Progress Test

Units 47

Part A
Grammar and vocabulary
A Choose the best words or phrases to complete the text.
When people talk about their best friend, they are usually talking about a person they (0)
knew / have known for several years. This could be a neighbour, a friend from their old college,
or even (1) anybody / somebody they first (2) have met / met many years before, at nursery
school for example. Best friends usually have a set of unwritten rules: they (3) dont have to /
mustnt talk about each other in a negative way to other people, and they should always support
each other (4) when / who they need (5) a / some help or advice.
B Complete the text with some of these words and expressions.
already
yet

cant

dont have to

everybody

had to

mustnt

not

somebody

what

which

I started reading this book six weeks ago, and I still havent finished it (0) yet. Ive always been
a bit of a slow reader, unlike my friend Ann. She started a book on Saturday, and shes (6)
finished it! When I was at school, our teacher made us read books, which we
discussed in class. We (7) read two or three chapters a day, but I could never
manage it. It was really embarrassing in class when we talked about it, and (8)
had something to say except me! The funny thing is that Im a very fast writer. Yesterday our
teacher asked us to write an essay about our favourite artist or writer, (9) we (10)
finish until next week. I did it before dinner last night!
C Complete the second sentence in each pair so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence.
Example
a I started learning German five weeks ago.
b Ive been learning German for five weeks.
11 a
b
12 a
b
13 a
b
14 a
b
15 a
b

Recently, people have seen strange lights in the sky at night.

Recently, strange in the sky at night.
When I got home, Teresa said, I didnt have time to make dinner.
When I got home, Teresa said that time to make
dinner.
Have you got any money? Dave asked me when we met.
When we met, Dave asked any money.
I want to go out tonight, but Ive got too much work.
I have so much work, otherwise I could go out tonight.
I really wish I had more time to finish my essay!
If more time to finish my essay!

D Choose the correct word to answer the questions.

Example:
Which of these shapes does not have straight lines?
a cube / an oval / a rectangle / a square / a triangle

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16 Which word does not describe a way of talking?

chat / eavesdrop / mumble / shout / whisper
17 Which word describes something which is usual?
bizarre / funny / odd / typical / uncommon
18 Which of these words cannot come after the verb take?
a bus / medicine / a meal / a picture / responsibility
19 Which of these words does not describe something that is funny?
amusing / hilarious / humorous / moral / witty
20 Which of these crime-related words is a person?
alibi / evidence / motive / murder / suspect
E Find and correct the wrong word in each sentence.
Example:
One of the best human qualities is a good sense of humorous. humour
21
22
23
24
25

People from different cultures often have different religion beliefs.

The book Im currently reading is about the mystery disappearance of a young man.
As far as Im concerned, your healthy is more important than money.
I know the country and its people so well that I never feel like a foreign when I go there.
Politics parties are often accused of ignoring the wishes of the people they serve.

F Choose the correct expressions.

Example:
You are going through a low doorway. Your friend is behind you and hasnt seen how low the
doorway is. What do you say?
a Mind your head.
b Take care of your head.
c Watch out for your head.
26 You are sitting on a park bench. There is a stranger sitting next to you and youd like to start
a conversation. What would be a good way of starting?
a How are you?
b Its a nice day, isnt it?
c Whats your name?
27 You are in a caf. A stranger sits down at the same table. You think you recognise him / her.
What do you say?
a Are you someone I know?
b Do I know you from somewhere?
c Who are you?
28 Somebody asks you for your opinion about something. How would you reply?
a For me, I think its (+ adjective)
b In person, I think its (+ adjective)
c Personally, I think its (+ adjective)

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29 You are at work when the phone rings. Someone asks for your boss, but shes in a meeting.
What do you say?
a Im afraid shes in a meeting.
b Im nervous shes in a meeting.
c Im worried shes in a meeting.
30 After explaining that someone is not available to take a phone call, what do you say to the
person calling?
a Call back later.
b Can I take a message?
c Tell me what you want.

