OLIMPIADA DE LIMBA ENGLEZĂ – ETAPA LOCALĂ

Clasa a XI-a, SECȚIUNEA A

17 februarie 2024

SUBIECTUL A – USE OF ENGLISH

I. Read the following text and put the verbs in brackets in the correct form (10 x1p = 10p)
Doctors Without Borders (1) _________ (to found) in 1971. It’s an
independent medical organization that (2) __________ (to provide) emergency health care to
people who (3) __________ (to affect) by war, epidemics or natural disasters. Over the years,
this humanitarian aid organization (4) __________ (to help) millions of people in more than
60 countries around the world. So how (5) __________ (doctors/to convince) to get involved?
As one volunteer explained, “The first time I (6) ________ (to hear) about Doctors Without
Borders was when a spokesperson (7) __________ (to invite) to the hospital where I (8)
___________ (to work) at the time. She told us about the year she (9) __________ (to spend) in
Bosnia. She (10) __________ (must / to speak) for over two hours. Her story inspired me. I
realized that if I did something, perhaps many people could be helped.
II. Use the word given in brackets to form a word that fits in each sentence (10x1p=10p)

At first glance science and fashion could not be more (1) _____ (SIMILAR). Science is
generally considered to be a (2) ______ (PURSUE) that is slow-paced, serious and worthy,
whereas fashion is frivolous, impulsive and often (3) _____ (PREDICT). But fashion owes
more to science than some (4) ______ (ENTHUSE) might like to admit. Fashion houses adopt
new materials in order to (5) ______ (DISTINCT) themselves from their various (6) _______
(COMPETE). One designer recently showed off a liquid that can be used to produce clothes
that are seamless. As cotton is (7) _____ (INCREASE) having to compete with other crops for
land, and oil- based fabrics become less acceptable, scientists are working to develop (8) _____
(REPLACE) for these products. Sportswear, for example, has been transformed thanks to the
use of (9) ______ (INNOVATE) materials and scientific designs, greatly improving the (10)
_____ (PERFORM) of athletes.

III. Choose the correct answer A, B, C or D (1 x 10 p = 10 p)

1. She fell … her parents and now they won’t speak to each other.
a. off with b. out with c. by d. over against

2. Why borrow money to pay your bills? That’s just robbing ... .
a. Peter to pay Paul b. yourself c. your own d. money from friends

3. One should mind one’s business, … ?

a. won’t they b. shouldn’t one c. shouldn’t they d. won’t it
4. The doctors pointed out that the high level of exhaust … into the city atmosphere led to
an increased number of breathing problems among children.

a. smells b. odours c. fumes d. vapours

1
 5. We have become ……….to everything being new, brilliant, fabulous, the latest or the
best ever.
a. acknowledged b. accepted c. accustomed d. acquainted

6. When did you decide to … smoking and … aerobics?

a. give in / take away b. give out / take in c. give up / take up d. give up / take on

7. A group of very boring parents were ……about just how exceptional their children were.
a. applauding b. boasting c. praising d. complimenting

8. Our advertiser … that we should print our catalogues on recycled paper because he
believes that an environmentally-conscious image … more customers.

a. suggested/will attract b. alleged/would attract c. grumbled/will attract

d. reported / would attract

9. His uncle would rather she … the whole fortune on jewels andtrips.

a. didn’t spent b. didn’t spend c. wasted d. doesn’t waste

10. Little … about the plot of that novel.

a. do I remember b. I remembered c. do I remind d. I remind

IV. Complete the second sentence without changing the given word. Use between two to
five words including the given one. (2x5=10 points.)

1. The resort wasn’t as nice as we thought it would be. LIVE

The resort really ………………………our expectations.
2. It wasn’t until I got home that I realised something was missing. AFTER
Only…………………I realise that something was missing.
3. Sharon and I are not speaking to each other, I’m afraid. TERMS
Sharon and I ……………..each other, I’m afraid.
4. Clara said that she had not seen the missing letter. HAVING
Clara ………………………… the missing letter.
5. Our boss doesn’t tolerate such rude behaviour. WITH
Our boss ………………………..such rude behaviour.

