4th ADULTS - MID TERM TEST -New English File Pre- Int.

- units 5-7 Page 1

A- READ CAREFULLY
YES .................NO............…MAYBE
Remember the old joke about the psychiatrist who asks his patient if he has trouble making decisions? And
the patient says, “Well, doctor, yes and no.” We’ve all felt like that sometime. Coffee or tea? Golf or church?
Even on Sunday mornings…decisions, decisions, decisions!
Researchers say it’s impossible for our rational minds to process more than seven
bits of information at the same time. That’s why it’s so hard to decide anything. And if
we’re speaking about really difficult decisions, you may want to consult science writer
John Lehrer: “I like thinking about life as just one decision after another, from the
simplest ones - like what kind of toothpaste to buy- to choosing a wife.”
He sees every choice as an exhausting battle between our instincts and our
reasoned thoughts. “For a long time people have said that the best way to make a
decision is to be rational”, Lehrer said. “But, in recent years, scientists have
discovered that when you give the rational brain too much information, it starts to
short-circuit”. To eliminate doubts when you’re faced with a complex decision Lehrer
says we should stop all that thinking…just go for it! “Our emotional brain is actually much better at taking in
lots of information, summarizing it and telling us : here’s a feeling, don’t worry about all the details.”
We process emotions in the front part of the brain, and damage to it is disastrous for decisions. Let’s study
the strange case of a former brilliant business executive , who’s only known as Elliot. Surgery for a brain tumor
left his intellect intact. Doctors were ecstatic…until they realized what the surgery had damaged. “He lost the
ability to experience emotions,” says Lehrer. “Now, anyone may imagine that this made Elliot very good at
making decisions because he was perfectly rational. He had no emotions to interfere, right?... Unfortunately,
Elliot became pathologically indecisive,” Lehrer said: “He used to spend all day trying to choose a café to eat
lunch. I think this shows how essential our emotions are in the decision making process.
Emotions are essential and impossible to stop. “An emotion is like a large rain storm, when it comes it affects
everything in its path,” said psychologist Jennifer Spencer. “For example, if you’re cut off in traffic and get
mad, you’ll probably make a risky decision at the office”. Strangely, being happy has the same effect.
“Happiness and anger are remarkably similar; they both make you take more risks. Both of them are
associated with a sense of certainty and control, which may be quite dangerous. If you’re happy or sad you’re
less likely to wear a seatbelt, you know? And if you’re sad, stay away from the mall: you will probably spend
too much!
So, if I were you, I’d follow this simple tip: next time you have to make an important decision, just stop
thinking and ask yourself “Does this make me feel good?”

TRUE OR FALSE
1- The psychiatrist’s patient is decisive
2- Lehrer thinks that our emotions and reason work together when we make decisions.
3- People who suffer brain damage may not be able to have emotions
4- According to the article, our emotions have influence on everything we do

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

1- What’s Lehrer’s advice to make decisions?
2- Why couldn’t Elliot make decisions after the surgery?
3- How do happiness and sadness affect our decisions? Why?
4- What helps you more to make decisions, your reason and your emotions? Why?
 4th ADULTS - MID TERM TEST -New English File Pre- Int. - units 5-7 Page 2

B- MULTIPLE CHOICE

1- Melisa ______________ to wear glasses when she was young, but now she wears them.
didn’t use to not used to used to
2- It’s difficult ______________ that Mick Jagger was a good student
believe believing to believe
3- Uma has attended university for 3 years now. She______________ her first class when she was 18
has taken taken took
4- My pet pig’s escaping! Oh no! It got __________________ dirty lake.
into on towards
5- Choose that number. Who knows? You _________________win the lottery !
may may not may to
6- We couldn’t understand the film because the __________________ wasn’t very clear
translasion translate translation
7- I ________________ buy a goldfish for my son, but I’m not sure. Hamsters are nice , too.
might must will
8- _________________ are the most beautiful birds. They’re so elegant!
goats swans wasps
9- I’m reading an interesting murder story. I’ll _____________ it to you when I finish it.
ask borrow lend
10- If you meet a bull, you _________________ run. You’ll catch its attention.
didn’t mustn’t wouldn’t

C- FILL IN THE BLANKS

A LOVELY CROCODILE

I have been afraid of wild animals 1____________ I was child. While my sister enjoyed
2_____________ animal documentaries on TV, I hated them. So, when her favourite programme
started I 3_________ to run to the football 4______________. It wasn’t near, I had to walk several
blocks 5__________ my street, but I didn’t 6______________ the
distance. I just wanted 7_________ far from sharks, lions and gorillas.
The only exception to this 8__________ was “Tick- Tock”, the
crocodile from Peter Pan. I loved its song, “Never smile at a
crocodile”. It 9__________ played every time “Tick- Tock” appeared,
but only the instrumental version. Last year, on my 25 th birthday, I
10_________ a wonderful present, a Disney CD which includes the complete version!

DOWN – GOT - MIND - NOW - OVER - PHOBIA - PITCH - SINCE -

TO BE - USED - WAS - WATCHING

4th ADULTS - MID TERM TEST -New English File Pre- Int. - units 5-7 Page 3
 D- REPHRASE
1- Sofia Coppola started directing films in 1999 (FOR)
Sofía Coppola ___________________________________ years.
2- I think it’s not a good idea to stand in the corner when you go to a party (STAND)
I think you ______________________________ when you go to a party
3- I’d like to speak perfect French to travel to Paris (IF)
________________________________, I’d travel to Paris.
4- In my old school, it wasn’t necessary to wear short hair (HAVE)
In my old school, I ___________________________ hair
5- Next year I’ll have more free time. I’m planning to take a tennis course (IF)
_____________________________next year, I’ll take a tennis course

E- COMPLETE THE DIALOGUE

After a wild party night, Helen has woken up with a bad headache. Her friend Carl is talking to her.

CARL: - Hi Helen. How are you?

HELEN: - Not very well. I have a bad headache. ___________________________________?
CARL: - I don’t think I have……… yes! Here are some aspirins.
HELEN: - Great, thanks. ________________________________________?
CARL: - I don’t know, I think two might be OK. Wait a minute, ________________________?
HELEN: - Allergic? Of course not!
CARL: - ___________________________________________________
HELEN: - Look, I know it’s a good advice but I hate doctors. I don’t want to see one.
CARL: - Helen, you look incredibly pale. __________________________________________
HELEN: - Do you really think it’s my obligation? Do I look so bad?
CARL: - Terribly, dear. Come on, I’ll take you to see Dr. Health. He’s excellent.

4th ADULTS - MID TERM TEST -New English File Pre- Int. - units 5-7 Page 4
F- WRITING ABILITY
Choose one of the following tasks
1- You’ve seen the following advertisement and are interested in taking the course. Write an e-
mail asking for more information. Don’t forget to give some information about yourself, too.

WERE YOU BORN TO DIRECT?

LEARN TO DIRECT IN HOLLYWOOD!!

One - month courses, from March to November.
Your accommodation on Los Angeles is included.
Actors welcome. E-mail us for more information at
hollywooddirectors@LA.com

2- You’ve just received the following e-mail from a friend. Write back answering his questions
and offering some advice.

Hi Julian,

Thanks for your last e-mail. Hope your radio programme’s doing wellI.

I’ve some exciting news. I’ve decided to study pharmacy in BA next year. What do you
think is the best place for me to study at? Haven’t chosen one, yet.

I also need some advice, too. Darren, my school partner, has invited me to share a flat
with him next year. It’d be great if he weren’t such a rebel! Truly, I don’t think he’ll get
better but maybe I should give him a chance, shouldn’t I? Though he doesn’t work hard,
he’s bright.

We get on quite well, but I’m worried it’s not a good idea to share a flat with him. To make
matters worse, he’s got two cats. You know they aren’t my favourite pets!

It’s hard for me to decide now, and I wouldn’t like to offend him. Any ideas?

Thanks a lot

Daniel