17/09/2021

WRITING
Writing task 1: MAP

The plans below show a public park when it first opened in 1920 and the same park today.
Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons
where relevant.
You should write at least 150 words.

Map of a public park when it first opened in 1920 and today

SUMMARY

The maps outline the changes that took place in a public park called Grange Park from 1920
to today. Overall, the park was changed and renovated to offer people more possibilities than they
used to have decades ago such as a cafe, theatre, playground and parking.

In details, the park was opened in 1920 and entertainment facilities including a larger stage
and various areas for recreation have since been added to it. There was also notable relocation in
terms of seats and the only areas that remained unchanged were the entrances and one minor garden.
Besides, the fountain has been removed in favour of a rose garden with full seating arrangements
around it. To the left of the new garden, the previous stage for musicians has been turned into a
much larger amphitheatre facing the opposite direction that will allow for concerts in the park. This
change has necessitated the removal of both seatings on the far left side as well as the rose garden in
the bottom left corner of the map.

Moreover, the pond for water plants was removed from the right -top part of the garden and a
children's play area was introduced in the right-top of the park, and near this area, a cafe was built.
Instead of the pond, a water feature has been built occupying the bottom right corner. Interestingly,
the number of rose gardens was reduced to two. Besides, an underground car park was built in the
lower right corner of the park.
Writing task 2: No.39
Memorization of information by frequent repetition (rote learning) plays a role in many
education systems. Does the usefulness of this method outweigh the limitations?

SUMMARY There are different methods of learning. Two such methods are “rote
learning” and “meaningful learning”. Both have their own pros and cons.
There are many advantages of rote learning. To begin with, it is very
helpful where quick memorization is required, such as learning one line in a
play or memorizing a telephone number. It is also needed where verbatim
recall of definitions or numbers is required. We all know that we need to
remember phone numbers, mathematical formulae and definitions as such. If
we don’t cram them then we will not be able to reproduce them when needed
and if any small part is changed then the whole thing goes wrong. Rote
learning is the only way to learn certain things like irregular verbs and the
vocabulary of a foreign language. There is no logic behind irregular verbs and
so we need to memorize them by heart. Finally, rote learning is used by many
students to pass exams.
On the other hand, there are some disadvantages of rote learning. Firstly,
the knowledge acquired by rote is not retained for long. If a person does not
repeart information learnt by rote for few days then the whole thing can be
forgotten. Moreover, information learned. by rote cannot be applied in a wide
variety of new problems or concepts. For example, if we learn something by
rote in math then we cannot apply it in other subjects like physics. In
meaningful learning, the transferability of knowledge is high. Finally, it can be
very boring to everything by rote.
Definitely, rote learning should not be the only method of learning.
Meaningful learning is a must if we want to progress in life and apply our skills
in varied fields. However, rote learning has its own importance in some
situations. So, the education systems should incorporate both rote and
meaningful learning.

VOCABULARY
 LISTENING
Rote learning No.7 (14)
 LISTENING TEST: practiceonline 188

Part 1: Questions 1-10

Complete the notes below. Write ONE WORD AND/ OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Holiday rental
Owners’ names: Jack Fitzgerald and Shirley Fitzgerald
Granary Cottage
• available for week beginning (1) _________________   May
• cost for the week: (2) £ _________________ 
• (3) _________________  Cottage
• cost for the week: £480
• building was originally a (4) _________________ 
• walk through doors from living room into a (5) _________________ 
• several (6) _________________  spaces at the front
• bathroom has a shower
• central heating and stove that burns (7) _________________ 
• views of old (8) _________________   from living room
• view of hilltop (9) _________________  from the bedroom
Payment
• deposit: £144
• deadline for final payment: end of (10) _________________ 
Part 2: Questions 11-14
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Local council report on traffic and highways
11. A survey found people’s main concern about traffic in the area was
 A cuts to public transport.
 B poor maintenance of roads.
 C changes in the type of traffic.
12. Which change will shortly be made to the cycle path next to the river?
 A It will be widened.
 B It will be extended.
 C It will be resurfaced.
13. Plans for a pedestrian crossing have been postponed because
 A the Post Office has moved.
 B the proposed location is unsafe.
 C funding is not available at present.
14. On Station Road, notices have been erected
 A telling cyclists not to leave their bikes outside the station ticket office.
 B asking motorists to switch off engines when waiting at the level crossing.
 C warning pedestrians to leave enough time when crossing the railway line.
Questions 15-20
Label the map below. Write the correct letter, A-l, next to Questions 15-20.
Recreation ground after proposed changes

15. New car park 

16. New cricket pitch 
17. Children’s playground 
18. Skateboard ramp 
19. Pavilion 
20. Notice board 
Part 3: Questions 21 and 22
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Which TWO benefits of city bike-sharing schemes do the students agree are the most important?
 A reducing noise pollution
 B reducing traffic congestion
 C improving air quality
 D encouraging health and fitness
 E making cycling affordable

Questions 23-24
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Which TWO things do the students think are necessary for successful bike-sharing schemes?
 A Bikes should have a GPS system.
 B The app should be easy to use.
 C Public awareness should be raised.
 D Only one scheme should be available.
 E There should be a large network of cycle lanes.

Questions 25-30
What is the speakers’ opinion of the bike-sharing schemes in each of the following cities?
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-G, next to Questions 25-30.

Opinion of bike-sharing scheme

A They agree it has been disappointing.
B They think it should be cheaper.
C They are surprised it has been so successful.
D They agree that more investment is required.
E They think the system has been well designed.
F They disagree about the reasons for its success.
G They think it has expanded too quickly.

Cities
25. Amsterdam 
26. Dublin 
27. London 
28. Buenos Aires 
29. New York 
30. Sydney 
Part 4: Questions 31-40
Complete the notes below. Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

THE EXTINCTION OF THE DODO BIRD

The dodo was a large flightless bird which used to inhabit the island of Mauritius.
History
• 1507 – Portuguese ships transporting (31) _________________ stopped at the island to collect
food and water.
• 1638 – The Dutch established a (32) _________________  on the island.
• They killed the dodo birds for their meat.
• The last one was killed in 1681.

Description
• The only record we have is written descriptions and pictures (possibly unreliable).
• A Dutch painting suggests the dodo was very (33) _________________  
• The only remaining soft tissue is a dried (34) _________________ 
• Recent studies of a dodo skeleton suggest the birds were capable of rapid (35) _____________
• It’s thought they were able to use their small wings to maintain (36) _________________ 
• Their (37) _________________   was of average size.
• Their sense of (38) _________________  enabled them to find food.

Reasons for extinction

• Hunting was probably not the main cause.
• Sailors brought dogs and monkeys.
• (39) _________________  also escaped onto the island and ate the birds’ eggs.
• The arrival of farming meant the (40) _________________  was destroyed.
 SPEAKING

Part 1: Apps (25)

1. What apps have you used recently?
2. What apps are you usually interested in?
3. What apps would you like to use in the future?
4. How much time do you spend on these apps?

Part 2: Something that you did that was difficult but successful (45)

Describe something difficult you would like to succeed in doing.

You should say:
 What it is?
 Why is it difficult?
 How would you like to prepare for it?
 Explain why you would like to be successful in doing it?

Part 3: Follow-up questions: Rewards, being proud (39)

 Should parents reward their children when they help others?
 Is sweet a good thing to reward them?
 What rewards do children want to get?
 How can parents reward their children?
 Is it good or bad that people feel prouud of their possessions?