Listening Comprehension Text for 11th
form
Good
afternoon and welcome to another edition of “You and Your Body.”
The topic of today’s program is vitamins, one
of the basic components of
the human body, and one that still mystifies many
people…at least that’s
what the letters from listeners show. Today we will try to answer as many
of your
questions as possible.
So, what are vitamins? Well, vitamins are one of the five elements
essential for a healthy body. The others
are proteins, which we get from
meat; carbohydrates, which we get from pasta
and bread; fats and minerals. Actually,
the name vitamin comes from Latin “vita” which means “life.”
Now, before we go on, let me clarify
something. Some people may
believe that
vitamins and minerals are similar because they’re combined in
the various food
supplements on the market. But they’re
not. Vitamins
are organic compounds,
whereas minerals are inorganic substances.
For example, calcium is a mineral, not a vitamin.
Actually, even vitamins differ from one
another in their
chemical composition and the way they act. Nevertheless, we can see
two main vitamin
groups: fat-soluble and water-soluble,
that is, vitamins
that can dissolve either into fat or into water. Let’s have a closer look at
those two groups.
Fat-soluble are vitamins A, D, E and K. Their common characteristic is
that the body
can store them in fat, in the liver and in the kidneys. So we
don’t need to take them on a daily
basis. Water-soluble are vitamin C and
the vitamin B complex. The body cannot
store them, so we must make
sure that they are contained in our daily diet.
Why are vitamins so important? The main reason is that vitamins help
the
metabolism of three of the important elements we mentioned before:
proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In other words, without vitamins the
body
cannot process these essential substances.
Vitamins also help the
body create blood cells, hormones, chemicals in
the nervous system and
genetic material.
Unfortunately, we still don’t know much about the
complex ways in which
vitamins operate in the body. Actually,
we are not
even sure about the precise effect of certain vitamins, for example,
vitamin E.
You may be asking, “How do we get these
vital elements?” Well, the
main sources
of vitamins are just around the corner at your local supermarket. We can see two categories: plant products such as fresh fruit and
vegetables; vegetable oil and margarine; bread, pasta and cereals; and animal
products;
meat, poultry and fish; liver, heart and kidneys; and dairy products,
that is
fresh milk, butter and cheese.
Now, there is one vitamin which you get for
free, so to speak. Most of vitamin D is produced in the body
when the skin
is exposed to sunlight.
And here is an important piece of information
for vegetarians who don’t
eat any animal products. Because vitamin
B12
is found only in animal products, vegans should take vitamin
B12
supplements. Vitamin supplements may
also be needed by
pregnant women and people on special diets.
I would like to end this program with a word
of caution. Vitamins
are essential for
our health and we do need to ensure that we take the
necessary amounts, but we
can have too much of a good thing. Yes,
it
may sound strange to some of you, but taking more than the amount we
need
will result in a number of health problems.
This happens particularly
with fat-soluble vitamins. For example, large amounts of vitamin A can
cause anything from headaches and skin rashes to growth problems in
children.
Even large doses of vitamin C, which is not stored in the body,
can destroy
vitamin B12 and reduce calcium in bones.
So be careful
when taking food supplements. Good day and good health.
Listening
Comprehension Test For 11th form Students
Directions:
In this Test you will carefully listen to a text read
aloud twice. The text is followed by 20 tasks. You should do tasks 1 through 10
following the first reading of the text on the basis of what is stated or
implied in the text. The text will be read a second time and you should do tasks
11 through 20 following the second reading of the text on the basis of what is
stated or implied in the text. For each task you will choose from four possible
answers (A, B, C, or D), or two symbols (+ or -) as specified prior to each
task. Choose the best answer and mark the letter or symbol of your choice on
the Answer Sheet.
Questions 1 through 10 (on your answer
sheet circle + if the statement is true,
- if it is false).
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1
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The name of
the program is “You and Your Vitamins.”
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+
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-
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2
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The word “vitamin” is derived from Latin.
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+
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-
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3
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Vitamins and minerals are similar.
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+
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-
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4
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Vitamins are
divided into two categories.
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+
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-
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5
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Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and kidney.
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+
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-
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6
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Two water-soluble vitamins are A and C.
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+
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-
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7
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The primary function of vitamins is to metabolize proteins,
carbohydrates and fats.
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+
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-
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8
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The effects of some vitamins are not known.
