SECTION I.

THE ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE (30 points)

Read the text and do the tasks below the text.

Cultural Do’s and Don’ts

When travelling outside of your own culture, it is always rewarding to put yourself deep within
the host culture to develop a better appreciation of your new environment. However, things that
might be considered ‘normal’ in your home country could be viewed as rude in someone else’s, and
vice versa.
Before entering a foreign environment, it is best to find out what to expect. Read as much as
you can before travelling to a new country to become an expert in local social rules and cultural
differences. Travel guides will usually provide a very specific list of “do’s” and “don’ts.” Be sure to
make use of Internet sites or forums, and of course do not hesitate to ask the locals. It is better to
ask what might seem like a ridiculous question to one person, than to make a fool of yourself in
front of a larger group.
When I first moved to Japan, I was surprised that people made unpleasant noises when they ate
noodles. They even picked up the bowl to drink the soup. Making noise while eating and drinking
straight from the bowl is definitely disapproved of in my country. But in Japan, it is not rude, it is
actually expected.
Over the years, I have travelled to many places. Each country may have its own set of cultural
taboos and acceptable behaviour. Here is a short list of some of the more interesting yet strange
local customs that I have come across:
⋅ Discussing sports in Germany is considered an uneducated thing to do.
⋅ Do not blow your nose in public in Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, or France.
⋅ When in Thailand, never touch the head of a small child. It is considered bad luck.
⋅ In many Asian countries, such as China, pointing with the index finger in public is considered
quite rude.
⋅ Bulgaria can be a confusing place for many foreigners—the locals shake their head to indicate
“yes” and nod the head up to indicate “no.”
In conclusion, if you happen to commit a mistake, don’t worry too much about it. Mistakes
happen whether we like it or not and sometimes that’s the only way to learn.

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1 Answer the question. A A
. Why should a person read travel guides before visiting a foreign country?
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Travel guides will usually provide a very specific list of “do’s” and “don’ts.” 1 1
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2 Find in the text the synonyms for the word and word combination given A A
. below.
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a) to present - to expect 2 2
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b) to make an error - to make a fool
3 Find in the text the antonyms for the words given below. A A
.
a) similarity - differences 0 0
b) clear - unpleasant 2 2
4 4

4 Identify and circle the correct variant (True/False). Justify your choice. A A
. a) In Japan it is rude to make noise while eating and drinking. True False
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because in Japan, it is not rude, it is actually expected. 1 1
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b) In Germany it is considered polite to discuss sports in public. True False

because discussing sports in Germany is considered an uneducated thing to do.

5 Give another title to the text. Write your title in the form of a sentence. A A
. How to be a good tourist?
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6 Comment the phrase below in 4 lines. A A
. Mistakes happen whether we like it or not and sometimes that’s the only way to learn.
The most important life lessons we will ever learn will be from the bad decisions we 0 0
make. Time and experience can be excellent teachers when you actually learn a lesson 1 1
from your poor decisions. Experience comes from our way of living, understanding and 2 2
the adjustments we make. It also comes from suffering, agony and the ordeals we are 3 3
afflicted by. 4 4

7 Identify the message of the text and comment on it in 5 lines. A A

. Traveling is an amazing opportunity that not everyone has the privilege of doing.
Being a tourist means you get to experience different cultures, beliefs, people, 0 0
1 1
and food, but it also comes with a level of personal responsibility. Since you’re
3 3
visiting another country or state, it’s your duty to act as an ambassador and to 5 5
leave a good impression on the locals in the country you're visiting. Being open to 7 7
new experiences, having cultural sensitivity, and being equipped with the
knowledge you need will ensure you’ll be a good tourist regardless of where you
go.
 SECTION II. THE ASSESSMENT OF LINGUISTIC COMPETENCE (20 points)
Fill in the gaps with a suitable article and preposition. Write the correct form of the verb in brackets.
Choose the correct word from those given in brackets.
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1. When I finished school, I applied to study philosophy at two universities, A A
- Sheffield, my home town, and London. I didn’t have much hope of getting into
1 London University my school exam results were not brilliant. London University is 0 0
0. one of the (high/highly/highlier) 2 2
I wanted to be accepted there. But I was lucky and I was accepted there. I (must/had 4 4
to/should) 6 6
make two trips to London before I 8 8
started one for the interview and another to find accommodation. The university 1 1
provided students with information about flats. By the time the semester began, I 0 0
(already, to find) had already found a place to 1 1
live and a roommate. 2 2
While I was studying, I didn’t think about work and how I (to 1 1
earn) 4 4
am earning my living after 1 1
university. When the time came, I realized that languages had always 6 6
interested me so I applied 1 1
several jobs to teach English 8 8
abroad. Obviously, I didn’t have any experience but I thought I had a small chance 2 2
of (to accept) being accepted. 0 0
In the end, a letter came and I felt nervous as I opened it. But the news (to be)
was good! The letter offered me a
job in a Swedish school. I knew the winter weather in Sweden was cold so I bought
some warm clothes. Then I had
farewell party and everyone wished
me good luck in my new life as a teacher. Since then I (to have) had
a lot of jobs in difference countries and I am happy to say that I have enjoyed all of
them. But I have wondered many times what (to happen)
would have happened if
that
first letter had turned me down.

SECTION III. THE ASSESSMENT OF PRAGMATIC ANDCULTURAL COMPETENCES (20 points)

Write a coherent 10-line text for the situation below.
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1 Your local newspaper asked you to write an article about a tradition or holiday that is A A
. celebrated in an English-speaking country, but not in your own country.
0 0
1 1

Many Americans, especially Christians will go to Church to celebrate the birth of

Jesus at Christmas. Many churches have special Christmas Carol services and events
where the story of Christmas is told. In the USA, there are shops called 'Christmas
Shops' that only sell Christmas decorations and toys all year round. Americans also
send out Christmas Cards, like Carol singing and there's the unusual custom of the
Christmas Pickle. People in America like to decorate the outsides of their houses
with lights and sometimes even statues of Santa Claus, Snowmen and Reindeer.
Some cookies and glasses of milk are often left out as a snack for Santa on Christmas
Eve.
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 SECTION IV. THE ASSESSMENT OF PRAGMATIC AND CIVIC COMPETENCES
(30 points)
Write a coherent 20-line text expressing your attitude on the given topic.

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1 Some people consider that responsibility is the key to success. Do you agree or A A
. disagree? Bring TWO arguments or examples.
Use the following plan: 0 0
⋅ Make an introduction; 1 1
⋅ Bring two arguments/examples; 2 2
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⋅ Draw a conclusion.
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Responsibility. Being responsible means being dependable, keeping promises and 6 6
honoring our commitments. It is accepting the consequences for what we say and do. 7 7
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It also means developing our potential. People who are responsible don't make
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excuses for their actions or blame others when things go wrong. 1 1
Why is responsibility important for success? It puts the focus on the ability to set 0 0
clear, attainable goals and then to manage oneself to the successful completion of 1 1
these goals. Personal Responsibility helps users sort through how well they accept 1 1
responsibility for their own actions–whether they are successful or not. 1 1
2 2
When you are responsible it is easier to gain the respect of the people and to take 1 1
decent place in a society. Someone's irresponsibility can be not only irritating when a 3 3
person does not cope or does not want to cope with the duties, but in some cases, it 1 1
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can be dangerous. 1 1
Being responsible means that you are always learning and, always improving. ... 5 5
Being responsible for you own life allows you to achieve this because when you see 1 1
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each experience as a learning experience, you are always confident that you can
1 1
improve. Key Point. Confidence comes after action, not before it. 7 7
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