Listening 9 Form Text

The Wine of Li-Po ( A Fairytale)

In the land of Li-Po they made a very special wine .It was deep red in colour, it tasted like nectar

and it kept for ever. But it had one other quality which made it more special than any other wine in the

world = whoever drank the wine of Li-Po would speak the truth and only the truth as long as its influence

lasted.

Now you might think that a wine with such wonderful properties would be in great demand and

that the vineyards of Li-Po would have had difficulty in producing enough grapes. But quite the reverse

was true. It seemed that fewer and fewer people dared to drink the wine of Li-Po for fear that they would

have to tell the truth, and the cellars became filled with barrels and bottles of the wine that no one would

buy.

At length there was only one wine-maker left in the whole of Li-Po. “I cannot understand,” he

said, “why everyone is so afraid of the truth. In my father’s time, everyone drank the wine and enjoyed it.

And if they had to tell the truth for half a day after, it was no matter to them.”

One day, however, the King of a distant country got to hear of the famous wine of Li-Po. So he

said to his Lord Chancellor. “Lord Chancellor, it is time I found out who are my trusty subjects and who

are not. I want you to arrange for everyone in my kingdom to drink the wine of Li-Po, and to present

themselves to me for questioning”.

When the Lord Chancellor heard this command, he shook with fear, for he had many dark secrets

that he dreaded the King might find out. But he smiled and said: “An excellent idea, Your Majesty. May I

be the first to try it out?”

“Good”, said the King. “See to it straight away”.

So the Lord Chancellor ordered all the barrels of wine in Li-Po to be bought up, and carried in

carts over the country to his own land. There the wine was put into bottles, and on every bottle was

written somebody’s name. Then the bottles were carefully placed in a huge rack in the main market-place,

and seven soldiers were put on duty to guard them day and night.

The Lord Chancellor, meanwhile, was racking his brains to think how he could avoid the test

himself; for fear that he should reveal any of his own dark and guilty secrets to the King. So too were all

the other members of the King’s Council, for they all had dark and guilty secrets. the same were for all

the other lords and ladies and lawyers and doctors and innkeepers and shopkeepers. In fact, every single

person in the land was trying his hardest to think how he could avoid drinking the wine of Li-Po and

having to tell the truth to the King.

Then the Lord Chancellor hit upon a plan. He had a sleeping potion put into the guard’s drink,

and then, at dead of night when they had all fallen fast asleep, the Chancellor crept down to the market

square and took the bottle of wine which bore his name, emptied it out, and refilled it with ordinary wine.

Then he made his way home, satisfied that when his turn came he would not have to tell the truth.

The same plan had also occurred to other members of the King’s Council, and each one of them

crept down the market square during the nights that followed, and each, unknown to the others,

substituted ordinary wine in the bottles which bore his name. .It was not long, of course before word got

out that the guards were asleep all night, and very soon all the other lords and ladies had taken the

opportunity to do the self-same thing. So too did all the lawyers and doctors and innkeepers and

shopkeepers and craftsmen. In short, by the time the day of testing came, every one of those bottles of the

wine of Li-Po had been emptied and refilled with ordinary wine. The whole town was buzzing with

excitement. The streets were full and the market-place was bursting with the crowds. Everyone in the

kingdom was there – except for one notorious robber, who had been hiding up in the hills for several

years.

As soon as it was light, the King took his place on the throne, and summoned the Lord Chancellor

forward.

“My Lord Chancellor,” he said, “since you are the most eminent of all my subjects you shall

commence.”

The Lord Chancellor smiled, filled his goblet and drank it down, and said: “Now I am ready to

answer any question you wish, Your Majesty”.

“Very well,” said the King, “first tell me: are you a good and loyal subject?”

“Indeed I am!” replied the Lord Chancellor, although at that very moment he was plotting to

overthrow the King.

“Secondly,” said the King, “do you think I am a wise ruler?”

“Indeed I do” exclaimed the Lord Chancellor, although secretly he thought: “What a fool the king

is making of himself!”

“And lastly”, said the King, “how does the wine of Li-Po taste?”

“It tastes like nectar distilled from all the flowers of heaven!” said the Lord Chancellor.

“Very good!” said the King. “You may stem down.”

The next to drink the wine was the Prime Minister, and the King asked him the same three

questions, and the prime Minister made similar answers – although he was really no better than the Lord

Chancellor

And so went on through the entire King’s Council, and all the lords and ladies and the lawyers

and doctors and townsfolk and all the country folk. And, because they had all emptied the wine of Li-Po

out of the bottles that bore their names and replaced it with ordinary wine, none of them was afraid of

answering the King’s questions.

Well, the questioning went on all that day and all the next day, and all the day after that, until –

just as they were questioning the very last subject of all – some soldiers arrived with the robber, whom

they had caught stealing in broad daylight, while everyone was in the city. They hauled him up before the

King, and the King ordered him to drink the wine of Li-Po, and then answer the questions he would put to

him.

.Now the robber did not know that all the wine of Li-Po had been poured away, and so he took

the cup with fear and trembling. But he drank it all the same. Then he faced the King.

“Firstly, are you a good and loyal subject?” asked the King.

