ABC

Комунальний вищий навчальний заклад
«Харківська академія неперервної освіти»

Завдання ІІ етапу Всеукраїнської учнівської олімпіади з англійської мови
2011-2012 н.р.
Listening Text: 8th Form
Kon-Tiki Expedition
Listening. Read the selection once, then let the pupils read the 10 true/false questions,
then read the selection a second time and then give the pupils the ten multiple variant
questions. Remember, this is a listening test. Do not give the pupils the text to read to
themselves – they must get all the information from listening!
The date was the 28th of April. It was the early morning. Callao harbour was
very busy. The Minister of Marine had ordered a tug to row us out of the harbour. A
crowd of people was waiting to watch.
When I arrived, only Herman was there. He was guarding the raft. I got out of
the car and jumped on board. Fruit baskets and boxes lay in a heap on the deck. They
had been thrown on board at the last moment. In the middle of the heap sat Herman.
He was holding a cage; and in the cage there was a green parrot. The bird was a present
from a friend in Peru.
“Take care of the parrot for a minute,” said Herman. “I want to go ashore and
have a drink. The tug won’t be here for a long time.”
Herman went for his drink, and a few minutes later the tug arrived. A large
motor-boat came to tow the raft away from the other boats. The motor-boat was full of
officers and sailors. The officers called out some orders; and the sailors then fixed a
strong rope to the raft.
“One moment!” I shouted. “It’s too early! We must wait for the other men.” I
pointed towards the city.
But nobody understood. The officers only smiled politely. I untied the rope and
threw it into the water. I waved my arms and made signs to the officers. This excited
the parrot. The bird opened its cage and escaped. It walked about on the bamboo deck.
I tried to catch the parrot. But it called out rude words in Spanish and flew into the
cabin. At last, I caught the bird and put it back into its cage.
2011-2012 н.р.
Kon-Tiki Expedition
Directions. In this part of the test you will hear a text twice. After the first listening you need to
decide, which of the given statements are true (T) and which are false (F) and mark the
corresponding box.
After the second listening you need to decide, which of the variants (A, B, C or D) best completes
the sentence with regards to what was stated or implied in the text, and mark the corresponding
letter. Remember – you are not allowed to take any notes when the text is being read out to you.
Listening Comprehension 1
1. The story takes place on the 29th of April.
2. Callao harbor was deserted.
3. There was a large pile of fruit baskets and boxes on the deck of the raft.
4. Herman was sitting on the heap.
5. There was a red parrot in the cage.
6. Herman wanted to go ashore to think for a while.
7. The motorboat that arrived was full of officers and sailors.
8. The officers said nothing.
9. The parrot opened its cage and got out.
10. The parrot said some words in Spanish.
STOP! WAIT FOR THE SECOND READING OF THE TEXT
Circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D.
11. The story takes place at:
a) sunset; b) noon; c) dawn; d) midnight.
12. The tug was ordered by the:
a) marines; b) Minister of Marine; c) Maritime Commission; d) Minister of the Navy.
13. The narrator arrived at the harbor:
a) on horseback; b) by foot; c) by car; d) by ship.
14. The parrot was a gift from:
a) Bolivia; b) Spain; c) Mexico; d) Peru.
15. When the narrator got to the raft, Herman:
a) was alone; b) was sitting on a heap of baskets and boxes; c) holding a cage;
d) all of the above
16. Herman said that the tug:
a) would arrive immediately; b) would arrive much later; c) would not come at all; d) had come
some time ago.
17. The raft was towed away by:
a) large motorboat; b)a small motorboat; c) a large sailboat; d) a small sailboat.
18. Herman left the raft :
a) to think for a while; b) to get a drink; c) to have a cigarette; d) because he feared it would sink.
19. After the parrot escaped from its cage:
a) it walked around on the shore; b) it flew around over the sea; c) it sat on Herman’s shoulder; d)
it walked about on the deck.
20. The narrator:
a) was unable to catch the parrot; b) gave the parrot some food; c) caught the parrot and returned it
to its cage; d) spoke to the parrot in Spanish.
Mark your answers on the Answer Sheet.

2011-2012 н.р.
Kon-Tiki Expedition
БЛАНК ДЛЯ ВІДПОВІДЕЙ
КОД РОБОТИ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
T F T F T F T F T F T F T F T F T F T F
11 12 13 14 15
A B C D A B C D A B C D A B C D A B C D
16 17 18 19 20
2011-2012 н.р.
Reading Comprehension
8th Form
Directions:
In this Test you will read 2 texts. Each text is followed by 10 tasks. You should do
the tasks following a text on the basis of what is stated or implied in that text. For each
task you will choose the best possible answer from three possible answers (A, B, or C),
Choose the best answer and mark the letter or symbol of your choice.
Text 1: TRUMPET VOLUNTARY
Strange noises. Voices in the distance. Footsteps going up and down somewhere near.
echoing on a stone floor. There were unfamiliar smells too. I seemed to be floating in a great
black sea. cut off from some other world just the other side of the ocean.
"Derek. Сan you hear me?"
"He's still unconscious." somebody else said. Hadn't I heard that voice sornewhere before
I tried to open my eyes, but my eyelids were like anchors stuck in the mud of some deep river.
"Look. I saw his eyelid move," a third voice said.
"Just wishful thinking." said the first voice. Then the voices faded and I was back in my
silent black world.
"Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Armstrong?'" this time the voice was nearer. This time I was
determined to open my eyes.
1 managed to raise the corner of one eyelid with what seemed like a great effort. I was
blinded by bright while light and shut it again. There was someone by the side of my bed. My
bed? I was in a bed? What on Earth was going on? I forced my eye open once again and managed
to keep it open for a second longer. I was in some kind of a room with light green painted walls. I
could see someone in a white coat standing next to me.
A white coat! Oh,. no! There was a picture starting up inside my head, a picture of two
spacemen carrying something, carrying something like a sack of potatoes something with
beautiful red hair.
"'Maria!" I managed to whisper.
"What was that? What did you say?" said the person beside me in a foreign accent. "What
did you say?"
But I had already made too much effort. The comfortable dark was asking for me again.
The light laded, the voice disappeared.
Questions (circle the correct letter A, B, or C )
Choose the right variant.
1. The narrator was …
a) floating in the sea; b) travelling on the river; c) in delirium.
2. Derek could see nothing because …
a) he was blind; b) he had bandages over his eyes; c) he had not strength enough to come to
himself.
3. Mr. Armstrong was …
a) a man with an accent; b) Derek; c) someone in a white coat.
4. When Derek managed to raise the corner of his eyelid he saw…
a) a picture; b) a doctor; c) two spacemen
5. Derek didn't answer the questions because …
a) he became unconscious again; b) he didn't know the foreign language; c) he had not
understood the questions.
2011-2012 н.р.
6. The abstract implies that the main character is …
a) a drunkard; b) seriously ill; c) insane.
7. This abstract is taken from …
a) a reference book; b) a scientific article; c) a detective story.
8. The narrator couldn't …
a) move; b) hear; c) understand the meaning of words.
9. The voices "faded" which means …
a) gradually became less loud; b) suddenly became louder c) stopped abruptly.
10. When the narrator realized that he was in bed he
a) took it for granted; b) got pleasantly exited; c) got frightened.
Text 2: PERSONAL
In 1979 with publication of Overload, I announced my retirement. I was tired. My life had
been full. I was, and still am, grateful to those millions of readers worldwide who have
enriched my life in many ways, including making retirement possible.
In whatever years remained I wanted to spend more time - and travel - with my dear wife
Sheila: go fishing, read more books, relax with music, do other things a working writer can't.
What I did not know was that I was near death from six blockages in the coronary arteries -
a condition diagnosed soon afterward by my friend and physician, Dr.Edward Robbins of San
Francisco, who urged immediate surgery. This was done by Dr.Denton Cooley and his
associates at the Texas Heart Institute, to where my gratitude flows strong.
Sheila has supportive, as she has been through our long and loving marriage. It is more than
coincidence in this novel that the names Celia and Sheila come similarly off the tongue.
The aftermath of everything was my revived good health and an abundance of energy - so
much of the latter that Sheila said one day, "I think you should write another book". I took her
advice. Strong Medicine is the result.
Questions (circle the correct letter A, B, or C )
11. The author retired because he was
a) unwell; b) tired; c) old.
12. The phrase Making retirement possible means
a) the author got permission; b) the author reached success; c) the author earned money enough to
live on.
13. How the writer was cured?
а) He was operated on; b) he was given pills; c) he was diagnosed.
14. The writer had …
a) a sore throat; b) heart trouble; c) a fever.
15. Strong Medicine is …
a) pills; b) the title; c) the name of the hospital.
16. In the new book Celia is:
a) a positive character; b) a negative character; с) a member of the writer’s family.
17. The text prompts that the writer is …
a) successful; b) infamous; c) lazy.
18. The author expresses his _______to the readers.
a) appreciation; b) grief; с ) admiration.
19. The author started to write a new book because …
a) he wanted to describe his experience of being ill; b) his wife insisted on it;
c) he was full of energy and desire to create a new novel.
20. The word aftermath means…
a) the situation that results from something; b) an epilogue; c) final calculation in math.
2011-2012 н.р.
8th Form

