Progress Test

Name: _________________________________
Date: _________________
3 Units 5 & 6

Mark: ________ / 80 marks

Reading
A Read the article about money and happiness.

Money Can’t Buy Happiness; Or Can It?

No doubt you’ve heard the old saying that money can’t buy out with friends. As he explains, ‘There’s this huge mis-forecast.
happiness, but is it actually true? The world seems to be divided People think that experiences are only going to provide
between those who believe, like American founding father temporary happiness, but they actually provide both more
Benjamin Franklin, that, ‘money has never made man happy, happiness and more lasting value.’
nor will it … the more of it one has the more one wants’, and 3
those who identify more with Irish writer Oscar Wilde, who
famously claimed, ‘when I was young I thought that money was Psychologists have found that it is not only the buying of
the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it experiences that can bring pleasure. Buying time, another
is.’ The question is, can your income have an effect on your intangible, has been found to make a considerable difference to
happiness? And how much money will make the difference? people’s levels of happiness. Elizabeth Dunn, associate
professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia
From new research in the United States, it appears that money
and co-author of the book Happy Money, suggests that you, ‘use
can indeed buy you happiness. Obviously, if you are constantly
money to buy yourself a better time. Don’t buy a slightly fancier
strapped for cash and worried about where your next meal is
car so that you have heated seats during your two-hour
coming from, and you haven’t got enough to pay the rent, let
commute. Buy a place close to work, so that you can use that
alone take out a mortgage, you are much less likely to be
final hour of daylight to kick a ball around in the park with your
happy.
kids.’ She also recommends that you pay someone else to do
1 the things you hate doing and thus buy yourself more time to
However, it is not as simple as all that. It depends on how you do the things you enjoy. So if you love gardening but hate
define ‘poverty’ and ‘happiness’. Someone who earns $1 a day housework, get yourself a cleaner.
and is given $10 will indeed feel blessed and happy, at least for 4
a time. But someone who earns $1,000 a day and is given $10
will hardly notice the difference, let alone feel any extra Money can buy you happiness, but perhaps the ability to give it
pleasure. away brings you even more. As Bill Gates, principal founder of
Microsoft says, ‘giving away our wealth has been the most
2
satisfying thing we’ve done.’ He and his wife Melinda have seen
It is not only how much money you have that affects your level what their money has done to improve the world, and it has
of happiness: it is also how that money is spent. Ryan Howell, brought them greater happiness.
associate professor of psychology at San Francisco State
5
University, has carried out various experiments on what sort of
purchases make people happy. His conclusions are surprising. There is no doubt that the worry of living in debt causes untold
Given a limited amount of money, most people believe that misery and distress. When destitute, bankrupt, deep in debt to
buying something they can keep, like a new dress or electronic the bank and to friends, you would be forgiven for agreeing
gadget, will give them more lasting pleasure than something with Mark Twain that, ‘the lack of money is the root of all evil’
intangible and fleeting, like going to a concert or having a meal and that having some would indeed buy you happiness.

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B Now complete the Exam Task.
Exam Task
You are going to read an article about the effects of money on people’s happiness. Five paragraphs have been
removed from the article. Choose from paragraphs A – F the one which fits each gap (1 – 5). There is one extra
paragraph which you do not need to use.

