Ready for Advanced

Progress Test 7

Ready for Advanced

Reading and Use of English

Part 2 Open cloze
For questions 1–8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only
one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

Example: 0 COME

An expensive nap

It was every bank manager’s nightmare (0) ________ true: a German bank employee fell asleep at his
computer terminal while making (1) ________ was supposed to be a minor money transfer and
inadvertently drained €222m from an account (2) ________ even realizing it.

The hapless employee appeared (3) ________ members of an industrial tribunal today to explain his
actions. He told the tribunal that he had intended to transfer a small quantity
of money from an account but ‘momentarily fell asleep’ and ended (4) ________ transferring
€222,222,222.22.

He said the error occurred because he dozed (5) ________ with his finger on the ‘2’ key of his computer
keyboard. Not (6) ________ a few hours later was the mistake spotted and rectified by bank staff.

A colleague responsible for overseeing the bank’s outgoing payments was subsequently sacked for
allowing the error to slip (7) ________ the net unnoticed. Yesterday’s case was brought because she
claimed that she had (8) ________ unfairly dismissed. The tribunal found in her favour and said she
should be reinstated. The employee who fell asleep was merely admonished.

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Reading and Use of English

Part 4 Key word transformations
For questions 1–6 complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three
and six words, including the word given. Here is an example (0).

0 If we get to the hotel before lunch, that will be great.

SO
If we get to the hotel before lunch, ______________________ better.

The gap can be filled with the words ‘so much the’, so you write:
Example: 0 SO MUCH THE

1 A bogus insurance salesman persuaded the elderly lady to pay him a large sum of
money.
TAKEN
The elderly lady ______________________ a bogus insurance salesman and ended up
losing a large sum of money.

2 What he told us was a complete pack of lies.

GRAIN
I don’t think ______________________ in what he told us.

3 The Italian restaurant is way cheaper than the French one.

NOWHERE
The Italian restaurant ______________________ the French one.

4 When we saw lights flickering in the distance we were extremely relieved.

SENSE
We ______________________ when we saw lights flickering in the distance.

5 I haven’t been eating properly this week.

SQUARE
I haven’t ______________________ all week.

6 We didn’t have to pay anything to enter the museum.

FEE
The museum ______________________ charge.

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Reading and Use of English

Part 8 Multiple matching
You are going to read a newspaper article about working abroad. For questions
1–10 choose from the sections (A–D). The sections may be chosen more than once.
In which section are the following mentioned?
how being conscious of the outside world can spur on important decision-making

the fact that young people’s first jobs after university can present some difficult
and unexpected challenges

the belief that living in a new environment results in a wish to embrace cultural
differences

a series of mishaps that caused the writer to question an earlier decision

the fact that others might have a misconception of the experience

some experiences being unpleasant but later turning into a source of entertainment
the necessity to stand out if one wishes to be offered a job

the need for an element of bravery when starting out abroad

a complaint about young people’s lack of practical knowledge of the working world

a sense of purpose upon return to university

Pack your suitcase for a year working abroad

A
One month into my year interning abroad, I was sitting in a police station giving a statement in broken French, and wondering if
this was what my tutors had in mind when they told me I would gain ‘life experience’. Having €300 stolen was the latest in a
steady stream of events that had already tempted me to give up, go home, and console myself with the fact that I tried.
Fast-forward nine months and I not only know that I made the right choice staying, but that working abroad gives the
unique opportunity to educate students in how to deal with the real world. One of employers’ main gripes about the youth of
today is that they have insufficient insight into life in the workplace, so it makes sense to seek such experience now.
University might offer the chance to learn about and debate things that other people have accomplished, but a year spent
working away from this relative safety net allows students to realize their own ambitions. The artificial bubble of campus life bursts
onto the big wide world of work.
B
After three years of studying, exams and socializing with a set of people not too dissimilar from themselves, students are often
stuck struggling for direction or purpose and left simply wondering what’s next. Working abroad teaches us to view education
as ever-evolving; learning is not confined to the constructed setting of lecture halls and seminar rooms, but rather can be
continued throughout our lives, making us adaptable and responsive to new situations as a result.
A placement abroad prepares for this tough jolt into the unknown world of work in a way that no amount of essays or
assessments can ever do. Living in another country and culture ensures situations and challenges on a daily basis that are testing
but ultimately offer the rewards of independence, self-assurance and motivation.
My own experiences taught me to view each (mis)adventure as a learning curve and approach problems with a level head,
good judgement and healthy dose of humour. Sure, the initial sense of being lost both literally and linguistically may not have
been laugh-a-minute at the time, but every situation led to a solution or encounter with interesting, vibrant new people and a fair
few stories to recount back at home.

