MSKU-SFL

B2 Erasmus EXAM

LISTENING (15 PTS)

PART A) You will hear a radio interview with singer Lily Alonso. For questions 1-5, choose
the best answer (a, b or c). Write your answers on your answer sheet. (5x1=5 pts)

1. How does Lily usually feel in the moments before she begins a performance?
a) Very confident
b) Rather impatient
c) A little nervous

2. To help herself to relax, Lily

a) does a simple breathing exercise.
b) practises yoga on her own.
c) laughs at something funny.

3. What does she like to practise on the day of a concert?

a) Singing the songs that she will perform
b) Saying the lyrics of the songs that she will perform
c) Walking on the stage where she will perform

4. Why does she like to sit and look at the stage before the show?
a) It’s the quietest place to be at the town.
b) It helps give her more self-confidence.
c) She can meet some of her fans there.

5. Lily believes the best thing to drink before singing is

a) milk.
b) fruit juice.
c) coffee.

PART B) You will hear a girl called Kyra talking about the badminton club she belongs to.
For questions 1-5, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase. Write your answers
on your answer sheet. (5x1=5 pts)

Badminton Club

Before she took up badminton, (1) ________________ had been Kyra’s favorite sport.

People interested in joining the club are invited to what’s called a/an (2) ________________
session.

Club committee members have a badge whose color is (3) ________________.

Members of the badminton club pay a membership fee of (4) £________________ each year.

New badminton club members can use the (5) ________________ at Sportsworld without
paying.

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PART C) You will hear five different people giving their reasons for taking up a sport. For
questions 1-5, choose from the list A-F what each speaker says. Use the letters only once.
There is one extra letter which you do not need to use. Write your answers on your answer
sheet. (5x1=5 pts)

A) I was persuaded by other people. Speaker 1 ______

B) I was advised to take more exercise. Speaker 2 ______
C) I did it to raise money for charity. Speaker 3 ______
D) I wanted to give my family a surprise. Speaker 4 ______
E) I needed to find a way to relax. Speaker 5 ______
F) I wanted to prove to someone that I could do it.

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READING (25 PTS)

PART A) You are going to read an article in which a woman talks about her childhood. Five
sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-F the one
which fits each gap (1-5). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use. Write
your answers on your answer sheet. (5x2=10 pts)

A) But he didn’t have the heart to do it.

B) So we called out to mum, who was busy in the kitchen, and asked her to help.
C) My mother took pity on him, placed him in a box and took him straight to the vet.
D) He got out of the car and saw he was badly hurt but still alive.
E) Then our parents told us that wild animals don’t want to stay cooped up in a hutch like a
pet.
F) But one evening, while we were playing with him, he made a bid for freedom and dashed
off towards the fence.
Growing up in the Countryside

In 1962, when I was four, we moved from Clapham in south London to Kent. Back then it
was all fields and apple orchards. For the first couple of years we lived on a modern estate, full of
typical, boring three-bedroom houses with square lawns, a fence and a garden shed. But
compared to Clapham it was idyllic and we virtually skipped to school.

For us children, the excitement of moving to Kent was to do with being close to rabbits,
foxes and different kinds of birds. We were always on the lookout for injured animals we could take
care of. One day my father ran over a badger on his way home from work. (1) _____ Dad knew he
shouldn’t leave him in agony. For some reason he had a garden spade in his car boot. He took it
out and tried to kill the badger by hitting him on the head. (2) _____ My father had the city person’s
disease around animals, which means you can’t bear to be cruel even when you are trying to be
kind. A farmer came along, took the spade and with one blow put the badger out of his misery.

During the summer holidays after my first year at primary school, I was playing with my
brothers, Matt and Bill, in the garden when we found an injured hare. (3) _____ A cardboard box
was found, and an appointment was made at the vet, who said that the hare had broken his leg.
He put it in a splint and told us what to feed him and how to care for him. By this time, the three of
us named the hare Harold. He was put into a rabbit hutch in the garden and we fought over whose
turn it was to feed him with leaves. After a couple of weeks we were allowed to take the splint off
and he started to hop about the garden. I thought he’d stay with us and be our pet. (4) _____ The
three of us started shouting and crying. Then my mother came out and started to run, hurdled over
the fence and caught Harold in mid-air with one hand on each leg, and landed in next door garden.
He stayed for another week or so. (5) _____ Midway through my first week back at school, I came
home and he was gone. It was a huge tragedy.

PART B) You are going to read an article about modern education. For questions 1-5,
choose the answer (a, b, c or d) which you think fits best according to the text. Write your
answers on your answer sheet. (5x1=5 pts)
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The Changing Face of Education

Despite a rapidly changing world where technology and globalisation have had an impact
on almost every possible corner of our lives, methods of education in the modern world haven’t
really been affected very much. In fact, the way young people learn in schools and colleges is
remarkably similar to when free, compulsory education for all, was first introduced. But what if
getting an education doesn’t just mean getting up and going to a school or college building and
sitting in a classroom reading books and listening to a teacher?
Although lessons are still held in classrooms, computers and technology have already
started to play a major role in modern education. This role can only grow as the power of
computer memory increases while the cost of computers drop. Computers can replace books,
assist teaching, be used in testing and provide teachers with a plentiful supply of teaching
resources. Though they are already an essential part of education, the day that they become the
core tool for receiving an education cannot be far away. How long before they replace
classrooms?
Possibly not that long at all if colleges and universities are anything to go by. Many
universities now offer online degree courses that are completed only over the internet.
This means that it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, you can still have access to
a university education without moving to the country the university is in. What would happen if
schools offered the same learning opportunities too? Perhaps one of the main reasons why this
type of learning hasn’t taken off at school level, except in isolated areas, is because parents want
their children to be looked after while they are at work. As the world of work changes, it might not
be long before it stops being necessary for children physically to go to school.
Another benefit of getting away from traditional teaching methods and using technology
more and more as an educational tool is that it means that education in the future won’t just be
something that is mainly associated with the young. There will be much more opportunity for
lifelong learning. Imagine if, at any time of your life, you could just find the course you want to do
on the internet and do it whenever it suited you. You wouldn’t have to worry about giving up work
or moving away from your family in order to study. Having so much greater choice over how
people study will make it much more attractive to them, whatever their age. At the moment, one
of the main stumbling blocks to change is the teachers who have been trained to teach using
traditional methods. Some of them may find it hard to adapt to the kind of teaching where they
need to give up books and the blackboard and embrace tablet computers, smart phones and
social media as positive teaching tools. Even harder will be giving up on classrooms entirely and
having little to no face-to-face contact with pupils or students. However, it’s doubtful that any
resistance to new ways of learning will last very long because there’s just no getting away from
the fact that the world is changing; technology is becoming more and more central to our daily
lives both at home and at work. So, why would education be the only part of our lives that looks
backwards to earlier times? In the end it won’t. Education and learning methods will have to
change in order to reflect the world and the lives we lead.

1. In the first paragraph the writer says that education

a) hasn’t changed a great deal in recent decades.
b) has been deeply affected by technology and globalisation.
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B2 Erasmus EXAM

c) is exactly the same as when free education became available.

d) no longer requires attending a school or college.

2. The writer believes that computers and technology in education will

a) only increase when computers get cheaper.
b) change all aspects of learning.
c) one day become unnecessary.
d) give teachers a lot of extra work.

3. The writer points out that online courses

a) are now the main way to get a degree.
b) need only a few lessons at the university.
c) are the same all over the world.
d) make it easier to get a university education.

4. One advantage of the increasing use of technology in learning is that

a) people of all ages will have greater access to education.
b) young people won’t have to choose between work or study.
c) people would worry less about passing exams.
d) older people will use the internet a lot more.

5. The writer believes some teachers may find it particularly difficult to

a) get better training in the future.
b) see anything positive in new teaching methods.
c) accept that they won’t come into personal contact with students.
d) admit that technology is changing the world.

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B2 Erasmus EXAM

PART C) You are going to read a magazine article about the opinions of five people on
technology. For questions 1-10, choose from the people A-E. The people may be chosen
more than once. Write your answers on your answer sheet. (10x1=10 pts)

Technology and You

Like it or not, technology is a fact of life. But what do you think of it all? June Avery
asked some of our readers.

A) ANGELA
My elderly mother bought me a laptop recently. I couldn’t believe it - like me, she’s never been
very keen on modern technology and there she was buying me a laptop! I live on my own in a
tiny one-bedroom flat and there’s not a great deal of room for anything apart from the basics.
But the laptop doesn’t get in the way and I can stand it up in the bookshelf when I’m not using
it. I have to admit, it’s very useful for storing all my recipes and I’ve actually grown to quite like
it.
B) BRIONY
I bought myself an e-book reader last year, partly because it takes up less space than a whole
load of books, but also, I confess, because everyone else seemed to have one. It was a
similar thing with computers, really. First I had a PC, then a laptop, followed by a netbook, a
tablet... I just can’t help myself. I love it all. Every time a new piece of technology comes out, I
just have to have it, whatever it is and whether I really need it or not. And then, of course,
there are smart phones. You can guarantee that if there’s an overnight queue for the latest
model, I’ll be near the front, happy in the knowledge that it will soon be mine. I couldn’t bear
not to have one if I knew somebody who did it.
C) CAROL
Our house is full of all the latest gadgets. In the kitchen alone we’ve got an electric carving
knife, a yoghurt maker, an automatic potato peeler, a bread-making machine and a device for
taking the stones out of peaches without cutting them open. As far as I’m concerned, though,
they’re a waste of time. They’re always going wrong and my husband keeps having to mend
them. I think they’re more trouble than they’re worth but he seems to think we couldn’t get by
without them.
D) DOROTHY
Like most people we have our fair share of appliances. I couldn’t imagine living without a fridge
freezer or a washing machine; and who hasn’t got a microwave or a dishwasher nowadays? I
know people had to cope without these things 50 or 60 years ago, but the world was a
different place in those days, wasn’t it? Things have moved on since then. Everything’s so
much faster now, and in most homes both parents go out to work. We couldn’t do that and
bring up children without the support of all these labour-saving devices.
E) ELSIE
We’re a bit too old for all this technology. A friend of ours says we should be on the Internet
but I can’t see why, and to be honest I’d be too scared to use it. It’s all too fast for me. In the
old days everything used to be so much simpler and people seemed to spend a lot more time
chatting to each other. And by “chatting”, I mean having a proper conversation with someone
who is actually physically there in front of you!

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B2 Erasmus EXAM

Which person:

1. was surprised by another person’s actions? _____

2. often has problems with machines? _____
3. finds it impossible to resist buying the latest technology? _____
4. is frightened of some of the new technology? _____
5. feels that technology is important in the modern-day family? _____
6. does not agree with someone else in the family? _____
7. has changed her way of thinking? _____
8. regrets the fact that people talk less to each other face-to-face? _____
9. wanted to be the same as other people? _____
10. does not have much space where she lives? _____

USE OF ENGLISH (30 PTS)

PART A) Read the text below and decide which answer best fits each gap. There is an
example at the beginning (0). Write your answers on your answer sheet. (7X1=7 pts)

Cycling Holidays

Some of my (0) ____ holidays have involved getting around on two wheels, cycling (1) ____ the
countryside with my family. Our preference is for off-road trails (2) ____ there is no need to worry
about other traffic and we can take our time, cycling at our own speed and pausing for a while to
(3) ____ a rest and admire the view. The best routes are away from the crowds but within easy
reach of accommodation and eating places. Cycling holidays take little planning; we just pick a
route, pack (4) ____ clothing and set off. (5) ____we have to carry everything with us all the time,
we are very strict about what we take, so that means (6) ____heavy. If you fancy giving this a try
yourself, there are lots of books and websites that help you plan a route. There are even
companies that (7) ____ provide you with all the equipment you need. So get on your bike and
start exploring.
0. a) best b) better c) the best d) good
1. a) of b) through c) from d) for
2. a) which b) who c) where d) whose
3. a) spend b) make c) stay d) have
4. a) essential b) initial c) potential d) accidental
5. a) However b) Although c) Because d) So
6. a) anything b) nothing c) something d) everything
7. a) has b) had c) is d) will

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B2 Erasmus EXAM

PART B) Read the text and fill in the blanks with ONE WORD. There is an example at the
beginning (0). Write your answers on your answer sheet. (8x1=8 pts)

Weather and Mood

For decades, researchers have been trying (0) __to___ learn whether there is a relationship
(1) _______ weather and mood. However, despite the various studies that have been carried out,
researchers cannot agree. While some studies say that the weather has only (2) ________ small
effect on our mood, others say weather conditions can affect us significantly – including humidity,
temperature and sunshine. According to these studies, humid conditions make us feel sleepy and
make it harder (3) ________ concentrate, whereas higher temperatures lower feelings of anxiety.
Unsurprisingly, when the number of sunshine hours we experience increases, we feel much
(4) ________ optimistic.

Psychologists, of course, believe it’s up to us to create positive experiences (5) ______ ourselves,
whatever the weather is. So, when the rain is falling we should listen to music, read a book or do
some exercise. If the sun is shining, we should get out there and (6) ________ advantage of the
light (7) ________ increases our serotonin levels – a natural, feel – good chemical that makes us
feel awake (8) ________ happy.

PART C) For questions 1-7, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of
some of the lines to form a new word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an
example at the beginning (0). Write your answers on your answer sheet. (7x1=7 pts)

Motorcycling

Some people consider motorcycles to be a/an (0) _dangerous_ and

DANGER
awkward form of transport. Critics point out that motorcycles cannot offer
the same degree of (1) _______________ that the structure of a car
PROTECT
provides. Moreover, a rider either has to stop and take shelter if it begins
to rain, or suffer the discomfort of riding in soaked, freezing clothes. While
these criticisms are (2) _______________ justified, there is another point
CERTAIN
of view.
Motorcycle fans argue that motorcycles are in fact a/an (3) ___________
EXTREME
convenient way to get around. Motorcycle riders often say that travelling
in a car brings with it a sense of (4) _______________ whereas
ISOLATE
motorcycles give the feeling of being closer to (5) _______________.
NATURAL
The unrestricted view also helps them better appreciate the
(6) _____________ around them, they say.
SCENE
People also claim that motorcycling is a marvellous way to travel as long
as the weather conditions are (7) _______________, of course!
PREDICT

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PART D) Complete the second sentence for questions 1-8, so that it has a similar meaning to
the first sentence. Use the word given and use between two to five words. Do not change the
word given. There is an example at the beginning (0). Write your answers on your answer
sheet. (8x1=8 pts)

0. She lost her wallet while watching the film.

DURING
She lost her wallet ____during the film____.
1. I don’t see why I should try harder.
WORTH
In my opinion, it _________________________ harder.
2. I regret not visiting Versailles when I was in France last year.
WISH
I _________________________ Versailles when I was in France last year.
3. Suzanna was too excited to sleep.
SO….. THAT
Suzanna _________________________couldn’t sleep.
4. I have never seen such a bad film.
EVER
This is the _________________________ seen.
5. She was very rude when she spoke to the shopkeeper.
POLITELY
She _________________________ to the shopkeeper.
6. It is possible that she didn’t understand what I had said.
MIGHT
She _________________________what I had said.
7. Williams was forty before he took up writing professionally.
UNTIL
Williams did not _________________________he was forty.
8. I hate the teacher. She taught us science last year.
WHO
I hate _________________________ us science last year.

WRITING (15 PTS)

Write an essay about ONE of the topics below. Use 150 – 200 words. Write your
essay on your answer sheet.

Topics:

1. Global environmental issues are the responsibility of rich nations not of poorer nations. Do you
agree with this opinion?
2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of wearing school uniforms as a student.
3. Movies are popular all over the world. Explain why movies are so popular. Use reasons and
specific examples to support your answer.