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READING COMPREHENSION AND LANGUAGE ELEMENTS

90 minutes

Reading Comprehension (Part 1)

First read the ten headlines (a-j). Then read the five texts (1-5) and decide which text goes best with
which headline. Mark your answers on the answer sheet in the boxes 1-5.

a) Blizzards to Batter Britain

b) Parents Panic
c) Thug Jailed for Retired Teacher Attack
d) Try This Tiny Hearing Device
e) Still Going Strong
f) Savers Have Heads in Sand
g) London and Midland Passengers Facing Fare Rises
h) Get a Real Low Rate Loan
i) Cancer Now the Biggest Threat to British Women
j) Power Firms Have Nothing to Hide?

1
Retired teacher Doreen Priestley is no fan of new technology. She prepares her meals on a 57year-old gas cooker while keeping her house tidy with a 39-year-old vacuum cleaner. Doreen,
67, still uses the battered recipe book which came with the Cannon cooker back in 1953 the
year the Queen was crowned at Westminster Abbey. `My mum taught me to cook on it and I
have seen no reason to get rid of it ever since,` she said. `It has been so reliable over the years
and it`s really simple to use. I think things were better made in days gone by. Things were built
to last.`

2
Yesterday the EU banned a chemical used in the production of plastic baby bottles amid fears it
could trigger cancer and damage development. BPA has been shown in animal studies to disrupt

hormones and increase the risk of tumours. Similar bans were imposed in other countries after
tests showed it can leach from bottles into baby milk. The decision immediately triggered
confusion among mothers who were offered no advice on what to do if they are already using
bottles made using BPA.

3
Energy suppliers will be forced to open their books to public scrutiny after the industry
watchdog found profits soared 38 per cent in the wake of consumer hikes. Ofgem discovered
the average profit margin on a standard duel-fuel tariff has risen from 65 to 90 since
September. Suppliers claim rises are inevitable as they are facing wholesale price rises of more
than 25 per cent, while British Gas claimed this month they were selling at a loss. Alistair
Buchanan, Ofgem`s chief executive, said he wanted to make sure firms were `playing it straight`
with customers, with a detailed investigation that will last until next March.

4
Britons are in denial over their money problems, one of UK`s banking giants warned yesterday.
Despite three-quarters of consumers worrying about their finances, nearly the same number
have not changed their saving or spending habits. Richard Brown at HSBC said: `This
demonstrates a worrying lack of preparation. It is of utmost importance that people are setting
aside money for emergencies but only a minority have altered their habits. This suggests people
do not realize the need to change.` The bank found many have less than 249 in savings
equivalent of five days` average earnings while the recommended minimum amount of saving
is 4,683, or three months of an average salary.

5
Britain faces 15 days of winter chaos as gale-force winds bring bitterly cold temperatures. Ten
inches of snow is predicted to fall on higher ground in the North today. Many areas will struggle
to get above freezing over the rest of the weekend. Met Office forecaster Dave Britton said: `No
part of the country is immune over the next few days.` Severe weather warnings are in place for
London and the Midlands next week. There were warnings of `very dangerous` driving
conditions as snow froze or melted and re-froze. Some councils complained that grit firms had
not delivered supplies in time for the winter blast. Authorities revealed they were still waiting
for grit ordered as long ago as last winter.

Reading Comprehension (Part 2)

Read the following text, then choose the answers to questions 6-10. Decide which is the correct
answer (a, b or c). Mark your answers on the answer sheet.

