Cambridge English: First

Practice Test B

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 Contents
Paper 1 Reading and Use of English 3

Paper 2 Writing 13

Paper 3 Listening 15

Paper 4 Speaking 20

Answer key and recording script 27

Acknowledgements 33

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 Reading and Use of English
Part 1
For questions 1–8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is
an example at the beginning (0).

Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Example:
0 A believe B imagine C dream D suppose

0 A B C D

The shopping cart

It is difficult to (0) going round a supermarket without a cart, or trolley. Since the 1930s, big stores

have (1) customers with some kind of basket on wheels. The shopping cart was in fact (2) by

American grocery-store owner Sylvan Goldman in 1936. This first type of cart (3) of a metal frame on

wheels which could carry two wire baskets. Customers would place their hand-held baskets on the cart, put

their (4) inside them while shopping, and put the baskets on the counter at the check-out.

The shopping cart quickly began to (5) in stores across the USA. Before (6) , supermarket

design changed because of them, with goods arranged in rows and narrow checkouts. The cart itself changed,

becoming a single unit that could (7) easily inside another cart for storage, and it also became larger.

The reason for this was simple: the bigger the cart, it was thought, the (8) things people would buy.

1 A stocked B distributed C contributed D provided

2 A invented B composed C established D discovered

3 A formed B consisted C constructed D manufactured

4 A preferences B purchases C stocks D belongings

5 A appear B emerge C enter D invade

6 A soon B long C late D far

7 A suit B match C join D fit

8 A more B higher C greater D further

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 Part 2
For questions 9–16, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word
in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.

Example: 0 W A S

Joseph Conrad

The author Józef Teodor Conrad Korzeniowski (0) born in 1857. The young Józef read works by

Shakespeare, Hugo and Dickens, among (9) , in his own language: Polish.

Sadly, though, both his parents (10) died by the time he was twelve. From then on he was brought up by

his uncle, who (11) sure he continued to receive a good education.

But Józef’s dream was to go to sea. At sixteen he travelled to France in (12) to join a ship there. He then

sailed the world, meeting many people (13) would later appear as characters in his novels. He began

working (14) British ships, eventually becoming a British citizen and changing his name to Joseph Conrad.

His experiences, particularly in Africa, inspired him to start writing, and remarkably he chose to do so in English,

(15) the fact that this was his third language. Conrad is now regarded (16) one of the greatest

novelists of the twentieth century.

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 Part 3
For questions 17–24, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to
form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.

Example: 0 U N L I K E L Y

Extreme living

Life exists in the most (0) places. From freezing mountain LIKELY
tops to deserts where it hardly ever rains, living creatures have made
their homes. Perhaps the most (17) place on Earth to SURPRISE
find life is at the bottom of the ocean. Most (18) used to BIOLOGY
believe the lack of light and extremely high water pressure meant
that life was impossible down there, but (19) have recently DISCOVER
been made of plants and fish near hot water springs at a
(20) of over 2,500 metres. DEEP

Minerals from the springs (21) tiny life forms to exist ABLE
there, and these in turn provide food for larger creatures such as
crabs and shrimps, as well as for giant worms that grow to over a
metre in (22) .Other ocean-floor creatures with a different LONG
(23) include fish which have no eyes – for the very simple APPEAR
reason that in total (24) they have no need for them. DARK

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 Part 4
For questions 25–30, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence,
using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words,
including the word given. Here is an example (0).

Example:

0 Perhaps that man didn’t tell us the truth.

MIGHT

That man the truth.

The gap can be filled by the words ‘might not have told us’, so you write:

Example: 0 MIGHT NOT HAVE TOLD US

Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.

25 After searching for 12 hours, the rescue team managed to find the missing climbers.
SUCCEEDED
After searching for 12 hours, the rescue team the missing climbers.

26 I’ve always had a good relationship with my cousins.

ON
My cousins and I have each other.

27 If your knee’s still sore, ask the doctor to examine it.

HAVE
Ask the doctor to your knee if it’s still sore.

28 Carlos wasn’t quick enough to win the 100-metres final against the champion.
SLOW
In the 100-metres final, Carlos the champion.

29 I didn’t know we had to pay to get into the club, so I didn’t bring any money.
SOME
If I had known we had to pay to get into the club, I money.

30 Changing class probably did not affect Clara’s examination results.

EFFECT
Changing class probably Clara’s examination results.

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 Part 5
You are going to read an article in which a trade-union learning representative talks about her work. For
questions 31–36, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

The award-winning learning representative

by Liz Lightfoot

It is now almost 20 years since Nicola Njie was told what I had done. After that I managed to get on a
to go and see the head teacher in the hope that he council training course and worked in the crime-
could persuade her to stay on for the final two years scene department, learning how to dust and match
of her secondary education. At a school not known fingerprints. I really loved it, but it wasn’t well paid so
for its academic excellence, her exam grades stood I decided to go and work in a factory to earn better
out and her form tutor thought she had considerable money, and that was when my education ended,’ she
academic potential. They told her that she would says.
stand a better chance of a good, well-paid job with
Years later, she started work at a power and gas
further qualifications, but Nicola was unmoved. She
company, and six months after joining a union for the
wanted to earn money straightaway and to be more
first time she became a learning rep. There was no
independent.
stopping her. When the regional learning co-ordinator
Three years later, she had plenty of time to think left, Nicola immediately offered her services and was
of what might have been while she was making appointed in her place. Last year she was ‘amazed’ to
pairs of tights at a local factory. But now she has a be voted learning rep of the year.
job she enjoys, a passion for her role as a learning
Her important position within the union has opened
representative for the trade union Unison and an
doors and given her the confidence to speak to senior
award for the learning rep of the year. In fact, there
managers and address public meetings. ‘But for the
is not much that Nicola, 35, is not passionate about
help from Unison,’ she says, ‘I would never have stood
– her two children, her supportive family, the union
up in front of the company’s chief executive and done
and the work she does as a learning representative to
a presentation, or spoken in front of 3,000 people at
encourage people back into education and training.
my union conference.’
Though the role of a union learning rep is a fairly new
position, it has quickly become important as people So far she has been too busy training as a trade
seek to develop their capacity to do new things and unionist to think about herself, but she now has a
boost their job prospects. The reps seek to raise new challenge in mind. ‘What I’d really love to do is
awareness of the opportunities for learning inside a degree,’ she says. And the subject? Trade-union
and beyond the workplace, assess the demand for studies!
different courses and liaise with employers.
‘Learning has an important role to play in improving
people’s lives, but many can be put off by bad
experiences at school, or because they are not
confident of their abilities,’ she says. Looking back
over her life to date, she regrets, in certain respects,
leaving school at 16, but in others she is happy with
the way her career is now going. ‘I did actually enjoy
line 36 it – I didn’t have a bad experience. The job I really
wanted to do was to be a crime-scene officer, so
when I left school I contacted the police and said that
was what I wanted to do. The person in charge at that
time said: “Well, you are a girl and you are 16, so I’m
not sure that working in that environment would be
appropriate for you”.’
His sexist remark, which would nowadays almost
certainly lead to a formal complaint, made her even
keener to get in. ‘I worked on a youth training scheme
for two months, then rang them again and told them

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 31 What do we learn about Nicola’s schooldays in the first paragraph?
A She eventually agreed to take the advice of the teaching staff.
B She was at a school where most students obtained good qualifications.
C She was once sent out of class because her work was so poor.
D She achieved better results than many other pupils at her school.

32 In her role as a learning representative, who does Nicola help?

A young people who are thinking of leaving school at 16
B adult employees who wish to improve their skills
C workers who want a position within the trade union
D unemployed people who are looking for a job

33 How does Nicola feel about leaving school when she was 16?
A Nowadays she realises it was a mistake to leave when she was so young.
B She is glad it enabled her to go straight into the job she had always wanted.
C In some ways she wishes she had continued her education there.
D She thinks she should not have left until she had decided on a career.

34 What does ‘it’ refer to in line line 36?

A her career
B being a 16-year-old
C her life so far
D being at school

35 What was Nicola’s immediate reaction to her rejection by the police?

A She became more determined than ever to be accepted.
B She told the police she was going on a youth training scheme.
C She made a complaint to the authorities about discrimination.
D She made up her mind to get a job in a factory instead.

36 What has changed for Nicola as a result of becoming a learning rep?

A It has prevented her from addressing the union conference.
B It has created a number of opportunities for her.
C It has enabled her to become part of the firm’s management.
D It has reduced her need for help from the union.

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 Part 6
You are going to read an article about using energy from the sun. Six sentences have been removed
from the article. Choose from the sentences A–G the one which fits each gap (37–42). There is one extra
sentence which you do not need to use.

Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Solar energy – the sun’s gift to humanity

by Andy Groves

The sun is a huge ball of atomic activity, which Solar energy is renewable, non-polluting, available
emits solar energy in the form of light and heat. everywhere, is not (yet) owned by anyone or any
This energy travels through space to the planets, country and is free. It can be used directly to heat
providing us with daylight and warmth. It is an air and so provide heat for buildings in a way that
incredible free gift. Many thousands of years is similar to how greenhouses work. Alternatively,
ago, humans were already using solar energy in the heat can be collected by solar panels and
a variety of ways. Early civilisations learned, for passed on to heat water for washing or central
instance, how to use the sun’s heat for drying heating. Light-sensitive devices can convert the
meat, fruit or fish to keep them for later eating; light from the sun into electricity. 40 Initially, it
the sun baked clay into bricks for building; animal was mainly used for pocket calculators, but now it
skins were dried for clothing. powers radios, pumps, lights, and even cars.

Later, when people started living in purpose-built Electricity generated from solar energy can bring
houses, the value of solar energy for heat was power to remote areas and, together with some
understood and eventually became incorporated form of storage, such as a battery, can provide
into the design. In many medieval castles there lighting for individual houses or run machinery
was at least one room called the ‘solar’ which on farms. 41 To cover more extensive areas,
faced south and had as big a window as could some companies and local authorities are now
practically be made in those days. 37 using large numbers of cells to collect and convert
solar energy. Some installations are large enough
In more recent times, the term ‘solar energy’
to provide power for a whole town.
has taken on a somewhat different significance.
Modern man uses energy in many forms and ever- The sun sends its solar energy to Earth at a
increasing quantities. Generally, this energy has huge rate, every day of the year. Much of this is
been obtained from fossil fuels, such as coal, oil or absorbed by our dense atmosphere, the oceans
gas, extracted from under the ground or beneath and the land, or reflected back into space by the
the sea. 38 Burning them is also having a polar ice caps. 42 So much, in fact, that it is
terrible effect on the environment of our planet. estimated the sun provides as much energy in one
hour as the world’s population uses in a year. This
Because we in industrialised societies have
is one great gift and we should make sure we use
become used to such a high level of energy usage
it well.
in our everyday lives, the thought of doing without
is no longer considered a realistic option. 39
Fortunately, the good old sun can provide one,
and solar energy is becoming crucial to our future
requirements.

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 A It is very much cheaper to install than laying E The water was then heated by solar power
the miles of electric cables that would be and used as a form of central heating.
needed to ensure a mains supply.
F It was one place where our ancestors could
B These natural resources, we now realise, be warm, thanks to the sun.
are not going to last forever.
G This process enables solar power to drive
C Lots of it, however, still gets through to us. an increasingly wide range of appliances.

D Clearly, alternative sources of energy are

needed.

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 Part 7
You are going to read a magazine article in which four people talk about long-distance bus journeys in
different parts of the world. For questions 43–52, choose from the sections (A–D). The people may be
chosen more than once.

Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Which person

had to begin their journey outside the city centre? 43

was uncomfortable because of a lack of space? 44

was given a free drink? 45

briefly felt unwell during the journey? 46

had nobody sitting next to them during the whole journey? 47

found the temperature on the bus slightly uncomfortable? 48

paid a cheap student fare? 49

did not have to buy a new ticket every time they travelled? 50

was surprised that the view from the bus was interesting? 51

paid less for their ticket because of when they travelled? 52

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 Travelling by bus

A Amir Omesh C Luke Morgan

I’d bought my ticket from downtown Mexico  efore I flew to Australia, I was able to get bus
B
City to Oaxaca several days in advance, tickets at a reduced rate because I’m in full-
with my return scheduled 48 hours later on time education, and the first one was for the
a domestic flight as I only had a few days of journey right across the country from Darwin
my holidays left. As I boarded the bus they to Adelaide and back. I could stop off where
gave me a complimentary sandwich, which and when I liked and pick up a later bus along
I thought was a nice touch, and we set off the same route, which was just as well as it
right on time. And although it seemed to take was a 6,000-kilometre round trip. The buses
ages to get through the rush-hour traffic, were very smart, with nice soft reclining seats,
once we were clear of the city we really got although I’ve got long legs and there wasn’t
moving. It was quite a luxurious vehicle, though enough room for me to stretch out in front. So
the air-conditioning was, if anything, a little I was glad to walk around a bit each time we
too efficient and I had to put a cardigan on. stopped. On one of those breaks, I was having
But I enjoyed the fast, smooth ride along a good chat with some guys who worked on a
the highways that took us through some nearby farm, when suddenly I saw the bus was
unexpectedly fascinating countryside in the about to leave and I had to run for it. That was
scorching summer heat, and I was able to a pity, because they’d just offered to buy me a
practise my Spanish with some friendly fellow coffee!
passengers.
D Hao Yeung
B Susana Montero  lthough it was more expensive than a student
A
I caught the bus to Istanbul from the outskirts ticket, there was a reduction as I was going
of one of Turkey’s larger provincial cities, as midweek, so I paid just $15 at the terminal in
inter-city services are not allowed downtown Denver. Within 15 minutes I was boarding.
for environmental reasons. Once I had shown It was a modern vehicle, with huge windows
my ticket, my backpack was scanned airport- that enabled travellers to take in the scenery.
style and then stowed away to be collected at And this was a particularly spectacular route:
my destination. My seat was comfortable, and climbing up through the Rocky Mountain
although I had booked too late to get a cheap National Park to a height of 3,700 metres, with
student fare, I had a woman’s ticket, which deep snow on either side of the road. Some
meant the seat alongside mine would either passengers complained of dizziness when we
have to be taken by another woman or left reached that altitude, and I must admit that
unoccupied. In the event, it remained empty. at one point it affected me, too. But that soon
During the journey, the attendant served passed, and I was quite pleased when another
everyone a delicious Turkish tea, and there was passenger came and sat next to me to chat for
no charge for that. It was pleasantly warm on a while. Later on I had a good sleep, although
board, but whenever I stepped off for one of the rows of seats were rather close together
the four-hourly breaks I was reminded just how and somebody taller than me might have found
freezing cold it can get in Anatolia in winter. there was not enough legroom.

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 Writing

Part 1
You must answer this question. Write your answer in 140–190 words in an appropriate style.

1 In your English class you have been talking about professional sportsmen and sportswomen. Now, your
English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.

‘The top sports stars earn far too much money.’ Do you agree?

Notes
Write about:

1. whether they deserve the money

2. the effect of money on the sports they play
the effect of money on the sportsman or sportswoman
the opinions of the sports fans / their relationship with their fans
sportsmen and sportswomen as role models
3. (your own idea)

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 Part 2
Write an answer to one of the questions 2–4 in this part. Write your answer in 140–190 words in an
appropriate style.

2 This is part of a letter from your English friend, Mark.

I know we always write to each other in English, but I’d like to learn your language
too! Please give me some advice about the best way to learn your language. What
do you think I will find easy about it, and what might be more difficult for me?

Write your letter.

3 S
 ome college students from an English-speaking country would like to visit the main town in the area where
you live. You have been asked to give them some information. Write a report for them, giving the following
information:

• the best time of year to visit the town, and why

• what they can do and see while they are in the town
• what they should bring with them on their visit.

Write your report.

4 You see this notice on a fashion website.

Reviews wanted
Fashion shops
We are looking for reviews of shops in your area that sell great fashion items. Tell us
what they sell, and why you enjoy shopping there. Is there anything about the shop
you would like to change? Who would you recommend this shop to?

The best reviews will be published online next month.

Write your review.

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 Listening
Part 1
01 You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1–8, choose the best answer
(A, B or C).

1 You hear a teenager talking about a party.

What disappointed her about it?
A She didn’t know many people there.
B It finished too early in the evening.
C There wasn’t much to eat or drink.

2 You hear a news report on the radio.

Where is the reporter speaking from?
A a helicopter
B the top of a hill
C a tall building

3 You hear a man talking about taking his driving test.

At the end of the test, he felt
A relieved that the test had finished.
B angry with himself for making a mistake.
C anxious to know whether he had passed.

4 You hear a man talking on the radio.

Who is he?
A a police officer
B an ambulance driver
C a firefighter

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 5 You overhear two people talking about a school trip to the seaside.
What did the man think of it?
A It was badly organised.
B The children did not enjoy it.
C The parents had to pay too much.

6 You hear a radio weather forecast.

Tomorrow, the weather will be
A warmer than today.
B wetter than today.
C windier than today.

7 You hear a man in a furniture shop talking about an item he bought.

He wants the shop assistant to
A return all the money he paid for it.
B replace it with a different item.
C give him the written instructions.

8 You turn on the radio and hear part of a play.

What is the woman doing?
A suggesting what the man should do
B criticising the man for something
C apologising for something she did

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 Part 2
02 You will hear a man called John Parker talking on the radio about icebergs.
For questions 9–18, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.

ICEBERGS

John says that most icebergs in the North Atlantic are from the west of (9) .

Ice glaciers can move at a speed of (10) a day towards the sea.

John explains that the movement of the (11)

breaks up ice glaciers to form icebergs.

Icebergs that break away and fall into the sea may be as big as (12) .

Most of the icebergs carried away by sea currents usually (13)

before they cause problems.

John says the most dangerous icebergs are those of (14)

size, which lie hidden.

John reports that icebergs can look like (15)

after being at sea for more than a year.

One way of dealing with icebergs has been to cover them in (16)

to try and make them smaller.

John tells us that all icebergs over a certain size are tracked by (17) .

When a ship sank near Canada after hitting an iceberg, everyone on board was

(18) .

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 Part 3
03 You will hear five short extracts in which people are talking about spending the night in different
kinds of place. For questions 19–23 choose from the list A–H what each speaker says about their
experience. Use the letters once only. There are three extra letters which you do not need to use.

A I didn’t sleep at all.

B I had an uncomfortable bed.

C I missed being at home. Speaker 1 19

Speaker 2 20
D I felt hot during the night.

Speaker 3 21
E I was woken by noisy neighbours.
Speaker 4 22

F I had to get up in the night.

Speaker 5 23

G I disturbed other people.

H I usually go to bed later than that.

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 Part 4
04 You will hear an interview with a boy called Jake Rivera, who is talking about mountain biking. For
questions 24–30, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

24 What was Jake watching from the hill?

A people taking part in a mountain-bike race
B people making a film about a mountain-bike race
C people practising for a mountain-bike race

25 What did Jake do after he returned home?

A He took part in mountain-bike races.
B He joined a mountain-biking club.
C He bought a better mountain bike.

26 How does Jake feel about training?

A He doesn’t enjoy cycling in the city.
B He wishes he could do more cycling.
C He sometimes finds cycling boring.

27 How does Jake avoid back pain when he is riding for a long time?
A by stopping and walking around
B by taking medicine to prevent soreness
C by changing position on his bike

28 When Jake crashed his bike, he suffered

A relatively minor injuries.
B severe head injuries.
C a broken right leg.

29 In what way has mountain biking changed Jake?

A He now has more self-confidence.
B He now knows what his limits are.
C He now finds it easier to relax.

30 What does Jake enjoy doing in his free time?

A buying things for his bike over the Internet
B thinking about the perfect mountain bike
C watching TV programmes about mountain biking

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 Speaking

About the Speaking test

The Speaking test lasts for about 14 minutes. You take the test with another candidate (called your
‘partner’). There are two examiners – one will speak to you and your partner, the other will only listen.
Both examiners will award marks. The listening examiner gives five different marks: grammar and
vocabulary, discourse management, pronunciation and interactive communication. The speaking
examiner awards one mark for overall performance.

Part 1 (2 minutes)
The examiner will ask you and your partner questions about yourselves. You may be asked
questions about everyday topics such as your family, how you spend your free time and your career
plans.

Part 2 (4 minutes: a 1-minute ‘long turn’ for each candidate and 30 seconds for a response from the
second candidate)
In this part of the Speaking test, the examiner will show you two photographs and will ask you to talk
about them for one minute. Your partner will then be asked a question about your photographs.

Then the examiner will show your partner two different photographs. Your partner will talk about
these photographs for one minute. This time the examiner will ask you a question about your
partner’s photographs.

Part 3 (4 minutes)
Now the examiner will ask you and your partner to talk together. The examiner will give you a piece
of paper with a question written on it and some ideas to help you. You and your partner talk together
about the question, listening and responding to each other’s ideas, agreeing and disagreeing. You
should both take turns so that you speak for the same amount of time. The examiner will then ask a
further question to encourage you to summarise your discussion.

Part 4 (4 minutes)
The examiner will ask some further questions related to the Part 3 topic. The idea is to have a
discussion in a little more depth about the topic. The examiner may ask you to answer questions on
your own, or may encourage you to discuss questions with your partner.

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 Speaking test
Examiner’s script

Part 1 2 minutes (3 minutes for groups of three)

Interlocutor: Good morning/afternoon/evening. My name is ………. and this is my colleague …….. .
And your names are?
Can I have your mark sheets, please?
Thank you.
• Where are you from, (Candidate A)?
• And you, (Candidate B)?

First we’d like to know something about you.

Select one or more questions from any of the following categories, as appropriate.

Likes and dislikes

• Do you enjoy reading? …… (What have you read recently?) ……

(What did/didn’t you like about it?) …… (Why?)

Sport and exercise

• Do you ever do any sports? …… (Why? / Why not?)

Holidays

• Which city would you most like to visit? …… (Why?)

Everyday life

• Do you spend more time with your family or with your friends? …… (Why?)

Free time

• Do you enjoy going out with friends? …… (Where do you go?) ……
(Why do you like going there?)
• Tell us about an interesting place you’ve visited recently.

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 Part 2 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)
Interlocutor: In this part of the test, I’m going to give each of you two photographs. I’d like you to talk
about your photographs on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a question
about your partner’s photographs.

(Candidate A), it’s your turn first. Here are your photographs (indicate the photographs on

page 24). They show people learning to do different things.

I’d like you to compare the photographs, and say what you think is difficult about
learning to do these things.

All right?

Candidate A: [One minute]

Interlocutor: Thank you.

(Candidate B), which of these things would like to learn how to do? (Why?)

Candidate B: [Approximately 30 seconds]

Interlocutor: Thank you.

Now, (Candidate B), here are your photographs (indicate the photographs on page 25). They

show people watching films in different places.

I’d like you to compare the photographs, and say why you think the people have decided
to watch films in these places.

All right?

Candidate B: [One minute]

Interlocutor: Thank you.

(Candidate A), do you often go to the cinema? (Why? / Why not?)

Candidate A: [Approximately 30 seconds]

Interlocutor: Thank you.

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 Part 3 4 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)
Interlocutor: Now, I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes. (3 minutes for
groups of three)

Here is some advice people might give to tourists who are visiting another country for

the first time and a question for you to discuss. First you have some time to look at the task
(indicate the prompts on page 26).

