FULL BLAST LEVEL B2 - FINAL TEST

VOCABULARY
A. Read the text and decide which answer
a, b, c or d best fits each blank.

THE FOSBURY FLOP

Dick Fosbury is one of the most significant athletes there has ever been in (1) high-jumping. While still at
school, after experimenting, he completely (2) the technique for the high jump, creating his own unique
and (3) style.

Although Fosbury was one of the tallest kids at school, he was a(n) (4) person to develop a new way of
jumping. While at school, he had difficulty jumping over a 5-foot bar, which was the standard height to enter into
school track competitions. This was (5) for Fosbury, but because he had determination, he took on the
challenge to (6) a new technique.

At the time there were two ways of jumping: a scissor style where athletes threw one leg and then the other over
the bar, and a face-forward ‘straddle’ jump. Fosbury started experimenting with jumping backwards over the bar,
head-first. He started to get the (7) of it and stuck to this method, starting further and further away from the
bar, then (8) towards it in a curve, before finally leaping into the air and over the bar. He took off from
the ground nearly four feet out from the bar, whereas classic ‘straddle’ jumpers were less than one foot away from
the bar when they left the ground.

Fosbury became a bit of a (9) when the spectators and media first watched him jump. Many reporters
made fun of him and one newspaper called him the ‘World’s Laziest High Jumper.’ Another reporter wrote that he
(10) a ‘fish flopping in a boat’, and that’s how the name Fosbury Flop was born.

However, Fosbury had the last (11) when, in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, he not only won a
gold medal but also set a new Olympic record, (12) over a bar set at 7 feet 4.2 inches. Today the ‘Flop’ is
the most popular modern high-jumping technique.

1. a. accessible b. demanding c. competitive d. inflatable

2. a. banned b. furthered c. packed d. revolutionised
3. a. dramatic b. long-term c. motivating d. predictable
4. a. permanent b. improbable c. conventional d. left-handed
5. a. confusing b. frustrating c. unexpected d. unintentional
6. a. get across b. strike up c. figure out d. break into
7. a. heart b. hand c. hold d. hang
8. a. flinging b. pushing c. sprinting d. plunging
9. a. laughing stock b. comic c. newcomer d. villain
10. a. curled b. resembled c. stated d. shifted
11. a. smile b. fun c. laugh d. joke
12. a. blowing b. constructing c. vowing d. soaring score 12

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FULL BLAST LEVEL B2 - FINAL TEST

B. Complete the blanks with the words in the box.

Pete, the (1) , looked up at the sky. A (2)

seagull
was circling above his head. It could probably smell the fish in the boat. He wondered what
seaweed
time it was. He was close to the rocky (3) and realised that the
seashore (4) had risen. He decided it was time to head in. Besides, he
sea level was getting hungry. Pete brought his boat in and tied it up. The beach was covered in dark
seashell green (5) . He collected some and put it in a small backpack.
seaman His eye caught sight of a pink and white (6) . He usually
preferred to leave them on the beach but he picked this one up and wrapped it up carefully
before putting it in his top pocket. The shops on the seafront were busy with people. Pete
buttoned up his coat and, carrying a bucket of fish and his backpack, he headed towards the
fish market.

score 6

C. Circle the correct answer to complete the dialogue.

A: You’re late, aren’t you?

B: Sorry. I lost track of time. I was at The Hub.
A: How was it?
B: They’ve totally done it up. It has all this new state-of-the- (1) art / device technology.
A: Really? Like what?
B: They have a virtual (2) intelligence / reality room. It’s really cool. You go inside and you think you’re in
a(n) (3) oil spill / submarine surrounded by sharks and squid.
A: How close up?
B: Well, at one point a giant squid came right next to the window and its (4) tentacle / fin came crashing
through the window.
A: Wasn’t that (5) ferocious / terrifying?
B: Yes! You know it’s not real, but it sure looks like it! I jumped right out of my seat!
A: Wow. It sounds (6) thrilling / threatening.
B: It is. You should check it out sometime.
A: I will.
B: They had this other room which was even more interactive. When you went inside, it created the
(7) farce / illusion that you were a trapped inside a box of spiders, and had to make a(n) (8) guess / attempt
to escape.
A: Sounds like a nightmare to me.
B: Actually, when I saw the spiders I ran out so fast I almost (9) knocked over / put down a piece of equipment.
A: Well, I’ll give the underwater experience a try, but the spider room sounds way too (10) creepy / deceptive for
me!