The effects of computer games on young children

The advent of Space Invaders in 1979 saw computer games become popular to a mass audience. By 1981,
no single game dominated the field any more as new games came out, rendering Space Invaders obsolete.
The increasing popularity of computer games stimulated a certain amount of research interest
in their effects. However, the saturation of the market with games in the early 1980s led to some loss of interest
in them by the purchasing public, the late 1980s saw the arrival of the Japanese Nintendo system and soon
sales started to rise. In 1991, the Economist Intelligence Unit noted that UK sales of console games connected
to televisions increased by 200 per cent and sales of hand held games had risen by 700 per cent.
Computer game playing has always been a relatively high frequency activity among adolescents. Research has
indicated gender differences in computer game playing habits, with males playing more frequently than
females. Reasons for this include: the game content, in that games tend to contain more masculine than
feminine characters; the nature of the games, in that males tend to do better than females on tasks involving
visual and spatial skills; and social factors women are not encouraged to express aggression in public and
are unlikely to feel comfortable with games of combat or war.
Little research has been carried out into non-arcade electronic game playing as this was originally perceived
as a harmless and enjoyable pastime. However, with the ever-increasing interest and participation of young
children in this activity, much concern has been expressed about the effects of these games on children,
pointing to the need for some form of empirical investigation.
Some of the research has suggested that the playing of computer games causes physical or psychological
effects. Whilst computer game playing has not been implicated as a cause of severe psychopathology, some
studies suggest some form of short term relationship between playing violent computer games and an increase
in aggressive behaviour. In addition, some studies have provided support for the argument that computer game
playing is potentially addictive. One study has specifically considered the connection between computer game
playing and criminal activity.
In response to the criticisms of computer games, some have claimed that there are creative and prosocial
applications of such games, with stresses on physical rehabilitation, educational value and the promotion of
social interaction and growth. It has been argued that the aggressive content of computer games actually
allows players to release their stress and aggression in a non-destructive way and in fact has the effect of
relaxing them.
A key question is the issue of causation. Do children exhibit more aggressive behaviour after playing computer
games with aggressive content or do more aggressive or impulsive children play those sorts of games more
than their less impulsive friends? It is tempting to interpret findings from the above studies as evidence of
causal relationships of one sort or another. However, results emerging from these studies should not
necessarily be interpreted as strong evidence of causal relationships, but should instead indicate where there
might be the need for further research.
The strongest suggestion emerging from the present review is that there is a necessity for more research into
the long-term effects of computer games on children, incorporating the duration of effects and whether

repeated playing has cumulative effects. There is a need for longitudinal studies (rather than cross-sectional
and retrospective studies) recording developmental features of computer game players and establishing the
long term effects on young children playing computer games.

6. In the 1980s,
a) the research interest in games increased
b) first there was a decline then a sudden increase in games sales
c) the introduction of the Nintendo game posed serious danger to children playing the game

7. According to the article, the content and nature of the game as well as some social factors
a) may explain the gender differences in playing habits.
b) cannot provide a good enough explanation for the gender differences in playing habits.
c) are the most researched topics in this field.

8. Computer games result in physical or psychological problems,

a) according to all research.
b) according to one piece of research.
c) according to some research.

9. Those in favour of computer games argue that

a) the aggressive content is not present at all
b) the aggressive content in this form may have beneficial effects.
c) stress and aggression is good for adult players.

10. The research findings

a) indicate strong cause-effect relationships
b) indicate that computer games do not cause aggressive behaviour
c) indicate that we still do not have a full understanding of the effects of gaming

Reading Comprehension (Part 3)

First read the ten situations (11-20) and then read the twelve texts (A-L). Decide which text goes
best with which situation. Each text can be used only once. Mark your answers on the answer sheet
(11-20). In some cases, there might be no suitable text. Then mark x.

11. You are considering selling your house.

12. You want to book a flight.
13. You wonder whether it is still time to buy a present online and send it by post.H
14. You want to lose some weight.
15. You want to find out about the weather.
16. You want a different hairstyle.
17. You want to go to the movies.
18. You have stomach problems.
19. You want to eat out.
20. For a party, you want to purchase some food and drink which is good value for money.

A. Sleet and snow showers will continue in north Scotland with wintry showers for other eastern
and western coastal areas. Elsewhere, frosty with the odd snow flurry. Tomorrow it is staying
cold with snow showers across many eastern areas, heaviest in Scotland. Sharp night frosts are
also expected.
B. Royal Mail will be making extra deliveries in the run-up to Christmas to cope with a rising
demand in internet shopping. The service said staff would carry out extra rounds on the
morning of Sunday, December 19 and between 6pm and 9pm on December 22 and 23. It will
also extend the opening hours of all 1400 delivery offices for two weeks from December 13 but
times will vary. Royal Mail said it expected to deliver a record 165 million items ordered online
before December 25.
C. Half price cheese and wine. Pop down to your local Waitrose for a great selection of cheese and
wine for Christmas. Create the perfect cheese board, from Cornish Quartz Cheddar to a special
Castello Blue. Enjoy with a glass of Hardys Crest Cabernet-Shiraz-Merlot. Majority of stores.
Subject to availability. You must be 18 years or over to purchase alcohol. Ends 7th December.
D. Low rate mortgage at Lloyds TSB. Available if you are remortgaging or buying a new home. You
can borrow between 50,000 and 250,000 or up to 75% of your home`s value, whichever is

lower. A product fee of 2.5% of the loan which can be added to your loan applies, although
interest will be payable.

