PRACTICE TEST 2

READING (60 minutes)

Directions: In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each
followed by 10 questions about it. For questions 1-40, you are to choose the best
answer A, B, C or D, to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of
the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have
chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what is stated or
implied in that passage.

PART ONE

ASPIRIN

Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid is a drug in the family of salicylic acid. One of the
first recorded uses of salicylic acid was by the Greek physician Hippocrates. In the
5th century, he wrote about a bitter powder that had been taken from the bark of
the willow tree. He said it could alleviate pain and fever. Ancient Sumer, Lebanon
and Assyria used similar preparations. Native American Indians also used willow
bark to relieve pain. In 1828 a French pharmacist named Henri Leroux and an
Italian chemist named RaffaellePiria extracted the ingredient from willow bark and
produced salicylic acid. Although these preparations were effective in reducing
pain, they caused serious irritation, bleeding and even death. French chemist,
Charles Frederic Gerhardt coated it with a protective solution, and although it
worked, he decided not to patent his version.

[A] In 1897, Felix Hoffmann, a research assistant at Bayer, a German chemical and
drug company founded by Friedrich Bayer, discovered a way to further lessen the
negative effects of salicylic acid. Hoffmann made the first synthetic drug from the
chemical reactions of salicylic acid. He tested the drug by giving it to his father who
suffered from arthritis. [B] The drug eased his pain without the usual side effects of
salicylic acid. He was patented on March 6, 1899. Hoffmann marketed aspirin and
heroin, which was also his invention. People thought heroin was better and more
healthful than aspirin. However, people easily became addicted to it, so aspirin
began selling more and more.
[C] It was Bayer that introduced aspirin tablets and registered “Aspirin” as a
trademark in 1915. The company, however, lost the aspirin trademark after World
War I because the Allies acquired and resold its foreign assets. [D] The right to use
the name “Aspirin” was purchased from the United States government by the
Sterling company in 1918. After all, Bayer bought Sterling Drug in 1994, and
thereby the company reacquired the trademark right.

1. The word they in paragraph 1 refers to

 A. preparations
 B. Native American Indians
 C, pain and fever
 D. nri Leroux and Raffaele Piria
2. What is NOT true about aspirin?
 A. It is an acid.
 B. It alleviates fever.
 C. It is addictive.
 D. It relieves pain.
3. The negative effects of salicylic acid were further reduced by
 A. Leroux.
 B. Hoffmann.
 C. Gerhardt.
 D. Hippocrates.
4. Who is the owner of the trade mark right of aspirin?
 A. Bayer
 B. The Allies
 C. Sterling Drug
 D. The United States government
5. In which space (marked [A], [B], [C] and [D] in the passage) will the following
sentence fit?

Aspirin was first sold as a powder.

  A. [D]
 B. [C]
 C. [B]
 D. [A]
6. When was aspirin patented?
 A. 1994
 B. 1899
 C. 1897
 D. 1828
7. The author’ s discussion of Hoffman mentions all of the following EXCEPT that
 A. He invented heroin
 B. He worked for Bayer.
 C. He suffered from arthritis.
 D. He prescribed a synthetic drug to his father.
8. What can be inferred about preparations made from salicylic acid in paragraph
1?
 A. Their side effects made them unsuccessful.
 B. The French were better at extracting salicylic acid.
 C. The most successful preparations were those made from willow bark.
 D. Patients did not mind the side effects as long as their pain was relieved.
9. Why does the author discuss heroin in paragraph 2?
 A. To warn patients of the addictivity of medications.
 B. To explain that aspirin was not popular at the start.
 C. To support the idea that heroin was a healthful drug.
 D. To show that Hoffmann was a brilliant inventor of medicine.
PART TWO

FERNDIG ISLANDS
Three miles across the water from the town of Blascott lies the group of islands
known as the Ferndigs. The main island is St Michael. Separated by a narrow
channel of water is St Michael's little sister, St Margaret. People first lived on these
islands 1,500 years ago. By the 1950s the population had gone down to below twenty,
and in 1960 the last person left the islands. But in 1991 two families moved back,
and since then more people have followed. Tourists now visit regularly to enjoy the
beautiful scenery.

Visit the one shop on the islands which sells butter, cheese and bread produced by
the families who live there. The produce is also taken by boat to restaurants in
Blascott, where it can be enjoyed by visitors to the area. Perhaps more interestingly,
a range of perfumes is made from the wild flowers and herbs which grow on the
island and can be bought in the shop. They are produced mainly for export and are
very special. So a visit to the shop is a must!

