Practice test

Full name: …………………………………………………………………………..

PART I: VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR. (7, 0 POINTS)
I. Choose the best option to complete each of the sentences. (2,0 points)
1. The strike was ___ owing to a last minute agreement with the management.
A. called off B. broken up C. set back D. put down
2. Lindsay‟s excuses for being late are beginning to ___ rather thin.
A. get B. turn C. wear D. go
3. ___ the people who come to this club are in their twenties and thirties.
A. By and large B. Altogether C. To a degree D. Virtually
4. My cousin was nervous about being interviewed on television, but she rose to the ___ wonderfully.
A. event B. performance C. incident D. occasion
5. The train service has been a ___ since they introduced the new schedules.
A. shambles B. rumpus C. chaos D. fracas
6. Is an inexperienced civil servant ___ to the task of running the company.
A. capable B. skilled C. eligible D. suited
7. We ___ have been happier in those days.
A. can‟t B. couldn‟t C. might not D. must not
8. You‟ve lived in the city for most of your life, so ___ you‟re used to the noise.
A. apparently B. presumably C. allegedly D. predictably
9. The storm ripped our tent to ___
A. slices B. shreds C. strips D. specks
10. He ____ so much harm on the nation during his regime that it has never fully recovered.
A. indicted B. inferred C. induced D. inflicted
11. Hotel rooms must be ____ by 10 a. m, but luggage may be left with porters.
A. vacated B. evacuated C. abandoned D. left
12. I do not think there is so much as a ____ of truth in that rumor.
A. crumb B. speck C. grain D. pebble
13. He‟s not exactly rich but he certainly earns enough money to ____
A. get through B. get by C. get on D. get up
14. I have very ____ feelings about the plan – it might possibly work or it could be a disaster.
A. certain B. mixed C. doubtful D. troubled
15. The noise of the typewriter really ____ me off. I just couldn‟t concentrate.
A. put B. pulled C. set D. took
16. The sixth time he called me at night was the ____
A. last cause B. last straw C. touch and go D. hot air
17. All three TV channels provide extensive ____ of sporting events.
A. broadcast B. network C. coverage D. vision
18. They seemed to be ____ to the criticism and just carried on as before.
A. disinterested B. sensitive C. uncaring D. indifferent
19. “Shall we go out tonight?” - “____”
A. Yes, I can B. Yes, we are C. Yes, we go D. Yes, let‟s
20. It's no use ___ over ___ milk.
A. crying/ spilt B. to cry/ spilling C. crying/ spilling D. crying/ to spill
II. Read the passage below. Use the word given in bold to form a word that fits in the numbered gap.
BLACK WIDOW SPIDER
The black widow spider‟s notoriety is not without foundation. However, an element of exaggeration has
led to certain ___ (1. CONCEPT) regarding its evil nature.
Firstly, this spider is not as dangerous as is often thought. While it is indeed one of the most ___ (2.
VENOM) species of spider, its venom being fifteen times stronger than that of the prairie rattlesnake, its bite
injects such as amount of venom by ___ (3. COMPARE) that it is unlikely to kill humans. In fact, ___ (4.
FATAL) are rare.
Black widows bite only if they are touched or their web is threatened. Furthermore, only the adult female
is poisonous. Those most at risk from the female are the spider‟s natural pray-insects-and male black widow
spiders. The latter are vulnerable as the female is ___ (5. SOLITUDE) by nature, and has been known to kill and
eat the male after mating. Such ___ (6. OCCUR) are rare, but they explain how the spider got its name – and its
reputation.
Nevertheless, the ___ (7. PLEASE) effects of this spider‟s bite should not be ___ (8. ESTIMATE), and
if you live in a temperate climate and have a fireplace in your home, it is advisable to take ___ (9. CAUTION).
Black widow spiders often inhabit wood piles, so you should wear gloves when handling firewood. Furthermore,
since black widow spiders are ___ (10. RESIST) to many insecticides, you should regularly clean out likely
hiding places.
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
III. Complete each sentence with the correct form of ONE of the two-word verbs. (2, 0 point)
bring out do up slow down save up hang over
mix up grow up go with dress up run for
1. Silence ___the theatre as the audience awaited the opening curtain with expectation and excitement.
2. Having seen a sharp bend ahead, Tim pressed hard on the brake pedal to ___.
3. Charles Dickens was born near Portsmouth, Hampshire on 7 February 1812, but relocated to and ___ in
Camden Town in London.
