Language test
- 1. Language Online Test
➢ Read Passage A carefully and then answer the questions.
Passage A:
First fill in the gaps with the correct tense and then answer the questions.
The Sleeping Giant
A new and extreme tourist attraction……has just exploded…………..(just
explode) on to the scene in
Iceland: Volcano Walking. It would appear, according to Trip Advisor, that
this is one trip that cannot be missed, despite the extortionate cost.
The idea of making Thrihnukagigur volcano accessible was the brainchild
of Ami B. Stefansson, a doctor in Reykjavik and a lifelong cave enthusiast.
He ……………has been studying…………………..(study) caves in Iceland since 1954 and
some would argue
that there is no-one who has more experience. Thrihnukagigur has always
been special to Stefansson ever since he was the first to descend down to
the crater base in 1974. Like most people who experience it, he was utterly
spellbound by its uniqueness and beauty and made it his mission to
- 2. protect and preserve this stunning natural phenomenon. Unlike others
who may have only seen the profit that could be made from walking into
the mouth of a volcano, Stefansson …………believed………(believe) that the primary
focus was
to treat such a grand natural wonder with the utmost respect, to protect
and defend it. The first ‘volcano tourists’ entered the volcano in 2005 and
it has since been labelled as one of the most unique tourist attractions in
the world.
Volcano walkers ………are taken……….(take)to the mouth of the crater from
where they
are lowered in a basket into the depths of the earth. People once thought
that volcanoes were portals to Hell and associated with death and destruction
and yet the entrance to the crater is awe-inspiring and almost
ethereal. The vastness of it can feel overwhelming; it is the size of a cathedral
and the Statue of Liberty could easily fit into the shaft. After 6
minutes and 120 metres, visitors arrive at the crater base. The ground
space is the size of three full-sized basketball courts placed next to each.
Practice Paper: Text A (pt2)
- 3. At the bottom there is a reverent hush. People whisper in respect to the
sleeping giant who has lain dormant for 4,000 years. The subterranean
walls are scorched with colours from a divine palette: magenta red, vibrant
purple, burnt orange, vivid green and honey yellow. The colour intensifies
in certain places where 4000 years ago the magma was pushed
out with brutal force. This is Mother Nature’s secret place, her private art
studio where visitors feel like trespassers. The protruding rock faces show
a tapestry of patterns and formations that have been moulded by heat,
pressure and time. Floodlights illuminate the walls and draw attention to
the beauty humans were never intended to see. A light rain weeps from
the porous rock above and covers the crater sides with a shine that makes
it sparkle. The scorch marks…can be seen…………..(can see) close up – at one point in
time
these rock faces were glowing red with fiery heat. This giant, although
sleeping, is still dangerous: an 80-metre drop into the void is disguised by
a collection of rocks close to where visitors stand.
It is a soul-enriching experience and visitors often report feeling deeply
moved by the beauty and tranquillity of something that was once so destructive
- 4. and angry. Confronted with this result of the unrestrained forces
of nature, it is hard not to feel small and powerless in comparison. Sadly,
the magical spell is broken when the basket appears, indicating that it is
time for visitors to return to reality. On the return hike, visitors walk
across the lava fields as though they are astronauts on the moon. They
pass enormous open wounds where the landscape is literally tearing itself
apart as tectonic plates slowly shift. It serves as one final reminder that
this giant is merely dormant, not dead.
1. Re-read the descriptions of:
(a) The volcano in paragraph 3, beginning, “Volcano
walkers… ”
(b) The crater in paragraph 4 , beginning, “At the
bottom…”
Select four powerful words or phrases from each paragraph.
Your choices should include imagery. Explain
how each word or phrase selected is used effectively
in context.
- 5. Write about 100 to 150 words
● “Volcano walkers are taken to the mouth of the crater from where they
are lowered in a basket into the depths of the earth”. This phrase is
visual. It makes the reader picture the volcano’s visitors entering the
spectacular crater into the depths of the earth.
● “volcanoes were portals to Hell and associated with death and
destruction”. It transmit frightened feelings and it's a pretty visual
because the reader can picture people walking to the volcano, to hell.
● “the size of a cathedral and the Statue of Liberty could easily fit into the
shaft”. This is a visual image as well, but this one suggest the size of the
crater.
● “The colour intensifies in certain places where 4000 years ago the
magma was pushed out with brutal force”. This is a visual, but also an
auditory and kind of tactile imagery as well. Auditory since we can
imagine all the scandalous and the noises of the magma being pushed
out. Tactile because though no one is going to touch the lava, we
perceive movement.
● “The protruding rock faces show a tapestry of patterns and formations
that have been moulded by heat, pressure and time”. This suggest a
tactile image because it refers to temperature.
● “A light rain weeps from the porous rock above and covers the crater
sides with a shine that makes it sparkle”. This is a visual and auditory
image since we can picture what it is being described, but imagining
the tiny drops sound too.
- 6. 2. Explain the meaning of the words in bold. Use synonyms to
explain them.
● Extortionate: grossly excessive / exorbitant. Example: I can not buy
that chocolate because of it’s extortionate price. In this text, this word
refers to the extortionate cost of going to visit the dormant volcano. The
cost is your life, since the trip is partly risky.
● Spellbound: Bound by / enchanted / fascinated. Example: She was
spellbound by her friend’s clothing. In the text this word is used to
reflect the fascination Stefansson had when he saw the uniqueness and
beauty of the natural phenomenon.
● Unlike: Different / not alike. Example: I like chocolate, unlike Margui
who doesn’t.
● Awe-inspiring: something magnificent / spectacular . Example: an awe
inspiring cathedral. In this case, the volcano is the awe-inspiring thing.
● Overwhelm: To overcome completely in mind or feeling. Example:
Roman troops were overwhelmed by barbarians.
● Dormant: Lying asleep or as if asleep / inactive. Example: The
lecturer's sudden shout woke the dormant audience. However, in this
text, refers to the dormant volcano.
● Soul-Enriching: It’s a compound adjective which represents the
fulfilment of soul by doing good deeds and having good thoughts. In
the text, it means that the visit to the volcano is so amazing that it fulfil
your soul.
3. Finish these sentences in an appropriate way.
If I hadn’t visited Mary last week,……I wouldn’t have passed my history exam
……………………………………………………………
- 7. If I could help Sue,……………I would have already helped
her………………………………………………………………………..
You need to study more if ……………………………you want to pass the
exam…………………………………………….
Why don’t you go to the doctor if……………………you are having a
headache…………………………………………?
Suppose you had the chance of moving abroad,………………where would you
go………………………………..?
Jack can lend you the money as long as………………you return it next
week……………………………………………..
I wish I………………………were taller………………………………….(BE) taller. I would love
to work as a model.
I wish you…………………stopped………………………………..(stop) smoking. It’s bad for
your health.
4. Writing Task
Compare the two main characters of More than just the disease and Face. What do
they have in common? Write a paragraph (90-100 words)Include at least one
conditional sentence and one compound adjective. Include at least three of the
following terms:
grope for – overcast- to prune- to scold- nosy- sip- to shiver- to hum- to quiver-
reluctant- to coax- gloomy- to gleam- scorching hot- rusty- to scratch.
The principal characters of both stories, “More than just the Disease” and “Face” are
developing characters. Martin was arrogant, selfish, racist and rude. He felt superior
- 8. because he was good-looking. Once his face was burnt, he changed, though not from
the beginning. At first he wished he hadn’t entered to the car, so that he hadn't had
taken part of such a terrible accident. But at the end, he mature, he found real friends
and his own personality. At the same time, Neil is a developing character as well. His
skin problem made him wished to scratch or even prune his damaged skin, though at
the end of the story, he accepts himself the way he truly is.
By Juana Pérez Muniz
