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Miністерство освіти і науки України

II етап Всеукраїнської учнівської олімпіади

з англійської мови

THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE OF UKRAINE

STAGE II NATIONAL STUDENTS OLYMPIAD

IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Reading Comprehension Testfor 8th form Students

Student’s Booklet

Do not open this bookletuntil advised by the teacher

Dictionaries are not allowed

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Reading Comprehension Test for 8th Form StudentsDirections:

In this test you will read four texts. Each text is followed by some tasks. Text 1

Online ShoppingFill in the gaps 1 through 10 with correct answers, circle the correct letter A, B, or C.

Shopping habits (1) ___________ and today people buy more products online than they do in the shops. (2) ___________ are the advantages of this? First of all, it’s (3) ___________ to compare prices on the internet. This means that you can find (4) ___________ price for the product you want to buy. Secondly, it’s (5) ___________ convenient to shop online. You save time because you can (6) ___________ what you want from home. Thirdly, (7) ___________ more shops online than in any shopping center in the world. This means that you have more choice when you are (8) ___________ for a certain product. Of course, online shopping has (9) ___________ disadvantages, but in general, the internet is (10) ___________ place for consumers to shop in the 21st century.

1. A. is changing B. change C. are changing

2. A. Why B. What C. How

3. A. easier B. easiest C. the easiest

4. A. cheaper B. cheapest C. the cheapest

5. A. more B. most C. the most

6. A. buy B. to buy C. buying

7. A. there is B. there are C. they are

8. A. looking B. finding C. trying

9. A. a B. some C. any

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.

A. good B. better C. the best

Text 2Questions 11 through 16 refer to Text 2. Circle T for true or F for false.

Achoo!!!Achoo! Every time after you’ve been near your best friend’s cat, it’s like you’ve been crying

because your eyes and nose are red. What’s going on? Well, you may have an allergy. Doctors in Naples, Italy, believe that by the year 2030 every person in the world could be allergic to at least one thing!

But what is an allergy? It’s something that makes you feel ill after you eat or go very close to something which doesn’t normally make other people ill. There are many things people can be allergic to, like pet hair, food, grass, medicine, clothes, even the light from the sun! In the USA alone, more than fifty million people get allergies each year and it costs eighteen billion dollars every year in medicines.

People can get allergies at any time in their lives: when they are babies, teenagers or adults. Some allergies can stop as you grow older, but others can stay with you for your whole life;

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however, they may not be as bad as when you were younger. If you get allergies, don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world. You can have an allergy and still enjoy a normal life.

The following advice can also stop some allergies from getting to you: Keep your house as clean as possible. During spring, try not to go out between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wash your hands after playing with pets. Eat applies and drink tea without milk. When cycling, don’t go on the main roads, and cover your nose and mouth with a

scarf.

11. Some people believe that everybody could have an allergy by the year 2030. T F

12. Every year, fifty million people get allergies in the USA. T F

13. There is no special age when you can an allergy. T F

14. People with allergies must take medicine for their whole lives. T F

15. People with allergies should stay inside in the morning in the spring. T F

16. Keeping your house clean, eating apples and drinking milk are all good ways of stopping allergies.

T F

Text 3Questions 17 through 24 refer to Text 3. Fill in the gaps choosing the correct answer, circle the correct letter A, B, or C).

Food and ArtMost children around the world have heard their parents tell them not to play with their (17) _____________. Some parents, however, do just that.That’s what a father in England did when his son didn’t want to eat his food one day. He (18) _____________ for him a sandwich that looked like an airplane and included vegetables his son doesn’t normally eat. He then made some sandwiches that looked like animals and musical (19) _____________ - crocodiles, elephants, pianos and guitars. He took pictures of the sandwiches and put them online. He was later (20) _____________ to write a book on how to make such sandwiches (21) _____________ parties.

On the other side of the Atlantic, a New York artist made a sandwich (22) _____________ she was at college that looked like a dinosaur. Today she has a business and makes sandwiches (23) _____________ look like famous TV stars. She also takes photos of the sandwiches and (24) _____________ them on T-shirts.

17.

A. meal B. food C. dish

18.

A. cooked B. baked C. prepared

19.

A. programs B. instruments C. projects

20 A. asked B. asking C. ask

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.

21.

A. of B. to C. for

22.

A. during B. as C. when

23.

A. who B. which C. whose

24.

A. prints B. points C. practices

Text 4Read the article. Six sentences have been removed from it. Choose from sentences A-F the one which best completes each gap (25-30).

Tired of talking to yourself? Are you stuck at home or feel shy about going out on your own to meet new people? (25) _____________________. It’s not hard to learn how to make friends online. First, scan the website. (26) _____________________. Just like when you walk in the door of a social event, you want to feel the atmosphere or the place and find out how the people are interacting. You can tell from the comment conversations if these people will be the ones you can relate to or not. Some online communities require that you sign up before you can read the boards or comments. You can do a little research about websites by reading interviews or reading the website itself to see if it might be a good match for your personality.

Identify users who share your interests. (27) _____________________. The easiest place to start from is identifying others who share your interests. (28) _____________________. You can contact them immediately using the methods the website provides (such as clicking on their username to open a chat or clicking “new message” by their name). You can also copy and paste their name somewhere on your computer (or write it down) so that you can write a message to them later when you feel more comfortable.

Decide on a good username. Even though you’ll likely want to join more than one website – which means you’ll be setting up several user accounts – you obviously want to be able to remember them all. Creating a username that you can use across all the websites is useful for this. You may have to tweak the name for different sites but in general similar names will prevent you from getting confused. (29) _____________________. For example, myrajane might be in use, or myra_jane might be available. Use a different password for each site to protect your identity. Create a file on your computer (such as Word or Excel) and save all the username/password combinations so that you don’t have to keep resetting them.

Be kind and polite. In your comments, don’t be biased or rude. Although you want to be able to express yourself, jumping into a conversation with your guns blazing makes people want to get away from you, especially if they disagree. Instead, maintain a polite and kind tone – even when you disagree – to avoid polarizing the conversation and losing friends before you even start. (30) _____________________. Don’t personally attack anyone. Online spaces are just as particular about this as real-life places. This fact is easy to forget when online, where you aren’t seeing people’s body language.

A) Save your passionate opinions for a one-on-one chat with someone who agrees or for forums specifically designated as a space for debate.

B) If a website already has a user with the name you picked out, adding a number, letter or special character can usually allow you to still use that name.

C) If you see a comment that someone left about how much they love football or baking, and you love that thing too, you may want to pursue friendship with that person.

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D) The internet is a great place to shake off your shyness, meet new people from around the world and form friendships with people who share your interests and passions.

E) Once you’re signed up on a website, it’s time to find users that you think might make good friends for you.

F) When you join an online community, it’s smart to scan the site or “lurk” on (browse) the forums, comments and message boards.

Miністерство освіти і науки УкраїниII етап Всеукраїнської учнівської олімпіади





Listening Comprehension Test

for 8th form Students

TEACHER’S BOOKLET

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Monday MorningMonday morning is the worst time of the week for a lot of people, because it is

the end of the weekend and the beginning of another week of work. More things seem to go wrong on Monday morning than on other days.

Jane, a friend of mine, has two children, a boy and a girl, who often make her life very difficult, especially on Monday mornings.

One Monday morning was worse than usual. She wanted to do some baking, so she sent the children into the garden to play. She made her husband’s favorite cake and put it in the oven. When she had finished she looked out into the garden and saw David climbing a tree. She was not worried because he had never fallen before.

Then she went upstairs to make the beds. When she was upstairs she suddenly heard a branch break. She looked out quickly and saw David on the ground. His arm was in a funny position and she though he had broken it. Her neighbor came to help. Jane asked her to phone the doctor.

In half an hour, the doctor came and took David to the hospital. Jane sent her daughter to play next door. As she went into the house, she smelled something burning. “Oh no! The cake!” she cried. It was burnt black. She sat down to have a rest.

When John came home for lunch, he saw his wife sitting there and felt that something was wrong. He also smelled something burning.

“Tell me the worst,” he said.

“Well, I’ll tell you the good news first,” Jane replied. “I’ve made your favorite cake this morning, the house isn’t on fire, and our daughter hasn’t broken her arms.”

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Student’s Booklet

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Do not open this booklet

until advised by the teacher

Directions: in this part of the section you will listen to a text. After listening look at the questions 1-10, decide, which of them are true (T) and which are false (F) according to the text you have heard and mark the letter you have chosen by encircling it.

1. Monday morning is the worst time of the week for a lot of people. T F

2. Because it is the end of the weekend and people want to rest and not to start another working week.

T F

3. Jane was a clerk at one of the banks in Chicago. T F

4. She had two children who often made her life very difficult, especially in the morning. T F

5. One Monday morning was worse than usual. T F

6. She wanted to do some shopping, so she sent her children to the neighbor. T F

7. She looked out into the garden and saw her son David on the ground. T F

8. His arm was in a funny position and she thought he had broken it. T F

9. So, she decided to call an ambulance. T F

10. When the doctor came, he took David to the hospital. T F

PLEASE STOP AND WAIT FOR THE SECOND READING OF THE TEXT.

Directions: in this part of the section you will listen to the text tor the second time. After listening look at the questions 11-20, decide, which of the given answers (A, B, C or D) best corresponds to what was stated or implied in the text you have heard and mark your answer by encircling the letter of your choice.

11. Monday morning is (the) __________ time of the week for a lot of people.a. worstb. bestc. indifferent

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d. pleasant

12. More things seem to go __________ on Monday morning than on other days.a. rightb. wrongc. difficultd. easy

13. Jane wanted to do some __________.a. shoppingb. cookingc. washingd. cleaning

14. She sent the children into __________.a. the kindergartenb. the gardenc. schoold. library

15. When Jane finished her cooking, she looked out into the garden and saw David __________.

a. on the horseb. on the groundc. on the roofd. on the bike

16. Her __________ came to help her.a. neighborb. husbandc. friendd. mother

17. Jane asked her to phone __________.a. the policeb. the doctorc. her husbandd. the veterinary

18. Jane sent her daughter to play __________.a. in the gardenb. next doorc. with her friendsd. the piano

19. As she went into the house, she __________.a. saw something terribleb. smelled something burning

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c. saw the dead catd. saw the dead dog

20. She sat down __________.a. to have a restb. to phone her husbandc. and began to cryd. and fell asleep







Speaking Comprehension Test


TEACHER’S BOOKLET

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Directions:In this test, you will select three task slips from those before you. After selecting three,

choose the one you feel you are most capable to speak about and return the other two to the table face down. Then take about a minute to collect your thoughts before you begin to speak on the topic. You may refer to the topic as needed. Take a deep breath and begin.

1. Describe what you like to do when you are not required to attend school? What would happen on a typical “day-off” from school?

2. One of the main reasons people study foreign languages is so they can travel around the world. What word or phrase do you think is the most important to know when travelling in a foreign country? Why? What is the biggest challenge for a traveller who does not speak the local language? How do people communicate when they don’t speak each other’s language?

