Progress Test 12A (Unit 12)

Grammar and vocabulary

1 Complete the sentences using the
appropriate modal verbs in the affirmative
or negative form (may, might, could, must
or can).
1 I’m sure Tessie’s results are excellent.
Tessie’s ____________________________.
2 I think she is taking her driving test today.
She ____________________________.
3 I’m not sure if Ted likes fish.
Ted _______________________________.
4 I’m certain they don’t agree.
They ______________________________.
5 They will possibly spend winter in Spain.
They _________________________.
6 Drivers are not allowed to drink and drive.
3 Complete the text with the correct words A–C.
Drivers ____________________________.
7 I’m sure Luke doesn’t drive; he isn’t 18 yet.
Luke ______________________________.
8 I’m certain she’s older than her husband.
She _______________________________.
9 Maybe he does not like Indian food.
He ________________________________.
10 It’s for sure that he has seen the film.
5 How well can Bill swim?
Have you any idea ____________________.
6 When will Grandma retire from work?
I wonder ____________________________.
7 Can I borrow that video game?
I was wondering ______________________.
8 What is the capital of Peru?
I’d like to know _______________________.
9 How much are the jeans?
Do you know ________________________.
10 Were you at the beach yesterday?
Can you let me know __________________.
Mark: ___ / 10
In the last few years the weather seems to be really
strange. 1___ not much snow in winter, and very 2___
rain in the summer. In spring, we used to have really
3
___ rivers and lakes full of water. Now, early in
spring, they get half-4___. As early as May, the first
5
___ comes and the whole country gets extremely dry.
Early in summer, the 6___ often rise up to 35°C and
then, when a 7___ comes, with 8___ rain, a lot of
villages are 9___. Farmers also complain about such
weather: 10___ is either too dry or it’s washed away by
the rains.

He ________________________________. 1 A They are B There are C There is

Mark: ___ / 10 2 A few B little C less

3 A fast B flowing C fast-flowing
2 Rewrite the direct questions as indirect
questions. 4 A high B clear C empty
1 Where is the nearest station? 5 A heatwave B source C scenery
Could you tell me ___________________. 6 A temperatures B temperature C climate
2 Why did you ask that? 7 A thunder B storm C lightning
I’d like to know _____________________. 8 A thick B heavy C light
3 Has Amanda been to Bristol? 9 A flood B flooded C flooding
Have you any idea __________________. 10 A countryside B environment C farmland
4 Is it going to rain? Mark: ___ / 10
I’m not sure ________________________.

Photocopiable © Oxford University Press Oxford Exam Trainer B1 tests / Progress test 12A (Unit 12)
1
Listening
4 [25] Listen to the recoding decide if the
statements 1–5 are true (T) or false (F).
The speaker …
1 is sure every little thing can help the
environment. ___
2 says big companies create most of the pollution.
___
3 does not believe big companies are interested in
environment protection. ___
4 thinks the companies want a change. ___
5 says the situation won’t change unless the
companies are charged for breaking the rules.
___
Mark: ___ / 5
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2
5 [26] Listen to the interview with John
Croft and for questions 1–5 circle the
correct answers A–D.
1 John Croft believes that in the last century …
A producing plastic bags reached the top.
B plastic bags mean a danger for human life.
C plastic bags are used in more parts of the
world than other products.
D plastic bags have become one of the most
dangerous products.
2 The research by supermarket chains has …
A not been noticed by most of their customers.
B persuaded customers to use their own
shopping bags.
C led to an increase in the number of plastic
shopping bags.
D been a reason for the global exchange from
plastic to paper bags.
3 A new method being tested at the moment …
A makes plastic bags break up quickly.
B means that plastic bags can be recycled.
C uses a material that makes the plastic in bags
softer.
D consists of a simple method of getting rid of
plastic bags.
4 Much of the plastic waste produced in Britain …
A has a life of about two months.
B is produced by the food industry.
C is thrown away in the form of waste.
D is used only for a few days before it ends up
as waste.
5 In the interview, John …
A talks about his most important life
achievements.
B describes progress in technology in Great
Britain.
C concentrates on problems of protecting the
environment.
D discusses the problem of using too many
plastic shopping bags.
Mark: ___ / 5
Oxford Exam Trainer B1 tests / Progress test 12A (Unit 12)
Reading
6 Read the text and write the best heading A–F for each paragraph. There are two extra headings.
A How’s the weather in the Sonoran Desert? D Who used to live in the area?
B Who lives in the Sonoran Desert now? E What are the forms of natural life?
C How much rain falls in Arizona? F Where is the Sonoran Desert?

