Student: _____________________ Date:___________

CNA School: ___________ FCE Teacher:___________

FCE
Simulado 3
Reading and use of English

B2
(CNA
Platinum 2)

1
 Total: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Reading and Use of English • Part 1 1 mark per correct answer

Multiple Choice Cloze

For Questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each space.
Example: (0) A say B TELL C speak D announce

Write the Perfect Crime Novel

Most people are born with the natural ability to (0) ... stories, but only a rare few have
the determination to become professional authors, and even fewer have the joy of seeing
their novels top the (1) ... of bestselling books. Some of the world’s famous crime writers
have achieved the (2) ... success of all. Who can deny the appeal of famous detectives like
Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot? Even if you haven’t read the (3) ... books
you will have seen them in films or on the TV.
If you have an ambition to become the next Agatha Christie what should you do? The best
starting (4) ... is to read lots of examples of crime fiction written by good authors. You will
need a notebook to carry around with you or, even better, some loose (5) ... of paper that
you can (6) ... notes on and then file into a folder. After all, the most everyday situation
- for example, watching a woman get (7) ... a train - may be the inspiration for your first
bestseller.
Like any good recipe you have to know the main (8) ... of a successful novel. These are: an
original story, strong characters and a memorable setting.

1 A queue B list C row D line

2 A largest B greatest C highest D prime

3 A first B initial C early D original

4 A spot B tip C point D mark

5 A strips B sheets C layers D pieces

6 A complete B do C fill D make

7 A out B down C off D from

8 A parts B ingredients C pieces D sections

2
Reading and Use of English • Part 2 1 mark per correct answer

Open Cloze
For Questions 1-8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one
word in each space.
Example: (0) your

Too Good to be True

Some say you can do it in seven days, others promise success in 24 hours, or you may prefer

to take (0) ... time and do it in 5 weeks. What are we talking about? Believe it (1) ... not,

these periods (2) ... time refer to language learning courses that promise excellent results in

less time (3) ... it takes to say ‘Bonjour’!

However, the advertisements of these companies are not necessarily the best guide and if you

don’t know what to look for in a good course you could be left with little (4) ... than a large

bill.

A complaint was recently made to a consumer rights group against WhizzLearn Systems,

a language school chain, and the company has been forced to remove its claim that its

technique is ten times better than any (5) ... method. The Managing Director of WhizzLearn

Systems said (6) “... we still believe our claim is true, we are willing to change our advert.

But the fact remains, if you spend 3 hours per day for 5 weeks on our language course you

will soon be speaking the language. What we (7) ... have done was to make (8) ... clearer in

the advert.”

3
Reading and Use of English • Part 3 1 mark per correct answer
Word Formation
For Questions 1 - 8 Read the text below. Use the word given in CAPITALS at the end of each line to
form a word that fits in the space in the same line.
Example: (0) CRICTICISM

Dress Code

UK companies have received (0) ... from a business forum for what their CRITIC

report refers to as a rather narrow-minded attitude towards the dress

code for office workers. This follows a case in which a male (1) ... EMPLOY

working in the post room of a large company in the United Kingdom

received a (2) ... for wearing jeans to work. SUSPEND

Whilst the report accepts that there is a need for people dealing with (3)

... to look well dressed, it questions whether employees who work behind CUSTOM

the scenes necessarily need to dress formally.

The authors of the report made a (4) ... between the UK and other COMPARE

European nations where employers seem (5) ... about the need for their

workers to wear smart clothes in the office. CONCERN

Their (6) ... is based on research that claims workers are far more (7) ...

when they have the (8) ... to dress in a way that they feel most ARGUE

comfortable in.

PRODUCT

FREE

4
Reading and Use of English • Part 4
up to 2 marks per correct answer
‘Key’ Word Transformation
For questions 1-6, 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.

Example:
I haven’t seen you for years.
ages
It’s (been ages since I) saw you.

