II.

READING PAPER

Part 1 (5 points, 1 point per item). You are going to read the article about what to wear at the office.
For questions 21–25, mark if the statements are True (T) or False (F). There is an example (0).

THE CHANGING OFFICE DRESS

Once, it was easy to know what to wear to the office. For male managers, it was always a dark suit
and a white shirt with a tie. With the arrival of Dress-Down Friday, all the old rules went away. Some
companies introduced the system in which once a week, on Friday, the employees were allowed to
wear casual clothes of their choice. In recent years, casual dress days at the office have become
popular in the USA. Sometimes the dress gets so casual that some people come to work wearing
extraordinary fashionable clothing or even strange-looking clothing. A recent survey shows that 85 %
of Americans think that it is okay for businesses to have a dress-down day, while 15 % think it is not.
Those who disagree about the Dress-Down Friday point out that casual dress style might encourage
casual work. Others comment that the relaxed atmosphere and comfort of casual clothes leads to
greater productivity. So what's suitable for the office? Decorated with holes and worn looking jeans,
faded denim, shorts and print shirts, are all unsuitable. As an employee represents the business he
should wear the clothes that make him look smart, for example, a pair of dark jeans with a button-
down blazer. There are two important points when discussing dress codes in the workplace. First of
all, employees need to know what is expected of them, otherwise, a dress code that is meant to
create relaxed atmosphere might actually increase stress. Secondly, employees must always
consider their clients. Therefore a lawyer in a firm with a casual dress policy keeps a jacket and a tie
in his office and puts them on when expecting an important client.

0. Dress-Down Friday breaks all the rules of the office dress code. T

21. Lately some employees have started wearing formal clothes on Fridays. F

22. Minority of Americans agree on having a dress-down day. F

23. Some people think that comfortable clothing inspires people work more efficiently. T

24. An appropriately dressed employee should leave a positive impression. T

25. Companies with the policy of Dress Down Friday should think about their clients. T

Part 2 (7 points, 1 point per item). You are going to read a text about studying abroad. For questions
26–32, match the sentences to the paragraphs A–H. Each text may be chosen only once. There is an
example (0).
LEARNING A LANGUAGE ABROAD

A Amanda studied in New Zealand I felt lonely away from home at first. I had to learn to take care of
myself. Then I had to deal with my second big difficulty – the language. I faced the problem of
listening to the foreign language 24 hours a day. After some time, when I got used to working in a
team, I got used to making out what they were speaking about and began to feel more self-assured.

B Lora studied in the Netherlands I spent last summer in the language learning camp in the
Netherlands. At first I was not certain if I should take this opportunity or not, I had never been away
from home for such a long time. Now, looking back, I think my time in the Netherlands was the best
time of my life. Not only did I have a lot of fun but I also learnt a lot.

C Richard studied in France Paris as a multicultural city gave me the feeling that I was at the centre
of events. One of the best things was that as an exchange student I had a chance to get to know
people from all over the world. Another thing I liked most while studying in France was the
opportunity to take part in different educational programmes and get much useful experience.

D Tracy studied in Portugal I spent my summer learning Portuguese in Lisbon. I already had the
advantage of knowing this language, but I wasn't ready for the surprising challenge of living in
Portugal. I had to study 28 hours a week, which I think was too much, but it was great to
communicate with the other students. I had a perfect social life and managed to combine studies
with the daily routine.

E Max studied in Italy At first it was difficult. Luckily, I felt more self-confident and started speaking
Italian more fluently. It was a real challenge and also great experience. If someone asked me if it is
worth going to study abroad I would advise to go. If you did, you would not only improve your
language skills but also meet new people.

F Susan studied in the US I went to the United States from Spain for studying abroad and it was a
great experience in my life. I got to know many people from different countries around the world in
one place. It also taught me to understand many cultures as well value my own culture.

G Luke studied in England My time abroad has made me more confident, sociable, and encouraged
me to take on greater challenges. It has changed my self-identity in many small ways and made me
feel part of a ‘bigger’ world. This experience is probably the most important part of my education,
affecting my own understanding of life.

