TEST FOR TRAINING AND SELF-CHECK PURPOSES
I. Read the following texts and choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) to the questions or unfinished statements:
1. He was a lad of eighteen when he dropped into London, with no money and no connections except the address of a cousin who was supposed to work at a confectioner’s. When he went to the pastry shop, however, he found that the cousin had gone to America. Anton Rosicky tramped the streets for several days sleeping in doorways and on the embankment, until he was in utter despair. He knew no English, and the sound of the strange language all about him confused him. By chance he met a poor German tailor who had learned his trade in Vienna, and could speak a little Czech. This tailor, Lifschnitz, didn’t much need an apprentice, but he was sorry for the boy and took him for no wages but his keep and what he could pick up…Anton had, however, a place to sleep. The tailor’s family lived upstairs in three rooms: a kitchen, a bedroom where Lifschnitz and his wife and five children slept, and a living-room. Two corners of his living-room were curtained off for lodgers; in one Rosicky slept on an old horsehair sofa, with a feather quilt to wrap himself in. The other corner was rented to wretched, dirty boy, who was studying the violin. He actually practiced there…Rosicky used to think he would never get out of there, never get a clean shirt to his back again. What would he do, he wondered, when his clothes actually dropped to pieces and the worn cloth would not hold patches any longer.
1. Anton Rosicky’s native language was:
a. English
b. German
c. Czech
d. Italian
2. Anton tramped the streets for several days because:
a. his cousin had rejected him
b. he knew no one in the city
c. he was in utter despair
d. his family had dropped him
3. The German tailor he met:
a. rented him a room
b. found lodgings for him in the city
c. accommodated him in his flat
d. gave him a bed in the basement
4. In the tailor’s house, Rosicky:
a. felt happy because he liked children
b. had a room to himself near one of the corners of the living-room
c. shared the corners of the living-room with a student
d. practiced the violin in the room
5. Anton Rosicky:
a. worried about his future and thought the situation was hopeless
b. did not mind being dirty
c. thought it was a wonder his clothes did not fall to pieces
d. wanted to go back to his country to have clean shirts again
2. I arrived at Paddington early and had a first class compartment to myself, but it filled before we started. Something about those five other masked faces, buried in their newspapers and magazines, at least landed me back in England: that chosen isolation, that hatred of the others as if we were all embarrassed at having to share our means of travel with someone else. When we drew out of the station the elderly woman opposite me glanced up at the ventilation window. It was slightly open. A minute later she glanced again. I said, “Shall I shut it?” “Oh, well if…” I stood and shut it; and received a frozen grimace, meant to represent gratitude, from the lady and two or three covertly disapproving examinations from my male fellow-passengers. I had committed the cardinal sin not of shutting the window, but of opening my mouth. No other castes in the world are so certain that good breeding is silence… I was wearing clothes bought in California, a polo-necked pullover and sports jacket, not a suit and tie, and perhaps they read something alien in me – a danger, someone to be taught the English way. I did not really disapprove of it; I noted it like an anthropologist, and understood it like an Englishman. Being forced to share a confined space with people to whom you have not been introduced was an activity dense with risk: one might be forced to give some item of information about oneself. Perhaps it was just a matter of accent: a test of revealing, in even the smallest phrase, one’s class, or some dissonance between voice and clothes…I had analyzed the fear of exposure long before; once used it successfully in a play; but its persistence baffled me…
6. The narrator was:
a. a foreigner
b. an Englishman
c. an American who lived in England
d. an American living in California
7. The narrator was:
a. a murderer
b. an American spy
c. an anthropologist
d. a dramatist
8. The narrator was:
a. coming to England for the first time
b. coming back to England from America
c. going to leave England for America
d. coming to England to overcome his fear
9. The passengers were afraid:
a. somebody might attack them
b. they might have to talk to strangers
c. the narrator might be a spy
d. the other passengers might refuse to talk to them
10. According to the narrator what immediately reveals your social class in England is:
a. your accent
b. your clothes
c. your family
d. your money
3. Her hand dropped to a little table beside her, fingering a tiny china rose-bowl. The room was so still she almost screamed to break the silence. She must do something or go mad. She picked up the bowl and hurled it viciously across the room toward the fireplace. It barely cleared the tall back of the sofa and splintered with a little crash against the marble mantelpiece. “This” said a voice from the depth of the sofa “is too much.” Nothing had ever startled or frightened her so much, and her mouth went to dry for her to utter a sound. She caught hold of the back of the chair, her knees going weak under her, as Rhett Butler rose from the sofa where he had been lying. “It is bad enough to have an afternoon nap disturbed by such a passage as I have been forced to hear, but why should my life be endangered?” He was real. He was not a ghost. But saints preserve us, he had heard everything! “Sir, you should make known your presence.” “Indeed?” His white teeth gleamed and his bold dark eyes laughed at her…Her temper was beginning to rise again at the thought that this rude and impertinent man had heard everything – heard things she now wished she had died before she ever uttered. “Eavesdroppers…” she began furiously. “Eavesdroppers often hear highly entertaining and instructive things”, he grinned. “Sir”, she said, “you are no gentleman!” “And you Miss, are no lady. No one can remain a lady after saying and doing what I have just overheard. However, ladies have seldom held any charms for me.”
11. Scarlet first took a bowl and:
a. broke it
b. put a rose in it
c. put it on the mantelpiece
d. admired it
12. On hearing Rhett’s voice, Scarlet was:
a. high-spirited
b. in a panic
c. disappointed
d. sorry
13. Scarlet had not seen Rhett because he was:
a. sitting in an armchair
b. standing behind the door
c. waiting in the backyard
d. resting on a sofa
14. Then, Scarlet was worried because Rhett:
a. had kissed her
b. had been indiscreet
c. had overheard her
d. had shouted at her
15. During the conversation Rhett was:
a. miserable
b. frightened
c. being ironic
d. ill at ease
4. It was high time. Snow had fallen in the morning, but now the sky was clear and Ashenden, with a glance at the frosty stars, stepped out quickly. He feared that Herbatus, tired of waiting for him, might have gone home. He had at this interview to make a certain decision and the hesitation he felt about it had lurked throughout the evening at the back of his mind… for Herbatus, indefatigable and determined, had been engaged in the arrangement of a scheme to blow up certain munition factories in Austria. It is not necessary to give here the details of the plan but it was ingenious and effective; its drawback was that it entailed the death and mutilation of a good many Galician Poles, his fellow countrymen, who were working in the factories in question…Ashenden had qualms and he was conscious that it would be a relief if on reaching the hotel he found that Herbatus had left. That would give him a respite. The Germans had blown up factories in the Allied countries and there was no reason why they should not be served in the same manner. It was a legitimate act of war. It not only hindered the manufacture of arms and munitions, but it also shook the moral of the non-combatants. It was not of course a thing the big-wigs cared to have anything to do with. Though ready enough to profit by the activities of obscure agents of whom they had never heard, they shut their eyes to dirty work so that they could put their clean hands on their hearts and congratulate themselves that they had never done anything that was unbecoming to men of honour.
16. The story takes place:
a. during the “Prague Spring”
b. during the First World War
c. during the Cold War
d. somewhere in Germany today
17. The story is about a plan to:
a. prevent the enemies from being supplied with weapons
b. destroy all Austrian factories
c. build up new factories
d. blow up some Austrian munition factories
18. The scene is set:
a. very early in the morning
b. at noon
c. at dusk
d. late in the evening
19. Herbatus was:
a. Austrian
b. Polish
c. British
d. Czech
20. At the time, Herbatus was:
a. a spy working against the Allies
b. a worker in a munition factory
c. a spy working for the Allies
d. a soldier in the British army
II. Circle the correct answer.
21. We were surprised that over 500 people __________ for the job.
A wrote B applied C enquired D requested
22. The children watched in excitement as she __________ a match and lit the candles.
A scratched B struck C rubbed D scraped
23. Sorry about Kate’s strange behavior, but she’s just not used to __________ lots of people around her.
A had B have C having D has
24. Ivan kept running very hard __________ none of the other runners could possibly catch him.
A even though B however C despite D as
25. ‘I did this painting all __________ my own, Dad,’ said Millie.
