Listening Comprehension Tasks

 

Thanks for inviting me tonight. As you know, my main interest is in conservation and I’m lucky enough to work with lots of different organizations looking after animals both in captivity and in the wild.

I’d been fascinated by all kinds of bears for a long time before I started working in this field. But it was the spectacled bear that really attracted me – some people find it appealing because of its size and shape, and it’s less well known than other types of bear, but for me I thought it was such a great name!  It comes from the patches of yellowish fur around the bear’s eyes which grow in a sort of circle shape, like glasses, although these golden markings vary greatly from one bear to another and may not be limited to the eyes – they can extend as far as the bear’s cheeks or even chest. 

I’d like to explain what we know about this bear, and why I find it so fascinating. It’s the only survivor of a type of bear that once ranged across America during the last Ice Age. We thought that it was only found in certain places in Venezuela and Chile, but I was thrilled to read some reports that suggested it might also be living in northern parts of Argentina and eastern Panama. 

It’s quite difficult to find spectacled bears in the wild because they are quite shy animals, and tend to live in a wide variety of habitats, which can range from dry coastal deserts to high mountain areas above 4,000 meters. They are most commonly found in forests, though.  Being such timid animals they tend to come out at night, which is another thing that makes them difficult to see, though, like me, you may be surprised to learn that they don’t sleep all through the winter as many other types of bear do. 

We’re not sure about the actual number of spectacled bears that remain in the wild, but it’s been estimated that there are only about 2,400 still around. The bears are endangered not so much because they are hunted by other animals, but what I find really sad is the fact that humans destroy their habitat.  Spectacled bears are quite small compared with other bears, and of course they do have other enemies – these mostly include mountain lions and jaguars – but they remain a smaller threat.

The bears are primarily vegetarian, and their normal diet is tree bark and berries.  On rare occasions though they eat honey, which I thought was just something in children’s books. I was interested to find that they are incredibly good climbers, and one thing I found really funny is that they’ve been known to sit up a tree for days – they make a platform – why? – I couldn’t guess, but they’re waiting for fruit to ripen so they can eat it! It’s quite surprising that although they rarely eat meat they have extremely strong jaws and wide, flat teeth. Very occasionally they do eat meat – something like birds or insects though they like small mice best if they can get them! 

We’re really trying to make people more aware of the bears, and we’ve made a television series about one man’s efforts to make people understand the dangers facing the animals. He spent a long time in Peru studying them, and has published a very funny diary of his time there. I hope everyone will read it, and support our efforts to help these fascinating creatures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Task 1. Listen to the speaker and decide whether these statements are true or false

1.               Angela says that it was the great name of the spectacled bear that first interested her.
2.               Angela mentions that the bear’s markings can be found on its back as well as its eyes and cheeks.
3.               Angela is pleased by evidence that spectacled bears have been seen in northern and western areas of Argentina.
4.               Angela says the bears usually live in forests, though they can also be found in other places.
5.               Spectacled bears behave differently from other types of bear during the winter, which Angela finds surprising.
6.               Angela is upset that the humans are the biggest danger to spectacled bears.
7.               Angela says that spectacled bears usually eat mushrooms and tree bark.
8.               Bears make a platform on a tree, which fascinated Angela.
9.               When bears eat meat, they much prefer small mice although they do eat other creatures.
10.          One man has produced an amusing funny article about the time he spent studying the bears.

 

Task 2. Listen to the speaker and choose one answer A, B or C for each question.

11. Angela is interested in

1.             experimenting with animals.
2.             protecting environment.
3.             writing a book about wildlife.

12.          Angela’s attitude to spectacled bears can be defined as

1.             disgust and neglect
2.             admiration and surprise
3.             disappointment and regret

 

13.          According to Angela, golden markings vary greatly from one bear to another and may be found on different parts of their bodies EXCEPT

1.             cheeks
2.             chest
3.             tails

 

14.          One of the explanations that it’s quite difficult to find spectacled bears in the wild is

1.             they prefer to come out at night.
2.             they can be found only in nature reserve.
3.             they sleep almost all year round.

15.          There are several reasons that influence the decrease in the number of spectacled bears. They are the following EXCEPT:

1.             the climate changes
2.             humans who destroy their habitat
3.             bigger predators

 

16.          According to Angela, the diet of spectacled bears may include everything EXCEPT

1.             berries
2.             tree leaves
3.             honey

 

17.          Angela mentions that spectacled bears are good

1.             runners
2.             swimmers
3.             climbers

 

18.          Spectacled bears make platforms on trees and settle down on them for a few days

1.             to hide from cruel hunters
2.             to wait for fruit to ripen
3.             to enjoy the view of the landscapes

 

19.          In order to make people more aware of the bears, Angela with her group made

1.             a television series.
2.             a scientific project.
3.             a radio program.

