Straightforward Upper Intermediate Progress Test 1

Name _______________________

Score _____________

Language section
Vocabulary
A Complete the text with the words in the box.
aggressive draw the line get on with it gets upset In the end
look your best looks obsessed with The thing is To begin with
My brother is really (1) ______ the way he looks. He spends hours down the gym and hes so worried
about his (2) ______. Whenever I talk to him about it he (3) ______ and tells me that Im jealous.
Sometimes he gets quite (4) ______ and I think its absurd. (5) ______ he spends so much time there
that he doesnt have enough time for his friends. (6) ______ it started as a hobby, but I think it has
gone too far. I mean, its OK wanting to (7) ______, but you have to (8) ______ somewhere.
(9) ______, its his life and I guess I should just let him (10) ______.

B Complete the sentences with the words in the box. Be careful! There are three extra
words and phrases.
a drag add up get the bug for butt in nuts
take up clear up easy-going have a look in-thing
(11) Paintballing is definitely the new ______ to do.
(12) I think you should _____ a new hobby. Itll do you good.
(13) Youll get on really well with him as hes very ______.
(14) I really dont enjoy all the practice. I know its necessary, but I find it all a bit of ______.
(15) Can you _____ something ____ for me? What exactly did you mean when you said it was too
difficult for me?
(16) I wish you wouldnt ______. Do you realize its rude to interupt?
(17) Im sorry, but what youre saying just doesnt ______.

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Grammar
C Choose the correct word or words to complete the sentences.
(18) ______ all the time is silly. Looks arent everything.
a) Dieting

b) Dieted

(19) I have a friend ______ works as a model.

a) which

b) who

(20) The newspapers keep ______ stories that arent true.

a) publish

b) publishing

(21) I became ill because I wasnt _____ eating so much.

a) get used to

b) used to

(22) Look at her! She ______ to make a good impression.

a) is obviously trying

b) tries

(23) As a child I _____ want to work with animals.

a) would

b) used to

D Correct the mistakes in the sentences.

(24) When do you going paintballing again?
__________________________________________
(25) I would used to collect coins when I was younger.
___________________________________________
(26) You like stamp collecting, arent you?
___________________________________________
(27) What do I find difficult to understand is why you enjoy it.
___________________________________________
(28) Its really difficult to used to your new hair cut.
___________________________________________

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E Rewrite the sentences using the words in bold so that the new sentence has the
same meaning as the original one.
(29) What aspect interests you the most?
(find / interesting)
_________________________________________
(30) When did you start collecting coins?
(how long)
_________________________________________
(31) Were you hurt?
(did)
_________________________________________
(32) I prefer music from the 1960s.
(what)
_________________________________________
(33) I wont talk to him again.
(going to)
_________________________________________

Functional language
F Complete the conversation below with the expressions from the box.
as far as Im concerned Besides dont think so afraid not
if you ask me to be perfectly honest must be joking
Lauren:

Come on, lets go shopping.

Hope:

You (34) _______. Why would I want to go shopping?

Lauren:

No, come on. Itll be fun.

Hope:

Fun? I (35) _______.

Lauren:

Why not? I know you havent but, (36) ______ , shopping is not only fun but it helps
you relax.

Hope:

Now I know youre joking. I mean how can shopping be relaxing?

Lauren:

Well, what do you do to relax?

Hope:

Read a book, go for a swim, something like that.

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Lauren:

What? How boring.

Hope:

Well, you might think its boring but (37) _______ I cant think of anything more
boring than shopping. (38) _______, what shops are going to be open on a Sunday?

Lauren:

So you wont come shopping with me?

Hope:

Im (39) _______.

Lauren:

OK, (40) _______ youre missing out, but its your choice.

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Listening
Part 1
[Track 7] Listen to five short recordings. Match the hobbies in the box to the different
speakers. Be careful! There are three extra hobbies.
Car Boot Sales Collecting antiques Video games War Games
Collecting butterflies Watching Rugby Ghost hunting Star Trek memorabilia

Speaker
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

Hobby

Part 2
[Track 8] Listen to the radio programme and decide if these sentences are true (T),
false (F) or if there is no information given (NG).
(6) Sam Richards works at a zoo.
(7) He says that crocodiles are curious animals.
(8) Crocodiles hunt using their eyes.
(9) Monkeys are not always docile animals.
(10) The radio host likes kittens.

