Task 1
Imagine that you are preparing a project with your friend. You have found some interesting material for the presentation and you want to read this text to your friend. You have 1.5 minutes to read the text silently, then be ready to read it out aloud. You will not have more than 1.5 minutes to read it.
The Romans had one of the greatest and most powerful empires in history. They built roads and canals, and hundreds of elegant cities full of theatres, markets and enormous sports stadiums.
Two thousand years ago, the ancient city of Rome had over one million residents, and there wasn’t enough space for all the people. When we think of Rome, we think of magnificent stone buildings like the Colosseum or the Pantheon, but most of its houses were wooden, especially in the poorer districts. Poorer people lived in two-storey houses around three sides of a central courtyard. There was no privacy inside the house, and, in the summer, it was often too hot as well as too crowded to sleep indoors, so younger people often slept on the roofs. Wealthier people had larger and more luxurious houses made of brick, with attractive red roofs. Rich Romans wanted to be safe from crime. They had a big wall at the front of the house with a huge front door, and had guards to watch out for thieves and burglars, especially at night.
Task 2
Study the advertisement.
The incredible musical returns to London
starring Zizi Strallen and Charlie Stemp
You are going to visit the much-loved tale – the Mary Poppins musical at the Prince Edward Theatre (London) and now you’d like to get more information. In 1.5 minutes you are to ask four direct questions to find out about the following:
- show schedule
- running time
- seats that offer the best views
- special effects
You have 20 seconds to ask each question.
Task 3
You are going to give an interview. You have to answer five questions. Give full answers to the questions (2–3 sentences). Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.
Tapescript for Task 3
Interviewer: Hello everybody! It’s Teenagers Round the World Channel. Our guest today is a teenager from Russia and we are going to discuss ways to keep our memories timeless. We’d like to know our guest’s point of view on this issue. Please answer five questions. So, let’s get started.
Interviewer: Do you make videos and take pictures to keep your memories alive? Do you find these ways reliable?
Student: _________________________
Interviewer: Where do you store your most cherished images safely available for decades? Are smartphones, laptops or hard drives a good idea?
Student: _________________________
Interviewer: Which photo album is better: digital or classic? Why?
Student: _________________________
Interviewer: Why do people record their life stories?
Student: _________________________
Interviewer: Many large companies like Yandex, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple offer photo storage services. Are there any risks with cloud storage?
Student: _________________________
Interviewer: Thank you very much for your interview.
Task 4
Imagine that you and your friend are doing a school project «Extreme hobbies». You have found some illustrations and want to share the news. Leave a voice message to your friend. In 2.5 minutes be ready to:
- explain the choice of the illustrations for the project by briefly describing them and noting the differences;
- mention the advantages (1–2) of the two types of extreme hobbies: cave exploring/ surfing;
- mention the disadvantages (1–2) of the two types of extreme hobbies;
- express your opinion on the subject of the project – whether you indulge in an extreme hobby and why.
You will speak for not more than 3 minutes (12–15 sentences). You have to talk continuously.