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+
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-
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9
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Vitamin B12 is found only in plant products such as vegetables.
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+
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-
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10
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It is detrimental to one’s health to take too much of some vitamins.
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+
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-
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STOP. WAIT FOR THE SECOND READING OF THE TEXT
Questions
11 through 20 (on your answer sheet choose the correct letter A, B, C, or D)
1.
Information about
vitamins:
a. is entirely clear
b. brings up a lot of
questions
c. is of little
interest to the listeners of the program
d. is very mystical to some people
2.
In addition to
vitamins, good health depends on:
a. five other elements
b. three other
elements
c. a sufficient supply
of minerals
d. four other elements
3.
The word “vitamin”
comes from a word for:
a. food
b. life
c. health
d. energy
4.
Vitamins are:
a. organic compounds
b. the same as
carbohydrates
c. the same as
proteins
d. inorganic compounds
5.
Vitamins are
different from one another:
a. in their chemical
composition
b. in the way they
dissolve
c. in the way they act
d. all of the above
6.
Fat-soluble vitamins:
a. need to be taken
every day
b. do not need to be
taken every day
c. add significantly
to body weight
d. give the body extra
energy
7.
Most vitamins can
be gotten from:
a. minerals
b. rain water
c. chemicals
d. food
8.
Vitamin D is
produced:
a. while you sleep
b. when the body is
exposed to sunlight
c. by vitamins A and E
d. in a laboratory
9.
Vitamin B12 is
found:
a. only in plant
products
b. only in pregnant
women
c. only in animal
products
d. only in
carbohydrates
10.
One of the dangers
in taking fat-soluble vitamins is that:
a. they can add to
body weight
b. they can cause an
upset stomach
c. they can cause
health problems if taken in excess
d. none of the above
Reading Comprehension Test for 11th form Students
Directions:
In this Test you
will read four texts. Each text is followed by 5-10 tasks. You should do the tasks following the text on
the basis of what is stated or implied in that text. For each task you will
choose the best possible answer from four possible answers (A, B, C, or D) or
two symbols (+ or -) as specified prior to each task. Choose the best answer and
write down the letter or symbol of your choice on the answer sheet.
Questions 1 through 5
refer to Text 1.
Text 1
Nkosi Johnson was an AIDS
victim activist, who became a martyr and iconic
figure in South Africa's battle
against the epidemic. When he was refused admission to school because he had
HIV, Nkosi hit the headlines. His foster mother, Gail Johnson, gave him her
name and in return took his, opening up Nkosi's Haven, a Johnannesburg refuge
for those facing death from AIDS. Despite his dwindling health, Nkosi remained
a vocal activist in the war on AIDS, even publicly rebuking President Thado
Mbeki in July 2000 for his controversial
stance on the causes of the disease. "Babies are dying very quickly",
said Nkosi on that occasion. Nkosi had to be one of them.
Questions (on your answer sheet choose the correct letter A, B, C or D)
1. Nkosi became an activist:
a) because he had AIDS;
b) because his mother had AIDS;
c) because he was not allowed to go to school;
d) because he did not agree with the president.
2. When Nkosi was refused admission to school he:
a) stayed at home and did nothing;
b) studied with a private tutor;
c) publicly rebuked the president;
d) told his story to the local media.
3. What is Nkosi's Haven?
a) an
animal shelter; b) a home
for AIDS victims;
c) a school; d) a community center.
4. Nkosi rebuked President Mbeki
because:
a) he disagreed with
him;
b) the president had
helped him;
c)
he
liked the president's stance on the disease;
d) the president said
that people with AIDS are bad.
5. Where is Nkosi now?
a) in
Johannesburg;
b) at Nkosi's Haven;
c) in school;
d) dead.
Questions 6
through 15 refer to Text 2.
Text 2
Ask anyone
where they plan to celebrate at least part of the annual Kyiv Days Festival on
the last weekend of May, and their answer will be — Andriyivsky Uzviz (Andrew's Descent) of course! Over the
centuries, this twisting 850-meter street has wound its way up between the lush
hills of the capital into the cultural and spiritual heart of Kyiv.
Its collection of several dozen picturesque buildings is soaked in history that
stretches back a thousand years. Intellectuals, craftsmen and artists have
gravitated towards Andrew's Descent for generations.
Like many
historic places, the origin of Andrew's Descent is part myth and legend.
Today's Descent was first mentioned in the 11th
century. Then it was the main road between several towns. However, Saint Andrew
blessed the surrounding hills and foretold the future glory of Kyiv while
visiting during the first half of the 1st century. The place where Saint Andrew put a cross in memory of
his vision is now the location of the magnificent Baroque style Saint Andrew's
Church.
Questions
(on your answer sheet circle + if the statement is true, - if it is false)
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6
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Andrew's Descent
is a flat 850-meter long street.
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+
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-
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7
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Many people come
to Andrew's Descent to celebrate May 1.
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+
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-
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8
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Andrew's Descent
has many beautiful historical buildings.
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+
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-
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9
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Intellectuals, craftsmen and artists have lived
on Andrew's Descent for many generations.
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+
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-
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10
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The history of
Andrew's Descent is known exactly.
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+
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-
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11
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Andrew's Descent
used to connect several towns.
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+
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-
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12
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Saint Andrew
blessed the church and told of the glory of Kiev.
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13
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Andrew's Descent
was first written about in the 11th
century.
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-
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14
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Saint Andrew's
Church was built in a classical style.
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+
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-
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15
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The Kyiv Days
Festival happens every year.
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+
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-
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Questions 16
through 20 refer to Text 3.
Text 3
On
a giant stage in London, England, three young actors take their places on a
chessboard. Smoke is pumped onto the set, creating an eerie mist. Giant chess
pieces tower over Daniel Radcliff Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. They are
playing three of the best-loved characters in children's literature today; the
brave young wizard Harry Potter, his best friend, Ron Weasley, and their brainy
friend Hermione Granger. All of them are actors in the new film
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". The richly decorated set has
cast a spell on the actors. "I really did believe I
was playing with giant chess pieces", Daniel later said. "The sets
are truly amazing", he adds. In the fall of
2001, the world had a chance to see Daniel as Harry.
That's when the film based on J. K. Rowling's best-selling book finally came
to theatres.
Questions (on your answer sheet circle + if the
statement is true, - if it is false)
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16
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Many parts of the
film are being made outdoors in London.
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+
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-
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17
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Harry Potter is
not very popular among children.
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+
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-
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18
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The scene
discussed in this text takes place on a chessboard.
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+
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-
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19
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Daniel Radcliff is being played by Harry
Potter.
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+
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-
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20
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The film is based
on the book "Harry Potter and the Sourcerer's Stone".
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+
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-
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Questions 21
through 30 refer to Text 4.
Text 4
A Latvian
judge declined to punish a teenage girl who slapped Prince Charles with a
flower in November, ordering her instead to go home with her parents and stay
out of trouble. Alina Lebedeva, 16,
struck the heir to the British throne in the face with a red carnation as he
toured Riga, the capital of the former Soviet Baltic republic. She said she was
protesting the war in Afghanistan. Police at first charged Lebedeva with
"threatening the life of a foreign dignitary", which carries a
maximum 15-year prison term. Those
charges were later dropped, but Lebedeva had to appear in court and could have
been sent to a correctional facility for minors. Judge Andris Celms released
Lebedeva under her mother's supervision late January 21, warning her mother could face charges if she commits any crime
in the next year. Prince Charles' office earlier had expressed surprise at the
serious charges filed against Lebedeva and appealed for leniency.
Questions (on your answer sheet circle + if the
statement is true, - if it is false)
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21
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Alina Lebedeva is
a teenager who caused a disturbance.
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+
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-
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22
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Prince Charles is
heir to the Swedish throne.
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+
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-
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23
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Because of her
daughter’s actions, Lebedeva’s mother will be imprisoned.
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+
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-
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24
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Alina Lebedeva
lives in Latvia, where she is a citizen.
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+
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-
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25
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The girl was
unhappy with the war in Afghanistan.
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+
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-
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26
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Prince Charles
was presented with a bouquet of red carnations by Lebedeva.
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+
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-
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27
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Lebedeva was
sentenced to a 15-year prison term.
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+
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-
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|
28
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The judge showed compassion towards the girl’s inappropriate actions.
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+
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-
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|
29
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Prince Charles’ office states
that he will never again visit Latvia.
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+
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-
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|
30
|
The girl faced two possible
punishments.
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+
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-
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Writing Comprehension Test For 11th form Students
Directions:
In this Test you
will select from the three tasks written on the board one which you feel you
are most capable to write about. You will then begin writing your essay on the
pages provided. When you are finished close your papers, lay down your pen and
wait for us to collect your test materials.