score 10

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FULL BLAST LEVEL B2 - FINAL TEST

GRAMMAR
D. Choose the word or phrase that produces a grammatically correct sentence.
1. Having dance lessons from an early age, she went on to become a professional dancer.
a. take b. took c. taking d. taken
2. I remember Tim at my aunt’s house.
a. to meet b. meeting c. met d. have met
3. You have told me the truth from the beginning, because I found out anyway.
a. needn’t b. ought c. should d. may
4. Hamlet is to be one of Shakespeare’s greatest works.
a. consider b. to consider c. considered d. considering
5. He insisted on the bill.
a. pay b. paying c. to pay d. paid
6. Take a bottle of water with you you get thirsty.
a. although b. so c. in case d. so that
7. If you harder, you would have passed the exams.
a. had studied b. studying c. study d. have studied
8. I wish I her at the hospital, but I didn’t have time.
a. would have visited b. visited c. had visited d. have visited

score 8

E. 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. You must use between two and
five words, including the word given.
1. Sally got her brother to buy her a cup of coffee. HAD
Sally her a cup of coffee.

2. People say that she lives in the UK BE

She living in the UK

3. I woke up late and missed the bus. ONLY

If up late, I wouldn’t have missed the bus.

4. ‘I didn’t lie to you,’ said George. DENIED

George to me.

5. Our parents let us go to our friend’s house. WERE

We to go to our friend’s house.

6. It was foolish of you to make that comment. OUGHT

You really that comment.

score 12

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FULL BLAST LEVEL B2 - FINAL TEST

F. Read the text and circle the correct answer.

If I (1) hadn’t travelled / didn’t travel to Paris ten years ago, I might never have (2) become / became an artist.
I was visiting a friend (3) whose / who was studying architecture. He invited me (4) to go / going along with him
to a painting seminar he was attending. (5) In spite / Despite it being the first time I actually painted on canvas,
the teacher told me that I was talented and could further improve my abilities if I was interested.

When I returned home, I decided (6) to take / taking art lessons so that I (7) may / would learn more things
about drawing and painting. The art teacher had me (8) painted / paint in a variety of different ways and styles
(9) in order to / in case see what I could do. After a few months of practice and training, I realised that this was
what I wanted to do. (10) Painting / To Paint not only became a pleasant hobby, but developed into an exciting
career path that continues to surprise me even today.

score 10

LISTEN
You will hear part of an interview with a woman named Barbara Walsh. For questions 1-5,
choose the best answer a, b or c.
1. Who was responsible for the SunSmart campaign?
a. The Australian Department of Education
b. The Cancer Council of Victoria
c. Sid, the singing seagull

2. What is the slogan of the American National Council on Skin Cancer’s Campaign?
a. Slip, Slop, Slap
b. Slip! Slop! Slap! And Wrap!
c. No Hat, No Play

3. Barbara Walsh, mother of three, is opposed to the ‘No Hat, No Play’ rules because she
a. disagrees that cases of sunburn have decreased as a result of these rules.
b. thinks that they cause more problems than they solve.
c. would like them to be less strict and applied only when necessary.

4. When does Barbara Walsh agree that the ‘No Hat, No Play’ rules should be followed?
a. never; children should take responsibility for their own sun protection.
b. only from 11 am to 4 pm and just for fair-skinned children
c. only in the summer and on sunny days from 11 am to 4 pm

5. How are kids ‘twisting the rules’ to their advantage?

a. They pretend they have forgotten their hats to get out of playing.
b. They pretend they have forgotten their hats to get out of PE.
c. They share one another’s hats.

score 10

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FULL BLAST LEVEL B2 - FINAL TEST

READ
Read the text and answer the questions. Choose a, b, c or d.

