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Final exam: Units 1-5: New Inside Out Upper Intermediate

Reading

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1)

Read the text. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)?

a)

People who work in the theatre are very superstitious. _____

b)

Sir Ian McKellen had bad luck in the play, Macbeth. _____

c)

Some actors think that whistling on the stage will bring bad luck. _____

d)

If you wish an actor good luck, you have to leave the theatre. _____

e)

Some experts think that if an actor doesnt do a ritual, they will have bad luck.

_____
The use of rituals and superstitions to ensure it will be all right on the night has long been
a part of theatre tradition. Many actors perform their own private rituals, such as sleeping
with the script under their pillows, or always whispering the same word before going on
stage. But other superstitions are more widespread.
Perhaps one of the most well known superstitions concerns Shakespeares play,
Macbeth. Many actors wont say the name of the play inside the theatre. Instead theyll
call it The Scottish play. Saying the name of the play is supposed to bring bad luck, and
curse the performance. In one episode of The Simpsons, the Simpson family meets the
famous British Shakespearean actor, Sir Ian McKellen outside a theatre. Every time one of
them says Macbeth something bad happens to McKellen. He is even struck by lightning.
Another custom is that you wont wish an actor good luck before a performance; youll say
break a leg. It is thought that saying good luck will bring bad luck. And many people who
work in the theatre wont whistle on the stage or in the dressing rooms; in fact anywhere

inside the theatre. The people who do say the name Macbeth, or break any other rules
are forced to perform a cleansing ritual in which they go outside, turn around three times,
spit, swear, then knock on the door and ask to be let back in.
This belief in superstitions and rituals has its roots many centuries ago, but why do many
of these beliefs still continue today? Some experts think this is because a lot of the actors
livelihood depends on luck.
But maybe its just a habit thats hard to break. Doug Hatton, an actor in Londons West
End, says, the problem becomes when you dont do the ritual, it weighs on your mind and
you get nervous. Thats when you make mistakes.

2) Follow up: Write about a ritual you do regularly and the reason for doing it.

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Grammar
3)

Underline the correct form of the verbs.

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I was twenty when I (1) found out / have found out I had a sister. My father (2) became /
had become ill very suddenly, and was in hospital. The hospital (3) asked / was asking
me to bring in some of my fathers health documents. I went to my fathers house, and
while I (4) was going / had been going through some papers in his desk I (5) was
coming / came across a photograph of a baby girl with a smiling dark-haired woman. But
it (6) hadnt been / wasnt me in the photo, and I (7) didnt recognise / wasnt
recognising the woman. Who were they? I was intruiged. (8) I had always known /
always knew that my father (9) was / had been married before, but I hadnt guessed hed
had a child. When my father recovered, I asked him about the photograph. He told me that
he and his first wife (10) had / had had a baby girl after they had separated. He met my
mother soon after that. Jennifer was my half sister. She was twenty-five, and was living in
Leeds, a city just thirty miles away. At first I felt very angry with my father. I thought about
the hours I (11) was spending / had spent alone as a child, longing for a friend. But since
then Jennifer and I (12) have become / became great friends. I love having a sister!

4)

Complete with the gerund or infinitive form of the verb in brackets.

a)

Did you remember _____________ (turn) off the oven when you left?

b)

Im sure weve been to this caf. I remember _____________ (stop) here before.

c)

He never forgets _____________ (send) me a card at Christmas.

d)

Have you ever tried _____________ (take) the train to Europe? Its great!

5)
a)

Write sentences using the prompts with would or used to.

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When / I / a child / spend / hours / play / with my train set

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b)

Peter / have / a beard / when / he / be / a student

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c)

They / not have / a dog / but / now / they / have two

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d)

In the summer holidays / we / not go home / until very late

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6) Complete the blank spaces with a suitable phrasal verb. Make any necessary
changes
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set off

go on

get over

do without

1) It can take a long time to ______________ the loss of a pet.

2) We dont seem to have any sugar left. We will have to ___________________.
3) We must _______________ early if we dont want to miss the train.
4) Whats _________________? Whats all this mess?

7) Complete the following sentences to make them true for you

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a) If I had more money, ____________________________________________________

b) If I have any problems studying for the exam, _________________________________
c) If I had taken more risks, _________________________________________________
d) I would be happier, ______________________________________________________

Listening
[Track 10]
8)

Listen to Caitlin and Rani talking about Indian weddings. Choose the best
words to complete the sentences.
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1)

Indian weddings _____ .

a) are usually for close friends and family

b) can last for several days

c) are intimate affairs

2)

The groom at this wedding is arriving _____ .

a) on a horse
3)

b) on an elephant c) in a carriage with his family and friends

The priest _____ .

a) goes round the fire seven times b) gives the bride and groom flower garlands
c) puts red powder on the brides head
4)

Caitlin _____ .

a) doesnt want to give the couple a present

b) doesnt want to give them cash

c) wants to give them some crockery

5)

Its a good idea to wear comfortable clothes because _____ .

a) the ceremony is very long b) everyone else will be wearing them too
c) you can sit down on the floor more easily
Writing: 9) Choose among these two titles and types of writing:

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1) Informal e-mail: Write to a friend asking for advice on whether you should go on an
exchange programme in the UK to improve your English. It costs 2.000 euros and it lasts
one
month,
you
can
do
it
either
in
January
or
February.
Organise it in four paragraphs: 1)Introduction, 2) The advantages of enrolling in the
programme 3) Your doubts about it as regards the cost and the time you would be absent
from work 4) Summarise your ideas and ask for advice.
2)
Article: Fathers day and Mothers day: tradition or consumerism?
Write an article (200 words) stating what your opinion on this matter is. This article will
appear in a magazine that is read by a large audience on Sundays.
Organise it in four paragraphs: 1)Introduce the subject of the article, 2) State your
opinion and give examples, 3) Develop the ideas, 4)Sum up the opinion and give some
food for thought.
Consider using these phrases: In my view, In my opinion, For instance, for
example, First and foremost, It is worth considering What strikes me is that
Surprisingly, Personally,

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SCORING SCHEME:

FINAL MARK:

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STUDENTS SIGNATURE:_______________________
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MAKE UP TEST DATE:__________________________