PRELIMINARY ENGLISH TEST

for Schools

Reading

Test 1

Time 45 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Do not open this question paper until you are told to do so.
Write your name, centre number and candidate number on your answer sheet if they are
not already there.
Read the instructions for each part of the paper carefully.
Answer all the questions.
Read the instructions on the answer sheet.
Write your answers on the answer sheet. Use a pencil.
You must complete the answer sheet within the time limit.
At the end of the test, hand in both this question paper and your answer sheet.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

Questions 1 – 32 carry one mark.
 Part 1

Questions 1 – 5

For each question, choose the correct answer.

1 A )##)"))#))%!))
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Win a Car
COMPETITION
B !)"))'$))#)!)#")
Entries will only be accepted from ##)
people who are at least eighteen.

C ()#(!")!)&)#)#!)
#")##)

)")#))#)
/Rachel
for our holiday, you A) "#)"#)!))
need to get a photo
for your visa and let
me have it. I've got B )$#)&)#))"#)
the visa forms so I
can post them then.
Adam C %))"#))")

3
A !"))"#)$"#))))
LABORATORY #()&")#)"")#")#)

The public are not

permitted beyond
this point unless B !"))#)$)
#))#!$)
accompanied by a $"")#()!)%"#)")&!)
staff member. !)

C) !"))#)$)())$!#!)))
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4
A Tom wants to persuade Jane to take
him to college tomorrow morning.

B Tom would like Jane to do him a favour

tomorrow morning.

C Tom is reminding Jane they have to get up

early tomorrow morning.

5
A The Careers Centre will give you a copy of
FREE COPIES OF any advertisement on this board.
ADVERTISEMENTS
ON THIS BOARD B This board is used to advertise the work
ARE AVAILABLE done by the Careers Centre.
FROM THE
CAREERS CENTRE C If you ask the Careers Centre, you can
advertise for free on this board.
 Part 2

Questions 6 – 10

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to visit a city market.

On the opposite page there are descriptions of eight markets. Decide which market
would be the most suitable for the people below.

Jenny wants to buy locally-produced food traditional to the area.

6 She needs somewhere convenient to eat, and as she’s
sightseeing in the city, the market shouldn’t be far from local
attractions.

Matt wants a market where he can get something to wear at

reasonable prices, and something hot to eat. He’s also keen on
7
music, and likes finding rare recordings by different bands.

Sammie wants to visit a market after spending the day in the city.
8 He would like to photograph a historic place, and buy a painting
by someone unknown.

Alexia is looking for a really special necklace for her

grandmother’s birthday. She’d like to spend the whole day at the
9
market, and wants to avoid the cold by staying inside.

Ella is looking for objects from other countries for her friends.
10 She’d like to choose a second-hand book to read on the journey
home, and wants a snack at the market, too.
 City Markets
A Beckfield Market B Rosewell Hill
This market’s world-famous for Our market’s in an amazing
second-hand camera equipment and building that’s hundreds of years
old. Visitors find our late-night
books on photography. As well as an opening hours convenient, and
amazing range of cameras, we have there are always performers
old pictures of local places of interest entertaining the crowds. We've
for you to buy, and of course the recently opened more stalls
stall owners are happy to give you specializing in pictures both from
advice for free! Don’t miss our hot well-known artists and also those
beginning their careers.
soup stall in cold weather.

C Camberwall Market D Cobbledown Road

There’s lots to see in this interesting A small market that’s open in all
indoor market, so it’s open from weathers. Come and find something
morning until late, in a fantastic really fantastic – treat yourself or
modern setting. Find everything from
someone special! We have a wide
rare gold and silver jewellery to
selection of jewellery and musical
designer clothes – although the prices
instruments, produced locally by
aren’t cheap, the quality’s excellent.
After shopping, enjoy a meal in a
highly-skilled people, and home-
nearby restaurant. made cakes to enjoy.

