OLIMPIADA DE LIMBA ENGLEZ FAZA JUDEEAN

07 MAI 2016
CLASA A VIII-A

SUBIECTUL I -Reading comprehension (5 x2p=10 points)

Read the text and questions below. For each question, circle the correct letter A, B, C or D.

I. Read the text and questions below. For each question, circle the correct letter A, B, C or D.
Jim Benson, pianist and songwriter
People often ask me who I have to thank for my success as a pianist and songwriter. They
expect to hear that I was born into a musical family and had an excellent piano teacher. However,
the truth is different. When I was little, nobody played an instrument at home. I learnt to play the
piano and sing because there was a piano in my house and I just wanted to make music.
My parents allowed me to sit at the piano and sing for as long as I wanted. If they were
afraid that I would break the old piano, they never mentioned it. They didnt suggest that I should
take lessons, either. The songs just came to me when I had my hands on the piano. I suppose I had
musical talent and that is all you need.
I started writing proper songs when I was a teenager. The music was mine, but the words
were from other song writers. It seemed so easy. When you start to compose, you do that, you copy
other peoples best songs. Then you start changing the melodies and the words and you develop
your own style. That only happened later, when I had grown beyond my teenage years.
For a time, I thought music would be just a hobby. My parents had developed a strong belief
that I would be able to make a living as a musician, but I had my doubts, so after school I took a job
in radio advertising. Then one day one of my songs won a prize and that changed everything. I
realized my happiness was in music. I have been a musician ever since that day.
1. What is Jim Bensons main purpose in writing the text?
A. to suggest how children can be taught music
B. to describe his life as a successful musician
C. to explain how he became a musician
D. to complain about his lack of musical training
2. When Jim Benson started making music on the piano, his parents
A. seemed happy to let him play it.
B. said the piano might get damaged.
C. saw the need for a piano teacher.
D. wanted him to play his own songs.
3. What does Jim Benson say about the songs he wrote as a teenager?
A. They were not well-written.
B. They took a long time to write.
C. They were not very original.
D. They showed his personal style.
Str. Mihai Eminescu nr. 11, Constana, cod potal: 900664
Tel.: +40 (0)241 611 913, Fax: +40 (0)241 618 880
www.isjcta.ro e-mail: isj-cta@isjcta.ro

4. Jim Benson took a job in advertising because

A. his parents suggested it was a good career for him.
B. he thought he might not earn enough as a musician.
C. he had learnt about advertising jobs at school.
D. it offered him the opportunity to change his life.
5. Which advice would Jim Benson give talented young people?
A. You need somebody in your family to guide you when you start.
B. Its OK to copy other peoples songs when you are learning.
C. It is not a good idea to write songs when you are very young.
D. If you want to be successful, you must have good music teachers.
II.USE OF ENGLISH
1.Read the text below and decide which answer A, B, C or D best fits each space:(10 x 1p = 10
points)
Dolphins in Scotland
Dolphin population in the Moray Firth area of Scotland is very special. They are the most northerly
bottlenose dolphins in the world with (1) 130 animals recorded so far. These (2) dolphins
are different from their relations living in warmer (3) . such as the Indian or Pacific oceans.
They are a lot bigger and fatter (4 m rather than 2.5 m)- this is due to the large (4) of fat
(known as blubber) that their bodies (5) to keep them warm in the colder waters of the North
Sea.
Dolphins, unlike sharks, (6) not automatically replace their teeth when lost- they only have one
set which has to (7) for their whole life! They eat 8-15 kg of fish a day feeding largely on
inshore (8) that live on the sea bed.
They live in very close family groups, (9) can be quite large. Local people around the Firth
have seen dolphins for many years: there are reports from as (10) ago as 1900.
1. A. between
2. A. proper
3. A. atmospheres
4. A. size
5. A. want
6. A. do
7. A. stay
8. A. varieties
9. A. who
10. A. much

