Paper 3 Use of English (45 minutes)
Part 1
For questions 1–12, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is
an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
0 A ran B held C kept D possessed
0 A B C D
The driving examiner
I’m a driving test examiner. I (0) ...... my own driving school for 12 years before applying to become an examiner
in 2002. Since then I’ve qualified to examine lorry and bus drivers and instruct trainee examiners. I (1) ...... that
I’ve assessed 16,000 people and passed around half of them. The first lorry driver I passed burst into tears.
However, the most (2) ...... reasons for failing are not being ready and being too (3) ...... . Inwardly I’m telling the
candidates not to do something stupid like (4) ...... out into moving traffic, but I am not (5) ...... to tell them how
to drive.
When I (6) ...... my own test I was extremely nervous and had to deal with a very strict and unfriendly examiner.
We’re taught nowadays to put people at their (7) ...... . We pass everyone who’s up to (8) ...... , but people often
present themselves too soon. I’ve never been offered money to pass anyone, (9) ...... one man asked me if
he could make me change my (10) ...... . I then (11) ...... him to the police. My ambition is to be a supervising
examiner in (12) ...... of test centres in a large area.
1 A count B number C judge D estimate
2 A simple B regular C average D common
3 A tense B tight C stretched D stiff
4 A make B pull C pick D stand
5 A admitted B let C allowed D enabled
6 A took B performed C achieved D effected
7 A rest B ease C peace D leisure
8 A limit B test C measure D standard
9 A while B even C although D despite
10 A mind B thoughts C attitude D view
11 A reported B declared C announced D notified
12 A responsibility B care C duty D charge
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Part 2
For questions 13–24, 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.
Example: 0 I N
Looking for adventure
Insurance companies specialising (0) .............. insurance policies for dangerous activities are reporting
a dramatic increase in (13) .............. number of British holidaymakers choosing thrills and danger for
(14) .............. holiday fortnight. It seems that risky activities (15) .............. white-water rafting, freefall
parachuting and bobsleighing appeal in particular (16) .............. high-earning young men.
Two years ago, Andrew Blowers, a keen parachutist, set (17) .............. his own travel insurance company.
He did this because he had had such difficulty finding insurance cover for (18) .............. . In the past year, he
(19) .............. seen a huge increase in demand. Most other insurance companies, (20) .............. from his own,
exclude dangerous activities from their policies, whereas Mr Blowers insists that there are very (21) ..............
things that his company would not cover. Go-karting, white-water rafting and scuba diving are all included in
the standard rate of insurance (22) .............. offer.
People hardly (23) ............... read the small print of their insurance policies before setting off on holiday, but
they really should, especially (24) .............. adventure sports are concerned. Otherwise, the consequences
could be extremely costly.
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Part 3
For questions 25–34, 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.
Example: 0 B E A U T I F U L
Attractive or unattractive?
Cleopatra was not (0) ............ , at least according to her portrait on BEAUTY
coins found in archaeological sites. Despite this, she was loved by very
(25) ............ men, like the Romans Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. AMBITION
(26) ............ of beauty is not the same everywhere. What may APPRECIATE
be (27) ............ attractive in one culture, might not be in another. EXCEPTION
All over the world, males can (28) ............ handsome men, and IDENTITY
females lovely women. We don’t learn this (29) ............ , we’re born with it. RESPOND
We are also programmed to believe that good-looking people are more
(30) ............ , competent and intelligent than plain-looking people. It is an LIKE
extremely (31) ............ form of stereotyping. FORTUNATE
However, in one (32) ............ experiment, researchers brought a REMARK
group of (33) ............ together for an hour a day. Happily, after four STRANGE
days, people had begun to value qualities other than looks, and
(34) ............ were formed on the basis of these. FRIEND
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Part 4
For questions 35–42, 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 two and five words, including
the word given. Here is an example (0).
Example:
0 I have never been to Paris before.
TIME
This ...................................................... have been to Paris.
The gap can be filled by the words ‘is the first time I’, so you write:
Example: 0 IS THE FIRST TIME I
Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS.
35 There’s a possibility the plane will be delayed, so take a book to read.
CASE
You should take a book to read ................................................................................ delayed.
36 I will only feed your dog if it is friendly.
NOT
I will ................................................................................ it is friendly.
37 I’ve never had such uncomfortable shoes.
FAR
These shoes are ................................................................................ ones I’ve ever worn.
38 Winning the lottery is less probable than being hit by lightning.
LIKELY
You are ................................................................................ by lightning than win the lottery.
39 Fancy dress is optional at the party on Saturday night.
HAVE
You ................................................................................ fancy dress at the party on Saturday night.
40 Some people think Agatha Christie was the best crime writer ever.
THAN
Some people think no one has ever ................................................................................ Agatha Christie.
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41 How long is it since you travelled abroad?
LAST
When ................................................................................ abroad?
42 I haven’t had a holiday for nearly a year.
SINCE
It ................................................................................ I had a holiday.
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