PRACTICE TEST 12 – ESC 20

I: LISTENING (50 Points)

Part 1. You will hear a conversation between a student looking for a host family and a housing advisor .
For questions from 1-5, complete the form below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR
NUMBERS for each answer. (10 Points)
HOST FAMILY APPLICANT
Example: Answer
Name: Jenny Chan
Present address: Sea View Guest House, 1……………
Daytime phone number: 2237676
(NB Best time to contact is 2……………………………………….)
Age: 19
Intended length of stay: 3………………..
Occupation while in Uk: student
General level of English : 4……………
Preferred location : in the 5………………………
Part 2: You will hear a radio interview with someone who has been having a ballet lessons and then
choose the correct answer A, B, C or D which fits best according to what you hear. (10 points)
1. What does Rupert say about the fact that he is doing ballet classes?
A. Other people have ridiculed him for it.
B. He expects to be mocked for it.
C. It is not as unusual as people might think.
D. people may think it isn’t really true.
2. Rupert says that before he started doing ballet lessons.
A. he had been doing routine physical fitness training.
B. his knowledge of ballet had been growing
C. ballet had taken over from football as his greatest interest.
D. he had been considering doing ballroom dancing again.
3. Rupert says that when the idea of ballet lesson was suggested to him
A. he thought it was a joke.
B. he was sure exactly what would be involved.
C. he began to have unrealistic expectations of what he could achieve.
D. he initially lacked the confidence to do it.
4. One of the advantages of ballet that Rupert mentions is that
A. it leads to fewer injuries than other physical activities.
B. it has both physical and mental effects.
C. it is particularly good for certain parts of the body.
D. it is more interesting than other forms of exercises.
5. What does Rupert say about his progress at ballet?
A. It has been much more rapid than he expected.
B. It has made him consider giving up his other training.
C. It has given him greater appreciation of the skills of professionals.
D. It has led him to enroll for certain exams.
Part 3. You will hear some advice from a British programme adviser .Listen , indicate whether the
following statement are True ( T), False ( F) or Not Given ( NG). (10 points)
1. If you bring money to Britain, you’d better carry large sums of cash on your person.
2. Your money will be more secure if you convert it into traveller’s cheques.
3. It’s not safe to deposit your money with hotels or hostels.
4. It’s wise to put your purchses in your shopping bag.
5. All shops provive a receipt for you.

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 Part 4: You will hear part of a radio interview with a swimming instructor. For questions 1-10,
complete the sentences. (20 points)
Swimming instructor
Paul works at a hotel in the (1)_________
He started his job in (2)___________
He particularly likes meeting (3)_________________ there.
Paul isn’t interested in teaching (4)___________
According to Paul, (5)___________ of all adults can’t swim.
Paul’s students are afraid of going (6)___________
His students have to put their faces into a salad bowl and (7)___________ below the surface.
The first thing they do in the pool is to (8)___________ in the water with their faces down.
Paul thinks it’s essential to be (9)___________ in the water.
Most people learn to swim after about (10)___________
PARTIII. LEXICO - GRAMMAR (50 points)
Part 1: Choose one of the words marked A, B, C, or D which best completes the sentence. (20
points)
1. The size of the pop-star’s personal fortune was the subject of much ____ in the press.
A. doubt B. guessing C. speculation D. wonderment
2. Make sure you ____ the cards before we start the next game.
A. turn B. mix C. alternate D. shuffle
3. The junior staff was ___ from all aspects of decision making.
A. excluded B. limited C. confined D. restricted
4. Jeremy’ friends were fond of him ____because of his generosity.
A at least B. still less C. even less D. not least
5. The thick fog ____ out any possibility of our plane taking off before morning.
A. ruled B. struck C. stamped D. crossed
6. Lack of rain early in the season meant that the fields ____ a poor crop.
A. yielded B. generated C. surrendered D. suffered
7. Looking down at the coral reef, we saw ____ of tiny, multi-colored fish.
A. swarms B. flocks C. teams D. shoals
8. The doctor was praised for her ____ work with her patients.
A. groundless B. tireless C. bottomless D. restless
9. Jack was ___ to the fact that he couldn’t take his holiday in June.
A. accepted B. complied C. agreed D. resigned
10. The amount Sarah earned was ___ on how much she sold.
A. related B. connected C. dependent D.secured
11. The consultant called in by the firm brought a ____ of experience to bear on the problem
A. wealth B. realm C. bank D. hoard
12. Children can be difficult to teach because of their short attention ___
A. limit B. span C. duration D. time
13. Christine’s face ___up when she heard the good news.
A. showed B. cleaned C. warmed D. lit
14. Ellen decided that election to the local council would provide a ___ to a career in national politics.
A. springboard B. turning point C. milestone D. highway
15. She expressed her ____ for certain kinds of cheaply produced movies.
A. disapproval B. distaste C. dissatisfaction D. disloyalty
16. Deborah is going to take extra lessons to____ what she missed while she was away.
A. catch up on B. cut down on C. put up with D. take up with
17. The report notes that forty percent of lawyers____the profession are women
A. entering B. joining C. joining in D. joining up
18. It is very difficult to____the exact meaning of an idiom in a foreign language.
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 A. convert B. convey C. exchange D. transfer
19. There will be another performance due to ____ demand.
A. popular B. reasonable C. constant D. famous
20. I didn’t want to ____him his moment of triumph, so I congratulated him on defeating me
A decline B forgo C deprive D deny

