Fce

Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each
gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
A have В make C get D put

Slacklining

Slacklining is an increasingly popular activity in London’s parks. All you need if you want
to 0 _____ a go at slacklining is a two trees about fifteen metres apart, a five-centimetre-wide
strap of around the same length and the equipment to 1 _____ the strap to the trees.
The slackline is not a rope, but a flat piece of strong webbing material. The 2 _____ is to try to
walk along the line without 3 _____ your balance. As the line is usually 4 _____ about a metre
or so above the ground, there is no 5 _____ risk of injury if you don’t 6 _____ to stay on the line.
Other street sports, such as skateboarding and parkour are much more dangerous.
Basically, slacklining 7 _____ quite a lot of practice, but it is something you can learn to do. At
first, most people like to 8 _____ on to a friend’s hand until get used to the feeling of the moving
line under their feet.
1 A join B attach C unite D stick

2 A aim B target C plan D schedule

3 A dropping B missing C losing D slipping

4 A positioned B stood C settled D arranged

5 A deep B great C wide D tall

6 A realise B achieve C manage D succeed

7 A asks B requests C calls D requires

8 A keep B hold C touch D stay

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). In the exam, write your
answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.
Example: UP

Blanca Huertas: butterfly expert

As a little girl growing 0 _____ in Colombia, Blanca Huertas was fascinated by wildlife, and
especially by butterflies. In those days you couldn’t buy butterfly nets locally, so her father
made 9 _____ for her using the end of a broom. He also bought her some books and took her to
different places at the weekends so 10 _____ she could see different species and learn about
different types of habitat. It was at this time that she started her butterfly collection.
11 _____ she was sixteen, Blanca went to university to study biology. Her professor convinced
her that the study of butterflies 12 _____ become a career, not just a hobby. What’s more, he
encouraged Blanca to apply 13 _____ a place on a field trip to the Cauca region of the
Amazon, 14 _____ was being organised by students from Oxford and Cambridge.
The two-month trip was an incredible experience. Blanca rediscovered a butterfly that
hadn’t 15 _____ seen for thirty years and collected information about new species. 16 _____ a
result of the trip, the region was turned into a national park.
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 gap in the same line. There is an example at the
beginning (0). In the exam, write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate
answer sheet.
Example: SUITABLE

In praise of plastic

Wherever you are, you’re likely to be surrounded by objects made of 0. SUIT

some kind of plastic material. There are many types of plastic, each 17. USE
one 0 _____ for a particular use. Thin, flexible plastic is good for 18. ATTRACT
making objects such as bags, whereas thick, hard plastic is a 17 _____ 19. REPUTE
material for making functional objects, and has been used to make 20. DESIGN
very 18 _____ pieces of furniture. 21. EXTREME
Although plastic has a 19 _____ for being cheap and disposable, in the 22. CHOOSE
hands of a good 20 _____ it can be used to make objects of great beauty. 23. NATURE
As well as offering 21 _____ high quality at a low price, plastic can take 24. CYCLE
almost any shape, colour or consistency.
Plastic can also be seen as an environmentally friendly 22 _____ of
material. It can be used in place of wood and other materials that are in
short supply in their 23 _____ state, and it is also very hard-wearing. A
good plastic chair, for example, could last you a lifetime and when you
no longer wanted it, then it would probably be possible to 24 _____ the
material
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).
0. What type of music do you like best?
FAVOURITE
What _______________ type of music?
Example: IS YOUR FAVOURITE
25. Heidi stayed with a friend when she went to London.
PUT
A friend _______________ when she went to London.
26. The singer dislikes people asking for his autograph in the street.
LIKE
The singer _______________ people ask him for his autograph in the street.
strong>27. I advised Kylie to enrol at a gym which she did.
ADVICE
Kylie _______________ and enrolled at a gym.
28. I had no idea that a famous film star was born in the town.
UNAWARE
I _______________ act that a famous film star was born in the town.
29. Simon was the only student to apply for a scholarship.
NONE
Apart _______________ the students applied for a scholarship.
30. Debbie wore a jumper because she thought it might be cold in the mountains.
CASE
Debbie wore a jumper _______________ in the mountains.
Part 5

You are going to read an article about a sporting event. For questions 31-36, choose the answer
(А, В, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

A hop, skip and a jump away

‘I want you warming up. Do some bouncing on the grass while you wait to sign in.’ It was Paula,
our coach. I wasn’t too keen on this idea, knowing it would only tire me. My eyes met those of
my three fellow triple-jumpers. We all sighed in agreement, all wanting to conserve our energy.
Nobody moved. What’s more, I needed to qualify for the state championships. It was all I could
think about. I had to jump twenty-nine feet, six inches to do this.

The sun was bright in the cloudless sky as I looked down the runway to the sand-filled triple-
jump pit. Sounds of feet pounding on the track and cheers filled the air. I closed my eyes and
tried to imagine it; the perfect jump. I’d only recently taken up this event and wished I’d had
more practice. It’s so much more than a hop, skip and a jump. It’s a take-off. The announcer’s
voice boomed, ‘All triple-jump girls please sign in now.’ About nine of us meandered down to
the pit where he was holding a clipboard and measuring tape.
Waiting for my turn, I checked out the competition, seeing who had the longest legs or greatest
muscle tone. My legs were still aching a little from the hundred-metre hurdles. I stretched them
out, feeling the lump in my left one, the remnants of a pulled muscle. When I heard my name
called, I began to feel nervous. What if I didn’t make it? This was the last chance to qualify and I
had three jumps to do it. I bounced on my toes as I watched the girls before me jump. Analysing
their form, you could see those who didn’t have enough momentum from the board.