1. Because it snowed heavily during the night the motorway is closed.

due
The motorway is closed ........................................ that there was heavy snow the night
before.

2. Did you manage to get in contact with the boss today?

getting
Did you ........................................ in contact with the boss today?

3. I don’t care what you do.

concerned
As ........................................ you can do what you like.

4. The meal we had in the restaurant was so nice.

such
It ........................................ meal in the restaurant.

5. Do you and your brother have the same looks?

like
Does ........................................ you?

6. That’s the garage where I left my car last week.

repaired
That’s where I went ........................................ last week.

5
Reading and Use of English • Part 5 2 marks per correct answer

Multiple Choice
You are going to read an article about online safety. For questions 1-6, choose the answer (A, B, C or
D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Be Web Wise
Protect your computer, by all means, but don’t forget to protect yourself, advises
web safety expert, Amanda Knox.

We’re always being urged to stay safe online. But in an era where the internet is part of our
everyday lives - for work, fun, study, shopping, even managing finances - it’s not always easy
to spot the dangers. Web safety expert, Amanda Knox, explores some of the issues lurking in
cyberspace.
Her first piece of advice is to install software and a firewall to protect your computer from
viruses, hackers and criminals who want to steal your data or financial information. “Think of
these as your first line of defence,” says Amanda.
So much for protecting yourself against intruders, but what about other problems? Say you’ve
accidentally deleted an important file or you’ve been at the mercy of a natural disaster. Katy
Marsh runs an online photography business from home and when a fire destroyed part of her
house it could easily have spelled ruin for her business too. “Luckily I keep a regular back-up
of my data so it wasn’t a catastrophe.” Amanda advises that while back-ups are good to have
we must ensure we protect our computers to start with.
Whilst most of us are aware of the need to protect our computers, it seems we’re more lax
when it comes to looking out for ourselves, at least according to a recent web awareness
survey. Web safety specialists say better personal awareness is needed and this is due in part
to the rise of ‘Social Networking’ sites like ‘Facebook’ or ‘Twitter’, which allow us to connect
with people around the world with similar interests and professional backgrounds. Chris
Simpson, a computer programmer, learnt the hard way. “I joined a free online networking
group in the hope of making some professional contacts to help me find a new job. After
a month, one of my online contacts invited me to take out a subscription to a club that
promised access to a network of job recruiters. It turned out to be a waste of money. I ended
up a laughing stock with my mates - they couldn’t believe that someone in my job could get
taken in so easily.” No wonder then that Amanda warns, “It’s easy to get complacent and let
our guard down when we meet someone with the same interests online.”
This brings us to other potential pitfalls. Are the people you meet online who they really
claim to be? Can you be sure the person you’re chatting with is in fact a 22-year-old Maths
undergraduate from London and not someone merely masquerading as a student to win your
trust? Khaled, a postgrad from Manchester University, quickly realised that it was unwise of
him to post his phone number and email address in the public forum of an online academic
discussion group. He was soon bombarded with unwanted emails and nuisance phone
calls. Yet, it’s astonishing how many highly educated people do this without considering
the consequences that anyone in the world could use the information to make (unwanted)
contact.
When networking and joining online communities it’s better to be cautious about the amount
of personal information you share. For example, it isn’t always necessary to use your real
name as a username when registering for a service. You could instead use a pseudonym, or
a name that doesn’t give away your real identity to other users. And is it really important
to tell the world details about your school, college or any local clubs you’re a member of?
Sometimes it pays to be a little vague and simply say something like ‘I’m studying at college
in Madrid at the moment and I’m a member of a local tennis club’.
If you do experience problems from another user be prepared to report them for misusing the
service. You’ll be doing other users a favour too. And if all else fails, check to see if it is easy

6
to delete your account and leave the service if you choose to and that you have the option to
delete all your details. A general rule of thumb is not to post any information about yourself
that you would not be happy for the world to know - not just now but in years to come. This
includes photographs of yourself, particularly embarrassing shots of you at that party which
you may later regret! It’s not always easy to remove information after it’s been posted so you
- not to mention your future employer - may have an unpleasant surprise a few years down
the line.

