Grammar

1 Rewrite the underlined text in the story with a 3 Complete the text with these words. There are
present or past participle. three extra words.

(1) …………………………..….. (As she arrived) at the bookshop, and • as • by • for • same • the
Nicola felt a little anxious. (2) …………………………..….. (She had than • with
wanted) to write a book all her life, now she was going to
participate in her first book-signing event. She saw a table If I compare my life now to how it used to be, there are a

with her name on it and a pile of copies of her first novel. number of notable differences. Generally speaking,

(3) …………………………..….. (After she had taken) her seat, she (1) …………………………..….. older you get, the more tired you

looked around nervously, expectantly. Who would be the feel, but I have more energy now than ever. Since retiring

first person to buy her book? last June, I definitely have less money (2) ……………………..…..

Finally, a man approached her table. when I was working, but that said, I’m a lot happier now.

‘Excuse me, could you tell me where the Travel section is?’ Everyone says that when you retire, you start thinking that

he asked. the price of things is high, but the cost of living isn’t

‘I’m sorry, I don’t know,’ she replied. (3) …………………………..….. expensive as I thought it perhaps

The man wandered off leaving Nicola alone with her unsold might be. Especially now that I’m living in the countryside.

books. I’m living in a town called Diss and it’s

(4) …………………………..….. (When she had waited) five hours, (4) …………………………..….. far the friendliest place I’ve been

she decided that she was going to go home. She picked up to. The town doesn’t offer the (5) …………………………..…..

her bag, (5) …………………………..….. (she felt) completely excitement as London but the people and the fresh air

dejected. make up for that.

Suddenly a man ran up to her. ‘Are you Nicola Thornberry?’ /5

‘Yes.’
‘I’m sorry, we made a mistake in our advert. You should be Total / 15
on the third floor. There are hundreds of people waiting for
you. Come quickly.’

/5

2 Choose the correct alternatives to complete the
text.
My best friend Maria and I both love shopping but we have
completely different tastes in clothes. I love going to high
street stores because they are much (1) fewer/less/more
expensive and there are (2) greater/far/a deal more clothes
to choose from. Maria, on the other hand, spends
(3) considerable/significantly/as far more money than me
so she prefers smaller boutiques with designer labels.
These shops have (4) less/fewer/not as much clothes to
choose from and are way more expensive! Despite this, we
still love shopping together! The more time we spend
together, the (5) happier/happy/happiest we feel!

/5

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 Vocabulary
4 Choose the correct alternatives to complete the (2) …………………………..….. of giving up. Then Zane cried out,
text. ‘Look! The building.’
The last two films I have seen at the cinema couldn’t have They hurried inside. It was a perfect (4) ………………………..…..
been more different. The first was a breathtaking natural to get out of the rain, dry off a little and take some
disaster movie about a tsunami. We sat in the front row interesting photos.
and the (1) ear-splitting/hair-raising sound of the crashing /5
waves practically deafened us. Watching the buildings
being swept away by vast amounts of water and seeing the
6 Complete the dialogue with the correct answer,
helicopter rescue of the main characters was quite
A, B or C.
(2) nail-biting/heart-warming. I was literally on the edge of
my seat. The other film was a romantic comedy, called Mum: What’s the matter, Alex?
She’s the One. The opening scene was a bicycle chase Alex: I’m feeling a bit (1) …………….
between two twin sisters; they are racing at Mum: Why? What happened?
(3) hair-raising/breakneck speed through the streets, when Alex: Well I was hoping to play the lead in the school
one of them is knocked over by another cyclist. For one play. When they read out the names, my heart
(4) heart-stopping/soul-destroying moment we think she (2) …………………………..…... Tania got the part I wanted.
may have been badly hurt. However, she isn't injured at all, So she is over the (3) …………………………..….. and
and in fact becomes close friends with the other cyclist. I that’s why I’m down in the (4) …………………………..…...
won’t tell you any more but as you can guess it’s a really Mum: Well, here’s something to lift your
(5) heart-stopping/heart-warming story. (5) …………………………..…...
Alex: What is it, Mum?
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Mum: Well, you know Jordi bought me a new phone.
Well, I thought that you could have my old one on
5 Complete the story with one word in each gap. account of your marks at school being so good.
Each word is used twice, in the gaps with the
Alex: Really, Mum. Thanks! I feel much better
same numbers.
now! Can I call Tania to tell her?
When Zane and Seth set off to take photographs for their
college project it was a beautiful 1 A black B down C up
(1) …………………………..….. summer’s day. 2 A sang B sank C split
‘Let’s head for that (2) …………………………..….. at the top of the 3 A clouds B world C moon
hill,’ said Zane. ‘There is a building there. It looks like a 4 A ground B dumps C floor
good place to stop take some photos.’ 5 A spirits B attitude C happiness
‘OK,’ Seth agreed.
/5
They were about three-quarters of the way there when the
wind (3) …………………………..….. up and Zane felt a Total / 15
(4) …………………………..….. of rain on his face.
‘Let’s move faster. It’s going to rain and the cameras will
get wet. We’ve still got quite a lot of ground to
(5) …………………………..….. before we reach shelter.’
Zane (3) …………………………..….. up the pace while Seth tried
to (5) …………………………..….. his face to protect himself from
the wind. The rain started pouring down and it was
(1) …………………………..….. that they were going to get soaking
wet. After twenty minutes Seth was on the

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 Reading
7 Read the article on how to get the most out of life. Choose the best answers, A, B, C or D.

