Cambridge 14 (General Training) | Test 1 | Section 3
Papyrus
Libraries and archives are cultural crossroads of knowledge exchange, where the past transmits information to the present, and where the present has the opportunity to inform the future. Bureaucracies have become the backbone of civilizations, as governments try to keep track of populations, business transactions and taxes. At a personal level, our lives are governed by the documents we possess; we are certified on paper literally from birth to death. And written documentation carries enormous cultural importance: consider the consequences of signing the Foundation Document of the United Nations or the Convention on Biological Diversity.
crossroads (noun) [countable]
/ˈkrɑːs.roʊdz/
an important or central place
e.g., With funding coming up for review, the program is at a crossroads (= has reached an important but uncertain stage).
backbone (noun) [uncountable]
/ˈbæk.boʊn/
the part of something that provides strength and support
e.g., She is the backbone of the family.
keep track (of someone/something)
to continue to be informed or know about someone or something
e.g., My sister’s had so many jobs, I can’t keep track anymore.
Cambridge 16 (General Training) | Test 3 | Section 2
Running a meeting
Prior to the meeting, think about the seating and arrange it in an appropriate way. A circle can work well for informal meetings, but sometimes the furniture cannot be re-arranged or rows are more suitable. Consider the participants and decide what is best. Before people arrive, it’s a good idea to designate someone to stand at the entrance and greet everyone.
prior to something (phrase)
before a particular time or event
e.g., I was trying to finish up my work prior to the trip.
appropriate (adjective)
/əˈproʊ.pri.ət/
suitable or right for a particular situation or occasion
e.g., Is this film appropriate for small children?
row (noun) [countable]
/roʊ/
a line of things, people, animals, etc. arranged next to each other
e.g., Our seats are five rows from the front.
Cambridge 18 (General Training) | Test 2 | Section 3
A home-sewing revival: the return of Clothkits
“I can’t remember many of the clothes I wore before I was six, but I have a vivid memory of a certain skirt whose patterns I can still trace in my mind. It was wraparound, with a belt that threaded through itself, decorated with cats in two shades of green. I wore it with a knitted red jersey my mom bought in a jumble sale, and brown sandals with flowers cut into the toes. It was 1979, and I was not yet five. I forgot about that skirt for a long time, but when a girlfriend mentioned the name Clothkits while we were chatting, it was as if a door suddenly opened on a moment in the past that resonated with vivid significance for me.” The brand, founded in 1968, had by the late 1980s mostly vanished from people’s lives, but by a combination of determination and luck Kay Mawer brought it back.
knitted (adjective)
/ˈnɪtɪd/
made using wool or thick cotton and two long needles
e.g., hand-knitted gloves
jumble sale (noun) [ C ] (British English)
(also rummage sale North American English, British English)
/ˈdʒʌmbl seɪl/
a sale of old or used clothes, etc. to make money for a church, school or other organization
e.g., I bought it at a church jumble sale.
resonate (verb) [intransitive]
/ˈrez.ən.eɪt/
if something such as an event or a message resonates, it seems important or good to people, or continues to do this
Cambridge 18 (General Training) | Test 3 | Section 3
Roman Roads
The long straight roads built by the Romans have, in many cases, become just as famous in history as their greatest emperors and generals. Building upon more ancient routes and creating a huge number of new ones, Roman engineers were fearless in their plans to join one point to another in as straight a line as possible, whatever the difficulties in geography and the costs in manpower. Consequently, roads required bridges, tunnels, viaducts and many other architectural and engineering features to create a series of breathtaking but highly useful monuments, which spread from Europe to eastern parts of the Roman empire.
fearless (adjective)
/ˈfɪr.ləs/
not afraid, in a way that people admire
e.g., These dogs are absolutely fearless.
manpower (noun) [uncountable]
/ˈmænpaʊər/
the number of workers needed or available to do a particular job
e.g., We're a little short on manpower today, so we'll need you to do some extra tasks.
breathtaking (adjective)
/ˈbreθteɪkɪŋ/
extremely exciting, beautiful, or surprising
e.g., The view from my bedroom window was absolutely breathtaking.
Cambridge 18 (General Training) | Test 2 | Section 2
Encouraging Employees to be Healthy
Recent reports have shown that ignoring mental health costs Australian companies at least $11 billion a year. We all have a responsibility to look out for one another. Some ways you can do this in the workplace include: running employee surveys to get valuable information on morale in the workplace; training managers on mental health strategies; offering rebatesso employees are compensated for counselling if required; and refusing to accept any bullying and unprofessional behavior in your workplace.
look out for someone/something (phrasal verb)
to pay attention to what is happening around you, so that you will notice a particular person or thing if you see them
e.g., The police have warned shopkeepers to look out for forged notes.
morale (noun) [uncountable]
/məˈræl/
the amount of confidence and enthusiasm, etc. that a person or a group has at a particular time
e.g., Another win would be good for the team’s morale.
rebate (noun) [countable]
/ˈriː.beɪt/
an amount of money that is returned to you, especially by the government, for example when you have paid too much tax
e.g., The government plans to give small business owners a tax rebate.
literate (adjective)
/ˈlɪtərət/
able to read and write
e.g., The job requires you to be computer literate.
feather (noun) [countable]
/ˈfeðər/
one of the many soft light parts covering a bird’s body
e.g., Do you prefer a feather pillow or a foam pillow?
annual (adjective)
/ˈæn.ju.əl/
happening once every year
e.g., The company charges an annual fee of $45.
ownership (noun) [uncountable]
/ˈəʊnərʃɪp/
the fact that you own something
e.g., The company is under private ownership.
pretend (verb) [intransitive, transitive]
/prɪˈtend/
to behave as if something is true when you know that it is not,especially in order to deceive people or as a game
e.g., The children pretended (that) they were dinosaurs.
constitution (noun) [countable]
/ˌkɑːn.stəˈtuː.ʃən/
the set of political principles by which a state or organization is governed, especially in relation to the rights of the people it governs
e.g., Britain has no written constitution.
try your hand at something (idiom)
to attempt something for the first time
e.g., Mike decided to try his hand at tennis.
temptation (noun) [countable, uncountable]
/tempˈteɪʃn/
the desire to do or have something that you know is bad or wrong
e.g., I couldn't resist the temptation to open the letter.
invaluable (adjective)
/ɪnˈvæl.jə.bəl/
extremely useful
e.g., The new job will provide you with invaluable experience.
nest (noun) [countable]
/nest/
a structure built by birds or insects to leave their eggs in to develop, and by some other animals to give birth or live in
e.g., Cuckoos are famous for laying their eggs in the nests of other birds.
Cambridge 19 (General Training) | Test 1 | Section 3
White storks back in Britain after hundreds of years
The last definitive record of a pair of white storks successfullybreeding in Britain was in 1416, from a nest on St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh. No one knows why storks disappeared from our shores. They often featured on the menus of medieval banquets so we might, quite simply, have consumed them all. But there could be a more ominous reason. Storks are migrants arriving after the end of winter, nesting on rooftops and happily associating with humans, and because of this they have long been a symbol of hope and new life. Yet their association with rebirth also meant they became a symbol of rebellion. Shortly after the restoration of King Charles II in 1660, while storks were rare but surviving, parliament debated putting greater effort into destroying them entirely for fear they might inspire republicanism. Today, fortunately, that notion has disappeared and the stork retains its association with new life, appearing on cards given to celebrate the arrival of a new child, as a bird carrying a baby in a sling held in its beak.
nest (noun) [countable]
/nest/
a structure built by birds or insects to leave their eggs in to develop, and by some other animals to give birth or live in
e.g., Cuckoos are famous for laying their eggs in the nests of other birds.
ominous (adjective)
/ˈɑː.mə.nəs/
making you think that something bad is going to happen
e.g., She picked up the phone but there was an ominous silence at the other end.
rebellion (noun) [uncountable, countable]
/rɪˈbeljən/
an attempt by some of the people in a country to change their government, using violence
e.g., The slaves rose up in rebellion.
Cambridge 19 (General Training) | Test 3 | Section 2
What to do if you are made redundant
Don’t rush into applying for any or every job that comes up. Take stock of what you have to offer, what you want to do, and carry out in-depth research to find out what employers are actually looking for. Talk to people in your target industry for career advice and information. This information will be invaluable in helping you identify potential employers.
rush into something (phrasal verb)
If you rush into something such as a job, you start doing it without having really decided if it is the right thing to do or having considered the best way to do it.
e.g., I wouldn't rush into any deal like that with him, if I were you—you don't know this guy too well, so who's to say he won't screw you over?
take stock (of something) (idiom)
to examine a situation carefully
e.g., After the storm homeowners came out to take stock of the damage.
invaluable (adjective)
/ɪnˈvæl.jə.bəl/
extremely useful
e.g., The new job will provide you with invaluable experience.
Cambridge 19 (General Training) | Test 1 | Section 2
Resigning from a job in a professional manner
When you take the decision to resign and move on to another job, you might really want to dance your way out of the door, or get your own back by criticizing your boss to the whole office. But you need to resist these temptations because in future you might find you’re working with your ex-line manager or other colleagues in a different company.
resign (verb) [intransitive, transitive]
/rɪˈzaɪn/
to officially tell somebody that you are leaving your job, an organization, etc.
e.g., He resigned as manager after eight years.
get your own back (idiom) (British, informal)
to do something unpleasant to someone because they have done something unpleasant to you
e.g., I'll get my own back on her one day.
temptation (noun) [countable, uncountable]
/tempˈteɪʃn/
the desire to do or have something that you know is bad or wrong
e.g., I couldn't resist the temptation to open the letter.
Cambridge 11 (General Training) | Test 2 | Section 2
How to get a job in journalism
You can get a good qualification in journalism, but whatemployers actually want is practical, rather than theoretical, knowledge. There’s no substitute for creating real stories that have to be handed in by strict deadlines. So, write for your school magazine, then maybe try your hand at editing. Once you’ve done that for a while, start requesting internships in newspapers in the area. These are generally short-term and unpaid, but they’re definitely worthwhile, since, instead of providing you with money, they’ll teach you the skills that every twenty-first century journalist has to have, like laying out articles, creating web pages, taking good digital pictures and so on.
qualification (noun) [countable]
/ˌkwɑː.lə.fəˈkeɪ.ʃən/
an official record showing that you have finished a training course or have the necessary skills, etc.
e.g., You'll never get a good job if you don't have any qualifications.
substitute (noun) [countable]
/ˈsʌb.stə.tuːt/
a thing or person that is used instead of another thing or person
e.g., Vitamins should not be used as a substitute for a healthy diet.
try your hand at something (idiom)
to attempt something for the first time
e.g., Mike decided to try his hand at tennis.
Cambridge 14 (General Training) | Test 4 | Section 3
The Role of the Swiss Postbus
There isn’t an inhabited place in Switzerland that cannot bereached by some sort of public transport. Federal law and the Swiss Constitution stipulate that every village with a population greater than 40 is entitled to regular bus services. The frequency of these services is directly related to population density. Timetables are put together four years in advance, and seldom change. If a new route is to be introduced, the population of the area affected is invited to vote in a referendum.
inhabited (adjective)
/ɪnˈhæbɪtɪd/
An inhabited place or building has people living in it
e.g., Is the island inhabited?
constitution (noun) [countable]
/ˌkɑːn.stəˈtuː.ʃən/
the set of political principles by which a state or organization is governed, especially in relation to the rights of the people it governs
e.g., Britain has no written constitution.
population density (noun)
the number of people living in each unit of area (such as a square mile)
e.g., This part of the country has a high population density.
Cambridge 15 (General Training) | Test 4 | Section 3
Animals can tell right from wrong
Wolves live in tight-knit social groups that are regulated bystrict rules. Wolves also demonstrate fairness. During play, dominant wolves will appear to exchange roles with lower-ranking wolves. They pretend to be submissive and go so far as to allow biting by the lower-ranking wolves, provided it is not too hard. Prof Bekoff argues that without a moral code governing their actions, this kind of behavior would not be possible. Astonishingly, if an animal becomes aggressive, it will perform a “play bow” to ask forgiveness before play resumes.
tight-knit (adjective)
/ˌtaɪt ˈnɪt/
a tight-knit group of people are closely connected with each other
e.g., The company is controlled by a tightly-knit group of investors.
pretend (verb) [intransitive, transitive]
/prɪˈtend/
to behave as if something is true when you know that it is not,especially in order to deceive people or as a game
e.g., The children pretended (that) they were dinosaurs.
bite (verb) [intransitive, transitive]
/baɪt/
to use your teeth to cut into something or someone
e.g., Does your dog bite?
Cambridge 15 (General Training) | Test 1 | Section 3
The California Gold Rush of 1849
On January 24, 1848, James Wilson Marshall, a carpenter, found small flakes of gold in the American River near Coloma, California. At the time, Marshall was working to build a water-powered sawmill for businessman John Sutter. As it happens, just days after Marshall’s discovery, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, ending the Mexican-American War and transferring California, with its mineral deposits, into the ownership of the United States. At the time, the population of the territory consisted of 6,500 Californios (people of Spanish or Mexican descent); 700 foreigners (primarily Americans); and 150,000 Native Americans.
carpenter (noun) [countable]
/ˈkɑːrpəntər/
someone whose job is making and repairing wooden objects
e.g., A master carpenter was in charge of teaching the apprentices.
as it happens (idiom)
used to introduce something that is true by chance
e.g., As it happens, I know his brother.
ownership (noun) [uncountable]
/ˈəʊnərʃɪp/
the fact that you own something
e.g., The company is under private ownership.
Cambridge 16 (General Training) | Test 4 | Section 3
History of Women’s Football in Britain
Women’s football in Britain has deeper roots than might beexpected. In one town in 18th-century Scotland, single women played an annual match against their married counterparts, though the motives behind the contest were not purely sporting. Some accounts say that the games were watched by a crowd of single men, who hoped to pick out a potential bride based on her footballing ability.
roots (noun) [plural]
/ruːts/
origins
e.g., Flamenco may have its roots in Arabic music.
annual (adjective)
/ˈæn.ju.əl/
happening once every year
e.g., The company charges an annual fee of $45.
bride (noun) [countable]
/braɪd/
a woman who is about to get married or has just got married
e.g., You may now kiss the bride.
Cambridge 16 (General Training) | Test 3 | Section 3
Feathers as Decoration in European History
Today, we do not generally associate feathers with the militaryin Europe, yet history shows that in fact feathers have played an intriguing role in European military clothing. The Bersaglieri of the Italian Army, for example, still wear a bunch of long black feathers in their hats hanging down to one side, while British fusiliers have a clipped feather plume whose color varies according to their regiment. The Royalists in the English Civil War adorned their headgear with ostrich feathers. “Historically, feathers were an incredibly expressive accessory for men,” observes Cambridge historian, Professor Ulinka Rublack. “Nobody has really looked at why this was the case. That’s a story that I want to tell.”
feather (noun) [countable]
/ˈfeðər/
one of the many soft light parts covering a bird’s body
e.g., Do you prefer a feather pillow or a foam pillow?
adorn (verb) [transitive]
/əˈdɔːrn/
to make something/somebody look more attractive by decorating it or them with something
e.g., The bride's hair was adorned with white flowers.
ostrich (noun) [countable]
/ˈɑːstrɪtʃ/
a verylarge African bird with a long neck and long legs, that cannot fly but can run very fast
e.g., The ostrich is the fastest animal on two legs.
Cambridge 16 (General Training) | Test 2 | Section 3
Jobs in Ancient Egypt
In order to be engaged in the higher professions in ancientEgypt, a person had to be literate and so first had to become a scribe. The apprenticeship for this job lasted many years and was tough and challenging. It principally involved memorizing hieroglyphic symbols and practicing handwritten lettering. Scribes noted the everyday activities in ancient Egypt and wrote about everything from grain stocks to tax records. Therefore, most of our information on this rich culture comes from their records. Most scribes were men from privileged backgrounds. The occupation of scribe was among the most sought-after in ancient Egypt. Craftspeople endeavored to get their sons into the school for scribes, but they were rarely successful.
profession (noun) [countable]
/prəˈfeʃn/
any type of work that needs special training or a particular skill, often one that is respected because it involves a high level of education
e.g., Most professions in the medical field require years of training.
literate (adjective)
/ˈlɪtərət/
able to read and write
e.g., The job requires you to be computer literate.
apprenticeship (noun) [countable, uncountable]
/əˈprentɪʃɪp/
a period of time working as an apprentice; a job as an apprentice
e.g., Apprenticeships were becoming more difficult to find.
notion (noun) [countable]
/ˈnoʊ.ʃən/
a belief or idea
He didn’t have a clear notion of what he had to do.
congested (adjective)
/kənˈdʒestɪd/
crowded; full of traffic
The roads to Bordeaux were heavily congested.
deliberately (adverb)
/dɪˈlɪbərətli/
intentionally
I'm sure he says these things deliberately to annoy me.
buzz (noun) [ C usually singular ] informal
/bʌz/
a feeling of excitement, energy, and pleasure that something gives you
e.g., I get a buzz out of public speaking.
hooked (adjective)
/hʊkt/
if you are hooked on something, you enjoy it very much and you want to do it as often as possible
e.g., Her friends talked her into playing golf, and now she's hooked.
obstacle (noun) [countable]
/ˈɑːb.stə.kəl/
a situation, an event, etc. thatmakes it difficult for you to do or achieve something
e.g., A lack of qualifications can be a major obstacle to finding a job.
decline (verb) [intransitive]
/dɪˈklaɪn/
to gradually become less, worse, or lower
e.g., The animal's numbers are declining rapidly.
ulterior motive
a secret reason
e.g., He’s just being nice. I don’t think he has any ulterior motives.
in excess of something
more than something
e.g., Many of the doctors here are working in excess of fifty hours a week.
prodigious (adjective)
/prəˈdɪdʒ.əs/
very large or powerful and causing surprise; impressive
e.g., Americans are the world’s most prodigious consumers.
Cambridge 19 (General Training) | Test 1 | Section 3
Emojis
As a form of global communication, emojis only began their growth in 2011. Four years later, it wasestimated that they were being used by over 90 per cent of the online population.In excess of six billion were being sent every day. Their prevalence in the culture was such that Oxford Dictionaries recently chose one as their word of the year. “Words of the Year” are those judged to be reflective of the “ethos, mood, or preoccupations of that particular year.” They’re very much of their time. And often, once time has passed, theyfade from people’s consciousness almost as quickly as they arose.
estimate (verb) [transitive] [often passive]
/ˈes.tə.meɪt/
to guess or calculate the cost, size, value, etc. of something
It was difficult to estimate how many trees had been destroyed.
in excess of something
more than something
e.g., Many of the doctors here are working in excess of fifty hours a week.
fade (verb) [intransitive]
/feɪd/
to gradually disappear
e.g., Hopes of reaching an agreement seem to be fading away.
Cambridge 19 | Test 4 | Passage 3
The Unselfish Gene
There has long been a general assumption that human beings are essentiallyselfish. We’re apparently ruthless, with strong impulses to compete against each other for resources and to accumulate power andpossessions. If we are kind to one another, it’s usually because we haveulterior motives. If we are good, it’s only because we have managed to control and transcend our innate selfishness and brutality.
selfish (adjective)
/ˈsel.fɪʃ/
Someone who is selfish only thinks of their own advantage
e.g., Don't be so selfish!
possession (noun) [countable]
/pəˈzeʃ.ən/
something that you own or that you are carrying with you at a particulartime
e.g., Please remember to take all your personal possessions with you when you leave the aircraft.
ulterior motive
a secret reason
e.g., He’s just being nice. I don’t think he has any ulterior motives.
Cambridge 19 | Test 4 | Passage 1
The impact of climate change on butterflies in Britain
According toconservationists, populations of around two thirds of butterflyspecies havedeclined in Britain over the past 40 years. If this trend continues, it might have unpredictable knock-on effects for other species in the ecosystem. Butterfly eggs develop into caterpillars and these insects, which are the second stage in a new butterfly’s lifecycle, consume vast quantities of plant material, and in turn act as prey for birds as well as bats and other small mammals. Only by arming themselves with an understanding of why butterfly numbers are down can conservationists hope to halt or reserve the decline.
conservationist (noun) [countable]
/ˌkɑːnsərˈveɪʃənɪst/
someone who works to protect the environment from the damaging effects of human activity
e.g., Conservationists are fighting to save the tiger.
species (noun) [countable]
/ˈspiːʃiːz/
/ˈspiː.siːz/
a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other
e.g., Mountain gorillas are an endangered species.
decline (verb) [intransitive]
/dɪˈklaɪn/
to gradually become less, worse, or lower
e.g., The animal's numbers are declining rapidly.