New headway advanced tests

NAME: 11 Pair the words with the same vowel sounds. Which is where I bumped into a remarkable man called Archie Carmichael. Most writers I know can point to a certain chance meeting and say that it was the turning point in their careers. Unfortunately, in my case, this wasn’t it. Archie was a jobbing printer with his own small printing plant in Manchester’s Great Ancoats Street. When business was slow, he published the odd pulp-fiction novelette and when I mentioned that I wrote advertisements for a living, he immediately asked me to write a 40,000-word Western. To Archie, a writer was a writer was a writer. I hesitated, of course. Advertising writer or not, I still tried to maintain certain standards and the thought of having to turn out 40,000 words of utter rubbish for what – ten shillings? twelve shillings and sixpence per thousand words? It was hardly worth compromising one’s creative integrity for. ‘I pay twenty-one shillings a thousand,’ said Archie, and six weeks later The Man Who Rode by Night hit the local bookstalls. As a Western, written by a fresh-faced young lad still in his teens, who hadn’t been further west than West Lancashire, I thought it wasn’t a bad effort. bird pear threat heard sword tough ward cough great debt rose shot choose fear bear beard front straight through dough 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and 7 and 8 and 9 and 10 and 0.5 points for each correct answer 5 12 Write the homophones of the words (same sound, but 2 An editor told Sharples he was good at drawing cartoons. different spelling). 1 meat 7 suite 2 throne 8 piece 3 chews 9 threw 4 caught 10 which 5 flour 11 ware 6 wore 12 dear 3 He was already an experienced writer when he started at the advertising agency. 4 He wrote the slogan ‘potato and meat, simply heat’. 5 He met Carmichael in a pub near the agency. 6 This meeting was the most important event in his writing career. 0.5 points for each correct answer 6 13 Read the text. Are the statements true (T) or false (F)? MY FIRST BOOK by Dick Sharples ‘How did you get started?’ is arguably the most commonly-asked question to an established writer by newcomers to the craft, and, in my experience, most professional writers will come up with totally different answers. In my case, I didn’t start out as a writer. I was originally a cartoonist who was often compared to Ronald Searle. As one magazine editor put it, ‘Compared to Ronald Searle, you’re rubbish.’ It was then that I made up my mind to try writing and I joined a Manchester advertising agency, writing copy for local businesses such as H. Read & Son, owned and run by the late comedian Al Read. H. Read & Son made meat pies, sausages, and a range of mysterious Cornish-type pasties called Frax Fratters: ‘potato and meat, simply heat’. After an exhausting day producing brilliant catchphrases such as that, I used to drop into a local bar to refresh my creative talents with a drink before they faded away completely. New Headway Advanced © Oxford University Press 1 New authors often want to know how experienced authors began writing. PHOTOCOPIABLE 7 Carmichael’s company only produced its own books when it had nothing else to print. 8 Carmichael thought any writer should be able to write any kind of text. 9 Sharples refused to let money come before his principles. 10 He was quite pleased when his book was published. 1 point for each correct answer Test U N I T 2 10 11 NAME: 14 Find the phrasal verbs in the text with these meanings. 1 manage to think of 2 begin my career 3 decided 4 visit 5 disappeared 6 met by chance 7 identify 8 produce/manufacture 4 0.5 points for each correct answer 15 Read the opening paragraph from a story. Then answer the questions. ‘If we stay here, we’ll die,’ said Mark, finally. The midday sun beat down mercilessly as they looked around the featureless desert that surrounded them. Next to the lifeless tree that gave them so little shade stood the 4X4 that had brought them into this wilderness: expensive, shiny and new, but now – with its shattered radiator – totally useless. Jane knew he was probably right, though she also knew the first rule of off-roading in situations like this: stay with the vehicle. For one thing, it was relatively easy to spot from the air. Always assuming, of course, that there just happened to be an alert pilot in a passing plane who realized they’d broken down. ‘Some chance,’ she thought, but she realized she had a decision to make: whether to set off with Mark on a 200-kilometre hike through incredibly inhospitable terrain, or else stay there with half of their rapidly diminishing supplies – and just hope for a miraculous rescue. 1 What choice does Jane have to make? What do you think she will decide? 2 What might be the results of that decision? How might it affect Mark? 3 What do you think will happen in the end? Now complete the story in 200–300 words, using your ideas from questions 1–3 above. Follow the advice below. • Plan the events, the order of events and the ending. • Decide how both characters will react to the events, and how you will describe their feelings and actions. • Use linking words and direct speech. • Check your completed story for correct use of tenses and time adverbials. 12 U N I T 2 Test Maximum number of points possible 20 TOTAL 100 New Headway Advanced © Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE 3 NAME: Test when its annual report showed spending was being (4) tight / tightly controlled, but there was panic selling of shares when a director was (5) wrong / wrongly accused of fraud. Now certain shareholders, (6) most / mostly those with links to the likely purchaser, are beginning to talk (7) free / freely of an attempted buyout, which must now (8) sure / surely be coming sooner rather than later. 