CONTENTS Exam task Topic

Exam Practice 1 Reading Multiple choice questions Science and technology

Exam Practice 2 Listening Multiple matching Education

Exam Practice 3 Writing Informal letter Hospitality and food

Exam Practice 4 Speaking Comparing and discussing Employment

Exam Practice 5 Use of English Word formation Culture and sport

Exam Practice 6 Reading Gapped text People

Exam Practice 7 Writing Formal letter Shopping and services

Exam Practice 8 Listening True/False Science and technology

Exam Practice 9 Reading Matching State and society

Exam Practice 10 Speaking Discussing a topic Shopping and services

Exam Practice 11 Writing For and against essay State and society

Exam Practice 12 Reading Matching Travel and tourism

Exam Practice 13 Use of English Multiple choice cloze Culture

Exam Practice 14 Reading True/False, Multiple choice Target language countries

Exam Practice 15 Writing Notes and messages People

Exam Practice 16 Reading True/False Culture

© Copyright Oxford University Press 2007

Exam Practice 1
Reading: Multiple choice questions
Topic: Science and technology
EXAM TIPS
䊳 Read the text through quickly first for general
understanding.
䊳 Then read the text again more slowly so that you
understand it in more detail.
䊳 Read the multiple choice questions carefully. Eliminate
any answers which are obviously wrong.
䊳 Look at the text again. Which of the remaining options
is exactly right?
䊳 When you have finished, go back and check all your
answers. It is a good idea to check that the answers you
haven’t chosen are wrong.
1 Read the text through quickly and answer the questions.
1 Who are ‘Our Electronic Friends’?
2 Does the writer think we will form relationships with
them?
2 Read the text again more slowly and choose the correct
option.
Roomba …
a is made by Electrolux.
b is a robot home vacuum cleaner.
c has been on the market for years.
d costs less than a normal vacuum cleaner.
3 Match the possible answers to exercise 2 (a–d) with the
comments 1–4 and check your answers.
1 Wrong. It doesn’t cost much more than a regular
vacuum cleaner.
2 Wrong. It was introduced last week.
3 Correct. Roomba is designed to help around the
house and can vacuum any room.
4 Wrong. It is made by iRobot.
4 Choose the correct options for the EXAM QUESTION
below.
EXAM QUESTION
1 How does the writer feel about the introduction of
robots into the home?
a We need to discuss the situation first.
b It isn’t as important as the introduction of computers.
c We are not ready for how it will affect our lives.
d They will only ever do simple tasks.
2 The Sony SDR-4X …
a helps around the house like Roomba.
b looks in some way like a human being.
c knows which rooms need vacuuming.
d is not as friendly as Roomba.
i © Copyright Oxford University Press 2007
3 The writer thinks people will form relationships with
robots because they …
a are just electrical appliances.
b can always be trusted.
c can clean their houses.
d are like pets.
OUR ELECTRIC FRIENDS
It’s the 21st century. Where are the robots? They have been in
science fiction books and films for a long time; they have
worked in factories for many years; but we have seen very few
in the home.
That’s all about to change. Last week saw the introduction of
the first mass-produced robot designed to help around the
house – Roomba Intelligent FloorVac, a home vacuum cleaner
that doesn’t cost much more than a regular vacuum cleaner.
Made by iRobot, a robotics company from Massachusetts,
Roomba is a little disk on wheels that vacuums any room and
turns itself off when it has finished. Large companies such as
Electrolux and Hoover are planning their own intelligent
machines and within a few years, there should be a variety of
reasonably priced robots on the market.
The introduction of Roomba is the moment when robots
finally become useful in our everyday lives. This moment is
likely to be as important as the introduction of the personal
computer more than 20 years ago. It will change our lives just
as much. However, there has been little discussion about how
we will feel when we find ourselves among independent,
intelligent robots. In fact we are not really prepared at all for
what will happen when we open our homes to robots.
There are two types of robot designed for the home: utility
robots and entertainment robots. Eventually, these two will
become the same. Utility robots will become more powerful
and take on the qualities of entertainment robots such as
Sony’s SDR-4X. The SDR-4X is a humanoid-shaped machine
that can walk and hold a conversation and, because it has the
technology to recognize faces, it knows who it’s talking to. It
can only really entertain but it’s just a matter of time until
household robots are as friendly as the SDR-4X, and as useful
as Roomba. One day we will be telling robots which rooms
need vacuuming and when to do it. Then we will probably
find ourselves treating them less like electrical appliances and
more like companions.
It’s easy to say that a robot that cleans is just another
appliance, but it’s a mistake to think that feelings for such
objects cannot be strong. Especially when that object is
pleased to see us. If anything, it may be easier to love a robot
than a pet or a person. People will not just get used to robots,
but develop relationships with them in ways that are not too
difficult to imagine. Some people find it easy to form close
relationships with strangers in Internet chat rooms; in the same
way, many people may feel more comfortable with robots.
For, unlike a pet, they’ll never die and, unlike a person, they’ll
never lie, cheat, or leave you.
Exam Practice 2
Listening: Multiple matching
Topic: Education

EXAM TIPS 4 T 2.1Listen to the recording twice and do the EXAM

䊳 Read the instructions carefully. They may not be
exactly what you expect.
䊳 While you are waiting to hear the recording, prepare for
what you are about to listen to. Think about the topic
and the words you might expect to hear.
䊳 The words you hear will not be exactly the same as the
words you read in the exam question. There are many
different ways of saying the same thing in English.
Don’t just listen to the words. Think about the meaning.
QUESTION below.
EXAM QUESTION
T 2.2 You will hear five different people talking about their
schooldays. Choose which of the sentences a–h best
summarizes what each speaker is saying. Use the letters
only once. There are three extra letters.

