Units 7 & 8

Progress Test

4
Name:
Date:
Mark: / 80 marks

Reading
A Read the text about the importance of holidays.

Who needs a holiday?

You do! In 137 countries around the world, governments
have passed laws that guarantee employees annual leave
of three or four, or even more, weeks every year.
However, in some countries, such as the United States,
there is no such annual leave law. France and Finland
have the most time off – 30 days. 25 days leave is the
norm for quite a few countries, such as Austria, while
China and Canada only have ten days.
Nevertheless, many people don’t take holidays often
enough. Some never take them! Their workload is so huge
that they feel that they can’t take any time off. These
people are constantly trying to juggle their workload. Even
when they do take a holiday, they often take work with
them, so they’re still working. Even if they don’t take work
with them, they almost certainly check e-mails which means
they can’t completely forget about work and relax.
Doctors and medical researchers know that taking time off
is more than a good idea. A holiday may be just as
important to your physical health as taking medicine or
getting regular exercise. They say that an annual holiday
can cut the risk of heart attack in men by 30 percent and in
women by 50 percent. A holiday enables you to recharge
your batteries, to do things that you never have time
to do, to experience new things or even to just rest.
Time away from the job also helps your mental
health. Just being away helps relax the mind and
increase your level of happiness.
Another benefit of a holiday is that you return from it
better able to do your regular work, whatever that may
be. A recent study by C. Fritz and S. Sonnentag showed
that holidays increase your energy level so that you
need
less effort to get work done when you return. Many
people have said that their ability to accomplish
meaningful work is far greater after a holiday; they feel
totally energised. So maybe it’s time to start thinking
about taking a real holiday. There may even be some
benefit in dreaming about it, even if you can’t actually
do it.

B Complete the Exam Task.

Exam Task
Read the text and the questions below. For each question, choose the correct letter a, b, c or d.
1 In which country do workers have the most time off? c Canada
a the USA d Finland
b Austria

Copyright © National Geographic Learning. Close-up B1 Second Edition

Permission granted to photocopy for classroom Progress Test
use. 4
 2 In paragraph 2, what does the word they refer to? b people who don’t take holidays
a people’s workload c holidays
d people who frequently take holidays

3 The writer says that some people who take

holidays 5 How would the writer explain the importance
of going on a holiday?
a use a laptop to relax on holiday.
a We work better after a holiday.
b don’t enjoy them.
b It’s good to think about a holiday after going
c can’t stop thinking about work. back to work.
d should take work with them. c Work becomes more meaningful before a
4 According to paragraph 3, holiday.
d Holidays make people excited about work
a people are able to do anything they like when
they are at work.
b holidays allow people to exercise their minds. ( / 10 marks)
c holidays are more important than taking .
medicine.
d doctors believe it is very beneficial to take
holidays.

Copyright © National Geographic Learning. Close-up B1 Second Edition

Permission granted to photocopy for classroom Progress Test
use. 4
 Vocabulary and Use your English
A Match the words in bold in the sentences 1–8 with their meaning a–h.

1 Mrs Jenkins is supervising an exam so she can’t deal with your question at the a get used to
moment.
2 They survived in the mountains with little food or water. b Hurt
3 It’s too difficult! I give up! c does extremely well
4 Did you injure your foot when you fell? d handle a difficult situation
5 She collapsed after walking in the desert for days. e stop trying
6 How easily did you adapt to the freezing temperatures? f fell down
7 Some college students find it hard to cope with attending college and working g managed to stay alive
part-time.
8 Jason excels at learning languages. h solve a problem
( / 8 marks)
B Circle the correct words.

1 I know you’re worried but please try to save / keep calm.

2 When did Linda take / find up swimming?
3 They always do / make a long journey during the summer.
4 I want to find out / up if she knows my brother.
5 Do you know when the adventurer went / got missing?
6 I hate the way he is always showing off / up his new phone.
7 If you go hiking this weekend, be careful. It’s very easy to go / get lost in the forest.
( / 8 marks)
8 You won the writing competition! This calls to / for a celebration!

C Circle the odd one out.

1 field ice valley

2 healthy hurt injured
3 hobby pastime victim
4 blankets sweaters trousers
5 ordeal sculpture painting
6 explorer companion expedition ( / 6 marks)

D Complete the sentences with these words.

during in above about over of across on

1 the years, tennis has become a very popular sport in Spain.

2 I’d like to try lots of extreme sports, but all I want to go free-diving.
3 She has always dreamt of climbing to the top Mount Everest.
4 All the trainers on this shelf are the same price, so pick them ones you like best.
5 The water must be freezing so don’t fall it!
6 I really don’t understand how the athletes manage to run the desert.
7 Pete has windsurfed a lot the summer. That’s why he’s got much better at it.
8 If he wins this Iron Man contest, he’ll be one of the toughest people the planet.

( / 8 marks)
 Grammar
A Complete the sentences with the correct form of the Past Perfect Simple or the Past Perfect Continuous of
the verbs in brackets.
1 I (not see) the weather report, so I didn’t know a storm was coming.
2 The wind (blow) for hours when the tree finally fell over.
3 We went to the cinema early because we (not buy) tickets in advance.
4 Cheryl was annoyed because she (wait) for the bus for ages.
5 (Michael / leave) the café by the time you got there?
6 They decided to move to Paris after they (spend) their holidays there.
7 Mr Black (drive) all night long, so he was very tired when he got home.
8 (they / finish) the preparations by the time their guests ( / 8 marks)
arrived?

B Match the sentences 1–6 with the correct question tags a–f.
1 Neil is a good footballer, a didn’tshe?
2 Don’t forget to call when you get b isn’t he?
home,
c do they?
3 Your parents aren’t home tonight,
d will you?
4 They live near you,
e don’t they?
5 Anna studied piano for years, ( / 6 marks)
f are they?
6 The classrooms don’t all have windows,

C Write a subject or an object question that asks about the underlined words in each answer.
1
The teacher wrote the topic on the board.
2
The students left the tests on their desks.
3
Dad bought Mum the diamond ring.
4
Cathy needs a holiday.
5
Tom wants a new surf board. ( / 5 marks)

D Complete the negative questions using the words in brackets.

1 A: (you / not bring) the DVD, Patrick?

B: Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot!
2 A: I couldn’t give Carol her book today.
B: Why not? (she / not be) at school?
3 A: Look! That boy looks just like Simon!
B: Yes. (he / not be) Simon’s twin brother?
4 A: (they / not enjoy) their hiking holiday?
B: No, because it rained every day.
5 A: (you / not come) to Paul’s party on Saturday? ( / 5 marks)
B: No, I’m going to my cousin’s wedding.
5 You
have to
E Circle the correct words. lock /
1 Diane would have stayed / can stay for dinner, if she wants to. had to
2 You can’t have talked / would have talked to me yesterday. I wasn’t at school. lock the
door
3 They ought to take / can’t take an earlier bus if they are worried about being before
late. you
4 I may eat / could have eaten more pizza, but I didn’t want to. leave.
 6 Susan doesn’t have to do / couldn’t do the dishes if she doesn’t want to.

( / 6 marks)

Writing
Complete the Exam Task.
Exam
Your English teacher wants you to write a Task
story. Your story must begin with this
sentence:

It was really high but I had to jump.

( / 10 marks)
Write your story. (100 words)