CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an

example at the beginning (0).

Example:

A

fulfil

В accomplish C manage D perform

Book Review

Galapagos: The islands that changed the world

I was lucky enough to 0 fulfil

an ambition and visit the Galapagos Islands two years ago. 1 _______ no substitute

for a visit, this superbly attractive book provides a fascinating commentary and scientific background to the

Galapagos experience. BBC books have 2 _______ their usual high-quality job in producing the volume that will

accompany their TV series of the same name.

Nothing can compare to exploring the strange landscapes, 3 _______up close and personal with the unique wildlife

and witnessing the rich biological and environmental history that is so very apparent on the islands. However, this

book does 4 _______ close. The superb descriptive prose of award-winning cameraman Paul Stewart is another

plus 5 _______ as is the fact that this is punctuated by his iconic photography. This book 6 _______ in celebrating

the weird and wonderful sights but don’t 7 _______ read this book as an alternative to actually going, use it as the

8 _______of inspiration for your own trip, a useful guide once you’re there and a stunning reminder on your return.

1

A Despite

B However

C While

D Whereas

2

A set

B done

C made

D given

3

A getting

В reaching

C arriving

D gaining

4

A run

В come

C go

D pass

5

A spot

В point

C mark

D tip

6

A attains

В succeeds

C achieves

D obtains

7

A barely

В hardly

C merely

D scarcely

8

A base

B cause

C origin

D source

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 2

For questions 9-16, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each

gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet

Example: (0) AS

A history of table tennis

Like many other sports, table tennis started out 0

as

a mild social diversion. It was popular in England in the

second half of the nineteenth century under its present name and various trade names like Whiff-Whaff and Ping-

Pong, 9 _______ sought to imitate the sound 10 _______ by the ball striking the table. The game soon 11 _______

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 1

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

something of a craze and there are many contemporary references to it and illustrations of it 12 _______ played,

usually in domestic surroundings.

13 _______ the early twentieth century, the sport had already acquired some of its present-day complexities, 14

_______ it was still seen by many as an after-dinner amusement 15 _______ than a sport. An account published in

1903 found it necessary to warn players 16 _______ the wearing of evening dress, but went on to give detailed

technical advice about the pen-holder grip and tactics.

Over the next 60 years, table tennis developed into a worldwide sport, played by up to 30 million competitive

players.

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 3

For questions 17-24, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a

word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.

Example: (0) HISTORIANS

Dancing is good for you

Since the dawn of civilisation, dance has been an important part of life, and dance 0

historians struggle to identify the first evidence of dance as it has always been an

intrinsic part of human 17 _______ . The earliest recorded dances, discovered in the

9,000-year-old Bhimbetka rock paintings in India, were used to tell stories and

celebrate 18 _______ events, whilst also serving as a way of passing on information to

future generations. But why has dance, something which can make someone look

utterly 19 _______ if done wrong, always seemed to be natural to our DNA? Experts

argue that its psychological and physiological benefits are the cause. 20 _______

studies have discovered that dancing is not only an 21 _______ form of non-verbal

communication, but is also a mood-boosting cure that can alleviate 22 _______,

improve interpersonal 23 _______ and cure illnesses. Physically, dancing makes us

happy because, as with any repetitive exercise, it releases endorphins. Also it’s a

socialising event, 24 _______ us to be physically close to people and more

emotionally connected to them.

0 HISTORY

17 BEHAVE

18 SIGNIFY

19 RIDICULE

20 NUMBER

21 EFFECT

22 DEPRESS

23 RELATION

24 ABLE

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 4

For questions 25-30, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the

word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three and six words, including the word given.

Here is an example (0).

0 Chloe would only eat a pizza if she could have a mushroom topping.

ON

Chloe insisted on having a mushroom topping when she ate a pizza.

25 The village shop is now being managed by a national supermarket chain.

TAKEN

A national supermarket chain _______________ of the village shop.

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 2

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

26 This door is an emergency exit and must never be locked for any reason.

ACCOUNT

On _______________ be locked because it is an emergency exit.

27 Melvin’s friend recommended that website where he bought the

camping equipment.

ON

Melvin bought equipment from that website _______________ a friend.

28 We never imagined that Julian might be planning to resign from his job.

OCCURRED

It never _______________ Julian might be planning to resign from

his job.

29 As long as he could see, Kevin really didn't mind where he sat in the stadium.

DIFFERENCE

As long as he could see, _______________ where he sat in the stadium.

30 Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to visit the gym regularly.

ABLE

If I had more time, _______________ more regular visits to the gym.

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 5

You are going to read an article about a management theory book. For questions 31-36, choose the answer (A, B, C

or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

The new management gurus

What can animals tell us about business?

