2013-2014 PRE-FACULTY CAT TASK TYPES
The Pre-Faculty CAT exam will make use of one or more of the task types
exemplified below.
READING
.
TASK: Read the main ideas below. Then, read the text and match the main ideas
to the correct paragraph. There are extra options.
A. By confronting dangers and adversity, superheroes teach us to face our fears
and never give up.
B. The example of the superhero leads us to develop our own talents and find
strength in ourselves.
C. There are different reasons why superheroes sometimes do bad things.
D. A superhero is a powerful being with abilities beyond ordinary humans and the
desire help others and fight evil.
E. The image of the superhero is entertaining, but it also inspires us to use our lives
for something good.
F. A character that has superpowers is not necessarily a superhero. The character
must also have the desire to do the right thing.
G. Superheroes do not share their real identity with people for several reasons.
WE ALL NEED A HERO
1. D
Many writers, artists, and other people who create the stories of superheroes
believe that these characters embody our deepest hopes and
fears.....................(the text continues)
TASK: Read the text and match the titles to the correct paragraph. There are extra
titles.
CHARLES MILLER – FATHER OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
1_________________________________________________________________
Football is the most popular spectator sport in the world – possibly the only global
sport – and Brazil is arguably the greatest footballing nation in the world, having
won the World Cup more times than any other country ..............(the text continues)
__4__ A.
More than a player
____ B.
Breaking the rules
____ C.
Taking football further
____ D.
A football education
____ E.
A final honour
____ F.
The world’s favourite sport
____ G.
The best player in the world
____ H.
Only for pleasure
TASK: Read the text below and answer the questions.
NOISY NEIGHBOURS AND ALL THE THINGS THAT DRIVE US MAD
Noisy neighbours, uncollected litter and graffiti are among the things that really
annoy us, according to a new survey...........................................(the text continues)
1
How many people took part in the survey?
More than 2,000 people
2
Which groups of people have a particular problem with noisy neighbours?
3
Why is transport noise not a bigger problem?
4
In paragraph 10, which phrase is used to describe the fact that people
become unaffected by certain things?
TASK: Read the text “Can Climate Change Make Us Sicker?” and complete the
chart with the problems caused by the environmental issues.
CAN CLIMATE CHANGE MAKE US SICKER?
Climate change is constantly on the news these days - you can’t avoid it. We hear
about how it will affect the geography of the planet: heavier rains will cause coasts
to flood in some areas, while drought conditions will create deserts in
others...............(the text continues)
Environmental Issue
Problems It Causes
1. Climate Change
a. causes the death of 300,000 people per year
b. in 20 years, __________________________
2. Rising Sea Levels
a. saltier drinking water
b. ____________________________________
c. complications in the delivery of babies
d. ____________________________________
3. Increasing Temperatures
a. ____________________________________
b. ____________________________________
c. communities unprepared to handle the health
emergency
TASK: Read the text “So Much Dead Space” and answer the following questions
by choosing A, B, C, D or E.
SO MUCH DEAD SPACE
I am a nerdy American researcher. ____(1)____. What I do know about is shops
and
shopping.
I’ve
always
been
good
at
watching
people...........................................................................................(the text continues)
1
Which of the following would best complete the blank in paragraph 1?
*A
B
C
D
E
2
No one has ever thought of me as fashionable.
I love going shopping.
I have carried out research into many subjects.
No one is interested in what I buy.
I like learning new things.
The writer is a researcher who...
A
B
C
D
E
creates window displays.
compares shopping at different stores.
observes how people shop.
interviews salespeople.
shops a lot.
3
In paragraph 3, the word “pedestrians” refer to people who...
A
B
C
D
E
4
buy things.
drive.
walk.
sell things.
do research.
In paragraph 4, the writer refers to a specific group of customers to show
that...
A
B
C
D
E
people have different shopping habits.
salespeople should be careful with customers.
salespeople might experience difficulties.
people have different reasons to go shopping.
people do too much shopping.
5
“many” in paragraph 5 refers to...
6
In the text, the attitude of the writer towards customers is...
A
B
C
D
E
7
This text is written for...
A
B
C
D
E
8
tolerant.
critical.
supportive.
disinterested.
objective.
customers.
the public.
researchers.
shop owners.
salespeople.
This text is taken from a/an...
A
B
C
D
E
sociology book.
newspaper.
research paper.
handbook.
advertisement.
9
The writer’s main purpose in writing this text is to...
A
B
C
D
E
give the readers some shopping tips.
describe how people behave as they shop.
infrom the readers on the history of shopping.
discourage people from shopping unnecessarily.
advise salespeople on how to sell more.
TASK: Read the text below and answer the following questions by choosing A, B,
C, D or E.
I shifted uncomfortably inside my best suit and eased a finger inside the tight white
collar. It was hot in the little bus and I had taken a seat on the wrong side where the
summer sun beat on the windows. It was a strange outfit for the weather, but a few
miles ahead my future employer might be waiting for me and I had to make a good
impression.
