DO FOUR ACTIVITIES OF YOUR CHOICE.

1. You are going to read an article about a solo traveller. For questions 1-
6 choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to
the text.
Go on. Go solo.
It was bravado at first, born of a desire to put my friends' backs up. In retrospect, I
don't believe there was any real intention of following through on my decision, but
there again, perhaps it was my subconscious talking when I announced that I
would do the trip solo. I was feeling let down. A lot of time and energy had gone
into discussing how best to profit from our hard-earned holiday, and I'd thought it
was settled. The three of us had been back and forth over the destination, the
timing, and of course the cost, and all that remained was to make the booking. At
which point my two travelling companions got cold feet. Walking the Great Wall
of China had sounded a fun challenge while it was still a dream, but when faced
with the reality they backed down and opted instead for a beach package on a
Greek island. I couldn't believe it. My reaction was a grumpy 'Well, I'll go on my
own!' And I did.
I can't say that I didn't have second thoughts. Yes, I was apprehensive and the 'what-
ifs' crowded in the more I thought about it. However, my friends' conviction that I
would back down and a weird sense of elation combined to boost my determination to
see it through. And determined I was, although lacking the confidence to organise the
whole trip myself. I booked on a group tour for solos, relying on the travel company
to organise accommodation, meals, guides and any transfers necessary. All I had to do
was get myself to the starting point of the trip and dutifully read up on all the advice
about preparation. Like, wearing in new walking boots beforehand and not packing
them in hold baggage, in case it all got lost; everything being replaceable apart from
those boots! The website I found was littered with similarly useful little tips that a
potential adventurous solo traveller might hoard away for future reference. My
excitement grew.
And then, at the airport, reality hit, and the apprehension took over. I'd never
travelled long-haul before or experienced that panic of possibly missing a
connection. Struggling to find the right queue in a heaving, noisy sea of passengers
was daunting, and the second, third and fourth thoughts were coming thick and fast.
Even when successfully boarded on the final leg of the journey, the apprehension
didn't subside. I scanned the other passengers, wondering who might be in my
group. Would we get along? Was I going to regret the whole thing? The happy
truth is that I had the time of my life. Walking the Great Wall was as fascinating as
I could possibly have imagined. And I made friends. I came back from that trip
with promises to keep in touch with a host of lovely, interesting people. I savoured
my achievement. I had ventured out of my comfort zone and survived.
With that confidence I never looked back. It was empowering to realise that I was
 no longer dependent on the availability or preferences of friends, and I became
ever more adventurous. Inevitably there have been the mistakes; getting stung by
taxi drivers when I didn't know the language well; having to ditch half my clothes
because I couldn't carry my backpack and more... But I've learnt from them. About
staying safe, about reading people and knowing who to trust. And knowing that the
only person you can totally rely on is yourself. There isn't always someone there to
lift your luggage! And yes, there might be a few lonely times and no one there to
relive the memories with you on your return. But pitch all this against the freedom
and the independence, and there's no contest!
I am now a seasoned solo traveller. The stigma that used to be attached to people
travelling alone has gone. We are no longer seen as people with no friends, or easy
targets for the unscrupulous. And although the more adventurous might choose to
organise their own trips in far-flung places, there are many other options out there;
travel operators are addressing this growing trend and offer a wide range of
holidays for the individual traveller, from group camping tours in the Arctic to
group luxury sunshine breaks in the Caribbean.
I am very glad that my show of bravado didn't end up being just a 'show'. It not
only opened my eyes to learning more about the world, but also to learning
more about myself and I hope that some of you reading this might be
encouraged to do the same.
1. How did the writer feel about her friends' decision about their planned holiday?
A reluctant to go without her friends
B annoyed by their change in attitude
C dismissive of their concerns about the proposed holiday
D appreciative of their honesty
2. What contributed to the writer's determination to travel alone?
A a certainty that she had the courage to face the challenge
B a fear of missing out on a great opportunity
C a desire to prove her friends wrong
D a previous experience of a similar holiday
3. The writer views the online advice given as
A useful information when considering solo travelling.
B necessary advice for members of a group tour.
C particularly valuable for people visiting China.
D optional reading for the inexperienced traveller.
4. In paragraph 3 we learn that the writer
A had an ingrained fear of flying.
B had regrets about her decision to go on this trip.
C was concerned about some of the other passengers.
D caught the wrong connection at one airport.
5. The writer uses the example of being 'stung by taxis' to
A warn people against travelling solo in certain countries.
B describe an unavoidable occurrence when travelling.
C show how she has profited from experience.
D indicate why people should speak other languages.
6. What point is the writer making in the final paragraphs?
A Solo travellers need to be aware of their vulnerability.
B Travelling solo is more rewarding than in organised groups.
C More unusual travel experiences are the most exciting.
D Attitudes to solo travellers have changed for the better.

