Outcomes Advanced

PART 1
The history of divorce is also the history of romance.
Society has a special place in its psyche for true love. We think of it as unconditional, intimate,
and (1) ________________ (LAST). Divorce, on the other hand, seems the antithesis of love—
temporal, (2) ______________ (LEGAL), and involving lots of paperwork.
So would it surprise you to learn that the development of our Western notion of romantic
love is what (3) _____________ (ULTIMATE) led to the development of divorce law?
The truth is this: Not only did the development of romantic love coincide with the development
of available divorce, it was the trigger. This juicy part of societal history has been widely (4)
_____________ (LOOK).
Let's start from the beginning: From 0 A.D. to the 1600s—that is, 1,600 years—divorce was not
available to married couples. The Catholic Church influenced and controlled marriages. With
only a few exceptions, marriage was permanent, (5) ______________ (REGARD) of abuse,
fault, irreconcilable differences, or anything else short of death. This permanent marriage was
not based on ideas of romantic love, but on much more practical matters, such as (6)
_____________ (RELY) keeping land in the family, and keeping status stable.
Indeed, romantic love was not encouraged, and was even frowned upon, between married
couples. Up to the 18thcentury, “it was generally held that passionate sexual love between
spouses within marriage was not only independent, but positively sinful.”
If divorce was (7) ________________ (AVAILABLE) for 1,600 years, how did it become so
widespread (relatively) recently? The Church became less influential, and the importance of
family land became less crucial. But the more important—and interesting—factor is that Western
concepts of romantic love began to arise in the 1800s. Enlightenment thinkers in their salons, and
romance novelists in their publications, began pushing married love as a credible idea. After
women began reading these books and listening to these ideas, it began occurring to them that
they should marry for love rather than convenience—a novel concept at the time.
However, once romantic love entered the equation, (8) _______ (ETERNITY) marriage
became psychologically inconsistent. Romantic feelings are emotional. And emotional feelings
change over time. Therefore, a marriage built on romantic feelings could not be (9)
____________(SOLUBLE). Because “human emotions need not remain eternally constant…
divorce became practically possible.”
In sum, it is ironic that today, many of the people who advocate against easy divorce do so with
the idea that they are defending romantic love—because it was the very (10) ______(EMERGE)
of romantic love that triggered the availability of divorce. Marriage based on other factors
like religion, land, and family obligations were much more stable bases for marriage than
emotional love.
So the next time you hear someone complaining about the frequency of divorce, blame it on
love.
PART 2
For questions 1–12, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits
each gap.
The thing I like most about the summer is the Zodiac Folk Music Festival. (1) _____ beats
listening to acoustic music in the sun and this family-friendly festival doesn’t (2) _____ the earth
either. The moment we arrived we (3) _____ on the little camping area they have so we
could (4) _____ our tents and then go for a wander. We soon found a great spot. I got out my
funky new tent. (5) _____ I’d bought it was because I thought its bright green leafy design would
blend in with nature and it certainly did. It was so easy to put up too and in no time all the pieces
were slotted in place. Once the tents were up, we (6) _____ the direction of the music. All we
wanted to do now was dance, and dance we would. The first band’s singer had a really
lovely (7) _____ voice and really got the crowd going, but (8) _____ the next artist that we
were (9) _____ by. Her voice was simply amazing. Being a small and (10) _____ music festival,
it was easy to speak to her after her set and we somehow ended up tagging (11) _____ with her.
We were so taken by her Texan drawl and bubbly personality that we soon became (12) _____ to
everyone else.
