NOCN ESOL International Listening, Reading, Writing

Level C2 Proficient LIVE Winter 2023

Test Booklet

ESOL International

English Listening Examination

Level C2 Proficient

Instructions to learners
Check that you have the correct paper.
Do not open the paper until you are told to do so.
Complete the information above.
Listen to the instructions.
Use blue or black ink. Do not use a pencil.
You must not use a dictionary.
Total marks available: 31
You have 40 minutes to finish the examination.

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Part 1
You will hear ten sentences twice. Choose the best answer in each situation.

Now read the answers. You have two minutes to read the answers.

Now listen to the sentences and choose the best answer.

Mark the answer on the mark sheet.

1. a. Oh, sorry, where should I put it? 6. a. Yes, he is considering my request.

b. I will put this in the office. b. No, I have not had a pay review.
c. Can I put this on the desk? c. I have a meeting with my team on
Monday.
2. a. I think I would like this one.
b. No, I have what I want, thank you. 7. a. I saw a play last night.
c. The shoe department is over there. b. How lovely! What did you see?
c. I would love to see a play.
3. a. Yes, please take one.
b. I don’t know what that is. 8. a. Really, when did you move to Italy?
c. No, thank you. I can manage. b. I have never been abroad.
c. Oh, why would you like to move?
4. a. I have never been to India.
b. My teacher visited India last year. 9. a. Oh, are you starting a new one?
c. My mother came with me. b. The project finished last year.
c. How long will you be involved?
5. a. It arrives next week.
b. It has just arrived. 10. a. Which centre do you volunteer at?
c. I can’t wait until it arrives. b. That is very kind of her.
c. I’ve been to the community centre
today.

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Part 2

You will hear two conversations. You will hear them twice.

You have two minutes to read the questions and answers on your examination paper for both
conversations.

Now listen to Conversation 1. Now listen to Conversation 2.

Record your answers on the mark sheet. Record your answers on the mark sheet.

1. What is the conversation about? 1. Who is the conversation between?

a. Replacing a broken mattress. a. Mother and child.
b. Arranging a return of a damaged bed. b. Teacher and parent.
c. Changing a bed and mattress order. c. Two parents.

2. Which department are they speaking to? 2. What has Deepa forgotten?
a. Distributions department. a. Her dental appointment that evening.
b. Accounts department. b. The meeting tomorrow.
c. Customer services department. c. The children’s dental appointments.

3. What is the customer’s order number? 3. What do they need to take when they collect
a. WE37320. Krishna?
b. WB36320. a. A toothbrush.
c. WE36322. b. Her theatre presentation.
c. Her homework.
4. When is the item scheduled for collection?
a. In 48 hours’ time. 4. When are the first team trials?
b. By the end of this week. a. Today, at 5pm.
c. On Wednesday of the next week. b. On Thursday.
c. Next week.
5. What reason does the customer give for
wanting a new bed frame? 5. What does Aadesh need to do before he
a. They do not like the colour. collects the children?
b. The mattress is torn. a. Finish his meal.
c. The frame is metal. b. Call Kirpal.
c. Send work emails.

Now listen to the conversation again and check Now listen to the conversation again and check
your answers. your answers.

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Part 3 – Debate and discussion

You will hear a debate and a discussion. You will hear them twice.

You have two minutes to read the questions and answers on your examination paper for both the
debate and discussion.

Now listen to the debate. Now listen to the discussion.

Record your answers on the mark sheet. Record your answers on the mark sheet.

1. What is fracking? 1. What is the discussion about?

a. A new type of electricity. a. Why parents should ban TVs and screens
b. A process to store energy. in children’s bedrooms.
c. A process to extract natural gas. b. Whether TVs and screens in children’s
rooms are a good idea.
2. What is the debate about? c. The most appropriate age to allow
a. Why the government should allow children to have TV screens in bedrooms.
fracking.
b. The benefits and negatives of fracking. 2. Why is the host most concerned?
c. How to fund fracking in the UK. a. Because the children could watch
something too mature for them.
3. What is a perceived benefit of fracking? b. Because children will stay up too late.
a. It can cost less money than mining for c. Because children may spend all their
coal. time on screens.
b. It can prevent the need for fossil fuels.
c. It can secure energy sources for decades. 3. What parental controls doesn’t Carol
suggest parents can adopt?
4. Gavin believes that fracking: a. Set time restrictions for screentime.
a. Takes money away from renewable b. Confiscate all screens.
energy. c. Track the activities a child engages with
b. Reduces earthquakes. online.
c. Eliminates methane.
4. What negative impact does excessive
5. How much more polluting than carbon screentime have?
dioxide is methane? a. Damage to the eyes.
a. 2%. b. Hearing impairment.
b. 6%. c. It can be overwhelming.
c. 7.9%.
5. Why is 12 and over considered an
6. Where is fracking controversial? appropriate age for screens?
a. UK. a. Teenagers need their own space.
b. Canada. b. Teenagers are allowed to stay up later.
c. America. c. Teenagers are more mature.
Listen to the debate again and check your Listen to the discussion again and check your
answers. answers.

