B2 review test 1 standard
Grammar
1 Complete the second sentence so it means the 3 Complete the dialogue with the correct form of
same as the first, using the word given. Do not the verbs given.
change the word given. Use between two and five
words. A: Hi, Tom. Would you like to come to the cinema with me
this evening?
1 In the past, people believed that the Earth was flat. B: No, sorry, I can’t. We’re going to my sister’s graduation.
USED We (1) ……………………… (take) the train this evening
People ……………………… that the Earth was flat.
because the ceremony is early tomorrow morning.
He began working for that company six months ago.
2 A: Well, that should be good. What’s her degree in?
BEEN
B: She’s been studying archaeology for the last two years.
He ……………………… that company for six months. She was studying history too and (2) ………………………
The last time I saw William was on Tuesday. (do) really well in it, but then she decided to specialise.
3
SEEN A: What’s she going to do next?
I ……………………… Tuesday. B: She’s really lucky. She speaks Italian and she
It’s my dream to go on a space holiday. (3) ……………………… (work) on a dig in Rome when I see
4 GOING her next. We’re all going to visit her there in the
……………………… is my dream. summer holidays. Then I think she wants to do a
I didn’t answer my phone because the film hadn’t master’s in Italy as well. By the time she finishes, she
5 finished. (4) ……………………… (study) for six years. I think she
WATCHING wants to be an academic.
I ……………………… I didn’t answer my phone. A: Isn’t it great that she (5) ……………………… (find) something
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she really wants to do?
B: Definitely. My parents are really proud.
2 Choose the correct alternatives to complete the email. /5
Hi Jane, Total / 15
How are you? Have you finished
your universityapplication yet?
I went to look at Bristol
University last week and I
really liked it. I think that’s
going to be my first choice.
When we were children, we (1)
used/would to go there a
lot because my grandmother lived
in Somerset so we always took
the train to Bristol first, then
got a bus to her village.
It remindedme of those times.
But that’s not the only reason.
(2) Finding/To find somewhere
to live should be easy because
there are lots of students there,
although I’ll probably go into a
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hall of residencefor the first
year. I’m thinking of
(3) to study/studying English with drama
instead of just English because there’s
a really good drama department
and the city has a famous
theatre too where lots of actors
(4) were training/train, so there’ll be
lots of opportunities for me
to get involved in drama. I
know it’s a very difficult
profession to get into, but
I would love to work in
the theatre. I (5) have
been/would be in lots of
plays at school. Anyway, that’s all
in the future. I should do
my homework now.
Speak to you soon,
Ellie
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Vocabulary
4 Complete the text with these words and phrases. 6 Complete the email with the correct form of the
There are four extra options. words given.
degrees • keep at • orbit • responsible • skilled Hi Annie,
spacecraft • took off • turned down • work on
How did you get on in your exams? I did OK, but I failed one
of
Many children dream of becoming astronauts, but what them and I need it for my
course so I’m going to does it take to make the dream a reality? Most applicants (1)
……………………… (sit) it in September when we get back from our are
(1) ……………………… and only a very small percentage holiday.We’re going to Jamaica to stay with my
uncle. He’s succeed in becoming astronaut candidates. Even then, got a hotel there, so my
mum just has to pay for our they have to do a lot of training before they are
considered (2) ……………………… (fly). He used to live in this country and he had
for a mission. They have to be highly (2) ……………………… , a business here for a while but there
were problems with his get on well with people because they will be living in a partner and in the
end it was (3) ……………………… (success) and he confined area, and speak English and
Russian, because decided to start again over there. It’s only a small hotel, but
astronauts talk to each other in those languages when they it’s really nice – although last time we
went he had are in space. Most come from a science or technical (4) ………………………
(book) and we ended up staying with some background with (3) ……………………… in maths,
engineering friends of his. But that was fun. They were really kind and we
or physics and many have postgraduate qualifications as were able to help them as well
because their son came to well. The most visible part of the job is when they are London as a(n)
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(5) ……………………… (graduate) and he lived with us working in (4) ……………………… ,
but a lot of their work is for a while until he found a place of his own.
done on the ground. In fact, there are all sorts of jobs in the
Anyway, hope to see you soon.
space industry. Engineers, medical professionals, even
Judith
teachers (5) ……………………… space missions, not just the astronauts.
