7/30/2019 MSU Celc December2009 Test Booklet http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/msu-celc-december2009-test-booklet 1/23 English Language Center Michigan State University DO NOT TURN THE PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO. MSU-CELC Fall 2009 Certificate of English Language Competency Name __________________________________________________________ Seat Number _____
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For this section of the test, a proctor has given you a special answer form.
Using a Number 2 pencil ONLY, write as much as you can, as well as you can, in an originalcomposition on ONE of the two topics below. You have 35 minutes to complete the composition.
1. Some people say that the legal driving age should be raised to 21. They claim that such a change would
create safer drivers and encourage more people to use public transportation. Other people claim that such
a law would limit personal freedom. What is your opinion? Support your opinion with reasons and
examples.
OR
2. Imagine that you have just taken an important test at school or university. During the test, you noticed
that one of your classmates cheated by using a cell phone to send a text message to another classmate.
How would you handle the situation? Would you tell your teacher, discuss it with your classmate, or
ignore the situation? Support your opinion with reasons and examples.
This section of the test is designed to assess your listening abilities. You should have the following
items in front of you: a test answer sheet, a test booklet, and a Number 2 pencil. If you are missing anyof these items, raise your hand, and a test proctor will assist you.
INSTRUCTIONS:
• This listening section has three main parts: Part 1 consists of several short conversationsand Part 2 has longer conversations. Part 3 contains an extended dialogue and a
presentation.
• There are 40 questions on this listening test. For each question, choose the ONE BEST
answer.
• Find the letter on the answer sheet that corresponds to the answer you have chosen. Useyour pencil to completely fill in the circle for your answer.
• If you are not sure of the answer, take your best guess. Unanswered items will be scored asincorrect.
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Part 3: Extended Discourse
In this section you will hear an extended conversation and a presentation. You will listen to each passage
twice, and then you will answer several questions.
Krister and Ingrid on a Bicycle Trip
Questions 22 through 30 are based on the following conversation between Krister and Ingrid. Krister and Ingrid are a young Swedish couple who love to bicycle. You will have the opportunity to listen in while they
tell some friends the story of their trip.
22. What time of year did this ride take place?a. fall b. mid-summer
c. spring
23. Why did Krister and Ingrid decide to ride
their bikes on a weekday?
a. They were afraid that the weather would be too hot on a weekend.
b. They were concerned about the
number of cars on the road on a
weekend.c. They wanted to ride earlier in the
morning.
24. Which of the following did the couple NOT
take with them on their trip?
a. hats
b. sunscreen
c. water
25. What does Ingrid imply about their 46-mile journey?
a. The weather was too hot to ride
that day. b. The uphill parts were very
difficult.
c. The ride was too long for most
riders.
26. At what point were the riders able to see the
sky clearly?a. 2,000 feet
b. 3,000 feet
c. 5,000 feet
27. What is implied about motorcyclists who ride
on the road today?a. They ride more carelessly. b. They are no longer allowed to ride
on this particular road.c. They have started to ride more
slowly now.
28. At what time did the riders eat lunch?a. 12:30 – 1:30
b. 1:00 – 1:30c. 4:30 – 5:00
29. What can we tell about Krister and Ingridfrom this dialogue?
a. They both enjoy physical activitiesin their free time.
b. They would like to have a more
relaxing vacation in the future.
c. They would like to visit different places in the United States.
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Brianna’s Email exchange with George Brianna has written an email to George, talking about her weekend. She has included you on the email as
well. Read her email and George’s response and answer the questions that follow.
Dear George,
2It was really nice seeing you at the career fair today. Too bad we didn’t get to spend much timetogether, but I really wanted to go to the workshop on how to write an application letter. It was quite4informative, but overall I’m even more confused than I was before. There are so many options for future professions in sales, health care, technology, finance, management, etc. They all sound so6appealing. I’m not sure which direction I want to go in when I’m done with high school. I think I
would like to study at a university, but which subject? I talked to a guy who was studying medicine8and he recommended doing an internship at a hospital so I could get a clearer picture of what it’slike. The message I got today was: Go out and explore, do internships and get involved. I think that’s10what I’ll be doing during my next summer vacation (go work in a hospital).
How about you? You seemed to be quite interested in the finance and management area. I12should have guessed that since you have always been so good at math. Anyway, I have to go now
and run some errands. Talk to you soon!14
Brianna16
18Hi Brianna,
20Thanks for your email. I was just about to write you, too. It’s hard to decide what you want to do
for the rest of your life. The career fair was useful to me because I already have some sense of 22direction. Actually finance and management are not exactly my favorites. I am interested in gettinginto computers, specifically programming, graphic design, and web design. The people I talked to at24the career fair told me that I should also consider a combination of marketing and business and
computers. But I don't know how I could handle all three fields. I think it would be better to pursue26 only one subject at a time. Right now I think I’ll major in computer science and try to get a job as a
programmer or web designer etc. After a few years of experience I can still try other things like28 project management, and go back to the university to pursue a degree in technology or business.
But, coming back to you, I think that doing a lot of internships and getting insight into30different possibilities is the best thing you can do at the moment. I never thought that you’d be
interested in medicine, but I guess I can picture you being a doctor.32Let’s talk about this more when we see each other at the city festival this Saturday. There is
so much going on at the moment; one fair or festival after the other!34
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Pet AdoptionOn the bulletin board at your apartment complex, you see someone has posted the following advertisement.
Read the advertisement and answer the questions that follow.
Adopt a Pet, Change a Life
Lives are changed whenever people and animals come together. We know this first-hand at the Regional2Humane Society, where our mission is to promote responsible care for all animals, to help abused pets, andto place animals into new homes with caring owners.4
With the onset of the winter months and bitter cold fast approaching, the Regional Humane Society is6anticipating another season at full capacity. In order to make room for the new rescues that we know will be
arriving during the coming months, we are currently seeking loving homes for some of the furry friends8already housed in our kennels.
10We are a non-profit organization that raises all budgetary funds through donations and modest adoption fees.
For little more than the cost of a dinner out, you can take home a new companion for your family that has12
been certified by our veterinarian as healthy and current on all recommended vaccinations and is guaranteedto bring a smile to your face. Adoption fees start at $55 for adult cats, $70 for kittens, $75 for adult dogs, and14$125 for puppies, but may vary according to breed and training. If you have room in your hearts and homes
for multiple animals, we are even offering a 2-for-1 special for animals adopted before November 1st.16
Adopting a pet is a serious commitment and is a decision that should be discussed thoroughly with all family18members. Everyone in the household must be prepared to adapt to the changes that a new pet inevitably brings. It is important to realize how much time you may need to devote to the new animal, especially as it20gets accustomed to the new surroundings when you first bring it home. You should also be financially
prepared to care for another life. Pets require some basic equipment such as a collar, leash, brush, shampoo,22nail clippers, food and water bowls, quality pet food, and bedding. And you will of course also want to buy a
few treats and toys for your new friend. A final consideration is where the pet will eat, live, and sleep, as24animals need to feel that they have a bit of territory all to themselves, even if it is just one corner of a small
apartment.26
Adoption is not for everyone, and if you cannot afford or do not wish to adopt an animal, we also gladly28accept donations of towels, supplies, or cash gifts of any amount. These items are always appreciated and goa long way towards helping care for our animal population. We also are always looking for kind volunteers30to visit our facility and help bathe, care for, or just play with the resident animals. If you are interested in any
of these opportunities, please visit our website or stop by the Regional Humane Society for more32information.
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Barcelona Lisa has many pen pals around the world, including you! This is an email she has sent to all of you during a
school trip to Spain. Read it and answer the questions that follow.
Hi everyone,
2 Greetings from the city of Barcelona! I am here on a one-week trip with my Spanish class.We arrived three days ago and we are staying in a youth hostel close to the city center. You can4imagine that I am having a great time! The weather has been nice, too. You don’t even need a
jacket and it’s only February. Well, I don’t like that we have to do so much sightseeing every day6 because I’d much rather discover the city on my own. Yet, I have the feeling that our Spanishteacher, Mr. Sanchez, wants us to visit all the attractions of Barcelona within one week. I suppose8that’s typical of excursions. We have already seen several different churches and today we havevisited two museums, the National Museum of Art of Catalonia and the Barcelona Museum of 10Contemporary Art. I really enjoyed our visit to the latter. The building has a modern architectural
style and many of the paintings and creative art sculptures are impressive because they have some12‘strangeness’ to them. We had lunch at the museum cafeteria before we moved on to the next tourist
attraction, Europe’s largest marine education center. I saw sharks, ocean sunfish, and rays!14 Fortunately, in the late afternoons we usually have some leisure time. We are allowed to do
whatever we want as long as we stay in groups of three. Most students go to the beach and some16students go shopping at the Corte Ingles, a huge shopping mall. Did you know that Barcelona hasseven beaches? The Mediterranean Sea is still a little chilly for swimming, but some crazy students18went into the water, regardless.
I have to finish this email now because I am writing from an internet café and my time is20almost up. Hope you are all well! You will hear from me when I get back to the Netherlands.
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The Flu and You.Your doctor gives you the following information sheet about the flu. Read the information and answer the
questions that follow.
Are there people who are infected with the flu already?
Yes. There are ongoing infections with the new flu virus. Fortunately, most people recover with only rest2 and without extensive medical treatment. The National Health Center has determined that the new flu virus iscontagious. In other words, it can spread from one human being to another.4
How does the new flu virus spread?6Like most types of the flu, this virus spreads when a person with the flu coughs or sneezes near other people.It is also possible to catch the flu by touching something such as a door handle or a telephone that has the flu8virus on it, and then touching your nose or mouth.
10How long can the flu virus survive on objects (such as desks)?
Research by the National Health Center has shown that the flu virus can remain on surfaces and infect people12for 2 to 8 hours.
14 How long can an infected person spread the new flu virus?
People infected with the virus are contagious for 1 day before getting sick and for up to 7 days after getting16sick. Because a person can be contagious before they are actually sick, it is not enough to avoid people whoseem sick. It is important to take proper steps to protect yourself from the flu.18
What can I do to protect myself?20Because this type of flu is new, there is no vaccine for it yet. Hopefully, a vaccine will be produced soon.
Here are some everyday steps you can take to protect your family and yourself from the new flu.22• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Throw tissues away after you use them.• Wash your hands often with soap and water.24• Avoid touching your face. Germs spread when your hands contact your mouth, nose, and eyes.
• If you are sick, you should stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.26Try to limit your contact with others to avoid making them sick.
• Think about keeping a one-week supply of tissues, aspirin and other items at home, so that you do28not need to go out if you get sick.
30If a family member has the flu, should I stay home from school too?
If someone in your family is sick, you can still go to school, but you should monitor your health carefully32and wash your hands often.
34I have heard that I can get the flu from eating or drinking certain things. Is this true?
No. The National Health Center has not found any evidence that eating foods, such as pork or chicken, can36spread the disease. There has also not been any evidence that the flu spreads through drinking water. Alongwith this, the flu does not spread through swimming pools, although the large crowds in public places may38increase the chances of getting sick.