Couples Making Life Changes: From Commuting Woes to Entrepreneurial Dreams

Posted on May 29, 2024 in English

GRAMMAR

1. Choose the best future form to complete the dialogue. (7 marks)

Raj: Have you got anything planned for this weekend?

Kai: One of my cousins (1) will visit us actually, which should be good. I get on really well with him.

Raj: That’s great. When (2) is he arriving?

Kai: Well, his train (3) gets in at 6.30 on Friday evening – my parents and I (4) are going to pick him up at the station.

Raj: So, what (5) are you going to do together while he’s here?

Kai: Well, I (6) was going to take him to that music festival that’s on in the park, but it’s been canceled because of the weather. So instead, I decided (7) would ask him if he wanted to go ice skating – I’m pretty sure he’s into that.

Raj: Have a great time!

2. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Do not change the world given. (8 marks)

  1. The parcel will not have arrived by Tuesday
  2. Jing is on the verge of getting a place on the school basketball team.
  3. Last Christmas I met a girl whose mother works as a journalist in the Daily Mail.
  4. Little did I know that the train had already arrived.
  5. ‘I ‘m bound to go swimming lots when I’m on holiday.’
  6. This is Sean with whom my cousin lived when he was at college.
  7. Istanbul is the biggest city in Turkey by miles

VOCABULARY

1. Use one suitable preposition in each gap to complete the text. (3 marks)

I love taking part in modern reconstructions of historical events, where important occasions in history, such as battles or the crowning of a new king or queen, are acted out in front of an audience. There’s nothing I like better than reading (a) up on the events beforehand and then carrying them (b) out as though they were the real thing with a group of like-minded people. Our aim is never to make (c) up what happened at the events, or to change them in any way: we set (d) out to make them as close to the real thing as possible.

So what happens at these events? Well, each person in the reconstruction takes (e) on the challenge of playing a role of someone who was actually at the event. Some of the group are excellent actors, so we always count (f) on them to play the most important roles. The director then plans how the whole event will be reenacted according to historical facts, which calls (g) for a great deal of careful planning and preparation. The whole group may go (h) over the script and the reenactment many times before the director is happy with it.

So how did it come (i) about that I got interested in such an unusual activity? The answer is that my parents both love taking part in historical reconstructions, too. To be honest, they didn’t think I would stick (j) at doing them as long as I have, but I love being a part of them as much as they do now. My friends think my hobby is a bit strange, but they put up (k) with me occasionally telling how much I enjoyed the latest reconstruction. It’s not as though I go (l) overboard talking about it all the time. My hope is that, one day, they’ll come and see one of our reconstructions so they can see for themselves how exciting they can be.

2. Use the word given in brackets to form a word in the gap. (3 marks)

There are many reasons for getting involved in academic research as a career. Many research projects are (a) collaborative (COLLABORATE) in nature, so research teams form (b) partnerships (PARTNER) with those at other universities. You are, therefore, bound to meet many fascinating people, with whom you can not only share any (c) anxiety (ANXIOUS) you might have about the progress of the work or the effectiveness of the (d) procedure (PROCEED) the teams are following, but also any (e) achievements (ACHIEVE) and successes the teams may have together. There’s also nothing more satisfying than using your intelligence to solve complex problems. And who knows? You may be involved in research that creates technology which has (f) commercial (COMMERCE) applications and so will make money for the establishment you ask for.

3. Complete the sentences with the best IDIOM. (4 marks)

  1. You need to tighten your belt if you want to save money to buy a new house.
  2. Are you still angry about that? I thought it was ancient history!
  3. My mum blew her top when she found out that I had lost my car keys.
  4. Many politicians are often full of hot air. It’s rather difficult to believe what they say!
  5. The only fly in the ointment during our holiday was when our flight was delayed.
  6. When my parents took us to Disneyland, we had the time of our lives!
  7. I know you think you failed the exam, but let’s hope for the best.
  8. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be flying to Japan next summer.

4. Complete the sentences with the best WORD. (5 marks)

  1. Students decided to defy (=challenge) the new school rule about uniforms by arriving at school in casual clothes.
  2. I really can’t praise (=express admiration) you enough for how well you did in the performance – you were fantastic!
  3. Online scammers are always on the lookout for gullible (=easy to trick or deceive) people to steal money or information from.
  4. The protest against unemployment was peaceful, so police didn’t clash with (=come into conflict) with demonstrators at any point.
  5. I’m pretty sure that wearing ripped jeans is just a fad (=short trend). It’ll be over soon.
  6. You are just saying these horrible things to try to undermine (=make it weaker) my confidence.
  7. The teacher was pleased that so many of her students appeared to show genuine (=real) interest in the topic.
  8. Because William had lied to her before, Emilia was sceptical (=has doubts) about his explanation.
  9. It’s extremely important to find someone trustworthy (=reliable) if you are seeking financial advice.
  10. She lost her battle (=a situation in which someone is trying very hard to deal with a difficult situation) against breast cancer. She died last year.

Task 1 – You are going to read a magazine article about four couples who have made life changes.

For questions 1-10, choose from the couples (A-D). The couples may be chosen more than once (15 marks)

Which couples…

  1. became tired of the constant traveling to work? D
  2. did a little research before making a decision? B
  3. turned a negative experience to their benefit? C
  4. was attracted by the prospect of being self-employed? D
  5. benefitted from the reputation of one of the partners? A
  6. came to a spontaneous decision? D
  7. regrets having to miss out on an activity they enjoyed? A
  8. exploited a hobby of one of the partners? C
  9. got off a slow start in their new business? B
  10. finds convenient solutions when dealing with staff? A

Task 2 – Find words or phrases in the text for the following synonyms or definitions. (5 marks)

  1. the money you keep in an account in a bank (couple A) Saving
  2. help (couple A) Lend the hand
  3. started, began to happen (couple B) Get underway
  4. ruined (couple C) spoil
  5. least desirable situation (couple D) The worst-case scenario