1 A Something B Anything C Nowhere D Nothing
2 A cost B pay C earn D cut
3 A keyed on B poured in C homed in D knuckled down
4 A plant B make C pitch D build
5 A It’s only because B The thing that C The reason for D The reason why
6 A meandered for B drifted in C strayed off D lingered in
7 A piercing B shrill C shrieky D high-pitched
8 A it was B it will be C it was being D being
9 A knocked down B bowled away C startled over D blown away
10 A loose B low-key C restrained D soothing
11 A by B on C along D in
12 Aoblivious B engrossed C distracted D absorbed
PART 3
When I left school, I really had no idea of what I wanted to do next and found myself with a lot
of (1) __________ on my hands. I knew I wanted to do something useful that would enable me
to help others, but had been warned by my father not to make any snap (2) __________ or
decisions. He advised me to think long and hard, try a few jobs and talk to people in different
areas as well as seek careers advice. The first job I got was working in a hospital as an orderly
but after only a matter of months I felt (3) __________ in a rut and wanted out. It was, I realised,
unsatisfying and really just a (4) __________ to an end. That simply wouldn’t do. However,
when working at the hospital I did gain an insight into other work that people did there and, after
attending an open day at the local nursing college, I realised that I had (5) __________ my
choices down at last. Several years have passed and I’m now, I believe, the happiest staff nurse
you’ll ever find. I love the personal interaction this job gives me and just thrive (6) __________
the atmosphere of a busy hospital. I’m so glad I listened to my dad!
PART 4
Social media has become a global phenomenon. (1)_______________ a young person may live,
or (2)_______________ the socio-economic status might be, it is highly (3)_______________
they will be engaging on multiple social media platforms. So exactly (4)_______________ is the
use of social media impacting (5)_______________ the young generation?
One positive influence is that social media allows people to connect with one another at the
(6)_____________ of a button. (7)___________________ someone wish to discover more about
a particular issue, it is simply a matter of finding a like-minded online community. In this
(8)___________________, they can exchange ideas, discuss experiences, and describe how they
have overcome certain challenges. (9)________________________ many of the younger
generation are deeply concerned about problems (10)_______________ as social injustice and
global warming, social media can provide them with a means for bringing (11)_______ change.
 However, (12)________ social media might sometimes be a force for good, it can also affect
young people in ways that could be considered manipulative. A (13)_________ in point is when
vloggers recommend expensive brands. There are some teens (14)__________ really aspire to be
as popular as their idols, so they can be extremely susceptible (15)_____ this kind of promotion.
(16)___________ they may not realise is that there is a very strong chance a company is paying
the influencer to endorse these items.
On (17)_________, the most consequential impact of social media (18)________ to be the way
it allows people to acquire and spread knowledge (19)________ effectively. The (20)________
that many young activists have forced businesses to change their policies and practices for the
better (21)________ this point.
PART 5
The winner is not the person (1)___________ gets the most votes overall. (2)____________,
both candidates compete to win contests held across the 50 states. (3)____________ state has a
certain number of so-called electoral college votes, partly based on population. There are a total
of 538 up for (4)_____________ and the winner is the candidate that gets 270 or more.
All (5)__________ two states have a winner-takes-all rule, so (6)______________ candidate
has the highest number of votes is awarded all of its electoral college votes.
Most states lean heavily towards one party or the other, so the focus is (7)___________ about
seven states where (8)____________ of them could win. These are known (9)___________ the
battleground or swing states.
It is possible for a candidate to win the (10)______________ votes nationally - as Hillary
Clinton did in 2016 - but (11)_____________ be defeated.
PART 6
Somewhere in my house is a collection of (1)___________ (DUST), (2)_________(BATTER)
hard drives. (3)_________ (HIDE) inside is an absolutely (4)________ (VALUE) part of my
family history – my photos. There have been (5)_________ (NUMBER) occasions where I have
quickly glanced through a folder, and even printed a couple of pictures out, but the sheer volume
has made it utterly (6)_______ (POSSIBILITY) even to begin to organise or access this
(7)________ (SUBSTANCE) collection. It is (8)________ (SEEM) (9)_______ (SURMOUNT).
But I suspect I am not by no means unique in this respect. If we all had only 10 pictures in the
world, would we be more careful with them? Would each be (10)__________(METICULOUS)
stored, labelled, backed up and printed out in beautiful frames? In the past, family cameras were
precious, (11)_______ (HALLOW) objects. And the (12)________ (RELATIVE) small number
of photos in a family collection meant that many came to represent (13)________(POWER),
(14)_______ (EMOTION) links to our past. What we need is software that (15)_______ (EASY)
identifies the 10 best photos we've taken in a month, to avoid digital (16)____________ (LOAD)
There's no point backing up 3,000 photos, just the ones you really treasure.
