OLIMPIADA NAȚIONALĂ DE LIMBA ENGLEZĂ – ETAPA LOCALĂ

16 FEBRUARIE 2019
CLASA a XII-a SECȚIUNEA A
SUBIECTUL A – USE OF ENGLISH

I. Read the following text and think of a word which best fits each gap. (10 x1p. = 10p.)
Nightmares
Nightmares, like most dreams, occur during the stage of sleep when the brain is very active and
sorting … (1) experiences and new information for learning and memory. The vivid images the brain
is processing … (2) seem as real as the emotions they trigger.
This part of sleep … (3) known as the rapid eye movement or REM stage because the eyes are rapidly
moving beneath closed … (4). Nightmares … (5) to happen during the second half of a night’s sleep,
when REM intervals are longer.
No one knows exactly what causes nightmares. Dreams and nightmares seem to be … (6) way kids
process thoughts and feelings … (7) situations they face, and to work through worries and concerns.
Most times, nightmares occur … (8) no apparent reason. At other times, they happen when a child is
experiencing stress or change. Events or situations that might feel unsettling – such as moving,
attending a new school, the birth of a new sibling, or family tensions – might also be reflected in
unsettling dreams. For some children, … (9) those with a good imagination, reading scary books or
watching scary movies or TV shows … (10) before bedtime can cause nightmares. Parents can’t
prevent nightmares, but can help kids get a good night’s sleep by soothing them before bedtime.

II. Use the word given in brackets to form a word that fits in each sentence (10x1p. =10 p.)
Holiday Choices
When it comes to choosing a relaxing holiday away from it all, the possibilities are …(1- END).
Stroll into any travel agent’s office and you will find a huge range of glossy holiday brochures
offering a wide choice from … (2-LUXURY) resorts to campsites.
You can choose from the … (3-WARM) of a Caribbean island during the dreary winter months to a
… (4-PEACE) visit to the Alps in spring. The air there is so … (5-POLLUTE) that the oxygen
levels in your blood will rise. On the other hand, you may want to visit a large bustling capital city
like New York or Tokyo, where you will … (6-TRUE) be in the heart of a shopper’s paradise, even
if the city atmosphere might seem a little … (7-PERSONAL).
Whatever choice of holiday you make, you will find your stay more … (8-ENJOY) if you make an
effort to mix with the local people. In the countryside, especially the locals are noted for their …(9-
HOSPITABLE), and this may be a factor in explaining the …(10-POPULAR) of small family-run
guest houses rather than large hotels.
III.Read the text below and decide which answer ( A, B,C or D) best fits each gap. (10x1p=10p)

What a waste!
Research has shown that one in ten 1 ....bought in the sales will never be used. This has always been
the 2…And everything points to this year being no 3..., if anything, it will be worse. People become a
little bit crazy during the sales 4..., which, these days, 5 … from November to the New Year. Huge 6...on
the high street and online will lead to a mountain of waste being sent to landfill sites or the incinerator as

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bargain 7... buy tons of goods they don’t really need.
There is a 8... between consumption and waste, so when people buy more things in the sales there will
be a(n)9... in how much gets thrown away. Environmental groups are asking consumers to think before
they buy. The temptation to splash out when 10... are slashed by up to 75% is difficult to resist, but think
twice before you buy something that’s just going to end up on the rubbish tip.

1. A items B objects C stuff D produce

2. A point B case C purpose D matter
3. A contrast B alternative C trouble D different
4. A period B term C duration D interval
5. A takes B lasts C is D goes
6. A deductions B discounts C rebates D offers
7. A searchers B hunters C consumers D watchers
8. A link B contact C union D bond
9. A raise B addition C increase D gain
10. A fares B prices C fees D rates

IV. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first. Use between
three to six words including the given word. Do not change it in any way! (5x2p=10p.)
1. It took me some time to understand fully what happened. WHILE
It was … understood what had happened.
2. There is no point arguing about this small detail, in my opinion. WORTH
This small detail …, in my opinion.
3. If your order is delayed, we will contact you. DELAY
Should … to your order, we will contact you.
4. The two situations are completely different. COMMON
The two situations don’t … each other.
5. I was amazed because there were no problems throughout the holiday. WENT
To … wrong throughout the holiday.

