FCE PRACTICE TEST 3

Reading and
Use of English
Name: ..................................................................

Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the
beginning (0).

Example:

0 A demand B display C sale D hand

UNICEF
Most of us have seen the brightly coloured UNICEF greetings cards on (0) ..... in shops, particularly at Christmas and New Year. The
simple, cheerful designs that (1) ..... your eye are often the work of children. Yet only a few people are aware of the fact that buying
UNICEF cards helps to (2) ..... money for a very worthy cause, namely children in need. The cards started with a seven-year-old girl
named Jitka Samkova, who painted a picture to thank UNICEF for the help her village had (3) ..... . The painting was later used on
the first UNICEF greetings card.

When the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund was established in 1946, its (4) ..... objective was to help
children whose parents had died in the Second World War. Today, however, UNICEF concerns itself with the basic (5) ..... rights
of children everywhere, including the right to sufficient food, a home, health care and education. Today, UNICEF takes a special
(6) ..... in adolescents, whom it (7) ..... as people aged 10-19.

So the next time you need a card and can’t make up your (8) ..... which one to choose, buy a UNICEF card!

1 A keep B catch C open D meet

2 A raise B earn C gain D acquire
3 A received B provided C accepted D appealed
4 A big B proper C large D main
5 A human B personal C individual D civil
6 A care B interest C attention D issue
7 A categories B characterises C measures D defines
8 A decision B opinion C mind D thought

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 FCE PRACTICE TEST 3
Reading and
Use of English
Name: ..................................................................

Part 2

For questions 9-16, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap.
There is an example at the beginning (0). Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

Example: 0 M U S T

Protecting Wildlife
In order to help endangered species of animals, zoologists (0) ........................... learn as much as possible about their natural
habitat and be able to get to them quickly, when necessary. A new technique, called telemetry, has (9) ........................... it possible
for zoologists to keep track of the movements of wild animals, (10) ........................... ever leaving the laboratory. In cooperation
(11) ........................... engineers, zoologists have developed a small transmitter, a telemeter, which can be attached to any animal.

Thanks to this new technology, the location of the animal is monitored at (12) ........................... times. If a transmitter stops
sending signals, it means there is a problem with either the transmitter or the animal, and scientists will go at (13) ..........................
to check. For instance, biologists would not have known that a rare Siberian tiger had died, leaving her baby cubs unprotected, had
the signals (14) ........................... stopped coming from the telemeter. Fortunately, they arrived (15) ........................... time to
rescue the cubs.

While scientists have encountered certain problems with the telemeter, on the (16) ........................... , this device has allowed
conservationists to ensure a longer and safer life for many endangered species.

Part 3

For questions 17-24, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word that
fits in the space in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0). Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

Example: 0 C O N S I D E R E D

The History of the Doughnut

Although doughnuts are sold in many countries across the globe, more often than not, they
are (0) .......................... to be a typically American food. In fact, many people make the CONSIDER
mistaken assumption that doughnuts (17) .......................... came from America, ORIGIN
(18) .......................... of the fact that they are cooked and eaten in over 21 different countries REGARD
round the world.

Doughnuts have a disputed history. According to one theory, they are a Dutch
(19) .......................... – Oliebollen, or oil cakes – because they were deep-fried in oil. Popular INVENT
in Holland in the 16th century, they were brought to America by Dutch (20) .......................... . MIGRATE

In the traditional Dutch recipe, the doughnuts were dipped in sugar. However, over time, several
(21) .......................... have emerged. Today, doughnuts are served with toppings such as icing VARY
and chocolate, and often have a hole in the middle. The hole appeared in 1847, when sea captain
Hanson Gregory made the (22) .......................... that his mother’s doughnuts not only tasted DISCOVER
far (23) .......................... with a hole in the middle, but that this new shape would GOOD
(24) .......................... that the doughnut was cooked right through and not be raw in the centre. SURE
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 FCE PRACTICE TEST 3
Reading and
Use of English
Name: ..................................................................

Part 4

For questions 25-30, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given.
Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. Here is an example (0).

Example:
0 Their pace isn’t slow enough for me.
TOO
They are ........................................................................................................................... for me.