КОД РОБОТИ
Task I.
TRUMPET VOLUNTARY
1 2 3 4 5
A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C
6 7 8 9 10
Task II.
PERSONAL
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20
2011-2012 н.р.
Writing Comprehension Test for 8th Form Students
1. Which person has had the greatest influence on your life?

Was this person in your family or outside of your family?
Why was this person influential?
What did this person teach you?
2. A friend is visiting you from another city and you have only three hours to show him
or her your city or town.
Which places would you show your friend?
What would you tell your friend about your city or town?
Would you encourage your friend to visit again? Why or why not?
3. 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?
2011-2012 н.р.
The Lady With the Pet Dog (Anton Chekhov)

At home in Moscow the winter routine was already established; the stoves were heated,
and in the morning it was still dark when the children were having breakfast and getting ready
for school, and the nurse would light the lamp for a short time. There were frosts already. When
the first snow falls, on the first day the sleighs are out, it is pleasant to see the white earth, the
white roofs; one draws easy, delicious breaths, and the season brings back the days of one's
youth. The old limes and birches, white with frost, have a good-natured look; they are closer to
one's heart than cypresses and palms, and near them one no longer wants to think of mountains
and the sea.
Gurov, a native of Moscow, arrived there on a fine frosty day, and when he put on his fur
coat and warm gloves and took a walk along Perovka, and when on Saturday night he heard the
bells ringing, his recent trip and the places he had visited lost all charm for him. Little by little he
became immersed in Moscow life, greedily read three newspapers a day, and declared that he did
not read the Moscow papers on principle. He already felt a longing for restaurants, clubs, formal
dinners, anniversary celebrations, and it flattered him to entertain distinguished lawyers and
actors, and to play cards with a professor at the physicians' club. He could eat a whole portion of
meat stewed with pickled cabbage and served in a pan, Moscow style.
2011-2012 н.р.
2011-2012 н.р.
LISTENING COMPREHENSION TEST FOR 9th FORM STUDENTS
Listen to the story and decide which of these statements are true and which of them are
false. Mark your answers on the Answer Sheet.
Make sure you know these words:
Sleighs – санчата, Frost- мороз, Immerse- занурюватися.
1. Mother would light the lamp in the mornings.
2. It is easy for one to draw ones breath on the cold winter morning of the first snow.
3. The old limes and birches look dark and gloomy and cause one to long for the
mountains and sea.
4. Gurov was a native of Yalta but was living in Moscow during the winter.
5. Gurov walked along Perovka without gloves or hat.
6. Gurov greatly enjoyed reading magazines.
7. Gurov mostly like to read the Moscow newspapers.
8. He dreaded entertaining lawyers and actors.
9. He liked to play cards with a professor at the physicians' club.
10. He liked his meat and picked cabbage prepared Ukrainian style.
Listening Comprehension 2.
Questions (circle the correct letter A, B, С or D )
11. The winter morning routine in Gurov's home was:
A) start the stove, feed the children breakfast and get them ready for school, light the
lamps.
В) pump the water, feed the dog, and milk the cows.
С) start the stove, feed the chicken, and gather the eggs.
D) boil water, feed the chickens, and light the stove.
12. When the first snow falls the:
A) children go ice skating.
В) old people hide indoors.
С) Sleighs come out.
D) the children throw snowball at each other.
13. This season brings back memories of:
A) mother making delicious soups
В) ones youth.
С) ones birth
D) pain and bitterness
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2011-2012 н.р.
14. In this season what kind of trees are closer to ones heart?
A) fir.
В) small.
С) cypress and palms.
D) limes and birches.
15. Where is Gurov from?
A) Moscow.
B) Saint Petersburg.
C) Yalta.
D) Kyiv.
16. Hearing the ringing bells caused him to:
A) remember the charm of places recently visited.
B) painfully remember his youth.
C) forget the charm of places recently visited.
D) pleasantly, remember his youth.
17. He preferred to read newspapers from
A) Moscow only.
B) place other than Moscow.
C) the US A.
D) Paris, France.
18. Не longed for
A) his fur coat: and warm gloves.
B) a walk along Perovka Street.
C) formal diners.
D) morecontact with his wife.
19 He was flattered when he entertained
A) the homeless and hungry.
B) little children.
C) judges and criminals.
D) lawyers and actors.
20. His favorite dish might be
A ) stewed meat and pickled cabbage, Moscow style.
В) varenyki and salad.
С) boiled potatoes and stewed cabbage.
D) pelmeni and bread.
11
2011-2012 н.р.
КОД РОБОТИ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20
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2011-2012 н.р.
9th Form
Task I. Directions: Read the text.. For questions (1-10), choose the answer (A, B, С or D)
which you think fits best according to the text.
Mark the corresponding letter with a “+” on your answer sheet.
A Nest of Eggs
I went to school that day. It was better than staying at home waiting for the next
crazy thing to happen. I didn’t speak all day, not on the bus to school not in school, not
on the bus home, not a word. I went home and walked back to the marsh. The yellow
machine was not there, but it had left a mess. And there were no geese. I stood quietly
and looked all round, but I didn’t see any geese. Then suddenly I saw something. Eggs –
a nest of them. Six eggs in a nest – six beautiful eggs. But no mother goose. I looked at
the marsh again. No mother. No father. Where were they? Dead? Or afraid? Will they
come back? I thought. I was there for a long time, a very long time. But I didn’t see or
hear one goose. I looked at the eggs. How will they live without a mother to warm
them? For a long time, I stood there. I’ll find a place for them, I thought, a warm
place…
No, I can’t. Nobody can be their mother. But why not? I thought. I must make a
warm place for them, then they’ll live…No, I can’t…Then I thought about my mum. I
thought about her, and I heard her speak to me in my head. “Why not?” I heard her say,
“Who says you can’t do it, Amy? I think you’ll be a very good mum.” I smiled and
looked at the eggs. Can I be their mother? Can I find – or make – a place for them?
Where? My room? No, Dad will be angry. In the garage? Yes, the garage is best. I
looked at the eggs again. “I’ll be back,” I said to them. Then I ran to the garage.
I got there and stopped. Can Dad help? No. He’ll say no, he’ll say school is more
important. Better not say anything. In the garage I looked for a warm quiet place. I
looked at the table. There was a cupboard under it. Yes, the cupboard will be warm. I
found an old dress and took it back to the marsh with me. Down at the marsh, I walked
carefully through the water. The eggs were there. Very carefully I began to put them
into the old dress. They were cold. The babies are dead! I thought. No, they’ll be OK.
I’ll warm them. “You’re cold now,” I said to them, “but you’ll warm up. You’ll be
OK.”
After I put them in the dress, I thought, are there other nests, other babies without
mothers? Carefully I walked across the marsh. And I found them. Ten more eggs in
different nests. At every nest I stopped, then took the eggs. “You’ll be OK,” I told them.
Sixteen eggs. Sixteen babies without mothers.
In the garage I made the nicest nest in the cupboard. Then I put the eggs in the nest,
all sixteen of them. When I finished, I stood up and looked at them. Was it warm
enough in the cupboard? I found the big light Dad used for his work. Carefully I put
the light in the cupboard. Yes, it was warm, very warm. The babies will love it. They
will think their mum is here. I quietly closed the cupboard door. “You’ll be OK now,” I