Finally my turn came. I stepped onto the runway and found my chalk mark. Steadying myself, I
narrowed my eyes and took a deep breath. Pushing off my back foot, I lunged forward into a
sprint. One, two, three, four, five and by six strides I was on the board. The actual jump is hard
to remember; a one-legged hop, a skip and a long jump into the hot sandy pit. A long breath
escaped me as I stepped out of the pit and waited to hear my measurement. ‘Twenty-eight feet,
five-and-a-half inches’ called the clipboard guy.

I walked down the runway to be met by Paula, and was thankful for her kind face. ‘I want you to
try something. Alright? Where’s a relaxing place for you?’ ‘In the water, I guess. Swimming.’ It
was the first thing that came to mind and I didn’t realise how silly it must sound. ‘Perfect’, she
responded. ‘Right before you jump, I want you to imagine you’re in the water, just floating,
OK?’ I agreed, smiling to show my appreciation. I paced until my name was called again.
‘Pirog, you’re up!’ I closed my eyes and imagined the water running over me, soothing me. My
muscles relaxed and I exhaled as I pushed into take-off. This sprint felt loose and free. When I
took off from the second board, I was sure my first phase was too high, that my second was
chopped, and my landing wasn’t quite what it should have been. I stood up, shaking off the sand
as the officials drew out the long measuring tape. The suspense was killing me.

‘Twenty-nine feet, ten inches.’ I couldn’t stop myself from screaming and jumping into the air.
My team-mates rushed to me, I was encircled and soon my hand stung from the force of all the
customary high-fives. It was a relief finally to have made it and my success couldn’t be put down
to sheer luck. My face ached from smiling but I knew I wouldn’t stop. I found Paula and ran to
hug her. ‘That was all thanks to you.’ She smiled in return: ‘Thank the water.’

31. From the first paragraph we understand that Audrey

A was already feeling very tired.
B needed to beat the other jumpers.
C had a specific aim in mind that day.
D felt guilty about ignoring her coach.
32. The word ‘it’ underlined in Paragraph Two refers to
A background noise at the event.
B the place where this event is held.
C the amount of practice needed for the event.
D a technically good performance in the event.
33. In the third paragraph, Audrey reveals that
A she once suffered a leg injury.
B she had already won another event that day.
C she felt confident in her ability to achieve her goal.
D she was impressed by the performance of the other jumpers.
34. When she was talking to Paula, she felt
A embarrassed by a question her coach asked her.
B amused by a suggestion her coach made.
C sad that she’d let her coach down.
D grateful for her coach’s support.
35. During her second jump, Audrey
A was still feeling very tense.
B felt unhappy with one aspect of her jump.
C was rather self-critical of her performance.
D felt that everything was going better than last time.
36. When she heard the length of her second jump, Audrey
A realised that she had actually been very lucky.
B acknowledged the contribution of her coach.
C was surprised by her team-mates reaction.
D was lost for words for a few moments.
Part 6

You are going to read an article about an environmental campaigner. 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.
Would you turn off your engine, please?
I was walking around my neighbourhood in New York one spring evening two years ago when I
came across a stretch limousine parked outside a restaurant. The driver’s clients were inside
having dinner, and he had his engine running while he waited. It really bothered me. He was
polluting the air we breathe as well as wasting huge amounts of fuel, so I knocked on the driver’s
window.

I explained to him that he didn’t need to waste his boss’s money or pollute our air. I addressed
the issues politely and, after a ten-minute chat, he agreed to shut off the engine. I felt empowered
– I could make a difference to our environment. 37 __. So whenever I see a driver sitting with
the car engine running, I go over and talk to him or her.
Six months later, I talked to a guy who turned out to be an undercover police officer. He told me
he wouldn’t turn off his engine because he was on a job, but asked me if I knew there was
actually a law against engine idling, as it’s called. 38 __. Sure enough, under New York City’s
traffic laws, you could be fined up to $2,000 for engine idling for more than three minutes.
I had small business cards printed up that referred to the relevant law on one side and the
penalties on the other, and started to hand them out to idlers. 39 __. It’s surprising how many
people are unaware that they could get a fine. That’s why I start my encounters the same way
every time.
I say: ‘Excuse me for bothering you, but are you aware that it is against the law in New York
City to idle your car for more than three minutes?’ 40 __. They want to know who I am, am I a
cop? I tell them that I’m just a concerned citizen and want to make sure we improve our
environment and address our oil addiction.
We usually have a discussion and I always try to conclude the encounter on a positive and polite
note, saying how great it would be if they shut off their engine so we can all have a better
environment. 41 __. Most are convinced by these arguments. Indeed, I’m successful seventy-
eight percent of the time. Although, of course, there are people who are aggressive or who won’t
do it. My success rate with cops is only five percent.
I keep an Excel spreadsheet so that I have a precise record of each of my encounters. If I get an
aggressive reaction, I list their comments and highlight them in red. 42 __. I don’t give up,
however, and try to approach them professionally. But my feelings do get hurt on occasion. Then
I remind myself that because I make the first approach, I’m actually the aggressor in this
situation. My victims are just sitting there thinking: ‘Who is this guy?’
To date, I have had 2,500 encounters and, overall, I have made a difference. I’m in touch with
the Department of Energy in Washington and my work is endorsed by the American Lung
Association. And recently a New York traffic cop wrote the city’s very first ticket for idling.

