Unit 0 – Placement test · Multicultural, Polyglot Societies

The final task you have to do is to write a post on a teen forum giving your opinion about
‘Language diversity is threatened worldwide.’ Activities A and B will give you input for
Activity C.

Activity A
1. From the list below, identify the three aspects that are mainly associated with an 10 points

argumentative text.

a. chronological order e. use of evidence

b. repetitions f. eye-catching words
c. imperatives g. a staged series of
d. points of view points

2. Use 6 words / expressions from this wordle to argue in 15 points

Avaliação escrita e de listening

favour of language diversity. Write between 60 to 80 words.

3. Complete the text with a word formed from the one given in brackets. 10 points

The English language is not British. It is made up from a myriad of different languages. According
to a documentary I watched, it a (origin) in Europe around Germany before it was
Germany.
It seems that in some countries there is a b (resist) to learn this c (true)
international d (communicate) language e (correct).

Activity B
Read the text and do the tasks that follow it.

With some 225 indigenous languages,

Europe’s linguistic heritage is rich and
diverse. But how good are Europeans at
learning the languages of their neighbours?
5 Many Europeans may think that a
monolingual way of life is the norm. But
between a half and two-thirds of the world’s
population is bilingual to some degree, and
a significant number are ‘plurilingual’, that
is, they have some level of competence in a
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10

range of languages.
Plurilingualism is much more the normal
human condition than monolingualism.

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Unit 0 – Placement test · Multicultural, Polyglot Societies

There are millions of people who think they know no language other than their mother tongue; however,

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15 many of them know some level of another language. And yet the opportunities to learn a new language are
greater than ever. To emphasise the value of language learning, the Council of Europe established the
European Day of Languages to encourage ‘plurilingualism’. This is neither new nor obscure. It is a fact of
everyday life among many peoples in Africa and Asia, and is the norm in parts of Europe, particularly Benelux
and Scandinavia and also around the Mediterranean. The international spread of English seems irresistible,
20 and surveys bear out the impression that acquiring some level of English is a priority for the largest number
of language learners.
Yet, once this has been achieved there is no reason to stop at English. Many other languages are also
valuable tools to get the most from life’s experiences, whether for work or just travelling. One of the ironies of
a globalised world is that the marginal value of English could decline. As more and more people become
25 proficient in today’s ‘lingua franca’, what will make a difference is the ability to speak additional languages.
In the worlds of work and education native English speakers will have to compete with candidates who
already have their mother tongue, plus English and, increasingly, a reasonable knowledge of a third or fourth
language under their belts.
Language ability brings more than just economic benefits. It encourages us to become more open to
30 others, their cultures and attitudes and also promotes greater mental flexibility by allowing us to operate
different systems of representation and a flexibility of perspective. And remember that to be monolingual is
to be dependent on the linguistic competence, and goodwill, of others. Learning to use another language is
about more than the acquisition of a useful skill – it reflects an attitude of respect for the identity and culture
of others and tolerance of diversity.
Adapted from: http://edl.ecml.at

1. Give a title to the text. 10 points

2. Identify the paragraph to which this excerpt might be added. 5 points

“On no account should we underestimate the value of language learning in giving us insight into the people,
culture and traditions of other countries.”

3. Find words in paragraphs 2 and 3 that have the opposite meaning to these words. 10 points

a. clear b. useless c. rise

4. Explain the meaning of the underlined sentences in the text. 15 points

a. under their belts (l. 28)

b. to be monolingual is to be dependent on the linguistic competence, and goodwill, of others. (ll. 31-32)

5. Rewrite the following sentences from the text. Start with the word(s) in brackets. 15 points

a. Many Europeans may think that a monolingual way of life is the norm.

(A monolingual way of life)...

b. Language ability encourages us to become more open to others.

(We)...

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Activity C
Now write a post on a teen forum giving your opinion about ‘Language diversity is severely threatened 80 points

worldwide.’ Write about 120-150 words. You may use the input provided by Activities A and B.

Activity D – Listening
Audio CD 1 – Track 2

South Africa faces many challenges as a multicultural and multilingual country. Listen to 30 points

Nandi and Gerry discussing this issue and complete their statements.

Avaliação escrita e de listening

GERRY: South Africans only need one single language so that 1 .
NANDI: South Africa’s linguistic diversity is protected by 2 .
Schools should teach 3 for all.
GERRY: It’s not practical 4 .
NANDI: More than 5 whereas English is spoken
6 .
GERRY: English plays a key role 7 .
NANDI: When two Zulu or Afrikaans-speaking people meet, English 8 .
GERRY: In South Africa you have to speak fluent English if 9 .
NANDI: The loss of native languages is responsible 10 .

Test Specification
Activity A Activity B Activity C Activity D Total
1. = 10 1. = 10 80 30
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2. = 15 2. =5 — —
3. = 10 3. = 10 — — 200 points
— 4. = 15 — —
— 5. = 15 — —

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