PART 7
Not only did the promotion of appliances help balance (1)_____, but they also had much wider
social consequences.
In the 1930s, between 20 and 30 % of women’s (2)_______ was in domestic service. However,
by the (3)_____ ‘50s, that had virtually disappeared. While all households (4)_______ domestic
equipment so middle class households were losing their servants. As a consequence, middle class
women ended up doing a lot more domestic work than they (5)_______. For example there were
stairs (6) ______, a hall (7)______ clothes to wash, and all that without a (8)_______.
 Using a (9)_______ became more strenuous than never (10)______. Nevertheless, for working
class women it beat (11)_______ hands down.
People were helped to avoid (12)_______ in the home and to (13)_____ a career. By the 1960s
the society was much more (14)_______. That is to say, working class women and middle class
women were doing pretty much the same amount of (15)________. And by the 1990s, thanks to
technological improvements in domestic equipment, the time spent on (16)______ by women of
all classes had halved.
Bob didn't learn to use the washing machine or to (17)________.Even though things have
improved, women still bear the lion's share of the housework. There seem to be universal norms
that prohibit (18)______.
Although some men were (19)_________ domestic appliances, they found the (20) _________
enormously appealing.
The fact that there was an increase in home ownership coupled with a (21)________ tradesmen
kick-started a DIY epidemic. When an electric wire was damaged by a power drill on Christmas
Eve it caused (22)________.
PART 8
Stranger Things takes us back to the early 1980s. The narrative begins in 1983, in a quiet
Indiana community called Hawkins. A 12-year-old boy is cycling back to his house at night,
through the woods and close to a secret government research centre. When he never makes it
home, his friends and family set out to find him. (1)______________ (COINCIDENCE) with his
(2)_____________ (MYSTERY) (3)________ (APPEAR) is the (4)__________ (ARRIVE) of a
young girl with (5)________ (EARTH) powers, and a monster constantly (6)________ (LURK)
in the shadows.
The series is (7)_________ (BRIM) with references to the popular culture of the period. In
between scenes of horror and suspense, viewers are treated to snapshots of 1980s life, from
(8)________ (ICON) fashion and (9)_______ (HAIR) to the music and movies that defined the
decade. We are offered an (10)_______ (SIGHT) into the gender norms of the era: mothers
managing (11)_______ (HOLD) duties while fathers went to work. (12)_______(ADD), the
characters' (13)_______ (RELY) on (14)_______ (RELY) (15)_______ (LAND) during
emergencies will likely leave modern viewers feeling grateful for their smartphones.
It's difficult to suggest ways the (16)________ (CREATE) could have improved Stranger
Things as a (17)________ (VIEW) experience. The show is (18)_________ (GENUINENESS)
creepy, and the acting of the young cast is absolutely superb. The concept of the small-town cop
trying to get to the bottom of a mystery with no support from his department is (19)__________
(HARD) original, but makes sense given he is facing a supernatural enemy.
The series excels in (20)_________ (BLEND) horror, complex emotions, and (21)__________
(NOSTALGIC) into a (22)_________ (COMPEL) package. If you're looking for a show that will
(23)________ (THOROUGH) entertain and terrify you in equal measure, this is an (24)_______
(MISS) choice.
PART 9
How do you think universities might have changed in the last fifty years? Are these changes
for the better or the worse?
Over the last fifty years, universities have undergone significant changes, driven
(1)____________ advancements in technology, shifts in societal values, and the increasing
demand (2)_________ higher education. These changes have both positive and negative aspects,
depending (3)___________ one’s perspective.
 One major transformation has been the integration of technology (4)____________ teaching
and learning. Fifty years ago, education largely depended on physical books and face-to-face
lectures. Today, digital tools (5)__________ as online libraries, virtual learning platforms, and
video conferencing have revolutionized the way students access knowledge. This has made
education more flexible and accessible, allowing people from diverse backgrounds to study
remotely. (6)_____________, it has also raised concerns about the loss of traditional classroom
interaction and the potential overreliance (7)____________ technology.
