CEPT Practice A2 Level Long Listening about an activity holiday in Europe

 

1 This activity holiday is for students who are between

A 11 and 14. B 12 and 14. C 12and15.

2 The students will stay 

A on an island. B near a lake. C next to a forest.

3 Which activity does Danny think is the best?

A exploring parts of the forest

B building bridges

C going on night walks

4 Which sport can students do there?

A climbing B horse-riding C cycling

5 When will Danny go on this holiday?

A next June B next July C next August

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Audioscript

Listen to Danny telling Patricia about an activity holiday in Europe.

For each question, choose, the right answer (A, B or C).

Girl: Are you going on an activrty holiday in Turkey again this summer, Danny?

Boy: No. Patricia. I'm going to Iceland this time.

Girl: Wow! How old do you have to be? Can I go?

Boy: You're twelve, so yes ... Even eleven-year-old students can go put no-one's older than fourteen .

Girl: No fifteen-year-olds?

'Boy: No.

Girl: Where do you stay?

Boy: We camp in the middle of a wood. near the water there. It's a small lake. You can swim in it.

Girl: Great! What else?

Boy: My favourite thing will be the walks in the dark ... You build things too, like bridges. We visit different-parts-of-the-forest to draw trees, but that doesn't sound so exciting.

Girt Hmmm. I'd quite like to do that. Will you go horse-riding?

Boy: That's not possible but there are mountain bikes you can use.

Girl: What about climbing?

Boy: You don't do that ... But it will be lots of fun. Hey! Perhaps you can come too.

Girl: When are you going? In July or August?

Boy: I'm staying with my grandparents then, so I'm going in June.

Girl: Oh. Maybe I'll ask my dad tonight.

Boy: Great!

1 A

2 B

3 C

4 C

5 A

CEPT Practice C2 Level Sentence Completion Test 1 with answer

 

CEPT Practice C2 Level Sentence Completion Test- Choose the word or phrase that best completes each sentence.

1 After a great deal of hard work, Liz finally ____ her ambitions.

A got

B realized

C possessed

D deserved

2 The review committee ____ three practicing lawyers and a retired businessman.

A consists

B comprises

C makes up

D encloses

3 Don’t worry: this is nothing that  ____ you.

A matters

B entails

C concerns

D complicates

4 As always, I am  ____ with everything you say.

A agree

B agreeing

C agreeable

D in agreement

5 I ____ doubt whether she will actually carry out her threats.

A highly

B deeply

C absolutely

D seriously

6 Her description closely ____ that of a known criminal.

A assembles

B resembles

C dissembles

D reassembles

7 I ____ hope there won’t be a repetition of these unfortunate events.

A deeply

B strongly

C sincerely

D thoroughly

8 That voice sounds ____ : I’m sure I know her.

A known

B usual

C familiar

D remembered

9 Jake finally got the reward he so richly  ____ .

A owes

B earns

C deserves

D justifies

10 I strongly  ____ that her current enthusiasm is not going to last.

A think

B conclude

C speculate

D suspect

(Check your answers by watching the video.)

CEPT Practice C2 Level Multiple-choice Cloze about Putting Pen to Paper

 

Putting Pen to Paper

 Journalists like myself are usually poor letter-writers. I have heard it (1)____ that this is because of the instinctive distaste we feel at writing something we are not going to be paid for, but I cannot believe we have quite such mercenary characters. It is more probably that (2)_____in our work, we are always (3)_____ to get the greatest possible effect, the essential spontaneity of a letter (4)____ us. The real creative artist, who does not consciously work on the effect at all (though he may re- write a passage dozens of times), does not have this problem. I believe that it is in this inherent grasp of the effect of his words that there (5)_____ the only sure test of the real artist. When Shakespeare wrote some of his famous lines he (6)_____ never thought consciously that it was the contrast between polysyllables that made them so effective, as well as showing him to be a great writer.

1 A said B told C remarked D presumed

2 A since B for C like D once

3 A striving B exerting C contending D tackling

4 A misses B escapes C avoids D passes

5 A goes B remains C lies D exists

6 A inevitably B confidently C particularly D surely

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1 A

2 A

3 A

4 B

5 C

6 D

CEPT Practice C1 Level LISTENING Sentence Completion about International Volunteer

 

International volunteering

Some countries have specific rules about the (1) _______ of people who volunteer for work there.