Allow 15 seconds.

Now, talk to each other about whether this is good advice for tourists who are visiting
another country for the first time.

Candidates: [ Two minutes (3 minutes for groups of three]

Interlocutor: Thank you. Now you have about a minute to decide what the best advice is to give to
tourists who are visiting another country for the first time.

Candidates: 
[One minute] (After 30 seconds the interlocutor will move on if the candidates have finished
their summary.)

Interlocutor: Thank you.

Part 4 4 minutes (6 minutes for groups of three)

Interlocutor: Use the following questions, in order, as appropriate:
Select any of the following
• Do you think it’s important to prepare for a holiday in prompts, as appropriate:
another country? ….. (Why? / Why not?) • What do you think?
• What advice would you give to someone visiting • Do you agree?
(candidates’ country) for the first time? ….. (Why?) • And you?
• Do tourists find out what different countries are really like?
….. (Why? / Why not?)
• Some people say there’s no need to travel to other countries because you can
find out all about them on TV and the Internet. What do you think? ….. (Why?)
• Do you think it’s true that travelling isn’t as exciting as it used to be because,
these days, tourists do the same things wherever they go? ….. (Why? / Why not?)
• Do you think it would be good to spend a year living in another country? …..
(Why? / Why not?)
Thank you. That is the end of the test.

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 Visual materials for the Speaking test
What is difficult about learning to do these things? 1

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 Why have the people decided to watch films in these places? 2

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 26

Practice Test X6 BOOK.indb 26

learn the language never go out at night
Is this good advice to
give to tourists who are
visiting another country

CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: FIRST | TEST B

for the first time?

always travel with a find out about the

friend culture

buy a guidebook

© Cambridge University Press 2014

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06/10/2014 15:40
 Cambridge English: First
Test B key and recording script
Reading and Use of English Part 2 Answer Guidelines
Part 1 2
1D 2A 3B 4B 5A 6B 7D 8A Style
Part 2 This is a letter to a friend so it should be informal. You can
use contracted forms like ‘isn’t’, as well as conversational
9 others 10 had 11 made 12 order 13 who 14 on
expressions such as ‘Don’t worry!’.
15 despite 16 as
Content
Part 3
You should thank Mark for his letter and comment on it,
17 surprising 18 biologists 19 discoveries 20 depth for example by congratulating him on his decision to start
21 enable 22 length 23 appearance 24 darkness learning your language. Think about the difficulties that
Part 4 English speakers tend to have with your language and
mention these. They might include, for instance, problems
25 succeeded in | finding 26 always got on | (well) with
with grammar, pronunciation or spelling. Then mention
27 have a | look at 28 was too slow | to beat/defeat
easier aspects of your language, such as everyday expressions
29 would/’d have/’ve | brought some 30 had no/little
and simple rules that can be learnt quickly. Be encouraging,
effect | on
pointing out how important it is to practise communicating
Part 5 in the language with other people.
31 D 32 B 33 C 34 D 35 A 36 B Organisation
Part 6 Do not use any postal addresses. Begin your letter ‘Dear
Mark’ or ‘Hi Mark’ on a separate line, then use clear, short
37 F 38 B 39 D 40 G 41 A 42 C
paragraphs for the rest of your letter. Say something friendly
Part 7 at the end, such as ‘Write back soon’, close the letter with
43 B 44 C 45 B 46 D 47 B 48 A 49 C 50 C ‘Best wishes’ or ‘Bye for now’ and then put your name on a
51 A 52 D separate line below.
3
Writing
Style
Part 1 Answer guidelines
A report should be neutral or semi-formal. Avoid contracted
Style
forms such as ‘doesn’t’ or ‘you’ve’. Begin your introduction
The essay needs to be formal as it is always written for with something like ‘The aim of this report is to’, and use
the teacher. You will need to show that you can give your expressions such as ‘I would therefore suggest’ or ‘I would
opinion, with reasons, and use a range of structures. For this strongly recommend’ to conclude the report.
task you will need to agree or disagree with the statement
Content
and explain your viewpoint with reasons which might involve
comparing people who work in sport with other workers. In the introduction, you could include some background
information such as the town’s location, size and type, for
Content
example: industrial centre, tourist town or port. In the next
You need to respond to the essay statement by covering both three paragraphs you should imagine you are an outsider
of the content points given on the question paper, and by and describe the features of your town for a visitor. Discuss
providing one of your own. You can either agree or disagree aspects such as the weather, public and private transport,
with the essay question but it is important that you argue cultural, sports and leisure facilities, any historical features,
from your own point of view and refer to the point given in shopping and entertainment. Then suggest what visitors
the notes. might need to bring, for example, warm clothes, maps, plenty
Organisation of money.
To present your ideas in a clear and logical way, you will Organisation
need to plan your essay and decide what the focus of each You may want to give your report a title, for example
paragraph is going to be. Start by making it clear whether ‘Visiting (+ name of town)’, and short paragraph headings
you agree or disagree with the statement and make sure that such as ‘Introduction’, ‘When to visit’, ‘What to do and see’,
your argument is consistent throughout your essay. If you ‘What to bring’ and ‘Conclusion’.
want to include examples of sports stars you know about then
do so.

