PRACTICE TEST 2

PAPER 1: READING
Part 1

You are going to read an article about an inventor. For questions 1-8, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you
think fits best according to the text.

The Black Falcon – Robot Doctor

While studying for his Ph.D. at the Massachusetts versatile than the human variety, so they can
Institute of Technology, Akhil Madhani first saw perform extremely complex and delicate surgical
robots in action and was impressed by their huge procedures.
potential. That made him consider the possibility
Akhil explained why the robot could be considered
of replacing people with robots in difficult
preferable to a surgeon’s fingers. Because it’s so
and dangerous situations. He was particularly
small, the Falcon can actually go inside the
fascinated to see how robots were used to deal
patient, precisely accessing the part of the body to
with suspicious objects. From a safe distance,
be operated on. The incision itself is tiny, which
a policeman or soldier could command a robot
minimises the shock to the body, the length of
to dismantle an explosive device. The job could
time the operation takes, and the time the body
be done without endangering lives or causing
will take to heal. The robot will make all kinds of
injuries.
surgery easier, but its most important application
Had his father not been a surgeon, the idea of using will be in heart operations, where it can go in
robot technology in the operating theatre might between the ribs, avoiding having to split the rib
never have occurred to Akhil. He watched his cage down the middle.
father as he performed MIS, or minimally invasive
The robot has another advantage. As a child,
surgery, which allows doctors to minimise the
Akhil had noticed how tired his father was after
impact of their work inside the patient’s body by
operating for hours. Giving commands to a robot
using advanced technology. Since the late 1980s,
requires far less effort than actually carrying out
surgeons have been using MIS to do certain kinds
a procedure. It is less exhausting for the surgeon line 60
of operations, making tiny incisions rather than
and so eliminates much of the risk of human
large openings and inserting miniature television
error – mistakes can easily be made when you
cameras in order to view the interior of the area
are tired.
needing surgery. However, they have been using
non-computerised instruments that are controlled The scientific world has already recognised its
manually. enormous potential and Akhil has been awarded
prestigious prizes for his invention. “It bothers
Akhil Madhani came up with the idea of using
me that people think inventors are like magicians
computerized, remote-controlled robots instead.
who pull rabbits out of a hat. Scientific inventions
line 29 He showed us the two-inch-thick notebook full of line 68
only take shape after hard work and a great deal
sketches he had compiled before he perfected a
of trial and error.”
model that could work. Though the Black Falcon,
as he calls it, started with a momentary flash of By the time he was 30, Akhil Madhani had already
inspiration, he spent a long, long time developing come up with an invention that may change the
it before it became a feasible reality. face of surgery. But there is no reason to suppose
that he will confine himself to the field of medicine
The Black Falcon consists of a long thin arm,
in the future. When inspiration strikes again, he
with a metal wrist and two tiny fingerlike tongs
may invent something entirely different. “I spend
at the end. The surgeon, who sits at a console
a lot of my free time just sitting around thinking
and watches a monitor that magnifies images of
what would be the next really cool thing,” he says.
the patient’s organs, operates the tiny hand using
What that will be is anyone’s guess.
a joystick. The tiny robot’s fingers are more

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 PAPER 1: READING Part 1 (Questions 1-8)

1 Security forces operate robots to

A take apart bombs.
B replace people.
C prevent loss of life.
D avoid dangerous devices.
2 The author uses the phrase “two-inch-thick notebook” (line 29) to show
A that Akhil had done a lot of work on his invention.
B that Akhil’s sketches were fascinating to look at.
C how Akhil worked mainly using sketches.
D how Akhil first thought of his idea.
3 The Black Falcon is different from previous surgical techniques because it
A requires only a small incision.
B is controlled by a computer.
C uses images of the patient’s organs.
D does not require an operating theatre.
4 During the operation, using the fine technique of the robot would
A only be possible in small operations.
B slow down the operating time.
C speed up the patient’s recovery.
D prevent mistakes being made.
5 What does the word ‘It’ (line 60) refer to?
A operating for hours
B the same effort
C giving commands
D carrying out the procedure
6 The author uses the phrase “pull rabbits out of a hat” (line 68) as an example of
A the amazing abilities of inventors.
B achievements that are only tricks and not real.
C things that look quick and easy to do.
D the hard work that it takes to learn magic tricks.
7 In his leisure time, Akhil
A likes to keep cool.
B lets his mind wander freely.
C wonders what will become of him.
D thinks of new surgical procedures.
8 Which of the following contributed most to Akhil’s invention?
A the support he got from his father and the scientists
B his medical and military experiences
C a practical attitude to his health problems
D his creativity and technical ability

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 PAPER 1: READING Part 2 (Questions 9-15)

Part 2

You are going to read a magazine article about a hotel with a difference. Seven sentences have been removed from the
article. Choose from the sentences A-H the one which fits each gap (9-15). There is one extra sentence which you do
not need to use.

