FCE-Use of English and Writing

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USE OF ENGLISH AND WRITING PRACTICE

' I think if you do something and it turns out pretty good, then you should go do something else
wonderful, not dwell on it for too long. Just figure out what's next'. Steve Jobs

See you at CAE! Good luck!!


Mir

REPHRASING

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence using the word
given (in brackets). Use between two and five words. Do not change the word given.
1-Present Perfect
1.Steve started learning the violin a month ago. LEARNING
Steve... the violin for a month.
2. I haven't been to an Indian restaurant for ages. SINCE
It's agesan Indian restaurant.
3. When she heard the results, Mary began to feel more confident. BECOME
Since hearing the results.. more confident.
4. The last time Meg came here was in 1986. SINCE
Meg hasn't ....1986.
5. This is my first visit to Japan. TIME
This is the first ..to Japan.
6. How long have Helen and Robert been married? GET
When....married?
7. Jack bought those trousers last month, and has been wearing them ever since. FOR
Jack has a month.
8. It's a long time since our last conversation. SPOKEN
We ... a long time.
2-Tenses Revision
1.There's a party at Mary's house next week. HAVING
Next week .................................................................................................party at her house.
2.When you phoned me, it was my lunch time. I
When you phoned me ..................................................................................................lunch.
3.I started working here three years ago. FOR
I've.........................................................................................................................three years.
4.Our meeting is tomorrow. A
We ..........................................................................................................................tomorrow.

5. I haven't had a Chinese meal for ages. SINCE


It's ..........................................................................................................a Chinese meal.
6. David went home before we arrived. HAD
When we .............................................................................................................home.
7. The arrival time of Helen's flight is 8.00. AT
Helen's flight ......................................................................................................8.00.
8. Hurry up! We'll get to the theatre after the beginning of the play. WILL
By the time we get to the theatre, the play .......................................................begun.
9. Oh no! My wallet is missing. LOST
Oh no! I..............................................................................................................wallet.
10. I've only recently started wearing glasses. WEAR
l..................................................................................................................... recently.
3-Pronouns
1. John patted my back. GAVE
John.the back.
2. Don't hold a rabbit's ears and pick it up. BY
Don't ....the ears.
3. I'll never be able to look at Tanya's face again. IN
I'll never be able to look .... ..again.
4. Sue grabbed the thief's arm. BY
Sue arm
5. Helen took the baby's hand. BY
Helen ..hand.
6. The bee stung my arm. ME
The bee .arm
7. Somebody gave me a black eye. PUNCHED
Somebody ..eye.
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8. Jane patted the dog's head. ON


Jane ..head.
9. 'It's my arm! I'm hit!' said Billy the Kid. WOUNDED
'I'm.,' said Billy the Kid.
10. I felt someone pat my shoulder. ME
I felt someone ..shoulder.
4-Structures like so/such .., er/as ... as or too/enough
1. The food was so good we had to leave a tip. SUCH
It .............................................................................................. we had to leave a tip.
2. The computer was too expensive for me to buy. ENOUGH
I ............................................................................................ money to buy the computer.
3. It's the most beautiful painting I've ever seen. SEEN
I ........................................................................................................ beautiful painting.
4. This summer has been much cooler than last year. COOL
Last summer ...................................................................................... this year.
5. I'm not as good at maths as you. BETTER
You ........................................................................................................ me.
6. The course wasn't as easy as I'd expected. MORE
The course .... I'd expected.
7. This car isn't enough safe to drive. DANGEROUS
This car ... drive.
8. This exercise is easier than the last one. HARD
This exercise ... the last one.
5- Passive
1. The examiner tells candidates the regulations at the beginning of the exam. TOLD
At the beginning of the exam candidates ........................................................... the regulations.
2. Did we send that letter to Mr. Thomas? WAS
Do you know if ......................................................................................... to Mr. Thomas?

3. We haven't arranged a date for the wedding yet. BEEN


A date for the wedding ....................................................................................... yet.
4. They will have given him the news by now. TOLD
He .................................................................................................................. the news by now.
5. Experts estimate that most people now have access to the Internet. IS
---------------------.................................................. most people now have access to the Internet.
6. The garage on the corner usually repairs my car. HAVE
I ..................................................................................................... by the garage on the corner.
7. Steve definitely didn't write that essay. WRITTEN
That essay .................................................................................................................. by Steve.
8. The police have cancelled the demonstration. HAS
The demonstration ............................................................................................... by the police.
9.Smith Ltd are supplying our company with furniture. SUPPLIED
Our company.by Smith Ltd.
10. William the Conqueror built the castle in the 11th century. BY
The castle William the Conqueror in the 11th century.
11. No decision has yet been made. DECIDED
Nothing ..yet.
12. People believe that someone murdered Jenkins. WAS
It ...murdered.
13. Your hair needs cutting. GET
You ought ..cut.
14. The police were following the suspects. WERE
The suspects ...police.
15. No-one has seen Peter since the day of the party. BEEN
Peter ...the day of the party
6- Reported Speech
1. 'What do you think of the college?' ASKED
She ................................................................................................................... of the college.

2. 'I'll call you later tonight,' Keith promised. WOULD


Keith promised that ........................................................................................................... night.
3. 'I didn't break the window,' said the boy. DENIED
The boy ...................................................................................................................... the window
4. 'Why don't you come this evening?' SUGGESTED
She ................................................................................................................................ that evening.
5. 'You look really tired,' he told her. SAID
He .................................................................................................................................. really tired.
6. 'You must do your homework tonight.' the teacher said. TOLD
The teacher .............................................................................................................. my homework.
7. 'What's your name?' he asked. KNOW
He ........................................................................................................................ what my name was.
8. 'I might be late for.' he told me. INFORMED
He .................................................................................................................................. might be late
7-Auxiliary verbs
1. I went to the office then remembered it was my day off. HAVE
I ................................................................................................... to the office as it was my day off.
2. Perhaps we missed the correct turning. MIGHT
We ................................................................................................................... the correct turning.
3. I'm afraid you can't smoke in here. ALLOWED
You .................................................................................................................................... in here.
4. They will expect you to wear a suit for the interview. HAVE
You ............................................................................................................. a suit for the interview.
5. I'd see a doctor if I were you. OUGHT
You ....................................................................................................................................... a doctor.
6. He couldn't swim until he was in his twenties. ABLE
He ...... until he was in his twenties.
7. We got a table at the restaurant without a reservation. NEED
We .... book a table at the restaurant.

