LONDON TESTS OF ENGLISH (Edexcel)

PRACTICE TEST
Task One
Name: ..................................................................

Hello, everyone! Today’s test is the London Tests of English Level 3.

The theme of this practice test is music. Leave
This test lasts two hours. There are five tasks. Tasks One and Two are listening. You must listen to the blank
recording and write your answers.
1. Task One: Music in My Life
You are doing some research for a project on music and you hear a programme on the radio in which
three people, Alan, Sara and Rob, talk about music in their lives. Listen to the programme and fill in the
information in the table below. Some information is given to help you.
You will hear the programme twice. Do as much as you can the first time and finish your work the second
time.
You have one minute to look at the table.

ALAN SARA ROB

Age when he / she around 13 years old / (f) (k)

started learning thirteen

Reason for learning (a) (g) (l)

(b)

When he / she (c) (h) (m)

practises

Parents’ opinion of (d) (i) (n)

learning music

Does he / she play in (e) (j) (o)

public?
Yes Yes Yes
Put a cross
No No No
in one box.
Not yet Not yet Not yet

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 LONDON TESTS OF ENGLISH (Edexcel)
PRACTICE TEST
Task Two
Name: ..................................................................

2. Task Two: An Unusual Band

During the next stage of your project, you listen to a radio programme in which a music producer is being Leave
interviewed about an all-girl band called Bond. Listen to the interview and complete the statements. The first blank
one is an example.

You will hear the interview twice. Do as much as you can the first time and finish your work the second time.

You have one minute to look at the statements.

it has a wide audience

Example: Dave is glad to be on the programme because .................................................................................. .

1. Members of Bond have had .......................................................................................................................... .

2. Their latest album is called ........................................................................................................................... .

3. A typical performance includes ..................................................................................................................... .

4. The band has fans in ...................................................................................................................................... .

5. Bond have sold over ...................................................................................................................................... .

6. According to Haylie, people should listen to music with ............................................................................. .

7. Audiences at their concerts include .............................................................................................................. .

8. The band tries to make classical music more ................................................................................................ .

9. The girls in the band are in ............................................................................................................................ .

10. The band’s plans for the future include being ............................................................................................... .

That is the end of the listening tasks.

The other tasks test your reading and writing of English.
Now go on to Task Three.

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 LONDON TESTS OF ENGLISH (Edexcel)
PRACTICE TEST
Task Three (a)
Name: ..................................................................

INFORMATION SHEET 1 FOR TASK THREE (A)

UK MUSIC FESTIVALS

Article A

The Isle of Wight Festival

The first Isle of Wight Pop Festival took place in August 1968 and is remembered as quite a
primitive event. Bands played on a makeshift stage built on the back of a truck and only 10,000
people turned up. The following year, organisers persuaded the legendary Bob Dylan and other
famous artists like The Beatles, Elton John and Pink Floyd to appear. 150,000 people gathered in
Newport to attend Dylan’s performance. 1970 was a musical extravaganza lasting five days, with
an audience of 600,000 people. Unfortunately, things got out of hand as fans pushed their way in
without tickets, fights broke out and chaos followed. Banned by act of Parliament, there were no
more festivals until 2002, when the Isle of Wight Festival was revived.
The three-day rock festival is now held every year and has hosted R.E.M., David Bowie, Bryan
Adams and an impressive line-up of European DJs. Virgin Radio, the official festival station,
reports live from the event for the entire weekend. A host of attractions are on offer for those who
want more than the music. Bars and stalls in the grounds tempt hungry festival-goers with local
and ethnic dishes. Fans can dance the night away in custom-built discos with fantastic lighting
effects, video screens and cool decor. For a slice of Indian culture, visitors head for the Bollywood
bar – a large lounge-disco with exotic cocktails and soundtracks from the best Indian DJs. A new
attraction is the White Air Extreme Village, where the world’s best free-sport riders demonstrate
mountain-boarding, skateboarding and BMX riding. Visitors are invited to take a risk and try these
exciting sports.

