READING COMPREHENSION (30 MARKS) – 60 MINUTES

TASK 1 (Marks: 6)

Read the following text. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from
sentences A – H the one that fits gaps 1 – 6. There are TWO sentences you do NOT need to
use. Write the correct answer on the answer sheet provided. 0 is the example.

ONLINE COURSES

The boundaries between education and entertainment are beginning to blur, and a new type of
learning, in which education merges with entertainment, is emerging –
‘edutainment’. 0____B____Example But now US television company AMC has teamed up with
the University of California to produce an online course based on the TV show, The Walking
Dead, which features a post-apocalyptic world ridden with zombies.

With an audience of 10 million, student numbers for the course are expected to be in the
hundreds of thousands. ____1____

Academics from the University of California say that the online course will be a ‘legitimate
educational experience’ and tackle serious issues from the fields of science, public health,
nutrition, psychology and sociology. ____2___ However, students will gain no formal
qualifications or credits on successful completion of the course.

____3____ It insisted that all modules had been made as academically rigorous as those taught
on the university grounds. One lecturer in social science stated that the university already used
contemporary media examples to make theories more relevant to students, and this course was
merely taking this concept one step further. ‘The curriculum is very real,’ says Josh Coates, head
of Infrastructure and designer of the online platform. ____4____ ‘The fact that the context is
this fictional world of an apocalypse is incidental. This course gives us the opportunity to
educate people about the science of disasters.’

The market for massive open online courses, or MOOCs, is rapidly expanding. Millions of
students sign up for online education courses each year. ____5____ Part of this experiment is
to find out whether the power of television can reduce the high drop-out rate characteristic of
MOOCS.

The university is taking this opportunity to improve the way it delivers online courses.
____6____ With the increasing demand for online courses, these are issues that universities
looking to invest in online learning are increasingly having to face.

A. We have local apocalypses in our world today, in the form of earthquakes,

hurricanes and terrorist attacks.
B. TV shows have long launched spin-off products in the form of merchandise and
video games.
C. If successful, the edutainment experiment could lead to a huge range of other
TV show/university hybrid courses.
D. Until now, online learning experiences have been able to deliver great videos
and quizzes, but student interaction was minimal and the experience for
learners has been impersonal.
E. Experts from the Centre for Education and Employment have reservations about
the value of such online courses where there is no formal assessment or contact
between the students and those delivering the courses.
F. The course will consist of eight modules including a physics module on ‘the
science of decay’, a public health module on the study of epidemics and a
mathematics module on population dynamics.
G. The University of California, which has a huge reputation to maintain, said that
there had been no dumbing down in the design of the course.
H. However, millions fail to complete the courses, suggesting that they pose a real
challenge to online learners.

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B
TASK 2 (Marks: 8)
Read the following text. For questions 7 – 14, choose the correct answer a), b) or c). Write the
correct answer on the answer sheet provided. 0 is the example.

BARNLEY’S SOLAR FARM

The Barnley Village Committee is opposed to plans to build a 6,890-panel solar farm on a 15-
acre site adjacent to the village recreation ground, currently used for agriculture. Under the
proposed scheme, the area will be surrounded by an 8ft-high fence. The panels themselves will
be about 7 feet high.
The committee has already lodged an appeal to the local authority against construction of the
solar farm. The councillors are due to meet on 13th March to vote whether or not plans will go
ahead. Local residents are invited to attend. Our objections will be presented before the board,
and a representative from the solar firm SunGen will put forward the case for the development.

Residents are encouraged to voice their objections to the development. These must address the
aspects of the scheme that violate the current planning policy. However, you are welcome to
make your objections personal, by stating how the plans will affect you as a user of the
recreation ground. Some of the most common objections are listed below:

1. The extensive views from the village and recreation ground across the open country will be
blocked by the panels and high fencing. Furthermore, once the site has been built upon, it may
be considered brownfield, therefore an acceptable site for housing or industrial development.
As a consequence, it does not comply with the local policy which states that developments must
not adversely effect on the appearance or character of the landscape.

2. The recreation ground has recently undergone major improvements including a perimeter
running track, new playground equipment and seating. It is heavily used by families, sports
teams and dog walkers, and is regularly used for village events. Cricket and football teams
regularly use the recreation ground and it is not uncommon for balls to enter the field. Cricketers
are worried that they may become responsible for damage to solar panels. If teams are forced
to relocate, this would adversely affect the character of the village, and may put participation in
the children’s teams at risk. This goes against the National Planning Policy Framework which
requires developments to promote high quality public space and encourage the active and
continual use of public areas.
3. There has been no assessment of the extent to which noise from inverters and cooling fans
will affect local residents.

4. As the ground beneath the solar panels will be surfaced, there will be more additional run-
off of rainwater. The recreation ground already has problems with drainage, and these may be
intensified by this development. A formal flood risk assessment must be submitted.

5. The lighting and security systems have not been outlined, it is not clear how the area will be
made safe for children.

Email your objections to planning@barnelycouncil.gov.uk, and quote the reference

BLY7458/00578 in the subject line.

0. The intention of the text is… (Example)

a) to complain about the creation of a solar farm in Barnley.
b) to raise awareness of the future solar farm in Barnley.
c) to urge Barnley residents to object to the solar farm.
7. What is the committee’s opinion of the development? (Example)
a) It is opposed to the development.
b) It supports the development.
c) It is waiting for comments from residents before taking a viewpoint.
8. The solar farm would be built...
a) on the recreation ground.
b) in an agricultural field.
c) on a brownfield site.
9. The meeting with councillors...
a) has already taken place.
b) will take place shortly.
c) has been proposed, but not planned.
10. Which of the following is NOT true of the proposed solar farm?
a) It will be surrounded by a high fence.
b) It will comprise of 6,890 7-foot-high panels.
c) The solar panels will be placed directly on the grass.
11. People who want to object the development are advised...
a) not to write about their personal feelings.
b) to refer to the village’s planning policy.
 c) to send a letter in the mail.
12. What is inferred about brownfield sites?
a) It is easier to get permission to develop brownfield sites.
b) There are already too many brownfield sites in the village.
c) A brownfield site is not a suitable location for a solar farm.
13. Teams may no longer play on the recreation ground because...
a) parents will be worried about their children’s safety.
b) spectators won’t want to watch matches at the recreation ground.
c) players will be worried about damaging the panels.
14. Which of the following is NOT true of the recreation ground?
a) It has recently received considerable investment.
b) It occasionally floods.
c) It is well-lit.

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c
TASK 3a (Marks: 8)

Read the following text. For questions 15 – 22, choose the option a), b), c) or d) that best fits
each gap. Write the correct answer on the answer sheet provided. 0 is the example.

YOU STAND NO CHANCE

If eternal happiness is what you are 0____looking____(Example) for, forget about it. It is a
____15____ mistake to think that one can be happy all the time, happiness is a mood and not
therefore something permanent. It is merely one of a wide ____16____ of emotions that us
humans are able to feel and it would be crazy to think otherwise.

It has been ____17____ out that those who deem themselves to be happy all the time are either
____18____ morons or liars. There have been several studies into the ____19____ and it is
crystal clear that everyone needs to ____20____ a mixture of emotions in order to reach the
point in which they could truly know what happiness is. By saying this, we ____21____ that
people need to sometimes be unhappy, upset and annoyed to clear the way for them to become
cheerful and upbeat at other times.

Over long periods of time, this variation of emotions ____22____ you to actually know what
happiness is and also make you a well-balanced individual.

