READING

You are going to read an article about hot air balloons. Choose the most suitable heading
from the list A-I for each part (1-7) of the article. There is one extra heading which you do
not need to use. There is an example at the beginning (0)

A Involving balloon passengers

B Qualifying as a balloon flyer
C The price of balloons
D Balloons for special occasions
E The joy of achievement
F Restrictions on passengers
G Flying your balloon: practical considerations
H The superiority of balloons
I The Inventors' expectations

It’s Up and Away

Eileen Shaw on the joys of ballooning

0. I

Mostly it's about hot air - for without that,
balloons are just big empty bags with baskets
on the bottom. The Montgolfier brothers had
great hopes when they made the first manned
flight. They thought balloons would take off
as a viable means of commercial flight.
Instead, they have remained the province of
sport, adventure and enjoyment.
1.
Modern balloons are a lot more sophisticated
than their ancestors, but they still relain the
essential characteristics which makes them so
attractive. A plane is claustrophobic and very
noisy. Balloons are so gentle and majestic and
silent when the burner’s not working. 'It's the
most marvellous form of aviation,' says Chris
Boyd, managing director of Hot Air Balloons.
2.
Hot Air Balloons offers balloon trips suited to
the requirements of customers, with unlimited
possibilities. Celebrations are high on the list
of reasons for booking a balloon flight.
'Birthdays, anniversaries, we even had a
couple who wanted to get married during the
flight, but we told them that wouldn't be
allowed,' says Chris.
 3.
He takes parties of four to twelve, the
maximum number allowed, and there is no
age limit at the upper end - he has had a 92-
year-old customer. The only other rule is that
you have to be at least one metre tall, so small
children are not allowed on board. This is
because the side of the baskets is adult chest
height and youngsters might be tempted to
climb up to look out.
4.
An ordinary flight lasts about an hour and a
half and can reach over 1,000 metres. The
cost of a flight covers four hours and includes
a certificate for first-time flyers. The
important point is that you don'l just tum up
and climb on board. You are invited to lake on
active part, so before the flight you spend
about 45 minutes helping to inflate the
balloon and getting to know it.
5.
At the end of the trip, passengers are served
with champagne and nibbles. Champagne is
traditional after balloon flights. 'Most people
are very happy that they have done it because
they might have been a bit anxious before
they set out, so they are glad to celebrate the
experience,' he says.
6.
So, taking a trip is one pleasure, but what if
you fancy owning your own balloon? First,
you will need a balloon licence. To get a
licence you can train with a company like Hot
Air Balloons and do 16 hours' flying with an
instructor. Then you have to take written
exams in the technical aspects of the balloon
and other subjects.
7.
When you own a balloon, you will need a
trailer to store it and tow it to the launch site
and someone to follow you to pick you up
when you land. You may need a landowner's
permission to start your flight, but it is
possible to start from a very large garden. You
can read all about how to get started in a new
quarterly magazine for balloon enthusiasts
published by the Balloon and Airship Club.
USE OF ENGLISH

For Questions 1-15, read the text below and decide which answer A, B, C or D best fits each
space. There is an example at the beginning (0)

Trees for Life

Trees are amongst the biggest and longest-living things on Earth, some (0)__________________
back longer an important than the oldest buildings. But (1) __________________ being nice to
look at, trees also (2) __________________ role in improving the quality of our lives.

On a world-wide (3) __________________, forests help to slow down the effects of global
warming by using up the gas (4) __________________ as carbon dioxide and giving
(5)__________________ the oxygen we need to breathe. At local neighbourhood level, trees also
(6) __________________ important environmental benefits. They offer shade and shelter, which
in (7) __________________ reduces the amount of energy needed to heat and cool
(8)__________________ buildings; at the same time, they also remove other impurities from the
air we breathe.

Urban trees are especially important because for many people they provide the only daily
(9)__________________ with the natural world. What's (10)__________________, urban trees
also provide a home for birds, small animals and butterflies. (11)__________________ the trees
we would lose the pleasure of seeing these creatures in our cities. Regrettably,
(12)__________________, trees in cities are now coming under (13)__________________.
There is a limit to the level of pollution they can (14)__________________ and, down at street
level, their roots are being seriously (15)__________________ by the digging needed to make
way for modern telephone, television and other cables.

1 A As far as B As long as C As soon as D As well as

2 A play B show C act D serve
3 A scale B size C range D area
4 A called B known C titled D referred
5 A in B away C up D out
6 A bring B make C take D find
7 A turn B place C order D reach
8 A opposite B close C next D nearby
9 A junction B touch C contact D taste
10 A more B else C most D other
11 A throughout B beyond C without D outside
12 A therefore B whilst C however D despite
13 A risk B threat C danger D warning
14 A Stand in for B Face up to C Put up with D Fall back on
15 A concerned B disturbed C interfered D involved

LISTENING

You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1-8, choose the best
answer A, B, or C.

1. You hear part of a radio play. Where does this scene take place?

A in a restaurant
B at a police station
C in the street

2. You tum on the radio and hear a man talking. What are you listening to?

A a competition
B a lesson
C an advertisement

3. You hear a woman talking about an exhibition. What can you see in the exhibition?

A paintings
B photographs
C sculptures

4. You hear a manager talking about the skills young employees need. What skills are essential in
his opinion?

A problem-solving skills
B writing skills
C computer skills
5. You hear a hotel manager talking to a customer. Where did the customer get the information
about the hotel?

A from a guide book

B from the Internet
C from a friend

6. You hear a young girl who spent a month in a foreign country talking about her experience.
What was good about it?

A She became self-confident.

B She improved her language skills.
C She travelled to many places.

7. You hear a woman talking about a book on the radio. What 15the book about?

A healthy eating habits

B the history of food
C teenagers and food

8. You hear a young woman giving advice on going night dubbing. What is her advice?

A Think about what you will wear.

B Be prepared for extra expenses.
C Check the music is what you like
WRITING

You are organising an adventure weekend holiday for a group of friends. You have seen the
advertisement below, but you need to know more. Using the notes you have made, write to
Adventure Weekend, giving relevant details and asking for further information.

Write a letter of between 120 and 180 words in an appropriate style. Do not write any addresses.