READING
TASK 1
Read the texts below. Match choices (A-H) to
(1-5).
There are two choices you do not need to use.
An example (0) has been done for you.
A There is an age
limit for this activity.
B If you send a
message, you may win a prize.
C You need to pay
to enter the contest.
D They open a new
high school soon.
E They need your
reaction and support.
F They will
deliver a magazine to your school.
G They have
started a new service online.
H There is a
deadline set for this activity.
TASK 2
Read the text below.
For (6-10) choose T if the statement is true
according to the text, or F if it is false.
An example
(0) has been done for you.
"Swans Swim
past My Bedroom Window"
Danielle Walker,
13, from Derbyshire
"Four years
ago, I lived in a regular house in Nottinghamshire with Mum, Dad and little
sister, Nicole, 8. But my dad had always been really into boats, and one day he
came home and announced we were all going to live on one.
"The boat is
like the TARDIS - it's loads bigger on the inside than it looks from the
outside. It's as long as two double-decker buses and six foot, six inches high.
Because of the big windows, it feels airy and light inside - and the only way
you'd know you were on water is a gentle bobbing feeling, which I don't even notice
any more.
"I share my
bedroom with Nicole. It's small. My only bit of personal space is a desk with
my computer on it so I can keep in touch with mates on MSN. I have to keep my
stuff super-tidy, and not having any space definitely makes me think twice
about buying things I don't really need. "But it's worth it. I love living
so close to nature. When I look out of my window I can see water and the other
boats in the marina - there are always swans and fish swimming past. In the
winter it's warm and cosy, and in the summer, when we sail away on our
holidays, I don't even need to pack. We just untie the rope and float
away..."
0 Danielle has
been living on a boat-house for four years. (TRUE)
6 All of the
family always wanted to live on a boat.
7 The boat is as
big and airy as the house where Danielle lived before.
8 You can feel a
slight swaying when you are on the boat.
9 Danielle and
her sister have enough space to live in.
10 You can always
see different birds close to the boat.
TASK 3
Read the text below.
For questions (11-15) choose the correct answer
(A, B, C or D).
An example (0) has been done for you.
Hidden Treasure
If, like me, your
vision of the perfect Caribbean holiday involves muscovado sand beaches,
blissfully warm azure sea and a constant supply of rum-based cocktails, then
Antigua won't disappoint.
The island has
365 palm-fringed beaches - one for every day of the year, as Antiguans will
tell you - great food and wonderful, open-hearted people.
It also has some
top accommodation options, including the luxurious St James's Club. Moving from
my perfectly positioned lounger was always going to be a challenge. My husband,
however, had other ideas. He'd hired a jeep and was determined to explore.
Lured by the
prospect of a picnic lunch in a deserted cove, I agreed to join him, and I'm
very glad I did. The island has a host of unexpected treasures.
At picturesque
English Harbour we explored historical Nelson's Boatyard, and bought a bag of
'black gold' -nothing to do with pirates, but the sweetest pineapple I've ever
tasted.
Along the way we
saw pastel-coloured houses, Eric Clapton's villa, kids playing barefoot cricket
-Antigua is home to Sir Viv Richards - and more great beaches.
Our four-year-old
daughter was entranced to see real bananas growing on trees and whole families
of goats and chickens trying to cross the road.
For an
outstanding view of the island, I heard the best place is Shirley Heights. On a
Sunday afternoon this is the place to be for 'jump-up' - a traditional
Caribbean party involving barbecued food, cold beer, steel band music and
endless dancing.
There are plenty
of boat trips on offer in Antigua and it's definitely well worth taking a
catamaran cruise to the nearby island of Barbuda - home to the famous K Club
resort, a spot much favoured by celebrities, including late Princess Diana.
With barely anyone else in sight, even the sand at the resort feels exclusive.
Close to Barbuda,
and only accessible by boat, is a sanctuary for the magnificent frigate bird.
The males have bizarre large red balloons beneath their beaks, which they plump
up during the mating season to attract females.
Back on land we
made the bone-rattling journey to Brown's Bay on the east side of the island
for an exquisite dinner at the upmarket B&B Harmony Hall. Not only does the
place offer local arts and crafts and a stunning view of uninhabited Green
Island (brilliant snorkelling) but it also serves the best daiquiris ever.
Bliss.
