PRACTICE TEST 27 FOR PEC 2025-2026

SECTION A. LEXICO – GRAMMAR

Part 1. For questions 1-12, choose the best answer to complete each of the following sentences. Write A,
B, C or D in the corresponding numbered boxes.
1. Jack was disappointed not to be promoted as he was given to ____________ that the job would be his.
A. know B. understand C. realize D. say
2. Both the favourite and then the second favourite pulled out. Naturally, we thought we were ______ a chance.
A. in with B. up for C. in for D. up with
3. It is essential that the committee’s final decision — a decision whose consequences may affect thousands of
employees — ____________ .
A. must be fair and transparent B. be fair and transparent
C. will be fair and transparent D. has to be fair and transparent
4. Whoever has worked as a secretary can __________ on their former experience in this position.
A. capitalize B. clamp down C. play off D. plough
5. _______________ that she opened the mystical box sent from Zeus.
A. So curiosity was she C. Her curiosity was such
B. Such her curiosity was D. So curious she was
6. Jack is ___________ his sister, Jill.
A. just thick as B. every bit as thick as C. as thick like D. nowhere thick like
7. Young people have a tendency to be enthralled by the seemingly ________ march of new technology.
A. indisputable B. inexorable C. inadmissible D. inadvertent
8. Many businesses ____________ during the recession.
A. tapered off B. went under C. rang up D. weighed up
9. You must not cough when we are eating like that ____________, excuse yourself.
A. As necessary B. If need be C. In due time D. Despite that
Choose the best answer A, B, C, or D to indicate the word CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s)
in the following question.
10. The CEO’s announcement about the company’s expansion plans set the ball rolling for a series of new
investments.
A. caused the collapse B. discouraged the rivals
C. initiated the process D. ended the debate
Choose the best answer A, B, C, or D to indicate the words OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined words
in the following question.
11. When asked about the scandal, the spokesperson remained tight-lipped throughout the interview.
A. spill the beans B. bite your tongue C. keep it under wraps D. hold your peace
Choose the best answer A, B, C, or D to indicate the sentence that best completes the following
exchange.
12. Two friends are talking about a recent group project.
Anna: “I ended up doing almost all the work by myself. The others just disappeared when things got tough.”
Ben: “______”
A. Well, at least you know who really pulls their weight.
B. Don’t mention it; I’m used to it.
C. You should have kept your chin down.
D. Lucky you, teamwork is always smooth sailing!

Part 2. Read the passage below, which contains 8 mistakes. For questions 13-20, identify the mistakes
and write the corrections in the corresponding numbered boxes.

Line
1 On September 2, 2025, Vietnam commemorated the 80th anniversary of its National Day with a
2 parade so spectacular that it could hardly be compared with any event in the region. At Ba Đình
3 Square, more than 16,000 soldiers marched proudly, accompanied by helicopters and aircrafts
4 roaring overhead. Leaders emphasized that the event not only honored history but also
5 demonstrated the nation’s commitment to peace and innovation.
6 Foreign delegations from China, Russia, Laos, and Cambodia joined, highlighted Vietnam’s growing
7 role across Asia. Meanwhile, the government announced that it would provide the one-time financial
8 supports to every citizen, a gesture welcomed across society. The amnesty program also released
9 thousands of prisoners, many of whom had behaved well during their sentences, including 66
10 foreigns.
11 At the same time, Hanoi introduced the A80 digital platform, designed to act as an indispensable
12 “smart company” for the celebrations. The platform offered real-time updates, interactive maps, and
13 livestreams, ensuring that no visitor was left in the dark. However, some users complained that the
 14 app crashed too frequently on the launch day, though improvements were implemented immediately.
15 More than the technological tool, A80 symbolized Vietnam’s determination to merge traditions with
16 modernity, reminding citizens and foreign friends alike that the nation’s journey is as much about
17 looking backward with pride as looking forward to confidence

Your answers:
Line Mistake Correction Line Mistake Correction
13. 17.
14. 18.
15. 19.
16. 20.

