INSPECTORATUL ȘCOLAR JUDEȚEAN GORJ

OLIMPIADA DE LIMBA ENGLEZĂ

ETAPA LOCALĂ
CLASA A X-A SECȚIUNEA A
10 februarie 2024
Varianta 1

• Toate subiectele sunt obligatorii.

• Nu se acordă puncte din oficiu.
• Timpul efectiv de lucru este de 3 ore.

SUBIECTUL A – USE OF ENGLISH (40 points)

I. Read the following text and put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense and form:
(10 points)

I went on a trip to Dubai last month with my friend, John. I was very excited about going
because I 1)___________ (never, visit) Dubai before, and I 2) _____________ (not see) John for
a long time, because he lives in Australia. Like myself, John is also from the UK, but
he 3)___________ (live) in Australia for the last 6 years. I arrived at Dubai airport at around 8pm
after a 4-hour flight from the UK. I met John at the airport and we checked into our hotel. I
wanted to go and have a look around the city on the first evening, but John was really tired. So, I
decided to go and look around the city myself. As I 4)___________ (walk) through the city,
I 5)___________ (look) up and saw the amazing Burj Khalifa tower.
I 6)___________ (stare) at the tower for some time when I suddenly 7)___________ (realise)
that I 8)___________ (forget) my camera back at the hotel! The rest of the trip was also amazing,
and since I got back I 9)___________ (constantly tell) people about it. It was an experience
10)___________ (always remember) !

II. Fill in the gaps with one word (10points)

Sandwiches
The sandwich is 1) ________ of the 2) ________ popular ways of preparing a light meal 3) ____
snack. Its simplicity is the key, basically you need to put 4) _______type of food stuff between
two slices of bread and you are done. It is easy to transport and does not require cutlery or a lot
of preparation. Its invention 5) ______ been attributed to the Earl of Sandwich in the 18th century,
but this is 6) ________ a doubt, debatable to say the least as sandwiches have their equivalent 7)
______ over the world, including the taco and burritos. What is clear is 8) ______ popularity of
this special way of preparing food. Sandwiches are eaten by just about every human on this planet
and look as though they are here to stay. Their popularity is only being increased 9) _____ large
chains, such as Subway, that offer high quality ingredients at a reasonable price 10) ______ the
purpose of offering a healthy fast-food alternative.

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III. Read the text below and decide which of the four words (A, B, C or D) best fits each
space. (10 points)

Although living in another country can be a/an (1) ___________________ adventure, it

sometimes proves (2) ___________________ a difficult experience. Many things are new and
different – not only the language and culture but also (3) ___________________ things like where
to buy stamps or when banks are open. For a person who is used (4) ___________________ in
control of their world these new experiences can make them feel helpless, (5)
___________________ and frustrated. Many of those who start a life somewhere else often go
through certain (6) ________________ before they feel at home in their new (7)
___________________. The first few weeks after arrival in another country is full of positive
feelings and excitement. Then reality sets in and can make you feel angry and impatient. Some
people (8) ___________________ their new home for such feelings. Eventually, however, most
newcomers settle (9) _________ and begin to adapt. However, when a person returns to their own
culture, they may (10) ___________________ the same things in reverse. It takes them some time
to get back to their former life in their home country.

1 A. excited B. exciting C. pleasure D. thrilled

2 A. have been B. be of C. being D. to be
3 A. everyday B. daily C. average D. every day
4 A. been B. to being C. to be D. being
5 A. confusing B. confused C. confuse D. confusion
6 A. steps B. times C. eras D. stages
7 A. surroundings B. settings C. atmospheres D. situations
8 A. cause B. blame C. accuse D. hold
9 A. in B. off C. of D. back
10 A. bear B. happen C. suffer D. experience

IV. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence,
using the word given. Do not change the word given. Write between two and five words-
10 points

1. My friends have invited me to their wedding.

(invited)
I …………………………………………………..………….….. to my friends’ wedding.

2. Helen hasn’t tried Japanese food before.

(time)
It’s the……………………………………………………………………….. Japanese food.

3. He started to learn French six years ago.

(learning)
He ………………………………………………………………………………. six years.

4. I eat more if I smoke less.

(the)
The less ……………………………………………….…………………….………. I eat.

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5. I can’t wait to go on holiday.
(forward)
I’m really …………………………………………………………..………….. on holiday.

SUBJECT B - INTEGRATED SKILLS (60 points)

I. Read the text below and for questions 1-5, choose the answer (A, B, C, D) which you
think fits best according to the text. (10 points)

Read the text below and do the tasks that follow:

On account of car exhaust, fumes, factory smoke and the pollution created every day by millions
of people living together in one place, modern cities can be dirty places to live in. The pollution
in these areas affects many of us. After all, over half the population of the world live in cities. So
people are constantly coming up with ideas cleaner, greener and healthier for us all.

The most important aim for a green city is to reduce or stop all together the use of fossil fuels,
which relieve carbon dioxide (CO2) and create pollution. This can be done by offering a citywide
public transport system, so that fewer people use their cars. It can also be achieved by setting
aside more land for parks where the new trees can help reduce the amount of CO2 the city
produces. Emissions from transport are also being reduced by turning each community into a
‘walkable’ city. In other words, a neighborhood that is designed so that its inhabitants can live,
work, shop and socialize all in the same area, without needing to use cars at all. Energy can also
be taken from clean sources such as the sun, the wind or water, instead of burning fossil fuels.
Scientists are even starting to look away from Earth. One day soon, we might be using energy
created from helium - a substance found on the moon.

Many cities around the world have already begun to put these ideas into practice. So, you can see
rooftop gardens, solar panels, recycling initiatives, and energy-efficient buildings in many places
already.

Soon fossil-fuel burning cars could be a thing of the past and personal electric cars, running on
rails around the city, will take us to work. This may sound unbelievable, in some cities; plans are
already in place to make it a reality in the next few years.

Ideas that once seemed unrealistic could be closer than we think. An American design team has
come up with plans for an eco-friendly floating city which will be safe from flooding and rising
sea levels. The Seascraper would generate electricity from turbines beneath the water and a ‘skin’
of solar panels and would also treat sea water to make it drinkable. Under the surface of the water,
this city would form an artificial reef and produce nutrients to support the marine environment.

Even the smallest thing can make a difference. As we all know, when it rains in the city, the water
gathers on the concrete pavement and eventually into the city’s water supply taking with it all the
dirt from the street and polluting the drinkable water. ‘Green’ pavement acts more like a hard
sponge. It absorbs the rainwater, directing it naturally into the soil beneath. And, what’s more,
it’s made from recycled material. Does it sound futuristic? Well, you can actually already find
this kind of pavement in some cities.

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1. What is the main message the writer wants to express?

A. that green cities are futuristic and unrealistic

B. that we are already trying to make cities greener
C. that our cities are already as green as they can be
D. that there is nothing we can do to make a difference

2. Which of the following are people not already doing?

A. creating ‘walkable’ cities

B. using energy from the sun
C. burning fossil energy
D. using energy from the moon

3. According to the text what might be possible in the future?

A. electric cars running on rails

B. solar panels
C. rooftop gardens
D. energy-efficient buildings

4. How would the Seascraper help the natural environment?

A. It would make drinkable water for everyone in the world.

B. It would produce enough power for several cities.
C. It would stop sea levels from rising.
D. It would provide food for sea life.

5. Which sentence best describes how ’green’ pavement works?

A. It stops rainwater from running into people’s houses.

B. It washes the dirt out of the city.
C. It allows rainwater to go through it and into the ground.
D. It cleans the rainwater so people can drink it.

II. Starting from the scientists' point of view that "Energy can be taken from clean sources"
make your own review that leads to the fact that energy can be the pathway to a healthy,
livable planet today. (200-220 words) (50 points)