End of Examination.
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ESOL International

English Reading Examination

Level C2 Proficient

Instructions to learners

Check that you have the correct paper.

Please complete the information above.

Use black or blue ink. Do not use a pencil.

You may NOT use a dictionary.

There are 31 questions in this examination.

You must attempt all the questions.

Record your answers on the mark sheet.

Total marks available: 31

You have 75 minutes to finish the examination.

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Text 1
Read the text. Answer the questions on your mark sheet.
The importance of sleep 1
2
Adults should sleep at least 7 hours each night, otherwise, they could become sleep 3
deprived. Ignoring the importance of sleep may have an impact on your overall health. 4
5
When you sleep, your body produces proteins called cytokines that have immune-boosting 6
effects and serve as fuel for your white blood cells. Lack of sleep decreases the production 7
of cytokines and makes you more susceptible to bacteria and viruses. 8
9
When you sleep, your body repairs and rebuilds itself. The body is able to clear debris from 10
the lymphatic system, which boosts the immune system. Sleep enables the repair of muscle, 11
tissue growth and hormone release. 12
13
Sleep is a powerful stress-reliever. It improves concentration, regulates mood, and sharpens 14
judgement and decition making. A lack of sleep not only reduces mental clarity, but also our 15
ability to cope with stressful situations. 16
17
Poor quality sleep raises our cortisol levels. High cortisol levels are important in the short 18
term, stimulating alertness and vigilance raising heart rate and blood pressure, but over 19
time it can cause systemic inflammation and disrupt our hormonal balance. 20
21
Too little sleep impacts the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep which governs our 22
processing of emotions and memories. Losing out on the restorative benefits of REM sleep 23
direct impacts our mood, making us more irritable and more stressed. 24
25
Sleep also serves as an opportunity for the mind to process all the stimuli that we have taken 26
in while we are awake; and triggers changes in the brain that strengthen neural connections 27
needed to form memories. These memories can be accessed later through a process called 28
recall. 29
30
Sleep is vital to building memory associations, as it is the process of stabilising our memories. 31
Memory strengthening is ________ for learning new information. Numerous research studies 32
find that sleep supports this process via a series of neurochemical and genetic mechanisms 33
that take place during the slow-wave sleep stage. 34
35
You can improve your sleep by establishing a realistic bedtime and sticking to it every night. 36
Implementing a screen ban on electronic devices and abstaining from caffeine and large 37
meals before bed also helps promote sleep. 38

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1. The main purpose of this document is to: 6. There is a spelling error on:
a. Inform the reader how to sleep a. Line 14.
better. b. Line 15.
b. Explain the benefits of sleep. c. Line 18.
c. To provide tips to improve sleep.
7. There is a grammar error on:
2. What benefits does quality sleep a. Line 22.
provide? b. Line 23.
a. Improves immunity to diseases. c. Line 24.
b. Decreases the production of
cytokines. 8. There is a punctuation mistake on:
c. Reduces stressful situations. a. Line 11.
3. Why do we need REM sleep? b. Line 19.
a. It makes us feel more energetic. c. Line 33.
b. It helps to stabilise our mood and
emotions. 9. The best word to complete the sentence
c. It can improve our physical health. on line 32 is:
a. Important.
b. Unnecessary.
4. What tips are given to improve sleep?
c. Worthy.
a. Have a regular bedtime.
b. Eat a large meal before bedtime.
10. The best word to replace the word
c. Limit screen-time throughout the
‘susceptible’ on line 8 is:
day.
a. Attractive.
b. Helpless.
5. As well as relieving stress, sleep can:
c. Vulnerable.
a. Impede concentration.
b. Improve judgement.
c. Raise blood pressure.