St Michael Island is easily explored on foot but, in the interests of safety, visitors are
requested to keep to the main footpaths. From where the boat lands, walk along the
cliff until you reach a steep path signposted to the church. When you get there, it is
worth spending a moment in this lovely old building. Carry on along the same path
which continues to climb to the highest point on the island. There is a wonderful
view from here along the coastline. If it is warm, you may like to finish your day
relaxing on the beach. Priory Beach on the eastern side of the island is safe for
swimming. Sandtop Bay on the western side is the other sandy beach, but swimming
is not advised here.

It is possible to hire a boat to cross to the islands, or you can take one of the boat
trips which depart from Blascott harbour in summer, Monday to Friday. The
islands are always open to visitors apart from on Sundays. Buy a ticket for a boat
trip from the kiosk in Blascott harbour. The charge for landing on the islands is
included in the ticket but, if you take your own boat, remember to take some money.
The crossing takes thirty minutes, and boats run every fifteen minutes. Before you
set off on a trip, visit the exhibition centre which tells the history of the islands and
gives information about birds and wildlife you may see when you get there.
__________________________________
11. According to the first paragraph, which is TRUE about St Margaret Island?

 A. St Margaret Island is bigger than St Michael Island.

 B. St Margaret Island is the main island of the Ferndigs.
 C. St Margaret Island is smaller than St Michael Island.
  D. St Margaret Island is the smallest island among the Ferndigs.
12. According to paragraph 1, in which year was there no one living on the islands?
 A. 1991
 B. 1980
 C. 1959
 D. 1950
13. According to paragraph 2, which things are for sale in the island shops?
 A. cheese, bread and flowers
 B. butter, cheese and perfumes
 C. . butter, cheese and flowers
 D. bread, perfumes and flowers
14.The word ‘they’ in paragraph 2 refers to
 A. herbs
 B. perfumes
 C. wild flowers
 D. wild flowers and herbs
15. In paragraph 2, what does the author mean when he says, ‘a visit to the shop is a
must’?
 A. visiting the shop is a duty.
 B. visiting the shop is unnecessary.
 C. visiting the shop is unmissable.
 D. visiting the shop is the most important thing to do in the trip.
16. The phrase ‘in the interests of’ in paragraph 3 could be best replaced by
 A. in spite of
 B. for the sake of
 C. because of
 D. on the purpose of
17.According to paragraph 3, where is it safe for swimming on St Michael Island?
  A. Priory Beach
 B. the western beach of the island
 C. Sandtop Bay
 D. the eastern beach of the island
18. According to paragraph 4, on what days are the islands open to visitors?
 A. Sundays
 B. Monday to Friday
 C. all days
 D. Monday to Saturday
19. The word ‘kiosk’ in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to
 A. stand
 B. shop
 C. rocer’s
 D. store
20. What is the purpose of this passage?
 A. to make a report about the Ferndig Islands
 B. to introduce the history of the Ferndig Islands.
 C. to advertise the products made in the Ferndig Islands.
 D. to give a brief description of the Ferndig Islands and some advice to visitors.
PART THREE

RELIGION

From Comptons Interactive Encyclopedia

It has been said that thoughts of death lead necessarily to the development of
religion. It is difficult to imagine what need there would be for religion in a world in
which no one ever died or became ill. The literatures of all religions attempt to give
answers to basic questions: From where did the world come? What is the meaning
of human life? Why do people die and what happens afterward? Why is there evil?
How should people behave? In the distant past, these questions were answered in
terms of mythology. In literature, they are dealt with in poetry. Modern sciences try
to investigate them.

As a word religion is difficult to define, but as human experience it seems to be

universal. The twentieth century German-born American theologian Paul Tillich
gave a simple and basic definition of the word. “Religion is ultimate concern.” This
means that religion encompasses that to which people are most devoted or that from
which they expect to get the most fundamental satisfaction in life. Consequently,
religion provides adequate answers to the most basic questions posed above.

Four centuries earlier the German social reformer Martin Luther spoke in similar
terms about God. He stated that to have a god was to “have something in which the
heart trusts completely.” Putting Tillich’s and Luther’s definitions together, it is
possible to see that religion does not necessarily have to be involved with shrines,
temples, churches, or synagogues. It does not need complex doctrines or clergy. It
can be anything to which people devote themselves that fills their lives with
meaning.

In Western civilization, religion has traditionally been defined as belief in and

worship of one god. This is true for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The
statements by Tillich and Luther make it clear, however, that such a definition may
be too narrow.  In original Buddhism in India and Confucianism in China, there
was no recognition of a supreme being. Both of these philosophies were basically
concerned with patterns of human behavior.

