2o 2012 : 8 2012

. READING (35 points)

NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN SCHOOLS When the new millennium began in 2000, some schools in the USA leased laptops for all students. (1)______________________________. All those in favour of everyone having a laptop believed that they would stimulate students to learn more or better. Some schools are now abandoning their laptops. It seems that the laptops were breaking down frequently, and the repair costs were well beyond what had been expected. (2)_____________________________. Students would surf the Net, rather than ask teachers for help and that overloads the systems, so no one at the school can work for a while. Also, few teachers had been trained in how to use laptops in their lessons. Some students improved their typing skills because they were taking notes on their computers, but there was little innovative learning happening. On the other hand, some schools in the US have run successful programmes using laptops. (3)_________________. Researchers believe that, while laptops are probably not very useful in raising students test scores, they can help students be more creative. (4)___________________. Different schools use different types of technology which aim to teach students things other than how to get better marks in tests. (5)______________________________. The computer puts the children into groups of three by selecting numbers. The children are then given multiple-choice questions to answer; however, to find the answer, they have to discuss the questions and the choices and agree on the answer. a. The following sentences have been removed from the text. Choose from sentences A F the one that fits each gap. There is an extra sentence you do not need to use. (10 points) . For example, students in one middle school created a book in Spanish for poor children in Guatemala. . At one school each child in one class is given a hand-held computer and a number. C. Not only that, but students were using their laptops to cheat during tests and hack into local businesses. D. They need to think logically and critically, and can use their imaginations. E. The old chalk and talk method is back again. F. The new millennium seemed to be right time to bring technology into the classroom.

b. Write if the following statements are TRUE (T) or FALSE (F). (5 points) 1. Some schools stopped using laptops because the laptops were getting lost. 2. The majority of the teachers are experts in using laptops in their lessons. 3. Using a laptop to type some notes is something innovative. 4. In one school, students used their laptops to help local businesses. 5. Laptops can improve the creativity of students. VOCABULARY c. Underline the correct choice. (10 points)
1. Sharils uncle made that robot for her; hes an educator / inventor 2. The party was an ideal / ordinary opportunity for Andy to meet new people.

3. Mr. Kingsley is the supplement / substitute for our history teacher while shes away. 4. A new parking research / scheme will be introduced in the city centre. 5. If we all use the internet at the same time, it might overload / tighten the system. 6. Only a small percentage / element of students failed the final exam. 7. Carly insisted / forced on me leaving the office at once. 8. The careers customer / counselor suggested I think about becoming a journalist. 9. Originally / Vitally Ben wanted to go to Spain, but he ended up in Portugal. 10. He interacts / aims to go to Lisbon next year. d. Match the words of the list with their definitions. (10 points) flour, rumour, echo, legend, convinced, plausible, public, supernatural, cattle, alien 1. powder used to make cakes or bread .. 2. to do with people in general .. 3. what you hear when a sound is reflected back from a surface .. 4. finally persuaded that something is correct; .. 5. cows, bulls, etc .. 6. a creature from another planet .. 7. something not explained by science .. 8. believable, possible .. 9. a well known story from ancient times .. 10. something untrue lots of people are saying ..

B. GRAMMAR (35 points)

[a] Expand the prompts to make sentences. [ 20 points ] 1. my dad / talk / on the phone / the moment 2. last night I / read / book when Ian / arrive 3. yesterday my sister / wake up / 3 oclock / the afternoon 4. I / be / very excited because I / see / Albert tonight 5. when I / know / him, he / use / complain / all the time [b] Fill each gap with a preposition. [ 10 points ] 1. Everyone went to the concert, except . Anna. 2. How many people were . board the plane? 3. They found three cups full . hot coffee on the table. 4. Water was leaking . the barrel and the floor is wet. 5. They thought he worked as a teacher but, . fact he is unemployed. 6. The bananas were being shipped . Britain from Jamaica. 7. There are a number . theories about what happened. 8. Was there any sign . the ship? 9. Marie aims . go to the university next year. 10. She insisted . buying me coffee this morning. [c] Underline the correct alternative. [ 5 points ] 1. Victor thinks that economics are / is a very interesting subject. 2. This cheese costs 10 euros a / the kilo. 3. There isnt much / many food in the fridge. 4. I used to live in the / - Netherlands. 5. Someone has just stolen that girls / girls bike!

C. WRITING (30 points) Some people believe that it is impossible to live without a mobile phone. Other people think that mobile phones are harmful to the health and a threat to privacy. What do you think? (120-150 words). Plan PARA 1 present the topic and state your opinion PARA 2 give reasons and examples to support your opinion PARA 3 briefly give arguments for the opposite point of view PARA 4 restate your main argument and summarise your opinion