Dossier Fce 2019

Cambridge English First
Level:B2 Upper intermediate
Curs subvencionat pel Servei d’Ocupació de Catalunya i finançat pel Ministerio de Trabajo, Migraciones y
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Exam format
Cambridge English: First (FCE) is a test of all areas of language
ability.
The exam is made up of four papers developed to test your English

language skills. You can see exactly what’s in each paper below.
The Speaking test is taken face to face, with two candidates and two
examiners. This creates a more realistic and reliable measure of your
ability to use English to communicate.
Paper Content Purpose
Shows you can deal confidently with
Reading and Use of different types of text, such as fiction,
7
English (1 hour 15 newspapers and magazines. Tests your
parts/52
minutes) use of English with tasks that show how
questions
well you can control your grammar and
vocabulary.
Writing Requires you to be able to produce two

(1 hour 20 minutes) 2 parts different pieces of writing, such as
letters, reports, reviews and essays.
Listening Requires you to be able to follow and

(about 40 4 parts/30 understand a range of spoken materials, such as
minutes) questions news programmes,presentations and everyday
conversations.
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Speaking
(14 minutes Tests your ability to communicate effectively in
per pair of 4 parts face to face situations. You will take the
candidates) Speaking test with one or two other candidates
FCE PRACTICE TEST 1

Reading and Use of English
Part 1
For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D)
best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
0 A normal B typical C native D local
British Species Disappearing

Many species of animals and birds that are (0) ..... to the British countryside are
disappearing fast. A recent survey of the creatures that people see (1) ..... in their
back gardens shows that most are seen less frequently than they were a decade
ago, while only a few are (2) ..... to thrive.
One species that is (3) ..... threat is the hedgehog. It is estimated that their
numbers have (4) ..... by about a third since the year 2000. Hedgehogs used to be
a (5) ..... sight all over the country but their habitat has been destroyed by
development. Only
21 percent of people in Britain (6) ..... ever having seen one in their gardens. In
contrast, the common frog is seen on a monthly (7) ..... according to over half of
the people in the survey.
It’s a sad thought that the (8) ..... majority of young people today are more likely
to have seen such animals in books than in real life.
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1 A unchangingly B definitely C punctually D regularly
2 A coping B succeeding C managing D competing
3 A in B under C towards D about
4 A fallen B reduced C discounted D cut
5 A famous B familiar C casual D known
6 A reported B told C claimed D said
7 A event B occasion C basis D routine
8 A complete B absolute C wide D vast
Part 2
For questions 9-16, 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 I S
Guy Fawkes Night

Every year on November 5th, the British celebrate Bonfire Night with bonfire parties
and firework displays. This tradition
(0) ........................... also known as “Guy Fawkes Night”, but who was Guy
Fawkes? To answer this question, we must go
(9) ........................... in time to 1605, when James I was King of England.
Guy Fawkes belonged (10) ........................... a group who wanted to kill King
James and replace him with a Catholic king.
The group knew that the king would be in the Houses of Parliament on the evening
of November 5th. They planned to kill him (11) ........................... blowing up the
building using gunpowder hidden in a cellar. It was Guy Fawkes (12)
........................... was chosen to light the gunpowder. Luckily, the “Gunpowder
Plot” was discovered just (13) ........................... time. Guy Fawkes was
sentenced to death.
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Historical records show that (14) ........................... early as 1607, celebrations
with bonfires were held on November 5th to mark the day the king’s life (15)
........................... saved. The British people have been celebrating the
anniversary (16) ........................... since.
Part 3
For questions 17-24, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end
of some of the lines to form a word that
fits in the space in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0). Write
your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS.
Example: 0 R O M A N T I C
21st-Century Pirates
Thanks to films like Pirates of the Caribbean, many people think of pirates as (0)
........................... ROMANCE
and exciting figures of the past.
But pirates are still around, although they no (17) ........................... fight with
swords on sailing LONG
ships. (18) ........................... old-fashioned pirates, today’s pirates are often
members of gangs LIKE
that use sophisticated hi-tech equipment to locate ships which they believe are
worth
(19) ........................... . ATTACK
In the past, pirates would go after ships carrying (20) ........................... items,
such as gold and VALUE
silver. Today these (21) ........................... organised gangs are more interested
in stealing the HIGH
cash and personal (22) ........................... of a ship’s crew, or even the ship itself.
Pirates have BELONG
been known to attack tankers and ships of all sizes. Small motorboats are (23)
........................... SPECIAL
at risk of being attacked and stolen.
Coastal areas in Southeast Asia and Africa are the places where the majority of
pirate attacks take place. Although piracy has decreased with the help of the
prompt action of coastguard
(24) ........................... , these waters are still considered to be dangerous. SERVE
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Part 4
For questions 25-30, 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 two and five words, including the word given. Here is
an example (0).
Example:
0 The company is now being managed by Bob Miller.
TAKEN
Bob Miller ...........................................................................................................................
of the company.
The gap can be filled by the words ‘has taken over the management’, so you write:
Example: 0 HAS TAKEN OVER THE MANAGEMENT
Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS.
25 It was wrong of you to leave without saying goodbye.

SHOULD
You ........................................................................................................................... saying
goodbye.
26 If you complain to your teacher, it won’t help.

NO
It’s ........................................................................................................................... to your
teacher.
27 People say our neighbour caused the accident.

SAID
Our neighbour
........................................................................................................................... the accident.
28 All this happened because you didn’t listen to me.

NONE
If you had listened to me,
........................................................................................................................... happened.
29 We were prevented from entering the building by the security guard.

LET
The security guard
........................................................................................................................... the building.
30 John said he had really enjoyed himself at the party.

TIME
John said he had
........................................................................................................................... at the party.
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Part 5
You are going to read a magazine article in which an actress describes her life in
London. For questions 31-36, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think
fits best according to the text.
Home Away from Home

Actress and TV presenter Amanda Buxton talks about London,
her newly adopted home.
I suppose I’d been considering relocating to the capital for some time. Since I
made the move from provincial theatre to television, I’ve found most auditions for
major TV series are held here in the city. I have an agent
here, which is a great help. When I was up north, it was like trying to manage my
career by remote control.
You have to be on hand, at the heart of things, if you’re serious about building a
future in television, or
international acting for that matter. Let’s face it, London has the country’s best
theatres, TV and film studios,
so it’s not that you have a choice, really. I don’t regret the move. In fact, there’s
a lot about this city I
have come to love.
I grew up in a town that was built in the 1930s, so I really appreciate the sense of
history here and all the different styles of architecture. Even some of the
neglected, run-down areas have character, in my opinion. Another aspect of
London I have always appreciated is the parks. Major urban centres need green
areas and London has these in abundance. You’re spoilt for choice. And the city
council really knows how to make the most of them. Throughout the summer the
parks are alive with entertainment, concerts and plays. I remember the first time
I saw Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Regents Park. Watching
theatre in the open air under the stars is an experience second to none.
And when it comes to holidays, London isn’t a bad choice at all. Just after I’d
moved here, I was working 14-hour days on a new TV series and felt in desperate
need of a break. Everyone kept urging me to take off to some
exotic corner of the Pacific just to laze around on a white beach with palm trees.
When the rehearsals
for the series finally ended, I couldn’t face a beach – I would have gone crazy
with nothing to do after all that excitement and activity.
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A relaxing beach holiday can be great but I realized I needed lots of stimulation of
another kind. I needed to wind down gradually, I suppose. So when it came to the
crunch, I stayed here. While it’s true that London’s a non-stop, hectic city,
sometimes that’s just what I need to recharge my batteries. Having been so busy,
I’d hardly had time to get to know the city. At first I couldn’t get over the shops –
I spent most of my time just wandering wherever the mood took me and hunting
for unusual bits and pieces to decorate the flat that I’d just bought in Hampstead,
north London.
“Why there?” you may ask. Well, Hampstead offers you the best of both worlds. It’s
the heath, you see.
I love walking the heath with my dog, Lucas. It’s almost like being out in the
country. It’s also my retreat, where I hide away from celebrity life and relax,
especially when I’m not in the mood to be with people. When my TV series became
such a big hit, privacy began to be an issue for me. I’m frequently recognised now
and in some of the places I’ve visited on holiday, I’ve turned into one of the tourist
attractions. So I really appreciate the opportunity to be alone at home with a view
of fields and flowers, and London’s skyline in the distance. I suppose you’d say my
home has become my favourite holiday destination.
31 What was the writer’s main reason for moving to London?

A There are few theatres or TV studios in her home town.
B Leading roles in TV, films and theatre are cast there.
C She needed an agent in London to represent her.
D It had always been a place she loved to visit.
32 The writer enjoys being in London because
A she knows a lot about the architecture there.
B the area she lives in has a lot of character.
C it’s very different from her home town.
D it has the most modern buildings in the country
33 According to the writer, what is special about London’s parks?
A You can enjoy a business lunch outdoors.
B They are located far from the noise of traffic.
C They are lively places to choose to spend your time.
D They offer a unique summer programme of cultural events.
34 According to the writer, how did she benefit from a holiday in London?
A There were great bargains on sale in the shops.
B It was a pleasant change from a sunny beach holiday.
C The city’s pace made her feel more energetic.
D She became familiar with less well-known parts of the city.
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35 What does the writer mean by ‘the best of both worlds’ in line 26?
A the benefits of rural and urban life
B the enjoyment of a home and a holiday
C the convenience for work and home
D the opportunity for privacy and fame at the same time
36 What do we learn about the writer in the last paragraph?
A She rarely has time for holidays.
B She is not a very sociable person.
C She is approached by fans at home.
D She feels that fame has its drawbacks.
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Part 6
You are going to read an article about a children’s hospital. Six sentences have
been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits
each gap (37-42). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
Going into hospital is not much fun. And for children it can be especially difficult,”
explains senior nurse Gemma Morton. “Away from home, separated from their
parents, and sometimes quite ill, younger patients find a hospital a frightening
place.The traditional environment of long, empty corridors and row after row of
identical beds doesn’t help much either.” But perhaps this new children’s hospital
has changed all that. The Evelina Children’s Hospital opened in October 2005, and
has been described as
“a hospital unlike any other”. What makes it unique is, firstly, the role played by
the children in its creation, and secondly, the building itself. “At every stage of the
design process, young patients and their families were involved in shaping this new
environment and its unusual architecture,” says Gemma.
“You see, when the architects began working on the project, their aim was to
create a hospital that does not feel like a hospital. We all felt the building had to
be attractive, fun and friendly, with the atmosphere of a playground,” Gemma
adds. 37 But other challenges also faced the
architects; the chosen site was next to a busy road and surrounded by the older,
existing buildings of St Thomas’s hospital.
To counteract this sense of being closed in, architects incorporated a remarkable
feature into the building – a huge atrium, reaching from the ground to the roof and
made entirely of glass. 38 The wards on each floor can be reached by lifts in
towers located in this central space. “The lifts are red and shaped like rockets and
are just one example of many fun features included in the design. It’s very child-
oriented,” says Gemma proudly.
“The theme of the building is the natural world and the design of each floor is
devoted to a different aspect of it. For example, the ground level, coloured blue,
represents the sea and the top level, in purple, is the sky. To find your way about,
you follow signs bearing symbols representative of each floor, like a fish for sea
level or a star for sky level. 39 After all, the hospital is located in one of
London’s most multi-ethnic districts.”
The design ideas were based on the views of young patients in other hospitals and
of local schoolchildren. They were asked to describe what they liked and disliked
about hospitals. 40 “Their comments helped not only the architects but also
us, the hospital staff, understand what makes the difference between a happy
stay in hospital and an unhappy one,” says Gemma.
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“For example, each patient’s bed has a pull-down bed alongside it so that parents
can spend the night.
And as nurses, we wear animal T-shirts and badges instead of plain uniforms,” she
says. 41 Daily instruction is provided in small groups for patients. The
curriculum covers academic subjects such as science, technology and art, and
mandatory studies in literacy and maths.
42 And as Gemma points out, “Evelina Children’s Hospital is proof that a hospital
doesn’t have to be cold and impersonal, but it can be a place of imagination and fun
instead. And I believe that other hospitals will soon follow our example.”
A The system not only appeals to children but also removes the need for
directions in different languages.
B Attention to such details makes a world of difference to sick children, and

by trying to answer the young patients’ needs, the hospital provides for
their medical, emotional and educational well-being.
C It became apparent that children wanted an environment they could

relate to, with wards named after animals for example, instead of having
names that meant nothing to them.
D At the same time, it also needed to meet all the requirements of a

working hospital.
E As a result, this conservatory is filled with daylight and sunlight and gives
the impression of being outside.
F These
include a play area, a restaurant and a school for long-term patients.
G Furthermore, children on extended stays in hospital or those who require
regular ongoing treatment may attend the hospital school.
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Part 7
You are going to read a magazine article in which four people describe locations in
Ireland that they love. For questions
43-52, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.
Which person
describes the seasonal beauty of their favourite place? 43
makes a comparison with other places? 44
mentions how enjoyable it is to visit local shops there? 45
discovered their favourite place by chance? 46
is impressed by the lasting quality of the place? 47
regrets not being able to spend more time there? 48
appreciates the fact that you can escape from a busy routine there? 49
discusses the place’s religious significance? 50
recommends the place for its sports activities? 51
has made a home in their favourite place? 52
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My Ireland
Four people talk about places they love in Ireland.
A SHANNON
When I was child, the annual family holiday meant “getting away from it all”. Since
my parents owned a cabin cruiser, every summer we sailed the Erne waterway. It’s
a paradise for bird life, wild flowers and fishermen, with unrestricted boating
around 154 islands, set in 500 miles of waterway. It contrasts so strongly with the
urban sprawl of modern cities. And if you’re looking for a pristine spot for camping
or a simple picnic, you’re spoilt for choice here. My favourite place is Boa Island. As
children, we’d let our imaginations run wild as we played among ancient Celtic
statues of two-faced pagan gods or explored the Navar forests. Watching the sun
set over the Donegal mountains has always left me with a feeling of tranquillity –
so hard to find in this hectic world today.
B LIAM
It’s the mile walk along the 17th-century city walls that always brings me back to
Londonderry – a city steeped in history that perches on top of the hill at the mouth
of the River Foyle. Being on the coast, Londonderry has withstood attacks from land
and sea, and its city walls still stand unbroken today. Another favourite walk is
along the main thoroughfare Shipquay Street, though it’s very steep. You can lose
yourself in the maze of narrow streets leading off it as you browse the stores and
craft village tucked in behind the ancient tower. It’s this old-world charm in the
heart of a thriving, modern city that lures me back time and again. And there’s a
sense of permanence about Londonderry. In hundreds of years’ time, it will still be
standing like a guard at the gate of Ulster.
C ANGELA
Popular songs have made the Mourne mountains probably the most famous peaks
in Northern Ireland. Tucked away in a remote south-east corner of Ulster, there
are 12 summits rising over 2,000 feet. A spontaneous decision to join a hiking trip
brought me to the barren peak of Slieve Donard which dominates the mysterious
blue landscape. Since then, I’ve made the climb of almost 3,000 feet alone. It
takes a good few hours to do, but reaching the summit is always worth it. Offering
a panorama across the Irish Sea, the view takes your breath away. Working as a
journalist precludes my visiting as often as I’d like, but when I do, I stay in a small
B & B in Newcastle. It’s situated on a coast notorious for smuggling in the 18th
century, but today it’s more famous for its scenic walks, horse riding and golf
courses.
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D SEAN
Once referred to as my sweet hill by St Patrick, Armagh was the spiritual capital of
Ireland for over 1,500 years. As it expanded, numerous public buildings, including
two cathedrals, were erected. The builders of Armagh’s Georgian townhouses were
delighted to find a unique local limestone. When polished, its pink, red and yellow
stones make the city glow even on a cloudy day. I spent my childhood playing hide
and seek in its elegant streets and can’t imagine living anywhere else. My favourite
getaway is a short drive north of the city to the rich fruit-growing country often
called the orchard of Ireland. On Apple Blossom Sunday, in late May, the orchards
are a mass of pink and white flowers, whose fragrance fills the air. And from August
onwards, roadside stalls are laden with fruit pies spiced with cinnamon.
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Writing
Part 1
You must answer this question. Write your answer in 140-190 words in an
appropriate style.
1 In your English class you have been talking about learning foreign languages.
Your English teacher has asked you
to write an essay for homework.
People who speak English don’t really need to learn

other languages. Do you agree?
Notes
Write about:
1. travel
2. career
3. your own idea
Write your essay. You must use grammatically correct sentences with accurate
spelling and punctuation in a style appropriate for the situation.
Part 2
Write an answer to one of the questions 2-4 in this part. Write your answer in
140-190 words in an appropriate style.
2 Your teacher has asked you to write a story for the school magazine. The story
must begin with the following words:
It was going to be a small birthday celebration, so I had no idea it would turn
out to be such a big event.
Your story must include:
an unexpected guest
a song
Write your story.
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3 You recently saw this notice in an English-language magazine called Book World.
Reviews needed!
We are interested in what you have to say. If you have read an interesting
book recently, share your opinion with us. Write a review including information
on the genre, characters, setting and story.
Say whether you would recommend the book to other people.
Write your review.
4 This is part of a letter you have received from your English friend, Jo.
My family are thinking of coming to your country on holiday this summer but
we’re not sure where to go. Could you recommend somewhere near where you
live? Please tell me a bit about the places where we could go sightseeing and
what kind of activities there are for young people.
Thanks, Jo
Write your letter.
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Listening
Part 1
You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1-8, choose
the best answer (A, B or C).
1 You hear a woman talking about her first 5 You hear a review of a computer game on the
attempt radio.
at skiing. What is the man’s opinion of the game?
What problem did she have? A There are too many rules to follow.
A She kept falling over. B It’s not suitable for people with no
B She suffered from the cold. knowledge of football.
C She lost one of her ski poles. C The animation could have been done
better.
2 You overhear two friends talking about
yoga classes. 6 You overhear a man and a woman talking
What was it about the classes that didn’t about a film.
suit the woman? What kind of film is it?
A the time A a film about a superhero
B the number of people in the class B a documentary
C the location C a horror film
3 You hear part of a radio interview with a 7 You hear a woman talking to a group of
man people in a
who went to live on a small island. national park.
Why did he go there? What does she advise them against?
A He wanted to escape city life. A leaving the hiking trails
B He received a job offer there. B lighting fires
C He considered it a worthwhile C climbing rocks
experience.
8 You overhear two people talking.
4 You overhear a woman talking on the How did the man feel when he lost his job?
phone. A afraid
Who is she talking to? B stressed
A her neighbour C relieved
B her gardener
C her husband
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Part 2
You will hear a young man called Steve Carter talking about the time he spent as a
volunteer teacher in Mali, West Africa.
For questions 9-18, complete the sentences.
LIFE IN MALI
Steve’s first job was as a 9 in Mali.
Mali is the 10 country in the world.
Steve found it difficult to get used to the 11 between Mali and

the UK.
Steve had to learn the correct way to 12 people he met there.
In Malian society, a lot of importance is placed on the 13
In Mali, looking directly at a person may be seen as a 14
Steve was glad that he took his 15 abroad with him.
Steve often saw Malian children playing with 16 in the streets.
In Mali, joking cousins exchange 17 with each other.
Steve hardly ever felt 18 during his stay in Mali.
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Part 3
You will hear five different people talking about student life at a university in a city
in the north of England. For questions
19-23, choose from the list A-H what each speaker says. Use the letters only once.
There are three extra letters which you do not need to use.
A I’m impressed by the low cost of living in the north.