Part 2. Find There are 10 mistakes in the text below. Find and correct them.
(10 points)
Line Corrections
The arrival of stellite TV has brought up a whole new world 0 omit
of viewing into our living rooms – if we can afford to pay for 1
it, that is, Major sport events can now be seen live. Beside this, 2
a wider variety of sports is now available. The viewer can 3
choose anything from dog-racing and sumo wrestling. Certain 4
channels show 20 film every day, Again, the choice is 5
enormous-from old classics to the latest Hollywood releases. 6
For them who like to keep informed, 24-hour news is available 7
for the touch of a button. Children are not forgotten neither. A 8
special junior channel broadcasts cartoons and children’s films. 9
But do we really need all this choice? The danger is that we 10
will become a population of passive couch-potatoes with 11
square eyes and fingers glued to the remote-control. Of course 12
choice is a good thing, but viewers should use his ability to 13
select the best and disregard of the rest. 14

Part 3: For questions 1-10, fill in the gaps in the following sentences with suitable particles. Write your
answers in the corresponding numbered boxes. There is an example at the beginning (10 points).
1. The love of life shone______the author’s book, giving me as much inspiration as I could ever ask for.
2. You shouldn’t take ________ more than you can handle, otherwise you’ll suffer from stress.
3. He’s so stubborn and stupid. I just couldn’t get ________ him that she
can never make money from gambling.
4. Don’t expect him fall ________ such a trick. He was not born yesterday.
5. I always appreciate him for never shying _______ from responsibility.
6. Many animal species have died ________ as a result increasing habitat loss.
7. I will never come _________ such a risky plan.
8. The authorities plan to bring _________ new regulations on the application of pesticides.
9. The success of our project hinges _________ Mike’s ability persuade the locals to move to the renewal
quarter.
10. I will probably take us 5 hours to get there, allowing ________ refueling and traffic delays.

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Part 4. Supply each gap with the correct form of the word given in the box (10 points)
S KIING HOLIDAYS IN COLORADO
To ski or snowboard in Colorado is to experience the pinnacle of winter sports. The state of Colorado is
known for its spectacular scenery and (1. BREATH) _______ views, which inspire today's travelers as much
as they spurred on the (2. SETTLE) _______ who first arrived in this part of the US over a century ago.
And whether you're seeking the outdoor adventure of a (3. LIFE) _______ exciting nightlife or a great
family getaway, Colorado has everything you need.
November through April, snow conditions are (4. CONSIST) _______ and reliable, featuring Colorado's
(5. LEGEND) _______ “champagne powder” snow. Extensive snow making and grooming operations
always keeps trails in top shape.
The mountain destinations in the Colorado Rockies can turn your wildest ski dreams into thrilling (6.
REAL) _______. There, you'll find the best skiing and snowboarding resorts on (7. PICTURE)
_______ slopes, as well as the finest ski schools in the US. Together, they present an (8. PARALLEL)
_______ winter paradise. And the best part is that you'll enjoy friendly, (9. CARE) _______ service in
resorts that are (10. COMMIT) _______ to delivering the highest quality amenities.

IV. READING COMPREHENSION (60 points)

Part 1: Read the text below and choose the correct word for each space. For each question, circle
letter A, B, C or D next to the answer you choose. (15 points)
AUTISM DAY
World Autism Awareness Day is (1)____ on April 2 nd and aims to promote understanding of all issues
related to people (2)______ as being on the spectrum of autism disoreders. Like many neutrological
disorders, ASDs can result in many (3)_____ that can lead to discrimination.
There are many within the autism community who dispute that the condition is a disorder at all and
instead put forward the view that autism is simply a normal neurological variation and part of the
neurodiversity of the haman race and, as such, should not be pathologised.
This take (4) ______ ASDs had lead to a certain amount of (5)_____ between the scientists researching
autism conditions and the organizations raising awareness of the conditions. A number of (6)______ groups
fear that researchers would like to find a cure for autism, which they maintain would rob them of the
(7)_____ of their individuality, while researchers claim to only want a better understanding of the condition
and to be able to offer help with some of the effects of autism such as (8)_____ social anxiety. Those
involved in research into ASDs (9)_____ that autism should not simply be eradicated but, (10)_____ , that it
needs to be better understood.
1.A. noticed B.regarded C. watched D. observed
2.A.tabulated B.classified C. graded D.pigeonholed
3. A. hallucinations B. impressions C. misconceptions D. delusions
4. A. toward B. on C. into D. against
5. A. scraping B. abrasion C. chafing D. fiction
6. A. support B. backing C. loyalty D. assistance
7. A. extract B. concentrate C. essence D. nectar
8. A. maiming B. limping C. hobbling D. crippling
9. A. scorn B. concur C. consent D. permit
10. A. nonetheless B. albeit c. notwithstanding D. however
Part 2: For questions 1–10, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use
only ONE word in each gap. Write your answers in corresponding numbered boxes. There is an
example at the beginning (15 points).
MODERN LIVING
Over the last forty years, (0)____one____ of the major changes in the way we live concerns
(1)________ we eat.
As well as the fact that we have larger incomes, foreign travel (2)________ encouraged us to
experiment (3)________ our cooking. As a result, ordinary people have developed a taste (4)________
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exotic flavours. Supermarkets, which previously filled their shelves with only locally produced goods, now
stock Caribbean vegetables, spices from India and (5)________ Chinese beer!
There is also a trend towards eating (6)________ healthily nowadays, so low-fat, low-calorie foodstuffs
have become part of our weekly shopping basket. And vegetarianism is on (7)________ rise, too.
Government surveys predict that one in three of us will be a vegetarian by the end of the present decade.
Strange as it may seem, (8)________, the fact that we now know more than ever before about what we
should eat has not actually made us (9)________ healthier. In fact, the latest surveys show that all of us are
getting fatter and some, especially teenagers, are in danger of becoming clinically obese. If this happens, we
only have (10)________ to blame.
Part 3. Reading the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to
indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 1 to 10. (15 points)

Animation traditionally is done by hand-drawing or painting successive frame of an object, each slightly
different than the proceeding frame. In computer animation, although the computer may be the one to draw
the different frames, in most cases the artist will draw the beginning and ending frames and the computer
will produce the drawings between the first and the last drawing. This is generally referred to as computer-
assisted animation, because the computer is more of a helper than an originator.
In full computer animation, complex mathematical formulas are used to produce the final sequences of
pictures. These formulas operate on extensive databases of numbers that defines the objects in the pictures as
they exist in mathematical space. The database consists of endpoints, and color and intensity information.
Highly trained professionals are needed to produce such effects because animation that obtains high degrees
of realism involves computer techniques fro three-dimensional transformation, shading, and curvatures.
High-tech computer animation for film involves very expensive computer systems along with special
color terminals or frame buffers. The frame buffer is nothing more than a giant image memory for viewing a
single frame. It temporarily holds the image for display on the screen.
A camera can be used to film directly from the computer’s display screen, but for the highest quality
images possible, expensive film recorders are used. The computer computers the positions and colors for the
figures in the picture, and sends this information to the recorder, which captures it on film. Sometimes,
however, the images are stored on a large magnetic disk before being sent to the recorder. Once this process
is completed, it is replaced for the next frame. When the entire sequence has been recorded on the film, the
film must be developed before the animation can be viewed. If the entire sequence does not seem right, the
motions must be corrected, recomputed, redisplayed, and rerecorded. This approach can be very expensive
and time- consuming. Often, computer-animation companies first do motion tests with simple computer-
generated line drawings before selling their computers to the task of calculating the high-resolution,
realistic-looking images.
Question 1: What aspect of computer animation does the passage mainly discuss?
A. The production procession B. The equipment needed
C. The high cost D. The role of the artist
Question 2: According to the passage, in computer-assisted animation the role of the computer is to
draw the _________.
A. first frame B. middle frames
C. last frame D. entire sequences of frames
Question 3: The word “they” in the second paragraph refers to _________.
A. formulas B. objects C. numbers D. database
Question 4: According to the passage, the frame buffers mentioned in the third paragraph are used to
_________.
A. add color to the images B. expose several frames at the same time
C. store individual images D. create new frames
Question 5: According to the passage, the positions and colors of the figures in high-tech animation are
determined by _________.
A. drawing several versions B. enlarging one frame at a lime
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 C. analyzing the sequence from different angles D. using computer calculations
Question 6: The word “captures” in the fourth paragraph is closest in meaning to _________.
A. separates B. registers C. describes D. numbers
Question 7: The word “Once” in the fourth paragraph is closest in meaning to _________.
A. before B. since C. after D. while
Question 8: According to the passage, how do computer-animation companies often test motion?
A. They experiment with computer-generated line drawings.
B. They hand-draw successive frames.
C. They calculate high-resolutions images.
D. They develop extensive mathematical formulas.
Question 9: The word “task” in the fourth paragraph is closest in meaning to _________.
A. possibility B. position C. time D. job
Question 10: Which of the following statement is supported by the passage?
A. Computers have reduced the costs of animation.
B. In the future, traditional artists will no longer be needed.
C. Artists are unable to produce drawings as high in quality as computer drawings.
D. Animation involves a wide range of technical and artistic skills.

Part 4. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. (15 points)
Questions 1-6
Reading Passage 1 has seven paragraphs (A-G). Choose the most suitable headings for paragraphs B-G from the
list of headings below.
List of Headings
(i) A conventional way to process drinking water
(ii) Removals of bacteria and viruses
(iii)New methods are called for
(iv)An ambitious plan
(v) The continuous microfiltration system
(vi)The future of microfiltration plants
(vii) New focus: environment-friendly technology
(viii) Disadvantages of septic tanks
(ix)The expansion of Memtec
(x) Public’s concerns for waste disposals
(xi)A different approach to cleaning the filter

Example: Paragraph A Answer: iii

1. Paragraph B __________
2. Paragraph C __________
3. Paragraph D __________
4. Paragraph E __________
5. Paragraph F __________
6. Paragraph G __________
Treatment of Waste from Water
A
Conventional approaches to waste disposal are becoming untenable. Most systems bring sewage in from
the surrounding areas to a central plant for treatment, then transport to the processed waste to the nearest
river or sea for disposal. This is inefficient, as it takes 1 million litres of water to transport 200 litres of
waste. It also involves heavy investment in pipes. Indeed, transport accounts for about 80% of waste-
disposal system costs, while treatment accounts for just 20%.
B
This must change, especially as demands on treatment grow. Tap water is increasingly subject to
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pollution, from both the atmosphere and waste disposal. Regulations governing water quality are being
tightened in response, but conventional treatment systems are not up to the job. These systems typically date
back to the last century, and they are based on principles known to the Romans. For example, drinking water
in Yokohama, Japan, comes from a plant that originated in 1887. At the plant, incoming water flows through
a coarse filter to eliminate large particles, then through a sand filter to remove smaller particles and bacteria.
But because viruses are small enough to slip through sand, the water still must be disinfected with chlorine
and left to stand for several hours before it is drinkable.
C
As population densities in cities increase, appropriate methods for treating waste water are needed
urgently. In Japan, engineering companies are eyeing emerging markets for environmentally sound treatment
systems. Authorities are also looking to upgrade backward infrastructure, as 44% of Japanese homes are
connected to sewage systems and the remainder on septic tanks. But they would prefer not to spend a fortune
on pipes. Japan’s Health and Welfare Ministry began experiments to develop new technology for clean-
water systems. The project’s focus is to evaluate systems that use sophisticated filtration techniques based on
membranes.
D
Perhaps the most distinctive of the systems under trial is one developed by Memtec, an Australian
company. Its continuous microfiltration system consists of a tube into which is packed thousands of thin
polyethylene fibres. The walls of the hollow fibres are highly porous, allowing liquid to pass, but blocking
particles larger than 0.2 micrometres. That is small enough to exclude bacteria and viruses.
E
But the clever part involves how the filter is cleaned. Conventional microfiltration systems dislodge
solids that have accumulated on the surface of their membranes by pumping filtered liquid back through
them at high speed. This takes a lot of energy and means membranes must be replaced often. Memtec’s
system adopts a different approach. At regular intervals, says every half an hour, input to the filter is shut
off, and all liquid except the amount trapped in the pores of the membrane. Then a fast-activating valve is
opened to reduce the pressure on the outside. The still-pressurized air inside the fibre burst across the
membrane, pushing the liquid out of the pores. The wall of water is powerful enough to lift the solids of the
surface. In effect, the membrane cleans itself. And because it is not subject to stress, the filter lasts for
several years.
Memtec’s system has been successful in low-volume, high value-added applications. It is widely used in
the drinks business to filter fruit juice, wine, beer and sake. Now the company has scaled up its membranes
for use in high-volume markets such as drinking water and waste-water treatment. It is trying to persuade
other large engineering companies to design its filters into their integrated treatment systems. The company
has already demonstrated that its membranes can be applied on a large scale. They form the core of what is
believed to be the world’s largest continuous microfiltration plant build at Blackheath in the Blue Mountains
near Sydney. During 21 weeks of trials, the A$2.3-million (US$1.7 million) plant treated 3 million litres of
sewage daily. Measurements showed that the filtered water contained no bacteria or viruses. In fact, it was
cleaner than the river into which it was released.
G
Plants such as this have the potential to revolutionise water-treatment infrastructure. Huge centralised
plants connected by hundreds of kilometres of pipes can be replaced with compact units located next to the
communities they serve, returning the water they treat to adjacent streams. Because the plants are energy-
efficient, they will be cheap to operate. The benefits to the environment will be huge.