4. Barrack Obama has decided to ___ the American presidency in the election that will take place next year.
5. Because I hate ___ my shoes, I have bought a pair of shoes without any laces.
6. Sarah wanted to buy some curtains that would ___ his furniture, so she had brought a photo of her sofa with
her to the store.
7. Kate had been ___ in order to buy a new laptop, but then she decided to use the money on the guitar lessons
instead.
8. Even though two of the bands are dead, a new „The Beatle‟ album called Love was recently ___.
9. Brendan was worried about having to ___ for the boss‟ retirement dinner as he didn‟t own any formal clothes.
10. He ___ his grandmother‟s phone number with his girlfriend‟s, which led to some embarrassment for him.
IV. The passage below contains TEN mistakes. Underline them and write the correct forms in the
numbered boxes. (2, 5 points)
Large animals inhabit the desert have evolved adaptations for reducing the effects of extreme hot. One
adaptation is to be light in color, and to reflect the Sun's rays. Desert mammals also depart from the normal
mammalian practice of maintaining a constantly body temperature. Instead of try to keep down the body
temperature inside the body, what would involve the expenditure of water and energy, desert mammals allow
their temperatures rise to what would normally be fever height, and temperatures as high as 46 degree Celsius
have been measured in Grant's gazelles. The overheated body cools down during the cold desert night, and indeed
the temperature may fall unusual low by dawn, as low as 34 degrees Celsius in the camel. This is a advantage
since the heat of the first few hours of daylight absorb in warming up the body.
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
PART II: READING COMPREHENSION. (6, 0 POINTS)
I. Read the passage and fill in each of the blanks with ONE suitable word. (2,0 points)
True relaxation is most certainly not a matter of flopping down in front of the television with a welcome
drink. Nor is it about drifting (1) ___ an exhausted sleep. Useful though these responses to tension and over-
tiredness (2) ___ be, we should distinguish between them and conscious relaxation in (3) ___ of quality and
effect. (4) ___ of the level of tiredness, real relaxation is a state of alert yet at the same time passive awareness, in
which our bodies are (5) ___ rest while our minds are awake.
Moreover, it is as natural for a healthy person to be relaxed when moving as resting. (6) ___ relaxed in
action means we bring the appropriate energy to everything we do, so as to have a feeling of healthy tiredness by
the end of the day, (7) ___ than one of exhaustion. Unfortunately, as a result of living in today‟s competitive
world, we are under constant strain and have difficulty in coping, (8) ___ alone nurturing our body‟s abilities.
What needs to be rediscovered is conscious relaxation. With (9) ___ in mind we must apply ourselves to
understanding stress and the nature of its causes (10) ___ deep-seated.
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
II. Read the text and do the tasks as follow. (2, 0 points) OUT OF THE ASHES
Paragraph A
On the afternoon of 30th August 1989, fire broke out at Uppark, a large eighteenth century house in
Sussex. For a year builders had been replacing the lead on the roof, and by a stroke of irony, were due to finish
the next day, on August 31st. Within fifteen minutes of the alarm being sounded, the fire brigade had arrived on
the scene, though nothing was to survive of the priceless collection on the first floor apart from an oil painting of
a dog which the firemen swept up as they finally retreated from the blaze. But due to the courage and swift action
of the previous owners, the Meade-Featherstonhaugh family, and the staff, stewards and visitors to the house,
who formed human chains to pass the precious pieces of porcelain, furniture and paintings out on to the lawn, 95
percent of the contents from the ground floor and the basement were saved. As the fire continued to rage, the
National Trust‟s conservators were being mobilised, and that evening local stationers were especially opened to
provide the bulk supplies of blotting paper so desperately needed in the salvage operation.
Paragraph B
The following morning, Uppark stood open to the sky. A sludge of wet charcoal covered the ground floor
and basement, and in every room charred and fallen timbers lay amongst the smoke. It was a scene of utter
devastation.
Paragraph C
After the initial sense of shock, the days which followed the fire were filled with discoveries. Helped by
volunteers, the National Trust‟s archaeologists and conservators swung into action, first of all marking the site
out into a grid and then salvaging everything down to the last door handle. The position of each fragment was
recorded, and all the debris was stored in countless dustbins before being sifted and categorised.
