LANGUAGECERT IESOL

Reading and Writing

Communicator Level – B2
Practice Paper HU11

Centre no Date

Time allowed: 2 hours and 10 minutes

- Reading

- Writing

Instructions to Candidates

- Answer all the questions.

- All your answers must be written in black or blue ink not pencil.

- Monolingual dictionaries are permitted.

- For the Reading Parts make sure you copy all your answers on the separate Answer Sheet.

For examiner’s use only

Parts W1 W2 Total

Candidate’s
score

RESULT:

REVIEWED:

Copyright © 2021 LanguageCert

LanguageCert Communicator B2

Reading Part 1
Read the text and the questions. Choose the correct answer for each question.

Being a parent isn’t child’s play

John Roberts calls himself the ‘discipline coach’. He works with schools, youth projects and young
offenders to give children – from teenagers in state care to primary school children from comfortable
families – the focus to become self-disciplined. And that discipline starts with parents.

"I hear so many mums and dads say, 'I want to give my kids everything I didn’t have when I was growing
up', but that is one of the worst attitudes you can have as a parent. You need to teach children the value
of working towards something. If your mother buys you an expensive phone and you’ve done nothing to
earn it, you aren’t going to want to work for things in the future. Parenting is about giving children what
they need, not what they want."

When it comes to teaching discipline, Roberts is something of an expert. He cares deeply about
equipping young people with the right attitude to succeed. In his view, discipline is not something that
should be imposed on children; it is something they should be taught to learn for themselves. In the
Roberts’ household, self-discipline is as important as brushing your teeth. "They’ve got to learn to stand
on their own two feet and be independent," he says. He has three daughters and a son. And they all
know the house rules. "If my daughter asks for us to all go out for a meal, I say sure but the phone stays
at home. If you do things as a family, you communicate with each other, not with a handheld device," he
says.

He refuses to have a dishwasher. Each member of the family has to take their turn to do the washing-
up. All technology also goes off at 8 pm and the children have to find something productive to do before
bedtime. They are not given choices for dinner; they eat what they are given and have no locks on their
bedroom doors. "They don’t pay the bills," he says. "I tell them 'this is my house, I expect you to keep
your rooms as neat as the rest of the house at all times.'"

"I once confiscated my son’s computer game when he didn’t revise for his exams, to get him used to a
life where he wouldn’t be able to afford nice things," recalls Roberts. "You haven’t got to be their friend.
As a parent you have a job to do." The attitude works. Roberts’ son is a grade-A student.

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1. Roberts believes children shouldn't be given everything because

a) they don't need expensive possessions.

b) they need to work for their rewards.
c) parents work hard for their money.

2. At family events, Roberts

a) expects everyone to participate.

b) plans carefully in advance.
c) asks everyone to pay their share.

3. Roberts doesn't have a dishwasher so that

a) no one has time to behave badly.

b) the children don't rely on technology.
c) everyone contributes to housework.

4. His children can't lock their bedroom doors because

a) they don't spend much time there.

b) they are taught not to keep secrets.
c) Roberts wants to check they're tidy.

5. The writer believes Roberts' approach

a) helped his son study successfully.

b) made his son more respectful.
c) improved his son's social life.

6. Overall, Roberts' approach to teaching good behaviour is to

a) help children learn self-discipline.

b) never give children presents.
c) teach children good study skills.

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LanguageCert Communicator B2

Reading Part 2
Read the text. Use the sentences to complete the text. Choose the correct sentence for each gap. There is one
extra sentence you will not need.

The Birth of the Railway

Inventions are more than just isolated occurrences. It is obvious that one invention depends on those
that came before it. (1)_________. George Stephenson could not have invented it in 1814, if James Watt
had not already invented a steam engine to pump liquids in 1765. It is fascinating to compare these two
inventors, whose backgrounds were strikingly different.

James Watt, born in 1736 in Scotland, came from a privileged family and showed an aptitude for
mathematics when very young. According to legend, at the age of twelve he realised the power of steam
while watching his grandmother’s kettle boiling. (2)_________. After starting work there, he began
experiments using steam power, and in 1765 created a steam engine which could be used to pump
liquids. The first of these came into use in 1775, and it was one of these engines which later inspired
Stephenson.

George Stephenson had none of Watt’s advantages. Watt’s parents were well-off and educated.
(3)_________. Stephenson worked in the mines when he was young. Until the age of eighteen, he
couldn’t read or write, but, determined to learn, he started studying at night school. Fascinated by
machines, he heard about Watt’s steam engines. (4)_________. As soon as he saw it working, he
realised that steam power could be used for pulling loads from place to place, and invented an engine to
do this. Tested in 1814, it succeeded in pulling eight trucks loaded with coal up a slope, at a speed of
7km per hour. (5)_________. Running from Stockton to Darlington, a distance of 12km, it transported
over 500 people at a speed of about sixteen kilometres per hour. Public railway transport had been born.

Today, though mostly no longer using steam, railways cross much of the world. The longest, the Trans-
Siberian railway, crosses Asia for 10,000 km, and the fastest, in China, travels at a speed of 439km per
hour. (6)_________.

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A In contrast, Stephenson's were poor and couldn't even read nor write.

B This led directly to the construction of a passenger train in 1830.

C He therefore went all the way to Scotland to see one being used in a mine.

D This dependency is certainly true in the case of the steam train.

E None of this would have been possible without the inventions of Watt and Stephenson.

F Without these colleagues, Watt would have been unable to proceed.

G He later studied instrument-making in London, returning to Scotland to set up his own business.

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Reading Part 3
Read the four texts. Which text gives you the answer to each question? Choose the correct text (A-D) for
each question.

