First for Schools

Reading and Use of English



Sample Test 3

Time 1 hour 15 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Do not open this question paper until you are told to do so.
Write your name, centre number and candidate number on your answer sheets if they
are not already there.
Read the instructions for each part of the paper carefully.
Answer all the questions.
Read the instructions on the answer sheets.
Write your answers on the answer sheets. Use a pencil.
You must complete the answer sheets within the time limit.
At the end of the test, hand in both this question paper and your answer sheets.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

There are 52 questions in this paper.
Questions 1 – 24 and 43 – 52 carry one mark.
Questions 25 – 42 carry two marks.

PV1 500/2705/0
© UCLES 2021 Cambridge English Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International
 Use of English ● Part 1

For questions 1 – 8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap.
There is an example at the beginning (0).

Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Example:

0 A get B take C pick D do

0 A B C D

Balloon Journey

School children in England have been taking part in a science project to discover how far party balloons

can travel. Joshua Blackaby and his school friends (1) .......... 300 balloons into the air as part of a

school project, to see how far they’d go. Each balloon carried the school’s address, and some (2) ..........

it all the way from England to Denmark, but none could (3) .......... the amazing result of Joshua’s

balloon. He received a letter from a girl called Millie, telling him that his balloon had (4) ........... up in

her back garden in Australia, over 10,000 miles away.

The school is now (5) ........... asking a weather expert to work out exactly how the balloon managed

to get so far and find out whether there have been any other (6) .......... cases. They’ll then look

(7) .......... the possible route that the balloon would have (8) ........... before they write stories about

the sights and sounds of its journey.

1 A let B delivered C set D released

2 A made B sent C got D done

3 A suit B compete C match D compare

4 A ended B reached C arrived D settled

5 A examining B considering C thinking D wondering

6 A particular B alike C similar D close

7 A out B around C through D into

8 A taken B had C given D been

 Use of English ● Part 2

For questions 9 – 16, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only
one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.

Example: 0 O F

Young inventors

Have you ever thought up a new invention and wondered what to do next? You’ve got the idea but you

just don’t know how to develop it into a finished product which could be sold in the shops. (9) ..........

that’s the case, you should contact FIRST, an organisation based in the United States (10)........... aim

is to help young people transform their idea into (11) .......... practical. FIRST believes that young

people are natural inventors who simply need support in order to achieve their aims. For those of you

who may (12) .......... yet have an idea, don’t worry – there are plenty of ways (13) ........... which

FIRST can help you, too. For example, you could join one of the courses they run which are designed

(14) .......... encourage creativity while you’re (15) .......... a great time. And who knows? With the

guidance of FIRST, your idea could become the next big global invention, and (16) .......... you a

millionaire!
 Use of English ● Part 3

For questions 17 – 24, read the text below. 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).

Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.

Example: 0 A T T E N T I O N

Spatulatta – Cooking skills for teenagers

Do you want to have a go at cooking? Well, if you’re looking for a reliable

website then look no further than Spatulatta, a new online cooking site for

teenagers. It’s the (17) .......... of two sisters who use videos to CREATE

demonstrate how to prepare (18) .......... recipes. They film new videos TASTE

every two weeks and add details about nutrition and (19) ........... cooking BASE

skills.

Thanks to the girls’ extensive knowledge of cooking and food, as well as

their friendly (20) ........... in the videos, the website has become an instant ENTHUSIASTIC

(21) and is viewed by kids all around the world. The girls regularly SUCCEED

receive emails from teenagers who say they have been disappointed and

(22) .......... by what they find in traditional recipe books, but they now IMPRESS

have more confidence in their cooking and are starting to take (23) ..........

in the food they make. The girls are delighted by the (24) ...........and say PROUD

it makes all their hard work worthwhile. RESPOND

 Use of English ● Part 4

For questions 25 – 30, 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, including the word given. Here is an example (0).

Example:

0 Prizes are given out when the school year finishes.

PLACE

Prize giving .................................................. end of each school year.

The gap can be filled by the words ‘takes place at the’, so you write:

Example: 0 TAKES PLACE AT THE

Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.