Another significant shift is the growing internationalization of universities. Many institutions
now attract students and faculty from all over the world, creating diverse academic
environments. This not (8)___________ enhances cultural exchange but also prepares students
for a globalized workforce. Yet, the high costs of international education and competition for
limited spots can create barriers for students from (9)_____________ privileged backgrounds.
Additionally, the purpose of higher education has evolved. Fifty years ago, universities were
often seen as institutions primarily for intellectual development and research. (10)___________
these goals remain important, there is now greater emphasis on employability and career-focused
programmes. This has led to a broader range of courses and partnerships with industries, but
(11)___________ argue that it risks prioritizing profit (12)___________ academic integrity.
In my view, these changes have been largely for the better, as they reflect progress and
adaptability to modern challenges. Nevertheless, it is essential to strike a (13)____________
between embracing innovation and preserving the core values of education, such as critical
thinking and equal opportunities for all.
PART 10
Why Start-ups Benefit Young Entrepreneurs
A typical job has little to offer the (1)____________ (WOULD) entrepreneur, as it often
requires an employee to repeat a limited number of tasks. In a start-up, however, a young person
will, by (2)_____________ (NECESSARY), be engaged in multiple roles per day, such as doing
the accounts, (3)____________ (ENHANCEMENT) product design and seeking new marketing
opportunities. There is no reason, then, to waste time in regular employment. Furthermore,
because the business world is largely (4)_______________ (KNOW), young people tend not to
be (5)___________ (HOLD) back by fear. As such, they are more likey to take chances and
succeed in getting their business off the ground. This is why people in their thirties or forties may
(6)______________ (CONTEMPLATION) the idea of a start-up, but do not often have the
stomach for it. Working in young people's favour is their confidence and ambition, and a flexible
lifestyle. It is fair to say that age will help, not (7)______________ (HINDRANCE) their efforts.
PART 11
I would like to start (1)_______ talking about two places I have visited on holiday. The first
was Santorini, a Greek island famous for (2)__________ whitewashed buildings and stunning
sunsets. The second was Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, which is a great (3)__________ more
cosmopolitan than Santorini. While Santorini is easily the (4)___________ breathtaking
destination I have ever been to, Bangkok is considerably (5)___________ bustling and vibrant.
The Greek island is known not so (6)_________ for its sights as for its natural beauty and
relaxed atmosphere, whereas Bangkok offers a chaotic mix of history, culture, and nightlife.
That (7)_________ said, Bangkok is not (8)____________ as unspoilt as Santorini, but it is by
(9)__________ the most captivating city I have visited. (10)_________ this were not enough, the
food in Bangkok is absolutely incredible, making it a paradise for food lovers. On the
(11)__________, I would say that while Santorini is significantly more picturesque, Bangkok
came a (12)___________ second in terms of excitement and cultural richness.
Let’s now move (13)__________ to the jobs I have done. The first was working as a customer
service assistant in a busy shopping centre, and the second was teaching English to children. The
retail job was nothing (14)___________ as rewarding as teaching, as it often involved dealing
with difficult customers, (15)__________ could be quite frustrating. However, it wasn’t quite
(16)___________ a demanding job as teaching, (17)_____________ I didn’t have to prepare
lessons or worry about keeping children engaged.
Teaching, on the other hand, was the most challenging by a (18)_________ way, but at the
same time, it was much more fulfilling. Nothing gives (19)___________ bad an impression as a
teacher who lacks enthusiasm, (20)__________ I had to be constantly energetic and creative.
Personally (21)____________, I found that teaching was nowhere (22)____________ as mind-
numbing as retail work, because every day was different, and I could see my students improving.
All things (23)_____________, I enjoyed both experiences, but teaching was
(24)___________ far the most rewarding. On (25)__________ of all this, it gave me valuable
skills in communication and leadership, which have been useful in other areas of my life.
(26)_____________ a final point, I’d like to add that both holidays and both jobs taught me
something different, and comparing them helps me appreciate the variety of experiences I’ve
had. (27)___________ conclusion, I would like to say that while Bangkok was perhaps the most
stunning in terms of cultural diversity, Santorini was the most picturesque. Similarly, while
teaching was the most demanding, it was also the most fulfilling.
Well, this brings me to the end of (28)__________ I wanted to say about my holidays and jobs.
All (29)__________ all, both experiences have shaped me, and I wouldn’t trade them
(30)___________ anything.
PART 12
The topic I would like to discuss with you today is the one of family and relationships. More
(1)____________ (SPECIFIC), I would like to focus on an area that I consider (2)___________
(PARTICULAR) interesting. It is how the concepts of family and relationships in general have
changed in our lifetime.
To start with, I would like to reflect on how families have evolved since the times of our
grandparents. As strange as it might seem today, our grandparents' generation believed that
having children meant an increase in their workforce and therefore they embraced the idea of
having many of them. So, the more children they had, the more work could be carried out in the
fields. As a matter of fact, my grandparents were farmers and all family members were supposed
to lend a (3)_______ (HELP) hand and shoulder the burden of the (4)_____ (DAY) farm chores.
Nowadays, however, we tend to have (5)______ (FEW) children. (6)______ (EVIDENT), we
no longer see them as workforce. Quite the (7)_____ (OPPOSE), we have become aware that
they need our constant attention and a lot of TLC (tender, loving care). (8)______ (ADD), we
also enjoy an (9)_____(EXTENSION) life (10)_____ (EXPECT). People live (11)___________
(DEFINITE) (12)_______ (LONG) and this has of course influenced family structures. We even
have coined a new term, the (13)_____ (CALL) "Beanpole family", which describes a multi-
generational family that is (14)_____ (THIN) (15)______ (STRETCH) over several generations,
with fewer family members in each generation and with (16)______ (GROW) numbers of
(17)_______ (SINGLE) families.
In (18)_____ (ADD) to family size, a (19)_____ (FAR) point to discuss is family types. At the
time of our grandparents you would just find the most traditional families. Our generation, on the
other hand, has witnessed the (20)______ (EMERGE) of a much (21)_____ (WIDE) range of
family structures. A case in point is the single-parent families, which have become more
common in recent years. Another family type to consider is the rainbow families, which
include same-sex families and gender-diverse families. Apart from these, there is also
the blended family, a family consisting of a couple, the children they have had together, and their
children from previous relationships. Finally, another family type that has gained (22)________
(PROMINENT) recently is the foster family, which takes a child into their home for a while and
takes care of him or her. In any case, what we should bear in mind is that there is no such thing
as 'normal' or '(23)______ (NORMAL)' family structures – we are all equal and love is what
really makes a family.
Another area to consider, is our children's (24)_____ (BRING). There are (25)______ (MAIN)
two types of parenting, helicopter parenting and free-range parenting. In the former parents pay
(26)______ (EXTREME) close attention to their children's experiences and problems. And the
latter advocates (27)______ (ENCOURAGE) (28)______ (DEPEND) in children. These parents
believe that (29)______ (PROTECT) is a danger in itself. (30)______ (DEED), a child who
thinks he cannot do anything on his own (31)_____ (EVENT) can't. As the popular (32)_______
(SAY) goes "either if you say you can or you can't you are always right.
(33)_____ (OBVIOUS), these two types of parenting lead us to a dilemma. Are we living in
a risk-averse culture where we stifle our children's (34)_____ (ABLE) to deal with danger by
never allowing them to take (35)_____ (REASON) risks? Does our society (36)_________
(MOLLY) its children? Or do free-range parents expose their children to real and (37)________
(NECESSITY) danger? What do you think?
In conclusion, our generation has witnessed a major shift in not only the area of family size and
structure but also in the emergence of (38)_______ (CONVENTION) family types. (39)_______
(WISE), today's parents are in a quandary over whether in our modern times they should rear
their children in a (40)______ (PROTECT) or (41)_______ (PERMIT) way. In any case, at this
moment in time, we have all become (42)_______ (PERFECT) aware that we are propelling our
children to an (43)______ (PREDICT) future. So, as long as they have the skills to fend for
themselves, we as a society should feel proud and (44)_______ (CONTENT).
PART 13
A Gift from the Past
I live in a big old house, (1) _______ (build) over 200 years ago. (2) _______ (live) there for
decades, I thought we knew it inside out. However, (3) _____ (eat) dinner one day, I heard the
unmistakable sound of a pigeon (4) ____ (coo) inside the living room wall. Not (5)___ (want) to
allow the poor creature to suffer, I ripped the wallpaper off the wall, behind which I found an old
fireplace, (6) _____ (brick up) decades earlier, by the look of it. Not (7) _____ (have) any heavy
tools in the house, I used a kitchen mallet and a broom handle to knock the bricks out, eventually
(8) _____ (reveal) the soot-covered pigeon inside. (9) _____ (fall) a considerable distance from
the rooftop chimney pot, the pigeon was in a sorry state, but was otherwise uninjured – and
delighted to be free. (10) _____ (remove) the pigeon from the fireplace, I noticed a parcel (11)
______ (wrap) in brown paper, with a note (12) _____ (write) in old-fashioned handwriting: ‘A
present for the future owners of this house, from the family (13) _______ (live) here in 1874.’
PART 14
Rats share our streets
For thousands of years, rats have chosen to live (0) ALONGSIDE humans. These opportunistic
(1)_______(SURVIVE) have established their own colonies wherever people have camped, built
villages or founded towns. And now that more and more people are shifting to cities, rat numbers
have risen (2)______ (ACCORD).
City life suits rats for a number of reasons. A key factor is the (3)______(ACCESS) of fast
food. Rats share human taste (4)______(PREFER) for fat and sugar, so whenever city dwellers
(5)______(PROPER) dispose of food scraps such as an unwanted pizza slice or melting ice
cream, rats will make the most of this free meal. Another factor is that cities generate
considerable heat. Although the average life (6)_____(EXPECT) of a rat is only around twelve
months, during that time, there can be up to 15,000 (7)______________(DESCEND) stemming
from a single pair when ample food and warmth create ideal breeding conditions.
With rats becoming increasingly (8)________(RESIST) to poisons, many cities are struggling
to combat rodent population explosions. So far, no-one has come up with a viable solution.
PART 15
1. I have never before been asked to accept a bribe.
Never before
2. He had hardly left the house when the storm broke.
Hardly
3. As soon as he had left the house the storm broke.
No sooner
4. This switch must not be touched on any account.
On no account
5. She rarely has any money to spare.
Rarely
6. He hardly speaks to anyone.
Hardly
7. The nation has seldom been faced with such difficulties.
Seldom
8. They had hardly started playing tennis when it began to rain.
Hardly
9. A father has seldom sacrificed so much for his child.
Seldom
10. You may not return after midnight on any account.
On no account
11. He would not give up writing his satires under any circumstances.
Under no circumstances
12. He realized the danger he had been in only after he had read the newspaper the following
morning.
Only after
13. They were not able to assess the damage until the floods had subsided.
Not until
14. He only stays in bed if he is seriously ill.
Only if
15. We only then realized how much he had suffered.
Only then
16. He was only able to do the exercise with a great deal of effort.
Only
17. He didn’t manage to get permission until she had calmed down.
Not until
18. No director has made such an intellectually challenging sci-fi movie since Kubrick’s 2001.
Not since
19. He became so suspicious that he didn’t even trust his family.
So suspicious
20. He was so anxious to start a new life that he actually changed his name.
So anxious
21. He could only make himself heard by shouting at the top of his voice.
Only by
22. He laughed so much that tears rolled down his cheeks.
So much
23. Her business was so successful that Marie was able to retire at the age of 50.
So successful
24. If you were less than delighted with our product, we would refund your money immediately.
Were
25. If you were to accept our offer, we could avoid the costs of a court case.
Were
26. If the builders were to finish their work to schedule, they would receive a bonus.
Were
27. If the tickets should fail to arrive before the departure date, we would arrange to have
duplicates waiting at the airport.