3. Think about your experience studying English. What makes studying a foreign language interesting? Is it easy or hard for you to learn English? Why? Why might it be important for students to learn English?

4. A foreign visitor has only one day to spend in your country. Where should this visitor go on that day? What dishes should he or she eat? What souvenirs should the visitor take back to his or her country?

5. Speak about your free-time activities. What interesting experiences have you had? What do your own hobbies tell people about your personality?

6. What holiday in the United States or Great Britain would you like to take part in? Why? What are the most important or interesting parts of this holiday? Is this holiday celebrated in Ukraine as well? How is it the same or different? Is there a similar holiday in Ukraine?

7. Tastes in reading differ as in everything else. What books do you like or dislike reading? Which book is your favourite one? Why? Would you like it to be filmed? Are you fond of books that have a happy ending?

8. Young people play computer games now more than ever. Some people say that computer

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games can be bad for a child’s development. Do you agree with this opinion? What are the advantages and disadvantages of playing computer games? Do you think parents should limit the amount of time their children play on the computer?

9. Most people agree that eating junk food such as chips, cookies, and candies is not good for our health, yet almost everyone eats these things anyway. Do you eat junk food? Why? Which are your favorites? What other bad habits do people have that have a negative effect on their health? What would life be like if we always did what was best for us and never made poor decisions?

10. How do you imagine city life in the future? How do you think cities will look in the future? What will be the advantages and disadvantages of living in cities in the future?

11. How much television should children be allowed to watch each day? Is watching television good for children? What types of programs are good for children? What do children learn from watching television? What problems do children have as a result of watching television?

12. You have a choice between living in one city for the rest of your life or moving to a new city every three years. Which style of life would you choose? What are some of the reasons for this choice? If you could choose which city or cities you would live in, where would you live?

13. Do you think it’s more important than ever to grow your own food? Why? What’s the difference between store-bought and home-grown vegetables and fruit? Do you think that everyone should use a part of their yard to grow food instead of shrubs and grass?

14. Do you often dream? Do you believe dreams have special meaning? Has something you’ve dreamt about ever come true? Have you ever been woken up by a nightmare? What kind of people do you meet in your dreams? Do you tell other people about the dreams you have?

15. What springs to your mind when you hear the word ‘e-mail’? How important is e-mail to you? Do you prefer writing e-mail or real letters with a pen and paper? How much time do you spend writing and reading e-mails? Do you think e-mails are fun? Do you ever receive spam mail? What do you do with it?

16. What is entertainment for you? What do you do for entertainment? What home entertainment equipment do you have? Do you like entertaining friends at home? Would you like to work in the entertainment industry? What kind of person makes a good entertainer? Do you follow entertainment news on TV or Internet?

17. How often do you go to the library? Do you think libraries have changed over the years? Do you like atmosphere of libraries? Would you like to work as a librarian? Why? What would happen if libraries suddenly disappeared? What do you think libraries will be like 50 years from now?

18. Do you like taking photographs? Do you think photography is an art? Would you prefer to be a wildlife photographer or a fashion photographer? What kind of photography do you like looking at? Do you ever go to photography exhibitions? What do you think of black and white photography? Has the Internet changed the way you use photographs?

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19. People often wish to be someone else. Have you ever wanted to be someone else, even for one day? Who and why? Do you think that other people ever want to be you? Explain. Does wishing to be someone else make your life better or worse?

20. Some would say it is important to have many friends, while others would argue that it is better to have a small group of friends. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a large group of friends? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a smaller group of friends?

21. Many people play sports because they are fun and help us stay in shape. What do you think are the two best reasons to play sports? What can we learn from playing sports, either on a team or individually?

22. Many school subjects are considered more important than others. What do you think they are, and how do students benefit from taking these classes? Are physical education and art considered to be important? Why or why not? What new subjects would you like to have introduced at your school?

23. “People behave differently when they wear different clothes.” Do you agree or disagree with the above statement? What kinds of different clothes do you wear, and does it influence your behaviour? How can someone’s appearance affect the way people judge them?

24. Holidays are an important time to spend with friends and family. What is your favorite holiday? How do you celebrate this holiday? What traditions do you and your family, and/or friends, have?

25. Who is your favourite teacher, the one who is very special for you? What is she/he like? Which methods or attitudes make her/him special? How does this teacher influence you and your classmates? Do you think the knowledge she/he gives you will be of use in the future?







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Writing Comprehension Test


TEACHER’S BOOKLET

Directions:

In this test, you will be given the task written on the board to complete. You will begin writing your essay on the pages provided. When you are finished close your papers. Lay down your pen and wait for us to collect your test materials.

Choose one of the three suggested topics and develop it in a written form. Make sure that you do not only make general comments but also provide personal facts, ideas, and feelings.

1. Family is your blessed shelter. It holds the secrets of your character.

What does your family mean to you? What are your family values?

What makes a good family?

Are your family members different or alike? Who do you take after?

Who in your family do you usually speak with if you have a problem? Does it help to solve it?

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2. People enjoy decorating their room in a way that reflects their personality.

What is your favourite room? Why do you like it?

How does this room reflect your personality?

Is your room a high-tech one with a TV-set with many channels, a laptop, a computer or any other gadgets?

Would you like to live in another flat or house? How would you decorate your room then?

3. Some hobbies are just for fun. Others can lead to something more. Explain about a hobby you have that could someday lead to a career or profession.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Who inspired you to take up this hobby?

What character traits does it develop?

How can it be connected with your future profession?

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Reading Comprehension Test


Student’s Booklet



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Reading Comprehension Test for 9th Form Students

Directions:In this test you will read four texts. Each text is followed by some tasks.

Text 1A Nice Place to Learn?

1. ________________________A school is like a small community. A local community should be a happy and safe place to live, and a school community should be a happy and safe place to learn. But like any community, sometimes there are problems.

2. ________________________One of the most common problems at school is a lack of discipline in the classroom, for example, students chatting, using their mobile phones and generally not doing what the teacher wants. This type of behavior disrupts the class and disturbs the teacher and the other students in the class who want to learn.

3. ________________________Another common problem in schools is bullying. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or emotional. It can take the form of intimidation, insults, spreading rumors, or violence. These days, more girls are involved than boys, both as bullies and victims. Teachers may also be victims.

4. ________________________When students break the rules, the school should have appropriate strategies to deal with the problem. Teachers can move students to a different place in the classroom to stop disruptions, or send students out of the lesson. For more serious problems, teachers can give detention and in extreme cases head teachers can suspend or expel students.

5. ________________________The best solution, of course, is to prevent antisocial behavior before it happens. In some countries, students have citizenship lessons where they learn about their rights and responsibilities. Some schools also have a system of rewards for students so that they’ve got a positive incentive to behave well.

After reading Text 1, match the headings A-E with the paragraphs 1-5 above.A. Disruptive classesB. Cruel behaviorC. Prevention is better than cureD. A miniature communityE. Punishments

Text 2Let’s Celebrate!

What do you do at New Year? We find out about New Year celebrations around the world.Kyoko:New Year is a very important time for us in Japan. At midnight, in shrines and temples around the country, bells ring 108 times. This removes the evil from the New Year. Many people go to the famous tourist attraction, The Watched Night Bell in Tokyo, to listen to the bells. We also visit our local Buddhist shrine or temple on New Year’s Day. Some people wear traditional Japanese clothes for this ‘first visit’ and we say special prayers for the New Year. We always laugh when the New Year begins. This is because we believe that laughter will bring us enjoyment and good luck throughout the year. We also send New Year postcards. We send the postcards in December and the post office promises that they will deliver them on 1 January.

Alejandro:In Mexico, our New Year celebrations are noisy and fun! We often have parties with our families and friends, and there are fireworks at midnight. We think about our achievements and our disappointments in the past year and our predictions and hopes for the new year. Will we find love and happiness? We makes a list of our disappointments and burn it so that we won’t be unlucky in the new year. We have special decorations in our house and wear certain colors to symbolize our wishes for the future. For example, red

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symbolizes love, yellow symbolizes work and green symbolizes money. When the bell rings twelve times at midnight, we eat twelve grapes and we make twelve wishes for the future.

Alistair:We love celebrating New Year in Scotland. We have a lot of different kinds of entertainment: street parties, fireworks, and dances. In Edinburgh, we have a procession on December 30. Then on December 31, there is a big ceilidh – a traditional Scottish dance. We have a tradition called ‘first footing’. The first person who comes into your house after midnight on December 31 is very important. Traditionally, the first footer is always a tall, dark-haired man. He brings special presents which mean we will have good luck and health in the new year. At the beginning of the new year, many people sing the traditional song Auld Lang Syne together. January 1 and 2 are both holidays in Scotland, because we need two days to celebrate new year!

Use Text 2 to find out in which country (Japan, Mexico, or Scotland) people:6. sing a special song _______________________7. listen to bells _______________________ and _______________________8. eat fruit _______________________9. perform a traditional dance _______________________10. wear special clothes _______________________ and _______________________11. send postcards _______________________12. have two days of holiday _______________________13. burn a piece of paper _______________________

Text 3Black Friday or Buy Nothing Day?

We talk to two young New Yorkers about Black Friday.

Thanksgiving is probably the most important national holiday in the USA. It’s on the fourth Thursday in November and families prepare and eat special food together. But now the day after Thanksgiving is also an important date in the US calendar. The fourth Friday in November in the USA is called Black Friday and it is the busiest shopping day in the year. Why is it so busy? There are a number of reasons. After their Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, many people don’t return to work before the weekend and they go shopping on Friday. It is also traditionally the beginning of the Christmas season and many people start their Christmas shopping on this day.

Chantelle Davies, 21, and three friends are standing in a queue outside Macy’s on 5 th Avenue. “I love Black Friday,” she says. “It’s 5 a.m. and this is the longest queue on 5 th Avenue, but that’s OK. All the big department stores have sales or they give special discounts on Black Friday. I can get the best bargains today.” When the doors of Macy’s open at 6 a.m., everyone immediately runs into the store. Half an hour later, Chantelle leaves Macy’s with three bags full of shopping. She shows me her purchases – two mobile phones (“They were half price!” she says.) and some designer clothes for her boyfriend.

Some people, however, celebrate the Friday after Thanksgiving in a very different way. They prefer to call this day Buy Nothing Day. Brad Simpson, 24, is at a large supermarket. “I’m not spending my dollars today,” he says. “I’m keeping my wallet in my pocket. North Americans are the biggest consumers in the world. We live in a rich country, but we always want more things! We want to have the fastest car on the street, or the latest gadget. We and then we have problems with debt. It’s crazy! Today my friends and I are talking to people about Buy Nothing Day. You can buy things, but you can’t buy happiness!”

Use Text 3 to decide, which of the statements below are true (T) and which are false (F). Circle the correct answer below.