Regardless of definition, all religions (as the word is normally used) have certain
elements in common: rituals to perform, prayers to recite, places to frequent or
avoid, holy days to keep, means by which to predict the future, a body of literature
to read and study, truths to affirm, charismatic leaders to follow, and ordinances to
obey. Many have buildings set aside for worship, and there are activities such as
prayer, sacrifice, contemplation, and perhaps magic.

Closely associated with these elements is personal conduct. Although it is possible to

separate ritual observances from moral conduct, worship has normally implied a
type of relationship with a god from which certain behavior patterns are expected to
follow. A notable exception in history is the official state religion of ancient Rome,
which was kept separate from personal commitment and morality.
________________________
21. What aspects of religions does the passage focus on?

 A. the rituals in different religions

  B. the meaning and elements of religion
 C. the answers to basic questions
 D. the gods of different religions
22. What can be inferred from paragraph 1?
 A. Religion plays a more important part in people’s lives.
 B. All basic questions are answered by modern scientists.
 C. The basic questions are answered in literature in the form of mythology.
 D. If there were no illness and death there would be no need for religion to exist.
23. Why does the author mention the questions in paragraph 1?
 A. To persuade readers to answer
 B. To compare religion and mythology
 C. To give the meaning to life
 D. To explain the existence of religion
24. The word He in paragraph 3 refers to
 A. God
 B. The German
 C. Martin Luther
 D. Paul Tillich
25. What is NOT true about religion in accordance with the American theologian
Paul Tillich’s definition?
 A. People are dedicated to their religion.
 B. People are worried about the ultimacy of religion.
 C. Religion helps answer the most basic questions in life.
 D. People hope their religion makes them more fundamentally satisfied with life
26. Which of the following religions involves a supreme being?
 A. Judaism
 B. Buddhism
 C. Confucianism
  D. Eastern religions
27. According to paragraph 3, what is the most necessary element of religion?
 A. Complex philosophies
 B. Faithful believers
 C. Places to worship
 D. Religious leaders
28. What is NOT a typical characteristic of ALL religions?
 A. Religion involves ordinances to obey.
 B. Religion means belief in supreme being.
 C. Religion answers basic questions about life and death.
 D. Religion can be anything that gives meaning to people’s life.
29. What can be inferred from the passage about religion?
 A. Religion leads to conflicts among peoples.
 B. Religion will be reformed in the near future.
 C. Religion means many things to many people.
 D. Religion will be separated from personal conduct.
30. Based on information in paragraph 6, which of the following statements is true
about the official state religion of ancient Rome?
 A. This religion was not related to personal commitment.
 B. This religion influenced the moral conduct of followers.
 C. This religion specified the way people had to live their lives.
 D. This religion influenced both personal behaviour and ceremony.
PART FOUR

THE SOLOIST

By Mark Salzman
 

An idea came to me, and I turned off the lights in the studio. In the darkness, I put
the cello's spike into a loose spot on the carpet, tightened the bow and drew it across
the open strings.  I took off my shirt and tried it again; it was the first time in my life
I'd felt the instrument against my bare chest. I could feel the vibration of the strings,
travel through the body of the instrument to my own body. I'd never thought about
that; music scholars always talk about the resonating properties of various
instruments, but surely the performer's own body must have some effects on the
sound. As I dug into the notes I imagined that my own chest and lungs were
extensions of the sound box; I seemed to be able to alter the sound by the way I sat,
and by varying the muscular tension in my upper body.

After improvising for a while, I started playing the D minor Bach suite, still in the
darkness. Strangely freed of the task of finding the right phrasing, the right
intonation, the right bowing, I heard the music through my skin. For the first time I
didn't think about how it would sound to anyone else, and slowly, joyfully,
gratefully, I started to hear again. [A] The notes sang out, first like a trickle, then
like a fountain of cool water bubbling up from a hole in the middle of a
desert. [B] After an hour or so I looked up, and in the darkness saw the outline of
the cat sitting on the floor in front of me, cleaning her paws and purring loudly. [C]

So that is what I do now with my cello. At least once a day I find time to tune it,
close my eyes, and listen. It's probably not going to lead to the kind of comeback I'd
fantasized about for so long_ years of playing badly have left scars on my technique,
and, practically speaking, classical musicians returning from obscurity are almost
impossible to promote_ but I might eventually try giving a recital if I feel up to
it. [D] Or better yet, I may play for Dr. Polk if our date at the concert goes well.
Occasionally I feel a stab of longing, and I wish I could give just one more concert
on a great stage before my lights blink off, but that longing passes more quickly
now. I take solace in the fact that, unlike the way I felt before, I can enjoy playing
for myself now. I feel relaxed and expansive when I play, as if I could stretch out my
arms and reach from one end of the apartment to the other. My body does not
actually extend to the edges of my living space, but the sounds of my music
reverberate from wall to wall, filling the room. A feeling of completeness and dignity
surrounds me and lifts me up.
_____________________________
31.What is the passage mainly about?

