B1 READING COMPREHENSION
PART 1.
You are going to read an interview with Nicole. Match each answer (1-6) to the most suitable
question from the list, as in the example [0-X]. There are TWO extra questions that you do not
need to use.
NICOLE: AN AUSTRALIAN EXPAT LIVING AND WORKING IN SWEDEN
0. _____X______
I have changed over the years and become more Swedish, I find many of the values and ways of
life compatible with my own values. I love being outside, being in the forest, ice skating, being able
to swim everywhere in the summer, the seasons, the traditions and customs ( ….)
1. __________
Since 1995, but I was also here in 91-92 for about 15 months.
2. __________
Not sure - my partner is Canadian so we have several options. I really don't know where we will be
in 10 years’ time. Mostly it depends on our work.
3. __________
It is a beautiful place but the weather leaves a lot to be desired. It is relatively expensive but there
are lots of things you can do that don't cost a lot of money. (…)
4. __________
I was classified as an immigrant and had full coverage. There is also a mutual agreement between
Sweden and Australia so if you come from one country and are in the other you get the same
coverage as the locals.
5. __________
Try and be open minded. Remember people are not as they are at home and they have their
reasons for being that way - even if you never understand those reasons.
6. __________
A complex question - they love to speak English, (….). As I said, many have some sort of connection
to another country - a parent who comes from another country, family who have moved studies
abroad, etc. It is however good to know that they will rarely take the initiative to social contact -
they will not invite you over or out until they have known you quite a while and they will not ask a
lot of questions. (…).
QUESTIONS
X How have you adapted to life in Sweden?
A Do you have any plans for the future?
B How did you prepare for your life in Sweden?
C How long have you been living in Sweden?
D Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance?
E Were the Swedes nice to you when you first arrived?
F What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Sweden?
G What do you think about the Swedes?
H What piece of advice would you give to anyone interested in moving to a new country?
PARAGRAPHS HEADINGS
0 X
1
2
3
4
5
6
PART 2.
You are going to read an article about the man voted best-dressed on the internet. For
statements 7 to 12, decide if they are True (A) or False (B), as in the example 0-A.
THE BEST-DRESSED MAN
A man who has been voted best-dressed for two years by one of the web’s biggest fashion
communities has revealed he only spends $40 (£31.70) on clothes each week.
Joseph Knowles is a student from Vancouver and has taken the crown of best-dressed man for the
second year. Knowles, in his early 20s, regularly uploads images of his outfits in a thread called
“What are you wearing today? He’s undoubtedly a photogenic man with a physique that wears
clothes well, and his photos are good quality and well-composed, but it’s not just his skill at putting
together outfits that has impressed other users - Knowles has a real ability for creating stylish looks
on a budget. His secret? Charity shops. “I buy almost exclusively used clothing from no-name brands
and tailor my own stuff”.
He shops at least twice a week and takes the time to look through every item in each shop, including
the women’s sections and he believes the prints, patterns and fabrics are more interesting than
men’s clothing. Knowles has become an expert charity store shopper and can now find the pieces
worth considering simply by running his hand over the rail.
But it’s not only buying second-hand clothes that leaves Knowles looking so stylish - he makes
everything himself. After buying a sewing machine (at a charity shop, naturally), Knowles turned to
YouTube to learn how to use it, destroying “at least ten to 15 pairs” of trousers before successfully
creating anything wearable.
Currently applying to do a Masters in Physiotherapy, Knowles spends his free time writing, styling
and doing photography.
For a while, he followed the Reddit thread without posting anything, and it was only before going
on a date one evening that he decided to upload a snap of his outfit. It was “just to see if I was doing
something right, if I was doing something wrong,” he says. “The community in general was great at
giving feedback. It was a great learning point.” And it appears the student has become the master.
STATEMENTS A B
(True) (False)
0. The best-dressed man knows how to save on clothes X
7. Joseph Knowles won once a prize because of his clothes.
8. Joseph Knowles wears only designer clothes.
9. He finds women’s clothes quickly in charity shops.
10. His sewing machine was bought on the Internet.
11. He is now following his interests.
12. His success on the Internet was purely accidental.
PART 3. You are going to read an extract from a story by Louisa May Alcott. For questions 13-18,
choose the sentence from the list (A-I) that best fits each gap in the text. There are TW0 extra
sentences that you do not need to use.
Little Women
Little Women As we came down to breakfast that morning, with very shiny faces and clean aprons,
(0) E.
"Happy New Year, papa! Where is mother?" we cried. "A little boy came begging and said they were
starving at home, so your mother went to see. Here she is.
" As papa spoke, in came mamma, looking very cold, rather sad, and very much excited.
“(13) ________________ ," she cried; and we sat staring at her, with the breakfast untouched before
us. "Not far away from here, lies a poor woman with a little new-born baby. Six children are huddled
into one bed to keep from freezing, because they have no fire. (14) ________________, and the
oldest boy came here to tell me they were starving on this really cold day. My little girls, will you
give them your breakfast, as a New Year's gift?" (15) ________________, and looked at the nice,
hot porridge, creamy milk, and good bread and butter; for we were brought up like English children,
and never drank tea or coffee, or ate anything but porridge for our breakfast. "I wish we'd eaten it
up," thought I, (16) ________________, and very hungry. "I'm so glad you came before we began,"
said Nan, cheerfully. "May I go and help carry it to the poor, little children?" asked Beth, who had
the kindest heart that ever beat under a pinafore. "I can carry the lassy pot," said little May, proudly
giving the thing she loved best. "And I shall take all the porridge," I burst in, really ashamed of my
first feeling. "You shall put on your things and help me, and (17) ________________," said mother,
beginning to pile the bread and butter into a big basket. We were soon ready, and the procession
set out. (18) ________________ and coal on the other; mamma next, with a bundle of warm things
and the teapot; Nan and I carried a pail of hot porridge between us, and each a pitcher of milk; Beth
brought some cold meat; May the "lassy pot," and her old hood and boots; and Betsey, the girl,
behind with a bag of potatoes and some meal. Fortunately, it was early, and we went along back
streets, so few people saw us, and no one laughed at the funny party.
A. CHILDREN, DON'T BEGIN TILL YOU HEAR WHAT I HAVE TO SAY
B. FIRST, PAPA, WITH A BASKET OF WOOD ON ONE ARM
C. PAPA MADE A SPLENDID FIRE IN THE OLD FIREPLACE
D. THERE IS NOTHING TO EAT OVER THERE
E. WE FOUND FATHER ALONE IN THE DINING ROOM
F. WE SAT SILENT A MINUTE
G. WHAT A POOR, BARE, MISERABLE PLACE IT WAS
H. WHEN WE COME BACK, WE'LL GET SOMETHING TO EAT
I. BECAUSE I WAS RATHER A SELFISH CHILD
QUESTIONS 0 13 14 15 16 17 18
ANSWERS E
PART 4
You are going to read an article about learning English. There are eight gaps. For questions 19-
26, choose the option (a, b or c) that best fits in each statement, as in the example (0 – C).
How can I improve my English listening skill?
At many universities, for example, teachers talk for long (0) _____ of time in English. You also may
listen to recordings in English. Here are some things you can (19) _____ before, during and after this
kind of intensive listening.
Imagine that you will hear a lecture about rainforests. (20) _____ you listen, think of what you
already know. What kind of plants, animals or people live in rainforests? Are they in danger? Are
there any related English words that you know? These (21) _____ can help you get ready to listen.
As you listen, keep your brain active by asking yourself other questions like: “Am I following the
main points? What do I need to remember?” Be sure to take (22) _____ or record the lecture so you
can listen later. You will probably hear new words you do not understand. Write them down. Then
listen more (23) _____, does the speaker explain them? Is there a picture in the classroom or in your
textbook that shows their meanings? If not, use the other words around them to (24) _____. You
can find the definitions later.
Afterward, think about how much you understood. If you can, ask your teacher a question (25)
_____ whatever you did not understand. React to the lecture with your own (26) _____, even if you
only do this in your notes or with a classmate. Your reaction could be: “I think people should work
harder to protect rainforests.”
0. A. FRAGMENTS B. HOURS C. PERIODS
19. A. GUESS B. THINK C. TRY
20. A. AFTER B. AS SOON AS C. BEFORE
21. A. FACTS B. QUESTIONS C. SKILLS
22. A. INFORMATION B. NOTES C. OPINIONS
23. A. CAREFULLY B. HARDLY C. QUIETLY
24. A. FIND B. GUESS C. LOOK
25. A. ABOUT B. FOR C. OF
26. A. EMOTIONS B. IDEAS C. WORDS
GAP 0 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
ANSWERS C