By Dawn Alford
GETTING THERE
Seven nights in
Antigua with Virgin Holidays, staying at The Beach Club hotel, starts at $929
per adult and $489 per child, including return Virgin Atlantic flights from
London Gatwick to Antigua, transfers and accommodation on an all-inclusive
basis. Prices, based on departures between 1 Sep-11 Oct 2007, may be subject to
a fuel surcharge. Virgin is a Clubcard Deals partner, so every $10 in Clubcard
Vouchers can be exchanged for $40 worth of Holiday Tokens to pay for all or
part of your holiday. Pick up a Clubcard Deals brochure in store or visit.
0 The text is
about
A looking for treasures.
B visiting historical places.
C meeting famous people.
D having perfect holidays.
11 The couple
explored the island of Antigua ______
A on foot.
B in a car.
C on a boat.
D on a horse back.
12 Which sight
did the family NOT see in Antigua?
A Brown's Bay
B English Harbour
C Nelson's Boatyard
D Shirley Heights
13 Barbuda is
famous for its ______
A traditional Caribbean party.
B exotic fauna and flora.
C wonderful resort.
D 'black gold' treasures.
14 The family had
dinner at
A St James's Club.
B TEric Clapton's villa.
C Sir Viv Richards'.
D B&B Harmony Hall.
15 Staying at the
Beach Club hotel starts at $ . . . per child
A 10
B 489
C 40
D 929
TASK 4
Read the text below.
Match choices (A-H) to (16-20). There are two
choices you do not need to use.
An example (0) has been done for you.
Outdoor adventure
From the stately
flanks of its Cascade volcanoes to the stony shores of its myriad waterways,
the region offers an unmatched wealth of all fresco activities.
0 - A
With Mount
Rainier keeping a constant vigil over the city, it's no wonder many Seattleites
claim mountaineering as hobby Ml. In spring and summer, locals and tourists
bolt for the hills and the region's many hikes and climbs. If you've succumbed
to the siren song of Rainier's 14,411-foot summit, get in touch with a
professional guide service. Feeling a bit mellower? Head to a bookstore and
pick up a local hiking guidebook; you'll find profiles of dozens of hikes
nearby.
16_____
Hurricane ridge,
huge trees, hikes, Lake Crescent and quaint towns. Visit the 5th most visited
National Park in the US. Enjoy Puget Sound ferry rides, gigantic trees dripping
with moss, hike up to a waterfall, and enjoy the spectacular view from mile
high hurricane ridge. See the heart of this unusual and wild eco-system. On
this tour you have a good chance of spotting elk, deer, eagles, and maybe even
banana slugs.
17_____
With the onset of
the spring snowmelt, the area serves up prime-time Whitewater rafting. Rafters
flock to two rivers in particular: the forest-hemmed Skykomish and the
wide-open, sundrenched Wenatchee. Both offer rollicking fun for participants of
all skill levels. Guide services offer tours on both rivers.
18_____
From the
crystal-clear trout streams of the Cascades and Olympics to the deep-water
sport-fishing waters of Washington's Pacific Coast, the Evergreen State offers
up an array of angling opportunities that ranks among the nation's best.
Whether you're after salmon, steelhead, tuna, trout, halibut or any number of
first-class fish, the Pacific Northwest has something for you.
19_____
Home to 8-foot
octupi and sixgill sharks, Puget Sound is one of the deepest, most diverse
aquatic ecosystems in the Lower 48. Harmless creatures aside, it's also home to
some great diving. From West Seattle's Alki Beach to the San Juans, the Puget
Sound offers entertaining dive options for beginners and pros alike. Contact a
local dive shop for suggested dives and local know-how.
20_____
Seattle is literally
inundated with lakes, rivers and saltwater, so it only makes sense that kayaks
are a preferred mode of sightseeing. Several outfitters offer rentals on
Seattle's Lake Union and Elliott Bay, but if you're hankering for an escape
from civilization, head north to the San Juan Islands. Once there, you'll find
stunning scenery and first-class paddling - plus a bevy of guide services to
provide the boats and show you the way to aquatic nirvana.
A If you want to reach the highest top.
B You'll be pleased with the perfect
fishery.
C Do you like submarine travelling?
D Enjoy an adventurous water ride in
spring!
E Enjoy wonderful horse back scenery.
F Acquaint with the amazing underwater
world.
G Exciting tours with water ride
activities.
H Do you prefer walking among other
activities?
TASK 5
Read and complete the text below.