1. In the second paragraph the phrase ‘first line of defence’ suggests something
(A) is the only option.
(B) offers protection.
(C) is an instruction.
(D) shows weakness.

2. The effect of the fire was

(A) worse for Katy’s business than her home.
(B) to ruin Katy’s business.
(C) not as serious for Katy’s business as it could have been.
(D) to make Katy start to back up her data.

3. According to the web awareness survey, our attitude to our personal safety is
rather
(A) relaxed.
(B) concerned.
(C) positive.
(D) uncertain.

4. Regarding Khaled’s experience, the writer is surprised that

(A) people telephone complete strangers.
(B) people don’t think of the results of their actions online.
(C) university students take part in online discussions.
(D) people sent emails to Khaled without asking permission.

5. What tip does the writer give for joining an online community?
(A) Always use a false name.
(B) Make sure you are properly registered.
(C) Limit the information you give to others.
(D) Tell other users where you’re studying.

6. In the final paragraph, the writer advises people

(A) not to put photos online.
(B) to apply for a job online.
(C) not to have any personal information online.
(D) to consider what may cause problems in the future.

7
Reading and Use of English • Part 6 2 marks per correct answer

Gapped Text
Instructions
You are going to read a magazine article about a type of fruit. Six sentences have been removed from
the article on the left. Choose the most suitable sentence from the list A-G on the right for each part
(1-6) of the article. There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.

Tongue Trickster
Never mind the tongue twister – here’s the tongue trickster Frank Parsons reports on the craze for a
strange type of fruit.
Imagine drinking a glass of pure, freshly-squeezed lemon juice with nothing added. It’s enough to turn
your stomach. 01 I watch as one-by-one they down the drink, tentative at first, and then smiling
broadly as they declare, “It tastes just like grandma’s lemonade.”
Fifty or so people crowd around a table on the rooftop terrace of Larry’s small but swish apartment. I
edge my way forward and arrive at the table that positively groans with the array of food piled high.
02 My host appears at my shoulder, and says, “Here, have this.” This turns out to be a small red
berry about the size of a blueberry, but slightly elongated, the shape of a coffee bean.

He looks at the expression on my face. “It’s known as the miracle fruit. Just put it in your mouth,” he
instructs, “and chew it slightly to separate the pulp from its seed. 03 I obey his command and
then discreetly spit the remains into my handkerchief while his glance is averted.
“Done?” he asks, turning back to me. I nod. He grabs a glass of the lemon juice from a passing waiter
and offers it to me. “Now drink.” I take a small sip, and close my eyes. The guests are right. 04

My host states knowingly I have experienced first-hand the phenomenon of the Synsepalum
Dulcificum, or the Miracle Fruit. This small berry has the amazing effect of causing bitter or sour foods
to taste as sweet as sugar candy. 05 When it comes into contact with acidic foods, like vinegar,
it starts to behave like a sweetener.
A native fruit of West Africa, the fruit was discovered by western explorers around 1725. 06
Left uncultivated, the miracle fruit grows in bushes reaching six metres in height. It produces crops
twice yearly, usually after the rainy season, and has attractive white flowers.
Despite being around for centuries it is only in recent years that the miracle fruit has been cultivated as
a potential sweetener. There has been some albeit limited interest from the diet food industy.Not only
that – the fruit can aid patients receiving medical treatment that may leave an unpleasant taste in the
mouth.

E. Yet that is what the guests of host, Larry

A. These range from wedges of fruit, strong
Walters, are given on their arrival at one of his
cheeses and pickles to plates of Brussel
tasting parties in an upmarket district of New
sprouts.
York.
B. It’s like I’ve been transported back to
F. Not everyone is a fan of the berry’s strange
childhood, sitting on the porch with Grandma
effect, however.
and her delicious homemade pop.
G. They first noticed its distinctive property
C. According to scientists the result happens
when they saw local people chewing the berry
because of a protein called miraculin.
before a meal.
D. Then push it around your mouth like you’d
do with a piece of gum for about sixty seconds.