H Antonio studied in Spain I lived with a host family in Madrid, Spain. Neither of my host parents
could speak English, so it was very difficult at the beginning. But as I grew more accustomed to their
way of life and to communication in Spanish, we became very close. My host mom, Concha, was a
former chef and owner of her own restaurant. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to see how
my hosts daily run their business and get on with their life.
0. It took time to understand the foreign language classmates spoke. A

26. The student found out new facts about the cultural background of other students. F

27. The student suggested making the most of a chance to study abroad. E

28. The learning activities took a great deal of the time. D

29. The student gained self-confidence and knowledge of life. G

30. The student had a chance to be involved in more various learning activities. C

31. The student experienced daily life of the local people. H

32. At the beginning, the student had doubts about the success of studying abroad. B

Part 3. Read the text. Choose the correct answers.

Youngest Master's graduate at Oxford
Unlike most other children, Kyle Jameson was able to read at the age of two. He started writing at
the age of three and reached Grade 7 on the violin by the age of five. At the staggeringly young
age of fourteen he has just graduated from Oxford University and is the proud holder of an
Honours degree in Physics.
When Kyle was a pupil at primary school, he demonstrated an outstanding ability in science,
progressing at a rate not previously seen by his teachers. His teacher suggested he take a general
science exam intended for students in the first year of a degree course. Kyle took the test and
passed with flying colours.
As doing other subjects at school interfered with his ability to learn science, his teacher considered
sending him to a secondary school specialising in science. However, Kyle’s parents wanted him to
have a normal childhood. Kyle had severe problems with communication, which affected his
popularity at school, but was ambitious and serious about his academic achievements, and at the
age of ten completed three university modules in maths, physics and chemistry. At this point, his
parents asked him to stop studying, but he was stubborn and enjoyed his unconventional lifestyle,
so he decided to go to university.
Despite his abilities and IQ level, several universities rejected him because they believed that at the
age of ten he'd be far too immature to integrate with his much older fellow students. Some faculties
were worried that they would be robbing him of his childhood years. He was asked to complete
several IQ tests and psychological tests of his personality traits. In the end, Kyle was accepted by
Oxford University, where he has just completed a physics degree.
Intelligence is not Kyle's only natural gift, although his IQ is too high to be measured accurately.
He is certainly considered a genius, but his passion for science does not dominate his life. He goes
kayaking, performs on the violin at concerts and is also a dedicated singer in a choir. He takes
everything he does in his stride. If you look beyond his messy appearance, spiky hair and piercing
eyes, and if you ignore the fact that he is often described by his friends as grumpy and irritable,
you will see a witty and extremely rational young man who has just started research in nuclear
physics at the age of fourteen.

1 According to the text,

a Kyle was a far more conscientious pupil than his classmates at primary school.
 b Kyle's primary school teachers did not recognise how advanced his scientific
skills were.
c Kyle's primary school teachers had not experienced a pupil progressing in
science as rapidly as Kyle did.
d Kyle was not good at science before he started primary school.
2 At primary school, Kyle
a only made progress in science subjects.
b wasn't able to concentrate properly on his science work.
c was popular with his classmates.
d only liked serious academic subjects.
3 Certain universities didn't want to accept Kyle because
a he was too small.
b they were worried he wouldn't be able to mix well with the older students.
c they didn't think his IQ was sufficiently high.
d there were problems with his psychological development.
4 According to the text,
a Kyle is extremely passionate about science but devotes his time to other
pastimes, too.
b science has been a huge part of Kyle's life which leaves no time for other
activities.
c Kyle's dedication to science has helped increase his IQ levels.
d Kyle is extremely intelligent but certainly not a genius.
5 The writer of the text
a thinks Kyle is just an ordinary teenager.
b believes Kyle is bad-tempered.
c sees Kyle only as a young genius.
d sees Kyle as clever and sensible.