SAMPLE TEST

CANTONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPETITION 2013

FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS – VIII/9

INSTRUCTIONS:

The exam has three sections:

1. Reading section, 20 questions

2. Vocabulary section, 30 questions

3. Grammar section, 50 questions

Total: 100 questions / 100 points

Each question has only one correct answer.

The time allowed is 120 minutes.

Read the questions carefully and choose the best alternative.

Answer the questions on the Answer sheet.

Example:
1. I ________ a student now.

A is B are C am D has

Answer sheet

1. C

After you finish your exam, check your answers carefully and then give your answer sheet to the teacher
in charge.

GOOD LUCK 

Prepared by: Selma Suman, April 2013

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READING SECTION
Part 1
Read the adapted extract from Dreams, by Jerome K. Jerome and then answer questions 1 – 13 by choosing
letters A, B or C.
Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Dreams by Jerome K. Jerome

The most extraordinary dream I ever 1_______________ was one in which I fancied that, as I was going
into a theater, the cloak-room attendant 2______________ me in the lobby and insisted on my
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_______________ my legs behind. I was not surprised; but I was considerably annoyed. I said I had never
heard of such a rule at any respectable theater 4_______________, and that I considered it a most absurd
regulation. The man replied that he was very 5___________________, but that those were his instructions.
People complained that they could not get to and from their 6_________________ comfortably, because
other people's legs 7______________ always in the way; and it had, therefore, been decided that
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_________________ should leave their legs outside. It seemed to me that the management, in making this
order, had gone 9_________________ their legal right; and, under ordinary circumstances, I should have
disagreed. However, I didn't want to 10________________ a disturbance; and so I sat down and submissively
prepared to comply with the demand. I had never before 11____________________ that the human leg could
be unscrewed. I had always thought it was more securely fixed. But the man showed me how to undo them,
and I found that they came off quite easily. The discovery did not surprise 12_________________ any more
than the original request that I should take them off. 13______________does surprise one in a dream.

1. A was B saw C had D wanted

2. A stops B stopped C stop D stopping
3. A leave B leaves C leaving D left
4. A before B after C during D so
5. A angry B sorry C friendly D helpful
6. A homes B jobs C arms D seats
7. A was B are C were D have been
8. A somebody B everybody C anybody D nobody
9. A beyond B from C to D around
10. A understand B know C make D learn
11. A know B known C knowing D knows
12. A him B them C me D us
13. A Nothing B Nobody C Everything D Everybody

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READING SECTION
Part 2
Read the text on the left and then answer questions 14 – 20 by choosing letters A, B, C or D.
Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

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 c. Bill Wins the Big Game
“Did you see that?" Joe said to his friend Bill. "You're a d. Bill's Basketball Problem
great shooter!" 15. IIn line 8, the word PERFORMED is closest in meaning to
Bill caught the basketball and bounced it before _______.
throwing it again. The ball flew into the net. a. acted b. played
"Bill, you never miss!" Joe said admiringly. c. moved d. changed
“Unless I'm in a real game," Bill complained. "Then I
miss all the time."
16. Why is Bill upset?
Joe knew that Bill was right. Bill performed much
a. He plays better in practice than he does during
better when he was having fun with Joe in the school games.
yard than he did when he was playing for the school b. The school yard is not a good place to practice.
team in front of a large crowd. c. Joe watches him too closely when he plays.
"Maybe you just need to practice more," Joe d. His team loses too many games.
suggested.
17. Why does Bill play well when Joe is watching him?
“But I practice all the time with you!" Bill objected. He
a. He is comfortable with Joe.
shook his head. "I just can't play well when people are b. Joe tells him how to play better.
watching me." c. He does not know that Joe is there.
"You play well when I'm watching," Joe pointed out. d. He wants to prove to Joe that he is a good player.
"That's because I've known you since we were five
years old," Bill said with a smile. "I'm just not
18. Why does Joe decide to gather a group of people?
a. Because he wants more players for his team
comfortable playing when other people are around."
b. Because he wants to help Bill feel less nervous
Joe nodded and understood, but he also had an idea. c. Because he wants to show them his talent
The next day Joe and Bill met in the school yard again d. Because he wants more people to see the next
to practice. After a few minutes, Joe excused himself. game
"Practice without me," Joe said to his friend. "I'll be
back in a minute." 19. At the end of the story, all of the following people watch
Bill practice EXCEPT _____.
Joe hurried through the school building, gathering
a. Joe
together whomever he could find—two students, a b. a janitor
math teacher, two secretaries, and a janitor. c. a math teacher
When Joe explained why he needed them, everyone d. the basketball coach
was happy to help.
Joe reminded the group to stay quiet as they all went 20. Why does the group have to be quiet when they go to the
basketball court?
toward the school's basketball court. As Joe had
a. Because Joe is telling Bill what to do
hoped, Bill was still practicing basketball. He made five
b. Because they do not want Bill to know they were
baskets in a row without noticing the silent people there
standing behind him. c. Because Bill likes to practice alone
"Hey, Bill!" Joe called out finally. d. Because the group needs to listen to Joe’s
Bill turned. A look of surprise came over his face. instructions
"I just wanted to show you that you could play well
with people watching you," Joe said. "Now you'll have
nothing to worry about for the next game!"

14. What would be the best title for the story?

a. Joe Joins the Team
b. Practice Makes Perfect
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5
VOCABULARY SECTION

This section contains 30 questions which focus on vocabulary and language. Read carefully and choose the
best answer.
Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

21. This medicine is very _________. It leaves unpleasant taste in my mouth.

A sweet B bitter C fresh D soar

22. Many people believe that taking lots of ___________ C can help prevent colds

A vitamin B vitamine C vittamin D vitaminne

23. Would you like another ____________ of pizza?

A dice B chunk C slice D peace

24. She made a ______________ drink using a banana, orange juice, milk, and frozen blueberries.

A delicios B delicious C delicate D deliciously

25. Be sure you _____________ the sauce regularly so that it doesn't burn.

A mix B stir C whip D whisk

26. Be sure to ____________ your food; don't try swallowing it whole or you'll choke.

A chew B chewed C chewing D chow

27. He is a ______________ worker, and simply doesn't do his part.

A hard B lazy C lively D energetic

28. Mark is very ______________, and gets nervous when his girlfriend talks with other guys.

A jealousy B jealoused C jealous D jellous

29. She looked very _____________ in a long, black, velvet dress.

A elegant B ellegant C elegance D elegantly

30. A more polite word for describing someone who is “fat” is:

A petite B built C overweight D skinny

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31. Brian always uses swear word. He is very ____________.

A selfish B rude C talkative D kind

32. Did you listen to the weather __________ before planning your trip?

A article B forcast C news D report

33. Don’t worry! Ted is crying because he is having a ______________.

A nightwear B nightfall C nightmare D nightgown

34. He is very proud __________ his son’s success.

A with B of C from D on

35. Listen ________ your father! He’s given you a good piece of advice.

A/ B to C for D on

36. Odd one out:

A denim B checked C plain D flowery

37. Good luck. I’ll keep my fingers ____________________.

A tight B loose C crossed D wide

38. _____________________, it was really stressful

A At the other hand B On the other hand

C In the second hand D On the another hand

39. There's plenty of space for all the usual kitchen ___________________.

A appliances B applications C applicants D appendices

40. Fast food restaurants usually serve ______________.

A healthy food B raw food C unhealthy food D frozen food

41. “It was very inconsiderate of you to keep us waiting.”

Which of the following words could not replace inconsiderate?

A mean B thoughtless C cruel D kind

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 42. My parents never give me ____________money.

A sleeve B hem C pocket D collar

43. When you want to show surprise you raise your________________.

A eyebrows B eyelids C eyelashes D eyes

44. I fell down the stairs and ________my arm.

A hit B tripped C hurt D burned

45. Which adjective has got a negative meaning?

A furious B delighted C relaxed D excited

46. Today, I had to stay ______________school to make up for a test.

A behind B above C after D before

47. Don’t leave your computer on stand_____. It wastes electricity

A bye B buy C by D bay

48. He was speaking in a low ________________voice.

A monotonous B monotony C monotone D monosyllable

49. ___________ is the natural home of a plant or animal

A Habit B Habitat C Habitué D Habituate

50. Not many people visit this isolated spot because the spot is __________.

A far away B really hot C really cold D not interesting

GRAMMAR SECTION

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This section contains 50 questions which focus on grammar and language. Read carefully and choose the best
answer.
Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

51. _______________ countries have blue and white flags.

A No B Some C None D Any

52. My brother’s birthday is ____________ the 25th of November.

A in B at C on D from

53. I don’t like walking alone in the streets ___________ night.

A at B on C in D by

54. If you want to go __________ bus, you have to go __________ the bus stop.

A in / to B by / on C in / on D by / to

55. When you arrive _______ your destination you get _______ the bus.

A at / of B on / off C at / off D on / of

56. England is famous _________ its rainy weather.

A of B for C from D on

57. Luke is very pleased _________ his exam results.

A by B on C with D at

58. Ted's flight from Amsterdam took more than 11 hours. He ____ be exhausted after such a long flight.

A can B must C had better D could

59. Susan _____________ hear the speaker because the crowd was cheering so loudly.

A couldn’t B can’t C might not D shouldn’t

60. The book is optional. My professor said we could read it if we needed extra credit. But we
_______________ read it if we don't want to.

A have to B don’t have to C must D mustn’t

61. Every Monday, Sally ___________ her kids to football practice.

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 A is driving B drives C has driven D drive

62. Shhhhh! Be quiet! John ________________.

A is sleeping B sleeps C was sleeping D sleep

63. I hate living in Seattle because it _________________.

A always rains B always raining C ‘s always raining D always rain

64. A: What ______________________?

B: He's an engineer.

A is your father doing B is your father do

C does your father do D does your father doing

65. Why __________________________ sunglasses? It's cloudy today.

A do you wear B are you wearing C do you wearing D are you wear

66. A: Where's John?

B: He's in the bathroom. He _______________a shower.

A has B is having C is making D is doing

67. Where _______________________ you born?

A were B have C are D did

68. A: I lived in Milan when I was younger.

B: Really? How long ___________________ there?

A did you live B have you lived C lived you D did you lived

69. I _________________ my English a lot since the last seminar.

A improve B improved C have improved D has improved

70. The train ________ goes to Madrid leaves from platform 2.

A where B who C which D whose

71. The friend ________ CD I borrowed wants it back.

A which B where C who D whose

72. My friend Caroline, ________ is Scottish, tells funny jokes.

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 A who B which C whose D where

73. If you can’t find the hotel ________ I stayed last weekend, I can tell you ________ to ask.

A which / where B where / who C where / which D which / which

74. His new ____________too long.

A trouseres are B trousers is C trouser are D trousers are

75. My _____________ the largest in the neighbourhood.

A families is B familys is C family is D family are

76. Texas is big but Alaska is ___________.

A biger B biggest C more bigger D bigger

77. I think kittens are __________ than puppies.

A more cuter B cuter C more cute D cute

78. Michael Jordan is the _______ basketball player.

A most best B best C most better D more better

79. A blue whale is the ___________ animal in the world.

A heaviest B most heavy C most heaviest D heavier

80. There is_______ cheese on the plate.

A some B many C any D a few

81. Don't put ____ salt in the soup.

A a few B many C too much D too many

82. I'll make____ lemonade to drink.

A a few B many C any D some

83. I eat ____ apple every morning.

Aa B an C the D/
84. I want to buy _______laptop computer next week.

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 Aa B an C the D/

85. Can you please go to _______grocery store on Fifth Street and buy 2 cartons of milk?

Aa B an C the D/

86. What do you usually have for ________breakfast?

Aa B an C the D/

87. When I saw Dave, he __________.

A was working B worked C is working D was worked

88. The fire __________when I __________ an omelette.

A was starting / was cooking B started / was cooking

C started / cooked D was starting / cooked

89. The little boy __________ because he __________ an ice cream.

A was crying / wanted B was crying / was wanting

C cried / was wanting D was crying / wants

90. If I _______to the movies tonight, I__________ an interesting movie.

A will go / watch B go / watch C go / will watch D will go / will watch

91. Susan ________really unhappy if her father _____her an iPod for her birthday.

A is / won’t give B will be / don’t give

C is / doesn’t give D will be / doesn’t give

92. Was the window pane _________the children?

A broke B broken by C broke for D broken for

93. Many writers were ________ Shakespeare.

A influence by B influenced by C influence for D influenced for

94. My father wrote this book. It _______________ by my father.

A will be wrote B was write C was written D is written

95. The best oranges _____________ in California.

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 A are grown B were grown C are grew D was grown

96. I´ve been looking _____ my car keys for half an hour. Have you seen them anywhere?

A up B after C for D at

97. Her interest in the newspaper business came from her parents, _____________ of whom were
journalists.

A either B neither C both D all

98. I don't eat seafood and my husband doesn't ___________.

A either B neither C both D all

99. My feet have almost _____________ in these boots.

A froze B frozed C frozen D freeze

100. He has ______________ all the pie!

A eaten B ate C eat D eated

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