Article B

The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Arts

Glastonbury, in Somerset, is the venue for the largest open-air music and performing arts festival in
the world. Spread over a huge site, the festival offers a wide variety of performing arenas and
camping facilities for the estimated 150,000 visitors. Lasting three days, the festival is an
expression of youth culture in all its diversity, with entertainment to suit all tastes, from pop,
dance, jazz and folk music, fringe theatre, circus acts, poetry and fine arts.
The festival first opened at Worthy Farm the day after rock star Jimi Hendrix died in 1970. The
event was attended by 1,500 people, who were given free milk from the farm when they bought a
ticket. Over the years, the festival has grown, reaching an attendance of 70,000 spectators at its
20th anniversary. However, that festival was spoiled by looters who were caught stealing as
visitors were leaving. Police arrived and after 235 arrests and £50,000 worth of damage to
property, the festival was cancelled the following year. Today, tickets sell out within 24 hours.
Glastonbury Festival welcomes young and old alike. Children under 12 are admitted free with
adult ticket-holders. Kidz Field is an area set aside for families. Children join in the festivities with
clowns, puppets, circus acts and storytellers – a children’s festival within a festival. Glastonbury is
also a “green” festival, donating a large percentage of its profits to charities such as Greenpeace
and Oxfam. Large areas are allocated for alternative medicine and displays of environmentally
friendly technology. Marketplaces display a huge range of products and handicrafts from high-
quality prepared foods to hand-made clothes and jewellery. Glastonbury is more than just a festival
– it’s an unforgettable artistic experience.

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 LONDON TESTS OF ENGLISH (Edexcel)
PRACTICE TEST
Task Three (a)
Name: ..................................................................

Information Sheet 1 for task three (a)

Article C

The Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (HCMF)

Despite strong competition, HCMF is not only surviving, but thriving. This successful festival is held in
autumn, in Huddersfield, a town with 1,660 historic buildings located near the magnificent Pennine
mountain range. HCMF presents 50 events over 10 days, offering a platform for the most up-to-date, and
often unusual, performances of classical music by orchestras, choirs and guitarists. Since 1980, HCMF
has built an excellent reputation, attracting composers of international status from Europe to Japan who
would otherwise rarely appear in Britain.
In the middle of Huddersfield, a large tent, appropriately named “The Hub”, is erected, providing the
main focus of the festival. Here audiences can mingle with performers, composers and publishers to chat,
eat and browse the comprehensive music store. The fully stocked catering facility and bar make this the
heart of the festival. The Hub Shorts, a series of informal performances and talks by up-and-coming
musicians, take place before lunch, and add an enjoyable dimension to morning coffee.
HCMF is more than just a music festival. The Open Studio Trail, started in 2004, has been an outstanding
success, offering a unique opportunity to observe 30 local artists in their studios. Over three days, the
public can watch jewellers, painters, sculptors, fashion designers and textile artists at work. All studios are
close to the town centre, so it is possible to walk the trail, though a shuttle service is also available.
As festivals go, HCMF can’t compete with others for numbers: about 8,000 people purchase tickets, while
another 9,000 attend free events. Free access is also granted to volunteers who work as managers for each
event. They gain valuable experience – a useful addition to any CV. Music students of limited means may
apply for aid to cover the cost of attendance. The festival attracts more listeners than participants, as it is
broadcast locally to an estimated audience of 90,000.

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 LONDON TESTS OF ENGLISH (Edexcel)
PRACTICE TEST
Task Three (a)
Name: ..................................................................

3. Task Three: UK Music Festivals

Task Three (a): Reading
During your research, you find more information about music festivals in the UK. Read the texts on the Leave
Information Sheet 1 for Task Three (a) and complete the task below. blank
Which text contains the information below? Put a cross ( ) in the appropriate box(es) next to each piece of
information to indicate text A, B or C. Some pieces of information are in two or all the texts.
The first one is an example.

