USE OF ENGLISH II

Read the text about ghosts. Complete the following story by putting the verbs in brackets into the
correct form. An example (0) has been given for you.

GHOSTS IN OUR HOUSE

Our house (0)

is

(be) about 270 years old and is in a small town

in Connecticut. It was once a schoolhouse. We also know that it used to be one level, but
an upstairs (1) .......................... (be) built later. We moved into this house right after I was born,
so I've lived here my whole life 16 years. My parents (2) ....................... (not know) the
house was inhabited by ghosts when they bought it, but strange things started happening. Once,
my aunt (3)................................ (come) to stay with us when she was having problems with her
husband. She was sleeping, but woke up when she (4) ........................ (hear) the song
"Someday, My Prince Will Come". Before that, she (5) ............................... (be) afraid of our
house. Now she (6) .............................. (say) she knows the ghosts are good, and they wanted
her to be happy.
The ghosts visit me the most. My mother (7) ................................ (think) it might be
because I'm the youngest. My dad (8) ............................... (not like) thinking about them. And
he refuses to be in the house alone. He's not the only one...
People ask why we don't call a paranormal expert. But since the ghosts don't hurt us, we
don't want (9) .............................. (hurt) them. Besides, we don't want the ghosts to think we
want to get rid of them. As my mom says, "They (10) .............................. (live) here too."
(http://www.teenmag.com)

Task 1
Read this text about an adventurous boy. Some phrases have been left out from
the text. Choose the right phrases from the box to fill the gaps. There is one
more phrase in the box than you need. Write your answers in the boxes under
the phrases. An example has been given for you.

A 14-year-old boy had to be rescued on Saturday when he climbed up the cliffs at Dover
to (0) _________ look at birds and got stuck 40 feet up.
The boy, Alan Weir, was among a busload of students who (1) _________ to Dover
on an outing organised by a youth club. Alan said afterwards: "I (2) _________ up at the cliffs
and saw birds so I thought I would climb up and (3) _________ at them."
The first part of the climb was (4) _________ but after a bit it became more difficult and

finally Alan found that he could not get (5)_________ Worse still he realised he could not climb
down again. "My feet kept on slipping on the sandstone," he said. "I was scared that

I was going (6) ________ I just tried to keep still."

By then the alarm had been raised and firemen (7) _________ grassy clifftop and parked
a few feet from the edge. Then they lowered Alan (8) _________ with a rope. The whole incident lasted about twenty minutes and (9) __________hundreds of holidaymakers.
Asked if he would (10) ________ climbing Alan said, "I like climbing but I don't think
I will climb anything made of that soft sandstone again."

A quite easy

to fall so
C to safety

D get a closer
E was watched by
F have a look

G was coming
H any higher
I do any more
J had come
K drove across the

was looking

Task 2
Read this article about shopping on the Internet. Your task is to give short answers to questions
that follow. Write your answers on the lines. Remember to make your Ewers as short as possible.
There is an example for you.
DO THEY BEAT THE CLOCK?
The other day we tested the speed of shopping on the Internet. What would be faster: ordering
avideo from Kozmo.com or walking out to our local Blockbuster? Or buying a pair of running shoes
on the Internet or walking all the way over to Niketown?

Kozmo.com, a service that delivers videos and books, has become a favorite in urban areas. But
is it any faster than going to a Blockbuster a few blocks away? Hardly. Both took us about five
minutes to sign up, pick our video and check out. But the actual delivery was another story. Our
Kozmo delivery guy arrived with our videos 68 minutes after we gave our order. We got 'to
Blockbuster and back in less than half that time. The only problem: it was a rainy day and we came
back from Blockbuster soaking wet. We'll give this point to Kozmo.
Next we decided to buy a pair of running shoes online. On Nike's Website you can choose the
size, style and colour. Sure, the choice is limited. And the site warns you'll have to wait three weeks
for delivery. But the process itself is trouble-free. Not so at Niketown. There's .4 much bigger
selection, and, of course, you can walk out with your shoes right away. But good luck finding a
salesperson to help you in midtown Manhattan at lunchtime. We picked out our shoes and waited 25
minutes for our salesperson to come back before we walked out in disgust.
,(o)What did the writers want with the test?

To check how-fast Internet- shopping is

(11) Where was it faster to sign up for a video? ___________________________________________

412) What was the advantage of going to
Blockbuster?
(13)Why was going to Blockbuster

not convenient?
(14)What good points did the testers give to

Nike's website?

(15)What did the testers not like at Nike's

website?

(16)What was the advantage of going . to

Niketown?
(17)Were they lucky in finding a salesperson? ___________________________________________
(18)Did they buy the shoes in the end?

Why (not)?

Task 3
Read this part of an information leaflet about Wales. For each question choose the
answer that is nearest in meaning to what the article says. Write the appropriate
letters in the boxes under the questions. The first one has been done for you.

