Read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C, or D) best fits each gap.

Mountain Climbing
One of the most difficult but (0) rewarding of pastimes is mountain climbing. The modern
climber must (1) …... many different skills. Rock climbing (2) …... a combination of gymnastic
ability, imagination and observation, but perhaps the most necessary skill is being able to (3)
…... out how much weight a particular rock will (4) …... . Mountaineers climb in groups of
three or four, each climber at a distance of approximately six metres from the next. Usually
one person climbs while the other climbers (5) …... hold of the rope. The most experienced
climbers go first and (6) …... the other climbers which way to go, making the rope secure so
that it is (7) …... for the others to follow.
With much mountain climbing, snow skills (8) …... a very important part. Ice axes are used for
(9) …... steps into the snow and for testing the ground. Climbers always tie themselves
together so that, if the leader falls, he or she can be held by the others and (10) …... back to
safety. The number of dangers (11) …... by climbers is almost endless. And the (12) …... of
oxygen at high altitudes makes life even more difficult for mountaineers.
1 A. own B. hold C. control D. possess
2 A. requires B. insists C. calls D. orders
3 A. work B. try C. stand D. set
4 A. supply B. provide C. support D. offer
5 A. keep B. stay C. continue D. maintain
6 A. indicate B. signal C. point D. show
7 A. safe B. sure C. dependable D. reliable
8 A. act B. do C. play D. make
9 A. cutting B. tearing C. breaking D. splitting
10 A. given B. pulled C. put D. sent
11 A. marked B. touched C. felt D. faced
12 A. need B. gap C. lack D. demand
Read the passage and answer the questions
Skateboarding
By Rachel Martin, aged 12
I’ve practised skateboarding for 28 months now, and I was the youngest person un a street
skateboarding competition last year. I spend my free time at my town’s new skatepark – I
rarely stay at home and watch TV.
Before the new skatepark was built this year, the nearest skatepark was in a town 10 km
away. Some of my older friends went there, but my mum wouldn’t let me go because I wasn’t
old enough. The only place to skate was on the pavements, but then I fell and injured my arm.
I wasn’t popular with pedestrians either, so I stopped! Nowadays, though, I can use the new
skatepark in the evenings – it’s got huge lights, so yo can use it even at night.
We’ve got a skatepark at our school now, too. It keeps us fit! The school skatepark is
dangerous for smaller children like my little brother, though, as the teenage students also use
their rollerskates or ride their BMX bikes there. I guess they prefer it because the skatepark in
town is pretty busy.
I’ve always found schoolwork easy, but skateboarding is hard! My favourite trick is jumping
over boxes. Doing things like that really makes you concentrate, which is a challenge, but it’s
something I really enjoy. My older sister works as a skateboard instructor, so one day I’d like
to be like her. It’s unusual for girls to skate around here, so although I love it, it’s a bit lonely.
I’d like more girls to join in!
1 In this test Rachel Martin
A. explains what equipment is needed for skateboarding.
B. describes the places for skateboarding in her area.
C. persuades young people to enter skateboarding competitions.
D. compares skateboarding with other sports.
2 Why was it hard for Rachel to go skateboarding last year?
A. There wasn’t skatepark near enough to her house.
B. None of her friends were able to go with her.
C. She was worried she would hurt herself.
D. She wasn’t allowed to go out in the evenings.
3 What does Rachel say about the skatepark at her school?
A. It allows younger children to practise their skating.
B. It takes too many people away from other sports.
C. It is used for several different activities.
D. It is more crowded that the skatepark in town.
4 What does rachel like about skateboarding?
A. getting the chance to be good at something
B. having to think carefully
C. learning new skills from her sister
D. doing an activity with girls of her own age
5 Which of the following might Rachel write in her diary?
A. Did another competition today – I won, C. Was skating on the pavement today
although I was the youngest. But then I when I fell and hurt my ankle. I’ve done
have got two years’ experience. that three times now.
B. Didn’t feel like practising tonight, so D. Couldn’t use school skatepark today –
stayed in and watched TV instead. That’s there were too many bikers. My little
the fourth time this week! brother wanted to play there but it wasn’t
safe for him.

Kirsty Wade, young athlete

I’ve always been keen on sport and very fit so a few years ago I decided to join my local
athletics club. In the beginning I put all my effort into the long jump because it was my best
event, but the coach encouraged me to try different things.
I ended up as a middle-distance runner, which means I don’t run the short distances like 100
metres, or long cross-country races, but the in-between ones like 800 metres. It’s an
interesting type of running because you have to mix speed with strength. You also have to
think a lot about how you race, and choose the right moment to run at your maximum speed.
You need to do quite a lot of regular training when you first start and it helps if you have a
good coach who can keep you motivated and teach you the basics.
I take part in some quite major competitions now, but I still remember my first race. I was so
nervous before it started. And when it finished, I could still feel my hands shaking. It was a
great race and I came second so I was very pleased. Since then I’ve learned to stay calm
before and during races. I do a lot of breathing exercises that help me stay focused and
relaxed. Competing has really helped me to trust in my own abilities. And now I find that I
love running in front of a crowd – I suppose it’s a sort of performance.
One thing I don’t enjoy so much is how hard you have to work to stay fit and strong enough to
race, although it helps that I often train with others. I try to eat and sleep well, but I don’t
have a special diet. Mostly it’s a case of getting plenty of variety and eating more of
everything because I’m so active.
I sometimes watch Olympic athletes on TV and imagine myself in their position. It must be a
fantastic experience, but at the moment I don’t feel that is necessarily where I’m aiming. I
think you have to give up so much if you want to reach that level.
1 Why did the writer join an athletics club?
A Because she enjoyed taking part in sports.
B Because she thought she should get more exercise.
C Because she wanted to become an athletics coach.
D Because she wanted to become a professional long jumper.
2 What does the writer say about 800-metre running?
A You have to know when to run fastest.
B It’s harder than running in the 100 metres.
C It’s more important to be quick than strong.
D You need to forget everything and just run.
3 What does the writer say about competing in races now?
A It always makes her feel scared.
B It feels good to be in front during the race.
C It’s helped her to develop new skills.
D She enjoys people watching her race.
4 What does the writer say about the food she eats?
A If she eats a lot, she can run faster.
B Eating plenty of food helps her to sleep better.
C She eats the same kind of things as other people.
D She would like to eat different types of food.
5 Which best describes the writer?
A A young athlete who trains hard and hopes to be selected for the Olympics in the
future.
B A girl who was good at the long jump and likes running, but who doesn’t see herself
becoming an international athlete.
C A girl who is a keen athlete, but doesn’t like running in front of a crowd and who finds
the training very boring.
D A keen athlete who finds it enjoyable to practise with other people and compete as
part of a team.

Listening 1: Listen to different extracts and choose the best answer.

8 You will hear two friends talking about a play. Why did the girl leave the theatre early?
A She felt unwell. B She hated the play. C She had an
appointment.
9 You will hear two friends talking about the food at a school party. They agree that …
 A there was lots of variety. B everything there was tasty. C the food they
took was popular.
10 You will hear two friends talking about a soccer match they both watched on TV. Why was
the boy disappointed?
A The team he supports lost.
B His favourite player was injured.
C The quality of the match was bad.
11 You will hear two friends talking about a new science building at their school. They agree
that …
A it looks great from the outside.
B the equipment is very good.
C it is very well decorated.
12 You will hear a girl talking about a blog she has started writing.
How does she feel about it?
A delighted that other people like it
B surprised it was so easy to set up
C satisfied with its appearance
13 You will hear a girl telling her friend about learning Chinese. The boy suggests that the
girl should …
A use websites to help her. B find a conversation class. C buy a
good textbook.

Listening 2: You will hear a radio interview with a young sports star, called Michael.
Listen and choose the best answer.
20 When Michael got his first bike
A he fell off it all the time.
B he rode it whenever he could.
C he went for rides with his big brother.
21 What does Michael say about his cycling career?
A It’s always been easy for him.
B He almost gave up.
C He couldn’t have done it without his parents.
22 What is the most difficult thing for Michael?
A not seeing his friends very often
B getting up early in the morning
C going to the gym every day
23 What does Michael say a professional athlete must do?
A eat healthy food B sleep a lot C go to the gym every day
24 What does Michael sometimes do to relax?
A read a book B play sports C watch films
25 In the future, Michael plans to
A give up being involved with cycling.
B train young cyclists.
C win as many competitions as possible.

Listening 3: For each question, write the correct answer in the gap. Write one or two
words or a number or a date or a time.
You will hear a man called Russell talking about a new club in the community centre.

The Speakers’ Club

For business presentations to colleagues or to get ready for an (14) ……………….. Workshop

leaders have a background in business or (15) ……………….. Sessions start at (16)

……………….. Members are invited to try one of our (17) ……………….. once a year. The first

meeting is (18) ……………….. but remember to reserve a place. Membership costs (19)

……………….. per year or payment can be made each month.