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Reading (___/ 25M)

Reading Part One (15 marks) ___ /15

You are going to read an article about places to visit in England and Scotland. For questions 1 - 15, choose from the list (A-E). The places may be chosen more than once. When more than one answer is required, these may be given in any order.

Which of the places A-E

doesn‘t offer much for younger visitors?

is similar to another place?

used to be a family home?

used to be in a different location?

gives an idea of how people lived a long time ago?

has rides you have to wait a long time to get on?

has quiet places where you can get away from others?

has a weapon that is still in use?

is considered perfect for fanatics?

is best for younger schoolchildren?

have extremely valuable objects on show?

is an old tourist attraction?

provides a trip on a boat?

provides a change of footwear?

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2

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9

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15

12

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Reading Part Two (8 marks) ___ /8

You are going to read a newspaper article about a food expert’s visit to Ireland. For questions 1-8, choose theanswer A, B, C or D which you think fits best according to the text.

Getting smoked

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1. What does ‘mine’ in line 2 refer to?A. the writer’s stomachB. the writer’s trayC. the writer’s appetiteD. the writer’s eggs

2. How much of the smokehouse did the writer see?A. He only caught a glimpse of it.B. He went inside and looked around.C. He got a good look at it from the doorway.D. He didn’t see it at all.

3. Where did Frank Hederman spend his childhood?A. in HollandB. near a factory that made whiskeyC. near the coastD. in the writer’s neighbourhood

4. Why were there bangs in Frank’s smoking box?A. The fish sometimes exploded.B. The pressure from the smoke caused them.C. He had used a wardrobe to make the box.D. The wood he used was not completely dry.

5. If you smoke fish when they are lying down,A. the smoke forces out the oil.B. the fish remain oily.C. the process of smoking is much quicker.D. the fish sometimes split open.

6. Who are ‘they’ in line 63?A. the prizesB. the British Cheese AwardsC. Eugene and Mary BumsD. the cheeses

7. What does the writer mean by ‘scrubbed up more thoroughly than a surgeon’ in line 68?A. The process is rather like an operation.B. The cheese is kept very clean.C. The dairy looks like a hospital.D. The work done at the dairy is dangerous.

8. When is the cheese ready?A. when it turns green like grassB. in approximately two daysC. after it has been washed a couple of timesD. when the inside gets darker in colour

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Reading Part Three (2 marks) ___ /2

You are going to read a newspaper article. For questions 1 & 2, circle the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

1) In the first paragraph, the writer is

A. explaining why the violin is generally unsuited to pop music. B. describing how violins have been used until recently in pop music. C. praising the use of the violin to give emotional power to pop music. D. defending the way violins were used in traditional types of pop music.

2) According to the writer, the current interest in violins in pop music

A. is just a phase that will soon pass. B. is related to changes in classical music. C. is part of a search for something new in pop music. D. is a result of technological improvements to the instrument.

IT’S A STRING THING

You only have to think of the expression ‘tugging at the heart strings’ to be reminded of the way we connect emotionally with the sound of the violin. But for years, the strings have been marginalised in the world of pop – sidelined to the slushy world of ballads, lazily used to suggest drama or so-phistication. To all intents and purposes, strings had become the sonic equivalent of the highlighter pen. But suddenly things have changed.

Artists like Joanna Newson and Sufjan Stevens made a breakthrough with a broader kind of orches-tral pop a few years ago, playing sell- -out shows at classical venues, and the trend continues.

So what has brought on our fancy for strings? Pop’s relentless, synthesized technical evolution has made more people start longing for a more organic sound. And, in a way, the sound of violins is revolutionary; punk was once synonymous with electric guitars and shouting, but since it’s now the norm, it’s no longer shocking. It’s far more innovative to use a classical instrument in a way it’s never been played before.

