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1 

LISTENING COMPREHENSION 8th form

In this section you are going to listen to the text about dreams about English character.

 You will listen to the recording twice. The task includes 10 TRUE/FALSE questions and 10 multoice questions. Write the correct letters in boxes 1-20.

 Task 1. True or False Statements (+/-). Listen, read and decide which of these statements are true and which of them are false. Questions (on your answer sheet circle + if the statement is true, - if it is false)

True False

1 Generally speaking, the British are rude. + -

2 Most British people have their own homes. + -

3 British people still like hunting pets. + -

4 The British are closely connected to their tradition. + -

5 They like to manifest their feelings and emotions. + -

6 The British like humour, but their jokes are not understandable for everyone. + -

7 The British are often very open and spontaneous people. + -

8 British people still love hunting of foxes and hares. + -

9 All English people are  uncommunicative and moody. + -

10 The British spend a lot of time looking after their pets. + -

Task 2.  Choose a correct answer

1. The British are often viewed as ___.

a). the most talkative and amiable people in the world

b). the most boring people in the world

c). the most absent – minded people in the world

2. They have ____ which is not understood by the foreigners.

a). a specific sense of humour

b). a specific style in fashion

c). their private life

3. Talking to other people they always discuss ____.

          a). their family matters

          b). the weather or some general questions

          c). their private life

4. The British always queue when they are ____.

a). waiting for a bus

b). shopping

c). taking books from a library

5. The clothes the British wear are usually ____.

          a).  useless

          b). specific 

          c). unimaginatively formal

6.  If you have a British friend, this is ____. 

     a). a friend for life

     b). a hooligan and vandal

     c). a reserved person

7) There is one thing that is typically British: 

     a) their love to sport;

      b) their wish to keep their country’s uniqueness;

      c) their hospitality.

8) The English are said …..

     a) to be the masters of trivial conversation.

      b) to be known for their charity;

       c) to be the best listeners in the world.

9) The English football fans …

    a) always support their football teams;

    b) take photos with their favourite players;

     c)are regarded as hooligans and vandals.

10) About ……..of all the people have their own houses.

     a) 17%;

      b) 70%;

      c) one third

 

2.

READING COMPREHENSION 8th form

In this Test you will read three texts. You should do the tasks following the text on the basis of what is stated or implied in that text. For each task you will choose the best possible answer from three possible answers (a, b or c ) or two symbols (+ or -) as specified prior to each task. Choose the best answer and write down the letter or symbol of your choice on the Answer Sheet.

Text 1 A  London Fog

It was a very foggy day in London. The fog was so thick that it was impossible to see more than a foot or so. Buses, cars and taxis were not able to run and were standing by the side of the road. People were trying to find their way on foot but were losing their way in the fog. Mr. Smith had a very important meeting at the House of Commons and had to get there but no one could take him. He tried to walk there but got lost. Suddenly he bumped into a stranger. The stranger asked if he could help him. Mr. Smith said he wanted to get to the Houses of Parliament. The stranger told him he would take him there. Mr. Smith thanked him and they started to walk there. The fog was getting thicker every minute but the stranger had no difficulty in finding the way. He went  along one street, turned into another, crossed a square and at last after about half an hour’s walk they arrived at the Houses of Parliament. Mr. Smith couldn’t understand how the stranger found his way. “Is it wonderful”? he said.  “How do you find the way in this fog?” 

“It is no trouble at all to me,” said the stranger. “I am blind.”

Decide if the sentences are true (+) or false (-):

1. The fog was very thick and people could see far.

2. Buses, cars and taxis were standing in the middle of the road.

3. Mr. Smith had an appointment of great importance at the House of Commons.

4. Mr. Smith knew the man who helped him to get to the Houses of Parliament.

5. The man who helped Mr. Smith couldn’t see.

Text 2 The moving stones

These big stones leave long tracks behind them. The long tracks show that the stones have moved along the ground. But how do they move? Scientists have tried to answer this question for the last  50 years.

These famous moving stones are in Death Valley, USA. Many of the stones are small but a few of them are very big. Some of the big stones are as big as a man. The biggest stones weigh 350 kilograms. They are heavier than four men!

The stones only move at night and only once every year or two. Nobody has ever seen them moving, but now scientists know the answer to the question.