14. Thanksgiving is the least important national holiday in the United States. T F

15. Thanksgiving is always held on a Thursday in November. T F

16. Stores make the most money the day after Thanksgiving. T F

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17. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the Christmas season in the United States. T F

18. A ‘bargain’ is an expensive product. T F

19. Brad Simpson likes to spend money, especially on Black Friday. T F

20. Black Friday is the most important national holiday in the United States. T F

21. According to Brad Simpson, North Americans are the biggest shoppers in the world. T F

22. According to the text, if you stand in a long queue on Black Friday, you will save a lot of money.

T F

23. Macy’s is a department store located on 5th Avenue in New York City and sells mobile phones and designer clothes.

T F

24. It is implied that getting up early on Black Friday is advantageous if you intend to go shopping.

T F

Text 4Teen Science

Who do you look like? Are you good-looking like your mum, well-built like your dad, fair-haired like your brother or sister or really, really tall like your great-great-grandparent? Do people say you’re just like your father or just like your mother or that you take after your grandparent in every way? Or do people ask where you come from because you look so different from the rest of your family?

Your genes are responsible for your appearance and your health. Half your genes are from your mother, the other half from your father. You are not identical to your mother or your father, but you probably look a bit like both of them. Or you may resemble one of your ancestors, for example, a great-great-grandparent. But even if you are like other members of your family, you are unique. Your genes are different from everyone else’s genes. The only people who have exactly the same genes are identical twins.

Some of the features you inherit from your parents are hair, eye color, skin color, and facial features like the size and shape of your nose.

You probably have the same hair color as one of your parents, but this is not always true. Two dark-haired parents can have a blond or red-headed child. This happens when there was a blond or red-headed ancestor. It is common for red-headed children to have freckles, even if the parents don’t have them.

The strongest, or dominant, gene in eye color is brown. If both parents have brown eyes, their children probably have brown eyes too. It’s also common for two brown-eyed parents to have a blue-eyed child, but unusual for two blue-eyed parents to have a brown-eyed child. As well as eye color, you can inherit poor eyesight from your parents. So if you’re short-sighted, you’re probably not the only person in your family who wears glasses.

Tall parents usually have tall children and short parents usually have short children. But this isn’t always true – in fact, children are getting taller thanks to improved diets and healthier lifestyles.

Fifty percent of men with bald fathers will lose their hair. But the gene for baldness can come from the mother’s family too – boys should look at their mother’s father. They may take after him.

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There are many different skin colors: from black, dark brown, brown, light brown to white. Most families share the same skin color, but black parents can give birth to a lighter-skinned child if they have pale-skinned ancestors.

Usually, a black and a white parent have dark-skinned children because black is a dominant gene. But twin sisters Hayleigh and Lauren are exceptions. One twin is black and the other is white. Hayleigh looks exactly like her black father and Lauren is the image of her white mother. This was only possible because their father had a white relative in his past.

Finally, if you are left-handed or if you have dimples in your cheeks or chin, you can thank your genes.

Questions 25-30 refer to Text 4. Circle the correct letter A, B, C or D.

25. From the second paragraph, we learn that genesA. come mainly from your motherB. mean you always resemble one of your parentsC. determine what you look likeD. are always unique to you

26. If a brown-eyed child has two blue-eyed parents, this is A. uncommonB. fairly commonC. impossibleD. extremely common

27. The reason some children are tall is becauseA. their parents are very healthyB. they have short parentsC. they enjoy their lifestyleD. they eat well and live well

28. Men who go baldA. always lose their hair because of their father’s genesB. nearly always have sons who go baldC. sometimes inherit baldness from their mother’s sideD. never pass on baldness through their daughter’s genes

29. When is it possible to have black and white twins?A. when a black parent has white skinned ancestorsB. when there is a dominant black gene in the familyC. when the parents are both blackD. when the parents are both white

30. What would be the best title for the text?A. What do you look like?B. A family traditionC. Where are you from?D. It’s all in the genes

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TEACHER’S BOOKLET

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Vegetarians

The word ‘vegetarian’ was coined in about 1840 to mean people who lived without killing for food, either for moral or health reasons, or both. But the practice is much older than that. Greek philosophers recommended vegetarianism and famous people who have practiced it in the past include Leonardo da Vinci, Tolstoy and Voltaire, Milton, Newton, and George Bernard Shaw. Surely this proves that mental activity does not depend on foods of the flesh. What are the arguments that might stop us from eating meat?

Man’s body is more like those of fruit-eating animals (such as our ‘cousins’ the apes) than like those of flesh-eating animals. For millions of years, man must have lived on fruit, nuts, and leaves and so developed a digestive system accustomed to this diet. Perhaps the more we move away from this diet towards meat-eating, the less likely we are to be healthy. Cancer, tuberculosis, and heart disease are certainly more common in meat-eating communities. Man may have started eating the flesh of animals during the Ice Age when most of the vegetation was destroyed.

A diet of vegetables, fruit, grains and nuts together with a few dairy products can give us all the vitamins and minerals we need. By eating meat, we are getting the basic food elements secondhand after they have been digested by the animal. It is worth considering how wasteful meat-eaters are with land. A meat-eater needs about three times as much land to support himself and his animals as a vegetarian does. For every 45 kilos of dry food eaten by cattle, only 1.8 to 7.3 kilos come back as food for us humans – an expensive method of producing food.

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Student’s Booklet



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1. Vegetarians are people who live without killing animals for food, either for moral or health reasons.

T F

2. In ancient times, there were not so many people who practiced vegetarianism. T F

3. These people considered that mental activity did not depend on meat for food. T F

4. Man’s body is more like those of fruit-eating animals than like those of flesh-eating animals.

T F

5. For millions of years, man must have lived on fruit, nuts, and leaves. T F

6. The more we move away from vegetarianism towards meat-eating, the less we are able to be healthy.

T F

7. A diet of vegetables, fruit, grains, and nuts together with a few dairy products can give us all the vitamins and minerals we need.

T F

8. We should all eat and drink to be merry. T F

9. A meat-eating diet is more expensive to support than a vegetarian diet. T F

10. Cancer, influenza, and heart disease are more common in meat-eating communities. T F



11. When was the word ‘vegetarian’ coined?a. In 1842b. In 1845c. In 1840d. In 1848

12. What was the original meaning of ‘vegetarian’?a. People who ate meat.b. People who didn’t eat meat.c. People who ate vegetables and meat.d. People who ate only fish.

13. Who recommended vegetarianism in ancient times?a. Greek philosophersb. Roman philosophersc. Latin philosophersd. French philosophers

14. What famous English people practiced vegetarianism in the past?a. Tolstoy and Voltaireb. Newton, Milton, and Bradleyc. Jane Fonda and Sly Stalloned. Brad Pitt and Kate Winslet

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15. What are the main arguments that might stop us from eating meat?a. Vegetables are bad for our digestive system.b. Meat is unhealthy.c. Eating meat brings us closer to our ancestors.d. Our culture forbids us from giving up meat.

16. What terrible diseases are certainly more common in meat-eating communities?a. Cancer, tuberculosis, and heart diseaseb. AIDS and influenzac. Pneumoniad. Depression

17. When did man start eating the flesh of animals?a. During the Bronze Ageb. During the Ice Agec. During the Renaissanced. During World War I

18. Why did we start eating meat then?a. Because of the destruction of vegetationb. Because they had no energyc. Because they had digestive problemsd. Because there were too many animals

19. What does a vegetarian’s diet consist of?a. Vegetables and fruit onlyb. Vegetables, fruit, grains, nuts and a few dairy productsc. Grains and nutsd. Grains and leaves

20. What do we get by eating meat?a. We get basic food elements secondhandb. We get physical discomfortc. We get psychological discomfortd. We get a healthy digestive system

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Speaking Comprehension Test


TEACHER’S BOOKLET

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Directions:In this test, you will select three task slips from those before you. After selecting three, choose the

one you feel you are most capable to speak about and return the other two to the table face down. Then take about a minute to collect your thoughts before you begin to speak on the topic. You may refer to the topic as needed. Take a deep breath and begin.

1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “adventure”? Do you like adventures? In what way is learning English an adventure for you? Who would you like to have a big adventure with? Does there have to be an element of danger in an adventure? Do you like adventure movies? Are you an adventurous person? Is adventure important in your life? What was your most unforgettable adventure?

2. Is laughter ‘the best medicine’? Do you ever have uncontrolled fits of laughter? Why do you think some people laugh more than others? Do men and women laugh about different things? What definition would you give to laughter? Do you laugh a lot? How important is laughter in your life? Is laughter infectious/ catching? What do you think of a person who bursts in laughter in public places?

3. What bothers you most about being a teenager? Do your parents understand that you are not a “kid” anymore? Or do you feel that kids your age are being forced to grow up too fast and “be adult?”

4. The Internet has provided the world with a wonderful tool for communication. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of the Internet? How has the Internet allowed people from different cultures to interact? In what ways has the Internet changed society?

5. Imagine that you have been asked to write a travel guide for Ukraine. What clothing items would you suggest travellers pack? What cities would you recommend, and what attractions should people see in these cities? Do you think it is important that visitors to Ukraine also experience life in a village? Why? Why not?

6. Fifty percent of the world’s population (about 3.3 billion) now lives in urban areas. Why do you think so many people want to live in cities rather than in towns or villages? Do you think the number of people living in cities will continue to increase? Why? Do you think urbanization has a positive or a negative effect on societies?

7. Would you like to work in the movie industry? Which movie would you like to live in? What’s the best movie you’ve ever seen? Do you prefer watching movies at the cinema or on TV? Who is your favourite movie star? Who would you want to play you in a movie based on your life? Would you like a job as a movie critic? Do you prefer to watch a good movie or a good sport game?

8. Many people dream of being famous musicians. If you could be a famous musician, what instrument would you play? What genre of music would you play? What kind of audience would you write your music for?

9. Imagine that Ukraine has decided to colonize a new planet and you have been selected as one of five Ukrainians to go into space. If you could take only five things with you, what would

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you take? What would you miss most about Ukraine? What are the first three things you would do on the new planet?

10. Imagine that you have caught the Golden Fish. What would you do if you had three wishes and why so?

11. Historically, baseball has been America’s favorite sport. Now many Americans prefer basketball or American football. Is there a favorite sport of Ukrainians? Why do Ukrainians love this sport so much? Do you think the favorite sport of Ukrainians will ever change?

12. How important are books to you? What would life be like without books? What kind of books do you like to read? Do you prefer paperbacks or hardbacks? If you wrote a book, what would you write about? If you could have only one book for the rest of your life what would it be and why? Do you think the Internet will make books disappear? What do you think of the idea of E-books? Do you prefer to keep the books you read? How often do you want a story in a book to never end?

13. School uniforms are becoming more popular in both Ukrainian and American schools, but students don’t always seem to like them. In your opinion, why are more and more schools requiring uniforms? What effects do uniforms have on students, teachers, and education? Why do people in certain professions have to wear uniforms? Is this a good or bad thing and why?

14. Imagine you are friends with a time traveller. Your friend has just arrived in 2017 from 100 years ago. What will be the biggest surprises for your new friend? How will you help guide your friend through modern life? What challenges will you and your friend face?

15. Imagine that you are the owner of a new restaurant. What type of restaurant would you like to own? For what three dishes would your restaurant be known? What issues do you have to keep in mind when owning and operating a restaurant?