The gap can be filled by the words ‘walking too fast’, so you write:

Example: 0 WALKING TOO FAST

Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

25 Is there any chance of staying with you next weekend?

PUT
Do you think you ........................................................................................................................... next weekend?

26 This test is no easier than the last one.

AS
This test is just ........................................................................................................................... the last one.

27 His first book was published when he was 16 years old.

AGE
He published his first book ........................................................................................................................... 16.

28 Jack is sorry he ate so much last night.

WISHES
Jack ........................................................................................................................... so much last night.

29 Everyone is very excited about your wedding.

FORWARD
We ........................................................................................................................... your wedding.

30 For two days they didn’t have gas or electricity.

NOR
They ........................................................................................................................... for two days.

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 FCE PRACTICE TEST 3
Reading and
Use of English
Name: ..................................................................

Part 5

You are going to read a magazine article about travel writing. For questions 31-36, choose the answer (A, B, C or D)
which you think fits best according to the text.

If my memory serves me well, even in primary Travel writing had changed dramatically and I hadn’t
school, I had a vivid imagination and would often kept track. It probably started with the shift in the kind
come up with entertaining short stories. Certainly of people who travel. If in the past only the wealthy
by the time I entered high school, I had begun could consider travelling for pleasure, today, the
line 5 toying with the idea of going into journalism. typical tourist may be anyone from a millionaire to a
Ironically, although I took journalism at university, back-packing student. This means that guidebooks
I fell into travel writing quite by accident. I was now supply a much broader range of information to
the chief editor of the student newspaper at the satisfy the needs of a variety of travellers.
time. Somebody came up with the bright idea of
The more I read, the more I realised that in order to
doing a travel feature and I was offered free rail
succeed I had to find a niche – my own particular area
tickets in Europe for the summer in return for a
of expertise – in this huge market. Gradually, I
series of articles on the places I visited. The
became aware of “specialty” travel writers, who focus
pieces I wrote actually won me an award for best
on specific groups of tourists and their particular
student travel writer of the year! And from that
interests. I’ve always loved the idea of exploring out-
point on, there was no looking back.
of-the-way places, so I began to write articles aimed at
The early acclaim my articles had received gave the seasoned traveller who has seen the best-known
me confidence. What quickly became clear, tourist sights and is looking for a novel experience off
however, was the gap between writing a few the beaten track. Slowly but surely, I found my own
articles as a student and making ends meet as a voice as a writer, and my new articles were greeted
travel writer. Like most budding travel writers, I with enthusiasm.
earned next to nothing in my first year. Despite
Today, I can safely say that I find my career
what one might call the perks of the profession –
rewarding. But it’s definitely not for everyone. Those
an occasional offer of free accommodation or a
of you who see travel writing as glamorous may be
meal on the house – the fact is that until you have
disappointed. A travel writer must be prepared to
established yourself and found interested
spend days of relentless sightseeing – far more than
publishers, you spend far more than you earn.
any normal tourist would take on, and not all of it
My initial attempts at having my articles published interesting. Finally, at the end of an exhausting day,
were unsuccessful. Luckily, after rejecting yet you have to sit down and write an organised and
another piece of mine, one kind publisher gave informative account of your experiences – which may
me some sound advice. “Take a look at what’s take you into the early hours of the morning. If you’re
happening in travel writing,” he said. “Your willing to take on that kind of commitment, travel
articles are just too old-fashioned.” Curious as to writing can be very fulfilling. I have been at it for six
what he meant, I began reading all the latest years now, and wouldn’t trade it for a nine-to-five
line 34 travel blogs, Internet sites and travel magazines I desk job, no matter how well-paid!
could get my hands on. He was right – my
writing style was hopelessly out of touch.

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 FCE PRACTICE TEST 3
Reading and
Use of English
Name: ..................................................................

