USE OF ENGLISH (90 minutes)

Task 1. Solve the crosswords puzzle about weather phenomena.

What do we call…?
Example: (4 DOWN) snow and rain mixed together - SLEET

Down
1. dirty, brownish, melting snow in the streets
3. deep piles of snow blown by the wind
4. snow and rain mixed together
5. a heavy snowstorm with high winds
Across
2. a very light fog
4. fog and smoke/pollution together
6. very light, fine rain
7. a light that flashes in the sky during a storm
8. little balls of ice that fall from the sky
9. rain that only lasts a very short time
10. thunder and heavy rain at the same time

Task 2. Read this essay written as a response to the following statement: “There is no place for sports
and PE in the school curriculum”. Write or complete a logical link in each of the gaps in the text. Write
no more than ONE WORD in each gap.
THE QUESTION OF SPORT
The ancient Greeks always held that a healthy mind in a healthy body is the key to a well balanced
life. Nowadays, many schools are decreasing the amount of time given to sports and Physical Education,
and some schools are removing it altogether. …11……………….. academic subjects are certainly a very
important part of the school curriculum, I am strongly opposed to the complete removal of sports and
Physical Education.
First of …12………………., schools have a responsibility to educate children in all areas, no matter
where their particular talents might lie. For that …13…............, it is just as important to provide physical
education training and sports practice for the professional sportsmen and women of the future as it is to
provide academic training to those who will go on to university.
In …14……………………., students these days spend long hours studying, working at their computers or
in the library. …15……………………., they need the opportunity to do some physical activity during the
school day. This will not only help to increase their level of fitness and make them healthier, it will also
mean that they develop better social skills and are able to concentrate on their studies for longer and
therefore achieve better results.
On the other ……16…………...…, some people believe that the purpose of schools is to prepare
students to become productive members of the workforce. This means that they have to spend as much
time as possible developing skills that will be of use in their employment. As a …17………...., schools have
little time to devote to less important subjects such as Physical Education.
In …18…………………..…, I strongly believe that sports and Physical Education should remain a key part
of the school curriculum. All children have the right to a balanced education, and they should not be
denied the opportunity to learn how to play sports.

Task 3. Choose the correct words or phrases that are missing in the following sentences. Write your
answers (A, B, C, or D) on your answer sheet.
19. After ……………….. her lunch, the teacher began marking the essays.
a. Finished b. had finished c. finishing d. having finish
20. Most of the general public ………………. to see a live theatrical performance.
a. Have ever been b. have never been c. are never wanting d. all of the above
21. Sometimes it is necessary to be careful ………………the right date to sit for a test
a. When choosing b. when you will choose c. when you have choose d. when you chose
22. No one who ………………….. visited this theatre is likely to forget it.
a. Will have b. would have c. had ever d. has ever
23. If only the Prime Minister ………………… his arts policy would lose him the election.
a. Knows b. had known c. was knowing d. could have knowing
24. If writing skills …………………… so important, why do students not practice more regularly?
a. Were b. would be c. are d. all of the above
25. The better universities ………………… free classes to students with language problems.
a. Offering b. is offering c. should have offer d. offer

Task 4. Complete the second sentence using the word given below. Use two to five words including the
word given. Do not change the word given.
Example:
0. You had better see a doctor.
Were
If ……I were you I would…………………….. see a doctor.
26. I regret being late for the interview.
Wish
I ………………………………………………………………………. late for the interview.
27. The film will have started, so it’s not worth going to the cinema now.
Point
The film will have started, so …………………………..………….. going to the cinema now.
28. Although the police chased them, the thieves didn’t get caught.
Even
The thieves managed to get ……………………………….…………. the police chased them.
29. Considering that Luke is so young, you must admit he’s making excellent progress as a musician.
Account
If you ………………………….…………………. young Luke is, you must admit he’s making excellent progress as a
musician.
30. I've never seen this person before.
Time
This is the …………………………………………………………… this person.

Task 5. Translate these sentences into English. For each completely correct answer you will get 2
points.
31-32. Если бы не её помощь, мы бы не справились с заданием.
33-34. Когда мы пришли, вечеринка продолжалась уже 2 часа.
35-36. С тех пор как мы с ним знакомы, он совсем не изменился.
37-38. Когда мне сообщили, что я выиграл соревнование, я был в восторге.
39-40. Я возьму бутерброд на случай, если проголодаюсь по дороге.

