Examination card № 1

І. Read the text and decide if the sentences are T (true), F (false) or NS (not stated).

Today’s teenagers have more money and expensive items than their parents used to. Things like radios and bicycles that cost a lot of money a few decades ago are now mass-produced and cheap. And items that nobody even dreamed of having a few years ago, such as mobile phones and computers, are now commonplace. Teenagers are definitely better off financially.

Teenagers drive their parents crazy in many ways. Some of them spray their hair with amazing colours, while others wear clothes that shock their parents. They all want their own stereos, mobile phones and televisions. But these young people are not really behaving differ­ ently from the way their parents behaved when they were young. Many of today’s parents and grandparents will laugh when they remember the crazy fashions they wore. Those adults, who are parents now, fought with their own parents about clothes and lifestyles. In fact, teenagers have fought with their parents since time began — and no doubt they always will!

1.                     Today’s teenagers’ parents had less money and expensive things.
2.                     Not all teenagers could have radios and bicycles in the past.
3.                     In the past mobile phones and computers were commonplace.
4.                     Teenagers can buy everything they want.
5.                     Some of teenagers listen to heavy metal.
6.                     Today’s young people behave the same way their parents used to.

ІІ. Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

Big Ben is known as Great Britain’s most famous clock and one of London’s (1) ... known sights, situated on the bank of (2) ... river Thames and being an important part of the city’s skyscraper. It’s popular both with visitors and Londoners.

There is some misunderstanding as to the name itself. Some people refer it to the clock tower itself, (3) ... use the name just to the clock. Factually, strictly speaking the name Big Ben is the name of one bell, the largest bell in the clock.

Irrespective of the definition, Big Ben is massive. The tower is 316 foot high. (4) ... of the four faces of the clock is 23 foot square and the figures are each 4 foot tall.

There are some legends as to the origin of the name Big Ben. Some people consider it (5) ... about during the parliamentary debate to consider naming the clock — after Sir Benjamin Hall, who was known as “Big Ben” .

Another possibility is that the name referred to Benjamin Caunt, a heavyweight boxing

You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend.

...What a task — to read books all summer! And the list is so long! I like reading but the books I like are usually not my school’s choice...

• Do you like reading?

• What kind of books do you like to read?

•        Do you think an electronic book is a good choice when you’re travelling in the sum­ mer, why?

Write him а letter (notless than 35 words) and answer his questions.

Examination card № 2

1. Read the text and decide if the sentences are T (true), F (false) or NS (not stated).

Some things that may happen seem to be unbelievable. This is a story that happened once. Ann was sitting at home one evening reading a book when the phone rang and a female

voice asked in Italian, “Is that the book shop in via del Corso?”

As Ann was Italian, she spoke to the calling person in Italian and explained it was a Lon­ don number. Not knowing why, but Ann had that strange feeling that the voice of the speaker was so familiar for her. Anyway, she said, “ Giovanna, is that you?” The calling lady sounded really surprised and then she said, “Ann, is that you?”

They both couldn’t believe it. They were friends in Italy and used to work together. Ann moved to London five years ago and they lost touch. Giovanna didn’t have Ann’s new phone number because Ann moved several times since she first came to England.

It was so strange. Giovanna dialed the number of a book shop in Italy and for some reason Ann’s phone rang in London! Strange things may happen!

Her best friend is calling.

1. This story happened many times.
2. Ann is a student.
3. Ann can’t speak Italian.
4. Moving to London Ann didn’t communicate with Giovanna.
5. Giovanna knows Ann ’ s phone number.
6. Strange things never happen.

2. Read the text below. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

1. couple of years ago my Father got a new job. A town where he got it was 100 km from our home. My parents (1)... we would have to move, because it took much time for Father to come to his working place every day.

When they (2) ... me about their plan I was upset because I enjoyed my home and school. I was sure I would (3) ... all my friends and teachers a lot.

Well, half a year (4) ... that, we moved to another town. The house was more comfortable than the old one, and (5) ... my bedroom window I could see the sea.

I was worried about the first day at my new school. I felt really (6) ... about meeting new classmates and teachers. But when I got there everyone was great! My class teacher was nice and I made friends with some girls from my class. Changing home isn’t that bad, after all!

You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend.

...My best friend had a birthday party last weekend. We went on a picnic. There were many guests and it was great.

• And when is your birthday?
• How do you usually celebrate it?
• What present would you like to get for your next birthday?

Write him a letter [not less than 35 words) and answer his questions.

