PRACTICE TEST 18 (23/05/25)

PART 1: LISTENING
Ex 1. Complete the notes below. Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF DANCE

Recent findings:
• All forms of dance produce various hormones associated with feelings of happiness.
• Dancing with others has a more positive impact than dancing alone.
• An experiment on university students suggested that dance increases (1) _____________________.
• For those with mental illness, dance could be used as a form of (2) ____________________.
Benefits of dance for older people:
• accessible for people with low levels of (3) _______________________.
• reduces the risk of heart disease.
• better (4) _______________ reduces the risk of accidents.
• improves (5) __________________ function by making it work faster.
• improves participants’ general well-being.
• gives people more (6) _______________ to take exercise.
• can lessen the feeling of (7) ________________, very common in older people.
Benefits of Zumba:
• A study at The University of Wisconsin showed that doing Zumba for 40 minutes uses up as many
(8)_______________ as other quite intense forms of exercise.
• The American Journal of Health Behavior study showed that:
– women suffering from (9) _________________ benefited from doing Zumba.
– Zumba became a (10)________________ for the participants.

PART 2: LEXICO & GRAMMAR

Ex 1. Circle A. B. C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following question.

1. We will delay the project _______ we receive 5. You shouldn’t speak to your elders in such a(n)
further instructions. _______ tone.

A. until B. unless A. respectful B. aggressive

C. although D. whereas C. respective D. impressive

2. The board expressed their deep _______ for the 6. _______ her lack of experience, she was offered
team’s outstanding effort. the position.

A. appreciation B. appearance A. Although B. In spite of

C. apprehension D. application C. Due to D. Whereas

3. She would complete the assignment if she _______ 7. The report was full of technical terms and
more time. completely _______ to me.

A. has B. had C. would have D. have A. illegible B. invisible

4. The book provides a thorough _______ of the C. incomprehensible D. irrational

causes of inflation.
9. This new policy is likely to have far-reaching
A. analysis B. revise _______.

C. reaction D. application A. complications B. indications

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C. implications D. applications 16. The team has worked _______ to complete the
project on time.
10. The factory will be shut down permanently
unless profits _______ soon. A. hardly B. intense

A. recover B. C. diligently D. attentively

recovered
17. The manager asked everyone to _______ their
C. will recover D. have recovered reports by Friday.

11. The candidate’s resume was impressive; ______, A. submit B. submitting

his interview performance was poor.
C. submitted D. submits
A. therefore B. although
18. The new software update has recently _______
C. however D. otherwise the performance of the system.

12. If I _______ you, I’d accept the offer without A. improved B. improvement
hesitation.
C. improving D. improves
A. were B. am C. would be D. had been
19. Despite _______ hard, the team did not win the
13. I don’t think he’s capable _______ handling such championship.
a complex situation.
A. train B. trained C. training D. to
A. to B. with C. of D. in train

14. We need to come up with a more _______ 20. He is looking forward to _______ his friends this
approach to attract customers. weekend.

A. innovate B. innovation A. see B. seeing C. saw D. to see

C. innovating D. innovative 21. The police were able to _____ the stolen goods.

15. She couldn’t attend the seminar _______ a family A. run out of B. take over
emergency.
C. track down D. give up
A. because B. because of C. due D. as

PART 3: READING COMPREHENSION

Ex 1. Read the passage and use the correct form of the words in brackets.

The Mona Lisa is one of the most (1) ______________ (FAME) paintings in the world, created by the (2)
______________ (LEGEND) artist Leonardo da Vinci. It is widely known for the (3) ______________ (MYSTERY)
smile of the woman and the (4) ______________ (REAL) technique used to capture her expression.

Art historians continue to debate the (5) ______________ (IDENTIFY) of the woman in the painting, which
adds to its global (6) ______________ (FASCINATE). The Mona Lisa is housed in the Louvre Museum, where it
attracts millions of (7) ______________ (VISIT) every year.

Security is a major (8) ______________ (CONSIDER) due to its (9) ______________ (VALUE) and iconic status. For
many, seeing the Mona Lisa in person is an unforgettable and deeply (10) ______________ (MEAN) cultural
experience.

Ex 2. Choose the word or phrase that best fits the blank space in the following passage.

Going to the cinema remains a popular activity for many people. Modern theaters use (1) __________ sound
systems and (2) __________ projectors to provide a clearer and more immersive viewing experience. Ticket
prices vary depending on the time and type of movie, with some cinemas offering (3) __________ rates for
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students or morning shows. To compete with the convenience of home streaming services, cinemas have
(4) __________ their offerings by adding 3D movies, luxury seats, and gourmet snacks. Many moviegoers
enjoy the social (5) __________ of watching films with friends or family in a theater setting. However, popular
new releases often cause (6) __________, leading to crowded lobbies and long lines for tickets and
concessions. To make visits more enjoyable, cinemas now offer better food and drinks to (7) __________ the
overall experience.

1. A. outdated B. advanced C. basic D. distorted

2. A. digital B. analog C. manual D. faded

3. A. flexible B. discount C. premium D. fixed

4. A. ignored B. enhanced C. reduced D. eliminated

5. A. convenience B. atmosphere C. sound D. screen

6. A. underway B. overcrowding C. understaffing D. undercharging

7. A. decrease B. maintain C. improve D. limit

Ex 3. Read the passage and then decide whether the statements that follow are true, false or not given

The invention of the watch marked a significant turning point in how humans perceive and manage time.
Before watches existed, large public clocks and sundials were commonly used. The earliest mechanical
watches appeared in the 16th century in Europe, often worn as pendants or attached to clothing. These
early devices were not very accurate and had only an hour hand.

Over time, improvements in design and engineering made watches more reliable. By the 17th century,
watches began to include minute hands, and in the 18th century, the development of the balance spring
greatly enhanced their precision. The pocket watch dominated the market for centuries until the 20th
century, when wristwatches became more popular, especially after World War I, when soldiers needed a
more practical way to tell time during combat.

The introduction of quartz technology in the 1970s brought another revolution, offering cheaper and more
accurate timepieces. Today, smartwatches combine traditional timekeeping with modern technology,
allowing users to track health, receive notifications, and more.

_____1. Before watches, people mainly used sundials and public clocks to tell time.

_____2. The first watches were created in the 18th century.

_____3. The addition of the balance spring made watches more accurate.

_____4. Wristwatches became popular after World War I.

_____5. Pocket watches were only worn by wealthy individuals.

_____6. Quartz technology made watches cheaper and more accurate.

_____7. Smartwatches can help monitor a user’s physical health.

Ex 4. Read the passage and choose the correct answer to each of the following question.

Rubber is a natural material that has played a crucial role in industrial development across the world. It is
mainly obtained from the sap, or latex, of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), which is native to South
America. Today, however, most rubber is produced in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand,
Indonesia, and Vietnam, where the climate is ideal for rubber plantations.

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The use of rubber dates back to ancient times. Indigenous people in the Amazon used latex to make
waterproof shoes and containers. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that rubber became a globally
traded commodity. A major breakthrough came with the invention of vulcanization by Charles Goodyear in
1839. This process involves heating rubber with sulfur to make it more durable and elastic. Vulcanized
rubber is now used in countless products, from car tires and industrial belts to shoes and waterproof
clothing.

Synthetic rubber, made from petroleum-based chemicals, was developed in the 20th century and now
accounts for a large portion of rubber production. While synthetic rubber is cheaper and more stable
under extreme temperatures, natural rubber remains valuable due to its superior elasticity and strength.

Rubber production also raises environmental concerns. Clearing land for plantations often leads to
deforestation and loss of biodiversity. Furthermore, both natural and synthetic rubber industries involve
energy-intensive processes. As a result, researchers are exploring more sustainable practices and recycling
methods to reduce rubber’s environmental impact.

1. What is the main source of natural rubber?

A. Plastic materials B. Latex from rubber trees

C. Petroleum-based compounds D. Bamboo and other plants

2. Where did rubber trees originally come from?

A. Africa B. Southeast Asia C. South America D. North America

3. Why is Southeast Asia a major rubber producer today?

A. The governments provide subsidies. B. The climate is suitable for rubber trees.

C. Rubber was discovered there. D. It is the cheapest place to grow plants.

4. Who invented the vulcanization process?

A. Thomas Edison B. Charles Darwin C. Charles Goodyear D. Henry Ford

5. What is vulcanization?

A. A chemical that softens rubber B. A method of melting rubber

C. A process to make rubber stronger and elastic D. A tool used in rubber tapping

6. Which of the following is not mentioned as a product made from rubber?

A. Tires B. Waterproof clothing C. Plastic bottles D. Industrial belts

7. What is one advantage of natural rubber over synthetic rubber?

A. It is cheaper. B. It lasts longer in extreme temperatures.

C. It has better elasticity and strength. D. It is made without chemicals.

8. What is a disadvantage of synthetic rubber mentioned in the passage?

A. It melts easily. B. It is more expensive.

C. It is less durable than natural rubber. D. It is made from non-renewable resources.

9. What is one environmental issue caused by rubber production?

A. Soil improvement B. Biodiversity loss from deforestation

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C. Increased rainfall D. Decreased demand for rubber

10. What is being done to reduce the negative effects of rubber production?

A. Using more chemical fertilizers B. Expanding plantation land

C. Researching recycling and sustainable methods D. Replacing rubber with plastic entirely

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