Speaker 1 19
B I’ve enjoyed promoting the university.
Speaker 2 20
C Money has been my main problem.
Speaker 3 21
D I’ve had no problem making friends.
Speaker 4 22
E There are plenty of job opportunities for students.

Speaker 5 23
F I’ve had to make an extra effort to enjoy student life.
G I find it hard to find enough time to study.
H The nightlife offers something for everyone.
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Part 4
You will hear part of an interview with Lynda Bryant, producer of a special kind of
reality TV show. For questions 24-30, choose the best answer (A, B or C).
24 What was the original purpose of 28 How does Lynda explain the success of
“historical” reality TV? historical
A to mark the anniversary of Channel 4 reality TV?
B to show how people used to live A It gives people the chance to
C to compare past and present experience
technology life without technology.
B Viewers identify with the participants
25 According to Lynda, participants in more closely.
The 1900 House C It combines historical documentary
A disliked dressing up in such old- with drama.
fashioned
clothes. 29 What kind of person does Lynda say is
B helped to ensure the historical details suitable
were correct. for a historical reality TV show?
C could only use products available 200 A someone willing to try the life of
years ago. a celebrity
B someone with a great deal of
26 What does Lynda say about the children historical knowledge
in C someone who is tough enough to
The 1900 House? face the challenges
A Some of them missed school.
B They had to act as a family. 30 In the show The Manor House,
C They were all teenagers. A some participants worked harder than
others.
27 Following the success of The 1900 B a participant found being cut off from
House modern life difficult.
A a similar programme was made in C some participants found the
the USA. experience boring.
B the programme was nominated for
an award.
C the participants returned for a further
six months.
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FCE PRACTICE TEST 2
Part 1
For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best
fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
0 A class B collection C set D type
A Snapper in the Sewers

Snappers are a (0) ..... of biting turtle, which is rapidly (1) ..... extinct. This is probably the
reason why rangers in the Australian Reptile Park felt (2) ..... upset when eight baby
snappers were stolen from the park (3) ..... 20 years ago. Then, last year, a construction
worker in Sydney was working in the sewage system under the city streets when he (4) .....
what looked like an enormous turtle. At first, he couldn’t believe his (5) ..... . He was
amazed. Where (6) ..... earth had it come from? The most likely explanation seemed that it
was one of the baby snappers that had been taken more than 20 years earlier. The park
rangers were very excited and (7) ..... to get it back. However, the snapper was no longer a
baby and it took six men to get the 110-pound turtle out of the sewers. In fact, they were
lucky, as some snappers weigh twice as much as that! The snapper became quite famous
and it was even (8) ..... a nickname, Leonardo, after the famous Mutant Ninja Turtle.
Doesn’t it make you wonder what other secrets are hidden in the sewers under our cities?
1 A growing B getting C turning D becoming

2 A so B such C much D too
3 A above B over C beyond D past
4 A ran over B saw through C came across D got by
5 A sight B eyes C ears D luck
6 A on B in C of D about
7 A concerned B worried C upset D anxious
8 A adopted B called C made D given
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Part 2
LETTERS.
Example: 0 H O W
Mysterious Hums
Can you imagine (0) ........................... it feels to walk around with a continuous
low noise, or hum, in your ears day (9) ........................... day? Some people are
doing just (10) ........................... , and it is seriously affecting their lives.
Apparently, hums are heard mostly indoors, at night, and sound (11)
........................... a lorry engine or motor that (12) ........................... been left
running. Hums disturb people’s concentration, sleep and, (13) ...........................
some cases, cause serious headaches.
Hums were first documented by experts as long ago as 1991. (14)

........................... man-made sources may be responsible for some of the hums,
others are not so easy to explain. One theory suggests that these hums are created
deep in the Earth by rocks pushing (15) ........................... each other.
Whatever the actual cause of these hums, it seems that for the time (16)
........................... , people who do hear the hums will continue to suffer until a
way to deal with the noise is found.
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Part 3
Example: 0 L E G E N D A R Y
Jumping for Joy

Evel Knievel, the (0) ........................... motorcyclist, and his son Robbie both dreamed of LEGEND
(17) ........................... across the Grand Canyon on motorbikes. In 1974, Evel Knievel asked for JUMP
(18) ........................... to try the jump and was bitterly disappointed when officers of the PERMIT
National Park Service refused to give it.
Twenty-five years later, his son Robbie was much (19) ........................... . He was allowed to LUCK
make the attempt at the (20) ........................... point of the canyon, 200 km east of Las Vegas. NARROW
Driving at a speed of 145 kph, he easily cleared the 69.5-metre leap. Hundreds of
(21) ........................... people and a display of fireworks greeted him as he landed with a crash. CHEER
The (22) ........................... of the canyon at that point is 762 metres, so if the jump had failed, DEEP
it is (23) ........................... whether Robbie would have survived. Perhaps that was the reason DOUBT
he seemed quite (24) ........................... about the minor injuries he suffered: he only had CONCERN
a sprained ankle and two broken ribs.
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Part 4
For questions 25-30, 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 two and five words, including the word given. Here is an example (0).
Example:
0 I’ve had quite enough of your rudeness.
PUT
I will not
...........................................................................................................................
rudeness.
The gap can be filled by the words ‘put up with your’, so you write:
Exampl
0 PUT UP WITH YOUR
e:
25 There’s no point in spending time on this exercise.

OF
This exercise ........................................................................................................................... time.
26 It was such an expensive book that I didn’t buy it.

SO
If the book ........................................................................................................................... , I would
have bought it.
27 I’d rather book tickets than wait in a queue.

PREFER
I ........................................................................................................................... in a queue.
28 The paint on that house looks very new.

MUST
That house ........................................................................................................................... very
recently.
29 John likes more sugar in his tea.

SWEET
This cup of tea ........................................................................................................................... for John.
30 Did you enjoy the party?

GOOD
Did you ........................................................................................................................... at the party?
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Part 5
You are going to read a magazine article in which the writer describes a Mediterranean cruise. For questions 31-36,
choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.
Cruising Round the Mediterranean

Janet Foster describes her holiday of a lifetime.
“Wonderful weather, masses of interesting quality of their cuisine, and the Venus was no
things to see and do, and superb comfort.” exception. My favourites were the English
That was what I told the travel agent when she afternoon teas with dainty sandwiches and fresh
asked what kind of holiday I was looking for. pastries. I can still hear the waitress, silver teapot in
“How about a Mediterranean cruise?” she said. hand, asking, “Would you prefer milk or lemon,
And that’s how I found myself, two months madam?”
later, aboard the cruise ship Venus.
There was a dazzling variety of evening activities.
From the moment I set foot on the ship, I felt In my 10 days on board I ‘only’ managed two
pampered. The public areas were quite concerts, a Las Vegas-style cabaret, a magic show,
luxurious with their elegant furnishings and a lecture on wines, a disco, and a 60s night of
wood-panelled walls. They reminded me of singing and dancing.
some of the scenes from the film Titanic, and I
But the crowning glory of the cruise was
half expected Leonardo de Caprio to appear at
undoubtedly the tours. The short stops we made at
any moment.
historic ports satisfied my craving for travel and
On the first day, I explored the ship to get my perfectly suited my temperament. From a hilltop
bearings and to find out about on-board castle at Vigo in Spain, I enjoyed a panoramic view
entertainment activities. I made a mental note across the bay. In the quaint, narrow streets of
of which ones to go for, and what to avoid. Palma, Majorca, even souvenir shopping proved a
Most of the young people seemed to be pleasure. One place I would have been happy to
hanging around the gym and virtual-reality spend longer than the one allotted day was the
centre. I visited both briefly, but quickly went Adriatic port of Dubrovnic, with its marvellous old
back on deck. I spent hours basking beside the city walls.
swimming pool, taking an occasional dip in the
Venice provided the grand finale before we
water for exercise, or joining one of the
returned to the UK. Sailing slowly along the canals
aerobics sessions.
in a gondola, peering at St. Mark’s Square through
And don’t think for a minute that taking a the misty early morning light was magical. I was
line 27 cruise by myself implied that I remained alone. pleased that I had forced myself to rise at the crack
Though men appeared to be in the minority, of dawn and see Venice, quiet, without the usual
there were plenty of singles on board and no adoring crowds. I found the city as alluring as ever.
lack of company. In fact, I made several casual
Other holidays that I’ve had were fun. Some were
acquaintances and formed friendships with a
more restful, most considerably cheaper than a
couple of fascinating fellow passengers.
cruise, but none were in any way comparable. It’s
Some of the more experienced cruise passengers going to take a year of scrimping and saving to pay
I met told me that cruise ships are famed for off the cruise on the Venus but, for my idea of
the heaven, it was worth it.
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31Why did the writer book a holiday on the Venus?
A She had always dreamed of going on a cruise.
B It was the only cruise with places still available.
C It was the result of a suggestion made to her.
D She had been thinking about it for quite a long time.
32 From her first impressions of the cruise ship, the writer felt that the ship owners
A had had the vessel redecorated.
B had ordered an exact replica of another ship.
C understood the importance of atmosphere.
D were constantly looking for new staff.
33 The writer uses the phrase ‘no lack of company’ (lines 27-28) to show that she
A was used to being on her own.
B found lots of people to mix with.
C enjoyed meeting the male passengers.
D preferred her own company.
34 What do we learn about the writer?
A She always enjoys going out to shop for gifts.
B She had actually been to Venice before.
C She didn’t like the crowds one encounters on cruise ships.
D She liked to get up early in the morning.
35 According to the writer, the ticket for the cruise
A cost less than other holidays abroad.
B was unreasonably expensive.
C cost more than the writer had expected.
D has not yet been fully paid for.
36 Which statement most closely expresses the writer’s conclusions about her trip?
A The travel agent understood what I was looking for.
B I could have done with more shipboard activities and less sightseeing.
C It was not at all what I expected of a cruise.
D Many of the activities were unsuitable for older people.
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Part 6
You are going to read an article about a model. Six sentences have been removed
from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap (37-
42). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
Big is Beautiful
What makes model Kate Dillon different from other fashion models?
Overweight Kate – that’s what fellow students called her at school. So, after
watching a television film about eating disorders, Kate Dillon, an unhappy
teenager, decided to starve herself. She became obsessed with the idea that
being slim would win her popularity and acceptance. By the age of sixteen, after
losing 30 pounds, she did indeed have more friends and was spotted by a scout
for a modelling agency, where she subsequently embarked on a highly successful
career in modelling. Dillon was soon featured on the covers of top fashion
magazines. Her dream had come true, but it was to be short-lived.
Kate had turned into one of those glamorous, slender models seen in magazines,
on TV and in films. Girls all over the world long for such an image and some will
do almost anything to achieve it. 37 Constantly worrying about her
weight, Kate was also feeling ill and run down. After seven years, she began to
wonder if being slim was the only measure of beauty.
During a photography session for the exclusive fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar,
Kate’s glamorous life suddenly lost its charm. 38 Was it all worthwhile?
Somewhere along the way, hadn’t she lost sight of all the other things that were
important in life?
This realisation changed Kate’s life. She gave up modelling and started going out,
dancing, and having a good time. She soon began putting on a little weight,
although she was careful to eat sensibly, with the guidance of a nutritionist.
39 She slowly gained confidence, became comfortable with her new lifestyle
and at ease with her appearance.
Kate was determined to do it her way, and again her life took an unexpected turn.
When a friend suggested that she go back to modelling, Kate realised that this
was a real possibility. With a more natural look and her newly found self-
confidence, she was engaged on the spot by a top agency – this time as a size-14
model. 40 She has established a new norm for beauty, where being as
skinny as a rake is no longer the only criterion for an attractive woman.
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Describing herself as “a model with a voice,” Kate has been a key speaker on
eating disorders and the female self-image at places such as Harvard University.
She speaks out against the media’s narrow concept of beauty. According to Dillon,
the media feed women images of an impossible ideal which cause anxiety so as to
sell them the so-called “solution” in the form of diets. Even messages telling
women to be themselves are often mixed. 41
Kate is optimistic that attitudes are changing and that society is moving towards a
more open ideal of beauty, but feels there is still a long way to go. Modifying
people’s attitudes takes time, and Kate does not promise young women instant
acceptance. 42 The first step is for women to make a decision to live by
their own standards rather than trying to fulfill the ideals of others. As Kate says,
“What’s really cool is to be who you are.”
A At the same time, she started exercising, and took up running and martial
arts.
B She constantly comes across women’s magazines that run articles about her as
a role model on one page, and give tips for “how to get slim quick” on the
next.
C Encouraged by her manager and clients to be as bony as possible, Kate was
eating less and less.
D Ironically, she now enjoys even greater success, making twice the income she
once did.
E It might feel great to look slim, but women should ask themselves: How much
effort should be put into it?
F The greatest problem is accepting that women can be attractive without
conforming to cover-girl norms.
G She happened to glance around and became aware of the enormous effort
everyone was making to create her perfect public image.
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Part 7
You are going to read a newspaper article about a sporting event. For questions
43-52, choose from the participants (A-D).
The participants may be chosen more than once.
Which of the participants
had been confident of winning? 43
mentions qualities not necessarily connected to sport? 44
refers to long training done before the race? 45
contributed expert knowledge? 46
mentions overcoming an unexpected setback? 47
was able to return a favour? 48
mentions the strict rules of the race? 49
is aware of their own shortcomings? 50
complains about the physical conditions? 51
feels the choice of venue is an important factor?
Primal Quest
Are you adventurous? Sarah Cairns asked four
participants about Discovery Channel’s annual race.
A PAUL
“Testing yourself to the limit, challenging nature, racing and adventure” was how Paul
described the exciting annual expedition race called Primal Quest. Paul had tried his hand at
all the skills needed for the contest long before he actually took part in it. “I learned to ride
horses and mountain bikes at an early age and when I was 16, Dad finally took me climbing.
It still took me years to build up the necessary strength,” he told us. “The race covers over
400 miles of extremely rough terrain, and includes rappelling and
whitewater rafting.
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You need to keep going round the clock for anything between six to 10 days, and you’re
fighting exhaustion most of the time. This year the race was in the desert, and the extreme
heat was especially brutal. But, I get a kick out of any sport that involves danger and calls
for stamina and a lot of willpower. It’s a challenge to human endurance.
B HELEN
Helen admitted that she wasn’t always an asset to her team. “I’d done quite a bit of
mountain biking before, but there were sections between checkpoints that we rode across
which were interspersed with parts where the bikes had to be carried. That meant that, at
each stage, we had to dismantle our bikes, and then reassemble them. I’m what you would
call technically challenged, so I held the team back. My three teammates were great,
though. Whoever was ready first always gave me a hand.” Helen, experienced in the water,
was happy that she was able to reciprocate in the kayaking part of the race, a skill in which
her fellow teammates were less competent. She managed to save them quite a bit of time
by choosing the fastest possible course through the river and helping them avoid underwater
rocks. These are virtually invisible, but a skilled kayaker can recognise them by the slight
changes in the river’s flow.
C SANDY
It’s difficult for Sandy to put her finger on what attracted her most about Primal Quest.
“Maybe it was a love of extreme sports,” she told me, “or growing up in a mountainous area
in Canada where climbing and canoeing were always part of our lives.” The beauty and
splendour of the course, which took them through stunning desert canyons to unspoilt
mountain trails, made her feel it was well worth it. Sarah also admitted that being a woman
had something to do with it. “I loved the idea of a challenging race in a wild and remote
location, where both sexes had to be represented on every team. I really believe that
Primal Quest makes for better human beings, not just sportspeople. You need perfect
communication with your teammates, mutual consideration and total dedication to the
mission at hand. I think you come home from the experience a more compassionate
person, at work, with your family and in other relationships.”
D DAVID
Upon reaching Checkpoint 36, David and his teammates were informed that, before they
could continue, they would have to complete an orienteering course. This was a route of
eight and a half miles which they had to cover while finding points shown on a map, in
territory that is especially difficult to navigate. They hadn’t counted on this obstacle, and as
it turned out, some other teams opted for an eight-hour penalty rather than attempting it.
“However, one of the team had once been a scout and remembered orienteering to get us
through this part in under five hours. On the seventh day, we were still well ahead,” he told
us. “Our performance was outstanding. We’d made good time on the mountain bike
sections and there wasn’t a flash flood in sight when we waded through a river bed.” Then,
on the eighth day, misfortune struck. Nell sprained an ankle so she couldn’t ride her bike.
“There was no way she could get to the finishing line, which meant we were all
disqualified.”
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Writing
Part 1
appropriate style.
1 You have had a class discussion on the importance of cooking skills. Your teacher
has asked you to write an essay, giving your opinion on this statement:
Cooking skills should be taught in schools today.

