Progress Test 2: Units 15 – 28

Choose the correct answer. (1 mark per answer)

Criticism

It can (1) a long time to become successful in your chosen field, however (2) you are. One thing you have to be (3) of is that you will face criticism along the way. The world is (4) of people who would rather say something negative than positive. If you've made up your (5) to achieve a certain goal, such as writing a novel, don't let the negative criticism of others (6) you from reaching your target, and let constructive criticism have a positive (7) on your work. If someone says you're totally (8) in talent, ignore them. That's negative criticism. If, however, someone (9) you to revise your work and gives you good reasons for doing so, you should (10) their suggestions carefully.

There are many film stars who were once out of (11) . There are many famous novelists who made a complete (12) of their first novel – or who didn't, but had to (13) approaching hundreds of publishers before they could get it published. Being successful does (14) on luck, to a certain extent. But things are more likely to (15) well if you persevere and stay positive.

Choose the correct answer. (1 mark per answer)

Write one word in each gap. (1 mark per answer)

Lack of faith in politicians

A recent survey has shown an increase (26) distrust for politicians. They've always been regarded (27) untrustworthy, but now politicians are below estate agents and even lawyers in the public's estimations. A majority of the people who (28) questioned associate politicians (29) an inability to tell (30) truth. They believe they're responsible (31) most of the country's problems, have had a negative effect (32) the country's image abroad, refuse to face (33) to the fact that they cause more problems than they solve and never apologise for (34) made mistakes. The survey, (35) was carried out over a period of three months, also shows that politicians often give the impression (36) being arrogant and only (37) note of what the electorate believe at election time. In (38) of these disturbing findings, people do not believe that (39) is no point in voting at elections. (40) least politicians can take some comfort in that!

Choose the correct answer. (1 mark per answer)

Match to make sentences. There is one extra letter you will not use. (1 mark per answer)

Complete the second sentence using the word given, so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Write between two and five words. (2 marks per answer)

If a line is correct, put a tick (✓) next to the number. If there is an extra word in a line, write it next to the number. (1 mark per answer)

The secret of comedy

67   It is often been said that the secret of good comedy is timing.
68   As a comedian myself, I know that's not true. The secret
69   of good comedy is to be funny! I was told that a joke the other
70   day about a man whose his dog has no nose. When asked how
71   it smells, the man replies 'Terrible!' The problem here is
72   that, despite of the joke having a fairly clever punchline,
73   no one finds it a funny. However good your timing is, you
74   can't make out people laugh at that joke. I get my friends to
75   tell to me jokes all the time. If I've never heard them before,
76   and if they make me laugh it out loud, I might consider
77   using them in my comedy act. I am like jokes that rely on
78   word play (even though the joke was about the noseless dog
79   is rubbish!). 'My mum's from Cuba and my dad's from
80   Iceland so I guess that makes me up an ice cube.' Now
81   that's a classic joke however you tell it. Comedy is made not
      just to do with timing!

Use the word given in capitals at the end of each line to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. (1 mark per answer)

Memories and reality

There is a well-known (82) , 'School days are the best days of your life.' No (83) at school ever believes it though, and by the time you realise it's true, it's too late! It's when you're worried about your (84) situation and are beginning to hate the (85) of working in an office or factory every day that you look back fondly on the (86) times you had at school. When you're still at school you often focus on the negatives, like having to pay (87) during a tedious chemistry lesson, being punished for bad (88) (when you didn't do anything wrong anyway) or feeling (89) in an exam because you don't know any of the answers (and, in fact, had completely (90) the questions too!). But it's quite (91) to complain about things and then have great memories afterwards. Just have a good time at the time as well!