ENGLISH TEST – YEAR 11 – OCTOBER 2015

ACTIVITY A ● LISTENING
A. Listen to the text and order the 7 steps. Write the sequence of numbers only. (12p)

1 – It’s a good idea to identify your real needs.

2 – Don’t try coming up with excuses for your spendings.

3 – There is no point in shopping if you end up regretting it.

4 – Try to do things that do not involve shopping.

5 – Do not shop if you are feeling down.

6 – Verify if you have things that you have never worn before.

7 – When in debt, try to control your spending habits.

B. Listen a second time and complete the gaps. Write the numbers and missing words only. (20p)

If you are one of the -1- million people that shop compulsively, consider the following steps:

Step 1 – You should definitely avoid going shopping after you have received your -2-.

Step 2 – Consider how shopping makes you feel. Do you experience a feeling of -3- after the initial -4-?

Step 3 – Check if the items you have at home are really things you -5- or just stuff you -6-.

Step 4 – Go through your -7-. Do your clothes still have the price -8-?

Step 5 – Don’t -9- from others the things you buy, nor -10- about how much money you waste.

Step 6 – Assess your -11-. See if you can -12- temptation when your credit cards are -13-.

Step 7 – Get help. Getting -14- is a great way for you to understand the problems behind your -15-.

ACTIVITY B ● LANGUAGE
Connect items in column A and C using the appropriate linking word from column B.
Do not use the linking words more than once. Two of them do not apply.
Write the sequence of numbers only. (30p)

COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C

(1) She is always buying stuff (7) although (15) something is done to control the habit.

(2) She has everything she needs; (8) whereas (16) you leave your credit card at home.
(9) as long as
(17) they pay little attention to what really
(3) Compulsive shopping can be a health
(10) despite matters.
risk
(4) Rational consumers buy what they (11) unless (18) being heavily in debt.
need,
(12) because
(19) compulsive shoppers buy to their
(5) People are too obsessed about getting
(13) however financial ruin.
material goods;
(6) You can control your shopping urges (14) therefore (20) she goes on buying new stuff.
ACTIVITY C ● VOCABULARY
Complete this text about compulsive shopping. Write the numbers and missing words only. (20p)
Circumstances had forced me to leave most of my -1- behind, and something magical happened. With less stuff, I
felt freer, more mobile, more -2-. I had long suspected there was an -3- component to all the stuff I had
accumulated over the course of my life. This experience of suddenly -4- stuff seemed to confirm my hypothesis
that we can become -5- to materialism. Millions of people are coming to the same conclusion: we are consuming
material goods too much and for the wrong reasons, not because we really need those items but because we’re
struggling to fill a -6-. We amass stuff to distract ourselves from -7-, unpleasant feelings. We are also consuming
for the wrong reasons when we buy something to give us -8-, in order to erase our feelings of -9-. We
overconsume to -10-, comfort ourselves, and numb ourselves.

void ● insecurity ● possessions ● painful ● escape ● addictive ● independent ● status ● addicted ● unloading

ACTIVITY D ● READING COMPREHENSION

Read the text below carefully.
SHOP ‘TIL YOU STOP
For an estimated 6% of Americans with compulsive buying tendencies, the holiday season is a tough
time of the year as attractive bargains egg people on to spend. It certainly brings up a lot of unfulfilled longing
for some people - and that's one reason why they shop, as a salve for disappointment.
While the stereotypical compulsive shopper is traditionally a woman in her 30s, over Black Friday
weekend, men outspent women $484 to $317, on average, according to the National Retail Federation. They
also spent an average of $200 online - twice as much as the average woman.
But when does "retail therapy" cross the line into compulsive shopping? Experts say purchasing turns
pathological when people continue to do it even though it causes massive credit card debt, spoiled relationships
or work problems.
Compulsive buying disorder is generally considered an impulse-control problem, like gambling or sex
addiction. Some sufferers describe feeling their hearts race, cheeks flush and abandoning all sense of caution
when they're stalking favorite items. But the thrill fades fast and is often followed by remorse, and then more
shopping to feel better again. Hiding bills and packages is often the next step.
Many compulsive shoppers also suffer from depression, anxiety or eating disorders. Compulsive
shoppers themselves often have a sense of what drives them. Some suffer from low self-esteem and think the
perfect dress or accessory will help overcome it.

A. Match the parts. Write the numbers and letters
1) The holidays are a tricky time for shopaholics
2) Shopping is seen as a way
3) Compulsive shopping becomes a disease
4) It is just as difficult to control
5) Some people are totally careless
6) Compulsive buyers believe that
only. (20p)
a) when it gets out of control.
b) when it comes to buying the things they love.
c) as other types of obsessive behaviour.
d) since they are encouraged to shop.
e) going shopping boosts their confidence.
f) to relieve frustrations.

B. In note form, write down: (24p)

1) how much women spend online on average during the holiday season.
2) the consequences of excessive spending on people’s lives.
3) how shopaholics deceive others about their purchases.
4) the causes of compulsive shopping.

C. Explain the following in your own words: (24p)

1) ...”men outspent women”… (2nd paragraph)
2) ...”retail therapy”… (3rd paragraph)
3) ...”the thrill fades fast and is often followed by remorse”… (4 th paragraph)

ACTIVITY E ● WRITING
Write an opinion essay on the following in about 200 words. (50p)
Shopping can be a great past-time and stress reliever; however it can also become a problem if not controlled.
Key
ACTIVITY A – can be downloaded here: http://filecloud.io/oc6ip3tk7

A. 5) 3) 1) 6) 2) 7) 4)

B. 1) 17 2) paycheck 3) guilt 4) rush 5) needed 6) wanted 7) closets 8) tags 9) hide 10) lie
11) willpower 12) resist 13) maxed out 14) therapy 15) compulsive spending

ACTIVITY B
(1) She is always buying stuff (10) despite (18) being heavily in debt.
(2)She has everything she needs; (13) however (20)she goes on buying new stuff.
(3)Compulsive shopping can be a health risk (11)unless (15)something is done to control the habit.
(4)Rational consumers buy what they need, (8)whereas (19)compulsive shoppers buy to their financial
ruin.
(5)People get so obsessed about getting material goods; (14)therefore (17)they pay little attention to
what really matters.
(6)You can control your shopping urges (9)as long as (16)you leave your credit card at home.

ACTIVITY C
-1- possessions -2- independent -3- addictive -4- unloading -5- addicted
-6- void -7-painful -8- status -9- insecurity -10- escape

ACTIVITY D
A.
1d) 2f) 3a) 4c) 5b) 6e)
B.
1) 100$ (dollars)
2) massive credit card debt, spoiled relationships, work problems
3) hiding bills and packages
4) disappointment, thrill/excitement, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, low self-esteem
C.
1) Men spent more money than women.
2) The act of buying  things for yourself in order to feel better when you are unhappy.
3) The (initial) excitement/joy/pleasure quickly passes/disappears and people feel guilty/regret it.