Part B
Reading, listening and pronunciation
G Reading
Read an article about famous friends. Decide if the sentences are true (T), false (F) or if the text
doesnt say (DS)?
Famous friends
Having a best friend means that you not only have someone to share good times with and help
you through bad times, but you also have someone who can inspire and motivate you. Without
friendship, many famous people in history may not have achieved what they did. This article
examines a few famous friendships.
The American writers Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein met in France in the early 1920s.
They met regularly at Steins Paris salon, where they talked about everything from writing to art
to friendship and love. Despite their age difference (she was 25 years older than him) they
became great friends, although many people thought they had more of a mother-son
relationship. Their friendship was one of the key influences in each person's literary
development, and there is clear evidence of Steins style of writing in Hemingways own works.
Hemingway and Stein were not the only writers who enjoyed a close friendship in the 20 th
century. British writers CS Lewis and JRRTolkien enjoyed a very famous friendship. They were
both well-known for the worlds they created in their many books: Lewis's Narnia and Tolkien's
Middle Earth. They became very close friends because they both believed that writing was
incredibly powerful and important. They also shared religious beliefs and met regularly and
wrote letters to each other.
Americans Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were both important women in the
women's rights movement in the US. Without their friendship, it may not have had the same
force. In 1866, the two friends founded the American Equal Rights Association and travelled
around the country giving speeches and working to promote equal rights between men and
women, and especially the right for women to vote. Although they were unable to achieve this in
their lifetime, after their deaths their ideas formed the basis of the 19 th Amendment, which gave
women the right to vote. Their work inspired, and continues to inspire, womens groups around
the world.
Many people think that Abraham Lincoln's friendship with Joshua Speed influenced his politics,
and indeed, many say that without Speed, Lincoln would never have become the 16 th President
of the US. They discussed everything from love to religion and social issues. Lincoln wanted to
end slavery*, and it is a sign of the strength of their friendship that that they were able to remain
close despite their different attitudes (Lincoln opposed slavery, while Speed relied on slaves to
work his land).
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(*slavery (noun) = the system in which someone belongs by law to another person as their
property and has to obey them and work for them)
Example:
Hemingway thought that Gertrude Stein was more like a mother than a friend. DS
31
32
33
34
35

There are some similarities between Hemingways and Steins writing styles.
C.S. Lewis wrote a book called Narnia and J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a book called Middle Earth.
C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien both felt the same way about religion.
Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton won American women the right to vote.
Joshua Speeds attitude towards slavery had a strong influence on Abraham Lincoln.

H Listening
Listen to some conversations, and choose the correct answers a, b or c.
Example:
What does the man think of the womans painting?
a He doesnt think its a portrait.
b He doesnt think its very accurate.
c He thinks she should have spent more time on it.
36 Conversation 1
When would the woman lie to her best friend?
a when she doesnt want to upset her
b when her friend has spent too much money
c when she smokes
37 Conversation 2
Where are the people?
a in the bedroom
b in the kitchen
c in the living room
38 Conversation 3
What did the woman take a picture of?
a the Pyramids
b other tourists
c people on camels
39 Conversation 4
How does the man usually feel when he hears people using their mobile phones in public
places?
a curious
b annoyed
c amused
40 Conversation 5
Why doesnt the woman laugh at the mans joke?
a She doesnt understand it.
b She doesnt think its very funny.
c Shes heard it before.
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I Pronunciation
Listen and answer the questions.
Example:
a Which two words are stressed the most? big, enormous
b Does the speaker sound neutral, a bit surprised or very surprised? very surprised
41 a Which two words are stressed the most? ,
b Which word is stressed the most in the phrase very busy?
42 a Which word is stressed more in the compound noun exam results?
b Which word is stressed more in the compound noun higher education?
43 a How is the letter e pronounced in the before university? // or /i:/
b How is the letter e pronounced in the before art? // or /i:/
44 a Underline the stressed syllable in financial.
b Underline the stressed syllable in profitable.
45 Put the words in bold into two groups, depending on the pronunciation of the letter i.
I wish I were on a tropical island with my wife and kids tonight instead of washing dishes
in the kitchen.
Group 1 //: , , , , , ,
,
Group 2 /a/: , , ,

Part C
Writing
Write 200250 words in answer to one of these questions.
Either:
A friend from abroad is coming to stay in your town or city for a few weeks, and you have
offered them your home to stay in while they are there. However, at the same time, you are
going abroad, which means that your friend will be in your home alone.
Write a letter or email to your friend, giving them instructions that you think they might need.
You should:
tell them what they can or cant do in your home.
explain how some things work (for example, the heating).
tell them about any unusual things in your home (for example, the front door opens by itself if
you dont close it properly).
ask them to do a few small jobs around the home (you should say what these are).
tell them who they can go to or contact if they have any problems.
wish them a nice stay.
or:
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Progress Test 2

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Your teacher has given you this essay title.

A classroom is not the best place to learn a language. Its better to go to the country where it is
spoken and live with the people there.
Write the essay.
You should:
provide a short but clear introduction, and make it clear what you are writing about.
say what you think the advantages and disadvantages of learning a language in a classroom
are.
discuss the advantages and disadvantages of learning a language in the country where it is
spoken.
give examples where necessary or relevant.
make sure your argument is well-balanced.
provide a conclusion, making it clear how you feel about the statement.

Part D
Speaking
You and a work colleague have been asked to come up with a list of new company rules. The
aim of these rules is not only to improve the professional image of the company, but also to
make it a more pleasant place for the employees who work there. Discuss your ideas with a
colleague, and try to come up with five or six rules that you both agree on.
Before you begin, decide together what sort of company you work for.
You should then:
tell each other what you think employees should or shouldnt be able to do.
tell each other what you think managers should or shouldnt be able to do.
say why these rules would improve the image of the company or make it a better place to
work.
agree or disagree with each other, and explain why you agree / disagree.
suggest some other ways in which your company could be improved.
try to agree on as many new rules as possible.

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Progress Test 2