New Matrix Upper-Intermediate Tests

Tests

2Petrina Cliffwith Kathy Gude

New

Upper-Intermediate

01 YD New Matrix UI tests Front and back 2P 13/6/07 08:56

22 © Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE

Name:

Class:

New Matrix Upper-Intermediate

Test 1

We must aim instead to see the natural world as it really

is. Isn’t this a more useful view? Nature is not something

to be fought against. The natural world is our home, but

we must learn to share it with thousands of animals. It is

true that we might prefer to keep our distance from some

of them. However, they are all fascinating and have their

part to play.

Vocabulary2 Complete the text with the correct form of these phrasal

verbs.

• fall behind with • drop out of • live up to • go on about

• carry on • go out with

Joe’s sister had always been very bright, so from the

beginning Joe had a lot 1 . No matter how

hard he tried, he couldn’t seem to please his parents or do

as well as the other children in his class. In fact, he

2 his work. His parents were always

3 it and although he tried hard to please

them, he still couldn’t cope with it. In the end he decided

not 4 studying. He 5

his friends until late at night and tried to not to think about

school work. When he was 16 he 6 school

altogether.

3 Complete the sentences by putting the words in brackets

into the correct form.

1 Humans imitate animals in ways.

(count)

2 Although there is a huge of plants,

they all have certain features in common. (vary)

3 I’ve never understood the of a beach

holiday; I much prefer sightseeing! (attract)

4 I’m not surprised that Anna is doing so well at art school

– she has always been very . (create)

5 Adam gets a lot of from his Saturday

job at the internet café. (satisfy)

6 The students were asked to hand in both

before the end of the week. (assign)

7 What was John’s when he heard that

he’d lost his job? (react)

8 Although the idea was a good one, the manager felt that

it would never be a success.

(commerce)

9 Beata found the instructions for the new camcorder

surprisingly – she learned how to use

it really quickly. (help)9

6

5

Test 1

Reading1 Read the text and match headings a–f to paragraphs

1–5. There is one heading you do not need.

a Real animals aren’t like that

b Getting fixed ideas about animals

c Finding our place in the natural world

d Is the natural world really so threatening?

e Is symbolic language a good thing?

f Symbolic language helps us to understand nature

Images and animals

1

When we speak about the natural world and human

culture, our language is often very symbolic – we use

words, especially objects, to represent something, such as

‘mother’ nature. Humans often use images of animals to

convey meaning, for example, seeing a dove as a symbol

of peace. We need to check whether our symbolism is

beneficial or whether it is causing harm.

2

We use animals as symbols for human characteristics:

lions stand for courage; monkeys for mischievousness,

wolves for cruelty, and so on. This symbolic idea of an

animal becomes established in a culture. It is then

thought to be true of the actual living creature. For

example, in fairy tales wolves are predatory and

frightening. They chase and eat people and, in our image

world, this is what being a wolf amounts to.

3

The problem is that legends guide our attitudes when we

see actual wolves and lead to unnecessary fear. Careful

observation of wolves going about their daily lives has

revealed a very different picture of a structured, co-

operative social life, with no more fierceness than is

needed for survival. For instance, while most of the pack

is out hunting, some wolves stay behind to look after the

cubs, and a lot of time is actually spent resting and

playing. If two wolves get into a fight, it usually ends

when one wolf gives in, without much damage being

done, and wolves rarely attack humans.

4

When we apply symbolic meanings to real, living animals,

nature can seem a place inhabited by enemies. Human

society then comes to be seen as ordered and safe, the

only place to find friends. But is it so black and white?

The natural world should not be viewed merely as a wild

and threatening place where we are not at home.

Furthermore, our cosy image of human society and

culture may not always live up to our expectations.

5

The alternative to a rather depressing idea of our isolated

place in the natural world should not, however, be an

image of nature as a paradise on earth where all is peace.

02 YD New Matrix UI tests 1-5 2P 13/6/07 08:55

33

4 Complete the sentences with the negative form of these

adjectives.

• possible • legal • responsible • expensive • mature

1 It’s ___________ of parents to allow their children to

access anything on the internet.

2 I found the Maths test really difficult – some of the

questions were absolutely ___________.

3 We had a meal at the new Chinese restaurant in town last

night. The food was delicious and surprisingly

___________.

4 Don’t you know that driving without a licence is

___________?

5 I don’t get on very well with David. I find him rather

___________ and silly.

Grammar5 Complete the second sentence so that it has the same

meaning as the first sentence.

1 I haven’t seen such a good film for ages.

It’s ages .

2 I started learning English three years ago.

I’ve .

3 You can only go to the party when you’ve finished all

your work.

You can’t .

4 Dorota came to live in Harrogate in 1993.

Dorota has .

5 How long have you had that CD?

When ?

6 When Clare has apologised, I’ll speak to her again.

I won’t .

7 It’s three weeks since I saw Dale.

I .

6 Complete the sentences using already, ever, just, never,

still and yet.

1 I’ve ____________ read anything quite like that book by

Mark Haddon.

2 Tim’s been doing that Maths homework for over two

hours and he ________ hasn’t finished!

3 Haven’t you finished that homework ______________ ?

4 Paul doesn’t want to come to the cinema with us because

he’s ____________ seen the film twice.

5 Have you ____________ met anyone really famous?

6 The reason Maria looks so pleased is that she’s ________

heard she’s got the job.

7 We haven’t booked the flights _________ because we

don’t know if Mary’s coming with us.

8 I’ll just have a coffee, I’ve ________ had some lunch.

8

7

5

Writing7 You have seen this advertisement for a writing

competition in your local newspaper.

DDeessccrriibbee yyoouurr ttoowwnn!!

We want you to write a description of your town toencourage other young people to visit. You shouldwrite about the image of the town itself, the type ofpeople who live there and finish by saying whyyou think young people would enjoy their visit.The best entries will be printed in the paper.

Write your description (200–250 words).

SpeakingDiscussion: looking good

Preparation time: 1 minute. Work in pairs.

You have 2–3 minutes to discuss how important

appearance and creating the right image are to different

people.

Here are some points you could mention:

• whether the way we look depends on the occasion.

• whether other people judge us by our appearance.

• how the way you look can affect how you feel.

50Total

10

© Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE New Matrix Upper-Intermediate

Test 1


44

Unfortunately, she 4 , saying she wasn’t

used to teaching such difficult pupils. She also admitted that

she 5 because she wasn’t used to teaching

full-time. I had a long chat with her and that

6 a little. I decided to reduce her hours

and made some suggestions about how she might get the

students to do as she asked. I 7 to check

up on her class the following week. To my delight, all the

students were working happily. It just goes to show what

talking can do!

3 Complete these sentences using the correct form of the

words in brackets.

1 Having overslept, Tom packed his school bags and

(hurry) left the house.

2 ‘It was your (responsible) to check that

the house was locked up,’ the police officer explained

after the burglary.

3 Claudia had no (intend) of going to the

party.

4 ‘It’s going to be a great holiday!’ said the children

(enthusiastic).

5 There’s a saying that a little (know) is a

very dangerous thing!

6 Emma is such a good swimmer that she had no

(difficult) in finishing the race.

4 Choose the best answer, a, b, c or d.

1 Julie the fact that her brother always seemed to

do better than her at school.

a resented b knew c like d explained

2 ‘I didn’t mean to break the vase,’ John told his mother

.

a gently b ironically c eagerly d feebly

3 ‘I think the new History teacher’s really good! What

you?’

a think b do c about d of

4 The teacher said that Carlos had improved over

the past year.

a fast b steadily c confidently d carefully

5 It came as a to find that I had passed my driving

test – it was the third time I’d taken it!

a happiness b good news c pleasure d relief

6 Rolf gets really upset when his team loses a match but

I’m not too about football myself.

a bothered b concerned c interested d anxious

6

6

7

© Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE

Name:

Class:


Test 2

Reading1 Choose from the sentences a–f the one which fits each

gap 1–5. There is one sentence you do not need.

a Instead we should aim to be realistic and start

concentrating on what we want – and what we’ve got.

b A career choice, relationship or even an impulse buy that

makes us happy one day might make us perfectly

miserable the next.

c At the end of the day, how we choose to be happy is how

we choose to be ourselves.

d In spite of this, happiness may not be within our reach.

e Moreover, achievements are often less important than we

think.

f However, one person’s definition of heaven might be

another’s idea of hell.

Happiness

Whatever anyone says, there doesn’t appear to be any

universal model for happiness. It is encouraging that happy

people seem to have some characteristics in common.

1 Thus Person A might be happiest when he / she is

stressed at work, dealing with problems and meeting

deadlines, whilst Person B prefers other activities, spending

his / her leisure time painting and travelling. Just to add to

the confusion, happiness tends to be related to a particular

situation at a particular time.

2 Bearing this in mind, maybe it’s time to loosen our

grip on the fantasy of the perfect life. 3 Far from

being the ultimate goal, happiness might simply be the

product of a fulfilled, centred life. 4 Whilst they may

impress other people, they may not make us happy.

5 Once we’ve sorted that out the rest should fall

into place.

Vocabulary2 Complete the gaps with these phrases. Put the verbs in

the correct form.

• become defensive • have no control • go wrong

• feel pressurised • make a conscious decision

• run smoothly • clear the air

I’m the head teacher of Foulds School which is a cheerful

little primary school on the outskirts of London. Things

usually 1 at Foulds, but last year a new

teacher, Mrs Griffin, arrived to teach Class 2 and everything

2 . Mrs Griffin was very young and

inexperienced and seemed 3 over the

class. After two weeks and several calls from dissatisfied

parents, I decided to talk her about the situation.

5


55

Grammar5 Complete the sentences using one of the following verbs

in the correct form – gerund or infinitive.

• take • look • go • write • visit • shout • work

• miss • help

1 If you can’t understand a word try it

up in a dictionary before you ask me.

2 Peter denied the money that was

missing from his mother’s purse.

3 The teacher told Sarah that she really needed

harder if she wanted to receive a good

report.

4 Ben’s father regretted at him.

5 Frank has arranged to the cinema on

Saturday night.

6 The teacher told Jean that she was falling behind with

her work and she couldn’t afford any

more lessons.

7 When they arrived at the castle Harry’s grandfather said

that he remembered it as a child.

8 On the last day of their holiday together, Kim made her

penfriend promise regularly.

9 I don’t mind her with her work as long

as she listens to what I’m saying!

6 Rewrite the sentences using the prompt and making any

necessary changes.

1 I don’t really want to go out tonight.

I’m not really interested .

2 Although she felt unwell, Maria managed to win the race.

In spite .

3 ‘Who can I ask about the school trip?’ said Anna.

Anna wanted to know .

4 Harry couldn’t wait to visit America for the first time.

Harry was looking .

5 ‘How do I get to the station?’ the tourist asked.

The tourist wanted to know .

6 Susan decided she didn’t want to watch TV so she went to

bed.

Susan went to bed instead .

7 When people shout at me I really hate it.

I really can’t .

7

9

Writing7 Write a story (200–250 words) start with the words:

‘Until that day Tom had been a regular visiter to...’

Think about:

• what sort of place it was and why Tom went there.

• what happened to Tom – did something go wrong?

• how Tom felt at the end of the story.

SpeakingDiscussion: holidays


You have 2–3 minutes to look at the photographs and

headlines and discuss these questions:

• What are the people in the photographs doing? Where are

they?

• Why do you think the people have chosen to be in these

different places?

• How important do you think it is for people to have holidays

in order to be happy?

• What effect can tourists have on places and local people

while they are enjoying their holiday?

50Total

10


Test 2

Coastal forest cleared to build new 5-star resort

Only tourists can afford to eat out here


66

they took a lively interest in cameras and watches. Their

bright red fur sparkled in the sunlight but they were close to

starvation. They had been bought by one of the factory

workers about two years earlier and kept in captivity there.

The staff had decided to take action. ‘We saw Yunus on the

TV rescuing the orang-utans from the zoo, so we decided to

contact him,’ said Leong, another of the workers. He

couldn’t explain why no one had reported the orang-utans’

owner earlier.

Yunus said the staff would not be prosecuted. ‘Our policy is

that we do nothing when people hand the animals over

voluntarily. After all, the most important thing is to get the

animals back and to encourage people to give them back.

But if we have to take them back by force, then we

prosecute whoever we can.’

An hour later, Lucky and Lulu were enjoying a nourishing

meal of tomatoes and lettuce leaves at the centre – two of

the fortunate few that had survived the clutches of the

traders.

Vocabulary2 Complete the sentences using the correct form of the

word in brackets.

1 That walking holiday is not for the –

30 kilometres per day in wind and rain! (heart)

2 Katie isn’t a very person, she never

seems to want to come out with us. (socialise)

3 We were all asked to make a towards

the end of term party. (contribute)

4 The actress made a very entrance at

the beginning of the performance. (drama)

5 If we all tried to use our cars less it would really help

with the problem of in our cities.

(pollute)

6 Naturalists have managed to save many birds from

. (extinct)

7 The of the tropical rainforests will

mean that more and more species of plant are lost for

good. (destroy)

8 The professor was a man and very

interesting to talk to. (charm)

9 The abandoned young apes had been unable to gather

food and were close to when we found

them. (starve)

10 Sometimes it is better to keep animals in

rather than leave them in the wild.

(captive)10

7


Name:

Class:


Test 3

Reading1 Read the article and decide whether statements 1–7 are

true or false according to the text. Write T or F in each

box.

1 What John finds most shocking is the number

of animals on sale.

2 John expected the price of the animals to be higher.

3 Yunus thinks that the zoo didn’t know about

the illegal show.

4 From Yunus’s rescue centre, animals are returned

to the wild.

5 The factory workers could have done more

to help the orang-utans.

6 Yunus and John found that the orang-utans

were in poor condition.

7 Yunus thinks that the policy on prosecuting people

who treat animals badly should be tougher.

For sale

‘You name it, we’ll get it for you,’ Baki said, waving his

mobile phone as if to show delivery was just a quick call

away. ‘Monkeys, birds, turtles, orang-utans, whatever you

want. Tigers and rhinos are a bit harder but shouldn’t be a

problem.’ What was so shocking about this conversation was

not that it was taking place – I wasn’t so naive as to think

the problem of illegal animal trading had been solved – but

how openly it was happening.

The next shock came when we started discussing prices.

Most of the species on offer are endangered, and so listed as

protected, anyone caught trading them faces five years in

prison and up to £7,000 in fines. ‘It’s like this, mister,’ Baki

began, clearly trying to justify a very high price.

‘Orang-utans are getting pretty hard to find these days, so

I’m going to have to charge you at least two million rupiah.’

Seeing the surprise on my face, he added hurriedly, ‘But we

can offer you a discount.’ Baki had completely

misunderstood my look. Two million rupiah – a complete

bargain, I thought, considering there are perhaps only

15,000–20,000 orang-utans left in the wild.

Someone trying to make a difference to all this is

conservationist, Yunus Makasau, who runs an animal rescue

centre. When I visited, there were three bears, several

monkeys and four orang-utans. Two of these were seized in

a raid on an illegal animal show at a local zoo. The zoo

refused to comment on the case, but Yunus finds it hard to

believe the people in charge knew nothing about it. ‘How

can they not be aware of what is going on in their own zoo?

This just shows the size of the problem we are facing.’

Most of the animals are kept at the centre for a week

or two before being shipped to larger rehabilitation centres

where they are trained to survive in the wild.

I accompanied Yunus on a mission to a nearby factory to

rescue two orang-utans. When we arrived we found Lucky

and Lulu imprisoned in a tiny cage. Like inquisitive children,


77


1 I’ve got so much work to do. Do you think you could help

me ?

a up b out c along d over

2 I don’t mind contributing as long as it’s a cause.

a admirable b decent c worthy d respectable

3 I’m glad I had a word with Jim. His advice was very

.

a helpful b kind c successful d worthwhile

4 The crops were ruined that year due to drought.

a severe b harsh c sensible d excessive

5 After a lot of thought Bill eventually came with

the correct answer.

a along b across c away d up

Grammar 4 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form, positive

or negative. Use the present simple, present continuous

or will.

1 Peter (forever / ask) me the same

question, and it’s driving me mad!

2 (you ever / think) it might be nice to

live in a different country?

3 I (often / go) out in the evenings these

days – I’m too tired.

4 You (always / tell) me to work harder,

but I’m trying my best!

5 He (change) his mind about it whatever

you say to him – he never does.

6 Adam (always / complain) about how

little pocket money he gets.

7 You just can’t rely on Gary. I bet he

(arrive) at your party an hour late wearing a scruffy pair of

jeans.

8 Our teacher (usually / give) us much

homework at the weekend, but this week we got loads!

5 Underline the correct verb form.

My name’s Mary and I 1 grew / would grow up in a large

family – six kids! It was great – we 2 had / would have very

little money, but we 3 was / used to be very happy. Every

summer we 4 used to went / would go camping in Devon.

We 5 stay / used to stay at a farm in a place called

Woollacombe in Devon. Each day we 6 helped to / would

help around the farm and once the farmer 7 let / would let

us feed a new born lamb with milk from a bottle. Of

course some summers it 8 rained / use to rain and that’s no

fun when you’re camping! And then there was the year

when my youngest sister 9 broke / would break her arm on

the very first day! But we still 10 managed / would manage

to have a good time in spite of it.

10

8

5

Writing6 An English friend has sent this letter to you.

Hi there!

Sorry I haven’t been in touch for a while. Actually,I’m writing to ask you a favour. A friend of minecalled Tom (he’s 18) is planning to spend a week inyour area with his family this summer, and hewanted me to write and ask you for someinformation.

He’s interested in what there is to do during theday. He’s really keen on sport and likes sight-seeingtoo. He’ll be with his family and has a sister who’sonly 13, so they’ll need to think of something forher to do as well.

Can you suggest anything that’d be good for thewhole family in the evenings? They also needsomewhere to stay that’s comfortable but not tooexpensive. Any suggestions? And is there anythingelse you’d really recommend? I know it’s a lot to ask,but Tom and his family would be really grateful!

And what about you? Are you planning any trips toEngland this year? It’d be great to see you again!

Well thanks for your help.

All the best,

Jo

Write an informal letter (120–150 words) replying to

your friend and answering the questions.

Think about:

• what there is to do in your area in the daytime and in the

evening

• what sort of things the whole family would enjoy

• where the family could stay

• what to tell your friend about your plans

Remember to use an appropriate informal style.

SpeakingGiving a short presentation

Prepare to give a short presentation (2–3 minutes) on the

topic:

What we could do to protect the world we live in.

Here are things you could talk about:

• global warming

• pollution

• endangered species

Talk about how these different things affect the world we

live in and what we should do about these problems.

50Total

10


Test 3


88

1 The writer’s aim in paragraph one is to

a make people interested in a career in journalism.

b show what a career in journalism is really like.

c explain why someone might consider being a

journalist.

d explain how disappointing holidays can be for a

journalist.

2 In the second paragraph we learn that the writer

a was successful in finding work in journalism.

b wanted to work in a bar.

c had considered a career in banking.

d thought she would never become a professional

journalist.

3 The writer’s first experience of journalism proved difficult

because of

a the unfriendly staff.

b the amount of work.

c a feeling of loneliness.

d problems with the equipment.

4 The writer didn’t pursue the idea of becoming a

hairdresser because she

a didn’t like the hairdressing business.

b was more interested in fashion design.

c was given an opportunity at the right time.

d failed to get a response from the hairdressing school.

5 Compared to her previous job, what does the writer say

about her current job?

a She now gets longer holidays.

b She has to pay more attention to detail.

c She thinks people complain more frequently.

d She worries more about letting people down.

Vocabulary2 Choose the best answer a, b, c or d.

1 Bob’s a bit of a case – he doesn’t have any friends.

a sad b unhappy c lonely d solitary

2 The new sales manager has some interesting ideas but

the line is that they’re not profitable.

a last b only c bottom d end

3 If you want to lose weight you should just eat sensibly

rather than becoming with dieting.

a worried b obsessed c troubled d anxious

4 Len was now willing to that he had been

mistaken about Marie – she was intelligent and kind.

a reveal b declare c prove d admit

5 After the climb, John’s fingers were with cold.

a sore b numb c painful d weak

6 Everyone turned their heads to at the new boy as

he walked into the classroom.

a see b peep c stare d glance

7 Michael knew that Jane had taken the money but he

couldn’t actually it.

a admit b prove c reveal d declare

5


Name:

Class:


Test 4

Reading1 Read the text and choose the best answer, a, b, c or d,

to questions 1–5.

Hungry for words

You’d better like photocopying. And faxing. And searching

through old copies of the Boxwood News, or whatever,

hunting for an article from 1983 about football. If you’re

considering a career in journalism, it’s worth spending your

holidays making coffee, answering telephones and taking

notes for a local or national publication (unpaid, of course).

The idea occurred to me halfway through university, where

everyone else was already muttering about becoming

bankers. I sent off a handful of letters and managed to get a

temporary job on a fashion magazine. While my friends

were earning extra money working in bars, I was sleeping on

a friend’s floor in London, trying to look like a professional

journalist.

My first experience of professional journalism did not go

smoothly. During my first week at the magazine, I spent

most of my time covered in photocopying ink, mastering

(slowly) the art of transferring telephone calls. I tried not to

be scared by the pencil-thin fashion journalists, but would

take the stairs so I could avoid standing next to them in the

lift.

Back at university, I edited the student newspaper before I

began to have doubts about whether this was really the

career for me. I wasn’t entirely sure I had the sort of

toughness that journalists are supposed to possess. I didn’t

think I’d ever grasp shorthand. In short, I decided that it was

a nasty business and I’d rather be a hairdresser. Shortly after

I’d telephoned a hairdressing school, I won an award which

gave me some work experience on a national Sunday paper.

It was a fantastic four weeks. Although it was yet more filing

and photocopying, for the first time I felt that I was actually

part of the publication; I sat in on meetings – I even

interviewed a couple of fashion designers.

In September, I moved to my present job, and it’s here I’ve

been happiest. It’s like any job – six months down the line

I’m still finding out everyone’s name, and how to use the

computers, and where everything is. I even still feel nervous

when I speak to my Section Editor! It’s different from

student journalism. Deadlines are tougher, the need for

accuracy greater. There are certainly jobs that pay better,

offer longer holidays and more sociable hours. People write

and complain and it’s still the most mortifying thing in the

world to know you’ve got your facts wrong and let everyone

down. But it’s worth it. At least for me, it is.


99

8 Sarah looked at the clock and out of bed,

realising that she had overslept.

a crawled b staggered c leapt d crept

9 The accident could have been if the motorists

had been driving more slowly.

a caused b reduced c stopped d avoided

3 Complete the sentences using these verbs in the correct

form.

• achieve • apply • encourage • maintain • represent

• gather • allocate • devote • establish • select

1 Large crowds along the sides of the

roads to watch the procession go by.

2 Yesterday, Mrs Gates the new boy to

speak more in class by asking him to start the debate.

3 The seats for the end of term concert will be

on a first come first served basis.

4 Mr Dean couldn’t be considered for the job of head

teacher because he didn’t in time.

5 Nowadays, children seem to have less time

to sport and leisure.

6 ‘Red Water Arts’ is an educational art group which was

in 1985.

7 The teacher told Harry that he would

more if he came to class on time.

8 Sarah was hoping to be for the

basketball team.

9 More police were needed at the football match

law and order.

10 It was pleasing to see that so many different nationalities

were at the athletics event.

Grammar4 Complete the sentences using these phrases.

• according to • all in all • apart from • without doubt

• unfortunately • nevertheless

1 On Saturday I went a party and on Sunday I went cycling.

it was an enjoyable weekend.

2 Maria bought a most beautiful vase in the sales, but

she broke it on her way home.

