test

8th Form Olympiad

LISTENING COMPREHENSION TASKS

__ Task 1 __ __ Are the following statements true (T) or false (F)? __ __ Task 2 __ __ Choose the best answer to each question according to what you have just heard. __ A. make us laugh, therefore lowering our stress. B. make loud noises that increase stress. C. cause the house to be dirtier, which is stressful for us.
 * 1) ** A certain amount of stress in our lives is a good thing. **
 * 2) ** Smoking cigarettes will help you to relieve stress. **
 * 3) ** Talking about your problems can help to lower your stress-level. **
 * 4) ** If you experience a lot of stress you should go for a walk. **
 * 5) ** A glass of wine is the perfect idea if you want to relax. **
 * 6) ** Pets usually have a calming effect on people. **
 * 7) ** Loud, irritating noise should be avoided as much as possible. **
 * 8. Everyone can handle about the same amount of stress. **
 * 9. Pets sometimes… **

A. answer B. cause C. solution
 * 10. It is important to find the ___ of our problems. **

A. eating B. laughing C. bathing D. walking
 * 1) ** All of the following can be good ways to reduce stress __except__: **


 * 1) ** You should talk about your problems with **
 * 2) someone you trust.
 * 3) your boss.
 * 4) your co-worker.


 * 1) ** Walking helps you to think **
 * 2) A. quickly.
 * 3) B. easily.
 * 4) C. clearly.

A. make higher B. make lower C. eliminate
 * 1) ** To “reduce” means to: **


 * 1) ** More people experience stress **
 * 2) every day.
 * 3) at some time in their lives.
 * 4) at least once per week.

8th Form Olympiad READING TEXT 1 __ Mecca __ Mecca is a city of about 200,000 inhabitants in Saudi Arabia, and lies about 40 miles east of Jeddah, which is its port on the Red Sea. It is the birthplace of Muhammad and the greatest place of pilgrimage in the whole Islamic world. It is estimated that each year more than 100,000 pilgrims go to Mecca, so increasing its tourist industry. This also encourages the development of numerous small industries and craftsmen’s workshops that produce leather goods and silverware to sell to the pilgrims. Mecca has always been an important crossroads for trade and although it was a religious center before the rise of Islam, both its religious and economic importance grew as a result of the new faith. The town is impressively constructed and extends down the valley along roads which are unusually wide for an Arab city. Its religious life is centered in the Great Mosque.

__ Are the following statements true(T) or false(F)? __
 * 1) ** Mecca is a popular place for tourists. **
 * 2) ** In this text “pilgrim” means the same as “visitor”. **
 * 3) ** Over 250,000 people live in the city of Mecca. **
 * 4) ** Mecca is an important religious and economic center. **
 * 5) ** It is popular to buy silverware and leather goods as souvenirs there. **
 * 6. The town is very beautiful, but unfortunately, the roads are very narrow. **

READING TEXT 2 __ Mandy Goes Shopping __ Mandy was so bored one afternoon that she decided to go shopping. She always took such pleasure in buying things for herself that she would often spend lots of money in just one day. She set out feeling really excited. After two hours she had bought so many things that she could hardly carry them all. The shops were closing and there was so much traffic in the streets that she could not find a taxi. She started feeling frustrated as the bags she was carrying were getting in everyone’s way. She was very anxious to get home, so she decided to take the underground. She took such a long time to find her purse among her things that people waiting behind her started muttering. When she finally found it, there was so little money that she didn’t have enough to buy a ticket. Mandy was so embarrassed that she just wanted to disappear. She left the station not knowing what to do. “I’ve spent so much money,” she thought, “that I’ve made a fool of myself in front of complete strangers.” Mandy eventually got home with all of her shopping bags after getting a ride from a pizza delivery truck. That day she decided that she’d never again over-spend while shopping.

__ Are the following statements true(T) or false(F)? __
 * 1) ** Sometimes when Mandy has nothing to do, she goes shopping. **
 * 2) ** Mandy rarely buys things for herself. **
 * 3) ** In the beginning Mandy was very excited. **
 * 4) ** Mandy took her bags home in a taxi. **
 * 5) ** The people near her were angry that she didn’t have her money ready. **
 * 6) ** She bought so many things that it was hard to carry them. **
 * 7) ** Mandy decided to be more careful about spending her money in the **
 * future. **

READING TEXT 3 __ The Power of the Mind __ Scientists have recently become interested in strange psychological powers. A professor at Edinburgh University is leading an investigation into the most mysterious aspect of the brain’s abilities. He has chosen a controversial and surprising subject- telepathy. Direct mind-to-mind communication is when one person knows what another is thinking. Many people have doubts that this is really a scientific subject, and the professor’s work has only recently received recognition. He believes that telepathy is a natural talent, but that some people are able to do it more easily than others. However, most people still believe that it involves some kind of dishonesty or trickery.

__ For each question, circle the best answer. Base your answer on what is stated or implied in the passage. Choose only one answer for each question. __
 * 1) ** Telepathy is direct communication **
 * 2) on the telephone.
 * 3) from mind-to-mind.
 * 4) with dead people.
 * 5) face-to-face.


 * 1) ** Where is the investigation being conducted? **
 * 2) In the United States.
 * 3) In Europe.
 * 4) In Canada.
 * 5) In South America.


