PRACTICE TEST 2

PART ONE. LISTENING (20 pts) (around 21 minutes)

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 restaurant manager talking about the cooks who work for him.
What does he say about them?
A They dislike cleaning tasks.
B They have a choice of jobs.
C They help to decide the menu.
2 You hear a woman talking about a new book.
What does she particularly like about the book?
A It is educational. B It is well organised. C It is enjoyable.
3 You hear the writer of a television soap opera being interviewed about the programme.
What will happen next in the story?
A Someone will make an important decision.
B Someone will go away unexpectedly.
C Someone will learn the truth at last.
4 You hear pad of a radio interview.
Who is speaking?
A a taxi driver B a porter C a tourist guide
5. You hear a woman talking about how she keeps fit.
Why did she decide to take up line dancing?
A She thought the pace would suit her.
B She had heard about it on television.
C She wanted to try exercising to music.
6. You overhear a conversation in a restaurant.
What does the woman think about the food she has just eaten?
A It was expensive. B It was delicious. C It looked wonderful.
7. You turn on the radio and hear a man talking.
What is he talking about?
A drawing pictures B writing fiction C composing music
8. You overhear a student phoning her parents.
What is her opinion of the place she is living in while at college?
A She is not sure she will have enough room to study.
B She has difficulty in working because of the noise.
C She does not get on well with her room-mates.

Part 2
You will hear an interview with Elizabeth Holmes about her experience working in Africa. For questions 9-18,
complete the sentences.
VOLUNTEERING IN AFRICA
Elizabeth worked for a (9)______________________ before she went to Africa.
Elizabeth first found out about working as a volunteer from a (10)______________________she saw at the dentist’s.
The course in London that Elizabeth attended was called (11)______________________
Elizabeth’s job in Africa was to teach (12)______________________ how to market their goods.
On arrival in Africa, Elizabeth spent (13)______________________ doing a training course with other volunteers.
Elizabeth used a (14)______________________ to travel short distances in Africa.
Elizabeth feels that she got on best with (15)______________________ in the area of Africa where she lived.
Back in England, Elizabeth found that she was disturbed by the (16)______________________ in the city.
At the moment, Elizabeth buys and sells (17)______________________ from Africa.
Nowadays, Elizabeth spends more time on her favourite pastime, which is (18)______________________.

B. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY

Question 1. Choose the best answer A, B, C or D in each sentence to complete it. (10 pts)
1. He couldn’t ______ his father that he was telling the truth.
A. admit B. confide C. trust D. convince
2. It was difficult to guess what her ______ to the news would be.
A. feelings B. reaction C. capital D. opinion
3. In order to buy his house he had to obtain a large ______ from his bank.
A. loan B. finance C. capital D. debt
4. My passport ______ last month, so I will have to get a new one.
A. elapsed B. expired C. ended D. terminated
5. The Department is also deeply ______ in various improvement schemes.
A. connected B. entailed C. involved D. implied
6. His answer was so confused that I could hardly make any ______ of it at all.
A. interpretation B. meaning C. intelligibility D. sense
7. The main attraction of the job was that it offered the ______ to do research.
A. possibility B. proposal C. opportunity D. prospect
8. I wish you’d tell me what I ______ do in this difficult situation.
A. shall B. would C. should D. ought
9. A competitor may submit any number of entries ______ each one is accompanied by a packet top.
A. supposing B. notwithstanding C. assuredly D. provided
10. They always kept on good ______ with their next door neighbours for the children’s sake.
A. friendship B. relation C. will D. terms

Question 2. The passage below contains 10 errors. IDENTIFY and CORRECT them. (5 pts)
For many young people sport is a popular part of school life and is in one of the school teams and playing in
matches is very important. If someone is in a team it meant a lot of extra practice and often spend a Saturday or
Sunday away from home, as many matches are playing then. It can also involve travelling to other towns to play
against other school teams and their stay on after the match for a meal or a drink. Sometimes parents, friends or other
students will travel with the team to support their own side. When a school team wins a match it is the whole school
which feels pride, not only the players. They can also mean that a school becomes well-known for being good for
certain sports and pupils from that school may end up to play for national and international teams so that the school
has some really famous names association with it!
Question 3. Phrasal verbs. (5 pts)

Complete each sentence with one of the words from the box.

