Reading 1 term (8 grade)

Read the text below. Сhoose the correct answer.

A pen pal is often used to practice reading and writing in a foreign language, to learn more about other countries and lifestyles. As with any friendships in life, some people remain pen pals for only a short time, while others continue to exchange letters and presents lifelong. Some pen pals can meet face to face. Some pen pals even get married. Pen pals come in all ages, nationalities and cultures. Pals may find new pen friends based on age group, a specific occupation, hobby, or select someone totally different from them to get knowledge about the world around them. Many people writing to a pen pal do not use their native language in their letters.

Who is a pen pal?

A pen pal is often used to practice reading and writing in a foreign language, to learn more about other countries and lifestyles. As with any friendships in life, some people remain pen pals for only a short time, while others continue to exchange letters and presents lifelong. Some pen pals can meet face to face. Some pen pals even get married. Pen pals come in all ages, nationalities and cultures. Pals may find new pen friends based on age group, a specific occupation, hobby, or select someone totally different from them to get knowledge about the world around them. Many people writing to a pen pal do not use their native language in their letters.

What does pen pal friendship help to do?

A pen pal is often used to practice reading and writing in a foreign language, to learn more about other countries and lifestyles. As with any friendships in life, some people remain pen pals for only a short time, while others continue to exchange letters and presents lifelong. Some pen pals can meet face to face. Some pen pals even get married. Pen pals come in all ages, nationalities and cultures. Pals may find new pen friends based on age group, a specific occupation, hobby, or select someone totally different from them to get knowledge about the world around them. Many people writing to a pen pal do not use their native language in their letters.

What do pen pals do?

A pen pal is often used to practice reading and writing in a foreign language, to learn more about other countries and lifestyles. As with any friendships in life, some people remain pen pals for only a short time, while others continue to exchange letters and presents lifelong. Some pen pals can meet face to face. Some pen pals even get married. Pen pals come in all ages, nationalities and cultures. Pals may find new pen friends based on age group, a specific occupation, hobby, or select someone totally different from them to get knowledge about the world around them. Many people writing to a pen pal do not use their native language in their letters.

Who can be pen friends?

Complete the text with the words. Write them into the text. There are two choices you don’t need to use.

subject, comprehensive, attend, A levels, language, examination

British children ought to (1) ... school until they are16 years old.

Complete the text with the words. Write them into the text. There are two choices you don’t need to use.

subject, comprehensive, attend, A levels, language, examination

At the age of 16, students write an (2) ... called the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education).

Complete the text with the words. Write them into the text. There are two choices you don’t need to use.

subject, comprehensive, attend, A levels, language, examination

All students are tested in Mathematics, English Literature, English Composition, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, History or the Classics, one modern language, and one more (3) ..., such as Art or Computer Studies.

Complete the text with the words. Write them into the text. There are two choices you don’t need to use.

subject, comprehensive, attend, A levels, language, examination

After completing the GCSE, some students leave school, others enter a technical college, while others continue at high school for two more years and take a further set of standardised exams, known as (4) ..., in three or four subjects. These exams determine whether a student is smart enough for a university.

What is shyness? It is when one feels so uncomfortable in social situations that one cannot enjoy oneself. Scientists believe that all people are more or less shy. However, some (1) ____            [scientists, scholars, qualities, people] are able to deal with it, whereas others are less successful. Most people don’t regard shyness as a serious problem, but for some it can become a real suffering. You start feeling dizzy, your (2) ___       [heart, head, body, mind] beats faster, your knees feel weak, and it seems to last forever. Shyness is possible to recognise: turning red is one of the most visible signs, for example. Yet we don’t judge someone harshly because of this. But shyness does mean you’re harder to approach, so you become more isolated and (3) _____            [happy, reserved, easy-going, sociable]. There are different ways to solve the problem of being shy. The one that seems rather successful is finding an interest in common with other people. You can start by listening to what the others’re talking about and before you know it, you’ll be having (4) _____                [an interest, a conversation, friends, a problem]. You could also join a class of tapdancing or flamenco, where people are likely to laugh a lot. You’ll feel relaxed, and also too busy to feel shy. (5) _____               [First, Firstly, To start with, Lastly] , remember that most people make a fool of themselves so often — and it’s not the end of the world if you do!