HIPPO 2022

10th International English Language Olympiad

IESOL Assessment Reading

RQF Level: Level 2
(CEFR Level: C1)

Candidate Booklet - Reading

HIPPO S19
Preliminary Round

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANDIDATES:

 Do NOT turn over the page until instructed.

 This examination is made up of 3 TASKS.
 Answer all the questions
 Remember to transfer your answers onto the answer sheet.
 Use only black or blue PEN.

Time allowed: 45 minutes Total marks available: 40

Reading Task 1

Read the article and circle the best option to complete the text – a, b, c, or d. An example
has been done for you.

Understanding criticism

Who can get through life without being criticised? Nobody! It happens at school, work and
home, and for some people is almost daily. Yet very few people know how to 0)_____ to
criticism appropriately or how to deal with it effectively. Basically, criticism can fall into three
categories. It can be irrelevant, destructive, or constructive. Let’s take a look at each of them.

Criticism that is not relevant to you is best ignored. Some individuals are so critical of
everything that they just 1)_____ negative comments whatever the situation is. Such
comments are not 2)_____ of a response, or of any reaction on your part. In fact, ignoring
them may encourage the criticiser to lighten up and improve their behaviour. Of course, few
people have total control of their 3)_____ reactions, but not responding is the important thing.

Destructive criticism usually comes in the form of an attack. If you are ever at the receiving
end of such criticism, try to 4)_____ that there is something wrong with the person making
those remarks, and not with you. So whenever someone criticises excessively in a 5)_____
manner, consider that there is something psychologically wrong with him or her. Indeed,
these irrational statements 6)_____ a lot more about the critic than the person being
criticised.

You should never let such attacks upset you. Rather, ask the critic to define his or her terms.
For instance, if someone at works suggests that you are an ‘amateur’ or ‘unprofessional’ ask,
“What is it 7)_____ that makes you say I am so unskilled?” The answer may sound something
like this: “Well, you forgot to answer that email from a client.” An alert person could then
quickly respond that she or he had made a mistake, but that does not make him or her a
8)_____ at their job.

It’s worth noting that constructive criticism can be useful, because it 9)_____ the issues and
offers a learning experience. For example, “I think you need to pay more attention. You
omitted to send that important letter.” If someone is using criticism in a 10)_____ way, they
can use the so called “sandwich technique” that puts the critical remark between two positive
comments. So, in the above example, someone could say, “I really appreciate how quickly you
get your work done. But I think you need to pay greater attention to 11)_____ details. Still, on
the whole, thanks for the good work you do.” So remember, everything can be done
constructively, even though many well-intentioned people, 12)_____ quite rational and highly
intelligent, have no idea how to do it.

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 Example: a) answer b) respond c) take d) face

1. a) throw in b) throw away c) throw out d) throw back

2. a) worthy b) capable c) sure d) true

3. a) moving b) rational c) emotional d) sensible

4. a) dismiss b) defend c) approve d) accept

5. a) sensitive b) hostile c) friendly d) distinct

6. a) relate b) reveal c) admit d) conceal

7. a) correctly b) strictly c) roughly d) precisely

8. a) breakdown b) success c) collapse d) failure

9. a) addresses b) avoids c) cancels d) allocates

10. a) precise b) random c) positive d) confident

11. a) limited b) variable c) fixed d) specific

12. a) merely b) fortunately c) otherwise d) neither

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 Reading Task 2

Read the text and answer the questions below. Circle the correct option, a, b, c, or d. An
example has been done for you.

Eating insects: fancy trying a crunchy snack?

Swapping your favourite burger and chips in the school dinner-hall for a crunchy insect
Para.1 sandwich might not sound like the most _______________ option, but eating insects could
actually help save the planet. Did you know that insects have been eaten for thousands of
years in many countries around the world? In fact, around 2 billion people regularly eat
insects as part of their diet. So, should more of us be doing it?

