Upper-intermediate Level – Final Exam (B)

Reading Comprehension

Read the article. For questions 1-5, choose the correct answer (A, B, C, or D).

Beach heroes

There is no more welcome sight on beaches all over the world than a lifeguard.

You can spot the lifeguards a mile off – which is, of course, half the point. Not only do they wear highly conspicuous red-and-yellow uniforms, but somehow they manage to look better than the rest of us too.

‘Last year, we only had to make five rescues,’ says head lifeguard Rod Terry, 22.  ‘Another year, we helped 29 people in the space of three hours. You never know what you’re going to be called upon to do, which is why you need lifeguards who can cope with any situation.’ You’d think, of course, they’d all be keen to perform some public heroics, but Rod is quick to rebuff any such suggestions.

‘As far as we’re concerned, we’d far rather stop someone getting into trouble than have to get them out of it.’ One of the lifeguards in Rod’s team is 24-year-old Rebecca Surridge. She says, ‘One minute you can find yourself dealing with minor cuts and grazes, and the next with a situation where one group of people on the beach is annoying another group. You have to handle things sensitively too.’ Even if they do talk tough, the lifeguards have no legal authority with which to back up their words. ‘We can only advise,’ adds Rod. ‘If someone wants to ignore a red flag, they’re free to do so. ’A red flag is what the lifeguards put out when the sea’s too rough for swimming. Exactly when that moment is reached is something that Rod alone decides. A lifeguard since the age of 14, first as a volunteer, he’s now a paid member of the town council’s leisure services department. ‘You take into account a variety of things: you listen to the weather reports and forecasts and you assess the strength of the wind.’ Other factors to be considered, depending on location, of course, are the dangers that may be lurking in the water.

The vast majority of swimmers take notice of a red flag, but there are always those who don’t, and long before they start really getting into trouble, lifeguards will be on their way out to them, dragging with them a ‘torpedo’ buoy, which is a long sausage-shaped inflatable on the end of a rope. This can help them bring in swimmers suffering from cramp, brought on by swimming too soon after a meal, or fatigue caused by swimming out too far. ‘Then you get the silly ones who jump off the harbour wall,’ sighs Rod. ‘Mostly, though, swimmers stick within our exclusion zone.’

This is a 100 m x 100 m patch of sea. The prime rule of the exclusion zone is that boats are forbidden to enter it – and humans forbidden to leave it. Even a rubber ring is pursued and retrieved. If found floating out at sea, it could set off a coastal-wide emergency search.

At any one time, there are eight lifeguards on duty, either scanning the waves or patrolling the beach (lifebelts need checking, telephones need to be kept working in case of emergency calls). The team works five days a week, and constantly has to rotate tasks as this facilitates maximum degrees of attention. The other thing that keeps the lifeguards alert is the fact that they all get on well together. ‘It’s not as if we’re all sitting there in silence,’ says Lisa. ‘We’re always talking to each other, either in person or down the two-way radio.’

In fact, each summer season is something of an old friend’s reunion; this is the seventh year Pete has worked here, while it’s the fifth for Rebecca. Come wintertime, they go off round the world – Pete’s been surfing in Mexico and Rebecca’s just back from Bali, Hawaii and New Zealand. It’s a case of not yet wanting to give up their seasonal, sunlit round of beaches. ‘There’s plenty of time for a proper job later,’ says Rebecca.

1. According to Rod Terry, lifeguards need to be …

Read the article. For questions 1-5, choose the correct answer (A, B, C, or D).

Beach heroes

There is no more welcome sight on beaches all over the world than a lifeguard.

You can spot the lifeguards a mile off – which is, of course, half the point. Not only do they wear highly conspicuous red-and-yellow uniforms, but somehow they manage to look better than the rest of us too.

‘Last year, we only had to make five rescues,’ says head lifeguard Rod Terry, 22.  ‘Another year, we helped 29 people in the space of three hours. You never know what you’re going to be called upon to do, which is why you need lifeguards who can cope with any situation.’ You’d think, of course, they’d all be keen to perform some public heroics, but Rod is quick to rebuff any such suggestions.

‘As far as we’re concerned, we’d far rather stop someone getting into trouble than have to get them out of it.’ One of the lifeguards in Rod’s team is 24-year-old Rebecca Surridge. She says, ‘One minute you can find yourself dealing with minor cuts and grazes, and the next with a situation where one group of people on the beach is annoying another group. You have to handle things sensitively too.’ Even if they do talk tough, the lifeguards have no legal authority with which to back up their words. ‘We can only advise,’ adds Rod. ‘If someone wants to ignore a red flag, they’re free to do so. ’A red flag is what the lifeguards put out when the sea’s too rough for swimming. Exactly when that moment is reached is something that Rod alone decides. A lifeguard since the age of 14, first as a volunteer, he’s now a paid member of the town council’s leisure services department. ‘You take into account a variety of things: you listen to the weather reports and forecasts and you assess the strength of the wind.’ Other factors to be considered, depending on location, of course, are the dangers that may be lurking in the water.

