Listening Comprehension Test for 8th Form Students Two Gentlemen of Verona
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- 1. Scotland is a good place …. A to become happy for months
- A August В a rainy season C spring and early summer D when you are at the age of sixteen 4. The Scottish troops … in 1746. A won the victory
- A that was the only road in the country
- … can be a lion. A young and old men
- A to be united
- A responsible and reliable
Text 1. ScotlandIf you're not afraid of the weather, Scotland can be one of the most beautiful and fascinating of travel destinations. The beautiful landscape and rich history could keep a holidaymaker happy for months. A great way to see the highlands and islands of Scotland is by bike. Scottish roads are reasonably free of traffic, especially if you keep off the main routes, and because it's not a vast country you can see a lot of it by bike in a couple of weeks.A friend of mine and I did just that at the age of sixteen, and though it rained for ten out of the fourteen days we were there, nonetheless we had a marvellous time. But the weather isn't always so bad. We made the mistake of going in August, which is the height of the 'rainy season'. Apparently the weather is generally better in spring and early summer.The route we cycled along was more or less the same taken by the historic rebel, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie when he escaped after his army was defeated by the English at the battle of Culloden in 1746. That's where our journey began. Instead of staying on country people's farms, we lived in campsites or youth hostels. And instead of deliberately taking a long route across the highlands as Bonnie Prince Charlie had done to avoid capture, we took a pretty straight course along the roads.1. Scotland is a good place …. A to become happy for monthsВ to have a trip C to learn history D to enjoy the weather
A it is a good way to see this small countryВ the traffic is heavy in the country C it is cheap D this is the only way to see its highlands
A AugustВ a rainy season C spring and early summer D when you are at the age of sixteen
A won the victoryВ lost the battle C did not fight with the English D lost their leader
C he did not want to be defeated D he did not want to be caught by the English
Lions are more than 1.4 million strong men and women, young and old. You will find us in more than 190 countries and geographical areas from the hinterlands of Australia and Brazil to thriving urban centers like New York City and Milan. We speak dozens of languages and vary in nature and customs. We share a common spirit. Since our beginning in 1917, we have been united in a single cause: helping those less fortunate. We are tackling the tough problems like blindness and drug abuse as well as diabetes awareness—and finding help and training for the deaf, disabled, underprivileged and the elderly. In fact, whatever the community needs to make life better, we're there to help. We are the youngest service club community based organization, yet we have grown to be the world's largest. We are succeeding because we have embraced all those committed to building a brighter future for the world and for themselves. … can be a lion. A young and old menВ anybody D young men
A many languagesВ one common language C only English D 190 languages
C to share a common spirit D to unite people
A elderly and underprivileged peopleВ disabled people and drug addicts C anybody who helps them D anybody who needs their help
C 1.4 million D only energetic
Marie Curie was one of the most accomplished scientists in history. Together with her husband, Pierre, she discovered radium, an element widely used for treating cancer, and studied uranium and other radioactive substances. Pierre and Marie’s amicable collaboration later helped to unlock the secrets of the atom. Marie was born in 1867 in Warsaw, Poland, where her father was a professor of physics. At an early age, she displayed a brilliant mind and a blithe personality. Many of her friends would even describe her as easy-going. Her great exuberance1 for learning prompted her to continue with her studies after high school. She became disgruntled, however, when she learned that the university in Warsaw was closed to women. Determined to receive a higher education, she defiantly left Poland and in 1891 entered the Sorbonne, a French university, where she earned her master’s degree and doctorate in physics. Marie was fortunate to have studied at the Sorbonne with some of the greatest scientists of her day, one of whom was Pierre Curie. Marie and Pierre were married in 1895 and spent many productive years working together in the physics laboratory. A short time after they discovered radium, Pierre was killed by a horse-drawn wagon in 1906. Marie was stunned by this horrible misfortune and endured heart-breaking anguish. Despondently she recalled their close relationship and the joy that they had shared in scientific research. The fact that she had two young daughters to raise by herself greatly increased her distress. Curie’s feeling of desolation finally began to fade when she was asked to succeed her husband as a physics professor at the Sorbonne. She was the first woman to be given a professorship at the world-famous university. In 1911 she received the Nobel Prize in chemistry for isolating radium. Although Marie Curie eventually suffered a fatal illness from her long exposure to radium, she never became disillusioned about her work. Regardless of the consequences, she had dedicated herself to science and to revealing the mysteries of the physical world. Pierre and Marie Curie helped unlock the secrets to the universe. The Curies had a poor working relationship. Marie Curie's father worked as a physiology professor. The university in Warsaw only admitted men. Marie challenged the norms of society by leaving Poland to go to a university in France. Marie met her future husband, Pierre, in Warsaw. A long time after the couple discovered radium, Pierre died in an accident. When Pierre died, Marie had to raise their three children alone. Marie was asked to find a new professor to replace her husband at the Sorbonne. 