Session 20

 

13th March 2025 

wet, cool 

Thursday 

SUBIECTUL I – USE OF ENGLISH (25 points)

I.1. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with the correct verb forms. 10 points

Bob Dylan 1) _____ (become) one of the most famous singers and songwriters of all time. At the age of 65 in 2006, he 2) ____ (reach) the top of the US album charts with Modern Times, the oldest living singer to do so. He 3) _____ (record) many other hit albums since he 4) _____ (make) his first album at the age of 21 while he 5) ____ (perform) as a folk singer in New York clubs. Although he first 6) _____ (find) fame as a folk singer, he had always wanted to be a rock and roll singer, so he switched to rock and roll. As far as he was concerned, he had already done everything that he could with folk music, and he needed a different musical style to express his changing feelings. Dylan's career 7) _____ (be) a long one, and there is no sign that he 8) ____ (think) of retirement. He 9) ____ (perform) since the late 1950s and he 10) _____ (appear) in several films, too.

I.2. Read the text below and look carefully at each line. If the line is correct, write a tick (√). If it has a word that should not be there, write the word. 10 points

The amazing Atacama Desert

0. When you think of a desert, what comes to its mind first? Is it a hot,

….its...

00. dry and empty landscape? For the Atacama Desert in Chile, that

…..√.…

1. image is the only partly true. It is actually pretty cold, with daily

……..…

2. temperatures which ranging from 0 to 25 degrees centigrade. But there

……..…

3. is no doubt that the Atacama Desert is dry. Despite of being located

……..…

4. right next to the Pacific Ocean, it's actually the world's driest desert,

……..…

5. some parts of which have not had any rainfall for more over 400 years.

……..…

6. So, it may have come as a surprise to learn that it actually rains in

……..…

7. this desert. Every five to seven years on the average, heavy rainfall

……..…

8. soaks the landscape and then, all of a sudden, something magical

……..…

9. happens: the desert is transformed into a carpet of colourful flowers.

……..…

10. This incredible sight lasts for just a few short weeks and attracts in

……..…

thousands of visitors, eager to enjoy such a rare occurrence.

I.3. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in capital letters. 5 points

1.

Can you _____ the situation for me?

CLEAR

2.

They were ______ disappointed with the result.

UNDERSTAND

3.

The villages in the mountains are quite _____ in winter.

ACCESS

4.

Without his teacher’s _____ he would have given up long ago.

COURAGE

5.

My father takes great _____ in his work.

PROUD

SUBIECTUL al II-lea – READING COMPREHENSION (25 points)

Read the text below and complete the tasks that follow.

The Komodo Dragon

1. _________________________

Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) have thrived in the harsh climate of Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands for millions of years. They are the largest and heaviest lizards in the world and are found in the wild only on five islands, all within Komodo National Park. The name comes from rumours that dragon-like creatures lived on the Indonesian island of Komodo where local people call them ‘ora’ or ‘land crocodile’.

2. _________________________

These impressive reptiles can grow up to 10 feet long (3 m) and weigh as much as 150 pounds (68 kg), with some rare individuals even surpassing these sizes. Known for their fearsome appearance and predatory skills, Komodo dragons are apex predators in their habitats, sitting at the top of the food chain. Their powerful jaws, sharp teeth, and muscular bodies enable them to take down large prey, including deer, wild boars, and even water buffalo. They are massive, with flat heads, bowed legs and long, thick tails. Komodos come in a variety of colours. Their skin is rough and durable and they have long claws and a large, muscular tail. Komodos have good vision and are also speedy. They can run briefly up to 13 mph (20 kph). Their sense of smell is their primary food detector. Komodo dragons, like snakes, use their forked tongues to sample the air and they are also able to tell from which direction their prey is approaching.

3. _________________________

The lizard's habitat can be anything ranging from a tropical dry forest to a forested humid environment. But no matter where they live, the Komodo likes extreme heat. In the wild, Komodo dragons typically inhabit dry, open savannahs and forests, areas that provide the perfect environment for stalking their prey and basking in the sun to regulate their body temperature. To survive in this climate Komodos have dual-purpose homes. To stay warm at night, they make or find burrows to nestle down in. During the day the same burrow keeps them cool.

4. _________________________

Komodo dragons are renowned for their distinctive hunting technique, which relies heavily on stealth and patience. They often ambush their prey by lying in wait, using their camouflaged scales to blend in with the surroundings. Once a Komodo dragon detects prey, it uses its incredible strength to rush forward and overpower the animal. First, the Komodo springs up and knocks the prey over. Then they use their sharp, shark-like serrated teeth. Their bites are venomous, with glands that secrete toxins capable of causing rapid blood loss and shock in their victims. After biting, the Komodo dragon follows the prey at a slow but steady pace, waiting for it to weaken before delivering a final, fatal strike. If the prey escapes, it will die within 24 hours of blood poisoning, because the Komodo's saliva contains 50 strains of bacteria which are deadly. With its fantastic sense of smell, the Komodo will find the dead animal and finish its meal.

5. _________________________

The Komodo dragon has become an iconic species, attracting the attention of biologists, conservationists, and tourists alike. Its unique biology, hunting strategies, and status as a living fossil—dating back more than 100 million years—make it an object of fascination. Conservation efforts are critical to preserving this remarkable reptile for future generations, as its survival depends not only on the protection of its natural habitat but also on global awareness and action to address broader environmental challenges.

II.1 Choose the most suitable heading from the list (A-G) for each part (1-5). There are two extra headings which you do not need to use. 10 points

A.The mighty predators

B.The original Jurassic Park

C.Living relics, fading giants

D.The titans of the remote isles

E.Shadows of death, striking with patience

F.Masters of heat and shade

G.The lazy hunters of the Lost World

II.2 For questions 1-5, choose the answer A, B, C, or D which you think fits best according to the text. 15 points

1. What is the writer trying to do in this text?

A.show the reader how dangerous the Komodo is

B.describe the Komodo's natural environment

C.give the reader general information about the Komodo

D.highlight that the Komodo is endangered

2. How does the Komodo find food?

A.using speed

B.using its tongue

C.only by waiting

D.using its eyesight

3. The Komodo's environment must

A.have trees.

B.be humid.

C.be dry.

D.be hot.

4. Why will an animal die after being bitten by the Komodo?

A.It will be injured.

B.The Komodo is stronger.

C.The Komodo will poison it.

D.The Komodo has sharp teeth

5. Which could be a poster about a film on the Komodo Dragon?

A. The Komodo Dragon

See how this Indian Crocodile lizard lives and hunts near forest rivers.

Amazing scenes of Dragons running kilometres to catch their prey.

B. THE KOMODO

Unique to Komodo islands. The Dragon can kill with one bite! A creature that you must see! The biggest lizard on Earth!

A 2-hour documentary filmed in Indonesia.

C. The Komodo Dragon

The documentary of the year shows the Komodo Dragon killing its prey with its huge tail and claws.

The most frightening lizard on Earth!

D. The Amazing Komodo

Did you know that the Komodo Dragon lives in hot climates and eats meat and leaves from the forests? And it can kill you with just one bite?

Watch The Amazing Komodo and discover fascinating facts!

SUBIECTUL al III-lea – WRITING (50 points)

Write a narrative essay beginning like this:

Chris and Jo were walking through the forest when they saw a beautifully carved wooden box under a tree.

Write your story in 120-150 words and give it an appropriate title. Pay attention to the following:

• you don’t need to write long descriptions;

• use dialogues only if they are relevant to your characters or events;

• you should use this plan:

1. Introduction (paragraph 1 – set the scene)

2. Main Body (paragraph(s) 2/3 – develop the story)

occurance =  intamplare 

to clarify (ed) = a clarifica 

apex = punct culminant / cel mai de sus 

to bask (ed) = to lie in the sun 

dual- purpose = cu dublu scop 

burrow = vizuina 

to spring - srang - sprung = a sari 

 serrated = zimtat 

to belittle (ed) = a minimiza 

to bespeak = a indica / a vorbi de la sine / a dezvalui 

automotive = autovehicle 

co- educational = mixt ( fem + masc )

devaluation = inflatie

to enslave (ed) = a supune / subjuga 

to empower (ed) = a imputernici 

to embed (ed) = a marca 

foreword = cuvant inainte / prefata

literate = elevat 

illiterate = analfabet 

https://www.englishrevealed.co.uk/grammar_guide/prefixes_list.php

Homework 

composition - comment 

words x 2