CAMBRIDGE CHECKPOINT
ENGLISH, WORK BOOK9,
GR.8, U10
• 1
• a There’s no need to bring up that subject again. We have said everything there is to say
about it.
• b They agreed to give up all their possessions and live a simple life, but when the time
came they couldn’t bring themselves to go through with it.
• c I don’t like the way the manager goes on all the time about how much harder we need
to work.
• d He was unconscious when they found him, but they managed to bring him round after a
few minutes.
• e She refused to go along with his suggestion that she should be paid less than the male
workers.
• f I will not do it! It goes against all my principles.
• g Food left in the broken fridge had gone off and become mouldy.
• h To be honest I don’t know how they brought off such a good deal.
• i When he finally got down to it, it didn’t take him that long to tidy his bedroom.
• j Change can sometimes be brought about very suddenly.
• 2
• The order of Buddhist monks and nuns was founded by Gautama Buddha
during his lifetime over 2500 years ago. Buddhism is the following of a path
of spiritual development leading [1] to insight into the true nature of reality.
Buddhists do not believe [2] in a creator god. The Buddhist monastic life
grew [3] out of the lifestyle of earlier sects of wandering monks, some of
whom the Buddha had studied [4] with. Buddhist monks and nuns are
expected [5] to live simply with a minimum of possessions, and to be
provided [6] for by the non-religious community around them, including the
supply of daily food and shelter when needed. During the Buddha’s time,
many retreats and gardens were donated by wealthy citizens for monks
and nuns to stay [7] at during the rainy season. The monks and nuns are
also required [8] to provide a good example for the rest of the community,
and to focus [9] on meditation. Awareness, kindness and wisdom are the
qualities that Buddhist practitioners aspire [10] to.
• 3
• a perforate
• b alternative
• c dynamic
• d alteration / hydration
• e altercation
• f unilateral
• g dynamo
• h unification
• i hydraulic
• j permission
• 4 Example answers
• a You must be joking. It can’t possibly be true. This is a prank, isn’t it?
• b Show some consideration and don’t keep pressuring me. I need to be quiet for
a while.
• c If you don’t make haste, you will find yourself left behind, and then you will be
sorry.
• d It is your decision whether or not you turn up, but you would be thought well of if
you did.
• e The time has come to make all possible efforts. You have only one opportunity
to do this and then it will be too late.
• f You need to discuss this and make a joint decision, and you need to do it
quickly before everything goes badly wrong.
• g I am not very excited about it; it’s not really significant. I have already had this
experience.
• h You have unexpectedly put me in a very difficult situation. How can I now get
out of the trouble I am in?
• 5 Example answers
• a coalminer – as pale-faced as a maggot; burrowing underground like a mole; winches
winding and whirring; coal like a wall of jet; gleaming ivory teeth set in a face of ebony coal
dust; claustrophobic caverns of compacted carbon; trucks towing, black diamonds glowing
• b chef – sizzling, simmering and bubbling, like a witches’ cauldron; flashing knife blades
catching the light; hubbub of voices calling out orders; rings of flame licking the bottoms of
shiny pans; presiding like a priest in a tall hat; white figure conjuring food on to plates; king
of the kitchen
• c helicopter pilot – gyrating gracefully; slicing the sky with whirling blades; hovering like a
dragonfly; landing on tiny squares like bordered handkerchiefs; centre of a whirlwind
• d clock-repairer – in a minute world composed of tiny components; the terrible tick-tock of
time passing; old father time; clockwork cogs and wheels; the pendulum swing of perpetual
motion
• e surfing instructor – balancing on a line where sea meets sky; rising, gliding, sliding; the
crescendo at the crest of the wave; dashing, crashing and splashing; salty submersion in the
surf; froth pounding the shore; the caps of the waves look like rows of white wool knitted into
a blue sweater
• 7 Example answer
• Dear Sir/Madam,
•
I recently saw your advertisement in the Beijing Herald of 24th March 2013. I
understand you are seeking someone for the position of full-time senior translator and
interpreter in your company.
•
I would like to be considered for this position, which I feel I am eminently suited for. I
have been looking for just such a post. My relevant experience is that I have worked at a
more junior level in a similar company in the city. I am now looking for a more challenging
and rewarding job at a higher level, involving more overseas travel. I have qualifications
in English, Mandarin, and three European languages. I have been living in Beijing for five
years and intend to stay for at least another five. I collaborate well with colleagues and
enjoy mixing with people from all over the world.
•
I would be grateful if you would be kind enough to send me some more details of the
terms and conditions of the post, including the commencement date. I am available to
attend interview at any time, and I can provide more information about myself and my
experience should you so wish. I look forward to having a chance to meet you in the near
future.
• Yours faithfully,
• …