Key English Discovery Midterm Advanced 2

Listening

Ex1: Answer the questions

How are you, Lucy?Did you have a good weekend?No, not really. But I'm fine, Jill.Thanks.You don't look so
good.Are you sure you're telling me the truth?Yes, Jill, I'm fine.Well, actually I'm not fine.I'm depressed.
Who know why?Steve and I broke up over the weekend. I don't believe it.You thought you were meant for
each other.Didn't you say that just last week?I thought you were planning to get married.Yes, I know.We
were meant for each other and I was expecting him to suggest we get married.So what happened?Still very
ambitious and wants to advance his career.He doesn't want anything to stand in his way.So he feels now is
not the right time for him to settle down.And I don't want to wait around until he's ready.I've got to get on
with my life.I'm not surprised you're feeling down in the dumps. What a thing to happen.I don't know how
I'm going to cope, Jill.Maybe you should see a therapist. Oh no.I don't think I could tell my problems to a
complete stranger.Lucy I went for counseling after my husband left me and I found it was very helpful.I
know of a therapist in the area who I could recommend.I'll think about it.Thanks for being so kind and
sympathetic.

1. Lucy is depressed because...
a. her husband left her.
b. she went to see a therapist.
c. she got married.
d. she broke up with her boyfriend.

2. Mark the true sentence.
a. Steve thinks it's the right time to settle down.
b. Steve wants to stand in Lucy's way.
c. Lucy thought Steve would be a good husband.
d. Lucy wants to wait for Steve to settle down.

3. How does Steve feel at the moment?
a. He wants to settle down.

b. He wants Lucy to wait for the right time.
c. He wants to change his job.
d. He wants to concentrate on his career.

4. Jill advises Lucy to see a therapist because...
a. she saw a therapist, and found it helpful.
b. she knows a therapist who lives in the area.
c. therapists are kind and sympathetic.
d. her husband is a therapist.

5. Why doesn't Lucy want to see a therapist?
a. She doesn't like telling strangers her problems.
b. Jill had a bad experience with a therapist.
c. She doesn't need to; she can manage on her own.
d. She wants to get on with her life.

Ex2: Answer the questions

Good morning. How are you? Terrific. I just ran 10 kilometers. I'm jealous. I wanna workout too, but I have
no time. You can always find time to do something if you're determined. You're right. I guess the real
problem is that I have difficulty getting myself to do something that's uncomfortable, especially after
work.That's understandable. Would you consider hiring a personal trainer? It's their job to make you
exercise, even if you don't feel like it. I would, but I can't afford it. So join the gym. It'll cost less than a
trainer, and once you pay, you'll feel like you need to go. But will I actually go? I doubt it.If you buy stylish
workout clothes, you'll want to go to the gym to show them off.I'll probably end up just wearing them
around the house. Would a podcast motivate you? If you found a podcast you loved, you'd be excited to

listen to it every morning while you run. That's a creative solution. But knowing me, I just listened to the

podcast as I drive to work.You can get a dog so you'll be forced to walk it, but the dog would be home alone

all day when I'm at work. Then how about if I stop by the first few times you work out? I'll keep you

company and encourage you. Yes, that would help.

1. What are the man and woman discussing?
a. Ways to get motivated to work out
b. What it's like to run 10 kilometers
c. What kind of exercise is best
d. How to find the time to exercise

2. When the woman says she has no time to exercise, the man tells her that...
a. it's understandable.
b. she should exercise before work.
c. she can exercise for just a few minutes.
d. a person can always find time to do something.

3. Why won't the woman get a personal trainer?
a. She'd rather work out on her own.
b. She doesn't really want to exercise.
c. She'd rather work out with the man.
d. She can't afford to hire a trainer.

4. What is the woman referring to when she says, "That's a creative solution"?
a. Getting a dog
b. Joining a gym
c. Listening to a podcast
d. Buying workout clothes

5. The man will help the woman by...

a. stopping by when she is exercising.
b. helping her start a podcast.
c. paying for her gym membership.
d. watching her dog when she is at work.

Vocabulary

Ex1: Điền các từ trong ngoặc() vào chỗ trống”_______”

The most popular courses at universities nowadays are in business studies. More young
people than ever before are looking for a business career. They view the field as 1.______
(challenged, Glamorous, Eager) and prestigious. A group of business school students
were 2. ______( challenged, ambitious, surveyed), to find out why they were choosing
business as a career. Results showed that the number one reason was 3._____( ambition,
excellence, support). They seem to be in it for the 4._____( professionals, challenge,
executive). The second most popular reason was the desire to make a lot of money.
Although young people are generally prepared to start working for a lower salary than
their more experienced colleagues, they see themselves as quickly working their way up
the corporate ladder, and becoming business 5._____( accounts, stocks, executives) in no
time. Well, good luck to them!

Here are the filled-in blanks:

1. (Glamorous)
2. (surveyed)
3. (ambition)
4. (challenge)
5. (executives)

Ex2: Điền các từ trong ngoặc() vào chỗ trống”_______”

Professor: John, I want to talk to you about your progress in the course. You appear to
me to lack 1.___(majority, consideration, motivation).
John: I agree. I haven't been as 2._____( corrupted, cooperative, committed) as I could
have been.
Professor: Do you think that you can improve matters?
John: Yes, definitely. I will 3.______( develop, console, participate) more in class from
now on.
Professor: I'm pleased to hear that, John. You are studying a broad 4.______( range,
majority, technique) of subjects. I have confidence in your 5.____( condition, incident,
ability).
John: Thank you, Professor. I'm sure you'll see a marked improvement very soon.

Here are the filled-in blanks:

1. (motivation)
2. (cooperative)
3. (participate)
4. (range)
5. (ability)

Ex3: Điền các từ sau vào chỗ trống”_____”:

worse than

I'm having difficulty

what's been going on

it's not as if

do me a favor

against your wishes

work things out
Brenda: Hey, Dave. You don't look very happy.
Dave: I'm not. I'm feeling lousy.
Brenda: You've been in a bad mood for a while now. Tell me, 1._______ with you?
Dave: 2.________ figuring out what I should do with my life. I knew I didn't want to
become a programmer. But my parents kept saying I should do it if I want to get a good,
steady job. I knew I wouldn't enjoy it, but it's even 3.______ I thought.
Brenda: Well, 4._______ you can't change careers. You're young. You can try doing
different things and then decide what's best for you.
Dave: I seriously doubt my parents would be OK with that.
Brenda: I'm sure you'll 5._______.

Here are the filled-in blanks:

1. What's been going on?
2. I'm having difficulty
3. worse than
4. it's not as if
5. work things out

Gramma

Ex1: Điền các từ trong ngoặc() vào chỗ trống”_______”

I can't believe I was late for school again today! 1.______( In spite of the fact that, As a

result, Seeing that)I set my alarm to wake me up at 7, I overslept and left the house
late. 2._______( Although, Seeing that, Despite the fact that) I was late, I decided to get
the bus instead of walking. I thought it would be quicker. 3._____( Seeing that, As a
result of, Despite) an accident, however, traffic was backed up, and 4._____( although,
seeing that, consequently) the journey took twice as long. At a certain point, I should
have gotten off the bus and walked, but 5.______( although, because, despite) I was
already late, I didn't think there was any point in rushing!

Here are the filled-in blanks:

1. In spite of the fact that
2. Although
3. Despite
4. consequently
5. because

Ex2: Điền các từ trong ngoặc() vào chỗ trống”_______”

John: That was a great movie. Let's go get some ice cream now.
Susan: I'd love to, but I'm afraid I can't. 1_____( I'd rather, I can't, I'd better) go home.
John: Why? Was the evening that 2._____( exciting, bored, boring)? Can't you stay out
just a little longer?
Susan: I really can't. But 3._____( there were, it is, there are) other nights in the week.
We can go out on Wednesday.
John: Why are you in such a hurry to get home? Don't you like being with me?
Susan: Of course 4.______( I'd rather, I must, I'd better) be with you than at home right
now...
John: So what's the problem?
Susan: I just need to leave. I can't tell you why. OK? Don't 5._____( making, make, do)
me feel guilty.

John: Susan, I'm worried about you. I'll call you tomorrow. Good night.

Here are the filled-in blanks:

1. I'd better
2. boring
3. there are

4. I'd better
5. make

Ex3: Điền các từ trong ngoặc() vào chỗ trống”_______”

Gabi: Aah! I have so much work to do. I'm feeling overwhelmed!
Nick: 1._____( After that, Second, First of all), take a deep breath and relax.
2.______( Second, Finally, First of all), make a list of all the tasks you need to do. Don't
worry about what order you put them in; just write them down. 3._____( First of all, After
that, Second of all), mark the most urgent tasks - the ones you need to do right away.
You can mark them with a "U" for urgent. Next, mark the second most important tasks
with an "I" for "important." 4.______( First, Finally, Second), begin doing the tasks -
starting with the "urgent" tasks, and then moving on to the "important" tasks...
Gabi: I actually did that 5.______( then, finally, at first), but I stopped when the list got
too long.

