Fcetest 1
Fcetest 1
Reading and
Use of English
Name: ..................................................................
Part 1
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).
Example:
One species that is (3) ..... threat is the hedgehog. It is estimated that their numbers have (4) ..... by about a third since the year
2000. Hedgehogs used to be a (5) ..... sight all over the country but their habitat has been destroyed by development. Only
21 percent of people in Britain (6) ..... ever having seen one in their gardens. In contrast, the common frog is seen on a monthly
(7) ..... according to over half of the people in the survey.
It’s a sad thought that the (8) ..... majority of young people today are more likely to have seen such animals in books than in
real life.
Part 2
For questions 9-16, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap.
There is an example at the beginning (0). Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS.
Example: 0 I S
Guy Fawkes belonged (10) ........................... a group who wanted to kill King James and replace him with a Catholic king.
The group knew that the king would be in the Houses of Parliament on the evening of November 5th. They planned to kill him
(11) ........................... blowing up the building using gunpowder hidden in a cellar. It was Guy Fawkes (12) ...........................
was chosen to light the gunpowder. Luckily, the “Gunpowder Plot” was discovered just (13) ........................... time. Guy
Fawkes was sentenced to death.
Historical records show that (14) ........................... early as 1607, celebrations with bonfires were held on November 5th
to mark the day the king’s life (15) ........................... saved. The British people have been celebrating the anniversary
(16) ........................... since.
Part 3
For questions 17-24, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word that
fits in the space in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0). Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS.
Example: 0 R O M A N T I C
21st-Century Pirates
Thanks to films like Pirates of the Caribbean, many people think of pirates as (0) ........................... ROMANCE
and exciting figures of the past.
But pirates are still around, although they no (17) ........................... fight with swords on sailing LONG
ships. (18) ........................... old-fashioned pirates, today’s pirates are often members of gangs LIKE
that use sophisticated hi-tech equipment to locate ships which they believe are worth
(19) ........................... . ATTACK
In the past, pirates would go after ships carrying (20) ........................... items, such as gold and VALUE
silver. Today these (21) ........................... organised gangs are more interested in stealing the HIGH
cash and personal (22) ........................... of a ship’s crew, or even the ship itself. Pirates have BELONG
been known to attack tankers and ships of all sizes. Small motorboats are (23) ........................... SPECIAL
at risk of being attacked and stolen.
Coastal areas in Southeast Asia and Africa are the places where the majority of pirate attacks
take place. Although piracy has decreased with the help of the prompt action of coastguard
(24) ........................... , these waters are still considered to be dangerous. SERVE
Part 4
For questions 25-30, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given.
Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. Here is an example (0).
Example:
0 The company is now being managed by Bob Miller.
TAKEN
Bob Miller ........................................................................................................................... of the company.
The gap can be filled by the words ‘has taken over the management’, so you write:
Part 5
You are going to read a magazine article in which an actress describes her life in London. For questions 31-36, choose the
answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.
Part 6
You are going to read an article about a children’s hospital. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the
sentences A-G the one which fits each gap (37-42). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
architects; the chosen site was next to a busy road and plain uniforms,” she says. 41 Daily instruction is
surrounded by the older, existing buildings of St Thomas’s provided in small groups for patients. The curriculum
hospital. covers academic subjects such as science, technology and
To counteract this sense of being closed in, architects art, and mandatory studies in literacy and maths.
incorporated a remarkable feature into the building –
a huge atrium, reaching from the ground to the roof and 42 And as Gemma points out, “Evelina Children’s
Hospital is proof that a hospital doesn’t have to be cold
made entirely of glass. 38 The wards on each floor
and impersonal, but it can be a place of imagination and
can be reached by lifts in towers located in this central fun instead. And I believe that other hospitals will soon
space. “The lifts are red and shaped like rockets and are just follow our example.”
one example of many fun features included in the design.
It’s very child-oriented,” says Gemma proudly.
A The system not only appeals to children but also removes D At the same time, it also needed to meet all the
the need for directions in different languages. requirements of a working hospital.
B Attention to such details makes a world of difference to E As a result, this conservatory is filled with daylight and
sick children, and by trying to answer the young sunlight and gives the impression of being outside.
patients’ needs, the hospital provides for their medical, F These include a play area, a restaurant and a school for
emotional and educational well-being. long-term patients.
C It became apparent that children wanted an environment G Furthermore, children on extended stays in hospital or
they could relate to, with wards named after animals for those who require regular ongoing treatment may attend
example, instead of having names that meant nothing to the hospital school.
them.
Part 7
You are going to read a magazine article in which four people describe locations in Ireland that they love. For questions
43-52, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.
Which person
appreciates the fact that you can escape from a busy routine there? 49
My Ireland
Four people talk about places they love in Ireland.
A SHANNON C ANGELA
When I was child, the annual family holiday meant Popular songs have made the Mourne mountains
“getting away from it all”. Since my parents owned a probably the most famous peaks in Northern Ireland.
cabin cruiser, every summer we sailed the Erne Tucked away in a remote south-east corner of Ulster,
waterway. It’s a paradise for bird life, wild flowers and there are 12 summits rising over 2,000 feet. A
fishermen, with unrestricted boating around 154 islands, spontaneous decision to join a hiking trip brought me to
set in 500 miles of waterway. It contrasts so strongly with the barren peak of Slieve Donard which dominates the
the urban sprawl of modern cities. And if you’re looking mysterious blue landscape. Since then, I’ve made the
for a pristine spot for camping or a simple picnic, you’re climb of almost 3,000 feet alone. It takes a good few
spoilt for choice here. My favourite place is Boa Island. hours to do, but reaching the summit is always worth it.
