FIRST READING AND USE OF ENGLISH PART 1 1

Hobbies and leisure

Complete the sentences with the correct word from the box.
1a

about at by in into on to with

1. I'm not very keen science fiction films, but the rest of my family loves them.
2. I'm interested taking up scuba diving, but it's an expensive hobby.
3. My father has always been fascinated architecture and loves visiting old castles.
4. I used to prefer rock and folk music, but I've really got jazz recently.
5. John is very excited starting tennis lessons next week.
6. Maria is quite pleased her daughter's progress in her ballet class.
7. Some people can become addicted playing computer games.
8. Antonia is brilliant cooking; I wish I could do it as well as her!

Complete the sentences with the correct preposition and your own ideas.
1b
1. I’m very keen
2. My best friend is brilliant
3. I’m really excited
4. Many people are addicted
5. Lately, I’ve really got

Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.

2
1. The viewers / spectators in the stadium cheered for their team.
2. Jacob decided to take place / part in a cooking competition.
3. Rachel took / set up painting because she wanted to make better use of her free time.
4. I really enjoyed the demonstration / exhibition of eighteenth-century art at the city gallery.
5. My favourite singer is giving / running a concert in my home town and I hope to see her.
6. I go to the cinema regularly and like to see moving / thrilling films that are very emotional.
7. Elena enjoys reading detective stories with complicated but interesting schemes / plots.
8. He is a very sociable / sensible person who loves meeting new people in his free time.

12 FIRST READING AND USE OF ENGLISH | PART 1 | 1 © Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2017
Exam task
For questions 1–8, read the text below and decide which
3
answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example
at the beginning (0).

Example:
0 A taste B appeal C interest D attraction
Example answer: B

The joy of photography

Photography is a hobby with wide (0) . And I don't mean taking photos on your mobile phone,
though it cannot be (1) that such pictures can be surprisingly good these days. Serious
photography means taking the (2) to do some research, exploring the technical (3) of
the subject and investing in what might be quite expensive equipment. So why take up photography? Firstly,
it allows you to (4) special moments that you want to remember forever. In addition, it (5)
your imagination because you are always in search of ideas for original and out of the ordinary photos.
However, a lot of practice is required before you (6) to take really good pictures on a regular
basis. When you finally do it, it will be a (7) of great satisfaction for you. Photography can also
transform the way you look at the world. You start to see details that in the past you used to miss
(8) . All in all, it's a highly absorbing hobby.

1 A rejected B contradicted C denied D refused

2 A trouble B care C effort D concern
3 A characteristics B forms C qualities D aspects
4 A seize B capture C grab D catch
5 A motivates B renews C stimulates D reacts
6 A manage B succeed C achieve D reach
7 A reason B cause C source D means
8 A utterly B completely C fully D absolutely

Exam facts
• In this part, you read a text with eight gaps in it.
• You have to choose the correct word (A, B, C or D) for each gap.
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FIRST READING AND USE OF ENGLISH PART 1 2

Travel and holidays

Complete the sentences with the correct word from the box.
1

along among around back beneath beyond through within

1. Luke saw his friends the crowd of tourists outside the castle.
2. I went for a tour the city and was impressed by how beautiful it was.
3. In Rome there are kilometres of tunnels the city.
4. It was getting late so we decided to head to the campsite.
5. It was really relaxing taking a walk the river.
6. In the distance, the mountain range, there is a huge lake.
7. Our guide led us the caves and showed us their interesting features.
8. Many important events have happened the walls of this palace.

Choose the alternative for each sentence which is NOT correct.

2
1. We went on a travel / trip / journey to the jungle.
2. I enjoyed the beautiful view / scenery / outlook from the top of the hill.
3. The family boarded / got on / embarked the bus and it left almost immediately.
4. Giorgio packed his two bags / luggage / suitcases and took the early train.
5. The train fare / fee / ticket was much more expensive than Anna expected.
6. On the way to Scotland we sat in the front coach / carriage / cabin of the train.
7. A river voyage / trip / cruise is the best way to go sightseeing.
8. We decided to take a charter / programmed / scheduled flight to Spain.

In pairs, ask and answer the following questions.

3
1. Where do you usually go on holiday?
2. Do you usually go to places where there are lots of tourists, or do you go to less well-known places?
3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of exploring less well-known places when
travelling?

14 FIRST READING AND USE OF ENGLISH | PART 1 | 2 © Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2017
Exam task
For questions 1–8, read the text below and decide which
4
answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example
at the beginning (0).

