Cambridge First Certificate Exam Practice: Use Of English

1. As the world’s population ________, the countryside was changed by farming, mining, and the building of larger settlements.

Rose up

Increased

Took off

Jumped

The correct answer is "increased". This word accurately reflects the idea that the world's population grew in size, leading to various changes in the countryside such as increased farming, mining, and the development of larger settlements.

Explanation

The correct answer is "increased". This word accurately reflects the idea that the world's population grew in size, leading to various changes in the countryside such as increased farming, mining, and the development of larger settlements.

2. It has been ________ that, 10,000 years ago, there were only about eight million people and even 2,000 years ago there were still only about 300 million.

Estimated

Guessed

Predicted

Computed

The word "estimated" is the correct answer because it means to make an approximate calculation or judgment based on available information. In this context, it suggests that the population figures mentioned (eight million people 10,000 years ago and 300 million people 2,000 years ago) are not exact counts but rather rough estimations based on historical data and research.

Explanation

The word "estimated" is the correct answer because it means to make an approximate calculation or judgment based on available information. In this context, it suggests that the population figures mentioned (eight million people 10,000 years ago and 300 million people 2,000 years ago) are not exact counts but rather rough estimations based on historical data and research.

3. About 11,000 years ago, agriculture ________ in what is now the Middle East.

Developed

Grew

Arrived

Happened

Around 11,000 years ago, agriculture began to emerge or evolve in what is now the Middle East. This suggests that people in this region began to cultivate crops and domesticate animals, transitioning from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more settled and agricultural one. The term "developed" accurately describes this process of the gradual advancement and establishment of agriculture in the Middle East during that time period.

Explanation

Around 11,000 years ago, agriculture began to emerge or evolve in what is now the Middle East. This suggests that people in this region began to cultivate crops and domesticate animals, transitioning from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a more settled and agricultural one. The term "developed" accurately describes this process of the gradual advancement and establishment of agriculture in the Middle East during that time period.

4. 1. Life was once simpler than it is today, although it was also harder and life expectancy was shorter. Early human beings lived by _____________ food, hunting and fishing.

Taking

Selecting

Gathering

Picking up

Early human beings lived by gathering food, hunting, and fishing. This means that they would collect food from their surroundings, such as fruits, nuts, and vegetables, as well as hunt animals and catch fish for sustenance. Gathering was an essential survival skill for early humans, as it allowed them to gather a variety of food sources and ensure their survival. This method of obtaining food was simpler in comparison to modern-day methods, but it was also challenging and required physical exertion. Additionally, life expectancy was shorter during this time, highlighting the difficulties and hardships early humans faced in their daily lives.

Explanation

Early human beings lived by gathering food, hunting, and fishing. This means that they would collect food from their surroundings, such as fruits, nuts, and vegetables, as well as hunt animals and catch fish for sustenance. Gathering was an essential survival skill for early humans, as it allowed them to gather a variety of food sources and ensure their survival. This method of obtaining food was simpler in comparison to modern-day methods, but it was also challenging and required physical exertion. Additionally, life expectancy was shorter during this time, highlighting the difficulties and hardships early humans faced in their daily lives.

5. Factories increased in _________ and cities grew in size.

Amount

Total

Hundreds

Number

Factories increased in number and cities grew in size. This means that the quantity or count of factories increased, resulting in the growth and expansion of cities.

Explanation

Factories increased in number and cities grew in size. This means that the quantity or count of factories increased, resulting in the growth and expansion of cities.

6. Improved methods of farming led to big increases in food production and the world’s population began to grow at a rapid ________, from 900 million in 1800 to over 5,000 million at the end of the twentieth century.

Rate

Step

Rise

March

Improved methods of farming led to big increases in food production, which in turn resulted in the world's population growing at a rapid rate. This means that the population was increasing quickly and steadily over time.

Explanation

Improved methods of farming led to big increases in food production, which in turn resulted in the world's population growing at a rapid rate. This means that the population was increasing quickly and steadily over time.

7. Industrialization gradually ________ to other countries.

Progressed

Spread

Radiated

Moved

Industrialization gradually spread to other countries. This means that the process of industrialization started in one country and then gradually expanded or extended to other countries. It implies that the advancements, technologies, and practices of industrialization were adopted and implemented by other nations, leading to their own industrial development.

Explanation

Industrialization gradually spread to other countries. This means that the process of industrialization started in one country and then gradually expanded or extended to other countries. It implies that the advancements, technologies, and practices of industrialization were adopted and implemented by other nations, leading to their own industrial development.

8. The landscape began to change, although at first it was hardly ________ because the population was so small.

Noticeable

Remarked

Recognised

Visible

The correct answer is "noticeable." This is because the sentence states that the landscape began to change, but it was not easily noticeable in the beginning due to the small population. Therefore, "noticeable" is the most appropriate word to describe the level of change that was initially observed.

Explanation

The correct answer is "noticeable." This is because the sentence states that the landscape began to change, but it was not easily noticeable in the beginning due to the small population. Therefore, "noticeable" is the most appropriate word to describe the level of change that was initially observed.

9. Crops were grown, animals reared and ________ homes built.

Lasting

Enduring

Stable

Permanent

The word "permanent" fits logically in the sentence because it suggests that homes were built to last indefinitely, implying a sense of permanence. The other options, such as "lasting," "enduring," and "stable," also convey a sense of durability, but "permanent" specifically emphasizes the idea of something being fixed or unchanging. Therefore, "permanent" is the most suitable choice to complete the sentence.

Explanation

The word "permanent" fits logically in the sentence because it suggests that homes were built to last indefinitely, implying a sense of permanence. The other options, such as "lasting," "enduring," and "stable," also convey a sense of durability, but "permanent" specifically emphasizes the idea of something being fixed or unchanging. Therefore, "permanent" is the most suitable choice to complete the sentence.

10. During the late 1700s, the Industrial Revolution began in Britain. Machines replaced hand labour and steam replaced animal ________.

Power

Strength

Capacity

Force

During the late 1700s, the Industrial Revolution began in Britain. Machines were introduced to replace hand labor, and steam engines were used to replace animal power. This means that the correct answer is "power" because it accurately reflects the concept of machines and steam engines replacing the physical strength or force provided by animals.

Explanation

During the late 1700s, the Industrial Revolution began in Britain. Machines were introduced to replace hand labor, and steam engines were used to replace animal power. This means that the correct answer is "power" because it accurately reflects the concept of machines and steam engines replacing the physical strength or force provided by animals.

11. Coal was used to make iron, which ________ steam-powered machines to be built.

Led

Caused

Enabled

Produced

Coal was used to make iron, which enabled steam-powered machines to be built. This is because coal was a crucial component in the process of smelting iron ore, which allowed for the production of iron. The availability of iron then made it possible to construct steam-powered machines, as iron was a strong and durable material that could withstand the pressures and forces exerted by these machines. Therefore, the use of coal in iron production enabled the development and construction of steam-powered machines.

Explanation

Coal was used to make iron, which enabled steam-powered machines to be built. This is because coal was a crucial component in the process of smelting iron ore, which allowed for the production of iron. The availability of iron then made it possible to construct steam-powered machines, as iron was a strong and durable material that could withstand the pressures and forces exerted by these machines. Therefore, the use of coal in iron production enabled the development and construction of steam-powered machines.