Candidate Number

Candidate Name ______________________________________________

INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING SYSTEM

General Training Reading

PRACTICE TEST 1 hour

Time 1 hour

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

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

There are 40 questions on this question paper.

Each question carries one mark.

© British Council. All rights reserved. 1

SECTION 1 Questions 1–14

Read the text below and answer Questions 1–7.

A. Seaview BnB

Charming, quiet little bed and breakfast hotel directly opposite the beach.
Warm welcome from local husband and wife proprietors Bill and Jenny Pearce
guaranteed. Just £85 per room per night. Price includes half-board (2 meals).

B. Cosy Cottages

17th century cottages with thatched roof. Perfect for a genuine old-English
experience. Set in beautiful countryside on the outskirts of the town. Peaceful
environment. Self-catering. Available from just £400 per week.

C. Family Stay U.K.

Opportunities to get to know local people. 3-7 day stays in rooms in the homes
of local families at great rates. Be treated as one of the family. From just £30
per night. Meals available upon request at an additional rate.

D. Home from Home

No-frills hotel chain, great value for money. Clean, quiet, comfortable place to
relax after a long day of seeing the sights. Single, Double and 3-bed rooms.
Rooms available from £25 per night. Advance booking advisable. No breakfast.

E. Hampson’s Holiday Park

Something for all ages! Wide range of clubs and activities, sports, fishing, even
a golf course. Only 10 minutes’ walk from the beach. Great value - from just
£300 per week for a 4-bed holiday trailer. Call us today!

F. Hostel Planet

Voted coolest place to stay in town by a national website last year. Great place
to get to know people from all over the world. Tours of the town and a whole
range of other activities available. Choice of 10-bed and 16-bed rooms. Beds
from £15 per night.

© British Council. All rights reserved. 2

 G. Best View Hotel

National 3-star hotel chain. Good value for money, including free parking and
breakfast. Spacious and quiet, and we are located close to the main beach. We
advise our guests to book early to avoid disappointment. Rooms from £70 per
night.

H. The Grand Hotel

Originally opened in 1911, offers guests a touch of quality. High-grade service,

fine dining options and classically designed rooms. Follow in the footsteps of
many famous people who have stayed here, such as Churchill and Chaplin.
Prices available upon request.

© British Council. All rights reserved. 3

Questions 1-7

Look at the eight accommodation options in a seaside town, A-H, above and read the
descriptions of the people below.

Write the correct letter, A-H, in boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet

What is the most suitable holiday accommodation for each person?

1 A family of four who want to stay somewhere with lots of different things for everyone to
do.

2 A wealthy retired couple who don’t mind spending a bit more when they travel on holiday.

3 A group of three overseas students who are travelling around the country together, and
want to keep their expenses down.

4 Two female friends from the U.S.A. who want to stay somewhere traditional.

5 A Canadian tourist traveling alone who likes to socialize with other travelers.

6 A couple of friends from India who are traveling around by hire car and like to stay
somewhere near to scenic spots.

7 A middle-aged man who likes to stay in a place which provides breakfast and dinner at no
extra charge.

© British Council. All rights reserved. 4

Read the text below and answer Questions 8–14.

VISIT TORQUAY!

Still deciding where to take the family for your summer holiday this year? Then look no
further than Torquay! Located around an east-facing natural harbour on the English channel,
the town is full of surprises, with its magnificent bay, palm trees and sweeping sandy
beaches.

Delightful dining options

Torquay is an absolute heaven for foodies with a collection of seriously good eating
experiences, from celebrated restaurants to award-winning fish and chips. You’ll love the
seafood diners with fish sourced from nearby Brixham’s famous Fish Market. Families are
well catered for with plenty of family friendly eateries just a short distance from the attractive
harbour.

Families and Fun

The perfect place for families, the town has a huge number of sights and things to do. For
example Living Coasts, an amazing marine zoo next to the harbor with a pair of dolphins,
attracts visitors from all over the country. In addition, the world famous detective writer
Agatha Christie was born in Torquay and a walking trail and museum give fans a unique look
into her life story. Boat trips around the bay and to nearby Dartmouth, Waves Leisure Pool
and the amazing Kents Cavern, one of Europe’s top Stone Age cave sites, are just a few of
the other attractions.

Soak up the sights

The views from the lovely Royal Terrace Gardens are wonderful, with the magnificent new
lighted staircase a real treat after dark. From here, you can see right across the bay to
Brixham. Torquay is part of the English Riviera, a unique area whose natural beauty has real
‘wow’ factor.

Strolling and Walking

The spectacular landscape around the town will make you want to explore further and there
are 22 miles of coastal footpath to enjoy. Take a stroll behind the famous Imperial Hotel and
you’ll enjoy delightful views of the coastline. Go for a walk in the other direction and you’ll

© British Council. All rights reserved. 5

pass some lovely scenery and catch sight of a steam train. You can also visit the traditional
English village of Cockington, which is located in a pretty valley close to the town.

Beaches and water activities

The town’s sheltered bay makes it perfect for a wide choice of activities including diving,
sailing, surfing and water skiing. Or why not just bring your bucket and spade and build a
giant sandcastle? Alternatively, just kick back and relax with a spot of sunbathing.

Evening Entertainment

The town comes alive in the evening with pretty lights all around the town. In addition to a
wealth of dining choices, there’s a great range of entertainment options. You can enjoy a
non-stop party in the popular clubs, or why not book a top quality show at the Princess
Theatre, one of many around the Bay?

So, what are you waiting for? Visit Torquay!

© British Council. All rights reserved. 6

Questions 8-14

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 8-14 on your answer sheet.

Torquay is a coastal town in the U.K. with a famous 8._________which attracts many boats.

The town has a good selection of places to eat out; 9._____________is a local delicacy.

There are a lot of places for families, such as the 10._____________which has a lot of sea
creatures.

The 11._______________is a popular sight in town, especially at night.

With such a long coast, it’s a good idea to go 12.__________ to enjoy more attractive views.

If you don’t feel like doing anything active then 13. ____________ is a good choice.

In the evening, there are numerous 14.__________where you can see a live performance.

© British Council. All rights reserved. 7

SECTION 2 Questions 15 –27

Read the text below and answer questions 15-20

Business Emails: The Importance of Structure

Because of the volume we send and receive, and because they are often
misinterpreted, it's important to write emails clearly and concisely. So, what's the key
to keeping them short? Well, the best way to go about it is to use a standard
structure, which is a regular template to follow. As well as keeping your emails short,
this also helps you to produce them more quickly. Over time, you'll develop a
structure that works for you, and in the meantime in this article I will provide one to
get you started.
The structure of the template contains a number of stages, so let's look at each of
these in more detail.
Greeting. This is the first line of the email. ‘Hi, [First Name]’ is a typical greeting.
Compliment or pleasantry. When you're emailing someone for the first time, then a
compliment makes an excellent opener. For example:
• I enjoyed your presentation about [topic] on [date].
• It was good to meet you at [event].
If you're writing to someone you know, then use a pleasantry instead. This is typically
a variation on ‘I hope you're well.’ Alternatively, you can say thank you for something
they've helped you with or for information they sent in a previous email.
The reason for your email. In this section you say, ‘I'm emailing to ask about...’, or, 'I
was wondering if you could help with...’. You'll sometimes need two sentences to
explain your reasons for writing.
A call to action. After you've explained your reason for sending, don't assume the
recipient will know what to do. Provide specific instructions. For example:
• Could you send me those files by Thursday?
• Could you write that up in the next two weeks?
Structuring your request as a question encourages the recipient to get back to you.
Alternatively, you can use the line ‘let me know if that's okay with you.’
Closing. Before you sign off your email, be sure to include a closing line. This has the
dual purpose of repeating your call to action, and of making the recipient feel good.
Examples of good closing lines include:
• Thank you for all your help with this.
• Let me know if you have any questions.
Sign-off. Again, this is an appropriate way to show respect to the person you are
writing to - it could be ‘Best Wishes’, ‘Kind Regards’, or ‘Thanks’. You should always
follow your sign-off with your name.

© British Council. All rights reserved. 8

Questions 15-20

Complete the sentences below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 15-20 on your answer sheet.

15. The fact that emails are easily _____________ is one reason why structure is important.

16. A ____________ shows respect by praising the recipient in some way.

17. A ____________is another way to begin an email.

18. Using a ____________gives the recipient a reason to reply.

19. It is useful to ___________the required action before ending the email.

20. A ___________is a polite method for bringing the message to a close.

© British Council. All rights reserved. 9

Read the text below and answer questions 21-27

Preparing a Negotiating Strategy

There are basic principles that apply to every negotiation. The first offer is usually the most
important and the benchmark by which all subsequent proposals will be judged and
compared. You'll never get what you don't ask for, so make your first offer bold and
aggressive. The asking price is just that, and will typically include a margin to give away
during negotiations. You want to take all of that and hopefully more, so start lower than the
seller expects. As long as your offer is not ridiculous, the other side will continue the talks in
hopes of settling at a better number.

As a buyer, do not disclose your budget or other limitations in your negotiating position. You
want the best product you can get for your money, so employ an approach that maintains
the possibility of spending less than you had originally planned. Always have something to
trade without hurting your position. For example, consider including some nice-to-have
items that aren't critical to the success of the project. If the buyer takes those out to reduce
the overall cost, you haven't lost anything but it may help them to reach their price target.
Such distractions will help to divert the other party from attacking the meat of your proposal.

Watch for clues such as body movement, speech patterns and reactions to what you say.
Be prepared to suspend or cancel proceedings if you feel things are getting nowhere or the
other party seems stuck in their position. If they are on the hook to cut a deal, they will feel
the pressure to move. Be patient even if the other party isn't. This can be difficult for those
with a passion for instant gratification, but the last thing you want is for the other party to
think you're in a hurry to conclude negotiations.

From a contractual standpoint, a counteroffer automatically supersedes all previous offers.

Once a proposal is made from your side, you should expect it to be accepted or rejected, or
to receive a counteroffer that keeps the negotiation open. If it is rejected and you are asked
to submit a new and better offer, do not fall into that trap. That would be tantamount to
negotiating with yourself, and you should never do this. If the last offer on the table is yours,
always insist on a counteroffer to force the other party to move their position before you
make another proposal.

© British Council. All rights reserved. 10

Questions 21-27

Complete the sentences below.

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer. There may be more than one
possible answer.

Write your answers in boxes 21-27 on your answer sheet.

Preparing a negotiating strategy

l Be as 21.__________ as possible during the initial stage.

l Never reveal your 22.____________.
l Have some items you can easily 23._________.
l Gestures and other body language are important 24.___________.
l If the talks are not moving forward, be ready to 25. _________them.
l Remaining 26.________when the other side are under pressure to act can be an effective
tactic.
l Never put yourself at a disadvantage by 27.____________with yourself.

© British Council. All rights reserved. 11

SECTION 3 Questions 28–40

Read the text below and answer questions 28-40.

The History of ‘O.K.’

A. There is an English word used with such regularity the world over that it doesn’t
need to be spoken - a simple hand gesture will suffice. So well-known is the word
that it surprises many to learn that it did not exist until 200 years ago. It is the word
‘OK’.

B. From its early days the term has always been used informally, which may
explain the variations in its spelling that have come about over the years. While
some publications prefer ‘okay’, others prefer ‘OK’, ‘O.K.’, ‘ok’ or ‘o.k.’. There has
never been any consensus on whether it should be written as a full word or in
shortened form; whether certain letters should be large or small; or whether there is
a need for full stops after each letter. How the word is presented to readers in print
has thus depended on the in-house style choices made by specific magazines,
newspapers and institutions.

C. Numerous possible explanations have been proposed for how OK entered the
English language, but a common thread linking these theories is that it most likely
originated in the U.S.A. during the early nineteenth century. An account that is
accepted by many language experts is that it was originally one of a number of
humorous abbreviations used by newspaper journalists and editors. For instance,
‘NG’ meant ‘no go’, while ‘OK’ was based on ‘all correct’ (‘Ol Korrect’). Another
theory traces the source of the word back to slaves from West Africa; the word ‘o
ke’.