“You know me for what I am,” replied the robber. “I’ve robbed you kingdom for many years.

“Shame!” cried all the people.

“Secondly, do you think I’m a wise ruler?” asked the King.

“I’ve nothing to lose by telling the truth,” replied the robber, “and the truth is: a wise ruler would

decide for himself which of his subjects he could trust.” “Traitor!” shouted the crowd.

“Lastly”, said the King, “how does the wine of Li-Po taste?”

“I’m sure I don’t know,” replied the robber. “I’ve never tasted it, and this is just ordinary wine.”

At which words a silence fell over the market-place, and everyone stared at the ground. And the

King rose and said: “Is this the only person in my kingdom who dares to tell the truth?”

There and then he dismissed the Lord Chancellor, and appointed the robber in his place, saying:

“I would rather be served by a thief than a hypocrite.” And from that day forth, the wine of Li-Po was

never seen in his kingdom again, for it had served its purpose – even though not one drop of it had been

drunk.

Listening Comprehension for 9th

Form Students . Assignments

Task 1. True and false statements. Put plus or minus.

1. The wine of Li-Po never got spoilt.

2. The wine had peculiar qualities.

3. The King wanted his subjects to taste the wine.

4. People did not mind telling the truth.

5. The Lord Chancellor was an honest man.

6. Every subject was supposed to have a personal bottle of the wine.

7. At the testing the Lord Chancellor escaped taking his wine.

8. Everyone tested knew that there was an ordinary wine in each bottle.

9. The robber appeared to be a trusty subject.

10. The robber was asked the same three questions as the Council members.

Task 2. Multiple Choice. Choose the right answer,

11. The wine makers found it difficult to sell the wine because…

A. there were too many barrels and bottles of wine

B. they could not produce enough grapes

C. the wine tasted dreadful

D. people were afraid of the wine

12. Everyone was trying hard..

A. to hide his secrets

B. to avoid drinking the Li-Po wine

C. to get this special drink

D. to deceive the King

13. Why were the guards fast asleep?

A. They drank the Li-Po wine B. They drank a special potion

C. They drank nectar D. They drank some ordinary wine

14. Who was the second to be tested?

A. the robber B. the Lord Chancellor C. the Prime Minister D. the doctor

15. One of the Lord Chancellor’s secret wishes was…

A. to overthrow the King B. to rob the King

C. to deceive the King D. to make a fool of the King

16. The King told the Lord Chancellor “See to it straight away”. This means he told him….

A. To look at the wine

B. to be the first to try the wine

C. to arrange for every subject to taste the wine

D. to watch every subject drinking the wine

17. How long did the testing last?

A. one day B. two days C. tree days D. a week

18. As the testing went on the robber was,,,

A. stealing things in the town

B. hiding up in the hills

C .watching the others being questioned

D. pouring away the wine

19. It was arranged for everyone to drink the wine except..

A. the Lord Chancellor B. the robber C. the King D. the wine maker

20. The robber told the truth because..

A. He expected the King not to believe him

B. He had nothing to hide

C. He was afraid of the King

D. He had nothing to lose by telling the truth

Writing Comprehension Test for 9th

Form Students

For me, the greatest achievement of the last 150 years has definitely been the invention of

the car. They have completely changed our lives, if you think about it. Before everyone had their

own cars, people had to walk everywhere, or catch the bus, which was time0consuming and

inconvenient. Things like getting home from work or going shopping took much longer so

people had less time for other things, for having fun. Cars have meant that we have more time

for leisure and that we can go further, to more interesting places. You can easily go to the theatre

in another town in the evening, for example, or spend the weekend in a nice village in the

countryside a hundred miles away. In the olden days people travelled much less, they had fewer

holidays and they couldn’t go to so many exciting places… maybe they just went a few miles

away to visit relatives or whatever. Nowadays, thanks to the car, they can go all over the place

and have a much wider experience of life. In the olden days, if you weren’t born near the sea

then probably you’d never seen the sea. If you weren’t born near the mountains, then probably

you’d never seen mountains, and people who lived in remote places were very isolated, they had

much less contact with the outside world, so society was less mixed and open, and people were

more limited in their jobs. These days, with cars, you cab drive a long way to work – you can

work in the city and live in the countryside, for example – and because people travel from town

to town more, it’s more common for people to go and live and work in different towns, so people

have more opportunities, and have more contact with people from other places. And because

these days cars are relatively cheap, they have affected almost everyone’s lives. It’s something

everyone can benefit from, not just a few people. Although people complain about traffic and

pollution, and things like that, would anyone really want to give up the car, and go back to the

days when you had to walk or cycle everywhere, when people did not often even visit other

towns, let alone other countries?

(Cutting Edge upper-intermediate m.5)

Transportation is very important for the modern life and economy. However, the increase

in traffic has led to an increase in air and water pollution. You should write a composition

to dwell upon this problem. The following idea and questions will guide your thoughts.

- What might be done in the area of transportation to decrease pollution?

- What effects might this have on the economy?

- Do you think a cleaner environment, but worse economy, is OK? Why or why not?

