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Skills for English B2 study materials
Skills for English B2 study resources

Skills for English B2 practice questions

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Question 1Reading

Read this short notice: 'Library users are reminded that items returned after the due date will incur a charge of 20 pence per day, up to a maximum of £6 per item.' A book is returned 40 days late. How much is charged for that item?

  1. £6.00 Correct answer.
  2. £8.00
  3. Nothing, because the maximum has been exceeded
  4. £2.00

Explanation

The notice sets a daily charge of 20 pence but caps the total at £6 per item. Forty days at 20 pence would be £8, yet the stated maximum overrides the calculation. The reader must apply the cap rather than the raw multiplication.

Question 2Reading

A gym poster says: 'Members may bring one guest per visit at no extra cost. Guests must be signed in at reception and are not permitted in the studio area.' Which statement is supported by the poster?

  1. Guests must pay an entry fee at reception before signing in.
  2. A member can bring two guests if both pay a small fee.
  3. A member can bring a guest free of charge if the guest is signed in at reception. Correct answer.
  4. Guests may use the studio area if accompanied by the member.

Explanation

The poster combines three facts: one guest per visit, no extra cost, and compulsory sign-in at reception. Only the option that keeps all three conditions matches the text. The other options each contradict one stated condition.

Question 3Reading

Read this extract from a review: 'The opening chapters are slow, and the author spends rather too long on the protagonist's childhood. Once the plot moves to the coast, however, the pace quickens and the final hundred pages are genuinely gripping.' What is the reviewer's overall attitude to the book?

  1. Mixed, because a weak beginning gives way to a strong ending Correct answer.
  2. Entirely negative, because the opening is slow
  3. Entirely positive, because the ending is gripping
  4. Indifferent, because the plot is predictable

Explanation

The review balances criticism of the slow opening against praise for the faster, gripping later sections. This combination signals a mixed evaluation rather than a wholly negative or wholly positive one. Recognising contrast markers such as 'however' is the key reading skill here.

Question 4Reading

An email says: 'Could you let me know by Friday whether the venue is available? I'm afraid we can't hold the booking beyond that date.' What is the sender asking the reader to do?

  1. Confirm the venue's availability before Friday Correct answer.
  2. Suggest a different venue for the event
  3. Pay a deposit to hold the date
  4. Cancel the booking immediately

Explanation

The sender requests information by a deadline: whether the venue is available, with Friday as the cut-off. The second sentence explains why the deadline matters rather than asking for cancellation or payment. The core request is confirmation of availability.

Question 5Reading

Read this sentence from an article: 'Far from settling the debate, the new study has merely added another voice to the chorus of disagreement.' What does the writer imply about the study?

  1. It has been widely ignored by researchers
  2. It has increased disagreement rather than resolving it Correct answer.
  3. It repeats research that was already settled
  4. It has ended the debate convincingly

Explanation

The phrase 'far from settling the debate' denies that the study resolved anything, and 'added another voice to the chorus of disagreement' shows it increased the range of conflicting views. The contrast structure signals the opposite of resolution. Careful attention to the negative opener is essential.

Question 6Reading

A product page states: 'This model is compatible with all standard 60 mm filter cartridges. It is not suitable for use with softened water.' A customer has standard 60 mm cartridges and softened water. What does the page indicate?

  1. The cartridges fit and softened water is acceptable
  2. The cartridges fit, but the system should not be used with softened water Correct answer.
  3. Neither the cartridges nor the water supply is suitable
  4. Softened water is fine provided non-standard cartridges are used

Explanation

Two separate conditions are given: cartridge compatibility and water suitability. The customer meets the first but not the second, so the correct reading combines a positive and a negative. Each statement must be applied independently.

Question 7Reading

Read this line from a news report: 'The council has pledged to review the scheme, though campaigners remain sceptical that anything will change before the next election.' What do the campaigners believe?

  1. That the next election will be cancelled
  2. That the review is unlikely to produce change soon Correct answer.
  3. That the council has already abandoned the scheme
  4. That the scheme has been reviewed too often

Explanation

'Sceptical' signals doubt, and the clause 'that anything will change before the next election' identifies what is doubted: timely change. The campaigners therefore expect little from the promised review. The reporting verb 'remain sceptical' is the decisive clue.

