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IELTS ONLINE PRACTICE BOOK

PREPARATION AND PRACTICE TESTS FOR IELTS


PREPARE FOR IELTS WITH THE WORLD’S ENGLISH EXPERT

www.ieltsasia.org/vn
Introduction
The International English Language Testing System
(IELTS) is the world’s most popular high stakes
English-language test, for study, work and migration,
with more than 2.2 million tests taken each year.

IELTS assesses all of your English skills — reading,


writing, listening and speaking — and is designed to
reflect real life use of English — at study, at work, and
at play.

The IELTS test is developed by some of the world’s


leading experts in language assessment. It has an
excellent international reputation, and is accepted by
over 9,000 organisations worldwide, including
schools, universities, employers, immigration
authorities and professional bodies.

IELTS is the most widely accepted English language


test that uses a one-on-one speaking test to assess
your English communication skills. This means that
you are assessed by having a real-life conversation
with a real person. This is the most effective and
natural way of testing your English
conversational skills.

You can choose from two versions of the test – IELTS


Academic or IELTS General Training – depending on
the organisation you are applying to and your plans
for the future. Both versions of the test are made up
of four parts – Listening, Reading, Writing and
Speaking. IELTS results are graded on the unique
IELTS 9-band scale.

IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.

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Introduction to IELTS Listening, 4
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test

Academic Practice Test 1 11


Listening 12
Reading 15
Writing 24
Speaking 26

General Training Reading & 27


Writing Practice Test 1
Reading 28
Writing 35

Academic Practice Test 2 37


Listening 38
Reading 41
Writing 48
Speaking 50
Index

General Training Reading & 51


Writing Practice Test 2
Reading 52
Writing 59

Academic Practice Test 3 61


Listening 62
Reading 64
Writing 71
Speaking 73

Academic Practice Test 4 75


Listening 76
Reading 79
Writing 87
Speaking 89

Answer Keys 91

IELTS Test Taking Tips 114

3
3 IELTS Essential Guide

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Introduction to IELTS Listening,
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test

IELTS
LISTENING TEST

What to expect?

Format
• The Listening module takes about 30 versions of the test.
minutes to complete. • There are 4 sections, each with 10 questions.
• At the end candidates are allowed 10 • Each section has one or more of the various
minutes to transfer their answers to an task types.
answer sheet. • The test gets progressively more difficult.
• The listening module is the same for both • All the instructions are printed on the question
the Academic and General Training booklet.

Audio Recording
• You will hear a variety of accents e.g. British, • Answers are in the same order as the
American, Australian. information on the recording.
• Answer the questions as you listen because • If you miss listening to the information for a
the recording is played only once. particular question, guess the answer
• Some time is allowed during the recording to because wrong answers are not penalised.
preview the questions.

Marking
• A mark is given for each correct answer. it counts as a wrong answer.
• Spelling is important. A spelling mistake • Write answers clearly. Illegible handwriting
counts as a wrong answer. will result in a wrong answer.
• Both American and British English spelling
are accepted but be consistent.
• A hyphenated word (e.g. absent-minded,
flow-chart) counts as one word.
• Grammar is important: e.g. if you write a
singular noun instead of a plural noun,

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Introduction to IELTS Listening,
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test

IELTS
READING TEST

What to expect?

Format
• The reading module takes one hour to content is a little different.
complete. • or both modules:
• At the end there is no e tra time to transfer • There are 3 sections with a total of 40
answers to the answer sheet. questions in all.
• The reading module is not the same for the • Each section has one or more of the
Academic and General Training versions of various task types.
the test. • All the instructions are printed on the
• Task types are the same for Academic and question booklet.
General Training but the test format and

Marking
• or both modules: writing counts as a wrong answer.
• A mark is given for each correct answer. • Answer the questions as you read and
• Spelling is important. A spelling mistake transfer to the answer sheet immediately.
counts as a wrong answer. •IELTS accepts both American and British
• Grammar is important: e.g. writing a English spelling but be consistent.
singular instead of a plural noun counts • A hyphenated word (e.g. absent-minded,
as a wrong answer. flow-chart) counts as one word.
• Write answers clearly. Illegible hand

:
Reading Strategies Overview:
• Before you start, quickly look through the one or 1 1/2 minutes at the most per question. If
whole test so you know what to e pect. you don t have an answer, guess, and move
• Time management is e tremely important do on. Write your answers directly onto the
not spend more than the recommended time answer sheet no e tra time is given for this.
( 0 minutes) on each passage. Limit yourself to

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Introduction to IELTS Listening,
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test

• ead carefully to make sure that the choice • Scan the te t to find the specific information
you have made is the right answer. required to answer the question.
• Skim the passage to get an idea of what it is • ead carefully to make sure this is the right
about. answer.

EA I G TAS TY ES
Reading Task Types
Task Type: Short-Answer uestions

• Answer questions which relate to factual • umbers can be written as figures or words
information and detail. (e.g. 00 or two hundred ).
• Write answers in words or numbers on the • A hyphenated word counts as one word (e.g.
answer sheet. other-in-law one word).
• se only words from the te t. • The questions are in the same order as the
• ead instructions carefully to find out how information in the te t.
many words/numbers to use.
• Given word limit no mark is awarded.

Scanning
or short-answer questions you need to scan The answer to wh-type questions are often
for facts and details. This means read every numbers or proper nouns (starting with capital
word but moving your eyes quickly over the letter) so they should be relatively easy to
te t ust looking for the relevant fact or details. find. ead the questions first so you know
You don t need to understand every word what to look for ( Is it a number A place A
ust enough to answer the question. name etc.)

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Introduction to IELTS Listening,
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test

IELTS
WRITING TEST

What to expect?

Format Format
• The writing module takes one hour to Task 2.
complete. • The tasks are different for the Academic and
• The format is the same for both the General Training versions of the test, as
Academic and General Training modules. outlined in the table below.
• There are tasks to complete: Task 1

Training General Academic

Task 1
Letter Report
(1 0 Words)

Task 2 Essay Essay


( 0 Words)

(In response to a point of view, argument, or problem)

• All instructions are printed on the question


booklet.

Marking
• You are marked on 4 criteria. • oherence and cohesion
• Task achievement (Task 1) task • Le ical resource
response (Task ) • Grammatical range and accuracy.

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Introduction to IELTS Listening,
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test

Tips:

Spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on


Task 2 for both the Academic and General Training
Writing modules.

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Introduction to IELTS Listening,
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test

IELTS
SPEAKING TEST

What to expect?

Format
• The Speaking module lasts for 11 14 The Academic General Training versions of
minutes, and consists of an introduction the test.
section plus three parts. • The linguistic challenge of the test increases
• The speaking module is the same for both with each part.

Part Timing Content

Introduction 30 Seconds Name, nationality, ID check

2 or 3 unrelated, short,
simple conversations about
art 1 - Interview 3. - 4. mins your personal preferences
or e perience
1 minute of preparation time
1 minute talk on a topic
art - Long Turn 3 - 4 mins which draws on your
personal e perience
There may be one or two
follow-up questions

A more detailed discussion


art 3 - iscussion 4- mins related to the topic of the
long turn in part 2.

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Introduction to IELTS Listening,
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test

Marking
• You are marked on four criteria • Grammar
• luency and coherence • ronunciation.
• Le ical resource (vocabulary

Tips
• Before the test starts, the e aminer records stops you from making a long answer during
a brief introduction, including the date, the the introduction section. This part is intended
location of the test, your name, and his / her to be a brief settling down time, and it is not
name. the time to give a long talk.
• se this opportunity to rela and get used to • emember, this test is a conversation. It is
the e aminer s voice and diction. acceptable to use an informal speaking
• Give brief replies to the introduction and I style. You do not have to give formal
check questions. replies to all the question
• o not get upset or worried if the e aminer

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ACADEMIC
PRACTICE
TEST 1

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Academic Practice Test 1
Listening

Listening Section 1 Seller’s details:


Name: Carolyn Kline
Address:19 10……………….. Road
Questions 1 - 10
Questions 1–5
Complete the notes below.
Listening Section 2
Write ET A EW A Questions 11 - 20
A BE for each answer. Questions 11–17
Label the plan below.
Second-hand Bedroom Furniture for Sale Write the correct letter, A–J, next to the
location mentioned in questions 11–17.
Example Answer
Number of items for sale: three Sports Super Centre

Bedside Table
Construction:
wood
Colour: 1 ………………..
rawers: two (in each table)
andles made of 2 ………………..
eight: 3 …………….. cm
Condition: 4 ………………..
Price: 5 ………………..
(for both)

Questions 6–10
Complete the notes below.

Write ET A EW A
A BE for each answer.

Dressing Table

rawers: five (two are 6 ..)


Width: 7 ………………..
irrors: three: one large, two small
(all 8 ..) 11 Administration office 15 Conference room
Condition: good 12 Sports medicine clinic 16 Men’s locker room
Price 9 ……………….. 13 Bike racks 17 Pool shop
14 Café

12

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Academic Practice Test 1
Listening

Question 18 Questions 26–30


omplete the flow-chart below.
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
• The sports centre is open on public holidays Write E T A TW W S for
from each answer.

A 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. art Two rocess


B 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
C 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Questions 19 and 20
hoose TW letters, A E. Submit heck e-mail for
Which TW services are covered by the 26 ..................... 27 .....................
membership fee of submission

A personal training
B swim squads
child-minding
D programme design
E tennis lessons 28 .....................

Listening Section 3
Questions 21 - 30 Conditional
Acceptance or
acceptance or
Questions 21–25 29 .....................
evise esubmit
Complete the notes below.

Write E T A TW W S for each


answer.
evise send
Part One – Checklist: back with a
• Write an 21 . keep it brief. 30 .....................
• List relevant 22 ……………………. .
• ave two academic advisors read over your
23 ……………………. .
• hoose the ournal you want to submit to.
• Apply the ournal s 24 ……………………. to
your article.
• Sign the 25 ……………………. .

13
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Academic Practice Test 1
Listening

Listening Section 4 Questions 37–40


Complete the notes below.
Questions 31 – 40
Questions 31–33 Write E T A TW W S for each
Complete the notes below. answer.

Write ET A EW A Problems:
A BE for each answer. • Erosion
• 37 from various sources,
If soil is healthy, it is a 31 ………………… including chemical fertilisers
teeming with life such as worms, fungi and
bacteria. If plants are grown in poor soil, they
will lack 32 ………………… and human health Farming Methods :
will suffer. Plants are nourished by organic
matter, 33 ………………… and other essential
elements which are broken down by insects
and other organisms in a synergistic Conventional Organic
relationship.
onoculture rop rotation
Synthetic fertilis overing crops
Questions 34–36 er chemicals se of insects as
Label the diagram below. used natural
for 38 40 .....................
..................... Addition of
Write E T A TW W S for each Genetically- manure green
answer. modified seeds waste
esticide
Layers of Soil fungicide sprayed
on
crops after picking
o need for
ecomposing rganic atter documentation of
36 .............................. 39.....................
Eluviation

35 ..............................

Regolith

34 ..............................

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Academic Practice Test 1
Reading

Reading Passage 1 Active electro-reception has a range of about


one body length usually ust enough to give
its host time to get out of the way or go in for
You should spend about 20 minutes on
the kill.
Questions 1–13, which are based on The
Reading Passage 1 below. D
ne fascinating use of active
ELECTRO-RECEPTION electro-reception known as the amming
Avoidance esponse mechanism has been
A observed between members of some species
Open your eyes in sea water and it is difficult to known as the weakly electric fish. When two
see much more than a murky, bleary green such electric fish meet in the ocean using the
colour. Sounds, too, are garbled and difficult to same frequency, each fish will then shift the
comprehend. Without specialised equipment frequency of its discharge so that they are
humans would be lost in these deep sea transmitting on different frequencies. oing so
habitats, so how do fish make it seem so easy prevents their electro-reception faculties from
uch of this is due to a becoming jammed. Long before citizens’ band
biological phenomenon known as radio users first had to yell “Get off my
electro-reception the ability to perceive and frequency at hapless novices cluttering the
act upon electrical stimuli as part of the overall air waves, at least one species had found a
senses. This ability is found only in aquatic or way to peacefully and quickly resolve this type
amphibious species because water is an of dispute.
efficient conductor of electricity.
E
B Electro-reception can also play an important
Electro-reception comes in two variants. While role in animal defences. Rays are one such
all animals (including humans) generate e ample. Young ray embryos develop inside
electric signals, because they are emitted by egg cases that are attached to the sea bed.
the nervous system, some animals have the The embryos keep their tails in constant
ability known as passive electro-reception motion so as to pump water and allow them to
to receive and decode electric signals breathe through the egg’s casing. If the
generated by other animals in order to sense embryo s electro-receptors detect the
their location. presence of a predatory fish in the vicinity,
however, the embryo stops moving (and in so
C doing ceases transmitting electric currents)
Other creatures can go further still, until the fish has moved on. Because marine
however. Animals with active electro-reception life of various types is often travelling past, the
possess bodily organs that generate special embryo has evolved only to react to signals
electric signals on cue. These can be used for that are characteristic of the respiratory
mating signals and territorial displays as well movements of potential predators such as
as locating ob ects in the water. Active sharks.
electro-receptors can differentiate between the
various resistances that their electrical F
currents encounter. This can help them any people fear swimming in the ocean
identify whether another creature is prey, because of sharks. In some respects, this
predator or something that is best left alone. concern is well grounded humans are poorly

IELT 15
15 IELTS Essential Guide

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Academic Practice Test 1
Reading

equipped when it comes to electro-receptive Questions 1–6


defence mechanisms. Sharks, meanwhile,
hunt with e traordinary precision. They initially Reading Passage 1 has eight paragraphs,
lock onto their prey through a keen sense of A–H.
smell (two thirds of a shark s brain is devoted Which paragraph contains the following
entirely to its olfactory organs). As the shark information?
reaches pro imity to its prey, it tunes into Write the correct letter, A , in bo es 1 on
electric signals that ensure a precise strike on your answer sheet.
its target; this sense is so strong that the shark
even attacks blind by letting its eyes recede 1. ow electro-reception can be used to help
for protection. fish reproduce.

