Answer Keys
Part 1
A. Chloe says ‘I’ve already ordered your tea and a slice of cake,’ which means she has bought these items for the person she is meeting. Option B is incorrect because the tea is already on the table; the message urges the person to arrive before the tea gets cold, not before Chloe does. Option C is incorrect because Chloe has already placed and, presumably, paid for the order.
2 B. The notice says the ground floor pool is closed on Mondays ‘between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.,’ which is a period of three hours. Option A is incorrect because the outdoor pool is described as open ‘at any time,’ not only when the indoor pool is closed. Option C is incorrect because the outdoor pool remains open even while the indoor pool is being cleaned.
3 B. ‘Proof of age may be requested’ means young people should bring something like a student card or passport that shows their date of birth. Option A is incorrect because the sign advertises free entry for under 16s; it does not say over 16s cannot enter, only that they must pay. Option C is incorrect because ‘last admission one hour before closing’ means the final entry time is one hour before the museum shuts, not that the museum closes one hour after the last person comes in.
4 C. The manager says the forgotten lunch ‘will be thrown away’ if not collected by Friday, which means the old, unlabelled food will not be kept any longer. Option A is incorrect because the message is about one specific forgotten lunch, not a general instruction to empty the fridge. Option B is incorrect because there is a clear deadline; the food will not be stored there forever.
5 C. Richard says he has only four chairs and asks guests to bring something to sit on. This means guests should not expect a chair to be available for them. Answer A is wrong because Richard says he has ‘all the food sorted.’ B is wrong because he has a rain plan; the event will move inside, it will not be cancelled.
Part 2
6 D. The Town Orchestra Concert is a music performance in a hall where the audience sits and listens. The concert venue has step-free access, reserved wheelchair spaces, and accessible toilets, which makes it fully suitable for his grandmother. It also offers a discount for senior citizens. Option B is also on a weekend and is indoors, but it is a hands-on craft fair where people move around and make things, which does not match the idea of sitting comfortably and listening. Option H takes place on Saturday afternoon and has music, but it is described as busy and noisy.
7 C. Zara wants a Friday night celebration with music and food in one place, dand the Food and Jazz Evening event offers a three-course meal and live jazz included in the ticket price. This matches her wish to pay a single amount that covers everything. The event is for over-18s only, and because Zara and her friends are eighteen, they are allowed to attend. Option G is also on Friday and is free, but it is a calm choir session with tea, not a lively celebration. Option F is on Friday with food available, but the food is sold separately and the event is outdoors and weather-dependent.
8 B. Kamil wants a Sunday morning activity for his young children, and the Family Craft Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The children can make things with their hands, and adults are welcome to join in. Kamil is concerned about the cost for five people, and this event allows him to pay only for the activities they choose, with each one costing between £1 and £3. Option H is free to enter and runs on Sunday, but it is a market where people walk around and buy things rather than a structured making activity.
9 A. Rosa wants an event on Saturday evening that is calm and regular, and Story Night at the Book Café takes place every Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. The atmosphere is described as peaceful and friendly, and visitors sit and listen to stories while having a hot drink. Many people come alone, which suits Rosa because she wants to become a familiar face. Option C is also on Saturday evening and has music, but it is a lively dinner event rather than a quiet place to listen. Option G is a regular Friday event, but Rosa said she is only considering Saturdays.
10 E. Ben and his partner are keen runners who want a Sunday physical challenge with scenery, and the Trail Run and Breakfast offers a 10-kilometre guided run through woodland and along a river. They don’t mind travelling not too far from the city, and the event is about 25 minutes by car. The run finishes with a free breakfast and drink in the village hall, which matches their wish for a social gathering at the end. Option C has a social atmosphere but is a dinner and jazz event, not a run. Option H is outdoors but involves walking around a market, not a running challenge.
Part 3
11 C. The grandmother tells the writer that the photograph shows ‘your grandfather, before I met him,’ which means it was taken before their relationship began. Option A is incorrect – the text does not say it was the only photograph. We don’t go with Option B – the man is described as looking ‘unsure’ and having been caught turning around, not laughing at the camera.Option D – the writer says he looked ‘a little unsure,’ which is the opposite of completely confident.
12 B. The writer says that whenever she asked about the photograph, her grandmother would give the same brief answer and ‘then she would change the subject.’ The writer adds, ‘I learned not to ask again,’ which suggests she understood her grandmother did not want to talk. Option A is incorrect because the writer says she ‘never stopped being curious.’ Option C – the mother is not mentioned in this part of the text. Option D – the grandfather had died when the writer was six, so she could not have worried about upsetting him.
13 D. The text says the grandmother ‘paused and looked at it for a long moment.’ This shows she stopped her activity and became thoughtful. She then sat down and began to talk. A is incorrect because she did not ask for it to be put back; it now hangs in the writer’s kitchen. B is incorrect because the text does not say she took it from the writer. C is incorrect because she did not tell the writer to continue; instead, she sat down and shared stories.
14 B. The grandmother explains that the grandfather was a delivery rider who arrived at her parents’ farm ‘with a parcel’ for work. He then returned the following week ‘without any package to deliver’ because he wanted to see her again. This means his first visit was for a work-related reason. Option A is incorrect because the text says he loved dancing but was terrible at it; it does not say he wanted to be a professional. Option C is wrong because the text mentions the war only as a time reference, not as something the grandfather took part in. Option D doesn’t fit – he wrote letters only after they had already met, not before.
15 B. Throughout the story, the grandmother avoided talking about the photograph for years. Then, during the packing, she ‘just needed the right moment’ to share her stories. The writer learned that the person who knew him best needed time before she was ready. This matches the idea that people sometimes need time before sharing memories. Option A is wrong as the photograph did reflect something real; the grandmother’s stories brought it to life. Option C is doesn’t work here – the story is entirely about learning from a relative, not from books. Option D is incorrect because the writer did not push with difficult questions; she waited, and the moment came naturally.
Part 4
16 B. The sentence before the gap explains that the company offered the writer an interview. Sentence B shows the writer’s reaction: checking the email twice to be sure it was real. This is a natural response to unexpected good news, and it connects smoothly to the following sentence where the writer thinks about the good salary and interesting role.
17 D. The sentence before the gap describes three days of careful preparation. The sentence after the gap explains how nervous the writer felt on the day, getting lost and sweating before reaching reception. Sentence D creates the contrast by acknowledging the preparation but stating that it did not stop the nerves. The word ‘however’ signals this shift perfectly.
18 C. The sentence before the gap describes the agony of waiting for a reply after the interview. Sentence C continues this feeling by explaining that the writer had convinced herself the answer would be bad. The time reference ‘by Thursday evening’ leads naturally into the following sentence, which begins with ‘The following Thursday,’ when the phone call finally comes. The contrast between her negative expectation and the positive outcome is effective.
19 F. The author focuses on the idea how success is something others have, not her. Sentence F shows the turning point: the summer job taught her that she could be one of those successful people too. The phrase ‘that moment’ refers back to receiving the job offer. The following sentence about remembering the feeling ties everything together.
20 H. ‘That stays with you’ – the short closing sentence of the text points at the idea of confidence. The confidence the job gave the writer, something he didn’t have previously. The contrast between the building changing and the confidence remaining creates a satisfying ending.
Part 5
21 A. ‘Fall apart’ means to break into pieces because something is old or damaged. It fits the worn leather strap perfectly.’Go out’ refers to lights or fires stopping. ‘Come off’ means to become detached from something, but the strap is still attached; it is just thin. Finally, ‘get away’ means to escape.
22 A. The phrase ‘running behind’ is a fixed expression used for clocks and watches that are showing a time earlier than the real time. It fits perfectly with the idea of the watch losing time. ‘Going behind’ doesn’t make sense in this context as it usually means literally going behind something. ‘Staying behind’ means remaining in a place after others have left. ‘Keeping behind’ is not a natural collocation.
23 A. The adjective ‘worth’ is used to describe the financial value of something, and it is followed by a noun or noun phrase. ‘The watch was not worth much money’ means it did not have high monetary value.’Cost’ is only used as a verb. ‘Value’ as a verb normally means ‘to appreciate something’. ‘Price’ is a noun.
24 D. If you give something a go, it means you try it. The writer decided to try the colleague’s suggestion. ‘Make a go’ and ‘take a go’ are not valid expressions. Option C is incorrect because ‘have it a go’ is not the correct form; one can ‘have a go,’ but not ‘have it a go.’
25 A. ‘Similar’ means almost the same but not identical. The repairman found an old part from a watch that was like the grandfather’s watch. We can’t go with ‘same’ because it wouldn’t need a definite article (‘the same’). ‘Equal’ is used for measurements, amounts, or value, not for describing objects. ‘Matching’ is an adjective usually used for things that look the same or go together well, but it does not fit grammatically before ‘watch’ in this structure.
26 C. The phrase ‘check the time’ is a very common collocation meaning to look at a watch or clock to see what time it is. It fits naturally at the end of the story. Option A is incorrect because ‘check the moment’ is not a natural expression. Option B is incorrect because ‘check the hour’ suggests looking at a specific hour rather than telling the time in general. Option D is incorrect because while ‘check the watch’ is possible, ‘check the time’ is the much more common and natural phrase.
Part 6
27 since. ‘Since” with a specific point in time shows when something started. Lena began working at the office when she was twenty-two and stayed there until last year. The word “for” would be incorrect here because “for” is used with a period of time, not a starting point.
28 or. “Now or never” is a common fixed expression meaning that if you do not act now, you will lose your chance. The word “and” would not express this sense of choice.
29 for. “For the rest of my life” means from now until the end of your life. It is the only preposition that fits this time expression.
30 if. The verb “wondered” is often followed by “if” to introduce a question or uncertain thought. She asked herself whether she had made a mistake.
31 when. This word introduces a relative clause describing the noun “moments.” It tells us that during these particular moments, she felt like giving up.
32 ever. “Happier than I had ever seen her” is a common structure using the past perfect with “ever” to mean at any time up to that point. The word “never” would create the opposite meaning.
Vocabulary
The vocabulary below is meant to help you with the more difficult words. If the word isn’t on the list then you are either supposed to know it or it is too specific to be worth learning and you don’t have to know it to answer the question. Symbols in brackets mean part of speech(see bottom of the list). Sentences in italics give examples of usage for some more complex words and phrases.
And remember — you are not given a vocabulary list (or a dictionary) at your real exam.
Part 1
Order (n) — the food or drink that you ask for in a restaurant or cafe. I placed my order for a coffee and a sandwich at the counter.
Proof of age (n) — a document or card that shows how old you are. You need to show proof of age, like a passport, to buy alcohol.
Requested (v) — asked for in a formal or official way. Silence is requested while the exam is in progress.
Last admission (n) — the final time you are allowed to enter a place. Last admission to the castle is at 4:30 p.m., even though it closes at 5 p.m.
Label (v) — to put a small piece of paper or writing on something to say what it is or who it belongs to. Please label your lunchbox with your name so it does not get lost.
Stored (v) — kept in a place for future use. The apples are stored in a cool room so they stay fresh longer.
Sorted (adj) — (informal) arranged or dealt with successfully. Do not worry about drinks for the party — that is already sorted.
Rain plan (n) — an alternative arrangement in case it rains. The picnic has a rain plan: we will eat indoors if the weather is bad.
Part 2
Venue (n) — the place where an event or activity happens. The concert will be at a different venue because the first one was too small.
Access (n) — the ability to enter or use a place. The building has wheelchair access through a ramp at the side entrance.
In advance (phrase) — before something happens; early. You need to book tickets in advance because the show is very popular.
Celebrate (v) — to do something enjoyable because of a special occasion. We went out for dinner to a fancy restaurant downtown to celebrate my brother’s birthday.
Lively (adj) — full of energy, activity, and people. The town centre is lively on Saturday nights with music and crowds.
Allows (v) — gives permission or makes something possible. The new rule allows students to use their phones during breaks.
Add up (phrasal v) — increase gradually to become a large amount. Buying coffee every day adds up to a lot of money by the end of the month.
Regularly (adv) — often; at the same time each day, week, or month. He goes to the gym regularly, usually three times a week.
Familiar face (n) — a person that you have seen many times before and recognise. After a few weeks at the club, I started to see familiar faces.
Social gathering (n) — an event where people meet to talk and spend time together. The wedding was a happy social gathering with music and dancing.
Step-free access (n) — a way to enter a building without using stairs, often using a ramp or lift. The library has step-free access, so it is easy for people with pushchairs.
Reserved spaces (n) — seats or areas that are kept for particular people. The theatre has reserved spaces for wheelchair users near the front.
Accessible toilets (n) — restrooms that are designed for people with disabilities. The station has accessible toilets on the ground floor.
Senior citizens (n) — older people, usually those who have retired. The community centre offers free yoga classes for senior citizens.
Regular runners (n) — people who run often as a hobby or for exercise. Regular runners usually have good stamina and strong legs.
Woodland (n) — an area of land covered with trees. We went for a walk through the woodland and saw rabbits and birds.
Weather-dependent (adj) — able to happen only if the weather is suitable. The beach party is weather-dependent; it will be cancelled if it rains.
Uneven (adj) — not flat or smooth. Be careful on the path — it is uneven, with lots of bumps and holes.
