TERM TEST 1: Units 1-3
Reading
Name: ..................................................................
You are going to read an article about a young man who has a large collection of graphic novels.
For questions 1-6, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.
Simon James, Tintinologist
Simon James introduces himself as Britain’s
greatest Tintinologist. This doesn’t mean that he is
a renowned scientist; it simply refers to someone
who is a fan of the graphic novel character Tintin.
You may be familiar with Tintin from the movie,
but the first stories appeared in France before the
Second World War and were translated into
English in the 1950s. Although the comics were
originally intended for children, they are popular
with people of all ages.
Simon’s obsession with all things Tintin means
you can probably visualize him without too much
effort. His hair is cut short with a small quiff at the
front, and he likes to dress in the young reporter’s
trademark blue jumper over a white shirt, with
rust-brown trousers. His home is filled from floor
to ceiling with display cases, bookshelves and
framed prints. With over 5,000 items in his
line collection, it must take exceptional organizational
20 skills to keep everything in order. Simon shows an
encyclopaedic knowledge of every item and can
recall the exact origin and value of each one.
Simon’s passion began when his uncle gave him
some comics after his 12th birthday. Simon, who
had never shown much interest in reading, was
hooked immediately and read them all cover to
cover. His parents were less than keen to
encourage his comic reading habit, believing that
he would be better off reading proper novels. But
he was not to be discouraged. He searched in
markets and old bookstores for anything he could
find featuring his new favourite character. By the
time he was 20, he had an impressive collection of
printed material and turned his attention to other
kinds of memorabilia like coins, stamps and
character figures.
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Simon has been all around Europe in search of
rare and unusual items to add to his collection.
There are shops devoted entirely to Tintin
merchandise and special auctions are held
regularly. The most recent of these that Simon
attended was at the Chateau de Cheverny in the
Loire valley, which was the inspiration for one of
the places featured in the stories, Captain
Haddock’s home, Marlinspike Hall. Just a decade
ago, he says, he was able to pick up items for just
a few pounds. Nowadays, it’s more likely to be
hundreds. In 2008 original artwork for a cover
was sold for over half a million pounds!
This means that Simon’s collection is quite
valuable, but he isn’t likely to be parting with it
any time soon. Friends have often suggested that
he could afford to retire if he sold it, but they
have probably realized by now that he is not
interested in this. For Simon, building up his
collection is a lifelong challenge, a goal that he is
constantly working towards. There’s also the
thrill when he comes across a piece he doesn’t
already have or when he beats a rival collector
and walks away with his prize.
Not surprisingly, collecting takes up most of
Simon’s spare time, but it also gives him ideas
for his work as a graphic designer. His family
puts up with his enthusiasm, but they are
concerned that there simply isn’t enough room
for his collection to grow any more. For now,
Simon is keeping his collection private, but he
has thought about opening his own museum. He
says he would have done so already if he were
sure that other people would find Tintin as
appealing as he does.
© Burlington Books 1
 TERM TEST 1: Units 1-3
Reading
Name: ..................................................................

1. According to the writer, comics featuring Tintin

A have only become popular recently.
B have been analysed by scientists.
C were based on a character from a film.
D appeal to adults as well as children.
2. In line 20, the writer uses the word exceptional to show that she
A admires the size of Simon’s collection.
B thinks Simon looks very unusual for a collector.
C is impressed by the way Simon arranges the items in his collection.
D is surprised by Simon’s choice of subject.
3. How did Simon’s parents react when he first became interested in Tintin?
A They weren’t impressed by his choice of reading material.
B They were glad he had found a new way to spend his free time.
C They were worried he was spending too much time reading.
D They encouraged him to start his collection.
4. Why did Simon go to Chateau de Cheverny?
A He was looking for an idea for a story.
B A sale of Tintin items was taking place there.
C It is mentioned by his favourite character in the comics.
D He knew it was a good place to get items cheaply.
5. What do we learn about Simon’s attitude to collecting?
A He regards his collection as an investment.
B He would like to give up work to focus on it.
C He feels he is close to completing it.
D He enjoys the process of collecting.
6. How does Simon’s family feel about his collection?
A They dislike the fact that he spends so much time on it.
B They support his plans to expand his collection.
C They would prefer him not to add many more items.
D They would like him to donate everything to a museum.

Total: ....... /100 Mark: ........

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 TERM TEST 1: Units 1-3
FCE Practice
Name: ..................................................................

A Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap.
Use only one word in each gap. (8 x 1 = 8 points)
A READING CHALLENGE
In 2012, Ann Morgan decided to read a book from every country in the world within a
year. After Ann (1) ........................... shared this decision on her blog, people began
posting suggestions for her reading list. These were generally foreign-language books
that had (2) ........................... translated into English. For some countries, it was hard
to find English translations but many people helped Ann. Volunteers even
(3) ........................... the trouble to translate a book especially for her.

Although Ann enjoyed reading such a wide range (4) ........................... literature, it
was hard work. Instead of reading in a relaxed manner at her (5) ...........................
pace, she had to get through 150 pages every single day. Ann (6) ...........................
working full-time for most of the year, so she could (7) ........................... read on the
way to work, during her lunch break and at night. By sticking (8) ........................... her
schedule, she achieved her goal of reading one book from each of 196 countries.

B Read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. (8 x 1 = 8 points)
LEARNING MATHS THROUGH SNOOKER
Although maths is a very important subject, students sometimes get bored sitting in the classroom (1) ...... maths exercises.
The Functional Snooker programme aims to improve students’ maths skills by (2) ...... the game of snooker with maths
practice.
Snooker involves knocking different coloured balls into pockets at the corners of the snooker table. But a different (3) ......
of the game has been developed for schools. Each ball has instructions printed on it – for example, x 7 or +12. Students
have to follow these instructions as they keep score. This is a highly (4) ...... way of getting students to practise addition,
subtraction and multiplication.
The programme seems to (5) ...... to students regardless of their maths ability. Even those who sometimes (6) ...... with this
subject in the classroom enjoy this new (7) ...... to maths. Some participants in the programme may also develop an interest
(8) ...... snooker itself and start playing in their free time.

1. A doing B making C working D having

2. A replacing B transforming C combining D joining
3. A explanation B version C kind D adaptation
4. A enthusiastic B effective C striking D moving
5. A inspire B fascinate C motivate D appeal
6. A struggle B try C frustrate D suffer
7. A revolution B initiative C approach D concept
8. A for B to C on D in

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 TERM TEST 1: Units 1-3
FCE Practice
Name: ..................................................................

C Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word given.
Use between two and five words, including the word given. (6 x 2 = 12 points)
1. James promised me that he would be careful on his skateboard.
word
James ............................................................................................... that he would be careful on his skateboard.

2. Emily is off school with a bad cold.

come
Emily is off school as she ................................................................................................................... a bad cold.

3. The hurricane had a great effect on the lives of many people.

affected
The lives of many people ............................................................................................................... the hurricane.

4. The concert will be starting at nine o’clock.

due
The concert .................................................................................................................................. at nine o’clock.

5. So few people had bought tickets for the trip that it was cancelled.
lack
The trip was cancelled because of .......................................................................................................... interest.

6. Alice started her work early this morning.

working
Alice ...................................................................................................................................... early this morning.

Total: ....... /28 Mark: ........

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 TERM TEST 1: Units 1-3
ECCE Practice
Name: ..................................................................

Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence. (20 points)
GRAMMAR
1. “Are you enjoying your stay in New York?” 11. Next winter, the hotel ...... all the beds with new ones.
“Of course! It’s the most interesting place I ...... .” a. replaces
a. ever visit b. will be replacing
b. am visiting c. has replaced
c. have been visiting d. will have been replaced
d. have ever visited 12. “Which planet is closest to the sun?”
2. Leah was upset that she ...... to the party. “Ask Charlie. He really knows ...... when it comes to
a. wasn’t inviting astronomy.”
b. didn’t invite a. what’s what
c. hadn’t been invited b. what’s which
d. hadn’t invited c. who’s who
3. I don’t use my phone only ...... communication. d. which is which
a. as a means of 13. Jack ...... for the team long when he decided to give up
b. meaning for basketball.
c. as means of the a. didn’t play
d. as meant for the b. hadn’t been playing
4. “Send me an email tomorrow with details about the trip.” c. wouldn’t play
“OK. All the arrangements ...... by then.” d. hasn’t been playing
a. have been made 14. “Kate is always complaining!”
b. going to be made “I know. But I ...... !”
c. will be making a. will never take any notice about it
d. will have been made b. have never taken her any notice
5. Stacey ...... of doing volunteer work over the summer. c. never take any notice of her
a. thinks d. am never taking any notice of her
b. is thinking 15. “I’m saving money to buy a tablet.”
c. has been thought “How much have you saved ...... ?”
d. will think a. since
6. I ...... a meeting with a new client yesterday when Luke b. yet
called me. c. so far
a. had d. still
b. was having 16. Unfortunately, this part of the city ...... crime and violence.
c. used to have a. has an association to
d. had been having b. associates the
7. Emma knocked over the vase of flowers ...... accident. c. is associated with
a. by d. was associated by
b. in 17. I hope you ...... careful with that knife.
c. from a. will be being
d. as b. being
8. When I was living in Los Angeles, I ...... a sports car. c. are due to be
a. would drive d. are being
b. was driving 18. It’s sometimes ...... to look at old photos of yourself.
c. have driven a. embarrasses
d. used to drive b. embarrassing
9. “How do you know John’s out of the building?” c. embarrassed
“Because I ...... to his office and he wasn’t there.” d. embarrassment
a. have gone 19. “Why isn’t the sales report ready?”
b. was going “I ...... it after lunch but something else came up.”
c. have been a. was going to finish
d. was being b. has been finishing
10. Please stop making ...... me! c. would finish
a. fun of d. had been finishing
b. the fun from 20. “You look tired.”
c. me fun “That’s because I ...... the house all day.”
d. fun about a. am cleaning
b. had been cleaning
c. was cleaned
d. have been cleaning
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 TERM TEST 1: Units 1-3
ECCE Practice
Name: ..................................................................

VOCABULARY (20 points)

21. The scientist went to the Amazon in ...... of a particular 31. Why on ...... did you suddenly decide to give up your
plant. job?
a. research a. land
b. attempt b. earth
c. search c. world
d. looking d. planet
22. One of Shakespeare’s plays is being ...... for TV. 32. It was ...... for everyone when Timothy criticized your
a. shot work.
b. adapted a. incurable
c. transformed b. inaccessible
d. reinvented c. unforgettable
23. I may never ...... my ambition to travel in space. d. unpleasant
a. get 33. The problem has been brought to the ...... of the
b. reach manager.
c. fulfil a. location
d. survive b. obligation
24. The director has been on the film ...... all day. c. attention
a. set d. dedication
b. scene 34. I love staying home and ...... it easy on Sundays.
c. script a. taking
d. crew b. resting
25. Once I finish this course, I will ...... on to something c. making
harder. d. having
a. keep 35. When I arrived at the airport, it suddenly ...... me that I’d
b. move left my passport at home.
c. set a. struck
d. come b. revealed
26. John’s facial ...... showed us he was lying. c. thought
a. image d. spotted
b. impression 36. There’s only a ...... chance of rain tomorrow.
c. look a. tight
d. expression b. slight
27. How long have the two companies been ...... business c. average
together? d. narrow
a. doing 37. When the class ended, the students ...... for their
b. making favourite cafe.
c. closing a. went
d. joining b. visited
28. Fortunately, the infection has not ...... to anyone else. c. headed
a. caught d. moved
b. occupied 38. People sometimes become ...... on video games.
c. spread a. stuck
d. outgrown b. caught
29. You can borrow a book as long as you have ...... library c. absorbed
card. d. hooked
a. a true 39. Sit down and stop making a ...... of yourself!
b. a valid a. fool
c. an accurate b. mate
d. an authentic c. wimp
30. Something ...... up and Amy couldn’t join us for dinner. d. villain
a. came 40. “When did you last paint your room?”
b. became “Years ago. It really needs ...... up!”
c. turned a. lightening
d. happened b. brightening
c. changing
d. decorating
Total: ....... /40 Mark: ........

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 TERM TEST 1: Units 1-3
Writing
Name: ..................................................................

Read the task below and write your review in 140-190 words.

You recently saw this announcement on your school website.

What’s your favourite computer game?

Write a review of a computer game that you enjoy
playing. Explain what the aim of the game is and
why you like it. Say why you think other young
people would enjoy playing this game.

Write your review.

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Mark: ........

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