Reading

You are going to read an extract from a novel. For questions 1-8, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text. Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

I chose a small house on the edge of the city. It was an ideal place for me, because I wanted fresh mountain air, space, privacy, a place where one could feel the presence of ancient gods and the spirits of nature. The house was merely an empty shell, but I chose it because it was on the sunny side of the valley, high enough to have a good view over the town, with sufficient breeze to diminish the occasionally stupefying heat. It took me a good year to make the place inhabitable.

The first thing that I did was to dig out the well at the side of the house, which had caved in on itself and was full of mud and rocks. I was helped in this by a Frenchman named Antoine, a man of considerable culture who had chosen to live here because he was attached to the people, with whom he had arrived in the original immigration. We repaired the walls and the roof of the house, and painted the rooms completely white so that they became suddenly clean, bright, and spacious.

Antoine and I managed, at some danger to ourselves, to install electricity by connecting up a cable to the faltering system invented by a teacher. This man was Professor Luis, who had set up a row of windmills to generate power; this was perfectly adequate for lighting, but was somewhat feeble when high amperage was required, so that the electric cooker that I had flown in by helicopter turned out to be more use as a storage cupboard.

It often happens when setting up a house that one finds quite suddenly that there is an urgent need for some item overlooked during the last expedition. The track down from my house was a deeply pitted one that served as a watercourse each time that it rained, and although I have stabilised it since, it was to begin with only negotiable on foot or by mule, or by Antoine's ancient three-wheeled tractor. This tractor had been half-buried in the mud of the flood at Chiriguana, but Senor Vivo's father, who is in fact General Sosa, governor of Cesar, had it dug out and brought in slung under a vast helicopter gunship, at his son's request. It is commonly said in this country that General So sa is the only member of the military hierarchy who ever does anything useful.

There was, at the far end of the town, a tienda that sold goods brought in by mule-train from Ipasueno, and so every few days I would find myself rattling and bumping my way to it on Antoine's formidable old tractor. This shop was owned by a middle-aged couple who left the running of it to their daughter, a girl of twenty or so years whose name was Ena, as I discovered by overhearing the father asking of her the price of a bottle of Ron Cana.

Ena was small and strongly built; usually she wore a plain, faded blue dress, and her feet were always bare. Sometimes I used to think that her head was very slightly too large for her, but she had an appealing and serene face framed by her long black hair. She reminded me forcibly of a Greek girl with whom I had once been in love, for she had the same smooth and soft olive skin, and big brown eyes beneath eyebrows almost heavy enough to meet in the middle. On her forearms were the traces of soft black downy hair, which to be frank, is something that has always driven me crazy, and her fingers were slim and elegant.

The best thing about her, however, was her elfin spirit; she had an air of quiet amusement, an innocent devilry, that gave her the aura of having existed from all eternity, and of being able to see the funny side of everything. I perceived that she had a streak of mischief in her. as was to be revealed when I discovered how it was that she had kept me for so long in ignorance.

1. What attracted the writer to the house?   [A, B, C, D]

A where it was located

B how big it was

C the view it gave of the valley

D the condition it was in

2. According to the writer, Antoine   [A, B, C, D]

A had recently arrived.

B liked to keep to himself.

c was a foreigner.

D painted for a living.

3. What impression does the writer give of the electricity supply?   [A, B, C, D]

A It was too dangerous to use.

B It didn't always work properly.

c It only worked when it was windy.

D It was a very reliable system.

4. The writer uses the phrase 'served as a watercourse' (line 18) to show that the path.   [A, B, C, D]

A had many deep holes.

B was difficult to walk on.

C was sometimes flooded.

D needed to be repaired.

5 Why was General Sosa unlike other military officers?   [A, B, C, D]

A He liked helping his relatives.

B He was in charge of the area.

C He managed to get things done.

D He had his own private helicopter.

6. How did the writer find out what Ena's name was?   [A, B, C, D]

A Her father told him when he asked.

B Someone mentioned her name.

C He heard a customer asking for her.

