Tests

In the old days, people travelled very little because travelling was slow and difficult. It took two weeks to travel from London to Edinburgh by coach. Now the journey takes eight hours by a fast train. Columbus needed more than two months to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The ultra modern airliners flying at supersonic speed made the same trip in less than four hours. Today it is even possible to travel to the Moon and back within a week.

The text says that travelling is now _________________.

If you’re travelling to the United States, you’ll need to understand the common greeting, a handshake. Friends shake hands. In business, co-workers shake hands. Women, men and even children can shake hands. Shaking hands also seems simple, but there are some important things to remember. When you shake hands, you must make eye contact. In other words, look directly into the other person’s eyes the whole time you’re shaking hands.

Where could you find this kind of text?

Mines are perhaps the most terrible weapons of modern wars because they kill soldiers during wartime and because they can kill or injure innocent civilians in peacetime. When the war in Bosnia ended in 1996, people were happy but they knew that they were still in danger since there were about six million mines hidden in ex-Yugoslavia. Sometimes mines are found by chance by young children, who start playing with them as if they were toys. The consequences can be fatal.

What is the main topic of the article?

Agatha Christie was probably the most successful writer in history. She wrote 78 crime novels, six other novels, 150 short stories, four non-fiction books and 19 plays. That represents two billion books sold: more than William Shakespeare! Christie loved travelling. When she became rich, she could go all over the world. She used the travels in her writing. Agatha Christie died in 1976, but her stories are still immensely popular. Many have been adapted for film or television.

Which is true about Agatha Christie?

At 11:35 p.m. on January 12, 2010, Ms. Jane Smith called the local police station to report a criminal offence. At 11:45 a police car pulled up in front of her house, a small bungalow on a very quiet street, and two policemen got out of the car. Ms. Smith was waiting for them next to her car, in a warm coat to protect herself against cold. She pointed out to the house next door, on her right, and accompanied the policemen to the front door of this house.

According to the text, something has probably happened to _________________.

Firefighters had a hard time putting out a big fire near Margate, Kent. It took them a long time to control the fire. It was very windy. One firefighter said that the winds can blow the fire out of the area very easily. The fire destroyed 65 homes. During the worst part of the fire, all people were asked to leave their homes. Police were worried that somebody could steal from the empty houses, so they checked every car going in and out of the fire area.

During the fire _________________.

Hi! I’m Paul. As a freshman in college, I take many different classes. I major in English. My roommate comes from Chicago, and we like our room in the dorm. He is a nice guy. We spend a lot of time studying, but we enjoy going out! Our friends live nearby in a big house. They organize a lot of parties. Life in college is fun!

According to the text, Paul _________________.

Peter Rogerson missed his girlfriend, Amy Black, so much that he flew back to Britain from Australia to propose to her. The problem is she did the same in the opposite direction. He and Amy even managed to miss each other when they sat in the same airport lounge in Singapore at the same time waiting for connecting flights.

The lovers _________________.

My dearest George,
I am leaving you this note to tell you that the most incredible week of our marriage is about to begin. I’m taking you away on the vacation to Bora Bora which we have always dreamed about. We are leaving tomorrow early morning from Heathrow Airport. I have arranged everything. Don’t worry about a thing. Happy anniversary, sweetheart.

Alice

The text says that Alice _________________.

Please find a vacant table and note the table number.
Place your order at the food counter, giving your table number.
Please pay for food when you order.
Our staff will then bring your order to your table.
Please purchase drinks at the bar.
To show that your table is occupied, simply turn this card over.

According to the text, which of these instructions is true?