EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN UNIVERSITY
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST PART I - SAMPLE

Time Allowed: 120 minutes

Name and Surname : ________________________

Student Number : ________________________

Exam Room : ________________________

Read the instructions before you do anything else.

• Write your name and surname on the optic answer sheet and blacken your student number in PENCIL.

• Mark your answers on the optic answer sheet in pencil.

• Use an eraser (rubber) to change your answers on the optic answer sheet.

• Do not tear or separate the pages of the test booklet.

• Make sure you transfer all your answers to the optic answer sheet. ANY ANSWERS ON THE TEST BOOKLET WILL NOT BE SCORED.

• You are not allowed to use a dictionary or any other material during the test.

• You are not allowed to smoke during the test.

• Give both the test booklet and the optic answer sheet to the invigilator(s) when you leave.

• Do not make any noise in the corridors when leaving the building.

Gazimağusa, TRNC

Section I – Language Features

Instructions: Mark the best alternative for each blank in the sentences below.

1. Alicia is a student. _____ school is in New York.

a) She b) Hers c) She’s d) Her

2. _____ Samantha swim?

a) Do b) Was c) Can d) Is

3. A: “_____ does school start?” B: “In September.”

a) When b) Where c) What d) Why

4. My father hates _____ computers. He will never get one.

a) use b) using c) uses d) used

5. A: “Do we have fruit?” B: “There are _____ oranges in the fridge.”

a) lot of b) a few c) little d) any

6. A: “How _____ do you visit your grandparents?” B: “Twice a month.”

a) much b) many c) long d) often

7. I think Madrid is _____ place in the world. I go there every year.

a) interesting b) the most interesting c) more interesting d) as interesting as

8. If the room is dark, you _____ on the lights.

a) turned b) turning c) turn d) turns

9. Years ago my mother _____ go for long walks in the morning, but she is too busy for that now.

a) have to b) used to c) can d) should

10. I know Jim but I haven’t met his family _____.

a) ever b) never c) already d) yet

11. Ralph, _____ house I am staying in at the moment, is a good friend of mine.

a) whose b) who c) which d) where

12. _____ Ali and Emel want to study abroad. They are thinking of going to England.

a) All b) None c) Both d) Neither

13. I _____ long hours since I decided to buy a new car.

a) worked b) have been working c) had worked d) will work

14. If my teacher had shouted at me in front of my friends, I _____ embarrassed.

a) am b) would have been c) will be d) am going to be

15. A: “There are a lot of dark clouds in the sky. What shall we do?” B: “I think it _____ rain. Let’s cancel the picnic.”

a) must b) has to c) will d) ought to

16. A: “I want to _____ before it breaks down completely.” B: “Take it to Techno Computers. They are really good at repairs.”

a) fixing my computer b) have my computer fixed c) have fixed my computer d) my computer fix

Section II – Vocabulary

Instructions: Mark the best alternative for each blank in the sentences below.

17. Mina comes from Iran. She says it is a nice _____.

a) town b) city c) country d) capital

18. I want a _____ long holiday this summer. I only had two days in winter.

a) really b) correctly c) loudly d) neatly

19. It is _____ to work and study at the same time. You get very tired.

a) popular b) important c) fantastic d) difficult

20. In this factory, they _____ beautiful cars.

a) make b) start c) travel d) follow

21. Mark is going to the library _____ because he has two projects to finish.

a) suddenly b) brilliantly c) definitely d) regularly

22. It is _____ to eat lots of vegetables. There are vitamins in them.

a) necessary b) dangerous c) fashionable d) typical

23. Two criminals _____ from prison yesterday. The police are looking for them everywhere.

a) avoided b) discovered c) returned d) escaped

24. My little brother has a rich _____. He always says he sees monsters.

a) imagination b) attraction c) communication d) protection

25. There have been great _____ in the computer industry lately. You can do a lot of things with a pocket-sized computer.

a) prohibitions b) developments c) conclusions d) retirements

26. Mr. Smith would like to see you in his office _____. You’d better go as soon as possible.

a) dramatically b) extremely c) possibly d) immediately

27. I don’t think Mary is _____. She doesn’t keep her promises.

a) remarkable b) satisfied c) reliable d) pessimistic

28. My house was flooded but I managed to _____ all my pets.

a) describe b) lose c) rescue d) survive

29. Many animals start acting _____ before an earthquake. They seem uncomfortable and upset.

a) strangely b) absolutely c) faithfully d) broadly

30. George’s presentation was _____. After he finished, everyone congratulated him.

a) ridiculous b) ordinary c) impressive d) dependent

31. I wanted to explain something to him but I was _____ five times by his mobile phone.

a) involved b) provided c) contradicted d) interrupted

32. We are going out tonight. I have made all the _____.

a) arrangements b) measures c) incidents d) observations

Section III – Cloze

Instructions: Mark the best alternative for each blank in texts 1, 2, 3, and 4 below.

