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Listening Practice: Travel Abroad Insights

The document is a skills test for students preparing for the First for Schools exam, covering listening, reading, grammar, vocabulary, and use of English tasks. It includes various exercises such as dictation, comprehension questions, and sentence completion. The content focuses on travel experiences, volunteering, and environmental conservation, with multiple-choice questions and prompts for written responses.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
21 views7 pages

Listening Practice: Travel Abroad Insights

The document is a skills test for students preparing for the First for Schools exam, covering listening, reading, grammar, vocabulary, and use of English tasks. It includes various exercises such as dictation, comprehension questions, and sentence completion. The content focuses on travel experiences, volunteering, and environmental conservation, with multiple-choice questions and prompts for written responses.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

B2 Name:

Class:
2ND EDITION First for
Schools

UNIT 2: SKILLS TEST A

DICTATION 3 How did Alisa react to the exhibit in the Tate?


A She found it rather frightening.
You are going to listen to a recording about travelling B She thought it was difficult to understand.
abroad. Listen to the whole recording once. Then you will C She was amazed by its complexity.
hear the recording again with pauses for you to write down 4 What did Sarah think was most surprising about the
what you hear. Make sure you spell the words correctly. Chinese family?
 A the names they chose
 B the activities they wanted to do
C the amount of time they spent sightseeing
 5 What was Sarah’s opinion of Shanghai?
 A She was amazed by how exciting it was.
B She liked its modern appearance.

C She found some aspects of the city rather unusual.
 6 Why has Sarah prepared a guide for visitors from Germany?
A She wanted to assist them with language problems.

B She was keen to tell them about the city.
 C She was unhappy that there was no other information
for them.

7 What does Sarah think host families appreciate most from
 their guests?
A following house rules

B bringing presents from their country
 C speaking English all the time
 14

10
Task 2
For questions 8–10, choose the answer (A, B or C) which fits

LISTENING best according to what you heard in Task 1.


8 Which is the best summary of what Sarah is talking about?
You are going to listen to an interview with a young student A her experiences organising an international tennis
who helps with overseas visitors who come to her town. competition
B her experiences hosting people from cities that are
Task 1 twinned with Liverpool
For questions 1–7, choose the answer (A, B or C) which fits C the tourist attractions in her home town of Liverpool
best according to what you hear. 9 Where do the people who have stayed with Sarah come
1 Sarah says the best thing about the students was from?
A being able to learn their language. A China and the Ukraine
B taking up a new interest with them. B Germany and the Ukraine
C understanding more about their culture. C all over the UK
2 What does Sarah say about John Lennon’s childhood home? 10 Which is the best description of how Sarah feels about her
experiences?
A It was too tidy to be interesting.
A She thinks it could be improved with more guidance.
B It was worth visiting more than once.
B She has had some enjoyable and memorable experiences
C It was lacking personality.
and is planning for more.
C She didn’t enjoy hosting people in her home.

 Photocopiable © Pearson Education Limited 2018


B2 Name:
Class:
2ND EDITION First for
Schools

REVIEW (UNITS 1–3): LANGUAGE TEST A

GRAMMAR
Task 1 Task 3
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs Read the article and decide which answer (A, B or C) best
in brackets. fits each gap.
1 My brothers Paul and Alan always
(play) computer games.
My interests
2 Mrs Carter (teach) at our school What job will you do in the future? I wanted to be
since 2016.
an astronaut when I was ten, but now I’m (11)
3 I (work) in a café in California this older that’s changed. I’m hoping to become a sports
summer, but there were fires so I couldn’t go. instructor because I love exercising in the gym and
4 Here’s the plan – we (go) to book the outdoors. Of course, if you are (12) my brother
holiday in Mexico first. After that, we can surprise Dad with Jack, who spends most of his time in front of his
the news! computer, then you are (13) to want to stay indoors.
5 In three years’ time, it’s likely that you Sometimes we play interactive computer games in front
(study) at university. of the television and pretend we’re skiing or playing
football. If you are an outdoors sort of person that
5 can’t drive, then there are (14) places better than
your local park or gym. Or how about persuading some
Task 2 of your family to go for a long walk? You don’t have
to live in the country to do this. You can (15) walk
Choose the correct words to complete the sentences. thousands of steps in the city!
6 I’m not too keen on English tea. It tastes much worse /
much worser than tea in my country. 11 A many B more C much
7 I don’t want to be a waiter when I finish school. Waiters 12 A as lazy as B lazier C laziest
don’t earn too much money / enough money for me to 13 A likelier B more likely C likeliest
achieve my dream. 14 A a few B few C fewest
8 Several / Plenty students in my class are hoping to travel 15 A more easier B the easier C easily
abroad this summer.
5
9 When you’re a vet you have to be good at caring for each /
many animal that you see.
10 I love writing about cycling on my blog. The sense / Sense
of achievement it gives me is great.

Photocopiable © Pearson Education Limited 2018


B2 Name:
Class:
2ND EDITION First for
Schools

REVIEW (UNITS 1–3): LANGUAGE TEST A

VOCABULARY
Task 1 Task 3
Complete the sentences with these words. Read the text and complete the gaps with one word only.

down high responsible sympathetic thrilled


Which job?
16 Going to the Ice Hotel in Sweden is In my school, our teachers often talk about
on my list of places to visit in the world. (26) future and what we will do when we
17 My cousin is for ensuring the are older. Sometimes, they ask someone’s mum or dad
customers have enough to eat and drink at the restaurant to come and talk to us about their job. Most of us have
where she works. an idea of what we want to do, but a (27)
18 The tour guide was very when I said students don’t know this. So it’s great to hear about
I was feeling ill. He arranged for me to sit quietly at a café different jobs. Astrid’s dad is an engineer and he came
while the rest of the group continued with the tour. and gave a presentation about his job last week. He told
19 Kelly was in the dumps yesterday us about the exams you need to do to work in airports
when I saw her as she’d failed her history exam. or in a (28) of places where engineers
work. I’m not at all keen on the idea of working as an
20 You can imagine how I was when I found out
engineer as I’m hopeless at maths and science. I’m much
I’d won a trip to New York. I’m so excited – I can’t wait!
(29) at art and music and I enjoy working
5 in a much (30) creative way. I never run
out of ideas! I’m hoping to work in an art gallery or
possibly even the music industry when I leave school.
Task 2
Choose the correct words to complete the sentences. 5
21 Some people are petrified at / of / over / on the dark. My
friend Faisal didn’t like it when we went on a night walk on
holiday.
22 It’s best to tell your boss something is wrong at the first
time / sign / impact / happening of trouble.
23 My teacher insists in / at / on / up us being on time. He
doesn’t like it when we are late for class.
24 It’s good to have control from / over / under / out your
own time – I’d like to work for myself when I leave school.
25 Employers like people who can manage / rely / cope /
benefit with change. Things never stay the same for ever!

Photocopiable © Pearson Education Limited 2018


B2 Name:
Class:
2ND EDITION First for
Schools

REVIEW (UNITS 1–3): LANGUAGE TEST A

USE OF ENGLISH
Task 1
Complete the second sentence so that that is has a similar meaning to the first sentence using the word given.
Do not change the word given. Use between two and five words.
31 I planned to fly to Paris at the weekend, but the flight was cancelled.
DUE
I Paris at the weekend, but the flight was cancelled.
32 I’ve never had such an exciting feeling.
EVER
That’s the felt.
33 Tina arrived late so she didn’t see the start of the play.
TOO
Tina arrived the start of the play.
34 Lisa got that laptop when she was fourteen.
HAS
Lisa she was fourteen years old.
35 Delivering newspapers is less boring than I thought it would be.
AS
Delivering newspapers I thought it would be.
36 It’s necessary to be very energetic to be a dancer.
DEAL
You need to be a dancer.

12

Task 2
Read the article and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap.

Memorable travel experiences


When I finish university, I want to be a tour guide. I’d like to help people (37) their goal, which could be reaching the
(38) of a mountain or trying (39) going on a zip wire for the first time. Mass tourism can lead to tour operators
taking tourists to the most well-known attractions, but that doesn’t appeal (40) everyone. Experiences such as
swimming with dolphins or staying with a local family to discover their traditions is (41) on some people’s lists.
What about you? Would you like to be blown (42) by seeing the Northern Lights in Scandinavia or discovering the
lost city of Machu Picchu in Peru? Of course, sometimes the actual experience may not live up to your (43) . It might
be cloudy when you go to Sweden so you don’t (44) seeing the fantastic green lights across the winter skies. It’s
good to have dreams, but you shouldn’t insist on always realising them or you could end up being disappointed!

37 A realise B finish C get D achieve


38 A height B summit C bottom D point
39 A on B in C from D out
40 A to B for C at D of
41 A tall B above C high D wide
42 A away B over C with D up
43 A dreams B expectations C predictions D thoughts
44 A give up B give away C end up D put off

Total: 50

Photocopiable © Pearson Education Limited 2018


B2 Name:
Class:
2ND EDITION First for
Schools

UNIT 2: SKILLS TEST A

READING
Task 1
You are going to read an article about four young people who have volunteered to help on different projects.
For questions 11–17, choose from the people A–D. The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person/people:
11 was determined to assist the victims of a natural disaster?
12 refers to the negative effects of mass tourism on native species?
13 reports that some people in the community recognise how the project helps them?
14 describes a regular commitment to volunteering with children?
15 mentions the requirement to help to tidy up the environment?
16 had the opportunity to educate the next generation about conserving their environment?
17 reports that similar conditions had not been seen for generations?

14

Task 2
Read the article again and answer the questions in your own words.
18 Summarise the benefits of the volunteer work described in A to the local environment.
19 Why did person D decide to volunteer?

Total: 50

Photocopiable © Pearson Education Limited 2018


B2 Name:
Class:
2ND EDITION First for
Schools

UNIT 2: SKILLS TEST A

Young volunteers
Four young people talk about the projects they volunteered on.
A C
Last year, I went to help with the conservation of Most people think it rains all the time in Britain,
endangered species in the Galapagos Islands. I’ve which isn’t true, but at times it can seem like it
always been fascinated by the animals that live there. does. Sometimes we get too much rain and it
Unfortunately, the fact that over 80,000 tourists visit floods. In December 2015, the city of Carlisle and
the islands each year means that the rubbish that they the surrounding villages in the north of England
leave on beaches can harm the giant tortoises and experienced devastating floods after Storm Desmond
seabirds. At first, I monitored the Galapagos Petrel, hit the area. Luckily, my family lives in a village on a
which builds its nests where the native miconia plants hill so we weren’t affected. But when I saw that local
grow. Humans have introduced non-native plants, children had had to leave their homes with their
like the guava tree, which stop miconia from growing parents and sleep in the sports hall of their school, I
freely and so are a threat to this unique bird, as are decided to do something to help. I went to the flood
the black rats that live in the rubbish-strewn urban relief centre and distributed hot meals that other
areas on the islands. After a week of counting, tagging volunteers had cooked. I am a bit of a whizz at building
and measuring these birds, I then worked in the giant websites, so I made one that asked people to donate
tortoise breeding centre. This is the only protected clothing, shoes, food and toys to be given to flood
area on the islands and tortoises are bred and kept safe victims. There were also a lot of elderly people whose
here. I helped repair nests and ponds and also fed the homes were flooded and they said it was the worst
tortoises. They eat the otoi plant, so we planted lots of flooding they had seen since 1947.
these. I also went into local schools to talk about how
D
schoolchildren can help this endangered species to
I live in a town near London, but my uncle and aunt
survive.
live on a farm in Devon and I go to visit them in the
B school holidays. I love helping to feed and care for
As part of my Duke of Edinburgh Gold award, I went the animals, so when I heard that Hackney City Farm
on an expedition to Base Camp at the foot of Mount in the centre of London was looking for volunteers,
Everest to clear up the rubbish left by many groups I jumped at the chance. I like working with children
of climbers. Each year, around 100,000 walkers and so I help at the Mini Farmers Club every Saturday
climbers visit the area and damage the precious ecology morning. We make arts and crafts and get to know the
of the mountain. Since 2014, climbers have had to fill animals. Some children have never seen a live farm
canvas bags left on the mountain with the rubbish left animal until they come to the farm so it is wonderful to
by previous visitors to the area. The bags are then taken see their faces light up when they can stroke the goats
away by helicopters at no extra cost as these fly to the and cows. They also learn about where foods like milk,
mountain to drop climbing ropes and used to return cheese and meat come from as some think they are
empty. To date, over sixteen tonnes of waste including made in supermarkets! It’s not just the children that
oxygen tanks, tents, eating utensils and other camping we help –adults who want to learn how to grow fruit
materials have been taken away, but there is still more and vegetables come to gardening sessions. I can only
to do to return this famous location to its pure and help on these during the school holidays, and I meet
clean condition of earlier times. a lot of retired people. Some of them tell me they feel
isolated and like getting out and meeting people. The
farm is always looking for volunteers, so what are you
waiting for?

Photocopiable © Pearson Education Limited 2018


B2 Name:
Class:
2ND EDITION First for
Schools

REVIEW (UNITS 1–3): WRITING TEST

Write 140–190 words in an appropriate style. Write your answer on a separate answer sheet.

Task 1
In your English class you have been talking about the benefits of travel. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write
an essay.

Some people say, ‘Travel can be a real eye-opener’. Do you agree?

Write about:
1 new experiences
2 languages
3 (your own idea)
Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.

Write 140–190 words.

 Photocopiable © Pearson Education Limited 2018

Common questions

Powered by AI

Mass tourism adversely impacts native species in the Galapagos Islands by introducing non-native plants and pollution. For instance, the introduction of non-native plants like the guava tree prevents the miconia plant from growing freely, posing a threat to the Galapagos Petrel, which builds its nests in miconia plants. Additionally, the rubbish left by tourists contributes to a habitat conducive to pests such as black rats, which further threaten the local wildlife .

The Galapagos Petrel faces challenges from human activities, including habitat destruction due to non-native plants and predation by black rats enabled by tourist waste. Volunteers mitigate these challenges by monitoring, tagging, and measuring these birds, as well as educating local schoolchildren on conservation efforts, fostering community awareness and involvement .

Person D decided to volunteer at Hackney City Farm because they enjoy working with children and wanted to combine this interest with their experience in animal care from visiting their uncle and aunt's farm in Devon. The person finds joy in helping children connect with and learn about farm animals, providing them an opportunity to learn where their food comes from .

Failing to realize personal travel goals can lead to disappointment and unmet expectations, as suggested in the article on memorable travel experiences. The article advises managing dreams realistically to avoid such outcomes, emphasizing that flexibility and adjusting goals based on circumstances are crucial in maintaining satisfaction and mental well-being .

Hackney City Farm employs experiential learning by involving participants, particularly children, in hands-on activities such as arts and crafts, learning about farm animals, and understanding the origins of food. Adults can attend gardening sessions to learn about growing produce. Such activities provide practical skills and awareness, potentially fostering a lifelong appreciation for agriculture and environmental stewardship .

The effectiveness of using online platforms in aiding disaster relief, as seen in Carlisle, lies in their potential to quickly mobilize resources and public support. By creating a website to solicit donations, person C efficiently gathered essential items and connected donors with victims, highlighting digital platforms' capacity to enhance coordination and widen the reach of relief efforts in real-time .

Person C helped flood victims in Carlisle by distributing hot meals and creating a website to solicit donations of clothing, shoes, food, and toys for those affected. This effort provided immediate relief and support for individuals displaced by the flood. In the longer term, such volunteering efforts can help create systems of community support and resilience by fostering collaboration and quick response to future emergencies .

Personal interests and skills significantly shape career aspirations by aligning potential career paths with individual passions and competencies. For instance, a young person interested in sports may aspire to become a sports instructor, while another with technical prowess may seek careers in fields like engineering, as discussed in the document's context of exploring career options and skills .

Volunteering in a foreign environment offers cultural and educational benefits by exposing individuals to diverse traditions and ecological settings. For example, volunteers in the Galapagos Islands learn about local wildlife conservation, while those assisting with disaster relief gain insights into different community structures and resilience strategies. Such experiences enhance cultural understanding and foster global citizenship .

To manage waste and preserve the Mount Everest ecology, climbers are required to fill canvas bags with rubbish left by previous visitors. These bags, containing items like oxygen tanks and tents, are picked up by helicopters during their routine trips to deliver climbing ropes. This system, operational since 2014, has successfully removed over sixteen tonnes of waste, aiming to restore the mountain's natural condition .

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