Question 8Reading

A sign in a car park reads: 'Vehicles displaying a valid permit may park in marked bays only. Visitors must obtain a ticket from the machine and display it on the dashboard.' A visitor without a permit has bought a ticket. Where should the visitor park?

  1. Outside the marked bays, with the ticket displayed
  2. Anywhere in the car park, with the ticket displayed
  3. In a marked bay, with the permit displayed instead
  4. In a marked bay, with the ticket displayed on the dashboard Correct answer.

Explanation

Visitors are covered by the second sentence, which requires a ticket displayed on the dashboard. The first sentence restricts parking to marked bays, and that restriction applies to all users. Combining both rules gives the only fully compliant option.

Question 9Reading

Read this paragraph: 'Remote working was once presented as a perk for a fortunate few. Today, for many office employees, it has become the default arrangement, with desks in city centres standing empty on Mondays and Fridays.' What change does the writer describe?

  1. Remote work has moved from an occasional benefit to a normal expectation Correct answer.
  2. City-centre desks are now fully occupied every weekday
  3. Remote work remains limited to senior employees
  4. Remote work has become rarer since the pandemic

Explanation

The contrast between 'once presented as a perk for a fortunate few' and 'today... the default arrangement' marks a shift from exception to norm. The detail about empty desks supports the claim that the practice is widespread. The key is tracking the time contrast.

Question 10Reading

Read this extract: 'The committee's report is thorough, meticulously sourced and beautifully written. It is also, regrettably, beside the point: the question it answers is not the question the town is asking.' What is the writer's main criticism?

  1. The report is poorly researched and badly written
  2. The report addresses the wrong question despite being well produced Correct answer.
  3. The report ignores the town's concerns entirely
  4. The report was published too late to be useful

Explanation

The first sentence concedes high quality, and the pivot 'It is also... beside the point' introduces the real objection. The colon then explains it: the report answers a different question from the one the town is asking. The criticism concerns relevance, not quality.

Question 11Reading

In a text about exercise, the writer says: 'The benefits of a short daily walk are not merely physical; they extend to mood, sleep quality and even the ability to concentrate at work.' Which statement best captures the writer's point?

  1. Walking is less useful than other forms of exercise
  2. Walking is valuable mainly because it builds physical strength
  3. Walking regularly can improve mental and practical aspects of life as well as fitness Correct answer.
  4. Walking only helps people who already sleep well

Explanation

The construction 'not merely physical; they extend to...' widens the claim from bodily benefits to mood, sleep and concentration. The writer is therefore asserting a broad range of advantages. Recognising the 'not merely... but also' pattern is central here.

Question 12Reading

Read this email: 'Thank you for your proposal. While the budget outlined is realistic, the timeline assumes that planning permission will be granted within four weeks, which, based on our experience, is optimistic. We would welcome a revised schedule.' What is the writer's position?

  1. The proposal is rejected because the budget is unrealistic
  2. The proposal fails because planning permission has been refused
  3. The proposal is accepted as it stands
  4. The proposal is acceptable in cost but needs a more realistic timetable Correct answer.

Explanation

The concession 'while the budget... is realistic' accepts the costing, and the criticism targets the four-week assumption as optimistic. The closing request for a revised schedule confirms that only the timeline needs changing. The reader must separate the accepted element from the challenged one.

Question 13Reading

A text states: 'Applicants who have not heard from us within three weeks should assume that their application has been unsuccessful. We regret that we are unable to provide feedback on individual applications.' What should an applicant do after four weeks with no reply?

  1. Assume the application is still being processed
  2. Treat the application as unsuccessful and expect no feedback Correct answer.
  3. Contact the company to request feedback on the interview
  4. Resubmit the same application immediately

Explanation

Two instructions apply: silence after three weeks means the application is unsuccessful, and individual feedback will not be given. After four weeks, both conditions are clearly met. The task tests combining two statements into one conclusion.

Question 14Reading

Read this sentence: 'Had the funding been confirmed in March, the repairs would have been completed before the winter.' What does the sentence tell us?

  1. The repairs will be completed before next winter
  2. Funding was confirmed in March, but the repairs were delayed anyway
  3. The repairs were completed before winter after funding was confirmed
  4. The repairs were not completed before winter because funding was not confirmed in March Correct answer.

Explanation

This is a third conditional with inversion ('Had the funding been confirmed'), which describes an unreal past condition and its unreal past result. Since the result did not happen, the repairs were not completed before winter. The implicit cause is the failure to confirm funding in March.

Question 15Reading

Read this paragraph: 'The museum's new wing has been praised for its bold design. Critics, however, have questioned whether such an ambitious building was the best use of limited funds, given that the existing galleries remain closed for repairs.' What issue does the paragraph raise?

  1. Whether spending on a new building was wise while existing galleries were closed Correct answer.
  2. Whether the museum should close permanently
  3. Whether ticket prices should be reduced
  4. Whether the new wing's design is too conventional

Explanation

The paragraph contrasts praise for design with criticism about priorities: money went to a new wing while existing galleries stayed shut. The underlying issue is therefore how limited funds were allocated. The phrase 'given that' links the criticism directly to the closed galleries.

Question 16Reading

A contract clause reads: 'The tenant shall be responsible for any damage beyond fair wear and tear, except where the damage results from the landlord's failure to carry out agreed maintenance.' A pipe bursts because the landlord ignored a scheduled inspection. Who is responsible for the damage?

  1. Responsibility is shared equally between both parties
  2. The landlord, because the damage followed a failure to maintain Correct answer.
  3. The tenant, because tenants are always liable for damage
  4. The tenant, because a burst pipe counts as fair wear and tear

Explanation

The clause makes the tenant liable except in one specified case: damage caused by the landlord's failure to carry out agreed maintenance. A missed inspection is exactly that failure, so the exception applies. The tenant's liability is displaced by the landlord's omission.

Question 17Reading

Read this sentence: 'The proposal was met with cautious enthusiasm: colleagues welcomed the direction of travel but asked for more detail on costs.' What does 'cautious enthusiasm' mean here?

  1. Indifference towards the proposal
  2. Complete rejection of the proposal
  3. Strong support with no conditions attached
  4. General approval combined with reservations about specific details Correct answer.

Explanation

The colon introduces an explanation: welcome for the direction plus a request for more cost detail. This combination of approval and concern is precisely what 'cautious enthusiasm' conveys. The punctuation signals that the second half defines the phrase.

Question 18Reading

Read this extract: 'It would be easy to dismiss the scheme as a gimmick. Yet the figures tell a different story: participation has doubled in two years, and the scheme now runs in a third of local schools.' What is the writer doing?

  1. Supporting the view that the scheme is a gimmick
  2. Questioning the reliability of the participation figures
  3. Arguing that the scheme should be expanded more slowly
  4. Countering an initial impression with evidence of success Correct answer.

Explanation

The writer first acknowledges an easy dismissal, then uses 'Yet' to reverse it with statistics showing growth. The rhetorical move is to set up an objection and overturn it with evidence. Recognising concession-plus-rebuttal structure is the key skill.

Question 19Reading

A booking confirmation says: 'Your reservation is provisional until payment is received. Provisional reservations are held for 48 hours, after which they are released automatically.' A customer booked on Monday at 10 a.m. and paid on Wednesday at 9 a.m. What happened?

  1. The payment arrived within the 48-hour window, so the reservation was kept Correct answer.
  2. The reservation was cancelled when payment was received
  3. The reservation was released because payment came after 24 hours
  4. The customer must rebook because provisional bookings are never held

Explanation

The hold lasts 48 hours from booking, which runs from Monday 10 a.m. to Wednesday 10 a.m. Payment at Wednesday 9 a.m. falls inside that window, so the reservation was retained. The task requires calculating a deadline and comparing it with the payment time.

Question 20Reading

Read this paragraph: 'The village shop closed in 2019. Since then, residents have had to travel eight miles for basic groceries, a journey that is difficult for those without a car. A community group now hopes to reopen the shop as a volunteer-run cooperative.' What is the paragraph mainly about?

  1. A community response to the loss of a local shop Correct answer.
  2. A disagreement among residents about the cooperative
  3. The reasons the village shop failed financially
  4. The environmental cost of travelling by car

Explanation

The paragraph establishes a problem (shop closure, difficult travel) and then presents a proposed solution (a volunteer-run cooperative). The overall focus is the community's attempt to respond to the closure. The other options introduce details or issues not raised.

Question 21Reading

Read this sentence: 'Not until the final chapter does the author reveal the identity of the narrator, a delay that some readers will find masterly and others merely frustrating.' What does the sentence suggest?

  1. The narrator's identity is never revealed
  2. The final chapter is the weakest part of the book
  3. The delayed revelation will divide opinion among readers Correct answer.
  4. All readers will find the delay masterful

Explanation

The phrase 'some readers will find masterly and others merely frustrating' explicitly sets up two opposing reactions. The writer therefore predicts a divided response rather than a unanimous one. The parallel structure with 'others' is the decisive clue.

Question 22Reading

Read this extract: 'The claim that automation will create as many jobs as it destroys rests on an assumption that is rarely stated: that displaced workers can readily acquire the skills that new roles demand. Where that assumption fails, the arithmetic of compensation collapses.' What is the writer's argument?

  1. The arithmetic of job losses is impossible to calculate
  2. Displaced workers are unwilling to learn new skills
  3. The job-replacement argument depends on a condition that may not hold Correct answer.
  4. Automation never creates new jobs

Explanation

The writer identifies a hidden premise behind the compensation argument and then shows that the argument fails if the premise fails. This is a critique of the argument's dependency, not a denial that new jobs appear. The phrase 'where that assumption fails' marks the conditional weakness.

Question 23Reading

Read this passage: 'Historians once treated oral testimony as a poor relation of the written archive, suspecting memory of distortion. More recent work, however, has shown that documents have their own biases, and that testimony can preserve the experience of people who left no written record. Neither source, it is now argued, should be treated as authoritative on its own.' Which statement best summarises the passage?

  1. Written documents are now considered more reliable than oral testimony
  2. Oral testimony has replaced written archives as the main source of evidence
  3. Oral testimony has gained standing as historians recognise the limits of written records Correct answer.
  4. Historians agree that memory is too distorted to be useful

Explanation

The passage traces a shift from dismissing oral testimony to recognising that both sources have limits and neither is authoritative alone. The overall movement is a rise in the status of testimony, not its replacement of documents. The final sentence stresses balance between the two.

Question 24Reading

Read this sentence: 'The report's recommendations are sound in principle, but their implementation would require a level of coordination between departments that has, historically, proved elusive.' What is the writer's view of the recommendations?

  1. They are flawed in principle and should be rejected
  2. They are too expensive to be considered
  3. They have already been implemented successfully
  4. They are theoretically reasonable but practically difficult to carry out Correct answer.

Explanation

The concession 'sound in principle' accepts the reasoning, while the 'but' clause identifies a practical obstacle: coordination that has historically been hard to achieve. The writer therefore endorses the aims while doubting delivery. Distinguishing principle from implementation is the key.

Question 25Reading

Read this extract: 'Advocates of the scheme point to its popularity as proof of its value. Popularity, however, measures what people choose, not what works; a scheme can be widely used and still fail to achieve the outcome it was designed for.' Which technique is the writer using?

  1. Providing statistics that contradict the scheme's popularity
  2. Attacking the advocates' personal motives
  3. Distinguishing between two concepts that the advocates treat as equivalent Correct answer.
  4. Accepting the advocates' conclusion but disputing their reasons

Explanation

The writer separates popularity (what people choose) from effectiveness (what works) and shows that the advocates conflate them. This is a conceptual distinction used to undermine an inference. The writer does not reject the conclusion outright or question motives.

Question 26Reading

A gym membership form states: 'Members may bring one guest per visit at no extra charge. Guests must be signed in at reception and are not permitted to use the studio after 8 p.m.' A member asks whether her guest can join a 9 p.m. studio class. According to the text, the answer is:

  1. Yes, provided the guest is signed in at reception.
  2. No, because guests cannot use the studio after 8 p.m. Correct answer.
  3. Yes, because guests are free of charge at any time.
  4. No, because members may bring only one guest in total.

Explanation

The text sets a specific time restriction on studio use by guests, so a 9 p.m. class falls outside what is allowed. Signing in at reception is a separate requirement and does not override the time limit.

Question 27Reading

Read this notice: 'The library will close at 5 p.m. on Friday for staff training. Items due for return that day will not incur a fine until Monday.' A reader returns a book on Saturday; the book was due that Friday. What does the notice say about a fine?

  1. A fine is charged, because Saturday is a normal working day.
  2. No fine is charged, because items due on Friday incur no fine before Monday. Correct answer.
  3. A fine is charged, because the library was closed on Friday.
  4. No fine is charged, because returns are always free at weekends.

Explanation

The book was due on Friday, so it qualifies for the notice's fine-free period. Saturday falls before Monday, so no fine is charged for this return. The notice postpones fines for Friday-due items; it does not say that the due date changes.

Question 28Reading

A leaflet says: 'Our walking tours run whatever the weather. Comfortable shoes are essential; umbrellas are available to borrow, but a deposit is required.' Which statement is supported by the leaflet?

  1. Participants must bring their own waterproof clothing.
  2. Tours are not cancelled because of rain. Correct answer.
  3. Umbrellas are given to participants free of charge.
  4. Tours are cancelled if the weather is very bad.

Explanation

The phrase 'whatever the weather' means rain does not stop the tours, so cancellation for rain is not supported. The other claims add conditions the text does not state.

Question 29Reading

Read this sentence from a review: 'The film is beautifully shot, and the lead performance is genuinely moving; the plot, however, creaks under the weight of its own coincidences.' What is the reviewer's overall view?

  1. Uniformly excellent in every respect.
  2. Technically flawed but narratively brilliant.
  3. Poorly acted despite an inventive plot.
  4. Visually and dramatically strong, but weak in story. Correct answer.

Explanation

The reviewer praises the photography and the acting, then contrasts this with criticism of the plot. The word 'however' signals that the negative comment about the story is the reservation.

Question 30Reading

A text says: 'The new bus lane has cut journey times on the main route by nearly a third. Drivers who previously avoided the area now use it, and passenger numbers are up.' Which conclusion is best supported?

  1. Journey times have fallen by exactly one third.
  2. Passenger numbers rose before the bus lane opened.
  3. The bus lane has made the route more attractive to travellers. Correct answer.
  4. The bus lane has reduced the number of cars in the city centre.

Explanation

Faster journeys and rising passenger numbers together support the idea that the route has become more appealing. The text gives 'nearly a third', so an exact figure is not supported.

Question 31Reading

Read this email opening: 'I'm writing with regard to your recent enquiry about our training courses. Before I can send you a detailed quote, I'd be grateful if you could confirm the number of participants.' What does the writer want the reader to do?

  1. Say how many people will attend the course. Correct answer.
  2. Choose a date for the training course.
  3. Send payment for the training course.
  4. Provide a detailed written quotation.

Explanation

The writer asks the reader to confirm the number of participants before a quote can be sent. The quote is what the writer will provide, not what the reader must supply.

Question 32Reading

A hotel website says: 'Breakfast is served in the garden room from 7 to 10 a.m. Guests requiring an early breakfast should inform reception the evening before.' A guest needs breakfast at 6 a.m. What should she do?

  1. Go to the garden room at 6 a.m.
  2. Order breakfast when checking out.
  3. Tell reception the evening before. Correct answer.
  4. Ask reception on the morning itself.

Explanation

The text gives a clear instruction for early breakfasts: inform reception the previous evening. Arriving at 6 a.m. without notice is not what the hotel asks for.

Question 33Reading

Read this line from a letter: 'Although the delivery arrived two days late, the contents were undamaged and the packaging was excellent.' Which statement is true according to the letter?

  1. The goods were damaged but the packaging was excellent.
  2. The goods were damaged and the delivery was late.
  3. The delivery was late but the goods were in good condition. Correct answer.
  4. The delivery was on time and the packaging was poor.

Explanation

The clause beginning 'although' concedes the late delivery, while the main clause reports that the contents were undamaged. Both facts must be kept together to read the sentence correctly.

Question 34Reading

Read this paragraph: 'The council's recycling scheme was launched with little publicity. Take-up in the first year was modest. By the third year, however, participation had doubled, and the scheme is now cited nationally as an example of good practice.' What does the paragraph emphasise?

  1. A slow start followed by growing success. Correct answer.
  2. A scheme that failed and was withdrawn.
  3. A scheme that was successful from the outset.
  4. A scheme that was widely publicised at launch.

Explanation

The paragraph traces a movement from low initial take-up to national recognition, so the emphasis is on gradual improvement. The contrast word 'however' marks the turning point.

Question 35Reading

Read this extract: 'Anyone who has tried to assemble flat-pack furniture knows the feeling: the instructions look simple, the diagrams look clear, and yet half an hour later you are surrounded by identical screws and no idea which one goes where.' What is the writer's tone?

  1. Formal and technical.
  2. Angry and accusatory.
  3. Humorous and sympathetic. Correct answer.
  4. Neutral and detached.

Explanation

The writer uses a shared, familiar frustration and a light, exaggerated image to create humour and fellow feeling. The tone is amused rather than hostile or strictly technical.

Question 36Reading

Read this sentence: 'The research, far from settling the debate, has given both sides fresh material to argue over.' What does the sentence suggest about the research?

  1. It has been ignored by both sides.
  2. It has ended the disagreement completely.
  3. It has been rejected as unreliable.
  4. It has made the disagreement more active. Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'far from settling the debate' denies that the research resolved anything, and 'fresh material to argue over' shows the dispute continuing. The construction signals the opposite of a resolution.

Question 37Reading

A job advert reads: 'We are looking for someone who can work independently but who also values being part of a team. Experience is desirable rather than essential; what matters most is a willingness to learn.' Which applicant best matches the advert?

  1. An experienced specialist who prefers to work entirely alone.
  2. A recent graduate who wants a highly structured training programme.
  3. A confident self-starter with no direct experience who enjoys collaborating. Correct answer.
  4. An experienced manager who is unwilling to take on new tasks.

Explanation

The advert balances independence with teamwork and states that willingness to learn matters more than experience. Only this option matches both the personal qualities and the stated attitude to experience.

Question 38Reading

Read this paragraph: 'The bridge was closed for repairs in spring. By summer, the diversion had added twenty minutes to the school run for families on the north side. When the bridge reopened in autumn, some parents had already changed schools.' What is the paragraph mainly about?

  1. The cost of maintaining local roads.
  2. The engineering work needed to repair a bridge.
  3. The practical consequences of a long closure. Correct answer.
  4. The reasons families choose particular schools.

Explanation

The paragraph follows the effects of the closure over time, ending with a lasting change in behaviour. Engineering details and school-choice criteria are not the focus.

Question 39Reading

Read this sentence from a report: 'Sales rose sharply in the second quarter, although analysts cautioned that the figure was flattered by an unusually weak comparison with the same period last year.' What are the analysts suggesting?

  1. The rise may look better than the underlying trend. Correct answer.
  2. The second quarter was unusually strong on its own merits.
  3. Sales actually fell compared with last year.
  4. The rise is certain to continue next quarter.

Explanation

The phrase 'flattered by' means the comparison makes the result appear stronger than it really is. The analysts are warning against taking the headline figure at face value.

Question 40Reading

An instruction manual says: 'Before first use, rinse the filter under cold water for thirty seconds. Do not use soap or hot water, as these can damage the filter membrane. Repeat rinsing every two weeks.' Which action is permitted?

  1. Washing the filter with mild soap.
  2. Skipping the rinse after the first use.
  3. Rinsing the filter in hot water.
  4. Rinsing the filter with cold water before the first use. Correct answer.

Explanation

The manual prescribes a cold-water rinse before first use and repeats the instruction every two weeks. Both soap and hot water are explicitly ruled out.

Question 41Reading

Read this extract: 'The proposal to pedestrianise the high street has divided traders. Some foresee higher footfall and a livelier atmosphere; others fear that deliveries will become impractical and that customers who drive will go elsewhere.' How is the debate presented?

  1. As a problem that has already been resolved.
  2. As a matter of little interest to local people.
  3. As a dispute in which one side is clearly right.
  4. As a genuine disagreement with reasonable concerns on both sides. Correct answer.

Explanation

The extract gives the arguments of both groups without endorsing either, which presents the issue as genuinely contested. The balanced structure, with 'some' and 'others', is the clue.

Question 42Reading

Read this sentence: 'The company has pledged to reduce its emissions, a commitment that will be judged not by the announcement but by the figures published next year.' What does the writer imply?

  1. The company has refused to publish any figures.
  2. The announcement itself is sufficient evidence of good faith.
  3. The company has already met its emissions target.
  4. The promise will only count if the results prove it. Correct answer.

Explanation

The contrast between the announcement and the figures shows that the writer treats future data as the real test of the commitment. Words are presented as less meaningful than measurable results.

Question 43Reading

A course description says: 'Assessment is by coursework only; there is no final examination. Students submit three assignments across the year, and the lowest mark is discounted.' How many assignment marks count towards the final grade?