Text 1

Mary is a student in Whittington High School. She __33__ three brothers. They are all university students. George is Mary’s father. He __34__ at the local library. Her mother, Sabrina, is a teacher __35__ her school. Every day, Mary takes the bus to school. Her brothers’ lessons are usually in the afternoon __36__ they get up late.

33. a) had b) has c) is having d) is have
34. a) shows b) sends c) visits d) works
35. a) out b) on c) at d) off
36. a) so b) or c) but d) because

Text 2

Surfing is exciting and fun for people of all ages. All you __37__ is a surfboard, a wetsuit, and a lot of motivation. Surfing __38__ a long time ago. In the 18th century, explorers sailing __39__ islands in the Pacific saw people surfing the waves on wooden boards. These days, equipment can be expensive, but it is __40__ to hire boards and wetsuits from surf schools or shops.

37. a) serve b) prefer c) need d) hold
38 a) was starting b) is starting c) starts d) started
39. a) around b) in c) on d) next
40. a) private b) possible c) voluntary d) casual

Text 3

Recently, a girl in England __41__ her battle to wear trousers at school. She wore trousers in primary school but she __42__ wear a skirt when she went to secondary school. Her mother was ready to fight against this. __43__, the school decided that the legal costs were too expensive and the rule __44__ a month ago.

41. a) wins b) is winning c) was winning d) has won
42. a) should b) had to c) might d) can
43. a) Nearly b) Separately c) Properly d) Surprisingly
44. a) changing b) was changed c) was changing d) is changed

Text 4

Before 1900, rainforests covered 14% of the world’s surface. Today they cover only 7%. The reason for this is __45__. For years, the rainforests __46__ cut down to use the land and the wood, and to produce paper, medicines, and fuel. It’s not only trees that are disappearing. Millions of animals __47__ rainforests. These die, too. __48__ people stop cutting down rainforests, more than one million species of plants and animals will become extinct by 2030.

45. a) worth b) tasteless c) obvious d) innovative
46. a) will be b) might be c) had been d) have been
47. a) inhabit b) disturb c) damage d) interact
48. a) As soon as b) If c) Unless d) When

Section IV – Error Recognition

Instructions: In each item below, there is one mistake (grammar, vocabulary, word order, punctuation, or spelling). Mark the alternative with the mistake.

49. They’re three books in my bag. I bought them yesterday. A B C D

50. It is very hot today. I will go in to the house and stay there. A B C D

51. A: “What is your ocupation?” A B B: “I’m an engineer in a small company.” C D

52. I only like watching films on TV. I always go to the cinema. A B C D

53. Sarah can’t find her keys. She is looking at them. A B C D

54. Who is the girl in front of the supermarket. She looks really nice. A B C D

55. Have you been to Paris ever? You should visit it if you haven’t. A B C D E

56. Although computers are very practical to use, we should use them more and more. A B C D E
57. Many youngsters worked in factories as university education was very expensive A B C D between 1945 to 1960. E

58. I don’t see that company as an option. Furthermore, I don’t think they are generous A B C enough to satisfy their employees financial. D E

59. Peter can’t stand to sleep. He thinks there are better things to do with his time. A B C D E

60. I have to put of the meeting with the managers. I scheduled another meeting at the A B C D same time by mistake. E
Section V – Reading

Text 1
Mark’s New Life

Mark Walton lived in Germany with his family, but two years ago a company in England offered him a job. The money was good so he took the job. Now, he lives in a small house in North London. His family didn’t come with him because his wife has a good job in Germany and the children go to school there. Every month Mark spends some time with his family. Sometimes he goes to Germany and sometimes his wife flies to London with their two children. When they come to London, Mark takes them to interesting places. Sometimes they go out of London. At their last visit, they took the train to Scotland and stayed in a village. When Mark goes to Germany to see his family, they always spend time at home. They don’t have any visitors, even Mark’s parents!