Try the “Coolest” Holiday on the Planet

How about spending a weekend in the world’s largest igloo?

If you’re looking for a completely different “getaway”, and more elaborate. Sculptors are invited to carve
you should visit the world’s only hotel built entirely of works of art in ice for display in the hotel art gallery.
ice. Located 125 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle at 12 in the spring, the ice hotel melts and flows back into
And
Jukkasjarvi, deep in the heart of Swedish Lapland, the the river, completing a natural ecological cycle without
IceHotel is an unlikely success story. polluting the environment, yet providing much-needed
employment in this remote area.
In a frozen landscape, far from civilisation, the hotel
stands in one of Europe’s last great wildernesses – As for leisure, adventurous outdoor types will find
a  vast, glittering expanse of crystal clear lakes, ice a host of activities available, from snowmobiling
and snow, towering mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and 13
to dogsledding and skiing.                      For the romantic
extensive green forests. My first view of the place left guest, there’s no better place to propose than under the
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me speechless.                      But the hotel bore no magnificent Northern Lights in the deep blue skies over
resemblance whatsoever to a small dome of ice with a the Arctic Circle. The marriage ceremony can be held in
door you crawl through. It was enormous! Later, I learned the hotel’s Ice Chapel – a white wedding of course!
that it occupies 3,500 square metres of floor space.
The management has thought of everything – your future
So what is it that attracts over 20,000 visitors and 3,000 offspring can even be baptized in the very same chapel.
guests a year to this hotel? The answer lies in the concept. 14 name you give the child must contain the letters is –
The
10 appeals to the curious among us, and those with a
This the Swedish word for ice. Christopher? Isak? Do you get
sense of adventure, who want to know what it’s like to the idea?
spend the night in this pristine wilderness surrounded by
So if you’re considering a visit, don’t pack your bathing
ice.
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costume or your Gucci loafers.                      At night,
I arrived in the high season, mid-January, having booked your block of ice bed awaits, but as long as you do some
well in advance via the Net. Open only from December to exercises to warm up before jumping into your sleeping
April, there are no off-season specials or cheap weekends bag, you should sleep soundly, despite the chilling -3 to
in the spring. 11 -8 degrees inside the hotel.

Built on the banks of the Torne river, construction Snug under reindeer skins for insulation, I found it eerily
begins when the water freezes in mid-October. Since quiet at night. And as I tried to sleep, I heard a sound I’d
the hotel is rebuilt every year, the architects can never heard before – but I wasn’t afraid – it was just my
indulge their fantasies. Their designs become more own heart beating!

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 PAPER 1: READING Part 2 (Questions 9-15)

A By then, the hotel starts to melt and is E The exhibitions have become quite a tourist
demolished. attraction.

B There is one restriction, however, which F It has all the trademarks of an ordinary hotel:
has become a tradition in the hotel. lobby, reception rooms, bar and bedrooms,
but the amazing fact is that everything is
made of ice.
C Sleeping bags on the floor are not exactly
my idea of a hotel bed.
G When you think of accommodation made of
ice, the image of an igloo springs to mind.
D But, being more laid-back myself, I settled
for vodka in the Absolut Icebar and – yes
you’ve guessed it – it was served in a glass H You’re far better off with thermal underwear
made of ice. and hiking boots.

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 PAPER 1: READING Part 3 (Questions 16-30)

Part 3

You are going to read a magazine article about specially trained dogs. For questions 16-30, choose from the dogs
(A-D). The dogs may be chosen more than once.

Which dog(s)

work with other dogs? 16 17

depends more on sight than smell? 18

gets unwanted attention from strangers? 19

owes much of its expertise to heredity? 20

look for approval? 21 22

works in dangerous conditions? 23

is entitled to special permission? 24

sees the work as a kind of amusement? 25

helps save the lives of other animals? 26

has travelled by plane? 27

are constantly in training? 28 29

works with environmentalists? 30

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 PAPER 1: READING Part 3 (Questions 16-30)

Working Dogs
Mark Bancroft spent a year in the United States meeting dog owners
whose animals have been trained to be useful to human beings.

A “Without Suzie, my Labrador, at my side, I’d C Kip, a German shepherd, belongs to a unit
never be able to go out alone,” New York resident that searches for survivors of disasters who have
Marie de Vries told me. Marie is blind, and Suzie been buried alive under tons of rubble. His unit
acts as her eyes, leading Marie along crowded is rushed to the scene as quickly as possible to
streets and threading through the traffic on busy search for trapped victims who may be seriously
roads. She accompanies Marie on shopping injured or dehydrated. Often risking their own
sprees and goes into restaurants too; even lives, the dogs sniff out survivors, so that a
though there is a law against dogs, exceptions rescue team can pinpoint their location. Dogs are
are made for guide dogs. Passersby have to be an indispensable asset in these situations, since
discouraged from petting Suzie, since nothing using heavy equipment to remove debris would
must be allowed to divert her attention from the endanger the people buried underneath. When
road. Before becoming a guide dog, Suzie he is not on a mission, Kip lives with Peter, his
underwent months of intensive training, part of handler, and spends 15-20 hours a week keeping
it with her future owner. Now she is one of the fit and improving his efficiency. Besides barking
family and plays in the back garden when she when he smells a survivor, Kip has been trained
isn’t working. And she always licks Marie’s to walk carefully over unstable ground and crawl
hand to show her pleasure when Marie praises into small places. He has even learned to tolerate
her for a job well done. loud noise and to remain calm when being lowered
by rope from a helicopter. Kip has helped to find
B people under collapsed buildings in the UK and as
Andy, a golden retriever, is one half of a far away from home as Turkey and Taiwan.
specially trained FBI team that searches for
illegal drugs. Andy lives with special agent Ted,
who devoted months to training him and teaching D Looking at Tucker, it’s hard to believe that he
him what to search for. “Even now,” Ted told could pose a danger to black bears or mountain
me, “I’m constantly hiding drugs in all kinds of lions. Medium-sized and black-and-white like a
strange places, to keep Andy on his toes.” Andy panda, Tucker is one of a team of Karelian Bear
must also be exercised daily as it’s important Dogs. “Karelian dogs are of Finnish descent,”
that he stay in good shape. Working at airports, handler Ben Sommer explains. “They’re hunters
sea ports, bus stations and border crossings, by nature, so they don’t need extensive training.”
Andy is able to identify six different drugs Tucker and the other Karelian dogs are being used
using his keen sense of smell. Sometimes he as part of a local wildlife protection programme
and Ted go to schools to demonstrate their to deter wild bears from approaching residential
work. Andy loves the contact with children, but areas and campsites.
above all, he enjoys a playful tug of war with his
Karelian dogs move in quickly, nip the bear and
master when Ted wants to show his
retreat. The loud bark of this breed affects the
appreciation for Andy’s successes. In fact,
bear like no other variety of dog can. By scaring
Andy’s inherent playfulness is an important
the bears away, the dogs help reintroduce their
factor in his line of work. Trainers are careful to
natural fear of humans, preventing the need to kill
choose breeds with a strong play drive which
or relocate them.
makes them enthusiastic about jumping on
furniture and searching inside suitcases in order to
retrieve an object.

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 PAPER 2: WRITING Part 1 (Question 1)

Part 1

You must answer this question. Write your answer in 120-150 words in an appropriate style.

1 You recently entered a competition in an international magazine. You have received this letter from the
magazine’s public relations manager, Mr Thompson. Read his letter and the notes you have made. Then
write a letter to Mr Thompson, using all your notes.

Congratulations! Your article has been awarded first prize in our

annual travel competition. Your prize is a long weekend for two in a
European capital of your choice, all expenses paid.

To help us plan your weekend, we will need to know which capital Say which
city you would like to visit. We would also appreciate knowing more and why

Give details about your hobbies, interests and activities you enjoy doing.

We usually book these holidays in the autumn. Would October be

convenient for you?

No, explain why

Finally, after your holiday, we would like to interview you for a
magazine feature and hope you will be available to do this.

Yes, but …
Yours sincerely,

Sam Thompson

Write your letter. Do not write any postal addresses. You must use grammatically correct sentences with
accurate spelling and punctuation in a style appropriate for the situation.

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 PAPER 2: WRITING Part 2 (Questions 2-4)

Part 2

Write an answer to one of the questions 2-4 in this part. Write your answer in 120-180 words in an appropriate style.

2 You recently saw this notice on the wall of the school library.

Magazine Reviews Wanted!

We are expanding the magazine section of the library. Write us a review of a magazine
you read recently. Include information on the age group of its readers, the content and
design. Say whether you would recommend it for our library.

Write your review.

3 You have decided to enter a short-story competition. The competition rules state that the story must begin with
the words:
We felt so excited as the train pulled into the station.
Write your story.

4 You see the following notice in an English-language magazine.

Be a Celebrity for One Day

If you could change places for one day with a famous celebrity, who
would it be and why?
The best article will be published in our magazine next month.