PLACES TO VISIT: THE SONORAN DESERT

1___
The Sonoran Desert is the largest desert in North America. It covers an area of 120,000 square miles. Part of the
desert goes over south-west Arizona, part over south-east California and the rest over north-west Mexico. The
western part of the United States–Mexico border passes through the Sonoran Desert.
2___
Native American groups lived in the region for hundreds of years before the Spanish came in the 15 th century and
colonised a large part of the desert. Now, you can see the remains of an early Native American civilisation, the
Hohokam tribe, who created villages and an advanced canal system to carry water for their plants.
3___
Eighty per cent of the whole Arizona population live in the Sonoran Desert, mainly in towns such as Tucson and
Phoenix. It’s a surprise because the desert covers only twenty per cent of Arizona’s total area and this area has
very little rainfall compared to other parts of the state, so water has to be taken from the ground. The desert is
also home to over seventeen Native American tribes with settlements in reservations.
4___

Because the temperature in summer rarely falls below 38C and the winters are never cold, the main form of
vegetation in this area is cacti. There is also a variety of wildflowers which appear after the winter rains and
disappear in the first heat of the spring. You will not find many animals in the desert, except for some mice or
rabbits and one of the ‘big cats’ called the mountain lion.

Mark: ___ / 4

7 Read the text and decide if the statements 1–6 are true (T) or false (F).
STORY OF THE DAY
Two of the three baby chimpanzees went missing from a house in Bangladesh while being taken to the zoo for a
medical check-up, only to be found in the same house on Thursday afternoon. The police said that the
chimpanzees had managed to open the door of their cages and hide in the house. The officials of the Main
Veterinary Bureau in Bangladesh were surprised when they were told by zoo officials that only one male
chimpanzee had arrived in the cage. ‘We were informed that three chimpanzees would be brought to the zoo.
When we found out that only one chimp had arrived, we immediately warned the police and MVB (the Main
Veterinary Bureau) in Bangladesh’ said a zoo top official.

1 Three small chimpanzees got lost. ___ 5 The zoo expected three chimpanzees to arrive.
___
2 The animals disappeared from the zoo. ___
6 The police were informed by the owner of the
3 The chimpanzees were examined by a vet in the
chimpanzees. ___
zoo. ___
Mark: ___ / 6
4 The MVB was informed about the transport of
the chimpanzees in advance. ___

Photocopiable © Oxford University Press Oxford Exam Trainer B1 tests / Progress test 12A (Unit 12)
3
Progress Test 12B (Unit 12)
Grammar and vocabulary
1 Complete the sentences using the
appropriate modal verbs in the
affirmative or negative form (may, might,
could, must or can).
1 I’m not sure if Jenny likes sci-fi films.
Jenny _____________________________.
2 I’m sure that Belinda has passed the exam.
Belinda ____________________________.
3 Maybe they won’t start university in October.
They _______________________________.
4 I’m sure Meg isn’t a good dancer.
Meg _______________________________.
5 Children aren’t allowed to buy cigarettes.
Children ____________________________.
3 Complete the text with the correct words
6 I’m sure Fred’s wallet is empty.
Fred’s _____________________________.
7 Dad is possibly coming home next week.
Dad ______________________________.
8 I’m certain they haven’t been accepted.
They ______________________________.
9 I’m sure that ‘The Hornets’ won the match.
‘The Hornets’ _______________________.
10 I’m sure that’s not Beth’s mum.
That woman ________________________.
Could you tell me _____________________.
6 How much does it cost?
I wonder ____________________________.
7 Where are you going next weekend?
I was wondering ______________________.
8 What time will you leave?
Can you let me know __________________.
9 Is there much pollution in your city?
Do you happen to know ________________.
10 Where did Anna go last weekend?
Have you any idea ____________________.
Mark: ___ / 10
A–C.
In the last few years the weather seems to be
really strange. There’s not 1___ snow in winter,
and very little rain in the summer. In spring, we
used to have really 2___ rivers and lakes full of
water. Now, early in spring, the lakes are almost
3
___. Later in spring, we often have a series of
4
___, with 5____ as high as 35°C and the whole
country gets extremely dry. In summer, it
sometimes gets very 6___ and then 7___ comes,
with lots of 8___ rain. As a result, huge parts of
the country are 9___. Farmers also complain
about such weather: 10___ either too dry or
farmland is washed away by the rains.

Mark: ___ / 10 1 A a lot B many C much

2 A fast-flowing B quick C flowing
2 Rewrite the direct questions as indirect
questions. 3 A light B empty C full
1 Is it going to snow? 4 A heatwave B hot weather C heatwaves
I’d like to know ______________________. 5 A temperature B temperatures C heat
2 What will he do if he doesn’t go to university? 6 A wind B storm C windy
I wonder ___________________________. 7 A a storm B lightning C thunderstorm
3 Why does he ask such silly questions? 8 A thick B much C heavy
I’m not sure _________________________.
9 A flooding B flood C flooded
4 Can Mary’s little brother read and write?
10 A there’s B they’re C it’s
Have you any idea ____________________.
Mark: ___ / 10
5 Where is the nearest bus stop?