Bees. Ants. Reindeer. Not the usual topic of conversation at an average board meeting. But if Peter Miller’s debut

book, Smart Swarm, is anything to go by, the creatures could revolutionise the way we do business. In the latest in

a series of books that challenge leaders to think differently, Smart Swarm explores the habits, actions and instincts

of animals and how they can be applied to business. The book is set to become the most talked about in

management circles after Miller, a senior editor at National Geographic Magazine, wrote an article on the subject a

few years ago, which was read by 30 million people globally.

It follows a string of ‘business thinking’ books that have hit the shelves in recent years, all searching for new

answers on how to run organisations effectively. Obliquity, published in March, told us that the most profitable

companies are not the most aggressive in chasing profits, Wikinomics, a bestseller, demonstrated new models of

production based on community and collaboration. Miller believes his book is the first time anyone has laid out the

science behind a management theory. ‘The biology of how ant colonies or beehives work are appealing models for

organisations and systems that can be applied in a business context,’ he says.

So how exactly can bees help run board meetings? ‘By the way they work independently before they work

together,’ Miller says. ‘Picture a huge beehive hanging on the branch of a tree, with about 5,000 bees vying for

space and protection. They know their colony is getting too big and leaving them vulnerable. They must find a new

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 3

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

home — and fast - but in a way that everyone agrees with. In today’s business environment, managers need to be

able to make the right decisions under huge amounts of pressure. Yet, it is clear that some of the best-paid leaders

in some of the biggest organisations can get it dramatically wrong. How is it that they can fail to make efficient

business decisions when a swarm of bees can make a critical decision about their hive in just a few seconds?’

According to Miller, ‘swarm theory’ can help managers in three simple steps: discover, test and evaluate. The bees

first realise they have a problem. They then fly into the neighbourhood to find potential new sites. They come back

and perform a ‘dance’ to get other bees to follow them. Eventually, the bees with the best dance attract the most

votes - and a decision is made. Back to the board meeting. Managers that encourage debate, and then have a ballot

over which idea is best, stand a better chance of getting it right, Miller says. ‘The bee example tells you that you

need to seek out diversity in your team. You need to have a way of gathering up very different approaches and

ideas so you can make sure you pick the right one.’

Ants, in addition, can help businesses organise workflow and people. In an ant colony, there is no leader. Ants are

self-organised, and respond to their environment and each other. One ant on its own could not raid a kitchen

cupboard, but one ant telling the next one that it’s worth following him to find food ends up creating a food chain.

‘In an ant colony, you get the right number going in and out searching for food, you get the right number taking

care of the babies,’ Miller says. ‘As a manager, this can tell you your hierarchy, your bureaucracy, is getting in the

way of getting the work done.’

The airline industry has already flirted with the idea that ants can help make flying stress-free. Southwest Airlines,

an American low-cost airline, was concerned its 30-year-old policy of letting customers choose where they sit once

they boarded a plane was slowing down the process. By creating a computer simulation of people loading on to a

plane, based on what ants would do, the company was able to show that assigned seating would only be faster by a

few minutes. It was not worth scrapping their first-come, first-served policy, which was a key part of the

company’s brand.

Miller says: ‘If you are concerned about surviving the next business cycle, in other words giving your company the

resilience and ability to bounce back from challenges that you can’t anticipate, then Nature is a great model.’

31 What does the writer say about Smart Swarm in the first paragraph?

A It has already attracted a great deal of attention.

В It is one of several books on animal behaviour and business.

C It concerns a topic that a great many people are interested in.

D It reflects what is already happening in some businesses.

32 Miller believes that his book differs from other 'business thinking’ books because of

A the evidence given in support of the theory.

В the ease with which the theory can be implemented.

C its focus on behaviour rather than profit or production.

D its emphasis on practical action rather than theory.

33 In the third paragraph, the writer says that the behaviour of bees can show managers

A the consequences of making the wrong decisions.

В how to pinpoint exactly what a problem is.

C how to arrive at the correct conclusions very quickly.

D the need to act decisively when under great pressure.

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 4

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

34 According to the ‘swarm theory’, managers need to

A consider the effect of a decision on a variety of other people.

В be able to persuade others that their proposed decisions are right.

C regard decision-making as a collaborative process.

D accept criticism of decisions they have made.

35 The example of ants raiding a food cupboard illustrates

A the need to create the right kind of hierarchy and bureaucracy.

В the differences between how managers and employees think.

C the belief that aims can be achieved in various different ways.

D the effectiveness of employees making decisions for themselves.

36 Looking at the behaviour of ants caused Southwest Airlines to

A improve one of its practices.

В speed up one of its processes.

C retain one of its policies.

D increase customer choice.

