Ready for Advanced Progress Test 7

Ready for Advanced

Progress Test 7: Units 1314
Reading and Use of English
Part 2 Open cloze

For questions 18, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each
gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

Example: 0 COME

An expensive nap

It was every bank managers nightmare (0) ________ true: a German bank employee fell
asleep at his computer terminal while making (1) ________ was supposed to be a minor
money transfer and inadvertently drained 222m from an account (2) ________ even
realizing it.

The hapless employee appeared (3) ________ members of an industrial tribunal today to
explain his actions. He told the tribunal that he had intended to transfer a small quantity
of money from an account but momentarily fell asleep and ended (4) ________
transferring 222,222,222.22.

He said the error occurred because he dozed (5) ________ with his finger on the 2 key of
his computer keyboard. Not (6) ________ a few hours later was the mistake spotted and
rectified by bank staff.

A colleague responsible for overseeing the banks outgoing payments was subsequently
sacked for allowing the error to slip (7) ________ the net unnoticed. Yesterdays case was
brought because she claimed that she had (8) ________ unfairly dismissed. The tribunal
found in her favour and said she should be reinstated. The employee who fell asleep was
merely admonished.

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Reading and Use of English

Part 4 Key word transformations
For questions 16 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 three and six words, including the word given. Here is an
example (0).

0 If we get to the hotel before lunch, that will be great.

SO
If we get to the hotel before lunch, ______________________ better.

The gap can be filled with the words so much the, so you write:
Example: 0 SO MUCH THE

1 A bogus insurance salesman persuaded the elderly lady to pay him a large sum of
money.
TAKEN
The elderly lady ______________________ a bogus insurance salesman and ended up
losing a large sum of money.

2 What he told us was a complete pack of lies.

GRAIN
I dont think ______________________ in what he told us.

3 The Italian restaurant is way cheaper than the French one.

NOWHERE
The Italian restaurant ______________________ the French one.

4 When we saw lights flickering in the distance we were extremely relieved.

SENSE
We ______________________ when we saw lights flickering in the distance.

5 I havent been eating properly this week.

SQUARE
I havent ______________________ all week.

6 We didnt have to pay anything to enter the museum.

FEE
The museum ______________________ charge.

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Reading and Use of English

Part 8 Multiple matching
You are going to read a newspaper article about working abroad. For questions
110 choose from the sections (AD). The sections may be chosen more than once.
In which section are the following mentioned?
how being conscious of the outside world can spur on important decision-making 1
the fact that young peoples first jobs after university can present some difficult
and unexpected challenges 2
the belief that living in a new environment results in a wish to embrace cultural
differences 3
a series of mishaps that caused the writer to question an earlier decision 4
the fact that others might have a misconception of the experience 5
some experiences being unpleasant but later turning into a source of entertainment 6
the necessity to stand out if one wishes to be offered a job 7
the need for an element of bravery when starting out abroad 8
a complaint about young peoples lack of practical knowledge of the working world 9
a sense of purpose upon return to university 10

Pack your suitcase for a year working abroad

A
One month into my year interning abroad, I was sitting in a police station giving a statement in
broken French, and wondering if this was what my tutors had in mind when they told me I would
gain life experience. Having 300 stolen was the latest in a steady stream of events that had
already tempted me to give up, go home, and console myself with the fact that I tried.
Fast-forward nine months and I not only know that I made the right choice staying, but that
working abroad gives the unique opportunity to educate students in how to deal with the real
world. One of employers main gripes about the youth of today is that they have insufficient
insight into life in the workplace, so it makes sense to seek such experience now.
University might offer the chance to learn about and debate things that other people have
accomplished, but a year spent working away from this relative safety net allows students to realize
their own ambitions. The artificial bubble of campus life bursts onto the big wide world of work.
B
After three years of studying, exams and socializing with a set of people not too dissimilar from
themselves, students are often stuck struggling for direction or purpose and left simply wondering
whats next. Working abroad teaches us to view education as ever-evolving; learning is not
confined to the constructed setting of lecture halls and seminar rooms, but rather can be
continued throughout our lives, making us adaptable and responsive to new situations as a result.
A placement abroad prepares for this tough jolt into the unknown world of work in a way that
no amount of essays or assessments can ever do. Living in another country and culture ensures
situations and challenges on a daily basis that are testing but ultimately offer the rewards of
independence, self-assurance and motivation.
My own experiences taught me to view each (mis)adventure as a learning curve and approach
problems with a level head, good judgement and healthy dose of humour. Sure, the initial sense
of being lost both literally and linguistically may not have been laugh-a-minute at the time, but
every situation led to a solution or encounter with interesting, vibrant new people and a fair few
stories to recount back at home.

