OLYMPIAD PRACTICE
WRITING
9th Form Questions:
1. Think about dating. What does the phrase “to date someone” mean? Where do people go on
dates? What do they do? Why is it important to date someone?
2. In the 1920s, a family in Florida was digging a hole on their property when they hit something
metal with their shovels. It was a chest filled with 3,700 Spanish coins dating from the 1740s to
the 1760s. The coins were worth around $150,000 USD. If you found $150,000 USD, what would
you spend it on?
3. Every culture has stories. Stories serve different purposes. Some entertain. Others teach history
or help people understand their own culture. In many cultures, stories are used to teach the
difference between right and wrong behaviors. What kinds of stories are traditional in your
culture? Describe a story that teaches a lesson.
4. Food is a very important part of our lives as we must eat to live, but not live to eat. What is your
favorite dish and how is it made? Tell about the process of preparing the dish. What are the
ingredients and where do you buy them? Why do you love this dish so much? Does it mean
something special to you?
5. Around the world mobile phones have become more and more popular. In some countries,
people depend on mobile phones to do their daily jobs or to keep in contact with other people.
But what would the world be like without mobile phones? Have mobile phones truly improved
the quality of life of those who use them?
6. You have been called upon to create a new national holiday for Ukraine. What person or event
do you choose to honor, and why? When would you have the holiday, and how would this
affect the celebration? What traditions will be associated with this holiday? Why will this
holiday appeal to citizens around the country?
10th Form Questions:
1. Many cultures have interesting beliefs about good luck and bad luck. For example: In Japan,
before a match, sumo wrestlers throw salt around the ring to purify it; and in Brazil, it is
common to see people wearing a necklace or bracelet with a thumb pointing up for good luck.
Does your culture have good luck/bad luck beliefs? What are they and why do you think they
are used?
2. Tourism (people visiting another country) is “big business” around the world, and most
countries encourage tourism. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages. Tourism
creates jobs, but many are low paying ones. Tourism can also cause products to cost more (in
summer) than when tourists are not visiting a country (in winter). What places are popular with
tourists in your country? What are some advantages and some disadvantages of tourism during
the summer?
3. In many countries, vending machines are used to sell soft drinks, candy, and many other items.
In the United States, there are vending machines that sell videos, tools, and frozen food. Are
vending machines popular in your country? What do they sell? What do you wish they would
sell and why?
4. A new book, “The World without Us” by Alan Weisman, gives an idea of what the Earth would
be like once humans are gone. Some suggest that the Earth would be a better and cleaner place
without us. Do you agree with this statement? What significant contributions have humans
made to the Earth? What negative influences have humans had on our planet?
5. You would like to begin a new after-school club at your school; it can be any activity of interest
to you. Which activity will you choose? Who will the club appeal to most? What steps will you
take to get other students interested in your new club and make it successful and enjoyable for
all? How will you ensure that this club will continue once you leave school?
6. Some people claim that libraries with paperback books are becoming obsolete with the
developments in electronic media. Do you agree? What part do you see libraries playing in your
future and that of your peers? Can anything be done to keep libraries from becoming a thing of
the past? Do you think there is any difference in information coming from the printed pages of a
book rather than a computer screen?
11th Form Questions:
1. Massage is considered a type of alternative medicine. It is not normally received at the doctor's
office as part of healing your health problems. In Western and Asian massage, the point is to
relax the muscles. What alternative medical practices are used in your country to heal the body?
Do you know people who have tried them? Did the help to heal them?
2. In England, Spain, and other parts of Europe, it is unusual in social situations to talk about work.
In the Middle East, people who do business together don't usually talk about their families.
What are polite topics of conversation? What topics are impolite? What things do strangers talk
about in your country?
3. The ancient Egyptians believed in the cat goddess "BAST". "BAST" had the body of a woman and
the head of a cat. It is also believed that she had nine lives. In Ghana, in western Africa, some
people believe that when someone dies, his or her spirit passes into the body of a cat. In
England, people used to think that a hair from a cat's tail could cure a sore eye. What are two
beliefs you know about animals from your culture? Do you think they are true? Why do you
think they are still believed?
4. It has been said that, "Not everything that is learned is contained in books." Compare and
contrast knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books. In your
opinion, which source is more important? Why? When in your life have you learned something
from experience that was extremely valuable?
5. Music is an important and popular form of artistic expression. Every culture has its own musical
traditions, and many musical ideas and rhythms have been exchanged between cultures over
the centuries. However, we are now living in a global era. Many of these traditions have been
lost, and the world listens too much of the same music. What are the positive and negative
aspects of this development? Do you think there is more or less diversity in a global musical
culture? Do you think it is better that different cultures listen to the same music and adopt
similar styles, or should they preserve their traditions? What do you think has changed about
Ukraine's musical culture under the influence of these global musical trends?
6. Imagine that a new regulation has been passed stating that all future Olympic Games must be
held in developing nations in order to promote economic development and stimulate discussion
on the topic of poverty. How will this change the image of the Olympic Games? What benefits
might the countries experience from hosting the games? In your opinion, are the Olympics only
a sporting event or can they be a venue for addressing social issues, and why?
Other Writing Samples:
1. Computers are becoming more and more important in today s world. How do you feel people are
using computers? Do you feel that they use them enough, or too much? Are there any negative
effects to becoming more and more dependent on computers?
2. What do you consider to be a family? How important is family life in today s world? There are
more and more divorces and single-parent families; how is this affecting today s youth? If you could
make some changes to strengthen the family in today s culture, what would you do?
3. Right now, the world is becoming more and more polluted, greenhouse gasses are being blamed for
causing global warming, and our world population is growing. What do you consider to be the most
important environmental issue? What can we do to improve this environmental problem? How
much should the government interfere in order to make these changes happen?
4. What qualities would children like to see in their parents?
5. Most people think that high education should be available only for the most capable students.
Others think that everyone should have higher education. What is your opinion?
6. What are some of the ancient ways to predict the weather?
7. Dissatisfaction leads to progress. Do you agree with this statement?
8. Imagine that you could have a conversation and dinner with a famous person. Whom would you
choose and why?
9. Whom do you nominate for the Man or the Woman of the year?
10. In your opinion, should a human society be permissive? What are the pluses and minuses of it?
READING
9th Form Questions:
Text 1: From “Not the Queen’s English” by Carla Power, Newsweek, March 2005.
Governments, even linguistically protectionist ones, are starting to agree. Last year Malaysia
decided to start teaching school-level math and science in English. In France, home of the Academie
Francaise, whose members are given swords and charged with defending the sanctity of the French
language, a commission recommended last fall that basic English be treated like basic math: as a part of
the mandatory core curriculum beginning in primary school. As it turns out, the Minister of Education
didn’t agree. No matter; French schoolchildren are ahead of their government: ninety-six percent of
them are already studying the language as an elective in school.
Technology also plays a huge role in English’s global triumph. Eighty percent of the
electronically stored information in the world is in English; sixty-six percent of the world’s scientists read
in it, according to the British Council. “It’s very important to learn English because information
technology books are only in English,” says Umberto Duirte, a Uruguayan IT student learning English in
London. New technologies are helping people pick up the language, too: Chinese and Japanese students
can get English-usage tips on their mobile phones.
Statements 1 through 10 (on your answer sheet circle + if the statement is true, - if it is false)
1. All governments are linguistically protectionist because they don’t want to lose their culture.
2. English is a global phenomenon, being taught as a mandatory class all over the world.
3. Members of Academie Francaise are given swords to defend the sanctity of the French Language.
4. A commission suggested that English be treated as part of the required core curriculum.
5. The Minister of Education agreed that English should be a part of the core curriculum in France.
6. Ninety-six percent of all French School children study English as elective courses in school.
7. Umberto Duirte studies English because all books are in English.
8. Sixty-six percent of the world’s electronically stored information in the world is in English.
9. According to this article, mobile phones are helping people learn English.
10. Technology plays a huge role in English’s global triumph.
Text 2: From "Roald Dahl Biography" on http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/
Roald Dahl was born in Wales on September 16, 1916 to Norwegian parents. His father died
when he was 3 years old and he was raised by his mother. He had a fairly unhappy time at boarding
school which provided some of the inspiration for his later stories.
After leaving school he worked for the Shell Oil Company based in Africa until the outbreak of
World War II, when he signed up with the Royal Air Force. Unfortunately, he was injured in action and
eventually returned home as an invalid. He was then sent to Washington DC to work as an attaché
where, almost by accident, he started his writing career. When he was interviewed for an article about
his time in action he offered to write about his experiences. His piece was published in the Saturday
Evening Post, that signed him up to write more articles.
In 1943 he wrote his first children’s book, "The Gremlins," which was originally intended to be
made into an animated film by Walt Disney. The film was not made and instead, Dahl turned to writing
adult fiction, not writing another children’s story until the 1960s.
By this time he was a father himself and had started making up stories to entertain his own
children. From this came the stories of "James and the Giant Peach" and "Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory." He went on to write 21 children’s books including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "The
BFG", "Matilda", and "The Witches", all of which have been made into films. Roald Dahl died on
November 23, 1990.
Questions 11 through 15 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D)
11. Which place DIDN'T Roald Dahl live in?
A. America
B. Africa
C. Great Britain
D. Norway
12. Of these books by Roald Dahl, which has NOT been made into a film?
A. Matilda
B. The Gremlins
C. The Witches
D. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
13. Why did Roald Dahl start writing most of his children's books?
A. He was injured in the war and needed work.
B. He wrote about his experiences as a child.
C. He wasn't successful writing for adults.
D. He made up stories to tell his own children.
14. Which profession did Roald Dahl NOT have in his life?
A. Attaché
B. Author
C. Film director
D. Oil company worker
15. What did Roald Dahl do from 1943 to the 1960's?
A. Worked as an attaché.
B. Published children's stories.
C. Wrote adult fiction.
D. Made films.
Text 3: From "Native Americans" on Nativeamericans.com, 2006.
Native Americans are peoples who occupied North America before the arrival of the Europeans
in the 15th century. They have long been known as Indians because of the belief prevalent at the time of
Columbus that the Americas were the outer reaches of the Indies (hence the name ‘East Indies’). Most
scholars agree that Native Americans came into the Western Hemisphere from Asia via the Bering Strait
in a series of migrations. From Alaska they spread east and south.
The several waves of migration are said to account for the many native linguistic families while
the common origin is used to explain the physical characteristics that Native Americans have in common
(though with considerable variation): Mongoloid features, coarse, straight black hair, dark eyes, sparse
body hair, and a skin color ranging from yellow-brown to reddish brown. Many scholars accept evidence
of Native American existence in the Americas back more than 25,000 years. In pre-Columbian times
(prior to 1492) the Native American population of the area north of Mexico is estimated to have been
between one and two million.
There is no part of the world with as many distinctly different native languages as the Western
Hemisphere. Although most of the Native American languages that were spoken at the time of the
European arrival in the New World in the late 15th century have become extinct, many of them are still
in use today.
Questions 16 through 20 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D)
16. After migrating across the Bering Strait to Alaska, the Native Americans ______ east and south.
A. looked
B. moved
C. encouraged
D. hunted
17. All of the following statements about Native Americans are true EXCEPT that...
A. their languages are extremely diverse.
B. they have a common appearance.
C. they arrived in the Americas prior to the year 1500.
D. most of the Native American languages are still spoken today.
18. Why were the Americas called the ‘East Indies’ by Columbus?
A. It was thought that the Americas were actually part of the Indies.
B. According to Columbus, the Native Americans looked like Indians from India.
C. The East Indies are located in the Pacific Ocean.
D. The land and resources of the New World were very similar to that of the Indies.
19. Which of the following is NOT a feature of a Native American?
A. dark eyes
B. curly hair
C. coarse hair
D. Asian-looking features
20. Why do Native Americans look so similar, yet speak so many different distinct languages?
A. They were trying to establish new societies in the New World.
B. Each tribe invented a new language before arriving in Alaska.
C. Migrants crossed the Bering Strait at the same time and then spread over the continent.
D. They all migrated from Asia, but at different times.
Text 4: From “Teutonic Speeds” by Tom Zeller, National Geographic, October 2007.
Freedom to speed is an undeniable right in Germany – at least on those portions of the nearly
8,000 miles of autobahn that have no posted limit. Some drivers well exceed 150 miles per hour (mph).
So there was an uproar when a European Union official suggested last year that Germany cut
greenhouse emissions by imposing a limit of 75 mph or so on the entire expressway.
The idea has merit. Cars burn fuel to overcome friction, air resistance, and other forces allied
against them. The more fuel a car burns, the more carbon dioxide it produces. Every car has a peak
fuel-efficient speed that gains the greatest distance per unit of energy spent. That speed varies by make
and model, but according to David Greene, a corporate researcher, “there would be very few cars with
an optimal speed above 70 mph.” Still, an autobahn limit might not be a huge help. Even now, its
drivers average around 80 mph.
Questions 21 through 25 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D)
21. Why did a European Union official suggest placing a speed limit on the autobahn?
A. There have been too many deaths resulting from high speed accidents.
B. New EU member citizens are driving on the autobahn with little experience.
C. The official is concerned that the price of petrol is too high, and should be conserved.
D. Driving slower uses less petrol, and is therefore more environmentally friendly.
22. In the article, the term “uproar” means…
A. explosion.
B. outcry.
C. loud sound.
D. battle.
23. Imposing speed limits on the autobahn may not help reduce pollution because…
A. cars are becoming more fuel efficient, therefore speed limits are not necessary.
B. there so many other sources of pollution that it won’t help much.
C. although there is no posted speed limit, drivers drive close to the optimal speed already.
D. people never follow the posted speed limits.
24. At what speed does the average car use the least amount of petrol?
A. Under 70 mph.
B. 150 mph.
C. 75 mph.
D. 80 mph.
25. Why is a car more fuel efficient at low speeds?
A. Cars do not have to overcome as much friction and air resistance.
B. Cars move in a straighter path at low speeds.
C. Cars produce more carbon dioxide at low speeds, and therefore use less petrol.
D. The newer model cars produce carbon dioxide only when going over 80 mph.
Text 5: “The Dark Side – Making War on Light Pollution” by David Owen, The New Yorker.
Glossary: rim - край
In 1610, Galileo Galilei published a small book describing astronomical observations that he had
made of the skies above Padua, Italy. His homemade telescopes had less magnifying and resolving
power than most beginners’ telescopes sold today, yet with them he made astonishing discoveries: that
the moon has mountains and other topographical features, that Jupiter is orbited by satellites which he
called planets, and that the Milky Way is made up of individual stars. It may seem strange that this last
observation could have surprised anyone, but in Galileo’s time people assumed that the Milky Way must
be some kind of continuous substance. It truly resembled a streak of spilled liquid and it was so bright
that it cast shadows on the ground (as did Jupiter and Venus). Today, by contrast, most Americans are
unable to see the Milky Way in the sky above the place where they live, and those who can see it are
sometimes baffled by its name.
The stars have not become dimmer; rather, the Earth has become vastly brighter, so that
celestial objects are harder to see. Air pollution has made the atmosphere less transparent and more
reflective, and high levels of terrestrial illumination have washed out the stars overhead – a
phenomenon called “sky glow.” Anyone who has flown across the country on a clear night has seen the
landscape ablaze with artificial lights, especially in urban areas. Today, a person standing on the
observation deck of the Empire State Building on a cloudless night would be unable to discern much
more than the moon, the brighter planets and a handful of very bright stars – less than one percent of
what Galileo would have been able to see without a telescope.
Today, the very darkest places in the United States are increasingly threatened. For someone
standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon on a moonless night, the brightest feature of the sky is not the
Milky Way but the glow of Las Vegas, a hundred and seventy-five miles away. To see skies truly
comparable to those which Galileo knew, you would have to travel to such places as the Australian
Outback and the mountains of Peru.
Questions 26 through 30 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D)
26. What is “sky glow?”
A. The brighter planets and some of the brighter stars.
B. The large amount of artificial lights on earth.
C. The man-made phenomenon that makes the cosmos difficult to observe.
D. The brightening of the earth’s surface.
27. Galileo’s discoveries were remarkable because…
A. his telescopes were weak and homemade.
B. Padua, Italy had very bright skies.
C. no one else had telescopes.
D. the skies in the sixteenth century were very bright.
28. To experience the truly dark skies, you can go…
A. to the Grand Canyon, U.S.A.
B. to the Australian Outback.
C. to Padua, Italy.
D. to the top of the Empire State Building.
29. According to the text, which of these things did Galileo NOT discover?
A. that the moon has mountains
B. that Venus casts a shadow on the ground
C. that the Milky Way is made up of many stars
D. that Jupiter is orbited by satellites
30. The Milky Way has its name because…
A. it is the brightest feature in the sky.
B. it resembles a streak of liquid in the air.
C. it casts a shadow on Uranus.
D. it sets the landscape ablaze.
10th Form Questions:
Text 1: From “Communing Without Nature”, The Nature Conservancy Associated Press.
Glossary: obesity – огрядність, надмірна повнота
As people spend more time communing with their televisions and computers, the impact is not
just on their health, researchers say. Less time spent outdoors means less contact with nature and,
eventually, less interest in conservation and parks. Visits to national parks peaked in 1987 and dropped
23 percent by 2006.