Across against for in into on round to up with

a) I’ll send someone to call ___for_____ the parcel on Thursday.

b) You’ll have to work hard to keep ____up_____ with the rest of the class.
c) Jean didn’t expect to come up ___with______ such difficulties.
d) It’s not fair. You’re always picking __up_______ me.
e) Terry sang the first verse and then everyone joined __ in _______.
f) I came ____across_____ one of your novels in a second-hand bookshop.
g) I’m not interested in buying anything. I'm just looking __for_______.
h) Don’t you think the manager should deal ___with______ this problem?
i) George came ___ into ______ a lot of money when his uncle died.
j) You look very guilty! What have you been getting up ___ with ______?

Question 4. Give the correct form the word provided to fill each gap. (5 pts)

1. Living conditions in the slums were very ___healthy_________. HEALTH

2. This company’s ____production________ include radios and television sets. PRODUCE
3. The church was damaged in the war but it has now been ___building________. BUILD
4. The people possess ___violation__________ rights. VIOLATE
5. Don’t be so ___impatience_________. The train will be here soon. PATIENCE
6. I ____________ don’t know how she puts up with him. He's so selfish. HONESTY
7. The soldier was given a medal for his ____________. BRAVE
8. Because he is so ____________, it’s difficult to discuss anything with him at the moment. PLEASURE
9. Various _____________ by police officers were brought to light by the enquiry. PRACTICE
10. Look. Water is coming through the ceiling! What's happening ____________? STAIRS

Question 5: Read the passage below and circle the letter (A, B, C or D) to complete the passage (5pts).
Scott Newman wouldn’t be without his pocket-size TV, which he mainly watches in bed. “I only watch
programmes which last about half an hour, as any longer (1)_______ my eyes. I use the set for general entertainment
though it is also really good for (2)_______ up with current affairs. The main problem with the set is that it’s not
(3)_______ enough even when you use headphones. The (4)_______ is all right as long as nothing moves in front of
the aerial.” Scott admits to being a gadget man, but doesn’t (5)_______ buying the set since he uses it nearly every
day.
Retired engineer Paul Hardcastle, has owned a pocket TV for a (6)_______ of years. “I use it mostly in the
bathroom. I wanted to use it outdoors, but the trouble is that in (7)_______ light you can’t see the picture. I use
rechargeable batteries as (8)_______ ones would cost too much. Paul believes that this sort of TV could be improved
if the (9)_______ was slightly bigger and it didn’t (10)_______ up batteries so quickly: he can only get half an hour’s
viewing before the batteries go flat.
1. A. struggles B. stretches C. stresses D. strains
2. A. coming B. keeping C. going D. holding
3. A. loud B. noisy C. high D. strong
4. A. response B. receiving C. receipt D. reception
5. A. mind B. disapprove C. regret D. disappoint
6. A. number B. total C. sum D. quantity
7. A. shiny B. hard C. bright D. high
8. A. real B. usual C. genuine D. ordinary
9. A. design B. screen C. face D. display
10. A. use B. finish C. end D. take

