CEFR A2

HIPPO CATEGORY HIPPO 2

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANDIDATES:

Do NOT turn over the page until instructed.

Answer all the questions.

Use only black or blue PEN.

Dictionaries are not allowed.

Remember to transfer your answers onto the answer sheet.

Time allowed:

Reading 30 minutes
Reading Task 1

Read the sentences. Circle the best option – a, b, or c to complete each gap. An example has
been done for you.

Example: Please don’t _____– our dog is afraid of loud noises.

a) shout b) speak c) run

1. I’m sorry if this noise is _____ you, I’ll stop making it soon.

a) recording b) bothering c) helping

2. Several people were hurt in the _____.

a) accident b) appointment c) mistake

3. We had a really nice meal last night, and I enjoyed the first _____ the most.

a) menu b) subject c) course

4. I’d _____ shop there again – the service was great, and the prices were good.

a) carefully b) certainly c) exactly

5. I had a long journey and felt very tired when I _____ arrived.

a) finally b) immediately c) clearly

6. The weekend trip was a lot of fun, with ____ activities to keep us all busy.

a) crowded b) double c) various

7. I’m so _____ that you can come to my party next month!

a) pleasant b) kind c) pleased

8. Do you like milk in your coffee or do you prefer it _____?

a) against b) without c) except

9. Please make sure you complete your homework before you put the TV _____ .

a) off b) out c) on

10. She says she sent that email, but I never _____ it.

a) received b) returned c) rented (10 marks)

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Reading Task 2

PART A

Read the text and answer the questions. Circle the correct option: a, b, or c. An example has
been done for you.

Hi Tom!

How are you? You asked me to email you when I arrived in Spain for the summer
language course. Mum and I left our house early this morning. We flew from
Manchester airport and landed in Madrid this afternoon. It took us over an hour to
find our apartment!

The flight was boring. I was going to start reading a book, or learn some new Spanish
vocabulary, but I fell asleep as soon as we took off. When we landed, the weather
was great, but we had to wait in a long line of people at the airport, and so we missed
the two-thirty train to Madrid. Fortunately, the trains leave every fifteen minutes, so
we were able to get on one at quarter to three, and arrived in the city just after four
o’clock.

The place Mum and I are staying at has two big bedrooms and a nice kitchen, which
Mum loves. But I think the most amazing part about it is the balcony with the view of
an old church.

Tomorrow is a national holiday in Spain, which means that the language school is
closed. We’ll do some sightseeing instead. It will also be fun to sit in a café and watch
the crowd going to church.

I’m excited about learning all about the Spanish culture. However, I’m a bit worried
that my language skills are not good enough to talk to Spanish people. And my Mum
doesn’t speak Spanish at all. I tried to teach her, but she didn’t want to.

You must tell me about how your last exam at school went. Email me as soon as you
know. Try not to get too stressed while you wait to find out. Maybe you could see a
film at the cinema?

Your friend,
Mike

Example: Mike is writing to:

a) his dad.
b) his friend.
c) his teacher.

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11. Right now, Mike is

a) in a foreign country.
b) visiting his mum.
c) at an airport.

12. What did Mike do on the plane?

a) He read.
b) He slept.
c) He studied.

13. Why were they late for the train?

a) Because the flight was late.

b) Because the weather was bad.
c) Because the airport was busy.

14. Mike caught the train at

a) 2.45 pm.
b) 3.15 pm.
c) 4.15 pm.

15. Which part of the apartment does Mike like the best?

a) the kitchen
b) the balcony
c) the bedroom

16. Mike says that tomorrow he is going to

a) start the language course.

b) visit some famous places.
c) go to church.

17. What is Mike nervous about?

a) teaching his mum

b) learning about Spain
c) speaking Spanish

18. Mike asks his friend to

a) study for an exam.

b) recommend a film.
c) try and stay calm. (8 marks)

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Part B

Read the text. Circle the best option: a, b, or c to complete each gap. An example has been
done for you.

Dear Mike!

It’s (example) _____ to know you arrived safely!

You are very lucky to be away. The weather here is 1) _____. They said it would rain a bit this
morning, but it hasn’t stopped all day! I was going to play football this afternoon, 2) _____ the
grass is too wet. I might go to the cinema 3) _____, I haven’t decided yet.

I’m trying not to worry about the exam results, but I know that if I get a bad mark, my parents
will be 4) _____. They always tell me I 5) _____ succeed at school so that I can get a good job
one day. I know they are right, and I 6) _____ prepare well for all the tests, but I know I did
badly this time.

Anyway, I hope you’re having a great time. I’ll let you 7) _____ about my exam results. I have
one small 8) _____: can you get me a Real Madrid football shirt? I’d really like that.

Bye,
Tom

Example: a) great b) glad c) happy

19. a) terrible b) fine c) excellent

20. a) so b) when c) but

21. a) just b) instead c) already

22. a) upset b) unusual c) pleased

23. a) may b) can c) must

24. a) usually b) especially c) possibly

25. a) inform b) tell c) know

26. a) request b) offer c) advice

(8 marks)

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Reading Task 3
Read the three texts. Answer the questions by writing the correct letter: A, B, or C.
An example has been done for you.

Text A

Hi Joe,

We’ll be at the Red Dragon restaurant for Billy’s

birthday party on Saturday. I’m not a fan of Chinese
food, but it’s Billy’s favourite! If you can join us, the
restaurant is on Town Street – from the park, go
straight ahead on Green Street. You will go under a
bridge and past a swimming pool on the right. When
you see the library, turn left into Rose Lane. The
restaurant is on the corner, opposite the new school.
See you there!

Marie

Text B

I’m from America, but now I live in China. The local food here is delicious,
better than anywhere else in the world. Some simple fish or meat with rice
from a nice restaurant is the perfect lunch for me and my friends. Most people
think that Chinese food is unhealthy, but I don’t agree. We eat a lot of
vegetables and drink green tea every day. Also, my neighbour taught me to
make the best chicken soup – I cook it every week. Because of my diet and Tai
Chi, my favourite type of Chinese exercise, I’m much healthier these days.
Nancy, Beijing

Text C

Last week, my husband and I went for dinner at the Lucky Seven Chinese restaurant in
Edinburgh, and really enjoyed it. The menu is not too expensive at under £20 per meal, and
there are a lot of different dishes. We don’t eat meat, so we had a seafood meal for two.
There was a lot of food, and we didn’t need a dessert! The staff are very polite and helpful
too. The restaurant gets very busy though. You can’t book a table online, so prepare to wait.
We waited for almost 30 minutes. The other problem we had was paying the bill – we
wanted to pay by card but it’s cash only, so remember to take some cash with you. It’s really
worth a visit!

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 Which text … Text

Example: was written by Nancy? B

27. tells you about a way someone keeps fit? ________

28. tells you how to get to a place? ________

29. includes an invitation to a restaurant? ________

30. includes good and bad points about a restaurant? ________

31. says that Chinese food can be healthy? ________

32. is by someone who has moved to a different country? ________

33. tells you about the price of a meal? ________

34. was written by a person whose favourite food is Chinese? ________

(8 marks)

END OF READING ASSESSMENT.

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