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ETAPA JUDETEANA - 26 APRILIE 2014 CLASA A VII-A

1. Read the text and the questions below. For each question, choose the correct letter A, B, C or D and write it on your paper. (30 points)

By Design Years ago, when I first thought of becoming a designer, people just didn’t seem to be as interested in design.

These days, there’s always some series on TV about design. There are all sorts of qualifications you can get. Actually, we’ve had designers all the way through our history. They have made pyramids, scientific instruments, things to sit on, clothes to wear… Nowadays, a lot of IT designers seem to think they are kings or emperors, that their work is the most interesting work there is.

Boats can be quite a good way of understanding this point. Sea transport was one of the crucial things we learnt to do – we spread our population, we got new kinds of food and raw materials. It’s amazing to think how far people explored in ancient boats. Modern boats are packed with sophisticated computer equipment to help sailors find their way, avoid storms and so on, yet we found our world without all that. Pay attention to those old boats: they float, they move in the right direction, and they have pretty patterns, nice colours. We want things to look good and work well.

Food raises the same issues. Many of us have moved from hands to tools for cooking and eating with, finding new ways to make the process easier. In the West, people have knives and forks; in the East, they have chopsticks – unlike each other in appearance, but they do a similar job. Throughout history, great value has always been placed on the appearance of these tools. This is why we need and depend on design, linking our past and present, country with country, and why we will continue to do so.

1. What is the writer’s main purpose in writing text?

A To encourage people to try to become designers. B To list the different stages in the history

design. C To explain why most people do not like design. D To show the general importance of design

in the world. 2. What do we learn about the writer from the text? A He thinks some designers are too proud.

B He always wanted to be a designer.

C He thinks there should be more designers.

D He wants to make TV programmes about design.

3. What point is made about boats? A Ancient boats were very sophisticated.

B Boat design mixes practical and visual issues.

C Modern boats are not beautiful to look at.

D Few boats are used for exploring.

4. The writer says that tools for eating A have changed very little over time.

B are often not very easy to use.

C look different in different cultures.

D have become more important socially in recent years.

5. What would a reader of the text say? A Transport and food have always been regarded as the two most important types of design. B It’s disappointing to realize that a large number of designers are not professionally qualified. C It’s exciting to think how much effect computers are going to have on design in the future. D There are several different things to think about when you look at how something is designed.

2. Write a 200-word narrative based on the given pictures. Provide it with a title. (60 points)

Working time: 90 minutes

10 points granted

Answers for part 1 – reading comprehension:

1. D 2. A 3. B 4. C 5. D

OLIMPIADA DE LIMBA ENGLEZĂ PENTRU GIMNAZIU ETAPA JUDEŢEANĂ - 26 APRILIE 2014

CLASA A VIII-A 1.Read the text below and then write the best answer A, B, C or D on your paper: (30 points)

I am a primary school teacher and six months ago I made a rash promise. The leader of the youth club in our village rang me in March saying, “We’re thinking of running a children’s playscheme for a day in October half-term. Would you be prepared to help?” My response was “Sure, why not?” In truth I was a little flattered to be asked, even though working as a care assistant with old people did not really qualify me for the role. Still, I wrote the date in my diary and of course I forgot all about it. I don’t know if you’ve noticed this but time has a habit of speeding along faster than a police car chasing a robber and, before I knew it, the day was drawing near.

I arrived at the youth centre that morning feeling full of trepidation. There was a group of 12 helpers including me and each pair had been allocated a particular age group. Mine was the 10 to 11 year olds. Even with the planning meeting I had attended the week before, I worried about whether I was up to the task. Why hadn’t I read through the detailed lesson plans we were given beforehand? And wasn’t the average 10-year-old more interested in the latest Play Station game than making things with paper and glue?

All too quickly the children began arriving. The look of relief on parents’ faces as they handed their children over to us was quite comical. A few children were already members of the club but the other forty five or so were from the local primary schools. Again I asked myself why I had promised to spend a day with all these ‘little monsters’ especially when I have two of my own to deal with!

I needn’t have worried of course as it turned out to be a marvellous day. We watched entertaining dvd clips, learned ‘action’ songs, made clay pyramids, decorated biscuits, played memory games and spent some time in quiet reflection. I say ‘we’ because I rediscovered my inner child and joined in all the activities.

The particular highlight for me was the final singing of “He’s got the whole world in his hands” in the closing part of the day. The children knew the words and actions by heart and sang so loudly it was almost enough to bring the roof down. It’s difficult to explain those moments; only that the body is thrilled with the pleasure of having witnessed something so magical.

Of course there were also moments of sadness. I found it difficult to stop thinking of one little girl, who mentioned oh-so-casually that her mum was in hospital and would be there for a long time. It’s easy for us adults to idealise childhood and forget that some children have their own burden of anxieties and concerns. When I got home utterly exhausted, still with modelling clay under my fingernails, I reflected on what a privilege it had been.

There was one disappointment for the children and that was that the playscheme was only running for a day, and not the whole week. As I said farewell to my group, one of the children turned and said “Can we do it again in the next holiday, Miss?” My response was, “Sure, why not?”

1.When the offer of the job was made the writer

A felt she had made a mistake to agree. B thought she had the necessary experience for the job. C believed she shouldn't have been asked. D gave the impression she wasn't sure about accepting the job. 2. When the day arrived the writer was surprised A that the day had come round so quickly. B because she had forgotten to write down the date. C because she witnessed a car chase on the way. D that she woke up at dawn. 3. When the writer arrived to start her job she A put the children into pairs. B realised she should have done more preparation. C felt confident she could deal with 10 and 11 year olds. D saw the children had brought their own electronic games to play with. 4. According to the writer, the parents were A happy to stay with their children all day. B worried about children from the other schools. C nervous that their children might not behave themselves. D glad to leave their children. 5. The writer needn't have worried because A the children were quiet during the day. B the children weren't doing messy activities. C she had fun herself. D the time passed quickly. 6. The writer's best moment A occurred in the middle of the day. B took her by surprise. C was hard to put into words. D was when the day was over.

2. Write a 250-word narrative based on the given pictures. Provide it with a title. (60 points)

Working time: 90 minutes

10 points granted

Reading Answer key

1A, 2A, 3B, 4D, 5C, 6C x 5p = 30 points