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IGCSE ESL Past Exam Papers - Listening - May / June 2011-Answer Key

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IGCSE ESL Past Exam Papers - Reading and Writing - May / June 2011-Answer Key

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Simple Past - Test 1 - False Beginners - Answer Key

 

A.  Write the simple past of the following verbs.

Infinitive (Basic Verb)	Simple Past
Watch	watched
Clean	cleaned
Stop	stopped
Arrive	arrived
Return	returned
Cook	cooked
Walk	walked
Visit	visited
Work	worked
Look	looked
Like	liked
Iron	ironed
Play	played
Study	studied
Love	loved
Open	opened
Start	started
Water	watered
Climb	climbed
Stay	stayed
Call	called
Kiss	kissed
Tidy	tidied
Wash	washed

 

B. Put the verbs in brackets into the simple past.

Yesterday, my family and I ---visited---------- (visit) my grandparents. My mother (help) ----helped-------- my grandmother with the housework. My father (clean) ----cleaned--------- the windows outside. My brother and I ---watched------ (watch) cartoons on TV and later we --played----------- (play) outside in the garden. We ---climbed---------- (climb) the tree to our tree-house. We --stayed-------- (stay) there all afternoon. Then our mother ---called------ (call) us because it was time to go home.  We ---arrived------- (arrive) home at 8 o’clock. Father --looked------- (look) for the key. He --opened---- (open) our front door and we all -walked----(walk) inside.

 

C. Fill in the blanks.

Infinitive (Basic Verb)	Simple Past
Be	was / were
Break	Broke
Buy	Bought
Come	Came
Cut	Cut
Catch	Caught
Drink	Drank
Drive	Drove
Eat	Ate
Have	Had
Lose	Lost
Make	Made
Read	Read
Meet	Met
Put	Put
Teach	Taught
Run	Ran
See	Saw
Tell	Told

  

D. Choose the right verb, put it in the simple past and fill in the gaps.

write, drink, do, see, buy, sit, go, drive, be, tell, come, take, meet

 

Yesterday morning, we ---went------- to the market. We -took---- our shopping bags. Father ----drove---- us there in his car. At the market, Mother --bought------ some fruit and vegetables. I ---saw------ some birds and wanted to buy one. Mother ----told------- me they --were------ too expensive. Then, we --met----- some friends and we all ----went------- to a café. We --sat----- at a table outside and I --drank------ some orange juice. Then  Mum and I -came----- home. In the afternoon, I ----did----- my homework and --wrote----- a letter to my grandparents.

 

E.  Make the following sentences negative.

1.  Vince was ill yesterday.

--------Vince wasn't ill yesterday-----------------------

2. Terry forgot his homework.

----Terry didn't forget his homework--------------

3.  Emily saw Vince with a girl.

-----Emily didn't see Vince with a girl-------------

4. Sue played badminton last night.

----Sue didn't play badminton last night-----------------------

5. Casey and Terry went to the cinema.

-----Casey and Terry didn't go to the cinema ---------------------------

6. I had salad for lunch.

------I didn't have salad for lunch-------------------------------------

7. We were late for the train.

-------We weren't late for the train---------------------------------

8. I did my homework last night.

----I didn't do my homework last night---------------------------------------

9.  Mum drove us to school.

------Mum didn't drive us to school.----------------------------

10.  He put his passport in his pocket.

--------He didn't put his passport in his pocket---------------

 F. Now write six things that you did and six things that you didn’t do yesterday. Each time you must use a different verb.

Example:

I  went to the theatre yesterday. I didn’t go to the cinema.

Suggested Answers:

1. I read a book yesterday. I didn't watch TV.

2. I went to the cinema yesterday. I didn't play tennis.

3. I had pasta for lunch yesterday. I didn't eat fish.

4. I called my friend yesterday. I didn't text him.

5. I worked hard yesterday. I didn't meet my friends.

6. I got up late yesterday. I didn't water the flowers.

 

 

 

 

IGCSE Past Exam Papers - Reading & Writing - May/June 2010 - Answer Key

 

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English Usage - Test 1- Advanced - Answer Key

A.  Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Use the word given and other words to complete each sentence.  You must use between two and five words. Do not change the word given. The first one has been done for you.

 

1.  They thought the way he jumped the fence was amazing.

(amazed)

They were amazed at the way he jumped the fence.

2. It’s not my decision – it’s yours. (up)

It’s -------up to you to------------------------------- decide.

3. These tests have to be corrected. (need)

These ------tests need to be--------------------------- corrected.

4. He complained about his noisy neighbours. (complaint)

He -----------made a complaint about--------------------------------- his noisy neighbours.

5. Mr Smith is the owner of this house. (belongs)

This ------house belongs to------------------------------------ Mr Smith.

6. He was too scared to enter the haunted house. (bold)

He -------wasn't bold enough--------------------------- to enter the haunted house.

7. They made him admit to his guilt. (was)

He ------was made to admit (to)---------------------------------- his guilt.

8. She paid £5,000 for her new car. (cost)

Her -----new car cost------------------------------ her £5,000.

9. He finds it difficult to address large audiences. (has)

He ------has difficulty (in) addressing------------------------------ large audiences.

10. The station clock showed midnight. (according)

It----was midnight according to-------------------------------the station clock.

11. The Whites arrived here two hours ago. (been)

The Whites -------have been here for------------------------- two hours.

12. Barry finished his homework before the film started. (had)

By the time the film ------started, Barry had finished--------------------------- his homework.

13. She hadn’t expected to get so many presents. (such)

She hadn’t expected to get -----such a lot of-------------------- presents.

14. His decision to marry did not meet with his father’s approval. (approve)

His father ------did not approve of-------------------------------- his decision to marry.

15. It’s too cold for us to go swimming. (warm)

It --------isn't warm enough------------------------- for us to go swimming.

(15 marks)

 

B. Fill in the correct  particle. The first one has been done for you.

1. By stealing, Mark brought  about  his dismissal from work.  

2. The music brings -back-------- happy memories.

3. The author will bring ----out----- his new novel soon.

4. We managed to bring him -------round----- by splashing his face with water.

5. The meeting has been brought ---forward----- to tomorrow evening.

6. She was eventually brought ---round------ to my point of view.

7. They had to call--off------ the football match because of the weather.

8. My boss is calling ---on------- us tonight at 8 o’clock.

9. All men over 18 will be called --up----- to fight in the war.

10. This situation calls -for-------- immediate action.

(10 marks)

 

C. Fill in the correct preposition. The first one has been done for you.

1. Dave was very bad at maths and always failed the tests.

2. Sally was very bad --to---- her brother.

3. Dad can’t come to the phone. He’s busy ---with---- cooking.

4. The film is based --on------- a true story.

5. You can’t blame me ---for---- the accident; I wasn’t even there!

6. She always puts the blame --on---- me for things I haven’t done.

7. There will be an extra charge --for---- delivering the goods to your home.

8. The suspect has been arrested and charged --with----- robbery.

9. It’s very important nowadays to care ---about---- our environment.

10. Sarah was fond of Peter and cared ---for---- him very much.

11. You should take care --of----- your teeth.

12. Jane was clever -at---- history and always received the highest marks.

13. It was very clever --of---- you to find the answer.

14. The patient was complaining --of---- a pain in his chest.

15.The secretary was always complaining ---about--- having too much work.

(15 marks)

 

D. For questions 1-15, read the text below and choose the word which best fits each space. There is an example at the beginning (0).

1. Passengers travelling ( travelling/going/waiting/wanting) on a flight from Washington to London were in 1) ---for----- (for / at / on / with) a very long wait.  They had 2) --already---- (still/already/however/yet) been waiting eight uncomfortable hours for takeoff, only to be 3) -told-- (said/told/mentioned/announced) that the flight was 4) ---delayed-- (late/retarded/delayed/behind) even further.  The cabin crew advised passengers to take pillows and blankets from the overhead lockers in 5) --order--- (case/order/time/turn) to sleep inside the airport terminal.

Many passengers 6) -lost---- (mislaid/wasted/missed/lost) their tempers and fights broke. 7) -out---- (up/off/out/down). People shouted and 8) --demanded--- (asked/applied/demanded/took) information. A member of the staff panicked  and called airport security guards. A 9) -few---- (few/number/couple/little) lucky passengers were put on alternative flights. 10) -although----- (although/even/in spite/despite) about 100 others spent the next day in the airport.  Many people missed connecting flight and 11) -would--- (should/would/could/had) be delayed for several days.

First-class passengers were 12) --more---- (still/many/more/much) fortunate. They were put 13) -up---- (up/off/out/about) in luxury hotels and provided with food and drink. Other passengers had to be content with vouchers for a meal, as the airline staff were not able to find hotels with 14) -enough---- (much/enough/too/a lot) free rooms to accommodate them. One woman carried a silver horseshoe for 15) ---luck-- (fortune/chance/luck/probability). As she said: “ It didn’t work this time!”

