ISTANBUL 29 MAYIS UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

SAMPLE INTERMEDIATE
END OF TRACK EXAM

NAME / SURNAME: _________________________________

CLASS : _________________________________

GRADE : __________
I. READING

READING I READING TOTAL: _____ / 35

Stereotypes

(P1) Steven Jackson is dressed in a neat pin-striped suit, and he is carrying a briefcase. He has neat
round glasses, and his shoes are highly polished. He is married to Marta Jackson. She looks a few
years younger than her husband. She is dressed in a loose-fitting dress and an old sweater with holes
at the elbows. She has long, dyed red hair and large hoop earrings. One of these two is an
accountant. The other one is an artist. Most people who meet Marta and Steven for the first time
assume it is obvious who the accountant is and who the artist is. However, most people are usually
wrong.
(P2) In fact, Marta is the accountant, while Steven is the artist. So why do most people assume it is
the other way around? The answer is simple. A lot of our judgments about other people are based on
stereotypes, even though we may not realize it. A stereotype is the very simple idea that if one
person in a group looks a certain way or does something, then everyone else in that group is the
same. Many of us already have a picture of what we would expect a typical accountant to look like.
When we see a man in a pin-striped suit and a briefcase, we immediately start to make judgments
about what he does and how he thinks. We match him up with the images we already have in our
mind.
(P3) This is just one example of stereotyping. Stereotypes all deal with the behavior or characteristics
of groups of people. They are a type of judgment about the world that is based on limited
knowledge. Stereotypes can be based on many things, including age, nationality, race, or gender.
Stereotypes often form the basis of prejudice or discrimination.
(P4) Sociologists say that most people, regardless of education, engage in stereotyping. They say that
children learn stereotypes as they grow up. Stereotypes are often used in jokes, advertisements, and
television shows. Children hear their parents and other caregivers make comments about other
people. Without realizing it, they come to believe what they hear. When they are adults, they simply
repeat what they have learned.
(P5) If stereotypes are not true and can lead to discrimination, why do people believe in them?
Experts believe that people use stereotypes because we live in a fast, confusing, and complex world.
Stereotypes help us to “see” the world, even though this is a false vision. It is much easier to
stereotype than to get to know other people. It saves us time.
(P6) People are often surprised when they realize that they believe in stereotypes. They are usually
not aware of how they place people in simple categories. In one study, scientists found that making
adults aware of stereotypes was the first step in helping them move beyond stereotypes to see
people as individuals.
 A. Read the text and fill in the blanks with the information from the text. Do NOT USE MORE
THAN THREE WORDS.

1. When people first meet Marta and Steven, they think that Marta is a/an ____________ and
Steven is a/an ____________, but that’s wrong.
2. This example shows that we judge people according to ____________ even if we don’t realize it.
3. Stereotypes are beliefs about other people based on ____________ without trying to get more
information.
4. People learn stereotypes in their childhood as they hear them in ____________ , ____________
and shows on television.
5. Specialists claim that people use stereotypes because they help people to ____________ even if
it is false.
6. Experts believe the first step to avoiding stereotypes is to ____________ that we all use
stereotypes.

_____ / 6

B. What / Who do the underlined words refer to?

1. These two (P1) : _____________

2. him (P2) : _____________
3. they (P3) : _____________
4. they (P4) : _____________
5. them (P6) : _____________

