2016 National English Olympiad Test for English majored teachers

Time – 90 minutesGood Luck!Code : …………………………..

Section I : Methodical Outcomes

  1. Complete the text with sentences a-e. There is one sentence that you do not need to use. (4x2 = 8 points)
  1. An FCE class needn’t (and shouldn’t) consist of a diet of endless exam practice.
  2. It is also worth going through this sample paper yourself, as this will help you see the exam through your students’ eyes.
  3. However, motivation and high morale can be very fragile things.
  4. Often, the most successful learners are those who keep good records of their learning.
  5. Part of your role as a teacher is to demystify the exam requirements

Teaching FCE (First Certificate of English) exam classes

Be aware of issues like learner motivation and classroom morale. Learners in exam classes tend to be more goal-orientated than those in a general English class. (1)………… . You can help to maintain motivation by gradually building up to FCE (First Certificate English)-level tasks and language. Don’t test at FCE level too soon by announcing in week two : “Right, class. Today we are going to try an FCE listening text paper” – far better to try just one listening task at a time. Tackling small chunks of the exam paper in this way minimizes the risk of demotivating individuals or even the whole class.

(2)…………. . Setting quizzes based on the exam specifications – e.g. How much time do you have for the Reading paper? – can add some fun to an otherwise dull or routine procedure.

Students need to be familiar with the exam conditions and requirements. However, it is essential to get a good balance between exam-style tests and general skills development.

(3) ………… . Be aware that reading the grammar/vocabulary exercises can be usefully set for homework with class time being used to discuss, explain and compare answers. Try to instill good habits from the start. What your students do outside the exam classroom is just as vital in preparing for the exam. (4)…………. . Encourage learners to keep a vocabulary notebook, organized in a way that is meaningful to them. Encouraging learners to take a degree of responsibility for their own progress has an added bonus of taking the pressure off you.

  1. Match the items or terms (1-10) with their definitions (a-j) (10 x 2 = 20 points)

1 ____; 2____; 3____; 4____; 5____; 6___; 7____; 8____; 9____; 10 ____;

Terms used to talk about language / Definitions
1 / Vocabulary /
  1. the rules that govern the way words are combined and sequenced in order to form sentences

2 / Grammar /
  1. the purpose for which a language item is used

3 / Structure /
  1. the place in the world where an instance of language occurs, or the words surrounding it in a text

4 / Concept /
  1. the way that sounds are produced when speaking a language

5 / Function /
  1. the area of language learning that is concerned with word knowledge

6 / Style /
  1. a continuous piece of speech or writing, having a communicative purpose and a distinctive organization

7 / Pronunciation /
  1. a grammar pattern that generates examples, such as the present perfect

8 / Context /
  1. the way that words or structures are written or pronounced

9 / Text /
  1. variation in a person’s use of language due to situational factors, such as context and degree of familiarity

10 / Form /
  1. the basic meaning of a word or structure, independent of context

Section II : Structure and Written expression

  1. There are 15 incomplete sentences. Choose the one word or phrase that best completes the sentence. (15x1-15 points)
  1. ……………………….. fall naturally into two classes, which can be further subdivided into several subclasses.

(A)There are vitamins(B) Vitamins that(C) Vitamins(D) After vitamins

  1. The incidence of anorexia nervosa, …………………………., is growing in industrially advanced societies.

(A)is an eating disorder(C) an eating disorder

(B)an eating disorder which(D) for which an eating disorder

  1. In the 1960s, pop art …………………… to discover artistic significance in the commercial artifacts of the consumer culture.

(A)seeking(B) to seek(C) has sought(D) sought

  1. Air ……………….. the carbon dioxide necessary for photosynthesis enters leaves through tiny surface openings.

(A)contains(B) contained(C) containing(D) it contains

  1. Overexposure to the sun can produce ……………………………… can some toxic chemicals.

(A)more than damage to the skin(C) damage more than to the skin

(B)more damage than to the skin(D) more damage to the skin than

  1. The Federal Reserve System, ………………… under President Wilson, plays a key role in regulating the U.S. economy.

(A)the establishment in 1913(C) established in 1913

(B)was established in 1913(D) in 1913 they established it

  1. In the 1960s, due in part to the invention of air conditioning, the population of the United States ……………………… a dramatic geographical shift southward.

