Reading Comp.I

MONA DANIELA BURCHEIN

READING COMPREHENSION

(NELEGEREA TEXTULUI CITIT)I

Referent tiinific: Conf.univ.dr Carmen NedelcuCUVNT NAINTE

Cadrul european comun de referin ofer o baz comun pentru elaborarea programelor de limbi moderne, documentelor de referin, coninutului examenelor i criteriilor de examinare, a manualelor etc. n Europa. Cadrul descrie n mod exhaustiv ce trebuie s nvee persoanele care studiaz o limb, pentru a o utiliza n scopuri comunicative; el enumr, de asemenea, cunotinele i deprinderile pe care acestea trebuie s le nsueasc i s le dezvolte, pentru a avea un comportament lingvistic eficace.

Competena semantic se refer la contiina i controlul pe care elevul le are asupra organizrii sensului. Semantica lexical examineaz chestiunile privind sensul cuvintelor, de exemplu: relaia dintre cuvnt i context:

- referina;

- conotaia;

- marca unor noiuni specifice de ordin general;

relaiile interlexicale, cum ar fi :

- sinonimele/antonimele;

- poziia;

- echivalena n traducere.

Ce rol trebuie s joace textele n predarea i nvarea limbilor? Care sunt ateptrile sau ce li se cere elevilor s nvee din textele orale sau scrise:

a. n cazul unei simple confruntri cu textul?

b. la o simpl confruntare n care ns profesorul se asigur c materialul nou este inteligibil prin inferena din contextual verbal, din suportul vizual etc.?

c. la confruntarea cu textul a crui nelegere este susinut i asistat de ntrebri/rspunsuri n L2, de ntrebri cu mai multe rspunsuri, de asocierea textelor i imaginilor etc.?

d. n cazul din c., la care se adaug ns:

- verificarea nelegerii n L1?

- explicaii n L1?

- explicaii n L2, inclusiv traducerile necesare?

- traducerea sistematic n L1 de ctre elevi sau studeni?

- activiti de nelegere n grup sau de nelegere prealabil i de prelectur etc.?

n ce msur elevilor trebuie s li se propun texte orale sau scrise:

a. Autentice,adic produse n scop comunicativ i nu special concepute pentru predarea limbilor? De exemplu:

- documente autentice n contextul lor primar i intacte pe care elevul le ntlnete nemijlocit n experiena sa de folosire a limbii (ziare, reviste, emisiuni radiofonice etc.);

- texte autentice selectate, clasificate n funcie de gradul de dificultate i/sau parial modificate n vederea adaptrii lor la experiena, centrele de interes i caracteristicile elevului;

b. Special concepute ca material pentru predarea limbii? De exemplu:

- texte elaborate cu scopul de a aduce, n context, exemple pentru coninutul lingvistic de nvat (de exemplu, ntr-o lecie sau o unitate dat);

- fraze izolate pentru exerciii (fonetice, gramaticale etc.);

- instruciuni i explicaii etc. din manual, instruciuni de teste i examene, discursul profesorului n clas (indicaii, explicaii, organizare etc.).

Acestea din urm pot fi considerate ca tipuri de texte specifice. n ce msur sunt ele uor de neles i ct de plcut este s lucrezi cu ele? n ce msur coninutul, formularea i prezentarea lor sunt determinante pentru aceste caliti ale textului?

Cartea se adreseaz att celor care se pregatesc pentru susinerea probei de Limba englez la examenul de bacalaureat, ct i celorlali elevi din nvmntul liceal dar i studenilor sau persoanelor interesate de mbuntirea competenelor de comunicare n limba englez referitoare la nelegerea textului citit.

La sfritul lucrrii se afl rspunsurile corecte pentru fiecare exerciiu, fapt ce permite o autoevaluare eficient i detaliat a nivelului de cunotine.

Autoarea

CONTENTS

Page Text 1 Adolescence. 6Text 2 Violence and Substance Abuse...10Text 3 Immigration.. 14Text 4 Sport.. 18Text 5 Top 10 Tips to Beat Terror by MI522Text 6 A Funny Professor..26Text 7 Children for Whom School Has No Point.. 30Text 8 Angkor Wat 34Text 9 Scottish Independence 38Text 10 The Hardest Language.. 41Keys44BibliographyText 1 - ADOLESCENCE

Adolescence is the time of life from onset of puberty to full adulthood. The exact period of adolescence, which varies from person to person, falls approximately between the ages 12 and 20 and encompasses both physiological and psychological changes. Physiological changes lead to sexual maturity and usually occur during the first several years of the period. This process of physical changes is known as puberty, and it generally takes place in girls between the ages of 8 and 14, and boys between the ages of 9 and 16. Psychological changes generally include questioning of identity and achievement of an appropriate sex role; movement toward personal independence; and social changes in which, for a time, the most important factor is peer group relations. Adolescence in Western societies tends to be a period of rebellion against adult authority figures, often parents or school officials, in the search for personal identity. Many psychologists regard adolescence as a byproduct of social pressures specific to given societies, not as a unique period of biological turmoil. In fact, the classification of a period of life as "adolescence" is a relatively recent development in many Western societies, one that is not recognized as a distinct phase of life in many other cultures. I. True (T) or False (F)?

1. Adolescence is the time of childhood.

T / F

2. Psychological changes occur during the first years of adolescence. T / F

3. Changes take place in girls between ages of 8 and 14.

T / F

4. The most important factor for teenagers is peer group relations.

T / F

5. Many teachers regard adolescence as a byproduct of social pressures.T / F

II. Word meaning:

1. What does onset mean?

a) period;

b) time;

c) beginning;

d) relation.

2. What does occur mean?

a) begin;

b) happen;

c) last;

d) come.

3. What does encompasses mean?

a) measures;

b) includes;

c) encircles;

d) encloses.

4. What does turmoil mean?

a) excitement;

b) trouble;

c) change;

d) happiness.

5. What does peer group mean?

a) a group of boys;

b) a group of girls;

c) a group of people of the same age, social class or education;

d) a group of people.

III. Choose the correct variant:

1. The text is about_____________________________________________

a) boys and girls.

b) the period of adolescence.

c) personal identity.

d) changes in life.

2. The process of physical changes takes place ____________________in girls than in boys.

a) earlier;

b) later;

c) longer;

d) faster.

3. Adolescence is a synonym for_____________

a) puberty.

b) adulthood.

c) teenage.

d) personal identity.

4. Adolescence is regarded as a period of _____________________changes.

a) social;

b) biological;

c) political;

d) cultural.

5. The ______________________________________factors are the most important changes during adolescence.

a) physical and social.

b) physiological and psychological.

c) psychological and social.

d) personal and physiological.

Text 2 VIOLENCE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Parents can do much to help their teenage sons or daughters through a variety of difficult situations. Depression, violence, substance abuse, and bullying are all serious issues that parents and teens can work together to help resolve.

Sometimes, however, parents need to confront their own problems before they can help their teenager. Children who live in violent households, or homes where one of the caretakers uses drugs or abuses alcohol, often sustain severe emotional trauma that can last a lifetime. Even if a parent's violent behaviour or substance abuse occurred when a child was small, the child may still suffer repercussions during his or her adolescent years.

Research shows that approximately 90% of children who live in homes where there is intimate partner violence see or hear the abuse. Further, children who are exposed to family violence are much more likely to become violent than are children from nonviolent families. Studies also show that if a parent uses alcohol or drugs, his or her children are more likely to drink or use drugs. If these situations sound familiar and if you need some help deciding what to do, consider seeking the advice of a local mental health professional.I. Are the sentences 1-5 Right (A) or Wrong (B)? If there is not enough information to answer Right (A) or Wrong (B), choose Doesnt say (C).

1.Parents and their children cannot fight against substance abuse.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

2.The parents behaviour influences his/her child.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

3.Almost 20% of children live in nonviolent families.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

4.A severe emotional trauma cannot last a lifetime.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

5.Many children use drugs and drink alcohol.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

II. For sentences 1-5, choose the answer (a, b, c or d) which you think fits best according to the text.

1.According to the text, teenagers and their parents can work together to help resolve:

a. violence.

b. depression.

c. a variety of difficult situations.

d. bullying.

2.Parents have to confront their own problems___________they can help their children.

a. after;

b. before;

c. while;

d. during.

3. 90% of children who live in violent households:

a. see the abuse.

b. feel the abuse.

c. see and hear the abuse.

d. hear the abuse.

4.If someone needs deciding what to do, he/she should see a:

a. teacher.

b. a mental health professional.

c. a friend.

d. a scientist.

5.According to the text, childrens lives are influenced by:

a. society.

b. their parents.

c. their friends.

d. school.

