English smile -2014 Form 9-10. Part 1.
Reading
Task - 1. Read the text and statements. Decide which is A-True, B- False, C- Not stated.
The Maya.
The Maya are a group living in Central America and southern Mexico, whose history dates
back an incredible 4,000 years. The height of their civilization is sometimes known as the
"Classic period". This lasted from about 300 to 900AD, and then suddenly ended.
Archeologists today still ask, "Why did this happen?"
There are many possible explanations for the end of the Classic Maya civilization, but noone knows for sure exactly what happened. One possible is that some groups of foreigners
invaded and destroyed some of the most important Maya cities. However, most archeologists
and historians who have studied this subject think this explanation is unlikely.
Another possibility involves the expansion of the civilization during the 700s. Some
buildings from that period remain unfinished. Why? The suggestion is that poor Maya citizens
were forced to carry out the hard building work. Because they were badly treated, they fought
back. This would explain why the buildings were never completed. However, scientific
research has shown that the buildings weren't actually very difficult to build. What's more,
other civilizations that experienced problems like these did not just disappear.
A third possibility involves the collapse of trade. Some archeologists believe that the Maya
were closely connected to the city of Teotihuacan by trade. This great city ruled central
Mexico, and its collapse in 750AD changed trade routs. However, it has been discovered that
the Maya's connection with this city was strong around 500AD. This means that by the time
Teotihuacan fell, the Maya were already independent of the city's influence.
One of the most likely explanations is a change in the weather, with not enough rain leading
to an extremely bad droughts. Scientists have been able to work out rainfall amounts at the
time from soil samples. It appears that the area suffered from a "media-drought" and the severe
lack of water was enough to serve the Maya food. Critics of this idea say that only the northern
regions have been studied and the Maya civilization was stronger in the south. Also, certain
Maya cities in the north survived until 900AD or even later, but this is possibly because they
were located closer to the sea and could survive on fish.
Whatever its cause, the end of the Maya Classic period did not bring a complete end to its
people. Today, there are still millions of them living in the area, speaking one or more of the
twenty one languages still in existence.
1. The "Classic period" lasted for more than four thousand years.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated.
2. Archeologists often have meetings with historians to discuss the Maya civilization.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated.
3. Not all of the buildings the Maya started building in the 700s were finished.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated.
4. Maya buildings were usually very expensive to build.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated.
5. Around 500AD, the city of Teotihuacan ruled over the Maya civilization.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated.
6. Scientists have no idea how much rain fell during the Classic period.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated.
7. Some Maya cities continued after the end of the Classic period.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated.
8. Maya people today all speak the same language.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated.
Task-2. Read the story "Living in the Ice Age". Think of each statement and choose the
correct letter A, B, C or D.
I'm a scientist and I arrived here in Antarctica three months ago in December. The
temperature is cold but not unpleasant yet. Since arriving, I've worked with 60 other people
getting everything ready for the Antarctic winter. It's been a lot of hard work, but it was fun
too. However, a few days ago the ship left taking most of the staff with it, and it won't be back
to fetch us until next December. So the hardest thing to get used to is that there are now just
fourteen of us because I'm used to working in a large company.
I'm living on the same work station I was on ten years ago. It was new then and it's still in
good condition and unchanged. The dried food we get is also the same - you forget what real
food tastes like after a few weeks. The people working here with me are all different from then,
but I'm always happy getting to know new people. Ten years ago, we were able to send faxes to
friends and family once a month, but today we can send e-mails and talk on the phone so we
don't feel so far away.
Last week we went out exploring for a few days. We slept in our very thick sleeping bags to
keep the cold out. We always have to wear the right clothes and boots for walking on ice and
snow. We were joined together by a rope all the time in case we fell into any holes in the ice.
They're too deep to climb out of. The skies were clear and I was reminded how lucky I am to
be here. Soon we will get amazing sunset too.
9. What is the writer trying to do?
A. persuade people to work in Antarctica
B. complain about his life in Antarctica
C. describe his own experience in Antarctica
D. suggest ways of improving life in Antarctica
10. What is difficult for the writer at the moment?
A. He is working with a small number of people.
B. There is too much work to do.
C. The weather is too cold.
D. The ship won't return for months.
11. In the writer's opinion, what has improved since ten years ago?
A. The living accommodation is better.
B. The food is more tasty.
C. Communications have improved.
D. His colleagues are easier to work with.
12. What particular danger was there when they were exploring?
A. The cold
C. getting lost
B. the holes in the ice
D. slipping on the ice
13.What's the writer's general opinion about his expedition this year?
A. I'm getting used to being in Antarctica. Although people had told me what it was like, it's
still a shock to experience it myself.
B. There hasn't been much to do here yet, so I've spent the time getting to know my colleagues
and relaxing.
C. It's good to be back here. I'd forgotten how beautiful it is. I'm looking forward to seeing
some wonderful sunset.
D. I'll send you my news as often as I can. It won't be long till I'm home, as I've already been
here nearly a year.
Task 3. Read the text and questions. Choose the correct answers A, B, C or D.
Cycling in the countryside.
By Chris Hones, aged 14.
Have you ever been cycling? This spring my older brother and I left the busy city and spent
a long weekend cycling in the countryside. Our average speed was only around 14 kph, but
that didn't matter. We hadn't come to break any speed records, or to get fit and healthy. All we
wanted was some fresh air and a break from schoolwork. My bike only once went more than
30 kph, and that was when I raced my brother down the only hill on our route.
We really enjoyed cycling along flat, traffic-free country paths. There was plenty of spring
sunshine, but it was quite cold, especially in the morning. We didn't mind, though - and we
soon warmed up as we rode along. Our only problem was when my brakes started making a
terrible noise. But I didn't mind as it gave us an excuse to visit a cafe while a helpful bike
mechanic had a look at it.
That was one of the best things about our rout: every few kilometres there was a village
where we could find everything we needed. All the local people were really friendly, too.
However, most places we stopped at served chips with the meals, which soon got fairly boring.
One night we were woken at 4a.m. by a group of rugby fans singing loudly in the hotel
corridor. We were tired and bad-tempered when we set off the next morning and very nearly
got lost, but soon felt more cheerful when the sun came out. That's what I like about cycling it's simple and it's fun. If you're looking for a short break that's active and cheap, then cycling
is a great choice!
14. What is Chris Jones doing in this text?
A. describing the different places he saw while cycling
B. comparing cycling to other forms of exercise
C. suggesting places to stay on a cycling holiday
D. recommending cycling as a good type of holiday
15. What do we find out about Chris's bike?
A. It wasn't as good as his brother's.
B. It was too old to go fast.
C. It needed attention at one point.
D. It had trouble going up hills.
16.Chris was pleased because
A. he and his brother had chosen a good route.
B. he felt much healthier than before he began his trip.
C. he met other people who keen on cycling.
D. he went away at the best time of year for cycling.
17.What did Chris dislike about his trip?
A. breaking down
C. the weather
B. the food
D. getting lost.
18. What might Chris say in a postcard to a friend?
A. " I'm having a great holiday, spending lots of time in friendly cafes and enjoying being by
myself for once!"
B."I'm having really fit cycling so fast up and down the hills in this part of the countryside"
C. I'm pleased to be away from cars and lorries for a change. Having a good time, despite
some problems."
D. I'm enjoying cycling with my brother this weekend, and staying at a very quiet hotel in this
countryside.
Use of English.
Task 4. Read the text and choose the best words A-C for each gap. For example: 0-A.
Don't Forget Your Hat.
An important point to remember if you like spending time out in the open air is that the
human head doesn't work very well outdoors if it becomes too hot, cold or wet. That's why a
hat is a good investment, wherever you're planning to go out and (19).... Surprisingly, a single
waterproof hat with a brim will do the (20)... adequately in most conditions.
In cold climates, the problem is that the head is (21)... heat all the time. As (22)...as fifty to
sixty percent of your body's heat is lost through the head and neck, (23)... on which scientist
you believe. Clearly this heat loss needs to be prevented, but it's important to remember that
hats don't actually (24)... you warm, they simply stop heat escaping.
Just as important is the need to protect your neck from the effects of (25).. sunlight, and
the brim of your hat will do this. If you prefer a baseball cap, (26)... buying one of that has a
drop down "tail" at the back to stop your neck (27)... sunburned.
And in wet weather(28) ...hats are often more practical than pulling up the hood of your
waterproof coat because when you (29).. your head, the hat goes with you, (30) ...the hood
usually does not.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
A around
A job
A giving away
A soon
A according
A maintain
A sharp
A consider
A suffering
A occasions
A alter
A instead of
B about
B task
B sending out
B long
B regarding
B stay
B keen
B recommend
B going
B positions
B switch
B whereas
C along
C role
C dropping off
C well
C depending
C hold
C bright
C advise
C having
C cases
C turn
C rather than
D above
D duty
D running down
D much
D relating
D keep
D deep
D suggest
D getting
D conditions
D spin
D thereby
Task-5. Choose the correct word to fill the gaps.
If You Are Bullying Others.
Have a think about why you are bullying others. Are you (31) at home, do you find you can't
control your anger, do you like controlling other people? There are people and services who
will help you to stop bullying others.
Do you really want people to be frightened of you? Isn't it better when people like you because
you are a (32) person?
How would you feel if someone was bullying you? How would you feel if you imagined
(33)one day as a parent and your (34) said they were bullied? Bullying is a very (35) thing to
do. Do you really want to be known for someone who does such things and picks on other
people?
If you are bullying someone, you really need to make the right (36) and stop it NOW. What
you are doing is nasty and unkind.
31. A. happy.
B. happiness
C. unhappy
D. the happiest
32. A. wonders
B. wondered
C. wonder
D. wonderful
33. A. you
B. your
C. yourself
D. yourselves
34. A. child
B. children
C. childhood
D. children's.
35. A. cowardly
B. cowardice
C. coward
D. cowardness
36. A. decide
B. decisive
C. indecisive
D. decision
Task-6. Choose the correct word to fill the gaps.
112 Pets.
A woman living in the city center (37) for assistance to find a bigger house and garden - so that
her 112 pets (38) live in less overcrowded conditions. Jennifer Symons, 26, has always loved
animals and now had a collection that includes twelve cats, seven dogs, four monkeys, two
horses and a variety of smaller creatures, including hamsters, parrots and tropical fish.
She also (39) a number of snakes, and although none of them, she (40), are poisonous, some
of her neighbours in Lower Market Street remain unconvinced and are worried that they might
escape. Generally, though, people seem to like Jennifer's pets and are always friendly towards
her.
All these animals, however, have to be looked after, and Jennifer has to get up at 5.30 every
morning to start feeding some of them. Clearing and other tasks (41) up so much time. Taking
care of them (42) now almost her main occupation, leaving her with only her earnings from a
part-time job at a local supermarket to maintain the 112 and herself. It is hardly surprising,
therefore, that she can't really afford to move into a bigger house.
37. A. asks
B. is asking
C. has asked
D. had asked
38. A. can
B. could
C. can't
D. couldn't
39. A. had had B. has
C. had
D. is having
40. A. has said B. say
C. has said
D. says
41. A. takes
B. are taking
C. take
D. have taken
42. A. becomes B. became
C. has become
D. is becoming
Writing.
Task 7. You have seen an advertisement for a music course and you want to apply.
"Are you good at writing songs, or at singing or at playing an instrument?
At the Heath College of Music we are looking for new talent!
We are offering four free places on our summer courses.
We are looking for enthusiastic people who are willing to devote many hours a day to
studying. Write to Clara Barnes, the director, explaining
* why you would want to attend a course
* what musical skills you have
* what your favorite music is."
Write your letter of application in 110-120 words. Do not write any postal addresses.
English smile -2014 Form 9-10. Part 1. Keys.
Reading.
Task 1 Maya 1-2 2-3 3-1 4-3 5-2 6-2 7-1 8-2
Task 2. Living in the Ice Age 9C 10A 11C 12B 13C
Task 3. Cycling. 14A 15C 16 A 17B 18C
Use of English.
Task 1 9B 20A 21B 22D 23C 24D 25C 26A 27D 28D 29C 30B
Task2 Bullying 31C unhappy 32Dwonderful 33C yourself 34Bchildren 35A cowardly 36Ddesicion
Task 3 "112 pets" 37C has asked 38A can 39B has 40D says 41C take 42C has become
Writing 8 points.
Total 50.