Sam learnt most about (2) ______ during his time at a safari park.

Sam appreciated being taught to use (3) ________ and basic tools to build a hut.

Sam says that (4) ________ is the minimum commitment recommended for a placement.

A volunteer should not expect an organisation to fit in with his or her (5) ______ , according to Sam.

Sam says that it is best to have a clear idea of who the (6) ______ are of any agency that finds a position for volunteers.

According to Sam, those volunteering projects that are most effective provide (7) _____ for volunteers to read before going.

Sam was surprised that he never suffered from (8) ________ during his time volunteering.

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Audioscript

I’d like to tell you about some of the opportunities there are for international volunteering and a little about my own experiences. I should say, first of all, that most organisations prefer participants to have qualifications or a particular skill.

If you don’t have these, it’s crucial to consider what sort of impact you can have as a volunteer. It’s also important to bear in mind that there are age requirements in certain countries.

My first volunteer experience was at a safari park in Thailand. It was rescue work taking care of birds that had been injured. Besides learning a lot about the bird’s names and habits as well as all the various diseases they get, I also got to know more about wild cats, as there was a section of the park dedicated to them.

Teamwork’s vital for all projects, and working on the project taught me an invaluable amount about this. I really developed my abilities in that respect. I guess it was the biggest takeaway thing for me.

Basically, when you volunteer you’re there to get involved, and you’ll have a lot of fun doing that. You might also pick up odd things like how to make a fire without matches, or how to build a hut with the most basic equipment. I’d built one before back home with my dad using screws and nails, so it was a real eye-opener for me when I was instructed in how to make one stay up using just string to keep it together. Volunteer work’s as tiring as any job, but it can turn out to be a thoroughly enlightening experience.

With so many organisations offering volunteering placements abroad, it’s not easy to determine which project might be the most ethical, sustainable, or beneficial.

Generally speaking, the longer you stay the better. Short-term volunteering can be damaging to communities and it’s generally advised that it’s not appropriate to stay less than a month. It’s often said that a commitment of around 12 weeks allows enough time for you to integrate with the local community and deliver useful work, so bear that in mind.

Your commitment also depends on what the organisation needs – it might need help delivering a specific project, such as reviewing the organisation’s accounts or budgets, for example. Make sure you’re working to their time frame, and not forcing them to adapt to your travel schedule.

Volunteer work abroad is sometimes offered by for-profit agencies based outside the country where the volunteer work takes place. They can allocate you to specific projects, or place you with a local organisation. If you use an agency, choose one that’s transparent about its in-country partners and specifies which particular project you’ll be working on. Always ask questions about the impact of the volunteering programmes – the best ones will have strong case studies showing how well their projects are doing, which you can ask to look at prior to making any commitment. Look for projects that promote the positive integration of volunteers with the local community.

You’ll usually have to pay a fee to volunteer, but food and accommodation are provided. I’ve volunteered all over the place, and in all my time, despite a few stomach aches and suffering from really bad flu once, the one thing that I’d fully expected to bother me didn’t. That was loneliness. I always had people around who made it a truly amazing experience.

1 age

2 teamwork

3 string

4 a/one month

5 (travel) schedule

6 (in-country) partners

7 case studies

8 loneliness

CEPT Practice C1 Level Read and select about new power cream

 

New Power Cream is now even more powerful because it leaves a long-lasting invisible shield that keeps new dirt and grime from really sticking. So next time you clean, dirt comes right off. Goes on easy, comes off easy. Simple as that.

What is the main impression the writer is trying to give of New Power Cream?

A it makes cleaning surfaces quicker

B it is enjoyable to use

C no other cleaning product will be required

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D The main impression that the advert wishes to give is that there is a sound reason why the product is effective 'leaves a long-lasting invisible shield that keeps new dirt and grime from really sticking’.

Distraction 

A: although the text says the product is easy to use it does not make claims about how quick it is to use; 

B: the advert does not go so far as to say that you will actually enjoy using it; 

C: the advert does not say that no other cleaning product will be necessary.

