LEBSR ENGLISH DEPARTMENT 9 TH GRADE READING AND WRITING

2024
B1 PRACTICE

SECTION I: Grammar (Use of English)

1. This castle ................ by our king George II. 11. Susan …...... eat meat, but now she does.

a) built b) was built c) was building a) didn’t use to b) used to c) doesn’t

2. I can paint ....., but I want to be better than my sister. 12. “This is a nice bathroom.” “Yes. It’s the one .......
we’ve just redecorated.”
a) nice b) good c) well
a) when b) who c) which
3. The kid was ..................... fast that no one saw him.
13. “Did you know that John is getting married?” “Yes.
a) so b) too c) such
He .... me yesterday.”
4. ............. adults know how to use the Internet.
a) told b) said c) spoke
a) Little b) Few c) Much
14. Judy ................. type since she went to college.
5. .......... to the Martin’s party next Friday.
a) can’t b) has been able to c) can
a) Do you come b) Are you coming c) Did you come
15. I’m thirsty. I .......... for fifty minutes.
6. Could you please turn ................... the volume? I’d
a) am running b) have run c) have been running
like to listen to the news.
16. When I am older, I ....... live by myself.
a) up b) out c) on
a) will be able to b) can’t c) have been able to
7. Can I have ….. sugar, please.
17. I’m going to the doctor ......tomorrow morning.
a) a b) any c) some
a) on b)by c) at
8. I ..... TV, when suddenly something crashed into our
house. 18. Thea .................. my best friend since 2008.

a) watched b) am watching c) was watching a) was b) is being c) has been

9. Jeudith ......................... to the club every day, but 19. “I didn’t enjoy that film last night.” “Neither did I. It
now she doesn’t. was .... boring that I almost fell asleep.”

a) was going b) used to go c) didn’t use to go a) such b) so c) such a

10. He hasn’t seen Gill ..... he left school. 20. ........... I take your order, please?

a) just b) since c) for a) Mustn’t b) Must c) May

Reading Task 1. Read the holiday brochure and decide if each statement is True or False.

YUKON ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS

Looking for the perfect place for a holiday? Then come to the Yukon, in north-western Canada, where we
have package holidays to please everyone.
From October to March you can choose one of our „winter wonderland“ holidays. These include skiing,
snowmobiling and dogsledding. From March to August we have organized hiking or mountain climbing
activities, as well as canoeing or white water rafting down some of the most beautiful rivers in the Yukon
Valley. All of our adventure package holidays include guides and instructors to help you enjoy activities
you have never tried before. Accommodation ranges from four-star hotels to log cabins or camping
grounds.
For more information check out our website: [Link] or call us toll free at 1-800-
YUKON.

1. Package holidays are available all year round. ❏ True ❏ False

2. You can travel by dogsled in July. ❏ True ❏ False
3. You can do watersports in the Yukon. ❏ True ❏ False
4. You can only stay at campsites. ❏ True ❏ False
5. Phone calls to the company are free of charge. ❏ True ❏ False

Reading Task 2. Read the article and mark the statements as True or False.

TRAVEL GUIDE: SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and a favourite destination for many
travelers. From Kruger National Park to the Kalahari Desert, South Africa provides a great introduction to
Africa, but it has more to offer than stunning landscapes.
If you visit South Africa, make sure you stop off in Cape Town. There is so much to see and do, you'll
never get bored. There's always something happening in this exciting city, and it has great shops, too.
The more adventurous can take a trip up Table Mountain or take a boat trip to see great white sharks and
seals. Cape Town has something for everybody.
South Africa is a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime! Book now for a holiday you
will never forget.

1. South Africa is not very popular with tourists. ❏ True ❏ False

2. The Kalahari Desert is in Cape Town. ❏ True ❏ False
3. There is not much going on in Cape Town. ❏ True ❏ False
4. You can see some big, scary fish there. ❏ True ❏ False
5. The author recommends that everyone should go to South Africa. ❏ True ❏ False

Reading Task 3

SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA

A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and in the corridor, paused immediately
outside the door. Then there was a loud knock on the door.
"Come in!" said Holmes.
A very tall man entered, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His dress was rich with a richness which
would, in England, be considered bad taste. He was wearing a double-breasted coat with fur-trimmed
collar and cuffs, over which he wore a deep blue cloak lined with flame-coloured silk. His boots, which
went halfway up his legs, were also trimmed with fur, completing his appearance of barbaric richness. He
had a thick moustache and a straight chin suggesting strong determination, but a black mask hid the
upper part of his face. He was carrying a hat in one hand, while his other hand was raised, as if he had
just finished straightening his mask.
"Please take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and colleague, Dr Watson. Whom have I the honour
to address?"
"You may address me as Count von Kramm, a Bohemian aristocrat. I hope your friend is a man I can
trust. If not, I prefer to speak to you alone," said our strange visitor.
"You can say anything in front of this man that you can say to me," Holmes replied. The Count nodded
and continued. "You will excuse the mask; my employer wishes my true identity to remain a secret."
"If your majesty would like to tell us your problem," Holmes remarked, "I will be happy to advise you."
The Count sprang from his chair, paced nervously up and down the room, then took off the mask and
threw it on the floor.
"You are right!" he cried. "I am the King. Why should I try to hide it?"
"Why, indeed?" said Holmes. "I knew, even before you spoke, that you were the Grand Duke of Cassel-
Felstein and the King of Bohemia."

1. The visitor's mouth and chin are hidden by a mask. ❏ True ❏ False
2. The visitor says he is Count von Kramm. ❏ True ❏ False
3. The visitor is unsure whether to trust Watson. ❏ True ❏ False
4. Holmes does not know why the visitor has come. ❏ True ❏ False
5. Holmes realizes the visitor is the King when he takes off the mask. ❏ True ❏ False

Reading Task 4. Read the text and decide if the sentences are True, False or Doesn’t Say.

FACE YOUR FEARS DAY

What are you afraid of? Snakes, heights, the dark?
Whatever it is, it's time to face your fears! Face Your Fears Day is on the third Tuesday in October, and it
is the day when people stand up to the things that scare them and say “You don't scare me anymore!”
The day was started by a blogger called Steve Hughes in 2007 to help people become a little braver.
On Face Your Fears Day, people do brave things. Last year, The Grove School in England met 'scary'
animals like snakes and spiders, and even had a climbing wall setup in the playground for students who
wanted to face their fear of heights. Many charities visit schools and colleges to do presentations about
how to beat social fears, like public speaking or hanging out with people they don't know. Also, over the
last few years, bloggers have posted videos of themselves facing their fears in order to encourage others
to do the same.
Facing your fears can be difficult. If you are afraid of something, you should try slowly facing it. For
example, if you are afraid of snakes, start by looking at pictures and videos of them. Do some research
and learn everything you can about them, because a lot of the time it is the fear of the unknown that is the
biggest fear of all. When you feel you are ready, maybe take a trip to the zoo to watch them behind the
glass. After a while you'll feel comfortable and confident enough to hold them. It’ll take time, but don't
worry or rush, all fears are beatable!
Our fears can hold us back in life, but we shouldn't let them. Face Your Fears Day gives people the boost
they need to defeat the things that scare them. This day is actually more about courage than fear. Will
you be brave enough to face your fears this year?

1. The first Face Your Fears Day was in 2007.

❏ True ❏ False ❏ Doesn’t say
2. On that day, people avoid the things that scare them.
❏ True ❏ False ❏ Doesn’t say
3. Some people are afraid of going to parties.
❏ True ❏ False ❏ Doesn’t say
4. It’s easier to beat a phobia if you do it quickly.
❏ True ❏ False ❏ Doesn’t say
5. Face Your Fears Day focuses more on people being brave than being scared.
❏ True ❏ False ❏ Doesn’t say
CHECK YOUR ANSWERS
Section I: Grammar: 1b (Past tenses), 2c (Adjectives/Adverbs), 3a (Adjectives/Adverbs), 4b (Articles), 5b (Future tenses),
6a(Vocabulary), 7c (Articles), 8c (Past tenses), 9b (Past tenses), 10b (Prepositions), 11a ((Past tenses),
12c (Conjunctions), 13a (Vocabulary), 14b (Modal verbs), 15c (Present tenses), 16a (Modal verbs), 17b
(Prepositions), 18c (Present tenses), 19b (Past tenses), 20c (Adjectives/Adverbs).

Section II: Reading:

Task 1: 1F, 2F, 3T, 4F, 5T
Task 2: 1F, 2F, 3F, 4T, 5T
Task 3: 1F, 2T, 3T, 4T, 5F
Task 4: 1T, 2F, 3DS, 4F, 5T
Task 5: 1c, 2a, 3b, 4c, 5b