Voyages and Travels of Count

Funnibos and Baron Stilkin
‘What shall we do with ourselves, my dear Stilkin?’ exclaimed Count Funnibos,
yawning and stretching out his legs and arms.
‘Let’s travel,’ suggested Baron Stilkin, with a smile.
‘Why?’ asked the Count, yawning again.
‘To see the world, of course,’ answered the Baron.
‘Can’t we see the world just by looking out of the window?’ asked the Count.
‘That’s what many people think, but they can’t really know the world just by looking out of their windows,’
said the Baron.
‘Perhaps you’re right. You are always right when I’m wrong unless, of course, you agree with me and are
wrong too,’ agreed the Count. ‘Where shall we go?’
‘Let’s travel around the world and see it all, or as far around as we can get,’ said the Baron. ‘But then we
won’t see it all.’
‘When shall we start our trip?’ asked the Count. ‘How about next year?’
‘Never put off until tomorrow what can be done today or next year,’ said the Baron. ‘Besides, we have got
no ties holding us back.’
‘Yes, my neck-ties are still at the laundry and I also need some new shoe ties,’ said the Count.
‘Never mind, I’ll get them for you in time,’ said the Baron. ‘You have plenty of money, so you can pay for
both of us, which will be a much simpler way of doing the accounts.’
‘Yes. I hate complicated accounts,’ said the Count, who thought the Baron was smart and that this was an
especially clever idea. ‘And what luggage do we need?’
‘Let me see. You have got two suitcases,’ said the Baron. ‘You can use one and I’ll use the other.’ He
thought carefully. ‘Besides the ties, you’ll need a shirt, a comb for your curly hair, glasses and a toothpick.
It may be a good idea to take an umbrella, in case it rains.’
‘Shouldn’t I take my slippers?’ asked the Count.
‘What a great idea!’ exclaimed the Baron. ‘Take your hiking boots, too.’
‘I only have one pair. If I put them on, I’ll walk too fast for you and you won’t be able to keep up,’ he said.
‘Yes, Funnibos, I’ve already thought of that. I never let problems stand in my way. You can wear one
boot and I’ll wear the other, then hand in hand we’ll go across the country as fast as you would if you
were alone,’ said the Baron.
‘But wait!’ said the Count, just as they were about to take off on their trip around the world. ‘I must give
directions to my housekeeper about the management of my castle and property while I am gone.’
‘Tell her to lock the doors and windows of your castle,’ said the Baron. ‘Don’t worry about your property.
It can’t run away, can it?’
‘Thank you for that great idea,’ answered the Count. ‘Even so, people do lose their property sometimes.
How does that happen?’
‘They lose it when they don’t look after it properly,’ answered the Baron.
‘Mine belongs to my heirs,’ said the Count.
‘Then it can’t run away unless your heirs run also, so stop worrying and let’s get going,’ said the Baron just
as two tiny suitcases were brought into the room.

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FULL BLAST LEVEL B2 - FINAL TEST

1. When, according to Count Funnibos, is Baron Stilkin wrong?

a. When he doesn’t agree with the Count.
b. When he agrees with the Count.
c. Never. He is always right.
d. He is always wrong.
2. What does Baron Stilkin mean when he says ‘Never put off until tomorrow what can be done today or next
year’?
a. You shouldn’t delay something that you can do immediately.
b. You shouldn’t do something today if it can be done tomorrow.
c. Don’t delay something that you can do next year.
d. It makes no difference if you do something immediately or in the distant future.
3. When Baron Stilkin mentions ‘ties’ in line 24, he is referring to
a. pieces of cloth worn around the neck
b. shoelaces
c. connections with people or places
d. travel opportunities
4. Why does Count Funnibos think that paying for Baron Stilkin’s travel costs as well as his own is ‘a great idea’?
a. He is a rich man who wants to give his friend a gift.
b. They won’t have to worry about calculating costs if only one of them pays.
c. Baron Stilkin will do small jobs for him if he pays.
d. He thinks it will be cheaper if he pays for two.
5. What can we infer about the relationship between Count Funnibos and Baron Stilkin?
a. The Count thinks the Baron has strange ideas.
b. They both like to take charge and make decisions.
c. They can never agree about anything.
d. The Baron takes advantage of the Count’s wealth.
6. As the two men are about to leave, Count Funnibos is worried about
a. thieves entering the castle.
b. his heirs running away with his property.
c. the safety of his wealth and property.
d. the housekeeper losing all his property.

score 12

WRITE
Read the extract from a newspaper article below and respond by writing a letter
to the editor expressing your views on the issue.
When students leave school some of them who want to go on to higher education decide to take a gap
year first. This means that instead of going straight to university, they spend a year gaining life
experience. Some go abroad, either taking part in a volunteer programme, travelling, working or a
combination of all three. Others stay at home and gain work experience in the area they are thinking of
studying in and save up money for going to university. Opinions are divided on which of the two ways
is best to spend this gap year.
score 20

Total score 100

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