v  Practice Test one

Section 1

You will have 10 seconds to read each question and the corresponding options. Then listen to the recording. After the recording you will have 10 seconds to choose the correct option. Put a cross (X) in the box next to the correct answer, as in the example.

Example: What is the speaker's job?

a) vet                           b) doctor                     c) nurse

1. Why does the woman think the kangaroo is a symbol of Australia?

a) She thinks it's because there are a lot of them.

b) She says it's because they are native animals.

c) She is not really sure about the true reason.

2. What are the two people discussing?

a) a stage play featuring animals

b) good and bad points of zoos

c) nature programmes on TV

3. Which animal is the man talking about?

a) cats                         b) snakes                     c) parrots

4. How much should the woman pay?

a) £2.60                      b) £2.85                      c) £2.50

5. What is the advertisement for?

a) a newspaper                        b) a magazine              c) a TV programme

6. The woman thinks newspapers are

a) rather boring                       b) full of information  c) too expensive

7. The man thinks the role of drummers in bands is

a) questionable                       b) unimportant                        c) essential

8. How does the man feel?

a)  pleased                   b) shocked                  c) uninterested

9. The woman says the concert

a)  will be continuous  b)is starting early         c)may be a long one

10. Where does the woman work?

a)  a music shop          b) a box office                        c)a restaurant

TEST TIP: Remember you have only one chance to listen, so be sure to read the question or the beginning of the sentence first and be ready to choose the answer, /fit's a question, pay special attention to the question words. For example, in Question 4 you are listening for an amount of money.

Section 2

You will hear a recording about press freedom. Listen to the whole recording once. Then you will hear the recording again with pauses for you to write down what you hear. Make sure you spell the words correctly.

TEST TIP: Don’t try to write anything the first time you hear the recording – instead concentrate on understanding the meaning of the whole text. You can write when you hear the recording again.

11. _______________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Section 3

You will hear part of an interview. First read the notes below then listen and complete the notes with information from the interview.

Example: Unfortunately, many people only like animals that have visual appeal.

12. Many smaller animals are absolutely necessary for…………………

13. Bumble bees are more popular than ………………………………..

14. Bees are important because they help plants to …………………….

15. In the U.S., bees seem to be in ……………………………….…….

16. All insects and "creepy crawlies" keep the whole system ………….

You will hear a conversation. First read the notes below then listen and complete the notes with information from the conversation.

Example: The woman thinks tickets for the concert sold out very quickly.

17. The concert was full because the venue is …………………...……

18.  The singer is more popular now that she has had ………………….

19. The man was especially impressed by the ………………….……..

20. The man prefers going to see performers who are ………….………

21. The main advantage that smaller venues offer is a real conned………

TEST TIP: In this type of text completion task, the correct answer is a word or phrase from the text but the words around it will be expressed in a different way in the question or item. For example, in the first listening text, sentence 12, you need to listen for a word or phrase that means the same as "absolutely necessary" in order to complete the sentence. The word or phrase in this case is "vital".

Section 4

Read each text and put a cross (X) by the missing word or phrase

22. The big question is this: can you continue to be regarded as a serious musician……………having a face that keeps appearing on the cover of celebrity magazines?

a) as long as                b) in spite of                           c) to go with

23. New editor for DT?

It has become clear that John Simons is to …………… as editor of the Daily Times after the surprise resignation of Simon Rathbone.

a)  move in                  b) take over                 c) carry on

24. He has long been respected by his colleagues, and the quality of his writing was finally recognised last year when he won the……………of Journalist of the Year for his work on newspapers and magazines.

a)  reward                    b) medal                      c) award

25. For me, the most depressing thing about their new album is its lack of invention - they just seem to be………….old ideas.

a) revising                   b) reviewing                c) recycling

26. Despite the efforts of conservationists, the number of animal species under threat of extinction due to human…………continues to increase.

a) activities                  b) doings                     c) intentions

TEST TIP: For this section (and any multiple choice questions), when you have chosen your answer, check the other options to make sure they are not correct. For example, in Question 23, the two wrong answers mean "to go and live in a new house" and "to continue", neither of which fits the meaning of the text.

Section 5

Read the passage and complete the sentences below. Put a cross (X) in the box next to the correct answer

Tigers: they're big, brave and scary, right? Well, not necessarily it seems, if we believe this story from a zoo in China.

