Amslink Cambridge Challenge 8th - PET - Reading and Writing

Look at the text in each question.
What does it say?
Choose the correct answer. 

Choose the correct answer that goes with this text.

Look at the text. What does it say?

Choose the correct answer that goes with this text.

Choose the correct answer that goes with this text.

Chris should _____

The people below are all want to do an English course. There are descriptions of eight courses. Decide which course would be the most suitable for the following people.

KINGHALL ENGLISH COURSE – something for everyone!

A. Activity language learning

For teenagers up to age sixteen with any level of English. Fully qualified staff and instructors make learning fun and safe. Spend two weeks or a month in small classes improving your English while you paint, make music, play tennis, volleyball, etc. and take part in many other activities.

B. Family summer school

Classes at all levels for adults (over sixteen) and ten – to fifteen-year-olds in the same building. Meet for meals and evening leisure activities. Accommodation in modern flats near the school. A full-day study timetable for one, two or three weeks.

C. Get around in English

This course is aimed at beginners who want to feel comfortable using English to buy tickets, book hotel rooms and make new friends. Although you will spend most of the course simply taking part in conversations, you will work hard and you will be surprised how much progress you make in just two weeks.

D. Examination course 1

For students over sixteen, three-month courses preparing for a certificate recognized by international companies and employers around the world. Full-time courses for students who are prepared to work seriously hard!

E. Examination course 2

For students over sixteen, these courses last six months, and are part-time in the first three months, with a choice of afternoon leisure activities, changing to full-time for the second three months, with increased homework as the examination approaches.

F. Special skills courses

These one-, two- or three-month courses take place from January to March and are aimed at students who wish to improve particular language skills. Listening, writing, reading and speaking are all offered, together or separately. Students are not advised to take more than two skills in one month.

G. English for tourism

A six-month course for students with some knowledge of the language. The course covers areas such as ticket sales, making reservations and telephone work. Several trips to important English tourist centers are included. A very useful course for people planning to make a career in the travel business.

H. Adult’s language breaks

These courses offer serious study in the morning, followed by the opportunity to join short trips to places of interest in the afternoon if you wish. Minimum three weeks, up to six weeks. Minimum age eighteen, all levels from beginners to advanced.

Look at the sentences below about a group of islands. Read the text to decide if each sentence is correct or incorrect.

Ferndig Islands

Three miles across the water from the town of Blascott lies the group of islands known as the Ferndigs. The main island is St Michael. Separated by a narrow channel of water is St. Michael’s little sister, St Margaret. People first lived on these islands 1500 years ago. By the 1950s the population had gone down to below twenty, and in 1960 the last person left the islands. But in 1991 two families moved back, and since then more people have followed. Tourists now visit regularly to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Visit the one shop on the islands which sells butter, cheese, and bread produced by the families who live there. The produce is also taken by boat to restaurants in Blascoot, where it can be enjoyed by visitors to the area. Perhaps more interestingly, a range of perfumes is made from the wild flowers and herbs which grow on the island and can be bought in the shop. They are produced mainly for export and are very special. So a visit to the shop is a must!

St Michael Island is easily explored on foot but, in the interests of safety, visitors are requested to keep to the main footpaths. From where the boat lands, walk along the cliff until you reach a steep path signposted to the church. When you get there, it is worth spending a moment in this lovely old building. Carry on along the same path which continues to climb to the highest point on the island. There is a wonderful view from here along the coastline. If it is warm, you may like to finish your day relaxing on the beach. Priory Beach is on the eastern side of the island is safe for swimming. Standtop Bay on the eastern side is another sandy beach, but swimming is not advised here.

It is possible to hire a boat to cross to the islands, or you can take one of the boat trips which depart from Blascoot harbor in summer, Monday to Friday. The islands are always open to visitors apart from on Sundays. Buy a ticket for a boat trip from the kiosk in Blascott harbor. The charge of landing on the islands included in the ticket but, if you take your own boat, remember to take some money. The crossing takes thirty minutes, and boats run every fifteen minutes.

Before you set off on a trip, visit the exhibition center which tells the history of the islands and gives information about birds and wildlife you may see when you get there. 

St Margaret Island is smaller than St Michael Island.

There was no one living on the islands in the 1980s.

There are several restaurants on the islands.

