Initial Test

A. Choose the correct alternative in each sentence: (5 x 4p = 20p)

a) A healthy diet means giving up/taking up red meat, sugar and fats.
b) Both the driver and the passengers should/must wear a seat belt in a moving car.
c) They wanted to know if I will/would be there on time.
d) The first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was/has been published by
Bloomsbury in 1997.
e) Seeing progress improves motivation, which/that is an essential aspect.

B) Read the text below to decide if each of the following sentences is correct (A) or incorrect (B). 6 x 2.5p
= 15p
It's a lazy Saturday afternoon and you're bored. Or maybe your kids are bored. Why not go on a
treasure hunt? A hobby that many families are taking up these days is something known as
letterboxing. 
Letterboxing gives you the opportunity to go on a treasure hunt, no matter where you are. With
thousands of boxes hidden all over, you're bound to find a treasure hunt waiting no matter where your
travels may take you. 
The premise is simple: letterboxers all over the globe will hide what's known as a letterbox in an
outdoor public location a park, a hiking trail, etc. In this box there will be a small notebook and a
rubber stamp. The letterboxer will then write directions to the box in such a way that finding the box
will be like a treasure hunt and make those directions available to other letterboxers. 
As a letterboxer, you will also purchase a small notebook and rubber stamp that you carry along
with you. Your notebook acts as a type of passport, and your rubber stamp represents a symbol of you.
When you find a letterbox, you use the stamp found in the letterbox to mark in your “passport" your
trip, then use your stamp to mark in the notebook in letterbox that you were there. You then replace the
letterbox where you found it for the next treasure seeker.
1. Letterboxing is very popular with families. 4. Everyone has access to directions that lead to a letterbox.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say
2. You can find letterboxes only in the US. 5. All letterboxers need a badge and an ID number.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say 
3. A letterbox contains personal letters. 6. Letterboxing sounds like an expensive hobby.
A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say A. Right B. Wrong C. Doesn’t say

C) 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 two and five words, including
the word given.4 x 4.5p = 18p
1 My sister is too short to be a fashion model.
(NOT) My sister ........................................................................... to be a fashion model.
2 Ann was the only one who didn’t enjoy the performance.
(APART) Everyone ...................................................................................................... Ann.
3. These two paintings look exactly the same to me.
(TELL) I .............................................................................. between these two paintings.
4. It wasn’t fair to punish him.
(DESERVE) He ......................................................................................................... punished.
D) Use the correct tense of the verb in brackets. 6 x 2.5p = 15p
a) If he had heard my warning, he (not fall) ………………………………..into the precipice.
b) No sooner had we paid the bill than the service (be)…………………………. reconnected.
c) The postman said my dog (attack)……………………………..… him three times before.
d) If I (not help)……………………………………… my nephew, he would fail all his tests.
e) Will you send me a text message when you (get)………………..…………………. home?
f) It (rain)………………………………………………………heavily for the past 2 hours.
E) You have received an email from an English-speaking penfriend. Write a reply in 80-100
words, using an informal style, an opening and a closing formula and making sure you
complete the 3 sub-tasks: sharing the latest news, recommending a film and
accepting/refusing the invitation. (22p)

Hello, Sam!

How are you? I miss you and I’d love to get news from you all the time. Here, we’ve already
started school and right now I’m learning how to write a film review. In fact, my next
assignment is to write the review of a film I’ve recently watched and loved. Can you
recommend me something that I might love? Also, I almost forgot my reason for writing. Next
month, on October 10th, I’ll be 15 and my parents are organising an open air party for me.
Would you like to come? I’ll be really happy if you say YES!
Write to me soon and let me know your decision,
Sarah