Paragraph D
There was great excitement as remnants of the lantern from the Staircase Hall were pulled out from the
debris of two fallen floors, and also three weeks later when the Red Room carpet, thought to have been totally
lost, was found wrapped around the remains of a piano. There was a lucky reprieve for the State Bed too. Staff
who had left the scene at 3 a.m on the night of the fire had thought its loss was inevitable, but when they returned
the next morning it had escaped largely undamaged. Firemen, directed by the National Trust‟s conservators from
outside the Tapestry Room window, dismantled the silk-hung bed and passed it out piece by piece. Twenty
minutes later the ceiling fell in.
Paragraph E
The scale of the task to repair Uppark was unprecedented in the National Trust. The immediate question
was whether it should be done at all. A decision had to be taken quickly, as the building was unsound and
whatever had not been damaged by the fire was exposed to the elements. Within a month, after consulting many
experts and with the agreement of the National Trust‟s Executive Committee, the restoration programme began.
It was undertaken for three main reasons. After the fire it had become apparent just how much remained of the
structure with its splendidly decorated interiors; to have pulled the house down, as one commentator suggested,
would have been vandalism. Also the property was covered by insurance, so the repairs would not call upon the
National Trust‟s own funds. Lastly, much had been saved of the fine collection acquired especially for Uppark
from 1747 by Sir Matthew Featherstonhaugh and his son Harry. These objects belonged nowhere else, and
complete restoration of the house would allow them to be seen and enjoyed again in their original setting.
Paragraph F
The search for craftsmen and women capable of doing the intricate restoration work was nation-wide.
Once the quality and skill of the individual or company had been ascertained, they had to pass an economic test,
as every job was competitively tendered. This has had enormous benefits because not only have a number of
highly skilled people come to the fore - woodcarvers for example, following in the footsteps of Grinling Gibbons
- but many of them, for example plasterers, have relearnt the skills of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries
which can now be of use to other country house owners when the need arises.
Paragraph G
In June 1994 the building programme was completed, on time and on budget. The total cost of the work
to repair the house and its contents came to be nearly £20 million, largely met from insurance. In addition, it
made economic sense for the National Trust to invest time and money in upgrading water and heating systems,
installing modern environmental controls, and updating fire and security equipment.
Paragraph H
The final stages of restoration and the massive programme of reinstallation took eight months. The
family and the room stewards were visibly moved when returning to their old haunts, perhaps the best testament
that the spirit of Uppark had not died. But the debate will no doubt continue as to whether or not it was right to
repair the house after the fire. The National Trust has done its best to remain true to Uppark; it is for others to
judge the success of the project. Note: The National Trust is a charitable organisation in Britain set up over a
hundred years ago to preserve the national heritage.
Questions 1–6. The text has eight paragraphs, A–H. Which paragraphs contain the following information?
Write the appropriate letters, A–H, in the boxes.
1. The procedure for sorting through the remains of the fire.
2. How Uppark looked after the fire.
3. Improvements made to the rebuilt Uppark.
4. The selection of people to carry out the repair work.
5. Why the National Trust chose to rebuild Uppark.
6. How people reacted to the rebuilt Uppark.
Questions 8–10. Answer the questions below. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text
for each answer. Write your answers in the boxes.
7. On what date in 1989 should the original repairs to the roof have been completed?
8. By what method were things rescued immediately from the burning house?
9. After the fire, what did the conservators require large quantities of immediately?
10. Into what did the conservators put material recovered from the fire?
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
III. Read the following passage and choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) to each question. Write your
answer in the numbered box. (2, 0 points)
A recent survey of crime statistics shows that we are all more likely to be burgled now than 20 years ago
and the police advise everyone to take a few simple precautions to protect their homes.
The first fact is that burglars and other intruders prefer easy opportunities, like a house which is very
obviously empty. This is much less of a challenge than an occupied house, and one which is well-protected. A
burglar will wonder if it is worth the bother.
There are some general tips on how to avoid your home becoming another crime statistic. Avoid leaving
signs that your house is empty. When you have to go out, leave at least one light on as well as a radio or
television, and do not leave any curtains wide open. The sight of your latest music centre or computer is enough
to tempt any burglar.
Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place. The first place a burglar will look is under the
doormat or in a flower pot and even somewhere more 'imaginative' could soon be uncovered by the intruder. It is
much safer to leave a key with a neighbour you can trust. But if your house is in a quiet, desolate area be aware
that this will be a burglar's dream, so deter any potential criminal from approaching your house by fitting security
lights to the outside of your house.