LIFE – Love, Interests, Fun, Enthusiasm

Every day people find themselves incessantly rushing from one place to another or hurrying from one thing to get to the next.
There’s the need to make the school bus or the pressure of a homework deadline. Nevertheless, it is well-known that rushing
causes varying levels of stress. Why then, do we not stop and decide to live our lives at a slower pace?
Is it really because we have a list of things to do as long as our arm, as some say, or the desire to pass all our exams or to be the
best tennis player that drives this crazy life style, or do we just accept that this is life?
But perhaps these people have lost sight of the real meaning of what it means to live. If we look at the letters that make up the
word, we can take the word ‘life’ to be an acronym of a collection of very significant words. These words are: Love, Interests,
Fun and Enthusiasm.

In life we need ‘love’ – the love of our friends and family. The feeling of love can be heart-warming and can aid motivation.
‘Interests’ are needed so that we can put away and forget about that never-ending ‘to do’ list. Interests are hobbies that
guarantee life does not become overly monotonous. So often people see life as a process or as a cycle, and to some degree
they’re right, but everyone gets stuck on the conveyor belt and, at times, they need to step off and take a look at the bigger
picture. That’s where ‘fun’ comes into it. Doing something fun enables people to relax and value life. Remember, ‘all work and
no play’ can have a negative effect on us. Last but by no means least, we need ‘enthusiasm’. Enthusiasm for what we do and
what we believe in.

For those wanting to make the most out of ‘life’, here are four quick and easy life-changing steps that you could be doing:
Make contact in person if possible, or if not, via email, phone or text, with at least one family member and friend each day.
Those friends you keep saying you need to contact, contact! Love comes from relationships that have been built, not from those
that are hanging by a thread. Some people may say that they don't have time for that but there are ways to make time. ‘I don’t
have time for that’. Well, make time!

We all need hobbies to do in our free time. Perhaps parents or older siblings sometimes say, ‘free time, we don’t have that, our
lives are too busy’. If that is the case, you need to organise your time more efficiently. Try to carry out something that you enjoy
doing at least once a week. Your interests may include: cycling, painting, photography ... the list is endless. If you don’t like doing
things alone, get a friend or family member to join you.

Understandably, each person has their idea of what constitutes ‘fun’. It could be closely tied up with your interests or it could be
something you do less frequently, like meeting up with friends, dancing, going on holiday or dining out. We all need fun.
Without it, life would be boring.

Enthusiasm gives people energy. You have to ask yourself, if you’re not enthusiastic about doing something, why are you doing
it? Often people say ‘I can’t be bothered to ...’ or ‘I don’t see the point in doing ...’. Why moan about something? Set a time limit
for the tasks you don't enjoy so much and make sure you schedule enough time for those you do enjoy.
If you’ve read these very simple suggestions, then it’s not too late to do something to adjust things for the better.

1 According to the writer, people are always in a hurry C People question the meaning of life but don’t do
because ... anything to change things.
A nowadays they have a vast amount of work to do. D People want to get off the conveyor belt but they are
B they want to get a promotion at work. unsure how.
C they accept that life is intended to be this way. 3 In the first life-changing step, the writer ...
D they feel the pressure from external sources. A believes that people should try harder to find time
2 In the article, the writer claims ‘everyone gets stuck on for existing relationships.
the conveyor belt’. What is meant by this? B suggests people repair broken relationships.
A People accept life to be a continual process and C recommends people make contact with their best
therefore don’t do anything to change things. friend every day.
B People believe they can’t change anything in their D thinks that love means making new friends
life and that everything is set in stone. regularly.

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 4 In the second life-changing step, people are meant to ... 8 Read the article again and complete the sentences
A carry out as many hobbies as possible in a seven-day with between one and three consecutive words
taken from the text.
period.
B attempt a minimum of one activity that makes them 1 The writer claims that hurrying all the time
happy every week. creates different degrees ……………………………..…..
C organise their time more efficiently so they can spend ………………………..…...

more time with friends and family. 2 The writer concedes that people who view
D make an endless list of activities to do with friends. life ………………………………………..…..……………..….. may be
5 In the fourth life-changing step, the writer suggests correct.
people ... 3 The writer places less value on
A ensure they have more energy when they carry out relationships that are in danger than those
activities. which …………………………………………..…..…………..…...
B stop moaning about things and concentrate on 4 One argument that the writer hears
enjoying them. repeatedly is that people are ……………………………………..…..
C change their attitude so that they are more ………………..….. for free time activities.
enthusiastic when they do things they don’t enjoy. 5 The writer can’t understand people who
D change their approach to doing things they don’t complain that activities lack purpose or who
particularly want to do or worst case, stop doing them. simply can’t be ………………………………………..…..……………..…..
6 The writer’s main purpose in the article is to ... to do things.
A explain why people are not getting the most out of life. 6 The writer hopes that anyone reading the
B motivate people into changing certain things to get the article will take action because it is ……………………………
most out of life. …………..…..……………..…. .

C argue the case for being more enthusiastic about

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doing things.
D tell people off for the way they live their lives. Total / 12

/6

Use of English
9 Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first, using the word given. Use between
two and six words.

1 This mobile is faster than my last one. Suzy is the best student in the class
SLOW …………………………..….. way.
This mobile …………………………..….. my last one. 6 Anita weighs 50kg. Josh weighs 100kg.
2 Jenny didn’t understand why the clothes needed to be TWICE
ironed. Josh is …………………………..….. as Anita.
POINT 7 Compared with walking and cycling, taking the train
Jenny couldn’t …………………………..….. the clothes. takes much less time.
3 Having finished eating, she cleared the table. DEAL
HAD Taking the train is …………………………..….. than walking and
She cleared the table …………………………..….. eating. cycling.
4 If you train harder, you will become fitter. 8 Needing something to eat, Abby looked for a supermarket.
THE BECAUSE
The …………………………..….. you become. Abby looked for a supermarket …………………………..…..
5 Suzy is easily the best student in the class. something to eat.
LONG /8

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 Listening
10 Listen to an interview with a retired 11 Listen again. Are these statements True (T) or
accountant. Complete the summary with no more False (F)?
than two words in each gap.
1 Listeners to the radio show thought David’s
David Francis is 61 years old. He’s married and has three competition entry was the best. T/F
children. He has retired from his 60 hour a week 2 The interviewer suggests that many listeners
might not be finding David’s background and
accountant’s job. He admits he was (1) …………………………..…..
history interesting. T/F
by work and didn’t spend much time with his family or 3 David was nervous about taking early retirement
friends. because he couldn’t imagine having so much
One day he saw a film that changed his life. The film made free time. T/F
him realise that he wasn’t getting any younger and that life 4 A ‘bucket list’ is list of things that someone
isn’t something you should take has to do before they die. T/F
5 Dave’s original bucket list and his current
(2) …………………………..….., as people get ill or pass away
bucket list both involve learning something
unexpectedly. After watching the film, he wrote his bucket and travelling abroad. T/F
list, which listed many things he wanted to do before he
/5
died.
He immediately retired and went on
Total / 10
(3) …………………………..….. in South Africa, where he saw
elephants, tigers and zebras. He learned how to fly and
also (4) …………………………..….. in the South American
rainforest.
He still has many other things that he wants to do, for
example, swim with dolphins, snorkel in the Great Barrier
Reef, etc. He advises people not to take life too seriously,
write a (5) …………………………..….. and enjoy doing each thing
on it.

/5

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 Writing
12 In your English class you have been discussing what is important in life. Your teacher has asked you to
write an essay on the statement below. Write your essay giving your own opinion and supporting your
ideas with examples, where possible.

‘It is important to develop a career before starting a family’.

Suggested paragraph plan Remember to:

Paragraph 1: Introduction, including your opinion • use sequencing linkers such as
Paragraph 2: Main points in support of your opinion Firstly, in addition, furthermore
Paragraph 3: Additional points in support of your opinion • use a formal style without contractions
Paragraph 4: Points in support of a different opinion and your counter arguments
Paragraph 5: Conclusion, restating and possibly expanding your main point

Write 250–275 words.

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Speaking
13 Work with a partner. Read the task and look at the photos below. Do the task together and decide which
would be the most enjoyable activity. You do not have to agree with your partner but you should give
reasons for your opinions.

A friend of yours is not feeling very happy and you want to lift their spirits.
You have thought of the three activities in the photos.
• Discuss why each of the activities might be enjoyable.
• Choose the activity that you think your friend would enjoy most.
• Explain why you have rejected the other two.

Student A: When you have finished your discussion, answer these two questions.
Do you like going to theme parks? Why/Why not? Which of these activities would you least like to try? Why/Why not?
Student B: When your partner has answered their two questions, answer these two questions.
Why do some people not enjoy theme parks? Do you like spending time in the countryside? Why/Why not?

You should: • agree, or disagree and explain why

• introduce your opinions in different ways • make a decision by negotiating together
• give reasons for your opinions • use superlatives to describe the activity you have
• use comparative structures when evaluating options chosen
• ask your partner for their opinions

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Total / 80

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