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.

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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.

a) to present - ____________________

b) to make an error - ____________________

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3. Find in the text the antonyms for the words given below.

a) similarity - ____________________

b) clear - ____________________

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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. True False

because

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5. Give another title to the text. Write your title in the form of a sentence.

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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 1.-

10.

When I finished school, I applied to study philosophy at two universities,

Sheffield, my home town, and London. I didn’t have much hope of getting into

London University my school exam results were not brilliant. London University is

one of the (high/highly/highlier) _______________________________________

appreciated universities in the world therefore, I wanted to be accepted there. But I

was lucky and I was accepted there. I (must/had to/should)

_______________________________________ make two trips to London before I

started one for the interview and another to find accommodation. The university

provided students with information about flats. By the time the semester began, I

(already, to find) _______________________________________ a place to live and a

roommate.

While I was studying, I didn’t think about work and how I (to earn)

_______________________________________ 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.

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SECTION III. THE ASSESSMENT OF PRAGMATIC AND CULTURAL COMPETENCES (20 points)

Write a coherent 10-line text for the situation below.

No Item Score 1. Your local newspaper asked you to write an article about a tradition or holiday that is

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 Item Score

1. 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. - Draw a conclusion. - Express your personal opinion and reasons for it;

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