D Antoine gave him the information.

7. What criticism of Ena does the writer make?   [A, B, C, D]

A She never wore shoes .

B She wasn't interested in clothes.

C Her eyebrows were too thick.

D Her head seemed to be too big.

8 What did the writer like best about Ena?   [A, B, C, D]

A her sense of humour

B her physical appearance

C her innocent ignorance

D her resemblance to someone

You are going to read an article about a white-water rafting adventure. Seven sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-H the one which fits each gap (9-15). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use. Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

A Coward's Adventure

Even though I'm a writer for Outdoor Adventures Magazine, everyone at my office knows in actual fact I'm a bit wary of anything remotely resembling an "outdoor adventure." That's why my boss likes to give me these projects. He thinks I'm the perfect candidate because, like most people, I'm often afraid to try something new. However, upon my return from an assignment I have usually not only conquered any fears I originally had, but also become quite an enthusiast of the activity as well!

This month's hair-raising adventure - white- water rafting - was no exception. The minute my boss told me about it, I felt very nervous. 9_________   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H] But now that I've completed the assignment, I'm happy to report that I found it extremely enjoyable.

In order to get some information about white- water rafting, I called Nigel Dossett, who runs Scotland's foremost white-water rafting centre in Perth. The first thing he told me was that not all rafting trips are the same. 10__________   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H] It's important for the public to be aware of this before booking a trip, in order to determine how hard or easy a rafting course should be. The goal is to spend more time in the raft than in the water, so it's best to take it easy the first time out.

Upon my arrival at Nigel's Extreme Raft World Centre, I saw that there were several dozen people there for the day's rafting activities. 11__________   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H] We were then given a safety briefing about some of the dangers to watch out for, such as boulders, fallen trees, sharp underwater rocks, waves and anything else that could block a raft's forward movement.

We were put into groups of six, plus a guide, based on skill and level of experience. 12_________   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H] I put on my wetsuit, life jacket and crash helmet and climbed aboard, hoping he was right. With the first few strokes of the paddle, I could feel excitement begin to replace my fear. The river caught us in a gentle flowing motion, rocking and pulling us smoothly towards the first rapid.

Suddenly our guide shouted "Forward paddle!" and everyone started paddling excitedly. We steered around boulders as huge waves crashed over us, soaking the entire boat. 13_____________   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H] It was remarkable how much team spirit had sprung up immediately between the members of my boat.

We eventually stopped for lunch at a lovely spot on the river under a huge oak tree. 14____________   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H] It was satisfying to see that such an exciting and fun sport could be enjoyed by such a wide variety of people.

My trip was much better than I had expected, and the scenery, the accommodation, the rushing river and the thrill of the ride were all amazing. 15__________   [A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H] I recommend it for anyone, from the fit to the couch potato, the young to the old, and even for cowards like yours truly!

A Nigel began by explaining the differences in the difficulty levels and asked us to be honestabout our paddling experience.

B Without a doubt, white-water rafting is one of the most exciting outdoor adventures.

C Although we were drenched, everyone was laughing and yelling as we worked together to drive the raft forward.

D The thought of battling raging river rapids in a flimsy rubber boat was almost enough to make me call in sick.

E Chatting as we relaxed, I found that everyone's background was different, including a stockbroker and a housewife.

F It all depends on what each individual feels like doing on that particular day.

G I was in a medium difficulty group, and our guide assured us that the ride would be lots of fun without being too dangerous.

H He said that rapids are broken down into different classifications - anything from very calm to very dangerous.

You are going to read a magazine article about one-day travel destinations. For questions 16-35, choosefrom the people (A-E). The people may be chosen more than once.Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

~ Read the rubric and instructions carefully to identify the type of text and what you have to read it for.

Which person or people?

16. admits that something is not to her taste?   [A, B, C, D, E]

17. enjoys watching people living their everyday lives?   [A, B, C, D, E]

18. mentions the fact that something is inexpensive?   [A, B, C, D, E]

19. mentions a long tradition associated with the place she visits?   [A, B, C, D, E]

20. suggests she spends a lot of money at her favourite destination?   [A, B, C, D, E]

21.   [A, B, C, D, E] 22.   [A, B, C, D, E] like an area where there are not a lot of other people?

23. visits a place which gives her ideas related to her job?   [A, B, C, D, E]

24. sometimes has company when she visits her favourite place?   [A, B, C, D, E]

25. says she doesn't visit as frequently as she would like?   [A, B, C, D, E]

26. discovered her favourite destination purely by chance?   [A, B, C, D, E]

27.   [A, B, C, D, E] 28.   [A, B, C, D, E]appreciate a lack of noise?

29.   [A, B, C, D, E]30.   [A, B, C, D, E] mention how long it takes them to get there?

Great Escapes from London

For Londoners with a busy lifestyle, it's hard to get away even for a day, but Amanda Hyslop spoke to five different women who regularly do exactly that.

A

Julia Finch is a busy lawyer who loves nature but doesn't get nearly enough of it sitting in her London office all day, so she often takes advantage of Wisley Garden, only an hour's drive from Central London. "My favourite thing is that there is always something new to see. The garden collection has been developing for more than 100 years and far surpasses anything I've ever seen. It's a lovely, peaceful place for a stroll, and it's so vast that it doesn't get crowded. I get ideas for my own garden from the great demonstration gardens full of practical ideas and techniques. I can even incorporate my other favourite hobby of photography by bringing my camera and clicking away. It's perfect for a great day out."

B

Jessica Green is a hardworking student who needs a break from the books once in a while, and makes Brighton her favourite one-day destination. "I love being by the sea, and it's so close to London that whenever I feel like it, I just jump on a train and in 55 minutes I'm there. Brighton evolved from a small fishing village into England's most famous seaside resort, and offers all the traditional attractions, including restaurants, nightlife, miles of sandy beaches and two piers. I always eat at this great self- service restaurant, which is also modestly priced. My favourite spot, though, is a small strip of sand under one of the piers, where I can just sit all alone and hear nothing but the sea."

C

Martha Roberts is an architect who enjoys her job so much that her work is also her hobby. "My favourite piece of architecture to study in my free time is The Royal Pavilion in Brighton. I try to get some of my co-workers to go with me, since it isn't all that far from London, but they're usually too busy. The Pavilion was built for King George IV and if ever a building represented the concept of over the top', this is it. The pseudo Indian palace, with Chinese-influenced interiors, is a riot of colour, expensive fabrics, crystal and gilt. It's not the sort of style I would ever like in my own house, but I do find inspiration for my work in everything I look at."

D

Flora Evans, a market analyst, feels she deserves an expensive treat after a busy week, which is why she often takes time to get away. "I go to Bath to visit my favourite luxury spa and enjoy the pools, which are fed by Britain's only natural hot springs. Sitting in the pool, with only the soft, gentle sound of moving water, is the ideal way to relax. And of course, a day of pampering is never complete without some shopping. Bath is one of the best shopping destinations outside London, with many specialist shops and a number of antique shops tucked away in the narrow streets. A good souvenir to buy is hand-blown glass, which takes its blue colour from the city's hot springs."

E

Elizabeth Dosset, a sales assistant at a popular department store, happened upon her favourite destination by accident. "I was on a trip to Stonehenge, but the site was closed and I ended up in the bsmall market town of Salisbury, just a short distance away. There are not many residents and not many visitors, either, which is perfect since I need a break from all the people I deal with every day. I couldn't believe that a market still takes place regularly in the town's market place, just as it has done since the 13th century. My favourite thing to do is observe the shopkeepers going about their business and see people running errands or just having some tea. The town is so charming and quaint that I try to go at least once a month. I wish I could go more often, though."

For questions 1-12, 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). Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Example:

o A above B over C beyond D past

Read the whole text first to get an idea of its theme(s) and content.