The vast majority of swimmers take notice of a red flag, but there are always those who don’t, and long before they start really getting into trouble, lifeguards will be on their way out to them, dragging with them a ‘torpedo’ buoy, which is a long sausage-shaped inflatable on the end of a rope. This can help them bring in swimmers suffering from cramp, brought on by swimming too soon after a meal, or fatigue caused by swimming out too far. ‘Then you get the silly ones who jump off the harbour wall,’ sighs Rod. ‘Mostly, though, swimmers stick within our exclusion zone.’

This is a 100 m x 100 m patch of sea. The prime rule of the exclusion zone is that boats are forbidden to enter it – and humans forbidden to leave it. Even a rubber ring is pursued and retrieved. If found floating out at sea, it could set off a coastal-wide emergency search.

At any one time, there are eight lifeguards on duty, either scanning the waves or patrolling the beach (lifebelts need checking, telephones need to be kept working in case of emergency calls). The team works five days a week, and constantly has to rotate tasks as this facilitates maximum degrees of attention. The other thing that keeps the lifeguards alert is the fact that they all get on well together. ‘It’s not as if we’re all sitting there in silence,’ says Lisa. ‘We’re always talking to each other, either in person or down the two-way radio.’

In fact, each summer season is something of an old friend’s reunion; this is the seventh year Pete has worked here, while it’s the fifth for Rebecca. Come wintertime, they go off round the world – Pete’s been surfing in Mexico and Rebecca’s just back from Bali, Hawaii and New Zealand. It’s a case of not yet wanting to give up their seasonal, sunlit round of beaches. ‘There’s plenty of time for a proper job later,’ says Rebecca.

2. Rebecca Surridge says that lifeguards ...

Read the article. For questions 1-5, choose the correct answer (A, B, C, or D).

Beach heroes

There is no more welcome sight on beaches all over the world than a lifeguard.

You can spot the lifeguards a mile off – which is, of course, half the point. Not only do they wear highly conspicuous red-and-yellow uniforms, but somehow they manage to look better than the rest of us too.

‘Last year, we only had to make five rescues,’ says head lifeguard Rod Terry, 22.  ‘Another year, we helped 29 people in the space of three hours. You never know what you’re going to be called upon to do, which is why you need lifeguards who can cope with any situation.’ You’d think, of course, they’d all be keen to perform some public heroics, but Rod is quick to rebuff any such suggestions.

‘As far as we’re concerned, we’d far rather stop someone getting into trouble than have to get them out of it.’ One of the lifeguards in Rod’s team is 24-year-old Rebecca Surridge. She says, ‘One minute you can find yourself dealing with minor cuts and grazes, and the next with a situation where one group of people on the beach is annoying another group. You have to handle things sensitively too.’ Even if they do talk tough, the lifeguards have no legal authority with which to back up their words. ‘We can only advise,’ adds Rod. ‘If someone wants to ignore a red flag, they’re free to do so. ’A red flag is what the lifeguards put out when the sea’s too rough for swimming. Exactly when that moment is reached is something that Rod alone decides. A lifeguard since the age of 14, first as a volunteer, he’s now a paid member of the town council’s leisure services department. ‘You take into account a variety of things: you listen to the weather reports and forecasts and you assess the strength of the wind.’ Other factors to be considered, depending on location, of course, are the dangers that may be lurking in the water.

The vast majority of swimmers take notice of a red flag, but there are always those who don’t, and long before they start really getting into trouble, lifeguards will be on their way out to them, dragging with them a ‘torpedo’ buoy, which is a long sausage-shaped inflatable on the end of a rope. This can help them bring in swimmers suffering from cramp, brought on by swimming too soon after a meal, or fatigue caused by swimming out too far. ‘Then you get the silly ones who jump off the harbour wall,’ sighs Rod. ‘Mostly, though, swimmers stick within our exclusion zone.’

This is a 100 m x 100 m patch of sea. The prime rule of the exclusion zone is that boats are forbidden to enter it – and humans forbidden to leave it. Even a rubber ring is pursued and retrieved. If found floating out at sea, it could set off a coastal-wide emergency search.

At any one time, there are eight lifeguards on duty, either scanning the waves or patrolling the beach (lifebelts need checking, telephones need to be kept working in case of emergency calls). The team works five days a week, and constantly has to rotate tasks as this facilitates maximum degrees of attention. The other thing that keeps the lifeguards alert is the fact that they all get on well together. ‘It’s not as if we’re all sitting there in silence,’ says Lisa. ‘We’re always talking to each other, either in person or down the two-way radio.’

In fact, each summer season is something of an old friend’s reunion; this is the seventh year Pete has worked here, while it’s the fifth for Rebecca. Come wintertime, they go off round the world – Pete’s been surfing in Mexico and Rebecca’s just back from Bali, Hawaii and New Zealand. It’s a case of not yet wanting to give up their seasonal, sunlit round of beaches. ‘There’s plenty of time for a proper job later,’ says Rebecca.

3. According to the text, which factor affects a lifeguard’s decision to put up a red flag?

Read the article. For questions 1-5, choose the correct answer (A, B, C, or D).

Beach heroes

There is no more welcome sight on beaches all over the world than a lifeguard.

You can spot the lifeguards a mile off – which is, of course, half the point. Not only do they wear highly conspicuous red-and-yellow uniforms, but somehow they manage to look better than the rest of us too.

‘Last year, we only had to make five rescues,’ says head lifeguard Rod Terry, 22.  ‘Another year, we helped 29 people in the space of three hours. You never know what you’re going to be called upon to do, which is why you need lifeguards who can cope with any situation.’ You’d think, of course, they’d all be keen to perform some public heroics, but Rod is quick to rebuff any such suggestions.

‘As far as we’re concerned, we’d far rather stop someone getting into trouble than have to get them out of it.’ One of the lifeguards in Rod’s team is 24-year-old Rebecca Surridge. She says, ‘One minute you can find yourself dealing with minor cuts and grazes, and the next with a situation where one group of people on the beach is annoying another group. You have to handle things sensitively too.’ Even if they do talk tough, the lifeguards have no legal authority with which to back up their words. ‘We can only advise,’ adds Rod. ‘If someone wants to ignore a red flag, they’re free to do so. ’A red flag is what the lifeguards put out when the sea’s too rough for swimming. Exactly when that moment is reached is something that Rod alone decides. A lifeguard since the age of 14, first as a volunteer, he’s now a paid member of the town council’s leisure services department. ‘You take into account a variety of things: you listen to the weather reports and forecasts and you assess the strength of the wind.’ Other factors to be considered, depending on location, of course, are the dangers that may be lurking in the water.

The vast majority of swimmers take notice of a red flag, but there are always those who don’t, and long before they start really getting into trouble, lifeguards will be on their way out to them, dragging with them a ‘torpedo’ buoy, which is a long sausage-shaped inflatable on the end of a rope. This can help them bring in swimmers suffering from cramp, brought on by swimming too soon after a meal, or fatigue caused by swimming out too far. ‘Then you get the silly ones who jump off the harbour wall,’ sighs Rod. ‘Mostly, though, swimmers stick within our exclusion zone.’

This is a 100 m x 100 m patch of sea. The prime rule of the exclusion zone is that boats are forbidden to enter it – and humans forbidden to leave it. Even a rubber ring is pursued and retrieved. If found floating out at sea, it could set off a coastal-wide emergency search.

At any one time, there are eight lifeguards on duty, either scanning the waves or patrolling the beach (lifebelts need checking, telephones need to be kept working in case of emergency calls). The team works five days a week, and constantly has to rotate tasks as this facilitates maximum degrees of attention. The other thing that keeps the lifeguards alert is the fact that they all get on well together. ‘It’s not as if we’re all sitting there in silence,’ says Lisa. ‘We’re always talking to each other, either in person or down the two-way radio.’

In fact, each summer season is something of an old friend’s reunion; this is the seventh year Pete has worked here, while it’s the fifth for Rebecca. Come wintertime, they go off round the world – Pete’s been surfing in Mexico and Rebecca’s just back from Bali, Hawaii and New Zealand. It’s a case of not yet wanting to give up their seasonal, sunlit round of beaches. ‘There’s plenty of time for a proper job later,’ says Rebecca.

4. In order to maintain their concentration levels, lifeguards ...

Read the article. For questions 1-5, choose the correct answer (A, B, C, or D).

Beach heroes

There is no more welcome sight on beaches all over the world than a lifeguard.

You can spot the lifeguards a mile off – which is, of course, half the point. Not only do they wear highly conspicuous red-and-yellow uniforms, but somehow they manage to look better than the rest of us too.

‘Last year, we only had to make five rescues,’ says head lifeguard Rod Terry, 22.  ‘Another year, we helped 29 people in the space of three hours. You never know what you’re going to be called upon to do, which is why you need lifeguards who can cope with any situation.’ You’d think, of course, they’d all be keen to perform some public heroics, but Rod is quick to rebuff any such suggestions.

‘As far as we’re concerned, we’d far rather stop someone getting into trouble than have to get them out of it.’ One of the lifeguards in Rod’s team is 24-year-old Rebecca Surridge. She says, ‘One minute you can find yourself dealing with minor cuts and grazes, and the next with a situation where one group of people on the beach is annoying another group. You have to handle things sensitively too.’ Even if they do talk tough, the lifeguards have no legal authority with which to back up their words. ‘We can only advise,’ adds Rod. ‘If someone wants to ignore a red flag, they’re free to do so. ’A red flag is what the lifeguards put out when the sea’s too rough for swimming. Exactly when that moment is reached is something that Rod alone decides. A lifeguard since the age of 14, first as a volunteer, he’s now a paid member of the town council’s leisure services department. ‘You take into account a variety of things: you listen to the weather reports and forecasts and you assess the strength of the wind.’ Other factors to be considered, depending on location, of course, are the dangers that may be lurking in the water.

The vast majority of swimmers take notice of a red flag, but there are always those who don’t, and long before they start really getting into trouble, lifeguards will be on their way out to them, dragging with them a ‘torpedo’ buoy, which is a long sausage-shaped inflatable on the end of a rope. This can help them bring in swimmers suffering from cramp, brought on by swimming too soon after a meal, or fatigue caused by swimming out too far. ‘Then you get the silly ones who jump off the harbour wall,’ sighs Rod. ‘Mostly, though, swimmers stick within our exclusion zone.’

This is a 100 m x 100 m patch of sea. The prime rule of the exclusion zone is that boats are forbidden to enter it – and humans forbidden to leave it. Even a rubber ring is pursued and retrieved. If found floating out at sea, it could set off a coastal-wide emergency search.

At any one time, there are eight lifeguards on duty, either scanning the waves or patrolling the beach (lifebelts need checking, telephones need to be kept working in case of emergency calls). The team works five days a week, and constantly has to rotate tasks as this facilitates maximum degrees of attention. The other thing that keeps the lifeguards alert is the fact that they all get on well together. ‘It’s not as if we’re all sitting there in silence,’ says Lisa. ‘We’re always talking to each other, either in person or down the two-way radio.’

In fact, each summer season is something of an old friend’s reunion; this is the seventh year Pete has worked here, while it’s the fifth for Rebecca. Come wintertime, they go off round the world – Pete’s been surfing in Mexico and Rebecca’s just back from Bali, Hawaii and New Zealand. It’s a case of not yet wanting to give up their seasonal, sunlit round of beaches. ‘There’s plenty of time for a proper job later,’ says Rebecca.

5. It’s common for a group of lifeguards ...

Match the highlighted words / phrases to the definitions.

Beach heroes

There is no more welcome sight on beaches all over the world than a lifeguard.

You can spot the lifeguards a mile off – which is, of course, half the point. Not only do they wear highly conspicuous red-and-yellow uniforms, but somehow they manage to look better than the rest of us too.

‘Last year, we only had to make five rescues,’ says head lifeguard Rod Terry, 22.  ‘Another year, we helped 29 people in the space of three hours. You never know what you’re going to be called upon to do, which is why you need lifeguards who can cope with any situation.’ You’d think, of course, they’d all be keen to perform some public heroics, but Rod is quick to rebuff any such suggestions.

‘As far as we’re concerned, we’d far rather stop someone getting into trouble than have to get them out of it.’ One of the lifeguards in Rod’s team is 24-year-old Rebecca Surridge. She says, ‘One minute you can find yourself dealing with minor cuts and grazes, and the next with a situation where one group of people on the beach is annoying another group. You have to handle things sensitively too.’ Even if they do talk tough, the lifeguards have no legal authority with which to back up their words. ‘We can only advise,’ adds Rod. ‘If someone wants to ignore a red flag, they’re free to do so. ’A red flag is what the lifeguards put out when the sea’s too rough for swimming. Exactly when that moment is reached is something that Rod alone decides. A lifeguard since the age of 14, first as a volunteer, he’s now a paid member of the town council’s leisure services department. ‘You take into account a variety of things: you listen to the weather reports and forecasts and you assess the strength of the wind.’ Other factors to be considered, depending on location, of course, are the dangers that may be lurking in the water.

The vast majority of swimmers take notice of a red flag, but there are always those who don’t, and long before they start really getting into trouble, lifeguards will be on their way out to them, dragging with them a ‘torpedo’ buoy, which is a long sausage-shaped inflatable on the end of a rope. This can help them bring in swimmers suffering from cramp, brought on by swimming too soon after a meal, or fatigue caused by swimming out too far. ‘Then you get the silly ones who jump off the harbour wall,’ sighs Rod. ‘Mostly, though, swimmers stick within our exclusion zone.’

This is a 100 m x 100 m patch of sea. The prime rule of the exclusion zone is that boats are forbidden to enter it – and humans forbidden to leave it. Even a rubber ring is pursued and retrieved. If found floating out at sea, it could set off a coastal-wide emergency search.

At any one time, there are eight lifeguards on duty, either scanning the waves or patrolling the beach (lifebelts need checking, telephones need to be kept working in case of emergency calls). The team works five days a week, and constantly has to rotate tasks as this facilitates maximum degrees of attention. The other thing that keeps the lifeguards alert is the fact that they all get on well together. ‘It’s not as if we’re all sitting there in silence,’ says Lisa. ‘We’re always talking to each other, either in person or down the two-way radio.’

In fact, each summer season is something of an old friend’s reunion; this is the seventh year Pete has worked here, while it’s the fifth for Rebecca. Come wintertime, they go off round the world – Pete’s been surfing in Mexico and Rebecca’s just back from Bali, Hawaii and New Zealand. It’s a case of not yet wanting to give up their seasonal, sunlit round of beaches. ‘There’s plenty of time for a proper job later,’ says Rebecca.

6. to be extremely tired ___________

Match the highlighted words / phrases to the definitions.

Beach heroes

There is no more welcome sight on beaches all over the world than a lifeguard.

You can spot the lifeguards a mile off – which is, of course, half the point. Not only do they wear highly conspicuous red-and-yellow uniforms, but somehow they manage to look better than the rest of us too.

‘Last year, we only had to make five rescues,’ says head lifeguard Rod Terry, 22.  ‘Another year, we helped 29 people in the space of three hours. You never know what you’re going to be called upon to do, which is why you need lifeguards who can cope with any situation.’ You’d think, of course, they’d all be keen to perform some public heroics, but Rod is quick to rebuff any such suggestions.

‘As far as we’re concerned, we’d far rather stop someone getting into trouble than have to get them out of it.’ One of the lifeguards in Rod’s team is 24-year-old Rebecca Surridge. She says, ‘One minute you can find yourself dealing with minor cuts and grazes, and the next with a situation where one group of people on the beach is annoying another group. You have to handle things sensitively too.’ Even if they do talk tough, the lifeguards have no legal authority with which to back up their words. ‘We can only advise,’ adds Rod. ‘If someone wants to ignore a red flag, they’re free to do so. ’A red flag is what the lifeguards put out when the sea’s too rough for swimming. Exactly when that moment is reached is something that Rod alone decides. A lifeguard since the age of 14, first as a volunteer, he’s now a paid member of the town council’s leisure services department. ‘You take into account a variety of things: you listen to the weather reports and forecasts and you assess the strength of the wind.’ Other factors to be considered, depending on location, of course, are the dangers that may be lurking in the water.

The vast majority of swimmers take notice of a red flag, but there are always those who don’t, and long before they start really getting into trouble, lifeguards will be on their way out to them, dragging with them a ‘torpedo’ buoy, which is a long sausage-shaped inflatable on the end of a rope. This can help them bring in swimmers suffering from cramp, brought on by swimming too soon after a meal, or fatigue caused by swimming out too far. ‘Then you get the silly ones who jump off the harbour wall,’ sighs Rod. ‘Mostly, though, swimmers stick within our exclusion zone.’

This is a 100 m x 100 m patch of sea. The prime rule of the exclusion zone is that boats are forbidden to enter it – and humans forbidden to leave it. Even a rubber ring is pursued and retrieved. If found floating out at sea, it could set off a coastal-wide emergency search.

At any one time, there are eight lifeguards on duty, either scanning the waves or patrolling the beach (lifebelts need checking, telephones need to be kept working in case of emergency calls). The team works five days a week, and constantly has to rotate tasks as this facilitates maximum degrees of attention. The other thing that keeps the lifeguards alert is the fact that they all get on well together. ‘It’s not as if we’re all sitting there in silence,’ says Lisa. ‘We’re always talking to each other, either in person or down the two-way radio.’

In fact, each summer season is something of an old friend’s reunion; this is the seventh year Pete has worked here, while it’s the fifth for Rebecca. Come wintertime, they go off round the world – Pete’s been surfing in Mexico and Rebecca’s just back from Bali, Hawaii and New Zealand. It’s a case of not yet wanting to give up their seasonal, sunlit round of beaches. ‘There’s plenty of time for a proper job later,’ says Rebecca.

7. very noticeable _________

Match the highlighted words / phrases to the definitions.

Beach heroes

There is no more welcome sight on beaches all over the world than a lifeguard.

You can spot the lifeguards a mile off – which is, of course, half the point. Not only do they wear highly conspicuous red-and-yellow uniforms, but somehow they manage to look better than the rest of us too.

‘Last year, we only had to make five rescues,’ says head lifeguard Rod Terry, 22.  ‘Another year, we helped 29 people in the space of three hours. You never know what you’re going to be called upon to do, which is why you need lifeguards who can cope with any situation.’ You’d think, of course, they’d all be keen to perform some public heroics, but Rod is quick to rebuff any such suggestions.

‘As far as we’re concerned, we’d far rather stop someone getting into trouble than have to get them out of it.’ One of the lifeguards in Rod’s team is 24-year-old Rebecca Surridge. She says, ‘One minute you can find yourself dealing with minor cuts and grazes, and the next with a situation where one group of people on the beach is annoying another group. You have to handle things sensitively too.’ Even if they do talk tough, the lifeguards have no legal authority with which to back up their words. ‘We can only advise,’ adds Rod. ‘If someone wants to ignore a red flag, they’re free to do so. ’A red flag is what the lifeguards put out when the sea’s too rough for swimming. Exactly when that moment is reached is something that Rod alone decides. A lifeguard since the age of 14, first as a volunteer, he’s now a paid member of the town council’s leisure services department. ‘You take into account a variety of things: you listen to the weather reports and forecasts and you assess the strength of the wind.’ Other factors to be considered, depending on location, of course, are the dangers that may be lurking in the water.

The vast majority of swimmers take notice of a red flag, but there are always those who don’t, and long before they start really getting into trouble, lifeguards will be on their way out to them, dragging with them a ‘torpedo’ buoy, which is a long sausage-shaped inflatable on the end of a rope. This can help them bring in swimmers suffering from cramp, brought on by swimming too soon after a meal, or fatigue caused by swimming out too far. ‘Then you get the silly ones who jump off the harbour wall,’ sighs Rod. ‘Mostly, though, swimmers stick within our exclusion zone.’

This is a 100 m x 100 m patch of sea. The prime rule of the exclusion zone is that boats are forbidden to enter it – and humans forbidden to leave it. Even a rubber ring is pursued and retrieved. If found floating out at sea, it could set off a coastal-wide emergency search.

At any one time, there are eight lifeguards on duty, either scanning the waves or patrolling the beach (lifebelts need checking, telephones need to be kept working in case of emergency calls). The team works five days a week, and constantly has to rotate tasks as this facilitates maximum degrees of attention. The other thing that keeps the lifeguards alert is the fact that they all get on well together. ‘It’s not as if we’re all sitting there in silence,’ says Lisa. ‘We’re always talking to each other, either in person or down the two-way radio.’

In fact, each summer season is something of an old friend’s reunion; this is the seventh year Pete has worked here, while it’s the fifth for Rebecca. Come wintertime, they go off round the world – Pete’s been surfing in Mexico and Rebecca’s just back from Bali, Hawaii and New Zealand. It’s a case of not yet wanting to give up their seasonal, sunlit round of beaches. ‘There’s plenty of time for a proper job later,’ says Rebecca.

8. main or most important ___________

Match the highlighted words / phrases to the definitions.

Beach heroes

There is no more welcome sight on beaches all over the world than a lifeguard.

You can spot the lifeguards a mile off – which is, of course, half the point. Not only do they wear highly conspicuous red-and-yellow uniforms, but somehow they manage to look better than the rest of us too.

‘Last year, we only had to make five rescues,’ says head lifeguard Rod Terry, 22.  ‘Another year, we helped 29 people in the space of three hours. You never know what you’re going to be called upon to do, which is why you need lifeguards who can cope with any situation.’ You’d think, of course, they’d all be keen to perform some public heroics, but Rod is quick to rebuff any such suggestions.

‘As far as we’re concerned, we’d far rather stop someone getting into trouble than have to get them out of it.’ One of the lifeguards in Rod’s team is 24-year-old Rebecca Surridge. She says, ‘One minute you can find yourself dealing with minor cuts and grazes, and the next with a situation where one group of people on the beach is annoying another group. You have to handle things sensitively too.’ Even if they do talk tough, the lifeguards have no legal authority with which to back up their words. ‘We can only advise,’ adds Rod. ‘If someone wants to ignore a red flag, they’re free to do so. ’A red flag is what the lifeguards put out when the sea’s too rough for swimming. Exactly when that moment is reached is something that Rod alone decides. A lifeguard since the age of 14, first as a volunteer, he’s now a paid member of the town council’s leisure services department. ‘You take into account a variety of things: you listen to the weather reports and forecasts and you assess the strength of the wind.’ Other factors to be considered, depending on location, of course, are the dangers that may be lurking in the water.

The vast majority of swimmers take notice of a red flag, but there are always those who don’t, and long before they start really getting into trouble, lifeguards will be on their way out to them, dragging with them a ‘torpedo’ buoy, which is a long sausage-shaped inflatable on the end of a rope. This can help them bring in swimmers suffering from cramp, brought on by swimming too soon after a meal, or fatigue caused by swimming out too far. ‘Then you get the silly ones who jump off the harbour wall,’ sighs Rod. ‘Mostly, though, swimmers stick within our exclusion zone.’

This is a 100 m x 100 m patch of sea. The prime rule of the exclusion zone is that boats are forbidden to enter it – and humans forbidden to leave it. Even a rubber ring is pursued and retrieved. If found floating out at sea, it could set off a coastal-wide emergency search.

At any one time, there are eight lifeguards on duty, either scanning the waves or patrolling the beach (lifebelts need checking, telephones need to be kept working in case of emergency calls). The team works five days a week, and constantly has to rotate tasks as this facilitates maximum degrees of attention. The other thing that keeps the lifeguards alert is the fact that they all get on well together. ‘It’s not as if we’re all sitting there in silence,’ says Lisa. ‘We’re always talking to each other, either in person or down the two-way radio.’

In fact, each summer season is something of an old friend’s reunion; this is the seventh year Pete has worked here, while it’s the fifth for Rebecca. Come wintertime, they go off round the world – Pete’s been surfing in Mexico and Rebecca’s just back from Bali, Hawaii and New Zealand. It’s a case of not yet wanting to give up their seasonal, sunlit round of beaches. ‘There’s plenty of time for a proper job later,’ says Rebecca.

9. to refuse to accept a helpful suggestion or offer from someone _________

Match the highlighted words / phrases to the definitions.

Beach heroes

There is no more welcome sight on beaches all over the world than a lifeguard.

You can spot the lifeguards a mile off – which is, of course, half the point. Not only do they wear highly conspicuous red-and-yellow uniforms, but somehow they manage to look better than the rest of us too.

‘Last year, we only had to make five rescues,’ says head lifeguard Rod Terry, 22.  ‘Another year, we helped 29 people in the space of three hours. You never know what you’re going to be called upon to do, which is why you need lifeguards who can cope with any situation.’ You’d think, of course, they’d all be keen to perform some public heroics, but Rod is quick to rebuff any such suggestions.

‘As far as we’re concerned, we’d far rather stop someone getting into trouble than have to get them out of it.’ One of the lifeguards in Rod’s team is 24-year-old Rebecca Surridge. She says, ‘One minute you can find yourself dealing with minor cuts and grazes, and the next with a situation where one group of people on the beach is annoying another group. You have to handle things sensitively too.’ Even if they do talk tough, the lifeguards have no legal authority with which to back up their words. ‘We can only advise,’ adds Rod. ‘If someone wants to ignore a red flag, they’re free to do so. ’A red flag is what the lifeguards put out when the sea’s too rough for swimming. Exactly when that moment is reached is something that Rod alone decides. A lifeguard since the age of 14, first as a volunteer, he’s now a paid member of the town council’s leisure services department. ‘You take into account a variety of things: you listen to the weather reports and forecasts and you assess the strength of the wind.’ Other factors to be considered, depending on location, of course, are the dangers that may be lurking in the water.

The vast majority of swimmers take notice of a red flag, but there are always those who don’t, and long before they start really getting into trouble, lifeguards will be on their way out to them, dragging with them a ‘torpedo’ buoy, which is a long sausage-shaped inflatable on the end of a rope. This can help them bring in swimmers suffering from cramp, brought on by swimming too soon after a meal, or fatigue caused by swimming out too far. ‘Then you get the silly ones who jump off the harbour wall,’ sighs Rod. ‘Mostly, though, swimmers stick within our exclusion zone.’

This is a 100 m x 100 m patch of sea. The prime rule of the exclusion zone is that boats are forbidden to enter it – and humans forbidden to leave it. Even a rubber ring is pursued and retrieved. If found floating out at sea, it could set off a coastal-wide emergency search.

At any one time, there are eight lifeguards on duty, either scanning the waves or patrolling the beach (lifebelts need checking, telephones need to be kept working in case of emergency calls). The team works five days a week, and constantly has to rotate tasks as this facilitates maximum degrees of attention. The other thing that keeps the lifeguards alert is the fact that they all get on well together. ‘It’s not as if we’re all sitting there in silence,’ says Lisa. ‘We’re always talking to each other, either in person or down the two-way radio.’

In fact, each summer season is something of an old friend’s reunion; this is the seventh year Pete has worked here, while it’s the fifth for Rebecca. Come wintertime, they go off round the world – Pete’s been surfing in Mexico and Rebecca’s just back from Bali, Hawaii and New Zealand. It’s a case of not yet wanting to give up their seasonal, sunlit round of beaches. ‘There’s plenty of time for a proper job later,’ says Rebecca.

10. an injury _____________

GRAMMAR

Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

Example: We don’t fancy going (go) out tonight.

1. Dogs must not _______ (bring) into the park unless they are on a lead.

Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

2. I enjoyed the film, despite _______ (see) it before.

Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

3. Carla denied ________ (leave) the car window open.

Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

4. It _______ (think) that the gang escaped in a black 4 x 4.

Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

5. People used _______ (give) longer prison sentences in the past.

Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

6. The art thieves are believed _______ (take) two priceless paintings.

Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

7. I’m so sorry – I completely forgot ________ (buy) any milk.

Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

8. I remember ________ (play) volleyball in the garden when I was little.

Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

9. Janet convinced me ________ (not go) straight to university after finishing school.

Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

10. The business is going to _______ (sell) next week.

Complete the sentences with one word.

Example: This packet of biscuits has already been opened – take it back to the shop.

11. _______ of my sisters are older than me – I’m 23 and they’re 26 and 29.

Complete the sentences with one word.

12. Please close doors quietly so _______ not to disturb other residents.

Complete the sentences with one word.

13. You _______ have spoken to your father like that. It was very rude.

Complete the sentences with one word.

14. My brother’s with me. He insisted _______ coming.

Complete the sentences with one word.

15. Deirdre _______ have gone home – her coat is still on her chair.

Choose the correct form.

16. I know it’s difficult with this noise, but please try _______ to sleep.

Choose the correct form.

17. We used to ______ in Scotland. It was nice, but the weather wasn’t great.

Choose the correct form.

18. Do you feel _______ watching a film tonight?

Choose the correct form.

19. I’m going to ______ tomorrow.

Choose the correct form.

20. I going to ______ hospital tomorrow to visit my aunt.

VOCABULARY

Complete the sentences with the correct word(s).

1. The film tells the story of a bank________ that goes horribly wrong.

Complete the sentences with the correct word(s).

2. Government plan to ________ thousands of public sector jobs.

Complete the sentences with the correct word(s).

3. There was a big advertising campaign to________ their latest mobile phone.

Complete the sentences with the correct word(s).

4. The conferences are ________, in June and November. 

Complete the sentences with the correct word(s).

5. A ________ is somebody who studies rocks.

Complete the sentences with the correct word(s).

6. Have you ever asked for advice from the ________in this newspaper?

Complete the sentences with the correct word(s).

7. I have to wake my brother up when he ________ because it’s so loud!

Complete the sentences with the correct word(s).

8. We ________ most of our manufactured goods from China.

Complete the sentences with the correct word(s).

9. Two men have been ________ with bribery.

Complete the sentences with the correct word(s).

10. My neighbour won’t ________ if you park your car in front of their house.

Choose the correct word.

11. The drug was withdrawn because of its harmful side .

Choose the correct word.

12. We’re looking for _________ to work in the charity shop on Saturdays.

Choose the correct word.

13. We’ll have to cut carbon emissions _______ .

Choose the correct word.

14. Did you ______  whether the supermarket was open when we drove past?

Choose the correct word.

15. _________ me to buy some stamps when we’re in the newsagents.

PRONUNCIATION

Match the words with the same sound.

{ advertisement / heart / refuse / court  / branch / jury / theory / tongue / antisocial / violin / grow }

Example: axe   branch

1. guilty     _________________

Match the words with the same sound.

{ advertisement / heart / refuse / court  / branch / jury / theory / tongue / antisocial / violin / grow }

2. deny  ______________

Match the words with the same sound.

{ advertisement / heart / refuse / court  / branch / jury / theory / tongue / antisocial / violin / grow }

3. judge    ______________

Match the words with the same sound.

{ advertisement / heart / refuse / court  / branch / jury / theory / tongue / antisocial / violin / grow }

4. market    ______________

Match the words with the same sound.

{ advertisement / heart / refuse / court  / branch / jury / theory / tongue / antisocial / violin / grow }

5. journalist    _____________

LISTENING

Listen to a radio interview in which a dictionary researcher talks about the expression “the real McCoy.” Choose the correct answer.

1. What kind of book has Kathy written?

Listen to a radio interview in which a dictionary researcher talks about the expression “the real McCoy.” Choose the correct answer.

2. What caused Kathy to write the book?

Listen to a radio interview in which a dictionary researcher talks about the expression “the real McCoy.” Choose the correct answer.

3. Who was Elijah McCoy?

Listen to a radio interview in which a dictionary researcher talks about the expression “the real McCoy.” Choose the correct answer.

4. Who referred to himself as “the real McCoy”?

Listen to a radio interview in which a dictionary researcher talks about the expression “the real McCoy.” Choose the correct answer.

5. Where does Kathy believe the expression “the real McCoy” probably originated?

Listen to a man talking about his regrets. Choose the correct answer.

6. Chris wishes ________.

Listen to a man talking about his regrets. Choose the correct answer.

7. Chris wishes ________.

Listen to a man talking about his regrets. Choose the correct answer.

8. When Chris thinks about his first semester of college, he wishes ________.

Listen to a man talking about his regrets. Choose the correct answer.

9. Chris ________.

Listen to a man talking about his regrets. Choose the correct answer.

10. Nowadays, Chris is ________.