Written test on English

For winter examination 2016

The Xth ____ form
Name___________________
Surname __________________

Variant I

Mark________________
Time allowed 90 minutes
I.

Reading Comprehension Competence Evaluation

points)

(30

Read the text and do the tasks below the text.

Dont Look Down
I have always enjoyed walking. When I was a boy, I used to go walking at
weekends with my father. We went camping and climbing together.
I try to visit a new place every year. Last year I decided to walk a path in Spain
called El Camino del Rey, which means the Kings Way. It is one of the highest
and most dangerous footpaths in Europe. It used to be very safe, but now it is
falling down.
I took a train to the village of El Chorro and started to walk towards the
mountains. I was very excited.
Then the adventure began. The path was about three feet wide and there
were holes in it. It used to have a handrail, but not any more. I didnt know what
to do should I go on my hands and knees, or stand up and walk very slowly. At
times the path was only as wide as my two boots. I stopped to have a rest, but
there were nowhere to sit.
I began to feel very frightened. It was impossible to look down or look up. I
was concentrating so hard that my body started aching. There was no thrill of
danger, no enjoyment of the view. I thought I was going to die.
I finally managed to get to the end. I was shaking, and I was covered in sweat
from heat and fear. I fell to the ground, exhausted.
1. Answer the following questions:
(10 points)
a. What did the author use to do when he was a boy?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. Does he go to the same place every year?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. Why couldnt he have a rest?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
d. Why didnt he enjoy the walk?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
e. How did he feel at the end?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. Find in the text synonyms for the following words:

(4 points)
a. Very tired
b. Land
3. Find in the text antonyms for the following words :
(4 points)
a. Possible
b. Safe
4. Identify the correct variant (True/False). Justify your choice.
(12 points)
a. It is one of the highest and most dangerous footpaths in the world. True
False
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. It was impossible to look down or look up.
True
False
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. Give another title to the text.
(10 points)
___________________________________________________________________________
II.

Linguistic Competence Evaluation

(20 points)

Complete the sentences with a suitable form of the

adjectives, some or any.
1. What is Annas brother like? Well, he is certainly ___________, dark and
handsome, but I didnt enjoy meeting him at all. He is even
_______________________ than she is. (tall, boring)
2. What was your meal like? Ugh! It was awful. The pizza was
______________________. We were absolutely ______________, but we still
couldnt eat it! (disgusting, starving)
3. How are your parents? Theyre fine, thanks. My mother has a cold, but
shes ________________ now. (good)
4. I havent got ___________ paper.
5. Is there ___________ petrol in the car?
6. Yes, I put __________ in yesterday.
7. I bought ___________ fruit, but they didnt have ___________ vegetables.
III.

Cultural and Pragmatic Competence Evaluation

(40 points)
Comment on the quotation in 100-115 words.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the
world. Nelson Mandela
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Written test on English
For winter examination 2016
The XIth ____ form
Name___________________
Surname __________________

Variant I

Mark________________
Time allowed 90 minutes
I.

Reading Comprehension Competence Evaluation

points)

(30

Read the text and do the tasks below the

text.
The Chocolate Enlightenment
In the 18th century, chocolates popularity reached all across Europe. Carl
Linneaus, a leading 18th century botanist, created the classification system
that assigned Latin designations to all organisms. He named the cacao bean
Theobroma cacao, which translates as Food of the Gods. For instance,
chocolate was introduced to Austria when the Holy Roman Emperor Charles
VI relocated from Madrid to Vienna in 1711. Vienna became famous for its
hot chocolate, so rich and thick that it needed to be served with glasses of
chilled water to balance out the experience. Even though hot chocolate was
available to many, it still remained a drink primarily for the aristocracy since
it was very expensive and it emphasized the class divisions. In Venice, for
example, coffee was one-third the price of chocolate. Chocolate was what the
nobleman had for his relaxed breakfast while coffee was for the emerging
middle-class businessmen who needed a quick start drink. Chocolate also
was considered to be the church hierarchys drink of choice. During the
conclave of 1760 when it took six months to elect the next Pope, the
cardinals enjoyed hot chocolate coffee when they took a break.
In Italy cacao was not just for hot chocolate any more. Chocolate was found
in bars and pastilles, and was found in recipes for main dishes, desserts and
more. Italy paved the way for cooking with chocolate. An 18th century
cookbook includes dishes such as fried liver that had first been dipped in
chocolate; a polenta made with almonds, butter and chocolate breadcrumbs;
and a chocolate soup composed of milk, sugar, chocolate, cinnamon and
egg yolk, served warm and poured over toast.
Chocolate long had a reputation as an aphrodisiac and Casanova, the
famous lover, considered it his favorite breakfast dish. His memoirs reveal
that he used chocolate as a love potion for the women he loved.

