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CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 15

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 15


The old, print-friendly test

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Changing Typefaces

In what can only be described as an impressive 0 piece of research, a schoolboy in the USA has calculated that the state and federal governments could save getting on for $400m a year by changing the typeface they use for printed documents.

Shocked by the number of printed handouts he was receiving from his teachers, the 14-year old boy decided to investigate the cost. He established that ink 1 up to 60% of the cost of a printed page and is, gram for gram, twice as expensive as some famous perfumes. He then started looking at the different typefaces and discovered that, by 2 to one called Garamond with its thin, elegant strokes, his school district could reduce its ink 3 by 24% annually. Working on that 4 , the federal savings would be enormous.

5 , earlier studies of the 6 of font choice have shown that it can affect more than just cost. The typeface that a document uses also 7 how much of the information is 8 and whether it is worth taking seriously.

For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 14

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 14


The old, print-friendly test

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Mountain rescue in Scotland

Last year, over 200 climbers were rescued from the mountains of Scotland by local teams, who go out in all weathers whenever disaster 0 hits. Many of these people are volunteers, giving their time and energy freely and, on 1 putting themselves in danger. They will risk life and 2 in an emergency when they are 3 on to rescue foolhardy or unlucky climbers. A whole 4 of things can go wrong up in the mountains, from sudden, violent storms with virtually zero visibility to unforeseen accidents, and many walkers and climbers owe a huge 5 of gratitude to the rescue teams!

While rescue teams often work for little or no pay, there are still considerable costs 6 in maintaining an efficient service. Equipment such as ropes and stretchers is of 7 importance, as are vehicles and radio communications devices. Although some of the costs are borne by the government, the rescue teams couldn’t operate without 8 from the public. Fortunately, these tend to be very generous.

For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 13

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 13


The old, print-friendly test

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Raising Awareness

In cities around the world, a wide 0 range of schemes is being instigated to promote environmental awareness. ‘It’s just as easy to 1 of litter properly as it is to drop it on the streets’, says city councillor Mike Edwards. ‘It’s a question of encouraging people to do so as a 2 of course. Once the habit is ingrained, they won’t even 3 they are doing it. After all, think what we’ve achieved with recycling in the home. People have become accustomed to it, so it doesn’t 4 to them that they’re spending any additional time in the process. Only if they have to carry this waste for some appreciable distance to find a suitable container do they feel they are 5 ‘.

A quirky, 6 gimmick might be enough to change behaviour. With this in 7 the city of Berlin is introducing rubbish bins that say danke, thank you and merci when someone drops an item of rubbish into them. It might just 8 the trick in this city, too.

For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 12

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 12


The old, print-friendly test

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Solar Power for Indian Villages

Gulab Devi looks like a 0 typical rural woman from Rajasthan in north-west India. She can neither read nor write, but is 1 a successful pioneer in the Barefoot Solar Engineering Project, a scheme 2 to bring solar power to hundreds of villages across India. The availability of solar power 3 women from the arduous task of searching for wood for fuel and also reduces their 4 to unhealthy wood smoke.

Gulab is her family’s sole breadwinner. Her job as a solar engineer 5 making electronic circuits and chargers for solar lighting panels, and she and her family are able to live comfortably on her salary.

Most of the engineers in the scheme are women, and are trained at the Barefoot College 6 by social worker Bunker Roy. His 7 is to address problems by building on skills that people already have, and then place the solutions to their problems in their own hands. Early 8 are that the project is having a powerful impact on the lives of women like Gulab.

For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 11

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 11


The old, print-friendly test

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

The Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco 0 achieved worldwide fame almost immediately after its completion in 1937, not just because it was a technical masterpiece but also 1 of its elegant design. The eye-catching orange-red colour of the bridge also 2 its popularity.

Construction of the road bridge started in 1933. At the time, many people doubted whether it was technically possible to span the 1,600-metre-wide strait. But despite this, the project 3 . There is also a sidewalk for pedestrians on the bridge but it’s quite a 4 to walk across it. For a start, it is three kilometres long and 67 metres above sea level. In extreme weather conditions, the bridge can 5 almost eight metres, which can make the crossing rather unpleasant.
The Golden Gate Bridge is at its most 6 in the morning when it is often shrouded by mist.

At night, it’s also spectacular because the lighting makes it seem as if the towers are 7 into the darkness. The bridge has long since 8 its record of being the longest bridge but it is still one of the world’s most famous landmarks

For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 10

cae-reading-practice-test-10


The old, print-friendly test

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Example:
A fulfil В accomplish C manage D perform

Book Review
Galapagos: The islands that changed the world

I was lucky enough to 0 fulfil an ambition and visit the Galapagos Islands two years ago. 1 no substitute for a visit, this superbly attractive book provides a fascinating commentary and scientific background to the Galapagos experience. BBC books have 2 their usual high-quality job in producing the volume that will accompany their TV series of the same name.

Nothing can compare to exploring the strange landscapes, 3 up close and personal with the unique wildlife and witnessing the rich biological and environmental history that is so very apparent on the islands. However, this book does 4 close. The superb descriptive prose of award-winning cameraman Paul Stewart is another plus 5 as is the fact that this is punctuated by his iconic photography. This book 6 in celebrating the weird and wonderful sights but don’t 7 read this book as an alternative to actually going, use it as the 8 of inspiration for your own trip, a useful guide once you’re there and a stunning reminder on your return.

For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 9

CAE Reafing and Use of English Test 9


The old, print-friendly test

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

A success story — or is it?

Success, like beauty, lies in the 0 eye of the beholder. How one person chooses to define it can be very different from how others perceive it. For some people, it’s earning a fortune, 1 for others it’s working in a voluntary position helping those less fortunate. It’s also relative rather than 2 because the person who 3 a new skill has achieved success in their terms just as much as the self-made millionaire.

Ironically, there may also be an underlying contradiction in the term. 4 , an actress who has a glamorous life and seems to have everything she wants may actually be troubled by the loss of her 5 life as paparazzi invade her personal 6 .

It also has something to do with the length of time success 7 . Many young people are happy with short-term fame but 8 it’s true that reaching that one goal might be comparatively straightforward, maintaining that success is often much harder. And surely, it’s long-term success that is ultimately the most satisfying and also the most enviable?

For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 8

CAE Reafing and Use of English Test 8


The old, print-friendly test

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

I wish I’d known that before

I’ve always tried to be a supportive friend, 0 keeping my own counsel on my true opinions. I’ve lied to 1 a friend’s face and gone to parties with people I couldn’t stand 2 upset them. But now I’m older I have realised that being permanently sympathetic is not the way to hold on to your integrity and well-being. Armed with this understanding, I planned to 3 on a policy of being totally honest at all times. I came across research that 4 me up, claiming that often people don’t actually want the truth and that being honest reduces the stress that inevitably accompanies 5 so-called white lies. So I decided to 6 ahead. Some people hated me, others were angry, but my real friends valued my honesty. 7 , I was aware of the damage bluntness can do but I’ve learned that true friendship survives on sincerity and a few 8 truths won’t ruin it. I wish I’d known that before!

For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 7

CAE Reafing and Use of English Test 7


The old, print-friendly test

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

To Sell or not to Sell?

You may think selling your house is easy but everyone wants to get the 0 best deal. Unfortunately, the housing market is 1 to highs and lows, which could prevent your 2 the price you want. However, displaying your house at its best could persuade 3 buyers it’s worth paying more for than a similar one nearby. Here are some simple steps you can take that might 4 a sale.

De-clutter and throw away or store superfluous stuff. It may have sentimental value for you but to a buyer it’s junk. Tidy shelves and work surfaces. 5 most buyers will renovate a house as soon as they move in, it is worth 6 up the place by painting, replacing worn carpets and so on. The look you want is neat but lived in — comfortable and cosy but suggesting that there is still 7 for a purchaser to put their own 8 on the house. It’s your home and you love it but the trick is to make others love it, too!

For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 6

CAE Reafing and Use of English Test 6


The old, print-friendly test

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

So Who Needs People?

People have always seen themselves as social animals, with living together as the norm, but increasing numbers are 0 settling down as singles. Why is this happening?

It’s often presented as indicating the undesirable 1 of society but, actually, the reality is more interesting and less worrying. One reason more people 2 for the single life is they can 3 it but since we are able to do many things that we decide not to do, this financial answer is just one part of the explanation. Another is the communications and technological revolution, which allows people to 4 social events when they’re living alone. But a key 5 seems to be that today, young people define living alone in a positive way, as a 6 of success. They see it as a way to 7 time in developing themselves personally and professionally. This means that the whole social framework is being transformed, changing not only how we understand ourselves and our relationships but also the way we build places to live and 8 economic growth.

For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary