New Matrix Upper-Intermediate Tests

4 If I lose my job I’ve always got my savings to

on.

5I complained to the manager of the hotel about the poor service, but unfortunately the other guests didn’t

the theatre box office just before the show.

7 I’ve got so much work to do these days. It just keeps

.

7

4Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in brackets.

1Alison has always had a burning (ambitious) to start her own business.

Grammar

5 Underline the correct verb forms.

Ruben González was one of the true legends of Cuban music. He 1 became / had become a full time pianist in his early 20s, but it was not until he was 77 that he

2 recorded / was recording his first solo album, at a time when he thought that his career 3 ended / had ended. He 4 lived / was living in retirement in Havana when he was approached by the Cuban musician, Juan de Marcos, because de Marcos 5 decided / had decided to revive the lively Cuban music of the 1950s. Ruben 6 hadn’t played / wasn’t playing for three years. He 7 didn’t even have / hadn’t even had a piano. Then in his 70s, with the help of De Marcos, he 8 found / was finding fame as a member of the famous Buena Vista Social Club.

8

Test 5

6Complete the sentences with these words.

• because • if • so • while • although • when

Writing

7Write an argument (200–250 words) for and against one of these statements:

1Money is not important for a successful and happy life.

2Television is bad for us. We should stop watching the television and start doing something more interesting.

Remember to:

•write an introduction.

•write a paragraph agreeing with the statement.

•write a paragraph disagreeing with the statement.

•write your personal view in the conclusion.

•think about the language you could use to present your arguments.

10

Total 50

Speaking

Giving a short presentation

Prepare to give a short presentation (2–3 minutes) on the topic:

An occasion when I was successful

Here are some points you could mention:

•when it happened

•what you achieved

•how you felt

4Complete the sentences with these words and phrases.

•still • already • unless • apart from • unfortunately

•all in all • just

1I’ve been working for hours and I’ve got loads to do.

2The school fair was great and we made some money too.

5I can’t believe it! You only 15 minutes ago and you’ve

6Guess who I’ve

7I know you’re all having a

we have

3When I spoke to my mother gardening all afternoon.

Progress test 1

7Complete these sentences using the correct form of the verb in brackets. Add a preposition if necessary.

Listening

8 You are going to hear a radio programme about food in Britain. As you listen to the first part, choose the best answer, a, b, c or d, to questions 1–3.

1According to John, in a Chinese takeaway you can be sure to see a

a TV. b calendar. c counter. d few chairs.

2 How many people can John see working in the kitchen? a one b two c three d four

3It’s thought that English people like Chinese food a nearly as much as fish and chips.

b as much as fish and chips. c more than fish and chips.

d much more than fish and chips.

Listen to an interview with Ricky Tan and answer questions 4–7.

6Ricky joined the business because

a he wanted to have time off before university. b he didn’t really like studying history.

c he couldn’t find work after university.

d he didn’t want to do a postgraduate degree.

7What Ricky didn’t like about home life as a child was a other children looking down on him.

b having the family business in the house. c having to help out with the housework.

d feeling embarrassed about his circumstances.

7

Total 50

Test 6

Reading

1Read the text and choose the best answer, a, b, c or d, to questions 1–5.

Mystery over the Baltic Sea

Early morning, August 23rd 1979, two fishing boats left the port of Hel near Gdańsk for a fishing zone situated 70 kilometres offshore. Out on deck the fishing had begun when suddenly the crew became alarmed as several large red balls appeared in the sky right above them. One fishing boat performed zigzag moves in order to distance itself from the balls, but one of the mysterious features of the balls was that they were able to follow the boat, always remaining ahead of it. Simultaneously, all electrical appliances on the fishing boat stopped functioning. Members of the crew were gripped with fear, they had headaches and nausea and found it difficult to breathe.

Then, all of a sudden, after the captain had changed the boat’s course numerous times, the red balls soared upwards and disappeared. At that very moment, the electrical appliances started operating again. Both fishing boats turned and headed for the port of Hel. Members of the crew were immediately examined by doctors of the naval base. However, the doctors found no evidence of serious illness in the men, only nervous disorders and exhaustion.

Thirteen days after the UFOs appeared over the fishing boats, two glowing red balls appeared over an ambulance on the coast of the Gdańsk bay early in the morning. Four doctors in the ambulance and two pedestrians observed the balls. Again no harm was caused to the people involved.

So what were the red balls in the sky? Many theories have been put forward over the years but scientists have not yet found a likely explanation. They say that the accounts of the balls in the sky remain an intriguing mystery.

1The red balls appeared in the sky a as the men started fishing.

b before the men started fishing. c after the men started fishing. d when the men stopped fishing.

2The strangest thing about the balls was their a colour. b shape. c size. d movement.

3Something on the boat that could have been affected by

the balls was the

a compass. b furniture. c lighting. d water supply.

4According to the writer, in what way is the second incident similar to the first?

a The people were all working at the time. b The people were not physically injured.

c The people saw that the balls were glowing.

d The people were frightened by the experience.