20. The Noble prize for physics was awarded to Marie Curie. For TEACHERS Listening Comprehension Text 9th FORM 2015 Who Really Discovered America? Teacher(T): Now, class… Can you tell me who was the first European to arrive in America? Well, Adam? Barbara? Who can remember? Yes, Luke… Luke(L): I guess … it was Christopher Columbus. He was the first. (T): OK. When did he arrive in America? Do you remember? Gina? Gina: Erm … 1492? (T): Correct. This is actually what many people believe. But have you ever thought that somebody discovered America before Christopher Columbus? For example, a group of monks from Ireland? Adam(A): What do you mean? (T): Well, according to the legend, around the year AD 600 a group of eighteen Irish monks set off on a journey into the unknown Atlantic Ocean. They had a leader Saint Brendan. They sailed in a leather boat similar to the ones fishermen use today in Ireland. Their journey was long and exhausting. They travelled for seven years, and faced all sorts of dangers at sea. When they reached the land, they called it Land Promised to the Saints. They also gave names to a lot of places they visited. Barbara(B): Can I ask a question? (T): Certainly, Barbara. (B): It’s very interesting, but how can I be sure that it is true? (T): Good point. First of all, as I said, it is a legend. But many European explorers and map-makers took the legend very seriously. You see, a lot of early maps use names which first appeared in the Irish story. Even Columbus knew of it – it was one of the things that inspired him to look for a land beyond the Atlantic. In 1970, a few people from Ireland tried to find out if crossing the Atlantic in a leather boat was possible and if the places in the story really existed. They studied the details of the monks’ journey, took the same route and found that the islands in the Atlantic from the story were there. Luke(L): What about the leather boat? (T): Well, the boat wasn’t very comfortable and it made the journey even more difficult. The sailors faced many dangers – icebergs, volcanoes, various sea creatures. But they managed to land in North America in 1976. It was in May. So we can assume that the leather boat wasn’t that bad. Do you agree, Gina? Gina(G): I don’t know. I’m not fully convinced. (T): Well, of course, there is no historical proof that Saint Brendan really discovered America. But this group of Irishmen proved to the world that it is very probable. Writing Comprehension Test for 9th Form Students In this test you will select from the three tasks written on the board. Choose one which you feel you are most capable writing about. 1. You and a group of friends are planning a street festival to take place in your town this summer. Decide what music to choose and what food to prepare. Think of invitations. Plan activities and prizes for children. Add your own ideas. 2. Describe your happiest year. Explain why you think it was the best period of time. Write what you did and what important events took place. Describe your memories of this period and mention who you would like to thank for that time.
3. Imagine that there is a competition in which students are asked to describe the way school should look in the future. You have decided to enter this competition and share your ideas. Comment on the following things: look of the school, its location and facilities, subjects taught and timetable, other activities. Describe use of computers and information technology, number and ״ type ״ of teachers and students, class and home assignments. Explain arguments for and against attending classes in this school. You are welcome to suggest other information.
Think up some mysterious animal. Describe it mentioning its weight, size, places of living, tell about its way of life. How do people feel about the animal? What stories do they tell? How did people come to know about this animal? 2. Many schoolchildren refuse wearing school uniform. • Do you support this rule? Why? Why not? • If you were offered to create a school uniform for your school what would it look like? Describe it. 3. One of your friends wants to do some voluntary work.
Suggest an activity that he/she could do. Explain the importance of the service provided by this activity. Decide whether you want to help out. Explain why you made your decision. 4. Which of these things would you like to do. Give your grounds. meet the islanders, live abroad for a while, write a travel book, learn another language ( not English ). 5. Speak about the greatest teacher you have ever had. - Why did you choose him or her ? - How did he\she influence your life ? - How can you use what he\she taught you to help others ? 6. Describe the most exciting day in your school life. Explain why it is so important for you. Say what things you were doing. Speak about people who helped you to make that day interesting. 7. Imagine that you want to organize an end-of-year party at school. Describe your planning the party and think of the following: - number of people to invite, where and when to hold the party, what you want people to wear, food and drinks, - entertainment ( music, games, karaoke singing, etc. ) - how long the party is going to be, how to inform people about it, - other problems. 8. Do you agree with the statement that being an only child in one's family is a disadvantage? Give your grounds.