G 2. A possible use for electro-reception that will


Normally, when humans are attacked it is benefit humans.
purely by accident. Since sharks cannot detect
from electro-reception whether or not 3. The term for the capacity which enables an
something will satisfy their tastes, they tend to animal to pick up but not send out electrical
try before they buy , taking one or two bites signals.
and then assessing the results (our sinewy
muscle does not compare well with plumper, 4. Why only creatures that live in or near water
softer prey such as seals). epeat attacks are have electro-receptive abilities.
highly likely once a human is bleeding,
because; the force of the electric field is 5. ow electro-reception might help creatures
heightened by salt in the blood which creates find their way over long distances.
the perfect setting for a feeding frenzy. In
areas where shark attacks on humans are 6. A description of how some fish can avoid
likely to occur, disrupting each other’s electric signals.
scientists are e ploring ways to create artificial
electro-receptors that would disorient the Questions 7–9
sharks and repel them from swimming Label the diagram.
beaches.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from
the passage for each answer.
H. There is much that we do not yet know
concerning how electro-reception functions.
Although researchers have documented how Write your answers in bo es on your
electro-reception alters hunting, defence and answer sheet.
communication systems through observation,
the e act neurological processes that encode
Shark’s 7..................... alert the young ray to its
and decode this information are unclear.
presence.
Scientists are also e ploring the role
electro-reception plays in navigation. Some Embryo moves its 8..................... in order to
have proposed that salt water and magnetic breathe.
fields from the Earth’s core may interact to Embryo stops sending 9..................... when a
form electrical currents that sharks use for predator is close by.
migratory purposes.

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Academic Practice Test 1
Reading

Questions 10–13
Complete the summary below.

Choose E T A T EE words from


the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in bo es 10 13 on your
answer sheet.

Shark Attack

A shark is a very effective hunter. irstly, it uses


its 10 .................... to smell its target. When the
shark gets close, it uses 11 .................... to
guide it toward an accurate attack. Within the
final few feet the shark rolls its eyes back into
its head. umans are not popular food sources
for most sharks due to their 12 .....................
evertheless, once a shark has bitten a
human, a repeat attack is highly possible as
salt from the blood increases the intensity of
the 13 ..................

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17 IELTS Essential Guide

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Academic Practice Test 1
Reading

Reading Passage 2 policy).


Bidding costs do not compare, however, to the
exorbitant bills that come with hosting the
You should spend about 20 minutes on
Olympic Games themselves. As is typical with
Questions 14–27, which are based on
large-scale, one-off projects, budgeting for the
Reading Passage 2 below. Olympics is a notoriously formidable task. Los
Angeles have only recently finished paying off
FAIR GAMES their budget-breaking 1984 Olympics; Montreal
is still in debt for its 1976 Games (to add insult
For seventeen days every four years the world to injury, Canada is the only host country to
is briefly arrested by the captivating, dizzying have failed to win a single gold medal during its
spectacle of athleticism, ambition, pride and own Olympics). The tradition of runaway
celebration on display at the Summer Olympic expenses has persisted in recent years.
Games. After the last weary spectators and London Olympics managers have admitted that
competitors have returned home, however, their 2012 costs may increase ten times over
host cities are often left awash in high debts their initial projections, leaving tax payers 20
and costly infrastructure maintenance. The billion pounds in the red.
staggering expenses involved in a successful Hosting the Olympics is often understood to be
Olympic bid are often assumed to be easily an excellent way to update a city’s sporting
mitigated by tourist revenues and an increase infrastructure. The extensive demands of
in local employment, but more often than not Olympic sports include aquatic complexes,
host cities are short changed and their equestrian circuits, shooting ranges, beach
taxpayers for generations to come are left volleyball courts, and, of course, an 80,000
settling the debt. seat athletic stadium. Yet these demands are
Olympic extravagances begin with the typically only necessary to accommodate a
application process. Bidding alone will set most brief influx of athletes from around the world.
cities back about $20 million, and while Despite the enthusiasm many populations
officially bidding only takes two years (for cities initially have for the development of world-class
that make the shortlist), most cities can expect sporting complexes in their home towns, these
to exhaust a decade working on their bid from complexes typically fall into disuse after the
the moment it is initiated to the announcement Olympic fervour has waned. Even Australia,
of voting results from International Olympic home to one of the world’s most sportive
Committee members. Aside from the financial populations, has left its taxpayers footing a $32
costs of the bid alone, the process ties up real million-a-year bill for the maintenance of vacant
estate in prized urban locations until the facilities.
outcome is known. This can cost local Another major concern is that when civic infra-
economies millions of dollars of lost revenue structure developments are undertaken in
from private developers who could have made preparation for hosting the Olympics, these
use of the land, and can also mean that benefits accrue to a single metropolitan centre
particular urban quarters lose their vitality due (with the exception of some outlying areas that
to the vacant lots. All of this can be for nothing may get some revamped sport facilities). In
if a bidding city does not appease the whims of countries with an expensive land mass, this
IOC members – private connections and means vast swathes of the population miss out
opinions on government conduct often hold entirely. Furthermore, since the international
sway (Chicago’s 2012 bid is thought to have Olympic Committee favours prosperous
been undercut by tensions over U.S. foreign “global” centres (the United Kingdom was told,

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Academic Practice Test 1
Reading

after three failed bids from its provincial cities, championships in each discipline. ost of
that only London stood any real chance at these events are already held on non- lympic
winning), the improvement of public transport, years anyway the International Association of
roads and communication links tends to Athletics ederations, for e ample, has run a
concentrate in places already well-equipped biennial World Athletics Championship since
with world-class infrastructures. erpetually 1983 after members decided that using the
by-passing minor cities creates a cycle of Olympics for their championship was no longer
disenfranchisement: these cities never get an sufficient. Events of this nature keep
in ection of capital, they fail to become first-rate world-class competition alive without requiring
candidates, and they are constantly passed lympic-si ed e penses.
over in favour of more secure choices.
inally, there is no guarantee that an lympics Questions 14–18
will be a popular success. The feel good Complete each sentence with the correct
factor that most proponents of Olympic bids ending, A–K, below.
e tol (and that was no doubt driving the 0 to
100 per cent approval rates of arisians and Write the correct letter, A , in bo es 14 1 on
Londoners for their cities respective 01 bids) your answer sheet.
can be an elusive phenomenon, and one that is
tied to that nation’s standing on the medal 14 Bids to become a host city
tables. This ephemeral thrill cannot compare to 15 Personal relationships and political tensions
the years of disruptive construction pro ects 16 Cost estimates for the Olympic Games
and security fears that go into preparing for an 17 urpose-built sporting venues
Olympic Games, nor the decades of debt 18 rban developments associated with the
repayment that follow (Greece s preparation for Olympics
Athens 2004 famously deterred tourists from
visiting the country due to widespread unease A. ften help smaller cities to develop basic
about congestion and disruption). infrastructure.
There are feasible alternatives to the bloat, B. Tend to occur in areas where they are least
e travagance and wasteful spending that needed.
comes with a modern Olympic Games. One C. equire profitable companies to be put out
option is to designate a permanent host city of business.
that would be re-designed or built from scratch D. Are often never used again once the Games
especially for the task. Another is to e tend the are over.
duration of the Olympics so that it becomes a E. Can take up to ten years to complete.
festival of several months. Local businesses F. Also satisfy needs of local citizens for
would en oy the e tra spending and congestion first-rate sports facilities.
would ease substantially as competitors and G. Are usually only successful when it is from a
spectators come and go according to their capital city.
specific interests. either the lympic ity H. Are closely related to how people feel
nor the e tended length options really get to the emotionally about the Olympics.
heart of the issue, however. Stripping away I. Are known for being very inaccurate.
ritual and decorum in favour of concentrating J. Often underlie the decisions of International
on athletic rivalry would be preferable. Olympic Committee members.
ailing that, the lympics could simply be K. Are holding back efforts to reform the
scrapped altogether. International competition Olympics.
could still be maintained through world

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Academic Practice Test 1
Reading

Questions 19–27 Questions 26 and 27


Do the following statements agree with the Choose TWO letters, A–E.
information given in Reading Passage 2?
Write the correct letters in bo es and on
In bo es 1 on your answer sheet, write your answer sheet.
T E if the statement agrees with the Which TWO of the following does the author
information propose as alternatives to the current
ALSE if the statement contradicts the lympics
information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
A. The lympics should be cancelled in favour
19. esidents of host cities have little use for of individual competitions for each sport.
the full range of Olympic facilities. B. The Olympics should focus on ceremony
rather than competition.
20. Australians have still not paid for the C. The Olympics should be held in the same
construction of Olympic sports facilities. city every time.
D. The lympics should be held over a month
21. eople far beyond the host city can e pect rather than seventeen days.
to benefit from improved infrastructure. E. The Olympics should be made smaller by
getting rid of unnecessary and unpopular
22. It is difficult for small cities to win an sports.
Olympic bid.

23. When a city makes an Olympic bid, a


majority of its citizens usually want it to win.

24. Whether or not people enjoy hosting the


Olympics in their city depends on how
athletes from their country perform in
lympic events.

25. ewer people than normal visited Greece


during the run up to the Athens Olympics.

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Academic Practice Test 1
Reading

Einstein s relativity theory has been pushed


Reading Passage 3 harder than any theory in the history of the
physical sciences . Yet each prior challenge
You should spend about 20 minutes on
has come to no avail, and relativity has so far
Questions 28–40, which are based on refused to buckle.
Reading Passage 3 below. So is time travel ust around the corner The
prospect has certainly been wrenched much
TIME TRAVEL closer to the realm of possibility now that a
Time travel took a small step away from ma or physical hurdle the speed of light has
science fiction and towards science recently been cleared. If particles can travel faster than
when physicists discovered that sub-atomic light, in theory travelling back in time is
particles known as neutrinos progeny of the possible. ow anyone harnesses that to some
sun s radioactive debris can e ceed the kind of helpful end is far beyond the scope of
speed of light. The unassuming particle it is any modern technologies, however, and will be
electrically neutral, small but with a non- ero left to future generations to e plore.
mass and able to penetrate the human from ertainly, any prospective time travellers may
undetected is on its way to becoming a rock have to overcome more physical and logical
star of the scientific world. hurdles than merely overtaking the speed of
Researchers from the European Organisation light. One such problem, posited by René
for uclear esearch ( E ) in Geneva sent Bar avel in his 1 43 te t Le oyageur
the neutrinos hurtling through an underground Imprudentis the so-called grandfather parado .
corridor towards their colleagues at the Bar avel theorised that, if it were possible to go
scillation ro ect with Emulsion-Tracing back in time, a time traveller could potentially
Apparatus ( E A) team 30 kilometres away kill his own grandfather. If this were to happen,
in Gran Sasso, Italy. The neutrinos arrived however, the time traveller himself would not be
promptly so promptly, in fact, that they born, which is already known to be true. In
triggered what scientists are calling the other words, there is a parado in
unthinkable that everything they have learnt, circumventing an already known future time
known or taught stemming from the last one travel is able to facilitate past actions that mean
hundred years of the physics discipline may time travel itself cannot occur.
need to be reconsidered. ther possible routes have been offered,
The issue at stake is a tiny segment of time though. or Igor ovikov, astrophysicist behind
precisely si ty nanoseconds (which is si ty the 1980's theorem known as the
billionths of a second). This is how much faster self-consistency principle, time travel is
than the speed of light the neutrinos managed possible within certain boundaries. ovikov
to go in their underground travels and at a argued that any event causing a parado would
consistent rate (1 ,000 neutrinos were sent have ero probability. It would be possible,
over three years). Even allowing for a margin of however, to affect rather than change
error of ten billionths of a second, this stands historical outcomes if travellers avoided all
as proof that it is possible to race against light inconsistencies. Averting the sinking of the
and win. The duration of the e periment also Titanic, for e ample, would revoke any future
accounted for and ruled out any possible lunar imperative to stop it from sinking it would be
effects or tidal bulges in the earth’s crust. impossible. Saving selected passengers from
evertheless, there s plenty of reason to the water and replacing them with realistic
remain skeptical. According to arvard corpses would not be impossible, however, as
niversity science historian eter Galison, the historical record would not be altered in any

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Academic Practice Test 1
Reading

way. Questions 28–33


A further possibility is that of parallel universes.
Popularised by Bryce Seligman DeWitt in the Do the following statements agree with the
1 0s (from the seminal formulation of ugh information given in Reading Passage 3?
Everett), the many-worlds interpretation holds
that an alternative pathway for every In bo es 33 on your answer sheet, write
conceivable occurrence actually e ists. If we
were to send someone back in time, we might T E if the statement agrees with the
therefore e pect never to see him again any information
alterations would divert that person down a ALSE if the statement contradicts the
new historical trajectory. information
A final hypothesis, one of unidentified NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
provenance, reroutes itself quite efficiently
around the grandfather parado . 28. It is unclear where neutrinos come from.
on-e istence theory suggests e actly that a
person would quite simply never e ist if they 29. Neutrinos can pass through a person’s
altered their ancestry in ways that obstructed body without causing harm.
their own birth. They would still e ist in person
upon returning to the present, but any chain 30. It took scientists between 0- 0
reactions associated with their actions would nanoseconds to send the neutrinos from
not be registered. Their historical identity Geneva to Italy.
would be gone.
So, will humans one day step across the same 31. Researchers accounted for effects the
boundary that the neutrinos have World - moon might have had on the e periment.
renowned astrophysicist Stephen awking
believes that once spaceships can e ceed the 32. The theory of relativity has often been
speed of light, humans could feasibly travel called into question unsuccessfully.
millions of years into the future in order to
repopulate earth in the event of a forthcoming 33. This e periment could soon lead to some
apocalypse. This is because as the spaceships practical uses for time travel.
accelerate into the future, time would slow
down around them ( awking concedes that
bygone eras are off limits this would violate Questions 34–39
the fundamental rule that cause comes before
Complete the table below.
effect).
awking is therefore reserved yet optimistic.
Time travel was once considered scientific Choose E T A T EE W S
heresy, and I used to avoid talking about it for from the passage for each answer.
fear of being labelled a crank. These days I’m
not so cautious. Write your answers in bo es 34 3 on your
answer sheet.

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Academic Practice Test 1
Reading

Original
Theory Principle
theorist

René Grandfather Time travel would allow for 34 ............... that


Bar avel parado would actually make time travel impossible.

Igor Self-consistency It is only possible to alter history in ways that


ovikov principle result in no 35 ......................

Each possible event has an 37 .....................,


36 any-worlds so a time traveller changing the past would
.................. interpretation simply end up in a different branch of history
than the one he left.

38 If a time traveller changed the past to prevent


nknown .................. his future life, he would not have a
39 ..................... as the person never e isted.

Question 40
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter in bo 40 on your


answer sheet.