"Declining nature participation has crucial implications for current conservation efforts," wrote the coauthors of the report. "We think it probable that any major decline in the value placed on natural areas
and experiences will greatly reduce the value people place on biodiversity conservation. The
replacement of vigorous outdoor activities by sedentary, indoor activities has far-reaching consequences
for physical and mental health, especially in children. Watching television and computer use have been
shown to be a cause of obesity, lack of socialization, attention disorders and poor academic
performance."
By studying visits to national and state parks and the issuance of hunting and fishing licenses,
the researchers documented declines of between 18 percent and 25 percent in various types of outdoor
recreation. The decline, found in both the United States and Japan, appears to have begun in the 1980s
and 1990s, the period of rapid growth of video games, they said.
Statements 1 through 10 (on your answer sheet circle + if the statement is true, - if it is false)
1. Obesity is a cause of poor academic performance.
2. This report was written by 2 researchers.
3. A declining interest in outdoor recreation is connected with the growth of video gaming.
4. The article asserts that conservation and socialization are equally important.
5. Over the last 20 years, visits to national parks have stayed constant.
6. According to this article, a decline in outdoor recreation will lead to childhood obesity.
7. The article states that watching television has been linked to obesity and lack of socialization.
8. Over the past decades, the number of people visiting national parks has increased by 25%.
9. The inability to concentrate may be a consequence of a sedentary lifestyle.
10. Interviews with overweight video gamers were used to support this article.
Text 2: "Zaha Hadid" by The Design Museum & British Council, www.designmuseum.org
Glossary: curse – проклін, прокляття
The first woman to win the Pritzker Prize for Architecture in its 26 year history, Zaha Hadid has
defined a radically new approach to architecture by creating buildings with multiple perspective points
and fragmented geometry, meant to evoke the chaos of modern life.
When Zaha Hadid was named as the first woman to win the prestigious Pritzker Prize for architecture
in 2004 the opening words of the citation were: “Her architectural career has not been traditional or
easy.” An understatement. All architects have to struggle, but Hadid seems to have struggled rather
more than most. Her single-mindedness and singular lack of compromise is the stuff of legend. In part,
it is simple artistic temperament - necessary, perhaps - to create forceful architecture like Hadid’s. And
in part it is the survival mechanism required to create such architecture in what remains a profession
dominated by men.
Hadid’s forcefulness is both her curse and her blessing. A curse because strong character can make
clients run for the hills. Until recently Hadid was more famous not for the buildings she had built, but for
the ones she had not. Often, these opportunities to build were lost quite spectacularly. In the end,
though, her forcefulness is a blessing. Like architectural natural selection, it helps to weed out weak
projects and weak clients, so that when architecture is finally built, it is as strong-willed as its creator.
Questions 11 through 15 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D)
11. In the first paragraph, the word “evoke” most likely means:
A. reduce
B. suggest
C. remember
D. modernize
12. The article mentions the opening words of Hadid’s citation in order to...
A. explain why Hadid is such an honored architect.
B. introduce the idea that Hadid has had to struggle more than other architects.
C. elaborate upon the details of Hadid’s architectural career.
D. showcase the fact that Hadid was the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize.
13. Which is NOT a reason given for Hadid’s strong personality?
A. It is the result of her artistic temperament.
B. It is the only way to succeed in a "masculine" profession.
C. It is the result of dealing with clients.
D. It is needed in order to create forceful architecture.
14. In the third part of the text, why does the author believe that Hadid’s character is a positive thing?
A. It ensures that Hadid only follows through with strong projects.
B. It scares away clients.
C. It has made her famous.
D. It helps distinguish her from male architects.
15. The author would most likely describe Hadid as:
A. unreasonable
B. weak
C. indulgent
D. determined
Text 3: From “Alexis Ells's Dream” in National Geographic
Glossary: fraught – повний, наповнений
From the time she was a small child, Alexis Ells remembers rescuing injured animals and bringing
them home for care.
"Healing has always been innate to me," says Ells. "It's been a calling, a passion. I was one of
those blessed people who always knew what she wanted to do."
By continuing to follow this innate passion, Ells is fulfilling her life's dream as the founder of the
Equine Sanctuary, a non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and retrains injured performance
horses that can no longer compete.
Ells says reaching her dream meant facing life's inevitable uncertainties and taking action now,
not later.
"So many people are waiting for that perfect moment," she says. But "that right moment never
shows up. We have to create that moment. Our destiny isn't about fate, it's about a choice."
Ells's life has been fraught with great challenges, including a serious illness and a car accident in
1988 that ended her competitive riding career and left her with a serious brain injury. But she believes
her success is built on her attitude that being challenged in life is inevitable; being defeated is optional.
"I think it's about perception and perspective," she says. "If you give yourself the freedom to
know that anything is possible, and you keep having faith, belief, and perseverance despite the odds,
you will eventually arrive at the top of the mountain."
Questions 16 through 20 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D)
16. What is it that has always been innate to Ells?
A. Raising and retraining injured horses
B. Following her calling – healing
C. Fulfilling her dream
D. Taking risks
17. “Innate” in the fourth sentence means:
A. requiring thought
B. unnatural
C. instinctive
D. destructive
18. Ells believes we should reach our destiny...
A. by waiting for the perfect moment.
B. by taking action when the moment is just right.
C. by letting fate take its course.
D. by making a choice and creating that moment.
19. What does Ellis believe her success is built upon?
A. her attitude towards being challenged in life
B. her luck in challenging situations
C. her relationship with competitive riding
D. her series of misfortunes
20. When Ellis speaks of arriving at “the top of the mountain,” she is speaking about...
A. her hobby as a climber.
B. her inability to challenge herself in high altitudes.
C. reaching your destiny.
D. overcoming your greatest fears.
Text 4: From “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell.
Glossary: forged – просуватися повільно
bluff – стрімкий берег
Bleak darkness was blacking out the sea and jungle when Rainsford sighted the lights. He came
upon them as he turned a crook in the coast line; and his first thought was that he had come upon a
village, for there were many lights. But as he forged along he saw to his great astonishment that all the
lights were in one enormous building—a lofty structure with pointed towers plunging upward into the
gloom. His eyes made out the shadowy outlines of a palatial chateau; it was set on a high bluff, and on
three sides of it cliffs dived down to where the sea licked greedy lips in the shadows.
"Mirage," thought Rainsford. But it was no mirage, he found, when he opened the tall spiked
iron gate. The stone steps were real enough; the massive door with a leering gargoyle for a knocker was
real enough; yet above it all hung an air of unreality.
He lifted the knocker, and it creaked up stiffly, as if it had never before been used. He let it fall,
and it startled him with its booming loudness. He thought he heard steps within; the door remained
closed. Again Rainsford lifted the heavy knocker, and let it fall. The door opened then—opened as
suddenly as if it were on a spring—and Rainsford stood blinking in the river of glaring gold light that
poured out. The first thing Rainsford's eyes discerned was the largest man Rainsford had ever seen--a
gigantic creature, solidly made and black bearded to the waist. In his hand the man held a long-barreled
revolver, and he was pointing it straight at Rainsford's heart.
Questions 21 through 25 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D)
21. Rainsford saw so many lights that he thought he had come upon:
A. a village.
B. a city.
C. a large house.
D. a palace.
22. Which of the following words would describe the knocker on the door:
A. old
B. new
C. soft
D. wooden
23. Rainsford compared the light that poured from inside the house to:
A. a light as bright as a shining star.
B. a river of glaring gold light.
C. a golden light that shone through the dark jungle.
D. the first sunlight that greets us in the morning.
24. The author does NOT use the following word to describe the man who greets Rainsford.
A. gigantic
B. solid
C. legendary
D. black bearded
25. The man at the door held which of the following objects in his hand?
A. a revolver
B. a sword
C. a stick
D. a candle
Text 5: From “The Frog Finder” by Rory Callinan, Time for Kids: World Report Edition.
Glossary: blob – крапля, кольорова цяточка predator - хижак
It was just after midnight when Stephen Richards heard a strange, melodious whistle amid the
patter of rain in the Papau New Guinea cloud forest. Papau New Guinea is a country on the eastern half
of the island of New Guinea, which lies north of Australia. Richards, 44, knows the terrain and its
creatures well, but the sound he heard was completely new. "When I heard this, I knew it was going to
be fantastic," he says.
Richards moved carefully through thorny vines toward the sound. After an hour of searching, he
found the source: a "warty brown blob." When he gently took hold of the blob, it bit him on the hand.
"I was shocked," he says. "Frogs don't normally bite you." The animal's bite along with its unique cry
and strange appearance, told Richards he had discovered a new species. It was an exhilarating moment.
But to Richards, who is a zoologist with the South Australian Museum in Adelaide, Australia, it was also
another day at work.
Richards believes he has discovered almost 100 frogs. He has managed to scientifically classify
and name 30. Another 70 must be studied carefully before they can be classified as new species.
Frogs are threatened by habitat destruction, disease, and predators. Richards believes
recording the amphibians is vitally important. As for the blob that bit him, Richards has not classified
and named it yet. But you can bet it will have a name that fits its snappy temperament. "I like a frog
with attitude," he says.
Questions 26 through 30 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D)
26. How did Stephen Richards discover this new species?
A. He accidentally stepped on it.
B. He followed the sound of its whistle.
C. The frog jumped on him.
D. Another zoologist brought it to him.
27. What happened when Richards gently picked up the frog?
A. The frog bit him.
B. The frog tried to run away.
C. The frog jumped at him.
D. Richards put the frog in his pocket.
28. Which did NOT contribute to Richards's belief that he had discovered a new species?
A. the frog's bite
B. the frog's whistle
C. the frog's jump
D. the frog's appearance
29. How many frogs has Richards already classified and named?
A. 100
B. 30
C. 70
D. None
30. Why does Richards believe that it's important to record behaviors of frogs?
A. Frogs are threatened by habitat destruction, disease, and predators.
B. They may be poisonous and Richards wants to prevent them from harming others.
C. They are useful in treating illnesses.
D. He wants to open a zoo that mainly displays frogs.
11th Form Questions:
Text 1: From "Pandora's Box," Greek Myths and Legends, Literary Heritage Series.
Glossary: insatiable – ненаситний, жадібний
Pandora was modeled in the likeness of Aphrodite. She was carved out of white marble, her lips
made of red rubies and her eyes of sapphires. Athena breathed life into her and dressed her in elegant
garments. Aphrodite gave her jewels and fixed her mouth in a winning smile. Into the mind of this
beautiful creature, Zeus put insatiable curiosity, and then he gave her a sealed box and told her never to
open it.
She was brought down to earth and offered in marriage to Epimetheus, who lived among the
mortals. Epimetheus had been warned never to accept a gift from Zeus, but he could not resist the
beautiful woman. Thus Pandora came to live among mortals, and men came from near and far to stand
awestruck by her wondrous beauty.
But Pandora was not perfectly happy, for she did not know what was in the box that Zeus had
given her. It was not long before her curiosity got the better of her and she had to take a quick peek.
The moment she opened the lid, out swarmed Greed, Vanity, Slander, Envy, and all the miseries
that had been unknown to mortals. Horrified, Pandora shut the lid, just in time to keep Hope from flying
out too. Zeus had put Hope at the bottom of the box, and it would have quickly put an end to the
unleashed evils. They stung and bit the mortals as Zeus had planned, but their sufferings made them
wicked instead of good, as Zeus had hoped. They lied, stole, and killed each other and became so evil
that Zeus in disgust drowned them in a flood.
Statements 1 through 10 (on your answer sheet circle + if the statement is true, - if it is false)
1. Pandora looked nothing like Aphrodite.
2. Pandora's curiosity could best be described as uncontrollable.
3. Zeus gave Pandora the box because he knew she would open it.
4. Pandora lived with the gods.
5. When men saw Pandora they were uninspired.
6. "Curiosity got the better of her" means "Curiosity helped her."
7. A synonym of "to swarm" is "to fly together quickly."
8. Pandora knew that Hope was at the bottom of the box.
9. Zeus' plan was destroyed because Pandora opened the box.
10. The miseries in the box killed the mortals.
Text 2: From "HOLLYWOOD," from www.filmsite.com
Foreigners are the best thing that ever happened to Hollywood. Some of the most celebrated
directors of “American” films were not born in the United States: Billy Wilder, William Wyler, Frank
Capra, Elia Kazan, Mike Nichols, Roman Polanski, John Woo, An Lee - all were born outside the U.S. Of all
the Oscars given for best directing since 1929, 27 percent have gone to men for whom English is a
foreign language; 23 percent of best-picture winners were directed by a person born in a foreign
country. Oddly, though, not one of those prizes has gone to a director from Mexico or South America.
That is going to change. Hollywood is in the middle of a Pan-American invasion because of five visionary
talents who are likely to become to the next decade what Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, George
Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola were to the 1970s. This group of new directors has come out of the art
houses and into the spotlight. Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron not only wrote and directed the
internationally successful film “Y Tu Mama Tambien,” but followed it with the 2004 international smash
“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” His countryman Guillermo del Toro turned a favorite comic
book, “Hellboy,” into a hit last spring, and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu followed his first film, the Oscarnominated “Amores Perros,” with the acclaimed “21 Grams” starring Sean Penn.
Farther south, Brazilian Fernando Meirelles earned a best-director nomination in 2003 for his
film “City of God,” a movie that was produced by fellow Brazilian director Walter Salles, whose film,
“Central Station,” earned two Oscar nominations in 1998 and whose new film, “The Motorcycle Diaries,”
may obtain best-picture and best-director nominations.
None of this would have happened without the major sociopolitical changes that occurred in
Mexico and South America in the past 20 years. “My generation is the first generation [in South
America] to be able to express itself freely,” Salles says. “Until the early ‘80s in Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
Peru, we were living under military dictatorships, under censorship. If you have not been able to express
your voice for 25 years and you finally recover it, there’s a passion to express yourself that has no
parallel. This generation of directors and actors has developed from that." This generation of Mexican
directors, by contrast, was the first to grow from a different kind of cultural repression.
Questions 11 through 15 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D)
11. Of all the Oscars given for best director in the United States 27% have gone to…
A. Americans.
B. foreigners.
C. men for whom English is a foreign language.
D. directors from Mexico and South America.
12. Directors from Mexico and South America…
A. have obtained Oscars for best picture.
B. have obtained Oscars for best director.
C. have not yet obtained Oscars.
D. will certainly receive an Oscar this year.
13. Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola…
A. are Pan-American directors.
B. are talents of the 1970s.
C. will become more known in the next decade.
D. are a group of new directors.
14. Which of the following have NOT received an Oscar nomination?
A. “Amores Perros”
B. “Central Station”
C. Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles
D. “Motorcycle Diaries”
15. Which is NOT correct about directors from South America?
A. They are the first generation with the freedom to express itself.
B. They lived under military censorship until the early 1980s.
C. Their countries had major sociopolitical changes.
D. They remain unable to express their voices to this day.
Text 3: "Meteor Streaks across Pacific Northwest," The Metro, February 24, 2008.
Glossary: dispatcher – диспетчер
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — a meteor streaked through the sky over the Pacific northwest and
apparently landed in Eastern Washington early Tuesday.
A private pilot reported seeing the meteorite hit the Earth in a burst of light near State Route 26
and the Lind-Hatton Road in Adams County about 5:45 a.m., said an employee who refused to identify
himself at the Federal Aviation Administration regional operations center in Seattle. Mike Fergus, an FAA
spokesman in Seattle, originally reported that a Horizon Airlines pilot saw the meteorite strike, but the
employee said that was incorrect.
Sheriff's dispatchers said they had no reports of damage, injury or a meteor landing in the area,
about 175 miles east-southeast of Seattle and 90 miles southwest of Spokane. Washington State Patrol
Lt. Robert D. Kerwin said there was no indication of a traffic disruption.
A number of pilots reported seeing the meteor streaking through the sky from Boise, into
Washington State, said an FAA duty officer who declined to give his name.
Television stations in Spokane reported getting viewer calls from across Washington State and
north Idaho, parts of Oregon and southeastern British Columbia, starting about 5:30 a.m.
The callers said it resembled summer lightning, a rocket, a satellite or an exploding transformer.
A viewer from Walla Walla, about 55 miles south-southeast of the reported crash site, said she heard a
sonic boom and felt a shock wave not long after seeing the streaking meteor.