1 Read the instructions and tick (✓) the correct endings to a I really hated my school.
the sentences below. b I left school as soon as I could.
c They were the best days of my life.
You will hear five different people talking about their d The best thing about school was my friends.
schooldays. Choose which of the sentences a–h best e I did really badly at school.
summarizes what each speaker is saying. Use the letters f There was one teacher I really didn’t like.
only once. There are three extra letters. g School was too noisy and busy for me.
h I preferred school to home.
1 There are . . . three speakers.
five speakers. Speaker 1
2 There are . . . eight sentences. Speaker 2
five sentences. Speaker 3
3 You put . . . eight sentences in order. Speaker 4
five sentences in order. Speaker 5

2 You are going to hear five people talking about school.

Before you listen, tick (✓) the words and phrases below
that you think you are likely to hear.
pupils exam results classroom forget
noisy angry French feelings
friends sport home teacher
give up hate attention joke
Can you think of other English words that mean the
same as the words in the first two columns?
For example:
pupils: students, schoolchildren

3 Read the EXAM QUESTION. Match sentences 1–8 below

to the summary sentences a–h in the EXAM QUESTION.
1 There were just so many people and so much noise.
2 Nothing will ever be as good.
3 It wasn’t just me. Everyone hated him.
4 I had a terrible time there.
5 I took the first opportunity to get out.
6 My results were awful. Hopeless.
7 I made some great friendships – and I still have them.
8 Sometimes it was just great to get away from home.

© Copyright Oxford University Press 2007 ii

 Exam Practice 3
Writing: Informal letter
Topic: Hospitality and food

EXAM TIPS 2 Look at the answer to EXAM QUESTION 1. Find and

䊳 Read the question carefully and make sure you answer correct the mistakes. The first two have been done for
all the different parts. you.
䊳 Use a variety of language. Don’t use the same words all 3 Look at the answer to EXAM QUESTION 1. Find synonyms
the time! in the text for:
䊳 It is important to write correct English and to check
your work carefully when you have finished. good/very good _______ _______ _______ _______
䊳 Remember you will lose marks if you write too much or to reserve a table _______ ______
too little, so write the correct number of words. busy ______
delicious ______
1 Read the student’s answer to EXAM QUESTION 1. Has the
student included all the points required by the EXAM • three mistakes with prepositions (in, on, etc.)
QUESTION? • five mistakes with articles (a, the, etc.)
• three spelling mistakes

4 Write an answer to EXAM QUESTION 2.

EXAM QUESTION 1
While you are away on holiday, two English friends are
going to stay in your house. They write and ask you to EXAM QUESTION 2
recommend a restaurant for a good meal for their last night.
Your New Zealand pen-friend has written and asked you to
• Thank them for their letter and suggest a restaurant. write about food and drink in your country.
• Say where it is and how to get there.
• Tell him/her about your favourite food and drink and
• Explain local customs about booking a table and
say why you like them.
tipping.
• Describe a traditional dish and say when you eat it.
• Suggest a local dish. Describe what is in it.
• Ask him/her what he/she likes to eat and drink.
• Suggest that he/she sends you a traditional recipe
from New Zealand.
Dear Bob and Wendy
from a
Thanks for your letter. It was nice to hear of you. If you want special Remember to keep the right form and style of the letter.
meal on your last night in Athens, I suggest you go at the ‘Delphi Don’t use any addresses. Your letter should be 120–150
Restaurant.’ There are lot of fine restaurants in Athens but the Delphi is words long.
excellent. Reel Greek food! It’s also very close my house. If you turn left
out of the front door and walk for about a kilometre, it’s on other side of
the road. Not far at all!
It’s quiet a small restaurant but it’s never very busy during the week. So
you won’t need to book unless it’s a Saturday evening. It can get
crowded then so just ring Costas (675196) and make a reservation. He
speaks superb English.
When you’re their, you have to try his delicious moussaka. I’m sure you
know it’s traditional Greek dish of lamb and aubergine with a kind of
white sauce on the top. His is the best! It’s really tasty.
Hope you enjoy meal!
Best wishes
Yanni

iii © Copyright Oxford University Press 2007

Exam Practice 4
Speaking: Comparing and discussing
Topic: Employment

EXAM TIPS 3 In this part of the exam you have to express your
䊳 In the oral exam you will need to give your opinions, opinions. Order the phrases and expressions under the
and justify them. Make sure you know how to do this. correct heading.
䊳 Use the planning time as effectively as possible – think I should think that… I imagine that…
about the tenses, vocabulary, and useful expressions I’m sure that… I guess that…
you will need. As far as I’m concerned… It’s definitely…
䊳 Try to look at the topic from different perspectives and I firmly believe that… Perhaps…
to give examples to illustrate what you are saying. It’s true that… I reckon…
䊳 If you forget a word, don’t panic, think of other ways to I suppose that… It’s possibly…
express the idea.

1 T 4.1 Listen to a student answering part of an exam Certain Uncertain

question. Which job is she discussing? I’m sure that

4 Look at pictures b and c in exercise 2.

1 Make a list of good and bad points for each job.
b 2 Compare your list with a partner. Discuss whether
you would like to do either job. Why/Why not?
3 Work with a partner. Compare and contrast the
c pictures. You should be able to speak about the
pictures for 2–3 minute. The following ideas may
help you:
• Setting
• Atmosphere
• Feeling
• Action

5 Now answer the EXAM QUESTION .

EXAM QUESTION
2 Listen again. What does the student think would be When choosing a job, there are many reasons which can
good and bad about the job? Complete the table. influence you.
From the list below, choose 2 reasons which are important
Good Bad and 2 which are not important when choosing a job. Add
Interesting other reasons if you wish.
good salary long holidays chance to work from home
flexible hours promotion opportunities company car
Other reasons

Would you like to do the job? Why/Why not?

© Copyright Oxford University Press 2007 iv

Exam Practice 5
Use of English: Word formation
Topic: Culture and sport

EXAM TIPS Adjective Noun

䊳 Read through the text once, without completing the strong
gaps, for general understanding. wide
䊳 Without looking at the words in the word column,
deep
predict an answer – this helps you focus on which part
of speech goes in the gap, e.g. verb or noun, singular or high
plural. long
䊳 Then carefully look at the text before and after each gap broad
– context will help you to choose the correct form of the
word in the column. poor
䊳 Remember, you may have to make two changes to the proud
stem word, e.g. (un)friend(ly). warm
1 Complete the tables.
2 Read the text quickly and choose the best title.
Verb Noun
1 Advertising the Beautiful Game.
believe 2 Soccer and Money – the good and bad.
play 3 World Cup Winners.
breathe 3 Now answer the EXAM QUESTION .
complain
choose
receive
laugh
forgive
advise

EXAM QUESTION
Football has grown to become one of the most (0) successful sports and business opportunities on the planet. (0) success
At the recent World Cup Finals, several hundred (1) ________ companies (2) _______ their products at (1) globe
stadiums in Germany. Through the televising of games, the (3) _______ of soft-drinks, fast-food, credit cards, (2) advert
and other items helped to generate a turnover of $1 billion. This huge amount of (4) _______ has helped to (3) promote
raise the profile of businesses, but is also (5) _________ for football associations throughout the world. FIFA (4) sponsor
has made (6) ________ so that a lot of the money raised is returned to sport’s development in the nations which (5) value
(7) ________ . (6) arrange
However, football and money don’t always result in (8) _________ . Many problems are caused in the major (7) compete
(9) _________ when teams demand more money for each (10) __________ . Often players become (8) happy
(11) ________ , and demand to be paid before playing. This is (12) _________ to end well, causing lots of (9) compete
problems. If these (13)_________ affect team-spirit, then results are poor. (10) perform
(11) patient
(14) _________ poor results mean that the teams receive less money from the tournament (15) ________ , so (12) like
in the end the development of the game in these nations suffers. This means that the chance for (16) _________ (13) argue
is small. (14) fortune
Sometimes sport and money just don’t mix. (15) organize
(16) improve

v © Copyright Oxford University Press 2007

Exam Practice 6
Reading: Gapped text
Topic: People
EXAM TIPS
䊳 Read the text quickly to get a general idea of the
meaning.
䊳 Read it again more carefully and think about how the
text is structured – look at the beginning, middle, and
the end of the text. Understanding how the text is
organized can help you replace the missing paragraphs.
䊳 Read the missing paragraphs and look for clues before
and after the gaps. Sometimes words and phrases that
refer forwards and backwards in the text will help you –
for example it, this, that, after that, before, this, they,
she, etc.
䊳 Remember to spend a few minutes checking your
answer when you have finished.
1 Read the text quickly. (Don’t read the missing
paragraphs yet.) Tick (✓) the correct sentence a, b, or c.
The text is about:
a why karate has become so popular in Britain.
b a young policewoman who is very good at karate.
c how the British police force trains their officers
in karate.
2 Read the text again more carefully. Write the main
points a–e to the paragraphs 1–4.
a Jemma has started winning titles at a senior level.
b Jemma has just joined the police.
c Jemma was quite well behaved at school.
d Jemma started karate when she was seven years old.
e Jemma thinks she can still get better.
3 Do the EXAM QUESTION. Remember to read the missing
paragraphs carefully before you fit them into the gaps.
EXAM QUESTION
Choose which paragraphs A–E fit into the numbered gaps
1–4 in the text. There is one extra paragraph which does not
fit any of the gaps.
A At 15 she won the world championship in the children’s
kata discipline – a moment she says is her proudest in the
sport. ‘It didn’t really hit me at first,’ she says. ‘But the
next day I woke up and thought, “Oh my God, I’m world
champion”.
B Mitcham’s earliest memory of the karate shows the
commitment, if not the training technique, that has led to
her success. ‘I used to practise in my grandmother’s
kitchen all the time,’ she says. ‘I thought I was really
good and went along to lessons all proud of myself.
When I got there I found out I was doing it all totally
wrong. I still loved it though.’
© Copyright Oxford University Press 2007
C I guess anybody that tried anything with me would be a
bit unlucky,’ she says, laughing. ‘It’s only to defend
myself, but if there was trouble on the street I’d be fairly
confident of being able to look after myself. Being a
black belt obviously helps.’
D Jemma Mitcham from Hendon has confirmed that she is
one of Britain’s most exciting karate stars with excellent
performances in the World and European Junior
Championships. Competing against opponents older than
her in both events, she showed maturity and style.
E It’s not an unrealistic ambition according to England
coach Frank Brennan. ‘She’s got a very good chance
although it’s always difficult against the Japanese,’ he
said. ‘She is extremely talented and has two great
qualities in that she’s very hardworking, and modest.’
KARATE KID
Anybody on the wrong side of the law had better hope
they don’t meet Jemma Mitcham. The 20-year-old
European karate champion recently became a
policewoman and has just started work on the streets of
Southend.
1 _______
Mitcham wanted to join the police force from an early
age, but her love of karate started before that. ‘I’d wanted
to do it since I was four, but my parents wouldn’t let me,’
she says. ‘I think they worried a bit because I was so
young, but in the end they let me go along with my cousin,
Natalie, when I was seven. I loved it straight away.’ Just
three years later – the minimum time permitted – Mitcham
gained her black belt.
2 _______
Soon after that she was competing above her age
group (senior competitions start at 21) and only last
month, as the European junior champion, she added the
senior title to become champion in both age groups. In
September she heads to Tokyo for the shoto world cup,
where she hopes to win her first senior world title.
3 _______
Her recent police work has meant that Mitcham hasn’t
been able to practice as much as she’d like, although she
still fits in an hour a day. Unfortunately for her opponents,
she thinks she’s still got a lot to learn. ‘I’m improving all
the time,’ she says.
4 _______
So did all the karate training turn her into a bully at
school? ‘Not at all,’ she says. ‘I never really got in trouble. I
was a daddy’s girl, a bit of a wimp really.’ She said it, not us.
vi
 Exam Practice 7
Writing: Formal letter
Topic: Shopping and services
EXAM TIPS
䊳 Read the exam question carefully to see what
information you have to include. Make sure you don’t
include any unnecessary information.
䊳 Make sure you organize your answer clearly. Decide
what to put in each paragraph.
䊳 Is your letter formal or informal? Use appropriate
language.
1 Read EXAM QUESTION 1. Do you think the letter will be
formal or informal?
EXAM QUESTION 1
You recently bought an MP3 player from an American
company. You are not happy with the player and decide to
return it. Write to the company.
• Say why you are writing.
• Give two reasons why you are unhappy with the MP3
player.
• Ask for a refund.
• Explain how they can refund your money.
2 Look at the notes a student has written when planning
the letter. Tick (✓) the information that should go in the
letter and a cross out (✗) any irrelevant information.
1 refund credit card
2 arrived very early in the morning
3 order number = 32/1509/HJJ
4 saw advert in a magazine
5 my sister thought it was very expensive
6 card number = 5592 6012 8894 3062
7 also not compatible with computer
8 blue – my favourite colour
9 ordered player – 15th September
10 1st problem – headphones don’t work
3 Complete the table. Decide which is the best paragraph
for the notes in exercise 2.
Paragraph 1: reason for writing
Paragraph 2: first problem
Paragraph 3: second problem
Paragraph 4: request for action 1 •
4 Read the answer to EXAM QUESTION 1. Did the student
organise the letter in the same way as you?
vii © Copyright Oxford University Press 2007
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to complain about an MP3 player which I ordered
from your company on 15th September. The order number was
32/1509/HJJ
When it arrived, I discovered that there were two problems. The
first is that the headphones do not work properly. Sound only
comes out of one side.
Secondly, and more importantly, your advertisement says that
the MP3 player will download music files from any computer.
However, I cannot download any files from my computer onto
this player. My friend, who is a computer technician, has also
tried without success.
I’m returning the MP3 player, and I expect a full refund. You can
put the money on my card. The number is 5592 6012 8894 3062.
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Yours faithfully,
Ralph Glendinning
Ralph Glendinning
5 Read the letter again. Circle more formal expressions in
the letter for the informal expressions below.
1 Hi!
2 I’ve got a complaint about …
3 Can you give me my money back?
4 Write back soon.
5 All the best,
6 Now do EXAM QUESTION 2. Remember to structure your
letter, only include relevant information, and use
appropriate language.
EXAM QUESTION 2
You want to go to Australia for three months to study
English in a language school. Write to the Brisbane School
of English.
• Ask for information about the length and cost of their
courses.
• Explain what level your English is now and what you
find difficult.
• Tell them what you would like to learn and what exams
you want to take.
Offer to work part-time in the school to help pay for
your fees.
Remember to use the correct form and style in the letter.
Don’t use any addresses. Your letter should be 120–150
words long.
Exam Practice 8
Listening: True/False
Topic: Science and technology

