_______________________________________________ENGLISH Area

SET 1 Pre Proficiency Term Test I

1 For questions 1–9, read the text below and think of the word that best fits each
space. Use only one word in each space.

HARD ROAD TO SUCCESS

In today’s music industry it is hard to (1) ___________ out in the crowd but the band,
Makeover Mayhem, seem to have done just that. They only got together a couple of months
ago, but their first album, which was ready for downloading only a week ago, is already
speeding up the charts. It looks as if they are (2) ___________ to become the biggest
success story of the year. If this continues, they stand (3) ___________reach number one
and make their fortunes. Their music harks (4) ___________ to the early rock and roll of the
fifties and the reason (5) ___________ their success is probably due to two main things:
first, the modern twist which they have put on rock and roll music and, secondly, the wave of
nostalgia that seems to be sweeping through the music-buying public.

(6) ___________ sharp contrast to the band, Josh Logan is an actor who has been
struggling for years to make a name for himself. But, finally, he has just finished his first lead
role in a film at the age of 32. Although he loves working on films, he finds it difficult to tap
into the emotional(7)___________ required when the scenes do not follow on from each
other as they do in a stage play. The film (8) __________ to have been released in spring
ne*t year, but that has now changed to the autumn, mainly because of the director’s
pedantic obsession with a perfection that only exists in his head. However, Josh knows that
tenacity and belief in what you are doing is a prerequisite (9) ___________an actor and he
is prepared to work long hours to be the best he can be.

2. For questions 1–8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D)
best fits each gap.

AN AUTHOR’S LIFE

Mark Stringly, widely acclaimed as one of the decade’s most successful young authors,
is (1)___ writing his tenth novel. It is based on an old family myth that his great-
grandfather had discovered hidden treasure on his plantation in the West Indies. Ever
since Mark heard the story it was (2) ___ that one day he would write about it. Mark is
rarely interviewed as he hates being in the (3)_____ . As a result, people have jumped
to many (4) _____ about him, most of which are incorrect. So, when he agreed to let me
interview him last month for a television documentary I was doing about the origins of
story writing, I (5) _____ at the chance. However, when I suggested that his great-great-
grandfather might have been a pirate, he jumped down my (6) _____ and ordered me
not to print any such thing as it was totally incorrect.
His last book has now been (7) _____ for the big screen although he has not written the
script for it. Surprisingly, though, he has written the musical (8) ____ , as he is also an
accomplished musician, a secret he had managed to keep from the public until now.

1 A lately B ever C currently D yet

2 A inspiring B inevitable C D uplifting
questionable
3 A limelight B floodlight C headlight D flashlight
 4 A B C D ovations
opportunities interpretations conclusions
5 A went B bounded C stood D leapt
6 A mouth B throat C neck D face
7 A adapted B admired C animated D initiated
8 A notes B script C score D cue

3 For questions 1–5, read the text below. Use the word i6en in CAPITALS at the end
of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the space in the same line.

After the play, we went (1) _____ to meet the actors as we’d won a competition STAGE
to
meet them and join the after-show party. It was wonderful! Although the lead
actor
had been ill on the night we went, we met his (2) ____ , who was excellent in the STUDY
part. His performance was quite (3) _______ and the applause at the end was LIFT
absolutely (4) _______ In the following day’s newspapers, the young actor was DEAF
(5) ________ acclaimed by all the critics as a rising new star. WIDE

4 For questions 1–10 underline the most suitable word or phrase in italics in the
following text.
SUMMARY AND EVALUATION OF TEXTS
The two texts (1) write about / assume / discuss the determination, skills and talents (2)
wanted / asked / required of a dancer or a musician. Although in many ways they are
similar, there are also significant differences. The first text (3) communicates / examines
/ observes the audition process for dancers whereas the second te*t is about young
musicians trying to get recording contracts.

The first text (4) conveys / explains / portrays that it is almost impossible to even get an
audition these days as choreographers tend to use only people they already know. It (5)
describes / exemplifies / demands how choreographers are often encouraged by
producers to avoid seeking out the most beautiful or talented dancers in case they upstage
the star of the show. However one cannot (6) convey / assume / assert that even if a
dancer gets through an audition, they are going to have an easy ride. The truth is that they
are likely to be worked extremely hard for very little reward. Tenacity and strength of
character are the main prerequisites alongside talent.

The second text (7) confirms / expresses / verifies that musicians aiming for the dizzy
heights of chart success also need this tenacity and strength of character to handle
rejection and keep going when the going gets tough. (8) Instead of / Although / Even
having face!to!face auditions, the most common way of approaching producers is by
sending in demo tracks that are often ignored completely. Not only do they need to be able
to sing but also write their own music, as successful recording artists these days have to
be able to write hit songs - not an easy task. The text (9) advocates / concludes /
promotes finding a good manager but that is not easy to do either.

In (10) outline / conclusion / evaluation the one thing both texts agree on is that all
performers need passion, a belief in their talents and the willingness to persevere against
all the odds.
5 For questions 1-10, read the sentences below and decide which answer (A, B, C or
D) best fits each gap.

1 They lived in a thatched cottage in a village in the heart of the English

countryside.
A dense B conventional C lush D quaint
2 As they travelled across the landscape, each one of them wondered how it was
possible to grow anything there.
A barren B bustling C grimy D mundane
3 The new company had been with one problem after another and looked as if
it were about to go under.
A glorified B tainted C fraught D bewildered
4 My parents looked back with ____ on the days when all of us lived at home and
which, they said, were the best years of their lives.
A nostalgia B reminiscence C homesickness D recollection
5 John and Sarah lived in the back of and it always took us a whole day to drive
there.
A the country B isolation C nowhere D beyond
6 Even though there have been setbacks, because of their determination I’m sure
they’ll achieve their goals, .
A suffice to say B be that as it may C so be it D come what may
7 we hadn’t been so quick to change our minds.
A I hope B If only C I regret D Not only
8 Roland wishes he to join us in the Caribbean, but he can’t because he
has to fly to Australia that week.
A could B were able C should be able D would
9 I would to work in a big city than in a small town in the country.
A rather B prefer C better D fancy
10 you like it or not, we’re going to visit as many museums as we can this
year.
A Whether B No matter C Whatever D However

6 For questions 1-6, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to
the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. Use between
three and eight words, including the word given.

1 We couldn't find our tickets anywhere.

NOWHERE
Our ___________________________ .

2 Would you mind if I brought a friend to your party?

OBJECTION
Would ___________________________ a friend to your party?

3 I wasn't at all surprised when I heard that Melanie had got the part in the show.
HEAR
It came _________________________________ Melanie had got the part in the show.
4 She was so tired that she was about to collapse.
POINT
She _____________________________collapse.

5 Thanks to various psychosocial activities realized at the centre, they gradually learn to
accept and deal with the horrors they have witnessed
TERMS
They _____________________________ the horrors they have witnessed.

6 Traps fans get very excited at the prospect of a freestyle battle.

GREAT
The prospect of a freestyle battle is a source _____________________________traps fans.