PRACTICE TEST 6

SECTION A: LISTENING
I. You will hear a discussion in which two marine biologists. Gina Kelso and Thomas
Ludman, talk about an award-winning television film they made about wildlife in Antarctica.
Choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear.
1. Gina’s interest in marine biology dates from ______.
A. her earliest recollections of life in Africa
B. one memorable experience in childhood
C. the years she spent studying in England
D. a postgraduate research project she led
2. The first wildlife TV series they both worked on ______.
A. made use of a previously untried format
B. was not filmed in a natural environment
C. was not intended to be taken too seriously
D. required them to do background research
3. How did Thomas feel when he was asked to produce the programs about Antarctica?
A. disappointed not to be presenting the series
B. surprised that people thought he was suitable
C. uncertain how well he would get on with the team
D. worried about having to spend the winter there
4. When they were in Antarctica, they would have appreciated ______.
A. a less demanding work schedule
B. more time to study certain animals
C. a close friend to share their feelings with
D. a chance to share their work with colleagues
5. What was most impressive about the whales theyfilmed?
A. The unusual sounds the whales made.
B. The number of whales feeding in a small bay.
C. How long the whales stayed feeding in one area.
D. how well the whales co-operated with each other.

II. Listen to the conversation. Write T for True or F for False for each statement.
F1. Buyers should talk to the painting’s previous owners.
T2. The chemical composition of the paint may help determine if a painting is real or not.
T3. Comparing fingerprints left in paint helps in detecting a forgery.
F4. It’s always possible to identify a forged painting.
T5. Some forgeries have become valuable themselves.

SECTION A: GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY

I. Choose the word or phrase which best completes each sentence.
1. I’ve read that report so many times that I feel I know it _____.
A. forwards B. backwards C. sideways D. upside down
2. Everybody was _____ about the latest production at the National Theatre.
A. revelling B. triumphing C. delighting D. raving
3. I really can’t believe that anyone here would _____ in such shady dealings.
A. dabble B. stoop C. reach D. conceive
4. The government was forced to introduce ______ on the sale of such controversial videos.
A. preventions B. provisions C. safeguards D. curbs

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5. I think everyone should be______ with the way office machinery works.
A. conversant B. mindful C. answerable D. attuned
6. Our lecturer ______ the importance of taking notes.
A. reincarnated B. reiterated C. rehabilitated D. reciprocated
7. The modern decor strikes a _______ note in this old building.
A. disembodied B. discordant C. dismissive D. disconcerting
8. For all intents and_______, escape from the prison wasimpossible.
A. views B. plans C. purposes D. aims
9. Sharon is such a positive person – she _______ her problems, whatever they are.
A. goes light on B. throws light to C. makes light of D. sheds light on
10. After hearing news of the attack, the general made plans for an immediate _____ against the
enemy.
A. compilation B. retaliation C. accumulation D. incantation
11. He didn’t mean to be offensive; it was quite an _____remark.
A. innocuous B. indehiscent C. incendiary D. insidious
12. Serena is still _____ ignorant of the fact that she is about to be made redundant.
A. blissfully B. decorously C. jubilantly D. ecstatically
13. No decision has been taken about the building of the new airport. The authorities are still ____.
A. beating about the bush B. comparing apples and oranges
C. sitting on the fence D. holding all the aces  
14. This humidity is going to _____ havoc with my hair.
A. play B. break C. pay D. take
15. Congratulations on your success! How does it feel to be_____?
A. the man of the match    B. a word of honor
C. an egg on the face       D. the top of the tree  

II. Fill in each gap with one suitable word.

INSTANT DECISIONS
We often assume the best way to come to a decision is to (1) ______spend________ ages
taking into account a lot of information before we (2)_____arrive______ at our conclusion. We
weigh the evidence in the belief that instant decisions are unreliable. However, there are
arguments for a reassessment of that view. It may be that from time to time our subconscious
mind does a better (3) ____job_______ in a moment than our conscious mind does.
When Evelyn Harrison, an expert (4)___ on____ sculpture, was shown a statue that the J.
Paul Getty Museum had purchased for $10 million, she blurted (5)_____out_______ that it was a
(6) _____fake_________. It came as a shock to the museum. Harrison was unable to explain why
she had formed that impression, but it was enough to (7) ____cast________doubt on the statue.
Now most experts have (8) ___come_________ round to her position, but how did she tell the
difference between that and the real article so quickly?
It’s probable that her subconscious mind sorted through information that (9)
___deceives_______ the notice of her conscious mind. Although we are rarely, (10)
_______if_____ ever, aware of our subconscious mind, it can be surprisingly effective.

III. Choose the best answer.

1. Listen, I can't make it for dinner tonight. Something has cropped (out/ up/ in/ through) at work
and it looks like I'm going to be stuck at the office all night.
2. She is a prolific writer. She churns (over/ off/ away/ out)at least five novels a year.
3. She hasn't spoken German for over a year and I think she wants to brush (out in/ on with/ up
on/ over on)a few things.
4. The door burst open and his mother barged (into/ in/ on/ along) "I thought so," she said.
"You're not doing your homework."

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5. I know he said he would help but I wouldn't bank(for/ with/ to/ on) it. You know how unreliable
he is.
6. As their bookshop wasn't doing very well, they decided to branch (out/ over/ down/ on) into
selling compact discs and cassettes as well.
7. The government are strongly committed to clamping (out on/ over/ down on/ out for)
unregulated parking.
8. If they think Jan did it, they are barking (by/ up/ down/ back) the wrong tree. He was with me
when it supposedly happened.
9. As part of their demonstration, the students blocked (down/ out/ back/ off)several roads that
ran through the city centre.
10. They were very fashionable on the continent, but for some reason they never really caught (in/
by/ on/ over) in England.

IV. Underline and correct the mistake in each sentence.

1.The main clause of the contract concerns the amount of the money to be paid and all the
whens(whys) and wherefores.
2. He aimed himself for the long night(night’s) drive by drinking black coffee.
3. Many huntsmen find the chase more exciting than killing(the kill).
4. After the first real attack started, some afraid soldiers(who were afraid) didn’t want to fight any
more, so they just surrendered.
5. (That) Sandra stayed with John wasn’t surprising, but it was obvious to everyone that they had
decided they were just friends and that marriage wasn’t in their plans.
6. One student inquired if(whether) it was okay to ask what was going to be in the test and the
teacher’s only comment was that he had already told them what would be tested.
7. The ball went between the legs of another player, past me towards the goal, and rolled
through(over) the goal line.
8. The main door was(had been) locked by a special key that the caretaker didn’t have.
9. Unlike competitive running(runners), race walkers must always keep some portion of their feet
in contact with the ground.
10. It became obvious that a lot of British people didn’t like that their government considered it
essential that they should join the European Community.

SECTION B: READING COMPREHENSION

I. You are going to read an article about women in sport. For questions 1 – 10, choose the
sportswomen (A – F). The sports may be chosen more than once. Write your answers (A, B,
C, … or F) in the box provided. There’s an example for you.

Which sportswoman says: Answers

0. she spends less time on other activities than she used to? A

1. her concentration at work is affected by her sporting activities? F

2. she was surprised to discover her talent for her sport? B

3. she invests her earnings in her sport? E

4. she takes part in her sport on equal terms with men? A

5. it is considered strange for women to take part in her sport? E

6. she was once under pressure to achieve her target by a certain date? D

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 7. she has a good income from her sport? B