Examination card № 3

Task I. Read the text and decide if the sentences are T (true) or F (false).

There exists an idea that the life of Japanese people, on average, is much longer than that of the Europeans. It may be considered that this happens due to the food eaten by most Japa­ nese people since childhood. As to their life-style, one shouldn’t consider modern Japan life less stressful than that of people living in the west.

The Japanese fish and rice diet is largely what they live on. Traditionally at lunch-time a typical Japanese family will eat at least twice as many vegetables as people do in Europe.

If to compare them with Europeans, the Japanese consume far less meat and fewer pota­ toes; at the same time, they eat seven times more fresh fish than Europeans which makes their diet much healthier.

Needless to say that, on average, the Japanese use far less sugar than Europeans, though the modern Japanese who often visit Europe on business, sightseeing or for pleasure, discover the good and bad sides of western-style eating habits.

1. Europeans consider they live longer than the Japanese.
2. The Japanese experience more stress than western people.
3. The Japanese diet differs from the European one.
4. Europeans eat more vegetables than the Japanese.
5. When in Europe, the Japanese discover the bad sides of western national food.
6. Western-style eating habits are perfect.

Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

Turtles spend most of their life (1) ... the sea. They have a hard shell over their body and they can pull their head, arms and legs inside the shell (2) ... they are in danger. Turtles (3) ...

live for one hundred years and grow up to two metres long. (4)... year, the mother turtle swims to a beach to lay her eggs. (5) ... a month later, the eggs break open and the baby turtles (6) ... to get into the sea. They are very small and many have problems getting to the water.

Several years later, these baby turtles will return to the same beach to lay their eggs. Peo­ ple think they find the way by following the light from the moon or the stars.

Write back an e-mail to your pen friend (not less than 35 words) who has written to you and answer his/her 3 questions. This is a part of it:

... I ’m having a very busy time now as I have to get ready for my exams. As far as I know all students in Ukraine have to take school exams too...

• When are you going to have your exams?

• What exams have you chosen and why?

• How do you prepare for the exam

Examination card № 4

Task I. Read the text and decide if the sentences are T (true), F (false) or NS (not stated).

The famous American writer Mark Twain was a great humorist not only in his books but also in life. Once, staying in England he decided to see the horse races not far away from Lon­ don. Walking to the station after the races, he met a friend of his.

As the man had lost all his money at the races he asked the writer to buy him a railway ticket to London.

“ You see, old boy” , said Mark Twain. “Sorry, I haven’t got enough money for two tickets. But don’t worry; I ’ve got a perfect idea. W ait for me here. I ’ll buy a ticket for me and you can travel hiding under my seat” .

When the writer came back from the ticket-office, they found an empty compartment and Mark Twain’s friend got under the seat. When the train had moved, the conductor started checking the tickets. He asked, “Could you show the ticket to me, please?” The writer handed him two tickets.

Looking round the empty compartment, the conductor asked who the second ticket be­ longed to. “Oh, it’s my friend’s” , replied the joker, “he’s hiding under his seat. You see, he’s a little bit strange and likes travelling like that” .

1. Mark Twain came to London on business.

2. The friend had enough money to travel back.

3. The writer bought two tickets.

4. The inspector noticed two men in the compartment.

5. All of them laughed at this joke.

6. Nobody laughed at this joke.

Task II. Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

There exist (1) ... different kinds of computer games. Usual games are quick and easy to play. People can choose and play the game (2) ... they have a spare minute or two. You can find them on your mobile phone, on your computer and even on your television. They include popular games like Solitaire and Spider. (3) ... type of games is serious games. These games are designed to teach players something useful. One of the longest running serious games are the Microsoft Flight Simulator. It was made in 1982 and since then, many (4) ... have used it to learn to fly planes. Other games teach police and fire fighters what to do in a(n) (5) ... case.

Language learning software does not typically fall into this (6) ..., however. These are edu­ cational games. In recent years, an increasing number of games have been created to improve the player’s skills and knowledge. They help younger kids learn to count and spell, and teach older kids mathematics and technology.

You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend.

...I’ve just been to Australia. I saw kangaroos and koalas! I even learned surfing at one of the Australian beaches! That was unbelievable! I definitely want to go there again!

•                                        Where did you spend your last summer?
•                                        What did you like most about it?
•                                        Which country would you like to visit one day, why?

Write a letter (not less than 35 words) and answer his/her 3 questions.

Examination card № 5

Task I. Read the text and decide if the sentences are T (true), F (false) or NS (not stated).

