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PART 1 1 A: Incorrect: If he's a three-time world champion, he can't have lost frequently. 1 B: Incorrect: He looks gentle, but he wasn't gentle in the ring. 1 C: Incorrect: He must have fought back to be world champion three times. 1 D: Correct: 'he was just a hulk who knew how to take a hit'. 2 A: Incorrect: After two autobiographies, he has written a novel. 2 B: Incorrect: This is the opposite of what the text says. 2 C: Correct: 'a brilliant first novel ... likely to gain a wide readership'. 2 D: Incorrect: 'there is far more to it than that'. 3 A: Incorrect: The paragraph is about his parents, not about his childhood. 3 B: Correct: 'His father was an athletics director ... his mother a physical education teacher'. 3 C: Incorrect: There's reference to his parents' educational background, not his. 3 D: Incorrect: If it meant background in athletics, the text would say that he came from this stock. 4 A: Incorrect: They weren't afraid. They thought he would get hurt. 4 B: Incorrect: They insisted on a college education, not training. 4 C: Incorrect: They thought he would quit, not that they wanted him to. 4 D: Correct: 'I am pretty sure they thought I'd get hurt and quit wrestling'. 5 A: Incorrect: He could be in good condition because he has retired, not although he has. 5 B: Correct: 'He looks in remarkably good condition for someone who spent 20 years in the ring'. 5 C: Incorrect: It doesn't say that that he stopped wrestling five years ago. 5 D: Incorrect: He says it's amazing what retirement can do, not that he is amazed. 6 A: Incorrect: He used to resent it, which means that now he doesn't. 6 B: Incorrect: He doesn't say that wrestlers are not good actors. 6 C: Correct: 'I used to really resent the acting label, but it is acting'. 6 D: Incorrect: He means that the acting aspect of wrestling sometimes comes close to being real. 7 A: Incorrect: This didn't make him quit. 7 B: Incorrect: He gave up wrestling partly because of his children's reaction when he got hurt. He didn't give up because he was getting hurt. 7 C: Correct: 'they stopped enjoying it'. 7 D: Incorrect: There's no support for this in the text. 8 A: Correct: 'Wrestling is all about characters'. 8 B: Incorrect: There's no support for this in the text. 8 C: Incorrect: There's no support for this in the text. 8 D: Incorrect: There's no reference to this in the text. PART 2 9 E: Link between 'best-selling video game' in the previous sentence and 'Its success'. Also, link between 'Its success lies in the use of special effects' and 'stunning action sequences that rely on fantasy effects'. 10 H: Contrastive link between 'film makers have started to realise that they could set films in similar sci-fi future worlds' and 'However, the difficulty for the producers of Hollywood appears to be ...'. 11 A: Link between 'People who enjoyed the film will probably want to buy the videogame' and 'This clearly creates a new market opportunity for the videogame industry'. 12 G: Link between the question 'Why do some players feel disappointed by films based on their favourite games?' and the answer 'One reason is technical'. 13 C: Link between "your favourite thriller', 'You wouldn't be interested in watching the film if you knew the identity of the murderer' and 'In films you are not supposed to have access to all the information'. 14 D: Link between 'Suspense and mystery are essential elements of film-making' in the previous paragraph and 'This is not true for videogames'. 15 B: Link between "films and videogames', 'We go to the cinema to let someone else tell us a story' and 'a story and a game'. PART 3 16 B: And I just don't think it's a very interesting job. 17 C: my mother has always tried to steer me away from taking up the profession 18 D: but then I began to think of the disadvantages 19 A: he always tried to push me into taking up the same profession 20 C: Most of the other actors I've met ... strike me as very arrogant people; I don't really think I'd get on with them. 21 B: my mother wasn't getting paid very well 22 D: I don't really think my dad's job affected my decision at all 23 A: My dad is a free-lance builder, like his father and his grandfather 24 B: there aren't so many jobs available in pure research 25/6 B: My mother did try to motivate me to take an interest in science subjects 25/6 D: trying to get me interested in taking a teaching qualification 27 C: worrying about where the next job's coming from 28 A: I do worry that we might have a big fight about this some time in the future 29 C: very few people get to the top of the profession 30 D: He also used to tell me about the satisfaction you can get from teaching Questions 1-15 = 2 marks each Questions 16-30 = 1 mark each The total score is adjusted to give a mark out of 40. FCE Tests Answer key 177
Transcript
Page 1: KEY_TESTS_FCE_NEW

• • PART 1

1 A: Incorrect: If he's a three-time world champion, he can't have lost frequently.

1 B: Incorrect: He looks gentle, but he wasn't gentle in the ring.

1 C: Incorrect: He must have fought back to be world champion three times.

1 D: Correct: 'he was just a hulk who knew how to take a hit'.

2 A: Incorrect: After two autobiographies, he has written a novel.

2 B: Incorrect: This is the opposite of what the text says. 2 C: Correct: 'a brilliant first novel ... likely to gain a wide

readership'. 2 D: Incorrect: 'there is far more to it than that'. 3 A: Incorrect: The paragraph is about his parents, not

about his childhood. 3 B: Correct: 'His father was an athletics director ... his

mother a physical education teacher'. 3 C: Incorrect: There's reference to his parents'

educational background, not his. 3 D: Incorrect: If it meant background in athletics, the text

would say that he came from this stock. 4 A: Incorrect: They weren't afraid. They thought he

would get hurt. 4 B: Incorrect: They insisted on a college education, not

training. 4 C: Incorrect: They thought he would quit, not that they

wanted him to. 4 D: Correct: 'I am pretty sure they thought I'd get hurt

and quit wrestling'. 5 A: Incorrect: He could be in good condition because he

has retired, not although he has. 5 B: Correct: 'He looks in remarkably good condition for

someone who spent 20 years in the ring'. 5 C: Incorrect: It doesn't say that that he stopped

wrestling five years ago. 5 D: Incorrect: He says it's amazing what retirement can

do, not that he is amazed. 6 A: Incorrect: He used to resent it, which means that

now he doesn't. 6 B: Incorrect: He doesn't say that wrestlers are not good

actors. 6 C: Correct: 'I used to really resent the acting label, but it

is acting'. 6 D: Incorrect: He means that the acting aspect of

wrestling sometimes comes close to being real. 7 A: Incorrect: This didn't make him quit. 7 B: Incorrect: He gave up wrestling partly because of his

children's reaction when he got hurt. He didn't give up because he was getting hurt.

7 C: Correct: 'they stopped enjoying it'. 7 D: Incorrect: There's no support for this in the text. 8 A: Correct: 'Wrestling is all about characters'. 8 B: Incorrect: There's no support for this in the text. 8 C: Incorrect: There's no support for this in the text. 8 D: Incorrect: There's no reference to this in the text.

• •PART 2

9 E: Link between 'best-selling video game' in the previous sentence and 'Its success'. Also, link between 'Its success lies in the use of special effects' and 'stunning action sequences that rely on fantasy effects'.

10 H: Contrastive link between 'film makers have started to realise that they could set films in similar sci-fi future worlds' and 'However, the difficulty for the producers of Hollywood appears to be ...'.

11 A: Link between 'People who enjoyed the film will probably want to buy the videogame' and 'This clearly creates a new market opportunity for the videogame industry'.

12 G: Link between the question 'Why do some players feel disappointed by films based on their favourite games?' and the answer 'One reason is technical'.

13 C: Link between "your favourite thriller', 'You wouldn't be interested in watching the film if you knew the identity of the murderer' and 'In films you are not supposed to have access to all the information'.

14 D: Link between 'Suspense and mystery are essential elements of film-making' in the previous paragraph and 'This is not true for videogames'.

15 B: Link between "fi lms and videogames', 'We go to the cinema to let someone else tell us a story' and 'a story and a game'.

• •PART 3

16 B: And I just don't think it's a very interesting job. 17 C: my mother has always tried to steer me away from

taking up the profession 18 D: but then I began to think of the disadvantages 19 A: he always tried to push me into taking up the same

profession 20 C: Most of the other actors I've met ... strike me as very

arrogant people; I don't really think I'd get on with them.

21 B: my mother wasn't getting paid very well 22 D: I don't really think my dad's job affected my decision

at all 23 A: My dad is a free-lance builder, like his father and his

grandfather 24 B: there aren't so many jobs available in pure research 25/6 B: My mother did try to motivate me to take an

interest in science subjects 25/6 D: trying to get me interested in taking a teaching

qualification 27 C: worrying about where the next job's coming from 28 A: I do worry that we might have a big fight about this

some time in the future 29 C: very few people get to the top of the profession 30 D: He also used to tell me about the satisfaction you

can get from teaching

Questions 1-15 = 2 marks each Questions 16-30 = 1 mark each The total score is adjusted to give a mark out of 40.

FCE Tests Answer key 177

Page 2: KEY_TESTS_FCE_NEW

• • PART 1

Question 1 Style: Formal. Do not use informal expressions.

Content: 1 Say you have seen the advertisement and want more information.

2 Ask where the school is and where the nearest underground station is.

3 Ask how big the classes are and what the facilities are.

4 Ask what dates you can register at the school. 5 Ask what sort of leisure activities can be

arranged and say what you like (going to the cinema, going to museums, etc.).

6 Ask what sort of accommodation is available. 7 Ask if the price includes the cost of

accommodation. 8 Finish by saying you are looking forward to

hearing from Mrs Brown.

• • PART 2 Question 2

Style: Neutral or semi-formal. Content: 1 Decide who the narrator is and think of one or

two other characters. 2 The telephone call must have been about

something that happened or will happen. Decide what single event can change one's life forever. Describing this event will be the main part of your story.

3 In your story you must also explain the situation before the main event and the way it has or will affect Mark's life.

Question 3 Style: Neutral or semi-formal.

Content: 1 Explain what you are going to write about. Say what your favourite possession is.

2 Now describe the possession: how long you've had it, who gave it to you, what it's like, etc.

3 Explain why it means so much to you. Is it associated with some special event in your life? What kind of memories are connected with it?

Question 4 Style: Neutral or semi-formal.

Content: 1 Write a short introduction and describe the film in general terms. Say what the film is called, what kind of film it is, who directed it and who acts in it.

2 Describe and comment on the plot, characters and special effects.

3 Conclude by saying why you think the film is worth seeing.

Question 5(a) Style: Informal.

Content: Choose the character that is most interesting. He or she does not have to be the main character or the hero in the book. Explain what makes this character interesting. Describe how he or she interacts with the rest of the characters. If this was a f i lm, suggest what sort of actor or actress could play the part best.

Question 5 (b) Style: Formal or neutral. Do not use informal

expressions. Content: Start by saying whether you agree or disagree

(or partly agree) with the statement. If you agree, think of two examples in the book you have read to show that conflicts make you keep on reading. If you disagree, give examples of other things that make you keep on reading.

The two parts of the Writing Paper have equal marks. The total score is adjusted to give a mark out of 40.

• • PART 1 1A 2C 3B 4D 5C 6B 7B 8A 9C 10 D 11 D 12 A

• • PART 2 13 it 14 be 15 no / little 16 up 17 which 18 to 19 nothing 20 At 21 what 22 at 23 the / such 24 have

• • PART 3 25 attractions (verb to noun, plural form) 26 height (adjective to noun) 27 construction (verb to noun) 28 exciting (verb to adjective) 29 competition (verb to noun) 30 imaginative (verb to adjective) 31 drawings (verb to noun, plural form) 32 ideal (noun to adjective) 33 surprisingly (verb to adjective to adverb) 34 recognition (verb to noun)

• • PART 4 35 know I the cost of 36 should not I have deleted 37 due to I the bad 38 had better I not be 39 take I advantage of 40 has been I translated 41 can't afford I to buy 42 not phone I unless she gets

Questions 1-34 = 1 mark each Questions 35-42 = 2 marks each The total score is adjusted to give a mark out of 40.

• • PART 1 1B 2 A 3A 4C 5B 6B 7C 8C

• • PART 2 9 two years 14 close links

10 five years 15 shopping malls 11 (advertising) agency 16 exhausting 12 active 17 the future 13 education 18 June

178 FCE Tests Answer key

Page 3: KEY_TESTS_FCE_NEW

• •PART 3

19 A 20 E 21 F 22 B 23 C

• •PART 4

24 A 25 C 26 C 27 B 28 B 29 A 30 C

Questions 1-30 = 1 mark each The total score is adjusted to give a mark out of 40.

• • PART 1

1 A: Incorrect: She isn't surprised by the fact that she's driving.

1 B: Incorrect: It doesn't surprise her that she has been living in London for so long.

1 C: Correct: 'For a moment the town mouse I have become is being seen by the country mouse I used to be'.

1 D: Incorrect: She would choose to live in the city again 'given a new start'.

2 A: Correct: 'the haunting sound of their wing beats gave way to silence'.

2 B: Incorrect: 'Haunting' here doesn't suggest frightening.

2 C: Incorrect: The sound of the wings beating is not loud.

2 D: Incorrect: The swans interrupt her brother, but they don't disturb or worry him.

3 A: Incorrect: The writer says that it's not a 'picturesque' part of the coast.

3 B: Incorrect: There's no suggestion about this in the text.

3 C: Incorrect: There's no support for this in the text. 3 D: Correct: 'There are probably few days when he does

not pause to recognise its loveliness'. 4 A: Incorrect: The lake itself is not evidence of change. 4 B: Incorrect: Landowners have created lakes in the past

as well. 4 C: Correct: 'Formerly, landowners would almost

certainly have made such changes for their own benefit, but this time it was done to ...'.

4 D: Incorrect: The need for preservation is not evidence of change.

5 A: Correct: 'second-homers, together with commuters, have come to be accepted as a vital part of the country scene'.

5 B: Incorrect: It doesn't answer the question. 5 C: Incorrect: The text doesn't say where they are from. 5 D: Incorrect: There's no support for this in the text. 6 A: Incorrect: The point is that people from working-

class families are going to university. 6 B: Incorrect: Moving from the countryside is not an

example of social mobility. 6 C: Incorrect: Social mobility has to do with changes in

occupation, not with whether one's job is in the city or not.

6 D: Correct: 'the children of today's workers may be moving into the same kind of jobs as the second-homers and the retired'.

7 A: Incorrect: It also depends on your personality and the personality of your neighbours.

7 B: Correct: 'perhaps it was always mainly in their minds'.

7 C: Incorrect: Much depends on the personality of your neighbours.

7 D: Incorrect: There are examples in the text where social life in the country is more exciting than social life in the city ('social life seems dizzying to a Londoner').

8 A: Incorrect: There's no evidence in the text that she had problems adjusting to life in London.

8 B: Incorrect: She says 'I do enjoy my life'. 8 C: Incorrect: There's no reference to the personality of

people in her street. 8 D: Correct: 'This is very unlike living in a London street'.

• • PART 2

9 B: Link between 'CyberGirl has been successfully promoted as an ordinary sixteen-year-old teenage singer' and 'idols must have the same strengths and weaknesses as their fans'.

10 H: Link between 'When asked if she is real, CyberGirl replies ... , adding defiantly that at least she is always there for her fans' and 'This gives virtual pop stars a competitive edge over mass-marketed artists or boy bands who have very little contact with their fans'.

11 E: Link between 'her creators deny that she is merely a cheap alternative to a real singer' and 'In fact, ... CyberGirl has a great many advantages over flesh-and-blood acts'.

12 A: Link between the question 'Could CyberGirl ever go on tour?' and the answer 'Sure she could'.

13 D: Link between 'French male cyberstar' and 'The fans want to know whether he gets hungry'.

14 C: Link between the fact that viewers regard the characters of soap operas as real people and send flowers and chocolates to the TV studios when the characters are in hospital and 'The people who do that aren't crazy'.

15 G: Link between 'this time the teenagers aren't even idolising a real person' and 'It's utterly pathetic, sad and a bit ridiculous'.