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Text 2
Read the text. Answer the questions on your mark sheet.
Discover the delights of South America in Peru, Argentina and Brazil 1
2
There are many sides to South America, from the energy of the cities, the beauty of the 3
landscapes to the spirit of its people. Discover it all on this trip that winds through the 4
Inca heartlands and jungles of Peru, the enigmatic cities and natural wonders of Argentina 5
and the dynamism of Brazils vivacious Rio. See animals, meet locals, traverse trails and 6
marvel at all the contrasts of this very special corner of the world. 7
8
What you can do on your travels: 9
Opt to trek the 1-Day Inca Trail, an excellent option for those wanting to experience 10
trekking in Peru, but don’t want to do the full four days. Cusco is a great city to explore on 11
foot. Enter a bygone era as you explore the ancient Incan ruins dotted all over the city. 12
13
A trip through Peru wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Sacred Valley and Machu 14
Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour around the ruins, as well as plenty of free time to discover it 15
on your own. 16
17
Buenos Aires offers an eclectic mix of European, cosmopoliton and Latin flavours, as well 18
as a booming cultural and nightlife scene. Explore the neighbourhoods of this lively, 19
confident city on a full-day tour with a local guide. 20
21
Look for rainbows at the mist of the mighty Iguazu Falls from both the Brazilian and 22
Argentinian sides and visit a local indigenous community. Gaze over the dazzling city, 23
mountains and bay of Rio de Janeiro from the foot of the famous Christ the Redeemer 24
statue. 25
26
In Brazil, Favelas may sit alongside mansions, but in the heaving metropolis of Rio, 27
everyone’s invited to the party. Immerse yourself in Brazilian culture, dance and music. 28
29
Is this trip right for you? 30
Due to the high altitude of many places we visit, the air is thinner and some people can 31
suffer altitude sickness. If you are affected, be sure to drink plenty of water and don’t 32
push yourself too hard. If possible, arrive a few days early to allow yourself time 33
to ____________. 34

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11. The main purpose of the document is to: 16. There is a spelling mistake on:
a. Describe the sites of Peru. a. Line 4.
b. Inform about the dangers of travel in b. Line 18.
South American countries. c. Line 32.
c. Encourage people to travel around
South American countries. 17. There is a grammar mistake on:
a. Line 22.
12. What city does the writer recommend b. Line 27.
visiting in Peru? c. Line 33.
a. Favelas.
b. Cusco. 18. There is a punctuation mistake on:
c. Rio. a. Line 6.
b. Line 14.
13. What country does not border the Iguazu c. Line 19.
Falls?
a. Peru. 19. The best word to complete the sentence
b. Argentina. on line 34 is:
c. Brazil. a. Reconcile.
b. Acclimatise.
14. Why is Buenos Aires a great place to visit? c. Accommodate.
a. It is a peaceful place.
b. There are half-day tours available. 20. The best word to replace the word
c. It is a fascinating mix of cultures. ‘immerse’ on line 28 is:
a. Captivate.
15. What advice isn’t given to combat altitude b. Occupy.
sickness? c. Absorb.
a. Avoid walking up high mountains.
b. Drink more water.
c. Slow down your pace.

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Text 3
Read the text. Answer the questions on your mark sheet.
The Secret Lives of Urban Foxes

There are many species of fox thriving around the world, from scorching deserts to the Arctic. The most
widespread is the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), thought to be the first and most common non-domestic
carnivore in cities all around the world.

Urban foxes primarily scavenge for food, but when they hunt, it is usually for birds or small mammals, such
as rats and mice, helping to keep rodent numbers under control. The Fox Project, a UK-based charity
dedicated to protecting the red fox, states that in 29 years of work and 15,000 foxes rescued, they are 'yet
to find a starving adult fox'.

Foxes dig out dens to provide a safe underground space that is mostly used for raising fox cubs, also called
kits. In urban areas, the dens, known as earths, are commonly located under sheds, but they can also be
among tree roots, in bushes or on railway embankments.

The number of foxes living across the UK isn't officially recorded, however, a 2013 report by the
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) estimates that there are around 430,000,
roughly one fox for every 150 people in the UK.

The number in urban areas is thought to have increased from 33,000 in 1995, to 150,000 in 2017.
However, in 2018, there was a 42% decline in red foxes in Britain, although the cause is unknown. Foxes
are resourceful in exploiting new territories. In 2011, as the Shard skyscraper was being built in London, a
fox moved in on the seventy-second floor, surviving on food scraps left by workers.

21. What type of text is this? 24. In the text which statement is true?
a. A public health warning. a. Fox populations have declined since 1995.
b. A review. b. There are no official records of fox
c. An article. populations.
c. There is one fox per 170 people.
22. What organisation was formed to help protect
foxes? 25. What animals do foxes not typically hunt?
a. DEFRA. a. Kits.
b. The Shard. b. Rodents.
c. The Fox Project. c. Birds.

23. What type of fox is known as Vulpes vulpes?

a. Red fox.
b. Common fox.
c. Urban fox.

