YOUR OWN WAY INSTITUTE

Second Term Test: CAE Date:…….…………

Student’s name : …………………………………………………………………………………….

1- Read the text. Complete the text with sentences A–F. There is one sentence you do not
need.
When should we start competing?
Alfie Kohn, the American lecturer, wrote ‘Competition is to self-esteem what sugar is to
teeth.’ How right was his assessment of the competitive world we inhabit today? Is
competition, as many believe, a vital element of life and therefore something to be
prepared for from as early an age as possible? Or is encouraging youngsters to compete
simply setting many up to fail and creating a situation where loss of confidence is
inevitable with all the consequences that brings? It is certainly a debate that is engaging
everyone from educators and government to parents and the children themselves.
On the one hand there are those who maintain that competition comes into every aspect of
our lives. [1 _________] For proponents of this idea it is essential for children to be
exposed to the trials and tribulations and occasional joys of competing in all areas of school
life. [2 _________] In answer to critics who suggest that weaker performers may feel
inferior it is argued that rewards can be given as encouragement or in less demanding
categories such as punctuality. Critics would reply that children know full well when they’re
being patronised.
Competitive sports in schools is another hotly debated subject. [3 _________] They say
‘someone has to come last’. But do they? Is it really a good thing for that child’s
development to be seen to fail time after time? [4 _________] But then we find ourselves
considering another thorny issue – that of the pushy parent who hopes to achieve his or
her lifelong ambition through the child.
[5 _________] The children can play, but no league tables can be compiled, and there are
no trophies or medals given out. The aim of this move was to protect children from pushy
parents and aggressive coaches on the sidelines, from bullying and from peer pressure.
There is no doubt that we live in a very competitive world and children must at some time
learn to be able to make their way through it. However, perhaps school is a time for
learning to co-operate rather than to compete. That will all come later.
A We all know the misery of the child who always comes last at sports day.
B There will always be winners and losers and we have to be prepared for the fight.
C Some parents approve unconditionally of this.
D Recently, competitive football for children under eight years old was banned.
E At least with after-school sports children are given the choice of whether they wish to
compete or not.
F The rewards system in schools that gives stars and merits for good performance is a part of
this and claims to spur children on to great achievements.

Mark: ___/10
2- Rewrite the sentences with conditional forms, starting with the words given.
1 The banks didn’t raise their interest rates and I didn’t have to increase my payments.
If the banks _______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
2 I’m not sure whether I’ll have any free time this evening, but I’ll try to come over.
If I ______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
3 My legs really ache after that 15-mile hike yesterday!
If _______________________________________________________________________
4 We’ll be with you just before six if there aren’t any hold-ups.
Unless ___________________________________________________________________
5 I’m not working this morning because the boss didn’t ask me to.
If _______________________________________________________________________
6 I didn’t know you were coming too. I could have asked you for a lift.
If _______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
7 You might see Tony later. Can you ask him to get in touch as soon as possible?
If _______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Mark: ___/7

3- Complete the text with the correct future forms of the verbs in brackets.
Hi Brian,
About Sandy’s surprise party at the weekend. It 1__________________ (be) great if you can
pick us up from the station on Saturday evening. The train 2__________________ (get) in at
6.35 on the London side so I think it 3__________________ (be) easier if you meet us
outside the south entrance. We 4__________________ (wait) by the ticket machine. We
5
__________________ (not have) a chance to change for the party before we arrive so
6
__________________ (it be) OK to change at your place? I know that Sue
7
__________________ (make) a load of sandwiches and I hope the caterers
8
__________________ (deliver) the cake before 7.30. 9__________________ (you bring) the
champagne? It 10__________________ (be) a fantastic evening and Sandy has no idea what
11
__________________ (happen)! We 12__________________ (see) you at the station!
Jacky

Mark: ___/12
4- Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in brackets.
1 It’s more _________ to buy food in bulk. (economy)
2 Never _________ the opposition in a match – that’s the quickest way to a defeat. (estimate)
3 My grandfather was a generous man and inclined to make grand, _________ gestures.
(altruism)
4 Mick is a very _________ child and has produced some wonderful stories in class. (imagine)
5 After we’ve made a few _________ to the design we’ll send it back to you. (modify)

Mark: ___/5

5- Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in the box. There are two
more words than you need.
admire charm courage devote event sense sincere space tolerate trust wise
wit

1 It takes a really _________ person to fight for what he or she believes in.
2 The comedian thinks he’s being _________ , but really he’s not funny at all.
3 I’m full of _________ for people who achieve their ambitions.
4 The book concerns a mother’s _________ to her disabled child.
5 Jenny is far too _________ . She believes everything people say.
6 I’m not sure older people naturally acquire_________ . It must depend on what they’ve
experienced.
7 Ron isn’t very _________ of people whose opinions differ from his!
8 We don’t need anywhere that _________. Just a house with two bedrooms and a small
garden.
9 Lara was in floods of tears at the end of the film! I didn’t know she was so _________ .
10Fran’s new boyfriend, Mike, is a _________ boy. Everyone loves him.

Mark: ___/10

6- Underline word(s) which could be omitted from these sentences. In some sentences no
words can be omitted.
1 The hotel where we stayed for our honeymoon was demolished last year.
2 The motorcyclist who was hurt in the accident is still in hospital.
3 Some houses which were built too close to the shore are in danger of flooding.
4 The man who owns the sports shop is going to retire soon.
5 The people who are queuing to buy the new game are in for a disappointment.

Mark: __/5
7- Writing : Choose one topic and write
a) Write an essay with the title: ‘What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages
of being the youngest child in a family?’ Use the writing guide to help you. Write 200–250
words.
Paragraph 1: Introduction.
Paragraph 2: Talk about the advantages.
Paragraph 3: Talk about the disadvantages.
Paragraph 4: Conclusion.

b) Write an essay with the title ‘How different might our towns and cities look 50 years from
now?’ Use the writing guide to help you. Write 200–250 words.
Paragraph 1: Introduction. Talk about recent changes.
Paragraph 2: Write about changes you envisage.
Paragraph 3: Discuss the advantages of these changes.
Paragraph 4: Discuss the disadvantages of these changes.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion. Mark: ___/11

Total: ___/60
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