Look around the world

Insects are commonly eaten in Africa, Asia and South America, where you can feast on over
Para.2 1,900 different species, including grasshoppers, ants, wasps, beetles, crickets and
cockroaches. These insects can be served in a variety of ways including fried, boiled, roasted
or baked with a bit of oil and salt - tasty! They can also be made into flour and used in breads,
crackers and biscuits. In Thailand, crickets, grasshoppers and woodworms are usually deep-
fried and sold at street markets. Fried wasps are popular in Japan, while deep-fried scorpion
is typically found in China. Oaxaca, in Mexico, offers arguably the best cuisine in the country,
which includes fried grasshoppers seasoned with lime, chilies and salt, served in a fresh corn
tortilla.

Remember this simple fact: insects are good for you. Eating grasshoppers could be 'as healthy
as orange juice'. Insects are filled with lots of good nutrients, including amino acids and
protein. These creepy crawlies may look small, but they can provide as much protein as beef,
if not more! And many insect species have less than 5g of fat per serving.

Help the environment

Not only is eating insects good for you, but it is also good for the environment too.
Entomophagy - which means eating insects - could help to fight world hunger and reduce
pollution. The world's population is growing, so we need to produce more food to feed
everyone - and there are lots of insects to go around. Farmed animals traditionally need a lot
of space, so compared to producing meat, bugs don't take up much land, or need much water
or feed. It’s not necessary to burn down a rainforest to make an insect farm. Not only that,
but insect farming produces fewer greenhouse gases than farming cattle.

Let’s just farm them

Another thing to consider is that insects can be farmed in almost any climate and, because
Para.5 they reproduce quickly and have shorter lifespans, they can be farmed in large quantities.
And any farmer can to it, whatever their resources or income. Insect farming can also provide
jobs and income for people, particularly those in developing countries. Even in the harshest
dry conditions farming can thrive because they use only limited amounts of precious water.

And don’t forget, most insects are entirely ____________ too, compared to cattle, of which we
only consume around 40% and throw away the rest.
Another thing that might tempt the consumer who likes to enjoy their food is that insects are
Para.6 surprisingly tasty! You'll find they come in a variety of tastes and ____________depending on
how they are cooked, but many describe them as having a similar flavour to chicken, shrimp
or crab. If you fancy some deep fried scorpion, you'll be glad to know the cooking process

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 destroys the poison in their body. You can also rest assured that when you have swallowed
them, they are actually good for your stomach because they react well with the acid in it.

Paragraph title

Para.7 The dislike of eating insects in the Western world is strong but completely illogical. Most
diners would happily munch their way through a plate of seafood, for example shrimp, which
are essentially insects of the sea. However, it might all be different in a few years. Fifty years
ago nobody in Europe would have eaten raw fish. Yet today Japanese sushi is completely
accepted and indeed sought after by those prepared to pay a lot for their dining experience. I
have no doubt that my grandchildren will embrace change and happily snack on a bag of bug-
crisps. And one more thing; the insects that we eat, or might eat, could also be
_________________. By that I mean we won’t notice them, because they will be powdered, and
possibly even hidden in flour.

It's important to remember, though, that not all bugs and insects are edible. You can’t just go
Para.8 into the garden and start cooking your local cockroaches ________________ you can eat every
mushroom or fungus you find. So you should always check before you bite!

And here is a question for vegetarians: are insects meat? And if they are, which I’d argue is
the case, how many are you killing with the spraying and harvesting of crops? There are some
priests in the Jain religion in India who gently sweep away the insects on the crops they
harvest, but the average Western vegetarian tucks into their vegetables after all the insects
have been killed. We might as well eat those we can, rather than waste them.

So, what do you think about all of this? Would you be up for eating insects? Let us know
below!

Example: This text is

a) a magazine article.
b) an academic essay.
c) an excerpt from a diary.
d) a summary of a study.

13. In paragraph 1, the best option to complete the gap is

a) appealing
b) welcoming
c) applauding
d) motivating

14. What is the author’s main intention in Paragraph 2?

a) To show how many countries he has visited.
b) To advise which insects to avoid eating.
c) To recommend the best tasting dishes.
d) To demonstrate various ways of cooking insects.