31 When the writer says she began ‘toying with the idea of’ (line 5) going into journalism, she means
A she didn’t consider journalism a serious career. ‘walking too fast’
B that being a journalist was a childhood ambition.
C she was considering journalism as a possibility.
D she used to daydream about being a journalist.
32 What surprised the writer about her new career as a travel writer?
A She was not able to earn a living.
B She was forbidden to reveal her identity.
C She didn’t have to pay for hotels or meals.
D It was a year before she got anything published.
33 The writer gives the example of travel blogs (line 34) to illustrate
A a typical Internet travel site.
B how travel writing had developed.
C the inspiration for her first book.
D a good source of travel information.
34 One reason for the recent developments in travel writing was
A the greater number of well-to-do travellers.
B the different forms of transport now available.
C the increase in the number of tourists.
D the growing diversity of tourists.
35 What did the writer learn after doing her research?
A facts about unusual destinations
B how exciting travel writing was
C where her particular talents lay
D what modern tourists are looking for
36 In appealing to travel writers, the main purpose of the last paragraph is to
A warn them that such exciting jobs involve long hours.
B recommend that they do as much touring as possible.
C remind writers to include lots of practical details.
D emphasise the importance of the quality of their writing.

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 FCE PRACTICE TEST 3
Reading and
Use of English
Name: ..................................................................

Part 6

You are going to read an article about puzzles. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences
A-G the one which fits each gap (37-42). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.

Give Us a Clue!
Crossword puzzles were first invented around 90 years ago out the first book of puzzles. Reluctant to reveal its origins
by American Arthur Wayne, whose first puzzle was in case the idea failed, they launched it under an alias. Such
published in a US daily newspaper in 1913. His intention fears were unfounded though; it became the first of a series
was to provide a new and interesting variation on familiar of best-sellers.
word games for holiday entertainment. Crossword puzzles
While American crosswords used straightforward
continued to appear in newspapers and as they became
definitions as clues, on the other side of the Atlantic, the
better known, their popularity grew.
British preferred riddles, puns or allusions. 40 For
Yet, incredibly, crosswords were considered by some example, “an important city in Czechoslovakia” with four
doctors of the day to be unhealthy and even dangerous! letters could not be found on any map. But a closer
37 However, a Broadway musical satirised these inspection of the clue itself – the word Czechoslovakia –
fears with a scene set in the “Crossword Puzzle reveals the answer: Oslo – capital city of Norway.
Sanatorium”, a place for people who had gone mad trying to Interestingly, during World War II, crosswords did become
do crosswords! “dangerous” – to the enemy. Secret information could easily
be contained within the cryptic clues.
Despite all the health warnings, by the 1920s, the public’s
passion for crosswords had really taken hold. People Crossword puzzles are still going strong today, but they
couldn’t get enough of them, and puzzles began to appear have evolved to suit a society of couch potatoes, slumped
in the most unusual places. For example, railway in front of the small screen for hours every day.
companies provided passengers with crosswords on the 41 It started in America, but Britain, France and
back of menus in the dining car. 38 One clothes Australia are just three of the many countries which have
company supplied a free booklet of crosswords with every developed their own version of this extremely popular
dress it sold. Successfully completing a puzzle guaranteed crossword-based TV game.
the buyer a discount on future purchases. Songwriters even
Today’s newspapers and magazines often give small cash
wrote songs about crossword puzzles!
prizes to people who successfully solve their puzzles.
Sometimes, solving crossword puzzles led to rather bizarre 42 It’s all a far cry from the intentions of the
situations. 39 His reaction at being sentenced to inventor of the crossword puzzle. Yet, if he were alive
10 days in jail surprised everyone. He claimed to be very today and confronted with a gigantic crossword on the TV
happy that he would have so much time to solve puzzles. screen, I rather think he’d be delighted, firstly by modern
technology and secondly by the fact that his game is as
Some time later the publishing trade jumped on the
popular as ever.
bandwagon. A company called Simon and Schuster brought

A As time passed, jewellery designers made pins D Psychologists feared that the frustration of trying to solve such
and brooches with crossword motifs. puzzles would cause mental problems and even insomnia.
B These were referred to as “cryptic” clues, whose E Television, on the other hand, has turned them into media
meaning was not immediately apparent. spectaculars with huge cash prizes at stake.
C A man who was arrested for refusing to leave a F For many people, this family game show is the highlight of the
restaurant at closing time offered the excuse that week.
he was in the middle of a puzzle that he just had G You’ve possibly seen, or at least heard of, a television game
to finish. show called The Wheel of Fortune.

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 FCE PRACTICE TEST 3
Reading and
Use of English
Name: ..................................................................

Part 7

You are going to read a magazine article in which four people describe their experiences at a job centre. For questions 43-52,
choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person

was surprised how much she enjoyed working outdoors? 43

couldn’t see how they would get the necessary information? 44

just hopes she’ll get what she deserves eventually? 45

couldn’t afford to spend time travelling to work? 46

felt the suggestions were surprising considering they knew her personal situation? 47

is glad she has justified their confidence in her abilities? 48

admits that the work brought out talents she’d never suspected she had? 49

decided that she couldn’t devote all her time to learning new skills? 50

has learned that advisors are far better trained than she thought? 51

believes it was her previous experience that got her the job? 52

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 FCE PRACTICE TEST 3
Reading and
Use of English
Name: ..................................................................

Looking for a Job.

A HEATHER C CLAUDIA
Getting a good job isn’t easy, especially if you’ve been I’m Italian. I was really excited when my husband’s
out of the workforce for a while. You can expect changes company transferred him to their branch in the UK. I was
in the job market and you may have a lot of new things to determined to find a job and went to the Job Centre
learn. straight away.
That’s what happened to me. I’d been working for the I knew that not having fluent English would be a
local authority for four years when two municipalities drawback, but I was a bit taken aback when the advisor
amalgamated and left me without a job. I had no idea suggested I take a job at a plant nursery. Still, it was
what I wanted to do, so the obvious place to start my worth a try. The job turned out to be more than just
search was the Job Centre. looking after plants. We often advise clients about the
layout of lawns and flowerbeds, and I discovered I have
At the first meeting, I filled in forms, did some
an eye for it. In the meantime, my English improved, and
psychometric tests and had a personal interview with the
I’m now well on my way through a course in Landscape
advisor. The psychometric tests reminded me of school. I
Architecture.
couldn’t imagine how an examiner could learn anything
about me from those questions! At least the personal
interview gave me an opportunity to express myself. D ANNE
At the second meeting, I realised I’d underestimated the I worked as an assistant librarian for years and was
advisor. She’d put her finger on my talents for disappointed when I was passed over for the post of head
organisation and dealing with people. librarian. Knowing that the Centre would be discreet, I
She suggested taking a course in hotel management, and went for an interview. After making a careful assessment,
told me about a part-time job going as a night clerk at the the advisor had four suggestions. Because of my financial
new hotel. She thought I’d get a bit of hands-on commitments, which I had made clear to her, I had to
experience while I studied. I took her advice, and I’ve reject three jobs that involved either full-time retraining
never looked back. or an appreciable drop in salary. I applied for the fourth
one, a bookshop position, but didn’t get it. In the end, I
decided to keep my library job for the time being, but to
B JILL be frank, I don’t feel that the Job Centre lived up to my
expectations.
I was a dress designer before my children were born.
Unfortunately, there are no fashion houses near our home
and commuting is out of the question. I wasn’t optimistic
about finding anything exciting, so I’m eternally grateful
to the advisor who got me thinking about an alternative
direction for my talents. She asked me whether I had seen
the advertisement for a window dresser at the department
store and suggested that I try my luck there because my
background would give me the edge over other
applicants. She was right. The store manager took me on
for a six-month trial period, and neither of us has had
cause to regret it.

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 FCE PRACTICE TEST 3
Writing
Name: ..................................................................

Part 1

You must answer this question. Write your answer in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

1 A new shopping centre has been built in your town. The editor of your school magazine has asked you to prepare a report
on it, answering some of the following questions:
• Is the shopping centre easy to reach? • What facilities does the centre offer?
• What is the overall design like? • Are there any negative aspects of the centre?

Write your report. You must use grammatically correct sentences with accurate spelling and punctuation in a style
appropriate for the situation.

Part 2

Write an answer to one of the questions 2-4 in this part. Write your answer in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

2 You have seen this announcement in an international magazine.

Book Reviews Wanted!

