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SAMPLE OF EXAM TASKS

LANGUAGE TEST

Language: English

Level: B2

Skill: READING COMPREHENSION

Duration: 60 MINUTES

Date: SAMPLE PAPER

Instructions:

This test comprises three parts. You must complete all three parts.

You may write on the question paper, but you must mark all your final answers on the

answer sheets provided. For each question, you must mark a letter. For example, if you

think the correct option is ‘C’, you must fill in the circle like this:

Ⓐ Ⓑ

No points are subtracted for wrong answers.

You only need to mark answers in the spaces which correspond to questions on the

question paper, although the answer sheet contains space for more questions.

All answers must be marked in pencil (B or HB). If you need to change a selected option,

you may erase it and mark another.

English – B2 – Reading Comprehension – SAMPLE PAPER p. 1 of 8

This test has three parts. You must answer all parts.

Part 1

There are seven questions in this part. Each question is worth one point.

You are going to read an article about a running club.

For questions 1-7, mark the correct letter (A, B or C) on Part 1 of your answer sheet.

Question 0 is an example (do not write this answer on the answer sheet).

Hash House Harriers Running Club

Last Sunday I found myself in the middle of a dense forest, some 20 kilometres from the nearest

town, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt and wearing my most worn-out trainers. It was around noon

and while I was waiting for an unknown number of people to join me at what I presumed was the

correct meeting place, the day was heating up to such an extent that I started to doubt the wisdom

of my decision to go running that day. I was there to meet up with a rather odd bunch of people:

The ‘Hash House Harriers’, otherwise known as ‘The drinking club with a running problem’. As both

denominations can give rise to some misunderstanding, perhaps I should explain what ‘Hashers’

are exactly. Simply put, a Hasher is someone who likes to go for a non-competitive run, preferably

somewhere in the countryside and accompanied by a group of like-minded people. Afterwards, the

Hasher can then drink copious amounts of beer together with his or her fellow runners, who all

share a passion for drinking and running.

On a Hash run, the participants follow a deliberately misleading trail, which has previously been set

by a fellow Hasher. The challenge is to try not to get lost, as the trail is full of surprises: it can

suddenly split into two, come to a dead end, or even go round in a circle. Participants can run at

their own pace, with the fastest runners usually covering a longer distance because of the

deceptive trail. As each weekly run is normally set in a different area and is unknown to the

runners, it is unwise to ignore the directions completely or try to gain an advantage by taking a

shorter route. Usually all runners end up back at the starting point within ten minutes of each other,

except for the occasional Hasher who did not pay attention to the route marked and got truly lost.

Then, it's time for a refreshing beer and the gathering at the end of the run, where everyone is

asked to contribute anecdotes or give evidence against fellow Hashers who might have broken

some of the rules. The punishment for breaking any rule is always the same: a beer has to be

drunk by the offender! Offences range from trying too hard to come in first (‘winning’ is a taboo

word) to going off the trail deliberately. Hashing is a popular pastime and there are many groups,

or ‘kennels’ as they are known, each with its own norms. None of these norms should be taken too

seriously, but all groups agree on one rule: if you come to the Hash wearing new shoes, you will

have to drink out of them!

Text continues on following page…

English – B2 – Reading Comprehension – SAMPLE PAPER p. 2 of 8

They may sound like a strange crowd, but it wouldn't be too difficult to find a Hash kennel

somewhere near your home. Right now, there are more than 2,000 kennels, with most major cities

around the world boasting their own, and spread out across all seven continents. Even Antarctica,

the one that you would least expect, sees a run once a year! Hashers themselves get around as

well; every two years, a Hash group from a different country volunteers to organize an ‘Interhash’:

an international meeting that is visited by over 5,000 people from around the world. Provided

dedicated Hashers have the means to do so, they will travel to China, Australia or whichever exotic

corner of the world the Interhash is held in. They will often make the journey in groups and will

always try to take in as much as possible of the host country. This is made quite easy thanks to

the inside knowledge of the local Hashers they arrange to meet while they are there.

The origins of hashing go back to December 1938 in Kuala Lumpur, when a group of British

colonial army officers began weekly runs, loosely based on the traditional British game of ‘Hare

and Hounds’. The idea was to get rid of the excesses of the previous weekend and to promote

physical fitness at the same time. They first began gathering for their runs (and recreation) at the

Selangor Club Canteen, an eating establishment exclusively for off-duty officers. Although they

were regular customers, they had always jokingly referred to it as the ‘Hash House’, due to its

rather dull food.