_____ / 10

READING I TOTAL: _____ / 16

READING II

Adventure, Risk and Adrenaline Rush – The Appeal of Extreme Tourism

(1) ________ While for many people the idea of the perfect holiday is escaping from the routine and
stress of everyday life to a faraway, deserted beach, for a growing number of travelers, this type
of holiday no longer holds its appeal. For these adventure seekers, the chance to participate in
something much more daring or dangerous is attracting more tourists each year. This type of
extreme tourism involves travelling to some of the farthest and inhospitable corners of the earth
or taking part in risky sports or activities. The bravest holidaymakers combine the two: dangerous
activities in a hazardous environment. Here are just a few examples of the types of holidays
available.
(2) ________ This must be the ideal in extreme travel destinations but is fast becoming a reality for
those for whom money is no object. So far only a handful of space tourists have taken to the
skies but already a number of companies are competing for the business the few who have the
cash. All potential space tourists must go on an intensive training course prior to departing on
this unique trip. The course will prepare them for the weightless environment and uncomfortably
small conditions of a £1 million-a-night space hotel where, from the windows, they will be able to
view the earth and see the sun rise every 80 minutes.
(3) ________ Few people can actually claim to have seen Antarctica, so this is really a once-in-a-
lifetime experience. This inaccessible region, whose only human residents are scientists and
researchers, holds records for being the driest, windiest and coldest continent, with
temperatures below freezing all year round. Travelers to this region will experience 24-hour
sunlight and see magnificent icebergs as well as colonies of penguins. For the most adventurous,
there are plenty of unexplored mountains to climb and skidoo riding across the desert snow is
also popular.
(4) ________ At over 9,400,000 square kilometers, the Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world,
spanning North Africa from the Red Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. Trekking on foot is not the only
travel option, and camel rides and 4x4 vehicles are also used to travel into the wilderness, where
temperatures can reach 50°C during the day but can fall rapidly at night. Accommodation is
under canvas in a traditional Bedouin tent, and there will be little in the way of creature comforts
with common hazards including sandstorms and scorpions.
(5) ________ This adventure is for climbing enthusiasts looking for a challenge. At 8,850 meters
high, serious training is needed to reach the top of Everest, and it can be difficult to acclimatize
to the high altitude, but the Himalayas are fast becoming one of the ultimate tourist destinations.
For those who don’t wish to try for the highest peak there are plenty of opportunities for
challenging climbs around Everest base camp.
(6) ________ South America’s spectacular Amazon valley is one of the most humid places on earth
and is home to a huge variety of flora and fauna. In some places rainfall here is over 2,000 mm a
year, and temperatures can reach around 32°C. Adventurous tourists can trek into some of the
most remote and uninhabited areas of the rainforest to spot wildlife including alligators,
monkeys, parrots and anacondas. There may also be opportunities to experience the way of life
of some of the local communities that inhabit the Amazon valley.
(7) ________ For adventurers keen to get close to the natural world, this holiday to South Africa
gives travelers the chance to observe the wonders of the ocean depths including tropical reefs,
whales, turtles, dolphins and sharks. The highlight of this marine safari must be the thrill of the
great white shark cage dive where divers are surrounded by these amazing creatures, only
separated by the bars of a reinforced cage. Not for the faint-hearted!

*acclimatize: become accustomed (get used) to a new climate or new conditions

A. The reading passage has seven paragraphs labeled 1-7. Choose the correct heading for each
paragraph from the list of headings below. There are TWO EXTRA headings.

Paragraph 1________ a. Sub-zero expedition

Paragraph 2________ b. The rise in adventurous travel
Paragraph 3________ c. An out of this world experience
Paragraph 4________ d. Into the depths of the jungle
Paragraph 5________ e. Journey through heat and dust
Paragraph 6________ f. High and dry on two wheels
Paragraph 7________ g. On top of the world
h. Close underwater encounters
i. African overland safari

_____ / 14

B. Read the text again and fill in the blanks with the information from the text. Do NOT USE
MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

1. Extreme tourism attracts to _______________ who are very brave.

2. Space tourists attend a/an _______________ to prepare for their trip.
3. Only _______________ and _______________ live in Antarctica.
4. Visitors to the Sahara came across two common dangers which are _______________.
5. Everest climbers find it difficult to get used to the _______________.
_____ / 5
READING II TOTAL: _____ / 19
II. USE OF ENGLISH
PART A: Read the text below and choose the best option. (1 pt. each)
ZOOS

Humans have kept animals in captivity since ancient times. Nowadays, however, zoos are involved
mainly with education, conservation, and research. Today, when a zoo takes care of a wild animal, it
______ (1) all the animals’ needs because their health is extremely important. Also, where the animals
live resemble their natural environment, so they are encouraged to behave as they would in the wild.
If an animal ______ (2) in a cage, it would become unhappy. Modern zoos, wanting to avoid this, try to
make their animals feel as if they were living in their natural environment. Experts know that, if we
keep ______ (3) animal habitats, many species will be lost forever. Zoos can help endangered species
by running successful breeding programs and avoid extinction. We ______ (4) so many species if these
programs had started earlier. Researcher John Davis says, “We wish we ______ (5) how fast they were
disappearing in the past”. He also adds that “Many of them will continue to die out ______ (6) we act
out immediately. It is an issue for both researchers and individuals to handle. This shows ______ (7) so
important.”

1. a) looks after b) is looking after c) has looked after d) is looked after

2. a) had been locked up b) is locked up c) has been locked up d) was locked up
3. a) destroy b) destroying c) destroyed d) to destroy
4. a) must have lost b) shouldn’t have lost c) could have lost d) wouldn’t have lost
5. a) knew b) has known c) had known d) know
6. a) as soon as b) unless c) if d) whether
7. a) why our research is b) what is our research c) how our research is d) why is our research

UOE TOTAL: _____ / 7

III. VOCABULARY

PART A: Read the text below and choose the best option. (1 pt. each)