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Text 4
Read the text. Answer the questions on your mark sheet
Why earthworms play a crucial role in ecosystems
Studies have shown that earthworms help keep climate change in check, as they feed on microbes that
live in the soil. These microbes absorb decaying matter, and as part of the digestive process release carbon
gases into the ground. As the earthworms feed on these microbes, the decomposition process reduces the
carbon more than the microbes.

Earthworms play a crucial role in the food chain. They provide an essential protein-rich food source for
other significant species in the ecosystem like birds, hedgehogs and frogs. They can naturally survive on
their own by feeding on fungi and bacteria. Earthworms accelerate the degradation of organic matter by
increasing the surface area involved through the crushing of organic matter. The plants thereby re-use the
mineral nutrients released through this process after digestion. In the food chain, the earthworms provide
nutrients for both plants and other organisms, making the earthworms highly significant in the ecosystem.

These creatures also affect soil water by modifying soil porosity, which occurs through microporosity,
mesoporosity, and macroporosity, in that order. The particular configuration of pore shapes and sizes
gives the soil the ability to store or transfer water in various ways. There are several studies that show
some species of earthworms increase the rate of water filtration. The presence of worms that have high
percolation ability can decrease soil erosion by up to 50%. Endogeic-decompacting species in the tropics
play a crucial role by increasing the soil and water infiltration porosity, which helps reduce run-off
significantly.

Charles Darwin studied earthworms for more than 40 years. Darwin discovered that earthworm
conservation is much more important than other animals, considering how significantly they contribute to
the food chain and the soil’s biological, physical, and chemical properties.

26. The earthworm’s role in the food chain is: 29. The final stage in modifying soil porosity is:
a. To provide nutrients. a. Macroporosity.
b. Digest protein rich foods. b. Microporosity.
c. Building organic matter. c. Mesoporosity.

27. How long did Darwin study earthworms? 30. How does percolation by worms help the soil?
a. Approximately 40 years. a. Increase soil run-off significantly.
b. Under 40 years. b. Decrease water infiltration.
c. Over 40 years. c. Decrease soil erosion by half.

28. What is the earthworm’s choice of food? 31. What didn’t Darwin discover about
a. Small animals. earthworms?
b. Fungi. a. They play a significant role in conservation.
c. Organic matter. b. They should be protected more than other
species.
c. They contribute to the food chain.

End of Examination.
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ESOL International

Writing

Level C2 Proficient

Instructions to learners

Check that you have the correct paper.

Please complete the information above.

You must write between 200 – 250 words for Task 1 and 250 – 300 words for Task 2.

Use black or blue ink. Do not use a pencil.

You may NOT use a dictionary.

There are two tasks. You must attempt both tasks.

Formal writing Task 1, you must complete either Option 1 OR Option 2.

Informal writing Task 2, you must complete the set task.

Total marks available: 24

Allow time to check your work before the end of the examination.

You can ask for more writing paper if required.

You have 75 minutes to finish the examination.

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Option 1 Formal Writing Task 1 – Allow 35 minutes for this task

You were returning home from holiday and your luggage got lost in transit. You spoke to someone on the
customer service desk at the airport. They were really helpful and located your lost luggage within an hour.
You were very happy with the service. Write an email to the manager of the airport praising their customer
service representative.

You could write about:

• why you are writing
• the situation you faced and how you felt about it
• the negative impact it could have had on you
• your overall experience with the customer service team.
OR
Option 2 Formal Writing Task 1 – Allow 35 minutes for this task

A local politician came to talk to your school about the benefit of community projects, such as litter-picking
days, graffiti clean-up schemes and community garden initiatives. Write an article for your school
magazine explaining how inspirational the talk was and what you did in response to the talk.
You could write about:
• who came to do the talk
• what you found interesting about the talk
• what projects you decided to do
• how you have benefitted from being involved.

You must write 200 – 250 words. (12 Marks)

Informal Writing Task 2 – Allow 35 minutes for this task

You have recently watched a TV series that you enjoyed. Write a letter to your friend explaining why you
enjoyed it so much.
You could write about:
• what the series was about
• why you found the series so enjoyable
• the characters that were in the series
• why you would encourage others to watch it.

You must write 250 – 300 words. (12 Marks)

You will be assessed on:

• use of conjunctions, • content • word order
adjectives and vocabulary • use of appropriate tenses • legibility of
writing

End of Examination
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NOCN Group
Acero Building
1 Concourse Way
Sheaf Street
Sheffield
S1 2BJ
UK
©NOCN

E-mail: nocn@nocn.org.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 0300 999 1177

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