REAL CAMBRIDGE UPSKILL MOCK TEST FORMAT WITH ANSWERS (Part 1) – READING: For Caregiver Exam Nepal
READING
Reading – 5 parts – 25 minutes. Aim for about 5 minutes per part. Read each text carefully before answering.
Part 1 Short texts — choose the meaning – 5 min – 4 questions
Read each short text and choose the answer that best matches its meaning.
Text 1
Notice on a staff room door:
The coffee machine is being serviced today. It will be available again from tomorrow morning.
Q1. What does the notice say?
a) The coffee machine is broken permanently.
b) Staff cannot use the coffee machine today but can use it tomorrow.
c) A new coffee machine will arrive tomorrow.
Text 2
Email subject line and first line:
Subject: Your order #4421 has been dispatched
Hi Prakash, your items left our warehouse this morning and should arrive within two working days.
Q2. What is the email telling Prakash?
a) His order has been cancelled.
b) His order has been sent and will arrive soon.
c) He needs to collect his order from the warehouse.
Text 3
Sign at a hotel reception:
Check-in: from 2:00 p.m. Check-out: by 11:00 a.m.
Late check-out available on request — extra charges may apply.
Q3. What does the sign say about late check-out?
a) It is not possible.
b) It is free for all guests.
c) Guests can ask for it, but may have to pay more.
Text 4
Text message from a manager:
Team — great work this month! Sales targets were met for the third month in a row. See you all at the celebration lunch on Friday.
Q4. Why is the manager sending this message?
a) To warn the team about low sales
b) To thank and congratulate the team
c) To cancel Friday’s lunch
Parts 2–4 Complete the sentence – 15 min total – 12 questions
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
P2-Q1. I ____ to work by bus every day.
a) go
b) gone
c) going
P2-Q2. She ____ at the company for five years.
a) works
b) has worked
c) work
P3-Q1. The report must be finished ____ Friday.
a) until
b) by
c) since
✅ b) by
Correct answer: b) by
Reason:
“By” is used to show a deadline — the latest time something must be completed.
✅ The report must be finished by Friday.
= The report should be completed on or before Friday.
Examples:
- Please submit the form by Monday.
- I need to finish my homework by tonight.
- The project must be completed by the end of the month.
Why not “until”?
Until means something continues up to a particular time.
✅ I will work here until Friday.
(Work continues and stops on Friday.)
❌ The report must be finished until Friday.
(This is grammatically incorrect because “finish” is a completed action, not a continuing action.)
Why not “since”?
Since means “from a past time up to now.”
✅ She has worked here since 2020.
✅ It has been raining since morning.
❌ The report must be finished since Friday.
(This does not make sense because “since” refers to a starting point in the past.)
Quick Rule
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| by | deadline | Submit the report by Friday. |
| until | continues up to a time | I will stay here until Friday. |
| since | from a past time until now | I have lived here since 2020. |
Therefore:
The report must be finished ____ Friday.
✅ The report must be finished by Friday. (deadline)
P3-Q2. He apologised ____ arriving late to the meeting.
a) for
b) about
c) to
P3-Q2. He apologised ____ arriving late to the meeting.
- a) for ✅
b) about
c) to
Correct Answer: a) for
Reason:
The verb “apologise” is commonly followed by “for” when giving the reason for the apology.
✅ apologise for + noun / verb-ing
Examples:
- He apologised for arriving late.
- She apologised for her mistake.
- We apologise for the inconvenience.
So:
✅ He apologised for arriving late to the meeting.
Why not “about”?
About means “concerning” or “regarding,” but it is not the standard preposition used after apologise when stating the reason.
❌ He apologised about arriving late.
This sounds unnatural in standard English.
Why not “to”?
To is used for the person receiving the apology, not for the reason.
✅ He apologised to his manager.
✅ He apologised to the team for arriving late.
Example:
- He apologised to the meeting organizer for arriving late.
P4-Q1. The training session was ____ useful than I expected.
a) much more
b) most
c) very
P4-Q1. The training session was ____ useful than I expected.
- a) much more ✅
b) most
c) very
Correct Answer: a) much more
Reason:
The word “than” indicates a comparison. When comparing two things, we use the comparative form.
✅ more useful than
Since we want to emphasize the comparison, we can use much more.
✅ The training session was much more useful than I expected.
= The training session was significantly more useful than I thought it would be.
Why not “most”?
Most is used for the superlative form (comparing three or more things).
Examples:
- This is the most useful book in the library.
- She is the most experienced employee.
❌ The training session was most useful than I expected.
You cannot use most with than.
Why not “very”?
Very intensifies an adjective but does not make a comparison.
✅ The training session was very useful.
❌ The training session was very useful than I expected.
When than is present, we need a comparative form (more useful), not very useful.
Quick Rule
| Form | Example |
| Positive | useful |
| Comparative | more useful than |
| Superlative | most useful |
Therefore:
The training session was ____ useful than I expected.
✅ The training session was much more useful than I expected.
because “than” requires a comparative form (more useful), and much strengthens the comparison.
Part 5 Longer text — comprehension – 5 min – passage + 4 questions
Read the article and answer the questions.
Article — workplace well-being
Many companies in Nepal are now starting to think more seriously about the health and happiness of their employees. Research shows that workers who feel supported at work are more productive and take fewer sick days.
One popular approach is flexible working hours. Instead of a fixed nine-to-five schedule, employees can start and finish work at times that suit them better. A Kathmandu-based IT firm recently introduced this policy and saw a 20% improvement in staff satisfaction within six months.
However, not all companies are able to offer this. Businesses in hospitality and retail, for example, often need staff at specific times. For these industries, other measures — such as regular breaks, fair pay, and a friendly team culture — are equally important.
Experts agree that there is no single solution. What matters most is that managers listen to their teams and take their concerns seriously.
Q1. According to the article, what is one benefit of employees who feel supported?
a) They earn more money.
b) They are more productive and take fewer sick days.
c) They work longer hours.
Q2. What change did the Kathmandu IT firm make?
a) They gave staff a pay rise.
b) They introduced flexible working hours.
c) They reduced the working week to four days.
Q3. Why can’t all companies offer flexible hours?
a) It is too expensive to manage.
b) Some industries need staff at specific times.
c) Employees prefer fixed hours.
Q4. What do experts say is most important?
a) Paying employees more
b) Managers listening to their teams
c) Offering flexible hours to everyone
WRITING
Writing – 2 parts – 30 minutes. You must write at least 50 words for each task.
Part 1 Personal email – 15 min – at least 50 words
Write an email to a friend or colleague about an everyday situation.
Situation: Your friend Kabir is visiting Kathmandu next week and wants to meet up.
Write an email to Kabir. In your email:
• say you are happy he is coming
• suggest a place to meet and what day
• recommend one thing he should not miss while he is in the city
Hi Kabir, (Box…0/50 words)
Structure: Greeting → 1 sentence why you’re writing → 3 bullet points → Closing line
Your name.
Part 2 Formal reply – 15 min – at least 50 words
Write a formal reply to the advertisement below.
Job advertisement: Customer Service Assistant — Nepal Telecom
We are looking for a friendly, reliable person to join our customer service team in Kathmandu. You will answer customer calls and help solve problems. No previous experience is required — full training will be provided. Good communication skills are essential. Apply by sending us an email.
Reply to this advertisement. In your email:
• say where you saw the advertisement
• explain why you are suitable for the job
• ask one question about the training
Dear Hiring Manager,
(Box…0/50 words)
WRITING – SAMPLE ANSWERS
Part 1: Personal Email
Hi Kabir,
I am very happy to hear that you are coming to Kathmandu next week.
- Let’s meet at Boudhanath Stupa on Saturday afternoon.
- We can enjoy some coffee and spend time together.
- You should not miss visiting Swayambhunath because it is one of the most famous places in the city.
I am looking forward to seeing you soon.
Best wishes,
Your Name
Part 2: Formal Reply
Dear Hiring Manager,
I recently saw your advertisement for the Customer Service Assistant position on an online job portal. I am interested in applying for this role.
I believe I am suitable for the job because I am friendly, reliable, and have good communication skills. I enjoy helping people and can work well as part of a team. I am also eager to learn new skills and take on responsibilities.
Could you please tell me how long the training period will be?
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Your Name