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6 UNIT 6 TEST | Standard B2

Listening Grammar
1 UT Track 6  Listen to Rowan giving a talk 3 Choose the correct word or phrase to
about volunteering. Decide whether each complete each sentence.
statement is T (true) or F (false). 1 I don’t think Marta appreciated get / getting a
1 The role that Rowan has at Teen Volunteers puppy for her birthday.
takes up most of his time. 2 In general, I prefer to spend / spend my
T/F holidays at the beach.
2 Rowan’s friends were encouraging when he 3 We won’t make you come / to come to the
talked about volunteering. exhibition if you don’t want to.
T/F 4 We regret telling / to tell you that your job
3 Rowan only recommends voluntary work for application has been unsuccessful on this
people who are very confident. occasion.
T/F 5 Keith stopped to wash / washing his car so it’s
very clean.
4 Potential employers will be impressed with any
length of time spent volunteering.

T/F
5 Rowan’s friend volunteered to teach after he’d 4 Complete the text using the verb in
studied education at university. brackets in the correct form.
T/F I’ve been thinking about (1)        (look)
for a part-time job but there aren’t many options
in my little English village. The only weekend
jobs seem (2)        (be) in the
2 UT Track 6  Listen again. For questions supermarket or in a café and I wouldn’t want to
1–5, complete the sentence with a word or work in either of those places. It would just
short phrase you hear. involve (3)        (serve) customers, which
seems a bit boring to me. What I’d really like to
1 Rowan’s organisation aims to provide young
do is something more creative. My dad has
people with              to assist
suggested (4)        (apply) for a job as a
others.
gardener. He knows someone who looks after
2 Making a commitment to volunteering can be people’s gardens and they might need some help.
a difficult              for some I don’t know anything about plants or trees but
people. I’d rather (5)        (do) that than work in
3 Many young people can only talk about a supermarket or café.
their success in academic subjects
and              on their CVs.
4 Volunteering can help people build
stronger              with the
people around them.
5 Volunteering can improve your
             health as well as
your mental well-being.

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6 UNIT 6 TEST | Standard B2

5 Choose the best word or phrase to complete each sentence.


1 We should pay attention to the talk        miss anything important.
a) not in order to b) in order not to c) in order to
2 My dad took a short cut        avoid the traffic jam on the main road.
a) so as to b) so to c) in order
3 Our plan        leave this evening, but to leave as soon as possible.
a) is b) is to c) is not to
4 They are organising an open day        new parents what the school is like.
a) show b) to show c) so as show
5 I’ve brought some sandwiches        you don’t need to make me lunch.
a) so b) so as c) in order

6 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in the box.
bring | hang out | read | wait | watch

1 I think I’d rather        a film on TV than go out this evening.


2 Patrick prefers        with his friends rather than spending time with us.
3 You’d better        your phone with you. You might lose it.
4 Oscar would prefer us        here while he talks to his mum.
5 I’d rather you        my emails. They’re personal!

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6 UNIT 6 TEST | Standard B2

Reading

Workers of the next generation


For many young people, choosing a career can be one of the most difficult decisions they have to make. There is
usually pressure from teachers to focus on areas in which they have been most academically successful, while
parents want their children to get well-paid, secure jobs. Most young people, on the other hand, have a different set
of skills and values from their parents and teachers. As a result, they have very different ideas about the jobs they
want to do in the future.
Only a generation ago, the world of work was completely different for many people. They expected to work in the
same company for much of their life and they needed to be hard working and loyal in order to work their way up.
‘My grandad was taken on in a post office when he was sixteen,’ says Jan, 17. ‘He worked behind the counter,
serving customers, for many years and ended up being a manager. He stayed in the post office until he retired. I
couldn’t imagine working in the same place for that long.’ Jan’s attitude is reflected by many other young people
like him. In a rapidly moving world, youngsters expect to get interesting jobs where they can progress quickly.
Concerned about being left behind, they want employers who will assist them in their career development and
provide opportunities for promotion.
An important factor in today’s fast pace of life is technology and young people are clearly more skilled in it than
previous generations. Having been brought up surrounded by digital technology, they often know more than
their managers. ‘I’m 19 and I’ve just got a job as a security consultant for an insurance company,’ says Harriet. ‘I
haven’t been to university and I haven’t worked in insurance before but they were looking for someone with good
IT (information technology) skills. When I demonstrated some of my programs, they offered me a job right there.’
These stories are not unusual nowadays, yet 30 years ago, no one would expect to get a job without the right
qualifications or experience.
Another way in which young jobseekers differ from previous generations, is their attitude to the world in general.
Despite what people say about youngsters being selfish and disrespectful, the opposite appears to be true.
Invariably, they are more open-minded and, consequently, they have different criteria for choosing who to work for.
They are more likely to value companies with equal opportunities policies for women or which are more accessible
to the disabled. The product or service is also important, and young people are less inclined to work for a company
if they do not agree with what it does. ‘My dad works for an oil company and he gets a good salary as well as
plenty of bonuses. The problem is that the company has a very poor environmental record. I would never want to
work for a firm that doesn’t respect the environment, however much I earned.’ explains Ivor, 14.
With all of this in mind, it is crucial that parents and teachers are aware of what motivates young people and what
they are capable of. The world is changing far more quickly than at any time in the past and it is not enough for
adults to give youngsters the same advice that they were given a generation ago.

