Part 1
For questions 1-8, read the text below and choose the correct answer for each gap.
Click on the gap and a choice of words will appear. Then choose the correct answer.
Smart gadgets
Today’s smartphones are smart but tomorrow’s gadgets will inevitably be even smarter. According to experts,
soon they will have ‘emotional intelligence’. They will be able to (1) …….. how we feel and react to our mood,
by joining in our happiness or leaving us alone when we are angry.
Scientists are (2) …….. a technology that uses both speech-recognition software and special sensors to figure
out how the user is feeling. Their goal is to develop a way to accurately (3) …….. the emotional state of a
person holding a smartphone.
Another project is looking at (4) …….. emotional detection into GPS car navigation devices. The vision is of a
dashboard GPS device that would register facial expressions, voice intonation and hand movements to work
out the emotions of the driver. For example, if the driver were experiencing stress, it could temporarily (5) ……..
giving additional instructions or even turn itself off.
But for many, there is something slightly (6) …….. about emotion recognition. It (7) …….. into yet another part
of our lives which are already being closely (8) …….. by technology, not always for our benefit.
2
1 A expose B perceive C guess D realise
2 A operating B developing C working D progressing
3 A count B rank C value D measure
4 A creating B locating C absorbing D building
5 A put up B take over C hold off D set back
6 A unreasonable B disturbing C irregular D impossible
7 A intrudes B invades C interrupts D forces
8 A searched B supervised C monitored D handled
Turn over ►
3
Part 2
Read the text. Think of the word which best fits each gap. Write the correct word in each gap (9-16).
The Post-it note
It has been described as the solution to a problem nobody realised existed. But that hasn’t stopped the
self-attaching Post-it note – that little square piece of paper that sticks in (9) …….. a clever way that it
can be removed, leaving no damage – (10) …….. becoming an essential piece of stationery worldwide.
(11) …….. so many other simple inventions, the Post-it note was invented by accident. A scientist
working for a US company was attempting to develop a super-strong adhesive, (12) …….. instead
came up with a super-weak one. It was just strong (13) …….. to stick light objects together. What was
special about it was that the objects could be separated (14) …….. leaving a mark. (15) …….. five
years, he tried convincing his bosses of the importance of his invention. Sadly, nobody (16) …….. find
a use for it. Then a colleague noticed that bookmarks in his book kept falling out, and he was continually
losing his place. Remembering the work of this colleague, the scientist set about designing a reusable
bookmark using the super-weak adhesive and the Post-it note was born.
4
Part 3
Read the text. For questions 17-24, use the word on the right to form a word that fits in the gap. For
each question, write your answer in the gap.
The benefits of being multi-lingual
Speaking two or more languages well has been shown to be highly beneficial in a
number of ways, some quite surprising.
First of all, learning a second language makes you focus on the mechanics
of language and increases your (17) …….. of your first language. Secondly, AWARE
your memory improves. Learning a second language involves memorising
rules and vocabulary, which researchers say helps strengthen your mental
‘muscle’. (18) ……..., this explains why multi-lingual people are better at APPEAR
remembering lists of sequences.
A recent Spanish study reveals that multi-lingual people are more
PERCEIVE
(19) ……... . They are also better able to focus on important information and
RELEVANT
discard what is (20) …….. . What’s more, the ability to switch rapidly between
languages makes speakers good at multi-tasking. In one study, (21) ……..
PARTICIPATE
used a driving simulator while doing separate, distracting tasks.
Interestingly, multi-lingual people made fewer errors.
DECIDE
People who are fully bilingual are also better at being (22) …….. . Some
Austrian researchers claim that ‘bilinguals’ who run through decisions in both
CONCLUDE
languages feel that their (23) …….. are more considered and the person
CONFIDENCE
behaves more (24) …….. as a result.
5
Part 4
For questions 25-30, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three and six
words, including the word given.
25 There will be no change to our plans, despite the likelihood of rain.
IS
We have decided not to change our plans even ……………………………….... strong possibility
of rain.
26 Can you summarise for me what took place at the meeting?
GIVE
Can you ……………………………….... what took place at the meeting?
27 The problem that his team had been working on was solved by Jake.
SOLUTION
Jake came up ……………………………….... the problem which his team had been working on.