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 6

You are going to read four extracts from articles in which art historians are talking about the value of works of art

over time. For questions 37-40, choose from the reviews A-D. The extracts may be chosen more than once.

Worth its weight in gold?

Four art historians consider the value of works of art over time.

A Audrey Anson

It can be particularly challenging to identify the kind of art that will maintain its reputation and value over decades

and centuries. Historically many collectors of fine art were entirely self-centred in their approach, purchasing

particular works simply to impress others with evidence of their wealth and taste, but with hardly a thought as to

what might endure to impress subsequent generations. Such collectors tended to be conservative by nature, often

assuming that trends and fashions in art were passing phases and that traditional quality would stand the test of

time. Judging the long-term value of contemporary art cannot be an exact science, however, and it is easy to see in

retrospect who had a good eye for the art of the future and who had not. Much harder is the business of predicting

which of today's artists will be appreciated in years to come, as many disillusioned art collectors have learnt to their

cost. What is not in doubt, however, is that some will end up being counted amongst the all-time greats.

В Justin Bellamy

It's the need to distinguish the truly worthwhile from the merely fashionable that drives those aiming to establish

meaningful art collections today. Their aim is to seek out those contemporary works of art which might be expected

not only to retain their value, but also in the fullness of time quite right come to be regarded as definitive examples

of a trend or period. Some historians argue that every age is defined by the art it inspires, be it sculpture, painting

or whatever. But this is a gross simplification. Until relatively recent times, very few of those commissioning or

purchasing such works as new did so with a view to the future. They were more interested in the prestige that

owning such works brought them. What's more, a famous picture may come to be more memorable than the event

it depicts, distorting our true understanding of the event itself.

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 5

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

C Anita Crouch

Critics and commentators find it hard enough to agree on what represents the finest in the artistic output of their

own times, let alone predict the tastes of the future. In their relentless search to identify the cutting edge, they risk

heaping praise on work that is merely of transitory interest, and sadly this risk was never greater than in our present

age, when mediocrity seems to be the norm. But it wasn't always so. In the past, there was much wider consensus

regarding what represented notable artistic achievement in whatever style prevailed in a given period. The purchase

and exhibition of such works represented a status symbol for those in positions of power and influence, and

although over time collections accumulated, it was largely short-term goals that triggered the process. In the end,

history judges whether such collections have long-term artistic value or not.

D Dario D’Amico

When people consider what we can pass on to future generations, they come up with various answers ranging from

ideas to technology to works of art. And it is the latter that some people feel truly reflect the mood and atmosphere

of their time. This will be just as true of our own age, however eccentric the contemporary art scene might appear

on the surface. Down through the centuries, people have bought and passed on to future generations, those works

of art that seemed to embody the spirit of their age and would have lasting value. More often than not, this turned

out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy because for periods predating the advent of mass communications and

photography, the art helps form a view of both what life was like and how people thought at the time. Some people

go further, claiming that art continues to resonate long after detailed memories of momentous events have been

lost.

Which art historian

37 doesn’t have the same opinion as Anson about why people in the past collected works of art?

38 shares Crouch’s view regarding how successfully the best contemporary works of art can be identified?

39 holds a different view to Bellamy regarding the value of art in the study of history?

40 has a different opinion from the others regarding the lasting value of current trends in art?

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 7

You are going to read a newspaper article about a very young artist. Six paragraphs have been removed from the

article. Choose from the paragraphs A-G the one which fits each gap (41-46). There is one extra paragraph which

you do not need to use.

Is Kieron Britain's most exciting artist?

Peter Stanford watches an amazing seven-year-old artist at work.

All the time we are talking, Kieron Williamson is busy sketching on the pad in front of him with quick, fluid

movements of his pencil. He is copying from a book of pen and ink illustrations by Edward Seago, the twentieth-

century British artist, before he adds touches of his own to the sketches.

41

Kieron is clearly caught up in what he is doing, his blonde head a study in concentration as he kneels in the from

room of his family home. But he’s not so distracted that he doesn’t sometimes look me in the eye and put me right.

‘You’ve added a bit more detail here,’ I say, as he is reproducing Seago’s sketch of an old man in an overcoat.

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 6

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

‘Seago's’, I explain, ‘is lighter.’ ‘Not lighter,’ Kieron corrects me. ‘You call it looser. Loose and tight. They’re the

words.’ Seven-year-olds don’t often give adults lessons in the terminology of fine art.

42

Kieron actually can and does, and has been hailed as a ‘mini-Monet’, on account of his neo-impressionist style, or

the next Picasso. Recently, buyers from as far afield as South Africa and America queued up outside his modest

local art gallery - some of them camping out all night — to snap up 33 paintings in just 27 minutes, leaving Kieron

$150,000 better off. How did it feel? ‘Very nice,’ he replies politely. ‘Did you talk to any of the buyers?’ ‘Yes, they

kept asking me what else I do.’ And what did you tell them? ‘That I go to school, that I play football for my school

and that I am the best defender in the team .’

