Objective Placement Test A
In this section of the Objective Placement Test, you will read some short passages and answer
questions about them. Choose the word or words that best complete the sentence. For each item,
fill in your answer on the answer sheet. You will have 20 minutes to complete this section.
© Cambridge University Press 2017 Photocopiable
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- Question 1 of 20
1. Question
Passage 1: What are you doing today?
Betty chan: I usually stay home on Sundays and take it easy – read, clean the house, do stuff like
that. But today I’m at the mall. I’m buying some things for my kids.21. Betty is _________ today.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 2 of 20
2. Question
Passage 2: What do you do?
Tony perez: I’m a flight attendant with a major airline. Flying isn’t dangerous, but it can be stressful.
When I’m up in the air working, I always have something to do. I like it because I meet a lot of
interesting people22. Tony’s job is _________ .
CorrectIncorrect - Question 3 of 20
3. Question
Passage 3: A vacation postcard
Dear Sal,
Greetings from France – it’s so good to be back here again! We left the kids with their grandparents
in Chicago, and we’re biking across the French countryside by ourselves. We brought a tent and
sleeping bags, so we can camp out if we want to, but we’re really enjoying the small hotels we find
along the way.Love,
Michael and Paula23. Michael and Paula _________ .
CorrectIncorrect - Question 4 of 20
4. Question
Passage 4: The “zone”
You’re deeply involved in a task and can ignore everything around you – ringing telephones, your
neighbor’s TV, even your own hunger – and still do things in record time. This is similar to what
athletes call the “zone”: the power to concentrate so hard that you can ignore everything else. This
ability can bring success in any field, but in athletics it can mean all the difference between winning
and losing a game or event.24. In this reading, the “zone” refers to a person’s _________ .
CorrectIncorrect - Question 5 of 20
5. Question
Passage 4: The “zone”
You’re deeply involved in a task and can ignore everything around you – ringing telephones, your
neighbor’s TV, even your own hunger – and still do things in record time. This is similar to what
athletes call the “zone”: the power to concentrate so hard that you can ignore everything else. This
ability can bring success in any field, but in athletics it can mean all the difference between winning
and losing a game or event.25. Athletes in the “zone” are more likely to _________ .
CorrectIncorrect - Question 6 of 20
6. Question
Passage 5: Henry Ford and the Model-T
Henry Ford became famous and rich because he found a better, faster way to build cars. This is
shown in the history of the Model-T. When the Model-T was first introduced in 1908, it took 14
hours to build and cost $850. After Ford introduced into his own factory the mass-production
techniques that he saw in a meat-packing plant, the time for building a Model-T was reduced to
less than two hours. As a result, Ford was able to drop the price of the car to $265. By 1927, he had
sold over 15 million Model-Ts.26. The first Model-T was expensive because it _________ .
CorrectIncorrect - Question 7 of 20
7. Question
Passage 5: Henry Ford and the Model-T
Henry Ford became famous and rich because he found a better, faster way to build cars. This is
shown in the history of the Model-T. When the Model-T was first introduced in 1908, it took 14
hours to build and cost $850. After Ford introduced into his own factory the mass-production
techniques that he saw in a meat-packing plant, the time for building a Model-T was reduced to
less than two hours. As a result, Ford was able to drop the price of the car to $265. By 1927, he had
sold over 15 million Model-Ts.27. The Model-T became so popular because it was _________ than other cars.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 8 of 20
8. Question
Passage 6: It’s a big country!
When it comes to body weight, Americans stand out. Most visitors to the United States, no matter
where they go across this vast country, comment on the size of many Americans. In fact, these
impressions are backed by numerous statistics. For example, the average 5′ 4″ American weighs
162 pounds, or 15 pounds more than the average person of the same height from Western or
Central Europe. Another comparison: At 150 pounds, the average 5’ 4” American woman is
24 pounds heavier than her Japanese counterpart.Why are Americans so heavy? Some blame the American diet. Certainly it’s true that
Americans eat more high-fat foods – meat, dairy products, and processed food – and fewer grains
and vegetables than people in other countries. But fat isn’t the whole story. Lifestyle factors –
including the tendency for Americans to drive rather than walk or ride a bicycle to work, to snack
throughout the day, and to have so many labor-saving devices in the home – appear to contribute
to the problem.28. According to the article, visitors to the United States often comment on the size of the _________.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 9 of 20
9. Question
Passage 6: It’s a big country!
When it comes to body weight, Americans stand out. Most visitors to the United States, no matter
where they go across this vast country, comment on the size of many Americans. In fact, these
impressions are backed by numerous statistics. For example, the average 5′ 4″ American weighs
162 pounds, or 15 pounds more than the average person of the same height from Western or
Central Europe. Another comparison: At 150 pounds, the average 5’ 4” American woman is
24 pounds heavier than her Japanese counterpart.Why are Americans so heavy? Some blame the American diet. Certainly it’s true that
Americans eat more high-fat foods – meat, dairy products, and processed food – and fewer grains
and vegetables than people in other countries. But fat isn’t the whole story. Lifestyle factors –
including the tendency for Americans to drive rather than walk or ride a bicycle to work, to snack
throughout the day, and to have so many labor-saving devices in the home – appear to contribute
to the problem.29. According to the article, the average Western European weighs _________.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 10 of 20
10. Question
Passage 6: It’s a big country!
When it comes to body weight, Americans stand out. Most visitors to the United States, no matter
where they go across this vast country, comment on the size of many Americans. In fact, these
impressions are backed by numerous statistics. For example, the average 5′ 4″ American weighs
162 pounds, or 15 pounds more than the average person of the same height from Western or
Central Europe. Another comparison: At 150 pounds, the average 5’ 4” American woman is
24 pounds heavier than her Japanese counterpart.Why are Americans so heavy? Some blame the American diet. Certainly it’s true that
Americans eat more high-fat foods – meat, dairy products, and processed food – and fewer grains
and vegetables than people in other countries. But fat isn’t the whole story. Lifestyle factors –
including the tendency for Americans to drive rather than walk or ride a bicycle to work, to snack
throughout the day, and to have so many labor-saving devices in the home – appear to contribute
to the problem.30. In comparison with Americans, people in other countries eat more _________.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 11 of 20
11. Question
Passage 6: It’s a big country!
When it comes to body weight, Americans stand out. Most visitors to the United States, no matter
where they go across this vast country, comment on the size of many Americans. In fact, these
impressions are backed by numerous statistics. For example, the average 5′ 4″ American weighs
162 pounds, or 15 pounds more than the average person of the same height from Western or
Central Europe. Another comparison: At 150 pounds, the average 5’ 4” American woman is
24 pounds heavier than her Japanese counterpart.Why are Americans so heavy? Some blame the American diet. Certainly it’s true that
Americans eat more high-fat foods – meat, dairy products, and processed food – and fewer grains
and vegetables than people in other countries. But fat isn’t the whole story. Lifestyle factors –
including the tendency for Americans to drive rather than walk or ride a bicycle to work, to snack
throughout the day, and to have so many labor-saving devices in the home – appear to contribute
to the problem.31. The article implies that Americans would lose weight if they _________.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 12 of 20
12. Question
Passage 7: Small talk isn’t so “small”
Small talk may not be about serious issues; nevertheless, researchers into the subject have
concluded that it’s important. That’s because small talk keeps us connected to one another and can
lead to bigger things, such as a job or a new friendship. Yet people who find themselves alone with
another person often don’t know what to say. Here are a few tips to help you start a conversation,
and to keep the conversational ball rolling:• Start with the obvious. If you have something in common with another person (your job,
hobbies, a person you both know, etc.), begin with that. If you don’t know the person, it’s always
acceptable to bring up a neutral topic such as the weather or a recent news event. It isn’t necessary
to be clever – all that’s required is to show interest in the other person and to be willing to talk.• Compliment where appropriate. If the other person has done something you like or is wearing
something attractive, it’s always appropriate to compliment. But avoid talking about the specifics
of a person’s physical appearance (people can’t usually change how they look) and keep your
compliments short and to the point (“What a great tie!” or “You look great tonight!”) and continue
with another topic.• Talk about yourself – then return to your partner. It’s perfectly OK to talk about your own interests
for a while, but keep your conversation from becoming a monolog. It’s only polite, for example, that
after talking about your own children, you turn the conversation back to your partner by asking
about his or her children.32. According to the article, the main function of small talk is to_________.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 13 of 20
13. Question
Passage 7: Small talk isn’t so “small”
Small talk may not be about serious issues; nevertheless, researchers into the subject have
concluded that it’s important. That’s because small talk keeps us connected to one another and can
lead to bigger things, such as a job or a new friendship. Yet people who find themselves alone with
another person often don’t know what to say. Here are a few tips to help you start a conversation,
and to keep the conversational ball rolling:• Start with the obvious. If you have something in common with another person (your job,
hobbies, a person you both know, etc.), begin with that. If you don’t know the person, it’s always
acceptable to bring up a neutral topic such as the weather or a recent news event. It isn’t necessary
to be clever – all that’s required is to show interest in the other person and to be willing to talk.• Compliment where appropriate. If the other person has done something you like or is wearing