A B C

Example: Duration of the festival

1. Other contemporary art forms

2. Employment opportunities

3. An adrenalin rush

4. Illegal activities

5. Media coverage

6. Festival objectives

7. Financial support

8. Ecological concerns

9. Types of participants

10. Multi-cultural aspects

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 LONDON TESTS OF ENGLISH (Edexcel)
PRACTICE TEST
Task Three (b)
Name: ..................................................................

Information Sheet 2 for Task Three (b)

R.E.M.
Sunday, 12th June at 10.30 pm
Lead singer Michael Stipe with his trademark mask of blue make-up will head the band
with his flamboyant showmanship in this much-demanded return visit to the festival.
R.E.M. is a sought-after rock band of long standing. Doing the rounds since the early
1980s, R.E.M. has travelled the world many times and produced hits like I Took Your
Name, Kenneth and The One I Love. At this concert, they will reminisce with classics
like Orange Crush and Nightswimming. Fans will be invited to sing along with old
favourites like Everybody Hurts. A night not to be missed! A huge fireworks display will
mark the end of the band’s set and signal the finale of the festival.

BOOKING AND TRAVEL INFORMATION

BOOKING THROUGH THE INTERNET TRAVEL TO THE ISLAND
You can buy tickets online from one of the By train
following websites:
• South West trains to Portsmouth Harbour – only
• www.ticketzone.co.uk
a few minutes’ walk from Wightlink FastCat
• www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Service
Tickets available • Southampton Central Station – a short ride
Prices do not include booking fees. on the festival bus to Red Funnel’s Red Jet
One-day ticket – £35.00 for any day Service
Weekend three-day ticket – £75.00 By ferry
Weekend & Camping – £90.00 • Wightlink FastCat Service – a 15-minute journey
Children under 12 get a 50% reduction from Portsmouth Harbour
on all tickets. www.wightlink.co.uk
Tel: 0870-5827744
NOTE: The only way to book camping is
• Red Funnel’s Red jet Service – a 20-minute
by purchasing a Weekend & Camping
journey from Southampton connecting with
ticket for £90.00.
festival buses
www.redfunnel.co.uk
Tel: 0870-4448898

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 LONDON TESTS OF ENGLISH (Edexcel)
PRACTICE TEST
Task Three (b)
Name: ..................................................................

Task Three (b): Writing a Letter

You are interested in attending the Isle of Wight Festival and the concert with R.E.M. Leave
Using the information on the Information Sheet 1 for Task Three (a) and Information Sheet 2 for blank
Task Three (b), write a letter to a friend in England inviting him / her to attend the festival with you.
In your letter, you must include all the following points:
• invite your friend to the festival, including the R.E.M. concert
• briefly describe the festival
• recommend other events or activities at the festival that you might enjoy
• ask him / her to buy the tickets – give details
• suggest where you might meet and how to get there
Do not copy exact phrases from this or other parts of the test.

Write 120-150 words.

Hi ...............................................................................................................................................................
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 LONDON TESTS OF ENGLISH (Edexcel)
PRACTICE TEST
Task Four (a)
Name: ..................................................................

INFORMATION SHEET 3 FOR TASK FOUR

MUSIC OF THE HEART

The story of Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras, a music teacher who fought to teach music to disadvantaged inner-city
children, really plucks at the heartstrings and inspires a generation of educators and musicians.

1. Children in an East Harlem elementary school line up in front of their teacher, holding their violins under
their chins and trying not to squirm while they arch their arms shakily over the strings. They are waiting for the
sign to commence playing. Eventually, notes rise, echoing off the bare cement walls.
“Stop!” screams Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras. “What’s wrong?”
“Somebody’s off,” says a small voice.
“More than somebody’s off,” responds Guaspari.
With their eyes trained on their teacher as she bangs out the rhythm with her foot, the children once again pick
up the chords of the national anthem they will perform at the New York Knicks’ basketball game in Madison
Square Garden the following day. With stops and starts, the lesson continues, as Guaspari corrects their posture
and polishes their technique.

2. Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras has been teaching violin to underprivileged children in East Harlem for over 20
years. She believes that early musical instruction enhances academic achievement. Mastering the violin gives
children a taste of success, builds their confidence and teaches them self-restraint and perseverance. “If they
develop self-discipline, they won’t give up on other things,” she says. For Guaspari, music is an investment in
the future. When he heard about the programme, world-renowned violinist Isaac Stern agreed. “The greatest
wealth this country has is not the free market, it’s the free kids. This is our real wealth, our future. We should
know how to invest in it wisely.”

3. Roberta Guaspari grew up near New York, the daughter of a factory worker who was killed in an industrial
accident. Her mother raised the family single-handed. For Roberta, who loved music, the public school system
provided the only means of getting violin lessons. Later, as a music graduate and divorced mother with two
young sons, Roberta moved to East Harlem and found herself unemployed with limited skills. She was
persuaded to teach violin in three local elementary schools to children who would otherwise never have been
exposed to such enrichment. The resulting strings programme flourished until 1991, when her position was
eliminated as a result of budget cuts.

4. Refusing to take this blow lying down, Guaspari rallied support to keep the programme alive and founded
the Opus 118 Music Centre – a non-profit organisation dedicated to bringing music to disadvantaged children.
Today, being accepted into the programme is a burning ambition for local children and they anxiously wait to
hear their names among the 165 youngsters who are chosen by lottery every year. Instruments and lessons are
funded by Opus 118, on condition that these budding musicians make the maximum commitment to their music.

5. When Guaspari first started the programme, she lacked teaching experience and had little idea how to cope
with mainly black and Latino pupils who were so disorderly that they used their bows to sword fight and their
violin cases as machine guns. Working at three different locations, she personally transported the violins and
music from place to place, collecting parking tickets on the way. Teachers and school administrators were
doubtful about the value of her work. Some even resented it. Some parents also put up resistance, wondering
why their kids had to learn the music of “dead white men”.

6. Ironically, when her position was abruptly terminated, backing came from an unexpected source – the same
parents, teachers and administrators. They were joined by prominent artists and musicians. Articles in the
national press aroused the attention of the general public, and following a performance on TV, master violinist
Itzhak Perlman agreed to attend her school’s concert, where he made a public plea to authorities to extend her
funding. Two years later, he appeared with leading musicians Quincy Jones, Mark O’Connor and Arnold
Steinhardt in the first Fiddlefest – a benefit concert in Carnegie Hall which included young Opus 118 pupils,
most of whom were not yet five feet tall.

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 LONDON TESTS OF ENGLISH (Edexcel)
PRACTICE TEST
Task Four (a)
Name: ..................................................................

INFORMATION SHEET 3 FOR TASK FOUR

7. Since then, Opus 118 violinists have played in Fiddlefests, on radio and on television. The success of
Guaspari’s programme can be gauged by the tremendous public response when, in 1995, the Opus 118
storeroom was flooded during a heavy storm and all the instruments were lost. The Fiddle Rescue Mission raised
$75,000 to purchase new violins and more than 150 were donated to ensure that the children would not be
deprived of a musical education.

8. Guaspari’s story inspired the film Music of the Heart, starring Meryl Streep, which captures the
extraordinary commitment of this remarkable teacher. Yet, it is the documentary Small Wonders which is used in
teachers’ graduate courses to show how dedication can accomplish goals. Guaspari’s determination, belief in her
pupils and the power of music win the day. For her, music “empowers children with the ability to make
something beautiful that allows them to believe in themselves and know they’re special”.

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 LONDON TESTS OF ENGLISH (Edexcel)
PRACTICE TEST
Task Four (a)
Name: ..................................................................

