1 Final Test Name Mark

Optional Reading
Read the text and answer the questions that follow.

WEBBY AWARDS
I “May I have the envelope, please? And the winner is …” These phrases have become familiar to us through
their use at Hollywood awards ceremonies, such as the Oscars (films), the Emmys (television) and the
Grammys (music). But along with the growth of a new type of entertainment comes a new award – the Webby,
given to reward and publicise the best websites on the Internet.
II Of course, Webby Awards recognise more than just sites devoted to entertainment. First awarded in 1996, there
are now over 115 categories, and the number grows every year. They range from music and film sites, through
news, sport, politics, finance, education and health, to humour, living and weird (yes, really) and more.
III From thousands of entries worldwide, the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences selects five
nominees for each category, from which two winners will eventually emerge. One is chosen by the official judges
to win the actual “Webby Award”. These judges are Academy members, who may be celebrities or experts in the
relevant fields; for example, musicians Bjork and David Bowie have judged the music category. The other
winner, chosen through an online vote, receives the “People’s Voice Award”. Websites are rated on visual design,
interactivity, organisation, content and functionality.
IV The Webby was originally created to help users identify the best sites out of the many different possibilities
available, and past winners include websites that have become very popular, such as Google and Facebook.
But critics claim that the vast number of winners decreases the award’s value, and they say that the awards are
just a money-maker for the Academy.
V Despite these criticisms, the annual awards ceremony, held in New York but webcast to the world, is generally
very well received. Acceptance speeches are limited to five words, producing some hilarious one-liners. These
include “Keyboards are full of germs”, and “Me, me, me, me, me”.

1. Decide if the following sentences are true (T) or 3. Choose the correct answer. [2 x 2 = 4 points]
false (F). Find evidence in the text to justify your 1. The official judges … .
answers. [4 x 3 = 12 points] a. can be associated with the category they judge
..... 1. The International Academy of Digital Arts & b. don’t have to belong to the Academy
Sciences originally gave prizes in over 115 c. are never well-known to the general public
categories. 2. Entries are NOT judged according to … .
............................................................................... a. how they look
............................................................................... b. whether the site is easy to use
..... 2. Webby Award winners are all selected by Academy c. if the site is well-known or not
judges.
............................................................................... 4. Find words or expressions in the text that mean
............................................................................... the opposite of: [5 x 1 = 5 points]
..... 3. The purpose of the Webby is to recognise excellent 1. reduction (paragraph I) ………………………
Internet sites. 2. normal (paragraph II) ………………………
............................................................................... 3. immediately (paragraph III) ………………………
...............................................................................
4. small (paragraph IV) ………………………
..... 4. Acceptance speeches must be short.
5. serious (paragraph V) ………………………
...............................................................................
...............................................................................

2. Complete these sentences. [2 x 2 = 4 points] Writing

1. Google and Facebook are mentioned because ............
..................................................................................... . Write a for and against essay (80-120 words) on the
2. Critics believe that having so many winners means that use of the Internet as a source of entertainment.
..................................................................................... . [25 points]