Stephen awking has stated that

A uman time travel is theoretically possible,


but is unlikely to ever actually occur.
B uman time travel might be possible, but only
moving backward in time.
uman time travel might be possible, but
only moving forward in time.
All time travel is impossible.

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Academic Practice Test 1
Writing

Writing task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below shows the proportion of four different materials that were recycled from 1982 to
2010 in a particular country.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

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Academic Practice Test 1
Writing

Writing task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Learning English at school is often seen as more important than learning local languages. If these
are not taught, many are at risk of dying out.
In your opinion, is it important for everyone to learn English? Should we try to ensure the survival
of local languages and, if so, how?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.

Write at least 250 words.

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Academic Practice Test 1
Speaking

Speaking PART 1 Speaking PART 3


Initial questions about name, where you WEDDINGS AND MARRIAGE IN GENERAL
live, work or study and other personal - What is the best age for a person to get
topics. married
- What kinds of things should young people do
MONEY before they get married Why
- Is money important Why Why not - o you think people should get married again
- o people in your country save their money if their first marriage is not successful
Why Why not
- What sort of things do young people spend MARRIAGE AND SOCIETY
their money on Why - The roles of men and women are changing.
- ow do you feel when you don t have enough ow has this impacted on how people view
money to buy something you want Why marriage in your culture
- The media often highlights celebrity marriages
FOOD AND MEALS and contracts that are agreed on before
- What is your favourite meal, e.g. Breakfast, marriage. Is this a practical attitude towards
lunch or dinner Why marriage
- ow important do you think it is to have three - hanges in attitude to marriage and family
meals a day Why responsibilities have resulted in increasing
- Who do you think en oys cooking more, older numbers of single parent families. ow will
or younger people Why this impact on society in the future
- o you think more people will eat more micro
waved meals in the future Why Why not

Speaking PART 2

Talk about a wedding you have been to.


You should talk about:
- Where it was
- When it was
- Who you met there
and e plain why this wedding was
important to you.

You will be e pected to talk about the topic for


one to two minutes. You will have one minute to
think about what you are going to say before
you start talking. You can make some notes to
help you if you wish.

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ACADEMIC
PRACTICE TEST 2

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Academic Practice Test 2
Listening

Listening Section 1 Write E T A TW W S


A A BE for each answer.
Questions 1–10
Questions 1–8 Admission
Venue Event Date Time Price
Complete the form below.
Gallery 1 Regional
Write E T A TW W S 4 arch 11 a.m. to No
Art
A A BE for each answer. 10 April 4 p.m. charge
e hibition
11 .............
all works
HORIZON HOTEL
for sale

E ample Answer
Guest ame: Sandra ac ay Gallery 2 12 ............ 10 arch 10 a.m. to No
of the 21st 4 April 3 p.m. charge
ate of arrival: entury on, Wed,
1 ................. December
Date of departure: e hibition ri
2 ................. December
Room number: by students weekends
3 502 and .................
Room rate: 4 ................. Theatre 1 Shakespeare’s arch Daily at Adult
Deposit: 5 Paid ................. omeo 3 April 8 p.m. 13 .......
uliet Senior
• In name of: 6 Zoe .................
0

Contact details 7 ................., The Shannon Keel 1 April 15 ............ 1 . 0


• Address: orning Town 14 .......... folk pop p.m.
• hone: 439 4829 country
Booking number: 8 .................
The lass Act 1 30 11 a.m. 14
Questions 9 and 10 Showroom 16 ............ April ridays Concession
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C. music only 1
cabaret
9 The room will be cleaned at around
A 11 a.m.
Questions 17 and 18
B 1 p.m.
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
C 2 p.m.
17 ichael s home country is
10 oom service for dinner is available from
A Canada
A 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
B Ireland
B 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.
C the SA
C 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
18 ichael has been singing for
Listening Section 2 A 15 years
B 18 years
Questions 11–20 C 20 years
uestions 11 1
Complete the table below.

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Academic Practice Test 2
Listening

Questions 19 and 20
Complete the sentences below. Jan’s comments Steve’s comments
Write EW LY for each answer.
27 ............................
19 ichael s father went ..................... to work.
Getting consent could Not legal in Europe to
20 ichael s ..................... was also a singer, be the main make money from
and was an inspiration for him. 28 ................... using someone’s
in the presentation private details without
Listening Section 3 their direct consent

Questions 21–30 Annoying to have to People writing blogs


Questions 21–25 buy your own credit and Twitter comments
Complete the sentences below. reports to ensure should be careful or
Write E T A TW W S for each accuracy they may face
answer. 29 ............................

21 an suggests doing their oint The free information Browser companies


............................ on copyright or IP law. nature of the internet may solve the
has led to this problem by
22 Steve s suggested topic is ............................ problem introducing a
30 ............................
23 A database may collect statistics on your system
date of birth, income, legal history, previous
jobs, ............................ or health record.

24 Inaccurate facts may be recorded by data


company ............................ .
Listening Section 4

25 Incorrect information about a Questions 31–40


............................ led to his unfair dismissal. Questions 31–35
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 26–30
Complete the table below. 31 Which place has been termed a living
Write E T A TW W S for each laboratory
answer. A The Ross Sea
B The Antarctic Sea
C The Southern Ocean
Jan’s comments Steve’s comments
32 What is said to be the worst form of pollution
Search engines Data collecting that fishing boats might cause
collect data by companies want to A ubbish dropped overboard
analysing people’s collect e tra data to B uel leaked overboard
internet e pand business and C Sewage leaked overboard
26 ............................ increase their

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Academic Practice Test 2
Listening

33 What was the country of registration of the


boat which was stuck in thick ice?
A Korea
B New Zealand
C Russia

34 In the case of the Sparta repair mission, what


does the speaker term ‘a miracle’? refer to?
A No fishermen died
B The weather was not stormy
C An oil spill was avoided

35 What does the term ‘total allowable catch’


refer to?
A The amount any boat in the Antarctic
can catch
B The amount all the legal boats can
catch
C The amount all the boats (legal and
illegal) can catch

Questions 36–40
Complete the summary below.
Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR
A NUMBER for each answer.

THE ANTARCTIC TOOTHFISH


These are big fish, which live in freezing
Antarctic waters at depths of 200 to 2,000
metres. They have a life span of roughly
36 ................... years, and develop only slowly.
Little is known about the early stages of life for
this fish including the kinds of 37 .....................
that feed on the young. Since 1996, the
December–February fishing season has
resulted in catches of about 100,000 fish per
year – although recent catches have declined
because of 38 .................... . Industry
spokesmen claim that the Antarctic toothfish
industry is 39 ................... but it has been esti-
mated that fish numbers in the Ross Sea have
already been reduced by at least a fifth, if not
more. A plea has been made by several
well-known marine scientists for a 40
................... on catching fish in the Ross Sea.

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Academic Practice Test 2
Reading

Reading Passage 1 attempt to recapture every detail of the bar in


his rendition. The painting was largely complet-
You should spend about 0 minutes on ed in a private studio belonging to the painter,
uestions 1 13, which are based on eading where the barmaid posed with a number of
Passage 1 below. bottles, and this was then integrated with quick
sketches the artist made at the olies itself.
A BAR AT THE FOLIES
(Un bar aux folies) D
A Even more confounding than anet s rela ed
One of the most critically renowned paintings of attention to detail, however, is the relationship
the 1 th-century modernist movement is the in the painting between the activity in the
rench painter Edouard anet s masterwork, A mirrored reflection and that which we see in the
Bar at the olies. riginally belonging to the unreflected foreground. In a similar vein to
composer Emmanuel Chabrier, it is now in the iego ela que much earlier work Las
possession of The Courtauld Gallery in London, eninas, anet uses the mirror to toy with our
where it has also become a favourite with the ideas about which details are true to life and
crowds. which are not. In the foreground, for e ample,
the barmaid is positioned upright, her face
B betraying an e pression of lonely detachment,
The painting is set late at night in a yet in the mirrored reflection she appears to be
nineteenth-century arisian nightclub. A leaning forward and to the side, apparently
barmaid stands alone behind her bar, fitted out engaging in conversation with her
in a black bodice that has a frilly white neckline, moustachioed customer. As a result of this, the
and with a spray of flowers sitting across her customer’s stance is also altered. In the mirror,
décolletage. She rests her hands on the bar and he should be blocked from view as a result of
gazes out forlornly at a point just below the where the barmaid is standing, yet anet has
viewer, not quite making eye contact. Also on re- positioned him to the side. The overall
the bar are some bottles of liquor and a bowl of impact on the viewer is one of a dreamlike
oranges, but much of the activity in the room dis- uncture between reality and illusion.
takes place in the reflection of a mirror behind
the barmaid. Through this mirror we see an E
auditorium, bustling with blurred figures and Why would anet engage in such deceit
faces: men in top hats, a woman e amining the erhaps for that very reason: to depict two
scene below her through binoculars, another in different states of mind or emotion. anet
long gloves, even the feet of a trape e artist seems to be conveying his understanding of
demonstrating acrobatic feats above his the modern workplace, a place from his
adoring crowd. In the foreground of the perspective of alienation, where workers felt
reflection a man with a thick moustache is torn from their true selves and forced to
talking with the barmaid. assume an artificial working identity. What we
see in the mirrored reflection is the barmaid’s
C working self, busy serving a customer. The
Although the olies (-Berg re) was an actual front-on view, however, bears witness to how
establishment in late nineteenth-century aris, the barmaid truly feels at work: hopeless, adrift,
and the subject of the painting was a real and alone.
barmaid who worked there, anet did not

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Academic Practice Test 2
Reading

F 9 Who is performing for the audience


Ever since its debut at the aris Salon of 1 , 10 Where did most of the work on the painting
art historians have produced reams of books take place
and journal articles disputing the positioning of
the barmaid and patron in A Bar at the olies. Questions 11–13
Some have even conducted staged Complete each sentence with the correct
representations of the painting in order to ending, A , below. Write the correct letter,
ascertain whether anet s seemingly distorted A , in bo es 11 13 on your answer sheet.
point of view might have been possible after all.
Yet while academics are understandably drawn 11 anet misrepresents the images in the
to the compositional enigma of the painting, the mirror because he
layperson is always likely to see the much 12 anet felt modern workers were alienated
simpler, more human story beneath. No doubt because they
this is the way anet would have wanted it. 13 Academics have re-constructed the
painting in real life because they
Questions 1–5
Reading Passage 1 has six paragraphs, A wanted to find out if the painting’s
A–F. perspective was realistic
Which paragraph contains the following B felt they had to work very hard at boring
information and difficult jobs
C wanted to understand the lives of ordinary
Write the correct letter, A , in bo es 1 on people at the time
your answer sheet. D felt like they had to become different people
1 A description of how anet created the E wanted to manipulate our sense of reality
painting F wanted to focus on the detail in the painting
2 Aspects of the painting that scholars are most
interested in
3 The writer s view of the idea that anet wants
to communicate Reading Passage 2
4 E amples to show why the bar scene is
unrealistic You should spend about 0 minutes on
5 A statement about the popularity of the uestions 14 , which are based on eading
painting Passage 2 on the following pages.
uestions 14 1
Questions 6–10 eading assage has si paragraphs, A .
Answer the questions below. Choose the correct heading for paragraphs
hoose E T A T EE W S A from the list of headings below. Write the
from the passage for each answer. Write your correct number, i i , in bo es 14 1 on your
answers in bo es 10 on your answer sheet. answer sheet.

6 Who was the first owner of A Bar at the


olies List of Headings
7 What is the barmaid wearing
8 Which room is seen at the back of the i A legacy is established
painting

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Academic Practice Test 2
Reading

ii ormal education unhelpful short-lived, however he soon dropped out,


iii An education in two parts criticising what he perceived as an
iv Branching out in new directions over-emphasis on the classical European
v Childhood and family life repertoire and a neglect of a . avis did later
vi hange necessary to stay creative acknowledge, however, that this time at the
vii onflicted opinions over avis earlier work school was invaluable in terms of developing
viii avis unique style of trumpet playing his trumpet-playing technique and giving him a
ix Personal and professional struggles solid grounding in music theory. uch of his
early training took place in the form of jam
sessions and performances in the clubs of
14. Paragraph A 52nd Street, where he played alongside both
15. Paragraph B up-and-coming and established members of
16. Paragraph C the a pantheon such as oleman awkins,
17. Paragraph D Eddie Lock aw avis, and Thelonious onk.
18. Paragraph E
19. aragraph C
In the late 1 40s, avis collaborated with nine
other instrumentalists, including a rench horn
MILES DAVIS and a tuba player, to produce The Birth of Cool,
Icon and iconoclast 1 an album now renowned for the inchoate
sounds of what would later become known as
A cool a . In contrast to popular a styles of
At the age of thirteen, iles avis was given his the day, which featured rapid, rollicking beats,
first trumpet, lessons were arranged with a local shrieking vocals, and short, sharp horn blasts,
trumpet player, and a musical odyssey began. avis album was the forerunner of a different
These early lessons, paid for and supported by kind of sound thin, light horn-playing, hushed
his father, had a profound effect on shaping drums and a more restrained, formal
avis signature sound. Whereas most arrangement. Although it received little acclaim
trumpeters of the era favoured the use of vibrato at the time (the liner notes to one of avis later
(a wobbly quiver in pitch inflected in the recordings call it a spectacular failure ), in
instrument s tone), avis was taught to play with hindsight The Birth of Cool has become
a long, straight tone, a preference his instructor recognised as a pivotal moment in a history,
reportedly drilled into the young trumpeter with cementing alongside his 1 recording,
a rap on the knuckles every time avis began ind of Blue avis legacy as one of the most
using vibrato. This clear, distinctive style never innovative musicians of his era.
left avis. e continued playing with it for the
rest of his career, once remarking, If I can t get D
that sound, I can’t play anything.’ Though avis trumpet playing may have
sounded effortless and breezy, this ease rarely
B carried over into the rest of his life. The early
aving graduated from high school in 1 44, 1950s, in particular, were a time of great
avis moved to ew York ity, where he personal turmoil. After returning from a stint in
continued his musical education both in the aris, avis suffered from prolonged
clubs and in the classroom. is enrolment in the depression, which he attributed to the
prestigious ulliard School of usic was unravelling of a number of relationships,
1
An iconoclast is somebody who challenges traditional beliefs or customs

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Academic Practice Test 2
Reading

including his romance with a rench actress evolution, a necessary path that allowed him to
and some musical partnerships that ruptured release his full musical potential.
as a result of creative disputes. avis was also
frustrated by his perception that he had been Questions 20–26
overlooked by the music critics, who were Do the following statements agree with the
hailing the success of his collaborators and views of the writer in Reading Passage 2?
descendants in the cool tradition, such as In bo es 0 on your answer sheet, write
Gerry ulligan and ave Brubeck, but who YES - if the statement agrees with the views of
afforded him little credit for introducing the cool the writer
sound in the first place. - if the statement contradicts the views of
the writer
E T GI E - if it is impossible to say what the
In the latter decades of his career, avis broke writer thinks about this
out of e clusive a settings and began to 20. avis trumpet teacher wanted him to play
diversify his output across a range of musical with vibrato.
styles. In the 1960s, he was influenced by early 21. According to avis, studying at ulliard
funk performers such as Sly and the amily helped him to improve his musical abilities.
Stone, which then e panded into the a -rock 22. laying in a clubs in ew York was the
fusion genre of which he was a frontrunner best way to become famous.
in the 1970s. Electronic recording effects and 23. The Birth of Cool featured music that was
electric instruments were incorporated into his faster and louder than most jazz at the
sound. By the 1 0s, avis was pushing the time.
boundaries further, covering pop anthems such 24. avis personal troubles had a negative
as yndi Lauper s Time After Time and ichael effect on his trumpet playing.
ackson s uman ature, dabbling in hip hop, 25. avis felt that his contribution to cool a
and even appearing in some movies. had not been acknowledged.
26. avis was a traditionalist who wanted to
F keep the jazz sound pure.
ot everyone was supportive of avis change
of tune. Compared to the recordings of his
early career, universally applauded as Reading Passage 3
linchpins of the a oeuvre, trumpeter
Wynston arsalis derided his fusion work as You should spend about 0 minutes on
being not true a , and pianist Bill Evans uestions 40, which are based on eading
denounced the corrupting influence of record Passage 3 below.
companies, noting that rock and pop draw A
wider audiences’. In the face of this criticism In the early days of mountaineering, questions
avis remained defiant, commenting that his of safety, standards of practice, and
earlier recordings were part of a moment in environmental impact were not widely
time that he had no feel for any more. e considered. The sport gained traction following
firmly believed that remaining stylistically inert the successful 1 ascent of ont Blanc, the
would have hampered his ability to develop highest peak in Western Europe, by two
new ways of producing music. rom this rench mountaineers, acques Balmat and
perspective, avis continual revamping of ichel-Gabriel accard. This event
genre was not merely a rebellion, but an established the beginning of modern

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Academic Practice Test 2
Reading

mountaineering, but the sole consideration over trodden an untrodden mountain top.’
the next hundred years was the success or
failure of climbers in reaching the summit and D
claiming the prestige of having made the first Climbing purists aside, it was not until the
ascent. 1970s that the general tide began to turn
against bolting and pitons. The USA, and much
B of the western world, was waking up to the
Toward the end of the nineteenth century, damage it had been causing to the planet, and
however, developments in technology spurred environmentalist campaigns and new
debate regarding climbing practices. Of government policies were becoming
particular concern in this era was the widespread. This new awareness and
introduction of pitons (metal spikes that sensitivity to environmental issues spilled over
climbers hammer into the rock face for into the rock climbing community. As a result, a
leverage) and the use of belaying 2 techniques. stripped- down style of rock climbing known as
A few, such as Italian climber Guido Ray, ‘clean climbing’ became widely adopted. Clean
supported these methods as ways to render climbing helped preserve rock faces and,
climbing less burdensome and more ‘acrobatic’. compared with older approaches, it was much
Others felt that they were only of value as a simpler to practise. This was partly due to the
safety net if all else failed. Austrian Paul Preuss hallmark of clean climbing – the use of nuts –
went so far as to eschew all artificial aids, which were favoured over bolts because they
scaling astonishing heights using only his shoes could be placed into the rock wall with one
and his bare hands. Albert Mummery, a well hand while climbers maintained their grip on
known British mountaineer and author who the rock with the other.
climbed the European Alps, and, more
famously, the Himalayas, where he died at the E
age of 39 attempting a notoriously difficult Not everyone embraced the clean climbing
ascent, developed the notion of ‘fair means’ as a movement, however. A decade later, debates
kind of informal protocol by which the use of over two more developments were erupting.
‘walk-through’ guidebooks and equipment such The first related to the practice of chipping, in
as ladders and grappling hooks were which climbers chip away pieces of rock in
discouraged. order to create tiny cracks in which to insert
their fingers. The other major point of
C contention was a process that involves setting
By the 1940s, bolts had begun to replace pitons bolts in reverse from the top of the climb down.
as the climber’s choice of equipment, and Rappel bolting makes almost any rock face
criticism surrounding their use was no less climbable with relative ease, and as a result of
fierce. In 1948, when two American climbers this new technique, the sport has lost much of
scaled Mount Brussels in the Canadian Rockies its risk factor and sense of pioneering spirit;
using a small number of pitons and bolts, indeed, it has become more about muscle
climber Frank Smythe wrote of their efforts: ‘I power and technical mastery than a
still regard Mount Brussels as unclimbed, and psychological trial of fearlessness under
my feelings are no different from those I should pressure. Because of this shift in focus, many
have were I to hear that a helicopter had amateur climbers have flocked to indoor
deposited its passenger on the summit of that climbing gyms, where the risk of serious harm
mountain just so that he could boast that he had is negligible.
2
Fastening or controlling of a climber’s rope by wrapping it around a metal device or another person

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Academic Practice Test 2
Reading

F the sport safer and more sustainable, and


Given the environmental damage rock climbing governing bodies would do well to consider
can cause, this may be a positive outcome. It is heightening such efforts in the future.
ironic that most rock climbers and
mountaineers love the outdoors and have great Questions 27–32
respect for the majesty of nature and the Reading Passage 3 has eight paragraphs,
impressive challenges she poses, but that in A–H.
the pursuit of their goals they inevitably trample Which paragraph contains the following
sensitive vegetation, damaging and disturbing information
delicate flora and lichens which grow on ledges Write the correct letter, A , in bo es 3 on
and cliff faces. Two researchers from a your answer sheet.
anadian university, oug Larson and ichelle
c illan, have found that rock faces that are 27. E amples of the impact of climbers on eco
regularly climbed have lost up to 0 of the systems
coverage and diversity of native plant species.
If that were not bad enough, non-native 28. An account of how politics affected rock
species have also been inadvertently climbing
introduced, having been carried in on climbers
boots. 29. A less dangerous alternative to climbing
rock faces
G
This leaves rock climbing with an uncertain 30. A recommendation for better regulation
future. Climbers are not the only user group
that wishes to en oy the wilderness hikers, 31. A reference to a climber who did not use
mountain bikers and horseback riders visit the any tools or ropes for assistance
same areas, and more importantly, they are
much better organised, with long-established 32. E amples of different types of people who
lobby groups protecting their interests. With use the outdoors for recreation
increased pressure on limited natural
resources, it has been suggested that climbers Questions 33–39
put aside their differences over the ethics of Complete the flow chart below.
various climbing techniques, and focus on the
effect of their practices on the environment and hoose E T A T EE W S
their relationship with other users and from the passage for each answer. Write your
landowners. answers in bo es 33 3 on your answer sheet.

H A ROCK CLIMBING TIME LINE


In any event, there can be no doubt that the era
of the rock climber as a lone wolf or intrepid LATE 19TH CENTURY
pioneer is over. Like many other forms of
recreation, rock climbing has increasingly Some climbers discuss whether pitons and
come under the fold of institutional efforts to ropes should only be considered 33
curb dangerous behaviour and properly ......................
manage our natural environments. This may
have spoiled the magic, but it has also made 34 .................. calls for guidelines based on

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Academic Practice Test 2
Reading

nwritten rules which discourage climbing aids

1940s
ew equipment becomes controversial. rank
Smythe says that t Brussels is effectively
35 .................... because of the techniques that
were used in order to scale the mountain.

1970s
36 .................... is more environmentally
friendly. 37 .................... are introduced as a
climbing aid.

1990s - till today


limbers discuss the merits of new techniques
for making hand holds, and also of 38
....................... any say that climbing is now a
test of physical strength and 39 ....................,
rather than of courage.

uestion 40
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter in bo 40 on your answer


sheet. Choose the most appropriate title for the
reading passage.

A A history of rock climbing


B Ethics and issues in rock climbing
C Current trends in rock climbing
D Sport climbers versus traditional climbers

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Academic Practice Test 2
Writing

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph shows the percentage of male and female academic staff members across the faculties
of a ma or university in 01 .
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons
where relevant.

Write at least 150 words:

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Academic Practice Test 2
Writing

Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:

Solar energy is becoming more and more popular as a source of household energy in many
countries around the world.
Why is this?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.

Write at least 250 words.

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Academic Practice Test 2
Speaking

Speaking PART 1 Speaking PART 3


Initial questions about name, where you PHOTOS IN GENERAL
live, work or study and other personal - o you think people today take more photos
topics. than they used to
- What kinds of photos do most people like to
SPORTS CENTRES. keep or send to other people
- Are there a lot of sports centres where you - o you think people should take lessons to
live Why Why not learn how to take professional photos
- Is it important to have sports centres near
where people live Why Why not MEDIA AND PHOTOGRAPHY
- Are most people in your country more - What are some of the differences between a
interested in sports now than they were in the written news story and a news story with
past Why Why not photos
- Is it a positive development that news stations
HOTELS ask people to send in their own photos of news
- o you often stay in hotels Why Why not events as they are happening
- oes your country have a lot of big hotels - as ournalism changed since photos can be
Why Why not sent immediately from one side of the world to
- What sort of hotels are the most popular for the other within minutes
business people Why
- Which would you prefer,small local hotels or
big international hotels Why

Speaking PART 2
Talk about someone you know who takes
good photos.
you should talk about:
- Who he she is
- What he she takes photos of
- What he she does with his her photos
nd e plain why you think he she is a good
photographer.

You will be e pected to talk about the topic for


one to two minutes. You will have one minute to
think about what you are going to say in
advance. You can make some notes to help
you if you wish.

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ACADEMIC
PRACTICE TEST 3

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Academic Practice Test 3
Listening

Listening Section 1
Locations
Questions 1–10
Complete the form below. A on washing machine
Write E T A TW W S B in hallway cupboard
A A BE for each answer C in hot water cupboard
D ne t to back door
NEW PASSWORD E in bathroom
F on top of television
G in bedroom
E ample H under kitchen sink
Call taken by: Natasha I above front door

Customer’s full ichael 1 ........................


name: 11 Alarm
Date of birth: arch 1 12 Garage key
revious address: 319 2........................ 13 Laundry detergent
East rovidence 14 Beach towels
Phone number: 0492 48002 15 Bath towels
Data allowance: 3........................ 16 Light bulbs
Current plan: 4 ........................
other s maiden 5 ........................ Questions 17–20
Name: Complete the notes below.
irst pet: 6 ........................ Write E T A TW W S
New password 7 ........................ A A BE for each answer.
Sent on:
E tra services New 8 ........................
equested: Difficult parking in town at the weekend
Cancel 9 ........................ because of so many 17.........................
10 ........................ pack useum is closed on 18.........................
Recommended places to eat:
19......................... for Chinese food
i eria for Italian food
Listening Section 2 hone number for takeaway pi a
20.........................
Questions 11–20
Where can each of the following items be
found?
hoose SI answers from the bo and write Listening Section 3
the correct letter, A I, ne t to questions 11 1 .
Questions 21–25
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

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Academic Practice Test 3
Listening

21 Why did Joanne accept the offer from


Gregory Associates?
A It covered her travel expenses.
B It was from a well-known company.
C It was the only offer she received.

22 Joanne was disappointed because


A she found the work routine repetitive. Listening Section 4
B the staff were not very helpful.
C the work was not related to her studies. Questions 31–40
Complete the notes below.
23 What did Joanne like best about her Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
internship?
A Observing how the workplace operates DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
B Being responsible for completing projects Development Studies attempts to understand:
C Working closely with the project managers ● How societies change and progress over
time
24 What was the hardest part of the internship? ● What 31 ......................... help to make these
A Combining it with her studies changes
B Living on so little money Two approaches:
C Working such long hours ● Theoretical (understand how change occurs)
● Applied (examine 32 ......................... and
25 During the internship, Joanne how they can be applied) Areas of focus:
A changed her mind about her career Asia-Pacific region;; urbanisation (including
B received a job offer from the company employment and 33 .........................);
C decided not to continue her studies migration; trade.
You will develop the skills to:
Questions 26–30 ● Understand key development issues in detail
Complete the flow-chart below. ● Gather data (both 34 ........................ and
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each textual data)
answer. ● Carefully 35 ......................... findings
● 36 ......................... on a research project
HOW TO APPLY FOR AN INTERNSHIP Brief history of Development Studies:
1950s – The discipline emerges.
37 ......................... issues are the major
consideration.
1970s – Development studies became more
38 ......................... of the
establishment. Questions were raised about
power, environmental
sustainability and 39 ......................... issues.
1980s-today – National governments were no
longer as important. Growing
interest in small-scale practices such as
remittances and 40 ......................... .

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Academic Practice Test 3
Reading

Reading Passage 1 monarch for a minimum period each year.


In modern times, the process is very different.
You should spend about 20 minutes on Instead of relying on formalised military training
Questions 1–13, which are based on or political patronage, a nominations system is
Reading Passage 1 below. used. This way, a person’s name can be put
forward for a knighthood by any institution such
KNIGHTHOODS as a school or business, or even just a fellow
An ancient tradition member of society. After this, an advisory
panel, acting on behalf of the sovereign,
Knighthoods are one of the oldest and most deliberates and selects the future knights and
prestigious forms of honouring individual dames from the pool of applications. Those
citizens in the United Kingdom. Although selected are contacted discreetly before
initially conferred upon members of the armed announcements are made to ensure that they
forces solely on the basis of their performance wish to accept the honour.
in combat, the award now recognises all In rare cases, knighthoods can be revoked
contributions to national life. Some of the most through a process known as forfeiture. This
notable knighthoods of recent times have been most often occurs when the recipient is
bestowed on musicians or entertainers such as convicted of a criminal offense. Terry Lewis, a
Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney, and the police officer in Queensland, Australia, was
fields of finance, industry and education are stripped of his knighthood after being
also represented. Citizens of implicated in a string of illegal activities that
non-Commonwealth 1 countries are eligible for included accepting $700,000 worth of bribes
an ‘honorary’ knighthood for which they are not from bookmakers and casinos, and forging the
permitted to use the titles ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame’. signature of an Australian politician on a police
Perceived to be a British tradition, the legacy of document in 1981. Lewis has repeatedly
knighthoods actually dates back to ancient protested his innocence and suggested that he
Rome, from where it spread throughout a was falsely accused of these crimes, but his
number of European countries in the Middle appeals failed in court. In a more serious
Ages and acquired certain features. A would-be incident, British art historian and intelligence
knight had to undergo strict military instruction officer Anthony Blunt lost his knighthood after it
from a young age, which included spending was discovered that he was working as a
time as an assistant (known as an esquire) to double agent and handing confidential material
an existing knight, and participating in battle. over to the Soviet Union.
He had to learn how to equip his knight for Knighthoods have also been forfeited for
battle, and to help him with putting on the reasons of incompetence rather than outright
heavy and cumbersome armour of the time. He illegality or treason. Having been knighted for
was responsible for keeping this armour in ‘services to banking’ in 2004, CEO of the Royal
good condition, polishing and cleaning it. He Bank of Scotland Fred Goodwin presided over
also had to demonstrate chivalrous behaviour a 24-billion-pound loss at the bank just four
such as generosity, selflessness, fearlessness years later. Although retaining a
and skill in battle. Finally, the potential knight 16 Million pound pension, to which he was
also required the financial means to purchase legally entitled, Goodwin had his knighthood
horses, weapons and armour for himself, and annulled as the Queen’s advisory panel
then make himself available to serve the ruling deemed him ‘the chief decision maker at the

1 The Commonwealth is an international association consisting of the UK together with states that were previously part of the British Empire and dependencies.

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Academic Practice Test 3
Reading

time . Scandals such as these have contributed decision is made by 10 .............................


to spirited debates regarding the role and
relevance of knighthoods in 1st-century Questions 11–13
society. Choose THREE letters, A–F.
Write the correct letters in bo es 11 13 on your
Questions 1–6 answer sheet.
Do the following statements agree with the Which T EE of the following are reasons
information given in Reading Passage 1? given in the te t for people losing their
In bo es 1 on your answer sheet, write knighthoods
T E - if the statement agrees with the
information A Punishing someone for a crime he or she did
ALSE - if the statement contradicts the not commit.
information B sing another person s name on an
T GI E - if there is no information on this important paper.
C Poor management of a company.
1 The knighthood was first awarded only for D Wrongfully accepting pension payments.
military service. E Gambling on horse-racing or card games.
2 ost knights now come from the arts and F Giving secret information to a foreign
entertainment industries. government.
3 People from outside the Commonwealth
cannot be awarded any type of knighthood.
4 The knighthood began in Great Britain. Reading Passage 2
5 Esquires, or trainee knights, were usually
related to the knights they served. You should spend about 20 minutes on
6 An esquire needed money to buy his own Questions 14–26, which are based on
equipment. Reading Passage 2 below.

Questions 7–10 “JUST DO IT!”


Complete the summary below. Or – the subtle art of procrastination
hoose E T A T EE W S
from the passage for each answer. Write your rocrastination, a kind of chronic time-wasting,
answers in bo es 10 on your answer sheet. has long been dismissed as an innocuous
human foible. Researchers are now beginning
KNIGHTHOOD SELECTION: THEN AND a more sober e amination of this practice,
NOW however, and there may be good reason for
doing so: twenty per cent of Americans now
The process of becoming a knight has changed admit to suffering from procrastination, a fifteen
over time. In the iddle Ages, people began per cent jump from 1970. Researchers are
training to become a knight at 7 ..................... bemused as to what e plains this sharp rise in
They had to show they were brave and skilled the figures, but there is no doubt that
fighters, were required to work for procrastination is wreaking havoc on people s
8 ............................ for part of the year. Today, lives. ne side effect is perhaps the most
potential recipients of the knighthood are predictable: procrastination hampers academic
selected through 9 ................................ A final and work commitments as sufferers fail to meet

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Academic Practice Test 3
Reading

deadlines or achieve their goals. But there are more cunning twists on the human psyche.
other costs too. In shifting burdens of One such approach was developed by the
responsibility onto others and reneging on their crime writer Raymond Chandler, who built his
promises, procrastinators undermine strategy on a basic yet critical observation:
relationships both in the workplace and in their procrastinators rarely sit about completely
private lives, all of which takes a toll on their inactively, but rather tend to engage them-
well-being. In one study, over the course of a selves in useful but less pressing tasks: vacu-
semester, procrastinating university students uming behind the bed, cleaning out the fridge,
were noted to be suffering from notably weaker washing the windows and so on. The result is
immune systems, more gastrointestinal that they ‘cheat’ themselves into experiencing
problems, and higher occurrences of insomnia feelings of productivity and satisfaction that
than their non-procrastinating peers. offer further distraction from the original project.
Is there hope for procrastinators? Everyone Chandler’s method, which he successfully used
admits it’s a difficult demon to beat, but a few to help himself write detective stories, involves
self-styled procrastination coaches have setting aside a period of time in which the
developed strategies to that end. Although procrastinator may do one of two things:
evidence for their efficacy is largely anecdotal absolutely nothing or work on the project that
at this stage, some of these strategies at least he or she wishes to complete. Sitting still,
offer promising avenues for future research. without the satisfaction of busying himself with
Career counsellor Amy Sykes focuses on the less urgent tasks, Chandler slowly felt the itch
basics. Firstly, she says, embrace peer of tedious monotony sink in. Within five or ten
pressure. Many weight loss and self-help minutes, this itch had become intolerable, and
groups encourage individuals to hold he felt compelled to begin writing his stories.
themselves accountable to a wider circle of Another procrastinator, professor of philosophy
their peers, and Sykes believes this social John Perry, developed his strategy against
safety net can be harnessed just as procrastination based on essentially the same
successfully by procrastinators. A change in insight as Chandler’s – that procrastinators are
perspective is also considered vital. ‘When we actually quite good at doing ‘marginally useful’
want people to do something for us, we really tasks, just not the tasks they really ought to be
sell it to them,’ Sykes observes. ‘But when we doing. He thus surmised that the enemy of
need to do it ourselves, we focus on all the successful task completion is not, in fact, that
reasons we don’t want to.’ Instead, she argues, great engine of productive activity –
we should pique our own interest and find ways procrastination itself – but rather how we order
to make our important projects more attractive our projects in the hierarchy of urgency. If a
– by turning them into little competitions or procrastinator needs to finish an assignment
fact-finding missions, for example. If all else before 8 o’clock the following morning, for
fails, Sykes believes we must recompense instance, he is likely to find himself sharpening
ourselves for our troubles, ideally with little pencils instead. ‘But if all the procrastinator had
treats upon finishing a task. ‘It doesn’t need to left to do was to sharpen some pencils,’ Perry
be big,’ she says. ‘Pancakes, a hot bath, or an observes, ‘no force on earth could get him to do
episode of your favourite television show could it.’ The key to this approach is to rank one’s
all do the trick.’ priorities, then bump the most urgent tasks a
Though these tips may be a little too garden little further down and place at the top some
variety 1 for some, others have thought up

1 Common, usual or ordinary

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Academic Practice Test 3
Reading

potentially daunting and important-sounding- Write the correct letter, A, B or , in bo es


projects which are ultimately not all that 1 on your answer sheet
essential. If the student with the essay deadline
can convince himself he absolutely must 19 Doing housework is a common way of
reorganise his email bo , or finish reading that avoiding important work.
old, dusty novel he only got halfway through, 20 Get support from other people.
then suddenly the essay deadline is going to 21 ake a list of boring tasks before important
seem a far superior option. ones.
If the Ancient Greeks struggled with it, and all 22 Look for ways to make the work more
the life coaches, counsellors and motivational interesting.
speakers in the modern world are unable to 23 Lists are powerful tools for reducing
erase it from our e istence either, it seems procrastination.
unlikely that procrastination will ever truly be 24 se boredom as motivation.
put to rest. As these procrastination gurus have 25 se rewards when a task is completed.
shown, however, the right strategies have the
potential to minimise its impact if you ever get List of People
around to using them. A Amy Sykes
B Raymond Chandler
Questions 14–18 C ohn erry
Do the following statements agree with the
information given in Reading Passage 2? uestion
In bo es 14 1 on your answer sheet, write Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.
T E - if the statement agrees with the Write the correct letter in bo on your
information answer sheet.
ALSE - if the statement contradicts the What is the writer s conclusion
information A Some procrastination-reducing strategies
T GI E - if there is no information on this have had proven success.
B rocrastination will never be completely
14 Procrastination has always been eliminated.
recognised as a serious problem. C Procrastinators should employ a life coach to
15 The reason for the rise in procrastination is help them.
unknown. D ost procrastinators want to learn how to be
16 Students are the most likely group to more efficient.
procrastinate.
17 A range of health problems have been Reading Passage 3
linked to procrastination.
18 ost techniques to stop procrastination are You should spend about 20 minutes on
based on scientific study. Questions 27–40, which are based on
Reading Passage 3 below.
Questions 19–25
Look at the following statements WHEN EVOLUTION WORKS AGAINST US
(Questions 19–25) and the list of people
below. Match each statement with the Life has changed in ust about every way since
correct person, A, B or C. small tribes of hunter-gatherers roamed the

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Reading

earth armed with nothing but spears and stone flight mechanism functions most helpfully as a
tools. We now buy our meat from the response to something that can cause bodily
supermarket rather than stalking it through the harm, such as a falling tree or a wild animal,
ungle houses and high-rises shelter us at rather than in response to a fulminating boss, a
night instead of caves. But despite these traffic jam, or a spouse who has not returned a
changes, some very basic responses linger on. phone call. During these instances of mental
The short, sharp feeling of heightened distress, the physical manifestations of fight or
awareness that sweeps through us when a flight, such as an inability to think rationally and
stranger passes in a dark alley is no different, calmly, can actually e acerbate the problem.
physiologically speaking, from the sensation A similar case of an evolutionary development
our ancestors e perienced when they were overstaying its welcome is the e ample of
walking through the bushes and heard a dry mind chatter . ind chatter is the ceaseless
twig snap nearby. It s called the fight or flight train of scattered thoughts and self-talk that
response, and it helps us to identify dangerous occupies our mind, ensuring we are always
situations and act decisively by, as the name switched on , searching for danger and
suggests, mustering our strength for a threats. This would have been a boon for a
confrontation or running away as fast we can. solitary caveman on a three-hour hunting
This shift to survival mode is often popularly e pedition, but in a modern world already
described as a sudden unease, a sense that a overloaded with sensory input, it causes us to
situation is off or not right . owever, the fret about non-e istent predicaments and
sense is actually the outcome of an incredibly occasionally needlessly triggers the fight or
comple mind-body process which involves the flight response.
brain s fear centre , the hypothalamus, These twin forces, mind chatter and the fight or
advising the sympathetic nervous system and flight response, have combined to wreak havoc
the adrenal-cortical system to work, at first on the modern psyche and have led to a spike
separately, and then together, to blend a potent in what some studies have suggested is a
mi of hormones and chemicals and secrete cause of up to eighty per cent of all illness
them into the bloodstream. Our heartbeat rises, today: stress. Stress, erroneously considered
along with our respiratory rate. Skin feels cold by many to be a mere feeling, is actually a
(hence the shiver down the spine) as blood physiological condition resulting from a
supply is redirected to the larger muscles cumulative accrual of certain hormones in the
required for a physical confrontation or a hasty body, hormones that can help us in quick,
retreat. The ability to concentrate on issues of sharp doses, but which are to ic if they are not
minor importance also suffers, as the brain properly metabolised. etabolism of these
tends to prioritise big picture thinking at this potentially to ic hormones relies on physical
time. e ertion, which originally evolved as part of the
Without this instinctive response, the human fight or flight process hormone release was
race would never have survived, but at present usually followed by physical e ertion (fighting
it is often more of a hindrance than a help. or running), which returned the body to a state
Although instances of physical threats have of balance. In present day encounters,
decreased over the years, activation of the fight however, the vital element of physical e ertion
or flight response has actually increased, is missing: a resentful employee cannot punch
largely in response to mental frustrations. This his co-worker, for e ample, and a frustrated
poses a problem, however, because the fight or driver is unable to simply ram his way through
a packed intersection.

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Academic Practice Test 3
Reading

What can be done to restore the balance organs. Although this 32 .................... was
Stress researcher eil . eimarck, perhaps once essential to human survival, it now occurs
not surprisingly, recommends physical as a result of perceived rather than actual
e ercise as one useful strategy. ortunately, threat.
the brain is not clever enough to realise that
this e ercise is completely unrelated to the A plan B strengths C substances
original stress stimulus, and in this way we can D strangers E warmth F mi tures
effectively fool our bodies into metabolising G instincts H threats I powers
stress hormones by punching a bo ing bag J system K an iety L pressure
instead of the person who annoyed us in the M drop N problems O rise
first place. Another option is the rela ation
response , discovered by arvard cardiologist Questions 33–36
erbert Benson. Benson found that certain Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
behaviours, such as deep breathing, Write the correct letter in bo es 33 3 on your
meditation, and the repetition of simple, answer sheet.
affirmative phrases, acted as an antidote to
mind chatter and the fight or flight responses, 33 When the fight or flight response is
calming the nervous system and inducing a activated, it is difficult to
rela ed state of mind and body instead. A increase breathing speed
Integrating these methods into our lives will be B focus on small problems
important if the cycle of stress accumulation C maintain body temperature
that is so endemic in modern D run for long periods of time
Western society is to be stopped.
34 The fight or flight response is less useful
Passage 3 today because modern individuals
Questions 27–32 A encounter fewer physical threats
Complete the summary using the list of words, B can easily manage small daily difficulties
A , below. C are better at creative problem solving
Write the correct letter, A , in bo es 3 on D do not need to hunt dangerous animals
your answer sheet.
35 ne disadvantage of mind chatter is that
THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE people may
odern man still has the 27 .................... that A talk too much and miss important
were needed in his distant past in the jungle. information
ne of these, the fight or flight response , B spend too much time by themselves
originally assisted humans to recognise C become distracted from real threats
28 .................... and take action. Today, this D worry about problems that are not real
same response manifests itself mostly as
nothing more than a feeling of 29 ..................... 36 The writer suggests stress is increasing
It is the result of the hypothalamus producing because of
and releasing 30 .................... into the blood, A a lack of physical release
with subsequent rises in heart rate and B an increase in the number of threats
breathing, and the sensation of a 31 C more health problems
................... in temperature as the blood is D the loss of some hormones
diverted to other

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Academic Practice Test 3
Reading

Questions 37–40
Do the following statements agree with the
views of the writer in Reading Passage 3?
In bo es 3 40 on your answer sheet, write
YES - if the statement agrees with the views of
the writer
- if the statement contradicts the views of
the writer
T GI E - if it is impossible to say what the
writer thinks about this

37 Stress is an emotion.

38 ights in the workplace are increasing.

39 In order to metabolise hormones, e ercise


must be linked with the original cause of
stress.

40 Saying positive words can reduce stress.

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Academic Practice Test 3
Writing

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows how a solar powered water pump works.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make
comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

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Academic Practice Test 3
Writing

Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Rising university fees and scarce employment prospects for graduates have led some
people to say that universities should not teach arts subjects, like philosophy and
history, and only offer practical degree courses that maximise chances of employment.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.
Write at least 250 words.

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Academic Practice Test 3
Speaking

Speaking PART 1 Speaking PART 3


Initial questions about name, where you MAKING DECISIONS IN GENERAL
live, work or study and other personal - What are some decisions that most people
topics. need to make these days
- Who do you think usually gives the best
CLOTHES advice in your culture
- What do you like to wear when you are at - What disadvantages are there when other
home Why people give you advice, when you have to
- What do people in your country like to wear to make a decision
parties Why
- o you like to try different kinds of fashion AGE AND DECISIONS
Why Why not - What are the important things that a teenager
- o people in your country usually like to wear has to make decisions about
formal or casual clothes Why - ow can your age make a difference to the
way you approach decision making
GOOD MANNERS - ow are the kinds of decisions people make
- Is it important to be polite in your country today different from those they made 50 years
Why Why not ago Why
- ow do children learn good manners
- Who do you think is usually more polite, older
or younger people Why
- o you think more people are more polite at
home with family, or with people they don't
know Why

Speaking PART 2

Talk about a decision you made that was


difficult.
You should talk about:
- what it was
- when you made it
- why it was difficult
And e plain how it has changed your life.

You will be e pected to talk about the topic for


one to two minutes. You will have one minute to
think about what you are going to say in
advance. You can make some notes to help
you if you wish.

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ACADEMIC
PRACTICE TEST 4

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Academic Practice Test 4
Listening

Listening Section 1 Questions 7–10


Answer the questions below.
Questions 1–10 Write E T A TW W S
Questions 1–6 A A BE for each answer.
Complete the flow-chart below.
Write E T A TW W S 7 ow long does it take to process a transfer
A A BE for each answer. ..........................................................

MAKING AN INTERNATIONAL MONEY 8 ow much does it cost to make each transfer


TRANSFER from the Wesley bank
..........................................................
E ample
Step 1: Access global payments system 9 What is the ma imum amount of each
Log on to Wesley Bank Internet Banking transfer ........................................................
Select Transfer oney
Select International oney Transfer (under 10 What is a security token
International Services) ..........................................................

Step : lick on ayment estination Listening Section 2


1..............................’
Scroll down and choose the place Questions 11–20
Questions 11–17
Step 3: Label the plan below.
Enter 2 .............................. etails Write the correct letter, A I, ne t to questions
Name, address, phone number 11 1 .

Step 4: Transaction etails PLAN FOR UPGRADE OF BAYFIELD TOWN


Select transaction, savings or CENTRE
3 .............................. account
Enter reason (e.g. medical care,
4 ..............................)

Step : ecipient Account etails


Account name and number
( B: complete the page within 5
.............................. hours)

Step : ecipient Bank etails


Name, branch, address

Step : onfirmation age


Press Submit
Print receipt or write down Transaction 6
..............................

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Academic Practice Test 4
Listening

11 Supermarket ......... ● Market Culture


12 Park ......... values 25......................... with e.g. clients or
13 arket ......... suppliers to improve competitiveness
14 Office block ......... this culture produces the best
15 Gymnasium ....... 26......................... (due to emphasis on
16 Library ......... competitiveness and success)
17 Council .........
● Clan Culture
Questions 18–20 family-like
Complete the sentences below. focus on doing things together leads to high
Write E T A TW W S for each degree of worker 27.........................
answer. paternalistic, mentoring style of leadership
employee development
18 The key issue for residents is ..................... company e pects 28......................... from
workers, with similar ideas and shared goals
19 The Council needs to buy suitable
..................... for playgrounds. ● Adhocracy Culture
workers must be adaptable and accept
20 The Council’s first choice for controlling the change
movement of vehicles on Swan oad is focus on 29............ and innovation with quick
...................... responses to outside factors
dynamic and entrepreneurial leaders looking
for 30.........................
Listening Section 3 employees encouraged to e periment with
new ideas
Questions 21–30 might seem disorganised but inventive and
Complete the notes below. progressive
Write E T A T EE W S for
each answer.
Listening Section 4
CORPORATE CULTURES
Questions 31–40
Studies by uinn and ameron propose: Questions 31–34
“COMPETING VALUES FRAMEWORK” Complete the summary below.
Write E T A TW W S for each
● Hierarchy Culture answer.
obeys rules, 21 ......................., bureaucracy
several layers of management, workers ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF
should follow the 22 ......................... PESTICIDE USE
stable, structured environment ost pesticides are carried into other
leaders use power, 23 ........................., and environments. They travel along rivers or
position to deal with employees streams or are carried by the 31
common among 24 ......................... ........................ They can harm animals or
organisations and large companies remove their 32 ........................ causing

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Academic Practice Test 4
Listening

starvation. Pesticides that remain in the soil


cause a decrease in the quality and number of
33 .......................... Furthermore, 34
.......................... can be caused by repeated
use of pesticides over time.

Questions 35–40
Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each
answer.
Technique Procedure Comment

Handpicking Remove Effective and low-cost; but


insects with 35 ..........................
gloves not so useful for large farms

36 ..................... Breed ‘good’ Risky due to 37 ..........................


insects to attack outcomes
pests

Companion Use plants with Low risk, but additional plants


planting ability to compete for space and
38 ...................... soil nutrients
certain insects

Crop rotation Change plant Unappealing for big businesses


varieties after as 40 .......................... are
each harvest – reduced
insects must
39 ......................
to access food

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Academic Practice Test 4
Reading

Reading Passage 1 willow tree (Salixalba) was capable of reducing


fevers and relieving pain. Surviving evidence
Questions 1–8 suggests that early civilisations across the
Reading Passage 1 has eight paragraphs, Middle East and in North America also used
A–H. willow bark for these purposes. It was not until
Choose the correct heading for paragraphs 1826, however, that the active component of
A–H from the list of headings below. Write the willow bark was finally distilled and given a
correct number, i–xi, in boxes 1–8 on your name – salicin– by Johann Andreas Buchner, a
answer sheet. German pharmacologist at the University of
Munich. A few years later, the process of isola-
LIST OF HEADINGS tion was perfected and the Italian chemist
Raffaele Piria completed the development of
i Availability to the public salicylic acid through a chemical conversion.
ii Use as a digestive aid By the end of the nineteenth century, the
iii Risks of application to the skin German company Bayer was successfully
iv Edible sources of salicylic acid marketing the drug as tablets under the Aspirin
v Early popularity in Europe trademark, and it quickly became a staple in
vi Unwanted side effects of swallowing aspirin the medicine chest of households in the
vii Discovery and development Western world.
viii Appropriate and inappropriate long-term
uses B
ix External uses of salicylic acid Although salicylic acid is still used most widely
x Benefits for plant life in over-the-counter painkiller tablets, over the
xi A remedy for sick children years its applications have broadened
considerably. In the field of dermatology, for
1 Paragraph A instance, salicylic acid in the form of skin cream
2 Paragraph B is lauded for its function as an exfoliator,
3 Paragraph C brightening and enhancing the complexion.
4 Paragraph D Because it softens and dissolves keratin, a kind
5 Paragraph E of ‘glue’ in the skin’s structure, salicylic acid is
6 Paragraph F able to treat many conditions in which the skin
7 Paragraph G has suffered from an excessive accumulation
8 Paragraph H or clogging of skin cells. These conditions
include acne, dermatitis, psoriasis and
SALICYLIC ACID folliculitis, all of which have proved remarkably
This natural powdery substance has helped resistant to other treatments. As a further
to ease the troubles of human life for benefit, salicylic acid also has
centuries. anti-inflammatory properties and, as a result,
can soothe troubled skin where other
medicines often tend to exacerbate the
A problem.
The benefits of salicylic acid were first
`documented in the 5th Century BC, when the C
Greek physician Hippocrates noted how Although it has a reputation as a ‘gentle’ chemi-
powder derived from the bark of the white cal compared to harsher alternatives, in high

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Academic Practice Test 4
Reading

concentrations and in some circumstances for all feverish children and teenagers.
salicylic acid creams can prove harmful, and
very occasionally, even fatal. Highly F
concentrated salicylic acid, particularly Salicylic acid has many uses for humans and
concentrations used for wart, corn or callus other animals, but several species of flora, too,
removal, can cause chemical burns if applied rely on its benefits. It seems to protect against
to skin for long periods of time. fungicidal and bacterial infections by acting as
Hyper-pigmentation – a blotchy discolouration a signal for pathogenic invasion. It also acts as
of skin tone – may also result in users who a kind of therapeutic agent by playing a role in
have darker skin and those who follow plant responses to abiotic, or external,
application with excessive exposure to stresses, such as in situations of drought,
ultraviolet light. Most over-the-counter facial excessive cold or heat and heavy metal
lotions are limited to a relatively mild 2–3% toxicity.
concentration for this reason.
G
D It is a naturally occurring substance in most
Salicylic acid also has a number of other less fruits, including berries, dates, raisins, kiwifruit,
widely known uses. Due to its antimicrobial olives and tomatoes. A few vegetables and also
properties, it is used in the formation of bismuth mushrooms and almonds have a strong
subsalicylate, the active ingredient in a number salicylic acid content. Some herbs and spices,
of popular remedies for upset stomachs and such as turmeric and curcumin, possess so
other intestinal problems. Some evidence much of the substance that, according to the
suggests that salicylic acid destroys Rowett Research Institute, a very spicy curry
E. coli bacteria and consequently reduces contains more salicylic acid than a dose of
symptoms of diarrhoea and gastrointestinal aspirin!
distress in many sufferers. Long-term use,
however, is discouraged because an H
accumulation of bismuth subsalicylate in the Some physicians recommend aspirin as a
body is toxic. continuous medication in low dosages to
provide a defence against heart attacks,
E strokes and blood clot formation in some
Salicylic acid in the form of aspirin tablets is patients. Early results from studies show it may
commonly used to reduce fever, aches and even be effective in warding off certain types of
pains and inflammation but when ingested, it cancer. However, it is not suggested that
can cause gastrointestinal ulcers, stomach healthy people should start taking daily aspirin
irritation or bleeding and other undesirable side as a prophylactic measure, as there are
effects – an issue for many users of aspirin positive lifestyle changes that can be made
over the years. Children seem to be particularly instead: quitting smoking, consuming little or
sensitive, with epidemiological research no alcohol, and maintaining a normal weight by
demonstrating a connection between aspirin eating a wholesome diet and getting regular
use in children suffering from a viral illness and exercise. These adjustments to lifestyle may
a damaging, and potentially fatal, condition not be effortless but in the long run are
known as Reye’s syndrome. As a result, the extremely beneficial. If symptoms of withdrawal
Food and Drug Administration has (from nicotine or caffeine, for example) are
recommended parents avoid the use of aspirin painful, you could take a couple of aspirin to
overcome the temporary discomfort.

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Academic Practice Test 4
Reading

Questions 9–12 Reading Passage 2


Complete each sentence with the correct
ending, A–G, below. You should spend about 20 minutes on
Write the correct letter, A G, in bo es 1 on Questions 14–26, which are based on
your answer sheet. Reading Passage 2 below.

9 Salicylic acid is used on the skin because ADA LOVELACE


it... The first computer programmer?
10 Some users of salicylic cream have
problems because it... Augusta Ada ing (now commonly known as
11 Aspirin is used for stomach problems Ada Lovelace) was born on ecember 10,
because it... 1 1 , to the well-regarded poet Lord Byron and
12 Young people should not take Aspirin his wife Anne Byron. Lord Byron, a restless
because it... man who had conceived other children out of
wedlock, left his wife in a bitter divorce ust
weeks after Ada s birth. ollowing the
A can cause high temperatures and sore separation he headed immediately to Europe,
muscles where he died in Greece several years later,
B is usually sold in high concentrations never having seen his daughter again.
C kills germs inside the body Anne Byron, forever averse to what she
may result in a serious disease or even perceived as dangerous poetic tendencies
death after her troubling e periences with her
E reduces the sticky effects of blocked up wayward former husband, began from an early
cells age trying to prevent the young Ada from
resists the progress of many diseases following too closely in her father’s footsteps.
G changes the colour of the skin Some of Anne s strategies were relatively
draconian Ada was not permitted, for
Question 13 e ample, to look at any portraits of her father
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D. until she reached adulthood at twenty years of
Write the correct letter in bo 13 on your age. But others proved fortuitous. Attempting to
answer sheet. nudge Ada away from poetry, literature and
other pursuits that she feared would encourage
What is the writer s overall purpose in writing caprice and self-indulgence in her daughter s
this article young mind, Anne instead focused Ada’s
A. To outline uses and effects of salicylic acid in attention on areas of study that required more
various conte ts discipline and sober calculation instead: music
B. to e amine the key properties of salicylic and mathematics. It was through the latter that
acid and how it functions Ada found her calling, and eventually her place
C. To show the benefits of salicylic acid in the history books.
compared to other treatments Although it was unusual for young women of
D. To warn against the dangers of misusing her era to pursue mathematics as a discipline,
salicylic acid and Ada did not en oy the privilege of formal
education, her position in society allowed her
access to some of the greatest minds of her
day. Among these tutors was ary Somerville,

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Academic Practice Test 4
Reading

a noted mathematician and astronomer, whose notes some more speculative, show an
legacy is continued in the naming of women’s awareness of computing potential that went
colleges around the world. Another tutor, beyond mere number crunching. Ada
logician Augustus De Morgan, informed Anne anticipated advances, such as computer
that her daughter had the potential to become generated music, which would not be fully
‘an original mathematical investigator, perhaps realised until a century and a half later. For
of first-rate eminence’. these contributions, Ada has been dubbed the
It was through Somerville, however, that Ada ‘first computer programmer’.
was introduced to the researcher who would Not everyone is convinced that Ada deserves
play the greatest role in shaping her this title, however. Some historians have
legacy: Charles Babbage. Babbage, a suggested that Ada functioned more as an
professor of mathematics at Cambridge, was editor or compiler rather than as a
widely known for having invented and mathematician in her own right. These critics
developed the Difference Engine, a calculating note that, although published under her name,
machine more advanced than any of its time. In the algorithms had been completed by
1834, Babbage wanted to develop another, Babbage several years earlier, and that her
even more sophisticated apparatus, an correspondence with Babbage indicates that
Analytical Engine. Although he enjoyed great Ada relied a great deal on his guidance and
prestige, being a founder of the Astronomical authority in composing her appendices, while
Society, and a member of international making only minor corrections herself. Other
organisations including the American Academy historians defend her role. According to
of Arts and Sciences, his sponsors were Benjamin Woolley, biographer, Ada’s great
reluctant to support his Analytical Engine contribution lies in her discussion of the
project, and for some time it appeared as if implications of Babbage’s work and her
Babbage’s intentions would never be fulfilled. conceptual vision of what computing might
Assistance eventually came from the Italian become. In accomplishing this, Woolley
mathematician Luigi Menabrea, who produced suggests, Ada ‘rose above the technical
a memoir documenting the Analytical Engine. minutiae of Babbage's extraordinary invention’
The memoir was published in French, however, and revealed its ‘true grandeur’. For his part,
and Babbage recruited Ada to help make it Babbage always insisted that Ada’s work, while
accessible to an English-speaking audience. the product of an extensive dialogue between
Over a nine-month period during 1842–1843, them, was entirely her own.
Ada devoted herself to completing the work, Disputes aside, Ada’s legacy in both computing
eventually producing not only an English and the wider popular imagination is now firmly
version of Menabrea’s work, but a set of established. The British Computer Society now
appendices longer than the original document awards a medal bearing her name, and the
itself. In these appendices, Ada wrote a United States Department of Defence has
detailed account, in Section G, of how a named a computer language, Ada, in her
sequence of Bernoulli numbers 6 could be honour. In addition, a number of organisations,
calculated using the Analytical Engine. inspired by the example she set, also exist to
Although the Engine was never built, foster the development of women in the fields
retrospective studies have concluded that of computing, science and technology.
Ada’s calculations would have been correct
had the Engine existed at the time. In addition
to her mathematical accuracy, Ada’s other
6
Bernoulli numbers (named after Swiss mathematician Jakob Bernoulli) are the sequence of rational numbers; extremely important in number theory and analysis
and the subject of the first computer program.

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Academic Practice Test 4
Reading

Questions 14 – 19 25 What is the best summary of Ada Lovelace


Do the following statements agree with the A She was an original mathematician.
information given in Reading Passage 2? B She was a pioneer in women’s education.
C She was a visionary thinker.
In bo es 14 1 on your answer sheet, write D She was a famous woman in her time.
T E - if the statement agrees with the
information 26 What is the writer’s purpose in Reading
ALSE - if the statement contradicts the assage
information A to e amine scholars conflicting views
T GI E - if there is no information on this surrounding Ada’s work
B to introduce Ada and her significant
14 Ada Lovelace was born after her father s achievements
death. C to provide a general overview of Ada s life
15 Ada was never allowed to see any images D to e plain how Ada invented the first
of Lord Byron as a child. computer
16 Ada wanted to read books and poems as a
child. Reading Passage 3
17 Ada did not go to school.
18 ary Somerville was a greater You should spend about 20 minutes on
mathematician than Augustus de oran. Questions 27–40, which are based on
19 Ada met harles Babbage at university. Reading Passage 3 below.

Questions 20–24
Fill in the gaps in these sentences using NO HAAST’S EAGLE
MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the ‘Tiger of the skies’
passage.
Write your answers in bo es 0 4 on your A
answer sheet. As a result of being separated for tens of
millions of years from other mainland
20 Babbage did not receive any help for his ecosystems such as Australia or continental
Analytical Engine from ..................... Asia, the biota of ew ealand evolved to
21 Ada translated enabrea s work and include some of the most unique plants and
created a .................... for him. animals on earth. ntil the arrival of humans
22 Long before its time, Ada predicted the and their associated introduced species, such
development of .................... . as rats and dogs, New Zealand was not home
23 Ada’s .................... suggests that the work to a single ground mammal, and this
she did for enabrea was not completely encouraged bird-life to prevail. Another
original. common feature of island ecosystems,
24 Ada’s biographer felt that she had a whereby some species significantly outgrow
.................... of the future of computer their mainland relatives, also occurred in
science. ew ealand. rom these twin forces the
dominance of birds, and the tendency toward
Questions 25–26 larger body si es in island ecosystems
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D. emerged one of the most formidable flying
Write the correct letter in bo es and on predators known on earth: the aast s eagle.
your answer sheet.

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Academic Practice Test 4
Reading

B other extinct animals, the Haast’s eagle could


The largest known eagle ever documented, not diversify its behaviours and adapt to
this fearsome creature weighed up to fifteen changing circumstances quickly enough to
kilograms and sported wings spanning two to survive. Moa, an easy source of prey for the
three metres in diameter. Although this eagle, were likewise an easy source of food for
wingspan is comparatively small (the Maori tribes people when they began to settle
Wandering Albatross and Andean Condor, for in New Zealand around AD 1200. These
instance, each have wing spans in excess of settlers quickly drove the moa to extinction,
three metres), the Haast’s eagle possessed a and with it went the primary food supply of the
much larger body mass to wing ratio. While Haast’s eagle. This enormous predator then
stubbier wings made the eagle ill-suited to faced a scarcity of food. Undoubtedly, the
prolonged flight, they did enable the Haast’s horror stories of human encounters with the
eagle to nimbly and swiftly manoeuvre its large eagle in Maori legend are true to some extent;
frame around trees, which would have been if the Haast’s eagle could take down a two
vital for pursuing prey through New Zealand’s hundred kilogram moa, some Maori tribesmen
dense forest and scrubland. would have fallen prey to its massive claws at
some point. The occasional human victim was
C insufficient to sustain the dietary requirements
The most impressive aspect of the bird’s of a creature its size, however, and when the
anatomy, however, was its enormous talons. At moa disappeared, the Haast’s eagle soon
almost 23 centimetres in length, these are followed.
comparable to those of some wild cats and
have justifiably earned the Haast’s eagle the E
nickname ‘Tiger of the Skies’. With these talons Mythology surrounding the existence of the
the eagle would attack its prey in the only way Haast’s eagle has been passed down through
it knew how – grasping the animal’s pelvis with Maori tradition for centuries, but due to a lack of
one talon while crushing its skull with the other physical evidence (only three full skeletons
in a strike that, according to New Zealand have ever been recovered), much about this
researcher Richard Holdaway, is akin to that of bird remains a mystery. Artists have depicted
a 15 kilogram concrete block dropping from an the plumage of the Haast’s eagle in different
eight-storey building. This force was enough to ways;; for example, some see it as more of a
bring down very large animals, and indeed the muted brown, in line with other large forest
Haast’s eagle preyed primarily on the moa – a eagles still in existence today, whereas others
clumsy, flightless bird nearly fifteen times its envision it displaying extravagant hues of
size. Once immobilised, a large catch could green, red and purple. All of this is speculation,
feed the eagle over several days. With no other however; recovered bones and further DNA
large predators, the Haast’s eagle could afford evidence can tell us about the genealogy of the
to take its time with the carcass of its prey until Haast’s eagle and its size and skeletal
ready to return to the hunt. structure, but the colour of its feathers, along
with many other specifications, will forever be
D guesswork.
This leads to an important question: How did
such a ferocious predator fall from the top of F
the food chain and rapidly become extinct It is difficult to say whether the demise of the
around AD 1500? The answer is that, like many Haast’s eagle was tragic or fortuitous. No doubt
the sight of this majestic bird swooping down

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Academic Practice Test 4
Reading

from its perch at eighty kilometres per hour evolved?


would have been an awe-inspiring sight, and it A New Zealand has many unusual birds and
is easy to see why some early Maori settlers plants.
exalted the eagle in their imaginations as some B New Zealand had no natural bird predators.
kind of ‘Bird God’. If it were still around, C New Zealand has no native mammals.
however, there is no doubt that hiking, camping D New Zealand settlers brought other
or even just taking a leisurely stroll through the creatures with them.
woods in New Zealand would be a far more E New Zealand is an isolated island.
dangerous activity. With a force of impact
powerful enough to knock an adult male Question 37
unconscious, many people would never know Choose the best answer. Write the correct
what had hit them. letter, A–D, in box 37 on your answer sheet.
Which of the following is NOT true?
Questions 27–34
Reading Passage 2 has six paragraphs, A The Haast’s eagle could only fly for short
A–F. distances.
Which paragraph contains the following infor- B The Haast’s eagle was adapted to flying
mation? through forests.
Write the correct letter, A–F, in boxes 27 - 34 C The Haast’s eagle’s wings were shorter than
on your answer sheet. other large birds.
D The Haast’s eagle had small but very
27 A description of how the Haast’s eagle efficient claws.
attacked its prey
28 A discussion about whether the Haast’s Questions 38–39
Eagle killed humans Choose TWO letters, A–E.
29 An explanation of how the body proportions Write the correct letters in boxes 38 and 39 on
of the Haast’s eagle made it an efficient your answer sheet.
hunter Which TWO of the following are given as
30 The mental image that the Maori people had reasons why the Haast’s eagle died out very
of the Haast’s eagle quickly?
31 Facts about the early ecology of
New Zealand A The first settlers ate all the moa.
32 Conflicting views on the appearance of the B The eagle was hunted by the first settlers.
Haast’s eagle C The eagle could not survive by eating
33 A comparison between the Haast’s eagle people.
and other birds D The settlers destroyed the eagle’s habitat.
34 An explanation of why the Haast’s eagle E The eagle flew slowly and was easily caught.
could eat its kills slowly
Question 40
Questions 35–36 Choose the best answer. Write the correct
Choose TWO letters, A–E. letter, A–D, in box 40 on your answer sheet.
Write the correct letters in boxes 35 and 36 on Which of the following is NOT the author’s
your answer sheet. opinion?
Which TWO of the following are given as A If the Haast’s eagle had not died out it would
reasons why the Haast’s eagle originally have attacked people.

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Reading

B It is sad that the Haast’s eagle died out


because it was beautiful.
C We can understand why the first settlers
worshipped the Haast’s eagle.
D The Maori people should have preserved
the Haast’s eagle.

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Academic Practice Test 4
Writing

Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The pie chart below shows where energy is used in a typical Australian household,
and the table shows the amount of electricity used according to the number of
occupants. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features,
and make comparisons where relevant.

Amount of electricity used in a typical


Australian home
Number of people Electricity used:
in the house Kilowatt hours (kWh) per year

1 5,000 – 6,500

2 6,000 – 8,000

3 7,500 – 10,000

6 or more 12,000 – 16,000

Write at least 150 words.

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Academic Practice Test 4
Writing

Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Most people accept that we now live in a globalised world but not everyone agrees
that this is beneficial.
To what extent is globalisation a positive or negative development?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or
experience.
Write at least 250 words.

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Academic Practice Test 4
Speaking

Speaking PART 1 Speaking PART 3


Initial questions about name, where you AGE AND MEETING PEOPLE
live, work or study and other personal - Where do young adults and teenagers
topics. usually meet their friends?
- How has the Internet changed the way that
COMPUTERS people have relationships with each other?
- Are there a lot of computer shops where you - Do older people enjoy meeting new people
live? [Why / Why not?] as much as the younger generation does?
- What do most people in your family use a [Why?]
computer for?
- Do you think people spend too much time GLOBALISATION AND RELATIONSHIPS
using computers in your country? - Increasing number of people today are
- What are the most popular computer forming relationships on social network sites.
programmes that people use in your country? Why might this happen?
[Why?] - It is often said that we live in a global village.
How true is this really?
CHILDREN - Some people fear that globalisation will result
- Do you enjoy spending time with children? [ in societies becoming increasingly similar. Is
Why / Why not?] this an advantage or a disadvantage?
- What sort of activities do children enjoy
doing? [Why?]
- Do you think children often enjoy stories that
have animals? [Why?]
- Do you think cities are a good place to bring
up children? [Why / Why not?]

Speaking PART 2
Talk about someone you met who was
interesting.
You should talk about:
- Where he/she was
- who he/she was
- what you did together
And explain why you think this person was
interesting.

You will be expected to talk about the topic for


one to two minutes. You will have one minute to
think about what you are going to say in
advance. You can make some notes to help
you if you wish.

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ANSWER KEYS

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Answer Keys

Academic Answers for Practice Test 1


Listening

Section 1 Section 4
1 Cream 31 Living entity
2 Brass 32 Nutrients
3 65 / sixty-five 33 Minerals
4 Perfect 34 Bedrock
5 £30 / 30 pounds / thirty pounds 35 Subsoil
6 Deep 36 Topsoil
7 1.25 metres / 1.25 m 37 Pollution
8 Adjustable 38 Pest control
9 £50 / 50 pounds / fifty pounds 39 Production practices
10 Domain 40 Predators

Section 2
11 H
12 C
13 J
14 F
15 B
16 I
17 A
18 A
19 & 20 D or E (in either order)

Section 3
21 Abstract
22 Key words / keywords
23 Final draft
24 Style guide
25 Copyright form
26 (The) manuscript
27 Confirmation
28 Peer review
29 Rejection
30 Cover letter

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Answer Keys

Academic Answers for Practice Test 1


Reading Answers
Each question correctly answered scores 1 mark.
Correct spelling is needed in all answers.

Section 1 33 FALSE
1 C 34 past-actions
2 G 35 nconsistencies
3 B 36 Hugh Everett
4 A 37 lternative path-way
5 H 38 Non-existence theory
6 D 39 historical identity
7 Respiratory movements/signals 40 C
8 Tail
9 Electric currents
10 Olfactory organs
11 Electric signals
12 Sinewy muscle
13 Electric field

Section 2
14 E
15 J
16 I
17 D
18 B
19 TRUE
20 NOT GIVEN
21 FALSE
22 TRUE
23 NOT GIVEN
24 TRUE
25 TRUE
26 & 27 A or C (in either order)

Section 3
28 FALSE
29 TRUE
30 NOT GIVEN
31 TRUE
32 TRUE

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Answer Keys

Academic Answers for Practice Test 1


Writing

Task 1
The chart shows the percentages of paper and cardboard, glass containers, aluminium cans and
plastics that were recycled in one country between 1982 and 2010.
In 1982, about 65% of paper and cardboard was recycled. This figure fluctuated before rising steep-
ly to reach a peak of 80% in 1994. From then on, however, it decreased steadily to a level of 70% in
2010. In 1982, half of all glass containers were recycled; after dipping to a low of 40% in 1990, the
glass recycling rate gradually increased to 60% by 2010.
Aluminium cans were first recycled in 1986, starting at about 5%, but this figure climbed rapidly over
25 years and by 2010 it had reached 45%. Recycling of plastics, on the other hand, was not intro-
duced until 1990 and, although the growth in this category was also constant, it was very slow, rising
from about 2% to around 8% over the period.
Overall, the proportion of paper and cardboard that was recycled was the highest of the four classes
of material, but this category experienced a decline after 1994, whereas there was a continuing
upward trend in the recycling of the other materials.

