1 Circle the correct answer (a–c).

1 That point of view makes ________ to me.

a​ meaning ​b​ understand ​c​ sense
2 The aim here is to concentrate ________ the positive points of this move.
a​ for ​b​ with ​c​ on
3 It’s important to ________ attention to the real issues.
a​ write ​b​ draw ​c​ take
4 The main ________ that older people bring to society is their experience.
a​ benefit ​b​ problem ​c​ reason
5 I’ve got one final point to make, and it ________ community spirit.
a​ about ​b​ regards ​c​ subject of

2 Circle the correct words to complete the sentences.

1 One of the ​conundrums / burdens / benefits​ of studying abroad is that you can
learn another language more quickly.
2 We had a ​lifeless / dismal / shrivelled​ holiday. The hotel was dirty and it rained
every day.
3 The judge didn’t see the ​grasp / sense / relevance​ of the evidence to the trial.
4 The country was lucky to have a ​thriving / worthwhile / renovated​ economy.
5 Mobile phones quickly become ​innovative / outdated / stifling​, as new models are
always being made.
6 I felt a ​pointless / remote / profound​ sense of sadness when I heard about the
accident.
7 Hans Christian Andersen wrote ​timeless / ruthless / never-ending​ stories for
children that are still popular today.
8 Chris forgot to water the flowers, so now they’re dry and ​lifeless / shrivelled /
haggard​.

3 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in brackets.
1 There is a genetic link to ________________ (bald).
2 Independent shops are ________________ (danger) by large supermarkets.
3 Sharks are hunted because their fins are ________________ (value).
4 The beach was only ________________ (access) at certain times of day.
5 Her ________________ (obese) was caused by a medical problem.
6 You’re a brilliant cook. This cake is baked to ________________ (perfect)!
7 Knowledge can ________________ (power) people to decide for themselves.
8 It is ________________ (sense) to avoid a big meal before going to the gym.
9 Access is provided for visitors with a ________________ (disabled).
10 The professor ________________ (large) the image for the students.
11 Animals show ________________ (aggressive) when they feel under threat.
12 The north coast of Africa is ________________ (vision) from Tarifa in Spain.

4 Complete the sentences with the words below.

1 I __________ on my coat and ran out of the house.
a​ threw ​b​ switched ​c​ added
2 He found it hard to __________ over the news that he had failed the exam.
a​ get ​b​ throw ​c​ switch
3 The group promised to __________ on campaigning until the government changed its
plans.
a​ cheer ​b​ cling ​c​ keep
4 Shops often __________ out of popular toys at Christmas.
a​ wear ​b​ opt ​c​ run
5 I __________ your point, but I disagree that voting should be compulsory.
a​ meet ​b​ have ​c​ take
6 Jan __________ her papers out across the floor and tried to organize her work.
a​ reached ​b​ spread ​c​ spilled
7 The library __________ out their old, damaged books.
a​ cleared ​b​ opted ​c​ dropped
8 Attitudes towards marriage have __________ on in the last fifty years.
a​ thrown ​b​ moved ​c​ pointed

5 Complete the sentences with the words below.

neglected commitment inevitably breathtaking short-sighted compassion
self-interest tolerance

1 The news that the airline had lost the passengers’ baggage _______________
caused anger.
2 Some pets are _______________ and left to go hungry.
3 They had a _______________ journey through the mountains.
4 My doctor won an award for his _______________ to helping his patients.
5 We should show _______________ for those who are suffering.
6 The company director was only motivated by _______________ and not the needs of
the business.
7 Anita is so _______________ that she can’t see anything without glasses.
8 Neighbourhoods are safer when different communities have _______________ for
one another.

6 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
1 This time next week you ___________________ (come) home.
2 Brendan ___________________ (use) to be blind until he had surgery.
3 We regret ___________________ (inform) you that tickets for the festival have sold
out.
4 By this time tomorrow she ___________________ (finish) her report.
5 The cleaner was shocked because she ___________________ (never / see) such a
dirty house before.
6 We ___________________ (support) this charity for over ten years.
7 He remembered ___________________ (get) lost in a supermarket when he was a
child.
8 Look at the sky! There ___________________ (be) a storm any minute!

7 Circle the correct words to complete the sentences.

1 I want to go to ​the / an / –​ Picasso exhibition at the National Gallery.
2 She’s ​the / a / –​ nurse at ​the / a / –​ hospital near your house.
3 He had ​a few / few / little​ ideas about how to run a shop, so his business failed.
4 From my point of view ​the / a / – ​wealthy should pay higher taxes.
5 I want to study ​the / a / –​ Russian at university.
6 Anne didn’t get the job because she had ​few / hardly any / none of​ experience.
7 Her house is filled with ​a several / too much / many junk​.

