A student discussion (Intermediate B1 listening):
Preparation: Put the words and phrases in the correct group.
• Words and phrases for talking about difference: but, whereas, while.
• Words and phrases for talking about things that are the same: both, to share, to have in common, similar.
Total score is 7 out of 7 (100%)

Task 1: Put the characteristics in the correct group.
• Earth: is closer to the sun, has stronger gravity, has more air, has more nitrogen and oxygen than carbon dioxide.
• Mars: is colder, is 50 per cent smaller, has a longer day, used to have water.
Total score is 8 out of 8 (100%)

Task 2: Complete the sentences.
1. Most people think Mars can support human life.
2. We measure distances in space using astronomical units.
3. The two planets aren't the same colour.
4. Most of the water on Mars is probably frozen.
5. The air on Earth is mostly made up of nitrogen.
6. Gravity on Mars is just over one third as strong as on Earth.
Total score is 6 out of 6 (100%)

An interview about listening skills (Intermediate B1 listening):
Preparation: Match the words with the definitions.
• to admit: to confess
• an action to achieve a result: a strategy
• to behave as if something is true: to pretend
• a situation where the result is very important: high stakes
• the water that comes from your skin when you’re very hot: sweat
• to give the main points: to summarise
• forms and documents: paperwork
• to make something into smaller parts: to break something down
Total score is 8 out of 8 (100%)

Task 1: Are the sentences true or false?
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True (False)
5. True
6. True
Total score is 5 out of 6 (83%)

Task 2: Match the expressions to their meanings.
• I can’t think: My brain shuts down.
• I won’t be upset: I can take it.
• I wanted to escape: I wanted to get out of it.
• I was really nervous or afraid: I came out in a cold sweat.
• I still don’t understand: I’m still lost.
• I understand what you’re saying: I get you!
Total score is 6 out of 6 (100%)

Interview with Henry Smiles (Intermediate B1 reading):
Preparation: Match the words or phrases with the definitions.
• to find out: to discover, to learn.
• to keep in touch: to mantain communications.
• to get on well: to have a good and friendly relationship.
• to sweat: to produce liquid from your skin, especially when you are hot or nervous.
• to shave: to cut hair very close to the skin.
• to reckon (informal): to think, to believe.
Total score is 6 out of 6 (100%)

Check your understanding: true or false
1. False
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. False
6. True
7. False
8. False
Total score is 8 out of 8 (100%)

Check your understanding: multiple choice
1. Henry was born in a town in the north of England.
2. Henry would like to play the drums and the piano.
3. Henry uses Twitter to communicate with his fans.
4. Henry wants a girlfriend who doesn’t mind being woken up in the night for a chat.
5. Henry says his first kiss was with someone he met at school.
6. Henry drinks herbal tea before a concert.
Total score is 6 out of 6 (100%)

Tips for being a super-organised student (Intermediate B1 reading):

Ami is asking for tips about organising school work. She keeps a diary with a record of her homework. She also write a reminder in case she forgets.
Hana thinks it’s important to keep your computer desktop clean and tidy. She deletes things she doesn’t need and puts her work into separate folders.
Gloria says it’s important to start studying in plenty of time and not to leave things until the night before!
Lou’s tip is to use a noticeboard, divided into sections for each subject. He thinks the best thing about this idea is the feeling he gets when he removes an item!
Total score is 8 out of 8 (100%)