Advanced Achievement test 1 (Units 1–2)

Listening Grammar
1 Recording 1 Listen and choose which adjective 4 Complete the text with the words from the box.
best describes each speaker. Underline the There are three extra words you do not need.
correct answer, a) b) or c).
acquiring always Being Considering
1 Speaker 1 is ___. Having impress regret remark tends
a) open-minded b) conscientious c) insensitive thinking wanted will wish would
2 Speaker 2 is           .
a) inquisitive b) thoughtful c) extrovert When I was a child I 1would happily spend hours on
3 Speaker 3 is           . end reading. In fact, it was all I ever 2                    to do
a) perceptive b) obstinate c) mature whenever I had a free moment. I absolutely loved
4 Speaker 4 is           . 3
                    new knowledge and my parents would
a) selfish b) rebellious c) obsessive often 4                    that I ‘ate books’ as a hobby.
5 Speaker 5 is           . 5
                    left to my own devices is something I’ve
a) perceptive b) neurotic c) easy-going never minded at all and as a result I’m well able to
6 Speaker 6 is           . enjoy my own company as an adult. 6                    time
a) inspirational b) solitary c) circumspect to reflect is very important to me. My neighbour, on
the other hand, is 7                    having people round and
5 she 8                    to have parties at the weekend. She
9
                    usually ask me to join her but nine times
2 Recording 2 Listen to six people talking about out of ten I’ll turn her down. No doubt she thinks
the meaning and origin of their names. Match I’m a wet blanket! Mind you, as my 30th birthday is
speakers 1–6 with meanings a)–h). There are coming up, I’m 10                    of throwing a party
two options you do not need. myself. We’ll see. If I don’t organise anything, I’ll
probably 11                    it.
1 June _e_
2 Florence ___ 10
3 Baldo ___
4 Melanie ___
5 Alexander ___ 5 Correct two mistakes in each sentence.
6 Junichi       1 We thought were thinking of having a barbecue at
the weekend if you fancied to come coming along.
a) generous of wealth e) of the month
b) shield and assist f) dark 2 If you only hadn’t let the cat out of the bag about
c) courageous and daring g) rich and thriving Andy’s surprise party! I guess it’s much harder
d) compliant and dutiful h) rebellious and strong keeping a secret than you thought.
3 She is been recovering at home for a few days and
5 has been advised taking it easy for the next month.
4 I didn’t expect her splitting up with Stu even
3 Recording 2 Listen again and write true (T) or though he did keep go on about golf all the time,
false (F). which must’ve been really dull.
1 June is unimpressed with her parents’ 5 Had I known that they’d already decided giving
choice of names for her. T  Bob the job, I wouldn’t bother going through that
2 Florence sees herself as a people person.      farcical application process.
3 Baldo’s name was only a touchy subject 6 To get an engineer to look at our boiler seems
when he was a shy teenager.      having solved the problems we’d been having with
4 The name Melanie lost favour in France
the heating.
during the Middle Ages.     
5 Having the same first and last name caused
5
a lot of amusement when Alex was a child.     
6 Junichi has always been one to test
authority and go against convention.     

1 PHOTOCOPIABLE © Pearson Education Limited 2016

 Advanced Achievement test 1 (Units 1–2)

6 Complete the second sentence with no more 8 Complete the sentences with the words in the
than five words so that it means the same as the box. There are three words you do not need.
first. Use the word in CAPITALS.
capture encourage fence half-baked
1 James got here twenty minutes ago. inquisitive evocative middle
WAITING provocative ropes sets
James has been waiting here for twenty minutes.
2 Daniela never used to do any sport at school. 1 My parents gave me three     middle    names but I
WOULD never use them, except on official documents.
Daniela           any sport at 2 I wish you wouldn’t always sit on the                     .
school. Can’t you take sides for once?
3 I hate it when people tell me what to do. 3 Her latest paintings really                     the rugged
BEING beauty of the Cornish landscape.
        what to do. 4 I’m not at all surprised that Eda’s become a
4 They had a tendency to argue in public. scientist. She’s always been                     and keen
PRONE on investigation.
       in public. 5 Once you’ve learnt the                     , you’ll soon find
5 Drew is sorry that he didn’t study harder. you settle into your new job, mark my words.
REGRETS 6 He ended his speech with a                     remark that
Drew           studied was clearly intended to stimulate heated
harder. discussion.
6 But for Jim’s quick thinking, the fire would have 7 You’ll have to do better than this if you want to
spread. get promoted. There’s no point in putting forward
BEEN a                     idea that shows a lack of thoroughness.
        Jim’s quick
thinking, the fire would have spread. 6

5
9 Underline the correct answer, a) b) or c).
1 Peter has         c    a name for himself in the
Vocabulary publishing industry and is well respected.
a) done b) taken c) made
7 Complete the sentences with one word. 2 I wouldn’t say that Rose is                     in her ways
1 Although my given name is Marie Angelina, but she’s certainly not as spontaneous or flexible
everyone calls me Marian. as she used to be.
2 Traditionally when women got married, they a) made b) set c) held
would change the family name they were given at 3 The best piece of advice I can give you is to keep
birth, known as their                     name, to their an open                     and see how it goes.
husband’s surname but this is becoming less a) eye b) heart c) mind
common nowadays. 4 Gary spent years trying to                     his name after
3 It can be hard to live                     to your name if he was wrongly accused of stealing.
you’re born into an illustrious family. a) clear b) cleanse c) clean
4 Let’s not                     about the bush. We need to stop 5 I’d no idea Jason was such a dark                     . Did
talking and take action. you know he’d spent fifteen years in the Special
5 Who’d like to                     their name forward for Forces? He’s never mentioned it!
Chairman of the committee? a) pony b) stag c) horse
6 I was born Brenda Crayford but I’ve now taken 6 I wish I’d followed my                     feeling and taken
my husband’s surname so my                     name is that job. My instincts are always right so I don’t
Mrs Johansson. I do love my new family name – it know why I ignored them on that occasion.
has a nice ring to it. a) stomach’s b) gut c) heart
7 Look, if you’re having                     thoughts about 7 Spencer’s always enjoyed playing devil’s
taking the job in Canada then now is the time to . I suppose it’s because he likes to wind people up.
act on them. Whatever you do, don’t leave it until a) attorney b) judge c) advocate
it’s too late. 8 It’s a shame so many people are                    these
8 Isn’t it time you                     your mind and told days and can’t be bothered to make an effort for
everyone what you really think? You might be their community.
surprised at the effect it’ll have on the board. a) apathetic b) neurotic c) solitary

7 7

2 PHOTOCOPIABLE © Pearson Education Limited 2016

 Advanced Achievement test 1 (Units 1–2)

Function 11 Complete the sentences with words and

phrases a)–k) below. There are two options you
10 Choose the correct alternative. do not need.
1 You’re looking/supposing a bit puzzled there, 1 It’s       e     that Stephen will step up to the mark
Jeffrey. Is there something you don’t understand? and help out now. After all, he’s shown no interest
What do I need to clarify? in the project all year, so why should we expect a
2 If I had to give/make a guess, which I’d rather not, sudden change of heart from him now?
I’d say he was in his early fifties. He can’t be any 2 As far             it’s all water under the bridge. It’s
older than that, surely. time to start afresh and let bygones be bygones.
3 I reckon/hazard we took a wrong turning off that There’s no point letting an old dispute spoil what
main road. There’s been no sign of the station we could be a wonderful friendship.
should’ve passed shortly after the turn. 3 To             Matthew has always been scrupulously
4 Most of the time, it seems/supposes to me that he fair in his dealings with clients, which is why I’d
lacks the necessary integrity required to work in thoroughly recommend him to manage your
the police force. He’s certainly never been known investment.
to keep his opinions to himself. 4 From what             , we seem to be committed to
5 Oh, I know she makes/gives the impression of something we don’t actually believe in. If you also
being all high and mighty but if you give her a feel this to be the case, let’s see if we can get out
chance, you’ll discover that she’s actually really of the agreement somehow.
down-to-earth. 5 According             , there are more school-leavers
6 When you get to talk to him, you realise how quiet than ever deciding to take a gap year on leaving
he actually is. It makes/has me think that his formal education. Whilst some are deciding to
arrogance may actually mask a lack of self- travel, others are using this time to gain valuable
confidence. work experience.
7 Please don’t quote me but I’m pretty/definitely 6 Whether the concert will go ahead or not             .
sure that the man standing over there talking to I guess it all depends on how well the tickets are
Maurice is the one who created his own IT selling and whether at the end of the day, enough
company when he was only twenty-one. If I’m are sold to cover our costs.
right and it is him, you should tell him about your 7 I’m           doing what you suggest. We might just
idea for a new app! open a can of worms, which will only make things
8 I’d reckon/hazard a guess that there’s a lot more worse.
to Professor Pracowik than meets the eye. He 8 Quite             , I’ve had enough of listening to
certainly strikes me as rather a dark horse and no- pointless rhetoric. There’s no time for that any
one seems to know much about him. more, we need to start being proactive and
actually do something.
7 9 Well, if             , we should look at introducing
measures to streamline the company so we can
keep things ticking over during the recession.

a) is debatable
b) frankly
c) as I’m concerned
d) reality is
e) highly unlikely
f) to the statistics
g) want my honest opinion
h) my knowledge
i) you ask me
j) really not sure about
k) I can gather

