ENGLISH

TEST

Designed especially and exclusively for Concours Pass. 2016 - A

1 CONCOURS PASS 2008 A

Hello and welcome to the Concours Pass Test of English. This test has been designed especially and
exclusively for students participating in Concours Pass.

During this test you will have a series of exercises to help determine your proficiency in spoken and written
English. For the entire test please remember that you are asked to choose just one answer for each question
according to what you have heard or read. Then you should mark that answer clearly on your answer sheet
by filling in the corresponding space. The sample question has been done for you to use as an example.

On behalf of everyone at Concours Pass, thank you for your interest and participation, and good luck to you
all.

PART 1
SHORT DIALOGUES

Directions
In Part 1 you will hear short dialogues between two people. Each dialogue is followed by one question.
Neither the dialogues nor the questions will be repeated. In your test book you will read the question
heard on the CD and four answers to that question.

Now listen to a sample question:

Man: Well, I just don’t know what to do for my next vacation!

Woman: Why don’t you come with us to Morocco?
Man: Unfortunately, hot weather really isn’t my cup of tea.
Narrator: What does the man mean?

In your test book you read:

What does the man mean?

A. He has never been to a hot country.
B. He would love to go.
C. He does not like hot weather.
D. He takes his tea hot.

The best answer to the question “What does the man mean?” is choice C, “He does not like hot weather.”
Therefore, you should choose answer C.

Now begins PART 1.

1. What does the woman mean? 2. What does the man imply?

A. The sandwiches are on the left not the A. The weather is very bad.
right. B. He’s sad to hear that John is unwell.
B. All the sandwiches have been sold. C. He does not believe the woman.
C. She doesn’t understand the man. D. They’re having a lot of bad luck.
D. She will see if there any at the back of the
shop.

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3. What will the woman probably do? 10. What does the man suggest the woman do?

A. Find Mary. A. Ask Brenda for the answers.

B. Look for the presentation. B. Ask Brenda to give some tutoring.
C. Check the time for the presentation. C. Go on to the online site called “Brenda
D. Ask Mary to help the man. tutoring”.
D. Ask Brenda for advice.
4. What does the woman mean?
11. What does the man mean?
A. The form isn’t very long.
B. The form is longer than it was before. A. He couldn’t find the restaurant to start
C. The procedure has changed. with.
D. The form doesn’t need a lot of time to fill B. He liked it very much.
in C. He didn’t like it at all.
D. He was a bit disappointed.
5. What can be inferred about the woman?
12. Where is this conversation probably taking
A. She wants to stay at home. place?
B. She has been working a lot recently.
C. She wants a new office desk. A. In a museum.
D. She is feeling better. B. In a hospital.
C. In an airport.
6. What does the man mean? D. In a photography shop.

A. The results have dropped. 13. What does the woman imply?
B. The woman should search for her results.
C. The woman should contact him about the A. Denis is not a good manager.
results. B. Denis is not usually top of the class
D. He will find the results. C. Denis won’t be able to do all the work
expected of him.
7. What had the woman assumed? D. She doesn’t believe Denis has signed up
for the Art History class.
A. The meeting had been cancelled.
B. The man had called the meeting for next 14. What does the woman suggest the man do?
week.
C. The man had been called away on A. Take a new product sample.
business. B. Take some medication.
D. The man had phoned the participants. C. Sit at a different table.
D. Take a tablet with him to the meeting.
8. What will the man probably do?
15. What does the man mean?
A. Purchase two tickets for the theatre.
B. See what is showing at the Centre A. Rachel is expected soon.
Playhouse. B. Rachel will agree in the end.
C. Look up the details of the performance. C. Rachel needs time to practice.
D. Make a plan for the evening. D. Rachel wants to be on the team.

9. What does the woman imply?

16. What is the woman’s problem?
A. She would like to have a tablet too.
B. She had difficulty contacting the A. The price of the ticket is high.
helpdesk. B. She needs to go to the bank first.
C. She could help the man. C. It doesn’t seem fair to go to Atlanta.
D. She was lucky. D. Atlanta is too far away.

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17. What does the man imply? 19. Where is this conversation probably taking
place?
A. He has an alternative look.
B. He hasn’t decided what to do next year A. At a field and track event.
yet. B. In a train station.
C. The exam went badly. C. On a university campus.
D. He used an alternative entrance. D. On the street.

18. What does the woman mean? 20. What are these people discussing?

A. She thinks it’s a good price too. A. A light and sound show.
B. She agrees to take the flat. B. A film star.
C. She wants confirmation of some details C. A play.
concerning the price. D. An art exhibition.
D. She wants to know the cost of the gas
and electricity bills.

