MOVE UP PRE INTERMEDIATE END-OF-LEVEL TEST
READING SECTION
READING TEST 1 (10 points)
1. Match the headings with the paragraphs. There is an extra heading. (2 points)
a. Eating
b. Conversation
c. Staying in an Indian home
d. Food
e. Dinner gifts
2. Read the passage and say whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). (8 points)
1. If you stay with an Indian family, you are expected to give them a gift.
2. Your choice of gift will depend on who your hosts are.
3. It used to be insulting to take a gift when you are invited for dinner.
4. You can give your hostess flowers.
5. You should always eat with your left hand.
6. Indians keep their left hand on the table.
7. Indians prefer interesting discussions to polite conversation.
8. They avoid talking about religion.
(1)_____________
If you stay in an Indian home, bring something from your home country as a gift. Although it is not expected, it would be much appreciated. But find out the social status and religion of your hosts before you choose the gift. A bottle of foreign whisky would be the perfect gift for some, and not at all appropriate for others. If you know the people you are going to stay with, it is a good idea to ask them what they would like. Some things are just not available in India.
(2)_____________
It is not necessary to bring a gift when you are invited to dinner. After all, you are the honored guest. Until recently, it would have been almost insulting to bring sweets or a bottle of wine. But this is not true today. Nowadays, it is a custom which is becoming popular with many Indians. Fruit, flowers, or a box of sweets are perfect gifts on such occasions, and will offend no one.
(3)_____________
In all classes of society, both urban and rural, food is only taken to the mouth with the right hand. This is the most important part of the etiquette of eating in India. Once you have started eating, and have food on your right hand, it is all right to serve yourself, using the serving spoon, with the left hand. When you watch Indians eat, you will see that they keep their left hand on their lap.
(4)_____________
If you are stuck for a conversation topic in India, talk about families. Another useful subject to start with is cricket. But once you get to know a person better, any topic is acceptable. Indians love to talk about politics and religion. They prefer opinionated discussions to polite conversations. Conversation is an art form and people take the time to really talk.
READING TEST 2 (10 points)
1. Read the passage below and put the first sentences in the correct paragraphs. There are two extra sentences. (4 points)
a. In an Indian home, you may not always have your own room.
b. In all classes of society, both urban and rural, food is only taken to the mouth with the right hand.
c. If you are stuck for a conversation topic in India, talk about families.
d. Good food is absolutely essential for a successful dinner party.
e. If you stay in an Indian home, bring something from your home country as a gift.
f. It is not necessary to bring a gift when you are invited to dinner.
2. Read the passage and choose the best answer a, b, c, or d. (6 points)
1. If you stay with an Indian family, ________.
a. you are expected to take a gift
b. you should take flowers
c. you are not expected to take a gift
d. take a souvenir from your country
2. If you are invited for a meal at an Indian home, ________.
a. you should offer to pay for your food
b. you will offend your hosts if you take anything
c. it is fashionable to take flowers or sweets
d. it is traditional to take a dish
3. You should ________.
a. never eat with your left hand
b. always keep your right hand on your knee
c. never eat with your left hand
d. only use your right hand for serving food
4. Indians like interesting discussions more than ________.
a. only talk about family matters
b. avoid religion and politics
c. don't like talking about themselves
d. polite conversation
5. "Some things are just not available" means:
a. You can buy these things in India.
b. They don't make these things in India.
c. They have never seen these things.
d. You can't get these things in India.
6. "... and not at all appropriate for others." The underlined word means:
a. important b. right c. essential d. good
(1)_____________ It would be much appreciated. But find out the social status and religion of your hosts before you choose a gift. A bottle of foreign whisky would be the perfect gift for some, and not at all appropriate for others. If you know the people you are going to stay with, it is a good idea to ask them what they would like. Some things are just not available in India.
(2)_____________ After all, you are the honored guest. Until recently, it would have been almost insulting to bring sweets or a bottle of wine. But this is not true today. Nowadays, it is a custom which is becoming popular with many Indians. Fruit, flowers, or a box of sweets are perfect gifts on such occasions, and will offend no one.
(3)_____________ This is the most important part of the etiquette of eating in India. Once you have started eating, and have food on your right hand, it is all right to serve yourself, using the serving spoon, with the left hand. When you watch Indians eat, you will see that they keep their left hand on their lap.
(4)_____________ Another useful subject to start with is cricket. But once you get to know a person better, any topic is acceptable. Indians love to talk about politics and religion. They prefer opinionated discussions to polite conversations. Conversation is an art form and people take the time to really talk.
Ó Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2002
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