Task 1
Task 1. Match each message (1-5) and its meaning (A-F).
Task 2
Task 2. You will read five emails. For each question (6-10), choose the correct answer (A, B or C).
Five emails
6. Freya: My parents finally agreed to let me see the show, provided I’m home by 11.30. Instead of us cycling, which would take ages, my uncle can give us a lift. That way it’ll only take us half an hour each way. Should make getting there and back much easier without stressing about time, and I get to stay out for an extra hour and a half!
7. Viktor: Pity you missed the stand-up night. Even though there weren’t any cheap tickets, the laughter in the room made it feel right for what they were asking. Being close enough to catch the performers’ expressions added a lot. Although some felt what they charged for entry was pushing it, I thought it was fair.
8. Sergej: What do you think about inviting Sonja? I tried chatting with her, and honestly, it was hard work. I heard that she sets the bar high, though I haven’t seen it myself. Sometimes it seems like she’s laid-back about plans, but it’s hard to tell. I get the feeling she’d open up more once she felt settled in the group.
9. Arsen: I’ve watched that new series. Critics online said it was slow and too wordy, while people at work claimed it was clever and genuinely funny in parts. A few even described it as creepy but gripping. I remembered you liked it, so I tried it. Honestly, I ended up agreeing with the reviews. I didn’t expect it, but it did drag on.
10. Frida: I think you’d like this route. Unlike that busy riverside path with all the cyclists, this one winds through quiet backstreets with little traffic. Last time I spotted an old courtyard I’d never noticed before. It’s not lined with fancy shops like the main road, but that’s part of the charm – it feels hidden away and calmer somehow.
Task 3
Task 3. Read the text below. For each question (11-15), choose the correct answer (A, B or C).
The World’s Least Visited Country Is Sinking
Famous destinations like Spain or Italy see millions of tourists annually. Tuvalu is nothing like them. Its pre-pandemic all-time high came in 2019, when 3,000 tourists visited its nine islands. That dropped to 41 in 2021, increasing to 3,600 in 2023 and only just exceeding 2,500 in 2024.
Tuvalu consists of 9 coral islands spread across 26 km² of the Pacific, between Australia and Hawaii. Despite being the world’s least-visited country, it has a tourist industry. Visitors can catch one of two weekly flights from Fiji or the Sunday air route from Kiribati and enjoy diving, buying handcrafts, and seeing historical sites.
Several thousand years ago, Polynesian sailors from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga reached the islands. However, each of Tuvalu’s inhabited islands has a different answer as to who came first. The people of Niutao claim their ancestors were Samoans, as do the people of Funafuti and Vaitupu. On Nanumea, oral history remembers people from Tonga settling first.
Europeans passed by in the 16th century but didn’t stay. In the 1880s, Germany showed an interest in owning Tuvalu but didn’t do much about it. In the 1890s Tuvalu became a British protectorate and in 1916 a colony together with the Gilbert Islands. Tuvalu’s final freedom came in 1978.
The future, however, is uncertain. Most of Tuvalu is only one metre above the sea. Because of global warming and rising sea levels, 90% of the land may be under water by 2100. Australia and New Zealand offer visas to Tuvaluans, and children in school learn about emigration to prepare for the move.
Still, Tuvalu aims to live on, even if the land sinks. The government is developing a complete online version of the country – a permanent home for its history, tradition and culture.
Task 4
Task 4. Read Tile Whipping. Complete questions 16-20.
Tile Whipping
Holland is entertained by a new competitive sport: ‘tegelwippen’ (tile whipping) (0) _, and the winner (of a golden tile and shovel!) is the community that can get rid of the most paving stones over the summer months. The current national champion is the town of Venlo, which has ‘whipped away’ 14,636 tiles – 144 per resident!
Paving may seem a sensible choice that creates space (16) _. However, every centimetre of earth covered by solid stone or concrete tiles means more water runs away from the ground, (17) _. In a low-lying country like the Netherlands, in danger from rising sea levels, this could lead to widespread flooding events.
Local authorities have joined in the craze, sending trucks to take away citizens’ unwanted tiles for free. The tiles are then delivered to places (18) _. Here they are turned into material (19) _, a nationwide problem due to increased rainfall and groundwater.
Climate change is central to all this. Rising temperatures, rainfall increasing in volume and intensity – these can be managed, (20) _. Increased vegetation then soaks up carbon, creating beneficial microclimates and boosting biodiversity.
Task 5
Task 5. Read How to Make Better Coffee. Complete questions 21-25.
How to Make Better Coffee
Coffee is always worth drinking if made properly. Our dynamic culture means that (0) _ of the millions of coffee outlets we now have worldwide compromise on quality to satisfy everyone’s caffeine addiction. Even at home, pod machines may give us (21) _ cup of something hot in seconds but at the expense of good taste.
The biggest mistake (22) _ when preparing coffee is to use boiling water. Almost every coffee expert insists on using water that’s around 90 degrees Celsius. Boiling water burns the ground beans and produces a burned, bitter taste. Boil the kettle as usual and (23) _ the water sit for a few minutes before pouring. Also, try to use filtered water. It’ll improve the flavour but is also kinder (24) _ your kettle. Once the kettle has boiled, don’t reuse the water by boiling it again. Use fresh water from the tap.
Storing coffee in the fridge is not recommended as fridges can be moist environments and the beans will absorb the flavours of other foods around them. Grinding beans fresh when you want to consume them will also produce nicer-tasting coffee. Pre-ground coffee beans may be less messy, but (25) _ also less tasty. Enjoy your coffee!
Task 6
Task 6. Read Boxes of Love. Complete questions 26-30.
Boxes of Love
The Balikbayan Box stands as a symbol of love, care and generosity in Filipino culture. For decades, overseas Filipinos (0) _ used these large, durable boxes to send much-needed goods back home to their families.
These boxes usually contain ‘pasalubong’ (gifts), groceries, clothes and gadgets. No wonder Filipinos are especially dedicated (26) _ delivering complete Balikbayan Boxes to their loved ones – the beauty of a Balikbayan Box lies in its all-around use.
Unlike regular international shipping, Balikbayan Boxes are usually treated as personal, tax-free shipments. So, (27) _ they send a box home, Filipinos try to avoid overpacking – they want to ensure the box (28) _ its shape during transit.
A Balikbayan Box is now a well-loved tradition that honours the hard work and sacrifices of those who live and work abroad. Filipinos keep on sending them, (29) _ difficulties life may bring. It is a tradition that (30) _ to grow with every box sent home, bridging distances and keeping families close. A hug from miles away.
Task 7
Write Emma a reply of 80-100 words; answer all questions about healthy habits, project activities, health organisation and stress management. Do not sign your full name.