B. among
B. particular
B. spaces
B. amount
B. demand
B. should
B. hold
B. sorts
B. which
B. enough

C. over
C. obvious
C. seasons
C. pile
C. wish
C. have
C. last
C. types
C. they
C. more

D. towards
D. usual
D. environments
D. load
D. need
D. ought
D. stop
D. ranges
D. those
D. long

B. Complete the text by putting the verbs in brackets into the correct form. (10x 1.5p=15
points)
When the robbery happened ten years ago, I knew then it was a mistake. We (1) . (dream)
of becoming rich for months and then the big day (2) (arrive). As we drove along the road , we
(3) (talk) about how we (4) (spend) the money. The gang leader said, I (5). (buy) a
Str. Mihai Eminescu nr. 11, Constana, cod potal: 900664
Tel.: +40 (0)241 611 913, Fax: +40 (0)241 618 880
www.isjcta.ro e-mail: isj-cta@isjcta.ro

new car for myself John, another member of the gang, said I (6) . (decide) to buy a yacht
and sail around the world. As we (7)(near) the bank, I (8).(become) more nervous
and (9).(start) wishing I (10)(never /join) the band.
C. Complete each sentence with two to five words, including the word in bold. (5x2p=10 points)

1. The train left at 7 oclock. We arrived at the station at a quarter past seven.
The train time we arrived at the station.
2 I didnt know Sheila was the same age as you.

HAD
OLD

I didnt know Sheila was .. you.

3 A mechanic is going to service our car next week.

SERVICED

We are going next week by a mechanic.

4 Im sorry I didnt visit Washington when I was in America.

WISH

I now . Washington when I was in America.

5 Its possible Karen didnt hear her name being called.

MIGHT

Karen .. her name being called.

D.Use the word given in capitals at the end of each line to form a new word that fits in the space with
the same number. (10x 1p=10 points)
You may not have heard of Jim Henson, but you have (1) seen some of his
creations, the Muppets. Henson wanted to make education more enjoyable for
children and to help them (2) experience. He had used puppets a little when
he was at school and he first performed in an (3) show called Sam and
Friends.
Young (4) . liked the characters Henson created and he later worked on
Sesame Street. Using characters living in the same (5). , Sesame
Street taught children about ideas such as
(6) .. , as well as basic reading and writing skills. In the world of Jim
Hensons Muppets, honesty and (7).. .are as important as a sense of
humour. The show (8) .became very popular with young children. The (9)
of adults also enjoyed the Muppets and Jim Henson was one of the
most (10).. -respected puppeteers of his generation.

CERTAIN (1)
BROAD (2)
EDUCATION (3)
VIEW (4)
NEIGHBOUR (5)
RESPONSIBLE (6)
FRIEND (7)
RAPID (8)
MAJOR (9)
HIGH (10)

E. Fill in the blanks with one word: (5 x 1p= 5 points)

Failing a job interview

Str. Mihai Eminescu nr. 11, Constana, cod potal: 900664

Tel.: +40 (0)241 611 913, Fax: +40 (0)241 618 880
www.isjcta.ro e-mail: isj-cta@isjcta.ro

When you first apply (1)________ a job, you might not succeed (2)_______ getting it. Its always a good
idea to ask them to explain to you what prevented you from beating the other candidates. Dont complain (3)
__________the situation, but ask them to advise you (4)______________what you can do better next time.
Perhaps the interviewer disapproved of or disagreed with something you said. Perhaps they just glanced at
your application and saw something that made it easy to choose (5) ___________you and another candidate.
III.WRITING 40 points

Write a composition between 150 -180 words ending with the following words and give it a
title: It was far too good to be true.

Toate subiectele sunt obligatorii.

Timp de lucru: 2 ore.

Str. Mihai Eminescu nr. 11, Constana, cod potal: 900664

Tel.: +40 (0)241 611 913, Fax: +40 (0)241 618 880
www.isjcta.ro e-mail: isj-cta@isjcta.ro