0. a) seeking b) looking c) trying d) standing

15. a) regular b) ordinary c) common d) usual
16. a) range b) ambit c) span d) scope
17. a) carried b) found c) gone d) looked
18. a) whole b) entire c) complete d) sheer
19. a) incident b) episode c) occasion d) matter
20. a) experience b) involve c) sustain d) undergo
21. a) want b) mean c) indicate d) show
22. a) lets b) sanctions c) allows d) concedes

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b
TASK 3b (Marks: 8)

Fill in the gaps in the following text with ONE suitable word. For questions 23 – 30, write down
the correct word on the answer sheet provided. 0 is the example.

THE GOULBURN VALLEY

The Goulburn Valley is situated in the south-east corner of the Australian continent, in the state
of Victoria. Because (0)____of____(Example) the introduction of irrigation over a century ago,
primary industry flourished, resulting in a multitude of orchards ____23____ market gardens.
After World War II, migrants flocked to the area in search of work on the farms, and
in ____24____ cases, establishing a property of their own.

Unfortunately, the region has taken a turn for the worse over the past decade. The irrigation
water that was ____25____ plentiful has now been rationed, and many farmers have been
forced ____26____ the land. The main source of water is from the Goulburn River, with several
reservoirs located along its stretch to the mighty Murray River. Dam capacities have fallen to
dangerous levels, resulting in some farmers having ____27____ inadequate supply of irrigation
water.

____28____ the recent hardships, some farmers have continued to eke an existence out of the
land. Many have become ____29____ ingenious, devising new ways to utilize water plus finding
special niches to service the ever-changing urban needs. Perhaps the Goulburn Valley can return
to its prosperous times ____30____.

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of
 LISTENING COMPREHENSION (30 MARKS) – 40 MINUTES

TASK 1 (Marks: 8)

You’ll hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1 – 8, choose the correct
answer a), b) or c). Circle the correct answer on the answer sheet provided. You will hear each
extract TWICE. You now have 1 minute and 30 seconds to read the options.
Task 1-Eight extracts

EXTRACT 1

0. Taking the train would have… (Example)

a. saved him time.
b. meant spending a long time travelling.
c. been a lot cheaper.
1. You hear someone talking about travelling abroad. Which option did he choose?
a. The most convenient option
b. The quickest option
c. The cheapest option

EXTRACT 2

2. You hear the weather forecast on the radio. What will the weather be like in the south?
a. Windy with showers
b. Cloudy with sunny spells
c. Cool and

EXTRACT 3

3. You hear someone talking about blogs on the radio. What are the advantages of blogs?
a. They provide a more balanced point of view.
b. They are more interesting than traditional media.
c. They give a more honest account of stories.

EXTRACT 4

4. You hear someone talking about an art exhibition. What is being exhibited?
a. Marine and Landscape paintings
b. Historical paintings of a town
 c. Cartoons about people’s lifestyles

EXTRACT 5

5. You hear someone talking on the radio about lie detection. How is it possible to detect
when people are lying?
a. They make small movements.
b. They signal the lie with their voice.
c. They act differently from usual.

EXTRACT 6

6. You hear someone talking about performing in a singing contest. How does she feel
about the contest?
a. grateful
b. proud
c. nervous

EXTRACT 7

7. You hear a woman talking about her job. What does she dislike about her job?
a. She dislikes her boss.
b. Her work is seasonal.
c. She doesn’t get enough time off.

EXTRACT 8

8. You hear a teacher talking to a student. Why is the teacher talking to the student?
a. To make a suggestion
b. To give a warning
c. To correct a mistake

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b
TASK 2 (Marks: 10)

