Christmas Tree Memories

My name is Ted. I grew up in the 50s, but my childhood memories are still alive. The most pleasant of them is the family Christmas tree. Besides my mum and dad, there were five children in the family. We all took part in decorating the Christmas tree, one way or another. It was a special time for me as dad took us for a trip to the winter forest.

The experience was special as only boys were allowed to go to the countryside to pick out the tree. At the age of five I felt proud to be in a man’s adventure. I remember walking through the forest with dad looking for the perfect, large tree. We had a tall ceiling in the living room, so a small tree did not look right there.

At the age of five, even a small tree seemed great to me. To measure a tree I raised my hands above my head and looked up. If I could reach the top of the tree I thought it was big enough. Dad, however, always chose the perfect tree very carefully.

Once he had made his choice, he took out an axe to cut down the tree. I wanted to help my dad and brothers, but they always told me to stand back. When the cutting began, I tried to hold the tree up. I was afraid the tree would fall on them and I felt strong enough to hold it.

After the tree was down we took it to the car and went back home. I don’t remember how we got that large tree through the door, but it was always right. Then dad got the tree to stand up and we could start the decorating. The tree, the boxes with decorations and a tall ladder took up the whole room.

All the family took part as mum gave everyone a task. I had to pass the decorations. What I liked best about the Christmas tree was the lights. After everybody else had left I stayed in the room and watched the lights travelling up and down the Christmas tree.

Dad had one more special job that day. Mum took her favourite ornament, a lighted angel, which she had got as a present from her family. Dad climbed up the ladder and fixed the angel at the top of the Christmas tree. When I looked at the angel, I thought Santa was close to my house.

Everyone was ready to celebrate Christmas. The decorated shining tree was so big that it nearly touched the ceiling. I felt I was a small part of a big adventure. The last few years we lived in that house the trips to the forest with dad ceased. We bought an artificial tree instead.

13. Ted’s family had a tradition of decorating the Christmas tree together.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Ответ: _______

14. When Ted’s father went to choose their Christmas tree, Ted stayed at home.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Ответ: _______

15. Ted’s family lived in a small town.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Ответ: _______

16. Ted’s father always chose a tall tree for Christmas.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Ответ: _______

17. Ted’s mother preferred the Christmas decorations created by her children.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Ответ: _______

18. A lighted angel was Ted’s favourite Christmas decoration.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Ответ: _______

19. There was a star on the top of the Christmas tree in Ted’s house.

1) True 2) False 3) Not stated

Ответ: _______

По окончании выполнения заданий 12—19 не забудьте перенести свои ответы в БЛАНК ОТВЕТОВ №1! Запишите ответ справа от номера соответствующего задания, начиная с первой клеточки. При переносе ответа на задание 12 цифры записываются без пробелов, запятых и других дополнительных символов. Каждую цифру пишите в отдельной клеточке в соответствии с приведёнными в бланке образцами.

Раздел 3 (задания по грамматике и лексике)

Прочитайте приведённый ниже текст. Преобразуйте слова, напечатанные заглавными буквами в конце строк, обозначенных номерами 20—28, так, чтобы они грамматически соответствовали содержанию текста. Заполните пропуски полученными словами. Каждый пропуск соответствует отдельному заданию 20—28.

In the Mountains

20. Jeff and Chris were breathing heavily while they ______________ the mountain. The switchbacks were getting steeper and steeper. CLIMB

21. It was the __________ mountain in the area. HIGH

22. The boys ___________ considerably since the beginning of their adventure. Chris could tell that Jeff was losing steam. SLOW

23. – Do you want to sit for a minute? asked Chris.

– Yeah. replied Jeff in a hollow voice.

The boys sat down on pine needles and _____________ swigs of water in an attempt to cool off. TAKE

24. – We are at the same point when we__________ our hiking last tune. commented Jeff». STOP

25. – That’s right, said Chris. «So we should keep going to get further up this mountain.»

– I just don’t think I’ll manage to do it today, said Jeff.

– Jeff, you’ve got to try, encouraged him Chris. Jeff ________________ about it and then decided he did want to give it a try. THINK

26. Before he could change his mind, he boiled up the hill. He climbed so fast he almost fell over.

– Jeff? Slow down. called Chris.

– No way. If I stop, I ____________ it. yelled Jeff. He continued his push up the mountain. NOT MAKE

27. Chris followed close behind. Each gruelling step shot pain throughout their _______________ but they just kept going. BODY

28. Higher and higher they climbed. Before long, they found _______________ just below the top of the mountain. Jeff looked back at Chris. THEY

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Прочитайте приведённый ниже текст. Преобразуйте слова, напечатанные заглавными буквами в конце строк, обозначенных номерами 29—34 так, чтобы они грамматически и лексически соответствовали содержанию текста. Заполните пропуски полученными словами. Каждый пропуск соответствует отдельному заданию 29—34.

Giant Pandas

29. Giant pandas are vulnerable bears that are typically found in the southern region of China. They arc some of the most ______________ animals due to the black patches on their body. RECOGNISE

30. Although giant pandas share a name with the red panda, the two are relatives __________. DOUBT

31. Although giant pandas were once common in both lowland and highland areas in China, human activities have limited the _________ to highland regions. POPULATE

32. Established in 1987, the Chengdu centre was home to 50 pandas according to recent figures, which is _____________ more than most other centres in China. The centre allows tourists to participate in some activities, such as caring for the pandas. SIGNIFICANT

33. Tourists who become panda keepers are ________ given certificates as well as a T-shirt. USUAL

34. The base _________ limits are involved in the program to people who are between the ages of 12 and 65 due to the danger posed by the pandas. SAFE

Раздел 4 (задание по письму)

Для ответа на задание 35 используйте бланк ответов №2. При выполнении задания 35 особое внимание обратите на то, что Ваши ответы будут оцениваться только по записям, сделанным на бланке ответов №2. Никакие записи черновика не будут учитываться экспертом. Обратите внимание также на необходимость соблюдения указанного объёма электронного письма. Письмо недостаточного объёма, а также часть текста электронного письма, превышающая требуемый объём, не оцениваются. Укажите номер задания 35 в БЛАНКЕ ОТВЕТОВ №2 и напишите текст своего ответного электронного письма зарубежному другу по переписке.

35. You have received an email message from your English-speaking pen-friend Ben:

From: Ben@mail.uk

To: Russian_friend@oge.ru

Subject: Pets

…My cat is big, white and furry. He is such Jim! I can’t understand people who prefer to live without pets.

…Why don’t some people want to have any pets? Do you approve of keeping exotic pets like spiders or makes and why? What pets are popular in your country?…

Write a message to Ben and answer his 3 questions.

Write 100—120 words.

Remember the rules of letter writing.

Устная часть

Task 1

You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.

The first English grammar, Pamphlet for Grammar by William Bullokar, written with the seeming goal of demonstrating that English was quite as rule-bound as Latin, was published in 1586. Bullokar’s grammar was faithfully modeled on William Lily’s Latin grammar, Rudimenta Grammatices in 1534. Lily’s grammar was being used in schools in England at that time, having been «prescribed» for them in 1542 by Henry VIII. Although Bullokar wrote his grammar in English and used a «reformed spelling system» of his own invention, many English grammars, for much of the century after Bullokar’s effort, were to be written in Latin; this was especially so for books whose authors were aiming to be scholarly. Christopher Cooper’s Grammatica (1685) was the last English grammar written in Latin.

Task 2

You are going to take part in a telephone survey. You have to answer six questions. Give full answers to the questions. Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Electronic assistant: Hello! It’s the electronic assistant of the City Library. We kindly ask you to take part in our survey. We need to find out how students feel about books and libraries. Please answer six questions. The survey is anonymous – you don’t have to give your name. So, let’s get started.

Electronic assistant: What kind of books and magazines do you prefer to read?

Student:____________________________________________________________

Electronic assistant: Who is your favourite writer and why?

Student:____________________________________________________________

Electronic assistant: How often do you go to the library and borrow books?

Student:____________________________________________________________

Electronic assistant: Why do you think people are reading fewer paper books now?

Student:____________________________________________________________

Electronic assistant: Can reading English books help students improve their English?

Student:____________________________________________________________

Electronic assistant: What kind of books and magazines would you recommend your friends read at leisure at the weekend and why?

Student:____________________________________________________________

Electronic assistant: This is the end of the survey. Thank you very much for your help.

Task 3

You are going to give a talk about national holidays in Russia. You will have to start in 1.5 minutes and speak for not more than 2 minutes (10—12 sentences).

Remember to say:

• what the most popular national holidays in Russia are;

• how you and your family celebrate them;

• what other people usually do during the national holidays;

• what you favourite holiday is and why.

You have to talk continuously.

TEST 5

Раздел 1 (задания по аудированию)

Вы услышите четыре коротких текста, обозначенных буквами А, B, C, D. В заданиях 1—4 запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2 или 3, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа. Вы услышите запись дважды.

1. The visitor to a shop is looking for…

1) check-out lines.

2) a section with books in foreign languages.

3) an easy book to read about his native city.

Ответ: _______

2. A student in the college library wants to know…

1) how an electronic catalogue works.

2) how many copies of materials he can make.

3) for how long he can borrow books and magazines.

Ответ: _______

3. Why is Jackie going to join her friend?

1) because she is awfully tired.

2) because she has run a marathon.

3) because she wants to eat.

Ответ: _______

4. What artists are exhibited in the art gallery?

1) John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.

2) Joseph Rudyard Kipling.

3) Both.

Ответ: _______

5

Вы готовите тематическую радиопередачу с высказываниями пяти разных людей, обозначенных буквами А, В, С, D, Е. Подберите к каждому высказыванию соответствующую его содержанию рубрику из списка 1—6.

Используйте каждую рубрику из списка только один раз. В списке есть одна лишняя рубрика. Вы услышите запись дважды.

1. It’s upsetting.

2. It’s boring.

3. It’s breath-taking

4. It’s emotional.

5. It’s eye-attracting

6. It’s exciting.

Запишите в таблицу выбранные цифры под соответствующими буквами.

Говорящий …A… B… C… D… E

Рубрика

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Вы помогаете своему другу, юному радиожурналисту, проанализировать подготовленное им для передачи интервью. Прослушайте аудиозапись интервью и занесите данные в таблицу. Вы можете вписать не более одного слова (без артиклей) из прозвучавшего текста. Числа необходимо записывать буквами. Вы услышите запись дважды.

6. The number of the academic year he/she is in

7. The most difficult school subject

8. Regular sports activity

9. Day off

10. The foreign language he/she speaks

11. Favourite free time activity

По окончании выполнения заданий 1—11 не забудьте перенести свои ответы в БЛАНК ОТВЕТОВ №1! Запишите ответ справа от номера соответствующего задания, начиная с первой клеточки. При переносе ответов на задания 5 и 6—11 цифры или буквы записываются без пробелов, запятых и других дополнительных символов. Каждую цифру или букву пишите в отдельной клеточке в соответствии с приведёнными в бланке образцами.

Раздел 2 (задания по чтению)

12

Вы проводите информационный поиск в ходе выполнения проектной работы. Определите, в каком из текстов A—F содержатся ответы на интересующие Вас вопросы 1—7. Один из вопросов останется без ответа. Занесите Ваши ответы в таблицу.

1. Where can we see the best Gzhel collection and see how it is made?

2. Who can become a Gzhel artist?

3. What do we call Gzhel?

4. What is the technique of Gzhel painting?

5. What is the traditional Gzhel ceramics design?

6. What is the origin of the word Gzhel?

7. How were the first Gzhel products used?

A. Gzhel is a famous type of Russian ceramics. It comes from the region with the same name, which is situated about sixty kilometres away from Moscow. Gzhel is not one place, to be exact. There are about 27 villages in the area which are involved in Gzhel ceramic production. The place can be easily reached by railroad and it is often visited by tourists.

B. It is believed that the place where Gzhel ceramics is produced was named after the river Gzhelka, a small river flowing through the area. However, linguists still argue about where the word comes from. Some of them say it has Baltic roots. Others claim that the name is connected with the technological process. The word Gzhel is similar to an old Russian word which means burn. Indeed, the clay should be burnt to become hard before it is good enough for pottery.

C. The clay production in Gzhel started to develop in the 17th century when the Russian monarch ordered the delivery of different sorts of clay to Moscow. Gzhel clay was found to be the best for making pots and containers for pharmacies. The doctors and pharmacists valued it a lot. They preferred to keep most of the medicine and herbs in ceramic pots to keep them fresh and effective for a long time.

D. Gzhel ceramics can be easily identified by its beautiful white and blue coloured decoration. White means pure snow and moonlight. Light and dark blue symbolize the calm sky and rivers. Though the images on ceramics are usually flowers, they are all unique. Every item is a handmade picture with a unique combination of lines. Blue and white Gzhel ceramics are well-known all over the world.

E. You may think that Gzhel painters create their works freely, using their imagination. Although the talent of an artist and creativity are certainly important, the painter needs to follow a very strict technological scheme. Each ornament represents an image or a story that is given a code. All the codes are listed in catalogues and kept in the factory library. Technologists use catalogues to modernize production and organize training for new painters.

F. The Gzhel museum is a special attraction. The finest items from the 15th century to the present are displayed there. The collection of the museum contains about two thousand pieces and presents a great variety of bowls, vases, tea sets, toys and statuettes. The place is good for a family day out – apart from enjoying the displays and buying souvenirs you can watch the production process or take classes in sculpture or painting.

Запишите в таблицу выбранные цифры под соответствующими буквами.

Говорящий …A… B… C… D… E

Вопрос