PRACTICE TEST 3 ( BDinh)

LISTENING (50 POINTS)

I. Listen to a telephone conversation. Read the questions carefully before you listen. You
should only listen to the recording once (10pts).
Susan is telephoning a travel agency. Before listening to the conversation read the enquiry
form carefully. Then listen and complete each gap with no more than three words.
Worldbridges Travel Agency Ltd. Enquiry form
Enquiry regarding holiday in (1) ________________
Requirements
Price (£): (2) ______________
Location: (3) ______________
Customer´s name: (4) ____________
What will Susan have to do before phoning Arnold again? (5) __________
Part II. You will hear an interview with Patrick Shaw, who works as a pilot for a company
that organizes hot-air balloon trips. For questions 6-10, choose the best answer (A, B or C)
(10pts).
6. Why does Patrick recommend joining the ground crew?
A. It's the best way of learning about balloons.
B. It provides some experience of flying a balloon.
C. It can be a fun way of earning extra income.
7. Patrick says that all members of the ground crew must
A. be physically strong.
B. have good social skills.
C. know their area well.
8. Patrick finds it unsatisfactory when new crew members
A. fail to cooperate with each other.
B. distract him with unnecessary questions.
C. don't accept the way things should be done.
9. What does Patrick say about balloon competitions?
A. It is often difficult to determine who has won.
B. The finishing target area is often unmarked.
 C. Some competitors are requesting clearer rules.
10. Patrick thinks his particular skills as a pilot result from
A. the way in which he was trained.
B. the fact that he's adventurous by nature.
C. the amount of experience he has.
Part III. Look at five sentences 11-15 for this part. You will hear a conversation between a
boy, Carl, and a girl, Susanna, about a school concert. Decide if each sentence is True (T) or
False (F). Now we are ready to start. Listen carefully. You will hear the recording twice
(10pts).
11. Susanna feels shy about playing her violin in public.
12. Carl and Susanna share the same opinion about practising their instruments regularly.
13. Susanna's parents refuse to allow her to give up violin lessons.
14. Carl's aim is to have a career in music.
15. Susanna thinks she would enjoy working in another country.
Part IV. Listen to Part 4 and complete the sentences 16-25 with no more than three words
(20pts).
Sailing solo across the Atlantic
To achieve his record, Michael had to sail a total of 5,600 kilometres without any help. His voyage
took (16) ______________ .
Michael helped to design his boat which was called (17)___________ .
Michael and his father were concerned in case any (18) __________ came too close to them.
All the food that Michael took on his voyage was in (19) _______ bought at the supermarket.
The type of food which Michael missed most on the trip was (20) ________ .
Michael enjoyed using his (21) __________ to keep track of what his father was doing.
Michael's favourite pastimes on the boat were using his sister's (22) ________ and reading.
Michael got a fright when a (23) _______ landed on him.
The name of the charity that Michael is raising funds for is (24) ________ .
When Michael sails round the world, he plans to take (25) ________ with him in case he feels
homesick.
LEXICAL – GRAMMAR (50 POINTS)
Part I. Choose the correct answer for each gap in the following sentences (20 points).
1. In the ________ of security, personnel must wear their identity badges at all time.
A. requirement B. interests C. demands D. assistance
2. The strike was________ owing to a last minute agreement with the management.
A. called off B. broken up C. set back D. put down
3. Lindsay’s excuses for being late are beginning to________ rather thin.
A. get B. turn C. wear D. go
4. ________, the people who come to this club are in their twenties and thirties.
A. By and large B. Altogether C. To a degree D. Virtually
5. My cousin was nervous about being interviewed on television but she rose to the________
wonderfully.