28 I was very much relieved to see my brother walking down the street towards me.
SIGHT
I felt enormous ……………………………….... my brother walking down the street towards me.
6
29 Maria immediately accepted the offer of a place at the country’s top university.
HESITATION
Maria ……………………………….... the offer of a place at the country’s top university.
30 Employees can choose to work additional hours at the weekend.
EAC
H
It’s up ……………………………….... they work additional hours at the weekend.
Part 5
Read the introduction to an academic book about parenting. For questions 31-36, choose the correct
answer.
7
st
Parenting in the 21 Century
I decided to write this book for several reasons. I was dissatisfied with parenting-advice literature, finding it to be
riddled with oversimplified messages, and often unrelated to or at odds with current scientific knowledge. I also
felt certain after years as a professor, researcher, and author of textbooks on child development, that contemporary
theory and research contain many vital, practical messages… ones crucial for parents to understand if they are to
effectively help their children develop. Furthermore, I’ve been approached on countless occasions by uneasy
parents, frustrated by a wide array of child-rearing issues. I became convinced, therefore, that parents needed a
consistent way of thinking about their role to guide them in making effective decisions.
It’s little wonder that parents are perplexed about what approach to take to child rearing. Today’s world is one
which makes parenting exceedingly difficult. In many industrialised countries, the majority of mothers of preschool
children are in the workforce, though not always through choice. This group in particular tends to lament the lack
of practical advice for parents in their child-rearing roles. Many parents simultaneously complain that they’re busier
than ever and that due to the growing demands of their jobs, they have little time for their children. Nations of
pressured, preoccupied parents have emerged in an era of grave public concern for the well-being of youth.
It would seem from looking at current media that the younger generation are achieving less well than they should
and that they often display a worrying lack of direction, manifested at its worst in a variety of social problems.
These problems seem to have infiltrated even the most economically privileged sectors of the population, affecting
young people who, on the face of things, have been granted the best of life’s chances. Accounts of children being
deprived of their childhood and growing up too fast, or the dangers of promoting materialism to young people
abound in the media.
In many countries there is a growing sense of ‘youth alienation’ and parents rightly fear for their own children’s
futures. But agreement on what parents can and should do to shield children from underachievement and
demoralisation eludes those who seek it on the shelves of libraries or bookstores. Parenting advice has always
been in a state of flux, at no time more so than the present. While the fundamental goal of parenting – to instil
character and moral development – has stood firm amid the various passing fashions in child care over the years,
the approach to accomplishing this has varied considerably.
Some authors, convinced that parents are in control of what their children become, advise a ‘get tough’ approach.
The educational parallel to this ‘parent-power’ stance is to train and instruct as early as possible, and this has been
justified by claims of maximising brain growth or securing high achievement by starting sooner. Other authors,
however, attribute many of today’s social problems to the excessive pressure put on children by parents.
According to these ‘child-power’ advocates, children have their own built-in timetables for maturing and learning.
Waiting for cues that children are ready, these experts say, will relieve the stress that fuels youth discontent and
rebellion. The reality, however, is that there are no hard-and-fast rules.
Current thinking on child-rearing advice mirrors historical shifts in theories of development and education. The
most disturbing trend in the literature has been a move to deny that parents make any notable contribution to their
children’s development. Indeed, according to one highly publicised book, children’s genes, and secondarily their
peer groups, not parents, dictate how children turn out. This public declaration of parental weakness comes at a
time when many busy parents are poised to retreat from family obligations, and, indeed, it grants them licence to
do so.
From the multitude of theories on nature and nurture, I have chosen one to serve as the framework for this book:
sociocultural theory, which originated with the work of Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky. Early in the 20 th
century, he explained how children’s social experiences transform their genetic inheritance leading their
development forward and ensuring that they become competent, contributing members of society. Vygotsky
Turn over ►
8
championed the idea that as children engage in dialogues with more expert members of their culture, they integrate
the language of those interactions into their inner mental lives and use it to think, overcome challenges and guide
their own behaviour.
31 The author says that one reason for writing the book was the fact that
A research suggests the quality of parenting skills has deteriorated.
B today’s scientific views of parenting seem to be flawed.
C there is a lack of parenting literature written in a straightforward way.
D the available advisory material does not reflect current academic thinking.
32 What does the author say about the concerns parents have?
A Some of the issues are contradictory in nature.
B They are understandable given the challenges of modern life.
C They cause a disproportionate amount of stress in family relationships.
D The balance between work and family life is only a secondary problem.
33 What view of young people is promoted in the media?
A They want to live an adult life before they are mentally ready.
B They are unaware of the opportunities provided for them.
C They are unable to appreciate the value of money.
D They fail to demonstrate a sense of purpose.
34 What does the author say in the fourth paragraph about parenting advice?
A Its core objective has remained constant.
B Its ideology stems from contemporary social issues.
C It traditionally placed strong emphasis on the protection of the child.
D It currently benefits from techniques tried and tested by previous generations.
35 In the fifth paragraph, what point is the author making about bringing up children?
A There is an absence of consensus on child-rearing among the experts themselves.
B Educational policies should be revised in the light of recent findings.
C Strict parents tend to have children who are academically unsuccessful.
D One approach to child-rearing appears to be more effective than all others.
36 What criticism of contemporary thinking on child-rearing does the author make?
A It repeats theories which have no solid foundation.
B It places too much importance on formal education.
C It encourages parents to neglect their responsibilities.
D It undermines the role of friends in children’s development.
9
Part 6
You are going to read extracts from articles in which four experts discuss the reasons why animals,
including humans, sleep. For questions 37-40, choose from the experts A-D. The experts may be
chosen more than once.
Why do we sleep? A
Although an average human spends a third of their life sleeping, there are great variations in how much
time other animals devote to it. For some, it appears to be remarkably little, though there is clear
evidence that all species do spend some time asleep. As many major bodily restorative functions occur
almost entirely during that time, it seems reasonable to conclude that this is the principal purpose of
sleep. The benefits to the human memory of sleep still need to be assessed accurately and
conclusively, however, and may indeed have been overrated. Indeed, some assert – though the findings
they cite are unconvincing – that sleep is merely something that animals are able to enjoy when they
have no more pressing needs, such as eating or reproducing. In many circumstances, or so they say,
sleeping may simply be a less dangerous choice than roaming around and exposing oneself to
predators. However, evidence to support this view remains sparse at best.
Most experts believe that sleep is a universal requirement in animals, and I would not differ from that
viewpoint. It is nevertheless true that nobody has yet identified the core function of sleep. Sleeping at
night or day was very probably an adaptation for survival at a time of daily vulnerability through low
visibility or oppressive temperature. Over millennia, its role developed and is now far more complex.
The argument that it serves predominantly to maintain and repair the body fails to convince, as this can
be done while resting as well as while sleeping. Of more interest is the research into the role of sleep
in memory, particularly memory consolidation. There is solid evidence of its prime importance in this
area, and the significance of the variations in electrical activity detected in the brain during sleep remains
a fascinating area to investigate.
Nobody really knows why we sleep, though theories and counter-theories abound. Research into the
functions of sleep has proved beyond doubt, in my opinion, that it assists in memory formation. It is
certain, however, that sleep is important for other reasons, and I subscribe to the view that its primary
role is to allow us to recover from any damage or wear sustained during waking hours. Given this, it
fascinates me to discover that some animals, though admittedly very few, have no need for it. The
evidence for this, however unlikely it may seem, appears indisputable. Nevertheless, this does not lead
me to conclude, as others have done, that sleep is merely a means of conserving energy at times when
other activity would serve no useful purpose. It is certainly safe to say that the investigation into and
debate about the reasons why animals sleep will continue for a long time.
Why animals sleep is the subject of debate, and yet the search for complex reasons may be misguided.
One proposition is that sleep restores the brain and body in a way impossible to achieve through resting
whilst awake. I believe, however, that this need for periods of sleep has its roots in the simple fact that
Turn over ►
10
in nature, efficient use of energy resources is vital – if a species uses those it has even more effectively,
it gains an advantage over similar species, especially if sleep occurs during a part of the day or night
with little opportunity to do anything more useful such as obtain food. There is ample evidence that,
without exception, no species can survive without sleep, and there are obvious advantages from an
evolutionary point of view for animals to sleep through periods of time during which otherwise they would
be most at risk from predators.
Which expert
has a different view from the others regarding whether all animals sleep?
37
shares D’s view on whether sleep evolved as a way for animals to remain safe? 38
expresses a different view from B on the extent to which sleep aids memory? 39
takes a similar view to C regarding the importance of sleep for body repair and
40
maintenance?
11
Part 8
Read the article below containing five managers’ advice about asking for a pay rise. For
questions 47-56, choose the correct manager.
The managers may be chosen more than once.
Which manager gives the following advice about getting a pay rise?
Take the company’s current financial situation into account before making your request. 47
Demonstrate how increasing your pay will be cost-effective for the company. 48
Be brief when outlining your achievements to your boss. 49
Be prepared to consider an alternative to an increase in salary. 50
Use evidence from others to support claims about your performance. 51
Ensure your boss is able to argue your case to higher authorities. 52
Be patient and show a willingness to wait if necessary. 53
Bear in mind the company culture regarding salary increases. 54
Allow your boss the opportunity to consider your request prior to your initial meeting. 55
Avoid trying to draw on sympathy when appealing to your boss. 56
Turn over ►
How to get a pay rise
Do you feel you’re worth more than your company is paying you? We asked a group of managers for
some advice on how to go about asking for a pay rise.
Manager A
Try asking yourself a series of questions in order to establish whether you deserve a pay rise. If you were
in charge, would you award a pay rise to someone like you? What financial benefits have you brought to the
company? How have you helped with the smooth running of your department? Have you introduced any
new ideas or working practices? Use your answers to provide the facts that will allow your boss to justify
your increase to senior management. You should be able to outline what you hope to achieve in the next
18 months and how you could improve your work. Exercise some caution, however. Think about the effects
on your work-life balance before you pledge to double your workload, or your family may never forgive you!
Manager B
Whatever you do, don’t go to your boss with sob stories about debts or the fact that you need a new car.
Pleading for more money on emotional grounds will invariably lead to a negative response. Confrontation
isn’t advisable, either. Trying to ‘blackmail’ your boss by claiming that a rival company has offered you a
better deal, then saying you’ll walk out unless the company matches it, is a sure way to get shown the door.
On the other hand, you can’t expect your boss to offer a pay rise as a matter of course. If you keep a low
profile in the company, your achievements are unlikely to be recognised. You need to convince your boss
that your services are worth more than you’re currently being paid. Even better, show how your future
services will make the company more money than it spends on the financial package you’re requesting.
Manager C
An ex-colleague of mine once hired a consultant from a very expensive firm to do a job comparable to his
own, and then ‘noticed’ that this person earned considerably more than him. He subsequently arranged a
meeting with his boss in order to bring the discrepancy to her attention and request adequate compensation.
I don’t know that I’d recommend this approach to everyone, but it’s definitely worth finding out what people
in comparable roles within your firm or in rival firms earn, and using this in your negotiations. You may not
get what you want immediately – your boss may have to review the budgets, or seek the opinions of others.
You can, however, agree how you intend to take things forward and set a time for a pay review in the future.
Manager D
From talking to my colleagues, the consensus seems to be that it’s best to address the issue head on and
have a frank face-to-face chat with your immediate superior. Make sure you give some idea in advance
about what you want to talk about, though. Simply turning up outside your boss’s office after a particularly
bad day is likely to lead to a quick brush-off. Preparation is key. Have a clear idea of what you want and
how you’re going to get it. Obviously, the idea is to prove how indispensable you are, but keep it succinct.
Make sure you can present your successes clearly and simply, and stick to the most recent. Your boss is a
busy person; don’t bore them with an endless list of your triumphs. Proof is also important; wherever
possible, provide testimonials from happy clients or senior managers in the company.
Manager E
Most firms deal with pay rises and promotions in a standard way. If annual pay reviews are the norm where
you work, you will have to have a good reason for wanting your salary looked at as a special case. If you
decide it’s worth trying, timing is crucial. Turning up just before a board meeting or just after your company
has issued a profit warning is unlikely to be a good idea. If possible, your meeting should coincide with the
completion of a specific project, especially if you were heavily involved. And remember that pay is only one
part of the job package. Your boss may refuse a pay rise but offer you an improved pension deal, an
enhanced bonus package or share options.