PART 2
SHORT TALKS

Directions
In Part 2 you will hear three short talks. Each talk is followed by three questions. The talks are about a
number of different subjects and will not be repeated. In your test book you will read the questions and
four proposed answers to each question. The question numbers will be said by the narrator in order to
indicate how much time you have.

Questions 21 through 23 refer to the following advertisement.

21. What is being advertised? 23. Where can the customers go for advice?

A. A garden furniture shop. A. To the shop in the centre of town.

B. An excursion to a garden. B. To the centre on the outskirts of town.
C. A garden design centre. C. To Gainbridge.
D. A wildlife holiday. D. To Fortworth.
.
22. Who is the main target audience?

A. Families with young children.

B. Anyone who loves gardens.
C. People who love wildlife.
D. None of the above.

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Questions 24 through 26 refer to the following message.

24. Who is the message for? 26. When will the caller NOT be available?

A. George Healey. A. This afternoon.

B. Deborah Wentworth. B. Tomorrow morning.
C. Hugh Dudley. C. Tomorrow afternoon.
D. Rightwood Publishing. D. All of the above.

25. What is the main purpose of the message?

A. To say that the brochures are ready.

B. To ask for another computer file.
C. To say that the deadline won’t be met.
D. To organize a meeting to approve the
brochures.

Questions 27 through 29 refer to the following announcement.

27. Who is most likely listening to this 29. What happens at 4pm ?
announcement?
A. The events start.
A. Employees. B. The lake is open to the public.
B. Holiday-makers. C. Refreshments are available.
C. Sportsmen and women. D. The closing ceremony.
D. Students.

28. What is the main objective of the

announcement?

A. To announce a change in the

schedule.
B. To give a weather warning.
C. To ask the participants to be prompt
and respectful.
D. All of the above.

La section écrite du test va maintenant commencer. Vous disposerez de 50

minutes pour faire les parties 3 et 4. Surveillant, veuillez arrêter le CD et le
remettre en marche dans 50 minutes.

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 PART 3
COMPLETE THE SENTENCE

Directions
In Part 3 there are 25 incomplete sentences, each with four words or phrases given beneath. You are to
choose the one word or phrase that best completes the sentence. You may now begin.

30. He gave an excellent performance, . . . . ? 36. This business looks set to. . . . money.

A. isn’t it A. win
B. didn’t it B. gain
C. didn’t he C. earn
D. wasn’t he D. make

31. Congratulations everybody! . . . . has gone 37. Unless you’re sure about terms, you . . . .
very well this year. sign the contract.

A. All A. couldn’t
B. Every B. shouldn’t
C. Everything C. shouldn’t have
D. Each D. wouldn’t have

32. Here you are. I . . . . . some cookies to help 38. This new product range will . . . . to a wider
us get through the morning. target audience.

A. bring A. appeal
B. am bringing B. touch
C. have brought C. attract
D. brung D. reach

33. The company has seen significant growth 39. I didn’t . . . . to have such a response!
. . . . sales.
A. attend
A. of B. accept
B. in C. except
C. by D. expect
D. on

34. My decision is made: I . . . . a sports club 40. I shall now . . . . you about the recent
this semester! changes in requirements.

A. join A. tell
B. joined B. speak
C. will join C. say
D. am going to join D. talk

35. What good films. . . . recently?

A. saw you
B. did you see
C. are you seeing
D. have you seen

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41. You . . . . better even if you’d trained 48. They are . . . . finishing the renovation of
more. the premises.

A. would do A. since
B. cannot do B. again
C. would have done C. still
D. couldn’t have done D. yet

42. He worked on the slide presentation on 49. We are considering opening a branch office
and off . . . . several weeks. in Brazil . . . . .the legislation is complicated.

A. in A. even though
B. for B. despite
C. since C. however
D. during D. as

43. There is . . . . information on the Bulgarian 50. If you want a chance of passing your
market. driving test you . . . . practice more.

A. few A. can
B. many B. must
C. little C. could
D. not D. will

44. They are still not back; they . . . . for the 51. He . . . . to do a great deal of travelling in
tickets all morning. his previous position.

A. queue A. was used

B. are queuing B. was using
C. have been queued C. is used
D. have been queuing D. used

45. This project . . . . much new technology. 52. Now that you’re moving to Singapore, you
. . . . . bother buying any winter boots.
A. implies
B. implicates A. mustn’t
C. involves B. needn’t
D. invokes C. oughtn’t
D. couldn’t
46. I need to . . . . a parcel from the Post Office.
53. They will make a decision once they . . . .
A. fetch from all the Directors of the Board.
B. take
C. catch A. will hear
D. bring B. are hearing
C. heard
47. It was difficult to. . . . to the conference D. have heard
centre due to heavy traffic.
54. OK. Let’s . . . . an appointment for early
A. arrive next week then. When would suit you?
B. come
C. get A. fix
D. go B. fit
C. fill
D. find

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 PART 4
WRITING

Directions
Read the following essay questions carefully and respond to ONE question on page 2 of your answer sheet
in 180 to 200 words. You may make notes in the space provided for you below, but only what is written on
page 2 of your answer sheet will be scored. (25 points)

Essay Question One:

Why do differences in pay for men and women still exist? What progress has been made and what remains
to be done? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay.

or:

Essay Question Two:

No one foresaw the enormous and far-reaching success of the mobile telephone. What do you think will be
the next big technological change that will have a similarly large-scale effect and why?