3 a report in the local paper, the

number of burglaries in the area has increased.

4 Daylight was fading and the climbers were exhausted.

they decided to continue.

5 Mr Thomas is the strictest teacher at

the school.

6 The computer is now working well one

small problem, which I’d like to ask you about.

6

10

9

5 Complete the second sentence so that it means the

same as the first sentence.

1 Where’s the library?

Can you tell me ?

2 Did Peter go to the cinema?

I wonder .

3 Are you going to apply for that job?

Do you know ?

4 Where have I put my keys?

I’ve no idea .

5 How did Claire get back from the party last night?

Do you know ?

6 Complete the sentences with a relative pronoun.

1 The school I went as a child has just

been closed.

2 The teacher class I’ve just been to

seems extremely kind.

3 The book, has quite a complicated

plot, was difficult to find at the library.

4 The woman I spoke to about the

problem wasn’t very helpful.

5 Judith showed me her holiday photos,

were really interesting.

Writing7 Your school is holding a writing competition to describe

a festival or popular event that takes place in your area

each year. You decide to enter the competition.

Write a description of the event (200–250 words).

Here are some points to mention:

• why the event takes place

• where the event takes place

• what happens

• what sort of people enjoy going

SpeakingDiscussion: the power of the press


You have 3–4 minutes to discuss how newspapers can

affect people’s lives.

Talk about:

• the importance of newspapers to different people.

• how journalists ensure they get a good story.

• other ways of finding out about the news.

50Total

10

5

5


Test 4


1010

once have been a ticket to a secure future but today,

increasing numbers of highly qualified young people find it

difficult to find good jobs. In contrast, many young people

find good jobs in areas in which they have no training, but

they pick things up quickly, learn to adapt, and are

contented in their work.

Parents must be careful not to crush their child’s first moves

towards choosing a career with questions that seem

harmless, such as: ‘Are you sure?’ or ‘What if?’. These may

lead to a strong sense of doubt when what was wanted was

only a note of caution. Every parent knows a career choice is

an important one, and every parent wants to help with the

process. The fact is that parents may be the very ones who

trip their kids up. Parents can do their bit just by being

willing to listen with an open mind as their children

consider the options before making that final, crucial choice.

Vocabulary2 Choose the best answer, a, b, c or d.

1 At last night’s ceremony, Peter Jackson was happy to

up the award for Best Director.

a take b pick c hold d receive

2 I do like a book with a happy .

a finish b closing c ending d finale

3 The film Gladiator relied on over a thousand for

the crowd scenes.

a parts b additions c extras d spares

4 I thought that Gorky Park was rather a difficult film to

follow because the was very complicated.

a plot b subject c theme d account

5 For his next the director was thinking of making

a film set in the Far East.

a programme b proposal c plan d project

6 The film I’ve just seen had a really impressive all-star

.

a cast b set c list d production

3 Complete the sentences with the correct form of one of

these phrasal verbs.

• back up • lay down • pick up • pile up • turn to

• break up • fall back

1 During lunch break the conversation

the arrival at the school of the new head teacher.

2 The main reason we was that, after

five years of constant touring and recording, we couldn’t

take the stress any more.

3 The employee’s duties are clearly in

her contract.

6


Name:

Class:


Test 5

Reading1 Read the article and decide whether these sentences are

true or false according to what the writer says. Write T

or F in each box.

1 If children expect to succeed in life, they will succeed.

2 Children are confused by the number of job

opportunities on offer.

3 Parents do not realise what effect their criticism

may have.

4 Few parents are aware of all the job opportunities

available these days.

5 Children are more likely to succeed in getting

a good job if they go on to higher education.

6 Parents often ask their children too many questions.

7 Parents may actually prevent children from

finding a suitable job.

Must try harder

All parents have high hopes for their children and it is

common to instil in children the belief that hard work will

earn rewards. High expectations, it is believed, will lead to

high achievement in the long run. But are parents’

ambitions for their children consistent? The confidence

parents try to give children – telling them that they can be

anything they want, instructing them to aim for an exciting

future – may not be a very practical message.

Young people are told to make sure their university course is

interesting, but also that it must be useful and that it should

lead to a job. They are urged to take advantage of the many

career choices available, while at the same time being told

to make sure there is a career ladder they can climb. Don’t

give up a good opportunity is the advice – but don’t settle

for the first thing that comes along. No wonder children are

confused.

Take, for example, a son who wants to ‘do something in

design’, while the parents feel that he should get himself a

‘sensible job in computing’. The son may appear to stick to

his plans but his confidence has, in reality, already been

worn down by his parents’ lack of support. He tries to make

his future in design but when he meets his first difficulty, he

is filled with self-doubt. It may only be a minor setback, but

because of his parents’ comments about what an unsuitable

career choice it was in the first place, it seems like a disaster.

The parents have done the last thing they wanted; they have

influenced their son, but only in a negative way.

Making a career choice today is far from easy and parents

will not help by simply repeating the advice they once

received. Much has changed in the employment market over

the last generation, and many parents may still be out of

touch. Even if they appreciate the changes in their own area

of work, they have almost certainly failed to grasp them

across a range of jobs. A college or a degree course may

7


1111© Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE New Matrix Upper-Intermediate

Test 5

4 If I lose my job I’ve always got my savings to

on.

5 I complained to the manager of the hotel about the poor

service, but unfortunately the other guests didn’t

me .

6 I was told that I could the tickets from

the theatre box office just before the show.

7 I’ve got so much work to do these days. It just keeps

.

4 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the

words in brackets.

1 Alison has always had a burning

(ambitious) to start her own business.

2 The school trip was far from (success),

partly because it rained for the entire day.

3 James kept climbing in the (believe)

that the view from the top would be worth it.

4 (lucky) the teacher forgot to tell us

what our homework was so we won’t have to do any.

5 The new employee did his work conscientiously and with

a great deal of . (enthusiastic)

6 I have no (confident) at all in that

doctor. He never seems to listen to what I’m saying.

Grammar5 Underline the correct verb forms.

Ruben González was one of the true legends of Cuban

music. He 1 became / had become a full time pianist in his

early 20s, but it was not until he was 77 that he2 recorded / was recording his first solo album, at a time

when he thought that his career 3 ended / had ended. He4 lived / was living in retirement in Havana when he was

approached by the Cuban musician, Juan de Marcos,

because de Marcos 5 decided / had decided to revive the

lively Cuban music of the 1950s. Ruben 6 hadn’t played /

wasn’t playing for three years. He 7 didn’t even have /

hadn’t even had a piano. Then in his 70s, with the help of

De Marcos, he 8 found / was finding fame as a member of

the famous Buena Vista Social Club.

8

6

7

6 Complete the sentences with these words.

• because • if • so • while • although • when

1 I’d heard that the film was very good, I

didn’t get to see it.

2 I queued for hours to see the film it

was so popular.

3 I was watching the film my mobile

phone started ringing.

4 The queue at the cinema was very long

I decided not to see the film.

5 I’d seen the film, I understood why it

had been so successful.

6 I had the time, I’d go and see that film

again.

Writing7 Write an argument (200–250 words) for and against one

of these statements:

1 Money is not important for a successful and happy

life.

2 Television is bad for us. We should stop watching the

television and start doing something more interesting.

Remember to:

• write an introduction.

• write a paragraph agreeing with the statement.

• write a paragraph disagreeing with the statement.

• write your personal view in the conclusion.

• think about the language you could use to present your

arguments.


Prepare to give a short presentation (2–3 minutes) on

the topic:

An occasion when I was successful

Here are some points you could mention:

• when it happened

• what you achieved

• how you felt

50Total

10

6


1212

The Jarrett family, work out regularly at the huge health

centre. Super-fit looking joggers bounce past on the neat,

litter-free streets. Once you’ve finished keeping trim and

making sure your lawn is tidy, there are plenty of activities to

keep you busy – even an autumn festival

in October, when plastic leaves fall down at 6 p.m. and

8 p.m. precisely.

The Jarretts see themselves dying in Celebration – just as

Walt Disney would have wanted them to. ‘Some are quick to

criticise, saying it’s over the top, but we find it genuine,’ Tony

says. ‘The people here are very friendly and optimistic, the

place has lived up to all our expectations and we have no

intention of leaving’. Sadly, he seems to have forgotten the

real world. He continues, ‘We went back to England a month

ago. Our family and friends said, “Wouldn’t you like to come

back?” No, not at all. Celebration is our happy ending!’


1 Many species are protected from predators by their

colouring which provides good .

a cover b camouflage c protection d disguise

2 At the end or the test Jessica put down her pen and

sighed with .

a joy b gladness c relief d laughter

3 Over the past month the athlete’s times have been

improving .

a steadily b surely c reliably d readily

4 Are you willing to make a to the school funds?

a deposit b allowance c payment d contribution

5 Many endangered species are being threatened with

.

a exhaustion b expulsion c extinction

d extermination

6 Tickets for the show should be booked early to

disappointment.

a avoid b evade c miss d escape

7 Liz tried hard not to at the new girl in the class.

a focus b stare c peer d glimpse

8 Although the film was made on a very budget, it

was a great success.

a strict b poor c simple d low

3 Complete the sentences with the correct form of these

phrasal verbs.

• carry on with • go on about • drop out of

• fall behind with • go out with

1 I know I made a mistake but Bill has it

all morning.

2 Although it was raining heavily, the athletes

the race.

8

6

© Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLENew Matrix Upper-Intermediate

Name:

Class:

Reading1 Read the article and decide whether these statements

are true or false according to the text. Write T or F in

each box.

1 Walt Disney would have been disappointed with

Celebration.

2 Kissimmee is a town similar to Celebration.

3 The writer gives the impression that ‘you never have

to leave Celebration,’ (paragraph 3), may be a

bad idea.

4 The police in Celebration have a limited role to play.

5 According to Tony, the buildings in Celebration are

appealing because of their differing colours.

6 The writer disapproves of the Jarrett’s decision

to stay in Celebration.

Celebration, a town in Florida

Walt Disney didn’t live long enough to see the completion of

his dream town – a Disney town populated with real people.

But without doubt he’d have been proud. Celebration, just a

short drive from Disney World in Florida, is the kind of place

where residents might wash their cars together, and where it

snows on the hour at Christmas, for 10 minutes exactly. The

perfect all-American small town. Except that it’s not all-

American. The Jarrett family has chosen to live the Disney

dream, leaving the drizzle of Bristol behind in favour of the

Florida sun and a world full of film-set buildings. They

swapped a 200-year-old cottage outside Bristol for a brand-

new house in Celebration two years ago.

The attraction of Celebration is that it’s a safe community, a

place with strangely perfect village shops. It already has its

own successful school. There aren’t enough jobs in

Celebration yet for the 3,000-strong population, so most

people go to nearby Kissimmee to work. Though there are

probably more shootings in Kissimmee in a month than in

the Jarretts’ native Bristol in a year, crime doesn’t spread into

Celebration. ‘When you come home in the evening, as soon

as you drive on to the main street, you feel very secure,’

explains Tony with enthusiasm.

Homes in Celebration come in a variety of shapes and sizes:

terraced houses, blocks of flats or detached villas, but all

with neat lawns separated by white fences and arranged

around a shared swimming pool. ‘We’ve achieved our

ambition of providing housing for all stages of life, for young

families and old people, so that you never have to leave

Celebration,’ explains a Disney spokesman, without a trace

of irony.

The town is patrolled by police, whose only responsibility is

to make sure that residents have the right wallpaper and

curtains, and paint their houses and fencing white. ‘The

architecture here is so unique and appealing,’ Tony

maintains ‘that if everyone put up clashing reds, greens and

blues it would spoil things.’

Progress test 1


1313

3 After two kilometres I felt so tired I had to

the race.

4 Helena’s with her boyfriend for a year.

5 I was ill last week and now I find that I’ve

with my work quite badly.

4 Complete the sentences with these words and phrases.

• still • already • unless • apart from • unfortunately

• all in all • just

1 I’ve been working for hours and I’ve

got loads to do.

2 The school fair was great and we made some money too.

it was a successful occasion.

3 Everyone enjoyed the party John.

4 Clare’s mother told her she couldn’t go out

she tidied her room first.

5 I can’t believe it! You only started writing that essay

15 minutes ago and you’ve finished!

6 Guess who I’ve seen in the bank?

7 I know you’re all having a good time but

we have to stop now.

Grammar5 Complete the second sentence so that it means the

same as the first sentence.

1 Peter started work at the bank in 1991.

Peter since 1991.

2 I’ll only help you if you listen carefully to me.

I won’t listen carefully to me.

3 I haven’t seen the sea for ages.

It’s ages the sea.

4 How long has James had his new bike?

When his new bike?

5 How did Paul manage to run so fast?

I don’t know so fast.

6 All these sentences contain a mistake. Underline the

mistakes and correct them.

1 They’re beautiful flowers – someone can’t have spent a

lot of money on them.

2 I was walking home one night when I was hearing a

strange noise behind me.

3 When I spoke to my mother she told me she was

gardening all afternoon.

4 In spite that she felt ill, Kate continued to run in the race.

5 I used to have enjoyed school trips when I was at primary

school. 5

5

7

5

7 Complete these sentences using the correct form of the

verb in brackets. Add a preposition if necessary.

1 We used (live) in a big house.

2 There’s nothing in this fridge! I really need

(go) shopping!

3 Instead (help) me, Beata actually made

things worse.

4 I’ve arranged (play) tennis with Susan

at the weekend.

5 Tom’s forever (ask) me to play football.

6 I’m not really interested (learn) about

science.

7 My friends encouraged me (try) for the

swimming team.

Listening8 You are going to hear a radio programme about

food in Britain. As you listen to the first part, choose the

best answer, a, b, c or d, to questions 1–3.

1 According to John, in a Chinese takeaway you can be sure

to see a

a TV. b calendar. c counter. d few chairs.

2 How many people can John see working in the kitchen?

a one b two c three d four

3 It’s thought that English people like Chinese food

a nearly as much as fish and chips.

b as much as fish and chips.

c more than fish and chips.

d much more than fish and chips.

Listen to an interview with Ricky Tan and answer

questions 4–7.

4 Who helps out on Fridays and Saturdays?

a Ricky b Ricky’s mum c Ricky’s dad

d Ricky’s sister

5 Ricky’s parents started the business

a just over a year ago. b nearly two years ago.

c over two years ago. d 25 years ago.

6 Ricky joined the business because

a he wanted to have time off before university.

b he didn’t really like studying history.

c he couldn’t find work after university.

d he didn’t want to do a postgraduate degree.

7 What Ricky didn’t like about home life as a child was

a other children looking down on him.

b having the family business in the house.

c having to help out with the housework.

d feeling embarrassed about his circumstances.

50Total

7

7


Progress test 1


1414 © Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLENNeeww MMaattrriixx UUppppeerr--IInntteerrmmeeddiiaattee

Name:

Class:Test 1Test 6


to questions 1–5.

Mystery over the Baltic Sea

Early morning, August 23rd 1979, two fishing boats left the

port of Hel near Gdańsk for a fishing zone situated 70

kilometres offshore. Out on deck the fishing had begun when

suddenly the crew became alarmed as several large red balls

appeared in the sky right above them. One fishing boat

performed zigzag moves in order to distance itself from the

balls, but one of the mysterious features of the balls was that

they were able to follow the boat, always remaining ahead of

it. Simultaneously, all electrical appliances on the fishing

boat stopped functioning. Members of the crew were gripped

with fear, they had headaches and nausea and found it

difficult to breathe.

Then, all of a sudden, after the captain had changed the

boat’s course numerous times, the red balls soared upwards

and disappeared. At that very moment, the electrical

appliances started operating again. Both fishing boats turned

and headed for the port of Hel. Members of the crew were

immediately examined by doctors of the naval base.

However, the doctors found no evidence of serious illness in

the men, only nervous disorders and exhaustion.

Thirteen days after the UFOs appeared over the fishing boats,

two glowing red balls appeared over an ambulance on the

coast of the Gdańsk bay early in the morning. Four doctors in

the ambulance and two pedestrians observed the balls. Again

no harm was caused to the people involved.

So what were the red balls in the sky? Many theories have

been put forward over the years but scientists have not yet

found a likely explanation. They say that the accounts of the

balls in the sky remain an intriguing mystery.

1 The red balls appeared in the sky

a as the men started fishing.

b before the men started fishing.

c after the men started fishing.

d when the men stopped fishing.

2 The strangest thing about the balls was their

a colour. b shape. c size. d movement.

3 Something on the boat that could have been affected by

the balls was the

a compass. b furniture. c lighting. d water supply.

4 According to the writer, in what way is the second

incident similar to the first?

a The people were all working at the time.

b The people were not physically injured.

c The people saw that the balls were glowing.

d The people were frightened by the experience.

5 At the end of the text we learn that

a scientists are fascinated by the stories of the balls.

b scientists do not believe the stories of the balls.

c scientists are not interested in the balls.

d scientists do not expect to find an explanation for

the balls.


1 Apparently, despite new regulations, there are still plenty

of materials in most homes which could produce

fumes if fire broke out.

a lethal b disastrous c fatal d risky

2 In order to enter the building some form of

document will be needed as proof of identity.

a important b proper c official d acceptable

3 Last winter we had no water in the house – it actually

froze in the pipes due to the weather conditions.

a hard b severe c tough d strong

4 On 28th December 1879 a storm caused the Tay

Railway Bridge to collapse into the river below.

a destroying b cruel c damaged d violent

5 Paul’s father was very about his son’s ideas for

getting rich quick, and doubted whether he would make

any money at all.

a hesitant b reluctant c questioning d sceptical

6 I’m not surprised Patricia has made a name for herself as

an actress – she was drama as a child.

a into b at c onto d in

7 As the wind blew stronger and the waves grew higher, the

captain gave the order to ship.

a leave b depart c destroy d abandon

8 There’s no that music can have a very calming

effect when you’re feeling nervous or stressed out!

a admitting b denying c knowing d saying

9 Having reached the top of the mountain, the climbers

proudly their country’s flag.

a showed b demonstrated c raised d revealed

10 Frank became more and more by the mysterious

young woman who had been staring at him for the past

half hour.

a nervous b anxious c uneasy d puzzled

11 Paul isn’t answering the phone. The most

explanation is that he’s away on holiday.

a likely b possible c usual d normal

12 During the cruise, Martin spent a lot of time out on

reading and sunbathing.

a cabin b board c deck d cargo12

5


1515

3 Complete the sentences using these words. Add the

correct preposition.

• comes • alarmed • put • according • evidence

• result • relate

1 the head teacher, the school’s exam

results are getting better each year.

2 When inspectors visited the school they found little

improvement.

3 Students have to learn how to teachers

and other children.

4 The doctor told her patient not to be

the needle and that the injection wouldn’t hurt at all.

5 George was experiencing severe headaches as a

the medicine prescribed by his doctor.

6 Patricia is a good chess player but her skills have never

really been the test.

7 The poem I’ve just read to you a

collection by the poet Robert Frost.

Grammar4 Complete the sentences with these verbs in the correct

past form.

• might / be • needn’t / do • ought to / invite

• should / come • must / decide • can’t / be

1 You really to my party. We had a great

time!

2 I really that work. The teacher

completely forgot about the test!

3 Frederick knew that he the new

student to his party and felt bad that he hadn’t.

4 Ben said he’d be in but he didn’t answer the phone last

night. He to go to the party after all.

5 I think I saw Maria when I was at the cinema yesterday. It

was dark so I’m not sure but it her.

6 It Maria that you saw yesterday – she

was in bed with a headache all day.

5 These sentences all contain a mistake. Underline the


1 If you’d asked me about that homework I must have

helped you.

2 The purse I lost was a leather, small, red one.

3 While the children were enjoying their picnic dark large

threatening storm clouds suddenly appeared overhead.

4 You really needn’t have shouted at Paul – he’s really

upset you know.

5 Sam needn’t have been really excited about the news

because he kept talking about it.

6

7

6 Lisa should have forgotten we were going out – I saw her

write it in her diary last week.

7 I don’t know where my glasses are. I ought to have left

them at school but I’m not sure.

8 It ought not to have been Mary because she’s the only

person with a coat like that.

9 You needn’t do all that work – I only asked you to do

exercise 1!

10 The test could have been very difficult – even Tom

managed to get all the answers right.

Writing6 Write a detective story (200–250 words) which starts

with this sentence:

‘Colonel Higgins opened the safe to find his wife’s

diamond necklace had disappeared.’

Remember to:

• describe the weather and surroundings.

• describe the appearance and character of the people.

• describe the place and important objects in the story.

• use adjectives and adverbs to make your description

more interesting.

• plan carefully and write in paragraphs.

SpeakingDiscussion: mysteries

Preparation time: 2 minutes. Work in pairs.

You have 3–4 minutes to discuss these questions:

1 What do people find mysterious about these things?

2 Which do you find the most mysterious? Why?

3 What explanations can you find for the different mysteries?

50Total

10

10


Test 6

Bigfoot

The Pyramids

Ghosts


1616

6

Twelve months later we went back to the same place, this

time straight on to harder runs. Slopes that had looked

impossible a year before now seemed pretty easy. I now

found it possible to enjoy myself. Those mountains

stretched forever, beautiful and awesome. The next day,

with adrenalin flowing, I was finally on the black runs

with Jenny. It was a fulfilling experience that will remain

with me for ever … but the Vallée Blanche still calls.

Vocabulary2 Change these nouns into adjectives and use them to

complete the sentences.

• spectacle • effect • inconvenience • fright

• originality • power • amazement

1 Major extensions were added in 1889, but the

19th century section has been kept as

it was.

2 Patrick really hates parties so I was absolutely

when he turned up at mine.

3 I don’t mind having visitors but Nanda always seems to

come round at the most times.

4 Spielberg is one of the most people in

Hollywood.

5 The firework display was absolutely –

the best I’d ever seen.

6 Being lost in the dark in a strange place was a very

experience, one not to repeat.

7 The medicine prescribed by the doctor wasn’t very

– it just didn’t work at all.


1 Living and working in another country for a while will

certainly your horizons.

a enlarge b broaden c increase d heighten

2 Rose had decided she wanted to leave her job and

nothing was going to her mind.

a move b cross c make d change

3 As soon as the sales started I the opportunity to

head for the shops.

a grabbed b grasped c clutched d clasped

4 We enjoyed a relaxing holiday in a remote spot where we

felt in with nature.

a peace b calm c tune d sympathy

5 Sam might have taken the money, but I think it’s

unlikely.

a truly b highly c considerably d absolutely

6 Charlotte looked extremely upset but seemed to

talk about the problem.

a uneasy b unfeeling c unaware d unwilling

7

6


Name:

Class:Test 7

Reading1 Read the following text about a man who learnt to ski

later on in life and match the headings a–g to

paragraphs 1–6. There is one heading you do not need.

a Not an easy lesson

b A change of heart

c Not completely forgotten

d A ridiculous idea

e Not worth the pain

f Not the way to start

g A decision not to return

Never too old to learn?

1

I first decided to give skiing a try when I was 21. I headed

for the nursery slopes where I spent the morning fooling

around, teaching myself and not learning how to turn or

even stop. Then my friend dragged me to the top of a

mountain in a blizzard, and left me to get down. Many

freezing hours later I returned exhausted, scared and

having been cursed by everyone on the slopes.

2

I remember thinking that skiing wasn’t that easy, or fun. It

seemed an expensive and dangerous sport for the rude

and stupid who treated beginners like slush. For thirty

years, I enjoyed simple winter pleasures on Welsh hillsides,

or in faraway sunshine. The Alps in winter? Keep them.

3

And then, three years ago, I went with girlfriend / ski

instructor, Jenny, to a cheerful little hotel called La Belle

Etoile in the Chamonix valley. One by one, all those

prejudices against the sport had to be rethought. The

slopes were not full of rude head-bangers but sweet

families and locals. They weren’t crowded or even very

expensive and there were plenty of middle-aged

beginners.

4

But can you really coax an unfit old man down a

precipitous slope? Well I was determined to have a go and

Jenny risked our relationship deciding on the tough love

approach. ‘Feel the edges’, she cried. ‘Bend the knees’,

‘bum in, grip your poles, roll the skis, weight on the front

ski’. By day three, I had grasped the theory of parallel

turns.

5

Then illusions set in. Some fool at the bar that evening

said he wanted to do the Vallée Blanche, the longest off-

piste ski run in the Alps, 26km down a glacier starting at

12,000ft. He’d been skiing for umpteen years and at last

felt ready for it. With him I formed a foolhardy plan: to

do black runs – the hardest – by the end of week one,

and the Vallée Blanche by the end of week two. ‘Forget

it,’ said Jenny. And I did.


1717

7 I can still remember the first time I flew – the roar of the

engine as the plane the ground.

a disappeared b abandoned c left d departed

4 Use the following words to complete the text. Add the

correct preposition where necessary.

• realistic • outrageous • rely • oblivious • crucial • rather

Trekking in Nepal

You don’t really need to go through a trekking company to

trek around Nepal but it’s 1 to get good

maps and a guidebook. And you do need to have

2 expectations when it comes to places to

stay. Don’t expect luxuries! For the Everest trek, get the bus

from Kathmandu to Jiri, then you can 3

the help of local porters, who can be hired from nearby

villages. I have to admit that I was 4

concerned about exploitation and I found it

5 that many of the guides weren’t insured

by the companies employing them. But as far as the

trekking itself goes, as long as you aren’t 6

the obvious dangers you’ll be fine.

Grammar5 Complete the sentences using the passive form of the

verbs in brackets.

1 The bank manager told Mr Jones that his application for a

loan (consider) carefully but rejected.

2 The minister says that now, at last, some progress

(make) in the discussions with the

trade unions, but there’s still a long way to go.

3 Sue’s happy that she (recently /

choose) to play in the school tennis team.

4 From the top of this hill, the whole of the city can

(see) on a clear day.

5 I can remember (take) to school on my

first day – I was very excited but a bit frightened too.

6 Have you seen what (put) on the site of

the old library? It’s awful!

7 Every week soap operas (watch) by

millions of viewers.

8 I expect (show) all the sights after the

conference in Paris.

6 Complete the sentences with the correct form of have /

get something done.

1 We’re going to get someone to paint the house this

summer.

We’re going to this summer.

2 My hair’s looking so untidy – I must get someone to cut it.

My hair’s looking so untidy – I must .

8

6

7

3 They’re coming to fix the burglar alarm as I don’t feel safe

without it.

I’m as I don’t feel safe without it.

4 I want to find someone to take my daughter’s picture –

do you know a good photographer?

I want to – do you know a good

photographer?

5 My car’s making a funny noise – I really must get

someone to put it right.

My car’s making a funny noise – I really must

.

6 Petra’s feet are an unusual size so someone has to make

shoes especially for her.

Petra’s feet are an unusual size so she

especially for her.

Writing7 You have been asked to write a review (200–250 words)

of a film for the school magazine.

Remember to :

• describe the type of film it was and give details.

• give details of the people involved.

• give any other interesting information.

• write in paragraphs.

• use adverbs and phrases you’ve learnt to make your

writing more interesting.

• use link words.

• make some personal recommendations for films to see.


Choose one of these topics and prepare to give a short

presentation (2–3 minutes) on it.

1 It is irresponsible of people to take part in dangerous or

risky sports.

2 How can we best encourage people to take up sports in

order to keep fit and healthy?

Remember to:

• introduce your presentation.

• give arguments for and against the statement.

• give your opinion in the conclusion.

50Total

10

6


Test 7


1818

from other fields have spent over eight years producing

development plans, engineering models, marketing studies

and long term financial analyses.

With a team of 2000 security personnel in force, it appears

that the ship will be a secure environment in which to live.

The residents will of course be wealthy people in search of a

relaxing, utopian lifestyle. However, even with all the

facilities available on board and the opportunity to visit

many exotic corners of the world, it’s hard to imagine that

anyone would want to live on the ship for the majority of

their lives or indeed raise children there. The feeling that

you are isolated from a normal part of everyday life, such as

bumping into an old friend in the street, or something as

mundane as doing a bit of gardening, would always be at

the back of your mind. If this is freedom it’s not as we

know it.


1 At the top of that cliff path there’s a huge drop and

nothing to stop you falling. The real is that if

nothing is done about it there could be a terrible

accident.

a alarm b panic c fear d dread

2 Children taking time off school without permission is a

issue which must be dealt with.

a bad b severe c concerned d serious

3 Research into global warming has more long

term problems for the environment.

a caused b exposed c raised d created

4 My neighbour is quite a well-known poet who has

appeared on TV many occasions.

a on b at c over d to

5 The film I’ve just seen was really scary – not for the

!

a hard-hearted b faint-hearted c kind-hearted

d warm-hearted

6 Julia had won several medals dancing before she

started her acting course.

a for b with c in d by

7 After a successful meeting with his boss, Adam felt

content and at with the world.

a piece b peace c quite d quiet

8 The company my father worked for was going through a

lot of changes so he decided to early retirement.

a do b make c take d have

9 Mark is that he didn’t get the job because he

forgot the interviewer’s name.

a determined b persuaded c satisfied d convinced

9

7


Name:

Class:Test 8

Reading1 Read the article and decide whether these statements

are true or false according to the text. Write T or F in

each box.

1 The main aim of the Freedom Ship is to make money

by attracting tourists.

2 Parks have been provided on board to give people

the feeling that they have the opportunity to wander

freely.

3 According to the website the Freedom Ship will

still not be big enough to make it self-sufficient.

4 The planning of the Freedom Ship has been given

careful consideration.

5 The writer doesn’t think that safety will be

a problem for passengers.

6 The writer feels that due to the facilities available,

the ship will be a good environment for people with

children.

7 The writer feels that the Freedom Ship cannot

provide everything a community might need.

Floating city

Despite the fact that three-quarters of the Earth’s surface is

covered in water, living at sea has failed to catch on. But on

the horizon is an ambitious project for a spectacular floating

city that could be coming your way… Yes, this one’s

different and worth seeing as it’ll be the first that can move.

At about a kilometre and a half from end to end and twenty

five storeys above water, the gigantic Freedom Ship will

circumnavigate the globe every two years stopping off at

exotic tropical islands that are only accessible by sea. It is

hoped that these stopovers will create a tidal wave of visitors

onto the ship to try out the shops of the largest shopping

mall in the world, as well as the many restaurants and

entertainment facilities on board.

Although tourism has its role in the huge scheme of things,

business will also play a major part. Every public service

imaginable including schools, educating children from

kindergarten through to college, a hospital and a library will

turn what could be a glorified cruise liner into a self-

sufficient city. It may sound as if the 50,000 people living on

board could feel a little trapped at times but provision has

been made for over 140 acres of parks with waterfalls and

ponds to create a peaceful atmosphere with open spaces for

when people want to get away.

The project is a social experiment as well as an engineering

achievement that will take great attention to detail to get

right. According to the Freedom Ship website, the ship will

be as big as it is ‘simply because that is the size required to

make the community economically self-sustaining and a

desirable place to live.’ So far a group of professional

engineers, businessmen, doctors, lawyers and professionals


1919

3 Fill in the gaps in the advertisement with these words.

• salary • aptitude • currently • supplied • recruit

• interested • working • finished • role

HHiillllssiiddee PPrriimmaarryy SScchhooooll Head teacher: Mrs Yvonne Mitchell

Closing date: Monday, 10th May Position: CCLLAASSSSRROOOOMM TTEEAACCHHEERR

We are looking to 1 a member of staff

for September of this year.

Possibility of earning a high 2 .

Are you 3 in a career in a well-

established primary school, 4 with

well-behaved and highly motivated children? Do you

have an 5 for languages?

Applications are invited from enthusiastic teachers who

are able to teach across a range of subjects and take a

lead 6 in foreign language teaching.

A classroom is being specially prepared and will be7 by September.

We welcome applications from experienced teachers

who are 8 teaching in primary

education. References must be 9 .

Grammar4 Underline the correct future form in each sentence.

1 The film finishes / will finish at seven so we should have

time to go for a pizza afterwards.

2 I’ve still got that book you lent me. I’m just going /

I’ll just go and get it.

3 Just think! This time next week I’m going to sit /

I’ll be sitting in the sun in the south of France!

4 My cousin will get married / is getting married in September.

5 I’ve got some work to do but by the time you’re ready to

go out I’ll be finishing / I’ll have finished it.

6 The bus comes / will come at about eight o’clock each

morning to take us to school.

7 Have you decided what you’re going to do / you’ll have

done when you leave school?

5 Some of these sentences contain mistakes. Underline

the mistakes and correct them.

1 By the time Georgia finishes writing her book she’ll be

working on it for two years.

2 I can’t come to your party because I’ll play football all

afternoon on Saturday.

3 I won’t be in this evening. I’m going to see a film with

Katie.

4 I’ve finally decided! I’ll go to Spain again for my holidays

this year.

7

9

5 I think I’ll go and see a film with Karl this evening, or

maybe I’ll just be having an early night – I can’t decide.

6 If you don’t understand what to do, ask the teacher and

he’s going to help you.

7 By the time I see you again I’ll have been to Spain and

back.

8 I can’t believe I got the job! This time next month I’ll

have been modelling all the latest fashions!

Writing6 You have seen this advertisement in a local paper.

Write a letter of application (50–100 words) and a

personal statement (about 200 words) to send to Camp

Loccnar.

In your personal statement remember to:

• describe your character and abilities.

• say why you think you would be good at the job.

• give details of your main interests.

• give details of your experience with children.

In your letter of application remember to:

• say why you are writing.

• ask about the starting date.

• mention the documents you have enclosed.

• use the right ending.

SpeakingDiscussion: the future of our world

Preparation time: 2 minutes. Work in pairs.

You have 3–4 minutes to discuss what these headlines

suggest about the future of our world and what could be

done to make the world a better place for us to live.

50Total

10

8


Test 8

Summer camp jobs available right now

Camp Loccnar in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania is currently

recruiting students to help out with a whole range of activities.

Activities include soccer, tennis, horse riding, rock climbing,

swimming and sailing.

An interest in art and music would also be an advantage.

Are you an outgoing person who is keen on sport? Would you be

a good role model for children? Do you think you would enjoy

working with kids? If so, we strongly encourage you to send us

your personal statement together with a letter of application.

Flooding to cost $30 million a year, scientists say

HOLD YOUR BREATH FOR A CLEANER, HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT

LOW BIRTH RATE MAY RAISE RETIREMENT AGE


2020

Jean Itard, a 26-year-old doctor from Paris, did have a

certain amount of success with Victor, but the boy never

became anything approaching a normal adult. Victor

rewarded his teacher with increased interest and affection

but made little headway with his ability to speak and think.

After taking in his first few words, Victor seemed to have

struck some invisible wall as far as language was concerned.

Itard had assumed that once Victor had grasped the idea of

speech, he would have raced away learning new words

effortlessly. Between the ages of two and four, normal

children develop an active passion for speech and tend to

experiment with quite complicated sentence patterns. Itard

was therefore confused by the fact that Victor remained

strangely wooden, even in the use of the limited vocabulary

he had learnt – as if the words were merely noises, not in

the least interesting or meaningful to him. Finally Itard had

to admit defeat.

And so Victor threatened the concept that humans are born

with an ability to speak. Surely if he had gained the gift of

words, he would have gone on to develop a more human

mind? But for some reason that never happened. So what

are we to make of the sad story of the wild boy of Aveyron?


1 When Irena said that she’d be back before ten her mother

wasn’t enough to believe her.

a deceived b misled c gullible d unintelligent

2 I won the 100 metres, beating a number of Europeans

including one of my main who had won in

Athens four years earlier.

a competitors b rivals c contestants d participants

3 The holiday camp offers children a wide of

interesting and challenging activities.

a range b amount c number d series

4 Lichfield is for being the home town of Samuel

Johnson who wrote the first English dictionary.

a prided b popular c esteemed d famous

5 Don’t miss this opportunity to win a free summer

holiday!

a golden b impressive c fine d inspiring

6 That singer has had so many hits she must have

a fortune!

a gained b made c won d got

7 Margaret from terrible coughs and colds during

the winter.

a complains b experiences c suffers d catches

7

5


Name:

Class:Test 9

Reading1 Tick (✓) five statements which reflect the content of

the text.

1 Victor was first noticed because of his unusual

appearance.

2 No one knows exactly how Victor managed to survive

without human contact for so long.

3 Victor’s character was what people found

most interesting about him.

4 Victor was deaf and unable to speak.

5 Victor was capable of showing emotion.

6 Bonnaterre considered Victor to be little more than

an animal.

7 Jean Itard was pleased with Victor’s progress.

8 Victor was different from other children in that

he wasn’t interested in communicating with people.

9 People felt threatened because Victor did not behave

normally.

The wild boy of Aveyron

In the chill dawn of a January morning in 1800, a filthy 12-

year-old boy was spotted in fields on the edge of a small

farming village in Southern France. There was a startling

animal twitchiness about him and his eyes were like those of

a frightened beast’s. And so began the story of the wild boy

of Aveyron. How the boy came to be running wild in the

forests and mountains of Aveyron was never discovered, but

Victor – as the boy came to be christened – must have

survived alone in the wilds for years, living off the acorns

and small animals.

As a child brought up apart from civilisation, people felt

Victor would be perfect in revealing the qualities that were

actually inborn in humans. Would he be a fierce animal that

needed to be tamed by society or a generous, open-hearted

child unspoilt by knowledge?

Although Victor could not speak and did not react even

when people shouted in his ear, his hearing was acute

enough for nuts cracked across the room to make him twist

around repeatedly with hungry attention. There didn’t

appear to be anything wrong with his vocal chords because

he could make a full range of expressive noises, such as

grunts, laughs, and murmurs.

But Victor’s animal blankness was unsettling. He appeared

to have no other thoughts than for food and sleep. The only

time he showed any excitement was when he glimpsed the

greenery outdoors and struggled to escape. Bonnaterre, a

biology professor who examined Victor wrote rather

negatively: ‘One would say that there is no connection

between his mind and body, and that he reflects on nothing;

consequently, he has no imagination and no memory. If it

were not for his human face, what would distinguish him

from the apes?’


2121


phrasal verbs.

• take in • take to • take back • take on • take after

• take it out on

1 Just because you’ve had a bad day, don’t think that you

can me.

2 You really shouldn’t have so much

work – it’s making you very unreasonable!

3 When her older brother left home Emilia found it difficult

the fact.

4 Robbie Williams’ concert went well and the crowd

him immediately.

5 Although he looks like his father, he

his mother in every other way.

6 Helena’s mother said she ought what

she’d said about her sister as it was very unkind.

4 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the

word in brackets.

1 These books are full of activities which will appeal to

children’s . (intelligent)

2 The tour round the castle was made interesting by our

very guide. (know)

3 The reason Roberta is good at writing stories is that she

has a very vivid . (imagine)

4 Adam was a very serious and boy and

not at all like his brother. (think)

5 I found the guidebook extremely useful and

when I was on holiday. (inform)

6 The atmosphere and beautiful surroundings made the

day out a very one. (memory)

Grammar5 Rewrite these sentences using the third conditional.

1 We arrived late so we missed the start of the film.

If .

2 I didn’t help Mark because he was rude to me.

If .

3 Henry didn’t pass the exam because he didn’t revise.

If .

4 I didn’t buy a new camera because I didn’t have enough

money.

If .

5 United played well so they won the football match.

If .

6 I didn’t know how low the salary was so I took the job.

If .

6

6

6

6 Complete the sentences using the correct form of the

verb in brackets, positive or negative.

1 I wish I (speak) to Nick so unkindly.

2 If only you (listen) when I tried to

advise you.

3 After visiting the dentist Amy wished she

(eat) so many sweets.

4 If only you could (come) to the party –

it would have been great!

5 Joanna wishes she (visit) the Tate

Gallery while she was in London.

6 If you’d told me more details about the job, I

(might / apply) for it.

7 If Gary had put more effort into his work he

(could do) a lot better.

8 If I hadn’t gone on that skiing holiday I

(would /not / break) my leg.

9 I (might / be) able answer the

questions if I’d read the instructions more carefully.

10 Even if he’d run faster, Tom (could /

not / win) the race.

Writing7 Your teacher has asked you to write a report

(200–250 words) about life at your school.

Include:

• what students most enjoy about school life.

• what students would like to change about the school.

• how students could be encouraged to learn more.

• additional activities that students would like to try.

Remember to:

• include some comments from other students.

• include some personal comments.

• give headings to the different sections.

• suggest an overall conclusion.


Prepare to give a short presentation on one of these topics.

1 The aim of education should be to prepare students for

their working lives.

2 Money is the most important thing for a happy life.

Remember to:




50Total

10

10


Test 9


2222

3 The author believes that in order to enjoy a simpler life

we have to

a be prepared to work on the land.

b attempt to become self-sufficient.

c change our way of thinking.

d make the move to the countryside.

4 After the move, the author decided to educate her

children at home because

a she felt it was her job to do so.

b the children preferred it at home.

c the children didn’t settle at school.

d the education system wasn’t as good in the country.

5 What does the author say she has been ‘given back’ by

moving to the country?

a the peace of mind she lost in the city

b the freedom to do as she wishes

c the feeling that she’s responsible for her life

d the satisfaction of knowing she’s doing the right thing

6 Which phrase in the last paragraph sums up the author’s

attitude towards her former life?

a worth the effort b relentless conveyor belt

c take charge d get away from


1 People are becoming more aware of the need to use our

natural more carefully.

a materials b resources c wealth d assets

2 Helga was told that being rude to teachers and shouting

in class was not acceptable .

a manners b conduct c action d behaviour

3 Tourists are asked to remember that some styles of dress

may offend the local of the area.

a inhabitants b visitors c occupants d settlers

4 The English course I’ve been following has given me an

increased of how the language works.

a view b comprehension c understanding

d recognition

5 I really don’t think criminals should be allowed to sell

their stories to newspapers for financial .

a benefit b pay c income d gain

6 He’s always wanted to paint but found it impossible to

make a as an artist.

a living b profession c livelihood d business


expressions.

• make (someone) wait • make sacrifices • make a habit of

• make for • make fun of • make up

1 I don’t know why they’re still together. They’re always

having arguments then again.

6

6


Name:

Class:Test 10


to questions 1–5.

Taking charge

My family and I are only now realising that life doesn’t have to

be complicated. One day I stopped and looked around me,

and I didn’t like what I saw.

We live in an age where people suffer the daily grind without

ever really getting anywhere. We inhabit densely populated

areas, near conveniences to ensure we never run out of

anything. As a result, our roads are crowded, our air polluted

and our minds are going into overdrive. We work at being

successful, buying a bigger house, a second car, an annual

holiday. Why? Because someone, somewhere, said we should,

and we listened. But nobody is actually making us do it.

Fed up with sitting at a desk, we dream of open spaces. Why

not earn a simple living working the land to some degree,

however small, than be paid a higher wage for a less satisfying

life? We thought so and we have moved to the country, but a

new life doesn’t necessarily have to mean a geographical

relocation, simply an adoption of new attitudes which can be

applied anywhere.

Our own progression to self-reliant living has included

embracing concepts such as homegrowing and

homeschooling. We have succeeded in growing our own fresh

fruit and vegetables, rather than relying on the local shops. We

educate our children at home in preference to sending them

to the local school, not because they don’t fit in, but because

we believe we are capable and that we are responsible for

their education.

But by choosing to live this way, we have set ourselves free of

systems. This has led to a life that is satisfying and rewarding.

We have ceased to be part of the mainstream and begun to

run our own race. The country has given something back to us

that we didn’t even realise was gone when we lived in the city.

It is the ability to see ourselves as productive, truly

contributing to our survival, and that gives us a feeling of

freedom.

There’s no doubt in my mind that it was worth the effort. My

wish is to encourage you to get away from the relentless

conveyor belt that is modern society. Take charge!

1 The author feels that people put up with living in the city

because they

a don’t notice how bad the life is.

b want to live life at the centre of things.

c don’t believe there is any other way to live.

d enjoy the financial benefits this lifestyle brings.

2 When the author says ‘nobody is making us do it’, (end of

paragraph 2), what is she talking about?

a the work we do b the things we buy

c the money we earn d the way we live


2323© Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE New Matrix Upper-Intermediate

Test 10

2 I’ll lend you the money this time, but don’t

asking.

3 I hate that dentist. Yesterday he for

hours for my appointment and I was really nervous.

4 If you enrol on that evening course it’ll mean

– no more free time!

5 My older brother likes me for working

hard at school but I don’t care.

6 After a long day’s walk in the mountains, we got in the

car and home.

4 Complete the sentences using one of these prepositions

• through • on • by • to • up

1 Rachel is very bright compared the

other children in her year.

2 I was really surprised the amount of

rubbish on the streets when I visited London last year.

3 I’m not very keen horror films, I much

prefer romance!

4 The teacher asked his students to look

their homework carefully before handing it in.

5 Julie was very sad after having broken

with her boyfriend.

5 Complete the speech using these words.

• in turn • despite • nevertheless • so • as well as

1 some financial difficulties at the

beginning of the year, the company is now going from

strength to strength and is expanding rapidly. This

2 has led to increased possibilities for

promotion and personal development for our employees.

We are now in a position to consider making a further 500

jobs available for school leavers 3 being

able to offer sponsorship for bright students who are hoping

to start out on a career in industry. 4 , we

need to continue to look for opportunities for investment at

home and abroad 5 that will be our main

aim for the coming year.

Grammar6 Complete the sentences using these verbs. Add the

correct preposition where necessary.

• accuse • deny • insist • recommend • suggest

• plead • urge

1 ‘I didn’t cheat in the exam,’ said Fred.

Fred in the exam.

2 ‘I am determined to pay for the meal,’ said Clare.

Clare for the meal.

5

5

6

3 ‘Please don’t tell anyone about the accident,’ Sebastian

said to his mother.

Sebastian anyone about the accident.

4 ‘Why don’t we go to the cinema after school?’ said John.

John to the cinema after school.

5 ‘The National Gallery is really worth visiting,’ said Dorota.

Dorota the National Gallery.

6 ‘You broke my new pen,’ Margaret said to Kate.

Margaret new pen.

7 ‘You really ought to try harder in class,’ the teacher told

Tom.

The teacher in class.

7 Change these statements and questions from direct to

reported speech.

1 ‘Why haven’t you finished your work?’ the teacher asked

Gary.

The teacher asked Gary why .

2 ‘I’m late because the bus didn’t arrive.’ Tony told the

teacher.

Tony explained to the teacher .

3 ‘What time does the film start?’

Do you know ?

4 ‘I don’t want to go swimming because I hate it!’ said Petra

Petra made it clear that .

5 ‘I haven’t finished my homework, but I’ll do it later,’ said

Hanna.

Hanna said .

Writing8 A travel magazine is holding a competition for an essay

(200–250 words) entitled ‘A country of great differences’.

You decide to write an essay about your country.

Write about:

• the differences between people.

• the different ways people choose to live.

• different parts of the country.

Remember to:

• say whether these differences are positive or negative.



Prepare to give a short presentation (2–3 minutes).

It’s better to live in the city than in the countryside.

Remember to:




50Total

10

5

7


2424

1 The writer mentions that Christopher is ‘15 years, three

months and three days old’ to show

a how Christopher’s mind works.

b how Christopher tries to remember his age.

c how interested Christopher is in numbers.

d how Christopher is too old to make a fuss about food.

2 What upsets Christopher about the dog is the fact that

a it is dead.

b it was stabbed.

c his father killed it.

d the owner didn’t seem to care.

3 The main reason Christopher goes to London is that

a he doesn’t like his father.

b his mother lives there.

c he is attracted by danger.

d he wants to have new experiences.

4 According to the writer, the story is mainly about

a lies.

b conflict.

c nature.

d everyday life.

5 According to the writer, Mark Haddon’s book won more

than one award because

a it is very original.

b it deals with emotive issues.

c it appeals to people of all ages.

d it explains disability in children.


1 If you really want to know how good it is, don’t take my

for it, go and see the film for yourself.

a word b advice c view d opinion

2 Many shops will be by the decision not to allow

cars into the city centre.

a changed b closed c affected d altered

3 Sebastian wasn’t the bit interested in what I had

to say.

a least b leased c less d lest

4 As the prisoner saw the guards coming up behind him he

realised that he had lost his last of escape.

a possibility b hope c way d plan

5 The film Cold Mountain was from a novel by

Charles Frazier.

a adjusted b arranged c altered d adapted

6 Although the temple was over 2000 years ago,

many tourists still visit the ruins today.

a damaged b destroyed c collapsed d wrecked

6

5


Name:

Class:

Reading1 Read the review and choose the best answer, a, b, c or

d, to questions 1–5.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

by Mark Haddon

Christopher Boone is keen on dogs: ‘They do not tell lies’. He

is also very interested in red cars, the police, documentaries

about underwater volcanoes and baked beans with broccoli

for supper ‘laid out on a plate so that they are not touching’.

Christopher is ‘15 years, three months and three days old’

and has a photographic memory. He is very knowledgeable

about advanced Maths and Science but he suffers from

Asperger’s syndrome, which means he has problems with

social relationships and is preoccupied with his own special

interests. It is also why he feels uneasy about touching

brown objects and why if he sees ‘four yellow cars in a row’

this makes for what he calls a ‘Black Day’.

Christopher is the touchingly gullible narrator of Mark

Haddon’s moving and often troubling account of one boy’s

struggle with a world which he knows but cannot begin to

understand. When he discovers his neighbour’s dead dog

lying on the lawn, Christopher becomes a detective on a

quest to reveal the identity of the killer. The twist comes

when, to Christopher’s dismay, the killer turns out to be his

own father, who has stabbed the dog in an act of revenge

after finding out that his wife has run away, apparently

without a care in the world, with the dog’s owner.

Christopher’s fragile mind has to cope not only with the

revelation that his mother has betrayed his father, but also

the devastating truth that his mother is still alive. His father

told him she had died of a heart attack rather than admit

that she had fallen in love with the next door neighbour and

abandoned them both. Christopher, oblivious to the obvious

dangers, decides to broaden his horizons and heads for

London, a frightening journey into the unknown, to be

reunited with his mother.

Haddon has written a story about lies and conflict and about

being in tune with nature. But, above all, he sends out a

powerful message about the complicated business of

everyday life. Christopher tells it in an urgent, frantic

outpouring of dialogue, which is broken only for a series of

brilliantly vivid lessons which he gives the reader on subjects

as diverse as prime numbers and astronauts.

Haddon’s book outperformed its rivals to win ‘Whitbread

Book Of The Year’, open to all books, and the ‘Guardian

Children’s Fiction Prize’ in 2003. It is a literary success story

that appeals across the generations. Haddon’s book is

startling in its originality, offering in the form of a story, an

increased understanding of the emotive issue of child

disability. It is certain to leave its mark on you. Read it and

see!

Progress test 2


2525


phrasal verbs.

• give away • come up with • carry out • look through

• take (something) in

1 The author was having difficulty in

good ideas for his new book.

2 Our teacher is always saying he’s going to keep us in after

class, but he never actually his threats.

3 My daughter told me the house had been burgled, but I

haven’t really yet.

4 Don’t tell me too much about the film. I hate it when

people the ending.

5 You should the contract carefully

before you signed it.

4 Fill the gaps with these prepositions.

• with • to • of • in • by • for

1 According recent statistics, more children are

taking time off school without permission than ever

before.

2 Jim’s success as an actor was the result a lot of

hard work and dedication.

3 That’s my sister. She’s the tall one over there the

long dark hair.

4 It took me hours to work out the solution the last

Maths question.

5 Mary succeeded answering all the questions on

the exam paper.

6 Students are asked not to make a habit being late

for class.

7 This region of France is famous its fine white

wine.

8 This letter’s for you. I’m sorry but I opened it

accident.

Grammar5 All these sentences contain a mistake. Underline the


1 I wish I was brave enough to go up the Eiffel Tower while

I was in Paris.

2 He’s having his car to repair this weekend.

3 You really must have seen that film. It was so good!

4 I’m really upset because Jane accused me to take her

money.

5 Are you sure that the train’s left at 8.30 a.m. tomorrow?

6 I’m really pleased because I’ve recently been asking to

join the school basketball team.

6

8

5

6 Rewrite these sentences starting with the words given.

1 I didn’t finish my homework because my friend came

round.

If .

2 They’re not doing much about the problem of pollution

in our cities.

Not much .

3 You can only reach the house by going down this narrow

path.

The house .

4 My Spanish improved so much because I spent last

summer in Valencia.

If .

5 What time is Jack coming?

Do you know ?

6 ‘Why haven’t you finished you meal?’ Linda’s father asked

her.

Linda’s father asked her .

7 ‘I’m not going to do any more work because I’m too

tired,’ Ursula said.

Ursula made it clear that .

7 Complete the sentences using the correct form of the

verbs in brackets.

1 Even if you’d told me about it I

(could / not / come) to the party.

2 By the time George (finish) his

homework it was far too late to go out.

3 By this time next year I (qualify) as a

nurse.

4 Have you heard about what (happen)

at college all this week?

5 You really (needn’t / go) to so much

trouble, but it was a lovely meal.

6 The coach (leave) for London at 7 a.m.

each day.

Listening8 You are going to hear five extracts from weather

forecasts. Decide which extracts (1–5) contain the

following information. Write the extract numbers in the

boxes provided. You may choose an extract more than

once.

A The temperature could drop below freezing.

B Rain could cause problems.

C The weather will get better later.

D There’s not much chance of sunny weather.

E Sun will follow foggy conditions.

F Some planes may be delayed.

G It’s nice weather for the time of year.

50Total

7

6

7


Progress test 2


2626 New Matrix Upper-Intermediate

Test 1

Test 21 1 f 2 b 3 a 4 e 5 c

2 1 run smoothly 2 went wrong 3 to have no control

4 became defensive 5 felt pressurised 6 cleared the air

7 made a conscious decision

3 1 hurriedly 2 responsibility 3 intention

4 enthusiastically 5 knowledge 6 difficulty

4 1 a 2 d 3 c 4 b 5 d 6 a

5 1 looking 2 taking 3 to work 4 shouting 5 to go

6 to miss 7 visiting 8 to write 9 helping

6 1 in going out tonight

2 of feeling unwell, Maria managed to win the race

3 who she could ask about the school trip

4 forward to visiting America for the first time

5 how to get to the station / how he / she could get to the

station

6 of watching TV

7 stand people shouting at me

7 Assessment guidelines

10 marks in total.

1 for each of the following:

• describing the sort of place it was

• describing why Tom went there

• describing what happened / what went wrong

• describing Tom’s feelings at the end of the story

• appropriate style for a story

• appropriate range of vocabulary

• grammar mostly correct

• spelling mostly correct

• correct number of words

• legible handwriting

Speaking Assessment guidelines

Suggested rating: 1–5. Each student is awarded the following

profile description according to his / her participation in the

discussion.

Good: 4–5

participates effectively in the discussion, makes suggestions

and / or comparisons where appropriate, and expresses ideas

and opinions confidently. Use of grammatical structures and

vocabulary is mostly accurate and appropriate. Good

communication sustained throughout.

Adequate: 3

participates satisfactorily in the discussion, makes suggestions

and / or comparisons, and expresses ideas and opinions. Use of

grammatical structures and vocabulary is mostly accurate and

appropriate. Communication sustained for most of the task.

Answer key

Test 11 1 e 2 b 3 a 4 d 5 c (you don’t need f)

2 1 to live up to 2 fell behind with 3 going on about

4 to carry on 5 went out with 6 dropped out of

3 1 countless 2 variety 3 attraction 4 creative

5 satisfaction 6 assignments 7 reaction 8 commercial

9 helpful

4 1 irresponsible 2 impossible 3 inexpensive 4 illegal

5 immature

5 1 since I saw such a good film

2 been learning English for three years

3 go to the party until you’ve finished all your work

4 has been living in Harrogate since 1993

5 did you get / buy that CD

6 speak to Clare again until she’s apologised

7 haven’t seen Dale for three weeks

6 1 never 2 still 3 yet 4 already 5 ever 6 just

7 yet 8 already


10 marks in total.

4 for:

• addressing each point


• appropriate style for description

• appropriate descriptive vocabulary








discussion.

Good: 4–5






Adequate: 3





Inadequate: 1–2

has difficulty in participating in the discussion, making

suggestions and / or comparisons and expressing ideas and

opinions. Use of grammatical structures and vocabulary is

frequently inaccurate or inappropriate. Frequent breakdowns

in communication occur.

04 YD New Matrix UI tests Ans key 2P 13/6/07 08:58

2727

Answer key

Inadequate:1–2






Test 31 1 F 2 T 3 F 4 F 5 T 6 T 7 F

2 1 faint-hearted 2 sociable 3 contribution 4 dramatic

5 pollution 6 extinction 7 destruction 8 charming

9 starvation 10 captivity

3 1 b 2 c 3 a 4 a 5 d

4 1 is forever asking 2 Do you ever think 3 don’t often go

4 are / ’re always telling 5 will / ’ll never change

6 is always complaining 7 arrives 8 doesn’t usually give

5 1 grew 2 had 3 used to be 4 would go

5 used to stay 6 would help 7 let 8 used to rain

9 broke 10 managed


10 marks in total.

4 for:

• addressing the key points


• appropriate beginning and ending for informal letter

• appropriate style for informal letter







profile description according to his / her presentation.

Good: 4–5

presents views effectively, expresses approval and disapproval

confidently, and justifies opinions convincingly. Use of


appropriate. Good communication sustained throughout.

Adequate: 3

presents views satisfactorily, expresses approval and

disapproval, and justifies opinions. Some errors in the use of

grammatical structures and vocabulary occur. Communication

sustained for most of the task.

Inadequate: 1–2

has difficulty presenting views, expressing approval and

disapproval, and justifying opinions. Use of grammatical

structures and vocabulary is frequently inaccurate or

inappropriate. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

Test 41 1 b 2 a 3 d 4 c 5 b

2 1 a 2 c 3 b 4 d 5 b 6 c 7 b 8 c 9 d

3 1 gathered 2 encouraged 3 allocated 4 apply

5 to devote 6 established 7 achieve 8 selected

9 to maintain 10 represented

4 1 all in all 2 unfortunately 3 According to

4 Nevertheless 5 without doubt 6 apart from

5 1 where the library is

2 if / whether Peter went to the cinema

3 if / whether you are / you’re going to apply for that job

4 where I have / I’ve put my keys

5 how Claire got back from the party last night

6 1 where 2 whose 3 which 4 who / that 5 which


10 marks in total.

4 for:

• addressing each point


• appropriate style for description

• appropriate descriptive vocabulary








discussion.

Good: 4–5






Adequate: 3





Inadequate: 1–2






Test 51 1 F 2 F 3 T 4 T 5 F 6 F 7 T

2 1 b 2 c 3 c 4 a 5 d 6 a

3 1 turned to 2 broke up 3 laid down 4 fall back

5 back (me) up 6 pick up 7 piling up

4 1 ambition 2 successful 3 belief 4 Luckily

5 enthusiasm 6 confidence



2828

7 1 to live 2 to go 3 of helping 4 to play 5 asking

6 in learning 7 to try

8Hello and welcome to our weekly series about the different foods that you

can eat in Britain. Today John Green goes to Birmingham to meet a Chinese

family, the Tans, who have been serving up Chinese takeaway meals for

more than a quarter of a century.

John Green:

This is Stirchley in Birmingham, and although I can see four Indian

restaurants in the space of one hundred yards, I’ve actually come to East

End, a Chinese takeaway. The Tans haven’t spent a huge amount on interior

design, just peering through the window, it’s simple, just four chairs, a

counter, a TV, a Chinese calendar, there’s always a Chinese calendar… and

from the outside what is pretty impressive is that you can see straight

through to the kitchen in the background. This is a hive of activity with Mr

and Mrs Tan, together with their daughter, hard at work. East End, I

suppose, is probably representative of all the other 10,000 Chinese

takeaways up and down the country. And we British have an almost

insatiable appetite for Chinese food and it’s reckoned now that, after fish

and chips, a ‘Chinese’ is still the most popular takeaway, accounting for

about 210 million meals annually. Well, I can see a menu which looks set

into the top of the counter, so I want to go in and find out a bit more.

Ricky Tan: Hello, I’m Ricky Tan and I’m here with my family who run the

business, my mum and dad and my little sister, who helps

out on Fridays and Saturdays.

John Green: So you’ve got your parents in the kitchen cooking away… tell

me, what’s the history of this particular shop?

Ricky: It’s been here about a year and a half, er no, no, a year and

three quarters now, so it’s building up quite a big regular

business.

John: Your parents started it?

Ricky: Yes, but they’d been in the business for 25 years before that.

I’ve worked in this shop from day one – unfortunately…

John: Why do you say that?

Ricky: Well, I don’t get time to socialise with my friends or do things

like that ‘cos I’m stuck here six days a week from three p.m.

onwards till twelve…

John: So since school you’ve always been working?

Ricky: Well actually, after school, I went to university and studied

history, but after that with no job to go to I thought I’d come

and join the family business for the time being, until I‘ve

saved enough to do a postgraduate degree.

John: So, when you were growing up, were you expected to help

your parents out?

Ricky: We all helped out now and again, yeah, mopping the floors,

maybe cutting some vegetables. We always lived above the

family shop really so I couldn’t get away from it. If I wanted a

glass of milk I had to come downstairs in my pyjamas, it was

embarrassing… I used to envy other children who didn’t

have to share their house, but in fact the other kids at school

envied me, with all that food around!

1 b 2 c 3 a 4 d 5 b 6 c 7 b

Test 61 1 c 2 d 3 c 4 b 5 a

2 1 a 2 c 3 b 4 d 5 d 6 a 7 d 8 b 9 c

10 d 11 a 12 c

3 1 According to 2 evidence of 3 relate to

4 alarmed by 5 result of 6 put to 7 comes from

4 1 should have come 2 needn’t have done

3 ought to have invited 4 must have decided

5 might have been 6 can’t have been

Tapescript


5 1 became 2 recorded 3 had ended 4 was living

5 had decided 6 hadn’t played 7 didn’t even have

8 found

6 1 Although 2 because 3 While 4 so 5 When 6 If


10 marks in total. 1 for each of the following:

• writing appropriate introduction

• paragraph agreeing with the statement

• paragraph disagreeing with the statement

• personal view in the conclusion

• appropriate style for argument


• linking ideas appropriately







Good: 4–5

presents information about self effectively, expresses approval

and disapproval confidently, expresses opinions and justifies

them convincingly. Use of grammatical structures and



Adequate: 3

presents information about self satisfactorily, expresses

approval and disapproval, and justifies opinions. Some errors

in the use of grammatical structures and vocabulary occur.

Communication sustained for most of the task.

Inadequate: 1–2

has difficulty presenting information about self, expressing

approval and disapproval, and justifying opinions. Use of

grammatical structures and vocabulary is frequently inaccurate

or inappropriate. Frequent breakdowns in communication

occur.

Progress test 11 1 F 2 F 3 T 4 T 5 F 6 T

2 1 b 2 c 3 a 4 d 5 c 6 a 7 b 8 d

3 1 been going on about 2 carried on with 3 drop out of

4 been going out with 5 fallen behind with

4 1 still 2 All in all 3 apart from 4 unless 5 already

6 just 7 unfortunately

5 1 has been working at the bank 2 help you unless you

3 since I saw 4 did James get/buy

5 how Paul managed to run

6 1 can’t must (have spent)

2 I was hearing I heard

3 was gardening had been gardening

4 that she felt of feeling

5 have enjoyed enjoy

Answer key


2929

5 1 must would / could (have helped)

2 leather, small, red small, red, leather

3 dark, large, threatening large, dark, threatening

4 needn’t shouldn’t /oughtn’t to (have

shouted)

5 needn’t must (have been)

6 should can’t (have forgotten)

7 ought to may / might (have left)

8 ought not to must (have been)

9 do (needn’t) have done

10 could can’t (have been)



• describing weather and surroundings

• describing appearance and character of people

• describing the place and important objects

• using appropriate adjectives and adverbs

• using appropriate paragraphing

• appropriate style for detective story








discussion.

Good: 4–5






Adequate: 3





Inadequate:1–2






Test 71 1 f 2 g 3 b 4 a 5 d 6 c (you don’t need e)

2 1 original 2 amazed 3 inconvenient 4 powerful

5 spectacular 6 frightening 7 effective

3 1 b 2 d 3 a 4 c 5 b 6 d 7 c

4 1 crucial 2 realistic 3 rely on 4 rather

5 outrageous 6 oblivious to

5 1 had been considered 2 is being made

3 has recently been chosen 4 be seen 5 being taken

6 has been put 7 are watched 8 I’ll be shown

6 1 have / get the house painted

2 have / get it cut

3 having / getting the burglar alarm fixed

4 have / get my daughter’s picture taken

5 have / get it put right

6 has to have / get shoes made



• description of the type of film

• details of people involved

• other interesting information

• appropriate paragraphing

• use of adverbs and phrases to make writing interesting


• making personal recommendations for films to see

• appropriate style for review






Good: 4–5





Adequate: 3





Inadequate: 1–2





Test 81 1 F 2 T 3 F 4 T 5 T 6 F 7 T

2 1 c 2 d 3 b 4 a 5 b 6 a 7 b 8 c 9 d

3 1 recruit 2 salary 3 interested 4 working

5 aptitude 6 role 7 finished 8 currently 9 supplied

4 1 finishes 2 I’ll just go 3 I’ll be sitting

4 is getting married 5 I’ll have finished 6 comes

7 you’re going to do

5 1 she’ll be working she’ll have been working

2 I’ll play I’ll be playing / I’m playing

3 Correct

4 I’ll go I’m going to go / I’m going

5 I’ll just be having I’ll just have


Answer key


3030

4 If I’d had enough money, I would have bought a new

camera.

5 If United hadn’t played (so) well, they wouldn’t have won /

would have lost the match.

6 If I’d known how low the salary was, I wouldn’t have

taken the job.

6 1 hadn’t spoken 2 had listened 3 hadn’t eaten

4 have come 5 had visited 6 might have applied

7 could have done 8 wouldn’t have broken

9 might have been 10 couldn’t have won



• mentioning what students enjoy about school

• mentioning what students would like to change about

school

• mentioning how students should be encouraged to learn

• mentioning possible additional activities

• including comments from other students

• including personal comments

• giving headings to the sections

• suggesting an overall conclusion






Good: 4–5





Adequate: 3





Inadequate: 1–2





Test 101 1 a 2 d 3 c 4 a 5 c 6 b

2 1 b 2 d 3 a 4 c 5 d 6 a

3 1 making up 2 make a habit of 3 made me wait

4 making sacrifices 5 making fun of 6 made for

4 1 to 2 by 3 on 4 through 5 up

5 1 Despite 2 in turn 3 as well as 4 Nevertheless

5 so


6 he’s going to help he’ll help

7 Correct

8 I’ll have been modelling I’ll be modelling



In personal statement:

• description of character and abilities

• giving reasons for being good at the job

• giving details of main interests

• giving details of experience with children

In letter of application:

• giving reasons for writing

• asking about starting date


• mentioning enclosed documents

• using appropriate ending

Overall:

• grammar and spelling mostly correct




discussion.

Good: 4–5






Adequate: 3





Inadequate: 1–2






Test 91 Statements 1, 2, 5, 6, 8

2 1 c 2 b 3 a 4 d 5 a 6 b 7 c

3 1 take it out on 2 taken on 3 to take in 4 took to

5 takes after 6 to take back

4 1 intelligence 2 knowledgeable 3 imagination

4 thoughtful 5 informative 6 memorable

5 1 If we hadn’t arrived late at the cinema, we wouldn’t have

missed the start of the film.

2 If Mark hadn’t been (so) rude to me, I would have helped

him.

3 If Henry had revised, he would have passed the exam.

Answer key


3131

6 1 denied cheating

2 insisted on paying

3 pleaded with his mother not to tell

4 suggested going

5 recommend visiting

6 accused Kate of breaking

7 urged Tom to try harder

7 1 he hadn’t finished his homework

2 that he was late because the bus hadn’t arrived

3 what time the film starts

4 she didn’t want to go swimming because she hates it

5 that she hadn’t finished her homework but that she

would do it later



• appropriate style for essay

• mentioning the differences between people

• mentioning different ways people live

• mentioning different parts of the country

• mentioning whether differences are positive or negative

• using appropriate adjectives and adverbs

• giving an opinion in the conclusion







Good: 4–5





Adequate: 3





Inadequate: 1–2





Progress test 21 1 a 2 c 3 b 4 d 5 c

2 1 a 2 c 3 a 4 b 5 d 6 b

3 1 coming up with 2 carries out 3 taken it in

4 give away 5 have looked through

4 1 to 2 of 3 with 4 to 5 in 6 of 7 for 8 by


Answer key

5 1 was had been

2 to repair repaired

3 must should have / ought to have

4 to take of taking

5 ’s left leaves

6 asking asked

6 1 my friend hadn’t come round, I would have finished my

homework.

2 is being done about the problem of pollution in our cities.

3 can only be reached by going down this narrow path.

4 I hadn’t spent last summer in Valencia, my Spanish

wouldn’t have improved so much.

5 what time Jack is coming?

6 why she hadn’t finished her meal.

7 she wasn’t going to do any more work because she was

too tired.

7 1 couldn’t have come 4 has been happening

2 had finished 5 needn’t have gone

3 I’ll have qualified 6 leaves

81 … there are still some patches of fog around chiefly in the Midlands, and

also in North West England with a particularly thick chunk in the

Manchester Airport area just now, that’s around the fringes of southern

Greater Manchester and into Cheshire, with some possible disruption to

flights. That’ll take a few hours to clear …

2 … in Scotland it’s dry just about everywhere, the Highlands and Islands

are rather cloudy though, and any sightings of the sun here are best

regarded as a bonus. It will be quite blustery and in Southern Scotland

there could be gusts of strong wind; temperatures for Scotland around 8

to 10 degrees …

3 … and now for England and Wales, temperatures are still at or near

freezing so there could be ice underfoot, those fog patches I mentioned

should disperse in an hour or two, then really a very nice day with blue

skies, almost unbroken sunshine with maybe just a slight breeze, and

after that rather chilly start, temperatures of 8 to 10 which is really pretty

good for the middle of February …

4 … tonight’s going to be another fine night but the temperature will drop

sharply again after dark. Temperatures in the coldest spots could get as

low as –4 or –5 by the end of the night. One exception is the north and

west of Scotland where it will stay cloudy and rather windy with some

drizzle around as well …

5 … well as a result of heavy rain we still have 78 flood warnings with one

severe flood warning. After a widespread frost it’ll be milder today but

will still feel quite chilly. Temperatures will drop tonight and tomorrow

will see more patchy rain and one or two heavier showers …

A 4 B 5 C 3 D 2 E 3 F 1 G 3

Tapescript


New

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