Gold Experience B1+ Progress test 8

Name Class

Grammar
1 Rewrite the sentences using the words given. Use between two and five words, including
the word given.
1 The scientist solved the mathematical problem.

WAS

The mathematical problem was solved by the scientist.

2 Has anyone ever helped you with your maths?

HELP

Have ________________________________ with your maths?

3 No one will know the results of the test until next week.

NOT

The results of the test ________________________________ anyone until next week.

4 The college sent each of us a letter.

WAS

A letter ________________________________ us by the college.

5 Most schools use the same maths textbook.

USED

The same maths textbook ________________________________ most schools.

6 You can find lots of information on the Internet.

FOUND

Lots of information ________________________________ on the Internet.

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 2 Choose the correct answer (A, B or C).
1 There were only ____ students in my class who enjoyed maths.

A few B any C a few

2 ____ my sister nor I is any good at maths.

A Either B Neither C Both

3 I had very ____ time to finish the test, so I made a lot of mistakes.

A many B few C little

4 It was a shame but ____ of us liked the film so we left before the end.

A none B each C either

5 I heard a noise I think theres ____ in the garden!

A anyone B no one C someone

6 Ive lost my camera, so Ill have to buy ____ one before our holiday.

A another B other C some

Vocabulary
3 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in capitals.
1 Seven multiplied by six equals forty-two. MULTIPLY

2 What ________ will this tree grow to? HIGH

3 How ________ is the water in the swimming pool? DEPTH

4 In training we have to run the ________ of the football pitch. LONG

5 Maths sometimes involves very complicated ________ . CALCULATE

6 I would make a very bad ________ I cant even add up correctly! MATHEMATICS

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 4 Choose the correct answers.
1 They took photos to remember all the amazing experience/experiences they had in India.
2 Helen wants some paper/papers to draw on.
3 How many time/times have you visited the Science Museum?
4 In films, secret agents always use cool equipment/equipments.
5 What work/works do you do in that company?
6 How many room/rooms are there in your new house?

Listening
5 Listen to people talking in five different situations and choose the correct answer
(A, B or C).
1 You hear two people talking about a physical challenge. What do they agree about it?
A It was difficult for them to finish.
B It was too dangerous for some people.
C It was a frightening experience.
2 You hear two friends talking about a lecture. What is the man doing?
A explaining how something is produced
B giving his opinion of the lecture
C suggesting an alternative learning style
3 You hear an announcement at a museum. What is the purpose of the announcement?
A to explain a change in the opening hours
B to give information about a new exhibit
C to describe the best way to go round the museum
4 You hear a teacher talking about a competition her students can enter. Why does she want them
to enter the competition?
A It might help them with their schoolwork.
B It will be a good experience for them.
C It is an interesting topic for them.
5 You will hear an interview with a cyclist. How does she feel about her next race?
A concerned about other competitors
B determined to do well
C afraid of getting hurt again

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 Reading
6 Read the article and choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D).

How do you see numbers?

Some people are good with numbers whereas others find it really hard to do any sort of mathematical
calculation at all. One person who has an amazing talent at maths is Daniel Tammett. He has become
famous for being a real genius with numbers. Daniel can immediately produce the answers to complex
mathematical questions without needing time to think, use a calculator or write anything down. He can
memorise enormously long series of numbers He can even look at a tree and tell you how many leaves
are on it! But Daniel isnt an ordinary person; hes what is called an autistic savant.
Autistic savants are people whose brains seem to have different connections to the rest of us. Often
these people suffer some type of brain injury which leaves them with a very unusual ability. In Daniels
case, after an epileptic fit as a child he began to see numbers in a different way. In Daniels mind
numbers have shapes, colours, texture almost personalities! For him the number 4 is a shy number
whereas 6 is small, dark and cold and number 5 is like a clap of thunder! When he thinks about a
mathematical question he says that the shapes of the numbers merge and create another shape. Thats
the answer. Savants have a whole range of different abilities, some with maths, some with music or
reading. However, many do not have the necessary language skills to explain what they do or see.
Daniel is unique because he can describe clearly how his special talent works. He has advanced
language skills too and can speak ten languages including a language that he created completely
himself!
Having these strange abilities has made life difficult for Daniel. As a child he felt very lonely because
people didnt understand his condition. They were unaware of his talent. He used to spend hours alone
with books of numbers for enjoyment not something the other children could understand! Today it
causes him different problems. He avoids certain situations because his brain is always working hard
and reacting to patterns and numbers. For example, he doesnt like stony beaches because he
automatically tries to count the number of stones. In the supermarket he cant focus on shopping but is
always looking at prices, product arrangements and so on!
Scientists still cannot explain these special abilities. Many of them believe that everyones brains are
capable of doing exceptional things like Daniels but we need to learn how to use them properly. So, in
the future maths lessons might be something to look forward to rather than dread. Now that would be a
good thing!

1 What can Daniel do?

A He can do maths faster than a calculator.
B He can remember every number he sees.
C He does things that a calculator cant do. x
D He is more intelligent than many geniuses.
2 What is true about autistic savants?
A They are born with their abilities.
B They all have special mathematical talents.
C They have exceptional language and communication skills.
D Their abilities can develop at different times in their lives.

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 3 What does merge mean in the following line? When he thinks about a mathematical question
he says that the shapes of the numbers merge and create another shape. (Paragraph 2)
A change
B come together.
C disappear
D get smaller
4 Daniel sometimes has problems because of
A too much mental stimulation.
B other peoples impatience.
C his unawareness of other peoples reactions.
D a misunderstanding of his abilities.
5 In scientists opinion
A Daniels talents are unique.
B we can train our brains to work better.
C maths is an important subject for us.
D these abilities will never be explained.

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 Writing
7 Read the task in Exercise 8. Which of these points would you include (I) or not include (N)
in the review?
1 The name and information about the type of book or film.
2 A detailed description of the story.
3 What happened in the end.
4 Some information about the writer or directors life.
5 What you liked or didnt like about the film or book.
6 The price you paid for the book or film ticket.

Total: 50

Optional writing task

8 You see this advertisement in a magazine. Write your review in 140190 words.
We are looking for reviews of a book or film to include in our section on Mysteries next
month. Have you seen a film or read a book that was about an exciting mystery? Send your
review in and well print the best three in the magazine.

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