FCE PRACTICE TEST 2.pdf

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1. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
PRACTICE TEST FCE 2 – READING
PART 1: For questions 1 – 8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There
is an example at the beginning (0).
WHERE TO GO WHALE WATCHING
When asked to list the things they would most like to experience in life, a surprising number of people mention
seeing whales in their natural habitat. It’s an ambition that can be 1. ____________ surprisingly easily. It is
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. _____________to the season.
In summer, the whales have a 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. ____________ out at sea.
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.____________for northern Norway between October and January. Orcas
arrive here at this time of year in 8. _____________of large shoals of herring, which form an important part of their diet.
1. A. answered B. rewarded C. honoured D. fulfilled
2. A. estimated B. counted C. guessed D. totalled
3. A. according B. depending C. relying D. agreeing
4. A. custom B. tendency C. habit D. trend
5. A. longer B. wider C. broader D. further
6. A. Whenever B. Whoever C. Whichever D. However
7. A. head B. set C. point D. pick
8. A. hunt B. follow C. pursuit D. seek
PART 2: 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 those separate answer sheet.
THE MINI-MONET
Kieron Williamson is a very successful landscape painter. His paintings, which mostly depict the peaceful
countryside around his home village in eastern England, sell very well. Perhaps this shouldn’t 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. ____________ 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. _____________ surprising is that Kieron doesn’t come from an artistic family, and only started
painting two years 12. _____________. He first got inspiration 13. ___________ some boats he saw on holiday at the
seaside. Kieron asked his parents if they 14. ____________ buy him a sketch pad and pencils 15. ___________that he
could draw them. Only when they saw 16. ____________ well he drew did they realise that he was talented.
PART 3: For questions 17 – 24, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines
to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0). In the exam, write
your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.
DON’T CATCH COLD
According to recent 0. research, at least some of the advice about health that was
passed down to our grandparents by previous generations may actually contain some
17.____________.
A good example is the 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._____________ 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._____________
of a virus, you cannot catch a cold – no matter how low the temperature or how
21.______________ your clothing.
But 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.____________ , also
allows the cold virus to attack the nose or throat more 24. _____________. So, perhaps
Granny was right!
0. SEARCH

17. TRUE
18. RELATION

19. SUIT

20. ABSENT

21. APPROPRIATE
22. SCIENCE

23. FORTUNATR
24. EASY

2. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
PART 4: For questions 25 – 30, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence,
using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word
given. Here is an example (0).
0. What type of music do you like best? FAVOURITE
What ________is your FAVOURITE________type of music?
25. Tania hasn’t played volleyball for three years. SINCE
→ It _______________________________________ Tania last played volleyball.
26. The only thing Carl forgot to buy was a new battery for his watch. EVERYTHING
→ Carl remembered to _____________________________________ a new battery for his watch.
27. John was angry because Claire arrived late. TIME
→ If Claire __________________________________________ John would not have been angry.
28. I don’t usually wear a hat and so it feels strange. USED
→ I am __________________________________________________ a hat and so it feels strange.
29. Rob said to Jennifer: “You broke the strap on my new camera.” ACCUSED
→ Rob _________________________________________________ the strap on his new camera.
30. Mark can’t wait to use his new computer-games console. FORWARD
→ Mark is __________________________________________ his new computer games console.
PART 5: You are going to read an extract from a novel. For questions 31 – 36, choose the answer (А, В, C or D)
which you think fits best according to the text.
A whole year had gone by since Tyler and I’d hung out together and I’d grown used to people reporting bad
things about him. Mostly I just sighed. I’d accepted the fact that he was no longer the lad I once knew. He’d chosen
the wrong kind of people to hang around with and had got into trouble. I knew these things only too well. Still, the
news that he was in hospital shook me all the same. It was Beth’s brother who told me.
‘Wait for me outside Whitechapel station, Ashe,’ Beth had said. She was late and I kept looking at my mobile to
check the time.
The odd thing was that I’d been thinking about Tyler since the previous afternoon. I’d seen him while walking
home from college. He’d got out of a car about ten metres in front of me. It had taken me only a second to recognise
who it was and I’d darted into the doorway of a closed shop to avoid coming face to face with him.
When eventually I’d peeked out, he was standing on the pavement speaking on the phone. He had a long coat on
over jeans and boots. His hair was cropped and his face was pale. He wasn’t wearing his glasses and his free hand was
cutting the air as if he was making points while talking. He was looking round but his attention was on the call.
Suddenly, he brought it to an abrupt end and slipped the mobile into a pocket. He walked a couple of steps and then,
to my dismay, he spotted me. He smiled and headed in my direction. I kept my face towards the glass window and
studied one of the posters that had been stuck there. ‘Ashe!’ he’d called.
‘Oh, hi!’‘What are you up to?’ he said, glancing at the poster on the shop window. I stumbled out some words
about looking for a gig to go to. I’d no idea what my hair looked like or if I’d got a spot on my chin or if he’d noticed
me earlier watching him from the shop doorway. ‘Fancy a coffee?’ he said.
‘I’ve got to be somewhere,’ I said, stepping out of the shop doorway and making off.
‘See you, Ashe,’ he’d called after me.
After about twenty metres, I looked round and saw that he was in exactly the same position, staring at me. He
raised his hand in a tiny wave and I turned and went on. I didn’t look back again.
I’d thought about him on and off during the previous evening. Now, while waiting for Beth, I thought about him
again. I wondered what he was doing. I pictured the funny brown glasses he’d worn to read with and wondered if he
still read books by George Orwell. Perhaps I should have gone for that coffee, I might not get another chance to find
out what he was really up to these days.
Beth was very late. A couple of cars started hooting and there were some raised voices from a group of
pedestrians who were ignoring the red man and crossing the road. I looked through the shoppers to see if I could see
Beth’s cheery face but there was no sign. I took my mobile out of my pocket again and stared at the screen, but again
drew a blank. I wondered what to do. I was stamping my feet with the cold. Something must have happened. Beth
wouldn’t just leave me standing in the freezing cold for no reason. Tyler came into my mind again. That’s when I saw
her brother walking towards me.
31. In the first paragraph, Ashe is surprised to discover that Tyler ___________.
A. has got into trouble again.
B. has made unsuitable friends.
C. has been admitted to hospital.
D. has been the subject of rumours.
32. How did Ashe feel when she’d first seen Tyler the previous day?
A. unsure if it was him
B. surprised that he was driving.
C. keen that he shouldn’t see her
D. upset that he didn’t recognise her.

3. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
33. The word ‘it’ (Paragraph Four, underlined) refers to ____________.
A. a movement.
B. a conversation.
C. a way of looking.
D. a piece of equipment.
34. When Tyler finally noticed her, Ashe felt ____________.
A. relieved that he was smiling.
B. sure he’d been waiting for her.
C. offended by something he said.
D. concerned about her appearance.
35. After meeting Tyler the previous day, Ashe had felt ____________.
A. sorry that she’d been rude.
B. curious about his current life.
C. guilty about refusing his invitation.
D. convinced that she would see him again.
36. The phrase ‘drew a blank’ (last paragraph, underlined) suggests that ___________.
A. Beth had left no message.
B. Ashe’s mobile wasn’t working.
C. Ashe had decided to wait no longer.
D. Beth was just being typically unreliable.
PART 6: You are going to read an article about jobs that involve international travel. Six sentences have been
removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A – G the one which fits each gap (37 – 42). There is one
extra sentence which you do not need to use.
WANT TO JOIN THE JET SET?
You could be jetting off to exotic locations, staying in five star hotels, eating in top-class restaurants, and it’s all
paid for by your employer. Who wouldn’t want a job that involves foreign travel? 37. ______________. The number
of jobs requiring international travel is growing significantly. And citing business travel experience on your CV can
bring enormous professional benefits.
But it’s not always as exciting as it sounds. There is a big difference between travelling to Milan as a tourist and
travelling there to spend a day in the type of hotel meeting room that can be found anywhere in Europe. It can be very
exciting, but you need to keep your feet firmly on the ground. Speak to seasoned international business travellers to
get an idea of what you will face. Flights can be delayed, things can go wrong and it’s easy to get exhausted. Many
jobs mean travelling alone, so you can be lonely.
Simply targeting any job that involves foreign travel is not the way to start. 38. _____________. It’s as illogical
as saying you want a job that involves wearing smart clothes. Instead, you should consider all the usual factors, such
as qualifications and experience, and only then choose a sector or company that offers opportunities for international
travel.
The travel and hotel trades are obvious areas, but the commercial sector also offers good prospects for travel. In
the retail sector, buyers often travel, especially if they work in fresh produce, where they have to check the suitability
of crops. 39. ______________. Jobs in the engineering and environment sector can involve travel, too. Almost any
career can mean international travel, if you choose the right company and role. The number of jobs involving travel,
especially at middle-management level, is growing.
So what will help you secure a role with an international flavour? 40. _____________. A second language is a
good indication of how well someone will adapt. You need to show you are flexible and willing to learn. I f your
company has a sister company in the Czech Republic, for instance, learning some Czech will boost your chances.
Find out what the company offers as a support package. Many now guarantee that you can return home at the
weekends, or they will limit the amount that people travel each year. 41. _____________. One company asked
graduates fresh out of university to move to another country over a weekend, alone, and to find their own
accommodation.
And it’s as well to remember that international travel can be stressful. People can get burned out by international
business travel. You need to be in control of your schedule, rather than leaving it to the company. You must ensure
you get time to rest and talk to your employer all the time about how you are coping. Don’t wait for formal appraisals
or until they ask for your views. 42. ______________. Most sensible companies ask people to commit to two to three
years. This increases the likelihood of success. And most people who travel on business remember it fondly.
A. On the other hand, it does bring personal benefits, and it also has a dramatic effect on promotion prospects.
B. Making travel your first requirement is not the way to choose a career.
C. And realize you might not want to travel for ever.
D. Employers look for candidates with an international outlook.
E. And there are plenty of opportunities.
F. But not all employers are like this.
G. Employment in communications, banking and finance, and property management is also worth looking at.

PART 7: You are going to read an article about fathers and sons. For questions 43 – 52, choose from the people (A
– D). The people may be chosen more than once.
Which person’s father ………..
43. always had faith in his son’s abilities?
44. encouraged his son not to give up in the face of disappointment?

4. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
45. gave his son advice in a light-hearted way?
46. made his son realise the need to try harder?
47. may not have succeeded in passing on certain ideas to his son?
48. never blamed his son for mistakes that he made?
49. put no pressure on his son to follow in his footsteps?
50. reassured his son when equipment let him down?
51. showed his son how to perform practical tasks?
52. was willing to listen to his son’s suggestions?
A. TONY: Racing driver
‘Drive it like you stole it and keep it on the black stuff!’ I was quite nervous when I first started racing, but those were
my dad’s jokey words of wisdom and they made me feel better at the time. In the beginning, I had quite a few spins on
the circuits – the very first one was particularly scary because the car left the track, but he never said it was my fault. I
used to drive a Porsche 924 and pretty much every single race something would break, but Dad would just say: ‘Don’t
worry about the car, we can always fix it.’ I didn’t like people behind me when I went round corners, but Dad was
always telling me not to take any notice, to focus on what I was doing. I’ve got a long way to go, but Dad ’s really
good – he’s hardly the most polite person to have around if things don’t go well, but he’s my role model.
B. DAVID: Record producer
Because Dad and I have always been close, there was no one moment when he imparted some big philosophical piece
of advice. I think his greatest gift has been his general unwavering belief in me. Since I was about fourteen, he’s given
me the opportunity to input ideas and have my say about the bands we work with or the equipment we use, which is
amazing. When you’re part of a family business, it can sometimes feel as if you have to be there, but my brother and I
have done other things, and we’re back with Dad again because we want to be. He left the decision to us. Dad’s also
been good at giving career advice because he’s done it and he’s got the experience. He’s given me that drive and
ambition to succeed.
C. ANDY: Buyer for a department store
I was probably Dad’s most unruly son. He tried to teach me a lot of things – how much I’ve taken on board is another
matter. But I don’t think I’m such a disappointment to him! He’s a very cool dad, but he’s quite traditional in some
ways. He’s always said that if you want to succeed, then get on with it. If you’re going to do something, do it right
away or at least write it down so you don’t forget! I’m proud of my dad and how hard he worked for us to have a
lovely childhood and good lifestyle. Dad also taught me valuable skills like how to change the oil in my car, how to
play tennis and ski – although the last time he saw me doing that he said he feared for his life!
D. SIMON: Rugby player
He had this catchphrase: ‘Under-prepare, and you prepare to fail.’ I heard it time and again. A typical teenager when
things went wrong, I was always trying to blame everything and everyone but myself. He used his catchphrase and
explained that if you don’t put sufficient effort in, you’ll never get anything out of whatever it is you’re doing. That’s
stayed with me ever since, even now when I’m playing professionally. He’s always given a fair amount of advice. He
made me realise that if you just stick at something, no matter how hard things get, then your time will come. It’s the
hardest thing to hear when things aren’t going well. At the beginning of the season, I wasn’t getting picked for many
matches. Then when the chance came to play, I really took it.