(A)experiencing(B) was experienced(C) to experience(D) experienced

  1. Antarctica is larger ……………………………………, but it has no native human population.

(A)than Europe or Australia does(C) Europe or Australia

(B)of Europe or Australia(D) than Europe or Australia

  1. Whole-grain food products …………………..…………… in most large supermarkets across the United States and Canada.

(A)now can purchase(C) now to purchase

(B)can now be purchased(D) the purchase of which

  1. A dividend is ……………………………. the only benefit a corporation can offer its shareholders.

(A)no(B) nor(C) none(D) not

  1. …………………… all citrus fruit originated with the Chinese orange.

(A)That the belief(B) The belief that(C) To believe that(D) It is believed that

  1. The year 1732 saw the first appearance of Poor Richards Almanac, ……………………. Benjamin Franklin created the character of Poor Richard.

(A)there(B) in which(C) in it(D) which in

  1. ……………………. more susceptible to bacterial contamination than other types of meat because it has more surface area exposed to bacteria laden air.

(A)Ground meat(B) Ground meat is(C) Ground meat that is(D) Ground meat being

  1. Over the past several decades, radio telescopes ……………………………………………………….…………. of the universe from the one discovered by ordinary telescopes.

(A)have given scientists quite a different view(C) quite a different view have given scientists

(B)have quite a different view given scientists(D) have they given scientists quite a different view

  1. Nestled along the shoreline of Hudson Bay ………………………………………………………………………………… .

(A)are several recently settled Inuit communities(C) near several recently settled Inuit communities

(B)several recently settled Inuit communities(D) is where several recently settled Inuit communities.

4. Rewrite the statements in reported speech using the verbs given below. Use each verb once (9x2=18 points) :

complain; admit; deny; suggest; explain; refuse; promise; agree; offer

1)‘I think it would be a very good idea for you to go to bed,’ the doctor said to Paul.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2)‘Yes, OK. I’ll lend you $25,’ Jo said to Matt.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3)‘Yes, it was me. I broke your camera,’ said Harry.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4)‘I didn’t pull her hair,’ said Timmy.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5)‘I didn’t do the homework because I was ill,’ said the student.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6)‘If you tidy your room, I’ll buy you a pizza!’ said Jessica’s dad.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7)‘Excuse me! There is a fly in my salad,’ said Patrick.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8)‘I’m sorry. I can’t marry you because I don’t love you,’ Sarah said to Adrian.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

9)‘I’ll still cook supper if you like,’ Amanda said to Duncan.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Section III : Reading comprehension and Vocabulary

5. Choose the best answer, (A), (B), (C) or (D) for each question (12x1=12 points)

Lead poisoning in children is a major health issue concern. Both low and high doses of paint can have serious effects. Children exposed to high doses of lead often suffer permanent nerve damage, mental retardation, blindness, and even death. Low doses of lead can lead to mild retardation, short attention spans, distractibility, poor academic performance, and behavioral problems.

This is not a new concern. As early as 1904, lead poisoning in children was linked to lead-based paint. Microscopic lead particles from paint are absorbed into the bloodstream when children ingest flakes of chipped paint, plaster, or paint dust from sanding. Lead can also enter the body through household dust, nail biting, thumb sucking, or chewing on toys and other objects painted with lead-based paint. Although American paint companies today must comply with strict regulations regarding the amount of lead used in their paint, this source of lead poisoning is still the most common and most dangerous. Children living in older, dilapidated houses are particularly at risk.