1 Match A and B to form adverb collocations. A 1 freely B a regret 2 severely b need 3 deeply c remember 4 sorely d await 5 desperately e injured 6 perfectly f affected 7 distinctly g impossible 8 eagerly h admit 9 virtually i tempted fatally j clear 10 4 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word in capitals. Don’t change this word. Write between two and four words. 0.5 points for each correct answer 5 2 The sentences have the wrong adverbs in them. Change them around to make correct adverb collocations. 1 Although some of the passengers were screaming strongly, there was no real danger. 2 Men in grey suits walked passionately along Wall Street as another day at the office began. 3 On the third day of her diet, Alice gazed conscientiously at the cakes in the shop window. 4 The bank apologized hysterically for putting their customers’ credit card details on the Internet. 5 Carlos and Juanita loved each other profusely, but their families disapproved. 6 After working longingly for five years, Joanna became tired of the same old routine. 7 Mr Symons retires next month and will be utterly missed by all of us. 8 At the annual dinner, the manager went on sadly about the company’s achievements. 9 All the firm’s records were interminably destroyed in the mysterious fire. 10 The authors of the report feel briskly that more investment is needed. 0.5 points for each correct answer 5 3 Circle the correct form of the adverbs. Although the company has worked extremely (1) hard / hardly to improve its financial situation, rumours have been going round (2) late / lately that a take-over bid is imminent. Earlier in the year it was (3) wide / widely believed that it could survive on its own, particularly New Headway Advanced © Oxford University Press 4 0.5 points for each correct answer PHOTOCOPIABLE 1 After work, you should relax. EASY You should work. after 2 The photocopier has stopped working properly again. WRONG The photocopier has again. 3 Although we knew he was guilty, he was released from prison. FREE He from prison, although we knew he was guilty. 4 If you work there, you’ll earn almost nothing. HARDLY You’ll if you work there. 5 Tell the driver to make a complete turn at the end of the road. RIGHT Tell the driver to at the end of the road. 6 It’s possible to buy our products in many places. WIDELY Our available. 7 If the horse starts to gallop, you mustn’t loosen your grip. TIGHT You if the horse starts to gallop. 8 The boss has a very good opinion of you. HIGHLY The boss you. 1 point for each correct answer Test U N I T 3 8 13 NAME: 5 Match the meanings of just a–f with the sentences. 7 Do these verbs mean going up (U), going down (D), or neither (N)? a right now d exactly b only e equally, no less 1 decline 8 plunge c a short time before f simply 2 pick up 9 remain stable 3 level out 10 plummet 4 decrease 11 slump The fall in interest rates is excellent news: it’s just what we need. 5 tumble 12 soar 6 collapse 13 even out 3 I just can’t stand any more of that noise. 7 leap 14 shoot up 4 Hold the line a second. He’s just coming into the office. 5 Surely it can’t have broken already? You’ve just bought it! 6 The huge new supermarket has no real competition: just a few small shops. 1 The cheap model is just as good as the expensive one. 2 0.5 points for each correct answer 0.5 points for each correct answer 7 8 Rewrite the sentences beginning with the words given. 1 There was a sharp rise in the retail price index. The retail price index 3 . 2 The value of gold has fallen steadily this year. There 6 Put the words in the correct order. Then match the sentences with the meanings of just a–f in exercise 5. 1 . 3 There may be a dramatic increase in unemployment soon. Unemployment brother as Judy lazy just her is as . 4 Overheads have gone up substantially since January. 2 resigned boss just our has 3 I’m email just your reading 4 what too think just I that’s There . 5 There appears to have been a gradual fall in sales. Sales appear . 6 It seems that profits have decreased slightly this month. There seems . 7 City analysts predict a steady increase in share prices. 5 6 years just manager is old new the twenty-two Share prices are predicted . 8 The latest figures show that turnover has dropped sharply. to true good-looking just be he’s too A 7 problem is the that just 8 have profits announced just record they 9 any all sense just make doesn’t it at 10 the are meeting just they finishing 1 point for each correct answer 14 U N I T 3 Test . 1 point for each correct answer 8 10 New Headway Advanced © Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE NAME: 9 Correct the mistakes. 11 Read the text and circle the letter of the word which best fits each space. 1 Every month, Mike saves twice so much as I do. 2 Liz makes far less money than Julia is. 3 Carmen spends a 5% of her income on travel to and from work. 4 Dentists earn much more as nurses do. 5 Thomas didn’t spend as many as Jack did. 6 Some people spend a quarter of everything they earn in food. 7 We pay 10% more for our electricity than they. 8 Matthew spends five times many on clothes as I do. 9 Life would be much cheaper here. You’d spend 50% than you do there. 10 Paula and Louise spend anywhere near as much on CDs as we do. 0.5 points for each correct answer 5 10 Make complete sentences using the prompts. 