______ just over a fifth of the earth’s land area. The world’s largest hot
desert, the Sahara, actually (13)______ temperatures of 122 Fahrenheit degrees. Other arid deserts may not be so hot
but in common with the Sahara, they (14)______ considerably at night.
An issue that is worrying geologists, governments and the people that live on the (15)_______ of deserts is the way
they are spreading. You might think that the reason for this is drought – but lack of rain is not the cause.
1. A. jumps B. leaps C. rises D. springs
2. A. country B. continent C. territory D. pole
3. A. terrain B. plain C. horizon D. nature
4. A. hills B. dunes C. piles D. slopes
5. A. base B. landscape C. ground D. soil
6. A. wildlife B. agriculture C. precipitation D. alteration
7. A. moisture B. drops C. dampness D. drizzle
8. A. setting B. atmosphere C. environment D. surroundings
9. A. extreme B. Mediterranean C. typical D. polar
10. A. left B. disappeared C. blown D. removed
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11. A. globe B. sphere C. atlas D. orb
12. A. contain B. expand C. cover D. cross
13. A. obtains B. reaches C. stretches D. raises
14. A. cool B. fall C. freeze D. decrease
15. A. sections B. edges C. outlines D. sides
II. Read the passage and choose the best answer A, B, C or D.
MONA LISA’S TWIN SISTER
A. She is known as La Giaconda in Italy, La Jaconde in France and the Mona Lisa everywhere else in the world. Her
mysterious smile has intrigued art lovers and historians for more than 500 years and her fame is so great that she sits
in her very own room in Paris's world-famous Louvre Museum. Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, is not
simply the most recognised portrait in the Western world, it is the most analysed and theorised painting of all. Now, in
one of the art world's most important discoveries in recent years, experts believe they have found the first-ever copy of
this early 16th century masterpiece.
B. In 2010, a copy of the Mona Lisa which had been sitting in Madrid's Prado museum was given to conservators.
Directors at the museum had decided to have the painting restored - a usual course of action at museums and art
galleries worldwide. Brighter faced and younger than the original, the Mona Lisa in the copy was sitting against a black
background. But, as conservators stripped away the layers of black paint, a landscape similar to the original backdrop in
Leonardo's masterpiece appeared. X-ray analysis then revealed that what art historians had assumed was just one of
dozens replicas produced in the centuries after da Vinci's death was almost certainly the earliest copy of the Mona Lisa.
C. That wasn't all. Infrared tests soon yielded an even bigger surprise: sketch marks known as `underdrawings'
mirrored those on da Vinci's canvas, suggesting that the painter of the replica had actually worked alongside the
Renaissance master himself. "The artist of this picture was making the same changes Leonardo was introducing into
the original," says one expert. "This strongly suggests the two pictures were done side by side in Leonardo's studio."
D. Among the many apprentices da Vinci took under his wing throughout his career, he had particularly close
relationships with two: Francesco Melzi and Andrea Salai — the latter even inherited the Mona Lisa after his mentor's
death. Both men have been named as potential painters of the Prado copy. However, Melzi is considered to be the
more likely. It is being suggested that Melzi may even have been present when Lisa Gherardini (the wealthy silk
merchant's wife from Florence who is thought to be the woman in the iconic painting) had her portrait done. Prado's
technical specialist, Ana Gonzalez Mona says, "It is quite possible that Melzi met Lisa. He may even have been present
when she sat for the master."
E. " The Prado copy's well preserved details lead experts to think that it may reveal new information about da Vinci's
masterpiece. The replica provides clearer details of features we can't see in the original. Her skin is fair and smooth and
she is in her early 20s. The Prado's Mona Lisa also has eyebrows and eyelashes, features that are missing from the real
masterpiece.
F. "The Prado's copy gives art lovers a chance to admire the Mona Lisa with totally different eyes," says Miguel Falomir,
the Prado's director for Italian painting. After five centuries, da Vinci's masterpiece is obscured by layers of dirt and
cracked darkened varnish. Unfortunately, because of the painting's fragility, experts are reluctant to have it cleaned.
The darkened varnish obscures its beauty and makes da Vinci's Mona Lisa appear much older than her true age. Art
historians believe the Prado's copy reveals Mona Lisa as she would have looked at the time — a beautiful young woman
in her early twenties. Side by side, the paintings look noticeably different: the copy is significantly brighter and more
colourful; and Mona Lisa's famous smile takes on a new perspective. The copy "offers a fresher version of the
mysterious young sitter," says one expert. "It gives a much more vivid impression of the sitter’s enticing eyes and
enigmatic smile."