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Total / 15
5 Choose the correct alternatives to complete the text.
My dad keeps telling me that I need to get good
(1) qualifications/conditions/assignments if I want to get
ahead, so I’ve been revising hard for my exams. I think he’s
right. My older brother was never really interested in studying
and when he left school he went to work at a local factory,
but unfortunately he has just been (2) retired/made
redundant/resigned because they didn’t have enough orders
and it was a case of last in, first out. So now he is
(3) unemployed/part-time/on flexitime and looking for a job
and he’s always arguing with my dad. Mum’s trying to
persuade him to go to college – I think he’ll probably do a (4)
course/master’s/assignment to become a mechanic because
he’s always liked working on cars. Mum says it won’t be like
school and he can do some workplace
(5) research/shift work/training as well. He’ll be OK but it’s been
a difficult time.
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Reading
7 Read four people’s comments about a recent TV series called Human Universe. Match the statements (1–6)
with the people (A–D). You can choose the people more than once.
A Harry
I just want to say how amazing I think this TV series is. I’ve seen
three of the programmes so far and in those three hours I
learned more about science and the universe than I did in my whole time
at school! Somehow Professor Cox brings science to life in a way none
of my teachers ever could. Mind you, he does have the advantage of
a lot of special effects to illustrate his points. I suppose it’s also the
sort of language he uses; it’s really accessible and he’s a brilliant
storyteller. At school, the terminology was so difficult to follow that I
used to switch off immediately and I know I wasn’t the only one.
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B Diana
What I like about this series is that the presenterdoesn’t talk down to
his audience,even though he knows a huge amount about his subject. When I
listen to him talking about space and the universe, I don’t feel like a
kid at school. I feel that he’s treating me like an adult. He
seems to have a vast knowledge and you can tell he enjoys
sharing that knowledge. I’ve recorded the whole series. I particularly liked the
programme about training for a space mission where he went underwater and
showed what the living conditions are like for astronauts. It made me
realise how difficult it must be to live in such cramped conditions. The
series also got me thinking about what scientists still don’t know or understand.
It’s pretty scary to think about how small a piece we really are in
the giant puzzle of existence.
C William
Having watched the first programme of the series Human Universe I can’t wait
until the next one. I’m particularly impressed by the visuals. They add
a great deal to the professor’s explanations, and that’s something close
to my heart. I enjoy playing around with computergraphics and I’ve done
some work on amateur films but watching this has opened my mind up to
the possibilities of other career paths; perhaps televisionwork would be something
I could aim for. Obviously, special effects are getting better and better.
Overall, I think it’s one of the best science series I’ve ever seen and
it’s a great marriage between science and art. I also love the way the
professor sets his explanations against things we can see and understand by
showing us specific examples from different places around the world. Just brilliant!
D Charlotte
I missed the first couple of programmes and then a friend said I
simply had to watch it. I’ve never enjoyed science programmes very much; I’m
much more of an arts person. Give me a series about books or
galleries and I’m hooked, but for me, science programmes are usually quite dull
and I lose concentration quickly. However,I must admit that this one is
a bit special! I think it’s the combination of a compelling
personality (the professor looks much too young to be so clever, doesn’t he?)
and some really interesting science. And the beautiful location photography makes the
programme particularly memorable. Although how long I’ll remember the
science is a different matter.
Which person:
1 admires the presenter’s skill with words? …………… 4 has a critical opinion of those who previously taught
2 has enjoyed the programme more than he/she him/her? ……………
expected? …………… 5 believes the professor doesn’t behave as if he is better
3 has been inspired by the programme to consider a than the viewers of the programme? ……………
particular line of work? …………… 6 comments on the professor’s age? ……………
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8 Read the text again. Are these statements True (T), completely different tracks, with the train moving by means
False (F) or is the information Not Mentioned of powerful magnetic forces. Maglevs are not a new idea.
(NM)? The first patents were granted as early as 1907 and the first
A Harry commercial Maglev system (6) …………… at Birmingham
1 Human Universe relies on its special effects to convey airport in 1984. But it is only now that the full benefits can
the science in the programme. T/F /NM be seen, especially in Japan and China.