8
 


 Reading and Use of English •
 Part 7 1 mark per correct answer
 
 Multiple

Matching
 You
are
going to read a selection of letters from a problem page in an International English Language
magazine. For questions 1-10, choose from the people (A-H). The people may be chosen more than
 once.
 
  

 
 
 
This Month’s Letters
See this month’s problems and questions submitted to us by learners of English:
  
 A -Katalin
I study
English for 6 hours per week in secondary school. For 1 hour each week we have conversation
 classes with a native speaker of English where we talk about topics such as drugs, politics and culture.
 
I know it’s a really good opportunity to practise my spoken English, but I never make a contribution

to the discussion. It’s not that I don’t have an opinion, or that I’m shy, but more that I don’t have the
 vocabulary

to express my views. I feel really frustrated at the end of the lesson. Nobody else in the
 group
 seems to have the same problem.
 
B - Fazlinda

I’ma 24-year-old

business student from Malaysia and I’ve been attending English classes at night
 school
 for the past 5 years. Up to now I’ve considered myself to be a good student. Last month I went

to Britain to visit my relatives over there and it was awful. People found my pronunciation difficult to
 follow
 and

I couldn’t understand them either. What went wrong? My English teacher is very good and I
 always score the highest in grammar tests.
 
 C - Gunther
I’m writing to ask your opinion on a matter which is really annoying me. My English teacher never
 
corrects my mistakes when I am speaking. Isn’t that her job? How am I going to improve otherwise?
 Also she’s always telling me that now I’m an advanced student, I should forget all the rules of grammar
 
that I learnt when I was younger.
  
D - Jose
 you

Can help me? I really want to speak English the right way, with the correct accent. Do you have
 any good ideas? I have a particular problem with sounds like ‘s’. I plan to work in the UK in the future
and nobody will take me seriously if my English pronunciation is anything short of excellent.

E - Lana
I am working as an au pair in London looking after 2 small children. I love my job but the way that
English people speak is a little puzzling. For example, I often hear them say things like ‘more friendlier’,
whereas I thought it should be ‘more friendly’. It also seems to be common for them to say ‘we was’
instead of ‘we were’. Can you explain this? Would it be impolite of me to correct them?

F - Yuki
I am an intermediate student of English (I have been studying it for 3 years). I’m quite good at reading
and writing but listening is very difficult for me. My teacher suggested that I listen to the BBC World
Service every day in order to improve my listening. The problem is that it’s hard for me to understand
every word. Do you have any ideas about how to make listening to the radio less difficult? I like
listening to the news and knowing what’s going on in the world.


9
G - Paula
I have studied English for 5 years at school but for the past 6 months I have been doing self-study
using the Internet and books to improve. There are lots of materials to choose but I’m not sure what is
best for me and how I should use them. I really would like to take the FCE examination but don’t know
how to study on my own. Should I take a course in my local school - which is a little expensive for me
now - or is it possible to prepare for the exam doing self-study?

H - Maria
Could you please give me some advice on a problem I have at the moment with my English studies.
I decided to go to the UK to improve my English but the college I am studying in at present is full
of people from my own country. Although the teachers tell us we should only try to speak in English
with each other, it is very difficult to do this, especially in our free time when we go out together. I am
worried that my speaking will not improve.

Which person(‘s)

1) Would appear not to have an English teacher? 01

2) Doesn’t like studying with people from their own country? 02

3) Has a job in the UK? 03

4) Enjoys keeping up with current affairs? 04

5) Feels that the teacher isn’t doing their job properly? 05

6) Uses English speaking radio stations to practise English? 06

7) Had a shock when they visited Britain? 07

8) Wants to avoid speaking their own language? 08

9) Wants to speak English like a native speaker? 09

10) Feels they are the only person with their difficulty? 10

10