For each of the empty space (21-32) choose the
correct answer (A, B, C or D).
An example (0) has been done for you.
Do Cows Point
North?
By David
Derbyshire, Environment Editor
If you're (0)A
lost in the countryside without a compass, don't panic. Just look for a herd of
cows and see which way they are pointing.
After (21)_____
the behaviour of thousands of cattle, scientists have found that they tend to
face north after aligning themselves with the Earth's magnetic field.
The astonishing
ability appears to be a (22)_____ of the days when the wild ancestors of
today's domesticated cattle used inbuilt compasses to find their way across the
plains of Africa, Asia and Europe on long (23)_____
Although cows are
famed for their ability to (24)_____ rain hours advance, their talent for
navigating has so far gone overlooked.
Dozens of species
of animals use the Earth's magnetic field to navigate - including birds,
turtles, termites and salmon. The ability is also (25)_____ in some mammals
including rats and bats. Animals are thought to use (26)_____ magnets - made of
crystals of magnetite - to find their way around. Homing pigeons, for instance,
have a tiny blob of these crystals in their beaks. Dr Sabine Begall and
colleagues from the University of Duisburg-Essen used Google Earth to find
images of cattle in worldwide locations including Britain, Ireland, India and
the U.S. They (27)_____ directly observed almost 3,000 deer in the Czech
Republic. Their researches suggested that cattle were behaving in the same way
as their close relatives, the deer.
(28)_____ the
direction of the wind and sunlight varied hugely in the different locations,
the scientists were able to rule out weather and the position of the sun as an
explanation. "We conclude that the magnetic field is the only common and
most likely factor responsible (29)_____ the observed alignment," the
researchers wrote in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Gywn Jones, who (30)_____ kept dairy cattle for 25 years in West Sussex,
confirmed: "They know what weather to (31)_____ in advance. Beef cattle
will head up to higher altitudes if the weather is going to good. "My
dairy cattle have their favourite fields where they go if it is going to be
sunny.
"I let mine
go in and out, and if it's (32)_____ to be wet they head inside.
"In rough
weather they like to have their backs to the wind. But I've not noticed a
preference for facing north."
Daily Mail, Tuesday,
August 26, 2008
0 A lost B dropped off C
was left D found yourself
21 A monitoring B inspection C
observing D acquaintance
22 A track B surplus C relic D
hint
23 A dislocations B migrations C
relocations D travels
24 A forecast B prophesy C
presage D see
25 A eminent B surfaced C
notable D found
26 A visual B internal C embed D integrated
27 A too B already C
also D
finally
28 A because B actually C
however D sometimes
29 A to B for C
towards D at
30 A had B has C was D
is
31 A be B come C
forecast D expect
32 A becoming B will C
going D must
WRITING
TASK 1
Read the text below.
Complete the story with the correct forms of the
words in brackets (33 – 44).
An example (0) has been done for you.
A great place to
visit all four seasons
In Norway, each
season has (0) its (it) own special features and charm. The contrasts are great
and the scenery is ever-changing, year round. If you (33)_____(to think) that
Norway was a country only really suitable for summer holidays, then you are
mistaken. The Norwegians are just as active in the winter. In winter they swap
their (34)_____ (to hike) boots for skis, their swimming costumes for classic
knickerbockers. Did you see the broadcasts from the Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer?
Never before have so many people sat glued to (35)_____(they) TV screens as
during those two weeks in February 1994. Never before has such a successful
winter Olympics been staged, and Norway was once and for all placed on the map
as (36)_____(a, the) great winter nation.
Norway is a paradise for all (37)_____(that)
who enjoy messing about in the snow in winter. Ski enthusiasts from all over
Europe flock here. You can go skiing on the Olympic facilities in Lillehammer,
where Alberto Tomba and Vegard Ulvang (38)_____ (to cheer) on by tens of
thousands of spectators.
Whichever style of (39)_____(to ski) you
prefer - slalom, cross-country, snowboarding, freestyle or telemark - you can
do it here. One thing we don't recommend, however, is ski jumping at
Holmenkollen. Holmenkollen is the ski jump which (40)_____ (Norwegian) consider
to be the Mecca of the sport of skiing.