Instructions: Mark each statement a) True, b) False, or c) Don’t know according to the information in Text 1. The first one is an example (e.g., b).

e.g. Mark lives with his family now. a) True b) False c) Don’t know
61. Mark took the job because the money was good. a) True b) False c) Don’t know
62. He stays in a hotel in London. a) True b) False c) Don’t know
63. His wife didn’t come to London because she doesn’t like it. a) True b) False c) Don’t know
64. The children live with their mother. a) True b) False c) Don’t know
65. He usually sees his family from Friday to Sunday. a) True b) False c) Don’t know
66. When his family visits him, they don’t always stay in London. a) True b) False c) Don’t know
67. Many people visit Mark and his family in Germany. a) True b) False c) Don’t know
68. Mark talks to his parents on the phone when he is in Germany. a) True b) False c) Don’t know
69. ‘offered’ in paragraph I means _____. a) received b) gave c) chose d) worked
70. ‘there’ in paragraph I refers to _____. a) North London b) England c) small house d) Germany

Text 2

___77___

I. 30% of Americans and 25% of Europeans are fat. Many of them are teenagers. In fact, there are fat farms even for young people in the United States. In these special camps, people cannot eat chocolate, hamburgers, pizza, and other junk food. Instead there is a diet of fruit, vegetables, brown bread, fish, and other healthy food.
II. Why is junk food bad for us? The answer is simple. It contains a lot of sugar and fat. We need both of these things, but junk food has too much of them. People in Europe and America eat 20 times more sugar and 5 times more fat today than in 1800. This is one reason why so many people die of heart disease.
III. However, even health food isn’t always healthy. Modern farmers and food factories use more than 3000 chemicals. Some are fertilizers. These help plants to grow. Others are pesticides. These kill insects. The third group are hormones. These make animals and plants grow bigger and faster. Finally, there are additives. They make food look better, taste better, and last longer. So are these chemicals bad for us? If we eat too many of them and not enough fresh, natural food, yes!
IV. Another important food issue in the world is meat. More and more people think it is wrong to kill and eat animals. In fact, today, 5% of Europeans and Americans are vegetarians. But rich countries still eat a lot more meat than poor ones. A person in America eats 110 kilos of meat in a year. In India, a person eats 1.1 kilos a year.
V. Some rich countries actually produce more meat than they need. Europe, for example, stores tons of beef. There are tons of butter and sugar, too, as well as milk and wine. Several countries even pay their farmers not to grow food. And why does this happen? Because rich countries grow too much food and poor countries grow too little.

Instructions: Mark the best alternative according to the information in Text 2.

71. Which of the following is true according to paragraph I?

a) In the past, people ate more fat and sugar. b) Very few fat people are teenagers. c) More Europeans than Americans are fat. d) In America, people try to lose weight in camps.

72. According to paragraph III, _____ help products look nice.

a) additives b) pesticides c) fertilizers d) hormones

73. Which of the following information is not in paragraph IV?

a) A lot of people don’t like killing animals. b) Less than10% of Europeans and Americans don’t eat meat. c) Rich countries eat more meat because they don’t know its dangers. d) Indians eat less meat than Americans.

74. According to paragraph V, rich countries _____.

a) have similar problems to poor countries b) sometimes limit the growing of food c) sometimes give poor countries extra food d) have more food because they buy it

75. Paragraph _____ gives some information about a health problem.

a) II b) III c) IV d) V

76. Paragraph _____ explains how farmers make food unhealthy.

a) I b) II c) III d) IV

77. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

a) Helping Poor Countries b) Rich Countries and Their Problems c) Food, Health, and Money d) Chemicals and Their Importance

78. ‘contains’ in paragraph II means _____.

a) picks b) prepares c) serves d) includes

79. ‘stores’ in paragraph V means _____.

a) introduces b) keeps c) catches d) exchanges

80. ‘this’ in paragraph V refers to _____.

a) growing food b) being a rich country c) paying farmers d) being a poor country