• • PART 3

16 A: This gained a lot of publicity for the school. 17 D: a website that the school had started 18 B: a leading expert on wild birds was invited 19/20 A: and handed over £750 to the World Wildlife Fund 19/20 D: £1,000 was donated to the ... Wildlife Rescue

Service 21 A: the school magazine brought out a special edition ...

where pupils expressed their feelings 22 D: took pupils to the coastal marshes of Easton-on-Sea 23 B: a report monitoring the progress of species

threatened with extinction 24 C: the effects of changes in climatic patterns 25 C: how pollution can destroy historic buildings in the

region 26 A: They cycled through the city ... the benefits of

cycling

FCE Tests Answer key 179

Page 4: KEY_TESTS_FCE_NEW

27 A: a survey ... into air pollution in the local shopping centre

28 D: to measure the levels of noise in Stanley Road 29 C: to launch a campaign for the restoration of the

medieval square 30 D: The pupils at this inner-city comprehensive school

• • PART 1 Question 1

Style: Formal. Content: 1 Explain you are writing on behalf of Mr and

Mrs Stanton. 2 Say you want to reserve a room for the dates

given. Give details about the type of room you want.

3 Check that vegetarian food can be served (both lunch and dinner).

4 Ask for a list of tours and check that there are English-speaking guides.

5 Ask for information on price and check that breakfast is included in the price.

6 Ask the manager to confirm the arrangement in writing.

•• PART 2 Question 2

Style: Neutral. Content: 1 In your introduction state your opinion clearly.

Say which of the two you think is best. 2 In the body of your essay give reasons for your

choice and support them with examples. 3 Make a list of possible disadvantages of your

preferred lifestyle and give examples. 4 In your conclusion summarise which lifestyle

you prefer and why.

Question 3 Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: 1 Think of the typical teenager. What are the most popular spare time activities?

2 What are their favourite hobbies? Which are more popular with boys and which with girls?

3 Are teenagers keen on sports? Which are the most popular sports with boys? With girls?

4 How often do they go out? What do they do when they go out?

5 Summarise your ideas.

Question 4 Style: Neutral or semi-formal.

Content: 1 Write a short introduction and give an overview of the trilogy. Describe briefly what the theme is. You could also mention who directed the different films and who acts in them.

2 Compare the film you saw with the first two films. You could compare the plot, acting, soundtracks, costumes, special effects, etc.

3 Conclude by giving your opinion of the film and say if it is worth seeing.

Question 5(a) Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: In your introduction explain if the book or story could be performed as a play. Briefly describe the main scenes that you would select and comment on whether the characters are interesting enough for a play. Summarise your ideas and list the main problems of turning the book or story into a play.

Question 5(b) Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: In your introduction express your opinion. Then use the body of the essay to explain your reasons, using examples from the book. What exactly makes the book or story you have read more appealing to men or women? In your conclusion say why some people might disagree with you.

• •PART 1

1B 2 A 3C 4D 5 B 6C 7 A 8 A 9 B 10C 11 A 12 D

• •PART 2 13 their 14 were 15 the 16 those 17 the/this 18 what 19 To 20 as 21 to 22 It 23 more 24 as

• •PART 3 25 threatened (noun to verb, past participle) 26 willing (noun to adjective) 27 apparently (adjective to adverb) 28 contents (verb to noun, plural form) 29 possibility (adjective to noun) 30 development (verb to non) 31 unexpected (verb to negative adjective) 32 housing (verb to abstract noun) 33 addition (verb to noun) 34 restrictions (verb to noun, plural form)

• •PART 4 35 not I as expensive as 36 should have told I me 37 came across I the photographs 38 were painted I by 39 are likely I to start 40 asked him I not to stay 41 do not feel like I going 42 no tea I left

• •PART 1 1A 2C 3C 4B 5A 6B 7B 8A

• •PART 2 9 old 10 60,000/sixty thousand 11 50,000/fifty thousand 12 writing 13 exposed 14 cultural 15 imaginative 16 optimistic 17 dying out 18 a second

180 FCE Tests Answer key

Page 5: KEY_TESTS_FCE_NEW

• • PART 3 19 D 20 E 21 F 22 C 23 B

• • PART 5

24 A 25 C 26 A 27 A 28 B 29 C 30 A

• • PART 1 1 B: Correct: This occurred while they were out walking

in the Lake District. 2 A: Correct: 'It is a living force that feels joy and

sadness'. 3 C: Correct: 'Wordsworth's home ... is now one of the

most popular destinations in the Lake District'. 4 D: Correct: 'Wordsworth himself was far from keen on

tourists'. 5 C: Correct: 'because you are walking in the footprints of

William and Dorothy'. 6 C: Correct: 'they aren't tall yellow trumpets ... they're

tiny ... They're grouped around individual trees rather than collecting together'.

7 B: Correct: 'What you're seeing at last is nature transformed by human sight and imagination.'

8 A: Correct: There are several suggestions in the text: 'a poem that expresses a basic spirit of the early English Romanticism', 'it's the way he chooses to describe scene as if it had human emotions', 'the central mystery of English Romanticism', etc.

• • PART 2 9 F: Link between 'The population profile has changed'

'life expectancy has increased'. 10 C: Link between 'Mental activity ... can contribute to

better health' and 'a very effective way of excercising the brain'.

11 E: Link between how older people used to feel (in previous sentence) and 'This is how ... '.

12 G: Link between 'sophisticated strategy and simulation games' and 'are among the most popular of these'.

13 D: Contrastive link between 'grey gamers simply don't have the skills' and 'This couldn't be further from the truth'.

14 B: Contrastive link between 'they may have slower reaction times' and 'On the other hand, grey gamers have a preference for slower paced, mind challenging games'.

15 A: Link between 'a vast potential market exists out there' and 'targeting them would be comparatively more profitable for the business'.

• • PART 3 16 D: It took me hours of hard work and a lot of money to

convert the old storage room into a study. 17 C: The walls are covered with all sorts of portraits,

posters and landscapes 18 B: I like to retreat to my room and paint. I'm not really

an artist, just an amateur 19 D: I remember my grandfather spending endless hours

in his library

20 A: I like to keep it clean and uncluttered, with just the basic kitchen table and chairs

21 D: The custom-made bookshelves cost a fortune, but I didn't mind at all.

22 B: the light blue colour of the walls 23 A: We have bare floorboards 24 C: we're still surrounded by miles of open fields 25 B: I can see right across the valley to the Welsh

mountains in the far distance. 26 A: Benny, our Irish setter who has his bed in the back

corner of the room 27 B: I have blinds at the windows 28 B: I could never wake up in a room that's gloomy ...

Cloudy mornings make me feel miserable. 29 C: I was worried that our living room might be too big

to be cosy 30 A: taking the guitar down from the hook above the

table

• • PART 1 Question 1

Style: Formal. Content: 1 In your introduction state clearly that you're

writing to complain. 2 Provide background information about the date

and destination of your trip. 3 Complain about the coach being old and dirty,

and about it leaving 30 minutes late. 4 Complain about the driver being rude and

unhelpful. Say that he refused to help you with your luggage.

5 Explain that you were not given a 25% discount, as stated in the advertisement, because the online booking had to be made at least a month in advance, which is not stated in the advert.

6 In your conclusion ask for a full refund or a free return ticket.

• • PART 2 Question 2

Style: Formal or neutral. Content: 1 Describe your favourite sport. Say if it is a

team sport or individual sport. 2 Say if the sport is popular in your country. Give

reasons why you like it. Is it exciting to watch? 3 Describe the clothes and equipment required.

Say if these are expensive and if they affect the popularity of the sport.

4 Describe the kind of people who take up the sport. Say what qualities are required and how fit you have to be to take it up.

Question 3 Style: Informal.

Content: 1 Begin your letter by saying how you are and asking your aunt and uncle how they are.

2 Think of three things that have changed in your neighbourhood. Is the traffic the same? Is the area more densely populated? What about pollution?

3 How has life changed as a result?

FCE Tests Answer key 181

Page 6: KEY_TESTS_FCE_NEW

4 Say how you feel about these changes. Are you concerned about the future of the area?

Question 4 Style: Neutral or semi-formal.

Content: 1 Write a short introduction. Give the title of the play, which book it was based on, who put it on, and where.

2 In one or two paragraphs, comment on the various aspects. Was the play well written? Was it well acted? What were the sets and costumes like?

3 You could also compare the play with the book and give your opinion on how successful the adaptation was.

4 Conclude by describing how the audience reacted to the play, why they liked it, and give your own opinion.

Question 5(a) Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: Explain what you feel is the message that the writer wants to convey. Think of two or three sections or scenes that best illustrate the main theme of the book. Describe them in detail and explain why and how these connect to the central theme of the book.

Question 5(b) Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: In your introduction explain how much you agree or disagree with the statement. Choose at least two main characters to support your opinion, showing either that they are complex or that they are simple. Give examples of actions that the characters perform which support your opinion. In your conclusion say briefly why someone would disagree with the statement and summarise your opinion.

• • PART 1

1C 2C 3D 4A 5B 6A 7C 8A 9A 10 D 11 C 12 B

• • PART 2 13 to 14 both 15 in 16 the 17 a 18 for 19 up 20 who 21 Our 22 were 23 on 24 in

• • PART 3 25 happily (adjective to adverb) 26 expensive (noun to adjective) 27 wealthy (noun to adjective) 28 savings (verb to noun, plural form) 29 departure (verb to noun) 30 luxurious (noun to adjective) 31 disappointment (verb to noun) 32 boredom (verb to noun) 33 freedom (adjective to noun) 34 disastrous (noun to adjective)

• • PART 4

35 apologised for I being late 36 reminds me I of 37 can afford I the fare

38 to have I our kitchen redecorated 39 you mind I speaking 40 has been deaf I since 41 are advised I to buy 42 wish I I had seen

• • PART 1 1A 2B 3C 4B 5 A 6C 7B 8 A

• • PART 2

9 senior 10 south 11 science 12 library 13 second floor 14 hall 15 press 16 the mayor 17 7/seven 18 art centre

• • PART 3 19 B 20 E 21 D 22 A 23 C

• • PART 4 24 C 25 A 26 B 27 A 28 B 29 B 30 C

• • PART 1

1 C: Correct: 'We love them ... we cannot escape ... We use them ... yet we worry ... We rely on them ... yet many of us don't believe ...'.

2 B: Correct: 'the long-term effects ... will be entirely positive so long as the public can be convinced to make use of them'.

3 A: Correct: 'backbone of modern social life'. 4 C: Correct: 'mobiles are seen as being beyond the

control of parents'. 5 A: Correct: 'supporting existing friendships and

networks'. 6 B: Correct: 'public transport and traffic information'. 7 A: Correct: 'a route is automatically downloaded'. 8 D: Correct: 'Among the most important benefits',

'There are many other possibilities', 'Mobile phones can be used in education'.

• • PART 2 9 C: Link between 'Dogs often give the impression that

they know exactly what their owners want, without being told' and 'This sensitivity'.

10 F: Link between 'can go wi ld ' and 'Such cases' in the next sentence.

11 B: These' refers to 'important occupations' in the previous sentence.

12 H: It answers the question in the previous sentence ('do some people go too far?').

13 E: Susan Brown is an example of a pet owner who has become very selective about her pet's diet.

14 D: Link between' 'start counting calories' and 'Restrictions on how much they eat'.

15 G: 'Examples of these' refer to 'uncharacteristic ways' in the previous sentence.

182 FCE Tests Answer key

Page 7: KEY_TESTS_FCE_NEW

• • PART 3

16 C: I didn't pass the test until my fourth attempt 17 A: I thought because I knew how a car works it would

make a difference. That was a big mistake! 18 D: she used to tell me how awful it was, which put me

off a lot 19 C: My childhood ambition was to be the first woman

Formula One world champion! 20 B: I was shaking and my knees were trembling 21 D: my parents said that the driving lessons would be a

present for my birthday 22 D: I've got a part-time job delivering books ... and

I have to use their delivery van 23 C: my aunt, who has a farm, let me go into a field and

drive around 24 B: I almost had an accident! 25 C: the other part of the test wasn't nearly as hard 26 A: I haven't had the chance to drive a car ever since

I got my licence 27/8 B: I know what my parents are getting me for my

birthday 27/8 C: I'm confident I'll have enough to buy a decent

second-hand car 29 A: I'd been riding a motorbike for six months 30 D: I just booked ten lessons at first, but in the end I

needed over three times that many!

• • PART 1 Question 1

Style: Formal. Content: 1 Say you have seen the advertisement and want

more information. 2 Ask when the flat is available and say when

you need it. 3 Ask whether the flat is furnished. 4 Ask what the address is and whether the flat is

noisy. 5 Ask how much the rent is. 6 Finish by saying you are looking forward to

hearing from Mr Hopkins.

• •PART 2

Question 2 Style: Neutral or semi-formal.

Content: 1 State the aim of the report. 2 Describe the young people in your area: what

are their likes and dislikes. 3 Explain what they normally eat and drink. Say

what their favourite eating places are. 4 Say what kind of food would be healthier. 5 Suggest how they could be encouraged to try

eating healthier food.

Question 3 Style: Neutral or semi-formal.

Content: 1 Decide who Helen and Steve are. Are they friends, colleagues or brother and sister? How old are they? Are they studying or working?

2 Decide if your story will begin or end with the prompt sentence.

3 Think of what has happened before they burst out laughing. Give some background information before you describe the main event of the story.

4 Describe Helen and Steve's feelings and reactions to the main event of the story and say how it affected their lives.

Question 4 Style: Neutral or semi-formal.

Content: 1 In the introduction give the title of the film and mention briefly the historical event it is based on. You could give some basic information such as who directed it and who acted in it.

2 Describe the event as it happened in history and compare it with the film. You could combine this with a description of the real-life people who took part in the event and the way they were portrayed in the fi lm.

3 Comment on the costumes and perhaps also on the film sets, soundtrack and any other features of the film which were important.

4 Conclude by saying whether you think the film was historically accurate, and whether you think people should see it.

Question 5(a) Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: Think of a main event that affects the plot and development of characters. Give some background information. Say what happens before the main event. Then describe the event. Explain briefly which characters are involved in it and what their involvement is. Now explain why this event is important for the development of the story and how it affects the characters.

Question 5(b) Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: Start by saying whether you agree or disagree with the statement. Don't forget that you can 'half agree' with the statement; for instance, you could say the characters need only be slightly exaggerated to be interesting. Then find examples from the book that support your opinion.

• • PART 1 1B 2 B 3 D 4 A 5 B 6 A 7C 8C 9 A 10 A 11 D 12 A

• • PART 2

13 on 14 about 15 they 16 for 17 has 18 not 19 their 20 to 21 as 22 on 23 how 24 why

• • PART 3

25 popularity (adjective to noun) 26 breath (verb to noun) 27 immediately (adjective to adverb) 28 carefully (noun to adjective to adverb) 29 fitness (adjective to noun) 30 pressure (verb to noun) 31 emotional (noun to adjective) 32 ability (adjective to noun)

FCE Tests Answer key 183

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33 competitors (verb to noun, plural form) 34 encourage (noun to verb)

• •PART 4

35 will be made I to train 36 provided (that) I I kept 37 I had told I you 38 succeeded in I getting 39 afford I such an 40 hardly ever I goes out 41 in spite of I feeling 42 is unlikely I to come

• • PART 1 I B 2B 3A 4C 5C 6C 7A 8B

•• PART 2 9 18/eighteen years 10 afford 11 soccer 12 made redundant 13 encouragement 14 (lots of) money 15 financial help 16 success 17 reasonable 18 blue

• •PART 3

19 E 20 C 21 A 22 F 23 B

• • PART 4

24 C 25 B 26 C 27 A 28 C 29 B 30 A

• •PART 1

1 C: Correct: 'This' refers to the comment he made about the referee ('Just what you would expect from a woman').

2 A: Correct: 'the manager... was forced to resign after criticising the country's first woman referee'.

3 C: Correct: She says that he can think what he wants, and she is confident that he is in the minority.

4 A: Correct: It refers to developing 'a thick skin'. 5 B: Correct: 'Fans have not updated their vocabulary to

take account of female officials'. 6 D: Correct: 'it helps increase women's interest in

football generally'. 7 A: Correct: 'cultural rather than legal barriers'. 8 B: Correct: 'They are scared you will give them a card

more readily.'

