Islamiya English School Abu Dhabi LLC

.‫م‬.‫م‬.‫المدرسة اإلسالمية اإلنجليزية أبوظبي ذ‬

1st Term Exam Practice Sheet

EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS
I. Read the article in which four young people (A-D) talk about podcasts they
listen to. Then answer questions a-i.
A NITIN WALJI
Jimmy Clark is a former professional footballer, and in each episode of his podcast, he chats
with a guest, usually another footballer, about what it's like to play football for a living. The
structure is straightforward, but the conversation often goes all over the place. I initially thought
it was a bit too disorganised, to be honest, but as the series progressed, I realised that Clark has
interesting things to say about what goes on behind the scenes at football clubs. Although he's
a well-known person, I don't think the podcast has many listeners, which is odd because lots of
fans would enjoy IL. He was never the most skilful player, and he's aware of that. In fact, he
often Jokes about the mistakes he made and goals he missed, and that side of his character is
appealing. He's got a very loud laugh, which I imagine might not go down well with some
people, but I like him.
B STEVEN CARTER
Only a Game is a podcast that reviews video games. One thing that makes It different from most
other game review podcasts is that it's presented by a young woman called Selma Ramos, and
all her guests are female gamers. Selma's aim is to provide a place where young women can
freely express their ideas on video games, and the conversations she has are really informative.
Selma is clearly a talented communicator. Some people from the gaming world, however, find
her annoying, and make their feelings known online with silly comments like "Why is this
podcast all-female?" and "I want to listen to experts, not amateurs'. Fortunately, Selma believes
in herself and, quite rightly, is continuing to do exactly what she wants. As she has pointed out,
the unusually large audience she attracts suggests that she is doing something right!
C MEI PENG
Decompose is based on a very simple idea, which is perhaps why I turn to it when I want
something to chill out to. The podcaster Nick Ferns chooses a song, usually a well-known one,
and asks the Individual or group who wrote it to tell the story of how it was created. Perhaps
because of the famous musicians who often feature, the podcast has already received a lot of
attention. Not all of it has been favourable; there have been complaints - for example, that some
of the songs don't deserve to have so much time devoted to them. But even the positive
comments tend to overlook the way that Ferns is able to get musicians to reveal a lot about
themselves. At the end of certain episodes, my feelings about a song are very different from
what they were at the start. If Ferns were to include new recordings of the songs by their original
writers, it is likely that the podcast would attract many more listeners.
D ASHA MALIK
Untold History is an appropriate name for the podcast created by the historian Kathy Gordon:
It covers areas of history that I've never been taught about In school. I've always found school
history lessons rather dull, and this podcast has made me see the subject in a new light. Also,
helpfully, It gives you links to articles, books and videos you can look at If you want to learn
more about a topic. Cordon backs up her explanations with lots of factual information, which is
good, but she does it rather quickly, so unless you really focus, you're likely to miss certain
points and then feel lost. She also likes to include funny stories and jokes in the podcasts. To be
honest, these attempts at humour tend to be rather awkward and get on my nerves sometimes.
Apart from that, though, I highly recommend Untold History.
Glossary
(noun): people who listen
informative (adjective): providing a
lot of useful information
historian
(noun):
someone who studios or writes about history
For each statement, write the correct letter A, B, C or D on the line.
Which person
a says that one aspect of a podcast can be irritating? _____
b finds it surprising that a podcast is not more popular? _____
c. rejects criticism of the format of a podcast? _____
d. thinks a podcaster's skill is often underestimated? _____
e. Is impressed by how modest a podcaster is? _____
f. expresses approval of a podcaster's determination? _____
g. finds a podcast relaxing to listen to? _____
h. appreciates additional material available with a podcast? _____
i. admits to changing their mind about a podcast? _____
 II. Read the article about how playing video games can affect people, and then
complete the notes.
VIDEO GAMING - HOW GOOD OR BAD IS IT FOR US?
With the increasing availability of computers, smartphones and other devices, video games have
become a major part of many people's lives. But what do we really know about the impact that
gaming has on people?
Reports indicate that staring at moving images on a screen for long periods may lead to eyesight
strain, although psychologists have also found that the ability to identify details in images, which
is very helpful for some jobs, improves through regular game-playing
Some people believe that all video games are extremely competitive and that they can negatively
affect players' mood and behaviour. Such games exist, but the majority are not like that. Many
are what is known as open-world, mission-based and multi-level; essentially, they are complex
puzzles that take several hours to complete. Studies reveal that people playing these have better
logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Both of these are extremely important in education
and in work, as is rapid decision-making-something that gamers playing all kinds of video
games make progress in
Some games require players to move around quite a lot. In sports games, for example, players
might have to make the movements of a tennis player, while in 'mobile games', players have to
travel to real-world places in response to specific challenges. Mobile games are praised for
pushing gamers out into the fresh air, reducing their risk of vitamin D deficiency (gamers
spending too much time indoors have been assessed with low levels of that very important
nutrient).
The vast majority of games, however, involve sitting on a chair in front of a screen -and doing
this regularly, for hours at a time, may result in poor levels of fitness as well as specific issues
such as back pain. Professional gamers are aware of this, and they often include stretching,
weight-lifting and other gym work in their daily routine in an effort to keep themselves in good
physical condition.
Most video games involve the use of a keyboard, mouse or some type of remote- control device,
together with fast movements of the wrists and hands. Over time, this can lead to strain injuries
in the wrists and hands. On the other hand, game- playing has been shown to lead to more
efficient hand-to-eye coordination, which is of benefit in activities such as driving and even
surgery.
So, there are advantages as well as disadvantages to gaming. In this respect, it is like many other
leisure activities. Of course, a key motivation for taking part in a leisure activity is to achieve
lower levels of stress, and that's something that many people definitely achieve through gaming-
after all, it's certainly fun!
Glossary
Deficiency (noun): a situation in which you do not have enough of something
Imagine you are going to give a talk to your classmates about the effects that playing video
games can have on people. Use words from the article to help you write some notes.
Make short notes under each heading.
Health problems caused by playing video games:
Example: eyesight strain
…………………………………………………………………………………..................
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Usefull skills developed in playing video games:
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
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…………………………………………………………………………………..................
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………..

