Download B2 MOCK EXAM LISTENING COMPREHENSION I. Listen to a talk

B2 MOCK EXAM
LISTENING COMPREHENSION
I. Listen to a talk about lifestyle in the future. Complete the notes with one, two or
three words. The text will be read twice. ( 10 points)
Inventions
1
__________________________ robot
• cleans your home automatically
• knows the difference between untidiness and 2 __________________________
Computerised washing machine
• cleans clothes with 3 __________________________
• compared to a conventional machine it works 4 __________________________
Intelligent 5 __________________________
• can change 6 __________________________ of tables and chairs
• is able to choose music, 7 __________________________ and change lighting
Virtual reality machine
• can be used at work
• can be used for playing 8 __________________________ computer games
Robot helpers
• help with the housework
• help prevent 9 __________________________ from entering your home
• recognize 10 __________________________
II
Listen to the talk about the invention of a sewing machine. Tick the person
each statement refers to. The text will be read twice. ( 10 points)
Barthelemy Elias Howe
Thimonnier
is the person usually associated with
the invention
produced the first sewing machine
had his business ruined by historical
events
took action to stop people copying
his invention
is known for the invention of another
everyday object
was concerned about the social
consequences of his invention
was cheated out of money
returned sadly to his homeland
had to use the law in order to
benefit from his invention
was forced to recognise the
importance of another inventor
Walter
Hunt
Isaac
Singer
READING COMPREHENSION
Text I You are going to read about places to buy Christmas presents. For questions
1 – 8 choose the right place and write the corresponding letter A, B, C, D or E. Some
places may be chosen more than once. (8 points)
In which of the places can you:
buy jewellery?
1. _________
get something made specially for you ?
2. _________
3. __________
have the product delivered to your home?
4. _________
buy things from other cultures
5. _________
6. ___________
buy the work of local people
7. _________
8. ___________
A
The Garden of Life
African art has always been big business, but now in this shop you can get the art with the
history and meaning behind these beautifully carved structures, instruments and clothes.
From baskets, to books, to utensils, to pictures in a price range which allows everyone
purchasing power.
B
The Contemporary Exhibition
in Manchester’s Royal Exchange, is exactly what it says. A yearly event, where over 2000
pieces of work from top designers from this region and from across the UK, are displayed
before you – and you think you can leave empty-handed? I don’t really think so! There are
some brilliant bits of silver and some innovative uses of other precious metals and stones
which are great for gifts or personal treats to wear yourself. Go there, you should see
something you like.
C
The Design Centre
The fashion design centre in the Exchange is worth a look too. At upmarket Aleck’s, the
clothes are slightly more expensive, but worth it for the quality and innovative design.
There are a lot of designers from our city who would welcome the support and deserve it
too. Clothes outlets such as Arc and Wear It Out , where there are some really reasonably
priced funky designs, are also well worth look around.
D
Ochio-Rios
This has got to be a treat amongst treats. Check the scenario: three or four guys come into
your house, take over your kitchen, prepare a meal of your choice for as many or as few of
you as you desire, but they bring the music, the cutlery, the plates the ambience, and all
the feel-good factor you can imagine! Everything is pre-arranged; the food can be from
Italian, to African, to English, to Japanese, and the menu and price is tailored to suit you.
Give them a call.
E
Worldwide Songwriters
Here’s a novel gift for your loved one; how about a personalized song? Forteen musicians,
vocalists and songwriters will write and record a song tailored to your needs. CD or
cassette, it will cost you around Ł 250.
Text II
Choose the correct answer: A, B, C or D ( 5 points)
A binary star is actually a pair of stars that are held together by the force of
gravity. Although occasionally the individual stars that compose a binary star can
be distinguished, they generally appear as one star. The gravitational pull between
the individual stars of a binary star causes one to orbit around the other. From the
orbital pattern of a binary, the mass of its stars can be determined: the
gravitational pull of a star is in direct proportion to its mass, and the strength of the
gravitational force of one star on another determines the orbital pattern of the
binary. Scientists have discovered stars that seem to orbit around an empty space.
It has been suggested that such a star and the empty space really compose a
binary star. The empty space is known as a black hole, a star with such a strong
gravitational force that no light is able to get through.
1.
A binary star could best be described as
A
stars that have been forced apart
B
a star with a strong gravitational force
C two stars pulled together by gravity
D a large number of attached stars
2. According to the passage, what happens as a result of the gravitational
force between the stars?
A One star circles the other.
B The mass of the binary star increases.
C
A black hole is destroyed.
D The gravitational force decreases.
3. According to the passage, what can scientists learn from the pattern of a
binary star's orbit?
A The proportion of the star's gravitational pull to its mass
B How to distinguish the stars that compose a binary
C Why there is no light in a blackhole
D The mass of the stars that compose the binary
4. According to the passage, what is a black hole?
A An empty space around which nothing orbits
B A star -with close to zero gravity
C A star whose gravitational force blocks the passage of light
D An empty space so far away that no light can reach it
5. Which of the following statements about black holes is NOT true?
A A black hole can have a star orbiting around it.
B A binary star can be composed of a black hole and a visible star.
C All empty space contains black holes,
D The gravitational pull of a black hole is strong.
