Progress Test Units 1 3

Progress Test Units 1–3

Part A

Grammar and vocabulary

A Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in brackets.

Example:

We study (we / study) English every day, but today we’re doing (we / do) a progress test.

1 As you know, usually (I / agree) with everything you say, but (I / not agree) with the things you’re saying now.

2 This time last year (I / work) in a shop and (live) in a small flat in the city centre.

3 I was so tired last night that (I / fall) asleep while (I / watch) television.

4 I missed my bus to school yesterday, and by the time (I / arrive), my

(lesson / start).

5 (Tim / visit) me next Sunday, and (we / probably / go) to the cinema.

B There are two missing words in each question. Put them in the correct place.

Example:

your parents got jobs and, if so, what they do?

Have your parents got jobs, and if so, what do they do?

6 When trains for London leave and how much a return ticket?

7 Where you buy your new mobile phone and how much it cost?

8 Where you last night and what you do?

9 Where I buy a cheap computer in this town and how I get there?

10 you studied English before, and why you studying it now?

C Find and correct the wrong word or word form in each sentence.

Example:

It was such hot that we decided to go swimming in the sea. so

11 Who authors, singers and artists do you like the most? ______

12 When you were younger, did you used to argue with your parents a lot? ______

13 If I don’t have too much work this weekend, I’d give you a call. ______

15 It was so cold weather yesterday that we didn’t go out all day. ______

D Choose the correct word to answer the questions.

Example:

Which of these words would not normally be used before the word energy?

geothermal / nuclear / oil / renewable / solar

16 Which of these words does not usually come before the word English?
business / designer / legal / medical / scientific

17 Which of these adjectives has a positive meaning?
confusing / disappointing / embarrassing / inspiring / shocking

18 Which preposition would you use to complete this sentence: ‘There was a ladder leaning … the wall.’?
against / around / beneath / beyond / within

19 Which of these words would not normally be used before the word gloves?
cotton / leather / metal / rubber / woollen

20 Which word would you use to complete this sentence: ‘We need to …… this problem as soon as possible.’?
cause / decide / make / solution / tackle

E Complete the story with extreme forms of the adjectives in brackets.

After two weeks of walking through the jungle, we were (0) filthy (dirty). We were also (21)

e d (tired) because we hadn’t slept properly for many nights. On the fourth day, we entered a valley and were (22) a d (surprised) at the sight we saw. In front of us was a town that wasn’t on our map. In the centre there was an (23) e s (big) building that looked like a temple. It was covered in carvings and must have been (24) a t (old). But where were all the people? We had the feeling that something (25) t e (bad) must have happened here many years ago.

F Choose the best words to complete the conversation.

A: Well, here we are in Westbourne. Shall we (0) look about / around / in?

B: That’s a good (26) idea / theory / thought, but shall we start with some lunch? Westbourne is supposed to be famous for its restaurants.

A: That (27) is / looks / sounds great. How about something Italian?

B: Well, the guidebook says that the Italian restaurants here aren’t great (28) by / in / on the whole. But apparently there’s a really good one called Sale e Pepe. (29) I’d try / I’d suggest / I recommend trying that one.

A: Great. How’s your Italian?

B: Not bad, although I’m a lawyer, so it’s more (30) medical / legal / technical Italian!

A: Oh well, you can practise on the waiters!

Part B

Reading, listening and pronunciation

G Reading

Read an article about how people in different parts of the world greet each other, then choose the best word to complete the sentences below.

Greetings around the world

In most western cultures, the standard form of greeting between two people is a simple ‘Hello’ or ‘Good morning’ (or equivalent in whichever language you are speaking), and this is very often accompanied by a handshake. For people who already know each other, especially women, a quick kiss on one or both cheeks is also common. In other cultures, the way in which people greet each other can be quite different and, to the western eye, can seem novel and exotic.

Take, for example, the Maori of New Zealand. They greet each other by rubbing noses. This greeting is called hongi, which literally means ‘the sharing of breath’. Greetings that involve facial contact other than kissing are common in other parts of the world, too. Kunik, a traditional form of greeting among the native people of Alaska and Siberia, involves gently pressing the nose and upper lip against the other person’s face (usually the cheeks or forehead) and breathing in. This sort of greeting is normally reserved for family members, as is the habit in Tuvalu in the South Pacific of pressing your nose to the cheek of the other person and sniffing. In Sierra Leone, members of the Mende, one of the two largest ethnic groups in the country, rub their chins together when they meet, while men in Oman often follow a handshake with a kiss on the nose.