7 Read the text and find the words below. Choose the word or phrase (a, b or c) with a similar
meaning to the word in the text.
1 values (paragraph 1)
a) approaches b) beliefs and ideas c) prices
2 loyal (paragraph 2)
a) faithful b) honest c) confident
3 demonstrated (paragraph 3)
a) taught b) showed c) described
4 jobseekers (paragraph 4)
a) people who dislike work b) people offering jobs c) people looking for work
5 record (paragraph 4)
a) history b) copy c) note

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6 UNIT 6 TEST | Standard B2

8 Read the text again. Choose T (true) or F 4 She        in this company by taking on
(false) for each statement. Write the first the jobs that no one else wanted to do.
four words of the sentence in the text 5 The car factory        hundreds of
which support each answer. workers last year and many of them still don’t
1 Parents and teachers often try to persuade young have jobs.
people to choose certain careers.
T / F                  
2 Not many youngsters have the same attitude to 11 Complete the sentences with the correct
work as Jan.
form of go or get in each gap.
T / F                  
1 Some important documents        missing
3 People starting jobs nowadays are expected to from the office yesterday so the manager called
have better qualifications than they did in the the police.
past.
2 You should definitely take a map with you
T / F                   because it’s easy to        lost in the
4 Most young people are not as selfish and mountains.
disrespectful as some older people think. 3 One of my colleagues        the sack
T / F                   because he always arrived late for work.
5 Ivor hopes to work in the same industry as his 4 My parents are thinking about       
father when he is older. abroad on holiday this summer. They want to
T / F                   visit a country we haven’t been to before.
5 I don’t know what the matter is with Karim.
He keeps        upset about the slightest
things.

Vocabulary

9 Choose the correct words or phrases. 12 Complete the text with words and phrases
1 At the end of each day, the boss would pay us our from the box. There is one extra word or
salary / wages. The amount depended on how phrase which you do not need.
much work we had done.
2 Mr Sweet has accepted responsibility for the earn a salary | get a placement | get a tip
company’s losses and he had offered to resign / go crazy | key in | work his way up
retire.
3 When the company moved its offices to London, In my final year at school, we are expected to
a lot of people in my town became off sick / (1)              in a local company.
unemployed. This is so that we can get work experience and
try out jobs that we might like to do in the future.
4 My dad usually gets a tip / bonus at the end of The problem is that there aren’t many options
the year if he has achieved his targets. where I live. Most students end up in the offices
5 My sister was only born three months ago so my of a big bank and they just have to
mum is still on maternity / paternity leave. (2)              customers’
information all day long. Personally, I can’t think
of anything more boring and I think I’d
(3)              if I had to do that.
10 Complete the sentences with the correct The worst part is that you don’t even
form of the phrasal verbs in the box. There (4)             . I’ve told my dad
is one extra verb which you do not need. what I think but he doesn’t understand. He
thinks that it’s a great opportunity and he keeps
burn out | fill in for | get ahead | lay off reminding me that he’s worked there all his life. I
know he’s got a good job but he had to
take on | work up
(5)              to get to the position
1 I’ve heard that the supermarket is        he has today. I just can’t imagine spending the
new staff if you’re still looking for a weekend job. next 20 years in a bank.
2 Last year, a lot of young doctors        due
to the long hours and the pressures of the job.
3 My sister has just been offered a temporary job
as a receptionist. She’s        someone
who’s off sick.

