INSPECTORATUL ŞCOLAR JUDEŢEAN BUZĂU

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OLIMPIADA DE LIMBA ENGLEZA

CLASA a XI-a-a XII-a – BILINGV

ETAPA JUDETEANA - 20 MARTIE 2016

SUBJECT I. – Solutions –to-problems essay (50 points)

Read the following passages and write a 350-word essay suggesting solutions to the problems you have identified in the texts.

The Whys and Hows of Cheating

The first thing to understand about cheating is that the vast majority of young people believe that cheating is wrong. Yet surveys show that most young people cheat at least once in their high school careers. So, the most important question is why do young people behave in ways that are inconsistent with their beliefs? According to Gary Niels, an educator who has studied cheating in our schools, the answer is survival. In a school setting, says Niels, saving face is the, “….desire to save oneself from anger of a parent or teacher; it can mean avoiding embarrassment; it can mean economic survival….. Nowadays, college acceptance is the major instigator of this survival instinct.” There’s lot of competition to get accepted at the best schools. Acceptance at these elite colleges and universities requires great grades – so if you can’t do the work, you have to be dishonest and cheat.

The Economics of Cheating

As a college student, I worked 15 hours a week at a university research institute. The job was fun, but I worked out of necessity. School was expensive, and the extra income was a must.

One day a week I put notices in the mailboxes of dozens of professors. One afternoon, as I was stuffing the mailboxes in the economics department, I noticed a large stack of papers in the mailbox of one of my instructors. The top sheet read “Answer Key : ECON303 Problem Set”.

Economics 303 (ECON303) was my toughest class that semester. It covered statistics and introductory econometrics. The problem sets were time-consuming. Looking at the stack, I saw how easily I could take a copy off the top. No one would see me. I was totally alone. In the end, I didn’t take a copy. Instead, I stayed up late that night finishing the problem set.

Resisting temptation became a weekly ritual. The papers called to me every week. As the assignments became more difficult, it became more and more difficult to walk away.

Calculating the cost and benefits, I decided I’d worked too hard to throw everything away on something like this. The benefit would be small, and the possible downside enormous. I walked away.

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INSPECTORATUL ŞCOLAR JUDEŢEAN BUZĂU

_______________________________________________________________________ But I can’t congratulate myself too much because my decision was based on fear as well as principle. Does motivation matter? Or does it still count as “doing the right thing” when you do it for the wrong reasons?

SUBJECT II – Editorial (50 points)

You have read an opinion poll on reality shows in an international magazine. Here is an excerpt:

"The problem with reality television programs, in general, is that they encourage us not to value our individual privacy. The possibility that, for even a moment, we might not be immediately available to anyone and everyone via cellular phones, instant messages, electronic mail services, beepers, pagers, and/or PDAs, seems almost impolite”. (John W.E.)

“Reality shows are popular….but I wouldn’t participate, as they are in contradiction with my values. There are some situations that must remain private ”. (Diana S.)

“I really liked some shows, like BB. It was fun and I learnt a lot. Participants met new people and they discovered themselves”. (Joan C.)

“I don’t like all reality shows. I don’t like BB. I think it doesn’t respect your privacy and this is why I wouldn’t participate. When you’re an outsider, those moments when you’re shown in the bathroom seem very cool. I don’t understand why people take part. Being famous is not a good reason for me”. (Alina L.)

“In my opinion people accept to take part in reality shows because they want fame. They want to be known, to be asked for autographs, to be seen on TV. But they don’t realize that they are often ridiculous”. (Roxana B.)

“I would never ever participate in a Reality Show. Why? Because I think they’re stupid and a total waste of time. You don’t learn anything, you don’t find out anything interesting or funny. Those who accept want money, or they like being in the spotlight. Privacy? Some of them even like showing everything….. I guess it all depends on education……” (Sabina L.)

Using the information in the text appropriately, write an article for your school online magazine, outlining the way in which reality shows influence young people in your country. (250 words)

TIMP DE LUCRU : 3 ORE NU SE ACORDA PUNCTE DIN OFICIUTOATE SUBIECTELE SUNT OBLIGATORII

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