III. Insert the correct form of the verb in brackets:

1. While studying for the exam, I aimed _______ (excel) and was offered a tutor _______
(guide) me, focusing on ________ (understand) complex concepts.

2. Being interested in photography, I hoped _______ (capture) stunning landscapes and was
offered a chance _______ (exhibit) my work, exploring and __________ (travel) to new
locations.

3. Watching the sunrise, I felt inspired _______ (write) poetry and was invited _______ (to
read) at an open mic night, loving and ________ (express) myself creatively.

4. Feeling exhausted, I wanted _______ (rest) but was persuaded _______ (join) the evening's
activities, for ________ (take) a break.
5. Seeing the volunteers helping, I decided _______ (participate) in the charity event and was
given a chance _______ (organize) the fundraiser, appreciating and ________ (make) a
difference.

6. Enjoying the concert, I wished _______ (perform) on stage and was introduced _______
(meet) the band, admiring and ________ (create) music.
IV. Combine the following sentences using "however" or "although":
1. The city boasts a thriving technology sector. Its historic architecture remains well-
preserved.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. The company's innovative approach has led to significant growth. Its commitment to
environmental sustainability is unwavering.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. The tourist destination is famous for its stunning beaches. Its vibrant cultural festivals
attract visitors worldwide.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

4. The new employee's skills are highly impressive. His lack of experience poses a challenge.
___________________________________________________________________________
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5. The country's economy has experienced rapid expansion. Income inequality remains a
pressing concern.
___________________________________________________________________________
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V. Complete the sentences with an adverb to describe the verb:
1. "The athlete ran ____________________ around the track."
2. "The chef cooked the meal ___________________."
3. "The musician played the guitar ___________________."

VI. Insert ellipses to signify omitted text:

1. The study analyzed the data and concluded that the results were statistically
significant.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
2. The research paper explored the effects of climate change and proposed
sustainable solutions.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3. The novel's protagonist embarked on a journey of self-discovery and
transformation.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

VII. Analyze the literary devices in the following sentences and explain
1. "The firework exploded with a loud boom, startling everyone."
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
2. "The silky snake slithered silently through the sand."
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3. "I'm so hungry I could eat a whole elephant!"
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
 VIII. Transform the words into new words with distinct meanings by adding
appropriate prefixes and suffixes.
1. Use the prefix "co-" to form a word that means "working together" from the word
"operate".
_____________________________

2. Use the prefix "pre-" to form a word that means "before history" from the word
"history".
____________________________

3. Use the suffix "-ful" to form a word that means "full of hope" from the word "hope".
____________________________

4. Use the suffix "-less" to form a word that means "without help" from the word "help".
___________________________

5. Use the suffix "-able" to form a word that means "capable of being read" from the word
"read".
____________________________
IX. Select the appropriate adverb to modify the verb.
The athlete ran ________.
A) with speed C) speedily
B) speedy D) in speed
The chef prepared the dish ________.
A) with care C) in a careful manner
B) carefully D) careful

X. You recently purchased a new smartphone, the "X5 Pro", after reading rave reviews
online. However, your experience with the phone has been mixed. Write a review (120-160
words) sharing your thoughts on its features, performance, and value for money.
OR
A friend is planning a short-term stay in your city for a project and needs advice on temporary
accommodation and co-working spaces. Write a useful letter. (120-160 words)
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