INSPECTORATUL SCOLAR JUDETEAN BRAILA

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 1

Read the text below and answer the following questions. Long criticized for distracting students from their homework and fostering violence, some video game designers are now developing games that help students deal with realworld situations such as managing the International Space Station or negotiating peace in the Middle East. "Serious games as a concept refers to games that are used for practical purposes.", said Jamil Moledina, the organizer of the Serious Games Summit, a series of conventions held in the United States and Europe that bring together developers in the industry. Moledina thinks the name is problematic. "Thats whats wrong with the name serious games they use the fun element of a game but in a way thats productive." The basic concept behind all video games is to allow the player to control the events of a particular character and force him or her to connect and manipulate information to move on to the next level. Each level is designed to be hard enough to be just doable, creating simultaneous feelings of pleasure and frustration that draw people in. a. b. c. d. Why have some video games been long criticized? Whats wrong with the name serious games? Which is the basic concept behind all video games? Do you enjoy playing computer games? Why / Why not?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 2
Read the text below and answer the following questions. For many students going to school means attending lessons, so when they enroll at an English language summer school, they expect to spend most of the day in class. It can, therefore, come as a surprise to find that at most summer schools you only spend a few hours in class each day. The reason for this is because much of your learning, and almost all of your language practice, takes place outside the classroom. This approach means that your day is carefully divided into two parts: learning new language (usually in the morning), and practising what you have learned in the afternoons and evenings. Summer schools spend a lot of time trying to create activities which give their students the chance to practice English in real situations. Outside the classroom, you will be carefully supervised either by a teacher or a trained group leader. Not only will they organize activities and make sure that all the students get involved, they will also ensure that all communication is done in English and not the students own languages. a. What do most students expect when they enroll at an English language summer school? b. What comes as a surprise when they get there? c. What do summer schools do? d. Would you like to go to such a summer school? Why / Why not?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 3
Read the text below and answer the following questions. Over 100 milion children around the world do not attend school, and over 500 million women and girls cannot read and write, according to the Global Campaign for Education. In Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Haiti, and many other countries, thousands of children joined the chorus of voices demanding education for all as part of Global Action Week from April 24-30. Children participated in a Send my Friend to School campaign by creating hundreds of thousands of colorful cardboard cut-out 'friends' to represent children who are too poor to attend school. Activists and children across the globe staged events marches and meetings with influential leaders in their countries where they introduced their 'friends' and called on their leaders to make education for all children a priority. This July, a million 'friends' will be travelling to the G8 Summit in Scotland a meeting of the world's eight richest countries to remind leaders that children need their help. a. b. c. d. How did children participate in the Send my Friend to School campaign? What did activists and children across the globe do? Why will a million friends be travelling to the G8 Summit in Scotland this July? What would your life be like without school?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 4
Read the text below and answer the following questions. In addition to sports, many summer programs include adventure activities. Some of the most popular are horse riding, rock climbing, windsurfing, canoeing and even bungee jumping which involves tying an elastic rope to your leg and jumping of a tall structure. If you are keen on adventure activities, its better to approach schools located in the countryside or near the sea. Schools in towns and cities sometimes ofer some imaginative activities, but the choice will be more limited. In Britain and Ireland most summer schools in rural locations will specialize in countryside activities, such as horse-riding and ponytrekking. Schools usually work with riding centers, which will provide training and equipment. Another popular rural activity is mountain biking, which is also a good way to see the local countryside. If you prefer water sports you would naturaly be better of studying by the sea. The south coast of England is a good place to learn sailing and there are many sheltered areas where beginners can receive professional supervision. The better swimmers can try windsurfing. a. Which are the most popular adventure activities in summer schools? b. Where are summer schools located? c. What do schools in rural areas ofer? d. Which are your favourite summer activities? Why?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

