Use of English · Test 31

Preparing for the worst

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:

We all depend on supermarkets for food and we 0 _____ it for granted that the shelves will always be full. But some people believe it’s best to be prepared 1 (1) ____ there’s an emergency and normal life is disrupted for a while. They say there is a risk from extreme weather or an outbreak of flu, 2 (2) ____ more serious natural disasters. People who prepare in this way are informally 3 (3) ____ as ‘preppers’, and more and more people are now listening to their 4 (4) ____. Alison Jones from Cambridge, UK, is a typical example. She keeps a month’s 5 (5) ____ of food in a cupboard, along with bottled water and medicines that her family needs. She is aware that some people would 6 (6) ____ her to be slightly odd, but says that, for her, it makes perfect 7 (7) ____ to be prepared. ‘We keep just enough to see us through a few weeks, so we can then 8 (8) ____ our normal lives. Why would anyone not do that?

Fix it with friends

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: TO

We have all got used 0 TO buying new things, using them for a while and then throwing them away. But it 9 9 become clear in recent years that this is not sustainable, as we are generating huge amounts of waste. 10 10 response to this, many people are setting up informal cafes 11 11 people can bring broken items for repair. The cafes provide tools, help from volunteers and plenty 12 12 friendly chat. Dan, twenty-two, works at a repair cafe in Bristol. ‘Many modern devices are difficult to repair 13 13 you have the correct tools and a bit of knowledge,’ he says. I don’t have any qualifications, I’ve just picked things 14 14 as I’ve gone along. The emphasis is on teaching people. ‘We don’t repair things for people,’ Dan says. ‘What we do 15 15 help them to repair things themselves.’ So, the next time you have something that’s broken, why not look out 16 16 a repair event near you?

We are all familiar with images of coral reefs, with their colourful rock 0 _____ created from the shells of sea creatures. Maya Beach in Thailand became famous after it was used as the 17 17 for the Hollywood movie The Beach. Its 18 18 as a tourist destination increased dramatically and, as a result, the coral began to suffer 19 19 amounts of damage. The Thai authorities responded by closing the beach. 20 20 now think they have found a solution. They have found it is possible to collect up broken pieces of reef and 21 21 fix them back in place, using normal household glue! Specialist 22 22 swim down to carry out the repairs. The technique has so far proved extremely 23 23, and the coral has started to regrow. It is hoped that the beach will be reopened one day, but the number of visitors will be 24 24 controlled to protect the coral. 0.FORM