something attractive, it’s always appropriate to compliment. But avoid talking about the specifics
of a person’s physical appearance (people can’t usually change how they look) and keep your
compliments short and to the point (“What a great tie!” or “You look great tonight!”) and continue
with another topic.• Talk about yourself – then return to your partner. It’s perfectly OK to talk about your own interests
for a while, but keep your conversation from becoming a monolog. It’s only polite, for example, that
after talking about your own children, you turn the conversation back to your partner by asking
about his or her children.33. “Start with the obvious” means that you should talk about things that you_________.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 14 of 20
14. Question
Passage 7: Small talk isn’t so “small”
Small talk may not be about serious issues; nevertheless, researchers into the subject have
concluded that it’s important. That’s because small talk keeps us connected to one another and can
lead to bigger things, such as a job or a new friendship. Yet people who find themselves alone with
another person often don’t know what to say. Here are a few tips to help you start a conversation,
and to keep the conversational ball rolling:• Start with the obvious. If you have something in common with another person (your job,
hobbies, a person you both know, etc.), begin with that. If you don’t know the person, it’s always
acceptable to bring up a neutral topic such as the weather or a recent news event. It isn’t necessary
to be clever – all that’s required is to show interest in the other person and to be willing to talk.• Compliment where appropriate. If the other person has done something you like or is wearing
something attractive, it’s always appropriate to compliment. But avoid talking about the specifics
of a person’s physical appearance (people can’t usually change how they look) and keep your
compliments short and to the point (“What a great tie!” or “You look great tonight!”) and continue
with another topic.• Talk about yourself – then return to your partner. It’s perfectly OK to talk about your own interests
for a while, but keep your conversation from becoming a monolog. It’s only polite, for example, that
after talking about your own children, you turn the conversation back to your partner by asking
about his or her children.34. You need to be careful when complimenting someone because most people _________.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 15 of 20
15. Question
Passage 7: Small talk isn’t so “small”
Small talk may not be about serious issues; nevertheless, researchers into the subject have
concluded that it’s important. That’s because small talk keeps us connected to one another and can
lead to bigger things, such as a job or a new friendship. Yet people who find themselves alone with
another person often don’t know what to say. Here are a few tips to help you start a conversation,
and to keep the conversational ball rolling:• Start with the obvious. If you have something in common with another person (your job,
hobbies, a person you both know, etc.), begin with that. If you don’t know the person, it’s always
acceptable to bring up a neutral topic such as the weather or a recent news event. It isn’t necessary
to be clever – all that’s required is to show interest in the other person and to be willing to talk.• Compliment where appropriate. If the other person has done something you like or is wearing
something attractive, it’s always appropriate to compliment. But avoid talking about the specifics
of a person’s physical appearance (people can’t usually change how they look) and keep your
compliments short and to the point (“What a great tie!” or “You look great tonight!”) and continue
with another topic.• Talk about yourself – then return to your partner. It’s perfectly OK to talk about your own interests
for a while, but keep your conversation from becoming a monolog. It’s only polite, for example, that
after talking about your own children, you turn the conversation back to your partner by asking
about his or her children.35. You should avoid monologs because other people _________.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 16 of 20
16. Question
Passage 8: Headaches
Everyone has experienced headaches, but only recently have medical researchers begun to learn
more specifically about the causes and possible treatments for different types of headache pain.The most common type of headache is the simple tension headache. Tension headaches are
usually mild and short-lasting and can result from various factors, such as stress caused by worry or
noise. Tension headaches are caused by a tightening of the neck or back muscles, which slows the
flow of blood and, therefore, oxygen to the brain. It is the lack of oxygen that causes the pain. Most
headaches can be relieved by taking a mild analgesic such as aspirin. Analgesics expand the blood
vessels and restore the normal flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.A more serious type of headache is the migraine. Migraine headaches are often extremely painful
and can last for hours or days. Like tension headaches, they can be the result of different factors,
including stress, hormonal changes, and allergies. Unlike tension headaches, however, they are
caused by an abnormal expansion or swelling (rather than a contraction) of the blood vessels within
the head. Medicines that shrink swollen blood vessels can be used to treat migraine headaches.A tiny minority of headaches can be linked to severe physical problems such as head injury or
brain tumors. For these types of headaches, there are medicines to treat the symptoms, but there is
no cure unless the underlying problem is removed.36. This article discusses the _________.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 17 of 20
17. Question
Passage 8: Headaches
Everyone has experienced headaches, but only recently have medical researchers begun to learn
more specifically about the causes and possible treatments for different types of headache pain.The most common type of headache is the simple tension headache. Tension headaches are
usually mild and short-lasting and can result from various factors, such as stress caused by worry or
noise. Tension headaches are caused by a tightening of the neck or back muscles, which slows the
flow of blood and, therefore, oxygen to the brain. It is the lack of oxygen that causes the pain. Most
headaches can be relieved by taking a mild analgesic such as aspirin. Analgesics expand the blood
vessels and restore the normal flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.A more serious type of headache is the migraine. Migraine headaches are often extremely painful
and can last for hours or days. Like tension headaches, they can be the result of different factors,
including stress, hormonal changes, and allergies. Unlike tension headaches, however, they are
caused by an abnormal expansion or swelling (rather than a contraction) of the blood vessels within
the head. Medicines that shrink swollen blood vessels can be used to treat migraine headaches.A tiny minority of headaches can be linked to severe physical problems such as head injury or
brain tumors. For these types of headaches, there are medicines to treat the symptoms, but there is
no cure unless the underlying problem is removed.37. A tension headache can result when _________.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 18 of 20
18. Question
Passage 8: Headaches
Everyone has experienced headaches, but only recently have medical researchers begun to learn
more specifically about the causes and possible treatments for different types of headache pain.The most common type of headache is the simple tension headache. Tension headaches are
usually mild and short-lasting and can result from various factors, such as stress caused by worry or
noise. Tension headaches are caused by a tightening of the neck or back muscles, which slows the
flow of blood and, therefore, oxygen to the brain. It is the lack of oxygen that causes the pain. Most
headaches can be relieved by taking a mild analgesic such as aspirin. Analgesics expand the blood
vessels and restore the normal flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.A more serious type of headache is the migraine. Migraine headaches are often extremely painful
and can last for hours or days. Like tension headaches, they can be the result of different factors,
including stress, hormonal changes, and allergies. Unlike tension headaches, however, they are
caused by an abnormal expansion or swelling (rather than a contraction) of the blood vessels within
the head. Medicines that shrink swollen blood vessels can be used to treat migraine headaches.A tiny minority of headaches can be linked to severe physical problems such as head injury or
brain tumors. For these types of headaches, there are medicines to treat the symptoms, but there is
no cure unless the underlying problem is removed.38. Migraine headaches_________.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 19 of 20
19. Question
Passage 8: Headaches
Everyone has experienced headaches, but only recently have medical researchers begun to learn
more specifically about the causes and possible treatments for different types of headache pain.The most common type of headache is the simple tension headache. Tension headaches are
usually mild and short-lasting and can result from various factors, such as stress caused by worry or
noise. Tension headaches are caused by a tightening of the neck or back muscles, which slows the
flow of blood and, therefore, oxygen to the brain. It is the lack of oxygen that causes the pain. Most
headaches can be relieved by taking a mild analgesic such as aspirin. Analgesics expand the blood
vessels and restore the normal flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.A more serious type of headache is the migraine. Migraine headaches are often extremely painful
and can last for hours or days. Like tension headaches, they can be the result of different factors,
including stress, hormonal changes, and allergies. Unlike tension headaches, however, they are
caused by an abnormal expansion or swelling (rather than a contraction) of the blood vessels within
the head. Medicines that shrink swollen blood vessels can be used to treat migraine headaches.A tiny minority of headaches can be linked to severe physical problems such as head injury or
brain tumors. For these types of headaches, there are medicines to treat the symptoms, but there is
no cure unless the underlying problem is removed.39. Medicines for migraines_________.
CorrectIncorrect - Question 20 of 20
20. Question
Passage 8: Headaches
Everyone has experienced headaches, but only recently have medical researchers begun to learn
more specifically about the causes and possible treatments for different types of headache pain.The most common type of headache is the simple tension headache. Tension headaches are
usually mild and short-lasting and can result from various factors, such as stress caused by worry or
noise. Tension headaches are caused by a tightening of the neck or back muscles, which slows the
flow of blood and, therefore, oxygen to the brain. It is the lack of oxygen that causes the pain. Most
headaches can be relieved by taking a mild analgesic such as aspirin. Analgesics expand the blood
vessels and restore the normal flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.A more serious type of headache is the migraine. Migraine headaches are often extremely painful
and can last for hours or days. Like tension headaches, they can be the result of different factors,
including stress, hormonal changes, and allergies. Unlike tension headaches, however, they are
caused by an abnormal expansion or swelling (rather than a contraction) of the blood vessels within
the head. Medicines that shrink swollen blood vessels can be used to treat migraine headaches.A tiny minority of headaches can be linked to severe physical problems such as head injury or
brain tumors. For these types of headaches, there are medicines to treat the symptoms, but there is
no cure unless the underlying problem is removed.40. Headaches caused by serious physical problems _________.
CorrectIncorrect
