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ЦТ English Language practice questions

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Question 1Reading comprehension

Read this short passage: "Maria moved to the city in 2015. At first she found the noise unbearable, but within a year she could not imagine living anywhere quieter." What does the passage suggest about Maria's attitude?

  1. She plans to move back to a quiet town.
  2. She gradually came to prefer city life. Correct answer.
  3. She has never lived anywhere else.
  4. She still dislikes the city's noise.

Explanation

The phrase 'could not imagine living anywhere quieter' signals a complete change of attitude: the noise that once bothered her has become acceptable, even preferable. The contrast between 'at first' and 'within a year' marks a shift over time, so the reader must infer that she now values the city.

Question 2Reading comprehension

Read: "The museum's new wing opens on Friday. Entry is free for the first week, after which standard tickets apply." When can visitors enter without paying?

  1. At any time in the future.
  2. Only if they book in advance.
  3. During the first week after opening. Correct answer.
  4. Only on Friday.

Explanation

The passage states that entry is free 'for the first week' following the opening on Friday, so the free period covers the whole opening week rather than a single day. Standard tickets begin only after that week ends.

Question 3Reading comprehension

Read: "Tom had practised the speech for weeks, yet his hands trembled as he stepped onto the stage." What does the word 'yet' mainly show?

  1. The stage was unsafe.
  2. He had never given a speech.
  3. His nervousness despite preparation. Correct answer.
  4. The speech was poorly prepared.

Explanation

'Yet' introduces a contrast: extensive practice would normally reduce anxiety, but his hands still trembled. The conjunction therefore highlights that his nervousness persisted in spite of the preparation described in the first clause.

Question 4Reading comprehension

Read: "Please note that the library will close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, two hours earlier than usual." What is the usual Saturday closing time?

  1. 8 p.m. Correct answer.
  2. 4 p.m.
  3. 6 p.m.
  4. 7 p.m.

Explanation

The notice says the library closes two hours earlier than usual at 6 p.m., so the normal time must be 6 p.m. plus two hours. Adding two hours to 18:00 gives 20:00, that is, 8 p.m.

Question 5Reading comprehension

Read: "The old bridge was closed for repairs. Drivers were advised to use the tunnel instead." What were drivers told to do?

  1. Walk across the bridge.
  2. Take a different route. Correct answer.
  3. Avoid travelling entirely.
  4. Wait until the bridge reopened.

Explanation

The advice to use the tunnel 'instead' means drivers should choose an alternative route while the bridge is closed. The word 'instead' directly replaces the closed bridge with the tunnel as the way to travel.

Question 6Reading comprehension

Read: "Anna packed her bags, checked her passport twice, and set her alarm for 4 a.m." What is Anna most likely preparing for?

  1. A job interview in her home town.
  2. An early-morning journey abroad. Correct answer.
  3. A day of shopping in the city.
  4. A visit from a friend.

Explanation

Packing bags, checking a passport and setting a very early alarm together point to international travel departing early in the morning. A passport is only needed for foreign travel, and the 4 a.m. alarm indicates an early departure.

Question 7Reading comprehension

Read: "Visitors are kindly asked to keep their voices low in the exhibition hall." What is the purpose of this notice?

  1. To warn about ticket prices.
  2. To sell tickets to visitors.
  3. To announce a new exhibition.
  4. To request quiet behaviour. Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence politely asks visitors to lower their voices, which is a request for quiet conduct in the hall. The polite formula 'are kindly asked to' is typical of instructions about behaviour rather than announcements or sales.

Question 8Reading comprehension

Read: "The train was delayed by forty minutes, so we missed the opening scene of the film." What was the direct result of the delay?

  1. The film started forty minutes early.
  2. They arrived at the cinema late. Correct answer.
  3. They took a different train.
  4. They decided not to see the film.

Explanation

The word 'so' marks a consequence: because the train was late, the travellers reached the cinema after the film had begun. Missing the opening scene is evidence that they arrived late rather than cancelling the outing.

