Tasks Types (English Language Contest)

1.

TASKS TYPES
(ENGLISH
LANGUAGE CONTEST)
F.F Shigapova
13.12.2019
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2.

What’s on Agenda?
i.
Olympiad Task Types. Use of English. The Analysis of School and City Rounds
ii.
Olympiad Task Types. Writing. The Analysis of School, City and Regional Rounds
iii.
Writing. Assessment Criteria​
iv.
What makes a good story/a good article/a good report?​
v.
Language and Style
vi.
Ideas Development.
vii.
Alternative Tasks on Writing
viii. Olympiad Task Types. Speaking. The Analysis of City and Regional Rounds
ix.
Common Mistakes at Speaking
x.
Q&A
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3.

USE OF ENLISH
What to expect?
Multiple-choice cloze
Open Close
Word Formation
Key Word Transformations​
Error Correction
Tasks on Idioms
Tasks on Phrasal Verbs
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4.

USE OF ENLISH
What to expect
Tasks on Cultural Awareness
Tasks on Vocabulary
Phonetic Tasks
Tasks on Proverbs and Sayings​
Tasks on Grammar​
Alternative Tasks
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5.

Sample Tasks
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar
meaning to the first, using the word given. Do not
change the word given. The paraphrased second
sentence must have a phrasal verb. You must use
between three and six words including the word
given.
• If you should see Paul at the weekend, you could ask
him for help.
into
• Were ………. ………. ………. ………. ……… at
the weekend, you could ask him for help.
• The employees suggested some improvements to the
computer system which would make it easier to use.
forward
• The employees …………. ………….. …………
…………. …………. improving the computer
system to make it easier to use.
For questions 6 -20 complete the following article
by writing each missing word in the correct space.
Use only one word for each space. The example
(0) is given.
Few people today will plan a trip 0) ……to…… a
foreign country 6)…………. buying a guidebook.
Let’s Go is one of the 7) ………….. well-known
guidebooks in the world. There are over 30 titles in
this series and the publishers have 8) …………
them translated into seven languages to meet
growing demand. Over 200 well-travelled students
research the travel guides. Let’s Go has all 9)
…………… writers specially trained. Finally, after
months of training, a writer 10) …………. sent to
explore his or her chosen country. 11) …………..
certain information on accommodation, transport,
etc. is essential, the publishers usually let 12)
…………. writers decide what to include in their
descriptions.
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6.

SAMPLE TASKS
ON VOCABULARY
For questions 6-15, choose the adjective from the box
below which best describes how the speaker is feeling
each case. Remember to transfer your answers to the
answer sheet.
Example: I just don’t know what to think. One moment
everything seems fine, the next all at sixes and sevens
again.
Answer: confused.
boiling confused contented excited freezing
furious grateful
inspired
nervous
starving
worn out
• Thank you so much. I could never have managed
without your help!
• I wish I hadn’t got to go to the dentist tomorrow. I
hate having teeth filled.
• Look at that wonderful rainbow! I must write a poem.
For questions 1-6, choose the odd one.
Which of the following ...
1. is not a feeling?
anxiety / survival / enthusiasm / curiosity /
nostalgia
2. does not describe a place?
dreary / remote / disorientated / picturesque /
cosmopolitan
3. does not work for a living?
civil servant/ probation officer / estate agent /
teammate / family practitioner
4. are not people?
colleagues / yuppies / tenants / dwellings / mates
5. is not associated with money?
wage / budget / county / price / rent rise
6. does not relate to water?
lagoon / high tide / reservoir / annual rainfall /
terrain
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7.

SAMPLE TASKS
ON VOCABULARY
For questions 21-27 read the definitions from the Cambridge Advanced Learner Dictionary which
follow and then complete the gaps by adding the vowels to the correct word from the box
below. The words are related to television, newspapers and computers.
0 ............... short news programme often about something that has just happened.
Answer: bulletin
BLGGR PSD CNTSTNT HDLN BLLTN PDCST TBLD CMMRCL
• 21. ………… a pre-recorded audio programme that’s posted to a website and made available for
download
• 22. ………….. a type of popular newspaper with small pages which has many pictures
• 23. ………….. an advertisement broadcast on television or radio
• 24. ………….. someone who produces an ongoing narrative, similar to a diary
• 25. ………….. a line of words printed in large letters as the title of a story in a newspaper
• 26. ………….. someone who competes, often in a quiz
• 27. ………….. one of the single parts into which a story is divided when it is broadcast weekly or
daily on the television or radio.
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8.

