B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Reading and Use of English • Part 1 1 hour and 15 minutes for this paper

For questions 1–8, read the text below and choose the correct answer that best fits each gap.

Japanese manga comics

Japanese manga comics are read around the world in translation. But unlike translating from Spanish into
English, for example, (1)     a Japanese story in English is no simple matter.

The English words must describe the picture and (2)     in the balloons. Since Japanese uses fewer words
than English to communicate the same meaning, it takes quite a(n) (3)     for the translator to achieve
this. There is nothing they can do (4)     the word balloons – they already exist on the page and cannot
be changed. The challenge for the translator is to (5)     out the best way to deal with each scene. This
(6)     translators have to change the script. Sometimes they alter things only a little, but at other times they
(7)     up writing lots of new English scripts to match the existing artwork.

The best manga translators are (8)     in writing as well. They need creativity and imagination to make the
stories you read just as exciting as the original Japanese versions.

1 A  saying B  speaking C  telling D  talking

2 A  stay B  match C  go D  fit

3 A  work B  effort C  job D  attempt

4 A  about B  for C  from D  by

5 A  think B  look C  figure D  consider

6 A  means B  makes C  forces D  causes

7 A  work B  end C  bring D  put

8 A  capable B  good C  responsible D experienced

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Reading and Use of English • Part 2

For questions 9–16, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap.
Use only one word in each gap.

A clever solution
In 2016, South Africa was suffering its worst drought (9)        1982. (10)        severe was
the problem that farmers were (11)        danger of losing their crops and animals were dying.

When there isn’t enough rainfall for crops to grow, farmers use man-made polymers to cover the soil. These
look (12)        small plastic crystals. They absorb water and keep the soil wet by releasing the water
into it. The only problem is, polymers are expensive and, like plastic water bottles, they cannot
(13)        broken down and absorbed into the ground.

Kiara Nirghin, a 16-year-old high school student, wondered (14)        it was possible to create a low-
cost, organic alternative. Using waste products from fruit juice manufacturing, she
(15)        up with the idea for her ‘orange peel mixture’. Not only (16)        her product retain
water well, it costs less than polymers. She won a $50,000 scholarship for her invention at the annual Google
Science Fair, a competition for teenagers aged 13 to 18.

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Reading and Use of English • Part 3

For questions 17–24, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word
that fits in the gap in the same line.

Space tourism
These days, we can enjoy all sorts of holidays because the choices we have are
seemingly (17)        . If you are concerned about the planet, you can stay in END
environmentally friendly accommodation in stunning
(18)        around the world. If you’re interested in helping less SURROUND
(19)        communities, you can look into volunteer tourism. FORTUNE

But for those who are feeling more than a little (20)        , nothing can ADVENTURE
match space tourism.

Until now, only a handful of very rich people have ridden Russian rockets on
(21)        short trips to the International Space Station (ISS). RELATIVE

One person to take such an (22)        voyage was Guy Laliberté, the ORDINARY
founder of Cirque de Soleil, in September 2009. Laliberté paid $35 million for the
(23)        of visiting the ISS. PLEASE

Virgin Galactic hopes to (24)        travel by offering commercial REVOLUTION

spaceflights in the near future, though at a cost of $250,000 per flight, it would still
be out of reach for most people.

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Reading and Use of English • Part 4

For questions 25–30, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.

25 There was no reason for you to get so angry yesterday.

SHOULD

You  temper like that yesterday.

26 I expected the price of the holiday to be higher.

HIGH

The price of the holiday  I thought it would be.

27 These two pictures look exactly the same to me.

TELL

I these two pictures.

28 I didn’t know you were going there, so I didn’t warn you about the parking fee.

WARNED

If I had known you were going there, I  the parking fee.

29 She wants a professional photographer to take her photo.

HAVE

She wants to  a professional photographer.

30 In fact, because I saw it myself, I know the site is impressive.

SEEN

In fact,  myself, I know it’s impressive.

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Reading and Use of English • Part 5

You are going to read an extract from a novel about a teenager called Lucy. For questions 31–36, choose the answer
which you think fits best according to the text.