• • PART 2

9 B: Link between 'the two large display windows' and 'The display on the right'.

10 A: Link between the description of the two windows in the previous paragraph and 'A central console between the windows'.

11 E: Link between 'the total you have to pay', 'For security reasons, you have to do this' and 'you can only collect the goods after you've paid'.

12 H: Link between 'one of the biggest problems', 'The challenge is to create a piece of machinery which will be delicate enough ... but at the same time strong enough to ...'.

13 D: Link between 'every new invention has been regarded with some suspicion at first' and 'The real question is whether... enough people will overcome their doubts'.

14 F: Link between "the small shopkeeper in inner-city areas' and 'Many shops like these'.

15 G: Link between 'considerable advantages' and 'Machines do not take lunch breaks ... Isn't this the sort of efficiency people want from a shop these days?'

• • PART 3

16 D: unique opportunity to raise some cash for the Red Cross

17 C: One thing that annoyed me ... was the attitude of people watching.

18 A: but in the end it seems to be worth it 19 B: asked me to join her a few mornings a week 20 B: I didn't even get to the end of the course 21 A: when I started to feel a bit of fatigue kicking in and

hit the wall 22 D: four of us from the office 23 C: physically I don't think I have a great deal of talent or

ability 24 D: so I joined the [jogging] club 25 B: I've entered for the Berlin Marathon 26/7 A: Running long distance is a bit like life too. 26/7 C: Long distance running is a good discipline for life

itself. 28 D: drag myself out of bed on cold winter mornings ... in

the pouring rain 29 B: we watched the news ... he could see my face 30 A: I can reach the open countryside in just a couple of

minutes on foot from my front door step.

• • PART 1

Question 1 Style: Neutral or semi-formal.

Content: 1 Thank her for her letter and say you like the idea of a visit.

2 Ask for some information about her group. 3 Ask exactly when they plan to visit and if it

would be possible to have a discussion about British folk music after the concert.

4 Suggest having dinner after the programme. 5 Tell her that you would be happy to find

accommodation for the members of the group. You could suggest a hotel or bread and breakfast accommodation. You could even offer to put people up at the homes of your society members.

6 Give information about your own society: how many members there are, how old they are, what kind of music they are interested in, etc.

7 Finish by saying that you are looking forward to hearing from her soon.

184 FCE Tests Answer key

Page 9: KEY_TESTS_FCE_NEW

• •PART 2

Question 2 Style: Neutral or semi-formal.

Content: 1 Explain whether there is much difference between growing up in a small family and growing up in a large family.

2 Sum up the advantages and disadvantages of a small family. Give examples.

3 Sum up the advantages and disadvantages of a large family. Give examples.

4 Suggest which one might be better and why.

Question 3 Style: Informal.

Content: 1 Describe the place where you now live. 2 Sum up the differences between life in this

small village and your previous life in a city. 3 Explain what you enjoy and don't enjoy about

the present situation. Illustrate your points with examples.

4 Say how you feel about the future, and how you think you will adapt to this new situation. Have you regretted moving? If you had the chance, would you go back to the city?

Question 4 Style: Neutral or informal.

Content: 1 You could begin by saying whether the film you are going to write about is the best or worst film you have seen this year.

2 Give some basic information about the f i lm, such as who directed it and who acted in it. Briefly say what the film was about.

3 Discuss what exactly it was about the film that made it so good/bad. Perhaps compare it to other good/bad films you have seen. Comment on the film script, the acting, and any other features that were important.

4 Finish by recommending it or warning people not to see it.

Question 5(a) Style: Informal.

Content: Start by recommending this book to your friend. Say what the book is about and what you liked most about it. Give reasons why you think your friend would enjoy reading it during his or her holiday. You may also mention aspects of the book that you think your friend may not particularly like.

Question 5(b) Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: Give your opinion about the ending in the book or short story. Give reasons why you like or dislike it. Suggest an alternative ending. Explain how this ending compares to the one in the book or short story. Is it more optimistic? Is it more dramatic?

• • PART 1

1D 2B 3 A 4 D 5C 6B 7A 8 D 9 C 10 B 11 B 12 A

• • PART 2

13 a 14 to 15 for 16 in 17 her 18 is 19 the 20 has 21 at 22 yourself 23 more/of 24 for

• • PART 3 25 construction (verb to noun) 26 arrival (verb to noun) 27 beginning (verb to noun) 28 global (noun to adjective) 29 difficulties (adjective to noun, plural form) 30 sharply (adjective to adverb) 31 hunger (adjective to noun) 32 buildings (verb to noun, plural form) 33 impossible (adjective to negative adjective) 34 observation (verb to noun)

• • PART 4 35 never allows us I to 36 did not get home I until 37 so that I he would 38 isn't any/is no tea I left 39 advised me/us I not to go 40 a full description I of 41 should not have I left 42 only guest who I didn't

• • PART 1

1A 2B 3 A 4B 5B 6C 7 C 8B

• • PART 2 9 July 10 12/twelve 11 train station 12 underground car park 13 nurseries 14 fairground 15 7/seven 16 Classic 17 flowers 18 the ecology

• •PART 3 19 D 20 E 21 B 22 A 23 C

• • PART 4 24 A 25 C 26 C 27 B 28 A 29 C 30 C

• • PART 1

1 B: Correct: 'yes, really, a menu of pillows'. 2 C: Correct:'The Wensley hotels are all about the little

extras - and clearly there are enough people willing to pay for them'.

3 A: Correct: 'will ensure the chain's continued success'. 4 D: Correct: 'people still want luxury, particularly as they

are now getting it from fewer and fewer places'. 5 C: Correct: 'It's still about motivating people and

encouraging people so the guests have the best possible treatment'.

6 B: Correct: 'I would love to be in Edinburgh but I don't know that the market is robust enough'.

Answer key 185

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7 D: Correct: The chain is also launching boutique hotels ... the first opens later this year in Naples'.

8 C: Correct: 'Mr Watson is a busy man - and likes it that way'.

• • PART 2 9 E: Link between the question (What is this learning

disability ...?) and 'dyscalculics cannot recognise ... count them one by one'.

10 A: Link between 'huge problems' and 'Another problem'.

11 G: Link between 'concept of time' and 'difficulty in reading schedules and remembering the order in which things happened'.

12 B: Link between 'end up miles away from their intended destination' and 'On top of getting lost'.

13 F: Link between 'how much money they have got left' and 'Dealing with cash ... fear'.

14 D: Link between 'cannot coordinate the movements of their body' and 'impossible to recall the complicated step sequence of a dance'.

15 C: Contrastive link between the problems listed in the previous paragraphs and 'On the other hand, dyscalculics are very good at creative arts'.

• • PART 3 16 D: the book took me half a year to write 17 C: I was pretty offended at the time 18 D: the artistic work on the cover, which I really hated at

first 19 A: I had no access to a word processor 20 B: I ... forgot about the book for about ten years 21 A: I vowed I'd never write a biography again 22 A: My first published work was a biography of the Duke

of Wellington 23 D: It was a work of history, a study of the Industrial

Revolution 24 C: You might have seen the film that was based on my

first novel 25 B: I would write ten pages every morning 26 C: he wasn't interesting enough 27 D: I had to be strict about how long I would work for 28 C: in the short stories I'd had published before 29 B: running the risk of including inaccuracies 30 A: I was awarded the General Haig Memorial Prize for

the book

• • PART 1 Question 1

Style: Informal. Content: 1 Explain that you are going to the holiday camp

you went to last year. 2 Invite your friend to come with you. 3 Describe the place and say why it is fun for the

entire family. 4 Describe the sports facilities and give

examples of the activities available. 5 Say when you would like to go and suggest by

when you have to book. 6 Finish by saying you hope your friend will

agree to come.

186 FCE Tests Answer key

• • PART 2

Question 2 Style: Neutral or semi-formal.

Content: 1 Begin by saying that a pet can change your life.

2 Give reasons why you think so. 3 Describe the experience of having a pet. 3 Give one or more examples of someone whose

life changed after he or she got a pet. 4 Suggest how having a pet can influence

different people in different ways.

Question 3 Style: Neutral.

Content: 1 Describe the job you did and the place where you worked.

2 Give reasons why this was a positive/negative experience for you.

3 Explain what you enjoyed and why. Explain what you didn't enjoy and why.

4 Suggest why this (or similar summer job) might be a good experience for teenagers.

Question 4 Style: Neutral or semi-formal.

Content: 1 Begin by giving some basic information about the play: who directed it, who acted in it, where it is on.

2 Give a brief outline of the story. 3 Comment on the acting, the sets and

costumes. 4 Discuss the reviews the play has received

focusing on what the negative ones said about the play and why.

5 Say why you think the negative criticisms were unfair and give your own opinion of the play.

6 Conclude by saying whether you think the play is worth seeing.

Question 5(a) Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: Start by saying whether you agree, party agree or disagree with the statement. For example, the message might help people, but not in everyday life. Then find examples from the book of themes or messages that support your opinion.

Question 5 (b) Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: State the aim of the report and say whether you think the book would be suitable for this particular age group. Explain the reasons why it would be appropriate or inappropriate and give specific examples from the book. Think of events that would (or would not) be understandable to 14-year-old children. Finally, decide if the subject of the book could be used for discussion in class.

• PART 1 1B 2B 3A 4B 5A 6D 7C 8B 9A 10 B 11 D 12 C

Page 11: KEY_TESTS_FCE_NEW

• •PART 2

13 between 14 it 15 a 16 as 17 than 18 on 19 front 20 like 21 is 22 to 23 them 24 all

• • PART 3

25 civilisations (verb to noun, plural form) 26 obsession (verb to noun) 27 traditionally (noun to adjective to adverb) 28 professional (noun to adjective) 29 widely (adjective to adverb) 30 responsibility (adjective to noun) 31 regulations (verb to noun, plural form) 32 unable (adjective to negative adjective) 33 successful (noun to adjective) 34 profitable (noun to adjective)

• • PART 4

35 denied I having been/denied that I he had been 36 what the width I of 37 tell them apart I because 38 has not been abroad I since 39 is still waiting I for/still hasn't I received/had 40 whether I I had 41 gets on I my 42 to get I over

• • PART 1 1A 2B 3 A 4A 5C 6C 7B 8C

• •PART 2

9 unfashionable 10 largest 11 (indoor) alternative 12 adults 13 (business) executives 14 natural 15 boys 16 new markets 17 (toy) fairs 18 controlled

• •PART 3

19 C 20 E 21 F 22 A 23 B

• • PART 4

24 C 25 C 26 A 27 B 28 C 29 A 30 B

• •PART 1

1 C: Correct: 'the warmth would loosen rocks that were gripped by ice'.

2 D: Correct: 'it became obvious that this was going to be an awkward route'.

3 A: Correct: 'it can easily be pushed off on to you by people climbing above'.

4 B: Correct: 'the air above suddenly seemed alive with falling rocks'.

5 C: Correct: 'a rock in your face is far less pleasant than a rock in your helmet'.

6 A: Correct: The 'overhanging canopy of rock' would protect him from rocks falling on his head.

7 B: Correct: This is the sound of falling rocks described in previous paragraphs ('then crack again').

8 B: Correct: 'The rock had passed through the hoop of my body ... missing me'.

• • PART 2

9 A: Contrastive link between 'the government would not allow anyone to operate a private radio station' and 'However, the government's power only extended to the country itself ...'.

10 C: Link between 'During a period when pop music was extremely popular, the BBC played very little of it' and 'As a result, there were large numbers of young people who wanted to listen ... but couldn't'.

11 F: Link between 'a radio station operating outside Britain' and 'this station'.

12 D: Link between the reasons given for Radio Caroline's popularity and 'The audiences loved it'.

13 H: Link between 'the British government decided that some action had to be taken' and 'a new law was passed'.

14 E: Link between the developments at the BBC and 'increasing number of listeners were switching from the pirate stations to the eminent broadcaster'.

15 B: Link between 'Radio Caroline found itself in serious financial difficulties' and 'Its situation became even worse'.

• •PART 3

16 D: It was the first time I'd ever played the lottery. 17 A: I would write cheques for big amounts of money and

posted them off to friends 18 B: Pat and I were part of a syndicate. 19 C: I had won ... about a year earlier 20 B: I had always considered myself a pretty unlucky

person 21 C: I would ... play the first numbers that came into my

head 22 A: I never change the set of numbers that I play 23 D: giving quite a lot of the money to the Red Cross and

other charities 24 C: My two brothers, Pete and Fred, borrowed a

handsome amount of money 25 B: determined not to let the money affect our lifestyle 26/7 B: I decided to carry on working 26/7 D: I never considered giving up my job. 28C: I went completely the other way ... much smaller

than the flat I had 29 A: I bought some shares in a computer software

company 30 D: I just wish they'd treat me the way they always used

to.

• •PART 1

Question 1 Style: Informal.

Content: 1 Say you are glad she had a good time. 2 Thank her for the invitation and say you would

like to come. 3 Explain that you can't go on Friday evening

and give a reason why.

FCE Tests Answer key 187

Page 12: KEY_TESTS_FCE_NEW

4 Ask if you can go on Saturday morn ing . Ask what t ime and how to get there. Can you go by bus or by train?

5 Ask if you need to br ing anything special for the weekend, like your s w i m m i n g costume.

6 Finish by asking her what plans she might have for Sunday evening.

• • PART 2

Quest ion 2 Style: Neutral or semi- formal .

Content: 1 Decide on the narrator. Who are you? How old are you? Are you work ing or studying? Where do you live?

2 Decide w h y a phone call could cause t rouble. W h y d id you regret making that phone call? Why was it a mistake?

3 Decide whether to begin or end w i th the p rompt sentence. If you decide to begin the story w i th it, explain the events that happened before the phone call. Explain what happened after the phone call. How did that phone call affect the narrator and main characters?

4 If you end the story w i th the prompt sentence, describe the chain of events that led to the main event of the story. Keep the story s imple and clear.

Quest ion 3 Style: Informal .

Content: 1 State your op in ion clearly in the first paragraph. Say whether your f r iend should go on the exchange p rogramme or not.

2 List the advantages and disadvantages of the programme. Give reasons for your v iews and provide examples f rom your own experience.

3 Wish your f r iend good luck whatever he or she decides to do.

Quest ion 4 Style: Neutral or semi- formal .

Content: 1 In the in t roduct ion, give some basic in format ion about the f i lm : w h o directed it, w h o acted in it and wha t it is about.

2 How good are the special effects? How heavily does the f i lm rely on them?

3 Comment on the other aspects of the f i lm : the story, act ing, soundtrack, etc.

4 Give your opin ion about this particular f i lm . 5 Conclude by referring to the comment . Say

whether you think audiences are becoming bored w i th f i lms that rely heavily on special effects.

Quest ion 5(a) Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: Start by saying whether you agree or disagree w i th the statement. Is the sett ing important? Does the t ime and place make any difference to whether you like it or not? Think of the book or short story you have read. Do you th ink it has universal appeal? Do you th ink that because of when and where it is set it w i l l appeal to a specific group of readers? Give reasons and support you v iews w i th examples f rom the book.

188 FCE Tests Answer key

Quest ion 5(b) Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: Start by saying whether you th ink the book is 'gr ipp ing and absorb ing ' or not. Give reasons. Is the plot interesting? Are the characters wel l portrayed? Is the ending satisfactory? Think of parts of the book that suppor t your op in ion. Sum up by l ist ing the strengths and weaknesses of the book you 've read.