A by B with C for D on
26. You __________ better check all the details are correct before we send it off.
A would B had C should D did
27. This game is __________ to be for five year-olds, but I think a two year-old could do it!
A expected B required C obliged D supposed
28. Just put this powder down, and it should __________ any more ants from getting in.
A prevent B avoid C refuse D forbid
29. When Jodie __________ to do something, you can be sure she’ll do it, and do it well.
A gets on B takes up C sets out D brings about
30. __________ we get to the top of this hill, the path gets much easier.
A At the time B Eventually C Once D Finally
31. Fifty-seven? No, that __________ be the right answer!
A can’t B mustn’t C wouldn’t D needn’t
32. __________ happens; I’ll always be there for you!
A However B What C Whatever D No matter
33. Can you __________ to it that no one uses this entrance?
A see B deal C ensure D get
34. A __________ debate ensued, with neither side prepared to give way to the other.
A warm B heated C hot D boiling
35. I’ve drunk milk every __________ day of my life, and it’s never done me any harm!
A particular B individual C single D one
36. The version of the film I saw had been __________ censored.
A strongly B deeply C great D heavily
37. He promised to phone me at nine o’clock exactly, and he was as __________ as his word.
A true B good C right D honest
38. There has been so much media __________ of the wedding that I’m completely fed up with it.
A circulation B attention C broadcasting D coverage
39. If I were you I would __________ clear of the area around the station late at night.
A stick B steer C stop D stand
40. Turning back now is out of the __________.
A agenda B matter C question D possibility
III. There is one mistake in each of the sentences below. Find the mistake and correct it.
41. If I was you, I would try it again.
_________________________________________________________________________
42. When Lara’s friend got home, she has already called him twice.
______________________________________________________________________
43. You look exhausted. Will I help you with the luggage?
______________________________________________________________________
44. Whenever I need a book for my classes I go to the bookstore and borrow one.
________________________________________________________________________
45. I’m afraid I feel more worse than yesterday. I must see a doctor.
________________________________________________________________________
46. My girlfriend is not very keen at outdoor sports, so I usually jog alone.
______________________________________________________________________
47. Last year the Browns bought a large, beautiful, old, wooden house.
________________________________________________________________________
48. I’ll call you as soon as I’ll get there.
________________________________________________________________________
49. If I would have enough money, I would buy that car.
________________________________________________________________________
50. Hadn’t he missed the train, he will be here now.
________________________________________________________________________
THIS IS THE END OF THE TEST
KEY TO THE TEST FOR TRAINING AND SELF-CHECK PURPOSES
I. Read the following texts...
1. c 2. b 3. c 4. c 5. a 6. c 7. c 8. b 9. b 10. b
11. a 12. b 13. d 14. c 15. c 16. b 17. a 18. a 19. b 20. b
II. Circle the correct answer.
21. b 22. b 23. c 24. a 25. d 26. b 27. d 28. a 29. c 30. c
31. a 32. c 33. a 34. b 35. c 36. d 37. b 38. d 39. b 40. c
III. There is one mistake in each of the sentences below. Find the mistake and correct it.
41. If I were...
42. ... had already...
43. Shall I help you....
44. ... to the library...
45. ... much worse...
46. ... keen on...
47. ... a beautiful, large, old, wooden house.
48. ... as soon as I get...
49. If I had enough money...
50. ... he would be here now.