said to them. “I promise. Your mum’s not here, but you’re going to be OK.”
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2011-2012 н.р.
1. The narrator’s name is
a) Mary
b) Annie
c) Betty
d) Amy
2. From the first paragraph, the reader knows that
a) The narrator is lonely
b) The narrator has no mother
c) The narrator is afraid of her father
d) The narrator is unable to speak
3. From the story, the reader can learn that a marsh is probably
a) Wet
b) Full of trees
c) Cold and windy
d) Planted with crops
4. The narrator is helped in her decision about the eggs by
a) Her father
b) A baby goose
c) A mysterious voice
d) A book she is reading
5. The narrator goes home in order to
a) Ask permission
b) Find a safe location
c) Get warm and put on boots
d) Change into a dress
6. When she sees the nest of eggs, the narrator wonders
a) If the mother has been scared away
b) If the mother has been killed
c) If the mother will come back
d) All of the above
7. The narrator decides to keep the eggs a secret because
a) She wants to have a friend
b) She misses her mother
c) She is afraid her father will say no
d) She is afraid they will not hatch
8. The narrator is feeling sorry for eggs with no mothers because
a) She has no mother
b) The eggs are cold
c) The nest looks lonely all by itself in the marsh
d) The yellow machine has frightened them
9. While she is collecting the eggs from the nest, the narrator
a) Thinks about her father and his work
b) Wonders whether the eggs will hatch
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2011-2012 н.р.
c) Worries that she cannot be their mother
d) Is sad because the mothers are gone
10. The narrator is able to keep the eggs warm because she
a) Wraps them in a warm dress
b) Puts them in a cupboard indoors
c) Borrows a lamp that makes heat
d) Puts them in her bedroom which is warm
Task II.
The Lion’s Hair
In a village in the mountains of Ethiopia, a young man and a young woman fell in
love and became husband and wife. For a short while they were perfectly happy, but
then trouble entered their house. They began to find fault with each other over little
things – he blamed her for spending too much at the market, or she criticized him for
always being late. It seemed not a day passed without some kind of quarrel about
money or friends or household chores.
Sometimes they grew so angry they shouted at each other and yelled bitter curses
and then went to bed without speaking, but that only made things worse.
After a few months, when she thought she could stand it no longer, the young wife
went to a wise old judge to ask for a divorce.
“Why?” asked the old man. “You’ve been married barely a year. Don’t you love
your husband?”
“Yes, we love each other. But it’s just not working out.”
“What do you mean, not working out?”
“We fight a lot. He does things that bother me. He leaves his clothes lying around
the house. He drops his toenail clippings on the floor. He stays out too late. When I
want to do one thing, he wants to do another. We just can’t live together.”
“I see,” said the old man. “Perhaps I can help you. I know of a magic medicine that
will make the two of you get along much better. If I give it to you, will you put aside
these thoughts of divorce?’
“Yes!” cried the woman. “Give it to me.”
“Wait,” replied the judge. “To make the medicine, I must have a single hair from the
tail of a fierce lion that lives down by the river. You must bring it to me.”
“But how can I get such a hair?” cried the woman, “The lion will surely kill me.”
“There I cannot help you,” the old man shook his head. “I know much about making
medicines but I know little of lions. You must discover a way yourself. Can you do it?”
The young wife thought long and hard. She loved her husband very much; the magic
medicine might save their marriage. She resolved to get the hair, no matter what.
The very next morning she walked down to the river, hid behind some rocks, and
waited. After a while, the lion came by to drink. When she saw his huge claws, she
froze with fear. When he bared his sharp fangs, she nearly fainted. And when he gave
his mighty roar, she turned and ran home.
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2011-2012 н.р.
But the next morning, she came back, this time carrying a sack of fresh meat. She set
the food on the ground, two hundred yards from the lion, and then hid behind the rocks
while the lion ate.
The next day, she set the meat down one hundred yards away from the lion. And on
the following morning, she put the food only fifty yards away, and stood nearby while
the lion gulped it down.
And so every day she drew closer and closer to the fierce, wild beast. After a while
she stood near enough to throw him the food, and finally came the day when she fed
him right from her hand! She trembled as she watched the great teeth ripping and
tearing the meat. But she loved her husband more than she feared the lion. Closing her
eyes, she reached out and pulled a single hair from the tail. Then she ran as fast as she
could to the wise old judge. “Look,” she cried.” I’ve brought a hair from the lion!”
The old man took the hair and looked at it closely. “This is a brave thing that you
have done,” he said. “It took a great deal of patience and resolve.”
“Yes,” said the woman. “Now give me the medicine to make my marriage better!”
The old man shook his head. “I have nothing else to give you.”
“But you promised!” the young wife cried.
“Don’t you see?” asked the old man gently. “I have already given you all the
medicine you need. You were determined to do whatever it took, however long it took,
to gain a magic remedy for your problems. But there is no magic remedy. There is only
your determination. You say you and your husband love each other. If you both give
your marriage the same patience and resolve and courage you showed in getting this
lion’s hair, you will be happy together for a longer time. Think about it.” And so the
young woman went home with new resolution.
11. The young woman goes to the judge because

a) Her husband does not love her anymore;
b) The couple is fighting every day;
c) She does not love her husband anymore;
d) Her husband has many bad habits.
12. After hearing her request, the judge says that
a) He will grant her divorce if she will do something for him;
b) He will not give her what she requests;
c) She will have to perform a frightening task to get what she wants;
d) He will give a solution to her problem.
13. The young woman is frightened by all these except
a) The lion’s claws;
b) The lion’s smell;
c) The lion’s teeth;
d) the lion’s roar.
14. The young woman goes to the river to
a) Watch the wild animals;
b) Feed the lion;
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2011-2012 н.р.
c) Be obedient to the judge;
d) Pick a special medicine plant.
15. The first sack of meat is
a) Close to a rock;
b) 100 yards from the river;
c) 200 yards from the young woman;
d) 200 yards from the lion.
16. The young woman is most worried that
a) The lion will smell her and not eat the meat;
b) The lion will eat her after he eats the meat;
c) The lion will be angry when she pulls his tail;
d) The lion will follow her home
17. “Resolved” in this passage probably means
a) to be sure;
b) to be afraid;
c) to be uncertain;
d) to be determined.
18. At her last meeting with the lion, the young woman
a) Was no longer afraid;
b) Pulled a hair from his mane;
c) Said good-bye to the lion;
d) Fed the lion from her hand;
19. The young woman was angry at her husband for all these reasons except
a) he spends too much money at the market;
b) he criticizes her shopping;
c) he throws clothing on the floor;
d) he stays out too late.
20. The judge tells the young woman all of these except
a) He can make a magic medicine to help her;
b) There is no magic medicine;
c) She has been foolish to quarrel with her husband;
d) She is brave enough to solve her own problem.
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2011-2012 н.р.
9th Form

КОД РОБОТИ
Task I.
A Nest of Eggs
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10
Task ІI.
The Lion’s Hair
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20
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2011-2012 н.р.
1) Computers are becoming more and more important in today's world. How do you feel
people are using computers? Do you feel that we use them enough, or too much? Are
there any negative effects to becoming more and more dependent on computers?
2) What do you consider to be a family? How important is family life in today's world?
There are more and more divorces and single-parent families; how is this affecting
today's youth? If you could make some changes to strengthen the family in today's
culture, what would you do?
3) Right now, the world is becoming more and more polluted, greenhouse gasses arc
being blamed for causing global warming, and our world population is growing. What
do you consider to be the most important environmental issue? What can we do to
improve this environmental problem? How much should the government interfere in
order to make these changes happen?
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2011-2012 н.р.
Listening Text: 10 th Form
Listening. Read the selection once, then let the pupils read the 10 true/false questions, then
read the selection a second time and then give the pupils the ten multiple variant questions.
Remember, this is a listening test. Do not give the pupils the text to read to themselves – they
must get all the information from listening!
Day of The Swallows Estella Portillo

Act I, Scene I
Josefa’s sitting room: it is a usually beautiful room, very feminine and done in
good taste. The profusion of lace gives the room a delicate, ephemeral appearance. The
lace pieces are lovely: needlepoint, hairpin, limerick, the work of patience and love.
Upstage left is a large bay window; from it, one can view a large tree with a birdhouse
of unusual size and shape, an orb that can accommodate a great number of birds. The
room faces south, so it is flooded with light, which causes the lace to seem to melt into a
peaceful serenity. To the right is a door leading to the kitchen; there is another door
leading to the bedroom. Downstage left is a door leading to the outside.
When the curtain rises, Alysea is sitting on the floor. It is before dawn, but a
minute or so after the curtain rises, light begins to fill the room. Alysea is cleaning the
sitting room carpet, an unusual task for this hour. Next to her is a pail. She uses a piece
of cloth with quick frantic movements, rinses, and continues the rubbing of the carpet.
After a while, she looks at the cloth in her hand almost in trance, then with a growing
horror. She drops it, raising herself to her knees; she stares at it, and then covers her
face with her hands. She sits back on the floor leaning her head against a chair, looking
helpless and lost. She is sobbing quietly. After a while, she stares at the new streaming
light from the window, feline its warmth as a comfort. The sound of a milk bell
interrupts the silence. When she hears it, she jumps up, looks desperately about the
room, wipes the traces of tears from her eyes and goes to the window and looks out.
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Listening Comprehension 1. For each of the questions 1–10 decide which of the statements
are true or false on the basis of what is stated or implied in what you have heard and put a
«+» if a statement is true and a «–» if a statement is false next to the corresponding number on
your answer sheet. Remember: you are NOT allowed to take notes at ANY time when the text
is being read to you.
1. Josefa’s room was unusually plain.
2. There was lace everywhere.
3. From the large window one can view much of nature.
4. The room faces the east and is flooded with light.
5. Alysea is sitting in an old chair as the curtain rises.
6. She is cleaning a stain on the carpet.
7. Her movements to clean the carpet are slow and deliberate.
8. The light from the window gives her warmth and comfort.
9. The doorbell interrupts her morning silence.
10. When she hears the bell she hides behind the chair.