III. Word meaning:

1.bullying means:

a. fighting;

b. frightening;

c. drinking;

d. playing.

2.repercussions means:

a. injuries;

b. influences;

c. effects;

d. pains.

3.trauma means:

a. shock;

b. feeling;

c. attitude;

d. state.

4.intimate means:

a. friendly;

b. very close to somebody;

c. intimidated;

d. internal.

5. seek means:

a. see;

b. hear;

c. look for;

d. ask.Text 3 - IMMIGRATION

People emigrate from one country to another for a variety of complex reasons. Some are forced to move, due to conflict or to escape persecution and prejudices, while others may voluntarily emigrate. Although such a move may be necessary, it can be quite traumatic on top of the challenges experienced so far.

From another perspective, immigration can also represent an act of courage. For example,

Moving to a different country with different culture and norms can be quite daunting.

The potential loneliness to be suffered is not always easy to overcome.

There may be the additional pressure to earn enough to live (in a more expensive-to-live-in country) and send back meager savings.

An economic migrant, a person searching for work, or better opportunities, will be stepping into the unknownan exciting prospect if the person is already well-to-do, or daunting at least, if out of desperation.

I. Word meaning:

1.daunt means:

a. discourage;

b. dare;

c. challenge;

d. different.

2.meager means:

a. many;

b. inadequate;

c. main;

d. more.

3.norm means:

a. standard;

b. measure;

c. law;

d. normal.

4.persecution means:

a. conviction;

b. bad treatment;

c. conclusion;

d. prison.

5.well-to-do means:

a. good;

b. kind;

c. rich;

d. friendly.

II. Are the sentences 1-5 Right (A) or Wrong (B)? If there is not enough information to answer Right (A) or Wrong (B), choose Doesnt say (C).

1.People emigrate due to political ideas.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

2.Moving from one country to another cannot be traumatic.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

3.People who immigrate earn much money.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

4.Immigration is a worldwide phenomenon.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

5.Some causes of immigration are conflicts, persecution or prejudices.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.III. Choose the correct variant:

1.People emigrate because:

a. they want to have many friends;

b. they intend to visit lots of countries;

c. they want to have a better life;

d. they dislike their own country.

2.Many migrants feel:

a. amazed and desperate;

b. traumatized and lonely;

c. happy and free;

d. unfriendly and helpless.

3.Moving to a different country, people face:

a. other places;

b. other language, traditions and customs;

c. other jobs;

d. other ideas.

4.People searching for work or better opportunities are:

a. economic migrants;

b. social migrants;

c. cultural migrants;

d. political migrants.

5.The reasons why people migrate are:

a.the climate and geographical position of their country;

b.conflicts, persecution and prejudices;

c.loneliness and stupidity;

d.lack of resorts and travel agencies.

Text 4 - SPORT

Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organized participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree of skill, especially at higher levels. Hundreds of sports exist, including those for a single participant, through to those with hundreds of simultaneous participants, either in teams or competing as individuals.

Sports are usually governed by a set of rules or customs. Physical events such as scoring goals or crossing a line first often define the result of a sport. However, the degree of skill and performance in some sports such as diving, dressage and figure skating is judged according to well-defined criteria. This is in contrast with other judged activities such as beauty contests and body building, where skill does not have to be shown and the criteria are not as well defined.

Records are kept and updated for most sports at the highest levels, while failures and accomplishments are widely announced in sport news. Sports are most often played just for fun or for the simple fact that people need exercise to stay in good physical condition.

I. Are the sentences 1-5 Right (A) or Wrong (B)? If there is not enough information to answer Right (A) or Wrong (B), choose Doesnt say (C).

1.Sport does not maintain or improve physical fitness.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

2.Thousands of people participate in competitive sports.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

3. The degree of skill and performance in some sports is judged according to well-defined criteria.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

4.Some participants win, others fail.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

5.Sports are often played for entertainment.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

II. Word meaning:

1. skill means:

a.potential;

b.ability;

c.shape;

d.power.

2. diving means:

a.floating;

b.driving;

c.swimming under water;

d.running.

3. entertain means:

a. play;

b. amuse;

c.win;

d. fail.

4. The antonym for entertain is:

a. cry;

b.lose;

c.bore;

d.leave.

5. accomplish means:

a.succeed;

b.realize;

c.complete;

d.accept.III. Choose the correct variant:

1.The main idea of the text is:

a.Sport is a funny activity.

b. Sport is a healthy and entertaining activity.

c. Sport is practiced by some people.

d. There are some criteria and rules in sport.

2. Football and handball are defined by:

a. scoring goals;

b. the number of players;

c. the number of judges;

d.the number of competitions.

3. Paragraph 2 states that:

a. only some sports need skills;

b. there are no rules in sport;

c. criteria in sports are not well defined;

d. sports are defined by rules and customs.

4. In competitive sports, the winners are identified by:

a.their number and skills ;

b. objective means and skills;

c. physical appearance;

d. stamina.

5. Usually, records are kept and updated for:

a. every physical activity;

b. every individual performance;

c. every sport at the highest levels;

d. every team sport.

Text 5 - TOP 10 TIPS TO BEAT TERROR BY MI5Britains security service MI5 issued an unprecedented warning to firms to protect themselves from terror attacks. Spy bosses released a list of top 10 tips for companies and their workers saying the cooperation of ordinary people was a vital weapon in the war on terror. MI5 boss Eliza Buller said: "We have a well-developed understanding of international terrorism and other threats facing the UK today." We rely heavily on public assistance and support to do our work effectively. I would encourage people to use our website to pass on any information." MI5's site warns al-Qaeda is targeting Britain from internally and abroad, and urges the public to report suspicions to a web link or emergency number.

British companies are further advised:

1 Assess the risk of threats and vulnerable points.

2 Plan security measures for new buildings.

3 Put someone in charge of security awareness, brief staff and train in emergencies and bomb threats.

4 Keep public areas tidy and well lit, remove unnecessary furniture and cut the shrubs.

5 Search bags and consider a barrier system and car park that keeps unfamiliar vehicles at a distance.

6 Install locks on windows and doors, closed circuit TV, alarms and lighting according to circumstances.

7 Consider setting up a mailroom away from your main premises and train staff for a crisis.

8 Follow up staff references.

9 Ensure a reputable and reliable IT (Information Technology) service.

10.Plan how you will function if your premises or IT systems are put out of action by an incident.

I.Word meaning:

1.tip means:

a. guns;

b. information;

c. people;

d. books.

2.threat means:

a. daily activity;

b. possible harm and danger;

c. important opportunity;

d. everyday situation.

3rely on means:

a. relate to;

b. need;

c. trust;

d. refer to.

4.urge means:

a. ask;

b. advise;

c. answer;

d. demand.

5.in charge means:

a. responsible;

b. on duty;

c. everywhere;

d. important.


1. MI5 bosses issued a list of top ten tips to beat terror.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

2.MI5 rely on government and police.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

3.British companies are advised to hire bodyguards.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

4.People are encouraged to report any information.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

5.The IT service is the most important for the security of British companies.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

III.Choose the correct variant:

1. MI5 is:

a. Londons security service.

b. UKs security service.

c. a British company.

d. an international company.

2.The tips were released for:

a. terrorists.

b. English people.

c. companies.

d. IT staff.

3.People should:

a. install locks on windows and doors.

b. remove unnecessary furniture.

c. plan security measures.

d. use a web link or emergency number.

4.Al-Qaeda is:

a. a social organization.

b. a terrorist organization.

c. a military organization.

d. a security organization.


a. British companies must protect themselves from terror attacks.

b. Al-Qaeda is targeting Britain from internally and abroad.

c. British people should cooperate with security services.

d. Everybody should follow up staff references.Text 6 - A Funny ProfessorMr Jones woke early one morning, before the sun had risen. It was a beautiful morning, so he went to the window and looked out. He was surprised to see a neatly dressed, middle-aged professor, who worked in the university just up the road from Mr Joness house, coming from the direction of the town. He had grey hair and thick glasses, and was carrying an umbrella, a morning newspaper and a bag. Mr Jones thought that he must have arrived by the night train and decided to walk to the university instead of taking a taxi. Mr Jones had a big tree in his garden, and the children had tied a long rope to one of its branches, so that they could swing on it. Mr Jones was surprised to see the professor stop when he saw the rope, and look carefully up and down the road. When he saw that there was nobody in sight, he stepped into the garden (there was no fence), put his umbrella, newspaper, bag and hat neatly on the grass and took hold of the rope. He pulled it hard to see whether it was strong enough to take his weight, then ran as fast as he could and swung into the air on the end of the rope, his grey hair blowing all around his face. Backwards and forwards he swung, occasionally taking a few more running steps on the grass when the rope began to swing too slowly for him. At last the professor stopped, straightened his tie, combed his hair carefully, put on his hat, picked up his umbrella, newspaper and bag, and continued on his way to the university, looking as quiet and correct and respectable as one would expect a professor to be.

I.Word meaning:

1.neatly means:

a. carefully arranged;

b. nicely;

c. awfully;

d. happily.

2.rope means:

a. long cable;

b. thick string;

c. small pipe;

d. little rock.

3.whether means:

a. when;

b. where;

c. if;

d. what.

4.pick up means:

a. leave something;

b. bring something;

c. forget something;

d. lift something.

5.middle-aged means:

a. not very tall but not very short;

b. not young but not old;

c. not fat but not slim;

d. not happy but not sad.


1.Mr. Jones woke at eight oclock in the morning.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

2.Mr.Jones is a young professor who works in the university.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

3.The professor was carrying a bag, a newspaper and an umbrella.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

4.Mr.Jones has three children

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

5.The professor has black hair and thick glasses.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.III.Choose the correct variant:

1.The text is:

a. about Mr.Jones.

b. about Mr.Jones children.

c. a funny story.

d. about a professor.

2.Mr.Jones woke:

a. at seven oclock in the morning.

b. very early in the morning.

c. late in the morning.

d. one morning.

3.The rope was tied:

a. to a fence.

b. to a big tree.

c. to the house.

d. to the umbrella.

4.There were..in the garden.

a. a fence and a rope.

b. grass and a big tree.

c. bags and hats.

d. many people.

5.The professor was going:

a. to the station.

b. home.

c. to the university.

d. Mr. Jones house.

Text 7 - Children for whom school has no point

Many children do not go to school either because their parents want them at home as carers for siblings, or simply because their parents cannot be bothered to send them. Thousands more are not registered at any school at all, because of their families' unstable lives.

Underlying this dreadful situation there are two central truths. First of all, the problem of children not going to school often has more to do with their parents than with the children themselves. Secondly, once children go to school, we need to make sure that the experience is a positive one so that they want to keep on going.

In Britain, the Ministry of Education has introduced a complex measure to persuade schools to bring truants' and excluded children back into the classroom. It is paying grants so that a thousand schools can set up special units to help these children. Schools receive the grant if they bring a target number of children back to school; if they do not meet the target, the grant is withdrawn. Parents are the subject of this campaign, too: the Home Office has introduced fines for parents who fail to send their children to school, and has given the police power to pick up truants on the streets.

'truant = a child who does not go to school when he or she should.

I.Word meaning:

1.siblings means:

a. mothers and fathers;

b. brothers and sisters;

c. grandmothers and grandfathers;

d. friends and neighbours.

2.dreadful means:

a. special;

b. different;

c. horrible;

d. true.

3.persuade means:

a. make;

b. convince;

c. tell;

d. pay.

4.grant means:

a. an amount of money;

b. many teachers;

c. many parents;

d. many students.

5.fail means:

a. send;

b. be unsuccessful;

c. want;

d. try.


1.Many children do not go to school because they go to work.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

2.Two thousand children are not registered at any school.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

3.The British Ministry of Education has introduced a complex measure for schools.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

4.Schools receive a thousands grants.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

5.Home Office has introduced fines for children who do not go to school.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

III.Choose the correct variant:


a. Parents do not send their children to school.

b. Many children do not attend school.

c. The Ministry of Education has introduced many measures.

d. Parents are fined because they do not send their children to school.

2.Many children do not go to school because:

a. their parents have no money.

b. they do not want to.

c. their parents do not care.

d. they have negative experiences.

3.Parents are fined because:

a. they do not go to work.

b. they do not cooperate with the Home Office.

c. they fail to send their children to school.

d. they take care of siblings.

4.In Britain there are children:

a. who take care of their siblings.

b. for whom school has no point.

c. whose families are unstable.

d. who receive grants.

5.The institutions implied in this situation are:

a. the companies.

b. the schools.

c. the British Ministry of Education and Home Office.

d. the police.

Text 8 - Angkor WatSiem Reap is a small town near the world famous temple of Angkor Wat. The town is charming and worth exploring, with some fine examples of Khmer and French colonial architecture set among the more modern developments.

From the 9th to the 14th centuries, when Europe was still struggling out of the Dark Ages, the Cambodian Empire of Angkor covered most of present-day Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. The heart of this empire during the 12th century was the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, near present day Siem Reap, the site of the worlds largest temple complexes, which were rediscovered in 1861.This spectacular city was built over 30 years under the reign of King Suryavarman II (1113-1150). The area covers about 400 square kilometres and is full of the finest examples of Khmer art and architecture.

In Angkor Wat you will find more than 100 stone monuments and temple buildings, each of which contains countless statues, sculptures and reliefs. To see the whole thing can take several days. The most important temples to visit in the area are Angkor Wat, especially at sunrise or sunset; Angkor Thom, the remains of the capital; Ta Prohm, a palace overgrown by jungle; and Bayon.

Visas are required to enter Cambodia. You can obtain one on arrival at Siem Reap International Airport for $20, and 1 passport photo is required per person. You will also need another passport photo for the Angkor Temple Entrance Pass. Please ensure you take comfortable walking shoes, light clothing and plenty of water to drink as it is very hot there. The most commonly accepted currency in Cambodia is the US dollar.

I. Are the sentences 1-5 Right (A) or Wrong (B)? If there is not enough information to answer Right (A) or Wrong (B), choose Doesnt say (C).

1.Angkor Wat lies in today Cambodia.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

2.To visit the temple complexes can take ten days.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

3.Angkor Thom is the capital of Cambodia.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

4.In order to enter Cambodia you need a passport.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

5.If you want to visit the Angkor Temple you should have sandals.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

II.Choose the correct variant:

1.The temple of Angkor Wat was built:

a. during the 10th century.

b. during the Dark Ages.

c. by the French colonial empire.

d. by Khmer architects.

2.The temple complexes were rediscovered:

a. by explorers.

b. by the French people.

c. in the 19th century.

d. in the 12th century.

3.Tourists need several days:

a. to visit the capital.

b. to admire the monuments.

c. to visit the temple complexes.

d. to get a visa.

4.The stone monuments are a fine example of:

a. French art and architecture.

b. Khmer art and architecture.

c. European art and architecture.

d. English art and architecture.

5. Tourists should wear:

a. cheap clothes and shoes.

b. few clothes and shoes.

c. comfortable clothes and shoes.

d. many clothes and shoes.

Text 9 - Scottish IndependenceThe majority of people in Scotland are in favour of breaking away from the rest of the UK and becoming independent, according to a poll taken just before the 300th anniversary of the Act of Union, which united Scotland and England.

A pair of Acts of Parliament, passed in 1706 and 1707 that came into effect on May 1, 1707, created Great Britain. The parliaments of both countries were dissolved, and replaced by a new Parliament of Great Britain in Westminster, London.

The poll showed support for independence for Scotland is running at 51%. This is the first time since 1998 that support for separation has passed 50%, and the first time since devolution gave power to the country in 1999. Six months before elections for the Scottish Parliament, these poll results come as good news to the Scottish Nationalist Party, who are hoping to make progress against Labour and further the cause of an independent Scotland.

Many people have become disillusioned with devolution, and believe that the Scottish Parliament has failed to deliver what they had hoped it would; only a tenth have no opinion. In fact, only 39% of those polled want to keep things as they are.I. Are the sentences 1-5 Right (A) or Wrong (B)? If there is not enough information to answer Right (A) or Wrong (B), choose Doesnt say (C).

1.Scotland does not belong to the U.K.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

2.The 300th anniversary of the Act of Union was in 2007.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

3.The Scottish people hate the English government.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

4.Thousands of people became disillusioned by the Scottish Parliament.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

5.20% of the Scottish people have no opinion.

a. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

II.Choose the correct variant:

1.Many people in Scotland:

a. want to separate from the UK.

b. want to create a new parliament.

c. want to dissolve the British parliament.

d. want to make progress.

2.Great Britain was created by:

a.the English parliament.

b. the Scottish parliament.

c. the parliaments of England and Scotland.

d. the Scottish Nationalist Party.

3.More than 50% of the Scottish people:

a. are disillusioned.

b. support the independence for Scotland.

c. support the Scottish Nationalist Party.

d. want to keep things as they are.

4.The new Parliament of Great Britain is in:

a. Glasgow.

b. Manchester.

c. London.

d. Edinburgh.

5. The main idea of the text is:

a. There are many polls in Great Britain.

b. Great Britain was created in 1707.

c. Scotland still fights for its independence.

d. Scottish people do not support their parliament.