2. You are going to read four reviews of a documentary about decision

fatigue. For questions 1-4, choose from the reviews A-D. The reviews may
be chosen more than once.
In two minds?
A
Decision-making is something everyone has to do, every hour, every day of their
lives, so a programme that explains what can affect our ability to do this was both
educational and potentially helpful for those who watched it. The idea that our
brains only have a limited amount of energy to use on decisions was well-
explained through a carefully planned and well-filmed sequence of interviews and
podcasts from the general public, although I have to say that some of the claims
weren't really backed up by any real evidence. It was neither too serious nor too
light, and I am sure it will be of help to many people, who, like myself, sometimes
leave things like essay writing until late in the evening and then sit looking at a
blank screen for ages! I know full well that if I leave it until the next day, the same
task will take a fraction of the time. I shall definitely try to alter my work pattern.
В
It had been billed as a documentary that could change the whole way we approach
decision making, and was produced by an excellent team. As a result, I was expecting
something rather special and I have to admit that it didn't disappoint. The attention to
detail was impeccable. I followed up some of their survey sources on line and they
were totally accurate, which cannot be said of all documentaries! As a writer, my
whole day is spent making decisions of varying complexity and importance, and I
know that late in the day I can struggle to come up with ideas. The documentary
underlined very clearly, through a series of well-linked and logical stages, why this
happens and I, personally, shall definitely take on board many of the suggestions. It
will be interesting to hear what else they mention in the next programmes. However, I
would say that most people are so settled in their own ways that although they may
initially profess interest in the ideas put forward, they will eventually fall back into
old routines.
C
I'd heard about decision fatigue before watching the documentary, possibly
because it had come up on a news programme at some point, and I found the idea
intriguing. However, I don't think the programme told us anything that was very
new, and certainly not life-changing for anyone. In my opinion, the fact that our
brains get worse at making decisions as the day goes on, seems to me pretty
logical. On the other hand, I was impressed by the way the documentary was put
together, and I think the producers got the basic ideas across very well with some
pretty sound statistics to back up their theories, in an entertaining way. The lack
of an original approach has, unfortunately, put me off watching the rest of the
series, although I can understand why other viewers might think differently.
D
It's quite incredible that we take so many things that our brains do for granted. Last
night's excellent documentary on decision fatigue was a case in point, and I am
definitely looking forward to the next instalment. It appears that after a lengthy
period of making choices our ability to weigh up pros and cons wanes and we end
up taking the easiest and often most reckless options. Apparently, when the mental
energy required to make decisions is depleted, so too are our self-control and our
willpower. So, that's why we shouldn't make important decisions or go on line
shopping late at night - note to self! Great documentary, in spite of all the very
technical bits, which I think should have come at the end, rather than the beginning.
Which reviewer ...
1. has a different opinion from the others about the way the documentary was
structured?
2. shares C's attitude to the credibility of the research for the documentary?
3. has a different view to B regarding the impact on viewers' habits?
4. expresses a different opinion to D regarding their anticipation of a subsequent
programme?

3. You are going to read an article about a number. Six paragraphs have
been removed from the article. Choose from the paragraphs A - G the
one which fits each gap (1-6). There is one extra paragraph which you do
not need to use.
Three rules OK?
'Stop, look and listen.' It's the age-old mantra about crossing roads taught to
generations of children by parents, teachers and safety campaigners around the
world. Imagine instead, if you will, that the mantra was 'Stop, look, listen, think
and cross.' Would it be such a successful phrase? Would it stick in young
minds? Probably not, but why?
1. ...
If you look at the structure of my last sentence, you'll see an example of what is
called 'The Rule of Three', and it's related to the way our brains instinctively search
for patterns, three being the smallest number necessary to form one. It's a
combination of brevity and rhythm, and as the Latin phrase 'omne trium perfectum'
says - anything in a set of three is perfect. Our short-term memories can process
and retain chunks of three easily, and this can be used to influence our buying
decisions.
2. ...
Viewing them all through my new 'rule of three' mind frame it became clear that
the product claims were grouped cleverly, to achieve maximum persuasive effect.
This cereal bar will tickle your taste buds, keep your energy boosted and can be
eaten on the go! Have one on the train, as a snack at work or add to your packed
lunch. Three promises, three situations, three linguistic bullets to the brain and it's
in our memory.
3. ...
Another interesting reason that our brains shy away from too much information
goes back a long way, to when our ancestors had to make life or death choices in
dangerous situations. Their survival was dependent on making the right choice, but
an overload of options could have resulted in decision paralysis. Three choices was
the maximum our brains could deal with. And so the pattern developed.
4. ...
How often have you seen a similar reaction on the faces of audiences at talks? An
awareness of the 'rule of three' is vital for a successful speechmaker to maintain
interest. Politicians are masters. A prime minister once said to emphasise a point:
'Education! Education! Education!'. People sat up and took notice. It was a powerful
message which would have been diluted had he reduced his 'Educations' by one or
added a fourth!
5. ...
Something else I also use in talks is humour, and oddly this also often follows the
'rule of three'. Comedians traditionally set up a punch line by using two elements
to build expectation and then thwart this expectation with a twist. If presenters do
the same and then deliver something surprising as the third element, they'll get a
reaction, and the message will be remembered.
6. ...
Three is definitely the magic number and its effect is felt from the cradle. Can
you imagine a fairytale where the hero was granted two wishes, and not three? It
just wouldn't sit right, would it? Now, we know why.
A Public speakers like this can take advantage of the Rule of Three in several ways. I
 recently had to give a presentation to my colleagues and, heeding advice, I focused on
three main messages only, with three supporting points for each. It worked. Not a
glazed look in the room!
B Going beyond this, with an additional fourth or fifth element could (according
to those in the know) mean that such messages would be forgotten or ignored.
Our brains have to work harder to remember more than three items and if there's
no real need, they won't! Of course, if we have to process longer lists, we can, but
it takes a lot of concentration.
C Apparently, there is an extremely good reason for this and it's down to the way
we group words, sentences or ideas into sets of three. This can have a powerful
impact on multiple aspects of our lives including how we approach persuasion,
how we react to storytelling and how we interact with others on a daily basis.
D An example was when I was recently talking about the introduction of closed-
door offices. I phrased it thus: 'These mean that employees benefit from increased
privacy, better conditions for concentration and [pause for effect] the opportunity
to shout as long and loudly at their PCs as they wish.' I got my laughs and kept
my audience's attention!
E With this in mind, I decided to note down sets of three in advertising slogans
that I encountered during my morning commute. In just one hour, I was exposed
to a whole range of subtle techniques - on TV, on social media and on public
transport. And without thinking, I've just done that very thing myself.
F It also affects drama. What is a traditional theatre play made up of? Three acts. In
children's fiction the hero often has to face three challenges or meets three animals
and so on. Once you start looking you can find the power of three nearly
everywhere.
G Thankfully without the same possible repercussions, going beyond three elements
can also affect everyday conversations. People will listen to a list of events, and even
anticipate a third component to complete the pattern. However, if we add more items,
they are likely to interrupt. Or their eyes go vacant.

4. You are going to read the contributions to an online magazine. For

questions 1-10, choose from the contributors (A-D). The contributors
may be chosen more than once. When more than one answer is
required, these may be given in any order.
Which contributor?
1. explains how economic reasons have enforced certain changes?
2. rephrases terminology readers may not understand?
3. suggests that the public are unaware of the full extent of a problem?
4. describes a potential solution to a global problem?
5. refers to terminology which is no longer appropriate?
6. indicates that nature has helped reduce the rate of climate change?
7. mentions an unwanted positive effect of climate change on certain wildlife?
8. exemplifies a phrase by giving a measurement?
9. points out how current research methods aid learning?
10. refers to information only recently acquired?
Seasons come and seasons go... or do they?
Four readers give us their views on seasonal shift.
A It's a sad news story; groups of cows stranded on small islands of grass during
floods; hundreds of sheep drowned. But it's even sadder to realise that this is only
the most obvious and well-known indication of the hardship that farmers, both
agricultural and dairy, have been facing for decades because of increasingly
unpredictable seasons. Think about it. Farmers depend on the seasons to know
when to plant, when to harvest, when to let livestock graze and when to bring
them in. In parts of Rwanda, for example, farmers used to be guided by the names
of the months which were taken from the weather; the name for March meaning
hot and dry, for example. Now sadly, that correlation is gone. In many countries
we're getting longer and wetter, and longer and hotter periods, with extreme
rainfall and drought. The knock-on effect is crystal clear. You don't have to be a
former farmer like myself to understand that you can't plant when it's too wet, and
that droughts mean smaller crops, ravaged by increased numbers of pests and
weeds that thrive in the hot conditions. Animals have less grass to graze on and
need to be fed - and that costs money!
B OK, so which biome on Earth (that is - a large region on the planet with its own
range of living things) has no really distinct seasons at all? Well done everyone
who said the marine biome. You're much better informed than I was before starting
a project last month. Of course, conditions do change throughout the year in the
oceans as a result of changing weather in different locations, but for the living
organisms in this biome it is the wider global climate change that is having an
enormous impact. I wasn't aware that the oceans have been taking in extremely
high amounts of carbon dioxide, which is a result of human industrial activity, and
this has, in effect, slowed down global warming for us. However, it's reaching a
limit and salt water on the earth is now showing a 25 percent rise in acidity. This,
combined with warmer waters and the more commonly discussed rise in sea levels,
is affecting practically all sea creatures. Coral reefs are dying, fish are moving
towards the poles and coastal wetlands are being 'drowned'. We are on the brink of
marine disaster, and it isn't showing up in seasonal shifts.
C So, what do kids know about the causes of the changing seasons? Actually, quite
a lot! The environment has been an important topic for us in education for a long
time now. Classroom walls have been decorated with posters about recycling,
surveys have been conducted, trees have been planted. Now, with movements such
as that spearheaded by climate activist Greta Thunberg, the urgency for action is
 touching young people all over the world. In my opinion, how teachers address the
topic of climate change is all about balance. It's vital to give information but
without instilling fear, instead showing how scientists are trying to find ways
through the problems
- such as Dr Leslie Field's research into sprinkling a particular type of sand over the
Arctic ice to prevent the shrinking. The idea of using sand to reflect the sun links
ideally to basic physics lessons, too - a real life-changing application of scientific
theory! Knowing that there are people actively working on solutions may even
encourage some children into scientific research careers themselves. And that will
help us all.
D OK, my livelihood is at stake, so I can't be objective here, but believe me, the
impact of climate change and seasonal shift on the tourist industry will be
devastating. I'm a ski instructor and I'm seeing the results first hand. Snowfall used
to be predictable, particularly at 'snow-reliable' resorts. To those not in the know,
these are resorts providing a continuous 100-day ski season with at least 30
centimetres of snow on the slopes. But predictions now indicate that the Alps could
lose up to 50 percent of these resorts by the 2070s and for some lower-altitude ski
resorts it is already a thing of the past. Shorter seasons and the need to 'top-up' with
artificial snow obviously involves higher costs, and smaller resorts have had to
close; the business is just no longer viable. Those that remain open are looking to
raise prices which will make winter sports holidays even more exclusive. Having
said that, it's not all doom and gloom. Some resorts have refocused and are
promoting activities less dependent on reliable snowfall such as hiking, mountain
biking and snow shoeing. I guess I'll maybe have to refocus, too!
5. For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer
(А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the
beginning (0).
First-time novelists are often one-time novelists. They 0 everyone's
attention with a best-selling debut and shoot to literary fame - take The Great
Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, for example. Having 1
their
expectations, many are either boosted by their success or struck by writer's block, 2
that the
public are expecting a follow-up to hit the shelves almost immediately. This
perceived pressure can result in writers feeling 3
of repeating their success, sometimes leaving fans waiting decades for
their next book.
But there are also writers who have no intention of putting pen to paper - or fingers to
keyboard - ever again after 4
their ambition to become a published author. 5 of their
success, these writers are often happy enough to have got their 'own' story out
there but do not 6 to
 spending their lives writing. And then there are writers who just 7 to
produce something that 8 with a
new trend or philosophy. Timing can be everything, but one thing's for certain:
the reasons for having a one-hit wonder are as individual as the stories - and
writers - themselves.
0 A fascinate B capture C excite D seize
1 A excelled В beaten C exceeded D better
2 A persuaded В convinced C determined D minded
3 A helpless В unable C lacking D incapable
4 A attaining В realising C succeeding D performing
5 A Albeit В Nonetheless C Regardless D Notwithstanding
6 A desire В aspire C inspire D require
7 A result В fancy C arise D happen
8 A coincides В occurs C signals D coordinates

6. For questions 1-8, read the text below and think o f the word which best
fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the
beginning (0).
Example: (0) NOT

How ears (or stripes) can identify individuals

Humans are 0 the only mammals to have features that uniquely
identify individuals. Other primates also have finger and toe prints, no two of
which are the same. Scientists 1 recently discovered
that koalas have fingerprints, too, which are just 2 individual. And now,
the stripes and spots of animals such as cattle and zebra, which zoologists of the
past 3 , until recently, only
ever thought of as camouflage, are being used in conservation projects to track
the movements of individuals.
Perhaps humans will be tracked in future, too. Our faces, heartbeats and even the
shape of our ears are also unique, and these features could have wider biometric
applications. 4 you're anything like most people, you've probably
5 using the same passwords for the last few years,
and 6 , now becoming concerned that someone will
eventually crack your 'code' and steal your identity. But biometric authentication is
likely 7 be at the forefront of rapid advances in IT
security, and rely on unique personal data to confirm identity 8
the use of touchscreens or other recognition
devices.
7. For questions 1-8, 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).

Example: (0) MISPLACES

Why socks don't come out of the wash in pairs

Researchers claim that the average person 0 1.3 socks every month. 0.PLACE
We believe our socks disappear in the wash, yet it seems somewhat 1 that 17. LOGIC
having put them all into the machine, some still come out without their partner. 18. SIGNIFY
19. ACT
It may appear to be an 2 problem, but intrigued scientists have even come 20. REGULAR
up with a formula to predict the likelihood of socks going missing. 21. NOTICE
22. LOOK
How attentive we are during our 3 with clothes and machine, and how 23. POSSIBLE
positive we feel about doing the washing, has an effect on how successful it is. 24. ESTIMATE
Washing at 4 intervals rather than a specified time each week could result in sock
loss which goes 5 with them straying under beds or radiators in the meantime. And the
bigger and more complex the load the combination of darks, whites and fabric types,
the more likely it is we'll 6 the fact that some socks were already
missing when we loaded the washer.

Washing isn't an 7 difficult task, but perhaps we all too often

8 the impact of abandoning our socks where we take them off, leading
to them 'vanishing'!

8. For questions 1-6, 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 three and six words,
including the word given. Here is an example (0).
0 I didn't learn to drive because I couldn't afford it
AFFORDED
If I could have
1. I think it's a mistake when schools don't include individual sports in their curriculum.
NOT
In my opinion, it is a mistake when individual sports in
school curricula.
2. When people have built exercise into their daily routine, they tend to stick with it.
IT
People tend to stick with exercise when their daily routine.
3. I went and did a bit of shopping in town while the mechanic fixed my moped.
BEING
While my moped the mechanic, I went and did a bit of shopping in
town.
4. The bike shop owner will fire Josefina if she makes any more costly mistakes.
DISMISSED
Josefina the bike shop by the owner if she makes any more
costly mistakes.
5. People will be talking about the findings of that sports psychology research for years
to come.
BE
The findings of that sports psychology research about for
years to come.
6. Johanna probably wouldn't be a tennis champion today if she hadn't grown up next
to a tennis club.
BROUGHT
If Johanna next to a tennis club, she probably wouldn't be a
tennis champion today.