fce test

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FCE PRACTICE TESTPaper 1: Reading

Name: ..................................................................

Part 1

You are going to read a magazine article in which an actress describes her life in London. For questions 1-8, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

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Home Away from Home

Actress and TV presenter Amanda Buxton talks about London, her newly adopted home.

I suppose I’d been considering relocating to the capital for some time. Since I made the move from provincial theatre to television, I’ve found most auditions for major TV series are held here in the city. I have an agent here, which is a great help. When I was up north, it was like trying to manage my career by remote control. You have to be on hand, at the heart of things if you’re serious about building a future in television, or international acting for that matter. Let’s face it, London has the country’s best theatres, TV and film studios, so it’s not that you have a choice, really. I don’t regret the move. In fact, there’s a lot about this city I have come to love.

Before I moved to London, it was one of my favourite destinations for a city break. I grew up in a town that was built in the 1930s so I really appreciate the sense of history here and all the different styles of architecture. Even some of the neglected, run-down areas have character, in my opinion. So for me it’s like a dream come true being here. One thing I can’t stand about it is travelling on the Tube because I have a phobia about being under the ground, even in a train, so I tend to take a bus or taxi if I’m going somewhere that’s too far to walk to.

Another aspect of London I have always appreciated is the parks. Major urban centres need green areas and London has these in abundance. You’re spoilt for choice. Whether it’s a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the urban rush hour like Hyde Park, or just a quiet place to have your lunch before returning to the office or recording studio, London’s parks are one of the things that make this city great. And the city council really knows how to make the most of them. Throughout the summer the parks are alive with entertainment, concerts and plays. I remember the first time I saw Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Regents Park. Watching theatre in the open air under the stars is an experience second to none.

And when it comes to holidays, London isn’t a bad choice at all. Just after I’d moved here, I was working 14-hour days on a new TV series and felt in desperate need of a break. Everyone kept urging me to take off to some exotic corner of the Pacific just to laze around on a white beach with palm trees. When the rehearsals for the series finally ended, I couldn’t face a beach – I would have gone crazy with nothing to do after all that excitement and activity.

A relaxing beach holiday can be great but I realised I needed lots of stimulation of another kind. I needed to wind down gradually, I suppose. So when it came to the crunch, I stayed here. While it’s true that London’s a non-stop, hectic city, sometimes that’s just what I need to recharge my batteries. Having been so busy, I’d hardly had time to get to know the city. At first I couldn’t get over the shops – I spent most of my time just wandering wherever the mood took me and hunting for unusual bits and pieces to decorate the flat that I’d just bought in Hampstead, north London.

And why there, you may ask. Well, Hampstead offers you the best of both worlds. It’s the heath, you see. I love walking the heath with my dog, Lucas. It’s almost like being out in the country. It’s also my retreat, where I hide away from celebrity life and relax, especially when I’m not in the mood to be with people. When my TV series became such a big hit, privacy began to be an issue for me. I’m frequently recognised now and in some of the places I’ve visited on holiday, I’ve turned into one of the tourist attractions. So I really appreciate the opportunity to be alone at home with a view of fields and flowers and London’s skyline in the distance. I suppose you’d say my home has become my favourite holiday destination.

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Name: ..................................................................

1 What was the writer’s main reason for moving to London?

A There are few theatres or TV studios in her home town.B It had always been a place she loved to visit.C She needed an agent in London to represent her.D Leading roles in TV, films and theatre are cast there.

2 The writer enjoys being in London because

A she knows a lot about the architecture there.B the area she lives in has a lot of character.C it’s very different from her home town.D the public transport system is good.

3 What example of ‘hustle and bustle’ does the writer give in line 15?

A the peace and quiet of parksB the daily routine of office workC the rush hour of the cityD the crowd in park concerts

4 According to the writer, what is special about London’s parks?

A You can enjoy a business lunch outdoors.B They are located far from the noise of traffic.C They are lively places to choose to spend your time.D They offer a unique summer programme of cultural events.

