MINISTERUL EDUCAŢIEI, CERCETĂRII, TINERETULUI ŞI SPORTULUI
OLIMPIADA DE LIMBA ENGLEZĂ
FAZA JUDEŢEANĂ/MUNICIPIUL BUCUREŞTI, 15 IANUARIE 2011
CLASA a IX-a
Subject I (50 points)
Write a narrative essay beginning or ending with the following words: Although she was afraid, Julia knew she had to make the call. Do not exceed 250 words.
Subject II (25 points)
You are on holiday and you have discovered a wonderful place and a wonderful person. You want to stay in this place for the rest of your holiday, but you already promised to spend a week with an English-speaking friend of yours. Write a letter to your friend describing the place you have discovered and the person you have met, and trying to persuade your friend to come and join you. Write your letter in 120 – 150 words.
Subject III (25 points)
A. Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense. (10 points)
I don’t normally go to the cinema. Not because I don’t like it but because it’s just a habit I have never got into. However, on this occasion I (1) ________ (decide) to go because my friends (2) ________ (go /constantly) on about this film all week and eventually (3) ________ (wear) me down. It starred some ephemeral Hollywood actor whom I (4) ________ (hear of/ vaguely) but I couldn’t put a face to. We got to the cinema early to find people (5) ________(already/ wait) outside, which suggested that my friends weren’t the only ones who thought it was worth seeing, although I could still think of several other things I would rather have been doing at the moment. In the end, the film (6) ________ (turn out) to be not half as bad as expected, though I (7) ________ (prefer) something with a bit more action. The plot centred on two men who were planning to carry out some immensely complicated robbery, though what they (8) ________ (not know) was that at the time their plans (9) ________ (closely/monitor) by the police. Somewhat unpredictably, however, they got away with it because they (10) ________ (change) their plans at the last minute. It was okay but I don’t think of going again.
B. Use the words in capitals at the end of each sentence to form another word that fits in each blank space. (5 points)
| Nowadays in schools there is a worrying trend against playing (1)………games. Teachers worry that such activities encourage an unpleasant (2)……….. between children, and make some kids feel (3)………..and humiliated. Personally, I believe that a need to compete is a strong instinct, just look at the number of (4)…………who want to demonstrate their intelligence on quiz shows, or even talent competitions. What’s more, most of us aren’t hopeless at everything so the (5)…………and approval we receive can strengthen rather than damage friendships. | COMPETE
RIVAL
USE CONTEST RECOGNISE |
C. Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word given in capitals, and so that the meaning stays the same. The word can’t be changed in any way. (10 points)
1. If you change your mind, let me know. SHOULD
…………………………mind, let me know.
2. It’s time for us to decide. MADE
It’s time we……………………
3. Is it likely that this invention will become popular with the public? CATCH
Is this invention likely………….with the public?
4. The only thing I did at the weekend was housework. APART
I did…………………..housework at the weekend.
5. I haven’t got my wallet- it must be at home. LEFT
I haven’t got my wallet- I…………………at home.
TOTAL 100 PUNCTE
TOATE SUBIECTELE SUNT OBLIGATORII.
TIMP DE LUCRU 3 ORE.
NU SE ACORDĂ PUNCTE DIN OFICIU
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CLASA a X-a
Subject I (50 points)
Write a 300-word essay in which you describe an airport departure lounge. Highlight the atmosphere and also the people’s feelings.
Subject II (25 points)
You have seen this advertisement in an international student magazine.
| WANTED!Enthusiastic and energetic volunteers for a children’s summer camp situated in the beautiful Welsh countryside.
Requirements:
If you are interested, please write to: Mr. J. Owen Summer Sensation, Langdon Farm, Cardiff |
Write your letter of application in 150 – 180 words.
Subject III (25 points)
A. Fill each of the numbered blanks in the following passage. Use only one word in each space. (10 points)
Speed kills. But it is not only the speed at which people drive (1) … is the problem: the speed of the music they are listening to also has a hand (2) … their fate. An Israeli researcher says drivers who listen to (3) … music in their cars may have more than twice as many accidents as those listening to slower tracks. (4) … the car now the place where people most often listen to music, the research is worrying. (5) … previous studies (6) … established a link between loud music and dangerous driving, it is clear now that too fast (7) … tempo may have a negative impact on the driver’s behavior. So what should drivers do? They should be aware of the tempo effect and choose slower pieces of music – or turn down the volume so they are (8) … distracted. Very little research has been carried (9) … into how people’s lifestyles affect their driving behavior; we need more of (10) … into the effects of distractions in cars.
B. Read the text below and use the word given in capital on the right to form words that fit in the gaps. The words in capitals are given in the order you need to use them. (5 points)
Moving to the city
| The Coca-Cola company is today engaged 1) … in the manufacture and sale of the famous carbonated beverage. The drink was 2) … in 1886 by an Atlanta pharmacist, J. Pemberton and his bookkeeper, Frank Robinson chose the name for the drink, which was to become the Coca-Cola trademark. Pemberton originally touted his drink as a tonic for most common 3)…. He sold his syrup to local soda fountains, and, with advertising, the drink became 4) …. successful. By 1891 another Atlanta pharmacist, Asa Chandler had secured complete 5) …. of the business for a total cash outlay of $2,300 and the exchange of some proprietary rights. | 1. prime2. origin
3. ail 4. expect 5. own |
C. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. (10 points)
1. If we don’t leave now, we won’t catch the train. miss
We’d …………………………the train.
2. Everyone was shocked by the success of the novel. shock
The success of the novel …………….everyone.
3. It’s entirely your own fault that you failed the exam. blame
You have no one ………………….the exam.
4. It’s unfortunate that the construction of the building will not be finished as originally planned. longer
The construction of the building ………….unfortunate.
5. If you work late tonight, you’ll be tired tomorrow. the
The ……………………………………………..you’ll be tomorrow.
TOTAL 100 PUNCTE
TOATE SUBIECTELE SUNT OBLIGATORII.
TIMP DE LUCRU 3 ORE.
NU SE ACORDĂ PUNCTE DIN OFICIU
*******
CLASA a XI-a
Subject l (50 points)
“We must dare to think “unthinkable” thoughts. We must learn to explore all the options and possibilities that confront us in a complex and rapidly changing world” (J.W. Fulbright, U.S. Senator). Express your opinion on this quote in 350 words. Make sure you support it with arguments and examples.
Subject II (25 points)
You have seen this announcement in an international magazine:
| ARTICLES INVITEDAs part of a special section on modern inventions, we’re looking for articles from readers about their expectations for the future. What invention would you most like someone to come up with, and why? Give us all the details and tell us why this thing would be useful to you or to people in general. |
Write your article in approximately 200 – 220 words.
Subject III (25 points)
A. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Use the word given without changing it. (5 points)
1. It was difficult for him to accept that the company no longer needed him. TERMS
He found ………………………….the fact that the company no longer needed him.
2. The play will have started by now so there’s no point in us going in. WELL
We………………………home now as the play will have already started.
3. All he did for the whole holiday was sleep. NOTHING
He…………………sleep for the whole holiday.
4. Students must never leave their things unattended in the classroom. ACCOUNT
On……………………….their things unattended in the classroom.
5. Janice soon recovered from her illness. GET
It………………………….. her illness.
B. Fill each of the numbered blanks in the following passage. Use only one word in each space. (10 points)
Garden Wildlife
The age of a garden has a great effect on the abundance of its wildlife. Since most animals depend ultimately on plants for their food, animal life cannot easily establish (1)…………. in the absence of plant life. A plot of land behind a newly-built house, even (2)…………. covered with a layer of good soil, will support very (3)………… resident species other (4)………… microscopic organisms. (5)…………… from the odd worm or spider, not (6)……………. creatures will be able to (7)……………… a living in the garden (8)………….. this stage.
It takes years for a garden to become fully populated, and it cannot really be regarded as mature until it is (9)………. of supporting fully-grown shrubs and trees. That is why a large number of British gardens are immature (10)……….. as much as they do not support such a variety of wildlife as an older garden.
C. Read the text below and use the word given in capital on the right to form words that fit in the gaps. The words in capitals are given in the order you need to use them. (10 points)
| The way we perceive science has (1)………. radical change in the last hundred years. An enormous (2)………… explosion (3)…………….. by increasing anxiety about the environment and the moral implications of economic growth have (4)……… placed science at the centre of public debate.The twentieth century began with a challenge to the (5)……………. that human knowledge was approaching (6)…………………It will come, perhaps, as a surprise to all of us to realize that the emergence of this highly (7)……………..process came both from within and outside science. New scientific theories (8)……………….. reveal the limitations of the old perspective. We had thought that the world, understood through the medium of rational (9)…………., was, indeed, the real world. Now we realize that this was no more than a (10)………….. that just happened to work. | 1.GO2.TECHNOLOGY
3.COMPANY 4. QUESTION 5. ASSUME 6. COMPLETE 7. DESTROY 8. OVERWHELM 9. BE 10. SIMPLE |
TOTAL 100 PUNCTE
TOATE SUBIECTELE SUNT OBLIGATORII.
TIMP DE LUCRU 3 ORE.
NU SE ACORDĂ PUNCTE DIN OFICIU
*******
CLASA a XII-a
Subject I (50 points)
Write a 450-word reflective essay considering the following quote:
“The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave”. (Thomas Jefferson)
Subject II (25 points)
This is a part of a letter you have received from a friend in another country:
We’re doing a project at school about how computers are changing people’s lives in different countries. Could you write a short report about your country, saying how computers are changing things and how people feel about it? We can then include this in our project.
Write your report in approximately 300 words.
Subject III (25 points)
A. Fill each of the numbered blanks in the following passage. Use only one word in each space. (10 points)
Spending on art has trebled to more than 3 billion pounds in the past year, as Britons abandon art galleries and rush to snap (1)…..bargains on the Internet. Recent research (2)…..domestic art buying has revealed that 31% of people have (3)…..one and five (4)…..of art in their home and it (5)…..suggests that people are now spending larger (6)……on fewer items. No longer (7)….. the middle classes merely buy art for its own (8)….., but as a means of investing their ever growing surplus income.
(9)….., purchasing on the Internet is a relatively new concept and (10)…..which some find unnatural and unacceptable.
B. Find one word which is appropriate for all three gaps in each of the following sentences. (5 points)
1. The mother ….the child’s hand as he was about to walk in front of the speeding car.
All the students … cheating in the exam will be dealt with by the disciplinary committee.
Mary was late for the meeting and only … part of the chairman’s speech.
2. Many people feel that the government should be more concerned about … issues.
He was only a … recruit, fresh from college and with no experience in sales.
All dishes are served with chips or a … salad.
3. The … of land was too near the river to be safe to build a house on.
Police discovered the… to overthrow the government.
Critics raved about the film but I thought the … was weak and unconvincing.
4. .. is becoming less of a social issue in most countries today.
Regular reunions have helped me keep in touch with friends from my … at primary school.
The Russian ice skater was simply in a … of her own and easily won the gold medal.
5. They …to make a large profit on the shares they have bought.
A female tiger will always … her ground to protect her cubs.
Several shops now … where the old cinema used to be.
C. For each of the sentences below, write a new sentence as similar as possible in meaning to the original sentence, but using the word given. The word must not be altered in any way. (10 points)
1. I haven’t had the time to answer George’s letter yet. round
I haven’t……………………to George’s letter yet.
2. From what you told John, he thought you would resign. impression
You …………your resignation when you spoke to him.
3. I can’t understand how the proposed changes will be beneficial to us. fail
I…………………………………..the proposed changes.
4. The manager refuses to talk to the press until the end of the season. finished
Only when…………………………………talk to the press.
5. Although the couple are getting on, they don’t need anyone to care for them. fend
The elderly couple……………………….their age.
TOTAL 100 PUNCTE
TOATE SUBIECTELE SUNT OBLIGATORII.
TIMP DE LUCRU 3 ORE.
NU SE ACORDĂ PUNCTE DIN OFICIU
*******
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