Text 3
A Short History of Television

I. John Logie Baird produced the first television pictures just eight years after the First World War. They were in black and white and not very clear, but he showed the world that the principle worked. Early sets cost as much as a small car and not many were sold. Very soon, though, his original system was improved and, in 1936, Britain’s first regular TV programme went on the air. Great Britain wasn’t the only country producing programmes. Other European nations, including Germany, were also involved in the early days of television.
II. The real TV revolution began in the US after World War II. TV stations began to open in almost every city, and national networks made programmes which were seen from coast to coast. One of the American networks—CBS—developed colour service as early as 1951. Two years later, TV took another important step when it showed a big international event, the coronation of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. It was the first time that a worldwide audience of millions saw history take place in their own homes.
III. By the end of the decade, TV culture was becoming a fact of life on both sides of the Atlantic. Even so, lots of people didn’t have TV sets and many experts thought it wouldn’t be that popular. That all changed in the ’60s and ’70s, as television started to satisfy the public’s interests, not just for entertainment but also for quick, accurate information. As more and more sets were sold, the importance of TV news quickly grew. After all, what other machine could show you live, as TV did, Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the Moon in 1969?
IV. Since 1980, there have been three more major developments. The first is video, which has given the viewers the power to control what they watch and when they watch it. The second is satellite TV. Thanks to direct broadcast satellites, dozens of new channels are now available to anyone who buys a receiving ‘dish’. Many of these specialise in one kind of programme such as news, sport, cartoons, music, or movies. Thirdly, there is high definition television which now offers a much clearer and more realistic picture than was possible even a few years ago.
V. So… more channels, more choice, more clarity. What is there left for TV to accomplish in the future? The answer is two-way communication. Modern technology means that future televisions will be linked to computer data banks. This way, viewers will be able to ask questions (via remote control) about what they are watching and the answers will appear on their screens. This idea is called ‘hyper-media’ and it has not been tested yet. But then, as we have just seen, TV has come a very long way in a very short time. The hyper-media revolution could happen sooner than many people think.

Instructions: Match each heading below (a-f) with the correct paragraph (I-V) in Text 3. There is one extra heading. The first one has been done as an example.

e.g. Paragraph I __c__ a) Reasons for TV’s sudden popularity
81. Paragraph II _____ b) The future of TV viewers
82. Paragraph III _____ c) Early steps in the development of TV
83. Paragraph IV _____ d) Possible developments in the coming days
84. Paragraph V _____ e) American contributions to the development of TV f) Recent improvements in TV

Instructions: Mark the best alternative according to the information in Text 3.

85. Baird’s invention was _____.

a) bought by a lot of people in England b) after Britain’s first regular TV programme c) improved very soon after it was made d) made after the Second World War

86. Which of the following is true according to the text?

a) In the future, we will get more information from TV. b) Colour was developed by several TV channels. c) After its production, everyone agreed on TV’s popularity. d) The earliest TV sets were extremely cheap.

87. Which of the following is not a current development in TV?

a) High quality pictures b) Choosing what to watch c) Hyper-media revolution d) New channels to watch

88. ‘principle’ in paragraph I means _____.

a) cause b) idea c) progress d) search

89. ‘accomplish’ in paragraph V means _____.

a) record b) accept c) achieve d) react

90. ‘these’ in paragraph IV refers to _____.

a) movies b) developments c) satellites d) channels

Text 4
___97___

I. Hamsters, which are normally kept as pets by millions of children, are helping scientists to understand whether violent teenagers are created by a violent childhood. Hamsters have in their brains the same chemical signals that regulate behaviour in human beings. Scientists are carrying out studies that focus on the chemicals in the brain which regulate aggression. These studies demonstrate that, when the brain chemistry in young hamsters is affected by fear, they become extraordinarily anti-social and violent towards their fellow animals.
II. These findings add weight to the belief that aggression in adults can be blamed on being neglected or treated badly as youngsters, as opposed to the idea that some people are born violent.
III. Social scientists think they can help children who become aggressive when they face failure, disappointment, and frustration, but the earlier they can intervene during childhood the better. This suggests that genetic behaviour can be changed or modified by upbringing. Another obvious example, heart disease, which is known to be genetic, is also made worse by stress and other environmental factors.
IV. The relationship between genes and the environment, particularly diet, in affecting people whose behaviour reveals criminal tendencies is also being studied. This research is building on a study that shows some connection between sugar consumption and violent behaviour.
V. Studies carried out in a US prison show that when the prisoners’ diet was improved, the incidence of violence and anti-social behaviour fell by 40%. It seems that good nutrition can make a difference in behaviour. Other studies show that diets with limited amounts of sugar and refined foods also reduce suicide rates.
VI. Some people are now worried that a murderer whom a judge has sentenced to life imprisonment may be able to walk free if ___95___.

Instructions: Mark the best alternative according to the information in Text 4.

