Oxford English Academy

OXFORD ENGLISH ACADEMY

Advanced Student’s name: _____________________
Laser B2 1-4 (pre-fce) First Exam Date: ____________________
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1) READING COMPREHENSION (20 marks)
Read the text. For questions 1-5, choose the answer (A,B,C or D) which you think fits best according to the
text.

home with your new purchase and

If you think money issues are just
for adults, think again. Experts say
that developing good spending
(and saving) habits as a teenager
could save you a lifetime of stress.
Most people think that your
teenage years are a time to be
carefree – to just enjoy yourself.
Well, we don’t entirely disagree
with that but, when it comes to
money, it’s worth taking a moment
to listen what the experts say.
Research has shown that if you’re
careful with money while you’re
growing up, you develop habits
that will last you well into your
adult life. This means that if you
give a little thought to how you
manage your money now, you will
automatically avoid some of the
money financial problems that
people are facing today.
and you have money in your
pocket? It’s very tempting to spend
money on things you don’t really
want or need. At that moment,
when you’re in the shop with the
money in your hand, it’s difficult to
think ahead but, if you do, you
might consider putting the money
back in your pocket and saving up
to get something more expensive.
Don’t give in to pressure from
advertising either. Products often
look much better in advertisements
than they do in real life. Also, bear
in mind that what is fashionable
today, might go out of fashion
tomorrow. This applies to clothes
and shoes, as well as the latest in
gadgets like mobile phones and
MP3 players. Choose wisely,
because the most fashionable items
often cost much more than they are
worth.
some money left over. If you’re not
happy with something you’ve
bought, take it back and get a
refund – don’t just put it in a
drawer and forget about it. It’s
surprising how many people do
this. Remember that it’s your
money and you could spend it on
something else.
A word about borrowing money.
This is a bad habit to get into. OK,
if you’ve missed the last bus and
someone offers to lend you the
money for a taxi, that’s not so bad
(provided you pay them back the
next time you see them). But if you
borrow money regularly, it can get
out of control and one day you
might find that you can’t pay it
back. Just ask one of the millions
of people with credit cards –
borrowing can be an expensive
way to manage your money.

But money is for spending, you
might say. Of course it is. It’s
yours money and you have every
right to spend it on whatever you
want. But stop and think when
you’re buying everyday items. Do
you really want it, or are you just
buying it because you’ve seen it
When you do buy things, look out
for bargains and special offers.
Many shops offer a discount on
slightly older stock, or products
that have been on display and
might be slightly marked. Ask
yourself if this matters. Most of the
time it doesn’t, and you’ll go
We’re not saying that everyone
become an economist but, with a
little thought, you can have a
secure financial future, which will
give you the freedom to live your
life as you’d like to live it.

1. Researchers have found that young people who are careful with money...
A. don’t know to enjoy themselves.
B. develop bad habits.
C. do it because they have financial worries.
D. grow up to have fewer money problems.
2. What does the writer say about buying everyday items?

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A. It might be better to use the money for something else.
B. We usually plan buying these things very carefully.
C. We shouldn’t buy something even if we really want it.
D. It’s important to make sure we have enough money with us.

3. What does the writer think of fashionable items?

A. We should always buy fashionable clothes and shoes.

B. Buying them might not be good investment.
C. They don’t include things like mobile phones.
D. We should choose them only after seeing advertisements.

4. The writer is surprised at how many people...

A. search for special offers.

B. don’t ask for their money back.
C. demand refunds from shops.
D. forget to ask for a discount.

5. What does the writer think about borrowing money?

A. It’s never acceptable.

B. It’s the best way to manage your finances.
C. It’s only a good idea if you use a credit card.
D. It’s acceptable only in certain circumstances.

2) LISTENING COMPREHENSION: (10 marks) Part 3

You will hear people talking about five different books. For questions 6-10, choose from the list of books A-
F what each speaker is describing. Use the letters only once. There is one extra letter which you do not need
to use.

A. a detective novel
Speaker 1
B. a science fiction novel
Speaker 2
C. a reference book

D. a biography Speaker 3

E. a travel guide
Speaker 4
F. a romantic novel
Speaker 5

3) LISTENING COMPREHENSION: (20 marks) Part 2

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You will hear part of a radio interview with a film critic. For questions 11-20, complete the sentences. You will need
to write a word or short phrase in each box.

Angela has recently attended a(an)

She felt slightly with the quality of some of the films.

“Young at Heart” will be released in

The action of the film takes place in

Terry earns his living as

Terry is outside his place of work when he is kidnapped.

“Young at Heart” is a(an)

Terry’s wife thought that Terry needs some

Carrie Baker used to be a(an)

Carrie had never written an before.

4) HOW WOULD YOU…? (30 marks)

a) For questions 21-30, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of each line to form a word that
fits in the space in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0) .
ART
What is art? At first (0) ………SIGHT…………… the answer to that question seems SEE

obvious. Art is poetry, (21) ………………………..………, drama, sculpture, painting and LITERATE

so on. It is the (22) …..............................of an artist, designed to produce emotion, to make EXPRESS

us see the world in a certain way, or to provide (23) …………………………… . We are ENTERTAIN

probably all in (24) ….................................. so far. Problems arise, however, AGREE

when it comes to particular (25) ………………………….....of art. If a poet published his WORK

new (26) …………………………..of poetry, and one of the poems appears to be merely a COLLECT

(27) …………………………………list , it is quite likely that the poet will be criticised. SHOP

Many people feel uncomfortable when objects from our (28) ……………………………… DAY

lives are presented as art. Artists may do this to provoke a (29) ……………………….. . REACT

They want to challenge all our (30) …………………………….……….about art, once again BELIEVE

to make us see the world in a different way.

b) For questions 31-50, complete 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 or five words, including the word given.

31) At first, I wasn’t sure who to turn to for help.

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KNOW
At first, I ……………………………………………………… who to turn to for help.

32) Carol still has to tell Phil that she can’t go to his party.
YET
Carol …………………………………………………………..that she can’t go to his party.

33) Did you have fun on the picnic?

ENJOY
Did you all …………………………………………………on the picnic?

34) Seeing Sam run into the road was a terrifying experience.
WHEN
I …………………………………………….………………..Sam run into the road.

35) In fact, Simon didn’t stay in last night.

GO
In fact, ………………………………………………………………last night.

36) I’ll finish my physic project and then I’ll phone Andy.
SOON
I’ll phone Andy ……………………………………………………………..my physic project .

37) They are going to bring out a cheap solar-powered car before 2020.
WILL
They ……………………………………………………………a cheap solar-powered car by 2020.

38) Do you still need this magazine?

FINISHED
Have …………………………………………………………..this magazine?

39) They are delivering our new dishwasher next Tuesday.

GOING
Our dishwasher ……………………………………………………………………next Tuesday.

40) We haven’t been able to solve the problem yet.

FOUND
We haven’t …………………………………………………………………the problem yet.

41) It was such a heavy bag that I couldn’t lift it.

TOO
The bag was ………………………………………………….lift.

42) It’s now four years since I started playing hockey.

BEEN
I ………………………………………………………………………….four years now.

43) My great-mother would sing to me every night.

TO
My great-mother ……………………………………………….to me every night.

44) The magician moved his hands too quickly for me to see what he was doing.
SO
The magician moved his hands …………………………………………………not see what he was doing.

45) In addition to speaking French, Lisa speaks German.

WELL
Lisa speaks German ……………………………………………………………………French.

46) I’ve changed my mind about buying a new bag because I don’t have enough money.
AFFORD
I …………………………………………………………………a new bag so I’ve changed my mind.

47) The motor will only start if you press this button.

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UNLESS
The motor …………………………………………………you press this button.

48) Mrs Walters advised her sister to complain.

IF
“I …………………………………………………………….you,” Mrs Walters said to her sister.

49) Can you get some more coffee because there isn’t much left?
ONLY
Can you get some more coffee because there ……………………………………….left?

50) I might not be in later, so take your keys with you.

CASE
Take your keys with you …………………………………………….………….in later.

5) WRITING (20 marks) Zul do Not include writing in the exam, set a date for them to hand in the
portfolio
You must answer this question. Write your answer in 120-150 words in an appropriate style.

And English friend, Chris, whom you met on holiday, has just sent you a letter with some photographs.
Read Chris’s letter and the notes you have made on it. Then write an email to Chris, using all your notes.

3-hour delay
at airport

I hope you had a good journey home. We got back in record

time on the motorway. No traffic at all!

It was really nice to meet you on holiday. Here are some

photos I took of us on the beach. I’m sure yours are better!
Send me some copies if they are.
camera stolen:
Did you watch that film I lent you on DVD? What did you film inside
give opinion think of it? Don’t bother sending it back, because my
and thanks brother’s bought the same one and we don’t need two.

Are you still thinking of coming to visit me in the autumn?

What dates would be best for you? I’ll find some
information about hotels for you. Looking forward to seeing
Yes! Give you then.
dates.

Write your email. You must use grammatically correct sentences with accurate spelling and punctuation
in a style appropriate for the situation.

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