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

The joy of photography

Photography is a hobby with wide (0)….appeal…….. . And I don’t mean taking photos on your mobile phone, though it cannot be (1)…………… that such pictures can be surprisingly good these days. Serious photography means taking the (2)…………… to do some research, exploring the technical (3)……………. of the subject and investing in what might be quite expensive equipment.

So why take up photography? Firstly, it allows you to (4)……………… special moments that you want to remember forever. In addition, it (5)…………..  your imagination because you are always in search of ideas for original and out of the ordinary photos.

However, a lot of practice is required before you (6)…………….. to take really good pictures on a regular basis. When you finally do it, it will be a (7) ………… of great satisfaction for you. Photography can also transform the way you look at the world. You start to see details that in the past you used to miss (8)…………….. . All in all, it’s a highly absorbing hobby.

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

The oldest leather shoe in the world

Archaeologists (0) …report….. that a perfectly preserved 5,500-year-old shoe has been discovered in a cave in Armenia in south-west Asia. It is (1) …….. to be the oldest leather shoe ever found.

The shoe was made of a single piece of leather, stitched at the front and back, and was shaped to fit the wearer’s foot. It had been (2) …….. with grasses, either for warmth or to make sure it kept its shape. ‘The shoe is relatively small but we can’t say for (3) …….. whether it was worn by a man or a woman,’ says Dr Ron Pinhasi, an archaeologist on the research (4) ……… ‘We thought at first that it was about 600-700 years old because it was in such good shape.’

Shoes of this type from later periods have turned (5) …….. in archaeological excavations in various places in Europe, and shoes of a very similar design were still being used on the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland as (6) …….. as the 1950s. It’s (7) …….. a style which (8) …….. popular for thousands of years.

 

Read the text below and choose the correct word for each space. For each question, choose the correct letter A, B, C or D. 

 

Travelling in the Glasgow area

The city of Glasgow has a modern underground rail network and (1) ………………. of buses and trains. It also has a (2) ………………. other forms of transport. The ferry across the river Clyde between Yoker (3) ………………. Renfrew is popular with tourists. There has been a ferry in service here (4) ………………. around 500 years. The (5) ………………. takes about half an hour, and it’s an interesting way to see this part of the city. For a (6) ………………. boat ride, you could try one of the cruises on the Clyde. The cruises (7) ………………. at the Riverside Museum and sail down the river past some interesting historical parts of the city. If you (8) ………………. trying something more adventurous, you could travel from Glasgow to the island of Mull on a seaplane. The (9) ………………. are quite expensive, but it’s an experience you won’t forget. Also in the air, why not try a helicopter flight? It’s not cheap, but you get an amazing (10) ………………. of the city.

Read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0). 

 

WATER

You’re thirsty and you (0) …GET… yourself a glass of water. Do you ever (1) ………… how old that water really is? The glass of water that you’re (2) ………… to drink may have fallen from the sky as rain only last week.

However, water itself has been around pretty much as (3) ………… as the earth has! In fact, (4) ………… oceans, seas and rivers cover 70% of the earth, there is a (5) ………… supply of water, which keeps on moving round the earth. This is (6) ………… of what’s known as the water cycle. The sun heats up water and it turns into clouds, which are (7) ………… from water vapour. When the clouds become (8) ………… , the water falls back onto the earth as rain.

Of course, clean water is absolutely essential for good health. The amount of safe drinking water has gone up around the world, but (9) ………… one billion people still lack easy (10) ………… to clean water.

Look at the sentences below about John Chapman, an Englishman who lived in the 15^th century.

Read the text to decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

If it is correct, mark A.

If it is incorrect, mark B.

 

John Chapman

 

The atmosphere in the market place in Norwich in 1440 was probably not very different from how it is today – noisy, crowded, colourful and exciting. It was here that John Chapman used to come each week from his home in Swaffham, 50 kilometres away, to try to sell his copper pots and pans.

 

After one particularly tiring day, he loaded his unsold pots and pans onto the back of his horse as usual and walked slowly home. He had a meal and went to bed, complaining bitterly to his wife about their lack of money. However, that night John had a dream that would change the rest of his life.

 

In this dream a man told John that if he stood on London Bridge he would hear something that would make him rich. The dream was so real that John couldn’t get it out of his mind, and finally he decided to make the journey, even though his wife was against the idea.

 

After a week’s preparation, John set off for London with just his dog for company. When he arrived at London Bridge he stopped and watched all the men and women who went past. Many of them talked to him, but he heard nothing that would make him rich.

 

On the third day, however, an old man asked him why he was standing there. John told him it was because of a dream. The old man replied, ‘I recently dreamed that I went to the home of John Chapman, in Swaffham, and dug under a tree at the back of his house, where I found a buried pot of gold! But I am not foolish enough to believe in dreams.’

 

Unable to believe his luck, John said goodbye and returned to Swaffham. As soon as he got home, he fetched a spade and started digging. His wife looked on in amazement, unable to understand what he was doing. But sure enough, he uncovered a box. Opening it with nervous hands he found that it was full of money. The couple were delighted, but also curious about some words on the lid, which were in a language they didn’t recognise. Keen to find out their meaning, John put the box in his window and soon two young men knocked on the door and translated them for him: Beneath me lies another one much richer. So John dug deeper and this time found a huge pot full of gold and jewels!

 

That is how John Chapman became rich. He spent the money wisely and paid for several public buildings to be built. And his memory lives on in Swaffham today, on the painted sign at the entrance to the town!

Look at the sentences below about two climbers called Gertrude Benham and Charles Fay.

Read the text to decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

If it is correct, mark A.

If it is incorrect, mark B.

 

Climbing mountains

 

Gertrude Benham was born in England in 1867. She had made 130 climbs in the European Alps before going to the Canadian Rocky Mountains in 1904, where she spent the summer climbing. In 1904, the paths of Gertrude Benham and Charles Fay briefly crosses. He had spent several successful summers climbing in the Rocky Mountains. In fact he was so successful that the Geographical Board of Canada asked him to select a mountain to take his name. He chose one known as Heejee and was determined to be the first to reach the top. But Gertrude Benham had the same idea.

 

On 19 July 1904, Gertrude and her guide, Christian Kaufmann, reached the top of a mountain which they thought was Heejee. Upon their return, however, they were told that that particular mountain was called something else. They decided to try again the next day but, unknown to Gertrude, Charles Fay and his guide Hans Kaufmann, Christian’s brother, were planning to climb Heejee that day as well.

 

Both groups set out on 20 July but Charles Fay and Hans Kaufmann found the snow conditions difficult and had to turn back. Gertrude and Christian were successful. Charles Fay was annoyed and later wrote a letter, ‘Hans Kaufmann led me, against my wishes, up Consolation Valley instead of taking my advice to go round Moraine Lake, while Christian led Miss Benham straight to the top of the mountain.’

 

Some people said that the Kaufmann brothers had wanted Gertrude to get to the top first and Hans had therefore taken Charles Fay on a route which took more time. Although this is a good story, no documents exist to prove this actually happened and it was never thought that Gertrude had any knowledge of it.

 

Disappointed, Charles Fay asked if he could choose a different mountain to take his name and chose Mount Shappee, but then found out that Gertrude and Christian had climbed that one as well. At this point Charles Fay agreed to have his name attached to Heejee, as he had originally wanted. He finally climbed to its top on 5 August 1904. Half a century later, his grandson climbed the north-eastern side of the mountain, by then known as Mount Fay. No other climber had ever managed to do this.

 

Gertrude Benham then travelled to New Zealand and Japan to do more climbing before going home to England, spending time in Australia and India on the way. Charles Fay made many more successful climbs. The first hut built in the Canadian Rockies to shelter climbers was called the Fay Hult. It was built in 1927 but unfortunately was destroyed in a forest fire in 2003.

Look at the sentences below about a music day for young people.

Read the text to decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

If it is correct, mark A.

If it is incorrect, mark B.

Young People’s Music Day

 

Dear Young Musicians,

Thank you for agreeing to take part in our Music Day. Here are some notes for your information.

