English Olympiad 9th form 2014

Аудіювання, 9 клас. Текст

Round I. Listening Comprehension. Text

Text

Weather has a powerful effect on people. It influences health, intelligence, and feelings.
In August, it is very hot and wet in the southern part of the United States. Southerners have heart
attacks and other kinds of health problems during this month. In the Northeast and the Middle West,
it is very hot at some times and very cold at other times. People in these states tend to have heart
attacks after the weather changes in February or March.
The weather can also affect intelligence. For example, in a 1938 study by scientists, the IQ
[intelligence quotient] scores of a group of undergraduate college students were very high during a
hurricane, but after the storm, their scores were 10 per cent below average. Hurricanes can increase
intelligence. Very hot weather, on the other hand, can lower it: Students in many of the United
States often do badly on exams in the hot months of the year (July and August).
Weather also has a strong influence on people's feelings. Winter may be a bad time for thin
people. They usually feel cold during these months. They might feel depressed during cold weather.
In hot summer weather, on the other hand, overweight people may feel unhappy. The summer heat
may make them tired and irritable.

Low air pressure relaxes people. It increases positive feelings. It also increases forgetfulness.
People leave more packages and umbrellas on buses and in stores on low-pressure days. There is a
"perfect weather" for work and health. People feel best at a temperature of about 64° F with 65
percent humidity (moisture in the air).
Are you feeling sick, sad, tired, forgetful, or very intelligent today? The weather may be the
cause.

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 English Olympiad 9th form 2014
Аудіювання, 9 клас

Listening Comprehension Test.

Directions:
In this Test you will carefully listen to a text read aloud twice. The text is followed by 20 tasks.
You should do tasks 1 through 10 following the first reading of the text on the basis of what is
stated or implied in the text. The text will be read a second time and you should do tasks 11
through 20 following the second reading of the text on the basis of what is stated or implied in
the text. For each task you will choose from four possible answers (a, b, c or d), or two
symbols (+ or -) as specified prior to each task. Choose the best answer and mark the letter or
symbol of your choice on the Answer Sheet.

Завдання 1. Task 1
Directions:
Statements 1 through 10 (on your Answer Sheet put down + if the statement is true, - if it is
false):
1. People normally are very sensitive to weather.
2. In the South of the US doctors usually have a lot of work in late spring.
3. Weather changes may cause serious health problems.
4. A storm may produce a negative effect on intelligence.
5. In the US, it is best to take exams in late summer.
6. Temperature may affect people's feelings.
7. Fat people must feel quite comfortable in July.
8. Low air pressure may be helpful.
9. The best time to remember important things is days of high air pressure.
10. Only people with chronic diseases are influenced by weather.

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 English Olympiad 9th form 2014
Аудіювання, 9 клас. Listening Comprehension Test.

Завдання 2. Task 2
Directions:
Questions 11 through 20 (choose the correct letter a, b, c or d ):

11. The hottest and wettest time of the year in the south of the US is...
a) early summer; b) late spring;
c) late summer; d) midsummer.

12. There is no such region in the US as ..;

a) Middle West; b) Middle East;
c) Northeast; d) South.

13. The best climatic condition for taking a. test is probably ...
a) drought; . b) flood;
c) blizzard; d) very strong wind.

14. The worst exam results in the US are very often produced ...
a) at the very beginning of a school year;
b) before a winter break;
c) after Easter holidays;
d) when the temperature outside is very high.

15. Weather normally does NOT affect people's ...

a) perception of the world; b) resistance to heat and cold;
c) thinking abilities; d) appearance.

16. When air pressure is low, you are most likely to ...
a) feel well; b) quarrel with your friend;
c) pass a test; d) find an umbrella.

17. A large number of forgotten things in a bus may most probably mean that...
a) the bus driver is to blame; b) the air pressure is not high at all;
c) all the passengers were fools; d) the bus tour was too long.

18. The best working conditions for humans imply...

a) about one third water in the air;
b) about two thirds water in the air;
c) about three thirds water in the air;
d) almost no water in the air.

19. What was NOT mentioned in the text as a result of weather influence is ...
a) heart problems; b) irritability;
c) accidental injuries; d) low spirits.

20. The best title for this text most probably would be ...
a) "Beware of Weather";
b) "What is the weather like today?"
c) "The Powerful Influence of Weather";
d) "Some Funny Tales About Weather".

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 English Olympiad 9th form 2014
Читання, 9 клас
ROUND II. Reading Comprehension Test.
Directions: In this Test you will read three texts. Each text is followed by 5 tasks. You
should do the tasks following the text on the basis of what is stated or implied in that text. For
each task you will choose the best possible answer from three possible answers (a, b, or c) or
two symbols (+ or -) as specified prior to each task. Choose the best answer and write down
the letter or symbol of your choice on the Answer Sheet.
Questions 1 through 5 refer to Text 1.
Text 1. Love a Dog
I did not rush into getting a dog of my own. Despite the happy dogs of my youth, I wasn't sure
about the commitment. What about those spontaneous trips out of town? What about vet bills and
sleeping late and going for walks in the pounding, freezing rain? It seemed like a level of adulthood
I wasn't ready for yet.
Oh, nobody's ready. It's just that one day you're walking through the park not even thinking
about a dog, but there she is, the giant ears, the bright eyes, the tail that wags a full 75 per cent of
her body. In an instant, all those solid reasons become nothing more than a collection of flimsy
excuses. The girl who is trying to give her away (she found the puppy by the side of the road in a
snowstorm) gives her to you because she is Your Dog.
Or that's how it was for me and Rosie
Like any love, it was exciting at first. I couldn't get my work done. I kept having to stop and roll
around on the floor with her. She followed me around from room to room, licking my ankles. She
was small and white, maybe a cross between a Jack Russell and a Chihuahua, without the deep
neurosis of either breed. If shedding were an Olympic sport, she would have brought home the gold.
Task 1: Questions 1 through 5 (on your Answer Sheet circle the correct letter
A, B , C , o r D ) :
1. The author was hesitant to get a dog because...
A. she is an early riser.
B. she loves long walks.
C. she was worried about commitment.
D. she already has a dog.
2. The dog in the story can be described as...
A. small and white with giant ears.
B. big and white with bright eyes.
C. small and black with small ears.
D. small and white with giant eyes.
3. The word "exciting" can be replaced with:
A. difficult;
B. crazy;
C. thrilling;
D. loud.
4. Which statement is FALSE?
A. The author's work was often interrupted by the dog.
B. The dog does not shed very much.
C. The dog came from a girl who found it in a snowstorm.
D. The dog was possibly a mix of two different types of dogs.
5. The author decided to get a dog because...
A. she could afford the vet bills.
B. she loved having a dog when she was younger.
C. she was lonely.
D. this particular dog was meant for her.

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 English Olympiad 9th form 2014
Читання, 9 клас

Reading Comprehension Test.

Questions 6 through 10 refer to Text 2.

Text 2 A true story

King Louis the Eleventh was the King of France about 500 years ago. One day a young man
said to the king, “I can see the future”. This was not true, but the king believed him. The young man
was pleased and he hoped to get an important job. But King Louis thought, “This man knows the
future, so he knows more than I know. He is dangerous and I must kill him.”
The king said to his servants, “I’m going to invite that man to have dinner with me. When he
comes, watch my hand. When I lift up my hand, throw him out of the window.”
That evening the young man came to the king’s private room. The king had a smile on his
face, but it was not a friendly smile. He said to the man, “You know the future, so tell me your
future. When are you going to die?”
Then the young man understood his mistake. He thought quickly before he answered the
king’s question. “I am going to die three days before you,” he said.
The king stopped smiling. The servants watched the king’s hand, but it did not move. The
young man was safe; but he never told another lie after that.

Task 2: Decide if the statements are true (+) or false(-).