Do you agree?
Notes
Write about:
1. health
2. jobs
3. your own idea
spelling and punctuation in a style
appropriate for the situation.
Part 2
2 You have a part-time job in a leisure centre. The manager wants to offer more
activities for 11-16-year-olds.
He has asked you to write a report, answering the following questions:
• What activities would you recommend for this age group?
• When and how often should such activities be offered?
• What equipment or materials would be required?
Write your report.
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3 This is part of a letter you received from a penfriend.
Do you remember I wrote to you about summer jobs? Well, I now have two offers – one working in a
music shop in town and the other working in the art museum. They both pay the same student rate. I
just can’t decide which one is best. What do you think I should choose?
Write a letter to your penfriend, giving your opinion and explaining why. Do not
write any postal addresses.
Write your letter.
4 You recently saw this advert in the school newspaper.
Wanted!
We need reviewers for our monthly “What’s On” film section. If you love films
and think you can write interesting reviews, we’d love to hear from you.
Send us a review of a film, telling us about the plot, the characters and any
special effects and whether or not you recommend it.
Write your film review.
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Listening
Part 1
1 You hear a phone conversation. 5 You hear a man talking to a colleague.

What has happened? What is his job?
A A lorry has hit a bus. A a shop manager
B A lorry has fallen on its side. B a librarian
C A car has collided with a lorry. C a film director
2 You overhear a woman talking. 6 You hear about a competition on the radio.
What is her relationship with Helen? What must you send in order to win?
A a relative A secrets you want to publish
B a teacher B advice on how to look good
C a co-worker C make-over tips
3 You turn on the radio and hear this. 7 You overhear a man talking to his
What type of programme is it? neighbour.
A a cookery programme Why did the family get a cat?
B a travel programme A The vet suggested it.
C an educational programme B Their son wanted it.
C The parents wanted it.
4 You tune into a radio programme and hear a
woman talking about her new home. 8 You overhear a teacher talking to her pupil.
Where is it? What is she trying to do?
A by the sea A make an apology
B by a river B offer criticism
C by a lake C express sympathy
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Part 2
You will hear a radio report about summer jobs for students. For questions 9-18,
complete the sentences.
SUMMER JOBS
The Jersey Farm Company is looking for students aged 9 .
There are two types of work available in 10 and administrative

jobs.
Students working at social functions are needed at least 11 .
The catering staff take responsibility for serving guests, setting and
12 tables.
The office work involves taking 13 , doing seating plans and

receiving guests.
Experience in 14 is required to deal with e-mail, faxes and filing.
For students who want to do delivery work, a 15 is required.
The rate of payment is 16 an hour.
Students can expect to work 17 hours a week.
During the academic year, a 18 job in the farm restaurant is

available.
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Part 3
You will hear five different people talking about a street market they visited. For
questions 19-23, choose from the list A-H what each speaker says. Use the letters
only once. There are three extra letters which you do not need to use.
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Part 4
You will hear part of an interview with a ballerina. For questions 24-30, choose the
best answer (A, B or C).
24 Why does Susannah want the interview to be 28 Her parents’ move to the city
brief? A was beneficial mainly to Susannah.
A it is taking place during a rehearsal B was at her father’s insistence.
B she has to give lessons to younger ballerinas C turned out to be of mutual benefit.
C her timetable is very tight
29 Why has Susannah given up surfing as
25 Why did Susannah’s mother send her to ballet a hobby?
lessons? A She no longer lives on the coast.
A in order to give her more self-confidence B It is too dangerous for her.
B in order to solve a physical problem C Swimming gives her a better
C in the hope that she would become a serious workout.
dancer
30 For Susannah, a future film career is a
26 Susannah changed her mind about becoming a A doubtful proposition.
model B potential option.
A because her mother was opposed to the idea. C definite goal.
B when she was exposed to ballet.
C because she had problems with her posture.
27 How did Susannah’s father feel about her

dancing at first?
A He was concerned about her future earnings.
B He refused to discuss ballet as a career.
C He felt proud of the choice she made.
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FCE PRACTICE TEST 3
Part 1
For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best
fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
0 A demand B display C sale D hand
UNICEF
Most of us have seen the brightly coloured UNICEF greetings cards on (0) ..... in
shops, particularly at Christmas and New Year. The simple, cheerful designs that (1)
..... your eye are often the work of children. Yet only a few people are aware of the fact
that buying UNICEF cards helps to (2) ..... money for a very worthy cause, namely
children in need. The cards started with a seven-year-old girl named Jitka Samkova,
who painted a picture to thank UNICEF for the help her village had (3) ..... . The
painting was later used on the first UNICEF greetings card.
When the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund was established in
1946, its (4) ..... objective was to help children whose parents had died in the Second
World War. Today, however, UNICEF concerns itself with the basic (5) ..... rights of
children everywhere, including the right to sufficient food, a home, health care and
education. Today, UNICEF takes a special (6) ..... in adolescents, whom it (7) ..... as
people aged 10-19.
So the next time you need a card and can’t make up your (8) ..... which one to
choose, buy a UNICEF card!
1 A keep B catch C open D meet

2 A raise B earn C gain D acquire
3 A received B provided C accepted D appealed
4 A big B proper C large D main
5 A human B personal C individual D civil
6 A care B interest C attention D issue
7 A categories B characterises C measures D defines
8 A decision B opinion C mind D thought
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Part 2
LETTERS.
Example: 0 M U S T
Protecting Wildlife
In order to help endangered species of animals, zoologists (0) ...........................
learn as much as possible about their natural habitat and be able to get to them
quickly, when necessary. A new technique, called telemetry, has (9)
........................... it possible for zoologists to keep track of the movements of wild
animals, (10) ........................... ever leaving the laboratory. In cooperation (11)
........................... engineers, zoologists have developed a small transmitter, a
telemeter, which can be attached to any animal.
Thanks to this new technology, the location of the animal is monitored at (12)
........................... times. If a transmitter stops sending signals, it means there is a
problem with either the transmitter or the animal, and scientists will go at (13)
.......................... to check. For instance, biologists would not have known that a
rare Siberian tiger had died, leaving her baby cubs unprotected, had the signals (14)
........................... stopped coming from the telemeter. Fortunately, they arrived
(15) ........................... time to rescue the cubs.
While scientists have encountered certain problems with the telemeter, on the (16)
........................... , this device has allowed conservationists to ensure a longer and
safer life for many endangered species.
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Part 3
Example: 0 C O N S I D E R E D
The History of the Doughnut
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Part 4
Example:
0 Their pace isn’t slow enough for me.
TOO
They are ...................................................................................... for me.
The gap can be filled by the words ‘walking too fast’, so you write:
Example: 0 WALKING TOO FAST
25 Is there any chance of staying with you next weekend?

PUT
Do you think you ............................................................................... next weekend?
26 This test is no easier than the last one.

AS
This test is just .................................................................................... the last one.
27 His first book was published when he was 16 years old.

AGE
He published his first book ................................................................................. 16.
28 Jack is sorry he ate so much last night.

WISHES
Jack ...............................................................................................so much last night.
29 Everyone is very excited about your wedding.

FORWARD
We ................................................................................................ your wedding.
30 For two days they didn’t have gas or electricity.

NOR
They .................................................................................... for two days.
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Part 5
You are going to read a magazine article about travel writing. For questions
31-36, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best
according to the text.
If my memory serves me well, even in primary school, I had a vivid imagination and would
often come up with entertaining short stories. Certainly by the time I entered high school, I
had begun toying with the idea of going into journalism. Ironically, although I took
journalism at university, I fell into travel writing quite by accident. I was the chief editor of the
student newspaper at the time. Somebody came up with the bright idea of doing a travel
feature and I was offered free rail tickets in Europe for the summer in return for a series of
articles on the places I visited. The pieces I wrote actually won me an award for best student
travel writer of the year! And from that point on, there was no looking back.
The early acclaim my articles had received gave me confidence. What quickly became clear,
however, was the gap between writing a few articles as a student and making ends meet as
a travel writer. Like most budding travel writers, I earned next to nothing in my first year.
Despite what one might call the perks of the profession – an occasional offer of free
accommodation or a meal on the house – the fact is that until you have established yourself
and found interested publishers, you spend far more than you earn.
My initial attempts at having my articles published were unsuccessful. Luckily, after rejecting
yet another piece of mine, one kind publisher gave me some sound advice. “Take a look at
what’s happening in travel writing,” he said. “Your articles are just too old-fashioned.”
Curious as to what he meant, I began reading all the latest travel blogs, Internet
sites and travel magazines I could get my hands on. He was right – my writing style was
hopelessly out of touch.
Travel writing had changed dramatically and I hadn’t kept track. It probably started with
the shift in the kind of people who travel. If in the past only the wealthy could consider
travelling for pleasure, today, the typical tourist may be anyone from a millionaire to a
back-packing student. This means that guidebooks now supply a much broader range of
information to satisfy the needs of a variety of travellers.
The more I read, the more I realised that in order to succeed I had to find a niche – my
own particular area of expertise – in this huge market. Gradually, I became aware of
“specialty” travel writers, who focus on specific groups of tourists and their particular
interests. I’ve always loved the idea of exploring out-of-the-way places, so I began to
write articles aimed at the seasoned traveller who has seen the best-known tourist sights
and is looking for a novel experience off the beaten track. Slowly but surely, I found my
own voice as a writer, and my new articles were greeted with enthusiasm.
Today, I can safely say that I find my career rewarding. But it’s definitely not for everyone.
Those of you who see travel writing as glamorous may be disappointed. A travel writer must
be prepared to spend days of relentless sightseeing – far more than any normal tourist
would take on, and not all of it interesting. Finally, at the end of an exhausting day, you have
to sit down and write an organised and informative account of your experiences – which may
take you into the early hours of the morning. If you’re willing to take on that kind of
commitment, travel writing can be very fulfilling. I have been at it for six years now, and
wouldn’t trade it for a nine-to-five desk job, no matter how well-paid!
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31When the writer says she began ‘toying with the idea of’ going into journalism,
she means
A she didn’t consider journalism a serious career. ‘walking too fast’
B that being a journalist was a childhood ambition.
C she was considering journalism as a possibility.
D she used to daydream about being a journalist.
32 What surprised the writer about her new career as a travel writer?
A She was not able to earn a living.
B She was forbidden to reveal her identity.
C She didn’t have to pay for hotels or meals.
D It was a year before she got anything published.
33 The writer gives the example of travel blogs to illustrate
A a typical Internet travel site.
B how travel writing had developed.
C the inspiration for her first book.
D a good source of travel information.
34 One reason for the recent developments in travel writing was
A the greater number of well-to-do travellers.
B the different forms of transport now available.
C the increase in the number of tourists.
D the growing diversity of tourists.
35 What did the writer learn after doing her research?
A facts about unusual destinations
B how exciting travel writing was
C where her particular talents lay
D what modern tourists are looking for
36 In appealing to travel writers, the main purpose of the last paragraph is to
A warn them that such exciting jobs involve long hours.
B recommend that they do as much touring as possible.
C remind writers to include lots of practical details.
D emphasise the importance of the quality of their writing.
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Part 6
You are going to read an article about puzzles. Six sentences have been removed
from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap (37-
42). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
Give Us a Clue!
Crossword puzzles were first invented around 90 years ago by American Arthur Wayne,
whose first puzzle was published in a US daily newspaper in 1913. His intention was to
provide a new and interesting variation on familiar word games for holiday entertainment.
Crossword puzzles continued to appear in newspapers and as they became better known,
their popularity grew.
Yet, incredibly, crosswords were considered by some doctors of the day to be unhealthy and
even dangerous! 37 However, a Broadway musical satirised these fears with a
scene set in the “Crossword Puzzle Sanatorium”, a place for people who had gone mad
trying to do crosswords!
Despite all the health warnings, by the 1920s, the public’s passion for crosswords had
really taken hold. People couldn’t get enough of them, and puzzles began to appear in the
most unusual places. For example, railway companies provided passengers with
crosswords on the back of menus in the dining car. 38 One clothes company
supplied a free booklet of crosswords with every dress it sold. Successfully completing a
puzzle guaranteed the buyer a discount on future purchases. Songwriters even wrote
songs about crossword puzzles!
Sometimes, solving crossword puzzles led to rather bizarre situations. 39 His

reaction at being sentenced to 10 days in jail surprised everyone. He claimed to be very
happy that he would have so much time to solve puzzles.
Some time later the publishing trade jumped on the bandwagon. A company called Simon
and Schuster brought out the first book of puzzles. Reluctant to reveal its origins in case
the idea failed, they launched it under an alias. Such fears were unfounded though; it
became the first of a series of best-sellers.
While American crosswords used straightforward definitions as clues, on the other side of
the Atlantic, the British preferred riddles, puns or allusions. 40 For example, “an
important city in Czechoslovakia” with four letters could not be found on any map. But
a closer inspection of the clue itself – the word Czechoslovakia – reveals the answer:
Oslo – capital city of Norway. Interestingly, during World War II, crosswords did become
“dangerous” – to the enemy. Secret information could easily be contained within the cryptic
clues.
Crossword puzzles are still going strong today, but they have evolved to suit a society
of couch potatoes, slumped in front of the small screen for hours every day. 41 It
started in America, but Britain, France and Australia are just three of the many countries
which have developed their own version of this extremely popular crossword-based TV
game.
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Today’s newspapers and magazines often give small cash prizes to people who successfully
solve their puzzles. 42 It’s all a far cry from the intentions of the inventor of the
crossword puzzle. Yet, if he were alive today and confronted with a gigantic crossword on
the TV screen, I rather think he’d be delighted, firstly by modern technology and
secondly by the fact that his game is as popular as ever.
A As time passed, jewellery designers made pins and brooches with crossword
motifs.
B These were referred to as “cryptic” clues, whose meaning was not immediately
apparent.
C A man who was arrested for refusing to leave a restaurant at closing time
offered the excuse that he was in the middle of a puzzle that he just had to
finish.
D Psychologists feared that the frustration of trying to solve such puzzles would
cause mental problems and even insomnia.
E Television, on the other hand, has turned them into media spectaculars with
huge cash prizes at stake.
F For many people, this family game show is the highlight of the week.
G You’ve possibly seen, or at least heard of, a television game show called The
Wheel of Fortune.
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Part 7
You are going to read a magazine article in which four people describe their
experiences at a job centre. For questions 43-52, choose from the people (A-D).
The people may be chosen more than once.
Which person
was surprised how much she enjoyed working outdoors? 43
couldn’t see how they would get the necessary information? 44
just hopes she’ll get what she deserves eventually? 45
couldn’t afford to spend time travelling to work? 46
felt the suggestions were surprising considering they knew her personal situation? 47
is glad she has justified their confidence in her abilities? 48
admits that the work brought out talents she’d never suspected she had? 49
decided that she couldn’t devote all her time to learning new skills? 50
has learned that advisors are far better trained than she thought? 51
believes it was her previous experience that got her the job? 52
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Looking for a Job.
A HEATHER
Getting a good job isn’t easy, especially if you’ve been out of the workforce for a while. You
can expect changes in the job market and you may have a lot of new things to learn.
That’s what happened to me. I’d been working for the local authority for four years when two
municipalities amalgamated and left me without a job. I had no idea what I wanted to do, so
the obvious place to start my search was the Job Centre.
At the first meeting, I filled in forms, did some psychometric tests and had a personal
interview with the advisor. The psychometric tests reminded me of school. I couldn’t imagine
how an examiner could learn anything about me from those questions! At least the personal
interview gave me an opportunity to express myself.
At the second meeting, I realised I’d underestimated the advisor. She’d put her finger on my
talents for organisation and dealing with people.
She suggested taking a course in hotel management, and told me about a part-time job
going as a night clerk at the new hotel. She thought I’d get a bit of hands-on experience
while I studied. I took her advice, and I’ve never looked back.
B JILL
I was a dress designer before my children were born. Unfortunately, there are no fashion
houses near our home and commuting is out of the question. I wasn’t optimistic about
finding anything exciting, so I’m eternally grateful to the advisor who got me thinking about
an alternative direction for my talents. She asked me whether I had seen the advertisement
for a window dresser at the department store and suggested that I try my luck there
because my background would give me the edge over other applicants. She was right. The
store manager took me on for a six-month trial period, and neither of us has had cause to
regret it.
C CLAUDIA
I’m Italian. I was really excited when my husband’s company transferred him to their branch
in the UK. I was determined to find a job and went to the Job Centre straight away.
I knew that not having fluent English would be a drawback, but I was a bit taken aback when
the advisor suggested I take a job at a plant nursery. Still, it was worth a try. The job turned
out to be more than just looking after plants. We often advise clients about the layout of
lawns and flowerbeds, and I discovered I have an eye for it. In the meantime, my English
improved, and I’m now well on my way through a course in Landscape Architecture.
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D ANNE
I worked as an assistant librarian for years and was disappointed when I was passed over
for the post of head librarian. Knowing that the Centre would be discreet, I went for an
interview. After making a careful assessment, the advisor had four suggestions. Because of
my financial commitments, which I had made clear to her, I had to reject three jobs that
involved either full-time retraining or an appreciable drop in salary. I applied for the fourth
one, a bookshop position, but didn’t get it. In the end, I decided to keep my library job for
the time being, but to be frank, I don’t feel that the Job Centre lived up to my expectations.
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Writing
Part 1
appropriate style.
1 A new shopping centre has been built in your town. The editor of your school
magazine has asked you to prepare a report on it, answering some of the
following questions:
• Is the shopping centre easy to reach? • What facilities does the centre offer?
• What is the overall design like? • Are there any negative aspects of the
centre?
Write your report. You must use grammatically correct sentences with accurate
spelling and punctuation in a style appropriate for the situation.
Part 2
2 You have seen this announcement in an international magazine.
Book Reviews Wanted!
We all love books, but which ones are worth reading? If you’ve read a good book
lately, please write us a book review. Include information on the type of book, plot
and characters. Tell us whether or not you recommend reading the book.
The best reviews will be published next month.
Write your book review.
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3 You have seen this announcement in an international magazine.
An Important Person in My Life

