Reading Part 1

Read the text and the questions. Choose the correct answer for each question.

Dot art

The appearance of Aboriginal ‘dot’ paintings, produced by men from the western deserts of
Central Australia in the early 1970s, has been called the greatest art movement of the twentieth
century. It all started in a place called Papunya, a village of makeshift huts first established in
the Australian outback in the 1950s to bring together various semi-nomadic groups.

In 1971, art teacher Geoffrey Bardon took a post in a school in Papunya. He was horrified by the
inhabitants’ dreadful living conditions but impressed by the beauty of their drawings – circles
and snake-like patterns – which represented the world of dreams.

He realised that the various groups weren’t used to living together and so were struggling to
build a sense of community. A simple school project, drawing a painting on the wall, or in other
words a mural, brought him into contact with the village elders. Although Bardon’s young pupils
could draw their own stories, they were not allowed to draw the elders’ stories. Bardon had to
encourage the men to create a mural in keeping with the traditions that had existed for over
20,000 years. The elders drew their own mural, the Honey Ant Dreaming, known now only
through photographs as it was painted over by the authorities right after it was made. However,
it started their process of transcribing traditional body markings and sand drawings onto other,
more conventional surfaces, too. Three circles connected by lines represented the Honey Ant
Dreaming. The so-called ‘dot and circle’ style had been born.

The authorities in Canberra were not amused, as if painting murals on the walls of a school might
be a threat. But painting The Honey Ant Dreaming encouraged the elders, and they began to
make small paintings on any available surface, including scraps of board and corrugated iron.
Bardon supplied them with acrylic paints and canvas, and by early 1972, a painting area had been
set up in the storeroom of the Town Hall hut. Bardon regularly went to Alice Springs to sell the
paintings to local people for a small profit, but most from this time can no longer be found.

A recent exhibition in Paris included early examples of this art form. After consulting some of
the artists and their descendants, the curators decided to devote a special area to art that
displays a series of dreams – of kangaroos, children, snakes and such. At the start of the
exhibition there was a set of photographs with images which had been inspired by nature:
circular trails left by snakes and the characteristic footmarks of kangaroos in the sand. The
dreams depicted in the images are certainly more powerful than reality and extremely beautiful.

Reading Part 2

Read the text. Use the sentences to complete the text. Choose the correct sentence for each
gap. There is one extra sentence you will not need.

Dartmoor

Dartmoor is one of the largest National Parks in the UK. In the Stone Age it was almost
completely covered in dense forest, but only a few sparse fir and oak woods now remain.
This lack of tree cover makes it possible to see the tops of the distinctive rocky heights of the
moor. (1)_______

It’s therefore not difficult to understand what attracts the many walkers, climbers and horse
riders to this dramatic part of the world. However, if you decide to join them, be prepared for
soft, muddy ground and unexpected showers. (2)_______ Because of the frequent mists which
descend cutting visibility to zero in seconds, it’s a good idea to take a compass too.

Nevertheless, don’t let these warnings put you off. As long as you are well-prepared, Dartmoor
has many natural marvels to offer. (3)_______ As well as many species of birds, insects and
butterflies, you’ll find deer, foxes and badgers.

Hundreds of wild Dartmoor ponies also roam free. However, a number of these were killed by
cars after wandering onto the roads looking for tasty remains from visitors’ picnics. (4)_______

History is another reason for exploring Dartmoor. Some areas of Dartmoor have been inhabited
for a very long time. There are remains of Bronze Age settlements in the form of ‘hut circles’.
(5)_______ Originally they would have had an earth roof supported on a wooden frame with a
ring of stones holding up the whole structure.

A number of strange old bridges called ‘Clapper Bridges’ still remain untouched, images
captured in many tourists’ photographs. (6)_______ Their precise age is unknown, but they
remain a memorable feature of this remarkable, ancient place

Reading Part 3

Read the four texts. Which text gives you the answer to each question? Choose the correct text
(A-D) for each question.

A
Hi, Sam. I’m sitting in my garden writing this, looking up the valley towards Boscastle which,
some years ago, looked as if it could never recover from the terrible floods. But that’s history
now. We have all moved on and, if anything, it’s brought the people together, creating an even
better atmosphere. The village looks beautiful at this time of year. Why not come and see for
yourself? I’ve got plenty of room – in fact I’ve got a guest room with its own shower – so do think
about it.

