Name: Date: reading (10 marks) 1

economy is going through a very difficult period at the moment. 

  2  Please complete the form, including your name, address and profession. 

 3  

One of the benefits of our political system is its strength. In contrast, some countries are 

sometimes forced to hold elections almost every year. 

 4  

My financial adviser was certain that my investment would soon lead to a healthy profit. 

  5  There has been little growth in the industrial sector since the 1980s. 

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GRAMMAR FOR WRITING (10 marks)

5  Complete the table by writing the noun phrases (1–5) as verb phrases. 1 mark for each correct answer.

1 a sharp rise

2 a dramatic fall

3 a slight decrease

4 a gradual increase

5 a considerable fluctuation

6  Complete the description of the data with the correct prepositions.1 mark for each correct answer.

 Members 

1

 the Westland Trade Block have reported an average contraction of 0.2% 

2

 the last quarter of 2012. However, 

3

 some individual members the figures are 

more promising. In the Republic of Voeslauer, output rose 

4

 0.2% in December 2012 

5

 0.3% in January 2013.

ACADEMIC WRITING SKILLS (10 marks)

7  Read the description of a graph presenting data on the sale of widgets. Complete gaps 1–5 with the 

best sentence (A–F). You will not need one of the sentences. 2 marks for each correct answer.

The data shows the retail price of Widgets in 2012-2013. 

1

.

The first graph shows how the price of both the older model ‘Widget One’ and the more modern ‘Widget Plus’ fell 

dramatically over the course of that year following the introduction of the widget’s only rival so far, the ‘Wedglet’. 

The Widget One retailed at approximately €800 during the first quarter of 2012. However, most retailers 

dropped the price to around €500 in the second quarter. 

2

. This newer model retailed at €850 

when it was first introduced, a small increase in price when compared with the initial retail price of the Widget 

One. 

3

. 

The retail price of the Widget One continued to drop throughout the third and fourth quarters, and the product 

was eventually withdrawn from the market. Sales of the Widget Plus continued to be fairly healthy during the 

third quarter of 2012. 

4

. 

Sales of the Widget Plus picked up following the January sales, but by the end of February sales had once again 

levelled out. 

5

. Although the price of the Widget Plus was reduced following the news of its 

replacement model, sales fell to almost zero. It was withdrawn from sale in the last quarter of 2013, by which 

time the Widget Plus One had established itself as the market leader.

  A  This followed the introduction of the newer Widget Plus.

 B  

The dramatic drop in the final quarter can be explained by the anticipated introduction of the 

Widget Plus One in early January 2013.

  C  This dramatic increase is difficult to explain.

 D 

 

It also shows how many widgets were sold during that period.

 E  

However, the difference is quite significant when compared with the price reductions on offer for 

the older model following the introduction of the Widget Plus.

  F  The Widget Plus One was officially announced in March 2013.