Mid-Year Test

Units 1-6

NAME: ....................................................

DATE: ................................................................

CLASS: ................................................................

MARK: ................................................................

Connections B2 Photocopiable Burlington Books 1

 Quiz 1

Reading
You are going to read about a young girl who succeeds in tennis despite the odds against her. For
questions 1-8, choose the answer, A, B, C or D, which you think fits best, according to the text. (100 points)

against all odds

Sadiya Buta, a teenager in the United States, is an outstanding student. She is also a talented tennis player who
2 plays for her club in Tucson, Arizona. A closer look at this 15-year-old girl reveals that she is anything but ordinary in
many other ways too.
First of all, there is the matter of her appearance. Sadiya is a traditional Muslim and, while she has no problem with
participating in sport, she insists on dressing modestly even on the court. As a result, when her teammates turn up
6 for games in short skirts and skimpy T-shirts, she does too. But unlike them, she wears sweatpants and a long-
sleeved shirt underneath and she covers her hair with a traditional hijab, or headscarf.
Sadiyas differences from her teammates do not end there. Unlike many high-school athletic stars, Sadiya did not
start to play tennis until she was 13. And even then, the only reason she decided to take up a sport was in order to
qualify for a free laptop computer from her local school district. For this she needed to show that she was enrolled in
an after-school activity. Sadiya chose tennis simply because the husband of her science teacher played the game.
But the fundamental difference between Sadiya and most other teens in the United States is the story of her early
life. Sadiya is a Somali refugee who moved to the US at the age of 13. Born in a United Nations refugee camp in
Kenya to an Ethiopian father and a Somali mother, Sadiya and her siblings never expected to reach the US. At most,
they hoped to get to Nairobi, Kenyas capital city. But during his escape from the areas civil war, Sadiyas father,
Abdullahi Wako, was wounded, and lost the sight in one eye. This allowed the family to relocate abroad, and in
2007, the International Organisation for Migration helped them move to the United States.
Settling in has proved a challenge. Because Sadiyas parents only speak their native Somali language, they have
found it difficult to get work. Meanwhile, Sadiya, or Sandy as she is known in school, translates for her whole family.
School is difficult, but Sadiya is determined to succeed, sometimes getting up at 3 am to study in order to maintain
her high academic achievements.
And what about her tennis? This too, did not come easily at first. Yet Sadiya persevered. Not only did she practise
day after day, even in the rain, but she read up about the history of tennis so she would learn everything she could
about the sport. Eventually, her hard work paid off; she now plays for an all-girls team in Arizona called the Lady
Jaguars, and her doubles team is ranked fourth in the area. Because Sadiya is so smallshe is only 1.63 metres tall
and weighs less than 40 kilos she uses both hands to swing the racket, inevitably inviting comparison with the
great Serbian tennis player Monica Seles. However, Sadiya does not plan a career in tennis, although her coach,
Stacy Haines, finds her ability astonishing.
Nevertheless, whatever Sadiya chooses to do in later life, her teachers and coach predict a bright future for her.
They have seen that her determination and hard work have brought her great success in her new life, both on and
off the court. They believe these qualities will enable her to reach any goal she sets herself.

MID-YEAR TEST Units 1-6 Connections B2 Photocopiable Burlington Books 2

 Quiz 1

1. She is anything but ordinary (line 2) means that Sadiya

A is really like teens her age.
B is like everyone else if you look closely.
C hides who she really is.
D isnt at all like teens her age.

2. The word them in line 6 refers to

A short skirts and skimpy T-shirts.
B the games Sadiya plays.
C Sadiyas teammates.
D sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt.

3. Why did Sadiya start to play tennis?

A It would make her different from her classmates.
B It was the sport her high school teacher played.
C It would enable her to get a free laptop.
D It fulfilled her need to play a competitive sport.

4. Sadiya and her family managed to get to the United States because
A they were assisted by the refugee camp in Kenya to leave.
B there was a civil war which forced them to leave the area.
C their father was injured and the International Organisation for Migration helped them.
D Some relatives in the US were waiting for Sadiya and her siblings.

5. It has been difficult for Sadiyas parents to

A accept living in the US, which is foreign to them.
B find employment without a knowledge of English.
C depend on their children for everything.
D watch their children work so hard to succeed.

6. Sadiya has been compared with tennis star Monica Seles because of
A the exceptional level of her tennis.
B her determination and hard work.
C a technical aspect of her game.
D her intense study of the sport.

7. According to her instructor, Sadiya

A will eventually become a professional player.
B has been more successful in sports than at school.
C will succeed in anything she chooses.
D will have a successful academic career.

8. What is the writers attitude towards Sadiya?

A envy
B surprise
C admiration
D disapproval

MID-YEAR TEST Units 1-6 Connections B2 Photocopiable Burlington Books 3

 Quiz 1

B2 Exam Practice
A Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word
in each space. (12 x 1 = 12)

RESTING YOUR MEMORY

Over the years, many studies have been carried (1) proving that sleep
improves our ability to remember things. Several recent studies suggest that even a short daytime
nap (2) have a positive effect on memory.

In one study, the 39 students who (3) part were divided into two groups.
At midday, all of the participants did a round of tests that had (4) specially
designed to exercise the part of the brain that (5) used to remember
things.

After the tests, students in one group were allowed to sleep for an hour or so,
(6) students in the other group (7) to stay
awake. Later that afternoon both groups (8) given more tests.

When the researchers compared the results, they found that those students who had slept, not
(9) performed better than the group that had stayed awake but they
(10) got higher marks than in the first round of tests.

Such studies seem (11) suggest that students would do a lot better at
school if teachers allowed (12) to take a short nap.

