Five sentences have been removed from the text below.
For each question, choose the correct answer.
There are three extra sentences which you do not need to use.

A new life

I used to work as a college lecturer in the north of England, running photography courses. It wasn’t a bad job and I really liked my students, but I began to feel tired of doing the same thing every day. (1) ….………….

I’d always loved travelling, so one weekend I typed ‘international volunteering’ into an internet search engine. At the top of the results page was the opportunity to go and stay on an island in the Indian Ocean, thousands of miles away, and help to protect the beaches and the sea life. (2) ………….. I had some diving experience, and the more I talked about it, the more I wanted to do it. So I contacted the organisation. One week later they offered to send me to the island and I accepted. (3)……………… After all, the volunteer job was only for two months during the summer holidays. I thought after I’d finished, I’d come home.

As soon as I got to the island, I was sure I’d done the right thing. My first dive was incredible. (4)………………  I felt so lucky to be able to experience that every day.

In fact I loved it so much that I never came home! I’ve now been on the island for ten years and I have a permanent job. I’m working as a marine educator, teaching volunteers about the sea life and taking them snorkelling and diving. My desk is a picnic table 10 metres from the best beach on the island. Of course not everything about my new life is perfect. (5)……………… However, I can’t imagine going back to my old life.

SHORT MESSAGES

In this part, candidates have to read six short emails, notices, signs or text messages. There are three sentences next to each one. Candidates have to choose which sentence matches the meaning of the email, notice, sign or text message. 

For each question, choose the correct answer.

 

Now on first floor: Women’s sports clothes Toys for 0-12 years old Half-price books

2. From: Greta To: Fiona Help! Did you write down what we have to do before Thursday’s maths class? I’ve lost my notes!

3. Museum trip Students who have not booked this trip should come to school as normal.

4. Concert tickets Buy these on the school website, then collect them from the office

5. Hi Andy I’m playing football with Tom this afternoon on the field behind Woodside School. Do you want to come too? Let me know. Jake

6. Swimming Competition To enter the races, you must be able to swim more than 200 metres.

 

Link the following short sentences with the expressions with the same meaning.

SHORT MESSAGES

In this part, candidates have to read six short emails, notices, signs or text messages. There are three sentences next to each one. Candidates have to choose which sentence matches the meaning of the email, notice, sign or text message. 

For each question, choose the correct answer.

1. Road repairs starting here on 1^st September for four weeks – expect delays

 

2. This desk is only for the collection of theatre tickets booked in advance

 

3. Welcome to Hotel Maroc

      Dear Guest,

    Our holiday advisor is available in the lounge every day 8-10am for booking guided tours, museums/garden tickets, camel rides.

  Enjoy your stay!

 

4. Bob,

I tried to make you a dentist’s appointment for Friday but they can only do 10 am on Monday. If this is OK, ring them before 5 pm today.

Jill

 

 

5. Online Booking Form

Name: …..

Address: ….

No. of tickets ….

Tickets booked within seven days of a performance are kept for collection.

 

6. I your shoes are dirty, please remove them before entering this changing room.

 

7. To: All players

From: Paul

The team is the same as last week – I’ve already checked everyone can play. Anyone needing a lift to Fyfield can phone me.

 

8. Tony,

Maria’s sorry but she’s going to be late this evening. The train is delayed again! Don’t forget you’re meeting her at the station. She should be there at 7.15.

Anita

 

 

9. IMPROVED SERVICE:

From next month this bank will remain open until 2pm on Saturdays

 

10. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT’S CLUB

Next Saturday’s coach trip is cancelled because of lack of interest

 

SHORT MESSAGES

In this part, candidates have to read six short emails, notices, signs or text messages. There are three sentences next to each one. Candidates have to choose which sentence matches the meaning of the email, notice, sign or text message. 

For each question, choose the correct answer.

 

1. Jack, can you bring the bicycle you borrowed to my house today?

Thanks, Karl.

 

2. Buses to the city centre leave this bus stop every 20 minutes

 

3. Tom,

My mum forgot to get us any snacks! Can you bring some when you come to my house tonight? Jake’s bringing lots of CDs!

Harry

 

4. Ben,

I’m at the cinema – where are you? Film starts in 2 minutes.

Ciara

 

5. Billy,

Your sandwiches are in the fridge – put them in your lunchbox.

Don’t forget!

Mum

 

6. Pupils should bring money for the school trip by Friday at the latest

SHORT MESSAGES

In this part, candidates have to read six short emails, notices, signs or text messages. There are three sentences next to each one. Candidates have to choose which sentence matches the meaning of the email, notice, sign or text message. 

For each question, choose the correct answer.