Photocopiable © Oxford University Press Oxford Exam Trainer B1 tests / Progress test 12B (Unit 12)
4
Listening
4 [25] Listen to the recoding decide if
the statements 1–5 are true (T) or false
(F).
The speaker …
1 isn’t sure every little thing can help the
environment. ___
2 says big companies mean the biggest
danger for the environment. ___
3 believes big companies are interested in
environment protection. ___
4 thinks the companies must change their
behaviour. ___
5 says governments must fine those who
pollute the environment. ___
Mark: ___ / 5
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5
5 [26] Listen to the interview with John
Croft and for questions 1–5 circle the
correct answers A–D.
1 John Croft says that in the last century …
A plastic bags were used all over the world.
B using plastic bags may damage human life.
C more plastic bags than ever before were
produced.
D plastic bags are one of the most
dangerous products.
2 The research by supermarket chains has …
A been noticed by most of their customers.
B persuaded customers to use their own
shopping bags.
C led to an increase in the number of plastic
shopping bags.
D been a reason for supermarket chain’s
changing behaviour.
3 A new method being tested at the moment …
A means that the plastic bags last much shorter.
B makes plastic bags not pollute the
environment.
C consists of a simple method of getting rid
of plastic bags.
D uses a material that makes the plastic an
eco-friendly material.
4 Much of the plastic waste produced in Britain …
A is thrown away in the form of waste.
B is produced by the supermarket chains.
C is used for a few days before it ends up as
waste.
D is used for about two months before it’s
thrown away.
5 In the interview, John explains …
A how he helps to protect the environment.
B what is happening with the plastic bags we use.
C why plastic bags pollute the environment.
D what progress is being made to reduce pollution.
Mark: ___ / 5
Oxford Exam Trainer B1 tests / Progress test 12B (Unit 12)
Reading
6 Read the text and write the best heading A–F for each paragraph. There are two extra
headings.
A Where is the Sonoran Desert?
D What are the forms of natural life?
B Who used to live in the area?
E Who lives in the Sonoran Desert now?
C How much rain falls in Arizona?
F What’s the weather like in the Sonoran Desert?

PLACES TO VISIT: THE SONORAN DESERT

1___
The Sonoran Desert is the largest desert in North America. It covers an area of 120,000 square miles. Part
of the desert goes over south-west Arizona, part over south-east California and the rest over north-west
Mexico. The western part of the United States–Mexico border passes through the Sonoran Desert.
2___
Native Americans groups lived in the region for hundreds of years before the Spanish came in the 15 th
century and colonised a large part of the desert. Now, you can see the remains of an early Native
American civilisation, the Hohokam tribe, who created villages and an advanced canal system to carry
water for their plants.
3___
Eighty per cent of the whole Arizona population live in the Sonoran Desert, mainly in towns such as
Tucson and Phoenix. It’s a surprise because the desert covers only twenty per cent of Arizona’s total area
and this area has very little rainfall compared to other parts of the state, so water has to be taken from the
ground. The desert is also home to over seventeen Native American tribes with settlements in
reservations.
4___

Because the temperature in summer rarely falls below 38C and the winters are never cold, the main form
of vegetation in this area is cacti. There is also a variety of wildflowers which appear after the winter rains
and disappear in the first heat of the spring. You will not find many animals in the desert, except for some
mice or rabbits and one of the ‘big cats’ called the mountain lion.

Mark: ___ / 4

7 Read the text and decide if the statements 1–6 are true (T) or false (F).
STORY OF THE DAY
Two of the three baby chimpanzees went missing from a house in Bangladesh while being taken to the
zoo for a medical check-up, only to be found in the same house on Thursday afternoon. The police said
that the chimpanzees had managed to open the door of their cages and hide in the house. The officials of
the Main Veterinary Bureau in Bangladesh were surprised when they were told by zoo officials that only
one male chimpanzee had arrived in the cage. ‘We were informed that three chimpanzees would be
brought to the zoo. When we found out that only one chimp had arrived, we immediately warned the police
and MVB (the Main Veterinary Bureau) in Bangladesh’ said a zoo top official.

1 Two of three small chimpanzees got lost. ___ 5 The MVB knew about the transport of the
chimpanzees. ___
2 The chimpanzees were owned by a zoo. ___
6 The police were informed by the zoo. ___
3 The chimpanzees ran away from their home. ___
Mark: ___ / 6
4 The chimpanzees hid in the zoo. ___

Photocopiable © Oxford University Press Oxford Exam Trainer B1 tests / Progress test 12B (Unit 12)
6
Photocopiable © Oxford University Press Oxford Exam Trainer B1 tests / Progress test 12B (Unit 12)
7