Speaking Comprehension for 9th

Form Students

1. We all get presents some times. Most of the presents we get are wonderful, interesting and just what we

wanted. But sometimes we get presents we do not like. Tell about some a present you received that you

really did not like.

* What was it? Why did not you like it? Who gave it to you? When did you receive it?

* What did you do with the present? Did you ever tell the person who gave it to you?

* When you are choosing presents for others, what do you think about?

2. Sometimes someone asks you a question and you know the answer is not going to be pleasant for that

person to hear. Do you tell the truth and hurt the person’s feelings or do you lie?

* How can you be honest and not hurt someone? Why is honesty difficult?

* When is honesty important? is it ever OK to tell only part of the truth?

* How do you feel when someone is dishonest with you?

3. Do you think exercise should be an important part of every person’s life?

* Do you play any sports? Dance? Go jogging? Do you like exercise?

* Can you see any difference in the people around you who exercise and those who do not?

* What are the benefits of regular exercise?

4. Many people think French is the most beautiful language in the world.

* What makes a language pleasant or harsh to the ear?

* Which foreign languages are you interested in learning?

* Why do you want to learn them?

5. Should uniforms be worn in school?

* Why do schools enforce wearing of uniforms?

* How do they promote or prevent individuality?

* Explain the advantages and disadvantages of wearing uniforms.

6. If you could have any talent that you don’t already possess what would it be?

* Why is this talent so important for you to have?

* How would you use it?

* Do you feel it is more important to gain talents through hard work or through natural ability?

7. Do you think that money can buy happiness?

* When did money make your life easier?

* When did money make your life more difficult?

* There are some who say that it is impossible to be both rich and moral. Do you agree or disagree?

Explain

8. You are about to take part in a weeklong survival course in the mountains.

* What three objects would you take along with you?

* Why do you think these objects are so important for your survival?

* What are you scared of most before leaving for your journey?

9. You are asked to be “Teacher for a day” at your English lesson.

* Which topic and activities will you choose to create the best lesson?

* What problems, if any, might you encounter?

* How might this change your perspective on teaching?

10. What activities do you find enjoyable when you are by yourself?

* Why is this activity so enjoyable to you?

* How often do you spend time by yourself? Do you feel it is important to have time alone? Why/

* Have you ever been afraid to spend time by yourself?

11. Discuss your favourite actor or actress.

* What plays, films or television shows have you seen this person in?

* Explain why they are your favourite actor or actress.

* Compare this person with another actor or actress and explain why your choice is best.

12. Fairytales and short stories play an important role in the lives of children.

* What was your favourite story? Why?

* What was the moral or lesson that you learned from it?

* describe the main characters and theme in a fairytale or short story you might write.

13. Transportation greatly influences our lifestyles and the growth patterns of our communities

* What means of transportation does your community have, and how have they affected people’s

lifestyles?

* How do you and your family usually get around?

* Which form of transportation in your town could you go without if necessary? Why?

14. You have been asked to write a book about your hometown.

* What type of book would you write, and who would be your audience?

* Will characters based on people you know personally be left identifiable? Why?

* How would you react if you recognized yourself in a character created by a close friend?

15. You are travelling to another country for one year and can only take one suitcase. What will you

bring?

* What items do you think you cannot live without?

* What items from your country would you like to show someone from another culture?

* How do these items represent you and your country?

16. People make choices everyday that affect their health.

* What are the most important components of a healthy lifestyle?

* How do you keep yourself healthy?

* What can be done to convince with unhealthy habits to live a healthy lifestyle/

17. Imagine that you have begun correspondence with a pen pal in another country.

* Where is your friend from, and what is his/ her life like?

* What will you share with him/ her about your own life?

* How is your life different from his/hers?

18. Your family wants to adopt a new pet. Everybody has a chance to state their opinion.

* What kinds of pets would NOT be good for your family?

* How would you convince the rest of your family your idea is perfect for all of them?

* What kind of care would this pet need?

19. Traditionally, holidays are spent with family and friends.

* If you could create your own holiday, what would it be called and what would it celebrate?

* On what day of the year would it be celebrated?

* Who would you celebrate this holiday with?

20. Games and puzzles have been part of human traditions since the beginning of our existence.

* What is the value, if any, of such traditions? What are your favourite games and why?

* What games and puzzles are indicative of your country and culture?

* Are games as important for adults as they are for children? Why or why not?

Listening Comprehension for 10th

Form Students . Text

Rupert Bear (from “Modern English Digest”)

Of all the characters created by authors, artists and cartoonists through the ages, few

remain as enduring and as treasures as Rupert the Bear. Rupert made his first appearance on the

8th

November 1920, in the pages of the British newspaper the Daily Express . To this day, Rupert

remains a permanent feature of the paper. Indeed, no other British newspaper can claim a

character that rivals Rupert for popularity or longevity.

Mary Tourtel , a well-established and respected artist and children’s book illustrator,

created Rupert initially for her own amusement. Mary was also the wife of Herbert Tourtel, the

Night Editor of the Daily Express. Eventually Mary decided to show the newspaper’s editorial

team her drawings of the little bear in the distinctive checked trousers. The people at the Daily

Express were delighted. They immediately recognised the charm and popularity of a teddy bear

based character for readers of all ages. Without more ado, they took Rupert the Bear to the

printing press and into the hearts of Express readers all over the country.

Strangely enough, the Daily Express was desperate to find a new character in order to

compete on even terms with its rival, the Daily Mail. The Daily Mail launched a cartoon in 1915

featuring the adventures of a character called “Teddy Tail”. Interestingly, “Teddy” was based on

a mouse rather than a bear. Despite this, the Teddy stories appealed strongly to Mail readers. The

cartoon feature ran for some 45 years in all, coming to an end only in 1960. The Express

intended Rupert as their knock-out weapon against Teddy in their never ending campaign to take

readers from the Mail.

Despite this, Rupert made his debut in 1920 in a low-key fashion. He appeared, along

with four rhyming couplets, in a single panel at the bottom of a page. An editorial note told

readers to look for the next part of the story on the following day, The story, called “Little Lost

Bear”, depicted Rupert being sent off shopping by his parent who warned him not to stray from

the path on the way to the shops. This very first printed picture of Rupert established his look

that remains unchanged to this day – checked scarf, checked trousers, sweater and sturdy shoes.

However, Rupert’s taste in colours has changed with the times. Marry dressed Rupert originally

in a blue sweater and a grey scarf. Nowadays Rupert always appears dressed in matching yellow

scarf and trousers which contrast brightly with his red sweater.

Although Rupert is a bear, he typifies the life of a small boy living with his parents in an

idyllic English village of thatched houses called Nutwood. Surrounded by woodland and

common land, Nutwood provides the setting for most of Rupert and his friends’ adventures.

Rupert’s friends are all lifelong pals with obvious schoolboy traits of one kind or another. Mary

depicted the earliest of these characters as a badger (Bill Badger), dog (Algy Pug) and elephant

(Edward Trunk), who all show aspects of the animal to which they are related (tenacity, loyalty,

wisdom etc.) Alongside these schoolboys, Mary populated the area of Nutwood with a host of

engaging characters including kings, wizards, witches and dwarves. Mary’s storytelling is firmly

rooted in the Hans Christian Anderson and Brothers Grimm fairy tale genre she enjoyed as a

child herself. Importantly, Mary’s husband, Herbert, wrote all the rhyming couplets that

accompanied each cartoon story.

In no time at all, Rupert became a key feature for the readers of the Express. Mary’s

workload as the most important illustrator for the newspaper grew accordingly. By 1935 the

strain on Mary became too great and ill health forced the Daily Express to search for a successor.

Not surprisingly, this appeared an almost impossible task. However, the newspaper eventually

“struck gold” when they contacted another extremely talented illustrator, Alfred Bestall. Alfred

worked as a regular, recognised magazine illustrator for Punch and when the Express asked him

to take over the Rupert cartoons, Alfred was initially sceptical that he was the right person for

the job. However, after a few attempts at drawing Rupert he came to really love the character.

A year after Alfred took over the creative role for Rupert, the Daily Express decided on a

bold move. The editor collected all of the serialised stories and published them together in a

single volume. So the first Rupert Annual was born. The Rupert Annual remains a regular

Christmas bestseller to this day. Millions of children and adults alike await a Christmas gift of

the new Rupert Annual with eager delight. The success of the Rupert Annual led many other

cartoon series to copy the idea. However, very few cartoons Christmas specials achieve the

massive readership regularly enjoyed by the Rupert Annual.

Today Rupert is as popular as ever, his appeal crosses all ages and cultural boundaries.

The Rupert Annuals and early stand- alone story books remain among the most collectable items

of juvenile literature. Collectors also value many of the countless Rupert toys, jigsaw puzzles,

games and posters. For 85 years the adventures of Rupert Bear have entertained generations of

children by transporting them to a magical world that never fails to enchant. No mater how the

modern society changes, the honesty and decency of the Rupert stories, the loyalty and love of

friends and family, promise to attract readers in the future just as strongly as in the past.

Listening Comprehension for 10th

Form Students Assignments

Task 1. True and false statements. Put plus or minus.

1. Rupert Bear was an animated cartoon character

2. Initially Rupert was dressed in yellow and red

3. Mary Tourtel start drawing the bear to entertain herself

4. Rupert was a rival character to Teddy Tail

5. It was Mary’s husband who wrote verses for the cartoons

6. Rupert stories can help to know the wild animals’ life

7. Alfred Bestall was eager to replace Mary as a cartoon illustrator

8. Rupert Annual stories are issued every December

9. Rupert Annual is still a popular present for children

10. Rupert stories were written by Hans Christian Andersen

Task 2. Multiple choice. Choose the right answer.

11. Rupert appeared as a leading character of…

A. Daily Mail B. Daily Express C. Punch D. Rupert Annual

12. Teddy Tail was…

A. a bear B. a mouse C. A dog D. a badger

13. Rupert’s typical feature is checked …

A. trousers B. sweater C. shoes D. cap

14. Teddy Tail stories first appeared in …

A. 1920 B. 1935 C. 1915 D. 1960

15. What might happen to Rupert in the first story?

A. He got lost B. He struck gold C. He met the King D. He bought a scarf

16. According to the text what character is unlikely to meet in Nutwood?

A. a wizard B. an elephant C. a school boy D. a dwarf

17. The editors are said to “struck gold”, when they found a new cartoon illustrator.

It means that they…

A. got lucky B. found a gold deposit C. became rich D. lost money

18. Mary Tourtel had to give up illustrating Rupert stories because…

A. she was sick and tired of them

B. a new illustrator was found

C. too much work made her unwell

D. she was not the right person for the job

19. Rupert Annual was a new…

A. magazine B. newspaper C. book D. film

20. How old might Rupert be by now?

A. 15 B. 45 C. 85 D. 60

Writing Comprehension for 10th

Form Students

There’s nothing romantic about being on heroin. Wet Wet Wet front man Marti Pellow tells

how kicking his drug addiction gave him new insights on life – and inspired his brilliant new

album.

It’s taken him 41 years but Marti Pellow says he has finally made the album of his life.

Recording it, says Marti, was like “flying in a room full of eagles.” listening to it “should

hopefully be like finally getting to red soul of me, good or bad”.

The majority of the tracks are raw love songs, although their inspiration ranges from

Pellow’s quest for spirituality to witnessing the effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

“Ten years ago I just did not have the knowledge to put together an album like this,” he says,

“with so many great elements and so much experience.” Ten years ago, Pellow was addicted to

heroin.

“It was a humbling experience”, he says “I am nine years out of rehab now but in a

certain way it’s like yesterday. It really made me re-evaluate a whole bunch of stuff and not just

about music. There is nothing romantic about being on heroin”.

But now he has written some truly romantic songs. “Perhaps it’s only through this album

that I’ve really begun believing in myself again.”

Marti has proven he has enduring talent: from 2002 to 2005 he starred as Billy Flynn in

the musical Chicago in more than 400 performances in the West End, Glasgow, Broadway and

Japan, as well as touring solo in the UK in between. He has one abiding memory of that time.

“When I was first offered the part my mother said, “Oh my God, you are going to have your

name in lights on Broadway,” and this was long before anything like this was mentioned.

By the time he did finally open New York she died. “On the first night, after all the

drinks and the celebrations, I was walking through Times Square at 2am and I was looking back

and my name really was in lights on Broadway. I thought, “Nice one, Mum – this one is for

you.” (From “The Mail on Sunday”)

Drug use is a problem among youth in many countries around the world. You are asked to

help plan an ad campaign to encourage youth not to use drugs. Write a composition how

you would do it.

- Would you put your ad campaign on TV, on billboards or on the Internet? Why?

- Describe your ad; what would you show?

- What information would it contain?

- Why do you think your ad would prevent youth from using drugs?

- Should advertising agencies have social responsibilities? Why or why not?

Speaking Comprehension for 10th

Form Students

1. What do you think life would be like without clocks to measure time?

* How would people structure their day and make plans?

* Do you think life would be better or worse? Why?

* What problems might people have without clocks?

2. When planning for the future it is important to make clear definite goals. What are your

important goals for life?

* What might happen in the future if you do not make plans and set goals now?

* If your future does not fulfil your plans or hopes, how will you react?

* Which people and sources of information can help you decide about your future?

3. There are many different ways to be a leader.

* How have you been a leader at school, among your friends or in other ways?

* What are some necessary characteristics of a good leader? Can anyone be a leader?

* Why is being or having a leader important?

4. Some people say that whatever happens happens for the best.

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

* Can good come from bad situations? In which cases?

* Which is more important, fate or luck? How?

5. If you could live in any time period in Ukraine:

* When would you choose to live?

* Where in the country would you want to live?

* What would you want to be doing in that time period?

6. You will soon graduate from school and become an adult. What are your thoughts about

childhood?

* What do you think are the best parts of being a child?

* What do you think the main differences are between childhood and adulthood?

* What about your own children? Do you want their childhood to be similar to your own?

Different from your own? How do you see the lives of children in the future?

7. Do you think that the arts-theatre, music, art, literature, dance, etc. play an important role in

your life?

* Do you play any musical instruments? Do you paint or draw? Would you like to learn how to

do these or other artistic things?

* Do you have the opportunity to go to museums and concerts? If so, what do you learn and feel

when you are there?

* If you could possess one artistic talent that you do not possess now, which would you pick and

why?

8. You are going on a trip to another country for two weeks. How would you plan your trip?

* Where would you go? With whom would you go? Why?

* Would you travel more for adventure, to learn, or to see historical sites?

* What kind of preparations would you make? Describe one day in your itinerary?

9. Describe an ideal neighborhood?

* What does it look like?

* What kind of people lives there?

* How could you make this a reality where you live?

10. How important is friendship to you?

* Describe the character of your best friend.

* Can people be happy without friends? Why or why not?

* Which is more important to you: love or friendship?

11. Do you think the “traditional” roles of men and women are changing in Ukraine?

* How have men’s roles changed? What new roles do they have?

* How about women? What’s changed with them?

* Do you think these roles should change to meet the needs of present times? Why?

12. Home phones, mobile phones, Internet chatting and e-mail have revolutionized the world and

changed a lot about how people communicate. Describe what form of modern communication

you use.