15. The author says that insects are healthy to eat because
a) they have all the same vitamins as orange juice.
b) they are small so we can eat a lot of them.
c) they are both low in fat and high in protein.
d) they compensate for the lack of amino acids in our diets.

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16. How does the author suggest entomophagy will help the environment?
a) He thinks it won’t because of the new land used in insect farming.
b) There is a good supply of insects and their impact on the environment is low.
c) It will help restore the rainforest and that in turn will produce more insects.
d) Eating insects will reduce the number of insects that eat out crops.

17. The author suggests that in developing nations insect farming will
a) also bring other benefits.
b) exhaust scarce water resources.
c) bring an end to cattle farming.
d) fail because of a lack of resources.

18. In paragraph 5, the best option to complete the gap is

a) feasible
b) nutritious
c) predictable
d) edible

19. In paragraph 6, the best option to complete the gap is

a) formulas
b) senses
c) patterns
d) textures

20. According to the author, consumers who eat scorpions

a) will find them a superior food to shrimp.
b) will enjoy benefits other than just taste and nutrition.
c) have to avoid eating the poisonous part.
d) might have a bad reaction after eating them.

21. What is the best title for paragraph 7?

a) Changing Consumer Habits.
b) What did you have for breakfast?
c) Keep Eating Traditional Food.
d) Why Fish is Still the Best Food.

22. In paragraph 7, the best option to complete the gap is

a) invisible
b) imaginary
c) notable
d) evident

23. In paragraph 8, the best option to complete the gap is

a) once you think
b) the same as
c) as much as
d) any more than

24. What does the author suggest to people who are vegetarian?
a) That they should be more like Jain priests.
b) That they should include insects in their diet.
c) That insects should be removed from crops.
d) That vegetarianism helps to protect insects.

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25. What is the author’s approach to eating insects?

a) He is very supportive of the idea.

b) He is hesitant about some of the aspects.
c) He thinks it has both advantages and disadvantages.
d) He believes further research is required.

26. The main purpose of the article is to

a) describe the reaction people have when they eat insects.

b) highlight the need for more research into eating insects.
c) show how diverse eating habits are around the world.
d) encourage readers to consider eating insects.

Reading Task 3

A) Read the four texts and answer the questions below by indicating which text each
question relates to: A, B, C or D.

An example has been done for you.

Text A

Although getting a personal trainer can be vital for some people, I found it a bit dull and
quickly realised it’s better for me to just get on and actually complete an exercise session
without relying on someone else. I have a superb app on my phone, called Extreme Training,
which pushes me to the limit. It really ensures I GAP 1 ___________ what I need to do to build
and maintain my stamina and strength. If I ever want to enter a race or other competitive
event, I need to be in top physical shape. The app allows me to monitor my diet, which is a
really important aspect of any training programme. You can’t just eat what you feel like when
you train hard. Eating food high in protein and low in fat ensures that your muscles recover
after each session, and it gives you energy.

I’d recommend using headphones with the app: they block out distractions and allow you to
totally concentrate on your workout – including an appropriate ‘cool down’. This is an
important part of your exercise routine, when you gradually slow down towards the end. I
always devote a quarter of my training session to the warm up, and a similar amount to the
cool down, because a GAP 2___________ number of injuries occur if you just stop suddenly.

Of course, training is really only the build up for a race. The commitment to entering a race is
massive compared to working out in your own home, and of course there is a great potential
for embarrassment if you perform poorly. Given the intensity of my training programme, I
must take the plunge and enter the race at some point, even though I know I’ll be nervous!

Text B

Pain, pain, more pain. That is what they promise you at Boot Camp USA, a holiday designed
to be full of army-inspired fitness training. It takes place in a different location every year, and
I’ve been several times. All military personnel are world-class heroes in my eyes, so this type
of holiday has really driven me to take my fitness more seriously.
Because it is really strict, just like in the army, you follow a strict diet and there are no
opportunities for opting out. You are GAP ________________ in the woodlands and it’s

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impossible to just pop to the local store. That suits me down to the ground, as my tendency
to eat junk food when nobody is looking is one of my greatest weaknesses.

