Exam Number: 0000

Universidad Veracruzana
EXAVER
Level Two
Paper One
Reading and Writing
Sample Test
Time Limit: 50 minutes.
Do not write on the exam paper

Part One

Numbers 1 - 8

Instructions
Match each statement (1 - 8), with the correct notice (A - K). For each number, mark
the correct letter on your answer sheet with an X. There are TWO extra notices.
EXAMPLE
0.

CORRECT ANSWER
K

You would see this at a hotel.

1. You will have to use the stairs!

Leave your key at Reception

Shake paint well before opening can

2. People from the USA should not go

here.

Sorry for the inconvenience

3. You are never allowed to park here

Keep away from fire!

4. You may find this on a drink carton.

Take one teaspoonful 3 times

a day with meals

5. This is from a doctor's prescription.

Aliens and non-US residents

6. Be careful! This burns easily.

Theater Box Office Open

7. This place closes one day a week.

Hospital entrance.
Keep clear at all times

8. Buy tickets for a show here.

Kens restaurant
No service on Mondays

Refrigerate juice after opening

No parking 4-6 pm Mon - Fri

Leave your key at Reception

-1-

Elevator out of order

Part Two

Numbers 9-16

Instructions:
Read the conversation. For numbers 9 16, select the correct option to complete the
conversation. Mark the correct letter on your answer sheet with an X.
Dialogue One: Mary and Angela meet at the market.
EXAMPLE
CORRECT ANSWER
0.
Mary:
Angela! What are you doing here at the Saturday market? 0.
B
Angela:
Hi, Mary. ________________________
A I'm doing fine, thanks. B Just a little shopping.
C You always shop here.
9.

10.

11.

12.

Mary:
Me too. I love this place. Don't you?
Angela:
____________________.
A Dont mention it
B Not at all

C Yes, its great

Mary:
So... How have you been?
Angela:
____________________.
A Things are just fine
B I haven't been anywhere

C Pleased to meet you

Mary:
Did John get that promotion he was hoping for?
Angela:
____________________.
A He sure did!
B
He sure is!

Mary:
Hes worked at that company for a long time now.
Angela:
Yes, ____________________.
A twenty minutes ago
B
about five hours
C
Mary:
Angela:

He sure can!

almost ten years

Well, great to see you.

You too. Take care, now

Dialogue Two: David is visiting Veracruz for the first time.

13.

David:
Man:

A
14.

David:
Man:

A
15.

David:
Man:

A
16.

David:
Man:

A
David:
Man:

Excuse me. Is there a bank around here?

Yes, ____________________!
youre quite right
B
first on the right

C thats quite alright

Thanks. Are you from this town?

Yes, ____________________?
I've never been there B I was born here, actually

C I've been there before

I'm from Boston. Have you ever been there?

____________________.
No, never
B
Yes, I do

Yes, you were

This seems like a really good place to live.

_____________________.
Thanks for the tip!
B
Glad to help you.

You will love it!

Thanks a lot for your help. Bye.

You're welcome.

-2-

Part Three

Numbers 17 - 24

Instructions:
Read the article carefully. Then, for numbers 17 24, read each statement and select
the correct option according to the information in the text. On your answer sheet,
mark the appropriate letter with an X.
The Biblical Pistachio
The Pistachio nut has, since ancient times, been a popular type of nut.
In fact, pistachios and almonds are the only varieties of nut mentioned
in the bible!
Pistachio trees are hard to grow; growers do not expect nuts soon after planting; the
first nuts usually appear after seven to ten years. After that, the tree produces nuts every
other year. Pistachios are very sensitive and need a lot of sun and not too much water. So if
there are frequent rains and little sun, the water often completely ruins the nuts. It takes about
25 years for a pistachio tree to mature, though some are mature at 20 years of age. In the
Middle East, a tree has been known to live for 500 years. Iran is the largest pistachio-producing
country in the world, followed by the USA and Mexico.
When they are collected, pistachios are usually very damp and so they must be dried
quickly, to keep them good. They are dried in their shells for 12 hours, within 24 hours of coming
off the tree, but its hard to completely dry them. Even after the drying process, they still
contain about 7 % of their water. If the pistachio nut does not open by itself, it is almost
impossible to eat it!

EXAMPLE
0.
The pistachio nut ______________.
A has recently become popular
B has been popular

CORRECT ANSWER
B
C is not liked by many people

for many years

17.

You can read about ________________________ type(s) of nut in the Bible.

A 0
B 1
C 2

18.

Pistachio trees produce their first nuts ___________________________.

A a year after planting
B after at least 7 years
C after at least a decade

19.

After the first time, nuts will grow again ____________________.

A every year
B every two years
C every three years
A good climate for growing pistachios is one which is ___________________.
A not too wet
B not too dry
C not too sunny

20.
21.

Pistachio trees live for _______________.

A less than 20 years
B up to 25 years

22.

The country that produces the most pistachios is ______________.

A Mexico
B Iran
C

23.

Pistachios are dried ______________.

-3-

C up to 500 years
USA

A for twenty-four hours

24.

so they do not go bad

It is __________ to take out all the water from pistachios.

A quite easy
B quite usual

C without the shell

C

Part Four

quite difficult

Numbers 25 - 32

Instructions:
Read the text below carefully. Then, for numbers 25 32, select the correct option for
each space, and mark the appropriate letter on your answer sheet with an X.
Pet Travel Becomes Possible

by Heidi Kotansky

Do you want to take your pet with you on a trip? Most airlines permit one (0) _____ two pets
in the main cabin area for an extra payment. Your pet should, however, be at (25) _____ 8
weeks old, not weigh more than 7 kilos and its box must fit under the seat in front of you.
A second option is (26) _____ your pet in the category of passenger baggage. But extreme
summer heat (27) _____ make traveling in the baggage area unsafe for your pet, so some
airlines do not permit pets (28) _________ baggage from May 15 through September 15.
Travel with pets is always best during morning and evening hours throughout summer, and
during the middle of the day (29) __________ winter.
Travelling as cargo is another way (30) ___________ your pet. Snakes and most similar
animals, must be (31) _______ this way. The airline calculates the price you pay in relation to
the destination, and weight (32) ________ the animal. So now your pet can go with you.

EXAMPLE
0.
A and
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.

A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A

least
send
must
than
on
transport
carried
from

B but

C
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B

less
sent
can
like
at
to transport
carry
for

-4-

CORRECT ANSWER
0.
C

or
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C

few
sending
is
as
in
transporting
carrying
of

Part Five

Numbers 33 - 40

Instructions:
Read the letter below carefully and complete it. USE ONE WORD ONLY for each
space. For numbers 33-40 write the correct word beside the corresponding number
on your answer sheet.
EXAMPLE

CORRECT ANSWER

Thanks for (0) ______ your message.

(0) _____for______

Dear Paul,
Thanks (0) _____ your message. Yes, we (33) ________ love to come to
your party on Friday. It sounds like a lot of fun. (34) _____ you know
whether Gemma is coming? I haven't seen her (35) __________ about a
year and I want to see her and find out what she is doing (36) _____
days.
I don't really have much news to tell you and I guess we'll be able to
talk a little (37) ______ the party. Can we bring the kids? (38) ______
me know if that's OK. If not, we can ask my parents (39) _________
babysit so it won't be (40) __________ problem.
Anyway, looking forward to seeing you on Friday at 8.
Jenny

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