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Mock Test L1/L2

This is a Second Chance exam which consists of three parts: Part 1 focuses on
Use of English, Part 2 deals with reading Comprehension, while Part 3 asks
you to write a short text.

Part 1: Use of English

Activity I:

For questions 1- 8, read the text below and decide which answer fits in the gap,
choose answer A, B, C or D

Markets
In practically any country in the world, you are (1) _____ to find a market somewhere. Since
ancient times, markets have been with us and arose wherever people needed to exchange the
goods they produced. For example, a farmer might have exchanged a cow for tools. But just as
times have (2) _____, so have market practices. So, whereas in early times the main activity
associated with markets would have been 'bartering' - in (3) _____ words exchanging goods -
today most stall-holders wouldn't be too (4) _____ on accepting potatoes as payment, for
instance, instead of cash.
In contrast, what might be a common (5) _____ in the modern market in some countries is a
certain amount of 'haggling', where customer and seller eventually (6) _____ on a price, after
what can sometimes be quite a heated debate. However, (7) _____ in a market in one country
may not be acceptable in another. Even within one country, there may be some markets where
you could haggle quite (8) _____ and others where it would be advisable not to try!

1) A. definite B. inevitable C. confident D. sure

2) A. developed B. changed C. turned D. differed

3) A. different B. new C. other D. alternative

4) A. fond B. keen C. pleased D. eager

5) A. look B. sight C. vision D. view

 6) A. agree B. confirm C. approve D. consent

7) A. insisted B. reckoned C. believed D. expected

8) A. easily B. clearly C. simply D. plainly

Activity II

For questions, 1-8 read the text. Use the word given in brackets in the text to
form a word that fits in the gap.

Fast Food Industry

The impact of the (1) _________growth________ (GROW) of the fast-food industry is having
severe consequences on the eating habits and the health of many societies across the world. This
is due to the high levels of fat and sugar contained in these types of food. With the rise of people
with diabetes, high cholesterol, heart and respiratory problems, this is also causing severe strain
on our hospitals to treat these (2) ________medical________ (MEDICINE) conditions. So,
what can be done to reduce this disturbing trend?
There are suggestions to introduce (3) _______________(HIGH) taxes on these types of food.
This from an economic point of view seems like a sensible (4) ________________ (SOLVE) as
countries such as the USA, Australia and Britain spend a large part of their healthcare budgets on
people with diet-related problems. Therefore, these taxes could help to fund their healthcare
systems.
However, it is crucial that we consider, which socio-economic groups are (5) ______________
(CONSUME) fast food as the primary source of their diet. Currently, statistics are indicating
that lower-income groups are eating more of this food than wealthier people. It has been
suggested that one possible reason for that is fast food is far (6) _______________
(CHEAP) than fresh produce. This is because many governments (7) _____________
(CURRENT) offer significant subsidies to farmers, who provide produce for fast food
industries, such as corn, wheat and beef. Therefore, farmers can make higher profits on these
products rather than on most of the fruit and vegetables which are not subsidized.
Research indicates that many families wouldn't be able to afford to buy (8) ______________
(HEALTH) food or pay higher taxes on fast food. For them, fast food is not a choice, but a
necessity. In conclusion, imposing a higher tax on fast food does not seem to be the answer. If
governments chose to do this, it would only lead to greater poverty and for families to face
further hardship.
Part 2: Reading Comprehension
In this part of the exam you have two texts, read the instructions carefully, then
read the texts and answer the questions. (14 Points)

Text 1:
Starbucks' difficulties in Europe

Starbucks Corp reported better-than-expected quarterly profit but global sales at established
coffee shops fell short of analysts' estimates due to weakness in Europe, sending its shares down
five percent in after-hours trade on Thursday.

Sales from cafes open at least 13 months fell 1 percent in the Europe, the Middle East and Africa
(EMEA) region during the latest quarter. Analysts polled by Consensus Metrix had expected a
2.2 percent rise in EMEA same-store sales.

Executives attributed the drop to weakness in Europe, which suffered its first decline in same-
store sales since 2009.

Sales fell in Ireland and Germany during the fiscal second quarter and were up just slightly in
France and the United Kingdom, Starbucks Chief Financial Officer Troy Alstead said.

Europe has been a weak spot for the world's biggest coffee chain. The region is grappling with
debt woes and austerity measures and, earlier this week, Britain said its economy had fallen into
its second recession since the financial crisis.

"The situation is very, very tough," Chief Executive Howard Schultz said of Europe's economy.

"We will turn the Europe business around in the same way we turned the U.S. business around,"
Schultz told analysts on a conference call.

1. What happened to Starbucks' shares after that their quarterly profits failed to meet
analysts' estimates?

A. They rose by 5%.

B. They plunged by 5%.
 C. they rose by 10%.

2. "Quarterly profits" refer to profits during how many months?

