Ela VLIMREANU: English Competence Test for Students in Geography of Tourism
I. READING COMPREHENSION: 1. Read the following paragraphs and join them together to make sense of the whole text: a. There really is something for everyone, whether youre eight or eighty, visiting for a week or a month, travelling solo or in a group, with friends, your kids or your grandma. London quite rightly- is a major magnet, while Englands other cities have flourished, with stunning new buildings, tempting bars and restaurants, and some of the finest museums in the world. After dark, the cutting-edge clubs, top-class theatre and formidable live music cant fail to provide a string of nights to remember. b. This astounding variety is the key to enjoying travel in England. And then theres the great English countryside: wild mountains, rolling hills, pristine beaches, rocky islands, woodland floors decked with bluebells and gorse-clad moors dropping down to the sea. Along with these gems, Englands top drawcard is its compact geography. In a country that takes just eight hours to travel end to end, youre never far from the next castle, the next national park or the next relaxed lunch in a friendly village pub. The choice is endless. c. Welcome to England, a 1000-year-old nation packed with history and right in the spotlight on the world stage today. The English people often take their own country for granted, but whether youre from far-flung regions or just exploring your own backyard, a closer look reveals a feast of delights to make your head spin from Hadrians Wall in the north to Canterbury Cathedral in the south, from high culture in the Tate galleries to high energy at Old Trafford, from the ancient megaliths of Stonehenge to the space-age domes of the Eden Project. 2. Complete the following gapped paragraph with the words bellow: a hot bed of , top, lifetime, plenty of , present, big-name, die for, idle. Englands cities are confident and buzzing with energy, with ..attractions to keep you enthralled and entertained. Head west to Bristol,..musical innovation with nightlife to match, or north to re-born Birmingham for ..clubs, groundbreaking arts venues, ..theatre and classical
music. Chill out in Leeds with its sleek entertainment and shopping to .. Knightsbridge of the North is no ..claim. London gets top billing under Rich History, but its very much a city of the ..too- with more clubs, pubs, shows and venues than even the Londoners can visit in a .. .
(David ELSE et alii, England, Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd, 2005, p. 3-9)
3. Read the following text and answer the questions: Which are the main details the author of this text insists on? When speaking about a region, what details would you insist on? What would be more interesting to you and what information would you be more focused on? You wont be disappointed. It may be a small nation, but England boasts an astounding collection of historic towns and cities, and a vast array of impressive castles and stately homes. Any list has to start with London, with towers, palaces, bridges, squares, museums and monuments from every period since the Bronze Age. Evocative ruins? Dont miss Warwick Castle. If you like historic buildings with the roof on, visit Blenheim Palace, the mother of all stately homes. Visit Canterbury or Salisbury, with their simply beautiful cathedrals; Winchester, capital of near-mythical King Alfred; or Bath, with superb Georgian crescents and Roman remains. Travel even further back in time to Stonehenge, the iconic symbol of ancient England, while nearby Avebury Stone Circle is still overwhelming after 5000 years. [] Wander through gorgeous university towns with evocative architecture, such as Oxford or Cambridge. Look out across Englands capital city from Tower Bridge, watch the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, head to York for its spectacular minister or explore the ruins at Rievaulx Abbey. (David ELSE et alii, England, Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd, 2005, p. 3-9 II. WRITING COMPREHENSION: 1. Match the items from 1 to 22 finding words similar in meaning among a to u, and then use them in different contexts linked to your field of interest (Geography of Tourism): Model: 1. original a. first of its kind 1. broke 2. contract 3. the latest thing 4. let me tell you [Link] been well cared for [Link] are guarded secrets [Link] class [Link] dozens of [Link] 13.I think [Link] [Link] some time [Link]'s full length [Link] colours [Link] up my schedule [Link] value
5. less dangerous 6. it's in great condition 7. I can't tell you 8. best 9. have lots of 10. small piece 11. I'm sorry
e.I apologize [Link] [Link] [Link] times [Link] on my experiences [Link] idea [Link] sized
[Link] [Link]'s guide [Link] all about it [Link] colours [Link] [Link] the floor [Link] to me
[Link] first hand experience [Link] tune [Link] my advice s.I'm a firm believer in [Link]-free [Link] expensive [Link] steps
(Adapted from [Link] accessed on Friday, October 17, 2008, 12:53.)
2. Taking as an example these different descriptions of England, think of some geographical features of a country you like. Make a Factfile and use the space below: 3. Write a short offer for a travel agency using words such as : top-class, notch, pristine, gorgeous, formidable, overwhelming, evocative and stunning III. VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR: 1. Explain the following phrases putting them in a particular context: a. spotlight b. crescents c. gems 4. remains 5. drawcard 2. Match these make phases with their most appropriate definitions and find specific contexts in your field for the topic. Model: make one feel = to trigger emotion 1. make ones head spin a. to pretend 2. make ones blood boil b. to close, to prevent passage through an opening
3. make the door shut 4. make ones heart beat 5. make one believe 6. make ends meet
c. to manage so that one's means are sufficient for one's needs. d. to be stirred up with anger and excitement e. to be responsive to a stimulus f. having a feeling of being whirled about, feeling dizzy
3. Join suggestions in III A to answers in III B, saying No without being rude. You have a model in the chart 1. We could visit Casablanca while you're in Morocco to see the famous city. 2. I suggest we take all the factors into consideration before we make any choice for the trip. 3. What about going to the bazaar and have a look? 4. Why don't we have some mint tea and honey cakes? 5. Would you like to come to the mosque with me? a. Sorry, I'm not really fond of spending time in cities; Id rather go and see villages. b. I'd really rather not have anything, Im on a diet. c. I'm afraid I can't be so sensible, Im very anxious to go on this trip. d. Thank you, but it's not my idea of a fun evening out, Im not too religious. e. That's very kind of you, but I really have to take a nap now, Im beat tired.
4. Express your wishes and show preferences in the following sentences: 1. I wish I knew there was a concert in the old city because 2. I wish I were in London with you, but ... 3. I wish I could join the expedition to Stonehenge because 4. I'd rather go swimming in the sea than. 5. How about strolling along the old city to. 6. If it were up to me, I'd have a mint tea in this fabulous tea saloon but 7. I'd prefer trying this English food than 8. I think we should... 9. Why don't we 10. Let's Keys: I. READING COMPREHENSION: 1. c, a, b; 2. plenty of, a hotbed of; big-name; top; die for; idle; present; lifetime; II. WRITING COMPREHENSION: 1-k; 2-f; 3-j; 4-i; 5-g; 6-a; 7-b; 8-c; 9- d; 10-h; 11-e; 12-o; 13-s; 14-t; 15-n; 16-v; 17-u; 18-p; 19-m; 20-q; 21-l; 22-r. III. VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR: 2. 1-f; 2-d; 3-b; 4-e; 5-a; 6-c; 3. 2-c; 3-e; 4-b; 5-d.