16. A ‘Round the World’ ticket is a special deal most major airlines offer. With it, a passenger can choose multiple destinations and fly between them for one set price as long as he or she travels in one direction. Design your own trip and choose from three to five destinations. Why would you want to go to these places? What are the advantages of seeing them all in one trip? What would you need to take with you?

17. Do you think all children should study art at school? How great is your interest in art? Do you think children should learn art history? Do you think a painting can really be worth a million (or more) dollars? Do you have a favorite artist? What kind of art do you like – paintings, sculpture, ceramics, etc? Does art change the way you think or feel? Do you think anyone can be an artist or do you need a special talent? Do you have any artistic talent? How would the world be different without artists?

18. There is an opinion that the work and school week should be shortened to four days because people are more productive when they have more free time. Do you agree with it or not? Give your point of view.

19. You can be the president of any country in the world. Which country do you want to govern

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and why?

20. What makes one person interesting to another person? Give four examples of how this occurs.

21. If you had to live somewhere without a television, movies, or use of a computer, what would you do for entertainment? Give examples.

22. If you appreciate music, what is more important for you, the melody or the lyrics? Tell us about an example of your choice.

23. Describe your country’s prettiest sight.

24. You are learning to speak the English language in your school. What do you think is the most difficult part about learning the English language? Why?

25. Talking and being with friends is good. Is online communication a substitution? How often do you spend your free time with your close friends? What do you usually talk about? Do you chat with your friends or strangers on the Net? What do you usually chat about? Can you be online late at night? Chatrooms are fun and entertaining, but can they be dangerous? What is your online experience?







Writing Comprehension Testfor 9th form Students

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TEACHER’S BOOKLET

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Directions:

In this test, you will be given the task written on the board to complete. You will begin writing your

essay on the pages provided. When you are finished close your papers. Lay down your pen and wait for us to

collect your test materials.

Choose one of the three suggested topics and develop it is a written form. Make sure that you do not

only make general comments but also provide personal facts, ideas, and feelings.

1. Have you already chosen your future profession? Is it a question that makes you feel uneasy?

What professions are very popular nowadays? Why?

What are the professions of your parents? Do your parents’ jobs influence your family daily

routine?

What profession(s) best suit your character?

Why would you like to work with or for people in the future? Do you want to be in the

public eye?

2. Many people think that parents are the most important role models.

Are your parents your role models? If not, who are your role models?

What qualities do you feel are important in a good role model?

What responsibilities do role models have?

3. What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘knowledge’? People say ‘knowledge is

power’ – is this true?

What is the best way to increase your knowledge? Do you think people with a lot of

knowledge are wise?

What is better - to have great imagination or lots of knowledge? Are some people

born with a better ability to learn than others?

Have you ever been frustrated because of lack of knowledge? Do you ever impress

people with your knowledge?

What is the difference between knowledge and education?

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Student’s Booklet



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Reading Comprehension Test for 10th Form Students

Directions:In this test you will read four texts. Each text is followed by some tasks.

Text 1Ukrainian Roots of the Coffee House

Ukrainians and Viennese have been arguing for ages about the origins of Europe’s first coffee houses. For Ukraine, it is only on behalf of a war hero named Yuri Kulchytskyi. The typical Viennese coffee house – an elegant institution with high ceilings, marble-top tables and a stack of newspapers – may be more famously known than its Ukrainian cousin, but to trace back the origin of the communal coffee space, you have to go to Lviv, a Medieval city in western Ukraine.

Yuri Kulchytskyi was a Cossack who came to Vienna to trade after years on the battlefield and in captivity in Turkey, where he discovered the coffee house experience he brought to Europe and improved upon. Kulchytskyi was born in 1640 in Kulchytsi near Sambir, now Lviv oblast in western Ukraine. As a young man, he joined the Zaporozhian Cossacks, where he demonstrated a gift for languages and worked as an interpreter.

Captured by the Turks, he was bought by Serbian merchants who needed a translator. He was fluent in the Turkish, German, Hungarian, Romanian, and Polish languages. During the Siege of Vienna he left the city in Turkish clothes and crossed enemy lines. After contacting Duke Charles of Lorraine, he managed to return to the city with a promise of forthcoming relief. Because of that information, the city council decided not to capitulate to the Turkish forces of Kara Mustafa Pasha and continue the fight instead.

After the arrival of forces led by the Polish king Jan III Sobieski, the siege was broken. Kulchytskyi was considered a hero by the grateful people of Vienna. The city council awarded him with a considerable sum of money and a house. King Jan III Sobieski presented Kulchytskyi with a large amount of coffee found in the captured Turkish camp.

Kulchytskyi opened a coffee house in Vienna which was named the Hof zur Blauen Flasche (House Under the Blue Bottle). His abilities helped popularize coffee in Austria and with time his café became one of the most popular places in the town. Kulchytskyi always served coffee wearing a Turkish dress, which added to the place’s popularity. Another of his innovations was to serve coffee with milk, a manner that was unknown to the Turks. Until now, mélange is the typical Viennese coffee, which comes mixed with hot foamed milk and a glass of water.

He remains a popular folk hero and the patron of all Viennese café owners nowadays. Until recently, every year in October a special Kulchytskyi feast was organized by the café owners of Vienna, who decorated their shop windows with Kulchytskyi’s portrait. He is also memorialized with a statue on Vienna’s Kulchytskyi street. And in 2009, the Polish Post started circulating a stamp that not only has the image of Kulchytskyi, but also emits a gentle aroma of coffee.

The Hof zur Blauen Flasche no longer exists, but in Lviv you can experience those early flavors in its reincarnated namesake, Under the Blue Bottle where coffee is prepared in 1700s-style: on an open fire in small copper jugs with long handles. The café’s simple, almost cold, stone interior is fitted with Austro-Hungarian old furniture.

Questions 1 through 5 refer to Text 1. Choose the correct answer and circle the correct letter A, B, C or D.

1. According to the first paragraph, which of the following is typical of a Viennese coffee house?

a. Medieval stone furnitureb. Spacious roomsc. Popular magazinesd. Classical music

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2. The author suggests that Vienna’s people decided to continue fighting because Kulchytskyia. Turned out to be a skillful merchantb. Provided them with enough foodc. Brought the news of the coming helpd. Acted as a gifted translator

3. According to the text Kulchytskyi’s personality can best be described as a. Underhandedb. Entrepreneurialc. Seriousd. Friendly

4. While explaining the popularity of Kulchytskyi’s coffee house, the auther mentions all of the following EXCEPT

a. The owner’s skills in promoting a new drinkb. A new kind of coffee invented by the ownerc. The host’s unusual clothes while serving the customersd. Reasonable prices to attract clients

5. The word ‘patron’ is closest in meaning toa. A frequent and generous guestb. A helpful politicianc. A hospitable ownerd. An honest companion

Text 2Read the text. Match choices A-H to 6-10. There are three choices you do need to use.

How to Keep Your Brain FitWe exercise our bodies, but what good is that great body if you don’t have the mental capabilities to go with it? If you want to strengthen your brain, try these expert-recommended strategies to help you remember.

(6) _______________________________To remind yourself of a chore (write a thank-you note, go to the dry cleaner), give yourself an unusual physical reminder. Place a shoe or a piece of fruit on the stack of bills, and later, when you spot the out-of-place object, you’ll remember to take care of them.

(7) _______________________________Many of us learned “ROY G BIV” to remember the colors of the rainbow. Make up your own method to memorize names (Suzanne’s kids are Adam, Patrick, and Elizabeth, or “APE”), lists (milk, eggs, tomatoes, soda, or “METS”) or computer commands (to shut down your PC, hit Control+Alt+Delete, or “CAD”).

(8) _______________________________When you have no pen or paper and are making a mental grocery list, remember it according to major body parts. Start at your feet and work your way up. So if you have to buy glue, cat food, grapes, and toothpaste, you might picture your foot stuck in glue, a cat on your knee looking for food, a bunch of grapes hanging from your chest and a toothbrush in your mouth.

(9) _______________________________With the Roman room technique, you associate your to-do or party-invite list with the rooms of your house or the layout of your office, garden, or route to work. Imagine apples hanging from the

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chandelier in your foyer, spilled cereal all over the living room couch, shampoo bubbles overflowing in the kitchen sink and cheese on your bedspread.

(10) _______________________________Draw a picture in your mind: 0 looks like a ball or ring; 1 is a pen; 2 is a swan; 3 looks like handcuffs; 4 is a sailboat; 5 is a pregnant woman; 6, a pipe; 7, boomerang; 8, a snowman; and 9, a tennis racket. To remember your ATM PIN (4298, say), imagine yourself on a sailboat (4), when a swan (2) tries to attack you. You hit it with a tennis racket (9), and it turns into a snowman (8). Try forgetting that image!

A. Practice Your ABCsB. Shape Your NumbersC. Use Your BodyD. Read It, Type It, Say It, Hear ItE. Start A RitualF. Rhyme ItG. Try Mnemonic DevicesH. Go Roman

Text 3Health & Fitness

A. JeffJeff, 23, is a personal trainer who offers advice to people who want to get in shape. “Most of

my clients are looking for the perfect personal fitness program,” says Jeff. “One that would tone their muscles, build strength and endurance and get ride of extra kilos, as well as being fun and fulfilling. Unfortunately, most people are looking for a ‘quick fix’ only to lose interest and quit before there is any change in their health. To avoid frustration, you should consider various factors before embarking on a fitness regime. What activity best suits your schedule and lifestyle? Do you prefer structure or flexibility? How can you relate the activity to your interests so that it is not a chore? Do you like to include exercise in your social life or is it something you prefer to do alone? Finally, once you have chosen something, it is important to do some research and know how the activity will affect your body, so you do not end up injured.”

B. MayaMaya, 18, faces some typical obstacles to getting in shape. “I wish I could find time to

exercise, but it’s really hard,” she says. “I have a lot of friends, and we often end up at somebody’s house watching DVDs and eating crisps,” she says. “I tend to take the easy way out and skip the exercising.”

“Anyway, this summer, I decided to join a fitness boot camp.” Fitness boot camps are based on the intense physical training that new army recruits receive. However, they are for the average person who wants to lose weight or improve their endurance and strength. “I’m going to do an eight-week program. Training starts at six in the morning and we have to show up three days a week. It we are late or miss a session there are consequences – we might get dunked in the lake or have to run extra laps. I’m a bit anxious, but I’m already feeling more motivated,” says Maya. “I’m worried about the first day at boot camp, so I’m making sure I get more active – walking more, riding my bike, cutting out the junk food. I want to feel prepared.”

C. GregWhile taking up something new can be exciting, you can injure yourself it you don’t train

properly. Greg, 17, wanted an activity that would help him stay fit for school sports and decided to try running. “I began by running alone. I trained hard, trying to get in shape quickly, but then I developed a painful condition called shin splints, which happens when the muscles in the calf

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become stronger than the shin muscles. Then I learned about a beginner’s running group that met twice a week. I decided to try it and quickly discovered that I much preferred running with a group rather than on my own. If I had known how much fun it would be, I would have joined right away. I’ve made a lot of friends in the group, and we hang out together even when we aren’t running.”

