PRACTICE TEST 92 FOR C7K49

PART 1: For questions 1-12, listen and complete the text below by writing NO MORE THAN THREE
WORDS in the spaces provided. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes
provided.

Many people don’t understand the biology behind their bodies. The truth is that when you understand how
your systems function, you able to make better decisions. You are not as prone to fall for hype and
(1)_____________. You feel (2)__________ to understand what’s really going on. One myth that really
bugs me is the idea that you need 8 glasses of water a day which is nonsense. For the most part, your
body will tell you when you need to drink water because you’ve got these wonderful, amazing,
(3)________________ – kidneys. They’re often thought of as a filter or waste-removal system, but that
doesn’t do the kidneys justice. Your body is an environment where everything, fluid and chemicals, needs
to be in (4)____________. Every day, blood in your body passes through the kidneys. What you eat, drink,
the temperature around you, how much you exercise, all this affects what’s going on in your body. Your
kidneys, along with your nervous system and (5)____________, are constantly watching many gauges and
making adjustments about fluid, salt and levels of other substances in real time. They do this with about
one million tiny structures called nephrons. These nephrons are kind of like workers on a conveyor belt,
(6)___________ and taking things away, things like sodium, glucose or sugar, calcium, amino acids and
water. If levels of anything get too high or too low, then that can be harmful. And it’s the job of the kidneys,
to keep the levels of many of these substances in (7)__________. Substances that aren’t needed leave the
kidney and head to the bladder, when you excrete them in the form of urine. So where do 8 glasses of
water a day fit in? They don’t. Notice that I did not say that the kidney function is improved with
(8)___________. Imagine that you’re sweating a lot, so you’re losing water from your blood. The kidneys
know your (9)__________ is dropping ever so slightly and that your blood is getting ever so
(10)____________. They compensate by absorbing more water back into the blood, making the urine more
concentrated. If the kidneys sense enough fluid can’t be (11)__________ from the urine, you’re signaled to
drink, meaning you get thirsty. A person facing real dehydration won’t be unsure if they need water. They
do whatever they need to get it. It’s one of our most (12)_____________ that evolved over a very long time
in environments where clean water wasn’t nearly as readily available as it is today. So thanks to your
kidneys, your body is really good at maintaining hydration.

PART 2: You will hear a women called Sarah Harvey talking about her work with an environmental
organization which helps to protect the sees from pollution. For questions 13-22, decide whether
the following statements are true (T) or false (F). Write your answers in the corresponding numbered
boxes provided.
13. The organisation Sarah works for is called “Cleaner coasts”
14. Sarah was surprised to learn that seabirds have been known to sometimes eat plastic bags .
15. Removing things like plastic bottle tops from the coast is an aspect of Sarah’s work.
16. Sarah says that plastic can be compared to a chemical sponge because of the way it absorbs
dangerous substances.
17. Sarah learned that the toxins in plastic harm the digestive system of many creatures.
18. Sarah explains how the breakdown of plastic items into small particles is caused by wave and the
effects of the sun.
19. Sarah says that most plastic in the sea has its origin in land sources.
20. Sarah partakes in some projects to raise people’s awareness.
21. Sarah gives the example of simple ingredients as something to use instead of household detergents.
22. Sarah strongly advises car owners to prevent oil leaking from their
vehicles.
Your answers:
13. 14. 15. 16. 17.
18. 19. 20. 21. 22.
PART 3: You will hear a radio interview in which two web designers called Rob Thorn and Sophie
Unwin are discussing aspects of their work. For questions 23-30, choose the answer (А, В, C or D)
which fits best according to what you hear.
23. Sophie says that the work of web designers
A must reflect constant evolution in the field.
B is subject to rigid time constraints.
C should prioritise aesthetic considerations.
D is limited by technical requirements.
24. Sophie believes the success of a website depends on
A the originality of its appearance.
B the balance of text and illustration.
C the emphasis on pictorial accuracy.
D the logical organisation of its content.
25. What is Rob’s attitude towards Sophie’s opinion on factors contributing to success of a
website?
A. He nods his head because he agree with that
B. He is fascinated to tell his dream
C. He partly disagree with that
D. He thinks of another idea
26. Why did Rob first turn his attention to website design?
A It offered an exciting new challenge.
B It was an outlet for his training in graphic art.
C He discovered it was a good way to make money.
D He found he had a particular talent for gaming.
27. The change from being a freelancer to working for a company has led Sophie to feel
A relieved she carries less responsibility.
B sorry she has work that is less predictable.
C disappointed she has less contact with clients.
D pleased she spends less time on administration.
28. What does Rob say about relationship with clients?
A you need to persuade your clients that you are reliable
B You don’t have to trust your clients as it leads to problem
C your clients should turn up on time for meetings
D If you miss the deadline, you will make your client become angry
29. What is Rob’s strategy when dealing with clients?
A to defend his own ideas vigorously
B to overstate the time a project will take
C to conduct meetings in a formal atmosphere
D to focus on discussing financial details

30. Both Rob and Sophie say they find inspiration by

A developing a heightened perception of everyday things.
B appreciating new technological developments.
C studying the work of other designers.
D experimenting with other art forms.
Your answers:
23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

SECTION B:
SECTION B. LEXICO – GRAMMAR (20 points)
Part 1. Choose the best answer to complete each of the following sentences. Write A, B, C or D in
the corresponding numbered boxes.
1. Mary was ______ when her pet dog died. Nothing could cheer her up.
A. discouraged B. uncomfortable C. displeased D. inconsolable
2. We live very far from the station, so she ______ a taxi because got here just ten minutes after the arrival
of the train.
A. must have taken B. would certainly take C. had to have taken D. had to take
3. He has passed the test with excellent result. He must have been working very hard, ______?
A. hasn’t he B. didn’t he C. wasn’t he D. mustn’t he
4.Two versions of the vaccine have been shown in trials to be__________ between 90% and 95% .
A. prominent B. proficient C. affectionate D. efficacious
5.Since he became a geologist, Fred’s yearly income has _______ .
A. nearly tripled B. got almost three times bigger
C. almost grown by three times D. just about gone up three times
6.My son was in the of despair before he heard the good news about his score in the
national examination.
A. depths B. profundities C. bottoms D. holes
7.I always try to keep myself of Covid-19 pandemic.
A. breach B. picture C. information D. abreast
8.It is expected that five million doses of covid-19 vaccine exported by the end of this year.
A. will have to have been B. must have been C. had to have been D. will need being
9.They wandered around in circles for an hour before finally admitting they were well and lost.
A. utterly B. truly C. thoroughly D. completely
10.Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to
the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.
Jane has such bewitching smile that almost everyone seems to dote on her.
A. exquisite B. hostile C. disgusting D. inscrutable
11.Choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D to indicate the word(s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the
underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.
You’re 25 years old, but you still haven’t cut the apron strings.
A. become independent B. bought a new house
C. relied on others D. started doing well
12. Choose the correct answer A, B, C, or D to indicate the sentence that best completes each of
the following exchanges
Mary and Jane are talking about John.
– Mary: “I was so disgusted by his accusations that I packed up my things and left right then and there.”
– Jane: “______. No one can put up with his selfishness.”
A. Why? B. I don’t blame you C. Are you serious? D. I doubt that

Part 2. Read the passage below, which contains 10 mistakes. Identify the mistakes and write the
corrections in the corresponding numbered boxes.
Vitamin E is the nutrient your body needs to support your immune system and help your cells to generate.
It also has antioxidant and inflammatory properties that make getting enough essential to your everyday
health.
Vitamin E is most commonly known for its benefits for skin healthiness and appearance. It can be applied
topically to your face to reduce inflammation and make your skin look younger. Many people but swear by
the effects of topical vitamin E when it’s applied to the face overnight.
Vitamin E oil can be used on your face like an overnight anti-aging treatment. Since vitamin E has a thick
consistency, it’s best to apply it before bed so that it can fully absorb. If apply in the morning, you may have
difficulty putting makeup or serums on top of it. Typically, you can apply a serum or oil mixture contained
vitamin E as an all-over treatment on your face. This is different than using vitamin E to spot-treat a
blemish, using a beautiful treatment mask for a brief period of time, or taking an oral supplement that
contains vitamin E.
Applying vitamin E as an anti-aging or skin-conditioning agent overnight involves letting the product
completely absorb with your skin.
Line Mistake Correction Line Mistake Correction

SECTION C. READING (70 points)

Part 1. Read the passage and choose the best answer. Write your answers A, B, C or D in the
corresponding numbered boxes.
Sleep has become the Shangri-La of modern times. Amid deadlines, demands and distractions, getting
eight hours is (1) _____ to finding a mythical paradise. But a good night’s sleep may not be as (2) _____ as
it seems. All you need to do is (3) _____ your smartphone for a tent. A new study by US scientists has (4)
_____ that camping can help us sleep better and reset our body clock. A group of five people were sent
into the mountains for six days with no gadgets, not even torches. The campers (5) _____ up nearly 10
hours sleep each night, almost three hours longer than they were used to getting at home.
Our bodies (6) _____ time using our internal clock, releasing the “sleep hormone” melatonin when it’s time
to rest and cortisol when it’s time to wake. Traditionally, the sun has (7) _____ our waking and sleeping
system – as the sun rises melatonin production (8) _____ off and cortisol production goes up. But less
natural light and more computer light (9) _____ the body’s circadian rhythm (our biological clock) and (10)
_____ up sleep. It was (11) ______ impossible to get wifi in the mountains, so with no way of going online,
I (12) _____ off. This meant no artificial lights (apart from my torch). Like the campers in the US study I
didn’t use my gadgets.
But it’s not just getting more natural light that makes being outdoors (13) _____. The biophilia hypothesis
suggests humans have an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other (14) _____ of life. It’s
believed that the deep affiliations we have with other life forms and nature as a (15) _____ are in our
biology.
1 A. alike B. resemble C. akin D. analogous
2 A. elusive B. hidden C. secretive D. remote
3 A. deposit B. switch C. refund D. swap
4 A. induced B. found C. established D. renowned
5 A. stacked B. piled C. racked D. amassed
6 A. store B. keep C. preserve D. retain
7 A. controlled B. manipulated C. steered D. guided
8 A. drops B. falls C. reduces D. goes
9 A. dazes B. confounds C. confuses D. disorientates
10 A. dizzies B. unhinges C. disturbs D. messes
11 A. near B. next to C. by D. about
12 A. played B. gave C. put D. switched
13 A. unnecessary B. restorative C. beneficial D. discordant
14 A. forms B. types C. means D. ways
15 A. total B. conclusion C. result D. whole
Your answer:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Part 2. Fill in the gap with ONE suitable word. Write the answers in the corresponding numbered
boxes.
The Olympic Games (1) _____ an international sports festival, held every four years. The ultimate goals
are to cultivate human (2) _____, through sport, and contribute (3) _____ world peace. Summer Games
and Winter Games are held separately. In 2012, the commemorative XXX Olympic Games were held in
London, with athletes from 204 countries and regions (4) _____ in 26 sports, with a (5) _____ of 302
separate events.
The history of the Olympics (6) ____ some 2,300 years ago. Their origin lays (7) ____ the Olympian
Games, which were held in the Olympia area of ancient Greece. (8) _____ there are some theories on its
initial purposes, the Games have been said to have started (9) _____ a festival of art and sport, to worship
gods. The ancient Olympic Games, (10) _____, ended in 393 because of the outbreaks of wars in the
region in (11) _____ they were held.
After a 1,500 year absence of the ancient Olympic Games, the event was resumed in the late nineteenth
century, (12) _____ to the efforts of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator. In 1894, his proposal to
revive the Olympic Games was unanimously approved (13) _____ the International Congress in Paris, and
the first Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, two years (14) _____. He also devised the five-ring
emblem that is familiar to most people as the Games’ symbol, which represents the unity of the five (15)
____.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Part 3. Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions. Write
The Balance in the Oceans
The oceans' predators come in all shapes and sizes. For example, one of the less infamous ones is the
colorful starfish, which feeds on plant life, coral, or other shellfish such as mussels for sustenance. A more
bloodcurdling example, especially to human beings and most other species of fish, is the shark, though
most scientists agree that only ten per cent of the 450 plus species of sharks have been documented as
actually attacking a human. Still, there is another predator lurking invisibly in the bodies of water of the
world, one which poses one of the greatest threats to all species of ocean life - bacteria. Though many
types of fish are continually stalking and evading one another for survival, they all band together in
an attempt to keep bacteria levels at bay in order to allow their own existence to continue.
Bacteria play a dual role in the ecosystems of the oceans. On the one hand, they are beneficial as they
stimulate plant life through food decomposition, which releases the necessary chemicals for the growth of
plant life. This is called nutrient recycling and helps keep the oceans alive. But, on the other hand,
bacteria are a major predator for all fish because they attack fragile, weaker individuals. If they are allowed
to run rampant and not kept in check, they could virtually suffocate the oceans. In water, bacteria prove to
be an even greater threat than on land because, as they proliferate, they reduced the oxygen levels
necessary for organisms in the oceans to live. Further, when fish populations become depleted due to
factors like overfishing, microbes such as algae expand and threaten the fragile ecosystems of the ocean.
Therefore, ocean predators play a critical role by thwarting bacteria growth and maintaining the oceans’
equilibrium by reducing vulnerable links in the food chain.
In many ways, the balance within the oceans’ ecosystems mirrors the human body. That is, all of their
components must work in harmony for them to stay healthy, efficient, and alive. If one of them is missing or
deficient, an entire system can be placed in jeopardy. In both the human body and the ocean, bacteria play
a vital role because, at manageable levels, they aid in protecting and cleaning each system of foreign
agents that can be of harm. On the other hand, if bacteria levels increase and become out of control, they
can take hold of a system, overrun it, and become debilitating. Therefore, both oceans and the human
body have a kind of custodian that maintains bacteria levels. In the human body, it is called a phagocyte.
Phagocytes eat up sick, old, or dying cells, which are more prone to bacterial invasion, and thus keep the
body healthy. Like in the human body, bacteria can prove fatal to the living organisms in the ocean.
Like phagocytes in the human body , ocean predators work as antibacterial custodians of the seas. In
essence, they are the immune system and a vital link in the food chain because they remove small, injured,
or sickly fish from the ocean environment before bacteria can become too comfortable and multiply. By
ridding the ocean of weaker fish, predators allow the stronger ones to multiply, making their species
stronger and more resilient. Without their services and with their declining numbers, bacteria will blossom
to levels that will eventually overpower and kill even the strongest species of fish because of the depletion
of their number one source of life, all important oxygen.
While the greatest battle in the ocean may seem on the surface to be the survival of the fittest fish, a closer
look reveals something completely different: fish versus microorganisms. Clearly, most living organisms in
the oceans are hunters by nature, but this way of life does not merely provide a food source for a dominant
species. It also maintains a healthy level of bacteria in an ocean’s ecosystem, thus ensuring the
continuation of all species of life within. Major predators are necessary, like the antibacterial cells of the
human body, to keep this delicate balance in synch. If their numbers continue to decline and humans
ignore their vital role in the ocean, dire consequences will definitely result.

1. The word “lurking” in the passage is closest in meaning to

A. attacking B. increasing C. waiting D. approaching
2. According to paragraph 1, which of the following is true of ocean predators?
A. The shark is the deadliest one for all other kinds of life in the oceans.
B. One of the most threatening to all fish populations is bacteria.
C. Starfish do little damage to the population of mussels and shellfish.
D. Most of the killers that hide in the oceans are unknown to humans.
3. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 1 about bacteria?
A. They can be extremely detrimental to fish if their numbers increase.
B. They are able to feed off themselves when other food sources are limited.
C. They stimulate plant life, which in turn releases oxygen into the water.
D. They present themselves in numerous shapes and forms as well as colors.
4. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the
passage?
A. Evasion tactics help fish escape from the threats posed by an increasing number of bacteria.
B. Various species of fish prey upon one another in order to lower bacteria levels in the ocean.
C. high bacteria levels in the ocean help most species of fish to survive by providing them with food.
D. Rivals or not, all fish help one another survive by preventing bacteria from proliferating.
5. The author discusses “nutrient recycling ” in paragraph 2 in order to
A. show how bacteria act similarly in the ocean and the human body
B. explain the different roles of nutrients and oxygen for species of fish
C. indicate that bacteria do have a positive impact in the oceans
D. note how chemicals from bacteria are able to stimulate plant growth
6. The word “thwarting” in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. encouraging B. presenting C. slowing D. sustaining
7. According to paragraph 2, bacteria are dangerous to ocean life because
A. they have the capability to attack both strong and weaker fish
B. they could monopolize the critical breathable gas in the ocean
C. they get rid of vulnerable links, like dying fish, in the food chain
D. they blossom out of control when overfishing becomes dominant
8. The word “debilitating” in the passage is closest in meaning to
A. stimulating B. hindering C. elevating D. weakening
9. The author’s description of phagocytes mentions all of the following EXCEPT:
A. They rid the human body of potentially dangerous organisms.
B. They act in a similar manner as the predators of the ocean.
C. They dispose of bacteria to make weakened cells revive.
D. They are cleaning agents in humans to maintain bacteria levels.
10. According to paragraph 4, the elimination of weaker fish by ocean predators
A. can often have an adverse effect on the population of the certain prey species
B. inadvertently helps stronger species of fish to proliferate more easily
C. reduces oxygen levels, thereby causing bacteria to multiply in their prey
D. allows bacteria to grow and multiply in the stronger individuals of a species

Your answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Part 4. Read the following passage and answer the questions from 1 to 10.
RUNNING ON EMPTY
A revolutionary new theory in sports physiology.
A For almost a century, scientists have presumed, not unreasonably, that fatigue - or exhaustion in athletes
originates in the muscles. Precise explanations have varied but all have been based on the ‘limitations
theory’. In other words, muscles tire because they hit a physical limit: they either run out of fuel or oxygen
or they drown in toxic by-products.
B In the past few years, however, Timothy Noakes and Alan St Clair Gibson from the University of Cape
Town, South Africa, have examined this standard theory. The deeper they dig, the more convinced they
have become that physical fatigue simply isn't the same as a car running out of petrol. Fatigue, they argue,
is caused not by distress signals springing from overtaxed muscles, but is an emotional response which
begins in the brain. The essence of their new theory is that the brain, using a mix of physiological,
subconscious and conscious cues, paces the muscles to keep them well back from the brink of exhaustion.
When the brain decides its time to quit, it creates the distressing sensations we interpret as unbearable
muscle fatigue. This ‘central governor* theory remains controversial, but it does explain many puzzling
aspects of athletic performance.
C A recent discovery that Noakes calls the ‘lactic acid paradox' made him start researching this area
seriously. Lactic acid is a by-product of exercise, and its accumulation is often cited as a cause of fatigue.
But when research subjects exercise in conditions simulating high altitude, they become fatigued even
though lactic acid levels remain low. Nor has the oxygen content of their blood fallen too low for them to
keep going. Obviously, Noakes deduced, something else was making them tire before they hit either of
these physiological limits.
D Probing further, Noakes conducted an experiment with seven cyclists who had sensors taped to their
legs to measure the nerve impulses travelling through their muscles. It has long been known that during
exercise, the body never uses 100% of the available muscle fibres in a single contraction. The amount
used varies, but in endurance tasks such as this cycling test the body calls on about 30%.
E Noakes reasoned that if the limitations theory was correct and fatigue was due to muscle fibres hitting
some limit, the number of fibres used for each pedal stroke should increase as the fibres tired and the
cyclist’s body attempted to compensate by recruiting an ever-larger proportion of the total. But his team
found exactly the opposite. As fatigue set in, the electrical activity in the cyclists' legs declined - even during
sprinting, when they were striving to cycle as fast as they could.
F To Noakes, this was strong evidence that the old theory was wrong. ‘The cyclists may have felt
completely exhausted,’ he says, ‘but their bodies actually had considerable reserves that they could
theoretically tap by using a greater proportion of the resting fibres.’ This, he believes, is proof that the brain
is regulating the pace of the workout to hold the cyclists well back from the point of catastrophic
exhaustion.
G More evidence comes from the fact that fatigued muscles don’t actually run out of anything critical.
Levels of glycogen, which is the muscles’ primary fuel, and ATP. the chemical they use for temporary
energy storage, decline with exercise but never bottom out. Even at the end of a marathon, ATP levels are
80-90% of the resting norm, and glycogen levels never get to zero.
H Further support for the central regulator comes from the fact that top athletes usually manage to go their
fastest at the end of a race, even though, theoretically, that's when their muscles should be closest to
exhaustion. But Noakes believes the end spurt makes no sense if fatigue is caused by muscles poisoning
themselves with lactic acid as this would cause racers to slow down rather than enable them to sprint for
the finish line. In the new theory, the explanation is obvious. Knowing the end is near, the brain slightly
relaxes its vigil, allowing the athlete to tap some of the body’s carefully hoarded reserves.
I But the central governor theory does not mean that what's happening in the muscles is irrelevant. The
governor constantly monitors physiological signals from the muscles, along with other information, to set
the level of fatigue. A large number of signals are probably involved but, unlike the limitations theory, the
central governor theory suggests that these physiological factors are not the direct determinants of fatigue,
but simply information to take into account.
J Conscious factors can also intervene. Noakes believes that the central regulator evaluates the planned
workout, and sets a pacing strategy accordingly. Experienced runners know that if they set out on a 10-
kilometre run. the first kilometre feels easier than the first kilometre of a 5-kilometre run, even though there
should be no difference. That, Noakes says, is because the central governor knows you have farther to go
in the longer run and has programmed itself to dole out fatigue symptoms accordingly.
K St Clair Gibson believes there is a good reason why our bodies arc designed to keep something back.
That way, there's always something left in the tank for an emergency. In ancient times, and still today, life
would be too dangerous if our bodies allowed us to become so tired that we couldn't move quickly when
faced with an unexpected need.
Questions 1-6
Choose the correct heading for Paragraphs A-F from the list of headings below.
Write the correct number (i-viii) in boxes 1-6 on your answer sheet.
List of headings
i. Avoiding tiredness in athletes
ii. Puzzling evidence raises a question
iii. Traditional explanations
iv. Interpreting the findings
v. Developing muscle fibres
vi. A new hypothesis
vii. Description of a new test
viii. Surprising results in an endurance test
Your answer:
1. Paragraph A: ______
2. Paragraph B: ______
3. Paragraph C: ______
4. Paragraph D: ______
5. Paragraph E: ______
6. Paragraph F: ______
Questions 7-10
Classify the following ideas as relating to
A. the Limitations Theory
B. the Central Governor Theory
C. both the Limitations Theory and the Central Governor Theory
Write the correct letter A, B or C in boxes 7-10 on your answer sheet.
NB: You may use any letter more than once.
7. Lacid acid is produced in muscles during exercise. _____
8. Athletes can keep going until they use up all their available resources. _____
9. Mental processes control the symptoms of tiredness. _____
10. The physiological signals from an athlete's muscles are linked to fatigue. _____

Part 6: You are going to read a set of magazine interviews with four teachers about their flat-
sharing experiences. For questions 1-10, choose from the interviews (A-D). The interviews may be
chosen more than once. Write your answer in the box provided. (15 points)
Of which teacher are the following statements true?
1. I might look for a flatmate in the right circumstances. 1…………
2. Finding a flatmate now would represent a backward step to me. 2…………
3. I suspect my flatmate considered my behaviour to be odd. 3…………
4. It is necessary to make compromises when living with other people. 4…………
5. Talking about housework duties eventually proved to be pointless. 5…………
6. There were no restrictions on when I could leave and return home. 6…………
7. It was important to us that the flat was easily affordable. 7…………
8. Sharing a flat can be successful as long as the flatmates have something in common.
8…………
9. I was less comfortable after others in the house began to depend on me financially.
10. Setting up in a flat was not as easy as I had expected
9…………
 10……..
TWO'S COMPANY, THREE'S A CROWD?
Flat-sharing has long been a tradition in New Zealand, and not just for students. But while there are those
who love the sense of communal living, there are others who can't wait to establish their own private nest.
Lisa Simpson speaks to four teachers.
A. Craig Andrews
The flat-sharing experience has not always been a rewarding one for New Zealander Craig Andrews.
There was, for instance, the time when Craig found himself flat-sharing in Rome while teaching for a
language school. 'The other tenant, an English man, was also working for them. The big issue was that he
was totally uninterested in cleaning. Despite the great many hints I dropped, he never picked up on them,
and so it was all left to me. In retrospect, I suppose he might have thought I was rather obsessive with my
constant cleaning.' Craig felt it necessary to put up with the situation as their contract with the school had
six months to run and he felt that any confrontation would have ultimately led to greater tension. Craig
learnt a valuable lesson from this experience, which ensured that living arrangements with future flatmates
were more harmonious. 'Provided flatmates' backgrounds are similar and their interests compatible, there's
no reason why it all shouldn't work out well,' he says. 'And just establish the rules from the outset.' Now a
house-owner, however, Craig admits that he can't imagine ever being in a flat-sharing situation again. 'I
realize it’s cheaper but I prefer my privacy and I'm not prepared to give that up.'
B. Derene Els
Having emigrated to New Zealand from South Africa four years ago, Derene is currently living with her
family. 'I pay rent which I know some people might find strange, but it would be morally wrong not to,
especially as I'm working.' She feels that she has her own privacy to a certain extent but says that 'taking
turns with the television remote control, meeting halfway when it comes to the bathroom schedule, settling
for the smaller room when you really want the big one - this is what you have to do when you're all under
the same roof.' Derene is currently keeping an eye out for a small apartment. Her criteria is simply 'near the
coast' as she needs a sense of open space around her. Perhaps this is what drew her to Australia where
she took time off from her job in New Zealand to work as a translator. After that contract came to an end,
she decided to stay on with the host family who'd been putting her up. 'Once the arrangement became
more formal, when I felt they were relying on me for income, I was not so at ease,' she explains. 'But I still
felt obliged to be sociable and didn't want to appear rude by keeping myself to myself. All the same, I could
still come and go as I wished and the door was never locked.'
C. Sarah Nuttall
Originally from the UK, Sarah has spent the last five years in New Zealand. She's found the local flat-
sharing experience rather different to what she was used to. 'There aren't so many flats available here,' she
explains. 'As well as this, in London the flats are usually fully furnished whereas in New Zealand you only
get a cooker. When my boyfriend and I first got here, it had never occurred to us that we would have to go
out and buy loads of second-hand stuff just to get started.' She's adamant that there's no room for a third
person in her flat. 'We've talked about getting an extra person in to reduce costs but our privacy comes
first. But if I were ever single again, I suppose I'd consider it. It would be a good way of meeting friends.'
Sarah's first flat-sharing experience was in London with four friends she'd been to university with. She
admits that there were both good and bad times. 'We hardly ever argued at first except for minor quarrels
over the washing up.' Eventually, however, things came to a head when the kitchen became unusable. 'We
had a group meeting and the rules were laid down. They were effective for about three weeks and then
things went back to the way they were.'
D. Callum McNab
Now in the complicated process of looking for his own house, Callum spent his second year of university
flat-sharing with three other students. There was a unanimous decision that the accommodation had to be
within their financial means and in close proximity to the university. 'There were no real disputes. One
woman, Cathy, was extremely talkative, so much so you'd end up not listening. But she was generous and
she very much pulled her weight around the flat so we could live with that.' Callum confesses to little
participation when it came to housework. 'There were times when we'd all pitch in but the problem was that
I spent a lot of time away from the flat. It was agreed that I wasn't as responsible for the messes created
and I wasn't going to argue with that.' When that flat got sold, Callum found the easiest option was to move
in with his brother. 'I can't say I had that much in common with him, except for our interest in foreign
movies.' And now the flat-sharing seems to be coming to an end? 'I couldn't imagine flat-sharing ever
again. Living with a stranger would mean I'd failed in some way, like I was de-maturing.'
Answers:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.