 * 1) ** If something is “controversial”, **
 * 2) it is a new idea.
 * 3) people find it rather boring.
 * 4) people have strong opinions about it.
 * 5) it is a scientific idea.


 * 1) ** To “have doubts” means that you **
 * 2) aren’t sure about something.
 * 3) agree with something.
 * 4) completely disagree.
 * 5) dislike something a lot.


 * 1) ** According to the professor, which is true about people with telepathic power? **
 * 2) They are using trickery or dishonesty.
 * 3) Only some people are able to do it.
 * 4) It is not a natural talent.
 * 5) Some people can do it more easily than others.

READING TEXT 4 __ A Letter to a Friend __ Dear George, I’ve just returned from America after spending the summer working with children at a camp for the blind. I traveled to the United States by airplane and while I was on the plane I met some other people going to work at the camp. There were Germans and Italians and also some people from the Netherlands. However, it was the French who were the most noticeable nationality as there were so many of them. Once I arrived, most of my time was spent arranging activities such as music, sports, and crafts. The children learned to play guitar, to practice swimming, and even to speak French. Once the camp was over, I spent some time traveling. My favorite sights were the Grand Canyon and Lake Michigan. I also visited the Empire State Building and I loved Disneyland. I had a great time, and I hope to do the same thing next summer after I’ve finished university. Best wishes, Alex __ Are the following statements true(T) or false(F)? __
 * 1) ** Alex lived and worked in the United States. **
 * 2) ** The camp was for deaf children. **
 * 3) ** He met lots of people from Sweden on the airplane. **
 * 4. Alex spent a lot of time planning interesting activities for the **
 * children. **
 * 5. The French were the most noticeable nationality because of **
 * their accents. **
 * 6. The children at the camp learned to speak French. **
 * 7. Alex had the opportunity to travel a lot. **

READING TEXT 5 __ For questions 1-5, read the text below and decide which word A, B, C or D best fits each space. __ __ Why Are Broken Mirrors Believed to be Unlucky? __

Breaking a mirror is said to **(1)…**seven years’ bad luck. Although most people may claimthat they are not superstitious, they would nonetheless be a little uncomfortable if they did break a mirror. This age-old superstition is **(2)…**to have come from the ancient belief that when a person looked at their reflection, they were seeing their own soul. **(3)…** that reflection was broken, then the soul would be **(4)…**. The seven-year period probably arises from another ancient belief, that the body replaced itself every seven years. After this time had passed, the soul would then be renewed. Superstitions surrounding mirrors don’t end there. Break one in Yorkshire, and you’ll lose your best friend, and in America, it’s not bad luck to break one on purpose. If you do it accidentally, simply **(5)…**out a dollar bill and make the sign of the cross. In many countries it’s a commoncustom to coverany mirrors in the house with a cloth when someone has died.
 * 1) ** A. carry B. fetch C. bring D. take **


 * 1) ** A. possible B. likely C. probable D. apparently **


 * 1) ** A. As B. Should C. If D. Unless **


 * 4. A. disappeared B. crushed C. exploded D. destroyed **

8th Form Olympiad
 * 5. A. remove B. have C. take D. bring **

WRITING TOPIC

There is an old expression that says, “A woman’s place is in the home”. Do you agree or disagree with this? Why or why not? How important is it for a woman to be independent in today’s society? Explain your answer.

Speaking Topics ** 8th Form **


 * 1) 1. What was the proudest day of your life? What happened?
 * 2) 2. Some people think that it is better to live in a village than in a big city. Do you agree? Why or why not?
 * 3) 3. Which is your favorite kind of movie: Action, comedy, drama, romantic? Why?
 * 4) 4. What characteristics do you believe make a good friend? Tell about your best friend, and how you met him or her.
 * 5) 5. Imagine you are a guide. Tell some tourists all of the reasons why they should visit your city/town/village, and what to see there.
 * 6) 6. Do you think that soccer is a sport for boys only? Why or why not? Do you know any girls who like to play it?
 * 7) 7. Tell about a book that you read recently and liked very much. Why did you like it?
 * 8) 8. Have you ever been to the zoo? What do you think about keeping animals in cages? Is it a good idea or a bad one, and why?
 * 9) 9. Do you believe in luck, or do you think that people control their own destiny/future? Explain you answer.
 * 10) 10. Who is the person you admire most? Give reasons why they are so special to you.
 * 11) 11. Describe the best vacation you ever had.
 * 12) 12. Imagine that you are making a special dinner for your mother’s birthday. What kinds of foods will you prepare, and who will help you get everything ready?
 * 13) 13. You have just won a contest on the radio. The prize is an airplane ticket to any country in the world. Where will you go, and why? What do you want to see and do there?
 * 14) 14. You study English, Russian, and Ukrainian. Why is it important for you to know these languages? Have you studied any other languages besides these?
 * 15) 15. How did you celebrate your last birthday? Did you have a party? What was it like?
 * 16) 16. Do you want to go to university after you finish school? What do you plan to study, and why?
 * 17) 17. Which Ukrainian singers/ music groups do you like and why?
 * 18) 18. What are the best and worst things about your school? What would you like to do to improve it?
 * 19) 19. Do you have any hobbies? What kinds of hobbies are popular with Ukrainian pupils these days?
 * 20) 20. Where would you prefer to live: in an apartment building, in a house, or on a farm? Tell the advantages and disadvantages of living in each place.