II. Grammar

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb:

1. He didn’t leave at 10 yesterday. He ………………. At 11.

2. This morning we didn´t have enough coffee, so I ……………….. some more.

3. When she was a student, she didn’t go to Oxford, she ……………….. to Cambridge.

4. I didn´t fly direct to Chicago. I ……………….. via London.

5. I didn´t get the job I wanted. I ………………. A better one!

6. It didn´t cost very much. It only ……………….. $10.

III. Writing

You've decided to order an English coursebook online. Write a letter of 50-60 words to the bookshop in which you:

• state what book you want to order;

• ask for a bill and the pay and delivery details;

• ask for their catalogue.

IV. Speaking

Many young people have role models they admire.

• Who do you think is a good role model for young people in Ukraine? Why?

• Do you consider your role model to be successful? Why?

• What traits of character would you like to develop in yourself?

Examination Card 31

1. Reading

Read the text given below. Decide if the sentences are True (T) or F (False).

Thatching: A Traditional British Craft

Thatching, which is the use of straw, reeds or grasses to make a roof for a building, goes back to the Bronze Age. In Britain especially, thatched cottages and farmhouses were a common sight in rural areas for more than a millennium. Thatch was used because it was cheap and lightweight. Houses were not built to take a lot of weight and so a thatched roof was the best option.

The materials used varied from region to region according to what was available in the area. For example, in areas such as the south of England where wheat was grown, wheat straw was used. The wheat had to be threshed and the grain removed and then it was trimmed, combed and cut before it was used for the roof. A straw roof would last for about twenty years. In other areas, such as East Anglia and Norfolk, sturdy reeds were used. Reeds took less preparation and these roofs lasted for a lot longer, about sixty or seventy years. Over the years thatching became a specialized trade performed by skilled craftsmen who developed a variety of individual styles. Many craftsmen would finish off the roof with an ornament such as a bird or a 'dolly* made from straw.

Thatched houses were at their most popular in the late 18th century and were the subject of many famous paintings at that time. However, the craft started to decline when Britain entered the industrial era. Modern building techniques and the growing railway network made other materials more available. Nevertheless, owners today recognize the value of keeping their cottages thatched. Modern thatch is fire retardant and wire netting can be used to protect it from birds and rodents. So, a thatched roof is much more than just a roof; it is a traditional, picturesque an eco-friendly way to cover your house.

1. All houses in Britain have thatched roofs.

2. Thatching is an old craft.

3. In the past the same materials were used to make roofs.

4. People in England used thatch because it could be easily found.

5. The introduction of the railway system meant thatching became more popular.

6. Thatching is still practiced nowadays.