AL HUKAMA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

REVISION SHEET
GRADE:10 SUBJECT: English
NAME: _________________________________ DATE: _____________________

Q1: Read the article about a family that decided to travel around the world, and then
answer the following questions.
Round the world family!
Matt and Linda Schultz, and their two children, Amy, six, and Ben, eight, have been away from
home for the past 21 months. Their intention was to spend a year travelling around the world,
though now they can't imagine returning to their previous life. When are we going back? I'd say
it could be in six months, or in 60 years! explained Linda. For anyone thinking of travelling
around the world, my first tip would be not to plan too far ahead. Who knows where we'll be
next year?
The Schultz family have met many other travelling families since setting off. Some travel for
work- for example, if one parent is a travel journalist. Others, like Matt and Linda, had simply
wanted to spend more time together as a family, I asked them if they'd needed to escape from
the stress of living in a big city. I like cities, Matt answered. 'It's just that we thought we'd like
to experience different cultures. And they certainly have! After spending three months driving
throughout the United States, the family explored Mexico and Guatemala, then flew to Costa
Rica. From Colombia, which was their next stop, they travelled overland to Chile, before flying
to New Zealand. They're soon heading to Thailand from their current location in Malaysia. But
their favourite country so far has been Sri Lanka, and they're all keen to return there at some
point. If all that travelling sounds exhausting, Matt admits that sometimes it is. 'A friend told us
to spend two weeks in one place every couple of months. It's a good suggestion - otherwise it
can be pretty tiring travelling all the time.’
One question they frequently get asked is how they can afford this long trip. We get some
income by renting out our house. We've got some savings too, though we haven't had to use
those. We actually get almost enough to live on from our travel blog. Linda started that before
we left home."' Matt added that he's a website developer and is planning to set up an online
business soon. Another common question relates to the children's education. 'I've always been
interested in home-schooling-teaching children at home rather than in a classroom,' said Matt.
'But this trip is what's known as an 'Ed Venture' - a combination of education and adventure.
The children are always asking questions about everything, and they're seeing things with their
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own eyes that otherwise they'd only see in books. We do some traditional homework with them
as well, like math and spelling, though I'd say the most important thing is for the children to
write a diary. Amy and Ben spend nearly an hour a day on theirs.' Linda added that if the
children say they want to go to a traditional school, they'll all return home. 'But they're having a
fantastic time right now, so I don't think it'll be soon!'
I ask Matt and Linda if they worry about the children forgetting where they come from. 'We tell
them stories about home every night,' said Linda. 'That was my dad's idea, and, I'd recommend
it to any other family that's travelling. I'd also say to put up a few photos of home wherever you
stay. That leads us to talk about the many different places they have stayed in. 'We all love
camping, though the houseboat we rented in Mexico gets the most votes so far,' Matt said.
And then it was time for the interview to end, leaving me dreaming about all the places around
the world I'd like to see if only I had the time.
1 How long did the family originally think they would be away from home for?
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2 Why did the family decide to go travelling? Give two details, spend more time together/spend
more time as a family.
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3 Where is the family going next?

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4 How does the family pay for their travels? Give two details.
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5 Which word does Matt use to describe the type of learning experience that the children are
having?
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6 What will make the family stop travelling?

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7 Which type of accommodation did the family enjoy most?
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8 What advice does the family give to other people who would like to travel with their children?
Give four details.
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Q2: Read the article about deep natural holes in the ground containing water called
'cenotes’, and then answer the following questions.
Cenotes
Cenotes are deep water filled holes, found in places where the land consists of a soft rock called
limestone. They are formed when the surface rock has collapsed to expose water underneath.
Cenotes are especially associated with the Yucatán, a region of Central America mainly in
Mexico. In fact, around 6000 of the estimated 12000 cenotes found worldwide are in Yucatán.
The 7000 cenotes located in Mexico as a whole mean it has far more than any other country.
The word 'cenote' comes from a language spoken by the Maya people, who have lived in the
Yucatán for centuries, and can be translated as location with accessible groundwater. Many
Maya towns and villages were built near cenotes because it was possible to drink the water in