* In what ways have these modern forms of communication helped us?

* What negative impacts has the loss of face-to-face communication had on everyone?

* What will the communication of the future be like?

13. Your friend studied at an English university. Now, she can look for work in England or come

back to Ukraine. Her English is good, but few people in England need an interpreter.

* Compare the advantages and disadvantages of each option for work.

* What kind of work might she find in England? In Ukraine?

* She asks for your advice. What do you tell her?

14. Imagine that in order to finish school you are required to write a book.

* What kind of book will you write, for example a novel, biography, or poetry? Why?

* Describe the general theme, contents, message and purpose of your book.

* Who would you like to read your book? What do you think or hope they will learn?

15. The history of Ukraine is long and interesting. Please, tell a bit about your favourite period of

Ukrainian history.

* Why do you like this period of Ukraine more than others?

* Why should others know about this period of Ukrainian history?

* Do you think that history should have a more important place in the school curriculum?

16. Everyday science and technology develop faster and faster. New inventions and technologies

change the way we work, live and play. What do you think the future will look like?

* How will people travel in the future?

* How will the development of this technology improve people’s lives or harm them?

* How will people’s daily routines change due to technology?

17. All students are required to participate in physical training classes. Should participation in

physical training at school be mandatory?

* What benefits and problems does this training have?

* What dangers might be involved in physical training activities?

* Should parents have the right to remove their child from this kind of lesson? Why?

18. Parents often tell children, “Mind your manners”.

* What do you think are examples of good manners? Bad manners?

* Can Manners affect your success in life? How?

* What is the best way to teach manners to children?

19. Tell about your favourite city or place that you have travelled to.

* What is it about this place that makes it significant to you?

* Describe this place and its points of interest.

* What suggestions would you have for other people who wish to travel to this location?

20. The invention of the wheel has changed the course of human progress.

* What do you think are the three most influential inventions of the last 100 years?

* Why do you think these inventions are significant?

* What are some qualities that might be common to all inventors?

Listening Comprehension Test for 11th

Form Students. Text

From the “History of Us”

Cars, suburbs, and TV watching were changing American habits. But some things hadn’t

changed much. Most American families never went out to dinner. It was too expensive to eat out

with the kids – unless it was a very special occasion. Restaurants were apt to be costly, or sleazy.

Mothers – especially those suburban moms – were expected to stay home and cook meals.

A lot of working people did not go out either. They packed lunch in a sandwich bag and

brought it to work. Two California brothers were going to change that. They were going to build

a restaurant that was fast, clean, and very inexpensive. It was a place where you could feed the

whole family and your wallet would not be wiped out.

Dick and Mac (Maurice) Mc Donald had come to California in the Depression 30th

. They

wanted to be movie producers. But it didn’t happen. So they opened a small movie theatre. That

folded. Then in 1940, they built a drive-in restaurant. People stayed in their cars at the drive-in

and waiters, called carhops, came out and served them. The restaurant appealed to families,

especially during the war years, when lots of women went to work and did not have time to

cook.

But the McDonald brothers had a passion for efficiency, and cars were lining up. People

were waiting to get service. How could they speed thing up?

Well, the carhops would have to go. Then the McDonalds looked at their menu. There

was too much choice – that slowed things down. And it took time for the customers to put

ketchup and relish on their hamburgers. Besides, the condiment stand was always messy. The

McDonalds hated mess. The decided to put pickles, mustard, ketchup and onions right on the

hamburgers. That really saved time. Instead of regular dishes and silver they changed to paper

plates and plastic folks. That was faster. But what was most important was the way the kitchen

was organized. They set up a production line. They even invented and adapted their own kitchen

equipment. It was the Henry Ford idea again, this time applied to hamburgers. Grill men cooked

the burgers, milkshake men made shakes, dressers wrapped the burgers and countermen took

orders. By the middle 50th,

people were lined up to eat burgers at the one McDonald’s restaurant;

it was in San Bernardino, California. The brothers were rich and happy. They did not need any

more money than they had.

But some people wanted to open McDonald’s restaurants in other places. They wanted to

buy franchises (that means they were willing to pay for the McDonald name and expertise). The

brothers did not want the bother.

One day, Ray Krock came by. He sold milkshake makers, and he wanted to see why the

McDonalds were buying so many of them. He was astounded by what he saw; long lines of

people waiting to buy hamburgers. The place was spotlessly clean, the hamburgers were good,

and they cost 15 cent. Dick and Mac McDonald were looking for someone to handle their

franchising. Krock was eager. A few years later, he bought the McDonald’s name and the idea

outright. He was on his own and ready to make business history. Krock was 52 and he had health

problems, but that did not stop him. He was a workaholic and a perfectionist. The Mc Donald

brothers were amazing. Ray Krock was more so.

He began opening McDonald’s hamburger stores one after another. Soon they were

ubiquitous, which means they were everywhere. He wanted every restaurant to be immaculate

and to maintain high standards. He made rules, lots of rules. McDonald’s workers could not have

beard or moustaches, and they could not chew gum. He made sure their fingernails were clean.

