WOODHOUSE

GROVE SCHOOL

ESOL ENTRANCE EXAM

FAMILY NAME: ___________________________

FIRST NAMES: ____________________________

DATE OF BIRTH: ____________________________

TIME ALLOWED: 1 ½ HOURS

Answer section A and section B on the exam paper

Please attach any extra sheets used and mark clearly on your paper where you
have used extra sheets.
Section A (50%)
Questions 1-5 (10 marks)

Look at the text in each question. What does it say? Circle the correct letter A, B or C.

Example

A Valuable objects are removed at night

B Valuables should not be left in the van.

C This van is locked at night.

1. A This bus service cannot be used by college staff unless they show ID cards.
B Students can get their ID cards on the bus.
C Students are not allowed on the bus unless they have ID cards.

2. A Laura liked the jumper Jane bought, but needs it in a different size.
B Laura wants to try to get the same jumper in a different colour.
C Laura received two jumpers which were the same, so wants to exchange one.
3. A The library will have shorter opening hours until next Friday.
B The library will change its opening hours next Friday.
C The library will open again to students next Friday.

4. A Jo is pleased with the number of things she saw from the bus.
B Jo regrets not having walked around the city to look at the sights.
C Jo thinks there are better sightseeing tours than the one she took.

5. A Customers may park outside the market for up to three hours.

B You may unload your vehicle here at any time.
C Customers may park here at times when vehicles are not unloading.
Questions 6 – 15 (20 marks)

Read the passage below about The Short Story Society and then look at the sentences.
Decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect. If it is correct, put a tick () next to the sentence. If it is
incorrect, put a cross (X) next to the sentence.

MEMBERSHIP
email enquiries: [email protected]

The Short Story Society exists to help writers in Britain today. Started in 1899, the Short Story Society is now one of
Britain’s most active arts organisations

 Society Magazines
 National Short Story Competition
 Education
 The Writers’ Café
 Becoming a Member

Society Magazines
We produce a range of excellent magazines, including the popular Short Story Review. This magazine includes short
stories by some of Britain’s top writers, as well as providing plenty of opportunities for new writers to have their work
printed. Another magazine, Short Story News, has interviews with writers and is packed with information about events,
competitions, festivals and the writing scene in general. To see a selection of articles from recent issues, follow the
links on this website.

National Short Story Competition

We run the National Short Story Competition, the biggest competition of its kind. It is open to anyone aged 18 and
over and short stories on any topic are accepted. Short stories should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words long. There is
no entry fee for anyone belonging to the Society (non-members pay an entry fee of £5). The competition runs from
April until the end of October each year. The ten best entries will appear in the Society’s annual book of short stories.
The actual winner will receive a publishing contract to produce his or her own collection of short stories.

Education
For nearly thirty years the Society has taken writers into classrooms, providing children and teachers with new ideas
and building confidence in their own writing. Current projects include the Young Writer of the Year, which was started
in 1998 and is open to writers aged 11 – 18. All winners receive book prizes and are invited to study on a five-day
course taught by professional writers.

The Writers’ Café

The Writers’ Café is the social centre of the Society. Relaxed and stylish, with freshly cooked vegetarian food, excellent
coffees and cold drinks, it is the ideal place to look through the Society’s magazines. The Café also provides monthly
exhibitions, short courses and readings. Its location is in the heart of London, and it is open from 11.00am to 10.00pm
Monday to Friday and 11.00am to 8.00pm on Saturday. Society members receive discounts on selected products and
events.

Becoming a Member
We have members worldwide, and anyone aged eighteen or over is welcome to join. If you are interested in joining
The Short Story Society, click here and fill out a registration form.
 6. The Short Story Society has existed for over a century.

7. Short Story Review publishes work by inexperienced writers.

8. Articles from one of the Society’s magazines are available on the internet.

9. Writers entering the National Short Story Competition must choose a subject suggested by the
Society.

10. It costs £5 for members of the Society to enter the National Short Story Competition.

11. Each year, ten winning writers will be offered contracts to publish their own books.

12. The Short Story Society visits schools to give pupils help with writing.

13. Society members can attend regular events at the Writers’ Café.

14. The Writers’ Café is situated just outside London.

15. Children from anywhere in the world are able to become members of the Society.

Questions 16 – 25 (20 marks)

Read the text below and choose the correct word for each space.
For each question, circle the correct letter A, B, C or D.

Example
0 A most B more C very D too

Grass
Grass is probably the (0) __________ successful living plant in the world. There are over 9000 different
types of grasses and they are (16) __________ in every region on the earth. They are the (17) __________
flowering plants that can exist in the freezing (18) __________ of the Arctic and the Antarctic.

Grasslands support a wide range of animal life, from tiny insects and birds to huge animals like cows and
lions. All of them (19) __________ on grass in one way or another.

Grass (20) __________ very quickly after it is cut or (21) __________. Unlike other plants, the new leaves
grow from (22) ___________ the soil, not from the top of the plant. That is (23) __________ large families
of animals are able to live together in one area. As (24) __________ as they have eaten all the grass there,
a fresh meal is always (25) __________ because the plants start to grow again.

16. A noticed B realised C caught D found

17. A single B one C only D special

18. A environment B scene C situation D background

 19. A depend B build C turn D hang

20. A repeats B recovers C reduces D remains

21. A hurt B broken C injured D damaged

22. A beside B behind C below D beyond

23. A why B where C what D when

24. A fast B soon C quickly D often

25. A available B present C free D complete

Section B (50%)
Here are some questions about reading books. For each question, complete the second sentence so that it
means the same as the first.
Use no more than three words. (10 marks)

Example

I could read when I was four.

I have been able to read since I was four.

1. None of my friends enjoy reading as much as I do.

I enjoy reading ____________________ any of my friends.

2. I borrowed a good book from my teacher.

My teacher ____________________ me a very good book.

3. It doesn’t matter to me if a book is long or short.

I don’t ____________________ if a book is long or short.

4. My mother finished War and Peace in only three weeks.

It only ____________________ my mother three weeks to finish War and Peace.

5. I am often given books as presents.

People often ____________________ me books as presents.

You want to borrow your English friend Sam’s bicycle.

Write an email to your English friend Sam. In you email, you should
 explain why you need to borrow the bicycle
 say how long you will need it for
 tell Sam when you will return it.
(10 marks)

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Some people like living in the countryside, while others prefer to live in cities. Where would you prefer
to live?

Give detailed reasons for your response. Remember to record your ideas accurately and neatly. As well as
the content of your response, marks will also be awarded for grammar, punctuation and spelling.

(30 marks)
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END OF TEST