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C
Being planted into an unfamiliar setting nurtures openness, empathy and a deep-rooted
understanding of other ethnic groups. More importantly, it stimulates a desire to celebrate this. Of
course, choosing to work abroad isnt an easy decision. It takes guts and an effort to plunge in
head first. Even then, there may be a significant gap between the reality of your life and how
friends at home perceive it. Their visions of interning in Paris around a romantic hub of activity
and culture might be half-true, but this misses out the less glamorous side of shocking levels of
homelessness and realizing that not everyone is in a position to find a quick-fix solution to their
problems.
While the same difficulties, are of course, to be found in England, they are somewhat shielded by
the security of campus life. Its easy to become caught up in the quotidian activities of student life.
D
Moving to a foreign work environment allows perspective, putting studying into context. With this
awareness of wider world issues comes a certain level of maturity which can prompt students to
make choices about their own life paths. The struggle for a graduate job in todays climate is part
fight, part intricate dance to showcase and prove your own skills and achievements against a
background of hundreds of capable candidates. A year abroad not only highlights a students skills
but shows employers that they have used them in a transferable context, again and again.
Moreover, the taste of work afforded ensures a real motivation to do well and a sense of direction
once back in quotidian student life.
Working abroad offers the chance to become well-rounded and reflect on your own career
aspirations. Interns are three times more likely to find a graduate job, according to a recent survey.
In addition to increased employment prospects, the year abroad is an incredible experience of
meeting new people, seeing new places and trying new things. Students can expect unexpected
but valuable adventures ahead and yes, giving police statements in another language is
included!

Listening
Part 3 Multiple choice
You will hear a consumer rights consultant being interviewed on a local radio
station about door-to-door calls. For questions 16, choose the answer (A, B,
C or D) which fits best according to what you hear.
1 According to Sarah, one technique rogue traders use is
A to withhold crucial information from potential clients.
B to confuse potential clients with lots of small details.
C to distract potential clients as they read the contracts.
D to research potential clients before choosing them.
2 What does Sarah say about the official from the electricity company?
A He was using forged identification papers.
B He had always intended to burgle the house.
C He was suitably punished for his actions.
D He sued the lady for personal injury.

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3 Sarah says that when dealing with service personnel, you should
A ask them for an updated version of your bill.
B ensure you receive a receipt after payment.
C be careful if they offer you a price reduction.
D call the company to check the charges are correct.
4 According to Sarah, a fraudulent gang of builders
A are soon to be taken to court.
B were responsible for injuring a child.
C managed to avoid being caught.
D deliberately damaged some pipes and caused a flood.
5 When a gentlemans credit card details were abused,
A the building firm refused to assist in an investigation.
B the man who had used the credit card repaid the money in full.
C the credit card company took legal action against the building firm.
D the man secured a complete refund through other means.
6 Sarah says that when you receive a door-to-door call you should always
A insist that they call back at another time.
B be polite even if you are suspicious.
C ask someone else to read any documents.
D be cautious if they are being overly insistent.

Vocabulary
For sentences 115 underline the correct alternative.
1 Taking out a short-term loan is a greatly/fully/perfectly feasible solution to the
companys cash flow problems.

2 I was utterly/fully/partially appalled by the students total lack of respect.

3 I thought my daughters outfit was quite/wholly/deeply ridiculous.

4 Could I have a sip of your water just to mitigate/quench/gratify my thirst?

5 Dont gulp/choke/devour down your food like that, youll get indigestion.

6 John must have hollow legs, because however much I give him it never seems to
fill/appease/satisfy his appetite.

7 My mother-in-law brought a bunch/group/bouquet of grapes to the hospital and then

proceeded to eat the whole lot herself.

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8 We got held up because there was a throng/swarm/flock of sheep being herded along
the country lane.

9 When the survivors heard a helicopter in the distance they felt a ray/shaft/blink of
hope.

10 The kids watched the magician as he performed some remarkable tricks with the
pack/kit/gang of cards.

11 Unfortunately, bullying at the school has become a/an matter/affair/proceeding of

concern.

12 Watching the birds building their nest proved to be a great source/basis/foundation

of entertainment.

Writing
Part 2 Informal Letter
A friend of yours is about to leave home to start a university degree. They have
written to you expressing some anxiety about how to manage their finances. You
had some financial problems last year, but have now learnt how to live on a tight
budget. Write a letter giving advice on the different ways they can manage their
money and reassuring them of their ability to survive financially.

Write your letter in 220260 words.

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