Listening Comprehension 2.
Circle the correct letter A, B, C, or D.
11. The type of fabric used in the room gives it a …
A. delicate, ephemeral appearance.
B. cluttered appearance.
C. cold and dreary appearance.
D. frightening appearance.
12. What lace that are there show …
A. little care for beauty?
B. poor craftsmanship?
C. the work of patience and love?
D. great wear?
13. From the large bay window one can view …
A. a busy street.
B. a large tree with many birds.
C. an empty courtyard.
D. the wall of the building next door.
14. The light that enters the room causes the lace to seem to …
A. catch fire.
B. disappear.
C. melt into serenity.
D. look dirty.
15. The doors leading from the room go to …
A. kitchen.
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B. bedroom.
C. outside.
D. all the above.
16. It was … for Alysea to clean the carpet at this hour.
A. usual.
B. unusual.
C. not uncommon.
D. common.
17. Next to Alysea is a …
A. pail.
B. potted plant.
C. stack of books.
D. pale.
18. After staring at the cloth in her hand for a while she …
A. wipes her face with it.
B. blows her nose on it.
C. drops it and runs from the room crying.
D. drops it and covers her face with her hands.
19. The warm morning light from the window seems to give her …
A. watery eyes.
B. stomach pains.
C. anxiety attacks.
D. comfort.
20. When she hears the bell she …
A. goes to the window to look out.
B. hides.
C. begins crying again.
D. lays down on the floor.
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2011-2012 н.р.
Day of The Swallows Estella Portillo
КОД РОБОТИ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20
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2011-2012 н.р.
10th Form
Directions: Read the text. Some words are missing from the text. Choose the most appropriate
answer from the options (A, B, C or D) for each gap (1-20) in the text.
Write the letter of your answer on the answer sheet.
Text 1
Driving in the desert
My family are farmers in France, and by the age of ten, I could maneuver a tractor
into a field to pick up straw bales. For my driving test, I learned how to reverse into a
parking space by practising between two tractors.
I've always needed to prove that I can adapt to new situations. I'd never left France
until 1998 - and then I went to Australia, the most distant country possible. I worked on
a sheep farm there, driving a 4x4 all the time, and spent four months driving around the
country on my own. That was when I first came into contact with the desert, and I
wanted to return to it.
But it was my competitive spirit that drew me to the all-female Gazelles Rally in
the Moroccan desert. I did it to see if I could survive in the desert and not be afraid.
Taking part in the rally involves spending eight days in the desert, including two sets of
two-day marathons when you're on your own overnight with your team-mate. The rally
will push you to the limits of your physical and mental capacity, so it's very important to
choose the right teammate, to make sure you have the same goal and the same way of
working. But the key thing is for you both to keep your courage and remain confident.
Participants - known as the gazelles-drive 4x4s, quad bikes, motorbikes or trucks,
and use a compass and a map to navigate their way to marker flags that have been
planted in the desert always in places that are really difficult to get at. You have to drive
up and down huge sand dunes, the highest of which are about twenty metres. Every
morning at base camp you have to prepare your maps, by marking the position of the
day's flags. Then you have to plan the best route to them. It takes time to learn how to
do this, how to understand the landscape, because you are all alone in the emptiness -
there are no landmarks, it is all just flat. On our first day, my team-mate and I felt quite
frightened by it - we thought we'd get lost. So we decided to drive in a straight line for
half an hour in search of geographical features. Then we found some mountains.
It rained a lot during the rally, and the thing that scared us most was the thought of
not being able to get out of the mud. Some women were stuck for about twelve hours
overnight before the mud dried. My team-mate and I managed to get through, though,
because we set off first, when the ground was less damaged. Each vehicle carries a
satellite tracking system with it, and every half-hour the rally organisers use this to
check on you: if a car isn't moving, they go to the rescue. Once, we were all alone in our
tent in a storm, and feeling a bit scared. An official rally vehicle came and reassured us
that we wouldn't be washed away.
I had great difficulty finding a sponsor - it costs about €6000 to hire a vehicle and
€14,000 to participate in the rally, plus you have to hire safety equipment. It's always
the people you least expect who help you most. The big dealers for four-wheel-drive
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vehicles refused to finance what they called 'a girls' jaunt in the desert'. It was a small,
independent garage that provided us with an 11-year-old 4x4 for nothing - and we didn't
have a single breakdown.
Speed is not a factor in this competition. Men have a tendency to drive a bit faster
than women. They're so sure they've chosen the right route that they're less good at
anticipating problems. A man who was doing a television programme on the rally
refused to believe that it was difficult or that women could sometimes be better than
him.
I want to do the rally again next year. Taking part in it puts life's problems into
perspective, and it's also a big thing on my CV: it shows people I can see a project
through. When I meet the top people in my company now, I feel far more self-assured.
1 Why did the writer go to Australia?
A to further develop her driving skills
B to get practice in driving in desert conditions
C to visit members of her family who farmed there
D to experience living in an unfamiliar environment
2 In the writer's opinion, the ideal rallying team-mate is someone who
A will keep you from feeling afraid at night.
B can make up for any weaknesses you have.
C does not take the competition too seriously.
D will share your general aims and attitudes.
3 The writer's greatest fear in the desert was that she might
A lose her way in bad weather.
B become stuck in wet ground.
C damage her vehicle in the mud.
D have to be rescued by other competitors.
4 What does the writer say about the cost of the rally?
A Hiring a vehicle was her biggest expense.
B Safety equipment was provided by the organisers.
C She was surprised that a small garage sponsored her.
D A new vehicle would have reduced her maintenance bill.
5 By using the phrase 'a girls' jaunt', the big dealers showed that they felt
A unimpressed by the writer's driving skills.
B a lack of respect for this particular event.
C sure that the writer wouldn't complete the rally.
D an unwillingness to sponsor rallying in general.
6 According to the writer, men rally drivers
A fail to realise when something is about to go wrong.
B tend to feel overconfident when driving at speed.
C seem to have fewer problems with navigation.
D refuse to accept the advice of women.
7 In the last paragraph, the writer suggests that taking part in the rally
A has improved her career prospects.
B has impressed her superiors at work.
C is something that she will do every year.
D is creating certain problems in her private life.
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Text 2
Bed-and-breakfast
There was a book with bed-and-breakfast places in it amongst the guidebooks and
maps on the back seat of my aunt's car and we found somewhere to stay in there. It was
a big, old farmhouse down the end of a track, in a dip. There were three cows in the
nearest 7 field, sheep up on a ridge, hens in the yard, a few sheds and barns standing
around, and a rosy-cheeked farmer’s wife. After a day driving round, I was really
impressed with the place initially, thinking we'd finally found the true countryside. Now
my aunt could write whatever she was supposed to write about it, and we could both
relax and go home.
But when I suggested that, she just said she wasn't expected to write about
accommodation. Then, when we got talking to the woman, the place wasn't quite what it
seemed anyway. The only field that went with the farmhouse was the one beside the
track, with the cows in it. The rest belonged to a farm over the hill. The barns were
rented to another farmer and the woman came from the city and was married to a
travelling salesman. From close to, you could see the colour in her cheeks came out of a
jar marked 'blusher'. The hens were hers, though. She'd been a professional bed-and-
breakfast lady for three years, she said, and this was the worst season ever, and, yes, we
could have separate rooms, two of each if we liked.
Perhaps she and her husband spent all their money on winter holidays, or perhaps
they just didn't have any, but they certainly didn't spend a lot on the house. The
bedrooms were huge and they hardly had any furniture in them - just a double bed in
each, one of those wardrobes with hangers on one side and shelves down the other, and
a wooden chair. There was a dangling light cord over each bed, which worked the
centre light, but no bedside lamp.
I could tell that my aunt wasn't knocked out by it because she whispered to me,
'All very clean, isn't it?' which is what Mum says about a place when she can't find
anything else well. 'Well there isn't much to get dirty,' I whispered back. But the
woman, Mrs Vosper, obviously assumed we'd stay, so we did. She asked if we were on
holiday, and I listened with interest to my aunt's answer. I don't think I really
understood at that point what she was doing, and it had got a bit late to ask her myself. I
was supposed to know. But all she said was: 'Touring around, taking a bit of a break.' So
that didn't help me much.
I picked a room that looked out over the field of cows. I don't think I realized how
damp it was until it was time to go to bed. There was a distinctly musty smell in the air,
and when I looked closely at the wallpaper I could see that in places it was coming
away from the walls. My Mum and her sister are not a bit alike. I knew Mum would
never let me sleep in a damp room. I wasn't sure what damp was supposed to do to you,
but I knew it wasn't good.
When I got into bed, I didn't feel very sleepy. My aunt had given me a copy of the
magazine she was working for, so I had a look at that. It was called Holiday UK and the
cover 'London' printed across one corner and a colour picture of horses in a park. There
was a great long article by my aunt inside, which went on for about six pages, with lots
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of photographs, and each one had her name up the side of 74 it. But there were also
adverts for hotels and restaurants and shops, along with a couple of pages listing places
to eat, theatres, cinemas, that sort of stuff. Also it was free, so I realized it couldn't be up
to much. Still, I knew they must somehow have enough money to pay her, or they
couldn't send her rushing around the countryside like this.
8. What did the writer think of the farmhouse when she first saw it?
A It was better than the description in the guidebook.
B It lived up to her expectations of the countryside.
C It was similar to one her aunt had written about.
D It reminded her of her own house.
9. What does the word 'ridge' describe?
A an agricultural building
B a feature of the landscape
C a piece of farm machinery
D a way of dividing fields on a farm
10.What do we discover about the farm in the second paragraph?
A It wasn't as large as it seemed.
B None of the animals belonged to it.
C The owner lived in another part of the country.
D The bed-and-breakfast business was doing well.
11.What disappointed the writer about the accommodation offered at the farm?
A the lack of space to hang clothes
B the fact that it needed cleaning
C the limited amount of furniture
D the size of the rooms
12.When Mrs Vosper asked if they were on holiday, the writer felt
A embarrassed by her aunt's reply.
B unsure why her aunt had really come.
C too tired to take in what was being said.
D worried that she might be asked something next.
13.What does the writer suggest about her bedroom at the farmhouse?
A Her aunt had picked a better one.
B It was an unhealthy place to sleep.
C Her mother would have approved of it.
D It wasn't the one she would have chosen.
14. The writer was unimpressed by the magazine because
A it didn't contain any interesting stories.
B it provided only factual information.
C it seemed to be all about London.
D it was given away free to people.
Text 2
Assistants to the stars
It stands to reason that a city like Los Angeles, which is home to so many of the
famous and the semi-famous, would have an Association of Celebrity Personal
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Assistants (ACPA). The organization describes personal assistants as 'multitasking', as
'possessing the most resourceful, creative, insightful, and results-driven abilities.'
When I first got in touch with Josef Csongei, the organisation's president, he was
initially reluctant to talk to me because I was a journalist. As he sees it, celebrity
personal assistants have not always been treated fairly by the press. But despite this, and
all the hard work and lack of appreciation that can come with this line of work, he
explained, the jobs were still widely sought after. He noted that people regularly
travelled great distances to attend a seminar titled 'Becoming a Celebrity 21 Personal
Assistant', run by the ACPA. To prove his point, he told me about Dean Johnson. In the
coming weeks, I heard this story from a number of assistants, including Johnson
himself, and every time it left me baffled.
The story begins one night in September 1994, with Dean Johnson sitting at home
in Columbia, South Carolina. Johnson is a single, 32-year-old business executive in
charge of marketing and advertising at a sizeable company in the healthcare industry. It
is 11 pm and he's looking to unwind in front of the television after a long day's work. A
repeat of a talk show appears on the screen, and the host introduces her four guests: the
celebrity personal assistants for Whoopi Goldberg, Roseanne Barr, Burt Reynolds and
Carol Burnett. As these assistants talk about flying on private planes and attending
Hollywood parties, Johnson reaches for a pen and starts taking notes. Without wasting
another minute, he picks up the phone, calls directory enquiries in Los Angeles, and
asks for the home phone numbers of the four assistants on the show.
Only one of them is listed: Ron Holder, who works for Whoopi Goldberg.
Johnson dials his number, and a minute later Holder picks up the phone. 'He said I was
very lucky to get through,' Johnson told me. Apparently, in the three months since he
had appeared on that talk show, he had received about 200 phone calls from people like
me. He was in the process of disconnecting his phone, but he was nice enough to chat
with me for a while.' During their conversation, Holder told Johnson that he should
consider attending the 'Becoming a Celebrity Personal Assistant' seminar in Los
Angeles.
For someone like Johnson, with almost no connections in the industry, the notion
of moving out to Los Angeles to become a celebrity personal assistant, something he
did two months later, was extremely courageous - there's no denying that. The typical
American story of the guy in the remote provinces who falls in love with the glamour of
the silver screen, packs up all his possessions and moves out to Hollywood to become a
star is almost a century old. But Johnson's story offered a new twist: he moved out to
Hollywood to become an assistant to a star.
Of the thousands of people who work in Hollywood: agents, lawyers, stylists,
publicists, business managers and others, many hope to rub shoulders with the biggest
stars. What's unique about celebrity personal assistants is that such proximity 77 appears
to be the only perk their profession offers. Most describe the bulk of their work as
drudgery: doing laundry, fetching groceries, paying bills. Assistants typically make
about $56,000 a year - hardly a fortune by Hollywood standards, especially given the
round-the-clock obligations they often have. What's more, the job is rarely a stepping
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stone to fame: celebrity personal assistants are, on average, aged about 38, right in the
middle of their professional lives, and most of the ones I met described their line of
work as a lifelong profession. For them, being an assistant was not the means to an end
but an end in itself.
15 When the writer first contacted him, Josef Csongei was

A angry about something she had written.
B suspicious of her because of her profession.
C surprised that she was interested in his organisation.
D pleased that she recognised the importance of assistants.
16 The phrase 'to prove his point' refers to Csongei's belief that celebrity assistants
A enjoy travelling as part of the job.
B are not given the appreciation they deserve.
C do a job that many other people would like to do.
D need to do a course before they start looking for work.
17 What was Dean's immediate reaction to what he saw on the programme?
A He wrote down the contact details of the four interviewees.
B He decided which of the four interviewees he wanted to talk to.
C He started making enquiries about how to find the people on the show.
D He read through his notes carefully before getting in touch with anyone.
18 How did Ron Holder respond to Dean's phone call?
A He refused to enter into a long conversation with Dean.
B He was angry that anyone had been able to get his number.
C He complained about being disturbed on his home number.
D He was willing to give Dean some advice and information.
19 In the fifth paragraph, the writer suggests that Dean Johnson
A never achieved his aim of becoming a personal assistant.
B was brave to go and look for a new career in Los Angeles.
C really wanted to become a star rather than a personal assistant.
D lived to regret his decision to give up everything in his old life.
20 In the final paragraph, we learn that celebrity assistants
A tend to see the job as their career goal.
B are relatively well paid for what they do.
C find the job gets too demanding as they get older.
D often move into other aspects of the film industry.
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10th Form

КОД РОБОТИ
Driving in the desert
1 2 3 4 5
6 7
A B C D A B C D
Bed-and-breakfast
8 9 10 11 12
13 14
A B C D A B C D
Assistants to the stars
15 16 17 18 19
20
A B C D
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Directions:
In this Test you will select from the three tasks written on the board the one which you
feel you are most capable to write about. You will then begin writing your essay on the
pages provided. When you are finished close your papers, lay down your pen and wait
for us to collect your test materials.
1) Smell and taste are two of our five senses. Often, the smell or taste of something can
bring back memories and feelings from the past. Are there any tastes or smells that
evoke these feelings/sensations/experiences for you? What are they? How do they make
you feel? Do some give you bad memories as well as good?
2) Many video games, television programs, films, and song lyrics are filled with
depictions of violent criminal activities. What effect do you think this has on the people
who watch, play, or listen to these forms of media? Do you think society is becoming
more violent because of them? What would you suggest be done about this problem?
3) Time travel is an idea that fascinates many people. Imagine that you could travel
back in time to witness one event or meet one person. Who would you like to meet, or
what would you like to see? What effect would this experience have on you? Explain in
detail why you would choose this event or person.
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THE PURPLE PATCH (After David Bateson)
Jack was nervous. His mother had promised to buy him new trousers only in October. So far he
had to wear his old ones with the purple patch that could be seen by those who didn't matter and
those who did like Ann Dale, the girl with soft yellow hair.
Again and again he threw the ball at the end of the house and caught it with both hands each
time when it flew back at him. His friend Jenner came up to him.
- Are you going to the sports, Jack? - he asked.
No, Jenner, I don't think so. - answered Jack gloomily. There are prizes, - Jenner said - 12
dollars and 10 dollars, first and second.
Jack continued to throw his ball. but he was thinking just as hard as he was throwing his ball.
"Perhaps if I could get a prize. I could buy those trousers now", he thought.
Ten minutes later they were on their way to the sports.
There were more children at the sports than Jack had ever seen. For many weeks he had thought
of going in for something but he had put it off because of the purple patch, because he would feel all
the time that everybody was looking at him. First race! - the man with the megaphone shouted.
Jack stood in the line next to Jenner and the other boys. He tried too hard at the sprint. He tried
to make his legs go quicker than they could. He wanted to win. And he was second.
Event Two! A Thread-the-Needle race! - the man shouted through his megaphone.
Girls who had paid no attention to Jack before now wanted to have him as a partner. Ann Dale
was there, too. Jack hoped Ann would choose him for a partner. But at that moment another girl
called Helen Firman took his arm and led him to the starting line.
Helen went to the far end and held her needle ready. Jack prepared the piece of thread. When he
heard the signal he ran like the wind. He was the first to reach his partner. Helen held the needle
ready, but she laughed nervously and he couldn't get the thread through the needle. The pair next to
them finished first. Helen was lost. She walked away angry.
The last race Jack could go in for was the Wheelbarrow race - his last chance for a big prize 'this
time the girls didn't want to have him for a partner. Jack was unhappy. You had to crawl along on
your hands with a girl behind you holding your legs and pushing you along.
At that very moment Ann offered him to be his partner. Into his feeling of happiness suddenly
came the thought of me purple patch. He pictured Ann holding his legs behind, pushing him
along...and looking in surprise at his purple patch. Oh!
While Jack stood hesitating the man with the megaphone came along, raised Jack's legs up to
Ann to hold. Then he shouted in a loud voice: "Ready! Off!"
Jack forgot why he had come to the sports. He stopped thinking of Ma, the prize and all the rest.
The one big thought in his mind was that Ann could see the purple patch. His hands walked forward.
He had only one aim - to get to the other end as quickly as it was possible. The sooner he was there
the less time Ann would have to notice the patch. Sharp grass hurt his hands; the blood ran to his
head. But he was going on he didn't even sec that the other pairs were behind.
- We won. Jack! - he heard Ann's words when they crossed the finishing line. And he saw that
Ann's face was full of admiration, not contempt, and he was very happy.
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Task 1. For each of the questions 1–10 decide which of the statements are true or false on the basis of
what is stated or implied in what you have heard and put a “+” if a statement is true and a “–” if a
statement is false next to the corresponding number on your answer sheet.
Remember: you are NOT allowed to take notes at ANY time when the text is being read to you.
1. Jack fell embarrassed about his patch.
2. Jenner gave Jack his trousers for taking part in the sporting contest.
3. Jack was in love with Ann Dale.
4. Jack went to the race hoping to see Ann.
5. Jack regularly took part in various sporting events.
6. By the time the boys came to the sports there were few children there.
7. Jack didn't miss a single event.
8. The second event was "A Thread-and-Needle" race.
9. Jack won all the events of the contest.
10. During the race Ann laughed at Jack's patch.
Task 2. For each of the questions 11–20 decide which of the answers (a, b, or c) best complete the
statements on the basis of what is stated or implied in what you have heard and mark the
corresponding letter with a «+» on your answer sheet.
11 Jack threw the ball hard at the end of the house because he
a) trained for the competition; b) was in a bad mood; c) was naughty.
12. Jack dreamt of
a) a new ball; b) new trousers; c) a new bicycle.
13. All sentences are true except:
a) Jack had a purple patch on his trousers; b) mother promised to buy him new trousers in
November;
c) Jack liked Ann Dale.
14. What kind of prize did the winner receive?
a) money; b) medals; c) presents.
15. Why didn't Jack win the second race?
a) he couldn't run fast enough; b) he couldn't get the thread through the needle; c) he broke
his leg.
16. Why didn't Jack want to run a race together with Ann?
a) Jack was tired; b) he didn't want Ann to see the patch on his trousers; c) she was a bad
partner.
17. Jack saw that Ann's face was full of
a) admiration; b) surprise, c) hate.
18. At the sports Jack earned
a) $10 b) $12; c) $22.
19. The Wheelbarrow race means
a) pushing wheelbarrows with a child in; b) pushing empty wheelbarrows;
c) crawling on hands with your legs in somebody's hands;
20. The main idea of the .story is:
a) one should play fair sports; b) it's nice to have true friends; c) sport can help you make
money.
Mark your answers on the Answer Sheet
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КОД РОБОТИ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20
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11th Form
Task I. Directions: Read the text. Some words are missing from the text. Choose the most
appropriate answer from the options (A, B, C or D) for each gap (1-20) in the text.
Write the letter of your answer on the answer sheet.
Favorite Cities: Steven Taylor asked five readers to tell about their favorite cities.
George, Athens
The majority of annual visitors to Greece arrive on package tours to the Greek
islands and rarely get the opportunity to explore the sights of Athens, which is a pity
because despite the noise and traffic jams, it is one of the most exciting and fascinating
cities in Europe. To make sure you get to see the most important sights, you can book a
city tour at a very reasonable price. However, it is always wise to pre-book tours of
Athens, especially if you are going to come in August. There is a wealth of scenery to
enjoy in the surrounding countryside, too, so try to take in other one-day excursions out
of the city. At the heart of the city, nestled at the foot of the Acropolis, is the Plaka, the
oldest and most picturesque neighborhood in Athens. Overlooked by the glorious
temple of the Parthenon, it is a maze of narrow streets running in all directions around
the Acropolis.
Richard, Rio de Janeiro

If I had the choice of any city in the world in which to live, it would be Rio. It is one
of the most romantic cities in the world, blessed with a wonderful sunny climate you
can count on and a breathtaking coastline. Rio is undoubtedly one of those favored
places in the world whose names have a universal romantic appeal. The effect Rio has
on the visitor is unforgettable. It is set in a stunning location surrounded by lush green
vegetation and the sea. Central Rio lies on the western shore of the bay with world-
famous Sugar Loaf Mountain standing guard to the natural harbor, while to the west is
Copacabana, that stretch of brilliant white sandy beach that to the locals is without
equal. A blend of European and South American culture, Rio is the highlight of any
visit to Brazil.
John, Venice
Italian cities are famed for their history and culture, but to many people Venice is
unquestionably one of the finest cities in the world. Constructed on an archipelago of 18
small islands separated by a dense network of waterways, Venice is geared to
accommodating the millions of tourists who flock here annually. Known locally as “The
Queen of the Adriatic”, Venice is best seen by water. Relax as you wind your way
along the Grand Canal past incredible facades of Gothic and Renaissance palaces and
magnificent churches below the elegant Rialto Bridge. Go sightseeing around the
numerous palaces and take in the wonderful architectural heritage. Venice today still
looks much as it did in the 13 th century, with the exception of a few transformations to
some buildings. Crowded throughout the summer months, reasonably priced
accommodation is almost impossible to find, so an advance booking is essential.
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Emma, Barcelona
The weather can make or break a holiday but in the Catalonian capital in the summer
months, rest assured that the sun will shine each day. I can’t imagine anyone not loving
Barcelona. It is a stylish, cosmopolitan city with the romantic Mediterranean on its
doorstep. Visitors should take every opportunity to sample the wonderful cuisine as well
as the famous Catalonian hospitality (and will no doubt wish they had more time to
explore the city). Despite the rapidly-changing skyline of the modern city, which
reflects the present age, it remains an enchanting place. For the culturally minded, there
are a great many museums, custodians of a unique historical and cultural heritage.
Among the most popular with an international reputation is the Picasso Museum, which
houses many of the painter’s works and hosts many traveling exhibitions.
Anna, Warsaw
Warsaw is a city steeped in history. Situated on the banks of the Vistula River,
Warsaw gets its name from Wars, a fisherman, and Sava, a mermaid he rescued.
Fortunately, despite its almost total destruction in the 1940’s, Warsaw is teeming with
places of interest. The Old City, which has been restored, centers on the medieval
market square near the river and is surrounded by Renaissance and Baroque houses. A
must for all visitors is the Palace of Culture and Science, which affords a panoramic
view of the entire city. Also well worth visiting in Lazienki Park is the Palace on Water
built in the 18th century as the summer palace of Stanislas II Augustus, the last king of
Poland.
1.George says that most visitors to Greece want to see:
a) The Parthenon; b) The Plaka; c) The Greek Islands; d) Delphi.
2. Problems the tourist may experience in Athens include:
a) Crowds and noise; b) Noise and traffic; c) Pollution and crowds; d) Long lines.
3. According to George, the busiest tourist month in Athens is in:
a) May; b) June; c) July; d) August.
4. From his description of it, you should probably visit the Plaka:
a) With a car; b) With a tour; c) On foot; d) After visiting the Greek Islands.
5. A major attraction of Rio is:
a) Carnival; b) The food; c) The climate; d) The beaches.
6. Richard says that Rio is considered:
a) Inexpensive; b) romantic; c) Tropical; d) European.
7. From Rio, you will be able to see:
a) A beautiful mountain; b) World-famous statues and monuments; c) Beautiful women
sunbathin; d) The famous plaza full of musicians and dancers.
8. From this article, you could conclude that:
a) Spain is a warm and sunny country; b) The capital of Catalonia is Barcelona;
c) Barcelona has beautiful beaches; d) Barcelona has not changed since the
Renaissance.
9.From this article, you might conclude that an archipelago is:
a) A lot of islands; b) A city surrounded by canals; с) An Italian island; d) A city built
on islands.
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2011-2012 н.р.
10. Visitors to Warsaw will be surprised because:
a) It is named after a fisherman; b) It has been rebuilt after the Second World War; c)
You can walk from the Old City to the New City over the Vistula; d) You can see a real
king in the Palace on Water.
Task II. Leaving the Village