Will our love of strings endure? Well, given the average age of a pop musician is 25, and the average age of a concert violin is 150 years old, maybe it’s not violins that are the craze within pop – but pop that is the craze in the constantly evolving story of the violin.

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Listening (___/ 25M)

Listening Part One (8 marks) ___ /8

You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1-8, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

1. You hear a student talking about a school magazine he publishes. What does he need at the moment?A. more helpB. more articlesC. more funds

2. You hear a British woman talking about naming children. What is her opinion on naming children?A. She likes to avoid the most common names.B. She thinks names will become more and more strange.C. She is in favour of creating completely new names.

3. You hear a man being interviewed on the radio. What is his current occupation?A. a reporterB. a criticC. an author

4. You hear an athlete talking about some Olympic trials he took part in. How does he feel about his performance?A. He realises that he did not concentrate enough.B. He accepts that he had no chance against top athletes.C. He regrets that he was not in better physical condition.

5. You overhear two friends talking about music. How did the man first find out about his new CD?A. He read about it.B. He heard part of it.C. He was told about it.

6. You overhear a man talking about the competitions that he and his wife enter. What did his favourite prize allow him to do?A. go on an interesting flightB. stay in a luxurious placeC. own a prestigious car

7. You hear a woman talking about her job, which involves inspecting mountain paths. What aspect of the job does she sometimes find annoying?A. the work scheduleB. the weatherC. the walkers

8. On a radio programme, you hear a mother talking about her relationship with her daughter. What is she surprised about?A. her daughter’s decision to leave homeB. how her daughter has been able to help herC. the way that her daughter’s attitude has changed

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Listening Part Two (10 marks) ___ /10

You will hear an interview with Alan Burgess, who has just returned from the Arctic where he was filming polar bears. For questions 1-10, complete the sentences.

FILMING POLAR BEARS

It took the team approximately 1 to make the film.

Of all the places Alan went to, 2 was the coldest.

Alan found that clothes made of 3 were best for keeping warm.

The team disguised their camera equipment with 4 paint.

Polar bears have a strong 5 .

In the summer, polar bears may Jose as much as 6 of their body weight.

Polar bears eat plants in order to obtain 7 to improve their usual diet.

Baby polar bears can be seen playing in the snow from the month of 8

On one occasion, a polar bear almost managed to enter Alan’s 9

Alan is going to work on a number of 10 for university students.

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Listening Part Three (7 marks) ___ /7

You will hear an interview with the television actress Donna Denton. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

1. As a child, Donna started going to dancing classes becauseA. her mother persuaded her to.B. they were relatively inexpensive.C. she wanted to be with friends.

2. Whal did Donna feel when she first went to dancing classes?A. disappointed by the attitude of the teacherB. unconcerned about her position in the classC. embarrassed because she was not a good dancer

3. What did Donna do to get a place at Knightswell Stage School?A. She took part in a musical show.B. She got her parents to pay in advance.C. She gave a demonstration of her skills.

4. At stage school, Donna initially had problems because ofA. the behaviour of other pupils at the school.B. the amount of time she spent travelling.C. the need to follow a particular school rule.

5. Donna believes that she won the school singing competition becauseA. she had learnt to be less nervous when performing.B. she had chosen to perform her favourite song.C. she had been practising one particular song for years.

6. What does Donna say about her first parts on television?A. A private teacher helped her find them.B. They were useful in developing her career.C. It was easy enough for students to get them.

7. When talking about the near future, Donna says thatA. she has agreed to record a music CD soon.B. she has accepted an unexpected invitation.C. she has had to make a difficult choice.

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Writing (___/ 25M)

Choose between option A OR B

A) An article

Urban jungle or country retreat – which is best?

Are cities the best places to live or is life in the countryside a better option? If you could choose, where would you prefer to settle down? Write an article of approximately 300 words outlining your preference and giving the reasons for your choice.

B) An essay

It is important to be honest in life

Write an essay of approximately 300 words saying whether or not you agree with the statement above.

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