TRAVELLING AROUND WALES

An important factor in holiday planning these days is value for money and Wales can offer
that. Due to its size and location, you can make cuts in your travelling costs. With excellent I
motorway links to the border and an extensive road network, your journey will be simple.
Motorists need never hesitate to leave the main routes because even the country roads are
in a good condition and they take you to places many people miss. As in the rest of Britain,
you drive on the left of the road, and distances and speed limits on road signs are given in
miles. If you travel by rail, a good bargain is the Freedom of Wales ticket, which gives you one

week's unlimited British rail travel anywhere in Wales during the period March-October
inclusive.
WHERE TO STAY IN WALES

If you choose to stay on a farm, forget the images of water from the well and toilets at the bot tom of the garden. Welsh farmhouses are old buildings equipped with every comfort. Wherever
you go, you will experience excellent home cooking and most farms offer special midweek
or weekend rates during the low season and some will give reductions for children.
In the country towns and villages you will find cosy inns which have been welcoming
travellers for centuries. There is no better place for getting to know the local inhabitants
than the bar of an old inn, where everyone is ready to talk to everyone else. Go along to
the bar for a lunchtime or evening glass of beer and you will find yourself among friendly
people. Note that in certain districts of Wales alcoholic drinks are not served on Sundays except
in hotels and inns to people who live in the town or village and their guests.

0) This text has been written for ...

A) business people.
B) tourists.

C)
D)

travel agents.
students.

(19) To travel to Wales is ...

A)
B)
C)
D)

easy because of its small size.

expensive but it is worth the money.
not expensive.
easy because you can cut distances.

(20) Which is closest in meaning to what the text says?

A)
B)
C)
D)

Motorists shouldn't leave the main roads even though the country roads are good.
In the rest of Britain you drive on the left of the road unlike in Wales.
Country roads take you to places that many people fail to discover while in Wales.
Country roads take you to places that many people pass by without noticing them.

(21) If you choose to stay on a farm, you ...

A)
B)
C)
D)

had better try getting water from a well.

will find the toilet at the bottom of the garden.
will find yourself in an old building with little comfort.
will stay at an old building with modem comfort.

(22) Which is closest in meaning to what the text says?

A)
B)
C)
D)

Good home cooking is only provided at some places.

Special rates are usually available in the high season.
Giving reductions for children is standard practice.
Farmhouses provide traditional, home-made food.

(23) In an inn, ...

A)
B)
C)
D)

accommodation is provided for visitors and local people alike.

accommodation is provided for travellers but locals may come in for drinks.
it's hard to make yourself heard in the bar as everyone talks at the same time.
alcoholic drinks are only served at dinnertime.

(24) On Sundays, alcoholic drinks are ...

A)
B)
C)
D)

not served in parts of Wales except in hotels and inns to residents and their visitors.
not served in parts of Wales except in hotels and inns to locals and their guests.
served in parts of Wales except for hotels and inns to residents and their guests.
not served in the whole of Wales.

Task 2

You are going to read an article about the Early Birds. Some words are missing from the text.
Your task is to write the missing words on the lines (10-20) after the text.
Use only one word in each gap.
There is an example (0) at the beginning.

This week we bring you the story of the fantastic Early Birds. The group, who are (0) planning
a new tour at the moment, have another record in the Top Ten this week. But things (10) ________________
always so easy for the Early Birds.
The group started five years (11) _________________ when the members were still at school
in Liverpool. At that time they (12) _______________ to play at school dances and at local rock clubs.
A (13) ________________months later the four young men Ian, Brian, Mike and Kenny moved
to London. It wasn't a (14) ________________ The young pop group couldn't find any work and Mike
and Kenny left the group and (15) _____________ to Liverpool.
For three hard months, Brian worked in a factory and Ian (16) ________________ a cleaning job
in a cinema. Then things got (17) ________________ Glenn and Tony, who are the group's guitarist and
organist today, (18) _______________ Brian and Ian in a pub one evening. They discussed the idea of
a new sound and decided to work (19) ____________
The new group soon made a single "Dark-eyed Girl". This was an overnight hit and (20) then
they have had five albums at the top of the charts. Next week's tour takes them to Liverpool,
Manchester Edinburgh.and
Task 3

You are going to read a text about a mystery. Some words are missing from the text.
Your task is to choose the most appropriate word from the list (A-L) for each gap (21-30) in the
text. Write the letter of the appropriate word in the box below.
There is one extra word that you do not need to use.
There is one example (0) at the beginning.

When people in a Yorkshire village turned on their taps yesterday, they got not only water but
electric (0) ____________ as well. In one house, sparks showered into the sink. But the electric
water was only part of a series of (21) ____________happenings.
Events started with a loud explosion from the roof of a house, and the water-pipe was
(22)

to be burning. The next-door neighbour tried to telephone for the firemen but

(23)

only popping noises from the instrument. Then she tried to fill a kettle with

water; (24) ___________ she received a severe shock and was showered with hot sparks.