43

His exhibition, the second to sell out so quickly — has brought him a lot of attention. Several American TV

networks have filmed him in the family flat already and today a camera crew is squeezed into the front room with

me, Kieron's mum, Michelle, his younger sister, Billie-Jo and two sleeping cats

44

"These are ones I did last night when I was watching the television with Billie-Jo," he says, handing me a

sketchbook. It falls open on a vibrant fairground scene. Kieron finds the page in the Seago book that inspired him.

There is the same carousel, but he has added figures, buildings and trees in his drawing in the sketchbook.

45

As accomplished as Kieron's paintings are, part of their appeal is undoubtedly the story of precocious talent that

goes with them. If he's doing similar work when he's 28, it may prompt a different reaction.

46

But Kieron is having none of it. He looks up sharply from his sketching. "If I want to paint," he says, "I'll paint."

A An example is his pastel Figures at Holkham, an accomplished composition with big blues skies, a line of sand

dunes framing to either side and two figures, one with a splash of red in the centre to draw the eye in. There is such

an adult quality to his work that you can’t help wondering if someone older has been helping him.

В Standard seven-year-old boy stuff there. Kieron, however, is being hailed as a child prodigy. ‘They only come

along once in a generation,’ artist Carol Pennington tells me later, as she explains how she helped nurture this

early-blooming talent, ‘and Kieron is that one.’

C Michelle Williamson is aware of this. ‘I fully expect Kieron in a few years’ time to focus on something else as

closely as he is focusing on art right now,’ she says. ‘Football or motor racing. There may well be a lot more ahead

for him than art.’

D Yet, in the centre of the melee, Kieron seems utterly oblivious and just gets on with what he does every day,

often rising at 6 a.m. to get on to paper a picture that is bursting to get out of his head. He will be painting every

day of the school holidays, relishing the freedom denied him during term time.

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 7

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

E Each one takes him only a few minutes - horses, figures huddling in a tent, men and women in unusual costumes.

‘I’m going to do this one, then this one, then this one,’ he tells me, ‘but not this one - the eves aren’t looking at

anyone - or this one – it’s too messy.’

F This, it is clear, is no mechanical exercise in reproduction. To underline the point, Kieron takes it back off me

and adds a smudge of dark under one of the groups of people.

G But then Kieron Williamson is not your average boy. Aside from his precocious articulacy, he is singlehandedly

illustrating that familiar remark, made by many a parent when confronted with a prize-winning work of modern art,

that ‘my seven-year-old could do better than that’

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 8

You are going to read an article about the Royal Society, a British scientific institution. For questions 47-56, choose

from the sections of the article (A-E). The sections may be chosen more than once.

In which section of the article are the following mentioned?

47 a belief that a certain development has been of particular use to scientists

48 the variety of ways in which the Royal Society encourages people who are not scientists to consider scientific

issues

49 a rapid reaction to research being made public

50 a particular development that requires urgent action to improve it

51 a resource for information on past scientific discoveries

52 a lack of understanding of scientific matters among people in general

53 a system that the Royal Society introduced

54 the fact that scientists do not always reach firm conclusions

55 a problem that is not limited to the world of science

56 the belief that certain things that are possible are not desirable

The unstoppable spirit of inquiry

The president of the Royal Society, Martin Rees, celebrates the long history of one of Britain’s greatest institutions.

A

The Royal Society began in 1660. From the beginning, the wide dissemination of scientific ideas was deemed

important. The Society started to publish Philosophical Transaction, the first scientific journal, which continues to

this day. The Society’s journals pioneered what is still the accepted procedure whereby scientific ideas are subject

to peer review - criticised, refined and codified into ‘public knowledge’. Over the centuries, they published Isaac

Newton’s researches on light, Benjamin Franklin’s experiments on lightning, Volta’s first battery and many of the

triumphs of twentieth century science. Those who want to celebrate this glorious history should visit the Royal

Society’s archives via our Trailblazing website.

В

The founders of the Society enjoyed speculation, but they were also intensely engaged with the problems of their

era, such as improvements to timekeeping and navigation. After 350 years, our horizons have expanded, but the

same engagement is imperative in the 21st century. Knowledge has advanced hugely, but it must be deployed for

the benefit of the ever-growing population of our planet, all empowered by ever more powerful technology. The

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 8

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

silicon chip was perhaps the most transformative single invention of the past century; it has allowed miniaturisation

and spawned the worldwide reach of mobile phones and the internet. It was physicists who developed the World

Wide Web and, though it impacts us all, scientists have benefited especially.

C

Traditional journals survive as guarantors of quality, but they are supplemented by a blogosphere of widely varying

quality. The latter cries out for an informal system of quality control. The internet levels the playing fields between

researchers in major centres and those in relative isolation. It has transformed the way science is communicated

and debated. In 2002, three young Indian mathematicians invented a faster scheme for factoring large numbers -

something that would be crucial for code-breaking. They posted their results on the web. Within a day, 20,000

people had downloaded the work, which was the topic of hastily convened discussions in many centres of

mathematical research around the world. The internet also allows new styles of research. For example, in the old

days, astronomical research was stored on delicate photographic plates; these were not easily accessible and

tiresome to analyse. Now such data (and large datasets in genetics and particle physics) can be accessed and

downloaded anywhere. Experiments and natural events can be followed in real-time.

D

We recently asked our members what they saw as the most important questions facing us in the years ahead and we

are holding discussion meetings on the ‘Top Ten’. Whatever breakthroughs are in store, we can be sure of one

thing: the widening gulf between what science enables us to do and what it’s prudent or ethical actually to do. In

respect of certain developments, regulation will be called for, on ethical as well as prudential grounds. The way

science is applied is a matter not just for scientists. All citizens need to address these questions. Public decisions

should be made, after the widest possible discussion, in the light of the best scientific evidence available. That is

one of the key roles of the Society. Whether it is the work of our Science Policy Centre, our journals, our

discussion meetings, our work in education or our public events, we must be at the heart of helping policy-makers

and citizens make informed decisions.

E

Our science isn’t dogma. Its assertions are sometimes tentative, sometimes compelling; noisy controversy doesn’t

always connote balanced arguments; risks are never absolutely zero, even if they are hugely outweighed by

potential benefits. In promoting an informed debate, the media are crucial. When reporting a scientific controversy,

the aim should be neither to exaggerate risks and uncertainties, nor to gloss over them. This is indeed a challenge,

particularly when institutional, political or commercial pressures distort the debate. Scientists often bemoan the

public’s weak grasp of science — without some ‘feel’ for the issues, public debate can’t get beyond sloganising.

But they protest too much: there are other issues where public debate is, to an equally disquieting degree, inhibited

by ignorance. The Royal Society aims to sustain Britain’s traditional strength in science, but also to ensure that

wherever science impacts on people’s lives, it is openly debated.

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 9

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

Answer Keys

Part 1

1 C — While. The word here is used in the meaning of 'in contrast with something'. The book is not as good as a

visit, but it is still worth reading.

2 B — done. 'To do a job' is a common collocation in English.

3 A — getting. Another collocation, 'to get up close and personal' means to get to know something well and

thoroughly.

4 B — come. 'To come close' — almost to reach something or to become very similar to.

Japanese cars nowadays come very close to German ones in terms of build quality.

5 B — point. A plus point is an advantage, a good or positive aspect of something. Another plus point of learning

abroad is experiencing life away from your parents.

6 B — succeeds. 'Succeed' is the only verb here that collocates with the 'in' preposition.

7 C — merely. 'Merely' is used as a synonym for 'simply' or 'just'.

8 D — source. A commonly used set phrase is 'a source of inspiration'.

Part 2

9 which/that. It should be clear that 'Ping-Ping and Whiff-Whaff' are the names that imitated the sound. So we use

which/that preposition to refer to them.

10 made. A passive voice is used, so the verb has to be used in its third form.

11 became. The word here means that ping-pong has made people crazy about the game.

12 being. Another passive construction.

13 By. 'Had already acquired...' helps to understand that this sentence is about a certain point in time.

14 though/although. Despite the game's development, many people still saw it as a simple game for entertainment.

Though/although are used in the meaning of 'in spite of/despite'.

15 rather. 'Than' that immediately follows the gap is the clue that we should use 'rather'. 'Rather than' is used to

show preference.

I normally prefer to go outside rather than sit home.

16 against. 'Warn against something' means to inform that it shouldn't be done.

Part 3

17 behaviour. A noun is needed here. Make sure you spell the word with the letter 'u' as it is the correct British

spelling.

18 significant. The following noun clearly implies that an adjective should be used here.

19 ridiculous. Another word that is easy to spell wrong. Adverb+adjective pair.

20 numerous/innumerable. The context implies that many studies confirmed the idea that dancing is good for

your mood and happiness in general. Note that 'many' is incorrect as it is not directly a word-form of 'number'.

'Innumerable' doesn't fit either because it doesn't sound scientific, and the whole text is exactly that.

