Mika Education IELTS10-5.
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Name: ___________________________________________
PLACEMENT TEST
Dthe uration: 90 minutes
I. Choose the correct option A, B or C to complete the sentences
II. Choose the correct alternative
III. Choose the correct alternative
IV. Read the passage and answer the questions 1-14
Is this the end of the High Street (*)?
Take a walk down any 'High Street', normally places full of shops, and you'll notice signs that all is not well:
they will say 'To Let'.
The High Street faces real competition from out-of-town retail parks and the steady growth of supermarkets,
both in number and in size. There is also the growing trend for people to shop online, combined with a
reduction in many families' finances which has affected customer confidence.
Retailing (the sale of goods from a fixed location) is changing too: shopping is becoming a leisure activity as
much as a necessity, along with the rise of home delivery services saving time and journeys. Convenience is
a powerful motivator for shoppers' behaviour. Is the traditional High Street dying out?
During the last two years, independent retailers have struggled more than the chain stores. Research suggests
over 12,000 independent stores closed in 2009. Economies of scale (it is cheaper to buy stock in bulk, so big
shops can charge lower prices) are one part of the issue.
Supermarkets have a stronger control over the supply chain and can manipulate prices more effectively. As a
result of the decline in smaller stores, there are now many empty shops in most town centres, some of which
have been vacant for some time, and have whitewashed windows. What impact do they have on the overall
'feel' of the town for visitors and residents?
More importantly, how does the loss of a familiar shop which has perhaps served decades of local residents
affect people at a time when so many other familiar aspects of daily life are under threat? When a shopping
mall is being planned, it is very important to secure the key 'anchor' tenants: the big names that can guarantee
customers through the doors. Is the disappearance of these familiar local shops and small department stores
like losing a link with the past?
The growth of CCTV cameras, use of private security firms and blurring of public and private land has also
been an issue in cities such as Exeter. This can result in young people feeling that they are being victimized
and forced out of city centres.
Another feature of many city centres is that they are beginning to look very similar to each other. The New
Economics Foundation introduced the term 'clone town' in a report published in 2004. This suggests that many
High Streets have few individual characteristics - the same shops can be seen in most towns. This was also
followed up by a report in 2010, which identified Cambridge as the most 'cloned' city in the UK: one with very
few independent stores in the centre.
Vacant shops are another issue for town centres. These can end up as charity shops, 'pop-up' shops (especially
around Christmas) or attract vandals and graffiti. Some cities such as Portsmouth have made an effort to
revamp empty store-fronts to improve those areas where they are found. This is important for cities which
attract large numbers of tourists, such as Bath, York and Chester.
Services are perhaps more resilient to these changes, particularly those that offer something that is not available
online. As one person commented: 'You can't have your hair cut online ...' - well, not yet anyway. This partly
explains the growth of coffee shops and nail bars in some town centres, which are going against the general
trend.
Finally, out on the edges of our towns, the supermarkets continue to grow - they've got the town centre
surrounded. A report published in late 2010 said that around 55p of every £1 that we spend is spent in
supermarkets, and there have been a large number of planning applications for further stores.
(*) the High Street: (British) the main street of a town, usually where the principal shops are situated
QUESTIONS 1-6
Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer? Write:
YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts what the writer thinks
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to know what the writer's point of view is
____1. Not only are supermarkets getting bigger, there are more of them than ever.
____2. People have less money now, so they try to buy cheaper goods via the Internet.
____3. People shop because they have to, but also because it is fun.
____4. The younger generation may feel unwelcome in certain towns.
____5. Although most towns have the same shops, there are many features that make them unique.
____6. Although a large number of stores are closing, the number of shops that offer services is increasing.
QUESTIONS 7-10
Look at the following features (7-10) and the list of groups below. Match each item with the correct group (A-
D). You may use any letter more than once.
7. there are fewer of them ____
8. competition is increasing ____
9. business is getting better ____
10. are often located outside of the city centre ____
This is true for:
A. independent shops that sell goods
B. supermarkets
C. both supermarkets and independent shops
D. private security firms
QUESTIONS 11-14
Choose the appropriate letters A-D to finish sentences 11-14.
11. Britain's High Streets are ………
A. full of shops.
B. suffering because of online shopping.
C. convenient for shoppers.
D. providing more competition for chain stores.
12. Economies of scale ………
A. are causing problems for independent shops.
B. means that bigger shops can buy more goods.
C. affected 12,000 independent stores in 2009.
D. are responsible for the economic problems of the past two years.
13. Shopping malls ………
A. are being built in High Streets.
B. are increasingly using CCTV.
C. are being planned in Cambridge.
D. like having well-known shops.
14. Nail bars ………
A. are no longer trendy.
B. are becoming more popular.
C. are starting to offer online services.
D. are also starting to cut hair.
V. Listening
Questions 1-3. Answer the questions below. Choose the correct letter, a, b or c.
Example: How long does the caller want to go away for?
a. a week b. a few weeks c. a few days
1 Where does the caller want to stay?
a. in the country b in the city c. by the beach
2 What kind of hotel does the caller want to stay in?
a. a family hotel b. a spa c. a farmhouse
3 Which hotel does the caller choose?
a. Sparkling Springs b. Farmhouse Getaways c. Ocean Waves Resort
Questions 4-7. Complete the form below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A
NUMBER for each answer.
Hotel Reservation Form
Name: William French
Billing Address: (4) ………………………………………………
Standmarch, Norfolk, NE1 4SP
Mobile Number: (5) ………………………………………………
Check-in Date: 15th June
Check-out Date: (6) ………………………………………………
Payment Type: Credit card
Amount: (7) £………………………………………………
