Round I. Listening Comprehension Test for 8th form Students.
Text
At the beginning of the 20th century everyone was interested in studying new lands and territories. Many explorers and adventures worked on it and looked for rich businessmen who could give them some money to prepare for a journey and to explore some new areas. The English were always proud of their scientists. Robert Scott was a well-known English polar explorer. He also wanted the government to help him to realize his plans and he waited for their money for quite a long time. Soon he was tired of useless waiting and came to the English Prime Minister, well-known Lloyd George. He arrived in London and explained his situation to the Prime Minister. Lloyd George listened to him carefully and finally advised that he should go to a certain very rich man who would give the money to the explorer. He was sure of it. And Robert Scott agreed to have a try. He arrived at a small place where the businessman lived then. Robert was afraid of this important man and did not want to be late for the meeting. When they met, the businessman looked at Robert, listened to him very attentively, and finally offered the explorer to work for him.
A few days later Robert Scott met with Lloyd George again, and the Prime Minister asked him about his work. «Well, he gave me a thousand pounds», Scott replied. «But our agreement also consisted of the following points. He promised to give me twenty thousand pounds if I can make you come with me on my polar expedition and a million pounds if I can manage to leave you there! So now my happiness depends on your wish!»
ROUND I Listening Comprehension Test for 8th form Students
Directions:
In this Test you will carefully listen to a text read aloud twice. The text is followed by 20 tasks. You should do tasks 1 through 10 following the first reading of the text on the basis of what is stated or implied in the text. The text will be read a second time and you should do tasks 11 through 20 following the second reading of the text on the basis of what is stated or implied in the text. For each task you will choose from four possible answers (A, B, C, or D), or two symbols (+ or -) as specified prior to each task. Choose the best answer and mark the letter or symbol of your choice on the Answer Sheet.
Task 1
Questions 1 through 10 (on your answer sheet put down + if the statement is true, - if it is false).
1. The story could take place in 1940.
2. That was the time of explorers.
3. Almost everyone could finance the expedition himself.
4. A lot of people knew who Robert Scott was.
5. Scott was a rather rich person.
6. The British government always helped explorers.
7. The British Prime Minister tried to help Scott.
8. Meeting the businessman was of no importance for Scott.
9. The businessman had no sense of humor.
10. Lloyd George was very popular with the businessman.
Listening Comprehension Test for 8th form Students
Task 2
Questions 11 through 20 (choose the correct letter a, b, c or d)
11. The story is mainly about:
a) money; b)travels;
c) policy; d)people.
12. English people seemed to like:
a) their politicians; b)their money;
c) their researchers; d) their territory.
13.Robert Scott could least probably find himself:
a) in Brazil; b) in Northern Canada;
c) in the Arctic; d) in the Antarctic.
14.Many explorers needed:
a) inspecting; b)advising;
c) sponsoring; d)studying.
15. Robert Scott met Lloyd George:
a) once; b)twice;
c) three times; d) four times.
16. Robert Scott wanted to:
a) prepare for the expedition; b) meet with the Prime Minister;
c) get a job; d) start his own business.
17. He was given … from Lloyd George:
a) a check; b) some cash;
c) a piece of advice; d) nothing.
18. Scott must have come to the meeting with the businessman:
a) just in time; b) some time later;
c) the next day; d) some time in advance.
19.The result of the meeting must have been...for Scott,
a) pleasant; b)unexpected;
c) of no importance; d) strange.
20. It is most probable that Scott could absolutely count on:
a) 1,000,000 pounds; b) 100,000 pounds;
c) 20,000 pounds; d) 1,000 pounds.
ROUND II. Reading Comprehension Test for 8th form Students
Directions:
In this Test you will read three texts. Each text is followed by 5 tasks. 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 four possible answers (A, B, C, or D) 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.
Questions 1 through 5 refer to Text 1.
Text 1
Pupils’ Homework
Many people think that teachers give pupils too much homework. They say that it is unnecessary for children to work at home in their free time. Moreover, they argue that most teachers do not properly plan the homework tasks they give to pupils. The result is that pupils have to repeat tasks which they have already done at school.
Recently in Greece many parents complained about the difficult homework which teachers gave to their children. The parents said that most of the homework was a waste of time, and they wanted to stop it. Spain and Turkey are two countries which stopped homework recently. In Denmark, Germany and several other countries of Europe, teachers cannot set homework at weekends. In Holland, teachers allow pupils to stay at school to do their homework. The children are free to help one another. Similar arrangements also exist in some British schools. Most people agree that homework is unfair.
It is important, however, that teachers talk to parents about homework. A teacher should suggest suitable tasks for parents to do with their children. Parents are often better at teaching their own children!
