You will hear an interview with a singing teacher called Rosie Carnes, who is talking about her work. For questions 1-7 choose the best answer (A, B or C) and write it on the answer sheet. 1) What difficulty for singers does Rosie mention? A not hearing how they sound to others B not fulfilling childhood expectations C not knowing how to breathe properly 2) According to Rosie, which part of the body should singers warm up first? A the spine B the mouth C the throat 3) Rosie says that a singer’s knees should A remain tense B be bent slightly C be kept close together 4) A B C To maintain a good voice, Rosie mostly recommends that singers: drink water suck sweets breathe in steam 5) A B C When learning the words of songs, Rosie often imagines they have different meanings gets a friend to help her practise them repeats them while doing other things 6) A B C Rosie advises people hoping to become singers to consider how strong their ambition is be careful not to damage their voice take advantage of opportunities to perform 7) A B C Rosie tells us about a friend who avoids singing on recordings prepares in her car before performing suffers very badly from nerves on stage 1 USE OF ENGLISH For questions 8 to 19, read the text below and decide which answer (A,B,C or D) best fits each gap and write it on the answer sheet. There is an example at the beginning (o). O) A edge B surround C turn D enclose The Internet bus In the desert areas that (0)………. Tuscon city, USA, students spend hundreds of hours on yellow buses each year getting to and from the schools. But when mobile internet equipment was (8)………..on a yellow school bus, the bored, often noisy, teens were (9)………. into quiet, studious individuals. District officials got the idea during (10)………. drives on school business to Phoenix, two hours each way, when they (11)….…. that, when they went in pairs, one person could drive and the other could work using a laptop and a wireless card. They (12)…….. if internet access on a school bus could (13)………. students’ academic productivity, too. But the idea for what students call “the internet bus” really (14)……… shape when the district’s chief information officer (15)…..…. across an article about having internet access in cars. He thought “What if you could put that in a bus?” The officials have been delighted to see the (16)……..… of homework getting done, morning and evening, as the internet bus (17)…...….. up and drops off students along the 70- minute drive. (18)………..some students spend their time playing games or visiting social networking sites, most students do make (19)……..…. of their travel time to study. 8 A installed B set C included D structured 9 A replaced B exchanged C switched D transformed 10 A extraordinary B occasional C exceptional D few 11 A believed B acknowledged C estimated D realised 12 A thought B imagined C suspected D wondered 13 A increase B enlarge C rise D heighten 14 A formed B took C held D did 15 A got B looked C came D put 16 A total B amount C number D measure 17 A brings B picks C rides D catches 18 A Since B Despite C Although D However 19 A progress B work C use D part 2 You are going to read an article about an actor. For questions 20-27, choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text. Write it on the answer sheet. THE RELUCTANT HERO The most endearing thing about Aaron Green – and there are many – is his refusal to accept how famous he’s about to become. “I can walk down the street and not be hassled, which is really nice. I kind of hope that continues and I’m sure it will,” he says earnestly. How lovely if this turned out to be true, but the chances are somewhere between unlikely and impossible, and he must know this. Aaron has been cast as the hero in the latest fantasy blockbuster that will hit our screens next year. The first photo of him in his costume was released last week to an Internet frenzy. After an award nomination for his last film, Aaron is having the biggest year of his life, but it line 8 hasn’t gone to his head. “It’s nice if your work is praised, but it’s all very new to me, this,” he says. “I really like working in this profession and exploring its possibilities. Who knows what the future holds? We could dream about what might happen next, but there’s not much point. I’m just enjoying my job and want to do well in it in the future, but that’s kind of it, really. No big hassles.” Of all the characters in his last film, which is based on a true story about a group of university students who start an influential blog, Aaron’s character is the one who emerges as most likeable. But he insists that the plot is not as straightforward as it might appear. “What’s wonderful about this film is that everyone feels they are the good guy. I don’t think anyone in the cast felt they were playing the villain. It was just a group of human beings that had different opinions.” It’s a typically thoughtful answer from the 27-year-old, who seems to be a bit of a worrier and prefers to avoid watching himself on screen. Doubtless he doesn’t care for interviews either, but he is so open and engaging that you wouldn’t know it. He felt a “heightened sense of responsibility” playing a reallife person in his last film, but had no contact with the person concerned. “These people are living and breathing somewhere – of course that has a great effect on the care with which you approach your work. I kept wondering if he’d come and see the film, if he’d recognize himself in my performance or be angered by it.” His performance has a vulnerability about it that is almost painful to watch. Does he seek out those parts or do directors see that quality in him? “I don’t know, I think it’s probably a bit of both. I certainly have that unwillingness to lose naivety; to lose that childlike way of looking at the world. I find it a very real and profound theme in my life and, talking to other people of my age, I think it’s universal.” Born in Vancouver to an American father and Scottish mother, Aaron moved to Edinburgh with his family when he was four. His rise has been swift, beginning at stage school; he got