GRADE 8-9

Listening Comprehension

Dolphins to the Rescue

Stories of dolphins saving humans have existed since ancient times. Most of
the stories tell of dolphins that saved people from drowning in the ocean. Sailors
painted dolphins on their ships, and ancient Greek coins showed a dolphin with a boy
riding on its back. Do these images and stories have any truth to them?
Todd Endris thinks so. He was sitting on his surfboard off a beach in California
waiting for a good wave to ride. Suddenly, a great white shark attacked him. Endris
held onto the board, but the shark attacked him a second time. The shark took hold of
Endris’s leg and tried to pull him into the water. Just then, a group of dolphins
arrived. They swam in circles between Endris and the shark. Endris was able to get
back on his surfboard and reach the shore. An ambulance rushed him to the hospital.
He lost a lot of blood from the attack and almost died. Endris believes the dolphins
saved his life.
In New Zealand, four lifeguards were in the ocean when a great white shark
came near them. It started to swim around them. The lifeguards thought the shark was
going to attack. All of a sudden, a group of dolphins arrived. The dolphins swam
between the lifeguards and the shark, and the lifeguards were able to escape.
In the Gulf of Aqaba, a British tourist was swimming. A group of sharks moved
in and started to attack him. Three dolphins appeared. They jumped in and out of the
water and hit the water with their tails. The sharks swam away. Once again, dolphins
saved a human’s life.
Humans aren’t the only ones dolphins rescue. In New Zealand, two whales
swam in shallow water. People tried to lead the whales back to deep water, but the
whales kept swimming the wrong way. A dolphin appeared and swam between the
rescuers and the whales. The whales immediately followed the dolphin as it led them
to deep water.
Are dolphins as intelligent as they seem? Researchers at the Institute for
Marine Mammal Studies in the United States study dolphin behaviour. They train
dolphins to do various tasks. The dolphins get fish when they complete the tasks. One
dolphin is very creative. She caught a seagull. She took it to the trainer, and she got a
lot of fish from the trainer. Then the dolphin hid one of the fish and used it later to
attract seagulls. She was able to catch another seagull and get more fish. Then she
taught this to other dolphins. This type of behavior is clearly a sign of intelligence.
How do dolphins know when a human or an animal is in danger? The dolphin’s
brain structure may help explain this. The dolphin’s brain is very heavy. It is 25
percent heavier than a human brain. It is also very large in comparison to the size of
the dolphin itself. Humans have three separate areas of the brain, but dolphins have
four. In humans, the senses are divided between two areas of the brain. In dolphins,
the fourth area controls all the senses. Scientists don’t yet understand much about the
dolphin brain. Perhaps having all of the senses in one part of the brain means
dolphins are more aware of everything around them, including danger to others.
Todd Endris doesn’t need scientific research. He knows that dolphins are
intelligent. Six weeks after the dolphins rescued him, he was back at the beach on his
surfboard. Some people probably ask if he is intelligent!

GRADE 8 - 9
Listening comprehension test
1. Put down + if the statement is true, - if it is false (2 points each).
1) In the ancient world, there were many stories and images of dolphins rescuing humans.
2) In recent times, dolphins have saved people from shark attacks.
3) The dolphins swam between Endris and the surfboard helping him to reach the shore.
4) A dolphin in New Zealand helped four whales swim out of shallow water.
5) Scientists have just started to study the structure of the dolphin brain.
6) Dolphins can come up with new ways of doing things.
7) Dolphin researchers in a research institute in the USA used fish to attract seagulls.
8) One dolphin trained other dolphins to hit water with a tail.
9) The dolphin’s brain is 25 grams heavier than a human one.
10) One area of the dolphin’s brain controls the five physical abilities of sight, hearing, smell, taste,
and touch.
2. Choose the correct letter (a, b or c) – (2 points each)
11) Since ancient times, people have thought of dolphins as …...
a) dangerous
b) rescuers
c) strange
12) Todd Endris was …….
a) surfing when a shark attacked him.
b) fishing when a shark attacked him.
c) sailing when a shark attacked him.
13) The text gives ____examples of dolphins saving humans.
a) one
b) two
c) three
14) How did dolphins save Endris?
a) They attacked the shark.
b) They swam between Endris and the shark.
c) They carried Endris back to the shore.
15) How did a dolphin help the whales in New Zealand?
a) It taught the whales to attract seagulls.
b) It led them to deep water.
c) It jumped in and out of the water to frighten sharks.
16) Why did the dolphin at the institute hide the fish?
a) because she wanted to eat the fish later
b) because the trainer gave her too much fish
c) because she wanted to use it to catch a seagull
17) The dolphin’s brain is …….
a) 25 percent heavier than a person’s brain
b) 25 grams larger than other mammals’ brains
c) 25 percent of its body weight
18) In a dolphin’s brain, the senses are…….
a) in one area of the brain
b) divided into three areas of the brain
c) divided between two areas of the brain
19) Scientists _______ the dolphin’s brain.
a) know a lot about
b) think that human brains are larger than
c) need to do more research on
20) After the accident with a white shark, Todd Endris…….
a) needs scientific research.
b) asks other people if he is intelligent.
c) continues to go in for surfboarding.
GRADE 8 - 9
Reading Comprehension, test 1
A Vacation That Is Out of This World!
Do you dream of staying in a luxury hotel? Do you want exceptional service, first-class
amenities, and a unique design? How about beautiful scenery from every window? Would you book
such a hotel and pay several million US dollars for just a few nights? That might sound crazy.
However, imagine if the hotel takes you on an excursion into space! Today, there are a growing
number of companies that have plans to open space hotels.
You would get to your hotel on a space shuttle. This would be one of the most exciting parts
of your vacation. Imagine travelling so fast that you reach 1,000 kilometers per hour in less than
one minute! Shuttles will take passengers to space hotels that will typically be about 483 kilometers
above the Earth.
The design of a space hotel will be distinctly different from hotels on Earth. A foundation
will not be necessary. The hotel will not look like a building on Earth. It may look like a wheel or a
group of tennis balls. New structures can be built and then connected to a main structure. There are
an unlimited number of structures that can be added to a space hotel.
The scenery you see from a space hotel will be amazing! Your view of Earth will keep
changing as the hotel travels at 30,000 kilometers per hour. It will circle Earth every 90 minutes.
You will see a sunset every 45 minutes. From the large windows, the moon and stars will feel close
enough to touch.
Everything you do during your space vacation will be an exciting challenge because you
will be weightless. If you participate in sports at the hotel, the sports equipment will be floating in
the air while you are also floating. Imagine trying to eat in the hotel’s restaurant without dropping
your food or spilling your drink. Where would it fall? You might even be able to go outside the
hotel and walk in space. Of course, you would have to take lessons first so that you wouldn’t fly
away!
Space tourism projects cost a lot of money. At first, only the super wealthy will make space
their vacation destination. However, as space travel becomes less expensive, it will be available to
more people. Perhaps one day in the future, you will be able to appreciate an out-of-this-world
adventure.
1. Choose the correct letter (a, b or c) – (1 point each)
1. About how much will it cost for one 4. How often will a space hotel circle
night in a space hotel? Earth?
a) about $ 1,000,000 a) every 483 minutes
 b) about $ 100,000 b) every 90 minutes
c) about $ 1,000 c) every 45 minutes
2. What form of transportation will take 5. How often will you see a sunset from
people to a space hotel? a space hotel?
a) a helicopter a) every 483 minutes
b) a space shuttle b) every 90 minutes
c) a jet airplane c) every 45 minutes
3. About how far away from Earth will
space hotels be?
a) 1,000 kilometers
b) 45 kilometers
c) 483 kilometers

2. Put down + if the statement is true, - if it is false (1 point each).

6. The first vacation in space will be too expensive for most people.
7. Space hotels will have only basic amenities.
8. You will be weightless during your space vacation.
9. You will not be able to see Earth from a space hotel.
10. You would have to take lessons to fly away in space.

Reading Comprehension, test 2

The Story of Helen Adams Keller

Helen Adams Keller was born in Alabama in 1880 and died in 1968. Helen became deaf and
blind after a short childhood illness when she was 19 months old. In 1886, aged six, Helen was
introduced to Anne Sullivan, a twenty-year-old teacher who was partially blind. Anne was the first
person to teach Helen the meaning of words. The first word that Helen learned was ‘water’ which
Anne taught her by running cool water over the palm. Anne also taught Helen how to speak by
touching the lips and throats of other people, which is known as the Tadoma method. Helen was
very close to Anne, and called her ‘Teacher’. They remained close friends and companions for 49
years.
In 1894, Helen and Anne moved to New York to study at the Wright-Humason School for
the Deaf. In 1898, Helen entered The Cambridge School for Young Ladies in Massachusetts and in
1900 was admitted to Radcliffe College. In 1903, she wrote an autobiographical book called The
Story of my Life. In 1904, Helen graduated from Radcliffe College becoming the first deaf and blind
person to graduate from college.
Helen became famous all over the world as an author and speaker and travelled to over 39
countries with Anne. Anne Sullivan died in 1936. Helen devoted the rest of her life to raising funds
for blind and deaf people in America. In 1960, she published another book, entitled Light in my
Darkness. She died in June, 1968 in Connecticut.
Helen Keller will always be remembered as an exceptional person who overcame her
blindness and deafness to achieve great things. As she always said, ‘The best and most beautiful
things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart.’
Choose the correct letter (a, b or c) – (1 point each)
 1. What is the author’s main purpose in writing the text?
a) to present us with a short biography of Helen Adams Keller
b) to talk about the success a deaf and a blind person can achieve in life
c) to explain why Helen Adams Keller is such an inspiring person
2. What would a reader learn about Anne Sullivan from the text?
a) She was like a sister to Helen.
b) She was Helen’s teacher and close friend.
c) She was an inspiration for Helen.
3. What did Helen do after she graduated from college?
a) She went to Massachusetts.
b) She wrote The Story of my Life.
c) She travelled around the world as an author and speaker.
4. Helen was an exceptional person because……
a) she managed to achieve great things.
b) she was the first blind and deaf person to write a book.
c) she raised funds for blind and deaf people in America.
5. Which is the best description of Helen?
a) an unusual person who coped with blindness and deafness to achieve success
b) a blind and deaf author who travelled to over 39 countries
c) an exceptional blind woman who was a speaker and author
Reading Comprehension, test 3
Read the text below and choose the correct word (A, B, C or D) for each gap. - (1 point each)
Weather Around the World
In the rainforest, it’s hot and 1)…… . There’s a lot of vegetation and wildlife. We saw
dolphins in the Amazon river and red Uakari monkeys in the jungle.
In the 2)…… , it’s hot and 3)…… during the day, but it can be very 4)…… at night. It
doesn’t rain in the desert, and the lack of water means there’s always a risk of 5)…… .
The Caribbean is an area where 6)…… are common. These storms move across the sea, so
islands and coastal towns are in danger from 7) …… as well as strong winds.
There are no roads in the 8)……, so we travelled across the snow on sledges pulled by husky
dogs. It’s always 9)…… cold, but a 10)…… is really frightening – you can’t see anything except
snow, and the wind pushes the snow in your face and clothes.
1) A dry B humid C boiling D soaking
2) A mountains B rainforest C desert D Arctic
3) A dry B wet C humid D boiling
4) A hot B cold C wet D dry
5) A drought B heat wave C thunderstorm D snow
6) A heat waves B droughts С hurricanes D glaciers
7) A lightning B floods C electricity D storms
8) A rainforest B jungle C glacier D Arctic
9) A freezing B boiling C snowing D raining
10) A thunderstorm B heat wave С blizzard D hurricane
 Reading comprehension, test 4
American Food
The United States is a nation of immigrants. Its food reflects this. Walk through the downtown
area of any major city. You’ll see a mix of restaurants offering a variety of dishes.
Some of the most popular food in the United States is here because of immigration. For
example, Chinese, Italian, and Mexican food was exotic to Americans before immigrants moved
here and introduced their food. Now these types of food are a big part of American culture.
People often associate dishes with specific countries. They assume that dishes in the U.S. are
identical to the dishes served in the countries from which they came. This is not always true,
however.
Chop suey, a dish with vegetables, meat, and sauce, is a typical Chinese dish in the U.S. You can
find it in any Chinese restaurant. But did the dish actually come from China? Or was it created in
the U.S.? People aren’t sure. And what about fortune cookies? Those are the little cookies you get
after a Chinese meal. Everyone gets pleasure from reading the message on the paper inside them.
Historians say that they come from Japan, not China.
One of the dishes that people in the U.S. associate with Italian food is spaghetti and meatballs.
Both children and adults love this dish. It’s made with pasta, tomato sauce, and balls of meat. But in
fact, it’s unlikely that this dish came directly from Italy. Pasta with sauce is typical in Italy, but this
combination of pasta, sauce, and meatballs is not. And pasta is not only Italian. Historians say that
pasta (noodles) was common in ancient Greece and China.
In the U.S., people often call Mexican dishes by their original names, such as tacos or
enchiladas. But these dishes are often prepared differently in the U.S. One of the biggest differences
is how spicy the dishes are. Many people in the U.S. have a taste for very hot and spicy Mexican
food. Some people use so many chili peppers that it actually causes pain. This is not typical in
Mexico. In fact, some of the food that we call Mexican is actually more typical of the southwestern
U.S., not Mexico.
Next time you try a new and exotic dish here in the U.S., don’t assume that it came directly
from a different culture. Maybe it was created right here in the United States!