Lucy was trying to balance a chemical equation. After a while, she got bored. Seeing Bethany’s
Each time she thought she had the answer, plastic lilo, she grabbed it and headed into the
the number of atoms and the symbols for the water. ‘Now I can really relax’, she thought. The
elements would change before her eyes – pressure of the last few weeks with exams had
oxygen became carbon and hydrogen turned worn her out and, within minutes, she was fast
into nitrogen. ‘This is crazy’, she thought, asleep. Because of this, she was unaware that
and rubbed her eyes. ‘Maybe I need reading a strong current had taken her far from shore.
glasses.’ At that moment, a splash of water on Now, she was on her own and no-one knew
her face woke her up. Shaking her head, she where she was. As if that wasn’t bad enough,
remembered – she wasn’t in Mr Schnabel’s from the look of the dark clouds gathering
class, but at the beach. To be exact, she was on behind her, wild weather was on the way!
an inflatable lilo in the sea and the shoreline was
getting further away by the second! ‘Surely the others will realise what’s happened
when they get back’, she reasoned. The
Looking towards the shore, Lucy realised the absence of both Lucy and the lilo would lead
enormity of her problem. Although she could them to the right conclusion. For a brief moment,
see the brightly coloured beach umbrellas and she was hopeful. However, Lucy had learnt at
towels on the sand, she knew they weren’t summer camp how to tell the time by the sun.
really close. She’d learnt to swim properly when Checking it now, it was only two o’clock; she
she was younger, but despite her excellent realised they wouldn’t be back for a while and
technique all she could manage at the local time was running out. She looked down at her
Olympic-size pool were a couple of lengths. She dark-blue swimsuit and clear plastic lilo – no-
didn’t have the strength for anything further, plus, one would be able to see her in the water, there
she had a phobia of deep water. was no contrast. She wished she had stayed at
home! There was only one choice – she would
line 24 ‘You idiot!’ she thought as she mentally kicked have to save herself.
herself for getting into this mess. If only she’d gone
on a walk with Bethany and the others. School Swimming was out of the question – it was
had recently broken up for the summer holidays simply too far and the thought of what might be
and her friend Bethany had suggested a day at lurking beneath terrified her. ‘What’s my plan?
the beach. They’d called some friends and that Think!’ she told herself. She had nothing with
morning, a laughing, carefree group had got on her other than the lilo. ‘I’ll have to paddle’, she
the bus to the coast. They did the usual things – decided. Positioning herself the length of the lilo
swam, splashed each other, looked for seashells, on her front, Lucy started paddling as she’d seen
had lunch. Later, Bethany and the others had surfers do on their boards. One big swing of her
decided to go for a walk and explore some caves right arm followed by the left, strong, steady and
further along the coast. But Lucy wanted to stay even. Lucy focused on the shore and paddled
where she was and listen to music. for all she was worth.

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

31 What is the writer’s purpose in the first paragraph?

A to explain why Lucy was facing a challenge
B to show that Lucy had something on her mind
C to describe how Lucy was going to deal with a problem
D to introduce the fact that Lucy was in a difficult situation

32 What does the writer suggest about Lucy’s swimming ability?

A She could only swim short distances.
B They think everyone uses the same language.
C She was as good as an Olympic swimmer.
D She only swam well in swimming pools.

33 The writer says that Lucy ‘mentally kicked herself’ in line 24 to show that she was
A thinking too hard.
B angry with herself.
C upset with Bethany.
D hurt that the others had left her.

34 What made Lucy’s immediate problem worse?

A The sun was burning her.
B Her exams had tired her out.
C A storm was approaching.
D The current was too strong.

35 Why would Lucy’s friends not be able to help her?

A They would have no idea where to look for her.
B They would be away for too long.
C They would assume she was safe on the lilo because she knew how to swim.
D They would think she had gone home.

36 What do we learn about Lucy in the final paragraph?

A She changed her mind about swimming to shore.
B She overcame her fear of deep water.
C She imitated a surfing technique.
D She used the strong current to get to the shore.

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Reading and Use of English • Part 6

You are going to read an article about a special kind of Olympics. Six sentences have been removed from the article.
Choose from the sentences A–G the one which fits each gap (37–42). There is one extra sentence which you do not
need to use.

Young Maths Experts

What does it take to become an Olympic champion? Several students have represented their countries
Is it hours and hours of training and preparation every more than once and won multiple gold medals.
day over many years? Could it be the willpower to Other winners have gone on to become notable
push a body that has reached its limits just one step mathematicians, teaching at prestigious universities
further? Is it the determination to fight through the around the world. 40 Several former
physical pain to beat other talented opponents? participants have won other awards, including
37 But did you know it’s possible to become the Fields Medal, which is considered to be the
an Olympian without a single minute of gruelling mathematician’s Nobel Prize ®.
training and no crack-of-dawn practice sessions?
But who are these gifted teens? The most successful
All you need are some pretty sophisticated mental
to date is Chinese-born Canadian Alex Song, who
gymnastics.
won his first medal – a bronze – in 2010 at the age of 13.
The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 41 It’s not surprising that apart from maths, he’s
is the world championship of mathematics for into brain games and puzzles like chess and solving
pre-university students. Unlike the better-known the Rubik’s Cube.
sporting event, it is not held once every four years,
Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman to win the
but annually. 38 First held in 1959 in Romania
Fields Medal, also got her start in the IMO, where she
with seven countries participating, its popularity has
became the first female Iranian student to win gold.
grown rapidly. These days, over 100 countries from
However, as a child, mathematics was not where her
five continents send their best and brightest teen
passion lay and her dream was to become a writer of
mathematicians to compete.
novels. It was during her final year in high school that
While the IMO is definitely a competitive event she began to apply herself to mathematics, after her
with every country vying for the top honours, it has brother got her interested in the subject. 42 Her
a number of important aims. 39 Another is advice to students is to give mathematics a chance
to stimulate interest in maths in the participating and to realise that it isn’t a boring, pointless subject –
countries, where teenagers make every effort to be that there is a beauty in numbers that only patience
selected for their national team. Of course, another can reveal.
objective of the IMO is to identify young people with
astonishing mathematical abilities.

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B2 First for Schools Practice Test

A Thereafter followed a string of gold medal wins E It does, however, like its namesake, take place in
for the next five years in a row. a different location each time.

B Undoubtedly, all of these contribute to success F Until that point, she had done poorly in maths, as
at the highest international level of competition. many young people do.

C Her preferred pastime was reading novels; in G One is to bring young people together in an
fact, she would read anything she could find. environment of friendship and mutual respect.

D Some have used their impressive knowledge of

mathematics to contribute to related fields such
as physics and economics.

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Reading and Use of English • Part 7

You are going to read an article about four teenagers and the apps they use.
For questions 43–52, choose from the teenagers (A–D). The teenagers may be chosen more than once.

Which teenager

says the app brings out their artistic personality?  43

has been in contact with more than one celebrity? 44

believes the app offers users something very original? 45

thinks others use the app to present themselves unrealistically? 46

would be happy to upgrade to a different version of the app?  47

says there is a mistaken belief about a feature of the app? 48

met someone famous in person because of the app? 49

appreciates the opportunity to express their views publicly? 50

has expanded their knowledge of a subject through using the app? 51

can access the app from a number of different devices? 52

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B2 First for Schools Practice Test

What’s your favourite app?

Four young people talk about their favourite apps.

A Evan C George
I’ve got dozens of apps on my Apps come and go, but Instagram ®
phone. I do use them all, though is my current favourite. When I
some more frequently than edit my photos on Instagram, I feel
others. The app I have the most like a professional photographer;
fun with is Snapchat ®. There’s the filters, the cropping tool and
nothing else like it. I can easily share information focus options mean I can create something really
about my life in a totally unique way. Being able to special. I don’t use the tools to make myself more
add text or doodles to my photos makes them a attractive – why would I? My friends know what I
lot more fun and personal. I send about 10 snaps really look like anyway! If I had to pick one drawback
a day and receive around 30! They say the photo of the app, that would be it. People use it to improve
you send disappears forever after a few seconds, their photos and they sometimes no longer look
but that’s a myth. Data is data: whenever you send anything like themselves. On the plus side, I can see
an image, it never truly goes away. Plus, the person what my friends and celebrities are up to through
on the receiving end can take a screenshot of it live updates. Last year, when my favourite tennis
before it disappears. My friends and I often save player was in town, he posted the name of the hotel
each other’s goofy photos that way, so we can he was staying at – so I rushed over there and got a
laugh about them later. selfie with him!
B Faye D Harley
Music is my thing, so I think It’s probably not among most
Spotify ® is easily the best app teens’ favourite apps, but I love
on my phone. I use it to share Twitter ®. I think it’s great because
music, to see what my friends you can voice your opinion on
are listening to and to find new anything you want to. I know
music. At first, I used it to stream music that I was Twitter may be like shouting into an empty room
already familiar with and I made playlists with all at times, but at least I’m heard sometimes and
of my favourite songs and bands. Once I’d done acknowledged by my peers. It’s also exciting
that, I started exploring and discovered music because you can interact with celebrities, who love
from other eras, like punk, disco and soul from the the free publicity. I’ve had a few exchanges with
1970s. In addition to the huge library of songs, it’s some and a well-known actor once retweeted a
easy to use and I can link my account to my laptop tweet of mine. I suppose I became famous myself
and tablet as well. I use the free version, but if I because it went viral and my friends teased me
had the spare cash, I wouldn’t mind paying for the endlessly about that! I’m still using Facebook ®,
premium service because there are no ads on that. but not as much as I used to for daily contact with
friends. It’s good for group events, though, so I do
use it for that.

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Writing • Part 1 1 hour and 20 minutes for this paper

You MUST answer this question.

Write your answer in 140–190 words in an appropriate style.

1 In your English class you recently had a discussion about the environment. Now your English teacher has asked
you to write an essay for homework.

Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.

‘Teenagers don’t care about the environment.’ Do you agree?

Notes
Write about:

1 recycling

2 animals

3             (your own idea)

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Writing • Part 2
Write an answer to one of the questions 2–4 in this part.
Write your answer in 140–190 words in an appropriate style.

2 You have received an email from your English-speaking friend, Alice.

EMAIL

From: Tina

Subject: I need your advice

I’ve been invited to a party by a girl in my class. She’s not a close friend, but I like her. My best
friend is hurt because she wasn’t invited and she doesn’t want me to go. I don’t know what to
do. If I go to the party, it will upset my friend.

What should I do?

Alice

Write your email.

3 You have seen this notice in an English-language magazine called Music Time.

Reviews needed!

Have you heard a good band recently? If so, could you write a review of the concert?
Include information about the performance, the atmosphere, and if it was enjoyable.
Would you recommend the band to other people?
The best reviews will be published in next month’s magazine.

Write your review.

4 You have seen this announcement in an English-language magazine.

Articles wanted

THE BEST HOLIDAY I HAVE EVER HAD

Which is the best holiday you have ever had? What did you do? Why was it the best?
Write an article for us answering these questions.
We will publish the best articles on our website.

Write your article.

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Listening • Part 1 After completing Parts 1–4, allow 5 mins transfer time

1 You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1−8, choose the correct answer (A, B or C).
You will hear the recording twice.

1 You hear a music teacher talking about reading music. What does she say about learning to read music?
A It can be learnt very quickly.
B It won’t be easy to do at the start.
C Students often make mistakes when they read it.

2 You hear a girl talking to a friend about a chess tournament. Why did she sign up for the tournament?
A to get more practice by playing with children
B to improve at the game
C to show her natural talent

3 You hear two friends talking in a shop. What do they agree about?
A that the man should try on the T-shirt
B how much money to spend
C what item of clothing to buy first

4 You hear a boy talking about going to the cinema. What does he enjoy the most about it?
A being with friends
B seeing an exciting film
C discussing the film later

5 You hear a headteacher talking to a group of students. What is he talking about?

A the end of classroom tests
B what work students will do
C how students will be assessed

6 You hear a radio show presenter talking about a band. What is true about the band?
A The band’s success has been sudden.
B The band has been around for a while.
C The band has been playing concerts all week.

7 You hear two people talking in a restaurant. Why can’t the woman eat the food?
A She’s on a diet.
B She might feel unwell.
C She doesn’t like the food.

8 You hear two friends talking about a weekend job. What is the woman doing?
A giving the man advice
B providing information
C encouraging the man

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Listening • Part 2
2 You will hear a student called Louise Parsons talking about acting. For questions 9−18, complete the sentences
with a word or short phrase. You will hear the recording twice.

Working in the film industry

Louise says that you can’t learn the (9)                of the film industry from a book.

Louise explains that some people offering seminars are just trying to sell a
 (10)                .

Louise says there are (11)                of people who won’t find success in film,
 publishing or music.

It’s important to get a (12)                because it can take ages to build up
 an acting career.

If Louise doesn’t make it as an actress, she can become (13)                .

Louise says a benefit of acting classes is that they can (14)                your skills.

Louise advises people to (15)                agents who want money before they
 do any work.

Louise explains that her agent receives (16)                of her own fee
 when she works.

Louise points out that (17)                prefer to use actors who have an agent.

Louise says that her own agent (18)                to find roles for her.

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Listening • Part 3
3 You will hear five short extracts in which teenagers are talking about their achievements. For questions 19−23,
choose from the list (A−H) what each speaker says about their achievement. Use the letters only once. There are three
extra letters which you do not need to use. You will hear the recording twice.

A It made someone very proud.

B It should have been better.

C Few people knew about it. Speaker 1 19

Speaker 2 20
D I kept going and improved.
Speaker 3 21

E I’m often asked about it. Speaker 4 22

Speaker 5 23
F It made me very popular.

G I started a campaign.

H What I do is selfless.

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Listening • Part 4
4 You will hear an interview with a teenager called Ingrid Mason, who’s talking about fashion. For questions 24−30,
choose the correct answer. You will hear the recording twice.

24 Ingrid’s website is popular because

A it won an award for the designer.
B shoppers can order the clothes online.
C you can see how the clothes look on you.

25 Ingrid initially became interested in fashion when

A she attended classes at an art school.
B she studied older works of art.
C she began to sew theatre costumes.

26 Which job would not have been suitable for Ingrid?

A artist
B fiction writer
C car mechanic

27 What is implied about older people who don’t buy Ingrid’s clothes?
A They are put off by bright colours.
B Some patterns are a problem for them.
C They are more confident than younger shoppers.

28 Ingrid describes her clothes as

A good for special occasions.
B stylish, but casual.
C too fashionable for everyday wear.

29 What does Ingrid say about sport and fashion?

A The sporty look is very popular with consumers.
B Designers created their own basketball jerseys.
C All sportswear can be worn as street fashion.

30 Ingrid says that the polo shirt that originated in the 1920s
A was replaced 50 years later.
B was worn for greater comfort.
C was adopted by polo players.

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Speaking • Part 1 2 minutes

The examiner will ask you some questions individually.

People you know

• Do you have a best friend? Tell us about him/her.

• Do you enjoy spending time with your relatives? (Why?)
• What qualities do you admire in your mother, father or other relatives?
• Tell us about someone you know who has influenced you.

Things you like

• When do you have free time? (How do you spend your free time?)
• What new activity would you like to try doing in your free time?
• Do you follow a particular sport or a team? (Why do you like it?)
• Do you like to read books? (What kind of books do you read?)

Places you go to

• Tell us about some good places to spend time with your friends. (Why are they good?)
• Which is your favourite place to go on holiday? (Why?)
• Do you spend much time at your friends’ homes? (What do you do there?)
• Can you remember the first day at your current school? (What was it like?)

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Speaking • Part 2 4 minutes

You will do this part of the exam in pairs. Each of you will take turns to answer questions about some photographs.

Student A
Look at these photos that show people working. Compare them and say what you think might be difficult for people
working in these situations. Talk for about 1 minute.

What might be difficult for people working in these situations?

Student B
Which job would you rather do? Talk for about 30 seconds.

Student B
Look at these photos that show people shopping. Compare them and say what you think might be good for people
about shopping in these ways. Talk for about 1 minute.

What might be good for people about shopping in these ways?

Student A
Which kind of shopping would you find more enjoyable? Talk for about 30 seconds.

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Speaking • Part 3 4 minutes

You will do this part of the exam in pairs. This task has two parts.

I’d like you to imagine that your school canteen wants to encourage more students to buy food there. Here are
some ideas about how to attract more students and a question for you to discuss.

free drinks with How can the school more vegetarian

meals canteen get more meals
students to buy
lunch there?

monthly cooking more international

healthy snacks
demonstrations food

First, talk together about why each of the ideas might attract students. Talk for about two minutes.

Now you have about one minute to decide which two would be the most popular.

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 B2 First for Schools Practice Test

Speaking • Part 4 4 minutes

You will do this part of the exam in pairs. Answer the following questions together.

• Do you think young people should be concerned about what they eat? (Why/Why not?)

• What do you think about junk food?

• Why do you think some people become vegetarian?

• What kinds of foreign food are popular in your country? (Why do you think they are popular?)

• Do you prefer home-cooked meals or restaurant food? (Why?)

• What dishes from your country would you recommend to a tourist? (Why?)

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