When chocolate was introduced to Europeans, one of the things they

noticed was that chocolate disguised the taste of poison since poisoning used
to be a popular method of doing away with your enemies. When Pope
Clement XIV died in 1774 under mysterious circumstances, it was thought by
many that he had been poisoned by a cup of chocolate brought to him by his
unknowing confectioner.
Alternatively, chocolate was famous for its medicinal benefits and primarily
the properties of high-quality dark chocolate were known to prolong
longevity, promote strength before military conquests, soothe stomach
complaints and promote antioxidant activity. Moreover, chocolate beneficial
ingredients effectively delay atherosclerosis, inhibit blood platelet activity,
stimulate blood flow and reduce blood pressure.
Despite all its health benefits, chocolate was considered to be an adult
product and was not given to children. Coffee and chocolate houses were
adult-only places but in Spain, they were for men only. According to Tuscan
court physician Dr. Giovanni Batista Felici, in children it awakes such an
agitation that in no way can be quiet or sit in one place. And Joseph Baretti,
a commentator on manners and customs, noted in 1768 that chocolate was
for all our polite people of an adult age.

1. Answer the question.

(6 points)
a. How was the cacao bean named?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
b. What did Vienna become well-known for?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
c. Which thing did Europeans discover about the chocolate?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. Find in the text the synonyms for the words given below.
(4 points)
a. Assembly
b. To extend
3. Find in the text the antonyms for the words given below.
(4 points)
a. Disadvantage
b. To conceal
4. Identify the correct variant (True/False). Justify your choice.
(6 points)
a. Chocolate was famous for its ingredients.
True False
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
b. In the past chocolate was an ingredient for some special dishes. True
False
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. Give another title to the text.
(2 points)
___________________________________________________________________________

6. Identify the message of the text and comment it in 5 lines.

(8 points)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
I.

Linguistic Competence Evaluation

(20 points)

Put the verb into the correct form.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Emma ___________ (spend) every school holiday in Scotland.

Why are you under the table? _________you _________ (look) for something?
In my country we _________________ (not have) lessons on Saturday.
I ___________________ (live) in London for eight years, and I dont want to
move.
5. Peter picked up the ball and ____________ (throw) it as far as he could.
6. I didnt need to tell Ann because Jane _________ already ________ (tell) her.
7. She _______________________ (wait) to see the doctor since nine oclock.
8. The view was wonderful. I _________ never ________________ (see) such a
beautiful view before.
9. When I was a child, I __________________ (live) in New York.
10.
I have been a teacher since I _______________ (leave) university.
II.

Cultural and Pragmatic Evaluation

points)

(30

Comment on the statement in 100-130 words.

III.

Communication is more than a monologue.

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Civic Competence Evaluation
(20 points)
Write about education in Great Britain. (30-35 words)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Written test on English

For winter examination 2016
The XIIth ____ form
Name___________________
Surname __________________

Variant I

Mark________________
Time allowed 90 minutes
I.

Reading Comprehension Competence Evaluation

points)

(30

Read the text and do the tasks below.

GREENLAND-THE LARGEST ISLAND IN THE WORLD
Greenland is the largest island in the world, measuring 2,670 km from
north to south, but with a population of only about 56,000, one-quarter of
which lives in the capital, Nuuk. It lies just south of the Arctic Circle, so its
summer temperatures range from just 00 C to 150C. Eighty-five percent of its
2,175,600 km2 area is covered with a massive ice cap, which holds 9% of the
worlds fresh water. Despite its name, Greenland is anything but green. Its
bare haunting landscape is made up of grey granite rock and massive
icebergs, with only tiny pockets of greenery.
The Inuit people (previously known as Eskimos) were the first people of this
island. Then, around 980 AD, Eric the Red, a bloodthirsty Norwegian Viking,
fled to the island and founded a colony. Despite the desolate greyness, Eric
cunningly named the island Greenland, so as to attract settlers. His trick
worked and the colony grew but then died out suddenly and mysteriously in
the 1400s. In 1721, the Danish established a settlement there, and ruled for