As children, we’d let our imaginations run wild as we Offering a panorama across the Irish Sea, the view takes
played among ancient Celtic statues of two-faced pagan your breath away. Working as a journalist precludes my
gods or explored the Navar forests. Watching the sun set visiting as often as I’d like, but when I do, I stay in a
over the Donegal mountains has always left me with a small B & B in Newcastle. It’s situated on a coast
feeling of tranquillity – so hard to find in this hectic notorious for smuggling in the 18th century, but today it’s
world today. more famous for its scenic walks, horse riding and golf
courses.
B LIAM
D SEAN
It’s the mile walk along the 17th-century city walls that
always brings me back to Londonderry – a city steeped in Once referred to as my sweet hill by St Patrick, Armagh
history that perches on top of the hill at the mouth of the was the spiritual capital of Ireland for over 1,500 years.
River Foyle. Being on the coast, Londonderry has As it expanded, numerous public buildings, including
withstood attacks from land and sea, and its city walls two cathedrals, were erected. The builders of Armagh’s
still stand unbroken today. Another favourite walk is Georgian townhouses were delighted to find a unique
along the main thoroughfare Shipquay Street, though it’s local limestone. When polished, its pink, red and yellow
very steep. You can lose yourself in the maze of narrow stones make the city glow even on a cloudy day. I spent
streets leading off it as you browse the stores and craft my childhood playing hide and seek in its elegant streets
village tucked in behind the ancient tower. It’s this old- and can’t imagine living anywhere else. My favourite
world charm in the heart of a thriving, modern city that getaway is a short drive north of the city to the rich fruit-
lures me back time and again. And there’s a sense of growing country often called the orchard of Ireland. On
permanence about Londonderry. In hundreds of years’ Apple Blossom Sunday, in late May, the orchards are a
time, it will still be standing like a guard at the gate of mass of pink and white flowers, whose fragrance fills the
Ulster. air. And from August onwards, roadside stalls are laden
with fruit pies spiced with cinnamon.
Part 1
You must answer this question. Write your answer in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.
1 In your English class you have been talking about learning foreign languages. Your English teacher has asked you
to write an essay for homework.
People who speak English don’t really need to learn other languages.
Do you agree?
Notes
Write about:
1. travel
2. career
3. your own idea
Write your essay. You must use grammatically correct sentences with accurate spelling and punctuation in a style
appropriate for the situation.
Part 2
Write an answer to one of the questions 2-4 in this part. Write your answer in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.
2 Your teacher has asked you to write a story for the school magazine. The story must begin with the following words:
It was going to be a small birthday celebration, so I had no idea it would turn out to be such a big event.
Your story must include:
an unexpected guest
a song
Write your story.
3 You recently saw this notice in an English-language magazine called Book World.
Reviews needed!
We are interested in what you have to say. If you have read an interesting book recently, share your
opinion with us. Write a review including information on the genre, characters, setting and story.
Say whether you would recommend the book to other people.
Part 1
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 woman talking about her first attempt 5 You hear a review of a computer game on the radio.
at skiing. What is the man’s opinion of the game?
What problem did she have? A There are too many rules to follow.
A She kept falling over. B It’s not suitable for people with no
B She suffered from the cold. knowledge of football.
C She lost one of her ski poles. C The animation could have been done better.
2 You overhear two friends talking about yoga classes. 6 You overhear a man and a woman talking about a film.
What was it about the classes that didn’t suit the What kind of film is it?
woman? A a film about a superhero
A the time B a documentary
B the number of people in the class C a horror film
C the location
7 You hear a woman talking to a group of people in a
3 You hear part of a radio interview with a man national park.
who went to live on a small island. What does she advise them against?
Why did he go there? A leaving the hiking trails
A He wanted to escape city life. B lighting fires
B He received a job offer there. C climbing rocks
C He considered it a worthwhile experience.
8 You overhear two people talking.
4 You overhear a woman talking on the phone. How did the man feel when he lost his job?
Who is she talking to? A afraid
A her neighbour B stressed
B her gardener C relieved
C her husband
Part 2
You will hear a young man called Steve Carter talking about the time he spent as a volunteer teacher in Mali, West Africa.
For questions 9-18, complete the sentences.
LIFE IN MALI
Steve found it difficult to get used to the 11 between Mali and the UK.
Part 3
You will hear five different people talking about student life at a university in a city in the north of England. For questions
19-23, choose from the list A-H what each speaker says. Use the letters only once. There are three extra letters which you
do not need to use.
Part 4
You will hear part of an interview with Lynda Bryant, producer of a special kind of reality TV show. For questions 24-30,
choose the best answer (A, B or C).
24 What was the original purpose of “historical” reality TV? 28 How does Lynda explain the success of historical
A to mark the anniversary of Channel 4 reality TV?
B to show how people used to live A It gives people the chance to experience
C to compare past and present technology life without technology.
B Viewers identify with the participants
25 According to Lynda, participants in The 1900 House more closely.
A disliked dressing up in such old-fashioned C It combines historical documentary
clothes. with drama.
B helped to ensure the historical details
were correct. 29 What kind of person does Lynda say is suitable
C could only use products available 200 for a historical reality TV show?
years ago. A someone willing to try the life of
a celebrity
26 What does Lynda say about the children in B someone with a great deal of
The 1900 House? historical knowledge
A Some of them missed school. C someone who is tough enough to
B They had to act as a family. face the challenges
C They were all teenagers.
30 In the show The Manor House,
27 Following the success of The 1900 House A some participants worked harder than
A a similar programme was made in others.
the USA. B a participant found being cut off from
B the programme was nominated for modern life difficult.
an award. C some participants found the
C the participants returned for a further experience boring.
six months.