Question 9Reading comprehension

Read: "Although the recipe looked complicated, it required only five ingredients." What does the writer imply?

  1. The recipe is expensive.
  2. The dish tastes poor.
  3. The recipe is simpler than it appears. Correct answer.
  4. The dish takes hours to cook.

Explanation

The contrast signalled by 'although' sets the complicated appearance against the small number of ingredients. Few ingredients suggest an easy recipe, so the writer implies the dish is less difficult than its appearance suggests.

Question 10Reading comprehension

Read: "The company's profits rose sharply in spring, levelled off over the summer, and fell slightly in autumn." In which period did profits stop changing significantly?

  1. Summer Correct answer.
  2. Autumn
  3. Spring
  4. Winter

Explanation

'Levelled off' means to stop rising or falling and remain steady, which describes the summer period. Spring saw a sharp rise and autumn a slight fall, so only summer shows stability.

Question 11Reading comprehension

Read: "The council has proposed widening the road, but residents argue that the extra traffic will only make the area noisier." What is the residents' concern?

  1. The road will become too narrow.
  2. The project will increase noise. Correct answer.
  3. The council has not consulted them.
  4. The road will cost too much.

Explanation

The residents' objection is introduced after 'but' and focuses on the claim that extra traffic will make the area noisier. Their stated worry, therefore, is the noise that a wider road would attract.

Question 12Reading comprehension

Read: "The author's latest novel has been praised for its vivid descriptions, though some critics find its plot predictable." What do the critics dislike?

  1. The author's earlier books.
  2. The lack of description.
  3. The predictable plot. Correct answer.
  4. The length of the novel.

Explanation

The concessive clause introduced by 'though' presents the negative view: some critics find the plot predictable. The praise concerns the descriptions, so the criticism is directed specifically at the plot.

Question 13Reading comprehension

Read: "If you wish to cancel your booking, please do so at least 48 hours before departure; otherwise a fee will be charged." When will a fee be charged?

  1. Whenever a booking is cancelled.
  2. When the traveller arrives late.
  3. When the booking is cancelled less than 48 hours before departure. Correct answer.
  4. Only if the trip is cancelled by the company.

Explanation

The notice allows free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure and adds that otherwise, meaning in any later cancellation, a fee applies. The charge therefore falls on cancellations made within 48 hours of departure.

Question 14Reading comprehension

Read: "The scientist's findings were initially dismissed, but later studies confirmed them." What happened to the findings?

  1. They were never verified.
  2. They were proven false.
  3. They were eventually supported. Correct answer.
  4. They were accepted immediately.

Explanation

The structure 'initially dismissed, but later confirmed' shows a reversal: early rejection was followed by acceptance. 'Confirmed' means later studies showed the findings to be correct, so they were eventually supported.

Question 15Reading comprehension

Read: "Despite the heavy rain, the outdoor concert went ahead as planned." What does 'went ahead' mean here?

  1. Took place. Correct answer.
  2. Moved indoors.
  3. Was shortened.
  4. Was postponed.

Explanation

'Go ahead' as a phrasal verb means to proceed or take place as arranged. The phrase 'as planned' confirms that the concert happened on schedule despite the rain.

Question 16Reading comprehension

Read: "Many shoppers now compare prices online before visiting a store, and some simply buy from the cheapest website." What trend does the passage describe?

  1. Stores are closing permanently.
  2. Shoppers no longer visit stores.
  3. Prices are falling everywhere.
  4. Online research is shaping buying habits. Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence describes people checking prices online first and sometimes buying there, which shows that online research now influences how they shop. The word 'some' indicates that buying online is one outcome, not the only one.

Question 17Reading comprehension

Read: "The manager said the team had met its targets, adding that there was still room for improvement." What is the manager's overall tone?

  1. Completely hostile.
  2. Balanced but positive. Correct answer.
  3. Indifferent.
  4. Sarcastic.

Explanation

The manager first acknowledges success by noting the targets were met, then adds a mild note about improvement. Praising achievement while pointing to further growth is characteristic of a balanced, generally positive evaluation.

Question 18Reading comprehension

Read: "The festival, which began in 1998, now attracts visitors from over thirty countries." What does the relative clause tell us?

  1. Where the festival is held.
  2. How much tickets cost.
  3. When the festival started. Correct answer.
  4. Why visitors come.

Explanation

The clause 'which began in 1998' supplies the year the festival started, so it gives information about its origin. The other facts in the sentence concern visitor numbers and countries, not the clause itself.

Question 19Reading comprehension

Read: "The instructions were so vague that half the participants completed the task incorrectly." What caused the errors?

  1. Unclear instructions. Correct answer.
  2. Difficult questions.
  3. Too many participants.
  4. A lack of time.

Explanation

The 'so ... that' construction links cause and result: the instructions were vague, and as a result half the participants did the task wrongly. 'Vague' means unclear, so unclear guidance produced the mistakes.

Question 20Reading comprehension

Read: "While the first study focused on adults, the second examined children of primary-school age." What is the relationship between the two studies?

  1. They were conducted by one person.
  2. They examined different age groups. Correct answer.
  3. They contradicted each other.
  4. They used identical participants.

Explanation

'While' contrasts the focus of the two studies: one looked at adults and the other at primary-school children. The contrast lies in the age of the participants, so the studies covered different age groups.

Question 21Reading comprehension

Read: "The proposal was rejected on the grounds that it would cost too much and deliver too little." Why was the proposal rejected?

  1. It was poorly written.
  2. It lacked public support.
  3. It seemed expensive and ineffective. Correct answer.
  4. It was submitted too late.

Explanation

The phrase 'on the grounds that' introduces the reasons for rejection: high cost and little benefit. Together these mean the proposal was judged both expensive and ineffective.

Question 22Reading comprehension

Read: "Had the warning been issued earlier, the residents could have left before the flood." What does the sentence imply?

  1. The flood never happened.
  2. The residents ignored the warning.
  3. The warning was never needed.
  4. The warning came too late. Correct answer.

Explanation

This is a third conditional with inversion ('Had the warning been issued'), describing an unreal past situation. Because the residents could have left only if warned earlier, the implication is that the actual warning arrived too late.

Question 23Reading comprehension

Read: "The reviewer conceded that the film was technically accomplished, only to argue that it left the audience cold." What is the reviewer's final position?

  1. The film is a technical failure.
  2. The film is skilled but unaffecting. Correct answer.
  3. The film is emotionally engaging.
  4. The film is too long.

Explanation

'Conceded ... only to argue' signals that the reviewer grants a point before making a stronger objection. Technical accomplishment is admitted, but 'left the audience cold' means it failed to move viewers emotionally.

Question 24Reading comprehension

Read: "The data, far from settling the debate, have given both sides fresh material for argument." What does the writer suggest about the data?

  1. They intensified the dispute. Correct answer.
  2. They resolved the disagreement.
  3. They supported only one side.
  4. They were never collected.

Explanation

'Far from settling the debate' negates the expectation that the data would end the argument. Instead, both sides gained new material, which means the dispute became livelier rather than resolved.

Question 25Reading comprehension

Read: "Scarcely had the announcement been made when shares began to fall." What does the sentence emphasise?

  1. The immediate negative reaction of the market. Correct answer.
  2. The slow reaction of investors.
  3. The long-term recovery of shares.
  4. The accuracy of the announcement.

Explanation

The inverted construction 'Scarcely had ... when' stresses that one event followed another almost instantly. Here the fall in shares began at once, highlighting a swift and unfavourable market response.

Question 26Reading comprehension

Read: "The museum will be closed on Monday for routine maintenance, but will reopen at the usual time on Tuesday." What does the notice say about Monday?

  1. The museum is open as usual.
  2. The museum is closed for maintenance. Correct answer.
  3. The museum closes early.
  4. The museum opens late.

Explanation

The notice states directly that the museum will be closed on Monday for routine maintenance. The mention of Tuesday reopening confirms that Monday is the closure day. No other detail about Monday is given.

Question 27Reading comprehension

Read: "Please note that the library will be closed on Friday for staff training. Items due that day may be returned on Saturday without a fine." What are borrowers allowed to do?

  1. Keep items for an extra week without a fine.
  2. Return items on Friday to a staff member.
  3. Request a fine cancellation by phone.
  4. Return items on Saturday without a fine. Correct answer.

Explanation

The notice explicitly permits returning items on Saturday without a fine because of the Friday closure. It does not extend the loan by a week or describe any phone procedure. The library is closed on Friday, so returning items to staff that day is not possible.

Question 28Reading comprehension

Read: "The café is trialling a new ordering system this month: customers place their orders at the counter and collect them when their number is called." What change is being tested?

  1. Table service
  2. A new ordering system Correct answer.
  3. A new menu
  4. Longer opening hours

Explanation

The sentence states that the café is trialling a new ordering system. The details about ordering at the counter and collecting by number describe that system. No menu change or change in hours is mentioned.

Question 29Reading comprehension

Read: "The film starts at 7:30 p.m. and runs for two hours and fifteen minutes. There will be no interval." When will the film end?

  1. 9:30 p.m.
  2. 10:00 p.m.
  3. 9:45 p.m. Correct answer.
  4. 9:15 p.m.

Explanation

Adding two hours and fifteen minutes to 7:30 p.m. gives 9:45 p.m. Because there is no interval, no extra time needs to be added. The calculation is straightforward.

Question 30Reading comprehension

Read: "The shop is offering a 20% discount on all winter coats this week only. The discount is applied at the checkout." What must a customer do to get the discount?

  1. Ask a staff member for a coupon.
  2. Show a membership card.
  3. Buy the coat before the end of the week. Correct answer.
  4. Purchase two or more coats.

Explanation

The discount applies to purchases made during the specified week only. The phrase 'this week only' limits the offer in time. No coupon, minimum purchase, or membership is required.

Question 31Reading comprehension

Read: "The meeting has been moved from Room 4 to the main hall because more people are expected than originally planned." Why was the meeting moved?

  1. The original room is too small.
  2. The main hall is quieter.
  3. Room 4 is being cleaned.
  4. More people are expected. Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence gives the reason directly: more people are expected than originally planned. This implies the original room is too small, but the stated reason is the expected attendance. The other options introduce details not in the text.

Question 32Reading comprehension

Read: "Students are reminded that the deadline for submitting essays is Friday at noon. Late submissions will not be accepted." What happens to essays submitted after the deadline?

  1. They will be returned to the student.
  2. They will not be accepted. Correct answer.
  3. They will be accepted with a fee.
  4. They will be marked down.

Explanation

The notice states clearly that late submissions will not be accepted. No penalty, fee, or return procedure is mentioned. The consequence is outright rejection.

Question 33Reading comprehension

Read: "The tour guide explained that the castle was built in the twelfth century and was later extended in the fifteenth." When was the castle extended?

  1. In the sixteenth century
  2. In the fifteenth century Correct answer.
  3. In the thirteenth century
  4. In the twelfth century

Explanation

The sentence states that the castle was extended in the fifteenth century. The twelfth century is when it was built. The other centuries are not mentioned.

Question 34Reading comprehension

Read: "The company reported that sales in Europe grew by 5%, while sales in Asia fell by 2%." What happened to sales in Asia?

  1. They fell by 2%. Correct answer.
  2. They grew by 5%.
  3. They fell by 5%.
  4. They remained unchanged.

Explanation

The sentence directly states that sales in Asia fell by 2%. The 5% figure refers to Europe. The other options misstate the figure or the direction.

Question 35Reading comprehension

Read: "Although the instructions were written in simple language, many users still found the software difficult to operate." What does the sentence suggest about the software?

  1. The software was hard to use despite clear instructions. Correct answer.
  2. The instructions were poorly written.
  3. Users did not read the instructions.
  4. The software was easy to use.

Explanation

The sentence contrasts simple instructions with users still finding the software difficult. This suggests the difficulty lies in the software itself, not the instructions. The other options contradict the text or add unsupported claims.

Question 36Reading comprehension

Read: "The council's decision to pedestrianise the town centre was welcomed by shopkeepers, who expected more foot traffic, but criticised by drivers, who feared longer journeys." What is the main point of the sentence?

  1. Shopkeepers and drivers both supported the decision.
  2. The decision had both supporters and opponents. Correct answer.
  3. Drivers welcomed the decision.
  4. Shopkeepers criticised the decision.

Explanation

The sentence presents two contrasting reactions: shopkeepers welcomed the decision, while drivers criticised it. This shows mixed reactions. The other options misattribute the reactions.

Question 37Reading comprehension

Read: "The study found that participants who exercised regularly reported better sleep quality than those who did not, but the authors caution that the link may not be causal." What do the authors warn about?

  1. Exercise always improves sleep.
  2. Sleep quality affects exercise habits.
  3. The study included too few participants.
  4. The relationship may not be one of cause and effect. Correct answer.

Explanation

The authors caution that the link may not be causal, meaning the association between exercise and better sleep might not be a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The other options either overstate the finding or introduce a limitation not mentioned.

Question 38Reading comprehension

Read: "The museum's new exhibit features artefacts from ancient Egypt, including pottery, jewellery, and tools. Visitors can also view a short film about the discovery of the artefacts." What can visitors do at the exhibit?

  1. Watch a film about the artefacts' discovery. Correct answer.
  2. Buy ancient Egyptian pottery.
  3. Take part in a pottery workshop.
  4. Meet the archaeologists who found the artefacts.

Explanation

The sentence states that visitors can view a short film about the discovery of the artefacts. The other activities are not mentioned. The artefacts are for viewing, not for sale.

Question 39Reading comprehension

Read: "The manager asked the team to submit their reports by Wednesday so that she could review them before the board meeting on Friday." Why did the manager set the Wednesday deadline?

  1. To allow the board to read the reports.
  2. To meet a deadline set by the board.
  3. To give the team time to revise their reports.
  4. To have time to review the reports before Friday. Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence states the purpose: so that she could review the reports before the board meeting on Friday. The deadline gives the manager time to read them. The other options misidentify who needs the time.

Question 40Reading comprehension

Read: "The restaurant's menu changes daily, depending on what is available at the local market. This means that some dishes may not be available on consecutive days." What can be inferred about the restaurant?

  1. It uses only imported ingredients.
  2. It has a fixed menu.
  3. Its dishes vary from day to day. Correct answer.
  4. It is closed on some days.

Explanation

Because the menu changes daily based on market availability, the dishes vary from day to day. This is supported by the warning that some dishes may not be available on consecutive days. The other options contradict or add unsupported details.

Question 41Reading comprehension

Read: "The airline announced that passengers travelling with only hand luggage may check in online and proceed directly to security, avoiding the check-in desk." What benefit is offered to passengers with only hand luggage?

  1. They can skip the security check.
  2. They can board the plane first.
  3. They can take an extra bag for free.
  4. They can avoid the check-in desk. Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence states that such passengers may check in online and proceed directly to security, avoiding the check-in desk. The benefit is skipping the desk, not security or boarding priority. No extra bag is mentioned.

Question 42Reading comprehension

Read: "The novel's protagonist is initially portrayed as selfish, but as the story unfolds, her actions reveal a deep concern for others." What happens to the protagonist's characterisation?