2 Professor Cox is not as good as Harry's
Japanese Maglev trains routinely move at 311 mph (500
teachers at explaining science. T/F /NM
km/h) and can achieve speeds of 373 mph (600 km/h). In
B Diana the future, the top speeds will be too fast to be comfortable
3 The presenter takes pleasure in communicating his for humans. However, Maglev trains will probably (7) …………
expertise to a wider goods at higher speeds and lower costs than current
public. T/F /NM modes of transport. What’s more, the system is very energy
4 Diana would like to be an astronaut in efficient and clean so it has (8) …………… benefits, too.
the future. T/F /NM
1 A did B have been C were D are
C William 2 A launch B getting off C landing D flight
5 Art and science are not a good combination. T/F /NM 3 A trip B voyage C travel D tour
D Charlotte
4 A passengers B astronauts C crowds D crew
6 The images from around the world enhance
5 A used B to use C didn’t use D using
the programme. T/F /NM
6 A has opened B opened C will open D opens
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7 A carry B carried C to carry D are carrying
Total / 12 8 A outdoors B location C pollution D environmental
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Use of English
9 Choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) to complete Listening
the text. 10 Listen to five short extracts. Choose the best
Ever since George Stephenson built the first steam answers, A, B or C.
locomotive in 1829, train designers (1) …………… trying to
1 You hear two students talking at school. Why is the boy
make trains go faster. The problem is that reaching very
not feeling too good?
high speeds in a train involves the same kind of
A He has caught flu.
acceleration as a plane taking off and (2) …………… . The
B He has to resit his biology exam.
human body is not designed for such rapid acceleration and
C He hasn’t done well in a test.
people can suffer from motion sickness as a result.
2 A teacher is talking to her students. What does she want
Another problem is that the tracks for the existing rail
her students to do before their tutorial?
networks, especially in Europe, often have to go round
A Discuss their careers ideas with the careers officer.
bends to (3) …………… across the landscape, with its rivers
B Be prepared to discuss their weaknesses.
and mountains. In the 1970s, tilting trains were designed to
C Bring their marks for all exam subjects with them. 3 You
lean in to a curve, but this still didn’t completely solve the
hear a TV presenter talking about a programme.
problem of motion sickness for (4) …………… because of the
What can we learn from watching the programme?
way the human brain perceived the movement. Also,
A the cost of space tourism
although many high-speed trains can achieve speeds of up
B the space experiences of three people
to 250 mph (400 km/h) they rarely do so because they have
C the way people get ready to go into space
to share tracks with existing trains.
4 Two people are talking about a student who is going to do
In Asia, the latest high-speed trains have resolved many of
work experience at their company. Why is the man
these problems by (5) …………… the Maglev system. Maglev
worried?
stands for ‘magnetic levitation’ and Maglev trains use
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A The student can’t follow him because he’ll be
away.
B The student could see private papers.
C There might not be enough work for the
student.
5 You hear two friends talking about the weekend. Where is
the science exhibition being held?
A Manchester B
London
C Cardiff
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11 Listen again and complete the sentences with
one word in each gap.
1 The girl will probably have to take her ………………………
test again.
2 Students will be able to do extra preparation for their
……………………… subjects in the after-school classes.
3 The millionaire will say if he got good value for the large
……………………… of money he paid for his space trip.
4 The work experience student wants to see how the
businesspeople ……………………… with client problems.
5 The space exhibition has been extended for a minimum
of ……………………… weeks.
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Total / 10
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Writing
12 You have been discussing space exploration in your English class. Write an essay with this title:
It is more important to spend money solving problems here on Earth than on
developing space travel.
You should: Use some of these phrases:
• introduce the topic and give your personal opinion. • In my opinion, ...
• give your main argument, with reasons. • I believe that ...
• give one or two other arguments, with reasons OR • Secondly, ... / Lastly, ...
give opposing arguments and say why you don’t agree • In addition, ... / What’s more, ...
with them. • Nevertheless, ...
• summarise your argument in a conclusion. • In conclusion, ...
Write 220–250 words.
………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……
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Speaking
13 Work with a partner. Discuss which of these modes of transport you think is the most enjoyable way to
travel and why.
bicycle • car • plane • train • underground (metro)
You should:
Use some of these phrases:
• give your opinion.
• What do you think? / Do you agree?
• invite your partner to give his/her opinion.
• Yes, you’re right. / That’s true. / I agree.
• agree or disagree with your partner’s view.
• I see what you mean, but ... / I suppose so, but ...
• I’m not sure.
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