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ESAM ENGLISH FORMATIVE TEST 11th

The final task you are expected to do is to write a for and against essayon the quote given. Activities A and B will
provide you with input for Activity C.
Activity A
1. Link the words in COLUMN A with their corresponding definitions in COLUMN B. Write only the numbers that
match the letters.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1. sources of energy such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the
a. landfill a. remains of living organisms
2. expert in the process of determining the precise order of nucleotides within a
DNA molecule
b. eugenics b. 3. the means by which DNA and RNA molecules carry genetic information in
living cells
4. the analysis of DNA from samples of body tissues or fluids, especially when
conducted in order to predict susceptibility to a specific disease
c. DNA sequencing c. 5. environmentally friendly energy sources, such as solar, wave, wind and geo-
thermal power
6. the process of determining the precise order of nucleotides within a DNA
d. fossil fuels d. molecule. It includes any method or technology that is used to determine the
order of the four bases—adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine—in a strand of
DNA
e. genetic profiling e. 7. the science of improving a population by controlled breeding to increase the
occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics
8. method of solid waste disposal in which refuse is buried between layers of dirt
to fill in low-lying areas

2. Comment on the following cartoon

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3. Fill in the gaps with words/expressions from the box. One of them appears twice.

genetic sequencing broke down genetic data genomic researchers whether

significantly fewer than a first step in indicative of is set to

Of nearly 7,000 research participants from more than 75 countries, 98 percent said they’d want to know if their
genomes contain sequences 1. ___________________ preventable or treatable life-threatening diseases. When it came to
life-threatening diseases that were not preventable, 2. ___________________ 70 percent of respondents said they would
want to be informed. The survey was published in the European Journal of Human Genetics.
“The advent of fast, efficient 3. ___________________ has transformed medical research over the past decade
and it 4. ___________________ revolutionise clinical care in the future,” Anna Middleton said in a press release. “Policy
surrounding the use of 5. ___________________ in research and clinical settings must be directed by the views and
experiences of the public, patients, clinicians, genetic health professions and 6. ___________________. This study
represents 7. ___________________ informing people of the issues and gathering their responses.”
Middleton and her colleagues 8. ___________________ the data according to whether the respondents were
members of the public, genetic health professionals, non-genetic health professionals, or 6. ___________________,
finding that respondents among these categories had different views on 9. ___________________ certain information
should be shared. While nearly 75 percent of non-genetic health professionals said they would like to be informed of life-
threatening but nonpreventable diseases, fewer than 50 percent of genetic health professionals agreed.
“On many items, genetic health professionals had 10. ___________________ more conservative views. This
finding shows a disconnect between the views of those handling the findings of research and those participating in it.”
By Jef Akst
Activity B
Read the text and accomplish the following tasks.
Against all odds
The future world of Gattaca, based on genetic discrimination, offers a hostile world for those who believe
in a natural birth, or natural selection. Such individuals are rendered “invalid” owing to the inferior nature of
their random birth. Andrew Niccol creates a science dictatorship, whereby human aspiration is repressed in
favour of genetic perfection. It is a Brave New World indeed and proves as Aldous Huxley once stated, “without
freedom, human beings cannot become fully human”. In Vincent’s struggle, Niccol celebrates the power of self-
belief to inspire individuals to scale the heights. (§1)
In the sterile environment of Gattaca, life is genetically controlled right from the outset so that everyone
gets the “best possible start”. The sterile setting metaphorically captures an oppressive and authoritarian
atmosphere that prizes genetic perfection above all else. It is a world that represses human aspiration and
interaction. This becomes evident through the robotic-type characters that inhabit Gattaca. Individual
characteristics such as personality, beliefs, values and a person’s moral code are irrelevant. Identity is seen as
being entirely defined by your status as a valid or in-valid. Beyond this, nothing else is important. (§2)
The opening scenes set an aura of controlled bodily perfection. There are extreme close-ups of body matter:
blood, skin, hair, urine and fingernails. The camera magnifies the minuscule. It is how Gattaca’s society
magnifies the importance of genetic material, the smallest physical element of a human being. And yet,
ironically the “perfect” specimens are those who are hampered by a lack of desire; this idea of perfection is
actually corrupted from the outset. (§3)
The historical world where children were born of love is presented as anachronistic and degenerate. This
becomes particularly apparent during Vincent’s flashback relating to the circumstances of his birth. “They used
to say that a child conceived in love has a far greater chance of happiness.” Vincent highlights the association of
love and happiness that used to ensure security and emotional satisfaction. The implication is that the world
has changed dramatically. The director deliberately juxtaposes the new technological world of Gattaca with this
ancient world of biological “ancient” births. Vincent is conditioned to see himself as flawed: “from an early age I
came to think of myself as others thought of me – chronically ill.” (§4)
From an early age, Vincent harbours a forbidden dream to go to Titan. However, it is one that allows him the
chance to escape from the prejudice and controlled environment that subtly disallows people like him to raise
above their genetic conditioning. He belongs to an “underclass” in a system that has “discrimination down to a
science”. Through symbols of exclusion and conformity the director portrays a sterile society, lacking in human
qualities and courage. With his current genetic makeup, Vincent can only aspire to be a cleaner in the space
program. We see him constant cleaning the glass, which is a futile gesture. (§5)
Taking on the “valid” personality of Jerome enables Vincent to “mould” a new identity. But ironically, it
is Vincent’s personality, his strengths and weaknesses that enable him to “perfect” the new identity. Anton
arrogantly refuses to acknowledge and accept that he does have limitations. The swim, which epitomises the
rivalry between the two types of genetic makeup, shows Vincent that he can possibly achieve just as much, if
not more, than Anton. At times, the camera is under the water which allows for a special close up on Vincent’s
face to show his determination; there are also full body shots to show them swimming in syncopation to
capture a sense of equality. (§6)
Vincent struggles against the odds. Not only does he suffer surgical braces, near collapses on the treadmill,
near-capture as a murder suspect but also near-death experiences owing to poor eye-sight. This proves that
contrary to the dominant ideology, a person’s character and potential cannot be engineered or predicted. Sight
and blindness become important metaphors in a society that fails to see the quality of an individual. Despite the
attempt by the controllers to condition and determine the individual, it is precisely the human characteristics of
desire, ambition, motivation that enable Vincent to succeed, where others such as Jerome and Anton do not.
(§7)
It is obvious that Anton lacks strength of character and is embittered and egotistical. It is almost as if he
expects to get anything he requires by virtue of his superior birth. Similarly, Jerome, also a “perfect specimen,
suffers under the “burden of perfection”. He lacks Vincent’s desire to strive and succeed against the odds. The
director is showing us that no matter how much a system tries to manufacture individuals it cannot completely
control their psyche, inspiration and motivation. It also shows that the attempt to overcome the challenges of
genetic limitations is an essential human experience. Being human means that you will have flaws. If we
attempt to eradicate imperfection, we are taking out of the human experience a defining element. (§8)
The world of Gattaca is just as dangerous as discrimination in traditional areas such as race, gender and
religion. People are defined according to their relationship to the dominant power. Labels are attached,
imposed upon individuals without their consent and assumptions are made about their differences. In this case,
scientific proof becomes the absolute basis for discrimination. While the society holds it is a truth, that DNA is a
primary factor that determines success, Vincent proves that philosophy is flawed. Success is determined by
other variables that are not within the control of science. (§9) by Dr Jennifer Minter (adapted)

