COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1) Tick (√) the most appropriate title to the text. (1 mark)
a- The end of an imperfect product
b- The story of a revolutionary invention
c- The dreams of an unfortunate inventor
2) For each of the following statements, pick out a detail showing that it is false. (4
marks)
a- Dyson signed a contract with a major manufacturer to produce his invention. (par.
1)
………………………………………………………………………………………
…
b- The competition between vacuum-cleaner companies was over innovation. (par. 1)
………………………………………………………………………………………
…
c- The problem with traditional vacuum cleaners is high power consumption. (par. 2)
………………………………………………………………………………………
…
d- Dyson’s story was kept secret until his product achieved success. (par. 2)
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…
3) Complete the following paragraph with words from paragraph 2. (3 marks)
Customers could read the product’s story on its ………………………: James Dyson
figured out the problem of conventional vacuum cleaners and ………….……… with
a machine in which ………….……… is taken apart from the air.
4) Read paragraph 3 and state two design features that contributed to the success of
the product. (2 marks)
a- ………………………………………………………………………………………
…
b- ………………………………………………………………………………………
…
5) Find in the text synonyms for the following words. (2 marks)
a- evident (par. 2): ……………………………..
b- long-lasting (par. 3): …………………………..
6) What do the underlined pronouns in the text refer to? (2 mark)
a- one (par1): …………………………………
b- it (par. 2): ………………………………
7) Give a personal justified answer to the following question. (1 mark)
Which feature do you value most when you decide to buy a product: the attractiveness
of its shape or its usefulness? Why?
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WRITING
1) Use the information in the table below to write a 5-line paragraph about ‘duolingo’,
an online language learning platform. (5 marks)
LAUNCH November 2011/ Pittsburg, California
SERVICES language learning/ assessment/ translation
COST free of charge/ ad-free
POPULARITY 100 million users/ all the world
AWARDS iPhone App of the Year (2013)/ Best Education Startup (2014)
………………………………………………………………………
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2) An increasing number of youngsters prefer to spend their holidays in front of their
computer screens. Write a 12-line article to be published on a e-magazine to advertize
the benefits of outdoor activities and persuade them to consider some outing choices.
(10 marks)
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LANGUAGE
3) Fill in the blanks with six words from the box to complete the ollowing paragraph
(be careful there are two extra words). (3 marks)
amusing - couple - clearly - said - reality – vacationing – at- near
Scientists and players in the space race say that the long-fanciful idea of
………………………….. in space, if only for a few moments, is about to become
…………………………... “There’s no question, in the next ………………………….. of
years there’s going to be commercial space tourism,” ………………………….. Roger D.
Launius, senior curator of space history ………………………….. the National Air and
Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institution. “That’s ………………………….. going to
happen.”
4) Circle the right alternative to make a coherent paragrah. (4 marks)
Summer in Tasmania is the perfect time to enjoy a bushwalk – it’s warm enough to wear
shorts, but not so hot (thus/then/that) you’re going to pass out 10 minutes into the trip. Grab
a couple of bottles of water and head (after/from/to) Lake St Clair National Park, around
two hours from Hobart, and scale the peak of the (iconically/iconic/icons) Cradle Mountain.
There are plenty of bushwalks (valid – available – possible), from short walks to walks
(designed/designs/designer) to span over several days. For (this/these/those) who like a bit
more of a challenge, navigate Australia’s (much/more/most) famous hike – the Overland
Track. This 6-day, 65km track is as unforgiving as it is rewarding, and showcases the
untouched (beautifully/beautify/beauty) of the Tasmanian landscape.
5) Supply the right tense or form of the bracketed words to complete the following
paragraph. (3 marks)
When Tholfikar Altaie moved to New York he (not/ look) ……………………… for
the American dream -- he just wanted a job. He arrived with an MBA and was the security
(manage) ……………………… for the United Nations office in Iraq, his homeland. But
when he came to New York City in 2009 he (can/ not/ find) ……………………… work.
When he did, it (be) ……………………… in retail sales at a Century 21 department store.
"I was really (disappoint) ……………………… ," Altaie, 28, said. "The problem is you
think you'll find a lot of work, you have a master's degree, then you discover that everyone
also (do) ……………………… too and no one contacts you when you submit your resumé."