  1. What is the main topic of this passage?

(A)Problems with household paint(C) Lead poisoning in children

(B)Major health concerns for children(D) Lead paint in older homes

  1. Which part of the passage discusses symptoms and consequences of lead poisoning?

(A)Lines 1-4(B) Lines 5-7(C) Lines 7-9(D) Lines 9-11

  1. The phrase ‘exposed to’ in line 2 could be best replaced by which of the following?

(A)familiar with(B) in contact with(C) displaying(D) conducting

  1. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word ‘suffer’ as used in line 2?

(A)experience(B) revel(C) feel pain from(D) grieve with

  1. Which of the following does the passage infer?

(A)Paint companies can no longer use lead in their paint

(B)Paint companies aren’t required to limit the amount of lead used in their paint

(C)Paint companies must limit the amount of lead used in their paint

(D)Paint companies have always followed restrictions regarding the amount of lead used in their paint

  1. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word ‘linked’ in line 5?

(A)endorsed by(B) threatened by(C) combined with(D) associated with

  1. The word ‘absorbed’ in line 6 could best be replaced by …

(A)fixed(B) assimilated(C) soaked(D) accepted

  1. Where is the best place in the passage to add the following sentence?

‘Older, run-down houses commonly have chipped, flaking paint, and are more likely to have been painted with lead-based paint.’

(A)After the words ‘… health concern.’(C) After the words ‘… new concern.’

(B)After the word ‘…. problems.’(D) After the word ‘ …risk.’

  1. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word ‘chipped’ as used in line 7?

(A)fragmented(B) canned(C) sprayed(D) unhealthy

  1. In line 11, the word ‘dilapidated’ is closest in meaning to which of the following?

(A)poorly painted(B) unpainted(C) falled down(D) broken down

  1. According to the passage, what is the most common source of lead poisoning in children?

(A)Household dust(B) Lead-based paint(C) Painted toys(D) Dilapidated houses

  1. What does he author imply in the final sentence of the passage?

(A)Lead-based paint chips off more easily than newer paints

(B)Poor people didn’t comply with the regulations

(C)Old homes were painted with lead-based paint

(D)Old homes need to be rebuilt in order to be safe for children

Section IV : English-Mongolian and Mongolian-English Translation

6. Read the extract taken from the education textbook ‘Foundations of the Teaching-Learning Process’ and translate it into Mongolian : (14 points)

“Most people know they should set a good example for their children, but some are not fully aware of the power of the modeling effect. Much of what children learn – desirable or not – comes from imitating the powerful adults around them. When adults are aware of their own behavior and consciously try to model ones they want their children to learn, that’s unwritten curriculum. When you grab a child, roughly sit her down, and speak to her in a threatening voice, you are modeling aggression even though you just mean to be correcting her.”

7. Read the extract taken from the newspaper reports about Teachers’ Day in Mongolia and translate into English. (13 points)

Монголын Багш нарын Өдрийг 1967 оноос хойш хоёр дугаар сарын эхний Ням гарагт жил бүр тэмдэглэж ирсэн бөгөөд хичээлийн жилийн дунд таарч, багшийн ажил, хөдөлмөр бүтээлийн ололт амжилтыг үнэлж дүгнэхэд тохиромжгүй үе байсан төдийгүй, заримдаа Сар Шинийн Баяртай давцаж байв. Монголын Багш нарын Холбоо (МБнХ), Ахмад Багш нарын Холбоо (АБнХ) энэ өдрийг дэлхийн Багш нарын Өдрөөр тэмдэглэж байхаар багш нарын дунд санал асуулга явуулах санаачилга дэвшүүлж, улмаар тэдний 74% нь санал нэгджээ. Иймээс МУЗГ-ын 2013 оны 12 сарын 14-ний өдрийн хуралдаанаар 10 сарын 05-ны өдөр тэмдэглэж байхаар тогтоожээ. Манай багш нар энэ баярыг 49 жилдээ, харин дэлхийн багш нартай хоёрдахь удаагаа тэмдэглэн өнгөрүүллээ.

Task 1 …….. out of 8Task 2 …….. out of 20Task 3 …….. out of 15Task 4 …….. out of 18

Task 5 …….. out of 12Task 6 …….. out of 14Task 7 …….. out of 13 Total …… out of 100