SUBIECTUL B – INTEGRATED SKILLS (60 p)

I. Read the text below and do the tasks that follow. (5x2p= 10p)

Rollercoasters

Imagine you’re on a rollercoaster in an amusement park. Palms clammy with fear, nails digging into
the harness, you come to a grinding halt and inhale sharply before the carriage creeps slowly upwards.
A pause. Then a sharp drop and your stomach is suspended in the air. Teeth gritted, you hurtle quickly
forwards, sharply left, then upside down. Your senses a blur, you let out a roar of fear that comes from
the pit of your gut. But you only have yourself to blame: after all, like hundreds of millions of others
each year, you were happy to pay the price of getting into a theme park.
 What’s somewhat mystifying to me is that amusement parks, with their hair-raising rides aimed at
pulling in crowds, are a huge industry. To deliver the thrills and ultimate-escape-from-reality that
guests seek, behind the scenes there are huge teams of highly inventive – and arguably a little cruel –
structural, mechanical, industrial and electric engineers, as well as designers and marketing experts.
‘Rollercoaster designer’ sounds like the career aspiration of a primary school child when asked
what they want to be when they grow up. In reality, it’s a big challenge: not just creating the perfect
balance of pleasure and fear while ensuring that passengers are not in any danger, but also introducing
enough novelty to keep visitors waiting more.
While the layperson may imagine that rollercoasters have become ever more intense, in fact, most
of the techniques used today – including the wheel that allows rides to go upside-down – were
invented by the USA designer John Miller in the early 20th century.
I spoke to three experts on rollercoasters. ‘The skill’, said Professor Brendan Walker, a ‘thrill
engineer’ with a background in aeronautics, ‘is in compiling the pieces’. And what that means, said Dr
John Roberts, a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, is ‘swapping very rapidly between plus
ad minus, so people get the sense of being sort of thrown around but kept safe. It’s a very fine line
between people feeling the ride is thrilling and that feeling they’ve been bumped around.
In the search for a superlative ride, the teams behind rollercoasters must piece together a strong
narrative, be it a space adventure of high-paced chase in the jungle, that works with any innovations –
the tallest ride, the most twists, the steepest drops – you create a seamless experience. However, said
Professor Walker, in the end, as in many creative industries, gut instincts, years of experience and trial-
and-error are what work. ‘It helps to be a bit of a thrill-nut if you are designing rollercoasters, in order
to understand exactly what passengers are looking for, and to test your rides before they’re opened to
the public,’ agreed Jeff Hornick, a senior director of theme park development.
Surely thought, I asked them, as technology has transformed industry after industry, rollercoaster
designers will also have to embrace the latest advances, such as virtual reality? Walker said we
shouldn’t hold our breath. ‘Virtual reality can add a veneer, but only in the way that an old fashioned
rollercoaster was fantastically painted,’ he said. ‘New technology comes along all the time, and the
parks are very quick to embrace it because it is exciting and can add to ride experience. But
underpinning that is the physical coaster experience, and I think that will remain king for many years
to come.’

1. What does the writer say in the first paragraph about people who ride on rollercoasters?
A They spend too much money trying to find excitement.
B They can’t complain when they feel terrified.
C They often don’t realise how frightening the experience will be.
D They should try to control their emotions more effectively.

2. What do we learn in the second paragraph about the writer’s attitude towards rollercoasters?
A She is concerned that they may have a negative effect on passengers.
B She believes they promise more excitement than they can deliver.
C She regrets that people feel the need to spend their leisure time in this way.
D She finds it hard to understand why so much effort is put into creating them.

3. What is suggested about rollercoasters designers in the third paragraph?

A They have had the courage to follow their dreams.
B They should try harder to please theme park visitors.
C They deserve credit for doing a demanding job effectively.
D They are not the kind of people who can be taken seriously.
.
4. What is emphasized by the expression ‘it’s a very fine line’ written in bold?
A how very unpredictable people are
B the speed at which so many rides can go
C the possible risks involved in going on a ride
D how difficult it is to get a ride exactly right

5.What does Walker suggest about new technology in the rollercoasters industry?
 A Designers are reluctant to use it.
B It has proved problematic in the past.
C It has a limited role to play.
D Passengers rarely notice its impact.

II. The local authorities want to make the city more attractive and popular with young
people. Use the information above to write a report for the mayor of the city
highlighting the importance of building an amusement park and what should be done to
attract more tourists in the local area. Write your answer in 220-250 words.

50 points

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