5 What do we learn about the writer’s attitude towards vacations?

A Her idea of a holiday differs from her friends’.B Holidays are for relaxing from the pressures of work.C She doesn’t like travelling to faraway places.D She enjoys excitement more than her friends.

6 According to the writer, how did she benefit from a holiday in London?

A There were great bargains on sale in the shops.B It was a pleasant change from a sunny beach holiday.C The city’s pace made her feel more energetic.D She became familiar with less well-known parts of the city.

7 What does the writer mean by ‘the best of both worlds’ in line 32?

A the benefits of rural and urban life B the enjoyment of a home and a holidayC the convenience for work and homeD the opportunity for privacy and fame at the same time

8 What do we learn about the writer in the last paragraph?

A She rarely has time for holidays.B She is not a very sociable person.C She is approached by fans at home.D She feels that fame has its drawbacks.

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Name: ..................................................................

Part 2

You are going to read an article about a children’s hospital. Seven sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-H the one which fits each gap (9-15). There is one sentence which you do not need to use.

Evelina Children’s HospitalNurse Gemma Morton talks about the unusual hospital where she works and how it was designed.

“Going into hospital is not much fun. And for children it can be especially difficult,” explains senior nurse Gemma Morton. “Away from home, separated from their parents, and sometimes quite ill, younger patients find a hospital a frightening place. The traditional environment of long, empty corridors and row after row of identical beds doesn’t help much either.” But perhaps this new children’s hospital has changed all that. The Evelina Children’s Hospital opened in October 2005, and has been described as

‘a hospital unlike any other’. “ At every stage of

the design process, young patients and their families were involved in shaping this new environment and its unusual architecture,” says Gemma.

“You see, when the architects began working on the project, their aim was to create ‘a hospital that does not feel

like a hospital’. We all felt the building had to be attractive, fun and friendly, with the atmosphere of a playground,”

Gemma adds. But other challenges also faced the

architects; the chosen site was next to a busy road and surrounded by the older, existing buildings of St Thomas’s hospital.

To counteract this sense of being closed in, architects incorporated a remarkable feature into the building – a huge atrium, reaching from the ground to the roof and

made entirely of glass. The wards on each floor

can be reached by lifts in towers located in this central space. “The lifts are red and shaped like rockets and are just one example of many fun features included in the design. It’s very child-oriented,” says Gemma proudly.

“The theme of the building is the natural world and the design of each floor is devoted to a different aspect of it. For example, the ground level, coloured blue, represents the sea and the top level, in purple, is the sky. To find your way about, you follow signs bearing symbols representative of each floor, like a fish for sea level or a star for sky level. After all, the hospital is located in one of London’s most multi-ethnic districts.”

The design ideas were based on the views of young patients in other hospitals and of local schoolchildren. They were asked to describe what they liked and disliked

about hospitals. “Their comments helped not only

the architects but also us, the hospital staff, understand what makes the difference between a happy stay in hospital and an unhappy one,” says Gemma.

“For example, each patient’s bed has a pull-down bed alongside it so that parents can spend the night. And as nurses, we wear animal T-shirts and badges instead of plain uniforms,” she says. Daily instruction is provided in small groups for patients. The curriculum covers academic subjects such as science, technology and art, and mandatory studies in literacy and maths.

And as Gemma points out, “Evelina Children’s Hospital is proof that a hospital doesn’t have to be cold and impersonal, but it can be a place of imagination and fun instead. And I believe that other hospitals will soon follow our example.”

A The system not only appeals to children but also removes the need for directions in different languages.

B Attention to such details makes a world of difference to sick children, and by trying to answer the young patients’ needs, the hospital provides for their medical, emotional and educational well-being.

C It became apparent that children wanted an environment they could relate to, with wards named after animals for example, instead of having names that meant nothing to them.

D At the same time, it also needed to meet all the requirements of a working hospital.

