Listening and Speaking 1.

Unit 2 Test A
Dao Ngoc Linh 10/11/2024
Name: ______________________________________ Date: _____________

Unit 2 Test Purposes

▪ Listen to a talk and take notes in a T‐chart (Note‐taking Skill)
▪ Listen to a talk and understand specific information (Listening Comprehension)
▪ Identify main ideas and details (Listening Skill)
▪ Understand and use target vocabulary from the unit (Vocabulary)
▪ Guess the meaning of words from context (Vocabulary Skill)
▪ Understand the use of should/shouldn’t and it’s + adjective + infinitive (Grammar)
▪ Recognize and distinguish pronunciation of the schwa /ə/ sound (Pronunciation Skill)
▪ Present information from notes (Speaking Skill)
▪ Discuss personal strategies for maintaining brain health (Speaking Prompt)

I. Note‐taking Skill

Listen to a talk about keeping your brain active. Complete the T‐chart with the notes below.
Write the letter next to the correct number. Two notes are not used.

Main ideas Details

It is important to keep your brain active. Completing crosswords and word puzzles
helps keep the brain active.

E
1. _____ B
2. _____

Crossword puzzles improve memory skills. These puzzles exercise the part of our
brains that helps us to remember terms
and facts.

3. _____
D A
4. _____

A. It is beneficial for our brains to think in new and unexpected ways, and to interact with a
group.
B. Crossword puzzles and word games improve verbal skills.
C. Crossword puzzles and word games help our ability to stay focused.

© 2020 Oxford University Press. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Listening and Speaking 1. Unit 2 Test A

D. When doing crossword puzzles and word games, we learn and practice new words. This
helps in conversation.
E. Our creative thinking skills improve by doing crossword puzzles and word games.
F. It is easier to pay attention to a difficult task after completing daily crossword puzzles.

1 point for each correct answer 4

© 2020 Oxford University Press. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Listening and Speaking 1. Unit 2 Test A

II. Listening Comprehension

Listen again. Choose the best answer A, B, or C for each question.

5. What does Dr. Patricia Yang study?

A. unhealthy brains
B. the brain and aging
C. crossword puzzles

6. According to Dr. Yang, when is it especially important to keep our brains healthy?
A. when we are children
B. when we are over 80
C. as we get older

7. According to Dr. Yang, people should feel _____ about their brain health.
A. worried
B. active
C. optimistic

8. According to Dr. Yang, people can become _____ when they can’t think of the right word.
A. upset
B. awful
C. forgetful

9. As people age, it is more difficult to _____.

A. exercise our brains
B. organize birthday celebrations
C. remember specific information

10. Why should people do crossword puzzles or word games with a friend?
A. It benefits a larger group of people.
B. It increases the creative thinking benefits to the brain.
C. It makes the puzzles more unexpected and challenging.

11. According to the speaker, what should people do besides crosswords to keep their minds
active?
A. go for long walks
B. eat healthily and exercise
C. make several new friends

© 2020 Oxford University Press. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Listening and Speaking 1. Unit 2 Test A

12. How often does Dr. Yang suggest doing crossword puzzles?
A. every day
B. once per week
C. monthly

13. What does Dr. Yang plan to do after the talk?

A. discuss a new topic
B. answer questions
C. go to a reception

14. What is the main idea of the talk?

A the brain health benefits of crosswords and word puzzles for aging
B. the challenges of different types of puzzles
C. the importance of physical and mental activity

1 point for each correct answer 10

© 2020 Oxford University Press. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Listening and Speaking 1. Unit 2 Test A

III. Listening Skill

Which detail best supports the below main ideas? Choose A, B, or C.

15. Food choices can have a large effect on brain health.

A. Foods such as fish, nuts, and seeds can improve brain function.
B. Our brain health can improve when we make good meal choices.
C. People should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to stay physically healthy.

16. It’s easier to learn new languages when we are children.

A. Children should learn at least two or three languages.
B. Adults have long attention spans and good memory skills.
C. Young children can hear different sounds and accents easily.

17. Students should get a lot of sleep before an exam.

A. A lack of sleep makes it difficult to concentrate at work.
B. Students should go to sleep at 9 p.m. before an exam.
C. Sleep allows students to have more energy and better concentration.

18. Alzheimer’s patients need a lot of support.

A. Nearly six million people in the United States live with Alzheimer’s.
B. As the disease progresses, it gets in the way of daily tasks.
C. Families of patients often have a hard time dealing with the disease.

1 point for each correct answer 4

© 2020 Oxford University Press. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Listening and Speaking 1. Unit 2 Test A

IV. Vocabulary

A. Complete the sentence with the correct word or phrase from the word bank:

combination creative difficulty mistakes positive research tough

19. It’s easier to make _____ when you are tired. mistakes

20. Jorge is very _____; he’s very good at painting and drawing. creative

21. The _____ of stress and lack of sleep can make people mentally unhealthy. combination

22. Selina’s main _____ is concentrating on her work. difficulty

23. The test was _____, but most of the students passed. tough

B. Complete the sentence with the correct word in parentheses:

24. It’s best to _____ too many sugary foods. (avoid / increase)

25. There are _____ activities that are shown to improve brain health. (positive / certain)

26. The material in the biology textbook was _____ and difficult to understand. (confused /
complex)

27. People with dementia sometimes feel _____ when they cannot remember something
important. (upset / optimistic)

28. Head injuries can cause brain cells to _____. (die / increase)

1 point for each correct answer 10

© 2020 Oxford University Press. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Listening and Speaking 1. Unit 2 Test A

V. Vocabulary Skill

Match the underlined word with the correct definition.

D
29. _____ It is important to get plenty of sleep before a test since this helps us to retain
information.

A The frontal lobe is the part of the brain that helps us to deliberate between
30. _____
different options.

B
31. _____ Naben is a perceptive student who doesn’t miss any details.

E
32. _____ The laboratory uses innovative ideas in their research, which leads to interesting
discoveries.

A. decide
B. observant
C. common and reliable
D. remember
E. new and creative
F. teach

1 point for each correct answer 4

© 2020 Oxford University Press. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Listening and Speaking 1. Unit 2 Test A

VI. Grammar

A. Complete the sentence using should or shouldn’t.

33. Parents _____ read books to their children at night. should

34. You _____ look at your phone late at night because it makes it harder to sleep. should not

35. People _____ spend time in a natural environment if they want to relax. should

36. Employees _____ pay attention to their stress levels at work. should

37. You _____ spend more than three hours working without taking a break. should not

B. Reorder the words to make a sentence.

38. rewarding / it’s / with / spend time / friends / to

it's rewarding to spend time with friends
_________________________________________________

39. not / eat / to / it’s / sugar / late / healthy / at night

it's not healthy to eat sugar at night late
_________________________________________________

40. at a time / concentrate / best / to / it’s / on one task

it's best to concentrate on one task at a time
_________________________________________________

41. work / stressful / long / hours / to / it’s

it's stressful to work long hours
_________________________________________________

42. to / possible / it’s / improve / memory / your

It's possible to improve your memory
_________________________________________________

1 point for each correct answer 10

© 2020 Oxford University Press. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Listening and Speaking 1. Unit 2 Test A

VII. Pronunciation Skill

Look at the underlined vowels in the pairs of words. Which is pronounced with the schwa /ә/
sound?

43.
A. experiment
B. benefit

44.
A. brain
B. certain

45.
A. option
B. occur

46.
A. require
B. injury

1 point for each correct answer 4

© 2020 Oxford University Press. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Listening and Speaking 1. Unit 2 Test A

VIII. Speaking Skill

Read the statements about giving a good presentation. Write T (true) or F (false). Then
correct each false statement to make it true.

47. ____ You should write your presentation on large sheets of paper.
_________________________________________________

48. ____ You should write only key words and phrases from your presentation.
_________________________________________________

49. ____ You should begin speaking, then look at the audience.
_________________________________________________

50. ____ If you need to check your notes, you should do it briefly.
_________________________________________________

1 point for each correct answer 4

© 2020 Oxford University Press. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Listening and Speaking 1. Unit 2 Test A

IX. Speaking Prompt

Discuss ways that you keep your brain healthy. Before you give your presentation, complete
your notes below. Use the notes while giving your presentation, and make sure to give
supporting details. Speak for about 30 seconds.

Topic: _______________________________
Keep ur brain healthy

Main ideas Details

Improves blood flow to the brain and enhances memory

and thinking skills.
Exercise Regularly Foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts contain
Eat Healthy Food nutrients that protect the brain.
Challenge Your Mind Activities like reading, puzzles, and learning new skills keep
the brain active and sharp.
Get Enough Sleep . Helps the brain process information and improves memory;
Manage Stress aim for 7-9 hours per night.
Reduces harmful effects on the brain; techniques include
deep breathing, meditation, and yoga.

20 points Section IX 20

Total points Sections I–IX 70

© 2020 Oxford University Press. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Listening and Speaking 1. Unit 2 Test A

Speaking Rubric

Student name: _____________________________________________________

Date: _________________________

Assignment: Discuss ways that people can improve their memory.

Points
(0–5)

Discourse Gives main ideas with supporting details. /5

competence
Uses the notes effectively, e.g., by looking at the /5
audience and only checking the notes briefly.

Linguistic Uses appropriate vocabulary relating to the topic of /5

competence memory.

Uses appropriate vocabulary and structures relating /5

to ideas and suggestions.

Total points: ______________

Comments:

© 2020 Oxford University Press. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.