ESB Level 2 Certificate in ESOL

International All Modes – (C1)

500/3648/8

Contents of this Paper

Section Number of Questions Weighting for Section

Listening
Part One
Section A 5
Section B 5 20%
Part Two 10

Reading
Part One 8
Part Two 7 20%

Use of English
Part One 15
Part Two 15 20%
Part Three 10
Part Four 10

Writing 1 20%

The remaining 20% is for your speaking test.

Total time allowed: 2 hours 40 minutes. You should attempt all sections of this
paper.
The use of dictionaries or notes or any electronic device is not permitted in
this examination.
Put your answers for Listening, Reading and Use of English on the OPTICAL
MARK FORM. Use the WRITING ANSWER BOOKLET for your answer to the
Writing Section. This question paper WILL NOT BE MARKED.

DO NOT OPEN THE EXAMINATION PAPER UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

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ESB C1 Level 2 Listening (Part One – Section A)

You will hear Esther Williams, a radio presenter, and Gordon Littleton, owner
of a chain of coffee shops, talking about coffee.
For questions 1 – 5, choose the correct answer A, B or C.
You will hear Section A TWICE.
You have one minute to read the questions for Section A.

1. According to Esther,
A. tea shops have lost much of their original appeal.
B. British people have stereotypical ideas about tea.
C. coffee shops have always been present in towns.

2. According to Gordon, teashops have survived thanks to

A. their ability to cater for customer preferences.
B. more modern and attractive accommodation.
C. customers who want to try new types of tea.

3. According to Gordon, the popularity of cafés is due to

A. a ban on using social media at work.
B. other places being closed for breakfast.
C. changes in work and lifestyle habits.

4. According to Esther, the UK’s interest in food has been led by

A. TV and radio programmes.
B. a shift in meal times.
C. the use of modern technology.

5. Gordon believes that today’s coffee experts

A. have high levels of creativity and expertise.
B. have the same prestige as chefs.
C. are more skilled than those working with wine.

Remember to transfer your answers to the optical mark form.

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ESB C1 Level 2 Listening (Part One – Section B)

You will hear a doctor, Dr Price, and her patient, Mr Watkins, talking about
coffee and health.
For questions 6 – 10, choose the correct answer A, B or C.
You will hear Section B TWICE.
You have one minute to read the questions for Section B.

6. Dr Price says that the known effects of drinking coffee are

A. widely accepted.
B. relatively new.
C. clearly evident.

7. Mr Watkins drinks a lot of coffee because

A. it has always been his favourite kind of drink.
B. he is afraid of having an accident while driving.
C. he does not want to lose money while resting.

8. Dr Price is initially worried about her patient’s

A. blood pressure.
B. stress levels.
C. fast heartbeat.

9. According to Dr Price, allergic reactions to coffee are

A. becoming more frequent.
B. unlikely to affect vision.
C. hard to treat properly.

10. Mr Watkins does not want to wear glasses because he thinks

A. they are a sign of getting older.
B. contact lenses will suit him better.
C. they will make him look unattractive.

Remember to transfer your answers to the optical mark form.

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ESB C1 Level 2 Listening (Part Two)

Listen to three conversations and for questions 11 – 20, choose the correct
answer A, B or C.
You will hear each conversation TWICE.
You have two minutes to read the questions for Part Two.

Conversation One

11. Linda has a problem because she

A. has lost her luggage.
B. bought the wrong ticket.
C. missed her original flight.

12. Linda is advised to

A. get help from Customer Services.
B. buy another ticket herself online.
C. wait her turn at the ticket office.

13. Linda finds the offer of free entry to the VIP suite
A. unhelpful.
B. disrespectful.
C. generous.

Conversation Two

14. The venues Tina has seen so far have all been
A. too expensive.
B. uninspiring.
C. very similar.

15. Bob suggests choosing a venue based on

A. budget.
B. theme.
C. location.

16. Tina does not

A. understand why she cannot have pizza.
B. want to spend too much money on food.
C. enjoy eating out in expensive restaurants.