Text III. Put the missing fragments into the correct gaps. There is one extra
sentence that does not fit. (7 points)
Herons are beautiful birds. Years ago as I walked to work in a fish factory in Aberdeen,
herons would always bring a little light to the dark winter mornings. Usually there would be
a couple of them standing on the river’s edge. ________________________
This natural cautiousness is usual in herons. They prefer to spend the day in areas where
they can hunt for fish in peace. They seldom allow close approach and are quick to take to
the air when they sense humans are about. __________________________
This cruel treatment is now on the decline and consequently the latest Bird Atlas estimates
there are probably twice as many herons breeding in Britain today than in the late 1960s.
________________ This means herons can breed and survive in areas which were
previously unavailable because they were either too cold or ruined by poisonous
substances in the water.
Weather is probably the single most important factor in the improvement in the heron
population. In effect, new areas of habitat have been opened up.
______________________ The one of 1963 had a notable impact, but surprisingly there
is little to suggest that the same happened in the freezing temperatures of 1979 and 1892.
_____________________ As well as the UK, similar increases have been recorded
throughout Europe. By the early 1970s, the heron had become threatened in many parts of
central Europe, but has since recovered dramatically. And if not persecuted, will even
breed in city centres, such as happens in Amsterdam.
_____________________ There are still numerous threats, mostly to do with habitat
degradation, and which certainly affect populations on a local scale. Drainage of fields and
excavation reduce food supplies. The planting of forests, while providing nesting sites,
may also reduce the water flow in some water courses and hence fish availibility.
The heron lives on fish. _________________________ On other occasions a different
tactic is adopted, this time slowly stalking through the water, looking intently at any
stirrings. If the need arises, the heron will wade deep until the body is afloat and it can
even swim for a short distance. They are such a delight to watch, particularly in the
morning when they go hunting in the frost-draped winter semi-darkness.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Another reason for this increase can be found in the milder winters and the
reduction in water pollution.
Further north the bird is equally widespread, although it is absent from areas of high
ground.
Such nervousness is understandable, given that they have suffered from
persecution from fish farmers.
While heron numbers have increased, it is important not to be complacent.
However, a hard winter will temporarily set numbers back.
The commonest hunting technique is to stand still by the water’s edge, with only the
eyes twinkling as it carefully scans for fish.
It appears, however, that all is well for the heron at the moment.
But once dawn broke, the herons would move upstream to quieter stretches of the
river.
PART THREE
GRAMMAR
I. REPHRASE Complete the second sentence in each pair so that it has a similar
meaning to the first sentence. ( 5 points)
1. Please don’t turn down the radio.
I’d rather you __________________________________________________________
2. I’m sure you had a good time at the party.
You ________________________________________________________________
3. Luckily it wasn’t necessary for Jim to take the exam again.
Luckily Jim ____________________________________________________________
4. Dan is a little slow and does not understand things as quickly as other kids.
Dan is falling __________________________________________ the rest of the class.
5. A plumber is going to fix that dripping tap for me next week.
I am _______________________________________________________ next week.
II. CLOZE
Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. There is an
example at the beginning (0). (10 points)
The well-dressed cowboy
The basic clothes of an American cowboy in the second half of the
nineteenth century consisted (0) of a cotton shirt and woollen
trousers. Levi jeans, now part of the cowboy image, did not (1)______
popular until the early twentieth century. Most of the things a cowboy
wore (2) ________ determined by the nature of the job he was (3) _____.
Waistcoats (4) _______________deep pockets were popular because it
is difficult to put your hands in your trouser pockets (5) _______ on
horseback. Cowboys often had to ride through thorn bushes, (6) ______
would tear clothes and skin, so they wore long leather leggings or
'chaps' ( (7) ____________ the Mexican word chaparrems). A cowboy's
hat was a good guide to (8) ____________ he was working. In the southwest, hats were high and wide to provide good protection (9)________
the sun. Contrary to popular belief, they rarely wore guns (10)_______
guns were too heavy and uncomfortable to wear when riding a horse all
day.
PART FOUR
WRITING
(15 points)
WRITE on one of the following topics. The word limit is 150 to 200 words.
1. You have seen the following advertisement on the board in your school.
The George Richardson Travel Award is open to any present or past student of
the school who wishes to travel to the European country of their choice, or
elsewhere, in connection with their studies. Its value is Ł500.
APPLICATIONS, IN WRITING, TO JOHN MAYBURY WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF
THIS NOTICE
Write your application for the travel award advertised, explaining what you would do
with the money.
2. You are in hospital after a car accident. Write a letter to your insurance company
saying what happened and asking them for information about what you have to do
to get your insurance money from them.
KEY
LISTENING I
1.clever
2. rubbish/trash/garbage
4.quickly
5. furniture
7. send email /email people/ send messages
9.burglars/ intruders
3.electricity
6. height
8.three-dimensional /
10. commands/orders
LISTENING II
1. Isaac Singer
2. Barthelemy Thimonnier
3. Barthelemy Thimonnier
4. Elias Howe
5. Walter Hunt
6. Walter Hunt
7. Elias Howe
8. Elias Howe
9. Elias Howe
10. Isaac Singer
READING I
1. B
2. D v E
3. E v D
4. D
5. A v D
6. D v A
7. B v C
8. C v B
READING II
1. C
2. A
3. D
4. C
5. C
READING III
1. H
2. C
3. A
4. E
5. G
6. D
7. F
GRAMMAR
I.
Rephrasing
1. didn’t turn the radio down.
2. must have had a good time at the party.
3. didn’t have to take the exam.
4. behind
5. going to have the dripping tap fixed
II.
Cloze
1. become
2. was
3. doing
4. while/when
6. which
7. from
10.as/because/for
8. where
9. from/against
5. with