A So why aren’t material possessions a source of greater, lasting pleasure? The problem lies in the fact that we soon
get used to the new handbag or the shiny new trainers that don’t take long to look a bit worn. They are just a
handbag and a pair of trainers after all. But the memories of a wonderful holiday in the sun or going to a movie with
your family can be a source of joy for many years to come, as you recall them on your own or recount them to
others. These life experiences appear to be of more lasting value, and so bring greater happiness.
B Having said that, before everyone rushes out to buy experiences, more time, or give all their money away, a word
of caution. Make sure you have enough in the kitty and whatever you do, don’t get into debt. As Professor Howell
says, ‘The first thing you should be doing with your money is building up a safety net. If you go into debt to buy
these great life experiences, the stress you’ll feel when the credit card bill comes in will probably wipe out the good
feelings that you got from the experience.’
C Studies have shown that people living on the poverty line are more anxious and suffer from more health issues, including
mental health problems, than people who are financially secure. The better off, therefore, must be happier than the poor.
D It is not only experiences and having time to do the things you enjoy that money can buy. Paradoxically, giving it
away seems to bring us even more pleasure. Whether very wealthy or practically skint, giving what we can to a
good cause or to someone in need will make us happier than before. According to the US National Institute of
Health, giving money to a charitable cause or those less fortunate than yourself triggers the release of endorphins,
the so-called ‘happiness hormones’.
E Few people appear to feel any lasting pleasure from giving to charities or other good causes. There is an initial
release of endorphins, but it is so fleeting that it cannot contribute to long-term happiness. So why do people give
to the less fortunate? It is likely that guilt, or religious duties, are the main motive?
F But give this same individual $10,000 and it will be a different story. They will indeed feel a sense of satisfaction at
the very least. So it is all relative and it all depends on what we are used to. Perhaps Benjamin Franklin was right
after all.
(___ / 10 marks)

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Vocabulary and Use your English
A Complete the Exam Task.

Exam Task
For questions 1 – 12, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap.
Maria Campos Youth Clubs
What can you do to overcome (1) _____ and achieve (2) _____? You could do worse than follow the example of Maria
Campos, who came from a (3) _____ home and was brought up in a (4) _____ inner-city neighbourhood. She now not
only runs a successful business but has started an (5) _____ charity which gives (6) _____ to children growing up in
(7) _____ conditions by providing clubs where they can go after school, have a hot meal, hang out with friends and
get some help with homework. At first, no-one wanted to get involved in Maria’s clubs. Through sheer (8) _____, she
finally managed to persuade the city mayor to provide funds and give the project his full support. There have been a
few (9) _____ along the way, but Maria’s (10) _____ to succeed has been so strong, there was no way she would even
contemplate (11) _____. So far she has set up three clubs in different parts of town, has 35 volunteers working as
chefs, teachers and childminders, and has plans to set up two more clubs next year. She has already received
(12) _____ from the city council for services to children and young people. It was a proud day for the girl who had
come from such humble beginnings.

1 A aptitude B ineptitude C criticism D adversity

2 A attainment B aspiration C fulfillment D initiative
3 A broken B nasty C gritty D crude
4 A rude B rough C bashed D raw
5 A aspirational B inspirational C warm D hopeful
6 A backbone B initiative C hope D recognition
7 A harsh B critical C single D dashed
8 A backbone B anguish C prevalence D perseverance
9 A ineptitudes B setbacks C adversities D criticisms
10 A attainment B determination C bravery D courage
11 A disappointment B collapse C failure D lethargy
12 A criticism B recognition C attainment D fulfillment
(___ / 12 marks)

B Complete each sentence with one word in each gap.

1 Antonia ___________ at the chance to go travelling with her friends.
2 Lucy finally ___________ up the courage to ask for a raise.
3 You really shouldn’t let fear of failing ___________ you back. You’ve got a good plan and you should just go for it.
4 I know it’s hard after such a dreadful setback, but you’ve got to ___________ up the pieces and carry on with your life.
5 They were so poor, their mother often went ___________ when they were growing up. She would say she wasn’t
hungry but they knew it wasn’t true.
6 All I’ve got is this little nest ___________, which I’m saving for my retirement.
7 The prince ___________ her with expensive presents, but still she wouldn’t marry him.
8 I realised I’d been ripped ___________ when I saw the exact same camera online for half the price.
(___ / 8 marks)

C Circle the correct words.

1 To / For Delia’s credit, she acknowledged straight away that she’d made a mistake.
2 Although Justin was very talented, he was always turning / putting himself down.
3 We still hold / blow out hope that Caroline will sort her life out.
4 I think in / with retrospect, it would have been simpler if I’d made it myself instead of giving it to Tina to make.
5 Fran said she was going to pluck / turn over a new leaf, get up early every day and never get to school late again.
6 I was horrified when I found out about the debt they’d offset / incurred. I don’t know how they’ll ever pay it back.
7 The merger / concessions with RDE Foods Inc. will save the company from bankruptcy.
8 I’m afraid the margins / mortgages on this product are so small that it’s hardly worth manufacturing.
9 There’s a lot of red value / tape to get through before you can set up a business here.
10 To Victor’s horror, his new wife misused / squandered all his savings by gambling and investing in dodgy schemes.
(___ / 10 marks)

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Grammar
A Complete the Exam Task.

Exam Task
For questions 1 – 5, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using
the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three and six words, including the
word given.
1 If it hadn’t been for Jack’s help, I wouldn’t have passed the exam.
BUT
I wouldn’t have passed the exam ____________________.
2 If the demonstration is peaceful, people will have more sympathy for their cause.
UNLESS
People will have more sympathy for their cause ____________________.
3 If I could speak fluent French, I would go to university in Paris.
CONDITION
I would go to university in Paris ____________________ fluent French.
4 If you keep leaving the kitchen in such a mess, I’d rather you didn’t cook at all.
PREFER
____________________ cook at all if you keep leaving the kitchen in such a mess.
5 We sometimes wonder if Marina lives here at all, she is so seldom around.
RARELY
____________________ that we sometimes wonder if she lives here at all.
(___ / 10 marks)

B Circle the correct words.

1 Provided / Unless you find a better deal, I’d buy this one.
2 Pamela wouldn’t be studying at university now if her teacher didn’t persuade / hadn’t persuaded her to apply for
a place.
3 If you / you’d like to come in, I’ll call Gloria and tell her you’re here.
4 If it hadn’t been / wasn’t for that ad in the paper, I would never have thought of asking them for a job.
5 But / If it was for the money he inherited, he wouldn’t have his flat or his car.
6 No sooner / On no account had their final school term ended than they went travelling around the world.
7 Under no circumstances the children should / should the children be allowed to stay up after midnight.
8 Hardly did they walk / had they walked through the door when she started complaining about how small and
uncomfortable the house was.
9 Such / So much was the damage to the building that they decided to knock it down.
10 To be honest, I’d rather / prefer we stayed in. I’m fed up with restaurant food.
(___ / 10 marks)

C Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
1 If only Alice ____________ (not quarrel) with her friends last week, she’d be going out and enjoying herself now.
2 Had they managed to find the right equipment, they ____________ (build) it in no time.
3 But for their intervention, she ____________ (be) arrested at the march today. Luckily, she wasn’t.
4 If you want to go to the opera when you’re in Milan, you ____________ (need) to book tickets soon.
5 Were they to go to Iceland, they ____________ (discover) a country like no other on earth.
6 She’d be working in Rome now if she ____________ (accept) that job she was offered last month.
7 Scarcely had they walked through the door when she ____________ (start) telling them what to do.
8 Under no circumstances ____________ (you / exercise) that arm. It has to heal first.
9 No sooner ____________ (Mary / finish) her dissertation than she started revising for exams.
10 If Terry ____________ (not agree) to visit his cousins in Denmark, we’d all be going on holiday together this year.
(___ / 10 marks)

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Writing
Complete the Writing Task.
Exam Task
Read the two texts. Write an essay summarising and evaluating the key points from both texts. Use your own
words throughout as far as possible, and include your own ideas in your answers.
Write your essay in 240–280 words.
Rich and famous

Ask children what they want to be when they grow up, and many will answer, ‘to be famous’, ‘to be a celebrity
and wear nice clothes’, or ‘to be rich and have loads of cars and houses’. Is there anything wrong with that? Many
people will say there is, but surely having high aspirations is a good thing? If these children really want to achieve
their goals, they will have to work hard and push themselves to the limit. Without ambitions, even somewhat
vague ones like these, young people are unlikely to achieve anything much at all.
More to life than raw ambition
It is completely unrealistic to expect that most children in a classroom will achieve great success in material terms
or in their chosen field. Not all will end up living in big houses and driving fancy cars. Some will end up in
relatively low-paid employment, living in a small house or flat and driving a second-hand car. Not everyone can be
the managing director of a company or the principal of a university. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they can’t
lead a fulfilling life. There is no reason why they can’t enjoy their jobs, have loving families, plenty of friends and
lots of hobbies to bring them joy.
(____ / 10 marks)

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Permission granted to photocopy for classroom use. Progress Test 3