ROLLS-ROYCE

The name Rolls-Royce has been associated with high-quality cars for (0) ..... a century. The first Rolls- Royce was produced in 1905, as the result of the (1) .....             [a сonnected, b mixed, c combined, d collected] efforts of Charles Stewart Rolls and Frederick Henry Royce.

Rolls, an upper-class Londoner who was (2) .....            [a educated, b schooled, c taught, d trained]at Eton and Cambridge University, started a company in 1902 to sell motor-cars. Royce, an engineering genius, (3) .....           [a grew, b arrived, c came, d arose] from a working-class background. He began his apprenticeship in a railway workshop at the age of 14, but by the age of 21 he had (4) .....           [a put, b made, c set, d brought]up his own engineering business. Royce designed several motor-cars, and his first experimental model (5) .....              [a appeared, b showed, c presented, d developed] in 1903. (6) .....            [a Early, b Shortly, c Brietfy, d Quickly]after that, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce met, (7) .....                [a shaping, b forming, c building, d constructing] the Rolls-Royce manufacturing firm in 1904. Royce designed the motor-cars and Rolls sold them. Rolls, who had (8) .....             [a earned, b awarded, c deserved, d succeeded] himself a reputation as a keen racing motorist, also had a passion for flying. In 1910, at the age of only 33, he sadly (9) .....          [a got, b knew, c found, d met] his death in a plane crash - in (10) .....         [a spite, b case, c order, d fact] , he was the first Englishman to die in this way. Royce, however, continued work on their shared dream, and (11) .....               [a kept up, b went on, c got by, d saw through]to develop his first aero-engine in 1915. The Rolls-Royce Merlin aero-engine later powered British fighter aeroplanes in World War II. On Royce's death in 1933, the famous Rolls-Royce monogram was changed from red to black as a (12) .....           [a note, b message, c signal, d sign] of respect for the great man.

For questions 13-24, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

(0)- been

Read the title of the text carefully as it is a summary of what you are going to read.

Traditional Cooking

A new school of cookery has opened in France. "The Friends of French Cookery" has (0) .......... started by a group of grandmothers who are anxious to keep traditional food and cooking techniques alive. They are against the modem-day use (13) ..........    freezers, microwaves and TV dinners.

None of these grandmothers have (14) ..........     any experience as professional cooks, and they run their school (15) ..........         being paid. They are motivated only by a desire to produce good quality, tasty food. They are especially keen to teach the younger generation (16) ..........     to cook traditional dishes, and to convince them that traditional food is better (17) ..........      convenience foods and take-aways.

The grandmothers run cookery courses two or three times a week, and the fee is about -20, (18) .........       .includes tuition and lunch.

Most of the recipes are traditional, and some of (19) ..........      have ancient legends attached (20) ..........    them. Only seasonal ingredients (21) ..........     used.

The courses are great fun, and tourists join (22) ..........    with the locals (23) ..........       they work together to create a delicious meal. (24) ..........    midday they all sit down at long tables to eat a three-course lunch.

For questions 25-34, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0).

(0)- succesful

After reading the text once quickly, identify what part of speech the given word is and what sort of changes you need to make.

SUCCESS

DEDICATE

CHILD

ATTEND

NOURISH

ENERGY

DETERMINE

FAIL

COURAGE

PERFORM

PATIENT

Becoming a Top Athlete

To be (0) ............... in a sport requires a number of things including ambition and (25) ................            Without these qualities, it is very difficult to compete at a high level. Most of the famous sportspeople we know today began training during their (26) ...............           in order to reach their peak while still comparatively young.

Athletes should pay careful (27) ...............           to their diet, because (28) ...............             food is essential for maintaining a strong body which is less liable to suffer injury. Diet is also important because it must be adequate to support such (29) ...............            activity.

It is also necessary to have the (30) ...............               to succeed. Athletes will often encounter temporary (31) ...............           on their road to eventual success, and they must mentally prepare themselves so that this type of (32) ...............                doesn't have too strong a negative effect on their future (33) ................             Even if a sufficiently talented athlete puts in the time and effort required, they will also need (34) ...............          , and perhaps a little luck, in order to succeed.