I. Reading

Read the text and choose the best answer (A-C) to complete the sentences (1-5).

LIFE ON MARS?

In the UK people celebrate the first day of April by playing jokes on each other, and sometimes TV programmes and newspapers join in the fun! There have been some very clever jokes over the years, which people believe because they are in the paper or on TV.

One that I remember vividly from when I was young was on a programme called To­morrow's World. This programme looked at unusual scientific inventions and stories. It was on every week, and was very popular. Well, this particular 1 April the programme started off looking at the number of 'missing people' in Britain over the last year. Then they went on to 'prove' that the USA and Russia were starting a colony on the planet Mars and this was where all these people had gone! They showed photographs of the planet with heat rising from the ground. Apparently the people were living under the ground in specially designed homes.

I believed this story completely! It seemed so real and so possible. That was until 1 got to school the next day and realised that the whole thing was a joke! But it was a very] clever joke and one that I have always remembered.

1. On 1 April________________________________________.

A there are parties

B people exchange stories

C there are untrue stories in the media

2. Tomorrow's World____________________________________.

A was an educational programme for schoolchildren

B was on TV regularly

C taught people how to invent things

3. This particular programme was about_____________________________.

A people on another planet

B the space development programme

C the problem of people who run away

4. On the programme you could see_________________________________.

A the people

B the people's homes

C the atmosphere

5. The writer___________________________________________________.

A still believes the story

B didn't like the joke

C liked the joke

II. Writing

Underline the correct item to complete the sentences.

1. I can't stand to wait / waiting in a queue.

2. Sorry I'm late. I've been / gone to the library.

3. Did you get some / any replies to the advert?

4. - / The chips are bad for your health!

5. He's spoken Spanish for / since he was six.

6. I have seen a few / a little of my classmates outside the museum this morning.

7. How much / many did you pay for that?

III. You want to invite your friend to go out with you. Write a note to him/her. Include this information:

• invite her to go out with you;

• where you plan to spend time;

• suggest what time he/she should be ready.

Write 35-45 words on your answer sheet.

Examination Card Ns 9

I. Reading

Read the text and decide if the statements are true (T) or false (F).

ROBIN HOOD

The story of Robin Hood, the most popular English folk hero of all times, has reached every corner of the Earth. There are many versions of this well-known tale which about 600 years old. Everybody knows Robin's friends (Little John, Brother Tuck, Will Scarlet) and the famous Sherwood Forest - Robin Hood's home and the place where many of his adventures took place. In other countries there are similar stories such William Tell in Switzerland, El Cid in Spain or Janosik in Poland, but only Robin Ho has become an 'international' hero.

Unfortunately, there is almost no evidence that Robin Hood really existed. Thirteenth-century ballads, fourteenth-century chronicles, a sixteenth-century History Great Britain, all talk about Robin Hood. However, none of them tells us about t sources they used. In the 1800s and 1900s, historians found two Robin Hoods who lived in the fourteenth century. One of them was even a King Edward IPs servant. Later other historians found several different Hoods living in different parts of England Robin was a popular Christian name and Hood was a fairly common surname. It seems that by 1337, the story of Robin Hood was well-established. Most probably, he lived around the year 1200.

Today, the legend of Robin Hood has turned Nottinghamshire into a large tourist' attraction. In the centre of Nottingham there is Nottingham Castle. Parts of it still recall the time of Robin Hood. Sherwood Forest has an excellent visitors' centre w' an attractive display and shop, and some very pleasant walks in the nearby fore Edwinstowe church, in which, according to the tradition, Robin Hood and Lady Marion were married, is one of the visitors' favourite sites.

1. The story of Robin Hood has been known for 600 years.

2. William Tell, El Cid and Janosik are international heroes.

3. A sixteenth-century History of Great Britain includes a story about Robin Hood.

4. Robin Hood was a King Edward II’s knight.

5. It is probable that Robin Hood lived in the twelfth century.

6. There is a castle in the middle of Sherwood Forest.

7. In the visitors' centre you can't watch a video about Robin's adventures.

8. According to the tradition, Lady Marion became Robin Hood's wife in Edwinstowe church.