READING-KET

A. Read the email and answer the questions.

To: Ellie Crest
Subject: Surfing Holiday
Hi Ellie,
Im so pleased you can come surfing in August! Paul, Rose and Kevin are coming too, so there will
be five of us. Weve decided to return to New Sands, because the surf board hire is so cheap there.
Im starting to think about accommodation. We wont camp again after last year! I hated staying in
a tent in all that rain!
Kevin wants to hire a caravan. There are some nice ones with 3 bedrooms, showers and cooking
facilities. The problem is, none of the caravan parks take short bookings in the summer. The
minimum stay is a week. Its a shame because there are several nice parks near the beach.
Theres a youth hostel in New Sands. Its the cheapest option after camping, and theres a big
kitchen and dining room where we can cook. The problem is, accommodation is in dormitories and
I dont really want to sleep with strangers.
There are a few guest houses in New Sands. Some have triple rooms, so wed only need to book
two rooms. Theyre not expensive, but we wouldnt be able to cook there. Wed have to eat out at
restaurants, or eat sandwiches for every meal! Well have to book soon if we choose that option,
because many guest houses are already full. The hotels in New Sands are far too expensive, even
though Id love to stay at the Sunrise Pavilion with its rooftop pool!
The final option is to rent a cottage. Few cottages offer mid-week breaks in summer, but I found
one. It has three bedrooms - a double, a single and a twin, so two of us would have to share a bed!
Theres a big kitchen diner with a microwave, washing machine and dishwasher. The living room
has a TV and DVD player. Theres just one bathroom, but theres a separate WC. Theres a nice
garden too. The problem is, its 5 miles from the beach, so wed have to hire a car, because there
arent any buses.
Let me know which option you prefer.
Cheers
Natalie
1 Last year the friends stayed in a
A. caravan
B. tent
C. youth hostel
2 Last year the friends had problems with
A. the weather.
B. the transport.
C. their surf boards.
3 The friends want to stay in New Sands for
A. a week.
B. a week and a half.
C. less than one week.
4 The problem with the caravan park is that
A. caravans are only available for full weeks.
B. there are not have enough beds for everyone.
C. all the caravans are fully booked.
5 Natalie doesnt want to stay in the youth hostel because
A. it is too expensive.
B. she doesnt want to share with people she doesnt know.
C. it does not have any self-catering facilities.
6 The guest house
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A. is too expensive.
B. does not have self-catering facilities.
C. does not have a restaurant.
7 The Sunrise Pavilion
A. is too expensive.
B. does not have a swimming pool.
C. is fully booked.
8 Natalie chose this cottage because
A. it is cheaper than the other cottages.
B. everyone can sleep in a different room.
C. it allows people to stay for less than a week.
9 In the cottage,
A. the dining area and living area are in the same room.
B. the shower and toilet are in the same room.
C. the cooking area and dining area are in the same room.
10 The problem with the cottage is
A. its size.
B. its location.
C. its price.
B. Read the information about Paula and answer the questions.
A day in the life of Paula Radcliffe - Marathon Runner
8.30am
Sometimes, my daughter Isla wakes me and my husband, Gary, up, or, more often, we wake her up.
After I get up, I always check my pulse. It's usually 38-40 beats per minute. If it is too high, I rest
for the day. It's so important to listen to my body. I have a drink and a snack while giving Isla her
breakfast.
9.30am
We take Isla to nursery and then I start my training. I run, and Gary rides his bike next to me and
gives me drinks. Four times a week, I have a cold bath or go for a swim in a lake after training.
12.30pm
I pick up Isla from nursery and we go home and I eat a big lunch of cereal and fruit. Then I have
rice and salmon, or toast and peanut butter. I try to eat as soon as possible after training. After
lunch, I play with my daughter.
2pm
I have a nap in the afternoon, and Gary usually takes Isla out while I sleep. When I wake up, I have
a drink and a snack while Isla has milk. I eat a lot during the day, especially bananas and dark
chocolate.