1.Justify the title “Against all odds”. (Write about 80 words)

2. Find evidence in the text for the following statements. Quote from the text.

2.1. In Andrew Niccol’s Brave New World, the absolute power of science imposes the rule of genetic perfection over
human desires; however, through Vincent, the director proves it wrong by making him believe he can aspire to be
extremely successful.

2.2. In Gattaca, the spotlessly clean setting is the figurative representation of the primacy of genetic perfection over
human hope and personal interplay.

2.3. Andrew Niccol intentionally places two worlds side by side: the new and highly developed Gattacan world with
the obsolete and deteriorated world where Godchildren were conceived in love and supposed to feel safe and
emotionally pleased.
3. Complete the following sentences according to the text. Use your own words as far as possible.
3. 1. Although both Anton and Jerome were supposed to be successful due to the fact that ____________________
__________________________________, it is, actually, Vincent who refuses to ____________________________
and manages to overcome his limitations proving that __________________________________________________ .
3. 2. In spite of ________________________________________________________________________, it is exactly
the human features that contribute to Vincent’s success.
4. Reread §s 5 to 7 and find synonyms/antonyms for the following words/expressions. 10
GIVEN WORD SYNONYM ANTONYM
4.1. since he was young 1.

4. 2. rejects 2.

4. 3. embodies the antagonism 3.

4. 4. despite many difficulties 4.

4. 5. manages to recognize 5.

5. Rewrite the following sentences without changing their meaning. Start as indicated.
5. 1. Just one eyelash threatens to reveal Vincent’s entire personality. 20

Vincent’s entire personality _______________________________________________________________

5. 2. Eugenics exposes people to genetic discrimination. It also risks creating a genetically homogenous population that is
far more vulnerable to disease and mutations.

Not only _______________________________________________________________________________

5. 3. Gattacan geneticist responded to Vincent’s parents, “You want to give your child the best possible start. We have
enough imperfection built-in already. Your child doesn't need any additional burdens.”

Gattacan geneticist responded to Vincent’s parents that _______________________________________

5. 4. Vincent had determination and desire to succeed. He went to space.

If Vincent ________________________________________________________________________________

5. 5. Although Vincent was a Godchild, he struggled against all odds.

In spite of_________________________________________________________________________________
ACTIVITY C
1. List 5 problems related to Human Cloning
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2. Write a for and against essay on the following quote:

“Cloning humans could lead to serious violations of human rights as well as human
dignity, and it is up to authorities, laws and institutions to make sure to protect
cloned individuals from being exploited.”
S. A. Murayama