(15 marks)

SOURCE : Round-Up 6 by Virginia Evans

IGCSE Past Exam Papers -0510/41-Extended-June 2010-Answer Key

Photo Credit - Desert Nomads

 

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IGCSE Reading Comprehension Practice - Sculpture

A. Read the following text carefully

IGCSE Reading Tip

Remember,  IGCSE examiners do not expect you to understand every single word of the text. But you must be able to get the general meaning and some details. In Exercise 2 of the Reading & Writing paper you will have to read a longer text than in Exercise 1 and some questions may require longer answers. You don't have to use complete sentences but your answers must be accurate and to the point. DO NOT repeat the words of the questions and use only the space provided.

Artemis - Sphynx  (Cyprus Archaeological  Museum)

Appreciation of sculpture depends upon the ability to respond to form in three dimensions. That is perhaps why sculpture has been described as the most difficult of all arts; certainly, it is more difficult than the arts which involve appreciation of flat forms, shape in only two dimensions. Many more people are "form- blind" than colour- blind . The child learning to see, first distinguishes only two-dimensional shape; it cannot judge distances, depths. Later, for its personal safety and practical needs, it has to develop - partly by means of touch - the ability to judge roughly three-dimensional distances. But having satisfied the requirements of practical necessity, most people go no further. Though they may attain considerable accuracy in the perception of flat form, they do not make the further intellectual and emotional effort needed to comprehend form in its full spatial existence.

This is what the sculptor must do. He must strive continually to think of, and use, form in its full spatial completeness. He gets the solid shape, as it were, inside his head - he thinks of it, whatever its size, as if he were holding it completely enclosed in the hollow of his hand. He mentally visualises a complex form from all round itself; he knows while he looks at one side what the other side is like. He identifies himself with its centre of gravity, its mass, its weight and realises its volume, as the space that the shape displaces in the air.

The sensitive observer of sculpture must also learn to feel shape simply as shape, not as description or reminiscence. He must, for example, perceive an egg as a single, simple solid shape, quite apart from its significance as food, or from the literary idea that it will become a bird. And so with solids such as a shell, a nut, a plum, a pear, a tadpole, a mushroom, a mountain peak, a kidney, a carrot, a tree-trunk, a bird, a bud, a lark, a ladybird, a bulrush, a bone. From these he can go on to appreciate more complex form or combinations of several forms.

Excerpt from Henry Moore's The Sculptor Speaks

B. Answer the questions

1. Why has sculpture been described as the most difficult of arts?

2. What does the writer mean when he says that "many more people are form-blind than colour-blind"?

3. What effort is needed in order to understand sculpture fully?

4. In not more than 20 words explain what a sculptor must continually do.

**************************************************************************************************************************

ANSWERS

 

1. Because it requires the ability to perceive form in three dimensions.

2. Most people are unable to perceive three-dimensional form although they can perceive colours.

3. The effort to conceive sculpture existing in space.

4. He must be able to think of form and use it as something making a whole in space.

Modals - Answer Key

Modals - Practice - Review

 

 

A. First write a synonym, then write the meaning of the verbs in bold type

ability (present / future) , ability(past) , possibility, deduction, permission, request, offer, suggestion, advice, criticism, absence of obligation / necessity, prohibition

Example: He can't speak German. ____He is not able to (ability - present)_________

1. He might be in his office. - He could be in his office (possibility)

2. You may go home now. - You can go home now. (permission)

3. Could you lend me £5 ? - Would you / Can you lend me £5? (request)

4. Shall we dance? - Let's dance. (suggestion)

5. You ought to take more exercise. - You should take more exercise. (advice)

6. She shouldn't have told you that. - She ought not to have told you that. (criticism)

7. You don't have to apologise. - You needn't / don't need to apologise. (absence of necessity)

8. I couldn't find my socks. - I wasn't able to find my socks. (past ability-negative))

9. She must have left her bag on the train. -  I think / it's probable that she left her bag on the train. (deduction)

10. I'll carry your bag if you like. - Shall I / Would you like me to carry your bag? (offer)

11. You mustn't make any noise. - You aren't allowed to / It's forbidden to make noise. (prohibition)

12. His car needs washing. - His car has to be washed. / He has to wash his car. (obligation / necessity)

13. We can go to the beach if you like. - Why don't we go to the beach? (suggestion)

 

B. Rephrase the following situations using an appropriate modal verb as in the example.

Example:

It's not possible that he's finished already - He can't have finished already

1. It wasn't necessary for you to give him a present. You  needn't have given him a present--------------------------------.

2. I advise you to stop eating chocolate. ---You should / ought to stop eating chocolate.---------------------------------------------------.

3. I insist that you do your homework. ---You must do your homework----------------------------------------------------.

4. It was wrong of him to kick the dog. ---He shouldn't have kicked the dog--------------------------------------------------.

5. It's possible that she's already phoned him. ---She may / might could have already phoned him------------------------------------------.

6. I'll take the dog out if you like. -------Shall I / Would you like me to take the dog out?----------------------------------------------------.

7. Will you let me speak to John, please? ---Can I / May I speak to John, please?------------------------------------------------?

8. Let's go to a restaurant. ----Shall we go to a restaurant?---------------------------------------------------------------

9. It's possible that he is lying. ---He may / might / could be lying-----------------------------------------------------------

10. He wasn't able to write until he was eight. ---He couldn't write until he was eight-----------------------------------------

11. You are not allowed to talk during the test. ---You mustn't talk during the test------------------------------------------

12. It would be a good idea for me to give up smoking. ---I should / ought to give up smoking-------------------------------

13. I'm sure he's gone home. ----He must have gone home------------------------------------------------------------

14. It isn't right to speak to your mother like that! - You shouldn't speak to your mother like that!

SOURCE: Round-Up 5 by Virginia Evans

The Elixir of Life - Modals of Deduction

In a village in the mountains, a little old man with a beard and a young girl set up a stall in the market place one day, selling bottles of homemade medicine, labelled ‘The Elixir of Life’.
   ‘Come on, everyone!’ the old man called out. ‘Don’t miss your chance to beat ageing. This is your opportunity to buy Archie’s miracle medicine. It’s the only medicine that cures old age. You only have to look at me to see the proof. I’m two hundred and five years old.’
   A crowd quickly gathered around the market stall, and the old man and the girl were kept busy handing out the bottle of medicine and taking the money.
   There were two younger men in the crowd, and one of them said to the other, ‘You don’t really think he’s genuine, do you?’
   ‘I don’t know. He might be telling the truth. He’s got an honest face.’
   ‘You’ve got to be kidding! said the man. ‘He must be lying. It has to be a trick.’
   ‘Well, why not ask his assistant, then, if you don’t believe it?’ suggested his friend. So the man approached the girl and asked. ‘He can’t really be that old, can he? That’s completely ridiculous. Tell me the truth, is he really two hundred and five years old?’
   ‘I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t really say.’ the girl replied, ‘I’ve only been working for him for the past seventy five years.’

Grammar: modal verbs of deduction

When you make logical deductions and draw conclusions from evidence you can use these forms. The choice of verb communicates how certain or uncertain you are about your guesses.

I’m sure it’s true.	I’m not sure.	I’m sure it’s impossible.
It must be true.	It might be true.	It can’t be true.
It has to be true.	It may be true.
It’s got to be true.	It could be true.

Note that the opposite of It must be… is It can’t be…, [not It mustn’t be…]

Complete these sentences with must be, might be or can’t be.

1.   A: Is Dave at work at the moment?
       B: No, he _________ at work today. He never works on Sundays.

2.  A: Do you think there is anyone inside that apartment?
       B: Yes, there _________. There are a lot of lights on.

3.  A: Where’s Kathy?
       B: I really don’t know, but she _________ at the dentist's.

4.  A: Look at that woman! Do you think she’s a model?
       B: I’m not sure. She _________ a model, a singer or an actor. I’ve no idea.

5.  A: I passed all my exams!
       B: You _________ very pleased with yourself!

6.  A: You know that Henry is in Mexico today.
       B: That’s impossible! He_________! I saw him in his office five minutes ago.

7.  A: I can’t work out this number here. Your handwriting is really bad!
       B: I know. It  _________  a five or an eight, but  I can’t really tell.

8.  A: Have you seen how many sport prizes Karl has?
       B: Yes. He _________ a real athlete.

Vocabulary exercises

Match the broken sentences.

1.   The delicious smell of homemade…	A.   place in the centre of the city
2.   I bought this watch from a market…	B.   stall last week
3.   The doctor said it was nothing but old…	C.   opportunity and you’ll be sorry later.
4.   If you don’t buy it now it will be a missed…	D.   bread filled the house.
5.   The bank is near the market….	E.   age so there was nothing he could do.

 

There’s one mistake in each of these expressions. Find it and correct it.

6.    You’ve got to be kid.
7.    Don’t miss your change.
8.    You’ve got the honest face.
9.    Say me the truth.
10. That’s ridiculous completely.

 

Choose the correct preposition to complete these sentences.

11.   Will took some papers from his briefcase and handed them by / out / at to everyone round the table.
12.   The farmer decided to set up / off / in a stall to sell his produce directly to the public.
13.   If you want to see some magic, gather off / in / round and be amazed!
14.   Sam went down / at / up to the girl at the bar and asked her out.
15.   My brother works by / for / of a large computer software company in the city.

Source : esl jokes.net

 

ANSWER KEY

Complete these sentences with must be, might be or can’t be.

1.   A: Is Dave at work at the moment?
       B: No, he __can't be_______ at work today. He never works on Sundays.

2.  A: Do you think there is anyone inside that apartment?
       B: Yes, there ___must be______. There are a lot of lights on.

3.  A: Where’s Kathy?
       B: I really don’t know, but she __might be_______ at the dentist's.

4.  A: Look at that woman! Do you think she’s a model?
       B: I’m not sure. She __might be_______ a model, a singer or an actor. I’ve no idea.

5.  A: I passed all my exams!
       B: You _must be________ very pleased with yourself!

6.  A: You know that Henry is in Mexico today.
       B: That’s impossible! He___can't be______! I saw him in his office five minutes ago.

7.  A: I can’t work out this number here. Your handwriting is really bad!
       B: I know. It  _  might be________  a five or an eight, but  I can’t really tell.

8.  A: Have you seen how many sport prizes Karl has?
       B: Yes. He ___must be______ a real athlete.

Vocabulary exercises

Match the broken sentences.

1.   The delicious smell of homemade…(D)	A.   place in the centre of the city
2.   I bought this watch from a market…(B)	B.   stall last week
3.   The doctor said it was nothing but old…(E)	C.   opportunity and you’ll be sorry later.
4.   If you don’t buy it now it will be a missed…(C)	D.   bread filled the house.
5.   The bank is near the market….(A)	E.   age so there was nothing he could do.

 

There’s one mistake in each of these expressions. Find it and correct it.

6.    You’ve got to be kid. kidding
7.    Don’t miss your change. chance
8.    You’ve got the honest face. an honest face
9.    Say me the truth. Tell me the truth
10. That’s ridiculous completely. That's completely ridiculous!

 

Choose the correct preposition to complete these sentences.

11.   Will took some papers from his briefcase and handed them by / out / at to everyone round the table.
12.   The farmer decided to set up / off / in /  a stall to sell his produce directly to the public.
13.   If you want to see some magic, gather off / in / round and be amazed!
14.   Sam went down / at / up to the girl at the bar and asked her out.
15.   My brother works by / for / of a large computer software company in the city.

 

Word Games

I know that most of you have been working hard lately for your English exams - FCE, IGCSE, IELTS - so I thought I'd give you a break from grammar and vocabulary, listening , reading and writing by suggesting some English word games. While you are having fun, you can also improve your vocabulary. And good luck to all those of you who are taking the FCE today.

Photo Credit

A. Words within Words

This is a very common game. The aim is to make as many words as possible from one single word. You can only use the letters from that word and use each letter only once in the new word. For example, from the word STRANGER you can make the following new words:

strange, range, great, grate, grant, anger, stag, gnat, seat, stage, rage, etc

How many words can you make from the following words?

EXAMINATION / UNIVERSAL / INSTITUTION

B. Anagrams

An anagram uses all the letters of a word and rearranges them to make another word.

Example:

READ = DARE, DEPART = PARTED

Anagrams are often used as clues in crosswords. Can you work out from the clues what these anagrams are?

LEAP - not very dark

MELONS - feeling rather serious and subdued

PRAISED - hopelessness

CARTHORSE - a number of people making music

EXCITATION - to make someone drunk

C. Rebus

A rebus uses words, numbers, symbols or pictures to represent words or syllables.

Example:

T42 = tea for two

Can you work out the following?

IOU

B4

NE1

NME

2 good 2B4 gotten

YYUR YYUB ICUR YY4me

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