Use of English · Test 28

What our homes say about us

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:

A home is more than a building. It’s a 0 _____ which both influences our identity and represents it. As children, our environment makes us who we are, or at 1 (1) ____ contributes to it. For example, if we grow up in a crowded home, the thought of moving to a quiet home alone might never 2 (2) ____ to us. Instead, we may prefer to live in a house full of people for the 3 (3) ____ of our lives.

As adults, every object that 4 (4) ____ to us tells a story about who we are and where we came from. In 5 (5) ____, how we present those objects in our homes says something about how we want others to see us. If we identify ourselves with being creative, for example, we might put certain art work on 6 (6) ____ for others to see. Or, if we believe that it’s more important for a home to be relaxing than fashionable, our home might 7 (7) ____ of warm colours and comfortable furniture, in 8 (8) ____ to stylish, modern but perhaps more uncomfortable pieces.

A cure for insomnia?

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: THE

I’ve just read an article about blue light and I think I’ve discovered 0 _____ most likely reason for my recent restless nights! You see, blue light, emitted by sunshine, some types 9 9 lighting and electronic device screens, has both benefits and dangers for us. It helps improve mood, memory and concentration, but if we 10 10 a lot of time staring at screens, it can actually cause damage to our eyes. Interestingly, the article also points 11 11 that blue light controls our body clocks and using electronic devices too much immediately 12 12 going to bed can disrupt our sleep cycles. My nights have 13 13 getting worse recently and I’m sure it’s because I 14 14 just started reading on my tablet when I’m in bed. The experts’ advice 15 15 to avoid using bright screens for about two to three hours before sleep, but I don’t think I can restrict myself quite that much. Maybe, I’ll switch 16 16 reading a printed book and give social media a miss after nine o’clock!

It has been a long time since Coco Chanel first made it 0 _____ to have a tan. Before 1923 suntanned skin was considered both 17 17 and a sign of poverty. Then Coco Chanel returned from a 18 18 holiday with a tan and suddenly everyone else wanted one. Doctors’ 19 19 changed too. Sunshine was a source of Vitamin D. Unfortunately having beach holidays was 20 20 for many people in northern countries. In the 1940s, women who were 21 21 to get a tanned look started to use a mixture made from tea bags and gravy to stain their legs brown. This was obviously impractical for a 22 22 of reasons! Better solutions came after an accidental discovery in the 1950s when a 23 23 found that a safe chemical, DHA, could be used in a lotion to fake a tan. Medical research also showed the 24 24 damage that sun can do to our skin and today fake tan is a much safer and more convenient alternative to sunbathing. 0.FASHION