E As a result, this conservatory is filled with daylight and sunlight and gives the impression of being outside.

F These include a play area, a restaurant and a school for long-term patients.

G What makes it unique is, firstly, the role played by children in its creation, and secondly, the building itself.

H Furthermore, children on extended stays in hospital or those who require regular ongoing treatment may attend the hospital school.

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Name: ..................................................................

Part 3

You are going to read a magazine article in which five people describe locations in Ireland that they love. For questions 16-30, choose from the people (A-E). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person

enjoys the historical aspects of the place?

describes the seasonal beauty of their favourite place?

prefers remote areas which few people visit?

makes a comparison with other places?

enjoys shopping in their favourite place?

was inspired by the unusual culture?

recalls the danger of a place?

has their own accommodation available?

discovered their favourite place by chance?

is impressed by the lasting quality of the place?

regrets not being able to spend more time there?

needs an escape from busy routine?

discusses the place’s religious significance?

recommends the place for its sports activities?

has made a home in their favourite place?

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Name: ..................................................................

My Ireland

Five people talk about places they love in Ireland.

A SHANNON

For my parents, the annual family holiday meant ‘getting away from it all’. Since they owned a cabin cruiser, every summer we sailed the Erne waterway. It’s a paradise for bird life, wild flowers and fishermen, with unrestricted boating around 154 islands, set in 500 miles of waterway. It contrasts so strongly with the urban sprawl of modern cities. And if you’re looking for a pristine spot for camping or a simple picnic, you’re spoilt for choice here. My favourite place is Boa Island. As children we’d let our imaginations run wild as we played among ancient Celtic statues of two-faced pagan gods or explored the Navar forests. Watching the sun set over the Donegal mountains has always left me with a feeling of tranquillity – so hard to find in this hectic world today.

B LIAM

It’s the mile walk along the 17th-century city walls that always brings me back to Londonderry – a city steeped in history that perches on top of the hill at the mouth of the River Foyle. Being on the coast, Londonderry has withstood attacks from land and sea, and its city walls still stand unbroken today. Another favourite walk is along the main thoroughfare Shipquay St, though it’s very steep. You can lose yourself in the maze of narrow streets leading off it as you browse the stores and craft village tucked in behind the ancient tower. It’s this old-world charm in the heart of a thriving, modern city that lures me back time and again. And there’s a sense of permanence about Londonderry. In hundreds of years’ time, it will still be standing like a guard at the gate of Ulster.

C ANGELA

Popular songs have made the Mourne mountains probably the most famous peaks in Northern Ireland. Tucked away in a remote south-east corner of Ulster, there are 12 summits rising over 2,000 feet. A spontaneous decision to join a hiking trip brought me to the barren peak of Slieve Donard which dominates the mysterious blue landscape. Since then, I’ve made the climb of almost 3,000 feet alone. It takes a good few hours to do, but reaching the summit is always worth it. Offering a panorama across the Irish Sea, the view takes your breath away. Working as a journalist precludes visiting as often as I’d like, but when I do, I stay in a small B & B in Newcastle. It’s situated on a coast notorious for smuggling in the 18th century, but today it’s more famous for its scenic walks, horse riding and golf courses.

D SEAN

Once referred to as ‘my sweet hill’ by St Patrick, Armagh was the spiritual capital of Ireland for over 1,500 years. As it expanded, numerous public buildings, including two cathedrals, were erected. The builders of Armagh’s Georgian town houses were delighted to find a unique local limestone. When polished, its pink, red and yellow stones make the city glow even on a cloudy day. I spent my childhood playing hide and seek in its elegant streets and can’t imagine living anywhere else. My favourite getaway is a short drive north of the city to the rich fruit-growing country often called the orchard of Ireland. On Apple-blossom Sunday, in late May, the orchards are a mass of pink and white flowers, whose fragrance fills the air. And from August onwards, roadside stalls are laden with fruit pies spiced with cinnamon.