 A. A musician finding joys in playing music again

 B. A musician feeling demotivated when playing music alone
  C. A musician playing the cello for his cat
 D. A musician playing the cello in the darkness
32. The word it in paragraph 1 refers to
 A. taking off the shirt.
 B. drawing the bow across the strings.
 C. tightening the bow.
 D. turning off the lights in the studio.
33. What is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1?
 A. The musician had never heard about the resonating properties of various
instruments.
 B. The musician had never before felt the instrument against his bare chest.
 C. The musician felt that the way he sat could change the sound.
 D. The musician felt the effect of his body on the sound.
34. The word it in paragraph 2 refers to
 A. the music
 B. the darkness
 C. the task
 D. the first time
35. What is NOT mentioned in paragraph 2 as the cellist’s new way of playing?
 A. Not worrying about finding the right intonation
 B. Thinking of how the music sounded to others
 C. “Hearing” music through his bare skin
 D. Playing the instrument in the dark
36. What is the author’s purpose in paragraph 2?
 A. To describe the piece of music that he plays.
 B. To advise musicians to play music in the new way.
 C. To describe the experience of playing next to his skin.
 D. To describe the sound when the instrument is played next to his skin.
37.
In which space (marked [A], [B], [C] and [D] in the passage) will the following
sentence fit?

I had an audience again, humble as it was.

 A. [D]
 B. [C]
 C. [B]
 D. [A]
38. What is NOT true about the musician?
 A. He might try making a comeback.
 B. He has scars from playing the cello for years.
 C. He has just discovered the joy of playing for himself.
 D. He, a classical musician, has not given a public performance recently.
39. Why does the musician feel expansive when he plays now?
 A. Because he can play his favourite pieces of music.
 B. Because he can stretch his arms from wall to wall.
 C. Because the room is filled with the echo of the music.
 D. Because his body can extend to the edges of his room.
40. Based on the information in paragraph 3, what can be inferred about the cellist’s
attitude toward playing?
 A. He feels nervous.
 B. He feels demotivated.
 C. He feels optimistic.
 D. He feels pessimistic.
LISTENING (40 minutes)

INSTRUCTIONS: You will hear a number of different recordings and you will have
to answer the questions on what you hear. There will be time for you to read the
instructions and questions and you will have chance to check your work. All the
recordings will be played once only. At the end of the test, you will be given five
minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

Now open your question paper and look at Part 1.

PART 1: You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1-
8, choose the best answer A, B or C.

1. For whom is this message most likely intended?

 A. A patient
 B. A teacher
 C. A receptionist
2. Where is this announcement being made
 A. In a school
 B. In a factory
 C. In a computer store
3. What should the passengers do when they get off the bus?
 A. Go to the ticket gate
 B. Leave their valuables
 C. Go to the loading area
4.  Where did Mike take the equipment from?
 A. The office
 B. The parts room
 C. The lab
5. How will the man book tickets for the show?
 A. by phone
 B. on the internet
 C. by post
6. What will the man do this winter?
  A. work as a builder
 B. work as a gardener
 C. work in the supermarket
7. How does the man want the woman to help him?
 A. give him a lift
 B. bring the ladder
 C. clean the bedroom window
8. Which TV programme is on at 9 o’clock tonight?
 A. Nature
 B. Cookery
 C. Sports
PART 2: You will hear a number of conversations between two people. You will be
asked to answer three questions about what they say in each conversation. For each
question, choose the best answer A, B, or C.

Questions 9-11:

9. When was the big meeting?

 A. Last week

 B. This morning
 C. Yesterday
10. Which department made a mistake?
 A. Research
 B. Marketing
 C. Product Development
11. What will the man do?
 A. Talk to his boss
 B. Take new measurements
  C. Review the meeting minutes with the woman
Questions 12-14:
12.Where does this conversation take place?

 A. in a store
 B. in an elevator
 C. in an office
13. Who is the woman visiting?
 A. her brother
 B. a college friend
 C. a work colleague
14. What is the man’s opinion of the building?
 A. It’s a bad building.
 B. He likes it.
 C. It’s too close to the shop.
Questions 15-17:        

 15.What does the man want to do?

