7. Complete the blanks with the Past Simple, Past Progressive, Past Perfect or Past Perfect Progressive of the verbs in brackets.

Last year, I (1)…went…..(go) on an exciting safari holiday in Namibia with my husband. I remember it (2)…was raining….(rain) continuously for several days in Brussels before we (3) …left… (leave), so I couldn’t wait to board the plane which (4)…heading… (head) for sunnier climes. Our safari holiday (5) …were… (be) unique in that, unlike many other safari holidays, the aim was not just to show a bunch of tourists some wild animals; while on holiday we would be volunteering at a conservation centre. On our first night in the bush, while the biologists (6) … entertained… (entertain) everyone with tales. I (7)…sat… (sit) back and (8) … gazed… (gaze) at the patterns made by the stars. At one stage, I (9) …got… (get) up to stretch when all of a sudden I (10)…saw…(see) a huge creature nestled on my husband’s shoulder; I (11)…let… (let) out an embarrassing squeak of fear. Apparently, it was just a stick insect. Not like any stick insect I (12) …ever seen… (ever/see); it was as big as my forearm! The next day we (13)…set… (set) off very early; our task was to make a note of any wildlife we saw. While we (14) …were walking… (walk) through the thick forest, we (15)…heard… (hear) birds and monkeys chattering in the trees. It was once thrilling and calming to be so close to nature. However, after three hours, the novelty (16) …weared… (wear) off, and I was exhausted. And then I (17)…saw…(see) it. A deer (18)…stood…(stand) under a tree just a few metres away from me; I proudly (19)…made…(make) a note on my pad, the next day, while we (20)…traveled…(travel) to nearby village, we (21)…spoted…(spot) a herd of elephants crossing the road. All too quickly our two weeks in Namibia (22)…drawed…(draw) to a close and we (23)…found…. (find) ourselves back at home. Although we were a little sad, we both felt a tremendous sense of satisfaction as we (24)… not only visited …(not only/ visit) a beautiful part of the world, but we (25) also made ……(also/make) our own small positive contribution.

8. Read the text and decide which answer a, b, c or d best fits each gap.

Exchanging your home with another person’s home for a holiday is a trend that experts (1) ......B... will become more and more popular in the future. Doing this has a number of (2) ....B..... . The most obvious one (3) ....C..... that it is free. Additionally, by doing your research, which may be a little (4) ...C...... , you will be able to get exactly what you want – a (5) ...A...... in a lively city centre or a large house close to open countryside on the (6) ....A..... of a city. (7) ....C..... in mind, too, that living in another person’s home means that there is a social network of friends and family waiting ti help you. There might be a few drawbacks, such as having to (8) ...D...... that your house is tidy and absolutely clean. However, on the whole, it seems like a wonderful, (9) ..D...... option to package holidays. What’s more, as the most of living (10) .....A.... to rise, the only way many families (11) .....B.... to afford a holiday is by swapping homes with (12) ..D....... .

1. a) focus	b) predict	c) aim	d) tell
2. b) outcomes	b) benefits	c) expectations	d) standards
3. a) is going to be	b) will have been	c) is	d) will be
4. a) radical	b) extreme	c) time-consuming	d) typical
5. a) habitat	b) skyscraper	c) flat	d) tower
6. a) zone	b) residential	c) suburbs	d) outskirts
7. a) Bring	b) Keep	c) Take	d) Set
8. a) undergo	b) forecast	c) promote	d) ensure
9. a) open	b) other	c) choice	d) alternative
10. a)will probably continue	b) is probably continuing	c) probably continues	d) will probably be continuing
11. a) are able	b) will be able	c) will have been able	d) will being able
12. a) other	b) extra	c) another	d) further