ОЛІМПІАДА-2017 

                                                                  ЗРАЗКИ ЗАВДАНЬ 


АНГЛІЙСЬКА МОВА

Writing Comprehension Test for 8 th Form Students

Directions:

In this test you will select from  three writing tasks. Choose the one that you feel you are  most capable to write about.

1.Write about an interesting journey. It can be a real journey you have made, or you can invent one. Include this information:

·        Who did you go with?

·        Where did you go? (to an island? to the mountains? to a foreign city?)

·        How did you get there? What means of transport did you use? Why?

·        What was good and bad about your journey?

2.Write about your favourite Ukrainian holidays.

·     Does your family have any special activities they do on holidays or birthdays?

·        Do you think it is important for families to have their own customs?

·        What traditions/customs of Ukraine do you especially like?

3. If you could become a character from any book or play that you have read, who would that character be?

·       Why do you choose this character?

·       How would you act differently that the character acted?

·       What time period does this character live in? How would you adjust to living in this time period?

Writing Comprehension Test for 9 th Form Students

Directions:

In this test you will select from  three writing tasks. Choose the one that you feel you are  most capable to write about.

1 What makes a person a good leader?

·        What personal characteristics should a good leader have?

·        What kinds of ideas should a good leader have?

·        How does a good leader communicate and work with other people?

2. Anna Frank said,” No one has ever become poor by giving”.

·            Are there any charities based in your home town? Describe them.

·            Do you/ your friends/ your parents give money to charities?

·            Have you ever worked or volunteered for charity? Write about your experience.

3. People are often interested in foreign people and culture. Which foreign culture do you find the most interesting?

·        Which traditions from that culture would you like to experience?

·        What are the advantages and disadvantages of accepting foreign traditions into your own  culture?

Writing Comprehension Test for 10 th Form Students

Directions:                       

In this test you will select from three writing tasks. Choose the one that you feel you are most capable to write about.

1.      “The activist is not the man who says the river is dirty. The activist is the man who cleans up the river”, the quote says. How do you understand it? What kind of person are you? Have you ever initiated anything to achieve any change in your class, school, or family? Are you a participant of any school project or a member of any activist group, for example, a school parliament? What are you responsibilities in it? What is your opinion of people who talk a lot but do nothing?

2.     There is no doubt that traffic adds to pollution. Public transport offers a possible solution to the problem. What do you think about public transport in your town or area? Is it reliable enough? Can you always be sure that you get to a necessary place on time? What is your opinion of making public transport free? What benefits would it bring? What action should the government or the local council take to encourage the public to use buses/trams/trains?

3. The world has greatly changed in the last 100 years.  What do you think   the world will   be like 100 years from now?  Do you think it will be a better place or a worse place than it is today?  Use examples to support your opinion.

                          Writing Comprehension Test for 11 th Form Students

Directions:

In this test you will select from three writing tasks. Choose the one that you feel you are most capable to write about.

1. In what ways do you and your friends use modern technology?

·        How do  the older generation in your family use modern technology?

·        Do you think today's technology creates any social issues?

·        How would you be affected if mobile phones were banned?

·        Why do you think some people call themselves 'technophobes'?

2. What aspects of your family's history have been passed on to you and would you pass on to your children?

·   What traditions do your family keep going?

·   How important do you think it is to study your country's history?

·   What will you remember about your history lessons at school?

·   Who would be your favourite person from history to learn more about?

3. How concerned are you about the future of the natural world?

·    What do you think are the biggest threats to wildlife?

·    What do you or any of your friends do to care for the natural world?

·     In what way do you think it is important to save endangered species?

·     In what ways are you optimistic about the future of our planet?

8^th form

Reading  Comprehension Test

Text 1

Directions:  Read the text. Tasks 1through 5 (on your answer sheet write the correct letter A, B, C or D).

What’s a Bruegel?

Many stolen paintings have a strange history. But one of the strangest was that of a painting by the famous sixteenth-century painter Bruegel, stolen from the Courtauld Institute in London in the eighties.

The four thieves who had stolen the painting, didn’t know how much it cost. The first art expert who came to see the painting said it was priceless and couldn’t name the exact price. The gang telephoned another art expert who told them that the painting was worth £2-3 million. They then tried to sell the painting back to the gallery from which it had been stolen. The gallery contacted the police and a meeting was arranged. The gang asked for the money to be brought in two suitcases in unmarked banknotes. However, the meeting didn’t take place.

A short time before the four were arrested. The police found the painting on top of a wardrobe. When the gang were told they were arrested in connection with Bruegel, one of them said, “What’s a Bruegel? I thought it was rubbish. ”

1.      Which of the following is not true?
A.  There was no meeting of the gang with the gallery representatives because there was no place for it.
B. The four thieves didn’t know the real value of the painting when they stole it.
C. Representatives of the gallery were asked to bring the money.
D. The meeting of the gang with gallery representatives was planned.

2.      What’s a Bruegel?
A. An unmarked banknote.
B. The famous sixteenth-century painter.
C. A painting by Bruegel.
D. A mark on top of the wardrobe.

3.      Why didn’t the first expert name the exact price?

A.    The gallery didn’t allow him to do it.

B.     He didn’t want to deal with the gang.

C.    He thought it was too valuable to be priced.

D.    He wanted to have the painting himself.

4.      What is the text about?

A.    The Bruegel’s painting – stolen and found.

B.     Strange history.

C.    London of the eighties.

D.    Stolen paintings by Bruegel.

5.      The word gang means:
A. a small but friendly company.
B. a group of persons going about or working, especially for criminal purposes.
C.  a room or a building for the display of paintings.
D.  a group of musicians.

8th form                             Text 2
Directions:  Read the text “Relaxing Sundays” and mark questions 6-15 True (+) or False (- ).

Actress Jenny Agutter talks about her Sundays on both sides of the Atlantic.

“Whether I`m at home in Los Angeles or staying in England Sunday is a day to relax, and so there are no alarms set. In California breakfast is fruit and yoghurt followed by pancakes and lots of coffee. Most of the morning is spent reading the newspaper, eating pancakes and pottering around the house doing things like gardening or tidying up. However, I don`t iron on a Sunday. My pet hates are ironing and washing up.

In the afternoon I go out on my bike – maybe to the beach, where there are lots of people around, and it`s very lively. Otherwise I drive into the hills near Hollywood and walk in the forests. This is really wonderful, because there are some beautiful waterfalls and it`s usually very quiet there.

Later in the afternoon I have friends round and we either have a barbecue or go out to a Chinese restaurant. In the evening I stay in and watch a late night movie or a video. I particularly love old Cary Grant films.

When I`m staying in England I stay with my parents, who live in Brixton, or rent a place if I`m filming. Sunday is still a late morning. I may have a croissant and a cup of coffee for breakfast but I don`t eat much because I look forward to traditional English Sunday lunch. I don`t mind cooking, so I spend the morning doing that. I love roast lamb so I usually have that, followed by sherry trifle.

Lunch is a time for seeing family and friends, so it usually takes a long time – eating, drinking wine and relaxing. If I don`t cook it`s nice to go and have Sunday lunch at a country pub. I really miss pubs, and Guinness, when I`m in Los Angeles. I have always loved walking since I used to stroll along the canal in Regent`s Park in the afternoon. I always leave the newspapers until the evening when I`m over here, and I buy them all – from the gossipy ones to the serious ones, I probably have just a light meal in the evening and again spend the evening watching television rather than going out.

I`m so busy during the week that Sunday has become my most precious day. It is one of the few days that I get eight hours sleep, which sets me up for the next week.”

6.   Like on any weekday, on Sundays Jenny is woken up by the alarm clock.
7.   When she stays in her American home her breakfast is rather substantial.
8.   Every Sunday morning Jenny cleans her house and does a lot of gardening.
9.   Jenny hates all the work about the house.
10. In the afternoon Jenny walks to the hills or nearby forests.
11. Jenny tries to choose quiet places to relax.
12. Later in the afternoon Jenny likes to enjoy the company of her friends.
13. In the evening Jenny goes to the cinema.
14. When Jenny is staying in England she eats little for breakfast and much for lunch.
15. The family lunches are usually leisurely and long. 

9th form                             Reading Comprehension Test

Text 1

Directions: Read the text “One Evening… “.Tasks 1through 5 ( on your answer sheet write the correct letter A, B, C or D).

One evening late in 1941, Colonel Montgomery of Scotland Yard, found himself standing before the members of the London Mystery Club, a group that enjoyed discussing mystery novels.

“Recently a stranger arrived in London from South America,” the colonel said. ”Our sources have informed us that this man is probably a Nazi agent. We believe that he is a courier of a great deal of wealth with which to finance espionage in Britain.

“A few hours after he stepped off the boat we arranged a car accident that sent him to hospital with a fractured arm. Our staff searched his clothes and luggage, which consisted of only a briefcase with letters from his friends in British Guiana. We considered a number of possible ploys but discovered nothing and still don`t know how he might be concealing something else a hundred thousand pounds.”

The members turned to one another and whispered for a few moments. Then the president turned and said, “Colonel, we think you have overlooked a rather obvious possibility: the letter from South America had rare stamps valuable thousands of pounds each.” 

1. Which of the following is not true?

A.  The detective problem of Colonel Montgomery was solved by the clubmen.

B. The arm of the luckless stranger from South America was broken.

C. The stranger came to London by boat .

D. Colonel Montgomery told the clubmen about the number of possible ploys the stranger might have.

2. The clubmen came to the conclusion that the stranger:

A. posted currency to himself and used stamps.

B. had valuable stamps.

C. had an arm fractured in the car accident.

D. was sent to hospital by Scotland Yard.

3. The London Mystery Club members:

A. coped with the problem.

B. enjoyed discussing the mystery novel.

C. were intelligence service men.

D. overlooked a rather obvious possibility. 
4. The stranger was:

A. a financier.

B. a Nazi agent in Mystery Club.

C. a South American refugee.

D. a possessor of a great deal of wealth.

5. The word espionage means:

A. counterfeit.

B. deceit.

C. practice of spying or using spies.

D. speculation.

9th form                             Text 2
Directions:  Read the article  below and decide if the statements 6 -15 given after it are True (+) or False (-).                                            Television Ration Box

Parents are soon to be offered the ultimate weapon to win the war over how much TV their children watch. Instead of constantly fighting to ration viewing habits, they will have the job done for them by a coded electronic device.

It will switch off the set once an allotted period runs out, leaving the child to turn to other activities such as reading or even playing in the fresh air.

The gadget, “TV Allowance”, was invented by Miami photographer Randal Levenson, a former engineer, who despaired of ever reducing his three children’s screen time. “There was a lot of anger in the house about the TV and Nintendo usage,” said Mr Levenson, 47. His response was to build the calculator-sized box which plugs into the TV.

The Levensons now use a code to set the four hours that Moss, 13, Cormac, 11, and Geddes, 6, can watch each week. Each has his own code and when his time is up, the screen goes blank. He can find out how much time is left by touching a button. The gadget, which will be sold in Britain for £ 49 this summer, also controls video games and the video. It can block out specific periods such as homework time and cannot be disconnected by frustrated youngsters.

“They’ve got their lives back”, said Mr Levenson’s wife, Rusty. “Not that they were total couch potatoes, but they certainly spent too much time in front of the TV. “The problem before was that we were giving up. We could only say “No” so many times. But the unemotional gadget can go on saying “No” for as long as necessary.”

“I thought, “Oh, this is really going to be horrible,” said Moss, recalling so the first time it was attached to the family set. “Then you get to live with it and get used to it. I think my vocabulary’s ten times bigger now because I’m reading more.”

But, being children and therefore devious, they have found ways of getting round the system, if not beating it. The set is switched off for advertisements and they barter with each other for TV time. They also decide which programmes more than one child wants to watch. Any time left over at the end of the week can be carried over into the next.

“It teaches kids time management and other business skills,” said Mr Levenson, who decided to market the gadget after neighbours asked him to make units for them. So far, 3,500 have been sold without advertising and he believes that is only the start.

“If I make money that will be fine. But it was worth it to cut back on the amount of TV my kids were watching. It takes about two weeks but then children accept the situation. They come to find that there are other things in life besides sitting and watching TV”.

6.Television ration box is on sales in many shops of Britain.

7.This electronic device will tell the child when she/he must watch television and how much time she/he must play outside.

8.The gadget was invented by a frustrated parent.

9.The three children in the family are allowed to watch TV for different amounts of time.

10.“TV Allowance” works with any television set it is connected with.

11.Children will not be able to regulate the device.

12.“TV Allowance” can discipline the children better because it has no emotions.

13.One of the children has enlarged his vocabulary thanks to the “TV Allowance”.

14.The children can do nothing to outwit the “TV Allowance”.

15. “ TV Allowance” helps children to discover that there are a lot of enjoyable things besides sitting in front of a TV set.

10th form                             Reading Comprehension Test

Text 1

 Directions: Read the text. Tasks 1through 5 ( on your answer sheet write the correct letter A, B, C or D).

Hot air ballooning is an unusual but increasingly popular sport.  There are about 2500 registered balloonists in Britain alone, and world-wide competitions attract thousands of enthusiasts.  It has become easier to enjoy this addictive sport too, as changes in the law regarding passenger flights have allowed commercial ballooning companies to offer pleasure trips for parties and festivals.  Most balloons carry 4 to 8 people, but some have been designed to carry more.  One of these is the balloon which set the world record with a flight carrying 61 passengers at 12 meters above the ground.

The surprising thing about ballooning is that it is a hobby people follow for relaxation rather than for excitement.  This fact is amazing considering that you are traveling in a large laundry basket 3,000 feet above the ground and that you never know where you will end up landing.

One thing that is so attractive is the simplicity of ballooning.  The simple mechanism of a hot air balloon has not changed since the French Montgolfier brothers designed the original one in 1783.  Balloons, since they go with the wind rather than against it, don’t have to be aerodynamic- that is, able to move through the air easily and efficiently.  This fact makes ballooning less expensive than you might think.

A basic balloon, like the ones 99% of balloonists have, cost around 7,000 pounds, plus 20 pounds per flying hour running costs.  However, if you prefer a more exotic design such as a fairy- tale castle in the sky, it will set you back at least 75,000 pounds.  These specially-shaped balloons are almost always used for advertising.  Most people interested in ballooning reduce the cost by joining together with like-minded people or by approaching businesses for sponsorship.

It is a surprisingly safe sport with the only problems occurring during low flying- crashing into trees, having to avoid power lines, and landing which is more like a controlled crash- after all, having no wheels you cannot technically land.  The site has to be perfect- a down-wind field with no crops or power lines.  Normally the worst thing that could happen to you is a few bumps and bruises or a sprained ankle.

Ballooning is not only about flying.  It takes two  ground crew and one pilot to prepare for taking  off and to deflate the balloon once landed. One of the most important jobs is that of the retriever who has to follow the balloon  in a retrieve vehicle wherever it goes.  The traditional habit  is for the retriever to give a bottle of wine as a token of appreciation to the landowner for use of the field for landing.

To become a private balloon pilot, you need to have a license from the Civil Aviation Authority, to have sixteen flying hours with an instructor, one solo flight, and to pass a written exam.  All this can take between three and twelve months.  If your pilot’s license is part of a business venture you will need another 100 hours of flight experience to gain a commercial license.  A little more practice and you never know, you might be breaking Per Lindstrand’s altitude record.  He flew 19,811 meters over Texas on the 6^th of June, 1988.

1. Why is it easier to enjoy ballooning nowadays?

1. It is easier to gain a pilot’s license.
2. It is safer nowadays.
3. Passenger flight regulations have been relaxed.
4. It is cheaper than it used to be.

2. Balloons are usually designed to carry as many as

1. four people.
2. sixty-one people.
3. twelve people.
4. eight people.

3. What is surprising about ballooning?

1. It is a relaxing sport.
2. People do it for excitement.
3. It isn’t safe.
4. It is very expensive.

4. Why is hot air ballooning cheaper to take up than you might think?

1. The mechanism of the balloon isn’t complex.
2. The running costs aren’t as low as you might think.
3. The gas isn’t expensive to buy.
4. They don’t need expensive aerodynamic structures.

5. What does a “retriever” (line 29) have to do?

1. Prepare the balloon for take off.
2. Follow the balloon everywhere it goes.
3. Help the balloon to land on the ground.
4. Write in advance to the landowner to ask permission to land.

10th form                             Reading Comprehension Test

Text 2

Directions: Read the text. Tasks 6 through 10 (on your answer sheet write the correct letter A, B, C or D).

When I was a little boy I had a passion for maps. I would look for hours at South America or Africa or Australia and lose myself in the glories of exploration. At that time there were many blank spaces on the earth, and when I saw one that looked particularly inviting on a map I would put my finger on it and say, "When I grow up, I will go there." The North Pole was one of these places, I remember. Well, I haven't been there yet, and shall not try now. Other places were scattered all over the globe. I have been to some of them, and... well, we won't speak about that. But there was one - the biggest, the most blank, so to speak - where I wanted to go.

In fact, by that time it was no longer a blank space. It had got filled since my boyhood with rivers and lakes and names. It had ceased to be mysterious, a white patch for a boy to dream over. The map now showed a mighty big river, forests, mountains. The river was like a snake, with its head in the sea and its body curving over a vast land. Then I remembered that a big company traded on that river, and to do this they needed lots of steamboats. Why shouldn't I try to get charge of one?

So I started applying to the company, which was a new departure for me. I was not used to getting things that way. The men said, "My dear fellow..." and left it at that. I then wrote to my aunt who had friends high up in the company. She was determined to make a lot of fuss to get me appointed captain of a river steamboat, if that was what I wanted.

I got my appointment, of course; and I got it very quickly. It appeared that the company had received news that one of their captains had been killed by natives. It was only months and months later when I tried to recover the body that I found out why.

The incident concerned a disagreement over two hens. The captain thought that he was wronged in a bargain over the hens and attacked the chief, whose son killed him. The natives left the village believing the death would bring bad luck. What became of the hens I don't know. So, it was through this glorious affair that I got my appointment, before I had really begun to hope for it.

1.      Why did the writer like maps as a boy?

A.    He liked all the details on them.

B.     He liked to dream about exploring.

C.     He liked to think about the people living in the places shown.

D.    He liked their shapes.

2. How would you describe the writer's childhood feelings when he looked at the "blank spaces" (line 3)?

A. He was fascinated.                                   B. He was frightened.

C. He was disappointed.                               D. He was bored.

3. How had the biggest blank space changed?

A. Some of the cities had changed names.               B. It had changed shape.

C. New towns had been established.                        D. It had been explored, and details were now marked on it.

4. How did the company react to his initial requests for a job?

A. They hired him immediately.                    B. They contacted his aunt.

C. They didn't do anything.                          D. They told him to wait a few months.

5. How did he finally get the job he wanted?

A.    He kept asking the company.                  B. He asked a relation to help him.

C.     He went to another company.                 D. He asked an acquaintance to help him.

11th form                             Reading Comprehension Test

Text 1

Directions: Read the text from “The Shallows: How the Internet Is Changing the Way We Read, Think, and Remember” by Nicholas Carr

 Tasks 1 through 5 ( on your answer sheet write the correct letter A, B, C or D).

The Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus, in his 1512 textbook De Copia, stressed the connection between memory and reading. He urged the students to annotate their books, using “an appropriate little sign” to mark “occurrences of striking words, archaic or novel diction, brilliant flashes of style, adages, examples, and pithy remarks worth memorizing.” He also suggested that every student and teacher keep a notebook, organized by subject, “so that whenever he lights on anything worth nothing down, he may write it in the appropriate section.” Transcribing the excerpts in longhand, and rehearsing them regularly, would help ensure that they remained fixed in the mind. The passages were to be viewed as “kinds of flowers”, which, plucked from the pages of books, could be preserved in the pages of memory.

Erasmus, who as a schoolboy had memorized great swathes of classical literature, including the complete works of the poet Horace and the playwright Terence, was not recommending memorization for memorization’s sake or as a rote exercise for retaining facts. To him memorizing was far more than a means of storage. It was the first step in a process that led to a deeper and more personal understanding of one’s reading. He believed, as the classical historian Erika Rummel explains, that a person should “digest or internalize what he learns and reflect rather than slavishly reproduce the desirable qualities of the model author.” Far from being a mechanical mindless process, Erasmus’s brand of memorization engaged the mind fully. It required, Rummel writes, “creativeness and judgment.”

For questions 1-5, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

1. Which of the following did Erasmus not  advise his students?

            A. How to remember more clearly.

            B. How to memorize better.

            C. How to annotate their books.

            D. How to organize subjects.

2. Erasmus encouraged people to do the following to books they were reading:

            A. Make notes at interesting parts.

            B. Make connections between memory and reading.

            C. Memorize them entirely.

            D. Clean them often.

3. For Erasmus, memorizing text was:

            A. A mechanical process.

            B. A way to keep a notebook.

            C. A deeper understanding and relationship to the text.

            D. A means of storing vast amounts of information about a topic.

4. What is meant by “memorization for memorization’s sake?”

            A. For no other purpose but to recall material.

            B. Contributing to a deeper understanding of the text.

            C. The process of analysis.

            D. To better retain his memorization notebook.

5. Which best describes Erasmus’ view of memory:

            A. A way to remember important dates and quotes.

            B. A part in the process of understanding something.

            C. A way to read better.

            D. A mechanical, mindless process.

Task 2

Directions: Read the text.

 Tasks 6 through 10 ( on your answer sheet write the correct letter A, B, C or D).

Once upon a time societies were organised on the base of religion, farm­ing, trade or industry. In many parts of the world today this is still true, but something else is becoming more important — the exchange of informa­tion, and the technologies that we use to do this. Twenty-four-hour news, e-commerce, international call centres, mobile phones, Global Positioning Systems... all these are making the world smaller and faster.

But how can everybody in the world share the recent technological ad­vances? Millions of people cannot read these words because they don't have access to a computer. They don't understand English either, the language that 80 % of the information is written in. They don't even have a telephone. They are more worried about how far they will have to walk today to get clean water or if they can feed themselves and their families. For most people on this planet, information is not a priority.

The contrast between the countries that have information technology and those that don't is called the «digital divide». Scandinavia and South­-East Asia have a high number of people who use Information Communication Technologies (ICT). Central Africa and the Pacific have almost none.

The United Nations is trying to make the information society a reality for most of the developing world. This organisation wants to see rich countries transfer new technology and knowledge to poorer nations.

Ten years from now, the plan is that everybody in the world will have a radio or television and that 50 % of the world's population will have ac­cess to the Internet from schools and universities, health centres and hospi­tals, libraries and museums. This will improve medical care and education, science and agriculture, business opportunities and employment. At the same time, they say, local communities, languages and cultures will become stronger.

Just a dream? Certainly there are some contradictions. Does only good come with freedom of information? If information is power, why will people share it? Doesn't more technology mean fewer jobs? And how can the exchange of information keep local cultures alive if most of that information exists only in one language?

It is much easier to get people connected to broadband or put govern­ment online in Europe than in South America or the Middle East. However, developing countries often leapfrog the process which richer nations went through, and avoid their mistakes. Brazil collects most of its taxes online these days. There are cyber cities in Dubai and Mauritius. And Taiwan and Hong Kong have better access to ICT than the United Kingdom. Maybe the English language isn't so important after all.

Can the world create an information society for all? If a farmer in Bangla­desh can read this in the year 2015, then maybe the answer is «yes».

For questions (6—10) choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D).   

6. The main idea of the text is that

A. everybody in the world shares the recent technological advances.

B. the exchange of information and technology development are extremely important for today's world.

C. many years ago societies didn't need the exchange of information.

D. many people cannot read because they don't have access to a computer.

7. For many people in developing countries information is not a priority because

A. they don't want to learn English.

B. they think that the use of a computer can have a bad influence on their health.

C. they prefer face-to-face communication.

D. they have so many problems in satisfying their physical needs that they don't have time to think about modern technologies.

8. The term «digital divide» is used to describe

A. the contrast between countries that have information technology and those that don't.

B. people who principally ignore ICT.

C. the regular use of ICT.

D. any digital device.

9. The main reason why the United Nations wants the new technology to be spread in developing countries is to

A. let everybody in the world have access to the Internet.

B. improve the exchange of information.

C. make local communities, languages and cultures stronger.

D. provide the freedom of information in every place of the world.

10. According to the text, one of the challenges of spreading the informational technology is that

A. the spread of technology doesn't obviously mean the growth of working places.

B. the local cultures don't need any support.

C. everybody in the world will have a radio or television

D. the freedom of information is utopia.

For TEACHERS

8^th  FORM                                Listening Comprehension Test

Directions for Teachers: Read this story 1 time to the students then after 5 minutes read it again.

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Christmas was a wonderful time in Brooklyn. Holiday feelings were in the air, long before it came. The first hint was seeing Mr. Morton going around the schools to teach Christmas carols, the first sure sight was the store windows.

You have to be a child to know how wonderful a store window looks filled with dolls and other toys.

The cold still air was full of pine smells and the smell of tangerines; which appear in the stores only at Christmas time. The mean street was truly wonderful for a little while.

There was a cruel custom in the neighbourhood. It was about the trees still unsold when Christmas Eve midnight approached. If you wait until ten, you might not have to buy a tree, because it would be chunked at you. That was literally true.

At midnight poor people gathered where there were unsold trees. The man threw each tree, starting with the biggest one. If a boy didn’t fall down under the weight of the tree, the tree was his. Only the bravest boys and other young men were elected to be hit by a big tree. The others would wait until a tree came up that they could stand against. The little kinds waited for the tiny trees.

On Christmas Eve when Francie was ten and Neely was nine, mama let them go down to try to get a tree. Francie had chosen her tree earlier that day. She had to stand near it all afternoon and evening, praying that no one would buy it. To her joy it was still there at midnight.

The man took the tree first. Francie and Neely stood at one end of the lane; and the big man with the big tree – at the other end. The man raised the great arms to throw the tree. When he noticed how tiny the children looked at the end of the short lane, the man hesitated.

 “Why don`t I just give them a tree, and say ‘Merry Christmas’, and let them go? What’s the tree to me? I can’t sell it any more this year and it won’t keep until next year. But then all the other people would expect to get trees handed to them, so next year no one would buy a tree from me.”

Francie saw the man raise and lower the tree. Something dark and heavy was touching her face. Her brother was standing near her with eyes opened widely.

 “Had they won the biggest tree in the neighbourhood?” Some of the boys cried: “Hurray!” and the people clapped. The smiling tree man approached saying, “And now get out of here with your tree! It’s my holiday present to you. God bless you! And Merry Christmas!”

For TEACHERS

9^th  FORM                                        Listening Comprehension Test

Directions for Teachers: Read this story 1 time to the students then after 5 minutes read it again.

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GREY

It was very  peaceful in the artist’s studio. The curtains moved gently in the summer wind and when it stirred the trees of the gardens, the heavy scent of the lilac and other  flowers came in through the open window.

Lord Henry Wotton was lying in a large chair, smoking a cigarette. He was watching the blue smoke rise to the ceiling. He was also watching his friend Basil Hallward, the artist.

In the centre of the room, clamped to an upright easel, stood the full-length portrait of a young man of extraordinary personal  beauty. Basil was standing in front of it, at a little distance away. The painting was nearly finished. A smile of pleasure passed across his face.

Basil and Lord Henry were good friends. They studied at Oxford University together. They were both about thirty years old. Basil worked very hard and was a well-known artist. Lord Henry, who was called Harry by his friends, did not work at all. He was a rich man. He spent his money on expensive food, clothes, and on valuable books and paintings.

Lord Henry pointed towards the paintings. “This is your best work, Basil, the best thing you have ever done. You must certainly send it next year to the best gallery in London. Everybody must see it.”

“I do not think I shall send it anywhere, ”Basil answered, tossing his head back in that odd way that used to make his Oxford friends laugh at him. “No, I won’t send it anywhere.”

Lord Henry elevated his eyebrows and looked at him in amazement thought the thin blue wreaths of smoke that curled up in such fanciful whorls from his cigarette.

“Not send it anywhere? My dear fellow, why? Have you got any reasons? What odd chaps you painters are! You’ll do anything in the world to gain a reputation. As soon as you have one, you seem to want to throw it away. It is silly of you, for there is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about. A portrait like this would set you far above all the young men in England!”

“I know you will laugh at me, Harry, but I cannot show the picture because it shows too much of me. It is too much like me.”

“Nonsense,” said Harry. “The picture does not look like you at all. You have black hair and a strong, intelligent face. But you are not beautiful. The young man in the portrait has blond hair and a pale face. And he is beautiful.”

“You don’t understand me at all, Harry,” said Basil. “I don’t mean that I look like Dorian Gray. That is his name. I’m an artist. An artist paints picture of other people. But I believe that an artist shows his feelings in every picture he paints. Each time I paint a picture, I show feelings that are inside  me. I don’t want people to look at the picture of Dorian Gray because I don’t want them to discover my feelings.”

For TEACHERS

10^th  FORM                Listening Comprehension Test

Directions for Teachers: Read this story 1 time to the students then after 5 minutes read it again.

When an old friend invited me to his house for a dinner party, I did not think for a moment that this would lead the way to doubling my salary in less than two years.  But that is exactly what happened.

By the end of the evening the conversation was beginning to dry up, and somebody suggested we all did a “party-piece”.  Some people sang, some played the piano and others told stories.

Then it was the turn of Peter Brown, a salesman from Cardiff.  He said he was going to perform a memory trick.  He told us to put a blindfold over his eyes, and then asked the guests to call out 25 numbers, all of three figures each, such as 161,249,and so on.  He asked me to make a note of all the numbers as they were called out.  Peter then astonished everyone at the party by repeating the entire list of numbers, first in the correct order, then backwards.  He then asked people to request numbers by their position on my list, such as number 4 or number 19.  The guests did this with all of the numbers, and Peter told them the correct numbers over and over, without making a single mistake.  The numbers were then mixed up and called out again.  Peter performed the same trick and truly amazed all of us.  You expect to see this type of trick performed on stage or on television but not by an ordinary man, in a situation where cheating is impossible.

Later on I asked Peter how he had done the trick.  He said that by remembering a few simple rules anyone could do it.  Most people, he continued, leave the development of their memories to chance, but by following these rules we could all develop good memories, and he told me how to do it.

Over the next few days I learned to do exactly as Peter had done.  At first it was just for fun but soon I was receiving invitations to lots of parties, and people were amazed by the tricks I could perform with my memory. They often asked me how they could become as popular and successful and I told them what Peter had told me.

However, the greatest thing about improving my memory came out at the office.  My thinking had become much clearer and quicker.  I was learning to do things that until recently I had only been able to admire in other people. In time I also began to notice a big improvement in my writing and conversational skills.  Before I learned how to improve my memory, I used to speak and write in a slow, confused way.  I could never think of anything to say.  But now, I never have to search for the right word or expression, and I find myself impressing people with my bright conversation.

Before long, my newly learned skills and my ability to remember things attracted the attention of my boss and I was given more responsibility and a big improvement in my salary.  I found that my ability to remember things helped me a lot in dealing with other people, especially in business meetings.  A person who can support their statements with facts and figures is always at the center of a meeting.  Nowadays, I never forget anything.  I can remember anything I want to, as if it were written on a piece of paper in front of me. 

For TEACHERS

11^th  FORM                                                  Listening Comprehension Test

Directions for Teachers: Read this story 1 time to the students then after 5 minutes read it again.

"When I was a child, space was all I dreamt and talked about. My mum and dad thought it was just a phase, but as I grew up I became fascinated by science, which just reinforced my passion. I never doubted that one day I'd be an astronaut." As an adult, Anousheh left her native Iran, settled in the USA and started a telecommunications company. The company was so successful that she was eventually able to sell it for $750 million. "The first thing that crossed my mind was that my life's goal might now be within reach and I signed up to become the first female private space explorer at a cost of around $20 million."

Of course, becoming a space tourist is not simply a matter of paying and picking up your ticket at the check-in desk; there is a rigorous six-month training programme, which for Anousheh did not present too many difficulties. There was another obstacle to overcome, however, that wasn't entirely anticipated. "During my training, my husband came a few times, but still, it's not the same because ever since we got married, over 15 years ago, we've spent almost every day together."

Ansari blasted off on September 18th along with a NASA astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut. It doesn't take long to achieve orbit, around 17 minutes, and that's when she got her first sight of the Earth: "Looking at it from up there, you can't see any borders or any differences between races. All you see is one planet; one place that all of us have to take care of if we want to be able to live on it for a long time. You look at your safe haven on Earth and then you turn around, see the blackness of the universe and realise that you have nowhere else to go, at least not for a while."

Life on a space station is not just about enjoying the view, however. Each member of a space crew, tourist or not, is expected to carry out vital experiments on board. For Anousheh, this meant working on lower back pain in astronauts and cosmonauts and studying tiny life forms that can carry diseases on board the station. Many people might have objected to this 'working holiday', but Anousheh loved it. "I enjoyed being able to offer something to the life of the station," she says.

Anousheh continually gets asked about the challenges she faced on board. To wash her hair, for example, she had to make a huge 'water bubble' and put it over her head. At the slightest sudden movement, little bits of water would escape and float away. In fact, there were many amusing situations caused by the lack of gravity. "The guys liked to tease me. They'd ask me to pass the bread and when I handed it to them, rather than floating it, they'd say I'd taken all the fun out of it. After a while I got accustomed to all this, though, and I felt so at home that in the end it was hard to go back to normality."

Anousheh is proud of her status as the first female space tourist and intends to use her fame to raise awareness about space projects and to inspire women ail over the world. The title 'space tourist' is, however, not one she particularly appreciates. She explains: "I think if it is to be compared to an experiment or an experience on Earth, it is probably closer to an expedition to Antarctica or climbing Mount Everest than to just another touristy trip somewhere."

The journey back to Earth was physically and emotionally exhausting for Anousheh. "The G-force while re-entering Earth's atmosphere was equivalent to four times my weight," she says. "But going into space was the most freeing experience I've ever had. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. If I   could take my husband with me, I'd be tempted to never come back!"

The 8^th form                Listening  Comprehension Test

Directions: Listen to story “ The Christmas Tree” and mark True (+) or False (-) next to the number Task 1

1. Christmas was not a wonderful time in Brooklyn.

2. The first sign of the coming Christmas season was Mr. Morton teaching Christmas carols.

3. There was a funny custom in the neighbourhood.

4. Only the bravest boys and men agreed to be hit by a Christmas tree.

5. The little children waited for small trees.

6.  The man threw the large tree without hesitation.

7. Tree branches touched Francie’s face.

8. The man who was very angry approached the children.

9. The children were happy because they had won the biggest tree.

Directions.  Listen to the story “The Christmas Tree “ again and circle A,B,C,or  D

Task 2

10. What made people in Brooklyn realize Christmas was coming?

   A The air from outside was fresh.

   B Mr. Morton was singing carols around the streets.

   C There were many children near the store windows.

   D Mr. Morton showed children how to sing carols.

11. What customs was popular in the neighbourhood?

   A You had to buy a tree at midnight.

   B You had to wait until ten to buy a tree.

   C An unsold tree might be thrown at you.

   D You might ask for an unsold tree.

12. Why did little children gather where there were unsold trees?

    A To enjoy the custom.

    B To get a free tree.

    C To be hit by a big tree.

    D To throw away trees in turn.

13. Why did Francie have to stand near a tree all afternoon?

    A Her mother allowed her to go downtown.

    B She had to buy a very big tree.

    C She had to choose her first tree on her own.

    D She hoped nobody would buy the tree she liked

14. Why did the tree man hesitate for a moment?

    A He didn’t want to give the tree to the children.

    B The big tree might injure the two children.

    C The great tree was too heavy for him to throw.

    D He wanted to keep the tree till the next year.

15. What was the final result of the story?

    A The tree didn’t hit the children.          B The trunk hit Francie’s brother.

    C The tree hit Francie.                            D The children received the biggest tree as a present.

9^th form                                 Listening Comprehension Test

Directions: Listen to the story “ The Picture of Dorian Grey” by Oscar Wilde  and mark True (+) or False (-) next to the number. 

Task 1

1. The window in the artist’s studio was opened.

2. Lord Henry Wotton was lying back in a large chair

3  In the centre of the room, clamped to an upright shelf stood the full-length portrait.

4. The artist was happy because the portrait was finished.

5. Lord Henry liked to buy expensive paintings.

6. The artist suggested sending the portrait to the best gallery in London.

7. Lord Henry looked at the artist with surprise through the thin blue wreath of smoke.

8. The young man in the portrait looked just like  the artist.

 9. The artist doesn’t  want  people to discover his feelings.

Directions. Listen to the story “ The Picture of Dorian Grey” by Oscar Wilde again and circle A, B, C, or D.

Task 2

10. What was Lord Henry Wotton watching?

   A  His friend’s cigarette smoke.

   B  Flowers on the windowsill.

   C  Smoke and his friend, the artist.

   D  The ceiling and a cigarette.

11.  Why was Basil pleased?

   A  Because his friend was standing in front of the portrait.

   B  Because the portrait was finished.

   C  Because the painting not finished.

   D  Because the painting was almost finished.

12.  Which of these facts about Lord Henry is TRUE?

   A  He was thirty years old.

   B  He didn’t buy cheap things.

   C  He was a well-known artist.

   D  He worked very hard.

13.  What was Lord Henry’s suggestion?

   A  To exhibit the painting in one of the galleries in London.

   B  Not to send the portrait anywhere.

   C  To exhibit the painting in one of the galleries in Oxford.

   D  To send the painting to his friend.

14.  What did Basil say about the young man in the portrait?

   A  He resembled the artist.

   B  He was not beautiful.

   C  He had black hair.

   D  He had an intelligent face.

15.  What does Basil believe about artists?

   A  Harry understands the artist very well.

   B  All artists like to paint people.

   C  An artist shows the feelings of his soul.

   D  People want to enjoy paintings.

10^th Form

Listening Comprehension Test

Task1    True/false statements 1 through 8. Put “+”if the statement is true, “- ” if it is false.

1. The author doubled his salary in less than two years.
2.  Peter Brown was a salesman from Cardiff.
3.  Peter was hesitant to tell the secrets of his memory trick.
4.  The author has always considered himself a good writer.
5.  People are impressed with the author’s conversation skills.
6.  When his boss noticed the author’s new skills, he became very jealous.
7.  The author’s improved memory helps him to deal with other people better.
8. Now the author has a more important position at his job.

Task2 Multiple-choice questions through 9 to 15. Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.

      9..    Why did the guests start doing “party pieces”?

1. Everyone wanted to sing.
2. They were professional performers.
3. No one could think of anything else to talk about.
4. They were curious about Peter Brown’s skills.

10.   Who was Peter Brown?

1. one of the dinner guests             B.   a fortune teller

C.     a television star                          D.   a stage performer

11.  What did Peter Brown ask this person to do?

1. call out numbers
2. mix the numbers up
3. repeat the numbers
4. write the numbers down

12. How would anyone be able to do that trick?

1. by learning lots of numbers
2. by memorizing a few simple procedures
3. by developing their speaking skills
4. by learning party tricks

13. Why did the writer receive lots of requests to go to parties?

1. He performed memory tricks.
2. He was famous.
3. He was memorable.
4. He was fun to be with.

14. The improvement in the writer’s memory was most obvious

1. at parties.                                 B.  at home.

             С.    at work                                    D.   while traveling.

15. Why was the writer so popular at business meetings?

1. Because he was clever.
2. Because he remembered people’s names.
3. Because he wrote everything down.
4. Because he could prove what he said.

11^th Form                               Listening Comprehension Test 

Task 1.

True/false statements 1 through 7. Put “+”if the statement is true, “- ” if it is false.

1. After leaving Iran, Anousheh set up a telecommunications company.

2. A rigorous six-month training programme caused too many difficulties for Anousheh.

3. Ansari blasted off on September 17th along with a NASA astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut.

4. When she got her first sight of the Earth, Ansari realised that she had nowhere else to go.

5. Each member of a space crew had to study tiny life forms that could carry diseases on board.

6. In the end it was hard to Anousheh to go back to normality.

7.  Anousheh does not  particularly appreciate the title 'space tourist'.

8. The G-force while re-entering Earth's atmosphere was equivalent to two times her weight.

            Task 2.

Multiple-choice questions through 8 to 15. Circle the correct letter A, B, C or D.

9 .What  do we learn about Anousheh as she was growing up?

A  She didn't think she would ever become an astronaut.

B Her interest in space wasn't expected to last.

C She was very good at science.

D Others tried to discourage her dreams.

10. How was Anousheh eventually able to become the first female space tourist?

A  She could afford it after selling her business.

B She moved to a country where it was possible.

C She was invited to apply for it by the space programme.

D She saved up while working in telecommunications.

11. According to the text space crew members

A often carry diseases onto the space station.

B can suffer aches and pains.

C must have a strong background in science.

D have little time to relax.

12.What do we learn about Anousheh's time on the space  station ?

 A  She took a long time to perform simple tasks.

B  She found it impossible to wash with water.

C  She got on very well with the other astronauts.

D  She took some time to get used to the conditions.

13.What did Anousheh continually get asked about?

A amusing situations on board

B the lack of gravity

C the guys who liked to tease her

D the challenges she faced on board

14 According to the text Ansari believes her experience as a space tourist

A  cannot be compared to any experience on Earth.

B   will encourage other women to become space tourists.   

C  has changed the way she approaches life.  

D runs the risk of being misunderstood.

15 What does the phrase 'in a heartbeat'  mean?

A without hesitation

B  with enthusiasm

 C without fear

D  with caution

8^th form                                               Speaking ComprehensionTest                              

Directions:

In this task you will select three task slips from those before you. After selecting three, choose the one you feel are the most capable to speak about and return the other two to the table face down.

1. Talk about a book you have read recently. Include this information:

·     What sort of book it is;

·     What it is about;

·     Why you chose it;

·     What you liked about it;

·     What you didn’t like about it.

2. Imagine that you have to give a talk about the school or college where you study to some visitors. How do you think what makes a good school? Include this information:

·     Friendly atmosphere;

·     Lots of computers;

·     Hard-working students;

·     Good sports facilities;

·     Modern classrooms

·     .

3. Ukrainian teenagers often have responsibilities at school and at home.

·     What are some of your responsibilities at home? At school?

·     Discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of working hard at school and at home.

·     How does age affect your responsibilities?

4. Say which way you would prefer to travel and explain why. Include this information:

·     Have you ever travelled by plane/by train/by ship?

·     When? Where? Why?

·     What are the advantages and disadvantages of this means of transport?

5. Talk about the town/city/village where you live. Include this information:

·     Activities for young people;

·     Things to do and see ( e.g. libraries, museums);

·     Parks and green places.

·      

6. Describe your perfect day, including location and weather.

·     What activities would you do? With whom would you spend it?

·     How would this day be different then every other day?

·     Do you think it’s possible to have a perfect day? Explain.

7.Talk about the kind of music you like. Include this information:

·      Your favourite singer/ band;

·      Where you usually listen to music;

·      What kind of music you don’t like;

·      Say if you play any instruments or sing or dance yourself.

8. You always do shopping with your mum at the weekend. Talk about your shopping experience. Include this information:

·      What you like to buy;

·      When you go shopping;

·      What kinds of shops you prefer.

9. Holidays are a time to spend with friends and family.

·      What is your favourite holiday?

·      How do your friends and family celebrate this holiday with you?

·      Do you have any special traditions that you share with your family?

10. Talk about an adult family member you admire. It could be a parent, an aunt, an older cousin etc. Include this information:

·      Who the person you admire is;

·      What kind of person he/she is;

·      What he/she does for a living?

11. Talk about a celebrity who inspires. It could be an actor, singer, football player etc that you admire. Include this information:

·      Who the celebrity that inspires you is;

·      What he/she looks like;

·      Why he/she inspires you;

·      What job he/she is famous for;

·      What their character is like.

12. Talk about the use of mobile phones. Include this information:

·      Advantages and reasons;

·      Disadvantages and reasons;

·      Your opinion.

13. Talk about the role of computers in our life. Include this information:

·      Advantages and reasons;

·      Disadvantages and reasons;

·      Your opinion.

14. You have just moved to a new house. Talk about it. Include this information:

·      Describe your new house;

·      Describe what you like the most/least about your new neighbourhood.

15. Say what you like/dislike in the media. Express your opinion. Include this information:

·      Your favourite TV programmes, say why and give examples;

·      How much TV you watch weekly;

·      Your favourite channel;

·      Your favourite speaker/ presenter/ commentator.

Speaking Comprehension Test for 9^th Form Students

In this test you will select three task slips from those before you. After selecting three, choose the one you feel you are most capable to speak about and return the other two to the table face down.

1.             Choose a favorite 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.

2.                  Your local newspaper is interviewing you because you are the representative from your town for the National Olympiad.

·        Tell a little about yourself.

·        Explain how your academic achievements have led you to this competition.

·        Explain what you will do while you are visiting Rivne that will make the people of your hometown proud of you.

3.                         The popularity of mobile phones is growing among young people.

·        Why do teenagers today have mobile phones?

·        What are the advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones for teenagers today?

·        In your opinion, at what age should children be allowed to have a mobile phone?

4.                         What do you believe are the most popular free-time activities among youth today in Ukraine?

·        Why do you believe they are so popular?

·        Are these activities beneficial to Ukraine’s youth as a whole?

·        What are some free-time activities that can help your society?

5.                         Linguist Frank Smith said: “One language sets you in a corridor (a narrow passageway) for life. Two languages open every door along the way.”

·        What does this quote mean? Explain it in your own words.

·        Does this quote apply to your own experience, learning and speaking English?

·        Is it important to learn foreign languages? Why or why not?

6.                         Every day millions of people visit video-hosting sites such as YouTube.

·        Why have these sites become so popular? Do you or someone you know watch these clips?

·        What makes such sites different than television?

·        How do these clips influence society? Give examples.

7.                         The world is becoming increasingly urbanized.

·        Why are more and more people living in cities?

·        In the future, do you think people will live in the countryside?

·        Is living in a city a sustainable lifestyle? Explain.

8.                         Imagine that you are a newspaper reporter. You have the opportunity to interview any person in the world.

·        Who would you choose to interview?

·        How has this person influenced people’s lives?

·        What three questions would you ask first?

9.                         Imagine you have a power to see a future.

·        What advantages and disadvantages accompany this gift?

·        What responsibilities come with this gift?

·        Would you make the knowledge of your ability public? Why or why not?

10.         Imagine that you have to give a talk about the school or college where you study to some visitors. How do you think what makes a good school? Include this information:

·        friendly atmosphere;

·        lots of computers;

·        hard-working students;

·        good sports facilities;

·        modern classrooms.

11.                     Talk about an environmental problem in your country or in the world. Include this information:

·        why you care about the problem;

·        what will happen if we don’t take action;

·        what individuals can do to help;

·        what governments should do to help.

12.                     Think about a book you have read recently. Make a review of the book. Include this information:

·        title, author and type of book;

·        where it is set, who the main characters are, what the story is;

·        what your opinion of it is and why.

13.                     What role does technology play in our society?

·        What examples of technology have helped to improve our lives?

·        What examples of technology have actually made our lives worse?

·        Would you rather live a world with everything entirely dependent on technology or without any technology whatever?

14.                     What is the purpose of education in our society?

·        Do you feel that the system we have in place is fulfilling that purpose?

·        What could be done to improve the system?

·        What do you think the educational system does well?

15.         Say what you like/dislike in the media. Express your opinion. Include this information:

·        your favourite newspapers/magazines/periodicals;

·        how often you buy them;

·                    articles you usually read.
Speaking  Comprehension  Test  For  10^th  Form  Students

Directions:

In this test you will select three task slips from those before you. After selecting three, choose the one you feel you are most capable to speak about and return the other two to the table face down.

1.      Great Britain gave the world a lot of talented people. One of the best English playwrights is William Shakespeare.

·        Why are Shakespeare’s plays still admired and staged all over the world? What are the themes of Shakespeare’s tragedies and comedies?

·        What other literary genres did William Shakespeare work in?

·        Which of Shakespeare’s aphorisms do you remember? Which of them is your favourite one?

2.      You know that English-speaking countries are the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

·                         Which of the countries do you find the most exotic? Find reasons to justify your answer.

·                         Which country’s traditions and customs do you find the most amusing? Which of them would you like to be introduced in our country?

·                         Which English-speaking country would you like to visit and why?

3.      Most people know their astrological signs and the characteristics associated with the twelve signs of the zodiac.

·        What kind of person are you supposed to be according to the traditional Chinese astrology?   Do you agree with the characteristics of your sign?

·        How seriously do you take astrological signs? Do you think astrology is a science?

·        What piece of advice would you give to someone who takes astrology too seriously?

4.      We learn about historical events and outstanding people at  History lessons.

·        Do you like  History lessons? What are the benefits of having them at school?

·        Which outstanding figure in science, sport or other spheres of human activity do you find the most influential in the history of mankind?

·        Who in your opinion has been the most prominent person in Ukraine’s history since its independence was proclaimed in 1991?

5.      The proverb says, “Train hard, fight easy”. Do you think so?

·        What situation would you mention the proverb as a piece of advice to your friend?

·        Are you a well-organized person? Do you like doing things in advance? Have you ever made a plan for a day/week/month?

·        Why is training hard beneficial to a student?

6.      The Ukrainian system of school education differs from the system of education in other countries.

·              The knowledge of what subjects does studying at state schools provide you with?

·              What do the stages of education in our country imply?

·              Besides compulsory subjects which optional ones at your school/gymnasia/ lyceum are useful in your opinion?

7.      Most people in Britain work a five-day week. Therefore from Friday evening till Monday morning people are usually free.

·                         What does the weekend in Britain traditionally comprise? Do the British like relaxing at the weekend?

·                         What is the most important family meal of the week? What does it include?

·                         What activities do the youth of Britain prefer at the weekend? Which of the weekend traditions in Britain would you like to borrow for you or your family?

8.      School is your second home. Do you feel like spending a lot of time at school?

·                         How does your school/gymnasia/lyceum look like? Is the educational establishment you are studying at fully or poorly equipped? Are the classrooms and the library computerized?

·                         Does the school offer a good all-round education? Are the students provided with a variety of extracurricular activities?

·                          What do you do to make your school/gymnasia/lyceum better? What do you want to change?

9.      Ukraine is a large independent country. It has its own territory, government and state symbols.

·                         What countries does Ukraine border on land/on sea? Do your find the geographical position of Ukraine favourable to the development of the country?

·                         Which regions of Ukraine are the most urbanized and heavily industrialized ones? What natural resources are these parts of our country rich in?

·                         What can the other parts of Ukraine which are rural or have less developed industry offer to a Ukrainian citizen or a foreign tourist?

10. The heart of each country is its capital. The capital of Ukraine has a rich history and is full of sightseeing places, each with its own myths and legends.

·                    Which sightseeing places in Kyiv have you visited yet? What impressed you most of all about them?

·                         Which of the famous tourist attractions in Kyiv would you like to visit and why?

·                         Which tourist attractions or places worth a visit have appeared in Kyiv since the independence of Ukraine was proclaimed in 1991?

11. Rabelais once said, “A child is not a vase to be filled, but a fire to be lit.”

·                         Which of the childhood books have really lit you up? What kinds of book do you like reading now?

·                         What other ways of getting knowledge and wisdom apart from formal education do you have?

·                         Are your parents interested enough in your education? What can each of them do “to light a fire”?

12. Sports are very popular with the British. There are many famous sportsmen in Britain as well as sports fans.

·                         Which sports are considered to be originally British ones? What skills or abilities do the people who do these sports acquire?

·                         Which of the sports immensely popular in Britain is available exclusively to people who are physically fit and eat a healthy diet?

·                         What factors helped the British to make the 2012 Summer Olympics in London unforgettable and exciting?

13. Today everybody speaks of the importance of eating a healthy diet.

·                         What sort of food does a healthy diet imply?

·                         Have you ever been on a diet? What are the possible consequences of following a diet? 

·                         What are the effects of poor diet and lack of exercise? Can we state that a certain life style depends on a country a person lives in?

14. Eurovision Song Contest is believed to be an event for housewives. Still many Ukrainians like watching the contest on TV or at least follow the results of it to know what country wins.  

·                         What do you think of this sort of song contest? Do they really find any talented musicians or singers?

·                          Whom of the winners of Eurovision Contest do you appreciate? Why? Who of them started a successful career after becoming the Eurovision Contest winner?

·                         Who of the Ukrainian singers do you think is worth being chosen to represent our country in the next Eurovision Contest.

15. Mass media have always played an important role in each society. Why?

·                         What means of communication are the most influential nowadays? Which of them is dying off?

·                         What role models does the modern television suggest? Do the role models make a positive or negative influence on children or teenagers?

·                         What are the pros and cons of having Internet access at home?

Speaking  Comprehension  Test  For  11^th  Form  Students

Directions:

In this test you will select three task slips from those before you. After selecting three, choose the one you feel you are most capable to speak about and return the other two to the table face down.

1. In what ways do politics affect your life?

•        Do any of your friends avoid talking about politics? Why?

•        Do you think modern politics is more about image than policies? Explain.

•        How much do you think you can influence or make changes in your community?

•        Which past or present world leaders do you admire? Why?

2. How much and what kind of reading do you do?

•        What literature do you remember studying at school?

•        Which character from literature would you most like to meet? Why?

•        In what way do you think young people should be exposed to good literature?

•        Does it matter that children only read books like Harry Potter?

3 How   are   you involved in your local community?

•        What kind of problems do you see around you in your local community?

•        How do you think you or others should get involved in making life better for people

•         who are less well-off?

•        Would you describe yourself as an optimist about the future? Explain.

•        How far do you think we should concentrate on solving local problems rather than global ones?

4. How important are  theatre  or films in your life?

•        What was the most memorable film or play you have seen? Why?

•        How influential is having a megastar in a film in persuading you to watch it?

•        How much do you discuss films or plays with your friends?

•        How far do you think films and plays have a social role?

5. If you have money to spend on yourself, how do you spend it?

•        How do you decide to spend your money?

•        Do you think buying things over the Internet is a good or bad thing? Why?

•        What advice would you give to young people today about spending money?

•        What in your view are the best and worst aspects of capitalism?

6. Describe a city you have had experience of.

•        What, for you, makes a city a good place to live?

•        Which city would you like to visit and why?

•        Why do you think there has been such a growth in cities?

•        What kind of problems are associated with large cities?

7. How much do you use new technology in your life?

•        What are the biggest changes for your family in terms of new technologies?

•        In what way are there differences in attitudes to technology between older and younger members of your family?

•        What should scientists concentrate on to improve life for you or your country?

•        What inventions have had a negative effect on the quality of your life?

8. How important is it to have ambitions?

•        Are you an ambition person? Why? /Why not?

•        How are the ambitions of very young people different from those of older people?

•        How do you measure how successful someone is?

•        Does success always bring  happiness ?

9. Why do people like history?

•        Do you think schools should teach history? Why?/Why not?

•        What do you think the most important event in the history of your country?

•        Can you name any films that have been set in the past?

•        What periods of history would you like to go back and live in?

10. What comes to mind when you hear the term "the natural world "?

•        Which natural disasters do you think are the most destructive?

•        How do humans destroy the natural world?

•        Are humans considerate towards other species that share the same natural world with them? Why is it important to protect our natural world?

11. We should not just prepare for life, but live it.

•        What does this statement mean to you?

•        Do you agree or disagree with this statement?  Why?

•        Right now, do you feel as though you are preparing for life or living it?      In what ways?

12.Art and music classes should be banned in schools in order to provide more time for lessons that are considered more academic such as foreign languages, maths and sciences.

•        Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not?

•        How would banning art and music affect your school and your country?

•        What do art and music bring to or take away from your school?

13.In many counties throughout Europe and North America, pupils in secondary schools are expected to complete 12 years of study after kindergarten.

•        What are the advantages and disadvantages of this 12-year policy?

•        Do you agree or disagree with this policy? Why?

•        Do you think many pupils share your same viewpoint? Why?

14.Zoos are a fun place for children and can make people happy.  What are the benefits of zoos?  What are the negative aspects? 

•        How are zoos good and bad for animals?  What can be done to improve zoos? 

•        Is it important for animals to be in their natural environment? 

•        What if people were put into zoos?  How would society be different?

15.Difficult tasks often require something positive to motivate us.

•        What factors best motivate you when you have a difficult task to accomplish?

•        Which people play a role in motivating you?  Why?

•        For what tasks do you need to be motivated?  Why?