E CRAIG

For me, the Glens of Antrim best reflect the beauty of Ireland. Each one is a green valley with a character of its own, in a stretch of countryside full of foxes, wild hare, rivers and waterfalls that includes the vanishing lake of Lougharaeema. It empties and fills according to the rainfall. In the past, careless coach drivers galloped into a watery grave as they entered the dry area, only to find it filling up as they crossed. It’s the physical isolation of the place that appeals to me, and also probably gave rise to many of Ireland’s myths and legends. My dad’s family had settled there in a pretty village of small cottages with an unspoiled beach. We still look upon the house as our holiday retreat.

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FCE PRACTICE TESTPaper 2: Writing

Name: ..................................................................

Part 1

You must answer this question. Write your answer in 120-150 words in an appropriate style.

1 You have received an email from your English-speaking friend Jo, inviting you to stay during the summer holidays. Read the excerpt from Jo’s email and the notes you have made. Then write an email to Jo, using all your notes.

Email

From: JoSent: 30th MaySubject: Holiday Plans

You said you’d like to stay with me for a while during the summer holidays – would you rather come in July or August?

If you come in August, you may be here for my sister’s wedding on the 8th. I hope you will because it should be fun. It will be a big, traditional wedding with lots of music and dancing.

I know you’re quite adventurous and there’s loads to do – hiking, horse riding, mountain climbing, and even hang-gliding. So let me know if anything especially appeals to you.

Write soon and tell me your plans!

Love Jo

Say when.Explain

Weddingpresent – how about … ?

What to wear?

Yes!Could we ...

Write your email. You must use grammatically correct sentences with accurate spelling and punctuation in a style appropriate to the situation.

Part 2

Write an answer to one of the questions 2-4 in this part. Write your answer in 120-180 words in an appropriate style.

2 Your teacher has asked you to write a story for the school magazine. The story must begin with the following words:

It was going to be a small birthday celebration, so I had no idea it would turn out to be such a big event.

Write your story.

3 You recently saw this notice in an English-language magazine called Book World.

Reviews needed!

We are interested in what you have to say. If you have read an interesting book recently, share your opinion with us. Write a review including information on the genre, characters, setting and story. Say whether you would recommend the book to other people.

Write your review.

4 Your class has had a discussion about learning foreign languages. Your English teacher has now asked you to write an essay, saying whether you agree or disagree with the following statement:

People who speak English don’t really need to learn other languages.

Write your essay.

FCE PRACTICE TESTPaper 3: Use of English

Name: ..................................................................

Part 1

For questions 1-12, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Example:

0 A refer B consult C advise D enquire

Speed datingOne of the problems facing single people today is finding the right person to marry. Some people (0) ..... with friends or

answer personal ads while others try ‘speed dating’ – a new method of finding the (1) ..... partner.

A speed dating evening is easy to organise. All you need is a suitable location and (2) ..... numbers of male and female

participants, who sit in pairs and talk for exactly three minutes. Each participant tries to make a good (3) ..... on the other.

As soon as the time is up, a bell rings, everyone changes places and sits with someone new. After each encounter, participants

(4) ..... a report card and indicate which person they would like to meet again. The people in (5) ..... of the evening collect the

cards, match up the couples and give them a phone number so they can (6) ..... contact.

Of course, speed dating doesn’t (7) ..... to everyone. Some say it’s not very romantic but this doesn’t seem to (8) ..... the

participants, all of whom are on a mission to find love as quickly as possible. Speed dating is therefore popular among busy

working people with little time to (9) ..... searching for a mate. In fact, in a society where text messages and emails have

(10) ..... lengthy phone calls and letters, what’s wrong (11) ..... trying to make dating more efficient, too? After all, most

participants feel they have nothing to lose and everything to (12) ..... . At worst, you still go home alone. But at best, you might

meet the love of your life in the next three minutes.

