Use of English · Test 12

Where to go whale watching

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:

When asked to list the things they would most like to experience in life, a surprising 0 _____ of people mention seeing whales in their natural habitat. It’s an ambition that can be 1 (1) ____ surprisingly easily. It is 2 (2) ____ that the seas around Iceland are home to over five thousand orca whales. But their behaviour, and therefore your chances of seeing them, varies 3 (3) ____ to the season.

In summer, the whales have a 4 (4) ____ to hang out near the coast and can be seen swimming up fjords and inlets. During the winter months, however, the animals are generally to be found 5 (5) ____ out at sea. 6 (6) ____ season you choose for your trip, whale-watching trips are very easy to organise, and there’s a chance you’ll get to see other whale species too.

Besides Iceland, another option is to 7 (7) ____ for northern Norway between October and January. Orcas arrive here at this time of year in 8 (8) ____ of large shoals of herring, which form an important part of their diet.

The Mini-Monet

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: WHICH

Kieron Williamson is a very successful landscape painter. His paintings, 0 _____ mostly depict the peaceful countryside around his home village in eastern England, sell very well. Perhaps this shouldn’t 9 9 as that much of a surprise. It’s a beautiful part of the world, and landscape paintings are always popular.

The strange thing about Kieron, however, 10 10 that he is only seven years old. At a recent exhibition of his work, all the paintings were sold in half an hour, some for £100,000 each. Kieron now has fans all over the world, and has gained the nickname the ‘Mini-Monet’.

What’s even 11 11 surprising is that Kieron doesn’t come from an artistic family, and only started painting two years 12 12. He first got inspiration 13 13 some boats he saw on holiday at the seaside. Kieron asked his parents if they 14 14 buy him a sketch pad and pencils 15 15 that he could draw them. Only when they saw 16 16 well he drew did they realise that he was talented.

According to recent 0 _____, at least some of the advice about health that was passed down to our grandparents by previous generations may actually contain some 17 17. A good example is the 18 18 between feeling cold and catching a cold. My grandmother was convinced that being outside when the temperature is low, or simply dressing in 19 19 clothes for the cold weather, was a sure way of catching a cold. Now, as we know, colds are caused by viruses. Therefore, in the 20 20 of a virus, you cannot catch a cold – no matter how low the temperature or how 21 21 your clothing. But 22 22 now think that we may have viruses in our bodies already, which are just waiting for the chance to turn into a cold. In cold weather, for example, blood vessels in the nose get smaller to stop heat escaping. 23 23, it also allows the cold virus to attack the nose or throat more 24 24. So, perhaps Granny was right! 0.SEARCH