Questions 16 through 20 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D)
16. What does “refused to identify himself” mean?
A. The witness will not speak to the reporter.
B. The witness will not give his or her name.
C. The witness will only speak with a lawyer present.
D. The witness will not confirm if he or she saw a meteor.
17. The meteorite was described as...
A. summer lighting.
B. a crash site.
C. a traffic disruption.
D. a siren.
18. From which states did TV stations in Spokane NOT report getting calls about the meteorite?
A. Washington and Idaho
B. Kansas and Iowa
C. Washington and Oregon
D. British Columbia and Oregon
19. What did a viewer from Walla Walla say she heard and felt not long after seeing the meteor?
A. a sonic boom and a shock wave
B. a sonic boom and a satellite
C. an exploding transformer and a sonic boom
D. a satellite and a traffic disruption
20. What kind of damage was reported in the area around where the meteor was seen?
A. about 175 miles of damage
B. serious flooding and some burning
C. no reports of damage
D. only minor damage was reported
Text 4: From "The Fire Element," from www.spiritsingles.com/astrology
Glossary: Aries – Стрілець
Sagittarius – Овен
haste – необачність, нерозважливість
The first element is Fire, represented by the signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. For these people,
the first reaction to everything is a physical one. They are the ones most likely to "shoot first and ask
questions later." Before they assess the practicality of their actions, before considering the emotional
consequences, and before intellectual perceptions have a chance to impose control, Fire sign people
need to do something. The moment their interest is aroused, they charge into battle unarmed. In their
haste to do something important details may be forgotten or disregarded. They can be unmindful of
how their careless actions may hurt or infringe on the rights of others. The positive side of their
animated natures is that fire signs possess great courage. They are willing to take chances and do things
others would not attempt. Their accomplishments can be legendary if they learn to channel their energy
constructively into worthwhile endeavors and develop the patience to complete the projects they
initiate. Fire sign people are the most physically active. Aries likes to be active simply as a release of
energy. Leo wants to get around in order to enjoy the attention and sociable companionship of others.
Sagittarius loves the freedom that comes from being physically independent.
Questions 21 through 25 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D)
21. People who are born under the Fire element are known to respond with …
A. their minds
B. their bodies
C. emotions
D. practical thinking
22. The phrase "shoot first and ask questions later" means …
A. to be good at sports
B. to ask questions
C. to be are impulsive
D. to be very practical
23. When Fire Signs are intrigued they …
A. accomplish great things.
B. pay close attention to details.
C. put others feelings first.
D. react without thinking.
24. All of these favourable characteristics are about Fire element people EXCEPT:
A. they are brave
B. they try things some people may not undertake
C. they are energetic
D. they are patient
25. Which sign of the Fire Element gets pleasure from camaraderie and being the focus of others?
A. Sagittarius
B. Leo
C. Aries
D. None of these
Text 5: From "The Reptile Garden," by Louise Erdrich.
Glossary: crochet – вишивати тамбуром (крючком) wince – здригання, брикання
In the fall of 1972, my parents drove me to the University of North Dakota for my freshman
year. Everything I needed was packed in a brand-new royal-blue aluminum trunk: a crazy-quilt afghan
that my mother had crocheted for my bed, thirty dollars’ worth of new clothes, my Berlitz French SelfTeacher, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (a gift from my father), a framed photograph of my
grandfather Mooshum, and a beaded leather tobacco pouch that he had owned ever since I could
remember, and which he had casually handed to me as I left, the way old men give presents.
Other freshmen were already moving into their dormitory rooms when we arrived, with their
parents helping haul. I saw boxes of paperbacks, stereo equipment, Dylan albums and varnished
acoustic guitars, home-knitted afghans, none as brilliant as mine, Janis posters, Bowie posters, Day-Glo
bed sheets, hacky sacks and stuffed bears. But as we carried my trunk up two flights of stairs terror
invaded me. Although I was studying French because I dreamed of going to Paris, I actually dreaded
leaving home, and in the end my parents did not want me to leave, either. But this is how children are
sacrificed into their futures: I had to go, and here I was. We walked back down the stairs. I was too
numb to cry, but I watched my mother and father as they stood beside the car and waved. That moment
is a still image; I can call it up as if it were a photograph. My father, so thin and athletic, looked almost
frail with shock, while my mother, whose beauty was still remarkable, and who was known on the
reservation for her silence and reserve, had left off her characteristic gravity. Her face and my fathers
were naked with love. It wasn’t something that we talked about - love. But they allowed me this one
clear look at it. It blazed from them. And then they left.
I think now that everything that was concentrated in that one look - the care they had taken in
bringing me up, their patient lessons in every subject they knew how to teach, their wincing efforts to
give me my freedom, the example they had set of fortitude in work was what allowed me to survive.
The trunk was quickly emptied; my room was barely filled. Then, books to my chest, I curled up
beneath the afghan and looked out the window. I understood right then that I would be spending most
of my first semester in this position.
Questions 26 through 30 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D)
26. The tobacco pouch was special because…
A. the author’s father had owned it.
B. the author’s grandfather, Mooshem, had owned it.
C. it was full of tobacco.
D. it was beaded and very valuable.
27. Her belongings DO NOT include:
A. An afghan
B. A framed photograph
C. A French book
D. A stuffed bear
28. In this sense, ‘naked’ means:
A. Openly expressive
B. Without clothing
C. Sad and unhappy
D. Defenseless
29. The author knows her parents loved her because…
A. they looked at her in a loving way.
B. they often told her so.
C. they were leaving her at University.
D. her mother had made a beautiful blanket for her.
30. The writer was anxious because…
A. she didn’t want to spend all semester under the blanket.
B. she didn’t want to leave her parents.
C. she didn’t have enough things to fill up her room.
D. she was scared of her new freedom.
Other Reading Samples:
Goran Persson, “Why Sweden is so Tough,” Newsweek (Special Edition), December 2005-February
2006, p. 28-29.
The economic success of the Scandinavian countries is surprising, perhaps, for some. It is often
said that in the era of globalization, countries with generous welfare policies cannot be competitive. It is
claimed that countries with high taxes and large public expenditures cannot be successful growth
nations. The rapid development of the Scandinavian countries during the past decade is a powerful
argument against this logic.
True, we live in times of sweeping change. The last 10 years have taken us on a great journey,
full of rapid and fascinating developments. The overall prosperity of the world is growing. People are
rising out of hunger, oppression and illiteracy. More countries have become democracies. Research
and new technology offer new opportunities. Medicines are becoming cheaper and more widely
accessible. At the same time new threats—in the forms of terrorism, infectious diseases and climate
change—spread fear around the world.
But change itself is nothing new for an open, trade-oriented country like Sweden. For us, all this
is challenging, but also exciting. Our economic growth is largely a product of continuous structural
adjustments. We have encouraged those changes, and continue to do so. Our openness and innovative
climate has helped us to build a number of successful international companies such as Saab, IKEA, Volvo,
Ericsson and Asea.
What is new is the pace of change. The globalization of economies and markets affects people’s
everyday lives. For society as a whole, the continuous shift of labor into new, more productive areas is
of great benefit. But for individuals, these changes can carry great costs. Workers in the most
developed countries face competition from workers with lower wages and less secure working
conditions. Businesses face tougher pressure on prices and a rapid increase in efficiency demand. At
the same time, more jobs require high education and specific skills, and an increasing number of jobs
are emerging in the service sector.
Along with the other Scandinavian countries, Sweden has been coping well with this fastchanging environment. Our country has had higher growth over the past 10 years than the EU and
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average. Sweden is held to have the
world’s most internationalized economy after Ireland. We have been designated the most creative
country in the world and the best climate for innovation in the EU. Sweden is third in the World
Economic Forum’s ranking of growth prospects, and invests more in education than any other OECD
country except Denmark. Sweden is also in the lead at balancing growth and environmental concerns.
International studies confirm it time and again: Sweden is one of the world’s most modern
countries. We have strong social security—but a higher level of employment and work-force
participation than most other countries. We have high public expenditure—but we have had greater
economic growth in the past 10 years than the OECD average. We have a large public sector—but there
is also a vigorous and expanding business sector that competes successfully in the world market.
I believe the reason we are doing relatively well is that we have developed policies that facilitate
structural adjustment. That enables us to harness the full potential of globalization. It is not about
protecting old and inefficient sectors. It is about facilitating change for the individual—to build bridges
from the old to the new, from the shrinking sectors to the innovative, from the stagnating to the vibrant
and growing.
To do so, we must provide people with opportunities to learn new things, to move or to change
jobs late in life. And they need secure incomes, in case the unpredictable—an illness, unemployment—
strikes. In a rapidly changing economy, lifelong education, a strong social security system and active
labor-market policies are key assets.
The Swedish model clearly shows that an ambitious welfare policy is fully compatible with free
trade and openness. High taxes do not get in the way of good growth if they are levied through a
sensibly constructed tax system that does not place an excessive burden on production.
On the contrary—a system of this kind is an advantage for development and growth. A robust
public sector gives people the security to seek new opportunities and test new grounds. In this way,
security goes hand in hand with development. Our experience also confirms this. Willingness to pay
tax, moreover, is relatively high in Sweden, as people feel confident that the money is used to address
common concerns—health care, schools and social services available to all.
In the same way, it is crucial to give women the same rights, opportunities and wages as men.
Parenthood must not be an obstacle to work, which is why Swedish couples have the right to stay home
with 80 percent pay for 13 months (including at least two months for the father) after childbirth, and to
full-time day care. As a result, Sweden has one of the highest levels of female labor participation in the
world, and one of the highest birthrates in the European Union. As Western populations age, a high
birthrate is critical for maintaining a balance between working age people and retirees so we can afford
pensions. Sweden—small, cold, with a difficult language—cannot hope to rely on immigration.
I am convinced that the Swedish general-welfare model is modern and forward-looking. It is not
only fair. It can also be a very competitive model in a globalized economy.
Multiple Choice:
Based on the text, choose the best answer.
1. In this passage, the author portrays the Scandinavian countries as:
a) economically weak
b) highly competitive economically
c) opposed to globalization
d) generous welfare states that cannot compete in a global market
2. In the author’s viewpoint, the last ten years have been a time of:
a) improvement in the literacy rate
b) technological change
c) heightened threat
d) all of the above
3. Sweden is described as:
a) an isolated country
b) a very traditional society that is resistant to change
c) a country with new ideas
d) a country with few resources
4. The “shift of labor” in paragraph 4 means:
a) people’s jobs are unstable
b) people are working at different jobs than they were before
c) people are working harder
d) people are employed fewer hours per week
5. Sweden’s rate of growth in the past ten years is described as:
a) better than that of the EU and OECD average
b) lagging behind the EU and OECD average
c) about equal to the EU and OECD average
d) improving more rapidly than other Scandinavian countries
6. The phrase “climate for innovation” in paragraph five means:
a) the weather in Sweden contributes to its growth
b) Sweden provides an environment that promotes economic growth
c) Sweden’s innovativeness is due to its cold climate
d) Sweden is warmer than other EU countries
7. Sweden’s expendures in education:
a) are higher than most OECD countries
b) are perhaps equal to Denmark’s expenditures
c) are perhaps lower than Denmark’s expenditures
d) all of the above
8. The level of employment in Sweden is described as:
a) the highest in the world
b) one of the ten highest in the world
c) far above the OECD average
d) high compared to most countries
9. In the author’s view, Sweden is doing well because:
a) the country is free of internal politics
b) the country’s policies support change
c) it is the richest Scandinavian country
d) it combines the best characteristics of the old and the new
10. In paragraph eight, the word “strikes” means:
a) stops working
b) happens unexpectedly
c) attacks someone with a stick
d) becomes enflamed
11. The author believes that women:
a) should earn as much money as men
b) should have equal rights as men
c) deserve to stay home after childbirth
d) all of the above
12. When the author says, “Sweden cannot hope to rely on immigration,” he means:
a) immigrants present many problems in Sweden
b) Sweden does not welcome new immigrants
c) people are unlikely to immigrate to Sweden
d) it is illegal to immigrate to Sweden
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Answer
B
D
C
B
A
B
D
D
B
B
D
C
Annie Finnigan, “Sustainable Development: No City’s an Island,” (Special Advertising Section),
Newsweek (Special Edition), December 2005-February 2006.
The world’s urban populations are exploding. According to a report from the United Nations,
some 3 billion people live in cities today, and their ranks are increasing at almost double the rate of
growth overall. Two years from now, for the first time in history, city dwellers will outnumber country
inhabitants. And 25 years from now the number of those living in cities will have grown by another two
thirds, to 5 billion.
Experts say we must change the way our metropolises function if we’re to leave our children—
who in 25 years will be raising children of their own—cities that are functional and healthy. We must
create cities that are both economically and environmentally sustainable, where clean industry and
green options for energy and transportation are the rule rather than the exception.
Valenciennes, in France’s industrial north, is trying to do just that. The former steel and coal
town was economically depressed when it began, in the 1990s, to invest in sustainability. It has worked
hard to attract “green” businesses, like the Toyota plant on its outskirts—a model in terms of energy
use. In addition, it has completely rethought transportation: next year, it’s launching a new light rail
system that will connect it with nearby towns and cut down on traffic. “The tram is a real step forward
for Valenciennes,” says Jean-Louis Borloo, the city’s former mayor and now France’s minister of
employment, social cohesion and housing. “It’s a clean means of transportation that helps us control
our energy consumption and reduce congestion, pollution and noise.” Along its path, hundreds of trees
will further offset emissions.
Other cities are approaching the sustainability question in a different way. Former textiles
capital Lille—once called the “Manchester of France”—has turned to cleaner industries, like computers
and bioresearch. In addition, Lille was an early adopter when it came to renewable energy: in 1992, it
became the first city in Europe to use biogas buses. Biogas is captured from sewage sludge, which
would otherwise release harmful methane into the atmosphere, and its use has been shown to sharply
cut ozone, particulate and hydrocarbon levels. Today, a significant portion of the city’s bus fleet runs on
biogas.
Valenciennes, Lille and cities like them are finding ways to boost their economies and move
their people—but not at the expense of the environment that future generations must live in. “Today, if
there’s one thing we must always keep in mind,” Jean-Louis Borloo says, “it is the heritage we will leave
our children.”
Multiple Choice:
Based on the text, choose the best answer.
1. According to the text, the world’s urban populations are:
a) shrinking
b) remaining stable
c) growing
d) going unnoticed
2. Twenty-five years from now, the number of people living in cities will have grown by:
a) three fourths
b) three fifths
c) two thirds
d) one half
3. Experts say we must change the way our cities function if they are to remain:
a) exciting
b) healthy
c) democratic
d) free of crime
4. The main industries in Valenciennes were:
a) steel and iron
b) gold and silver
c) steel and coal
d) silver and platinum
5. The light rail system in Valenciennes is intended to:
a) control the city’s use of energy
b) reduce pollution
c) reduce noise and congestion
d) all of the above
6. Jean-Lous Borloo, former mayor of Valenciennes, is now France’s:
a) president
b) prime minister
c) minister of transportation
d) minister of employment, social cohesion and housing
7. Lille was once called:
a) The Manchester of France
b) The Cleanest City in France
c) The Poorest City in France
d) The Pollution Capital of France
8. Lille became the first city in Europe to use biogas buses in:
a) 1982
b) 1990
c) 1992
d) 1994
9. Biogas is captured from:
a) methane
b) ozone
c) sewage sludge
d) hydrocarbon
10. The main subject of this text is:
a) the decline of European cities
b) the impact of population on the environment
c) the impact of population on political systems
d) the population explosion in suburban areas
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Answer
C
C
B
C
D
D
A
C
C
B
Lonely Planet: Turkey, Lonely Planet Publications, Melbourne, 2003 (8th edition), p. 98
Driving around Turkey gives you unparalleled freedom to enjoy the marvelous countryside and
coastline. On the other hand it also exposes you to extra costs and dangers.
You need to know that Turkey has one of the world’s highest motor vehicle accident rates, with
thousands of fatalities each year, and tens of thousands of injuries. Despite efforts to persuade Turkish
drivers to tame the ‘trafik canavari’ (motoring monster) within them, there’s still a long way to go.
Turkish drivers are not particularly discourteous, but they are impatient and incautious. They drive at
high speed and have an irrepressible urge to overtake. To survive on Turkey’s highways, drive cautiously
and very defensively, avoid driving at night, and never let emotions affect what you do.
Having said that, most foreign visitors travel thousands of kilometres around the country
without incident.
If you bring your motorcycle to Turkey you’re bound to have a fine time. Spare parts will
probably be hard to come by, so bring what you may need, or rely on the boundless ingenuity of Turkish
mechanics to find, adapt or make you a part. Or else be prepared to call home, have the part flown in,
and endure considerable hassles from customs.
There are good motorways (otoyols) from the Bulgarian border near Edirne to Istanbul and
Ankara, and south from Emir to Aydin. All motorways have tolls but they’re usually only around US$1 a
time.
Roads tend to be worse in the east. Severe winters play havoc with road surfaces and the
highways department is hard-pushed to keep up with the repairs.
If driving from Istanbul to Ankara you should be aware of a particularly nasty fog belt around
Bolu that can seriously reduce visibility.
There are petrol stations everywhere, at least in western Turkey, and many are megaenterprises, complete with hotel, restaurant and shopping mall. All the same, it’s a good idea to have a
full tank when you start out in the morning across the vast spaces of central and eastern Anatolia.
Multiple Choice:
Based on the text, choose the best answer.
1. Turkey’s motor vehicle accident rate ranks:
a) highest in the world
b) second highest in the world
c) as one of the highest in the world
d) fifth highest in the world
2. The author describes Turkey’s drivers as:
a) discourteous
b) patient
c) defensive
d) impatient and incautious
3. The author advises the reader that when bringing a motorcycle to Turkey:
a) Parts for the motorcycle will be easy to find if it breaks down
b) Turkish mechanics will be tempted to buy the motorcycle
c) You should bring your own parts for the motorcycle
d) You may be able to obtain parts from customs officials
4. All motorways in Turkey:
a)
b)
c)
d)
cost some money if one wants to use them
are free to people who want to use them
are free from the Bulgarian border to Istanbul
can be used all day for one toll
5. Many petrol stations can be found close to:
a) hotels
b) restaurants
c) shopping malls
d) all of the above
6. The main subject of this text is:
a) how to enjoy the beautiful scenery in Turkey
b) traveling in Turkey via motor vehicle
c) how to prevent crime in Turkey
d) where to find bargains in Turkey
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
Answer
C
D
C
A
D
B
Lonely Planet: Turkey, Melbourne, Lonely Planet Publications, 2003 (8th edition), p. 230.
Izmir owes its famously “special” atmosphere to its turbulent history. What you see today has
risen from the ashes of Ottoman Izmir since 1922 when a disastrous fire razed most of the city. Before
that, Izmir was Smyrna, the most Westernised and cosmopolitan of Turkish cities, where more citizens
were Christian and Jewish than Muslim, and where there were thousands of foreign diplomats, traders,
merchants and sailors.
The first settlement, at Bayrakh near the eastern end of the bay, was built in the 10th century
B.C., but there were probably people here as far back as 3000 B.C. Famous citizens of ancient Smyrna
included the poet Homer, the founder of Western literature, who lived before 700 B.C.
After a long period in the shadows things began to look up for Smyrna after the Ottomans took
over in 1415. In 1535, Suleyman the Magnificent signed the Ottomans’ first commercial treaty with
Francois I of France, permitting foreign merchants to reside in the sultan’s dominions. Smyrna rapidly
became Turkey’s most sophisticated commercial city and its streets and buildings took on a quasiEuropean appearance.
After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the victorious Allies sought to carve up the sultan’s
dominions. Some Greeks had always dreamed of re-creating the long-lost Byzantine Empire and, in
1920, with Allied encouragement, they invaded Izmir and headed towards Ankara. In fierce fighting on
the outskirts of Ankara, they were eventually pushed back again. With half its men taken prisoner, the
defeated Greek army fled to ships waiting in Izmir. Unfortunately during mopping-up operations, a
disastrous fire destroyed most of the old city, but the day that Ataturk recaptured Izmir (9 September
1922) marked the moment of victory in the Turkish War of Independence. It’s now the biggest local
holiday.
Based on the text, choose the best answer.
1. Smyrna was the name of Izmir:
a) since 1922
b) before 1922
c) only according to Western Turks
d) according to Jews and Muslims
2. When Izmir was called Smyrna the population was predominantly:
a) Muslim
b) Christian
c) Muslim and Christian
d) Christian and Jewish
3. The phrase “in the shadows” in paragraph three is used to mean:
a) Smyrna was covered in darkness
b) Smyrna was not very well known
c) Smyrna was not a pretty city
d) Smyrna was not part of Turkey
4. The year 1535 was important because Suleyman the Magnificent:
a) signed a treaty with France
b) conquered part of France
c) made Turkey part of Europe
d) established dominion over foreign merchants
5. The phrase “carve up” in paragraph four is used to mean:
a) the sultan’s subjects would be killed
b) the sultan’s swords would be captured
c) the sultan’s dominions would be divided
d) the sultan would be imprisoned
6. The date 9 September 1922 is important as:
a) Greek independence day
b) The day the Turks recaptured Izmir
c) The day Ataturk marched into Ankara
d) The day the Allies sought to re-create the Byzantine Empire
Number
1
2
Answer
B
D
3
4
5
6
B
A
C
B
Neil Wilson, Beth Potter, David Rowson, Keti Japaridze, Lonely Planet: Georgia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan, Melbourne: Lonely Planet Publications (2000), p. 87
Georgian cooking has something in common with other regional cuisines but is on the whole
unmistakably distinctive. The ingredients are usually very fresh (different dishes are cooked in different
seasons), and the recipes elaborate. Many dishes involve grated walnuts, garlic, and a range of herbs
and spices. West Georgian cooking in particular can be quite hot, as it employs the use of a lot of chili.
Georgian cuisine is good news for vegetarians, as there are many delicious vegetarian specialties
such as lobio (red or green beans with herbs and spices), pkhali (a spinach or beetroot paste with
walnuts and garlic), aubergines, mushrooms and salad. The table is usually covered with a great variety
of dishes, some meat, some vegetable, from which you can take your choice.
Fish is not eaten much, but there are many excellent meat dishes. There are mouthwatering
combinations such as lamb with tarragon and wild plums, chicken with tomatoes and herbs, lamb stew
with aubergines, and tomatoes and turkey or chicken eaten cold in a walnut sauce. Other tasty sauces
include the wild plum tkemali and the hot chili ajika.
Georgians generally like their food salty, and many people would say that some of their cheeses
suffer from this, though sulguni and gudis kveli, two of the more famous types, deserve their reputation.
The Georgian variety of yoghurt, matsoni, is very good.
Dessert usually means cakes, typically laden with cream and sugar, and fruit, which the country
has in great abundance. In the autumn in eastern Georgia, churchkhela is made by coating strings of
nuts in wine juice and flour.
People eat at any time of day, and often the food dished up for breakfast may be similar to what
you get at dinner (including the wine or vodka if you are a house guest). However, the most typical
breakfat fare is bread with cheese, omelets, honey and jam.
Multiple Choice:
Based on the text, choose the best answer.
1. Georgian cooking is characterized as:
a) simple
b) bland
c) elaborate
d) unimportant to people
2. The use of chili in many dishes makes them taste:
a) salty
b) hot
c) sweet
d) like chocolate
3. The Georgian diet is characterized as:
a) having great variety
b) very limited
c) using a great deal of fish
d) using few herbs and spices
4. All of the following are mentioned as ingredients in Georgian vegetable dishes except:
a) mushrooms
b) aubergines
c) spinach
d) zucchini
5. Georgian cheeses are sometimes criticized as being too:
a) rich
b) creamy
c) salty
d) soft
6. Wild plums are an ingredient in:
a) tkemali
b) matsoni
c) ajika
d) pkhali
7. Fruit is characterized as being:
a) in short supply
b) available only in the summer months
c) rarely eaten with cake
d) very plentiful
8. Meal times among Georgians:
a) Are set by strict tradition
b) Vary from family to family
c) Are not fixed
d) Vary according to region
9. Wine and vodka may be served:
a) At dinner only
b) At breakfast and dinner
c) At lunch
d) if a house guest asks for them
10. Foods eaten at breakfast may be:
a) similar to foods eaten for dinner
b) bread, cheese, or omelets
c) honey and jam
d) all of the above
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Answer
C
B
A
D
C
A
D
C
B
D
Aubergine Moussaka, Recipes from Many Lands, Oxfam, p. 21
AUBERGINE MOUSSAKA
Ingredients:
616 grams aubergines
336 grams minced meat
half a minced onion
parsley
a little tomato puree
breadcrumbs
olive oil or butter for frying
Sauce:
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
3-4 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1 egg
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon grated cheese
3 servings
Method:
Slice the aubergines, sprinkle them with salt and leave them to dry. Fry them in butter or olive oil. Fry
336 grams minced meat in butter or oil, with half minced onion, parsley and a little tomato puree.
Grease a baking dish and coat it with breadcrumbs. Put in it a layer of aubergines, then the minced
meat. Add the remaining aubergines and cover with the thick sauce (recipe below). To the sauce add a
few breadcrumbs and a little melted butter. Brown in the oven.
Sauce:
Melt the butter. Add the flour little by little and stir until dissolved. Remove the pan from the stove,
add the milk and stir till all the flour dissolves and it is cooked thoroughly. Stir the sauce continuously
until it becomes like custard; add cheese and egg.
Multiple Choice:
Based on the text, choose the best answer.
1. To “sprinkle” the aubergines means:
a) cover them completely with salt
b) place them in the oven with salt
c) shake a small quantity of salt over them
d) place them in the refrigerator with salt
2. All of the following should be fried with the minced meat except:
a) onion
b) tomato puree
c) parsley
d) breadcrumbs
3. The phrase “grease a baking dish” means:
a) spread butter or oil around the dish
b) place it in the oven for a few minutes
c) place it in the refrigerator for a few minutes
d) let it stand overnight in a warm place
4. The sauce is a mostly a mixture of:
a) meat, onion and parsley
b) flour, milk, cheese and egg
c) aubergines, butter and salt
d) custard, cheese and egg
5. After the dish is assembled, it should be:
a) heated in the oven until it is brown
b) left on the stove until it is brown
c) placed in the refrigerator overnight
d) served immediately
6. When the sauce is finished it will be:
a) thin and watery
b) thick
c) frozen
d) minced
Number
1
2
Answer
C
D
3
4
5
6
A
B
A
B
Douglas K. Stevenson, American Life and Institutions, Stuttgart, Ernst Klegg Verlag, p. 60.
The concept of continuing (or lifelong) education is of great importance to Americans. In 1991,
57 million Americans 17 years and older furthered their education through participation in part-time
instruction, taking courses in universities, colleges, professional associations, government organizations
or even churches and synagogues. Most participants in adult or continuing education have a practical
goal: they want to update and upgrade their job skills. As a result of economic changes and the rapid
advance of the “information age,” the necessity to acquire new occupational skills has increased. Adult
education thus fills a need of many Americans who want to improve their chances in a changing job
market. This is one explanation for the continuing growth of adult education classes over the past
several years. Of course, not all people who take courses in adult education do this for job-related
purposes. Many simply want to broaden their knowledge or learn something they would enjoy doing
such as print-making, dancing or photography.
Continuing education courses are provided mainly by community or junior colleges and mostly
take place in the evenings. The types of courses adults enroll in range from hobby and recreational
activities to highly specialized technical skills. Courses in business, health care and health sciences,
engineering and education are most popular. Most of these courses are taken by employees because
the employer provided major support for educational programs, either by paying part of the fees, giving
time off, or providing other incentives. While some 50 percent of all people in adult education are
enrolled in programs sponsored by educational institutions, about 15 percent were sponsored directly
by business and industry. Over 80 percent of all companies today conduct their own training programs.
Many large corporations offer complete degree programs, and some even support their own technical
and business colleges and universities. In the 1980s about five million students took industry-sponsored
university programs and roughly twice that number were involved in corporate education of some kind.
Multiple Choice:
Based on the text, choose the best answer.
1. All of the following are mentioned as places where adults take continuing education courses
except:
a) colleges
b) universities
c) recreational centers
d) government organizations
2. The phrase “upgrade their job skills” means people want to:
a) earn higher marks
b) get a promotion at work
c) improve their professional competencies
d) have fun while learning
3. Which of the following courses might be one of the “most popular” according to the text:
a) Ballroom Dancing for Beginners
b) Introduction to Accounting Methods
c) The History of Western Civilization
d) Leonardo da Vinci and Renaissance Art
4. Which is not mentioned as a reason for employees to take continuing education courses:
a) The employer pays part of the course tuition
b) The employer gives the employee time away from work in order to take the course
c) The employer provides other means of motivating employees to take courses
d) The employer requires all employees to take courses
Number
1
2
3
4
Answer
C
C
B
D
“Saving Europe’s Woodlands,” FCE Use of English (2), Virginia Evans, Swansea, Express Publishing,
1998, p. 94.
Hidden in almost every European country there are ancient and untouched forests. These
forests are often rich in wildlife and are (1)__________ to many endangered species. One example is a
small patch of Scottish forest which contains a variety of coniferous trees (2)___________ for a wide
range of birds and insects. Although many of the ancient (3)________ of Europe worshipped trees,
there is (4)________ respect for them today. The World Wild Life Fund has decided to (5)____________
attention to the importance of Europe’s ancient woodlands. They are asking for the remaining forests
to be protected by controlling the trade in wood. (6)_________, governments are being asked to
regenerate forests where necessary and manage them in a more nature-friendly way. At present almost
a third of western Europe is (7)_________ by trees. Unfortunately, many of these were only
(8)_____________ recently. This means they can’t support such a(n) (9)___________variety of plant
and animal life. If we destroy the ancient forests we will cause many species to (10)__________ extinct.
Mark the word A, B, C or D that best fits each numbered blank space:
Blank No.
1
2
3
4
A
house
capable
humans
small
B
place
suitable
peoples
tiny
C
home
able
beings
little
D
shelter
plenty
persons
few
5
6
7
8
9
10
draw
As well as
loaded
placed
deep
come
bring
In addition
packed
put
wide
end
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
carry
Too
full
plotted
excessive
become
move
Plus
covered
planted
extreme
get
Answer
C
B
B
C
A
B
D
D
B
C
First Certificate Reading, Longman, p. 42.
MANAGER WANTED
Herbal Health, Madrid
Herbal Health is one of the world’s leading companies in health and dietary products.
Applications are invited for the post of Manager at our Madrid store.
Applicants must speak English, be computer literate, have administrative experience and an interest in
health and lifestyle issues. An ability to speak Spanish is an advantage, although language training will
be provided.
Responsibilities include day-to-day running of the store together with recruitment and training of new
staff. The manager acts as representative for the company and is expected to provide excellent service
to customers.
Contact Sue Jones on (00 44) 181 744 1243 for more information.
Multiple Choice:
Based on the text, choose the best answer.
1. Based on the information provided, the position of Manager appears to be:
a) an entry-level job
b) a higher-level position involving some responsibility
c) a job that requires a lot of travel
d) a job that requires a university degree
2. People who apply for the job as Manager:
a) Will not need to speak Spanish on the job
b) Need to prove they can speak Spanish at the time of the interview
c) will be given instruction in Spanish once they are hired
d) need to have a university degree in Spanish
3. The products Herbal Health offers might include:
a) Vitamin tablets
b) Travel accessories
c) Computer equipment
d) Wines from Spain and Portugal
4. The phrase “administrative experience” means the applicant:
a) must have worked for government agencies
b) must have used the company’s products in the past
c) should have experience in working with large amounts of data
d) should have experience working in an educational environment
5. The phrase “running of the store” means:
a) the store will be very busy
b) the operation of the store
c) the store will be open seven days a week
d) the products of the store will also be available on the internet
6. According to the text, all of the following will be functions of the Manager except:
a) speaking Spanish
b) hiring new employees
c) training new employees
d) setting prices of new products
7. Based on the text, one can conclude that Herbal Health is:
a) a small business conducted from someone’s home
b) .a fairly large store
c) an online business
d) a mail-order business
8. The position of Manager is appropriate for someone who is interested in:
a) exercise
b) nutrition
c) weight loss
d) all of the above
Number
1
Answer
B
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
C
A
C
B
D
B
D
Bruce R. Smith, The Art and History of Washington, D.C., pp. 79-82.
Television news broadcasts have made The White House one of the most recognized images in
the world. Having first seen it close (1) __________ on a television screen, many first-time visitors are
struck by the modest size of what is, after all, an eighteenth-century country house enveloped by a huge
city. The surroundings were altogether different when Abigail Adams moved in with her husband, John,
the second president, in 1800. Under (2) __________ since 1792, the building was not finished when
the Adamses arrived, and Mrs. Adams used the East Room for hanging out the laundry. Thomas
Jefferson, the next occupant, found the place “big enough for two emperors, one Pope, and the grand
Lama.” His own design for the building, submitted
(3) __________, had been passed over in favor of one by James Hoban, an Irish-American who was a
self-taught architect. To offset the pompous effect, Jefferson added two low-lying terrace-pavilions that
are still used for offices and service functions. Succeeding occupants have left their own marks on the
place, (4) __________ Harry Truman, who upset purists by adding a balcony to the curved South Portico,
and Jacqueline Kennedy, who (5) __________ out a century and a half of accumulated furnishings and
restored the public rooms to something like their early nineteenth-century appearance. The most (6)
__________ moment in White House history came in August 1814, when the British invaded
Washington and set the building afire. Alone in the house, Dolly Madison managed to get out just in
time, first sending away Gilbert Stuart’s full-length portrait of George Washington, which still (7)
__________ the East Room. A violent summer thunderstorm (8) __________ the house from total
destruction. Hoban’s reconstruction of the building over the next four years included a coat of white
wash, perhaps to hide (9) __________ marks from the British flames. The name “White House,” in use
from the very beginning to describe the structure’s (10) __________ sandstone, did not become official
until 1902.
Multiple Choice:
Mark the word A, B, C or D that best fits each numbered blank space.
A
B
C
D
Number
1
2
3
4
by
construct
anonymously
noticeably
up
destruction
unfailingly
however
out
construction
artistically
noting
within
occupation
unanimously
notably
5
6
7
8
9
10
ironed
fundamental
illuminates
took
scorch
pink
cleared
beneficial
dominates
scarred
search
brick
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
marked
combative
substantiates
saved
soot
creamy
sectioned
disastrous
regulates
built
boot
soft
Answer
B
C
A
D
B
D
B
C
A
C
California Department of Education, Preparing for the California High School Exit Examinatoin, An
English-Language Arts Study Guide, October 2003, p. 96.
Human beings have only one stomach, one heart, and one brain…right? Not exactly. The
cerebral cortex, the most advanced part of the brain, might be thought of as two structures, connected
by a band of fibers called the corpus callosum. Each structure, or hemisphere, performs different tasks
and is responsible for different functions.
The right side of the body is controlled by the left hemisphere of the cortex, and vice versa.
Thus, the hand movements of right-handed people are controlled by the left hemisphere and those of
left-handed people by the right hemisphere. Similarly, everything perceived on the right is processed by
the left hemisphere. Whatever is received in one hemisphere is quickly transmitted to the other across
the corpus callosum. Thus, we see a single visual world rather than two half-worlds.
The two hemispheres not only control opposite sides of the body, but also seem to differ in
function. The left hemisphere is apparently responsible for language and logical thought. The right
hemisphere seems to be concerned more with spatial relations, perception, and fantasy.
How do scientists know all this? In some pioneering experiments, researchers have studied the
behavior of patients who have had their corpus callosum severed through surgery. This operation,
sometimes performed on patients with severe epilepsy, prevents seizures from traveling across both
hemispheres. It also produces a split brain, with each hemisphere functioning more or less
independently.
In the everyday world, people with split brains function with little difficulty. This is because full
communication between the two parts of the brain is not necessary in most processes. For instance,
split brain subjects can see what a normal person does by moving their eyes so that both hemispheres
perceive an image. In some situations, however, the effects of split-brain surgery can be quite dramatic.
In one experiment, researcher Roger Sperry (who won a Nobel Prize for his work) flashed the
word “heart” across the center of the screen. The “he” was shown to the left part of the visual field, the
“art” to the right. When asked to say what they had seen, the subjects answered, “art.” This is because
speech is controlled by the left hemisphere, where the “art” was processed. However, when they were
told to point with the left hand to one of the two cards—“he” or “art”—to identify what they had just
seen, the subjects always chose the card with “he.” In this case, the right hemisphere—which controls
the left side of the body—prevailed.
It would be a mistake to assume that all language involves only the left hemisphere or that all
spatial relations engage only the right. When a brain is damaged on one side, as in the case of a brain
stroke, the other side frequently takes over and does its work. Neither hemisphere has exclusive control
over any one task.
Multiple Choice:
Based on the text, choose the best answer.
1. In paragraph one, the author is making the point that:
a) we have more than one brain
b) our brains are complex structures
c) human life depends on the functioning of the brain
d) the corpus callosum is responsible for most functions of the brain
2.
The corpus callosum is located:
a) near the stomach
b) just above the heart
c) between the two halves of the cerebral cortex
d) in each hemisphere of the brain
3.
In a normal brain, the two hemispheres:
a) Carry out different functions
b) Are joined by the corpus callosum
c) Relay messages to the opposite hemisphere
d) All of the above
4. The word “severed” in paragraph four means:
a) cut into two parts
b) healed
c) examined
d) stretched
5. A split brain:
a) Causes both hemispheres of the brain to function similarly
b) Causes people to become confused
c) Causes each hemisphere of the brain to become enflamed
d) Causes each hemisphere of the brain to function separately
6. According to the text, full communication between both hemispheres of the brain:
a)
b)
c)
d)
rarely occurs
occurs only after surgery
is not necessary for most of the things humans do
occurs only in scientific experiments
7. In the experiment by Roger Sperry, the word “heart”:
a) was written on the subjects’ hands
b) was divided into two parts
c) was illuminated on the ceiling
d) none of the above
8. When one hemisphere of the brain is damaged:
a) its functions can never be performed again
b) spatial relations cannot be perceived
c) the other hemisphere can perform its functions
d) language is severely limited
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Answer
B
C
D
A
D
C
B
C
GEOLOGISTS ON TRAIL OF DIAMONDS IN CENTRAL UKRAINE
Ukraine is close to finding its most promising diamond deposit ever, if (1) __________
discoveries by geologists in Kirovohrad region pan out.
On the eve of the New Year, specialists from the State Geological Service of Ukraine (DGS) said
all the signs point (2) __________ a big kimberlitic pipe, or diamond-encrusted layer of earth, lying near
an exploration site in the south-central region.
For Ukraine, which already has a developed cutting industry for small- and medium-sized
diamonds, a major discovery could give a (3) __________ to domestic production of rough diamonds,
industry specialists say.
“The geological (4) __________ of the layers, as well as micro-diamonds that we have found at
the site, indicate that the quality of the diamonds possibly lying there could match that of the diamonds
produced by world leaders in Russia and South Africa,” said Anton Dzidzinsky, head of the department
of geological (5) __________ at DGS.
Dzidzinsky says, however, that it could take up to five years before any actual diamonds could
be extracted, and that’s only if the necessary financing is (6) __________ provided. He said the
Ukrainian government had allocated some $8 million for diamond exploration works this year. For
comparison, Russian diamond production giant ALROSA spends about $30-35 million a year on
exploration work.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has several potential diamond sites, including ones in Volyn region in
northwestern Ukraine and in the southeast near the Sea of Azov, which could produce fine-quality
diamonds, said Dzidzinsky. “I wouldn’t compare Ukraine’s diamond prospects to Russia or South Africa
now, but there are certainly big plans for this industry’s development.” Some foreign
(7) __________ also would not hurt, he added.
Currently, the only foreign company exploring promising diamond sites in Ukraine is Canada’s
North Star Diamonds, which acquired three diamond projects in Volyn region in 2004. The company has
invested some $450,000 in exploration activity in Ukraine since 1995, drilling 16 diamondiferous holes,
the company’s (8) __________ office said.
Dzidzinsky hopes more foreign investors will arrive soon, and some of the biggest seem
(9) __________ to invest.
“I know that the world’s biggest diamond producer, De Beers, is already interested in exploring
Ukraine,” he said, adding that (10) __________ non-state money to the country’s diamond exploration
industry is one of the main goals of the State Program for Diamond Exploration over the next five years.
Circle the word that best fits each numbered blank space.
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
A
recently
out
blast
factors
examination
intermittently
investment
personnel
pleased
attractive
B
broad
by
boost
colors
exhalation
continuously
diplomacy
press
prized
attracting
C
recent
from
break
features
expression
honestly
aid
treasury
promised
attending
D
late
to
block
characters
exploration
financially
pressure
credit
poised
extracting
UNTITLED
The Kyiv-based Farmak pharmaceutical company launched Ukraine’s most sophisticated insulin
production last month, thanks in large (1) __________ to a cooperation pact with American
pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly.
The new production line, launched on Dec. 9, 2005, during an opening ceremony attended by
U.S. Ambassador John Herbst, will produce insulin using genetic engineering technologies in
accordance (2) __________a license from the American corporation.
It will be the only production line of insulin in Ukraine that can boast the standards of a widely
(3) __________ transnational company like Eli Lilly, said Farmak officials.
Farmak has invested nearly $9 million into the new production line, designed using know-how
provided by Eli Lilly. The launch of the production line also makes for what Farmak officials call a higher
level of relations with their American (4) __________.
“The opening of the first full-scale production line marks a new stage of partnership relations
development between the two companies,” Philya Zhebrovska, president and director of Farmak, said
during the opening ceremony.
Zhebrovska said that by “cooperating with one of the world’s leading producers of the human
recombinant insulin, Eli Lilly, Farmak has joined a narrow circle of genetically-engineered insulin
producers.”
Farmak is one of the largest producers of pharmaceuticals in Ukraine.
Farmak’s manufacturing output comprises 11 percent of Ukraine’s overall medical products
market. It initiated its cooperation with Eli Lilly on the planned production line back
(5) __________1999.
Originally, Farmak was buying ready-produced insulin flasks from Eli Lilly, later packing and reselling them under its own trademark. In 2003, both companies (6) __________ an agreement yielding
Farmak licensing rights to high quality Eli Lilly technology to establish its own insulin production.
A U.S. embassy spokesperson told the Post that “Eli Lilly is the first pharmaceutical company to
make this kind of investment into the Ukrainian pharmaceutical industry. In essence, it has made an
investment in the form of a technology know-how transfer to Farmak.”
Genetically engineered insulin makes up nearly 30 percent of Ukraine’s insulin market; a small
share if one considers that worldwide such insulin accounts for the (7) __________share of sales.
Today, Ukraine’s insulin market is represented by two Ukrainian and two foreign companies.
Ukrainian Indar boasts 80 Percent market share, while Farmak holds around 18 percent.
(8) __________ in Indianapolis, Indiana, Eli Lilly is a leader in medical research and the
development of new medicines to help patients living with such diseases as cancer, diabetes,
osteoporosis and others.
Large foreign pharmaceutical companies (9) __________ set up a business with its own
representation office or legal entity in the country, use a Ukrainian agent company, or sign a licensing
agreement with a Ukrainian partner, as is the case between Eli Lilly and Farmak.
“While not all international pharmaceutical companies own production plants in Ukraine, the
vast majority of them work through representative offices because it is more advantageous and
convenient for them,” Vitaliy Kiryk, managing director of Ratiopharm International GmbH’s
representative office in Ukraine, told the Post.
In a recent press release, Herbst said that the production of high-tech recombinant human
insulin by Farmak is part of a U.S.-Ukrainian agreement and that neither of the countries’ governments
spent any money on the initiative.
As part of its investment, Farmak has installed a bottling line to (10) __________ insulin
production at international standards. Before actual production started, company employees were sent
on internships abroad to learn about production, laboratory equipment was purchased, and an insulin
storage system was set up.
Circle the word that best fits each numbered blank space.
Number
1
2
3
4
A
set
to
regarded
clients
B
part
with
interested
competitors
C
time
from
viewed
colleagues
D
way
as
complicated
family
5
6
7
8
9
10
to
promised
rabbit’s
Traded
radically
facilitate
in
coincided
turtle’s
Deposited
rarely
dedicate
out
copied
lion’s
Belonging
typically
placate
from
inked
dog’s
Headquartered
unilaterally
complicate
The Idea of Summerhill
This is the story of a modern school—Summerhill. Summerhill began as an experimental school.
It is no longer such; it is now a demonstration school, for it demonstrates that freedom works.
When my first wife and I began the school, we had one main idea: to make the school fit the
child—instead of making the child fit the school.
Obviously, a school that makes active children sit at desks studying mostly useless subjects is a
bad school. It is a good school only for those who believe in such a school, for those uncreative citizens
who want docile, uncreative children who will fit into a civilization whose standard of success is money.
I had taught in ordinary schools for many years. I knew the other way well. I knew it was all
wrong. It was wrong because it was based on an adult conception of what a child should be and of how
a child should learn.
Well, we set out to make a school in which we should allow children freedom to be themselves.
In order to do this, we had to renounce all discipline, all direction, all suggestion, all moral training, all
religious instruction. We have been called brave, but it did not require courage. All it required was
what we had—a complete belief in the child as a good, not an evil, being.
My view is that a child is innately wise and realistic. If left to himself without adult suggestion of
any kind, he will develop as far as he is capable of developing. Logically, Summerhill is a place in which
people who have the innate ability and wish to be scholars will be scholars, while those who are only fit
to sweep the streets will sweep the streets. But we have not produced a street cleaner so far. Nor do I
write this snobbishly, for I would rather see a school produce a happy street cleaner than a neurotic
scholar.
Well, what is Summerhill like? Well, for one thing, lessons are optional. Children can go to
them or stay away from them—for years if they want to. There is a timetable—but only for the
teachers.
The children have classes usually according to their age, but sometimes according to their
interests. We have no new methods of teaching, because we do not consider that teaching in itself
matters very much. Whether a school has or has not a special method for teaching long division is of no
significance, for long division is of no importance except to those who want to learn it. And the child
who wants to learn long division will learn it no matter how it is taught.
Summerhill is possibly the happiest school in the world. We have no truants and seldom a case
of homesickness. We very rarely have fights—quarrels, of course, but seldom have I seen a stand-up
fight like the ones we used to have as boys. I seldom hear a child cry, because children when free have
much less hate to express than children who are downtrodden. Hate breeds hate, and love breeds love.
Love means approving of children, and that is essential in any school. You can’t be on the side of
children if you punish them and storm at them. Summerhill is a school in which the child knows that he
is approved of.
The function of the child is to live his own life—not the life that his anxious parents think he
should live, nor a life according to the purpose of the educator who thinks he knows what is best. All
this interference and guidance on the part of adults only produces a generation of robots.
In Summerhill, everyone has equal rights. No one is allowed to walk on my grand piano, and I
am not allowed to borrow a boy’s cycle without this permission. At a General School Meeting, the vote
of a child of six counts for as much as my vote does.
But, says the knowing one, in practice of course the voices of the grownups count. Doesn’t the
child of six wait to see how you vote before he raises his hand? I wish he sometimes would, for too
many of my proposals are beaten. Free children are not easily influenced; the absence of fear accounts
for this phenomenon. Indeed, the absence of fear is the finest thing that can happen to a child.
True or False:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Most schools require a child to fit to the school and Summerhill fits to the child.
The children are allowed to be free and make their own decisions.
The children can choose whether to go to lessons or not.
There is a very strict timetable for the students.
The children have classes according to their age and interests.
Summerhill specializes in new and improved teaching methods.
The children are sometimes sad, but mostly happy.
Everyone is equal and has equal rights at Summerhill.
It is easy to influence the children at Summerhill.
The founder of the school believes that an absence of fear is good for a child.
SPEAKING
9th Form Questions:
1. Should uniforms be worn in school?
 Why do schools enforce the wearing of uniforms?
 How do they promote or prevent individuality?
 Explain the advantages and disadvantages of wearing uniforms.
2. You are asked to be “Teacher for a day” at your English lesson.
 Which topic and activities will you choose to create the best lesson?
 What problems, if any, might you encounter?
 How might this change your perspective on teaching?
3. Fairytales and short stories play an important role in the lives of children.
 What was your favorite story growing up? Why?
 What was the moral or lesson that you learned from it?
 Describe the main characters and theme in a fairytale or short story you might write.
4. In Ukraine, it is common to eat meats such as pork and beef. In some foreign countries, it is common
to eat whale meat, horse meat, and even insects.
 Are there any limits to what you would eat? What foods might you not eat and why?
 What cultural and/or moral differences are there between eating horse meat and pig meat?
 What reasons for vegetarianism do people give? Do you agree with these views? Why?
5. Travelling by plane is one of the safest modes of transportation, yet many people are still afraid to fly.
 Would you rather take a plane or a ship across the Atlantic Ocean? Why?
 Why do people still believe that flying is unsafe when the facts show otherwise?
 How can people learn to overcome their basic fears? How do you overcome yours?
6. You have been asked to write a book about your hometown.
 What type of book would you write, and who would be your audience?
 Will characters based on people you know personally be left identifiable? Why?
 How would you react if you recognized yourself in a character created by a close friend?
7. Transportation greatly influences our lifestyles and the growth patterns of our communities.
 What means of transportation does your community have, and how have they affected
people’s lifestyles?
 How do you and your family usually get around?
 Which form of transportation in your town could you go without if necessary? Why?
8. You are travelling to another country for one year and can only take one suitcase. What will you
bring?
 What items do you think you cannot live without?
 What items from your country would you like to show someone from another culture?
 How do these items represent you and your country?
9. When choosing a profession there are many factors to consider; for example, salary, the difficulty and
availability of work, and the benefit the work has on society as a whole.
 When thinking about your future profession, which of these factors do you value most?
 How does your future profession fulfill these factors?
 How realistic is it for your future profession to address these factors?
10. The fall of the Berlin Wall was an important historical event for the world.
 What was an important historical event in your country?
 Why do you think this event was so important?
 What lessons can we learn from this event?
11. People make choices every day that affect their health.
 What are the most important components of a healthy lifestyle?
 How do you keep yourself healthy?
 What can be done to convince people with unhealthy habits to live a healthy lifestyle?
12. Imagine that you have begun correspondence with a pen pal in another country.
 Where is your friend from, and what is his/her life like?
 What will you share with him/her about your own life?
 How is your life different from his/hers?
13. Your family wants to adopt a new pet. Everybody has a chance to state their opinion.
 What kinds of pets would NOT be good for your family?
 How would you convince the rest of your family your idea is perfect for all of them?
 What kind of care would this pet need?
14. Suppose someone wanted to make a biographic film of your life?
 Which actor or actress would portray you and why would this actor be the best choice?
 Which "scenes" from your life must the director include in the film?
 What music would you want as a soundtrack to your biography? Why?
15. Traditionally, holidays are spent with family and friends.
 If you could create your own holiday, what would it be called and what would it celebrate?
 On what day of the year would it be celebrated?
 With whom would you celebrate this holiday?
16. If you could be a super-hero, what would your name be?
 What power or ability would you choose to have?
 Who would you choose to protect?
 From whom/what would you have to save them?
17. Games and puzzles have been part of human traditions since the beginning of our existence.
 What is the value, if any, of such traditions? What are your favourite games and why?
 What games and puzzles are indicative of your country and/or culture?
 Are games as important for adults as they are for children? Why or why not?
18. You have become a famous writer or artist. Whom do you credit as your creative influence?
 What did this person accomplish in his or her life that has had such a great impact on you?
 What characteristics do you admire in this person and how do you hope to emulate them?
 If you could have dinner with this person, what would you ask him or her? Why?
19. Many people dream of the perfect home. In your dreams, what type of home would you live in?
Why?
 Describe the architecture, floor plan, decoration and style of your home.
 Where would this home be located? Describe its surroundings.
 What influences your idea of a perfect home?
20. If you could have any talent that you don’t already possess, what would it be?
 Why is this talent so important for you to have?
 How would you use it?
 What is better: to gain talents through hard work or through natural ability? Why?
10th Form Questions:
1. Most people in Ukraine have a mobile phone, and it has changed the way people communicate.
 Do you think it's necessary for children to have mobile phones? Why or why not?
 What feature would be most attractive to you on a mobile phone?
 What services on mobile phones do you think are most useful? Which are least useful?
2. Having goals in life is important because it keeps you focused and allows you to set priorities.
 What are some goals you have set for yourself?
 Have you made steps towards accomplishing these goals?
 What are some obstacles you have faced and overcome while trying to reach your goals?
3. Traditions allow us to maintain a quasi-connection to our ancestors.
 What traditions do you have in your family?
 From where/whom do they originate?
 Do you think that you will continue these traditions, or start new ones?
4. Tell about your favorite city or place that you have traveled to.
 What is it about this place that makes it significant to you?
 Describe this place and its points of interest.
 What suggestions would you have for other people who wish to travel to this location?
5. Some would say it’s almost impossible to be true friends with people from different generations. Do
you agree?
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of these types of relationships?
 What does society think about such relationships?
 Do you have any close friends from a different generation?
6. Imagine the world 100 years from now.
 Of all the problems facing the world today, which ones will we have solved?
 How will everyday life have changed?
 How will Ukraine have changed during this time?
7. Unlike family members, we can choose our friends.
 What is the most important quality a friend should have?
 When has a friend of yours demonstrated that quality to you?
 What qualities do you think your friends see in you?
8. Let’s imagine that many people have fallen ill in the city where you live due to the high number of
cars in town that are creating air pollution.
 What would you suggest be done about this problem?
 How do you think people of your town will respond to limitations on car use?
 How practical do you think bicycle riding is as an alternative to car driving in Ukraine?
9. The invention of the wheel has changed the course of human progress.
 What do you think are the three most influential inventions of the last 100 years?
 Why do you think these inventions are so significant?
 What are some qualities that might be common to all inventors?
10. People say that “classics” are books that people can relate to throughout the ages. Tell about a book
you have read that you feel is a classic.
 Briefly explain the book’s main elements (plot, genre, etc.).
 In what ways were you influenced or affected by the book?
 Why and how do you think the book would appeal to a broader audience?
11. In English there is a saying, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” which means that children are
not very different from their parents. Speak about the ways in which you are similar to and different
from your parents or other relatives.
 Are you or your siblings more like one parent than the other?
 Do you believe that the environment or genetic make-up determines a child’s character?
 Give examples from your experiences.
12. Imagine that aliens have landed on Earth and wish to interact with humans. Explain to the aliens
some general rules of etiquette for our planet and, in particular, for Ukraine.
 How do people here generally form friendships and/or relationships? Describe the process.
 How would you treat a friend differently from a colleague, acquaintance, or neighbor?
 What types of interactions, relationships and/or friendships do you attempt to avoid?
13. Vegetarianism is promoted for its health benefits, for environmental reasons, and to prevent animal
cruelty.
 Which of these reasons do you relate to the most?
 If you were a vegetarian, what dishes would you miss the most?
 Are there any social situations where it would be awkward for you to be a vegetarian?
14. It is often said that, “The world is getting smaller.”
 How has technology made the world smaller?
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a more connected world?
 Does it make sense to say that ‘The world is getting bigger’? Explain.
15. Studies show that aerobic exercises (running, swimming, etc.) increase blood flow to the brain and
can improve memory, problem solving, and other mental functions.
 In what kinds of physical activities do you participate?
 What other benefits does regular exercise have?
 Do you think that the smartest people are also the most physically fit? Explain.
16. Many pupils dream of travelling to other countries. Let’s imagine that you have to choose one
country, not your native country, where you will go to live for a long time.
 Which country would you choose? Why?
 What would be the worst part about living there? The best?
 How would you deal with the problem of being far from your native land?
17. People sometimes wish that they had been born in another time and place. They would like the
chance to observe both life and themselves through a different lens.
 Where would you like to live? In what time period? Explain.
 What things would you try to do?
 What would you miss most about your current life?
18. Many people believe that by driving cars they produce emissions that help contribute to the earth’s
growing environmental problems. They have stopped driving and started using public transportation like
busses and the metro.
 Do you believe that small measures like these are effective?
 What measures can be taken to help lower emissions and clean up the environment?
 If emissions continue to rise and the environment gets worse, what will some consequences
be?
19. Thanks to your excellent marks in English class, you have been awarded a trip to any Englishspeaking country in the world. Which country will you choose? Why?
 Describe the places in this country that you will visit.
 What lessons do you anticipate learning on your trip?
 What will you miss most about your native country?
20. Smoking is a growing problem in your town; men, women, and even children as young as fourteen
smoke cigarettes. You realize that their smoke can make you and others ill. You and your friends decide
to start a campaign against smoking.
 How can you convince your fellow townspeople to stop smoking?
 What can be done to prevent pupils and children from starting to smoke?
 How does smoking affect our world?
11th Form Questions:
1. A well-known proverb states: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." What does this mean? Do you
agree or disagree?
 What does this statement say about cultural sensitivity?
 When travelling in countries with different customs is this an important rule?
 What suggestions would you give to a foreigner travelling in your country?
2. In our global community, immigration is an important topic of discussion.
 Why do people immigrate to other countries?
 List advantages and disadvantages of immigration for the people and countries involved?
 How can immigrants adapt to their new country and culture?
3. What are some common occupations in your country? Which occupations do you think are most
respected by society and why?
 Which jobs are most common for men and for women?
 When you were a child, what kind of job did you want?
 Does it differ from the career you want to pursue now?
4. A foreign visitor has only one day to spend in your country. Where should this traveler go? What one
place should they see?
 What makes this place the most significant in your country?
 Give them directions on how to get there from the airport.
 What should they do and how should they act while in this place?
5. Many years ago, pupils graduating secondary schools were expected to know the basics of Latin,
Greek and French. Yet today, many students leave school without knowing the basics of one foreign
language.
 Which system of education do you prefer, the old or current?
 Is it important to learn a foreign language in school? Why?
 How could learning Latin, ancient Greek or other dead languages, help you in life?
6. In most American schools, students may begin to choose their classes after the tenth form. However,
this means that many students may elect to take a photography class rather than Physics.
 What do you think about this system? Is it healthy for the pupils’ minds?
 Do students who choose not to learn Physics have a disadvantage in the world? Explain.
 If you could choose to take certain courses, which would you choose and why?
7. Today, many people claim that even a simple pencil drawing is art. But had you lived 500 years ago,
they would have told you that only the works of seriously trained painters, sculptors and architects are
eligible to receive the title of ‘art.’
 In your opinion, what is the truest form of art? Why?
 How does art affect you personally? How does art make you feel?
 What is your favorite work of art? Artist? Why?
8. Given a chance to have any job in the world, what would you choose and why?
 What allure does this job hold for you?
 What changes would you make in your realm of influence? Why?
 How could you use this job to make the world a better place?
9. Exercise creates stronger, happier, and smarter people.
 Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
 Explain how you would improve physical education classes at your school.
 What are some ways to keep a healthy lifestyle? What are some bad habits to avoid?
10. You have the opportunity to raise money for a charity.
 Which cause do you choose and why?
 How do you intend to raise funds and generate support within your community?
 What possible challenges do you think you may encounter in your quest?
11. The invention of the Internet is one of the most revolutionary inventions of the past century.
 How has the Internet impacted your life?
 How has it impacted the lives of the people around you?
 What do you think life would be like without the Internet?
12. Adults and teenagers often misunderstand each other.
 Do you think it's more difficult to be an adult or a teenager?
 What difficult decisions do teenagers face today? Adults?
 What similarities and differences do adults and teenagers have?
13. Often in Ukraine many generations of the same family live together in one house.
 What does this mean for the lives of the different family members?
 What roles do the different family members have?
 What is your own family like?
14. Imagine you woke up invisible.
 Where would you go and what would you do?
 What things would you do that are usually forbidden,
 How do other people’s perceptions of us influence our actions?
15. Imagine there has been a cataclysmic world event, and the climate of Ukraine has suddenly become
tropical.
 Describe the climate in Ukraine and the lifestyle of its inhabitants before the event.
 How would life change if the weather were tropical?
 What would you do in order to survive and be successful in this new environment?
16. Imagine you have won two million dollars, but you aren’t allowed to spend the money on yourself.
 Describe how you would spend the money.
 After telling your loved ones about the situation how would your relationships change?
 Do you believe your own life would be improved by such an experience? Explain.
17. Your parents have decided to send you off to a prestigious boarding school.
 Give some reasons why this might be a good or bad idea.
 Are you mature enough to live on your own? Why or why not?
 How would a year at boarding school change your life?
18. In the United States the legal driving age is sixteen years old, and most young people drive regularly.
 How would having your own means of transportation affect your lifestyle?
 What are some of the positives and negatives associated with teen driving?
 How would the ability to drive influence your relationship with your parents?
19. It is now clear that the world is getting warmer. Do you think this is a natural change or due to
human activity?
 What would a warmer world be like? How might Ukraine be affected by global warming?
 How do you think countries can cooperate and address the issue of global warming?
 What can individuals do to improve their environment and reduce their waste?
20. Although humans have been flying in space for more than 50 years, we have not travelled very far
from our planet.
 Do you think the destiny of humankind lies on earth or in space? Explain your opinion.
 Would you go into space if someone invited you? Why or why not?
 Do you think there is life on other planets? Why do you think this?
21. Many countries are now passing very strict laws against smoking.
 Do people have the right to smoke wherever they want? Why or why not?
 Do you think that governments should be able to control where people smoke? Explain.
 Does Ukraine have such laws? If so, should the laws be more or less strict?
22. Herbert Spencer once said, “The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.”
 How do you interpret this statement?
 Do you agree that the purpose of education is to help make the world better?
 Do you think that knowledge itself has value? Explain your answer.
LISTENING
9th Form Questions:
Text: From "Welcome to Toronto" editor Chris Lumsdon, Official Toronto Visitor Guide 2007.
Built by the imaginations of residents and visitors alike, Toronto is a city of rare openness,
energy, style, and surprise. Where else but in this new creative city can you find a fairytale castle, the
world’s tallest building, a museum with a crystalline facade and even a school built on stilts in the sky?
Toronto is an unfolding city – where a world-renowned arts community thrives on the mosaic of
culturally diverse neighborhoods, and where the unlimited potential of everyone is celebrated
wholeheartedly through food, music, festivals, and the everyday.
Toronto is now the fifth-largest city in North America. Its continual growth and constant
renewal brings a lot to the visitor experience – every time you return to Toronto, there’s something
new. The waterfront is being revitalized, new growth is encouraging neighborhoods such as Leslieville,
Liberty Village, Gerrard India Bazaar, Cabbagetown, and Roncesvalles to thrive, and the city is
undergoing an architectural renaissance that can be seen across the cityscape. From the Art Gallery of
Ontario’s expansion to the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal at the Royal Ontario Museum and the newly opened
Four Seasons Centre for the performing Arts, Toronto is changing dramatically to reflect the creative
spirit of our time. The result is an imaginative place that, as it grows, never ceases to surprise.
The city’s cultural diversity is a hallmark of open-mindedness; here, Torontonians embrace their
differences to create a world within a city where experience is a collaboration of 100 cultures, the
millions of people who celebrate in our street festivals and the unique personalities expressed in each of
our neighborhoods.
Toronto is also a city built from the limitless imaginations of the people who come here to visit.
It’s a center of openness and experimentation, where guests to Toronto contribute to the energy of the
streets, the dynamic vibe in our restaurants and a thoughtful appreciation for the art in theatres, parks,
galleries, and attractions. You’ll soon discover that the city’s spirit sings, dances, draws and rises to
many occasions in different forms. All of Greater Toronto is a stage. Whether you find yourself in one
of the city’s three theatre districts, or exploring one of our many museums and galleries, Toronto will
inspire you as it unfolds. You could find yourself learning the complete history of footwear at the Bata
Shoe Museum, on stage at the original Second City Comedy Club, on a nature trail, marveling at Group
of Seven works, or in the middle of an impromptu jam session of your favorite rock band at the
Horseshoe tavern. Never tried sushi? Never ridden a streetcar? Never canoed through the Toronto
Islands, sat behind home plate at a Toronto Blue Jays game, touched the Stanley Cup, toured a working
castle and stood on the glass floor inside of the CN Tower, the world’s tallest building, all in one day?
You can do it here. And once you do, you won’t be the same.
Statements 1 through 10 (on your answer sheet circle + if the statement is true, - if it is false).
1. Toronto is an imaginative and creative city.
2. The city of Toronto has stopped growing.
3. People of 100 different cultures live in Toronto.
4. The city is encouraging its different neighbourhoods to thrive.
5. The city of Toronto is trying to keep the same architecture.
6. According to the author, there's always something new in Toronto.
7. There are four different theatre districts in Toronto.
8. There is a Shoe Museum in Toronto.
9. Visitors to Toronto contribute to the energy and vibe of the city.
10. According to the author, Toronto is Canada's number one tourist destination.
Questions 11 through 20 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D).
11. Toronto is NOT a city of...
A. openness.
B. energy.
C. disappointment.
D. surprise.
12. According to the reading, Toronto is built on...
A. experience.
B. imagination.
C. stilts.
D. open-mindedness.
13. Which of the following is NOT the name of a neighbourhood in Toronto?
A. Leslieville
B. Cabbagetown
C. Independence Village
D. Gerrard India Bazaar
14. Where is Toronto ranked among North American cities by size?
A. Third
B. Fourth
C. Fifth
D. Sixth
15. What are people from Toronto called?
A. Blue Jays
B. Torontons
C. Torontomoes
D. Torontonians
16. People of Toronto "embrace" differences to achieve cultural diversity. In this case another word for
"embrace" would be...
A. hold.
B. love.
C. accept.
D. squeeze.
17. The Toronto Blue Jays are...
A. a rock band.
B. a motorcycle gang.
C. a sports team.
D. a theatre group.
18. What can you do in Toronto you that can't do anywhere else in the world?
A. Go canoeing.
B. Tour a castle.
C. Ride a streetcar.
D. Visit the world's tallest building.
19. The reading described all of the following EXCEPT...
A. museums.
B. factories.
C. a comedy club.
D. theatres.
20. From what you've heard, the reading is an attempt to...
A. convince people to visit Toronto.
B. attract new people to live in Toronto.
C. bring more businesses to Toronto.
D. present the pros and cons of living in Toronto.
Text:
When Faye Pattison, a penniless 21-year-old student, checked her bank account recently, she was
surprised to find a very healthy balance…
I: Was finding all that cash a shock?
You bet. I’m a typical student, struggling on a part-time job at Woolworth’s. It was two weeks before my
next statement was due to be sent out from the bank. I was checking my balance at the cashpoint
machine, just in case my wages had already been paid in. Then up came all these zeros. My first
reaction was panic – I thought it was an overdraft – although I soon realized my account was actually in
credit by a massive amount.
I: How much was in there?
The balance the first time was 34,000 pounds. As I stood there, visions of touring Australia flashed
through my mind. But I knew it wasn’t mine, so I went into the bank and told them they made a
mistake.
I: Were they pleased at your honesty?
I thought they would be, but they just sat me in a corner and ignored me for half an hour. They took it
back in the end, explaining it was from another bank. One number was keyed wrongly, so the money
ended up in my account.
I: Was that the end of the story?
Two weeks later, I again checked my balance, to be sure they’d sorted it out. Up popped 500,000
pounds. I felt like a lottery winner, though without the ticket. When I told the bank this time, they said
that because their computers were down I would have to leave it with them. I did, but within the week,
the sum had doubled!
I: How much was in there?
Over a million! I was falling about laughing at the cashpoint; the people behind me must have thought I
was on drugs or something. It was brilliant looking down at those figures and imagining it was really
mine.
I: Hadn’t the bank noticed by this time?
Apparently not. Since my boyfriend John worked for another bank, he knows how banks operate. He
couldn’t believe what had happened. /After a few weeks, my friends started saying I should move the
money abroad and take off! Even my dad, who’s a retired policemen, said I should start withdrawing
300 pounds a day – that’s the interest, so I wouldn’t have been touching the capital.
I: Were you surprised that they did nothing?
I was, and annoyed as well. I gave up on my local branch, and contacted the head office in order to sort
it out once and for all. But in spite of phoning them numerous times,. It still took a while before anyone
would deal with the matter. And even then, their attitude was amazing. They seemed very ungrateful
considering all the hassle they caused me.
I: Was that the end of the story?
Not quite. The day after the 1 million pounds was finally removed from my account, 300 pounds
appeared. It was part of the interest earned. I know 300 pounds isn’t a fortune to some people but for
me it was a lot. I did tell the bank about it but eventually they said I could keep it. I’m spending it on a
trip to Turkey.
Mark either + (true) or – (false) for each of the following statements.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Faye Pattison is a young woman who works part-time.
Faye Pattison tries to fix a large mistake.
At one point, Faye Pattison becomes a millionaire.
By the end of the story, Faye is annoyed with her bank.
John, Faye’s boyfriend, works for a bank.
In order to correct the mistake, Faye had to spend several weeks working with her local bank.
Faye’s father is a retired policeman.
Faye thinks that her reaction when she sees her balance on the screen of the cash machine
causes people around her to think she is on drugs.
9. At the end of the story, Faye has received 34,000 pounds to keep.
10. Faye is upset because the bank doesn’t let her keep the money.
Write the letter of the best variant for each question below.
1. Faye Pattison experiences all these emotions except
a. Panic
b. Annoyance
c. Loneliness
d. Happiness
2. At the end of the story, Faye ends up with
a. 1 million pounds
b. 34,000 pounds
c. 300 pounds
d. 500,000 pounds
3. Faye’s friends advise her to
a. Keep the money and retire
b. Move the money to a new account
c. Go on a trip around the world
d. Tell the bank about the money
4. John tells Faye that
a.
b.
c.
d.
Banks shouldn’t be able to make such big mistakes
The account number was probably wrong
The bank can’t find out that she has the money
They should go to Turkey on vacation together
5. Faye becomes irritated with her bank because
a. They keep her in the office for hours
b. They don’t seem to want to fix the mistake
c. They don’t give her a reward for her honesty
d. They make her change her account number.
6. Faye’s father gives her advice. He tells her
a. To take the money
b. To take out the interest on the money
c. To tell the bank
d. To keep her money in cash, not in the bank
7. We learn all of these facts about Faye except
a. She is honest
b. She is planning a trip abroad
c. She has a boyfriend
d. She is an economics student
8. Faye says that the bank’s “attitude was amazing.” She probably means that
a. The bank really worked hard to fix the situation
b. The bank offered her a reward for her honesty
c. The bank acted as though the mistake was Faye’s fault
d. The bank didn’t seem to care about fixing the mistake
9. The last act of the story occurred when
a. The money was finally removed from her account
b. She decided to take her father’s advice
c. The amount of money in the account doubled overnight
d. She got an interest payment on 1 million pounds
10. Faye says that finding lots of unexpected money in her account was
a. Hilarious
b. Frightening
c. Brilliant
d. A shock
Ronald Carter and Michael N. Long, Teaching Literature, Longman, 1991, p. 147. Excerpt from Kon-Tiki
Expedition by Thor Heyerdahl.
The date was the 28th of April. It was the early morning. Callao harbour was very busy. The
Minister of Marine had ordered a tug to row us out of the harbour. A crowd of people was waiting to
watch.
When I arrived, only Herman was there. He was guarding the raft. I got out of the car and
jumped on board. Fruit baskets and boxes lay in a heap on the deck. They had been thrown on board at
the last moment. In the middle of the heap sat Herman. He was holding a cage; and in the cage there
was a green parrot. The bird was a present from a friend in Peru.
“Take care of the parrot for a minute,” said Herman. “I want to go ashore and have a drink. The
tug won’t be here for a long time.”
Herman went for his drink, and a few minutes later the tug arrived. A large motor-boat came to
tow the raft away from the other boats. The motor-boat was full of officers and sailors. The officers
called out some orders; and the sailors then fixed a strong rope to the raft.
“One moment!” I shouted. “It’s too early! We must wait for the other men.” I pointed towards
the city.
But nobody understood. The officers only smiled politely. I untied the rope and threw it into
the water. I waved my arms and made signs to the officers. This excited the parrot. The bird opened its
cage and escaped. It walked about on the bamboo deck. I tried to catch the parrot. But it called out
rude words in Spanish and flew into the cabin. At last, I caught the bird and put it back into its cage.
True or False:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The story takes place on the 29th of April.
Callao harbor was deserted.
There was a large pile of fruit baskets and boxes on the deck of the raft.
Herman was sitting on the heap.
There was a red parrot in the cage.
Herman wanted to go ashore to think for a while.
The motorboat that arrived was full of officers and sailors.
The officers said nothing.
The parrot opened its cage and got out.
The parrot said some words in Spanish.
Multiple Choice:
1. The story takes place at:
a) sunset
b) noon
c) dawn
d) midnight
2. The tug was ordered by the:
a) marines
b) Minister of Marine
c) Maritime Commission
d) Minister of the Navy
3. The narrator arrived at the harbor:
a) on horseback
b) by foot
c) by car
d) the story does not mention it
4. The parrot was a gift from:
a) Bolivia
b) Spain
c) Mexico
d) Peru
5. When the narrator got to the raft, Herman:
a) was alone
b) was sitting on a heap of baskets and boxes
c) holding a cage
d) all of the above
6. Herman said that the tug:
a) would arrive immediately
b) would arrive much later
c) would not come at all
d) had come some time ago
7. The raft was towed away by:
a) a large motorboat
b) a small motorboat
c) a large sailboat
d) a small sailboat
8. Herman left the raft:
a) to think for a while
b) to get a drink
c) to have a cigarette
d) because he feared it would sink
9. After the parrot escaped from its cage:
a) it walked around on the shore
b) it flew around over the sea
c) it sat on Herman’s shoulder
d) it walked about on the deck
10. The narrator:
a) was unable to catch the parrot
b) gave the parrot some food
c) caught the parrot and returned it to its cage
d) spoke to the parrot in Spanish
Merle Miller, Plain Speaking: An Oral Biography of Harry S. Truman, New York, Berkley Books, 1974,
pp. 266-267.
Interviewer:
Mr. President, you said the other day that you decided you were going to run for re-election the first day
you were President, in April, 1945, but you didn’t go into any detail about that. What were some of the
reasons you decided so soon?
Harry Truman:
I always knew that from April, 1945, until January, 1949, what I would really be doing was filling out the
fourth term of Roosevelt, who was a great President, but I had some ideas of my own, and in order to
carry them out I had to run for re-election and be re-elected, and that is exactly what happened.
Of course I didn’t say I was going to run for quite some time. It didn’t do any harm that I could see to
keep people guessing for a while. I knew I’d be able to win, though. I knew that all along.
Interviewer:
You knew?
Harry Truman:
Of course I knew. I knew the Republicans would come up with somebody like Taft or Dewey, and I knew
that the people of the country weren’t ready to turn back the clock—not if they were told the truth,
they weren’t.
The only thing was, I had to figure out how to tell them the truth, in what way, and I decided that, the
way I’d always campaigned before was by going around talking to people, shaking their hands when I
could, and running for President was no different. The only difference was instead of driving to the
various communities where people were, I went by train. But otherwise, it was exactly the same
experience. I just got on a train and started across the country to tell people what was going on. I
wanted to talk to them face to face. I knew that they knew that when you get on the television, you’re
wearing a lot of powder and paint that somebody else has put on your face, and you haven’t even
combed your own hair.
But when you’re standing right there in front of them and talking to them and shaking their hands if it’s
possible, then people can tell whether you’re telling them the facts or not.
I spoke I believe altogether to between fifteen and twenty million people. I met them face to face, and I
convinced them, and they voted for me.
True/False: Answer each of these 10 statements either true or false.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Harry S Truman became President in April of 1949.
Truman became President after Roosevelt.
Truman knew from his first day as President that he wanted to be re-elected.
Truman thought Roosevelt was a great President.
Truman announced his intentions of running for President from his first day in office.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Truman assumed the Republican candidate would be Taft or Eisenhower.
Truman’s campaign for President would involve a lot of train travel.
Truman wanted to make a lot of television appearances to convince people of his ideas.
Truman believes he spoke to between twenty and twenty-five million people.
Truman believes people voted for him because he told them the truth.
Multiple Choice:
1. Harry S Truman became President in the month of:
a) May
b) October
c) April
d) September
2. Truman finished which term of President Roosevelt:
a) second term
b) third term
c) fourth term
d) none of the above
3. Truman said he wanted to be President because:
a) he wanted to continue to live in the White House
b) he had some ideas of his own
c) he wanted to defeat other nations
d) he wanted to honor the memory of President Roosevelt
4. The political party that would oppose Truman is called:
a) Republicans
b) Independent
c) Federalist
d) Social Democrats
5. When Truman says “the people of the country weren’t ready to turn back the clock,” he means:
a) people wanted to work longer hours
b) people wanted more hours of daylight
c) people did not want to return to old government policies
d) people wanted new ways to tell time
6. Truman considered his strength to be:
a) talking to people in person
b) speaking to the public via radio
c) making a lot of television appearances
d) sending representatives to speak for him
7. Truman uses the phrase “powder and paint” to refer to:
a) Truman’s colorful clothing
b) Make-up worn while one appears on television
c) His wife’s cosmetic case
d) Decoration used on the trains he traveled on
8. Truman believed that when one speaks to people face to face:
a) people cannot tell that you’re lying
b) people like to see what you are wearing
c) people can tell if you’re telling the truth
d) people like to take photos of you
9. Truman believes that he spoke to:
a) between ten and fifteen million people
b) between eight and ten million people
c) between fifteen and twenty million people
d) more than twenty million people
10. Truman describes himself as:
a) compelling
b) convincing
c) conniving
d) congenial
10th Form Questions:
Text: From "The Terra-Cotta Army of Emperor Qin" by Barbara Gotthelf, Highlights Magazine.
For more than two thousand years, Chinese children have heard fantastic stories about China’s
first great ruler, Emperor Qin [ʧɪn]. The stories told about a great army made up of terra-cotta soldiers
and of a burial tomb filled with jewels and magical rivers that flowed to the sea.
In 1974, the Chinese made an amazing discovery—the stories about Emperor Qin and his great
army are not fantastic at all; they’re true. An army of more than eight thousand soldiers made of terracotta, a baked reddish clay, is buried three to four meters beneath the earth not far from the tomb
pyramid where Emperor Qin is believed to be buried along with riches of his dynasty.
People learned by accident that the stories about Emperor Qin were true. Farmers digging a well
in a field struck the head of a terra-cotta soldier. News of the discovery quickly spread, and archeologists
swarmed to the site in central China. After much effort was spent drilling core samples from the earth,
archeologists learned that about eight thousand terra-cotta warriors were buried in chambers beneath
the ground.
So far, archeologists have dug up and pieced together about one thousand of the soldiers. The
soldiers were damaged by raiding rebel armies shortly after their creation and also by the collapse of
heavy roof timbers over time. Also uncovered were about one hundred wooden war chariots, about six
hundred life-size terra-cotta horses, and thousands of weapons. The soldiers stand about two meters
tall, and each appears to have his own individual personality.
“They’re all different, every single one of them,” says Dr. Donald Wood, the curator of Asian Art
at the Birmingham Museum of Art in Alabama. “Each soldier has his own characteristics. Some are
almost smiling; some look very stern. Some look like they are middle aged, and some are very young.
Each has his own little mustache and little changes to his hairstyle.”
Dr. Wood says that the workers who made the soldiers may have modeled them after the real
soldiers of Emperor Qin’s army. The terra-cotta horses buried alongside the soldiers also have their own
facial expressions. The weapons the soldiers carry don’t just look real—they are real. The arrows,
swords, and crossbows are made up of special combinations of metals. They are as sharp today as they
were twenty-two centuries ago.
Emperor Qin’s terra-cotta army had at least two purposes. The army was designed to protect
Qin after he died. Dr. Victor Mair, a professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of
Pennsylvania, explains that the ancient Chinese had a very strong belief in the afterlife. “When you die,
that’s not the end of you,” says Dr. Mair. “The army was meant to protect [Emperor Qin] in death, down
in the underworld. That’s why there were such incredible efforts to be realistic.” The more lifelike the
soldiers looked, Mair says, the more effective they would be in guarding the Emperor against his
enemies in the afterlife.
The army was also created to demonstrate Emperor Qin’s power while he was still alive. Qin,
who was born in 259 B.C., began construction of the army and tomb when he became ruler at the age of
thirteen. Archeologists estimate that it took as many as seven hundred thousand people more than
thirty years to complete the project.
Emperor Qin was powerful, indeed. When Qin declared himself emperor, he ended hundreds of
years of fighting among the different states in China, and he unified the country. Under Qin’s rule,
people in China used the same form of money, the same system of measurement, and the same written
language. Qin even had all of the axle widths in China made the same size so that all wheels would fit in
the same ruts in the roads.
While Qin made many positive changes in the country, he was also a ruthless leader who
ordered people to work on his huge projects. Historians believe that during Qin’s rule, one out of every
ten Chinese was put to work creating not only Qin’s terra-cotta army but also 270 magnificent palaces.
They also worked at connecting one of the greatest wonders of the world—the two-thousand-mile-long
Great Wall of China.
Despite his strength, Qin was ruled by his own fear of death. Later in life, he slept in a different
palace every night because he feared that people might try to kill him. Qin also spent most of his life
looking for the secret of eternal life. It was his own attempts to avoid death that may have killed him.
Some people believe that at the age of forty-nine Qin drank a magic potion that was supposed to keep
him alive forever. Instead, the potion contained poisonous mercury.
Archeologists are convinced that Qin is buried in a spectacular tomb located inside a tomb
pyramid in the center of the field where the terra-cotta army was found. In ancient Chinese history
books, the tomb is called Mount Li, and is said to contain fabulous jewels, miniature cities, and rivers of
mercury that flow to a man-made sea.
There is reason to believe that the story of Emperor Qin’s tomb is true. Tests done on the soil
near Mount Li have shown unusually high levels of mercury. But archeologists have no plans to excavate
Mount Li. Dr. Wood says that before any serious digging begins, scientists would have to set up at the
site special chemical laboratories and climate-controlled storage facilities to preserve what they find.
Otherwise, he says, the treasure of Mount Li might disappear before their eyes.
In the meantime, digging continues in the area near Mount Li. More and more soldiers, chariots,
horses, and weapons are being found. Visitors to China can see the terra-cotta army in three special
museums built above the site. And they can look to the tree-covered Mount Li nearby and reflect on all
the spectacular discoveries that are yet to be uncovered.
Statements 1 through 10 (on your answer sheet circle + if the statement is true, - if it is false).
1. The soldiers were buried almost thirty to forty meters below the surface of the earth.
2. The soldiers are miniature-sized.
3. Each of the soldiers looks very similar.
4. The soldiers may have actually been made to look like real-life soldiers.
5. The Terra-Cotta army was created ONLY to protect him in the afterlife.
6. Emperor Qin was only 17 years old when he became Emperor.
7. Emperor Qin proclaimed himself as ruler.
8. Emperor Qin unified the system of measurement in China.
9. Though strong, Emperor Qin was a nervous and uneasy person during his life.
10. Emperor Qin was buried in the same chamber as his soldiers.
Questions 11 through 20 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D).
11. Terra-cotta is ...
A. a province in China.
B. a baked reddish clay.
C. the name of Emperor Qin's wife.
D. a metal found only in China.
12. The soldiers were found ....
A. in one of his many palaces.
B. buried below the earth in a field.
C. inside a tomb pyramid.
D. under Mount Li.
13. What was NOT found in the burial site?
A. Wooden chariots
B. Terra-cotta horses
C. Jewels
D. Real Chinese weapons
14. The weapons of the soldiers ...
A. were stolen many years ago.
B. were made of special metal that were washed away.
C. are still sharp today.
D. are fake and made only for these soldiers.
15. Why were the soldiers made to look so life-like?
A. He thought they would be more helpful in the afterlife.
B. He used them to warn his many enemies in life.
C. He loved the arts and wanted his soldiers to be well-crafted.
D. The Chinese believed a inexpressive facial expression can protect you from evil.
16. What DIDN'T Qin do during his time as Emperor?
A. Unify the country.
B. Create a national currency.
C. Invent terra-cotta.
D. Create a national written language.
17. Emperor Qin's work on the Great Wall of China included ...
A. connecting parts of the Great Wall together.
B. he began the Great Wall.
C. he finished the Great Wall.
D. he first thought of the idea for the Great Wall.
18. How did Emperor Qin die?
A. He drowned.
B. He drank poison.
C. He died naturally
D. He was killed in battle
19. Why won't archeologists start digging below the area of Mount Li?
A. They have already finished and found all that is there.
B. They need to set up preservation facilities.
C. They are afraid the roof of the tomb will collapse.
D. They don't have the money.
20. In ancient Chinese history books, the tomb of Mount Li is said to contain all EXCEPT …
A. fabulous jewels.
B. ancient artworks.
C. miniature cities.
D. rivers of mercury.
Elderly Neighbors
Our neighbors are an elderly couple, they have worked hard all their lives. They live simply and
quietly, getting up early and going to bed early every day. When the annual summer holiday arrives,
they spend a week with the wife’s sister, and the rest of the time repainting and decorating their home.
It is the same every year, so much of the paintwork in the house is not more than two years old.
Last year, for the first time, their routine changed. For one thing, the wife’s sister was in the hospital.
For another, they had talked it over thoroughly and decided that for once they would take a holiday like
everyone else.
They chose a caravan camp (a tent camp) at the seaside. They packed their bags, and traveled there
by train. The caravan was dirty, they said, and people in neighboring caravans played their radios loudly
most of the night. The next day was cold and wet; though they did not mind the rain, they did mind the
wind, which made the caravan shake and rock like a boat.
That night there was a storm. Two caravans were blown into the sea. Their own caravan was safe,
but neither of them had any sleep.
So they packed their bags again, and next morning, they were at the station, waiting for the first train
home.
Now if you ask them about holidays they will answer you, “We don’t like holidays. We’re not going to
holiday again.”
