Е. Г. Блинова К вопросу об оптимизации подготовки обучающихся к ЕГЭ по

английскому языкуЦель ЕГЭ по английскому языку: оценка уровня сформированности

коммуникативной компетенции. Итоговая аттестация выпускников школ, призвана установить соответствие между реальным уровнем сформированности у школьников иноязычной коммуникативной компетенции и требованиями современных образовательных стандартов.

Одна из задач учителя - найти способы оптимизации процесса обучения и повышения эффективности подготовки обучающихся к ЕГЭ. На ЕГЭ проверяется уровень знаний и умений по следующим аспектам: аудирование, чтение, лексика и грамматика, письмо, говорение в монологической и диалогической формах. В связи с этим видится целесообразным подбор упражнений, заданий, тестов, объединенных между собой тематически. Практика показывает, что такой подбор создает условия для усвоения тематической лексики, увеличивая многократность повторения; разнообразие заданий, предъявляемых в формате ЕГЭ и имеющих общий тематический компонент, оптимизирует развитие основных компетенций. Ниже приводится пример подбора заданий, тематически объединенных учебной темой «Развитие науки и техники» и подтемами «Возможности Интернета», «Интернет и досуг», «Интернет и бизнес».

READING1. You are going to read the article about the use of computers. Eight

sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-I the one which best fits each gap (1-7). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Key parts of sentences are in italics to help you with some questions. The Computer and its Uses

Few industries have changed so much in such a short time as the computer industry, and the pace of change shows no sign of slowing. The computer now has a role in almost every aspect of modern life, and has radically affected the way people work, play, study and organize their lives.

As we enter the 21st century, computers are influencing ways of teaching and learning, as access to computers in schools is becoming more widespread and varied. 0 - H In a teaching mode, computers provide a wide variety of information and practice materials. They can also play a testing role in a range of subjects including Maths, English and Modern languages. The one-to-one interaction students have with the computer, along with the immediate response to their answers, help to promote independent learning.

1 - ___ In the fact-changing world of business, employees are being physically removed from the workplace and the proximity of their colleagues, while remaining virtually connected via telephone, and the Internet. Laptop computers enable business-people who travel to have an access to important information at the touch of a key. 2 - ____

Computers are used to solve time-consuming data-management problems, such as payroll calculations, keeping stock records, bank account transactions, airline reservations, and scientific and engineering computations. Computers are also important in the collection, organization, storage, retrieval and interpretation of information. 3 - _____

In the film industry, computers are used to create graphics for scenes which have been inconceivable in the past. This technique was used for films like “Jurassic Park” where the incredibly realistic scenes of dinosaurs were all computer-generated.

4 - _____ Additionally, computer technology enables the training of pilots in flight simulators. Not only do these create the illusion of flying but they are safer and cheaper than training staff in aeroplanes.

In the home, the computer has become a great source of entertainment with the introduction of interactive Virtual Reality programs which are available on CD-ROM or through the Internet. They enable people located in different places to come together and interact with one another in real time using speech, sound and 3-D animated graphics. 5 - ___

Nowadays, computers come equipped not only with a mouse, but also a host of different devices. Such components are essential if you are to spend any time on-line, whether it is playing games or researching any number of topics on the Internet. 6 - _____ It is possible to explore sites on anything you are interested in, or even chat with celebrities, experts and others who share your interest. Keep up with the latest news, fashions and reports. Look up facts on everything from who invented the plane to where to go on holiday.

In the future, today’s technology will probably become obsolete as machines become more powerful. 7 - _____ The development of smaller machines will mean it will be possible to condense all the written knowledge in the world into devices the size of a child’s notebook. All human knowledge will literally be at your fingertips.A Another area where computers are used is in the military, especially in the development of weapons and surveillance equipment to use in satellites for spying.B Here you can access all kinds of valuable information and the beauty of it is that you do not need to leave your house to find it. C Then, there may well be a microchip in each telephone receiver with more computing power than the huge machine of today.D In fact, they are essential tools in almost every field of work from constructing models of the universe to predicting tomorrow’s weather reports.E Outside the classroom, computers provide people with greater flexibility and freedom, and also allow them to organize their time in a more productive way.F Programs like these can often be downloaded free from different sites.G Connections through a modem allow them to transfer data anywhere in the world.H Their use enables the learner to develop at his or her own pace and makes the whole learning process more flexible.

