PRACTICE TEST 9- EC

PART I. LISTENING
Question 1: Listen to an interview between a young woman who has applied for a
position with a company and the personnel officer of the company. As you listen, fill in the
form below with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS/NUMBER. You will hear this piece
twice.
Name of applicant (1)...............................................
University attended (2)...............................................
Subject English
Year of graduation (3)...............................................
Work experience:
Last position a secondary school teacher
Years (4)...............................................
Salary (5)...............................................
Previous work (6)...............................................
Years 1990-1992

New job’s salary (7)...............................................

Benefit of the job Four hours per week at full pay to attend
college courses

Question 2. GAP FILLING

Listen to the recording. Complete the notes below by writing no more than three words in the
space provide.
The Mystery Personality
 has played for (8)………………..
 is a (9)…………….
John Tebbit’s group
 aimed at young people (10)………………
 connected with sports which involve some (11)………………
 after appeal many people offered their services as (12)………………..
 received many offers (13)……………….free (14)……………….
 Some donations over (15)…………………
Your answers
8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
13. 14. 15.
Question 3: You are going to listen to a report from a local TV news program about the island
of Samsø in Denmark and decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F)

Your answers
T F
1. The major source of power on Samsø is oil.
2. Samsø produces more electricity than it needs.
3. Americans on average produce more carbon dioxide than Dutch
citizens.
4. The furnace is used for both heating and making fertilizer.
5. Farmers on Samsø have lost money by changing to
environmentally-friendly practices.
Question 4. You are going to hear an account of choirgirl Laura –Jane Foley’s experiences in
Faking it. As you listen, choose the best answer to each question. (10 points)
[Link] did Laura-Jane and the program-makers first make contact?
A. The program-makers emailed lots of choir singers, including Laura-Jane.
B. Laura-Jane phoned the TV company.
C. The program-makers went to see her choir.
2. Laura-Jane was amazed that
A. the program-makers were interested in a Cambridge student.
B. so many people from the TV company went to see her.
C. the program-makers started filming so soon.
3. According to Laura-Jane, why were arguments with Harry inevitable?
A. Harry leads a real rock singer’s lifestyle.
B. Harry and Laura-Jane both have strong opinion.
C. They only had four weeks for all the training.
4. In what sense was Laura-Jane’s training a failure?
A. She didn’t really change her style or attitude.
B. She didn’t enjoy the whole experience of becoming a rock singer.
C. She didn’t make the judges believe that she was a real rock singer.
5. One positive result of the experience is that it made Laura-Jane:
A. change her views on life
B. become a more confident person
C. change her opinion of rock singers
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

B. LEXICO-GRAMMAR
Question 1. Choose the word or phrase (A, B, C, or D) which best completes each sentence
[Link] is a strong movement supporting the abolition of the death ________ .
A. penalty B. punishment C. discipline D. condemnation
2. The study adds to a growing ________ of evidence that links a lack of sleep with weight gain.
A. body B. form C. hulk D. soul
3. It is ________ probable that they are the original bindings of the manuscript.
A. widely B. highly C. utterly D. bitterly
4. The show was ________ bit as good as I expected.
A. every B. so C. very D. much
5. The similarities between all three crimes were such that they could not be ________ down to
chance.
A. put B. laid C. set D. taken
6. She doesn't mind working overtime because she gets paid ________ .
A. by the hour B. all the hour C. at the hour D. in the hour
7. People often complain that children nowadays don't seem to respect their ________ .
A. elderly B. elders C. aged D. age
8. All statistical analysis must allow for a ________ of error.
A. margin B. border C. frontier D. boundary
9. It's time to take a rough ________ against obesity.
A. stance B. measure C. legislation D. angle
10. The world's first boot camp for teenagers addicted to the Internet may be the ________ of things
to come.
A. draft B. formula C. character D. shape
11. We believe that the government has a duty ……… its pledges.
A. bear out B. standby C. go back D. count on
12. Don’t forget to buy a packet of ………. Peas
A. chilled B. frozen C. frosted D. chilly
13. He was so mean that he couldn’t bear to ………. the smallest sum of money for the charity
appeal.
A. pay off B. part with C. give in D. let out
14. A huge crowd ............. in the pouring rain to cheer the president.
A. turned out B. held up C. saw off D. dropped in
15. We hadn’t ............... for such heavy traffic, and we were delayed.
A. expected B. bargained C. calculated D. supposed
16. Beyond all ……………., it was Alice who gave away our secrets
A. fail B. conclusion C. dispute D. contradiction
17. The book says that the revolution was ………….off by the assassination of the state governor.
A. launched B. cropped C. triggered D. prompted.
18. The hijackers have demanded a …………….to be paid for releasing the civilian hostages from
the plane
A. currency B. revenue C. deposit D. ransom
19. Just ………….these proofs for me as I’m in a hurry.
A. run into B. run off C. run over D. run out
20. She resigned …………. No one forced her to do so.
A. for her own sake B. of her own accord
C. with a will D. on purpose
Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

Question 2. Give the correct form of the words in the brackets

1. They are waiting for the doctor’s …………………. . (diagnose)
2. There was a heavy …………yesterday afternoon which completely ruined the church Garden
Party. (pour)
3. His contribution to medical science was outstanding laying the foundations for research by the
scientists who would follow in his (foot)..................
4. Cigarettes, coffee and alcohol and other (addict) ………….... are known to have an adverse
influence upon human health.
5. Marie Curie's life offers us a profound and fascinating (sight) ............ into the changing world of
women in science and academia
6. Be careful! That’s a ………………poison. (dead)
7. The talks were totally ………… We didn’t reach agreement on anything. (product)
8. The boy was very violent and his parents found him ………… (manage)
9. Tax exemption only applies to those with ………………… status. (resident)
10. …………………… books have been written on the subject. (number)

PART III: READING

Question 1. Read the following passage and choose one of four options A, B, C, or D to answer
each question. (10 points)
It was once believed that being overweight was healthy, but nowadays few people subscribe to
this viewpoint. While many people are fighting the battle to reduce weight, studies are being
conducted concerning the appetite and how it is controlled by both emotional and biochemical
factors. Some of the conclusions of these studies may give insights into how to deal with weight
problems. For example, when several hundred people were asked about their eating habits in times of
stress, 44 percent said they reacted to stressful situations by eating. Further investigations with both
humans and animals indicated that it is not food which relieves tension but rather the act of chewing.
A test in which subjects were blindfolded showed that obese people have a keener sense of taste
and crave more flavorful food than non-obese people. When deprived of the variety and intensity of
tastes, obese people are not satisfied and consequently eat more to fulfill this need. Blood samples
taken from people after they were shown a picture of food revealed that overweight people reacted
with an increase in blood insulin, a chemical associated with appetite. This did not happen to
average-weight people.
In another experiment, results showed that certain people have a specific, biologically induced
hunger for carbohydrates. Eating carbohydrates raise the level of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the
brain. Enough serotonin produces a sense of satiation, and hunger for carbohydrates subsides.
Exercise has been recommended as an important part of a weight-loss program. However, it has
been found that mild exercise, such as using the stairs instead of the elevator, is better in the long run
than taking on a strenuous program, such as jogging, which many people find difficult to continue
over long periods of time and which also increases appetite.
(Adapted from Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test by Jolene Gear)

1. “Subscribe to” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to __________.

A. disagree with B. agree with C. object to D. like
2. The word” crave” in bold in paragraph 2, can best be replaced with __________.
A. devour B. absorb C. season D. desire
3. It can be inferred from the passage that __________.
A. overweight people are tense
B. thin people don’t eat when under stress
C. weight watchers should chew on something inedible when tense
D. 56 percent of the population isn’t overweight
4. It can be inferred from the passage that __________.
A. thin people don’t enjoy food
B. a variety of foods and strong flavors satisfy heavy people
C. overweight people have an abnormal sense of taste
D. deprivation of food makes people fat
5. According to the passage, insulin __________.
A. increases in the bloodstream when people eat large amounts of food
B. can be used to lessen the appetite
C. causes a chemical reaction when food is seen
D. levels don’t change in average-weight people who see food
6. It can be inferred that for certain people __________.
A. eating carbohydrates eliminates hunger
B. carbohydrates biologically induce hunger
C. carbohydrates don’t satisfy a hungry person
D. carbohydrates subside when serotonin is produced
7. What can be said about serotonin?
A. It is a chemical that increases the appetite
B. Only certain people produce it in their brains
C. It tells the brain when a person is full
D. It neurotransmits carbohydrates to the brain
8. The word ‘mild’ in the last paragraph can best be replaced with __________.
A. important B. hard C. heavy D. light
9. In order to lose weight, it would be a good idea for heavy people to __________.
A. jog 3 miles daily and chew on carrot sticks
B. walk up stairs and look at pictures of food
C. eat plenty of chewy carbohydrates
D. avoid stressful situations and eat spicy foods
10. Which one of the following exercises might be best for an overweight person to engage in daily?
A. 10-mile bicycle rides B. cross- country skiing
C. a long swim D. an evening walk
Question 2: Read the passage and fill in each blank with ONE suitable word.
The British are widely (1) _____ to be a very polite nation, and in (2)______ respects this is
true. An Italian journalist once commented of the British that they need (3) _____ fewer than four
“thank yous” merely to buy a bus ticket. The first, from the bus conductor means, “I’m here.”. The
second accompanies the handing over of the money. The third, again from the conductor, (4) ____
“Here is your ticket.”, and then the passenger utters a final one as he accepts the tickets. Such
transactions in most (5) ____ parts of the world are usually conducted in total silence. In sharp
contrast to this excessive politeness with strangers, the British are strangely lacking (6) _____ ritual
phrases for social interaction. The exhortation “Good appetite”, uttered in so (7) ______ other
languages to fellow-diners before a meal, does not exist in English. The nearest equivalent – Enjoy
your dinner! – is said only by people who will not be pataking of the meal in question. What’s more,
the British (8) ____ happiness to their friends or acquaintances only at the start of a new year and at
(9)_____ such as birthdays, (10) _____ the Greeks routinely wish all and sundry a “good week” or a
“good month”.
Question 3. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to
indicate the correct word for each of the blanks.

You will make the interview process easier for the employer if you prepare relevant
information about yourself. Think about how you want to present your (43)____, experiences,
education, work style, skills, and goals. Be prepared to supplement all your answers with examples
that support the statements you make. It is also a good idea to review your resume with a critical eye
and (44) ____ areas that an employer might see as limitations or want further information. Think
about how you can answer difficult' questions (45) ____ and positively, while keeping each answer
brief.
An interview gives the employer a (46)_____ to get to know you. While you do want to
market yourself to the employer, answer each question with an honest (47) _____.
Never say anything negative about past experiences, employers, or courses and professors.
Always think of something positive about an experience and talk about that. You should also be (48)
____. If you are genuinely interested (49) _____ the job, let the interviewer know that.
One of the best ways to show you are keen on a job is to demonstrate that you have
researched the organization prior to the interview. You can also (50) ____ interest by asking
questions about the job, the organization, and its services and products. The best way to impress an
employer is to ask questions that build upon your interview discussion. This shows you are interested
and (51) ____ close attention to the interviewer. It is a good idea to prepare a few questions in
advance, but an insightful comment based on your conversation can make an even stronger
statement. At the (52) _____ of an interview, it is appropriate for you to ask when you may expect to
hear; from the employer.

1. A. pressures B. strengths C. practices D. promotions

2. A. hide                      B. limit C. express D. identify
3. A. accurately             B. rightly C. hardly D. sharply
4. A. change                  B. practice C. way D. chance
5. A. ability                   B. response C. expression D. respect
6. A. enthusiast             B. enthusiasm C. enthusiastic D. enthusiastically
7. A. for B. on               C. with D. in
8. A. appear                  B. show C. conceal          D. cover
9. A. spend                  B. pay             C .choose           D. During
10. A. end                       [Link]              [Link]       D. socialize
  

Question 4:
1. Reading the Passage, there are five paragraphs, A-E. Choose the correct heading for
paragraphs A-E from the list of headings below. Write the appropriate numbers (I-VI) in boxes 1
– 5 on your answer box.
TELESCOPE TO DETECT ET ON HIS MOBILE
A
Astronomers are planning to build the world’s largest telescope – a machine so powerful it could
detect radio signals from a planet up to 50 light years, or 13.5 billion years from Earth. The giant
radio – telescope is called the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) and will consist of 3,000 separate radio
dishes and other antennae all linked together in to one huge machine. It will generate 100 times more
data than all the information Currently on the Internet and will need the world’s most powerful
supercomputer to analyse the information it collects.
B
The SKA will work in the similar way to other large radio telescopes such as Australia’s CSLR
Parkes radio telescope, also known as ‘’The Disk’ . The telescope gets its name from the bowl-
shaped reflector called a ‘dish’ that is used to collect radio waves from space. The refectory focuses
the waves onto an antenna that changes them into electric signals. From the antenna, the signals are
transmitted down into the control room at the base of the telescope and are picked up by a radio
receiver. This receiver makes the signals stronger. The signals are then analysed by a computer at
another location and the information is used to draw a picture of the source of the radio waves.
C
Compared to ‘The Dish’, however, SKA will be thousands of times more sensitive. This sensitivity
is because of its size, the larger the dish, or the more dishes there are, the more powerful the radio
signal can be, allowing unknown areas of the universe to be discovered. ‘We know that the universe
is incrediblyvast , containing hundreds of billions of stars’ said Richard Schillzzi, director of the
SKA project. ‘However, at present we carl only see a fraction of what is out there. The SKA will
enable us to explore some of its furthest reaches.’ Scientists hope to find alien life intelligent enough
to invent radio. The SKA will be able to detect a mobile phone system within 50 light years of Earth,
but will also probably be able to scan star systems which are much further away, because any
advanced life form would have powerful radio emitters such as radar and radio stations.
D
But looking for the evidence of extra-terrestrial life is just one of many tasks for the SKA. Scientists
also hope that the telescope will help them to understand how the first stars and planets were formed,
during a period of time called ‘first light.’ ‘The SKA is a bit like a time machine,’ said Phil
Diamond, head of the astronomy and space science division of CSIRO the Australian Government’s
research arm. ‘It will gather radiation emitted more than 13 billion years ago, , allowing us to get a
picture of what the universe looked like then. By choosing the type of radiation we look at, we can
get similar pictures of the universe from any other era we choose – so we can watch how it evolved.
E
More than 20 countries will share the estimated 1.4 billion pounds cost of the project for the
telescope. Two potential sites have been chosen, one in Western Australia and the other in South
Africa. Both are in the southern hemisphere because this will give the instrument a direct line of
sight into the heart of the Milky Way. The SKA must be built on a site completely free of radio
interference – with the host country promising it will prevent the construction of any mobile phone,
radio or TV masts for up to 50 years. This means it will have to be built mainly in a desert-either in
the outback of Western Australia or the Karoo of South Africa.

List of headings
i Budgeting for the construction of SKA
ii Discovering the secret origins of the universe
iii Abilities of advanced life forms
iv Potential to see further than before
v Methods of mapping the location of the planets
vi Plans for the world’s largest telescope
vii Location considerations for SKA
viii The collection and analysis of radio waves

Your answers:

Paragraph Answer

1. Paragraph A

2. Paragraph B

3. Paragraph C

4. Paragraph D

5. Paragraph E

2. Question 5-10: Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading
Passage? (10 points)

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there’s no information on this
6. The SKA will be made from many parts.
7. The SKA will be the world’s most powerful telescope.
8. About one third of the universe has been discovered.
9. Scientists hope to get in touch with aliens by mobile phone.
10. Governments have decided where the SKA will be built.