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Cutting Edge Placement Test
You will hear five short recordings (A-E)
Before each recording you will have one minute to read the questions.
You will hear each recording only once.
Recording A
Listen to someone speak about their childhood in Scotland in the 1930s. Mark the four statements which are correct.
a) In the 1930s, my family lived in a village in Scotland.
b) We didn’t have a TV but we listened to the radio every morning.
c) The school was six miles from our house. d) We walked to school every day.
e) When I was 14, I left school.
f) I went to the cinema in our village every Saturday afternoon.
g) My family left Scotland when I was 15 and moved to England.
h) I often go back to the village in Scotland.
[4 marks]
Recording B
Listen to an interview with a man called Bob Kessler. Choose the correct option (A-D) for each question (1-4) [4 marks]
1 a) Bob Kessler has a wife and daughter. b) Bob Kessler has two sons.
c) Bob Kessler is a bachelor. d) Bob Kessler was married before. 2 a) Bob Kessler is English.
b) Bob Kessler lives in West Hills California, USA. c) Bob Kessler’s wife isn’t American, she’s British. d) Bob Kessler is American but he lives in England. 3 a) Bob Kessler writes two or three books a year.
b) Bob Kessler writes travel books about England and other European countries.
c) Bob Kessler’s job is selling books in Italy and France.
d) Bob Kessler likes Italy and France more than the USA.
4 a) Bob Kessler’s wife works at a school in England. b) Bob Kessler’s daughter has many English friends.
c) Bob Kessler never drinks tea without milk. d) Bob Kessler always drives his daughter to school.
[4 marks]
Recording C
Listen to telephone conversation between two people preparing to go on a trip. Mark the four statements which are correct. [4 marks]
a) Neil asks Lucy to pack his town shoes.
b) They are going to go walking in the mountains. c) Neil doesn’t think it will rain.
d) Lucy suggests they pack some smart clothes. e) They are planning to hire a car when they arrive. f) They are going to a country where everyone speaks
English.
g) Lucy thinks they should pack sun cream. h) Neil is going to the airport now.
i) Lucy will phone Neil if she thinks of anything else. j) They’re going to meet at the airport at 5 o’clock.
[4 marks]
Recording D
Listen to a woman talking about her shop Mark the four statements which are correct. [4 marks] a) Denise has owned the shop for two years. b) She lives next door to the shop.
c) Most of the things she sells are handmade.
d) She sells some ceramics imported from Greece and Portugal.
e) The interviewer likes the Japanese dresses in the shop.
f) The shop also sells kitchen equipment like washing machines.
g) A lot of the jewellery is made by local artists. h) Denise would like to move somewhere else. i) Unfortunately, it’s noisy because it is on a busy
high street.
j) Denise would like to have richer customers, rather than the students who come into the shop.
[4 marks]
Cutting Edge Placement Test Test A
1 Read the text and mark the correct answer (a–c) to each question (5–8).
Estelle Dupont was 100 years old in 2000. She was born near Bordeaux in France, where her father was a rich businessman.Today she lives in an old people’s home in Paris.
“My father was a rich businessman and we lived in a chateau about ten kilometres from Bordeaux. Our home was very comfortable. The house was very big – there were twenty bedrooms, beautiful gardens and lots of servants. But my childhood wasn’t happy. I was an only child, and my mother was always ill. She died when I was eight, and my father died two years later when I was ten. It was a very bad time. I was a very unhappy child, but life is better now.”
1 How old was Estelle Dupont in 1967? a) She was living in Bordeaux. b) She was 67 years old. c) She was a hundred years old. 2 Where did she live when she was a child?
a) She lived in the city of Bordeaux, France. b) She lived in an old people’s home in Paris. c) She lived in a chateau near Bordeaux. 3 Did she like the gardens at the chateau?
a) Yes, she said they were beautiful. b) Yes, she said they were very big.
c) No, because she had no one to play with. 4 What happened to her parents?
a) Estelle’s mother died two years after her father. b) Her father died two years after her mother. c) She was an only child.
[4 marks] 2 Mark the correct word (a–c) to complete each
sentence (9–12).
5 My sister likes Mexican food, but I don’t like ____.
a) it b) them c) her
6 Does _______ friend like classical music?
a) your b) you c) yours
7 My parents haven’t got calculators, but ______ have a computer at home.
a) it b) them c) they
8 I really like Craig David’s music. My older brother gave ____ some of his CDs.
a) me b) them c) my
[4 marks] 3 Read the utterances (13–16). Mark the place (a–
c) where you would hear them. 9 Look at exercise 6 on page 21.
a) restaurant b) classroom c) shopping mall 10 How much is an sandwich and a bottle of water?
a) café b) restaurant c) living room 11 What time does the main film start?
a) video shop b) cinema C) library
12 Fasten you seatbelts, put the backs of your seats in the upright position and fold away your tables. a) police station b) train c) aeroplane
[4 marks] 4 Mark the correct word (a–c) to complete each
sentence (17–24).
13 We are looking for a green car _________. a) every day b) at the moment c) yesterday 14 I don’t usually play tennis ________.
a) on Thursdays b) last week c) tomorrow 15 John isn’t going to buy a new house _______.
a) next year b) last month c) yesterday 16 Where were you at 6 o’clock ________?
a) tomorrow b) in the summer c) this morning 17 What time did you leave home ________?
a) tomorrow b) on Thursday c) at 6 o’clock 18 There are a lot of clouds in the sky _______.
a) on Tuesday b) yesterday c) at the moment 19 Do you like going to the beach _______?
a) in summer b) tomorrow c) last month 20 She never drives her car ________.
a) today b) next day c) at weekends [8 marks]
Test B
1 Read the text and choose the best answer (a–d) for each question (5–8).
Tim Berners-Lee looks ordinary – he is about 45 years old and has brown hair. His life is quite normal – he was born in England, but his home is now in Massachusetts, USA. But, in 1989, Tim had a very important idea. He invented the World Wide Web.
Tim went to school in London. His parents both worked with computers, so it isn’t surprising that he loved computers from an early age. When he was eighteen, he left school and went to Oxford University, where he studied Physics. At Oxford he became more and more interested in computers, and he made his first computer from an old television. He graduated in 1976 and got a job with a computer company in Dorset, England. In 989, he went to work in Switzerland, where he first had the idea of an international information network linked by computer …and he decided to call it the World Wide Web. In 1994, he went to live in the United States, where he now works. In 1995, he wrote an article in the New York Times where he said ‘The Web is a Universe of information: it is for everyone.’ His idea of a web where people from all over the world can exchange information, is now real.
1 Where was Tim Berners-Lee born? a) in Massachusetts
b) in Oxford c) in Dorset d) in England
2 What did Tim study at Oxford University? a) computers
b) school
c) the world wide web d) physics
3 What did he make when he was at Oxford? a) a television
b) the first computer c) a computer company d) a computer
4 When did he invent the world wide web? a) 45 years old
b) in Switzerland c) in 1989 d) in 1994
[4 marks] 2 Choose the best answer (a–d) for each question
(9–12).
5 Which verb is the opposite of sell?
a) cost b) bid
c) bye d) buy
6 Which word means very good? a) expensive b) brilliant c) important d) beautiful
7 Which word is not about family? a) aunt b) grandfather
c) wide d) wife
8 Which word is not a language? a) Russian b) Italian c) France d) Japanese
[4 marks] 3 Choose the best answer (a–d) for each question
(13–16).
9 Do you sell toothpaste?
a) No, we don’t. Try the pharmacy. b) No, we can’t. It’s too late. c) Did you go to the pharmacy? d) No, it isn’t.
10 Excuse me, are you Mr Rogers? a) I don’t know.
b) No, he isn’t there.
c) No, I’m not. I think he’s in the restaurant. d) No, he’s from Scotland.
11 What’s the time?
a) It’s rather hot at the moment. b) I’ll tell you later.
c) I’m sorry, I don’t know. d) It’s the 15th August.
12 Would you like a drink?
a) Thanks. I’d like an apple juice. b) Excuse me, are you drinking? c) Tea or coffee?
d) I don’t know. Can you ask someone else? [4 marks] 4 Choose the correct word or phrase (a–d) to
complete each sentence (17–24). 13 _______ Peter come from Dublin?
a) Do b) Does
c) Is d) Was
14 Do you like ________ house over there?
a) those b) this
c) these d) that
15 Where did you ___ when you were a child?
a) live b) lived
c) lives d) living
16 ______ it raining in Amsterdam?
a) Do b) Does
c) Is d) Are
17 Are you _____ José tomorrow?
a) see b) will see
c) seen d) going to see
18 You _______ clean your car.
a) mustn’t to b) don’t have to c) don’t want d) can’t have to 19 I went home ______ my new baby.
a) to see b) for to see
c) seeing d) see
20 This is _____ picture of my friend.
a) some b) any
c) a d) an
Test C
1 Read the four texts quickly and choose the correct answer (a–d) for each question (5–8). During the last ten years, Ameet had had ten different jobs: he has worked in an import-export business, he has been an estate agent and now he has just started his own company which sells mobile phones – but he hasn’t made a million pounds yet!
Edward has moved to the United States, where he now works, designing computer games. His most popular game, Death Rider, has already sold over ten million copies, and has made him very rich! He isn’t married, in fact, he’s never had a girlfriend, and he still spend most of his time playing computer games in his bedroom. Lucy is an actress and a part-time waitress. In the last few years, she’s appeared in several plays and a couple of TV commercials – but there has been no call from Hollywood yet!
Since leaving university with a brilliant degree, Kate has worked for Greenpeace and other similar
organisations, first as a volunteer and now as a manager. She’s just had her first baby.
In the last ten years, Hannah has been married three times, and has lived in Italy, Egypt, France and Australia. At present, she’s running a bar on the Greek island of Kos with her third husband, Nikos.
[4 marks] 1 Who has earned the most money?
a) Ameet c) Hannah b) Lucy d) Edward 2 Who works in a bar?
a) Ameet c) Hannah b) Lucy d) Edward 3 Who has appeared on television?
a) Kate c) Hannah b) Lucy d) Edward 4 Who worked for no money?
a) Edward c) Hannah b) Lucy d) Kate
2 Choose the correct word (a–d) to complete each phrase (9–12).
5 I’m looking _____ to seeing my friend next week. a) forward c) for
b) about d) out
6 She thinks all Spanish men look ____ Antonio Banderas!
a) after c) like
b) about d) same
7 Can you look ____ Bill’s address?
a) up c) out
b) forward d) on
8 I’m looking ____ my coat. Have you seen it? a) out c) for
b) after d) towards
[4 marks] 4 Choose the best answer (a–d) for each question
(13–16).
9 Your letter begins ‘Dear Sir’, what do you write above your signature?
a) Yours faithfully b) Yours sincerely c) With love
d) Your obedient servant, 10 Where exactly is New York?
a) On the east coast of the USA. b) On the right hand side of the USA. c) In the east coast of the USA. d) On the side of the USA.
11 You walk into a shop. What does the shop assistant say to you?
a) What do you want? b) Can I help you?
c) Do you want to buy something? d) What would you like to buy?
12 Your restaurant bill says ‘service not included’. What should you do?
a) Pay by credit card. b) Get your own food. c) Leave a tip for the waiter. d) Ask for a receipt.
[4 marks] 4 Choose the correct word or phrase (a–d) to
complete each sentence (17–24).
13 The Roxy Cinema closed seven years _____.
a) ago c) before
b) yet d) on
14 You ____ park your car on the pavement. a) don’t have to c) needn’t
b) can’t d) shouldn’t 15 My hair is _______ than my sister’s.
b) straighter d) straight 16 She’s been in India ______ 1999.
a) for c) since
b) in d) at
17 How long _____ you _____ a student? a) have/ been c) did / be b) has / been d) were / being
18 Yes, I’ll come to the party but I _____ arrive late.
a) might c) may be
b) perhaps d) should
19 Stop _____ lazy. Go out and dig the garden!
a) being c) be
b) been d) to be
20 She said that she _____ never seen him before.
a) had c) has
b) would d) haven’t
Test D
1 Read this text quickly and match the correct word (a–d) with each definition (5–8).
The majority on Inuit people from Alaska are nomads, moving from one place to another, hunting and fishing to survive. They don’t tend to live in houses, preferring tents or houses built from ice, called ‘igloos’. Even today, it is quite common for a man to have several wives.
In some parts of Kentucky and Virginia, USA, it is quite normal for girls of twelve or thirteen to get married and start a family. Often their husbands are only sixteen or seventeen, so young couples tend to live with their parents until they finish their education. Many schools in these areas have crèches to look after their pupils’ babies while they are studying.
1 people who have no permanent home, but move from place to place according to the time of year. a) nomads b) Inuit c) Alaskans 2 to do sth: to usually do something
a) prefer b) tend c) tent
3 an imprecise number, more than a few, but not a lot. a) normal b) couple c) several
4 not more than a particular amount, number etc. a) quite b) only c) often
[4 marks]
2 Mark the word (a–c) which has the same vowel sound as the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in each sentence (9–12).
5 I CAN’T read your handwriting.
a) aunt b) want c) sent
6 She OUGHT to stay at home and study.
a) out b) sort c) tough
7 I’m studying LAW at university.
a) floor b) know c) flour
8 Have you READ Tolstoy’s War and Peace?
a) seed b) said c) sighed
[4 marks] 4 Choose the correct answer (a–c) for each
question (13–17).
9 Which is the normal way to write an address on an envelope?
a) London Road 28 HUDDERSFIELD HD1 6DD
Miss Longtree Julia b) HUDDERSFIELD
Miss Julia Longtree 28, Road London HD1 6DD
c) Miss Julia Longtree 28, London Road HUDDERSFIELD HD1 6DD
10 What should Peter Thomas say when he answers the telephone?
a) I am Peter Thomas. b) Hello. Who are you?
c) 412 3663 Peter Thomas speaking.