Further down the road a housewife started to dust her furniture and felt an electric shock (25)
________________doing this. Others in the village also reported shocks from water taps.
In the meantime, firemen dealt (26) ___________ the original fire. Electricity men came to see
if anything was (27) ______________with the mains. Water-board men came to find out why they had
(28) __________ started to supply free electricity. Telephone engineers arrived to (29) __________
why telephones popped.
However, so far no one (30)____________solved the mystery. The opinion in the village is that
the nearby coal mines must have played some part in it.
A discover

E instead

I suddenly

B has

F seen

J while

C have

G shocks

K with

D heard

H strange

L wrong

Listening

In this section you are going to hear a text about shopping for Christmas.
Your task will be to decide if the statements 1-7 below are TRUE or FALSE according to what
the text says. Mark your answers with an X in the table at the bottom of this page.
First, you will have some time to study the task, and then you'll hear the recording in one piece.
Then, after a short pause, listen to the recording again in three shorter sections.
The end of each section is marked with a signal. When you hear this signal, stop the CD for 30
seconds and write down your answers.
At the end, you will have some time to check your answers.
There is an example (0) for you.

(0) City life will remain noisy even on Christmas Eve.

(1)

One can see the lights of Christmas trees put outside the windows.

(2)

Christmas presents are expensive.

(3)

During the weekends we rush to buy presents.

(4)

We don't buy presents for relatives who we rarely see during the rest of the year.

(5)

We try to attract the attention of busy shop assistants.

(6)

We don't invite our in-laws to the family gathering on Christmas Eve.

(7)

Presents cause little surprise because we always get the same things.
Task 2

In this section you are going to hear an interview for a job.

Your task will be to write the letter of the correct answer into the box following the

questions.
First, you will have some time to study the task, and then you'll hear the recording in one piece.
Then, after a short pause, listen to the recording again in three shorter sections.
The end of each section is marked with a signal. When you hear this signal, stop the CD for 30
seconds and write down your answers.
At the end, you will have some time to check your answers.
There is an example (0) for you.

(0) How did Ms Simons come for the interview?

A) By car.

B) By bus.

C) By taxi.

D) On foot.

(8) What did Ms Simons send to the company before she came for the interview?
A) A letter of introduction and her CV.
B) A letter of introduction, her CV, and her language exam certificates.
C) Her CV and her language exam certificates.
D) Her CV.
(9) Why did Ms Simons give up her first job?
A) Because it was in the country and she found life boring there.
B) Because she has moved to town.
C) Because it was too provincial for her.
D) Because in her previous job she couldn't do what she liked.

(10) What kind of job are they talking about?

A) salesperson
B) sales executive

C) personal assistant

D) tour operator

(11) Where can one find the company's foreign partners?

A) First of all in Western Europe and in South America.
B) Everywhere in Europe and in South America.
C) Mostly in Eastern Europe and in South America.
D) In Europe and in the southern states of the USA.
(12) How can you rank Ms Simons' knowledge of foreign languages (going from the strongest
to the weakest)?
A) German, Russian, Spanish
C) Spanish, German, Russian
B) Spanish, Russian, German
D) German, Spanish, Russian

(13) What is the job in question like?

A) It's a nine-to-five job.
B) It's a nine-to-five job but there are frequent opportunities to travel.
C) The hours are partly fixed, partly flexible.
D) The hours are flexible with a lot of opportunities to travel.
(14) The salary is ...
A) 13,000 and there is no word
B) 30,000 and they do not promise
on pay rise.
a pay rise.
C) 13,000 and there may be a pay rise
D) 30,000 and there may be a pay rise
later.
later.
0
10
11
1

D
Task 3

In this section you are going to hear a film critic's commentary about the etiquette of cinema
going.
Your task will be to fill in the gaps in the sentences below with a maximum of two words.
First, you will have some time to study the task, and then you'll hear the recording in one piece.

Then, after a short pause, listen to the recording again in three shorter sections.
The end of each section is marked with a signal. When you hear this signal, stop the CD for 30

seconds and write down your answers.

At the end, you will have some time to check your answers.
There is an example (0) for you.

hot
, drinking and talking
dogs
to watching the film, while others complain about this. Now, who spoils other people's

(0) Some cinema audiences prefer chewing

pleasures?

(15)______________________________________Of course, it's the munchers and talkers,

______________________________________________________ who complain about
them, who do this.
(16)_____________________One problem is that junk food and popcorn, when eaten in a
_______________________________________________________________________
will fall onto other people's clothes.
(17)_____________________Moreover, crisps and peanuts make a lot of noise when being
_______________________________________________________________________
and chewed.
(18)_____________________________________________All this can be very irritating,
_____________________________________________ if you yourself are not eating.
(19)_____________________________________________However, the
the talking.

nuisance of all is

(20)__________________________Some people talk at the cinema just as they do at home

___________________________________________________________________TV.
(21)_There're always some who have seen the film before. These people will tell everyone
_____________________ what's going to happen next.
(22)_Those who haven't seen the film before are no better either, because they wonder, also
in
_____________________ voice, what might happen next.
(23)______________________________The truth is that, even in our days, films are best
______________________________________________________________ in cinemas
and not at home.
(24)_But only if everyone showed a little consideration could cinema going again be a
pleasure for______________ and not just for the noisy few.