Part 3. Choose one of the words marked A, B, C, or D which best completes each of the following
sentences. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes.
1. Sales began the year at 30,000 units in January and increased slightly __ 2,000 units in February.
A. by B. to C. in D. at
2. _____ Mississippi River flows into _____ Gulf of Mexico in _______ state of Louisiana.
A. - / the / the B. The / the / the C. The / - / - D. - / - / -
3. The brother and sister were ________ over who would get to inherit the beach house.
A. at large B. at odds C. at a standstill D. at a loose end
4. You _______ then; otherwise, the policeman wouldn’t have stopped you.
A. could have been speeding B. must have been speeding
C. might have been speeding D. ought to have been speeding
5.My mind went ____ when the official asked me my phone number- I couldn’t remember it at all.
A. empty B. clear C. blank D. vacant
6. ________ that Helen was getting married, we were sorry she’d be leaving home.
A. Delighted though we were B. As we were delighted
C. However delighted were we D. As we were so delighted
7. Many local authorities realize there is a need to make _______ for disabled people in their housing programmes.
A. assistance B. conditions C. admittance D. provision
8. It's a shame they didn't pick you up, but it doesn't _______ out the possibility that you might get a job in a
different department.
A. strike B. cancel C. draw D. rule
9. Earthquake can damage a tree ______violently, and it can take several years for the tree to heal.
A. to cause to shake it B. when shaking it causes
C. to cause shaking it D. by causing it to shake
10. Ninety________ the maximum length of time allowed for entrance exams to this school.
A. minute is B. minutes are C. minute are D. minutes is
11. I saw the men, the women, and the cattle ________ went to the field.
A. which B. who C. that D. what
12. He believes that all children are born with equal intelligence, ______?
A. doesn’t he B. does he C. are they D. aren’t they

13. Susan: “I love your gardens. The plants are well taken care of!”
Jack: “Thanks. Yes, I suppose I’ve always __________.”
A. had green fingers B. let nature take its course
C. made it down on my luck D. drawn the short straw
14. Since I came in half an hour late this morning, I have to stay until 5:30 to _______ for it.
A. save up B. make up C. keep up D. hold up
15. Tom: “I thought your performance last Sunday was wonderful.” Laura: “____________”
A. Don’t tell a lie. I thought it was terrible.
B. You must be kidding. It was not as good as I had expected.
C. I completely agree with you. It was terrific.
D. No doubt!
16. I don’t think you have been watering the plants near the gate. The soil is _________.
A. as dry as rice B. as dry as a tile C. as dry as a bone D. as dry as wood
17. Having been served dinner, __________.
A. the problem was discussed by the members of the committee.
B. the committee members discussed the problem.
C. it was discussed by the committee members the problem.
D. a discussion of the problem was made by the members of the committee.
18. There are fast-growing __________ of fir tree here in this park.
A. variations B. variances C. variants D. varieties
19. Whether the sports club survives is a matter of complete _____ to me.
A. indifference B. disinterest C. importance D. interest
20. Only in the Civil war _____killed or wounded
A. soldiers in America B. so many American soldiers were
C. many in America were D. were so many American soldiers
Part 4: Find and correct 8 mistakes in the following passage
Social media, as a dynamic platform for online interaction, have become integral to modern society.
Defined as interactive Web 2.0 applications, social media thrives on generated-user content, including text,
images, and videos. Accessible through both web-based and mobile applications, social media encourages the
sharing and co-creation of content, contributing to the formation of digital communities. These platforms serve
various purposes, including documentary of memories, information sharing, self-promotion, and relationship
building. The early 2000s witnessed the rapid proliferation of social media platforms, with notably services such
as Friendster, Myspace, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter gaining widespread popularity. By 2015, social
networks made up the significant portion of the world's online activity, accounting up approximately 22% of the
global online time, a trend fueled in part by the widespread adoption of smartphones. As of January 2023, the
global population of social media user has surged to 4.76 billion, constitute nearly 60% of the world's total
population.
Part 5: Fill in the blank with ONE suitable word
Motorbikes are incredibly popular in Vietnam. With a (1) __________
number of almost 100 million, the country
boasts 50 million motorbikes, (2) __________
making it the second-largest motorbike user globally. These vehicles (3)
play a central role in Vietnamese life, facilitating daily commutes, social interactions, and business
__________
navigating
activities. There are several reasons for their widespread use. Firstly, motorbikes are adept at (4) __________
Vietnam's narrow and intricate roads, allowing them to reach remote areas efficiently. Moreover, (5) __________
despite
carry
their small size, they can (6) __________ substantial loads, serving as the Vietnamese equivalent of station
wagons. Affordability is another factor, as they are more accessible than cars, with (7) __________
prices ranging from
700 to 4,000 USD. Vietnam's limited public transportation further fuels the preference (8) __________ motorbikes.
for
However, the high volume of these vehicles has negative consequences, contributing to traffic congestion and
environmental pollution. While they are more fuel-efficient than cars, they produce harmful (9) __________
emisisons like
smog-forming hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. Efforts to control the number of motorbikes remain limited. (10)
__________
to mitigate their impact, Vietnam needs to explore alternative transportation solutions.
SECTION C. READING
Part 1. For questions 1-10, read the passage and choose the best answer. Write your answers A, B, C or
D in the corresponding numbered boxes.
Until the early part of this century there was certainly a distinction bewtween popular music, the songs and
dance (1) ______ of the masses, and what we have come to call classical music. Up to that point, however, there
were at least some points of contact between the two, and perhaps general (2) ______ of what made a good voice,
or a good song. With the development of recorded entertainment, popular music (3) _______ and has gradually
developed a stronger life of its self, to the point where it has become incompatible with (4) _______ classics. In
some respects, it is now dominated by the (5) ______ of youth culture, so that a concert by Elton John is just as
much a fashion event, and other artists may be promoting dance styles, or social protest. (6) ______, it is
impossible to talk about popular music as if it were a unified art. The kind of music you like may depend on what
kind of person you are. Curiously, there are now classical musicians and operatic singers who have (7) ______
the status of rock stars, and have been marketed in the same way. This to suggest that many young people enjoy
classical music but not wish to be (8) ______ with the lifestyle of those who are traditionally supposed to enjoy it.
Or it may simply be that recording companies have discovered that there is an (9) ______ desire for ‘sounds’,
raised on rock but now settling (10) ______ affluent middle-age

1. A. halls B. tunes C. musicians D. artists

2. A. realization B. recognition C. recommendation D. acquisition
3. A. broke up B. split up C. split away D. broke out
4. A. other B. another C. some D. further
5. A. promotion B. discovery C. intention D. survival
6. A. In addition B. Therefore C. For this reason D. On the contrary
7. A. lost B. admired C. penetrated D. achieved
8. A. related B. associated C. coincided D. confined
9. A. infallible B. altruistic C. immense D. insatiable
10. A. down B. on C. into D. for
Part 2. For questions 11-20, fill in the gap with ONE most suitable word. Write the answers in the
corresponding numbered boxes.

WHY DO WE SMILE?
Every human being is born with the (11) _____to smile. We know this because even children who are
unable to see can still grin. A smile is a natural (12)_____ to a positive moment, like a friendly face or a clever
joke. But this isn’t the first (13)_____ we smile. Most babies first smile when they reach the age of six to eight
weeks. It’s usually an accident: an expression (14)_____ when exercising their facial muscles (or passing wind!).
But once they realise a smile gets them a lot of attention- huge smiles and happy noises in return- they learn to try
it again. And it doesn’t take too much effort (15)_____ - we need 43 muscles to frown but only 17 smile.
But not (16)_____creature can smile. Although your pet dog may sometimes look like it’s smiling back at
you, it’s not. Animals do experience some of the (17)_____ emotions as us, but they don’t smile. A dog’s cheerful
face is more likely to be a sign of confusion, (18)_____dolphins lack the muscles for facial expressions (their
mouths are permanently turned upwards which makes them appear to be smiling). Animals express their joy
through other movements, like a waging (19)_____ or a backwards flip. Some, such as chimpanzees and rats,
can (20)_____ laugh.

Part 3. You are going to read an article about the effects of digital media on people’s minds. For questions
21-28, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text. Write your answers
in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.

MORE GOOD THAN EVIL?