..........................................(the text continues)
1
As he travelled, the writer regretted his choice of...
A
B
C
D
E
seat.
clothes.
career.
means of transport.
time of travel.
(There are other questions.)
TASK: Find words or phrases in the text which mean:
1. results (paragraph 2)= findings
2. survey (paragraph 2)
3. not thinking abut other people’s feelings (paragraph 10)
NOISY NEIGHBOURS AND ALL THE THINGS THAT DRIVE US MAD
Noisy neighbours, uncollected litter and graffiti are among the things that really
annoy us, according to a new survey.
The findings come from a Mori poll of more than 2,000 residents in three UK
cities..........................................(the text continues)
TASK: Read the following text and choose the correct sentence A, B, C, D or E to
fill the numbered spaces. Choose one sentence for each blank. There is one extra
sentence which you don’t need to use.
The Fischer family’s life story, with its ups and downs, reads like the script of a
Hollywood movie, complete with romance, tragedy and fabulous sunken treasure.
Mel Fischer and his wife Deo, both now in their sixties, are the most successful
underwater treasure hunters in the world. They got married in 1953 when Deo did
not know anything about diving. (1)B____________________. “And we have been
underwater ever since,” she says with a smile. The couple ran a scuba diving
course but couldn’t shake off their fascination for treaure hunting.
(2)____________________.
Their goal was a group of sunken galleons called the ‘115 fleet’.
..........................................(the text with blanks continues)
A
“I was so excited that I started screaming underwater,” she remembers this
moment.
B
But Mel, a diving fanatic since he made his own diving equipment out of paint
tins at the age of ten, quickly introduced Deo to the sport.
............................................(there are other statements)
TASK: Read the sentences below and the advertisements for historical places.
Which place does each sentence refer to? For each sentence mark only one letter
(A, B, C, D, E).
1
Those who are interested in the history of war would enjoy this trip.
Answer:___A___
2
This trip is for those who are interested in Roman civilisation.
Answer:________
............................................(there are other statements)
A
Battle Abbey, Sussex
Explore the site of England’s most famous battle, where in 1066 William defeated
Harold changed the course of English history. Visit the new exhibition with touch
screen interactive video of various military conflicts through the ages and follow the
new battle field walkway with its state of the art audio presentation. Don’t miss the
big outdoor antiques market the first Sunday of every month during the summer.
............................................(there are other texts, B, C, D and E)
LISTENING
.
TASK: Listen to six people talking about what makes a good communicator. Match
the person with the main point they make.
Good communicators...
a. listen carefully.
b. don’t ramble.
c. clarify difficult
expressions.
d. don’t digress too
often.
e. don’t confuse
listeners.
f. explain clearly.
TASK: You are going to listen to an excerpt from a lecture. As you listen, fill in the
blanks to complete the notes in the note taking chart below. You may have to write
more than one word in each blank.
-A great idea
-Money
-(1)the right people
What is needed to start a new
business and succeed?
The right people
→
-understand your business goals
-(2)_______________________________
-willing to work hard
TASK: Listen to a lecturer giving advice to a student. Answer the questions.
1
What two key points does she mention about designing questionnaires?
TASK: Listen to the first part of a lecture. As you listen, answer the questions below.
1
The lecture is going to be about...
A
B
C
D
E
why superheroes suffer.
why people like superheroes.
how superheroes help people.
how superheroes become evil.
how superheroes cooperate.
TASK: You are going to listen to two lecture excerpts. As you listen, answer the
relevant question(s) by choosing A, B, C, D or E.
NUMBER 1:
1
The speaker hired a friend who...
A
B
C
D
E
expected more money.
allowed her problems to affect her work.
soon quit.
expected special treatment.
worked inefficiently.
NUMBER 2:
2
According to the lecturer, one benefit of hiring close friends is that you know...
A
B
C
D
E
about their personality.
that you can trust them.
if they are qualified for the job.
about their weaknesses.
their working style.
TASK: You are going to listen to a short part taken from a lecture. As you listen,
answer the question related to each part by choosing A, B, C, D or E.
NUMBER 1:
1
In this part, the main purpose of the speaker is to...
A
B
C
D
E
warn people against global warming.
describe the reasons for global warming.
suggest measures against global warming.
question the concept of global warming.
correct some misunderstandings about global warming.
TASK: Listen and write T (true) or F (false) for each stetement.
____ 1.
____ 2.
Many executives forget the skills that helped them become successful
An effective executive must know the difference between power and
leadership.
____ 3.
A study shows that most executives respect employees who disagree
with them.
TASK: You are going to listen to a lecture. As you listen, tick (√) the main ideas the
lecturer presents.
√
Too much responsibility can be a burden on children.
Many children have sick family members.
√
Children often have to take on the role of parent to care for siblings.
√
Some children even reverse roles with their own parents.
Parents have to provide guidance for their children.
√
Responsibilities can be barriers and cause frustration
√
Many of these children become teachers and counselors.
