PLACEMENT TEST

GENERAL DIRECTIONS
The Placement Test has three sections: Listening, Reading, and Language Use. There are 70 items in all.
You are allowed 50 minutes to complete the test.

In Section I: Listening, you will hear nine conversations and complete one or more items about each one.
Before you listen to a conversation, read the situation and the following item or items. Then listen to
the conversation. Complete the items after the conversation ends. Choose the correct answer for each
item, and fill in your choice on your answer sheet. You will hear the conversation only once. The first
conversation is an example. There are 20 items, and you have 15 minutes to complete this section.

Section II: Reading has several short passages. After you read each passage, choose the correct answer
for each item and fill in your choice on your answer sheet. There are 20 items, and you have 20 minutes
to complete this section.

Section III: Language Use has 30 items. Choose the correct answer for each item and fill in your choice
on your answer sheet. You have 15 minutes to complete this section.

Mark your answers clearly on your answer sheet. If you want to change an answer, erase your first answer
completely. If you want to take notes during the test, write on the paper you were given.

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 PLACEMENT TEST
SECTION I: LISTENING
In this section of the test, you will hear conversations and complete the information about them.
For each conversation, first read the situation and the item or items. Then listen to the conversation.
Complete the items after you hear the conversation. Choose the correct answer (a, b, c, or d) and mark
it on your answer sheet.

Read the example situation and the item.

Example Situation: A man is asking a woman for directions.

The Science Museum .

a isn’t near the hospital
b is on the left side of the street
c is two blocks from the hospital
d and the hospital are on the same street

Now listen to the example conversation. A man is asking a woman for directions.

[LISTEN TO THE EXAMPLE CONVERSATION.]

Now choose the best answer to complete the item.

The correct answer is d, “and the hospital are on the same street.” The letter d is filled in on your
answer sheet.

Now go to Section I: Listening, on page 18, to begin the test.

There are 20 items, and you will have 15 minutes to complete the section.
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 Situation 1: Emily and Jason are talking about work.

1 Emily .
a works at a café
b never goes to the mall
c works every weekend
d goes to the mall every day

Situation 2: Jessica is buying clothes.

2 Jessica .
a is buying a dress and a skirt
b thinks the skirts are expensive
c can’t find a red skirt
d pays $30 for the skirt

Situation 3: Rachel and Michael are talking in a mall.

3 Rachel and Michael .

a are having lunch together
b are buying gifts for their children
c are busy tomorrow afternoon
d are going to meet again tomorrow

Situation 4: Andrew is talking to a waitress at a restaurant.

4 Andrew .

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a didn’t enjoy the food
b ate just a little pasta
c ordered a salad
d didn’t like the dressing

5 The waitress .
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a can make the salad dressing
b is going to talk to the chef
c doesn’t offer a dessert to Andrew
d is going to bring Andrew some coffee

The test continues on page 19.

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 Situation 5: Laura is talking to her father about a health problem.

6 Laura .
a hit her head in a basketball game
b ate some bad food at school yesterday
c has a horrible pain in her stomach
d has a very bad headache

7 Laura’s father .
a has a stomachache too
b offers to take her to the doctor
c is going to call a doctor
d wants to rest a little

Situation 6: Jack is talking to his friend Olivia on the phone.

8 When Jack called Olivia, she .

a couldn’t hear him because of a bad connection
b was in a noisy area, but she moved
c was at the bus stop with her friend Katie
d was on her way to see a play

9 Jack .
a thought the movie was not very exciting
b thought the movie had too much action
c thinks Olivia shouldn’t see the movie
d is going out with Olivia and Katie on Friday
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The test continues on page 20.

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Placement Test 19
 Situation 7: Amanda is meeting her friend Patrick at a café.

10 Amanda and Patrick .

a last met in January
b went to a concert together
c haven’t seen each other since April
d have been spending a lot of time together lately

11 Amanda .
a has found a new job
b is looking for another job
c finds her work too challenging
d has been having problems at work

12 Patrick .
a has been learning Spanish
b isn’t enjoying his cooking class very much
c has been all over the world lately
d wants to cook for Amanda and Jim

Situation 8: Nicole is talking to her teacher, Mr. Kushner, about her exam grade.

13 Mr. Kushner .
a thought that Nicole was disappointed with her grade
b doesn’t think Nicole knows about his rules
c usually lets students take exams a second time
d thinks that Nicole will get a better grade next time

14 Nicole thinks that she got a low grade because .

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a she only had time to answer the reading questions
b she didn’t get a grade on the reading section
c she forgot to answer the reading questions
d she did badly on the reading section

15 In the end, Mr. Kushner .

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a wasn’t able to help Nicole
b asked Nicole not to miss an exam again
c apologized to Nicole for the problem
d realized that Nicole’s exam was missing

The test continues on page 21.

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 Situation 9: Lisa is talking to Eric about her job interview.

16 After Lisa’s interview, she felt .

a more optimistic than she did before
b she was well prepared for it
c uncertain about it
d her answers sounded very confident

17 During the interview, Lisa .

a recognized that she’s an impatient person
b said she tended to be too positive about things
c admitted she didn’t enjoy working on big projects
d boasted that she always met her deadlines

18 According to Eric, can make a person seem intelligent.

a taking less time to answer a question
b staying calm throughout an interview
c speaking naturally and showing no anxiety
d pausing before saying something

19 Lisa .
a thinks she could find a much better job
b usually believes in miracles
c expects to be offered the position
d feels frustrated about the situation

20 Eric .
a agrees with Lisa’s views on her performance at the interview
b thinks people naturally have a good opinion about Lisa
c is concerned that Lisa might quit her job
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d advises her not to be so proud of herself

This is the end of Section I: Listening.

Go to page 23 and begin Section II: Reading.
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Placement Test 21
 PLACEMENT TEST
SECTION II: READING
In this section of the test, you will read some short passages and complete the information about them.
For each item, choose the correct answer (a, b, c, or d) and mark it on your answer sheet. There are
20 items, and you will have 20 minutes to complete this section.

Passage 1: An email, Subject: Greetings from Florida!

Hi, Sara.

I’m visiting my sister in Florida. It’s very warm and nice here. Every morning, I go to the beach and swim.
Sometimes my sister comes home early, and we play tennis in the afternoon. And we always go for a long
walk after that. I’m having a great time!

Love,

Heather

21 Heather every day.

a swims
b plays tennis
c comes home early
d walks with her sister

Passage 2: Helen is getting married and I’m tired.

This has been a crazy week! One of my friends is getting married on Saturday, and I’m helping her with
the reception. It’s not going to be a big party, but I still have to do a lot of things. For example, I chose the
songs last week, but the band is playing them for me tonight. I bought the flowers today, but I have to
pick them up on Friday. I’m tired. Can someone help me, please?!
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22 The writer .
a is singing tonight
b is buying flowers on Friday
c listened to a band a week ago
d is going to a party this weekend
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The test continues on page 24.

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 Passage 3: The Whitney Museum of American Art

The Whitney is one of the most famous art museums in New York City. It first opened in 1931 in
Greenwich Village, and then it moved to two different places in 1954 and 1966. Since 2015, this museum
of American art has been in a new building downtown. The new space is larger and more modern, and it
has beautiful views of the Hudson River from its windows and café. Visit it next time you are in the city.

23 The Whitney Museum .

a shows art from many countries
b moved to a smaller place in 2015
c has a place to eat and great views
d was in the same building since 1931

Passage 4: Is sitting unhealthy?

If you have been sitting in an office for a long period of time, stand up and move for your health.
Research has shown that too much sitting might cause higher blood pressure, add body fat, and increase
the danger of death from heart disease. Studies have also suggested that moving more has a positive
effect on a person’s health. So, what can an office worker do? Experts say that you should take a break
from sitting every 30 minutes, stand more while working, and even walk when meeting with coworkers.
Moving might save your life.

24 The article suggests that .

a there is very little research about the effects of sitting
b sitting for a long time might be dangerous for your health
c office workers live longer than other types of workers
d people do not usually like to walk and exercise

25 According to the article, office workers should .

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a stop working every half hour
b not work in an office if possible
c only stand or walk when you work
d move more to avoid serious heart problems

The test continues on page 25. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2020

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 Passage 5: A changing neighborhood – for better or for worse?

Recently, an international online retailer opened an enormous, brand-new office in our neighborhood.
Until then, there hadn’t been any major companies or huge buildings like this in the area – just small
family-owned businesses. So, obviously, there has been a lot of discussion about it lately.
Some people say the company is creating jobs and will attract other new businesses, but others
complain that most of the new jobs will be low-paying. These people also believe that rising costs will
push out independent businesses and make the neighborhood too expensive for its current residents.
I can’t make up my mind whether the company will be a benefit for the neighborhood or not. It’s a
complicated issue, and I’m not sure there is a right or wrong answer. What do you think?

26 The author of the blog post believes that .

a there may be both positive and negative consequences
b the changes will be helpful for most workers from the region
c there will soon be many more big companies in the neighborhood
d the changes will be mostly harmful for people who live in the area

27 Some people think the company will help the area because it will .
a create a greater number of jobs with excellent salaries
b make the area more interesting to other companies
c lower the cost of living in the neighborhood
d replace smaller stores with larger ones

The test continues on page 26.

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Placement Test 25
 Passage 6: An inspiring story

When Alex McGovern was in high school, he used to earn money working weekends at a local bakery.
After working there for several months, helping bake fresh bread and cakes, Alex noticed a familiar
pattern: a huge amount of food was thrown away at the end of each day. It was food that the bakery
could no longer sell, but it was still good enough to eat. So Alex began to wonder what he could do with
all of this extra food.
With the bakery owner’s permission, he reached out to a local organization that worked with families
who need help with food and housing. The charity was extremely pleased and arranged to pick up the
extra food each day. Now bread was no longer wasted, but generously shared with people in need.
Alex’s idea was such a success that he began approaching other local restaurants about joining the
program. Before long, there were over a dozen businesses taking part, and Alex created a website to
grow the program in other cities. Today Alex’s “simple” idea is helping feed people all over the country!

28 Alex’s original goal at the bakery was to .

a eat free bread and cake
b learn to be a baker
c make money
d help people

29 Alex got his idea .

a when he saw how much food was wasted
b while he was baking some fresh bread
c from the owner of the bakery
d from a local organization

30 The bakery owner .

a thought that Alex’s plans wouldn’t work
b allowed Alex to give away the extra bread
c helped Alex create a website for the organization

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d didn’t care about the families assisted by the charity

31 The extra food was .

a sold by Alex
b bought by the charity
c delivered by the bakery Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2020
d picked up by the organization

The test continues on page 27.

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 Passage 7: Some thoughts on your online profile

In many ways, the internet has made it easier than ever to find out about new job opportunities.
Yet, as companies increasingly examine candidates’ social media profiles for information to use in the
selection process, people need to be aware of the risks and rewards of posting online. The views they
express—and the ways they choose to express them—can be a crucial factor in whether or not they
receive an offer of employment.
Many young adults, who have grown up with social media and are comfortable sharing their lives
online, don’t realize how employers are using social media in hiring decisions. These companies don’t just
consider information about a person’s online behavior; they may even gather information about friends
and family. Some fear that employers may judge candidates based on factors such as their medical
history, age, or even beliefs.
While there is currently debate about what information companies are allowed to legally collect or use
for hiring decisions, everyone agrees that people need to be careful about what they post online. Your
behavior on social media could cost you your current position or job opportunities in the future.
So, should job applicants erase their social media accounts completely? According to Professor John
Sacks of the Better Hiring Institute, “It would be better to make sure you have a strong professional profile
that emphasizes your qualifications. Not having any social media might send the message that you
have something to hide.” In other words, take the time to create an attractive profile on a career site and
carefully consider everything you post online.

32 This article is aimed primarily at .

a employers
b college students
c potential job candidates
d social media organizations

33 According to the author, some people may not realize .

a the effect of their online behavior on friends and family
b how their online profiles can affect hiring decisions
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c what information companies cannot legally collect

d if their online profile looks professional enough

34 One way of increasing your chances of getting a good job is .

a not keeping a profile online
b expressing your opinions in a honest way
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c having a profile that clearly shows your skills

d being secretive about what you share online

35 The author online personal information to make hiring decisions.

a is against companies using
b is in favor of the practice of using
c believes it does not matter if employers use
d does not say whether it is good or bad to use

The test continues on page 28.

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 Passage 8: Sleep deprivation

If you can sleep well, be grateful. Sleep deprivation is extremely common, and its side effects are both
serious and underappreciated. It is estimated that 50–70 million people in the U.S. suffer from a sleep
disorder, and yet too many of them do not seek medical help. Although occasional sleep interruptions
are generally no more than a nuisance, continuous lack of sleep can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness,
emotional difficulties, poor job performance, and even obesity.
Sleep deprivation also impacts mental well-being. A study done by the U.K. Mental Health Foundation
found that people who didn’t get enough sleep were about three times more likely to exhibit poor
concentration and four times more likely to have relationship problems. According to another study, by
the University of Warwick, getting less than six hours of sleep on a continuous basis makes a person 48%
more likely to die of heart disease and 15% more likely to develop a stroke. According to study co-author
Professor Francesco Cappuccio, lack of sleep “is like a ticking time bomb for your health.”
If a person is experiencing difficulties falling and staying asleep, there are several effective methods
that can help and do not require medication. These include relaxation techniques, like tightening and
relaxing muscles, breathing slowly, and meditating; stimulation control, which involves controlling
pre-bedtime activities and surroundings; and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), designed to help people
understand and change their thought patterns. If sleep deprivation and negative symptoms continue,
however, consultation with a doctor is recommended. It’s essential not to underestimate the importance
of adequate sleep to maintaining good mental and physical health.