 A. make a new schedule

 B. serve a luncheon
 C. reserve a meeting room
16. What time will he finish?
 A. 11:00
 B. 10:00
 C. 8:00
17. What does the woman ask him to do?
 A. put the chair back
 B. work that morning
  C. work that morning
Questions 18-20:

18.What does the woman want the man to do?

 A. program her computer
 B. explain his technique
 C. help her with her homework
19. Why does the man mention the verb “freeze”?
 A. to describe the weather
 B. to explain a problem with her computer
 C. to show an example of what the program does
20. What is the man’s attitude toward studying English?
 A. It is too hard.
 B. He seems to enjoy it.
 C. He wants to do better, but he doesn’t have time to study.
PART 3: You will hear a number of talks. You must answer questions about what is
said in each talk. For each question, choose the best answer A, B, or C.

Questions 21 - 23:

21. What is the advertisement about?

 A. A restaurant
 B. A sailboat
 C. A food market
22. What is mentioned about Saigon House?
 A. The interior is unique.
 B. The prices are economical.
 C. It is well-known for its service.
23. What can be seen in one of the dining rooms?
 A. A couch
 B. A sailboat
 C. A map of Vietnam
Questions 24 – 29:

You will hear someone talking to a group of students about a visit to an Arts Centre.

24.There are still tickets for

 A. Twelfth night
 B. Spider and Rose
 C. the piano concert
25. The coach will leave at 3:30 because
 A. they don’t want to miss the show.
 B. it’s a long journey to the Arts Centre.
 C. they want free time at the Arts centre.
26. You have to pay to see
 A. the Scottish jewellery.
 B. the Russian ballet exhibition.
 C. the South American photographs.
27. You can buy clothes
 A. close to the Arts Centre.
 B. on the first floor.
 C. in the souvenir shop
28. If you want a snack and a hot drink, try
 A. the cinema kiosk
 B. The Fountain
  C. Charlie’s
29. Everyone should get back on the coach at
 A. 10:20
 B. 10:15
 C. 10:00
Questions 30 - 35:

You will hear a talk about the effect of architecture on people’s mood.

 30. The purpose of the data collection was to

 A. test people’s reaction to different buildings.

 B. assess the beauty of different public buildings.
 C. collect detailed information on various buildings.
31. The initial plan to use a questionnaire was abandoned, because
 A. it would take too long for people to complete.
 B. it would take too much time to produce.
 C. the questions were too difficult to write.
32. To make sure people could see the detail in the images better
 A. only daylight images were used.
 B. the images were produced in colour.
 C. black and white images were used.
33. What was done to preserve the images when being used?
 A. people were asked to wear gloves when touching them.
 B. the images were handled only by the researcher.
 C. they were covered in plastic with a special machine.
34. Among the people who formed part of the sample were
 A. commuters as they exited stations.
  B. tourists from various places.
 C. office workers during lunch-break.
35. What was the reason for appointing a leader for the group?
 A. to help hold the team together.
 B. to allocate tasks to the various members.
 C. to comply with the instructions for the task.

WRITING (60 minutes)

TASK 1

You should spend 20 minutes on this task.

You are going to spend some time with your Scottish friend Douglas next Saturday.

Write an email to Douglas. In your email, you should

 Arrange to meet Douglas next Saturday

 Suggest something you could do together
 Say how long you will be able to spend with him
Write at least 120 words. You do not need to include your name and addresses. Your
responses will be evaluated in terms of Task fulfillment, Organization, Vocabulary and
Grammar.
TASK 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Read the following topic.

Crime is a problem all over the world and there is nothing that can be done to prevent
it.
To what extent do you agree?

Give the reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words. Your response will be evaluated in terms of Task
fulfillment, Organization, Vocabulary and Grammar.

SPEAKING (12 minutes)

Part 1: Social Interaction (3 minutes) Let’s talk about your hometown.

 Where are you from?

 Do you think your hometown is a good place for young people?
 Would you prefer to live somewhere else?
Let’s talk about food and eating.

 What is your favourite food?

 Is there anything you never eat?
 In what ways have people’s eating habits changed?
Part 2: Solution Discussion (4 minutes)

A group of international students visit your town/ city and want to get involved in some
local cultural activities. The Youth Secretary recommends the following festivals for them
to take part in: Mid-Autumn Festival, Fishing Village Festival, and Handicraft Festival.
In your opinion, which is the best choice?

Part 3: Topic Development (5 minutes)

VSTEP Part 3 – Topic Development

Team sports are important for young children at school.

 How can schools encourage team sports among students?

 What are advantages and disadvantages of playing team sports?
 What should be done to promote sports activities in the community?