Part 6

You are going to read an article about a nation. 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. 

Is it time we went Dutch?

Two toddlers have just chased each other to the top of a climbing frame and are pushing to get down the slide first. Their mothers are chatting on a nearby park bench. In the distance a little boy wobbles along on his bike, followed by his grandfather who is pushing a buggy. A gang of older children comes racing along the bike path, laughing and joking. They overtake a young mum who is cycling more slowly, balancing a baby in a seat on the front of her bike and a toddler on the back. A group of girls is playing on the grass and not far away, some boys are perfecting their skateboarding moves. And none of the school-age children is accompanied by an adult.

This happy scene isn’t from a movie. It’s just a normal Springtime afternoon in the Netherlands. Is it too perfect? Realistic? Idealistic? 37 __. Their teenagers are said to be among the happiest in the world and even newborn babies are supposed to be far more contented and smiling than their counterparts in different countries. Of course, the big question is why? And can Dutch parenting skills, the education system and their general priorities in life teach the rest of us anything important?

One significant factor could be the Dutch parents’ attitude towards achievement. For them achievement doesn’t necessarily lead to happiness, but happiness can lead to achievement. Success starts with happiness. They do not push their kids to learn quickly; the children are allowed to develop in their own time. 38 __. Primary school children are not given homework, and reading and writing skills are not usually taught until the age of six. Learning to play together is of first importance. Carefree childhood lasts just that bit longer.

Security is vital for a happy child, and the Dutch try to forge strong family bonds. For example, it’s traditional for the whole family to eat breakfast together every single day. Dutch dads also play a big part in bringing up the children, taking an equal role in child-rearing and doing household chores. 39 __. You’re just as likely to see a dad pushing a pram or wearing a baby-carrier as a mum!

Another interesting point is that independence in Dutch children is encouraged early on. 40 __. They are taught to be self-sufficient and accept responsibility at an appropriate age. Playing outside unsupervised (often considered noisy and disruptive in other cultures) is seen as an important stage in the growing up process.

One common cause of dissatisfaction in many people today is an obsession with material things. 41 __. For the Dutch, practicality usually tops luxury and children often grow up wearing second-hand clothes and playing with used toys. Check out King’s Day celebrations in Amsterdam – a major attraction is the enormous second-hand market where children become traders for the day, buying and selling old toys!

Of course, many countries claim to be ‘the happiest places to live’ or ‘have the most contented people’ for a variety of reasons. 42 __. However, in the end, most happy adults start off as happy children. And while there may be some things about Dutch parenting or education that we do not completely agree with, they are undoubtedly doing something right.

A. Unusually, Dutch children do not appear to be overly affected by this concern.
B. This is reinforced by the Dutch education system.
C. Instead of this, the Dutch believe in inspiring children to explore the world around them.
D. Mums don’t do for their children things they are capable of doing themselves.
E. Perhaps the climate is good or maybe the standard of living is exceptional.
F. According to surveys, it reflects the claim that the Netherlands is a very happy nation.
G. They look after their kids on their days off and help put the little ones to bed.

Part 7

You are going to read an article about people telling white lies. For questions 43 – 52, choose from the sections (A – D). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person …

43. wanted to impress a relative? __
44. was unable to continue in her work? __
45. lied when faced with a difficult choice? __
46. corrects herself when describing the seriousness of her lie? __
47. endured a difficult social event to maintain a lie? __
48. is still unaware of the consequences of her lie? __
49. confessed to having lied before it was discovered? __
50. assumed something that turned out to be wrong? __
51. didn’t enjoy an event completely as a result of her lie? __
52. changed her attitude to lying as a result of an experience? __

Twisting the truth

A Alice
I was just married, and desperately wanted my new mother-in-law to like me. So, when she asked for my opinion of her outfit at a family dinner, I was full of admiration. No way was I going to tell the truth! The dress was purple, flowery and completely outdated. Instead I told her how lovely it was. I’d completely forgotten about the incident until she gave me a birthday present a few months later – an identical purple dress. She said it was because I’d clearly admired hers and she was looking forward to seeing me in it at the party. I wore it and hated every minute of my party that year. I’m much more careful these days about the white lies I tell. And the dress? Well, unfortunately, it somehow shrank in the wash and I haven’t been able to wear it again …

B Holly
My young son had been looking forward to his first sports day at primary school for weeks, and I’d promised to be there, cheering him on. Then, the weekend beforehand I checked my work diary and realised I’d agreed to attend a meeting that same afternoon. If I didn’t go to sports day, I would be letting down my son, but if I didn’t go to the meeting, I’d be letting down my boss. What I should have done was admit my mistake and ask for the afternoon off. Instead I called in sick and I went to the sports day. I was so proud when Danny won his race, although also a little guilty about the meeting. The problem was, I took Danny and his friends for an ice cream in the park later and I’m pretty sure I saw my boss’s car go past. He wants to see me later and I think I know why.

C Cella
It was only a very small exaggeration really. Well, OK, it was more of a lie – but not a big, serious one. I was applying for my present job and listed my hobbies as drama, cross-country running, travelling – and then added gardening because I thought it was a bit different. I even mentioned that I’d won an award. Ha! Truth was I’d won third prize for a miniature garden at school when I was eight and in fact my mum had done most of it. So, when my office wanted ideas about designing a new outside space for our building, guess who they came to for advice? I could have lied again and made something up, but I came clean. Luckily everyone was good about it and we had a laugh sharing stories of other white lies that had had consequences later on. It was Shakespeare who said ‘the truth will out’, wasn’t it? He was right.

D Emily
I had no idea what silver service was – but I said I did when I was being interviewed for a job as a waiter recently. I thought it would be something I could pick up as I went along, after all it wasn’t as if I was an inexperienced waiter – I had served in restaurants before. However, I totally underestimated the difference between waiting tables in a small Italian restaurant, dealing mainly with pizzas and pasta dishes, and the rather more upmarket hotel I was going for. It turns out that silver service involves using a silver serving spoon and fork in the right hand to serve vegetables or meat from a dish held in the left. I definitely shouldn’t have pretended I could do it! Trying to manipulate everything at the same time resulted in my dropping the serving dish and covering a customer with buttered potatoes. I lasted precisely one hour!

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