them. Although there is still debate about the exact origin of the region's name, some think it
may come from 'land of the yucas', after a local plant named the 'yuca'.
Cenotes played a vital role in Maya culture. As well as providing life-giving water for their
crops, people sometimes threw valuable items into the water as they believed it was a way of
communicating with their ancestors. Many cenotes in the Yucatán region are connected
underground. Along the southern coast, they are often linked via long, flooded cave systems.
Those in the northern area tend not to fit this pattern: most of them are completely separate from
one another and are typically very deep.
Different types of cenotes are named according to their shape. A 'cylinder cenote', for example,
has walls which go straight down into the water from the surface. Then there is a 'jug cenote',
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which has a small hole in the ground leading to a much larger area of water below. A 'basin
cenote', on the other hand, is shallow and shaped rather like a pond. The Maya have always
relied on the fish that live in cenotes for food. A typical sea or lake fish is silver, a colour which
helps it hide from bigger fish that may want to eat it. In cenotes, however, which are often very
dark, being silver is not an advantage, and transparent skin is common. In many cenotes, most
creatures have very poor eyesight, as excellent vision is of little use in the darkness. In recent
years, divers have explored many cenotes and the caves linked to them. They have found
evidence of wildlife that lived in the region thousands or even millions of years ago. While they
are hopeful of one day finding the remains of a dinosaur, the bones of a creature which look like
those of a modern-day elephant were recently discovered at a depth of 57 meters,
Cenotes were used by the Maya for bathing, but nowadays they are more popular for leisure
purposes, particularly with tourists. Cenotes also attract divers, both professional and amateur.
As a rule, divers who want to explore the open water areas of cenotes must ensure that natural
light is visible to them when they're underwater. Those wishing to explore the cave systems that
extend from cenotes must use a safety line and make sure they always dive with a partner.
Although most cenotes are found in Mexico, there are also interesting examples in other
countries such as Belize and the USA. The former has one called the Great Blue Hole, which in
contrast to most cenotes, is in the sea rather than on land. In the latter, one named Lazy Lagoon
is notable for its huge size but is made up of three separate cenotes.

1 How many cenotes are there in Yucatán?

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2 What does 'cenote' mean in the language of the Maya people?

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3 Which part of the Yucatán contains cenotes which are generally not joined together?
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4 What kind of cenote has a narrow opening above a wider pool of water?
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5 What are the typical features of the fish found in many cenotes? Give two details.
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6 Which animal's skeleton is like the one found by cenote divers?

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7 What equipment should divers have when dived in caves connected to cenotes?
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8 What is unusual about one cenote in Belize?

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9 How was the water in cenotes important to the Maya people? Give four details.
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Q3: Imagine you are going to give a talk about open-plan offices to your classmates. Use
words from the article to help you write some notes.
I was 11 years old when the company my father worked for moved to a new building. Instead of
having his own small office- with his desk, chair, filing cabinets and a small window
overlooking the company car park- Dad was now sharing a large, modern room with over 30
other people. He sat halfway along a row of identical workstations, and he was less than two
meters away from colleagues on either side of him. He complained that he found it very noisy
and because of all the activity around him he found it difficult to concentrate. Both of these
issues are still common in open-plan offices today. At the time, I didn't understand why Dad
was unhappy.
After all, I shared a classroom with 30 other boys and girls. Wasn't it better, I thought, to spend
your day in the company of others than to be shut away on your own? Fast forward 25 years
and as a qualified architect, I now design offices, including open-plan ones.
Open-plan offices first became common in the mid-20th century. Before that, each employee
was usually given their own tiny room, or perhaps shared a slightly larger one with one or two