 

20.          Angela is trying to convey the idea that

1.             spectacled bears should be kept in captivity.
2.             spectacled bears should be resettled in safer regions.
3.             spectacled bears should be under protection.

 

 

 

 

Reading Comprehension Tasks

Text 1.

Read the text and questions below. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

 

You're hiking with a friend and then as you step over a tree log a snake beneath bites your leg. One thought races through your mind, 'If you get bitten by a snake, suck out the venom.’' Terrified, you turn to your friend, but he replies, 'No way! Then we'll both die.' Is he right?

Most likely, your friend wouldn't die. But if he has an open wound in his mouth, the venom could enter his bloodstream, which is no help to either of you. So, venom sucking isn't a solution.

To understand how to treat snakebites, you need to know the difference between poisons and venoms. Poisons are toxic, in other words dangerous, if you swallow or smell them. Venoms, on the other hand, are only toxic if they get into soft tissues and the bloodstream.

So, if you suck the venom out of a snake bite, you won't be affected. But that doesn't mean you should do it! Experts now strongly advise against it. Why? Venom enters the bloodstream extremely quickly, and trying to suck it out is ineffective because it’s faster than your reaction. The best way to prevent the venom from quickly moving through the bloodstream is to remain calm, and avoid doing anything that would increase the heart rate.

So what else should we do? Well, be aware of what snakes are in the place you are walking in. That way you will have an idea which ones are dangerous.

 

1.               What is the writer trying to do in this text?

1.             Explain the dangers of snakes.
2.             Advise against walking in the countryside.
3.             Warn about certain venomous snakes.
4.             Offer information about snake bites.

 

2.               The writer advises against sucking the venom because

1.             it tastes awful.
2.             it is risky.
3.             it will hurt more.
4.             it will kill you.

 

3.               According to the writer, poison

1.             is usually breathed in
2.             has to be injected.
3.             is not the same as venom.
4.             is less dangerous than venom.

4.               If bitten by a snake, you should

1.             run to the nearest place for help.
2.             not move at all.
3.             try to keep cool.
4.             sit and decide if it was a dangerous snake.

 

5.               Which would be best advice leaflet for snakebites?

1.             ATTENTION WALKERS Based on worldwide data, millions die of snakebites yearly! Take your snake bite kit with you. Be safe!
2.             SAFE NOT SORRY If you like walking or are travelling abroad, GET INFORMATION on snake species. Be careful and find out emergency contact information
3.             WORRIED ABOUT SNAKES? Read here about how to treat your own snakebites! Very few people die from bites if they follow this treatment. Follow it step by step.
4.             ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SNAKES Snake venom travels slowly so keep calm. Only if you think it is a dangerous snake, move as fast as you can to get help. Read more about snakes here!

Text 2.   The Buzzard, The Bat, and the Bumblebee

If you put a buzzard in a pen six or eight feet square and entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of his ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of ten or twelve feet. Without space to run, as is his habit, he will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

A Bumblebee if dropped into an open tumbler will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

In many ways, there are lots of people like the buzzard, the bat and the bee. They are struggling about with all their problems and frustrations, not realizing that the answer is right there above them.

Decide whether these statements are true or false

6. A bird in a square box with no top can fly but cannot land.
7.  If a buzzard doesn’t have space to fly, it will not even try to do it.
8. The bat doesn’t fly in the day time.
9. It’s easy for the bat to take off from a level place.
10. The bat throws itself into the air only when sees the flash of lightning.
11. The bumblebee in a glass can exist and fly away wherever it wants.
12. The bumblebee always tries to find the way out through the sides near the bottom.
13. The bumblebee can die not being able to find the way out the top.
14. All birds need space to fly.
15.  Very often people see the solution to their problems which is very near to them.

 

Text 3.

Jennifer Lawrence is not your best friend.  Anne Hathaway is not your enemy.  I know, the truth hurts.

Whether we love them or hate them, we tend to magnify celebrities' places in our lives.