Many children get satisfaction from helping others.
TASK: You are going to listen to a British Airways official talking about baggage
safety. Listen and put a tick (√) in the box if the item is true according to the
speaker.
What makes a suitcase a good suitcase?
how much it costs
1
the material it is made from
2
how big it is
3
(there are other questions)
TASK: You are going to listen to two people having a conversation. As you listen,
answer the questions by choosing A, B, C, D or E.
1
They are at...
A
B
C
D
E
work.
the airport.
home.
school.
a football match.
2
They want to buy a...
A
B
C
D
E
fridge.
painting.
car.
computer.
drink.
TASK: You are going to listen to a lecture. As you listen, take notes under the
headings provided. After the lecture has finished, you will be given questions to
answer using your notes. Answer the questions by writing your answers in the
boxes/diagram below or choosing A, B, C, D or E.
1
The lecturer starts the lecture with an example about Bhutan in order to...
A
B
C
D
E
2
The speaker says that the U.S. is seen as the driving force behind the
process of globalization because...
A
B
C
D
E
3-4
show how Bhutan first made contact with the outside world.
attract listeners’ attention to the topic of globalization.
explain what a gross national product is.
inform listeners of how to have a gross national happiness.
give some information about Bhutan.
people believe only the U.S. can go through such a complicated
process.
the U.S. is trying to make all cultures popular around the world.
the U.S. established the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the
World Bank.
people associate capitalism and large transnational corporations with
the U.S.
there are many big corporations in the U.S.
Complete the following diagram which outlines the rules poor countries are
pressured to follow.
(3)Adjusting the value of its currency.
+
Privatizing industries and banks.
+
Imposing new (4)__________ on goods imported from other countries (Answer:
taxes)
5
The speaker’s attitude towards the achievements of the non-Western
countries that have integrated successfully into the world economy is...
A
B
C
D
E
6
doubtful.
critical.
surprised.
approving.
neutral.
What two labour issues do critics of globalization bring up all the time?
TASK: You are going to listen to a lecture. As you listen, take notes under the
headings provided. After the lecture has finished, you will be given a chart with
blanks. Fill in the blanks in the chart using your notes.
-A great idea
-Money
-(1)the right people
What is needed to start a new
business and succeed?
The right people
→
-understand your business goals
-(2)_______________________________
-willing to work hard
TASK: You are going to listen to a dialogue. As you listen, fill in the blanks in the
dialogue with the missing word(s).
A: Anyway, I suppose you’ve heard about Mark and Sonia?
B: No, what?
A: Oh, (1)didn’t you know? They’re emigrating to New Zealand.
B: Really, how come?
A: I think (2)__________ having a lot of problems lately..........................(the
dialogue continues)
TASK: Listen and tick the words you hear.
1.
√
heart
art
2.
hall
all
3.
hill
ill
TASK: Look at these groups of words. How do you expect s to be pronounced?
Write the symbol.
a
b
enclose
insure
hose
treasure
pose
enclosure
dose
pleasure
TASK: You are going to listen to four short dialogues. As you listen, write down the
missing words/sentence in each dialogue. You have to write all the missing words.
No grammar and spelling mistakes are allowed.
DIALOGUE ONE:
A: Where did Helen go?
B: (1) She went to meet Joe at the opera house.
DIALOGUE TWO:
A: What’s wrong?
B: (2)_________________________.
(Answer: I can’t put that chair together)
DIALOGUE THREE:
A: (3)_________________________.
B: Metal.
(Answer: What’s it made of?)
DIALOGUE FOUR:
A: (4)_________________________.
B: Watering flowers.
(Answer: What’s it for?)
TASK: You are going to listen to a monologue divided into 5 short sections. As you
listen, write down the missing words or sentence in each section. You have to write
down all the missing words. No grammar and spelling mistakes are allowed.
SECTION ONE:
I might not have skidded if the road hadn’t been icy.
SECTION TWO:
But I’m getting used to driving in adverse weather conditions.
TASK: You are going to listen to a part taken from a lecture. As you listen, fill in the
blanks in the dialogue with the missing word(s).
Football is the most popular spectator sport in the world – possibly the only global
sport – and Brazil is arguably the greatest footballing nation in the world, having won
the World Cup more times than any other country.
WRITING
.
TASK: Write an essay of about 250 words giving your opinion. Do not write less
than 225 words.
“In many countries, schools are criticized for not helping students to become more
creative. Based on your school experience, what changes would you make to allow
for more creativity in the school system?”
TASK: Write an essay of about 300 words giving your opinion. Do not write less
than 270 words.
“Ecotourism is the business of organizing holidays to places that people do not
usually visit in a way which helps local people and does not damage the
environment. Ecotourism is not popular in Turkey. How do you think ecotourism can
be improved in Turkey?”
TASK: Write an essay of about 350 words giving your opinion. Do not write less
than 315 words.
“Some people think intelligence is something you are born with. However, others
believe intelligence can be developed under the right conditions like a good family
and good schools.”