• • PART 1

1 B 2 A 3 D 4 C 5 B 6 B 7 C 8 A 9 D 10 C 11 A 12 B

• • PART 2

13 for 14 At 15 f rom 16 was 17 deal 18 some/several / many 19 that 20 in 21 could 22 had 23 the 24 w i th

• • PART 3

25 discr iminat ion (verb to noun) 26 practical (noun to adjective) 27 inconvenient (adjective to negative adjective) 28 common ly (adjective to adverb) 29 equ ipment (verb to noun) 30 f requent ly (adjective to adverb) 31 hatred (verb to noun) 32 development (verb to noun) 33 disabil i t ies (noun to negative noun, plural form) 34 behaviour (verb to noun)

• • PART 4

35 has not changed I since 36 apologise for I forget t ing to 37 spent the who le af ternoon I sleeping 38 refused to I be seen 39 wou ld not have fainted I i f 40 w o u l d rather I watch footbal l than 41 as soon as I you receive 42 has been I out of order

• • PART 1

1 C 2 A 3 C 4 A 5 B 6 A 7 B 8 A

• • PART 2

9 June 15th 10 on (the) radio 11 mayor 12 footbal ler 13 experts 14 practical 15 f lexible 16 qual i f icat ions 17 appl icat ions 18 websi te

• • PART 3

19 B 20 E 21 A 22 F 23 C

• • PART 4

24 A 25 B 26 C 27 C 28 B 29 B 30 A

Page 13: KEY_TESTS_FCE_NEW

• • PART 1

1 C: Correct: 'the person inside her body is actually a middle-aged woman'.

2 A: Correct: 'I don't have to do things for the sake of them ... I'm only ever going to do the things that interest me'.

3 B: Correct: It is suggested that being so ambitious is something she might be embarrassed about.

4 C: Correct: 'I wanted to study and I didn't want to stay where I was. I wanted more.'

5 D: Correct: She had to 'be on time, make sense, be logical'.

6 D: Correct: 'Sinclair prefers ... a small family car'. 7 D: Correct: 'Money's never been a big part of my life'. 8 A: Correct: 'what could possibly make me excited'

• • PART 2

9 D: 'Not really' answers the question at the end of the previous paragraph.

10 G: 'them' refers to 'numbers from one to three' in the previous sentence.

11 F: Contrastive link between 'Humans remember things ... groups or categories' and 'Orangutans, on the other hand, appear to remember things according to where they saw them last'.

12 A: Link between 'Orangutans can become very emotional' and 'They feel extremely frustrated' in the next sentence.

13 C: Link between 'animals in captivity' and 'we cannot study ... in their natural environment'.

14 H: Link between 'There are differences ... work' and 'This becomes apparent ... the same task to do'.

15 B: Link between 'the ability to recognise themselves in a mirror' and 'This seems to suggest..,'.

• •PART 3

16 A: sports can teach children the importance of teamwork. ... sports are about working together towards a common goal

17 B: sports can teach you how to be humble and realistic 18 D: Sports can teach you ... how to remain focused 19 A: Almost everything else at school is about individual

efforts 20 A: national sports ... benefit ... they are part of the

school curriculum 21 D: the Olympic spirit ... which nowadays is more

important than ever before 22 A: give children who are not high achievers a chance to

excel at something 23 C: learn the importance of fair play 24 B: Being competitive is part of human nature ... provide

an excellent outlet for this aggressiveness. 25 C: from the most popular ones ... to the less popular

ones 26 B: the head didn't really think sports mattered 27 C: sports are often regarded as a sort of optional extra 28 A: girls don't get encouraged to do well at sports 29 B: obesity ... nutritional value of food, etc. should be

included in sports lessons

30 D: Taking part in a sports lesson can be a major source of embarrassment for less athletic children.

• • PART 1

Question 1 Style: Semi-formal.

Content: 1 Thank her for her letter. 2 Ask if the tour can start earlier and give a

reason why this would be a good idea. Suggest a time that the tour could start.

3 Say the youth discussion programme sounds interesting, and ask if you can join in.

4 Ask where lunch will be. 5 Explain what sort of things you would like to

ask the station manager. 6 Say you think the talk by the marketing

manager might not be very interesting and ask if you can interview a programme presenter instead.

7 Finish by saying you are looking forward to hearing from her again.

• • PART 2 Question 2

Style: Neutral or semi-formal. Content: 1 In the introduction, give some basic

information about the play: who directed it, who acted in it and where it is showing.

2 Describe briefly what the play is about. Does the play have a theme?

3 Comment on other aspects of the play: the acting, sets, costumes, etc.

4 Explain why you think it is a good play and why you enjoyed it.

5 Discuss what advantages the theatre has over the cinema and illustrate what you say using examples from the play you saw.

6 Conclude by saying why you think the theatre still has a lot to offer.

Question 3 Style: Neutral or semi-formal.

Content: 1 Explain that you think local traditions are important.

2 Give reasons and examples why they are important to small communities.

3 Discuss the danger of forgetting local traditions.

4 Give examples of traditions that are important for the cultural identity of people and should, therefore, be maintained.

Question 4 Style: Neutral or semi-formal.

Content: Decide who the narrator is. Decide what his or her personality and lifestyle is. Think of a decision that one can make and then regret for the rest of one's life. Is this a career decision? Is this a decision that affects family or friends? Give background information about the events leading to it. Make sure the decision of the narrator has negative results and describe them before you finish with the sentence you have been given.

FCE Tests Answer key 189

Page 14: KEY_TESTS_FCE_NEW

Question 5(a) Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: Choose a 'minor' character from the book or short story you have read. Describe the character in detail. Say what makes this character interesting and provide examples to support your opinion. Explain why this character could be the main character in a different story. You may suggest the kind of story that he or she could be the main character of.

Question 5(b) Style: Formal or neutral.

Content: Decide which of the characters in the book or short story you have read made an important decision. Describe the character and explain in detail the decision he or she had to make. Explain how this decision affected the life of the character and the lives of the rest of the characters. Say whether you would have made the same decision if you had found yourself in a similar situation.

• •PART 1

1B 2 D 3B 4A 5C 6D 7A 8 D 9 A 10 B 11 C 12 D

• •PART 2

13 to 14 the 15 who 16 how 17 by 18 able 19 these/they 20 at 21 on 22 as 23 not 24 what

• •PART 3

25 unknown (verb to negative adjective) 26 professional (noun to adjective) 27 valuable (noun to adjective) 28 directors (verb to noun, plural form) 29 submissions (verb to noun, plural form) 30 Generally (adjective to adverb) 31 rejection (verb to noun) 32 notify (noun to verb) 33 typically (adjective to adverb) 34 creativity (verb to noun)

• • PART 4

35 only student/one who I did not 36 time I you decided 37 he gets I his hair cut 38 borrowed a dictionary I from me 39 to cut down I on 40 can't have I forgotten 41 only I we had 42 should not have I insulted

• • PART 1

1C 2 A 3 A 4B 5C 6 A 7 C 8B

190 FCE Tests Answer key

• • PART 2

9 Tell me How 10 13/thirteen 11 (quite) sophisticated 12 the speed 13 Balances 14 forecast 15 updates 16 Road Works 17 navigation 18 (5) five minutes

• • PART 3

19 D 20 C 21 F 22 B 23 E

• •PART 4

24 C 25 B 26 A 27 A 28 B 29 B 30 C

Page 15: KEY_TESTS_FCE_NEW

• • PART 1

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

1 ... and of course he's at a difficult age, but it's lovely to see how much progress he's making. He seems to develop in leaps and bounds. Yesterday I turned round and there he was on his own two feet, coming towards me! He'd been crawling around for months, and all of a sudden, there you are!

2 A: Good morning, can I help you? B: Well, yes. I want some flowers. It's my mother's

birthday, you see. A: Well, what about these tulips? The yellow ones are quite

distinctive, don't you think? Or perhaps roses, quite traditional roses.

B: Yes, my mother does like roses. If I could just have a look - those red ones are quite nice.

A: Certainly. What about white roses? Something a little bit unusual?

B: No, not white. I'll take the others. Can I have a dozen please?

3 I tell you, Janet, it was one terrible day at school today, and worst of all was Math class. Guess what? Mr Sheridon, the teacher, started shouting at me, because of the stupid homework! I'd just forgotten all about the assignment, and when he asked where it was, I thought OK, why not be honest? Didn't help much, and I bet he'll fail me!

4 A: Good afternoon, Dr Harcourt's surgery. B: Good afternoon. I'd like to bring my dog to see the vet.

She's really not very well at all. A: I see. Well, you can come now. What seems to be the

problem? B: She's got quite a bad limp all of a sudden: she can

hardly move. I've had a look at her paw, and I can't see anything. She must be in a lot of pain, though, because she almost bit me when I touched her paw! And that's not like her at all!

5 Oh, Mr Harris, there's water everywhere! I just turned on the tap to do the washing up, and now it won't close, so the water is pouring out over the edge of the sink, which is dangerous with the cooker next to it. isn't it? I'm afraid we might get electrocuted.

6 The meeting was going to take place on Thursday afternoon, in which case I could catch the 10 o'clock train to London. But then they changed plans, and the meeting would start at 9 o'clock in the morning. It would be exhausting for me to get the six o'clock train to London, so I decided it would be much better if I could travel the

previous day. I could check in a hotel late in the evening and enjoy a good night's sleep.

7 A: Did you have a good day at school today, Barney? B: No, mum. It was awful! A: Oh dear, what happened? B: Our team lost again in the football competition! A: You didn't, did you? B: Yes, three-one, but it was so unfair! The referee sent off

our best player when we were winning one-nil in the middle of the second half.

8 It was one of those situations when you're feeling a bit low, and you decide to go shopping. That's what happened to me the other day. I was feeling depressed, I wandered round the shops for an hour, but I couldn't find anything to buy. I looked at some shoes and jeans and ended up buying yet another pair of glasses. I don't know what came over me. I now have four pairs.

• • PART 2

You will hear part of a radio interview with a woman who is the director of the Museum Association. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences.

Interviewer: My next guest in the studio is Helen Edwards, Director of the Museum Association. Ms Edwards, perhaps I could start by asking what exactly the Museum Association is.

Helen Edwards: Well, as the name suggests, it's a sort of club with all the museums in the country as members. It's relatively new - two years ago a group of major museums came together and started the Association - but we're already making big changes. We hope to have transformed the way people think about museums in the next five years: that's our task.

Interviewer: I'll come back to that, but first, I'd like to talk about your role in all this. Your background isn't actually in museums, is it?

Helen Edwards: No, not at all! In fact, my background is in advertising. I was working for a big agency when I was approached and asked to think about this job. So I hope that'll enable me to apply a fresh point of view.

Interviewer: Could you give me an example?

Helen Edwards: Well, the traditional way of running a museum has been too passive as regards attracting visitors. We must be more active in that sense: we have to publicise museums more effectively. I can quite understand why museums today are the way they are; it's all to do with the history of museums, and the whole way of thinking about museums in the past, when they were mainly for people with high levels of education. All that has changed, but people in general still don't feel very much at home in museums.

Interviewer: I imagine you're working on ways to change that?

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Helen Edwards: Exactly! And the best way is to get children interested in museums at an early age. Ideally, I'd like to see close links between museums and local schools, so the children can feel that the museum belongs to them. We want museums to be much more friendly places, like shopping malls. We envisage museums with a central area and wings or corridors leading off that area. That would allow people to return to the central area after wandering around for as long as they want. In this way a trip to the museum wouldn't be an exhausting experience.

Interviewer: Rebuilding museums sounds rather expensive, I must say!

Helen Edwards: I'm afraid you're right. But museums are really important: investing in museums is investing in the future of the country, just like investing in education, and the government has to realise that.

Interviewer: It does sound as though you're aiming to do an awful lot. Do you feel optimistic?

Helen Edwards: Oh yes, I do! And I'm sure we'll see more and more people visiting museums in the near future. Next year in June, we're organising a Museum Festival, which is intended to attract people who wouldn't normally go to museums. I'm convinced it will be a huge success.

Interviewer: I certainly hope so. And thank you for coming to talk to us, Ms Edwards.

Helen Edwards: Thank you.

• • PART 3 You will hear five different people talking about school trips they went on when they were younger. For questions 19-23, choose from the list A-F what each speaker says about their trip. Use the letters only once. There is one extra letter which you do not need to use.

1 Our History Society organised a trip to Kent, where we spent a fortnight digging up some Roman remains. I didn't know a thing about archaeology before, but that summer I really got interested in the subject, and the dig was fantastic. I got to know two girls who have been really close to me ever since, and I fell in love with Kent; that's what I call a great trip!

2 One year our Geography teacher organised a ski trip to the French Alps. It was great! None of us had been skiing before, and I don't think any of us had seen such wonderful scenery before, either. I thought later that if we'd learnt some of the basics about skiing before we went, it would have helped a lot, because the first week we were basically stuck in the ski school and couldn't go out on the slopes by ourselves. But it was a really good trip.

3 Our school had a cottage in the Lake District, where some of us went for weekends during the summer. I was about 14 when I went for the first time. It was guite nice, really, but we were a bit disappointed because we didn't realise

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we'd have to go walking round the mountains all day. We wanted to have more time to ourselves, just to go and look round the lakes, but of course looking back, I can see why the teachers had to supervise us closely and make sure there weren't any accidents.

4 One summer our Spanish teacher organised a trip to Spain, which was fascinating! She knew all about the history of the country, and she'd prepared a very good programme of sightseeing tours and cultural events. Unfortunately, we had to come back a couple of days earlier than scheduled because the bus we were in was involved in a car crash. It was badly damaged and two of the boys were injured and had to be admitted to hospital. If it hadn't been for that, it would have been a brilliant trip.

5 Our English teacher also taught drama, and he was really keen on us seeing as much live theatre as we could. One of my most memorable experiences was going to London to see Macbeth at the National Theatre. We stayed overnight in a youth hostel. I was about 15, and I'd never been to London before, so it was really exciting for me. We must have had a big discount at the theatre and the youth hostel, because I remember the whole thing only cost £35, which was pretty cheap.

• •PART 4 You will hear a radio interview with Julia Emerson, a young writer. For questions 24-30, choose the best answer. A, B or C.

Interviewer: This evening on 'Young and Gifted' I am joined in the studio by Julia Emerson, the young Scottish writer who's recently had a screenplay accepted by a major Hollywood studio. Julia, I'm glad you could be with us today. Could I start by asking you to explain exactly why what you've done is so unusual?

Julia Emerson: Well, Hollywood films these days don't start off with a screenplay. The screenplay only gets written after the producers have come up with an idea for a film. Then they contact agents to find at least one major star who will act in it. The next step is to get a team of anything up to twenty writers working on the screenplay. Now, I was inexperienced enough to think that I could simply write a screenplay and send it to a number of studios. Which is what I did. When I didn't get an answer. I wrote another one. And this time, by some amazing chance, they accepted it!

Interviewer: I think everyone has been stunned by the fact that you've been successful with a screenplay at such an early age. But in fact, this isn't the first piece of writing you've had published, is it?

Julia Emerson: No, it isn't. I won a short story competition in a magazine when I was fifteen, and ever since then I've been writing in my spare time. I've had a number of articles published in teen magazines. I've always been fascinated by television and the cinema, and I even tried to develop an

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idea for a TV series, but somehow it didn't feel right. Then I tried putting down an idea for a f i lm, and the writing just flowed.

Interviewer: Do you think you're influenced very strongly by films you've seen?

Julia Emerson: Yes, but I have to watch out, or I might end up writing a slightly different version of a classic! I suppose everyone who does anything creative has to think about that, though.

Interviewer: Can you tell us something about this screenplay that's been bought by Planet Studios. What's it about?

Julia Emerson: It's about two sisters, who are stranded in the jungles of South America after a plane crash: they're the only survivors. They have all sorts of adventures as they try to get back to civilisation. It's an adventure story, but it's also about the relationship between the two girls. You see, they've never been very close - in fact, at the start of the story they really hate each other. Or at least, they think they do.

Interviewer: How much of the story is based on your own experience?

Julia Emerson: Since I don't have any brothers or sisters, in one way it's clearly not based on my experience! But on the other hand. I have experienced how the feelings we have for our family can go through different stages and transformations, which is the real theme of the story.

Interviewer: And when am I going to be able to see this film in the local cinema?

Julia Emerson: I've got no idea! The studio has paid for the right to use the screenplay, and they have that right - it's called an option - for the next 2 years. They might make the film in that time, or they might buy the option again for another two years. It's all out of my hands, in fact. So I try not to get too excited about seeing the story on the big screen one day, because I have no way of knowing when that might be.

Interviewer: I hope it's soon, anyway. Julia Emerson, thanks for talking to us.

Julia Emerson: Thank you.

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

1 Well, Mr Saunders, we have to take this lower back pain of yours seriously. You'll need to get an orthopaedic mattress, and a chair for your desk that supports your back - and I'll be showing you how to stand properly. Now, for the first exercise, get down on the floor, look straight up at the ceiling, arms by your sides, and lift each foot as high as you can.

2 A: Hello? B: Good evening, Taj Mahal restaurant.

A: Oh, good evening, I'd like to order a takeaway. B: Certainly. What would you like? A: I'd like a Madras curry with beef, a hot lamb curry and a

mild chicken curry, your special. Oh, and three portions of rice.

B: Did you know the chicken curry is with rice? A: Oh, I see. Better make that just two portions of rice.

Thanks.

3 It's incredible how he makes the whole scene come to life. I think this is a perfect example of Impressionism at its best. The colours are so lively, so exciting, and you really have the sense that you know how he felt when he painted it. This is one of his later works, right at the end of the real impressionists. In fact, art historians generally say the end of the Impressionist movement was 1886. and this was actually painted two years later. But it clearly belongs with the Impressionists ...

4 The football ground? Well, you go along this road until you come to a big supermarket on the left, and you turn right just opposite it. That brings you into Oldham Street, and you go straight on. You come to some traffic lights just after a park on the right, you keep on going, and then you take the third turning on your left - at a cinema called the Majestic, you can't miss it - and the football ground's on the right.

5 A: All right, Bill, so you've come up with a new cartoon

character. What's his name? B: Crazy Conrad. Do you think it sounds good? A: Well, not bad. And Conrad's a horse, right? B: No, you're holding it upside down. He's a baby

elephant. A: Oh, sorry. Yes, now that I look more closely I can see

what you mean. It's got bigger ears than a horse and it's got a trunk. Yes, of course it's not a horse.

6 Oh officer, I do hope you can help me. I never thought he'd just go off like that by himself. Well, I suppose you never do expect these things, do you? But in all the time I've had him it's the first time he's run away. My husband always used to say it would happen sooner or later, if I left him outside shops - but what am I supposed to do? These days you can't take dogs inside most shops. And he does hate being tied up.

7 And now our traffic bulletin. The police have issued a warning about long delays on the M63 heading south, between junctions 15 and 16, caused by an accident involving three cars on the A36. just before junction 15, where the A36 and the B636 intersect. The incident on the A36 has produced a long tailback. Delays are expected for the next three or four hours while rescue services clear the road, and police are advising motorists to avoid the area if at all possible. And on the railways ...

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8 My mother's been doing this fruit diet, you know where you're supposed to eat only fruit for ten days as a way of losing weight. What she doesn't seem to understand is that if she eventually manages to lose a few pounds, it'll be because she's eating less, rather than because of eating nothing but fruit.

• • P A R T 2

You will hear part of a radio interview with a man who is the headmaster of a Gaelic school. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences.

Interviewer: Today I'm going to be talking to Donald Robertson, headmaster of one of the few Gaelic schools in Scotland. Thanks for being with us today, Donald. And maybe I should start by asking you to explain exactly what Gaelic is.

Donald Robertson: It's the very old language that was spoken in most of Scotland, outside the cities, up to a couple of hundred years ago.

Interviewer: And has the language died out completely today?

Donald Robertson: No, not completely - that's why our efforts are so important! But very few people speak or even understand the language today: about 60.000 in the whole of Scotland.

Interviewer: That actually sounds like quite a lot of people!

Donald Robertson: Not for a language. Experts describe a language as dead if fewer than 50.000 people speak it. You see, you have to have a large number of people using the language in everyday situations, not just linguists or people who learn it as a hobby. And young people - those under 25 - are particularly important. I would like to see a third of them speaking and writing the language before we can say it is in a healthy state.

Interviewer: And at your school all the teaching is in Gaelic?

Donald Robertson: That's right. It has been discovered that very young children learn a language best if they are completely exposed to it - hearing and speaking the language all day. Of course, it's a bit of a shock for them at first, but our teachers are trained to cope with that!

Interviewer: What do you think motivates parents to send their children to your school?

Donald Robertson: In some cases they want their children to know about the history of the country - cultural reasons like that. But quite a lot of parents believe that it's good for a child to grow up speaking two languages perfectly. In fact, these children grow up to be bilingual.

Interviewer: What are the advantages of speaking both Gaelic and English?

Donald Robertson: There are many advantages about being bilingual. It's been scientifically proven that bilingual children do better at tests, they have higher self-esteem and they're more imaginative and tolerant. In this case, an added advantage is that children of Scottish origin are

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rediscovering Scotland's mother tongue.

Interviewer: Do you feel optimistic about the future of Gaelic?

Donald Robertson: Extremely. The important thing is to have government support and enough money available. In fact, when it comes to situations like this, there's an example which is encouraging, and it's quite close to home. The Welsh language was in real danger of dying out. but with a lot of effort it's been possible to save it. Interviewer: Does that mean most people in Wales now speak Welsh?

Donald Robertson: Virtually; 80% of children learn it as a second language ...

• • P A R T 3

You will hear five young people who are outstanding at sports talking about their lives. For questions 19-23, choose from the list A-F the comment each speaker makes about his or her attitude to sport. Use the letters only once. There is one extra letter which you do not need to use.

•T My event is the 100 metres sprint. Athletes never last for very long in this kind of event; you just burn up too quickly. I think you have to see it as a way to get your name famous, get some good income from sponsors and advertising, and then put that money into a business - a shop or whatever - so it'll take care of you in ten or fifteen years' time, when you can't compete any more.

2 Archery isn't a very well-known sport, but it is an Olympic event. I actually started by complete accident, when a friend of mine wanted to go to an archery club, and I said I'd go along just out of curiosity. But now I'm really hooked. Last month I won a regional contest here in Cornwall, and I have my eye on the national championships later this year. Winning it would just be amazing, even if I never become famous; just the feeling that nobody can beat me is exciting enough.

3 Like most athletes, I started at school. We had a really good gym teacher who encouraged everyone to try all the track and field events to find which we were good at. Well, it turned out that I was good at the high jump, and now I'm going to compete in my first international event in the summer. To be honest, I haven't thought beyond that; it's always been my biggest dream to compete at international level for Australia. I know I'm going to be terribly nervous, but it's definitely worth it.

4 Ever since I was about ten years old, I knew I wanted to be a professional footballer. I suppose it was partly because both my elder brothers were really good at school, and I wasn't. So I wanted my mum and dad to see I was good at something, at least. Of course, as I got older that part of it became less important, and I found myself loving the game itself.

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5 Show-jumping is as much a social activity as a sport, you know, and in this part of the country lots of people have horses. In fact, most of my friends are interested in things like show-jumping or pony clubs. We meet almost every weekend, except in the middle of winter. That's how I started, although there's an awful lot of hard work involved if you get more serious about competing at higher levels. But it's still loads of fun!

• • PART 4

You will hear a radio interview with a mountain climber. For questions 24-30 choose the best answer, A, B or C.

Interviewer: This is Bob Green with another edition of 'Wild Ones', the programme about extreme sports. My guest on today's programme is Ann Hall, a mountain climber. Ann, thanks for being with us today. Now, I'd like to start by asking you how you became interested in such a dangerous sport.

Ann Hall: Well, first I'd like to point out that climbing isn't a dangerous sport, as long as you take it seriously and don't get too excited. Almost all the people who have accidents are badly prepared, you see, and this gives the sport a bad name, which isn't really fair.

Interviewer: Is the excitement part of the reason why you are so keen on climbing?

Ann Hall: Only a small part of the reason, if I try to analyse it. The sense of achievement is more important, I suppose. But the main thing is the sensation of being so close to nature, though perhaps that's not the right way to put it...

Interviewer: I suppose you get a view of mountains that nobody else really sees?

Ann Hall: Yes, that's very true. But at the same time, if someone dropped me on the top of a mountain with a helicopter, it wouldn't be the same. Less tiring, maybe, but not the same! It's knowing that you've covered the distance to the top yourself, fighting every inch of the way. That's what makes you feel so pleased with yourself when you get to the summit.

Interviewer: Have you always been keen on climbing? Ann Hall: Ever since I was about twelve, when my parents took me on a holiday to the Lake District, and we went walking almost every day. Suddenly, it hit me that I was completely myself when I was in the hills and mountains. and I knew for certain that's what I wanted to do. I think perhaps everyone has a moment like that in childhood, though whether you can do anything about it later in life is a different matter.

Interviewer: How did your parents feel when it became clear that you were hooked on the sport?

Ann Hall: Oh! Very anxious that I should get the proper training and experience, but they've never tried to put me off. They were able to support me financially, which was useful. I'm not sure that is exactly what they would have chosen for my occupation in life, but they've never said anything.

Interviewer: I'd like to ask you about your last climb, in Peru. It was quite an adventure, wasn't it?

Ann Hall: Definitely. You see, there's a mountain there called Siula Grande, and nobody had ever climbed the west face. So there I was, with an old friend called Karen Gold. We'd done lots of climbs before, so I suppose we felt fairly sure of ourselves. Which, as any experienced climber will tell you, is naturally when it can get dangerous: you make mistakes when you feel confident that you can do it.

Interviewer: And what exactly happened to you?

Ann Hall: We got lost in a storm and had to spend fourteen hours longer than we had planned on the mountain. Actually, we were fortunate: it could have been a great deal worse. We were told later that storms in that region can last for as much as a week at this time of the year. But while we were huddled together in sub-zero temperatures, wondering if anyone would ever find us. that's not how it felt!

Interviewer: Well, I'm sure we're all delighted that your adventure turned out happily in the end. Thanks for joining us, and carry on climbing!

Ann Hall: Thank you - I wi l l !

• • PART 1

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

1 I always think it's nice to have some early-flowering seeds planted as soon as winter's properly over, maybe March or even April if there's a chance of late frost, so they come up in June, and you have a lovely splash of colour in the flower beds. You may find they're a little later, depending on whether we get a good long warm spell ...

2 A: George! It's so lovely to see you again! It must be ages

since we last met. B: Oh, I suppose it is. But weren't you at Michael's twenty-

first party last August? A: No, I wasn't. I got the flu at the last minute. I think the

last time I saw you was three years ago at Christmas, when we all had dinner together in that Indian restaurant...

B: No, surely we've met since then ... Wait a minute ... it was at Peter's place. When he and Jenny got married.

A: Yes, of course it was! Wasn't it a fantastic reception?

3 I suppose the books I like best are somehow romantic, whether it's the lonely individual against the world - like my absolute favourite. The Big Sleep, where Phillip Marlowe finds the killers in the end and brings them to justice - or a more traditional kind of romance, in the fairy-tale world of happy endings and everlasting love ...

4 A: I haven't played for such a long time. I'm sure you'll

beat me easily. B: We can just practise for a while first, if you'd prefer.

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A: Yes, that'd be best. Of course, my racquet is very old, so that's a bit of a disadvantage, too. And I'm not as fit as I should be for a really good game of tennis ...

B: Oh, stop making excuses! The way I remember, your volley was excellent. I bet you'll beat me in the end ...

5 Certainly, sir, the shirts are just over here. Now, we have a very wide selection of formal garments, and casual items with short sleeves, designed to be worn with the collar open. Our non-iron range is very popular. This particular one is a cotton and polyester mix, hard-wearing and also very stylish ...

6 As the day proceeds, we'll see storm clouds building up here on the west coast, moving gradually across the country and bringing temperatures down to well below the seasonal average. Scattered showers over on the west coast will die down during late afternoon. The east coast can expect to get the worst of the bad weather, with very heavy storms hitting during the late evening and in the early part of the night, though the south coast won't escape this entirely; we're forecasting gale-force winds in some areas ...

7 I'm pretty good at Maths, I suppose. I was third in the test we had last week, and I just find it... I don't know ... pretty easy really. I just sort of look at an equation in Algebra, and I can see what it means. So obviously, the lessons are really boring, because everyone else in the class is trying hard to understand. This isn't much fun for me. Not like Art, which is what I really enjoy most...

8 Now, Mr Birch, the good news is that I have been able to arrange a flight for you, getting you to Houston by Wednesday morning for the price you wanted to pay, but the bad news is that it does involve a few stopovers. You see, the cheapest airline at this time of year is KLM, meaning you first fly to Amsterdam, arriving late Tuesday morning, and then take the transatlantic flight to JFK Airport in New York, where you have to wait for about three hours for your connecting flight to your final destination, an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles ...

• • P A R T 2 You will hear part of a conversation between the headmaster of a school and his secretary about the school Open Day. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences.

Headmaster: Ms Barclay, could we just run through the arrangements again? I really want to make sure everything's clear. After all, it's not every day that we have such a famous old boy from the school attending our Open Day! Who would have thought Zac Challenger would end up as a Hollywood film star!

Secretary: Is Zac Challenger his real name? I always assumed he was called something like Tom Blenkinsop and changed it when he became an actor.

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Headmaster: No, that's his real name. And I remember the other boys used to make fun of it. Anyway, about that schedule ...

Secretary: Well, we've arranged for you to meet the staff and address them - before the day really begins - at half past eight in the senior common room.

Headmaster: Yes, fine. I don't have much time though, do I?

Secretary: Not really. Zac Challenger and his entourage are supposed to arrive at nine thirty. His limousine will pull up outside the south entrance, and of course you want to be there, along with the senior staff and the Chairman of the Board of Governors.

Headmaster: Of course. Then it's straight into the guided tour, isn't it? The science block first, if I'm not very much mistaken?

Secretary: Absolutely right. We're scheduled to start the tour at half past ten, and at the close of the tour we'll have the official opening of the new library, which is estimated to take about twenty minutes. This leaves us time to get back for lunch at half past twelve.

Headmaster: In the common room on the ground floor or the second floor canteen?

Secretary: We decided finally on the canteen. A buffet lunch, light and - we hope - fairly quick! Because at half past one we'll be in the school hall for Challenger to meet representatives of the Parents Association. We'll have to keep that fairly brief, because at two o'clock he's meeting the press in the staff room.

Headmaster: Do we have journalists from national as well as local papers coming along?

Secretary: Oh yes, it's quite a big story - local boy made it to the top and returns to his roots, that sort of thing. Anyway, that should take less than an hour, and then we all assemble again in the hall for the speeches. We'll be expecting a few words from Challenger himself, of course, but first of all, we're got the mayor's opening address, and then we've put you down for ten minutes to introduce our guest.

Headmaster: Fine. Is there a tea break after the speeches?

Secretary: I'm afraid not. Don't forget the performance by the school choir! They've been rehearsing for weeks, and Ms Sanderson would be most insulted if you sent everyone off for tea before the seven songs she's arranged specially for the event!

Headmaster: Gosh, you're right! I mustn't forget that. But afterwards we can have tea, can't we?

Secretary: You certainly can. Four thirty in the art centre, where there's an exhibition of modern art by the senior art class ...

• • P A R T 3

You will hear five different people talking about their favourite films. For questions 19-23, choose from the list A-F the reason each speaker gives for his or her preference. Use the letters only once. There is one extra letter which you do not need to use.

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1 I think my favourite film must be Some Like it Hot. It's a crazy story about two men - musicians - who pretend to be women to get away from some gangsters and join a women's orchestra. The plot may sound silly, but the film is just hilarious. I've seen it four or five times and every time I see it. I just can't stop laughing. I think the director's wonderful. His name's Billy Wilder and he's made some great films.