 

1. Sarah,

There’s an offer at the computer game-store. If you hand in old games, you’ll get cash now or a special ticket for money off next month’s new ones.

Tom

 

2. Mum,

The tennis team’s meeting tonight, so I’m taking my tennis clothes for the photo – can’t wait to see myself in it.

Daniel

 

3. Wanted

babysitter for regular work, two evenings per week – generally Monday and Wednesday, but this could change in future. Own transport essential; call Sue to discuss duties and pay details.

 

4. Casali Restaurant

We are open downstairs while improvements are made to this area.

 

5. Due to staff holidays, shop closes early on weekdays during August; Saturdays as normal.

 

6. Ann-Marie,

Emma called. She’s got a free ticket for this evening’s concert as her boyfriend’s busy. I’ve already got one, but if you want to go, call her before 7pm.

Joe

 

7. Gym changing rooms

Place personal items in lockers. Staff will remove anything on floor.

 

8. ROOM TO RENT – UNEXPECTEDLY AVAILABLE

so only £250 per month including fuel bills

Tel: Erik on 663159

 

9. Museum Café

These tables are for costumers only. Follow signs for picnic areas.

 

10. From: Maria Gomez

To: Sarah Smith

Please forgive the delay in writing – I’ve been so busy!

I miss your English classes now I’m back in Spain, but at least I can understand everything here!

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

 

  0.   A heart       B key    C bottom   D focus

 

Memory

 

Memory is at the (0) ….heart…. of our sense of personal identity. If we did not have memory, we would not be (1) ……… of our relationships with other people and would have no (2) ……… that we had had any past at all. And without memory we would have no knowledge on which to (3) ……… our present and future.

 

Memory (4) ……… of three processes: registration, retention and recall. Registration happens when we consciously notice something. Retention is the next (5) ……… , when we keep something we have noticed in our minds for a certain period of time. Finally, recall occurs when we actively think about some of these things that are (6) ……… in our minds.

 

Every day we are subjected to a vast (7) ……… of information. If we remembered every (8) ……… thing we had ever seen or heard, life would be impossible. Consequently, our brains have learnt to register only what is of importance.

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

 

  0    A inviting B attracting    C involving   D appealing

 

New words for a dictionary

 

The editors of a new online dictionary are (0) …inviting… the public to submit words that they would like to see in the dictionary. People are already sending in words, some of which they have (1) ………… themselves – these will almost certainly not (2) ………… in the dictionary!

 

When a new word is submitted, editors check newspapers, radio, television and social networks to see how (3) …………the word is used. They also (4) ………… whether the word is likely to remain in use for more than one or two years. The evidence they collect will help them decide whether or not to put in the dictionary.

 

Editors will (5) ………… feedback on any words submitted by the public. Even words not accepted will (6) ………… to be monitored over the following year. Editors need to be (7) ………… of new words which emerge from areas such as popular culture and technology, so that their dictionary is a genuine (8) ………… of the current language.

 

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

 

  0   A have     B  do    C get   D take

 

Why we need to play

 

Human beings are not the only creatures that like to (0) …have… fun. Many animals play, as do some birds. However, no other creatures spend so much time enjoying themselves as human beings do. Indeed, we (1)…………….. onto our sense of fun right into adulthood.

 

So why do human beings spend so much time playing? One reason is that we have time for leisure; animals have very little time to play as most of their life is spent in sleeping and (2)…………….. food.

So, is play just an opportunity for us to (3)…………….. in enjoyable activities or does it have a more important (4)……………..? According to scientists, (5)…………….. from being fun, play has several very real (6)…………….. for us – it helps our physical, intellectual and social development. It also helps to (7)…………….. us for what we have not yet experienced. With very (8)…………….. risk, we can act out what we would do in unexpected, or even dangerous, situations.

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

 

 0 A predictable B steady    C respectable   D main

 

Home and abroad

 

After a short time living in a foreign country, I noticed conversations with locals assumed a (0) …predictable… pattern. There were standard answers to the usual questions. Most questions caused little (1)…………….. – it was rather like dancing, where both partners know how to avoid (2)……………..on each other’s toes.

 

But, ‘When are you going home?’ was a question I (3)……………..to answer, whenever I (4)…………….. my life and the direction it seemed to be (5)……………… . In the last ten years, I had lived in a dozen countries. And I had travelled through dozens more; usually in (6)…………….. of a purpose or a person; occasionally to see the attractions.

 

This kind of travel is not (7)…………….. wandering, but is the extensive exploration of a wide (8)…………….. of cultures. However, it doesn’t allow you to put down roots. At the back of your mind, though, is the idea of home, the place you came from.