Welcome to our blog dedicated to Cambridge English Placement Test practice with a unique twist - daily devotions. In this blog, we combine the essential task of honing your English language skills with the nourishment of your soul through insightful and inspiring daily devotionals. By integrating these two elements, we aim to create a holistic learning experience that enriches your mind and spirit.
- Enhancing Your Language Skills
- Daily Devotions for Spiritual Nourishment
You hear two friends discussing the topic of reading books in printed or electronic form.
Which aspect of their enjoyment of reading do the friends agree about?
A how much it depends on the quality of writing
B how convenient electronic books are
C how pleasant it is to own a printed book
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Woman: What are you reading?
Man: It’s a novel … . quite gripping. Seeing me reading on my phone screen you’d never know what it was, would you? Anyway, it’s nothing too cultured … It being electronic is a plus if you don’t want people to see easily what you’re reading … . I mean, if it isn’t some great work of literature but something a bit trashy!
Woman: E-books have cured my terrible habit. I tend to skip bits. Especially if it’s a thriller. I’ll rush on, maybe 20 pages from where I am in the plot, just to give myself an idea of the ending. It can really spoil it though. But, I haven’t figured out how to do it on this electronic reader.
Man: These electronic books sure beat carrying heavy books around, and if you decide you’d like a particular book you can just get it immediately, as long as you have a Wi-fi connection. Though, there’s something about turning the pages and having a book in my hand that feels right.
Woman: And if you love a book, it stays on your shelf, like an old friend you can stop by and visit whenever you like.
Man: Of course e-books are always in your library too. They don’t get battered like my most treasured paperbacks do.
For questions 1–9, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap.
We’re all in this together
Have you, or has someone you know, come up (1)_____ an original idea for a brilliant product or an original invention? But do you find (2)______ without sufficient cash to develop or promote it? Fear not. Help is close (3)_____ hand. You can crowdfund it! Crowdfunding is the practice of financing a project by raising money through contributions (4)______ individuals or groups of people with money to invest or the desire to (5)______ good. It has emerged as an accessible option forentrepreneurs
and creatives around the world. Usually collected via online platforms, the sum generated allows them to both (6)_____ their ideas to the test and gain exposure and funds for their product or invention. You might well wonder (7)_____ crowdfunding really is a modern-day practice. It would seem (8)____ .
Although the term and its definition were only recently added to dictionaries, throughout history, landmark expeditions, epic voyages and even national monuments have been completed (9)_____ to the donations of ordinary people.
Now in its seventh (1)_____ , this year, the Rogers Estate Festival starts a day earlier: on Thursday, which means visitors have a whole extra day to enjoy it. This showcase of art and music takes place in a (2)____ like no other, with the castle ruins in the background. This year’s line-up includes an array of talented actors alongside a very (3)_____ selection of both local and international musicians and visual artists.
Visitors can take (4)____ an impressive range of exhibits and experience both the permanent and (5)_____ collections through their five senses. In addition to large-audience sessions, there will be more intimate moments, including poetry recitals, (6)______ by soloists plus painters and sculptors at work. Last but not least, on Friday, we are in for a special (7)_____ . Belinda Wilde, our guest of honour this year, is (8)_____ her debut at the festival, giving us a preview of a new (9)_____ of her famous symphony. If you still haven’t bought your pass to the festival, what are you waiting for?
1 A time B season C series D episode
2A scenery B set C setting D stage
3 A supreme B high C luxury D elite
4 A off B up C in D on
5 A provisional B temporary C casual D momentary
6 A performances B productions C acts D presentations
7 A joy B bliss C treat D treatment
8 A giving B making C taking D doing
9 A constitution B distribution C organisation D arrangement
You will hear Leonie Steiner talking to an interviewer about her work as a music teacher in a school.
1 Leonie first starting learning the piano
A with a relative.
B at primary school.
C with a private teacher.
2 Leonie started giving music lessons
A for the pleasure of seeing others learn.
B because she needed some extra money.
C to see if she was suited to teaching.
3 Leonie most likes to teach students who
A have great natural talent at an early age.
B need good teaching to develop their talent.
C have previously been taught badly.
4 Leonie thinks that schools should
A employ far more music teachers.
B buy good musical instruments.
C ensure that all their pupils pass music exams.
5 Leonie thinks the problem with singing in schools is that
A many students are too embarrassed to sing.
B few students want to learn how to sing.
C singing is not often taught in them nowadays.
6 Leonie believes her success as a music teacher is a result of
A choosing a particular age group of children to teach.
B the training she received as a student teacher.
C a natural ability to communicate with young people.
7 What decision did Leonie find difficult to make?
A to turn down the offer of a job abroad
B to refuse promotion in the school
C to continue teaching when she felt tired
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AUDIOSCRIPT
Interviewer: I have with me Leonie Steiner, who's had a
distinguished career both as a pianist and as a music teacher.
Leonie, who was your first-ever piano teacher?
Leonie: There's a long piano-playing tradition in my family and from a very early age I was keen to start playing. In earlier generations fathers and mothers had taught daughters and sons, but both of mine were working full-time, so from the beginning they had me taught at home by a tutor. That would have been shortly before my first year at primary school, where I also had lessons.
Interviewer: And when did you actually start giving lessons?
Leonie: In my late teens, by which time I was giving solo performances. Some professional musicians give private classes to make enough to live on, or perhaps to find out whether they would make good teachers, but for me it was never a conscious decision to become a teacher. I'd always enjoyed working with younger students. doing what I could to he!o them develop as musicians. and without realising it I was becoming a teacher. And ever since then, that- together with performing - is what I've done.
Interviewer: And what kind of students do you prefer?
Leonie: I'd say those who perhaos aren't naturally brilliant, but respond well to jntensjye teaching and go on to become top performers. More so than those who seem to have been born to play at the highest level, or students who've been taught the wrong way and need to get rid of bad musical habits. That can be hard work for both pupil and teacher.
Interviewer: And what do you think of the standard of music
education in our schools nowadays?
Leonie: It varies widely. I get the Impression there's been a general shift away from putting pressure on students to achieve exam success to a more skills-based approach, and I think that's to be welcomed. The media sometimes talk about a shortage of qualified music teachers but I'm not convinced. There's a much greater need to invest in new pianos. violins and so on. ensuring they're top quality so that students really like the sound they make. Because the key to success is making sure pupils enjoy their music lessons, both in terms of playing and singing.
Interviewer: Do school music lessons normally include singing
these days?
Leonie: In the majority of cases they still do, and it's generally popular among pupils, but a lot of them are afraid of doing so in public because of what other people mav say or think. That's a great pity, I think, and if a child wants to sing, I feel strongly that they should always be encouraged to do so.
Interviewer: You're very highly regarded by your ex-students, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers. What do you think has made you such a good teacher?
Leonie: Well, if that's true it probably has something to do with the fact I've always found it easy to get on with those of a different generation, whether they're at primary school, secondary school or university. In that respect I don't think I would've benefited from actually being trained at college as a music teacher.
Interviewer: Looking back over your career, what big decisions
have you had to make?
Leonie: Well, in my late thirties I wondered whether I'd still have the energy needed to keep doing lessons as I got older, but once into my forties I found that wasn't an issue. Also around then, I was offered the position of assistant head. and I had to think carefully about that because I would've been on a much higher salary, but in the end I said 'no'. It would also have meant I had less time for doing lessons, and for performing. My response to an offer of work In another country was the same, though I found it much easier to make up my mind about that one. I've never regretted staying here.
You overhear a conversation in a cafe between two people. Why didn't she call him?
A She didn't have his number.
B It was too late in the evening.
C Her phone wasn't working.
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AUDIOSCRIPT
Woman: Well I would've given you a ring. but there was something wrong with the battery in my mobile. It was really annoying because I was expecting a call from Emily and I've lost her number so I can't call her back.
Man: It doesn't matter. It was probably getting quite late by then anyway.
Woman: Well actually I was going to call you when I got home last night. I didn't think you'd mind how late it was, really. But I couldn't find the spare battery I'd left somewhere in my room so I
You hear a woman talking about buying a bicycle. What most attracted her to this bike?
A its special features
B its condition
C its price
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Audioscript
'I saw it advertised in the local newspaper and I thought I'd ring the seller to see if it was still for sale and whether he'd drop the price because it seemed a bit high to me. He wouldn't, but I liked the sound of it and we arranged a time for me to call round later. Well as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it. It was just an ordinary bike really. nothing remarkable about it at all, but it'd obviously been very well looked after. It was a few years old, but you really couldn't tell. So I bought it there and then.'
You will hear an interview with a teenager called Simon about going to an indoor climbing centre that has a climbing wall.
1 Simon’s mum decided to take him to the climbing centre because
A she had enjoyed going there.
B her friend had recommended it.
C Simon had been there with his school.
2 Before he went to the centre, Simon was
A worried about going climbing there.
B interested in seeing the climbing wall.
C disappointed to hear it was all indoors.
3 Simon says that at the centre there were
A lots of people when it opened.
B many different types of people.
C no other people his age.
4 What did Simon think about the climbing wall?
A He thought it looked very high.
B He was afraid he might fall.
C He found the foot holes helpful.
5 Why was Simon unhappy with his first climb?
A He was slower than everyone else.
B He found it hurt his arms.
C He didn't get to the top.
6 What does Simon feel he learnt from climbing at the centre?
A how to improve his fitness
B to think before he does something
C the best way to work with other people
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Woman: Hello, everyone! Today we're discussing adventure activities, and I'm talking to Simon Benito, who recently went with his mum to an indoor climbing centre. Simon, what
gave your mum the idea to take you there?
Simon: Well, last year my school had a trip to the centre, but I missed it because I was sick. Then recently she went with a friend and tried it herself - and she loved it! So after that she wanted to take me, too.
Woman: And what did you think when your mum suggested going to the centre?
Simon: Well, I knew I was OK at climbing - we've been climbing on holidays - and I thought we'd do something similar at the centre. I was really looking forward to it. But then my mum explained that the wall was inside. I wasn't so interested when I heard that - I
prefer being outside.
Woman: But did you meet lots of people there?
Simon: Well, yes - that was great! It was early morning when we arrived and the centre had just opened, so it was quiet, but lots of people came later in the morning - and for once I wasn't the youngest! I'd expected it'd be mainly young people there, but there were people of all ages - serious climbers, mums with five-year olds ... and teenagers like me'
Woman: So what was the climbing wall like?
Simon: Well, ·luckily it had rocks of different sizes to help you climb. So there was little chance of falling off. And I'd imagined it would look high before you started to climb, but actually it didn't seem that far to the top. There were lots of really useful holes all over
it, too, to put your feet in - green ones for an easy climb, red for more difficult.
Woman: So what was your first climb like? Was it easy?
Simon: No! The instructor showed us what to do and I thought I'd soon get to the top, but I was the last to get there, so I was annoyed with myself. The instructor warned us it can be painful for your arms, too, but ! didn't notice. And I did improve.
Woman: So what did you learn from your visit?
Simon: Well, it was great to be with other people who all like doing the same thing! And when I was climbing I had to think carefully where to put my feet before I moved - so that's helped me to think first before I do things. It's shown me that I am fitter than my
friends who spend too much time on their computers.
Man: The train arriving at platform six is the 11.45 from Manchester. The train due to arrive at platform four in approximately five minutes is the delayed 11 .30 train to Manchester. The train will now depart at 11.50 and travel non-stop. We apologise to passengers for the delay. Refreshments will not be available on this train.
Listen to Lisa talking to her friend Robert about computers. For each question, choose the right answer (A, B or C).
1 Where did Lisa buy her laptop?
A Bridge Street
B Green Street
C High Street
2 The most useful website was
A buy_a_computer.com
B computers_and_phones.com
C new_laptop.com
3 Lisa’s new laptop weighs
A one kilogramme.
B 1.5 kilogrammes.
C two kilogrammes.
4 How much did Lisa pay for her laptop?
A £579
B £699
C £849
5 Why did Lisa buy a new laptop?
A to talk to her brother
B to shop online
C to study
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Robert: Hi Lisa. How are you?
Lisa: Tired! I went to bed at midnight, so I need a coffee!
Robert: Were you writing text messages to your friends again?
Lisa: No! My sister Paula’s written a blog about her trip to Australia. I was reading it. The photos look amazing on my new laptop.
Robert: Really? I need to buy a new computer. Where did you get it?
Lisa: In town. I went to the store on the High Street and I also looked in Green’s Computer Store on Park Avenue but they were very expensive, so I bought it in the little shop on Bridge Street.
Robert: How did you choose it?
Lisa: Well, first of all, I looked at some web pages on my phone. There wasn’t much information on ‘New laptop dot com’ but ‘Buy a computer dot com’ was great.
Robert: If I buy a laptop, I’ll have to take it to university with me every day. Is yours heavy?
Lisa: No, it’s one and a half kilogrammes, but my old one was three kilogrammes. I carried it in my backpack every day. The best ones these days are only one kilogramme!
Robert: Wow! Was the one you bought expensive?
Lisa: Well, the one I really wanted cost £849!
Robert: Really?
Lisa: Yes, but I didn’t get it. The shop assistant also showed me one for £579 but it didn’t have a very big memory. I spent £699 in the end.
Robert: Are you going to use it at university too?
Lisa: Yes, that’s why I bought it. I’m going to need it for my course next year! But first I’m going to help my brother to improve the website for his camera shop. He’s got one, but it’s awful!
Victoria first learned of her future role as a princess (0) during a history lesson when she was 10 years old. (1) .................................................... four decades later, Victoria's governess recalled that the future queen reacted to the discovery (2) ....................... declaring, "I will be good". This combination of earnestness and egotism marked Victoria (3) .................... a child of the age that bears her name. (4) .................... was an era of industrialisation and colonial expansion (5) ........................ had not happened before. By the end of her reign, about a third of the known world was (6) .................. her rule. (7) ............................. , the queen herself was resistant to technological change (8) ................................ while mechanical and technological innovation was reshaping the face of European civilization. (9) ................................... Significantly, Victoria was a queen determined to retain political power; yet she presided (10) ..................... the transformation of the sovereign's political role into a ceremonial (11) ......................... and thus helped to preserve the English monarchy. When Victoria became queen, the political role of the crown was by (12) ......................... means clear or defined; nor (13) ............................ the permanence of the throne (14) ............................. When she died, the change in the monarch's roles was one of social (15) ............................ than of political focus.
Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap.
Doodling Is Good
The next time you are caught doodling, that is making unconscious or unfocused drawings (1) _____ you should be listening, declare that you are simply trying to boost your concentration. Recent research suggests that, (2) ____ than something to be frowned on, doodling should be actively encouraged because it improves our ability to pay attention. A study which compared (3) ____ well people remembered details of a dull speech found that people who doodled throughout retained much more information than those trying to concentrate on listening.
Doodling, however, is not the same as daydreaming. It is quite common (4) ____ people to start daydreaming when they are stuck in a boring lecture (5) ____ listening to a tedious discussion, and then to pay little attention to what is (6) _____ on around them. But the research suggests that doodling should no (7) _____ be considered an unnecessary distraction. Not (8) _____ is doodling sufficient to stop daydreaming without affecting our task performance, it may actually help keep us (9) _____ track with a boring task.
You hear a woman telling a friend about a book he gave her. Why does she mention the book’s cover?
A to suggest that it failed to reflect its contents
B to criticise a weakness in the book’s plot
C to explain why the book has sold well
Audioscript
Man: So, what did you think of the book I gave you?
Woman: The Man in the Forest? It was certainly an emotion-packed tale. There wasn’t much about the man in the first half. I thought it got more gripping once he came into it more. I really identified with the main female character – the woman called Lucy. I can see why you thought it’d be my sort of thing – the blend of crime, mystery and social issues. It was quite disturbing in parts, as you suggested it would be. I did wonder why they chose that cover for the paperback edition though.
Man: What? The picture of the key? I thought it made the book look quite intriguing.
Woman: It doesn’t really evoke the essence of what it’s all about though. The book’s chief strength is as a tightly plotted thriller that also draws attention to certain social injustices. I mean the image on the front cover has the potential to summarise the content or at least highlight the issues the book tackles, which it totally missed doing. If it had done, I’d have been more convinced it was going to be the kind of thing I’m typically drawn to. Still, it’s sold over ten million copies, so what do I know …
As restaurant manager, I feel responsible for the quality of the food we serve. So it's up to me to check the ingredients that have been delivered overnight to make sure they are of sufficient quality, and to produce a menu for the day. The cooks arrive at about ten a.m. to prepare lunch and I'll take them through the menu. Because lunch is concentrated over a short period of time, it can get very busy and very hot. But unlike some kitchens, we tend to divide the jobs up according to who likes doing what, and that includes cleaning pots and pans and clearing the place before dinner.
What does the restaurant manager say about the cooks who work for him?
Is your school just as you want (1) ..... ... . to be? Or are there things you and your classmates (2) .......... change, given the opportunity? This is your chance to express your ideas about (3) .......... the ideal school is like. Our competition is open to (4) ......... . student between the ages of twelve and eighteen. You can enter (5) .......... an individual or your whole class can work together on a team entry. Your entry can take any form - a piece of writing, a picture, or even architectural plans. It is completely (6) .......... to you. What we are looking for is evidence (7) .......... originality, imagination and, above (8) .......... , the genuine views of young people. By (9) .......... part in this, you will help in a study being carried out at a leading university. All work entered {10) .......... the competition will be kept at the university and used in research. Entries cannot be returned (11) .. ...... .. of this. But it also means that, even (12) .... .... .. you do not win, your views will still be heard and will remain for future educationalists to study. Entries must reach us no later (13) .......... Friday 30 April. Winners will receive valuable prizes of computer equipment and software for their schools.
You will hear an interview with a singer called Nick Parker who plays in a band called Krispy with his sister Mel. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B or C.
1 When Nick and Mel were younger,
A they studied music at school.
B their father took them to live concerts.
C their mother encouraged them to play music.
2 When Nick and Mel started writing music together, they
A disagreed about the style they should have.
B didn't want to be the same as other bands.
C were influenced by different kinds of music.
3 The band Krispy was started after
A Nick began studying at music school.
B two other musicians heard Nick and Mel playing.
C Nick and Mel advertised for the band members.
4 In the band's first year together,
A concert audiences liked their music.
B they signed a recording contract.
C their national tour was very successful.
5 What does Nick say about life in the band today?
A The older members look after him and Mel.
B He's pleased to have the chance to travel.
C There's no opportunity for them to relax together.
6 What disappointment has the band had?
A They haven't yet had a number one single.
B Their first album sold under a million copies.
C A health problem delayed their album recording.
TRANSCRIPT
Interviewer: I'm talking to Nick Parker, the singer with the band called Krispy. Nick your sister, Mel, plays guitar in the band too, doesn't she?
Nick: Yeah. Mel's a year younger than me. We've been playing and singing together since we were ... eight, nine. Dad is a guitarist and took us to hear the great bands playing live. Mel and I put on shows at school, which was a lot of fun. Mum thought we were good, but
she didn't want us to get too serious about our music because of the hard lives professional musicians have.
Int: When did you start writing music?
Nick: I've been writing since I was ten. And later Mel started working with me. We didn't have the same influences - I liked rock music and she loved world music, especially bands from Africa. But we found good ways of mixing the styles.
Int: Your band, Krispy, has two guys and two girls in it. How was it formed?
Nick: Mel and I were playing in a concert at our college and there were two students from music school in the audience. They came to see us after the show and asked if we'd like to form a band with them. We weren't sure at first because we were much younger than
them. But we agreed to try it out, and it was brilliant.
Int: Was the band an immediate success?
Nick: Well, we spent the first year practising and writing music. During that time we all had studying to do. We played in local concerts, and the audiences enjoyed what we did. Then during one holiday we recorded two songs and sent them to a music company. They offered us a contract, but our parents said we had to finish college first.
Int: You've been together a few years now and you're one of the top bands. What's that like?
Nick: Hard work. We travel to concerts all round the world and are never in one place for more
than a few nights. The others are like an older brother and sister to me and Mel, which is
good. They help us relax on our days off, and make sure we eat well. They're strict about
practising too.
Int: Have you had any disappointments?
Nick: Everything we've recorded has done well. Three singles have gone to number one, and
our first album has sold over a million copies. Our second album was due out this
winter, but I've been ill recently so we've started recording late, which is a pity. But for
