The first term English exam 2as
Part One. Reading
A/ Comprehension / Read the text carefully and answer the questions
Can You Save the World?
Every day we are bombarded with advice on how to change our lifestyles to protect the environment. But how much can the average family do? And is it worth the effort and cost?
Barry and Helen Davies live with their children in a five-bedroom house. Like many families, they are concerned about the damage they do to the environment, and they would like to do more to become green consumers if they could be convinced it was worth it. The fact they have children has made them think even harder about what sort of world they will leave for the next generation. The Davies have a modern, well-insulated house. But the energy that they use in their home and in the goods and services produced for them is still polluting the atmosphere with about 47 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. When they buy food and other goods, the Davies try to avoid taking some unnecessary packaging and try to use plastic bags more than once. They also send their bottles to be recycled in the bottle bank. But they are still contributing about 2.5 tonnes of methane to atmospheric pollution because of the waste they produce.
They are using up to 12 disposable nappies a day. The nappies contain no bleach and are labeled “environment-friendly”, but they contribute to a mounting rubbish pile. Helen would not change to old-fashioned terry nappies even though she knows that she is spending more and damaging the environment more by using the disposables. “It’s a question of convenience,” she said.
Market analysts now believe that convenience is the next battleground for the environmental movement after the initial marketing success of “environment-friendly” products. Families like the Davies can do a great deal to protect the environment and probably save money in the process. But they, like the rest of us, must ask themselves whether they are prepared to lead a more Spartan life.
Adapted from The Sunday Times, Sept.24, 1989.
1/ Are there any interrogative sentences in the text? If so, how many?
2/ Answer these questions according to the text:
a)Do the Davies care about the damage they cause to the environment?
b)What makes them think about the sort of world they'll leave for the coming generation?
c)What measures the Davies do to avoid the use of wasteful products?
d)What is the market analysts next battleground?
3/ Read the 2nd and 3rd paragraphs to fill in the table with the necessary information:
ProductsForm of pollution
Useful energy at home…………………
Bottles / bags wastes………………....
Disposable nappies…………………
4/ Find in the text words or expressions closest in meaning to the following:
a) persuaded=(§2) b) treated so as to be used again=(§2) c) wasteful product=(§3)
5/ Find in the text words that are opposite to the following: a) easier (§2-/b-failure (§4)
B/ Text Exploration
1/ Mark the intonation with the correct arrow (up or down) at the end of the underlined sentences:
Student: Good morning sir, could you tell me what are the most dangerous types of pollution?
Scientist: Well, all types of pollution are dangerous: chemicals, fumes , noxious gases and even noise. All of them cause serious problems.
2/ Express each sentence differently:
1a) The Davies send their bottles to be recycled in the bottle bank.
b) The bottles…………………………………………………….
2a) The Davies can do a great deal to protect the environment.
b) A great deal …………………………………………………...
3/ Fill in the gaps with the correct items : was/ were able to – could – can – must –shouldn't
1-Overexposure to Ultra-Violet rays….increase the risk of skin cancer.
2-Cleaning chemicals and food packaging…..be thrown in the fresh-air because they release chloro fluoro carbons ( CFCs) .
3-Our grandparents ……..live with natural sources of energy.
4-He has suffered from asthma and chest problems since he came to live in the city. He ….
be affected by pollutant and noxious gases.
Part Two. Written Expression(04) Choose one of the following topics:
Topic One : You are discussing with your friend the problem of pollution and the possible solutions to reduce it .Imagine the conversation.
These notes may help you: - pollution :a serious problem , causes many diseases /risks …
-Special places to throw rubbish in / building factories outside cities / using alternative energies , more safe and less polluting
-Warnings and campaigns to make people aware of the situation
-Encouraging voluntary associations to keep cities tidy.
Topic Two: You are a representative of the students of your class and you are advising them to preserve the cleaneness of the school .Write short speech using the necessary modals and the oratorical style.