EXAM TIPS 3 Listen again. Complete the EXAM QUESTION.

䊳 Read the questions carefully before you hear the
recording. They will give you an idea of what you are
about to hear.
EXAM QUESTION
䊳 Listen carefully for words which tell you whether a You will hear a radio interview with Amanda Deakins from
statement is true or false. Sometimes one word, for the Institute for Future Studies. Decide which sentences
example not, can make a big difference. reflect the content of the text (TRUE) and which do not
䊳 You will hear the recording twice. Don’t expect to (FALSE). Put crosses (✗) in the appropriate boxes.
answer all the questions the first time you listen. When T F
you listen again, check the answers you’ve already got,
1 Amanda Deakins uses the present to
and work out the ones you haven’t done yet.
predict the future.
1 Read the EXAM QUESTION carefully. Answer these
questions before you listen to the radio interview. 2 Voice-activated light switches are going
to be very popular in the future.
1 Where does Amanda Deakins work?
2 Tick (✓) the subject she studies as part of her work. 3 Many hotels now have fingerprint
a space exploration recognition systems instead of keys.
b developments in science and technology
c new ideas in philosophy 4 Amanda’s colleague thinks house keys
3 Tick (✓) the ideas you think you will you hear about will have disappeared in 20 years time.
in the recording. 5 Amanda agrees with her colleague
a wireless systems about house keys disappearing.
b robot-driven cars
c ideas to replace keys 6 Amanda thinks that most people will
d new ways of turning lights on and off soon have wireless systems in their homes.
4 Do you know of two systems that replace keys at the
7 Amanda thought automatic doors
moment?
would be popular.
2 T 8.1 Listen to the interview. Complete the phrases and
sentences. 8 Only one family liked the automatic doors.
1 ‘it must be _____ to study the future because the
future ______ happened yet’
2 ‘what we really do is look at the ______ and we use
that to tell us about the_____’
3 ‘cool, yes, but _____ very_____’
4 ‘people _____ ordinary traditional switches and
switching lights on and off by _____’
Answer questions 1 and 2 in the EXAM QUESTION. Notice
how the words you have written help you to decide
whether the sentences are TRUE or FALSE.

© Copyright Oxford University Press 2007 viii

 Exam Practice 9
Reading: Matching
Topic: State and society
EXAM TIPS
䊳 With matching exercises you should scan the text to
find where the answers are, you don’t need to read the
whole text slowly and carefully.
䊳 Read the exam question carefully and make sure you
know what information you are looking for in the text.
䊳 Don’t worry if there are words in the text you don’t
understand. Try to find the answer by looking at the
words you do understand.
1 Scan the text to find the answers to these questions as
quickly as possible.
1 How many place names can you find in the text?
2 How many animals can you find in the text?
3 How many different foods can you find in the text?
2 Read the EXAM QUESTION below and make sure you
understand the information you need to look for in the
text.
3 Read the text again and answer the EXAM QUESTION.
EXAM QUESTION
Read paragraphs A–G. Then answer the questions in the
table, writing the appropriate letter beside each
question. One paragraph isn’t used.
Which paragraph mentions a law that …
1 might make a dentist angry?
2 is important for people cooking vegetables?
3 will make some people get hunting licences?
4 swimmers might not be too happy about?
5 seems to stop people keeping clean?
6 adventurous women might not like?
ix © Copyright Oxford University Press 2007
IT MAY BE CRAZY BUT IT’S THE LAW
A
Welcome to America, home of the brave and the free,
where in Massachusetts snoring is forbidden unless all
bedroom windows are closed and locked. And in
Boston, the state capital, you shouldn’t have a bath
unless your doctor orders you to do so.
B
Believe it or not, these laws and regulations are real –
and the problem isn’t just confined to Massachusetts.
It’s extremely difficult to decide what such curious
rules say about the American mind, but read on – one
day you might find them useful.
C
In West Virginia the worry is food. You aren’t allowed
to cook cabbage because of the smell – doing so can
lead to imprisonment. And children are strictly
forbidden from arriving at school with their breath
smelling of ‘wild onions’.
D
Ohio seems to be more concerned with animals. If you
want to keep a bear, you require a licence. You also
need a licence to catch mice. And, most interestingly,
you aren’t allowed to fish for whales on a Sunday.
Quite where you’d find whales in Ohio, around 700
miles from the Atlantic Ocean, is anybody’s guess!
E
In Providence, Rhode Island, it is illegal to sell a
toothbrush and toothpaste to the same customer on a
Sunday. Jumping off a bridge is also frowned upon.
Whereas in Newport, also on Rhode Island, you can’t
smoke a pipe after sunset.
F
Indiana has only a couple of odd laws. One prohibits
bathing in winter. The other forbids people from
attending a cinema or theatre or riding on public
transport within four hours of eating garlic.
G
But it is visitors to the sunshine state who should be
especially careful – Florida appears to enjoy an excess
of laws. Single, divorced, or married women are not
allowed to parachute on Sunday afternoons; women
may also be fined for falling asleep under a hairdryer
(as can the salon owner); and if an elephant is left tied
to a parking meter, the parking fee must be the same as
for a car. It is also illegal to sing in public, if you are
wearing a swimming costume.
Exam Practice 10
Speaking: Discussing a topic
Topic: Shopping and services

EXAM TIPS
䊳 In this part of the oral exam you need to give opinions,
or make comparisons. Note down any useful structures.
䊳 In the preparation time before you speak, make a note
of key vocabulary to use.
䊳 Try to look at the topic from both sides giving examples
to illustrate what you are saying.
䊳 Don’t speak too slowly or too fast. Just be yourself.
1 T 10.1 Listen to Anne and Carl discussing the photo.
Read opinions 1–5. Whose opinions are they? Write A
for Anne’s opinion, C for Carl’s opinion, and A + C if
they both have the same opinion.
1 Soon markets will disappear.
__________________________________________
2 It’s sometimes difficult to find what you want in a
supermarket.
__________________________________________
3 Corner shops are friendly places.
__________________________________________
4 Markets are interesting places.
__________________________________________
5 People will never stop shopping for food in markets.
__________________________________________
2 Work in pairs. Complete the phrases for giving opinions
with the words in the box.
3 Complete the sentences with words from the box
credit cards display stallholders discounts bargains
cash range
1 The supermarket accepts credit cards whereas in the
market they only take ________.
2 Supermarkets sometimes offer ‘two-for-
one’________, but in the market you can ask for
prices to be dropped.
3 Compared with the biggest supermarkets, the
________ of goods isn’t so wide.
4 In comparison to supermarket assistants, the market
________ are very friendly.
5 If you go late to the market you can get some great
________, but supermarkets have the same prices all
day.
6 Fruit stalls and supermarkets are similar because of
the way they ________ their goods to attract
customers.
4 Underline the words and phrases that compare and
contrast in 1–6.
5 Do the EXAM QUESTION. Use phrases from exercises 2
and 3 to help you.
EXAM QUESTION
Talk on your own about the photograph.

honest opinion see seems think concerned

1 In my ________, supermarkets are just too

expensive.
2 I ________ that you should use local shops
whenever possible.
3 It ________ to me that prices have dropped recently.
4 To be ________, I prefer shopping at larger stores.
5 As I ________ it, big businesses aren’t friendly
enough.
6 As far as I’m ________, the cheaper the better.
The following guidelines may help you:
• Describe the place, activity, and mood
• Describe what people are doing
• Compare markets with large supermarkets
• Compare with Croatia
• Predict what will happen to markets in the future