D. ElenaIf you mention running to Elena, 17, all you will get is an eye roll. “I can’t do the same

thing over and over.” Still, Elena thinks she is as fit as all her sporty friends, maybe even more so. How did she get there? “My mother took a belly dancing class at a local studio last year,” she says. “At the time, I thought it was funny. I didn’t think she’d stick with it. But every time she came home from her class, she had a big smile on her face and was in such a good mood.” Elena’s mother convinced her to go to the studio’s open house. After trying a few different kinds of dance, Elena decided to take a hip-hop class. “At first I was self-conscious, but I loved the music and soon I was completely caught up in the moment. Now I look forward to the class every week. If only my friends had given it a try, too!”

Questions 11-20 refer to Text 3. A = Jeff; B = Maya; C = Greg; D = ElenaPut the correct letter A, B, C or D near each question.

Which person:11. talks about some of the risks associated with a fitness program?12. says why peers may not be a good influence when it comes to getting in shape?13. refers to some of the benefits associated with making fitness a social activity?14. talks about how family members can set a good example?15. gives information on what the ideal fitness program should do for a person?16. refers to taking up an activity to help stay fit for school sports?17. talks about a training program inspired by the military?18. mentions getting in shape for a program beforehand?19. mentions a list of important factors to consider when creating a fitness program?20. felt uncomfortable about doing the activity at first?

Text 4Fill in the gaps (21-30) choosing the best possible option from four possible answers (A, B, C or D). Circle the letter of your choice.

The New Seven WondersThe results of a worldwide vote to choose the New Seven Wonders of the World have been (21)_______________ at a ceremony in Lisbon. In contrast to the wonders of the ancient world, the new list (22) _______________ from an exercise in which tens of millions of votes were cast by people around the world.

The seven wonders were chosen in a global (23) _______________ in which a hundred million votes were said to have been cast online, by phone and by text message were announced one by one in random order towards the end of a glitzy (24) _______________ in Lisbon.

First came the Great Wall of China, said to be the only monument (25) _______________ from space. Its certificate was handed over to Chinese officials by Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon. Next up was Petra, the stone-carved ancient city in Jordan, whose royal family (26) _______________ a campaign for it. Rio de Janeiro’s Statue of Christ the Redeemer also made the cut after a/an (27) _______________ by Brazil’s president for his compatriots to vote.

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There were two other winners from the Americas – Machu Picchu in Peru and Chichen Itza in Mexico – representatives of ancient civilizations unknown to Antipater of Sidon, the Greek writer who (28) _______________ up the original list of wonders 2200 years ago.

The last two wonders were Rome’s Colosseum, described in its introduction as a (29) _______________ of joy and suffering, and the Taj Mahal. That was announced by Hollywood star Bipasha Basu who, along (30) _______________ Oscar-winner actors Ben Kingsley and Hilary Swank presented the ceremony.

21. A. announced B. described C. realized D. said

22. A. happened B. became C. started D. opened

23. A. poll B. selection C. system D. course

24. A. custom B. tradition C. situation D. ceremony

25. A. looked B. visible C. shown D. publicized

26. A. said B. led C. caused D. ruled

27. A. question B. interest C. concern D. appeal

28. A. drew B. got C. rose D. stood

29. A. mark B. case C. symbol D. status

30. A. for B. to C. at D. with

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TEACHER’S BOOKLET

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Listening Passage

The following passage is from an article entitled “Chillin’ in Antarctica” by Chris Connolly, published in AAA Going Places in January/February 2010. In this excerpt, Connolly discusses the spectacular scenery at “the bottom of the world.”

I’m wearing snowpants for the first time since childhood, and I have on the same coat I wore several years ago while covering the Iditarod sled dog race across Alaska. This coat comes with an extra dense fleece lining that can be unzipped and removed, and despite living in Wisconsin, where winter temperatures routinely dip into the minus-30s, this is the first time I’ve ever needed to use the lining. The ship’s deck I’m standing on is wet with spray, and we are really rocking and rolling—the seas in the Drake Passage are the roughest in the world. …

The only people who live in Antarctica are scientists and people who are paid to live in Antarctica. In 1959, the governments of the world decided not to fight over Antarctica. They declared it an internationally controlled center for scientific research and agreed that no one would ever “own” it. Several countries, among them Chile, Argentina and the U.S., do maintain a year-round presence in Antarctica so that if vast oil fields or plutonium deposits are ever discovered there, they’ll be able to say, “Hey! We’ve had a presence in Antarctica for years!” But beyond researchers and these “professional Antarctica inhabitants,” the only other humans on the continent are tourists. …

The ship that brought me to Antarctica is a smaller ship. There are several cruise lines that sail to Antarctica—from small to very large (think floating resort)—depending on your preference. Small ships can bring you in a bit closer to the action and offer a more intimate setting, while larger ships provide more stability for rugged waters and greater onboard amenities.

Upon arrival to Antarctica you spend your days “island hopping”—sailing from site to site and making landings via Zodiac [boat] on icebergs, in stunning bays and on black, sandy beaches.

While sailing from place to place is thrilling—you’ll see whales, seals, sea lions, penguins and immense blue-glowing icebergs—the shore excursions, of course, are the highlights of any trip. Antarctica is a land of extremes—technically a desert. It’s Earth’s coldest, driest, highest and windiest place, and the first landing we made, on the Island of Barrientos, presented us with the complete package.

To our right loomed a stark and craggy rock formation bedecked with thousands of juvenile gentoo penguins. To our left lay a 40-foot-long dried out whale skeleton, a couple big chunks of iceberg, and a fur seal who lolled his head over to one side and regarded us quizzically.

For many of us, myself included, this was the big moment. It was official. I had been to Antarctica.

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There is a type of ice all over Antarctica called blue ice. Blue ice is formed at the very deepest layers of icebergs and glaciers when, over millions of years, the oxygen within the ice is forced out by the weight of the material on top. In small chunks this incredibly dense ice is perfectly clear—so clear that once you see it, you realize that you’ve never seen clear ice before—and in large chunks it absorbs light at the red end of the spectrum and appears to glow blue, as if from some inner source of illumination.

I sat down on a chunk of this blue ice and looked around me. The seas in the bay were perfectly still, and off in the distance, immense, blindingly white mountains clamored skyward. Overhead, albatross and giant petrels soared in lazy circles, but other than the gentle movements of their wings, the world was frozen and utterly silent. I thought about all the maps I’d be able to point to and say, “I’ve been there,” when suddenly I felt something tugging gently on the cuff of my right pants leg. Maintaining my serenity, I looked down and saw a fat little penguin climbing onto my boot. I didn’t move a muscle. Egged on by a few of his friends, the brave little guy grabbed a snatch of fabric in his beak and hauled himself up to look at me. His feathers were sleek and glossy, his eyes sharp and penetrating. We spent several minutes checking each other out, then he hopped off and waddled back over to rejoin his friends.

I had many magical moments in Antarctica: climbing a snowy mountain on Deception Island; watching building-sized chunks of glacier break off and fall into the sea with a crack like cannon fire; swimming in the Southern Ocean at the foot of an active volcano, where the subterranean lava heats the water to near-pleasant temperatures. But of all the wonderful moments I had, my favorite was the first one: When I initially and officially set foot on the continent, and a resident penguin jumped on my leg to say, “Welcome.”

—excerpted from “Chillin’ in Antarctica” AAA Going Places, January/February 2010

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Student’s Booklet



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1. The text’s speaker initially speaks of his first moments arriving in Antarctica in the present tense.

T F

2. The speaker suggests that the weather in Wisconsin is colder and harsher than it is in Antarctica.

T F

3. According to the text, Antarctica is a top tourist location. T F

4. The speaker describes Antarctica’s extremes using the superlative form of adjectives such as “coldest.”

T F

5. According to the text, there are many different colors of ice visible in Antarctica. T F

6. Despite few people living in Antarctica, the text describes many different kinds of animals living there.

T F

7. The speaker describes a penguin laying an egg by his feet. T F

8. Dog sledding is one of the many magical moments the author describes enjoying in Antarctica.

T F

9. Chile is one of the countries that maintains a year-long presence in Antarctica engaging in research.

T F

10. In the text, the speaker describes the terrible experience he had visiting Antarctica for the first time.

T F


Directions: in this part of the section you will listen to the text for the second time. After listening look at the questions 11-20, decide, which of the given answers (A, B, C or D) best corresponds to what was stated or implied in the text you have heard and mark your answer by encircling the letter of your choice.

11. The speaker contrasts Antarctica with both Alaska and Wisconsin in order to emphasize Antarctica’s

A. location B. climateC. population D. geography

12. According to the text, international agreements related to Antarctica are based on the possibility that

A. natural resources may be discovered there B. numbers of tourists may increase

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C. more small ships may be allowed to visit D. wildlife may become more plentiful

13. The speaker uses “island hopping” to describe A. an approach to save fuel B. a method of penguin migration C. an activity for tourists D. a way to preserve the shoreline

14. For the speaker, the “big moment” occurs when he A. first sees Antarctica in the distance B. first lands on an island C. encounters the whale carcass D. swims in the Southern Ocean

15. The ice of Antarctica appears blue because of the A. shape of the icebergs B. angle of the sunlight C. presence of minerals in the ice D. absence of oxygen in the ice

16. The speaker includes details about Antarctica’s mountains, wildlife, and immensity in order to suggest Antarctica’s

A. potential dangers B. unique beauty C. environmental fragility D. economic stability

17. The speaker uses a simile when he says A. “blindingly white mountains clamored skyward” B. “albatross and giant petrels soared in lazy circles” C. “chunks of glacier … fall into the sea with a crack like cannon fire” D. “subterranean lava heats the water to near-pleasant temperatures”

18. The text is developed primarily through description of A. historical events B. personal experiences C. geological formations D. philosophical reflections

19. The speaker uses the story about the penguin to demonstrateA. how welcome and at home he felt in such a new and foreign placeB. the behavior of penguinsC. how cold he was in AntarcticaD. the dangers of interacting with animals unfamiliar with humans

20. Which of the following are descriptions the speaker does NOT use to describe Antarctica?A. “land of extremes”B. “technically a desert”C. “Earth’s coldest, driest, highest and windiest place”D. “the edge of the Earth”

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Speaking Comprehension Testfor 10th form Students

TEACHER’S BOOKLET

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Directions:In this test, you will select three task slips from those before you. After selecting three,

choose the one you feel you are most capable to speak about and return the other two to the table face down. Then take about a minute to collect your thoughts before you begin to speak on the topic. You may refer to the topic as needed. Take a deep breath and begin.

1. Online journals and blogs are becoming increasingly popular. People who publish online diaries often write about personal events and feelings and allow anyone on the Internet to read them. What is the appeal of online journals? What are the consequences of publishing personal thoughts online instead of in a private diary? Do you keep a diary, online or otherwise? If not, which format would appeal to you more, and why?

2. The level of medical care today is much higher than it was in the past. Doctors continue to acquire more knowledge that helps them treat patients effectively. In your opinion, what is the biggest medical advancement that has been made in the last one hundred years? In contrast, what is the biggest medical problem currently facing the world? Describe a time when you or someone you know benefited from a high level of medical care.

