CAE PRACTICE TEST 1

Reading: Multiple Choice

1 At the time of her achievement we learn that Ellen A enjoyed only short-lived success. B was more famous in France than anywhere else. C attracted more attention than Michel Desjoyaux. D became popular because of her size. 2 Where did Ellen's initial interest in sailing come from? A She came from a family of sailing enthusiasts. B She went to see one of her relatives. C She read widely on the subject. D She lived near the sea. 3 What do we learn about Ellen at the start of the race? A People thought she had a very good chance of winning. B She was a more experienced sailor than the other racers. C She had been waiting for this moment since she was 18. D She had gone to great lengths to achieve her ambition. 4 The writer suggests that one cause of discomfort for Ellen at sea was A the shortage of water. B her failure to sleep. C extremes of temperature. D a lack of cooking facilities. 5 According to the writer, when Ell en finished the race, she was A overwhelmed by her new-found fame. B surprised by the number of people who came to greet her. C able to reflect on her achievement. D delighted to be amongst people again. 6 According to the writer, Ellen A thinks she deserved to win the race. B has mixed feelings about the outcome of the race. C knew she would win the race. D thinks Michel Desjoyaux was lucky to beat her. 7 Which of the following views does the writer express in the last paragraph? A She has the power to motivate. B She has no right to fame yet. C Her comments lack depth. D She needs to change her lifestyle.

Vocabulary: Collocations
1. Complete each of the gaps with one of the nouns from the box. challenge ambition success failure motivation a. The film 'Star Wars' was an overnight ____________. b. I have a burning ____________ to travel to Australia. c. When pupils tire of studying, a system of rewards can help increase student ____________. d. Sadly, my attempts to learn Japanese met with complete ____________. e. The government faces the formidable ____________of reducing unemployment.

2. In sentence e in exercise 1, the verb face collocates with challenge. Which of the five nouns do each of the following pairs of verbs collocate with? fulfil a/an ____________ realize achieve ____________ enjoy take up rise to a/an ____________ 3. The adjective formidable also collocates with challenge. All three words in each of the groups below can be used in combination with one of the nouns from exercise 1. Write an appropriate noun in each of the spaces. a. major/new/daunting ____________ b. secret/lifelong/main ____________ c. total/continued/dismal ____________ d. huge/great/resounding ____________ e. high/strong/poor ____________ end in ____________ result in improve ____________ lack

Word formation: Nouns

1. Which suffixes are added to the following verbs to create nouns? achieve motivate fail 2. Complete each gap with an appropriate noun form of the word in capitals at the end of the line. Use each suffix in the box once only and make any further spelling changes necessary. The noun you require may also need a plural ending or a negative prefix (un-, in-, im-, dis- etc.). There is an example at the beginning (0). -hood -ship -ure -al -ness -ation -ance -ence -iety -ity -ment -age -cy

3. Using the same suffixes as in exercise 2, write noun forms for the following words. The same suffix is needed for all three words. Some words require further spelling changes. The exercise begins with an example (0).

Further practice
Word formation: For questions 1-10, use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Word combinations: For sentences 1-10 underline the correct alternative. 1. There's a heavy/hard/strong/tough possibility I'll get a pay rise in January. 2. He hasn't got the fairest/slightest/longest/thinnest chance of winning the election. He's far too unpopular. 3. There is every/each/all/very likelihood that the government will introduce the measures this year. 4. There were far more of them than us. We didn't stand/face/hold/keep a chance against them. 5. She was clearly rather worried and seemed close to edge/nerves/tension/tears. 6. I'm elated/delighted/pleasant/anxious to meet you at last, Mr Wood. Let me take your bag. 7. The young singer fulfilled/enjoyed/was/became overnight success last year when her debut single 'Burning Ambition' reached number 1. 4

8. He had never acted before, but he rose/arose/aroused/raised to the challenge and gave a very convincing performance. 9. At 85 she says she's unlikely to realize her resounding/longing/lifelong/overall ambition of learning to fly. 10. Snacks and easy/loose/light/full refreshments are available in the lounge area.

KEY
Reading: Multiple choice 1C Lines 11-14 the winner ... were reversed 2B Lines 35-41 Antie Thea ... lifelong passion. 3D Lines 61-62 She wrote ... sponsorship+ lines 66-74 And in terms ... 60,000 miles. 4C Lines 83-86 She endured ... windless Doldrums. 5C Lines 112-117 Her thoughts ... or five years. 6B Lines 123-134 But despite ... into victory. 7A Lines 150-end she is a heroine .... Vocabulary: Collocations 1 a success b ambition c motivation d failure e challenge 2 fulfil/realize an ambition achieve/enjoy success take up/rise to a challenge end in/result in failure improve/lack motivation 3 a challenge b ambition c failure d success e motivation Word formation: Nouns 1. achievement motivation failure 2. 1 refreshments 2 disapproval 3 eagerness 4 procedures 5 insignificance 6 simplicity 7 secrecy 8 membership 9 breakage(s) 10 likelihood 11 independence 12 anxiety 3 1 pleasure exposure closure 2 appearance annoyance reliance 3 storage shortage package 4 rehearsal renewal proposal 5 efficiency intimacy vacancy 6 enjoyment requirement commitment 7 prosperity originality familiarity 8 leadership companionship partnership 9 neighbourhood fatherhood adulthood 10 absence persistence evidence 11 selfishness tiredness carelessness 12 explanation interpretation application Further practice Word formation 1 expectations 2 payment(s) 3 performance(s) 4 recognition 5 ability 6 academically 7 difficulties 8 financial 9 failure 10 judgement/judgment Word combinations 1 strong 2 slightest 3 every 4 stand 5 tears 6 delighted 7 enjoyed 8 rose 9 lifelong 10 light. 5