English Placement Test for Adults

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Body Talk

(A) To communicate well with people of other countries, you must learn to speak well, right? Yes but speaking is not everything. Some experts say only thirty per cent of communication comes from talking. Your gestures and other no-verbal actions matter, too.

(B) But in different cultures meanings, the same action can have different meanings. When you have to meet someone from a different culture, be prepared. Do you know what kind of gestures and customs are appropriate?

(C) Let’s look at shaking hands. North Americans like a firm handshake. But the French prefer a light, short  handshake. If you shake a French person’s hand the  North American way, he or she may not like it. People in Eastern European countries and some Latino cultures prefer shorter handshakes, too. Hugging after shaking hands is also a common introduction there. Don’t be surprised if a Brazilian gives you a hug. If you misinterpret gestures of introduction, your friendship may get off on the wrong foot!

(D) Everyone around the world knows the “Ok” hand gesture, don’t they? But in Spain, parts of South America and Eastern Europe, it is considered rude. And if you go shopping in Japan, it means you’d like your change in coins instead of bills. In France, making the OK sign means “zero” or that something is worthless. So check before you use the OK sign to be sure it’s OK!

(E) Understanding even a few key gestures from different cultures can make you a better communicator. So next time you travel, try being culturally sensitive. Find out the local gesture and let your body talk.

1. Seventy per cent of communication comes from _ _  _ _ _ _ _.

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Body Talk

(A) To communicate well with people of other countries, you must learn to speak well, right? Yes but speaking is not everything. Some experts say only thirty percent of communication comes from talking. Your gestures and other no-verbal actions matter, too.

(B) But in different cultures meanings, the same action can have different meanings. When you have to meet someone from a different culture, be prepared. Do you know what kind of gestures and customs are appropriate?

(C) Let’s look at shaking hands. North Americans like a firm handshake. But the French prefer a light, short handshake. If you shake a French person’s hand the  North American way, he or she may not like it. People in Eastern European countries and some Latino cultures prefer shorter handshakes, too. Hugging after shaking hands is also a common introduction there. Don’t be surprised if a Brazilian gives you a hug. If you misinterpret gestures of introduction, your friendship may get off on the wrong foot!

(D) Everyone around the world knows the “Ok” hand gesture, don’t they? But in Spain, parts of South America and Eastern Europe, it is considered rude. And if you go shopping in Japan, it means you’d like your change in coins instead of bills. In France, making the OK sign means “zero” or that something is worthless. So check before you use the OK sign to be sure it’s OK!

(E) Understanding even a few key gestures from different cultures can make you a better communicator. So next time you travel, try being culturally sensitive. Find out the local gesture and let your body talk.

2. _ _ _ _ _ _ prefers a firm handshake.

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Body Talk

(A) To communicate well with people of other countries, you must learn to speak well, right? Yes but speaking is not everything. Some experts say only thirty per cent of communication comes from talking. Your gestures and other no-verbal actions matter, too.

(B) But in different cultures meanings, the same action can have different meanings. When you have to meet someone from a different culture, be prepared. Do you know what kind of gestures and customs are appropriate?

(C) Let’s look at shaking hands. North Americans like a firm handshake. But the French prefer a light, short handshake. If you shake a French person’s hand the  North American way, he or she may not like it. People in Eastern European countries and some Latino cultures prefer shorter handshakes, too. Hugging after shaking hands is also a common introduction there. Don’t be surprised if a Brazilian gives you a hug. If you misinterpret gestures of introduction, your friendship may get off on the wrong foot!

(D) Everyone around the world knows the “Ok” hand gesture, don’t they? But in Spain, parts of South America and Eastern Europe, it is considered rude. And if you go shopping in Japan, it means you’d like your change in coins instead of bills. In France, making the OK sign means “zero” or that something is worthless. So check before you use the OK sign to be sure it’s OK!

(E) Understanding even a few key gestures from different cultures can make you a better communicator. So next time you travel, try being culturally sensitive. Find out the local gesture and let your body talk.

3. According to the article, _ _ _ _ _  _  _.

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Body Talk

(A) To communicate well with people of other countries, you must learn to speak well, right? Yes but speaking is not everything. Some experts say only thirty per cent of communication comes from talking. Your gestures and other no-verbal actions matter, too.

(B) But in different cultures meanings, the same action can have different meanings. When you have to meet someone from a different culture, be prepared. Do you know what kind of gestures and customs are appropriate?

(C) Let’s look at shaking hands. North Americans like a firm handshake. But the French prefer a light, short handshake. If you shake a French person’s hand the  North American way, he or she may not like it. People in Eastern European countries and some Latino cultures prefer shorter handshakes, too. Hugging after shaking hands is also a common introduction there. Don’t be surprised if a Brazilian gives you a hug. If you misinterpret gestures of introduction, your friendship may get off on the wrong foot!

(D) Everyone around the world knows the “Ok” hand gesture, don’t they? But in Spain, parts of South America and Eastern Europe, it is considered rude. And if you go shopping in Japan, it means you’d like your change in coins instead of bills. In France, making the OK sign means “zero” or that something is worthless. So check before you use the OK sign to be sure it’s OK!

(E) Understanding even a few key gestures from different cultures can make you a better communicator. So next time you travel, try being culturally sensitive. Find out the local gesture and let your body talk.

4. If your friendship “gets off on the wrong foot,” it_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Body Talk

(A) To communicate well with people of other countries, you must learn to speak well, right? Yes but speaking is not everything. Some experts say only thirty per cent of communication comes from talking. Your gestures and other no-verbal actions matter, too.

(B) But in different cultures meanings, the same action can have different meanings. When you have to meet someone from a different culture, be prepared. Do you know what kind of gestures and customs are appropriate?

(C) Let’s look at shaking hands. North Americans like a firm handshake. But the French prefer a light, short handshake. If you shake a French person’s hand the  North American way, he or she may not like it. People in Eastern European countries and some Latino cultures prefer shorter handshakes, too. Hugging after shaking hands is also a common introduction there. Don’t be surprised if a Brazilian gives you a hug. If you misinterpret gestures of introduction, your friendship may get off on the wrong foot!

(D) Everyone around the world knows the “Ok” hand gesture, don’t they? But in Spain, parts of South America and Eastern Europe, it is considered rude. And if you go shopping in Japan, it means you’d like your change in coins instead of bills. In France, making the OK sign means “zero” or that something is worthless. So check before you use the OK sign to be sure it’s OK!

(E) Understanding even a few key gestures from different cultures can make you a better communicator. So next time you travel, try being culturally sensitive. Find out the local gesture and let your body talk.

5. The author advises that visitors to other countries should _ _ _ _  _ _.

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Body Talk

(A) To communicate well with people of other countries, you must learn to speak well, right? Yes but speaking is not everything. Some experts say only thirty per cent of communication comes from talking. Your gestures and other no-verbal actions matter, too.

(B) But in different cultures meanings, the same action can have different meanings. When you have to meet someone from a different culture, be prepared. Do you know what kind of gestures and customs are appropriate?

(C) Let’s look at shaking hands. North Americans like a firm handshake. But the French prefer a light, short handshake. If you shake a French person’s hand the  North American way, he or she may not like it. People in Eastern European countries and some Latino cultures prefer shorter handshakes, too. Hugging after shaking hands is also a common introduction there. Don’t be surprised if a Brazilian gives you a hug. If you misinterpret gestures of introduction, your friendship may get off on the wrong foot!

(D) Everyone around the world knows the “Ok” hand gesture, don’t they? But in Spain, parts of South America and Eastern Europe, it is considered rude. And if you go shopping in Japan, it means you’d like your change in coins instead of bills. In France, making the OK sign means “zero” or that something is worthless. So check before you use the OK sign to be sure it’s OK!

(E) Understanding even a few key gestures from different cultures can make you a better communicator. So next time you travel, try being culturally sensitive. Find out the local gesture and let your body talk.

6. It in paragraph (D) refers to _ _ _ _ _ _.

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Body Talk

(A) To communicate well with people of other countries, you must learn to speak well, right? Yes but speaking is not everything. Some experts say only thirty per cent of communication comes from talking. Your gestures and other no-verbal actions matter, too.

(B) But in different cultures meanings, the same action can have different meanings. When you have to meet someone from a different culture, be prepared. Do you know what kind of gestures and customs are appropriate?

(C) Let’s look at shaking hands. North Americans like a firm handshake. But the French prefer a light, short handshake. If you shake a French person’s hand the  North American way, he or she may not like it. People in Eastern European countries and some Latino cultures prefer shorter handshakes, too. Hugging after shaking hands is also a common introduction there. Don’t be surprised if a Brazilian gives you a hug. If you misinterpret gestures of introduction, your friendship may get off on the wrong foot!

(D) Everyone around the world knows the “Ok” hand gesture, don’t they? But in Spain, parts of South America and Eastern Europe, it is considered rude. And if you go shopping in Japan, it means you’d like your change in coins instead of bills. In France, making the OK sign means “zero” or that something is worthless. So check before you use the OK sign to be sure it’s OK!

(E) Understanding even a few key gestures from different cultures can make you a better communicator. So next time you travel, try being culturally sensitive. Find out the local gesture and let your body talk.

7. They in paragraph (D) refers to _  _ _ _ _ _.

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Body Talk

(A) To communicate well with people of other countries, you must learn to speak well, right? Yes but speaking is not everything. Some experts say only thirty per cent of communication comes from talking. Your gestures and other no-verbal actions matter, too.

(B) But in different cultures meanings, the same action can have different meanings. When you have to meet someone from a different culture, be prepared. Do you know what kind of gestures and customs are appropriate?

(C) Let’s look at shaking hands. North Americans like a firm handshake. But the French prefer a light, short handshake. If you shake a French person’s hand the  North American way, he or she may not like it. People in Eastern European countries and some Latino cultures prefer shorter handshakes, too. Hugging after shaking hands is also a common introduction there. Don’t be surprised if a Brazilian gives you a hug. If you misinterpret gestures of introduction, your friendship may get off on the wrong foot!

(D) Everyone around the world knows the “Ok” hand gesture, don’t they? But in Spain, parts of South America and Eastern Europe, it is considered rude. And if you go shopping in Japan, it means you’d like your change in coins instead of bills. In France, making the OK sign means “zero” or that something is worthless. So check before you use the OK sign to be sure it’s OK!

(E) Understanding even a few key gestures from different cultures can make you a better communicator. So next time you travel, try being culturally sensitive. Find out the local gesture and let your body talk.

8. Gestures paragraph (B) means _ _  _ _ _ _.

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Body Talk

(A) To communicate well with people of other countries, you must learn to speak well, right? Yes but speaking is not everything. Some experts say only thirty per cent of communication comes from talking. Your gestures and other no-verbal actions matter, too.

(B) But in different cultures meanings, the same action can have different meanings. When you have to meet someone from a different culture, be prepared. Do you know what kind of gestures and customs are appropriate?

(C) Let’s look at shaking hands. North Americans like a firm handshake. But the French prefer a light, short handshake. If you shake a French person’s hand the  North American way, he or she may not like it. People in Eastern European countries and some Latino cultures prefer shorter handshakes, too. Hugging after shaking hands is also a common introduction there. Don’t be surprised if a Brazilian gives you a hug. If you misinterpret gestures of introduction, your friendship may get off on the wrong foot!

(D) Everyone around the world knows the “Ok” hand gesture, don’t they? But in Spain, parts of South America and Eastern Europe, it is considered rude. And if you go shopping in Japan, it means you’d like your change in coins instead of bills. In France, making the OK sign means “zero” or that something is worthless. So check before you use the OK sign to be sure it’s OK!

(E) Understanding even a few key gestures from different cultures can make you a better communicator. So next time you travel, try being culturally sensitive. Find out the local gesture and let your body talk.

9. Firm in paragraph (C) means _ _ _ _ _ _.

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Body Talk

(A) To communicate well with people of other countries, you must learn to speak well, right? Yes but speaking is not everything. Some experts say only thirty per cent of communication comes from talking. Your gestures and other no-verbal actions matter, too.

(B) But in different cultures meanings, the same action can have different meanings. When you have to meet someone from a different culture, be prepared. Do you know what kind of gestures and customs are appropriate?

(C) Let’s look at shaking hands. North Americans like a firm handshake. But the French prefer a light, short handshake. If you shake a French person’s hand the  North American way, he or she may not like it. People in Eastern European countries and some Latino cultures prefer shorter handshakes, too. Hugging after shaking hands is also a common introduction there. Don’t be surprised if a Brazilian gives you a hug. If you misinterpret gestures of introduction, your friendship may get off on the wrong foot!

(D) Everyone around the world knows the “Ok” hand gesture, don’t they? But in Spain, parts of South America and Eastern Europe, it is considered rude. And if you go shopping in Japan, it means you’d like your change in coins instead of bills. In France, making the OK sign means “zero” or that something is worthless. So check before you use the OK sign to be sure it’s OK!

(E) Understanding even a few key gestures from different cultures can make you a better communicator. So next time you travel, try being culturally sensitive. Find out the local gesture and let your body talk.

10. Misinterpret in paragraph (C) means _ _ _ _ _ _.

Listening Comprehension

1. Listen and choose the right answer. Sarah really liked the play.

2. Listen and choose the right answer. There are three pictures on Eva’s wall.

3. Listen and choose the right answer. There is a restaurant in Jenny’s village.

4. Listen and choose the right answer. In the conversation, David _ _ _ _.

5. Listen and choose the right answer. In the conversation, Sue _ _ _ _.

6. Listen and choose the right answer. In the conversation, Paul _ _ _ _.

7. Listen and choose the right answer. In the conversation, the interviewee bought designer _ _ _ _  from a Tokyo store.

8. Listen and choose the right answer. In the conversation, the interviewee bought designer clothes _ _ _ _. 

9. Listen and choose the right answer. In the conversation, the interviewee has _ _ _ _ bought designer clothes.

10. Listen and choose the right answer. Why did Jack return the coat?

11. Listen and choose the right answer. What did Steve think of the movie when he saw it?

12. Listen and choose the right answer. What did Joe and Mary do?

13. Listen and choose the right answer. Match the speeches to the occasions.

The speech is about _ _ _ _.

14. Listen and choose the right answer. Match the speeches to the occasions.

The speech is about _ _ _ _.

15. Listen and choose the right answer. Match the speeches to the occasions.

The speech is about _ _ _ _.

Grammar, Sentence Structure and Vocabulary Section 

1. Are you going shopping? We need a _ _ _ _ of bread?

2. A comb, _ _ _ _ _ _ shampoo, and hair spray are hair care products

3. John and Carl are brothers. John’s wife is Carl’s _ _ _ _ _ _.

4. I’d like something to drink. Could you get me some _ _ _ _ _ _?

5. The shower is in the _ _  _ _ _ _.

6. Alex’s hair isn’t curly. It’s _ _ _ _ _ _.

7. Bruce hardly ever exercises. He’s really _ _ _ _.

8. Today is Monday. The day after tomorrow is _ _ _ _ _ _.

9. It’s September. William’s birthday was two months ago. His birthday was in _ _ _ _ _ _.

10. _ _ _ _ happens when there is no rain for a long period of time.

11. Robert _ _ _ _ right now.

12. When my wife is late for work, she _ _ _ _ on her makeup in the car.

13. I _ _ _ _ sister yesterday, but she wasn’t there.

14. Luke never _ _ _ _ dinner.

15. What _ _ _ _ last night?

16. She doesn’t have a computer at home. She _ _ _ _ at work.

17. I _ _ _ _  my husband in 2003.

18. Anthony _ _ _ _ in London since 2001.

19. _ _  _ _ her later?

20. You _ _ _ _ make a reservation soon. That restaurant is very popular.

21. Luckily, I _ _ _ _ a seat belt when I had the accident.

22. _ _ _ _ your sister live?

23. _ _ _ _ milk in the fridge.

24. I _ _ _ _ to exercise.

25. The concert is _ _ _ _  Saturday, June 4^th.

26. My wife is tired _ _ _ _ working in New York.

27. That photograph _ _ _ _ by Henri Cartier-Bresson in 1954.

28. If I found a wallet, I _ _ _ _ it.

29. Sonia wants to see a movie, but she has an exam tomorrow. She _ _ _ _  study tonight.

30. Andre _ _ _ _ be a doctor, but he changed his mind.

31. We _ _ _ _ lost if we had called in advance for directions.

32. It’s too dangerous _ _ _ _ swimming at the beach.

33. I remember _ _ _ _ holidays with my family when I was young.

34. I intend _ _ _ _  aside some money each month.

35. _ _ _ _ young people today prefer to dress casually.

36. The older people are when they marry, _ _ _ _ children they have.

37. By this time next year, Sam _ _ _ _ his studies and will be working as an accounted.

38. Not only _ _ _ _ here, but they didn’t call either.

39. Wild animals shouldn’t _ _ _ _ as pets.

40. I still _ _ _ _ my mind about what I’ll do after school.

41. People _ _ _ _ break their promises can’t be trusted.

42. We will meet at the park at 10:00 A.M. _ _ _ _ it rains.

43. Our old laptop was _ _ _ _ fast as the new one. The new one is much faster.

44. His interview went very well. _ _ _ _ , he didn’t get the job.

45. A: What’s your typical week like?

       B: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

46. A: So, what are you doing on Saturday?

      B: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

47. A: I broke my arm.

      B: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

48. A: Let’s go shopping.

      B: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  _.

49. A: What do you like to do in your free time?

      B: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

50. A: Would you like chicken or fish?

      B: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

51. A: Tell me something about your family?

      B: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

52. A: How would you like to pay for it?

      B: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

53. A: Be sure not to miss the Louvre Museum while you’re in Paris.

      B: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

54. Why should she stick her neck out for them? They never helped her with anything. What does "stick her neck out" mean?

55. I am so mad at my boyfriend. We were supposed to have a date last night at the park but he stood me up. What does "stood me up" mean?

56. I have a feeling in my gut that one of the employees is giving information about his boss to another company. What does "feeling in my gut" mean?

57. Bob's mom jumped down his throat when she saw his report card from school. What does "jumped down his throat" mean? 

58. I think George and Lisa would make a great couple. We should try to hook them up. What does "hook them up" mean?

59. Just keep your wig on. Everything is going to be alright, okay? What does "keep your wig on" mean?

60. I would stay away from that guy if I were you, he has a screw loose. What does "has a screw loose" mean?