FCE Practice Test Plus 1 Test 2 Paper 1 (Reading) Part 1

FCE Practice Test Plus 1

Test 2 Paper 1 (Reading) Part 1

You are going to read an article about a man who works as a professional shopper. Choose from the list A-H the sentence which best summarises each part (1-6) of the article. There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use. There is an example at the beginning (0). Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

 

A	Bryan successfully avoids some of the problems that shoppers encounter.
B	Bryan's success may be related to a recognised trend.
C	Bryan's experience allows him to predict bargains.
D	Bryan makes his terms and conditions clear.
E	Bryan's initial success was not anticipated.
F	Bryan's clients are offered special treatment in shops.
G	Bryan's strategy is to provide a flexible service.
G	Bryan feels fortunate that he is able to combine work with pleasure.

  

So, you don't want to get your toes crushed in the summer sales? Michele Dalton meets a man who'll do your shopping for you.
0	H	4
Bryan Bonaparte is that rare find - a man who loves shopping. Indeed, he loves it so much that he's set up an agency to provide a shopping service for those people who don't share his enthusiasm. ‘I get a real buzz out of shopping,’ admits Bryan. 'It’s a challenge to track down what people want and to find new and interesting things on their behalf. People say to me, “I can't believe you enjoy doing this”, but l do. And it's great to get paid for it as well.’			The shopping stretch covered by Ace rum through most of London's West End shopping districts. Bryan, or another member of his team, is happy to take anyone shopping within this area or to visit stores on their behalf, delivering goods to clients' homes or offices at a convenient time, including evenings and weekends. If you don't actually know what you want, Ace will make suggestions, buy the items, then return to the shops to exchange them if you are not completely satisfied.
1		5
Bryan's agency, called Ace, started in a small way one Christmas. II was meant to be just a seasonal thing, but it turned out to be 50 5uccessful that he carried on throughout the year. It seems there are always gifts to buy for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and retirements			A fiat charge of £15 per hour applies to either service. Clients with a list of requests are given a quote based on the amount of time involved. The only thing Bryan won't do is buy food. For sales shopping, customers need to be specific about size, colour. Style and designer labels. Details about the normal price and the discount that clients want are required, and Bryan warns that shops generally won't exchange items bought in sales.
2		6
A survey published in the London Evening News last year found that many people are getting increasingly depressed at the prospect of shopping. and this may go some way to explaining Bryan's success. The survey pinpointed crowds, bad weather. Choosing the right present and carrying heavy bags as stress triggers.			Bryan's specialist knowledge means that clients usually get a good idea!. “I’ve come to know how long the sales will run for, the stock that will be carried and whether old stock will be brought back in at sale time, If I know the store will reduce prices after a month, then I’ll hang on before buying. Sometimes, prices can be slashed by up to 70% a few days before the sale ends. With Bryan to guide you, will shopping ever be the same again?
3
Planning a shopping trip with military precision is Bryan's solution. “A lot of people go shopping, especially during the sales, with no idea what they are looking for: he explains. “It’'s no wonder they find wandering around the stores frustrating and exhausting.”

  

ANSWER KEY

1	2	3	4	5	6
E	B	A	G	D	C