B
Boscastle is a medieval harbour and village hidden in a steep-sided valley. This natural harbour
on the North Cornwall coastline was created by the meeting of three rivers. Boscastle is an
excellent base for touring the area, including moorlands, sheltered wooden valleys and coastal
footpaths offering magnificent views. The visitor can explore the beautiful surrounding area
with its ancient woods, the old village of Boscastle with cottages dating back to the 15th
century, the site of the Norman Castle and the medieval farming system which is still in
operation.

C
After suffering from flooding in 2004, Boscastle has been largely rebuilt. First, the main car park
was moved away from the river edge. This improved the river itself and the well-being of the
wildlife it supports. A major project was then reconnecting the east and west banks by the
harbour with a new foot and vehicle bridge. Considering the picturesque setting, a number of
options were considered and tested. The favoured bridge design, now complete, appears on
postcards of Boscastle and has been recognised for the quality of its design.

D
Come to Boscastle and walk in the ancient footsteps of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round
Table. You can also retrace the novelist Thomas Hardy’s footsteps. He fell in love with Boscastle
when working as an architect on the renovation of the church. Here he also fell in love with and
married Emma. Although it wasn’t a successful marriage, this didn’t put Hardy off Boscastle.
When he returned to his parents’ home he wrote some sad and moving poetry in which he
described the area.

Which text:

1. would appeal to lovers of literature?

Which text provides the answers to the following questions?

4. What is a highly regarded piece of modern architecture?

Reading Part 4

Read the text and answer the questions. Use a maximum of five words for each question.

Marine species under threat

The great predators of the sea – tuna, swordfish, marlin and others – could be on the way out,
according to two Canadian researchers who have been surveying fish catches from ocean areas
across the globe. They warn that not only are numbers in decline, but also the variety of
species in any one area.

The research, which appeared recently in Science Quarterly, gives conservationists further
reason to demand the creation of international marine parks, which are protected so that fish
populations can breed and recover. They see no other solution.

The research also showed that warm sea surface temperatures make some fishing grounds
richer than others. Fishermen realize this and concentrate on those areas, therefore depleting
the stock from a much larger area.

Maurice Barker and Robin Beauchamps started their 2003 research by considering one species
only, and they showed that shark populations in the North Atlantic had fallen by 90% in 15
years. They then went on to investigate data from fisheries for the past 50 years to discover
that catches were becoming less diverse. Where fishermen might once have caught 10
different species, they now haul in only half that number. ‘It’s not yet extinction. It’s local
fishing, out of species,’ Dr Beauchamps said. ‘Where you once had a range of species in dense
numbers, now you might catch one or two of a certain species.’ However, for some species of
commercial fish, it might already be too late. Cod catches are in sharp decline, the Atlantic
halibut has virtually disappeared and bluefin tuna catches are now strictly controlled.

The two men started with analyzing the catches of fishing boats called long-liners which have
baited fishing lines up to 60 miles long. The data from these catches were matched with those
from other records over the last half a century. The results were depressing.

‘This is the great joy of science’ says Dr Barker. ‘It’s like solving a giant puzzle and seeing the
star-filled night sky for the first time although the stars are actually fading. It’s both beautiful
and tragic at the same time.’

He stresses that it is vital to reach international agreement on monitoring the protected areas
of the ocean. ‘We have the means and the opportunity to make a difference. It’s so important
to keep as many pieces of the puzzle as we can before we destroy it.’

Writing Part 1

You’ve seen part of an article in a music magazine. Write an email to the editor commenting on:

• the results
• the benefits of listening to music while studying
• your own personal preference.

According to a new study, people listening to their favourite music while studying, seem to be focusing better on their tasks. The study evaluated 100 volunteers. Each was monitored over a one-week period. Classical music topped people’s preferences for improving their concentration, with pop music coming second. Chat shows were also
among the popular choices but significantly less preferred.

Write between 100 – 150 words.

Writing Part 2

Write an article for a popular online magazine. Describe someone famous you would like to meet, saying why you would like to meet them and what you would like to find out from them.

Write between 150 – 200 words.