The fact is, feeling closer than we are to the stars is not unhealthy, at least for a majority of us. Through the media, reality shows and social networking, it's easier than ever to keep up with celebs in real time. That kind of access creates what's known as "the illusion of intimacy," says Cooper Lawrence, author of "The Cult of Celebrity."

The direct access that many celebs provide makes us privy to many details of their lives. And as Lawrence points out, many stars aren't exactly shy about sharing what outfits they're wearing, what food they are eating or what they are doing. We no longer have to rely solely on information from a star's publicist, but are given a virtual front-row seat to their fears, heartbreaks, successes and failures.

Most of the time, this behaviour is harmless. As Lawrence points out, the more common problem is with what she refers to as “celebrity worshippers.” Intense levels of adoration for a celebrity can be linked to depression and anxiety, she says.

 

 Choose the best option A, B, C or D

 

16.          The phrase “to keep up with” means:
    1.             to have a final opinion on.
    2.             to talk about the least important element of.
    3.             to make a summary on.
    4.             to stay informed about.

 

17.          The author’s tone is:

1.        superior.
2.        passive.
3.        conversational.
4.        Conciliatory

 

18.       In the author’s opinion, a fascination with celebrities is:

1.        fine within certain limits.
2.        a mental disease that modern society must combat.
3.        something of which we should be proud.
4.        very strange

 

19.          How would you define the word “magnify” as it is used in the sentence “Whether we love them or hate them, we tend to magnify celebrities' places in our lives”?
    1.             Look very closely at
    2.             Overemphasize
    3.             Enjoy
    4.             Contemplate

 

20.          The author gives all the following as evidence for why we feel closer to celebrities today EXCEPT:
    1.             the ease of access to celebrities due to social media.
    2.             celebrities disclose a great deal of aspects of their daily lives.
    3.             media presents details of celebrities lives.
    4.             celebrities have been personally involved in people’s lives for decades.

 

Text 4.     Potato Chips
       

Peru's Inca Indians first grew potatoes in the Andes in about 200 BC. Spanish conquistadors brought potatoes to Europe, and colonists brought them to America. Potatoes are fourth on the list of the world's food staples - after wheat, corn and rice. Today, Americans consume about 140 pounds of potatoes per person every year while Europeans eat twice as many.

One of our favourite ways to eat potatoes is in the form of potato chips. While Benjamin Franklin was the US ambassador to France, he went to a banquet where potatoes were prepared in 20 different ways. Thomas Jefferson, who succeeded Franklin as French ambassador, brought the recipe for thick-cut, French-fried potatoes to America. He served French fries to guests at the White House in 1802 and at his home, Monticello.
          On August 24, 1853, at Moon Lake Lodge in Saratoga, New York, a native-American chef named George Crum created the first potato chips. He became angry when a diner complained that his French fries were too thick, so he sliced the potatoes as thinly as possible making them too thin and crisp to eat with a fork. The diner loved them, and potato chips were born. In 1860 Chef Crum opened his own restaurant and offered a basket of potato chips on every table.

In the 1950s, in Ireland, Joe "Spud" Murphy and Seamus Burke produced the world's first seasoned crisps, Cheese & Onion and Salt & Vinegar. In the United Kingdom and Ireland crisps are what in the United States call potato chips while chips refer to our French fries. Ketchup flavoured chips are popular in the Mid-East and Canada. Seaweed is popular in the Asia, and Mexicans like chicken flavoured chips. Other flavours from around the world include: paprika, pickled onion, béarnaise, meat pie, Chilli Crab, Salmon Teriyaki, Borscht, Caesar Salad, Roasted Sausage, Firecracker Lobster, Roast Ox, Haggis and Black Pepper, Olive, and Spaghetti.

About 27 pounds of potato chips are produced from 100 pounds of potatoes. Americans consume 2-4 billion pounds of potato chips every year, and spend more than $7 billion a year on them.

 

 

Choose the best option A, B, C or D

21.          What question is answered in the second paragraph?
    A. Who invented the potato chip?
    B. How many pounds of potatoes are eaten per person in America each year?
    C. When were salt and vinegar chips invented?
    D. Who served French fries in the White House?

 

22.          The creator of potato chips was

1.             French
2.             Spanish
3.             Irish
4.             American

 

23. Who was Seamus Burke?
    A. One of the people who invented the French fry.
    B. One of the people who invented seasoned potato chip.
    C. One of the French ambassadors
    D. The customer who made George Crum angry.

24. Potato chips are called _______ in the United Kingdom.
A. crisps      B. potatoes    C. fries        D. chips

25. Which of the following is true?
A. Potato Chips are not really eaten very much in Asia.
B. Different flavoured Potato Chips are popular in different parts of the world.
C. Potato Chips are only popular in America.
D. Ketchup flavoured Potato Chips are most popular in America.

 

Text 5.

Dylan, at the age of 14, needed a bit of extra pocket money. He knew his parents were struggling to make ends meet so he couldn’t ask them to give him more. There was also his older sister who was getting married in the summer and they had lots of expenses there. He had to find some way of making a bit extra. After all, how was he going to buy all that electronic equipment he needed? Dylan wanted to make music, and he wanted to do it properly. That meant buying good instruments and recording equipment, none of each was exactly cheap.

One thing Dylan wasn’t good at was getting up early so he really didn’t fancy the idea of delivering newspapers to people’s houses before going to school each day. He wasn’t lazy – far from it – it’s just that he was more of a night owl, or so he told his mates, most of whom did a newspaper round. He never minded staying up till midnight to listen to his music, for example, with his headphones on of course! So anyway, he had to find some other way of making a bit money. His studies were going well; he didn’t have many worries there.

In the end, one Saturday when he was round at his friend Mick’s home, Mick’s father made a suggestion. “Hey Dylan, I hear you’re looking to make a bit of pocket money. How do you fancy washing my car for me every Saturday? The garage down the road charges too much and I’m not willing to pay out that much every week. It’s daylight robbery! Anyway, I’ll give you a couple of pounds if you do a good job. What do you say?”

Dylan, needless to say, leapt at the chance and made a date there and then for the following Saturday morning, not too early. What was good, though, was that his Saturday morning job soon snowballed as his other friends’ parents got to hear about him and ask him to do their cars, too! It seemed that no one had any time anymore to wash their own cars. And whenever it rained, Dylan made a point of giving their cars a special polish after the rain had stopped. That kept him busy but the extra money he made went straight into his savings account.

Dylan’s parents were happy for him but also concerned that he would abandon his education. However Dylan reassured them on that point: “Don’t worry, I’m going to finish school and get into university. I’m going to learn everything I can about music world. Then you’ll see what I can do!” And that’s exactly what Dylan did!

 

Choose the best option A, B, C or D

26.          Why did Dylan want to make some extra money?

1.             To help out his parents
2.             To pursue a particular interest
3.             To buy his sister a wedding present
4.             To leave home for travelling

 

27.          What does Dylan admit about himself?

1.             He won’t do anything if he’s really not interested in it.
2.             He would rather focus on his studies than have a job.
3.             He functions better in the evening than in the morning.
4.             He is a lazy boy.
   28.          Mick’s father uses the term ‘daylight robbery’ to mean

1.             the garage overcharged him for the work they did.
2.             the garage took money off him illegally. 
3.             the garage did a bad job and then expected him to pay for it.
4.             the garage workers looked like robbers.

 

29.          The writer uses the term ‘snowballed’ to mean

1.             Dylan had too much work and he couldn’t cope.
2.             the weather got much worse but this didn’t stop Dylan from carrying on.
3.             there was suddenly a lot more demand for Dylan and his car-washing skills.
4.             the neighbours preferred to play snowballs with Dylan.

 

30.          What were Dylan’s parents worried about?

1.             Dylan might never succeed in what he really wanted to.
2.             Dylan might decide to leave school to become a musician.
3.             Dylan might run out of money and be unable to buy more instruments.
4.             Dylan might give up his car-washing work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Comprehension Tasks

1. Which do you think is more important: to be disciplined and a hard worker or to be creative? Write an essay on which quality you think is more important. What are the pluses and minuses of being creative? What are the good and bad things about being disciplined? Tell about a time you used creativity or discipline to solve a problem.

 

2. You have been asked to write an article for your school magazine on the pros and cons of achieving sporting success. Why do people take part in various sports? Who of Ukrainian or European sportsmen you think achieved real sporting international success?

 

3. Though social media has many benefits and uses, there are plenty of social media problems that trouble us. What are these social media issues? And how do we deal with them? Should people be judged by their social media posting? How do social media impact teenagers live?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Tasks for Speaking

1.               Shopping is a part of our daily routine. What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping at the supermarkets, markets and internet shops?

 

2.               Some people say that they can’t live without their mobile phone. Give example of an item you can’t live without.  Why is this so important to you? What was your life like before you had this item?

