Cambridge practice papers

Read each sign or message and choose the best explanation.

1. Library notice: All laptops must be used in the study rooms on the first floor.

   You cannot use a laptop in the library.Laptops can only be used in one part of the library.Study rooms are only for students with laptops.

2. Text message: Train delayed by 40 minutes, so start the meeting without me and I will join later.

   The writer wants the meeting moved to another day.The writer will miss the whole meeting.The writer will arrive after the meeting begins.

3. Sports centre sign: Lockers free for members. Visitors pay 2 euros at reception.

   Members pay nothing to use a locker.Nobody has to pay for a locker.Lockers are only available at the pool.

4. Email to staff: Please send holiday requests before Friday. Anything later will be dealt with next month.

   No holiday requests are accepted this month.Requests sent after Friday will wait until next month.Friday is the last day of the holidays.

5. Cafe notice: Tables outside are served until 9 pm only.

   The cafe closes at 9 pm.After 9 pm customers must sit inside to be served.Outside tables have to be booked in advance.

Read about five people who want to take an evening course. Choose the best course for each person.

1. Marta feels nervous when she has to speak in front of her team and wants to sound more confident at work.

   A — Kitchen Basics: simple weekday cookingB — Photo Walks: taking better pictures outdoorsC — Speak Up: confidence for work presentationsD — Guitar From Zero: first chords and songsE — Digital Skills: spreadsheets for the officeF — Garden Year: growing food on a balconyG — Creative Writing: short storiesH — Running Club: from nothing to 5 km

2. Ivan has just moved into a small flat and wants to grow herbs and vegetables in a very small outdoor space.

   A — Kitchen Basics: simple weekday cookingB — Photo Walks: taking better pictures outdoorsC — Speak Up: confidence for work presentationsD — Guitar From Zero: first chords and songsE — Digital Skills: spreadsheets for the officeF — Garden Year: growing food on a balconyG — Creative Writing: short storiesH — Running Club: from nothing to 5 km

3. Nadia is always too tired to cook after work and wants quick ideas for meals during the week.

   A — Kitchen Basics: simple weekday cookingB — Photo Walks: taking better pictures outdoorsC — Speak Up: confidence for work presentationsD — Guitar From Zero: first chords and songsE — Digital Skills: spreadsheets for the officeF — Garden Year: growing food on a balconyG — Creative Writing: short storiesH — Running Club: from nothing to 5 km

4. Tom has never played an instrument but would love to learn a few songs to play with friends.

   A — Kitchen Basics: simple weekday cookingB — Photo Walks: taking better pictures outdoorsC — Speak Up: confidence for work presentationsD — Guitar From Zero: first chords and songsE — Digital Skills: spreadsheets for the officeF — Garden Year: growing food on a balconyG — Creative Writing: short storiesH — Running Club: from nothing to 5 km

5. Elena spends all day at a computer and wants to get faster with tables and formulas for her job.

   A — Kitchen Basics: simple weekday cookingB — Photo Walks: taking better pictures outdoorsC — Speak Up: confidence for work presentationsD — Guitar From Zero: first chords and songsE — Digital Skills: spreadsheets for the officeF — Garden Year: growing food on a balconyG — Creative Writing: short storiesH — Running Club: from nothing to 5 km

Read the text and choose the best answer (A, B or C) for each question.

1. 11. How did the language café begin?

   A Nuria planned it before she opened the café.B Two customers started meeting there on their own.C A local language school asked Nuria for a room.

2. 12. What do the coloured cards on the tables show?

   A which language people at that table must speakB how good the speakers at that table areC which tables are free for new visitors

3. 13. What does the text say about correcting mistakes?

   A Nuria corrects everyone at the end of the session.B Mistakes are only corrected if somebody asks.C Speakers are expected to correct each other.

4. 14. What was the most difficult thing for Nuria?

   A finding enough tables for everyoneB getting people to come without a friendC deciding which languages to offer

5. 15. What usually happens when someone comes for a second time?

   A They stop depending on the person they came with.B They ask to change to a different language.C They arrive earlier than everybody else.

Five sentences have been removed from the text. Choose from sentences A–F the one which fits each gap. There is one extra sentence you do not need.

1. 16. Almost every successful learner keeps some kind of notebook. (16)

   A Food, travel, work and family are common headings.B It is also the part that makes the biggest difference.C It does not have to be beautiful, and it does not have to be digital.D Write down the whole phrase, not just the translation.E Nobody needs to record every new word they hear.F Most teachers recommend buying an expensive notebook.

2. 17. What you write matters far more than how neatly you write it. (17)

   A Food, travel, work and family are common headings.B It is also the part that makes the biggest difference.C It does not have to be beautiful, and it does not have to be digital.D Write down the whole phrase, not just the translation.E Nobody needs to record every new word they hear.F Most teachers recommend buying an expensive notebook.

3. 18. Many people organise their pages by topic. (18)

   A Food, travel, work and family are common headings.B It is also the part that makes the biggest difference.C It does not have to be beautiful, and it does not have to be digital.D Write down the whole phrase, not just the translation.E Nobody needs to record every new word they hear.F Most teachers recommend buying an expensive notebook.

4. 19. Reviewing is the part that most learners skip. (19)

   A Food, travel, work and family are common headings.B It is also the part that makes the biggest difference.C It does not have to be beautiful, and it does not have to be digital.D Write down the whole phrase, not just the translation.E Nobody needs to record every new word they hear.F Most teachers recommend buying an expensive notebook.

5. 20. Finally, do not be afraid to leave things out. (20)

   A Food, travel, work and family are common headings.B It is also the part that makes the biggest difference.C It does not have to be beautiful, and it does not have to be digital.D Write down the whole phrase, not just the translation.E Nobody needs to record every new word they hear.F Most teachers recommend buying an expensive notebook.

Read the text and choose the correct word for each gap.

1. Gap 1

   gathercollectjoinattend

2. Gap 2

   matchracegamefight

3. Gap 3

   holdmakestaytake

4. Gap 4

   recordremindreportrecall

5. Gap 5

   surprisedsurprisingsurprisesurprisingly

6. Gap 6

   keepcontinuelastfollow

Read the message below and write ONE word in each numbered gap.

1. 27.

2. 28.

3. 29.

4. 30.

5. 31.

6. 32.