Exam task

For questions 1–8, read the text below and

3
decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each
gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Example:
0 A complete B finish C fulfil D succeed
Example answer: C

Coming second: pleasure or pain?

Every ambitious athlete hopes to (0) their

dream of winning a gold medal at the Olympics.
However, not everyone can win, and often talented
athletes must accept second place. A team of
psychologists recently (1) some research
on the emotional responses of those finishing second. For certain individuals, a silver medal may
(2) their expectations and so naturally they will be delighted. They may also enjoy surprising
experts and journalists who believed they had absolutely no (3) of achieving anything.
In (4) , the athlete who everyone assumed would win with ease, but then suffers a (5)
defeat, may not celebrate their silver medal. This reaction differs sharply from the athlete who comes
second but finished a long way behind the winner. There is a (6) in the research that shows
such a person will feel significantly happier.
To a certain (7) , these findings are not surprising. Silver medallists who were close to victory
will almost certainly (8) on what might have happened if they had trained harder, or done things
differently.

1 A controlled B conducted C directed D guided

2 A exceed B overtake C pass D overcome
3 A outlook B view C estimate D prospect
4 A opposition B contrast C distinction D contradiction
5 A thin B tight C narrow D slight
6 A habit B trend C custom D tendency
7 A extent B amount C range D level
8 A review B wonder C consider D reflect

Get it right!
Look at the sentence below. Then try to correct the mistake.

When I was at primary school, I enjoyed to play basketball.

© Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2017 FIRST READING AND USE OF ENGLISH | PART 1 | 3 17
 FIRST READING AND USE OF ENGLISH PART 2 3

Family and friends

Complete the sentences with the pronouns in the box.
1a

me mine my myself

1. I wanted my father to repair my car but in the end I did it .

2. I was surprised to find out that my new friend’s family is much bigger than .
3. dancing was so funny that my friends couldn’t stop laughing.
4. My mother told I should help her more with the housework.

Complete the text with the correct pronouns.

1b

My friend and I met in (1) first year at university. We always help (2) other when
we have problems of any kind. In fact, we talk every day even if we are really busy with other things.
A friendship like (3) is special. I know lots of people who have lost contact with friends
they met at university, and that’s sad. They should ask (4) how they let that happen.

Exam task
For questions 1–8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use
2
only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Example: (0) ABOUT

The importance of friendship

It is undeniable that friendship is important for just

(0) everyone. Individuals with several
close friends are usually happier than those
(1) . Good friends often know things
that family members may not be aware of, even
(2) they have lived together for years.
This is probably (3) when in the company
of a good friend we share our secrets and dreams.
Friends turn to one (4) for suggestions
on how to solve their problems. There is a tendency
(5) close friends to be very honest,
sometimes saying things the other person may not want to hear!
Good friends stick together, and the best relationships may last a lifetime. It is (6) surprise
that most friends have similar personalities, which reduces the risk of conflict. However, people don’t
always have an accurate picture of (7) their true friends are. Research shows that in a
surprising number of cases a person someone considers a good friend doesn’t feel the (8)
about them.

22 FIRST READING AND USE OF ENGLISH | PART 2 | 3 © Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2017
 Exam task
For questions 1–8, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some
3
of the lines to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the
beginning (0).

Example: (0) EXCEPTION

Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America with the (0) EXCEPT
of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, which unlike Titicaca is connected directly to the
sea. It is 190 kilometres long and reaches a maximum (1) of DEEP
284 metres. Approximately 60 per cent of the lake lies in Peru and the rest in Bolivia.
The lake is famous for a variety of (2) wildlife, including a USUAL
giant frog that can weigh up to three kilogrammes.
Some animals in the lake are (3) species, which led to the DANGER
(4) of Titicaca National Reserve in 1978. The protection of the ESTABLISH
wildlife is guaranteed, and so is the beautiful scenery that makes a visit to the lake
so (5) . FORGET
There are numerous islands on the lake, although not all are (6) ACCESS
to tourists. The (7) of some of the islands are known as the INHABIT
Uros people, who still maintain their traditional way of life, but at the same time
welcome visitors. (8) , this beautiful lake is often ignored SURPRISE
by tourists.

Write the adjectives and verbs with negative prefixes from exercises 1, 2 and 3 in the table.
4
dis- il- im- in- ir- mis- un-

Get it right!
Look at the sentence below. Then try to correct the mistake.

Nowadays, zoos are considered by many people to be unuseful and cruel.

© Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2017 FIRST READING AND USE OF ENGLISH | PART 3 | 3 29
 FIRST READING AND USE OF ENGLISH PART 4 3

Weather

Exam task
For questions 1–6, complete the second
1
sentence so that it has a similar meaning to
the first sentence, using the word given. Do
not change the word given. You must use
between two and five words, including the
word given. Here is an example (0).

Example:
0 We couldn’t go sailing because there wasn’t
enough wind.
LACK
Due to the lack of wind , we couldn’t go sailing.
1. Some schools were closed for a couple of days because of the heavy snow.
LED
The heavy snow for a couple of days.
2. Steve doesn’t take much notice of the weather forecast.
ATTENTION
Steve doesn’t the weather forecast.
3. John wishes he had taken an umbrella to work this morning.
TAKING
John an umbrella to work this morning.
4. Donna said that apart from Friday, every day last week had been really hot.
EXCEPTION
Donna said that Friday, every day last week had been really hot.
5. This is the worst weather we’ve ever had in July.
AS
We’ve as this in July.
6. I’m sure it was unbearably hot where you were staying.
MUST
The unbearable where you were staying.

34 FIRST READING AND USE OF ENGLISH | PART 4 | 3 © Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2017