B2 Exam - Four Skills

READING

I. Read the article about the winter sports in the USA and choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

Only two parts of the USA are mild or warm in winter — a) the coasts, especially Florida and southern California, and b) the southern part of the Mississippi basin.
Everywhere else it gets cold, often very cold. By the end of November, many American states are often covered in snow; and although recent winters have been less cold, sport in winter usually means snow sports, or indoor sports.
By January, many people in North America will have temperatures of -30°C; not every day, of course, but such low temperatures are not rare. In Chicago and Minneapolis, the temperature can fall below -40°.
When it is very cold, especially when there is a cold wind, few people want to go outside, unless they have to; but on sunny winter days, winter sports are popular.
In the large flat regions in the middle of North America, the most popular winter sports are snowmobiling, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing. Ice-skating is popular too; lakes and rivers freeze, and many towns and cities have free open-air skating rinks. In many places, these are flood-lit after dark, so that people can enjoy skating in the evening.
However, for many people, real "winter sports" means downhill skiing; and in the USA, there are two principal areas for this; the Adirondack Mountains in the North East, and the Rockies in the west.
The Rockies are probably the best place in the world for skiing. North America's "continental" climate means that the snow that falls there is usually very dry, very powdery. It provides perfect skiing conditions in the most famous skiing resorts, which are mostly situated at a height of over 2000 metres.
The best resorts are in Colorado and Utah, where the air is usually beautifully clear through the winter months. In Colorado one finds America's most famous skiing resorts, Vail and Aspen, where the stars and the rich go for their winter holidays. But the great ski areas of Utah are just as good, with miles and miles of slopes.

Taken from the teaching resource by © copyright Linguapress 1998 - 2015. Revised 2015. Originally published in Horizon, the Low-intermediate level English newsmagazine.

Question 1. In USA, the coasts and the southern part of the Mississippi basin during the winter are:

• A. Delicate

• B. Sunny

• C. Smooth

• D. Temperate

READING

I. Read the article about the winter sports in the USA and choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.
Only two parts of the USA are mild or warm in winter — a) the coasts, especially Florida and southern California, and b) the southern part of the Mississippi basin.
Everywhere else it gets cold, often very cold. By the end of November, many American states are often covered in snow; and although recent winters have been less cold, sport in winter usually means snow sports, or indoor sports.
By January, many people in North America will have temperatures of -30°C; not every day, of course, but such low temperatures are not rare. In Chicago and Minneapolis, the temperature can fall below -40°.
When it is very cold, especially when there is a cold wind, few people want to go outside, unless they have to; but on sunny winter days, winter sports are popular.
In the large flat regions in the middle of North America, the most popular winter sports are snowmobiling, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing. Ice-skating is popular too; lakes and rivers freeze, and many towns and cities have free open-air skating rinks. In many places, these are flood-lit after dark, so that people can enjoy skating in the evening.
However, for many people, real "winter sports" means downhill skiing; and in the USA, there are two principal areas for this; the Adirondack Mountains in the North East, and the Rockies in the west.
The Rockies are probably the best place in the world for skiing. North America's "continental" climate means that the snow that falls there is usually very dry, very powdery. It provides perfect skiing conditions in the most famous skiing resorts, which are mostly situated at a height of over 2000 metres.
The best resorts are in Colorado and Utah, where the air is usually beautifully clear through the winter months. In Colorado one finds America's most famous skiing resorts, Vail and Aspen, where the stars and the rich go for their winter holidays. But the great ski areas of Utah are just as good, with miles and miles of slopes.

Taken from the teaching resource by © copyright Linguapress 1998 - 2015. Revised 2015. Originally published in Horizon, the Low-intermediate level English newsmagazine.

Question 2. Few people want to go outside when:

• A. The temperature falls below -40°

• B. It is very cold and there is cold wind

• C. There is a sunny day and the wind is cold

• D. Many American states are covered in snow

READING

I. Read the article about the winter sports in the USA and choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

Only two parts of the USA are mild or warm in winter — a) the coasts, especially Florida and southern California, and b) the southern part of the Mississippi basin.
Everywhere else it gets cold, often very cold. By the end of November, many American states are often covered in snow; and although recent winters have been less cold, sport in winter usually means snow sports, or indoor sports.
By January, many people in North America will have temperatures of -30°C; not every day, of course, but such low temperatures are not rare. In Chicago and Minneapolis, the temperature can fall below -40°.
When it is very cold, especially when there is a cold wind, few people want to go outside, unless they have to; but on sunny winter days, winter sports are popular.
In the large flat regions in the middle of North America, the most popular winter sports are snowmobiling, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing. Ice-skating is popular too; lakes and rivers freeze, and many towns and cities have free open-air skating rinks. In many places, these are flood-lit after dark, so that people can enjoy skating in the evening.
However, for many people, real "winter sports" means downhill skiing; and in the USA, there are two principal areas for this; the Adirondack Mountains in the North East, and the Rockies in the west.
The Rockies are probably the best place in the world for skiing. North America's "continental" climate means that the snow that falls there is usually very dry, very powdery. It provides perfect skiing conditions in the most famous skiing resorts, which are mostly situated at a height of over 2000 metres.
The best resorts are in Colorado and Utah, where the air is usually beautifully clear through the winter months. In Colorado one finds America's most famous skiing resorts, Vail and Aspen, where the stars and the rich go for their winter holidays. But the great ski areas of Utah are just as good, with miles and miles of slopes.

Taken from the teaching resource by © copyright Linguapress 1998 - 2015. Revised 2015. Originally published in Horizon, the Low-intermediate level English newsmagazine.

Question 3. 'Flood-lit' means:

• A. Illuminated

• B. Flooded

• C. Overflowed

• D. A lot of

READING

I. Read the article about the winter sports in the USA and choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

Only two parts of the USA are mild or warm in winter — a) the coasts, especially Florida and southern California, and b) the southern part of the Mississippi basin.
Everywhere else it gets cold, often very cold. By the end of November, many American states are often covered in snow; and although recent winters have been less cold, sport in winter usually means snow sports, or indoor sports.
By January, many people in North America will have temperatures of -30°C; not every day, of course, but such low temperatures are not rare. In Chicago and Minneapolis, the temperature can fall below -40°.
When it is very cold, especially when there is a cold wind, few people want to go outside, unless they have to; but on sunny winter days, winter sports are popular.
In the large flat regions in the middle of North America, the most popular winter sports are snowmobiling, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing. Ice-skating is popular too; lakes and rivers freeze, and many towns and cities have free open-air skating rinks. In many places, these are flood-lit after dark, so that people can enjoy skating in the evening.
However, for many people, real "winter sports" means downhill skiing; and in the USA, there are two principal areas for this; the Adirondack Mountains in the North East, and the Rockies in the west.
The Rockies are probably the best place in the world for skiing. North America's "continental" climate means that the snow that falls there is usually very dry, very powdery. It provides perfect skiing conditions in the most famous skiing resorts, which are mostly situated at a height of over 2000 metres.
The best resorts are in Colorado and Utah, where the air is usually beautifully clear through the winter months. In Colorado one finds America's most famous skiing resorts, Vail and Aspen, where the stars and the rich go for their winter holidays. But the great ski areas of Utah are just as good, with miles and miles of slopes.

Taken from the teaching resource by © copyright Linguapress 1998 - 2015. Revised 2015. Originally published in Horizon, the Low-intermediate level English newsmagazine.

Question 4. If you are looking for the best place to ski, you should choose:

• A. The Adirondack Mountains

• B. A resort in Colorado or Utah

• C. Vail and Aspen

• D. The Rockies

READING

I. Read the article about the winter sports in the USA and choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

Only two parts of the USA are mild or warm in winter — a) the coasts, especially Florida and southern California, and b) the southern part of the Mississippi basin.
Everywhere else it gets cold, often very cold. By the end of November, many American states are often covered in snow; and although recent winters have been less cold, sport in winter usually means snow sports, or indoor sports.
By January, many people in North America will have temperatures of -30°C; not every day, of course, but such low temperatures are not rare. In Chicago and Minneapolis, the temperature can fall below -40°.
When it is very cold, especially when there is a cold wind, few people want to go outside, unless they have to; but on sunny winter days, winter sports are popular.
In the large flat regions in the middle of North America, the most popular winter sports are snowmobiling, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing. Ice-skating is popular too; lakes and rivers freeze, and many towns and cities have free open-air skating rinks. In many places, these are flood-lit after dark, so that people can enjoy skating in the evening.
However, for many people, real "winter sports" means downhill skiing; and in the USA, there are two principal areas for this; the Adirondack Mountains in the North East, and the Rockies in the west.
The Rockies are probably the best place in the world for skiing. North America's "continental" climate means that the snow that falls there is usually very dry, very powdery. It provides perfect skiing conditions in the most famous skiing resorts, which are mostly situated at a height of over 2000 metres.
The best resorts are in Colorado and Utah, where the air is usually beautifully clear through the winter months. In Colorado one finds America's most famous skiing resorts, Vail and Aspen, where the stars and the rich go for their winter holidays. But the great ski areas of Utah are just as good, with miles and miles of slopes.

Taken from the teaching resource by © copyright Linguapress 1998 - 2015. Revised 2015. Originally published in Horizon, the Low-intermediate level English newsmagazine.

Question 5. Snowmobile is:

• A. A two-wheeled toy vehicle propelled by the foot

• B. A small motor vehicle for travelling on snow and ice

• C. A large board that you stand on to move over snow

• D. The sport or activity of climbing mountains or rocks

READING

I. Read the article about the winter sports in the USA and choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

Only two parts of the USA are mild or warm in winter — a) the coasts, especially Florida and southern California, and b) the southern part of the Mississippi basin.
Everywhere else it gets cold, often very cold. By the end of November, many American states are often covered in snow; and although recent winters have been less cold, sport in winter usually means snow sports, or indoor sports.
By January, many people in North America will have temperatures of -30°C; not every day, of course, but such low temperatures are not rare. In Chicago and Minneapolis, the temperature can fall below -40°.
When it is very cold, especially when there is a cold wind, few people want to go outside, unless they have to; but on sunny winter days, winter sports are popular.
In the large flat regions in the middle of North America, the most popular winter sports are snowmobiling, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing. Ice-skating is popular too; lakes and rivers freeze, and many towns and cities have free open-air skating rinks. In many places, these are flood-lit after dark, so that people can enjoy skating in the evening.
However, for many people, real "winter sports" means downhill skiing; and in the USA, there are two principal areas for this; the Adirondack Mountains in the North East, and the Rockies in the west.
The Rockies are probably the best place in the world for skiing. North America's "continental" climate means that the snow that falls there is usually very dry, very powdery. It provides perfect skiing conditions in the most famous skiing resorts, which are mostly situated at a height of over 2000 metres.
The best resorts are in Colorado and Utah, where the air is usually beautifully clear through the winter months. In Colorado one finds America's most famous skiing resorts, Vail and Aspen, where the stars and the rich go for their winter holidays. But the great ski areas of Utah are just as good, with miles and miles of slopes.

Taken from the teaching resource by © copyright Linguapress 1998 - 2015. Revised 2015. Originally published in Horizon, the Low-intermediate level English newsmagazine.

