Skills Test Units 4–5
READING
A Read the article, then complete the sentences with a word from the text. An example (0) has been done for you.
Hard Work – Is It Good for Us?
I’m a workaholic. I admit it. I work hard and I play hard. I see it as a challenge and one that I’m keen to meet.
Tiredness is weakness, I’ll stop when I’ve achieved what I set out to do and not before. This may involve
skipping meals, working late and even cancelling social appointments when I’m up against a particularly
tight deadline.
And I’m not alone in this way of thinking. The New York Times calls it ‘performative workaholism’. Apparently
members of this group encourage like-minded individuals to work harder and harder until the job’s done.
I agree with the idea that if you’re determined to only work 40 hours a week, you’re never going to make a
real difference to the world. Try to double that and I might start to listen to your plans!
But this focus on work is a relatively new concept. In England, in the middle ages, peasant labourers were
limited to working 150 days a year. Rest was necessary and encouraged outside of these days. Then in the
16th century, the idea of work being morally good was introduced. Fast forward 500 years and this still seems
to be the case.
So, is this kind of lifestyle at all damaging? Generally, people who work tend to be happier than those who
don’t. It gives us some sense of purpose and meaning to our lives. We can form strong bonds with our
colleagues and on top of that we are rewarded financially.
That isn’t to say that we should work until we drop, however. If you don’t believe me, ask the Japanese. They
even have a word for it: Karoushi is the term given for people who die because of overwork and many other
Asian countries have a similar term. Overwork can lead to depression, anxiety and the feeling of becoming
increasingly cut off from family and friends. Then all that is left is your work. It’s no surprise then to
understand that if you lose your job, this can cause major problems in your life.
I guess the advice is work to live rather than live to work. This is something which anyone who loves their
work should consider carefully. In fact, I myself need to get a better understanding of this concept.
0 The writer enjoys challenging himself to meet work deadlines .
1 The writer believes that only those who the 40-hour week go on to achieve great things.
2 Up until the 16th century, people believed taking time off from work was necessary and it was .
3 Work has many advantages including strengthening our with other staff.
4 Many Asian languages have a specific for death from working too hard.
5 is often related to feelings of anxiety, depression and feeling alone.
/5
Language Hub Upper Intermediate Tests
Published by Macmillan Education, a division of Springer Nature Limited. © Springer Nature Limited 2019. This page may be photocopied and used within the class.
Skills Test Units 4–5
B Read the article and choose the correct heading for each paragraph. There is one extra heading that you do not need.
An example (0) has been done for you.
Cutting Allotments in Half to Allow for More Gardening Enthusiasts
0 d
Allotments are areas of land away from your garden, where people can grow fruit and vegetables, and they are
very popular in many areas of Britain. Some people have to wait on a list for years after their application until
one has become available. The National Allotment Society (NAS) has now said that this could soon become a
thing of the past with the government’s idea to divide the spaces in half.
1
Local authorities responsible for handing out allotments have also been analysing their lists to avoid the same
people applying for more than one space and getting rid of any applications which are no longer valid. This
might include people who have relocated or passed away. The result has been a drop in the time spent on
waiting lists.
2
Another effect of the move has been an increase in younger people applying for an allotment. The space
seems more manageable and less labour-intensive than its original size. It’s no longer a hobby reserved for
retired people or those particularly interested in gardening. Now, even if you only have a little time at the
weekend, or in the evening, you could become one of a growing number of families who want to produce
their own food.
3
Just because the space has halved doesn’t mean that you can’t grow a decent amount of fruit and vegetables.
It is thought that a full-size area was able to feed the average family for a year. One half this size is still enough
to produce your own food and therefore reduce the weekly shop.
4
Diane Appleyard who works at the NAS was quick to point out that the length of the lists might have been
shorter than they actually appeared due to mismanagement by local councils. If someone requested an
allotment in one area, they might not have realised that they could get one if they’d gone a little further from
their house. If they’d done this, they may even have found one that was available the next day.
5
Ms Kenny, president of the NAS, promises to keep waiting lists as efficient as possible by searching out new
potential sites and by encouraging new developers to plan with spaces for new allotments in mind.
a A New Plot, A New Type of Gardener
b Taking Action to Reduce the Problem
c Expanding the Number of New Allotments
d The End of Disheartening Times for Would-Be Gardeners
e Older People to Get Priority Over Location
f Half the Size but Still Worth the Effort
g Look Beyond Your Own Doorstep to Avoid Delay
/5
Language Hub Upper Intermediate Tests
Published by Macmillan Education, a division of Springer Nature Limited. © Springer Nature Limited 2019. This page may be photocopied and used within the class.
Skills Test Units 4–5
LISTENING
A Listen to six teenagers talking about their plans for the future. Match the statements (a–e) to what you hear. An example has
3 been done for you.
a Might do the same as their friends. Speaker 1 f
b Doesn’t think too much about the future. Speaker 2
c Might go to university. Speaker 3
d Needs some help planning the future. Speaker 4
e Has clear plans for the future. Speaker 5
f Will wait to see what happens following recent activity. Speaker 6
/5
B Listen to an answerphone message and complete the notes. An example (0) has been done for you.
4
0 Mark is going on a business trip to Madrid .
1 His flight departs at 3.45 from Heathrow Terminal .
2 Heinrich arrives at 8.00 from .
3 Location of Mark’s business credit card: .
4 John Briggs is visiting the office on .
5 Mark can call Jane back between and .
/5
Language Hub Upper Intermediate Tests
Published by Macmillan Education, a division of Springer Nature Limited. © Springer Nature Limited 2019. This page may be photocopied and used within the class.
Skills Test Units 4–5
WRITING
A ‘Teachers should be replaced by robots.’ Write a blog post giving reasons for and against the argument. To what extent would
you agree? Write 230–250 words.
/5
B Some animals may become extinct in the future. What problems are causing certain animal populations to decline, and what
can be done to reduce the risk of their extinction? Write your article. Write 250–275 words.
/5
Total: / 30
Language Hub Upper Intermediate Tests
Published by Macmillan Education, a division of Springer Nature Limited. © Springer Nature Limited 2019. This page may be photocopied and used within the class.