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Reading
Part 1
Read the article below and match the person, A, B or C to the sentences 15.
A Ms Baker

B Mr MacFaerne

C Mr Podolski

(1) Foxes are a nuisance.

(2) Areas originally occupied by foxes had been taken over for housing.
(3) Foxes are excellent at pest control.
(4) Foxes have the habit of tipping rubbish bins over.
(5) Its the action of people that caused the crocodiles to appear in gardens in Florida.
Im writing in response to the recent radio programme you had about urban foxes. I listened to the arguments of
the two guests Jean Baker and Tom MacFaerne you had on your programme and, to be perfectly honest, it
just made me angry. Frankly, Mr MacFaerne didnt help the cause of foxes with his behaviour and he also failed to
make some of the most important points. Ms Baker kept on going on about how the foxes were a nuisance and
she seemed to be saying that the foxes were moving into the cities because they liked it there. I may be wrong,
but I think that over the past thirty years it is far more likely that we have built houses in the areas where the foxes
used to live rather than the foxes deciding to move to the cities!
Would Ms Baker build her house near an area where crocodiles lived? Of course, thats exactly whats happened
in Florida and the consequences are that people now have crocodiles in their gardens, but whose fault is that? As
far as Im concerned, whats happening here with foxes is exactly the same, except that foxes are much less
aggressive. As for the foxes tipping rubbish bins over, what does she expect? Firstly, foxes are very inquisitive
animals and, secondly, because were destroying their natural habitat we are also killing the animals they usually
eat.
People like myself who put out food in our gardens for the foxes not only get the pleasure of seeing these lovely
animals but also find that they dont go poking their noses into our rubbish. Personally, I would much prefer a fox
in my garden rather than other urban animals like rats. As Mr MacFaerne pointed out, foxes are very good at
keeping the number of rats and other pests under control. There is also no point trying to control the number of
foxes as they control their own numbers naturally.
Finally, if you ask me what we should be controlling isnt the fox population but rather the human population. We
should stop building in the countryside and then complaining when the animals that already live there come into
our gardens and our houses.
Yours truly,
Frederick Podolski

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Part 2
Read the magazine article and answer the questions.

(6) Who wants someone who is slightly different? ____

(7) Who is concerned with how the man presents himself? _____
(8) Who isn't that concerned with physical aspects? ____
(9) Who has a requirement because of how they look? _____
(10) Who wants a man who looks masculine? ____
In this weeks feature we look at what physical characteristics women look for in a man. We asked five women
what they thought made a man good-looking. Heres what they had to say.
I know that looks arent everything, but you must admit walking around with a man who is good-looking is quite
nice. For me its really simple, a man has to be smart. I hate a man who looks scruffy. So, for me the first thing is
that they are clean-shaven and that they dress well.
Nicole
Thats quite a difficult question. Being a model I know how important looks are but I hope that for me I look for
something more in a man. However, I am quite tall so thats something thats important for me. Its no good if the
man is shorter than me!
Suzi
Thats easy. The first thing I look at is their face. I dont need someone who looks perfect, in fact if theres
something slightly unusual about their look then thats better. I dont like people who dye their hair or have lots of
tattoos or have studs in their tongues, but if they look a bit different then thats fine.
Michelle
What an interesting question. Its something that men are often asked what they look for in a woman, but not
the other way around. Now, I guess I have a list, but in which order is difficult to say. I mean, I dont like men who
are feminine-looking they need to look strong and fit. Then I think its important that they have a nice face, I
dont want to go out with someone who looks weird. Oh, and another thing, they must have their own teeth! But, if
I had to decide which was the most important thing Id have to go for strength.
Elsa

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Im really not bothered by looks, I think theres often too much fuss made about being good-looking or beautiful.
You can often find someone who is really handsome but theyre a complete airhead. For me its got to be things
like their eyes and smile. I think you can tell a lot about a person and whether theyre clever by their eyes and I
dont mean what colour they are!
Inga

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Writing
Read the short job advert and then write your text. Write between 200-250 words.

Consuming Passions Magazine is looking for new writers to join our team. As a magazine that covers hobbies
and leisure interests, we are looking for people who understand the passion that hobbies can give people. So,
along with your CV, we would like you to write about your own hobby so that we can see if youve got what it
takes to become one of our feature writers. Send us a short piece about your hobby and tell us why you are
crazy about it.

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