Write an article telling us about an important person in your life –
a parent, a friend, a relative or a neighbour!
Describe the person and explain why this person is so important to you.
We will publish the best articles next month.
Write your article.
4 You’ve decided to enter a short story competition. The rules state that you must
start the story with the
following words:
It was a cold, rainy night when suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
Write your story.
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Listening
Part 1
1 You hear a woman talking about crocodiles. 5 You hear a man being interviewed.
What does she say about them? Which period did he enjoy most in his life?
A They are more dangerous in the water. A childhood
B Their jaws are the most dangerous. B adolescence
C They are slow animals on land. C university days
2 You hear two people talking about a photographic 6 You overhear a girl talking on the
exhibition. telephone.
What do they feel is wrong with it? What does she decide to do with her hair?
A There are not enough photographs. A change the colour
B It was too crowded. B keep it long
C The opening hours are inconvenient. C have it short
3 You hear a woman talking to her friend. 7 You hear this on the radio.
What does she want him to do? What is it?
A drive her to the airport A part of an advertisement
B collect her car from the airport B part of a news programme
C order a taxi to the airport C part of an interview
4 You overhear a couple talking about a meal they 8 You hear a woman talking on the
have just had. telephone.
What are they most unhappy about? Who is she talking to?
A the food A the airport
B the service B the airline company
C the bill C the travel agent
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Part 2
You will hear a woman, Rachel Foster, who wants to travel around the world in a
balloon. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences.
BALLOONING
Rachel’s last attempt failed because of 9 .
Predicting the weather is most difficult over 10 .
Rachel suffered 11 in the crash landing.
Rachel often feels 12 and hungry when she’s in the air.
Thanks to technology, Rachel can use 13 in the balloon.
As a girl, Rachel admired Arctic 14 .
Rachel learnt to fly when she was 15 .
The most expensive piece of equipment is 16 .
There are nearly 40 people in the 17 .
Rachel believes she’ll succeed when she finds the right 18 .
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Part 3
You will hear five different people talking about birthdays. For questions 19-23,
choose from the list A-H what each speaker says. Use the letters only once. There
are three extra letters which you do not need to use.
A I spent my last birthday alone.

Speaker 1 19
B My date of birth is unusual.

Speaker 2 20
C I never celebrate my birthday.

Speaker 3 21
D I think I’ll go somewhere special next year.

Speaker 4 22
E I didn’t enjoy my party. 23

Speaker 5
F I had a surprise party.
G I had a huge birthday cake last year.
H I don’t like getting older.
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Part 4
You will hear part of an interview with a professional footballer. For questions 24-
30, choose the best answer (A, B or C).
24 When discussing Andy’s house, the 28 How did Andy feel about living in the village of
interviewer expresses surprise at Bramhall?
A the size of the property. A He found the neighbours very annoying.
B the location Andy chose. B He loved the greenery and the gardens.
C the age of the building. C He enjoyed the nightlife and restaurants.
25 Why do members of staff at the house 29 Why did Andy sell his property in Spain?
only work part-time? A It didn’t turn out to be a good investment.
A The property requires minimal B He hardly ever had the time to go there.
maintenance. C He couldn’t retire and live abroad then.
B The couple have to travel around a lot.
C Andy can’t relax with people working 30 What was Andy’s main reason for buying his
near him. present home?
A He appreciated its historical character.
26 Andy has lived in this particular property B It was convenient for flights to Europe.
A since his early childhood. C It offered him privacy from the press.
B since he joined the football club.
C only for a short amount of time.
27 On the council estate, how did parents

feel about letting their children play
outside?
A They were concerned about the
number of accidents in the
playground.
B They were worried that the lifts were
always out of order.
C They were afraid that they couldn’t
control their children’s behaviour.
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FCE PRACTICE TEST 4
Part 1
For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each
gap. There is an
example at the beginning (0).
Example:
0 A prescription B case C examination D treatment
Four-Legged Blood Bank?

The next time you take your sick pet to the vet for (0) ..... , you may (1) ..... sight of a cat
sleeping under a chair at the clinic. Don’t automatically assume it’s a patient, or even a pet.
The cat has an important role at the clinic; it is an animal blood
(2) ..... . Like humans, animals sometimes need a blood transfusion to replace blood that
has been lost in a fight or (3) ..... illness or an accident. Many clinics now keep a cat for this
(4) ..... . One such cat is Lucky, who used to be a homeless stray but now lives a
comfortable life at a clinic, where small (5) ..... of his blood are taken regularly during the
year to (6) ..... the lives of other animals. Nosy, a cat at the Livermore Veterinary Hospital in
California, does even more. (7) ..... giving blood, Nosy plays with sick cats and kittens,
which causes them to feel better and often helps in their (8) ..... .
1 A catch B keep C grasp D hold

2 A donator B donor C user D giver
3 A over B by C through D in
4 A purpose B function C use D objective
5 A parts B quantities C items D numbers
6 A rescue B preserve C conserve D save
7 A Apart B Except C Besides D As well
8 A health B recovery C healing D cure
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Part 2
For questions 9-16, 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 I N
The Blue City
Sortland, (0) ........................... Norway, has all (9) ........................... makings of a

popular tourist spot. The surrounding countryside is a favourite among hikers and
backpackers, largely (10) ........................... to its beautiful scenery and mountain walks.
In addition, Sortland boasts Norway’s thirteenth longest bridge, where visitors and locals can
cast their fishing lines.
In the winter months, on dark, clear evenings, tourists may be lucky (11)
........................... to see the spectacular Northern Lights – nature’s own light show.
Yet, in (12) ........................... of these attractions, a guidebook writer once described the
town as nothing more than an overnight stop, a place to change buses on the way to the
north.
The people of Sortland realised that unless they (13) ........................... something about it,
their town would never become a real tourist attraction. In 1998, a local artist, Bjorn
Elvenes, came (14) ........................... with an inspired idea. Blue, the colour of the sea, is
a symbol of the town’s fishing heritage. With this in mind, he convinced the local residents to
turn Sortland into a Blue City by painting it that very colour. The painting began in 1999. The
plan was that by the year 2003, 17 of the inner-city areas would have (15)
........................... painted contrasting shades of blue, and thus, Sortland would be unique.
The project has transformed the town and also led to an increase in commerce and a cultural
revival in art and music, making Sortland (16) ........................... worth a visit.
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Part 3
For questions 17-24, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some
of the lines to form a word that
fits in the space in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0). Write your
answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS.
Example: 0 F L I G H T
Airport Activities
While waiting for a (0) ........................... out, airline passengers usually look around the
airport terminal for FLY
things to do. They often spend time (17) ........................... at the duty-free shops, where
they can buy items SHOP
such as perfumes, clothes, drinks and cigarettes at lower than normal prices because they
are tax-free.
With the (18) ........................... of European Union tax laws, it has become INTRODUCE
(19) ........................... to operate duty-free shops because their prices are, in fact, no LEGAL
(20) ........................... than in regular shops. Therefore, to compensate for the LOW
(21) ........................... of income that businesses have suffered in the European Union, LOSE
airport authorities have been on the lookout for new ways to make money and occupy
(22) ........................... at the same time. TRAVEL
For example, management at Schiphol Airport in Holland had the (23) ...........................
idea of opening ORIGIN
a casino and also providing chair massages. Other airports have opened health clubs where
people can
exercise on the latest sports (24) ........................... before flying out. EQUIP
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Part 4
For questions 25-30, 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 two and five words,
including the word given. Here is an example (0).
Example:
0 It’s at least 10 years since he moved away.
LIVED
He .......................................................................................................................... at least 10 years.
The gap can be filled by the words ‘has not lived here for’, so you write:
Example: 0 HAS NOT LIVED HERE FOR
25 He isn’t in the mood for a party.

FEEL
He .......................................................................................................................... to a party.
26 People stopped using this model years ago.

USED
This model .......................................................................................................................... for years.
27 John always gets angry when he’s late for work.

TEMPER
John tends ........................................................................................................ when he’s late for work.
28 Despite all their efforts, they failed the test.

TRIED
They didn’t pass the test .........................................................................................................very hard.
29 The manager failed to persuade her to accept a promotion.

SUCCEED
The manager ................................................................................................. her to accept a promotion.
30 Not many people realise the amount of work involved in planning a wedding.
UNDERSTAND
Very ............................................................................. much work is involved in planning a wedding.
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Part 5
You are going to read an extract from a novel. For questions 31-36, choose the answer (A,
B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.
A Year in Provence
Neighbours, we have found, take on an importance in the country that you don’t begin to have in cities.
You can live for years in an apartment in London or New York and barely speak to the people that live
six inches* away from you on the other side of a wall. In the country, though you may be separated
from the next house by hundreds of yards**, your neighbours are a part of your life, and you are a part
of theirs. If you happen to be foreign, and therefore slightly exotic, you are inspected with more than
usual interest. And if, in addition, you inherit a long-standing and delicate agricultural arrangement,
you are quickly made aware that your attitudes and decisions have a direct effect on another family’s
well-being.
We had been introduced to our new neighbours by the couple from whom we bought the house, over a
five-hour dinner marked by a tremendous goodwill on all sides and an almost total lack of
comprehension on our part. The language spoken was French, but it was not the French we had studied
in textbooks and heard on cassettes … That by itself would not have been a problem had the words
been spoken at normal conversational speed, but they were delivered like bullets from a machine gun.
Fortunately for us, the good humour and niceness of our neighbours were apparent, even if what they
were saying was a mystery. Henrietta was a brown, pretty woman with a permanent smile, and a habit
of speaking as though she was taking part in a race. … Her husband Faustin, … was large and gentle,
unhurried in his movements and generally slow with his words. He had been born in the valley, he had
spent his life in the valley, and he would die in the valley. His father Pepe André, who lived next to
him, had given up hunting to take up the bicycle. Twice a week he would pedal to the village for his
groceries and his gossip. They seemed to be a contented family.
They had, however, a concern about us, not only as neighbours but as prospective partners, and,
through the fumes of black tobacco and the even thicker fog of the accent, we eventually got to the
bottom of it.
Most of the six acres of land we had bought with the house was planted with vines. According to a
traditional arrangement, the owner of the land paid for new plants and fertilisers. The farmer did the
physical work of looking after the crops and harvesting them. For this, he got two thirds of the profits
while the owner got one third. The vines were an important part of Faustin’s living. He had heard of
several new houseowners in the area who had pulled up their vineyards to make elaborate gardens, or
even tennis courts, and was afraid we might have the same thing in mind.
He needn’t have worried. We loved the vines – their ordered regularity against the mountain, the way
they changed from bright green to darker green to yellow and red as spring and summer turned to
autumn – they were meant to be here. Tennis courts and landscaped gardens weren’t. (Nor, for that
matter, was our swimming pool, but at least it hadn’t replaced any vines.) As emphatically as we could
in our unsteady French, we told Faustin that we would be delighted to continue the existing
arrangement. He beamed. He could see that we would all get along very well together. One day, we
might even be able to talk to each other.
Adapted from A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
* 6 inches = 15.24 cm
**a yard = almost one metre
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31What makes neighbours in the country different from those in town?
A They live nearer.
B They are more involved.
C They are more exotic.
D They are more interesting.
32 What happened at the meal with the neighbours?
A No one spoke for five hours.
B One of the neighbours carried a rifle.
C The previous owners of the house were invited too but couldn’t come.
D Everyone tried to be as pleasant as possible.
33 The neighbour’s wife, Henrietta,
A was interested in athletics.
B kept her feelings secret.
C always spoke very quickly.
D knew her husband was going to die soon.
34 What does the word ‘it’ (line 20) refer to?
A the concern
B the arrangement
C the accent
D the gossip
35 The writer uses the phrase “the same thing in mind” (lines 25-26) to refer to Faustin’s worry that his
new neighbours will
A sell the house and land to another owner.
B change the way things are done.
C have gardens and tennis courts built.
D not be willing to work in the vineyards.
36 What is the writer’s attitude towards his neighbours?
A He and his wife are delighted to know them.
B He believes they only pretend to be friendly.
C He realises the language is not a barrier at all.
D He is sensitive to their anxieties.
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Part 6
You are going to read a magazine article about laser light. Six sentences have been removed
from the article.
Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap (37-42). There is one extra
sentence which you do not need to use.
Lasers Light Up Our Lives

Twenty-two-year-old James Forsyth talks about his hopes for
a new career in laser entertainment.
Three years ago my knowledge of bright, intense, laser light was slim, to say the least. It was limited to
what I had learned while visiting my grandmother after she had an eye operation using laser surgery.
Then, that Christmas, the company where I worked at the time put on a laser show at its annual party.
Everyone was pretty impressed, but I just couldn’t get it out of my mind. It was the most fantastic thing
I had ever seen. I was hooked.
I kept thinking about all those brilliant shapes and patterns that looked as if they were floating in mid-
air. 37
I started by surfing the Net, but soon realised that I couldn’t master it all on my own, so I made a
decision. I was going to learn this technique on a professional basis. Most of the newest developments
seemed to be coming from the U.S.A., so it seemed a good idea to make my way across the ocean.
I knew I had an awful lot to learn and I had to start from the beginning. 38 At first, I was taught
how to create different coloured beams of light. Later, I learned how to make patterns on the screen.
Soon, I was able to make lines of coloured light into the shapes of objects and animals that people
could recognise. However, it took a great deal of practice.
Eventually, I studied more advanced techniques to make laser shows exciting. I learned how to use
fireworks and theatre smoke mixed with coloured lights to produce dramatic spectacles as well as soft,
dreamlike cloud effects. Many of these techniques are now outdated. 39
Mastering the state-of-the-art technical aspects of laser light is important, and the year I spent at the
college was one of the most rewarding periods of my life. At this point, however, I’m curious to learn
more about the scope of laser design, mainly because I can’t settle for just being a technician. 40
Certainly, the more ideas I collect now, the better equipped I’ll be.
Sources of inspiration have included the various laser displays the college took us to see. I’ll never
forget going to the Washington Grand Coulee Dam. I learned how it was built through an incredible
laser display stretching right across the mile-long surface of the dam. The amazing effects used by a
company called Laser Magic Productions also made a great impression on me. One of the best was the
wonderful “Antigravity Waterfall”. 41 I couldn’t understand how they seemed to be travelling
upwards against the force of gravity.
Since returning to England, I’ve been gaining experience working with a laser light show company.
42 One of the aspects I’m most interested in is combining laser light with music. Almost every self-
respecting rock group has used lasers on concert tours, but I want to create a closer synthesis of light and
sound, so that both come together in a magnificent show. Wish me luck and watch out for my show!
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A I also read all I can about the latest developments in laser art, and my head is bursting
with ideas.
B I was fascinated to see how the high-tech lighting they used made it seem as though
drops of water were floating in the air.
C My ambitions for my future career go a long way beyond that.
D They were clearly the product of a complex scientific and technical process, and I was
dying to learn all about it.
E I found a college with a growing reputation in the field and spent an intensive year there
studying with experts.
F It’s a rapidly changing field and every technician has to keep up with the latest
breakthroughs.
G The amazing visual effects of lasers can be used to get a message across.
Part 7
You are going to read a magazine article about people’s views on a new motorway. For
questions 43-52, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.
Which person
shows flexibility and understanding? 43
sees an unexpected advantage? 44
fears for the future of local agriculture? 45
mentions a democratic process? 46
struggles with conflicting feelings? 47
talks about preventive measures? 48
mentions background research? 49
reminds residents of their obligations? 50
expects the number of visitors to increase? 51
speaks of an altered location? 52
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Planning for Progress?
A new section of motorway is to be built close to the picturesque village of Fairfield.
Four people air their views.
A DAN REEVES
Dan Reeves, a local councillor, claims the new section will shorten the motorway by about 10
miles. “Instead of going round the hill as it does today, it will pass close to the west side of
the village.” Reeves points out that the final decision is not in the people’s hands. “It’s a
national matter, of course, and we have to consider the common good. The old road just
isn’t adequate for the amount of traffic going through the area nowadays. Obviously, the
public does have a right to protest and opinions will be taken into consideration. Some of our
older residents might be opposed to the change. At the same time, the council has to make
it clear that Fairfield doesn’t stand in the way of progress. It’s our job to see that local people
understand the benefits this new motorway will bring to the village. We’re quite certain that
once the new section is finished, the population will appreciate the improvement in local
transport.”
B TED PAYNE
Ted Payne, a farmer, is less than enthusiastic. “This new road is going to cause havoc. It’s
going to cut right across three farms, and they’re appropriating some of our best land.
There’s bound to be damage to the surrounding area from all the heavy construction
equipment. You only have to look at a map. The motorway’s going to run just a couple of
hundred yards from some of the farm buildings. Just imagine what the noise will be like. It’ll
be terrible for the cows, I can tell you that much. It’s bound to affect milk production. And
then there’s the orchards – the apple trees that my grandfather planted. There’s no
compensation for all the time and effort spent on fruit trees like those. I wonder who’s going
to repay us for all the income we’ll lose. Farmers carry on an old, time-honoured tradition,
and it’s hard enough to make ends meet. This may not be a farming village any longer, but
Fairfield owes its existence to the farms. How can local people turn their backs on farmers
now?”
C JAMES CAVENDISH
James Cavendish, a transport ministry official, had the unpleasant job of facing a small,
rather hostile audience at a public meeting. “Cutting 10 miles off the road will save time and
petrol. Our survey shows that most of the working population of Fairfield have jobs in
Manchester. The motorway will make life easier for them. Transport improves local business.
The motorway will bring prosperity. Believe me, property prices here will rocket when city
people see how easy it is to commute from a rural village. As for the farmers, I guarantee we
will do everything possible to minimise damage to their land and reduce noise. Acoustic walls
will be built wherever the motorway comes within 300 yards of existing dwellings. The
authorities will decide on the amount of compensation each farmer should receive for
appropriated land and any financial damage they may suffer in the future. This seems like a
fair compromise to me.”
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D MARY FORSYTH
One of the village’s oldest residents, Mary Forsyth, was born in Fairfield and has been
running the grocery shop since she was a young woman. “Fairfield will turn into a tourist
spot. People are always on the lookout for a place off the motorway to stop for a break. Until
now we’ve managed to avoid that because Fairfield was just a little bit too far to be
convenient. Now we’ll have all sorts of strangers coming in, and that’ll be the end of our
peace and quiet. Having a motorway so close by will bring noise and air pollution from all the
cars, and before you know it, wealthy city people will be looking at village properties, prices
will shoot up and local young families won’t be able to afford them. Mind you, most young
couples move away anyway. Come to think of it, new people around the place might liven
things up and be good for trade. I know some people would be pleased if the coffee shop
here started serving meals.”
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Writing
Part 1
appropriate style.
1 In your English class you have been talking about animals. Your English teacher has asked you to
write an essay for homework.
A zoo has no useful purpose. Do you agree or disagree?
Notes
Write about:
1. safety and health of animals
2. animal education
3. your own idea
Write your essay. You must use grammatically correct sentences with accurate spelling and
punctuation in a style
Part 2
Write an answer to one of the questions 2-4 in this part. Write your answer in 140-190 words in an
appropriate style.
2 You recently attended a concert that took place in your town. Write a letter to a friend who lives
abroad
describing the event, where it was held, the music and the atmosphere. Do not write any postal
addresses.
Write your letter.
3 You recently saw this announcement on an English-language website.
Articles wanted!
Sport and Me
What’s your favourite sport?
Why do you like it?
Write us an article answering these questions.
The best articles will be posted on our website.
Write your article.
4 You have decided to enter a short-story competition advertised in a magazine. The competition rules
say that the story must begin with the following words:
I wanted to do well; I didn’t want to fail.
This was my chance.
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Write your story.
Listening
Part 1
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1 You overhear a woman speaking to her 5 You hear a man talking about a course he
husband on the telephone. is taking.
What does she want him to do? What is he learning on the course?
A take their daughter to ballet class A a foreign language
B make a meal for their daughter B management skills
C deliver something C computer skills
2 You hear a man speaking to a 6 You overhear a conversation at a market.
saleswoman in a shop. What is the What is the relationship between the
man buying? speakers?
A a suit A mother and daughter
B a jacket B employer and employee
C a shirt C greengrocer and customer
3 You hear a man talking about a new 7 You will hear a man talking about a test.
diet. Why did he find it difficult?
How does he feel about it? A The test was unfair.
A pleased B He was nervous.
B depressed C He wasn’t prepared.
C bored
8 You hear this announcement on the radio.
4 You hear an introduction to a talk. What must you do with your letter?
Who is the guest speaker? A take it to the radio station
A a poet B send it to the film company
B a biographer C take it with you to the cinema
C a film director
Part 2
You will hear a presentation by Ann Wilson from the British Wildlife Sanctuary. For
questions 9-18, complete the sentences with a word or short
phrase.
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A PROUD NIECE
The animals at the British Wildlife Sanctuary are from
9 .
Last year’s dinner brought in 10 less than this year’s.
Ian has been making 11 for the last 40 years.
Ian’s childhood was 12 .
Ian and his brother had various 13 while living abroad.
Ian’s brother found a 14 in the wardrobe.
Ian’s grandmother felt a 15 on her foot during dinner.
A goat ruined a 16 that belonged to Ian’s father.
In recent years, Ian’s concentration has been on wildlife in and around the .
17
Profits from Ian’s latest 18 will be donated.
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Part 3
You will hear five different people talking about how their careers started. For questions 19-
23, choose from the list
A-H what each speaker says. Use the letters only once. There are three extra letters which
you do not need to use.
A I had no real qualifications for the job.
B It was very difficult working in a country where I didn’t know the language.
Speaker 1 19
C I was very unhappy with my chosen career.
Speaker 2 20
D I have the media to thank for my success.
Speaker 3 21
E It’s the artistic aspect of the work that appeals to me.
Speaker 4 22
F I was unhappy with the salary I was earning.
Speaker 5 23
G I’ve fulfilled a dream I’d always had.
H I was really nervous in the beginning.
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Part 4
You will hear an author, Robin Bailey, talking about a safari holiday. For questions 24-30,
choose the best answer
(A, B or C).
24 How does Robin feel this trip was different? 28 What are the best times to go game viewing?
A He had never been to Africa before. A in the early morning
B He wasn’t alone. B in the mid-afternoons
C It was a surprise for his birthday. C at sunrise and sunset
25 Why did Robin prefer Zambia for a safari? 29 How did his daughter Samantha feel about her trip?
A He’d seen the advertisements for Kenya. A She was surprised at the size of the country.
B Zambia is not so crowded. B She enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
C Zambia is less developed than Kenya. C She was frightened by the noises at night.
26 The safari camp where Robin stayed was 30 What did Robin enjoy most about his trip?
A comfortable and well-equipped A photographing lions and leopards
B a bit primitive with grass huts B going bird-watching in a focus group
C a long distance from the airstrip C learning how to draw African scenes
27 What does Robin complain about?

A having to get up at dawn
B the danger involved in walking tours
C the lack of wildlife to photograph
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FCE PRACTICE TEST 5
Part 1
gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
0 A by B to C from D after
The School Uniform Debate

Although many students are sick and tired of putting on their school uniform day (0) .....
day, a uniform does have its advantages. For a start, students have no need to (1) .....
about what to put on when they get up in the morning. Students know that in uniform, they
look more or less the same as their classmates. As a result, their parents don’t feel (2) .....
pressure to provide a huge wardrobe of clothes for them to wear. (3) ..... , it seems that
children wearing the same colours and styles of clothing gain a sense of belonging,
something which improves morale at school and reduces (4) ..... of violence.
This theory has been supported by a study at a school in Long Beach, California. Staff
members there have noticed that since school uniforms became compulsory, the number of
arguments amongst pupils has dropped by as (5) ..... as 91%. This suggests that students
who are all dressed in the same simple school shirts and trousers are less likely to disagree
with one another. On the other (6) ..... , Cozette Buckley, an education officer from Chicago,
holds a rather different view, based on experience in her schools. In her (7) ..... , school
uniforms are not a permanent solution but only a temporary one, because they do not
address the real source of conflict between children. It seems, therefore, (8) ..... by these
conflicting findings, that the school uniform debate isn’t closed yet!
1 A worry B consider C disturb D concern

2 A below B under C in D on
3 A Consequently B Whereas C Moreover D However
4 A levels B degrees C scales D standards
5 A far B many C high D much
6 A aspect B hand C part D side
7 A thought B mind C opinion D idea
8 A judging B measuring C deciding D working
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Part 2
Example: 0 U P
Wearable Computers
Once, only a few decades ago, computers took (0) ..................... a whole room and were
frequently operated by a team of experts. However, (9) ..................... the technology
developed, computers became smaller, lighter and more user-friendly. Nowadays, portable
laptop computers, and even smaller versions like notepads and palms, are commonplace.
But how
(10) ..................... you feel about the possibility of wearing a personal computer or PC?
According to the giant computer company IBM, in the not too distant future, we will be
wearing our PCs (11) ..................... we go. Researchers at IBM have developed a tiny
computer that is (12) ..................... light it can be worn on your head.
In fact, this new miniature computer looks rather like half of a pair of glasses. (13)
..................... the screen of a wearable computer is only one-inch square, it is used in the
same (14) ..................... as a full-sized PC with full-sized text. However,
(15) ..................... an ordinary desktop computer or a laptop, this new model does not
need a keyboard – (16) ..................... of typing, you speak into it. It uses similar
technology to that of a mobile phone and is battery-operated.
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Part 3
Example: 0 V A R I E T Y
21st-Century Pirates
Today, there is a wide (0) ........................... of holidays available for all tastes and pockets, VARY
offering the tourist everything from action-packed excitement to peace and quiet. Once
considered somewhat (17) ........................... as a choice of holiday, backpacking has grown CONVENTION
dramatically in (18) ........................... in recent years, especially among budget-conscious POPULAR
travellers who are looking for a more (19) ........................... way of seeing the world. ECONOMY
However, backpacking can be (20) ........................... to your health if you don’t take care. HAZARD
First of all, if you have a choice, take a bag with wide shoulder straps. Also, packing your
bag (21) ........................... can lead to injuries to your neck and spine. So you should CARE
(22) ........................... the load by putting bigger items close to your back. Most backpackers LIGHT
agree that a backpack grows (23) ........................... as the day progresses. Aim for no more HEAVY
than 30 per cent of your body weight; less is always better. Even experienced backpackers
rarely carry more than 50 per cent of their body weight. When lifting the bag, always bend
your knees and (24) ........................... up slowly. Taking simple precautions will guarantee STRAIGHT
an injury-free backpacking holiday.
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Part 4
For questions 25-30, 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 two and five
words, including the word given. Here is an example (0).
Example:
0 He has absolutely no interest in tennis.
IS
He ........................................................................................................................... in
tennis at all.
The gap can be filled by the words ‘is not interested’, so you write:
Example: 0 IS NOT INTERESTED
25 I’ve always wanted a brother or sister.

WISH
I really .................................................................................... a brother or sister.
26 You decide which restaurant to go to.

UP
It .............................................................................................................. we go to eat.
27 It might rain later, so take an umbrella.

CASE
Take an umbrella ................................................................................................ later.
28 Everyone thinks that Judy knows a lot about art.

SAID
Judy ........................................................................................................ an expert on art.
29 The police are investigating what caused the accident.

LOOK
The police will ...................................................................................................... the accident.
30 Why haven’t you complained to the manager yet?

COMPLAINT
I think you ................................................................................................... to the manager.
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Part 5
You are going to read an extract from a short story. For questions 31-36, choose the answer
(A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.
The Standard of Living

Always the girls went to walk on Fifth Avenue on their free afternoons, for it was the ideal
ground for their favourite game. The game could be played anywhere, and indeed, was,
but the great shop windows stimulated the two players to their best form. Annabel had
invented the game; or rather she had evolved it from an old one. Basically it was no more
than the ancient sport of what-would-you-do-if-you-had-a-million-dollars? But Annabel had
drawn a new set of rules for it, had narrowed it, pointed it, made it stricter. Like all games,
it was more absorbing for being more difficult.
Annabel’s version went like this: You must suppose that somebody dies and leaves you a
million dollars, cool. But there is a condition to the bequest. It is stated in the will that you
must spend every nickel of the money on yourself. There lay the hazard of the game. If,
when playing it, you forgot, and listed among your expenditures the rental of a new
apartment for your family, for example, you lost your turn to the other player. …
It was essential, of course, that it be played in passionate seriousness. … There was no
zest to playing wildly. Once Annabel had introduced the game to Sylvia, another girl who
worked in the office. She explained the rules to Sylvia and then offered her the gambit
“What would be the first thing you’d do?” Sylvia had not shown the decency of even a
second of hesitation. “Well,” she said, “the first thing I’d do, I’d go out and hire somebody
to shoot Mrs. Gary Cooper, and then …” So it is to be seen that she was no fun.
But Annabel and Midge were surely born to be comrades, for Midge played the game like a
master from the moment she learned it, and had even added the touches that made the
whole thing cozier. According to Midge’s innovations, the eccentric who died and left you
the money was not anybody you loved, or, for the matter of that, anybody you even knew.
It was somebody who had seen you somewhere and had thought, “That girl ought to have
lots of nice things. I’m going to leave her a million dollars when I die.” And the death was
to be neither untimely nor painful. Your benefactor, full of years and comfortably ready to
depart, was to slip softly away during sleep and go straight to heaven. These embroideries
permitted Annabel and Midge to play the game in the luxury of peaceful consciences.
Midge played with a seriousness that was not only proper, but extreme. The single strain
on the girls’ friendship had followed an announcement once made by Annabel that the first
thing she would buy with her million dollars would be a silver-fox fur coat. It was as if she
had struck Midge across the mouth. When Midge recovered her breath, she cried that she
couldn’t imagine how Annabel could do such a thing – silver-fox coats were common!
Annabel defended her taste with the retort that they were not common, either. Midge then
said that they were so. She added that everybody had a silver-fox coat. She went on, with
perhaps a slight toss of head, to declare that she herself wouldn’t be caught dead in silver
fox.
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For the next few days, though the girls saw each other as constantly, their conversation
was careful and infrequent, and they did not once play their game. Then one morning, as
soon as Annabel entered the office, she came to Midge and said that she had changed her
mind. She would not buy a silver-fox coat with any part of the million dollars. Immediately,
on receiving the legacy, she would select a coat of mink
Midge smiled and her eyes shone. “I think,” she said, “you’re doing absolutely the right
thing.”
Adapted from The Standard of Living by Dorothy Parker
31The girls were at their most imaginative when they

A made the rules of the game harder to follow.
B had enough free time to enjoy the game.
C walked past expensive stores.
D were absorbed in the game.
32 According to the rules of the game, you
A could spend nothing on anyone else.
B could spend as much of the money as you wanted on yourself.
C mustn’t spend dollars on yourself, only nickels.
D had to make a list before you started spending the money.
33 In what way was Sylvia’s playing different from the other girls’?
A She was not playing for fun.
B She wanted to spend the whole amount on one thing.
C She didn’t give her answers enough thought.
D She wanted to play according to different rules.
34 The imaginary inheritance must come from
A a very kind old relative.
B a young person who had died painlessly.
C a person who had been kind to you in the past.
D an elderly stranger.
35 When Annabel declared that she would buy a silver-fox fur coat, Midge
A was so upset that she wept.
B tried to make Annabel change her mind.
C suggested that Annabel find another friend.
D said that she would die for a silver-fox coat.
36 From what we know of the two girls, Annabel’s decision at the end of the passage
A shows the power of their friendship.
B is completely unexpected.
C is proof that Annabel is the stronger of the two girls.
D shows how much Midge loves Annabel.
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Part 6
You are going to read a magazine article about an unusual musician. Six sentences have
been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap
(37-42). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
The Whisperer of Islay