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 4 One.
Style You hear a teenager talking about a party.
The review should be neutral, but use lively expressions to [pause]
talk about the shop. Remember you want to interest your [tone]
reader and get your review published.
Teenager: When I got to Amelia’s on Friday my first
Content impression was that it was going to be one of
Decide on the fashion shop you want to write about. Do those parties where you hardly know anyone, but
by about 7.30 there were lots of familiar faces
not write about other types of shop (food, etc). Spend some there. It got quite lively then, with some great
time thinking about exactly why you like shopping there: is music, and though some people complained
it the products, the friendly staff, the music they play, the there wasn’t enough food or drinks, I wasn’t
way the shop is arranged, the price? You might also think bothered because I was dancing non-stop. In fact,
of one of two things about the shop that could be improved. I would’ve been happy to carry on for hours, but at
9.30 her parents said we had to call it a day, and
Finally, think about what kind of person would also like this that was that. It was a real shame.
shop: the age group and their interests, for example, ‘I think
[pause]
teenagers who are into sport would really love this shop as it
stocks all the latest sports wear.’ [tone]
[The recording is repeated.]
Organisation
[pause]
Plan what each paragraph of your review is going to be
about. You will need to start with a brief description of the Two.
shop, then have a paragraph about what you like about it You hear a news report on the radio.
and follow that with a paragraph about things that are not so [pause]
good, or need to be improved. In your final paragraph you [tone]
will need to make it clear who the shop would suit best. Man: Well, it’s not a very nice day but even so it’s an
amazing sight. There must be thousands of people
Listening down there, all waiting for the marathon to start.
Part 1 The race will take them ten kilometres away from
here and then into the hills, from where they will
1B 2C 3A 4A 5A 6B 7B 8A run all the way back. There’s a lot of mist around
today and from our original position the visibility
Part 2 was quite poor, so we moved down several floors
9 Greenland 10 twenty/20 metres/meters/m to get a clearer view. I believe the TV helicopter
11 tides 12 office blocks 13 melt 14 medium has been grounded for the same reason, and is
15 (huge) sculptures 16 black paint 17 satellite(s) unlikely to take be able to take off again today.
18 rescued/saved [pause]
[tone]
Part 3
[The recording is repeated.]
19 H 20 F 21 A 22 D 23 E
[pause]
Part 4 Three.
24 A 25 C 26 B 27 C 28 A 29 A 30 B You hear a man talking about taking his driving test.

Recording script [pause]

[tone]
This is the Cambridge First Certificate in English Listening test. Man: When I stopped the car outside the driving test
Test B. centre, I just sat there next to the examiner, staring
I’m going to give you the instructions for this test. I’ll introduce blankly through the windscreen at the dark wet
each part of the test and give you time to look at the questions. road ahead. At that particular moment I honestly
At the start of each piece, you’ll hear this sound: couldn’t have cared less whether I’d passed or
failed the test, because at last it was all over and
[tone] that was the only thing that mattered to me right
You’ll hear each piece twice. then. Even the memory of accidentally turning on
the radio instead of the headlights, which made
Remember, while you’re listening, write your answers on the me want to kick myself at the time, had faded
question paper. You’ll have five minutes at the end of the test away.
to copy your answers onto the separate answer sheet.
[pause]
There will now be a pause. Please ask any questions now,
because you must not speak during the test. [tone]
[pause] [The recording is repeated.]
Now open your question paper and look at Part One. [pause]
[pause]
You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For
questions 1 to 8, choose the best answer, A, B or C.

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 Four. [tone]
You hear a man talking on the radio. [The recording is repeated.]
[pause] [pause]
[tone] Seven.
Man: Whenever there’s a serious accident or a major fire You hear a man in a furniture shop talking about an item he
we have to move fast. Especially me, the driver. bought.
You never know when it might be a matter of life [pause]
and death, though we usually have information
coming in by radio as we approach the scene. [tone]
When we arrive, we make sure there’s safe Assistant: Can I help you?
access for any emergency vehicles that are still
on the way, such as fire engines, police vans Customer: Yes, I hope so. I bought this cupboard yesterday,
or ambulances, but our main job is to deal with thinking it would be perfect for my kitchen, but it
any offence that’s been committed. Sometimes, just doesn’t fit into the space there.
though, we need to give assistance to victims Assistant: Are you sure you followed the instructions exactly?
ourselves, and for that reason we are all trained in
Customer: Actually, I couldn’t find them in the box, but I
first-aid procedures.
managed to put it together without them. It was
[pause] quite easy, using a hammer. What I’d like to do is
[tone] change it for the smaller cupboard over there. That
one’s quite a bit cheaper, I think.
[The recording is repeated.]
Assistant: Yes, but I’m afraid you’ve damaged this one, so I
[pause] can’t give you any money back. It’ll have to be a
Five. straight swap.
You overhear two people talking about a school trip to the Customer: OK, that’s fine.
seaside. [pause]
[pause] [tone]
[tone] [The recording is repeated.]
Woman: I suppose at least it was a bit less expensive than [pause]
previous years’ trips.
Eight.
Man: Probably because they didn’t stay overnight
anywhere this time. You turn on the radio and hear part of a play.

Woman: But they shouldn’t have made it a 5 a.m. start. [pause]

That meant all the parents had to get up at four, or [tone]
earlier. And the teachers looked half-asleep, too.
Woman: I can understand why you’ve never asked
Man: They looked even worse when they got back at your boss for a rise, but the company has just
midnight. It was much too far for a day trip, what announced huge profits and it simply isn’t paying
with all the stops they needed to make along the you enough. You’re a good employee, nobody can
way. But nobody at the school seemed to have deny that, but the salary they give you just doesn’t
worked that out. reflect that.
Woman: I haven’t heard any complaints from the kids Man: I don’t know, really.
themselves, though, and that’s the main thing.
Woman: Well, if I found myself in your situation I’d probably
Man: Right. walk straight into the manager’s office on Monday
[pause] morning and say, ‘I can’t live on this money. So I’m
sorry, but unless you can promote me to a better-
[tone] paid position, I’ll just have to leave.’
[The recording is repeated.] Man: You may be right. I’ll have a think about it over the
[pause] weekend.
Six. Woman: Good. By the way, I got myself a 10 per cent rise
just last month.
You hear a radio weather forecast.
[pause]
[pause]
[tone]
[tone]
[The recording is repeated.]
Man: And here’s the latest weather forecast for the
next 24 hours. Light showers will continue in all [pause]
areas this evening, but a band of heavy rain is That’s the end of Part One.
approaching from the south-west and that will
reach us shortly after dawn. Daytime maximum Now turn to Part Two.
temperatures are likely to remain much as today’s, [pause]
as is the expected overnight low of six degrees
You will hear a man called John Parker talking on the radio
Centigrade. The current gusts of high wind, some
about icebergs. For questions 9–18, complete the sentences
reaching 90 kilometres an hour in coastal areas,
with a word or short phrase.
will continue for a few more hours and then lose
strength by midnight. Incidentally, the outlook for You now have forty-five seconds to look at Part Two.
the day after tomorrow is much better, with warm [pause]
sunshine at last on the way!
[tone]
[pause]

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 Man: We all know that icebergs are very large pieces It is not even easy to use electronic markers to
of floating ice that can be a danger to ships, but track them, as the movement and rolling of the
where do they come from? The answer is that iceberg can cause the markers to be washed
the North Atlantic ones start life in Greenland, away, or the part containing the marker can
with some from the east of the country but the break away from the main berg. So, keeping an
vast majority come from the west coast, facing eye on icebergs is tricky, but satellites follow the
northern Canada. There are also, of course, many movements of any that measure more than 500
in the southern oceans that originate in Antarctica square metres, and warnings are passed on to
and some of these can be huge, the size of entire ships in the area.
countries. Many smaller ones are kept under observation
Snow falling over centuries collects and eventually by aircraft, and although icebergs remain a threat
becomes dense ice. Once its depth exceeds 50 to shipping, in recent times there have been no
metres, the ice starts to move slowly towards the disasters involving loss of life. When the car ferry
sea as a glacier – like a river of ice. Every day, William Carson hit an iceberg and sank off the
glaciers can flow up to 20 metres in the direction Canadian coast, the emergency services quickly
of the sea, through gaps in the mountain ranges rescued all 109 passengers and crew. Happily, it is
that run along the coastline. now a very long time since anyone drowned as a
Finally, after perhaps as much as 3,000 years, the result of a ship colliding with an iceberg.
enormous glaciers reach Baffin Bay, which lies [pause]
between the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic. There, Now you’ll hear Part Two again.
as a result of the tides rising and falling, huge
sections of the ice gradually weaken and break off [tone]
into the sea as icebergs. [The recording is repeated.]
Incidentally, watching them breaking away like [pause]
this, and then rolling around in the water, is a
quite unforgettable sight, particularly if you are at That’s the end of Part Two.
sea when it happens. It can also be a frightening Now turn to Part Three.
experience if you are close to where it’s actually
[pause]
happening, as massive chunks of ice the size
of office blocks crash into the clear blue water. You will hear five short extracts in which people are talking
Suddenly, even quite a large boat seems tiny in about spending the night in different kinds of place. For
comparison. questions 19–23 choose from the list A–H what each speaker
says about their experience. Use the letters only once. There
Anyway, the sea currents then start to take them
are three extra letters which you do not need to use.
towards the ocean, but of the estimated 15,000 to
30,000 icebergs formed in this part of the world You now have thirty seconds to look at Part Three.
each year, only about one per cent actually survive [pause]
the long journey along the Davis Strait, through
the Labrador Sea and out into the Atlantic. A few [tone]
crash into the coast, though the vast majority melt Speaker 1
along the way and never become a threat to ocean
[pause]
shipping.
Woman: It was a very basic room with only the bare
Some icebergs are more of a danger to ships
essentials, but what do you expect in a budget
than others. It all depends on their shape, size
motel? Actually, I was expecting the bed to be as
and location. Those that enter the main Atlantic
hard as a board, but it was surprisingly comfy so
shipping lanes represent the greatest threat, and
I decided to have an early night for a change. I
obviously very large icebergs can in theory do the
read for a while, and although at one point I heard
most harm. Nowadays, though, these can easily
the people in the next room talking, they soon
be detected by ships’ radar and avoided. This may
quietened down and once I was asleep I didn’t
not be the case, however, when an iceberg lies
hear a thing. At home, I sometimes go to the
almost entirely below the surface – a medium one
bathroom during the night, but there I slept right
that is hard to spot but capable of causing serious
through.
damage.
[pause]
A number of factors may affect the height so
that less than a tenth may be visible from a ship, Speaker 2
although normally it’s approximately an eighth. [pause]
After more than a year out in the ocean, icebergs
may also end up in many weird and wonderful Man: To be honest, I hadn’t been looking forward to
shapes, some taking on the appearance of huge going camping at all. I’d expected all kinds of
sculptures. Photographs of these taken from unpleasant things like a rock-hard surface to sleep
passing ships give a sense of both incredible on, feeling either hot and sticky or extremely cold,
beauty and terrible danger. of being kept awake all night by somebody snoring
in the next tent, and so on. But in the event I
There have been many experiments to find ways of needn’t have worried and overall I had a good
dealing with icebergs. Attempts have been made night’s sleep, though just before dawn I woke up
to destroy them by bombing them, firing at them feeling very thirsty and unfortunately all the drinks
from warships or placing explosives underneath were in the boot of the car. Once back in the tent,
them, but these were largely unsuccessful. With though, in my nice warm sleeping bag, I quickly
the aim of getting them to absorb more of the dozed off again.
sun’s warmth and therefore reduce in size, some
were given a coating of black paint, but practical [pause]
difficulties led to this idea, too, being abandoned.

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 Speaker 3 Jake: It was a couple of years ago, when I was in the
[pause] Alps practising a few things on my bike on a
mountainside there. I came round a bend and
Woman: I was grateful to my cousin for letting me stay suddenly I saw these really cool-looking guys on
overnight in his apartment in the city centre fantastic bikes go charging down an impossibly
while he was away, particularly when I saw all steep slope, swerving to avoid trees, flying into the
the great DVDs he had! I had to be up early the air and somehow landing safely, all at an incredible
next morning and I’d intended to go to bed early, speed. Then I saw the leading rider punch the
but I got too involved in the films. Actually, I was air in jubilation as he crossed the finish line, and
worried I might keep the neighbours awake with heard people cheering. It was as though I was
some of the noisier ones, but there weren’t any watching a film being made about mountain-bike
complaints. In fact, when I eventually turned in, it racing, only this was for real, and it changed my
was me who had the problem, as no matter what I life forever.
tried I just couldn’t drop off. I can’t blame the bed,
or the room temperature or anything else for that. Interviewer: In what way?
It was just me. Jake: Well, I knew I’d at last found something I really
[pause] wanted to do, more than anything else in the
world.
Speaker 4
Interviewer: So, what did you do next?
[pause]
Jake: As soon as I got back from holiday I traded in
Man: It was my first experience of staying in a five- my heavy, slow machine for a much more sporty
star hotel, and in most respects it lived up to my model, with the possibility of racing very much
expectations. The suite was luxurious, beautifully in mind, though I’ve yet actually to enter one.
decorated and with fantastically expensive I also contacted a local club and asked about
furniture, both in the bedroom and bathroom. The membership, but it was quite pricey and instead I
king-size bed was wonderfully soft and had the decided to train on my own, which I do six days a
most delightful sheets and blankets, though they week, as many hours as I can.
were so thick that at around 3 a.m. I woke up in a
sweat. I thought of getting up to open the window, Interviewer: That’s a lot of time cycling. How do you feel about
but instead I just threw them off me and went back that?
to sleep. The room was very well sound-proofed, Jake: Actually, it’s important to do other kinds of
so even if the guests next door had been having a exercises to improve your stamina and strengthen
party, I probably wouldn’t have heard a thing. the muscles, so in fact I spend less time riding
[pause] than ideally I’d like to. It’s called cross-training
and it involves things like weight training in the
Speaker 5 gym, but I find that pretty dull so I go swimming
[pause] and play team sports instead. I’d like to go for a
good long run sometimes, but there isn’t any open
Woman: I’d been looking forward to going caravanning with country round here and jogging on roads doesn’t
my friend Kate, but maybe it was a mistake to do appeal to me. You also have to take care if you do
so in March. I woke up once or twice during the a lot of cycling not to end up with a sore back.
night because of the fall in temperature, though
at least I had a decent bed. Poor Kate was most Interviewer: How can you prevent that happening?
uncomfortable in hers, and I don’t think she slept Jake: If you look at most riders they’re hunched up over
a wink all night. In the end she got up and read for the handlebars, moving their lower back as they
a while. That didn’t disturb me. But what did, just pedal. That can start to hurt after a while, so from
as I was having rather a nice dream, was when time to time I lean back and stand on the pedals.
the people in the next caravan decided to have One alternative is to get off and stretch your legs
a furious row. Caravan walls are extremely thin, for a bit, but I prefer to keep going. And I know
unfortunately. some riders use painkillers, but that’s just asking
[pause] for trouble.
Now you’ll hear Part Three again. Interviewer: Obviously, mountain biking can be a dangerous
sport. Have you ever had a serious accident?
[tone]
Jake: I had one particularly bad fall last year, and at the
[The recording is repeated.] time I was sure I’d broken my right leg. I landed
[pause] heavily on some rocks and was lucky to get away
with just a cut knee and elbow, and some bruised
That’s the end of Part Three.
ribs. I was wearing a helmet of course, otherwise
Now turn to Part Four. I might’ve had serious head injuries. Nowadays I
[pause] don’t worry about accidents, though. They’re all
part of biking.
You will hear an interview with a boy called Jake Rivera, who
is talking about mountain biking. For questions 24–30, choose Interviewer: Do you think that in some way you’ve become a
the best answer, A, B or C. different person as a result of it?
You now have one minute to look at Part Four. Jake: Well, I still get as nervous as I ever did before a
really fast downhill ride, but when I actually get
[pause] going I’m a lot less unsure of myself than I used to
[tone] be, and I have this feeling there’s nothing I can’t do
if I really put my mind to it.
Interviewer: Jake, you have a real passion for mountain biking.
How did that begin? Interviewer: And during those rare moments when you’re not
actually out riding or training, how do you like to
spend your spare time? Watching mountain biking
on television, perhaps?

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 Jake: I certainly would if it was ever on! Sometimes I
have a look at online auction sites selling bike
parts and extras, though I still haven’t actually got
round to buying anything that way. I suppose what
gives me the biggest buzz is just sitting around
imagining my dream machine. One like those guys
in the Alps had.
Interviewer: Thanks, Jake.
[pause]
Now you’ll hear Part Four again.
[tone]
[The recording is repeated.]
[pause]
That’s the end of Part Four.
There’ll now be a pause of five minutes for you to copy your
answers onto the separate answer sheet. Be sure to follow the
numbering of all questions. I’ll remind you when there is one
minute left, so that you’re sure to finish in time.
You have one more minute left.
That’s the end of the test. Please stop now. Your supervisor will
now collect all the question papers and the answer sheets.

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32 CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: FIRST | TEST B © Cambridge University Press 2014

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 Acknowledgements
The authors and publishers acknowledge the following sources of copyright
material and are grateful for the permissions granted. While every effort
has been made, it has not always been possible to identify the sources
of all the material used, or to trace all copyright holders. If any omissions
are brought to our notice, we will be happy to include the appropriate
acknowledgements on reprinting.

Text
Part 5 p.9 Adapted from ‘Staff want to learn again’ by Liz Lightfoot, The
Independent 25.03.2010. Copyright © The Independent 2010;
Part 6 p.11 Adapted from ‘Solar Energy – The Sun’s Gift to Mankind’ by Andy
Groves, www.articlecity.com. Copyright © 2001-present articlecity.com.

Photos
Key: T=Top; B=Below
p.36T: © Anna Cardy / Alamy; p.36B: © Echo / Getty; p.37T: © Fancy
Collection / Fancy Collection / SuperStock; p.37B: © John Eder / Getty.

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33 CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: FIRST | TEST B © Cambridge University Press 2014

Practice Test X6 BOOK.indb 33 06/10/2014 15:40