EXAMINATION CARD № 2

EXAMINATION CARD№1

I. READING

Read the text given below. Choose the most suitable heading from the list (A–F) for each part (1–5). There is one heading you do not need to use.

A A watery grave.

B Running out of time.

C Choking to death.

D Nature can heal.

E No trees – no life.

F We can do it!

We have spent thousands of years fighting for our survival. Yet now we have discovered that our planet is under threat and, to make matters worse, it’s all our fault.

(1) .....

The rainforests are dying, rare plant and animal species are disappearing, rivers and seas are being contaminated, crops are failing to grow, people are dying of hunger and the air is being polluted. It’s time we woke up to these problems and started repairing the damage.

(2) .....

One of the major problems is the destruction of the rainforests in South America. They are home to half the world’s species and to millions of people. Moreover, the rainforests clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen. The trees are being cut down for paper or to make room for cattle farms. As a result, birds and animals lose their homes and die. This destruction is also bringing about changes in the climate, air pollution, flooding, drought and famine. If we continue to burn and cut down the rainforests as we are doing now, the earth will never be the same again.

(3) ....

Another big problem is water pollution. Do you like swimming in the sea or drinking a cool glass of water on a hot day? These simple pleasures may soon become a thing of the past. Factories are polluting our rivers and lakes with dangerous chemicals. Oil tankers are releasing thick, black oil into our oceans. Tons and tons of industrial and domestic waste are poured into our seas. Consequently, sea life is threatened with extinction.

(4) .....

Air pollution is another important issue. The cars and factories in and around our cities are giving off dangerous fumes. In the past few years, more and more people than ever before have developed allergies and breathing problems. If we don’t do something now, our cities will become impossible to live in.

(5) .....

Fortunately, it is not too late to solve these problems. We have the time, the money and even the technology to prepare the way for a better, cleaner and safer future. We can plant trees and adopt animals. We can create parks for endangered species. We can put pressure on those in power to take action. Together we can save our planet. All we need to do is open our eyes and act immediately.

II. USE OF ENGLISH

For questions 1–6, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap.

The most frustrating part of being a tour guide is guiding people who don’t understand what they have got themselves into. After so many years at this (1) ....., I have realised that people travel to different places without taking their interests into account. For instance, if you need to go to a museum at home, what makes you think you will (2) ..... one in another country and not be (3) .....?

I lead wildlife tours and some people turn (4) ..... not to be interested in wildlife and constantly complain about walking in the woods! Well, what can you say?

It’s amazing how many people (5) ..... or don’t read the literature at all and (6) ..... for something completely different.

III. WRITING

You’ve received a letter from your English pen-friend in which he asks you what you would like to achieve after you leave school. Write him / her a reply letter (100 words) answering his / her questions:

•Is success important to you? Why? / Why not?

•Does success mean the same as happiness? Why? / Why not?

EXAMINATION CARD № 2

I. READING

Read the text given below. For questions (1–4)choose the best answers (A, B, C, D)

Right now, I am looking at a shelf full of relics, a collection of has-beens, old-timers, antiques, fossils. Right now I am looking at a shelf full of books. Yes, that’s right. If you have some spare cash (the going rate is about $89) and are looking to enhance your reading experience, then I highly suggest you consider purchasing an e-reader. E-readers are replacing the books of old, and I welcome them with open arms (as you should).

An e-reader is a device that allows you to read e-books. An e-book is a book-length publication in digital form, consisting of the text, images, or both, and produced on, published through, and readable on computers or other electronic devices. Sometimes the equivalent of a conventional printed book, e-books can also be born digital. The Oxford Dictionary of English defines the e-book as “an electronic version of a printed book,” but e-books can and do exist without any printed equivalent.

So now you know what an e-reader is. But you still may be wondering why they put printed books to shame. E-readers are superior to printed books because they save space, are environmentally friendly, and provide helpful reading tips and tools that printed books do not.

E-readers are superior to printed books because they save space. The average e-reader can store thousands of digital books, providing a veritable library at your fingertips. What is more, being the size and weight of a thin hardback, the e-reader itself is easy to hold and can fit in a pocketbook or briefcase easily.

In addition, e-readers are superior to books because they are environmentally friendly. The average novel is about 300 pages long. So, if a novel is printed 1000 times, it will use 300,000 pieces of paper. That’s a lot of paper! For example, the Harry Potter book series has sold over 450 million copies. That’s about 2 million trees! Since e-readers use no trees, they represent a significant amount of preservation in terms of the environment and its resources.

Finally, e-readers are superior to books because they provide helpful reading tips and tools that printed books do not. The typical e-reader allows its user to customize letter size, font, and line spacing. It also allows highlighting and electronic bookmarking. While these are all nice features, perhaps the most helpful of all is the ability to get dictionary definitions at the touch of a finger.

It can be seen that e-readers are superior to printed books. They save space, are environmentally friendly, and provide helpful reading tips and tools that printed books do not.

1. In paragraph 1 the words “relics”, “has-beens”, “old-timers”, “antiques”, “fos-sils” describe something

 A ancient  B useless  C outdated  D pathetic

Date: 2015-12-18; view: 2762