8 Match the sentence halves.

1 She stopped A talk while sitting exams.
2 People don’t have to B seeing her friend after the argument.
3 I have to C go for another appointment. I had a phone call
today.
4 You should probably D being able to play tennis like a professional.
5 I could E to write a novel in one month.
6 Poppy imagined F hear a noise coming from the living room.
7 She managed G wear a suit to the office.
8 Students mustn’t H talk to your brother. He looks really upset.

9 Match the words and phrases (1–8) to the definitions (A–H).

1 obviously A raising money from lots of people
online
2 staged scenes B filmed in a real setting not a
studio
3 as a matter of fact C it’s likely
4 frankly D to be honest
5 presumably E scripted parts of a film
6 crowdfunding F a store of film
7 shot on location G there is no doubt
8 archival footage H in fact, really

10 Circle the correct words to complete the sentences.

1 The buildings ​can’t / must​ have been destroyed in the powerful earthquake.
2 That ​could / must​ be him in the photo, but it’s hard to tell.
3 It’s not possible that / It looks as if​ they stole the jewellery. They weren’t in the
country!
4 Freya ​is​ ​bound to / might​ win the chess match. She’s much smarter than her
opponent.
5 The story ​has to / can’t​ be true. There are no facts to support it.
6 You ​must / might​ be sick. You look terrible!
7 Wild mushrooms ​might / can’t​ make you sick, so it’s better not to eat them.
8 It’s safe to say / It’s not possible​ that most English people have eaten fish and
chips.
 11 Complete the sentences with the correct phrases below.
seems likely safe to almost sure looks like most probably possible that is
bound

1 It ______________________ the concert will be cancelled, as the singer feels very

unwell.
2 My keys aren’t in the house. I’m ______________________ I left them in the car.
3 It ______________________ that he will go to prison, as there is a lot of evidence
against him.
4 My back really hurts. This will ______________________ be the last time I go
camping!
5 It is ______________________ scientists will find a cure for cancer one day.
6 Your cat ______________________ to come home soon. It always does when it’s
hungry.
7 It is ______________________ say that children spend a lot of time on computers.
 12 ​Rewrite the sentences.
1 The amount of corruption shocked me.
It was
____________________________________________________________________.
2 Her art is experimental and controversial.
Not only
__________________________________________________________________.
3 The class had only just begun working when there was an interruption.
Hardly
___________________________________________________________________.
4 A woman had never before become Prime Minister.
Never
___________________________________________________________________.
5 I just ate lunch and then went home.
All ___________________________________________________________________.
6 I couldn’t finish the exam.
What happened
_______________________________________________________________.
7 There has seldom been a storm as strong as this.
Seldom
__________________________________________________________________.
8 The artist used recycled glass to create the sculpture.
What __________________________________________________________________.
9 I don’t often see such a talented performer.
Rarely
__________________________________________________________________.

13 Complete the dialogue with the words below.

look about might choice sure

George The problem is when to have the meeting. It’s really important that everyone’s
there.

Angela How 1__________ having it on Wednesday morning?

 George I’m not 2__________ that’s the right time. Some people are travelling a long
way and might not be here in time. The afternoon would be better.

Angela I don’t think that’s the best 3__________ . The part-time staff will have
already gone home.

George OK, let’s 4__________ at having a business lunch, then. That 5__________
be the best solution.

Angela Good idea. I’ll book a restaurant.

