AACI USE ONLY

st nd rd
Sections 1 2 3
A
B
C
D
Total
Corrector

NAME__________________________________ SURNAME________________________________
SENIOR FOUR EXAM Paper 1 “L”
Time allowed: 2hs
SECTION A: Reading Comprehension.
Read the text below and mark the statements true (T) or false(F).

THE POWER OF COMMUNICATION

When I was younger I hated languages. My dad spoke several and was convinced I had inherited his
ability. I barely passed a GCSE in German and promised myself to concentrate on English from then
on.
It wasn’t until I started thinking about my gap year that I considered learning a second language while I
was away. I eventually chose Chile and, to my surprise, after being there for four months I was
addicted to learning Spanish.
I was working in a school for disabled children in a class of six. Only two children could speak, and
neither of them well, but I realised slowly that every child could communicate. Some of them used
physical signs and movements to express themselves. Others used their voices – they made noises
which changed depending on how they felt. They even ‘talked’ to each other, having arguments and
friendly chats like anyone else. Every child in that room had a strong personality, likes and dislikes,
desires and fears that they communicated every day, without saying a single sentence. Slowly, I
learned not only Spanish but the language of every one of the children I cared for. It was inspirational
to see these children whose disability gave them a good excuse to not learn, chatting with each other
and myself easily. I had been making excuses for not trying all these years and here were a group of
disabled eight-year-olds showing me how important communication really is. It made me want to learn
Spanish so that I could express my personality in the way that they had learned to do.
And so, every day I would go to work for 8 hours, come home and spend my evenings studying
Spanish. I loved the thrill of recognising a new word. When I arrived I spoke nothing but when I left I
could happily have a conversation. I changed my degree from History to Spanish language. My life
was going in a completely different direction, and I’m sure I’m happier than I would have been if I
hadn’t changed course. That is what I learned from those children – that dedication to communication
can open doors like nothing else. Doors to friendship and happiness, to excitement and adventure.
Just don’t tell my dad that he was right….
(Adapted from http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org)

Glossary: gap year: a year between leaving school and going to university, which some young people use
as an opportunity to travel, earn money, or get experience of working.

1. The writer had always been highly interested in languages. ____

2. None of the students in the Chilean school could speak. ____
3. The writer admired the effort the children made to communicate. ____
4. All the students in his class managed to express their ideas and feelings. ____
5. His work with disabled children made him change his course of studies. ____

SECTION B: Language in use.

I- Choose the most suitable alternative and write it in the blanks, as in the example.
e.g. His new book has been a great ___b_____. It sold over a million copies in the first month.
a- failure b- success c- compliment

1- What’s the latest you can ________ of the hotel?

a- check out b- check in c- go away

2- My boss is a very ________ person who wants to win at all costs.

a- brave b- talented c- competitive

3- This pizza _________ for me. It looks like a Margherita and I ordered a Four Seasons.
a- must be b- can’t be c- might be

4- Try to avoid ________ your computer on all the time.

a- leave b- to leave c- leaving

5- I’m not ___________ as I used to be.

a- more patient b- as patient c- patient
III - Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Make any necessary changes.

Yesterday I did something a bit different to celebrate my 23rd birthday. I went bungee jumping. For
those of you who are interested, here is my review of this extreme sport I __________ (recently try).
Great Canadian Bungee is the biggest bungee jump in North America. It is very near Canada’s capital
city, Ottawa. This means it is quite easy _________ (access), and the easiest means of transport is by
car.
I booked my jump so that I could choose the time for my birthday. I arrived, gave my name to the
receptionist, and then signed some documents. While I _________ (sign) the papers I asked myself if
I was crazy. I was essentially saying that if I ________ (die), it was not their fault. Wow!
We were a group of approximately 10 people. Our jump order ________ (give) and they put me
towards the end as men often __________ (weigh) more than women. We walked to the platform
area, where two more instructors __________ (wait) to assist me. After double-checking all my
equipment, I _________ (tie) to the jump rope and allowed to walk to the edge of the platform.
After my countdown from 5, I spread my arms and jumped from the platform. The DVD later showed
that my whole jump was more graceful than I _________ (imagine). The rebounds were almost as
good as the first jump, one of my shoes felt like it might fall off until finally I was lowered into the
waiting boat.
It was such a great experience that I think I _________ (try) it again soon.

III - Complete each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the same as the
original sentence.

1- “How long did you stay in the UK?” Carlos asked Karin. SHE

Carlos asked her ________________________________________________________.

2- When she was a child she went skating in Central Park every Saturday. USED

When she was a child she _________________________________________________.

3- It was such a delicious chocolate cake that we ate it all. SO

The chocolate cake was __________________________________________________.

4- A storm damaged the school near our house last spring. BY

The school near our house ________________________________________________.

5- “I’m sure Manchester United will win the match.” WAS

Michael said ___________________________________________________________.

6- The people bought our flat. They are very nice. WHO

The people ____________________________________________________________.

7- Perhaps Derek will take part in the London Marathon after all. MIGHT

Derek ________________________________________________________________.

8- Simon doesn’t get married because he can’t find the right person. IF

Simon would get married _________________________________________________.

9- If there isn’t a fire, the alarm won’t ring. UNLESS

The alarm won’t ring _____________________________________________________.

10- I haven’t got a house with a swimming-pool. WISH

I ____________________________________________________________________.
SECTION C: Writing

Write about 100 words on ONE of the following:

a) You have decided to enter a short story competition. The competition rules say that the story must
begin or end with the following words:

When Fred arrived home that evening he told his family he had made a big decision.

Write your story.

b) The local newspaper has organized an essay competition which you decided to enter. The
suggested title is:

“Fewer children are walking or cycling to school than ever before.”

Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Give reasons.

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________