6. King Louis the Eleventh was the King of France about five centuries ago.
7. One day a young man said that he could predict the future.
8. The king was happy to have a servant who knew more than the king.
9. The king invited the young man to have breakfast with him.
10. During their meeting the king changed his mind.

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 English Olympiad 9th form 2014
Читання, 9 клас

Reading Comprehension Test.

Statements 11 through 15 refer to Text 3
Text 3

Tornadoes occur throughout the world, but for reasons that scientists are not fully able to
discern, the great majority occur in the United States. Approximately 700 tornadoes a year
occur within the United States, and this comprises three-quarters of the worldwide total.
Most of the US tornadoes take place in the Midwest and in the southern states that border on
the Gulf of Mexico. In general, a tornado cuts a path of a few hundred yards and lasts less
than an hour; an average tornado might propel itself at a speed of 15 or 20 miles per hour
and therefore cover a distance of 20 or so miles. Tornadoes, however, can be much worse
than average. The most devastating tornado on record occurred on March 18, 1925, in the
states of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. The path of this tornado was more than 200 miles
long and a mile wide. Travelling at an average speed of 60 miles per hour, the winds at the
center of the storm swirled around at considerably more than 200 miles per hour. A total of
689 people died, and countless more were injured, at the hands of this killer storm.

Task 3: Questions (choose the correct letter a, b, c or d ):

11.The word "discern" in line 2 is closest in meaning to ...

a) discuss; b) understand;
c) describe; d) dedicate.

12.The annual number of tornadoes in the USA is about...

a) 700; b) 734;
c) 930; d) 1,400.

13. In the US, tornadoes are least probable to occur...

a) anywhere around the territory; b) in the Midwest;
c) in the southern states; d) in the eastern states.

14.The word "propel" in line 6 may be best replaced with...

a) cut; b) circle;
c) move; d) start.

15. An average tornado covers about...

a) 5 km; b) 10 km;
c) 20 km; d) 50 km.

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 English Olympiad 9th form 2014

Творча письмова робота, 9 клас

ROUND III. Writing Comprehension Test.

Directions:
In this Test you will select from the three tasks written on the board one which you feel you
are most capable to write about. You will then begin writing your essay on the pages
provided. When you are finished close your papers, lay down your pen and wait for us to
collect your test materials.

1. What is it like to be a young person in Ukraine? Comment on the challenges young people

face today.

2. Knowledge is a great treasure that accompanies its owner everywhere.

3. The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.

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 English Olympiad 9th form 2014

Усне мовлення, 9 клас.

ROUND IY. Speaking Comprehension Test.

In this Test you will choose from 20 topics to speak about. Each number corresponds to
one topic. The number of your choice is the theme of your oral presentation. Take about a
minute to collect your thoughts before you begin to speak on the topic.
1. Which of the members of your family do you appreciate most and why?

2. Travelling is the best education.

3. If you were a writer, what kind of books would you write and why?

4. The role of TV in modern society.

5. What is the dearest place on the Earth for you?

6. A good specialist needs to know a foreign language. Do you agree with it?

7. Your English friend is going to come to Ukraine. What do you like most of all about your
country?

8. If you are asked to make a list of the most outstanding Ukrainians, what names will you include
in it?

9. What sport events would you like to talk about as a TV sports journalist?

10. Some people want to have apartments, while others want to have private homes. What about
you?

11. What English-speaking country would you choose for visiting if you had a chance?

12. They say ”Good health is a great blessing.” What is your opinion?

13. What pictures of interesting places in Kyiv would you advise your English friend to take?

14. If you went on a very short tour to London, what places of interest would you like to see?

15. Are you proud of your school? Which of the school subjects will be most useful in your
future career.

16. Things you prefer doing when you have free time.

17. Describe the best summer holidays you will never forget.

18. Do you have any special holidays in your family? What's special about them?

19. What places of interest are worth seeing in your hometown?

20. What do you think is to be done to stop the process of pollution?