Table of specifications

Contents
Number
Skills CEF competences Test items Marks
Topics Language of items

The smart Present perfect Linguistic • Identifying ideas

consumer continuous • lexical • Answering questions
A – Listening Stretch the • grammatical in note form 3 40
Past perfect
budget • semantic • True/False with
continuous
• orthographic correction
The world
of sales Subordination
Pragmatic • Matching
B – Reading Get smart Prepositions: • functional • Multiple choice
(300-500 • discursive 60
time, place, • Short answer (text 5
words)
movement comprehension)
Passive with
Short answer (gap filling;
infinitive
C – Language sentence completion; 4 50
Passive with rephrasing)
modal verbs

D – Writing • Essay (120-180 words) 1 50

© ASA • 2017-2018 • Upgrade 11 • Isabel Filipe │ Maria Adelaide Rabaça │ Paula Simões | 1
A – LISTENING 40 marks

Listen to an interview.

1. Choose the sentence that describes the topic of the interview. 5 marks

⃝ a. Shopping boosts the economy.

⃝ b. A consumer society is what all societies should aim at.
⃝ c. Shopping obsessively can become a disorder.

2. Now listen again and answer the questions in note form. 20 marks (4 x 5 marks)

a. How many Americans are obsessed with shopping? ………………………………………………………………………

b. What is the price for such destructive behaviour? ……………………………………………………………………………
c. Who does the reporter talk to about this issue? …………………………………………………………………………….
d. What is shopping for many Americans? …………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Are the statements true (T) or false (F)? 15 marks (5 x 3 marks)

⃝ a. Dana is the only one of her friends to buy a $300 pair of sandals.
⃝ b. She is a shop-assistant and mom.
⃝ c. She visits the mall stores and specialty shops once a week.
⃝ d. Among the things she often buys are video games, computers, books, makeup, and Louis Vuitton
trousers and hats.
⃝ e. She was invited for an ad campaign in 2004.

© ASA • 2017-2018 • Upgrade 11 • Isabel Filipe │ Maria Adelaide Rabaça │ Paula Simões | 2
 B – READING 60 marks

1. Do you think shopping is a good free time activity? Justify in about 30-40 words. 10 marks

2. Read the following text.

Shopping – a hobby, a stress buster or an addiction?

Healthizen.com defines Shopaholism as “compulsive shopping or a shopping addiction which is
basically characterised by an uncontrollable desire to make purchases when there is really no need for
the same.” Heated debates are going on in intellectual circles whether to
consider shopping addiction a disease or not.

5 I – ……………………………………………………………………………………………
Shopaholics are people obsessed with buying stuff, even they really don’t
need it. Initially shopping addiction only referred to an uncontrolled compulsion
to buy clothes, gadgets, furniture etc. Today, thanks to the internet we can
obsess over anything including education, travel, services, advice, advertisements
10 and whatever else takes our fancy!
Scientists say such activity is caused by the need for something else, or to compensate for the
“emptiness inside”. That means shopaholics try to cover their existing problems with new things. People
with abundant financial resources at their disposal use shopping as a means to keep stress at bay, by
exorbitantly indulging in a luxurious lifestyle – from buying expensive jewellery, expensive watches and
15 electrical devices, to cheap rubbish.

II – ……………………………………………………………………………………………
In our modern-day world, shopping is a hobby, a pastime for many, and often functions as a stress buster.
People who are passionate about surfing might need to spend money on equipment, training courses or
travel. When an artist creates a masterpiece, he has to buy all the materials required to bring his idea to life.
20 Such shopping is essential and gives them satisfaction because it is part of their hobby or work. An avid reader
might not be able to resist the temptation to order a newly released book. Such compulsiveness is triggered
by the need to know, understand and do something worthwhile. However shopaholism is an entirely different
thing as much of the effort, time and money is wasted. If a person already owns 50 pairs of shoes, why would
he/she need more when he/she can wear only one pair of shoes at a time?

25 III – ……………………………………………………………………………………………
Shopaholics often claim that they have purchased something as a gift to themselves, that is, to award
themselves for a job well done. So, perhaps the only good aspect of a shopping addiction is that it’s an
incentive to earn more and pursue bigger dreams. That being said, in most cases shopaholics end up
neck deep in debt.
30 Another popular excuse shopaholics resort to is that they need something to match with something
else. Such people are very fussy that every detail of their outfit looks right together. It takes endless
purchases to create the perfect look for a particular event. In order to overcome a shopping addiction, it
is crucial to find a balance between what you really need and don’t need. With one half of the world
suffering from extreme poverty and hunger, a shopping addiction is immoral.
http://thedailybrunch.com/2016/08/06/shopaholism-modern-disease/ (abridged and adapted), accessed in January 2018

© ASA • 2017-2018 • Upgrade 11 • Isabel Filipe │ Maria Adelaide Rabaça │ Paula Simões | 3
3. Decide which heading fits the numbers I, II and III in the text. 15 marks (3 x 5 marks)

⃝ a. Buy what you need or need to buy?

⃝ b. Beware what you buy.
⃝ c. A generalised obsession.
⃝ d. Work more, want more.
⃝ e. Balance your spending.

4. Find opposites for the words/expressions below in the first three paragraphs of the text.
10 marks (5 x 2 marks)
a. quiet …………………………………………
b. relax …………………………………………
c. limited …………………………………………
d. close by …………………………………………
e. valuable …………………………………………

5. Choose the correct option according to the context. 10 marks (2 x 5 marks)

5.1. The word "buster" in paragraph 4 (l. 17) means…

⃝ a. enhancer.
⃝ b. finder.
⃝ c. diminisher.

5.2. In paragraph 5 (l. 26), the word “claim” is used as a synonym for…
⃝ a. complain.
⃝ b. state.
⃝ c. deny.

6. Answer these questions using your own words. 15 marks (3 x 5 marks)

6.1. Are you an extreme shopper? Justify with one example.

………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………….

6.2. What is meant in the text by “the only good aspect of a shopping addiction is that it’s an incentive to
earn more” (ll. 27-28)?
………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………….

6.3. According to the text, why is shopping addiction not a virtue? Give reasons.
………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………….

© ASA • 2017-2018 • Upgrade 11 • Isabel Filipe │ Maria Adelaide Rabaça │ Paula Simões | 4
C – LANGUAGE 50 marks

1. Link the phrases from columns A and C using the appropriate conjunctions from column B. One is not used.
15 marks (5 x 3 marks)

A B C
a. We shop A. keeping a controlled budget.
1. unless
b. My best friend will soon be B. he starts cutting down on his
2. although
bankrupt expenses.
3. while
c. A sensible shopper will buy what C. we are.
4. therefore
he needs D. an extreme one won't control his
5. whereas
d. We can find a way to needs.
6. such as
accommodate extras E. books or small presents for our
e. Some extras are good buys loved ones.

2. Complete the text with the words from the box. 15 marks (5 x 3 marks)

at on before during through between after round

“Ok, I confess: I’m quite the shopaholic myself. I love shopping, especially being a. …………….…….…………
a shop and going b. …………….…….…………… the racks to find pretty things. However, I hate Christmas
shopping! c. …………….…….…………… Christmas, we have to struggle to find the perfect gift for family and
friends. Then, the day d. …………….…….……………, we find the same items for half price or less! But… it’s the
sales… and here we are again going e. …………….…….…………… the same shops all over!” (Sarah, 26)

3. Complete with the correct verb form: could be used / will be told / could be saved / are likely to go.
12 marks (4 x 3 marks)
a. All that money you spend on things you don't need ………..……….…………………………. for a rainy day.
b. Some money ………..……….…………………………. to help those who have less.
c. "You ………..……….…………………………. broke soon if you don't stop spending!"
d. She ………..……….…………………………. soon by the credit card company that her card has maxed out.

4. Complete the sentences with a suitable verb from the box. Make any necessary changes to verb tenses.
8 marks (2 x 4 marks)

work speak spend buy

a. George ………..……….……………………….……. more than he earns ever since he got his new job as a director.

b. Actress Shailene Woodley ………..……….………………………….……. in favour of reusing instead of spending

for a long time.