PART THREE. READING

Question 1. Read the following passage carefully and choose the best answer to each of the questions. (10 pts)
The mineral particles found in soil range in size from microscopic clay particles to large boulders. The most
abundant particles—sand, silt, and clay—are the focus of examination in studies of soil texture. Texture is the term
used to describe the composite sizes of particles in a soil sample, typically several representative handfuls. To
measure soil texture, the sand, silt, and clay particles are sorted out by size and weight. The weights of each size are
then expressed as a percentage of the sample weight.
In the field, soil texture can be estimated by extracting a handful of sod and squeezing the damp soil into three
basic shapes; (1) cast, a lump formed by squeezing a sample in a clenched fist; (2) thread, a pencil shape formed by
rolling soil between the palms; and (3) ribbon, a flatfish shape formed by squeezing a small sample between the
thumb and index finger. The behavioral characteristics of the soil when molded into each of these shapes, if they can
be formed at all, provides the basis for a general textural classification. The behavior of the soil in the hand test is
determined by the amount of clay in the sample. Clay particles are highly cohesive, and when dampened, behave as
a plastic. Therefore the higher the clay content in a sample, the more refined and durable the shapes into which it can
be molded.
Another method of determining soil texture involves the use of devices called sediment sieves, screens built with
a specified mesh size. When the soil is filtered through a group of sieves, each with a different mesh size, the
particles become grouped in corresponding size categories. Each category can be weighed to make a textural
determination. Although sieves work well for silt, sand, and larger particles, they are not appropriate for clay
particles. Clay is far too small to sieve accurately; therefore, in soils with a high proportion of clay, the fine particles
are measured on the basis of their settling velocity when suspended in water .Since clays settle so slowly, they are
easily segregated from sand and silt. The water can be drawn off and evaporated, leaving a residue of clay, which
can be weighed.

1. What does the passage mainly discuss?

(A) Characteristics of high quality soil
(B) Particles typically found in most soils
(C) How a high clay content affects the texture of soil
(D) Ways to determine the texture of soil
2. The author mentions “several representative handfuls” in the first paragraph in order to show
(A) the range of soil samples
(B) the process by which soil is weighed
(C) the requirements for an adequate soil sample
(D) how small soil particles are
3. The phrase “sorted out” in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to
(A) mixed (B) replaced (C) carried (D) separated
4. It can be inferred that the names of the three basic shapes mentioned in paragraph 2 reflect
(A) the way the soil is extracted (B) the results of squeezing the soil
(C) the need to check more than one handful (D) the difficulty of forming different shapes
5. The word “dampened” in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to
(A) damaged (B) stretched (C) moistened (D) examined
6. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about a soil sample with little or no clay in it?
(A) It is not very heavy. (B) It may not hold its shape when molded.
(C) Its shape is durable (D) Its texture cannot be classified
7. The word “they” in the third paragraph refers to
(A) categories (B) sieves (C) larger particles (D) clay particles
8. It can be inferred from the passage that the sediment sieve has an advantage over the hand test in determining soil
texture because
(A) using the sieve takes less time (B) the sieve can measure clay
(C) less training is required to use the sieve (D) the sieve allows for a more exact measure
9. During the procedure described in paragraph 3, when clay particles are placed into water they
(A) stick to the sides of the water container (B) take some time to sink to the bottom
(C) separate into different sizes (D) dissolve quickly
10. The word “fine” in the third paragraph is closest in meaning to
(A) tiny (B) many (C) excellent (D) various
1. D 2. A 3. D 4. B 5. C
6. B 7. B 8. D 9. B 10. A

Question 2. Read the text. Complete the text with sentences A–F. There is one sentence you do not need. (10 pts)
 A home of your own?
A home of their own is what most people in the UK aspire to these days. However, more and more of our older
population are finding it difficult to stay in their own homes as the health problems associated with increased age
sometimes make it impossible for them to cope in badly designed houses.
The elderly cannot climb the stairs and if they use wheelchairs, there are often problems getting from one room to
another because of narrow doorways, let alone trying to manoeuvre their chairs up and down outdoor steps. [1
_______] All too often the help that could allow them to remain in their own homes at the end of their lives is not
available and these people are forced to move into care homes. Here, their needs are catered for but they often feel
isolated and away from familiar surroundings and their friends and family.
In an effort to address this problem the UK government has announced plans that seem, on the surface, to be fairly
dramatic. [2 _______] There will be sixteen such specifications and they include improvements that could
significantly affect life positively for the elderly. Stairs will have to be wide enough to accommodate stair lifts should
the installation of one become necessary. [3 _______] Electrical sockets and switches in walls must be at a
convenient height and all rooms must be large enough for wheelchairs to turn in circles. These are only a few
examples of what architects and builders will have to take into consideration in the future.
[4 _______] The general idea has been welcomed by many care groups but the practicalities are causing concern in
many quarters. Not least among those who are worried about the cost of providing new housing. [5 _______]
Members of the House Builders Association feel that the plans have not been carefully thought through and that
implementing such specifications, although theoretically laudable, is simply not realistic.
It is also felt that people have different housing needs at different stages of their lives and forcing all new homes to be
built with the elderly in mind is not going to be a popular move. Debate on the subject will no doubt continue for a
long time yet!
A They want all new homes built in the UK from 2011 onwards to conform to specifications that will make them
elderly-friendly.
B Safety for children will also be addressed.
C It is feared that conforming to all the specifications will push up the prices and put new homes out of the reach of
first-time buyers.
D Adapting their houses to make life easier for these people is a costly business and most cannot afford the necessary
changes.
E These plans have met with mixed reactions.
F There must be easy access for wheelchairs to the front door and through doorways.