3 PHOTOCOPIABLE © Pearson Education Limited 2016

 Advanced Achievement test 1 (Units 1–2)

1 Jo believes c   .
Reading a) it’s important to dwell on the past
12 Read the text and choose the correct answer, b) the past should be forgotten
a), b) or c). c) hindsight would change everyone’s lives
2 Her parents                     .
Things I wish I’d known at 18 a) were very supportive, whatever she did
Friends often say to me ‘Jo, what do you regret most b) pushed her to achieve all she could
in life?’ and while it’s pointless to have regrets c) were keen for her to make her own decisions
given that we can’t change the past, I do 3 Jo had always                     .
occasionally look back and wonder how different a) felt obliged to do everything expected of her
my life might have been if I’d known at eighteen b) dreamt of attending a top university
what I know now. How different all our lives would c) felt she was following her own dreams
be with the benefit of hindsight, of course. 4 She now realises that                     .
I wish I’d known that it doesn’t matter if you make a) having a plan for your life is vital
mistakes. I was brought up by parents who were b) it is where you end up in life that matters
very ambitious, perhaps over-ambitious, particularly c) taking life as it comes is more important
when it came to me. They wanted to realise all of 5 Jo admits there was a time when she                     .
their dreams through their daughter. I became a a) could only think about work
perfectionist, always striving to be the best in the b) enjoyed having security in her life
class. 99 percent was just not good enough. I c) realised she didn’t feel fulfilled
suppressed my rebellious streak and became their 6 She now regrets                     .
dutiful daughter. My grades were good enough to a) having left her job
get me into a top university and I passed all of my b) her previous attitude towards life
exams with flying colours. When I look back I c) letting work pressure affect her choices
realise I didn’t even think to question what it was
that I wanted to do. 5
I wish I’d known that it’s the journey that matters,
not the final destination. My life was mapped out for
me: university, career, marriage, children, security 13 Read the article again. Underline true (T) or
and retirement and the inevitable ‘if only’. I started false (F).
out as planned with no surprises: a secure job with 1 Jo can’t imagine how her life could have
good pay and prospects. All of my friends were on been any different. T/F
the same path but deep down I knew that there was 2 She always felt that making mistakes was
something missing. Was this all there was? I’ve immaterial in the scheme of things. T/F
always loved travelling and started to live for those 3 Jo’s parents’ intentions for her made her
precious weeks of holiday. I’d pore over brochures believe only perfection would do. T/F
and travel guides and search out the most obscure 4 She was so intent on achieving all that was
untouched places. Increasingly I felt more and more expected of her that never misbehaved. T/F
alive whenever I was away from my normal 5 On reflection, Jo’s happy that she
everyday environment. followed her dream and worked
Some of us have the freedom to make choices and in so diligently. T/F
my case, I finally chose to go. After a particularly 6 She thinks that you’ll end up having
stressful week at work, I decided to quit and that regrets if you are too strict with your
was quite simply the best thing I’ve ever done. I can life plan. T/F
honestly say that from that moment on, my life 7 Jo secured a good job and had
turned into an adventure. everything that she yearned for in life. T/F
I wish I’d known that everything happens for a 8 It was only through having a well-paid
reason. The reason might not initially be obvious but job with long holidays that she gained a
when we look back we can understand why passion for travelling. T/F
something did take place. I’ve learned not to 9 She loved the challenge of finding remote
question but to accept whatever comes my way and and unspoilt destinations to visit. T/F
that is one of the most valuable lessons that life has 10 Although her decision to leave her job
taught me. was spontaneous, the factors leading up
to it had built up over time. T/F
11 Jo’s learnt that having a life plan stops
you from wasting your life. T/F

10

4 PHOTOCOPIABLE © Pearson Education Limited 2016

 Advanced Achievement test 1 (Units 1–2)

                                                              
Writing           
14 Underline the correct alternative.                                                               
                                                              
1 I don’t mind helping you at all. In fact/In addition,                                             
I’d be delighted to lend a hand.
2 Moira is often too busy to meet up. 10
Likewise/However, you can always depend on
her in a crisis. Total: 100
3 Evidently/On the other hand you’ve not been
listening to a word I’ve said, as the fact that
you’re actually nodding at this moment in time
clearly shows.
4 Brian is incredibly rude and rather arrogant. On
the contrary/Furthermore, he’s something of a
loose cannon.
5 There has been a dramatic rise in the level of
crime locally. Consequently/Likewise, the
residents of the village are requesting that the
police increase their presence in the area.
6 Francine suffers from severe agoraphobia. As a
result/Nevertheless she doesn’t go out unless she
absolutely has to.

15 A personal profile: for a social networking

site. Write your profile in 200–250 words.
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              
                                                              

5 PHOTOCOPIABLE © Pearson Education Limited 2016