Part 5
Read the following text and for questions 31-36 choose the correct answers:
The Smartphone Revolution
When Apple launched the first iPhone in 2007, few could have predicted how fundamentally it would change our daily lives. Yet this revolutionary device was actually the culmination of decades of technological development in mobile communications.
The concept of a portable telephone dates back to 1973 when Motorola engineer Martin Cooper made the first mobile phone call. These early 'brick phones' were bulky, expensive and had limited functionality. Throughout the 1990s, mobile phones became smaller and more affordable, adding features like text messaging and basic games. However, they remained primarily communication devices rather than the all-purpose gadgets we know today.
The real breakthrough came with the development of touchscreen technology and mobile internet access. Early smartphones like the BlackBerry (2002) and Nokia Communicator (1996) offered email and basic web browsing, but their physical keyboards and small screens limited their appeal. Apple's innovation was to create a device with a large, responsive touchscreen that could run multiple applications - essentially a pocket computer.
Today's smartphones are unrecognisable from those early models, with capabilities ranging from high-quality photography to mobile banking. Critics argue they have made us overly dependent on technology, but there's no denying their convenience. As smartphone technology continues to evolve with foldable screens and augmented reality, one wonders what the next chapter in this remarkable story will be.
31 What is the main purpose of the first paragraph?
A) To compare different smartphone brands
B) To introduce the historical significance of smartphones
C) To criticise modern smartphone technology
D) To explain how smartphones are manufactured
32 What does the text say about early mobile phones?
A) They were mainly used by business people
B) They became more compact during the 1990s
C) They had better battery life than modern phones
D) They were invented by Apple engineers
33 According to the text, what was Apple's key innovation?
A) Creating a phone with a physical keyboard
B) Developing the first mobile phone call
C) Introducing a large, multi-functional touchscreen
D) Making phones more affordable
34 What criticism of smartphones is mentioned?
A) They are too complicated for elderly users
B) They make people too reliant on technology
C) They have poor camera quality
D) They are bad for the environment
35 What does the text suggest about future smartphones?
A) They will probably replace desktop computers completely
B) They may incorporate new display technologies
C) They will become much cheaper
D) They won't change much from current models
Why were early smartphones impractical?
A) They were too large.
B) There wasn’t enough internet content.
C) The games were uninteresting.
D) Their screens were too small.
Part 6
Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap. There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
Saving the Rainforests
The world's rainforests are often called the 'lungs of the planet' because they produce about 20% of Earth's oxygen. They are home to more than half of all plant and animal species, many of which haven't even been discovered yet.
Despite their importance, rainforests are disappearing at an alarming rate. The main causes are logging for timber, clearing land for agriculture, and mining operations. At current rates, scientists estimate we could lose all rainforests within 100 years.
Conservation efforts have had some success. In Costa Rica, for example, deforestation has been reduced by 75% through a combination of government policies and eco-tourism initiatives.
Individuals can make a difference too. Choosing products with sustainable palm oil or FSC-certified wood helps reduce demand for unsustainably harvested materials.
Some companies are now taking responsibility. Others have committed to zero-deforestation policies in their supply chains.
The situation remains urgent. If we want to stop the climate change we need to preserve them. And I believe that with coordinated global action, we may yet save these vital ecosystems for future generations.
A But their biodiversity value is even more significant.
B Every minute, an area the size of 40 football fields is destroyed.
C Some corporations have started planting trees to offset their environmental impact.
D Rainforests play a crucial role in regulating global climate patterns.
E Simple changes in shopping habits can help protect these vital ecosystems.
F International agreements have protected certain areas from development.
G Many indigenous tribes continue their traditional way of life in the forests.
Part 7
You are going to read an article about four teenagers with part-time jobs. For questions 43-52, choose from the teenagers (A-D). The teenagers may be chosen more than once.
Which teenager
Balancing Work and Study
A. Liam, 17
Working at the local cinema has been perfect for me. I get free tickets to all the new releases, which saves me a fortune! The hours are flexible around my college schedule, though the late finishes can be tiring. What I love most is recommending films to customers - I've developed a real knack for guessing what people will enjoy based on their preferences. My manager says I should consider a career in marketing, which I'd never thought about before. The only downside? Cleaning up after messy customers when the credits roll!
B. Priya, 16
I tutor primary school children in maths twice a week. It started when my neighbour asked if I could help her son, and word quickly spread. I have to be really organised - planning lessons and making sure I'm always prepared. The children look up to me, which is both rewarding and a big responsibility. Sometimes parents expect miracles, but I've learnt to set realistic expectations. The extra money is great, but seeing a student finally understand a difficult concept is what makes it worthwhile.
C. Ryan, 18
My weekend job at the sports centre involves coaching junior football teams. I played competitively for years before an injury ended my playing days, so this keeps me involved in the game. The kids can be challenging - some lack concentration while others are too competitive - but I've found a way to deal with everyone and I made one team out of them. My communication skills have improved massively too, which will help with my university applications. Sometimes the training sessions are really hard. I have to run a lot and have to demonstrate all the things I want the kids to do. So sometimes I feel really exhausted.
D. Sophie, 17
Working in my aunt's café has taught me more about people than I ever expected. At first I was just making coffees and clearing tables, but now I handle customer complaints and even help with ordering stock. The busy lunch shifts are chaotic but exciting - you have to think fast and stay calm under pressure. I've become much more confident talking to strangers, which surprised me as I used to be quite shy. The work is tiring alongside my A-levels, but I'm saving up for a gap year trip to Southeast Asia.
mentions developing an unexpected skill?
says their job gives them financial benefits beyond their wages?
had to adapt to working with different personalities?
finds some clients' expectations unrealistic?
was surprised by their own personal development?
mentions the physical demands of his work?
says their job has influenced their future career plans?
had their job opportunity through family connections?
finds their work emotionally rewarding?
has to prepare materials outside of work hours?