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II. READING

Manv people underestimate the extent of poverty in the UK, but the respected charity Oxfam says that one in
five UK citizens currently lives below the official poverty line. This measure, known as "relative income
poverty," is defined as60% or less of the average income, and is accepted and used throughout the European
Union.
For over a decade, beginning toward the end of the last century, the figure went down dramatically, with 1.1
million children lifted out of poverty. This was largely due to increased be¡efits for families with children,
I
alongside measures that enabled single parents to go out to work.
However, poverty is now on the increase again, with many more single, childless people falling into the
category than previously. The disabled are also hard-hit, being twice as likely to live in poverty as their non-
disabled neighbors.
Research shows that growing up in poverty has serious long-term effects. Children go hungry, and can't afford
to take part in the same activities as thelr classmates. Even more significantly, they get worse exam results,
leading to poorer employment opportunities. Research has shown that professional people live, on average,
eight years longer than unskilled workers.
of course, poverty is not distributed evenly throughout the country, and deprived areas suffer from a variety
of social problems, including high crime rates, increased family breakdown, and poor mental and physical
health. lnterestingly, inner London has both the highest rates of poverty and the highest numbers of the
super rich.
It is easy to forget that many households living in poverty contain at least one working adult.
Since 1999, the UK has had an official minimum wage, and it is illegal for employers to pay less. However,
there are growing calls for what campaigners term the "living wage," a higher level on which it is possíble to
live without claiming benefits, and an increasing number of employers are now using this figure for their
lowest-paid jobs.

2L. What is about?

the text 24. What type of people are more likely to be poor now
a) The situation inLondon than in the past?
b) Economic benefits a) children
c) Minimum wage b) parents
d) Poverty in the UK c) people with no children

22. Accordingto the text, how was the problem of d) the wealthv
poverty tackled in the past? 25. What does the underlined phrase mean?
a) lowering taxes a) They think it,s more than it actually is.
b) raising the minimum wage b) They think it's less than it actually is.
c) creating a "living wage" c) They are not interested in it.
d) creating certain benefits d) They don,t know about it.
23. What is NOT mentioned as a potential
consequence of living in poverty?
a) Becoming disabled
b) Going hungry
c) Reduced chance of employment
d) Reduced life expectancy

!ll. WRITING:26-30
ln your opinion, what are the leading causes of poverty in Peru? Remember to use all the grammar
and vocabulary you have learned in the course. Write a paragraph of l-0 sentences min¡mum.

END OF TEST

CONVERSION CHART
27 -3O:5 24-26:4 2L-23:3 t8-2O:2 tS-L7 , 1 14 OR LESS:O