INSPECTORATUL SCOLAR JUDETEAN BRAILA

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 5
Read the text below and answer the following questions. When Holywood exports its movies and TV shows around the world, it does so without a thought. They take Jim Carey, present him in every corner of the world and people will pay to see his movies. But other countries seldom get the chance to export their own creations to the United States. Although Mr. Bean has already proven himself to be one of the most universal comic characters in the world, his producers are leaving nothing to chance. He has been heavily Americanized and he is geting heavily criticized for it back home. Mr. Bean is Englands comic crown jewel and an international sensation, a star in more than 90 countries via television and home video. Bean has some of the little-man qualities of Chaplin and Keaton, but hes more dangerous. He chooses his ideas from every day life and everything he touches looks like a hand grenade. Children love his meticulous, ingenious atempts to blow up the rules. He knows he shouldnt sneeze at church, but he cant help himself. The fact that his comedy is wordless and purely physical helps it cross borders. a. How does Holywood export its movies and TV shows around the world? b. Who is Mr Bean? c. What do children love about Mr Bean? d. Which is your favourite actor? Why?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

INSPECTORATUL SCOLAR JUDETEAN BRAILA

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 6
Read the text below and answer the following questions. Last month Britain was invited to vote for its favourite love poem. Thousands telephoned nominating works by Shakespeare, Yeats, Keats and Robbie Burns, many of which were recited on radio and TV. In the end, however, it was the poem How Do I Love Thee? by the Victorian poetess, Elisabeth Barett Browning, that became the winner and was declared the nations most popular love poem. But, of course, it wasnt. There are hundreds, even thousands, of love poems that are far more popular in Britain. The problem is that these arent written by well known poets but by pop stars. Rock and pop are efectively founded on love. Its true that a few bands have written songs about revolution, world peace, poverty, drugs, fighting and war, but they are in the minority. The main theme of popular music has been love and it has been like that for the best part of five decades. None of these songs may use language as skilfully as the great poets. Perhaps none of them is as profound as the poetry of the past, but no one can argue that, when it comes to popularity, pop songs are miles ahead of any sonnet or love poem. a. Whose poem was declared the nations most popular love poem? b. What are rock and pop founded on? c. Where are pop songs when they are compared to sonnets and love poems? d. Do you like poetry? Why / Why not? Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2

INSPECTORATUL SCOLAR JUDETEAN BRAILA

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 7
Read the text below and answer the following questions. A rise in temperature around the North Pole is melting large areas of Arctic ice, causing dramatic weather changes and declines in populations of polar bears and walruses, among other changes, scientists say. While some historical changes in climate have resulted from natural causes and variations, the strength of the trends and the patterns of change that have emerged in recent decades indicate that human influences, resulting primarily from increased emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, have now become the dominant factor. The findings of the report are likely to increase pressure on the Bush administration, which has acknowledged a possible human role in global warming. a. What does the rise in temperature around the North Pole cause? b. What do recent trends and patterns of change indicate? c. What has the Bush administration acknowledged? d. What other environmental problems have you heard about?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

INSPECTORATUL SCOLAR JUDETEAN BRAILA

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 8

Read the text below and answer the following questions. Londons transport system has to cope with the demands of the capitals 6.8 million inhabitants, 1.04 milion commuters who travel to work in the central area every day and over 17 milion over night visitors and others who visit the capital during the year. Commuter journeys put the system under particular strain, concentrated as they are in the morning and evening peak periods. London is also the focal point for the countrys road and rail networks. The London Underground, or tube as it is also known, was the worlds first urban underground railway. It began operating in 1863 when the then Metropolitan Railway opened a line between Paddington and Farington. Today it is one of the worlds largest, serving 275 stations in Greater London and beyond. Due to a huge increase in demand for travel in the underground it became obvious that lines and stations built in Victorian and Edwardian times were unable to accommodate the growing numbers of passengers. In order to cope with this increased demand and to open up the underground to parts of the capital not curently served, several new lines have been extended to meet the increasing demands. a. How many people live in London according to this text? b. When did the London Underground begin to operate? c. Why have several new lines been extended? d. Which is your favourite means of transport? Why?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

INSPECTORATUL SCOLAR JUDETEAN BRAILA

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 9
Read the text below and answer the following questions. Transport of one sort or another has for centuries been a fundamental part of life but never more so than today. It contributes to the prosperity of countries, it supports nearly every economic activity and employs thousands of people. Personal mobility has become an essential part of daily life and the demand for travel, whether by air, sea, road or rail, will grow in the years ahead. To meet the growing needs of the 21st century the countries transport networks are constantly expanding and improving. The policy is to promote an efficient and competitive transport market to serve the interests of the economy and community with maximum emphasis on safety and the environment. Transport in Britain is run by both the private and public sectors. All airlines, most major airports and ports, shipping services and the majority of buss services are run by private companies. Within the public sector the responsibility for transport comes under the Secretaries of States for Transport, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, local authorities and various nationalised industries. a. What does transport contribute to? b. What do the countries transport networks do to meet the growing needs of the 21st century? c. What transport services are run by private companies in Britain? d. Which is your favourite means of communication? Why? Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

INSPECTORATUL SCOLAR JUDETEAN BRAILA

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 10
Read the text below and answer the following questions Stress gets to us all sometimes. From too much work, long days, bullying at school, family problems, or the bigger picture: worries about the environment, crime or being out of work. The world has changed a lot over the last 30 years, said health education expert Gavin Ward. There is far more pressure on young people now. For many teenagers, stress starts at school. I just have to hear the word EXAM and I start to panic, says 16-year-old Joanne. I feel sick, like I want to give up. I feel there are so many expectations: if you are not rich, famous or successful, you havent got a chance. Stress can make you feel that you dont want to be with other people. It can stop you from eating and sleeping properly, give you headaches or stomach ache. But its also good to know that many of us do things every day to beat stress without knowing it, because whatever you do: listening to music, going out, doing sport or chatting on the phone, is important, as it deals with stress and beats it. Do not worry for not having acted like a macho, for not having cool clothes or being the best in a sport competition. More than that try not to worry about the relation with friends and avoid the peer pressure and ignore bullying. It will make you feel you reached the top of the world.

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

INSPECTORATUL SCOLAR JUDETEAN BRAILA

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 11

Read the text below and answer the following questions. Britain and the Netherlands have the best safety record within the European community and one of the best in the world. Road deaths are now at their lowest level despite the increase in motor traffic. Improvements in vehicle safety and better roads have contributed to this decline. The Government promotes road safety through a number of campaigns, particularly aimed at children and other more vulnerable road users such as cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians. Since 1991 it has also targeted excessive driver speed. Motor vehicle safety and driver competence also play an important part in the safety of road users. All drivers must pass a test before gaining a full driving licence. A person must be over 17 years old to drive a car and over 16 to drive a motorcycle. Learners must hold a provisional licence which allows them to drive on all roads, except motorways, under the supervision of a qualified driver who is at least 21 and has held a full licence for 3 years. Studies have shown the benefits of wearing seatbelts. It has been compulsory to wear a seatbelt in the front seats of cars since 1983 an this law has been extended so that passengers in the rear seat must also wear seatbelts where they have been fitted. A passenger in a car risks not only injury but also becomes a projectile capable of injuring or killing other passengers. a. What has contributed to the decline of road deaths in Britain and the Netherlands? b. Who are the most vulnerable road users? c. Why is it important to wear seatbelts? d. Do you know any other causes of car accidents/ crashes? Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:
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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 12
Read the text below and answer the following questions. The construction of the Channel Tunnel is curently the largest private sector transport and civil engineering project in Europe. There have been various plans for a tunnel linking Britain with France over the last 200 years but the present scheme dates back 1985 when promoters were invited by the British and French Governments to submit schemes for a fixed link. The Channel Tunnel system consists of three separate tunnels two single track rail tunnels which will carry shuttle trains and a central service tunnel linked to them at regular intervals throughout their length. Safety in the tunnel has a very high priority. The journey between the two terminals will take around 35 minutes. Two types of services will be provided: through services for both passengers and goods and a transit service for cars, coaches and lorries using specially constructed shuttle trains. Road and rail links will also be improved to provide good access through the tunnel. High-speed passenger services will run at least every hour from London to Paris and Brussels, cutting curent rail journey times by half. A new rail link between London and the tunnel will eventually be needed to meet future growth and demand. a. What does the Channel Tunnel represent? b. What does the Channel Tunnel consist of? c. What types of services will be provided? d. Would you like to see the Channel Tunnel? Why?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

INSPECTORATUL SCOLAR JUDETEAN BRAILA

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 13
Read the text below and answer the following questions. The high consumption of fast food has been atributted to the fact that people are often too busy to eat a proper diet. Nutritionists say the figures are worrying and warn that while occasionally eating fast food is not harmful, a high fat diet can increase the likelihood of heart disease. On average, people buy food around twice a week from fast food outlets. However, teenagers eat at fast food outlets approximately three times each week. They make up almost two thirds of the customers of pizza and burger restaurants, over half of the customers of chicken restaurants, and around 4 in every 10 of the customers of fish and chip shops. A small number of customers at the fast food outlets are over the age of fifty. The majority of them claim to eat at these restaurants because they are with younger people, mainly grandchildren. Unfortunately, neither the teenagers nor the older people seem to be aware of the dangers of eating fast food on a regular basis. a. b. c. d. What do nutritionists say about eating fast food? How often do teenagers eat at fast food outlets? Why do customers over the age of fifty eat at these restaurants? Do you like fast food? Why / Why not?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 14
Read the text below and answer the following questions. Most experts agree that there are numerous reasons for teenagers becoming gang members. The popularity of gang is partly due to films and music which have glamorised gang culture, but this is by no means the only reason. Many members join a gang because they are afraid not to or because of peer pressure, which influences them greatly. However, the decision to join a gang is not made lightly. In order to prove one's worth, a potential gang member endures a "beat in". During the "beat in" the members punch, kick or even club the new member. Social workers emphasize that the most important thing for young people to understand is that becoming a gang member is a lifetime commitment to crime. They stress that schools and parents must teach young people that being a gang member does not gain respect from your peers and that dying is not romantic. a. b. c. d. Why do many young people join a gang? Why is the decision to join a gang difficult? What do social workers say? Is it difficult to be a teenager? Why / Why not?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

INSPECTORATUL SCOLAR JUDETEAN BRAILA

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 15
Read the text below and answer the following questions. Teen Kids News is a dynamic television news program for teens and pre-teens-by teens. The half-hour weekly program provides information and news to students in a way that's educational as well as entertaining. The focus of the program is young people, so all the stories are in their words. This program inserts the clear informed voice of students into the adult-dominated media and provides a unique perspective that is not curently available on network news program. Weekly Reader provides educational content and works with teachers nationwide to download scripts to teach public speaking, reading, and writing skills. Executive Producer Albert T. Primo, who created the Eyewitness News format and award-winning Eyewitness News Producer Alan Weiss are producing the program. The show curently airs on 203 stations throughout the United States including top markets in New York City and Los Angeles. Beginning in September, the show will also be seen in 170 countries. a. What is Teen Kids News? b. What does this program do? c. Where does the show currently air? d. Which is your favourite TV programme? Why?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

INSPECTORATUL SCOLAR JUDETEAN BRAILA

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 16
Read the text below and answer the following questions. In our daily lives as teenagers, we deal with stress that comes with school. We stress over what to cram in the night before an exam. We worry about how to finish a major assignment that we put of until the morning is due. We even lose sleep over college or scholarship applications. Here are a few things we need to know about stress. Is stress normal? Absolutely, but how we choose to deal with it may not be healthy. Very few things are truly as bad as they seem at first. Most situations that create stress in our lives we brought upon ourselves. Life is all about the choices that we make. What is the one thing that teens can do to reduce stress before a big test? Prepare adequately. We stress because in our heart, we know that we have not adequately prepared for the task at hand. This creates negative thoughts of poor performance and anxiety leads to stress. a. b. c. d. What do teenagers stress over and wory about? Why do we need to know about stress? Why do teenagers stress? What do you do in order to get rid of stress?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 17
Read the text below and answer the following questions Many Americans are volunteering their time and efforts to help others. These volunteers do unpaid work in schools, hospitals, and charity organizations. Some of them help rise for non-profit organizations, cultural associations and handicapped people. I also wanted to become a social worker and volunteered to work with the street children. I had a strangest experience to discover, bright, gentle, funny, children who, like all children of their age, had their dreams and fears. Working and helping them made me a better person. a. b. c. d. What do volunteers do? What did the author want? How does the author describe the street children? Would you do like to be a volunteer? Why/ Why not?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 18

Read the text below and answer the following questions The luckiest man in England is Percy Harrison, a farmer who lives in a village near Canterbury. A month ago, he won the highest sum ever paid out by the lottery, namely three quarters of a million pounds. And it was only the second time he had ever played! I went to see him the other day. Like many other reporters, I was curious to see how his win changed his life, and what he intended to do with the money. He hasnt changed much. He said: I like having a lot of money, but I wont let it change my life at my age. If you try to become something different you just end up making yourself unhappy. Ive been farmer for twenty years, and Ill go on being a farmer until Im too old to work. Of course, now I can have the best machinery, the best seed, plenty of fertilizers, and as many people as I like to help me. I can be a gentleman farmer. But I only need two helpers, after all. My farm isnt big. And I dont have to worry any longer about weather and poor crops, and about borrowing money from the bank. So Im quite happy a. Who is Percy Harrison? b. What was the author curious about? c. Is Percy Harrison worried? Why / Why not? d. What would you do with the money if you won the lottery?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 19
Read the text below and answer the following questions More than 300 people in the world speak English and the rest, who have other languages, try to. To be fair, English is full of trouble for those who are learning it. Any language where a short word like fly means either an insect, a way of travelling, or an important part of mans clothes, is clearly asking for trouble. Imagine being a foreigner and having to learn that when a person says to you How do you do?, he or she will be surprised if you reply, How do I do what? Still, English has become the language of business, science, education, politics, and pop music. In India, there are more than 3000 newspapers in English and when companies from France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland formed the Iveco truck company, their managers, who, of course, have their own languages, decided to speak English to each other. English has become one of the worlds greatest industries in fact so many people want to learn the language that there are now more students of English in China than there are people in the United States. a. What does fly mean? b. What has English become? c. Why do people want to learn English? d. Why do you want to learn English?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 20
Read the text below and answer the following questions Flatley is one of the most famous Irish dancers in the world. Like most Irish kids, he was sent to Irish dancing classes by his parents. He was eleven and in the teachers eyes already too old. Six years later, Michael Flatley, son of Irish immigrants to Chicago, was world champion in Irish dancing. With his 35 taps per second he has the fastest feet on earth. He became internationally famous in Dublin in 1994, when he led a group of Irish dancers in the European Song Contest stage. That evening Irish dancing hit the world and the success story of Riverdance had begun. Within only eight weeks, he had his own show Lord of the Dance, which became a huge success. But Flatley has to pay a high price for it. My legs are sore most of the time. Theyve been sore since I was 16. If you stop every time something hurts, youll never get anywhere in life. In his modern way of Irish dancing he doesnt hold his arms down in the traditional way and his style has been heavily criticised: Hes an American who has taken just one element of Irish culture and commercialized it and glamorized it. But the Irish dancing schools in Ireland and around the world are laughing all the way to the bank. a. When was Michael Flatley world champion in Irish Dancing? b. What is the name of his famous show? c. What do critics say about him and his style? d. Do you like dancing? Why / Why not?