Questions 7-10: Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer of the above reading
passage? Write:
YES if the statement agrees with the writer;
NO if the statement does not agree with the writer;
NOT GIVEN if there is no information about this in the passage.
Example: Conventional treatment of waste water should be modernised. Answer: YES
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 ______ 7. Septic tanks in Japan are part of the modern technology of waste-water treatment.
______8. Compression and sudden decompression are the basic working principle for cleaning
microfiltration filters developed by Memtec.
______9. Conventional water treatment systems include microfiltration.
______10. Japan is facing a more serious problem of waste-water disposal than Australia.

IV: WRITING (40 points)

Part 1. Rewrite the following sentences with the same meaning. (10 points)
1. Thomas was not given details of the company's new projects.
-> Thomas was kept …………………………………………………………………
2. I was too scared to tell him what I really thought.
-> I lacked (the)………………………………………………………………
3. Have a look at this picture. It may help you to remember something.
-> Have a look ………………………………………………………….
4. They sent him to prison for three years.
-> He was ……………………………………………………………….
5. They arrived at the station with only a minute to spare.
-> They arrived ……………………………………………………………..
6. The village shop is now being managed by a national supermarket chain.
→ A national supermarket chain ………………………………………………
7. This door is an emergency exit and must never be locked for any reason.
→On.....................................................................................................
8. Melvin’s friend recommended that website where he bought the camping equipment.
→ Melvin bought equipment from that website .................................................................
9. Yolanda’s family persuaded her to enter the competition.
→ Yolanda was ............................................................................................................
10. Just thinking about entering the university makes him so happy.
→The………………………………………………………………………....

Part 2: Rewrite the following sentences using the given words. Do not alter these words.(10points)
1. Because of the lack of cooperation, he decided to leave the project unfinished.
COOPERATION
→ He chose to _______________________________________________.
2. The organization is supported by the government for most of its income.
INCOME
→ The organization depends ___________________________________.
3. The last political scandal of this kind took place fifty years ago.
SCANDAL
→ There hasn’t ______________________________________________.
4. You’re so lazy, you don’t deserve to pass your exams next month.
EXAM
→ You’re so lazy, it will serve ___________________________________.
5. John made his teacher very angry. ANGER
→ John incurred _______________________________________________.
6. The elections take place next Sunday. SCHEDULED
→ The elections _________________________________ next Sunday.
7. If it hadn’t rained so heavily, the garden party would have been a success.
DOWNPOUR
→ Had it __________________________, the garden party would have been a success.
8. Lives could be endangered if the safety procedures are not followed strictly
RISK
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 → To ensure that no one is ____________________________ to the safety procedures.
9. I don’t think we need to mention that now. UP
→ I don’t think we _________________________________ now.
10. He used to be a teacher, so he really knows what it’s like in the classroom.
FIRSTHAND
→ He has _________________________________ of the classroom.

Part 3: Write a paragraph about this idea computer games should be banned (about 150-180
words). (20 points)