I Computers are machines which take over more mechanical aspects of our brain.

VOCABULARY1. Match expressions from list A with single word equivalents from list BA1. made to sell for a profit a) effect2. from the time that b) affect3. influence c) avoid4. of the present time d) gossip 5. to influence or change e) confidential6. even, yet f) violent 7. to keep away from g) still8. to dislike greatly h) contemporary9. to talk about other people i) since10. intended to be treated as private j) society11. characterize by or acting with extremely rough physical force k) commercial 12. all the people i) hate

USE OF ENGLISH1. For questions 1 – 17, read the text below and think of the word which fits

each space. Use only one word in each space.The Internet: How It Affects Us (1)

We live in a multi-media society. How (1)______the Internet affect our lives? It can be very helpful to people (2)_________ carefully choose websites (3) _______ they visit. The Internet (4) _________ increase our knowledge of the outside world; there (5) _____ much high-quality information that can help us understand many fields (6) _____ study: science, medicine, the arts and so on. In (7) _______ global network you can find any information in (8) ________ few minutes. Otherwise, you would have (9) _______ search for the necessary information in directories, libraries or over the telephone (10) ______ a long time.

The Internet (11) ______ already revolutionized the way we live and work. But these are still the early days (12) _____ the Internet. We don’t know how (13) _______ it is still changing the world. The Internet is (14) _______ up-to-date wonder. (15) _____ the proverb says: “Nothing seems wonderful, once you get used to it”, that is (16) _____ the Internet fails to astonish us any (17) _______

2. Read the text. Use the word given in capitals at the end of each line in the form that fits the space in the same line.

The Internet: How It Affects Us (2)One of the most (1) _______________ VALUEfunctions of the Internetis its (2) ____________ function. INFORMThe Internet keeps peopleinformed about current events, as well as about the (3) ___________ LATE

(4) _______________ in science and ACHIEVEculture. You can evenfind out how to pass from the(5) ________________station GROUNDto the house of your girl friend,who (6) ________________ moved RECENTto London.Recently a system of (7) _____________ learning became DISTANT(8) ____________. You can study POPULARIZEforeign languages and evenstudy in universities. An individual(9) ________________ programme EDUCATEcan be developed(10) ______________ for you. ESPECIALThe Internet is also (11) __________ WIDEused in business.Thanks to the Internet, we haverapid (12) ______________ CONNECTwith partners from all cornersof the world. You caneven conduct (13) ______________, NEGOTIATEhear and see your contracts,and (14) ______________ graphic and CHANGE textual information. 3. Complete this text using the correct word from the box. Use each word

once only. There is an extra word which you do not need to use.The Internet: How It Affects US (3)

wide opportunities violence similar choice addiction absence need already almost

The most negative effect of the Internet might be people’s (1) ______ to it. People often feel a strange and powerful (2) ______ to spend time on the network. Addiction to computer screen is (3) ________ to drug or alcohol addiction: people (4) ______ never believe they are addicted.

One more disadvantage of the Internet is the (5)_________ of informational control. Children receive (6)_________ access to pornography site and sites with (7)________ and promoting hate.

From that, how much we know about the Internet depends on the (8) ________ we make and how effectively we use the (9) ____________ of the Internet in our time.

GRAMMAR1. Read the text. Use the verb in brackets in the correct form

A Polite Computer

Computers can solve difficult problems. One day a famous general (give) 0 was given a computer which (be) 1 ______ able to solve complicated questions about war. The War Office also (send) 2 ________ an expert to fix the Computer. The general (think) 3 _________hard about an important military problem for quite a long time and the computer (bring) 4 _______________ at the right moment to help the general. It (take) 5 _____________ the general ten minutes to set the problem. “The enemy just (open) 6 ______________fire from the south”. The general wanted to know what the results (be) 7 _____________ if he (attack) 8 ____________the enemy or if he (withdraw) 9 _____________ his army. The computer (start) 10 ___________ (work) 11 __________ at once. While the computer (operate) 12 _______________ by the expert, the general (watch) 13 ____________ the screen (flash) 14 ______________. At last the answer (receive) 15 ______________. “Yes”. The general’s face (grow) 16 _______________ dark red. He shouted at the top of his voice: “Yes, what?” The computer (get) 17 _________ down to work again. “Yes, sir!”. It (be) 18 ______ half an hour later when the next answer (come) 19. _____________ “Yes? Sir!”

LISTENING1. Listen to an interview with Dorothy Duncan, who has just established an

internet-based business. Put her actions into chronological order.a). She carried out research on the internet to assess the commercial potential

of the business.b). She couldn’t find a retailer of pet goods in the UK.c). She trades 24 hours a day on an international basis.d). She developed a range of products for her customers.e). She couldn’t buy anything to show how much she loved her pet.f). She found the right suppliers.g). She realized that there was a good business opportunity.h). She got her pet ferret.

DISCUSSION1. Discuss the article from the newspaper “English” “What is the Internet

today?” and find out which ideas about the Internet you would (wouldn’t) support. Follow the instructions. ENGLISH. № 2/2005, page 5

What Is the Internet Today?The Internet is the world largest computer net work. It appeared in our

country not many years ago. People can find a lot of useful information, and give information about themselves there. But why do people want to be “on the Internet”?

It seems to me that people like to do it because they can feel freedom on the Internet. But what does this freedom of the Internet include? Firstly it is equality. It does not matter what your race or age or nationality or wealth is, you can post your massage to the Internet and you will be heard. You will find your allies and enemies there. And this is the freedom to express your opinion, which is next to

the freedom of choice. On the Internet you can choose information to your own taste or need. Nobody can make you look at something that you do not need and do not like. If you do not like something, you just type another address and in a second you are already there where you want to be.

And now about the games: there are “tons” of very useful games, which will help you to understand the economy of the city, improve your language skills and vocabulary, or at least give you better skills in using the “mouse”

There is also a freedom of movement. There are no borders on the Internet and you can travel all over the Internet without any prohibitions. If you need some information about some foreign country, you can get it. You do not need any visas to explore web sites in foreign countries.

Also you can vote on the Internet. There are a lot of questionnaires where you can express your attitude towards something. So the main principles of democracy are kept on the Internet.

The fact is that we can use all these resources for our educational purposes. And, as I have previously said, anyone can find information of his own choice. The Internet makes it easier to find books or articles, and now even to listen to and watch famous people.

Now teachers, students, professors, scientists, and lawyers use the Internet to search for useful information because it is the fastest and the most convenient way to do it. We can get data for our research in just seconds after pushing a few buttons. This is no small deal, since entire books can be transferred through the Internet in a matter of minutes.

But unfortunately there are some problems concerning the Internet. I think that it is not good that internet users communicate only with the people on the Internet. They stop talking with their relatives and friends because they have only virtual friends. So the Internet destroys real human communication.

Maybe someone’s interpersonal communication was destroyed, but now technology can give us an opportunity to communicate with our relatives and friends as if we are in the same room. People can be close to each other even being on different continents. And if a person is mentally normal, he/she will never prefer communication with computer to relatives.

In the conclusion I’d like to say that the Internet will help to develop our education level due to its democracy and freedom. And after the people find out what freedom is, they will develop it in their country.

1). Give the author’s definition of the word “Internet”. 2). Find out what the author says about the present day popularity of the

network. 3). The author tries to persuade us that the reason of its popularity is

freedom. What kind of freedom is meant here? Firstly, just enumerate the points. 4). Complete the sentences showing the author’s opinion:Equality means that… the freedom to express yourself gives you an opportunity to … the freedom of choice gives you every chance to…

the freedom of movement breaks down the borders… 5). We often hear that computer games are just waste of time. The author

seems to have a different opinion. What is it? 6). The author insists that the Internet is helpful for educational purposes.

What reasons does the author give?7). The author finds some problems concerning the Internet. What are they?

SPEAKING1. Express your personal idea of what the Internet today is and give your

reasons.Sayif you’ve got access to the Internet at home, if you use the Internet for your studies,if it is helpful in any way in your leisure time,if the Internet gives you freedom,if the Internet saves your time.

WRITING1. This is part of your pen friend’s letter. Right a personal letter to your pen

friend in the UK.

Fortunately, we live in the era of the Internet. I actually enjoy surfing the Internet in my leisure time. I download films and music to my PC. I can always find any information I need. I can “visit” countries and cities. I can buy things on-line. I think it’s great.

But my parents think I spend too much time on the Net. They try to persuade me that it’s dangerous for my health, particularly for my eyesight.

Do you have an access to the Internet? How often do you use it? Do you have any arguments concerning the Net with your parents? Does the Net help you anyway in your studies?

Please write me soon.All the best,Kevin

KEY:

READING0 - H 1 - E 2 - G 3 - D 4 - A 5 - F 6 - B 7 - CVOCABULARY1 - k 2 - i 3 -a 4 - h 5 - b 6 - g 7 - c 8 - l 9 - d 10 - e 11 - f 12 - j USE OF ENGLISHThe Internet: How It Affects Us (1)1 - does 2 - who 3 - which / that 4 - can 5 - is 6 - of 7 - the / this 8 -

a 9 - to 10 - for 11 - has 12 - of 13 - much 14 - an 15 - as 16 - why 17 - more / longer

The Internet: How It Affects Us (2)1 - valuable 2 - information 3 - latest 4 - achievements 5 - underground

6 - recently 7 - distance 8 - popular 9 - educational 10 - especially 11 - wide ly 12 - connections 13 - negotiations 14 - exchange

The Internet: How It Affects US (3) 1 - addiction 2 - need 3 - similar 4 - almost 5 - absence 6 - wide 7 -

violence 8 - choice 9 - opportunities GRAMMARA Polite Computer1 - was 2 - sent 3 - had been thinking 4 - was brought 5 - took 6 - has

opened 7 - would be 8 - attacked 9 - withdrew 10 - started 11 - to work / working 12 - was being operated 13 - watched 14 - flashed 15 - was received 16 - grew 17 - got 18 - was 19 - came

LISTENING1 - h 2 - e 3 - b 4 - g 5 - a 6 - d 7 - f 8 - c TAPESCRIPTPresenter: Setting up your own business can be a fulfilling experience. And

if you can turn a hobby into a career, there’s a good chance you can enjoy it as well! Professional photographer Dorothy Duncan’s life changed when she acquired her pet ferrets, Pingo and Pongo. Hello, Dorothy!

Dorothy D: Hello!Presenter: Could you tell our listeners how it all started?Dorothy D: Yes, with pleasure! I found that I couldn’t buy anything to show

how I love my ferrets. A search on the internet didn’t show any online shops in England or Scotland and I saw a gap in the market which could be exploited, and I thought: ‘What an opportunity!’ I decided to start my own business and set up a website - and I haven’t looked back.

Presenter: … And the result is PetFerrets, a web-based retail business that also serves to promote ferrets as fun and loving pets!

Dorothy D: It might seem add, but I thoroughly researched the commercial potential of the business. I did lots of research on the internet and became aware of who pet ferret owners are.

Presenter: And what did you do after that?Dorothy D: Gradually, I developed a range of products that are beautiful

and appealing and the sort of things people can use every day. It includes mugs, T-shirts, calendars, tie clips and other items, all presented in a light-hearted way. The website has a fun feel. There are lots of little jokes about ferrets and there are all sorts of snippets of information for ferret owners. The people I sell to have a great sense of humor and love animals, and what I do combines both business and celebrating ferrets as pets.

Presenter: Did you have any problems?Dorothy D: I had difficulties with finding the right suppliers. A lot of

businesses are not geared up for small orders. Their minimum order might be £500 or more and some of my orders are just for £20, or something like that. … It’s been a lot of effort and I couldn’t have done it without the internet.

Presenter: And how did you use it?Dorothy D: I used the web to locate suppliers for each item and then asked

if they would handle small orders. Now I can trade 24 hours a day on an international basis, just me and a couple of ferrets! Goods are sent by first class post, and packages are sent out with: ‘Sent by Ferret Express’ stickers. Without the internet, I would not have the business, and I would not have customers in America, Denmark and Germany.

Presenter: Did you have anyone to help you?Dorothy D: I had some outside help - advice from Business Link in

Edinburgh and I got £600 from Trade Partners Scotland. But it’s largely been my own effort. It’s like creating a brand from scratch.

Presenter: It’s entirely possible to do it all yourself and you have so much more control. It’s amazing what you can do if you think through your business from the branding to the packaging, how you send out your products and customer service. Does your business make you a lot of money?

Dorothy D: I wouldn’t say that. PetFerrets is not very profitable at the moment, but I’m keen on develop. I’m going to publish a series of children’s stories called Ferret Fairy tales and I’m currently looking for a publisher. The books have tested well with children - in fact, the idea came from one of my young customers. I thoroughly enjoy the work and the contact with other ferret lovers. It’s a business that’s got legs, but it’s also got a tail!