over 200 years, until 1979, when Greenland was declared an autonomous
nation within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Regional boundaries divide the country into three areas: North, East, and
West Greenland. East Greenland, known as Tunu, is the most isolated,
blocked by ice for 9 months out of 12. Only 4,000 people live here, despite it
being equal in size to half of Western Europe.
This is also the region of the semi permafrost. Tombs are shallow and the
dead are often stored for months before being buried in warmer months,
when the soil can be dug. There are serious social problems, such as
alcoholism and suicides, as a result of unemployment and seasonal
depression. The latter is a common syndrome in places where winter lasts
more than half the year, where there is no light at all.
1. Answer the questions.
(6 points)
a. Who gave the island the name Greenland and why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. Who were the first people of the island?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. Name some big social problems people from the island have. Why did
these problems appear?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Find in the text synonyms for the following words:
(4 points)
a. Small
b. Giant
3. Find in the text antonyms for the following words:
(4 points)
a. To reject
b. Understandable
4. Based on the text, write if the sentences are True or False. Justify
your choice. (6 points)
True
False
a. As its name says, the island is the worlds greenest place.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
True False
b. Greenland was declared an autonomous nation within the Kingdom of
Denmark in 1979.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

5. Give your own title to the text.

(2 points)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6. Explain the message of the text in 35-40 words.
(8 points)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
II. Linguistic Competence Evaluation

(20

points)
Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the word or with the
correct form of the verb in brackets
There is pizza and there is Pizza Napoletana. The two, connoisseurs
say, have 1) __________ much in common _________ virgin olive oil has with
generic cooking oil. Now, authentic Pizza Napoletana 2) ______________ (to
join) the elite group of European Union-certified food and drink products
like Scottish Farmed Salmon, Spanish Melon from la Mancha and English
Blue Stilton cheese. In order to qualify for this list, these food products 3)
___________ (could/had to/might) meet very strict criteria.
Once a product 4) _____________ (to grant) Guaranteed Traditional
Specialty status, other similar products 5) ___________ (not/to be allowed)
to use the same name. If your Champagne doesnt come from that
particular region of France for example, you cant call it champagne. But
be warned: it takes longer to read the EU specifications for real Pizza
Napoletana than it does to make one. To be labelled Guaranteed
Traditional Specialty, the pizza mustnt be over 35 centimeters 6)
_____________ diameter and the crust mustnt be more than two
centimeters thick. The ingredients must include type 00 flour and up to
100 grams of San Marzano tomatoes applied 7) _____________ a spiraling
motion. And the cheese has to be fresh Mozzarella di Bufala.
Pizza 8) ______________ (to have) a long history in Italy. The word pizza
first appeared in an AD 997 manuscript from Gaeta, a southern Italian
town. A millennium later, in 1997, political groups in northern Italy tried to
boycott pizza it was 9) _____________ (a/the/--) symbol of their rivals in
the south. Perhaps they should accept that Pizza Napoletana is here to
stay now. Happily, you 10) _______________ (not/have to) know anything
about history to enjoy an authentic Pizza Napoletana!

III.Civic Competence Evaluation

(20 points)
Do you think that learning English is an obligatory part of your education?
Why or why not?
(35-40 words)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
II.

Cultural and Pragmatic Evaluation

(30 points)

Outline in written your opinion on the subject. (130-140 words)

Perseverance makes people stronger. Do you agree or disagree with
the following statement? Bring 2 arguments and examples to
support your answer. Use the following plan:
- Make an introduction;
- Bring arguments and 2 examples;
- Draw a conclusion.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Written test on English
For winter examination 2016
The Xth ____ form
Name___________________
Surname __________________

Variant II

Mark________________
Time allowed 90 minutes
I.

The Reading Comprehension Competence Evaluation

points)

(30

Read the text and accomplish the post reading tasks.

Is Health More Important than Wealth?
Health and wealth, two words that rhyme so well but often do not occur
together. Good health is clearly preferable but if one does not have good health,
then it is better to have some wealth to ease the burden. Money cannot replace the
lack of health, but it goes a long way to make life easier, more comfortable and
reduce a major stressor in most peoples lives.
The real question to be answered is not whether health is better than wealth but
what is the true path to happiness. To be healthy but miserable because you are
poor is a fairly shallow way to live your life. With health, your potential is unlimited.
Nothing stands in the way of travelling, working a job, having a family or going
back to school. With good health, there is always a way to make money to create
the life you desire.
To be wealthy but have poor health is like partial compensation, a kind of bad
news with good news. At least, you will have less concern about the cost of
healthcare, cost to live a restricted life and whether there will be money to attend
to the future decline of health as you age.
Being wealthy and in good health means you have the world at your feet,
nothing should stand in your way. You can wake up in the morning and carry out
any and all of your dreams and plans. You should experience utter happiness that
you have the power to conquer anything, unless of course, your health fails then
the choice will be obvious. You would likely spend every dollar you have in order to
get your health back.

1. Answer the question:

(10 points)
a. According to the text, what does it mean to be wealthy and in good health?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
b. What is the role of money in the relation wealth-health?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
c. What is for you the most important: money or health? Why?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
d. Why did the author say that with health your potential is unlimited?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
e. What is receiving bad news with good news compared to?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
2. Find the synonyms from the text for the following words:
(4 points)
a. Superficialb. Needy-

3. Find the antonyms from the text for the following words:
(4 points)
a. Abundanceb. Poverty4. Give your own title to the text.
(10 points)
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
5. Identify the correct variant (True/False). Justify your choice.
(12 points)
a. To be healthy but miserable because you are poor is a fairly shallow way to live
your life.
True

False

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
b. With health, your potential is unlimited.
False

True

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
II.

Linguistic Competence Evaluation

(20 points)

Use the proper form of the verbs in parenthesis.

1. Last week, my best friend Ion . (have) a birthday party. He
(invite) all his close friends, and we . (go) to the
forest.
2. I .(visit) Chicago several times. But Mr Smith .. (go) to
Chicago only last week.
3. When the bell (ring), John .(jump) from his seat and
(run) out of the room.
4. Today is Thursday. You .. (see) Nick this week? Yes, I
.. (see) him on Tuesday.

III.

Cultural and Pragmatic Evaluation

(40 points)

(100-110 words)

Most public schools allow students to dress as they like. Private schools enforce a
dress code. Express your own opinion. Present reasonable arguments.
___________________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Written test on English

For winter examination 2016

The XIth ____ form

Name___________________
Surname __________________

Variant II

Mark________________
Time allowed 90 minutes
I.

Reading Comprehension Competence Evaluation

points)

(30

Read the text and do the tasks below the text.

In a world where bad news has become everyday news, people are turning to
an ancient technique to deal with stress: meditation. At meditation centers, prayer
groups and yoga studios around the United States, more and more are finding
peace of mind by being quiet. Some use meditation to help deal with life changes;
others, to process the painful reality of political and social unrest around the world
of the type that has been experienced more recently. Stress from the September
11 terrorist attacks is probably about 70 percent of the reason one Chicago man
started meditating and practicing yoga with his new wife. He became so
emotionally affected that he realized he needed help in managing his stress. The
yoga classes he takes begin and end with meditation. This quiet time helps him
feel a lot more relaxed and gives him breath control. The fact is, though, that he is
not alone.
Across the country, many are turning to more meditative exercise, as they seek
both psychological and physiological relief. I addition to helping people work out
their stress, these classes bring people together, in the same way that religious
services or other community activities have done in the past. Different schools
meditation teach particular techniques, but they share a common basis focusing
attention on something your mind can return to if you are distracted. This may be
the rhythm of breathing, a mantra (a word or phrase repeated continually, either
silently or aloud), an object such as a candle flame or religious icon, a positive
affirmation, feeling of loving kindness, or a repetitive movement, as in walking or
tai chi. Regardless of the specific technique or mode that is followed, meditation
has well-documented benefits. Medical research indicates that it causes a sharp
decrease in metabolic activity, reduced muscle tension, slower breathing, and a
shift from faster beta brainwaves to slower alpha, theta and delta waves. It also
reduces high blood pressure. Practitioners are convinced that meditation is good
for health because it relaxes the body.
For ages, meditation has been a core practice of many groups meeting in their
communal or religious centers. However, lets not forget that this is the twentyfirst century. So, for those people who are too shy or busy to go to the nearest
meditation center, there are Internet sites that offer online guided meditation. One
has a variety of meditations from various religious traditions. At another, Jesuit
priest post meditations and reading from the Scriptures every day, and at still
another, Buddhist and Hindu practitioners include music and visuals to accompany
their offerings. These websites allow anyone with a computer access to meditation
at any time. The fact is that whether online, at yoga classes, or at local spiritual
centers, more people are turning to the practice of meditation.
1. Answer the following questions according to the text. (6 points)
a. Why is meditation becoming more popular?

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
b. What does the example of one Chicago man show?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
c. What is the basic underlying approach of all meditative techniques?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. Find in the text synonyms for the words given below. (4 points)
a. Gulp of air
b. To persuade
3. Find in the text antonyms for the words given below. (4 points)
a. Varied
b. To leave out
4. Based on the text, write if the sentences are True or False. Justify your
choice. (6 points)
a. A description of the places to go and procedures people can follow to learn
meditation. True False
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
b. The increasing popularity of meditation through the availability of on-line
resources. True False
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Give your own title to the text. (2 points)
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Explain the message of the text in 35-40 words. (8 points)
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
II.

