OLIMPIADA NAȚIONALĂ DE LIMBA ENGLEZĂ – ETAPA LOCALĂ

15 FEBRUARIE 2020
CLASA a X-a SECȚIUNEA A

SUBIECTUL A – USE OF ENGLISH

I. Read the following text and put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense (10
x1p =10p)

Dear Hilda,
I have just heard that my mother isn’t very well, and I (1)………..(like) to go and see her.
The trouble is I can’t take my dog Tim with me. You (2)………. (think) you could possibly
look after him for a week? You had him for a week last year, you (3)………. (remember),
and you said he (4)………… (be) no trouble, and got on well with your dog. If you can have
him, I (5)……….. (bring ) him along any time that suits you. He (6)…………..(have) his
own bed and bowl, and I will bring enough tinned dog food to last him a week. But if it
(7)………… (not be) convenient, (8)………… (not hesitate) to say so. There are quite good
kennels near here, and they (9)………..(take) him if I asked. He (10)……………(be) there
once before and seemed to get on all right.
Love,
Sarah
II. Use the word given in brackets to form a word that fits in each sentence (10 x 1p =10 p)
1. From the ........................... they voted against the proposal . (BEGIN)
2. We walked for long hours along these ......................beaches.(SAND).
3. I've tried to call her .................... .. ..... times but she isn't picking up. (COUNT).
4. Everything turned from bad to ......... ...... .. .......... . (BAD)
5. ..........., Jane crouched down by the wall. (STUN)
6. A tidal wave brings death and ...........................in its wake. (DESTROY)
7. She is of average ........................... even if her parents are very tall. (HIGH).
8. The meat was declared unfit for human ......................... . (CONSUME)
9. A bird was shot in its ........................... .(FLY)
10. His .......................... of self-control made the boss fire him. (LOSE)

III. Read the following text and decide which answer A, B, C or D best fits in
each gap (10 x 1p =10p)

There are scientists who(1)……….that global warming is not a real(2)……….and that the
planet is actually cooling off. They argue that the factors(3)..……..the phenomenon are not
fully understood, and that it is (4)………. to say whether the warming of the earth is a(n)
(5)……….natural occurrence. These people believe that the(6)………..is a false alarm and

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that it is not a (7) …………of a potential global disaster. In addition, it is argued that human
beings can adapt the changes, if necessary.
Moreover, opponents of the global warming theory believe that most changes (8)……….. so
far are a direct result of the fact that the energy of the sun is changing (9)……….. Large
sunspot activity is thought to be partially (10)………. for the “Little Ice Age” experienced
between 1450 an 1850. This particular climate changing is well-known to have had a great
impact on Europe.
1. A- argue B – believe C – think D –say
2. A- promise B - threat C –guarantee D- warning
3. A- causing B – making C – doing D – appearing
4. A – implausible B – impossible C –unbelievable D – improbably
5. A – just B - only C – clearly D – purely
6. A – trend B –fashioned C –style D –mode
7. A –notice B – sign C – gesture D – metre
8. A – followed B – viewed C – observed D – watched
9. A – continuing B – forever C – always D – constantly
10. A - dependable B -guilty C - responsible D - blamed

IV. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first. Use
between two to five words including the given word. Do not change it in any way!
(2p.x5=10p.)
1. Jane was advised to work harder by her Maths teacher. RECCOMENDED
The Maths teacher ……………………………….harder.
2. I wish I had tried harder when I was at school! REGRET
I really ……………….. when I was at school.
3. I absolutely forbid you to tell anyone about the plan. NO
Under……………..tell anyone about the plan.
4. However hard she tries, she till manages to offend people. MATTER
It …………… she tries, she still manages to offend people.
5. I don’t have any free time, so I can’t come to the theatre with you. WOULD
If I ……………………………….come to the theatre with you.

Subiectul B – Integrated Skills 60p

I. Read the following text, then choose the answers to questions 1–5 and mark
your answers: a, b, or c.(5x2=10p)
A journey Under the Sea
Several years ago, my wife and I came upon an advertisement in a travel magazine for
an international exchange programme ”the chance of a lifetime”. I didn’t want to let such an
intriguing opportunity pass me by, so I did some research and discovered that the
programme involved something called house-swapping.
After much discussion, my family and I decided to, as they say, go for it.
Consequently, we were soon jetting off for a holiday in the Peak District of England, while
our exchange partners were settling down for their vacation in our flat in Washington. The
exchange was for a month, and the time passed quickly. To end our time in a high note, we
decided to fly to Paris via Channel Tunnel.

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Being on a fairly tight budget, we opted for a package deal which included round-trip tickets
on the Eurostar train and five nights in a three-star hotel, in Paris.
On the day of departure, my two teenage children, my wife and I stood waiting
eagerly on the platform at Waterloo Station. We boarded our train and begun through
picaresque county of Kent. The Eurostar adverts had boasted proudly about the engineering
features that was the “Chunnel” and the convenience it offered to those travelling between
and the Continent. They had spoken highly of the “lack of rough seas” and to me, a person
who gets seasick very easily, this was a major selling point. Inside the tunnel itself, there
wasn’t much to grab my attention, no posters or artwork, so I busiest myself studying the
occupants of the carriage. Some calmly read novels, others looked through business reports
and notes.
Our underwater journey ended as quickly as it begun. All of a sudden, we left the
darkness of the tunnel and nosed out into the light of the pleasant French morning. That
journey, and indeed the whole time we spent on the exchange programme, have given us all
the yearning for new experiences, and many wonderful memories that we will cherish
forever.
1.How did the writer first learn about the house –swapping scheme?
a) from his wife
b) purely by chance
c) through a travel agent
2. The writer uses the phrase ”go for it” to express the idea of...
a) taking a risk
b) going abroad
c) flying on a jet
3. Why did the writer choose the package deal?
a) they wanted to travel via the Channel Tunnel
b) It included a stay in a top-class hotel.
c) It was cheap for what it offered
4. The writer was most attracted by the fact the Eurostar train....
a) travelled so far below sea level
b) was unaffected by sea conditions
c) Offered a convenient way to travel
5. How was the writer’s attitude changed by his experiences?
a) He began to think more about the past.
b) He saw the value of doing new things.
c) He realised his journey was special.

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 II. Write a narrative-descriptive essay about an interesting journey you have been
to. Your writing should refer to what exactly happened, the atmosphere, the places, the
events and your feelings. (200-220 words) 50p.
Notă
Toate subiectele sunt obligatorii. Timp de lucru 180 minute.