A concert violinist with a very special audience.
Fiona Middleton’s audience is hardly typical for a concert violinist. Her listeners are shiny
black sea creatures that gather in the water as she plays. Fiona performs for the seals on
the rocky shores of Islay, an island off the coast of Scotland. Although they cannot applaud
her music, they show their appreciation by returning time and time again. They sway and
roll to the music of her violin. “It really is an amazing sight,” she explains. “They put their
heads out of the water, cock their ears and they spin and twist in the water. If they go
underwater, and I stop playing, they all come up to see what has happened.”
Until her marriage, 14 years ago, Fiona seemed destined for a career as a concert violinist.
37 It began when she got her first glimpse of the enchanting beauty of the island. “I’d
never been to Scotland,” she says. “I remember looking out of the plane window at the
snow on the hills and the sea breaking as we came in, and thinking, oh yes, this is lovely.”
Fiona took to practising her violin in the open air, frequently on the beach. She noticed that
seals often appeared while she was playing. 38 When she understood that it was a
regular occurrence, she paid closer attention and realised that the seals were, in fact,
responding to her music. Since then she has played the violin on her private beach every
day, whatever the weather.
Fiona has discovered that seals have distinct tastes in music. They have a preference for
slow, high-toned melodies. They also enjoy jigs, a type of fast dance music, as well as slow
pieces by Mendelssohn, a 19th-century German composer. For the sake of variety, Fiona
sometimes plays her own compositions, and she has even recorded a CD called Today the
Seals. She has observed that for seals, no instrument can compete in popularity with the
violin. 39
Fiona’s interest in the seals now extends far beyond entertaining them. She devotes time to
their physical needs, often caring for sick or injured seal pups that appear on the beach.
40 For instance, she has fought to ban pollutants that endanger seals and has
campaigned against shooting them. Ultimately, Fiona would like to have the island
recognised as a seal sanctuary, where the sea animals would be protected, and she works
tirelessly towards that end. Her plan has met with considerable opposition.
Landowners in the area fear that large numbers of seals will pose a threat to the local
salmon fishing industry. 41 “Growth in their numbers in the last decade,” they say,
“refutes that theory.” But Fiona is undeterred. She continues her struggle, financing her
efforts with the proceeds from her CD and her published book, Seal.
Islay, an island of wild and ancient scenery, is rich in myths and legends. While no one can
explain precisely why Fiona’s music attracts the seals, there is a tradition of ancient Celtic
tales that tell of seals dancing to pipes and flutes. 42 Who knows? She may even
become a legend herself one day!
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A But when husband George suggested going to live on Islay, her musical career
took an unexpected direction.
B Local government officials are not convinced that it is the seals that are in
serious danger.
C In addition, she has involved herself in legal issues in an attempt to protect the
seals in the area.
D Whatever the explanation, Fiona, or the “Whisperer of Islay” as she is known,
will continue to play on the rocky shore as long as the seals keep coming to listen.
E The reason is that seals are friendly creatures and do not appear afraid of
humans.
F At first, she thought it was purely coincidental.
G When one of her daughters played a saxophone on the beach one day, the
seals barked angrily and returned to the sea.
Part 7
You are going to read a magazine article about four couples who have made life changes. For
questions 43-52, choose from the couples (A-D). The couples may be chosen more than
once.
Which couple
finds convenient solutions to staff problems? 43
turned a negative experience to their benefit? 44
was attracted by the prospect of being self-employed? 45
did a little research before making a decision? 46
got off to a slow start in their new business? 47
benefitted from the reputation of one of the partners? 48
came to a spontaneous decision? 49
regrets having to miss out on an activity they enjoyed? 50
exploited a hobby of one of the partners? 51
became tired of the constant travelling to work? 52
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Time for a Change?
Four couples talk about making lifestyle changes.
Ever feel in need of a change? Perhaps you want to slow down a bit or change direction at
work and try a new career? Some people even pull up roots to go and live in a foreign
country. I met four couples who were willing to talk about the experience.
A MARGARET AND JEFF ANDERSON
Their shared love of animals encouraged Margaret and Jeff Anderson of Saffron Walden,
England, to change direction. “We’ve always had several dogs as well as other pets,” says
Jeff, who is a vet. When a piece of land next to their country cottage went on the market,
they weighed up the odds, risked their savings to buy it and opened Essex Kennels. The
venture took off faster than they expected, probably because so many owners in the district
knew Jeff and felt confident about leaving their pets with him.
“Within months,” Margaret told me, “Jeff gave up his clinic in Cambridge to work full-time
at the kennels. The Andersons’ teenage children lend a hand, and when necessary, students
from the nearby agricultural college are employed too. “It’s lucky for us that the college
holidays coincide with the kennel’s busiest periods,” says Jeff, but explains there is a price
to pay for their success. “Family holidays have been sacrificed because Essex Kennels is
always full at holiday time, so everyone has to pull their weight.”
B JANE AND ANTHONY SOMERVILLE

Jane and Anthony Somerville used to run the local pub in their Yorkshire village. “We’d never
thought of moving,” Jane told me, “until our children started growing up and became bored
with village life. We discussed opening a pub in town, but then the kids themselves came up
with the idea of a café. They assured us it would take off. We were a bit wary at first, but we
visited several cafés in Leeds and became quite enthusiastic.
It took a good few months until everything got underway,” said Jane, “but we’re doing very
nicely now.” It hasn’t been so drastic a change from running a pub. The Somerville teenagers
enjoy the extended social life the café gives them, though Jane has doubts. “I’m not entirely
sure that this is the best way for teenagers to be spending their free time. We have to keep
a very close eye on them to make certain that hanging out in the business isn’t at the
expense of schoolwork.”
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C LIZ AND DENNIS GRAYSTONE
A disastrous holiday led to a new lifestyle for Liz and Dennis Graystone, teachers from
Yorkshire. It was the third caravan holiday they had taken with their young children, and
once again wet weather spoilt their fun. The Graystones had noticed several large deserted
sheds between the caravan site and the beach, and Liz had an inspired idea. What if the
sheds were to accommodate Lego constructions and railway tracks? They were spacious
enough for children to ride tricycles, so they rented the sheds cheaply, and for several
months after the holiday was over, returned every weekend to paint and decorate. Finally,
they placed a huge notice on the roof advertising the sheds as a recreation centre and
waited.
Word soon spread. From the original playrooms, the centre expanded to include facilities for
every age: video and TV rooms, billiard and tennis tables, a huge playroom and a
restaurant where Dennis could indulge his love of cooking. “When we started to attract
Sunday day-trippers as well as holidaymakers, we rented a house nearby,” says Liz. “We
know that suitable schooling and social activities for the children will eventually drive us
back to town, but we shouldn’t have any trouble selling the centre as a going concern.”
D CAMILLE AND PHIL CONWAY

“It was the rat race that prompted us to make a move,” say Camille and Phil Conway. “We
both grew up in rural villages and never envisaged ourselves in hi-tech companies in the city.
It was the daily commute that really got us down.
“During a week’s break in the French countryside, out of the blue, it dawned on me that I
could live there quite happily, work freelance from home and return to our rural roots. It
was the freedom to work out our own schedule that clinched it for me,” explains Camille.
For some, this is a drastic move, but with a French wife and bilingual children, it has not
proved to be such an upheaval after all. “It’s having the guts to take the leap,” says Phil. “I
mean what’s the worst-case scenario? If it doesn’t work out after a year, we’ll come back.”
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Writing
Part 1
You must answer this question. Write your answer in 140-190 words in an appropriate
style.
1 In your English class you have been talking about exam pressures. Your English
teacher has asked you to write an essay
for homework.
Despite the pressures, exams are still the best way to

encourage learning.
Notes
Write about:
1. indication of knowledge
2. standardised score
3. your own idea
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Part 2
Write an answer to one of the questions 2-4 in this part. Write your answer in 140-190
words in an appropriate style.
2 Your class is planning an end-of-year trip, and your teacher has asked you to write a
report about a small
holiday resort on the coast. Write a report answering the following questions.
What is the beach like? Does it have good facilities?
What other attractions does the resort offer?
What transport runs to the area?
Write your report.
3 An English-language magazine is running a short-story competition. The competition rules

say that the story
must begin with the following sentence:
I’ll never forget the day he came home.
a gift
an unexpected surprise
Write your story.
4 You recently saw this announcement on an English-language website:
Articles wanted!
The best gift I have ever received
What is the best gift you have ever received?
Why did you receive it?
What makes it so special?
Write an article answering these questions.
We will publish the best articles on our website.
Write your article.
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Listening
Part 1
You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1-8, choose the best
answer (A, B or C).
1 Listen to this man talking about a car. 5 You are listening to a radio programme where
Why does he like it? people
A It’s cheap. talk about their problems.
B It’s useful. How does the caller feel?
C It’s fast. A confused
2 You overhear a conversation at home. B depressed
Why is the girl taking a course in Spanish? C hurt
A It may be useful in the future. 6 Listen to this man talking on the phone.
B She watches lots of television. Who is he talking to?
C Her employer demands it. A his boss
3 You are with someone who is in a police B his secretary
station. C his wife
What has been stolen? 7 You hear two people talking outside.
A a passport Where will they meet?
B a wallet A at the car park
C an address book B in the restaurant
4 You hear a politician on the radio. C by the bandstand
What is his opinion of the government? 8 You hear someone talking on the radio.
A It will lose the election. What is the speaker doing?
B It should have a new leader. A giving a warning
C It has done a good job. B paying a compliment
C giving instructions
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Part 2
You will hear a lecture by Andrew Leigh, headmaster of a school. For questions 9-18,
complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.
BETTER BEHAVIOUR
Mr Leigh believes that children aren’t any 9 these days.
Sitting 10 for long hours is difficult for a lot of children.
Mr Leigh discusses the need for daily 11 .
He points out that a lot of schools have 12 PE classes.
Mr Leigh feels parents can be a 13 to their children.
He suggests being active as a 14 .
He’s happy to report that at his school, more and more lessons are incorporating
15 into their learning.
During the breaks, there are more 16 .
These organised games have led to a decrease in behaviours such as 17

and fighting.
Finally, the parents are invited to see their children’s 18 .
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Part 3
You will hear five people talking about holidays. For questions 19-23, choose from the list A-
H what each speaker says.
Use the letters only once. There are three extra letters which you do not need to use.
A I always choose the same location.
B I like to enjoy myself as much as I can.

Speaker 1 19
C I am happy to stay at home.
Speaker 2 20
D I have never been to another country.
Speaker 3 21
E I like to be physically active.
Speaker 4 22
F I like going to different countries.
Speaker 5 23
G I like to get to know the locals.
H I like to go as far away as possible.
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Part 4
You will hear a writer called Stephen Lynch talking on the radio. For questions 24-30,
choose the best answer (A, B or C).
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24 When did Stephen first meet the members of 28 What did Stephen learn about the band?
the band? A They almost always write their own lyrics.
A during his childhood in Ireland B They are actually good poets themselves.
B while working on a book in Mexico C They write the music and then work on
C during a family visit to Colombia the lyrics.
25 Why did Liam, a band member, make contact 29 Which organisation may consider adopting
with Stephen? the song for a campaign?
A to let him listen to a tribute to a musician A the United Nations
B to ask him for permission to use the poem B Amnesty International
C to help them come up with music to his C Greenpeace
song
30 What is Stephen’s attitude to songwriting?
26 The song that was recorded was A He found it more difficult than he
A planned to be part of the album. expected.
B popular with concert audiences. B He is not sure he’d be successful at it.
C not the commercial success they C He feels it pays more than writing novels.
expected.
27 What does Stephen say about the Hyde Park

concert?
A He is used to performing in front of many
people.
B The audience didn’t appreciate or applaud
him.
C He liked the guitarist’s musical
arrangement.
FCE PRACTICE TEST 6

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Part 1
gap. There is an
Example:
0 A investigators B travellers C adventurers D explorers
Cousteau, King of the Underwater World

Jacques Cousteau was one of the most brilliant and daring undersea (0) ..... ever known. In
his work, he (1) ..... his two great loves, deep-sea diving and photography, to create
wonderful films of marine life that are still enjoyed by (2) ..... all over the world. Cousteau
became a household (3) ..... primarily through his hugely popular television (4) ..... , The
Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, and the many documentaries he made.
After a near (5) ..... car accident at the age of 26, Cousteau began swimming to strengthen
his injured arms and thus discovered the beauty of the oceans. After experimenting with a
fellow diver, he developed the Aqua-Lung, the first self-contained underwater breathing
apparatus (SCUBA). It was this (6) ..... that led to Cousteau being known as “the father of
modern diving”. With camera in hand and an Aqua-Lung strapped to his back, Cousteau felt
completely at (7) ..... under the sea. Cousteau’s SCUBA has (8) ..... a whole new world to
scientific research of the oceans.
1 A mixed B completed C combined D filled

2 A supporters B onlookers C spectators D audiences
3 A name B figure C image D item
4 A series B serial C sequel D saga
5 A tragic B fatal C serious D deadly
6 A production B discovery C advance D invention
7 A peace B home C leisure D work
8 A taken over B turned out C opened up D brought in
Part 2
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For questions 9-16, 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 W A S
Record-breaker?
David Blaine is an illusionist best known for his high-profile acts of endurance. He has set
and broken several world records but, in 2003, he (0) ........................... rejected by
Guinness World Records despite his death-defying feat – living for
44 days in a plastic box hanging high (9) ........................... the River Thames in London.
During this period, he fasted –
he received no food and drank only water. So the question is, why would the compilers of
Guinness World Records reject such an amazing feat? Apparently, in spite of Blaine’s
requests for recognition, his efforts were not deemed outstanding
(10) ........................... to make it onto their pages.
Guinness record-keepers do not encourage people to fast for obvious reasons. Beating an
existing record only to die can hardly (11) ........................... considered a successful
attempt. Moreover, others have (12) ........................... without food and water, not for
fame and publicity but for medical or moral reasons, far in excess (13) ...........................
44 days. In a concerted effort to lose weight, one hospital patient in Scotland spent 382 days
living on tea, coffee, soda water and vitamins. As a result, he lost over 120 kilograms.
Furthermore, Blaine’s “accommodation” did not compare well with that of previous record-
holders. In 1997, Vernon Kruger of South Africa stayed in a barrel (14) ...........................
smaller than Blaine’s box for 67 days. Nevertheless a Guinness spokesperson added that
though they (15) ........................... him well with his future challenges, in their opinion,
Blaine
(16) ........................... a long way to go to beat the incredible Guinness record-holders. In
April 2008, Blaine was entered into Guinness World Records for holding his breath for 17
minutes in a water tank.
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Part 3
For questions 17-24, read the text below. Use the word
given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word that
Example: 0 A L A R M I N G
How to Bag a Prize!
Used plastic bags seem to collect at an (0) ........................... rate. Most people are reluctant to throw ALARM
them away because they might become (17) ........................... one day. In fact, what usually happens USE
is that we end up (18) ........................... them for a while in a drawer or cupboard, and then STORE
usually, for lack of space, we decide to throw them in the bin. As far as we are concerned,
we’ve solved the problem. (19) ........................... , that is not the end of it. All that we have done FORTUNATE
is solve the problem for ourselves, while adding to an already (20) ........................... state of affairs DISASTER
(21) .......................... because governments are quite incapable of handling huge amounts of material NATION
for (22) ........................... . CYCLE
In the USA, a $2,000 prize was offered to anyone who could come up with the most practical
(23) ........................... to alleviate the problem. By far the best idea offered was a bed of bags
someone SUGGEST
had made for the (24) ........................... , who live on the streets. A large plastic bag was simply HOME
stuffed with used small bags to produce a light waterproof mattress for sleeping on.
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Part 4
For questions 25-30, 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 two and five words, including the word given. Here is an example (0).
Example:
0 You must continue to take this medicine.
KEEP
You must ...........................................................................................................................
this medicine.
The gap can be filled by the words ‘keep on taking’, so you write:
Example: 0 KEEP ON TAKING
25 I don’t know why Anne got so upset.

MADE
I don’t know .................................................................................... so upset.
26 I persuaded Mum to let me go to the concert.

TALKED
I ............................................................................... me go to the concert.
27 Mary and Jane are very good friends.

ON
Mary and Jane .................................................................................... together.
28 It’s important to me that I always arrive on time.

POINT
I always ................................................................................................ on time.
29 Take my advice and don’t stay too late.

LEAVE
If I ........................................................................................................ early.
30 Sam would rather not eat out this evening.

MOOD
Sam isn’t ............................................................................... out this evening.
Part 5
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You are going to read an extract from a short story. For
questions 31-36, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which
you think fits best according to the text.
My Family and Other Animals

Scarcely had we settled into the Strawberry-pink Villa before Mother decided that I was
running wild, and that it was necessary for me to have some sort of education. But where
to find this on a remote Greek island? As usual when
a problem arose, the entire family flung itself with enthusiasm into the task of solving it.
Each member had his or her own idea of what was best for me, and each argued with such
fervour that any discussion about my future generally resulted in an uproar.
“Plenty of time for him to learn,” said Leslie; “after all, he can read, can’t he? I can teach
him to shoot, and if we bought a boat I could teach him to sail.”
“But, dear, that wouldn’t really be much use to him later on,” Mother pointed out, adding
vaguely, “unless he was going into the Merchant Navy or something.”
“I think it’s essential that he learns to dance,” said Margo, “or else he’ll grow into one of
these awful tongue-tied hobbledehoys.”
“Yes, dear; but that sort of thing can come later. He should be getting some sort of
grounding in things like mathematics and French … and his spelling’s appalling.”
“Literature,” said Larry, with conviction, “that’s what he wants, a good solid grounding in
literature. The rest will follow naturally. I’ve been encouraging him to read some good
stuff.”
“What he wants is a healthy, outdoor life; if he learnt to shoot and sail …” began Leslie.
“The trouble with you is, you won’t even listen to anyone else’s point of view,” said Larry.
“Now, now, there’s no sense in fighting,” said Mother … “What we want is someone who
can teach Gerry and who’ll encourage him in his interests.”
“He appears to have only one interest,” said Larry bitterly, “and that’s this awful urge to fill
things with animal life.
I don’t think he ought to be encouraged in that. Life is fraught with danger as it is … I went
to light a cigarette only this morning and a damn’ great bumble-bee flew out of the box.”
“It was a grasshopper with me,” said Leslie gloomily.
“Yes, I think that sort of thing ought to be stopped,” said Margo. “I found the most
revolting jar of wriggling things on the dressing-table, of all places.”
“He doesn’t mean any harm, poor little chap,” said Mother pacifically; “he’s so interested in
all these things.”
“I wouldn’t mind being attacked by bumble-bees, if it led anywhere,” Larry pointed out.
“But it’s just a phase … he’ll grow out of it by the time he’s fourteen.”
“He’s been in this phase from the age of two,” said Mother, “and he’s showing no signs of
growing out of it.”
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“Well, if you insist on stuffing him full of useless
information, I suppose George would have a shot at teaching him,” said Larry.
“That’s a brain-wave,” said Mother delightedly. “Will you go over and see him? I think the
sooner he starts the better.”
Sitting under the open window in the twilight, with my arm around Roger’s shaggy neck, I
had listened with interest, not unmixed with indignation, to the family discussion on my
fate. Now that it was settled, I wondered vaguely who George was, and why it was so
necessary for me to have lessons. But the dusk was thick with flower-scents, and the olive-
groves were dark, mysterious, and fascinating. I forgot about the imminent danger of
being educated, and went off with Roger to hunt for glow-worms in the sprawling
brambles.
Adapted from My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
31 The members of Gerry’s family

A rarely had loud family arguments about him.
B realised they had neglected his education.
C felt his wildness was due to not settling down well.
D disagreed on the form of his education.
32 Larry is the only one of the brothers and sisters who
A has definite views about Gerry’s career.
B thinks education should come naturally.
C has tried to do something about Gerry’s education.
D thinks Gerry would like to study literature.
33 What is Gerry’s mother’s view about his education?
A She thinks it likely he’ll make a career at sea.
B She fears he will grow up a poor conversationalist.
C She insists he can’t spell correctly in French.
D She feels he needs to learn regular school subjects.
34 According to Larry, Gerry appears to be going through a period in his life where he
A wants to spend all his time with animals.
B can’t seem to keep away from danger.
C frequently provokes his siblings into fighting.
D is constantly trying to horrify people with insects.
35 What do we learn about the author’s mother?
A Her only interest is in keeping the peace.
B She understands her son very well.
C She has no idea at all about education.
D Her son’s immaturity worries her greatly.
36 In the last paragraph, the author suggests that he
A is not concerned about his academic future.
B is too young to have opinions on education.
C is annoyed at not being included in the debate.
D would rather spend time with Roger.
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Part 6
You are going to read a magazine article about a book on clairvoyance. Six sentences have
been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap
(37-42). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
Through the Mind’s Eye

Clairvoyance – the sixth sense
When a friend gave me a book for my birthday, I thanked her and put it aside. It may well have
remained on the shelf gathering dust had I not broken my leg. Stuck at home and desperate for
something to relieve the boredom, I took down the book called I Am a Clairvoyant by Jenny Paige and
started to read.
“I wanted to be like everyone else,” was the opening sentence. 37 “My mother, who had dreams
which eventually came true, told me that I’d inherited her gift,” she wrote. “But the feeling of having a
strange power made me uncomfortable, and I didn’t want it.”
Paige was only seven when she woke up one night in their holiday caravan. “A strange feeling was
drawing me to another caravan. As I got near, I heard a baby crying, and felt something was terribly
wrong. I peeped inside and found a tiny baby all alone. Later, it turned out that the baby had been
deserted by its parents.” 38 Unfortunately, this did not make her especially popular as a
playmate.
Over time, her abilities seemed to grow in power. “As an adolescent, I developed very strong short-
term precognition, or the ability to predict things that were about to happen.” She could tell when the
phone was going to ring and who would call, or on the way to an exam, a friend’s mark would
suddenly appear in front of her. 39 She found these abilities, and the social isolation that
accompanied them, so disturbing that she learned to repress them.
Then, when she was in her mid-twenties, she experienced an uncanny sense of foreboding. Once
again, an inexplicable power pulled her towards a car parked in the dark under the trees. 40 “I
knew something was wrong and persuaded my boyfriend to come with me for a closer look. Inside
was a man slumped over the wheel, unconscious. We called for help and got him to hospital.”
At this point, she realised that “I had been given a great gift which I needed to use in order to help
others.” She began to study both Eastern and Western spiritual disciplines, eventually becoming a
professional psychic. In this capacity, she helps others deal with spiritual and emotional problems and
provides guidance on decisions for the future. She has also assisted the police in investigations for
missing persons. 41 Her book mentions famous actress Carole Lombard, who died in a plane
crash after ignoring a clairvoyant’s warning not to fly that day. Exactly the opposite happened when
Paige had a premonition about her mother’s train journey to London. “She accepted my warning and
changed her booking. It was just as well because the train was later derailed in a snowstorm.”
Although Jenny Paige’s book is autobiographical, she discusses clairvoyance in general. “Some people
have premonitions without realising it.” 42 For example, 14 years before the real Titanic sank,
Morgan Robertson wrote a book about a luxury liner called the Titan. When it collided with an
enormous iceberg and began sinking, many passengers drowned because of an insufficient number of
lifeboats. Sceptics may consider that a coincidence, whereas I’m more inclined to agree with Paige
that it was a kind of clairvoyance.
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A “Great waves of worry spread over me when I glanced in that direction,” said Paige.
B I too have had premonitions; for better or for worse, most of them have not come true.
C She also revealed an uncanny ability to manipulate games by guessing the results of the
dice friends were about to roll or the numbers of the cards they held in their hands.
D Jenny Paige went on to say how, throughout the years, she had often tried to deny her
power of clairvoyance because it made her feel different.
E “It was as if everything was happening twice – once in my mind, and once in reality.”
F Apparently, there are often cases where clairvoyance is only recognised in retrospect.
G Having said that, not everyone takes clairvoyance as seriously as Paige, apparently.
Part 7
You are going to read an article about people who volunteer for charity organisations. For
questions 43-52, choose
from the volunteers (A-D). The volunteers may be chosen more than once.
Which volunteer
speaks of the need for more people to work for the organisation? 43
travelled with a group of professionals? 44
contributed to an organisation without understanding what it was about? 45
refers to promoting the work of the charity? 46
mentions the need for continuity in his / her work? 47

has learnt about foreign lifestyles?
48
once benefitted personally from a volunteer organisation?
49
refers to an investment for the future?
50
helps people by showing them how to help themselves?
51
felt the need to give back to his / her own community?
52
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Choose Your Charity
What makes people give up their time and put up with inconvenience, or even discomfort,for
no material gain? Volunteers talk about their work.
A CATHERINE GIBSON
Catherine Gibson is a doctor. “The first time I heard about Médecins Sans Frontières (that’s French for
Doctors Without Borders) was when a new nurse in our department gave a talk about the year she spent
working with the organisation in Bosnia,” she says. “She told us that every year a couple of thousand
medics from
18 different countries volunteer their services to MSF, which aims to relieve suffering in regions affected
by war and natural disaster. I’d been having thoughts about doing some voluntary work abroad, and her
story inspired me and galvanised me into action. I applied to MSF, and four months later I was sent to
Rwanda, in Africa, together with three nurses, another doctor,
a sanitation engineer, a stock of medicines and a field hospital. Our living conditions were primitive and
we worked long hours, but that seemed unimportant. We felt privileged to be able to do something to
help the local people. Our MSF replacement team arrived before we left, so we didn’t feel as though we
were deserting our patients.”
B DOREEN HUMPHRIES
“Making a difference in children’s lives is what we do.” That’s what Doreen Humphries says about Save
the Children Fund (SCF), the volunteer organisation she works for. “Like most people, I’m appalled to
think of children living in poverty and dreadful conditions,” she told us. “I find it incredibly rewarding to
be part of an organisation that actually does something practical for these children. SCF is the leading
UK-based charity for children. It runs projects in 70 countries all over the world that range from rescuing
children from slave labour to building play centres and running health clinics. We need all the volunteers
we can get, not only to work in the field but also to help with fund-raising, give talks and do the
administrative work. I put in four mornings
a week in the nearby SCF office and I only wish it could be more.”
C DAN CONNELLY
Dan Connelly, an agricultural expert, explained the philosophy of VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas),
a British-based organisation that works in many developing countries. VSO focuses on training local
people to work independently when volunteers go home. “VSO goes in for long-term planning,” he told
us. “We recruit people in Europe and America from a whole range of professions. These expert
volunteers are posted to poor, underdeveloped areas of the world to share their knowledge and skills
with the people there. I’ve been to several countries and introduced the people to new farming ideas,
like irrigation systems, to make the most of their scarce water resources. I always work very closely
with the locals, and they are invariably appreciative. Even without the latest equipment, they’ve made
huge improvements. I find them very generous with their hospitality, and it gives me real insight into
their lives. If my own experience is anything to go by, I’d say this kind of co-operation is just what we
need to promote better understanding in the world.”
D SARAH BENNET
When Sarah Bennet was a student, she always shopped for second-hand clothes at the local Oxfam
shop. “In those days, that was the only way I could afford anything to wear,” she said, smiling. Years
later, when she was in a position to donate some of her own cast-off clothes to Oxfam, she got talking to
a couple of the volunteers at the shop. “Till then, I hadn’t given much thought to the organisation behind
the shop,” Sarah told us. “I knew the takings from the second-hand clothes went to feed hungry people,
but that was all. I really had no idea of the kind of work Oxfam has been doing for over half
a century. They try to combat poverty and injustice both at home and abroad. I realised it was high time
I did my bit, and since then I’ve been a regular volunteer at my
high-street shop. I’ve been fortunate to have had a good education and a fulfilling career. A little of my
time helps raise money for more needy people.”
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Part 1
style.
1 In your English class you have been talking about communication. Your English
teacher has asked you to write an essay for homework.
Mobile phones are an essential part of every teenager’s life.

Is this
a good thing or not?
Notes
Write about:
1. the Internet
2. social skills
3. your own idea
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Part 2
2 You recently saw this notice in your English-language school newspaper.
Music Reviews
Have you listened to a new album recently? Write a review
of the album you’ve heard or bought. Describe the type of
music, why you liked or disliked it and how it compares to
others by the same artist(s). Say whether you’d
recommend buying it.
The best reviews will be published in the next edition.
Write your review.
3 You recently saw this announcement in an international magazine.
The Pet in My Life
Do you keep a pet? Tell us about your pet, what care it needs and why you
think it’s important to keep a pet.
We will publish the most interesting articles next month.
Write your article.
4 You’ve decided to enter a short-story competition. The rules state that you must
start the story with the following words:
If I had known how things would turn out, I would never have allowed them to
use my phone.
Write your story.
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Listening
Part 1
answer (A, B or C).
1 On the radio, you hear a football manager 5 You hear a man talking about holidays.
talking. Where did he stay in the summer?
What did his team do in their last game? A on a beach
A They lost the game. B at a campsite
B They drew. C in rooms
C They won the game.
6 You hear two people talking in a clothes
2 In a radio play, you hear a telephone shop.
conversation. What is their relationship?
What does the girl want to do? A mother and daughter
A walk home B friends
B get her mother to collect her C shop assistant and customer
C stay where she is
7 You hear an instructor advising people.
3 You hear somebody being interviewed on What type of adventure holiday are they
the radio. What is his job? going on?
A lecturer A mountain climbing
B tour guide B cycling
C archeologist C sailing
4 You hear an old lady talking about 8 You hear a teacher talking to her class.
herself. What is she doing?
How does she feel? A criticising
A bored B establishing rules
B helpless C encouraging
C positive
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Part 2
You will hear part of a presentation by Katie Giggs, a popular author of children’s books. For
questions 9-18, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.
REVISING FOLKLORE
The film is based on Katie’s popular book entitled 9 .
Katie needed help with the screenplay because of the 10 that the
studio
had to produce.
It took approximately 11 for the screenplay to be completed.
Katie was satisfied with everything except for the film’s 12 .
Now, Katie is working on a book of 13 folk tales.
Katie has used a collection of books that belonged to her 14 as a source

for the folk tales.
These tales tell stories about 15 and unusual events.
Despite expectations, there aren’t many 16 in the folk tales that she’s
collected.
One type of spirit is selkies, which look like humans but are actually 17 .
The type of tale Katie begins to tell is a 18 .
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Part 3
You will hear five different people talking about their pets. For questions 19-23, choose from
the list A-H what each speaker says. Use the letters only once. There are three extra letters
which you do not need to use.
A I got my pet from a farmer.
B My pet can frighten people.

Speaker 1 19
C This kind of pet relaxes you.
Speaker 2 20
D My pet is my only friend.
Speaker 3 21
E Our pet is boring.
Speaker 4 22
F Our pet works for a living.
Speaker 5 23
G A pet like this needs more space.
H My pet stays on the balcony while I’m at work.
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Part 4
You will hear an interview with a TV and film personality. For questions 24-30, choose the
best answer (A, B or C).
24 What kind of programme is Castaway? 28 The main thing Michael likes about the
A a reality show Beatles is the
B a chat show A variety of their styles.
C a travel series B fact that they are familiar.
C stories they tell in their songs.
25 What kind of work is Michael involved in at
the moment? 29 Why does Michael decide against the
A He is writing a novel. philosophy book?
B He is hosting a TV series. A He needs something he could keep
C He is planning a new travel programme. coming back to.
B It would be too heavy to carry around.
26 What are Michael’s plans for the near C He might find it too serious to read
future? often.
A to do more travelling abroad
B to stay near his home 30 Playing chess on the island would be
C to move in or near to London A too challenging with no opponent to play
with.
27 How would Michael feel being on a desert B a problem because he doesn’t play well.
island? C an opportunity to improve his game.
A It would be difficult for him without
company.
B He wouldn’t mind as long he was busy.
C He’d be terrified of the insects.
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FCE PRACTICE TEST 7
Part 1
gap. There is an
Example:
0 A familiar B usual C typical D widespread
Slow Food Chef

Twenty-four-year-old chef Tina Carlson has become a (0) ..... face on our television screens.
She had been (1) ..... a living as assistant chef in an Italian restaurant when, in 2005, she
was named Young Cook of the Year in a televised competition. On live TV, Tina proved she
could put together a superb meal from the most basic (2) ..... and could learn and apply
herself to
(3) ..... about any cooking style with a flair. It was then that her career really (4) ..... off;
job offers began to pour in, and before long she was in demand as a TV personality.
Now Tina has become a champion of the international “slow food” movement. Slow food was
(5) ..... in response to the rise in fast-food restaurants and processed food. People now (6)
..... more and more on unhealthy fast food and microwave meals. Slow food wants to change
that, so it promotes the relaxed preparation of home-cooked meals from locally grown
produce. It also aims to (7) ..... traditional foods from disappearing and to protect regional
varieties of fruits and vegetables, many of which are also in (8) ..... of disappearing.
1 A receiving B making C having D winning

2 A parts B contents C ingredients D features
3 A much B right C round D just
4 A set B took C came D went
5 A based B constructed C done D founded
6 A use B consume C rely D purchase
7 A avoid B prevent C reduce D defend
8 A danger B risk C fear D threat
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Part 2
Example: 0 O N
The Cinema
During the 1930s and ’40s, many people used to go to the cinema (0)
........................... a regular basis. Apart
(9) ........................... the entertainment value it offered, the cinema also played
an important role (10) ........................... informing people about the world
beyond their own locality. In (11) ........................... days, cinema programmes
would typically include newsreels as (12) ........................... as a main feature
film.
By the mid-1950s, TV sets were becoming affordable and (13) ...........................

of making a trip to the cinema, people were choosing to enjoy similar
entertainment in the comfort of their own homes.
Realising their industry was under threat, many cinema owners began to offer
unique viewing experiences. Films
(14) ........................... allowed viewers to see three-dimensional images through
special glasses began to appear. But within
a couple of decades, home entertainment technology had once again caught (15)
........................... with developments such as these, and 3-D films (16)
........................... being broadcast on TV. So, will there be a neighbourhood
cinema in the future?
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Part 3
Example: 0 E X T E N T
Learn to Surf!
To some (0) ........................... , surfing is still considered an American sport. However, EXTEND
surfing is now a global phenomenon, having spread to countries all around the world.
England is no (17) ........................... . In England, surfing has grown considerably in EXCEPT
(18) ........................... , particularly on the south coast. There are now some organisations POPULAR
in this area offering lessons in surfing for everyone from complete (19) ........................... BEGIN
to advanced surfers.
If you are a newcomer to surfing, you should get professional advice, since this is
(20) ........................... an extreme sport. As in other extreme sports, there is an element
of ESSENTIAL
danger involved in surfing. This is part of the fun, but it also means that surfing can be
very risky, especially if you’re (21) ........................... . For example, many new surfers, EXPERIENCE
determined to progress too quickly, find themselves quite literally out of their
(22) ........................... , as they make the mistake of paddling their boards too far out in DEEP
search of larger and larger waves.
A good surfing (23) ........................... will help you make the right choice of board and INSTRUCT
ensure that you begin by learning techniques that are well within your (24)
........................... . CAPABLE
Once you’ve grasped the basics, that’s when the fun really starts!
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Part 4
Example:
0 They talked on the phone for two hours.
SPENT
They
.......................................................................................................................... on
the phone.
The gap can be filled by the words ‘spent two hours talking’, so you write:
Example
0 SPENT TWO HOURS TALKING
:
25 My interest in art began when I was in high school.

INTERESTED
I have ................................................................................................................. I was in
high school.
26 I’m sorry that I was unable to attend your wedding.

COULD
I wish ..................................................................................................................... to your
wedding.
27 Mr Jameson was the one who suggested that I enter the writing competition.
ADVISED
It was Mr Jameson ........................................................................ enter the writing
competition.
28 We were late for the meeting because of the heavy traffic.

PREVENTED
The heavy traffic .................................................................................. to the meeting on time.
29 People say that Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
SUPPOSED
Prague .............................................................................. one of the most beautiful cities in
Europe.
30 To learn to play the violin, you need to be very patient.