The training is a real mix, including a lot of exercises that they do in the army, like climbing
walls, jumping over mud, and carrying logs, though of course we do the more traditional
things as well, like running. Because you have to cooperate with others to complete the
tasks, it helps you develop team building skills.

Text C

Global Cycling training camp in Majorca is a holiday with around a hundred other people. It is
mainly concentrated on cycling, but involves other activities as well, such as swimming, the
gym and intensive supervised workouts. The camp is in a breath-taking location, with
stunning scenery and excellent weather, and the team that run it are knowledgeable and
welcoming.

There is some great food for cyclists, like pasta dishes. Thankfully, the organisers aren’t
bound by the convention that diet is central to training, and everyone is there to enjoy
themselves. Some people obsess over trying to build muscle or slim down, trying out the
latest so-called super foods and miracle drinks, which in my opinion are simply a total waste
of money. Personally I feel like some diets are misleading, promising impossible results. Most
cyclists at the camp are like me – they just like to have fun, and eat and drink sensibly. Most
of the participants realise they are unlikely to become top racers. I do enter races, but I know
I’ll never be a professional.

The company has its own YouTube channel if you fancy looking them up. Be careful you
don’t end up just watching the channel every week to the extent that you spend more time in
front of the TV than you actually do training.
Text D

I am a member of a large and highly disciplined athletics team, along with a couple of my
friends from work. For the past few years, we’ve been following a really strict schedule,
which has been an absolute chore. I’ve always looked forward to participating in
tournaments, but the drastic training isn’t my cup of tea. Some of my workmates are much
faster than me too, especially Jason. He ran the London Marathon last year, in an impressive
4 hours 10 minutes! Although we always received masses of positive feedback and
encouragement, the training was never exactly thrilling, especially when it was damp and
dark outside.

Six months ago I injured my knee, which first seemed like a minor thing, but it meant that I
couldn’t take part in my usual training sessions for months. I have now recovered, but my
doctor says I shouldn’t expect too much of myself too quickly. I fully GAP 2 ____________ to
get back to the level of fitness I had last year at some point, maybe even entering events
again but perhaps not in athletics.
The primary goal after intensive training should be fast recovery, and to achieve this I’d
recommend eating wholesome food. A diet should be anything that gives you the energy
your body needs, not some abstract plan designed by a dietician. Now, most dieticians are
excellent, but it’s evident to me that some people GAP 1 _____________ their importance. A
dietician or nutritionist can be really helpful for anyone who has specific dietary or nutritional
needs or poor general health though.

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 In which text does the author Text

Example: recommends a fitness app? A

27. describe a setback in their training? __________

28. say they enjoy the competitive aspect of sport? _________

29. say they are yet to enter a sports competition? __________

30. most heavily criticise some diet products? __________

31. praise the people who organised the training? _________

32. say they struggle to follow a diet? _________

33. explain the reasons for eating a controlled diet? __________

34. say that they train mostly on their own? __________

B) Now answer the following questions by circling the correct option.

35. In Text A, the best words option to complete the first gap is

a) turn on
b) move on
c) focus on
d) rely on

36. In Text A, the best option to complete the second gap is

a) calming
b) scaring
c) panicking
d) shocking

37. In Text B, the best option to complete the first gap is

a) isolated
b) insulated
c) distant
d) rejected

38. In Text C, the underlined phrase ‘bound by convention’ means the same as:

a) being so slow you can’t get anywhere

b) following the traditional way
c) making mistakes all the time
d) always changing and innovating

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39. In Text D, the best option to complete the first gap is

a) forget
b) assess
c) exaggerate
d) reconsider

40. In Text D, the best option to complete the second gap is

a) intend
b) devote
c) purpose
d) signify

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