© Copyright Oxford University Press 2007 x

 Exam Practice 11
Writing: For and against essay
Topic: State and society

EXAM TIPS
䊳 Read the exam question carefully, and take brief notes
of your first thoughts.
䊳 Plan what you want to say for and against a subject, to
give a balanced point of view.
䊳 Support your statements with examples as they
strengthen your position.
䊳 To build on your range of vocabulary, use more
complex noun phrases to increase the level of you
writing, e.g. accommodation for a place to live, urban
life for living in a city.
䊳 Give yourself time to check and edit your essay after
you finish writing.
1 Read the essay. Which of these exam questions does it
answer?
1 ‘City life is the only way to live.’ To what extent do
you agree?
2 ‘Living in a city has both advantages and
disadvantages.’ Discuss.
3 ‘Living in a city is better than living in the
countryside.’ What’s your opinion?
Many people believe that urban life is the best way to
live. However, living in a city has both (a) ________.
(b) ______________ you can have a really great
social life as there are numerous attractions. (c)
___________, most cities have a wide range of shops
and restaurants. This means you can buy whatever
you want, or eat food from all over the world. There
are also cinemas showing the latest movies, concert
halls where you can see local and foreign bands, and
some fantastic sports facilities to enjoy in your free
time. (d) _________, most cities have excellent
public transport systems, so it’s easy to get around.
In a city like Zagreb there are also better job
opportunities, because more international companies
are located in and around the area. (e) __________,
urban life is extremely convenient.
However, there are some drawbacks. (f) _________
city living can be very expensive. Rent is usually
very high, and it is difficult to find accommodation
in the best areas. (g) ______, prices in the shops and
restaurants can be much higher than elsewhere. This
means that you have to earn more money to enjoy a
good lifestyle. Due to tough competition, it’s not
easy to get a job that pays well. (h) ______, although
public transport is better in the city, pollution levels
are higher too. Cities can be very noisy and dirty
because of the high number of cars and buses on the
roads. (i) ______, this is a common reason for people
moving from cities.
(j) _________, although many people consider urban
living as the most suitable way to live, (k)
__________ living in a city can be stressful.
Nevertheless, it is true that life there can be very
exciting.
2 Complete the essay using the words and phrases in the
box.
In fact Finally One disadvantage is that Moreover
All things considered In conclusion pros and cons
For instance In addition In my opinion
3 Match the advantages with the disadvantages.
Advantages Disadvantages
job opportunities expensive
transportation pollution
culture / social life stress
4 Why are there four paragraphs?
5 Look at the EXAM QUESTION, make a list of advantages
and disadvantages. Now do the EXAM QUESTION.
EXAM QUESTION
Write an essay in 210–240 words discussing this statement:
‘Modern technology has made our life better than in the
past.’
• Give your own personal opinion about the statement.
• Give the advantages and disadvantages of modern
technology.
• Back up your argument(s) with an example (examples)
from your own experience.

xi © Copyright Oxford University Press 2007

Exam Practice 12
Reading: Matching
Topic: Travel and tourism

EXAM TIPS DREAM ISLAND

䊳 Read the text through quickly before you start the task. 1
You will get a general idea of what it is about. Imagine a cruise ship of such proportions that it possesses its
䊳 When you have to match headings to a text, read each own rail network, yacht harbour and artificial lake with a
paragraph in the text carefully and work out the main central island. Or imagine a floating holiday resort, similar in
idea. size to the Vatican, which can cruise from one tourist
destination to another – forever.
1 Read the text quickly. Are the sentences T (TRUE) or F
(FALSE)? 2
Over 100 years ago the novelist Jules Verne described a huge
1 The article describes holidays a century ship called Standard Island. The vessel was 27 kilometres
from now. ___ square, and produced its own food and water. This fictional
2 The dream island will resemble a village. ___ boat carried millionaires on an endless journey around the
3 Building work could be challenging. ___ Pacific, avoiding hardship and stormy weather.
2 Read the text again carefully. Match the summaries 3
with the paragraphs. Now a French shipbuilding company is thinking of
constructing a smaller scale version of Jules Verne’s
1 the current plan
imaginary island. Their product will be 400m by 300m, have a
2 proposed uses for the island maximum speed of 20kph, and be capable of accommodating
3 ship construction around 10,000 people.
4 the initial idea 4
5 facilities on the island This ‘dream island’ would include a lake lined with beaches, a
6 a new concept harbour at the rear, and blocks of apartments up to 15 storeys
7 a model of the island high. The design also features extensive shopping areas,
theatres, bars, casinos, cinemas, and a light railway system to
3 Do the EXAM QUESTION. Use your answers to exercises 1 transport inhabitants from one part of the island to another.
and 2 to help you.
5
Developers have suggested that the ‘island’ could be a cruise
EXAM QUESTION ship which never returns to port instead following the sun
from one tourist destination to another. Other proposals have
Read the text carefully and match the paragraphs with the
highlighted the appeal to billionaires, who could benefit from
headings (A–I). Write the appropriate letters in the boxes
the tax status of international waters. The fact that the ship
(1–7). You do NOT need two headings. You will receive 1
would permanently be at sea also means that specific national
point for each correct answer.
laws could be avoided. Possibilities are numerous, but as yet,
A Impossible to build? nothing has been decided.
B Who is Jules Verne?
6
C Dream or reality?
Engineers believe that constructing on such a large scale
D Everything you need
should pose no particular problems, even though the plans
E The 21st century plan
outline a vessel four times the size of today’s largest ship. To
F Resort or home?
ensure that the ship could be properly launched, the plans are
G Too big to move
to build it offshore, in the same way that oil platforms are
H Facts and figures
currently assembled.
I The original idea
7
The shipbuilders, who are looking for potential investors, and
possible orders, are building a large model of the island for the
next Sea Trade Show in Miami. The name of the vessel has
not been decided yet, but a good choice might be Jules Verne.

© Copyright Oxford University Press 2007 xii

 Exam Practice 13
Use of English: Multiple choice cloze
Topic: Culture

EXAM TIPS 8 A found B born C invented D arrived

䊳 Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the topic. 9 A introduced B introduction C introducing D introduce
䊳 Look at the text before and after each gap – context 10 A out B off C over D away
helps you to choose the best answer.
11 A new B recent C modern D latest
䊳 You are tested on your knowledge of phrases,
collocations, dependent prepositions, phrasal verbs, and 12 A users B consumers C customers D takers
synonyms – recording these in your vocabulary 13 A on B at C with D for
notebook can help build your awareness.
14 A surplus B stocks C supply D store
䊳 When you finish the exam question, look at the
incorrect answers. Deciding which words go with those 15 A becomes B becoming C had become D has become
options will help build your vocabulary.

1 Match the verbs with the nouns Traces of chocolate found (0) in an ancient Mayan pot
(1) ______ that people were drinking it 2,600 years ago. In
Verbs Nouns South America chocolate was consumed in a bitter and
take an opinion spicy drink called ‘xocoatl’, often flavoured with vanilla or
chilli pepper. People (2) _____ that the drink could help
make your best fight fatigue. Chocolate was also an important luxury good
do a decision and cocoa beans were often used (3) _____ currency.
have a risk Christopher Columbus brought (4) _____ cocoa beans to
get the opportunity show Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, but it was Hernando
Cortes who introduced it to the European public. Chocolate
2 Read the text quickly and answer the following was still served as a drink, but the Europeans (5) _____
question. The text is about . . . sugar and milk, and removed the chilli pepper, replacing it
with vanilla. These (6) _____to the taste meant that by the
1 The history of chocolate
17th Century it was popular (7) _____ European nobility.
2 How chocolate is made
3 The importance of chocolate At the end of the 18th century, the first form of solid
chocolate was (8) _____ in Italy. In 1828, Dutchman
3 Read the text again and answer the EXAM QUESTION. Conrad van Houten (9) ______ a method for removing the
fat from cocoa beans and making powdered cocoa and
cocoa butter. Van Houten also developed a process of
EXAM QUESTION treating chocolate to take (10) ______ the bitter taste. This
For gaps 1–15 choose one correct answer A–D. There is an made it possible to create the (11) ______ chocolate bar.
example at the beginning (0). According to a recent survey, the British are Europe’s
Example: biggest (12) ______ of chocolate, eating an average of 10
0 A by B in C out D at kilos per year – nearly five times as much as Italians. In
2005 they spent £4.3 billion (13) _____ 605 thousand
1 A tell B show C inform D say tonnes of chocolate, almost a quarter of the continent’s
2 A believed B considered C regarded D suggest (14) _____.
3 A for B by C with D as Chocolate may not be a luxury item anymore, but its
production (15) _______ big business.
4 A much B any C some D few
5 A added B attached C combined D joined
6 A additions B improvements C extensions D expansions
7 A in B among C for D as

