MATURA EXAM PRACTICE - HIGHER LEVEL 2

READING AND USE OF ENGLISH You are going to read an extract from a novel in which a young woman called Caitlin talks about her life on an island. For Questions 1-6, choose the correct answer A, B, C or D. Island LifeWe live on the island of Hale. It's about four kilometres long and two kilometres wide at its broadest point, and it's joined to the mainland by a causeway called the Stand - a narrow road built across the mouth of the river which separates us from the rest of the country. Most of the time you wouldn't know we're on an island because the river mouth between us and the mainland is just a vast stretch of tall grasses and brown mud. But when there's a high tide and the water rises a half a metre or so above the road and nothing can pass until the tide goes out again a few hours later, then you know it's an island.We were on our way back from the mainland. My older brother, Dominic, had just finished his first year at university in a town 150 km away. Dominic's train was due in at five and he'd asked for a lift back from the station. Now, Dad normally hates being disturbed when he's writing (which is just about all the time), and he also hates having to go anywhere, but despite the typical sighs and moans - why can't he get a taxi? what's wrong with the bus? - I could tell by the sparkle in his eyes that he was really looking forward to seeing Dominic.So, anyway, Dad and I had driven to the mainland and picked up Dominic from the station. He had been talking non-stop from the moment he'd slung his rucksack in the boot and got in the car. University this, university that, writers, books, parties, people, money, gigs. And when I say talking, I don't mean talking as in having a conversation, I mean talking as in jabbering like a mad thing. I didn't like it ... the way he spoke and waved his hands around as if he was some kind of intellectual or something. It was embarrassing. It made me feel uncomfortable - that kind of discomfort you feel when someone you like, someone close to you, suddenly starts acting like a complete idiot. And I didn't like the way he was ignoring me, either. For all the attention I was getting I might as well not have been there. I felt a stranger in my own car.As we approached the island on that Friday afternoon, the tide was low and the Stand welcomed us home, stretched out before us, clear and dry, beautifully hazy in the heat - a raised strip of grey concrete bound by white railings and a low footpath on either side, with rough cobbled banks leading down to the water. Beyond the railings, the water was glinting with that wonderful silver light we sometimes get here in the late afternoon which lazes through to the early evening.We were about halfway across when I saw the boy. My first thought was how odd it was to see someone walking on the Stand. You don't often see people walking around here. Between Hale and Moulton (the nearest town about thirty kilometres away on the mainland), there's nothing but small cottages, farmland, heathland and a couple of hills. So islanders don't walk because of that. If they're going to Moulton they tend to take the bus. So the only pedestrians you're likely to see around here are walkers or bird-watchers. But even from a distance I could tell that the figure ahead didn't fit into either of these categories. I wasn't sure how I knew, I just did.As we drew closer, he became clearer. He was actually a young man rather than a boy. Although he was on the small side, he wasn't as slight as I'd first thought. He wasn't exactly muscular, but he wasn't weedy-looking either. It's hard to explain. There was a sense of strength about him, a graceful strength that showed in his balance, the way he held himself, the way he walked. 1. In the first paragraph, what is Caitlin's main point about the island? It can be dangerous to try to cross from the mainland. It is much smaller than it looks from the mainland. It is only completely cut off at certain times. It can be a difficult place for people to live in. 2. What does Caitlin suggest about her father? His writing prevents him from doing things he wants to do with his family. His initial reaction to his son's request is different from usual. His true feelings are easily hidden from his daughter. His son's arrival is one event he will take time off for. 3. Caitlin emphasises her feelings of discomfort because she is embarrassed that she doesn't understand what her brother is talking about. feels confused about why she can't relate to her brother any more. is upset by the unexpected change in her brother's behaviour. feels foolish that her brother's attention is so important to her. 4. In the fourth paragraph, what is Caitlin's purpose in describing the island? to express her positive feelings about it. to explain how the road was built. to illustrate what kind of weather was usual. to describe her journey home. 5. In 'because of that' in the forth paragraph, 'that' refers to the fact that locals think it is odd to walk anywhere. it is easier for people to take the bus than walk. people have everything they need on the island. there is nowhere in particular to walk to from the island. 6. What do we learn about Caitlin's reactions to the boy? She felt his air of confidence contrasted with his physical appearance. She was able to come up with a reason for him being there. She realised her first impression of him was inaccurate. She thought she had seen him somewhere before. Read about three members of the cat family. For each question, choose which cat is the correct answer. The LeopardThe leopard is a member of the Felidae family with a wide range in some parts of Africa and tropical Asia, from Siberia, South and West Asia to across most of sub-Saharan Africa. It is listed as Near Threatened because it is declining in large parts of its range due to habitat loss and fragmentation, and hunting for trade and pest control.Compared to other members of the large cat family, the leopard has relatively short legs and a long body with a large skull. It is similar in appearance to the jaguar, but is smaller and more slightly built. Its fur is marked with rosettes similar to those of the jaguar, but the leopard's rosettes are smaller and more densely packed, and do not usually have central spots as the jaguars do.The species' success in the wild is in part due to its opportunistic hunting behavior, its adaptability to habitats, its ability to run at speeds approaching 58 kilometres per hour (36 mph), its unequaled ability to climb trees even when carrying a heavy carcass, and its notorious ability for stealth. The leopard consumes virtually any animal that it can hunt down and catch. Its habitat ranges from rainforest to desert terrains.Most leopards avoid people, but humans may occasionally be targeted as prey. Most healthy leopards prefer wild prey to humans, but injured, sickly, or struggling cats or those with a shortage of regular prey may resort to hunting humans and become habituated to it. Although usually slightly smaller than a human, an adult leopard is much more powerful and easily capable of killing them.The LionWith some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger. Wild lions currently exist in sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia while other types of lions have disappeared from North Africa and Southwest Asia in historic times. Until the late Pleistocene, about 10,000 years ago, the lion was the most widespread large land mammal after humans. They were found in most of Africa, across Eurasia from western Europe to India, and in the Americas from the Yukon to Peru.The lion is a vulnerable species. Lion populations are untenable outside designated reserves and national parks. Although the cause of the decline is not fully understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are currently the greatest causes of concern. Within Africa, the West African lion population is particularly endangered.Lions live for 10-14 years in the wild, while in captivity they can live longer than 20 years. They typically inhabit savanna and grassland, although they may take to the forest. Lions are unusually social compared to other cats. A pride of lions consists of related females and offspring and a small number of adult males. While lions do not typically hunt humans, some have been known to do so. Sleeping mainly during the day, lions are primarily nocturnal.The lion has been an icon for humanity for thousands of years, appearing in cultures across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Despite incidents of attacks on humans, lions have enjoyed a positive depiction in culture as strong but noble. A common depiction is their representation as "king of the jungle" or "king of beasts"; hence, the lion has been a popular symbol of royalty and stateliness, as well as a symbol of bravery.The BobcatThe bobcat is a North American wild cat, appearing around 1.8 million years ago. With 12 recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico. The bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, forest edges, and swampland environments. It persists in much of its original range, and populations are healthy.With a gray to brown coat, whiskered face, and black-tufted ears, the bobcat resembles the other species of the Lynx genus. It is about twice as large as the domestic cat. It has distinctive black bars on its forelegs and a black-tipped, stubby tail, from which it derives its name.Though the bobcat prefers rabbits and hares, it will hunt anything from insects, chickens, and small rodents to deer. Prey selection depends on location and habitat, season, and abundance. Like most cats, the bobcat is territorial and largely solitary, although with some overlap in home ranges. It uses several methods to mark its territorial boundaries, including claw marks and deposits of urine. The bobcat breeds from winter into spring and has a gestation period of about two months.Although bobcats have been hunted extensively by humans, both for sport and fur, their population has proven resilient. The elusive predator features in Native American mythology and the folklore of European settlers. 1. Which cat physically marks its territory? lion leopard bobcat 2. Which cat cannot live in un-managed wild areas? lion leopard bobcat 3. Which cat used to live over a large percentage of the planet? lion leopard bobcat 4. Which cat is very good at silent, unseen hunting? lion leopard bobcat 5. Which cat is an extremely good climber? lion leopard bobcat 6. Which cat is not the stereotypical independent lone creature? lion leopard bobcat 7. Which cat has a healthy population? lion leopard bobcat 8. Which cat is well regarded in most cultures? lion leopard bobcat 9. Which cat can sometimes be seen in city areas? lion leopard bobcat 10. Which cat looks very similar to another big cat? lion leopard bobcat In the following text, six sentences or parts of sentences have been removed. Above the extract you will find the six removed sentences PLUS one sentence which doesn't fit. Choose from the sentences (A-G) the one which fits each gap (1-6). Remember, there is one extra sentence you do not need to use. Write the correct letter in the box. Choose from the following sentences to fill the spaces in the text. There is one extra.A. Or break his neck.B. The dun looked at him nervously as he started to gallop.C. It may have been his saddle creaking, but with the noise in the background, he wasn't sure.D. No cattle appeared to be in the area.E. But now their summer "vacation" was ending.F. He dismounted from the nervous dun.G. His mid-morning smoke break was needed. E G C D F A For each question, choose which of the four possible answers fits the space best. Also think about why the other three answers are not possible. 1. This house is so old now. When it rains, the windows leak and the roof needs to be replaced soon. _, we love it and would never move to another. nevertheless although though despite 2. You can't ignore this problem any longer. You have to _ with it so we can go on with the plan. deal do solve beat 3. I don't like watching soap operas and films on TV. I prefer documentaries with _ people talking about their lives. reality real authentic genuine 4. Has someone moved the drinks _ the table while I was gone? I'm sure that glass in front of Peter was mine. off along around on 5. We couldn't find the hotel and it was getting dark _ we got out a map and studied it carefully. so and but if 6. Well, according to the timetable, a bus should be along in _ two minutes. But I wouldn't be surprised if we had to wait another half an hour! less below about round 7. Martin Jones, _ as the Gentle Bank Robber during his three-year reign, was jailed for 25 years today at the Central Court. named reputed called known 8. I was born about 30km _ Rome but have always lived in Great Britain. from to far near For each question, fill the space in the sentence using the base word given in the capital letters. The required word may be a noun, adverb, adjective or verb and it may be either positive (e.g. helpful) or negative (e.g. unhelpful). 1. This queue hasn't moved in five minutes. I'm getting a bit impatient. (PATIENT)2. Politicians should spend some time living on the streets like homeless people have to and then they would understand better the problems they have. (HOME)3. Carl was calmly taking a photograph as this astonishingly large bear walked towards the car. It was a terrifying experience...at least for me! (ASTONISH)4. If you go walking around the factory, ensure you have protective clothing on. (PROTECT)5. Are you sure you have cleaned the kitchen? There is still a pretty unpleasant smell coming from it. (PLEASANT)6. Although it isn't definite we will see you tomorrow, it is quite likely. (LIKE)7. Be sure not to put more than three spoonfuls of vodka into the mix, otherwise it will be too alcoholic. (SPOON)8. Finding a cure for cancer will be a huge medical breakthrough for mankind. (MEDICINE) For each space, write ONE word which you think best completes the sentence. Look carefully at the words both before and after each space. Predicting the future isn’t easy. In 1943, Thomas Watson, chairman ofthe company IBM, said , “I think there’s a world market for about five computers.” Even in the 1970s, many experts were saying, “Nobody will want a computer in their home.”But today, computer technology is everywhere. “You already have several computers in your kitchen, “ says Dr Rodney Brooks of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, pointing to the computer chips in our coffee makers, fridges, washing machines and ovens. It’s almost impossible to imagine a world without computers. Dr Brooks is director of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. He says that computers are not only becoming more common, they’re getting smarter too. They’re starting to think.Scientists at AI Research are developing their own thinking robot, called Hal. Child expert Anat TreisterGoren is teaching Hal to speak. She talks to him and reads him children's stories. Baby Hal is growing up fast, and his language level is improving quickly. Soon, if you speak to him, you might even think he’s human!AI experts are optimistic. They hope that, one day intelligent machines will be all around us. Perhaps everyone will have a Hal - their own personal assistant. If you’ve got a question, Hal will know the answer. If you want to go on a trip, Hal will be able to make all the arrangements. He’ll never get tired, he’ll never be ill and he’ll never get angry. The technology is almost here. Think about it. Wouldn’t you like to have your own “Hal”? LISTENING COMPREHENSION You will hear an interview with Pamela Green, a young fashion designer. For questions 1 - 7, choose the best answer (A, B or C). 1. What helped Pamela to decide to become a fashion designer? working as an assistant in a fashion shop doing research into the fashion industry attending a course on fashion design 2. What does Pamela say about having a degree in fashion? It's essential for promotion It's evidence of your ability. It guarantees you a better income. 3. Pamela says that when starting your own fashion label, it's most important to enjoy the creative process. contact shops that might sell it. have a business plan. 4. Where does Pamela usually find inspiration for her fashion designs? in the work of other designers in the styles of other countries in the clothes her friends wear 5. What aspect of her work does Pamela find most difficult to deal with? the pressure to meet deadlines the failure of some of her designs the need to attend fashion shows 6. According to Pamela, successful designers need to be able to predict future fashions. recognise all past styles. get their designs published. 7. What advice does Pamela have for people who want a career in fashion? Be aware of the options available. Don't be afraid of sudden fame. Learn from your own errors. You will hear five different people talking about concerts they went to.For questions 19-23, choose from the list (A-F) the opinion each speaker expresses about the concert. Use the letters only once. There is one extra letter which you do not need to use. F C A D B