Use of English · Test 11

Messages from the Stone Age

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer ( A, B, C or D ) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning ( 0 ).

Example:

The incredible pre-historic Chauvet cave art in France is painted in 0 _____ colours and dates back to a period around thirty thousand years ago when early humans first started to create rock art. Although various 1 (1) ____ of this art have been found in caves in Western Europe, very few people have seen the art at Chauvet because it is located 2 (2) ____ inside an inaccessible underground cave system. Those who have seen it say that it is very impressive, showing animals 3 (3) ____ horses, rhinos and cows, and that the artwork is good enough to 4 (4) ____ modern compositions.

The first scientists to 5 (5) ____ the Chauvet paintings missed some other important 6 (6) ____ however. The walls of the cave are also marked with a series of lines and symbols, that were initially 7 (7) ____ as insignificant. But recent research has suggested that these marks may represent humankind’s first steps towards the development of writing, which is 8 (8) ____ people to rethink their ideas about when written communication first started.

Swimming with seals

For questions 9-16, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning ( 0 ). In the exam, write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.

Example: ARE

The UK is home to half the world’s population of grey seals and there 0 _____ many local boat trips offering sightseeing tours out to the islands and sandbanks 9 9 the animals are most regularly found.

But if you really want to get close 10 10 the seals and understand something about their way of life, then you need to go on an underwater seal-watching trip. On these trips, you have the chance to go over the side of the boat and, equipped 11 11 a wetsuit, mask and snorkel, spend time in the water alongside the animals.

Seals are extremely inquisitive creatures and, once you’re in the water, they will swim past you trying to work 12 12 who you are and 13 13 you’re doing there. 14 14 they can appear shy at first, seals soon 15 15 used to you being in the water, and will come and play around you. Young pups especially like to 16 16 contact with divers, and often use their teeth, gently biting masks, fins and cameras out of curiosity. It can be a thrilling experience.

According to experts, doing puzzles keeps our brains fit and 0 _____As well as gaining 17 17 from finding the correct answer to a difficult problem, we give our brains a good workout in the process. To help us do this, all sorts of handheld ‘brain games’ are now available in the shops, and the most 18 18 games have sold in their millions. What’s more, people 19 19 that the more they play the games, the easier it is to find a 20 20 to the problems posed. They see this as proof that there has been an 21 21 in the power of their brains. Unfortunately, however, this may be a false impression. Some 22 22 argue that the brain gets better at any taskthe more often it is repeated. In other words, the improvement in the 23 23 of the brain is something that happens naturally.So although these brain games are obviously fun to play, it remains 24 24 whether they are actually helping to boost brainpower or not. 0.HEALTH