 

3.               Speak about the film you have recently seen. What films are popular with teenagers nowadays? Why?

 

4.               A foreign visitor has only 3 days to spend in your country. What is worth seeing in Ukraine? Why is Kyiv (or other Ukrainian cities) worth visiting? Give your arguments.

 

5. It is said that learning more than one language allows you to “broaden your horizons,” do you agree or disagree?

•   How has learning English affected your life?
•   Are there any other languages you wish to speak? Why?

 

6. It has been said that the internet has changed the world for ever.

•        What do you use the internet for?
•        How the internet changed the way we communicate and gain information worldwide?
•        How do you think the internet influences culture and society?

 

7.               What person has had the greatest influence on your life?  Was this person in your family or outside of your family? Why was this person influential? What did this person teach you?

 

8.               What makes a person a good leader? What personal characteristics should a good leader have? What kinds of ideas should a good leader have? How does a good leader communicate and work with other people?

 

9.               What is your favorite room in your house? Describe the room in as much details as you can. Why is this room your favorite? What special memories do you have in this room? If you had the money to decorate your room, what would you change?

 

 

10.          Do you think exercise should be an important part of every person’s life?

•          Do you do any sports? Dance? Do you like exercises?
•          Can you see any difference in the people around you who exercise and those who do not?
•          What are the benefits of regular exercise?

 

11.          Holidays are special times when people give and receive meaningful presents signifying their love for one another.

•          What do you think is better: to give or to receive presents? Why?
•          What presents do you especially wish for?
•          Why do you want these things?

 

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

•          What is your least favourite holiday?  Why?
•          How do you usually celebrate your favourite holiday?  Why is it important to celebrate holidays?
•          If you could change one holiday, how would you change it?  Why?

 

13.          As the saying goes, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”  It is widely believed that parents greatly influence the personalities of their children.  Do you think this is always necessarily true?  Why or why not?

•          Which personality traits do you share with your family members?
•          What makes you different from them?
•          Who has made the largest impact on the development of your personality? Why?

 

14.             Talk about your favourite day of the week.

•          What day is it? What do you like about it?
•          Is it different from other days of the week?
•          What do you usually do on this day?

 

15.          Most people experience a great variety of emotions throughout their lives. Sometimes people even experience a variety of emotions throughout a single day. Why do you think human beings experience such a range of emotions?

•          Do you think that some emotions are more powerful or important than other emotions? If so, which emotions are more important or less important?  Why?
•          If you could keep yourself from ever feeling a particular emotion of your choice, which emotion would you never feel? Why?
•          Do you think emotions are an evolutionary advantage or disadvantage?  Why?

 

16.          There are many different forms of art. In your opinion which is the best art form?  Why?

•                      What do you believe is the purpose of art?
•                      What is the role of art in society?
•                      Do you think that one specific form of art requires more talent to create or perform than other forms of art? Why or why not?

 

17.          Technology is developing rapidly. What advancements in technology do you find most exciting?

•                      Are there any advancements in technology that you worry about? How has life been improved due to the progress in technology? Has technology broken in life in any way? If you could invent one thing, what would it be and why?

 

18.          How important is it for people to be able to travel abroad to other countries? (For work or studying, for leisure, for immigrating to start a new life)

-What do you think people discover and learn through travel?

-  Is it important for people to experience and learn about other cultures? Why? What are the possible challenges and dangers of travel? What country would you most want to visit and why.

 

19. People have bad and good habits. Do you have any bad habits? 

- What good habits do you most admire?

- How can we develop a good habit? How can we get rid of bad habits?

 - Which habit is the most important for parents to set as an example of for their children?

 

20.          Ukrainian teenagers often have responsibilities at school and home.

-What are some of your responsibilities at school? At home?

- Discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of working hard at school and home.

- How does age affect your responsibilities?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KEYS

 

Listening Comprehension Tasks
Task 1
1	T
2	F
3	F
4	T
5	T
6	T
7	F
8	T
9	T
10	F
Task 2
11	B
12	B
13	C
14	A
15	A
16	B
17	C
18	B
19	A
20	C
Reading Comprehension Tasks
Text 1
1	D
2	B
3	C
4	C
5	B
Text 2
6	F
7	T
8	T
9	F
10	F
11	F
12	T
13	T
14	T
15	T
Text 3
16	D
17	C
18	A
19	B
20	D
Text 4
21	D
22	D
23	B
24	A
25	B
Text 5
26	B
27	C
28	A
29	C
30	B