It is a commonly held belief that today’s teens are in trouble. They spend hours communicating via social
network sites instead of socializing in person and send countless text messages that are in a virtually
unrecognizable language. In a study analyzing today’s youth in the digital world, renowned scientist, Susan
Greenfield, laments: “We are raising a generation of children who are shallow, thrill-seeking and in danger of
detaching themselves from reality.” In spite of such pessimistic beliefs, recent research seems to indicate that
social network sites may not be as detrimental as some may think.
A crucial point is that we need to maintain a broader perspective. New technologies have always provoked
generational panic, which usually has more to do with adult fears than any real harm they may do. In the 1930s,
parents worried that radio was taking over the lives of their children. In the 60s, the great danger was the television
and then in the 80s, the Sony Walkman was claimed to be turning teens into mindless zombies.
In fact, social scientists who study young people have found that technology and the digital world can
essentially benefit today's youth. It seems that if teens use a lot of social media, it has no negative effect on their
engaging in face-to-face contact. Actually, the evidence suggests that the most avid texters are also the kids most
likely to spend time with friends in person. One form of socializing doesn't replace the other. It augments it. Then,
as the young get older and are given more freedom, they often ease up on social networking. Early on, the web is
their own personal space, but by their late teens, it is replaced as they acquire greater independence.
But isn't all this short-form writing eroding language skills? Studies of first-year college papers from 1917 show
that this is not the case. The rates of grammar and vocabulary errors by these freshmen in their compositions were
the same as in the ones written by their modern counterparts. There is one essential difference, however. Student
essays have blossomed in size and complexity. They are now six times longer and offer arguments supported by
a wealth of evidence. Why? Because computers have vastly increased the ability of students to gather research,
consider different points of view and write more analytically.
If truth be told, the online world also offers kids remarkable opportunities to become literate and creative
because young people can now publish ideas not just to their circle of friends, but to the whole world. And it turns
out that when they write for strangers, it makes them work harder, push themselves further, and create powerful
new communicative forms.

21. What is meant by the phrase virtually unrecognizable in the first paragraph?
A. Teenagers use foreign languages when they speak or write.
B. Teenagers are very creative when they communicate with one another,
C. Teenagers enjoy taking on a different identity when they communicate.
D. The language used in text messages has been greatly altered.
22. In the first paragraph Susan Greenfield is quoted because _____
A. She has teenage children who use computers.
B. She strongly contradicts what society believes.
C. Her research supports that teens are negatively affected by today’s technology.
D. She believes more information is needed to draw conclusions.
23. According to Susan Greenfield, what may be a consequence, of teens using technology?
A. They may become overly cynical about their lives.
B. They may not be connected to what is happening around them,
 C. They may not find pleasure in exciting activities.
D. They may not grow up into mature adults.
24. Why does the author use examples from past decades?
A. to prove that technology has always been harmful
B. to argue that new inventions always seem suspicious
C. to show that teenagers will never obey their parents
D. to present a trend that is getting more dangerous
25. How does a modern college freshman’s paper compare to one from 1917?
A. It has almost no linguistic errors.
B. It has the same amount of content.
C. It has a less complicated writing style.
D. It is based on more information.
26. What is the author’s view of social networks?
A. Their access must be strictly controlled by parents.
B. They play a positive role in young people’s lives.
C. They are detrimental to young people's relationships.
D. They have evolved faster than most people realize.
27. In paragraph 5, what does the author suggest is the main benefit for young people when they publish their
writing online for strangers to read?
A. They are more motivated to improve the quality of their work.
B. They gain popularity and make new friends more easily.
C. They become less dependent on their immediate social circle.
D. They learn how to use new digital platforms more quickly.
28. What can be inferred about the author’s attitude toward adult concerns about new technology?
A. Adults often exaggerate the dangers of technology.
B. Adults are usually right about the risks.
C. Adults tend to ignore how teens actually use technology.
D. Adults should restrict teens’ access to technology completely.
Your answers:
21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.