The stooping figure of my mother, waist-deep in the grass and caught there like a
piece of sheep’s wool, was the last I saw of my country home as I left it to discover the
world. She stood old and bent at the top of the bank, silently watching me go, one hand
raised in farewell and blessing, not questioning why I went. At the bend of the road I
looked back again and saw her; then I turned the corner and walked out of the village. I
had closed that part of my life forever.
It was a bright Sunday morning in early June, the right time to be leaving home. We
had been a close family who always go on well together, but my three sisters and a
brother had already gone. There were two other brothers who had not yet got around to
making a decision. They were still sleeping that morning, but my mother had got up
early and cooked me a heavy breakfast, had stood wordlessly while I ate it, her hand on
my chair, and then had helped me pack up my few belongings. There had been no fuss;
there had been no attempt to persuade me to stay: she just gave me a long and searching
look. Then, with my bags on my back, I’d gone out into the early sunshine and climbed
through the long wet grass to the road.
It was 1934. I was nineteen years old, still soft at the edges, but with a confident
belief in good fortune. I carried a small rolled-up tent, a violin in a blanket, a change of
clothes, a tin of biscuit and some cheese. I was excited, full of self-confidence, knowing
I had far to go but not, as yet, how far. I left home that morning and walked away from
the sleeping village. It never crossed my mind that others had done this before me.
And now I was on my journey at last, in a thick pair of boots and a stick in my hand.
Naturally I was going to London, which lay a hundred miles to the east; and it seemed
equally obvious that I should go on foot. But first, as I’d never seen the sea, I thought
I’d try to walk to the coast and find it. This would add another hundred miles to my
journey. It would also cost me several extra days of walking. Such considerations didn’t
trouble me, however. I felt that I’d get by, whatever happened.
That first day alone – and now I was really on my own at last – steadily declined in
excitement. Through the solitary morning and afternoon, I found myself longing for
hurrying footsteps coming after me and family voices calling me back.
None came. I was free. The day’s silence said, “Go where you will. It’s all yours.
You asked for it. It’s up to you now.” As I walked I was followed by thoughts of home,
by the tinkling sounds of the kitchen, shafts of sun from the windows falling across
familiar furniture, across and the bedroom and the bed I had left. When I judged it to be
tea-time, I saw on an old stone wall and opened my tin of biscuits. As I ate them, I
could almost hear mother making tea and my brothers rattling their tea-cups. The
biscuits tasted sweetly of home – still only a dozen miles away.
37
2011-2012 н.р.
I might have turned back then if it hadn’t been for my brothers, but I knew I could
never have put up with the teasing I would have got from them. So I went on my way.
When darkness came, I was too weary to put up the tent. So I lay down in the middle of
a field and stared up at the brilliant stars. Finally the smells of the night put me to sleep
– my first night without a roof or bed. I was awoken soon after midnight by drizzling
rain on my face. I was cold and the sky was black and the stars had all gone. Two cows
stood over me mooing in the darkness. Those memories have stayed with me ever since.
But when the sun rose in the morning, the birds were singing. I got up, shook myself,
ate a piece of pie, and turned again to the south.
11. The writer left his home feeling that

a) He would soon be back to continue his life in the village
b) Life outside the village would be difficult
c) He could not stand the smallness of the village any longer
d) This was the end of an important part of his life
12. In the writer’s family
a) The rest of the children were still living at home
b) All the other children had left home
c) The boys had left but the girls had stayed
d) Some of the boys had stayed but the rest had left
13. Before the writer left the house, his mother
a) Had looked at him to be sure that he really wanted to go
b) Had let him make his own preparation to leave
c) Had helped him to prepare for the journey but asked him not to go
d) Had tried to persuade him to take his brothers with him
14. As he walked out of the village, the writer felt
a) Sadness about leaving his mother
b) Excitement about all the opportunities ahead of him
c) That many generations of young men had done the same thing before
d) That he should hurry because of the long journey ahead of him
15. The writer
d) Was worried that he might not find his way to the sea
e) Did not care if he used time and energy to go to the sea
f) Did not care if he did not get to London after all
g) Wondered if he could walk all the way to London
16. On the first day of his journey, the writer
d) Was followed by his brothers who asked him to come back
e) Stopped for a meal only when he was a long way from home
f) Did not turn back because his brothers would think he had failed
g) Was thoroughly happy that he was finally free
17. What the writer most clearly remembers about his first night alone is
d) Seeing two cows in a field
e) Lying in bed and looking at the stars
38
2011-2012 н.р.
f) Having difficulty putting up his tent
g) Waking up feeling wet and miserable
18. The extract shows the writer looks back on his experience and
d) Regrets wasting so much time as a young man
e) Feels strong sense of love for his mother
f) Feels he should go back and live in the village
g) Is glad he does not live in the village any more
19. Which of these statements is true of the writer at the time of this story?
d) He was sure where he wanted to go
e) He was unsure of his destination, only sure he wanted to go
f) He was seeking a career as a musician
g) He feared the ridicule of his brothers more than he feared the future
20. The writer is reminded of his cozy home
d) When he is caught in the rain
e) When he tastes his biscuits
f) When he first realizes he is sleeping without a roof over him
g) When he sees the sea
Mark your answers on the Answer Sheet
39
2011-2012 н.р.
11th Form

КОД РОБОТИ
Task І. Favorite Cities

1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10
Task II. Leaving the Village
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20
40
2011-2012 н.р.
Choose one of the three suggested topics and comment on it.
1. Each person is gifted in his or her own way. Some of us are excellent musicians while
others are superior mathematicians or gifted communicators. If you could choose a
special talent for yourself, what would you choose? Why would you choose this talent’?
How would you use this talent? How would it change your life or the lives of others?
2. Every country has problems with pollution: smoke in the air, dead fish in the water,
and trash on the ground. Everybody knows it is not good, but why do you think we
continue to pollute? What are some ways to prevent pollution? Choose something in
particular and explain how you would find a solution in order to correct or at least better
the situation from its current status.
3. Pretend that you are writing a letter to Santa Claus. You will ask him to bring 3 gifts
to three different people. Tell him what each gift is that you would like to give plus tell
him the reasons why you think that these people deserve such a gift.
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Комунальний вищий навчальний заклад

«Харківська академія неперервної освіти»

Mark your answers on the Answer Sheet.

Listening Text: 8th Form

БЛАНК ДЛЯ ВІДПОВІДЕЙ

БЛАНК ДЛЯ ВІДПОВІДЕЙ

Writing Comprehension Test for 8th Form Students

1. Which person has had the greatest influence on your life?

3. What makes a person a good leader?

The Lady With the Pet Dog (Anton Chekhov)

The Lady With the Pet Dog (Anton Chekhov)

STOP! WAIT FOR THE SECOND READING OF THE TEXT

Mark your answers on the Answer Sheet.

Listening Text: 9th Form

БЛАНК ДЛЯ ВІДПОВІДЕЙ

The Lady With the Pet Dog (Anton Chekhov)

11. The young woman goes to the judge because

Mark your answers on the Answer Sheet.

БЛАНК ДЛЯ ВІДПОВІДЕЙ

The Lion’s Hair

Writing Comprehension Test for 9th Form Students

Day of The Swallows Estella Portillo

STOP! WAIT FOR THE SECOND READING OF THE TEXT

Mark your answers on the Answer Sheet.

Listening Text: 10th Form

Day of The Swallows Estella Portillo

БЛАНК ДЛЯ ВІДПОВІДЕЙ

15 When the writer first contacted him, Josef Csongei was

Mark your answers on the Answer Sheet.

БЛАНК ДЛЯ ВІДПОВІДЕЙ

Driving in the desert

Assistants to the stars

Writing Comprehension Test for 10th Form Students

Listening Text: 11th Form

THE PURPLE PATCH (After David Bateson)

БЛАНК ДЛЯ ВІДПОВІДЕЙ

Richard, Rio de Janeiro

Task II. Leaving the Village

11. The writer left his home feeling that

Mark your answers on the Answer Sheet

БЛАНК ДЛЯ ВІДПОВІДЕЙ

Task І. Favorite Cities

Task II. Leaving the Village

Writing Comprehension Test for 11th Form Students

Choose one of the three suggested topics and comment on it.

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