SECTION I. THE ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE (30 points)
Read the text and do the tasks below the text.
Cultural Do’s and Don’ts
When travelling outside of your own culture, it is always rewarding to put yourself deep within
the host culture to develop a better appreciation of your new environment. However, things that
might be considered ‘normal’ in your home country could be viewed as rude in someone else’s, and
vice versa.
Before entering a foreign environment, it is best to find out what to expect. Read as much as
you can before travelling to a new country to become an expert in local social rules and cultural
differences. Travel guides will usually provide a very specific list of “do’s” and “don’ts.” Be sure to
make use of Internet sites or forums, and of course do not hesitate to ask the locals. It is better to
ask what might seem like a ridiculous question to one person, than to make a fool of yourself in
front of a larger group.
When I first moved to Japan, I was surprised that people made unpleasant noises when they ate
noodles. They even picked up the bowl to drink the soup. Making noise while eating and drinking
straight from the bowl is definitely disapproved of in my country. But in Japan, it is not rude, it is
actually expected.
Over the years, I have travelled to many places. Each country may have its own set of cultural
taboos and acceptable behaviour. Here is a short list of some of the more interesting yet strange
local customs that I have come across:
 Discussing sports in Germany is considered an uneducated thing to do.
 Do not blow your nose in public in Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, or France.
 When in Thailand, never touch the head of a small child. It is considered bad luck.
 In many Asian countries, such as China, pointing with the index finger in public is considered
quite rude.
 Bulgaria can be a confusing place for many foreigners—the locals shake their head to indicate
“yes” and nod the head up to indicate “no.”
In conclusion, if you happen to commit a mistake, don’t worry too much about it. Mistakes
happen whether we like it or not and sometimes that’s the only way to learn.
No
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Score
1.
Answer the question.
Why should a person read travel guides before visiting a foreign country?
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2.
Find in the text the synonyms for the word and word combination given below.
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a) to present - ____________________
b) to make an error - ____________________
3.
Find in the text the antonyms for the words given below.
a) similarity - ____________________
b) clear - ____________________
4.
Identify and circle the correct variant (True/False). Justify your choice.
a) In Japan it is rude to make noise while eating and drinking.
True False
because
b) In Germany it is considered polite to discuss sports in public.
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True False
because
5.
Give another title to the text. Write your title in the form of a sentence.
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6.
Comment the phrase below in 4 lines.
Mistakes happen whether we like it or not and sometimes that’s the only way to learn.
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7.
Identify the message of the text and comment on it in 5 lines.
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SECTION II. THE ASSESSMENT OF LINGUISTIC COMPETENCE (20 points)
Fill in the gaps with a suitable article and preposition. Write the correct form of the verb in brackets.
Choose the correct word from those given in brackets.
No
Item
Score
When I finished school, I applied to study philosophy at two universities, A
A
1.0
10. Sheffield, my home town, and London. I didn’t have much hope of getting into 0
London University my school exam results were not brilliant. London University is 2
2
one of the (high/highly/highlier) _______________________________________ 4
4
appreciated universities in the world therefore, I wanted to be accepted there. But I 6
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was
lucky
and
I
was
accepted
there.
I
(must/had
to/should) 8
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_______________________________________ make two trips to London before I 10 10
started one for the interview and another to find accommodation. The university 12 12
provided students with information about flats. By the time the semester began, I 14 14
(already, to find) _______________________________________ a place to live and a 16 16
roommate.
18 18
While I was studying, I didn’t think about work and how I (to earn) 20 20
_______________________________________ my living after university. When the
time came, I realized that languages had always interested me so I applied
_______________________________________ several jobs to teach English abroad.
Obviously, I didn’t have any experience but I thought I had a small chance of (to
accept) _______________________________________.
In the end, a letter came and I felt nervous as I opened it. But the news (to be)
_______________________________________ good! The letter offered me a job in a
Swedish school. I knew the winter weather in Sweden was cold so I bought some
warm clothes. Then I had _______________________________________ farewell
party and everyone wished me good luck in my new life as a teacher. Since then I (to
have) _______________________________________ a lot of jobs in difference
countries and I am happy to say that I have enjoyed all of them. But I have wondered
many times what (to happen) _______________________________________ if that
first letter had turned me down.
SECTION III. THE ASSESSMENT OF PRAGMATIC AND CULTURAL COMPETENCES (20 points)
Write a coherent 10-line text for the situation below.
No
Item
Score
A
1. Your local newspaper asked you to write an article about a tradition or holiday that is A
0
0
celebrated in an English-speaking country, but not in your own country.
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SECTION IV. THE ASSESSMENT OF PRAGMATIC AND CIVIC COMPETENCES
(30 points)
Write a coherent 20-line text expressing your attitude on the given topic.
No
1.
Item
Some people consider that responsibility is the key to success. Do you agree or
disagree? Bring TWO arguments or examples.
Use the following plan:
 Make an introduction;
 Bring two arguments/examples;
 Draw a conclusion.
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a conc
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