ROUND II. Reading Comprehension Test.

Round I. Listening Comprehension. Text

 

Text

 

Weather has a powerful effect on people. It influences health, intelligence, and feelings.

In August, it is very hot and wet in the southern part of the United States. Southerners have heart attacks and other kinds of health problems during this month. In the Northeast and the Middle West, it is very hot at some times and very cold at other times. People in these states tend to have heart attacks after the weather changes in February or March.

The weather can also affect intelligence. For example, in a 1938 study by scientists, the IQ [intelligence quotient] scores of a group of undergraduate college students were very high during a hurricane, but after the storm, their scores were 10 per cent below average. Hurricanes can increase intelligence. Very hot weather, on the other hand, can lower it: Students in many of the United States often do badly on exams in the hot months of the year (July and August).

Weather also has a strong influence on people's feelings. Winter may be a bad time for thin people. They usually feel cold during these months. They might feel depressed during cold weather. In hot summer weather, on the other hand, overweight people may feel unhappy. The summer heat may make them tired and irritable.

Low air pressure relaxes people. It increases positive feelings. It also increases forgetfulness. People leave more packages and umbrellas on buses and in stores on low-pressure days. There is a "perfect weather" for work and health. People feel best at a temperature of about 64° F with 65 percent humidity (moisture in the air).

Are you feeling sick, sad, tired, forgetful, or very intelligent today? The weather may be the cause.

 

 

Аудіювання, 9 клас

Listening Comprehension Test.

Directions:

In this Test you will carefully listen to a text read aloud twice. The text is followed by 20 tasks. You should do tasks 1 through 10 following the first reading of the text on the basis of what is stated or implied in the text. The text will be read a second time and you should do tasks 11 through 20 following the second reading of the text on the basis of what is stated or implied in the text. For each task you will choose from four possible answers (a, b, c or d), or two symbols (+ or -) as specified prior to each task. Choose the best answer and mark the letter or symbol of your choice on the Answer Sheet.

Завдання 1. Task 1

Directions:

Statements 1 through 10 (on your Answer Sheet put down + if the statement is true, - if it is false):

1. People normally are very sensitive to weather.

2. In the South of the US doctors usually have a lot of work in late spring.

3. Weather changes may cause serious health problems.

4. A storm may produce a negative effect on intelligence.

5. In the US, it is best to take exams in late summer.

6. Temperature may affect people's feelings.

7. Fat people must feel quite comfortable in July.

8. Low air pressure may be helpful.

9. The best time to remember important things is days of high air pressure.

10. Only people with chronic diseases are influenced by weather.

Аудіювання, 9 клас. Listening Comprehension Test.

Завдання 2. Task 2

Directions:

Questions 11 through 20 (choose the correct letter a, b, c or d ):

 

11. The hottest and wettest time of the year in the south of the US is...

a) early summer; b) late spring;

c) late summer; d) midsummer.

 

12. There is no such region in the US as ..;

a) Middle West; b) Middle East;

c) Northeast; d) South.

 

13. The best climatic condition for taking a. test is probably ...

a) drought; . b) flood;

c) blizzard; d) very strong wind.

 

14. The worst exam results in the US are very often produced ...

a) at the very beginning of a school year;

b) before a winter break;

c) after Easter holidays;

d) when the temperature outside is very high.

 

15. Weather normally does NOT affect people's ...

a) perception of the world; b) resistance to heat and cold;

c) thinking abilities; d) appearance.

 

16. When air pressure is low, you are most likely to ...

a) feel well; b) quarrel with your friend;

c) pass a test; d) find an umbrella.

 

17. A large number of forgotten things in a bus may most probably mean that...

a) the bus driver is to blame; b) the air pressure is not high at all;

c) all the passengers were fools; d) the bus tour was too long.

 

18. The best working conditions for humans imply...

a) about one third water in the air;

b) about two thirds water in the air;

c) about three thirds water in the air;

d) almost no water in the air.

 

19. What was NOT mentioned in the text as a result of weather influence is ...

a) heart problems; b) irritability;

c) accidental injuries; d) low spirits.

 

20. The best title for this text most probably would be ...

a) "Beware of Weather";

b) "What is the weather like today?"

c) "The Powerful Influence of Weather";

d) "Some Funny Tales About Weather".

Читання, 9 клас

ROUND II. Reading Comprehension Test.

Directions: In this Test you will read three texts. Each text is followed by 5 tasks. You should do the tasks following the text on the basis of what is stated or implied in that text. For each task you will choose the best possible answer from three possible answers (a, b, or c) or two symbols (+ or -) as specified prior to each task. Choose the best answer and write down the letter or symbol of your choice on the Answer Sheet.