NEC Foundation 25 - Class of 2025
A - LISTENING
Practice test 1: For questions 1-5, listen to a talk about the science of motivation and
decide whether these statements are True (T), False (F), or Not Given (NG). Write your
answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
1. Given that the majority of people fall short of accomplishing their New Year’s resolutions
just after one month, keeping one’s motivation can be deemed as a challenging task.
2. The study conducted by MIT suggests that rewards are more inclined to impair
cognitive tasks than those requiring physical agility.
3. When people are offered rewards for a previously unrewarded performance, changes in
their brain activities can be identified.
4. Mental contrasting, the strategy that aims to wipe out negative concerns about
impending setbacks, is the key to achieving goals.
5. The what-the-hell effect describes the feeling of being guilty and the willpower to
correct the mistake after having overindulged.
Your answers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Practice test 2: For questions 1-5, listen to an interview with a reporter about a
popular show and decide whether these statements are True (T), False (F) or Not
Given (NG). Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
1. Squid Game is predicted to become the most-viewed non-English language programme
worldwide.
2. The show revolves around a contest in which indebted players risk their lives to play a
series of children's games for the chance to win a bundle.
3. The key to the show’s resounding success lies in its tremendous fanbase and
word-of-mouth strategy.
4. The reporter admits that a particular mistranslation of a context in the series has spoiled
the enjoyment of the viewers.
5. Though the creator had initially written the drama ten years ago, he was unable to find a
production company to fund the idea due to its inappropriate content.
Your answers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Practice test 3: For questions 6-10, you will hear a talk by a woman called Jean who
visited some traditional North American events, a cowboy rodeo and a Native
American powwow. Answer the following questions with NO MORE THAN FIVE WORDS.
Write your answers on the answer sheet.
6. To whom did the organizer express their gratitude at the starting ceremony for the
rodeo?
________________________________________________________________
7. Which term was used to refer to the helper riders?
________________________________________________________________
8. Which marked the end of the powwow?
________________________________________________________________
9. What made the sound Jean enjoyed on the Jingle dancer’s dresses?
________________________________________________________________
10. What must have been added to one competitor’s costume?
________________________________________________________________
Your answers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Practice test 4: For questions 6-10, listen to a talk about five green projects in China. What
does the speaker say about each of the issues? Choose five answers from the box and write
the correct letter, A-J, in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
Column I Column II
A. The project capitalizes on the market forces to solve
environmental pollution.
Five green projects
B. This architectural feat is created based on previous experience
6. The Green Towers in of similar constructions.
Nanjing
C. Recently, this project has been entirely accomplished, adding
7. The China Eden Project 1GW of the estimated 5.5 GW to the local electricity grid.
8. The Datong Solar Power D. The purpose of the project is to increase the arability of land in
Top Runner Base the Gobi desert.
9. The carbon trading E. Located in a crowded coastal city, this construction has
market attracted more than 63 million tourists, mainly from Korea and
Japan.
10. The Great Green Wall
F. In this project, an emitter is bound to produce a fixed amount of
carbon into the atmosphere.
G. There have been grave misgivings from the scientific
community about the feasibility of the project.
H. A combination of two buildings adorned with plants helps to
solve air pollution in a city.
I. The construction is a marketing tactic spreading the image of a
national icon.
J. The construction acts as an educational center enhancing
visitors’ environmental consciousness.
Your answers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Practice test 5: For questions 12-17, you will hear an interview with a man called Jules
Mallory, who works as a music producer. Choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best
according to what you hear.
12. How does Jules feel about the interviewer’s introduction?
A. outraged by her attitude towards music producers
B. irritated by her characterization of him
C. eager to correct a misconception she has
D. taken aback that she mistook him for someone else
13. Jules says that the most thrilling aspect of the acid house scene was ________ .
A. the unpredictability of attendee numbers
B. the opportunity to acquire technical skills
C. the variety of venues he got to perform at
D. the unique atmosphere of the events
14. Jules says that acid house music was revolutionary in that ________ .
A. it did not require a singer to feature on tracks
B. it was mainly written by computer programs
C. professional studio production was not necessary
D. it was heavily based on technology
15. Jules’ attitude to sampling other people’s music is that ________ .
A. it is not a black-and-white issue
B. though he did it in the past, he knows it is wrong
C. there should be no limitations placed on it
D. he only avoids it now for legal reasons
16. When Mickey offered Jules a position, Jules ________ .
A. was reluctant to abandon his dreams of stardom
B. leapt at the chance of learning a trade
C. disagreed with Mickey’s opinion of his abilities
D. felt worried about living up to Mickey’s expectations
17. What role do producers have, according to Jules?
A. They are the genuine writers of the tracks.
B. They need the artists to add substance to their ideas.
C. They turn a musical idea into a complete song.
D. They put together the public image an artist will have.
Your answers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Practice test 6: For questions 11-15, listen to part of a discussion in which two consultants,
Abbie Dale and Ryan Richardson, are talking about two different small businesses that
have achieved success and choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to
what you hear.
11. What does the company that Ryan has chosen encourage its customers to do?
A. buy every kit it produces
B. create new designs and submit them
C. personalise their online purchases
D. tell others how good the products are
12. According to Abbie, the social clothing company's customers _______
A. like to draw attention to themselves.
B. are willing to help in publicity campaigns.
C. show creativity in the videos they send in.
D. have become fiercely loyal to the brand.
13. Ryan believes that the main difference between the two companies is _______
A. the number of employees they have taken on.
B. the way in which they have developed.
C. the variety of problems they have to solve.
D. the age range they cater for.
14. What does Abbie find most astonishing about the company she talks about?
A. its skill in collaborating with partners
B. the owner's ability to keep developments secret
C. the fact that it has grown so fast
D. the number of products it aims to launch
15. According to Ryan, people who buy and assemble the electronic kits _______
A. should start their own businesses.
B. are surprised by their simplicity.
C. find the experience rewarding.
D. aren't frightened of making mistakes.
Your answers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Practice test 7: For questions 18-25, You will hear a young business owner called Matt
Hawkins, giving a presentation about his experience of opening his own restaurant. Write
NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer in the corresponding numbered boxes
provided.
SUCCESS IN THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS
Matt considers (18) ___________ to be of secondary importance in starting a restaurant.
Matt says you have to stay focused on making (19) __________for your business to be a
success.
To get a busy location for your restaurant, you might have to compromise on (20) _________
to afford it.
Matt had to spend a little extra on (21) ___________ to get his restaurant up and running.
Matt says you must be good at (22)____________ to meet all responsibilities of a restaurant
owner.
For one of the mistakes Matt made in his business, he paid a(n) (23) ___________ to come in
and fix it.
In trying to get more customers, the idea for a(n) (24) ____________ was a big success for
Matt.
To make things more efficient, Matt set up a(n) (25)____________ for getting orders to the
kitchen.
Your answers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Practice test 8: For questions 16-25, listen to a record about Chat GPT and complete the
following summary. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from the recording for
each blank. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
Having the ability to quickly 16. ________________ for any topic, the new artificial
intelligence tool called Chat GPT is 17.________________.
The notion that this new technology that’s been 18. ________________ us is something we
have to deal with is strongly contested.
The UWA has officially deemed the 19. ________________ Chat GPT as a violation of its
student conduct policies and 20. ________________.
Although it is 21.________________, students should be cautious about the accuracy of
Chat GPT and the 22. ________________ that it makes.
The banning of Chat GPT has yet to be decided for 23., at least not until the start of 24.
________________. However, one private school in Perth has already chosen to 25.
________________ the use of Chat GPT.
Your answers:
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
B - SPEAKING
Common subtopics to develop ideas relevant to the “Jobs and Occupation” topic:
- Career choice and motivation
- Job satisfaction and work-life balance
- Skills, qualifications and education
- Technology and the future of work
- Job security and employment trends
- Gender and social issues in employment
- Migration and global employment
Topic for speaking:
1. In many countries, few people earn extremely high salary. Some people think that this is
good for the country. Others think the government should not allow salaries to be above a
certain level. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
2. Some people believe that the government should help the unemployed or just laid off from
work on a weekly basis. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own
opinion.
3. Some people think that managers alone should make decisions in the company, while
others think that employees should be involved in the decision-making process too. What is
your opinion?
4. The leaders of most organizations tend to be older people. However, some argue that
younger people make better bosses. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
5. Some people think that only staff who worked in a company for a long time should be
promoted to higher positions. Do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion and examples.
6. Governments should provide a basic income for all citizens, regardless of employment
status. Do you agree or disagree?
7. It is better for governments to create public-sector jobs than to support private businesses.
To what extent do you agree?
8. Unemployed people should be required to do community service in exchange for financial
support. Do you agree or disagree?
9. Universities should focus more on practical skills rather than academic knowledge. Do you
agree?
10.Employers value work experience more than educational qualifications. To what extent do
you agree?
11. Online work platforms have improved job opportunities for young people. To what extent do
you agree?
12.Companies should be required to have equal numbers of men and women in leadership
positions. Do you agree?
13. Women and men should be paid the same for all types of work. To what extent do you
agree?