A. I also tell them that it saves money and avoids breaking the law.
B. I decided to have these conversations on a regular basis after that.
C. I find this fact always takes my victims by surprise.
D. I went home and checked this out.
E. It’s not the sort of mistake that you make twice.
F. I try not to get affected emotionally if drivers respond this way.
G. I’ve been distributing them this way ever since.
Part 7

You are going to read an article about advertising in public places. For questions 43 – 52,
choose from the sections (A – D). The people may be chosen more than once.
Which person says that advertising
43. can be uninteresting if there’s a lack of variety? __
44. has a mostly negative impact on the urban landscape? __
45. can damage the appearance of the countryside? __
46. may be a waste of energy resources? __
47. can lead to a break of concentration in a job? __
48. should not be allowed in certain public places? __
49. can be a source of potential danger? __
50. can sometimes make you feel better? __
51. is good if it makes you think about something? __
52. is useful in providing work for talented and creative people? __
Advertising in public places, like it or love it?
A Rob Stevenson, lorry driver
The main problem is that the location of posters can be a safety hazard if they block your view of
junctions or road signs. I’m not distracted from driving by the content so much, just by the fact
that a poster is there. I’ve no time to read them or study them, though the names of products must
stick in your memory. Posters in fields get a lot of attention because you certainly notice them as
you drive down the motorway. They must be a bonus for the farmer who gets an income from
them, but I suppose they do make a bit of a mess of the rural environment. On the whole, there
aren’t too many posters on the roads – not compared with some countries I’ve driven through.
В Josie Pelham, cabin crew
Walking through airports in uniform, I tend not to look around too much. That’s because I run
the risk of being asked questions by confused passengers who mistake me for ground crew, but
helping them is not my job. But adverts in airports have a captive audience because people end
up hanging around waiting for delayed flights in lounges or at boarding gates, so in those places
they must work well for the advertisers. When travelling, an amusing advert can brighten up my
day, but I do tend to see endless dull adverts for banks round the airport and they don’t fit into
that category! Planes are even being painted externally to carry advertising. I saw one decorated
to advertise house music in Ibiza. How cool is that?
C Damian Stenton, lawyer
To be honest, I can take or leave street advertising – I don’t pay it much attention and posters
aren’t that obtrusive. I don’t even mind posters in the countryside, though I know that’s an issue
for some groups in society. Some of the paper posters are being replaced by TV screens. I guess
that enables the company to make more money, as they can switch adverts easily – and it also
saves paper. But it’s rather environmentally unfriendly as each advertising screen obviously has
to be powered by electricity. At a time when we’re all being urged to cut down on consumption
of precious resources, putting up TV screens everywhere seems rather counterproductive.
D Danni Rochas, interior designer
I often feel surrounded by posters and advertising, it seems to be taking over our city. I am
reminded of an episode of The Simpsons where the town’s outdoor advertising comes to life and
hunts down the residents. I’m resigned to the fact that posters are ‘necessary’ commercialisation,
but I find them less annoying when they ‘give’ something positive in exchange for being such an
intrusive presence on the urban landscape. Occasionally, though, advertisers find a new angle on
an issue that’s really thought-provoking and that must be positive. So maybe I’d prefer it to exist
rather than not.
E Naomi Hesketh, student
I try to walk straight past most posters as if they weren’t there, but some do manage to grab your
attention nonetheless. I really like those that are colourful or imaginative. I think advertising
allows lots of clever people to reach a wide public with their ideas, and we all benefit from that.
Why would you even look at a boring poster? I think production values are important, too, in
making you trust the advertiser. I agree with banning posters from parks and on historic
buildings, but there’s nothing wrong with them in shopping streets and main roads. They make
the environment brighter

Test 2

Part 1
For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each
gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
A appeal В taste C interest D attraction

The joy of photography

Photography is a hobby with wide 0 _____. And I don’t mean taking photos on your mobile
phone, though it cannot be 1 _____ that such pictures can be surprisingly good these days.
Serious photography means taking the 2 _____ to do some research, exploring the
technical 3 _____ of the subject and investing in what might be quite expensive equipment. So
why take up photography? Firstly, it allows you to 4 _____ special moments that you want to
remember forever. In addition, it 5 _____ your imagination because you are always in search of
ideas for original and out of the ordinary photos.
However, a lot of practice is required before you 6 _____ to take really good pictures on a
regular basis. When you finally do it, it will be a 7 _____ of great satisfaction for you.
Photography can also transform the way you look at the world. You start to see details that in the
past you used to miss 8 _____. All in all, it’s a highly absorbing hobby.
1 A rejected B contradicted C denied D refused

2 A trouble B care C effort D concern

3 A characteristics B forms C qualities D aspects

4 A seize B capture C grab D catch

5 A motivates B renews C stimulates D reacts

6 A manage B succeed C achieve D reach

7 A reason B cause C source D means

8 A utterly B completely C fully D absolutely

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). In the exam, write your
answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.
Example: NO