Listen to a radio programme in which a presenter is talking to a forester about moths. For
questions 9 – 18, choose the best answer a), b) or c), and transfer your answers to the answer
sheet provided. You will hear the recording TWICE. You now have 1 minute and 30 seconds to
read the options. 0 is the example.
Task 2-The environment

oak tree caterpillars moth

THE ENVIRONMENT

0. Mike Douglas is collecting caterpillars from oak trees to… (Example)

a. preserve them.
b. test them.
c. eradicate them.
9. The caterpillars of the oak processionary moth are harmful to trees because...
a. they spread disease.
b. they eat leaves.
c. they weaken the wood.
10. The caterpillars of the oak processionary moth...
a. cannot harm human health.
b. can cause minor health problems in humans.
c. can cause serious health problems in humans.
11. The forester is aiming to stop the most infestation…
a. in all parts of London.
b. in the west and south west of London.
c. in and around Croydon.
12. The nest of the oak processionary moth caterpillar is...
a. round and grey, with a diameter of a few centimetres to a couple of feet.
 b. round and grey, and can be seen about 2 feet up the side of a tree.
c. round and grey, and no bigger than a golf ball.
13. Mike sets traps for adult moths...
a. all year round.
b. over a 2km area.
c. 2km from infested trees.
14. Mike blames new insect infestations on...
a. imports and climate change.
b. climate change and new agricultural practices.
c. imports and new agricultural practices.
15. The pine processionary moth...
a. has not yet been seen in the UK.
b. is another serious problem in the UK.
c. has so far been contained in the U.K.
16. Mike mentions the citrus longhorn beetle as an example of...
a. a pest which was contained thanks to government funding.
b. a pest which was contained thanks to help from the public.
c. a pest which was not contained due to lack of funding.
17. Mike mentions elm trees as an example of...
a. another tree species which is affected by moths.
b. a tree species which was saved when a disease was intercepted.
c. a tree species which completely died out in the U.K.
18. Mike recommends logging onto his website in order to...
a. see pictures of moths and other pests.
b. get details of a training programme.
c. report the health of trees in your local area.

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c
TASK 3 (Marks: 12)

Rebecca and Geraint are university students. They are talking about clubs and societies at their
university. For questions 19 – 30, complete the sentences with one word or short phrase from
the recording and transfer your answers to the answer sheet provided. You will hear the
recording TWICE. You now have 1 minute and 30 seconds to read the options. 0 is the example.
Task 3-Welcome Fair

WELCOME FAIR

0. Rebecca asks Geraint whether he’s ____going to____ the Welcome Fair. (Example)
19. The Welcome Fair is in the university __________ hall.
20. Rebecca’s friend is the president of the __________ society.
21. Rebecca wants to try __________ and archery, because she hasn’t tried them before.
22. Rebecca was in the __________ team at school.
23. Rebecca might do __________ instead of orchestra and choir.
24. Rebecca is studying __________ at university.
25. Geraint enjoys board games such as __________.
26. Geraint is thinking of joining the __________ society.
27. You can do caving and __________ in the Adventure Club.
28. Geraint didn’t enjoy going __________ with his school.
29. Geraint got cold and wet and __________ when skiing.
30. He prefers to __________.

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going to
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 WRITING (30 MARKS) TASK 1 (Marks: 10) – 20 MINUTES APPROX.

In your English class you have been talking about old people in society. Now your English
teacher has asked you to write an essay (200-220 words).
Around the world, people are living and staying healthy for longer and longer. What
changes does this bring to today’s society? Are these changes good or bad?
Write about:
1. Caring for the elderly
2. Jobs
3. __________ (your own idea)
 READING COMPREHENSION (30 MARKS) – 60 MINUTES

TASK 1 (Marks: 6)

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B C F G A H D

TASK 2 (Marks: 8)

0 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
c a b b c b a c c

TASK 3a (Marks: 8)

0 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
b c a b c d a b c

TASK 3b (Marks: 8)

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of and many once off an Despite more again

LISTENING COMPREHENSION (30 MARKS) – 40 MINUTES

TASK 1 (Marks: 8)

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
b c b c c c a b b

TASK 2 (Marks: 10)

0 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
c b b c a b a c b c b
TASK 3 (Marks: 12)

0 19 20 21 22 23
going to sports international sailing volleyball drama
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French chess walking rock skiing hurt stay
climbing himself comfortable