VARIANT 1
TASK 1
You are going to read the text aloud. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.
Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer and the first European to reach India by sea. His initial voyage to India in 1497—1499 was the first to link Europe and Asia by an ocean route, connecting the Atlantic and the Indian oceans and, in this way, the West and the Orient. Traveling the ocean route allowed the Portuguese to avoid sailing across the highly disputed Mediterranean and traversing the dangerous Arabian Peninsula. Unopposed access to the Indian spice routes boosted the economy of the Portuguese Empire, which was previously based along northern and coastal West Africa. The spices obtained from Southeast Asia were primarily pepper and cinnamon at first, but soon included other products, all new to Europe. Portugal maintained a commercial monopoly of these commodities for several decades. It would be a century later before other European powers such as the Netherlands and England, followed by France and Denmark, were able to challenge Portugal’s monopoly and naval supremacy in the Cape Route.
TASK 2
You are going to take part in a telephone survey. You have to answer six questions. Give full answers to the questions. Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.
Electronic assistant: Hello! It’s the electronic assistant of International English Language Association. We kindly ask you to take part in our survey. We need to find out what students think about our programme. Please answer six questions. The survey is anonymous – you don’t have to give your name. So, let’s get started.
Electronic assistant: How old are you and what school do you attend?
Student: ________________________
Electronic assistant: How often do you have English lessons a week and how do you find them?
Student:_________________________
Electronic assistant: What activities do you find the most efficient?
Student: ________________________
Electronic assistant: What subjects of interest do you discuss during the classes?
Student: _________________________
Electronic assistant: Why do you think it is important to speak English?
Student: ________________________
Electronic assistant: What would you advise a person who wants to improve his/her English?
Student: ________________________
Electronic assistant: This is the end of the survey. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
TASK 3
You are going to give a talk about your winter holidays. You will have to start in 1.5 minutes and speak for not more than 2 minutes – 10—12 sentences.
Remember to say:
• where you usually spend your winter holidays;
• who you spend your holidays with;
• what activities you usually have.
You have to talk continuously.