My great job
I am fond of
my job. Even though I have to wade through countless pages every day, I always
get a real buzz. I can´t believe that I tend to make mistakes that nobody takes
notice of. If my boss sees one, he always lets me off. I am sure that he knows
I am said to be his best employee. I assume he takes into account that nothing slips
my mind.
I was
given the job some years ago. I didn´t miss the boat when my best friend told
me about it. As soon as I got promoted, I pushed the boat out. Everybody really
appreciates me due to the fact that I never let off steam.
I am
all smiles at present as I thought I had reached a dead end in my attempt to
get a new job. However, I succeeded in starting working for such a fascinating
company. Not only am I a sought-after employee, but also they want me to be at
the helm all the time. Now I am in charge of the most important
department.
My
mother always says: ´You should never go off the rails.´ I did pay attention to
her. Whereas my workmates are said to be feeble-minded, I am believed to be
really thriving on hard work. Although I have studied at university while they
haven´t, I don´t want to sound self-righteous when I talk to them. Moreover, I
would like to talk them out of being just a one-track mind. They are eager to
be promoted without making any effort.
The
company I work for is undergoing a radical reorganisation. Their blatant plan
is to reduce waste, and thus cut costs. You might point out that at this
juncture I must be worried, but I am not. Astonishingly, I have been informed
that I am not going to be made redundant. I am sure they have no intention of
being short-handed. Besides, I am the one who can turn a crisis into a soft
landing.
The
world I am surrounded by is not tame at all. I don´t do the most backbreaking
tasks in the world. Even so, I am sometimes worn out. In spite of not being
well-off, I take pride in being self-sufficient at such an early age.
50) What the archaeologists discovered when they opened
the tomb was amazing.
MADE
The _________________________________ when they opened the tomb was
amazing.
51) People are more interested in history than you might
expect.
LESS
You ________________________________________ interested in history.
52) For me, imagining what life must have been like then
is just not possible.
QUITE
I find it __________________________________ what life must have been
like then.
53) It’s difficult for a poorly performing company to make
a profit.
TURN
If a company is performing poorly, it’s difficult
_________________________________ one.
54) The failure of the company was incredibly
disappointing.
BITTERLY
I _______________________________ the failure of the company.
55) The village shop is now being managed by a national
supermarket chain.
TAKEN
A national supermarket chain ________________________________ of the
village shop.
56) This door is an emergency exit and must never be
locked for any reason.
ACCOUNT
On ________________________________ be locked because it is an emergency
exit.
57) Melvin’s friend recommended that website where he
bought the
camping equipment.
ON
Melvin bought equipment from that website
_________________________________ a friend.
58) We never imagined that Julian might be planning to
resign from his job.
OCCURED
It never ______________________________________ Julian might be planning
to resign from his job.
59) As long as he could see, Kevin really didn’t mind
where he sat in the stadium.
DIFFERENCE
As long as he could see, _____________________________________ where he sat in the stadium.
19th May
READING (PAPER 1 PART 8)
(TASK FROM THE LAST EXAM)
You are going to read an article about various birds in Britain. For questions 47-56, choose from the sections of the article (A-D). The sections may be chosen more than once.
Of which bird are the following stated?
47) Further attempts to increase its numbers were made once initial attempts had proved successful.
48) Its population growth is a reflection of how tough it is.
49) There is statistical evidence to support the view that it is a very popular bird.
50) There was a particular period when its population plummeted.
51) A criticism could be made of its physical appearance.
52) A common perception of it has proved inaccurate.
53) Growth in its numbers has been much more gradual than desired.
54) There is reason to believe that its progress in a particular region will be maintained.
55) Measures taken in the running of a certain type of countryside have assisted in the growth of its population.
56) Even though its population has fallen, it can frequently be seen in various particular locations.
PARAPHRASING
40) He lost his job because he was inefficient.
GROUNDS
He lost his job ___________________________________________ his
inefficiency.
41) I’m sorry that I didn’t help him.
REGRET
I
___________________________________________________________________ him.
42) I couldn’t go away for the weekend because I didn’t
have enough money.
PREVENTED
I was ___________________________________ for the weekend by lack of
money.
10th May
LISTENING PART 2
PARAPHRASING
30) He clearly felt very strongly about the
situation, which took me by surprise.
STRENGTH
It _______________________________________ about the situation that took me by surprise.
27th April
LISTENING PART 1
LINK FOR THE LISTENING:
https://youtu.be/cMZUItNHiys
PARAPHRASING
21) Are you saying that I’m lying about what
happened?
TRUTH
Are you accusing _____________________________________ about what
happened?
22) He made a very quick decision and he didn’t
think about the matter enough.
WITHOUT
He made a very quick decision __________________________________ to
the matter.
23) Recently, the number of people who are out of
work has gone down.
DECREASE
Recently, __________________________
the number of people who are out of work.
24) It doesn’t matter how badly he behaved, you shouldn’t
have been so rude to him.
HOWEVER
You shouldn’t have been so rude to him,
___________________________________ was.
25) I was just about to call you to tell you about
the rearranged meeting.
POINT
I was _______________________
you to tell you about the rearranged meeting.
26) My sister was totally shocked when she won the
lottery.
CAME
Winning the lottery _____________________________________________ my
sister.
27) Joe originally intended to drive but the bad
weather caused him to change his mind.
WAS
Joe’s ________________________________ drive but the bad weather
caused him to change his mind.
28) It was heavy snow on the line that delayed the
train.
HELD
The train would have arrived on time if it ________________________________heavy
snow on the line.
29) She realised she’d lost her keys the moment she
arrived home.
SOONER
No ___________________________________________ she realised she’d
lost her keys.
26th April
EXTRACT FROM LISTENING PART 1
19TH May
PRACTISING FOR PAPER 1 PART 5
You are going to read a book review. For questions 31-36 choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.