194 Words.

Task 2
English is a gateway to the world and no one should be deprived of the opportunities that arise for
those with a strong command of the English language. This does not mean that local languages are
dispensable, however. They have an important role to play in supporting education, including
English language education.
People who insist on prioritising local languages are often those who can speak fluent English them-
selves. Advocates of minority languages need to be fluent in English in order to research their field
and support the cause at international conferences. In doing so, however, they are also demonstrat-
ing why English is so important. Learning English allows people to gain knowledge, communicate
with society, further themselves as individuals and have a global impact. It is unfair to willingly
dispossess people of this ability in order to preserve tradition.
But this does not mean local languages can be forgotten or downplayed. People are more likely to
succeed – not just at learning English, but in employment and education generally – if they are
immersed in a community rich in history and tradition. Local dialects are a part of this tradition.
Efforts to regenerate and celebrate indigenous cultures in recent decades have demonstrated that
the preservation of local languages and the teaching of English are mutually-reinforcing develop-
ments. In this way, the local language serves as the bedrock for learning English, rather than being
an obstacle in need of removal. Local languages should be taught at school. Employment for those
who speak

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Answer Keys

Academic Answers for Practice Test 1


Writing

English as well as one local language.


I think it is important for everyone to learn English but I feel it is unnecessary to frame learning
English and keeping local languages alive as conflicting possibilities. Each goal supports the other.
We should focus on how best to develop both English and local languages in particular local con-
texts.

285 Words

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Answer Keys

Academic Answers for Practice Test 2


Listening

Section 1 30 Tracking protection


1 18(th)
2 25(th)/Christmas Day
3 702
Section 4
31 A
4 165
32 B
5 In cash
33 C
6 Reed
34 C
7 14 South Street/14 South St
35 B
8 AQ459
36 50/fifty
9 A
37 Predators
10 B
38 Overfishing/over-fishing
39 Sustainable
40 Ban
Section 2
11 Weekdays
12 Issues
13 40
14 Basement/basement
15 9.15
16 Classical
17 B
18 C
19 Abroad
20 Sister

Section 3
21 Presentation/assignment
22 Digital privacy
23 Credit rating
24 Employees
25 Sales manager
26 (search) habits
27 Profitability/profits
28 Recommendation
29 Legal action

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Answer Keys

Academic Answers for Practice Test 2


Reading
Each question correctly answered scores 1 mark.
Correct spelling is needed in all answers.

Section 1 30 H
1 C 31 B
2 F 32 G
3 E 33 A safety net
4 D 34 Albert Mummery
5 A 35 Unclimbed
6 Emmanuel Chabrier 36 Clean climbing
7 A black bodice 37 Nuts
8 An auditorium 38 Rappel bolting
9 A trapeze artist 39 Technical mastery
10 A private studio / Manet’s private studio 40 B
11 E
12 D
13 A

Section 2
14 viii
15 iii
16 i
17 ix
18 iv
19 vi
20 NO
21 YES
22 NOT GIVEN
23 NO
24 NOT GIVEN
25 YES
26 NO

Section 3
27 F
28 D
29 E

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Answer Keys

Academic Answers for Practice Test 2


Writing

Task 1
The bar chart shows the proportion of men and women who taught in seven different faculties of a
particular university in 2012.
There was a large gender disparity in some faculties: engineering was dominated by male academ-
ics whereas education had the highest percentage of female academics. Notably, 85% of the
engineering teachers were male and only 15% female. Three quarters of the academic staff in
education were women, with just 25% males.
However, other faculties were more balanced in their composition. In medicine, gender
representation was almost equal, while in arts subjects slightly more than half the academics were
female (55%). It is interesting to note that business and science had the same proportions of men
and women, with 65% male to 35% female academics in those faculties. Law had a slightly higher
percentage of women at 40%.
Although the faculties of engineering, business, science and law were still primarily male- dominat-
ed in 2012, women made up half the faculty of medicine and were predominant in education and
arts.

160 Words

Task 2
Solar power as a source of domestic household energy is becoming more desirable because many
individuals and governments are concerned that burning fossil fuels adds carbon to the atmosphere
and thus accelerates global warming and climate change. Others feel that nuclear power is poten-
tially unsafe, and do not like its associated pollution from radioactive waste. Therefore, many
researchers and consumers have looked at alternative sources of energy and have found that solar
power has many benefits and few drawbacks.
The main advantage of solar energy is that after the initial installation, it is entirely free and renew-
able, and there are no extra costs involved in producing the energy. Solar energy is silent and envi-
ronmentally friendly as well - it does not destroy or poison the eco-system. This is because the raw
material; sunshine, does not need to be extracted or refined, so there are no pollutants or toxic resi-
due produced. Another major advantage is that it is produced where it is needed so there is no
energy wasted on transport. This decentralisation of the power source not only leads to savings on
transmission, but also to more self-reliant communities – the ability to produce their own power is a
significant advantage for remote populations.
There are also employment opportunities in the design and development, manufacture, installation

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Answer Keys

Academic Answers for Practice Test 2


Writing

and maintenance of the new technology for solar panels, which are consequently becoming less
expensive, more available and much more efficient.
The greatest drawback of solar power is that it is totally reliant on sunlight, which is not always
constant. In fact, there are some regions where it may not be practicable, as it does not work at
night. Power from daytime sunshine must be stored in large batteries. In addition, the panels tend
to be big and cumbersome. A major drawback for some is that the initial purchase and installation of
the equipment is costly.
In my view, the benefits of a clean, quiet, renewable, eco-friendly source of energy far outweigh the
drawbacks, provided that there is sufficient sunlight available to make this source of power feasible.

343 Words

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Answer Keys

Answers for Academic Practice Test 3


Listening

Section 1 Section 4
1 Simmons 31 Interventions
2 Ocean Drive 32 Policies
3 Unlimited 33 Housing
4 24 Months 34 Statistics
5 White 35 Evaluate
6 ( ) goldfish 36 Cooperate
7 30 June 37 Economic
8 Modem 38 Critical
9 Home phone 39 Gender
10 Security 40 icro-credit

Section 2
11 D
12 B
13 H
14 A
15 C
16 G
17 Tourists
18 Monday(s)
19 Happy Dragon
20 3231190

Section 3
21 B
22 C
23 A
24 B
25 A
26 Documents
27 Shortlist
28 Tailor
29 Call
30 Ask questions

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Answer Keys

Answers for Academic Practice Test 3


Reading
Each question correctly answered scores 1 mark.
Correct spelling is needed in all answers.

Section 1 30 C
1 TRUE 31 M
2 NOT GIVEN 32 J
3 FALSE 33 B
4 FALSE 34 A
5 NOT GIVEN 35 D
6 TRUE 36 A
7 A young age 37 NO
8 The ruling monarch 38 NOT GIVEN
9 A nominations system 39 NO
10 An advisory panel 40 YES
11 B
12 C
13 F

Section 2
14 FALSE
15 TRUE
16 NOT GIVEN
17 TRUE
18 FALSE
19 B
20 A
21 C
22 A
23 C
24 B
25 A
26 B

Section 3
27 G
28 H
29 K

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Answer Keys

Answers for Academic Practice Test 3


Writing

Task 1
The diagram demonstrates how a solar powered water pump is used to supply water for a village.
There are three main components to the system: a solar panel, an underground bore or well with a
water pump inside it, and a tank for holding the water after it has been pumped up from the
underground source.
The first part of the process involves collecting sunlight to power the pump. A solar panel consisting
of photo-voltaic cells is mounted, facing the sun, on a raised pole well above the ground. DC elec-
tricity is collected when the panel is exposed to sunlight. This DC current travels from the panel to
power a water pump, which is suspended below the water level inside an underground well or bore.
The DC power is used to pump water from the well into an outlet pipe which runs from the pump up
the well through the bore cap and into the top of a water tank which is situated on the ground nearby.
The water then runs in a pipe to a village, where it provides fresh water to the residents.

186 Words.

Task 2
Students spend a great deal of time and money on tertiary study; therefore, vocational subjects
would be a better investment in terms of immediate job opportunities. However, not everyone has
an aptitude for science, engineering or medicine, and there is a need for graduates with expertise
gained from arts courses.
In subjects such as philosophy, students learn a valuable set of skills. They become active thinkers
who learn how to solve problems, rather than passive learners who memorise facts and other peo-
ple’s ideas. Philosophy students become proficient at critical and moral thinking, argumentation and
debate. The ability to examine and analyse topical issues or challenge the status quo is very import-
ant. After all, someone needs to question the results or indeed the usefulness of scientific research,
the politician’s assertions, and historical events and assumptions in general. What is more, scan-
dals in business and government emphasise the need for ethics in the corporate and public domain.
The sciences and business are clearly very important for our community, and those who have talent
should, of course, pursue a university degree and a career in those fields. If, however, they also
have training in logic and analytical thinking or a broad general knowledge from studying arts sub-
jects, they are more likely to be able to solve problems, create initiatives, identify bias and avoid
major pitfalls as they progress through their careers.
in short, I wholeheartedly disagree with the statement that arts subjects should not be taught. I
suggest that every student should have instruction in philosophy, history or other arts subjects, even

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Answer Keys

Answers for Academic Practice Test 3


Writing

if they elect to major in the sciences, because learning critical thinking skills, and developing a wide
background knowledge, will benefit them enormously in later life. In addition to this general training,
we need specialist graduates in arts subjects to make their contribution to a well-rounded society.

307 Words.

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Answer Keys

Answers for Academic Practice Test 4


Listening

Section 1 Section 4
31 ( he)wind
1 Country 32 ood source
2 ( our) Personal 33 Organisms
3 Business 34 est-resistance
4 School fees 35 Time-consuming
5 48 / forty eight 36 iological-control
6 Reference Number / reference number 37 Unpredictable
7 3/three days 38 Repel
8 $30/30 dollars/thirty dollars 39 Migrate
9 $10,000/ten thousand dollars 40 Profits
10 special code

Section 2
11 G
12 H
13 E
14 C
15 A
16 F
17 B
18 ublic transport/public transportation
19 Sites
20 Traffic lights

Section 3
21 Regulations
22 Chain of command
23 Status
24 Government
25 External relationships
26 Financial results
27 Satisfaction/Collaboration
28 Loyalty
29 Flexibility
30 Growth opportunities

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Answer Keys

Answers for Academic Practice Test 4


Reading
Each question correctly answered scores 1 mark.
Correct spelling is needed in all answers.

Section 1 30 F
1 vii 31 A
2 ix 32 E
3 iii 33 B
4 ii 34 C
5 vi 35 C or E
6 x 36 C or E
7 iv 37 D
8 viii 38 A or C
9 E 39 A or C
10 G 40 D
11 C
12 D
13 A

Section 2
14 FALSE
15 TRUE
16 NOT GIVEN
17 TRUE
18 NOT GIVEN
19 NOT GIVEN
20 His sponsors
21 Set of appendices
22 Computer-generated music
23 Correspondence(with Babbage)
24 onceptual vision
25 C
26 B

Section 3
27 C
28 D
29 B

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Answer Keys

Answers for Academic Practice Test 4


Writing

Task 1
The pie chart illustrates the proportion of energy consumed by different appliances in an average
Australian home. In general, the pie chart shows that temperature control, both for heating and cool-
ing, is the major user, followed by water heating, and the table shows that energy consumed per
capita drops as household size increases.
Heating and cooling devices account for almost 40% of total energy, and water heating consumes
a quarter of total household power. Other appliances, such as dishwashers, televisions and smaller
items, make up 16% of energy consumption. Slightly less than half that amount (7%) is used for
both refrigeration and lighting. Standby power comprises a remarkable 3% compared with stoves,
ovens and other cooking equipment that expend only 4% of household energy.
The table shows that a single person’s electricity usage is 5,000 to 6,500 Kw per annum, whereas
two people use a similar amount or not much more. A three-person Australian household typically
uses about the same as two people (6,000–8,000) or perhaps up to 10,000 Kw. Six people or more
living in the same house have only double the consumption of a two- person household.
In summary, all forms of heating and cooling – air temperature, water, refrigeration and cooking –
are major consumers of energy in Australian houses, and it is more economical to live in a larger
household.

222 Words.

Task 2
Globalisation is here to stay, driven by advances in information technology and resulting in
scientific, technological and economic progress and increased international trade and
investment. It has had wide-ranging positive and negative effects on employment and economic
development, scientific research, language and culture, and the environment.
One positive result of globalisation is the global distribution of labour. It is now much easier to
move to other countries to find work, and this leads to better employment prospects for
individuals and to more diverse workplaces. In addition, capital and industrial resources have
migrated to developing countries, thus providing local jobs and boosting local economies. It has
also resulted in greater contact between different cultures, as travel has become relatively safer
and less expensive than it used to be. Ease of communication has encouraged an
unprecedented level of global scientific research and cooperation, and a subsequent explosion
of knowledge and information.
A downside of this global economy is that when a catastrophe occurs, as in the recent global

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Answer Keys

Academic Answers for Practice Test 4


Writing

financial crisis that started in the USA, it affects the whole world. Similarly, when a virus
emerges in one region of the world, it spreads rapidly, threatening worldwide health.
Globalisation affects culture and language, too; minority languages are dying out because of the
necessity of learning English for international business, and indigenous cultures are being
rejected in favour of a dominant, often USA-based, culture. Finally, levels of pollution are rising
as countries strive for economic growth and a competitive edge in the global market.
In conclusion, globalisation is a double-edged sword that has created jobs and promoted
international cooperation but has led to cultural losses, more environmental damage, increased
health risks and exposure to economic crises. However, our world will continue to shrink as
technology expands, and we need to accept globalisation as a fact of life in the 21st century.

307 Words.

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