But before the
white winter sets in, the autumn colours adorn the mountains and valleys of
Norway. The scenery bursts into an explosion of (41)_____(red), yellows and
oranges. A walk in the mountains is like an adventure in colour. A good thing
to do is to take a rucksack and try your luck at fishing in the numerous ponds
and lakes. If you are lucky, you may come across a piece of marshland
(42)_____(to cover) wich golden cloudberries, and you will find blueberries in
the forests which taste wonderful with pancakes.
In spring the
snow begins to retreat and the flora and fauna awaken. The rivers and
waterfalls become gushing (43)_____(a torrent) which carry the melting snow
from the mountains down to the fjords and out to the ocean. The sight of the
fruit trees in blossom brightens up the fjords and valleys after the long
winter. Norwegians start looking forward to 17 May, the (44)_____ (a country)
national day.
TASK 2
45. You've got a letter from your British
pen-friend. He/she writes you that he/she likes to dress well. He/she tries to
buy his/her clothes at famous fashion designers' shops. But it is very
expensive and his/her parents don't want to buy such clothes for him/her. Write
a letter to your friend in which you:
• express your
opinion about present-day fashions
• write what
clothes you usually prefer to wear
• when you
usually buy clothes and who help you to do the shopping
• give an advice
to your friend what he/she should do in his/her situation
Write a letter of
at least 100 words.
Do not write any
dates and addresses.
1 B 23
B
2 H 24 A
3 E 25
D
8 T 30
B
11 B 33
thought
12 D 34
hiking
14 D 36 a
15 B 37
those
16 H 38
were cheered
17 D 39
skiing
18 B 40
Norwegians
You’re Amazing, So Make Sure People Know It
When it comes
to telling the world how wonderful you are, there’s a fine line between having
other people think, “Wow! She’s got so much more about her than I thought” and
“Blimey! I wish she’d shut up about herself”. It’s easy enough to let everyone
around you know you’re something special – the trick is doing it without trying
too hard or looking like an attention seeker.
So here’s how
to get the attention you deserve without screaming, “Look at me!”
________
Being loud
isn’t a good way to get noticed. Quietness and a smile can be more interesting
than someone who blurts everything out constantly. Be cool instead, and show
people what you’re really about, rather than shouting it in their faces.
________
It may be
tempting to try to bluff your way through a conversation. But if you don’t know
much about the subject being discussed, you’ll get more kudos if you shut up
and listen. You can’t lose – get your facts right and people will respect your
wisdom, or stay quiet if you’re unsure and people will appreciate your honesty.
_________
Toning down
your gossip factor will show there’s much more to you than people may think.
Your mates will trust you and your reputation will sky-rocket. Gossiping gives
negative vibes to other people.
________
Choose things
to do that you love doing and not because everyone else is doing them. If you
are passionate about something, and enjoying it, you’ll have more energy and
people will be attracted to you – and you might even be the person who starts a
new trend.
________
We may not be
superhuman beings, but remember, each and every one of us has something going
on that’s worth shouting about. It’s a fact – everyone is an individual and
that’s what makes you who you are. Be proud of why you’re different. If you
love who you are, people are more likely to love you too.
A We are talented!
B Accept yourself for what you are.
C Don’t pretend you know everything.
D Idle talk is a bad habit.
E Try to act in good faith.
F Don’t talk behind people’s back.
G Keep your voice down.
H Be original.
10 Ways to Improve Your Memory
A good memory is often seen as something that comes
naturally, and a bad memory as something that cannot be changed, but actually
there is a lot that you can do to improve your memory. However, it does mean
taking responsibility and making an effort. Here are the experts’ top tips.
1. We all remember the things we are
interested in and forget the ones that bore us. This no doubt explains the
reason why schoolboys remember football results effortlessly but struggle with
dates from their history lessons! Take an active interest in what you want to
remember, and focus on it consciously. One way to make yourself more interested
is to ask questions – the more the better.
2. Repeating things is the best way to
remember things for a short time, e.g. remembering a phone number for a few
seconds. ‘Chunking’ or grouping numbers would be impossible for most of us to
remember: 1492178919318483. But look at them in ‘chunks’, and it becomes much
easier: 1492 1789 1931 8483.
3. Another way to make something more
memorable is to think about something visual associated with it. Design a
mental picture and the stranger the picture the better you will remember it! If
an English person studying Spanish wanted to remember the Spanish word for duck,
‘pato’, he\she could associate it with the English verb ‘to pat’ and imagine a
picture of someone patting a duck on the head.