Your answer:
43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52.
PART 8: For questions 25 – 30, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using
the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.
53. Joan was in favour of visiting the museum. IDEA
→ Joan thought it would be ________________________________________ to the museum.
54. Arthur has the talent to become a concert pianist. THAT
→ Arthur is so ______________________________________ could become a concert pianist.
55. ''Do you know when the match starts, Sally?'' asked Mary. IF
→ Mary asked Sally _________________________________________ time the match started.
56. I knocked for ages at Ruth's door but I got no reply. LONG
→ I ___________________________________________ knocking at Ruth's door but I got no reply.
57. Everyone says that the band is planning to go on a world tour next year. SAID
→ The band ___________________________________________ planning to go on a world tour next year.
58. I'd prefer not to cancel the meeting. CALL
→ I'd rather __________________________________________________________ the meeting.

5. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
PRACTICE TEST FCE 2 – LISTENING AND WRITING
PART 1: You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1 – 8, choose the best answer (A,
В or C).
1. You hear part of a conversation in a watch repair shop. What is the man doing?
A. refusing to accept the watch for repair.
B. encouraging the customer to buy a watch.
C. advising the customer to have the watch mended
elsewhere.
2. You are on a train and you hear a woman leaving a message on an answering machine. Why is she calling?
A. to arrange a lift from the station
B. to change the time of her evening meal
C. to find out bus times from the station
3. You hear a talent show judge commenting on a performance she has just seen. What does she think of the man’s
performance?
A. He lacks confidence. B. He chose the wrong song. C. He has a weak singing voice.
4. You hear the beginning of a talk in a community centre. What will the talk be about?
A. local history. B. transport problems. C. modern agriculture.
5. You hear a man talking about saving money. He wants to buy
A. a motorcycle. B. a bicycle. C. a car.
6. You hear a woman talking about a concert being cancelled. What does she think about this?
A. She is glad it will not take place.
B. It should be re-arranged for a later date.
C. She should have been told sooner.
7. You hear a man and woman talking about a flat they are considering renting. What do they both like about it?
A. the size. B. the low rent. C. the furniture
8. You hear a woman talking about her tablet computer. How does she feel about it?
A. She finds something about it annoying.
B. She wants to get a more powerful model.
C. She spends too much time using it.
PART 2: You will hear a man called Markus Fischer talking about mooncake, a traditional Asian bakery product.
For questions 9 – 18, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.
MOONCAKE
Markus was staying in 9. ________________ when he first tried mooncake.
Markus’s favourite kind of mooncake has a filling made of 10. ________________.
Markus says that he likes to have 11. ________________ with mooncake.
Mooncake is popular during the Moon Festival, which last year was held in 12. _______________.
The mooncake Marcus was given during the festival had the shape of a 13. ________________ on the top.
Markus was surprised to learn that mooncake is rarely made 14. ________________ in China.
The people Markus was staying with received mooncake from their 15. ________________.
His host family gave Markus a mooncake that had a slightly 16. ________________ flavour.
Markus was told that, many years ago, people used mooncakes to send 17. _________________ to each other.
After people had read what was written on the mooncake, they 18. ________________ it.
PART 3: You will hear five short extracts in which people talk about deciding to take up new interests.
For questions 19 – 23, choose from the list (A – H) the reason each speaker gives for deciding to take up their new
interest. Use the letters only once. There are three extra letters which you do not need to use.
A. to help other people
В. to make some money
C. to pass the time
D. to meet new people
E. to try to win a prize
F. to overcome a fear
G. to get fit
H. to make a change from their work
Speaker 1: _______
Speaker 2: _______
Speaker 3: _______
Speaker 4: _______
Speaker 5: _______
PART 4: You will hear an interview with a woman called Adriana Moretti, who works as a wildlife photographer.
For questions 24 – 30, choose the best answer (A, В or C).
24. Why did Adriana want to become a wildlife photographer?
A. She enjoyed travelling to remote locations.
B. She was very good at taking photos.
C. She was interested in animal behaviour.
25. Why, according to Adriana, is it easier nowadays to learn how to photograph animals?
A. The necessary equipment is cheaper than it used to be.
B. It is possible to learn wildlife photography online.
C. Cheap international travel means more species can be photographed.
26. Why did Adriana feel uncomfortable while she was trying to take photos of birds?
A. She was not able to sit down. B. Her feet were getting wet. C. She was being bitten by insects.

6. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
27. How did Adriana feel when she was trying to photograph the crocodile?
A. afraid that it might try to attack her.
B. worried she may not get the photo she wanted.
C. increasingly bored with waiting to take the picture.
28. Adriana has still never taken photos of _____________.
A. a tiger in India. B. a snow leopard in China. C. a polar bear in Russia.
29. What disadvantage does Adriana say her work has?
A. She sometimes feels lonely when she is working abroad.
B. She doesn’t see her family as often as she would like to.
C. She always has to go where the agency tells her.
30. Adriana believes it is becoming harder to get work as a wildlife photographer because ___________.
A. so many photos of wildlife are available on the Internet.
B. there is a lot of competition for jobs in wildlife photography.
C. people are becoming less interested in wildlife.
PART 5: You will hear an interview with the film actor Mikey Standish. For questions 1 – 7, choose the best
answer (A, B or C).
31. What helped Pamela to decide to become a fashion designer?
A. working as an assistant in a fashion shop.
B. doing research into the fashion industry.
C. attending a course on fashion design.
32. What does Pamela say about having a degree in fashion?
A. It's essential for promotion. B. It's evidence of your ability. C. It guarantees you a better income.
33. Pamela says that when starting your own fashion label, it's most important to
A. enjoy the creative process. B. contact shops that might sell it. C. have a business plan.
34. Where does Pamela usually find inspiration for her fashion designs?
A. in the work of other designers B. in the styles of other countries C. in the clothes her friends wear
35. What aspect of her work does Pamela find most difficult to deal with?
A. the pressure to meet deadlines B. the failure of some of her designs C. the need to attend fashion shows
36. According to Pamela, successful designers need to be able to
A. predict future fashions. B. recognise all past styles. C. get their designs published.
37. What advice does Pamela have for people who want a career in fashion?
A. Be aware of the options available. B. Don't be afraid of sudden fame. C. Learn from your own errors.
PART 6: You will hear a radio programme about a boy called Michael who crossed the Atlantic in a sailing boat.
For questions 38 – 47, complete the sentences.
SAILING SOLO ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
To achieve his record, Michael had to sail a total of (38) ________________ kilometres without any help.
Michael helped to design his boat which was called (39) ________________.
Michael and his father were concerned in case any (40) ________________ came too close to them.
All the food that Michael took on his voyage was in (41) _________________ bought at the supermarket.
The type of food which Michael missed most on the trip was (42) _________________.
Michael enjoyed using his (43) _________________ to keep track of what his father was doing.
Michael's favourite pastimes on the boat were using his sister's (44) _________________ and reading.
Michael got a fright when a (45) _________________ landed on him.
The name of the charity that Michael is raising funds for is (46) _________________.
When Michael sails round the world, he plans to take (47) ________________ with him in case he feels homesick.
PART 7: You will hear five different people talking about cookery courses. For questions 48 – 52, choose from the
list (A – F) what each speaker says about the course they took. Use the letters only once. There is one extra letter
which you do not need to use.
A. It helped me to renew my enthusiasm for cooking.
B. It taught me how to use the latest kitchen equipment.
C. It took into account the fact that I wasn't a beginner.
D. It required me to do things rather than just watch.
E. It gave me skills I wish I'd acquired earlier in life.
F. It included an unexpected search for ingredients.
Speaker 1: _______
Speaker 2: _______
Speaker 3: _______
Speaker 4: _______
Speaker 5: _______
Your answer:
Speaker 1: ________ Speaker 2: ________ Speaker 3: ________ Speaker 4: ________ Speaker 5: ________

7. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
PRACTICE TEST FCE 1 – ANSWER KEY
READING:
PART 1:
1. D – fulfilled. ‘To fulfil an ambition’ is the only correct collocation here.
2. A – estimated. The only verb that can be used in passive form correctly.
3. A – according. The only word that can be used with preposition ‘to’. ‘Depending’ and ‘relying’ are used with
‘on’, ‘agreeing’ takes ‘with’.
4. B – tendency. Answers A and D do not fit contextually as they have different meaning. Habit can’t be used
because it should be followed by a gerund: ‘be in the habit of doing something’.
5. D – further. ‘Further out’ is the only correct collocation of the four.
6. C – Whichever. The only determiner that can be used with a noun here.
7. A – head. ‘To head for’ means ‘to go in a certain direction’.
8. C – pursuit. ‘In pursuit of something’ means ‘seeking, chasing something’. Other nouns do not fit ‘in … of
something’ construction.
PART 2:
9. come. ‘Come as a surprise’ is a set expression.
10. is. ‘The strange thing … is that‘.
11. more. ‘Even more’ is used for contrast.
12. ago. A time in the past is mentioned.
13. from. ‘To get inspiration from something or someone’.
14. would/could. Both modals are acceptable here – both meanings fit the context.
15. so. ‘So that’ is the phrase that means possibility to do something.
16. how. They talk about the skill of Kieron’s drawing.
PART 3:
17. truth. Adjective to noun transformation.
18. relationship. Do not pluralise the noun, otherwise it won’t be counted as right.
19. unsuitable. Note the negative prefix suggested by the context of the sentence.
20. absence. Adjective to noun transformation. Make sure to spell the word with ‘c’.
21. inappropriate. Similar case to Question 19, a negative prefix is needed.
22. scientists. Plural is required by ‘think’.
23. Unfortunately. Attacks from viruses is something undesirable, so a negative prefix should be used.
24. easily. Adjective to adverb transformation.
PART 4:
25. has been/is three years since. Both variants are acceptable.
26. buy everything except. Note how changing forgot to remembered changes the sentence.
27. had arrived on time. Past perfect is used to show how one thing happened after the other.
28. not used to wearing. Use gerund after ‘used to’
29. accused Jennifer of breaking. Accuse of something.
30. (really) looking forward to using. Both variants can be used here.
PART 5:
31. C. …the news that he was in hospital shook me all the same. The opposite of A, B and D is mentioned.
32. C. Last sentence of Paragraph Three: … I’d darted into the doorway of a closed shop to avoid coming face to
face with him. The opposite of A and D is mentioned. Nothing relating to Answer B is stated.
33. B. ‘He was looking round but his attention was on the call. Suddenly, he brought it to an abrupt end’. ‘It’
refers to the call, or the conversation as the answer puts it.
34. D. Paragraph Six: ‘I’d no idea what my hair looked like or if I’d got a spot on my chin‘. Answers A and C are
not mentioned. Answer B shouldn’t be chosen as Ashe is only guessing whether Tyler had noticed her earlier.
35. B. Last but one paragraph: I wondered what he was doing. I pictured the funny brown glasses he’d worn to
read with and wondered if he still read books by George Orwell. Answer A is not mentioned. Answer C is wrong –
she felt sorry about turning down the invitation, not guilty. The opposite of Answer D is said.
36. A. To draw a blank means to get nothing, to get no result. This refers to Beth not calling or sending a message
about her being late. Other answer are not relevant to the phrase.
PART 6:

8. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
37. E. This answers the question posed in the previous sentence.
38. B. An advice is given in the previous sentence, and then more explanation is presented in Sentence B
39. G. A range of occupations is talked about in the paragraph, and Sentence G presents additional examples of
such spheres of work.
40. D. The question in the previous sentence asks for qualities of potential candidates and Sentence D gives the
answer – what the employer is looking for in people they want to hire for a job involving a lot of travelling.
41. F. Sentence F contrasts the previous sentences about companies that care about their employees and the
sentence after the gap that asked their workers to move on a very short notice.
42. C. This paragraph gives tips, including the warning in Sentence C about not wanting to travel for the rest of
your life.
PART 7:
43. B. I think his greatest gift has been his general unwavering belief in me.
44. D. He made me realise that if you just stick at something, no matter how hard things get, then your time will
come.
45. A. ‘Drive it like you stole it and keep it on the black stuff!’ … those were my dad’s jokey words of wisdom.
46. D. He used his catchphrase and explained that if you don’t put sufficient effort in, you’ll never get anything out
of whatever it is you’re doing.
47. C. He tried to teach me a lot of things – how much I’ve taken on board is another matter.
48. A. … he never said it was my fault.
49. B. … but my brother and I have done other things, and we’re back with Dad again because we want to be. He
left the decision to us.
50. A. I used to drive a Porsche 924 and pretty much every single race something would break, but Dad would just
say: ‘Don’t worry about the car, we can always fix it.’
51. C. Dad also taught me valuable skills like how to change the oil in my car, how to play tennis and ski…
52. B. Since I was about fourteen, he’s given me the opportunity to input ideas and have my say about the bands
we work with or the equipment we use, which is amazing.
VOCABULARY
Part 1:
Natural habitat — the area and conditions where an animal usually lives. This TV-show gives us a chance to see
bears in their natural habitat.
Inlet (n) — a narrow strip of water that goes into the land, for example between islands.
Shoal (n) — a group of fish swimming together. The water was crystal clear and we could see shoals of fish at sea
bottom.
Herring (n) – silver-coloured fish, usually found in large groups. This island is most famous for its herring fishing.
Part 2:
Landscape (n) — large area of land and the way it looks. Icelandic countries are known for their rocky landscapes
and cliffs.
Depict (v) — to show or present in a form of a picture or a story. In this book the author depicts the hard life of
harbour workers.
Sketchpad (n) — sheets of paper joined together used for drawing. Sketchpad is an affordable gift for a kid who is
into drawing.
Part 3:
Pass down (phr) — to give something to someone who is younger or not as important as you. This knowledge is
passed down from one generation to another.
Convince (v) — to make someone change their mind, to persuade someone. Try to convince your boss to give you a
raise – you’ve been working in the company for two years now.
Blood vessel (v) — the tubes that carry blood in your body. If a blood vessels comes open, you better use bandage to
avoid intense bleeding.
Part 5
Lad (n) — a boy, a guy or a young man. Those lads look like trouble, don’t spend too much time around them.
Dart (v) — move somewhere quickly and suddenly. There was a crash and a small boy darted out of the room right
after.

9. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
Peek out (phr v) — to look out of something in a secret way in order not to be seen. I was to scared to peek out and
see if they were still there.
Cropped (adj) — cut to be made shorter. His cropped hair didn’t look that good – I liked him better the old way.
Dismay (n) — feeling lost and disappointed. To my dismay, nobody turned up for my birthday party.
Gig (n) — a music concert, especially pop or rock. We didn’t have anything planned so we went to a rock gig with a
couple of her friends.
Fancy (v) — (v) if you fancy something, you’d like or want to have it. I didn’t fancy going to the movies that night
so instead we went to a pub.
Hoot (v) — (here) to use car’s horn signal. There was a huge traffic jam downtown, drivers hooting impatiently at
each other.
Part 6
Cite (v) — quote, bring up as an example. You could cite some well-known scientist to make your argument sound
more convincing.
Seasoned (adj) — experienced and knowledgeable. A seasoned adventurer like you shouldn’t be afraid of spending a
night in the woods.
Burn out (phr) — if you burn out, you stop liking something because you’ve had too much of it. I’m afraid to burn
out on my favourite TV-series so I only watch one episode a week.
Appraisal (n) — examination of something to judge how good or bad it is. They are going to appraise your
professional performance tomorrow.
Fondly (adv) — in a way that you like or enjoy. I remember the moments from my childhood fondly.
Prospects (n) — how likely something good is to happen in the future. This company’s financial prospects are pretty
good – it will probably triple the money it has by the end of next year.
Outlook (n) — the likely situation in the future. The outlook for the university is not so great, especially after the
recent scandal!
Part 7
Light-hearted (adj) — careless, happy and not serious. Nancy’s light-hearted attitude made her very popular at
school.
Reassure (v) — to make someone less worried by telling them something comforting. There was nobody around to
reassure Stacy when the crisis struck.
Jokey (adj) — not serious, funny. Bill is a jokey fellow, and he likes to be known for that.
Circuit (n) — a closed road that is used for racing. Suzuka is the most famous racing circuit in Japan.
Role model (n) — a person you respect, admire and want to be similar too. Fathers often become role models for
their sons.
Impart (v) — to share information with someone, to communicate a message. The words of wisdom that he would
sometimes impart were going to affect my whole life.
Unwavering(n) — never stopping or becoming weaker. An unwavering desire to make money is something every
businessperson could benefit from.
Unruly (adj) — hard to control, independent, not obeying the rules. Joshua is an unruly employee who never follows
company dress code.
Catchphrase (n) — something that is used often by a person and a company and becomes associated with them.
‘Don’t give up, no matter what’ came to be my footbal coach catchphrase.
Stick at smth — continue doing something hard or difficult. If you won’t stick at it, you will never become a good
actor.
LISTENING:
Part 1:
1. B 2. A 3. C 4. A 5. C 6. C 7. B 8. A
Part 2:
9. Japan 10. nuts 11. tea 12. September 13. rabbit
14.at home/in homes 15. employer(s) 16. salty 17. secret messages 18. ate
Part 3:
19. D 20. B 21. F 22. H 23. A
Part 4:

10. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
24. C 25. A 26. C 27. B 28. C 29. B 30. B
Part 5:
31. B 32. B 33. C 34. C 35. A 36. B 37. A
Part 6:
38. 5600 39.Cheeky Monkey 40. (large) ships 41. tins 42. (hot) toast
43. binoculars 44. I-Pod 45. flying fish 46.Children In Need 47. photo(graph)s
Part 7:
48. C 49. F 50. A 51. E 52. D

