B2+ Name:

Class:
2ND EDITION Pre-Advanced

UNIT 3: SKILLS TEST A

DICTATION 2 What does Barbara say about her experience of moving to

Scotland?
You are going to listen to a recording about learning A When she arrived her English was poor.
languages. Listen to the whole recording once. Then you will B She relied on her family to teach her English.
hear the recording again with pauses for you to write down
C At first it was hard, but she learnt English quite quickly at
what you hear. Make sure you spell the words correctly.
school.
D Her classmates didn’t want to talk to her.

3 How was Barbara’s experience with her first teacher?

A He misinterpreted Barbara’s behaviour.
B He was very patient with Barbara.
C He couldn’t understand what Barbara was saying.

D He gave Barbara extra lessons.
4 What made James so resourceful and creative?
A He was only able to speak English to his students,
B He taught in several different countries.
C He used inadequate books for teaching.

D He worked with imaginative students.
5 Barbara believes if you are a language teacher,
A learning another language is easier you.

B teaching other subjects is less difficult.
C understanding another language is more confusing.
D knowing another language can be an advantage in class.
6 When asked about their podcast, James and Barbara say
A it’s like reading a book.

B it’s convenient for listening to on mobile devices.
C it could replace coursebooks.
D its content is quite serious and educational.

18

10
Task 2
Answer the question in your own words.

LISTENING 7 In your own words, how did ‘total immersion’ help Barbara
learn?
You are going to listen to an interview on the subject of
learning languages with two specialists, James Kelly and
Barbara Forza.

Task 1
2
For questions 1–6, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which
fits best according to what you hear.
1 The guests are
A both language teachers.
B both language learners.
C both involved in writing about language.
D both working at a university.

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B2+ Name:
Class:
2ND EDITION Pre-Advanced

UNIT 3: SKILLS TEST A

READING
Task 1
Read the article. Choose from the paragraphs (A–G) the one which fits each gap (8–13). There is one extra paragraph
which you do not need to use.
A It’s undoubtedly the case that as a result of these first contacts, large numbers of countries that you visit around the
world, especially those that were taken over, will be thinking of ‘England’ when they are really referring to the United
Kingdom.
B It is now accepted for example, that the Scots do not all wear skirts or learn how to play the bagpipes at school. In fact
the different nationalities tend to have developed more positive stereotypes of each other, such as the idea that the
Welsh have wonderful singing voices and the Scots cook amazing fish dishes.
C Another stereotype is that British food is bad, or unhealthy. While it is arguably true that British cuisine doesn’t rate as
highly as French or Italian cooking, there are plenty of places where you can find very high-quality food in the UK. Not
only that, but in most British cities, you can experience a range of foods from all around the world.
D Pictures of these things decorate the walls of many English-language classrooms across the world and have a powerful
appeal. Perhaps some schools hope that students will be inspired by them to learn English and travel to the UK to see
them for real.
E To answer this, we need to look back at how the UK developed. Originally there were the nations of England, Wales,
Scotland and Northern Ireland. England incorporated Wales into The Kingdom of England in the 16th century, followed
by England and Scotland uniting in the 17th century, and in the 18th century Great Britain uniting with Northern
Ireland. But at the same time, Great Britain was building its empire abroad, and everything was controlled from London,
the capital of England.
F The results indicate that the British (and not only the English) are actually quite friendly people with a lot of creativity
and a dry sense of humour. Today, they are seen to be better cooks than had been previously assumed, and live on an
island that gets a fair share of sunshine.
G Despite that, many feel that these stereotypes are unfair. How would you feel if the world was unfairly stereotyping
you with characteristics that you don’t think you actually have? This attitude seems to be becoming more common,
especially as people interact more with those from other cultures.

12

Task 2
Read the article again and answer the questions in your own words.
14 Why does the writer say the images had a ‘powerful appeal’? (paragraph D)
15 In your own words, explain what the writer means by ‘I would now argue that they give an impression which is
possibly misleading’.
16 Summarise the points that the writer makes in answering this question: ‘So why is it that these stereotypes exist?’
17 In your own words, explain the writer’s point in the last paragraph.

Total: 50

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B2+ Name:
Class:
2ND EDITION Pre-Advanced

UNIT 3: SKILLS TEST A

British stereotypes
When you think of the UK, what images come to 12

mind? Are they of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Another reason for this change in perception is that
black taxis and Buckingham Palace? Or perhaps foreign visitors to London and other major cities will
they’re of people drinking cups of tea. You may even find themselves encountering people from many
think of cute little villages and red phone boxes. different cultures. Because of its links with other
countries and the exchange of workforce encouraged
8
by the European Union, the UK has become multi-
However, what we need to ask ourselves is how
cultural.
representative these images really are of the UK.
Although they are certainly what I grew up with You can also be sure that if you travel to Scotland,
when learning English, I would now argue that they Wales or Northern Ireland you will find distinct
give an impression which is possibly misleading. For differences in culture, climate and behaviour, and a
a start, these are mostly images of London, not the definite pride in this difference. The nationals would
whole country. So why is it that these stereotypes of feel insulted to be stereotyped in the same way as
the UK exist? the ‘English’. There are indeed stereotypes that the
nations of the United Kingdom have of each other,
9
which are usually unflattering. However, because
For this reason, those who were in contact with
of the reasons stated above, these attitudes are also
these early Empire builders learned the name
gradually changing.
of this powerful city, and rather than using the
geographically or politically accurate name, of the 13
United Kingdom, it was the name of England that In conclusion, we should remember that when we
stuck. see advertisements or posters promoting a particular
stereotype of the United Kingdom, whether it’s in an
10
English-language classroom or on a travel website,
Not only is it unfair to apply English stereotypes
we need to think: Are these true and characteristic of
to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, it is also
the whole UK as opposed to one city or country? The
wrong to imply that the English themselves are all
only real way to find out about a country is to visit it
polite people who drink tea all the time, and who all
and make up your own mind.
constantly apologise and stand in queues in rainy,
cold weather. It is good to learn that according to
recent surveys this perception is slowly changing.

11
This new attitude has probably come about through
increased travelling to the UK and of course, the
internet has brought about better communications,
encouraging international friendships and exchange
of information. Popular culture has also played its
part and UK films and TV have brought real British
places and people to foreign screens.

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