Name:

Class:

5 At the end of the text we learn that

ascientists are fascinated by the stories of the balls.

bscientists do not believe the stories of the balls.

cscientists are not interested in the balls.

dscientists do not expect to find an explanation for the balls.

5

Vocabulary

2 Choose the best answer, a, b, c or d.

1Apparently, despite new regulations, there are still plenty of materials in most homes which could produce

fumes if fire broke out.

a lethal b disastrous c fatal d risky

2 In order to enter the building some form of document will be needed as proof of identity.

a important b proper c official d acceptable

3Complete the sentences using these words. Add the correct preposition.

•comes • alarmed • put • according • evidence

•result • relate

Grammar

•might / be • needn’t / do

•should / come • must /

2I really

completely forgot about

3Frederick knew that he student to his party and

1If you’d asked me about helped you.

2The purse I lost was a

Test 6

6Lisa should have forgotten we were going out – I saw her write it in her diary last week.

7I don’t know where my glasses are. I ought to have left them at school but I’m not sure.

8It ought not to have been Mary because she’s the only person with a coat like that.

9You needn’t do all that work – I only asked you to do exercise 1!

10The test could have been very difficult – even Tom managed to get all the answers right.

10

Writing

6Write a detective story (200–250 words) which starts with this sentence:

‘Colonel Higgins opened the safe to find his wife’s diamond necklace had disappeared.’

Remember to:

•describe the weather and surroundings.

•describe the appearance and character of the people.

•describe the place and important objects in the story.

•use adjectives and adverbs to make your description more interesting.

•plan carefully and write in paragraphs.

10

Total 50

Speaking

Discussion: mysteries

Preparation time: 2 minutes. Work in pairs.

You have 3–4 minutes to discuss these questions:

1What do people find mysterious about these things?

2Which do you find the most mysterious? Why?

3What explanations can you find for the different mysteries?

The Pyramids

Bigfoot

Ghosts

Test 7

Reading

Name:

Class:

7 I can still remember the first time I flew – the roar of the

a disappeared b abandoned c left d departed

7

4Use the following words to complete the text. Add the correct preposition where necessary.

• realistic • outrageous • rely • oblivious • crucial • rather

Trekking in Nepal

You don’t really need to go through a trekking company to

Grammar

Test 7

3They’re coming to fix the burglar alarm as I don’t feel safe without it.

4I want to find someone to take my daughter’s picture – do you know a good photographer?

5My car’s making a funny noise – I really must get someone to put it right.

My car’s making a funny noise – I really must

.

6Petra’s feet are an unusual size so someone has to make shoes especially for her.

Petra’s feet are an unusual size so she especially for her.

6

Writing

7You have been asked to write a review (200–250 words) of a film for the school magazine.

Remember to :

•describe the type of film it was and give details.

•give details of the people involved.

•give any other interesting information.

•write in paragraphs.

•use adverbs and phrases you’ve learnt to make your writing more interesting.

•use link words.

•make some personal recommendations for films to see.

10

Total 50

Speaking

Giving a short presentation

Choose one of these topics and prepare to give a short presentation (2–3 minutes) on it.

1It is irresponsible of people to take part in dangerous or risky sports.

2How can we best encourage people to take up sports in order to keep fit and healthy?

Remember to:

•introduce your presentation.

•give arguments for and against the statement.

•give your opinion in the conclusion.

Test 8

Reading

Name:

Class:

3Fill in the gaps in the advertisement with these words.

•salary • aptitude • currently • supplied • recruit

•interested • working • finished • role

3Just think! This time next

I’ll be sitting in the sun in

5Some of these sentences the mistakes and correct

Test 8

5I think I’ll go and see a film with Karl this evening, or maybe I’ll just be having an early night – I can’t decide.

6If you don’t understand what to do, ask the teacher and he’s going to help you.

7By the time I see you again I’ll have been to Spain and

Summer camp jobs available right now

Camp Loccnar in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania is currently recruiting students to help out with a whole range of activities. Activities include soccer, tennis, horse riding, rock climbing, swimming and sailing.

An interest in art and music would also be an advantage.

Are you an outgoing person who is keen on sport? Would you be a good role model for children? Do you think you would enjoy working with kids? If so, we strongly encourage you to send us your personal statement together with a letter of application.

Write a letter of application (50–100 words) and a personal statement (about 200 words) to send to Camp Loccnar.

In your personal statement remember to:

•describe your character and abilities.

•say why you think you would be good at the job.

•give details of your main interests.

•give details of your experience with children.

In your letter of application remember to:

• say why you are writing.

• ask about the starting date.

• mention the documents you have enclosed.

• use the right ending.

10

Total 50

Speaking

Discussion: the future of our world

Preparation time: 2 minutes. Work in pairs.

You have 3–4 minutes to discuss what these headlines suggest about the future of our world and what could be done to make the world a better place for us to live.

Test 9

Reading

Name:

Class: