17 Practice tests
Reading
(29 Questions – 35 minutes)
01 Choose one word (A, B, or C) for each space and write the letter on the answer sheet.
The first one (0) is done for you as an example with the answer A marked on your answer
sheet.
0. A. buy (Example) B. eat C. watch
1. A. very B. more C. same
2. A. think B. remember C. forget
3. A. closes B. loses C. works
4. A. hospital B. room C. business
5. A. almost B. around C. nearly
A
Can you (0) ____________ some things after you finish work today?
We need (1) ____________ milk and eggs.
Don’t (2) ____________ to get a can of dog food.
The shop (3) ____________ late today.
I have an appointment at the (4) ____________.
I will see you at home at (5) ____________ 7 o’clock.
Love,
Samantha
18 Practice tests
02 The sentences below give information for people joining a gym for the first time.
Put the sentences (B – F) in the right order. Write your answers on the answer sheet
(Questions 6 – 10).
The first sentence (A) is given for you on the answer sheet as an example.
A If you would like to join our sports centre, please pay attention to the following.
(Example)
B Please use the card immediately to open the sports hall doors to test it works.
C We will give you one of these when we receive your first month’s payment.
D In exchange, one of the staff there will give you your numbered key card.
E You can do this at the front desk any time during opening hours.
F Before you can use the centre, you’ll need a member’s card.
03 The sentences below are from a book about Japanese art history.
Put the sentences (B – F) in the right order. Write your answers on the answer sheet
(Questions 11 – 15).
The first sentence (A) is given for you on the answer sheet as an example.
A In Japanese art there is a technique of arranging flowers in a traditional way.
(Example)
B Artists need to learn how all these elements and their meanings relate to each other.
C This technique allows artists to use flowers to create beautiful works.
D Their choices are important because different sizes and shapes have their own
meanings.
E They can learn about these in one of the many schools in Japan.
F The artist starts by choosing what to use for the flower arrangement.
19 Practice tests
04 Four people were asked by a local newspaper about their opinions of the town’s library.
Read the texts and answer Questions 16 – 22.
Choose one answer (A, B, C or D) and mark it on your answer sheet.
A Town Library
Person A
‘The problem with the library is the lack of computers. The few they have are always taken
and people have to wait ages to use one. This is worse during the summer months when
we have exams. I prefer to revise in the library because it's too noisy at home. Many of
the bookshelves seem half empty, so maybe some of them could be removed and more
computers installed.’
Person B
‘A lot of the books for children are quite old and in poor condition. They should update
the collection with current authors and replace a few of the favourite classics as well. The
children's area is well organised but books get scattered about. You need a member of
staff there to ensure the area is always kept tidy. There are usually three people working
on the front desk, which seems unnecessary.’
Person C
‘I find it difficult to find things in the library. The way the shelves are arranged isn’t
logical. They’re not clearly labelled and books often get put back in the wrong place. The
children's area is too close to the study area, which is supposed to be quiet. It isn’t when
large school groups come in. Also, the computers are too close together and there’s not
enough space to work.’
Person D
‘I've always loved the library. When I was a child it was a great place to meet friends and do
homework. I still go there to go online and read the news. There's no shortage of books,
but there are so few people working there. I’ve noticed that particularly when I’ve been
on a computer. There’s never anyone around to ask for help when they go wrong, which is
frequently.’
20 Practice tests
04 Four people were asked by a local newspaper about their opinions of the town’s library.
Read the texts and answer Questions 16 – 22.
Choose one answer (A, B, C or D) and mark it on your answer sheet.
16. Who thinks the library needs more staff?
A. Person A B. Person B C. Person C D. Person D
17. Who wants less space to be taken up with books?
A. Person A B. Person B C. Person C D. Person D
18. Who thinks the organisation of the library should be improved?
A. Person A B. Person B C. Person C D. Person D
19. Who thinks the library should have more books?
A. Person A B. Person B C. Person C D. Person D
20. Who thinks the library can get noisy?
A. Person A B. Person B C. Person C D. Person D
21. Who has had technical problems with computers?
A. Person A B. Person B C. Person C D. Person D
22. Who uses the library for study?
A. Person A B. Person B C. Person C D. Person D
21 Practice tests
05 Read the text below. Match the headings A – H to the paragraphs 1 – 7 (Questions 23 – 29).
Write your answers (A – H) on the answer sheet. There is one more heading than you need.