Put down + if the statement is true, - if it is false (1 point each).

1. Some dishes in the U.S. were brought by immigrants.
2. Eating pasta, sauce, and meatballs together is typical in China, Greece and Italy.
3. Some dishes in Mexico and the U.S. have the same name but are different.
4. Food in Mexico is often spicier than Mexican food in the U.S.
5. Some Mexican food in the U.S. comes from parts of the U.S.

GRADE 8 - 9
Writing Comprehension
(In this test you will select from three writing tasks. Choose the one that you feel you are most
capable to write about.)
 1. A foreign visitor has only one day to spend in Ukraine. Where should this visitor go on that
day? What dishes should he or she eat? What souvenirs should the visitor take back to his or
her country?
________________________________________________________________________________
2. People attend colleges or universities for many different reasons (for example, new
experiences, career preparation, increased knowledge). Why do you think people attend
schools? Use specific reasons and examples to support your ideas.
________________________________________________________________________________
3. How much time do you think parents should spend with their children? Is it easy for a woman
to combine career and family obligations? Would you go on working if you had your own
family?

GRADE 10
Listening Comprehension

Istanbul: Memories of a City

Here we come to the heart of the matter: I've never left Istanbul—never left the
houses, streets and neighbourhoods of my childhood. Although I've lived in other
districts from time to time, fifty years on I find myself back in the Pamuk
Apartments, where my first photographs were taken and where my mother first held
me in her arms to show me the world. I know this persistence owes something to my
imaginary friend, and to the solace I took from the bond between us. But we live in
an age defined by mass migration and creative immigrants, and so I am sometimes
hard-pressed to explain why I've stayed not only in the same place, but the same
building. My mother's sorrowful voice comes back to me, “Why don't you go outside
for a while, why don't you try a change of scene, do some travelling ...?”
Conrad, Nabokov, Naipaul—these are writers known for having managed to
migrate between languages, cultures, countries, continents, even civilisations. Their
imaginations were fed by exile, nourishment drawn not through roots but through
rootlessness; mine, however, requires that I stay in the same city, on the same street,
in the same house, gazing at the same view. Istanbul's fate is my fate: I am attached
to this city because it has made me who I am.
Flaubert, who visited Istanbul a hundred and two years before my birth, was
struck by the variety of life in its teeming streets; in one of his letters he predicted
that in a century's time it would be the capital of the world. The reverse came true:
after the Ottoman Empire collapsed, the world almost forgot that Istanbul existed.
The city into which I was born was poorer, shabbier, and more isolated than it had
ever been in its two-thousand-year history. For me it has always been a city of ruins
and of end-of-empire melancholy. I've spent my life either battling with this
melancholy, or (like all Istanbullus) making it my own.
At least once in a lifetime, self-reflection leads us to examine the
circumstances of our birth. Why were we born in this particular corner of the world,
on this particular date? These families into which we were born, these countries and
cities to which the lottery of life has assigned us—they expect love from us, and in
the end, we do love them, from the bottom of our hearts—but did we perhaps deserve
better? I sometimes think myself unlucky to have been born in an aging and
impoverished city buried under the ashes of a ruined empire. But a voice inside me
always insists this was really a piece of luck. If it were a matter of wealth, then I
could certainly count myself fortunate to have been born into an affluent family at a
time when the city was at its lowest ebb (though some have ably argued the contrary).
Mostly I am disinclined to complain: I've accepted the city into which I was born in
the same way I've accepted my body (much as I would have preferred to be more
handsome and better built). This is my fate, and there's no sense arguing with it. This
book is about fate...

GRADE 10
Listening comprehension test

3. Put down + if the statement is true, - if it is false (2 points each).

1. Pamuk first visited Pamuk Apartments late in life when he was old.
2. Part of the reason he stayed was a make-believe friend.
3. He now lives in the same city, but not the same district.
4. Pamuk describes the basis of Conrad and Nabokov’s stories as being rootless.
5. He says that his own stories are much like these other famous authors’.
6. Flaubert correctly predicted that Istanbul would flourish.
7. The Istanbul in which Pamuk was born was the worst that it had ever been.
8. Pamuk says that he has spent his whole life only working against the city.
9. Pamuk knows that he was very unlucky to be born in Istanbul.
10. He realizes that he cannot change who he is.

2. Choose the correct letter (a, b or c) – (2 points each)

11. Pamuk’s imaginary friend…

A. was one reason he wanted to leave Istanbul.
B. made him happier.
C. has comforted him.
12. After fifty years Orhan Pamuk…
A. moved back into his first apartment.
B. has learned about all of the other districts.
C. finally saw photographs of his first apartment.
13. In the text “hard-pressed” means that…
A. he is reluctant.
B. he is having a difficult time.
C. he is sad.
14. Pamuk is creatively connected to Istanbul because…
A. it has made him who he is.
B. it has changed him.
C. he has watched the city change.
15. Unlike Conrad and other authors, Pamuk’s work was not inspired by…
A. culture.
 B. his city.
C. rootlessness.
16. Flaubert visited Istanbul and…
A. hated the number of people there.
B. thought it was shabby and dirty.
C. thought it would become an even more important place.
17. The fall of the Ottoman Empire has made Istanbul seem…
A. like a world capital.
B. sad.
C. wealthier.
18. Pamuk says that we all question, at least once…
A. whether we should love our family.
B. whether we should love our city.
C. why we were born in a particular place.
19. Pamuk is fortunate because…
A. he is a writer.
B. he is wealthier than most people in Istanbul.
C. he was born in a beautiful city.
20. Pamuk has accepted…
A. his city.
B. his family.
C. his career.

GRADE 10
Reading Comprehension, test 1
Going Green
These days it seems like almost everyone wants to be greener. A new generation of shoppers
wants to do its regular shopping but be less wasteful. If possible, these people also want to shop in a
way that might help the environment¼or at least not harm it.
Companies are getting in on the green revolution, too. They can usually charge more for green
products—sometimes double the price or more. It benefits them if they can say what they’re selling
is “green” But should you always believe it? Just because a company says something is
environmentally friendly, is it really true?
Experts say possibly not. They say that customers need to be careful when they try to shop in an
environmentally friendly way. Some companies say they offer green products, but they really don’t.
It’s important to consider that what a company says about its products may not always be true.
So, what can you do? Here are some suggestions to make sure the products you buy are really
green:
• Read carefully. Read labels and information about the product carefully. What is a product
made up of? Are any of the ingredients dangerous for you or the environment? Don’t forget to
check where the materials come from. If the wood in your new table comes from forests where
there are a lot of trees and the trees grow quickly, that’s one thing. If the trees come from forests
that are in danger, that isn’t good. And consider how far the product traveled to get to you. How
much fuel did it take for delivery to you or a store?
• Watch unclear language. Companies sometimes use words that are unclear. For example,
many products say they are “natural” or “eco-friendly” But what does that mean? There are actually
some materials that are natural but unhealthy for us. Also, be careful about pictures. Some
companies put pretty pictures of nature on their products to make customers believe that the product
is green, but that might not be true.
• Look for proof. You can be surer that green labels are real if a company has another
organization check it. This is called outside certification. Outside certification lets you know that
someone other than the company is checking to make sure that what the company says is true.
 If you want to be a green shopper, you need to do your homework. Yes, it requires more work
and that takes extra time. But, if you care about the environment, it’s worth it. You can feel more
satisfied that you are trying to do something to help the environment.
Put down + if the statement is true, - if it is false (1 point each).
1.Companies usually charge the same amount for green products.
2.Experts say you should never believe it when a company says its products are green.
3.Some ingredients in a product might be bad for people or the environment.
4.It doesn’t matter where wood in a product comes from.
5.You should consider distance for delivery.
6.“Natural” is an example of a word that is clear to describe a product.
7.You can trust what a company says more if it uses outside certification.
Reading Comprehension, test 2
The fire stood between us and linked us together. A boy added wood and the flames rose
higher, illuminating our faces. ‘What is the name of our country?’ ‘Poland.’ Poland was far away,
beyond the Sahara, beyond the sea, to the north and the east. The Nana repeated the name aloud.
‘They have snow there,’ Kwesi said. Kwesi worked in town. Once, at the cinema, there was
a movie with snow. The children applauded and cried merrily ‘Anko! Anko!’ asking to see the snow
again. The white puffs fell and fell. ‘Those are lucky countries,’ Kwesi said. ‘They do not need to
grow cotton; the cotton falls from the sky. They call it snow and walk on it and even throw it into
the river.’
We were stuck here by this fire by chance – three of us, my friend Kofi from Accra, a driver
and I. Night had already fallen when the tyre burst – the third tyre, rotten luck. It happened on a side
road, in the bush, near the village of Mpago in Ghana. Too dark to fix it. You have no idea how dark
the night can be. You can stick out your hand and not see it. They have nights like that. We walked
into the village.
The Nana received us. There is a Nana in every village, because Nana means boss, head
man, a sort of mayor but with more authority… The Nana from Mpago was skinny and bald, with
thin Sudanese lips. My friend Kofi introduced us. He explained where I was from and that they
were to treat me as a friend.
‘I know him,’ my friend said. ‘He’s an African.’
That is the highest compliment that can be paid to a European. It opens every door for him.
The Nana smiled and we shook hands. You always greet a Nana by pressing his right hand between
both of your palms. This shows respect. He sat us down by the fire, where the elders had just been
holding a meeting. The bonfire was in the middle of a village, and to the left and right, along the
road, there were other fires. As many fires as huts. Perhaps twenty. We could see the fires and the
figures of the women and the men and the silhouettes of clay huts – they were all visible against a
night so dark and deep that it felt heavy like a weight.
Poland. They didn’t know of any such country. The elders looked at me with uncertainty,
possibly suspicion. I wanted to break their mistrust somehow. I didn’t know how and I was tired.
‘Where are your colonies?’ the Nana asked.
My eyes were drooping, but I became alert. People often asked that question. Kofi had asked
it first, long ago, and my answer was a revelation to him. From then on he was always ready for the
question with a little speech prepared, illustrating its absurdity. Kofi answered: ‘They don’t have
colonies, Nana. Not all white countries have colonies. Not all whites are colonialists. You have to
understand that whites often colonise whites.’
The elders shuddered and smacked their lips. They were surprised. Once I would have been
surprised that they were surprised. But not any more. I can’t bear that language, that language of
white, black and yellow. The language of race is disgusting.
Kofi explained: ‘For hundred years they taught us that the white is somebody greater, super,
extra…only the English travelled around the globe. We knew exactly as much as they wanted us to
know. Now it’s hard to change.’
One of the elders asked, ‘Are all the women in your country white?’
‘All of them.’
‘Are they beautiful?’
‘They’re very beautiful,’ I answered.
‘Do you know what he told me, Nana?’ Kofi interjected. ‘That during their summer, the
women take off their clothes and lie in the sun to get black skin. The ones that become dark are
proud of it, and others admire them for being as tanned as blacks.’
Choose the correct letter (a, b or c) – (1 point each)
1. Why did the children applaud the snow?
a) It was a funny film.
b) It was like cotton.
c) They had never seen it before.
2. Why did the travellers have to stop in the village?
a) There was no spare tyre.
b) It was too dark to put on a new tyre.
c) They had had bad luck with their tyres.
3. How did the writer react to their question about colonies?
a) He was tired but it made him nervous.
b) He let his friend answer the question.
c) He was surprised by their question.
4. What attitudes did the Africans have towards the British?
a) They resented being colonized.
b) They still thought the British were great.
c) They did not know about other Europeans.
5. Why did Kofi mention the fact that the women in the writer’s country sunbathed?
a) The sun in Africa would be too hot.
b) The women were white.
c) To have dark skin was admired.
Reading Comprehension, test 3
Mario the Magician
For me, the sight of a magician always brings back memories. My father often brought us to see
the magic shows at the old Regal Theater. So when I bought tickets last week for Magic Mario’s
latest show at the City Auditorium, I wondered if his performance would be as good as the ones
from my childhood.
I wasn’t disappointed. Mario, now in his seventies, is still the master of the visual illusion. His
act creates a world of make believe, where anything is possible.
 Standing alone on the stage under the bright lights, he waves his wand, and six beautiful white
birds appear. Then just as suddenly, they are gone, out of sight.
The audience claps, amazed. Mario asks for his first victim, an ordinary looking lady from the
front row. She steps forward. He motions to her to step into a large box. His purpose isn’t clear. Is
he going to cut her in half? Mario closes the door tight. When he opens the door again, out pops a
black dog, wagging his tail and running around the stage. Where did he hide the lady? The answer
must remain a secret. A few seconds later Mario reopens the box. The lady reappears and is allowed
to go free.
The show is as mesmerizing now as it was all those years ago. Mario looks a little greyer now,
but the magic is the same.
Some people accuse Mario of becoming too commercial. This may be true; he has certainly
made a lot of money. The current show is his most ambitious yet. But the master is in top form,
better than ever, even after all these years. See his show now before it’s too late.
Choose the correct letter (a, b or c) – (1 point each)
1. This text is ___. 4. The birds in Magic Mario’s show ___.
a. a review in a newspaper a. hide in a box
b. part of a novel b. fly away
c. part of a personal letter c. disappear
2. When the writer was young, ___. 5. Mario invites a lady to the stage and ___.
a. he enjoyed magic shows a. cuts her in half
b. his father was a magician b. puts her in a box
c. he watched Magic Mario on TV c. gives her a wand
3. Magic Mario is ___. 6. We can infer that the writer ___.
a. a friend of the writer a. does not enjoy magic shows
b. experienced b. has never seen a magic show
c. young and talented c. is a fan of magic shows

Reading Comprehension, test 4

Read the text below and choose the correct word (A, B, C or D) for each gap. - (1 point each)
The Art of Being a Parent
In order to (1)_______ children, many qualities are required. As well as the (2)_______
requirements such as love, patience and understanding, a sense of humour is an important feature of
any parent's personality. (3)_________, it's quite an art to transform a child's bad mood into
(4)_______ everyone in the family can live with. Another aspect of child rearing is teaching
children limits and rules. This means the child needs to be (5)________ of what his or her rights are
and what other people's are, too. Setting limits on children must occur on a daily basis. Temporary
measures don't achieve anything but just waste time. A (6) _______mistake, however, is being
(7)_________ stricter than necessary. Parents must be (8 )________ to allow their children the
opportunity to explore and learn (9 )_________ experience.
What's more, most parents must know the importance of (10)________ as it gets children
used to certain everyday activities. For instance, eating at the same time (11)__________ their
parents gets them into the habit of sitting at a table and 12) _________ them how to conduct
themselves properly.
Overall, child rearing is no easy task but it is certainly a challenge and a learning experience.
1) A grow B grow up C born D bring up
2) A routine B popular C ordinary D usual
 3) A In fact B But C All in all D As well as
4) A temper B character C behaviour D manner
5) A known B accustomed C familiar D aware
6) A willing B famous С common D continuous
7) A very B far C quite D fairly
8) A keen B eager C interested D willing
9) A by B on C from D with
10) A custom B routine С fashion D trend
11) A like A as C than D of
12) A learns B educates C teaches D instructs

GRADE 10
Writing Comprehension
(In this test you will select from three writing tasks. Choose the one that you feel you are most
capable to write about.)
 1. Some people believe that the best way of learning about life is by listening to the advice of
family and friends. Other people believe that the best way of learning about life is through
personal experience. Compare the advantages of these two different ways of learning about
life. Which do you think is preferable? Use specific examples to support your preference.

2. Read and think about the following statement: Only people who earn a lot of money are
successful. Do you agree or disagree with this definition of success? Use specific reasons
and examples to support your opinion.

3. How do you think technology will change in the next 100 years? What technologies would
you like to see that do not yet exist? What are some ways technology can negatively impact
our lives?

GRADE 11
Listening Comprehension

A Review of the New Museum in My Neighborhood

One of the best things about living in New York City is all the museums. Just last night I
stumbled upon one I'd never been to before. I know a lot about art, so I am confident in my
assertion that I had a lot of fun there, and it is probably better than any museum I have ever been to.
The museum was mainly focused on furniture. It was kind of like those colonial rooms at
the Metropolitan Museum of Art, except it was more than one room, and it didn't have such low
ceilings for short, malnourished colonists. Also, the furniture wasn't from the 17th century. It was
more modern, like in the Museum of Modern Art. Except it wasn't fancy or artsy—the attempt was
to convey a sense of everyday life, like Colonial Williamsburg, except again, not colonial.
You were allowed to sit on the furniture, which brings me to my first favorite part of the
museum—their lax policy about sitting on the furniture. I also enjoyed being able to listen to “Total
Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler while eating the ham from the Make-Your-Own-Sandwich
Room, which was structured much like an ordinary kitchen. That reminds me: my second and third
favorite parts were the CD collection and the ham collection.
I believe the curators wanted you to touch the art and eat the art so as to feel as one with the
art and allow it to become a part of you. The everyday style of construction—the furniture being in
the vernacular, as we say—was an attempt to force the observer to question the very nature of art. It
reminded me of a painting I saw at the Met once. It looked like a canvas smeared with moldy Fruit
Loops by a drunk baby. I didn't think that could be real art, but actually it was, since Hello, I found
it in a museum. Remembering this past experience helped me while in the museum last night, since
there were a lot of things that looked like that painting—particularly a bowl of old Fruit Loops on a
simple coffee table. Or was it so simple?
Museums can be exhausting when they are crowded. It's like, Hey, Lady from Wherever
They Let You Wear Light Colored Jeans in Public, can you move away so I can see the picture, too?
I loved how empty this place was. I believe they keep most people out so as to allow you to
immerse yourself in the museum's spatiality. Also, I was there at night, when tourists are jetlagged
and regular people are kind of tired.
The art was linked thematically, with many variations on the central motif of family life in
the modern era. There were photos of the same subjects, and many of the drawings were by the
same artist. They were of a unique style, one harkening back to a primitive age. My favorites were
“My Family,” “How I Help Cook Chicken Soup,” and an untitled scribble in the medium of magic
marker.
Security at museums can be a nightmare, am I right? You can't bring in certain stuff, like
cameras or drinks. But I brought my drink in (how I left The Gin Mill still holding my rum and Diet
Coke, I haven't a clue) and the one security guard downstairs didn't care. He even knew my name
already!
Museums are full of surprises, and this museum certainly did not disappoint. For instance,
the final room had— surprise!—two people wearing pajamas. Not sure why they were yelling at
me, though. This brings me to another thing museums are full of: mystery.
My final favorite thing about the museum was how close it was to my apartment. It was
actually just down the hall. That's the beauty of New York—those hidden gems that only real New
Yorkers know how to find. Well, New Yorkers and the doorman who kindly escorted me out and
back to my own apartment. I'm pretty sure he was from Poland.

GRADE 11
Listening comprehension test
4. Put down + if the statement is true, - if it is false (2 points each).
1. Furniture is the primary focus of the museum.
2. Guests are allowed to sit on the museum furniture.
3. The visitor’s only favorite part of the museum is the ham collection.
4. The furniture was not out of the ordinary.
5. The museum was exhausting and crowded.
6. “How I Help Cook Chicken Soup” is a drawing scribbled in pencil.
7. Security at this museum was a nightmare.
8. People are permitted to carry drinks inside this museum.
9. The museum features people shouting in their pajamas.
10. This museum is located down the street from the visitor’s home.
2. Choose the correct letter (a, b or c) – (2 points each)
11. The author thinks this museum is:
A. very knowledgeable about art
B. fun and colonial
C. maybe the best she’s ever visited
12. The author does not compare this museum to:
A. New York Art Museum
B. Colonial Williamsburg
C. Metropolitan Museum of Art
13. The museum tries to show:
A. furniture styles throughout the century
B. that art is about listening to music from 1980s
C. a sense of everyday life
14. The Make-Your-Own-Sandwich room:
A. had a great CD collection
B. looked like a regular kitchen
 C. had a canvas smeared with moldy Fruit Loops
15. How does this author recognize art?
A. whatever is beautiful and modern is art
B. everything can be art
C. it’s art if it’s in a museum
16. A main part of the museum’s collection is:
A. photos of the same subjects
B. photos by many different artists
C. photos of the same artist
17. What is surprising about security at this museum?
A. the guard let her take a camera
B. the guard knew the author’s name
C. security guards were dressed in pajamas and yelled
18. Which of these did the visitor NOT do while inside the museum?
A. eat a ham sandwich
B. ask a lady to move away so she could see the picture
C. listen to a Bonnie Tyler song
19. How is this museum better than others, in the author’s opinion?
A. it is crowded
B. you can’t sit on the furniture
C. you can eat and drink
20. What might be a good name for this ‘museum’?
A. Museum of Modern Art
B. Inside the New York City Apartment
C. 21st Century Foreign Art
GRADE 11
Reading Comprehension, test 1
Street Art Around the World
You see it in most large cities, on the side of buildings or on the sidewalk. It could be a colorful
cartoon, or it might be a dramatic black and white drawing of a person or a face. Sometimes it’s a
word or phrase written and decorated artistically. It’s street art, which is defined as any art created
in public places. It can take many different forms, from graffiti artwork to street posters to video
projections. Although it’s still illegal in most places, street art has become a worldwide movement
in recent years.
You’ll come across street art in almost any city these days, but the trend is significant in São
Paulo, Berlin, London, and New York. In some of these cities, there has almost been an explosion of
art on the street. What motivates each artist is different, but the art often has a strong message. It
may make comments on social or political issues. Sometimes it’s just funny or entertaining. The art
will usually disappear fairly quickly, which makes it even more interesting to many people. The art
is unique. If you don’t see it soon after it appears, you miss the boat because there may not be
another chance.
The artists must accept the risks of making art where it is often illegal. Sometimes they are
arrested. Some of the artists have formal art training, while others don’t. They have different
influences, from traditional art and folk culture to cartoons and video games.
Although not celebrities in the traditional sense, some of the street artists have become well
known internationally. Some have done their work on canvas and shown it in galleries and
museums around the world. And some have been able to sell their work for high prices. Celebrities
such as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have paid very high prices for work by famous street artists.
 Os Gemeos are identical twin brothers from São Paulo, Brazil, who are very famous street
artists. Born in 1972, they are known for drawing characters with yellow skin. Hip-hop is one of the
main influences for their style. Their work includes family portraits, Brazilian folklore, and
commentary on Brazilian society and politics. Another street artist from São Paulo is Alex Horner,
known as Onesto. He is inspired by famous traditional artists and uses seventy-two different
signatures to sign his work, depending on the style and characters that he is working on. All of these
artists have shown their work in major art shows.
One of the most well-known artists from England calls himself Banksy. He is a legend in the
street art world, mostly because his real identity is unknown. People speculate that he was born in
1974 near Bristol, England, and there are guesses about his name, but no one knows exactly who he
is. He has done work around the world, and his work is known for being controversial. He made a
copy of the Mona Lisa painting, added a yellow smiley face to it, and put it up on the wall at the
Louvre Museum in Paris. Some of his work has sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and he
has written books and recently made a movie.
People have very different opinions of Banksy and his work. Some see him as a kind of hero,
while others see him as a criminal. There is a similar range of opinions about street art in general.
Some see it as an exciting variation on contemporary art. Others point out that, interesting or not, it
is still illegal in many cases. Either way, it is clear that the art form has undeniable appeal for many
people.
Put down + if the statement is true, - if it is false (1 point each).
1. Street art can be found in many big cities these days.
2. The art is only graffiti or painting.
3. It is against the law to create street art in a lot of cities.
4. Street art is a big movement in São Paolo.
5. The art is usually only made to make people laugh.
6. Street art doesn’t usually last a long time.
7. Street artists never study art formally.
8. Some street artists have made a lot of money from their work.
9. Onesto always uses the same style for his work.
10. Only a few people know who Banksy really is.
11. Banksy has been successful.

Reading Comprehension, test 2

The Best Student

According to most professors, mature students are ideal students because they are hard-
working and become actively (1)_______ in all aspects of the learning process.
The majority of mature students have a poor educational background but they (2) ________
to do exceptionally well at tertiary level. (3) ________ many of them have a mortgage, a job and
children to (4) _________ , they are always present at seminars and lectures and always hand
(5) __________essays on time. They like studying and writing essays and they enjoy the class
discussions that take place. Consequently, they (6) _________ excellent results. In fact, as they have
(7) ________ many of life's pleasures, they are content with their lives and this has a positive (8)
___________ on their attitude, making them (9) __________ to learn.
On the other hand, despite their enthusiasm and commitment, mature students
(10)__________ from anxiety. The fact that they have made many sacrifices to get into university
puts extra pressure on them to succeed. (11) ________ , completing a degree gives mature students
a sense of achievement, boosts their confidence and (12)_________ their job prospects.
 1) A included B related C involved D combined
2) A able B succeed C manage D capable
3) A Although B Despite C However D In spite of
4) A grow B develop C rise D raise
5) A in B over C out D up
6) A fulfill B achieve С reach D earn
7) A known B experienced C found out D recognised
8) A effect B affect C conclusion D consequence
9) A eager B anxious C interested D impatient
10) A tolerate B resist С suffer D complain
11) A Likewise A Furthermore C Nevertheless D Otherwise
12) A creates B improves C progresses D advances

