Choose the correct word(s).

1. Jack encouraged me to try/ that I try a new hairdresser’s.

Choose the correct word(s).

2. John regretted not asking/ to not ask how much the hotel was before he booked it.

Choose the correct word(s).

3. Sheila insisted on paying/ to pay for all our drinks.

Choose the correct word(s).

4. Peter convinced me not to give up/ not giving up playing rugby.

Choose the correct word(s).

5. I suggested to buy / buying Anne some flowers, but Lisa said she’d prefer chocolates.

Choose the correct word(s).

6. My neighbour threatened to cut / cutting down the trees in the garden.

Complete the sentences with the correct passive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the correct passive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the correct passive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the correct passive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the correct passive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the correct passive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the correct passive form of the verb in brackets.

Complete the sentences with the correct passive form of the verb in brackets.

put the words in the correct order

1. to / valued / the / an / we / get / painting / expert / decided / by

put the words in the correct order

2. my / going / out / tooth / have / I’m / bad / to / tomorrow / taken

put the words in the correct order

3. it / my / checked / I / fully / sold / had / car / I / before

put the words in the correct order

4. house / you / same / exactly / your / will / painted / have / colour / the

put the words in the correct order

5. bigger / anyone / get / why / lips / to / made / would / want / their / ?

put the words in the correct order

6. our / installed / heating / two / we’re / new / system / weeks / having / in

Complete the words in the sentences.

Complete the words in the sentences.

Complete the words in the sentences.

Complete the words in the sentences.

Complete the words in the sentences.

Complete the words in the sentences.

Complete the words in the sentences.

Complete the words in the sentences.

Complete the words in the sentences.

Complete the words in the sentences.

Choose the correct word.

1. That news report isn’t at all objective – it’s very ________.

Choose the correct word.

2. Critics have given the new show very favourable ________.

Choose the correct word.

3. The internet isn’t ________ so you can read stories there that aren’t in the newspapers.

Choose the correct word.

4. Bill doesn’t work for one single newspaper, he’s a ________ journalist.

Choose the correct word.

5. Ellen was a war ________ until she had children. She writes about local politics now.

Choose the correct word.

6. The ______ on the tennis final screamed with joy when Andy Murray won.

Choose the correct word.

7. I read that magazine for all the celebrity ________ – it’s fun but I know it’s not all true.

Choose the correct word.

8. They use such strong language in their news stories – it’s too ________ for me.

Choose the correct word.

9. I loved it when that very serious ________ couldn’t stop laughing as he read one story.

Choose the correct word.

10. Government ________ to reduce taxes before next election.

Match the words with the same sound.

1. burglar ________

Match the words with the same sound.

2. judge ________

Match the words with the same sound.

3. court ________

Match the words with the same sound.

4. community ________

Match the words with the same sound.

5. tourists ________

Choose the stressed syllable.

1. co|mmen|ta|tor

Choose the stressed syllable.

2. pre|sen|ter

Choose the stressed syllable.

3. pa|pa|ra|zzi

Choose the stressed syllable.

4. man|slaugh|ter

Choose the stressed syllable.

5. kid|napp|ing

Read the article about a writer’s life. Five sentences have been removed. Choose from the sentences A-F the one which fits each gap (1-5). There is one extra sentence you do not need to use.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A Writer’s Life

My biggest dream has always been to become an author. As an enthusiastic reader since I was a toddler, books have been a steady influence, a friend, and an escape. (–––– 1 ––––) To me, reading is second only to breathing. From cereal boxes to fiction, I devour anything and everything I can get hold of. I read from morning, while eating breakfast, to night, before going to sleep. Some of my favourite genres include contemporary women’s novels and thrillers.

I guess this love of books is what drove me to become a writer. The fact that I am always talking, thinking, and plotting helped me with my ambition. I have a need to create and to put into words feelings, thoughts, and desires. To me, books should present a welcome break from the stresses of every day, a way to relax and unwind. There are horrors all around us. (–––– 2 ––––) Novels can carry people away to another place, and allow them to forget, for a short time at least, all the awful things in life. Any type of reading inspires the brain, and gives a change of pace. Children require fantasy and play, and adults also need a break from reality.

Exciting as it is to be able to inspire others, an author’s career is lonely and often dull. Writing requires self-control and determination, and writers, as well as having knowledge of the difficulty of getting published, need to be able to deal with criticism. For every potential writer that there is out there, many give up or fail. I kept trying with the burning desire to do well. (–––– 3 ––––) I needed to try to see if I could do it.

My first writing experience was as a reporter for a small newspaper, almost twenty years ago. I submitted two articles for each of the three months the paper was published. The first month, I was given a bridal show to cover and I had to write an article on how to prepare an elegant, yet inexpensive, wedding. Two local newspapers gave me assignments for various topics, and I realized this is an excellent way to learn the basics as a writer. (–––– 4 ––––)

My goal was to write fiction. Whether creating short stories or ‘the great American novel’, I enjoy fantasy and making up fictitious people and tales about their lives. Although I prefer genres suited to adults, I decided to try writing a children’s book. I first started working on this in 1995, and after reading the extremely rough draft, I recognized the text was a mix of information just thrown together and which was too much for children to understand. I broke up the ideas, planning to turn them into four books.

Unfortunately, life took over and I had to put the book on hold for a while. After my husband and I moved, I returned to reporting, receiving several assignments for a local magazine and two national and international food-trade magazines.

(–––– 5 ––––) The desire to complete and submit the book for publication was as strong as ever. Fortunately, I became a member of a wonderful group that offered support, as well as excellent suggestions. My book, a children’s book intended for ages 8 – 12, was accepted by a publisher and released three years ago. The sequel is almost completed for submission, and to this, I hope to add two or three more to the series, though all of the books work equally well on their own.

Between writing, reading, reviewing, and being with family I enjoy a busy and happy life. I may never become well-known, but my dream has been satisfied. I encourage anyone who wants to write to ‘just do it.’

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A  I could not go through life wondering if I would be successful or not.

B  Nevertheless, I kept returning to the children’s novel I had in my head.

C  After all, we just have to pick up a newspaper or turn on the news to realize how much crime there is in society.

D  Meanwhile, four unfinished adult contemporary novels are calling to me, and I plan to get to them one day.

E   Although I found reporting enjoyable, I recognized this was not the type of writing I wanted to do.

F   I cannot imagine living without the written word.

Listen to five people talking about keeping in touch with their friends. Which opinion does each person express?

Listen to an internet security expert talking about ways to protect yourself while using the internet. Choose the correct answer.