One of Netflix's crime documentaries, Hunting an Internet Killer, tells the gripping story of Canada’s
narcissist murderer, Luca Magnotta. He released a video after he had brutally murdered two kittens,
and people all over the world were ______ (1) this crime. Soon after watching it, animal lovers created
a Facebook group to identify him because they got very mad. They were watching the video over-
(2)
and-over again to find clues and ______ him. While the members were doing so, Luca was
uploading more disturbing videos that he killed not only other cats, but also a man. At this point,
police officers involved in the case with the ______ (3) Facebook group members collected and they
started investigation. Since Luca was using a nickname on social media, he was always checking the
(4)
news and posts on that Facebook group. So, he knew that he needed a quick ______ and
therefore, he left the country to go to France. However, this case was no longer a national, but an
international one. One day, to post another video, Luca needed a computer and went to an internet
café. Luckily, the owner of the café recognized him, informed the police immediately, and they
(5)
arrested the ______ . Luca told the officers that another man wanted him to do all those bad
things, shoots videos of them in the meantime, and post. He was briefly trying to ______ (6) them, but
(7)
it was no use. Luca was finally found guilty by the ______ of the judge and the jury and sent to
prison. If the group members on Facebook hadn't found some important connections, the suspect
(8)
wouldn't have been in prison right now. It can be concluded that actions have ______ and what
goes around comes around.

1. a) covering b) stabilizing c) handling d) witnessing

2. a) struggle b) track c) swallow d) assume
3. a) instinct b) wage c) evidence d) ransom
4. a) getaway b) captor c) raid d) outbreak
5. a) fraud b) sequel c) prisoner d) accused
6. a) persuasion b) persuade c) persuasive d) persuasively
7. a) explosive b) sign c) verdict d) texture
8. a) offenders b) wages c) attorneys d) consequences

VOCABULARY TOTAL: _____ / 8

IV. LISTENING
PART A: Listen to the audio about “Food in McDonald’s” twice and choose the correct option.
(2 pts. each)

1. As the largest fast-food chain, McDonald's target customers were _____ when it was first
opened.

a. working people c. children

b. housewives d. university students

2. The problem that nutritionists see in the Happy Meal is that _____.

a. their portion are small c. they may increase obesity

b. they are low in nutrition d. they include a lot of calories

3. As US Food and Drug Administration demanded, chain restaurants were supposed to put
__________ information on all their menus.

4. When McDonald's started to offer salads _____.

a. 1/6 of consumers started to buy more salads
b. consumers asked for variety of salads
c. they had to make more advertisement on salads
d. only 2-3% of sales was on salads

5. What was the effect of salads on McDonald’s?

a. Consumers ignored the salad.

b. Choosing unhealthy food became easier.
c. People started to go McDonald’s more often.
d. McDonald’s started to make more money.

6. About fast-food restaurants, it can be concluded that _____.

a. they have to produce and keep their food in a hygienic environment
b. their aim is to carry on in business by considering the health of customers
c. they prepare and serve food according to the demands of customers
d. it is necessary for them to increase the prices annually to cover the expenses

_____ / 12
PART B: Listen to the audio about “Names” twice and answer the questions.

1. What does the example of names like “Alex”, “Alexandra” or “Dr. Shaw” show? (2 pts.)

a. How people can change their names.

b. Which name the speaker prefers students to use with her.
c. How names can influence the way we respond to people.
d. The way people give names to their children.

2. It is a fact that ______________ are essential to have an idea about someone’s identity. (2 pts.)

3. Some parents prefer customs when naming a child because _____. (2 pts.)

a. it is the name of one of their elderly relatives in the family

b. that name is the most fashionable one at those times
c. they believe following the traditions unite families more
d. parents believe that it might be an advantage for the child

4. According to the 3rd way of choosing names, which of the following is FALSE? (2 pts.)

a. Parents may want to avoid sexism by giving such a name like that.
b. Parents believe it may be easier for the child to find a job in the future.
c. Parents think it's socially advantageous for their child to have that name.
d. Parents may want to give a catchy name to their kid as it may sound cool.

5. Classic name is defined as a name that _____. (2 pts.)

a. sounds good c. makes people feel confident

b. is always up to date d. is out of type

6. Does an unusual name make someone successful? (3 pts.)

a. Yes, the research shows this.

b. Yes, sociologists found connections.
c. No, the research doesn’t show this.
d. No, because only a little research has done.

_____ / 13
 LISTENING TOTAL: _____ / 25

V. WRITING

Student No/Initials: _____________________ Level: Intermediate Class: ____________

Choose ONE of the topics below and write an introduction and 2 body paragraphs. (250-300 words)
Topic 1: Why is stereotyping harmful?
Here are some ideas to help you, but you do not have to use them.
*judgment based on limited knowledge *discrimination
*prejudice based on wrong judgments *false vision

Topic 2: Why are some people attracted to extreme tourism (or extreme sports)?
Here are some ideas to help you, but you do not need to use them.
* seeking adventure * adrenaline addiction
* escaping the boredom of life * feeling of freedom & excitement

Writing

Write your essay. Do not forget to revise it before giving it to your instructor.

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Grammatical Range and Accuracy ____/6
Lexical Resource ____/5
Coherence & Cohesion ____/6
 Task Achievement ____/5
Capitalization & Punctuation ____/3
Total ___/25