PART 1: For questions 1 – 8, read the text below.

Use the word given in capitals at the end of some

of the lines to form a word that fits the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning
(0).
TAKING A GAP YEAR
A gap year is a year off between leaving (0)__SECONDARY___(SECOND) school and going to university.
Many young people see the gap year as (1) __________________ (BENEFIT) because it allows them a
short period of (2) ________________ (RELAX) after so many years of study. Parents, on the other hand,
do not always view the gap year quite so (3) ________________ (FAVOUR). One of their main concerns is
that their child might waste a year when they could be engaged in more useful (4) ________________
(EDUCATE) pursuits.
Some words of (5) ________________ (WISE) for parents who are against their child’s short ‘time out’:
learning requires neither a teacher nor a classroom to be effective. Travelling the world, and encountering
new cultures and customs, can prove (6) ________________ (VALUE) to a young person in search of
knowledge.
A gap year is a time of great significance in the life of a young person. While it offers a brief escape from
studying, it can also promote emotional and intellectual growth. A gap year can lead to the development of
self-confidence, (7) ________________(MATURE) and independence, which are all (8)
________________ (CHARACTER) that cannot be ‘taught’ in any formal classroom setting.
PART 2: For questions 1 – 5, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the
first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and
five words, including the word given. Here is an example (0).

0 We got here in half the time it took Sam. TWICE

It took Sam _______TWICE AS LONG AS US__________ to get here.
1 My sister didn’t get married until she was thirty. WHEN
My sister __________________________________ married.
2 You’ll never find me even if you look everywhere. NO
You’ll never find me____________________________ you look.
3 I’m sure Tony didn’t steal the money. HAVE
It can’t ___________________________ stole the money.
4 Sally was the only one who didn’t get into trouble. APART
Everyone ___________________________ Sally.
5 This is the fastest I can run. ANY
I can’t ___________________________ this.
READING
PART 3: You are going to read an extract from a writer's journal. For Questions 1-6, choose the
correct answer A, B, C or D.
Six months ago I made a rash promise. The leader of the youth club in our village rang me in March saying,
''We're thinking of running a children's playscheme for a day in October half-term. Would you be prepared
to help?'' My response was ''Sure, why not?'' In truth I was a little flattered to be asked, even though
 working as a care assistant with old people hardly qualified me for the role. Still, I duly put the date in my
diary and of course I forgot all about it. I don't know if you've noticed this but time has a habit of speeding
along faster than a police car chasing a robber and, before I knew it, the day was dawning.
I arrived at the youth centre that morning feeling full of trepidation. There was a gang of 12 helpers
including me and each pair had been allocated a particular age group. Mine was the 10- to 11-year-olds.
Even with the planning meeting I had attended the week before, I worried about whether I was up to the
task. Why hadn't I read through the copious lesson plans we were given beforehand? And wasn't the
average 10-year-old more interested in the latest Play Station game than making things with paper and
glue?
All too quickly the children began arriving. The look of relief on parents' faces as they handed their offspring
over to us was quite comical. A handful of the children were already members of the club but the other
forty-five or so were from the local primary schools. Again, I asked myself why I had elected to spend a day
with all these 'little monsters' especially when I have two all of my own to contend with! I needn't have
worried of course as it turned out to be a marvellous day. We watched entertaining DVD clips, learned
'action' songs, made clay pyramids, decorated biscuits, played memory games and spent some time in
quiet reflection. I say 'we' because I rediscovered my inner child and joined in all the activities.
The particular highlight for me was the final rendition of ''He's got the whole world in his hands'' in the
closing part of the day. The children knew the words and actions off by heart and sang so loudly it was
almost enough to bring the roof down. It's difficult to explain those moments; only that the body tingles with
the pleasure of having witnessed something so magical.
Of course there were also moments of great poignancy. I found it difficult to stop thinking of one little girl,
who mentioned oh-so-casually that her mum was in hospital and would be there for a long time. It's easy for
us adults to idealise childhood and forget that some children have their own burden of anxieties and
concerns. When I got home utterly exhausted, still with modelling clay under my fingernails, I reflected on
what a privilege it had been.
There was one disappointment for the children and that was that the playscheme was only running for a
day, and not the whole week. As I said farewell to my group, one of the children turned and said ''Can we
do it again in the next holiday, Miss?'' My response was, ''Sure, why not?''
1) When the first day of the job arrived, the writer 5) According to the writer, adults
was surprised A think that being a child is a privilege.
A that the day had come round so quickly. B sometimes forget that children have worries too.
B because she'd forgotten to write down the date. C are usually exhausted by bringing up their children.
C because she witnessed a car chase on the way. D don’t have a stressful life.
D that she woke up at dawn. 6) What is the writer's attitude by the end of the
2) When the writer arrived to start her job she day?
A put the children into pairs. A She could imagine doing the job again next time.
B realised she should have done more preparation. B She was sad to say good bye to the children.
C felt confident she could deal with 10- and 11-year- C She was disappointed with the experience.
olds. D He hopes the playscheme will be longer in future.
D saw the children had brought their own electronic
games to play with.
3) According to the writer, the parents were
A happy to stay with their children all day.
B worried about children from the other schools.
C nervous that their children might not behave
themselves.
D glad to leave their children.

4) The writer's best moment

A occurred in the middle of the day.
B took her by surprise.
C was hard to put into words.
D was when the day was over.