E Oldford Lane
Situated in the historic city centre, Purford Market
F
you’ll find a wide range of jewellery Close to museums and art galleries, this
and clothes. Arrive early to avoid
is the place to buy something for lunch,
disappointment – bargains are
as well as fresh fruit and special breads.
found in the morning, and the stalls
Try the region’s famous cheese – the
pack up after lunch. If the
weather’s good, enjoy watching the
producers are there with advice on
world go by, although it gets very different types. Eat on the seats situated
busy in the tourist season. around the market, watching the
colourful scene and enjoying music from
local bands.

G Teddingley Market
Situated under historic city walls, in this busy Frome Place
H
market you’ll find a huge selection of great-
Stalls open during normal daytime
value new and second-hand clothes. There
are also stalls offering unusual albums by shopping hours so, depending on the
international singers, often hard to find in weather, there’s plenty to entertain
shops. Our world-food area allows you to you the whole day. Try our sandwich
taste food from abroad, cooked in front of bar if you’re hungry, and look for an
you by international chefs. old copy of something by a favourite
author. We also have gifts from all
over the world.

Turn over ►
 Part 3

Questions 11 – 15

For each question, choose the correct answer.

Artist Peter Fuller talks about his hobby

There’s a popular idea that artists are not supposed to be into sport, but mountain biking is a huge
part of my life. It gets me out of my studio, and into the countryside. But more importantly, racing
along as fast as you can leaves you no time to worry about anything that’s going on in your life.
You’re too busy concentrating on not crashing. The only things you pay attention to are the pain in
your legs and the rocks on the path in front of you.

I’m in my sixties now, but I started cycling when I was a kid. In the summer my friends and I would
ride our bikes into the woods and see who was brave enough to go down steep hills, or do big jumps.
The bikes we had then weren’t built for that, and often broke, so I used to draw pictures of bikes with
big thick tyres that would be strong enough for what we were doing. They looked just like modern
mountain bikes. However, it wasn’t until many years later that someone actually invented one. By the
1980s, they were everywhere.

At that time I was into skateboarding. I did that for a decade until falling off on to hard surfaces
started to hurt too much. Mountain biking seemed a fairly safe way to keep fit, so I took that up
instead. I made a lot of friends, and got involved in racing, which gave me a reason to train hard. I
wanted to find out just how fit and fast I could get, which turned out to be fairly quick. I even won a
couple of local races.

In the end I stopped racing, mainly because I knew what it could mean to my career if I had a bad
crash. But I still like to do a three-hour mountain bike ride every week. And if I’m out cycling in the
hills and see a rider ahead, I have to beat them to the top. As I go past I imagine how surprised they
would be if they knew how old I am.
11 Peter enjoys mountain biking because

A it gives him the opportunity to enjoy the views.

B he can use the time to plan his work.
C he is able to stop thinking about his problems.
Dit helps him to concentrate better.

12 What does Peter say about cycling during his childhood?

A He is sorry he didn’t take more care of his bike.

B His friends always had better quality bikes than he did.
C His bike wasn’t suitable for the activities he was doing.
D He was more interested in designing bikes than riding them.

13 Peter says he returned to cycling after several years

A because he had become unfit.

B so that he could enter races.
C in order to meet new people.
D to replace an activity he had given up.

14 How does Peter feel about cycling now?

A He is proud that he is still so fast.

B He is keen to do less now that he is older.
C He regrets the fact that he can no longer compete.
D He wishes more people were involved in the sport.

15 What would be a good introduction to this article?

A B
For Peter Fuller, nothing
Artist Peter Fuller takes mountain
matters more than mountain
biking pretty seriously. Here he
biking, not even his career.
describes how it all began and
Here, in his own words, he
what he gets out of it.
tells us why.

C D
After discovering mountain
In this article, Peter Fuller
biking late in life, Peter Fuller
explains how he became an
gave up art for a while to
artist only as a result of his
concentrate on getting as
interest in mountain biking.
good as possible.
 Part 4

Questions 16 – 20

Five sentences have been removed from the text below.

For each question, choose the correct answer.
There are three extra sentences which you do not need to use.