TRANSCRIPT:
File nghe: https://engexam.info/fce-listening-practice-tests/fce-listening-practice-test-2/
PART 1:
Question 1:
Man: I’m sorry but quite frankly it’s hardly worth mending.
Woman: Are you sure? I know it cost a lot when my grandmother bought it.
Man: Well, you could take it to another watch repairers but you’d be wasting your time because they
would tell you exactly the same, I’m afraid.
Woman: I see.
Man: So really the best alternative would be to replace it [1]. As it happens, I think we have a very
similar model in stock. I can check now if you like.
Woman: No, I’d rather have this one fixed if you don’t mind.
Man: OK, I’ll see what we can do.
Question 2:
Jane: Hi, it’s Jane. The train was stuck in a tunnel for over an hour and though we’re moving again it
looks as if I won’t make it in time to catch the bus. I think the last one leaves the station at twenty past nine,
and there won’t be any taxis around at that time either. So I’d really appreciate it if you could pick me up
there [2]. And of course you needn’t wait for me to have dinner, you go ahead and have yours and I’ll get
something from the snack bar here. Can you call me back or text me to confirm? Thanks, see you later.
Question 3:
Judge: Well, it’s good to see someone who really believes in their own ability to sing a tune as powerful
as that, even though others – including myself, I’m afraid – are unlikely to share that belief [3]. Which is a
pity, because it was brave of him to attempt such a challenging piece of music, and he certainly has the right
look to be a star, too. I know some will say he should’ve sung something less demanding, to at least get
through to the next round of the competition; but I always feel that’s a mistake, that it’s better for everyone
if limited technical ability is apparent [3] from the start.
Question 4:
Speaker: Before I begin, I just want to thank everyone for attending, especially those of you who’ve had
a difficult journey owing to the floods that have affected both road and rail links from neighbouring areas.
I’d also like to express my sympathy to the farmers around here whose crops have been destroyed by the
extreme weather. I hope that this evening’s subject, rural life in this area in the nineteenth century [4], might
be of particular interest as we shall be looking at how communities coped with natural disasters such as
these in earlier times.
Question 5:
Man: I’ve managed to save up quite a lot from my wages, and if I can find someone who’ll give me a
good price for my mountain bike I should just about have enough. I thought about getting a big fast
motorbike, like the one Max has, but four wheels have always appealed to me more, even when I was kid [5].
I remember getting into a really smart two-seater when I was too small to see through the windscreen, and
thinking ‘one day I’m going to have one of these’. Well, nothing’s changed since then [5].
Question 6:
Woman: It was supposed to be tomorrow night and I do wish they’d let me know before I’d arranged for
someone to look after the twins then [6]. She was very good about it, though, and said she could come over
another evening instead, so I suggested next Friday as there’s an exhibition on at the local gallery that I’d
very much like to see. I’m pleased about that, of course, but ideally I would’ve been able to go to both that
and the concert.
Question 7:

11. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
Woman: It’s certainly one of the better ones we’ve seen, isn’t it?
Man: Yes, I quite liked the high ceilings and big windows. They give a real feeling of space.
Woman: Yes, though in fact there isn’t actually a lot of floor space, and all that furniture takes up most
of what there is. I’d replace some of those things, too.
Man: Some of them are rather old-fashioned, I agree, but I suppose you can’t expect everything to be
brand new when the landlord’s charging so little, and that’s definitely a plus [7].
Woman: And with what that would save us, we could afford some new items for the place [7]. So let’s
go for it.
Question 8:
Woman: It’s certainly a wonderful device and I wouldn’t be without it. In fact, it goes everywhere with
me so that it’s always there whenever I need it. I suppose using a virtual keyboard can sometimes get on my
nerves a bit [8] when I have to write a long email, but there wouldn’t be any point in upgrading to a more
expensive one with more memory or whatever because I’d still have the same problem. But apart from that,
I’m very happy with it.

PART 2:
Markus Fischer: Mooncake has long been popular among the Chinese communities in many western
societies and of course it first appeared in China many centuries ago, and it’s also extremely popular in
countries such as Indonesia and Thailand, but I hadn’t actually tasted it until I visited Japan some years
ago [9]. I enjoyed it so much that since then I’ve eaten it in places as far apart as Vietnam and the
Philippines, each time being pleasantly surprised by the differences in appearance, ingredients and flavour.
Of the traditional types in China, I very much like those filled with egg, dried fruit or seeds, though for me
the one that really stands out has nuts inside [10]. All of these kinds are quite sweet, as of course are the
more modern varieties filled with chocolate or ice-cream, though I’m not so keen on those. Whatever the
type of mooncake, though, it is best accompanied by tea [11]. I certainly drank lots of it when I was in
Shanghai last year, rather than my usual favourite coffee with milk. I was fortunate enough to be there while
people were celebrating the Moon Festival, an annual event that sometimes takes place in October
although last autumn it was in September [12]. In other years it’s been held only just after the end of August.
During the festival I learnt a lot more about mooncake from the Chinese family I was staying with. I
noticed the form of a rabbit on the upper surface of the one I was about to bite into [13], and it was pointed
out to me that others may have flowers on the top, or the name of the baker’s written there. Mooncake is
traditionally seen as a way of bringing families closer together, so I’d assumed that most Chinese people
baked their own at home, but when I asked the family about that they said few did [14], mainly because it’s
so difficult to prepare. Nowadays, of course, people in towns and cities often buy mooncakes in
supermarkets, and at that time of year many are received as presents in gift-wrapped boxes, often from
relatives or friends, though in the case of my host family theirs was from the employer [15] of both the man
and the woman. Although living in Shanghai, the family originally came from the city of Ningbo, further up
the coast to the north-east, and as a gift they gave me a mooncake to take with me when I left. This one
differed from the generally sweet varieties found elsewhere in China in that it tasted a little salty [16], on
account of the fact that it was made from locally-produced ingredients that included meat. By this time I was
becoming fascinated by everything connected with mooncake, and I asked the family to tell me a little about
its history. They told me it first became popular in the fourteenth century during the time of the Ming
Revolution, when people passed on secret messages to one another as writing on the top of four
mooncakes [17]. To understand the code, the cakes had to be cut into four slices each and then joined with
those from the other cakes to complete the message. This took place on the day of the Moon Festival, which
then – as it still is today – was one of the most important dates in the Chinese calendar. Once the message
had been received, the evidence soon disappeared when everyone ate the mooncakes [18]. Another legend
describes the passing of messages hidden inside mooncake, although presumably in that case the secret letter
was burnt once it had been read.
PART 3
Speaker 1:
I’ve always been a keen swimmer and that keeps me in good shape, so when I made my mind up to do
badminton it was far more about socialising than exercising [19], especially as I’d only recently moved to
this part of town and I hardly knew anyone. I hadn’t realised, though, just how competitive badminton can
be – so much so that I’ve now been invited to take part in a local championship. I’ve got no chance of

12. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
winning it, or even coming close, and to be honest I’m not really bothered about that, but it might be fun so I
think I’ll give it a try.
Speaker 2:
I work part-time in a petrol station, which in some ways is quite a pleasant job but last year I found that I
was increasingly getting into financial difficulties. So I began to study the way electronic devices work and
how to repair them [20]. I found that fascinating, and eventually I felt confident enough to place an online ad
offering my services. I got loads of replies and I’ve now paid off nearly all my debts. I’ve thought of giving
up my job at the petrol station, but I think I’d miss meeting different people every day if I worked entirely
from home.

Speaker 3:
For years I’d been so scared of heights that some people used to make fun of me, so one day I decided to
do something about it: go rock climbing [21]. Feeling that if I could do that I’d be able to do anything, I
joined a local club. On my first day I was surprised to find there were two other people who’d joined for the
same reason, and we soon became friends. Together we got fitter and stronger, and encouraged each other to
keep going, until by the end of the year we felt unconcerned about tackling the most challenging of climbs.