Inspector: Prof.Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 21
Read the text below and answer the following questions Stress gets to us all sometimes. From too much work, long days, bullying at school, family problems, or the bigger picture: worries about the environment, crime or being out of work. The world has changed a lot over the last 30 years, said health education expert Gavin Ward. There is far more pressure on young people now. For many teenagers, stress starts at school. I just have to hear the word EXAM and I start to panic, says 16-year-old Joanne. I feel sick, like I want to give up. I feel there are so many expectations: if you are not rich, famous or successful, you havent got a chance. Stress can make you feel that you dont want to be with other people. It can stop you from eating and sleeping properly, give you headaches or stomach ache. But its also good to know that many of us do things every day to beat stress without knowing it, because whatever you do: listening to music, going out, doing sport or chatting on the phone, is important, as it deals with stress and beats it. Do not worry for not having acted like a macho, for not having cool clothes or being the best in a sport competition. More than that try not to worry about the relation with friends and avoid the peer pressure and ignore bullying. It will make you feel you reached the top of the world. a. Where does stress come from nowadays? b. How does Joanne feel when she is stressed? c. What can stress make you feel, according to the author? d. What do you do in order to get rid of stress? Inspector: Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:
INSPECTORATUL SCOLAR JUDETEAN BRAILA

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 22
Read the text below and answer the following questions Rick had always had a deep love for old cars. As a young boy, a friend of his, Jack Clay, would let Rick drive his 1960 Corvette. He was too small to reach the clutch and the steering wheel was almost bigger than he could handle. But the thrill and excitement of driving such a powerful vehicle was unforgettable! When Rick was 14 years old, his brother tried to persuade him to sing with his band. But Rick was into a Rocknroll and his brother was into Country. But when Ronnie made an offer, he couldnt refuse: If you sing with us, Ill let you drive my 1964 Fairlane. It was more than the teenage boy could resist.. a beautiful 2-door, 4-speed, 289 engine. He loved the car and quickly fell in love with Country music but continued to pursue his dream: to collect cars. The first car he bought was a 1941 Hudson for which ha paid $150; he started his collection with these simple rules: never to pay more than $500 for a vehicle. In those days he could afford only one vehicle at a time. Since his success in music, Rocky had fulfilled his dream: I started collecting cars and I made a farm into a junkyard where old cars could be restored. During the past seven years, Ricky had restored several classic cars, including some from the fifties, sixties and seventies. His collection includes Fords, Chevrolets and a Cadillac. It totals almost fifty vehicles. a. b. c. d. What does Rick like the most and what was his dream? When did he buy his first car? What can you tell about his collection of cars? Do you collect anything? Do you know somebody who collects anything?

Inspector: Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR

DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 23
Read the text below and answer the following questions Claudia Schiffer was an ordinary German schoolgirl from a small town near Dsseldorf when fashion agent Levaton saw her dancing in a night club. A few months later Claudia was a fashion superstar. Now she is more famous than most Hollywood actresses. Claudia belongs to an exclusive club of supermodels who have become international celebrities: Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss. They jet around the world, they appear on TV chat shows and they have ever started making films. As well as being major celebrities, top models are far from being poor. Supermodels receive a lot of money for every appearance, and collect millions of dollars in advertising contracts. They have also become successful businesswomen. Claudia Schiffer, Elle MacPherson and Naomi Campbell run their own restaurant business together the Fashion Caf. Its our baby. We make all the decisions, says Schiffer. Why are these models famous? After all, the only thing they do is try on clothes. Perhaps, in a world obsessed by image and style, they have the glamour of the Hollywood stars of the 40s and 50s, which modern actresses do not have. Models seem more untouchable and people need glamour, they need. a. Who was and who is Claudia Schiffer? b. Can you name some other fashion models? c. Where else do they get their money from? d. Do you keep up with the latest fashion? Why?/Why not?

Inspector: Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 24

Read the text below and answer the following questions The problems with my parents started when I was sixteen. I wanted a Saturday job but my parents ordered me to stay at home and study for my exams. Whenever I pointed out that all my friends had Saturday jobs, they always replied: "We don't care what they do. It's you we're worried about." This made me so angry that I did whatever I could to provoke them. I dyed my hair white blonde and covered my face in make-up before I went to school. Of course, this didn't help. It was a rule that in the evening I was only allowed out once during the week and on Saturdays till 10 p.m. Every time I went out, my parents asked me who I was going with and where we were going. It never crossed my mind that they might just be worried about me. One Saturday night, I didn't come home till 2 a.m. and my father wanted to know why I was so late. I refused to answer and we had a big argument which ended with my getting a taxi and going to my sister's home. What went wrong? a. Why did the problems start? b. What did her parents ask her whenever she went out? c. Where did she go after the fight? d. How do you get along with your parents?

Inspector: Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR

DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 25

Read the text below and answer the following questions Many people are soapaholic. They watch: "The Young and the Restless", "Terra Nova", "Coronation Street", "Emmeralde" and all the other famous soaps. They like to talk about them, to debate about the issues, to pity or hate the characters, to take part in the action. People love the glamorous or sentimental soaps and when coming tired from work they find them a splendid way to relax. Soaps take you away from everyday life. You can forget all your problems and empathise with the situation and the characters, and you often even cry or deeply worry along with them. Soaps also raise public awareness about important issues like: domestic violence, understanding the situation of being HIV positive or fighting against drug addiction. For children who haven't got a large, extended family around them, soap characters can become part of their family - it's the same for elderly people living at home. The soaps are a way of showing that not all the people are good, even though they may look OK. But if you don't want your younger brother or sister to be frightened, and if there's something you think they should not see, turn off the TV - that's all you should do when you have doubts. a. What do people like when it comes to soap operas? b. What do soap operas help some people do? c. Which are the issues presented in them? d. Do you watch soap operas? Why? / Why not?

Inspector: Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 26

Read the text below and answer the following questions An immensely popular novel about a vampire was: "Varney, the Vampire" in 3 volumes by James Malcolm Rymer. The plot is very complicated and it goes like this: Sir Francis Varney attempts to attack an innocent maiden Flora who eventually is rescued. Varney captures her boy friend instead and confesses to him that he only tries to frighten Flora's family away from the region so he can search for the treasure hidden in their palace. Unfortunately he is too successful in making people believe he is a vampire: a crowd burns his house down, and he is wounded and chased away. At this point he realizes that he is really a vampire and tries to commit suicide, but the water in which he wants to get drowned throws him back. There follow further adventures in London, including a vampire meeting in a kind of park on the edge of London. Consumed with remorse at the death of a female victim, he confesses to a priest. Varney leaves England and throws himself into Vesuvius -in imitation of a stage adaptation of "Frankenstein". a. Which are the characters of the novel? b. Why does Varney try to frighten Floras family? c. What happens in the end of the novel? d. Would you read this novel? Why/ Why not?

Inspector: Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 27
Read the text below and answer the following questions One winters day, in Brighton, in the south of England, a burglar, William Brady, was sentenced to six months in prison. The burglary had taken place on a Saturday night. Brady was walking along Lansdowne Avenue. He had been out with friends and it was a long walk home. It was raining and he was feeling cold and miserable. He looked at the lights in the big houses and thought to himself: Those people must be warm and happy. They dont need to be out walking on a cold, wet night. Then he saw that one of the big houses was completely dark. He stopped and listened. There were no sounds from the house. He went up the stairs and looked through the windows. No, there was nobody home. He broke into the house through the kitchen window at the back. He looked quickly round but there was nothing valuable there. He tried the inside door, but it was locked. Ill have to smash the door, he said to himself. But first, lets see if theres anything to eat. They might have left some food in the fridge. The fridge was full of food and he had a large pork pie, he ate ham sandwiches and he finished off with an enormous chocolate cake. After that, he relaxed in his chair and soon fell asleep. He was still sleeping happily when the police came and arrested him the next morning. a. b. c. d. Where and when did the burglary take place? Why did he decide to break into that house? What did he eat? What is your opinion about him?

Inspector: Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 28
Read the text below and answer the following questions Think for a moment about the things you use every day. What are your shirts or blouses made of? What about your sisters tights? Does your mother wear a fur coat? What are the carpets in your home made of? In the past, all these articles were made from natural materials: fur from animal hair, wool from sheep, leather from animal skins, cotton from the cotton plant, and silk from the silkworms. Women loved to wear silk. It was a luxury material and it was expensive because it was produced in countries like China from silkworms which had to be especially cultivated. In 1935, a chemist called Carothers was working at the du Pont chemical company in the USA. He was leading a team which was trying to produce a totally synthetic silk. In 1843, a French chemist had already produced an artificial silk from plants, called rayon and Carothers wanted to make silk from chemicals. After a lot of research he succeeded. The first article that was made out of the new synthetic fibre, now called nylon, were toothbrushes. The greatest success were the stockings, and the first day, five million pairs were bought. a. Which are the common things and materials mentioned in the text? b. Why was silk expensive? c. Who invented nylon and how? d. What can you tell about nylon?

Inspector: Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2

INSPECTORATUL SCOLAR JUDETEAN BRAILA

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 29
Read the text below and answer the following questions James, a twenty-two-year medical student from Australia decided to climb a fairly difficult route over a mountain pass. He was accompanied by his friends, but at a certain point some of them decided to return and meet James at Kathmandu. It began to snow and James was not seen again for forty-two days. All he had with him was a spare tracksuit, a sweatshirt, underwear, socks, a sleeping bag and two chocolate bars. At home, James sister decided to go straight to Nepal to organize the search for her younger brother. When she arrived in Nepal, James had been missing for sixteen days. At the airport, Joanne was told by a girl to consult a Buddhist lama, because sometimes they could see things that other people couldnt. It was now 21 days since James had disappeared and she knew it would be a miracle if he had survived so long. Remembering the girls advice, Joanne went to a Buddhist lama who was there and he showed her a triangle on an area of the map. You must look here you will meet your brother again. Rewards were offered and search parties continued to go after James, but they could find nothing. When she was almost on the point of giving up, the sister decided for one more attempt and took a helicopter over the mentioned triangle. After twenty minutes she heard a voice in the radio: We have spotted a person who is alive, we think it could be James. The next day James was rescued after forty-two days. a. What did James decide to do? b. What did he have with him? c. How much time did James survive in the mountains? d. Do you like climbing mountains? Why/ Why not? Inspector: Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2:

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PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOSTINTELOR DE LIMBA ENGLEZA PENTRU ADMITEREA IN CLASA A IX-A CU PROGRAM BILINGV 17 IUNIE 2010 PROBA ORALA BILETUL NR. 30
Read the text below and answer the following questions IN THE EARLY DAYS, INVENTOR Hubert Booth took an enormous cleaning machine on wheels around the streets, looking for customers. When he found one he put a huge tube through the window of the house and collected the dirt in the vacuum machine outside. It made so much noise that it frightened horses! Booth used to clean the carpet at the coronation of King Edward VII in 1901. The king was so impressed that he ordered two models one for Buckingham palace, and one for Windsor Castle. After that, the vacuum cleaner became very popular. The same thing happened with the shopping trolley or the simple sliced bread. Their history is just as simple as the first one. A backer from Michigan had the brilliant idea to introduce sliced bread in a bakery of Michigan in 1928. Only five years later 80% of the bread sold in America was already sliced and ready to eat. The same happened in a Humpty Dumpy supermarket in Oklahoma where the manager thought that if his customers had enormous baskets on wheels, they would buy more things. He was right they bought double the quantity! a. b. c. d. What did the first vacuum cleaner look like? What can you tell about the beginnings of sliced bread? Which was the effect of using the trolley in the supermarket? Which invention couldnt you live without?

Inspector: Dumitru Mirela Profesor evaluator 1: Profesor evaluator 2: