I. Assessment of Communicative Language Competences. Reading Comprehension - 30 points.

Read the text and complete the tasks that follow.

BEING POLITE FROM CULTURE TO CULTURE
Most people want to be polite and behave well around others. Being polite means knowing how to greet and
talk to people. It means using good manners when eating. It means knowing how to give and receive gifts
appropriately. Polite behaviour in one country, however, may be impolite in another part of the world. So, it is
important to learn about cultural differences. Travelers need to understand the cultural differences in politeness so
that they don’t cause embarrassment.
For instance, when people meet, they often shake hands. How long should a handshake be? Should you hold
the other person's hand gently or firmly? In the United States, people prefer to shake hands firmly for a few seconds.
In some Middle Eastern countries, people hold the person’s hand gently for a longer time. Handshaking varies
around the world.
What about eye contact? In some countries you show respect when you look someone directly in the eye.
In other parts of the world, to look at someone directly is rude. In the United States, if you have good eye contact
with a person, it generally signifies that you are interested in the person you are looking at and in what that person
is saying. If you look down or away from a person rather than meeting his or her gaze, you are considered to be
distracted or uninterested in him or her. Also, if you neglect to make eye contact with a person, you may be thought
to lack self-confidence. But in countries from the Middle East eye contact should be avoided, mostly between men
and women, this is due to religion beliefs. In many Asian, African and Latin American cultures, extended eye
contact can be taken as an affront or a challenge of authority. It is often considered politer to have only sporadic or
brief eye contact, especially between people of different social registers (like a student and a teacher, or a child and
his elder relatives).
There are also cultural differences in the way people use personal space. When two people are talking,
should they stand close together or far apart? In North usually stand about an arm’s length apart during a
conversation. However, in some countries in the Middle East and Latin America, people stand closer. It can be
awkward if one person likes to stand close and the other person likes to stand father apart.
Around the world, cultures have different ideas about giving gifts. In the United States, if someone gives
you a gift, you should open it while they are with you. That way they can see how happy you are to receive it. In
China, you should open a gift after the person is gone. Another cultural difference is time. In Germany, it is
important to arrive on time. In Argentina, polite dinner guests usually come 30 to 60 minutes after the time of the
invitation. When travelling, remember that each country has a different definition of being on time.
A final area to be careful about is body language, including gestures. In Thailand, it is rude to touch someone
on the head with the palm of the hand. The gestures for “come here” in the U.S. is only used for calling animals in
some other countries.
If you are going to live, work, or study in another country, it is important to learn the language. But it is also
important to learn about cultural differences. This way, you can be polite and make a good impression. People
around you will feel comfortable and respected. Politeness and good manners can help you make friends, good for
travelling, and good for business, too.
No. Items Score
I. Circle the letter corresponding to the correct variant to complete the statements. 4
points

1. In the USA a direct eye contact means that: A A

a. you are angry with that person; 0 0
b. you are interested in that person;
1 1
c. you love that person.

2. A direct eye contact should be avoided: A A

a. in all European countries; 0 0
b. in many African and Latin American cultures;
1 1
c. in many Middle East countries.

3. In Argentina a polite guest comes: A A

a. on time of the invitation; 0 0
b. later than the time of the invitation;
1 1
c. some minutes before the time of invitation.

4. Travellers should learn about cultural differences: A A

a. to make a good impression and be polite; 0 0
b. to understand the other people;
1 1
c. just to be informed.

II. In the text, identify the meaning of the words. Circle the letter corresponding to the 2
correct variant. points

1. The word “extended” in the text is used with the meaning of: A A
a. happening or coming from outside; 0 0
b. longer than usual or expected; 1 1
c. showing interest.

2. The word “close” in the text is closest in meaning to:

a. careful and complete; A A
b. shut; 0 0
c. near in space or time 1 1

III. Answer the questions below, choosing words and / or numbers from the text. 4
points

1. What does being polite mean?

A A
_________________________________________________________________________ 0 0
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 2. How should a handshake be in some Middle Eastern countries? 2 2
_________________________________________________________________________ 3 3
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3. When should a gift be opened in China?
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4. What gesture is considered impolite in Thailand?
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IV. Match the halves of the sentences. Write the answers in the table below. One is extra. 4
points

1. People have to know the cultural a. avoid a direct eye contact. A A

differences in politeness 0 0
1 1
2. If you open the gift immediately, b. not to cause embarrassment.
3. In some countries you show respect c. a Chinese will consider you being 2 2
when you look impolite. 3 3
4. Lack of self-confidence makes one d. directly in the eye. 4 4
e. down or away.
1. 2. 3. 4.

V. Identify if the statements are true or false. Circle the letter corresponding to the 6
correct variant. Justify the answer by quoting the text and write it on the lines below. points

1. In the USA, you should open the gift immediately.

a. True b. False A A
_______________________________________________________________________ 0 0
_______________________________________________________________________ 1 1
_______________________________________________________________________ 2 2

2. The gestures for “come here” in the USA are considered being impolite.
a. True b. False A A
_______________________________________________________________________ 0 0
_______________________________________________________________________ 1 1
_______________________________________________________________________ 2 2

3. It is better to make only brief eye contact, especially between people of different
registers.
a. True b. False A A
_______________________________________________________________________ 0 0
_______________________________________________________________________ 1 1
_______________________________________________________________________ 2 2
VI. Write the most important ideas in order they come in the text. Fill in the table with 8
the letter corresponding to the correct variant (A, B, …). points

A. Giving presents should follow some cultural rules. A A

B. Personal space is a very important aspect of being polite. 0 0
C. The way a person makes the eye contact can show his attitude towards people. 2 2
D. Every country has its own rules on / in politeness. 4 4
6 6
1. 2. 3. 4. 8 8

VII. What is the main idea of the text? Circle the letter corresponding to the correct 2
variant. points
A A
a. Politeness is a relative notion.
0 0
b. Politeness is the key to a friendly and comfortable life.
1 1
c. All travellers should learn how to be polite in different countries.
2 2

II. Assessment of Communicative Language Competences. Written Production - 40 points.

Write a 180-200-word text according to the given task.
I. Item 40
points
You have recently attended a lecture entitled “Teenage years are the best years in
one’s life”. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay discussing the beauty of the
teenage years.
When writing your essay, consider the following:
1. Describe some features of the teenage years;
2. Provide two arguments that support the topic;
3. Provide two examples from experiences, readings, etc. to support your opinion;
4. Express your opinion on the exclusiveness of the teenage years;
5. Follow the structure of an essay: introduction, body, conclusion.

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