E. In Montreal, there is a plethora of fabulous eateries to choose from. For a quick bite, the quirky
Olive et Gourmando does home-made fare that is far more deliciously satisfying than a
lunchtime sandwich or pastry has any right to be. For a heartier dinner, Liverpool House offers a
constantly changing menu of French cuisine that is any carnivore`s dream. And don`t forget to
pick up a freshly baked bagel from either St Viateur or Fairmount the morning after.
F. Departure dates as indicated above. Return fares shown are from departure from London and
include all taxes and fees. Tickets must be purchased by December 10. All travel must be
completed by July 7, 2011. Seats are limited and subject to availability. Tickets are nonrefundable. Fares are valid at time of printing and apply to new bookings only.

G. According to shopping comparison website, Kelkoo.co.uk, Prince William and Kate Middleton`s
wedding is expected to boost tourist numbers by 320,000 next summer, with visitors spending
an average 177 per person on shopping, generating an additional 56.7 million in retail sales.
H. Working week: the low-slung pony. Simple, easy and inspired by the Hermes AW10 show, this
asymmetric pony will sharpen your weekday look when you`ve only got minutes to spare. Prep
by washing with the new Gareth James Vital Shampoo to combat dryness during the winter
months. Blow dry straight, then run a pea-sized amount of cream through the lengths. Create a
parting about two inches off-centre. The low side parting immediately updates the schoolgirl
ponytail to look chic yet pretty.

I.

You know what payment plan? The Compact Jeep Patriot with intelligent four-wheel drive for
year-round handling assurance. Now available with an all new powerful yet economical 2.2
diesel engine that delivers up to 42.8 mpg. 41 monthly payments of 199 with customer deposit
of 3,745. Mileage per annum 10,000. Excess mileage charge 12p per mile.

J.

Only one of 140 activists will be allowed to attend the Nobel Peace Prize giving ceremony for
winner Liu Xiaobo, currently in jail for subversion. The others have been stopped from leaving
the country or placed under tight surveillance amid a crackdown on dissenters.

K. New Dulcobalance is a constipation treatment that has been scientifically developed to give
gradual, effective relief over one to two days. By taking water to where it is needed, it simply
helps redress the imbalance that leads to constipation, avoiding direct stimulation of the bowel
while being kind to your insides. What`s more, unlike some constipation remedies which thicken
in the glass, Dulcobalance dissolves to a refreshingly pleasant drink flavoured with fruit juice.
L. This critically acclaimed thriller is widely being dubbed `the Mexican Last Tango in Paris` for its
explicit and pervy scenes. Australian director Michael Rowe`s debut, it follows 29 days in the life
of a lonely journalist (Monica del Carmen) focused on her various anonymous and increasingly
demeaning sexual encounters.

Language Elements (Part 1)

Read the following text and decide which word or phrase a, b, or c is missing in items 21-30. Mark
your answers on the answer sheet.

Animals communicate in a silent language, and humans communicate in a verbal language. This silent
language is called telepathy which means ___21___ across a distance. Communicating telepathically
with animals means we are mentally sending and receiving messages.
It involves ___22___ direct transmission of feelings, emotions, intentions, thoughts, mental images,
impressions, sensations, and pure knowing. In ___23___ kind of communication you do not read body
language or make guesses based ___24___ behaviour. Telepathic communication after all, is an innate
ability ___25___ all beings. So even ___26___ we were all born with the ability, and it was very natural
as young children and babies, it has been forgotten to most of us as we grew up. Telepathy ___27___ be
re-learnt and used once again to communicate with the natural world, and form wonderful bonds and
understanding with our animal friends. Animals are already masters of telepathic communication and
talk to ___28___ in this way and to humans, if they are listening that is, if they allow themselves to tune
in or are perceptive to them. It is just like learning a different language.
When we meet someone who does not speak our language, we don't assume that they have nothing to
say, we just can't understand them. If we wish to communicate with them we ___29___ have to learn
their language or use an interpreter. If you have a close relationship with your animal companion, you
can be sure you are already communicating with them. You just ___30___ not realize that you are
communicating with your animals because you think that the thoughts and feelings are your own.

21.
a) feel
b) to feel
c) feeling
22.
a) the
b) to
c) of
23.
a) the
b) this
c) this
24.
a) on
b) of
c) after

25.
a) of
b) to
c) with
26.
a) though
b) through
c) when
27.
a) mustn`t
b) has
c) can
28.
a) another
b) each other
c) another one
29.
a) or
b) either
c) whether
30.
a) may
b) must
c) can

Language Elements (Part 2)

Read the following text and decide which of the words or phrases a-o is missing in items 31-40.
Mark your answers on the answer sheet.