Example:
0 A represent B indicate C refer D mention
Example answer: C

Off the beaten track

The expression ‘getting off the beaten track’ is used to (0)

to the experience of avoiding famous tourist attractions and
choosing instead to explore less well-known places when travelling.
For many people the whole (1) of travel is to visit cities such as Paris or Venice that have
a great (2) as places of beauty and historic importance. Furthermore, they are not particularly
(3) by the crowds that are usually found in such locations. But for others who have more of
a (4) of adventure, a good holiday must (5) unfamiliar experiences, even taking
some risks.
Travelling off the beaten track may be done by some students who don’t (6) to a rigid plan, but
make decisions about what to do depending on how they feel. Other travellers prefer to spend money on
guided tours to unusual locations. Such tours are designed to (7) their particular needs, and all
the arrangements are made for them. However people choose to get off the beaten track, the hope is
always the same: to have a special, often unique (8) of a different culture.

1 A worth B point C aim D profit

2 A favour B approval C reputation D opinion
3 A bothered B interrupted C offended D disturbed
4 A feeling B impression C mood D sense
5 A possess B consist C involve D concern
6 A fix B stick C fasten D attach
7 A please B fit C agree D meet
8 A experience B understanding C awareness D knowledge

Exam tips
• Read through the whole text first.
• Look at the words before and after each gap.
• Try each word (A, B, C and D) in the gap and decide which is correct. If you are not sure, choose
the word that you think best fits the gap.

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FIRST READING AND USE OF ENGLISH PART 1 3

Sport
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentences.
1
1. I play / practise / go jogging every morning before work.
2. I go / take / make plenty of exercise every week because I walk to work!
3. Most experts say that keeping / going / making fit is very important if you sit at a desk all day.
4. Tony plays / practises / makes tennis at a local club when he has some free time.
5. Clara hit / beat / shot the ball really hard and it went into the net.
6. The class make / do / play gymnastics once a week in the new gym.
7. The school football team beat / won / succeeded every team they played this term.
8. I did a course to develop / expand / progress my tennis skills.

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets, -ing or to + infinitive.
2a
1. Elena can’t stand (play) football; she prefers athletics.
2. I regretted (do) the extra training session because I felt so tired afterwards.
3. Lucas is planning (take up) skiing next year.
4. Nicole really enjoys (go) for long runs in the hills near her home.
5. The squash player managed (win) the final game despite being exhausted.
6. Leo refused (join) his local gym even though his friends were all members.
7. My mother is considering (enter) a golf tournament next month.
8. We knew we were unlikely (lose) against a very weak and inexperienced team.

Complete the sentences with your own ideas.

2b
1. I can’t stand
2. I’m considering
3. My friends and I really enjoy
4. The weather is likely
5. My family’s planning

16 FIRST READING AND USE OF ENGLISH | PART 1 | 3 © Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2017
Exam task
For questions 1–8, read the text below and
3
decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each
gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Example:
0 A complete B finish C fulfil D succeed
Example answer: C

Coming second: pleasure or pain?

Every ambitious athlete hopes to (0) their

dream of winning a gold medal at the Olympics.
However, not everyone can win, and often talented
athletes must accept second place. A team of
psychologists recently (1) some research
on the emotional responses of those finishing second. For certain individuals, a silver medal may
(2) their expectations and so naturally they will be delighted. They may also enjoy surprising
experts and journalists who believed they had absolutely no (3) of achieving anything.
In (4) , the athlete who everyone assumed would win with ease, but then suffers a (5)
defeat, may not celebrate their silver medal. This reaction differs sharply from the athlete who comes
second but finished a long way behind the winner. There is a (6) in the research that shows
such a person will feel significantly happier.
To a certain (7) , these findings are not surprising. Silver medallists who were close to victory
will almost certainly (8) on what might have happened if they had trained harder, or done things
differently.

1 A controlled B conducted C directed D guided

2 A exceed B overtake C pass D overcome
3 A outlook B view C estimate D prospect
4 A opposition B contrast C distinction D contradiction
5 A thin B tight C narrow D slight
6 A habit B trend C custom D tendency
7 A extent B amount C range D level
8 A review B wonder C consider D reflect

Get it right!
Look at the sentence below. Then try to correct the mistake.

When I was at primary school, I enjoyed to play basketball.

© Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2017 FIRST READING AND USE OF ENGLISH | PART 1 | 3 17