SUBIECTUL B INTEGRATED SKILLS

Read the text below and do the tasks that follow:
"When I was a child, space was all I dreamt and talked about. My mum and dad thought it was just a phase, but as I
grew up I became fascinated by science, which just reinforced my passion. I never doubted that one day I'd be an
astronaut." As an adult, Anousheh left her native Iran, settled in the USA and started a telecommunications
company. The company was so successful that she was eventually able to sell it for $750 million. "The first thing
that crossed my mind was that my life's goal might now be within reach and I signed up to become the first female
private space explorer at a cost of around $20 million." Of course, becoming a space tourist is not simply a matter of
paying and picking up your ticket at the check-in desk; there is a rigorous six-month training programme, which for
Anousheh did not present too many difficulties. There was another obstacle to overcome, however, that wasn't
entirely anticipated. "During my training, my husband came a few times, but still, it's not the same because ever
since we got married, over 15 years ago, we've spent almost every day together." Ansari blasted off on September 18
along with a NASA astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut. It doesn't take long to achieve orbit, around 17 minutes, and
that's when she got her first sight of the Earth: "Looking at it from up there, you can't see any borders or any
differences between races. All you see is one planet; one place that all of us have to take care of if we want to be
able to live on it for a long time. You look at your safe haven on Earth and then you turn around, see the blackness
of the universe and realise that you have nowhere else to go, at least not for a while."

Life on a space station is not just about enjoying the view, however. Each member of a space crew, tourist or not, is
expected to carry out vital experiments on board. For Anousheh, this meant working on lower back pain in
astronauts and cosmonauts and studying tiny life forms that can carry diseases on board the station. Many people

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might have objected to this 'working holiday', but Anousheh loved it. "I enjoyed being able to offer something to the
life of the station," she says. Anousheh continually gets asked about the challenges she faced on board. To wash her
hair, for example, she had to make a huge 'water bubble' and put it over her head. At the slightest sudden movement,
little bits of water would escape and float away. In fact, there were many amusing situations caused by the lack of
gravity. "The guys liked to tease me. They'd ask me to pass the bread and when I handed it to them, rather than
floating it, they'd say I'd taken all the fun out of it. After a while I got used to all this, though, and I felt so at home
that in the end it was hard to go back to normality." Anousheh is proud of her status as the first female space tourist
and intends to use her fame to raise awareness about space projects and to inspire women all over the world. The
title 'space tourist' is, however, not one she particularly appreciates. She explains: "I think if it is to be compared to
an experiment or an experience on Earth, it is probably closer to an expedition to Antarctica or climbing Mount
Everest than to just another touristy trip somewhere." The journey back to Earth was physically and emotionally
exhausting for Anousheh. "The G force while re-entering Earth's atmosphere was equivalent to four times my
weight," she says." But going into space was the most freeing experience I've ever had. I'd do it again in a
heartbeat. If I could take my husband with me, I'd be tempted to never come back!"

I. For each question choose the correct letter A, B, C or D (5 x 2p= 10p)

1 What do we learn about Anousheh as she was growing up?

A She didn't think she would ever become an astronaut.
B Her interest in space wasn't expected to last.
C She was very good at science.
D Others tried to discourage her dreams.

2 How was Anousheh eventually able to become the first female space tourist?
A She could afford it after selling her business.
B She moved to a country where it was possible.
C She was invited to apply for it by the space programme.
D She saved up while working in telecommunications.

3 What was Anousheh reminded of when she first saw the earth from space?
A how enormous the universe is
B how far away from home she was
C the problems that our planet has
D the importance of looking after the Earth

4 What do we learn about Anousheh's time on the space station?

A She took a long time to perform simple tasks.
B She found it impossible to wash with water.
C She got on very well with the other astronauts.
D She took some time to get used to the conditions.

5 What does the phrase 'in a heartbeat' in the last paragraph mean?
A without hesitation
B with enthusiasm
C without fear
D with caution

II. Read the text again and write an opinion essay on SPACE TOURISM. (280-300 words) (50 p)

Toate subiectele sunt obligatorii. Timp de lucru 180 de minute.