On your answer sheet write + (true) or – (false) for each of the statements below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The elderly couple lives an unusual life.
They are very active and excited about things.
The wife has a sister and visits her very often.
In summer, one of the couple’s relatives was in the hospital.
Every summer holiday the couple spends at the seaside.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
They didn’t feel at home in the caravan they had chosen.
There were some other reasons that made their holiday unpleasant.
They packed their bags and went to the station.
Part of their holidays they traveled on foot.
They prefer to have their holidays at home.
Write the letter of the best variant on your answer sheet.
1. The text is mainly about
a. The typical life of the retired
b. A summer holiday
c. An accident at the seaside
d. The bad results of changing a routine
2. The elderly couple
a. Had no neighbors
b. Had many relatives
c. Had a few friends
d. Were the narrator’s neighbors
3. The neighbors repair and decorate their home
a. Because the wife’s sister insists on doing it
b. The best part of their annual summer holiday
c. Because of an annual special occasion
d. From early morning to late at night
4. The phrase “have worked hard” can mean all these except
a. Have suffered deeply from their work
b. Have had great difficulties in doing the work
c. Have done a lot of work
d. Have been regularly employed
5. Why did the couple change their routine life?
a. Their neighbors gave them advice
b. They decided to make an exception
c. They got an invitation from the wife’s sister
d. They had a chance to visit the seaside
6. What did they use the caravan for?
a. To travel to the seaside
b. To live for the holiday
c. To pull the car
d. To decorate it
7. They didn’t like all of these except
a. loud radio broadcasting
b. a dirty caravan
c. the people in the camp
d. cold and wet weather
8. They stayed in the caravan camp
e. For two days and two nights
f. For two days and one night
g. For one day and one night
h. For two days
9. They didn’t feel safe because
a. Their caravan was blown into the sea
b. There was a risk of the caravan being blown into the sea
c. They couldn’t sleep at night
d. They were at the station the next morning
10. Their holiday at the seaside was
a. Long
b. Usual
c. Dangerous
d. Boring
Steven Bower, Chris Wilson: First Certificate: First, Examination Practice 2 (Teacher’s Book), Express
Publishing, p. 99.
Good afternoon and welcome to another edition of “You and Your Body.” The topic of today’s
program is vitamins, one of the basic components of the human body, and one that still mystifies many
people…at least that’s what the letters from listeners show. Today we will try to answer as many of
your questions as possible.
So, what are vitamins? Well, vitamins are one of the five elements essential for a healthy body.
The others are proteins, which we get from meat; carbohydrates, which we get from pasta and bread;
fats and minerals. Actually, the name vitamin comes from Latin “vita” which means “life.”
Now, before we go on, let me clarify something. Some people may believe that vitamins and
minerals are similar because they’re combined in the various food supplements on the market. But
they’re not. Vitamins are organic compounds, whereas minerals are inorganic substances. For example,
calcium is a mineral, not a vitamin.
Actually, even vitamins differ from one another in their chemical composition and the way they
act. Nevertheless, we can see two main vitamin groups: fat-soluble and water-soluble, that is, vitamins
that can dissolve either into fat or into water. Let’s have a closer look at those two groups.
Fat-soluble are vitamins A, D, E and K. Their common characteristic is that the body can store
them in fat, in the liver and in the kidneys. So we don’t need to take them on a daily basis. Watersoluble are vitamin C and the vitamin B complex. The body cannot store them, so we must make sure
that they are contained in our daily diet.
Why are vitamins so important? The main reason is that vitamins help the metabolism of three
of the important elements we mentioned before: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In other words,
without vitamins the body cannot process these essential substances. Vitamins also help the body
create blood cells, hormones, chemicals in the nervous system and genetic material. Unfortunately, we
still don’t know much about the complex ways in which vitamins operate in the body. Actually, we are
not even sure about the precise effect of certain vitamins, for example, vitamin E.
You may be asking, “How do we get these vital elements?” Well, the main sources of vitamins
are just around the corner at your local supermarket. We can see two categories: plant products such
as fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetable oil and margarine; bread, pasta and cereals; and animal
products; meat, poultry and fish; liver, heart and kidneys; and dairy products, that is fresh milk, butter
and cheese. Now, there is one vitamin which you get for free, so to speak. Most of vitamin D is
produced in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. And here is an important piece of
information for vegetarians who don’t eat any animal products. Because vitamin B12 is found only in
animal products, vegans should take vitamin B12 supplements. Vitamin supplements may also be
needed by pregnant women and people on special diets.
I would like to end this program with a word of caution. Vitamins are essential for our health
and we do need to ensure that we take the necessary amounts, but we can have too much of a good
thing. Yes, it may sound strange to some of you, but taking more than the amount we need will result in
a number of health problems. This happens particularly with fat-soluble vitamins. For example, large
amounts of vitamin A can cause anything from headaches and skin rashes to growth problems in
children. Even large doses of vitamin C, which is not stored in the body, can destroy vitamin B12 and
reduce calcium in bones. So be careful when taking food supplements. Good day and good health.
True or False: Answer each of these ten statements true or false.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The name of the program is “You and Your Vitamins.”
The word “vitamin” is derived from Latin.
Vitamins and minerals are similar.
Vitamins are divided into two categories.
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and kidney.
Two water-soluble vitamins are A and C.
The primary function of vitamins is to metabolize proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
The effects of some vitamins are not known.
Vitamin B12 is found only in plant products such as vegetables.
It is detrimental to one’s health to take too much of some vitamins.
Multiple Choice:
1. Information about vitamins:
a) is entirely clear
b) brings up a lot of questions
c) is of little interest to the listeners of the program
d) is very mystical
2. In addition to vitamins, good health depends on:
a) five other elements
b) three other elements
c) a sufficient supply of minerals
d) four other elements
3. The word “vitamin” comes from a word for:
a) food
b) life
c) health
d) energy
4. Vitamins are:
a) organic compounds
b) the same as carbohydrates
c) the same as proteins
d) inorganic compounds
5. Vitamins are different from one another:
a) in their chemical composition
b) in the way they dissolve
c) in the way they act
d) all of the above
6. Fat-soluble vitamins:
a) need to be taken every day
b) do not need to be taken every day
c) add significantly to body weight
d) give the body extra energy
7. Most vitamins can be gotten from:
a) minerals
b) rain water
c) chemicals
d) food
8. Vitamin D is produced:
a) while you sleep
b) when the body is exposed to sunlight
c) by vitamins A and E
d) in a laboratory
9. Vitamin B12 is found:
a) only in plant products
b) only in pregnant women
c) only in animal products
d) only in carbohydrates
10. One of the dangers in taking fat-soluble vitamins is that:
a) they can add to body weight
b) they can cause an upset stomach
c) they can cause health problems if taken in excess
d) none of the above
11th Form Questions:
Text: From "Marie Smith," Feb 7, 2008, The Economist.
Glossary:
afar – здалека
spruce – хвойне дерево
remnant – відбиток, залишок
halibut – палтус
Beyond the town of Cordova, on Prince William Sound in south-eastern Alaska, the Copper River
delta branches out in silt and swamp into the gulf. Marie Smith, growing up there, knew there was a
particular word in Eyak, her language, for the silky, gummy mud that squished between her toes. The
driftwood she found on the shore, acquired a different name if it had a proper shape and was not a
broken, tangled mass. If she got lost among the flat, winding creeks her panicky thoughts were not of
north, south, east or west, but of ‘upriver,’ ‘downstream,’ and the tribes, Eskimo and Tlingit, who lived
on either side. And if they asked her name it was not Marie but rather an Eyak word meaning ‘a sound
that calls people from afar.’
Upriver out of town stretched the taiga, rising steadily to the Chugach Mountains and covered
with black spruce. The spruce was an Eyak dictionary in itself, from lis, the neat, conical tree, to its wiry
root, useful for baskets; from, its blue-green, flattened needles, which could be brewed for beer or tea,
to sihx, its resin, from which came pitch to make canoes watertight. The Eyak were fishermen who,
thousands of years before, were thought to have crossed the Bering Strait in their boats. Marie's father
still fished for a living, as did most of the men in Cordova. While the neighboring Athapaskan tribes, who
had crossed the strait on snowshoes, had dozens of terms for the condition of ice and snow, Eyak
vocabulary was rich with particular words for black abalone, red abalone, ribbon weed and tubular kelp,
drag nets and dipping nets and different sizes of rope. One word, demexch, meant a soft and
treacherous spot in the ice over a body of water: a bad place to walk on, but possibly a good one to
squat beside with a fishing line or a spear.
This universe of words and observations was already fading when Marie was young. In 1933
there were 38 Eyak-speakers left, and white people with their grim faces and intrusive microphones, as
they always appeared to her, were already coming to sweep up the remnants of the language. At home
her mother donned a kushsl, or apron, to make cakes in a round mixing bowl; but at school ‘barbarous’
Eyak was forbidden. It went unheard, too, in the salmon factory where Marie worked after fourth grade,
canning in industrial quantities the noble fish her people had hunted with respect, naming not only
every part of it but the separate stems and shoots of the red salmonberries they ate with the dried roe.
As the spoken language died, so did the stories of tricky Creator-Raven and the magical loon, of
giant animals and tiny homunculi with fish-spears no bigger than a matchstick. People forgot why ‘hat’
was the same word as ‘hammer’, or why the word for a leaf was also the word for a feather, as though
trees and birds shared one organic life. They lost the sense that grouped apples, beads and pills together
as round, foreign, possibly deceiving things. They neglected the superstitions that kept fish and animals
separate, and would not let fish-skin and animal hide be sewn in the same coat; and they could not
remember exactly why they built little wooden huts over gravestones, as if to give more comfortable
shelter to the dead.
Mrs. Smith herself seemed cavalier about the language for a time. She married a white man,
William Smith, and brought up nine children, telling them odd Eyak words but finding they were not
interested. Eyak became a language for talking either to herself, or to God. Only when her last surviving
older sister died, in the 1990s, did she realise that she was the last of the line. From that moment she
became an activist, a tiny figure with a determined jaw and a colourful beaded hat, campaigning to stop
clear-cutting in the forest (where Eyak split-log lodges decayed among the blueberries) and to get Eyak
bones decently buried. She was the chief of her nation, as well as its only full-blooded member.
She drank too much, but gave it up; she smoked too much, coughing her way through interviews
in a room full of statuettes of the Pillsbury Doughboy, in which she said her spirit would live when she
was dead. Most outsiders were told to buzz off. But one scholar, Michael Krauss of the University of
Alaska at Fairbanks, showed such love for Eyak, painstakingly recording its every suffix and prefix and
glottal stop and nasalisation, that she worked happily with him to compile a grammar and a dictionary;
and Elizabeth Kolbert of the New Yorker was allowed to talk when she brought fresh halibut as a tribute.
Without those two visitors, almost nothing would have been known of her.
As a child she had longed to be a pilot, flying boat-planes between the islands of the Sound. An
impossible dream, she was told, because she was a girl. As an old woman, she said she believed that
Eyak might be resurrected in the future. Just as impossible, scoffed the experts: in an age where perhaps
half the planet's languages will disappear over the next century, killed by urban migration or the
Internet or the triumphal march of English, Eyak has no chance. For Mrs. Smith, however, the death of
Eyak meant the not-to-be-imagined disappearance of the world.
Statements 1 through 10 (on your answer sheet circle + if the statement is true, - if it is false).
1. The Eyak lived in south-western Alaska.
2. Marie’s father worked as a fisherman.
3. In 1933, there were only forty-eight Eyak speakers left.
4. After fifth grade, Marie started working in a salmon-canning factory.
5. In Eyak, the word for leaf is the same as the word for feather.
6. In Eyak superstition, small wooden huts were built over the graves of the dead.
7. At her death, Marie Smith was the only remaining full-blooded member of her tribe.
8. Marie believed that her spirit would continue living in statues of the Pillsbury Doughboy.
9. Michael Krauss was allowed to visit Marie because he brought her fresh halibut.
10. Over the next century, perhaps a quarter of the world’s languages will disappear.
Questions 11 through 20 (on your answer sheet circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D).
11. Marie’s Eyak name means…
A. ‘the girl who runs east and west.’
B. ‘lost amongst the creeks.’
C. ‘a sound that calls people from afar.’
D. ‘a movement upstream.’
12. The Eyak used the needles of the black spruce tree to…
A. make tar to cover the outside of their boats.
B. weave baskets.
C. brew beer and tea.
D. sew fishing nets.
13. The Eyak tribe came to Alaska…
A. to find good fishing.
B. by crossing the Bering Strait in boats.
C. with the Eskimo people.
D. by walking across the Bering Strait in snowshoes.
14. Based on their languages, we know that the most important thing to Eyak people was…
A. apples and beads.
B. snow and ice.
C. fish and rope.
D. leaves and feathers.
15. As a child, Marie thought that white people had____________ faces.
A. intrusive
B. grim
C. smiling
D. barbarous
16. As the Eyak language died, which of the following was NOT forgotten?
A. The story of the Creator-Raven.
B. Why the word for hat is the same as hammer.
C. Why every part of every fish had a name.
D. The superstition that kept fish and animals separate.
17. Marie realized that she and her language were important only…
A. when her older sister died.
B. after her children told her they did not want to learn Eyak.
C. because of the visitors that came.
D. when she became chief of the Eyak nation.
18. In her old age, which of these things did Marie NOT do?
A. become an activist for the proper burial of Eyak bones
B. fight against clear-cutting in forests
C. help create an Eyak dictionary
D. become a designer of colorful, beaded, Eyak hats
19. Marie was told it was impossible to become a pilot because…
A. all Eyak people are fishermen.
B. she was a girl.
C. no one spoke the Eyak language.
D. her English was not very good.
20. The reason for the Eyak language’s disappearance is that…
A. Marie died.
B. it was considered to be ‘barbarous.’
C. English speakers forbade the language from schools.
D. All of the above
Other Samples:
Text:
In America, we celebrate many holidays during the year. I will tell you about three of my favorite
holidays, when they occur, why they are important and how we celebrate them. These three holidays
are the Fourth of July, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.
On the Fourth of July, we celebrate the birthday of the United States. This holiday is not only
called the Fourth of July, but also Independence Day. On July 4, 1776, the people of the American
colonies declared their independence from England. Many people, including George Washington,
helped the early Americans gain their freedom and independence. Today, Americans celebrate the
Fourth of July in different ways. Many families gather to enjoy a special meal outdoors in the warm
weather. Some families go to the beach to relax. Some families watch sports such as baseball. And all
over America, people watch a beautiful show of fireworks.
Another one of my favorite holidays is Halloween. We celebrate Halloween on the 31st of
October. Children all over America love Halloween. They dress up in costumes, looking like ghosts and
witches. They ask people for candy and other sweet things to eat. They go to parties and try to scare
one another. Even adults love Halloween, because it is a time to dress in costume and pretend to be
someone else.
My third favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. We celebrate Thanksgiving on the last Thursday in
November. Children do not go to school and adults do not go to work on this special day. Early
Americans celebrated Thanksgiving to express their thanks for the fall harvest. Today, we celebrate
Thanksgiving to take time to be thankful for all the wonderful things we have, such as family, food, good
health and freedom. On Thanksgiving, families gather and enjoy a special meal of turkey, sweet
potatoes, and pumpkin pie. In New York City, there is a special parade with music and dancing. Many
Americans watch the Thanksgiving parade on television to make the day special. I have been to the
parade and have enjoyed seeing how happy everyone is to celebrate this special day.
True/False
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The Fourth of July is also called Independence Day.
The American colonies declared their freedom from Spain.
Many Americans watch sports such as basketball on July 4th.
The story also discussed Halloween, which falls on October 30th.
It is customary for children to ask people for flowers on Halloween.
Both children and adults like dressing up in costume on Halloween.
The third holiday mentioned, Thanksgiving, occurs in August.
One of the traditional foods of Thanksgiving is macaroni.
Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude for good health and freedom.
In New York City, there is a big parade every Thanksgiving Day.
Multiple Choices:
1. All of the following holidays are mentioned in the passage except:
a) the Fourth of July
b) Christmas
c) Thanksgiving
d) Halloween
2. The Fourth of July commemorates:
a) U.S. independence from Spain
b) U.S. independence from France
c) U.S. independence from England
d) U.S. independence from all foreign powers
3. The weather on the Fourth of July is described as:
a) cool
b) hot
c) warm
d) moderate
4. America declared its independence in the year:
a) 1876
b) 1772
c) 1676
d) 1776
5. Halloween is celebrated on:
a) October 31st
b) October 13th
c) October 30th
d) October 3rd
6. The speaker mentions that on Halloween children dress up as:
a) movie stars
b) baseball players
c) ghosts and witches
d) animals
7. Thanksgiving is celebrated on:
a) the first Friday in November
b) the last Thursday in November
c) the third Thursday in November
d) the last Tuesday in November
8. Early Americans celebrated Thanksgiving to express thanks for:
a) the winter harvest
b) the fall harvest
c) rainfall
d) peace with their neighbors
9. The speaker mentions all of the following foods except:
a) pumpkin pie
b) corn
c) sweet potatoes
d) turkey
10. In New York City on Thanksgiving there is a special:
a) football game
b) political demonstration
c) parade
d) fireworks show