 

The day

The whole idea of the day is for music students from secondary schools around the area to meet other players and receive expert teaching from our guests, six professional players. In the evening, you will perform the pieces you have worked on during the day at a concert which your friends and family can attend. The concert will include a range of music from you, followed by one piece from each of our guests.

 

Getting there

A map is included for the concert hall. Your school coaches will drop you at the main building. Please note that there is no return coach journey.

 

The programme

After you have registered at the reception, go to the main hall. First there will be a short performance by our professional musicians who are joining us for the day. After this you will go into your classes to practise on your own instruments for the evening concert. There will also be a chance to experiment with a different instrument from the one you normally play, and see if you enjoy playing something more unusual – we have several instruments to choose from!

 

What to bring

Bring a piece of music that you can play well. Part of the day will include a ‘masterclass’ in which you might have the opportunity, if there is enough time, to play a piece of your choosing and be given a short lesson by one of the professional players.

 

What to buy

There will be opportunities to buy sheet music or books during the day, so you may want to have money for these. If you wish to buy something, you could reserve it and then arrange to pick it up and pay when your parents arrive to watch the concert. This service will be available until 7 pm.

 

Going home

The first part of the day will finish at 5 pm, when parents can collect students. For those remaining in the hall until the evening concert at 7 pm, there will be DVDs for you to watch, although you should also bring something to do while you are waiting. A change of clothes is required for the evening – black trousers or skirt and white top – so unless you are going home at 5 pm, you will need to have this with you at the start of the day.

 

Evening concert

If for whatever reason you cannot attend the evening concert, you must inform us as soon as possible, as we need to know numbers in order to prepare the stage.

 

We look forward to seeing you at the Young People’s Music Day.

 

Look at the sentences below about a man who got lost in the Rocky Mountains.

Read the text to decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

If it is correct, mark A.

If it is incorrect, mark B.

Lost in the Rocky Mountains

 

Fifty- four- year- old scientist Bob Rigsby was lost for five days in Canada’s Rocky Mountains, and was only rescued after a mobile phone call to his wife, Shirley, over 8,000 km away in England.

 

Bob, a British wildlife expert, had been in Vancouver, Canada, giving a talk at a conference on the environment. When it was over, he travelled to the Rocky Mountains and checked into The Maple Leaf hotel. He then set off on a short walk to look at the local plant and animal life. After a couple of hours, he realised he had taken a wrong turning on the mountain path, but was sure he could easily get back to the hotel. Even when night fell, he remained confident.

 

But, after walking for several hours the next day, it became clear to Bob that he was in trouble. ‘I had my mobile phone with me, but the battery was almost dead. I thought I could probably make just one call but I didn’t know the number of my hotel and I didn’t want to worry my family unless I really had to.’ Bob carried on walking for three more days. He knew which wild plants he could safely eat and he had little trouble finding them. When he was thirsty he drank from streams.

 

On the fourth day, he reached a forest that he knew he had walked through the previous day. His heart sank. He realised it was hopeless and decided to call his family in England. ‘He was quite calm when he spoke to me on the phone,’ says Shirley. ‘He appeared to be in control of the situation, in spite of everything. He’d been lost a few times before, but never for so many days – that’s why this time was different.’ She immediately contacted The Maple Leaf hotel, after a quick call to the Canadian embassy in London to get its phone number. ‘We’re always anxious if our guests are away for a long time,’ says Greg McCaffrey, the hotel’s owner. ‘But that week several of our English visitors had gone to the city for a few days to watch the hockey games, and we thought Mr Rigsby had gone too.’ As soon as Shirley phoned, hotel staff called the rescue service, who sent out a search party for the scientist. They found him in a cave some hours later, very tired, but, apart from some cuts and scratches, quite unhurt.

 

‘I’ve learnt my lesson,’ says Bob. ‘I admit I was stupid to set off like that without a guide. I never want an experience like that again!’

Look at the sentences below about two wildlife filmmakers.

Read the text to decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

If it is correct, mark A.

If it is incorrect, mark B.

