SECTION 1 Questions 1-14
Read the text below and answer Questions 1-7.
Harbour Ferry Service Update
The city transport office has issued the following notice about the harbour ferry service.
What changes are being introduced?
From 3 June, weekday ferry services will begin thirty minutes earlier in the morning and continue until 9:30 p.m. The changes are part of a three-month trial designed to help commuters and evening visitors.
Will all routes operate as normal?
Most routes will run according to the new timetable. However, the museum stop will only be served from Friday to Sunday, when visitor numbers are highest. Passengers should check the online timetable before travelling.
Are fares changing?
Standard fares will remain the same during the trial. People using monthly travel cards will not need to pay any extra, and children under five will continue to travel free of charge.
Why is the trial taking place?
The transport office wants to reduce pressure on road traffic and test whether later ferries are popular with residents and tourists. If demand is strong enough, the extended schedule may become permanent next spring.
Questions 1-7
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text on section 1?
In boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet, write
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
1.
The new ferry timetable will start in early June.
2.
The trial period will last for six months.
3.
The museum stop will be available every weekday.
4.
Passengers are advised to look at the timetable online before making a trip.
5.
Monthly travel card holders must pay an additional fee during the trial.
6.
Children below the age of five can still use the ferry without paying.
7.
The transport office has already confirmed that the later schedule will continue next spring.
TrailStep Hiking Boots
Online customer reviews
A. Chloe
I spent several days comparing brands before finally ordering these boots. I wanted something for weekend walks that would also cope with muddy paths. They have been excellent so far, and I was pleased that the brown colour looked exactly like the website photos.
B. Marcus
The boots are comfortable and supportive, but the laces are shorter than I expected. That makes them a little awkward to tie when I wear thick socks. Apart from that, they feel sturdy enough for long walks in rough weather.
C. Yasmin
I bought these because I needed footwear that looked neat enough for everyday use but could still handle easy hill trails. They work well in both situations, which surprised me. I have already worn them to work twice on rainy mornings.
D. Oliver
I usually wear a size 9, but the first pair felt too tight across the toes, especially downhill. Exchanging them for a size 10 solved the problem immediately. Customer service was efficient, so the process was much easier than I expected.
E. Priyanka
These boots kept my feet dry in heavy rain, which was exactly what I hoped for. The only disappointment was the grey shade, which seemed much darker online. Still, after wearing them for four hours, I noticed how light they felt compared with my old pair.
Questions 8-14
Look at the five online customer reviews of boots, A-E.
For which review are the following statements true?
Write the correct letter, A-E, in boxes 8-14 on your answer sheet.
NB, You may use any letter more than once.
8.
The customer took some time to decide whether to buy the product.
9.
The product can be used in both smart and outdoor situations.
10.
The customer first bought the wrong size.
11.
One feature of the boots was smaller than the customer expected.
12.
The colour of the product did not match the online pictures.
13.
The customer says the boots were useful in wet conditions.
14.
The customer was impressed by how lightweight the boots felt.
SECTION 2 Questions 15-27
Read the text below and answer Questions 15-21.
How to Manage Study Notes Effectively
Good notes can save time and make revision far less stressful. The most useful notes are clear, organised, and easy to review later.
Write selectively.
Instead of copying everything, focus on key ideas, important examples, and unfamiliar terms. This forces you to think about what matters most and reduces unnecessary repetition.
Use a clear structure.
Headings, bullet points, and spacing make notes easier to scan quickly. Many students also use colour to highlight definitions, dates, or formulas.
Review notes soon after class.
Checking your notes within twenty-four hours helps fix information in your memory. It is also a good time to fill in any missing details while the lesson is still fresh in your mind.
Combine words with visuals.
Simple diagrams, tables, or mind maps can help you understand links between ideas. Visual methods are especially useful when topics involve processes or comparisons.
Store notes carefully.
Whether notes are written by hand or typed, they should be kept in one organised place. Clear file names or labelled folders make them easier to find during exam preparation.
Questions 15-21
Complete the sentences below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 15-21 on your answer sheet.
15.
Good notes should be clear, organised, and easy to later.
16.
Writing only the most important points reduces unnecessary .
17.
Using headings and spacing makes notes easier to quickly.
18.
Reviewing notes within twenty-four hours helps fix information in your .
19.
Diagrams and tables are useful when dealing with processes or .
20.
Notes should be kept in one organised .
21.
Clear folders or file names help during exam .
Planning a Weekend Camping Trip
A short camping trip can be enjoyable and inexpensive if it is planned properly. Paying attention to a few basic details will make the experience more comfortable and safer.
Choose the right campsite.
Select a site with suitable facilities, such as toilets, drinking water, and safe cooking areas. It is also wise to check how close the site is to parking or public transport.
Check the weather forecast.
Weather conditions will affect what you pack and how you travel. Even in summer, nights can become cold, so extra layers may be needed.
Pack essential equipment.
A tent, sleeping bag, torch, and first-aid kit are basic necessities. Food should be simple to prepare, and enough water must be taken if there is no reliable source nearby.
Plan activities realistically.
It is tempting to schedule too much, but walking routes and outdoor activities often take longer than expected. Leave room for rest and unexpected delays.
Respect the environment.
Campers should take rubbish home, avoid damaging plants, and follow local fire rules. Good habits help keep campsites pleasant for future visitors.
Questions 22-27
Complete the notes below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 22-27 on your answer sheet.
The best way to plan a camping trip
Check whether the campsite has toilets, drinking water, and cooking 22 .
Cold nights may mean you need extra 23 .
A first-aid 24 is one of the basic necessities.
Take enough water if there is no reliable 25 nearby.
Outdoor activities may take longer than 26 .
27 should be taken home to protect the campsite.
SECTION 3 Questions 28-40
Read the text on pages 25 and 26 and answer Questions 28-40.
The History of Postal Services
A
Long before modern mail systems existed, rulers and armies relied on messengers to carry information across large distances. In ancient empires, these messengers often used relay stations, where fresh horses or runners allowed messages to travel more quickly and reliably.
B
As trade expanded in the medieval period, merchants needed dependable ways to exchange letters and business records. Some towns and trading groups developed organised delivery networks, although these services usually remained expensive and were not available to everyone.
C
The growth of national postal systems in the 17th and 18th centuries brought greater order and wider access. Governments realised that regular mail services supported administration, commerce, and communication. Over time, post offices became familiar public institutions in both towns and rural areas.
D
A major change came in the 19th century with reforms that made postage simpler and cheaper. In Britain, the introduction of the Penny Black stamp in 1840 helped standardise payment and encouraged more people to send letters. As literacy increased, personal correspondence became a normal part of everyday life.
E
In the modern era, postal services have had to adapt to competition from email and private courier companies. Many postal organisations now handle parcels, financial services, and online order deliveries in addition to traditional letters. Even with digital communication, postal systems continue to play an important role in many communities.
Questions 28-32
The text on pages 25 and 26 has five sections, A-E.
Choose the correct heading for each section from the list of headings below.
Write the correct number, i-viii, in boxes 28-32 on your answer sheet.
List of Headings
i. Postal reform and cheaper letters
ii. Delivery systems for rulers and armies
iii. The effect of declining literacy
iv. Modern postal services and new roles
v. National systems become established
vi. The invention of the first railway mail train
vii. Merchant networks in the medieval world
viii. Why digital messages replaced all post
28.
Section A
29.
Section B
30.
Section C
31.
Section D
32.
Section E
Questions 33-37
Complete the summary below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 33-37 on your answer sheet.
The development of postal services
Ancient systems often used relay stations with fresh 33 . In the medieval period, expanding 34 created a need for dependable delivery networks. National postal systems supported administration, commerce, and 35 . In Britain, the Penny Black was introduced in 36 . Today, postal organisations also deliver 37 and offer other services.
Questions 38-40
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write the correct letter in boxes 38-40 on your answer sheet.
38. What does the writer say about medieval delivery services?
39. The writer mentions that the Penny Black helped to
40. What would be the best subtitle title for this text?