36 The main idea of the article is that .

a lack of sleep can have significant health consequences
b sleeping is not as essential as people used to think
c people underestimate how much sleep they need
d relaxation techniques are important for a good night’s sleep

37 According to the article, many people with sleeping disorders .

a breathe more slowly c do not speak to their doctor about it
b do cognitive behavioral therapy d usually practice healthy sleeping habits

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38 The article suggests that good sleepers .
a can focus better c are able to sleep during the day
b often get about eight hours of good sleep d do not have heart problems

39 Professor Cappuccio found that .

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a sleep-deprived people have more c research from the Mental Health Foundation
relationship problems was incorrect
b sleep deprivation might make people d lack of sleep is just a minor nuisance
critically ill

40 The article says that people experiencing sleep difficulties can .

a lose some weight c immediately find medical help
b take some types of medicine d try methods that help them fall and stay asleep

This is the end of Section II: Reading.

Go to page 29 and begin Section III: Language Use.

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 PLACEMENT TEST
SECTION III: LANGUAGE USE
This section of the test is about the use of English. For each item, choose the correct answer (a, b, c, or d) and
mark it on your answer sheet. There are 30 items, and you will have 15 minutes to complete this section.

41 My daughter sometimes to school with her friends.

a walk
b walks
c walking
d not walk

42 eat dinner on Sundays?

a Where your family
b How is your family
c When your family do
d What time does your family

43 a lot of people in the park today.

a There
b There’s
c There are
d There is no

44 , but I’m not very good.

a I can play the guitar
b I don’t play the guitar
c I play the guitar very well
d I can’t play the guitar well
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45 We had a nice vacation. The weather beautiful.

a did
b was
c does
d were
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The test continues on page 30.

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 46 Tom home right now. He’s still at the office.
a isn’t driving
b doesn’t drive
c didn’t drive
d drives

47 Is it true? a grandparent yesterday?

a Are you becoming
b Does she become
c Did he become
d They became

48 I go to the gym evenings. I only don’t go on the weekend.

a some
b most
c all of the
d many of the

49 Susan’s cousin is player on our soccer team.

a bad
b best
c worse
d the worst

50 Our neighbor the screen of his phone twice last year.

a breaks
b is breaking
c has broken
d broke

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The test continues on page 31.

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 51 A: I can’t forget to make a reservation at the restaurant before noon.
B: Don’t worry. you.
a I’m reminding
b I’ve reminded
c I’ll remind
d I remind

52 We for a hotel when the storm began.

a search
b will search
c have searched
d were searching

53 If you concentrate on your work, you usually waste a lot of time.

a don’t
b won’t
c didn’t
d couldn’t

54 I’m exhausted. to fix this machine since I got here this morning.
a I try
b I’ll try
c I tried
d I’ve been trying

55 Several bridges during the earthquake last year.

a badly damaged
b were badly damaged
c have badly damaged
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d were badly damaging

The test continues on page 32.

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 56 The agency that our ideas for the poster seem a little old-fashioned.
a believes
b is believing
c was believed
d has been believing

57 Superhero movies are a kind of entertainment really attracted to.

a which
b I’m not
c who they
d that aren’t

58 More support to groups dealing with environmental issues.

a is providing
b might provide
c must be provided
d should be providing

59 Employees show their ID cards, or they couldn’t have access to the research facilities.
a were required to
b were allowed to
c didn’t have to
d could

60 Our math teacher made a hundred math problems in one hour.

a us to solve
b be solved
c us solve
d solve

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The test continues on page 33.

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 61 The process be very time-consuming before they launched the new system.
a might
b would
c ought to
d used to

62 After some time together, those on John’s team learned not to underestimate .
a each other
b himself
c another
d itself

63 The man next door asked me keep an eye on his apartment while he was away.
a I can
b would I
c if I could
d whether will I

64 Our niece is very hardworking and determined. She has never had any trouble her exams.
a to pass
b passing
c passed
d pass

65 If they the damage more carefully, they would have found these other problems.
a would assess
b had assessed
c have assessed
d would have assessed
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The test continues on page 34.

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Placement Test 33
 66 By this time next Monday, a new head of the sales department.
a we hire
b we’re hiring
c we’ll have hired
d we have been hiring

67 The consultants proposed a number of alternatives, the firm disregarded.

a much of what
b many of which
c some of whom
d none of whose

68 What a couple of relaxing days at an unspoiled beach.

a they actually plan
b did they actually plan
c they actually planned was
d have they actually planned are

69 We felt genuinely shocked. Never again at such an overrated place.

a ate we
b we will eat
c did eat we
d would we eat

70 Authorities recommend that everyone the highway until repairs are completed.
a avoid
b avoided
c would avoid
d is going to avoid

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END OF TEST

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