Name ____________________________

Class ____________________________

Level 3: End-of-Course Test A

Reading Test Version 1

You will read three passages, with ten questions each. Choose the best answer A, B, C or D
according to the passage.

Part 1: Passage

Paragraph 1
China is one of the world’s most rapidly developing nations. Within the next 20 years
the country’s urban population is predicted to increase by an incredible 300 million
putting a huge strain on the environment and its resources. Without careful planning,
the negative impact on the environment and its cities will be significant. Urban
designers all over China are now planning cities which are set to become the future of
China’s expansion. One of these is the city of Tianjin, just 150 km from Beijing. The
eco-city’s developers hope to build a green urban community which will include an
eco-business park and housing for a population of 350,000 (5) inhabitants. The whole
project is expected to take ten years to complete.
Paragraph 2
All buildings within the eco-city will be built to ‘green’ (ecological) building standards
to ensure energy efficiency. Heating will be provided from waste heat from a nearby
power plant. Renewable energy sources such as solar (the sun), wind and geothermal
energy and clean fuel will provide electrical power. Also, over 60% of all household
(6) waste will be recycled. To reduce carbon emissions, an (7) efficient public transport
system will be available. A lightweight railway will pass through residential areas,
making commuting easier, and residents will have schools, shops and entertainment
within walking distance. The current target is for at least 90% of journeys within the
city to be made by bicycle, public transport, or on foot.
Paragraph 3
As the eco-city is located in an area of low rainfall, a key feature will be water
recycling. The water supply will mainly come from (8) desalinated water and recycled
domestic and industrial waste water. Residents will be actively encouraged to monitor
their domestic water usage, keeping it to below 120 litres per day.
Paragraph 4
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the city will be its (9) integration with the
natural environment. The biodiversity (plant and animal life) will be preserved, and
plans reveal an average of almost 130 square feet of park land per resident. If this (10)
innovative and ambitious project is successful, it could become a model for eco cities,
not just across China, but all over the developing world.

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Name ____________________________
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Level 3: End-of-Course Test A

Reading Test Version 1

Part 1: Questions
1. Choose the correct heading for paragraph 1.
A. Eco-cities win urban design competition.
B. China’s urban challenge.
C. Beijing’s new eco-city.
D. China: The highest population density in the world.

2. Choose the correct heading for paragraph 2.

A. A carbon neutral city.
B. Environmental living solutions.
C. An eco-transport system.
D. Commuter links from your doorstep.

3. Choose the correct heading for paragraph 3.

A. Water sources.
B. China’s driest eco-city.
C. Water supply limitations.
D. Desalination to solve water issues.

4. Choose the correct heading for paragraph 4.

A. Concern that eco-city may damage the environment.
B. Wildlife reserve to be located in the eco-city.
C. Residents demand more green space.
D. Model city for a better future.

5. Match the underlined word or phrase with the definition.

A. Places where people live.
B. Communities.
C. People who live in a particular place.
D. Commuters.

6. Match the underlined word or phrase with a definition.

A. Use more of something than is necessary or useful.
B. Recycled products.
C. Commodities.
D. Materials that are no longer needed for a particular process or purpose.

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Level 3: End-of-Course Test A

Reading Test Version 1

7. Match the underlined word or phrase with a definition.

A. Something that works well and thoroughly.
B. Improved.
C. Low-cost.
D. Environmentally-friendly.

8. Match the underlined word or phrase with a definition.

A. With salt removed.
B. Purified water.
C. With salt added.
D. Underground water.

9. Match the underlined word or phrase with a definition.

A. Respect for something.
B. The act or process of combining things so they work together.
C. The act of being close to something.
D. The act of separating things so they work alongside each other.

10. Match the underlined word or phrase with a definition.

A. Introducing or using traditional ways of doing things.
B. Expensive.
C. Introducing or using new ideas or ways of doing things.
D. Cheap.

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Level 3: End-of-Course Test A

Reading Test Version 1

Part 2: Passage

Conventional trading methods of supermarket chains and multi-national companies

can severely disadvantage producers and workers. This happens particularly in
developing countries where small-scale producers are often exploited so that
companies can continue to achieve substantial profit margins. They are pressured
into offering their product for low prices. This in turn affects workers who may be
paid less and have to work longer hours, often in poor conditions. This situation is
further complicated by unstable world markets – the market price of goods
frequently drops below the cost of their production. Many farmers have been forced
to abandon their farms and migrate to urban areas in an attempt to find alternative
employment.
Products such as bananas, rice, coffee, and cotton are mainly grown by small-scale
farmers marketing their own produce. Fairtrade recognizes the benefit of offering
producers a fair price for their goods in order to relieve poverty, improve conditions
for their workers, and achieve sustainable development for their businesses. Small-
scale producers are given priority over larger plantations enabling families to stay
and work on their land using traditional methods.
The Fairtrade minimum price ensures that producers receive enough money to cover
the cost of the sustainable production of their goods. Buyers are also obliged to offer
long-term trading contracts so that producers can predict their income and make
realistic business plans for the future. Valentín Chinchay, a farmer from a Fairtrade
certified coffee cooperative in Ecuador, explains the difference that Fairtrade has
made to him. ‘During the world coffee crises, our situation was desperate. We
received between 20 and 25 dollars per 100 pounds [of coffee] ... many of the
Ecuadorian coffee producers left. We are currently selling 80% of our total coffee
production under Fairtrade terms. But more important than the higher price is the
stability that Fairtrade brings. We are not as vulnerable as we used to be.’  
Since the international FAIRTRADE Mark was launched in the Netherlands in
1988, consumer awareness has grown steadily. Over 70% of the UK population now
recognize the FAIRTRADE Mark and many supermarkets have increased their
stock of Fairtrade products in response to consumer demand. Globally, consumers
now spend over £1.6 billion on Fairtrade products per year. Fairtrade currently
benefits over seven million farmers, workers and their families in 58 developing
countries.