5pm
I go running again. In total, I run about 145 miles every week. I write about all my runs in my
training journal. I record everything, including how I feel and what the weather is like. I train hard
every other day, go on an extra long run every four days and rest every eighth day.
7pm
In the evening, I do my exercises. These keep me strong during long runs. Isla likes to climb on me
while I stretch. Gary gives Isla her tea and cooks mine while I finish my exercises. Then I finish
cooking dinner while Gary gives Isla her bath.
7.30pm
Gary and I eat our dinner. I have red meat four times a week with rice, pasta or potatoes, and lots of
vegetables. We also eat a lot of stir-fries, because they're quick and healthy.
8pm
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We put Isla to bed and relax. I check my emails and watch TV or chat with Gary. I love police and
hospital dramas!
10.30pm
Time for bed. As I brush my teeth, I stand on one leg and then the other. This keeps my legs strong.
I enjoy reading, but I havent read much since Isla was born.
1 Usually,
A. Paula and Gary wake up Isla.
B. Gary wakes up Paula and Isla.
C. Isla wakes up Paula and Gary.
2 While Paula has her morning run, Gary
A. takes Isla to nursery.
B. cycles next to her.
C. goes to work.
3 After training, Paula
A. has lunch, bathes, then collects her daughter.
B. bathes, collects her daughter, then has lunch.
C. collects her daughter, bathes, then has lunch.
4 After lunch, Gary looks after Isla while Paula
A. trains.
B. sleeps.
C. eats.
5 Paula
A. eats large meals but never eats snacks.
B. eats large meals and often eats snacks.
C. eats small meals but often eats snacks.
6 Every two days, Paula
A. goes for a long run.
B. runs 145 miles.
C. trains extra hard.
7 While Paula does her exercises, her daughter
A. has dinner.
B. climbs on her.
C. plays with Gary.
8 In the evening,
A. Gary bathes Isla, then Gary and Paula eat, then Isla goes to bed.
B. Gary bathes Isla, then Isla goes to bed, then Gary and Paula eat.
C. Gary and Paul eat, then Gary bathes Isla, then Isla goes to bed.
9 Paula does exercises to strengthen her legs while she
A. cooks dinner.
B. brushes her teeth.
C. watches TV.
10 Now Paula has a daughter, she rarely
A. reads.
B. watches TV.
C. spends time with Gary.
C. Northacre Council Department of Education
Sixteen - What now?
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Youre 16 and finally you can leave school! By now, youre probably sick of teachers, desks, tests
and exams. But dont just run for the exit. You need to think carefully about what to do next.
If you want a professional career, you will need to go to university and get a degree. To do that, you
need to stay at high school for another two years. But you neednt stay at the same place. There are
several options in the district of Northacre.
St. Leopolds School has the best pass rate of all the high schools in the district. It offers a wide
range of subjects in the humanities and sciences. St Leopolds is, of course, a private school, so
may be too expensive for you. But dont worry, there are several other options if you want to
follow the academic route. Knowle Grammar School is a state school, so there are no fees, and it
has excellent tuition and facilities. It is a boys school from the ages of 11-16, but from 16-18 it is
co-educational. But it is selective, so youll have to pass an exam to get in. If youre interested in
going into Business, check out Wyle River Academy.
This school specialises in subjects like Business Studies, Management and Economics. If you
prefer the arts, look at the courses on offer at Northacre College. Here you can study woodwork,
art, textiles and much more.
Northacre College also offers a wide range of vocational qualifications. You can do a 1-year
certificate or a 2-year diploma in subjects like electrics, plumbing, roofing and hairdressing. If
youd prefer to work outdoors, look at Milldown College, where there are courses in Farm
Mechanics, Land Management, Animal Management and much more.
A final option is to get an apprenticeship with a local or national company. You will get on-the-job
training, gain certificates or diplomas and start earning straight away. But be warned - places are
limited! Find out more at the Jobs Fair on 26th May at Northacre College.
1 The aim of the article is to
A. advise young people about how to get to university.
B. tell young people about the options available.
C. advise young people to stay in education.
2 The article advises reader who want a professional career to
A. go to university immediately.
B. stay at the same school for two more years.
C. go to high school for two more years, then get a degree.
3 St Leopolds is the best school for
A. good exam results.
B. humanities and sciences.
C. facilities.
4 You can only attend St Leopolds school if you
A. pay tuition fees.
B. pass an exam.
C. study both humanities and sciences.
5 You can only attend Knowle Grammar School if you
A. pass an exam.
B. are a boy.
C. can afford the tuition fees.
6 Anna wants to work with horses. Where is the best place for her to study?
A. Wyle River Academy
B. Northacre College
C. Milldown College
7 Harry wants to be a builder. Where is the best place for him to study?
A. Wyle River Academy
B. Northacre College
C. Milldown College
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8 Kevin wants to be a fashion designer. Where is the best place for him to study?
A. Wyle River Academy
B. Northacre College
C. Milldown College
9 Caroline wants to run her own company. Where is the best place for him to study?
A. Wyle River Academy
B. Northacre College
C. Milldown College
10 What is the problem with apprenticeships?
A. There are few available.
B. They are expensive.
C. They dont give you any qualifications.
D. Read the weather forecast for the Brecon Beacons National Park and answer the questions.
Mountain Area forecast
Mountains can be dangerous places. The weather can change from one hour to the next, and from
one peak to the next. Always check the weather forecast before you go out.
Brecon Beacons National Park
Tuesday 4 April
There will be mist and fog in the valleys early on, but this will lift in the morning. It will be a dry
day with some sunny spells, especially in the north, where it will feel warm. It will remain cloudy
in the south and west. Cloud will get thicker in the afternoon, and there will be a chance of rain in
the west in the late afternoon.
Visibility
Generally good, but poor in hill fog. May turn poor in the west in the late afternoon.
Hill fog
Some hill fog above 300 metres at first. This will lift, but will remain at 600 metres in the morning,
and around the peaks in the afternoon and evening.
Wed 5 April
Weather
A much windier day, and it will feel cold high up, where temperatures will be low. A bright start,
with some sunshine and showers, but showers will increase in the afternoon, and there may be
some hail and thunder. Snow showers possible above 800m.
Visibility
Generally good, but moderate in showers.
Hill fog
None expected.
Outlook
Thu 6 April
Very windy with gales possible in the north and north east. Cloudy with rain or drizzle and hill fog.
Some bright spells later, but showers continuing through the afternoon.
Fri 7 April
Overcast at first with areas of hill fog, and also occasional light rain or drizzle. It will gradually
become drier and warmer, but will remain cloudy. Light southeasterly breezes.
Sat 8 April
A bright day, with the best of the sunshine in the east. It will probably turn cloudier with a gentle
southeasterly breeze, but should remain warm and dry.
1 The Weather Office provides a forecast for ___ days.
A. 2
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B. 4
C. 5
2 The Weather Office provides a detailed forecast for ___ days.
A. 2
B. 3
C. 5
3 Which day will be driest?
A. 4th April
B. 5th April
C. 6th April
4 Which day will be windiest?
A. 5th April
B. 6th April
C. 7th April
5 Which day will be coldest?
A. 4th April
B. 5th April
C. 6th April
6 On which day will the weather gradually improve?
A. 4th April
B. 5th April
C. 6th April
7 On 4th August, where will be sunniest?
A. the north
B. the south
C. the west
8 Which day will be brightest?
A. 6th April
B. 7th April
C. 8th April
9 Which day will be wettest?
A. 5th April
B. 6th April
C. 7th April
10 Which day has the least fog?
A. 4th April
B. 5th April
C. 6th April