Part 4. Read the following passage and do the tasks that follow.
SOSUS: Listening to the Ocean
A
The oceans of Earth cover more than 70 percent of the planet’s surface, yet, until quite recently, we knew less
about their depths than we did about the surface of the Moon. Distant as it is, the Moon has been far more
accessible to study because astronomers long have been able to look at its surface, first with the naked eye and
then with the telescope-both instruments that focus light. And, with telescopes tuned to different wavelengths of
light, modern astronomers can not only analyze Earth’s atmosphere but also determine the temperature and
composition of the Sun or other stars many hundreds of light-years away. Until the twentieth century, however, no
analogous instruments were available for the study of Earth’s oceans: Light, which can travel trillions of miles
through the vast vacuum of space, cannot penetrate very far in seawater.
B
Curious investigators long have been fascinated by sound and the way it travels in water. As early as 1490,
Leonardo da Vinci observed: “If you cause your ship to stop and place the head of a long tube in the water and
place the outer extremity to your ear, you will hear ships at a great distance from you.” In 1687, the first
mathematical theory of sound propagation was published by Sir Isaac Newton in his Philosophiae Naturalis
Principia Mathematica. Investigators were measuring the speed of sound in the air beginning in the mid-
seventeenth century, but it was not until 1826 that Daniel Colladon, a Swiss physicist, and Charles Sturm, a French
mathematician, accurately measured its speed in the water. Using a long tube to listen underwater (as da Vinci
had suggested), they recorded how fast the sound of a submerged bell traveled across Lake Geneva. Their result-
1,435 meters (1,569 yards) per second in the water of 1.8 degrees Celsius (35 degrees Fahrenheit) – was only 3
meters per second off from the speed accepted today. What these investigators demonstrated was that water –
whether fresh or salt – is an excellent medium for sound, transmitting it almost five times faster than its speed in
air.
C
In 1877 and 1878, the British scientist John William Strutt, third Baron Rayleigh, published his two-volume seminal
work, The Theory of Sound, often regarded as marking the beginning of the modern study of acoustics. The
recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1904 for his successful isolation of the element argon, Lord Rayleigh
made key discoveries in the fields of acoustics and optics that are critical to the theory of wave propagation in
fluids. Among other things, Lord Rayleigh was the first to describe a sound wave as a mathematical equation (the
basis of all theoretical work on acoustics) and the first to describe how small particles in the atmosphere scatter
certain wavelengths of sunlight, a principle that also applies to the behavior of sound waves in water.
D
A number of factors influence how far sound travels underwater and how long it lasts. For one, particles in seawater
can reflect, scatter, and absorb certain frequencies of sound – just as certain wavelengths of light may be reflected,
scattered, and absorbed by specific types of particles in the atmosphere. Seawater absorbs 30 times the amount
of sound absorbed by distilled water, with specific chemicals (such as magnesium sulfate and boric acid) damping
out certain frequencies of sound. Researchers also learned that low-frequency sounds, whose long wavelengths
generally pass over tiny particles, tend to travel farther without loss through absorption or scattering. Further work
on the effects of salinity, temperature, and pressure on the speed of sound has yielded fascinating insights into
the structure of the ocean. Speaking generally, the ocean is divided into horizontal layers in which sound speed is
influenced more greatly by temperature in the upper regions and by pressure in the lower depths. At the surface
is a sun-warmed upper layer, the actual temperature and thickness of which varies with the season. At mid-
latitudes, this layer tends to be isothermal, that is, the temperature tends to be uniform throughout the layer
because the water is well mixed by the action of waves, winds, and convection currents; a sound signal moving
down through this layer tends to travel at an almost constant speed. Next comes a transitional layer called the
thermocline, in which temperature drops steadily with depth; as the temperature falls, so does the speed of sound.
E
The U.S. Navy was quick to appreciate the usefulness of low-frequency sound and the deep sound channel in
extending the range at which it could detect submarines. In great secrecy during the 1950s, the U.S. Navy launched
a project that went by the code name Jezebel; it would later come to be known as the Sound Surveillance System
(SOSUS). The system involved arrays of underwater microphones, called hydrophones, that were placed on the
ocean bottom and connected by cables to onshore processing centers. With SOSUS deployed in both deep and
shallow water along both coasts of North America and the British West Indies, the U.S. Navy not only could detect
submarines in much of the northern hemisphere, it also could distinguish how many propellers a submarine had,
whether it was conventional or nuclear, and sometimes even the class of sub.
F
The realization that SOSUS could be used to listen to whales also was made by Christopher Clark, a biological
acoustician at Cornell University, when he first visited a SOSUS station in 1992. When Clark looked at the graphic
representations of sound, scrolling 24 hours a day, every day, he saw the voice patterns of blue, finback, minke,
and humpback whales. He also could hear the sounds. Using a SOSUS receiver in the West Indies, he could hear
whales that were 1,770 kilometers (1,100 miles) away. Whales are the biggest of Earth’s creatures. The blue
whale, for example, can be 100 feet long and weigh as many tons. Yet these animals also are remarkably elusive.
Researchers studying whales firsthand must wait in their ships for the animals to surface. A few whales have been
tracked briefly in the wild this way but not for very great distances, and much about them remains unknown. Using
the SOSUS stations, scientists can track the whales in real-time and position them on a map. Moreover, they can
track not just one whale at a time, but many creatures simultaneously throughout the North Atlantic and the eastern
North Pacific. They also can learn to distinguish whale calls. For example, Fox and colleagues have detected
changes in the calls of finback whales during different seasons and have found that blue whales in different regions
of the Pacific Ocean have different calls.
G
SOSUS, with its vast reach, also has proved instrumental in obtaining information crucial to our understanding of
Earth’s weather and climate. Specifically, the system has enabled researchers to begin making ocean temperature
measurements on a global scale – measurements that are keys to puzzling out the workings of heat transfer
between the ocean and the atmosphere. The ocean plays an enormous role in determining air temperature – the
heat capacity in only the upper few meters of the ocean is thought to be equal to all of the heat in the entire
atmosphere. For sound waves traveling horizontally in the ocean, speed is largely a function of temperature. Thus,
the travel time of a wave of sound between two points is a sensitive indicator of the average temperature along its
path. Transmitting sound in numerous directions through the deep sound channel can give scientists
measurements spanning vast areas of the globe. Thousands of sound paths in the ocean could be pieced together
into a map of global ocean temperatures and, by repeating measurements along the same paths overtimes,
scientists could track changes in temperature over months or years.
H
Researchers also are using other acoustic techniques to monitor climate. Oceanographer Jeff Nystuen at the
University of Washington, for example, has explored the use of sound to measure rainfall over the ocean.
Monitoring changing global rainfall patterns undoubtedly will contribute to understanding major climate change as
well as the weather phenomenon known as El Niño. Since 1985, Nystuen has used hydrophones to listen to rain
over the ocean, acoustically measuring not only the rainfall rate but also the rainfall type, from drizzle to
thunderstorms. By using the sound of rain underwater as a “natural” rain gauge, the measurement of rainfall over
the oceans will become available to climatologists.