A. event B. performance C. incident D. occasion
6. The train service has been a ________ since they introduced the new schedules.
A. shambles B. rumpus C. chaos D. fracas
7. Is an inexperienced civil servant ________ to the task of running the company?
A. capable B. skilled C. eligible D. suited
8. John’s got very ________ feelings about taking on more responsibility at the moment.
A. puzzled B. jumbled C. mixed D. muddled
9. You’ve lived in the city for most of your life, so ________ you’re used to the noise.
A. apparently B. presumably C. allegedly D. predictably
10. The storm ripped our tent to________ last night.
A. slices B. shreds C. strips D. specks
11. He cannot ________ ignorance as his excuse: he should have known what was happening in
his own department.
A. insist B. plead C. refer D. defend
12. If you don’t pay your bill, the Electricity Board will________ your power supply.
A. dismantle B. sever C. disconnect D. uncouple
13. There is a lot of friendly ________ between the supports of the two teams.
A. contest B. rivalry C. contention D. defiance
14. Despite the high divorce rate, the ________ of marriage remains popular.
A. practice B. habit C. institution D. state
15. The zoo attendant opened the cage and tried to________ the animal back in.
A. coax B. induce C. seduce D. convince
16. I lost too much money betting at the races last time, so you won’t ________ me to go again.
A. convince B. impress C. persuade D. urge
17. It’s an awful ________ your wife couldn’t come. I was looking forward to meeting her.
A. harm B. sorrow C. shame D. shock
18. He was surprised that her English was so ________ as she had never been to England.
A. definite B. liquid C. fluent D. national
19. In a greengrocer’s shop there is a lot of ________ when fruit and vegetables are not sold.
A. rot B. waste C. ruin D. rest
20. I was________ in the book I was reading and didn’t hear the phone.
A. distracted B. submerged C. gripped D. engrossed

Part II. Complete the sentences with the correct form of words (10 points).
Mobile phones emit (1) (MICRO) ________ radio emissions. Researchers are questioning
whether (2) (EXPOSE) ________ to these radio waves might lead to brain cancer.
So far, the data are (3) (CONCLUDE) ________ The scientific evidence does not enable
us to say with (4) (CERTAIN) ________ that mobile phones are (5) (CATEGORY) ________
safe. On the other hand, current research has not yet demonstrated clear adverse effects (6)
(ASSOCIATE) ________with the (7) (LONG) ________ use of mobile phones.
Numerous studies are now going on in (8) (VARY) ________ countries. Some of the
results are (9) (CONTRADICT) ________ but others have shown an association between mobile
phone use and cancer. However, these studies are preliminary and the issue needs further, (10)
(TERM) ________ investigation.
Until the scientific data are more definite, it is prudent for people to try not to use mobile
phones for long periods of time. Don’t think that hands-free phones are any safer either. At the
moment, research is in fact showing the opposite and they may just be dangerous.
Part III. There are ten errors in the following passage. Underline them in the text and correct
them in the numbered box (10 points)
Why do some people back on when faced with a threat, while others stand up to it?
When giving a difficult task, why do some people see it through, white others give up? It
all comes down to personalities. But where does that come from? Some scientists believe that most
of traits are inherited. The others take the opposite view: personality, they say, is formed by
our environment and parents do not pass it on in their children. The truth is probably anywhere
in between. Some traits are clearly determined by your environment: However your genetic
background, if you grow up in Sweden, you'll probably speak Swedish. On the other hand,
when it comes to traits like the colour of your eyes or your blood type, it is clear that
genetics alone accounts for them. There are also traits which are partly inherited but partly
shaped by environment: your weight, and even your height and skin colour, are examples.
Of course, genetics and the environment together are not the total picture. Your free will - your
ability to take decisions - is also a factor in shaping your identity, but how big a factor?
You'll have to make your own mind up for that!
Part IV. Fill in each gap with one correct preposition or particles (10 points).
1. The testimony given by the defendant in court didn’t add ________. The person contradicted
himself on several points.
2. The doctor’s diagnosis is that the patient’s neurosis has been brought ________ by frequent
overwork.
3. Calculating the time to Prague, you will have to allow ________ the possible stops on the way,
for example to refuel your car or have some meals.
4. Whenever there is a climate change, I suffer from a thumping headache. However, as soon as I
take a painkiller, the headache starts to wear ________
5. You can go and buy the tickets for us and I’ll see ________ the luggage until you get back.
6. The Great Depression set ________ following the huge and sudden fall of share prices on the
US Stock Exchange in October 1929.
7. Everyone was bowled ________ by his decision to quit a well-paid job and move over to the
countryside.
8. The project, once it is ________ and running, will be very dangerous.
9. A lot of people are leaping ________ the bandwagon ò selling financial services to women.
10. When the professor advanced his theory at a medical conference a couple years ago, everyone
was skeptical about its validity. However, the latest research has borne it ________.
READING (50 POINTS)
Part I. Choose the best answer for each gap in the following passage (10 points).
 In the early morning of 23 January, 2009, the most powerful storm for a decade hit western
France. With wind speeds in (1) ________ of 120 miles per hour, it flattened forests, (2) ________
down power lines and caused massive destruction to buildings and roads. But it also left behind an
extraordinary creation. Seven miles out to sea at the (3) ________ where the Atlantic Ocean meets
the estuary of the River Gironde, a small island had (4) _________ out of water. Locals soon gave
it the name The Mysterious Isle. What was so remarkable, (5) ________ its sudden apparition, was
the fact that the island (6) _________ intact in what is often quite a hostile sea environment. It
could well become a permanent feature.
Scientists (7) ________ realised that the island's appearance (8) ________ a unique opportunity to
study the creation and development of a new ecosystem. Within months, it had been colonised by
seabirds, insects and vegetation. Unfortunately, however, they were not alone in (9) ________ the
island attractive. It became increasingly difficult to (10) ________ the site from human visitors. In
its first year, day trippers came in powered dinghies, a parachute club used it as a landing strip, a
rave party was even held there one night.
1. A. surplus B. advance C. excess D. put
2. A. fetched B. brought C. carried D. sent
3. A. scene B. mark C. stage D. point
4. A. risen B. growth C. lifted D. surfaced
5. A. in spite of B. instead of C. apart from D. on account of
6. A. prolonged B. remained C. resided D. preserved
7 A. quickly B. briskly C. hastily D. speedily
8. A. delivered B. awarded C. proposed D. offered
9. A. regarding B. finding C. seeking D. deciding
10. A. prevent B. preserve C. protect D. prohibit
Part II. Read the following passage and fill in each gap with ONE suitable word ( 15
points).
One of the most dangerous drugs for pregnant women to consume is alcohol. Because alcohol
is delivered quickly into the blood and passes quickly into the tissues and membranes, the human
fetus is particularly vulnerable to (1) ________ effects. The reality is that the (2) ________ effects
on a fetus are so pronounced that babies born after exposure to alcohol are said to be (3) ________
from fetal alcohol syndrome. As a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, the alcohol is passed into her
bloodstream almost simultaneously. Moreover, because the bloodstream of the fetus is inextricably
tied to (4) ________ of the mother, the alcohol passes directly into the bloodstream of the fetus
as well. And, what is (5) ________, the concentration of alcohol in the fetus is exactly the same as
in the mother.
For the mother, this concentration is not a problem (6) ________ her liver can remove one
ounce of alcohol from her system per hour. However, the fetus's liver is not completely developed
((7) ________ developed it is depends on its stage of development). The rate at which it is able to
eliminate the alcohol from the blood of the fetus is much slower. Eventually, the alcohol will be
returned to the mother's system by passing across the placenta, but this process is slow. By the
time this takes place, major neurological damage may have (8) ________ occurred.
Research has shown that as (9) ________ as one drink of alcohol can produce significant,
irreversible damage to the fetus. Babies born after exposure to alcohol generally exhibit facial
distortion, (10) ________ to concentrate, and difficulty in remembering. Simply speaking, it is
imperative that pregnant women avoid alcohol.
Part III. Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet
to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions (10 points)
Deaf people should enjoy a play as much as the hearing audience. This is the thinking behind
the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that theatres become accessible to deaf people.
Theatre producers, on the other hand, are beginning to realise that such a feature makes their
product attractive to a wider audience – with considerable financial rewards.
Interpreted theatre usually takes place at two or three performances in a theatre season.
Preference for tickets is given to the deaf and their guests, but tickets are also sold to hearing
people who are interested in seeing theatre interpreters at work.
It is a colossal project for the interpreters. Ian Cox works for SeeTheatre, a Chicago-based
association of interpreters. He says, ‘for about a month we work with the support of a Sign
Language consultant to translate and rehearse an entire play. The workload is immense. Consider
that each actor in the play has about four weeks to rehearse his or her lines, we have to learn the
whole play in as much time. And, when interpreting musicals, where timing, rhythm and
harmonies must be practised, the workload doubles.’
The most important technical aspect of theatre interpretation for the deaf is the location of the
interpreter. Placement strategies can be categorised into three styles: ‘placed’, where interpreters
are located outside the acting space and do not move; ‘zoned’, where interpreters are within the
acting space, but usually move only during a change of scene or act; and, finally, ‘shadowed’,
where interpreters move freely within the acting space, shadowing the movement of the actors for
whom they are interpreting.
The ‘placed’ style of interpreting in the theatre is by far the most common. The interpreters are
side-by-side and face the audience (although some interpreters interact with each other as
appropriate). The location of the interpreter is generally in one of three places: stage right or stage
left, or on the floor of the house.
The ‘zoned’ style of interpreter placement is a happy medium between the ‘placed’ and
‘shadowed’ styles. Here, interpreters are placed side-by-side within the acting space. Usually, they
change position on stage from scene to scene - or from act to act - in order to be within the same
‘zone’ as the majority of the action. Zone placement makes it easier for the deaf patron to see the
interpreters and actors at the same time.
The ‘shadowed’ style of interpreting is the most inclusive style of interpreting for the theatre.
It involves placing the interpreters directly within the action - nearly making them ‘sign language
actors’. The interpreters are ‘blocked’ into each scene, and literally shadow the actors. The
advantage of this is clear: the interpreter is in such close proximity to the actor that the deaf patron
need not make a decision about whom to watch - he or she can watch both at the same time. In the
best of cases, the deaf patron mentally blends the interpreter with the actor, and forgets that the
actor does not sign.
Theatre interpreters for the deaf are dedicated professionals who take great pride in their work.
‘Theatre,’ says Ian, ‘is the art of communicating beautiful ideas in interesting ways. Interpreted
theatre, therefore, is an art in itself. Thankfully, instead of seeing us as ‘additions’, producers
nowadays think of interpreters for the deaf as a new avenue to creativity.’
Question 1: Theatre interpreters have become commonplace because _______.
A. a new law made their presence compulsory
B. theatres wanted to become more accessible
C. deaf people were avoiding the theatre
D. producers wanted a way to attract audiences
Question 2: Why do hearing people go to see interpreted performances?
A. They give a better understanding of the play.
 B. They are even better than standard performances.
C. They offer a chance to admire the work of interpreters.
D. They are the most popular performances of the season.
Question 3: The workload of theatre interpreters is so great because they have to _______.
A. go to many of the rehearsals B. interpret in front of a consultant
C. learn the lines of all the actors D. work in all parts of the production
Question 4: The word ‘patron’ in paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to _______.
A. producer B. sponsor C. playgoer D. playwright
Question 5: In which style(s) of interpreting do the interpreters change their position?
A. the ‘zoned’ and the ‘shadowed’ styles B. the ‘zoned’ style
C. the ‘placed’ and the ’shadowed’ styles D. the ‘shadowed’ style
Question 6: Why does the writer refer to the ‘zoned’ style as 'a happy medium’?
A. It combines elements from the two other styles.
B. It is mostly used in light-hearted plays.
C. It allows the interpreters to mix with the actors.
D. It makes the interpreter's job easier.
Question 7: The word 'this' in paragraph 7 refers to _______.
A. the advantages of the ‘shadowed’ style B. the position of the interpreters
C. the action in a performance D. the placement of the actors
Question 8: What does Ian say about theatre producers in the last paragraph?
A. They don't respect interpreters.
B. They think interpreters are expensive.
C. They see interpreters as a necessary evil.
D. They appreciate the work of interpreters.
Question 9: What is the writer's purpose in the passage?
A. To show the variety in modern theatre. B. To advertise interpreted theatre.
C. To inspire interest in the topic. D. To criticise the attitude of theatre
directors.
Question 10: The word ‘shadowing’ in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to _______.
A. following B. changing C. directing D. controlling
Part 3: For questions 1- 13, read the following passage and answer the following questions
(1.3 points)
SKYSCRAPER
A. The word skyscraper was originally a nautical term for a tall mast or sail on a sailing ship.
Today the word is used exclusively to refer to a tall habitable building, usually higher than 150
meters (500 feet). Most skyscrapers serve as office buildings or hotels. The term “high-rise” is also
used to describe tall buildings, but it tends to be applied specifically to residential buildings.
Modern building of great height, constructed on a steel skeleton originated in the United States.
B. Until the 19th century, buildings of over six stories were rare. It was impractical to have people
walk up so many flights of stairs, and water pressure could only provide running water to about
50 feet (15m). Many mechanical and structural developments in the last quarter of the 19th century,
contributed to the evolution of building. With the perfection of the high speed elevator after 1887,
skyscrapers were able to attain any desired height. The earliest tall buildings were of solid masonry
construction, with the thick walls of the lower stories usurping a disproportionate amount of floor
space. In order to permit thinner walls through the entire height of the building, architects began
to use cast iron in conjunction with masonry. This was followed by cage construction, in which
the iron frame supported the floors and the masonry walls bore their own weight.
C. The next step was the invention of a system in which the metal framework would support not
only the floors but also the walls. This innovation appeared in the Home Insurance Building in
Chicago, designed in 1883 by William Le Baron Jenney – the first building to employ steel
skeleton construction and embody the general characteristics of a modern skyscraper. The
subsequent erection in Chicago of a number of similar buildings made it the centre of the early
skyscraper architecture. In the 1890s the steel frame was formed into a complete riveted skeleton
bearing all the structural loads, with the exterior or thin curtain walls serving merely as an
enclosing screen.
D. Heating and air conditioning played an important role in the structure of skyscrapers. They are
the key units that control the inside atmosphere of all skyscrapers. In the early days, the heat
sources in the building came from fireplaces and stoves. Later on heat in the building is supplied
by the hot water boiler. The boiler heats up the water and sends it out to the radiators through a
system of pipes. This was later replaced by central heating furnace with ventilation ducts that
channel heat to various areas of the building. Air condition originated from refrigeration. The
process of refrigeration is to draw heat away from substances to lower their temperature. Today,
the skyscrapers use the central heating system with ventilation ducts that can be shared with the
heating and air conditioning system. Engineers are working on new ways to make heating and air
conditioning more efficient and environmental friendly.

E. In 1892 the New York Building Law made its first provisions for skeleton constructions. There
followed a period of experimentation to devise efficient floor plans and aesthetically satisfying
forms. In 1916, New York City adopted the Building Zone Resolution, establishing legal control
over the height and plan of buildings and over the factors relating to health, fire hazard, and
assurance of adequate light and air to buildings and streets. Regulations regarding the setting back
of exterior walls above a determined height, largely intended to allow light to reach the streets,
gave rise to buildings whose stepped profiles characterize the American skyscraper of subsequent
years.
F. With the complex structural and planning problems solved, architects still seek solutions to the
difficulties of integrating skyscrapers with community requirements of hygiene, transportation and
commercial interest. In New York during the 1950s, public plazas were incorporated into the
designs of the Lever House by Gordon Bunshaft and Seagram Building of Mies van der Robe.
These International style buildings are also examples of the effective use of vast expanses of glass
in skyscrapers. More recently, numerous skyscrapers have been constructed in a number of
postmodern modes.
G. The cost of building a skyscraper is in hundred million dollar in the current market. The
skyscraper is well known for its great height and the social status comes with it and has always
associated with wealth and power. To the general public, big is good; in terms of building, the
taller the better. In general, large company or firm would host its head office in these skyscrapers.
For example, Chrysler had its head office in the Chrysler Building, owned by Chrysler which is
one of the big three automakers. The Sears Tower, the head office for Sears and owned by Sears.
It was known for being the world’s tallest skyscraper in Chicago. Tenants expect clients to know
where they are located when they tell them the Sears Tower as their location. These skyscrapers
are owned by the wealthy individuals whom are in the upper level of financial social status. There
is a sense of prestige for having offices or shops in these skyscrapers.
H. Modern skyscrapers are being redefined by the use of advance technologies. Thanks to the
advancement in technology, skyscrapers are able to reach new height easily. It changes the way
architects design the structure of these buildings. The new function of the skyscraper is to provide
great views, house antennas for communications, telebroadcasting and for entertainment purpose.
The use of computer climate control system made the building a more comfortable environment
for everyone. The great height of the skyscraper like the Sears Tower, it associates itself with the
prestige of being the tallest of all. With the rapid advancement of technology and the influence of
fame and wealth, sky will be the only limit for the next generation of skyscrapers.
From the list of the headings, choose the most suitable headings for paragraphs A – D
i. Hot water boiler and refrigerator
ii. A period of innovation
iii. Skyscraper and a tall mast
iv. Advanced technology
v. Words for tall buildings
vi. The wall evolution
vii. Hot and cold
viii. From stone to iron
1. Paragraph A: ________
2. Paragraph B: ________
3. Paragraph C: ________
4. Paragraph D: ________
Your answers: 1...................2....................... 3..................... 4...............
Match the following innovations with A,B,C and D
A. Mid-20th century B. late 1880s C. 1890s D. early 1880s
5. The high-speed elevator: ________
6. Public square : ________
7. Steel framework: ________
8. Riveted skeleton: ________
Your answers: 5................6....................7.......................8.....................
Write TRUE, FALSE, NOT GIVEN
9. A skyscraper is both a tall sailing mast ad a tall habitable building.
 10. A steel frame is able to support both floors and walls.
WRITING (50 POINTS)
Part I: Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence,
using the word given (don’t change the word given) or beginning in such a way that their
meanings remain unchanged (20 POINTS).
1. Vanessa was taken on by a big law firm as soon as she graduated ( LANDED)
On graduation,Vanessa
2. At the end of the concert, Mariah Carey got everyone in the audience to sing along with her. (
SINGING)
At the end of the concert, Mariah Carey
3. I will never regret telling the truth. (SPADE)
Not
4. It was Jane who came up with the idea for the sales promotion. (BRAINS)
Jane ................................................................................................. the sales promotion.
5. Doing regular exercise often helps improve your attitude to life. (DO)
Many.............................................................................................................on life.
6. Students must not enter the exam late, whatever the reason might be. (NO)
………………………………………………………………………………late.
7. In this area, Thailand is much better than all other countries in football. (SHOULDERS)
In this area, Thai land ……………………………………………………..
8. I felt stupid when I realized what we had done. (A)
I felt …………………………………………….we had done.
9. He thinks his friends do not appreciate him. (FOR)
He dislikes ………………………………………………………………….
10. She had four daughters. The youngest of them was her favourite. (EYE)
She had four daughters ………………………………………………………..
Part II: Write an essay on the following topic (30 POINTS)
Maintaining public libraries is a waste of money since computer technology can replace
their functions. Do you agree or disagree with this idea?
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