The Chongqing Wild Animal Park has five rare adult white tigers. The original idea was to train them and make them tame enough to perform tricks for visitors, but it now seems that the process may have gone a bit too far.

According to one of their keepers, the tigers have started to lose their true nature because they've been cared for by humans and now have quite a comfortable lifestyle. Keepers have been trying to get them to follow their natural instincts by teaching them to hunt, but the results so far are not encouraging.

The keeper says: "It was quite funny really. The tigers were so scared of other live animals. They wouldn't go near them." In the end, the tigers did work up enough courage to approach a potential meal but only because it had passed out. The problem was, when it regained consciousness and started making noises, they immediately ran for cover. So, how do you make a cowardly tiger brave again? In an attempt to toughen them up, the keepers are now not allowing them to stay in their heated cages for more than 12 hours a day. If this doesn't do the trick, the next plan is to put a wild tiger in with them to show them how things are supposed to be done. But perhaps you've already spotted the fault with this: what if the domesticated tigers are afraid of their wild cousin? "If all else fails," says their keeper, "we will just have to cut down their food till they have no choice but to find food for themselves”.

27. The Wild Animal Park wanted the tigers to

a) entertain visitors      b) return to the wild    c) appear more scary

28. The problem with the tigers is that they

a) have become dependent on people      b) were born and brought up in the zoo

c)  seem to be too difficult to train

29. The tigers went up to one animal because

a) it was less aggressive             b)  it had lost consciousness  c) they had got used to it

30. The keepers are now trying to change the tigers' behaviour by

a) putting them with wild tigers           b) making their cages less comfortable         c) keeping them outside for longer

31. In the end, the zoo may have to

a) teach the tigers to hunt              b) let the tigers go free       c) feed the tigers less

TEST TIP: Look for something in the option that says the same as the text but in different words. For example, in Question 3, look for a phrasal verb meaning "to lose consciousness" and in Question 4, look for a phrase that means the same as "feed (the tigers) less”.

Section 6

Read the music review below and answer the questions

As a big band, Grand Union Orchestra are part of a long tradition in jazz, but if you've never heard them before, they might not be what you expect. For one thing, they are huge. The band's trombonist and leader, Tony Haynes, doesn't do things by halves. He's had this show on the road for over twenty years, a constantly changing unit that is both a performing band and an educational project with a vision of musical and cultural integration. It's ambitious but it works, and this CD is the evidence. These are live recordings, and it's clear that GUO make more sense in a live setting. Their appearances are necessarily infrequent due to the expense of getting them all together, so catch them if you can.

TEST TIP: You should be able to answer the questions in this section in a short sentence, a phrase or just one word.

32. What instrument does Tony Haynes play?

33. What other role does the band have, apart from playing music?

34. In what situation does the writer recommend hearing the band?

35. Why don't Grand Union Orchestra play together very often?

Read the article below and answer the questions

They are commonly described in the press as "Mickey Mouse degrees" and many professional journalists love to look down on them. So what is the problem with courses in Media Studies? The subject has developed a reputation as a "soft option" and its popularity among students has soared. This year alone, the number of applicants has doubled. And this is part of the difficulty: there just aren't enough relevant jobs for all these people when they graduate. "Nearly all the people I knew on my course are now unemployed or stuck in temporary administrative positions," says Martina Spence, who graduated last year. "I don't know anyone who's found work in the media." And competition is bound to increase as the numbers grow and grow.

TEST TIP: To help you focus your thoughts, underline or highlight the area in the text where you think the answer is.

36. Which phrase in the article suggests that Media Studies may be an easy subject?

37. Why is the increase in Media Studies students a problem?

38. What kind of work do Media Studies graduates often end up doing?

39. What prediction does the writer make about the future of the problem?

Section 7

Read the article below and complete the notes that follow. Write no more than three words

File-sharing programs first started attracting attention when a website called Napster was set up in 1999 by Shawn Fanning. The site allowed people to share music files over the Internet. Since then many more file-sharing programs have appeared, allowing users to download not only music files but also photos, movies and games.

Music for free - it seemed too good to be true, and maybe it was. For one thing, users have often found that while downloading music onto their computers, they were also importing less desirable things like spyware and viruses. Then the record companies started complaining that sharing copyright material was illegal, and governments started to take a hard line on both sites and users. Many users, especially in the US, have been hit with fines of over $2000. Many of the original free sites were closed down and replaced by new, legal sites, which allowed people to download music tracks or whole albums cheaper, not free but more cheaply than buying CDs.

However, free music, it seems, is here to stay. A new report suggests that the fight against illegal file-sharing may actually be increasing the problem. The number of new sites has risen by 300 per cent over the past three months, according to research by McAfee, the Internet security group.

Meanwhile, a survey of over 1,000 British people has shown that people who download illegal music tracks actually spend an average of £77 a year on legal music, £33 more than legal downloaders, and 42% of those who admitted to having downloaded music illegally did so as a means of trying the content before they bought it. Also, only 9% of people asked actually admitted to downloading music illegally, suggesting that the problem may not be quite as great as the music industry would like us to think.

40. As well as music, images and films, newer file-sharing sites offer ………………………………………………………………………….…

41. Some music files from free sites contain harmful……………………………………………………………………………

42. It is illegal to share material protected by the law of………………………………………

43. Some illegal downloaders have been punished with…………………………………………………………..……………………

44. Research seems to show that illegal downloading is…………………………

45. Difference between amount spent on music by illegal and legal downloaders: …………………………………………………………………..…

46. Nearly half of illegal downloaders say they do it for the purpose of…………

Section 8

Use information from section 7 to help you write your answer

47. You have read the article about illegal file-sharing. Write a letter to the magazine giving your response to the article.

Write about 90 – 120 words. In your letter you should:

•       give your opinion on downloading free music from the Internet

•       say whether you think people who do this should be punished

•       explain your own method of obtaining and listening to music

TEST TIP: Make sure that you include all the points mentioned.

Section 9

Choose one of the topics below and write your answer in 150-200 words

48. a) The Media

Write an essay in answer to the following question: How is the way people access the news changing and how important is it to keep up with national and international news?

b) Animals

Below is part of a notice you read in a wildlife magazine. Write an article in response, giving your own opinion

Some people say there are too many organizations concerned with protecting animals. Why should we have a duty to look after them, and should we think more about our fellow humans? What do you think? Write a short article giving your opinion and we'll print the best ones in the next edition.

Section 10

In this section you will speak on your own for about 1 minute. Listen to what your teacher/ examiner asks. Your teacher/examiner will ask one of the main questions below and ask the follow-up questions if necessary.

Prompt 1:

Tell me about your reading habits.

What are you reading at the moment?

Do you prefer reading fiction or non-fiction? Why?

How often do you read a newspaper?

Do you read mostly for relaxation or for study purposes?

Prompt 2:

What was the best holiday you've ever had?

Where did you go?

Who was with you?

What did you do during the holiday?

Where would you like to go in the future?

Which subjects do/did you enjoy most and least at school?

Prompt 3:

What aspect of... made it enjoyable? Why didn't you like ...?

Do you think the teacher affects whether you like or dislike a subject?

Do you tend to like the subjects you find easiest? Tell me about your musical tastes.

Do you like listening to music while you are doing other things?

What is it about this kind of music that appeals to you?

Do you have a favourite singer or musician?

How have your tastes in music changed over the last 5 years?

Section 11

In this section you will discuss something with your partner

Modern life often means that families don't sit down and eat together. Does this matter? What do you think?

Your partner will use the following arguments to take an opposing view to yours.

Speaker 1:

Speaker 2:

Isn't it important that family members get a chance to talk and discuss things together?

Different members of the family usually want to eat at different times

How else will children learn good table manners and how to behave properly?

Teenagers would often prefer to eat in front of the TV or in their rooms

People will eat more slowly and be relaxed which is bound to be healthier

People get into arguments more easily when they're all sitting down together

Surely mealtime routines and traditions help to bind families together

Children often don't eat the same food as the adults, do they?

Section 12

In this section you will take part in a role-play with your partner. Here is a card with the situation and your goal.

The situation: You are in a newsagent’s shop.

Your goal: Ask about the latest edition of "Games Monthly". Buy it and make sure you get the right change.

Your partner is the newsagent. Below is a sample script that your partner may use.

Hello. Can I help you?

It came out yesterday. Would you like it?

Right, that's four fifty please.

Thank you. And five fifty change.

Are you sure? What note did you give me?

Oh yes, you're right. I'm very sorry. Here you are.

Section 13

In this section you will talk for up to 1 minute about two pictures showing different shopping places. Tell your partner what you can see in the pictures.

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Which of the two places would you prefer to go shopping in? (Why?)

That is the end of the test.