8. You were expected to answer all the questions on the exam paper. ANSWERED
You .. all the questions on the examination paper.
8- Conditionals
1. I only told you because I thought you would be interested. TOLD
I .. you if I thought you weren't interested.
2. I won't organize the party unless you arrange the food. LONG
I'll organize the party .... arrange the food.
3. I think it would be a good idea to speak to the manager first. WERE
If .... speak to the manager first.
4. If you do the washing up I'll make the coffee. PROVIDED
I'll make the coffee .. the washing up.
5. You' re tired because you keep staying up late. WERE
If .. to bed earlier, you wouldn't be so tired.
6. You never enter competitions so you'll never win anything. MIGHT
If you entered competitions .... something.
7. The reason I haven't got much money is because they didn't give me promotion. POOR
If they had given me promotion I ... now.
8. I've been so happy since I met you. MIGHT
I .. happy if I hadn't met you.
9. I didn't have an umbrella with me and so I got wet. IF
I wouldn't..had un umbrella with me.
10. I'll call the police if you don't leave me alone! UNLESS
I'll call the police!
11. In the snowy weather we don't go to school. SNOWS
If..to school.
12. Without Jack's help, I wouldn't have been able to move the table. HELPED
If Jack.have been able to move the table.

13. Make some coffee, and I'll give you one of my biscuits. IF
.................., I'll give you one of my biscuits
14. Tony crashed because he was careless. WOULD
Tony . he had been more careful.
15.Graham missed the plane because he lost his watch. HAD
If Graham...., he wouldn't have missed the plane.
9-Unreal pasts
1. I'd love to know how John is getting on. KNEW
I .. how John was getting on.
2. You should take an umbrella with you. BETTER
You ... an umbrella with you.
3. I think taxes should be increased. TIME
It .. increased
4. He behaves like the President of the company. THOUGH
He acts ... the President of the company.
5. I regret not inviting Cathy to the party. ONLY
If . Cathy.
6. I'd prefer you to get home early tonight. RATHER
I .... home early tonight.
7. It's a pity the car is so expensive. WISH
I ..... so expensive.
8. It will be better for you to come alone. SOONER
I would ... on your own.
9. It would be nice to be able to fly a plane. COULD
I wish I... a plane.
10. Please don't eat in the classroom. YOU
I'd rather .....classroom
11. I think we should leave now. WE
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I think it's left.


12.What a pity we ate all the food. ONLY
If...all the food.
13. I don't want you to buy me a present. SOONER
I'd.... buy me a present.
14. We ought to start work now. STARTED
It's ....work.
15. I regret not going to university. HAD
I. to university.
10 -Verb patterns
1. It's really important that you pay the bill today. REMEMBER
You must .. the bill today.
2. I think it would be a good idea if you joined the beginner's class. SUGGEST
I . the beginners class.
3. Meeting John in town was really surprising. EXPECT
I .... John in town.
4. In the future she became a successful business woman. WENT
She .. a successful business woman.
5. I'll help you with your homework. MIND
I ... you with your homework.
6. I hated driving on the left at first but now it's OK. USED
I ... on the left now.
7. Don't bother to apply for the job. POINT
There .... for the job.

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8. Were you successful in passing the exam? MANAGE


Did .... the exam?
9- Jack said he hadn't cheated in the exam. CHEATING
Jackin the exam.
10. I needed a drink of water and so I stopped running. TO
I stopped runningwater.
11. I think Dereck has forgotten the meeting. APPEARS
Dereck the meeting.
12. My neighbour said he would call the police. THREATENED
My neighbour ..the police.
11- Modals
1.It wasn't necessary for me to go out after all. HAVE
I after all.
2.There was a plan for Jack to become manager, but he left. WAS
Jack ............................................................................... manager, but he left.
3.It was a mistake for you to buy that car. BOUGHT
You .................................................................................................. that car.
4.I don't think that Sally enjoyed her holiday. HAVE
Sally . ..................................................................... enjoyed her holiday.
5.It's possible that Bill saw me. MAY
Bill ......................................................................................................... me.

6 . I'm sure that Karen was a beautiful baby. BEEN


Karen ................................................................................... a beautiful baby.

7. Perhaps Alan didn't mean what he said. MEANT


Alan ......................................................................................... what he said.
8. It's possible that I left my wallet at home. COULD
I my wallet at home.
9. I think you were wrong to sell your bike. SHOULDN'T
You ....................................................................................................... bike.
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10. The only thing I could do was run away! HAD


I........................................................................................................ run away'
11. I think you should give up smoking immediately. HAD
I think yousmoking immediately.
12. I expect we'll get there by 5:00, if there isn't much traffic. SHOULD
We ..5:00, , if there isn't much traffic.
13. Is it necessary for me to bring my passport? HAVE
Do.my passport?
14. I'm sure the cat is in the house somewhere. BE
The cat..in the house somewhere.
15. I'm certain that Norman will be late. BOUND
Norman late.
12- Phrasal verbs
1. I'm really excited about the holiday. LOOKING
I ........................................................................................................................... the holiday.
2. The bomb exploded early this morning OFF
The bomb ................................................................................................ early this morning.
3. Why don't you start doing a sport? TAKE
Have you thought about ......................................................................................... a sport?
4. His parents raised him very strictly. UP
His parents ...................................................................................................... very strictly.
5. They've cancelled the wedding. OFF
They have ...................................................................................................... the wedding.
6. I don't think they should abolish military service. AWAY
They shouldn't ........................................................................................... military service.
7. I've got to reduce the amount of sweets I eat. DOWN
I must ......................................................................................... the number of sweets I eat.
8. My host family will let you stay with us. UP
My host family will ................................................................................................................

