Two passages · 4 MCQ + 3 True/False/Not Given + 3 short answers
Section total: 25 mAuto-marked: 0/14
Read the two passages carefully, then answer questions A-1 to A-10. First attempts are graded — read before you click.
Passage 1 — The Shagaya Renewable Energy Park
Adapted from the Unit 2 reading text · FAQ webpage
For decades, Kuwait relied on fossil fuels to power its homes, schools and factories. Burning oil, however, produces harmful emissions that add to air pollution and climate change, so the country began searching for cleaner alternatives. One of the most ambitious answers is the Shagaya Renewable Energy Park, located in a desert area west of Kuwait City. Managed by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), the park combines solar panels and wind turbines to convert sunlight and flowing air into clean electricity. The project forms part of Kuwait's national goal of producing 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. Beyond generating power, Shagaya is designed to develop local expertise in renewable energy, support innovation, and raise public awareness of sustainable living. Engineers, researchers and students can study and improve these systems, helping Kuwait move towards energy independence — a decisive step towards a healthier ecosystem.
≈ 150 wordsKuwait · renewable energy
Passage 2 — Think Before You Throw!
Adapted from the Unit 2 reading text · web article
Every brand-new product has a life cycle that begins with extracting raw materials, such as cotton, metal and plastic. The materials are then manufactured into goods in factories, transported by cargo ships, trucks and planes, sold in shops — and, all too soon, thrown away. Most disposed items end up in landfills, where they can take hundreds of years to break down, placing enormous pressure on natural ecosystems. The good news is that younger generations are changing how we regard consumption. Thrifting means buying second-hand items instead of new ones, which directly reduces the need for new production. Upcycling goes one step further: an old blanket can be made over into a cosy jacket, and old tablets can become e-readers, turning waste into something completely new and often more beautiful. Small choices like reusing, swapping and composting add up over time. If we think before we throw, we will certainly reduce waste and protect the planet for future generations.
≈ 160 wordsConsumption · life cycle
A-1(2 m)MCQ
According to Passage 1, Kuwait's national goal is to produce what percentage of its energy from renewable sources by 2030?
Answer: C) 15%. The passage states that the project forms part of "Kuwait's national goal of producing 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030."
A-2(2 m)MCQ · vocabulary in context
The underlined word 'alternatives' in Passage 1 is closest in meaning to:
Answer: D) replacements. Kuwait searched for cleaner choices to take the place of burning oil — an alternative is a thing you can choose instead of another.
A-3(2 m)MCQ · main idea
What is the main idea of Passage 2?
Answer: C. The whole passage shows that knowing the life cycle of products — and choosing thrifting, upcycling and reuse — helps us protect the environment.
A-4(2 m)MCQ · vocabulary in context
The phrase 'made over' in Passage 2 means:
Answer: A) changed. To make something over is to improve or change it by working on its parts — the blanket becomes a jacket.
A-5(2 m)True / False / Not Given
The Shagaya Renewable Energy Park is managed by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR).
Answer: True. "Managed by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR)" — stated directly in Passage 1.
A-6(2 m)True / False / Not Given
According to Passage 2, most disposed items break down in landfills within a few months.
Answer: False. The passage says items in landfills "can take hundreds of years to break down" — not a few months.
A-7(2 m)True / False / Not Given
Shagaya is the largest renewable energy park in the Middle East.
Answer: Not Given. The passage never compares the size of Shagaya with other parks in the region.
A-8(3 m)Short answer
According to Passage 1, what are the effects of burning oil on the environment?
Mark scheme: 1 m for harmful emissions · 1 m for air pollution and climate change · 1 m for damage to natural ecosystems.
Model: Burning oil produces harmful emissions that add to air pollution and climate change, damaging natural ecosystems. (Evidence: "produces harmful emissions that add to air pollution and climate change".)
A-9(3 m)Short answer
What is the difference between thrifting and upcycling?
Mark scheme: 1 m for thrifting = buying second-hand instead of new · 1 m for upcycling = transforming an old item into something new · 1 m for a clear comparative sentence.
Model: Thrifting means buying used or second-hand items instead of new ones, while upcycling means changing an old item into something completely new and often more beautiful.
A-10(5 m)Short answer
Why is it necessary for Kuwait to develop education and expertise in renewable energy? Give two details from Passage 1.
Mark scheme: 2 m for "supports innovation and raises public awareness" · 2 m for "engineers, researchers and students can study and improve the systems → energy independence" · 1 m for organised full sentences.
Model: Developing education and expertise is necessary because it supports innovation and raises public awareness of sustainable living. It also allows engineers, researchers and students to study and improve systems like Shagaya, helping Kuwait become independent in producing its own energy.
B
Vocabulary
B1 Matching · B2 Odd-one-out · B3 Word bank — all words from the Unit 2 glossary
Section total: 20 mAuto-marked: 0/20
All vocabulary comes from the Unit 2 glossary. B1 and B3 are graded on your first Check.
B1 — Match word → definition5 × (2 m)Dropdowns
Match each word (1–5) with its definition (A–E). Choose a letter for every row, then press Check answers — this is graded once.
1. emission
2. decisive
3. expertise
4. upcycling
5. landfill
A) the production or sending out of light, heat, gas, etc. ·
B) able to make decisions quickly and confidently ·
C) expert knowledge or skill in a particular subject, activity, or job D) the activity of making new furniture or objects out of old or used things or waste material ·
E) an area of land where large amounts of waste material are buried under the earth
1-A · 2-B · 3-C · 4-D · 5-E — each definition is quoted from the Unit 2 glossary.
B-6(1 m)Odd-one-out
Circle the word that does not belong: reusable · second-hand · antique · brand-new
Answer: brand-new. The other three describe used or pre-owned things; brand-new means completely new, not yet used.
B-7(1 m)Odd-one-out
Circle the word that does not belong: bury · composting · decompose · unplug
Answer: unplug.Bury, composting and decompose all describe dealing with waste underground or breaking it down; unplug is about electrical devices.
B-8(1 m)Odd-one-out
Circle the word that does not belong: emission · incineration · landfill · ecosystem
Answer: ecosystem. The others are sources or methods of pollution and waste; an ecosystem is the natural system they damage.
B-9(1 m)Odd-one-out
Circle the word that does not belong: entirely · directly · eventually · enormous
Answer: enormous.Entirely, directly and eventually are adverbs; enormous is an adjective meaning extremely large.
B3 — Complete from the word bank6 × (1 m)Gap-fill
Complete sentences 1–6 with the correct word from the bank. Three words are extra. Each sentence is graded on its first Check (spelling and small words like "of" count).
Word bank — 9 wordsawarenessconvertdispose ofambitiousoutlivevacantmanufacturestrictseldom
B-10(1 m)
1. Solar panels collect energy from the sun and ______ it into electricity.
B-11(1 m)
2. The Shagaya project raises public ______ of renewable energy.
B-12(1 m)
3. Once used, we ______ most items and send them straight to landfills.
B-13(1 m)
4. Electronic waste can ______ the humans who bought it, because it takes so long to break down.
B-14(1 m)
5. Smart lights switch off automatically in ______ rooms.
B-15(1 m)
6. Factories ______ goods in large numbers before ships and trucks transport them.
First conditional + modals (will / can / may / should) · Present perfect review (since / for)
Section total: 25 mAuto-marked: 0/18Self-marked: C-19 → C-25 (7 m)
C1 — choose the correct answer (10 × 1 m). C2 — write the correct form of the verb in brackets (8 × 1 m). C3 — rewrite or complete, then compare with the model (7 × 1 m).
C-1(1 m)MCQ
Kuwait has set up many new environmental projects ______ 2010.
Answer: A) since.Since + a point in time (2010); for takes a period of time.
C-2(1 m)MCQ
Researchers have studied energy alternatives ______ many years.
Answer: B) for.For + a period of time (many years).
C-3(1 m)MCQ
My older brother has ______ installed solar panels on the roof.
Answer: C) just.Just = a very short time ago, placed between has and the past participle.
C-4(1 m)MCQ
If we recycle our plastic bottles, we ______ certainly reduce waste.
Answer: A) will.Will expresses a certain outcome in the first conditional.
C-5(1 m)MCQ
If she collects glass jars, she ______ easily turn them into beautiful vases.
Answer: B) can.Can expresses ability or possibility in a future situation.
C-6(1 m)MCQ
If you have old newspapers, you ______ use them to wrap gifts.
Answer: D) should.Should expresses advice.
C-7(1 m)MCQ
If more people try thrifting, they ______ save money, but it is not certain.
Answer: B) may.May expresses probability or uncertainty — "but it is not certain".
C-8(1 m)MCQ
If the mobile phone battery ______, the phone will stop working.
Answer: A) dies. The if-clause uses the present simple — never will after if.
C-9(1 m)MCQ
Few schools ______ on environmental awareness yet.
Answer: B) have not focused.Few schools is plural → have + not + past participle; yet suits the negative present perfect.
C-10(1 m)MCQ
Emissions will increase if factories ______ more oil.
Answer: C) burn. Present simple in the if-clause; will stays in the result clause.
C2 — Correct the verb in brackets8 × (1 m)Inputs
Write the correct form of the verb in brackets. Each item is graded on its first Check — contractions are accepted where shown in the key.
C-11(1 m)
1. The scientist ______ (write) a report on the benefits of wind power.
has written — present perfect: has + past participle.
C-12(1 m)
2. Kuwait ______ (reduce) harmful emissions since it started using renewable energy.
has reduced — past action with a present result, with since.
C-13(1 m)
3. Few schools ______ (not / focus) on environmental awareness yet.
have not focused / haven't focused — plural subject + not + Verb 3, with yet.
C-14(1 m)
4. If the parts ______ (be) available, the repair may take an hour.
are — present simple after if (plural parts → are).
C-15(1 m)
5. If the model ______ (be) new, you should try to fix it instead of buying a new one.
is — present simple after if (singular model → is).
C-16(1 m)
6. If it ______ (rain) tomorrow, we will stay indoors.
rains — present simple, third person singular, in the if-clause.
C-17(1 m)
7. You should take a reusable bag if you ______ (go) shopping.
go — the clause after if also keeps the present simple.
C-18(1 m)
8. If you hurry, you ______ (not / miss) the train.
will not miss / won't miss — negative result clause: will + not + base verb.
C3 — Rewrite / complete7 × (1 m)Self-marked
Rewrite each sentence following the instruction (or complete it). Write your version in the box, then reveal the model and award yourself the mark if your sentence matches the pattern.
C-19(1 m)Rewrite · since
Kuwait began using renewable energy in 2010. (Rewrite in the present perfect with since.)
Model: Kuwait has used renewable energy since 2010. — since + point in time with the present perfect.
C-20(1 m)Join · if
Recycle your plastic bottles. You will reduce waste. (Join into one sentence starting with If.)
Model: If you recycle your plastic bottles, you will reduce waste. — if + present simple, will + base verb.
C-21(1 m)Rewrite · for
Researchers started studying energy alternatives ten years ago. (Rewrite in the present perfect with for.)
Model: Researchers have studied energy alternatives for ten years. — for + period of time.
C-22(1 m)Complete · certain outcome
If the mobile phone battery dies, the phone ______.
Model: …the phone will stop working. — will for a certain outcome.
C-23(1 m)Rewrite · should
It is a good idea to unplug appliances when you are not using them. (Rewrite using should.)
Model: You should unplug appliances when you are not using them. — should gives advice.
C-24(1 m)Rewrite · may
Perhaps the repair will take an hour if the parts are available. (Rewrite using may.)
Model: If the parts are available, the repair may take an hour. — may expresses probability.
C-25(1 m)Complete · ability
If she collects glass jars, she ______ easily turn them into beautiful vases. (ability)
Model: …she can easily turn them into beautiful vases. — can expresses ability.
The functions recycle Unit 2's modal verbs: will (certainty) · can (ability) · may (probability) · should (advice).
D1 — Match function → expression5 × (1 m)Dropdowns
Match each language function (1–5) with the expression that shows it (A–E), then press Check answers.
1. Giving advice
2. Expressing ability
3. Expressing certainty
4. Expressing probability
5. Expressing opinion
A) "In my opinion, every small action adds up." ·
B) "She can turn old jars into beautiful vases." ·
C) "You should unplug appliances when they are not in use." D) "If the battery dies, the phone will stop working." ·
E) "The repair may take an hour."
A: "My phone battery dies very quickly." B: "You ______ buy a new one — take it to a repair shop first."
Answer: A) should. Speaker B gives advice before the stronger suggestion.
D-7(1 m)Mini-dialogue
A: "Will the repair be finished today?" B: "I'm not sure — it ______ take an hour or more."
Answer: B) may. "I'm not sure" signals probability, not certainty.
D-8(1 m)Mini-dialogue
A: "______ solar panels really convert sunlight into electricity?" B: "Yes — that is exactly what they do."
Answer: A) Can. The question asks about ability/possibility — what the panels are able to do.
D-9(1 m)Mini-dialogue
A: "If we recycle our plastic bottles, what ______ happen?" B: "We will certainly reduce waste."
Answer: B) will. Speaker B answers with certainty: "will certainly".
