OLIMPIADA DE LIMBA ENGLEZĂ ETAPA LOCALĂ 25 februarie 2023

CLASA A X-A – SECȚIUNEA B - Bilingv/Intensiv Varianta 1

• Toate subiectele sunt obligatorii.

• Nu se acordă puncte din oficiu.
• Timpul efectiv de lucru este de 3 ore.

SUBIECTUL A – USE OF ENGLISH (40 points)

I. Read the text below and do the tasks that follow. (20 points)

Why I prefer to stay at home

What was your last cinema experience like? I remember the expensive tickets, the long queues and the
uncomfortable seats. Does this sound familiar? I love going out to see my friends, going to parties or clubs. I like
having fun. However, I don't really enjoy going to the cinema any more.
The other problem for me is the audience at cinemas. Although many people say that seeing a film at a cinema is
a good chance to go out and be sociable, I really hate listening to other people's comments. The last time I went
to the cinema, there was a couple who commented loudly on everything in the film. They laughed at everything
in the film, really loudly - even at things which weren't funny! I politely asked them to be quiet. Despite this, they
continued as if they were watching their own TV. If I watch something at home, I can invite my friends and spend
time with people I know and like rather than sitting near noisy strangers.
Another reason for staying at home is convenience. I like to watch films or TV shows when I want to watch them,
not at specific times. In spite of my love of films and TV shows, I don't enjoy all of them. If I'm at home, I can
stop the film and watch something else or I can fast-forward through the boring bits. For example, I was really
disappointed with a film I saw last night - so I just switched it off!
While I watch a lot of films, I also watch a lot of TV shows online now. I really enjoy watching a whole series. It
gives characters time to develop in interesting and unexpected ways. In fact, there are so many great TV shows
to watch, I've hardly got time to go to the cinema.
So, these days, when my friends invite me to the cinema, I usually say, 'No thanks'. I really do prefer to watch
films and TV series at home. I can choose what I want to watch, I can choose the time when I want to watch it
and I can choose who I watch it with. The question really is: why should I go out?
A. Answer the following questions. (8 points)

1. What is her main point?

2. Why were the couple sitting behind her rude?
3. What does she do if she finds a film boring?
4. Why is the length of a TV series sometimes a good thing?
 B. Choose the right synonym for the words given below, according to their meaning in the text. (6
points)
1. Parties: a. celebrations b. coalitions c. organizations d. participants
2. Convenience a. satisfaction b. accessibility c. comfort d. ladies' room
3. Series a. sequence b. pack c. set d. list
C. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. (6 points)
1. Does this sound familiar?
She wondered whether ……………………… .
2. I like having fun. However, I don't really enjoy going to the cinema any more.
I don't really enjoy going to the cinema any more, …………………….
3. I politely asked them to be quiet.
“………………………….?”

II. Use the word given in brackets to form a word that fits in each sentence. 10 points

Tennis then and now

Tennis was first played in France in the 13th century, but its (0) popularity (POPULAR) slowly extended to other
countries. It is (1) ________ (INTEREST) to consider that at first the game was played indoors with leather balls,
and this situation remained (2) ________ (CHANGE) until the 19th century, when the leather balls were adapted
for play outside. However, there is more to the game than meets the eye – or the racquet! (3) _________
(SURPRISE), nowadays it seems that it is not only a player’s (4) _________ (ABLE) that has an effect on how
well they play tennis. (5) ___________ (APPARENT), it can also depend on the type of balls they use. The (6)
___________ (EXPLAIN) for this is that the balls are now designed by scientists, who design them to meet all
the different (7) ________ (REQUIRE) of today’s (8) ____________ (PROFESSION) players. This means that
the balls are adapted for a game that is now played on a (9) _________ (VARY) of different surfaces, from clay
to grass. It also means that the players can hit the balls (10) ________ (INCREDIBLE) hard, so that they go across
the net extremely fast. It is certainly a very different game from the one played in the 13th century.

III. Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word in each space.
(10 points)

Blanca Huertas: butterfly expert

As a little girl growing (1) _____ in Colombia, Blanca Huertas was fascinated by wildlife, and especially by
butterflies. In those days you couldn’t buy butterfly nets locally, so her father made (2) _____ for her using the
end of a broom. He also bought (3) _______ some books and took her to different places at the weekends so (4)
_____ she could see different species and learn about different types of habitat. It was at this time that she started
her butterfly collection.
(5) _____ she was sixteen, Blanca went to university to study biology. Her professor convinced her that the study
of butterflies (6) _____ become a career, not just a hobby. What’s more, he encouraged Blanca to apply (7) _____
a place on a field trip to the Cauca region of the Amazon, (8) _____ was being organised by students from Oxford
and Cambridge.
The two-month trip was an incredible experience. Blanca rediscovered a butterfly that hadn’t (9) _____ seen for
thirty years and collected information about new species. (10) _____ a result of the trip, the region was turned
into a national park.
SUBIECTUL B – INTEGRATED SKILLS (60 points)
Read the text below and do the tasks that follow.

Khari Baoli – Spice Market

Visitors to Delhi, a major city in the north of India, should definitely pencil in a day at Khari Baoli Spice Market.
Located in the historic district of the city, it is the largest and oldest market of its kind in Asia. It was built in 1650
by Fatehpuri Begum, wife of Emperor Shah Jahan, and has operated continuously since then. In fact, many of
today’s stallholders are descendants of the original spice sellers! The area used to have an old step well (a well
with steps leading down to it) – and this is where the market got its name. “Baoli” means step well and “khari” is
the hindi word for salty – describing the water that was there.
Some visitors find the noisy crowded streets of Khari Baoli quite nerve-wracking – so it’s a good idea to go with
a local. For one, you can join a tour group, but a better option is to hire a personal guide. Some guides even pick
you up outside your hotel in their rickshaw! These small three-wheeled vehicles (usually with pedals for cycling
or powered by an engine) are perfect for the heavy Delhi traffic. It’s a thrilling experience to ride in the back of a
rickshaw, as it cuts in and out of long lines of motorbikes and cars, all battling each other for space!
Rickshaws aren’t allowed inside the market, though – some streets are barely wide enough to walk through! Many
people have compared the market to a maze, with dozens of alleyways packed with shoppers, stallholders and
their goods. You’ll also see porters pulling trolleys with goods or carrying them over their heads – you have to be
alert not to get in their way! One thing that will hit you when you enter the market, though, is the noise –
stallholders sometimes scream at shoppers to get their attention! But it’s all harmless and part of the market
experience! Also, everywhere you turn you can smell exotic spices. Heaps of eye-catching spices such as bright
red chilli and rich yellow turmeric are displayed on wide plates, while you’ll also find rice, beans, dried fruit and
nuts, sold loose out of giant sacks.
Stallholders in the Khari Baoli do business from 10 am to 9 pm – and although this market might appear chaotic,
it is actually very well organized. Fresh produce is delivered every day to thousands of stallholders, who sell to
millions of customers. Also, the prices in Khari Baoli are reasonable, and the stallholders are friendly and
knowledgeable. They’ll allow you to sample their goods, and give you advice on the exact spice you need for
your next Indian meal! All in all, this fascinating market is a wonderful feast for the senses that shouldn’t be
missed!

I. For each question, decide which answer (A, B, C or D) fits best according to the text. (10 points)

1. What is the writer doing in the text?

A. Giving cooking advice C. Narrating a personal experience
B. Describing a market history D. Encouraging people to visit a place
2. What does the writer say about rickshaws in Delhi?
A. They are dangerous C. They are popular with locals
B. They are uncomfortable D. They are an effective way to get around
 3. What is the writer’s opinion about the noisy stallholders?
A. Shoppers should ignore them C. They don’t mean to upset anyone
B. They shouldn’t scream at foreigners D. They don’t have any other way to attract
customers
4. Why does the writer believe the market is well organized?
A. It stays open 24 hours a day D. It’s easy for customers to find their way
B. Lots of goods move in and out of it each day around the stalls
C. Most stallholders see all the produce they
have each day

5. What could be another suitable title for the text?

A. History comes alive at Khari Baoli D. The sights, smells and sounds of a historic
B. The shopper’s guide to getting around Delhi market
C. Khari Baoli – the market where you can find
it all

II. Starting from the text above, imagine you are visiting Khali Baoli Spice Market. Write a narrative-
descriptive essay about your experience. (200-220 words) (50 puncte)
 OLIMPIADA DE LIMBA ENGLEZĂ ETAPA LOCALĂ 25 februarie 2023
CLASA A X-A – SECȚIUNEA B - Bilingv/Intensiv Varianta 1

• Toate subiectele sunt obligatorii.

• Nu se acordă puncte din oficiu.
• Timpul efectiv de lucru este de 3 ore.