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9. Quite by chance Brenda met Philip at the station. RAN


Brenda at the station.
10. How can you bear so much traffic noise? PUT
How can you .traffic noise?
11. Charles cheated in his exam, and didn't get caught. GOT
Charles cheated in his exam, and ..
12. I visited some friends while I was in Manchester. CALLED
I..while I was in Manchester.
13. I think it's going to rain all day. IN
I think the .... the day.
14. I don't know what to write in this form. IN
I don't know...this form.
15. This story of you isn't true! UP
You story
13- Sentences requiring two changes
1. (Passive + phrasal verb)
Thieves have burgled our house. INTO
Our house ..... .
2. (Passive + change from adjective to noun)
Businesses are said to be worried about interest rates. CONCERN
There .................................................................... amongst businesses about interest rates.
3. (Reported speech + verb change)
'I don't share your views on politics?' he said. AGREE
He told me ........................................................................................... my views on politics.
4. (Passive to active + phrasal verb)
Loans must be repaid in full. BACK
l. You ............................................................................................................ all the money.

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5. (Preposition x 2)
There have been more redundancies this year than before. NUMBER
There has been a rise ..... redundancies this year.
6. (Noun to verb + verb change)
I'm sorry but you must not smoke here. FORBIDDEN
I'm afraid ..................................................................................................................... here.
7. (Verb change + verb form)
I don't think it's a good idea to get married too early.IN
I don't .................................................................................................................... too early.
8. (Verb change + verb form)
Did you manage to convince him? IN
Did you ....................................................................................................................... him?
GENERAL REVISION
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence using the
word given (in brackets). Use between two and five words. Do not change the word given
EX1.
1 'Would you like to come for dinner at our house?' asked Ruth. INVITED
Ruth _________________________________________________ come for dinner at their house.
2 Ivan didn't find it difficult to give up smoking. DIFFICULTY
Ivan ___________________________________________________________________ smoking.
3. It was cold , so I decided to wear two pullovers. AS
__________________________________________________________________ two pullovers.
4 The witness described the assassin in detail. DESCRIPTION
The witness _______________________________________________________ of the assassin.
5 It's a pity we didn't see Athens when we visited Greece. COULD
If only _________________________________________________ when we visited Greece.

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6 A very interesting guide told us about the exhibits. WERE


We__________________________________________________ by a very interesting guide.
7 The test was too difficult for the students to pass. SO
The test ___________________________________________ that the students couldn't pass it.
8 The mechanic in the town centre repaired my father's car. HAD
My father__________________________________________ the mechanic in the town centre.
9 I only passed the exam because the teacher helped me. NOT
If the teacher had not__________________________________________ have passed the exam.
10 People say that cats have nine lives. SAID
Cats________________________________________________________________ nine lives.
EX 2
1 The school has postponed the trip to London until next week. OFF
The school trip to London ___________________________________________ until next week.
2 Merit accidentally crashed her father's car. MEAN
Merit did________________________________________________________ her father's car.
3 It was wrong of you to copy the homework from your friend. COPIED
You should _________________________________________ the homework from your friend.
4 You may not find it easy to understand phrasal verbs. MIGHT
It ______________________________________________ for you to understand phrasal verbs.
5 The best surgeon in town did Paolo's operation. HAD
Paolo____________________________________________________ the best surgeon in town.
6 In my opinion you'll be a fantastic teacher! NO
I ___________________________________________________ you'll be a fantastic teacher!

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7 I last visited London 7 years ago. NOT


I have ____________________________________________________________ seven years.
8 'I'll be home by midnight,' said Isadora. GET
Isadora promised she_________________________________________________ midnight.
9 Teachers from the British Council started this school. SET
This school _______________________________________ teachers from the British Council.
10. Chiara spent years trying to pass the First Certificate exam. TOOK
It_____________________________________________________ the First Certificate exam.
EX 3
1. I want to go to university this year. INTERESTED
I ............................................................................................................. to university this year.
2. "Have you been on holiday recently, Jane?" asked Tony. BEEN
Tony asked Jane ....................................................................................... on holiday recently.
3. I was too tired to go to the party. THAT
I was ............................................................................................... I couldn't go to the party.
4. There's no point asking Lynda to help as she's really busy. WASTE
It's ............................................................................ asking Lynda to help as she's really busy.
5. The union claims its members will only return to work if the company agrees to a meeting. NOT
The union claims its members will .............................................. the company agrees to a meeting.
6. I'm sure it was Ana I saw in town as I recognized her coat. MUST
It ................................................................................... Ana I saw in town as I recognized her coat.
7. We demanded to see the hotel manager to make our complaint. SEEING
We ................................................................................... the hotel manager to make our complaint.

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8. The boss wouldn't object to you going early today. OBJECTION


The boss would not .......................................................................................... you going early today.
EX 4
1. Because it snowed heavily during the night the motorway is closed. DUE
The motorway is closed ............................................... that there was heavy snow the night before.
2. Did you manage to get in contact with the boss today? GETTING
Did you ............................................................................................. in contact with the boss today?
3. I dont care what you do. CONCERNED
As ............................................................................................................... you can do what you like.
4. The meal we had in the restaurant was so nice. SUCH
It ..................................................................................................................... meal in the restaurant.
5. He was ordered to leave the field for arguing with the referee. SENT
The referee .................................................................................................................... for arguing.
6. Do you and your brother have the same looks? LIKE
Does ...................................................................................................................... you?
7. Thats the garage where I left my car last week. REPAIRED
Thats where I went ................................................................................................ last week.
8. You can't bring food into this room. SUPPOSED
You ........................................................................................................... food into this room.
EX 5
1. 'Why don't you come over for dinner at the weekend?' he asked her. SUGGESTED
He ................................................................................................... for dinner at the weekend.

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2. His boss won't tolerate lateness. PUT


His boss won't ......................................................................................................... lateness.
3. The school I studied at last year was better than this one. GOOD
This school ............................................................................................................ my last one.
4. Although the weather was terrible we had a good time. SPITE
We had a good time ................................................................................. the terrible weather.
5. Being rude is inexcusable. EXCUSE
There is ............................................................................................................................ rude
6. I find driving on the left in England very strange. ACCUSTOMED
I ............................................................................................................ on the left in England.
7. I regret taking up smoking. WISH
I ............................................................................................................................ up smoking.
8. The police are interviewing the suspects. INTERVIEWED
The suspects ..................................................................................................... by the police.
EX6
1 The car had almost stopped when it hit the wall. HARDLY
The car..when it hit the wall.
2 Despite having several broken bones, John was able to compete in the race. THOUGH
John was able to compete in the race...several broken bones.
3 If I take the job, I'll have to move to London. MEAN
Taking the job London.
4 That car was too expensive for us to buy. NOT
We would have bought that car ...so expensive.