21 effective. Note that 'efficient' isn't right, as this word means 'performing at the best possible way with the least

amount of energy consumed' and dancing definitely takes more energy in comparison with mimicking or

gesticulating, the more widely accepted forms of non-verbal communication.

22 depression. The word 'cure' is a cue to the negative meaning of the word, most likely some sort of illness or

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 10

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

state.

23 relationships. The reason we use plural form here is because 'relationship' in singular normally takes an

indefinite article.

24 enabling. 'To enable' means to make something possible, to give right to do something.

Part 4

25 has taken over the management. 'To take over' means to take control of something owned or controlled by

another person.

26 no account must this door ever. 'On no account' is another way to say 'never'. Also note the use of inversion.

27 on the recommendation of. To make more sense of this sentence, image there's an omitted verb, e.g. 'based on

the recommendation... '.

28 occurred to us that. 'To occur to smb' means 'to dawn on smb', 'to come to realisation'.

29 it made no difference to Kevin. You can't say 'it did not make any difference to Kevin' only because of the

word limit, otherwise it would have been a more obvious choice.

30 I might/would be able to make. It is important to understand the right collocating verb for 'visit'. 'Pay a visit' is

used when talking about people rather than places.

Part 5

31 C. Last sentence of the first paragraph mentions that the article on the same subject was read by 30 million

people. The article and the book share the same topic, and therefore many people are interested in it. Answer A is

not mentioned — it is the article, not the book that had been read by 30 million people. Answer B is not mentioned

either — the series is dedicated to the idea of different approaches to business, not solely to animal behaviour.

There is no mention of Answer D at all.

32 A. One but last sentence of paragraph two goes: "... his book is the first time anyone has laid out the science

behind a management theory...". The 'science' mentioned here is the evidence from Answer A. Answer B is wrong

— even though the book is one from the series, the series is dedicated to business strategies, and only one book of

the series focuses on animal behaviour.

33 C. Paragraph 3 stresses the promptness with which bees make decisions and contrasts it with managers of big

companies that take a lot of time to come up with a decision, often not the optimal one. Even though some of the

aspects of other answers are mentioned, they are only used here as details rather than the main purpose of the

paragraph.

34 C. 'Collaborate' means 'to work together'. Decision-making as a collaborative process is described in the middle

of the paragraph — having a ballot (or a secret vote). Other answers are not mentioned in the paragraph.

35 D. The example of self-organising ants goes to show how freedom of decision-making is beneficial to a

company. Answers B and C are not mentioned. The opposite of Answer A is stated — hierarchy 'gets in the way'.

36 C. The only possible difficulty here is knowing the word 'retain', which means 'keep, leave as'. The answer is

easily found within the last but one paragraph.

Part 6

37 D. Sentence 2 of Paragraph A goes " ... with hardly a thought as to what might endure to impress subsequent

generations."; Sentence 4, Paragraph D states the opposite: " ... people have bought and passed on to future

generations, those works of art that seemed to embody the spirit of their age and would have lasting value."

38 A. In the first sentences of both Paragraph A and C their authors agree that it is very difficult to predict and

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 11

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

identify the potential value of a work of art.

39 D. Last sentence of Paragraph B states that the works of art can distort the perception of history, giving events

of the past more importance than they actually deserve. The second half of Paragraph D is dedicated to the

importance of art in preserving the history and helping to understand the period it was made in.

40 C. Only the author of Paragraph C doubts the lasting artistic value of the works of the past.

Part 7

41 E. This paragraph gives more detail of what is mentioned in the previous paragraph — how Kieron is engaged

in drawing. 'Each one' can refer to either sketches or his own 'touches' — or alterations to the original pictures.

42 G. Last sentence of the preceding paragraph helps us here. The authors mentions, that seven-year-old boys don't

give advice to adults on terminology very often, and then Paragraph G explains the situation — "But then Kieron

Williamson is not your average boy". Last sentence of this paragraph goes "my seven-year-old could do better than

that" and the following paragraph starts with "Kieron actually can ...".

4З B. "Standard seven-year-old boy stuff there" refers to playing football and going to school. This is the easiest

anchor that could be used here.

44 D. World 'melee' is essential here to understand the connection between the paragraphs. It means 'a noisy fight, a

brawl' and is used figuratively to describe the situation of immense attention directed towards him.

45 F. "Kieron takes it back off me" helps to connect this paragraph with the previous one, where he hands the book

to the narrator.

46 C. "Michelle Williamson is aware of this" helps to establish connection with the previous paragraph. She then

goes on to suggest how boy's interests can change and develop as he gets older.

Part 8

47 В. The development in question is World Wide Web, which is stated in the last sentence of the paragraph.

48 D. Science Policy Centre work, journals and discussion meetings are the ways that are meant to make the public

more informed on the matters of science.

49 C. An example of young mathematicians from India that had posted the result of their research and the rapid

reaction to it are both mentioned in the middle of this paragraph.

50 C. Sentence two of this paragraph: "The latter cries out for an informal system of quality control". This sentence

refers to the urgent need to regulate the blogosphere, as it can be a source of all kinds of unconfirmed and even

harmful data.

51 A. Last sentence of the paragraph mentions the Trailblazing website which can be used to access data on

scientific discoveries of the past.

52 E. Middle of this paragraph: "Scientists often bemoan the public’s weak grasp of science"

53 A. Middle of the paragraph describes a "procedure whereby scientific ideas are subject to peer review" that is

still used.

54 E. First few sentences of this paragraph confirm that scientific knowledge and discoveries are not always

conclusive, and there are certain controversies connected to them.

55 E. Second part of the paragraph talks about the involvement of media, politicians and institutions in certain

scientific matters, so the issue is no longer purely scientific.

56 D. First part of the paragraph: "... the widening gulf between what science enables us to do and what it’s prudent

or ethical actually to do".

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 12

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

Vocabulary

The vocabulary below is meant to help you with the more difficult words. If the word isn’t on the list then you are

either supposed to know it or it is too specific to be worth learning and you don’t have to know it to answer the

question. Symbols in brackets mean part of speech(see bottom of the list). Sentences in italics give examples of

usage for some more complex words and phrases.

And remember — you are not given a vocabulary list(or a dictionary) at your real exam.

PART 1

Substitute(n) — a replacement of equal worth or quality. There is no adequate substitute for the employee you are

about to fire.

Superb (adj) — extremely good, excellent. The way you handled yourself in front of the press was superb.

Witness (v) — to see something happening in person. I wasn't there to witness the events of that evening.

Apparent (adj) — evident, clear or obvious. It is apparent that there is a mistake in the document.

Punctuated by (phr) — alternating at frequent intervals. The next year was punctuated by frequent visits from his

mother.

Inspiration (n) — something that stimulates your body or mind, esp. to do something creative. She often found her

inspiration in taking early morning strolls down the shore.

Stunning (adj) — very attractive or impressive. The girl living next door has stunning looks.

PART 2

Diversion (n) — (here) something that helps you distract yourself from business as a form of leisure; an amusing

activity. A game of pool proved to be the perfect diversion for the tired executives.

Craze (n) — wild, exaggerated enthusiasm; a short-lived fashion. This summer's craze is bright, loose outfits.

Contemporary (adj) — living or existing in the same period of time. Hemingway and Fitzgerald were

contemporary writers.

Reference (n) — a mention or an allusion. Modern TV shows are full of references to older shows and movies.

Domestic (adj) — referring to home (including your home country) or family. Domestic abuse is a serious issue —

it shouldn't be overlooked.

Complexity (n) — the state of being complex or intricate, complicated. Most readers will fail to appreciate the

brilliant complexity of her new book.

PART 3

Dawn (n) — the time of the day when the sun rises. It is also used figuratively as a synonym for 'beginning'. Since

the dawn of human race people have sought to be leaders rather than followers.

Evidence (n) — Proof of something. The police have no evidence to prove his guilt.

Intrinsic (adj) — characteristic or inherent, essential. Desire to learn is an intrinsic quality of any good student.

Utterly (adv) — an intensifier: extremely, to an extreme degree. Normally used to convey negative meaning. The

new player in the team turned out to be utterly useless.

Cure (n) — something that helps overcome an illness. At the present moment, there is no cure for his disease.

Alleviate (v) — to make something unpleasant, such as pain or sorrow, more bearable. The insurance payments

didn't alleviate their grief.

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 13

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

PART 4

Resign (from) (v) — to quit (e. g. a job). Due to the circumstances, he had no choice but to resign.

Mind (v) — here: to be opposed to something, to be against it. I don't mind if you help her with the school project.

PART 5

Obliquity (n) — the state of being oblique (not straight). In the given text it's a book title, don't bother memorising

this word.

Collaboration (n) — a state or process of working together. The results of their collaboration were very fruitful —

two new major contracts were signed.

Beehive (n) — a structure where a bee colony resides. If you see a beehive in your neighbourhood it is better not to

disturb it.

Vie (v) — to compete for something. They would vie for her attention for days on end.

Evaluate (v) — to try and assess or estimate the value of something. It would take a very experienced collector to

evaluate the painting.

Ballot (n) — a vote, usually a secret one, done by writing one's opinion on a piece of paper and placing it in a

container. Having a ballot would be the best way to go about our disagreement.

Diversity (n) — the state of being heterogeneous, or being composed of different parts; not of the same kind.

Ethnical diversity at the workplace seems to be top priority nowadays.

Scrap (v) — throw away, decline, turn down. The initial plans to expand their venture had to be scrapped because

of money issues.

Resilience (n) — endurance, willingness to continue despite hardships or difficulties. It takes great resilience to

start a business from the ground up.

Ease (n) — noun formed from 'easy'. He passed his final exams with surprising ease.

Pinpoint (v) — to precisely locate or identify. You will need a real professional to pinpoint the issue.

Retain (v) — to keep; not to loose. Despite the defender's attempts, the attacker retained possession of the ball.

PART 6

Maintain (n) — to keep something in working order; to keep in the same state. The company has to hire somebody

to maintain all the computers in the building.

Decade (n) — Ten years. Two decades ago this town was flourishing, now it's practically empty.

In retrospect (phr) — Looking back at something. In retrospect, all the decisions he had taken turned out to be the

right ones.

Predict (v) — to tell something before it happens. Nowadays it has become quite easy to predict weather for days

to come.

Disillusioned (adj) — state of being disappointed or having lost faith in something you previously believed. It is

typical for people of your age to get disillusioned about life in general.

Distort (v) — To represent wrongly, to twist or pull out of shape. Alcohol often distorts your perception of life.

Output (n) — result or product of something. This factory has an output of 10 thousand vehicles a month.

Relentless (adj) — Knowing no mercy; tireless and sustained . It has been growing increasingly hard to repel

relentless enemy attacks.

Transitory (adj) — temporary, passing, having short duration. This new fashion trend is only transitory.

Mediocrity (n) — state of being of average quality (usually has negative meaning). The drama class teacher said

that he will not tolerate mediocrity on the stage.

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 14

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

Timing (n) — process of regulating action to happen in a certain succession or at one time. The timing was perfect

— as soon as the teacher asked me to come to the board, the class came to an end.

Consensus (n) — state of agreement, unison. The sides were unable to reach a consensus despite having spend

over ten hours negotiating.

Prevail (v) — to win or dominate. Our school team prevailed in the finals.

Prophecy (n) — a message that is believed to tell the future. The events we saw had been described in an old

prophecy.

PART 7

Hail as (phr) — to acknowledge. Our school band is hailed as the best in the state.

Squeezed (adj) — packed tightly. Ten people squeezed into one small apartment was not the best of ideas.

Precocious (adj) — developed ahead of time. His precocious success was a pleasant surprise for all of us.

Prompt (v) — here: to provoke or trigger. Peter's unusual views prompted a heated debate in class.

Pastel (adj) — calm and restrained; pale, delicate. Pastel paintings are not going to brighten up your flat's bleak

interior.

Early-blooming (adj) — developing quickly and at an early stage.

Relish (v) — to enjoy something. I relished the rare opportunity to go away from my colleagues.

Huddle (v) — to gather into a crowd. People huddled at a bus stop.

PART 8

Inquiry (n) — a formal request for information; a question. .

Dissemination (n) — distribution. Dissemination of this knowledge is important if we want to reach our

objectives.

Deem (v) — to believe or consider. The defendant's arguments were deemed sufficient by the judge.

Peer (v) — person of the same age group. Children at school often feel that it is important to seek approval of their

peers.

Codify v) — to turn into a code or cypher.

Speculation (n) — a process of making assumptions not based on any confirmed facts or information. There's a lot

of speculation on whether the criminal is in fact guilty.

Imperative (adj) — necessary or important. It is imperative that you go to him immediately.

Empowered (adj) — given ability or right. Women of today feel more empowered because of the feminism trends.

Level (v) — make even or equal.

Gulf (n) — here: gap, empty space. The gulf between the rich and the poor is as wide as ever.

Tentative (adj) — experimental, careful. My tentative attempts at private teaching proved to be very fruitful.

Compelling (adj) — arousing strong interest. The reasons to start your own business can be quite compelling.

Controversy (n) — argument or debate, usually about something there is a strong disagreement about.

Gloss smth. over (phr) — If you gloss something over, you try to make it look better than it really is. The

government is trying to gloss over the current retirement fund shortage issues.

Bemoan (v) — to grieve over something, to mourn.

Disquieting (adj) — causing anxiety or uneasiness. Disquieting news of a war in the bordering country.

Intimidated by (v) — discouraged or frightened by something. You shouldn't feel intimidated by the graduation

exams.

n — noun; v — verb; phr v — phrasal verb; adj — adjective; adv — adverb

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 15

CAE Reading and Use of English Test 10

Click to download this CAE Reading and Use of English worksheet in PDF

https://engexam.info/ – free IELTS, CAE, FCE practice tests with explanations

Page 16