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colleagues. Then, in the 1950s and 60s, large organisations realised that having many
employees in a single space was more cost- effective, and this remains true today.
There were other arguments for the new style of arrangement. Removing walls and other
barriers between people was thought to result in better communication among employees, and
this in turn, would lead to improved teamwork. My father, however, claimed that, not wanting
to disturb anyone, he took part in fewer conversations in his new office. Interestingly, some
studies have revealed that my father's experience is not unusual. It appears that in certain types
of organisation, communication cines in large rooms containing lots of hard- working people,
who want to protect themselves against the lack of privacy characteristic of -plan offices
There is a benefit for employers, however it is easier to supervise the work of many people
when they are all in the same or one unfortunate consequence is that employees can feel their
performance is always being assessed, which can be stressful. Having said that, many
employees appreciate a certain a of their workspace. Large rooms often ha large windows and
therefore more natural Also, employees in open offices tend to spend more time standing up and
moving around. is beneficial in terms of health; staying seat continuously at a desk for hours on
end is not good for anyone.
Make short notes under each heading.
Disadvantages of open-plan offices:
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Advantages of open-plan offices:

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Q4: Read an article and complete the notes:
VIDEO GAMING HOW GOOD OR BAD IS IT FOR US?
With the increasing availability of computers, smartphones and other devices, video games have
become a major part of many people's lives. But what do we really know about the impact that
gaming has on people?
Reports indicate that staring at moving images on a screen for long periods may lead to eyesight
strain, although psychologists have also found that the ability to identity details in images, which
is very helpful for some jobs, improves through regular game-playing.
Some people believe that all video games are extremely competitive and that they can negatively
affect players' mood and behaviour. Such games exist, but the majority are not like that. Many
are what is known as open-world, mission-based and multi-level; essentially, they are complex
puzzles that take several hours to complete. Studies reveal that people playing these have better
logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Both of these are extremely important in education
and in work, as is rapid decision-making-something that gamers playing all kinds of video games
make progress in.
Some games require players to move around quite a lot. In sports games, for example, players
might have to make the movements of a tennis player, while In 'mobile games', players have to
travel to real-world places in response to specific challenges. Mobile games are praised for
pushing gamers out into the fresh air, reducing their risk of vitamin D deficiency (gamers
spending too much time indoors have been assessed with low levels of that very important
nutrient).
The vast majority of games, however, involve sitting on a chair in front of a screen - and doing
this regularly, for hours at a time, may result in poor levels of fitness as well as specific issues
such as back pain. Professional gamers are aware of this, and they often include stretching,
weight-lifting and other gym work in their daily routine in an effort to keep themselves in good
physical condition.
Most video games involve the use of a keyboard, mouse or some type of remote- control device,
together with fast movements of the wrists and hands. Over time this can lead to strain injuries in
the wrists and hands. On the other hand, game playing has been shown to lead to more efficient
hand-to-eye coordination, which is of benefit in activities such as driving and even surgery.
so, there are advantages as well as disadvantages to gaming, in this respect, it is like many other
leisure activities. Of course, a key motivation for taking part in a leisure activity is to achieve
lower levels of stress, and that's something that many people definitely achieve through gaming-
after all, it's certainly fun.

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Imagine you are going to give a talk to your classmates about the effects that playing video
games can have on people. Use words from the article to help you write some notes. Make
short notes under each heading.
Health problems caused by playing video games:
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Useful skills developed in playing video games:

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Q5: Read a leaflet about a fun race for families, and then tick the correct option.
Family Fun Run
Practical information
The Arrow Bay Family Fun Run is taking place on 1 July. Online registration starts from 3 April,
and entry forms cannot be accepted after 15 May. It's important to apply early. Last year's race
was over-subscribed, so some people were disappointed not to get a place. The 2.4-kilometre
route loops twice around the town center, through the park and past local monuments. This year,
the entry fee for the event is US$8 per person, or US$26 for a family of 4 and there is also a
special price of US$6 per person for groups of 10 or more. All runners will be sent an information
pack one month before the event.
Who can enter?
It's great for all ages. There's no minimum age for entry, but children under 11 need to have an
adult running with them. Those aged 11 to 14 must be accompanied by an adult to the start and
met at the Fun Run exit. All runners will be given a race number, and they need to make sure that
this is securely attached to their clothes and can be clearly seen by the race officials. If this number
isn't visible when runners cross the finish line, they will take home the memory of an amazing
experience. but not an official race time!

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A photographer will also be taking photos, so runners should check the website later to find a
picture of themselves as they cross the finish line! On completion of the race, each runner will be
given a medal, and special T-shirts will be on sale as a souvenir of the event. However, for many
families and friends, the main idea is simply to enjoy the experience, and there is no pressure to
record a fast time or even run all the way round.
On the day
On arrival, there will be volunteers on hand to direct runners to the warm-up area. Even if it's
cloudy at the start, all those taking part should bring a hat because it might get hot later. Water is
provided by the volunteers along the route to keep everyone cool and hydrated. The organisers
recommend leaving valuables at home due to limited storage facilities.
Sponsorship
Every year, thousands of runners raise money for charity, and more than US$500000 has been
donated to over 400 different charities over the years. This year, the event committee is aiming
for a total of US$20000 for their chosen charity Miles of Smiles, which supports local youth
projects. For more information about getting sponsored for this year's charity, email Katherine
Jones at events@milesofsmiles.com, or contact Steve Heston on steve@funrun.com for payment
of current entry fees and the dates of future events.
1. When does online registration for the Arrow Bay Family Fun Run start?
a) 1 July
b) 3April
c) 15 May
d) 26 June
2. What is the entry fee for a family of 4?
a) US$8 per person
b) US$26 per person
c) US$6 per person
d) US$32 per person
3. Who needs to have an adult running with them?
a) Children under 11
b) Children aged 11 to 14
c) Adults over 18
d) Everyone participating in the run
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4. What will runners receive on completion of the race?
a) A medal
b) A T-shirt
c) A race number
d) A souvenir photo
5. What should runners make sure is securely attached to their clothes?
a) Their race number
b) Their entry form
c) Their ID card
d) Their ticket
6. What can runners find on the website after the race?
a) Information pack
b) Entry forms
c) Pictures of themselves
d) Route maps
7. What should participants bring to the run?
a) A hat
b) A water bottle
c) Valuables
d) warm clothes
8. How much money has been donated to charities over the years?
a) US$500
b) US$5,000
c) US$50,000
d) US$500,000

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9. Which charity is the event committee aiming to raise money for this year?
a) Miles of Smiles
b) ) Fun Run Foundation
c) Arrow Bay Charity
d) Local Youth Projects
10. How can participants get more information about getting sponsored for this year's
charity?
a) Email Katherine Jones
b) Contact Steve Heston
c) Visit the event website
d) Attend future events
Q6: Your friend from another country is coming to stay with you and your family for a
week, for the first time.

Write an email to this friend about the visit.

In your email, you should:
▪ explain where you would like to take your friend.
▪ Describe who your friend will meet.
▪ Say what your friend should bring.
The pictures above may give you some ideas, and you can also use some ideas of your own.
Your email should be between 150 and 200 words long.
You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your email, and up to 8 marks for the language
used.

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Q7: Your student union is currently having a debate about the role of doing unpaid work

in society.

Here are some of the views expressed:

"Doing unpaid work makes us better individuals and improves society as a whole."

"Volunteer work is a waste of time for us-we never get to do any REAL work -we end up

just making tea and other useless stuff.

Write an article for your school magazine giving your views.

Your article should be between 150 and 200 words long.

The comments above may give you some ideas, and you should try to use some ideas of your

own.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your article, and up to 8 marks for the style and

accuracy of your language.

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