3. Many people say that the world is becoming smaller because we know more about each other now. Because of this increase in globalization, many have argued that the world should adopt a universal language. Do you think a universal language would help international relations? How would a universal language be beneficial or detrimental to the world? What criteria would you have for a global language?

4. How do you feel about recent natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis, etc.) in the news? What do you think is the most important for survivors of these disasters? How can the rest of the world best help the people in devastated areas? What can people do to prepare for possible disasters in the future? What types of disasters are common in your home country?

5. Do you agree or disagree with the idea of banning junk food in public schools? Should people have the right to consume whatever they want, even if it might be harmful to them? Are school children mature enough to make their own decisions about what they will eat? Who is the most responsible for teenagers' health? (the kids themselves, their parents, school teachers and administrators, the government)?

6. Technology is changing the way people read and access books. Today most books can be read in a digital format. What are the advantages and disadvantages of electronic books? Do you think that printed books will eventually be rendered obsolete? Do you prefer electronic or printed books?

7. What springs to your mind when you hear the word “bullying”? Is bullying a big problem in our schools? Why do people bully each other? Do you think bullying is a part of a crime or is it a part of growing up? What kind of person is a bully? Do bullies need help? What kind? Do you think bullying will disappear some day, or is it getting worse?

8. What is the greatest invention ever? What device would you like to invent? What does ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ mean? Do you agree with it? What is the world’s most useless invention? Do you think the person who invented the atomic bomb was happy with his discovery? Do new inventions always create problems? Which invention is better, the Internet

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or electricity? Why?

9. Imagine you are in possession of a time machine that allows you to travel only back in time. To what period of history would you travel? What would you do there? If your presence could change the course of events, what would you want to change and why?

10. You have been chosen to create a new musical group. You will be in charge of creating the group’s image and sound. What kind of music will your group perform? Why? How will you select your performers, and where will you find them? What will you call your new group?

11. Many people believe that violence on television and in the movies is the cause of many of today’s problems. What is your opinion on this subject? What effects does this violence have on viewers? What solutions could you suggest to make both sides of this argument happy?

12. What is a celebrity? Do you think anyone can become a celebrity? Do you think celebrities like Oprah Winfrey deserve the millions of dollars they get paid? Why are so many people obsessed with celebrities? Would you like to be interviewed by celebrity magazine? Which celebrities would you invite to your birthday party and why? Is there any difference between a ‘celebrity’ and a ‘famous’ person? What are pros and cons of being a celebrity? Which celebrity would you like to swap the places?

13. You probably have a mobile phone, but your parents probably did not have mobile phones when they were teenagers. How do you think technology has changed communication throughout history? Do you think that technology is capable of changing personal relationships? In what directions do you see telecommunications technology and human interactions moving in the future?

14. Many people have a ‘dream profession,’ or a job that they would love to have throughout their lives. What is your ‘dream profession’? Why would you choose this profession over others? What steps would you have to take to become a member of this profession?

15. You are appointed your school principle for a day. What issues might you face as a principle? What changes, if any, would you make to your school and your school’s routine? Do you think that being a school principle is an easy or difficult job? Why or why not?

16. There are some popular stories about humans being much smaller or much larger than normal. If you had to, would you rather be a miniature person or a giant? What would you do differently when you were your new size? What emotions would you feel?

17. History books are full of interesting personalities. Give an example of one interesting person from the present time, and say what he or she did.

18. You are to make a project about Ukraine. The target of the project is to inform teenagers from European countries about your Motherland. What themes do you think the project will include - geography, culture, social life or any other? What colours or patterns will you use to make your project colourful and symbolic? Pictures of what will the project contain? What melody will make the background music to your project? What five sightseeing places will you present in your project? What cultural information would you provide the European teenagers with?

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19. ‘Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.’ What career path do you want to follow? Why? Which school subjects appeal to you the most? What do you think the best age to start thinking about one’s future career is? Do schools in your country provide career counseling? Do you think schools provide pupils with the skills required in the job market?

20. People have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. Some read, some exercise, others work in their gardens. What do you think the best ways of reducing stress are? Use specific details and examples in your answer.

21. Do you think women and men should perform the same or different roles? Are men usually the bread-winners and women usually the home-makers in your country?

22. Comment on the following proverbial statement: ‘Prosperity makes friends and adversity tries them.’ Give examples of true friendship. You may quote some books you have read or the films you have seen. Enumerate the character traits of an ideal friend for you. What do you and your best friend have in common? What personality trait do you respect in others and want to develop in yourself?

23. How has your country made you the person you are today? What positive things can the world learn from Ukraine? What changes would you like to make to your country? Speak about the courageous people from your country who you honour.

24. “To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.” (David Viscott) What do you think is more important, to love or be loved? What is your idea of a great first date? If you could go on a date with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why? Would you ever go on a blind date?

25. What is the biggest problem you think young people in Ukraine face today? Why did you choose this problem? What do you think you can do about this problem? What, if anything, should the government do to help solve this problem?

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TEACHER’S BOOKLET

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Directions:


Choose one of the three suggested topics and develop it in a written form. Make sure that you do not only make general comments but also provide personal facts, ideas and feelings.

1. The choices we make in our youth can greatly affect our adult lives. What decision have you made in your life that you think will be the most important to your

future? If you could, would you change the decision you made? Why? Why not? What future decisions do you foresee needing to make?

2. Thomas Merton said: “When ambition ends, happiness begins.” What do you think he means by this? Do you agree? What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘ambition’? Is it important to

have ambitions? What were your ambitions when you were a child? Can ambitions be dangerous? What is the difference between an ambition and a dream? What happens when you fulfill a lifelong ambition?

3. Why is so much attention given to the topic of immigration these days? Is immigration good or bad?

Do you think immigration has been successful in the USA? What do you think of the European Union’s idea of its Blue Card (similar to the

USA’s Green Card)? Would you like a blue card or a green card? Would like to work and live in another country? Why? Would you report an illegal immigrant to the police? What are the benefits of immigration? Do you think immigrants should pass a test

based on the language and culture of the country they want to live in?

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THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE OF UKRAINESTAGE II NATIONAL STUDENTS OLYMPIAD



Student’s Booklet



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Reading Comprehension Test for 11th Form StudentsDirections:

In this test you will read four texts. Each text is followed by some tasks. Text 1

Video Games – Have Fun and Get Smarter?We all know about the pleasure and fun that you can get from playing video games. There’s the satisfaction of finally reaching the last level of a game after months of trying, or the thrill of beating your best friend in a game for the first time. But some experts now say that as well as offering fantastic entertainment, video games might also be good for you. Too good to be true? Read on and find out!

It seems that when you play video games, you might be acquiring some very important skills. For a start, games are great for your concentration. Being able to focus on a task for an extended period of time is definitely a skill you can use at school or later, in a job. Because you have to think incredibly quickly, video games can also stimulate your brain and improve the speed at which you react. Fitness games, which are very popular, allow you to practice sports techniques like balancing or hitting balls from the comfort of your living room. A lot of games also teach decision-making skills. For example, when you have to choose the best way to escape from a burning building in a game, you’re learning how to solve problems and use your judgment quickly, and under pressure – skills that will be very useful later in life. Gaming teaches you about success and failure too. The fact that a lot of games are difficult, and you have to work hard to reach that top level, teaches you that in life you can succeed if you keep on trying. On the other hand, games teach you that if you fail, you don’t give up – you have a break, and then try again!

Some psychologists believe that role-playing games are particularly valuable. In the virtual environment, young people can take on roles that are often not available to them in real life. You can become a leader, and have to deal with people who lie to you, hide things from you or want to destroy you. By dealing with these situations, you can develop social skills that might help you in the real world when you’re older.

Gaming does have its downsides, of course. Playing for a while is great, but people who play for hours on end can have problems. Physically, it can stop you from getting enough exercise, which is unhealthy. Psychologically, there is evidence that some players can become addicted to their games and begin to prefer their ‘virtual’ lives, where they are always in control. It is sometimes claimed that very violent games can have a negative effect on players and lead to violence in real life. Although there isn’t much evidence to support this, it is an argument that will go on and on.

But overall, the message is that playing video games is not harmful, unless you spend too much time on them. And while you’re building your city, looking after your farm, defeating your enemies or making your fortune in a game, you’re also developing skills that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

After reading Text 1, look at the questions 1-10 and decide which of them are true (T) and which are false (F) according to the text you have read and mark the letter you have chosen by encircling it.

1. Playing games can help your brain to work faster. T F

2. Playing fitness games can help you learn how to make decisions. T F

3. Games can teach you that sometimes things are too difficult to achieve. T F

4. Playing role-playing games can help you become a successful leader. T F

5. Playing games can make you more unfit. T F

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6. There is no evidence that violent games can have a bad effect on you. T F

Text 2This text is followed by multiple-choice questions. You should do the tasks that follow a text on the basis of what is stated or implied in that text. For each task you will choose the best answer from four possible answers (A, B, C, or D), as specified prior to each task. Choose the best answer and circle the letter of your choice.

Handcycling was developed in the 1980s by people working to create alternate types of human-powered vehicles. So it was almost by accident that a new world of cycling was opened to people with disabilities. …

“The disabled community picked up on it right away,” said Ian Lawless, Colorado regional director and cycling director for Adaptive Adventures. Even people with one working arm can handcycle with some modifications made to the equipment, said Lawless. “Just about anyone can do it. It’s an accessible sport. It’s not just for racing; it’s also for recreational riding. It’s a barrier breaker that allows a disabled rider to participate in cycling with friends and families who may be riding conventional bicycles.”

In the 25 years since its development, handcycling has continued to grow in popularity. It’s been part of the IPC [International Paralympic Committee] cycling program since 1998, and the 2004 Paralympics included handcycling racing for the first time. Today, thousands of people, able-bodied and those with disabilities, have turned to handcycling as a means to improve their cardiovascular health, increase upper-body strength, compete, and ride with friends and family. …

An upright handcycle is an entry-level bike for those who are new to the sport, who just want exercise or recreation, or who don’t want to ride very long distances or go very fast. Because of their higher center of gravity, upright handcycles aren’t suitable for speeds higher than 15 mph. The internal gear systems, borrowed from the cycling industry, usually come in a choice of three or seven speeds, which naturally limits the speed to less than 15 mph. They are easy to transfer in and out of from a wheelchair, and have a natural, fork-type steering system.

Recumbent1 handcycles come in a few different variations. There are two steering options: fork-steer and lean-to-steer, and two seating options: one where the rider reclines and the other, a “trunk-power” version, where the rider leans forward. They usually come with 27-gear drivetrains, 2 although they can be purchased with three- or seven-gear drivetrains.

The trunk-power handcycle doesn’t have much of a seatback. The cranks are low to the ground and far away from the rider. With this arrangement, riders are able to put the weight of their trunks behind each stroke, allowing them to go faster for longer. The limitation to this type of handcycle, Lawless said, is that the athlete must have control of most or all of his abdominal muscles, so it may not be suitable for all athletes.

With the other seating option, the rider sits in a seat with a reclined back. The cranks are higher and closer, allowing the rider to use the seatback for leverage to rotate the cranks. …

The lean-to-steer version has a two-piece frame where the top frame swivels over the bottom frame. The front wheel turns along with the seat. The rider initiates the turn by leaning his whole body. There is a bit of a learning curve with this type, but many riders prefer this type because they have a feel similar to monoskiing.3 They’re used primarily, but not exclusively, by people with lower-level disabilities. Lawless said there’s no advantage of one type of steering over the other. It’s primarily a matter of the athlete’s preference. …

— Disabled Sports USA excerpted from “Handcycling 101”

Challenge Magazine, Spring 2005 http://www.dsusa.org

1 recumbent — reclining 2 drivetrain — pedal connected to the gears to make the bike move forward 3 monoskiing — one ski for both feet, using the whole body to steer

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7. The text includes the quotation about the handcycle being a “barrier breaker” in order to stress its A. durability B. affordabilityC. portability D. accessibility

8. The inclusion of handcycling in the 2004 Paralympics demonstrates its A. profitability B. popularity C. dependability D. intensity

9. According to the text, many people have turned to handcycling in order to A. improve their health B. lower transportation costs C. reduce stress D. minimize pollution

10. As used in the text, the phrase “learning curve” refers to the A. difficulty of learning a skill B. responsibility of individual riders C. braking mechanism D. safety features

11. According to the text, the type of handcycle one should purchase might depend upon A. unit cost B. structural defectsC. individual weight D. physical needs

Text 3Complete the gaps 12-17 in the article with the sentences A-G. There is one extra sentence which

you do not need to use.How to Get Rich and Famous

Their faces may grace magazine covers and movie screens across the globe, but for most celebrities, the journey to stardom was a long and difficult one. Before they were famous, superstars were ordinary people living ordinary lives, but they all had one thing in common: the determination to make their dreams come true. (12) ____________________. Hollywood is full of inspirational success stories, and the tale of Charlize Theron’s rise to fame is no exception. When a knee injury put an abrupt end to Charlize’s ballet career, the South African-born beauty decided to give acting a try. In 1994, she flew to Los Angeles with just a few dollars in her pocket and started attending auditions. Unfortunately, Charlize failed to land a single acting job and the almost penniless actress considered calling it quits. Charlize’s mother encouraged her to persevere and sent her a cheque to help her pay her expenses, but, when a bank teller refused to cash the cheque, Charlize became furious and kicked up quite a fuss. (13) ____________________. Within a few months, the actress was on her way to becoming a star.Before he became known as the whip-wielding archaeologist Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford, the movie star, was Harrison Ford, the carpenter. Though Ford had always had an interest in acting, he had struggled to break into the business and decided to focus on carpentry instead. The actor’s lucky break came when producer George Lucas asked him to make some cabinets for his Los Angeles home. At the time, Lucas was holding auditions for the movie Star Wars and he asked Ford to help red lines with the actors. (14) ____________________. Lucas was so impressed with Ford’s abilities that he cast him in the lead role. The film was a hit, and Ford’s career went from strength to strength.Johnny Depp has starred in a number of box-office successes, including Edward Scissorhands, Finding Neverland, and Pirates of the Caribbean, but few people know that he began his career as a singer. (15) ____________________. During a trip to Los Angeles, Depp was introduced to Nicolas Cage, who

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persuaded him to pursue a career in acting. Depp auditioned for, and won, a small role in the 1984 horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street. Three years later, he landed a part in the hugely popular television series 21 Jump Street. Film success followed, and he is now one of the most highly-paid actors in Hollywood.Jennifer Aniston may be one of the most recognizable faces in the world, but there was a time when the Friends star worked as a waitress to support herself. (16) ____________________. However, it wasn’t until Friends came along that Jennifer found real success. After a ten-year run, the popular comedy series came to an end, and Jennifer moved into film. Ironically, Jennifer has played a waitress in three of her movies, and her character, Rachel Green in Friends also worked as a waitress at one point.Though they now earn huge sums of money and enjoy their pick of film roles, things weren’t always so rosy for actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Friends since childhood, the pair took acting lessons together and struggled for years to make their mark in the film world. After numerous small roles and failed auditions, Damon and Affleck decided to take a different approach: they wrote a film script and persuaded a top studio to allow them to start in the film. (17) ____________________. So, next time you’re in a coffee shop, pay closer attention to your waiter or waitress; the person bringing you your cappuccino might very well be the next Hollywood sensation!

A. It seems that his performance was quite exceptional.B. She took part in a number of theatrical performances before being offered a role in a feature film.C. She attended auditions between shifts and was cast in a few minor television roles.D. The film, Good Will Hunting, turned out to be an enormous success and won two Academy Awards,

including Best Original Screenplay.E. She caught the eye of a talent agent standing in the queue behind her, and he promptly gave her

his card.F. He performed with a number of small bands but was forced to take a job as a ball-point pen

salesman to make ends meet.G. That, combined with hard work and a little bit of luck, has helped turn unknowns into household

names, proving that in life anything is possible.

Text 4Match the questions (18-24) to their corresponding answers (A-G).

Writing for Teenagers – We Talk to Malorie Blackman

A. _________________________________It’s such an honor. The wonderful thing about this role is that each author or illustrator who is chosen can make it their own. My goal is to convince as many children and young adults as possible that reading is simply impossible to resist – an essential and fascinating part of their lives. And I’ll be concentrating on spreading the reading word to teens, as I think I might be able to make a real difference there.

B. _________________________________I believe that we have to get them motivated by showing the many new opportunities they will be able to have through reading. And if a child tells me they don’t like reading, I always say, “You haven’t found the right books for you yet!” First of all, children should be encouraged to read what they are interested in – comics, football stories, romances, whatever!

C. _________________________________I think it was mainly down to a love of stories and reading. I spent most Saturdays during my early years at the library, reading fairy stories, myths and legends, contemporary stories, fantasy, science fiction and anything else I could lay my hands on. I also wrote stories and poems for my own amusement, but it never, ever occurred to me as a child or teenager that I could become a published writer. But in my mid 20s, after a few years in computing, I decided that I would try really hard to do that, and eventually I managed to get published.

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D. _________________________________Because as an audience they show good judgment and their minds haven’t yet been closed down. And I like the way they are honest about what they like and don’t like.

E. _________________________________When I first started writing, I attended a basic course in writing for children, and then I attended several more workshops run by the same brilliant individual. It was invaluable and very inspiring – a great, supportive atmosphere where you were able to present your own work and listen to the work of others. Also, it was a great place to try to improve my own critical skills. To cut a long story short, yes it did help!

F. _________________________________There wasn’t any one thing. It grew out of a lifetime of experiences. Some of the events in the book were based on real events from my own childhood. And I also wanted to play with the idea that ‘history is luck’ to a certain extent. You put all that together and you have the beginnings of an idea which led to Noughts and Crosses.

G. _________________________________No! We must never underestimate teens. As a teen, that kind of attitude used to drive me mad – the belief that I couldn’t understand certain ‘grown-up’ issues because I was just a teen. If we want mature, responsible teenagers making good decisions about the difficult issues that they face, then they have to be exposed to these subjects early enough to make a difference. We really need to get past this idea that teens can’t think for themselves – they can.

18. Why did you decide to become a writer?19. Do you ever worry that young people might struggle with the complex questions your books raise?20. What does it mean to be the Children’s Laureate?21. What inspired you to write your first novel?22. How can teenagers be encouraged to keep reading?23. Have you ever belonged to a writer’s group – and if so, was it useful?24. Why do you like writing for children and teens?

Find the answers (A-G) to questions 25-30. In which paragraph (A-G) does Malorie Blackman…25. Praise teenagers for being open to different ideas?26. Express her pride and pleasure in taking on a challenge?27. Argue that teenagers need to experience adult topics through reading?28. Mention her desire to experiment in her writing?29. Talk about a change in her attitude in being an author?30. Explain her views on why some children aren’t keen to read?

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Listening Comprehension Testfor 11th form Students

TEACHER’S BOOKLET

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Listening Passage

The following passage is from an article entitled “Appalachian Trail Magic” by Kerri Westenberg, published in the Star Tribune in November 2006. In this article, Westenberg discusses the Appalachian Trail’s history and appeal.

In the thick woods of New Hampshire, a hiker known as Old School awoke at daybreak and lay still, listening to squirrels and songbirds chirp and trill. The leaves of maples and hemlocks stirred above; the sound grew louder and faded like a wave. Slowly, the man pulled the pants he’d been using as a pillow from under his head, coaxed them to the depths of his sleeping bag and eased his legs into them. Then he emerged from his tent into the chilly morning air, testing his body’s willingness to take yet another long walk in the woods.

The body consented, despite a kink in the right calf. It was late August in the White Mountains, where peaks of jagged stone have

foiled fitter men. Old School — also known as Billy Mason, a 48-year-old short-order cook from Virginia Beach, Va.— had been trudging north nearly every day since March 3. On his back, he carried a 30-pound pack, which included a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a tent, food, a water filter, but no camp stove. He’d deemed that unnecessary weight and unloaded it somewhere in Connecticut.

His 18-year-old stepson kept pace at his side. His wife had been there at the beginning, but she had returned home to tend to their younger teens. Other hikers were close at hand, too.

More than 1,000 people every year are drawn to the particular challenge that Old School had set for himself: to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, a 2,175-mile dirt path that runs up mountain peaks, across meadows and alongside streams from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine.

Some of these through-hikers wear boots scruffy from years of wear. Others come with gleaming new equipment they barely know how to use. They are accountants, mail carriers, schoolteachers, retirees, recent college grads. But in the woods, where most take on trail names, they leave those old labels behind.

They come to strip life to the basics: up at sunrise, down at dusk, eat food, drink water. They come for the contemplative act of putting one foot in front of the other — again and again and again and again — following the white blazes painted onto trees and rocks that mark the Appalachian Trail. They come for the joy of exerting their muscles, meeting other hikers, merging with nature. Primarily, they come to see if they’re up to the task. …

That Americans romanticize life in the woods and revere the tenacity of those who try it comes as no surprise since pioneers and naturalists populate our collective psyche. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, Daniel Boone, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Laura Ingalls Wilder: They all speak to the power of the American landscape and its ability to transform lives.

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Devotees of the Appalachian Trail would add to their ranks another great thinker, Benton MacKaye.

MacKaye was an undistinguished public servant working for the Labor Department in 1921 when he published an article in the Journal of the American Institute of Architects proposing an ambitious undertaking: the building of a footpath that would scale Appalachian peaks from New England to the South.

At the time, mountain clubs already maintained hiking trails in New England, but none had thought to tame the tangled wilderness that covered much of the mountainous South. Still, the idea slowly gained traction.

In 1925, MacKaye brought together Forest Service and hiking club leaders in Washington, D.C., and formed the Appalachian Trail Conference. The group mapped a 1,200-mile course from North Carolina to New Hampshire.

By the time the trail was completed in 1937, with the help of volunteers and the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps, the route had changed and grown significantly.