All this was playing through my mind last Sunday while the first Hashers started to arrive at the

agreed meeting point. People of all ages and walks of life, all ready for another day of Hashing. I

was welcomed as if I were an old friend by each and every one of them and soon we set off for

what was going to be my first run. I was not sure what the day would bring, but at least I knew I

would not have to drink out of my shoes!

0 The writer was getting concerned while waiting for the Hashers to turn up

because

A) he expected the other runners to be a bit strange. B) he was aware that the temperature was rising.

C) he thought he might not be in the right meeting place.

1 In the first paragraph, what does the writer mean by ‘like-minded people’?

A) people with similar ideas

B) people who enjoy cross-country competitions

C) people who are kind and friendly

2 What is unusual about the Hash House runs?

A) participants deliberately ignore the trail

B) everyone finishes together

C) the route is hard to follow

Questions 3 - 7 are on the following page …

English – B2 – Reading Comprehension – SAMPLE PAPER p. 3 of 8

3 Which action is not against the rules?

A) to try to finish first

B) to run fast

C) to leave the trail on purpose

4 It is not hard for Hashers to

A) find several Hash kennels in their home town.

B) visit an Interhash every two years.

C) learn a lot about the country they visit for an Interhash.

5 In the fourth paragraph, what does ‘one’ refer to?

A) a Hash kennel

B) a continent

C) Antarctica

6 What was the original Hash House?

A) an army officers' association

B) a running club for soldiers

C) the name given to a restaurant

7 The writer was not worried about his first run, because

A) he had used his footwear before.

B) the other runners were his age.

C) he knew the other runners.

Now you must copy all your answers onto Part 1 of your answer sheet.

English – B2 – Reading Comprehension – SAMPLE PAPER p. 4 of 8

Part 2

There are nine questions in this part. Each question is worth one point.

You are going to read a text offering advice for job interviews.

For questions 1-9, choose the most suitable heading from headings (A-L).

Mark the correct letter (A-L) on Part 2 of your answer sheet.

There are two extra headings that you do not need to use.

Question 0 is an example (do not write this answer on the answer sheet).

Top Job Interview Tips

0 Pack accordingly E · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Prepare a go-to interview kit for your briefcase. It should be large enough to hold your everyday essentials, plus your interview musts, such as extra CVs, a list of references, a notepad, and items that might come in handy in an emergency.

1 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Nothing is more impressive or conveys your proactivity more than demonstrating that you possess a thorough knowledge of the company and the potential position you will be filling. You’ll be in a better position to answer questions in a more targeted way as a result.

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People are uncomfortable at the idea of “selling themselves,” but if you do have the qualifications and experiences that set you apart, it is completely acceptable to acknowledge that about yourself. So before your interview, know how your particular skill set will translate to your job role and how it will contribute to the company’s goals.

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Keep your look basic and conservative for the first interview. In most cases, this means wearing a suit. If you have a contact or friend who works at the company you're interviewing with, see they can give you a heads up as to what people wear.

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At the end of your interview, it is commonplace to be asked if you have any questions so it’s advisable to have several prepared in advance. Cover information not discussed or clarify a previous topic — do not ask for information that can be found on the company’s website.

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Many of us get completely petrified at the idea of attending a job interview. Anxiety can worsen the problem, causing you to mess up the interview and give a wrong impression. Reduce stress by keeping your mind and body relaxed. Exercise, meditate and get enough quality sleep.

Article continues on following page…

English – B2 – Reading Comprehension – SAMPLE PAPER p. 5 of 8

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Remember to greet your interviewer, and everyone else you meet, politely and enthusiastically. During the interview, watch your body language – smile, establish eye contact and use a firm handshake. Pay attention and look interested. This is something you can work on in your mock interviews.

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The moment you walk through the door, the interviewer will make judgments based on a range of signals, including how easily you make conversation. Start off confidently and positively - even if the first question is about the weather, or your journey.

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Interviewers are more likely to remember the first and final thing you said more than anything else, so make your concluding point a clear statement about how you match the role. In a couple sentences, talk about the key skills and experiences you are bringing to the table.

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Before you walk into a real job interview, you might consider carrying out a mock interview. It will help you relax, formulate smart answers, and reveal your weak spots. Recruit friends and family to assist you, or if all else fails, rehearse your answers in front of a mirror.

A Leave a lasting impression B Dress the part

C Get yourself into the right frame of mind

D Initial impact

E Pack accordingly -

F Don’t be shy about sharing your accomplishments

G Research the post

H Expect the Unexpected

I Interview etiquette

J Practice makes perfect

K Follow-up questions

L Wear what suits you

Now you must copy all your answers onto Part 2 of your answer sheet.

English – B2 – Reading Comprehension – SAMPLE PAPER p. 6 of 8

Part 3

There are eight questions in this part. Each question is worth one point.

You are going to read an extract from a website where people give their opinions about holiday resorts.

For questions 1–8, choose from the texts (A-E).

Mark the correct letter (A-E) on Part 3 of your answer sheet.

The resorts may be chosen more than once.

Question 0 is an example (do not write this answer on the answer sheet).

Choose the best holiday resort for someone who

0 is keen on water sports. 0

B

1 likes to practise their foreign language skills. 1

2 likes spending some time alone. 2

3 values security. 3

4 doesn’t have much money to spend. 4

5 enjoys visiting historical sites. 5

6 likes a lively atmosphere at night. 6

7 would like to do some painting. 7

8 wants a family holiday. 8

Now you must copy all your answers onto Part 3 of your answer sheet.

English – B2 – Reading Comprehension – SAMPLE PAPER p. 7 of 8

www.resort-recommender.com Read real reviews - before you book!

A

Sunshine Complex

“Highly recommended!”

We fell in love with this place immediately. Affectionate people, lovely landscapes and such great food.

The communal facilities were fantastic and in the end we spent a lot of the time lounging around by the

pool. We were particularly impressed with the Little Sunshine Corner, where we were able to leave our

two with a monitor. She was a real bundle of fun, so much so that they had to be dragged away at the

end of the session! This service also gave us the chance to do our own thing, so we signed up for some

guided tours of the area. Walking around crumbling ruins and admiring priceless paintings may not be

everyone’s idea of a holiday, but we love it and the guide was very informative and fluent in several

languages.

Joseph Oaks, Hampshire

B

Happy Holidays Resort

“Decent place if you’re into water sports”

Quite a small and intimate resort and sister resort to the hugely successful Happy Families Holiday

resort, just three miles away. I think they’ve got the balance about right; there are plenty of places where

you can find like-minded people and discuss the day’s surfing, but no rowdy party-goers to disturb those

like me who want to get a decent night's sleep. Last year, at a bigger resort, someone broke into our

room and took our kite surfing equipment, so I was particularly pleased to see the extra large lockers

where we could stash our stuff when we went out. The hotel was a bit pricey though, so we didn’t have

much money by the time we came home. It would be a good place to take your partner for a nice

romantic holiday - if only I could find a girlfriend who’s into surfing!

Sam Hepworth, London

C

First Resort Holidays

“Lovely resort – would go back tomorrow if I could!”

The hotel rooms were of a high standard; and the locals seemed friendly. Besides that, the landscape is

superb - and fully appreciated, judging by the number of folk with canvases and brushes. What I liked

best about this resort was the secluded gardens. I’ve been to lots of overcrowded resorts where it just

seemed impossible to find anywhere where you could get away from the masses, but at this resort that

wasn’t a problem. Still, there’s something for everyone. I spoke to a couple who had come separately

and who, despite not even speaking the same language, had taken full advantage of the resort’s once-

weekly singles night, Holiday Dates.

Jill Sanderson, Coventry

Text continues on following page…

English – B2 – Reading Comprehension – SAMPLE PAPER p. 8 of 8

D

Sandy Dune Studios

“Great weather, great memories!”

I study archaeology in Manchester, where it rains nearly all the time. So I was looking for

somewhere where I could escape the English weather and all things historical, and really let my

hair down. I thought all this would be impossible on a limited budget but at Sandy Dunes Studios,

there was no shortage of reasonably priced places staying open till well into the small hours. It’s

safe to say I’ll be telling my whole family about this place. It broke my heart having to catch the

plane home but at least I didn’t have to extend my student loan!

Eve Gregson, Manchester

E

Travellers’ Rest

“Not quite what I was expecting”

The resort itself wasn’t too bad, but I didn’t find the information on their website very accurate. Ten

years ago, I would have jumped at the chance to try out some of the new and exciting experiences

this resort has to offer - but that’s all ancient history now that I have my own family and three young

children. Exotic food and strange drinks are all very well, but the under-tens just want chips and

ketchup! The resort doesn’t get many British holidaymakers, so it was quite difficult to make myself

understood at first. Everyone who worked there was very friendly, though, and they love chatting so

I was able to pick up quite a bit. By the end of the holiday I didn’t even need the phrase book I’d

bought.

Stewart Miller, Cumbria