Use of English · Test 27

Coming second: pleasure or pain?

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:

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 (1) ____ some research on the emotional responses of those finishing second. For certain individuals, a silver medal may 2 (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 (3) ____ of achieving anything.

In 4 (4) ____, the athlete who everyone assumed would win with ease, but then suffers a 5 (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 (6) ____ in the research that shows such a person will feel significantly happier.

To a certain 7 (7) ____, these findings are not surprising. Silver medallists who were close to victory will almost certainly 8 (8) ____ on what might have happened if they had trained harder, or done things differently.

The importance of friendship

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: ABOUT

It is undeniable that friendship is important for just 0 _____ everyone. Individuals with several close friends are usually happier than those 9 9. Good friends often know things that family members may not be aware of, even 10 10 they have lived together for years.

This is probably 11 11 when in the company of a good friend we share our secrets and dreams. Friends turn to one 12 12 for suggestions on how to solve their problems. There is a tendency 13 13 close friends to be very honest, sometimes saying things the other person may not want to hear!

Good friends stick together, and the best relationships may last a lifetime. It is 14 14 surprise that most friends have similar personalities, which reduces the risk of conflict. However, people don’t always have an accurate picture of 15 15 their true friends are. Research shows that in a surprising number of cases a person someone considers a good friend doesn’t feel the 16 16 about them.

Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America with the 0 _____ of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, which unlike Titicaca is connected directly to the sea. It is 190 kilometres long and reaches a maximum 17 17 of 284 metres. Approximately 60 per cent of the lake lies in Peru and the rest in Bolivia. The lake is famous for a variety of 18 18 wildlife, including a giant frog that can weigh up to three kilogrammes. Some animals in the lake are 19 19 species, which led to the 20 20 of Titicaca National Reserve in 1978. The protection of the wildlife is guaranteed, and so is the beautiful scenery that makes a visit to the lake so 21 21. There are numerous islands on the lake, although not all are 22 22 to tourists. The 23 23 of some of the islands are known as the Uros people, who still maintain their traditional way of life, but at the same time welcome visitors. 24 24, this beautiful lake is often ignored by tourists. 0.HEALTH