1.
Write a formal letter of complaint about the poor
condition of the roads in your area.
2.
Computers are becoming more and more important in
today’s world. How do you feel people are using computers? Do you feel that
they use them enough, or too much? Are there any negative effects to becoming
more and more dependent on computers?
3.
Someone from another culture has come to live with you
and your family for one year.
a)
What is the best way to help your visitor adapt to
your family and your culture?
b) Would you teach
this person about your family and your culture, or would you let the visitor
find out for himself or herself?
c)
If the visitor behaves inappropriately in your home or
in public, what would you say or do?
Speaking
Comprehension Test for 11th Form Students
Directions:
In this Test you
will choose from 20 topics to speak about. Each number corresponds to one
topic. The number of your choice is the theme of your oral presentation. Take
about a minute to collect your thoughts before you begin to speak on the
topic.
1. You will soon be finishing your studies at school and
will either continue
your education at a higher institution or you will begin
working towards a career.
What’s your dream profession? What qualifications
must you have to get this
job? What would you do? Describe your average day.
2. With all the poverty and illiteracy in the world,
many organizations that want
to help are faced with a very important question:
is it more important to
educate people or feed them? What is easier to give:
food or education? How
long can food without education help a person? Or vice versa? What can one
do with only food or
with only education?
3. Comment on the quote of a philosopher, ‘He who knows
does not talk. He
who talks does not know’. What does this mean to you?
4. An old proverb says that you are often your own best
friend and your own
worst enemy. What do you think about this statement? Is
this egoism, self-hatred
or neither? Give some examples of when you might be
your own best friend
or worst enemy?
5. You are a travel agent and you are recommending trips
to foreign destinations
to two friends going on vacation for two weeks. Give
them three possibilities
to choose from. Explain the highlights of each
destination. Where will they be
living in these countries? How will they get
there?
6. It is much-debated topic whether or not it is morally
acceptable for scientists to
do genetic experiments on animals. What do you
think? What about other types
of medical research? Can you think of any
alternatives to doing experiments
on animals?
7. Many people say money is the most important thing in
life. Do you agree?
Are there things money can not buy? Does having a lot of
money necessarily make
a person happy?
8. How do you feel people from other countries view
Ukrainians when they
visit? Do you think it is similar or different from how
you view visitors? Why
do you think so?
9. What do you believe to be the greatest problem in
today's society?
Describe where you see
it. Explain why you consider it to be so
bad. How does
it affect society as a whole and the individuals making up that
society? How
would you propose to do
away with this problem?
10. What social issue do you think is most important for
young people to learn
about today? Where should young people learn about this
issue – at school, home
or someplace else? How should young people use this
information?
11. Everyone has his or her own set of priorities or a
list of things that he or
she considers more important than other things. What
is most important to you
in your life? What made you decide upon your list of
priorities? Do you
think priorities change over time? Why?
12. Say what you think are the three most important
qualities of an ideal
parent. Why? Do you think the way you are being raised
will affect the way
you raise your children in the future?
13. How would you rate the way your parents brought you
up? When you are
a parent, do you think you will do anything differently? What
and why?
14. What exams do you have to take in school? Do you feel
that these exams
are helpful or harmful? Why? Are there other forms of testing
that you think
are helpful? List them and explain why.
15. There is a saying in English: “You learn something
new every day”. What
did you learn yesterday? What were you doing yesterday?
Will you remember
what you learned? Why?
16. Sports are played and televised all over the world.
People pay huge sums
of money to attend events or see their favourite teams or
games. Sports
obviously have a universal appeal. Talk about one sport
describing: how it is played, what are its most important rules, and what
equipment is necessary for playing it.
17. A teenager’s life can often be more difficult than
their parents suspect. What
real problems do teenagers face today? What can you
say about generation
gaps between you and your parents? Do you feel that
teenagers need to show
more respect to older generations?
18. How fashion conscious are you? Do you give time and
thought to what you
wear each day? How much does this affect your daily routine?
How would it
be different if you didn't care about fashion? Why?
19. Technological inventions don’t make our lives better.
They simply create
more products we are expected to buy. Do you agree or
disagree with the
statement. Give arguments to support your view.
20. What kind of pictures do you have decorating your
house or room? What do
you think they say about you when others see them? Why?
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