The answer is the wind. When the wind comes from the west, the stones move to the east. When the wind is from the south, they always move to the north. But how can the wind move a stone that weighs 350 kilograms?

This answer is more complicated. Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the world, but it can be very cold at night. Sometimes there are bad storms in the night. Rain falls, and the hard ground becomes soft and wet. The wind is very strong and cold. The water on the ground changes to very thin ice. Then the strong wind can move flat stones along the flat ground. In the morning, the sun comes up and dries the ground.

Task  2: Questions (choose the correct letter a, b or c):

6.…..of the moving stones are very heavy.

a) All b) Some c)None

7. They …….move the same way as the wind.

a) always b) sometimes c)never

8.  The …… longer and more difficult.

a) second answer is b) first question is c) bigger stones are

9.  The nights are ……..

a) never stormy b) hot in the day time c)  sometimes very cold and wet 

10.  The wind can move stones because the ground is…..

a) soft and wet b) flat and icy c) hot and dry

Text 3 How can animals live in a desert?

There is almost no water in a desert, but many animals can live in deserts. How do these animals get water and stay alive?

Everything is hot and dry in the daytime, but the nights are cold. Plants often have dew on them in the early morning. This is because cold air can’t hold as much water as hot air. Small insects can drink the dew, and bigger animals eat the plants with the dew on them.

Small birds and animals get water from the bodies of insects. Bigger birds and animals get water from the bodies of small animals. There is a North American bird which is called a roadrunner. It runs fast and catches small snakes, lizards and scorpions.

Most big animals can’t live in the desert because they need a few liters of water every day. They can’t keep water in their bodies for a long time. But camels are different. They can drink 90 liters of water in ten minutes, and then drink nothing for a week.

Task  3: Questions (choose the correct letter a, b or c):

11. Deserts are places with…….

a) no animals b) a lot of plants c) not much water

12. It is …… in the desert.

a) always hot b) cold at night c) usually wet in the daytime

13. Insects can drink when…….  

a) there is dew b) the sun goes down c) bigger animals eat

14. Roadrunners get water when they ……..

a) eat small animals b) catch insects c)find plants

15. Most big animals ………water every day.

a) do not drink b) need some c) drink 90 liters of 

Text 4                                 Feng Shui

Feng Shui is the art of arranging your home and the things in it in the best possible way. It began in China about 5000 years ago, but recently architects and designers all over the world have started to include the idea in their work. The most important thing to understand about Feng Shui is the idea of chi, which means vital energy or life force. The art of Feng Shui is to make sure that the right objects are in the right places so that the chi can flow freely around the home. This is said to create good health and financial well-being as well as improved relationships between parents and children and husband and wife. You can improve your own Feng Shui by trying some of the techniques listed below.

Firstly, keep the hall of your home clear of shoes, umbrellas and other objects. This is to allow the chi to enter your home freely. If possible, put a small indoor fountain in this part of your home.

Task 4 Read the text to decide. If it is correct, put T. If it is not correct, put F.

16.  Feng Shui has been practised all over the world for 5000 years. 

17.  Feng Shui says that family members will get on better with each other if the home is properly furnished. 

18.  The entrance of the home should be neat and tidy. 

19.  The living room should be made to look as small as possible. 

20.  Windows in the living room should be covered.

3.

WRITING COMPREHENSION 8th form

In this Test you will select from the three tasks written on the board one which you feel you are most capable to write about. You will then 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.

1. Reading is the best way of spending free time. Agree or disagree with this opinion. 

• Who is your favorite author or poet? Why is this author or poet your favorite?

• When did you begin reading works by this author or poet?

• What are your favorite works of literature by this author or poet? Why?

2. Many pupils spend time after school participating in clubs or helping their parents at home.

• Which activities do you participate in after school? 

• Which after school activities are important for pupils? Why?

• If you could start any after school club or program what would it be? 

3. Heather Pryor said, «A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart»

• Do you agree? Why or why not? 

• How can this be applied to global politics?

• How can this be applied to your personal life?

4.

SPEAKING COMPREHENSION 8th form

In this test you will choose from 20 topics to speak about. Each number corresponds to one topic. The number of your choice is the theme of your oral presentation. Take about a minute to collect your thoughts before you begin to speak on the topic. 