17. Bob would like Tina to

A. consider a countryside venue.
B. spend more time outside the city.
C. change her opinion of animals.

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Conversation Three

18. Clara’s interview was conducted by

A. a professional interpreter.
B. an agency employee.
C. a member of the family.

19. As far as the job is concerned, Clara thinks that

A. Maria will be hard to look after.
B. she will need help with Giovanni.
C. her own experience will be useful.

20. Dave thinks that Clara should

A. refuse to perform certain duties.
B. find out a bit more about the job.
C. apply for a position that pays more.

Remember to transfer your answers to the optical mark form.

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ESB C1 Level 2 Reading (Part One)

Read the following text about the future of Braille.

For questions 21 – 28, choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

The Future of Braille

Since being invented by Frenchman Louis Braille in the 1800s, the tactile reading and
writing system based on six raised dots representing letters and words has
transformed the lives of blind people all over the world. In today's digital age many fear
the loss of Braille. However, technology and Braille are more allies than competitors
and touch-screen technology has led to Braille being deployed in innovative ways,
further improving access to information for those unable to see. Sound-based
information processing tools are now in common use. For example, it is possible to
produce films and TV programmes in which silent actions are 'voiced' alongside
dialogues. Audio-books, also popular with the normally sighted, are another way to
access the written word. But for those who are both sight and hearing impaired,
nothing can beat the potential of Braille, especially in the education sector, where
access to textbooks is essential.

Braille production is, of course, not without its limitations. Although Braille printers for
small jobs are relatively cheap and can use standard A4 paper, creating longer
documents like books is expensive and requires complex machinery. Braille books are
bulky. They also suffer much more wear and tear than other books as the dots fade
after repeated use. This also pushes up the cost as they have a much shorter lifespan
than their more readily obtainable standard equivalents.

This is where technology comes in. The internet has improved access to Braille texts,
as huge electronic files are now available at any time. These can be found online,
converted into Braille via a translation tool and then read on a special Braille display.
These displays present a line of Braille characters which are refreshed automatically
at the end of a section, just like turning the pages of a book. Using appropriate
software, devices with the right surface can transform any text into tactile characters
on a display that is then read by touch. However, whilst increasingly used in public
libraries, these special screens are not often found in workplaces or homes.

Unfortunately, responding to the needs of the visually impaired is not cheap. As

manufacturers are quick to point out, the Braille market is small and specialised. To
justify production, even the most basic Braille display devices are priced at nearly
£1,000. More complex models can cost three times that amount. It is not unreasonable
to suppose that prices will eventually go down, but these are never likely to match the
cheaper digital devices that are produced for the mass market.

It is easy to be saddened by how far we have yet to go before the visually impaired
can enjoy the benefits of the digital revolution in the same way as those who have the
gift of sight. But if Louis Braille were alive today, he would be thrilled to see how his
creation has become a feature of mainstream life. More Braille is available today than
ever before. Many food products include Braille on their packaging, and it is now a
legal requirement to have Braille labels on all medicines. Far from being irrelevant, it
appears that Braille is here to stay. (Adapted from visionaware.org)

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21. According to the text, digital tools
A. are unlikely to make Braille obsolete.
B. will replace Braille completely in the future.
C. are being used to create a new Braille system.
D. have caused a decline in the use of Braille.

22. The text suggests that sound-based technologies are

A. rarely seen outside the entertainment sector.
B. the easiest way for the blind to access books.
C. seldom used by people who are not blind.
D. unable to assist all visually impaired people.

23. The word ‘bulky’ in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to

A. delicate.
B. large.
C. costly.
D. lengthy.

24. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a limitation of Braille texts?

A. They are sometimes hard to make.
B. They require specialist equipment.
C. They must be printed on special paper.
D. They are less durable than other books.

25. According to the text, Braille displays

A. can convert any text into Braille automatically.
B. imitate more closely the experience of reading.
C. were originally invented for use in libraries.
D. may be used on any devices with the right app.

26. The writer suggests that the cost of Braille technology is

A. irresponsible.
B. reasonable.
C. disgraceful.
D. inevitable.

27. The writer believes that if Louis Braille were alive today, he would
A. resist the use of technology to improve his invention.
B. be delighted by the success of his invention.
C. campaign to reduce costs for the visually impaired.
D. feel disappointed about the lack of progress made.

28. An alternative title for this text could be

A. Bringing Braille Up To Date.
B. A Guide to Living with Blindness.
C. The Need to Bring Back Braille.
D. Braille - Myths and Mysteries.

Remember to transfer your answers to the optical mark form.

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ESB C1 Level 2 Reading (Part Two)

Read the following text about the problems of young people.

For questions 29 – 35, choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

The Difficulties of Being Young

Roughly a quarter of the world’s people are aged between 15 and 30. In many ways,
they are the luckiest group of young adults ever to have existed. Thanks to the spread
of learning and improvements in nutrition, they are more educated and healthier than
their elders. Young women enjoy greater freedom in more countries than their
predecessors would ever have imagined, and advances in medicine and technology
will enable many of today’s young to live well past 100.

For the first time in history, the world’s young people associate themselves with a
shared youth identity. But this also means sharing the same youthful grievances.
Despite the progress made in wealth, health and education, around the world, young
people complain that it is too hard to find a job or a place to live, and that the path to
adulthood has grown longer and more complicated.

Many youthful woes can be blamed on policies favouring the old over the young.
Taking employment as an example, in many countries, labour laws require firms to
offer many benefits and make it hard to lay workers off. That suits those with jobs, but
it makes firms reluctant to hire new, younger staff. Young people are at least twice as
likely as their elders to be jobless for longer periods of time, especially after leaving
education. Unfortunately, this is the worst time to be unemployed, because this is the
stage of life when future work habits become fixed.

Housing is another issue. Affordable housing to rent or buy is hard to find, especially
in the bigger cities around the world where young people most want to live but where
the housing crisis is at its peak. The youngsters of today are being labelled the
‘homeless generation’ because they cannot move away from their family homes.
Today, young women are more likely to live with their parents or other relatives than
at any time since the Second World War.

Young people are often ready for change and adventure. With the whole world to
explore and nothing to tie them down, they move around more often than their elders
do. This makes them more productive, especially if they migrate from a poor area to a
rich one. By one estimate, the global gross domestic product would double if all people
could move about more freely. Of course, this is not realistic. However, it is worth
remembering that barriers to free movement harm the young especially, because they
are usually the ones who most want to move.

The old have always subsidised their juniors. Within families, they still do. But many
governments favour the old and an ever greater share of public spending goes on
pensions and healthcare for them. This is partly the natural result of societies ageing,
but it is also because the elderly ensure that policies work to their advantage. We have
now reached a point at which in most countries, the old are much richer than the
young. This is unprecedented and unjust.

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The young must do more to stand up for themselves. In America just over a fifth of 18
to 34-year-olds voted in the latest general election; in contrast three-fifths of over-65s
did. Similar patterns of political disengagement have been observed in other countries.
Young people have to stop complaining about their situation on social media. If they
want governments to listen, they need to go out and vote.
(Adapted from: The Economist Jan 23rd 2016)

29. The function of the first paragraph is to

A. contrast the present situation with the past.
B. explain why young people are unhappy.
C. compare the lives of young men and women.
D. outline the benefits of a good education.

30. The writer suggests that today's young people

A. often complain about the same things as adults.
B. find becoming an adult easier than in the past.
C. feel part of a broader common youth culture.
D. face worse problems than in the past.

31. The word ‘woes’ in paragraph 3 can best be replaced by

A. misunderstandings.
B. troubles.
C. relationships.
D. experiences.

32. According to the text, labour laws have

A. led to more young people being fired.
B. brought benefits for those already employed.
C. caused higher levels of unemployment.
D. resulted in young people becoming lazy.

33. The text states that the housing shortage

A. is one consequence of World War II.
B. has increased levels of homelessness.
C. is a result of a wider global financial crisis.
D. is felt more deeply in a metropolis.

34. Which of these statements is true according to the text?

A. Government policies provide subsidies for the young.
B. The older generation does nothing to help young people.
C. Productivity is often linked to a desire for greater mobility.
D. Young people are often reluctant to move to new places.

35. The writer’s attitude to young people at the end of the text is
A. critical.
B. humorous.
C. satirical.
D. cautious.

Remember to transfer your answers to the optical mark form.

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ESB C1 Level 2 Use of English (Part One)

For questions 36 – 50, complete the sentences below by choosing the

correct answer A, B, C or D.

36. Nothing ________ prepared Joe for the shock.

A. would not ever had C. could ever
B. ever had D. could ever have

37. Her new job is ________ near as demanding as her last one.
A. anywhere C. nowhere
B. nothing D. not much

38. He finds it hard to be brief and never gets ________ the point.
A. at C. to
B. besides D. on

39. ________ waited a little longer, you would not have missed him.
A. Had you just C. Could you just
B. Were you just able to D. If you just

40. I will never forget you. Don't you dare ________ me!
A. forgetting C. forget
B. will forget D. to have forgotten

41. She is very sociable, ________ she spends a lot of time alone.
A. as if C. how come
B. moreover D. and yet

42. ________ as much as he could, he decided to leave.

A. He had done C. Being done
B. Done D. Having done

43. I have visited New York ________ a time and like it very much.
A. lots C. many
B. more D. several

44. He was allowed out on condition that he ________by midnight.

A. was returning C. had returned
B. return D. has returned

45. Little ________ what was about to happen!

A. did he know C. he knew
B. has he known D. he knows

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46. It was her attitude, though, ________ everyone.
A. was surprising C. that surprises
B. would surprise D. which surprised

47. He picked the vase up carefully ________ not to break it.

A. so as C. such as
B. as so D. as such

48. He could tell ________ an instant that she was angry with him.
A. from C. in
B. for D. by

49. I looked everywhere and suddenly ________, under the desk!

A. there was it C. was it there
B. there it was D. there was

50. If you should be so fortunate ________ a prize, we will let you know.
A. as to win C. as winning
B. having won D. to be winning

Remember to transfer your answers to the optical mark form.

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ESB C1 Level 2 Use of English (Part Two)

For questions 51 – 65, complete the sentences below by choosing the

correct answer A, B, C or D.

51. It took three hours for the anaesthetic to wear ________.

A. off C. out
B. through D. away

52. He has many resources at his ________ to complete the project.

A. requirement C. condition
B. need D. disposal

53. The police have been searching ________ for the criminals.
A. up and away C. over and above
B. long and short D. high and low

54. Travelling is a good way to ________ your horizons.

A. broaden C. enlarge
B. spread D. grow

55. He has bought an old house and is going to ________ it himself.

A. rectify C. revise
B. review D. restore

56. It is common to feel ________ for the past as you get older.
A. nostalgia C. recall
B. remembrance D. memories

57. He moved heaven and ________ to get the job done on time!
A. sea C. earth
B. land D. sky

58. She is so dedicated and always ________ herself into everything.

A. fires C. throws
B. pushes D. drives

59. Animal rights protesters are ________ for an end to animal cruelty.
A. calling C. speaking
B. talking D. complaining

60. She wanted extra help and asked if I were ________.

A. accessible C. serviceable
B. susceptible D. available

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61. As a result of the accident, she needed a blood __________.
A. transportation C. transplant
B. transfusion D. transferral

62. No one in their right __________ would have agreed to do as he asked.

A. intelligence C. mind
B. sense D. brain

63. She gave a lot of careful __________ to her mother's birthday present.
A. thought C. questions
B. opinion D. reflection

64. Some believe that vitamin tablets are of no __________ to health.

A. benefit C. gain
B. increase D. profit

65. Everyone laughed when he __________ a joke.

A. gave C. said
B. cracked D. did

Remember to transfer your answers to the optical mark form.

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ESB C1 Level 2 Use of English (Part Three)

For questions 66 – 75, read the text and for each gap choose the correct
answer A, B, C or D.

Sea Pollution in the Mediterranean

Some of the world's most beautiful seas and oceans are at risk of becoming so toxic
that within just a few decades, fishing and swimming will be impossible. Waste in the
sea is becoming a planetary emergency. As an example, the dire state of the
Mediterranean, due to pollution, has been highlighted in a recent study by the
environmental (66)______ Greenpeace. Its purpose-built research ship, (67)______
as the ‘Rainbow Warrior III’, has reported that 40% of coastal seawater (68)______ it
tested from the 7,412-kilometre length of Italy’s coastline contained levels of pollutants
that were way above legal (69)______.

The report highlighted 38 critical areas, with the Italian regions of Lazio, Campania,
Calabria and Sicily featuring most prominently on the list which contains details of the
worst offenders. 30% of all (70)______ of pollution in 2016 were in Campania and
Sicily alone. The report adds that there were half as many prosecutions against
individuals for acts of pollution in the sea in 2017 compared with 2016. A (71)______
said that, sadly, this does not mean that the situation is getting better. It simply means
that polluters are getting smarter. It is therefore becoming harder to catch people in
the act and bring them to (72)______.

The report (73)______ that the main causes of pollution in the Italian Mediterranean
are untreated human waste, industrial or chemical discharges, followed by illegal
fishing and fuel leakage from boats. Given such diverse causes, the report warns that
(74)______ the issue will require a (75)______ effort from coast guards, security
forces and port officials across the country.
(Adapted from: https://www.thelocal.it)

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66. A. charity C. fund
B. supervisor D. donation

67. A. called C. named

B. known D. claimed

68. A. parts C. samples

B. trials D. sections

69. A. borders C. limitations

B. heights D. limits

70. A. matters C. incidences

B. circumstances D. occasions

71. A. speaker C. speech

B. spokesperson D. voice

72. A. goodness C. justice

B. honesty D. fairness

73. A. asserts C. defends

B. protests D. promotes

74. A. reaching C. responding

B. hitting D. addressing

75. A. determined C. resolved

B. decided D. defined

Remember to transfer your answers to the optical mark form.

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ESB C1 Level 2 Use of English (Part Four)

For questions 76 – 85, read the text and for each gap choose the correct
answer A, B, C or D.

The Puzzle Game Sudoku

Sudoku is one of the most popular and intriguing puzzle games of all time, but it is
surprisingly simple. The goal is to fill a grid with numbers so that each row, column
and section contains all of the digits between 1 and 9. Sudoku is a game of logic,
problem-solving and spotting patterns. It is a true ‘brain game’ that helps to develop
people’s (76)______ abilities and gives the satisfaction of accomplishing a difficult but
(77)______ puzzle.

No matter how busy your life is, Sudoku offers a relaxing way to take a break from the
world around you. Many people make Sudoku a part of their daily schedule because
it refreshes them and allows them to meet their other (78)______ with (79)______
energy and vigour. Completing a Sudoku puzzle also helps people feel a sense of
(80)______. This may explain why people spend (81)______ hours either playing the
game or thinking about it.

Some people fear that Sudoku can become addictive, but it is much less harmful than
other addictions such as smoking. Sudoku actually has numerous health rewards. For
example, some researchers believe that playing games like Sudoku can help your
brain stay (82)______ and reduce the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s or
dementia in later life.

Sudoku can be played anytime and anywhere. It is a quick, harmless bit of escapism
from your daily routine. Sudoku is also (83)______ to all ages. There are special, less
challenging games designed for kids and the (84)______ online versions and mobile
apps are simple enough for almost anyone to quickly get up to speed on the game.
Those who practise regularly will soon be able to complete puzzles with (85)______
ease.

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76. A. analysis C. analyse
B. analytical D. analyses

77. A. stimulating C. stimulation

B. stimulated D. stimulant

78. A. commissions C. commitments

B. committals D. committees

79. A. renovating C. renovated

B. renewable D. renewed

80. A. overachieving C. achieving

B. achievement D. underachievement

81. A. counted C. countable

B. countless D. counting

82. A. activated C. active

B. activity D. activation

83. A. accessing C. accessory

B. accessible D. accessed

84. A. multiplication C. multiplied

B. multiplex D. multiple

85. A. remarkable C. remarked

B. remarking D. unremarked

Remember to transfer your answers to the optical mark form.

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ESB C1 Level 2 Writing

Choose ONE of the following options. Write between 250 – 280 words in
English. USE THE SEPARATE WRITING ANSWER BOOKLET.

1. A UK university is offering a scholarship to any international student wanting to

study in the UK for a year. Write an email to the university applying for the
scholarship. Say why you think you should be given the opportunity to study in
Britain, the benefits you will gain from the experience, and any other information
you think will be useful.

2. ‘I had no idea what I would find in the box, but I couldn’t wait to open it.’ Continue
the story describing what was in the box and explaining what happened once the
box was opened.

3. ‘Social media has changed us.’ Write an essay discussing how social media has
changed our relationships with other people and say to what extent you consider
these changes to be positive or negative.

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 END OF PAPER

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