Pre-Placement Test for Applicants to the Advanced Studies Program
You should spend about 70 minutes on this test. When you have finished, please send it to
[email protected] for marking.
Placement Test
TASK 1 Key word transformations
Complete the second sentences so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence using the
word give in bold. Do not change this word. You must use between two and five words, including
the word given. Please write the missing words in the spaces provided.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
You must do exactly as I tell you.
carry
You must ______________ instructions exactly as I say.
If Matt was coming, he’d be here by now.
looks
It ____________ Matt isn’t coming.
It was unfair that Eva was fired.
deserve
Eva _____________ fired.
They don’t know what caused the accident yet.
discovered
They ______________ of the accident yet.
There are hardly any copies of the book left in the shop.
very
There are _____________ of the book left in the shop.
I’m so sorry. I didn’t realise it was so late.
track
Sorry, I _____________ time.
Recruitment should think about experience when hiring
new staff.
consideration
The manager should ___________ when hiring new staff.
When I realised what had happened, I became quite afraid.
overcome
I ______________ when I worked out what had occurred.
You led me to believe the job was mine if I wanted it.
impression
I __________________that the job was mine if I wanted it.
carry out the / my
TASK 2
Read the following text and use the word in brackets to form a word that fits in the gap in the
same line. An example has been done for you. Please write your answers in the boxes provided.
Some people say that the best defence is a good _________ (0) (offend); an octopus, however,
would disagree. In addition to being one of the strangest and most beautiful creatures in nature, the
octopus has some of the most inventive defence mechanisms __________ (1) (imagine). The
octopus _________ (2) (type) concentrates its energy on hiding from and __________ (3)
(confusion) its attackers. When it wants to get away, the octopus has an impressive arsenal of tricks
at its __________ (4) (dispose).
The most well-known of the octopus’s defence mechanisms is its ability to squirt clouds of ink into
the water. Some octopi use the ink cloud as a decoy. If a large, intelligent predator such as a shark
knows that octopi use ink clouds for camouflage, it might _________ (5) (simple) attack the ink
cloud blindly, hoping to make contact with the octopus inside. Yet another defensive ability
_________ (6) (possession) by some octopi is the ability to perform an autotomy, or selfamputation, of one of their limbs and _________ (7) (grow) it later.
While the octopus may not be the most vicious creature in the ocean, its __________ (8) (number)
and clever defence mechanisms help it to survive in the dangerous undersea world.
0) Offence
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
Reading Test – Multiple Choice
Read the four paragraphs overleaf and choose from paragraphs (A-D) to answer each question.
Each paragraph may be used more than once.
Food deserts: the Problem and Solutions
A.
Many of the serious health concerns in modern America can be linked to poor diet. People who regularly
consume foods high in sodium, sugar, and saturated fats not only increase their chances of obesity, but also
increase their risks of developing heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and several types of cancer.
Although some people who regularly consume unhealthy foods do so knowingly, there is also a significant
portion of the population that remains undereducated about proper nutrition. What is more, individuals
who live in food deserts—areas in low-income neighbourhoods that lack easy access to healthy, affordable
food—may not even have the opportunity to obtain nutritious food. Although there have been some recent
government efforts to reduce the number of food deserts, it is still only a minor drop in the ocean, and more
community-based efforts should be encouraged and supported. Food deserts are located in high-poverty
areas, such as sparsely populated rural areas or densely populated, low-income urban centres.
B.
Food desserts most often develop when major supermarket chains either relocate out of these areas or
simply refrain from building stores there in the first place. Major food retailer chains tend to limit their store
locations to wealthier urban or suburban neighbourhoods. This means that those who live in high-poverty
areas often also live miles away from the fresh meats, dairy products, and produce available at
supermarkets. Residents of these areas who do not have cars are thus forced to travel long distances on
public transportation to do their grocery shopping, or else they are limited to the food available at local
convenience stores and gas stations. These types of food retailers often only sell packaged, processed foods
that offer little nutritional value.
C.
Furthermore, fast food restaurants are disproportionately concentrated in low-income areas; recent
estimates suggest that those living in the poorest areas of a city experience 2.5 times more exposure to fast
food restaurants than the wealthiest inhabitants of the city. Because individuals who live in food deserts
tend to get their meals from fast food restaurants or convenience stores, they often suffer from a variety of
health issues. Research has found that individuals who live in low-income neighbourhoods are much more
likely to develop problems with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension than those who live in more affluent
neighbourhoods. A solution to the problem of food deserts seems obvious: more supermarkets should be
built in low income neighbourhoods. The problem with this solution, of course, is that it is difficult to lure
supermarket chains into poor areas. Because poorer people have less money to spend on food, supermarket
chains do not consider them to be attractive customers. One way that the government can help to offset
this issue is by offering tax breaks or other incentives for supermarkets in low-income areas.
D.
In 2010, the Obama administration implemented the Healthy Food Financing program, which is a set of
initiatives designed to help bring grocery stores into areas currently designated as food deserts. While this
federal program is a commendable effort to improve low-income residents’ access to healthy food, local
initiatives often have a stronger and more immediate impact. Community gardens, independent food stores,
co-ops, and farmers’ markets are all examples of local initiatives that can substitute for or supplement the
opening of a major chain supermarket. Despite the time, dedication, and funds required for community
members to initiate such programs, these efforts can be incredibly beneficial, not only in providing people
with access to healthier foods, but also in instilling a sense of community in the residents of these
neighbourhoods.
Which paragraph
cites a study which has shown that the further a low- income housing area is from a
supermarket, the more likely residents will be overweight?
refers to the difficulty in accessing healthy foods for low income families?
lays out additional measures needed to alleviate food poverty?
Paragraph
1.
2.
3.
4.
describes obstacles faced when enticing big corporations to impoverished areas?
criticises the amount being done to combat the emergence of food deserts?
5.
mentions financial compensation offered to grocery retail chains?
6.
explains the different benefits offered by governmental and local groups for food poverty?
7.
outlines major afflictions affecting those in food desserts?
8.
Writing Test – Personal Statement
All students must complete a short personal statement of between 250 and 500 words.
Part 1: Rank in order of importance the activities which best represent your greatest
achievements and interests. Include any awards you may have received and also state the
degree of your involvement.
You may want to consider drawing upon the following areas in compiling your list of
activities: activities and organizations to which you have frequently contributed; athletic
teams of which you have been a member; community activities with which you may have
been involved such as volunteer work, religious or cultural groups; creative work, or
hobbies, to which you have devoted substantial time and which you have pursued to a high
level; prizes, honours, or special recognition you have won; travel and other experiences.
Part 2: In considering your application we want to get to know you as well as we can. We
ask you to use this opportunity to tell us something more about yourself to help us towards
a sense of how you think and what interests you have. You should include how you expect
to benefit from your time with us, what you feel you have to contribute and also what
future ambitions you have.