G. One wonders what Da Vinci's Mona Lisa would think of her newly-discovered doppelganger. One suspects her
legendary smile might slip if she were ever to catch sight of her younger, prettier twin.
1 Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa ______________.
A has had more said about it than any other painting. B was the 16th century's first art masterpiece.
C has been sitting in the Louvre Museum for centuries. D is the world's most famous painting.
2 We may infer from paragraph D that _____________.
A Salai considered the Mona Lisa to be da Vinci's best painting. B Lisa Gherardini paid da Vinci to paint her.
C da Vinci enjoyed teaching others to paint. D Melzi was da Vinci's favourite apprentice.
3 The Prado's Mona Lisa ______________.
A is wearing different clothes to the original Mona Lisa.
B reveals how da Vinci's would have looked when first painted.
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C was painted sitting on a different chair.
D may not be the same woman as in the original.
4 Art historians think Mona Lisa was probably ____________
A quite a beauty. B rather naïve. C a fascinating woman. D a jealous woman.
5 It is clear from the text the writer thinks the Prado copy ____________
A is now more appealing than the original. B is a superior painting overall.
C does not match da Vinci's genius. D differs too much from da Vinci's to be noteworthy.
III. Read the following passage and complete the questions.
UNEXPECTED BENEFITS TO HUMAN BRAIN
James Paul Gee, professor of education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, played his first video game
years ago when his six-year-old son Sam was playing Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It’s Dark Outside. He
wanted to play the game so he could support Sam’s problem solving. Though Pajama Sam is not an “educational
game”, it is replete with the types of problems psychologists study when they study thinking and learning. When he
saw how well the game held Sam’s attention, he wondered what sort of beast a more mature video game might be.
Video and computer games, like many other popular, entertaining and addicting kid’s activities, are looked
down upon by many parents as time-wasters, and worse, parents think that these games rot the brain. Violent video
games are readily blamed by the media and some experts as the reason why some youth become violent or commit
extreme anti-social behavior. Recent content analyses of video games show that as many as 89% of games contain
some violent content, but there is no form of aggressive content for 70% of popular games. Many scientists and
psychologists, like James Paul Gee, find that video games actually have many benefits – the main one being making
kids smart. Video games may actually teach kids high-level thinking skills that they will need in the future.
“Video games change your brain,” according to University of Wisconsin psychologist Shawn Green. Video games
change the brain’s physical structure the same way as do learning to read, playing the piano, or navigating using a
map. Much like exercise can build muscle, the powerful combination of concentration and rewarding surges of
neurotransmitters like dopamine, which strengthens neural circuits, can build the player’s brain.
Video games give your child’s brain a real workout. In many video games, the skills required to win involve
abstract and high level thinking. These skills are not even taught at school. Some of the mental skills trained by video
games include: following instructions, problem solving, logic, hand-eye coordination, fine motor and spatial skills.
Research also suggests that people can learn iconic, spatial, and visual attention skills from video games. There have
been even studies with adults showing that experience with video games is related to better surgical skills. Jacob
Benjamin, doctor from Beth Israel Medical Center NY, found a direct link between skill at video gaming and skill at
keyhole or laparoscopic surgery. Also, a reason given by experts as to why fighter pilots of today are more skillful is
that this generation’s pilots are being weaned on video games.
The players learn to manage resources that are limited, and decide the best use of resources, the same way as
in real life. In strategy games, for instance, while developing a city, an unexpected surprise like an enemy might
emerge. This forces the player to be flexible and quickly change tactics. Sometimes the player does this almost every
second of the game giving the brain a real workout. According to researchers at the University of Rochester, led by
Daphne Bavelier, a cognitive scientist, games simulating stressful events such as those found in battle or action games
could be a training tool for real-world situations. The study suggests that playing action video games primes the brain
to make quick decisions. Video games can be used to train soldiers and surgeons, according to the study. Steven
Johnson, author of Everything Bad is Good For You: How Today’s Popular Culture, says gamers must deal with
immediate problems while keeping their long-term goals on their horizon. Young gamers force themselves to read to
get instructions, follow storylines of games, and get information from the game texts.
James Paul Gee, professor of education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, says that playing a video game
is similar to working through a science problem Like students in a laboratory, gamers must come up with a hypothesis.
For example, players in some games constantly try out combinations of weapons and powers to use to defeat an
enemy. If one does not work, they change hypothesis and try the next one. Video games are goal-driven experiences,
says Gee, which are fundamental to learning. Also, using math skills is important to win in many games that involve
quantitative analysis like managing resources. In higher levels of a game, players usually fail the first time around, but
they keep on trying until they succeed and move on to the next level.
Many games are played online and involve cooperation with other online players in order to win. Video and
computer games also help children gain self-confidence and many games are based on history, city building, and
governance and so on. Such games indirectly teach children about aspects of life on earth.
In an upcoming study in the journal Current Biology, authors Daphne Bavelier, Alexandre Pouget, and C. Shawn
Green report that video games could provide a potent training regimen for speeding up reactions in many types of real-
life situations. The researchers tested dozens of 18- to 25-year-olds who were not ordinarily video game players. They
split the subjects into two groups. One group played 50 hours of the fast-paced action video games “Call of Duty 2” and
“Unreal Tournament,” and the other group played 50 hours of the slow-moving strategy game “The Sims 2.” After this
training period, all of the subjects were asked to make quick decisions in several tasks designed by the researchers.
The action game players were up to 25 percent faster at coming to a conclusion and answered just as many questions
correctly as their strategy game playing peers.
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Questions 1-4: Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
1. What is the main purpose of paragraph one?
A Introduction of professor James Paul Gee. B Introduction of the video game: Pajamas Sam.
C Introduction of types of video games. D Introduction of the background of this passage.
2. What does the author want to express in the second paragraph?
A Video games are widely considered harmful for children’s brain.
B Most violent video games are the direct reason of juvenile delinquency.
C Even there is a certain proportion of violence in most video games; scientists and psychologists see its benefits of
children’s intellectual abilities.
D Many parents regard video games as time-wasters, which rot children’s brain.
3. What is correctly mentioned in paragraph four?
A Some schools use video games to teach students abstract and high level thinking.
B Video games improves the brain ability in various aspects.
C Some surgeons have better skills because they play more video games.
D Skillful fighter pilots in this generation love to play video games.
4. What is the expectation of the experiment the three researchers did?
A Gamers have to make the best use of the limited resource.
B Gamers with better math skills will win in the end.
C Strategy game players have better ability to make quick decisions.
D Video games help increase the speed of players’ reaction effectively.
Questions 5-8: Do the following statement with the information given? Write TRUE/ FALSE/ NOT GIVEN.
5. Most video games are popular because of their violent content.
6. The action game players minimized the percentage of making mistakes in the experiment.
7. It would be a good idea for schools to apply video games in their classrooms.
8. Those People who are addicted to video games have lots of dopamine in their brains.
Questions 9-13: Use the information in the passage to match the people (listed A-F) with opinions or
deeds below. Write the appropriate letters, A-F.
A The writer’s opinion B James Paul Gee C Shawn Green
D Daphne Bavelier E Steven Johnson F Jacob Benjamin
9. Video games as other daily life skills alter the brain’s physical structure.
10. Brain is ready to make decisions without hesitation when players are immersed in playing stressful games.
11. The purpose-motivated experience that video games offer plays an essential role in studying.
12. Players are good at tackling prompt issues with future intensions.
13. It helps children broaden their horizon in many aspects and gain self-confidence.
PART D: WRITING
I. Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the same as the sentence
printed before it.
1. We shouldn’t overstate the importance of finishing the project on time.
We shouldn’t put ____________________________________________________________________
2. The Japanese missing boy Yamato was found healthy and hungry in a military hut by a soldier.
The moment a _______________________________________________________________________
3. We cannot make any comparison with her sacrifice. Nothing ____________________________________.______
4. I am having a lot of trouble now because I lost my passport last week.
If I ________________________________________________________________________________
5. His description of the incident was completely different from what really happened.
His description of the incident bore ______________________________________________________
II. Use the word(s) given in brackets and make any necessary additions to complete a new sentence in
such a way that it is as similar as possible in meaning to the original sentence. Do not change the form of
the given word(s).
1. The bus was too crowded for him to put his case down. (ROOM)
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. My impression of him was that he was a very capable person (STRUCK)
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. They arrived at the station with only a minute to spare. (NICK)
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. The film was so controversial that it was banned in several parts of the world. (CAUSED)
Such was ___________________________________________________________________________
5. The elections take place next Sunday. (SCHEDULED)
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The elections ______________________________________________________________next Sunday.
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