A new life

I used to work as a college lecturer in the north of England, running photography courses. It wasn’t a
bad job and I really liked my students, but I began to feel tired of doing the same thing every day.
x 16
xx

I’d always loved travelling, so one weekend I typed ‘international volunteering’ into an internet search
engine. At the top of the results page was the opportunity to go and stay on an island in the Indian
Ocean, thousands of miles away, and help to protect the beaches and the sea life. 17 I had
some diving experience, and the more I talked about it, the more I wanted to do it. So I contacted the
organisation. One week later they offered to send me to the island and I accepted. 18 After
all, the volunteer job was only for two months during the summer holidays. I thought after I’d finished,
I’d come home. x xx

As soon as I got to the island, I was sure I’d done the right thing. My first dive was incredible. 19

I felt so lucky to be able to experience that every day.

In fact I loved it so much that I never came home! I’ve now been on the island for ten years and I have
a permanent job. I’m working as a marine educator, teaching volunteers about the sea life and taking
them snorkelling and diving. My desk is a picnic table 10 metres from the best beach on the island. Of
course not everything about my new life is perfect. 20 However, I can’t imagine going back
to my old life. xx
A That’s why I knew it was a terrible plan.

B I had trained in icy water in the UK so the crystal clear warm water felt amazing.

C They always ask lots of questions.

D I work far harder than I used to.

E I began joking to friends about sending in an application.

F Afterwards, some people were surprised by my decision but I wasn’t too worried.

G I decided I needed a break.

H I needed to explain that first.

 Part 5

Questions 21 – 26

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The Coconut Tree

The coconut tree is thought to be one of the most valuable trees in the world. It is mostly found by the

sea where there is a hot and wet (21) ………… . The coconuts often fall into the sea and float on the
water until they (22) ………… another beach, where more trees then begin to grow.

Holiday makers often see the coconut tree as no more than an attractive sun umbrella that provides
(23) ………… . However, this amazing tree has hundreds of (24) ………… and more are still being
discovered.

People have made houses, boats and baskets from the coconut tree’s wood and leaves for centuries.
Even today, if you take a (25) ………… in your cupboards, you will find coconut oil in products as

(26) ………… as medicine and desserts.

21 temperature B condition C climate D weather

22 reach B go C travel D arrive

23 cloud B shade C dark D cold

24 uses B jobs C roles D things

25 scene B sight C look D view

26 opposite B separate C strange D different

 Part 6

Questions 27 – 32

For each question, write the correct answer.

Write one word for each gap.

The Natural History Museum

This is one of my favourite places to visit. I’ve learned a huge amount about animals and plants

(27) ………… time I’ve visited. I’ve even seen bits of rock from the moon!

The building’s really beautiful and it’s easy to find your way around. There are hundreds of

interesting things on display, but (28) ………… you like dinosaurs the best time (29) ………… see
them is during term-time. I’ve been twice in the school holidays and the queue was (30) …………

long that I wasn’t able to visit that part (31) ………… the museum.

You’ll probably want something to eat while you’re there. You can take (32) ………… own picnic
and eat in the museum garden, or try one of the two museum cafés.
BLANK PAGE
 PRELIMINARY ENGLISH TEST
for Schools

Writing

Test 1

Time 45 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Do not open this question paper until you are told to do so.
Write your name, centre number and candidate number on your answer sheet if they are
not already there.
Read the instructions for each part of the paper carefully.
Answer the Part 1 question and one question from Part 2.
Write your answers on the answer sheet.
Write clearly in pen, not pencil. You may make alterations, but make sure your work is easy to
read.
You must complete the answer sheet within the time limit.
At the end of the test, hand in both this question paper and your answer sheet.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

Each question in this paper carries equal marks.
 Part 1

You must answer this question.

Write your answer in about 100 words on the answer sheet.

Question 1

Read this email from your English-speaking friend Sandy and the notes you have made.

EMAIL

From: Sandy

Subject: Your visit!

Hi,

I’m so excited that you’re coming to stay with me for a

Me too! week!

On your first evening here, there’s a rock concert in our

town. Would you like to go to the concert or would you
prefer us to relax at home? Say which you
prefer

Also, shall we go climbing in the mountains while you’re

here?

No,
because... Let me know if you have any questions.

See you soon

Ask
Sandy...
Sandy

Write your email to Sandy using all the notes.

 Part 2

Choose one of these questions.

Write your answer in about 100 words on the answer sheet.

