Unit 3 Test

Part B

Reading

8 a) b) c) d) e)

Read the text. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)? Bill Gates is a graduate of Harvard University. _____

Richard Branson’s headmaster correctly predicted what would happen to him when he left school. _____

Richard Branson’s dyslexia prevented him from achieving academic success. _____ Oprah Winfrey’s grandmother was an extremely poor housemaid. _____ Oprah Winfrey’s first job was on the stage. _____

You may be surprised to learn that nearly two thirds of the world’s richest men and women didn’t inherit their wealth, but made their own fortunes through determination, luck and taking risks. Many of these self-made billionaires didn’t even finish school or college, like software giant Bill Gates. Gates told his parents that he wanted to leave Harvard University before finishing his degree in order to start a company selling software. Luckily, they recognized how motivated he was, and agreed. That company became Microsoft. While Bill Gates did at least go to college, Richard Branson, the British entrepreneur and businessman who founded the Virgin empire, left school with no qualifications at the age of 16. His headmaster told him that he would either go to prison or become a millionaire. But Branson has dyslexia, a condition that can cause difficulties with reading and learning. Dyslexia was little understood when he was at school and his teachers thought he was just stupid or lazy. Branson believes that if he hadn’t had dyslexia, he probably wouldn’t have become a success because he wanted to prove to everyone that he was neither stupid nor lazy! Some of these billionaires, like Oprah Winfrey, the African-American talk-show host, were born into poverty. She was the daughter of a housemaid and a coal miner, and lived in extreme financial hardship on her grandmother’s farm in Mississippi for a large part of her childhood. Oprah’s lucky break came when she got a job in radio while she was still at high school. Oprah’s grandmother has often said that she always knew her granddaughter would end up on the stage because she never stopped talking as a child! Full of struggle and sometimes pain, dreams and courage, the stories of these rags to riches billionaires are an inspiration for us all. (5 points)

New Inside Out Upper-intermediate Unit 3 Test

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Pronunciation

Schwa [Track 5]

9 a) b) c) d) e)

Listen and underline the schwa sounds in each sentence. These shovels were as cheap as chips. It’s four pounds for a kilo. You can save a penny a day. The best things in life are free. The children were as good as gold.

(5 points)

Listening

[Track 6]

10 a) b) c) d) e)

Listen to Brian talking about his most treasured possession. Underline the correct words.

Brian has had Panda for as long as he remembers / longer than his other animals / since he was born.

Brian used to pretend he was a panda / Panda was him / he was an animal in childhood games.

Now, Panda looks as good as new / a bit old and shabby / completely bald and discoloured. Brian used to tell Panda his worries about school / his secrets / stories.

Brian would sell Panda if he was worth a fortune / has no intention of selling Panda / is thinking of selling Panda to a friend.

(5 points)

New Inside Out Upper-intermediate Unit 3 Test

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