  1. Three
  2. None
  3. One
  4. Two Correct answer.

Explanation

Three assignments are submitted, but the lowest mark is discounted, leaving two that count. The question asks how many marks count, not how many are submitted.

Question 44Reading

Read this paragraph: 'The village's annual festival began as a small gathering in a single field. Over twenty years it has grown into an event attracting thousands, with camping, workshops and a waiting list for tickets. Some residents now complain about the noise, but most accept it as the price of the festival's success.' What does the final sentence suggest?

  1. Most residents tolerate the drawbacks because of the benefits. Correct answer.
  2. The festival has stopped growing in recent years.
  3. The noise has become the main attraction.
  4. Most residents want the festival to be cancelled.

Explanation

Calling the noise 'the price of the festival's success' implies that residents accept a negative side effect in exchange for the benefits. The word 'but' signals that acceptance outweighs complaint.

Question 45Reading

Read this extract: 'It is tempting to treat the two studies as contradictory. In fact they measured different things: one looked at short-term recall, the other at long-term retention. Read side by side, they complement rather than cancel each other.' What is the writer doing?

  1. Reconciling findings that appear to conflict. Correct answer.
  2. Arguing that both studies are worthless.
  3. Presenting new experimental evidence.
  4. Attacking the methods of both studies.

Explanation

The writer explains why the studies differ and concludes that they complement one another, which resolves the apparent conflict. No new data or methodological attack is offered.

Question 46Reading

Read this sentence: 'The minister's statement, carefully worded though it was, left open the question that journalists had come to ask.' What does the sentence imply about the statement?

  1. It was spoken without preparation.
  2. It answered the question very clearly.
  3. It avoided giving a direct answer. Correct answer.
  4. It was cancelled at the last minute.

Explanation

The concessive structure and the phrase 'left open the question' indicate that the careful wording served to avoid commitment. Careful wording is presented as a way of saying little.

Question 47Reading

Read this extract: 'The novelist's later work has been described as more mature, and so it is, if maturity means the absence of risk. The early books took chances that the new one, for all its polish, never attempts.' What is the writer's attitude to the later work?

  1. Admiring of its craft but critical of its caution. Correct answer.
  2. Indifferent to the difference between the books.
  3. Entirely dismissive of its technical quality.
  4. Enthusiastic about its greater daring.

Explanation

The writer concedes the polish of the later book while arguing that it avoids the risks taken earlier, which amounts to qualified criticism. The irony in 'if maturity means the absence of risk' signals the reservation.

Question 48Reading

Read this paragraph: 'The claim that the policy reduced unemployment is widely repeated. It rests, however, on a comparison with a period when the measure was already falling for unrelated reasons. Remove that period from the data and the effect largely disappears.' What is the writer's method of argument?

  1. Offering a rival policy proposal.
  2. Accepting the claim but disputing its importance.
  3. Questioning the evidence on which a common claim rests. Correct answer.
  4. Attacking the motives of those who made the claim.

Explanation

The writer identifies a flaw in the comparison behind the claim and shows what happens when that period is removed. The argument targets the evidence rather than the motives or an alternative policy.

Question 49Reading

Read this sentence: 'For all its apparent simplicity, the design solves a problem that more elaborate versions had merely moved around.' What does the sentence mean?

  1. The simple design is less effective than elaborate ones.
  2. The simple design succeeds where complex ones did not. Correct answer.
  3. The elaborate versions solved the problem more neatly.
  4. The design is too simple to solve the problem.

Explanation

The phrase 'for all its apparent simplicity' concedes simplicity before asserting success, and 'merely moved around' criticises the elaborate versions. The sentence therefore praises the simple design by contrast.

Question 50Reading

Read this extract: 'Historians of the period have tended to treat the diaries as a reliable window on daily life. That they were written for an audience, and a rather select one, is rarely mentioned. The window, in other words, was built to frame a particular view.' What is the writer's point about the diaries?

  1. Their intended audience shaped what they record. Correct answer.
  2. They are worthless as historical sources.
  3. They were never read by anyone at the time.
  4. They describe daily life more accurately than other sources.

Explanation

The metaphor of a window built to frame a view conveys that the diaries were composed with an audience in mind and therefore select what they show. The writer qualifies their reliability without dismissing them entirely.