rave reviews for his theatre work and TV parts before making his film debut. How does he react to getting them for his film work too, perhaps even an award? “Luckily it’s not something I’ve given much thought to because I’m so busy working on something else and don’t want to be distracted from that,” he says. This is Aaron’s typically understated way of mentioning the fantasy epic. He was unveiled for the role by the film corporation at an industry event in California, stepping on line 36 to the stage with a bemused expression, as if he didn’t know quite why he was there. He loved the fantasy novels as a kid himself and is aware how much the role means. “I don’t need anyone else to tell me what a big deal it is because I’m the character’s biggest fan.” He seems genuinely to believe that the job won’t change his life. “There’s nothing fascinating about my life, and there’s absolutely no reason why that should start happening.” You can only wish him well. 3 20) In the first paragraph, the writer suggests that he thinks Aaron A has a sensible attitude towards fame B seems confident that he can deal with fame C seems unaware that he’s about to become famous D has unrealistic ideas about what it’s like to be famous 21) The phrase “hasn’t gone to his head” (line 8) suggests that Aaron is A modest about his achievements B used to receiving so much praise C doubtful whether he will win an award D unsure whether he deserves so much attention 22) What does Aaron say about his last film? A There are clear heroes and villains in it B The story is not as simple as it may seem C He knows why people liked his character best D There were often disagreements between the actors 23) What makes the writer think that Aaron is an anxious person? A He has no wish to watch his own films B He obviously doesn’t like giving interviews C He feels responsible for the character he plays D He thinks carefully before answering a question 24) What does Aaron say about playing a real-life person on screen? A He was disappointed that he never met that person B He was sure that person wouldn’t want to see the film C He was concerned that the person might easily be offended D He was pleased that the person approved of the fact he was playing it 25) What does Aaron suggests in the sixth paragraph? A He only plays parts that suit his own personality B He lets the director decide how a part should be played C He’s not such an immature person as he may appear D He shares certain feelings with lots of other young people 26)When asked about the prospect of winning an award for his film work, Aaron A admits it’s more exciting than other awards he’s been up for B explains why he prefers not to think too much about it C compares the film with his current project D suggests that it’s mostly a matter of luck 27)The word “bemused” in line 36 means that Aaron seemed to be A proud of himself B happy to be there C scared of something D unsure about something 4 Grammar and vocabulary For questions 28-52 choose the correct answer A, B or C and write it on the answer sheet. 28 John was deeply ……… when he failed to win the motorbike race. A disappoint B disappointed C disappointing 29 My sister didn’t …………… me borrow her clothes when we were younger. A let B allow C make 30 Dave’s parents said they ……………….. my parents before. A were meeting B had met C met 31 My boss wanted to know how ………. the solution to that problem. A did we work out B we worked out C have we worked out 32 I look forward …………….from you in the near future. A hearing B to hear C to hearing 33 Harrry…………….a job yet . A has find B didn’t find C hasn’t found 34 They ……………….at the cafe opposite the newsagent’s at 10.00. A meet B are meeting C will meeting 35 I ……………..be late or I’ll miss the train. A needn’t B mustn’t C don’t have to 36 The trip was fantastic and we had ……………….. weather. A a so beautiful B such a beautiful C such beautiful 37 I ………….. an old letter in the attic the other day. A came across B came into C took on 38 He……………..for an hour in the sun. That’s why he’s sweating. A ‘s running B ‘s been running C runs 39 These pills …………twice a day. A must taken B must take C must be taken 40 Peter left without telling…………….where he was going. A someone B anyone C none 41 Peter doesn’t eat as ………………………as Diana. A quick B quickly C quicker 42 Please call me as soon as you………………. A can B ’ll be able C could 5 43 He tried to ………………..Murray to go to the exhibition. A persuade B advice C suggesting 44 You wouldn’t be so tired today if you ………………. to bed when I told you. A went B had gone C had been Speaking 45 I’m afraid we’ve…………. petrol. We’ll have to walk now. A run off B run out of C run out 46 I’m sorry, I interrupted you. Please, …………on. A get B say C go 47 He hated party games and nobody could persuade him to…….. A stand out B join in C stand by 48 I can’t believe it. You must ……..! A have joking B be joke C be joking 49 She’s always complaining. I can’t……………her! A stand B bother C annoy 50 This room is a mess! What have you been ……………? A up to B on C in 51 The noise of the cassette player is …………... on my nerves! A getting B giving C staying 52 Would you mind ………………more slowly, please? I don’t understand. A speaking B to speak C speak 6 Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca Facoltà Scienze delle Formazione Corso di Laurea in Scienze della Formazione Primaria quinquennale Esame di Lingue Inglese Livello B2 31.03.2016 answer sheet B Cognome……………………… Nome……………… Mat …………email campus…..……………… 1 21 41 2 22 42 3 23 43 4 24 44 5 25 45 6 26 46 7 27 47 8 28 48 9 29 49 10 30 50 11 31 51 12 32 52 13 33 14 34 15 35 16 36 17 37 18 38 19 39 20 40 7 Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca Facoltà Scienze delle Formazione Corso di Laurea in Scienze della Formazione Primaria quinquennale Esame di Esame di Lingua Inglese Level B2 31.03.2016 1 A 21 A 41 B 2 A 22 B 42 A 3 B 23 A 43 A 4 A 24 C 44 B 5 C 25 D 45 B 6 C 26 B 46 C 7 B 27 D 47 B 8 A 28 B 48 C 9 D 29 A 49 A 10 B 30 B 50 A 11 D 31 B 51 A 12 D 32 C 52 A 13 A 33 C 14 B 34 B 15 C 35 B 16 B 36 C 17 B 37 A 18 C 38 B 19 C 39 C 20 D 40 B 8