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5 'Don't do that again, or you'll be in trouble!' said the teacher. WARNED


The students ..do that again.
6 I can't believe this is the best hotel in the city! HOTELS
There must be.. one in the city.
7 Course fees must be paid in full before the course begins. ALL
Students...before the course begins.
8 I haven't been to Oxford for at least ten years. WENT
The last time at least ten years ago.
9 My parents are both the same age. AS
My mother ..my father.
10 Learning French is a waste of time because the language is not widely spoken. POINT
There's ... because the language is not widely spoken.
EX 7
1 What are your plans for the weekend? DO
What.at the weekend?
2 I haven't visited my family since 2005. TIME
The .my family was in 2005.
3 'If I were you, I would study law at university.' ADVISED
He . .. at university.
4 She complains all the time about the teacher. KEEPS
She .. about the teacher.
5 What subject was your favourite one at school? ENJOY
What at school?

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6 She won't be allowed to come to the party. LET


Her parents .... the party.
7 Speaking English is still strange for me. USED
I'm .English.
8 I wish I could work in the evenings as I used to. MISS
I .... in the evenings.
9 When the test had finished I remembered the correct answers! REMEMBER
I didn't..the test had finished.
10 She can't have passed the exam - she's useless at Maths! FAILED
She ..the exam - she's useless at Maths!
EX 8
1 I moved here 10 years ago. LIVED
I for 10 years.
2 I'm not as old as my brother. THAN
My brother me.
3 'Why don't we go to the cinema?' GOING
Daniel ..to the cinema.
4 I regret not studying harder when I was at school. STUDIED
I wish .when I was at school.
5 Someone has killed the party leader in a car bomb attack. HAS
The party leader in a car bomb attack .
6 It's too cold to go to the beach today. WARM
It's . to the beach today.

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7 You won't pass the exam unless you study harder. DON'T
If you won't pass the exam.
8 It took me two weeks to recover from the flu. OVER
I needed . the flu.
9 He crashed his car because he wasn't paying attention. BEEN
If hehe wouldn't have crashed his car.
10 The doctor suggested that I starting playing golf. UP
The doctor suggested Igolf.
EX 9
1 It was difficult for Sarah to learn to read in Japanese. DIFFICULTY
Sarah.to read in Japanese
2 The police had to find out whose fingerprints they were. BELONGED
The police had to find out .to.
3 Many people say that there is a ghost in that house. SUPPOSED
There..a ghost in that house.
4 It might rain this afternoon so take an umbrella. RAINS
Take an umbrella..this afternoon.
5 You look the same as you did when we last met ten years ago. CHANGED
You have .our last meeting ten years ago.
6 You didn't need to rewrite the composition. WAS
It to rewrite the composition.
7 Toby said that I had taken his girlfriend. ACCUSED
Toby . his girlfriend.

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8 'Does English bore you?' the teacher asked Fredrick. IF


The teacher asked Fredrick ..him.
EX 10
1. We were in Venice a week ago today. TIME
We were in Venice .week.
2. Joe had financial problems, but bought a new motorbike. DESPITE
Joe bought a new motorbike..financial problems.
3. I couldn't drink the soup, as it was too hot. TO
The soup ............................................................................................. ..drink.
4. Susan was tired, so she decided to go to bed. THAT
Susan was..decided to go to bed.
5. We spoke in whispers as we didn't want to wake the baby. NOT
We spoke in whispers ......... ............................................... ..to wake the baby.
6. I kept looking for my missing watch, but I knew it was no use. EVEN
I kept looking for my missing watch ... it was no use.
7. There were a lot of people, and I couldn't see the screen properly. THAT
There were .. I couldn't see the screen properly.
8. The weather is fine, but my flowers haven't come out. OF
My flowers haven't come out ....weather.
EX 11
1. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! SUCH
l' ve .ridiculous thing!
2. I didn't think carefully enough about the situation. MORE
I should ....................................................................... ..about the situation.

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3. Gill hasn't contacted me for weeks. HEARD


I last ....weeks ago.
4. He didn't make a mistake when he played the song. WITHOUT
He played the song ........................................................ .mistakes at all.
5. It's possible that Jana can take you in her car. ABLE
Jana might ..................................................................... .a lift in her car.
6. I asked him to explain his behaviour, EXPLANATION
I asked him.his behaviour.
7. If we don't leave before 8:00, we won't get there on time. SET
We won't get there on time unless before 8:00
8. The assistant said that it was not possible for me to get a refund GIVEN
The assistant said that I couldn't .back.

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Fill in the blanks

24

COMPLETE THE TEXT USING ONE WORD IN EACH SPACE.


1-British and American English
Students of English all over the world are aware that (0) there are differences (1)__________
British and American English. But how great are the differences really?
The varieties (2)_____________ English have historical roots. (3)__________ pilgrims left England
in the seventeenth century, (4) ____________language has evolved, giving rise to changes
(5)__________vocabulary, grammar and spelling. Many of the (6)_____________obvious
differences are in the vocabulary used in the two countries (7)_____________many of the words
in common use in the twentieth century (8)_____________not exist in the seventeenth
(9)__________. "Pavements" in Britain, and "sidewalks" in the USA, only became common later,
(10) ___________ example.
The two countries (11) _______________also borrowed words from different sources: courgettes
(12)_____________imported to Britain from France (13)___________zucchini were brought to
America (14)____________ Italian immigrants.
Printing was a relatively new invention in the seventeenth century and the spelling of
(15)__________words had not yet been formalised, which accounts for many of the differences in
spelling.

2-Fast food
The concept of fast food is very important in English-speaking countries (0) for one major
reason: the working day starts at around the same time (1)________________ in European
countries, but finishes (2)_____________earlier, typically at about five o'clock in
(3)_____________ evening when the offices, banks and many of the shops begin to close. As a
result, there's not much time for lunch, (4)_________ many people bring something from home
to eat at their desks, (5)______________ with a cup of tea or instant coffee made with the office
kettle, (6) __________________than going out to a restaurant for a proper lunch as do many
European office workers, (7)_______________ usually finish work much later in the evening.
For (8)________________ who prefer to get out of the office to have a break or (9)__________
fresh air, there are the various fast food options (10)___________ as sandwiches, Cornish pasties,
burgers, kebabs, or fish and chips, many of (11)____________ can be eaten on the move,
(12)_____________ even the need to sit down!

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3-Exam Tips
When the day comes give yourself plenty of time (0) ... do everything: have breakfast but don't
drink (1) ... much; go to the toilet; arrive on time, but not too early or you will find
yourself getting more and more nervous while you wait to start. Try not to talk (2) the
exam before you go in.
In the exam, calm (3) .. down by breathing deeply and thinking positively. Read (4)
... exam questions carefully and underline all of the key instruction words (5) ..
indicate how the questions should (6) .. answered. If possible start with the ones (7)
.. can do easily to give you confidence. Remember what you've learnt from practicing
questions and doing mock exams previously and plan your use of time. Don't panic (8)
.... everyone around you seems to start writing furiously straight away and don't be
tempted to follow their example.
Finally, after the exam, don't join in a discussion about (9) .. everyone else did, (10)
.. you want to frighten yourself, and drain your self-confidence for the next exam.
Above (11) ....., remember that exams are not designed to catch you out, (12)
... to find out what you know, what you understand and what you can do.

4-Too Good to be True

Some say you can do it in seven days, others promise success in 24 hours, or you may prefer to
take (0) ........... time and do it in 5 weeks. What are we talking about? Believe it (1) ................ not,
these periods (2) .................. time refer to language learning courses that promise excellent results
in less time (3) .............................. it takes to say 'Bonjour'!
However, the advertisements of these companies are not necessarily (4) ........................ best guide
and if you don't know what to look for in a good course you could be left with little (5)
.................... than a large bill.
A complaint was recently made to a consumer rights group (6) .................... WhizzLearn Systems, a
language school chain, and the company has been forced to remove its claim that its technique is
ten times better than any (7) ........................ method. The Managing Director of WhizLearn
Systems said (8) "................................ we still believe our claim is true, we are willing to change
our advert. But the fact remains, if you spend 3 hours (9) ........................ day for 5 weeks on our
language course you will soon be speaking the language. What we (10) ................ have done was
to make (11) .................................. clearer in the advert. Then we wouldn't (12) ..........................
had these annoying complaints".

26

5-Camping Holidays

Although it has a reputation for being rather basic in terms of home comforts, the modern
material used in (0) ... manufacture of tents means camping is at least a (1) .... less hard
work. Nowadays tents are (2) .... lightweight that you hardly notice you're carrying them.
They're easy to (3) ..... up yet still a cheaper alternative to hotel accommodation.
Talk to an expert first before spending a lot of money (4) .. a tent. Different tents suit
different needs and there's no point (5) .... buying a mountaineering tent (6) ...
you're planning to camp in these conditions. Don't (7) ... tempted to splash out
on all the latest equipment either. Most of the fun of camping lies in the chance to get back to
nature. There's no need to take anything more (8) the basics.
Always try to plan your arrival at the site long before (9) .... gets dark. You will want
to see (10) .. you're doing when you try to erect your tent. Don't forget to ask
for permission if you're not camping on a registered site, and remember to take a supply of food
and drink with you in (11) ... the local shops are closed when you arrive. You
can then enjoy your first meal under the stars and begin (12) .. appreciate the joys of
camping.

6-Asking for directions


Have you ever tried asking people for directions? I (1) .to go to London on business
recently, and I soon realized that I (2) .have bought a street map. Whenever I followed
the directions of passers-by, I got lost . 'You can't (3)it,' they would say 'Carry straight
(4) ..,it's opposite the bank.' After walking for half an hour, I would realize that I
(5)have gone wrong somewhere. '(6) you tell me where the bank
(7) ..., please?' I would ask someone. I (8) ..to have known that this
was a mistake. 'Which bank do you mean? I think you (9)go back to the station'
I now see that I (10) .have taken a taxi. After all, London taxi drivers
(11).to pass a test on their knowledge of its streets. But of course whenever I
thought of this, I(12)..not find a taxi. In the end I found a solution. I went up
to the first tourists I saw and asked if I (13). look at their tourist map. They
turned out to be from Scotland and they (14)me very detailed instructions. The
only problem was that I wasn't (15) to understand exactly what they said.

27

7. An old school friend


When John saw the large crowd (1) ..had gathered (2) ..the street, he
wasn't sure (3) ..first what had happened. There were (4) many
people blocking the entrance to the hotel, that he had to push his way
(5) .them to get (6) ..the door. At the door he found two
policemen (7) ................................................ were trying to hold the crowd back. 'What (8)
.earth is going on?' he asked them. Then John noticed that some of the crowd
were holding placards (9) read: ''We love you Sally.'
(10) ...course, that was it. Sally Good was a footballer, the first woman to play for
England. (11)....John wasn't really interested in sport he decided to join the crowd
and wait (12) she appeared. About ten minutes (13)..., a smiling woman
appeared and waved to the crowd. John was taken completely
(14) ..surprise when she took his arm and said, 'Remember me? I'm the girl
(15) used to sit next to you at school.'
8.Holiday problems
Somehow I always have problems when I go away on holiday. (1) .year my travel
agent promises me that my holiday will be (2) .................................. I have ever had, but
none of these promises has ever (3)true. This year 1 got food
poisoning (4) .day 1 arrived. It must have been the fish I ate at the hotel
(5)evening. In (6) .morning I felt terrible, and I was seen by two
doctors. I tried to explain my problem to them, but (7) of them spoke English,
(8) they didn't help. It took me (9) .of the first week to recover. and I spent
three or four days sitting next to (10) hotel swimming pool reading
newspapers. By the time I felt better, (11)..weather had changed
but I
was determined to go sight-seeing, and do (12) swimming. Unfortunately
(13). of the museums were open, as there was 14) .strike. I would
have enjoyed myself (15)..if I had stayed at home.

Olympic scandal
Scandal has haunted the Olympic Games in modern times. At the very first Games, an Englishman
called Flack (1)............................ off briskly in front of the field in the marathon. He
(2)............................ followed by his butler on a bicycle.(3).......................................they neared
Athens, he (4)............................ the butler back to see (5).......................... was behind him. The
butler went back about a mile but found nobody. He rode back to Flack and said, "There's nobody.
You can win this thing on your head." Then soon after, up run (6)............................ Greek, then
another, and another, and another. They were full of running. Perhaps Flack took a long
(7)............................ round?
At the next Marathon, in 1900, in Paris, the winner was a Frenchman who worked as a baker's
roundsman. It was strongly suspected (8)............................ he was able to take numerous short
(9)............................ because of his experience delivering bread in the area.
28

Four years later, the Games were held in St Louis, in the USA. This (10)............................ suspicions
were proved, and the scandal great. The American runner who finished first in the marathon was
discovered to have accepted a from(11)............................ a car. He was disqualified.
It is not so much the scandals and disputes of recent years that have threatened the
(12)............................ Games. It is their sheer enormity, (13)............................ excessive cost, their
indulgence of national pride. One very sensible suggestion is that future Games should be
restricted to individual events in (14)............................ one person clearly wins. All team games
would go, and no one would feel any loss at the disappearance of Olympic soccer, a pale shadow
of the (15)............................ professional game.

The death of the High Street


It is often the case (0) that the principal street of an English town or city is called the High Street,
and in the past it (1).................. have been there that people used to meet, do business and go
shopping. However, over the last few decades, Britain, (2).............. other developed countries,
has seen giant supermarkets and major new shopping centres springing (3)................. on the
outskirts of urban areas or in locations which are (4)................. reached by car and which have
ample parking. The appearance of these new temples of retailing is (5)................... the result and
the cause of the phenomenon (6)..................... as the death of the High Street, a consequence
of the fact that town or city centres had become ever (7) ....................... inconvenient both for the
retailers themselves and for (8) ............... customers. Once offered an alternative, shoppers and
motorists were quick to flock to more modern and better-designed suburban shopping facilities,
taking their business with them and so inevitably accelerating the closure of many of the smaller
and most traditional shops, (9) .................... as butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers. These
(10) ............................ then replaced by the ubiquitous charity shops, small retail outlets run
(11) ............................. non-profit organisations selling second-hand items given free by their
supporters. These shops occupy (12).................................. were formerly prime locations in the
High Street, but may only pay a minimal rent, and are staffed by volunteers to maximise the
income (13) ................... the sale of old clothes, shoes, books or ornaments which fill their
shelves. In the poorest regions of Britain (14)................................ is not uncommon to find three,
four or more charity shops in a small High Street, a situation which is convenient for those who
cannot afford to buy new, and for those who benefit (15)................................ the various services
provided by the charities, but depressing for residents who remember the lively and prosperous
High Streets of the past.

29

Word BUILDING

30

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
1-Agriculture in Australia
Traditionally, Australia was________________ for producing wheat and

FAME

wool, but times have changed in ________________years, with many

RECENTLY

farmers ________________ to be more diverse in their

ELECT

crop and livestock range. It is now quite common to see farms with more exotic
fruit and vegetables. Farmers are___________________________ to

LIKE

sell their produce locally nowadays, but rather to the factories in the cities.
As a result, farms are now large-scale________________________

PRODUCE

where thousands of tonnes of crops are___________________

CULTIVATE

Another aspect that is different nowadays is_______________ . In the

IRRIGATE

past, farmers would just flood the fields but now it is common to see
sprinkler ____________everywhere. This means that more water

SYSTEMATIC

is_________________ , which has been helpful with the drought that

CONSERVATION

has severely impacted the________________ of the farms in

MAJOR

the________________ states of the____________________ country.

SOUTH

Hopefully, the _________________ the farmers have shown in recent

CREATE

times will continue.


2-Food Production
In the not-too-distant past farm animals were able to live (0) natural
NATURE
lives in what we would now term 'free-range' conditions. Such farming
methods however were not able to supply the rapidly growing
(1)..........................of the world and the increasing demands on food
POPULATE
(2) ......................... In order to cope with this rising demand, factory
CONSUME
farming methods were introduced along with the (3) ...........................
DEVELOP
of genetically engineered (4) ........................... hormones, which
GROW
resulted in a massive increase in food (5) .................................
PRODUCE
However, these developments in the use of factory farming and drug
(6) ............................... have led to a widespread feeling that animals
TREAT
are being caused a lot of distress and that the quality of the food itself suffers
as a consequence. Certainly, many people (7) .................... with the idea
AGREE
of keeping animals in one building for their entire (8) ..............................
EXIST
and argue that more emphasis should be given to (9) .............................
ALTERNATE
farming methods. A growing number of people are choosing to eat organic food,
supporting farmers who use free-range methods, a system which has proved
to be both (10) ........................ and more humane.
ECONOMY

31

3-Dress Code
UK companies have received (0) .. from a business forum for

CRITIC

what their report refers to as a rather narrow-minded attitude towards the


dress code for office workers. This follows a case in which a male
(1) ..... working in the post room of a large

EMPLOY

(2) .... in the United Kingdom received a

ORGANIZE

(3) ... for wearing jeans to work.

SUSPEND

Whilst the report accepts that there is a need for people dealing with
(4) . to look well dressed, it questions whether employees who work CUSTOM
behind the scenes necessarily need to dress formally.
The authors of the report made a (5) .... between

COMPARE

the UK and other European nations where employers seem


(6) .. about the need for their workers to wear smart

CONCERN

4-Kitchen Hygiene
The next time you go to the supermarket don't forget
to buy the (0) ... bottle of kitchen cleaner

BIG

you can to (1) .. your work surfaces.

INFECT

Recent (2) ...... research in America has shown that

SCIENCE

the kitchen is often the most (3) . of all the rooms

HYGIENE

in the home.
The (4) ... of food, heat and dampness means the

COMBINE

kitchen is (5) a breeding ground for bacteria that

POTENTIAL

can cause stomach upsets and vomiting.


The study at the University of Arizona examined15 homes over
30 weeks. Levels of (6) . were certainly not

CLEAN

below average yet cutting boards and dishcloths were found to


contain bacteria in far greater number than elsewhere in the home.
(7) ... say ignorance is the cause of the problem

RESEARCH
32

and point out that (8) ... cleaning can lead to

ADEQUATE

serious food poisoning.


The (9) .. ? Make sure you clean all work surfaces

SOLVE

(10) . and keep an eye on that dishcloth!

DAY

5.Take-away food in Britain


The fish and chip shop is the most (0) traditional

TRADITION

form of British take-away, a place which sells (1)____________

AFFORD

hot meals at lunch time and in the evening. However, the last thirty or
forty years have seen the rapid spread of foreign fast food restaurants,
and there are now few towns without Chinese, Indian and Italian restaurants,
as well as many other (2)____________________ of food.

VARY

Despite the constant (3______________ , the concept is always the same: INNOVATE
(4) ____________________ meals to eat in or take away for clients

ECONOMY

who don't have the time or energy to cook for themselves.


Restaurants such as MacDonald's pioneered the idea of fast food
to be eaten whilst sitting down in the restaurant itself, and also developed
ways of (5)__________________ their customers ate

SURE

(6)__________________________________ and left.

QUICK

Visitors to Britain are advised to try everything at least once, (7) ___________SPECIAL
the foods which are not common in their own countries. They are also warned
not to make (8) _____________________ with the food they eat at home; COMPARE
the pizza and pasta which is served in London, is very (9)__________ to be LIKE
as (10)________________ as the dishes available in Naples or Rome.

TASTE

33

Cloze

34

For questions 1 to 12 choose the best alternative.


1- Environmental Concerns
Earth is the only (0) ... we know of in the universe that can support human life. (1) ... human
activities are making the planet less fit to live on. As the western world (2) ... on consuming
two-thirds of the world's resources while half of the world's population do so (3) ... to stay
alive we are rapidly destroying the (4) ... resource we have by which all people can survive
and prosper. Everywhere fertile soil is (5) ... built on or washed into the sea. Renewable
resources are exploited so much that they will never be able to recover (6) ... We discharge
pollutants into the atmosphere without any thought of the consequences. As a (7) ... the
planet's ability to support people is being (8) ... at the very time when rising human numbers
and consumption are (9) ... increasingly heavy demands on it.
The Earth's (10) ... resources are there for us to use. We need food, water, air, energy,
medicines, warmth, shelter and minerals to (11) ... us fed, comfortable, healthy and active. If
we are sensible in how we use the resources they will (12) ... indefinitely. But if we use them
wastefully and excessively they will soon run out and everyone will suffer.
1 A Although

Still

Yet

Despite

2 A continues

repeats

carries

follows

3 A already

just

for

entirely

4 A alone

individual

lone

only

5 A sooner

neither

either

rather

6 A quite

greatly

utterly

completely

7 A development B

result

reaction

product

8 A stopped

narrowed

reduced

cut

9 A doing

having

taking

making

10 A natural

real

living

genuine

11 A hold

maintain

stay

keep

12 A last

stand

go

remain

35

2- No More Classes
The use (0) ... computers has meant students can study language programmes (1) ... their own
speed when and for how long they want - and no need to worry about the teacher having a
favourite or doing (2) ... another boring lesson. What's more, in the virtual classrooms of the
future the student will (3) ... on their headset, and be transported into an imaginary school,
choose their class, take the books they need off the shelf and (4) ... conversations with other
computerized students.
They might (5) ... choose to pay a visit to the supermarket or the train station, the bank or the
restaurant. At the (6) ... of a button they would be transported to (7) ... realistic settings where
they could practice their English, maybe getting a hand (8) ... a virtual English companion. All this
perhaps, at the computer, from the comfort of their home: no (9) ... to catch the bus to college, or
a plane to England.
Exciting? Certainly, and an interesting alternative to traditional classroom lessons. But would it
ever (10) ... the classroom? Hopefully not. (11) ... the need to relate to real people talking about
real issues and generally learning a little more about others will always lead language learners to
(12) ... at least a little of their time with real people.
1 A with

B for

at

D in

2 A still

B for

yet

D already

3 A place

B put

set

D get

4 A take

B do

catch

D hold

5 A although

B preferably C

instead

D contrary

6 A force

B hit

depress

D push

7 A so

B such

like

D alike

8 A with

B to

from

D for

9 A role

B duty

obligation D need

10 A replace

B restore

succeed

D recover

11 A definitely B mainly

totally

D surely

12 A spend

have

D do

B make

36

3-The latest news


Dear Linda,
I'm sorry I(1) ..to you for so long, but I (2) ..very busy lately. All last month I (3) exams, and I
(4) .anything else but study for ages. Anyway, I (5) ..studying now, and I
(6) .for my exam results.
As you can see from this letter, I (7) ..my address and (8) in Craydon now. I (9) ..that I
wanted a change from central London because it (10) .so expensive. A friend of mine
(11)..me about this flat, and I (12)here about two months ago. When you(13) to London
this summer, please visit me. I (14) ......here until the middle of August. Then I
(15) .....on holiday to Scotland.
Please write soon,
Margaret
1)

A don't write

B haven't written

C am not writing

D wasn't writing

2)

A was being

B had been

C am

D have been

3)

A had

B was having

C had had

D have had

4)

A haven't done

B don't do

C wasn't doing

D am not doing

5)

A stop

B will have stopped C have stopped

D was stopping

6)

A wait

B am waiting

C have waited

D was waiting

7)

A am changing

B had changed

C will change

D have changed

8)

A will live

B have been living

C live

D have lived

9)

A decided

B have decided

C was deciding

D decide

10)

A will become

B becomes

C has become

D will have become

11)

A tells

B told

C was telling

D will tell

12)

A have moved

B had moved

C was moving

D moved

13)