D – WRITING 50 marks

Write an argumentative text – about 120-180 words – on the topic “Shopaholism is the disease
of the 21st century”.
Present at least ONE argument FOR and one AGAINST, and give your own opinion as well.

© ASA • 2017-2018 • Upgrade 11 • Isabel Filipe │ Maria Adelaide Rabaça │ Paula Simões | 5
ANSWER KEY
A – LISTENING/VIEWING

Video: WZTV Interview on Shopping Addiction

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1N7oXuYH7o)

1. c

2. a. 17 million
b. It can damage relationships with friends, family or you can go bankrupt.
c. To an admitted shopaholic
d. A chore, the time to pick up things you need, occasionally something you really want.

3. a. T; b. F; c. F; d. F; e. T

B – READING

1. Personal answer.

3. a. II; c. I; d. III

4. a. heated (l. 3); b. obsess (l. 9); c. abundant (l. 13); d. at bay (l. 13); e. rubbish (l. 15)

5.1. c; 5.2. b

6.1. Personal answer.

6.2. Personal answer.
6.3. Personal answer. Possible answer: Because it is wrong to spend money on unnecessary
things when so many people need the basics to survive.

C – LANGUAGE

1. a-4-C; b-1-B; c-5-D; d-3-A; e-6-E

2. a. to; b. through; c. Before; d. after; e. round

3. a. could be saved; b. could be used; c. are likely to go; d. will be told

4. a. has been spending; b. has been speaking

D – WRITING

Personal answer.

© ASA • 2017-2018 • Upgrade 11 • Isabel Filipe │ Maria Adelaide Rabaça │ Paula Simões | 6
 Correction criteria
Test items Criteria

• Correct/incorrect
• Identifying ideas − Sequencing items will only be given marks if the whole sequence is
• Correcting information correct.
• Matching − One mark off in true/false items for each incorrect quotation from the
• Multiple choice text, when applicable.
• Sequencing − One mark off in true/false items for each incorrect answer, if
quotation from the text is correct, when applicable.

• Short answers (sentence completion; • One mark less for each language mistake, up to a maximum of 3 marks.
rephrasing) • Incomprehensible or decontextualised answers will be marked wrong.

• Short answers (text

• One mark less for language mistakes, up to a maximum of 3 marks.
comprehension)
41 to 50: The student shows excellent writing skills; fully respects the topic
or text type; presents his/her own ideas about the topic, contextualises and
develops them; uses appropriate and varied cohesive devices; organises the
text in a coherent manner; mistakes (structure or spelling) do not impede
understanding.
31 to 40: The student shows good writing skills; respects the topic or the
text type; presents some ideas about the topic and contextualises them;
uses simple cohesive devices but not always successfully; choice of words is
good; makes few mistakes (structure or spelling) which hardly affect the
message.

21 to 30: The student shows adequate writing skills; respects the topic or
the text type; presents some ideas about the topic and tries to contextualise
them; uses some cohesive devices but the text is slightly disorganised;
• Essay choice of words is adequate; makes some mistakes (structure or spelling)
which sometimes make message slightly confusing.

11 to 20: The student shows poor writing skills; only partially respects the
topic or the text type; presents some ideas about the topic but the text is
slightly confused; uses few cohesive devices but the text is not well
organised; choice of words is poor; makes some mistakes (structure or
spelling) which sometimes impede understanding.

0 to 10: The student shows very poor writing skills; doesn’t fully respect the
topic or the text type; ideas are scarce and mostly decontextualised; uses
few cohesive devices and the text is disorganised; choice of words is very
poor; makes many mistakes (structure or spelling) which sometimes make
message incomprehensible or illegible.
Note: the student will get 0 marks if the topic or text type is not respected,
or if the whole text is incomprehensible or illegible.

© ASA • 2017-2018 • Upgrade 11 • Isabel Filipe │ Maria Adelaide Rabaça │ Paula Simões | 7
 A – Listening B – Reading C – Language D – Writing
Total Mark
1 2 3 Total 1 3 4 5 6 Total 1 2 3 4 Total 1 Total
No. Name 5 20 15 40 10 15 10 10 15 60 15 15 12 8 50 50 50 200
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
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12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
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30