CEPT Practice C1 Level Open gap fill about Kangaroos

 

Kangaroos

The kangaroo is (0) one of Australia's most iconic animals. Kangaroos of different types live in all areas of Australia, (1)___  cold-climate areas and desert plains to tropical rainforests and beaches.

Kangaroos are herbivorous, eating a range of plants and, (2)____  some cases, fungi. Different kangaroo species inhabit different habitats. Some, for example, make nests on the ground while tree-kangaroos live (3)___  the ground. Larger species of kangaroo tend (4)____  shelter under trees or in caves.

Most kangaroos are distinguished from (5)___  animals by the way they hop on their strong back legs. A kangaroo's tail is used to balance while hopping and (6)___ a fifth limb when moving slowly. All female kangaroos have front-opening pouches that contain four teats. (7)___  is in here that the 'joey’ (8)___  baby kangaroo is raised (9)____  it can survive outside the pouch. Most kangaroos have no set breeding cycle and are able to breed all year round. (10)____  they are such prolific breeders, a kangaroo population can increase fourfold in five years.

Kangaroos have long been important to the survival of Australia's indigenous people, (11)___  have hunted them for tens of thousands of years, using both the meat and the skins. (12)____  Europeans arrived in Australia in the late eighteenth century, they too hunted kangaroos (13)____  survival. Kangaroos continue to be used as a resource, but only under strict government controls. Nowadays only the four most abundant species of kangaroo may (14)___  commercially harvested for export, and then only by licensed hunters in accordance (15)____  an approved management plan.

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1 from: 'in' is not possible because of the following phrase: 'to

tropical rainforests and beaches’.

2 in: This collocates with 'some cal,;es' and in other expressions using

'case' - 'in any case', 'in many cases', etc.

3 above/off: You have to think about the meaning that is required here.

4 to: 'tend' is always followed by 'to’.

5 other: Although other words like 'most' or 'many' would fit here,

'other' is the only one which makes sense in the context.

6 as: This is relating back to the word 'used’.

7 It: 'It is' /'was ... ' is often used to give emphasis in a sentence

presenting information.

8 or: This introduces an explanation of what a 'joey' is.

9 until: You might think that 'when' would fit here if you didn't think

about the meaning of the sentence.

10 Because/As/Since: All of these words can be used to introduce a

clause giving an explanation for something.

11 who: This is the only relative pronoun that works here - 'that' is not

possible in a non-defining clause.

12 When: This is the time conjunction that makes sense here.

13 for: This collocates with 'survival’.

14 be: This makes the necessary modal passive form.

15 with: This is part of the phrase 'in accordance with'.

CEPT Practice C1 Level Read and select about Marketing the Veg-0-Matic

 

Marketing the Veg-0-Matic

Why did the Veg-0-Matic sell so well? Doubtless Americans were eager for a better way of slicing vegetables. But it was more than that; the Veg-0-Matic represented a perfect marriage of the medium (television) and the message (the gadget). The Veg-0-Matic was, in the television sense, utterly transparent. You took the potato and you pushed it through the Tefloncoated rings and - lo and behold - you had French fries. There were no buttons being pressed, no hidden and intimidating gears: you could show and tell the Veg-0-Matic in a two-minute slot and allay everyone's fears about a daunting new technology. More specifically, you could train the camera on the machine and compel viewers to pay total attention to the product you were selling. TV allowed you to do even more effectively what the best pitchmen strove to do in a live demonstration - make the product the star.

1 The Veg-0-Matic would be useful for someone who wanted to

A cook chips safely.

B cut up potatoes quickly.

C peel carrots easily.

D fry in a healthier way.

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The correct answer is letter B.

CEPT Practice B2 Level EXTENDED listening about a wildlife photographer

 

You will hear an interview with a woman called Adriana Moretti, who works as a wildlife photographer.

1 Why did Adriana want to become a wildlife photographer?

A She enjoyed travelling to remote locations.

B She was very good at taking photos.

C She was interested in animal behaviour.

2 Why, according to Adriana, is it easier nowadays to learn how to photograph animals?

A The necessary equipment is cheaper than it used to be.

B It is possible to learn wildlife photography online.

C Cheap International travel means more species can be photographed.

3 Why did Adriana feel uncomfortable while she was trying lo take photos of bords?

A She was not able to sit down.

B Her feet were getting wet.

C She was being bitten by insects.

4 How did Adriana feel when she was trying to

photograph the crocodile?

A afraid that it might try to attack her

B worried she may not get the photo she wanted

C increasingly bored with waiting to take the picture

5 Adriana has still never taken photos of

A a tiger in India.

B a snow leopard in China

C a polar bear in Russia

6 What disadvantage does Adriana say her work has?

A She sometimes feels lonely when she is working abroad.

B She doesn't see her family as often as she would like to.

C She always has to go where the agency tells her.

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Audioscript

Interviewer: Adriana, what originally made you decide you wanted to be a professional wildlife photographer?

Adriana: Well, unlike some who eventually take it op as a career, I wasn't a particularly talented photographer but I fascinated by what living creatures do and whv. I developed my skills as a photographer while I was actually doing the job, and it

wasn't until then I realised my work couId take me to all kinds of distant places.

Interviewer. So beginner don't need to take budget flights abroad to improve their photographic skills?

Adriana; No, they can usually do that in their local countryside, where there’ll probably be just as wide a variety of wildlife as

anywhere, really. Actually, learning has it anything become simpler. For instance, the cost of good-quality digital cameras and other essential items has fallen dramatically in recent times, enabling far more people to take good photos. Studying photography can certainly help improve one's technical ability, though I'd do that at college rather than by signing up for

one of those online courses.

lnten1iewer: And of course you need practical experience.

Adriana: Yes, there are things you can't learn sitting in a classroom. I remember I once spent all night trying to photograph

owls after it’d been raining heavily. 

lnterviewer: That can’t have been very comfortable.

Adriana: ……..

1 C

2 A

3 C

4 B

5 C

6 B

CEPT Practice B2 Level Listen and select about where her job is

 

You hear this woman talking to someone outside a block of flats. What is her job?

A She sells property.

B She is a tourist guide.

C She inspects building work.

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Audioscript

.. . as you can see, the outside of the block is maintained to a high standard, and the gardens are extremely well-designed. This block was built just under a hundred years ago and a number of well-known people have lived here, including poets, artists and writers. Now, if we go up to the flat I want to show you, you'll see that the view across to the castle is really something special. Now, as I mentioned on the phone, these are rarely available, so if you are interested I would advise you to let us know ...

The correct answer is letter A.

CEPT Practice B2 Level Listen and select about where he is

 

You hear someone introducing a programme on the radio. Where is he?

A a swimming pool

B a sports hall

C a football ground

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Audioscript

Man: ... and I'm here outside now and there's quite a crowd beginning to build up behind the fence. They're hoping to get in to see what the new changing rooms are like - supposed to be really luxurious compared to the old ones - and also the new diving area which I understand is overlooked by the cafe - should make that a good place to pass the time while you're getting dry. And now here is the Mayor of Taunton arriving to actually perform the opening ceremony .. .

The correct answer is letter A.

CEPT Practice B2 Level multiple choice gap fill about family history

 

FAMILY HISTORY

In an age when technology is developing faster than (1) ____ before, many people are being (2) ____ to the idea of looking back into the past. One way they can do this is by investigating their own family history. They can try to (3) ____ out more about where their families came from and what they did. This is now a fast-growing hobby, especially in countries with a (4) ____ short history, like Australia and the United States.

It is (5) ____ thing to spend some time (6) ____ through a book on family history and to take the (7) ____ to investigate your own family's past. It is (8) ____ another to carry out the research work successfully. It is easy to set about it in a disorganised way and (9) ____ yourself many problems which could have been (10) ____ with a little forward planning.

