Test: Unit 6 (Upper-Intermediate)

Name: _Meda Kačerauskaitė__________________________________________

Listening
1  Listen to two friends talking about online news and newspapers. Are the sentences
true (T) or false (F)?
1 John doesn’t enjoy reading the paper. F
2 Helen thinks many online journalists rush their work. T
3 Online journalists delete stories to avoid responsibility for a story. T
4 John thinks online news allows people to find out more about the world. T
5 John often reads about issues affecting people in remote places. F
6 People don’t seem to be buying newspapers as much any more. T
7 John reads the paper when he can’t find his tablet. F
8 Old people are more used to reading news online than many younger people. F
9 John enjoys using different methods of accessing the news. T
10 Helen doesn’t spend as much time reading the news as John. T

Mark: ___ / 10

Reading
The history of newspapers
The history of newspapers is probably longer than you think. Although it wouldn’t be accurate to
consider government reports in Ancient China and Rome to be newspapers, they are at least the
distant relatives of the print media we know today.
It’s very easy to forget what life must have been like without modern technology. These days, we
receive the latest stories from people in the limelight, know which politicians are out of favour with
the public and hear about what’s making headlines all over the world in real time. Obviously,
centuries ago, there wouldn’t have been any of this. As a matter of fact, the first newspapers were
handwritten, which immediately restricted their circulation. It’s also safe to say that the majority of
people were illiterate, so a newspaper would have been out of reach for most.
Many people regard the first newspaper as the Relation aller Fürnemmen und gedenckwürdigen
Historien, published in Germany in 1605. It is probably more accurate to call this a news booklet,
given its dimensions, which were a fraction of the size of the newspapers we are familiar with today.
It summarized the news over a total of eight pages. Not until almost 100 years later did England see
its first daily. Elizabeth Mallet was responsible for the production of the Daily Courant and she
prided herself on reporting with impartiality as far as politics was concerned. There wasn’t any
delving into the lives of the rich and famous; however, interestingly, she did try to focus on a global
perspective rather than a local one.
When Elizabeth Mallet sold her publication to Samuel Buckley, he relocated the business to Fleet
Street in London. Buckley’s name often appears in the history books when talking about early
newspapers, but undoubtedly, it is Mallet who played an even bigger role. Her impartiality was
actually well before its time, with most journalists in the 18th century making their feelings clearly
1
 known. This was bound to cause tension between journalists and politicians if the former had written
something negative about government policies.
By the 19th century, the number of literate people was on the increase, and this led to a desire to
know what was going on both locally and overseas. Newspapers were in their element with this fresh
demand for news, and they became more politically powerful as a result. It was also at this time that
newspaper advertising became more prominent.
In modern day terminology, the 20th century was the period when reading newspapers ‘went viral’.
The activity was a daily habit for most. The power journalists had to influence policy and manipulate
the opinions of their readers was at its height. More attention was paid to layout and design as well.
In the current century, however, newspapers are starting to feel somewhat out of their depth. With
TV, radio and especially the internet, all reporting on the same stories, newspapers are being left
behind. Young people growing up today are the first in many generations that won’t regularly buy a
newspaper, opting in favour of the many alternative ways of receiving the news instantly. Having
said that, you can’t teach old dogs new tricks – and it’s surprising how many old dogs there are who
still like to read a newspaper!
2 Read the text. Circle the correct answers (a–d).
1 According to the text,
a the evolution of the newspaper has been very quick.
b the first newspapers were produced in Ancient China and Rome.
c the first newspapers reported on family matters.
d there is a connection between newspapers and Ancient China and Rome.
2 What does the phrase ‘out of reach’ mean in paragraph 2?
a limited in number
b too expensive
c difficult to obtain
d impossible to appreciate
3 The Daily Courant
a reported on the lives of famous people.
b was politically biased.
c was moved to Fleet Street by Elizabeth Mallet.
d took an interest in foreign news.
4 In the 19th century, newspapers grew in popularity because
a more people were able to read.
b there was more competition from abroad.
c the government financed them.
the advertising was removed.
5 In the 21st century,
a young people no longer buy print media.
b newspapers are perceived to be a bit ‘tired’.
c The older generation doesn’t engage with news on the internet.
2
 d digital media sources agree to cover the same stories.

Mark: ___ / 10

Vocabulary
3 Complete the sentences with the correct collocations.
A fell for spread exposed trace went lacked
B rumours credibility a scam viral corruption the source
1. James fell for a scam when he got an email selling cheap smartphones.
2. The newspaper investigation exposed corruption inside the football club.
3. The magazine article was not truthful and lacked credibility.
4. The story was not published because we could not trace sources.
5. Lots of people shared the photo online and soon it went viral.
6. The group spread rumours about the Prime Minister to damage her reputation.

Mark: ___ / 6

4 Complete the sentences with the correct words below.

accountability armed cover-up devastated rigged vulnerable delve
scrambled
1 Children are more vulnerable to online bullying than ever.
2 A group of people scrambled up the Eiffel Tower to protest about global warming.
3 The public are unhappy and want newspapers to have more accountability.
4 Basketball fans were devastated when their team lost the match.
5 Yesterday a neighbour called the police about a boy armed with a toy gun.
6 The actor didn’t want journalists to delve into her private life.
7 There was a cover-up about the risks of the new medical treatment.
8 The mayor has resigned over claims that the election was rigged.

Mark: ___ / 8 

5 Complete the sentences with the idiomatic expressions with in/out.

1. The scientist made headlines when he suggested that fruit juice is unhealthy.
2. The report suggested that an economic crisis was in the offing.
3. Chris is normally a talkative person, so his silence yesterday was out of character.
4. Our children are in their element when they’re playing on the beach.
5. Her poetry is in step with popular culture.
6. The singer went out on a limb with fans when she appeared on stage two hours late.
7. My father hates being in the limelight and refuses to have a birthday party.
8. He was out of favour and couldn’t complete the work on time.

Mark: ___ / 8 

3
Grammar
6 Underline the correct words to complete the sentences.
1. Fred may have had help with his homework. He got all the answers right.
2. It looks as if she’s finished the test. She’s stopped writing.
3. My sister might be coming to visit next week. She’ll call when she decides.
4. The story must have gone viral. Everyone’s talking about it!
5. The company is bound to increase their prices. Their main priority is to make a profit and now
they’re making a loss.
6. Clara can’t be going on holiday again. She only got back last week!
7. It’s safe to say if you take the medicine, you’ll get better.
8. They could be telling the truth. It’s hard to know.

Mark: ___ / 8

7 Complete the sentences with the correct phrases below.

almost sure safe to most probably seems likely looks like is bound possible
that
1. Very few people go to that restaurant, so it seems likely that it will close.
2. It is safe to say the majority of people support a ban on smoking in public.
3. We haven’t met for ten years, so I’m almost sure she won’t recognize me.
4. It looks like they’re going to be late. Let’s leave without them.
5. The new football manager will most probably be someone from the club.
6. It is possible that there are over 300 billion stars in our galaxy.
7. The documentary most probably to win an award. It’s been very popular.

Mark: ___ / 7
TOTAL MARKS: ___ / 57