Trends In Recipes And Cooking: Local With A Global Twist

Our societys growing consciousness about the impact of our actions on the planets health and wellbeing is being felt in the kitchen. More and more, the trend in recipes and cooking ___31___
around finding ingredients that are produced locally. Home cooks are recognizing that fruit and
vegetables grown in other states and other countries gobble up energy to package and transport
them to market. This ___32___ an enormous carbon footprint a result that a growing number
of families want to avoid.

As a ___33___, shoppers are searching for fresh food and produce that is locally grown. For a few,
this means regularly going to farmers markets; for others, it indicates asking about the source of
fresh food at the ___34___. Numerous others have the need to take ___35___ toward finding
recipes and cooking with fresh produce and other ingredients, but arent certain where to begin.
Thank ___36___ for the internet! For those ready to take the very first steps, theres an abundance
of information ___37___ on the web. Equipped with this info, shoppers can learn how to buy
fresh produce, discover the types of produce that are in ___ 38___, read articles with regards to
fresh food, and look for recipes to prepare everything from delectable fresh fish, seafood, and
meat dishes to scrumptious vegetable courses and dessert treats.
Moreover, home cooks are ___39___ that cooking with locally grown fresh food opens the door to a
world of cuisines literally. Todays recipes and cooking trends put a global twist on fresh
ingredients. If you are in the mood for Asian food, for instance, you dont have to ___40___.
Instead, you can make use of the net to research Asian food culture and find recipes which are
easy to make at home. Likewise, resources for French food, German food, Italian food, and
Mexican food are just a couple of mouse clicks away.

a) dine out
b) rights
c) result
d) discovering
e) issue

f) season
g) grocery store
h) include
i) available
j) support

k) leaves
l) heavens
m) arising
n) revolves
o) steps

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This is the end of sub-test 1 and sub-test 2

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Listening Comprehension
This sub-test consists of three parts, testing
- Listening for Gist
- Listening for Detail
- Selective Listening
This sub-test contains a total of 20 items (41-60). Each item has only one correct answer.
Listening Comprehension (Part 1)
You will hear five speakers. You will hear each item only once. Decide which title a-f goes with each
passage. Mark your answers on the answer sheet.

41.
42.
43.
44.
45.

SEASIDE

GROUP HOLIDAY

VACATION IN THE USA

CAMPING

MOUNTAINS

WORKING HOLIDAY

Listening Comprehension (Part 2)

You will hear a radio interview. First you will have one minute to read the introduction and the items.
Then you will hear the interview. You will hear the interview twice.
Decide if the statement for each of the items is true (+) or not true (-) and mark your answers on the
answer sheet.

46. This week the topic is `special effects` in films.

47. Back in the past, `special effects` did not exist.
48. The first `special effect` was made in 1988.
49. Jurassic Park has been the most influential film regarding `special effects`.
50. Star Wars is remarkable because at that time, technology was not advanced as it is now.
51. Digital technology is the key to `special effects`.
52. The special effects team working on Independence Day completed the movie in five months.
53. Explosions as special effects are risky because movie makers may die.
54. One of the biggest challenges for special effects teams is to create human bodies.
55. You have to have both technical skills and creativity if you want to be successful as a special effects
person.

Listening Comprehension (Part 3)

You will hear eight short texts. You will hear the texts only once. Then you will have time to answer the
question for five texts.
Decide which is the correct answer (a, b, or c) for each question and mark your answers on the answer
sheet.

56. The party was fantastic,

a) according to the girl.
b) according to the boy.
c) according to some of the teachers.

57. Most of the street performances were cancelled

a) because of the theatre play.
b) because of the crowd of people.
c) because of the rain.

58. In the radio show, you can

a) win tickets for the jazz festival
b) win tickets for the football match at the City Stadium
c) win festival guides

59. Alina is upset because her friend

a) sent her flowers
b) called her in the middle of the night
c) forgot about her birthday

60. The wedding party was held

a) at a place that surprised everyone
b) at the seaside
c) in the bride`s old house

Writing
You are allowed a total of 30 minutes for this sub-test.
You have TWO different tasks TO CHOOSE FROM. Decide quickly which letter you are going to write as
you only have a total of 30 minutes to complete the task.
A) You recently stayed in a hotel in a large city. The weather was very unusual for the time of year and
the heating / cooling system in the hotel was quite inadequate.
Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter:
give details of what went wrong
explain what you had to do to overcome the problem at the time
say what action you would like the manager to take
You should write 150-200 words.
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear __________

OR:
B) You have been living in a rental apartment for the past year. Recently a new neighbour moved in and
has been making a lot of noise, which disturbs you.
Write a letter to the landlord. In your letter:
explain the situation
describe why it bothers you
suggest a solution
You should write 150-200 words.
You do NOT need to write any address.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear __________