Many children, and some adults too, dislike the taste of certain vegetables. The flavours of foods such as cabbage and broccoli are generally the ones people mention as their least (21)
vegetables, as these vegetables are believed to have an extremely (22)
taste.
However, according to an Oxford psychologist, children might change their (23)
about these foods if they can hear simple music while they're eating - such as the sounds that come from one musical instrument, called a wind chime.
This instrument often (24)
in people's gardens, and plays sweet notes when the wind blows through it. These notes may make the food seem to taste sweeter than it would do normally.
However, many adults (25)
that their tastes developed as they grew up, so they now enjoy a far greater range of food. As a result, they're much more (26)
to eat the kind of vegetables they always hated during their childhood.
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Part 1
Look at the text in each question. What does it say? Choose the correct answer A, B or C.
A Choose which size of pizza you want and still get a special price.
B Pay less now for pizzas big enough to share with others.
C The extra-large pizzas at Toni's are only available this week.
A Mrs Walsh wants students to contact her with ideas for recycling around the school.
B Mrs Walsh plans to inform students which suggestions the school will implement.
C Mrs Walsh wants students to come to the hall today to help with recycling.
A Sarah is eager to get others involved in an environmental project.
B Sarah says a tree-planting project still needs volunteers.
C Sarah is considering whether to join a project with her friend.
A This bookstore will no longer serve customers at this location after this week.
B Only books are available here this week, at discounted prices.
C To buy books from Brown's, visit their new store in town after this week.
A Carrie is asking if her mum has washed her gym kit.
B Carrie has just remembered where she left her gym kit.
C Carrie wonders if her mum has taken her gym kit to work.
Part 2
The people below all want to watch an animated film. Decide which film would be the most suitable for them. Write the correct letters A-H.
6 Kerim wants a film with traditional animation methods about animals, with great songs by famous singers.
7 Alice, her mum and little sister want a family film with relatable characters and instrumental soundtrack.
8 Lukas wants a funny but educational film based on something he's probably already read.
9 Minnie wants a happy film full of surprises that isn't just about heroes vs villains.
10 Susana wants a film about courageous characters with famous actors' voices and beautiful animation.
Reviews of Animated Films
A Aero
You'll want to watch this film repeatedly, featuring wonderful animals and folk music soundtrack. Based on a book by a well-known author, it's a family favorite.
B Magic Makers
A gentle film about animals helping each other with unexpected outcomes. Beautiful, funny with unforgettable songs you'll never tire of watching.
C Imagining
Beautiful film with piano/keyboard music for the whole family. Everyone will find something relatable in the characters.
D The Dance
Brave dancers put on a performance with experiences both funny and sad. Features old-fashioned cartoon animation (not computer-generated).
E Roundabout
Spectacular visuals follow brave friends supporting each other. Features famous actors' voices and valuable lessons for teenagers.
F Terry
Pop music featuring top performers' voices about a friendly jungle tiger who becomes a hero. Original 1970s graphics.
G Rainbow
The whole family will sing along to songs by famous performers. Based on a book by teen author Dylan Peters.
H Constanz
Beautiful simple animation based on a popular school novel. Full of comedy and surprises with a serious message.
Part 3
Read the text and questions below. Choose the correct letter for each question.
Karina Moore - teenage high diver!
Several times a week, teenager Karina Moore trains at her local pool to jump from the high-diving board into the water - in an attempt to become a national diving champion.
Karina first learned about diving during a family break in Spain, where the resort's pool had a high-diving board. Young people were diving off it, and it looked fun, but Karina didn't join in, even though she was a strong swimmer. Then after returning home, she discovered a long-distance runner she'd always admired had started diving for relaxation - so she became more interested.
Karina joined a beginners' diving class at her local pool. They had several sessions jumping onto soft materials before trying the high board. 'The water looked a long way down,' says Karina, 'but after our training, I felt I'd handle it - without injuring myself! They'd warned me I'd land in the water fast - at around 60 kph - but I was prepared. I couldn't wait to get started - although the others weren't so keen! Anyway, I wasn't disappointed by the experience.'
In Karina's area, there's now lots of interest in high diving, but it's sometimes difficult for swimmers to find suitable practice facilities. Although the pools are deep enough, they're in use so often by diving clubs that other people don't get opportunities to practise. Fortunately, though, Karina's coach noticed her talent and helped her develop her techniques. After only two years, she's winning competitions in her area.
But what's it like to concentrate so much on diving? 'I train 20 hours a week' says Karina, 'and I won't pretend it's easy - you have to enjoy it to spend so much time doing it! It's not easy for my parents either, though - they drive me to training sessions early in the morning, and that costs money. But they've had financial help from sports organisations, luckily. And my schoolwork and social life are good. I still meet my friends - and there's always the phone! The only thing I hadn't realised was that the pool water would damage my hair — I used to love my long hair, but I've had to cut it short because it looked awful! But I'll definitely keep on diving!'
11 What made Karina keen to take up diving?
A She wanted to repeat her holiday experience.
B She found out her athletics hero had taken it up.
C She'd visited a pool where some teenagers were doing it.
D She wanted a new challenge after her success at swimming.
12 How did Karina feel the first time she used the high board?
A worried about how far it was above the pool
B pleased to experience it with other beginners
C confident that she wouldn't get hurt
D shocked to hit the water at such speed
13 What does the writer suggest about diving facilities in Karina's area?
A They're not used as much as they could be.
B There aren't enough coaches teaching people to use them.
C There aren't as many boards as there used to be.
D They're not available to the public for long enough each day.
14 How does Karina feel about spending so much time diving?
A surprised by one effect it has had on her
B sorry she no longer sees her friends so much
C anxious about the amount of money it costs
D grateful to be able to focus on something she loves
15 What would the writer say about Karina?
A She's achieved a lot by becoming a national diving champion with little support.
B She's made enormous progress in a very short time.
C She has natural talent but is thinking of taking a break.
D She's sad that she's given up almost everything for her sport.
Part 4
Five sentences have been removed from the text below. For each question, choose the correct answer. There are three extra sentences which you do not need to use.
Computer game exhibition
Have you ever tried playing the kind of video games that your parents played? The Museum of Science in Manchester, in the UK, has held an exhibition for the last few years, which invites visitors to do exactly that. It offers them the chance to play games from the last 40 years, in various sessions throughout the day.
These video games sessions have now become one of the main attractions of the museum. They are full of people every day, playing a wide range of games. For parents, for example, these are usually the games they used to play in their childhood.
There's also an educational purpose to the games. For instance, some old types of computer, dating back 40 years, are also available in the sessions. They were originally used in classrooms to teach pupils to write their own computer programs. Now, the museum is holding workshops that encourage children to learn similar skills - and they're still very popular.
The sessions are also seen as social events, as people discover how much fun it is to play video games with other family members. And there's also an area at Power Up! where a number of visitors can sit down together. And nowadays, this is often how fans of video games are more likely to experience playing.
The exhibition also shows how much progress technology has made over the last 40 years. Parents can often remember playing very simple games. But the games that are played today are more complex. And the players also have to use much more complicated techniques.
However, one serious side of the exhibition is that organisers also want to show that video gaming is an important industry, employing many skilled people. That way, people who enjoy gaming will also understand all the hard work, talent and imagination that goes into creating these amazing games.
A Visitors each pay for 90-minute sessions.
B And at the time, it helped lots of young people to do that.
C So they hope the exhibition will share this message.
D But not everyone thinks it's a lot of fun.
E However, visitors often choose the ones they're familiar with.
F They have better storylines and animation, too.
G They also create the music to go with the game.
H Then they can all enjoy playing the same game.
Part 6
For each question write the correct answer. Write ONE word for each gap.
Hi Marta
How are you? Sorry I haven't written for a while. But now I have some news - I've got a Saturday job! As you know, I've meaning to look for a job for ages. But then Mum offered to let work in her clothes shop, so I started last week. I'm really enjoying it, although it's hard work. There's time at all to chat with the other assistants, sadly. That's we're always so busy.
The good thing is that I'm finally earning a bit of money of my own, I can use to buy the things I want. I'm also getting some great work experience.
Why don't you come to the shop day soon? It's called Modes, and it's on Green Street. I'm sure you'll find lots of clothes that you like!
Hope to see you soon.
Janine
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