A. Three
B. Four
C. Six

3. According to the article, in which European countries did Starbucks' NOT see a slight
increase in sales?

A. The United Kingdom

B. Ireland
C. France

4. According to the article, _____________ are/is to blame for Starbucks' woes in

Europe.

A. Europe's financial troubles

B. European disdain for American coffee
C. the availability of many other good cafes

5. Has Starbucks always struggled in Europe?

A. No
B. The article doesn't specify.
C. Yes

Text 2:

For questions 14-22, read the text below and choose the appropriate letter, A, B,
C or D. Write your answers on your answer sheet.

1. The Vitamin Shoppe: 1,946 part-time openings.

The Vitamin Shoppe is a New Jersey-based retailer of nutritional supplements. They also operate
stores in Canada under the name "VitaPath". The company provides approximately 8,000
different SKU's of supplements through its retail stores and over 20,000 different SKU's of
supplements through its online retail websites.

Employee Review: "Good growth opportunities and stores opening all over the US all year
'round. Company based out of NJ, so more progressive policies on employment and benefits.
Good vacation, health, and dental benefits. Payment is above average. Good policies on
customer service interaction as well. Focus on Customer service vs. pushing products."
2. Chipotle: 1,553 part-time openings.
Chipotle is known for its use of organic meats throughout its more than 1,500 restaurants, which
are located in 45 states. Since having been founded in 1993, the chain has since exploded and
now counts some 37,000 employees. It is a pioneer in the "fast casual" dining movement.

Employee Review: "The people I work with are awesome and the food is good. It pays my bills
and makes me laugh. The schedule is super flexible but it's a lot of work. If you're looking for
something easy and laid back, keep looking."

3. Advantage Sales & Marketing: 1,742 part-time openings.

Advantage Sales & Marketing provides outsourced sales, merchandising, and marketing services
to consumer goods and food product manufacturers and suppliers. Owning more than 65 offices
in the US and Canada, ASM does merchandising for 1,200 clients -- including Johnson &
Johnson, Mars, Unilever, Energizer.

Employee Review: "Long lasting business, able to adapt to changes in market. Well-thought out
schedule, and flexible time off for both vacation and illness."

4. Universal Protection Service: 1,219 part-time openings.

Universal Protection Service is one of the largest providers of security services in the U.S. They
offer an expansive range of security solutions for airports, healthcare facilities, office buildings,
and more.

Employee Review: "Good pay depending on where you work. Room for advancement based on
availability. Better company than any other I have worked for in security."

5. PSA Healthcare: 1,295 part-time openings

PSA Healthcare, also known as Pediatric Services of America, provides comprehensive home
health services through a branch of office across the United States. The company is
headquartered in Atlanta, Ga.

Employee Review: "I love working one-on-one with the pediatric patient and their families. You
have the time needed to give great compassionate care! Office staff and supervisors are very
good with both employees and clients. There is a lot of flexibility with staffing. I never received
grief for requesting a day off."

6. Which offer has the most part-time openings?

 A. Chipotle

B. PSA Healthcare

C. The Vitamin Shoppe

D. Advantage Sales & Marketing

7. Which of these companies operate both in USA and Canada?

A. The Vitamin Shoppe and Advantage Sales & Marketing

B. PSA Healthcare and Advantage Sales & Marketing

C. Chipotle and PSA Healthcare

D. PSA Healthcare and The Vitamin Shoppe

8. Review of which company says that it is the best security company he/she worked for?

A. Chipotle

B. The Vitamin Shoppe

C. Universal Protection Service

D. PSA Healthcare

9. Which company was founded in 1993?

A. The Vitamin Shoppe

B. Universal Protection Service

C. PSA Healthcare

D. Chipotle

10. Main office of which company is situated in Atlanta?

A. The Vitamin Shoppe

B. PSA Healthcare

C. Chipotle
 D. Advantage Sales & Marketing

11. VitaPath is the other name of which company?

A. PSA Healthcare

B. Universal Protection Service

C. The Vitamin Shoppe

D. Advantage Sales & Marketing

12. Which review doesn’t mention a comfortable timetable?

A. Chipotle

B. Advantage Sales & Marketing

C. The Vitamin Shoppe

D. PSA Healthcare

13. Which company is described as a long-lasting business?

A. PSA Healthcare

B. Advantage Sales & Marketing

C. Universal Protection Service

D. Chipotle

14. Organic meat is used by what company?

A. Chipotle

B. The Vitamin Shoppe

C. Advantage Sales & Marketing

D. None of them

Part 3: Writing
Write a short text of no less than 120 words on one of the following topics.

Choose one topic:

- Why are advertisements effective?

- Is the economy more important than culture in a country?

- How can companies improve their work environment?