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Paper 1a
Read the short passages on the right and then use your knowledge and the context of the words to answer the questions.
A One of the many advantages of studying in Toronto was  making friends with people from many different  cultures and communities.
I was very happy when my classmate Stephanos,  who is Greek,  invited me to his wedding. It was going to be a big affair with everything done in the traditional way.
What do the following words in the passage mean?
1 advantages
2 communities
3 invited
4 traditional
B According to custom, Stephanos and his fiancee had been to see the priest at their church three times to talk about the responsibilities of marriage. Endless preparations were made by the two families to make the day memorable: a hall was booked, beautiful clothes bought,  flowers ordered and special Greek food cooked. A bridal room was also prepared for the couple.  The day before the wedding, people with babies  placed them on the bed  as a way of wishing  the couple healthy children in the future. Rose petals, coins and sugared almonds were also scattered around to bring them a beautiful, prosperous and sweet relationship.
Find words in the passage which mean ...
5 woman you are going to marry
6 duties
7 rented in advance
8 parts of a flower
9 type of nut
C The big day came and Stephanos and Sophia got up early to get dressed in their wedding finery. They were not allowed to eat until after the wedding service. At 11 am, Stephanos and his cousin, who was acting as his best man, went round to Sophia's house. They formally asked her father for her hand in marriage. He agreed and then they drove off to the church where we were waiting for them.
Complete these sentences with words from the passage:
10 For Speech Day you should dress ________________________________________________ and not wear jeans or T-shirts.
11 She's my  aunt's daughter, my _________________________________________________ .
12 Please take lots of photos while I am  in my graduation __________________________________________ .
D The ceremony was very impressive. I  can't remember  the exact order in which things happened and, of course, I  couldn't understand the Greek, but they exchanged rings three times, processed around the wedding table three times and both drank from the same cup of special wine.
They looked magnificent when they stood before the priest with crowns of orange blossoms. These were joined by a ribbon and showed they were the monarchs of that day. There were prayers and blessings and then the ceremony was over. I noticed some people were wearing a little charm in the shape of an eye.
I learned it was to keep bad luck away from the couple. What a cute idea!
Which option cannot replace the words as used in the text?
13 processed around: walked around,  circled, stood and sat
14 magnificent: embarrassed, grand, impressive
15 monarchs: rulers, lovers, king and queen
16 charm: piece of jewellery, small metal object, grace
E Once the serious business of the day was done and Sophia and Stephanos were man and wife, the party really began. We all went to the reception hall. There was an incredible buffet of Greek food, a Greek band, speeches, and endless dancing.
At first, Sophia stood in the middle and everyone danced around her in two circles going in opposite directions. It made me dizzy as we swirled round and round. I hope poor Sophia had very comfortable shoes on, as  she then had to dance  with each of the male guests.
But she did have time to rest between dances as the party was going to go on until past midnight! In Greek villages, they usually go on all night and people only stop celebrating  when the sun rises.
Answer the following questions:
17 What word could replace 'man' in 'man and wife'?
18 What is a wedding reception?
19 What happens at a buffet?
20 How do you feel when you are dizzy?
F Greeks are certainly wild when they are happy. People danced on tables, flung money at the musicians, and smashed plates on the floor. Sophie's mother assured me that everyone knew you had to pick the cheapest plates for this and not the best china!
When I left, absolutely exhausted, at about 8 pm, I was handed a small bag of chocolate-covered almonds. I was told it was important that the bag contain only an odd number of these sweets. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my university days.
Match the words in italics in the passage  with their correct meanings:
21 wild
22 flung
23 smashed
24 china
25 exhausted
fine bowls, dishes etc
broke
exciting
full
out of control
placed
threw
tired
Answers
1. good points, 2. groups of connected people, 3. asked, 4. old/ long-established 5. fiancee, 6. responsibilities, 7. booked, 8. petals, 9. almonds, 10. formally, 11. cousin, 12. finery, 13. stood and sat, 14. embarrassed, 15. lovers, 16. grace, 17. husband, 18. party after a wedding ceremony, 19. you help yourself from a big selection of food, 20.  like you have lost your balance/ your head is  spinning, 21. out of control, 22. threw, 23. broke, 24. fine bowls, dishes etc, 25. tired



Weddings