writer. Include the following information:
inform about his/her role in the world literature;
write which literary works enjoyed the greatest popularity.
______________________________________________
► III. Speaking
People often develop different stereotypes about foreign countries.
What stereotypes do people have about Ukraine?
Do you think they are true or not?
What should be done to change these stereotypes?
______________________________________________
Examination Card # 12
► I. Reading
Read the text. Write a short summary of it (5-6 sentences). Use your own words to express the main idea of the text.
Independence Day
Independence Day is July 4th. Another name for this holiday is the Fourth of July. This national holiday is an important one in the history of the United States. It is a day to remember and celebrate the first Independence Day on July 4, 1776.
The Revolutionary War began in 1775. The 13 colonies wanted to separate from England. They wanted their independence. They were tired of paying taxes to King George. They also wanted freedom to make laws. In 1776, leaders from the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They talked about freedom from England. Thomas Jefferson wrote a paper about subjects of that meeting. This document was the Declaration of Independence. It said the colonies were "free and independent states". The leaders signed it on July 4, 1776.
People in the 13 colonies were very happy about the Declaration of Independence. They made a lot of noise with bells, drums, and guns. People today still make noise on Independence Day. Most people are in a fun, festive mood! Because the Fourth of July is a national holiday, most people do not go to work. Families and friends get together outdoors for picnics and barbecues. A popular Fourth of July meal is grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, potato chips, and watermelon. Some people also make red, white and blue desserts. You see US patriotic colours everywhere on Independence Day. Many people put American flags outside their homes or businesses. Some even fly small flags on their cars. Others wear shirts or hats with flags on them. You may see some people wearing blue shirts with white stars or red and white striped shorts.
Fourth of July parades are a fun event for communities and families. Children like to see the fire trucks and clowns. Adults shake hands with the politicians walking in the parade. Everyone likes to try and catch a lot of candies and hear the bands play patriotic songs. Don't forget to smile and wave at the queens riding on the floats. Independence Day evening is a time of beautiful fireworks. Fireworks create colourful canopies in the sky along with loud noises. Many cities have fireworks displays. Trained staff ignites these fireworks. Cities have safe fireworks for everyone to enjoy.
Independence Day is a holiday to think about freedom. It is a day to remember the Declaration of Independence. It is also a festive time of food, fun, friends, and fireworks!
|
|
|
http://web.archiue.org
______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
► II. Writing
You have just received the following email from your English friend. Dear...,
How are you getting on? I haven't heard from you for ages!
Tell me what's up with you.
Love,
Brian.
Write a brief email of 45-60 words including the following points:
write why you haven't written for so long;
say a few words about your health and studies;
ask him/her about his/her latest news.
______________________________________________
► III. Speaking
Describe your perfect day including location and weather.
What activities would you do?
How would this day be different than every other day?
Do you think it's possible to have a perfect day? Explain.
______________________________________________
Examination Card # 13
► I. Reading
Read the text. Write a short summary of it (5-6 sentences). Use your own words to express the main idea of the text.
Arthurian Legends
The legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table are familiar to many British people. They are the subject of several poems and stories of the Middle Ages (11th - 15th centuries), as well as of later novels, musical plays and films, and are a central part of British tradition and folklore.
The real King Arthur lived in the late 5th and early 6th century. He was a Celtic warrior chief who fought against the Anglo-Saxons and probably defeated them at the Battle of Badon. He is said to have died in the battle of Camlan. Stories about him were collected in the 12th century by the historian Geoffrey of Monmouth. They were added to and developed by French writers such as Chretien de Troyes, who wrote during the period 1170-90, and also became the centre of a group of legends in German.
The stories of Arthur and his knights celebrate the age of chivalry, when knights aimed to live according to the highest Christian principles. Their character and courage are constantly tested by meetings with giants, dragons and sorcerers, and by their own human weaknesses, such as pride or the passionate love.
According to most versions of the legends, Arthur was born at Tintagel in Cornwall, the son of Uther Pendragon, King of all England. One version says that at a young age he was put under a spell by the magician Merlin so that he grew up not knowing he was heir to the English throne. He became King at the age of 15 after he pulled the magic sword Excalibur out of a stone when all the knights of the kingdom had failed to do so. Another version of the legend says that he received the sword from the Lady of the Lake, and this fits in with the story that, as he was dying, he ordered the sword to be thrown back into the lake and it was caught by a hand that rose from the water.
After becoming King, Arthur gathered round him the most worthy knights in the land. On Arthur's orders the knights all sat at the Round Table, so nobody could sit at the head of the table and claim to be more important than the rest. They promised to defend the principles of chivalry and romantic love, and many of the stories are about their adventures.
|
|
|
Many people now visit Tintagel Castle high above the sea, the place where Arthur was born. Several attempts have been made to identify where Arthur's Camelot was. The most popular suggestions include Caerleon in South Wales, Camelford and South Cadbury, both in Somerset, and Winchester. The town of Glastonbury is said to be Avalon because in the 12th century some monks there claimed to have found the graves of Arthur and Guinevere. It has been suggested that the bones were 'found' in the time of Henry II in order to end the tradition that Arthur would one day return to claim the kingdom. For centuries it was believed that a huge round table in Winchester Cathedral was Arthur's Round Table, but recent scientific tests have proved that it was made in the 14th century.
Taken from OXFORD Guide to British and American Culture
________________________
► II. Writing
You have taken part in an English language course at the summer camp. Tomorrow is your Farewell party. Write a 'thank you' postcard to your teacher. Include the following:
your opinion about the course;
say what was especially useful for you;
say that you'd like to take part in a similar course again;
say 'thank you' for his/her work.
______________________________________________
► III. Speaking
