Destination Grammar and Vocabulary
Destination Grammar and Vocabulary
Destination Grammar and Vocabulary
Listening
Task 1 Track 1 Listen to the speakers. For questions 1 -6 choose the correct answer A, В or C.
You will hear each recording twice.
Task3 Track 3
Listen to the speakers. For statements 12-16 choose the correct answer A, B or C.
You will hear the recording twice.
The Adventure Racing World Series might be the most challenging sports event in the world. It
usually involves teams of four navigating through a vast wilderness area while using adventure skills
from a range of disciplines including hiking, adventure running, mountain biking, paddling and
climbing.
During the 2014 competition, for the first time ever, an exception was made so that one team
could finish the race with five members instead of four. That fifth member? A stray dog, named
Arthur by his companions, who decided to follow one team for 430 tiring miles through the Amazon
jungle. According to the Daily Mail, if this story doesn't warm your heart, you don't have one.
Team Peak Performance from Sweden came across Arthur while sharing a meal before a 20-mile
race stage through a mountainous area in Ecuador. Mikael Lindnord, one of the team's members,
felt sorry for the miserable, lonely stray, and decided to share a meatball with him. It was an innocent
gesture - Lindnord had no intention but to lift the poor dog's spirits - but it was a 'gesture that would
earn him a friend for life.
As the team got up to continue their race, Arthur went along with them. The team suspected he
would eventually turn back around, but Arthur kept following them. He trailed them through muddy
jungle, across vast distances of the Amazon river, all the way to the finish line.
The sport of adventure racing is not for the faint of heart - no more for dogs than for humans.
During the most challenging stages of the race, the team tried to get rid of their companion because
they were concerned for his safety, but Arthur refused to leave. He was determined to stay with his
companions.
For instance, one of the most important stages of the race requires the team to kayak along the
coast for 36 miles. Understandably, the team wanted to leave Arthur behind on the shore. But as
they paddled away, Arthur broke free, jumped into the water and began swimming after the team.
Realising that the dog was willing to drown in order to stay with his friends, the team lifted Arthur
onto the kayak so the dog could complete the race with them, to loud clapping from people watching
from the shore.
Arthur's loyalty paid off in the end; Lindnord was able to adopt him and bring him back to his
home in Sweden, where the dog is currently living, healthy and happy.
"I almost cried in front of the computer, when I got the decision from Jordbruksverket (Board of
Agriculture) in Sweden!" reported Lindnord after hearing that his request to adopt Arthur had been
granted. "I came to Ecuador to win the World Championship. Instead, I got a new friend."
23 What did the dog look like when it ran into the racers?
A innocent
В spirited
C friendly
D unhappy
24 Why did the team try to leave Arthur behind?
A Arthur caused the team too much trouble.
В The race was too dangerous for Arthur.
C The team lacked special equipment for Arthur.
D Arthur was slowing the team down.
Task 6 Read the texts below. Match choices A-H to the texts 27-32. There are two choices you do
not need to use.
Extraordinary museums
27 The Travelling Museum of the Paranormal & Occult
A paranormal museum that comes to your front door? Scary. The Travelling Museum of the
Paranormal & Occult brings the only mobile collection of haunted objects to your town. We're told
that among its exhibits are a crying mirror that shows terrifying visions and a creepy-looking doll
called Ruby who can make people feel ill. Unlike most museums, you're actually allowed to handle
the strange things... if that seems like a good idea to you.
28 Troll Museum
Fans of kitsch, meet your perfect place: the Troll Museum, home to the most impressive troll doll
collection, well, anywhere. The curator is the legendary Lower East Side performance artist and
"trollologist" Reverend Jen, who's worn a pair of elf ears since 2006. The museum's official 'Mona
Lisa' is a two¬headed '60s era troll doll. By day, the museum is Revjen's apartment, so call in advance
to make an appointment: 212-560-7235.
Which place______?
A gives a chance to take hold of exhibits
В isn't open on the first Friday of every month
C has a system for getting discounted tickets
D also serves as a dwelling place
E offers some practical training activities
F displays wax figures of celebrities
G doesn't charge for admission on a certain day
H holds live performances
Task 7 Read the text below. Fill in gaps 33-38 with choices A-H.
There are two choices you do not need to use.
The TDA reports (34)_ , followed by science research, engineering, retail, social work and the police.
The agency said (35) , while 31 percent did not enjoy sitting at a desk. Men also said that turning 30
or becoming a father had influenced their decisions.
Mike Watkins, director of teacher recruitment at the TDA, told The Guardian (36) , where teachers
are needed. "It's easy to see why teaching is the top choice for a career change," Watkins said. He
also added that (37) , working with children creates a dynamic, vibrant environment (38) ..
Elephants have long had a reputation for good memories. Now, (39) a new
study from Emory University and Think Elephants International, the giant animals are also pretty
good when it (40) to empathy.
The researchers observed 26 elephants held in an elephant camp in northern Thailand for over a
year. They did not try (41) to stress out the elephants but rather waited for something stressful to
naturally occur (a surprising sound, for example) and then (42) what happened next. In short, the
elephants were more likely to sympathise during stressful times than during other periods.
Researchers found that elephants are able to sense when other elephants are stressed and will often
(43)them with a vocal response or physical contact such as a trunk touch.
Lead researcher Joshua Plotnik of Emory University (44) Discovery News that the physical gestures
"may be sending a signal of 'I'm here to help you, not hurt you.'"
As for the vocal calls, Plotnik told Discovery, "I've never heard that vocalization when elephants are
(45). He continued, "It may be a signal like, 'Sshhhh, it's OK,' the sort of sounds a human adult might
(46)to console a baby."
Co-author Frans de Waal said, "With their strong social (47) , it's not surprising that elephants show
concern for others. This study demonstrates that elephants get distressed when they see others in
distress, reaching out to calm them (48) , the same way as chimpanzees or humans embrace
someone who is upset."
49 A On В At C In D Since
50 A 15 pound В 15 pounds' C 15 pound's D 15 pounds
51 A be chased В being chased C to be chased D been chased
52 A had forced B forces C has forced D forced
53 A after B so that C as though D because
Writing
59 Your school staff have announced that they will get some funding to develop the school area.
They are inviting teenagers to write letters suggesting how the money should be spent. Write a letter
to the editor of the school newspaper in which you explain
• why this funding is important
• what changes should be made
• what might happen if improvements are not made
Write a letter of at least 100 words. Do not use your real name or any other personal information.
Start your letter in an appropriate way.