1. Imagine that you are writing an email to a new friend in London. Your friend has asked about your town.

• Describe your town or village to your friend.

• What places and buildings are there? How big is the town? How many people live there?

• What do you do for fun? What is the nearest city?

2. How do you like to spend your free time? 

• (going shopping? going to the cinema? chatting? playing computer games? going to the disco? playing sports? reading?)

• Who do you spend your free time with?

3. Talk about the happiest day in your life. Include the following information:

• what made this day so special,

• what happened,

• how you felt and who you shared your happiness with.

4. Imagine that you are a TV reporter and you have the chance to interview any

Ukrainian living or dead. Who would you interview? Why?

• What would your first interview question be? Why?

• How has this person influenced the lives of others? Has he/she influenced your life?

• How do you think history would be different if this person had never been born?

5. What subjects do you enjoy studying at school?

• Have you always enjoyed these subjects?

• Why is it that you prefer these subjects to others?

• How much homework do you get in your favourite subject and how would you feel if you had to do more homework?

6. How do you usually spend your free time?

• Do you prefer to spend your free time with family or friends?

• What did you do last weekend?

• How do you think you’ll spend your free time when you are older?

7. It is common for people to have pets. Sometimes the pets are large, like dogs or cats. Sometimes they are smaller, like fish, or birds. Talk about some pets you know.

• Why do most people consider pets to be their best friends? 

• Do you have a pet at home? What kind of a pet?

• What are the good things about owning a pet? Bad things? 

8. You have an opportunity to go anywhere in the world for one month. 

• Where would you go? You may choose more than one place to go to.

• Why have you chosen to go there?

• Would you go for pleasure, to spend time with someone you know, or to learn something?

9. Every year we celebrate a number of different holidays. What holiday is your favourite? Why?

• What is your least favourite holiday? Why?

• Why is it important to celebrate holidays? If you could change one holiday, how would you change it?

• How do you usually celebrate your favourite holiday?

10. Describe the perfect vacation

• Where would you travel to?

• Who would you travel with? How long would you stay?

• What things would you do there?

11. You are walking through the park and meet your future self on a park bench.

• What will you ask him/her?

• What do you think he/she will tell you?

• What do you want to tell him/her?

12. Imagine that you will represent Ukraine for an international TV program, and speak about your country.

• What makes Ukraine different from other countries?

• What are the good things about Ukraine? What are you proud of?

• What would you like to change about your country, if anything?

13. If you had a week to travel out of your native country and an endless supply of money where would you want to go, and how would you get there?

• What country would you travel to? Why?

• What are the top three things you would do and why?

• Would you travel alone, with a few people, or with many people?  Why?

14. School uniforms are mandatory in some schools around the world, although certainly not in every school

• If you were the headmaster of a school, would you want your pupils to wear a uniform?

• Imagine the response of a pupil who disagreed with you. What would the pupil say?

• How would you respond to this pupil?

15. If you had a chance to spend a day with a famous person, whom would you choose?

• What facts about his/her life do you know? Is he/she your role model?

• Where would you go? What would you do there?

• What similar traits of character do you have? 

16. People of the XXI century suffer different losses and diseases.

• What are they? How to prevent them?

• COVID-19: what’s more dangerous?

• Give some tips and advice not to fall into a pandemic trap.

17. What do you think of pierced ears and tattoos?

• Do you think there is a difference between a man and a woman having his/her ears pierced and wearing a tattoo?

• Why do you think people started piercing their ears and other parts of their body? Do ear-rings/studs and different tattoos make someone look more attractive? 

• What do you think of body art? Do you think the body art fashion will continue for generations?

18. Why do you think recycling is important? 

• Do you recycle and, if so, how do you and your family do it?

• Could you think of ways to recycle more "stuff'” at home? For example, you could speak about making your own compost from discarded remains from fruits and vegetables to fertilize your yard.

19. What comes to your mind when you hear the word "adventure"? 

• Do you like adventures? Who would you like to have a big adventure with? 

• Does there have to be an element of danger in an adventure?

• Is adventure important in your life? What was your most unforgettable adventure?

20. What activities do you find enjoyable when you are alone?

• Why is this activity so enjoyable to you?

• How often do you spend time without your friends or parents? Do you feel it is important to have time to spend by yourself? Why?

• Have you ever been afraid to stay alone?