25 I told her I was sorry I forgot about her birthday.

APOLOGISED

I ................................................... about her birthday.

26 They’re repairing my bike today at the cycle shop, so I’ll have to walk to school.

REPAIRED

My bike .................................................. today at the cycle shop, so I’ll have to walk to

school.

27 None of my friends have climbed a mountain, and I haven’t either.

ANY

I’ve never climbed a mountain and ................................................... my friends.

28 John didn’t arrive on time for the lesson and he’d forgotten his homework too.

LATE

Not only .................................................. for the lesson, but he’d also forgotten his
homework.

29 It’s not kind to laugh at other people.

MAKE

It’s not kind to ................................................... other people.

30 It’s thought that there are over five million species of insect in the world today.

BELIEVED

There................................................... over five million species of insect in the world today.

 Reading  Part 5
Questions 31 – 36

You are going to read an article about an interview with a teenage pop star called Cody Simpson. For
questions 31 – 36, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

New School
Mom pulls to a stop at the corner of my new school, She goes on while I slip in undetected and slide into
Palm Grove High school. She glances around nervously, the last desk in the second row. The girl next to me
looking for journalists that aren’t there. Let’s see how smiles. Her eyes scan over my very normal and, might
long it takes before the madness begins. Because it will, I add, very clever outfit – jeans and a T-shirt. Ha!
you know. It always does. The fake smiles, the wannabe Nobody will ever suspect me now!
friends, the can-you-get-me-free-tickets-to-one-of- ‘Nice shoes,’ she whispers.
your-dad’s-concerts? I look down at my expensive platforms with the tan
‘Everything’s going to be fine,’ I tell her. She kisses me embroidered flowers. Oh no, I knew I shouldn’t have
and touches my cheek right before I get out of the car. worn these. Dead giveaway.
Then she’s off, leaving me alone with this whole new ‘Thanks,’ I say.
school, whole new situation to deal with. But this is what The teacher pauses in the roll taking.
I asked her for. To get away from my old life on the ‘Desert... McGraw?’ she says hesitantly.
road and tour tutors. So while the rest of the band is ‘Here.’
renting here during the recording, we’re staying for
good. I insisted on coming to this school because I want The teacher then smiles and introduces herself as
to meet real kids for a change. How about a kid with a Ms. Smigla. She talks a lot and eventually hands us our
mother who types from nine to five in an office? Or a course outlines. After we review them and she tells us
dad who cuts grass? That’d be so cool. So normal. all about books we’re required to read this year, she
actually gives us time to socialize! All teachers should
I walk in the school’s main office. realize the importance of this.
‘Hi, I need my schedule please,’ I tell the school ‘So why’d you move here?’ my new friend asks. Let’s
secretary. see, I have lots of choices here. Do I say it’s because I
‘Name?’ She looks about as friendly as an ice bucket. wanted a normal life away from cameras, reporters, and
‘Desert McGraw.’ the red carpet? Or the real reason, according to Dad?
‘Desirée?’ she makes a face, leaning her ear closer to ‘We need a change, Desert,’ he said, ‘and this is the
me. perfect place to record the new album. Energy, color,
‘Desert,’ I repeat. culture... just the essence our last album desperately
The secretary seems confused. ‘Oh,’ she says and types needed.’ Essence? Personally, I think he just wants to
‘McGraw’ on her keyboard. relax on the beach. Why else would they have picked
That’s one good thing. Few people ever recognize my South Beach Sounds, a recording studio two steps from
line 30 last name because my dad only goes by his stage name. the sand?
‘What grade?’
‘Eleventh.’ ‘My dad had to relocate,’ I tell her. Yes, lies always
‘One second, it’s printing,’ the secretary says. work better.
Then she rips the sheet at the perforation and hands it ‘What does he do?’ she pries. line 77
to me. English Literature, first period. English has Oh, whatever. Everyone’s going to find out eventually,
always been my favorite subject. I’ll be late, though. anyway. But at least I’ll have some time to fake
English is in Room 214, second floor. I studied the map normality until they do.
the night before, as I didn’t want to look like a complete ‘He’s an artist,’ I say, playing with the zipper on my
buffoon searching for my classes. When I get to the backpack.
door, I hear the teacher already taking roll. ‘Cool. I’m Becca, by the way.’
‘Aurelio Gonzalez.’ And she couldn’t have cared less. Excellent.
‘Here.’
31 What impression are we given of Desert’s mother?
A She wishes Desert would be more independent.
B She finds it hard to express what she really feels.
C She makes an effort to respond to Desert’s needs.
D She enjoys the press attention she normally receives.

32 Why does Desert say ‘That’s one good thing’ in line 30?
A The secretary believes ‘Desert’ is her real name.
B She had feared the school might not have her details.
C Her name does not reveal that she has a famous father.
D Her father chose not to use his surname in order to protect her.

33 How does Desert feel in the second paragraph?

A anxious to appear as if she knows what she is doing
B unconcerned that she may be late for her first class
C relieved she has got a place on an English course
D annoyed that the lesson is not in the room she expected

34 Why does Desert regret her choice of shoes?

A They give the impression that she doesn’t know what is suitable for school.
B They show that she is different from the other students.
C They appear to have cost more than they actually did.
D They don’t go well with the clothes she is wearing.

35 In the fourth paragraph, what do we learn about Desert’s attitude to her father?
A She doesn’t always believe what he says.
B She understands he is having a well-earned break.
C She sympathises with his need for inspiration.
D She doesn’t think he is working in the right place.

36 Desert uses the word pries in line 77 because she thinks Becca is being
A curious.
B irritating.
C sensitive.
D sympathetic.
Reading  Part 6
Questions 37 – 42
You are going to read an article about building a shelter for birdwatching. Six sentences have been
removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A – G the one which fits each gap (37 – 42).
There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

One-way ticket to Mars

A one-way ticket to another planet where there is no air, no water or food may not sound like a
lot of fun, but to an extraordinary number of people the opportunity to live permanently on Mars was
too tempting to ignore.
An ambitious project called Mars One Mission aims to send a group of men and women to Mars to
become the first inhabitants of a permanent space settlement there. Although only four successful
applicants will actually undertake the journey, around 200,000 people signed up for it. The organisers
were unprepared for such a high level of interest. 37 This is said to be due to the cost and
technical difficulty of equipping and fuelling a return journey.
Each applicant was charged a fee, which differed from country to country, but averaged around
$25. 38 This small financial penalty didn’t put off the tens of thousands who had clearly been
dreaming of the chance to go to Mars. The quality of the applicants was very high, according to Bas
Lansdorp, the Dutch entrepreneur who dreamed up the scheme. ‘We weren’t looking for perfect
individuals; we were looking to create a perfect team. Applicants had to be healthy, smart enough
to learn new skills and with the right character and attitude to function in a small group,’ he explained.
The aim was then to build teams of four people, with each team member coming from a different
continent, who would be able to handle the rigorous seven year training programme.
One team would then be chosen to make the year-long journey to Mars and billions of pounds
would need to be raised in order for them to do so. 39
In advance of the manned landing, rockets carrying food and other supplies will be sent to Mars.
Drinking water will have to be collected from the Martian soil by robotic explorers before the
astronauts are able to land. 40 Despite these dangers, Lansdorp insists that the mission will
be a success.
The flight will take seven to eight months and astronauts will spend that time crammed together
in a very small space, much smaller than the planned home base at the settlement on Mars. There
will be a regimented routine of three hours daily exercise in order to maintain muscle mass.
41 But it is believed the astronauts will endure it, such is their determination to go.
Of course, the biggest obstacle of all is likely to be the psychological anxiety of knowing that there
is no return journey no matter what happens. 42 Well, even if they do, there’s nothing anyone
can do about it!
A This, they were told, was to cover the E As Lansdorp puts it, ‘the risk is theirs and
administrative cost of the selection process. they can’t change their mind once they are
on their way.’

B It involves the potential nightmare of never F The intention is that this will be achieved
being able to come back home. through media sponsorship and by selling
the rights to televise the mission.

C This will be extremely demanding, pressing G High levels of radiation and toxic dust will
each of them to the very limits of their also need to be dealt with once they arrive.
training and capabilities.

D What made the response even more

surprising was that the privately-financed
plan does not include any chance of coming
home.
Reading  Part 7
Questions 43 – 52

You are going to read an article in which four people talk about the music listened to on car journeys
during their childhood. For questions 43 – 52, choose from the people (A – D). The people may be
chosen more than once.

Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Which person
says she no longer listens to a song she once loved? 43

mentions the effect that listening to particular music had on one of her parents? 44

thinks one of her parents welcomed the opportunity to choose music for car journeys? 45

has always associated the music from her childhood car journeys with travel? 46

was surprised to find they enjoyed a certain type of music? 47

thinks the variety of one parent’s choice of music was what made it so appealing? 48

says one of her parents is glad to have passed on their taste in music to her? 49

failed to realise that the music she was listening to wasn’t contemporary? 50

felt that one of the songs she listened to reflected her own circumstances? 51

created something based on the lyrics of a song? 52

 Music from childhood car journeys

A Alice C Chloë

At the start of every holiday, my father would At the start of a family holiday, my sister and
put on his special music CD featuring his all I were usually woken at dawn and driven to
time favourites, and it’s those same songs that some rainy part of the country. REM's album
come to mind whenever I’m setting off ‘Automatic for the People’ was our
somewhere new. We listened to complete soundtrack. I remember singing along
albums, too, but it was the mixed CD that happily to Michael Stipe's lyrics without any
made journeys speed by. You might think that idea of what they might mean, furiously
a mix of rock, classical, choral and pop should agreeing with sentiments of ‘Everybody
never be heard one after the other but that Hurts’ when life seemed to be treating me
was the beauty of it. Anyway, then a friend of unfairly (‘No Chloë, you can't have any more
mine, who thought he knew all about music, sweets …’). All through my childhood the
had a quick glance at the playlist on my ipod. album's gloomy lyrics meant a lot to me.
‘It must be so great,’ he said sarcastically, ‘to Whenever I caught a chorus of it I’d be
have absolutely no taste in music.’ At the time transported to those rainy early morning
I tried to pretend the ipod was my sister’s, but journeys. Never one to give in to our childish
now I'm proud of having inherited my father's requests (‘But I REALLY want to listen to the
eclectic taste and capacity to enjoy so many Spice Girls’) my mum seemed to delight in
different musical styles. being the family DJ, for once in total control
of what our young ears were listening to.

B Holly D Gillian

My mum and dad were big Beatles fans, and My father, who was Irish, wanted us to see
we used to listen to their albums in the car. his homeland and become familiar with what
My favourite was ‘Abbey Road’. It was the he considered to be the rich musical tradition
soundtrack to our car journeys when I was of his country. During the 12 hour car
little. The other day, having not heard it in a journey to visit family there, he insisted on
long time, I put the album on again. putting on some traditional Irish ballads to
Immediately, those journeys came back to me get us in the mood. We were prepared to be
in every detail. It was a weird feeling. The less than impressed but very soon we were
album is a natural one for a young child to like singing along to these very catchy tunes,
– ‘Octopus's Garden’ for example, is unaware of just how old they were and how
essentially, a children's song. In fact I was so uncool it might be to enjoy them so much. I
into it as a kid that I actually made a sea-life recently reminded my Dad of that old CD. He
costume and performed it for my family. I’m called later to tell me that he'd found it at
sorry to say I skipped over that track this time, the bottom of a drawer and put it on. There
but Abbey Road remains my favourite album. he’d sat, alone in his kitchen, getting tearful
My dad, of course, is delighted. over old Irish melodies and memories we’d
shared.
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Reading and Use of English

Part 1: © Lucy Crossley, Daily Mail 2013
Part 6: © Steve Connor, The Independent 2013
Part 7: © Alice Jones, Rhodri Marsden, Holly Williams, Tim Walker, Chloe Hamilton, Larry
Ryan and Gillian Orr, The Independent 2013