Flowers are for sale in the island shop.

The church is at the top of the highest hill.

There is one beach on St Michael Island where it is safe to swim.

It is possible to take a boat trip on a Saturday.

There is a fee for landing on the islands.

The journey to the islands lasts half an hour.

There is an exhibition center on the islands.

Read the text and questions below. For each question, choose the correct answer. 

The Artist

People think being an artist must be a wonderful way to earn one’s living. And of course, there are lots of great things, about working for oneself, at home alone, even in a cold studio like mine. What I really like is that nobody tells me what time to start in the morning. I like to paint as soon as I wake up, which is always early, but isn’t the same time every day. And nobody tells me what to wear, or whether I can take the afternoon off and go to a football match.

But then, I have no one to chat with when I’m bored, no one to discuss last night’s match with during the office lunch hour. Sure, I can spend the afternoon doing something I enjoy like cycling or gardening if I choose. But the work will still be there when I do finally get back home.

Unfortunately, working at home means that people can always find me, whether I’m bored or not, and once I’ve answered the doorbell, it’s too late – my thoughts have been interrupted. No one would dream of calling in if I worked in an office, but I find myself listening to friend’s troubles. As they talk, my ideas disappear and I feel increasingly stressed thinking of my work waiting to be done.

However, when I hear the traffic news on the radio, and imagine my friends sitting miserably in their cars in a jam, feeling bored, or waiting unhappily for an overcrowded tram in the rain, I realise that I really haven’t got much to complain about. I find a CD which will start me thinking, turn it up really loudly and begin another picture.  

What is the writer trying to do in the text?

What does the writer like about his life?

What does the writer imagine he might do with colleagues?

The writer plays loud music because _____

Which of these notices would be the most useful for the writer to put his door?

Read the text below and choose the correct word for each blank.

Modigliani – an Italian artist

Nowadays cards and posters of pictures by Amedeo Modigliani are popular with people all 22.1onoveralongthrough the world, but the artist himself did not have an easy life. He 22.2isbeenwashas born in Livorno, Italy, in 1884. His father was a businessman who did not make 22.3lotverymanymuch money, and his mother 22.4ranheldtaughtgave a school.

Modigliani went to an art school in Florence and Venice, before moving to Paris 22.5wherethatwhichwhen he painted and made sculptures. His work was 22.6suggestedinfluenceddiscoveredfelt by art from Africa which he saw in museums. He was very poor and not very strong, and after a 22.7severalshortnumberfew years he gave up making sculptures. He painted people in a gentle, thoughtful style.

Many of his most beautiful paintings 22.8giverealizeseeshow Jeanne, the woman he loved. Often the people in his paintings look sad or tired. Perhaps Modigliani was painting his own feelings. 22.9HoweverThereforeButAlthough in the end he began to 22.10winbringearntake a little money, he was never very successful in his lifetime. 

Here are some sentences about a guesthouse.
For each question, complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.
Use no more than three words.
Write only the missing words. 

Example:
0. There is a games room in this guesthouse.
This guesthouse has a games room.

Question

1. The guesthouse is called ‘Sunshine Cottage.
The name 23.1 is ‘Sunshine Cottage’.

2. I haven’t stayed here before.
This is the first time that 23.2 here.

3. I was told about it by my sister.
My sister 23.3 about it.

4. It is essential to book your room in advance.
You 23.4 your room in advance.

5. My room is bigger than my friend’s room.
My friend’s room isn’t 23.5 my room

Writing Part 2

A friend, Eva, borrowed your backpack two weeks ago and hasn’t returned it. Write a note to Eva. In your note, you should

• remind her that she has your backpack
• ask her to return it
• explain why you need it

Write 35 – 45 words on your answer sheet.

Writing part 3:

Write an answer to one of the questions (1 or 2) in this part. Write your answer in about 100 words on your answer sheet. Mark the question number in the box at the top of your answer sheet.

Question 2
This is part of a letter you receive from your English friend.

"I have to give a presentation to my English class about either a successful sportsperson or a musician from your country. Who should I choose? What information could I include?"

Now write a letter answering your friend’s questions. Write your letter on your answer sheet

Question 1
Your English teacher has asked you to write a story. Your story must begin with these words

"I had just finished getting dress when the doorbell rang."

Write your story on your answer sheet.