1 A ever B once C only D never

2 A pushed B attracted C fetched D brought

3 A lay B make C put D find

4 A fairly B greatly C mostly D widely

5 A a B one C no D some

6 A seeing B moving C going D living

7 A idea B plan C purpose D decision

8 A quite B just C more D even

9 A produce B cause C build D create

10 A missed B lost C avoided D escaped

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2 B

3 D

4 A

5 B

6 C

7 D

8 A

9 B

10 C 

CEPT Practice B2 Level Open gap fill about writing a story

 

WRITING A STORY

Where do you start if you want (0) to write a successful story? Clearly, what you need first of (1) ___ is an idea which you can develop into a strong plot. But (2) ____ do ideas like this come from? The (3) ___ is 'anywhere and everywhere’. They may come from something that has (4) ___ to you or to (5) ____ else, from a newspaper, an interesting picture, or even a song. It's a good idea to keep a notebook nearby (6) ____ that you can write down the details of any odd incidents (7) ____ catch your imagination. Make a note of ideas (8) ____ titles too, and any special phrases or descriptions that you think of. A small tape recorder can (9) ____ useful for this purpose. Some writers even keep (10) ____ by their bed in (11) ____ they wake up with the 'idea of the century'.

Another method of developing the story is to make use (12) ____ the characters themselves. Why not (13) ____ putting three people you know well into a situation such as a wedding, where feelings may be very strong, and see (14) _____ happens. But don't make the final characters too much like your Aunt Jane or Uncle Jim or you may find (15) ____ in real trouble.

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1 all 

2 where 

3 answer/reply 

4 happened/occurred

5 someone/somebody 

6 so 

7 which/that 

8 for/about

9 be/prove 

10 one/theirs 

11 case 

12 of 

13 try

14 what 

15 yourself

CEPT Practice B1 Level EXTENDED listening about an arts festival

 

You will hear a recorded message about an arts festival.

1 The festival takes place from

A 12 to 8 May.

B 2 to 20 May.

C 12 to 28 May.

2 What is on at the Theatre Royal on 19 May?

A jazz B opera C classical music

3 During lunchtime jazz concerts at the Corn Exchange they sell

A soft drinks and sandwiches.

B wine and sandwiches.

C soft drinks and light meals.

4 What is on at the cathedral?

A music B poetry C films

5 What does the festival programme offer at Ickworth?

A a walk and a book reading

B a concert and a meal

C a walk and a concert

6 You can’t use a credit card if you book

A by post. B by fax. C by telephone.

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Audioscript

Message: This is the Arts Festival Box Office. There is no one here to take your call, but do not hang up, as further information follows.

The Festival begins on the 12th of May and continues to the 28th. There are things happening in several parts of the town itself, and outside it.

At the Theatre Royal, there will be a series of concerts, starting with jazz singer Elaine Delmar on the 12th of May. George Melly brings his own special kind of jazz and fun to the theatre on the 13th of May. On Thursday the 19th of May, there is the opera Faust. For classical music fans, the Brodsky String Quartet appear on the 23rd of May.

There are also concerts at the Corn Exchange. For people who prefer dance music, we have the London All Stars Steel Band on Sunday the 15th of May. On Thursday the 19th of May we welcome back the Viennese Gala Orchestra, who are regular performers at the Festival. Finally, also at the Com Exchange, there will be a series of jazz concerts each Friday at 1 o’clock. During these lunch-time concerts a bar will be open for the sale of wine and we are offering free soft drinks. Sandwiches will also be on sale. Light meals can be bought in the restaurant afterwards.

There are various other musical performances in the cathedral, and poetry readings in one of the town’s churches. The Film Society has arranged to show a film of Mozart's opera Oon Giovanni at the theatre. Our programme has full details.

lckworth House, just outside me town, is joining in the Festival as usual. There is a guided walk around Ickworth Park on Sunday the 15th, which will last about two and a half hours. Also, on the 19th oT May, we have a special concert of piano music, given by Oliver Davies in the beautiful lckworth Library. The price of tickets includes coffee and biscuits and you are advised to book early, as this is always especially popular.

For more information. send for our Festival programme or visit the Box Office from 10.00 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, or 12.00 to 8 p.m. on Saturdays. Bookings can be made in person (cash, cheque or credit card), by post (cheques only), or by telephone (credit cards only). We also accept credit card bookings by fax, on 0284 706035. For these bookings, you must use our booking form.

Thank you for calling.

1 C

2 B

3 B

4 A

5 C

6 A