2 The film I like best is called Kes, and it's a story about a young boy who makes friends with a kestrel, a bird, which becomes his pet. The film's really about how children can feel lonely in some families, I suppose. It's a very intense film, and the performances are simply brilliant. I mean, the two main parts are played by relatively unknown actors, but they are just fantastic! Maybe that's what makes the film so powerful.

3 My favourite film? I would say Solaris, by the Russian director, Tarkovsky. It was never a blockbuster or a great financial success, but it's so absolutely gripping, a fascinating psychological study. I don't normally like science fiction films, but in this case the effects are not used just to impress the audience; there's a reason for them. In a way, Tarkovsky uses a futuristic setting so that we can concentrate on the story he is telling.

4 Oh, well, my favourite at the moment is called Donald, and it's about a young man who witnesses a bank robbery. Well, the robbers kidnap him and hold him hostage in this big old castle in Scotland. But the police are on their trail, so it turns into a race against time. I was on the edge of my seat all through the f i lm! The tension was incredible! And of course when a film's that exciting, time just flies ...

5 Actually, the film I like best is set in England a couple of hundred years ago. It's called Barry Lyndon, and it's the story of a man's life in those times. The photography is great, so it's what we call easy on the eye: it's lovely to watch. I suppose it really captures the way people feel and talk at any time through the history of mankind! This is what makes it absolutely realistic. I mean, you get the feeling the film is sort of universal in that sense.

• • PART 4

You will hear part of a radio interview with a woman called Alice who has a rare ability. For questions 24-30 choose the best answer, A, B or C.

Interviewer: My guest today is Alice Barker, who has a very unusual ability. Alice, thank you for coming into the studio. What kind of unusual ability are we talking about here?

Alice Barker: Well, it's quite easy to describe. Basically, when I read a word or even think of a particular word, such as Tuesday. I see a colour connected with it. It's not

that I imagine a colour - I really see it floating in front of my eyes.

Interviewer: How interesting! Is it a sort of medical condition?

Alice Barker: Yes, and just recently doctors have begun to understand it more. They call it synaesthesia, and it means that somewhere in my brain there are links between sections that should really be separate. Other people have a form of this condition that affects emotions, so they see colours when they feel particular emotions. Apparently, it's generally passed on from parents to their children, which is the case with me.

Interviewer: And do you have brothers or sisters with the same ability?

Alice Barker: Yes, my brother is the same as me. If we start talking about it, people think we're completely mad! When we were younger, we used to have arguments about things like what colour the word Tuesday is. It turns out that everyone with this condition sees different colours.

Interviewer: It sounds as though it could make life quite exhausting.

Alice Barker: I suppose it does, but you see, if you've never known anything different, you don't think of it like that. It does make you aware of your moods. I know if I'm starting to feel depressed because things begin to look grey.

Interviewer: Are there any other advantages, do you find?

Alice Barker: Well, it seems that quite a lot of artists and musicians have this condition, so I guess it can be beneficial if it's combined with some sort of gift or natural talent. Which is not the case with me, unfortunately! But I do find it makes reading very interesting, because sometimes a sentence has a very nice range of colours, so you want to read it again just to experience that. Of course, this makes me quite a slow reader.

Interviewer: When you're listening to someone, do you also see colours connected to that person's words?

Alice Barker: Yes, and that can be pretty distracting! Sometimes I hardly listen to what the other person is saying, because I'm concentrating on the colours I can see. But on the whole, having this condition is not at all unpleasant. At least, now I understand it.

Interviewer: You mean you used to think it could be dangerous?

Alice Barker: When I was a child, yes, but that was because doctors used to think it was a sign of approaching mental illness, so the first doctor I saw, when I was about ten, told my parents I would probably grow up to be insane! At the time there was no name for what we experienced. Now research has shown that synaesthesia is not that uncommon and it may affect one in 25,000 people. It's interesting that for some people smells, tastes or even sounds can have colours!

• • P A R T 1

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

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1 Well, I bought this player a few months ago, and it seems to have developed a fault. When I'm playing a CD. suddenly, for no reason, it just stops. And before I can do anything about it, it goes on to the next song. I've tried pressing the eject button, but that doesn't seem to help; when I start it up again, it goes back to the first track it was playing. I find it very frustrating.

2 A: I'm afraid this isn't what we ordered. You must have got

it mixed up with another table. We wanted a mineral water, a grapefruit juice for the children, and a white coffee, no sugar for me!

B: I'm very sorry. I'll be back with your order in a minute. A: Don't worry about the mineral water and the juice - the

kids are quite happy with what they've got. But I really would like my coffee!

3 It was awful! First of all, there was some delay on the line from London, so we were late starting, and I was afraid I wouldn't get to Leeds in time. Well, I did miss the connection, but luckily, there was a train to Manchester, so I took that. And then there was a bus for the last part of the journey. I was really exhausted when I finally got there!

4 Don't miss the sensational GFI furniture sale this Monday! Incredible reductions on all items in stock. Armchairs at an amazing half price! Sofas with up to 40 percent reductions and double beds with 35 percent reductions! Hurry while stocks last! GFI furniture sale starts Monday at eight o'clock sharp! Don't be late for these amazing bargains!

5 A: Would you please have a look at my car? Do you think

you can repair it by the end of the day today? B: It depends what's wrong with it, doesn't it? What seems

to be the trouble? A: It starts okay, but then the motor just cuts out every

time I stop, like at traffic lights. I mean, when I put the brakes on, it slows down okay, but then I have to start the engine again when I want to drive off.

B: Let's have a look at i t . . .

6 I've been in this business for almost twenty years now, and I have to say it's still very exciting for me. I don't regret for a moment working freelance, although in the beginning I was afraid I might get bored working from home. Of course, things are totally different now I've got a lovely little office in the attic, with a new computer and my favourite software. I wouldn't even dream of going back to working in a multinational company.

7 Good morning, this is Radio Kent with the latest traffic news for the M2 heading into London. Traffic is pretty heavy, especially between junctions 17 and 18, due to roadworks on the A229 which is causing a bottleneck here. Last week road widening was causing long delays between junctions 13 and 14, though I'm glad to say it has now been

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completed, and we're getting reports of a steady flow right up to junction 11. And this is where you should expect the longest delays. Delays up to two hours are expected between junctions 10 and 11. lasting right through until evening ...

8 Good morning, this is John MacPherson. It's about my morning newspaper. I've been getting my Telegraph delivered from your shop for the last 25 years, and I really think that entitles me to a bit of service! I came downstairs first thing this morning, and what do I find on the doormat? The Sun\ And a few day ago it was the Daily Mirror] This is unacceptable! I expect you to send someone round with my newspaper now!

• • P A R T 2

You will hear part of a radio interview with a young golf player, John Freeman. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences.

Interviewer: With me today on 'Sports Review' is John Freeman, the young golfer who is making headlines at the moment with a string of successes. Hello, John. John Freeman: Hi.

Interviewer: Could you tell our viewers something about yourself? How long have you been playing golf?

John Freeman: Well, I started about eighteen years ago. And there's a bit of a story about that, too. It was my dad who got me interested first of all. He used to be quite a good player himself- strictly amateur, of course, but still pretty good. He never really developed because he couldn't afford the clubs, but he was always very keen on the game.

Interviewer: And were you taken with the game right from the start?

John Freeman: To tell you the truth: no! When I was at school. I was obsessed with soccer, and my ambition was to be a professional one day. But when I was about fifteen, I realised I wasn't really good at soccer. And that was about the time my dad was made redundant, so he decided to take up his old hobby again.

Interviewer: Did you get much encouragement at school when you started taking an interest in golf?

John Freeman: Oh, not at all! Looking back, that really annoys me. When I told them I wanted to practise golf and become a professional golfer one day, all the teachers tried to put me off. I wish I'd had more encouragement from them, but to be honest, I don't think they knew much about the game. And it was a working-class school in a fairly poor part of London, so everyone thought golf was just a game for people with lots of money. Because that is the image golf's got, isn't it?

Interviewer: Do you think the image of golf has changed at all these days?

John Freeman: I think it has, yes, but not much. I'd like to see a lot more things change. For example. I think the government should help schools with the cost of golf

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equipment, because it really is quite expensive. Financial help. I mean.

Interviewer: That wouldn't necessarily make children more interested in the sport, would it? Surely, the huge success of young British players like yourself is more likely to raise the sport's profile among youngsters?

John Freeman: Well, I certainly hope so! I mean, I'm not a crusader or anything - I'm in this sport because I like it and I can make a reasonable income from it. But at the same time I'd be delighted if I could make kids feel the sport is a possibility for them.

Interviewer: I remember that in the beginning of your career you used to dye your hair blue. Was there a reason for that?

John Freeman: Yes, there were two: I thought it would show up nicely on television, and it was a sort of joke against those conservative golfers who treat the game like a kind of religion.

Interviewer: Well, thanks for talking to us, John Freeman, and good luck with your career.

John Freeman: Thank you.

• •PART 3 You will hear five different people talking about holidays. For questions 19-23, choose from the list A-F the reason each speaker gives to explain why they remember one particular holiday. Use the letters only once. There is one extra letter which you do not need to use.

1 A couple of years ago I went cycling in Holland with my mum, dad and Alice, my sister. I hadn't really been looking forward to it; I was a teenager, and I didn't get on with my parents. As I had expected, Holland wasn't all that interesting, and for the first couple of days I was in a really bad mood. However, by the end of the first week I found myself having a good time with my parents. I wasn't a kid anymore, and I felt that we were forming a friendship.

2 The most unusual holiday I've ever had was before going to university, when a friend dragged me along on an archaeological dig. We were uncovering the remains of a Roman villa in Kent, and I had somehow imagined we'd just be pottering around in the sun all day. Well, it was very hard work, but I started to feel fascinated by the whole subject of the Romans in Britain and the effect they had on our modern society. The main thing I got from the holiday was the feeling that I knew better where I had come from and who I was.

3 I was just seventeen when my parents agreed to let me go away with two friends on a holiday in Wales. We were staying in a youth hostel that was next to a farm with horses. On the second day, we visited the farm and got talking to the farmer, and the next thing we knew he had agreed to show us how to ride. I got a great sense of

achievement from that, and I'll always remember the feeling of developing a new skill.

4 Well, one summer this colleague from work suggested we should go camping in Scotland. I didn't know what camping was all about, but it sounded like fun. I couldn't have been more wrong! The holiday was a disaster! The weather was awful, our tent started leaking, and we got soaking wet by the rain. But somehow we kept each other's spirits up, and at the end of this camping trip we felt confident that our friendship could survive anything after that.

5 The year I finished school, three friends and I got those student railcards for Europe. It was a big mistake! We spent endless hours travelling from one capital to the next and then went sightseeing to make the best of our holiday. After seven days we were exhausted and decided to get back. I can't describe the feeling of absolute joy when I finally got home!

• • P A R T 4

You will hear an interview with Laura Bartlett, a florist. For questions 24-30, choose the correct answer, A, B or C.

Interviewer: Welcome to this week's edition of 'Careers for You'. My guest on today's programme is Laura Bartlett, a successful florist. I'm sure there are many young people out there who've never considered floristry as a career. Who knows, they might be inspired by Laura's example! Laura, how did you become interested in floristry?

Laura Bartlett: My parents were keen gardeners. My father used to grow rare varieties of vegetables and my mother grew orchids very successfully. But it was my mother's sister who was the professional. She had a florist's shop, and when I was a kid, I'd help out at weekends. I grew up knowing quite a lot about the business.

Interviewer: So being a florist was something you'd always wanted?

Laura Bartlett: Not exactly! When I was at school. I wanted to be an artist but my art teacher persuaded me to train as a graphic designer instead. After college I got a job working for a magazine, but I hated being in an office all day, so I resigned. I didn't know what I was going to do. I had a number of temporary jobs. And then one day, my aunt fell and broke her arm. She asked me to help out in the shop until she got better. But I liked it so much that I stayed on. and eventually took over from her when she retired.

Interviewer: What exactly did you do?

Laura Bartlett: At first. I did the jobs I'd done as a kid: cleaning, delivering flowers to customers, things like that.

Interviewer: Didn't you work with flowers at all?

Laura Bartlett: Well, that's a skilled job. My aunt's assistant would do the creative stuff and I'd put together simple bouquets-fol lowing her instructions.

Interviewer: What kinds of skills did you need to learn?

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Laura Bartlett: Lots! Fortunately, I already knew a lot about the different species and varieties of flowers available, but I now had to learn how to look after them, prepare them so they lasted, wire them if necessary.

Interviewer: Wire them?

Laura Bartlett: Yes. In some arrangements, flowers have to keep a certain position, and one of the ways you can make sure they do this is by twisting fine wire round their stems.

Interviewer: Oh, I see. Would you say that being a florist is a good career for a young person?

Laura Bartlett: That depends. You have to love flowers, but you must also be good with people. You see, people come into a florist's for many reasons - often they want some flowers as a gift for a birthday, perhaps they want to apologise to someone, a family member could be ill. They depend on you to help them make the right choice, so you have to take an interest. And it's not all pretty flowers. You have to get up before dawn to buy good quality flowers from the market; it's not much fun when you have to put your hands into freezing water in winter; you stand most of the day; you have to lift heavy containers; and before special occasions like Christmas or Mother's Day, you need to work through the night to prepare orders.

Interviewer: So if any of our listeners would like to become florists, how would they go about it?

Laura Bartlett: Well, they could try getting a job at a florist's and learn the business on the job. Or they could take a course at a college. My advice would be to look for a part-time job and attend courses in floristry at the same time. That way you get a good knowledge of all aspects of the business. Because it is a business. If you want to run your own shop one day, you must learn how to manage a budget, run a website and keep accounts. No matter how talented you are, you will fail unless you can do all the other boring things!

• • PART 1

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

1 The tax increases announced by the government yesterday are clearly going to have a big effect on most people, especially with cigarettes and wine both going up by three point five percent. It's expected that this will mean a huge increase in revenue for the Treasury. With petrol price rises of four percent, the Chancellor has probably made himself unpopular, especially in the countryside, where ...

2 It is odd, when you get to my age, to look back on the formative experiences of your life. My decision to study French was based purely on the fact that I'd been on a school trip to Paris, and I was absolutely enchanted by the city. I never intended to study French or become a translator. In fact, my parents were insisting that I should study Economics.

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3 I know it was a very stupid thing to do, but I needed to change the light bulb, and the ladder looked quite stable ... and then it just collapsed. All of a sudden, there I was on the ground, rolling round in agony! I simply never realised that back pain could be so awful! Eventually, I pulled myself to my feet and called a ambulance ...

4 Oh, I think it'll be just marvellous! It's a fantastic character part, really it is! You see, my son robs a bank, and the funny part about the whole thing is that his wife is the manager. He doesn't realise it at first because she's only just been promoted, and she wanted to make it a surprise for him, so she was going to tell him that night, but then ...

5 A: Morning, Mr Roberts. Have you been to that new shop

in the High Street? B: Good morning, Mrs White. Yes, I just thought I'd pop in

and browse around -see if there's anything I like. I must say I'm very impressed. They have a very good literature section, and there's a little cafe where you can go and read a book in peace.

A: Got any nice love stories, have they? That's really what I like. A bit of romance and excitement...

6 Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Just to let you know that in a few minutes you'll be able to see the lights of Brussels over to your right if you look out of the window, and we're just coming over Amsterdam now, so the bright lights you can see over to your left is the port of Rotterdam, about 45 miles away.

7 I spent the weekend painting the living room, and on Monday morning I woke up with this terrible backache; I just couldn't get out of bed. The pain's eased off a bit today, but I thought I'd come and see you for a proper examination. I don't like being off work, especially this week when we're organising the annual sales conference ...

8 A: Bob, have you read Ian McEwan's new book? I think it

really deserves to be called a masterpiece. B: You mean Atonement? Yes, I have read it actually, and

I enjoyed it a lot. I'm a big fan of McEwan. I've read all his novels and collections of short stories, and I think this is his best novel so far. Do you know he's also written several film scripts, including Sour Sweet and The Good Son?

A: It doesn't surprise me. He's extremely talented.

• PART 2

You will hear part of a radio interview with David Barns, the director of a company that is building a new shopping mall. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences.

Journalist: Mr Barns, I wonder if I could start with some

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practical information. I know construction is set to begin next month: when do you expect to finish, and what do you think the total cost of Whitesea Mall will be?

David Barns: I'm going to stick my neck out and say we'll meet the original targets, which is to have the mall open by July next year. As for the costs, well, again our estimate was twelve billion pounds, and I'm pretty confident the final cost will not exceed that.

Journalist: Right... And what are the investors getting for that sort of money? I mean, what's going to make this place special? What will attract customers to the mall?

David Barns: Oh, lots of things! For a start, there's a new train station being built right next to the mall, so people will be able to reach us from the city centre in under twenty minutes. The underground car park has room for 3,000 vehicles, and we're just off the motorway, which will mean easy access for customers living up to 100 kms from the mall. On top of that, we've put in a great deal of thought into how to make shopping easier for families with small children. One excellent idea we have is to provide nurseries - three of them in fact - so people can leave toddlers in completely safe hands while they do their shopping.

Journalist: I see ... And I understand you have the usual wide range of shopping facilities. But don't you need other attractions to persuade people to come here?

David Barns: That's certainly true, and we've done a great deal to provide those other attractions. There's a fairground in one corner of the mall, where qualified staff can supervise children while their parents are doing their shopping in peace! For people who aren't actually shopping, we have seven cinemas showing a good range of modern films, including the latest releases. We also came up with an idea for the older folk, because lots of families these days have grandparents living with them. In one of the cinemas we have classic films - from 40 or 50 years ago - twice a day, morning and afternoon.

Journalist: I read in your press statement that you're also trying to make the place 'greener'. Could you tell me a bit about that?

David Barns: Sure. People have become very demanding and prefer malls that have an open, airy atmosphere. So we have walkways between the different buildings, with flowers lining the paths, giving the impression that you're actually outdoors. And we're building a Nature Centre, where we'll have a permanent exhibition about the ecology of the area. We're going to have models, photographs and displays to inform people about the wildlife of the area.

Journalist: Right ... Well, thanks for talking to me, Mr Barns.

David Barns: You're very welcome.

• • PART 3 You will hear five people who are going on an expedition into the jungle talking about what they will miss most. For questions 19-23, choose from the list A-F the reason each speaker gives for the importance of this item to them personally. Use the letters only once. There is one extra letter which you do not need to use.

1 There's part of Beethoven's 5th symphony that always makes me feel very emotional, because it was playing the evening when I met my future husband. So each time I listen to that particular piece of music. I think of those perfect years when we were deeply in love. That sort of music really has to be played in a large room with good acoustics. I can still listen to it on my personal stereo, but playing it on my excellent hi-fi is what I'll miss most.

2 The first time I went on an expedition like this, I realised that what I really miss is looking at my favourite painting. It's a painting I have on the wall at home of a landscape in Yorkshire, where I come from. It might not mean so much to anyone else, but it gives me that feeling of being calm and strong inside, at ease with myself if you like.

3 Actually, the thing I'll miss is my bike. I suppose what I really mean is that I'll miss the feeling of independence that riding my bike gives me. I cycle everywhere from my home in Cambridge - except for long trips like going to London. When you ride a bike, you decide on the best route and final destination. When you're in the jungle, you're totally dependent on other people.

4 Going on an expedition like this can be quite a culture shock: you suddenly find yourself without any of the luxuries of western life. It's the things that make your quality of life acceptable that you really miss. I know that I'll be dreaming of my washing machine, and a shelf full of lovely clean clothes, ironed and tidy. I don't mind being deprived of the luxuries of everyday life because I know it's only going to be for a limited time.

5 I know it sounds terribly luxurious, but I think the single item I'll miss most is my espresso machine. I can't function unless I have a cup of strong espresso first thing in the morning. Of course, it is a luxury at the end of the day, but it's become so important to me that I'd almost classify it as a necessity now!

• • P A R T 4

You will hear a radio interview with an expert on memory. For questions 24-30 choose the best answer, A, B or C.

Interviewer: Today on 'Mind Matters' I'm talking to Dr Ann Winters, an expert on human memory. Ann, welcome to the programme. Now, I suppose the first question everyone would ask is: what exactly is the human memory?

Ann Winters: Well, like so many easy questions, the answer isn't very simple. Basically, the human memory is a compartment in our brain, where we store images, rather like the hard disc drive in a computer. And like a hard disc drive, our memories can become infected or even wiped out by accidents. But the comparison breaks down when

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we consider that we can train our memories to expand and work better - which computers can't manage ... yet!

Interviewer: When you talk about memory being infected, do you mean by a disease?

Ann Winters: Yes. For instance, people suffering from a physiological disease like Alzheimer's forget things that happened in the past and they also forget how to perform simple tasks, like tying their shoelaces. The good news is that brain exercises can keep the brain young. Research has shown that people who were more successful in education, and have more mentally active jobs, have a lower risk of developing the disease.

Interviewer: And how can someone exercise his brain - by thinking a lot?

Ann Winters: In a way, yes! But you can also practise using your memory, which not only exercises your brain but also improves your ability to remember things. Unfortunately, a lot of devices in modern life are designed to make sure we don't forget things, which can make our brain more idle and weaken our memory.

Interviewer: Would you give us examples of how to exercise our memory?

Ann Winters: Sure. There's a very simple technique, although it works better for some people than for others. Whatever you want to remember, think of a physical thing it reminds you of. If I want to remember a date from history - let's say 1066, the date of the Battle of Hastings - I might think that 'battle' reminds me of 'bottle'. So I think of a bottle with the number 1066 written on the label, and I just picture that bottle to myself.

Interviewer: Why is it easier to remember a physical thing than a sentence such as 'The Battle of Hastings was in 1066'?

Ann Winters: Because our brains are better at recalling pictures than abstract thought. That's why I said it works better for some people than for others: some people are particularly good at seeing pictures in their minds -visualising ideas - and they are the ones that can remember things best using this technique.

Interviewer: Is there anything else we can do to protect our brains?

Ann Winters: You simply have to exercise your brain regularly with new, enjoyable and interesting activities, like learning a new language or playing a new computer game.

Interviewer: Are you suggesting that simple things like doing crosswords can make the brain more efficient?

Ann Winters: Absolutely.

Interviewer: I'll keep that in mind! Ann Winters, thanks for being with us.

Ann Winters: You're welcome.

• • P A R T 1

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

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1 I know the film is supposed to be fantastic, but normally I wouldn't bother going to see one like that. I mean, this is not the kind of film that usually appeals to me. The story is based on a book by Hemingway that we're reading in class this term, and I thought that watching the film would make the book clearer to me, so I think I'll go next weekend.

2 I don't know what the problem was. This wasn't the bottleneck you get when you come off the motorway. I must have been stuck there for over an hour, hardly moving an inch, feeling frustrated and anxious that I wouldn't make it in time. It took me two hours to reach the airport, although it was only a couple of miles away!

3 It really was a lovely surprise. I knew she was thinking of getting me a piece of jewellery, because she'd asked me what sort of earrings I liked, but I hadn't expected pearls! I think she's trying to be especially nice because she wasn't so pleased when Colin told her we were getting married: he's her only son, and she wanted him to wait a few more years before settling down - which is what his sister did. She was over 30 when she married ...

4 I thought it was going to be a big mistake, when he got that transfer from Liverpool. They were going through a bad patch these last two seasons, but they were a good team, and I thought he should have stayed. But it turns out I was dead wrong! He's been getting better and better since he signed with Arsenal, and he scored a hat-trick in the cup final!

5 A: Good morning. Do you have any tickets left for this

evening's performance? B: Let me just have a look ... Well, the rear stalls and circle

are completely sold out ... There are a few seats left in the front stalls ... How many tickets do you want?

A: Just two. B: Yes, I can give you two in the third row ... they're £39

each ... A: £39? I see ... All right, I'll take them. B: That's £78 altogether. I'll have to ask you to pick them

up here by six thirty. And your name is ... ?

6 News travels fast in a small village, I suppose, so everyone seemed to know, before I got there, that I'd be teaching at the local school. Whether that made the villagers more formal in the way they treated me - for the first few months at least - I really don't know. I gathered from the way they spoke that they regarded me as quite foreign because I came from London, and this did startle me for a while ...

7 It was the decade of peace after the war to end all wars. It was a time of decadence and wild enthusiasm - a time of mourning and attempts to recover from the losses of World War I. The 1920s were the dawn of our modern age, when people were still looking back at the previous

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century. Don't miss the Central Museum's special exhibition. Starts Monday.

8 A: I thought the last bit was really great, didn't you? B: Yes. I never would have guessed what was going to

happen; I mean, everyone thought Molly was dead, and then she walks into the room right at the end, except it's not Molly at all - it's her twin sister!

A: Right! You know, that's what makes some soap operas really great - you just have to watch the next episode to find out how it all works out!

• • P A R T 2

You will hear part of a talk by a woman who designs model railways in Britain. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences.

One of the most interesting developments in the toy market has been the revival of interest in that most traditional of toys: train sets. Models of all sorts, but especially railways-were unfashionable in the 1980s and 1990s, but they have become big business in the last few years. In Britain there has always been a strong interest in railways, as can be seen from the number of people who go 'train spotting' -collecting information about locomotives and train movements. This also explains why Britain is the largest model railway market in Europe.

Modern train sets are introducing children, who may never have travelled by real train, to the joys of railway modelling. For parents, model railways are a healthier indoor alternative to computers and videogames. Model trains are more lasting than other toy equipment, their quality is superb and that has added to their popularity with both parents and children. Interestingly, the majority of purchasers of model railway equipment today are adults. not children. By that I do not mean that parents buy model railways for their children, although obviously this happens a great deal. I mean adults that are willing to spend a lot of money on miniature locomotives and relive part of their childhood. Purchasers of model trains are wealthy middle-aged men, bankers and business executives.

When it comes to the future, we can assume that children will always have a natural interest in models and miniature versions of real-life objects like toy cars and airplanes. Another aspect of the market for these items is also likely to remain the same: boys will continue to find these toys far more appealing than girls do. Model railway manufacturers are trying to maximise their sales, and they're experimenting with toy trains aimed directly at girls. They are also investing in new markets in countries in Asia, for example, where there isn't the same traditional interest in railways. Researchers and marketing specialists believe that there's a lot of potential in these markets, and manufacturers will be taking part in international toy fairs to promote their model trains. Model railways are becoming more of a 21st century toy. Computer controlled model railways will be available in the toy market in the near future.

• • P A R T 3

You will hear five different people talking about their memories of the first day at high school. For questions 19-23, choose from the list A-F the main thing each speaker remembers from this experience. Use the letters only once. There is one extra letter which you do not need to use.

1 I went to a private school where it was compulsory to wear a uniform. The school had sent out a list to parents of the items you had to have - school tie, blazer, cap - and the shops where you could find them before the term started. My mother went on a business trip and didn't manage to go shopping. I was the only one from about fifty eleven-year-old boys who didn't have a cap or tie. I felt very awkward dressed in a pair of jeans and sweater...

2 I remember being very nervous as I was walking into the school, because I thought I wouldn't know anyone at all, which might have been a bit frightening. And then I spotted my cousin, Peter, who was two years older than me. I expected that he wouldn't want to have anything to do with me, but unlike most kids that age, he was very nice, showed me round and helped me settle in.

3 When my mother offered to drive me to school, I suppose I should have known that this could be a bad idea because she has always had the most awful sense of direction. My mum got lost, and it took us ages to find the school. I will never forget how embarrassed I felt when I walked into the first class half an hour after it had started. Awful!

4 I know it may sound unlikely, but I didn't experience any feeling of anxiety. I was confident that everything was going to be fine. I felt optimistic being surrounded by the familiar faces of friends from primary school. My most vivid memory is the warm welcoming speech of Mr Stephens, our Headmaster. I don't recall feeling stressed or lonely.

5 My strongest memory from my first day at high school is simply feeling terribly alone and sad. We moved house at just about the time I was due to go to high school, so I ended up going to a new school two weeks after the term had begun. It's not a long time, but it was long enough for all the other new boys to have made friends with each other, so I really had the impression that I was never going to fit in. Of course, I soon made friends and settled down, but the first few days were rather difficult.

• • PART 4

You will hear a radio interview with a woman who recently gave up a successful career. For questions 24-30 choose the best answer, A, B or C.

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Interviewer: On 'People Watching' today I have with me in the studio Emma Astley, who was until two years ago one of the very top advertising executives in the country. Then she decided to stop working completely so she could stay at home with her children, Eve, two and Michael, four years old. Emma has now written a book, Leaving It All Behind, which is published this week, and she has come along to talk about her experiences. Emma, perhaps I could start by asking you how difficult a decision it was for you to give up your career?

Emma Astley: Oh, terribly hard. I agonised about it for months, really, before finally making up my mind. You see, it wasn't just that I was making a great deal of money; I actually loved my work! In the beginning of my career I didn't expect to find advertising so artistically satisfying, in fact. I only ever entered the profession because a friend told me it was easy work! Family pressure also made it hard to leave. Friends and relatives were shocked to hear I'd decided to leave advertising. My mother, in particular, thought I was mad to give up my job. She simply couldn't see why I needed to do that. She thought if I organised my time properly, I could keep on working and spend more time with the children.

Interviewer: And did you feel that this just wasn't possible?

Emma Astley: That's right. I mean, I did have a lot of help, reaIly. There was Erica, a German au pair who prepared the meals and did the housework, so I could spend time with my children when I was at home. And I had a child minder who would take care of the children when I had to be at work. Unfortunately, what usually happened was that by the time I got home, I was so exhausted, mentally and physically, that I simply couldn't give the children my full attention.

Interviewer: And can you do that now?

Emma Astley: Yes. In fact, sometimes I think things have gone too far the other way! I mean, now I occasionally feel that my horizons have got smaller, in the sense that my only topic of conversation, my only interest, is how the children are doing! Of course, it's not really like that, and I do get out of the house a lot. But when you're used to having someone do household work for you, and you suddenly start doing it all yourself, you realise just how much time the simplest things take. The job that takes up most of my time is cooking meals, partly because I try to use fresh food all the time.

Interviewer: What aspect of your life as an executive do you miss most?

Emma Astley: I don't miss travelling, going to conferences or business dinners! I suppose the only thing I do miss at times is having people around to talk to.

Interviewer: You said it was a difficult decision to take, so would you advise other women - or men for that matter -to give up their careers?

Emma Astley: I feel quite strongly that you can't advise anyone about such important things in life. What I would say is that the decision becomes easier - in the sense that it's less final and therefore less stressful - if you have the flexibility to return to your job six months or even one year after you've resigned. This is something that you can discuss with your employer before you make your final decision.

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Interviewer: Emma Astley, thanks for joining us.

Emma Astley: My pleasure.

• • P A R T 1

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

1 A: Come on! Cheer up! It's not the end of the world! B: Oh sure, it's easy for you to say that. My grades in

History are already pretty bad, and if I fail that test tomorrow, I'm probably going to fail the whole class. And we only have one day to revise for the test!

A: But it's the same for everyone else! Nobody's going to do well in the test. So it really isn't that important ...

2 I wasn't really looking for anything because I got that new coat last week, which was really expensive. But then I saw this lovely black jacket, reduced to £24.99. and I just had to have it. I know Simon'll be furious, but it was a real bargain. I just couldn't resist it.

3 I got a sports car as soon as I could afford it, and it wasn't really very economical, but I decided I could live with that. However, after a few weeks I got a job further away from home, and I realised it was the wrong car for long journeys; it was too noisy, there wasn't enough leg room, the suspension was broken and you could feel every bump in the road. That's why I decided to sell it.

4 Hello, I wonder if you could help me? I'm in room 447 - I just checked in this morning - and there seems to be something wrong with the room ... The radiators won't come on. so it's very cold in here ... No. the heating is out of order in the bathroom as well ... Yes, I tried turning the control knob on the radiator, but it simply won't move ... Yes, if you could send someone to have a look at it, please ...

5 A: So how many kids from your class are going on this

trip? B: Practically everyone's going, dad! We go on a guided

tour of the city, including the Eiffel Tower and a boat trip on the Seine, and then we're back in London by Sunday afternoon, so I'll be home early on Sunday night.

A: Oh, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Paris is a lovely city. I just want to make sure you have enough supervision ...

6 As soon as we took off, the basket started swaying from side to side, which took a while to get used to. Apart from the slight creaking that caused, there wasn't a sound to be heard. After doing quite a bit of flying in commercial planes, I think that's what stunned me most about this

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flight. Drifting along with the wind meant there was hardly any whistling from the breeze ...

7 You have reached the Local Government Helpline. For general enquiries, press 1. For tax and finance enquiries, press 2. For planning enquiries, press 3. For school and further education enquiries, press 4. For road and highways enquiries, press 5. To hear this list again, please press 6 ...

8 I remember the magazine used to come out on Fridays, and every Friday after school I'd race round to the newsagent's and buy a copy, and then spend all evening reading it. It was aimed at girls exactly like me; it gave you ideas how to choose accessories, how to wear make up and had information about the latest trends in fashion. The only thing it didn't have was interviews with pop stars and free posters!

• • PART 2

You will hear part of a conversation between a journalist and the director of a new community college. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences.

Journalist: Ms Underwood, could I start by asking for some basic information? When is the College actually going to open?

Irene Underwood: We have the opening ceremony on 2T' April, and we start summer classes on June 15th.

Journalist: I see. And do you expect a lot of students to enrol for the summer school?

Irene Underwood: It's hard to say, but there's certainly been a lot of interest - especially after a series of adverts we did on the radio. So I would hope we'll have a lot of people signing up for courses.

Journalist: Will the opening ceremony attract a lot of publicity?

Irene Underwood: Yes, I think so. The mayor will be here to declare the College officially open, and then we have a number of local figures to make speeches - including Harry Watson ...

Journalist: The footballer? Really? Well, he should be popular!

Irene Underwood: That's what we thought! The whole idea is to get local people interested and asking what the College is, and what it can do for them.

Journalist: So the idea is to get local people signing up for the courses ... And how do you plan to do that?

Irene Underwood: Mainly by involving local people in all sorts of ways. For instance, as far as possible we're going to have local experts teaching classes here instead of academics who have little connection with the area. We'll have the chief accountant from a local business teaching accountancy classes - that sort of thing. And we'll put the emphasis on practical subjects, to attract students who might not be interested in a theoretical course.

Journalist: So you're hoping to get students who are keen on developing their skills - perhaps people who are already working?

Irene Underwood: That's right. You see, a lot of people didn't do very well at school and are now in jobs they don't really enjoy. These people have a great deal of potential, and many of them want to study. We're going to be flexible about the students we accept. We believe that students who didn't do well at school should enjoy the benefits of higher education, and we're prepared to give them a chance to do so. Our policy is to accept students who didn't have the admission qualifications required by traditional colleges.

Journalist: I'm sure a lot of young people will be tempted to enrol.

Irene Underwood: I hope so. We want to attract people who wouldn't normally think about enrolling for a college. That's why we have an applications office in the centre of the city, to create interest.

Journalist: And how else can members of the public get information about the college?

Irene Underwood: They can go to our website for a full description of what we do: the Internet address is ...

• • P A R T 3

You will hear five different people describing what they like most about New York. For questions 19-23, choose from the list A-F the reason each speaker gives for why the city appeals to them personally. Use the letters only once. There is one extra letter which you do not need to use.

1 I've only been there a couple of times with my wife, who's a diplomat. I must say the pace of life there is rather hectic. Although it may sound rather trivial, what appeals to me most about the city are the absolutely fantastic department stores! I have to be very careful when I go shopping there not to overspend. The service is excellent, they have a very wide range of goods, and prices are quite reasonable.

2 Oh. definitely the restaurants. There's such an incredible range of places to go. There's Italian, Greek, Chinese, French, German, Indian, Thai ... everything you could think of. There's a culture of going out - some New Yorkers I know literally never eat at home. And there's a lot of competition, so that means the quality's usually great!

3 Well, for me the attraction of a city is its inhabitants, in New York the fact that the people there are from such different cultural backgrounds makes it a really exciting place to be. New York is a mosaic of civilisations, which is absolutely fascinating. I find cities without different ethnic groups terribly boring.

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4 I'm not so keen on most aspects of big city life, but I do enjoy the facilities that only big cities have to offer. In artistic terms. New York is absolutely splendid, with a wide variety of museums and a very active cultural life. There are numerous small art galleries with works by exciting new artists, who perhaps wouldn't be given an exhibition of their own in a more conservative city.

5 Oh, New York! Yes, I love the place. I remember being just stunned by the skyscrapers and that magical view of the Statue of Liberty ... Now that I've been there a few times, I think what I like most is the dry wit of the people there. They make a joke out of everything, but it's that clever type of humour that you get in big cities where people have suffered a lot but still enjoy a good laugh!

• • P A R T 4

You will hear part of a talk by a deep-sea diver. For questions 24-30, choose the best answer, A, B or C.

My name's Ray Garrett, and I'm a professional deep-sea diver. Let me explain how I came to be working in this profession. When I left school, I got a job in a lawyer's office, and by the time I was 25, I'd worked my way up to the position of office manager. I was good at my job, and it never occurred to me to leave or do something else.

When our company was bought out and the local office closed. I started thinking about other jobs. I'd always been interested in scuba diving, as a hobby, and just about that time I saw an advert in a magazine. A company was looking for people to train as divers, so I put my name down for the training. My mother wasn't at all keen; in fact, she and my dad didn't believe I'd last out the three months' training! Scuba diving doesn't take great physical strength or unusual exercise tolerance. All it takes is the desire, plus some basic classroom and in-water training.

A qualified diver can safely remain underwater for anywhere from a few minutes to over two hours. Most of the work I do now isn't very dangerous - or very exciting! My job involves working on ships that have to be repaired. so we're not even very deep underwater.

Working underwater can be dangerous, especially if we do need to go right down to the sea bed, perhaps to do some work on a shipwreck. People have accidents when they stop thinking about the dangers facing them in their job, and I never do that: I always remember that diving can be dangerous. I'm aware of the potential hazards, and I never exceed the time limit of my dives, which depends on various parameters like depth, rate of air consumption, and the profile of any dives I have done in the previous six to twelve hours.

At the moment we're doing quite an exciting job: looking for buried treasure! Well, I suppose it's not exactly like that.

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We're working off the coast of America, examining a ship on the sea bed that sank almost a hundred and fifty years ago! The ship is the SS Union, and she was travelling from the Northern States of America to the South just after the American Civil War. For a long time, nobody knew where the shipwreck was, but a team from the University of New Orleans found it last year, using some new sonar equipment. The ship is supposed to have a lot of gold on board - although we haven't actually found any yet.

Working on a shipwreck sounds absolutely fascinating, but it can be extremely dangerous at the same time. Potential hazards of diving at such depth include de-compression sickness, air embolism, hypothermia and physical exhaustion. On top of that, the ship can break up at any time, which means that you run the risk of being trapped inside. A couple of days ago I had a lucky escape when part of the shipwreck fell, and that's the sort of thing that can really cause problems for divers. Still, it's a great profession!

• • P A R T 1

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

1 According to a recent survey, text messages have superseded phone calls as the most common use for a mobile phone among young people. More than eight out of ten people under the age of 25 are more likely to send someone a text message than call. At the other end of the scale, just 14 percent of those aged over 55 said they preferred to text. Sending a birthday greeting was the most popular use of text.

2 Good evening, and welcome to a special edition of 'Driving Force', devoted this week to the issue of car security. Why is there an increase in the number of vehicles being stolen, despite technological advances in security systems? Can a stolen vehicle be tracked electronically? Do steering wheel locks really work? And with me to discuss these issues is Betty Crawford, designer of the new Vortex GT6. the car which was recently declared car of the year.

3 Terry, I need you to do something for me. You remember the enquiry we had from Head Office about cost-cutting measures? Yes, they want a summary of not more than 500 words describing our basic attitude - which is that we can't cut costs without reducing essential services. No. I'd much rather you faxed it. and let me check it before you send it off.

4 A: John, hello! I haven't seen you since we went out at

Christmas! B: That's right, Audrey! What a great evening! I really

hadn't expected to enjoy myself so much. A: Oh, I thought you'd like it. You just haven't had enough

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opportunities to see really good plays in a first-class theatre,

B: I think you're right. I expected it to be really boring, but it was one of the most exciting things I've ever seen!

5 Aunt Maude was rather a rebel for her time. She grew up just after the Great War, when women weren't really expected to have any profession. At the time the common belief in upper middle-class families was that decent, respectable girls couldn't have a career in show business, so her parents were absolutely furious when she told them she had enrolled at drama school and was leaving home!

6 A: Amanda, I got mum's present, but are you sure she's

going to like it? A guide to Italy? B: But it's a guide to the cooking in different parts of the

country. You know how mum likes to experiment with cooking, and she's been getting really keen on Italian cooking.

B: Yes, she can read about the cooking and then try out the dishes on us ...

A: That's right; there's a recipe section in the back of the book. She'll love it!

7 Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Gallery Multiplex. Please check your tickets for the start times of the films, and make sure you go to the right section of the cinema. This evening we have Eve and Adam just starting in Screen 1, and at 18.45 Hurricane starts in Screen 7. In just over 20 minutes, at 18.55, Racing Fever begins in Screen 6, and at the same time Details of the Fall starts in Screen 5 ...

8 Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing method that involves applying pressure to certain parts of the body to relieve pain. It relaxes muscular tension and balances the vital forces of the body. Acupressure can provide relief from head, neck and shoulder aches, promote healing of injuries and give an overall feeling of well-being.

• • PART 2

You will hear part of a radio programme about three types of computer software. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences.

This week I'm going to be taking a look at three new software products that are just about to hit the market. The first of these is a programme that explains exactly how all sorts of machines, devices and instruments work. Called Tell me How', this extremely useful package from the Highland Software company in Edinburgh deserves to be a great success, in my view. It combines virtually all the features that good software should display, and at a very affordable price. It's intended for users of thirteen years old and upwards, although I suspect younger kids who are

experts at computer use will also find it attractive. The only limiting factor is the kind of PC you have, since the system requirements here are quite sophisticated. However, there is a problem with the speed of operation. which rather lets the product down: things often move far more slowly than you would expect, especially when accessing the special feature that connects you to Internet sites.

The second product I've been testing on your behalf is aimed at a completely different market. 'Balances' is a financial software package to be released next month by Expert Software, the company that started off providing software for presentations and other office applications. It's basically designed for self-employed people and small companies that don't have their own accounting departments. It allows you to forecast income and expenditure for the coming year once you have fed in all the relevant information. What's more, the designers of the software have made a special arrangement with the tax office so that updates are regularly available; you just download from the tax office website and it automatically updates the software.

Finally, the very latest in software applications for the motorist. 'Road Works' is a package designed to make sure you get to your destination as quickly and easily as possible. The idea is relatively simple: a special service gives you information about roadworks, traffic jams and any other sorts of delay on the road ahead. You need to have a satellite navigation system in your car, and this software plugs into that and then uses your mobile phone to connect to the special service centre. And to make sure you really are kept aware of the current situation, the software supplies the latest information every five minutes. I predict this will be very popular with commercial travellers and lorry companies. Well, that's all for now, and next week I'll be looking at...

• •PART 3

You will hear five different people talking about a journal or magazine they read regularly. For questions 19- 23, choose from the list A-F the reason each speaker gives for the importance of this publication to them personally. Use the letters only once. There is one extra letter which you do not need to use.

1 I write about style and fashion, and although I have my own ways of finding out what the big fashion houses are doing for the next season, I also want to know what consumers are thinking. I always read Fashion World because of what it tells me about people who buy fashion -about consumers. I think it must be the only magazine that has got articles about the latest trends by very professional fashion editors.

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2 I think it's vital in this day and age to be well-informed about current affairs, which of course isn't difficult now the Internet has developed into a news medium. But I also find it's essential to know what intelligent people think about various issues, so you need to get a range of opinions, right across the political spectrum. That's where the London Review of Books is so good...

3 I've been taking the National Geographic for years now. It's really an excellent magazine, with lots of interesting articles about wildlife and the natural world in general. I think the pictures are always first-rate. They must have the best photographers in the world working for them, and you can see the results. It's really fascinating.

4 I'm a subscriber of the Economist, which is a weekly financial magazine. I'm an economist, and reading the Economist is the best way to keep up with the latest trends. The main reason I get the Economist, however, is that I don't have time to read a serious daily newspaper like the Financial Times, so the summary it provides, especially of the news in general, is really invaluable for me.

5 I take a monthly magazine called Railway Modeller, which keeps me informed about model railways, which is a great hobby of mine. I'm a collector of antique miniature railways, and I can always find information about auctions or model trains on sale. They also have articles comparing prices of different models and descriptions of new products available.

• • P A R T 4

You will hear a radio interview with an actress who is dyslexic. For questions 24-30 choose the best answer, A, B or C.

Interviewer: Today I'm going to be talking to one of the most successful young actresses in Hollywood, Kay Stanley, about a special aspect of her work - one that's not very well known on this side of the Atlantic. And that's the Stanley Trust. Kay, welcome to the programme. Would you start by explaining what the Stanley Trust is?

Kay Stanley: Sure. It's basically an organisation set up by my father to help kids who have problems reading and writing - kids with dyslexia. I'm dyslexic myself, you see, and after I had been diagnosed, my dad realised there weren't many organisations for dyslexic kids, and he decided to set one up himself a few years later.

Interviewer: I believe one of the problems with dyslexia is that it isn't diagnosed in many cases, or not early enough. Was this what happened with you?

Kay Stanley: I used to learn stories off by heart by playing the tapes of them over and over again, and then pretend to read them. In fact, I was so good at it that my mum only guessed there was something wrong when she caught me learning the stories like that! Then my parents got me examined by a doctor, and luckily, he knew something about dyslexia, so he sent me to an expert. He said I'm pretty fortunate because my condition is less severe-compared to other people with dyslexia.

Interviewer: You mention an expert on dyslexia: you must know quite a lot about it yourself by now?

Kay Stanley: I do, yes, but one of the problems with dyslexia is that even the specialists don't really understand it. They know dyslexics think in a different way from other people. Dyslexics are of above average intelligence, they have distinctive talents and a creative imagination. But whether dyslexia has other effects on the brain or not, nobody really knows. Some people say you use a different sort of logic if you're dyslexic, and it's easier for you to solve problems, but it's hard to test that.

Interviewer: And once you were diagnosed, did you start to improve?

Kay Stanley: Not immediately. At first, I was too unhappy about the whole thing, and my parents felt frustrated and confused. I knew at an early age that I wanted to become an actress, and getting school qualifications was not a priority for me. In the end, I did work hard to improve my reading skills just to show my fellow students that I was every bit as clever as they were.

Interviewer: Is it better for children with dyslexia to get special treatment?

Kay Stanley: It depends what you mean by that. I don't think it's a good idea to isolate them and put them in special schools, because that makes them feel awkward. On the other hand, they do need extra teaching in reading and writing, by teachers who understand the problem.

Interviewer: And getting back to the Stanley Trust; how do you feel you can best help the Trust? Will you be giving speeches about dyslexia in public?

Kay Stanley: I doubt it. I think the public would get tired of someone like me talking about the subject all the time. Jt seems to me the best thing I can do is set a good example of how dyslexics can live a normal, happy life.

Interviewer: Well, I wish you luck with that. And thank you for talking to us today.

Kay Stanley: Thank you.

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