Questions (on your answer sheet put down + if the statement is true, - if it is false)
1. According to the speaker, many parents would like their children to have more homework.
2. Parents think that pupils shouldn’t have to do a lot of work in their leisure time at home.
3. A lot of homework has not been planned properly, according to many parents.
4. Greek parents thought their children’s homework was too easy.
5. Children do not have any homework now in Turkey.
Questions 6 through 10 refer to Text 2
Text 2
GEORGE GORDON BYRON
George Gordon Byron a famous English poet was born in London in 1788. After the death of his father his mother left London and lived with her son in Scotland. When the boy was eleven, his granduncle died and the boy inherited the title of lord. At seventeen he entered Cambridge University and there his literature career began.
The poet became famous in England and in other countries when he published his poem “Child Harold’s Pilgrimage”. He wrote many other poetical works. The poet traveled a lot. In Italy he joined the Carbonari, a revolutionary organization, that was struggling for the national independence of Italy. In 1823 he went to Greece. He wanted to help the people of Greece in their struggle for independence.
In Greece he fell ill with typhus and died in April 1824.
The poet’s name is well-known in our country and all over the world.
Questions (on your answer sheet put down + if the statement is true, - if it is false)
6. George Byron was born in Scotland in 1788.
7. After his father’s death he lived in Scotland with his mother.
8. His grandfather died when the boy was eleven.
9. He wrote many political works.
10. In Italy George Byron joined a revolutionary organization.
Questions 11 through 15 refer to Text 3
Text 3
On the first day of class in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, there wasn’t a navel in sight. There weren’t any big or sagging jeans, T-shirts with big logos on them or tight shirts. This year, all of Philadelphia’s 265 schools have a mandatory uniform policy. Each school can pick its own style of uniform and students must wear the uniform to school every day. At the William Cramp School the uniform consists of white shirts, red ties and navy blue bottoms – dresses for girls and trousers for boys. Headmaster Adrienne Carpenter believes that uniform make her job easier. Philadelphia joins New York City, Los Angeles, California, Chicago, Miami and Houston. These schools hope that the use of uniforms will increase student safety and enhance learning. Not all adults think uniforms are a good idea. Some parents and teachers believe that children should be able to express themselves as individuals. But headmaster Carpenter and other pro-uniform administrators and parents argue that it’s easier for children to express themselves when they don’t have to worry about what they’re wearing.
Choose the correct ending of the sentences:
11. What was different about the first day of class in Philadelphia:
a) students wore mainly jeans and T-shirts;
b) there were big logos on students’ clothing;
c) girls wore tight shirts that showed their navels;
d) students wore uniforms.
12. Students must wear the uniform to school:
a) only on special occasions;
b) at the beginning and the end of the school year;
c) every day;
d) never.
13. In Philadelphia all uniforms are:
a) the same colours;
b) different depending on the school;
c) dresses for girls and trousers for boys;
d) ugly.
14. Which of the following is not part of the uniform at the William Cramp School:
a) white shirts;
b) navy blue dresses;
c) red trousers;
d) red ties.
15. Headmaster Carpenter think uniforms are better for children because:
a) children do not have to be concerned about their clothes;
b) children look better in uniforms;
c) children are more comfortable in uniforms;
d) children can express themselves less.
ROUND II Writing Comprehension Test for 8th form Students
Directions:
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. “Home! Sweet Home!” Describe your ideal home. It can be real or imaginary.
2. My favourite place for summer holidays.
3. A day I shall never forget.
ROUND III Speaking Comprehension Test for 8th form Students
Directions:
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. Take a deep breath and begin.
1. Imagine that you are a famous writer who has just completed your best novel. What does this novel tell others about you? What is the main idea of this novel? What problems are discussed in this novel?
2. Which of the members of your family do you appreciate most and why?
3. If you had a chance, what would you change in the place you live?
4. What do you like/dislike in people? Which of those qualities does your best friend have?
5. What day of your life brings you the sweetest memories? Why?
6. Do you have any special holidays in your family? What’s special about them?
7. If you had a chance to decide where to spend your summer break, where would you go?
8. What TV program would you like to take part in? Why?
9. What would you say to persuade your parents that the music you listen to is worth listening to?
10. You would like to keep a pet, but you don’t know what pet is best. What information would you ask of your friends about pets from their own experience? What pet would you choose? Try to come up with some rules for pet keeping.
11. On Friday night you are worried about the weather for the coming weekend. Where can you find information about the weather? What will be the weather at the weekend? Taking into consideration the weather forecast, what will you plan to do?
12. What do you think about teachers of English? Do you think their work is important? Would you like to become a teacher of a foreign language? Why? Why not?
13. Which of the school subjects will be most useful in your future career? Give comments on your decision.
14. Describe how the weather can influence your mood. What do you like to do when the weather is nasty? Does weather influence your performance?
15. What pictures of interesting places in Kyiv would you recommend to your English friend to take if you friend were to visit there?
16. Your English friend is going to come to Ukraine. What would you tell him to help him/her feel comfortable in the country?
17. You are going on a picnic on Sunday. Tell your invited friends the time, the food, the place. Bring up the subject of appropriate clothes to wear and necessary equipment needed for comfort and recreation.