4. To remember long lists, try
inventing a story which includes all the items you want to remember. In
experiments, people were asked to remember up to 120 words using this technique
and when they were tested afterwards, on average they could remember ninety
percent of them.
5. If we organize what we know in a
logical way then when we learn more about that subject we understand that
better, and so add to our knowledge more easily. Make well-organised notes. Be
sure things are clear in your mind. If not, ask questions until you understand!
6. Many experts believe that listening
to classical music, especially Mozart, helps people to organize their ideas
more clearly and so improves their memory. Sadly, rock music does not have the
same effect.
7. If you do not want to lose your
memory as you get older you need to keep
your brain fit, just like your body: ‘use it or lose it’ is the experts’
advice. Logic puzzles, crosswords and mental arithmetic are all good ‘mental
aerobics’.
8. Physical exercise is also important for your
memory, because it increases your heart rate and sends more oxygen to your
brain, and that makes your memory work better. Exercise also reduces stress,
which is very bad for the memory.
9. The old saying that ‘eating fish makes you
brainy’ may be true after all. Scientists have discovered that the fats found
in fish like tuna, sardines and salmon – as well as in olive oil – help to
improve the memory. Vitamins C and E (found in fruits like oranges,
strawberries and red grapes) and vitamin B (found in lean meat and green
vegetables) are all good ‘brain food’, too.
10. Caffeine may not be too good for you, but like
exercise, it increases your heart rate and sends more oxygen to your brain. A
cup of coffee really does help you concentrate when you sit down and study. And
if you don't like coffee, don’t worry – experts believe that chewing gum has
the same effect!
According to the first paragraph
a good memory is ________.
A a “gift” of nature at birth
B something
inherently invariable
C a result of your self-perfection
D something that changes from time to time
What does the author mean by saying that “you
need to keep your brain fit”?
A You need to attend a gym.
B You need to go on a special diet.
C You need to undergo special medical treatment.
D You need to exercise your mind regularly.
Which of the following can be
inferred from the text?
A To be in good shape means to have a good
memory.
B For improving your memory you need to make some
efforts.
C You have to follow the experts’ ten tips to
improve your memory.
D Listening to any kind of music helps you to
improve your memory.
According to the text, which of the following is true of ways to improve
your memory?
A There are only ten ways to improve your memory.
B You need to use special associations to improve
your memory.
C You can follow your own program to improve your
memory.
D “Mental aerobics” is the best way to improve
your memory.
When discussing the ways of
improving the memory, the author mentions all of the following EXCEPT ________.
A Eating high-calorie food makes your memory
better.
B An excellent memory is not a God-given talent,
it’s hard work.
C You can choose the most suitable way to improve
your memory.
D Brainwork and physical exercise are both
important for improving the
memory.
According to the text, which of
the following statements is true?
A To help your memory eating tuna is better than eating
tomatoes.
B Chewing gum is not advisable if you want to improve
your memory.
C Fatty meat is a good ‘brain food’ as it sends oxygen
to your brain.
D Reducing stress is very bad for the memory.
Watching the Detectives
Columbo (1968-2003)
The untidy
American detective, played by Peter Falk, first appeared in a TV movie before
the first series of Columbo began in 1971. His apparent
absent-mindedness and shambolic style lulled his suspects into a false sense of
security, but he was always quick to guess who the culprit was. With each
episode unfolding from the criminal’s point of view, we saw them trying to
cover their tracks as the net closed in on them.
Columbo was a huge success and a host of famous names
appeared in cameo roles, including Janet Leigh, Faye Dunaway, Dick Van Dyke and
Johnny Cash, while Steven Spielberg directed an episode of the first series.
Hercule Poirot (1989-present)
This fussy
Belgian sleuth first appeared in Agatha Christie’s novel The Mysterious
Affair At Styles in 1920. Christie didn’t like her character, describing
him as an “egocentric little creep”, but when Dave Suchet brought him to life
in TV’s Poirot, the detective found a whole new audience and gained fans
across the world.
Starting life as policeman, Poirot retired and became a private
investigator in England
Miss Marple (1984-1992)
Jane Marple
was an elderly spinster and amateur detective in the village of St. Mary Mead
Though she often seemed to be nothing more than a gossipy old woman,
Miss Marple was quicker to get information out of suspects than local copper
inspector Slack, and her willingness to put herself in dangerous situations
meant that she always caught the criminal.
