English Test Teacher: Patrícia Cruz
2013/2014 Module 1.2 – A World of Many Languages
Name: ________________________________
Class: _______ N.º ____________
I - READING COMPREHENSION Read the text attentively. Studies abroad booming trend in Europe Learning English in Finland – Why not? It can be expensive to study in Britain, the US or Australia, and the Nordics have always been known for their excellent grasp of the English language. Elea also appreciates the cultural difference when it comes to education: “I think that school in Finland is very different,” she said. “They really help students; they encourage them to improve, whereas in France they only push those who are already top of the class, but not the others. Here they encourage everyone so they all do better at school.” Elea’s stay is supported by the Comenius Individual Pupil Mobility scheme, a European initiative that allows secondary school students to spend between three and ten months at a host school abroad. French teacher Ulla Aarnio’s mission is to ensure the well-being of the pupils during their stay. Being a contact teacher means she plays a big part in helping the students integrate, whether it is assisting them with timetables or tests. The most difficult part of the Comenius programme is finding the right host family. Luckily for Elea, there has not been any culture shock. She has settled into her new life with ease, getting a taste of authentic Finnish living and cuisine. “Just like any normal family we have breakfast together, and then we go to school. In the evening we cook together, mother and daughter, like in France. Everyone eats what they want; it’s very relaxing, like in my family. I love it!” In Finland, indoor field hockey is the sport of choice for many students, giving the girls another chance to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. Among the players is Roosa Kasma, a Finnish student who is getting ready for her trip to France as part of the exchange programme. “When I come back to Finland I’ll be a new person, I will be much more like an adult,” she says. “I will grow up. I think I’m going to be more confident about myself.” Introduced in 2010, the Comenius exchange programme is growing in popularity. This year, more than 1,300 pupils will study abroad, bringing home not only new language skills but also a broader understanding of their European neighbours and the world they live in. Source of the text: http://www.euronews.com/2012/09/10/studies-abroad-booming-trend-in-europe/ (shortened) (Accessed in April 2013) A. Say to who or what these words refer to.
B. Match the words from (on the right).
the text
(on
the left)
with
a. grasp
1. visit
b. encourage
2. self-assured
c. stay
3. inspire
d. ensure
4. wider
e. confident
5. understanding
f. broader
6. guarantee
the corresponding
synonyms
C.
True or False? Correct the false statements using your own words as much as possible.
a. Learning English in Finland is an absurd idea. ___ b. Elea enjoys the Finnish school system. ___ c. Ulla Aarnio is Elea’s English teacher. ___ d. Elea didn’t adjust to her host family. ___ e. Indoor field hockey is a very popular sport in Finland among teens. ___ f. Roosa Kasma thinks that her studying abroad experience will make her more responsible and mature.___ D.
Answer the questions according to the ideas / topic expressed in the text.
1. Why does Elea prefer the Finnish school system to the French one? Explain! 2. What is Ulla Aarnio’s role as a contact teacher? 3. What is Elea’s opinion about her Finnish host family? 4. According to Roosa Kasma, what are the advantages of studying abroad programmes? 5. Why do you think these programmes are becoming more popular among students? 6. Would you like to participate in such a programme? Justify. E. Imagine you’ve met Elea. Ask her questions to get the following answers. Use the words given and the Past Simple Tense. a. You: you / enjoy / your experience / as a Comenius student _________________________ ? Elea: Yes, I liked my experience as a Comenius exchange student very much. b. You: how long / you / stay / in Finland __________________________________________ ? Elea: I stayed there for a whole year. c. You: you / like / your host family _______________________________________________ ? Elea: Yes, I liked my host family very much. They were very helpful and nice. d. You: what places / you / visit __________________________________________________ ? Elea: I visited Helsinki, the capital city and some smaller towns. e. You: what / be / the best thing / about your experience / in Finland ____________________ ? Elea: The best thing about this experience was meeting the people I met.
II - LANGUAGE A. Rewrite the sentences replacing the words underlined with a Modal Verb that expresses the same idea. Make all the necessary changes. 1. Nowadays students have the possibility to attend schools abroad to learn foreign languages. 2. Do I have your permission to call you later on your mobile? 3. Students are not allowed to use their computer during the test! 4. To enjoy a study abroad experience, I advise you to be open-minded. B. Complete these sentences with a suitable modal verb. 1. If you plan studying abroad, then there are certain things you ______________ consider to get the most out of it. (advice) 2. Learning to communicate in another language ________________ be a challenging experience. (possibility) 3. English native speakers ______________ learn foreign languages, because the world is becoming multilingual. (obligation)
4. Students _____________ take all the chances they can to improve their language skills. (advice) 5. While staying in a foreign country, students ______________ speak their mother tongue. If they do, they won’t improve their language skills. (prohibition)
B. Fill in the gaps in the text with the past simple of the verbs given. Tim (1) _________ (be) worried about his children, so he set a strict time limit for them to be on the net and by doing so he (2) _________ (reduce) the temptation factor. He (3) ____________ (sign) on with an ISP that has time limits built in. It automatically (4) _______________ (disconnect) the user after fifteen minutes.
6. Choose the most suitable connector / linking word from the ones given. a. Going on a student exchange programme is… a way to improve your language skills, but also a way to meet new people and experience new life styles. 1. moreover
2. not only
3. besides
b. Culture shock is our adjustment to the new surroundings and new way of doing things,… it is the difficulties we feel when adjusting to the host country. 1. additionally
2. and
3. in other words
c. … improving my language skills, I have also met many interesting places and made new friends. 1. Altogether
2. Besides
3. Therefore
III - WRITING Choose one of the following topics. Write about 100/120 words on it. TOPIC 1 Have you ever participated in a student exchange programme or would you like to? Refer to the positive aspects of an experience like this one.
TOPIC 2 What do you think is the best way to learn a foreign language? In the classroom, in chat rooms, through films and songs or language exchange programmes? Explain.
I - Reading Comprehension A. 8 x 2p. = 16p. B. 6 x 3p. = 24p. 12p. C. 5 x 8p. = 40p.
II - Language A. 6 x 5p. = 30 B. 6 x 4p. = 24p. C. 6 x 4p. = 24p.
III - Writing 30p. Total 200