Space for notes:

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Space for notes :

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 PART 5
TELEPHONE CALLS

Directions
In Part 5 you will hear conversations between two people. Each conversation will be heard only once and
will be followed by several questions. In your test book you will read the questions and the four proposed
answers to each question. The question numbers will be said by the narrator in order to indicate how much
time you have.

Questions 55 through 57 refer to the following telephone call.

55. What is the problem? 57. Where most likely is the woman?

A. The woman wishes to change her A. At the Toby Carvery Inn.

booking. B. In an airport.
B. The man wishes to change his C. In a car.
booking. D. In a train
C. The booking for the hotel needs to be
changed.
D. There are no 3-star hotels in the area.

56. How does the woman prefer to receive the

new details?

A. By email.
B. By phone.
C. By text message.
D. None of the above.

Questions 58 through 60 refer to the following telephone call.

58. Why is the woman calling? 60. What amount does the man have to pay?

A. To organize a delivery. A. £2.50

B. To organize a pick up. B. £12.50
C. To request access to a property. C. £250
D. To complain about non-payment. D. £350
.
59. When is NOT a convenient time for the
man?

A. Before 4pm tomorrow.

B. After 4pm tomorrow.
C. At lunchtime on Wednesday.
D. Next week.

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Questions 61 through 63 refer to the following telephone call.

61. What is the main reason for the woman’s 63. What should Matthew do?
call?
A. Talk to the man.
A. To inform the man about a change to B. Talk to the woman.
his schedule. C. Talk to Stallpits Electronics.
B. To let him know that Mr. Kinson had D. Make some modifications.
called.
C. To ask for advice about how to handle
a problem.
D. To arrange a Skype meeting.

62. What may happen to the deadline?

A. It will probably stay the same.

B. It will probably be later.
C. It will probably be a bit earlier.
D. It will probably be a lot earlier.

PART 6
CONCOURS PASS RADIO

Directions
In Part 6 you will listen to three shows on a popular radio station, CPR, otherwise known as Concours Pass
Radio. Each show will be heard only once and will be followed by several questions. In your test book you
will read the questions and four proposed answers to each question. The question numbers will be said by
the narrator in order to indicate how much time you have.

Questions 64 through 67 refer to the following show.

64. What is this show mainly about? 66. According to the woman, what is the size
of the sharing economy?
A. Taxi services.
B. Smartphone apps. A. $26 million.
C. The Uber company. B. $36 million.
D. A new business model. C. $26 billion.
D. $36 billion.
65. What criticism of the sharing economy is
NOT mentioned by the woman? 67. How does the woman feel about the future
of the sharing economy?
A. Tax avoidance.
B. Lack of regulations. A. Doubtful.
C. Insurance issues. B. Angry.
D. Unfair competition. C. Positive.
D. Worried.

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Questions 68 through 71 refer to the following show.

68. What is this show mainly about? 70. How many drones may be approved for
use by 2020?
A. Pilots.
B. Privacy issues. A. 750.
C. Aviation. B. 7 500.
D. Approval of a new technology. C. 11 500.
D. 75 000.
69. What uses of drones are NOT mentioned in
the show? 71. What does the man say about how the
public may feel about drones?
A. 3-D mapping.
B. Parcel delivery. A. Excited about the new technology.
C. Agricultural use. B. Concerned about privacy.
D. Wildlife management. C. Confused.
D. Cautious.

Questions 72 through 75 refer to the following show.

72. What is this show mainly about? 74. What does the journalist say about
changes in the population in California?
A. Agriculture in California.
B. Water usage in California. A. There has been an increase.
C. The economy in California. B. It has reduced.
D. Urban development in California. C. It has held steady.
D. It is untenable.
73. What percentage of water in California is
used by the agricultural sector? 75. The journalist says the decisions the
authorities have to make are tough
A. 8%. because:
B. 18%.
C. 80%. A. The lobbies are powerful.
D. 88%. B. They must balance short-term impact
and long-term harm.
C. Wildlife is at risk.
D. There is a risk of drought.

This is the end of our shows on Concours Pass Radio, and this is the end of our Test of English for Concours
Pass. Thank you for your participation.

END OF TEST

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