Speaker 4:
I never imagined that going horse riding could be such good exercise until I’d spent a weekend trekking
in the mountains with friends. That was something of a bonus, really, because what’d initially attracted me
to it was that it offered a contrast in every respect to my day job as a cab driver in a noisy, polluted city
centre [22]. And although it’s certainly not the cheapest of activities, I find it so relaxing that I always feel
it’s worth every penny.

Speaker 5:
Gardening had always seemed to me as just a way of passing the time, of doing something completely
different from office work, or perhaps even – for the really keen – of winning a prize for the largest home-
grown vegetable. So it was only by chance that I became interested in it, when the old lady next door asked
me to look after her garden while she was away. On her return she was so delighted by my efforts that I felt
I’d done something really worthwhile, so I then offered to garden for other neighbours in their 80s and
90s [23]. They sometimes offered me money, but I always refused to accept it.
PART 4:
Interviewer: Adriana, what originally made you decide you wanted to be a professional wildlife
photographer?
Adriana: Well, unlike some who eventually take it up as a career, I wasn’t a particularly talented
photographer, but I was fascinated by what living creatures do and why [24]. I developed my skills as a
photographer while I was actually doing the job, and it wasn’t until then I realised my work could take me to
all kinds of distant places.
Interviewer: So beginners don’t need to take budget flights abroad to improve their photographic skills?
Adriana: No, they can usually do that in their local countryside, where there’ll probably be just as wide a
variety of wildlife as anywhere, really. Actually, learning has if anything become simpler. For instance, the
cost of good-quality digital cameras and other essential items has fallen dramatically in recent times,
enabling far more people to take good photos [25]. Studying photography can certainly help improve one’s
technical ability, though I’d do that at college rather than by signing up for one of those online courses.
Interviewer: And of course you need practical experience.
Adriana: Yes, there are things you can’t learn sitting in a classroom. I remember I once spent all night
trying to photograph owls after it’d been raining heavily.
Interviewer: That can’t have been very comfortable.
Adriana: No, the ground was very wet and muddy, though fortunately I had a good pair of boots on and
there was a fence that made a good seat, but I found it hard to keep still because of the mosquitoes [26]. By
morning my face and hands were covered in bites, but I did get some great pictures.
Interviewer: So it’s a job that requires patience.
Adriana: Definitely. I was once in tropical Australia trying to get a shot of a huge crocodile as it opened
its mouth. I’d been lying there for ages and in that heat some might have got sleepy or bored, but I couldn’t
keep my eyes off that magnificent creature. I was quite close to it, but I knew that species of crocodile was
normally harmless to humans and my main concern was whether it would actually open its mouth at all

13. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
before I had to leave [27]. In the end it did, though, and it was worth the wait to get a picture of all those
teeth. Of course some animals are difficult to photograph at all.
Interviewer: For example?
Adriana: Well I hadn’t actually got round to photographing tigers until recently, when 1 was sent to a
National Park in India. And from there I travelled to northern China and managed to get some great pictures
of a snow leopard hunting in the mountains. It’d been my intention to go on to northern Russia to try to get
my first-ever shots of polar bears, but things didn’t work out as planned [28] so I’ll have to do that some
other time. I’ve taken photos of brown bears, of course, but they’re much easier to locate.
Interviewer: It certainly sounds a great job to have, but does it have any negative aspects?
Adriana: Well, the agency may expect you to go to some fairly unpleasant places, though if it’s a
country where there’s armed conflict going on I normally refuse. And being completely on one’s own in the
jungle or desert can get some people down, but I can’t say it bothers me. Spending so much time away from
my daughters, though, is a different matter, but unfortunately it goes with the job [29]. Whenever I’m home
I always try to make up for that by spending as much time as I can with them.
Interviewer: Tell me, how easy is it to get a job as a wildlife photographer?
Adriana: Well, it’s certainly an attractive career, and nowadays there are just so many people out there
doing it to such a high standard that it’s difficult to get into [30]. On the other hand, the public don’t show
any sign of losing interest in pictures of wildlife, and even though you can find millions of them online,
people always seem to want new ones.
Interviewer: Thank you, Adriana.
PART 5:
Interviewer: Hello, Pamela, welcome to the programme. So many young people want to be fashion
designers these days, but don't know how to get started.

Pamela Green: Hi. I felt exactly like that myself! You must first discover if this is really what you want to
do. I wasn't sure to begin with, so I started off by looking for a store in my neighbourhood that sold its own
clothes. The owner invited me into her studio and told me what a typical day was like. She allowed me to
ask as many questions as I wanted. Having made up my mind, I then contacted a few colleges to see what
courses in fashion were on offer, and I was lucky to find one that seemed ideal.

Interviewer: So a degree in fashion is a must?

Pamela Green: Well, you often meet designers who go to college later in life, after years of working in the
industry. The truth is the best students aren't always the best designers, but there's no denying that a degree
will show that you've got certain basic skills and get you your first job. Don't be surprised to find colleagues
with fewer qualifications on higher pay than yourself though. Making progress from that point will depend
entirely on your personal talent.

Interviewer: What basic skills do you need?

Pamela Green: When you ask a fashion student what they want to do, they often reply 'have my own line'.
Not an easy task, I must say. You need work experience first, ideally in a successful fashion shop, to
understand that this industry is led by commerce. Starting your own line requires capital and a clear
overview of how it's going to develop. Without it, clothes design can only be a hobby. Of course, if you've
got an eye for colour, style and shape and an ability to draw, you shouldn't let go of the dream.

Interviewer: Where do you get the inspiration for your designs?

Pamela Green: To be a good designer, you have to be aware of the world you live in, you need to go out
and look at people's lives and attitudes, you really have to learn how to observe what's happening around
you. And I don't mean going abroad necessarily - my social circle is invaluable for me, for example - a
constant source of ideas. You have to remember the clothes are not for you, you have to adapt to what other
people want. And don't be tempted to imitate the famous designers, however beautiful their collections
might look.

Interviewer: Now you're a successful designer, are things easier?

14. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students

Pamela Green: It took me a while to learn to cope with criticism, though. You think your design drawings
look brilliant, but you mustn't get upset if the garment doesn't look as you'd imagined it. What I've never
managed to get used to is the sheer amount of work involved in finishing your collection well in advance of
the season. Some designers stop attending fashion shows, for example, which involve lots of time-
consuming travelling, but I'd be unhappy to give that up.

Interviewer: Do you have to do a lot of reading to keep up with trends?

