Name: .................................................

COMPETENCE TESTS: TEST 1

TEST 1: WRITTEN COMPREHENSION
Linguistic Communication Competence Context
Written Comprehension: Learning to Learn:
- understand an online article - compare learning styles
- understand essential information
- understand points of view

1 Read the online article.

HOMESCHOOLING
Jane Wilson gets up at half past four every morning, has a quick
breakfast and leaves the house. Why so early?
This 14-year-old girl has her first swimming practice at half past
five in the morning. Jane is a talented swimmer and she hopes to
represent the USA in the next Olympics. That means two visits to
the swimming pool a day for hours of practice in the morning and hours of practice in the afternoon.
It isn’t easy to train for the Olympics and go to school like other students. That’s why Jane doesn’t go to school. She’s a
“homeschooler” – she learns at home and while she’s travelling to swimming competitions.
More and more athletes in the USA are leaving school to become homeschoolers. Homeschooling is more flexible than traditional
schooling, so athletes can train hard at their sport and also get a good education in other subjects. Often, the athlete’s mother
or father is their teacher, and special homeschooling academies provide learning materials, teaching help and advice.
So how does Jane feel about her homeschooling experience? “It’s fantastic,” she says. “In the past, I was always tired. I ran
from swimming practice to school to swimming practice. I didn’t have much time for homework or friends. Now, my mum and I
decide when to have lessons and we know how much time I need for each subject. When I’m tired, I can have a rest and study
later. Also, homework isn’t a problem because my lessons are homework.”
And what about friends? “Well, of course I don’t see friends at school,” Jane explains, “but I’ve got more free time in the
evenings and at the weekends. I have a great social life!”

2 Tick (✓) the sentences T (true) or F (false). Then correct the false sentences.
T F
1. Jane has swimming practice early in the morning. .... ....
......................................................................................................
2. Jane always studies in her house. .... ....
......................................................................................................
3. Homeschooled athletes only learn about their sport. .... ....
......................................................................................................
4. Homeschoolers’ parents must write their own learning materials. .... ....
......................................................................................................
5. Jane likes being a homeschooler. .... ....
......................................................................................................

Competence Tests: Test 1 Think Ahead ESO 2 Photocopiable © Burlington Books 1

 COMPETENCE TESTS: TEST 1
3 Answer the questions.
1. Why does Jane often have swimming practice?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2. Why is Jane a homeschooler?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3. How is homeschooling different from traditional schooling?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4. How can a homeschooling academy help parents?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5. What do Jane and her mother make decisions about together?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
6. When does Jane see her friends?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4 What do you think are the advantages to learning in school in comparison to homeschooling? Explain.
............................................................................................................................................................................................

Competence Tests: Test 1 Think Ahead ESO 2 Photocopiable © Burlington Books 2

 COMPETENCE TESTS: TEST 1
TEST 1: WRITTEN PRODUCTION
Linguistic Communication Competence Context
Written Production: Mediation:
- analyse an advert - transfer information and opinions from an advert to a paragraph
- provide information
- express opinions

Read the advert for a homeschooling academy. Then write a paragraph about the academy.

THE BEST
HOMESCHOOLING
ACADEMY FOR YOU!
We offer:
 Learning programmes for students from
primary school to the end of secondary school
 Personal flexible study plan for each and every
student
 Expert advice
 Optional internet-based lessons

SARAH, 8 I really enjoy learning now. Call today:

123-456789
COLIN, 13 Because of the flexible study plan, I’ve got time WORLDLINK
for everything! HOMESCHOOL
ACADEMY
Thank you, Worldlink, for four great years of San Diego, California,
DIANE, 18 USA
internet-based lessons.

............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................

Competence Tests: Test 1 Think Ahead ESO 2 Photocopiable © Burlington Books 3

 COMPETENCE TESTS: TEST 1
1 TEST 1: ORAL COMPREHENSION
Linguistic Communication Competence Context
Oral Comprehension: Personal and Social:
- understand a radio programme - understand the importance of social interaction
- understand details - understand differences of opinion
- understand opinions

1 Listen to the radio programme and choose the correct answer.

1. Greg Ryan works for … . 4. Last year, Harry wanted to talk about … with his friends.
a. a radio station a. homeschooling
b. a TV channel b. his parents
c. a homeschooling academy c. his schoolwork
2. Rachel’s teacher is her … . 5. At the end of the programme, Greg wants to talk to some … .
a. brother a. teachers
b. mother b. parents
c. friend c. students
3. Harry … homeschooling.
a. didn’t like
b. loved
c. didn’t try

2 Listen again and answer the questions.

1. When did Rachel begin homeschooling?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
2. How many students are in a typical class, according to Rachel?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
3. Where does Harry study now?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
4. Who did Harry study with when he was homeschooled?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
5. How did Harry feel when he was homeschooled?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
6. When does Rachel interact with students her age?
.......................................................................................................................................................................................

Competence Tests: Test 1 Think Ahead ESO 2 Photocopiable © Burlington Books 4

 COMPETENCE TESTS: TEST 1
TEST 1: ORAL PRODUCTION
Linguistic Communication Competence Context
Oral Production: Social Interaction and Mediation:
- have a conversation - collaborate and transfer written and oral information into other forms
- exchange information
- express opinions

Student A

1 Imagine you’re the teenager below. Tell your partner your opinion of the schooling you get.
Name: Alex
My schooling: traditional school
General opinion of schooling: very good
• learning with friends
Advantages: • excellent science laboratory
• different teachers for different subjects (more interesting)
• many students in each class
Disadvantages: • no free time in morning or early afternoon
• no responsibility for own timetable

Useful Language
I go to …
In my opinion, …
An advantage of traditional schooling is …
A disadvantage of traditional schooling is …

2 Now imagine your partner gets different schooling from you. Listen to his / her opinion of the schooling
and complete the chart.

My partner’s schooling:
Partner’s opinion of schooling:

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

3 What do you think is the biggest advantage of each type of schooling? Tell your partner.

Competence Tests: Test 1 Think Ahead ESO 2 Photocopiable © Burlington Books 5

 COMPETENCE TESTS: TEST 1
TEST 1: ORAL PRODUCTION
Linguistic Communication Competence Context
Oral Production: Social Interaction and Mediation:
- have a conversation - collaborate and transfer written and oral information into other forms
- exchange information
- express opinions

Student B

1 Imagine your partner gets different schooling from you. Listen to his / her opinion of the schooling and
complete the chart.

My partner’s schooling:
Partner’s opinion of schooling:

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

2 Now imagine you’re the teenager below. Tell your partner your opinion of the schooling you get.
Name: Sam
My schooling: homeschool
General opinion of schooling: very good
• getting personal attention
• flexible study time
Advantages:
• helping parents decide which subjects to learn and when
to learn them
• always studying with adults, not other students
Disadvantages: • most lessons in the living room
• parents not experts on all subjects

Useful Language
I am a …
In my opinion, …
An advantage of homeschooling is …
A disadvantage of homeschooling is …

3 What do you think is the biggest advantage of each type of schooling? Tell your partner.

Competence Tests: Test 1 Think Ahead ESO 2 Photocopiable © Burlington Books 6