Kojak (1973-1978)
This sleuth
is famous for his love for sweeties and his catchphrase, “Who loves you baby?” Kojak
starred Telly Savalas as the bald-headed, lollipop-sucking New York City USA
The show was
a huge worldwide hit and featured unknown actors who later found fame,
including Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere.
Jane Tennison, Prime Suspect
(1991-2006)
Created by TV
dramatist Lynda La Plante, Jane Tennison first appeared in Prime Suspect as
a detective Chief Inspector surviving in a male world. Played by Helen Mirrem,
Tennison was as far away from cuddly Miss Marple as it was possible to get.
Obsessive and
determined to succeed, Tennison battled gender bias, alcohol and men whilst
tracking down muggers and fighting off serial killers. Dark and hard-hitting, Prime
Suspect was an instant success. Last year’s Prime Suspect 7 was
Tennison’s final case and it saw her hunting a killer and fighting for her
career. She’ll be remembered for breaking the mould of female detectives.
The main hero of this detective series
________.
A can currently be seen in new TV episodes
B was an unpleasant person and asked strange questions
C appeared to be inexperienced and inattentive
D had an innocent appearance but always got to the bottom of things
E tried to solve the problem of women’s occupational discrimination
F fights against criminals and against gender stereotypes
G developed a characteristic new habit while giving up an old one
H was famous for always putting work
before personal life
100 Years Old and Still Doing Her Bit for
Others
100-year-old woman who is still an active volunteer at her local
hospital has vowed to keep going.
Betty Lowe, (17) ________, was awarded the Member of the Order of
the British Empire 12 years ago for her contribution to the Women’s Royal
Voluntary Service, a charity that provides a range of services for vulnerable
people who might otherwise feel lonely.
She still helps out at her local WRVS shop at Hope
Hospital , Salford ,
(18) ________ so that it can offer services from meals on wheels for
elderly people to welfare centres for soldiers in the Army.
The active lady, (19) ________ and had to attend an open-air
school, is also still involved with the Girl Guides, 89 years after she first
joined.
Miss Lowe said: “I’ve been in the guides since I was 11. I was very
interested in it and I used to go camping and walking. I was a bit of an
outdoor girl when I was younger.”
She progressed to being a guide
leader, a role in which she introduced hundreds of teenage girls to the
organisation, running annual camping trips, and is still a member of the
Trefoil Guild, an organisation of more than 20,000 members (20) ________.
She said: “I’ve been involved with
the WRVS for 34 years and I still do half a day a week.”
She never married or had children,
but her nephew Peter Lowe says (21) ________ and bakes dozens of cakes
for relatives.
Mr. Lowe said: “She has a massive circle of friends and we all think she
is marvellous. I think she loves being active. She doesn’t like sitting around
doing nothing.”
Miss Lowe had a run of accidents before her birthday, spending a week in
hospital after a fall at home and suffering whiplash in a car accident while
being driven to her nephew’s house. But (22) ________ and more than 100
friends and relatives turned up to congratulate her on her centenary.
She said: “I think it’s very good to
be 100. I’ve enjoyed all my life.”
A which raises money for the charity
B she had a party to celebrate
C she always liked children very much
D who has spent her life volunteering
E who was considered a sickly child
F who is known for her delicious cakes
G who have been involved with the
Guides or Scouts
H she spends lots of time with the
family
Match Made It in Heaven
As I sat sipping a cup of tea at my
sister Doris’ house, my husband, Brian,
(23) ________ my eye and flashed me a wide smile. Brian’s
eyes had lit up when he saw Michael, our nephew, playing with a pile of craft
matchsticks, attempting to make a house.
“How about a (24) ________?”
he said to Michael. “You make a house and I’ll make a little boat”. In a couple
of hours the pair had cut, crafted and glued the matchsticks together and the
task was complete. “I’m going to call the boat Hazel,” Brian said proudly. That
was when his (25) ________ really started.
We found a hobby shop that sold
modelling matchsticks, and we soon became their best customers. “I’m going to
get bags of them,” Brian said. “I’ll start a new project when I get home.” He
got to work on a larger boat, swiftly followed by an
(26) ______ copy of a Second World War torpedo boat. Brian
was never happier than when he was sat in front of the TV with his matchsticks
and PVA glue. It was a great way to keep his mind (27) ________ as he’d
retired from his refrigerator factory job years before with health problems, so
I was pleased he’d found a hobby he loved.
