Rīgas Valsts klasiskā ģimnāzija

Angļu valoda I

Mutiskā eksāmena jautājumi

Task 1. Interview. You have to answer five questions about the topic.
Say as much as you can. You have 3-5 minutes for the five questions.

Task 2 Monologue. Task instructions: Read the text. Then in your own words:
1) define briefly what the main issue/problem is;
2) say what you think about the issue raised in the text;
3) provide arguments and examples to support your opinion;
4) come to a conclusion;
You have 2 minutes to prepare. Speaking time: 4-5 minutes.

Please see the five big topics below and prepare!

 1. MODERN SOCIETY
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
FRIENDSHIP
1. What is the best way to make friends?
2. Is friendship important nowadays? Why/Why not?
3. What qualities do you look for in a friend? Why?
4. Why do even the closest friendships sometimes end?
5. Do you agree that friendship is a full-time occupation? Why/Why not?

HISTORY
1. Do you like reading about history?
2. What is the best historical film you have ever watched? Why?
3. What historical figure you would like to meet the most? Why?
4. What recent events can be called historic? Why?
5. What can we learn from history?

TRADITIONS
1. What is your favourite tradition?
2. What is the role of traditional celebrations?
3. What Latvian traditions should visitors to Latvia learn about?
4. Do you think it is important to follow a country’s customs when you visit this country?
Why/Why not?
5. Do you agree that without traditions we lose our sense of belonging? Why/Why not?

MONOLOGUE
TEXT 1 COMMUNICATION
Former US president Gerald Ford was asked the question, “President Ford–if you could do your
career all over again, what would you change?” His answer was quick and candid. He simply said,
“I’d go back to school and learn to communicate more effectively. So much of any career depends
on the effective communication of ideas and vision.” Communication, however, is an increasing
challenge. Our current culture, full of technology, speed and convenience, makes effective
communication even more challenging. Good communication today does not involve changing the
content of our message, but the way it is presented. https://www.psychologytoday.com

TEXT 2 ONLINE FRIENDSHIPS

How much closer could we get to someone than to sit with them each evening over a cup of coffee
or tea? However, more and more of us are developing close online friendship groups. How does it
work? It appears that these wireless connections also have the friendship building blocks
regardless of how geographically different your paths might be. It is very likely that you may never
actually meet any of these folks face-to-face, but that does not hold back the sense of connection
that is built because you have found people who share your interests or engage in similar activities
with you.

TEXT 3 TEENAGERS
Teenagers have a lot on their plates, school work, social stresses, personal growth and perhaps
first jobs. With all of the changes taking place, it is no wonder that teenagers are often exhausted.
The Children’s Hospital Boston reports that fatigue is a common complaint among teenagers. Poor
sleep, allergies, stress and depression are among the most common causes for lack of energy in
teens. Lifestyle factors also play a role. TeenGrowth.com states that only 20% of adolescents meet
the 9-hour recommendation for sleep during the week, with 45% sleeping less than 8 hours each
night. Poor diet can also be detrimental; teens who consume too much sugar or caffeine or who do
not get enough nutrients can have low energy. www.livestrong.com
 2. LIFELONG LEARNING AND MULTICULTURALISM

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Are there any subjects which are not taught at school but should be? Please explain.
2. In your opinion, does a good education guarantee a good job? Why/Why not?
3. Do you think it is important to continue learning throughout life? Why/Why not?
4. What factors can influence students’ motivation to achieve more in their studies?
5. Are you equally good at all subjects at school? Please explain.
6. Why are student exchange programmes popular?
7. Is technology always beneficial to the learning process? Why/why not?
8. What do you think of online education?
9. What do you think of this statement: The future of every state is the education of its youth.
10. Is it important to speak other foreign languages besides English? Why/why not?
11. How would our life be different if all the people on Earth spoke only one language?
12. What do you think of this statement: A different language is a different vision of the world.
13. Do you think public libraries are important? Why/why not?
14. Do you think it is important to be polite? Why/why not?
15. Do you think that social networks have made people less polite? Why?