Write your article.

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 PAPER 3: USE OF ENGLISH Part 1 (Questions 1-12)

Part 1

For questions 1-12, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example
at the beginning (0).

Example:

0 A out B up C over D off

0 A B C D

Lie Detectors
The thought of having to pass a polygraph (or lie detector) test makes even innocent people break (0) ..... in a nervous
sweat. Of course, people can always refuse to (1) ..... it, but there is really nothing to fear, unless they are lying. The
polygraph machine is simply a useful tool that is used in police (2) ..... to check the facts given by a suspect, an informant
or a witness at the (3) ..... of a crime.

The polygraph is (4) ..... on a scientific principle that a person’s body will respond in a (5) ..... way when he or she is
(6) ..... a lie. A polygraph test is carried out in stages. First of all, the person being tested is asked simple questions, which
are (7) ..... unrelated to the crime. For example, a 20-year-old may be asked: “Are you 20 years old?” When the individual
answers, his or her (8) ..... rate, perspiration and breathing patterns are recorded on the machine. Then they are (9) .....
with his or her physical responses when answering another set of questions that are (10) ..... to the crime.

The polygraph test is not 100% reliable; (11) ..... it comes very close. Anyone trying to cheat will almost
(12) ..... be caught.

1 A fail B pass C take D set

2 A searches B investigations C estimations D experiments
3 A point B scene C place D site
4 A based B created C developed D established
5 A familiar B sure C fixed D specific
6 A speaking B saying C telling D making
7 A rather B totally C fully D very
8 A heart B blood C temperature D pressure
9 A measured B compared C identified D analysed
10 A fastened B joined C referred D connected
11 A besides B despite C nevertheless D whereas
12 A clearly B securely C obviously D certainly

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 PAPER 3: USE OF ENGLISH Part 2 (Questions 13-24)

Part 2

For questions 13-24, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each
gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

Example: 0 I N

Tartan, the Cloth of the Scottish Clans

Brightly coloured checked skirts seem to be (0) ........................... fashion this year. Today, we associate these checked

patterns, called tartans, (13) ........................... Scotland. However, tartans probably originated in Ireland and were

brought to Scotland by an ancient Irish people, the Celts, (14) ............................ settled there.

In Scotland, men have been wearing clothing with a tartan pattern (15) ........................... hundreds of years. The tartan

cloth (16) ........................... initially worn as a long shirt, but Scottish men began using the cloth to make skirts or

kilts.

Every Scottish clan or family group has (17) ........................... own traditional tartan. In (18) ........................... past,

the colours in the cloth varied depending on the area of Scotland the clan occupied. This is ( 19) ........................... the

colours came from dyes that were made from local soils and plants. The number of colours in the cloth showed a

person’s rank. The (20) ........................... colours you had, the higher your rank. For instance, a poor farmer’s tartan

contained only two colours, while an important chief of a clan wore a kilt with (21) ........................... least seven.

(22) ........................... to tradition, kilts were only worn by men, and you could not wear a tartan ( 23) ...........................

you were descended from a clan. Fortunately, (24) ........................... are some tartans that don’t belong to any clan and,

therefore, can be worn by anyone, even girls!

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 PAPER 3: USE OF ENGLISH Part 3 (Questions 25-34)

Part 3

For questions 25-34, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a
word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

Example: 0 P A R T I C U L A R L Y

Fighting Flu

In 1918, a (0) ........................... violent influenza outbreak affected half PARTICULAR

the world’s population, (25) ........................... 20 million people. KILL

Fortunately, not all flu outbreaks are as serious or as devastating.

For the most part, (26) ........................... spend a few miserable SUFFER

days in bed with a high temperature and (27) ........................... limbs ACHE

and then they recover. That is (28) ........................... the case for USUAL

people who are normally healthy.

For the elderly, or weak, flu is a more serious matter. Even a mild flu

attack can have (29) ........................... consequences. Despite all the DANGER

research and recent (30) ........................... in medicine, doctors DEVELOP

have yet to find a complete cure for influenza. However, they have

found a more effective method of (31) ........................... an PREVENT

outbreak among the susceptible members of society: children

and the elderly – the flu vaccination. This gives quite good

(32) ........................... against the infection. PROTECT

Today, a network of doctors in over 85 countries (33) ........................... CONTINUE

monitors viruses which can cause flu. Each year, they produce a new

vaccine to deal with the (34) ........................... strains of the virus, which LATE

keeps mutating in order to defend itself from newer forms of the vaccine.

