HIPPO 2019

7th International English Language Olympiad

IESOL Assessment Reading

RQF Level: Entry 2
(CEFR Level: A2)

Hippo 2
Reading
Semi-final Round

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANDIDATES:

 Do NOT turn over the page until instructed.

 This examination is made up of 3 TASKS.
 Answer all the questions.
 Use only black or blue PEN.
 Remember to transfer your answers onto the answer sheet.

Time allowed: 30 minutes Total marks available: 34

Reading Task 1

Read the sentences. Circle the best option – a, b, or c to complete each gap. An example has
been done for you.

Example:

Please don’t _____ – our dog is afraid of loud noises.

a) shout b) speak c) run

1. They will know who the winner of the _____ is later today.

a) entrance b) competition c) concert

2. The ambulance which brought the _____ is still parked outside the hospital.

a) patient b) guest c) member

3. You should talk to your friends about your _____ – they will be able to help.

a) problems b) exercise c) advice

4. Instead of saying that somebody is beautiful, you can use the word _____.

a) excellent b) available c) attractive

5. It’s very windy outside but it’s not going to rain – you don’t need your _____.

a) gloves b) umbrella c) towel

6. The train from London _____ at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

a) arrives b) delays c) gets off

7. Excuse me, can I borrow a pen? I _____ to bring mine.

a) remembered b) forgot c) decided

8. I’m really _____ - can I have a glass of water?

a) hungry b) thirsty c) surprised

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 9. People usually go skiing in the _____.

a) lakes b) mountains c) villages

10. It’s a bit cold outside – you might want to put your _____ on.

a) sunglasses b) sweater c) shorts

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Reading Task 2

PART A

Read the text and answer the questions. Circle the correct option: a, b, or c. An example has
been done for you.

Dear Lena,

I’m so excited! My parents told me that I’m going to have a little brother. I have always
wanted to have a brother or a sister to play with. My mum says that he is going to arrive in
early December. It’s August now – it’s over four months away! I’m not sure if I can wait for so
long.

I’m going to start preparing. I think all my old toys are still in the garage, so I’m planning to
bring them back into the house and clean them. Mum said that the baby will stay in her
bedroom at first, but when he is a few months old he will have his own room. I don’t really
know much about babies! You have a little sister – can you tell me something about her?
When do babies start to speak? Can they eat chocolate or sweets?

I know that it’s your birthday next month. My mum said I can send you a little gift. She is
going to take me shopping this weekend. I’m sorry that I can’t be there for your party this
year, but I’m sure you’ll have a great time!

I had my first horse riding lesson last week. The teacher was really nice, but the horse tried to
eat my jumper! Dad says that the horse was just trying to be friendly. I’m going to take some
carrots for him next time. My next lesson is in two days – the teacher says that it takes about
ten lessons to get to know the horse well, and that I should not be worried.

Your friend,

Sara

Example: Sara is going to have a new:

a) brother.
b) sister
c) brother or a sister.

11. Sara’s brother is going to be born:

a) in August.
b) in December.
c) next year.

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12. Sara feels very _____ about having a brother.

a) pleased.
b) surprised.
c) healthy.

13. At first, the baby will sleep in:

a) Sara’s room.
b) his own room.
c) his parents’ bedroom.

14. Sara is asking her friend for:

a) advice.
b) pictures of her sister.
c) help cleaning the toys.

15. Whose birthday is it next month?

a) Sara’s.
b) Lena’s.
c) Sara’s mum’s.

16. Will Sara go to the birthday party?

a) Yes.
b) No.
c) Maybe.

17. What happened during Sara’s first riding lesson?

a) The horse ate some carrots.

b) Sara fell of the horse.
c) The horse tried to eat Sara’s clothes.

18. How long does it take get to know a horse?

a) Two days.
b) A week.
c) About ten lessons.

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Part B

Read the text. Circle the best option: a, b, or c to complete each gap. An example has been
done for you.

Dear Sara!

I’m so (example) _____ to hear that you’re going to have a little brother – congratulations!

Of course I can tell you about my sister, but she is three years old, and I can’t remember all
the details 1) _____. She started to speak when she was about one year old. I don’t really
know about chocolate though – my parents don’t 2) _____ us eat chocolate! I can tell you one
thing: you are very 3) _____ that you don’t need to share your bedroom. Babies cry a lot
during the night!

It’s very 4) _____ of you to want to send me a birthday gift, thank you. I’m going to have a
small party for some of my closest friends from school. Maybe we could speak on the phone
5) _____ the party? That way I can tell you all about the games and the gifts.

I would love to have horse riding lessons too, 6) _____ my parents said no. We would have to
travel for an hour to the classes, and they say that we haven’t got the 7) _____.
You 8) _____ to tell me all about your second lesson – I hope the horse likes the carrots, and
you become good friends!

Take care,

Lena

Example: a) glad b) sad c) late

19. a) anyone b) anywhere c) anymore

20. a) make b) need c) let

21. a) lazy b) lucky c) lovely

22. a) kind b) busy c) happy

23. a) before b) after c) when

24. a) as b) that c) but

25. a) time b) game c) week

26. a) should b) need c) want

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Reading Task 3
Read the three texts. Answer the questions by writing the correct letter: A, B, or C.

An example has been done for you.

Text A

About Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, on the east

coast. The city has many hills and on the highest hill
stands Edinburgh Castle. The city has a big festival
every year, in August. There are two very famous
football clubs and many famous people – J K Rowling
wrote her Harry Potter books in an Edinburgh café!
Hollyroodhouse is a very popular place to visit. It’s the
Queen’s Scottish home.

Text B

I love Edinburgh! I visited last year and getting there on the train from London was very
easy. In Edinburgh, it’s best to walk everywhere. It’s very different to my home city, where
everyone drives their car or takes a taxi. We walked down the Royal Mile and I bought a
traditional Scottish skirt. They’re called kilts and they come in lots of different colours. We
went in October and it did rain a lot so we spent a lot of time in the galleries and museums.
It was great to learn about Scotland’s history!
David, USA.

Text C

I moved to Glasgow this year and it’s not too different to Edinburgh. I go to Glasgow Art
School and I’m studying modern art. The people are really friendly here and I’ve made a lot
of new friends. We often go out to restaurants and cafés here, which are a lot cheaper than
in Edinburgh. The parks are amazing too – there are so many green spaces here, perfect for
exercising in the fresh air. We don’t have a castle, but we have the best designer shops. I
was surprised how many people from Edinburgh travel over to Glasgow to do their
Christmas shopping!

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 Which text …
Text
Example: was written by David? B

27. tells you about an event in the summer? ________

28. says that travelling to Edinburgh is easy? ________

29. was written by a student? ________

30. includes information about the weather? ________

31. says that eating out in Edinburgh is expensive? ________

32. suggests that shops in Edinburgh could be better? ________

33. gives a list of facts about the city of Edinburgh? ________

34. tells you about Scottish clothes? ________

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