What family are you from? Would you like to be the only child? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being the only child? 9. Imagine that you've joined the expedition to a distant place, e.g. a tropical jungle, a desert , the South Pole or any other interesting place on the Earth. After you've reached your destination, you call your friend or parents to tell them how things are going. Include the following information : - weather conditions, location, landscape, nature, - accommodation and living conditions, - people and relationships, daily activities, difficulties and dangers, - clothes and equipment used, other information. Do you agree with this statement that computers will replace teachers one day? Justify your opinion. Do you think computers can be better teachers? What subjects can be taught by computers? How will school life change if computers replace teachers one day? You are describing the most characteristic features of Ukrainians to your British or American friend. Speak about - our character, likes and dislikes, our traditions and holidays, things we are proud of, things we would like to change 12. You are an organizer of a one-day event to raise money for a local charity. Describe your ideas, preparations, etc. Use the plan: - what the charity is for, how much money you need to raise, how to raise money, - where and when the event will take place, - who to invite, what attractions to have, - who to contact in advance, what to prepare in advance, add your own ideas ____________________________________________________________________
- what type of film it is, - who your partner is, than describe your partner, - where the film takes place, what period of time it covers, - what your mission is. 14. What is the most important quality a friend can have? Why is this quality so important? Do your best friends have this quality? Do you? How can you work to improve on this quality? What activities do you find enjoyable when you are by yourself? Why is this activity so enjoyable to you? How often do you spend time by yourself? Do you think it is important to have time alone? Why? What kind of people like to spend more time in this way? Introduce a new school holiday. Explain why it is necessary to celebrate it? Describe its traditions. Demonstrate how it will influence your life. Do you think that money can buy happiness? When has money made your life easier? When has money made your life more difficult? Some people think that it is impossible to be rich and to have morals. What is your point of view? Give your grounds. You have just won 10,000 dollars, and have decided to take a trip around the world. What countries would you like to visit? What places would you like to see? Why are they important for you to see? Who would you take with you to see the world? ___________________________________________________________________ What is the role of education in our society? What are the advantages and disadvantages of educational system in Ukraine? What would you like to change and to improve? Who can help to solve the problems in the sphere of education? ____________________________________________________________________ 20. Choose a favourite holiday. • Explain why you like this holiday so much. • Tell a story from your life that illustrates what this holiday means to you. • Explain how your family’s traditions are typical or not, for Ukraine. 9th FORM OLYMPIAD 2015 Round I ~ Listening Comprehension Directions: In this Test you will carefully listen to a text read aloud twice. The text is followed by 15 tasks. You should do tasks 1 through 8 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 9 through 15 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). Christopher Columbus came to America in 1492. According to the legend, there were eighty Irish monks who first sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in order to discover America. Although the journey was long, it wasn’t very tiring. They travelled for seven years, and faced a lot of dangers. The legend is taken very seriously by many European explores and map-makers. The Irish legend inspired Columbus to go to America. In 1970, a few monks from Ireland, tried to find out if the places in the story really existed. In the 20th century, the European sailors faced similar dangers to those described in the Irish story. For TEACHERS 10th FORM OLYMPIAD 2015 Round I ~ Listening Comprehension WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE MOUSSE Mrs. Wilson's husband, General Arthur Wilson, had been retired for ten years when he died of a heart attack while playing golf with his doctor. Mrs. Wilson mourned her loss for a respectable month and then continued her life as before, which was taken up mainly with playing bridge and attending lunch engagements and cocktail parties in the homes of a group of some forty friends. General Wilson had left his wife the shares of a small engineering firm, and with the income they brought her, together with her not inconsiderable bridge winnings, she led a comfortable life. Mrs. Wilson was a good bridge player and a lucky one. Her other virtues were that she was an accomplished cook and avid gardener. One day she invited some women friends to lunch and an afternoon bridge. She was very anxious to try a new recipe for salmon mousse that she had got from the chef of an Italian restaurant and which she had found very impressive. About an hour before lunch she took the mousse from the oven... it looked wonderful... and put it in front of the open window to cool for a few minutes. Just then the telephone rang, and when she got back to the kitchen, she was horrified to see her neighbour's cat, Chester, at the mousse. She shooed the cat away and was fortunately in time to save the majority of the dish, and, as none of the guests had arrived, she rearranged what was left and put it in the fridge to go on cooling. Both lunch and bridge were a great success. Everyone was very impressed with the mousse and everyone asked for the recipe which, of course, lacking the Italian chef's altruism, Mrs. Wilson didn't give away. In addition Mrs. Wilson won heavily at the card table... so all in all it was a good afternoon. When the last of her guests had left at about six, Mrs. Wilson sat down in an armchair in the sitting-room, tired but pleased with herself. The armchair in question was just in front of the French window in the sitting-room, and turning her head she had a fine view over her garden and over her newly planted rose bushes. She was looking out dreamily when she suddenly caught sight of her neighbour's cat, lying in the garden... dead. A whole series of images ran through Mrs. Wilson's head. She made up her mind to immediately ring the doctor and explained all about the mousse..! about the cat at the window... and about its death. Without hesitating he told her to telephone each of the guests, and to meet him at the hospital as soon as possible. For Mrs. Wilson, the next few hours were the most mortifying of her life. Finally, by about ten in the evening, the danger was over, and she was again in the sitting-room... still tired, but no longer happy. Just then the telephone rang. Mrs. Wilson got up to answer it. It was her neighbour in a state of hysterics. "Oh Milli," she sobbed, "Chester's dead. He was killed by some maniac in a car and left in your garden."
In this test you will read three texts. Each text is followed by different tasks. You should do the tasks that follow the text on the basis of what is stated or implied in the text. For each task you will choose the best possible answer, as specified prior to each text. Choose the best answer and circle the letter of your choice on the answer sheet Download 428.08 Kb. Share with your friends:
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