Should
28. If the film had been released in the summer, it would not have been so successful.
Had
29. He had no money and his sister didn’t have any either.
He had no money, neither / nor
30. They have no intention of paying and we don’t either.
They have no intention of paying and nor / neither
31. I couldn’t face my father and Jane couldn’t either.
I couldn’t face my father and neither / nor
32. Tom came in.
In
33. Two large dogs jumped up.
Up
34. Half a dozen apples fell down.
Down
35. The body of our late lamented sovereign lies here.
Here
36. As soon as Springsteen had gone on stage, it started to rain.
No sooner
37. We only very rarely go to the cinema these days.
Only very rarely
38. I have never seen such a terrible performance of Hamlet before.
Never before
39. Bags must not be left unattended at any time.
At no time
40. The identity of the murderer is not revealed until the very last page.
Not until
41. They only realized the painting had been hung upside down when someone complained at
reception.
Only when
42. He would never play in front of a live audience again
Never again
43. She had hardly sat down to watch her favourite programme when the phone rang.
Hardly
44. You will not be allowed to enter the auditorium under any circumstances once the play has
started.
Under
45. We not only went to the National Gallery, but we also saw a West End musical.
Not
46. John had not enjoyed himself so much since he went to the theme park as a child.
Not
47. We won’t give in to their demands in any way.
In
PART 16
I would like to start (1)______ talking about two places I have visited on holiday. The first was
Santorini, a Greek island famous for (2)______ whitewashed buildings and stunning sunsets. The
second was Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, which is a great (3)_______ more cosmopolitan
than Santorini. While Santorini is easily the (4)______ breathtaking destination I have ever been
to, Bangkok is considerably (5)______ bustling and vibrant. The Greek island is known not so
(6)_____ for its sights as for its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere, whereas Bangkok offers
a chaotic mix of history, culture, and nightlife.
That (7)_____ said, Bangkok is not (8)_____ as unspoilt as Santorini, but it is by (9)______ the
most captivating city I have visited. (10)_____ this were not enough, the food in Bangkok is
absolutely incredible, making it a paradise for food lovers. On the (11)_____, I would say that
while Santorini is significantly more picturesque, Bangkok came a (12)_____ second in terms of
excitement and cultural richness.
Let’s now move (13)______ to the jobs I have done. The first was working as a customer
service assistant in a busy shopping centre, and the second was teaching English to children. The
retail job was nothing (14)______ as rewarding as teaching, as it often involved dealing with
difficult customers, (15)______ could be quite frustrating. However, it wasn’t quite (16)______
a demanding job as teaching, (17)______ I didn’t have to prepare lessons or worry about keeping
children engaged.
Teaching, on the other hand, was the most challenging by a (18)______ way, but at the same
time, it was much more fulfilling. Nothing gives (19)______ bad an impression as a teacher who
lacks enthusiasm, (20)______ I had to be constantly energetic and creative. Personally
(21)______, I found that teaching was nowhere (22)______ as mind-numbing as retail work,
because every day was different, and I could see my students improving.
All things (23)______, I enjoyed both experiences, but teaching was (24)_____ far the most
rewarding. On (25)_____ of all this, it gave me valuable skills in communication and leadership,
which have been useful in other areas of my life.
 (26)_____ a final point, I’d like to add that both holidays and both jobs taught me something
different, and comparing them helps me appreciate the variety of experiences I’ve had.
(27)______ conclusion, I would like to say that while Bangkok was perhaps the most stunning in
terms of cultural diversity, Santorini was the most picturesque. Similarly, while teaching was the
most demanding, it was also the most fulfilling.
Well, this brings me to the end of (28)_____ I wanted to say about my holidays and jobs. All
(29)_____ all, both experiences have shaped me, and I wouldn’t trade them (30)_____ anything.