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C
Being planted into an unfamiliar setting nurtures openness, empathy and a deep-rooted understanding of other ethnic groups.
More importantly, it stimulates a desire to celebrate this. Of course, choosing to work abroad isn’t an easy decision. It takes guts
and an effort to plunge in head first. Even then, there may be a significant gap between the reality of your life and how friends
at home perceive it. Their visions of interning in Paris around a romantic hub of activity and culture might be half-true, but this
misses out the less glamorous side of shocking levels of homelessness and realizing that not everyone is in a position to find a
‘quick-fix’ solution to their problems.
While the same difficulties, are of course, to be found in England, they are somewhat shielded by the security of campus life.
It’s easy to become caught up in the quotidian activities of student life.
D
Moving to a foreign work environment allows perspective, putting studying into context. With this awareness of wider world
issues comes a certain level of maturity which can prompt students to make choices about their own life paths. The struggle for
a graduate job in today’s climate is part fight, part intricate dance to showcase and prove your own skills and achievements
against a background of hundreds of capable candidates. A year abroad not only highlights a students’ skills but shows
employers that they have used them in a transferable context, again and again. Moreover, the taste of work afforded ensures a
real motivation to do well and a sense of direction once back in quotidian student life.
Working abroad offers the chance to become well-rounded and reflect on your own career aspirations. Interns are three
times more likely to find a graduate job, according to a recent survey. In addition to increased employment prospects, the year
abroad is an incredible experience of meeting new people, seeing new places and trying new things. Students can expect
unexpected but valuable adventures ahead – and yes, giving police statements in another language is included!

Listening
Part 3 Multiple choice
You will hear a consumer rights consultant being interviewed on a local radio station about
door-to-door calls. For questions 1–6, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best
according to what you hear.
1 According to Sarah, one technique rogue traders use is
A to withhold crucial information from potential clients.
B to confuse potential clients with lots of small details.
C to distract potential clients as they read the contracts.
D to research potential clients before choosing them.
2 What does Sarah say about the official from the electricity company?
A He was using forged identification papers.
B He had always intended to burgle the house.
C He was suitably punished for his actions.
D He sued the lady for personal injury.
3 Sarah says that when dealing with service personnel, you should
A ask them for an updated version of your bill.
B ensure you receive a receipt after payment.
C be careful if they offer you a price reduction.
D call the company to check the charges are correct.
4 According to Sarah, a fraudulent gang of builders
A are soon to be taken to court.

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B were responsible for injuring a child.

C managed to avoid being caught.
D deliberately damaged some pipes and caused a flood.
5 When a gentleman’s credit card details were abused,
A the building firm refused to assist in an investigation.
B the man who had used the credit card repaid the money in full.
C the credit card company took legal action against the building firm.
D the man secured a complete refund through other means.
6 Sarah says that when you receive a door- to-door call you should always
A insist that they call back at another time.
B be polite even if you are suspicious.
C ask someone else to read any documents.
D be cautious if they are being overly insistent.

Vocabulary
For sentences 1–15 underline the correct alternative.
1 Taking out a short-term loan is a greatly/fully/perfectly feasible solution to the
company’s cash flow problems.

2 I was utterly/fully/partially appalled by the students’ total lack of respect.

3 I thought my daughter’s outfit was quite/wholly/deeply ridiculous.

4 Could I have a sip of your water just to mitigate/quench/gratify my thirst?

5 Don’t gulp/choke/devour down your food like that, you’ll get indigestion.

6 John must have hollow legs, because however much I give him it never seems to
fill/appease/satisfy his appetite.

7 My mother-in-law brought a bunch/group/bouquet of grapes to the hospital and then

proceeded to eat the whole lot herself.

8 We got held up because there was a throng/swarm/flock of sheep being herded along
the country lane.

9 When the survivors heard a helicopter in the distance they felt a ray/shaft/blink of
hope.

10 The kids watched the magician as he performed some remarkable tricks with the
pack/kit/gang of cards.

11 Unfortunately, bullying at the school has become a/an matter/affair/proceeding of

concern.

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12 Watching the birds building their nest proved to be a great source/basis/foundation

of entertainment.

Writing
Part 2 Informal Letter
A friend of yours is about to leave home to start a university degree. They have written to you
expressing some anxiety about how to manage their finances. You had some financial problems
last year, but have now learnt how to live on a tight budget. Write a letter giving advice on the
different ways they can manage their money and reassuring them of their ability to survive
financially.

Write your letter in 220–260 words.

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