A
Summer is a bad time for hair, as all hairdressers know. Hot, humid weather makes curly hair go
frizzy, and straight hair limp, while hot, dry weather causes the hair to lose its colour. But you can
tackle these problems on your own. Just use a deep conditioner and wear a hat when possible.
Above all, wash your hair immediately after swimming. There are many hairsprays with UV
protection promoted in advertisements, but these tend to be expensive. Those containing natural
ingredients are cheaper and just as effective.

B
Hi, Mary!
Hope you’re coming to my party on Thursday. Have to warn you I look like a freak! Went to the
hairdresser’s to have my hair dyed back to its normal colour – no success – came out bright green!
My parents nearly had a fit and want to take the hairdresser to court for using harmful hair products;
but actually I’ve decided I like it, so I’m staying that way. Must be terrible being a hairdresser and
getting the blame all the time. See you Thursday.
Love
Joanna

C
Westgate Hair Salon, which specialises in natural products and treatments, has a vacancy for a
trainee hairdresser, starting 1 February. Women and men aged 18-35 may apply. No previous
experience is needed, but the suitable candidate must be polite and hard-working, and keen to
learn. The first six months will pay a minimum wage, but this will then increase and on satisfactory
completion of one year, the position will become that of a permanent stylist. Those interested
should send their CVs to us at 5, Victoria Road by 12 January.

D
Recommended by major hair salons worldwide. Suitable for all hair types throughout the year. First,
wash hair thoroughly and towel dry. Shake the can before use. Spray a little lotion onto your hand
– economical use recommended – and massage gently into the hair. Leave the lotion on for at
least 15 minutes (never more than 30 minutes), then rinse with lukewarm water and towel dry. Your
hair will be supple, shiny and manageable. Caution – do not leave within reach of children under
5. Pressurised can – flammable – do not use near fire.

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Which text

1. might be part of a particular magazine article?

2. focuses on a particular product?

3. is addressed to one specific person?

Which text provides the answers to the following questions?

4. How can you protect your hair economically?

5. Can change in hair colour cause anger?

6. Is there a possibility of being promoted?

7. What are the dangers of hair-product containers?

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LanguageCert Communicator B2

Reading Part 4
Read the text and answer the questions. Use a maximum of five words for each question.

Our ageing population

During the last hundred years, due to advances in medicines and more nutritious food, there has been a
significant rise in life expectancy, especially in industrialised countries, but even recently, in many
developing countries. In the West, this, together with a decrease in the birth rate, has led to what is often
referred to as a ‘top-heavy’ population. In other words, there are many more old people than there used
to be. By 2030 about 25 per cent of the population of Europe will be over 65 years old, with many of the
elderly now expected to live until 90 or more. The ageing population raises many problems, but perhaps
the most urgent is that of healthcare. How are the elderly to be cared for, and who is responsible for this?

In the past, care for the elderly was considered a family duty, and the tradition of the extended family,
with three or more generations living together, is still common in many developing countries and to a
large extent in the south of Europe. Given the chance, the elderly would certainly prefer to remain in the
family. But is this possible when, increasingly, both parents work? Younger grandparents sometimes take
over the role of parents in these cases. But as couples in the West now tend to have children later, their
own parents may be over seventy, and thus too frail to take care of children. They may even need
specialised care, which the family cannot easily provide.

In most western countries, Residential Homes for the elderly, run either by the government or privately,
exist. The quality of these varies greatly. However, in all cases the old person is no longer truly
independent, and this causes a sense of loss. It is for this reason that different systems have been
devised. In Britain, perhaps the most popular of these is what is known as ‘sheltered accommodation’.
The elderly person or couple will have their own flat and their own belongings, but there are resident
medical staff on the premises, and usually a communal sitting room where they can meet other residents.

But there is one other option: resident-specialised care at home. A carer, specially trained in the nursing
of the aged, lives with the family. This may sound ideal. However, there are two problems: firstly, these
specialised workers naturally demand high salaries; secondly, this is only possible if the family has a free
bedroom and is willing to take on an extra person.

Whichever solution is chosen, it is vital to make old people feel they are still useful members of society,
perhaps by giving them specific tasks. Without these, they may end up being no more than aged couch
potatoes.

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1. What happened to the number of children born in the West?

...........................................................................................................................................................

2. Where, in addition to developing countries, do people live in extended families?

...........................................................................................................................................................

3. Why are most grandparents in the West older than they used to be?

...........................................................................................................................................................

4. What, according to the writer, do old people in Residential Homes lose?

...........................................................................................................................................................

5. Where can residents in sheltered accommodation socialise?

...........................................................................................................................................................

6. Who, according to the writer, could live in a family's spare bedroom?

...........................................................................................................................................................

7. How may old people feel if they are not given specific tasks?

...........................................................................................................................................................

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LanguageCert Communicator B2

Writing Part 1

Write an article in response to the comment below, concerning:

 the negative effects computer games can have

 the possible benefits of computer games
 your own experience with computer games

Computer games have become more popular than ever before. Playing computer games may be fun, but many young
people spend more time online playing games than doing sport or exercising. What’s more, computer games can be
addictive. As a result, they don’t study or spend time with family and friends. I think there is a real danger computer
games can do more harm than good!

Write between 100 – 150 words.

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LanguageCert Communicator B2

Task Grammar Vocabulary Structure

fulfilment

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LanguageCert Communicator B2

Writing Part 2

Your online school magazine is producing a special issue about the local theatre. The editor has asked you to
write a blog post of a play you have seen there recently, describing the characters, your overall experience
and whether you recommend the play to the magazine’s readers.
Write between 150 and 200 words.

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Task Grammar Vocabulary Structure

fulfilment

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