He did not like to hire women; he thought they would flirt with the customers. He worked very,

very hard. Even when he became enormously successful he never put on airs. When the

company grew to be huge, with a McDonald’s in almost every town and village, and his worth in

the hundreds of millions, he still insisted that his executives answer their own phones. No high

hats for him, he said. It was not money that interested him. “I worked for pride and

accomplishment,” he said. “Money can be a nuisance. It is a hell of a lot more fun chaining it

than getting it. The fun is in the race”.

His success was related to the new way of life in America. McDonald’s were suburban

restaurants, they took advantage of location on the new highways, and as more and more women

began to get jobs, dinner at McDonald’s – or at one of the other fast-food chains that followed –

became a regular thing.

Listening Comprehension for 11th

Form Students. Assignments

Task 1. True and false statements. Put + if the statement is true, put - if it is false

1. American families did not use to go out to dinner.

2. Few families with kids could afford dining out in a restaurant.

3. McDonalds set up a successful movie business.

4. In the drive-in restaurants the customers themselves put mustard on burgers.

5. The McDonalds were the first to open a chain of fast-foods in California.

6. It was for the first time that the mass production line was developed and applied

7. The McDonalds still owner the Californian fast-food store.

8. Ray Krock preferred to hire man workers.

9. Initially women were not allowed to go to McDonald’s.

10. The hamburgers cost less than a dollar.

Task 2. Multiple choice. Circle the correct letter A, B, C or D

11. The restaurants used to be rather sleazy. It means they were…

A. expensive B. slow servicing C. untidy D. far away

12. In the war time the McDonalds opened…

A. a drive-in restaurant B. a fast food restaurant C. a movie theatre D. a production line

13. According to the text the cars lined up because…

A. The drive in was very popular

B. The servicing was too slow

C. There were too many cars

D. Women had no time to cook

14. Which of the following could be a distinctive feature of a mass production line?

A. The number of workers increases

B. Women waiters are not hired

C. Workers do not have moustaches

D. Countermen do not make shakes

15. According to the text which of the following could NOT make the service efficient?

A. ketchup right on hamburgers B. a variety of choice C. plastic folks D. paper plates

16. The McDonalds were eager to sell their business because…

A. They wanted more money

B. they planned to open more hamburger stores

C. their business no longer brought money

D. They had enough to live comfortably

17. Ray Krock wanted to buy out …

A. McDonald’s restaurant B. the name and idea C. milkshake equipment D. hamburger receipt

18. The McDonald’s men workers were forbidden many things EXCEPT…

A. have beards B. chew gums C. have clean fingernails D. have long hair

19. What made Ray Krock’s attitude to business special?

A. He ran a huge company

B. He had poor health

C. He was not interested in money

D. He had fun in action rather than in result

20. It was not until ……. that McDonald’s appear in every town.

A. late 40th B. early 50

th C. middle 50

th D. late 50

th

Writing Comprehension Test for 11th

Form Students

Sir Isaac Newton

By strange twist of fate Isaac Newton was born on the same day that the great Italian scientist

Gallileo Glilei died – 25th December 1642. As a small boy Isaac Newton showed a keen interest in

chemistry. But despite the young Isaac‘s passion for science, none of his teachers or family predicted a

glittering future for him as one of the leading mathematicians and physicists of his time.

The son of a farmer, Newton enrolled as a student at Trinity College, Cambridge in 1661. From

the start, Isaac worked hard at his studies in Cambridge. By the beginning of 1665 he achieved a

reputation as an accomplished mathematician producing his own original work. Newton graduated in

1665. Ht was keen to continue his studies. But during 1665 and 1666 a deadly plague raged across

England. Forced to return home, Newton used the time well to advance his mathematical theories. This

period of quiet reflective thinking created the foundations for Newton’s later work which changed the

way we see and understand our world. Returning to Cambridge, Newton took his masters degree in 1669.

In 1690 he became Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University – one of the youngest

and least-published mathematicians to ever achieve this post!

Newton’s contribution to science is incalculable. Newton was the first person to understand that a

white light is made up from a spectrum of light of different colours. Newton also made many other

important mathematical breakthroughs. One of these was work on negative numbers which advanced the

way outstanding mathematicians think about the complicated Binomial Theorem. He published his

ground - breaking work “The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy” in 1687. Often referred to

as The Principia, Newton’s work caused a sensation. The Principia stands to this day as one of the

greatest scientific books ever written. The Principia laid down the basis for the study of Mechanics, the

branch of mathematics which deals with physical systems.

Despite his brilliant discoveries, Newton understood that his work advanced scientific thinking by

only a relatively small amount. He modestly said of himself: “ I don’t know what I may seem to the

world, but as to myself, I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore and diverting myself

in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary whilst the great ocean of truth

lay all undiscovered before me.” While Newton was happy to play down the value his own work, his

contemporaries held him in awe. As Newton’s one-time adversary Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

commented:” Taking mathematics from the beginning of the world to the time of Newton, what he has

done is much the better half.” But modest to the last, Sir Isaac Newton acknowledged the work of others

by saying, most famously of all, that : “ If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the

shoulders of giants.”

A Ukrainian national TV channel was running a project named “Great Ukrainians”. You can join

in with your composition. The following questions can guide your thought.

