B1 PRELIMINARY

OPTIMISE

Name: _______________________________________

TOTAL: 80 Marks

FIRST TEST

2023

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 LISTENING
For each question, write the correct answer in the gap. Write a word or a number.
There is an example (0).

You will hear two people talking about a website.

The show is about:

0. going on a gap ___year___.

Osbert Rose:

1. works as __________ of GoAbroad.com.

2. and his wife planned to go around the world at the age of __________.

3. and Jenny needed a place where they could find a __________.

The website…

4. offers information on programmes, user reviews and travel __________.

5. has a “Choose Experience” button at the __________ of the page.

6. contains information about __________ different kinds of trips.

12 marks

2
 READING
Part A

For each question, choose the correct answer. There is an example.

Example:

A Children will not like this product.

Keep out of reach of children
B You should not let children eat this product.

C Do not let children even touch this product.

7 E-VISA EXPRESS Electronic Visas...

We help you get an electronic visa. With your e-

Visa you can enter the desired country. A arrive by email.

B are ready in 15 hours.

- Complete the application process online in
less than 15 minutes. C are difficult to get.
- The processing time takes up to 72 hours.
- eVisas are sent directly to your electronic
mail address.

g equipment.

Ruby,
8
The new nanny is coming A Zoe finishes school at 2.
today. She will start at 2, one
B Ruby is Zoe’s nanny.
hour before Zoe comes back from
nursery school. C Ruby will be home at 2.

Please, be attentive to the

doorbell.

Love,

Theo

3
9 Students…
CROWLEES JUNIOR SCHOOL
A cannot wear earrings at school.

WEARING OF EARRINGS FOR PE

B cannot have their earrings on during their
Children are not permitted to wear
jewellery, including pierced earrings, sports lessons.
during PE lessons.

C must remove their earrings at home.

It will help if earrings can be taken out
at home on PE days.

10 Chelsea
Chelsea...
07194858971
I’m finally getting on with A is not making progress with her project.
my arts project!
B had an idea for her project yesterday.
I couldn’t find anything I
liked to draw but last
night I saw something C talked to her arts teacher last night.
amazing when I was
riding back from school.

Will send you a photo!

11 Fantastic Summer Camp The boys...

A missed their mobiles.

B travelled with their family.

Both our boys went to the Camp in July C speak several languages.
2022. The boys were 11 and 13 and
they had one of the best summers of
their lives.
They didn’t miss their electronic devices
- they explored the Alps, made new
friends and practised German and
French.
10 marks

4
Part B

For each question choose the correct answer.

The young people below all want to have a gap year.

On the opposite page there are descriptions of eight gap year activities.

Decide which holiday would be the most suitable for the people below.

Clarisse is a very friendly Brazilian girl. She is keen on

games and outdoor activities. She is looking for an
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experience abroad to meet new people.

Polly would like an experience abroad that also helps

her get a better job in the future. She sees this trip as
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part of her studies and is not looking for a salary.

Guinevere has just finished secondary school. She has

experience working as a baby-sitter and loves children.
14
In the future she would like to be a language teacher.

Mick is a young man who likes to enjoy sports and the

excitement of new natural places. He is very relaxed
15
and not good at organizing.

Although Bradley can only travel for a short time and

doesn’t have much money, he is eager to enjoy some
16
time abroad before going on with his studies.

5
 Gap year activities
A Adventure Travel
If you want travel to take you out of your
comfort zone and show you a new
environment, then gap year adventure
programmes are the choice for you!
You will say goodbye to boring city travels and
hello to nature and extreme sports. These gap
year travel programmes offer a structured and
practical experience and you won’t have to do
much planning before travelling.
C Camp Jobs: camp counsellor, group
leader, or language coach
Work with individuals who share your interests
to create a fun time for the children and
yourself. If you’re outgoing, love making new
friends and enjoy nature, you’re sure to love a
summer camp job for your gap year abroad.
Besides, many summer camp jobs in Europe
as well as in the USA will pay you.
E Internships
Internships are the perfect combination of
business and pleasure. You will learn skills
and build relationships that will be great for
your CV and future job applications.
With gap year internships you can help and
learn about local communities while learning
work-related skills. Unfortunately, not all
internships for gap year students are paid and
they can be a lot of work.
G Sports Coaching
Sports coaching jobs abroad are a great way
to use your skills to help others. Inspire
passion and initiative in children and
teenagers and help them love sports.
Use sports coaching as an opportunity to
mentor young people in the community. You
don’t need to be able to speak the local
language to connect with them.
ext adapted from: https://www.goabroad.com/articles/gap-year/20-gap-year-activities
6
B Au Pair: a nanny abroad
Being a nanny in another country allows
you to live and work with a family, help the
children of the family learn your language
while you learn their native language and
traditions.
Working with children is a fun and active
way to immerse yourself in a new culture.
And you get paid a salary. The
programme only accepts individuals
between the ages of 18-30.
D Experiential / Hands-On Learning
Do you learn better by doing rather than
sitting in a classroom? Learn skills you
never could in a classroom by experiencing
them.
If traditional classes are not the best for
your learning, try a practical volunteer
position. Through experiential learning you
will learn practical life skills useful
throughout your entire life.
F Language Immersion
We live in the era of globalization; jobs are
more and more often looking for
employees who speak two or more
languages to communicate with clients in
different countries. With gap year
language programmes, you can learn
more in less time than a traditional
classroom experience and understand the
local community and their culture through
their language.
H Working Holiday
If you’ve decided on a gap year but don’t
want to be away for a full year, a working
holiday is great. If you have no money,
you can still get the international
experience you’ve always wanted. It’s a
job abroad that is paid! Because it has a
limited duration, the visa process is
typically shorter and easier to obtain.
T
10 marks
 USE OF ENGLISH
Part A
For each question, choose the correct answer.

Teaching music in Uganda

Five years ago, I 17) ____________ some time teaching music to Ugandan children. After I finished
school I 18) ____________ my brother’s advice and chose to use my passion for music to help
communities in Africa. I taught music lessons and organised community activities.

Before my trip I 19) ____________ to think music lessons were something common all over the world.
In Uganda, music is part of everyday life but music education is inaccessible for many people.
Lessons are considered a luxury and are not part of the school curriculum and many families
20) ____________ pay for music lessons.

Rural villages are full of groups making music, singing, using cans as drums. Music training
21) ____________ a great way to increase self-esteem, confidence, and gives young people a safe
and productive hobby.

I loved my time living there, gaining life experience and making a positive impact on many
communities!

17 A spent B was spending C spend D am spending

18 A told B gave C took D made
19 A would B used C was used D was
20 A shouldn’t B don’t have to C mustn’t D cannot
21 A is B was C is being D be

Adapted from
https://www.goabroad.com/providers/living-music-foundation/programs/make-your-gap-year-count-teaching-music-in-uganda!-175111

10 marks

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Part B

For each question, write the correct answer.

Write one word for each gap.

When we travel with my family, we prefer (22) ____________ to stay in hotels. We usually rent a
house or a flat. For example, when we travelled to Paris, we rented a tiny flat near the city centre.

I’m not used to living in a small flat because we live in a spacious house but (23) ____________
experience was amazing. There was a nice little restaurant across the street and we saw more of the
country’s culture because we spent a lot of time with people from the place. During our second trip to
England, we rented a house. We’d been to England before and we had already gone sightseeing.
During this visit, we did all the typical things we wanted (24) ____________ do. We spent our time
taking walks and drinking tea, eating scones, and talking. It was a restful and delightful time.

So, if you are planning a family trip, forget about hotels, (25) ____________ online and find a nice
house to rent!

Text adapted from https://myfamilytravels.com/content/20227-ten-tips-traveling-teens

8 marks

8
 Writing
Choose one of these questions.
Write your answer in about 100 words.

Option 1

You see this notice on an English-language website.

Articles wanted!

Is a gap year a good idea?

Write an article telling us what you think about taking a year off after secondary
school and before starting work or university.

Do you agree with the idea of a gap year? What are its advantages? What are its
disadvantages? Would you take a gap year?

Write an article answering these questions. The best articles will be

published next month.

Write your article.

Option 2

Your English teacher has asked you to write a story.

Your story must begin with this sentence:

When we arrived at the campsite, we realised there was

no Wi-Fi signal…
Write your story.

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Question

30 marks

GOOD LUCK!

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 NAME:_______________________________
B1 PRELIMINARY
OPTIMISE USE A PENCIL
Mark ONE letter
FIRST TEST 2023 for each question

LISTENING Write your answers in CAPITAL LETTERS.

1             

2             

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READING PART A

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READING PART B

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USE OF ENGLISH PART A

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18             

19             

20             

21             


USE OF ENGLISH PART A Write your answers in CAPITAL LETTERS.

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