How to become a good pianist? This story will give the answer.

When I was a little boy, my parents did not have enough money to send one child to a pri­ vate piano lesson — it was expensive — and my older sister was the one to be sent. It seemed like having some privilege that I was not going to get, so I behaved badly for several days.

I was four years old. A t last my Dad agreed and said that I could go. A fter a couple of les­ sons I wanted to quit, because I didn’t know you were supposed to practice every day. So I said, “Thanks, Dad, but now I don’t want to learn playing” , and he said, “Oh no, it won’t do” .

A t 11 years old I started studying at the musical college. And there the things changed.

I started hearing things within the music then and seeing things between the notes.

Everything had changed. I could just sit at the piano for hours on end. I loved the sound of it, the feel of it.

1. The boy’s sister was the first sent to private piano lessons by the parents.
2. The boy behaved nastily because he was fond of music and wanted to learn playing.
3. The boy found the lessons were not fun.
4. The understanding of music came to the boy at the age of 11.
5. The boy was fond of classical music.
6. The boy was a good pianist.

Task 2. Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

People all over the world know Maxwell House Coffee brand. Here is a bit of history.

In 1873, a grocery salesman named Joel Cheek became interested (1)... coffee and made his own unique blend. Realizing that he (2) ... a fine brew, he decided to sell it. One of the South’s

3.     ... hotels, the Maxwell House, liked his coffee and began to serve it to guests; hence the name Maxwell House Coffee.

In 1907, on returning from a bear hunt in (4) ... Mississippi, President Theodore Roosevelt was a guest of the Ladies Hermitage Association at Andrew (5) ... homestead in Nashville, Tennessee.

He (6) ... a cup of Maxwell House Coffee'. Upon being offered a refill, he remarked on the excellent quality of the coffee and uttered the famous line, “Delightful. This coffee is good to

drop.” Apparently when Roosevelt talked, people listened.

Task 3 .

Your teacher has asked you to write a brief note (not less than 35 words) about your favourite book. Use the plan to help you:

• What is your favourite book?

• What type is it?

• Why do you like it?

Examination card № 6

Task I. Read the text and decide if the sentences are T (true) or F (false).

Long, long ago there lived in Greece a very smart man whose name was Aesop. He was the author of many interesting stories and fables. He enjoyed joking.

Once, as he was having a walk, he met a traveller, who greeted him and asked how soon he would reach the town.

Aesop ordered him to go. “ I know I must go,” ensured the traveller, “but I should like you to tell me how soon I shall get to town.”

“Go,” Aesop replied disapprovingly.

The traveller thought that man was mad and went further on.

After the traveller walked forward, Aesop shouted after him, “You will get to town in two hours.” The traveller turned round in surprise. “Why didn’t you tell me that before?” he asked. “How could I have told that before?” answered Aesop. “I did not know how fast you could walk.”

Aesop wrote wonderful poems.

He enjoyed reading books.

The traveller wanted to know how much time he would need to reach the town.

Aesop knew for sure the time the traveller would need.

Task II. Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

Read some rules of good manners and try to follow them.

Don’t use a spoon for what can be (1) ... with a fork. Place vegetables, garnish, pasta on your (2) ... with the help of your knife. Cut (3) ... in small pieces to chew it easily. Cut o ff one (4)... at a time.

Don’t blow on your food if it is too hot; you don’t start a campfire (5) ... a damp night.

Spoons, knives and forks should not be banged against your plate.

While eating, try to make as little noise (6) ... possible. Don’t sip your soap as though you wanted the whole house to hear.

Don’t talk with your mouth full. Don’t pick your teeth in company after the meal even if toothpicks are provided for the purpose.

Try not to put your elbows on the table.

And, finally, don’t forget to say “thank you” for every favour or kindness.

Write back an e-mail (not less than 35 words) to your pen friend who has written to you and answer his/her 3 questions. This is a part of it:

Yesterday our teacher asked us to stay after classes. A basketball star came to us to talk about sport in everyday life. The way he spoke about being a teenager was funny. He said he didn’t like getting up early!...

•       W nen do you get up in the morning?
•       What do you do to keep fit?
•         Would you like to go in for sports, why?

Examination card № 7

Task I. Read the text and decide if the sentences are T (true), F (false) or NS (not stated).

Every year a lot of people come to Great Britain to learn English. They expect to find a pleasant stay there and come back with better knowledge of English.