8. it is difficult for women to get good training in her sport? C

9. she has endured physical suffering? D

10. she is sometimes afraid when taking part in her sport? A

WOMEN IN SPORT
(A) Jill, 27, skier
“It’s a great feeling to fly through and land cleanly, but it can be scary. Sometimes you don’t feel
well or it’s windy and you can’t see, but you just get on with it. It’s not easy to have a career
outside skiing because we train for ten months of the year. You give up a lot of your social life and
friends. But it was my choice. There are six men and three women in the British team. We all
compete on the same courses at the same competitions and get treated the same – it’s a young
sport.”
(B) Caroline, 22, cyclist
“Two years ago I borrowed a bike to take part in a charity race. I won overall just because I cycled
faster than everyone else, which was amazing because I’d never cycled before! I’m well paid as a
pro, and cycling has lots of potential in terms of endorsements. However, I know I’m not ugly and it
worries me that people may think I’ve got where I am because of how I look, not because I’m the
best cyclist. So I tend to concentrate on cycling at the moment, rather than earning money. I do at
least four hours’ training every day on the bike, plus some stretching exercises, swimming and
running. My boyfriend’s a cyclist as well, so he knows the time you have to put into it – it would be
impossible otherwise.”
(C) Annabel, 26, rower
“Rowing is hard for girls to get into because very few girls’ schools do it. So most don’t start till
they’re 19 or 20, which makes it harder to succeed at an international level. Also, you usually have
coaches who only stay a year or so. There’s no continuity, so the women’s squad is basically a
shambles. But it’s great fun and I love being fit, plus there’s a good social life.”
(D) Ffyona, 24, long distance walker
“At 13 I dreamed of walking around the world – I didn’t know just how big it was then! But Britain
was too claustrophobic, too safe. I was very headstrong; I hated anyone having control over me.
Now I am more tactful. Each walk has been different. The walk across Australia was the worst
experience I’ve ever had as far as pain is concerned. I was doing 80 kilometres and 21 hours each
day with three hours’ sleep in high temperatures and walking with 15 blisters on each foot. But I
got the record! I had to, because my sponsorship money was going to run out after 95 days. Men
think that women are more likely to fail, so sponsoring them is always seen as a higher risk.”
(E) Lisa, 26, saloon car racer
“Some men have huge egos when they’re driving – you see it on motorway. When I’m doing well,
they don’t talk to me. Being a woman has its disadvantages. When I get to a corner, the men think
“I’ve got to beat her”, so I’ve had a lot of knocks! You have to be naturally competitive and
aggressive. It’s very difficult to earn any money, and what I do goes back into the sport. Women
have been racing since the twenties and have always been classed as eccentrics. It’s great that
there are now more and more women taking up racing every year. For me, the appeal of saloon
car racing is aiming for perfection – always trying to get round with a perfect lap.”
(F) Alison, 28, triathlete
“I get up at 5:30 three mornings a week to swim. I need Tuesday and Thursday mornings to catch
up on my sleep. In the evening I just cycle or run. Yes, I do fall asleep at my desk sometimes!
There is a lot of nervous build-up beforehand and when you’re racing you really push yourself –

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you don’t feel good if you don’t. Several times, I’ve asked myself why I do it. The answer is (a) I’m
happier when I keep fit, (b) I’m a slob at heart and if I didn’t make myself do this I’d really be one,
(c) racing is very social. Men and women usually compete together but when an event is given
coverage in the press, 90% of the article will explain the man’s event and 10% will say, ‘Oh, by the
way, so-and-so won the women’s event.’ The prize money isn’t as good either, of course. But now
we’ve formed an International Triathlon Women’s Commission, so we’re working on it.”
II. Circle a letter that best fills each numbered gap.
It never (1) ___ to amaze me how many films are (2)____ by the critics as a load of rubbish but
go on to achieve considerable commercial success, flying in the (3)___ of such criticism. In fact it
is the exception rather than the (4) ___ when critics and cinemagoers see (5) ___. “Titanic”,
“Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” and “Pearl Harbour” for example, met with quite a lot of media (6)___
but all three (7)___ at the box office like few others have before. It (8) ____ the questions: What is
a quality film? How can one film be (9) ____ as a “classic” and another as “turkey”? What (10)
____ as a “great film”? Meanwhile, the rivalry among studios has never been more (11) ____. All
of them will happily spend millions of dollars on a “happening” to (12) _____ their film in an attempt
to (13) _____ their potential audience into buying their ticket. They will also spend millions to try
and (14) ____damaging rumours about their stars and (15) ____ them as heroes on a level
beyond any other human being on the planet.

1. A. stops B. ceases C. ends D. finishes

2. A. hailed B. complimented C. upbraided D. panned
3. A. face B. wind C. variance D. plane
4. A. acceptable B. rule C. reception D. law
5. A. at loggerheads B. on tenterhooks C. face to face D. eye to eye
6. A. disagreement B. competition C. hostility D. reprisal
7. A. took off B. petered out C. broke off D. dried up
8. A. lifts B. puts C. rises D. raises
9. A. categorized B. called C. thought D. qualified
10. A. qualifies B. names C. acts D. serves
11. A. intensive B. opposed C. intense D. all- out
12. A. branch out B. launch C. shoot off D. put up
13. A. brainwash B. start up C. put out D. consign
14. A. reject B. disperse C. annihilate D. dispel
15. A. count B. expose C. promote D. double

III. Complete with the correct phrases from the list. 

For the first time, science (1) __I___ that the aging process (2)__F___. Life expectancy could be
doubled. Aging used to be mysterious and now it isn't. It is a problem that has been solved.
Scientists say (3) __L___ in laboratory insects (4)__N___ the extension of life. They have bred
fruit-flies that can live for the equivalent of about 150 human years. They have discovered that a
longer-lived fly (5)__B___ one particular genetic trait. The genes of what they call "Methuselah"
fruit flies contain the recipe for a particularly powerful protein that can neutralise damaging
chemicals. These chemicals, known as "free radicals", (6) __A___: a single atom of oxygen is one
example. Free radicals are produced (7)__E___. They are highly reactive and can tear apart
important biological molecules such as DNA. The protein (superoxide dismutase) produced by the
Methuselah fruit-flies mops up the free radicals (8)__H___ their destructive work. All that (9)
__C___ is to move from worms and flies to men, not all that far, and deliver the appropriate gene
(10)__K___.

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 A. cause the aging process B. has a greater abundance of
C. remains to be done D. which are close
E. naturally within the body F. can be slowed down
G. will not create difficulties H. so that they cannot perform
I. offers a realistic possibility J. inside the system
K. to the human system L. that they have identified
M. they expect to succeed N. the genes that are responsible for

SECTION C: WRITING
I. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first one, using the
word given.
1. Alanhas got food poisoning. (TAKEN)
=>Alan has been taken ill with food poisoning ...............................
2. I can spend more time with my grandchildren when I retire. (FREE)
=>Retirement will free me up to spend more time with my grandchildren………………
3. When I met my cousin from America for the first time, we really liked each other straight away.
(HOUSE)
=>My cousin and I got on like a house on fire straight away when I met him from America for
the first time.
4. He is involved with both parties. (FOOT)
=>He has a foot in both camps……………………..
5. The minister is likely to be criticized. (LINE)
=>The minister is in line to be criticized…. …………………………………………
II. Finish the second sentence in such a way that it means the same as the original one.
1. The inhabitants were far worse-off twenty years ago than they are now.
=> The inhabitants are nowhere near as badly off as they were 20 years ago.……………
2. He almost gave up his job at one point.
=>He came very close to giving up his job.………………
3. He didn't want to get into a position where he might lose all his money.
=>He didn't want to expose himself to a position where he might lose all his money.………...
4. Her father was very angry with her when he heard she had damaged the car.
=> Her father blew a fuse with her when he heard she had damaged the car.……………
5. The soldiers entered the castle while it was dark.
=> Under cover of darkness, the soldiers entered the castle.………………

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