FCE Reading & Use of English Test 10

Part 1

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1 coming is the correct option here because come up with is a phrasal verb meaning to think of or invent an idea.

 

Starting, thinking and going don’t collocate with up with to form a suitable phrasal verb.

 

2 check is the best choice because check out means to look at something to see if it’s useful or interesting.

 

figure out means to solve something, not look at it.

look out means to be careful, not suitable here.

make out means to see something with difficulty, which doesn’t match the meaning.

 

3 focus fits well because the focus of your time means the main thing you concentrate on.

 

attention of your time is not a natural collocation.

target is possible but usually used in phrases like target audience or target market.

attraction of your time is not used in this way.

 

4 work is correct because work on means to spend time improving or developing something.

 

take on means to accept responsibility, not suitable here.

bring on means to cause something to happen, usually negative.

try on is used with clothes, not ideas or characters.

 

5 surrounded fits perfectly because if you are surrounded by people, they are all around you.

 

contained by people makes no sense in this context.

grouped by people doesn’t work; grouped with would be better, but still odd.

closed by people doesn’t fit meaning or grammar.

 

6 background is correct because in film, background is the area behind the main subject.

 

window is too specific and unrelated to film scenes in general.

conditions is too broad and vague here.

context doesn’t refer to visual space, it means situation or circumstances.

 

7 impression is best because an impression of depth means it looks three-dimensional, which fits the visual description.

 

image of depth doesn’t make sense in this collocation.

attitude of depth is incorrect; attitude relates to personality.

theory of depth sounds too academic and abstract.

 

8 succeed is correct because we say succeed in an industry, meaning to be successful.

 

accomplish needs a direct object, e.g. accomplish a task, and doesn’t work with in the film industry.

win usually needs something like win a prize; it doesn’t fit here.

overcome means to defeat a problem or difficulty, not to become successful.

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Part 2

 

9 taking has been taking place is the correct form of the expression to take place, which means to happen. We need the present perfect continuous here to follow has been which shows that the festival has been happening for centuries and continues to happen.
 

10 is We need the verb is to complete the present continuous form is attracting. This tense shows that something is happening now and continues to happen: tourists are currently becoming more interested in the festival.
 

11 on We use the preposition on when talking about surfaces so on each other’s faces is correct.
 

12 to adds to the fun is a fixed phrase meaning makes the fun even greater. The preposition to is needed after add in this meaning.

 

13 give the impression is the correct phrase. It means to make people believe something.
 

14 are are all equal is the correct structure. We need the verb are (present tense of to be) to complete the sentence in a logical way.
 

15 have a tendency is a natural collocation meaning are likely to. We use have when talking about habits or repeated behaviour like this.

 

16 ever If you have ever attended Holi is the correct expression for talking about life experience. Before and once are possible in other contexts, but ever is the best fit in questions or conditionals like this one.

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Part 3

 

17 romantic Adjective from noun transformation. We need an adjective to describe the noun atmosphere. romantic fits because it conveys a positive and dreamy feeling, which matches the overall tone.

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18 attractions Verb to plural noun transformation. One of is a key grammatical clue as it must be followed by a plural noun. So attractions is correct. It refers to places or things that attract people, like the Hawa Mahal.

 

19 impressive Verb to adjective transformation. We need an adjective to describe structure. The structure isn’t doing the action; it is described by it. So impressive (something that makes a strong impact) is the right word.

 

20 explanation Verb to noun transformation. The article one before the gap suggests we need a singular countable noun. The base verb explain becomes explanation, which means a reason or cause given for something.

 

21 hospitality Adjective to noun transformation. We’re describing the Indian cultural trait symbolised by the colour pink. Hospitality (the noun form of hospitable) means being welcoming to guests. Contextually, this matches well with the story about Prince Albert’s visit.

 

22 simply Adjective to adverb transformation. The sentence describes why the ruler might have painted the city pink, so we need an adverb to modify the verb was making. simply shows the basic or uncomplicated reason behind the action. It contrasts the more complex explanation earlier.

 

23 internationally Adjective to adverb transformation with the addition of the prefix inter.
The idea is that Jaipur’s beauty is known around the world, so we need an adverb to modify known. internationally (from international) fits perfectly to show wide recognition across countries.

 

24 originality Adjective to noun transformation. The sentence refers to what draws people to Jaipur, so we need a noun that follows by the. originality (from original) fits because it means uniqueness, i.e. the quality of being unlike anything else. A positive noun with the right tone for this context.

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Part 4

 

25 if I knew when Reported speech paraphrase with if for a yes/no question. The original question uses the present simple is, but in reported speech, it changes to the past simple was. The subject pronoun I replaces you, and if introduces the indirect question.

 

26 had set off/out Verb to phrasal verb paraphrase in reported speech. The past simple did Sofia leave becomes past perfect had set off/out. Both set off and set out are phrasal verbs meaning to begin a journey, which fits the context of leaving in the morning.

 

27 told me not to bother Imperative to reported speech using tell + object + not to. In direct speech, Don’t bother… becomes told me not to bother… in reported form. The phrase not to bother expresses that the action is unnecessary or pointless.

 

28 not to mess (it) up Request to phrasal verb paraphrase in reported speech. Please don’t make a mistake… becomes not to mess up. The phrasal verb mess up means make a mistake or do something badly. it is optional, depending on whether the object the booking is specified.

 

29 she had been participating in Present perfect continuous changes to past perfect continuous in reported speech. The phrase doing some fascinating activities is paraphrased using the formal structure participate in. The preposition in is essential after participating, and the verb tense shifts accordingly.

 

30 if I had come across Reported yes/no question using if, and verb to phrasal verb transformation. See is rephrased as come across, which means to find or encounter something unexpectedly The tense changes from past simple did you see to past perfect had come across in reported speech.

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Part 5

 

31 C engaged in a familiar activity

The narrator says The pencil feels good in my hand again; an old friend, and describes a moment of joy at sketching, showing she is enjoying doing something she used to do.

 

A is incorrect because she can hear her children arguing, so she is aware.

B is wrong because her hospital stay is in the past and isn’t making her frustrated now.

D is incorrect because she’s not angry: she says she is in her element, which means happy and focused.

 

32 B She may regret choosing to rest there

The narrator thinks the woman will soon realise she picked the wrong bench because of the noise and chaos caused by the kids. The lady in white will soon discover that she’s chosen the wrong park bench...

 

A is not supported; her clothing isn’t commented on negatively.

C is wrong because there's no sign the woman is angry about the kids; she doesn’t react at all.

D is incorrect; the narrator says it’s difficult to guess her age, not that she looks young.

 

33 B It brings back bad memories for the writer

The ring reminds the narrator of the teacher humiliating her in art class, triggering painful memories. I remember that ring. It flashed in front of me every time she ripped a page from my sketchbook…

 

A is incorrect because she never says the ring is beautiful.

C is wrong because she never drew the ring, just saw it.

D is incorrect too as there’s no mention that the ring doesn’t fit.

 

34 D seeing the writer blush

The paragraph explains how the narrator blushed easily and how this made her classmates laugh at her. They thought I was hilarious. The it refers to the act of blushing, not just others’ reactions.

 

A is incorrect; it wasn’t the jokes themselves that made her blush.

B is wrong; her hairstyle isn’t the focus of the embarrassment.

C is tempting but wrong; laughing at her discomfort is the result of her blushing, not it itself.

 

35 B she doesn’t appreciate the writer’s effort at drawing

Miss Davenport immediately criticizes the narrator’s sketch, saying it looks like a pineapple, just like she did at school. No talent then and no talent now.

 

A is incorrect because there is no sign of regret; just the same harsh attitude.

C is wrong; the conversation is about the past.

D is also incorrect because her attitude shows she still feels strongly about art and talent, so she hasn’t left it behind.

 

36 A pleased that Miss Davenport is embarrassed

When Miss Davenport’s skirt is stained and her cheeks go pink after Katie’s loud comment, the narrator feels satisfaction: I think, ‘Yes!’

 

B is incorrect because there is no sign of pride in her sketch; it’s just her child who compliments it.

C is wrong because she still blushes earlier in the encounter, so she hasn’t conquered it.

D is not accurate; she may be glad Miss Davenport is leaving, but the focus is on the teacher being embarrassed, not the narrator feeling relieved.

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Part 6

 

37 These days I still often wear black, but for many different reasons. D For instance, at formal parties I might want to look elegant and sophisticated, or when meeting clients and in work meetings to give an efficient, serious and business-like impression. Black can do all these things. But what intrigues me is how this colour moved from representing grief or rebellion to becoming the must-have fashion colour in today’s world.

 

The sentence before the gap says the writer wears black for many different reasons, and Sentence D gives concrete examples of these reasons: to look elegant or professional. After the gap, Black can do all these things refers directly back to the list in D.

 

38 Many people, like Masha in The Seagull, associate black with mourning. Looking back in history we can see quite clearly that since Greek and Roman times black clothing has been a symbol of grief and sorrow. B In many countries people wore, and still wear it to funerals. In Victorian England, widows were forced to dress in black for years. And the Romantic poets in the 19th century, including Byron, Shelley and Keats, adopted the colour as a symbol of isolation, sadness and mystery.

 

The paragraph discusses mourning traditions connected to black. Sentence B continues the idea by giving a timeless, global example (funerals). The phrase wore, and still wear matches the historical + present-day focus of the surrounding sentences. The word it clearly refers back to black clothing.

 

39 My grandmother remembers the beatniks in the 1950s who wore black jumpers, berets and thick black-rimmed glasses. G Another example would be, of course, the Goths, whose obsession with black goes beyond clothes to eye make-up, hair and lipstick.
And who could imagine a biker riding a Harley Davidson wearing a yellow leather jacket?

 

This paragraph focuses on groups that use black clothing to express protest or rebellion. The sentence before the gap talks about beatniks; sentence G continues the pattern by adding Goths as another example. The reference to black clothing continues, and the sentence after the gap shifts smoothly to yet another example: bikers.

 

40 Referred to as the ‘Little Black Dress’, it immediately changed the face of fashion. It was simple, practical and elegant. A In addition to this it was both flattering and affordable. In an instant the LBD (a term which gained a place in the Oxford English Dictionary in 2010) moved black from the shadows to centre stage, where it has remained ever since.

 

This part of the text explains why the Little Black Dress became so popular. Sentence A adds two more positive qualities: flattering and affordable to the list of adjectives just before the gap: simple, practical and elegant. The linking phrase In addition to this makes the flow smooth and logical.

 

41 And it continues to dominate. F Recent reports of online clothes sales show that the purchasing of black items has gone up considerably in the last decade. Retailers clearly want to use the flexibility and timelessness of black to reach a wide market.

 

The previous sentence says that black still dominates in fashion. Sentence F supports this with a factual update sales reports. It fits naturally with the following sentence about retailers wanting to sell more black clothing.

 

42 So, whether black is worn to look attractive or efficient, to show sadness or sophistication, to be rebellious or appear important, it is a uniquely powerful colour. E We may not all be ‘in mourning for our lives,’ like Masha in The Seagull, but there is a strong probability that there is something black and timeless in all our wardrobes. It is there for those occasions when we either want to fit in or stand out from the crowd. Black will always be ‘the new black’.

 

This is the conclusion of the article, and Sentence E gives a final reflection that brings the piece full circle by returning to the Masha reference from the introduction. It also adds a relatable point most people have black clothes. The sentence after the gap It is there for... continues the general reflection.

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Part 7

 

43 D my wife and I were allowed to walk out into the hospital grounds with our tiny new baby in my arms.

 

This was a very special moment shared with his wife, a family member.

 

44 A That little sports car was rusty... but the day I sat in it for the first time was one of the best days of my life.

 

She says it gave her freedom and independence, showing how much it changed her life.

 

45 C I’d been passionate about creative writing since I read my first story book at the age of six... After many challenges, holding the book in my hands literally brought tears to my eyes.

 

Her book being published was a big achievement she'd waited for.

 

46 D I guess most people would say that their red letter days include things like getting exam results or maybe something like their wedding or the birth of a child.

 

These are all common special days.

 

47 B I’d hated every minute of it. An endless stream of revision, broken sleep, attacks of nerves...

 

He doesn’t hide that this time was very difficult.

 

48 C I can still feel the weight of it and smell those fresh pages and see, in bold and shiny letters, my name...

 

She remembers how the book looked, felt, and smelled.

 

49 D I was so nervous that things might go wrong!

 

When his daughter was born, he mostly remembers the worry, not the joy.

 

50 B We all put the thought of failure or resits to the very back of our minds and enjoyed the moment.

 

This means they refused to think about what might go wrong in the future.

 

51 A That little sports car was rusty and broke down more often than I like to remember.

... the day I sat in it for the first time was one of the best days of my life.

 

The problems that followed didn’t stop her from loving that day.

 

52 B I’ve still got the calendar by the way.

 

Referring to the wall calendar where he marked all his exams.

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