Task 6. Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word in
each space.
Note: the article was written in 1995.
THE CHANNEL TUNNEL’S EURO-EXPRESS TRAINS
In November 1994, the first Eurostar passenger service departed …0…from… London’s Waterloo
International Station for the Gare du Nord, Paris. This high-speed, high-tech train is the flashiest thing in
the entire British Rail network, although it will not be able to reach its top speed in Britain …41…….…..
the turn of the century, when the new rail link between London and Folkstone ………42………. completed.
But the British are more concerned about the safety of a link with France …43………… about the
time it …44………..…… to get there, so a lot of effort …45……….……. gone into reducing British anxieties.
For example, Eurostar’s lightness minimizes friction. In this way the ride is made smoother and the
passengers are given a greater sense of security.
Apart …46………….. giving an impression of safety, Eurostar, in its construction, has …47………….
carefully tested for fire safety, and the authorities believe that in the …48…………… of a fire, passengers
could be evacuated long …49………… there was a shortage of oxygen.
Perhaps the biggest test for Eurostar will be the effectiveness of its publicity, since financial success
depends …50…….……. winning the trust of the travelling public.

Task 7 (questions 51 – 60). Read this letter of application and find 10 mistakes in it. Write only the
CORRECTED words on your answer sheet. In this task, your answers may be given in any order.
Example: apply to for the position… You write: …0….for……….
Dear Sir/Madam,
I’m writing to apply to the position of half-time salesperson which was advertising in this week's
Herald.
I’m an eighteen-year-old student at Highgrove Sixth Form College. I currently study for my A-Levels
in Business Studies, Law and Economics. I hold a full driving license and have been driving for six months.
Since the past two years, I hold the position of part-time shop assistant at Mod Fashion in High
Street. Prior to that, I worked at Tomlin's Chemist's in Saturday mornings for one year. In both of these
positions, I was responsible of sales and customer service, which included dealing with customers'
queries and complaints. I feel that my experience in sales makes me good-suited for this position.
I consider myself to be enthusiastic, hard-working and reliable. I am able working independently,
and as part of a team.
I enclose a reference from my present employer. I am available for interview any weekday after 4
pm. I would be grateful if you would consider my application. I look forward to hear from you.
Yours faithfully,
May Jones.

Task 8. What is written on each of these objects? Choose from the box. There are more options than
you need.
Delayed not working do not disturb cancelled fragile for sale
not to disturb to let forbidden no trespassing does not work selling
no coming in out of order sale be careful to be sold forbidden
no smoking arriving soon you can buy it rent
61 62
63 64

65 66

67

Task 9. Match the idioms on the left with a suitable sentence on the right. There is one extra option you
don’t need to use.
0. I think I’ll hit the sack.
68. Stop making a meal out of it.
69. We’ve got to make a move.
70. He’s always on the make.
71. She really pulled a fast one.
72. Don’t poke your nose in.
73. I’m over the moon.
74. I’m really down in the dumps today.
75. I’m in the red.
76. She’s a pain in the neck.
77. He’s as daft as a brush sometimes.
A. We were tricked out of the money.
B. He’s just in it for his own personal
profit.
C. Just look at the clock.
D. It’s been such a depressing day.
E. It was a small mistake – it’s not
important.
F. She annoys so many people.
G. It’s been a long day and I’m
exhausted.
H. I’m absolutely delighted with the
news.
I. I thought I had more in my bank
account.
J. He found his keys in the fridge this
morning.
K. You shouldn’t interfere in other
people’s business.
L. She managed to get there on time.

This is the end of the USE OF ENGLISH section. Transfer your answers onto your
answer sheets.

READING (45 minutes)

INSTRUCTIONS: Write your answers on the question paper. Then transfer the answers onto the
Answer Sheet.
Task 1. Read the passage and complete the notes below it.
THE BEACH, A NATURAL TREASURE TROVE
Nature walks can be fun, energizing and educational at the same time. First of all, when you are
walking on the beach you may be able to spot tracks. Birds and crabs leave footprints behind, especially
in wet sand. On sandy beaches you will also be able to find interesting holes, made by crabs that were
digging for food in the mud. You may also come across jellyfish, as these are often washed up on the
beach by the tides. They have no eyes, ears, heart or head and are mostly made of water. Other animals
you may find are coral and barnacles. The latter are marine animals that are related to crabs and lobsters
and live in shallow waters. They like to attach themselves to hard materials, so you are likely to find them
stuck to a piece of wood.
 If you are lucky, you may find a fossil. In essence, this is an animal that died and got buried in a
sea bed. They are likely to look like a piece of rock with an imprint of an animal skeleton. Their history is
very interesting. For an animal to become fossilized, it has to be buried in mud, sand or soil. If an animal
dies but is not buried, it is more likely to rot away, be swept away by wind or water, and/or be eaten by
another animal. Over millions of years, the animal remains become buried deeper and deeper; the mud,
sand or soil compresses and slowly becomes rock. Their bone or shell starts to crystallize, because of
surrounding minerals and chemicals. Ideally, the temperature stays relatively constant throughout this
process. Sometimes the fossil dissolves completely and just leaves an imprint. At other times, waves,
tides and currents slowly make the rocks erode, which allows the animal remains to break off, ready for
you to find.
What you will definitely find on a beach are shells. These were once the homes of animals such
as snails, barnacles and mussels, consisting of a hard layer that the animal created for protection as part
of its body. After the animal has died, its soft parts have rotted or have been eaten by other animals,
such as crabs. What is left is a beautiful seashell for you to admire and take home if you wish.
THE FORMATION OF FOSSILS

Task 2
Read the passage and complete the tasks below.
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
It is almost impossible to write of the Arts in Australia without mentioning the building that first
put the country firmly on the world cultural map – the Sydney Opera House. Completed in 1973 after 14
years of much heated discussion and at a cost of almost £60 million, it is not only the most well-known
Australian building in the world but perhaps the most famous design of any modern building anywhere.
 Its distinctive and highly original shape has been likened to everything from the sails of a sailing
ship to broken eggshells, but few would argue with the claim that the Opera House is a major
contribution to world architecture. Set amidst the graceful splendor of Sydney Harbour, presiding like a
queen over the bustle and brashness of a modern city striving to forge a financial reputation in a tough
commercial world, it is a reminder to all Australians of their deep and abiding love of all things cultural.
The Opera House was designed not by an Australian but by a celebrated Danish architect, Jorn
Utzon, whose design won an international competition in the late 1950s. However, it was not, in fact,
completed to his original specifications. Plans for much of the intended interior design of the building
have only recently been discovered. Sadly, the State Government of the day interfered with Utzon's
plans because of concerns about the escalating cost, though this was hardly surprising – the building was
originally expected to cost only £5.5 million. Utzon left the country before completing the project and in
a fit of anger vowed never to return. The project was eventually paid for by a State-run lottery.
The size of the interior of the building was scaled down appreciably by a team of architects
whose job it was to finish construction within a restricted budget. Rehearsal rooms and other facilities
for the various theatres within the complex were either made considerably smaller or cut out altogether,
and some artists have complained bitterly about them ever since. But despite the controversy that
surrounded its birth, the Opera House has risen above the petty squabbling and is now rightfully hailed
as a modern architectural masterpiece. The Queen officially opened the building in 1975 and since then,
within its curved and twisted walls, audiences of all nationalities have been quick to acclaim the many
world-class performances of stars from the Australian opera, ballet and theatre.
A. Read the summary of the text, then complete the gaps in it using the words from the box
below. There are more words than you need.
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous …8…… buildings in the world. Officially opened
in …9……., its eye-catching and …10……………. shape was the dream of a Danish …11……….. called Utzon.
Unfortunately, his design for the …12……….. could not be completed for financial reasons. Nonetheless,
the building was finally ready after …13………….. years of …14…………. and argument, and is now …15……..
as a …16……….. of modern architecture. World-class performances are regularly given in the Opera
House by Australian …17…….. from the worlds of opera, ballet and theatre.
Architecture 1973 famous queen controversy £5.5 million interior artists modern hail
acclaimed exterior originally 14 petty architect 1975 rehearsals masterpiece distinctive
star curve £60 million the 1950s
B. Match the halves of the given sentences together
18. The Sydney Opera House A. … interesting to audiences from all over the
19. The city of Sydney is … world.
20. Plans for the interior of the building … B. … have recently been implemented.
21. The interior of the building has C. … built like a queen of Sydney Harbour.
unfortunately never … D. … completed by Jorn Utzon.
22. It seems that some artists are only … E. … was the most well-known building in
23. The cost of the project… Australia.
F. … was not completed in accordance with the
architect’s original plans.
G. …described as trying hard to survive in the
business world.
H. …were lost for many years.
I. … interested in complaining about the facilities.
J. … was eventually met from the proceeds of
gambling.
This is the end of the reading section. Transfer your answers onto your answer sheet.