Taster session (n) — a short, free class that lets you try an activity before you decide to join. The gym offers a taster session for new members who are not sure yet.
Handmade goods (n) — items that are made by hand, not by machines. The market sells handmade goods like pottery, jewellery, and wooden toys.
Fresh produce (n) — fruits and vegetables that are recently picked and not processed. The farmer’s market is the best place to buy fresh produce.
Peak times (n) — the busiest times when many people are doing the same thing. The supermarket is very crowded at peak times, like Saturday mornings.
Part 3
Squinting (v) — partially closing your eyes because of bright light or to see better. She was squinting in the bright sunshine on the beach.
Unsure (adj) — not certain or confident about something. He was unsure whether to take the job or wait for a better offer.
Curious (adj) — wanting to know or learn more about something. The child was curious about how the clock worked and took it apart.
Preferred (v) — liked better than something else. She preferred tea to coffee, so she ordered a hot cup of Earl Grey.
Clearly (adv) — in a way that is easy to see, hear, or understand. The teacher spoke clearly so everyone could follow the instructions.
Workshop (n) — a room or building where things are made or repaired using tools. My uncle fixes old motorbikes in his workshop behind the house.
Whistle (v) — to make a high sound by blowing air through your lips. He can whistle any song – a skill that I had always wanted to have myself.
Pause (v) — stopp briefly before continuing. She paused for a moment to catch her breath before speaking again.
Delivery rider (n) — a person who transports goods, packages, or food on a bicycle or motorcycle. The delivery rider arrived with our pizza in under twenty minutes.
Parcel (n) — an object or package wrapped in paper and sent by post or courier. A parcel arrived this morning containing the book I ordered online.
Dozens of (phrase) — many; a large number. She has dozens of photos from her holiday, so it will take hours to look at them all.
Step out of the frame (phrase) — (here): become more real and alive, not just a flat image. When he started telling stories, his grandfather seemed to step out of the frame and become a real person.
Part 4
Position (n) — a job or role within a company or organisation. Julia applied for a position as a receptionist at the hotel.
Genuinely (adv) — in a real, honest, and sincere way. He was genuinely sorry for being late and brought flowers to apologise.
Replayed (v) — thought about something again in your mind, like playing a video. After the argument, she replayed the conversation in her head all night.
Assumed (v) — believed something to be true without having proof. I assumed you knew about the party, so I did not remind you.
Confidence (n) — the feeling that you can do something well or succeed. Practising every day gave Lisa the confidence to perform on stage.
Branch (n) — a local office or shop belonging to a larger company. The bank has a branch on every high street in the city.
Part 5
Pass away (phrasal v) — die (a polite expression). My cat passed away peacefully in her sleep last night.
Leather strap (n) — a long, thin piece of leather used to hold something, such as a watch. The leather strap on my watch broke, so I need to replace it.
Repair shop (n) — a place where broken items are fixed. I took my bicycle to the repair shop because the tyre was flat.
Examined (v) — looked at carefully and closely. The doctor examined my throat and said I had a cold.
Precious (adj) — very special and valuable, often because of emotional meaning. The old teddy bear was not expensive, but it was precious to me.
Colleague (n) — a person you work with. I had lunch with a colleague from the marketing department.
Appeared (v) — came into sight; became visible. The sun appeared from behind the clouds after the rain stopped.
Reminded (v) — helped someone remember something. The smell of freshly-baked bread reminded me of my grandmother’s kitchen.
Go out of your way (phrase) — make a special effort to do something helpful. The receptionist went out of her way to find us a taxi when it was raining.
Part 6
Out of the blue (phrase) — suddenly and unexpectedly. Out of the blue, my old friend from school called me after ten years.
Salary (n) — the money you receive regularly for doing your job. Sandy’s salary is paid monthly into her bank account.
Got on with (phrasal v) — had a friendly and positive relationship with someone. I get on with my flatmate very well; we never argue.
Regret (v) — to feel sad or sorry about something you did or did not do. Jose regretted not saying goodbye to his grandfather before he moved away.
Regular wage (n) — the fixed amount of money you earn each week or month. She preferred a regular wage to working as a freelancer with uncertain income.
Encouraged (v) — gave someone confidence or hope to do something. My teacher encouraged me to enter the writing competition.
Apply for (phrasal v) — to make a formal request for a job, course, or opportunity. I decided to apply for the summer job at the museum.
Accept (v) — officially agree to take something that is offered. She was accepted into the university programme after a difficult interview.