D. The word first rooted itself in public consciousness in the U.S.A. during 1840
Presidential election. The Democratic presidential candidate was Martin Van Buren,
and on the campaign trail it was considered that having a Dutch name might prove a
challenge. Consequently, one of his backers, the former President Jackson,
suggested the nickname ‘OK’, which is likely to have been a reference to the
candidate’s home town, ‘Old’ Kinderhook. Thereafter, following the nationwide
publicizing of the term in such a high profile event by a former U.S. President, OK
became a popular expression across the land.

E. ‘OK’ has gone on to become a word which can fulfil a variety of functions in both
written and spoken communication. For example, it can be utilised as an adjective to
mean both ‘good’ and ‘not so good’ (such as, It’s OK, but I still prefer the other one).
It can also be an adverb (The interview went OK). More recently, it has even been
used as a noun (The boss gave his OK) and as a verb (She has okayed the colour).
It is also commonly uttered while listening to another person speaking, to indicate
that one is following the message.

F. The meaning the word conveys depends greatly on tone used. Someone might
yell, ‘OK!’ In a manner that shows excitement, while, in contrast, teenagers often
use it in an irritated voice to intimate forcefully that their sensitivities have been
offended. Adding to its versatility, ‘OK’ might suggest an explicit willingness to take
action, but on the other hand might also express vagueness. For example, one
might say it to acknowledge that one has heard something, while the other party

© British Council. All rights reserved. 12

 might assume that one is indicating that one has agreed to take a particular course
of action.

G. With the global spread of English during the twentieth century, ‘OK’ has become
a universal tool of communication. It is one of the first English words that people
learn, and is not only used when communicating with native speakers, but has also
been incorporated into many other languages. These developments can be
attributed to the influence of English-language, especially American, media
worldwide. It is certainly very unusual for an American movie or television show with
a contemporary setting to avoid the term, and it is also commonly heard in the song
lyrics of music fashionable with young people.

H. Even in places where no English is spoken, the ‘OK’ gesture has generally
become a universally recognized symbol, made by connecting the thumb and index
finger into a circle (the ‘O’) and holding the other three fingers straight and relaxed in
the air (the ‘K’). However, the sign may also have adverse meanings – for example
that the other person is a ‘zero’ (nothing). This means it should be used carefully in
an unfamiliar culture. As the world’s most commonly-used word, it will usually be
safer and more effective to speak first, if you want to make sure things go ‘OK’.

© British Council. All rights reserved. 13

Questions 28-33

The text above has eight paragraphs, A-H.

Which paragraphs contain the following information?

Write the appropriate letters, A-H, in boxes 28-33 on your answer sheet.

28 speculations about the beginnings of the word

29 the flexibility of the word in the English language

30 editorial confusion in using the word

31 the origins of its widespread use

32 its usefulness as a way to express different moods

33 the use of the word in popular culture

Questions 34-37

Answer the questions below.

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 34-37 on your answer sheet.

34. One theory about the word ‘OK’ is that it was based on which two words?

35. The 1840 U.S. Presidential Candidate Martin Van Buren was nicknamed ‘O.K.’ for what
reason?

36. When did ‘OK’ become popular outside the U.S.A.?

37. The ‘OK’ sign is made with which two fingers?

© British Council. All rights reserved. 14

Questions 38-40

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter in boxes 38-40 on your answer sheet.

38. The use of ‘O.K.’ in published form depends on

A which country the text is produced in

B the decisions of the particular publishing house

C what the writer intends to express

D the position of the word within a sentence

39. The reason the word ‘OK’ became so commonly-used after the 1840 election was that

A with so many people arriving in the country it was a simple and easy word to use

B the word was seen as humorous and used in many jokes

C the word became famous after being used by a former President

D a book was published which used the word in its title

40. The word ‘OK’ can sometimes express an attitude of vagueness because

A the word is so short and has many possible meanings

B the way in which the word is used depends on the mood of the speaker

C it contains the letter ‘O’ which can mean ‘zero’ or ‘nothing’

D the listener might just be showing that they understand the message

© British Council. All rights reserved. 15

© The British Council 2012. All rights reserved. 15