1 A specific B exact C special D perfect

2 A equal B similar C same D alike

3 A impact B effect C impression D influence

4 A write down B add up C note down D fill in

5 A command B charge C care D order

6 A make B keep C be D open

7 A suit B appeal C attract D interest

8 A interfere B disturb C bother D distract

9 A take B spend C devote D invest

10 A removed B replaced C changed D overtaken

11 A by B about C for D with

12 A win B profit C gain D achieve


Name: ..................................................................

Part 2

For questions 13-24, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0). Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

Example: 0 W H O

Guy Fawkes Night

Every year on November 5th, the British celebrate ‘Guy Fawkes Night’, but (0) ........................... was Guy Fawkes?

To answer this question, we must go (13) ........................... in time to 1605, when James I was King of England.

Guy Fawkes belonged (14) ........................... a group who believed the country should (15) ........................... a Catholic

king. The group knew that a meeting (16) .................................. the present king and his government would take place on

the evening of November 5th in the Houses of Parliament. They put gunpowder in a cellar beneath the building so that it

would explode at the meeting, killing the king and his government. It was Guy Fawkes (17) ........................... was chosen

to light the gunpowder. Luckily, the ‘Gunpowder Plot’ was discovered (18) ........................... in time, and Guy Fawkes

and his men were sentenced to death. Historical records show that (19) ........................... early as 1607, celebrations with

bonfires were held on November 5th to mark the day the king’s life was saved. The British people have been celebrating

ever (20) ........................... . Children create a life-size model of Guy Fawkes, made (21) ........................... of old clothes

stuffed with straw or paper, looking a bit (22) ........................... a scarecrow. Some people blacken their faces, just as Guy

Fawkes might have done to avoid (23) ........................... seen by the king’s guards. And (24) ........................... darkness

falls, bonfires are lit and models of Guy Fawkes are burnt all over the country.

Part 3

For questions 25-34, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0). Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

Example: 0 R O M A N T I C

21st-century pirates

Thanks to films like Pirates of the Caribbean, many people think of pirates as (0) ........................... ROMANCE

and exciting figures of the past.

But pirates are still around, although they no (25) ........................... fight with swords on sailing LONG

ships. (26) ........................... the typical kind of pirates that are portrayed in Hollywood films, LIKE

today’s pirates are often members of gangs, who use sophisticated hi-tech equipment to locate

ships which they believe are worth (27) ........................... . ATTACK

In the past, pirates would go after ships carrying (28) ........................... items such as gold and silver. VALUE

Today these (29) ........................... organised gangs are more interested in stealing the cash and HIGH

personal (30) ........................... of a ship’s crew or even the ship itself. For example, small motorboats BELONG

are (31) ........................... at risk of being attacked and even stolen. However, when pirates SPECIAL

don’t steal the boat, they sometimes simply tie up the crew, and leave them (32) ........................... ABLE

to sail home.

Southeast Asia, South and Central America are the places where the (33) ........................... of pirate MAJOR

attacks take place. These waters are still considered dangerous even though piracy has decreased

with the help of the prompt action of coastguard (34) ........................... . SERVE


Name: ..................................................................

Part 4

For questions 35-42, 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 two and five words, including the word given. Here is an example (0).

Example:

0 The company is now being managed by Bob Miller.

TAKEN

Bob Miller ........................................................................................................................... of the company.

The gap can be filled by the words ‘has taken over the management’, so you write:

Example: 0 H A S T A K E N O V E R T H E M A N A G E M E N T

Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS.

35 It was wrong of you to leave without saying goodbye.

SHOULD

You ........................................................................................................................... saying goodbye.

36 If you complain to your teacher, it won’t help.

NO

It’s ........................................................................................................................... to your teacher.

37 People say our neighbour caused the accident.

SAID

Our neighbour ........................................................................................................................... the accident.

38 All this happened because you didn’t listen to me.

NONE

If you had listened to me, ........................................................................................................................... happened.

39 We were prevented from entering the building by the security guard.

LET

The security guard ........................................................................................................................... the building.