Here are the filled-in blanks:

1. First of all
2. Second
3. After that
4. Finally

5. at first

Reading

Ex1: Answer the questions
Dear Kathy,

I'm sorry I haven't written in such a long time. I've been so busy with my new job that I just seem to be
working at all hours, with no time for anything or anyone else.

I started this new job three months ago. I am a personal assistant to the head of a charity organization that
helps the homeless. I love the work and my boss is great, but there's a tremendous amount of pressure,
and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure I'm up to it. Maybe the price I have to pay for a challenging career is
too high for me.

I haven't been to a movie or out with friends since I started the job. At the end of the week, I'm so behind
on everyday tasks, I spend my weekends doing laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning the apartment... and
feeling very sorry for myself! I don't have time to do anything else, and besides, I'm so exhausted, just the
thought of going out and being sociable is tiring!

I'm a pretty ambitious person, and I was eager to have a career. My goal has always been to excel at what I
do. I've always cared less about money, and more about doing a good job. So I guess I'm achieving my goal.

My boss is always pleased with my work. But what's the point of it all if I come home to an empty
apartment at the end of the day, and have no energy to try and change the situation?

But enough about me and my problems. How are you, Kathy? Are you still under the same stress at work?
Are you managing to have a challenging career and a life as well? The last time we were in contact, you
were thinking of switching to a job with less tension. What ever happened with that?

Looking forward to hearing from you. Please write soon.

Love,

Debbie

1. In her letter, Debbie...
a. complains about her life.
b. talks about her fun social life.
c. says how much she likes her work and apartment.
d. says that she's worried about Kathy.

2. What has Debbie's goal always been?
a. To be social
b. To be ambitious
c. To be successful in her career
d. To make a lot of money

3. How does Debbie spend her weekends?
a. Getting together with her boss
b. Cleaning her apartment and doing laundry
c. Working, so her boss will be pleased
d. Having dinner with her friends

4. How do you think Debbie feels?
a. Sad that her job controls her life
b. Envious of the way Kathy handles her job
c. Upset that she doesn't have a better paying job
d. Happy with her choice of job

5. What do we learn about Kathy?
a. She has a boring job.
b. She has a busy social life.
c. She has a stressful job.
d. She has changed her job.

Ex2: Answer the questions

From: Lewis Briggs

To: Town Council Planning Committee

Subject: Unused land in Oak Ridge neighborhood

Dear Committee Members,

Here are the notes from last week's meeting:

A special meeting of the planning committee was held on October 10, to discuss what to build
on the huge area of unused land in the city's Oak Ridge neighborhood.

Several committee members thought the town would benefit most from a green space that
helps bring people in the community together. One suggestion was a park with a baseball
field, tennis courts, a playground, a dog park, and a swimming pool. It could hold sporting
events, concerts, and other community get-togethers. There could also be a recreation center
on the park grounds that would host classes and social events for the community.

Other committee members argued that the town would benefit more by a space whose
purpose is to bring money to the town. One suggestion was a mixed-use complex (a complex
with several different uses). It could include stores, office buildings, and residential

apartments. In order to help make it attractive, the complex could have gardens, water
fountains, and pretty walkways. It would be a space that fulfills many of the town's needs, all
in one location.

There was discussion afterwards on the pros and cons of each type of space. We tried taking a
vote, but most people said there wasn't enough information to vote.

I think it would be best to set up a special land committee to concentrate on this project and
develop the ideas more fully. This committee would consult with other towns that have already
completed such projects. Once the ideas are more fully developed, I'd like to have another,
larger meeting to vote on our favorite options.

We will then print these options in the city newsletter and hold a community meeting in which
we present all options, in detail, to the residents. Residents will have an opportunity to
express their opinions and views.

There were lots of good ideas presented in the meeting and I think it was very productive.

If you have any questions or further suggestions, let me know.

Sincerely,

Lewis Briggs

1. The main purpose of this e-mail is to...
a. get information about an unused piece of land.
b. make a committee.
c. summarize a meeting.
d. encourage community members to meet.

2. What was NOT suggested as something to include in the green space?

a. An office building
b. A swimming pool

c. A recreation center
d. A park

3. What is a benefit of the mixed-use space according to the e-mail?

a. It is a good way to bring community members together.
b. Sporting events and music events can be held there.

c. It is good for the environment.
d. Many of the town's needs can be taken care of within one location.

4. What reason is given for including walkways in the mixed-use space?

a. For people to walk their dogs
b. To help make the space look nice

c. So people won't have to cross busy streets
d. So people will get exercise

5. What is the next step?

a. Voting on the best idea
b. Building a tennis court

c. Creating a city newsletter

d. Setting up a special committee