Linguistic Competence Evaluation

(20 points)

Open the brackets. (20 points)

1. Last weekend, Cathy 1) _____________ (hire) a car and 2) ____________ (drive) to the
seaside. When she 3) ______________ (arrive) the wind 4) ______________________
(blow) and the sky 5) _______________ (be) cloudy.
2. While I 6) ___________________ (wait) for my meal to arrive, I 7) _____________ (see)
that the two men who had followed me into the restaurant 8) ________________
(stare) at me from a nearby table.
3. What 9) ____________ (do) in the High Street at that time of night, and why 10)
________________ (run away) when the officer told you to stop? asked the lawyer.
I. Civilization (20 points)
Write about education in Great Britain and Moldova. (30-35 words)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
III.

Cultural and Pragmatic Evaluation

(30 points)

Some people often repeat that the future of your life lies in your
own hands and not on your fate. What do you think? Bring 2-3
arguments. (100-130 words)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Written test on English

For winter examination 2016
The XIIth ____ form
Name___________________
Surname __________________

Variant II

Mark________________
Time allowed 90 minutes
I.

Reading Comprehension Competence Evaluation

points)

(30

Read the text and do the tasks below the text.

Home schooling
Although education is compulsory in the United States, it is not compulsory for all
children to get their education at school. A number of parents believe that they can
provide a better education for their children at home. Children who are educated at
home are known as home-schoolers. Some parents prefer teaching their children at
home because they do not believe that public schools teach correct facts, while others
believe that they can provide a better educational experience for their children
themselves. Interestingly, results show that home-schooled children tend to do better
than average on national tests in reading and maths.
David Guterson is an American writer. He and his wife teach their three children
themselves. Guterson says that his children learn very differently from children in an
ordinary school. Learning starts with the childrens interest and questions. For
example, when there is heavy snowfall on winter day, this may start reading or a
discussion about climate, snow, polar bears and winter tourism. Or a spring evening,
when the family is watching the stars, is a good time for setting up a telescope and
asking questions about satellites, comets, meteors and space travel. Another example
is the Colfax family. David and Sandra Colfax taught their four sons at home and
prepared three of them well enough to be able to become students at Harvard
University. The boys learnt many useful skills by working on their own instead of
working in a class and the family discovered all kinds of advantages of home
education.
Although home-schooling offers learning opportunities which are often more
interesting than in ordinary schools, critics point out that home-schoolers miss out on
many important things. The home-schooler is an outsider who, because he or she
never attend school, might feel uncomfortable getting on with other people in adult
life. Critics also say that many parents are not qualified to teach their children and
may pass on their own narrow views to their children. However, most parents do not
have the time or the desire to teach their children at home, so schools will continue to
be the place where most children get their formal education.
1. Answer the question.
(6 points)

a. What is home schooling?

____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
b. Why do some parents prefer to teach their children at home?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
c. What are the disadvantages of home schooling?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Find in the text the synonyms for the words given below.
(4 points)
a. To establish
b. Ability
3. Find in the text the antonyms for the words given below.
(4 points)
a. Optional
c. To conceal
4. Identify the correct variant (True/False). Justify your choice.
(6 points)
a. The Guterson have elaborated their own system of teaching. True False
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
__
b. The Colfax found home schooling disadvantageous and useless. True False
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
__
c. Give another title to the text.
(2 points)
___________________________________________________________________________________
_
d. Identify the message of the text and comment it in 5 lines.
(8 points)
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
_____
II.

Linguistic Competence Evaluation

(20 points)

Put the verb into the correct form.

1.
2.
3.
4.

The swimming pool (open) at 9.00 tomorrow morning.

Why are you under the table? _________you _________ (look) for something?
In my country we _________________ (not have) lessons on Saturday.
I ..(play) the piano when I
(hear) someone coming in.

5.
6.
7.
8.

Peter picked up the ball and ____________ (throw) it as far as he could.

I didnt need to tell Ann because Jane _________ already ________ (tell) her.
She _______________________ (wait) to see the doctor since nine oclock.
The view was wonderful. I _________ never ________________ (see) such a beautiful
view before.
9. Ann has just started evening classes. She . (learn) Spanish.

III.

Cultural and Pragmatic Evaluation

(30 points)

Comment on the statement in 130-140 words.

All objects, all phases of culture are alive. They have voices. They speak of
their history and interrelatedness. And they are all talking at once! (Camille
Paglia)
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I. Civic Competence Evaluation
(20 points)
What can you tell about British people, their customs and traditions? (3540 words)
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