Question 6. ‘Miles and miles of SLOPES’ refers to:

• A. Costs

• B. Hills

• C. Pistes

• D. Inclines

READING

I. Read the article about the winter sports in the USA and choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.
Only two parts of the USA are mild or warm in winter — a) the coasts, especially Florida and southern California, and b) the southern part of the Mississippi basin.
Everywhere else it gets cold, often very cold. By the end of November, many American states are often covered in snow; and although recent winters have been less cold, sport in winter usually means snow sports, or indoor sports.
By January, many people in North America will have temperatures of -30°C; not every day, of course, but such low temperatures are not rare. In Chicago and Minneapolis, the temperature can fall below -40°.
When it is very cold, especially when there is a cold wind, few people want to go outside, unless they have to; but on sunny winter days, winter sports are popular.
In the large flat regions in the middle of North America, the most popular winter sports are snowmobiling, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing. Ice-skating is popular too; lakes and rivers freeze, and many towns and cities have free open-air skating rinks. In many places, these are flood-lit after dark, so that people can enjoy skating in the evening.
However, for many people, real "winter sports" means downhill skiing; and in the USA, there are two principal areas for this; the Adirondack Mountains in the North East, and the Rockies in the west.
The Rockies are probably the best place in the world for skiing. North America's "continental" climate means that the snow that falls there is usually very dry, very powdery. It provides perfect skiing conditions in the most famous skiing resorts, which are mostly situated at a height of over 2000 metres.
The best resorts are in Colorado and Utah, where the air is usually beautifully clear through the winter months. In Colorado one finds America's most famous skiing resorts, Vail and Aspen, where the stars and the rich go for their winter holidays. But the great ski areas of Utah are just as good, with miles and miles of slopes.

Taken from the teaching resource by © copyright Linguapress 1998 - 2015. Revised 2015. Originally published in Horizon, the Low-intermediate level English newsmagazine.

Question 7. Stars and rich people go for their winter holidays to:

• A. Colorado and Utah

• B. The coasts, especially Florida and southern California

• C. Vail and Aspen

• D. The Adirondack Mountains

READING

II. Read the text and choose the correct answer A, B or C

Are zoos a good thing?
Zoos are hugely popular attractions for adults and children alike. But are they actually a good thing?
Critics of zoos would argue that animals often suffer physically and mentally by being enclosed. Even the best artificial environments can't come close to matching the space, diversity, and freedom that animals have in their natural habitats. This deprivation causes many zoo animals to become stressed or mentally ill. Capturing animals in the wild also causes much suffering by splitting up families. Some zoos make animals behave unnaturally: for example, marine parks often force dolphins and whales to perform tricks. These mammals may die decades earlier than their wild relatives, and some even try to commit suicide.
On the other hand, by bringing people and animals together, zoos have the potential to educate the public about conservation issues and inspire people to protect animals and their habitats. Some zoos provide a safe environment for animals which have been mistreated in circuses, or pets which have been abandoned. Zoos also carry out important research into subjects like animal behaviour and how to treat illnesses.
One of the most important modern functions of zoos is supporting international breeding programmes, particularly for endangered species. In the wild, some of the rarest species have difficulty in finding mates and breeding, and they might also be threatened by poachers, loss of their habitat and predators. A good zoo will enable these species to live and breed in a secure environment. In addition, as numbers of some wild species drop, there is an increased danger of populations becoming too genetically similar. Breeding programmes provide a safeguard: zoo-bred animals can be released into the wild to increase genetic diversity.
However, opponents of zoos say that the vast majority of captive breeding programmes do not release animals back into the wild. Surplus animals are sold not only to other zoos but also to circuses or hunting ranches in the US or South Africa, where some people are willing to pay a lot of money for the chance to kill an animal in a fenced enclosure. Often, these animals are familiar with humans and have very little chance of escaping.
So, are zoos good for animals or not? Perhaps it all depends on how well individual zoos are managed, and the benefits of zoos can surely outweigh their harmful effects. However, it is understandable that many people believe imprisoning animals for any reason is simply wrong. Taken from British Council Page

Question 1. Even if a great effort is made to create an artificial environment for the animals, this will never be the same as their natural habitats.

• A. True

• B. False

• C. Doesn’t say

READING

II. Read the text and choose the correct answer A, B or C

Are zoos a good thing?
Zoos are hugely popular attractions for adults and children alike. But are they actually a good thing?
Critics of zoos would argue that animals often suffer physically and mentally by being enclosed. Even the best artificial environments can't come close to matching the space, diversity, and freedom that animals have in their natural habitats. This deprivation causes many zoo animals to become stressed or mentally ill. Capturing animals in the wild also causes much suffering by splitting up families. Some zoos make animals behave unnaturally: for example, marine parks often force dolphins and whales to perform tricks. These mammals may die decades earlier than their wild relatives, and some even try to commit suicide.
On the other hand, by bringing people and animals together, zoos have the potential to educate the public about conservation issues and inspire people to protect animals and their habitats. Some zoos provide a safe environment for animals which have been mistreated in circuses, or pets which have been abandoned. Zoos also carry out important research into subjects like animal behaviour and how to treat illnesses.
One of the most important modern functions of zoos is supporting international breeding programmes, particularly for endangered species. In the wild, some of the rarest species have difficulty in finding mates and breeding, and they might also be threatened by poachers, loss of their habitat and predators. A good zoo will enable these species to live and breed in a secure environment. In addition, as numbers of some wild species drop, there is an increased danger of populations becoming too genetically similar. Breeding programmes provide a safeguard: zoo-bred animals can be released into the wild to increase genetic diversity.
However, opponents of zoos say that the vast majority of captive breeding programmes do not release animals back into the wild. Surplus animals are sold not only to other zoos but also to circuses or hunting ranches in the US or South Africa, where some people are willing to pay a lot of money for the chance to kill an animal in a fenced enclosure. Often, these animals are familiar with humans and have very little chance of escaping.
So, are zoos good for animals or not? Perhaps it all depends on how well individual zoos are managed, and the benefits of zoos can surely outweigh their harmful effects. However, it is understandable that many people believe imprisoning animals for any reason is simply wrong. Taken from British Council Page

Question 2. Mammals caught in zoos such as felines are mentally affected to the point of wanting to commit suicide.

• A. True

• B. False

• C. Doesn't say

READING

II. Read the text and choose the correct answer A, B or C

Are zoos a good thing?
Zoos are hugely popular attractions for adults and children alike. But are they actually a good thing?
Critics of zoos would argue that animals often suffer physically and mentally by being enclosed. Even the best artificial environments can't come close to matching the space, diversity, and freedom that animals have in their natural habitats. This deprivation causes many zoo animals to become stressed or mentally ill. Capturing animals in the wild also causes much suffering by splitting up families. Some zoos make animals behave unnaturally: for example, marine parks often force dolphins and whales to perform tricks. These mammals may die decades earlier than their wild relatives, and some even try to commit suicide.
On the other hand, by bringing people and animals together, zoos have the potential to educate the public about conservation issues and inspire people to protect animals and their habitats. Some zoos provide a safe environment for animals which have been mistreated in circuses, or pets which have been abandoned. Zoos also carry out important research into subjects like animal behaviour and how to treat illnesses.
One of the most important modern functions of zoos is supporting international breeding programmes, particularly for endangered species. In the wild, some of the rarest species have difficulty in finding mates and breeding, and they might also be threatened by poachers, loss of their habitat and predators. A good zoo will enable these species to live and breed in a secure environment. In addition, as numbers of some wild species drop, there is an increased danger of populations becoming too genetically similar. Breeding programmes provide a safeguard: zoo-bred animals can be released into the wild to increase genetic diversity.
However, opponents of zoos say that the vast majority of captive breeding programmes do not release animals back into the wild. Surplus animals are sold not only to other zoos but also to circuses or hunting ranches in the US or South Africa, where some people are willing to pay a lot of money for the chance to kill an animal in a fenced enclosure. Often, these animals are familiar with humans and have very little chance of escaping.
So, are zoos good for animals or not? Perhaps it all depends on how well individual zoos are managed, and the benefits of zoos can surely outweigh their harmful effects. However, it is understandable that many people believe imprisoning animals for any reason is simply wrong. Taken from British Council Page

Question 3. One of the positive things about zoos is that they offer the possibility of educating people in the protection of animals and the conservation of their natural habitats.

• A. True

• B. False

• C. Doesn't say

READING

II. Read the text and choose the correct answer A, B or C

Are zoos a good thing?
Zoos are hugely popular attractions for adults and children alike. But are they actually a good thing?
Critics of zoos would argue that animals often suffer physically and mentally by being enclosed. Even the best artificial environments can't come close to matching the space, diversity, and freedom that animals have in their natural habitats. This deprivation causes many zoo animals to become stressed or mentally ill. Capturing animals in the wild also causes much suffering by splitting up families. Some zoos make animals behave unnaturally: for example, marine parks often force dolphins and whales to perform tricks. These mammals may die decades earlier than their wild relatives, and some even try to commit suicide.
On the other hand, by bringing people and animals together, zoos have the potential to educate the public about conservation issues and inspire people to protect animals and their habitats. Some zoos provide a safe environment for animals which have been mistreated in circuses, or pets which have been abandoned. Zoos also carry out important research into subjects like animal behaviour and how to treat illnesses.
One of the most important modern functions of zoos is supporting international breeding programmes, particularly for endangered species. In the wild, some of the rarest species have difficulty in finding mates and breeding, and they might also be threatened by poachers, loss of their habitat and predators. A good zoo will enable these species to live and breed in a secure environment. In addition, as numbers of some wild species drop, there is an increased danger of populations becoming too genetically similar. Breeding programmes provide a safeguard: zoo-bred animals can be released into the wild to increase genetic diversity.
However, opponents of zoos say that the vast majority of captive breeding programmes do not release animals back into the wild. Surplus animals are sold not only to other zoos but also to circuses or hunting ranches in the US or South Africa, where some people are willing to pay a lot of money for the chance to kill an animal in a fenced enclosure. Often, these animals are familiar with humans and have very little chance of escaping.
So, are zoos good for animals or not? Perhaps it all depends on how well individual zoos are managed, and the benefits of zoos can surely outweigh their harmful effects. However, it is understandable that many people believe imprisoning animals for any reason is simply wrong. Taken from British Council Page

Question 4. In some zoos the only thing animals can do to pass the time is to go from one place to another and walk in endless circles.

• A. True

• B. False

• C. Doesn't say

READING

II. Read the text and choose the correct answer A, B or C

Are zoos a good thing?
Zoos are hugely popular attractions for adults and children alike. But are they actually a good thing?
Critics of zoos would argue that animals often suffer physically and mentally by being enclosed. Even the best artificial environments can't come close to matching the space, diversity, and freedom that animals have in their natural habitats. This deprivation causes many zoo animals to become stressed or mentally ill. Capturing animals in the wild also causes much suffering by splitting up families. Some zoos make animals behave unnaturally: for example, marine parks often force dolphins and whales to perform tricks. These mammals may die decades earlier than their wild relatives, and some even try to commit suicide.
On the other hand, by bringing people and animals together, zoos have the potential to educate the public about conservation issues and inspire people to protect animals and their habitats. Some zoos provide a safe environment for animals which have been mistreated in circuses, or pets which have been abandoned. Zoos also carry out important research into subjects like animal behaviour and how to treat illnesses.
One of the most important modern functions of zoos is supporting international breeding programmes, particularly for endangered species. In the wild, some of the rarest species have difficulty in finding mates and breeding, and they might also be threatened by poachers, loss of their habitat and predators. A good zoo will enable these species to live and breed in a secure environment. In addition, as numbers of some wild species drop, there is an increased danger of populations becoming too genetically similar. Breeding programmes provide a safeguard: zoo-bred animals can be released into the wild to increase genetic diversity.
However, opponents of zoos say that the vast majority of captive breeding programmes do not release animals back into the wild. Surplus animals are sold not only to other zoos but also to circuses or hunting ranches in the US or South Africa, where some people are willing to pay a lot of money for the chance to kill an animal in a fenced enclosure. Often, these animals are familiar with humans and have very little chance of escaping.
So, are zoos good for animals or not? Perhaps it all depends on how well individual zoos are managed, and the benefits of zoos can surely outweigh their harmful effects. However, it is understandable that many people believe imprisoning animals for any reason is simply wrong. Taken from British Council Page

Question 5. The article expresses that, although zoos have some detractors to whom it seems that these places are virtually barren concrete pits, in general, it can be said that zoos are a very good thing and their benefits can surely outweigh their harmful.

• A. True

• B. False

• C. Doesn't say

READING

II. Read the text and choose the correct answer A, B or C

Are zoos a good thing?
Zoos are hugely popular attractions for adults and children alike. But are they actually a good thing?
Critics of zoos would argue that animals often suffer physically and mentally by being enclosed. Even the best artificial environments can't come close to matching the space, diversity, and freedom that animals have in their natural habitats. This deprivation causes many zoo animals to become stressed or mentally ill. Capturing animals in the wild also causes much suffering by splitting up families. Some zoos make animals behave unnaturally: for example, marine parks often force dolphins and whales to perform tricks. These mammals may die decades earlier than their wild relatives, and some even try to commit suicide.
On the other hand, by bringing people and animals together, zoos have the potential to educate the public about conservation issues and inspire people to protect animals and their habitats. Some zoos provide a safe environment for animals which have been mistreated in circuses, or pets which have been abandoned. Zoos also carry out important research into subjects like animal behaviour and how to treat illnesses.
One of the most important modern functions of zoos is supporting international breeding programmes, particularly for endangered species. In the wild, some of the rarest species have difficulty in finding mates and breeding, and they might also be threatened by poachers, loss of their habitat and predators. A good zoo will enable these species to live and breed in a secure environment. In addition, as numbers of some wild species drop, there is an increased danger of populations becoming too genetically similar. Breeding programmes provide a safeguard: zoo-bred animals can be released into the wild to increase genetic diversity.
However, opponents of zoos say that the vast majority of captive breeding programmes do not release animals back into the wild. Surplus animals are sold not only to other zoos but also to circuses or hunting ranches in the US or South Africa, where some people are willing to pay a lot of money for the chance to kill an animal in a fenced enclosure. Often, these animals are familiar with humans and have very little chance of escaping.
So, are zoos good for animals or not? Perhaps it all depends on how well individual zoos are managed, and the benefits of zoos can surely outweigh their harmful effects. However, it is understandable that many people believe imprisoning animals for any reason is simply wrong. Taken from British Council Page

Question 6. At present, zoos have several functions, including: to carry out important research into subjects like animal behavior and how to treat illnesses, to provide a safe environment for animals which have been mistreated or abandoned, or to support international breeding programs, especially for endangered species, among others.

• A. True

• B. False

• C. Doesn't say

READING

II. Read the text and choose the correct answer A, B or C

Are zoos a good thing?
Zoos are hugely popular attractions for adults and children alike. But are they actually a good thing?
Critics of zoos would argue that animals often suffer physically and mentally by being enclosed. Even the best artificial environments can't come close to matching the space, diversity, and freedom that animals have in their natural habitats. This deprivation causes many zoo animals to become stressed or mentally ill. Capturing animals in the wild also causes much suffering by splitting up families. Some zoos make animals behave unnaturally: for example, marine parks often force dolphins and whales to perform tricks. These mammals may die decades earlier than their wild relatives, and some even try to commit suicide.
On the other hand, by bringing people and animals together, zoos have the potential to educate the public about conservation issues and inspire people to protect animals and their habitats. Some zoos provide a safe environment for animals which have been mistreated in circuses, or pets which have been abandoned. Zoos also carry out important research into subjects like animal behaviour and how to treat illnesses.
One of the most important modern functions of zoos is supporting international breeding programmes, particularly for endangered species. In the wild, some of the rarest species have difficulty in finding mates and breeding, and they might also be threatened by poachers, loss of their habitat and predators. A good zoo will enable these species to live and breed in a secure environment. In addition, as numbers of some wild species drop, there is an increased danger of populations becoming too genetically similar. Breeding programmes provide a safeguard: zoo-bred animals can be released into the wild to increase genetic diversity.
However, opponents of zoos say that the vast majority of captive breeding programmes do not release animals back into the wild. Surplus animals are sold not only to other zoos but also to circuses or hunting ranches in the US or South Africa, where some people are willing to pay a lot of money for the chance to kill an animal in a fenced enclosure. Often, these animals are familiar with humans and have very little chance of escaping.
So, are zoos good for animals or not? Perhaps it all depends on how well individual zoos are managed, and the benefits of zoos can surely outweigh their harmful effects. However, it is understandable that many people believe imprisoning animals for any reason is simply wrong. Taken from British Council Page

Question 7. The opponents of the zoos say that most animals confined in zoos are not endangered, animals born in captivity have small survival chances if they’re released into the wild and most zoos have no intention of releasing baby animals and parents into the wild.

• A. True

• B. False

• C. Doesn't say

LISTENING

Listen to the conversation ‘The Right Age’ (Taken from Ello.org) and answer the questions as appropriate (check the correct option or fill in the blank).
Listen to the conversation here: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AkJ9urp42fiRgjhAiU1WHLMt3Ded?e=Sftl65

Question 1. Aimee considers that the correct age to have a phone is between 11 and 12 years old because:

• A. It would be the correct moment to contact her daughter.

• B. It is a way to keep the child safe.

• C. At that age children start to go to concerts.

LISTENING

Listen to the conversation ‘The Right Age’ (Taken from Ello.org) and answer the questions as appropriate (check the correct option or fill in the blank).
Listen to the conversation here: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AkJ9urp42fiRgjhAiU1WHLMt3Ded?e=Sftl65

Question 3. What does stress out to Aimee?

• A. That her daughter has a phone.

• B. That she is an old person and she didn’t have a phone when she was younger.

• C. That her daughter is six years old and she walks to school by herself and walks home by herself.

LISTENING

Listen to the conversation ‘The Right Age’ (Taken from Ello.org) and answer the questions as appropriate (check the correct option or fill in the blank).
Listen to the conversation here: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AkJ9urp42fiRgjhAiU1WHLMt3Ded?e=Sftl65

Question 5. Katie believes that she used her phone in the past to:

• A. Waste her time

• B. As a way of security

• C. Send important pictures to a friend

LISTENING

Listen to the conversation ‘The Right Age’ (Taken from Ello.org) and answer the questions as appropriate (check the correct option or fill in the blank).
Listen to the conversation here: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AkJ9urp42fiRgjhAiU1WHLMt3Ded?e=Sftl65

Question 6. When Katie and Aimee back into the old days, they remember they used their phones to send:

• A. Little games

• B. Picture messages

• C. Snakes

SPEAKING

I. Choose two of the following pictures. Using the Vocaroo page (https://vocaroo.com), record an exactly two minutes length audio, in which you explain what happens in each one of the pictures while you compare and contrast them. Send the link to the examiner.
Keep in mind that you must avoid reading during the recording, so that your exercise can be considered valid. (Pictures taken from eslflow.com)

SPEAKING

II. Choose one of the topics on the list. Record an exactly two minutes length audio, in which you explain your point of view about the subject supporting your opinion on it. Send the link to the examiner.
Keep in mind that you must avoid reading during the recording, so that your exercise can be considered valid.