Text 10 - The hardest language

People often ask which is the most difficult language to learn, and it is not easy to answer because there are many factors to take into consideration. Firstly, in a first language the differences are unimportant as people learn their mother tongue naturally, so the question of how hard a language is to learn is only relevant when learning a second language.

A native speaker of Spanish, for example, will find Portuguese much easier to learn than a native speaker of Chinese, for example, because Portuguese is very similar to Spanish, while Chinese is very different. Many people answer that Chinese is the hardest language to learn, possibly influenced by the thought of learning the Chinese writing system, and the pronunciation of Chinese does appear to be very difficult for many foreign learners. However, for Japanese speakers, who already use Chinese characters in their own language, learning writing will be less difficult than for speakers of languages using the Roman alphabet.

Apparently, British diplomats and other embassy staff have found that the second hardest language is Japanese, which will probably come as no surprise to many, but the language that they have found to be the most problematic is Hungarian, which has 35 cases (forms of a nouns according to whether it is subject, object, genitive, etc). This does not mean that Hungarian is the hardest language to learn for everyone, but it causes British diplomatic personnel, who are generally used to learning languages, the most difficulty.

Different cultures and individuals from those cultures will find different languages more difficult.

No language is easy to learn well, though languages which are related to our first language are easier. Learning a completely different writing system is a huge challenge, but that does not necessarily make a language more difficult than another. In the end, it is impossible to say that there is one language that is the most difficult language in the world.

I.Make questions so that the underlined words are the answers.


1.Portuguese and Spanish are related.

b. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

2.Chinese is the most difficult language in the world.

b. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

3.The Japanese diplomats find English very difficult.

b. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

4.Every language is difficult to learn well.

b. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

5.It is easy to say what is the most difficult language in the world.

b. Right

b. Wrong

c. Doesnt say.

III.Answer the following questions:

1.Is Romanian language related to Spanish and Portuguese?

2.Is English a first language or a second language for you?

3.What kind of characters do Japanese speakers use?

4.What language is considered to be the most problematic and why?

5.What kind of alphabet does Romanian language use?

KEYS

Text 1

I. 1. F; 2.F; 3.T; 4.T; 5.F.

II.1c, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5c.

III.1b, 2a, 3c, 4b, 5b.

Text 2

I.1b, 2a, 3c, 4b, 5c.

II.1c, 2b, 3c, 4b, 5b.

III.1b, 2c, 3a, 4b, 5c.

Text 3

I.1c, 2b, 3a, 4b, 5c.

II.1b, 2b, 3c, 4a, 5a.

III.1c, 2b, 3b, 4a, 5b.

Text 4

I.1b, 2b, 3a, 4c, 5a.

II.1b, 2c, 3b, 4c, 5a.

III.1b, 2a, 3d, 4b, 5c.

Text 5

I.1b, 2b, 3c, 4b, 5a.

II.1a, 2b, 3c, 4a, 5b.

III.1b, 2c, 3d, 4b, 5c.

Text 6

I.1a, 2b, 3c, 4d, 5b.

II.1c, 2b, 3a, 4c, 5b.

III.1c, 2c, 3b, 4b, 5c.

Text 7

I.1b, 2c, 3b, 4a, 5b.

II.1b, 2c, 3a, 4b, 5b.

III.1b, 2c, 3c, 4b, 5c.

Text 8

I.1a, 2c, 3b, 4a, 5c.

II.1b, 2c, 3b, 4b, 5c.

Text 9

I.1b, 2a, 3c, 4c, 5b.

II.1a, 2c, 3b, 4c, 5c.

Text 10

I.1. Who asks which is the most difficult language ?

2. What do people learn?

3. What do many people do?

4. What kind of characters do Japanese speakers use?

5. What kind of challenge is the writing system?

II.1a, 2c, 3b, 4a, 5b.

III.1.Yes, it is.

2.English is a second language for me.

3. What kind of characters do Japanese speakers use?

4. Hungarian is considered to be the most problematic because it has 35 cases.

5. Romanian language uses the Roman alphabet.

BIBLIOGRAFIE

Bantas, Andrei Dictionar englez roman, Editura Teora, Bucuresti, 1995

MacMillan English Dictionary for Advanced English, Second Edition, 2007

Consiliul Europei - Cadrul European Comun de Referinta pentru Limbi

*** - www.englishforeveryone. org

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