--- What person would you name as the greatest Ukrainian of all the times?

--- What are your reasons to choose this person?

--- What makes this person unique compared to other outstanding figures in the history of

Ukraine?

Speaking Comprehension Test for 11th

Form Students

1. What are some common occupations in your country? Which occupations do you think are

most respected by society and why?

* Which jobs are most common for men and for women?

* When you were a child, what kind of job did you want?

* does it differ from the career you want to pursue now?

2. A foreign visitor has only one day to spend in your country? Where should this traveller go?

What one place should he see?

* What makes this place the most significant in your country?

* Give him directions on how to get there from the airport.

* What should he do and how should he act while in this place?

3. Many years ago, pupils graduating secondary schools were expected to know the basis of

Latin, Greek and French. Yet today, many students leave school without knowing the basis of

one foreign language.

* Which system of education do you prefer, the old or current one?

* Is it important to learn a foreign language in school? Why?

* How could leaning Latin, ancient Greek or other dead languages help you in life?

4. In most American schools students can choose their classes after the tenth form. However,

this means that many students may prefer a photography class to Physics.

* What do you think about this system? Is it healthy for the pupils’ minds?

* Do students who choose not to learn Physics have a disadvantage in the world? Explain

* If you could choose to take certain courses, which would you choose and why?

5. Exercise creates stronger, happier, and smarter people.

* Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

* Explain how you would improve physical education classes at your school.

* What are some ways to keep a healthy lifestyle? What are some bad habits to avoid?

6. The invention of the Internet is one of the most revolutionary inventions of the past century.

* How has the Internet affected your life?

* What impact does it have on the lives of the people around you?

* What do you think life would be like without the Internet?

7. Adults and teenagers often misunderstand each other.

* Do you think it’s more difficult to be an adult or a teenager?

* What difficult decisions do teenagers face today? Adults?

* What similarities and differences do adults and teenagers have?

8. Imagine there has been a cataclysmic world event, and the climate of Ukraine has suddenly

become tropical.

* Describe the climate in Ukraine and the lifestyle of its inhabitants before the event.

* How would life change if the weather were tropical?

* What would you do in order to survive and be successful in this new environment?

9. Your parents have decided to send you off to a prestigious boarding school.

* Give some reasons why this might be a good or bad idea.

* Are you mature enough to live on your own? Why or why not?

* How would a year at boarding school change your life?

10. In tne United States the legal driving age is sixteen years old, and most young people drive

regularly.

* How would having your own means of transportation affect your lifestyle?

* What are some of the positives and negatives associated with teen driving?

* How would the ability to drive influence your relationship with your parents?

11. It is now clear that the world is getting warmer. Do you think this is a natural change or due

to human activity?

* What would a warmer world be like? How might Ukraine be affected by global warming?

* How do you think countries can cooperate and address the issue of global warming?

* What can individuals do to improve their environment and reduce the waste?

12. Many countries are now passing very strict laws against smoking.

* Do people have the right to smoke wherever they want? Why or why not?

* Do you think that government should be able to control where people smoke? Explain.

* Does Ukraine have such laws? If so, should the laws be more or less strict?

13. If you could choose to be any character in a book or movie, who would you be? Why?

* What aspects do you find appealing about this character?

* Are you similar to or different from this character? How?

* What don’t you like about the character’s life? 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. 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?

16. Fashions come and go. How important do you think being fashionable is?

* What kind of clothes is in fashion now? What do you think of these styles?

* What fashions that you see today might be out of style within two years?

* What kind of clothes do you usually wear? Who and what influence your style?

17. Personal style plays an important role in our self-expression.

* Describe your personal style (clothing, hair, image etc.)

* What does this say about your personality?

* How important is it for you to be in style? Why?

18. The 20th

century was dominated by advances in technology, most notably with the invention

of the computer and its widespread use across the planet.

* What do you think about technology and modernization?

* What advantages and disadvantages of modernization do you see and foresee?

* Where is it taking us and what can we expect in the future?

Answer Keys to Listening Comprehension

11th

Form Text “McDonalds” from “A History of Us”

Task 1. 1 T 2T 3F 4T 5F 6F 7F 8T 9F 10T

Task 2 11C 12A 13B 14 D 15B 16D 17B 18C 19D 20D

10th

Form Text “Rupert Bear” from “Modern English Digest”

Task 1. 1F 2F 3T 4T 5T 6F 7F 9T 10T

Task 2. 11B 12B 13A 14C 15A 16C 17A 18C 19C 20A

9th

Form Text “The Wine of Li-Po” (a fairy tale)

Task 1. 1T 2T 3F 4T 5F 6T 7F 8F 9T 10F

Task 2. 11D 12B 13B 14B 15A 16C 17C 18C 19 A 20D

19. Many people believe that violence on television and in the movies is the cause of many of

today’s problems.

* What is your opinion on the subject?

* What effects does this violence have on viewers?

* What solutions could you propose to make both sides of the argument happy?

20. Everyone has problems in their life that they need or want to solve.

* What are some different ways to solve problems? Which do you prefer?

* Is it always important to get advice from friends and family? Why?

* How and where can you learn new ways or strategies to solve problems?