Escola Bsica e Secundria de Vila Franca do Campo

2014/ 2015
English Test

Mark: ____________

11th Form Level 7

Teacher: __________

Name: ________________________________ Date: __/ __/ __

A gap year is where a student gets a year off before entering
university to experience life in a strange new place. Why do you choose to
take a gap year? Perhaps to gain work experience, or to become more
mature. No matter what the purpose is, this is an individual decision,
although it has both pros and cons. In my view, this is a good idea.
For supporting the idea of gap year, here I would like to mention some advantages. First of
all, travelling around the world for a year can definitely broaden your horizons. The things that
you see the people you meet and the experiences you have during the journey can teach you
something that you wont learn in the lessons. Contributing to this idea is that you may gain
working experience in different fields. It is because when you need money to pay rent, buy
clothes or visit some special places, you will need to take a stop and find a job. The experiences
you have gained will help you to build up your own career in the future. One main benefit we cant
ignore is that you will find some potential that you have never discovered before. You may find
that you are talented in cooking when you need to prepare meals every day.
Or you may be surprised that decorating a house as an interior designer is an interesting
job. However, there are also problems you should consider when deciding to have a gap year. One
of the major problems is money. Your parents may not support you financially. You have to face
the problems such as paying your own travel costs and hotel fee. Another factor is that leaving
your study for a year may have a great influence on your life in many different areas. For
example, you have to accept the changes in the education system and the foundation you built
before.
The most important thing is that having a gap year may be a waste of time and money. It is
very arguable that by going out for a year you will learn a lot of new things. A rebellious guy can
only play all day when theres no one to stop him. It is unacceptable to spend a lot of time and
money to have fun in the gap year.
On the other hand, living in a new, strange country for a certain period of time may make
one feel lonely. Nevertheless, I still support this way of giving yourself a break for a year and
trying a different life-style. This is fresh and challenging. Like anyone else, I will worry about my
studies in the coming days, but I wont have any regrets as I think it is worthy to do so. New
viewpoints and communication skills are precious. A gap year must not be a frustrated journey and
I treasure this opportunity so much. It wont hinder my studies and it will give me happiest days
of my life!

By Cheung Hiu Ling

Group I Reading Comprehension

A Answer these questions on the text: (3x8=24)
1. What is a gap year?
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2. What are the advantages of taking a gap year?
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3. Are there any disadvantages? If so, point them out.
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B Find evidence for the following statements: (3x5=15)
1. Money could be a handicap to take a gap year.
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2. Its dubious whether someone will take a gap year seriously or not.
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3. Experiencing new lifestyles could be a positive experience.
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C - What/ who do the underlined words refer to? (3x4=12)
1.

Where _______________

2.

When ________________
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3.

Him ________________

D Match the words/ expressions on the left with their meaning on the right.
(8x2=16)
1. supporting (l. 6)
2. broaden (l. 7)
3. build up (l. 12)
4. arguable (l. 23)
5. challenging (l. 29)
6. worthy (l. 30)
7. treasure (l. 32)
8. hinder (l. 32)

a) debatable, questionable
b) stimulating
c) increase
d) value
e) to validate, to corroborate
f) stop, impede
g) develop
h) deserver, dignified

Group II Language

A Complete the following text with the words in the box. (8x3=24)

cost
either

graduate

university

loans

culture

afford

practice

Gap year among American students

In the United States, the (1) ____________ of taking a gap year before entering
college remains relatively rare. Students (2) ____________ enter college (half enter the
post-secondary system through community colleges) or the labour force directly after
high school. After college, most (3) ____________ undergraduates directly enter the
labour force. This trend can be partially traced to American (4) ____________ , which
stresses economic independence, as well as the considerably higher (5) ____________ of
post-secondary education in the US. Many American students may not be able to (6)
____________ a year off. In 2004, over 65% of 4-year college students relied on (7)
____________ to finance their education, with the average debt of roughly $20,000.
Among (8) ____________ students average debt totaled roughly $42,000 in 2004.
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B Match each phrasal verb on the left with its meaning on the right. (9x2=18)
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break

away
down
in
into
off
out
out of
up
through

1. enter a building by force; interrupt

2.overcome obstacles
3.stop suddenly
4.escape (from); leave an organization and become independent
5. escape from
6. stop working; collapse, give in to tears
7. disintegrate; end a relationship
8. (trans.) enter a building by force
9. happen or start suddenly

C Choose from the box the right particle for each sentence. (7x2=14)
1. Bring the mobile phone in case the car breaks _________ on the highway.

*of

2. The US has broken ________ all the commercial ties with North Korea.

*away

3. When the Prince and Princess of Wales broke ______ everybody was shocked.

*down

4. Someone broke _________ our school and stole the computers.

*out

5. Three prisoners broke ________ of the camp last night.

6. A rebel member of Labour Party decided to break ________ from his party.

*into
*up
*in

7. My grandparents were children when the Second World War broke ______ .

D Match both parts of the sentences. (6x2=12)

1. If you have good marks

a. you wouldnt have entered the house.

2. Youll be late for school

b. youll be rewarded.

3. I would let you go to the party

c. if you hadnt misbehaved.

4. If you had forgotten the key

d. if you dont get up now.

5. If I were you

e. if you came home at night.

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6. You would have got a present

f. I would see a doctor.

E Complete the sentences with the appropriate verb tense of the verbs in brackets.
(8x3=24)
1. If he ____________________ (dropped) the vase, it would have broken.

2. If you have to do the washing up, I _____________________ (help) you.

3. If I had a car, I______________________ (go) to the cinema more often.
4. I wouldn't run away if I ___________________ (see) a spider.
5. We ____________________ (give) you a lift if we had seen you.
6. If you had listened to me, the accident _______________________ (happen).
7. If we don't get tickets for the concert, we _____________________ (stay) at home.
8. They _________________________ (go) by bus if they didn't have a car.

Group III Writing

(41 points)
Choose just ONE from the three following options and write about 100-120 words on
it:
A A Youth magazine has asked you to write a short article on gap year.
Heres the headline of your article: Gap year: is it for you?

B - Write a commentary on the following quotation by Mark Twain connecting it with the
theme of the text youve read previously My Gap Year:
Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you
didnt do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe
harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

C - In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between
finishing high school and starting university studies. Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages for young people who decide to do this. Give reasons for your answer and
include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

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Good Work!
Your English Teacher

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