Soon he decided to build a giant
grandmother clock. The project was (28) ________ well; it just would
have been nice to clear up my living room floor occasionally. Brian would make
sections of the clock and then he’d (29) ________ it together. It took
around seven years and 210,000 matchsticks to complete the grandmother clock.
It now has pride of place in our living room, and chimes to the tune of Big Ben
every 15 minutes.
As the pieces (30) ________ up,
the space in our house disappeared. “We’re going to have to find new homes for
some of your models,” I said to Brian one day. The loft was crammed full of
pieces and I hadn’t seen the coffee table in years. He’d made a beautiful
rocking horse, complete (31) ________ a saddle made from one of my old
bags, which we gave to Brian’s sister. He’d also built a huge windmill that
played Tulips from Amsterdam, which we (32) ________ to his aunt.
The craziest idea Brian ever had was
to row from Dover to Calais
matchsticks. He actually got as far as constructing the 5ft (33)
________. It took nearly a month and 216,000 matchsticks to build, but
thankfully that idea was shelved.
Instead, he
contented himself with making yet another old wartime boat. There were working
lights, tiny lifeboats and even the propellers worked.
But hopefully the latest boat won’t
be here for much longer.
“Do you think the maritime museum would (34) ________ the boat?”
Brian asked recently. “That’s a lovely idea,” I said. It would be great if they
did – then at least I might get my living room back.
23 A detected B held C caught D captured
24 A challenge B strife C rivalry D wager
25 A entertainment B amusement C pastime D diversion
26 A clear B exact C strict D plain
27 A completed B occupied C charged D filled
28 developing B making C designing D unrolling
29 A use B
cling C fasten D piece
30 A grew B formed C mounted D ascended
31 A with B in C by D of
32 A favoured B conferred C bestowed D donated
33 A rack B stamina C grate D frame
34 A admit B accept C appropriate D seize
How Pigeons Really Get Home
Homing pigeons (35) ________ for
their uncanny internal compass, yet a new study reveals that sometimes the
birds get home the same way we do: They follow the roads. Tim Guilford and Dora
Biro at (36) ________ Oxford University followed pigeons in Oxford
What they discovered was surprising.
Within ten kilometers of home, the pigeons relied less on their well-known
talents for decoding the sun’s position or deciphering the Earth’s magnetic
field (38) ________ them navigate. Instead they opted for a habitual
route that followed linear features in the landscape, such as roads, rivers,
railways, and hedge lines – even when it wasn't the most direct way home. “It
was almost comical,” says Guilford Guilford Guilford
35 A were known B known C are known D knowing
36 A England ’s B the England ’s
C the England D England
37 A developing B is developed C developed D was developed
38 A helping B to help C helps D helped
39 A distinct B distinction C distinctly D distinctive
40 A memories B memorably C memorial D memorized
Why Does Red Mean Stop?
The 19th-century Scottish engineer Robert Stevenson, who was active in
designing early lighthouses, (41) ________ for an alternative colour to
white – most lighthouses had a white beacon – when he built a lighthouse near
to one that already existed, because he was afraid ships (42) ________ be
able to tell which was which.
Of the light sources and
(43) ________ glasses available at the time, he found that red was a
particularly intense light, meaning it (44) ________ from the greatest
distance.
So in maritime signalling red became an alternative to
white, and was later adopted by the Admiralty in 1852 (45) ________ the
port-side on steam vessels. Green was adopted for the starboard-side, and
vessels seeing the green light on other ships had the right of way.
When train tracks were developed,
engineers adopted this system as (46) ________ stop and go – and the
same system continued with cars.
41 A has looked B looked C looks D looking
42 A haven’t B won’t C hadn’t D wouldn’t
43 A colourful B colours C colourfully D coloured
44 A could see B being seen C could be seen D can see
45 A to mark B
marked C mark D was marked
46 A means B meaning C meant D to mean
You have
found out that the local council is planning to build a new supermarket not far
from your school instead of a sports centre. You have decided with your friends
to write about this plan to the major newspapers published in your city/region.
Write a letter to the editor of an English language newspaper in which you:
• say why you are writing
•
explain why sport is important to people
•
explain why a supermarket should not be built in your area
•
give your reasons why a sports centre would serve your city/region well
Write a
letter of at least 100 words. Do not write any dates and addresses. Start
your letter with
Dear Sir or Madam,
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