But what could happen if, in spite of the aforementioned precautions, a burglar or intruder has decided
to target your home. Windows are usually the first point of entry for many intruders. Downstairs windows
provide easy access while upstairs windows can be reached with a ladder or by climbing up the drainpipe. Before
going to bed you should double-check that all windows and shutters are locked. No matter how small your
windows may be, it is surprising what a narrow gap a determined burglar can manage to get through. For extra
security, fit window locks to the inside of the window.
What about entry via doors? Your back door and patio doors, which are easily forced open, should have
top quality security locks fitted. Even though this is expensive it will be money well spent. Install a burglar alarm
if you can afford it as another line of defence against intruders.
A sobering fact is that not all intruders have to break and enter into a property. Why go to the trouble of
breaking in if you can just knock and be invited in? Beware of bogus officials or workmen and, particularly if
you are elderly, fit a chain and an eye hole so you can scrutinise callers at your leisure. When you do have callers
never let anybody into your home unless you are absolutely sure they are genuine. Ask to see an identity card, for
example.
If you are in the frightening position of waking in the middle of the night and think you can hear an
intruder, then on no account should you approach the intruder. It is far better to telephone the police and wait for
help.
1. A well-protected house …………A. is less likely to be burgled. B. is regarded as a challenge by most
criminals.C. is a lot of bother to maintain. D. is very unlikely to be burgled.
2. According to the writer, we should ………… A. avoid leaving our house empty. B. only go out when
we have to.C. always keep the curtains closed. D. give the impression that our house is occupied when we go out.
3. The writer thinks that hiding a key under a doormat or flower pot …………
A. is predictable. B. is useful. C. is imaginative. D. is where you always find a spare key.
4. What word best replaces “desolate” in paragraph 4?A. isolatedB. populous C. dissatisfying D. depressing
5. The phrase “aforementioned precautions” in paragraph 5 refers to steps that …………
A. will tell a burglar if your house is empty or not.
B. are the most important precautions to take to make your home safe. C. will stop a potential burglar.
D. will not stop an intruder if he has decided to try and enter your home.
6. Gaining entry to a house through a small window …………
A. is surprisingly difficult. B. is not as difficult as people think.
C. is less likely to happen than gaining entry through a door.D. is tried only by very determined burglars.
7. According to the writer, window locks, security locks and burglar alarms …………
A. cost a lot of money but are worth it. B. are good value for money.
C. are luxury items. D. are absolutely essential items.
8. The writer argues that fitting a chain and an eye hole…………
A. will prevent your home being burgled. B. avoids you having to invite people into your home.
C. is only necessary for elderly people. D. gives you time to check if the visitor is genuine.
9. What word best replaces “scrutinise” in paragraph 7?
A. glance B. gaze C. search D. examine
10. The best title for the text is …… A. Increasing household crime. B. Protecting your home from intruders.
C. Burglary statistics. D. What to do if a burglar breaks into your home.
PART III. WRITING. (4,0 POINTS)
I. Complete each of the sentences so that it has similar meaning to the given one, using the word given in
bold. Do NOT change the form of the word given. (1, 0 point)
1. Although Joe kept on attempting to contact his cousin, he didn't manage to speak to her until the next day. 
Despite repeated ..................... TOUCH................... his cousin, Joe didn't manage to speak to her until the next
day.
2. When it comes to computer games, Jack is a real expert. CONCERNED
 As far ............................................................................., Jack is a real expert.
3. David said that the accident was his fault. TOOK
 David .................................................................. the accident.
4. If he doesn‟t get that job, who knows what he‟ll do. KNOWING
 If he doesn‟t get that job, ........................................................... what he‟ll do.
5. The stranded climber would never have been rescued if his brother hadn‟t had an ingenious plan.
INGENUITY
 But .......................................................... plan, the stranded climber would never have been rescued.
II. Use the word given and make any necessary additions to complete a new sentence in such a way that it
is as similar as possible to the original one. Do NOT change the form of the word given. (1, 0 point)
1. They will try John for murder at the High Court next week. (trial)
→ John …………………………………………………………..………………………………………
2. How do our sales compare with those of other firms? (relation)
→ How do …………………………………………………………………..……………………………
3. The number of accidents has gone down steadily since the speed limit was imposed. (decline)
→ There has ……………………………………………………………..………………………………
4. This new record is certain to sell a lot of copies. (doubt)
→ There is…………………………………………………………..……………………………………
5. I certainly won‟t change my mind about resigning. (question)
→ My changing …………………………………………………….……………………………………
III. In about 120 words, write a paragraph about the changes that information technology
brings to your study.
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