A will come

B carne

C come

D were coming

14)

A am staying

B stayed

C stay

D have stayed

15)

A have gone

B went

C am going

D will have gone

37

4- The stolen bike


One morning last week I realized that my bike (1) .stolen from my garden. I phoned the
police and two officers called at my house the next day. They (2) .me if I had seen or heard
anything. I told (3) .I had been out that evening, and hadn't noticed anything suspicious when
I came home. 'If I had seen anything, I (4) .you,' I replied. 'It was raining hard too. If the
weather (5) .so bad, I would have ridden my bike.' The officers told me that lots of people
(6) .their bikes stolen lately. 'The thieves (7) ..to have put the bikes in a van,' said one of the
officers. 'I (8) .I had known about that,' I said. I saw a black van that evening. In fact, it
(9) .opposite my house.'
The officers asked me what the van's number (10) ., but I couldn't remember. '(11) .
you saw the van again, (12) you recognize it?' one of them asked. 'It (13) painting. I
remember that,' I replied. However, there was a happy ending to this story. After the officers
had left, I (14) ..by a friend of mine. 'By the way', she said, '(15).you want your bike, I'll
bring it back this afternoon. I borrowed it a couple of days ago.'
1) A had

B had been

C had had itself

D had not

2) A reminded

B questioned

C told

D asked

3) A them

B that

C if

D later

4) A called

B would

C had called

D would have called

5) A wasn't

B wouldn't be C hadn't been

D wouldn't have been

6) A had

B had had

D hadn't

7) A think

B are thought Chave thought

D are thinking

8) A would

B realised

D thought

C had to have

C wish

9) A was parked B had parking C is parked

D has parked

10 A is

B was

C had

D wrote

11 A If

B When

C Remember

D Suppose

12 A do

B can

C would

D if

13 A needed

B had been

C looked like

D seemed

14 A called up

B was phoned C had a phone call D heard some

15 A unless
)

B if only

C if

D as long as

38

5- Arriving in Bluffville
Stephen arrived in Bluffville (1) .the early evening, and walked (2) ..the bus station
through the town centre, looking for somewhere to stay. There was a huge old-fashioned
hotel, (3) .it was obviously closed. The windows (4) .....street level were covered
(5).sheets of corrugated iron. (6) .there must have been many travellers passing
(7 ).Bluffville, but now the motorway (8) .the south passed the town several miles
(9)., and so very few people stopped. Stephen found a telephone (10) .a run- down
bar, and called the nearest motel (11) .turned out to be seven miles away on the
motorway. He asked the barman, (12) was reading a comic book, how (13) .. a taxi
would cost to take him (14) ..the motel. The man stared hard at Stephen (15) .. he said,
'No taxis here - haven't been any for more than ten years.'
1) A at

B in

C after

D and

2) A down

B with

C from

D away

3) A though

B which

C that

D despite

4) A at

B the

C under

D across

5) A and

B with

C from

D up

6) A over

B so

C soon

D once

7) A out

B into

C through

D from

8) A in

B of

C by

D to

9) A away

B out

C far

D long

10) A and

B which

C in

D box

11) A it

B which

Cwho

D this

12) A although

B why

C he

Dwho

13) A far

B much

Cmany

D often

14) A to

B in

C at

D out

15) A who

B since

C before

D eventually

39

6 -The lost property office


Recently I read a magazine article about the things (1) .people lose when they travel on
the London Underground. I (2) believe it at first. (3) .you are a violinist, and when you
(4) .off at your station, you leave your violin (5) .the train. It seems strange that
nobody says, '(6 ).me, but I think you have forgotten something.' I suppose the violinist
(7) .have been thinking of something else, and there might (8) .have been any other
(9) .on the train. Still, why didn't the violinist go (10).. the lost property office? All the
lost property on the underground system (11) .to be sent to this office, so if you lose
anything you (12) .easily get it back. In this case, the violinist must have (13).very
absent minded. Perhaps he or she didn't (l4) .to play the violin ever again after this
journey. Or perhaps they were just too embarrassed (15) .go to the office.
1) A who

B whose

C that

Da

2) A wasn't

B haven't

C shouldn't

D couldn't

3) A If

B Suppose

C Why

D Sometimes

4) A get

B go

C fall

D are

5) A at

B for

C on

D by

6) A Help

B It's

C Excuse

D Correct

7) A who

B might

C should

D to

8) A not

B then

C often

D so

9) A pedestrians

B customers

C audience

D passengers

10 A in

B at

C to

D for

11 A should

B must

C needs

D has

12 A can

B can't

C don't

D are

13 A been

B or

C had

D because

14 A know

B like

C have

D used

15 A and

B to

C must

D so

40

7- I don't believe in ghosts!


Last year I stayed for a few days in an old house in Scotland which was famous (1).its ghost. I don't
really believe (2) .ghosts, so I'm not afraid (3) . them of course. So when my hosts suggested
(4) .. up all night to see their ghost, I simply laughed (5) .them. Then they told me (6) .the woman
who haunted their house. She had been accused (7) . murdering her husband in the eighteenth
century because she had been jealous (8).him, but she had avoided (9) .tried, and had
disappeared. She appeared quite regularly, walking through the house as if she was searching
(10) .something. I agreed to watch that night, although it would (11) . sitting for hours in the cold. I
expected one of my friends to appear dressed (12) .the ghost, and so when the figure of a woman
finally came (13) .me, I (14) . to be terrified. You can imagine my surprise when the figure took a
knife from her dress, and then vanished. I decided to disappear myself, and drove home London as
(15) .as I could.
1) A with

B for

C from

D as

2) A for

B to

C at

D in

3) A with

B for

C of

D by

4) A waking

B getting

C staying

D coming

S) A at

B with

C about

D to

6) A for

B that

C with

D about

7) A that

B of

C for

D while

8) A of

B by

C to

D for

9) A and

B being

C but

D having

10 A like

B after

C with

D for

11 A mean

B be

C have

D uncomfortable

12 A with

B for

C as

D in

13 A about

B towards

C round

D through

14 A wanted

B imagined

C pretended

D supposed

15 A quickly

B then

C well

D though

41

WRITING

42

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