Skills Test Unit 5 Test A

Name: ___________________________________________

Everyday English
1 Complete the sentences (1–5) with the words below. Then match the sentences to the
correct responses (A–E) to make dialogues.
go decide should doesn’t hoping
1 I was __________ I could join you in the meeting. ___
2 We don’t have to _________ right now. ___
3 Don’t you think you _________ try and guess the meaning? ___
4 _________ it make more sense to make a rough copy first? ___
5 Which one shall we _________ for? ___

A I suppose so, but using a dictionary’s much easier.

B I’d prefer to read the second one. It looks more interesting.
C Of course, you’re always welcome.
D OK. Let’s sleep on it, then.
E It does, yes. I was just being impatient.

Mark: ___ / 5

1
Listening
2  Listen to a brother and sister, Jenny and Steve, discussing a birthday present for their
mother. Circle the correct answer.
1 At the beginning of the conversation, Steve’s general attitude to the suitability of an e-reader for
their mother is positive / indifferent / negative.
2 The two people finally decide to buy the present Jenny suggested / take more time to think
about the present / buy something different.

3  Listen again. Circle the correct answer (a–d).

1 Jenny thinks her mother will
a still be able to shop in bookshops.
b enjoy not having to shop for books.
c soon forget about going to bookshops.
d soon forget about the disadvantages of e-books.
2 When their parents go on holiday,
a their father likes to read as well.
b they usually stay in a luxurious hotel.
c their father tends to carry the bags.
d the majority of their mother’s luggage is books.
3 Jenny can easily imagine her mother
a reading her e-reader by the pool.
b taking photos by the pool.
c creating an online library.
d going to the local libraries.
4 Steve doubts his mother will
a remember to charge her e-reader.
b be able to see the screen clearly.
c like vouchers for an e-reader.
d like the books available for the e-reader.
5 Jenny thinks Steve is
a joking.
b old-fashioned.
c being stubborn.
d repeating himself.

2
6 A problem with an e-reader is that
a their mother’s friends will want to borrow it.
b it is much more delicate than a book.
c e-books are more expensive than books.
d you can drop an e-reader more easily than a book.
7 Jenny thought
a her brother’s idea was better at first.
b they were about to have an argument.
c they ought to have had this discussion earlier.
d she would be unable to get her brother to agree.
8 Steve is worried because
a he is not sure the present will keep its value.
b he is certain that his mother won’t use the present.
c he wants it to be the best present she’s ever been given.
d he doesn’t usually spend so much on his mother’s birthday gift.

Mark: ___ / 10

3
Reading
How to write a best-seller
If you believe what they say, everyone has a book in them. This may be true, but it doesn’t mean
everyone’s a good storyteller. Not everyone can write in a sophisticated way that will capture the
imagination of the reader and make them want to carry on reading. Most wannabe-writers find it hard
to cling on to their dream of becoming an author, as it often brings them limited financial reward.
The point is, not many people can write in the same way or achieve the success of someone like
J.K.Rowling. So, what do you have to consider if you want to pen a best-seller?
The first thing to do is tell a good story. A touching, riveting story with an intricate plot will have the
readers wanting more. I have to point out here that you don’t have to concoct a truly original plot.
People love a tried and tested storyline. A lot of Shakespeare’s plays were derived from traditional
stories which were told at the time he was writing. And it should have a hero or heroine who you can
follow throughout the book and who goes on a character-building or life-changing journey – and
comes out the better for it on the other side.
Secondly, it’s a good idea to know your audience. You should easily be able to picture your reader,
and when or where they’re going to be reading your novel. Are you writing for men or women,
teenagers or older people? Is your book going to be something they take on holiday as a light read or
something they read religiously before switching off the light at night? Is it going to be one of those
few unlucky books that stands on their bookshelf for aeons without being read, or something they
gladly lend to others and encourage their colleagues to read?
Thirdly, your novel ought to fit into a recognized genre. If you’re writing a crime novel, ensure it
meets the expectations of your audience. Of course you can have romance and comedy in the story,
up to a point, but these should be secondary to the main genre chosen. Confusion over genre will lead
to disappointment and will leave the bookshop wondering which category to put it in.
Lastly, consider how you are actually going to write the novel. There are a number of methods to
think about. Show how your character feels through their actions, not by telling the reader. It’s much
better to write about someone’s hands shaking rather than simply stating, ‘He felt nervous’. In
addition, you’ll succeed in grabbing the audience’s attention if your tale refers to smell, touch, sound,
taste or sight. Also, through using natural, direct speech, you will ensure that the reader feels close to
the action.
These are just a few key points. When you have managed to actually finish your book, there’s still a
long way to go. Many an author has been rejected by numerous publishing companies before they get
their lucky break. Finding a publisher is hard, and if they do publish your book, it’s unlikely that they
will entrust you with a large sum of money for your second novel on the strength of your first. The
main message is: work hard and never give up. It will all be worth it when you see your name on the
cover of a book.

4
4 Read the text. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)?
1 Few people can write in a way that makes people want to continue reading. ___
2 A unique story is the key to being a successful author. ___
3 There should be a number of main characters in a novel. ___
4 It’s best to imagine the reader of your novel when you’re writing it. ___
5 Most books are left unread for a long time. ___
6 There shouldn’t be too much humour in a detective novel. ___
7 Bookshops frequently display novels under the wrong genre. ___
8 Readers often respond well to descriptions which appeal to the five senses. ___
9 It’s easy to find a publisher once you have finished writing your novel. ___
10 Once you have published your first novel, you will often receive money to write the next. ___

Mark: ___ / 10

5
Writing
5 Choose an interesting film you have watched and write a review.

Follow the plan:

Paragraph 1: Write an introduction, giving the name of the film, the names of the director and
actors, and a brief summary of where and when the film is set.
Paragraph 2: Summarize the plot and include information about the main characters and themes.
Paragraph 3: Give your opinion and say what you particularly liked and / or disliked about the film.
Paragraph 4: Write a conclusion, summarizing your opinion and giving a recommendation.

Mark: ___ / 15
TOTAL MARKS: ___ / 40

6
Challenge!
6 Complete the text with the correct words (a–d).
Reading by touch
Over 200 years ago, a French schoolboy called Louis Braille came up with a sophisticated system
that 1________ blind people like himself to read.
His family 2________ afford for him to go to a specialist school, but a rich landowner saw his
potential and ensured that he attended the Royal Institution for Blind Youth in Paris. Living away
from home must have been difficult for the ten-year-old, but he was 3________ by his thirst for
knowledge.
At some point in 1821, he was introduced to ‘night writing’, a system of raised dots on paper which
was used by soldiers who 4________ to communicate without detection. He loved the
idea 5________ to a point, but the soldiers’ system was too complex. He 6________ to simplify the
code and succeeded in creating a more useable system of six raised dots with sixty-three
combinations. He went on to teach it to as many people as possible.
Louis died aged just forty-three, but his memory 7________ on through Braille, the code he created.
In 1952, a century after his death, the French government finally did what, in my opinion,
it 8________ have done many years earlier: it formally recognized Louis’ achievement. In a touching
tribute, his ashes were moved to the Panthéon in Paris, the resting place of all of France’s national
heroes.
1 a enclosed b entrusted c enabled d enlarged
2 a couldn’t b mustn’t c didn’t have to d shouldn’t
3 a cheered on b urged on c carried on d kept on
4 a must b didn’t have to c ought d needed
5 a up b as c next d at
6 a stopped b bothered c will be able d managed
7 a stays b remains c comes d lives
8 a must b can’t c should d had better