Question 2

You see this notice on an English-language website.

Articles wanted!

FILMS

What kind of films do you enjoy?

Do you prefer watching them at the cinema or at home? Why?

Write an article answering these questions and we will put it on our website!

Write your article.

Question 3

Your English teacher has asked you to write a story.

Your story must begin with this sentence.

As the plane flew lower, Lou saw the golden beaches of the island below.
Write your story.
BLANK PAGE
 PRELIMINARY ENGLISH TEST

for Schools

Listening

Test 1

Time Approximately 35 minutes (including 6 minutes’ transfer time)

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Do not open this question paper until you are told to do so.
Write your name, centre number and candidate number on your answer sheet if they are
not already there.
Listen to the instructions for each part of the paper carefully.
Answer all the questions.
While you are listening, write your answers on the question paper.
You will have 6 minutes at the end of the test to copy your answers onto the separate answer
sheet. Use a pencil.
At the end of the test, hand in both this question paper and your answer sheet.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

There are four parts to the test.
Each question carries one mark.
You will hear each piece twice.
For each part of the test there will be time for you to look through the questions and time for
you to check your answers.
 Part 1

Questions 1 – 7

For each question, choose the correct answer.

1 What did the man do at the sports centre yesterday?

A B C

2 Which sport does the woman compete in?

A B C

3 Where will the friends go?

running this evening?

A B C
4 Which winter sport was Max good at when he was young?

A B C

5 What did the girl lose?

A B C

6 Which sports instructor is the man going to meet today?

A B C

7 What will open at the sports centre soon?

A B C
 Part 2

Questions 8 – 13

For each question, choose the correct answer.

8 You will hear a girl telling her friend about a boat trip.
How does the girl feel about the boat trip?

A grateful it was so short

B surprised the sea was so rough

C disappointed it was so crowded

9 You will hear a brother and sister talking about cooking.

What is the brother trying to do?

A improve his sister’s confidence at cooking

B encourage his sister to make him something

C suggest that his sister should cook for their parents

10 You will hear a girl telling a friend about a band she’s in.
The girl says that the singer

A is very confident on stage.

B has an interesting singing style.

C writes unusual songs.

11 You will hear a girl telling her friend about a drama course she’s doing.
The girl feels

A certain she will enjoy it.

B confident she will do well on it.

C pleased with the activities so far.

12 You will hear two friends talking about a book they’ve read.
What did the boy like best about it?

A It has an unusual main character.

B There is lots of action in it.

C The ending is a surprise.

13 You will hear two friends talking about a TV talent show.

What do they think should change about the show?

A the people who introduce it

B the people who perform on it

C the people who comment on the performers

 Part 3

Questions 14 – 19

For each question, write the correct answer in the gap. Write one or two words or a number or a
date or a time.

You will hear a film review programme on the radio.

The Film Review Programme

This week’s reviews

The film Jungle Fever is a (14) ................ about a family of tigers.

Actor Steve Wills plays a (15) ................ in his new film, Call It.

Swim! is about a man who wants to swim in a local (16) ................ .

Competition for listeners

Listeners can enter an online quiz at www. (17) ................ .co.uk.

Winners will receive (18) ................ tickets.

Entries must be received on (19) ................ by 2 p.m.

 Part 4

Questions 20 – 25

For each question, choose the correct answer.

You will hear an interview with a TV actress called Brittany Briers.

20 Brittany realised that she really enjoyed acting when

A she played at being an actor at home.

B she attended some acting classes.
C she took part in a school play.

21 How did Brittany feel before her first theatre performance?

A worried about forgetting her lines

B anxious that she would use the wrong accent
C nervous about appearing in front of a large audience

22 Why did Brittany move into TV acting?

A She needed to earn more.

B She lost interest in theatre work.
C She wanted to try something new.

23 What does Brittany still find difficult about screen acting?

A having to repeat scenes

B learning to speak more quietly
C not having an audience

24 Brittany particularly enjoys

A receiving a new part to learn.

B attending special events for actors.
C seeing her new films for the first time.

25 What does Brittany dislike about being an actor?

A not having many holidays

B being recognised in the street
C starting work early in the morning