40 John said he had really enjoyed himself at the party.

TIME

John said he had ........................................................................................................................... at the party.

41 Apart from Sheila, nobody offered to help.

ONE

Sheila was ........................................................................................................................... offered to help.

42 I can’t wait to meet my cousin from Italy.

MEETING

I’m ........................................................................................................................... my cousin from Italy.


FCE PRACTICE TESTPaper 4: Listening

Name: ..................................................................

Part 1

You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1-8, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

1 You hear a woman talking about her first attempt at skiing.What problem did she have?A She kept falling over.B She suffered from the cold.C She lost one of her ski poles.

2 You overhear two friends talking about yoga classes. What was it about the classes that didn’t suit the woman?A the timeB the number of people in the classC the location

3 You hear part of a radio interview with a man who went to live on a small island. Why did he go there?A He wanted to escape city life.B He received a job offer there.C He considered it a worthwhile experience.

4 You overhear a woman talking on the phone. Who is she talking to?A her neighbourB her gardenerC her husband

5 You hear a review of a computer game on the radio. What is the man’s opinion of the game?A There are too many rules to follow.B It’s not suitable for people with no

knowledge of football.C The animation could have been done better.

6 You overhear a man and a woman talking about a film. What kind of film is it?A a film about a superheroB a documentaryC a horror film

7 You hear a woman talking to a group of people in a national park. What does she advise them against?A leaving the hiking trailsB lighting firesC climbing rocks

8 You overhear two people talking. How did the man feel when he lost his job?A afraidB stressedC relieved

Part 2

You will hear a young man called Steve Carter talking about the time he spent working in Mali, West Africa. For questions 9-18, complete the sentences.

LIFE IN MALI

Steve’s first job was as a in Mali.

Mali is the country in the world.

Steve had a problem with the

Steve had to learn the correct way to he met there.

In Mali, more importance is placed on the family than on in society.

In Mali, looking directly at a person is

Steve was glad that he took his abroad with him.

Steve often saw Malian children playing with in the streets.

In Mali, ‘joking cousins’ exchange with each other.

Steve hardly ever felt during his stay in Mali.

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FCE PRACTICE TESTPaper 4: Listening

Name: ..................................................................

Part 3

You will hear five different people talking about student life at a university in a city in the north of England. For questions 19-23, choose from the list (A-F) what each speaker says. There is one extra letter which you do not need to use.

A I’m impressed by the low cost of living in the north.

B I’ve enjoyed promoting the university.

C Money has been my main problem.

D I’ve had no problem making friends.

E The nightlife offers something for everyone.

F I’ve had to make an extra effort to enjoy student life.

Part 4

You will hear part of an interview with Lynda Bryant, producer of a special kind of reality TV show. For questions 24-30, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

24 What was the original purpose of ‘historical’ reality TV?

A to mark the anniversary of Channel 4B to show how people used to liveC to compare past and present technology

25 According to Lynda, participants in The 1900 House

A disliked dressing up in such old-fashioned clothes.

B helped to ensure the historical details were correct.

C could only use products available 200 years ago.

26 What does Lynda say about the children in The 1900 House?

A Some of them missed school.B They had to act as a family.C They were all teenagers.

27 Following the success of The 1900 House

A a similar programme was made in the USA.

B the programme was nominated for an award.

C the participants returned for a further six months.

28 How does Lynda explain the success of historical reality TV?

A It gives people the chance to experience life without technology.

B Viewers identify with the participants more closely.

C It combines historical documentary with drama.

29 What kind of person does Lynda say is suitable for a historical reality TV show?

A someone willing to try the life of a celebrity

B someone with a great deal of historical knowledge

C someone who is tough enough to face the challenges

30 In the show The Manor House,

A some participants worked harder than others.

B a participant found being cut off from modern life difficult.

C some participants found the experience boring.

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fce test

Documents

historical reality tv

tv series

speed dating

guy fawkes

november 5th

bob miller

young patients

burlington books