The answer to Paragraph 0 is given on the answer sheet as an example (J).
The Kon-Tiki
(J) A sight not seen in 500 years (Example)
0. In 1947, the strangest craft to set sail in 500 years crossed the South Pacific from Peru
to Indonesia. A Norwegian scientist called Thor Heyerdahl built the boat, Kon-Tiki, named
after the Indonesian Sun God, and made the massive journey across open seas with the
aim of proving his theory about the origins of the Indonesian people.
1. Heyerdahl believed that the Indonesian people had come from Peru. He said stone
heads found on Easter Island were so similar to those around Lake Titicaca in Peru
that there had to be a connection. But other scientists claimed that it would have been
impossible for the Peruvians to make the journey across open sea. They said the stone
figures had been made by Indonesians to frighten a local enemy they were fighting.
Heyerdahl thought these battles were really between Indonesian natives and Peruvian
invaders, and that the Peruvians could have made the journey. It was this that he wanted to
prove.
2. Kon-Tiki was designed by copying pre-Columbian illustrations and paintings. It was built
in Peru using local materials like wood, reeds and rope made from plants. There was no
metal used at all in the construction. The finished boat was 15 metres long and 5 metres
wide. The six-man crew, and a parrot called Lorita, shared a small cabin of 5 metres long
and 2 metres wide. They also had to carry enough supplies for the 100-day crossing. They
carried with them 1,250 litres of water and 200 coconuts as well as fruits and roots. The
US Army had also given them emergency rations and survival equipment. Their diet was
supplemented with the wide variety of fish that they were able to catch while at sea.
3. The crew members - four Norwegians and a Swede - who went with Heyerdahl included
a steward, an engineer, a sociologist and translator, a guide and radio experts. The only
modern equipment they carried was a compass and a radio, which was mainly used for
giving weather reports and relaying their position to the Norwegian government.
4. They set out from the Peruvian sea port of Callao on April 28th, 1947. A navy boat pulled
them 50 miles out to sea before releasing them. From there they sailed west, carried along
by the Humbolt current. Their first sight of land, Puka-Puka island, was made 93 days later.
Four days after that they saw Angatau Island and spoke to people from there but could not
land. Finally, after 101 days at sea and sailing 6,980 kilometres, they touched dry land on
the desert island of Raroia. However, people from nearby islands arrived in boats and took
them to their village where they were welcomed with traditional dancing and parties.
22 Practice tests
05 Read the text below. Match the headings A – H to the paragraphs 1 – 7 (Questions 23 – 29).
Write your answers (A – H) on the answer sheet. There is one more heading than you need.
The answer to Paragraph 0 is given on the answer sheet as an example (J).
5. Heyerdahl’s trip sparked a number of reactions in other scientists. They said that he
and his team hadn’t sailed but drifted, and that it was chance that they reached their
destination. They also claimed that there was more evidence that the people of the
Indonesian islands had originally come from the West, and not from the East. However, as
recently as 2011, genetic evidence has been found which supports Heyerdahl’s claims.
6. Since the Kon-Tiki’s ambitious crossing, there have been several similar expeditions. Not
all of them were successful, but in 1970, the Spanish explorer, Vital Alsar, succeeded in
crossing the Pacific Ocean in the longest recorded journey of its kind. Alsar was convinced
that ancient sailors could read the ocean currents like road maps. He successfully proved
the point in 1973 when he repeated the voyage. More recently still, a Norwegian team
recreated the trip with a copy of Thor Heyerdahl’s craft and made an award-winning
documentary of the experience.
7. Thor Heyerdahl’s impressive journey has captured the imagination of generations.
His book, The Kon-Tiki expedition was published in 1948 and immediately became a
best-seller. His documentary, made on 8mm film, taken during the journey and including
interviews with the crew, won an Academy Award in 1951. The Kon-Tiki museum in Oslo
is one of the most visited places in Norway. And as recently as 2012, Kon-Tiki, the most
expensive Norwegian feature film of the journey, was nominated for an Oscar.
Headings
A Where they went, others have followed
B A debatable success
C Water shortage
D An experienced team
E Three months in the Pacific
F He had something to prove
G The technical aspects
H People are still talking about it
J A sight not seen in 500 years (Example)