Questions 29-32
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?
In boxes 29-32 on your answer sheet, write
TRUE if the statement is true
FALSE if the statement is false
NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in the passage
29. In the past, difficulties of research carried out on Moon were much easier than that of the ocean.
30. The same light technology used in the investigation of the moon can be employed in the field of the ocean.
31. Research on the depth of the ocean by the method of the sound wave is more time-consuming.
32. Hydrophones technology is able to detect the category of precipitation.

Questions 33-36
The Reading Passage has seven paragraphs A-H
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter A-H, in boxes 33-36 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once
33. Elements affect sound transmission in the ocean.
34. Relationship between global climate and ocean temperature
35. Examples of how sound technology help people research ocean and creatures in it
36. Sound transmission underwater is similar to that of light in any condition.
Questions 37-40
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write your answers in boxes 37-40 on your answer sheet.
37 Who explained that the theory of light or sound wavelength is significant in the water?
A. Lord Rayleigh
B. John William Strutt
C. Charles Sturm
D. Christopher Clark
38. According to Fox and colleagues, in what pattern does the change of finback whale calls happen
A. Change in various seasons
B. Change in various days
C. Change in different months
D. Change in different years
39 In which way does the SOSUS technology inspect whales?
A. Track all kinds of whales in the ocean
B. Track bunches of whales at the same time
C. Track only finback whale in the ocean
D. Track whales by using multiple appliances or devices
40 What could scientists inspect via monitoring along a repeated route?
A. Temperature of the surface passed
B. Temperature of the deepest ocean floor
C. Variation of temperature
D. Fixed data of temperature

Your answers:
29. 30. 31. 32. 33.
34. 35. 36. 37. 38.
39. 40.
Part 5: Read the article about being a film and television drama extra, identify which section A–D each of
the following is mentioned. For questions 41-50, Write ONE letter A–D in the corresponding numbered
space provided. Each letter may be used more than once.

In which section does the writer

41. describe how one advantage of the job didn’t go according to plan?
42. mention experiencing a sense of guilt?
43. point out the possible consequences of breaking rules?
44. offer advice to people thinking of applying to work as an extra?
45. refer to times when the gap between actors and extras appears to narrow?.
46. acknowledge how appropriate certain terms are?
47. explain a common motivation for taking on work as an extra?
48. mention gaining insights into hardships that actors experience?
49. explain the purpose of an anecdote?
50. refer to an incident when he was disappointed by people’s behavior?
 THE LIFE OF AN EXTRA
Most films and TV dramas require extras, those people we glimpse in the background behind the main actors. Mike
Jones describes what it’s like to be an extra.