Pamela Green: You have to read fashion magazines and other media that reflect current trends and tastes. It
doesn't matter whether you want to use them in your own designs. Nobody knows what styles will be
fashionable in, say, two years' time, but the point is you have to know just about everything that's been done
before, so that you can spot it when it becomes popular again.

Interviewer: This is a very competitive industry. Realistically, what are the chances for somebody starting?

Pamela Green: Don't make the mistake of aiming just for designing outfits, which is just one part of a vast
industry. You may be perfectly happy as an obscure but competent designer of small pieces for collections -
jewellery, hats, shoes - all of which need to be created. And then somebody has to market them, sell them,
write about them. Fame and glory is just for the top twenty world designers, and life isn't always wonderful
even for them.

Interviewer: Pamela, many thanks.
PART 6:
In 2007, Michael Perham, a fourteen-year-old boy from the south of England, became the youngest person
to sail across the Atlantic alone. Michael set off from Gibraltar on the 5600 kilometre voyage which took
forty-seven days. It was a long and, some may say, dangerous adventure, but Michael was determined to get
there.

Michael started sailing when he was seven, and says the idea of an Atlantic crossing had been floating
around in his head for a few years. Then one day, his father, Peter, who's a keen sailor, decided that the time
was right. Michael helped with the design of a new 9-metre yacht which was built for them and to which
Michael gave the name 'Cheeky Monkey'.

They say that for a real sailor, crossing the Atlantic isn't a big deal, but people imagine that sharks and huge
waves would be the greatest dangers. In fact, Michael's father sailed alongside his son in his own boat to
make sure he was OK. They worked in shifts throughout the night; an hour on, then an hour off, because one
of them had to be on watch, in case large ships came too near to them.

Are you wondering what Michael ate during his voyage? Well, he says he and his father filled two
supermarket trolleys with things like sausages, spaghetti and stews, which could be easily heated in a
pan. Everything had to be in tins, though, because that type of food keeps fresher than stuff in packets or jars.

So what did Michael miss most? He says he sometimes missed human contact and having a face-to-face
conversation. He got used to his limited food supply but says what he really longed for was hot toast.
Knowing what teenagers are like, I'd been expecting him to say burgers or crisps, but then Michael is no
ordinary teenager!

When asked how he communicated with his father, Michael explains that it was all done by radio, though
for Michael nothing compared with the pleasure of following his father's progress through his binoculars.
Michael also communicated with his family at home by satellite phone. One day his father contacted
Michael to tell him a part of his own boat was broken, which really disappointed Michael because it might
mean that they would have to go slower. But, in the end, that wasn't necessary.

I asked Michael how he entertained himself on the boat. He told me he'd taken his guitar with him but it had
stayed in its case throughout the trip. He couldn't play because the boat was always rolling about! He loved

15. Bao Loc High School for The Gifted Exercise for Gifted Students
to read and he also had an iPod that his sister had lent him. This he plugged into portable speakers and it was
on pretty much all the time.

Was there anything that frightened Michael? He says the weather was a bit of a worry at times, and once he
got caught in a force-nine storm, but managed to handle the boat OK. The one event that really shook him
was when a flying fish jumped into the boat and hit him on the shoulder. But mostly things were great. like
sailing alongside dolphins and seeing the blues: skies anyone could ever imagine.

Everybody is really proud of Michael's achievements. And a remarkable thing about the trip is that he also
raised thousands of pounds for the charity known as 'Children in Need'. His school has been very supportive
- the headteacher allowed Michael to miss school, saying that a few weeks on the ocean would be an
amazing learning experience.

It's quite likely that Michael's next challenge will be to sail non-stop around the world. His father would do
the trip in another boat, but it would be a very different experience because they would be in 20- metre boats
which travel much faster, so they would never really be in sight of each other. Michael says next time he'll
remember to pack some photos, to remember friends and family if he feels lonely, but he'll leave the guitar
at home!
PART 7:
Speaker 1 There's such a vast range of cookery schools, it's unbelievable. Before booking a course, it's
advisable to decide what you want from it. For me it was easy - I wanted to pick up some new ideas for
entertaining but didn't need any basic techniques, so the course at the Brandale cookery school suited me
well. There were some people there who didn't know how to boil an egg, but there was extra tuition for them.
The course is run by Sylvie Brandale, who's written cookbooks and appeared on TV, and subjects included
'Stress-free parties' and 'Sauces from around the world'. All great topics and all of the ingredients were
provided.

Speaker 2 I was very lucky, really. I was on holiday, and I happened to hear that there was a new cookery
school at the nearby Four Seasons Hotel. They had four-hour classes every Saturday, starting at 7 am! The
day I attended there was a group of ten enthusiastic participants, all eagerly awaiting instructions - though I
gathered from their conversations that, unlike me, they were all fairly experienced cooks. You can
imagine the look on our faces though when we were told we were going to visit the open-air fish
market down by the port. We all came back having selected freshly caught seafood, and were then taught the
art of preparing it. Great stuff!

Speaker 3 I'm a good cook, or so my sister says. So she thought I'd do an advanced course. But I was keen
to go through the basics again, and this time I was determined to enjoy it. I registered for Glyn Harvey's
cookery classes - only four people in a class. We watched while he prepared the dishes, making it all seem
so effortless! There wasn't much real cooking, although he did invite us to help slice the potatoes and
tomatoes. And we were given some tasty, easy-to-cook recipes to take home. I came away bursting with
ideas for giving a dinner party - something I hadn't felt like doing in a long time.

Speaker 4 The course I attended covered a range of techniques, from basic to advanced, and it gave you lots
of practical tips. I was there to make up for the fact that, sadly, as a youngster. I was hardly ever allowed
into the kitchen, which meant I'd turned into a chuck-it in- the-pan sort of cook. Claire, the teacher, was very
chatty and full of enthusiasm. She demonstrated several dishes in the morning while we took notes, and then
we were given some equipment and it was our turn to have a go. I made a splendid vegetable tart, which we
ate at lunch. Now I'm planning to go again and this time I'll concentrate on the more demanding recipes.

Speaker 5 This weekend cookery course I did, had an emphasis on local ingredients, with hands-on practice
with the chefs. I wouldn't have been happy with taking notes and following demonstrations, no matter how
impressive the food produced. I wanted to get my hands dirty, just as I'd done as a little girl in school
cookery lessons. It was at a seaside resort, and you stay in a hotel which is very close to the fishing port, and
so get to cook the local seafood. It's really intensive and you cook two-course lunches as well as four-course
dinners! But you get enough free time to make it an enjoyable weekend too.