DEAL
You need ......................................................................................... to learn to play the violin.
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Part 5
You are going to read a magazine article by the writer and publisher Alison Darwin. For
questions 31-36, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to
the text.
A Love of Writing
I was a bookworm from a young age, with a particular love of fairy tales. I even showed an
early interest in editing; at age 6, I so disliked the ugly sisters in Cinderella that I rewrote
the story without them! I soon transferred my affections to science fiction, though, which
remains my favourite genre to this day. With my love of the written word, it seemed only
natural to do English literature at university, but after graduating, I found myself at
a bit of a loss. Most of my fellow graduates were going into teaching, a career which held
no attraction for me whatsoever.
It was by sheer luck that I landed a job at Artemis Books: a matter of being in the right
place at the right time. One day I met a neighbour at the bus stop and we started chatting.
It turned out that she was a secretary for one of the leading science-fiction and fantasy
publishing houses – Artemis Books – and was resigning from her job that very day. I
realised this was too good a chance to miss and asked her to suggest me as a
replacement. To my astonishment, I got the position although I had no secretarial
experience at all. My career as a secretary was short-lived, however, as within a year I had
joined the editorial staff.
Although I had started writing a novel at university, I wrote nothing more for 10 years. I
was busy learning the publishing trade, which left little time for anything else. There’s
more to it than reading manuscripts and deciding if they’re worth publishing or not. You
have to invest time in understanding the market – finding out what people are reading and
what is selling. It’s also important to be able to predict future trends. The extraordinary
success of the Harry Potter books is a good example. When a book is that successful, you
know that the market will soon be flooded with novels by other writers on a similar theme.
So for some time after that, I immediately rejected any manuscript about young witches or
wizards.
For publishers, fantasy fiction is not an easy market. With the exception of well-known
authors like Tolkien and JK Rowling, books of this genre tend to be found in dark corners of
bookshops rather than in the main displays. Unlike thrillers, you won’t find them on sale in
supermarkets or airports. Unfortunately, there is a stereotype that fantasy fiction is
mindless escapism – nothing more than stories about aliens and dragons. Yet all fiction,
whatever the genre, provides an escape from the real world. We all need a break
sometimes from the pressures of life. As for content, well, fantasy is the mother of all
fiction – myths and legends were the first stories ever told. The best of modern fantasy
fiction, just like mythology, has much to say about human nature and psychology.
I’m often asked what I look for in a new manuscript: how I recognise true writing talent.
For me, the most important question is: “Do I want to keep turning the page?” If I am
hooked after the first few pages, it’s a good sign. This is usually achieved with interesting
characters, realistic dialogue and a unique style of writing. And, of course, there has to be
that “something special” which is impossible to define, but you recognise it when you see
it.
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It was only after a decade in the business that I felt able to devote some free time to my
own writing ambitions. I’ve produced three novels now – under a pseudonym – all of which,
I’m happy to say, have done well. Writing and editing are very different jobs, yet very
complementary ones. At the publishing house, I’m dealing with people all the time – printers,
designers, production staff – and teamwork is essential. Writing, on the other hand, is
a lonely activity but a much more creative one. Consequently, as an editor, I now have a
much better understanding of the problems authors face.
31What does the writer say about science fiction?

A As a literary genre, it was her first love.
B She has always preferred it to any other genre.
C It replaced fairy tales as her genre of choice.
D She enjoyed writing it more than reading it.
32 In paragraph two, what does the writer say surprised her?
A She got a job for which she was unqualified.
B She was promoted after a relatively short time.
C She found out her neighbour worked in publishing.
D She was recommended for a job with a publishing company.
33 The writer mentions the Harry Potter novels to illustrate
A that publishers can’t always predict which novels will be successful.
B why publishers must think ahead before deciding what to publish.
C that publishers are always looking for writers with original ideas.
D how successful authors are often imitated by other writers.
34 What does the writer imply about fantasy novels?
A Even those written by well-known writers are not popular.
B They provide more escapism than other genres.
C As a genre, they are overlooked and undervalued.
D They are more difficult to read than thrillers.
35 What does “This” in line 29 refer to?
A something special
B a true talent for writing
C a successful first chapter
D the desire to carry on reading
36 According to the writer, what is one benefit of having become an author?
A She can work alone for a change.
B As an editor, she now relates to writers better.
C She has the chance to do something completely different.
D She has enjoyed some success in her new career.
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Part 6
You are going to read an article about a new sport. Six sentences have been removed from
the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap (37-42). There is
one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
The Sky’s the Limit

Ben Adams tries out the new sport of tree climbing.
Like many children, playing outdoors for me invariably involved climbing trees. Yet for
some reason, the urge to climb disappears as you get older. In fact, if you ever see an
adult up a tree, it is usually either a scientist or a tree surgeon. But that may change now,
thanks to a relatively new and increasingly popular leisure activity – recreational tree
climbing. Unlike the climbing of children, which is limited by how far your body and
fearlessness can take you, this type of tree climbing requires equipment in the form of
ropes and harnesses, which gives access to the upper branches of the highest trees.
I had not been up a tree since I was about 12, so it was with some apprehension that I
approached Botley Forest, where I was to learn the art of tree climbing. I was reassured,
however, to hear from my instructor, Mark Donnison, that accidents are extremely rare.
37
Mark is one of the sport’s pioneers and he has been teaching others to climb for over a
decade. As an experiment, Mark took his teenage daughter and some of her friends tree-
climbing. The outing was such a success that Mark decided to found a tree-climbing club, set
in 80,000 square metres of Botley Forest. 38 It has even become a keep-fit routine for
the more regular members, who say they’ve discovered muscles they never knew they had!
“The main objective of tree climbing is to have fun,” Mark explains, “but at the same time I
try and convey the importance of respecting nature.” 39 The wearing of spikes on
footwear, for example, is absolutely forbidden; they leave wounds on the bark and make
the tree vulnerable to disease.
40 I looked up at the tall, graceful oak that Mark had selected for its strength and
maturity. Before I could begin climbing, the rope had to be thrown over part of the tree.
Mark did this with ease, looping it over a branch 12 metres above us. Then, holding both
ends of the rope, I began climbing. I had expected to be using mainly my arms, but foot
loops along the rope made it possible to push myself up as well.
Reaching the top of the rope, I moved onto a branch and looked around me. I felt slightly
uneasy at first, but after a while, I began to enjoy my exceptional viewpoint. It was as if I
had entered another world. 41 The descent was equally exciting; I slid down, feeling like
Tarzan, using knots in the rope to slow myself down, just as Mark had shown me.
Tree climbing can hardly be described as an extreme sport. 42 But if you are looking for
the chance to inhabit another world, observe wildlife and feel as free as a bird, there is
nothing better.
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A Care is taken to ensure the trees are never damaged in any way.
B This is no pastime for those used to the challenge and danger of rock climbing.
C This makes it easier for children, who are lighter in bodyweight.
D For some people, it is an opportunity to experience something new, for others a
way to learn about the environment.
E I was allowed a helmet, however, along with a body harness attached to a
rope.
F It was then that the thrill I had experienced as a child came back to me.
G My confidence increased further on learning that tree climbing can be enjoyed
by anyone, whatever their age or fitness level.
Part 7
You are going to read an article in which four people describe their first boss. For questions
43-52, choose from
the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.
Which person had a boss who
expected the highest standard of work? 43
was not immediately liked by all their staff? 44
remained in close contact with them? 45
encouraged staff to express any criticisms they might have? 46
inspired their staff by example? 47
was a bit frightening at first? 48
persuaded them to start a new career? 49
had a sense of humour? 50
continues to help them in their job? 51
preferred face-to-face communication? 52
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My First Boss
Four people talk about their first boss.
A KATE POWELL
My first teaching job was in a small village primary school. On the Friday before the
beginning of term, the headmistress, Mrs Alan, had arranged a meeting for all the staff. I
made sure to get to the school in good time that day with notebooks and pen on hand,
because
I wanted to impress my new boss. Little did I know that the meeting would actually turn out
to be a karaoke party! This was Mrs Alan’s way of getting us all in the mood for a fun and
productive term – and it certainly worked! She had her own unique philosophy about
teaching and how to run a school. The way she took such pleasure in her work encouraged
the other teachers to do the same. After a few years at the school I left and took
a teaching job in London, but Mrs Alan and I still correspond occasionally. Although I’ve been
teaching for 10 years now, I know I’ll always value her advice.
B MATTHEW BRIGHT
My first boss was Mr Hartwell, or Ian, as he preferred to be called. He became manager of
our sales department about the same time I joined. That created a close bond between us
right from the start because we were both the “new boys”. He was quite young for someone
in such
a position of responsibility, but he gave the impression that he knew what he was doing. The
rest of the sales team were slow to accept Ian, though, probably because some of them were
a good deal older than he was. But he set out to prove himself, and eventually people began
to appreciate him. Ian believed in building a good relationship with his staff; he didn’t hide in
his office behind emails. If he had something to say, he’d say it directly, in person. And he
always took our views into account. Once, when a colleague had a complaint about working
conditions, Ian actually thanked her for her honesty, and said that we should all follow her
example. Since that time, I’ve moved on to various other jobs, but I’ve yet to have as good
a boss as Ian.
C SEB CASSIAN
Years ago, I used to work for Pete Sanderson, who’s
a house painter, as one of his assistants. At first there was some tension. I just wanted to
get things done and go home, whereas Pete wouldn’t settle for anything less than perfection.
A missed spot or too many drips, and he’d give me a long lecture. I had just dropped out of
school and I had only taken the job because, with my lack of qualifications, there was
nothing else for me. Whenever we took a break for lunch, I’d sit down by myself with
a notebook and scribble some drawings. One day I left my notebook outside my bag and
Pete had a look. I was furious at first, but Pete complimented me and was clearly impressed.
He also used to draw well, he said, and regretted not developing his talent professionally.
Pete’s comments convinced me to enrol in an art course, and since then I’ve never looked
back. We’ve stayed in touch. In fact, we’ve gone from being boss and employee to having a
great friendship.
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D MICHELLE TURNER
First impressions can be deceptive. Mr Davies, my boss at the web design company where I
used to work, was a really easy-going character. But on my first day, the moment I walked
in, he fixed me with an intimidating stare and said, “You’re five minutes late, Turner!” My
workmates often joked about his obsession with timekeeping. Not that Mr Davies minded; in
fact, he could usually see the funny side. Once I made a serious error, which was very time-
consuming and costly to put right. I expected to be fired – or at the very least shouted at –
but Mr Davies took a very relaxed attitude. All he said to me was that I should learn from the
whole experience. I was amazed! I was very happy in my job, but when something better
came up with a software design company, I didn’t hesitate to move on. Fortunately, Mr
Davies gave me a great reference.
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Writing
Part 1
style.
1 In your English class you have been talking about the future. Your English teacher has
asked you to write an essay
for homework.
Some people say that you should choose a profession that

is practical. Do you agree?
Notes
Write about:
1. job satisfaction
2. employment opportunities
3. your own idea
Write your essay. You must use grammatically correct sentences with accurate spelling
and punctuation in a style
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Part 2
Write an answer to one of the questions 2-4 in this part. Write your answer in 140-190
words in an appropriate style.
2 You recently saw this announcement on an English-language website.
Restaurant Reviews
Have you been to a restaurant recently? Please tell us about it.
What was the food like?
How was the service?
Would you recommend it to other people?
The best reviews will be published in next month’s magazine.
Write your review.
3 You recently saw this notice in an English-language magazine.
My Favourite Programme
We are looking for articles about our readers’ favourite TV programmes.
Write an article and tell us about a TV programme you particularly like. Say
why you like this programme, what makes it different from others and who
you think would enjoy it.
The best articles will be published in next month’s issue.
Write your article.
4 Your teacher has asked you to write a story for a writing competition. The story must end
with the following words:
I’ll never make the same mistake again.
Write your story.
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Listening
Part 1
answer (A, B or C).
1 You overhear a woman talking on the phone 5 You hear a teenager talking about the
about her holiday plans. experience of acting
What is she worried about? in a play.
A not finding a hotel room What did the girl find most difficult about
B having her things stolen acting?
C travelling alone A the need to memorise lines
B her anxiety about performing
2 You hear a man talking on the radio.
C the physical demands of rehearsing
What is he?
A a book reviewer 6 You overhear two friends talking.
B a publisher Why is the man staying with his sister?
C a writer A His flat is being renovated.
B He needs peace and quiet to concentrate.
3 You hear a boss talking to her staff.
C He doesn’t get on with his flatmate.
Why is she talking to them?
A to criticise them 7 You hear a young athlete talking on the radio.
B to congratulate them How does she feel about her career?
C to announce some bad news A dissatisfied with her swimming technique
B anxious about her future in athletics
4 You overhear a man talking about a new
C concerned about the level of competition
shopping mall.
What does he say about the mall? 8 You overhear a woman telling her friend about a
A It improves the town’s appearance. hike.
B It will create traffic problems. What is her opinion of the hiking route?
C It cost relatively little to build. A It was too long.
B It was too dangerous.
C It was too slippery.
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Part 2
You will hear Jack Burrows talking about a unique set of races. For questions 9-18, complete the
sentences with a word or short phrase.
THE 4 DESERTS RACE

Nobody under the age of 9 can enter the 4 Deserts Race Series.
Jack says that Antarctica doesn’t even get 10 centimetres of rain

annually.
Every participant carries around nine kilos of important 11 on

their backs.
According to Jack, ultra athletes like himself are always looking for 12 .
The 4 Deserts Race organisation supports projects to do with healthcare and

13 .
Participants in the Gobi race refer to it as the 14 .
Jack trained by running in 15 to prepare himself for the

Antarctica race.
The Antarctica race was cut short due to a 16 .
Some competitors were unable to complete the Gobi race due to 17 or

dehydration.
Jack is attracted to the beautiful 18 .
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Part 3
You will hear five people talking about their work in film and television. For questions 19-23,
choose from the list
A-H what each speaker says. Use the letters only once. There are three extra letters which
you do not need to use.
A I have acquired the skills I need for my work.
B Because of technology, I'm afraid I might lose my job one day.

Speaker 1 19
C I sometimes have to approach total strangers for help.
Speaker 2 20
D I decided what job I wanted to do when I was a student.
Speaker 3 21
E I’m interviewed by people from all over the world.
Speaker 4 22
F If I really believe in a project, I’ll work for free.
Speaker 5 23
G I was given opportunities because of my qualifications.
H There’s always something new to learn in my job.
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Part 4
You will hear a radio interview with an artist called Lara Martin. For questions 24-30, choose
24 How does Lara feel about her work with schoolchildren? 28 What does Lara say about the chair she designed?
A She feels that it is effective. A It contains only small amounts of plastic.
B She prefers it to working in her studio. B It can be used for more than one purpose.
C She finds it easier than she expected. C She hopes it will never need to be replaced.
25 Lara thinks that young people 29 How did Lara react when she discovered lots of
A are interested in many different forms of art. rubbish on the beach?
B do not realise how products they use damage wildlife. A She felt angry.
C are more likely to change their habits than older B She felt inspired.
people. C She felt helpless.
26 Lara says that when she was growing up, 30 Lara thinks that the fashion industry
A she disliked having to reuse everything. A might have been a good career choice for her.
B reusing things was a necessity for her family. B is a difficult profession for artists to succeed in.
C her family tried to hide their poverty. C is becoming more environmentally friendly.
27 When Lara was working as a set designer in a theatre,

A she built each set using the same materials.
B she once used old telegraph poles to build a set.
C she had to look for free building materials.
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TABLE OF ENGLISH TENSES
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Cambridge English First

Level:B2 Upper intermediate

The exam is made up of four papers developed to test your English

Writing Requires you to be able to produce two

Listening Requires you to be able to follow and

FCE PRACTICE TEST 1

0 A normal B typical C native D local

British Species Disappearing

Guy Fawkes Night

Example: 0 HAS TAKEN OVER THE MANAGEMENT

Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

25 It was wrong of you to leave without saying goodbye.

26 If you complain to your teacher, it won’t help.

27 People say our neighbour caused the accident.

28 All this happened because you didn’t listen to me.

29 We were prevented from entering the building by the security guard.

30 John said he had really enjoyed himself at the party.

Home Away from Home

31 What was the writer’s main reason for moving to London?

B Attention to such details makes a world of difference to sick children, and

C It became apparent that children wanted an environment they could

D At the same time, it also needed to meet all the requirements of a

describes the seasonal beauty of their favourite place? 43

makes a comparison with other places? 44

mentions how enjoyable it is to visit local shops there? 45

discovered their favourite place by chance? 46

is impressed by the lasting quality of the place? 47

regrets not being able to spend more time there? 48

discusses the place’s religious significance? 50

recommends the place for its sports activities? 51

has made a home in their favourite place? 52

People who speak English don’t really need to learn

Write your review.

Mali is the 10 country in the world.

Steve found it difficult to get used to the 11 between Mali and

Steve had to learn the correct way to 12 people he met there.

In Malian society, a lot of importance is placed on the 13

In Mali, looking directly at a person may be seen as a 14

Steve was glad that he took his 15 abroad with him.

Steve often saw Malian children playing with 16 in the streets.

In Mali, joking cousins exchange 17 with each other.

Steve hardly ever felt 18 during his stay in Mali.

A I’m impressed by the low cost of living in the north.

E There are plenty of job opportunities for students.

F I’ve had to make an extra effort to enjoy student life.

G I find it hard to find enough time to study.

H The nightlife offers something for everyone.

0 A class B collection C set D type

A Snapper in the Sewers

1 A growing B getting C turning D becoming

Hums were first documented by experts as long ago as 1991. (14)

Jumping for Joy

Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

25 There’s no point in spending time on this exercise.

26 It was such an expensive book that I didn’t buy it.

27 I’d rather book tickets than wait in a queue.

28 The paint on that house looks very new.

29 John likes more sugar in his tea.

30 Did you enjoy the party?

Cruising Round the Mediterranean

Which of the participants

had been confident of winning? 43

mentions qualities not necessarily connected to sport? 44