A. During a break in the filming of a TV drama, I gravitated towards the table laden with hot coffee and biscuits.
As I reached it, however, I was duly informed that is was reserved for the “talent” – the real actors – and was
directed towards a rickety table, on which sat an urn of hot water, some sugar packets, and nothing else. I tell this
tale, not just to grumble, but because it sums up the stark divide between the cast and the little people in the
background. Referring to us on set by our technical name of “supporting artistes” is meant to make us feel more
important, I suppose. “Walking background” and “human props” are common, faintly humorous labels for us, but
they’re fitting. Extras aren’t supposed to say anything during a take; we aren’t paid to talk. Nor are we allowed to
talk between takes when everything is being reset. A gentle murmur of conversation will inevitably well up among
some groups, at which point one of the assistant directors will immediately bellow for silence.

B. There are other non-negotiables, and failing to obey them could result in you being fired and blacklisted
from the industry. Your contract specifically orders you not to talk to any of the actors. On one production, I was
introduced to the lead actor and told what my role would be in that particular scene. I smiled at him in a mild attempt
at camaraderie and he started right through me. Then, the expression on the face of the lead actress made it clear
she had decided not to make an effort with me. I knew I was only an extra, but they might have at least feigned
some interest. So why go through this? Well, when I first signed up, I, like many others I know, saw it as an
interesting way of earning a second income. The far from generous fees, however, soon meant I regarded it as
little more than a hobby, and had I had a family, I probably wouldn’t have been able to do it.

C. Occasionally, you’re picked out to play a more substantial part in one scene, and you feel as if maybe the
professional/supporting artist divide isn’t so insurmountable after all. Then, when you’re finally released to go home
at 2 a.m., after walking up and down some stretch of pavement 50 times, and you realize that the actors still have
hours more to go, their job no longer seems quite so glamorous or privileged. Actually, night shoots tend to be the
worst, although the extra money you receive almost makes up for it. Once on the set of a blockbuster, a mix-up in
the costume department resulted in me spending two nights in an aircraft hangar, drinking terrible coffee and
reading books – and getting paid for it. Meanwhile, the other extras all ran around outside in the freezing drizzle
for an action scene. Every time they trudged back in from a take, their very visible fatigue and discomfort made
me feel somewhat fraudulent, aware as I was that we were all being remunerated at the same rate for our efforts.

D. One of the bonuses of being an extra is the free catering. Getting up at 4 a.m. isn’t so bad when you can
go straight in for a large breakfast, and a filling lunch is always provided, though obviously aren’t allowed to eat
anything before the “talent” and the crew. For period dramas, you will also get a free haircut, although this can
sometimes make things awkward. On one shoot, I had to phone in “stick” to my day job, and then had trouble
explaining to my boss the next morning why I now had a 1950s-style haircut. Another plus may be seeing yourself
on screen, usually as a blurry outline to one side or a tiny figure in the distance. That’s what extras do: blend into
the background and not divert attention from the main characters. Would I encourage anyone to sample this life?
Hardly, if the aim is to make money or get into the industry. If, however, you like the idea of dressing up, with the
possibility of glimpsing yourself on the big screen for a few seconds, well, maybe.
Your answers:
41. 42. 43. 44. 45.
46. 47. 48. 49. 50.

SECTION D. WRITING
Part 1: Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first one. Use the word
given in capital letters and the word mustn’t be altered in any way.
1. Driving at that speed is dangerous whether you are an experienced driver or not. HOW
No ..........................................................................................., driving at that speed is dangerous.
2. He swore he was a long way from her house on the night it was broken into. NOWHERE
He swore ....................................................................................... on the night it was broken into.
3. Do you have any idea about how John made enough money to buy his new car? CAST
Do you ..................................…….………………………………………... to buy his new car?
4. As part of cost-cutting exercise, a lot of workers were made redundant by the company. OFF
Many a ................................................................................................ the company as part of its cost-cutting
exercise.
5. I like to take my time to decide, not rush important things. SNAP
I don't like to ................................................................................................ on important things.