1 Philip / spends / quarter / salary / accommodation 2 Susana / spent / three times / much / presents / her sister 3 we / try / spend / 10% / less / bills / we / used to SHOPS OR SUPERMARKETS? The plan to build a giant branch of a well-known supermarket (1) … on the outskirts of town has divided local opinion. The council, ever keen to attract firms willing to (2) … in an area that still suffers from (3) … unemployment, denies that town-centre shops need fear (4) … competition from aggressive price-cutting by the new store. The shopkeepers’ reaction (5) … the news, perhaps not surprisingly, has been somewhat different. They believe that the council’s support for the scheme will lead to many small shops going (6) … business, especially at a time when (7) … like electricity and insurance are rising so quickly. They (8) … the council to look at other (9) …, such as improving access for shoppers to the badly (10) … town centre, for instance by extending the new tram line to the (11) … suburbs in the south-west. The shop owners also accuse the council of being ‘totally (12) … to’ the environmental (13) … of such a massive development, and claim councillors are failing to act in (14) … with Government policy, which is to curb the construction of new out-oftown shopping centres. 1 a series b chain c channel 2 a invest b invert c incur 3 a chronic b detached c benevolent 4 a obscene b ruthless c treacherous 5 a of b to c from 6 a out of b away from c down to 7 a debts b overheads c brands 8 a deem b target c urge 9 a notions b options c dilemmas b trafficked c congested 10 a manic 4 my mother / doesn’t spend / much / clothes / I 5 some people / spend / 100% / more / going out / think / they 1 point for each correct answer New Headway Advanced © Oxford University Press 11 a prosperous b subservient c sacred 12 a virtual b oblivious c compassionate 13 a downturn b impact c obesity 14 a line b aid c feedback 0.5 points for each correct answer 7 5 PHOTOCOPIABLE Test U N I T 3 15 NAME: 12 Read the text. Then match the type of card A–E with the 5 statements. 7 MONEY AND CREDIT – WHAT TYPE OF PLASTIC? If you decide to use a card to buy goods or services, use this list to decide which one is best for you. A Debit cards These take money directly from your bank account; they’re not credit cards, but an alternative to cash or writing a cheque. Linked to your bank account, debit cards often also work in cash machines and as a cheque guarantee card. Switch and Visa operate these schemes for the banks. B Charge cards If you use a charge card, you’ll be sent a bill each month which you usually have to pay in full – so again, this isn’t a credit card. You’ll generally be charged an annual fee. C Budget, option, or store cards Issued by stores or retail groups, these offer a form of credit. You can use the card to buy goods at the store and will be sent a monthly bill. Paying back the money you’ve borrowed varies. Some cards will demand a minimum monthly payment; others a fixed payment by standing order or direct debit. You will normally pay interest if you don’t pay back all you owe each month. D Credit cards You can use a credit card to borrow money to buy things straightaway and then decide over what period to repay the money you owe, plus interest. You get a monthly statement showing what you have bought and how much you owe. Each month you can pay back the full amount (usually free from any interest) or only some of the amount. Normally, you must pay at least £5 or three to five per cent (whichever is greater) of the money you owe each month and you will be charged interest on the outstanding debt each month. Credit cards can usually be used in cash machines, but you are likely to pay extra if you do. There are advantages to using credit cards when buying by mail order or on the Internet: if your goods or services are misrepresented or don’t arrive you may get a refund from the card issuer. It can be used with or without a cheque. 8 You must pay within the month for anything you buy with it. 9 You might get your money back for items bought with the card but not received. 10 , 11 You must have enough money before you can buy anything with the card. 12 It can only be used to buy items in certain places. 13 If you buy goods with it, it provides some kind of insurance. 1 point for each correct answer Channel, based on the extract from the Profit and Loss Account below. Use the paragraph plan as a guide. Paragraph 1: Introduction. State your aims. Paragraph 2: Sum up the negative aspects of the accounts, giving reasons. Compare figures, using more/less than, as much as, slight rise, drop sharply, etc. Paragraph 3: Sum up the positive aspects, with reasons. Compare figures as above. Paragraph 4: Conclusion. Give your recommendations for improving the figures in coming years. Interest paid out taken Interest received Sale of businesses to 31/12/03 (to 31/12/02) € million (€ million) Notes on 2003 11.2 (4.3) large bank loan 2.7 27.5 (5.1) (1.6) fewer investments unprofitable firm sold major competitor bought crisis in certain countries main amounts now repaid Purchase of businesses Debt repayment to RTV Debt repayment by RTV 108.9 (16.5) 5.4 (21.7) 3.3 (19.4) 1 Profit before tax Profit after tax 36.5 25.3 (90.8) (75.2) You are sent a list of purchases made with the 2 It isn''t normally used to buy expensive items. 3 It may cost more to use it in a cash machine. 4 You pay a fixed amount of money each year to be a card owner. U N I T 3 Test 13 13 Write a report on the financial situation of RTV Music E Electronic purse cards A relatively new scheme where you load a card with cash and then use it as an alternative to cash. Generally these cards are used for small purchases or to buy on the Internet. card. 16 ,6 In most cases, you are only charged interest on money not repaid within the month. Maximum number of points possible 20 TOTAL 100 New Headway Advanced © Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE