Audi A3Most of our drivers said the A3 was their clear favourite in this group. They described it as refined and comfortable with good handling characteristics and light, precise steering.All the seats were comfortable and the front ones were easy to adjust. Most drivers liked the driving position, helped by a good range of steering wheel and seat height adjustments. The main instruments were clear and dashboard controls were well positioned.Mirror coverage was very good but our drivers complained that the view out of the rear was badly hindered by the high rear window line and thick pillars.Getting into the back seats was easy, thanks to a clever seat mechanism, which moves the seat up and forward as well as tilting the backrest. Rear legroom was reasonable but the rear seat was only barely wide enough for three adults.Luggage space was average for this class of car but you have to remove the rear head restraints to fold the rear seat. There were plenty of useful interior stowage spaces.All A3s come with an alarm and immobiliser as standard. Our 'thief' got in through the doors in 20 seconds, But the radio was a non-standard fit, which is likely to deter thieves.The hinges of the rear seats could release in an accident, allowing luggage to crash through into the passenger compartment. Also, the driver's knees could be damaged by stiff structures under the dash.Some parts of the fuel system and electrics would be vulnerable to damage in a frontal collision.

　　　Honda CivicHonda says its special VTEC engine has a winning combination of economy and performance, but our drivers found it a bit of a curate's egg. It was the most economical of the cars on test, but drivers found it sluggish at low revs, and its acceleration in fifth gear was slow, so overtaking normally meant having to shift down to fourth gear.The driving position was acceptable, but our panel criticised the restricted rear visibility ? the rear window was quite small. Drivers found the back rest supportive but it was not possible to make fine adjustments to the angle. The ride comfort was acceptable, but it wasn't as good as the Audi's or Rover's.The driver's seat didn't slide forward when it was tilted, making rear access awkward from this side. In the back, headroom and legroom was excellent but testers didn't find the seats particularly comfortable.The luggage space was small for this class of car, especially with the rear seats in place. However, folding the rear seat to increase luggage space was easy.Other points identified by our panel included well-placed minor controls, good mirror coverage, but fiddly radio controls.All Civics come with an immobiliser but no alarm. You may want to consider paying extra for an alarm, as our 'thief' broke into through the doors in 13 seconds, and into the engine bay in just five seconds.There were stiff structures under the dash which could damage the driver's knees in an accident, though there was no problem on the passenger's side. The handbook (like the Audi's) provided advice on using child restraints.

　　Rover 216The 1.6-litre engine had good power delivery at both high and low revs but some drivers complained that it was noisy at high revs. The brakes didn't have very good progression, but drivers like their positive feel.Ride comfort and the handling were praised. But drivers found it difficult to achieve a comfortable driving position. The driver's seat was not height-adjustable, and there was only limited space to rest your clutch foot. Some testers also found the seat backrest uncomfortable. Visibility was marred by the small mirrors. The rear view was also restricted by thick pillars and the small rear window.Getting into the back was tricky because the front seats did not slide forward when tilted. Once in the back, legroom and headroom were poor, and testers complained that their rear seat base was unsupportive.Luggage space was smaller than average for this class of car ? this was compounded by a high boot sill and difficulties in folding the rear seat. But there were large pockets in the doors and rear side panels.The main radio controls were more convenient; they were mounted on the steering wheel so drivers didn't have to take their hands off the wheel to use them.Our Rover 200s came with an alarm, though this isn't standard on all versions. Our 'thief' broke in through the doors in 15 seconds.Some of the electrics would be vulnerable in a frontal impact. The rear seat hinges could release in an accident, allowing luggage to crash through into the passenger compartment. Also, information in the handbook on using child restraints was inadequate.

SECTION IV: Writing

　　You have read an article in a magazine with the following statement in it. Write an article for the same magazine. You should use your own ideas, knowledge or experience to generate support for your argument and include an example. You should write about 250 words. Write your article on ANSWER SHEET 2.

　　Economic development will inevitably generate industrial waste which in turn will cause pollution to the living environment. Economic prosperity and a clean environment can not coexist. You have to make a choice between the two."

　　To what extent do you agree with the statement?

　　Oral Test(For examiner)Part A: Self-introduction (This task will take about 2 minutes.)Interlocutor:Good morning (afternoon / evening). Could I have your mark sheets, please? Thank you.(Hand over the mark sheets to the Assessor.)My name is … and this is my colleague….He / she is not going to ask you any questions, but he / she is just going to be listening to us.So, your name is … and …? Thank you.First of all we'd like to know something about you, so I'm going to ask you some questions about yourselves. (Begin with candidate A, then move on to candidate B) Now (say the name of the candidate and ask the questions).

Home Town

· Where are you from?

· How long have you lived there?

· What's it like living there?

· How does your home town compare with (place where candidate is currently living)?

· Well, that's interesting.

Familyl What about your family? Could you tell us something about them?

Work/ Study

· What do you do in (candidate's home town), do you work or study?(If candidate already working)

· What does your work involve?

· Is your job something you had always wanted to do?

· How long do you think you will stay in this job?(If candidate still at school, college or university)

· What are your favourite subjects at school? What exactly are you studying?

· What type of work are you hoping to do in the future?

· What qualifications will you need to do that?

Part B: Collaboration (This part will take about 5 minutes.)(For examiner)

Discussion

Topic: Regional Poverty

Now, (say the names of Candidate A and Candidate B), here is a list of causes for regional poverty. (Hand out the list to the candidates and let them read it through.) What do you think are the main causes for regional poverty? I'd like each of you to choose three from the list and tell each other why. If you hold different opinions you may argue and you may also add your own ideas that are not listed here. You just talk to each other and I won't join you. You have 5 minutes.All right. Would you begin? (The interlocutor may sit back and intervene only when necessary.)

Causes for Regional Poverty:

· lack of natural resources

· disorganisation of the economy

· out-of-date conventions

· climate

· geographical position

· poor leadership

· overpopulation

· lack of education

(For candidate)

What do you think are the main causes for regional poverty? Choose three from the list and tell each other why.

Causes for Regional Poverty:

· lack of natural resources

· disorganisation of the economy

· out-of-date conventions

· climate

· geographical position

· poor leadership

· overpopulation

· lack of education

Part C: Presentation (This part will take about 8 minutes.)(For examiner)

Interlocutor:Now, in this part of the test I'm going to give each of you a list of three different topics. I'd like you to select one of the topics and give a short presentation of about 2 minutes.

When (say the name of Candidate A) has finished talking, I'd like you, (say the name of Candidate B), to ask him/her one or two questions. You may make notes while you are preparing and take notes while the other person is talking.

All right? Here are your topics.

Hand over the Topic Card, A & B, and some blank paper and a pencil to each candidate.

Now you'll have 2 minutes to prepare.

The candidates are given 2 minutes.

All right. Now (say the name of Candidate A), would you begin by telling us which topic you have chosen and then give your presentation, please?

Listen to the presentation of Candidate A.

Thank you. Now (say the name of Candidate B), would you like to ask (say the name of Candidate A) some questions? (Allow a maximum of 2 questions by Candidate B, followed by one more question by the interlocutor.)

Now (say the name of Candidate B), would you begin by telling us which topic you have chosen and then give your presentation, please?

Listen to the presentation of Candidate B.

Thank you. Now (say the name of Candidate A), would you like to ask (say the name of Candidate B) some questions? (Allow a maximum of 2 questions by Candidate A, followed by one more question by the interlocutor.)

CLOSURE

The interlocutor winds up the oral test by referring to the topics of both candidates.

a. Health	What is the relationship between health and personal wealth?
b. Hobbies	How can we use hobbies for pleasure or relaxation?
c. Pollution	What are the main causes of pollution?

Topic Card B (For examiner)