MONOLOGUE

TEXT 1: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Emotional intelligence refers to a person’s ability to recognize, understand, manage, and
reason with emotions. It is a critical ability when it comes to interpersonal communication – and
a hot topic not only in psychology but also in the business world. Emotional intelligence is
widely recognized as a valuable asset that helps improve communication, management,
problem solving, and relationships within the workplace. It is also an ability that researchers
believe can be improved with training and practice.
https://www.visc.gov.lv/lv/20202021-macibu-gada-uzdevumi

TEXT 2: NETIQUETTE
The word netiquette is a combination of ’net’ (from internet) and ’etiquette’. A survey
carried out for MSN has found some shocking lapses of etiquette in the messages passed
around by people under 25. Many youngsters have no idea of what counts as proper
manners when writing a digital message. Few people change their writing style when typing
formal and informal messages. About 16% sign every e-mail with love and kisses, even when
addressing their boss.
https://www.visc.gov.lv/lv/20202021-macibu-gada-uzdevumi

TEXT 3: CULTURE SHOCK

When you move to another country, you may often feel disoriented, vulnerable and
anxious in unfamiliar surroundings. It is important to think positively as these challenges are
also opportunities for you to develop a set of life skills which can help you to overcome
future problems. It can be beneficial to join different social, sporting and cultural activities,
which provide opportunities to socialise, enjoy and develop language skills.
https://www.visc.gov.lv/lv/20202021-macibu-gada-uzdevumi
 3. WORLD HERITAGE AND MASS MEDIA
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
TOURISM
1. What are the “green” ways of travelling?
2. Where do people from Latvia travel to? Why?
3. What are the pluses and minuses of travelling alone?
4. What has changed in tourism since the Internet became widely used?
5. Would you like to travel around Latvia? Why

LATVIA
1. Have you travelled much around Latvia? Where?
2. Where would you most like to visit in Latvia? Why?
3. What three places should a tourist see in Latvia? Why?
4. Is your town/village an attractive tourist destination? Why (not)?
5. What would you do to make your town/village a better place to live?

TRAVEL AND TOURISM

1. What is the most interesting place you have visited?
2. What makes Latvia an interesting destination for tourists?
3. Why do people travel?
4. Do tourists really get to explore the countries they visit? Why/Why not?
5. How can travel change a person?

MONOLOGUE
TEXT 1: LEISURE ACTIVITIES
They say that as little as five minutes of a “green activity” such as walking, gardening, cycling,
fishing, boating, horse-riding and farming can boost mood and self-esteem. The greatest changes
occur in the young, although people of all ages and social groups benefit a little. All natural
environments are beneficial, including parks in towns or cities, but green areas with water appear
to have a more positive effect. www.reuters.com
TEXT 2: TRAVEL AND CREATIVITY
There are plenty of things to be gained from going abroad: new friends, new experiences, and new
stories. But living in another country may come with a less noticeable benefit, too: some scientists
say it can also make you more creative. What a lot of psychological research has shown now is
that the ability to engage with people from different backgrounds than yourself, and the ability to
get out of your own social comfort zone, helps you to build a strong sense of your own self. Cross-
cultural experiences have the potential to pull people out of their ‘cultural bubbles’, and in doing so,
can increase their sense of connection with people from backgrounds different to their own.
www.theatlant
TEXT 3: SHOPPING
Shopping is part of everyday life for most young people. It is one of many activities that young
people are involved in. Young people are shopping more than ever before, spending around thirty
billion euros every year. However, a lot of young people say that they feel as if shop assistants
look down on them: either ignoring them or assuming they had no money or are there to shoplift.
http://you.sagepub
 4. PERSONALITY AND RELATIONSHIPS
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
PERSONALITY
1. What three words best describe you? Why?
2. Who is your role model and why?
3. What kinds of things really annoy you? Why?
4. Do you think people can change their personality if they try? Why/why not?
5. What do you think of this statement: Where you live affects your personality.
TEENAGERS
1. Who are the most popular role models for teenagers nowadays? Why?
2. What role does music play in young people’s lives?
3. Are teenagers today too concerned with their looks? Give reasons for your answer.
4. When should parents let teens make their own decisions?
5. What do you think young people will be most influenced by in the future?
COMMUNICATION
1. What kind of people do you like talking to and why?
2. What do people do that drives you crazy during a conversation?
3. Would you like to have a career that requires you to talk to a lot of people? Why/why not?
4. What do you do if you suspect that someone is lying to you?
5. What do you think of this statement: The best way to solve problems is through dialogue.
MONOLOGUE
TEXT 1: THE GENERATION GAP
The generation gap refers to certain psychological and emotional differences between older people
and younger ones which results from the fast paced development of society. In earlier times two or
three generations lived the same lifestyle in the same environment as development was so slow.
But today, the recent past is very much outdated and the world is becoming more advanced each
day. Understanding and accepting the generation gap is very important for a healthy parent-child
relationship.
www.prokerala.com
Text 2. POLITENESS
Do you feel uncomfortable around someone because they have been rude? Politeness plays an
important role in getting along with people. The relationships that you work hard to make usually
require some degree of politeness. Everyone wants respect from the people they interact with, and
only through respect and politeness will you be able to slowly decrease social distance and
become closer friends. Asking instead of taking, being aware of others in public, being helpful,
courteous and friendly are all extremely important social skills.
https://eu.eveningsun.com/
Text 3. VOLUNTEER HOLIDAYS
As a counsellor, Susan Fee listens daily as parents talk about wanting their children to be more
appreciative and selfless. She asks them, “What opportunities are you giving them to be like this?”
She herself has taken her daughter on several trips to Costa Rica and Ecuador. They worked
alongside local people - cleaning, cooking, planting and even working in orphanages. “Helping
people in their struggles made my daughter more appreciative of what she has.” After returning
home, the whole family committed to working at a local animal shelter one day a week.
www.ehow.com
 5. HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
SPORT
1. Which sports would you like to try? Why?
2. Why has fitness become so popular recently?
3. What life skills can be developed through sports?
4. What is the value of international sporting events?
5. Do you agree that sports can help reveal character? Why/Why not

FOOD
1. What food should always be in your fridge? Why?
2. Do you think young people in Latvia have healthy eating habits? Why/Why not?
3. Are you always ready to try new or unusual dishes? If yes, in what way? If not, why not?
4. Do you think cooking is an important life skill? Why/Why not?
5. Why do people share pictures of their food via social media?

HEALTH
1. What does healthy living mean to you?
2. What healthy eating advice would you give to a friend?
3. Does school provide enough information about living healthily?
4. Do you agree that people do not value their health until they are sick? Why/Why not?
5. Is it possible to have a healthy lifestyle in the modern world? Why/Why not

MONOLOGUE
TEXT 1: SLEEP
Adolescents need about 9 hours of sleep a night to function optimally – to be physically, mentally
and cognitively healthy. Tell this to nine out of ten teenagers and they will laugh. In fact, only about
8 percent of American teenagers get the sleep they need, according to a recent study in the
Journal of Adolescent Health. The rest live with chronic sleep deprivation – some mild to moderate,
but more than half (59%) with severe sleep deprivation, meaning they sleep on average six hours
or less most school nights.
www.childmind.org

TEXT 2: PHYSICAL EXERCISE

More than 80% of global teens do not get at least one hour of daily exercise, according to a UN
health agency study. The findings have implications for physical and mental health as well as youth
education. “We have had this electronic revolution that seems to have changed adolescents’
movement patterns and encourages them to sit more, to be less active, to drive more, walk less
and be less active in general,” World Health Organization lifestyle disease expert Leanne Riley told
a news briefing.
www.dw.com

TEXT 3: LAZINESS
It is a cruel fact in present-day society that some of the best activities imaginable – napping on the
sofa, watching your favourite movie, reading a book with a cat on your knee that occasionally paws
the pages – are considered lazy or unworthwhile. Actually, according to experts, laziness might in
fact be good for your health. Spending a little time away from your desk, or muting your emails for
a few hours, or finally allowing yourself to relax might actually benefit your brain and body.
www.bustle.com