Running a marathon

So you want to run a marathon? There is 0 _____ doubt that running 42 kilometres is a great
achievement. Many training plans involve running four times a week for at 9 _____ three
months, and sometimes longer. Experts strongly recommend that you should 10 _____ used to
running long distances gradually. If you don’t, it can increase the chances 11 _____ picking up
an injury. It 12 _____ generally thought that runners should initially go on fairly relaxed training
runs. The pace should be gentle enough to allow you 13 _____ have a conversation with
someone running alongside you.
Don’t make the mistake of eating too little before the race, or you will rapidly run 14 _____ of
energy. But 15 _____ should you eat a large meal. It goes without saying that choosing the right
footwear is also essential. 16 _____ you do, avoid clothes made of cotton and go for artificial
materials, or even some types of wool such as merino. Choose clothing that will be comfortable.
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 gap in the same line. There is an example at the
beginning (0). In the exam, write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate
answer sheet.
Example: EXISTENCE

An interesting new planet

Until recently, the 0 _____ of planets outside our own solar system was 0. EXIST
difficult to prove. Now, thanks to increasingly 17 _____ equipment, 17. SENSE
hundreds have been discovered orbiting distant stars. Recent 18 _____ of 18. INVESTIGATE
the nearest star to Earth, Proxima Centauri, have led to a 19 _____ 19. SIGNIFY
discovery: a rocky planet similar in size to the Earth which may have 20. CONSIDER
liquid water on its surface. 21. POSSIBLE
Although the new planet is 20 _____ closer to Proxima Centauri than the 22. COMFORT
Earth is to the Sun, there is still a 21 _____ of life there. This is because 23. DEPEND
the star is much smaller and cooler than our sun, so conditions on the 24. REAL
planet may be 22 _____ enough to support life. Temperatures on the
planet will be 23 _____ on whether there is an atmosphere surrounding
it.
Travelling to Proxima Centauri and exploring its planet is
totally 24 _____ at the moment. Despite it being one of the nearest stars
to the sun, it would take thousands of years to get there using current
technology.
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).
0 It’s not a problem for Tom if he has to take the train to work.
MIND
Tom doesn’t mind taking the train to work.
25. Going to bed early has a big effect on how Leila feels the next morning.
DIFFERENCE
If Leila goes to bed early, it _______________ how she feels the next morning.
26. Even though Max took the early bus, he was still late for work.
FACT
Max was still late for work in _______________ he took the early bus.
27. Last year I decided I wouldn’t eat fast food for lunch any more.
GIVE
Last year I decided _______________ fast food for lunch.
28. Melanie goes jogging and answers her important emails before breakfast.
WELL
Melanie goes jogging _______________ her important emails before breakfast.
29. My television needs fixing as soon as possible.
GET
I must _______________ as soon as possible
30. Clara says she doesn’t usually go out at the weekend.
UNUSUAL
Clara says it _______________ go out at the weekend.
Part 5

You are going to read an article about new technology and students. For questions 31-36,
choose the answer (А, В, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Student life and technology

Last Saturday, as my grandfather drove me and my sister home from a dinner to celebrate his
birthday, he got frustrated at not being able to remember the name of the singer of a song he’d
just heard on the radio. Without a second thought, I grabbed my smartphone, searched for the
song and found the name, Bob Dylan. For me and my friends, this is a completely natural course
of action, but it totally astonished my grandfather, who didn’t understand how I had checked the
information so quickly. My sister and I laughed and explained, but afterwards, it made me think
about how much I depend on technology.

The list of the ways I use technology is endless: writing, planning, socialising, communicating
and shopping, to name a few. When I reflected on its impact on my education, I saw that, for my
fellow students and I, technology has been significant in many ways. Returning to the story of
my grandfather and the smartphone, he had asked me more about how I used it and about
university life. He said he thought we had an easy life compared to previous generations. My
sister caught my eye and we exchanged a smile. But whereas she was thinking our grandfather
was just being a typical 65-year-old, I could see his point.

Not only are we lucky enough to have the same educational benefits as those of previous
generations, we have so many more as well. We still have walk-in libraries available to us, and I
can see why some students choose to find and use resources in these distraction-free locations.
However, the only option for studying used to be sitting in these libraries with as many books
from your reading list as you could find, yet now a single search for your chosen study topic
online can immediately provide access to a huge range of resources. At universities, interaction
between students and university staff is another area that has changed considerably with
developments in technology. We can have face-to-face time with our tutors when we need it, and
also communicate using our electronic gadgets from the comfort of our homes, or on the bus.
The most popular means of doing this is via instant messaging or social media – email is often
considered too slow, and it has become unacceptable for messages to be unanswered for any
length of time. While this puts an extra strain on the university’s academic support team, who
usually have to answer the queries as they come in, we students are greatly benefitted.

It’s important that we remember to appreciate how much the advances in technology have given
us. Electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, and laptops are now standard equipment in
most classrooms and lecture halls, and why shouldn’t they be? The replacement of textbooks
with tablets allows students the luxury of having up-to-date, interactive and even personalised
learning materials, with the added benefit of them not costing the earth.
When we compare the student life of the past and that of the present day, it is tempting to focus
on the obvious differences when it comes to technology. In actual fact, students are doing what
they’ve always done: embracing the resources available and adapting them in ways which allow
them to work more efficiently and to live more enjoyably. The pace of change in technology
continuously gathers speed, so we have to value each innovation as it happens.