That’s why choosing a language school is very important. How to make the right choice? First of all, try to learn about teachers’ qualification. They should know what the students need to learn, and be able to help them learn it. Moreover, the school should provide students with necessary material and the latest methodological and technological developments.

The most important question is accommodation. A good school always pays this matter a serious attention. Not less important is that the school must provide a comfortable place for students to communicate, offering them meals, coffee, etc. Some schools even have a cafe for socializing among students and staff.

The final way in which schools can help students is by making sure that they enjoy them­ selves outside school time. In addition, it is part of a school’s responsibilities to inform students about places to see in the town.

1. Good language school must provide students with qualified and capable teachers.
2. Students should be graded into groups of similar language ability.
3. Schools have to provide students with accommodation.
4. School must provide a comfortable place for students to communicate
5. Schools have to offer students comfortable places for recreation.
6. The school should arrange parties, excursions, entertainments.

Task II. Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

There are many stories about different people’s ways and habits. When we think how Eng­ lishmen behave, they are considered to be naturally polite and are never tired (1) ... saying “Thank you” and “I’m sorry” .

People are sure they are (2) ... disciplined. You think they’ll never (3) ... loud (4) ... in the streets and are never in a hurry.

It’s generally believed that they never rush for (5)... in buses and trains.

It’s a custom for English people not to shake hands when meeting one (6) ... . They just smile “Hello” . They say “How do you do” sometimes, but not very often, only to peo­ ple they meet for the first time.

Task 3 You have received a letter from your English-speaking peri friend.

M y granny is such a kind person. She always brings us presents for everything we celebrate. And I love all her presents! For example, at Christmas she gave me the coolest computer game, it was something I had been dreaming of...

•       What holidays do you celebrate with your family?

•       What is your favourite holiday and why?

•       What is the best present you’ve ever received?

Write a letter (not less than 35 words) and answer his/her 3 questions.

Examination card № 8

Task I. Read the text and decide if the sentences are T (true), F (false) or NS (not stated).

Charles Dodgson, an English writer and author of two of the best loved children’s books in English Literature — “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass” is known to the world as Lewis Carroll due to his pen-name.

His interests and talents lied in many fields. A talented writer, he taught Mathematics at Oxford. He was also interested in photography and music. He sang very well, played chess and enjoyed creating and solving puzzles.

Charles Dodgson was born on January 27, 1832. His family was large; there were 11 chil­ dren, 4 boys and 7 girls.

He was firstly educated at home, then at boarding schools, and finally at Christ Church College, Oxford. As to his boarding schools years, they didn’t leave good memories for him.

Nevertheless, he was an excellent student and studied very well in all his subjects.

In 1855 Charles became a lecturer in Mathematics at the college where he himself used to study. It is known that at that time he started his literary career and took his pen-name, Lewis Carroll.

The story about the adventures of little Alice became popular all over the world. “Alice in Wonderland” is considered to be a children’s story, but adults have enjoyed the novel for over a century together with children.

1. Charles Dodgson was a pen-name of the famous English writer Charles Dickens.
2. He wrote wonderful books for children.
3. Charles played the piano very well.
4. He started his education in the boarding school.
5. Charles Dodgson was born in winter.
6. Working at the college, Dodgson wrote his books about Alice.

Task 2. Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

Recycled materials are included in many products we buy. Things like newspapers and magazines, glass bottles and jars, food and drink cans and even some clothing may have been

1.    ... using recycled materials. (2) ... time we buy one of these products we help to support the recycling industry. The aim is that the product is used (3) ..., recycled and then used again.

One of the (4) ... in which we can help the recycling process is by saving our own waste. Over the next (5) ... of weeks we’ll begin a fortnightly collection of recyclable waste, from your home. A ll you have to (6) ... is put your recyclable waste in the box we’ve given you and put the box out next to your dustbin. The collection is fortnightly, remember to look at the sticker on the box that tells you which weeks we will collect it. Your dustbin will still be collected weekly.

A teen magazine has asked its readers to write short information (not less than 35 words) on how teenagers do sports. Use the plan to help you:

•          What sports are most popular with teenagers in your country?
•       Why do teenagers often do extreme sports?
•        What kind of sport is your favourite?

Examination card № 9

Task I. Read the text and decide if the sentences are T (true), F (false) or NS (not stated)

Baseball is known as America’s favourite pastime. Collecting baseball cards is fast becom­ ing another favourite pastime of Americans, young and old. It’s a fun hobby, and for some lucky people it has become a way to make money. Baseball cards can be worth a lot. Finding a special one can be like discovering buried treasure. For instance, if you found in your grand­ mother’s attic a baseball card with a picture of Honus Wagner of the Pittaburgh Pirates, you would have a card worth as much as 400,000 dollars !

Another excellent idea is to collect all of the players’ cards of a new team. Several years from now, your cards will increase in value. Some cards increase in value by having an auto­ graph, and it’s fun to meet the players as you get their autograph.

The first cards were printed in 1887. Then, bubble gum manufacturers included them with packs of gum, and more people began collecting them. Today the pictures are of players in motion. The player’s picture is on the front of the card, and all of his baseball statistics are on the back, including all of the teams with which he has played.

1.               You can buy, sell, or trade baseball cards in stores, markets, auctions and card shows.
2.               Player’s card sells for more in his hometown or in the area he’s from.
3.               Collecting baseball cards is a new favourite pastime only for children.
4.               Some baseball cards are of great value.
5.               The first baseball cards were printed at the end of the 20th century.
6.               Honus Wagner’s card is sold in his hometown.

Task II. Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

Two men were travelling in a very wild part of America. They saw no modern houses and no traces of civilization for (1) ... days.

One day they met an old Indian who hunted animals. He was very (2)... and knew every­ thing about the forest and the animals living in it. He could also (3) ... English quite well.

“Can you tell us what the weather (4) ... be like during the next few days?” one of the two 5)... asked him. “Oh, yes,” he said. “There will be snow for a day or two, but then the sunshine will come again and the weather will be fine.”

“These old Indians seem to know more about Nature (6) ... we with all our science,” said the man to his friend. Then he turned to the old Indian.

“Tell me,” he said, “ how do you know all that?”

The Indian answered, “ I heard it cfn the radio.”

Task3 Write back an e-mail (not less than 35 words) to your pen friend who has written to you and answer his/her 3 questions. This is a part of it:

... Last year I started learning Ukrainian. I t ’s a very difficult language but I ’m trying my best. I ’d like to come to Ukraine one day to practise it. ...

• Which season would you recommend for the trip?
• What places are worth seeing in Ukraine?
• What region would you recommend to visit, why?

Examination card № 10

Task I. Read the text and decide if the sentences are T (true) or F (false).

There was a performance at a London theatre in which there was a storm at sea. Some boys were shouting and running under a large piece of green cloth to make that storm. Each boy received a shilling a night for his work. People enjoyed the performance and a lot of people visited the theatre when the performance was on.

But the theatre director wanted to make still more money from these performances and he decided to make the boys’ pay lower. So he said that he would pay not a shilling but a sixpence for their work. Such conditions didn’t suit the boys and they decided not to accept them.

So during the next performance, when the storm was to begin the boys began to shout but they were not running under the cloth. So nobody could see any storm at sea. The theatre director ran to them, looked under the cloth and asked, “ What’s the matter? Why aren’t you making any storm?” One of the boys asked him, “Do you want a sixpence or a shilling storm?” “A ll right, all right,” the director said, “I ’ll give you a shilling a night, only give me a good storm.” The storm began, and everybody thought that they had never seen betterstorm

before.

1.           The boys were shouting under a small carpet.

2. The theatre director decided to lower the payment because the performance was not successful.

3.           The boys only shouted after the payment became lower.
4.           The boys decided not to make the storm because they were tired.
5.           The storm was very heavy.
6.           The theatre director asked them to do their best.

Task II. Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

The history knows a lot of people whose names left a remarkable trace in the development of our civilization.

Henry Ford was born on a farm in Michigan in 1863 but he did not like farming. When he was fifteen he began to work as a mechanic and in 1893 he built his first car. A fter he (1)...

driven it 1,500 kilometres, he sold it and built two bigger cars. Then, in 1903, he (2) ... the Ford Motor Company. By (3) ... strong but light steel, he built cheap cars for (4) ... people to buy. In 1908, he built the first Ford Model “T” , (5) ... was sold for $825. He was soon selling 100 cars (6)... day. By 1927, the Ford Motor Company was worth $700 million. Early Ford cars were simple and cheap, but keeping things simple sometimes meant less choice. “You (7)... have any colour you like,” said Henry Ford of the Model T, “ as long as it’s black.”

Task ІІІ. You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend.

...I’ve just returned from China. They were celebrating the Chinese New Year there. Lots of people were dressed like dragons...

•                   What holidays are the most popular in Ukraine?
•                   What is your favourite holiday and why?
•                   How do you celebrate it?

Write a letter (not less than 35 words) and answer his/her 3 questions.