Question 3. Fill in each blank with ONE suitable word of your own. (10 pts)
Society does not encourage crying as a form of self (1) _____. The (2) _____ of tears tends to make people feel
uncomfortable and embarrassed. The human race is the only species that sheds emotional (3) _____. What (4) _____
does crying serve?
It has been suggested that emotional tears play a role in the (5) _____ of stress. Scientists’ studies have revealed
that emotional tears contain a chemical which is one of the body’s (6) _____ pain killers. The chemical is not found
in tears shed as a response to slicing onions. Scientists think that tears may (7) _____ to remove substances that
accumulate in the body under stress. This would explain why many people feel much (8)_____ after crying. As a
result of the view that it is not manly to cry, men tend to hold back their tears. This may explain why men develop
more stress-related diseases than women. (9) _____ emotion, be it a feeling of sadness or happiness, is stressful.
Tears are therefore shed as a response to sorrow, anger or joy. It is natural to cry. Indeed, it may be (10) _____ to
hold back tears.

PART FOUR. WRITING

Question 1. 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 You must do exactly what the manager tells you. CARRY
 You must _______________________________________________________instruction exactly.
The gap can be filled by the words 'carry out the manager’s’, so you write:
1. Marcella left home very early because she wanted to be sure of catching the train. ORDER
Marcella left home very early ___________________________________________miss the train.
2. You must show your student card as you enter the library. REQUIRED
You______________________________________________student card as you enter the library.
3. On business trips, I prefer driving home to staying in a hotel overnight. RATHER
On business trips, I’d _____________________________________________in a hotel overnight.
4. Jack found it difficult to control his skis on the steep slope. UNDER
Jack found it difficult to ___________________________________________ on the steep slope.
5. Such success has not been achieved by many players in the world of ice hockey. FEW
Only___________________________________________such success in the world of ice hockey'

Question 2. Finish each of the following sentences in such a way that it is as similar its possible in meaning to the
original sentence. Use the word given in BOLD and other words as necessary. Do not change the
form of the given word (10 pts).
1. “No, not me. I didn’t take your calculator, Tom!” said Bill. DENIED
______________________________________________________________________________
2. It is difficult for me to get the work done by the weekend. DIFFICULTY
______________________________________________________________________________
3. His father would prefer him to find a job. RATHER
______________________________________________________________________________
4. It’s not your fault. BLAME
______________________________________________________________________________
5. I want to be left alone. DISTURBED
______________________________________________________________________________
6. You must drive more slowly in town. REDUCE
______________________________________________________________________________
7. You can borrow my bike if you're in a hurry. MIND
______________________________________________________________________________
8. They are going to demolish the old building soon. PULLED
______________________________________________________________________________
9. How much does this bag cost? PRICE
______________________________________________________________________________
10. She failed to persuade her father to buy her a cell phone. SUCCEED
______________________________________________________________________________

Question 3. Paragraph writing. (15 pts)

Write about the following topic:
Some people say that advertising encourages us to buy things that we really do not need. Others say that
advertisements tell us about new products that may improve our lives.
Which viewpoint do you agree with?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 150 words.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

-THE END-