  1. It becomes less important to the plot.
  2. It is described only through dialogue.
  3. It remains consistently selfish.
  4. It becomes more sympathetic over time. Correct answer.

Explanation

The contrast between the initial portrayal as selfish and later actions showing concern for others indicates a shift toward a more sympathetic characterisation. The other options contradict the text or introduce unsupported narrative techniques.

Question 43Reading comprehension

Read: "The company's profits rose sharply in spring, levelled off over the summer, and fell slightly in autumn." In which season did profits stop increasing?

  1. Spring
  2. Winter
  3. Autumn
  4. Summer Correct answer.

Explanation

Profits 'levelled off' in summer, meaning they stopped rising and remained steady. The sharp rise occurred in spring, and the slight fall in autumn. Winter is not mentioned.

Question 44Reading comprehension

Read: "The council has proposed widening the road, but residents argue that the extra traffic will only make the area noisier." What is the residents' main concern?

  1. Increased noise from extra traffic. Correct answer.
  2. The cost of the road-widening project.
  3. Longer commuting times.
  4. The loss of green spaces.

Explanation

The residents argue that the extra traffic will make the area noisier, so their main concern is noise. The other issues are not mentioned in the sentence. The focus is on the environmental impact of more traffic.

Question 45Reading comprehension

Read: "The author's latest novel has been praised for its vivid descriptions, though some critics find its plot predictable." What is the critics' opinion of the plot?

  1. It is predictable. Correct answer.
  2. It is poorly written.
  3. It is highly original.
  4. It is vividly described.

Explanation

The sentence states that some critics find the plot predictable. The vivid descriptions are what the novel has been praised for. Originality and writing quality are not the critics' stated view of the plot.

Question 46Reading comprehension

Read: "If you wish to cancel your booking, please do so at least 48 hours before departure; otherwise a fee will be charged." What happens if a booking is cancelled 24 hours before departure?

  1. A fee is charged. Correct answer.
  2. No fee is charged.
  3. The booking cannot be cancelled.
  4. The departure time is changed.

Explanation

Cancelling 24 hours before departure is less than the required 48 hours, so the 'otherwise' condition applies and a fee will be charged. The other options misread the condition or introduce unsupported consequences.

Question 47Reading comprehension

Read: "Many shoppers now compare prices online before visiting a store, and some simply buy from the cheapest website." What effect does online price comparison have on shoppers' behaviour?

  1. They visit more stores before buying.
  2. They always buy in physical stores.
  3. They ignore online prices.
  4. They may buy from the cheapest website. Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence states that some shoppers simply buy from the cheapest website after comparing prices online. This shows that online comparison can lead to online purchases. The other options contradict or overstate the text.

Question 48Reading comprehension

Read: "The manager said the team had met its targets, adding that there was still room for improvement." What is the manager's overall message?

  1. The team did well but could do better. Correct answer.
  2. The team failed to meet its targets.
  3. The team should stop trying to improve.
  4. The team exceeded all expectations.

Explanation

The manager acknowledges success (meeting targets) while noting that improvement is still possible. This is a balanced message of praise with constructive criticism. The other options ignore one part of the statement.

Question 49Reading comprehension

Read: "The festival, which began in 1998, now attracts visitors from over thirty countries." What does the relative clause 'which began in 1998' tell us?

  1. When the festival started Correct answer.
  2. Why the festival is popular
  3. How many visitors attend
  4. Where the festival is held

Explanation

The relative clause 'which began in 1998' provides the starting year of the festival. It does not give location, attendance figures, or reasons for popularity. Its function is to add temporal information about the festival.

Question 50Reading comprehension

Read: "The library will be closed on Monday for staff training, but the online catalogue will remain available." What will still be accessible on Monday?

  1. The staff training room
  2. The main reading room
  3. The online catalogue Correct answer.
  4. The book return desk

Explanation

The sentence contrasts the closed building with one service that continues: the online catalogue. The word "but" signals that this is the exception to the closure, so it is the only facility named as available.