11 How would you recommend that someone should visit the Grand Canyon?
a) Why don’t you go to the Grand Canyon? b) You really should go to the Grand Canyon. c) You could go to the Grand Canyon if you’ve nothing better to do.
12 You want to borrow a dictionary from a friend. What do you say?
a) Can I borrow your dictionary, please. b) Would you be so kind as to lend me your dictionary, please?
c) Give me your dictionary.
[4 marks]
5 Read these pairs of sentences carefully. Do they have the same or different meanings? Mark the correct answer (a or b).
13 I haven’t seen her for four days. I haven’t seen her since four days ago. a) Same b) Different
14 Don’t let me forget my umbrella. Please remind me to forget my umbrella. a) Same b) Different
15 Jill’s shorter than her brother. Jill’s brother is not as short as Jill. a) Same b) Different 16 I remember opening the door.
I remembered to open the door. a) Same b) Different 17 It was raining when I arrived.
a) Same b) Different 18 She taught here for 35 years. She’s taught here for 35 years. a) Same b) Different
19 I won’t come to see you if the weather’s bad. I’ll come to see you if the weather’s good. a) Same b) Different
20 They weren’t allowed to enter the military base. They didn’t have permission to enter the military base.
a) Same b) Different
Test E
1 Read the text. Which of the four statements (a–j) are really true and not beliefs or opinions? Rather than investing in expensive scientific equipment to predict earthquakes, perhaps scientists should spend more time watching their pets. Many researchers now believe that the behaviour of certain animals might help them to predict natural disasters. For example, Chinese scientists in the 1970s thought that reports of farm animals running around in circles, and of dogs barking al night may indicate an impending natural disaster. They decided to evacuate the city of Haichin, which shortly afterwards was hit by a huge earthquake. Thousands of lives were probably saved as a result. Japanese scientists have also discovered that catfish become livelier several days before moderately strong earthquakes. Many scientists now accept that this can’t be pure coincidence; they believe the explanation may be linked to slight changes in the Earth’s magnetic field. Although human beings can’t perceive such changes, it is thought that the sensitive nervous systems of some animals must be affected by them. Now scientists must discover exactly which animals are affected in this way, so that they can save many more lives in the future. a) Scientists spend money on expensive scientific
equipment to predict earthquakes. b) Animals can predict natural disasters.
c) In the 1970s, Chinese scientists heard reports of animals behaving strangely near Haichin. d) The scientists knew this was a sign that an
earthquake was coming.
e) The city of Haichin was evacuated before the earthquake.
f) Japanese scientists noticed an increase in activity of catfish during earthquakes.
g) Some animals are more sensitive to magnetic changes than human beings are.
h) All scientists believe this is not a pure coincidence. i) Scientists have discovered which animals are
affected by magnetic changes.
j) They will be able to save more lives in the future. [4 marks] 2 Choose the correct preposition (a–c) to complete
each sentence (9–12).
5 The car stopped because I had run ____ of petrol.
a) out b) down c) over
6 She apologised ______ being late.
a) over b) for c) from
7 She has brought ______ a family of five healthy children.
a) about b) out c) up
8 If you don’t understand, ask your teacher to go ________ it again with you.
a) through b) into c) towards [4 marks] 3 Select the most suitable sympathetic response
(a–c) to each utterance (13–16)
9 My son is having an operation in hospital today. a) Calm down!
b) You must be really worried about him. c) What a shame!
10 That wasp is really annoying me! a) Just try to ignore it.
b) How awful for you!
c) Never mind, these things happen.
11 My girlfriend said she didn’t like my moustache! a) Don’t worry, she’ll get used to it.
b) How terrible for you! c) Don’t take any notice of her.
12 I’ve been waiting for my bus for 15 minutes! a) Calm down! I’m sure it will arrive soon. b) Try not to worry about it.
c) Maybe it will never come.
[4 marks]
4 Read these pairs of sentences carefully. Do they have the same or different meanings? Mark the correct answer (a or b).
13 I’ll phone you the moment I get home. I’ll phone you as soon as I get home. a) Same b) Different
14 Parking is very difficult in Cambridge. It is very difficult to park in Cambridge. a) Same b) Different
15 The criminals had escaped when the police arrived. The criminals escaped when the criminals arrived. a) Same b) Different
16 More foreign cars are being sold than last year. People are buying more foreign cars than last year. a) Same b) Different
17 She accused me of lying. She said I was lying.
a) Same b) Different
18 His nervousness prevents him from being a good speaker.
What prevents him from being a good speaker, is his nervousness.
a) Same b) Different
19 The people, who shouted at the minister, were arrested.
The people who shouted at the minister were arrested.
a) Same b) Different
20 I wish you were more helpful around the house. I wish you’d be more helpful around the house. a) Same b) Different