4. Task Four: Music of the Heart

During your research, you see a film about a famous violin teacher, which encourages you to find out Leave
more about her life. Read the article on the Information Sheet 3 for Task Four and complete the tasks blank
in sections a, b and c.

Task Four (a)

Choose the best title for each of the numbered paragraphs in the text. Write the appropriate number in
the box next to the paragraph title.
The first one is an example.
Be careful! There are more titles than you need. Do not use a number more than once.

Paragraph Title Paragraph Number

Example: The education system is the key 3

Making strict demands

A permanent obstacle

The luck of the draw

Flood of support

Against all odds

Star of the silver screen?

More than just music

Crossing cultural barriers

Friends in high places

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 LONDON TESTS OF ENGLISH (Edexcel)
PRACTICE TEST
Task Four (b)
Name: ..................................................................

Task Four (b)

Read the questions below and put a cross ( ) in the box next to the best answer. Leave
blank
1. What happened to Guaspari’s elementary school strings programme?
(a) It became part of the regular school curriculum.
(b) It was closed down due to lack of funds.
(c) It was moved to a new centre outside Harlem.

2. What is the children’s reaction to the Opus 118 programme?

(a) They are worried about the requirements of the course.
(b) They often behave badly during the music lessons.
(c) They desperately want the chance to learn violin.

3. According to the article, why did parents oppose the musical programme?
(a) They disliked her rigid discipline and teaching methods.
(b) They could not afford the instruments or lessons.
(c) They felt European classical music was inappropriate.

4. What was the purpose of the Fiddlefest concerts?

(a) to generate funds for the Opus 118 programme
(b) to give the young musicians media exposure
(c) to show parents their children’s progress

5. According to Guaspari, why is a musical education so important?

(a) Classical music is an important part of culture.
(b) The effort of learning a musical instrument builds character.
(c) The public school system doesn’t provide enough music.

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 LONDON TESTS OF ENGLISH (Edexcel)
PRACTICE TEST
Task Four (c)
Name: ..................................................................

Task Four (c)

Find the word or phrase (A-L) below that has the same meaning for each word (1-9) below as Leave
used in the text. Words (1-9) are highlighted in the text. blank
The first one (move around) is an example.
Put a cross ( ) in the appropriate box. Be careful, there are more words or phrases than you need.
Do not put a cross ( ) under a letter more than once.
A without help G opposition
B appeal H made a profit
C move around I vision
D setback J was successful
E measured K continue with
F learn L determination

WORDS AND PHRASES A B C D E F G H I J K L

1. squirm x
(paragraph 1)
2. pick up
(paragraph 1)
3. perseverance
(paragraph 2)
4. single-handed
(paragraph 3)
5. flourished
(paragraph 3)
6. blow
(paragraph 4)
7. resistance
(paragraph 5)
8. plea
(paragraph 6)
9. gauged
(paragraph 7)

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 LONDON TESTS OF ENGLISH (Edexcel)
PRACTICE TEST
Task Five
Name: ..................................................................

5. Task Five: Writing about Music

At the end of your project, your teacher asks you to complete a piece of writing about music. Leave
Choose ONE of the following topics. blank

Either:
A Famous musicians should use their talent and celebrity status to help raise money for humanitarian causes.
Do you agree with this statement?
Your discussion must include the following points:
• a short introduction
• your opinion and reasons to support it
• examples
• conclusion
You may refer to information and ideas from other parts of the test but do not copy exact phrases.
Or:
B Here are the opening lines of a story:
The chances of being discovered as a musician were so remote as to be almost impossible. Yet there
I was, playing with my band in a local coffee bar and sitting right opposite me was one of the most famous
musicians around ... He wasn’t just listening, he was smiling and really enjoying the music ... .
Continue the story. Your story should include a description of:
• the music you played
• his reaction and how you felt
• what happened next
You may refer to information and ideas from other parts of the test but do not copy exact phrases.
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to the task you have chosen. A B Write 140-170 words.
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THAT IS THE END OF THE TEST

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