BAREM
SUBIECTUL A – USE OF ENGLISH (40 points)

I. Read the text below and do the tasks that follow. (20 points)

A. 1. It’s more comfortable and convenient to watch films and TV series at home
2. They continued being noisy after she asked them to be quiet
3. She stops the film and watches something else, or fast-forwards through the boring bits
4. It gives characters time to develop in interesting and unexpected ways.
B. 1. celebrations, 2. comfort, 3. pack / set
C.
1. that sounded familiar.
2. … although I like having fun.
3. Can/Could/Will/Would you be quiet?

II. Use the word given in brackets to form a word that fits in each sentence. 10 points

1. INTERESTING, 2. UNCHANGED, 3. SURPRISINGLY, 4. ABILITY, 5. APPARENTLY, 6.

EXPLANATION, 7. REQUIREMENTS, 8. PROFESSIONAL, 9. VARIETY, 10. INCREDIBLY

III. Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word in each space.
(10 points)

1. up, 2.one, 3. her, 4. that, 5. When, 6. could, 7. for, 8. which, 9. been, 10. As

SUBIECTUL B – INTEGRATED SKILLS (60 points)

Read the text below and do the tasks that follow. (10 puncte)

I. 1. D, 2.D, 3 C, 4. B, 5. D
 MARKING SCHEME FOR THE NARRATIVE-DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY

Analytical Exemplary Proficient Partially Proficient Weak Incomplete P

criteria o
10p 8p 6p 4p 2p i
n
t
s
CONTENT The essay is The essay is fairly The essay is partially The essay is faulty, The essay is
completely relevant completed with completed with slight including serious wholly
to topic, describing the description of logical impediments in logical impediments inadequate the
people/places/events people/places/ev the logical in the sequencing of quality of the
/atmosphere, having ents/atmosphere, development of the events. description
a clear development having a clear description. failing the
and including the final development requirements of
reactions of the the task.
protagonist
ORGANIZATIO There is complete There is a fairly There is partial There is serious Paragraphs are
N AND logical connection of completion of completion of the inconsistency in the incomplete,
COHESION paragraphs due to a paragraph task. Paragraphs are organization of the both linking
judicious use of organization due partially complete due paragraphs due to devices,
linking devices, to scarce misuse to unfinished ideas the misuse of the mechanics, and
mechanics, and of linking devices, and scarce use of linking devices, length
length requirements. mechanics, and linking devices, mechanics, and requirements
length mechanics, and length length having been
requirements. requirements. requirements. disrespected.
VOCABULARY A wide range of A range of The range of A limited range of A very narrow
vocabulary is used vocabulary is used vocabulary is vocabulary is range of
appropriately and appropriately and adequately used in the present within the vocabulary is
accurately throughout accurately in the essay; errors in word essay; less common present; errors
the essay; precise essay; occasional choice /formation are items of vocabulary in word
meaning is conveyed; errors in word present when more are rare and may be choice/formatio
minor errors are rare; choice/formation sophisticated items of often faulty; spelling n predominate;
spelling is very well are possible; vocabulary are errors can make text spelling errors
controlled. The spelling is well attempted; spelling understanding can make the
register of the controlled with can be faulty at times. difficult. The essay obscure
narrative-descriptive occasional slips. The register of the register of the at times. The
essay is totally The register of the narrative-descriptive narrative- register used in
relevant to the task, narrative- essay is partially descriptive essay is the narrative-
being organically descriptive essay relevant to the task inconsistent due to descriptive
integrated all along is relevant to the with a narrow the mixture of essay is
the discourse. task with slightly inconsistency of style, styles. inappropriate
incongruent leading to halts in the for this type of
lapses within the logical development writing.
discourse. of ideas
STRUCTURES A wide range of A range of A mix of complex and A limited range of A very narrow
grammatical grammatical simple grammatical grammatical range of
structures is used structures is used structures is present structures is present grammatical
accurately and flexibly accurately and throughout the essay; along the essay; structures is
throughout the essay; with some errors are present complex language is present within
minor errors are rare; flexibility along when complex rare and may be the essay;
punctuation is very the essay; language is often faulty; errors
well controlled. occasional errors attempted; punctuation errors predominate;
are possible; punctuation can be can make text punctuation
punctuation is faulty at times. understanding errors make the
well controlled difficult. text obscure at
with occasional times.
slips.
EFFECT ON The interest of the The text has a The effect on the The effect on the The text has a
TARGET reader is aroused and good effect on the reader is satisfactory. reader non- negative effect
READER sustained throughout reader. relevant. on the reader.