MID-YEAR TEST Units 1-6 Connections B2 Photocopiable Burlington Books 4

 Quiz 1

B Read the text below and decide which answer, A, B, C or D, best fits each space. (12 x 2 = 24)

A PARK FOR THAILANDS ELEPHANTS

When touring Thailand several years ago, I decided to (1) advantage of the
opportunity to go
to the Elephant Nature Park, where visitors get a chance to (2) elephants, one of
Thailands symbols. Seeing elephants in their (3) habitat was a real learning (4) .
It enabled me to (5) insight into the habits of these remarkable creatures from close
up. Apart from the thrill of seeing
so many elephants, I also found out a (6) deal about the history of the elephant in
Thailand.

One hundred years ago, there were over 100,000 elephants in the country. Many lived
in the jungles and others were used as working animals to help local people (7) a
living. Sadly, over the last century, many of the jungles have been destroyed. In
addition, many of the working elephants were badly abused. As a result, their numbers
have steadily (8) and today there are no more than 5,000 elephants left.

This is where the Elephant Nature Park comes in. The park, which is a (9) for over 30
abused
or injured elephants, is run by a staff of volunteers and professionals. These dedicated
people,
who (10) a lot of satisfaction from their work, (11) the elephants with a safer
home, where
it is (12) for the animals to live out their lives in peace and dignity.

1. A use B have C receive D take

2. A observe B look C glance D check

3. A common B daily C typical D natural

4. A event B experience C encounter D opportunity

5. A give B share C learn D gain

6. A positive B significant C good D generous

7. A make B build C get D create

8. A reduced B lowered C declined D limited

9. A captivity B refuge C site D camp

10. A put B enjoy C get D give

11. A enable B contribute C offer D provide

12. A likely B possible C available D ready

MID-YEAR TEST Units 1-6 Connections B2 Photocopiable Burlington Books 5

 Quiz 1

C Use the words given at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the space
in the same line. (10 x 2 = 20)

A RESTAURANT WITH A HISTORY

Restaurants are such a common (1) that few of us ever SEE
stop to think about their history. But did you know that according to the Guinness
Book of Records, a restaurant called Botin in Madrid, which dates back to 1725,
is the oldest restaurant in the world? Not (2) , this SURPRISE
restaurant was opened by a French chef, named Botin, who was living in Madrid
at the time. Even then, French food was (3) excellent. CONSIDER

Botin opened a small inn or hotel in a prime (4) in the LOCATE

heart of the city. He offered customers a (5) of dishes to SELECT
choose from. Because the local people had no experience of restaurants, Botins
eating place was an (6) treat and it soon became very EXPECT
well known. Legend has it that the famous 18th century Spanish
(7) , Goya, was even employed there as a dishwasher ART
at one time.

Today, Botin still operates as a restaurant and offers a (8) VARY

of traditional Spanish dishes. Although some of the dishes may take time to
prepare, the food is well worth (9) for. The restaurants WAIT
colourful history, delicious food and (10) atmosphere LIVE
make it a popular eating place for tourists and locals.

MID-YEAR TEST Units 1-6 Connections B2 Photocopiable Burlington Books 6

 Quiz 1

D Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word given.
Use between two and five words, including the word given. (8 x 3 = 24)
1. My friend said I had broken his computer. ACCUSED
My friend ......................................................................................................................... his computer.
2. I regret not contacting John since he left London. KEPT
I am sorry that I ................................................................................... with John since he left London.
3. Although we discussed the problem, no one could solve it. COME
Although we discussed the problem, no one was ................................................................ a solution.
4. Everyone knows that this is the best restaurant in town. BE
This ........................................................................................................... the best restaurant in town.
5. I didnt get to work on time because of the roadworks. PREVENTED
I .................................................................................................... work on time due to the roadworks.
6. I havent drunk coffee since I learned it was bad for my health. USED
I ...................................................................................................... I learned it was bad for my health.
7. Tom is having trouble deciding what to study at university. MIND
Tom ............................................................................................................. what to study at university.
8. The students did not study enough for the exam. OUGHT
The students .................................................................................................................... for the exam.

MID-YEAR TEST Units 1-6 Connections B2 Photocopiable Burlington Books 7

 Quiz 1

E Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence. (10 x 2 = 20)
1. We had to go on a picnic, but since it was raining, we went to a film instead.
a. anticipated c. supported
b. intended d. persuaded
2. I expect my children to behave when we go out to eat.
a. particularly c. properly
b. absolutely d. culturally
3. We cant buy new computers because the manager is to it.
a. opposed c. combating
b. objected d. fighting
4. The results of the study were in a scientific magazine.
a. advertised c. conducted
b. published d. constructed
5. It was of Joan to behave so childishly.
a. extensive c. significant
b. likely d. typical
6. They were so of our holiday plans that we decided to make new arrangements.
a. criticising c. critical
b. criticism d. critically
7. Please get with your work and dont let me disturb you.
a. across c. round
b. down d. on
8. By the end of this summer, the new cultural centre .
a. will have opened c. opens
b. is opening d. is being opened
9. The train I took was very crowded.
You an earlier one.
a. must be taking c. would have taken
b. should have taken d. had to take
10. I was surprised to see that your aunt had arrived.
Yes. We werent so early.
a. expected her to arrive c. expected she arriving
b. expecting that she arrive d. expecting her to arrive

MID-YEAR TEST Units 1-6 Connections B2 Photocopiable Burlington Books 8

 Quiz 1

Writing
Read the task below. Write your review in 120-180 words. (100 points)

You have seen this announcement in an international magazine.

POPULAR MUSIC

Write us an article about music in your country.

What kind of music is popular among teenagers?
What is special about it?
How important is music to young people?
The best article will be published in next months magazine.

MID-YEAR TEST Units 1-6 Connections B2 Photocopiable Burlington Books 9