Task 1

Read the text about a new trend for young people. Fill in the gaps using the words in brackets in the correct form. DO NOT CHANGE THE TEXT.

There is an example (0) at the beginning.

A famous Olympic diver is the most (0 MORE) successful swimming athlete in Britain’s history. He is also a passionate knitter. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics the sportsman ___________________ (1 SPOT) knitting by fans for the first time.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics he added a ___________________ (2 FIVE) medal to his collection – and caught the world’s attention by making a bright blue “Paris 24” jumper. Usually, knitting as a hobby ___________________ (3 CONNECTION) with women – especially older women. In a large international survey of knitting in 2023, 99% of participants ___________________ (4 IDENTIFICATION) themselves as female. Usually, an Olympic winner ___________________ (5 RELY) on a perfect performance for his success. But this simple form of handicraft can give him a real sense of ___________________ (6 PROUD). The Olympian said, “It’s my form of meditation.” Lately, it has been shown that knitting has other benefits such as relieving stress. “If I ___________________ (7 NOT HAVE) so much pressure in my early career, I wouldn’t have chosen such a calming hobby,” he stated.

Knitting can create a “flow” through ___________________ (8 REPEAT) movements of the wool and needle. Studies confirm that knitting in primary school boosts children’s brain function. This includes the ___________________ (9 ABLE) to pay attention and block out distractions. For the Olympic diver, the joy in the finished product “made with love” can be an uplifting contrast to the perfect ___________________ (10 ACHIEVE) required at the Olympics.

Task 2

Read the text about an effective way to clear your mind and reduce stress. There are TEN mistakes in the text. Find each mistake and write the correct word(s) on the numbered line. DO NOT CHANGE THE TEXT.

There is an example (0) at the beginning.

An effective way to clear your mind and reduce stress	corrections
It could be a typical Saturday in a trendy location in Toronto:
The waiter is busy serving drinks but surprised, most of the	(0) surprisingly
guests are sitting around tables learning how to crochet2.
Jeremy, the café owner who has introduced this activity six	(1) __________________
months ago, believes that crocheting is fun and productive.
It is also good for personal well-being, as experts knew for	(2) __________________
years. An Australian scientist explains that crochet sessions
can help with social contacts. They create a more relaxed
atmosphere, in who people can chat and relax while practicing	(3) __________________
a simple handicraft. Indeed, an activity that we previous	(4) __________________
considered to be something for grandmothers and elderly
aunts has experienced a revival. In the last five years there
has been a boom in books and classes about crocheting.
There are online tutorials to help people learning how to	(5) __________________
crochet. Almost certainly, if we don’t have the internet,	(6) __________________
the handicraft would not be so popular. Social media
encourage this trend as another aspect of the sustainability
move. Fans recognise the many benefits: Personal crochet	(7) __________________
projects teach you to be patience. When completed, they give	(8) __________________
a great feeling about success and boost self-confidence.	(9) __________________
They create practically items of clothing. They promote	(10) _________________
handicraft skills and are a satisfying and relaxing distraction
from our daily lives.

² to crochet: häkeln

Task 1

A famous Olympic diver is the most (0 MORE) successful swimming athlete in Britain’s history. He is also a passionate knitter. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics the sportsman was spotted (1 SPOT) knitting by fans for the first time.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics he added a fifth/5th/5^th (2 FIVE) medal to his collection – and caught the world’s attention by making a bright blue “Paris 24” jumper. Usually, knitting as a hobby is connected (3 CONNECTION) with women – especially older women. In a large international survey of knitting in 2023, 99% of participants identified (4 IDENTIFICATION) themselves as female. Usually, an Olympic winner relies (5 RELY) on a perfect performance for his success. But this simple form of handicraft can give him a real sense of pride (6 PROUD). The Olympian said, “It’s my form of meditation.” Lately, it has been shown that knitting has other benefits such as relieving stress. “If I hadn’t had / had not had (7 NOT HAVE) so much pressure in my early career, I wouldn’t have chosen such a calming hobby,” he stated.

Knitting can create a “flow” through repetitive/repeating (8 REPEAT) movements of the wool and needle. Studies confirm that knitting in primary school boosts children’s brain function. This includes the ability (9 ABLE) to pay attention and block out distractions. For the Olympic diver, the joy in the finished product “made with love” can be an uplifting contrast to the perfect achievement(s) (10 ACHIEVE) required at the Olympics.

Task 2

An effective way to clear your mind and reduce stress	corrections
It could be a typical Saturday in a trendy location in Toronto:
The waiter is busy serving drinks but surprised, most of the	(0) surprisingly
guests are sitting around tables learning how to crochet2.
Jeremy, the café owner who has introduced this activity six	(1) introduced
months ago, believes that crocheting is fun and productive.
It is also good for personal well-being, as experts knew for	(2) have known
years. An Australian scientist explains that crochet sessions
can help with social contacts. They create a more relaxed
atmosphere, in who people can chat and relax while practicing	(3) which
a simple handicraft. Indeed, an activity that we previous	(4) previously
considered to be something for grandmothers and elderly
aunts has experienced a revival. In the last five years there
has been a boom in books and classes about crocheting.
There are online tutorials to help people learning how to	(5) (to) learn
crochet. Almost certainly, if we don’t have the internet,	(6) didn’t (have) / did not (have)
the handicraft would not be so popular. Social media
encourage this trend as another aspect of the sustainability
move. Fans recognise the many benefits: Personal crochet	(7) movement
projects teach you to be patience. When completed, they give	(8) patient
a great feeling about success and boost self-confidence.	(9) of
They create practically items of clothing. They promote	(10) practical
handicraft skills and are a satisfying and relaxing distraction
from our daily lives.