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Name ____________________________
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Level 3: End-of-Course Test A

Reading Test Version 1

Part 2: Questions
11. What is the writer’s main aim?
A. To raise concern over the fairness of Fairtrade.
B. To compare Fairtrade with conventional trading methods.
C. To explain how Fairtrade coffee is produced.
D. To explain the aims of Fairtrade.

12. What is the author’s opinion about the effect of conventional trading on poorer countries?
A. Small-scale producers continue to achieve substantial profit margins.
B. Small-scale producers and workers suffer exploitation and hardship.
C. Small-scale producers want to offer their produce for low prices.
D. Unstable world markets, not conventional trading, affect small-scale producers.

13. What does ‘their’ refer to in the following sentence?

… can predict their income and make realistic business plans for the future.
A. Producers.
B. Income.
C. Buyers.
D. Long-term trading contracts.

14. What does ‘our’ refer to in the following sentence?

... during the world coffee crises, our situation was desperate.
A. Valentín Chinchay.
B. Multi-national companies.
C. Ecuadorian coffee producers.
D. Fairtrade representatives.

15. Producers and workers in poorer countries are often _____________ by multi-national
companies.
A. paid a fair wage
B. exploited
C. forced to abandon their farms
D. ignored

16. Fairtrade gives priority to ___________.

A. supermarket chains
B. larger plantations
C. achieving substantial profit margins
D. producers who work on small farms or plantations

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Level 3: End-of-Course Test A

Reading Test Version 1

17. Small-scale producers are guaranteed a fair deal due to ___________.

A. improved business planning
B. the Fairtrade minimum price regulation
C. sustainable development
D. consumer demand

18. The world coffee crisis forced many farmers to ____________.

A. lose 80% of their profits
B. demand long-term trading contracts
C. charge a higher price for their coffee
D. give up producing coffee

19. Fairtrade is _________.

A. not currently very successful
B. increasing in popularity
C. available in 70% of UK supermarkets
D. now a priority for multi-national companies and supermarket chains.

20. Which is the best title for the text?

A. Why supermarkets need Fairtrade.
B. How fair is Fairtrade?
C. The benefits of Fairtrade.
D. Fairtrade producers get a poor deal.

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Name ____________________________
Class ____________________________

Level 3: End-of-Course Test A

Reading Test Version 1

Part 3: Passage

Major sporting events such the Olympics are viewed as a potential source of
economic growth. Organizers of the London 2012 Olympic Games are cautiously
optimistic that the event will offer the UK a much-needed boost, not just to the
economy, but also to the mood of its population during the current economic
recession. Speaking to an audience of investors and sports administrators, former
Olympic Gold medallist, Lord Coe, said that the event could contribute
approximately £7 billion to the UK economy.
According to the Transport and General Workers’ Union (T&G), the Olympics will
provide opportunities for the regeneration of East London and for jobs creation,
particularly in the manufacturing, construction, hospitality, and tourism sectors. In
fact, it is estimated that around 12,000 jobs will be created in construction alone.
This is welcome news for businesses and individuals that have faced poor
employment opportunities in recent economic conditions. Vast sums of money will
also be spent on improving London’s transport network, which will continue to
serve the city long after the games have finished.
Many of the UK’s industries will benefit through construction contracts. An
estimated £1 billion will be spent on building the Olympic Village and its facilities,
and £350 million on the Media Centre. Steel for the Olympic Stadium comes from
Bolton in Northern England and steel for the Aquatics Centre, where the swimming
competitions will be held, is from South Wales. Both of these are areas that had
been hit hard by the economic recession. In addition, Olympic business contracts
have protected jobs in both England and Wales for the next two and a half years.
Tony Woodley, General Secretary of the T&G, said, ‘This is fantastic news for
London. UK companies and their workforces should be at the forefront of the
projects to deliver the quality venues for the quality games in 2012.’
Another contribution to economic growth will be the influx of foreign visitors to
London. People will primarily come to watch the Olympics, but 90% of their time
will be spent outside Olympic stadiums. They will undoubtedly spend time and
money as tourists in London and in other areas of the UK. Further income is
expected to be made through the sale of lucrative broadcasting rights and
sponsorship contracts. Welcoming the potential for increased employment and
improvements to the capital, Tony Woodley has said that ethical trading will also be
a priority for the 2012 Olympics. The T&G hope that merchandising to promote the
games is produced under fairtrade conditions.

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Name ____________________________
Class ____________________________

Level 3: End-of-Course Test A

Reading Test Version 1

Part 3: Questions
21. Organizers of London 2012 are certain the Olympics will help the economy.
A. True
B. False
C. Does not say

22. Lord Coe will contribute a large amount of money to the organizing committee.
A. True
B. False
C. Does not say

23. There will be a lot of new building in East London prior to 2012.
A. True
B. False
C. Does not say

24. British steel is considered the best quality steel in the world.
A. True
B. False
C. Does not say

25. Northern England and South Wales have not suffered during the recent recession.
A. True
B. False
C. Does not say

26. Work on Olympic projects will only be done by UK-based companies.

A. True
B. False
C. Does not say

27. Increased tourism during the Olympics is expected to contribute to the UK economy.
A. True
B. False
C. Does not say

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Name ____________________________
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Level 3: End-of-Course Test A

Reading Test Version 1

28. One major source of revenue is from television coverage of the Olympics.
A. True
B. False
C. Does not say

29. London 2012 has already attracted large numbers of sponsors.

A. True
B. False
C. Does not say

30. Tony Woodley isn’t interested in the role of fairtrade companies in the Olympics.
A. True
B. False
C. Does not say

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