COURSE 2 – PRACTICE MIDTERM TEST 1

LISTENING AND READING TESTS

Time allowed: 55 minutes
Full name: _________________________ Student ID: _________________

Class: _________________ Test room: ______________ Date: _________________

LISTENING COMPREHENSION (~10 minutes)

In this section of the test, you will have the chance to show how well you understand
spoken English. There are TWO parts in this section, with directions for each part. At the
end of the listening section, you will have three minutes to transfer your answers to the
answer sheet.

PART 1: Listen and complete each blank with NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS. You will hear
each talk TWICE.

Questions 1 - 3 refer to the following announcement.

The office has always been a place to get ahead. Unfortunately, it’s also a place where a
lot of 1. ________ are being wasted. Notice how many lights are left on after people leave.
See how much paper is wasted, how much water is being wasted in the restrooms. Here
are a few simple ways you can produce 2. ________ at work: use both sides of the paper
when writing a memo, use old copy paper to write notes, turn off your light when you
leave, set up a 3. ________ bin for cans and bottles, and don’t let the faucet run.

Questions 4 - 6 refer to the following advertisement.

Get away from the gray winter skies with a Winter Getaway package from Pearson’s Travel.
We have packages to suit all 4. ________. Packages start from as low as $199, including
tax, for a weekend break for two people. Choose from a range of domestic and 5. ________
destinations. All packages include accommodation in a four-star hotel with upgrades
available in certain locations, a buffet breakfast, use of a rental car, and a choice of
activities and 6. ________ tours. For the dog-lovers among you, inquire about our pet-
friendly resorts. Our Winter Getaways are now available from all branches of Pearson’s.

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PART 2: You will hear some conversations. Listen to the conversations and choose the best
option A, B or C. You will hear each conversation TWICE.

Questions 7 – 9 refer to this conversation. 12. When will the woman be returning?

7. What is the man doing? A. On the 11th

B. On the 13th
A. Changing a flight reservation
C. On the 19th
B. Changing a hospital room
C. Reserving an extra hotel room
Questions 13 - 15 refer to this
8. What information does the woman conversation.
need?
13. What are they discussing?
A. A telephone number and address A. How they like the new cafeteria
B. A name and reservation number B. Dining in a French restaurant
C. A name and cell phone number C. Where to have lunch

9. What is “Jordan”? 14. What does the woman prefer to eat?

A. The woman’s name A. Fast food
B. The man’s first name B. Health foods
C. The man’s last name C. A lot of meat

Questions 10 – 12 refer to this conversation. 15. What changes will happen next
month?
10. Where does the woman want to go?
A. A new restaurant will be open.
A. To El Paso B. They will have 45 minutes for lunch.
B. To Texas C. The cafeteria will have a new menu.
C. To New York

11. Which of the following statements is

true?
A. The woman will be traveling with two
other passengers.
B. The woman has to reduce the length of
her trip.
C. The woman wishes to sit by the window.

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 SECTION 2: READING COMPREHENSION
In this section of the test, you will have the chance to show how well you understand written
English. There are TWO parts in this section, with directions for each part.

PART 3: Incomplete Sentences

Questions 1-20 are incomplete sentences. Four words or phrases, marked A, B, C, D, are given
beneath each sentence. You must choose one word or phrase that best completes the sentence.
Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and write your answer.

1. The new computer system designed for 5. The company thought the shipment ------
the post office ---------- customer accounts ---- in time for the holiday shipping season.
to be managed over the Internet. A. can arrive
A. are allowing B. is arriving
B. allow C. will arrive
C. will allow D. would arrive
D. going to allow
6. He is not a ---------- speaker, but he
2. When you leave the lights on or turn the speaks Spanish very well.
heat on all day, you ---------- energy. A. natural
A. save B. native
B. waste C. original
C. reduce D. usual
D. increase
7. If I keep working, I ---------- my report in
3. They ---------- to build an addition to their an hour.
hotel to accommodate their many guests. A. will finish
A. must B. will be finished
B. ought C. am finishing
C. should D. finish
D. have to
8. One good reason for learning a second
4. To ---------- water and energy in your language is it can help you ---------- friends
house, you should take showers instead of with people from different countries.
baths. A. get
A. decrease B. make
B. use C. create
C. waste D. improve
D. save

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9. The success of the company ---------- on 14. My brother's wife and I both had babies
consistent management strategies. around the same time, so the ---------- are
A. had been depended very close in age.
B. to depend A. sisters
C. is depending B. brothers
D. depends C. relatives
D. cousins
10. What a/an ---------- dress! Where did
you buy it? 15. We are a business strategy consulting
A. fresh firm ---------- the top management of
B. attractive leading corporations.
C. pleasant A. are serving
D. smart B. serve
C. served
11. Be sure ---------- all stationery orders by D. serving
3 p.m. on Fridays.
A. place 16. I was pleasantly ---------- when I received
B. placing an unexpected gift from my friend.
C. to place A. surprised
D. placed B. upset
C. afraid
12. This cookbook is ---------- to understand. D. nervous
I made great meals from it.
A. easy 17. Overall, vacations in the US are
B. difficult expected to ---------- a modest 3% more this
C. quick year, compared to last year.
D. special A. cost
B. costing
13. Even the ---------- efficient worker C. costs
makes mistakes and has an off-day every D. will cost
now and again.
A. best 18. This is their 25th wedding anniversary.
B. most Their children want to throw a/an ----------
C. mostly party on this occasion.
D. more A. different
B. delicious
C. special
D. popular

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19. If you’ve ever dreamed about ---------- 20.
around the world, this may be the cruise for - Would you like something to eat?
you. - Some ----------, please. I’m a vegetarian.
A. sails A. beef steak
B. to sail B. fish
C. sailing C. fruits
D. sail D. chicken

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PART 4: Reading Comprehension

Questions 21-40 are based on a variety of reading materials (for example, notices, letters, forms,
newspapers, magazine articles, advertisements, etc.). You must choose the one best answer A, B,
C, or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and write
your answer.
Questions 21–23 refer to the following poster.

JOIN OUR CLUB!

Do you like to act, sing, and dance? Would you like to meet a new group of friends as
passionate as you are? If so, then please join our performers' club. We meet every
Wednesday evening from seven to nine o'clock at the Clark City Community Center. We
can promise you a great night! Everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!
If you have any questions, please e-mail us at [email protected].

21. Who can join the performers' club?

A. Anyone C. Only women
B. Only men D. No one

22. How long do club meetings last?

A. One hour C. Seven hours
B. Two hours D. Nine hours

23. How often do they meet?

A. Every evening C. Three times a week
B. Once a week D. Twice a week

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Questions 24–26 refer to the following poster.

CITY BEACH
Open: May 31st - August 31st
10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
● Special volleyball competition between 2:00 and 5:00 every day
● First prize: $200
● All competitors must be over sixteen years old. Each team must have two players.
● Each team must have one male and one female.
BEACH RULES
No animals
No camping
No glass bottles
No cars or motorcycles
Children under eight years must be with an adult.

24. When is the beach NOT open?

A. March 24th C. July 10th
B. June 22nd D. August 1st

25. Who mustn't go to the beach alone?

A. Adults C. Children over ten years
B. Teenagers D. Children under eight years

26. What can be brought to the beach?

A. A pet dog C. Plastic water bottles
B. A motorbike D. Glass wine bottles

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Questions 27–30 refer to the following sign.

WELCOME TO CLUB DAY!

Flower Club Meeting
Green thumbs, flower lovers, and romantics alike will enjoy this club.
Meeting today at 4:00 p.m. in Room 330 of Charlton Hall.
Stamp Club Meeting
Travel the world and swap valued stamps with fellow collectors. Meeting
today at 4:30 p.m. in Room 304 of Janzen Hall.
Comics Club Meeting
Relive tales of all your favorite super friends with fellow comic book
lovers. Meeting this evening at 7:30 p.m. in Room 717 of the newly built
O'Byrne Hall.
Coin Club Meeting
Our newest club! Come swap coins from around the world. See examples
of old coins and new coins, and notes from every corner of the globe.
Meeting tonight at 8:00 p.m. in Room 210 of Ayres Hall.

27. Which club has the earliest meeting time?

A. Flower Club C. Comics Club
B. Stamp Club D. Coin Club

28. Where is the Stamp Club meeting?

A. Room 330, Charlton Hall C. Room 717, O'Byrne Hall
B. Room 304, Janzen Hall D. Room 210, Ayres Hall

29. Which building was built recently?

A. Charlton Hall C. O'Byrne Hall
B. Janzen Hall D. Ayres Hall

30. Which is the newest club?

A. Flower Club C. Comics Club
B. Stamp Club D. Coin Club

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Questions 31–35 refer to the following article.

Learning Mandarin Chinese is an exciting adventure, but it comes with some unique
challenges. Mandarin Chinese, with its intricate characters and tonal nature, can be a tough
linguistic mountain to climb. Here are some difficulties you may encounter when learning
Chinese:
Different Tones: Mandarin is a tonal language with four main tones and a neutral tone. A
slight change in tone can completely alter the meaning of a word. Getting tones right can be
very difficult.
Complex Characters: Chinese characters, or "hanzi," are complex and numerous. Learning
thousands of characters can be a lifelong effort, and writing them requires a lot of practice
and patience.
Vast Vocabulary: Chinese contains an extensive vocabulary. Remembering them all can be
hard, especially because context matters.
Grammar Structure: The sentence structure in Mandarin differs significantly from English and
other Indo-European languages. This can make constructing sentences correctly a
considerable challenge for learners.
Despite these challenges, don't be discouraged. With determination and a good plan, you
can conquer these obstacles. Learning Mandarin opens doors to a rich culture and is a
rewarding experience. Embrace the journey, and you'll find the difficulties are just stepping
stones to fluency.

31. What is the best title for this article? 33. Why can learning Chinese vocabulary
A. How Chinese is Different from English be particularly challenging?
B. Learning Mandarin: Overcoming A. Vocabulary relies heavily on the context.
Challenges B. There are too few words to learn.
C. The Importance of Studying a Second C. Some words must be pronounced very
Language fast.
D. Mastering Mandarin Chinese in Six D. Chinese words are different from other
Months languages.

32. How many main tones does Mandarin 34. What is true about Chinese grammar?
Chinese have? A. It is very similar to English grammar.
A. Two B. It has a simple and straightforward
B. Three sentence structure.
C. Four C. It is different from English grammar.
D. Five D. It relies much on word order.

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35. What is the overall message about
learning Mandarin Chinese?
A. It's an easy language to master.
B. The challenges when studying are
unbeatable.
C. With determination and a good plan,
challenges can be overcome.
D. Sticking to the study plan isn't necessary
for success.

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Questions 36–40 refer to the following announcement.

Do you often take domestic flights? Collecting air miles, but still not getting anywhere? If
you think it takes too long to earn free flights with other frequent flyer programs, you are
not alone. Why don't you join the club? The Western Airlines Flight Club. We may not be
the most famous, but we can promise you we are one of the best.
The Western Airlines Flight Club gets you on free flights faster because we reward you for
the number of trips you take, not how many miles you fly. For anyone who takes mostly
domestic flights, it's a great way to earn a free flight. Join our club by taking 8 round trips
(2 one ways = 1 round trip) within 12 months on Western Airlines*. Before boarding each
flight, have our Customer Service Agent stamp your application. Once you've received 16
stamps, mail in your application and we'll send you a plastic membership card which you
will use to receive credit on all future flights, a free round-trip ticket to anywhere in the
US, and a free drink coupon book. Remember, credit must be obtained prior to the flight.
Unfortunately, we cannot credit passengers for past flights.
Call our hotline at 1-656-888-656 for an application form
or download our printable form here. Get started now!
* A full list of conditions may be viewed on our web site. The number of free flights that can
be taken within a 12-month period by an individual is limited to a maximum of four. Stamps
are not transferable.

36. Where is this announcement probably D. Applications must be mailed in when

seen? they have at least 16 stamps.
A. On any US Airlines' in-flight magazine
B. On a billboard outside a shopping mall 38. What is TRUE about this frequent flyer
C. On Western Airlines' official web site program?
D. On a poster inside a travel agency A. You need to take 15 one-way trips per
year.
37. Which of the following is NOT required B. You get a free drink coupon booklet with
in order to qualify for a free flight? your first free flight.
A. Applications must be stamped prior to C. The rewards are fast, and you get to join
boarding every flight. a club.
B. Passengers must fly once a month for 12 D. It doesn’t matter how far you fly.
months.
C. Passengers must get 16 stamps.

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39. How many free flights can a passenger 40. How can customers get an application
take in one year? form?
A. One A. By flying with Western Airlines
B. A maximum of 12 B. By calling the hotline or downloading
C. A maximum of 4 from the web site
D. As many as they qualify for C. By sending a fax to Western Airlines
D. By attending a special seminar

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 WRITING TEST
Time allowed: 30 minutes

Full name: _________________________ Student ID: _________________

Class: _________________ Date: _________________

Write an e-mail to encourage your younger brother/sister to learn a foreign language.

Use the information below to guide your writing:
- Benefits of learning a second language (good for his/her education or his/her future
job, …)
- Your recommendations (when to start, how to study, …)
Your writing should be at least 100 words.

Hi ________,

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Love,

___________

--- This is the end of the test. ---

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