ZNO Practice (Reading test)

Read the texts. Match choices (A-G) to texts (1-5). There are two choices you do not need to use.

1 Social networking websites are growing and changing all the time. Although younger users might not stay with one site for long, they still enjoy the concept, and a lot of their daily communication with friends takes place on social media sites. They post photos, exchange news, post where they are having coffee with their friends, and share their favourite music and videos. It's enjoyable, and it makes people feel good.

2 Hanna Krasnova, an author of a study on social networking from Berlin's Humboldt University says, 'We were surprised by how many people have a negative experience from social networking, with envy leaving them feeling lonely, frustrated or angry. If you spend too much time looking at friends' posts and pictures- with their happy graduations, wonderful holidays abroad and perfect parties - you may start to wonder what's wrong with you.'

Envy of others' perfect lives isn't the only negative aspect. Bullying, other people sharing your deepest secrets, and general embarrassment at seeing the worst photo ever of yourself posted for all the world to see, can all be negative side effects of using social media. There is also the issue of online addiction, which leaves many people unable to switch off their devices for more than a few minutes without suffering from intense anxiety.

4 What can you do to make sure social media remains a positive experience? Probably the most important thing is not to spend too much time on your digital life. 'At the end of the day, nothing can replace face-to-face conversation and interactions,' says one writer. 'It's better to get together with friends, go out for a meal, or sit and chat in person. When you're with a real person, it's much easier to understand what's going on and what your friendship really means.

5 Another point to keep in mind is that your friends on social media should be real friends, not just acquaintances. You should only 'friend' people you respect and get on well with. In the end, just like in real life, the number of friends you have doesn't matter. It's the quality of the people close to you - even on social media - that is really important.

Match the definitions to the words

Complete the sentences (1-7) with words from the box.

1 Kelly is very popular in the community and has many               but I'm not sure she has any close friends.

2 "I almost died of               when I tripped and fell on stage as I was getting my diploma!"

3 The              of this medication are headaches and feeling sick.

4 I didn't feel any      when I saw her huge, beautiful house. I just thought what a lot of work it must be.

5 A(n)           to playing computer games is a serious problem for some young people.

6 To make a new restaurant successful, you need an interesting         . If people don't see that it's new and different, they simply won't come.

7 A job interview is one of the most stressful types of             because one person has so much power over the other.

Match the expressions with mind with their definitions.

Complete the sentences (1-5) with the correct form of the expressions. Use each expression only once.

1 When crossing the road in the UK, you should              that people drive on the left.

2 ' I'm afraid I forgot to ring James about the party'. '            I'll do it'.

3 I thought I wanted to study abroad, but now I have                

4            , spending a lot of time on social media isn't a good thing.

5 What                    when I say the word "friendship"?