No one believed the pathway could be covered in one push; the trail founders considered that beside the point, anyway. Then in 1948, Earl Shaffer, who had recently served in the Army, achieved it, hiking from April through August. Out among the trees, following a sometimes poorly marked trail, Shaffer had been utterly alone.

Every year now as winter wanes, more than 1,000 people head to Springer Mountain to attempt the same feat. While those who end their hike at Katahdin number in the low hundreds, solitude often eludes through-hikers. …

Most take on a trail name. They’ll tell you that something like “Dinosaur” is easier to remember than Kathryn Herndon. But it’s more than that. A trail name — which hikers can bestow on themselves or wait until other hikers do so — marks a change: An old life has been temporarily set aside for a new one on the trail.

Through-hikers have their own lore, too, in the form of “trail magic,” acts of unexpected goodwill. A cooler filled with drinks and candy tucked alongside the trail is typical. Lucky through-hikers get grander gifts. …

Weeks later, on Sept. 28, Old School made one of the physically toughest climbs of his months on the trail: He scaled the craggy backbone of Katahdin. His stepson and wife, who’d rejoined them for the occasion, made the ascent with him.

At the top, mist set in. When Old School looked outward, he saw a gray void instead of a mountaintop view. It didn’t matter. He looked deep inside instead. He had achieved a monumental goal, and that fact was as solid as the earth beneath his feet. …

—excerpted from “Appalachian Trail Magic” Star Tribune, November 19, 2006

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Listening Comprehension Testfor 11th form Students

Student’s Booklet


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1. Old School is the trail name of an Appalachian Trail hiker whose real name is Billy Mason.

T F

2. Among the things that Old School carried in his pack was a camp stove. T F

3. Hiking the Appalachian Trail is a repetitive task. T F

4. Lewis and Clark and Laura Ingalls Wilder are pioneers who romanticized the American spirit of discovery and pursuit of the outdoors.

T F

5. According to the text, people are inspired to hike the Appalachian Trail because they are nostalgic for the past.

T F

6. The Civilian Conservation Corps, which gave jobs to unemployed people in the Depression, helped to build the Appalachian Trail

T F

7. Taking a hiking name is a rite of passage for most hikers on the Appalachian Trail. T F

8. A through-hiker is someone who hikes the entirety of the Appalachian Trail in one attempt.

T F

9. Each year, less than 1,000 people try to hike all 2,175 miles of the Appalachian Trail. T F

10. Most people begin to hike the Appalachian Trail in autumn. T F



11. What did the speaker want to illustrate by mentioning that Old School threw away his camp stove while on the trail?

A. fire is always a danger B. food odors may attract animals C. equipment must meet hiking codes D. backpacks should be manageable

12. The entire Appalachian Trail runs from A. Maine to Georgia B. Florida to Maryland C. Springer Mountain to West Virginia D. Virginia to the White Mountains

13. The speaker’s reference to pioneers and naturalists, such as Laura Ingalls Wilder and Ralph Waldo Emerson, illustrates the idea that

A. physical labor may produce fame B. silence is often the best companion C. nature has a powerful effect on people

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D. survival is dependent on collaboration

14. Who can be credited with suggesting the idea of the Appalachian Trail? A. Earl Shaffer B. Benton MacKayeC. Daniel Boone D. Billy Mason

15. According to the account, before 1948 the trail founders did not consider that people would eventually A. desire some shortcuts B. rename the trails C. require heavy loads D. hike the entire trail

16. Why do many hikers take on a trail name? A. They want to suspend their daily lives. B. They want to protect themselves. C. They want to honor famous outdoorsmen. D. They want to make new friends.

17. As used in the account, “trail magic” refers to A. odd natural occurrences B. surprise acts of kindness C. artwork by hikers D. starry night skies

18. As Old School completed his through-hike, he considered his reward to be A. a reunion with his family B. the glory of winning C. a sense of accomplishment D. the beautiful view

19. The text suggests the Appalachian Trail is difficult to finish because it mentions A. the many injuries that hikers often sustain while undertaking itB. that while more than 1000 people start the hike, only a few finish itC. the path is dangerous due to the number of vicious animals and criminals found on itD. how home sick hikers get

20. According to the text, the Appalachian Trail took many years to complete becauseA. they couldn’t get the funding needed to pay trail workersB. it required flattening mountaintops with expensive explosivesC. it took a lot of coordination among planners and mountain clubs to map the entire routeD. “trail magic” often caused trail workers to be sick or even die while working on the trail

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Speaking Comprehension Testfor 11th form Students

TEACHER’S BOOKLET

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Directions:In this test, you will select three task slips from those before you. After selecting three, choose the

one you feel you are most capable to speak about and return the other two to the table face down. Then take about a minute to collect your thoughts before you begin to speak on the topic. You may refer to the topic as needed. Take a deep breath and begin.

1. Develop a fitness programme for yourself. Describe the type of food you eat and the type of health programme you would like to follow.

2. Face-to-face communication is better than other types of communication, such as letters, e-mail or telephone calls. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

3. An utopia is described as an ideal community or society. Describe your ideal society. Who would be invited to live in your society? Who would be excluded from your society?

4. Television shows like “American Idol” and “Ukraine Has a Talent” have become incredibly popular in recent years. Ordinary people present their talents before judges and a viewing audience, and if they are well-received, they have a chance at becoming stars. What does it mean to be a ‘celebrity’ today — is talent the most important thing? Are shows like these a good way to discover an unknown talent? Do all talented people have an equal chance at fame, regardless of looks, age, or status?

5. Being an immigrant nation, America is very obviously diverse and multicultural. Ukraine may have fewer visible differences among its citizens, but Ukrainians are certainly not identical. In what ways is Ukraine diverse? How does diversity help or hurt a country? Do you wish Ukraine was more diverse or less? Why?

6. Some people argue that the content of mainstream media such as TV, movies, video games, and the Internet has a negative influence on young people. Do you think that mainstream media negatively influence young people? What are some positive and negative aspects of the content of these media? If there are negative effects, what can we do to combat them?

7. You interact with teachers on a daily basis. What do you think of teaching as a profession? Is it important or not? Is it hard or easy? What position do teachers occupy in society? How do you think the profession of teaching will change in your lifetime?

8. What is more important: fame and money or strong character and good values? Explain your point of view and how you define "good values". Use examples of real people who have followed either fame or money, or pursued a strong character. How do people normally act? Do they aim for moral character or for money? Why? Is it impossible to have both?

9. Do you think that Internet blogs should be regulated by the government? Should people have the right to access any information they choose on the Internet? Should "political" blogs be forced to pay fees for supporting a particular candidate? What do you think will happen if government tries to censor certain information on the Internet?

10. What kind of jobs have you had (part-time and full-time)? Are there many good job vacancies in your country? What is your dream job? Are there jobs only for women or only for men? How many jobs do you think you will have in your life? Are there any jobs you would refuse to do, regardless of the pay? Is being a rock star or a sports star a job? What do you think the job of being an English teacher is like? Does everyone have equal job opportunities in your country?

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11. Why is good leadership important? Do the people automatically have leadership or must they learn it? What do you think of leadership of your country? Have you ever been a leader? What leadership quality do you most admire/value? Would you like to take a leadership course? What leadership qualities do you want or need in the future?

12. What is your attitude to a violation of laws? Do you think that men and women are punished the same for the same crimes? Why or why not? Do you think it's possible to prevent certain kinds of crimes? If so, which ones and how? What do you think are reasonable penalties for people who commit environmental crimes? Have you (or anyone you know) been the victim of a crime? What happened? What do you think of the death penalty?

13. “Look before you leap” is a popular saying. Is it important to think before you act in every situation? In which situations is it most difficult to think before you act? Describe a time in your life when you did not follow this advice, and explain the consequences.

14. What is journalism? Would you be interested in studying journalism? Is journalism a respected profession in your country? What good does journalism do in your country? Is it always about reporting the truth? What do you think of journalists who report in war zones? What kinds of people are good at journalism? Do you think investigative journalism would be interesting for you? What do you think of paparazzi?

15. Imagine that you are the owner of a new museum. What type of museum would you like to own? Who would be interested in visiting your museum? What techniques or things would you use to attract tourists? From which time period would you gather most of your materials?

16. What are the most serious problems of the present day world which worry millions of people everywhere? How do you imagine the future of your planet? What may happen to the world in the next ten years?

17. If you were the mayor of your city what do you think would need to be done in order to make the place where you live better? Explain why these things are important to you.

18. You are going to start up a business. You have the money, you have the space, and you have the workers. What product will you sell? What types of people would be interested in your product? How will you advertise this product? Give a simple advertising motto.

19. What stereotypes do you think the foreigners have about Ukraine? Do you feel that these stereotypes are correct? What stereotypes do you feel are particularly harmful for the Ukrainian people? What can you do to change these stereotypes?

20. All’s well that ends well. How does this saying concern you, a schoolleaver? What is your daily routine? Has your daily routine changed since you became an 11 th form student? Are your still in search of your future profession or have you made a firm decision to become a lawyer, an architect or some other professional? What actions do you take now and what personal qualities do you possess to be a successful person and a qualified professional in the future?

21. Imagine a youth club in your school holds a conference on literature. The theme of the conference is “ Are literary heroes your role models?” Do you think the theme of the conference is vital? Who was your favourite fairy tale hero in early childhood? Why? What childhood books influenced you most? What literary hero can you consider to be your role model?

22. Each country is famous for its outstanding statesmen, writers, sportsmen, scientists,

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musicians, etc. What famous Englishmen/women do you know? Who of them do you think was the most influentional? What was his/her occupation? What makes his/her personality outstanding? What did he/she do for his country? Was he/she involved in improving the English society or the world?

23. What do you think are the three main social problems in your country? Do you think these problems are present all over the world or are they specific to your country? For each problem, can you suggest one change or action that could make a positive difference?

24. Comment on the idea expressed by Ray Bradbury – “Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It’s self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can’t try to do things. You simply must do things”. Do you think creative people are born or made? What adjectives do you associate with creative people? How creative do you consider yourself to be?

25. It is generally agreed that society benefits from the work of its members. Compare the contributions of artists to society with the contributions of scientists to society. Which type of contribution do you think is valued more by your society? Give specific reasons to support your answer.

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TEACHER’S BOOKLET

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Directions:


Choose one of the three suggested topics and develop it in a written form. Make sure that you do not only make general comments but also provide personal facts, ideas, and feelings.

1. Mother Teresa said, “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”

How are young people in Ukraine involved in improving their communities? What challenges do young Ukrainians face when they try to improve things person to

person? What do you personally do to improve the lives of the people around you?

2. It has been said that those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. History plays an important role in our lives, whether we know it or not.

What main lesson have you learned from history? How have you used this lesson in your life? How would society suffer were we not to heed this lesson?

3. You are now in the eleventh form. Soon you will finish school. Looking back... What advice would you like to give to younger pupils about school life? What would you like to see changed about your school or the system of education in

Ukraine? What are your goals to improve yourself in your future life at the university or in your

career?

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ratneosvita.at.ua · web viewdo you like to include exercise in your social life or is it...

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