Wildlife Filmmakers

 

Richard and Sonia Muller make documentaries about wildlife, particularly dangerous animals, like the big cats found in Africa. Film-making for them is a way to bring the message of the importance of understanding wildlife to international audiences, with their last film, Staying Alive, exploring relationships between lions and other wildlife in one special project run by a wildlife organization that was providing information about the falling numbers of big cats, especially lions, they immediately agreed to take part.

 

Richard grew up near a wildlife park and as a child was keen on filming what he saw. The couple were introduced at university in Cape Town, and quickly realized how much they had in common. They were both curious about the natural world and Sonia soon discovered a similar talent for filmmaking. As a child in South Africa Sonia often ran off alone to explore the wild areas surrounding her home, despite her parents’ fears.

 

When asked what they found hardest about their work, Sonia and Richard have the same answer – leaving an area and finishing a project. Sonia adds that the hours required can be hard, and things like the heat, dust, and bugs make it very tiring. The excitement of her work comes from not knowing what will happen, perhaps even discovering something new for science, while Richard takes most interest in spending time with individual animals, getting to know their character.

You are going to read extract from a newspaper article about wildlife in New Zealand. Choose the answer (A, B C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Swimming with dolphins

Jonathan Lorie reports

 

As darkness fell on the olive trees, I had nothing particular to do, so I sat on my own in my tree house and listened to the Pacific waves roll in, without a care in the world. My muscles ached slightly from swimming with 400 dolphins beyond that surf, but I was looking forward to dinner in a nearby restaurant, then an evening in my room. My iPod was playing jazz but I was listening to the sounds of deer calling to one another outside. Was this, I wondered, the world’s finest place to get close to the wild?

I was in the small town of Kaikoura, in New Zealand. ‘It’s the best place in the world for swimming with dolphins,’ explained Kate Baxter, the receptionist who welcomed me to Hapuku Lodge. She showed me up the slightly loose stairs to my tree house. ‘And seeing whales,’ she added. ‘But mind you read the weather forecast at breakfast.’ She smiled. ‘If the sea’s rough, you might need a Kaikoura Cracker. It’s the only seasickness pill that works.’

Kaikoura has two great claims to fame. One is Hapuku Lodge – the luxury tree houses between the mountains and the sea. Its restaurant serves superb food and its management is keen to be green in every respect. It has been called the world’s most romantic location for a honeymoon. (line 25) The other lies just off
the coast. Below those huge waves is the Kaikoura Trench – a Grand Canyon of the ocean, 60 kilometres long and 1,200 metres deep, whose rich food chain attracts 14 species of dolphin and whale. Nowhere else in the world has such deep water a kilometre from shore.

Next morning, I’m ready for the sea. Following instructions, I search the breakfast room for that weather forecast. It’s a handwritten note that says: ‘Rough seas warning.’ Should I be worried by this, and go easy on the early-morning eating? But I don’t need much persuading by Stefan, the smartly dressed waiter, to try the Lodge’s full breakfast dish of the day: fried duck and potatoes with egg. It is wonderful.

Unlike my stomach when I hit the water an hour
later, determined to catch the best experience this coastline has to offer: a swim among dolphins. They’re everywhere. Our speedboat is surrounded by hundreds – jumping, diving and splashing in circles around us in a display of playfulness and trust. I sit there dressed in rubber, madly adjusting my mask. ‘You have too many smile lines,’ warns the instructor from Dolphin Encounter. ‘They’ll let the water in.’ Then I jump into the white water behind the boat.  

There’s a shock of cold water and the sensation of being in the middle of the ocean, even though we’re within sight of the mountains, not half a mile from shore. But out here the open water stretches all the way to Antarctica, and wide-winged, ocean-going birds fly just above the waves. It rises and falls like a vast creature breathing, the boat appearing and disappearing with each wave. Luckily, I have taken a Cracker.

Then I look down. Below me, far into the depths, are the shadow-like figures of dark dolphins. They move quickly through soft green light. I float face down, looking into their world. We make three dives like this – the maximum the instructor allows. ‘We don’t want to disturb them,’ he says. But it is enough. On the third, a single dolphin of my own length appears beside me. It stays close. I see its head turning towards me, looking into my face, and then I hear its voice. Nothing had prepared me for this.