91. Hamsters _____.

a) become less harmful when frightened b) are more violent when they are young c) have something in common with humans d) are usually anti-social animals

92. According to experiments on hamsters, _____.

a) aggression comes from birth b) people carry violence in their genes c) young people become aggressive due to neglect d) adults teach young people aggression when they are children

93. Which of the following is not mentioned in paragraph III?

a) All genetic behaviour can be changed. b) External factors make people aggressive. c) Heart disease is caused by genes and the environment. d) It is easier to help younger children.

94. According to paragraphs IV and V _____.

a) more than half of the violence in prisons decreases with healthier food b) diet has no effect on people’s behaviour c) if people eat more sugar, they become less violent d) there is a connection between crime and eating sweet food

95. Which of the following extracts best fills the blank in paragraph VI?

a) he was less violent at the time of the crime b) it can be proved that a bad diet was to blame c) he eats less sugar than other people in prison d) it is possible to forget his aggressive behaviour

96. This text was probably taken from a/an _____.

a) book on technological developments b) psychology magazine c) encyclopedia d) book on historical developments

97. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

a) Crime and Hamsters b) Genetics and the Environment c) Criminals and Food d) Hamsters and Violence

98. ‘regulate’ in paragraph I means _____. a) support b) share c) claim d) control
99. ‘demonstrate’ in paragraph I means _____. a) show b) decide c) rely d) seem
100. ‘intervene’ in paragraph III means _____. a) get interested b) replace c) reach d) get involved
NEW PROFICIENCY VERSION I – PART 1 – BOOKLET A
Item |Answer |Dist. |Level | |Item |Answer |Dist. |Level | |1 |D |4 |B | |51 |B |4 |B | |2 |C |4 |B | |52 |C |4 |E | |3 |A |4 |B | |53 |D |4 |E | |4 |B |4 |B | |54 |C |4 |E | |5 |B |4 |E | |55 |B |5 |P | |6 |D |4 |E | |56 |A |5 |P | |7 |B |4 |E | |57 |E |5 |P | |8 |C |4 |E | |58 |E |5 |I | |9 |B |4 |P | |59 |B |5 |I | |10 |D |4 |P | |60 |B |5 |I | |11 |A |4 |P | |61 |A |3 |B | |12 |C |4 |P | |62 |B |3 |B | |13 |B |4 |I | |63 |B |3 |B | |14 |B |4 |I | |64 |A |3 |B | |15 |C |4 |I | |65 |C |3 |B | |16 |B |4 |I | |66 |A |3 |B | |17 |C |4 |B | |67 |B |3 |B | |18 |A |4 |B | |68 |C |3 |B | |19 |D |4 |B | |69 |B |4 |B | |20 |A |4 |B | |70 |D |4 |B | |21 |D |4 |E | |71 |D |4 |E | |22 |A |4 |E | |72 |A |4 |E | |23 |D |4 |E | |73 |C |4 |E | |24 |A |4 |E | |74 |B |4 |E | |25 |B |4 |P | |75 |A |4 |E | |26 |D |4 |P | |76 |C |4 |E | |27 |C |4 |P | |77 |C |4 |E | |28 |C |4 |P | |78 |D |4 |E | |29 |A |4 |I | |79 |B |4 |E | |30 |C |4 |I | |80 |C |4 |E | |31 |D |4 |I | |81 |E |6 |P | |32 |A |4 |I | |82 |A |6 |P | |33 |B |4 |B | | |83 |F |6 |P | |34 |D |4 |B | |84 |D |6 |P | |35 |C |4 |B | |85 |C |4 |P | |36 |A |4 |B | |86 |A |4 |P | |37 |C |4 |E | |87 |C |4 |P | |38 |D |4 |E | |88 |B |4 |P | |39 |A |4 |E | |89 |C |4 |P | |40 |B |4 |E | |90 |D |4 |P | |41 |D |4 |P | |91 |C |4 |I | |42 |B |4 |P | |92 |C |4 |I | |43 |D |4 |P | |93 |A |4 |I | |44 |B |4 |P | |94 |D |4 |I | |45 |C |4 |I | |95 |B |4 |I | |46 |D |4 |I | |96 |B |4 |I | |47 |A |4 |I | |97 |B |4 |I | |48 |C |4 |I | |98 |D |4 |I | |49 |A |4 |B | |99 |A |4 |I | |50 |C |4 |B | |100 |D |4 |I | |
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PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR BOOKLET HAS 14 PAGES

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