14 Reading
You can’t take it with you
Most of us go through life acquiring junk that piles up in our lofts or garages. It appears to
be part of our nature to accumulate belongings for no particular reason other than the
feeling that we cannot part with them. We like to think that they might come in handy one
day. Almost all of this stuff is surplus to requirements – all except maybe a sacred family
heirloom. An heirloom is an object that is passed down through the generations and gains
sentimental and financial value along the way. Once an object is given the title of
‘heirloom’, it acquires a new significance. It’s almost as if you couldn’t throw it away
even if you wanted to.
So what are the most popular heirlooms? In the number one spot is jewellery. This is
unsurprising, as antique jewellery usually becomes more and more valuable as the years
go by and is often linked to an important family event like a wedding or christening.
Furniture, weapons and clocks make the top ten, too. More unexpected things in the top
ten are stories, letters and recipes. It’s good to see hoarding is not simply an exercise in
keeping money in the family. Even if the object is rusty or decaying, it has been passed on
to you and it’s your duty to pass it on to the next generation.
This turned out to be particularly beneficial for retired pilot Martin Kober and his family
from Buffalo in upstate New York. A painting they had stored behind their sofa for over
thirty years is thought to be a 16th century original by Michelangelo, worth £190 million.
Kober’s great-grandfather had passed the piece of art down to him and it had hung in the
lounge for years, before being knocked off accidentally by a tennis ball. It was only then
that family carefully wrapped up ‘The Mike’, a nickname they gave to the painting
because of its suspected creator, and stored it behind the sofa. Antonio Forcellino, an
Italian art historian and restorer, was prepared for the worst when he was asked to inspect
it in 2010. ‘I had assumed it was going to be a copy.’ He was pleasantly surprised,
however, and remains convinced it is genuine.
Ryan Givens and his three siblings also got lucky with a family heirloom. A nickel is
usually worth five cents in the USA – unless it’s one of only five 1913 Liberty Head
nickels that are thought to exist. It sold for an impressive $3.17 million when it went up
for auction in April 2013. His mother, Melva, had been given it after her brother died in a
car crash and it was found at the scene of the crash. Believed to be a fake by experts, she
couldn’t bring herself to throw it out because of its sentimental value, and so decided to
keep it in a box in her wardrobe. It stayed there until her death in 1992. Melva’s son,
Ryan, and Melva’s other three children held on to it and took it to the American
Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Baltimore in 2003. Coincidentally, at
that same exhibition, the other four Liberty Head nickels were being exhibited, and
Melva’s old coin completed the original set.
Of course, you’re unlikely to be this lucky with any of your own family heirlooms, but
you never know. It may be worth clearing out your house, while at the same time watching
out for anything that catches your eye, especially if it was handed down to you.

Read the text. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)?
1 People often become attached to things they don’t need. ___
2 An heirloom is an item that is kept in a family just because it is worth a lot of money.
___
3 Heirlooms are always linked to important family events. ___
4 Items are only kept as heirlooms if they are in good condition. ___
5 Kober had inherited the Michelangelo painting from a family member. ___
6 Antonio Forcellino expected the painting to be an imitation at first. ___
7 The painting was put behind to sofa to protect it from damage. ___
8 The experts had believed the fifth coin was a fake. ___
9 Melva Givens always knew the true value of the coin. ___
10 The writer suggests people keep an eye on what they’re throwing out. ___

15 Complete the text with the correct words (a–d).

Car boot sales
If you’re looking for something to do on a sunny Sunday morning while you’re in
England, I’d recommend ​1​_______ in the local newspaper, where many of ​2​_______ local
car boot sales will be advertised. Car boot sales are a popular English pastime and are
​ ​_______ bargain hunters. Professional car booters get there as early as
loved by all 3
7 a.m., when the event is fast-paced and competitive. Who can be the first to spot the
​ ​_______ cash? Go later and it’s more of a relaxed family
bargain and part with their 4
event. One man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure, and no more so than when you’re at
one of these sales. Here, instead of 5​ ​_______ clutter, people make money from it.
​ ​_______ , but don’t be surprised if some
Admittedly, almost all of it is, in fact, useless 6
7​_______ cups or a tiny handmade wooden toy catches your eye. It won’t cost 8 ​ ​_______ ,
will it? How could you possibly walk by? You stop to look, and before you know it,
you’re going home with something you never knew you needed.
1 a​ to looking ​b​ looking ​c​ to look ​d​ look
2 a​ the ​b​ some ​c​ – ​d​ a
 3 a​ the ​b​ – ​c​ of ​d​ almost
4 a​ heartfelt ​b​ well-known ​c​ well-earned d
​ ​ broad-minded
5 a​ getting rid ​b​ binning ​c​ possessing ​d​ sorting out
6 a​ possessions ​b​ heaps ​c​ stacks ​d​ junk
7 a​ china delicate antique ​b​ delicate china antique ​c​ antique china delicate
d​ delicate antique china
8 a​ much ​b​ a lot of ​c​ many ​d​ a little
16 ​Complete the sentences (1–5) with the words below. Then match the sentences to
the correct responses (A–E) to make dialogues.
can coming mean saying view

1 Are you ____________ that he acted in self-interest? ___

2 ____________ you just explain that to me again? ___
3 What do you ____________ , exactly? ___
4 My ____________ is that everyone should be given a prize. ___
5 I see where you’re____________ from. ___

A Of course I can, madam. It’s not that difficult.

B I’m just trying to say that he deserved the recognition he got.
C I suppose so. He didn’t really put the others first.
D Yeah, I know. That would be nice.
E I’m glad you do. Nobody else does!

17 Reading
The voyage of a lifetime
As the plane landed in Saint Lucia, I had no idea of the enormity of the challenge I had
taken on. Having worked solidly for three months prior to my flight in order to raise funds,
I thought I might now get the chance to take it easy for a bit. I mean, there was sun, palm
trees and clear blue water. It seemed as far away from hard work as I could imagine. This
thought couldn’t have been further from the truth.
I had been selected as one of twenty-one trainees to participate in a three-month
transatlantic voyage from the Caribbean to the UK. Although a few were in their twenties,
at only eighteen years of age and full of optimism and excitement, I was fairly typical of
the kind of trainee aboard the forty-metre sail training ship. The first thing the permanent
crew had to do was to demonstrate how we were going to successfully get the ship back to
the UK. Those who had sailing experience had a lot to learn. Those who hadn’t, like
myself, were few in number and had an even greater challenge!
 With this in mind, there was no time to lose. We were immediately sent up the masts to
take down the sails, which meant anyone with a fear of heights had to get over it pretty
quickly. Twenty-five metres might not seem that high in the calm seas off the local
beaches, but it would prove to be very different in the middle of the Atlantic, when we
would have to cope with gale force winds as well. Next was taking orders from the chef.
Peeling potatoes for thirty is not the most stimulating job, but it is one of the most vital.
Anyone who works outdoors knows how much a good meal is appreciated. Initially we
must have been a hindrance rather than a help, but day by day we learned to overcome
obstacles like homesickness and fatigue, and became an efficient, supportive unit.
Naturally, living together in such a small area demands tolerance. Most trainees shared a
sleeping area with a dozen others, the private cabins being reserved for permanent crew.
Although privacy was an issue, the ability to sleep rarely was. We were put into teams of
six and had a rota of four-hour shifts which ensured the boat kept moving towards our
destination twenty-four hours a day.
Having been at sea without setting foot on dry land for a fortnight, it came as a massive
blow that we would be unable to stop at Flores, an island in the middle of the Atlantic,
because of a violent storm. It was simply too risky. We wouldn’t get to the neighbouring
island until the following day. Everyone turned their disappointment into a
single-mindedness to reach it as quickly as possible.
After three months at sea, I felt a mixture of emotions as my family rushed to greet me at
Southampton. It truly had been a character-building experience and I wasn’t ready to hang
up my deck shoes. It was with a heavy heart, then, that twenty years later, I learned that
the boat, named ​Astrid,​ was no more. She sank off the coast of Ireland in rough seas in
July 2013. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and her memory will live on in the hundreds of
teenagers who had the chance to be part of her adventure.

Read the text. Circle the correct answer (a–d).

1 When the writer landed in St Lucia, she felt
a she deserved a holiday.
b energized and ready to work.
c worried about what lay ahead.
d overwhelmed by the surroundings.
2 Training in the Caribbean
a taught everyone the importance of team work.
b made even the most boring job seem interesting.
c meant that trainees could gradually overcome their fears.
d was difficult because of the weather conditions they experienced.
3 One of the difficulties of life at sea for the trainees was
a moving from team to team.
 b dealing with the lack of privacy.
c staying awake throughout the night.
d getting some sleep when they had the chance.
4 The trainees were able to
a deal with having little privacy.
b choose who they worked with.
c sleep well despite the conditions.
d take a rest whenever they wanted.
5 When the ​Astrid​ sank off the coast of Ireland, the writer felt
a shocked.
b annoyed.
c sad.
d anxious.

18 Complete the text with the correct words (a–d).

Chuck Close
The American portrait painter Chuck Close was five when his father ​1​________ him an
easel for Christmas. He has been painting ever since.
Up until the 1980s he ​2​________ a successful career. However, in 1988, whilst attending
an award ceremony in New York, he was dealt a major blow. He collapsed, unable to
​ ​________ this
move his body. A spinal illness had left him paralysed. Determined to 3
​ ​________ he would continue painting by holding a brush in his mouth.
obstacle, Close 4
This meant the technique he had been used to would have to change. Although he
5​________ some movement since then, he has been unable to create the photographic
accuracy of his previous work.
He now divides his paintings into segments. This ​6​________ technique is a clear symbol
of his self-preservation and a ​7​________ way of continuing to use his unique style. The
reason is that, close up, the pictures appear to be blurred, but from a distance they still
8​________ the realism of his early work.

1 a​ was making ​b​ made ​c​ had made ​d​ has made
2 a​ was enjoying ​b​ enjoys ​c​ had been enjoying ​d​ has been enjoying
3 a​ fight ​b​ support ​c​ conquer ​d​ overcome
4 a​ was deciding ​b​ decided ​c​ had decided ​d​ had been deciding
5 a​ regained ​b​ has been regaining ​c​ is regaining ​d​ has regained
6 a​ innovative ​b​ degenerative ​c​ educational ​d​ haggard
7 a​ clever ​b​ compassionate ​c​ satisfied ​d​ gradual
8 a​ took ​b​ are taking on ​c​ take on ​d​ were taking on

19 Circle the correct answer (a–c).

1 For me, it’s a ________ .
a​ necessary ​b​ have to ​c​ must
2 It’s ________ to put money into these projects.
a​ priority ​b​ crucial ​c​ needed
3 It ________ be an idea to have a rethink of our original plan.
a​ should ​b​ could ​c​ might
4 It’s important to ________ attention to neglected areas.
a​ have ​b​ get ​c​ draw
5 It’s ________ not that appealing to local people.
a​ probably ​b​ likely ​c​ essential

20 Circle the correct answer (a–c).

1 I’m not ________ by that argument, I’m afraid.
a​ sure ​b​ certain ​c​ convinced
2 I see ________ you’re coming from, but I think you’ve forgotten about the key issue.
a​ where ​b​ how ​c​ that
3 I ________ believe it’s the best solution to the problem.
a​ totally ​b​ surely ​c​ firmly
4 I know what you’re ________ at, but I don’t really agree with you.
a​ looking ​b​ getting ​c​ thinking
5 There’s no ________ in my mind that this is the right way forward.
a​ point ​b​ error ​c​ doubt

21 Complete the sentences (1–5) with the words below. Then match the
sentences to the correct responses (A–E) to make dialogues.
go decide should doesn’t hoping

1 I was __________ I could join you in the meeting. ___

2 We don’t have to _________ right now. ___
3 Don’t you think you _________ try and guess the meaning? ___
4 _________ it make more sense to make a rough copy first? ___
5 Which one shall we _________ for? ___
A I suppose so, but using a dictionary’s much easier.
B I’d prefer to read the second one. It looks more interesting.
C Of course, you’re always welcome.
D OK. Let’s sleep on it, then.
E It does, yes. I was just being impatient.

22 Complete the text with the correct words (a–d).

Reading by touch
Over 200 years ago, a French schoolboy called Louis Braille came up with a sophisticated
system that ​1​________ blind people like himself to read.
His family ​2​________ afford for him to go to a specialist school, but a rich landowner saw
his potential and ensured that he attended the Royal Institution for Blind Youth in Paris.
Living away from home must have been difficult for the ten-year-old, but he was
3​________ by his thirst for knowledge.

At some point in 1821, he was introduced to ‘night writing’, a system of raised dots on
paper which was used by soldiers who ​4​________ to communicate without detection. He
​ ​________ to a point, but the soldiers’ system was too complex. He
loved the idea 5
6​________ to simplify the code and succeeded in creating a more useable system of six
raised dots with sixty-three combinations. He went on to teach it to as many people as
possible.
Louis died aged just forty-three, but his memory ​7​________ on through Braille, the code
he created. In 1952, a century after his death, the French government finally did what, in
​ ​________ have done many years earlier: it formally recognized Louis’
my opinion, it 8
achievement. In a touching tribute, his ashes were moved to the Panthéon in Paris, the
resting place of all of France’s national heroes.
1 a​ enclosed ​b​ entrusted ​c​ enabled ​d​ enlarged
2 a​ couldn’t ​b​ mustn’t ​c​ didn’t have to ​d​ shouldn’t
3 a​ cheered on ​b​ urged on ​c​ carried on ​d​ kept on
4 a​ must ​b​ didn’t have to ​c​ ought ​d​ needed
5 a​ up ​b​ as ​c​ next ​d​ at
6 a​ stopped ​b​ bothered ​c​ will be able ​d​ managed
7 a​ stays ​b​ remains ​c​ comes ​d​ lives
8 a​ must ​b​ can’t ​c​ should ​d​ had better