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 PAPER 3: USE OF ENGLISH Part 4 (Questions 35-42)

Part 4

For questions 35-42, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word
given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. Here is
an example (0).

Example:
0 Sue was the one person who finished the test.
FROM
No one ....................................................................................................................................... finished the test.

The gap can be filled by the words ‘apart from Sue’ so you write:

Example: 0 A P A R T F R O M S U E

Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

35 It wasn’t necessary for you to wait for me last night.

WAITED
You .............................................................................................................................................. for me last night.

36 If I were you, I wouldn’t lend John money.

BORROW
I wouldn’t .......................................................................................................................................... if I were you.

37 The milk jug is almost empty.

ANY
There is ................................................................................................................................................... in the jug.

38 Steve is always blamed no matter what he does.

AVOID
Steve can’t ........................................................................................................................ no matter what he does.

39 Please don’t speak so loudly.

LOWER
Would you ................................................................................................................................................ , please?

40 They sold the house for more than they paid for it.
PROFIT
They ........................................................................................................................................................ the house.

41 Helen asked me the price of admission to the gallery.

MUCH
Helen asked me ................................................................................................................... to get into the gallery.

42 I can’t believe this is the best room in the hotel.

MUST
There .............................................................................................................................. than this one in the hotel.

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 PAPER 4: LISTENING Parts 1 & 2 (Questions 1-18)

Part 1

You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1-8, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

1 You hear someone talking to her friend. 5 You switch on the radio and hear this advertisement.
What is she going to do? What is being advertised?
A interview an actor A bath products
B appear on a chat show 1
B a health club 5
C go to a film premiere C a holiday

2 You hear a man talking to a friend. 6 You hear part of a radio play.
What kind of job is he looking for? Where is the couple?
A temporary A in a shop
B full-time 2
B at home 6
C part-time C at a campsite

3 You overhear a woman talking to her friend. 7 You overhear an office worker speaking on the
Why is she upset with her husband? telephone.
A He went to a sporting event. Who is he speaking to?
B He paid a lot for tickets. 3 A his employer
C He didn’t get a ticket for her. B a travel agent 7
C a customer
4 You hear this traffic announcement on the radio.
Why will drivers have problems travelling north? 8 You overhear a woman talking about a wedding.
A It’s market day. How did she feel on the day?
B The road is being repaired. 4 A upset
C The road is closed this morning. B anxious 8
C excited

Part 2

You will hear a radio interview with a man who wants to travel around the world in a balloon. For questions 9-18,
complete the sentences.

BALLOONING

Rick’s last attempt failed because of 9 .

Predicting the weather is most difficult over 10 .
Rick suffered 11 in the crash landing.
Rick often feels 12 and hungry when he’s in the air.
Rick’s company produces 13 .
As a boy, Rick admired arctic 14 .
Rick learnt to fly when he was 15 .
The most expensive piece of equipment is 16 .
There are nearly 40 people in the 17 .
Rick believes he’ll succeed when he finds the right 18 .

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 PAPER 4: LISTENING Parts 3 & 4 (Questions 19-30)

Part 3

You will hear five different people talking about their clothes. For questions 19-23, choose from the list (A-F) what
each speaker says. Use the letters only once. There is one extra letter which you do not need to use.

A I was hurt by some comments about my clothes. Speaker 1 19

B I am proud of what I wore.

Speaker 2 20
C I wore something that didn’t suit me.
Speaker 3 21
D I enjoy looking different.
Speaker 4 22
E I am not interested in how I look.

F I was embarrassed about my appearance. Speaker 5 23

Part 4

You will hear an interview with Tricia Brown, a food and restaurant critic. For questions 24-30, choose the best answer
24 (A, B or C).

24 Tricia began working in the food business

A because she couldn’t find a job.
B since she was already writing restaurant reviews. 24
C following a disappointment.
25 According to Tricia it is most important that a food critic
A provide information.
B amuse the reader. 25
C be knowledgeable about food.
26 Why did Tricia stop taping her comments on restaurants?
A It was no longer necessary.
B It was no longer convenient. 26
C It was no longer possible.
27 What is Tricia’s attitude to writing negative reviews?
A She tries to be very objective.
B She enjoys the influence she has. 27
C She gives the public the hard facts.
28 Why does Tricia travel abroad?
A It is important to try out ethnic cuisine not available locally.
B She prefers authentic food to the local version. 28
C She feels she ought to know more than her readers.
29 Usually, when going to review a restaurant, Tricia
A wears some kind of disguise.
B does not book a table. 29
C has her guest make a booking.
30 Tricia makes sure that restaurant staff
A will not recognise her.
B can’t prepare for her visits ahead of time. 30
C treat her like any other diner.

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