xiii © Copyright Oxford University Press 2007

Exam Practice 14
Reading: True/False and multiple choice
Topic: Target language countries
EXAM TIPS
䊳 Read the text title. Think of everything you know about
the topic – this will help you prepare to answer the
exam question.
䊳 Before you look at the questions, read the text quickly
to get a general idea of what it is about.
䊳 It is a good idea to work through the questions in order:
finish Part 1; then move on to Part 2. Remember the
different techniques you have practised for the different
types of question. Look back at earlier reading units, if
necessary.
䊳 Check your answers after you have tried to answer all
the questions.
1 Work in groups. Write down some notes about Canada.
Think about:
• location • geography
• animal life • towns & cities
• weather
2 Read the text quickly. Where can you . . .
1 see traditional buildings? _____________________
2 participate in outdoor pursuits? ________________
3 observe rare sea-life? ________________________
3 Do parts 1 and 2 of the EXAM QUESTION.
EXAM QUESTION
Part 1
Based on the information from the text, decide which of the
sentences in the table are TRUE and which are FALSE. Put
a cross (✗) in the appropriate box in the table.
T F
1 Accommodation is difficult to locate in
The Rockies.
2 Banff is generally more expensive than Jasper.
3 Fishing remains a key industry in Lunenburg.
4 Lunenburg’s old quarter has been redeveloped.
5 Polar bears avoid the town of Churchill
6 The Northern Lights are rarely observed
in Churchill.
© Copyright Oxford University Press 2007
Part 2
In questions 7–9 choose one of the possibilities that matches
the information from the text. Circle A, B, C or D.
7 Jasper National Park …
A was Canada’s first wildlife sanctuary.
B contains the beautiful Moraine Lake.
C is not as popular as Banff.
D has 30 glaciers in it.
8 Lunenburg’s fish-processing factory …
A is now a museum.
B was built in the 18th century.
C is a wooden building.
D is the largest in North America.
9 Most people go to Churchill …
A because it is a major port.
B to see the polar bears.
C because of its first class facilities.
D to enjoy the weather.
Canada: Off the Beaten Track – Three To See
Rocky Mountains The Rockies run along the Alberta-British Columbia
border, and are inside two huge national parks – Banff to the South and
Jasper to the north. Banff was Canada’s first wildlife sanctuary and these
days the town of Banff is the most popular tourist destination in the
country. But Jasper National Park is larger, wilder and less well-explored.
Between the parks of Banff and Jasper is the Columbia Icefield, an
enormous bowl of ice made up of about 30 glaciers. If you don’t like ice,
the Rockies offer wildlife walks, swimming, camping, hiking, canoeing,
mountain climbing and plenty of places to stay. Accommodation costs
are generally lower at the Jasper end of this superb Canadian mountain
playground.
Lunenburg Lunenburg is south from Halifax, along a foggy coast of
rocky coves, fishing villages and historic towns. It is a beautiful little
shipbuilding town and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Fishing has
always been big in Lunenburg, and things haven’t changed too much:
most of Atlantic Canada’s deep-sea fishing boats leave from here, and
North America’s biggest fish-processing factory is located in town.
Lunenburg still has many wooden buildings and as a result feels like an
18th-century British colonial town. You can explore the town’s Fisheries
Museum and beautiful old churches, or just wander around, looking at
the wooden houses, the harbour and the old streets – and of course
finishing up with a dinner of halibut or haddock, mussels or lobster.
Churchill One of the few places in the north that is ‘easy’ to get to,
Churchill is a 1.5-day train journey from Winnipeg, 1600km away to the
south. Churchill is a major port, but eco-tourism is an becoming more
and more important. Despite freezing temperatures and poor facilities,
visitors come in large numbers to see arctic wildlife – from polar bears
and beluga whales to caribou and Arctic foxes – and, if they’re lucky, to
see the Northern Lights. Churchill calls itself the ‘Polar Bear Capital of
the World’, and for a good reason: the town sits right in the middle of the
animals’ migration route, and the cute but deadly white bears sometimes
wander right into the middle of town. Tours to see the bears from
September to November are by far the most popular attraction.
xiv
 Exam Practice 15
Writing: Notes and messages
Topic: People
EXAM TIPS
䊳 Read the question carefully. The list of points to include
will help you to clearly structure your writing.
䊳 Notes and messages should not be too long. Make sure
you put in all the important information and leave out
anything unnecessary.
䊳 It’s important to use the appropriate register. Decide if
you should respond formally or informally.
1 Rewrite these notes. Make them as short as possible
without changing the meaning.
Example: I’ve gone to the doctor’s about my leg. I
should be back home at about 11 o’clock.
Gone to the doctor’s. Back about 11.
1 Mary phoned to say that she’ll be arriving on
Tuesday morning not Monday afternoon.
2 I look forward to seeing you on Friday morning.
Don’t forget to bring your camera with you.
3 We’re having a great time here in London. We’ve
changed our plans and are now intending to come
home a day later. We will ring you when we get back.
4 Peter is ill and can’t come to the play on Sunday.
He’s given the tickets to me. I’ll meet you outside the
theatre at six o’clock.
2 Read each situation and the notes that go with it. Which
note is the most appropriate? Why/Why not?
1 You forgot to go to a friend’s party. Write a note of
apology.
A morning, but you haven’t completed it yet. Write a note
Jerry,
Sorry I forgot your party. I was busy.
See you soon.
Alex
B
Dear Jerry,
I’m terribly sorry I didn’t come to your party last week. I had an
awful day – there was trouble at school over my homework and
when I returned home had a heated discussion. I was so annoyed
about everything that I completely forgot. I’m so sorry. Anyway, I
hope it went well and you had a good time.
Hope to see you soon.
Alex.
xv © Copyright Oxford University Press 2007
2 You are going to the post office. Your friend, Emma,
may call while you are out. Leave a note for your
flatmate, Jill, asking her to get Emma’s phone
number and say that you will call her back.
A
Jill
I’ve gone out. If Emma phones, get her number and tell her I’ll call
her back.
Cheers, Ellie
B
Jill,
I’ve gone to the post office to send a parcel and buy some
chocolate. It is quite possible that Emma will phone while I’m out. If
she does, could you explain what’s happening. After doing so,
please take her phone number, then I shall return her call later.
Thank you for your help.
Ellie
3 Choose one of the EXAM QUESTIONS. Write your answer
in an appropriate style.
EXAM QUESTION A
A friend is looking after your house while you are on
holiday. Something is being delivered while you are
away. Write a note in 60–80 words. Your note should
include:
• An apology.
• An explanation of the problem.
• A possible solution to the problem.
EXAM QUESTION B
You were supposed to submit an assignment this
to your English teacher in 60–80 words. Your note
should include:
• An apology.
• An explanation of the problem.
• A possible solution to the problem.
Exam Practice 16
Reading: True/False
Topic: Culture
EXAM TIPS
䊳 If the text has a title, read it carefully. The title will give
you an idea about what you are going to read.
䊳 Read the text quickly to get a general idea what it is
about.
䊳 Read the questions so you know what information you
are looking for. Find the part of the text where each
answer is.
䊳 Check your answers. With true/false questions, it is a
good idea to check that the opposite answer is wrong.
1 Read the text quickly and choose the best title.
1 Disappearing languages endanger people.
2 A unique ‘world language’ is impossible.
3 Numerous world languages are facing extinction.
2 Read the text and match the headings (1–6) with the
paragraphs (A–F).
Heading Paragraph
1 Language Diversity: A key factor
2 Major ‘world languages’
3 Shrinking numbers of speakers
4 Reasons for disappearance
5 Rates of extinction
6 A rapid decline
EXAM QUESTION
Read the text. Decide which sentences are TRUE and which
are FALSE. Put a cross (✗) in the appropriate boxes.
T F
1 Birds and mammals are disappearing faster
than languages.
2 Only 10% of the world’s languages are
spoken by more than 100,000 people.
3 There are 357 languages in the world that
only one person still speaks.
4 Tropical countries with forests and mountains
generally have both a large variety of birds and
a large number of languages.
5 Just under 2% of the world’s languages have
disappeared in the last 500 years.
6 There are more native languages in North
America than in Australia.
7 People don’t want to learn a language that they
can only use with a few other people.
8 More people speak Mandarin Chinese, English
and Spanish than any other languages.
© Copyright Oxford University Press 2007
4 Now do the EXAM QUESTION. Remember to check your
answers carefully when you have finished.
THE DANGER OF THE WORLD’S
DISAPPEARING LANGUAGES
A
The number of ‘living’ languages in the world is
decreasing faster than the Earth’s wildlife, according to
population biologist, Professor Bill Sutherland of the
University of East Anglia. His study shows that
languages are in far greater danger of becoming extinct
than birds or mammals.
B
Linguists estimate that there are 6,809 ‘living’ languages
in the world today but that 90 per cent of them are
spoken by fewer than 100,000 people. Some languages
are even rarer: 357 languages have less than 50 speakers;
46 languages have only one remaining native speaker.
C
In a study published in Nature, Professor Sutherland
shows that birds and mammals, and languages, are
influenced by similar factors. Factors increasing
zoological diversity – forests, mountains, and a tropical
climate – also influence local languages. ‘Countries
which are located in close proximity to the tropics,
densely forested, and mountainous tend to support
numerous languages. These factors equally affect bird
species,’ he stated.
D
While in the last 500 years 1.3% of birds, and 1.9% of
mammals have disappeared, 4.5% of the total number of
described languages have died out. The strongest
influence has been the invasion or colonisation of one
country by another. Of the 176 languages spoken in
North America, 52 have become extinct since AD 1600;
of the 235 languages spoken by Aboriginal Australians,
31 have disappeared.
E
Professor Sutherland said that when compared to
threatened animals, a much higher percentage of
languages could be considered ‘endangered’. ‘It is clear
that the risks to languages exceed those to birds and
mammals,’ he writes. In many cases people have little
incentive to learn a language where opportunities for
practical use are limited. The Cambap language of
Cameroon in Central Africa, for example, has just 30
native speakers; the Leco language of the Bolivian
Andes, only 20.
F
On the other hand between 200 and 250 languages are
spoken by more than a million people. Of these,
Mandarin Chinese, English and Spanish are the three
most popular. It is predicted that growth in these
languages could further accelerate the decline of
‘minority’ languages.
xvi