Institut National des Langues

English Test
CEF B1.2

Your name:  ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 

Class: E.................................................

Date: ..................................................................................................................................

READING /25

LISTENING /25

WRITING /25

SPEAKING /25

TOTAL /100

1
 READING (___ /25M)
PART 1: (13 Marks) ___ /13
Read the article and tick (√) A, B, or C
We all know that men and women have their Example: The writer says that everyone has noticed
differences. But do they really think differently? the differences between men and women.
Some people might argue that they don't, but I
disagree. In my opinion, men and women still A True B False  C Doesn't say 
behave in the same way that they were designed
two centuries ago. We have different interests, 1. According to the author, men and women think
different ways of speaking, of showing how we differently.
feel, and of coping with stressful situations. A True  B False  C Doesn't say 
In today's society, where the sexes are considered 2. The writer thinks that men and women haven't
to be equal, we sometimes forget how different changed the way they behave over time.
we are. This can have a negative effect on our A True  B False  C Doesn't say 
relationships. We often become angry or 3. Men and women don't always remember how
frustrated with the opposite sex because we different they are.
expect them to behave and communicate like we A True  B False  C Doesn't say 
do.
4. Men are better at reading because they can
So why does a man behave as he does? There is concentrate on one thing.
evidence to suggest that men were programmed A True  B False  C Doesn't say 
with the instinct to hunt silently for animals. They
had to be able to focus their attention on one 5. Men were originally designed to go out and hunt
for food.
thing. This might explain why it's so difficult to
A True  B False  C Doesn't say 
have a conversation with a man when he's
watching TV! And also why he's so good at 6. Men are naturally more aggressive than women.
reading maps and giving directions. A True  B False  C Doesn't say 
Why does a woman act the way she does? Women 7. The writer thinks it's easy to communicate with
are usually very good at multi-tasking (doing men when they're watching television.
more than one job at once), but often find it A True  B False  C Doesn't say 
harder than men to concentrate fully on one thing. 8. Men’s brains are usually larger than women’s.
In the past, women would have worked in groups, A True  B False  C Doesn't say 
which required a lot of communication, so they're
9. Women are generally good at doing one thing at a
generally more talkative and sensitive to other time.
people's feelings. A woman can return from a A True  B False  C Doesn't say 
party knowing everything about everyone, but a
man will probably have discussed less personal 10. Men usually talk less at parties than women.
A True  B False  C Doesn't say 
topics like football.
Research has shown that men and women use 11. Women are usually better at making people feel
different parts of their brains for language. better when they’re upset.
Women usually score higher in writing tests, Men A True  B False  C Doesn't say 
are seven times more likely to score in the top 5% 12. Research shows that men aren’t better at
in scientific exams. They're often talented at scientific subjects than women.
problem-solving and making quick decisions, A True  B False  C Doesn't say 
whilst women are good at organization, 13. The writer thinks that men and women can do the
comforting, and giving advice. same things despite some differences.
Of course, women still do dangerous sports, and A True  B False  C Doesn't say 
men can multi-task without any problem after a
strong cup of coffee! I'm not saying that women
and men are not equal; it's just that there are some
natural differences - and that's fantastic! We
should appreciate and accept them as being what
makes us special.
2
READING PART 2: (12 Marks) ___ /12
Read the article and tick (√) A, B, or C
30 days on the minimum wage Example: Morgan Spurlock wanted to discover ______
A how life changes in 30 days 
Could you change your life in just 30 days? That's B if you could change your life in 30 days 
the question documentary maker Morgan Spurlock
asked when he filmed his new Channel 4 TV series, C if he could live on the minimum wage
30 Days. Martin Grady reviews the first programme 1. 30 days on the Minimum Wage is ______
of the series ‘30 Days on the Minimum Wage*’. A a TV series 
B a TV documentary 
Spurlock, who is most famous for Supersize Me, his
C a review 
film about the dangers of eating junk food, became
frustrated that few people know about poverty in 2. Supersize Me was about ______
America. He and his fiancée Alex decided to film A how eating too much junk food can be bad
an experiment - they'd give up their jobs for a for you 
B poverty in the USA 
month and try to live on the minimum wage. The
C a review 
resulting documentary, which was filmed reality-
show-style using a handheld camera, contains a 3. Morgan Spurlock is ______
powerful social message about the growing gap A single  B married  C engaged 
between rich and poor in the USA. 4. The experiment was to discover if Morgan and Alex
could ______
The couple travel to Columbus, Ohio, one of the
A give up their jobs 
poorest cities in the USA. The only apartment that B make a film together 
they can afford to rent is filthy, in a dangerous area, C get by on very little money 
and has no heating or furniture. Alex begins
working as a dishwasher, whilst Morgan does 5. Columbus, Ohio is ______
A very dangerous  B a very poor city in the USA 
building work with no safety equipment. Neither of
C one of the poorest states in the USA 
them earns more than the minimum wage.
6. Morgan and Alex rent their apartment because ______
It's difficult to watch Morgan and Alex struggling in A it’s the only one they can find 
such terrible conditions. A charity gives them some B it’s cheap 
furniture for free, but they have to live without C it’s in Columbus 
heating, TV and telephone. They're exhausted and 7. Morgan and Alex ______ $5.15 per hour.
freezing all the time and begin to argue about A both earn more than 
money. The couple interview people in the same B try to earn at least 
situation and listen to their stories. It's difficult to C don’t earn more than 
imagine, but these people have lived on minimum
8. The couple have to live with ______
wage for decades and many have children.
A no furniture 
When Alex becomes ill and Morgan badly injures B no central heating 
his wrist, they go to a free clinic for the poor, but C very little food 
can't see a doctor because of long queues. People 9. During the experiment Morgan and Alex ______
there say that without free medical care they'd die. A get on well  B argue all the time 
C sometimes disagree about money 
After thirty days, the experiment has failed. They
have spent over $1,000 more than they have earned. 10. The couple feel ______
The couple are shocked - they can go back to their A filthy  B extremely cold  C hungry 
comfortable life in New York, but what if they 11. Morgan and Alex can’t see the doctor because _____
couldn't? How would they continue to survive? A they didn’t apply for free medical care 
B there are too many people waiting 
*The minimum wage in the US today is $5.15 per
C the bills are too high 
hour
12. The experiment fails because they ______
A return to New York  B both get ill 
C couldn’t live on the minimum wage 

3
 LISTENING (___ /25M)
PART 1: (13 Marks) ___ /13
You are going to listen to a radio programme. The topic of the programme is Healthy Eating and the
presenter is interviewing an expert. Listen to the conversation. Read the questions carefully and circle 
one correct answer A, B or C.

1) What’s the name of the radio show? 7) Why is the government interested in nutrition?
A The Breakfast Show A Because health issues cost more
B The Big Breakfast Show B It wants people to live longer
C The Big Show C Because everyone should keep fit

2) Who’s the presenter? 8) What should you do to eat yourself to better health?
A Martin Mike A Eat organic food
B Michael Mike B Choose the right combination of food
C Mike Martin C Go on a diet

3) What’s the topic of today’s programme? 9) What are the advantages of stir-frying vegetables?
A How to live a better and healthier life A They taste good
B How to lose weight B It’s quick and more nutritious
C How to improve your cooking C They keep their colour

4) What’s the name of the nutritionist? 10) What are the healthiest snacks?
A Tara Sonnington A Organic biscuits
B Sonia Barrington B Rice crackers
C Sonia Tarrington C Fruit and health bars

5) What exactly is a nutritionist? 11) What are the advantages of eating fish?
A A food scientist A Lots of protein and vitamins
B A person who eats well B Easy to digest and nutritious
C A person who experiments with food C It’s good for your brain

6) Name two health problems caused by unhealthy 13) What are the benefits of healthy eating?
eating. A Longevity
A Diabetes and obesity B Better vision
B Obesity and heart disease C Improved concentration
C Heart disease and stroke
12) Research has shown that eating more food and
vegetables decreases your risk of cancer by
A 15%
B 20%
C 25%

4
LISTENING PART 2 (6 Marks) ___ /6
You will hear a conversation between a teenage boy, Josh, and his friend Lucy about learning to drive.
Decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect. If it is correct, tick (√) the box under YES. If it is not correct,
tick (√) the box under NO.
YES NO

1. Josh thinks that parking is the hardest thing to learn.  

2. Lucy thinks that she is too young to learn to drive.  

3. Josh’s parents are happy to give him lifts.  

4. Josh is confident that he will pass his driving test soon.  

5. Josh’s parents have offered to buy him a car.  

6. Josh and Lucy agree that driving to college would be expensive.  

LISTENING PART 3 (6 Marks) ___ /6

You will hear someone talking on the radio about Brandon Forest Park.
For each question, fill in the missing information in the numbered space.

Brandon Forest Park

Forest shop and café

The shop sells:
 _____________________________________(1)
 gifts
 souvenirs

Snacks and drinks available in café

Day café closed:______________________________________(2)

Picnic areas
Picnic tables are next to park____________________________________(3)
Bicycle hire
Cost of half-day hire: £_______________________________________(4)
Summer events
This year’s events include:
 cycle race
 ______________________________________(5)
Getting to the park
By road – car park free
Bus from city centre leaves regularly from:
 station
 _____________________________________ (6)

5
6
 WRITING (___ /25M)
___ /25
Choose ONE of these tasks:
1. You have just moved house in Luxembourg. Send an email to a close friend in your country and tell
him or her about your new home, public transport, shopping, entertainment and sports facilities in
the area. Say what you like and dislike about your new home and compare it to your former home.
Invite your friend for a short visit and suggest a few things to do while he or she is in Luxembourg.
OR
2. You have a new job and you are very unhappy about the working conditions (working hours, travel
abroad, office equipment), but the pay is good and you like your colleagues. Send an email to a close
friend and tell him or her about your situation. Ask for advice and tell your friend about your future
plans.
Write 150 - 180 words

_________________________________________________________________________

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