Not all greetings involve physical contact with the other person. The most well-known non-contact greeting is the bow, especially in Japan. You perform a basic bow with your back straight and your hands at your sides (if you’re a man), or with your hands held together in front of you (if you’re a woman), and you keep your eyes down. You show more respect if you bow deeply and for a longer time. In Cambodia, people greet each other by pressing the palms of their hands together and holding them against the chest, then bowing. As in Japan, you show more respect if you bow deeply and hold your hands high. Perhaps the most unusual form of non-contact greeting is in Mongolia, where rural people sometimes exchange a pipe.

In some cultures, gestures which are considered impolite or aggressive in other countries are used as greetings. In Tibet, for example, people greet each other by sticking out their tongue. This is a non-verbal way of saying ‘I have no evil thoughts about you.’ In the west African state of Niger, the Kanouri people shake a fist at head level, a gesture that in many cultures is considered one of aggression.

Example:

People in western cultures always / usually / often shake hands or kiss when they meet.

According to the article:

31 Touching / Kissing / Biting the other person’s face with your own is a greeting that is practised by native people in Alaska and Siberia.

32 In some cultures, some forms of facial greeting are usually only used between friends / relatives / strangers.

33 In Japan, the position of the back / hands / eyes is different for men and women when they bow.

34 People in towns / cities / the countryside in Mongolia sometimes give each other a pipe when they meet.

35 Sticking your tongue out at someone in Tibet is not considered to be rude / polite / friendly.

H Listening

Listen to some people talking about famous legends and stories. Choose the best answer (a, b or c).

Example:

Speaker 1

Was Robin Hood a real person?

a Yes

b No

c Nobody really knows

36 Speaker 2

Where did St George probably come from?

a Rome

b Turkey

c England

37 Speaker 3

Who discovered the Fountain of Youth?

a Ponce de Leon

b Alexander the Great

c Nobody

38 Speaker 4

According to Plato, Atlantis sank into the sea when it tried to attack …

a Athens

b Western Europe

c North Africa

39 Speaker 5

Spanish settlers in Colombia decided to look for El Dorado because they wanted to …

a find out if it was a man or a place.

b become rich.

c explore the Amazon River.

40 Speaker 6

What is the story of Noah’s Ark probably based on?

a an old Babylonian legend

b an old Chinese legend

c an old Greek / Roman legend

I Pronunciation

Listen and answer the questions.

Example:

a Does the speaker sound friendly, neutral or unfriendly? neutral

b Which word is stressed the most? morning

41 a Which word is stressed more, ancient or monuments? ______

b Underline the stressed syllable in monuments.

42 a Does the speaker sound friendly, neutral or unfriendly? ______

b Which word does she stress the most? ______

43 a How many syllables are there in embarrassed? ______

b Underline the stressed syllable in embarrassed.

44 a Which word is stressed the most in the sentence? ______

b Does the speaker sound surprised or disappointed? ______

45 a Does the speaker’s voice go up or down at the end? ______

b Is the person sure or not sure that the person is French? ______

Part C

Writing

Write 200–250 words in answer to one of these questions.

Either:

Write a story that is based on a famous character, folk tale or myth from your own or another country, or use your imagination to write your own story.

You should:

give the story a title.

say who the main character(s) was / were and where they lived.

explain what happened to them.

make sure the story has a clear beginning, middle and ending.

or:

Write a formal letter applying for a job that you have seen in a newspaper.

You should:

say what job you are applying for.

provide information about yourself (for example, where you are from and what you are doing at the moment).

explain why you would like the job and why you think you would be suitable for it.

ask any relevant questions

make sure you use an appropriate style throughout.

Part D

Speaking

The town or city you are currently studying in has decided to hold a series of cultural events in order to attract more visitors. You and a partner have been asked to come up with some ideas, which you will present to the organising team. Before you present it, however, you need to discuss your ideas together.

Make some notes first, then discuss your ideas with your partner.

You should:

decide when the best time would be to hold the events.

say what sort of events should take place.

decide the best place or places to hold these events.

discuss ways in which the town / city should improve its facilities in order to deal with all the extra visitors there will be.

try to reach an agreement on all of the above points.