REWARD END-OF-BOOK TEST - PRE INTERMEDIATE

READING SECTION
Reading Test 1 (10 marks)
1 Match the headings with the paragraphs below. There is an extra heading.
(2 marks)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
2

Eating
Conversation
Staying in an Indian home
Food
Dinner gifts

Read the passage and say whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).
(8 marks)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

If you stay with an Indian family you are expected to give them a gift.
Your choice of gift will depend on who your hosts are.
It used to be insulting to take a gift when you are invited for dinner.
You can give your hostess flowers.
You should always eat with your left hand.
Indians keep their left hand on the table.
Indians prefer interesting discussions to polite conversation.
They avoid talking about religion.

___(Heading 1)___
If you stay in an Indian home, bring something from your home country as a gift. Although it
is not expected, it would be much appreciated. But find out the social status and religion of
your hosts before you choose the gift. A bottle of foreign whisky would be the perfect gift for
some, and not at all appropriate for others. If you know the people you are going to stay with,
it is a good idea to ask them what they would like. Some things are just not available in India.
___(Heading 2)___
It is not necessary to bring a gift when you are invited to dinner. After all, you are the
honoured guest. Until recently, it would have been almost insulting to bring sweets or a
bottle of wine. But this is not true today. Nowadays it is a custom which is becoming popular
with many Indians. Fruit, flowers or a box of sweets are perfect gifts on such occasions, and
will offend no one.

Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2003

Taken from the Free Resources section in www.onestopenglish.com

___(Heading 3)___
In all classes of society, both urban and rural, food is only taken to the mouth with the right
hand. This is the most important part of the etiquette of eating in India. Once you have
started eating, and have food in your right hand, it is all right to serve yourself, using the
serving spoon with the left hand. When you watch Indians eat you will see that they keep
their left hand on their lap.
___(Heading 4)___
If you are stuck for a conversation topic in India, talk about families. Another useful subject
to start with is cricket. But once you get to know a person better, any topic is acceptable.
Indians love to talk about politics and religion. They enjoy opinionated discussions and not
just polite conversations. Conversation is an art form and people take the time to really talk.

Reading Test 2 (10 marks)

1 Read the passage below and put the first sentences in the correct paragraphs. There
are two extra sentences. (4 marks)
a In an Indian home, you may not always have your own room.
b In all classes of society, both urban and rural, food is only taken to the mouth with the
right hand.
c If you are stuck for a conversation topic in India, talk about families.
d Good food is absolutely essential for a successful dinner party.
e If you stay in an Indian home, bring something from your home country as a gift.
f It is not necessary to bring a gift when you are invited to dinner.
2 Read the passage and choose the best answer a b c or d. (6 Marks)
1 If you stay with an Indian family, __________
a)
b)
c)
d)

you are expected to take a gift.

you should take flowers.
you are not expected to take a gift.
take a souvenir from your country.

2 If you are invited for a meal at an Indian home, __________

a)
b)
c)
d)

you should offer to pay for your food.

you will offend your hosts if you take anything.
it is fashionable to take flowers or sweets.
it is traditional to take a dish.

Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2003

Taken from the Free Resources section in www.onestopenglish.com

3 You should __________

a)
b)
c)
d)

never eat with your left hand.

always keep your right hand on your knee.
never eat with your left hand.
only use your right hand for serving food.

4 Indians love interesting discussions but they __________

a)
b)
c)
d)

only talk about family matters.

avoid religion and politics.
don't like talking about themselves.
don't appreciate polite conversation.

5 "Some things are just not available" Does this mean:

a)
b)
c)
d)

You can buy these things in India?

They don't make these things in India?
They have never seen these things?
You can't get these things in India?

6 "...and not at all appropriate for others." The underlined word means:
a)
b)
c)
d)

important
right
essential
good

___(Paragraph 1)___ It would be much appreciated. But find out the social status and
religion of your hosts before you choose a gift. A bottle of foreign whisky would be the
perfect gift for some, and not at all appropriate for others. If you know the people you are
going to stay with, it is a good idea to ask them what they would like. Some things are just
not available in India.
___(Paragraph 2)___ After all, you are the honoured guest. Until recently, it would have
been almost insulting to bring sweets or a bottle of wine. But this is not true today.
Nowadays it is a custom which is becoming popular with many Indians. Fruit, flowers or a
box of sweets are perfect gifts on such occasions, and will offend no one.
___(Paragraph 3)___ This is the most important part of the etiquette of eating in India. Once
you have started eating, and have food in your right hand, it is all right to serve yourself,
using the serving spoon with the left hand. When you watch Indians eat you will see that they
keep their left hand on their lap.
___(Paragraph 4)___ Another useful subject to start with is cricket. But once you get to know
a person better, any topic is acceptable. Indians love to talk about politics and religion. They
enjoy opinionated discussions and not just polite conversations. Conversation is an art form
and people take the time to really talk.

Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2003

Taken from the Free Resources section in www.onestopenglish.com