English Exam Answer Key: Smoking and Sexism

Smoking in Pubs? Answer Key

Comprehension (4 Points)

• a) 1) Because their intolerance towards smokers would be censured (line 7).
• 2) Because they were afraid they would become an overprotective state (line 11).
• b) 3) False. The government is going to forbid smoking in all pubs (line 1). (Note: lines 2-3 are also acceptable).
• 4) False. They are examining plans to allow a "smoking-carriage option" (line 4).
• 5) False. The government had been worried about being accused of discriminating against smokers, particularly working-class Labour voters (lines 6-7).
• 6) True. Smoking-related diseases kill more than 100,000 people a year and cost the National Health Service millions of pounds treating people with such diseases (lines 12-13).

Use of English (3 Points)

• 7) Allow (line 3), Permit (line 5).
• 8) Propositions, plans, suggestions, projects (singular and plural are valid).
• 9) Staff (lines 1 / 5).
• 10) Doubtful, doubtless, undoubted, doubting.
• 11) Severe pressure is being put on ministers (by the lobby).
• 12) John, who was a heavy smoker, has given up smoking.
• 13) If people didn’t pay taxes, the government wouldn’t improve social services.
• 14) The government planned a total ban on alcohol.

Sexism in Language Answer Key

Comprehension (4 Points)

• 1) Today politically correct language is preferred because it avoids sexism.
• 2) Masculine names are used generically and for the better jobs, (and/or) references to the female sex are more often found in names of inferior jobs.
• 3) False. Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon in 1969 (line 1).
• 4) True. Language tends to use male pronouns automatically whenever the sex of the person is not known (line 5).
• 5) False. Job names often include reference to the sex of the person (lines 9-10).
• 6) True. The use of such words tends to emphasize the idea that it is not natural for a man to work in such a poorly-paid role (lines 11-12).

Use of English (3 Points)

• 7) Memorable (line 1).
• 8) Take off.
• 9) Inherent (line 6).
• 10) Job, work, occupation, business, employment, profession, post, position.
• 11) He used a sexist word whose meaning was pejorative for women.
• 12) They were / had been taught medieval history by their teacher when they were at school.
• 13) How often do you attend English classes? ("How many times" is not accepted).
• 14) Your cooking is not good enough.