We all love books, but which ones are worth reading? If you’ve read a good book
lately, please write us a book review. Include information on the type of book, plot and
characters. Tell us whether or not you recommend reading the book.

The best reviews will be published next month.

Write your book review.

3 You have seen this announcement in an international magazine.

An Important Person in My Life

Write an article telling us about an important person in your life –
a parent, a friend, a relative or a neighbour!
Describe the person and explain why this person is so important to you.
We will publish the best articles next month.

Write your article.

4 You’ve decided to enter a short story competition. The rules state that you must start the story with the
following words:
It was a cold, rainy night when suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Write your story.

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 FCE PRACTICE TEST 3
Listening
Name: ..................................................................

Part 1

You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1-8, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

1 You hear a woman talking about crocodiles. 5 You hear a man being interviewed.
What does she say about them? Which period did he enjoy most in his life?
A They are more dangerous in the water. A childhood
B Their jaws are the most dangerous. B adolescence
C They are slow animals on land. C university days
2 You hear two people talking about a photographic exhibition. 6 You overhear a girl talking on the telephone.
What do they feel is wrong with it? What does she decide to do with her hair?
A There are not enough photographs. A change the colour
B It was too crowded. B keep it long
C The opening hours are inconvenient. C have it short
3 You hear a woman talking to her friend. 7 You hear this on the radio.
What does she want him to do? What is it?
A drive her to the airport A part of an advertisement
B collect her car from the airport B part of a news programme
C order a taxi to the airport C part of an interview
4 You overhear a couple talking about a meal they have just had. 8 You hear a woman talking on the telephone.
What are they most unhappy about? Who is she talking to?
A the food A the airport
B the service B the airline company
C the bill C the travel agent

Part 2

You will hear a woman, Rachel Foster, who wants to travel around the world in a balloon. For questions 9-18, complete the
sentences.

BALLOONING
Rachel’s last attempt failed because of 9 .

Predicting the weather is most difficult over 10 .

Rachel suffered 11 in the crash landing.

Rachel often feels 12 and hungry when she’s in the air.

Thanks to technology, Rachel can use 13 in the balloon.

As a girl, Rachel admired Arctic 14 .

Rachel learnt to fly when she was 15 .

The most expensive piece of equipment is 16 .

There are nearly 40 people in the 17 .

Rachel believes she’ll succeed when she finds the right 18 .

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 FCE PRACTICE TEST 3
Listening
Name: ..................................................................

Part 3

You will hear five different people talking about birthdays. For questions 19-23, choose from the list A-H what each speaker
says. Use the letters only once. There are three extra letters which you do not need to use.

A I spent my last birthday alone.

Speaker 1 19

B My date of birth is unusual.

Speaker 2 20

C I never celebrate my birthday.

Speaker 3 21

D I think I’ll go somewhere special next year.

Speaker 4 22

E I didn’t enjoy my party. 23

Speaker 5

F I had a surprise party.

G I had a huge birthday cake last year.

H I don’t like getting older.

Part 4

You will hear part of an interview with a professional footballer. For questions 24-30, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

24 When discussing Andy’s house, the interviewer 28 How did Andy feel about living in the village of Bramhall?
expresses surprise at A He found the neighbours very annoying.
A the size of the property. B He loved the greenery and the gardens.
B the location Andy chose. C He enjoyed the nightlife and restaurants.
C the age of the building.
29 Why did Andy sell his property in Spain?
25 Why do members of staff at the house only work A It didn’t turn out to be a good investment.
part-time? B He hardly ever had the time to go there.
A The property requires minimal maintenance. C He couldn’t retire and live abroad then.
B The couple have to travel around a lot.
C Andy can’t relax with people working near him. 30 What was Andy’s main reason for buying his present home?
A He appreciated its historical character.
26 Andy has lived in this particular property B It was convenient for flights to Europe.
A since his early childhood. C It offered him privacy from the press.
B since he joined the football club.
C only for a short amount of time.

27 On the council estate, how did parents feel about

letting their children play outside?
A They were concerned about the number of
accidents in the playground.
B They were worried that the lifts were always out
of order.
C They were afraid that they couldn’t control their
children’s behaviour.

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