Reading Comprehension, test 3

The Deepest Parts of the Ocean

The ocean has always been a mystery that fascinates people. But it is difficult and often
dangerous to explore. In fact, deep-sea exploration is a fairly new science. Only in the last century
have scientists been able to investigate the deepest parts of the ocean.
Exploring the ocean is difficult because of the extreme pressure of the water as you go
deeper. Divers cannot go down more than a few hundred feet without special equipment. There
have been many inventions over time to help people go deep and explore.
In 1934, an American scientist named William Beebe invented the bathysphere. This was a
round chamber made of tough steel. The bathysphere could endure the pressure of the water. It was
attached to a ship by a long line. Beebe went down in the bathysphere 1,000 meters. He looked
through the window and called his colleagues on board the ship to describe what he saw. This was
an important improvement, but it was dangerous. If the line broke the chamber would sink to the
bottom of the sea.
In the years after Beebe’s invention, scientists improved on his model. They invented similar
vehicles, called submersibles that can move by themselves. The submersibles are launched from a
ship. They can take scientists down to 3,657 meters and more to observe the deepest parts of the
ocean.
The best known submersible is Alvin. It is operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution. Alvin was launched in 1964. It can hold three people and move around more easily than
previous models. It has two robotic arms and has other special equipment. In Alvin, scientists can
dive for up to nine hours at 4,500 meters.
In October 1968, there was an accident, and the Alvin flooded. The crew was able to escape,
but the Alvin sank in 1,500 m of water. Scientists were determined to recover it, but it would be
very difficult. No one had brought back something as large as the Alvin from so deep before. Bad
weather made the task more difficult, but they finally brought it up the following year. Surprisingly,
there was not a lot of damage to the Alvin. In fact, a cheese sandwich that was on board when it
sank was still edible!
After the rescue, the Alvin was repaired and it is still used today. Alvin has now completed
3,000 dives. It was used in the exploration of the wreck of the Titanic in 1986. Thanks to Alvin and
similar submersibles, scientists now have more accurate information about the deep ocean.
1. Scientists have only been able to explore the deep
parts of the ocean in the past ___ years.
a. 25
b. 100
c. 200
2. William Beebe told colleagues about what he saw in
the ocean ___.
a. while he was in the ocean
b. when he was back on board the ship
c. when he called them later
3. A problem with the bathysphere was that it ___.
a. could break because of water pressure
b. could break from the ship and sink
c. was too small
4. Newer models of submersibles ___.
a. move around more easily
b. stay attached to ships
c. don’t need ships
5. The Alvin ___.
a. has robots on board
b. has been used for more than forty years
c. lets scientists dive for fifteen hours
6. Problems with recovering the Alvin were ___.
a. bad weather and very cold temperatures
b. its size and weight
c. its size, how deep it was, and bad weather
7. After the Alvin was recovered, ___.
a. no one used it anymore
b. they fixed it and started using it again
c. they stopped using it after 3,000 dives

GRADE 11
Writing Comprehension
(In this test you will select from three writing tasks. Choose the one that you feel you are most
capable to write about.)

1. Several pieces of literature and film have discussed the possibility of time travel in which
people could go back to another period in history. If you had the ability to travel back in
time to an event in Ukraine's history, which would you choose and why? Would you attempt
to change the course of events, and, if so, how would you change them?

2. Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human activity. Others
feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion? Use
specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

3. Imagine you are given a chance to be a character from your favourite film. Which character
would you like to be and why? How does this character advance the plot of the film? How
would you change the plot of the film story if you were this character?

Speaking Comprehension Test (for 8-9th, 10th, 11th Form Students)

1. What kinds of food can be dangerous? Do you like to try food you have never
tasted before? Why or why not? What is the most unusual thing you have ever
eaten?
2. Do you think parents should limit the amount of time their children play on the
computer? What are the advantages and disadvantages of playing computer games?

3. Are physical education and art considered to be important? Why or why not? What
new subjects would you like to have introduced at your school? Explain why.

4. What kind of clothes do you like wearing? Does fashion play an important part in
your life? Is fashion just a matter of dressing smartly?

5. What sort of holiday would you like to go on? Why? What should you do before
setting out on your journey? What are the advantages of tourism?

6. What makes a perfect holiday? Where would you like to go in the world? Why?
What things can go wrong on holiday?

7. If you could learn any language besides Ukrainian, Russian, or English, what
would it be? What are reasons? What opportunities would it create for you? What
unique hurdles would you have to overcome?

8. You interact with teachers on a daily basis. What do you think of teaching as a
profession? Is it important or not? Is it hard or easy? What position do teachers
occupy in society?

9. Why do people prefer organic food to inorganic food? How have supermarkets
and fast food restaurants responded to this trend? Do you think this trend will last?
Why or why not?

10. Why do you think some people don’t want to learn another language? Do you
think it is important to understand more than just your native language? Explain.

How would the world be different if more people were multilingual?

11. People depend on mobile phones to do their daily jobs or to keep in contact with
other people. But what would the world be like without mobile phones? Have mobile
phones truly improved the quality of life of those who use them?
12. What kinds of negative effects does drug usage have on society? What steps can
countries take to prevent drug use? Why do you think people choose to use drugs?
13. New York is called “The City That Never Sleeps”. Bangkok is known as “Sin City.”
What are the benefits for a city to be known worldwide by a nickname? Pick a city in
Ukraine, give it a nickname, and explain your choice.

14. Today, our world is confronted with many challenges: poverty, hunger, disease,
environmental changes, and many others. In your opinion, what is the most serious
problem that society faces today? What has caused this problem?

15. What sorts of books do you like reading? Are there any public libraries in your
area? How could people be encouraged to buy books and read more?

16. If you had to live somewhere without a television, movies, or use of a computer,
what would you do for entertainment? Give examples.

17. What are some arguments against tattoos and body piercings? Do you like
tattoos and body piercings? Why or why not? If you had to choose one body art to
express your personality, what would it be and why?

18. How important do you think it is to look after the environment? What kinds of
problems are caused by pollution? What can be done to stop this kind of pollution?

19. Is money the most important thing in life? What would you do with one million
hryvnias won in the lottery? Are there many benefits in owning a car?

20. Do you have any unusual hobbies? Describe them. Why do you enjoy these
hobbies in particular? Are there any hobbies that you can’t understand why people
enjoy? Explain. Do you discuss your hobbies when you meet new people?