Завдання для конкурсного випробування учнів, які вступають до 11 класу
I. Reading
Read four people’s comments about a recent TV series called Wonders of the Universe. For questions 1–5 choose from the people A–D. The people may be chosen more than once.
A I just want to say how amazing I think this recent TV series is. I’ve seen three of the programmes so far and in those three hours I learned more about science and the universe than I did in my whole time at school. Somehow Professor Cox brings science to life in a way none of my teachers could ever manage. Mind you, he does have the advantage of a lot of special effects to illustrate his points. I suppose it’s also the sort of language he uses; it’s really accessible. At school, the terminology was so difficult to follow that I used to switch off immediately, and I know I wasn’t the only one.
B What I like about this series is that the presenter doesn’t talk down to his audience, even though he knows a huge amount about his subject. When I listen to him talking about space and the universe, I don’t feel like a kid at school, I feel that he’s treating me like an adult. But he does seem to have a vast knowledge, and you can tell he enjoys sharing that knowledge. I’ve recorded the whole series but only managed to see the first two last night. I particularly liked the programme about gravity where he explained so well how the galaxies are attracting each other. It made me realise how limited my knowledge was, and also got me thinking about what scientists still don’t know or understand. It’s pretty scary to think about how small a piece we really are in the giant puzzle of existence.
C Having watched the first programme of the series The Wonders of the Universe I can’t wait until the next one. I’m particularly impressed by the visuals. They add a great deal to the professor’s explanations, and that’s something close to my heart. I enjoy playing around with computer graphics and I’ve done some work on amateur films but watching this has opened my mind up to the possibilities of other career paths; perhaps television work would be something I could aim for. Obviously, special effects are getting cleverer and cleverer, and in a series like this they are used to the very best. Overall I think it’s one of the best science series I’ve ever seen, and it’s a great marriage between science and art. I also love the way the professor sets his explanations against things we can see and understand, like when he was talking about the dark core of a dying star and the camera followed him into the darkest cell of a condemned prison in Mexico. Just brilliant!
D I missed the first couple of programmes, and then a friend said I simply had to watch it. I’ve never enjoyed science programmes very much; I’m much more of an arts person. Give me a series about books or galleries and I’m hooked, but for me, science programmes are usually quite dull, and I lose concentration quickly. However, I must admit that this one is a bit special! I think it’s the combination of a compelling personality (the professor looks much too young to be so clever, doesn’t he?) and some really interesting science. I mean, I’d never thought about how elements are produced or where, or what a red dwarf is. Now I know. Mind you, how long I’ll remember is a different matter!
1 Which person believes the programme has opened his mind to wider scientific issues?___
2 Which person has enjoyed the programme more than he expected? ___
3 Which person has seen more programmes in the series than the other contributors? ___
4 Which person has been inspired by the programme to consider a particular line of work? ___
5 Which person has a critical opinion of those who previously taught him? ___
6 Which person believes the professor avoids patronising the people who watch the programme? ___
7 Which person comments on the professor’s age? ___
3,5 /_____points
II. Choose the correct alternatives to complete the text.
My dad (1) ___ from his job last week. It’s a pity because he’d been working as a teacher for 20 years but he hasn’t been happy with recent changes at the school he’s been teaching at. Apparently, they’ve completely changed the teaching system. Whereas in the past people used to want classes to be as small as possible, this school has decided to go in the (2) ___ direction and have enormous classes of 70 or more students! I can’t imagine it. Of course, they don’t have just one teacher dealing with the whole class, there are several teachers working together with different groups. The authorities say that this means they can (3) ___ with different levels within the same class and target those who are weaker or those that need to be given more (4) ___. I was in a class of 30 students when I was at school and I remember how noisy it used to be, especially when we were trying to work in small groups. The school insists that the children in these classes (5) ___ much more progress than they do in smaller ones. They say that another benefit is that newly-qualified teachers can learn a lot from watching and working with more (6) ___ colleagues. Whatever, my dad doesn’t enjoy working there now and has left. I don’t think he’ll regret it.
1 A retired B resigned C left D redundant
2 A opposite B different C another D wider
3 A organise B behave C teach D cope
4 A competition B challenges C difference D homework
5 A do B get C acquire D make
6 A clever B developed C experienced D examined
3 /_____points
III. Complete the text with one word in each gap.
How punctual are you? I have to say that when I was younger, (1) __________ on time didn’t use to be important. I used to keep people waiting all the time and never considered how impolite this was. I was often late for lessons because I (2) __________ set the alarm and then switch it off when it went off and simply go back to sleep. I made arrangements with friends and then I would turn up half an hour late. I’m amazed people still invited me to things because I was never (3) __________ time. Now that I’m older I’m nowhere near (4) __________ irresponsible as I used to be. Thank goodness! I think it’s being at work that (5) __________ changed me. If I’m late now, my boss gets angry, and I risk losing my job. I’ve also lost so many girlfriends in the past because of my time-keeping that now I’m really careful about (6) __________ the house in time to get somewhere. And also, I think I’ve learned to appreciate other people arriving when they say they will. I don’t like waiting for someone for ages and so I need to be more reliable myself. Mind you, (7) __________ up on time can still be a problem sometimes as I often forget to set the alarm!
3,5 /_____points
IV. Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the verbs given.
A: Some birthday present! I expect I (1) ___________ (go) for a meal in town for my birthday! Have you been back long?
B: No, just two hours! I (2) __________ (hope) to see Mr Browne to give him my project, which I finished in New York. Is he around?
A: Well, his timetable has changed a bit. At two o’clock he (3) __________ (teach) Year 10, so I suggest going to Room 11 just before. He (4) __________ (be) pleased you’ve done it.
B: I hope he’s still pleased when he reads it!
2 /_____points
TOTAL 12 /_____points
Питання для визначення мовленнєвого рівня учнів, які вступають до 11 класу
1. What does healthy lifestyle mean for you?
2. How has the definition of health changed over time, and from culture to culture?
3. Do you think kids should be forced to participate in sport while growing up? Why or why not?
4. If you didn’t have friends, what life would you have?
5. How important is friendship to you?
6. What traditions do you hope will be carried on in the future?
7. Is it important to keep up with pop culture? Why or why not?
8. What event in your life would you change? Why?
9. What differences can you predict about food, culture, clothing, etc. in future?
10. What characterizes a genius? What examples do you know?
11. How does art affect human life?
12. How can art reflect our personal ideas? Tell us about a painting, a book, or a song that reflects your beliefs.
13. How can social networking sites be used as an agent of social change in Ukraine?
14. How important is your native language to your own cultural identity?
15. How do you think the “traditional” roles of men and women are changing in Ukraine?
16. What new challenges do you imagine your generation will face in the future?
17. How do the new forms of technology help us in everyday life?
18. What negative impacts has the loss of face-to-face communication had on everyone?
19. If you were the Minister of education, what would you change in modern educational system?
20. What high educational establishment would you like to study in and why?
21. In your opinion, what are the most important qualities a great teacher should have?
22. How do the weather and nature influence your mood?
23. What is the greatest mistake of human being in communication with nature?
24. Is it necessary to protect environment nowadays and why?
6 questions / 2 points each
Total 12 points /________