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6 UNIT 6 TEST | Standard B2

Speaking
13 Look at the spidergram below. Then complete the sentences with a word or short phrase from the
box in each gap.

learn meet new good for


languages people your CV

experience What are the benefits of build self-


new cultures working abroad? confidence

I’d suggest | Let’s | Shall we | What about | Why

1        discuss why experiencing new cultures can be good for you.


2        learning languages? Do you think that this is an important benefit?
3        we move on to meeting new people. What do you think?
4        do you think working abroad might be good for your CV?
5        think about how working abroad can build your self-confidence?

14 For each of the sentences (1–5) above, respond with one or two sentences.
Remember to:
• organise your ideas in a logical way, using linkers
• give your reasons and/or examples
1                                                      
                                                     
2                                                      
                                                     
3                                                      
                                                     
4                                                      
                                                     
5                                                      
                                                     

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6 UNIT 6 TEST | Standard B2

Use of English
15 Write a form of the word in capitals in each gap to complete the text.
Firefighting
If you are looking for a job which is both (1)        and respected, you might consider SATISFY
being a firefighter. Firefighters may not enter the profession for (2)        reasons FINANCE
but it is one of the most rewarding jobs because firefighters both protect and save people’s
lives. In order to be a firefighter, you will need to demonstrate a (3)        of qualities VARY
such as stamina, self-discipline and quick reactions, as well as having good communication
skills. If you are interested in getting some experience, you could try becoming a firefighter
on a (4)        basis first. Most volunteers receive full training but they are not ‘on VOLUNTEER
call’ full-time. They study or work in other jobs and are only called out to emergencies. Most
small towns and (5)        have their own fire service who you should speak to if you NEIGHBOUR
would like more information.

16 Choose the correct word to fill each gap.


Getting a place at university
For many 18-year-olds, August is the month when they find out whether they’ve (1)        a place at
university. Although many students will end up in the universities they chose, for some there will be
disappointment. Many will find it hard to (2)        with this rejection and the lack of a ‘Plan B’ will
make the problem worse. Therefore, if there’s any chance you won’t get the place you want, it’s essential to get
(3)        in planning an alternative. Firstly, this (4)        having a list of alternative universities
and courses to apply for. Many universities will have extra places to fill, so if you’re organised, you may be
able to get one of them. You’ll also need to be prepared to spend a few days contacting universities to secure
that place. You can (5)        ready for this by making sure you have contact details for the appropriate
university staff and allowing yourself time to contact them.
1 a) taken b) made c) got d) had
2 a) manage b) cope c) succeed d) handle
3 a) ahead b) away c) up d) out
4 a) makes b) results c) takes d) means
5 a) become b) get c) go d) come

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6 UNIT 6 TEST | Standard B2

Writing
17 Read the task below and sentences from a student’s answer to the question. Choose the best
alternatives for an informal email.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend.

I’m thinking about doing some voluntary work in my free time. I know you’ve done some voluntary
work yourself so I was wondering if you could give me some advice. Do you think it’s a good idea
for me to do it? Why do you do it? What job do you think would suit me?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks!
Richie

Write your email.


1 a) Dear Mr Jones …
b) Hi Richie!
2 a) It was great to hear from you the other day.
b) I would like to thank you for your recent email.
3 a) You said you’re thinking about doing some voluntary work.
b) I understand that you intend to do some voluntary work.
4 a) You should definitely get involved in doing voluntary work.
b) Involvement in voluntary work is something that I fully recommend.
5 a) I hope this information has been of use.
b) Hope that helps! Let me know what you decide.

18 Read the task again. Write two paragraphs of your email saying why you think voluntary work is
a good idea and what job would suit Richie.
Remember to:
• choose an appropriate style for an informal email
• present your suggestions in separate paragraphs
• give reasons and examples
• check your spelling and grammar
                                                     
                                                     
                                                     
                                                     
                                                     
                                                     
                                                     
                                                     
                                                     
                                                     

Total score

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