D-10(1 m)Mini-dialogue
A: "Is thrifting really worth it?" B: "Definitely — if more people try it, they ______ save money and reduce waste at the same time."
Answer: A) may. A likely but not guaranteed result — probability.
E
Writing
Guided article · plan box · linkers · live word counter · rubric · two models
Section total: 20 mSelf-marked with the rubric
E-1(20 m)Guided article
Your school magazine is publishing articles under the title "Small Choices, Big Change". Write an article (about 100 words, 8–10 sentences) telling students in Kuwait how their daily choices can help the environment. Use the present perfect, the first conditional and at least two modal verbs (will / can / may / should), and connect your ideas with linkers.
Plan your article first
1Topic sentence
2Supporting idea 1 — energy habits
3Supporting idea 2 — thrifting & upcycling
4Conclusion
Suggested linkers
First of allMoreoverIn additionFor exampleIf … , … will …As a resultBecauseSoFinallyIn my opinion
0 wordsTarget: 80–120 words · 8–10 sentences
Writing rubric — 20 marks
Criterion
Marks
What examiners look for
Content & Organisation
6
Clear topic sentence, two developed supporting ideas, logical conclusion; plan followed.
Voice & Fluency
5
Engaging, personal tone; ideas flow with a range of linkers; 8–10 sentences.
Language Use
6
Accurate first conditional, modal verbs and present perfect; Unit 2 vocabulary used naturally.
Mechanics
3
Spelling, punctuation, capitalisation and a title for the article.
Small Choices, Big Change
Every choice we make leaves a mark on our planet, so let us choose wisely. First of all, we should save energy at home by unplugging chargers and switching off lights in vacant rooms. Moreover, we can think before we throw. If we buy second-hand clothes, we will directly reduce waste, and upcycling can turn an old blanket into a cosy jacket. These small habits add up over time. In my opinion, sustainability is thousands of small decisions, not one big one. Finally, if each of us starts today, Kuwait will reach its 15% renewable-energy goal, and future generations will inherit a cleaner country.
Examiner's comment: clear topic sentence, two developed ideas and a conclusion; accurate first conditional (If we buy…, we will reduce) and modals (should, can, will); varied linkers; ≈ 106 words — inside the band. Estimated 18–20/20.
Help the Environment
Everyone must to help the environment. If we will save energy, we reduce pollution. People throw away old things and the landfill is full. We can buying second-hand clothes because it is cheaper. Also upcycling is making new things from old things. In conclusion I think everyone should help. The government should do more, but people also must do something small every day, like recycle bottles and unplug chargers.
Examiner's comment: ideas are listed rather than developed; grammar slips (must to help, If we will save, can buying); repetitive and / things; only ≈ 68 words, below the 80–120 band. Estimated 11–12/20.
✓
Answer Key — Model Answer Edition
Every item numbered with its marks · one-line justification
Auto-marked so far: 0/62
Examiner's Console — Marking Map
Auto-marked (62 m / 50 items): A Reading 14 · B Vocabulary 20 · C Grammar 18 · D Functions 10. First attempts are graded; Reset clears the paper for another run.
Self-marked (38 m): A-8 → A-10 (11 m) with the models and mark schemes · C-19 → C-25 (7 m) against the rewrite models · Section E (20 m) with the rubric and both model articles.
Section
Auto-marked
Self-marked
Total
A Reading
14 m (A-1→A-7)
11 m (A-8→A-10)
25
B Vocabulary
20 m (B-1→B-15)
—
20
C Grammar
18 m (C-1→C-18)
7 m (C-19→C-25)
25
D Functions
10 m (D-1→D-10)
—
10
E Writing
—
20 m (E-1)
20
Total
62 m
38 m
100
A-12 m
C) 15%. The passage states the goal of producing 15% of Kuwait's energy from renewable sources by 2030.
A-22 m
D) replacements. Kuwait looked for cleaner choices to replace burning oil — the glossary sense of alternative.
A-32 m
C. The passage argues that understanding product life cycles and our choices protects the environment.
A-42 m
A) changed.Make over = improve/change something by working on its parts (blanket → jacket).
A-52 m
True. "Managed by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR)" is stated directly.
A-62 m
False. Items "can take hundreds of years to break down" — not a few months.
A-72 m
Not Given. The passage never compares Shagaya's size with other regional parks.
A-83 m
Burning oil produces harmful emissions that add to air pollution and climate change, damaging natural ecosystems. (1 m each: emissions / pollution + climate change / ecosystem damage.)
A-93 m
Thrifting means buying used or second-hand items instead of new ones, while upcycling means changing an old item into something completely new and often more beautiful.
A-105 m
It supports innovation and raises public awareness, and it lets engineers, researchers and students study and improve systems like Shagaya — moving Kuwait towards energy independence. (2 + 2 + 1 for organisation.)
B-12 m
emission → A — the production or sending out of light, heat, gas, etc.
B-22 m
decisive → B — able to make decisions quickly and confidently.
B-32 m
expertise → C — expert knowledge or skill in a particular subject or job.
B-42 m
upcycling → D — making new objects out of old or used things or waste material.
B-52 m
landfill → E — an area of land where waste is buried under the earth.
B-61 m
brand-new — the others describe used/pre-owned things.
B-71 m
unplug — the others deal with waste underground / breaking it down.
B-81 m
ecosystem — the others are sources or methods of pollution and waste.
B-91 m
enormous — an adjective among adverbs (entirely, directly, eventually).
B-101 m
convert — solar panels "convert it into electricity" (glossary sentence).
B-111 m
awareness — Shagaya "raises public awareness of renewable energy".
B-121 m
dispose of — "we dispose of most items, sending them to landfills".
B-131 m
outlive — e-waste "outlives humans because it takes so long to break down".
B-141 m
vacant — smart lights "turn off automatically in vacant rooms".
B-151 m
manufacture — to produce goods in large numbers, usually in a factory.
C-11 m
A) since — since + point in time (2010).
C-21 m
B) for — for + period (many years).
C-31 m
C) just — just = a very short time ago, after has.
C-41 m
A) will — will expresses a certain outcome.
C-51 m
B) can — can expresses ability/possibility.
C-61 m
D) should — should expresses advice.
C-71 m
B) may — may expresses probability/uncertainty.
C-81 m
A) dies — present simple after if.
C-91 m
B) have not focused — plural few schools + not + Verb 3, with yet.
C-101 m
C) burn — present simple in the if-clause.
C-111 m
has written — The scientist has written a report on the benefits of wind power.
C-121 m
has reduced — Kuwait has reduced harmful emissions since it started using renewable energy.
C-131 m
have not focused / haven't focused — Few schools have not focused on environmental awareness yet.
C-141 m
are — If the parts are available, the repair may take an hour.
C-151 m
is — If the model is new, you should try to fix it.
C-161 m
rains — If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.
C-171 m
go — You should take a reusable bag if you go shopping.
C-181 m
will not miss / won't miss — If you hurry, you will not miss the train.
C-191 m
Kuwait has used renewable energy since 2010. — present perfect + since.
C-201 m
If you recycle your plastic bottles, you will reduce waste. — if + present simple, will + base.
C-211 m
Researchers have studied energy alternatives for ten years. — present perfect + for.
C-221 m
…the phone will stop working. — certain outcome with will.
C-231 m
You should unplug appliances when you are not using them. — should = advice.
C-241 m
If the parts are available, the repair may take an hour. — may = probability.
C-251 m
…she can easily turn them into beautiful vases. — can = ability.
D-11 m
1 → C — "You should unplug…" gives advice with should.
D-21 m
2 → B — "She can turn…" expresses ability with can.
D-31 m
3 → D — "the phone will stop working" is a certain outcome with will.
D-41 m
4 → E — "may take an hour" expresses probability with may.
D-51 m
5 → A — "In my opinion…" introduces a personal opinion.
D-61 m
A) should — advice before suggesting the repair shop.
D-71 m
B) may — "I'm not sure" signals probability.
D-81 m
A) Can — asking about ability/possibility of the panels.
D-91 m
B) will — answered with certainty: "will certainly".
D-101 m
A) may — a likely, not guaranteed, result.
E-120 m
Rubric: Content & Organisation 6 · Voice & Fluency 5 · Language Use 6 · Mechanics 3. Award marks with the rubric table, then compare the article with the strong model (≈ 106 words, 18–20) and the weaker model (≈ 68 words, 11–12) in Section E. Examiners credit: a title, a topic sentence, two developed ideas with linkers, an accurate first conditional, two modal verbs, present perfect, and Unit 2 vocabulary (e.g. unplug, second-hand, upcycling, add up).
Perfect Paper — 62/62!
Every auto-marked item is correct. Now compare your self-marked answers (A-8→A-10, C-19→C-25, and the article) with the model answers in the key.
Time is up — pens down!
Two hours have passed. Check any unfinished items, then open the answer key to mark your paper.