FCE - Essay

PET - Grammar _ short agreements

1. Complete with the correct auxiliary verb or modal.

1. A: I love wearing jeans.
    B: So ........I

2. A: He can`t use a computer.
    B: Neither ....... she.

3. A: We went to the rock concert last night.
    B: So .......... we.

4. A: James doesn`t cook.
    B: Neither ..... I.

5. A: I haven`t danced for ages.
    B: Neither ..... he.

6. A: They will stay in a hotel.
    B: So ..... I.

7. A:  I didn`t do anything special last week.
    B: Neither ..... we

8. A: We were having dinner at nine o`clock.
    B: So ..... they

9. A: He mustn`t behave like that.
    B: Neither ..... you.

10. A: I`m not sleeping.
     B: Neither ..... I

2. Reply with so or neither using the words given.

1. I bought some books to read in the holidays (I).
2. I won`t laugh (I)
3. She enjoys classical music (my mum).
4. They have seen the queen (we)
5. I wasn't listening to the teacher (I)
6. She isn't smiling (he)
7. I had corrected all my mistakes (I)
8. We haven't been enjoying ourselves (we)
9. We wrapped the present in gold paper (I)
10. I can't ride a bike (my baby sister)

PET - Picture description

All pictures are about spending time at home.
Remember to use ambitious vocabulary and all the expressions you`ve learned to describe a picture !!!

PET - Reading part 5

•      Read the text below and choose the correct word for each space. For each question, mark the letter next to the correct word 

Example answer: 0 A born

THE FIRST WOMAN SCIENTIST

Hypatia was (0).................. in Alexandria, in Egypt, in 370 A.D. For many centuries she was (26)............. only woman scientist to have a place in the history books.
Hypatia's father was director of Alexandria University, and he (27).................................... sure his  daughter had the best education available. This was unusual, as most women then had few (28)............. to study.

After studying in Athens and Rome, Hypatia returned to Alexandria (29) ........................ she  began teaching mathematics. She soon became famous (30).................................. her knowledge of new  ideas.
We have no copies of her books, (31)......................... we know that she wrote several important  mathematical works. Hypatia was also interested in technology and (32)....................................... several  scientific tools to help with her work.

At the (33)................ many rulers were afraid of science, and (34) ........................ connected with it  was in danger. One day in March 415, Hypatia (35)............................... attacked in the street and killed. 

0	A	bom	B	begun	C	developed	D	grown
26	A	one	B	the	C	a	D	an
27	A	could	B	made	c	said	D	put
28	A	classes	B	customs	c	opportunities	D	teachers
29	A	where	B	how	c	there	D	which
30	A	from	B	by	c	for	D	in
31	A	because	B	but	c	or	D	as
32	A	did	B	experimented	c	invented	D	learnt
33	A	day	B	period	c	year	D	time
34	A	anyone	B	nobody	c	all	D	something
35	A	was	B	had	c	has	D	is

FCE - Reading part 3 - Multiple matching

You are going to read a selection of letters from a driving magazine. For questions 1-15, choose from the people (A-E). The people may be chosen more than once.

Your Letters

This month we feature your early driving experiences:

A
I'd been taking lessons for a year before I passed my driving test at the age of eighteen, but my dad never gave me any help. Even after I'd passed he never let me use the car. So I used to take my dad's keys before leaving the apartment block where we lived and would run round to the car park at the back where my father left the car at night. He hardly ever used the car after getting in from work. I used to go and see my girlfriend or just drive around and then come back and leave the car in exactly the same place. One night though, I got back at around ten thirty only to find there were no parking spaces left. I suppose because I went in and told my dad the truth straight away he was quite good about it. Although he did stop my allowance for four weeks.
Terry

B
My most unfortunate driving experience happened ages ago, before I'd actually passed my driving test. My girlfriend's father used to let her borrow his car whenever we were going to the cinema or something. Anyway, I'd been thinking about learning to drive and I persuaded her to let me have a go. We took the car down to the beach on the sand where no one could see us and she let me take the wheel. We were having such fun that we didn't notice the tide was coming in until the car was actually swimming in the water. We had to leave the car where it was and catch the bus back to tell her dad. By the time the three of us returned, the car was almost covered in water. Needless to say, her father wasn't too pleased. The funny thing is her dad ended up selling me the car after I passed my test.
Carl

C
I was teaching my mum to drive and we were coming down a rather narrow road which had cars parked on both sides. Suddenly, from nowhere there was a young man on a bike coming towards us. Mum slammed the brakes on but he crashed into us, landed on the car and then rolled off. My mother and I both jumped out of the car to see if he was all right. Fortunately, he stood up and said he was OK, just a little shaken. My mum offered to give him some money for the repair of the bike, and then an old lady came along. When she saw what had happened, she began shouting at my mother, saying she must have been driving too fast and that it was a bad example to set her young daughter. Poor old mum didn't say a word and I had to explain that she was still learning to drive.
Sarah

D
My advice about learning to drive would be to have proper lessons from a qualified instructor and never to let a friend or family member try to teach you. It's a guaranteed way to spoil a good relationship. Every Sunday, when the traffic was quieter, my father would pick me up and take me for a drive along the streets of our hometown and give me a lecture on how to drive, explaining everything he was doing and why. Eventually it was my turn to have a go. My dad was so nervous that he panicked before I'd even started up the engine. He used to shout at the slightest mistake, and when the lesson was finally over he'd come home and have a large glass of whisky to calm down.
Karen

E
I didn't start learning to drive until I was twenty one. I'd spent lots of money on lessons but I was a terrible driver, I must admit. The first time I took my driving test nobody expected me to pass. But after failing another four times the pressure was really on. I took my test for a sixth time and failed yet again, but I was too embarrassed to admit it to my family, so I just pretended that I'd passed after all. My family were delighted and my father went out and bought me a car the next day. I didn't know what to do so I just got in and drove. I continued to drive - illegally - for three months. Fortunately I was never stopped by the police and the next time I took my driving test I passed.
Mike


Which person('s)

1) had a parent who was accused of driving dangerously?

2) bought a car?

3) drove his girlfriend’s dad’s car?

4) drove alone without a license?

5) had to defend their father?

6) drove their father’s car without permission?

7) was teaching someone to drive?

8) paid for driving lessons?

9) had no driving instruction from their father?

10) was punished for their actions?

11) was given driving lessons by their father?

12) was considering taking driving lessons?

13) advises against being taught to drive by a friend or family member?

14) was given a treat for passing their test?

15) used to make their father nervous?

PET Reading Part 4

Instructions
Read the text below and the questions on the right.
For each question choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.

Dear Editor
I am writing with regards to the article 'Is the TV Dead?' that appeared in your newspaper on the 4th March. The author claimed that with the rise of the Internet, the TV was becoming less and less significant in our lives.
I find it very difficult to agree with this view. The TV is still the main way most of get our entertainment at home. It offers us the chance to see top musical artists, great films and documentaries and occasionally, thanks to important televised events, it has the power to bring the whole nation and all ages together in a way the Internet never could.
Your article was particularly critical of the TV for the poor quality of programmes available on the many channels we now have. It is certainly true that many of the channels offer nothing more than repeats or low budget programmes. However, I would argue that the majority of content on the Internet is also of questionable quality. I agree with the writer that it is easy to keep up-to-date with the latest news on the Internet, but I'm sure most of us still enjoy sitting down to the News on TV in the evening just as much.
The writer is correct in stating that the Internet has become our major source for research and I think this is its main strength. However, criticising the TV for not being as good is totally unfair. Information programmes like documentaries are made for their potential as entertainment not as research tools and as such will continue to be popular with viewers.
So in conclusion I don't think the writer should be so quick to write the TV off. On the contrary, I think it has many more years left in it!
Yours sincerely


Samantha Johnson


1. Why is the person writing this letter to the newspaper?
     A. to make a complaint
     B. to offer a different point of view
     C. to encourage people to watch more TV
     D. to persuade people to not use the Internet

2. What do we learn about the writer's opinion of TV?
     A. It is useful as a reference tool
     B. It is excellent entertainment
     C. It is suffering because of the Internet
     D. The quality of programmes is a problem

3. Which of the following is seen as a problem with TV?
    A. the quality of some of the programmes
    B. the lack of entertainment programmes
    C. its poor use as a reference tool
    D. its unpopularity with younger people

4. What does the writer think is the best use of the Internet?
    A. to buy products
    B. to be entertained
    C. to get the latest news
    D. to find things out

5. Which of the following words describes how the writer feels about TV?
    A. pleased
    B. excited
    C. confused
    D. worried

FCE Writing: Article

You have seen this announcement in an English - Language magazine for young people your age:

YOU WRITE - WE PRINT

Family celebrations are often memorable occasions.Write an article describing a family celebration that you remember well. The most three interesting articles will be published in our next issue.

Write your magazine article in 120 - 180 words.

Here`s a text with an  answer to the question above. Reorganize it in paragraphs, write capital letters where needed and add punctuation. Re write it in a separate page, in ink and nice penmanship. Don`t forget the title!!!

a day to remember have all the members of your family ever met together in the same place at the same time it happened to me quite recently and was a remarkable event the occasion i have in mind took place last summer it was my grandparents fiftieth wedding anniversary and my brother tim decided to organise a surprise party for them he phoned everyone in the family and told us his plan most importantly we mustn't say anything to our grandparents on the eve of the anniversary we arrived at tim's house at midday by three o'clock there were over a hundred people there including cousins uncles and aunts i hadn't seen for years everyone was excited as they waited for the 'happy couple' to arrive my grandparents who thought they were visiting my brother arrived at four o'clock you can imagine what happened when they found us ail waiting for them i have never seen anyone look so surprised and so happy the celebrations went on until the next morning now we're looking forward to celebrating their sixtieth anniversary

PET - Reading Part 3

Instructions
Look at the sentences on the about how to drive a car.
Read the text below to decide if each statement is correct or incorrect.

JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS BY QUOTING  OR  HIGHLIGHTING IN THE TEXT, THE PHRASE THAT BEST EXPLAINS YOUR CHOICE.

How to Save Petrol and the Environment

We are all aware of the need to protect the environment but sometimes it's difficult for us to do the right thing. For example, if you're a motorist the convenience of jumping in the car to go somewhere is balanced against the knowledge of how harmful each journey can be. But did you know that making a few simple changes to your driving habits will not only do less damage to our world but will also save you money and could even be good for your health.

Do you really need to take the car?
Try making more use of public transport. If the service is frequent and reliable you'll soon get used to using buses and trains. In fact, for shorter journeys why not take the opportunity to get into shape and go on foot.

Share the journey
How often do you see cars with just one occupant with the driver making the same journey as others living nearby? Why not car share and half the cost of the journey? There are several websites where people can swap details and make arrangements to meet up.

Change your habits
When you must use the car plan your journey so you can go to all the places you need to visit rather taking the car out again and again. If you get caught in a traffic jam switch off the engine when you're stationary for a long time. Try not to brake too sharply or accelerate too quickly as this will lead to you using up more fuel. On cold mornings don't warm up the engine before you start your journey and when you next put fuel in your car think about whether you really need to fill up the tank. All that extra weight will put more pressure on the engine.

Servicing
Make sure you carry out basic maintenance like checking the tyre pressure regularly. Finally, keep your car regularly serviced so that it runs as efficiently as possible.

Steps like this will save you money and help you do your bit to protect the environment.

1. Drivers don't care about the environment.

2. Changing the way you drive has more than one benefit.

3. The service on public transport is always good.

4. You should walk when going somewhere nearby.

5. If you travel with someone else it will save you money.

6. Avoid sharing personal details on the Internet.

7. Try to make one journey rather than lots of short ones.

8. Braking quickly is the safest way to drive.

9. Don't leave the car running before you start a journey.

10. Filling the car with fuel will save you money.

FCE Use of English - Part 3: Key Word Transformation

Passive/Active

Changes from active to passive or passive to active are often required.

For Questions 1-8, 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.

1. The examiner tells candidates the regulations at the beginning of the exam. 
TOLD 
At the beginning of the exam candidates .................................... the regulations.

2. Did we send that letter to Mr Thomas?
WAS 
Do you know if ........................................ to Mr Thomas?

3. We haven't arranged a date for the wedding yet.
BEEN
A date for the wedding .............................................. yet.

4. They will have given him the news by now.
TOLD 
He .............................................. the news by now.

5. Experts estimate that most people now have access to the Internet.
IS
.................................................. most people now have access to the Internet.

6. The garage on the corner usually repairs my car.
HAVE
I ................................................... by the garage on the corner.

7. Steve definitely didn't write that essay.
WRITTEN 
That essay ..................................................... by Steve.

8. The police have cancelled the demonstration.
HAS 
The demonstration ....................................................... by the police.

FCE - OPEN CLOZE

Read the texts arid chink of the word which best fits each space (1-15). Use only ONE WORD for each space. There is an example at the beginning (0).

AREYOU HAPPY WITH YOUR JOB?

Would you say that you are 0) a happy worker, or usually depressed and low-spirited at work? Although many people work only because they have to, 1)................ are others who really love what they do.

Of course, a lot of employees believe that the best part 2) ................  their job is the pay cheque. People 3) ..................... naturally hate their jobs if they feel that they are forced to 4) .................. things which they're not very good 5) ........................ , or which they simply don't Iike doing. It is obvious that, 6)...................... extreme cases, such people are in the wrong career. Most experts agree, however, that you should 7) ........................ measures to improve your present job situation 8)................ you think about a complete change of direction in search of the perfect job.

So, 9)...................... do you know if you are in the right career? There are a number of points 10) ...........................  should be taken into consideration. 

Firstly. 11) ........................... you use the skills and talents that 12) ....................... enjoy the most.

Studies show that people who truly enjoy what they do 13)................... a living are more motivated to work hard, and they feel a greater sense of accomplishment. In other 14) ..................... , if you have a passion for what you do, your job will 15).................... you both professional and personal  satisfaction.

PET Reading Part 1

Look at the text in each question. 
What does it say? 
Click the letter next to the correct explanation - A, B or C.

Question 1: What does Karen want Steve to do?

A. Order the cinema tickets.

B. Meet after work to go to the cinema.

C. Collect the tickets.

Question 2

A. The lift is only for employees.

B. The lift isn`t working

C. Ask someone if you need help with the lift

Question 3: What does this person need to do?

A. think about what they can have for dinner.

B. Buy something for dinner.

C. Prepare the dinner.

Question 4

A. This car park is for people who use the shop.

B. No parking here.

C. Anyone can park here.

Question 5

A. The cafe is where the builders eat.

B. The cafe will still be open while building work is being done.

C. Students will be told when the cafe is open.

PET - WRITING PART 1

The following exercise is not writing part 1 itself, but a practice exercise that will help acquire the technique. Good luck!!!

For each question, finish the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.

Example: Musical instruments are very expensive.
             Musical instruments cost a lot of money.

1. There are many different kinds of colleges in Britain.
Britain …………………………………………………

2. Music is taught in just a few colleges.
Just a few colleges …………………………………….

3. You must be able to play at least two instruments.
It is ……………………………………………………

4. Some students are frightened of playing in public.
Playing ……………………………………………….

5. Teaching music is preferable for these students.
These students ……………………………………….

6. Writing letters to pen friends is very common.
Many …………………………………………………

7. Some pen friends develop very close relationships.
Close relationships ………………………………….

8. Presents and photographs may be exchanged.
Some people ……………………………………….

9. The relationship may last for years.
The relationship may go …………………………..

10. People can sometimes be disappointed when they meet.
It …………………………………………………..