31. What does the writer illustrate by describing the incident in the car?
A the older generation’s frustration at people’s dependence on technology
B how unaware young people are of some effects of technology
C the difference in attitudes to technology between two generations
D how technology helps different generations communicate
32. What did the writer think of her grandfather’s comment, mentioned in the second paragraph?
A It showed how out-of-date he was.
B It had an element of truth in it.
C It was an annoying thing to say.
D It made her feel sorry for him.
33. What does the writer say about getting study resources from libraries?
A She considers libraries more preferable places for study than home.
B She cannot understand why anyone chooses to go to a library now.
C She appreciates the fact that people can still study in libraries if they want to.
D She thinks libraries are limited by the quantity of resources they can store.
34. What disadvantage of new technology does the writer mention in the third paragraph?
A Those who can afford the best gadgets gain an unfair advantage.
B Sometimes slow internet connections make communication difficult.
C A heavier workload is created for teaching staff at the university.
D Students cannot escape from dealing with university issues.
35. What is the purpose of the question ‘Why shouldn’t they be?’ in the fourth paragraph?
A to express an opinion
B to introduce some problems
C to make a criticism
D to indicate uncertainty
36. What is the writer’s conclusion about students today in the final paragraph?
A They have such different lives to previous generations that it’s unwise to compare them.
B They deal better with change than previous generations did.
C They take advantage of new resources more quickly than previous generations did.
D They are behaving in a similar way to previous generations of students.
Part 6

You are going to read an article about a national vote for people’s favourite tree. 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.

Tree of the Year

The aim of the national Tree of the Year competition is to promote and celebrate the most
interesting trees around the country. Images and descriptions of a shortlist of 28 trees are put
online and the public are asked to vote for their favourite.

The four trees that gain the most votes before 5 p.m. on 5th October will be given a grant of
£1,000. In addition, all trees that receive 1,000 or more votes will get a grant of £500. The grants
may be spent on a tree health check or advice from a tree expert, or an educational event, for
example. 37 __.
Among the 28 shortlisted trees there are a wide range of tree species, each with its own unique,
fascinating story. For example, the ‘Ding Dong’ tree is a copper beech tree growing in a primary
school playground. It was named the ‘Ding Dong’ tree because of a game pupils invented in
which they race to touch its trunk, shouting ‘Ding Dong!’ The protective space underneath the
50-year-old tree is used as a magical outdoor classroom, while the indoor classroom displays
pictures of the tree through each season of the year. 38 __.
Many of the other trees in the competition are remarkable for their age alone. The Craigends
Yew, for example, is thought to be up to 700 years old, making it one of the oldest in Scotland. It
is an amazing sight as many of its branches have layered. 39 __. As a result of these extra
growths, the total size when measured around the tree’s crown (the main body of its leaves and
branches) is a massive 100 metres.
Another very old tree, the Holm Oak in Kilbroney Park, Northern Ireland, is much loved by local
people. It measures 3.6 metres around the trunk, and its beautiful bark looks like the skin of a
snake. 40 __. The advantage of this lack of uprightness is that young children can climb safely
and easily on it. Kilbroney Park is home to many remarkable trees, but this tree was chosen as
the favourite by community members.
A 500-year-old veteran oak tree stands in the ancient woodland pasture at Carngafallt in Wales.
One of the interesting things about this twisted, hollow tree is that it has several ‘air trees’
growing out of it. An ‘air tree’ is one growing without its roots touching the ground. 41 __. It
extends its roots down inside the oak’s hollow trunk.
The original Bramley apple tree in Nottinghamshire is younger than many in this competition,
but is the famous parent of all modern Bramley apple trees. 42 __. Many years later, Matthew
Bramley, the new owner of the tree, was carrying some of his fruit when he met a gardener
called Henry Merryweather. Henry asked if he could take some cuttings from Matthew’s trees to
grow his own trees. Mr Bramley agreed, provided they were named ‘Bramley’s Seedling’.
A. This means that they are touching the ground and have taken root.
B. These roots have become enormous with age and have now emerged above the ground.
Children love to jump over them like horses in a race.
C. But the most distinctive thing about this tree is that its main trunk is leaning towards the
ground at an angle of 45 degrees.
D. The best example of this on the big old tree is another species of tree called a rowan.
E. Alternatively, they could be used to hold a community event in honour of the tree.
F. It was planted from a seed in 1809 by a woman called Ann Brailsford.
G. Children hang bird feeders from its branches and it is used as the focus of many of the
educational activities going on around it.
Part 7

You are going to read an article in which four people describe going to see an unusual annual
event. For questions 43 – 52, choose from the sections (A – D). The people may be chosen more
than once.
Which person mentions …
43. the possibility of people at the event having their belongings stolen? __
44. regretting being without an item of protective equipment? __
45. the bravery of the people who took part? __
46. a warning about organising a trip to the event? __
47. an injury caused during the event? __
48. how hard it was to get a good position to view the event? __
49. products that were available to buy during the event? __
50. experiencing two strongly contrasting emotions? __
51. people with a particular interest who would like the event? __
52. the reason why the event originally began? __

The world’s strangest annual events?

A Sadie Grossman
Last year, I was one of 30,000 people who took part in La Tomatina, an annual festival held in
Buñol, Spain, during which townspeople and visitors fill the streets and take part in a tomato
fight. I’ve neither laughed so hard nor feared for my life as much as I did on that day. Trucks of
tomatoes were dumped in the streets, and I soon found myself picking up handfuls of squashed
fruit and throwing them at whoever happened to be closest. Most people participating were
considerate, but a few were not. I was thankful that I’d left my phone back at the hotel and worn
clothes I didn’t mind getting ruined. I did wish I’d invested in a pair of goggles though, as being
hit in the eye by a tomato meant I couldn’t see out of it very well for a couple of days. It was
definitely an experience I’ll never forget, but one I have no desire to repeat!
B Joe Haythorpe
I went with friends to the mud festival held in Boryeong, South Korea because several of them
had been before, loved it and wanted to go again. The two-week event is centred on an area of
Boryeong beach set up with water slides and pools to play in while covered in huge quantities of
the mineral-rich mud that’s taken from the shore near the city. It’s great fun for the entire family
as well as groups of friends. Apart from playing in the mud, we also attended some great
concerts and shopped for mud-based skin creams. Although it’s only been going since 1998, it
already attracts millions of Koreans and Western tourists annually. But if you’re considering
going, book your accommodation early as room rates triple closer to the event. All in all, this
festival was by far the most fun one I’ve ever been to.
C Charlie Traynor
Cheese Rolling on Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire, England is the ideal activity for fans of
extreme sports whether as spectators or as participants, and is definitely one of the craziest
traditions I’ve ever witnessed. I watched in amazement as madly courageous men and women
threw themselves down a steep hill, tumbling head over heels, while chasing a large round
cheese. The cheese always gets to the bottom of the hill first, but for each race there is a prize (a
cheese worth a lot of money) for the first person to do so. Thankfully, that day everyone survived
without seriously hurting themselves. The event is free, but because of the large crowds, I
struggled to find a place from which I could actually see much of the action or use my camera.
There were also four uphill races, but they were a lot less exciting.
D Louisa Darke
During the Monkey Buffet Festival in Lopburi, Thailand, cakes, fruit and vegetables are piled up
on tables in the streets for 3000 local monkeys to enjoy. The festival was established to boost
tourism in the area, and it’s worked: huge crowds now travel there from all over the world, many
dressed in monkey costumes.There is traditional music, dance and sculpture, all with a monkey
theme, and the monkeys themselves roam free. They have no fear of people, and we were
warned that they might try to grab our phones, hats or even jewellery and run off with them. I’m
glad to say they didn’t, but at one point a young monkey jumped up onto my shoulder, making
me very uncomfortable. We were given sticks to protect ourselves from the boldest monkeys, but
I didn’t want to use one. I was glad when the monkey climbed down. However, it was very
entertaining to watch the animals from a distance, happily playing and eating.

Test 3

Part 1
For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each
gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
A refer В represent C indicate D mention

Off the beaten track

The expression ‘getting off the beaten track’ is used to 0 _____ to the experience of avoiding
famous tourist attractions and choosing instead to explore less well-known places when
travelling. For many people the whole 1 _____ of travel is to visit cities such as Paris or Venice
that have a great 2 _____ as places of beauty and historic importance. Furthermore, they are not
particularly 3 _____ by the crowds that are usually found in such locations. But for others who
have more of a 4 _____ of adventure, a good holiday must 5 _____ unfamiliar experiences, even
taking some risks.
Travelling off the beaten track may be done by some students who don’t 6 _____ to a rigid plan,
but make decisions about what to do depending on how they feel. Other travellers prefer to spend
money on guided tours to unusual locations. Such tours are designed to 7 _____ their particular
needs, and all the arrangements are made for them. However people choose to get off the beaten
track, the hope is always the same: to have a special, often unique 8 _____ of a different culture.
1 A worth B point C aim D profit

2 A favour B approval C reputation D opinion

3 A bothered B interrupted C offended D disturbed

4 A feeling B impression C mood D sense

5 A possess B consist C involve D concern

6 A fix B stick C fasten D attach

7 A please B fit C agree D meet

8 A experience B understanding C awareness D knowledge

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). In the exam, write your
answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.
Example: WHETHER

Keep on learning!

It doesn’t matter 0 _____ you are still at school or in full-time employment, making the effort to
learn new things is very important. Most of us have a few subjects on 9 _____ we focus. These
may be associated 10 _____ our study or job, or sometimes a hobby. 11 _____ it is obviously
important to develop a deep understanding of 12 _____ matters to us most, it is equally
worthwhile to extend our range of knowledge beyond what we are familiar with, and that is true
at 13 _____ age.
So the best advice is to find the time to 14 _____ on new challenges and learn new skills outside
the areas where we feel most comfortable. People often choose subjects 15 _____ as new
languages, computer skills, or painting. If you can’t get to a class, then you can go online. Online
courses can easily 16 _____ found, and learning online means you put in as much time as you
want each day.
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 gap in the same line. There is an example at the
beginning (0). In the exam, write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate
answer sheet.
Example: HISTORICAL

The first coffee shops

There is some 0 _____ evidence to suggest that coffee was cultivated in 0. HISTORY
Africa in the tenth century, but drinking coffee didn’t become 17 _____ in 17. FASHION
Europe until the mid-seventeenth century, with many visitors to London 18. PLEASE
claiming that going to a coffee shop was one of the great 18 _____ of life. 19. ADMIT
People paid an 19 _____ charge of one penny to enter a coffee shop, to 20. BENEFIT
enjoy the supposedly 20 _____ effects of the drink. Doctors at the time 21. ENERGY
believed it could cure several diseases, and many drinkers reported that 22. INCREASE
coffee made them more 21 _____ and improved their mood. 23. POLITE
22 _____, a visit to a coffee shop had a serious purpose too, as people started 24. CONSUME
to meet there to discuss politics and new ideas. Good behaviour was
essential and if you were 23 _____, you could be thrown out of a shop.
However, coffee shops in Europe declined in popularity in the late
eighteenth century due to the greater 24 _____ of tea, a drink that was easier
to make than coffee.
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).
0 On holiday I prefer going sightseeing to relaxing on the beach.
RATHER
On holiday I would rather go sightseeing than relax on the beach.
25. Nobody explained why the flight had been delayed.
REASON
Nobody gave _______________ to the flight.
26. Last year’s skiing holiday was more exciting than this year’s holiday by the sea.
AS
This year’s holiday by the sea _______________ last year’s skiing holiday.
27. Maria doesn’t think we should visit the museum because it’s not very interesting.
POINT
Maria says _______________ the museum because it’s not very interesting.
28. All of us are excited about our trip to China next month.
LOOKING
Everyone _______________ our trip to China next month.
29. When I was in Sweden, I managed to learn some Swedish.
PICK
When I was in Sweden, I was _______________ some Swedish.
30. The architecture here makes me think of the buildings in Amsterdam.
REMINDS
The architecture here _______________ of the buildings in Amsterdam.
Part 5

You are going to read a review of a TV programme about homes of the future. For questions 31-
36, choose the answer (А, В, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

The homes of the future viewed from today

Mark Finchley reviews TV series Tomorrow’s Homes

Having just watched the whole of Channel 8’s TV series Tomorrow’s Homes, I’ve been
wondering about how anyone can predict the future of domestic life. You’d imagine that if you
knew what architects and technology companies were developing now to make life easier, more
exciting and more beautiful, you’d have a pretty good idea of what to expect in tomorrow’s
homes. In reality, it’s more complicated, and just as much about what we’ll choose to hang on to
from today’s – the things that are ‘future-proof’. In the 1950s, people thought that in the twenty-
first century household tasks would be done by labour-saving devices or robots – with food pills
for dinner. Yet people still wash up and cook, even though the technology exists that makes
neither of these tasks necessary.

Tomorrow’s Homes, however, dared to make predictions which it turned into reality using an
average home belonging to a family called the Forseys. Four miles of cable were installed in the
house so that all the electrics, from lights to the fridge, could be controlled via the internet, and
various other devices and gadgets were introduced in addition to this. The family were then
filmed as they got used to their new home life. Programme presenter Harry Thwaites is also a
consultant who spends his work life imagining the future, so testing out his ideas for the
programme was a fascinating experiment for him. His approach was to use technology that was
not totally brand new, but had only recently become more affordable. CCTV cameras for
security have been around for years, for example, but they are no longer only an option for the
mega-rich.

The Forsey family consists of a husband and wife with four children and two grandchildren.
They appear to be very natural and ordinary on the programme, and it was always interesting to
see how they reacted to the technology they were testing. One example that sticks in the mind is
when Janine, the mother, enters her reconstructed, all-white home (after successfully unlocking
her new front door by using her thumb print as a key), and she immediately bursts into tears –
quite understandably it has to be said. A short while later, her husband Ben gets locked out
because the skin on his thumb is too rough. As the series progresses, however, they slowly come
to accept the technology, and even start to believe it could have some value in their lives.
I was keen to see during the show if anything emerged as potentially future-proof, and there were
some great examples. To help Janine deal with various worries, she was provided with a mind-
controlled relaxation tool. This was a kind of headband connected to a DVD, which, incredibly,
she could control with her thoughts. When she relaxed mentally, she made an image of the sun
go down, as it would at night, on the DVD. When she had tried the gadget and achieved the sun
set, she was asked how effective the gadget had been. Janine commented, ‘Nothing can compare
to a nice cup of tea and a good soap opera!’
31. The writer makes the point in the first paragraph that predicting how homes will be in the
future
A requires detailed study of architectural trends
B is impossible if you only look at new developments.
C has been very difficult until now.
D is made easier by programmes and articles about them in the media.
32. What does ‘today’s’ refer to in the first paragraph?
A current ideas
B the present reality
C the homes we currently live in
D modern architecture
33. According to the second paragraph, the technology installed in the Forseys’ house
A was chosen to match the specific needs of the family.
B was previously only used by a limited section of the population.
C was still too expensive for anybody except the wealthiest.
D was tried out by experts before the family used it.
34. What does ‘sticks’ mean in the third paragraph?
A blocks something
B remains there
C corrects an error
D highlights something
35. According to the third paragraph, how did the family members react to the new technology?
A Their attitude towards it became increasingly positive
B Some of them adjusted more quickly to it than others.
C The parents struggled with it throughout the series.
D Some of their responses to it were surprising.
36. How did Janine feel about the mind-controlled relaxation tool?
A She was amazed at what it was capable of.
B She thought it would work if used with other things.
C She found it totally useless.
D She preferred more traditional methods of relaxation.
Part 6

You are going to read an article about how a desert marathon runner found a pet dog. 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.

The desert runner and the dog

The story of how a homeless dog became an internet star and found a home in the UK begins in
China, in the Gobi Desert, during an ultramarathon in which competitors cross 250 kilometres of
desert in seven days. The dog ‘adopted’ Australian marathon runner Dion Leonard when it chose
to join the racers on the second day. Leonard’s affection for the dog grew as it ran hour after
hour with him in the harsh desert conditions, and by the last stage of the race, they could not be
separated. He named her Gobi, after the desert.

37 __. He claims she helped him do so well in the race. In fact, Gobi set the pace for Leonard,
and the two days she didn’t run with him, his times were not as fast as when she did. He added
that she sometimes beat him too – but when Gobi ran too quickly she would stop and wait for
him to catch up, and then they would continue together.
Dion Leonard’s affection for the dog was so strong that he decided he would take her back to
Scotland, where he currently lives. 38 __. This included setting up a crowdfunding campaign
(raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people) on the internet to cover
the costs of medical and fitness checks for Gobi and for her to be flown to Scotland.
However, the drama of the story increased when Gobi disappeared just before she was due to
travel to Beijing. 39 __. She had escaped by dashing outside through an open door in Urumqi,
the Chinese city where some of the ultramarathon race team were caring for her.
After hearing this news, Leonard took a flight back to China as soon as he could, and began to
search for Gobi. He knew there was little chance of finding Gobi on his own, so he set up a
media and social media campaign, and put posters up all over the city. Soon, groups of local
volunteers were helping him hunt for Gobi all across Urumqi, looking in parks and dog shelters,
and asking all the people they came across whether they’d seen the dog. Leonard became quite
well-known after he was interviewed by local television, and people often stopped him in the
street to wish him luck and give him encouragement. 40 __.
Leonard didn’t give in, and eventually the call that he’d been waiting for came: a man and his
son had seen a small dog while walking their dog in a local park. 41 __. Leonard was doubtful –
the man had sent pictures, but they were a bit too dark to be able to identify the dog as Gobi.
When he walked into the room where they agreed to meet the man with the dog he’d found,
Leonard was not feeling at all hopeful that it was Gobi. But as soon as the dog saw him, she
rushed towards him and jumped up, barking excitedly. 42 __. He’s deeply grateful to the
residents of Urumqi, as he would never have found her if they hadn’t helped him in his search.
A. He soon found that the process for achieving this was difficult and expensive, so he returned
home and started making arrangements from there.
B. They had taken her home and thought she could be Gobi.
C. It was as if the two had never been apart, and Leonard says he felt just like he had when they
were racing together.
D. She had to be monitored there for three months before she was allowed to travel out of China.
E. Leonard managed to win second place in the race, despite having to carry Gobi across rivers
and giving her food and water from the supplies he had to carry.
F. Furthermore, he feared the dog could easily have run a long way out into the surrounding
countryside.
G. Leonard even launched a live blog to keep people interested in and up-to-date with his search.
Part 7

You are going to read an article about what five young people think about fame. For
questions 43 – 52, choose from the sections (A – D). The people may be chosen more than once.
Which person…
43. admits he finds certain aspects of fame attractive? __
44. believes that fame makes those who get it focus too much on themselves? __
45. describes some common beliefs about fame that he feels are untrue? __
46. is critical of the way that famous people are treated? __
47. says he is uninterested in the details of famous people’s lives? __
48. thinks being famous makes people distrust the motives of people they are close to? __
49. outlines how fame can benefit society? __
50. explains why he has some respect for everyone who is famous? __
51. lists some of the ways that people might attract an audience? __
52. suggests childhood experiences may cause some people to seek fame? __

Fame and fortune

A Stefan
Fame will bring you all the money, attention and love you could ever want! It will solve all your
problems and make you feel fantastic! You’ll never feel lonely ever again! These are the kind of
lies about being famous the media feeds society through various channels. We are taught to
highly value public attention, which celebrity-chasing individuals can get by eating insects in
online videos, living in a crowded TV house, or being cruel or offensive on social media – it
seems how we get it does not matter.
B Leo
One thing I’ve noticed about famous people is that they’ve often been through a negative event
during their early lives – like the loss of a parent, or being rejected by a key figure in their lives.
This has left them with a lack of self-confidence, which drives them to seek success on stage or
screen to give them a sense of self-worth. The problem is that when they achieve fame, they
begin to wonder if people love them for who they really are, or simply for the fact that they are
famous. This makes it challenging for famous people to form secure relationships. Partly as a
result of that, they end up socialising with other celebrities who have similar emotional
problems, and this makes their situation worse.
C Franz
To be honest, the idea of being on a stage and having everyone focus on you is quite appealing to
me, but I know that there’s no way I’d enjoy the reality of being famous. When everyone knows
who you are, it’s as if you’re not human anymore. Fame means endless requests for pictures,
autographs and stories for the tabloid press. Every mistake is exaggerated and nothing in your
family life remains private. How could you not get fed up with that? I think that’s why some
stars become arrogant or unhappy, and unable to act like normal people, especially if they
become famous at a young age and have to grow up with the public watching their every move.
D Mahomet
There is nothing wrong with being famous if it’s because you are very skilled at something,
whether you’ve written a bestseller, you’re a brilliant surgeon or a great entertainer. Fame based
on earning the respect or admiration of your readers, patients or audience can inspire people. It
also provides a link between people – common ground that helps us feel part of a community.
However, when fame is used merely as self-promotion to gain money or more attention for its
own sake, then it adds very little to the world.
E Johann
I try to avoid reading about so-called ‘stars’ – they’re just people like everyone else, and I really
don’t care if they’re getting married, divorced or buying a new pet cat! On the whole, people
who are famous seem to live in another world, where they are the only thing of importance. They
are obsessed with their own lives, and the longer they stay in the headlines, the worse they get.
One thing I do admire, though, is the ability they all share to recover time after time, when the
media turns against them or their latest project has failed.