SAMPLE TASKS
ON VOCABULARY
For questions 7 – 15 write T (True) or F (False) next to the following sentences.
• 7. If you are sitting on a nest egg, you have savings in the bank. ……
• 9. If you shoot baskets, you are playing basketball. ……
• 11. If the teacher keeps you on your toes, you’ve had dancing lessons for years.
……
• 12. If you win a lucrative contract, you have made a good business deal. ……
• 13. If you are an outdoors type, you enjoy being in the open air. ……
• 14. If you met the deadline, your article wasn't printed in the paper. ……
• 15. If the building is the architect's crowning glory, it's his best piece of work .
……
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9.

SAMPLE TASKS ON PHRASAL VERBS
The phrasal verbs in the following sentences have been mixed up. Put each phrasal verb in the correct
sentence. For questions 26-37 put each phrasal verb in the correct sentence.
26. My lecturer is a really intelligent man, but he can’t seem to put his ideas out very clearly.
27. Mike can seem a little unfriendly at first but I broke that out to his shyness.
28. You can see how the painting has faded but if you have it restored it will get over the beautiful colours.
29. Everybody was asked to bring out their cigarettes before going into the gallery.
30. The fire cut off as a result of somebody throwing away a cigarette carelessly.
31. I ran towards the exit but it was put down by thick smoke.
32. So tune out to this station again tomorrow to hear the second part of our classic serial. That’s all from us now.
33. If you could wait a moment, I’ll get my calculator and work off the total cost for you.
34. If I happen to lose my job? I’ve only got my savings to fall away from.
35. The judges are going to pick off a shortlist of ten books before they decide on the final winner.
36. She has a preference for neutral colours so she tends to steer back on reds and yellows.
37. If you read out the names, I’ll tick them in on this list.
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10.

PHONETIC TASKS
Questions 1-8. Transcribe the words in the following sentences.
1. The lion /rɔ:d/ _____________ loudly.
2. My husband always /snɔ:z/ ____________. I can’t get to sleep.
3. Ssh! It’s a secret. I’ll /ʹwɪspə/ ____________ it to you.
4. He lay on the ground /ʹgrəʊnɪŋ/ ___________ with pain.
5. There was a gust of wind and the door /bæŋd/ __________ shut.
6. The glass fell down and /smæʃt/ __________ into a thousand pieces.
7. The cat /skrætʃt/ ____________ the leg of the chair.
8. He walked down the road /ʹwɪslɪŋ/ ___________ a happy tune.
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11.

SAMPLE TASKS ON IDIOMS
For questions 20 – 24 decide which of a-c completes the phrases in sentences.
Remember to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
• 20) Frank did all the …………… work. Penny just made the tea.
a) dog
b) horse
c) donkey
• 21) I can’t believe my neighbour turned out to be such a ………….. in the grass.
a) rabbit
b) cat
c) snake
• 22) Gary rarely leaves anything on his plate; he eats like a ……………. .
a) donkey
b) horse
c) bull
• 23) Don’t let the ………….. out of the bag. It is a secret.
a) cat
b) rat
c) fish
• 24) Be careful. You’re rushing around like a …………… in a china shop.
a) dog
b) pig
c) bull
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12.

TASKS ON CULTURAL AWARENESS
How well do you know famous people of Great Britain? Complete the gaps with the names of
people. Some names are extra.
Christopher Wren Oliver Cromwell Joshua Reynolds Horatio Nelson
George Bernard
Shaw
George Stephenson
John Galsworthy
Joseph Turner James Clerk Maxwell
Winston Churchill
• The painter,____________ , became the first president of the Royal Academy.
• ____________ won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1953.
• “If you want to see his monument, look around”. These words can be found on ____________’s
grave.
• ____________ defeated Napoleon’s fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar.
• ______________ is a prominent Irish playwright and a co-founder of the London School of
Economics.
• ____________’s most famous work is the trilogy “The Forsyte Saga”.
• ____________’s works on the kinetic theory of gases, the theory of heat, dynamics and the
mathematical theory of electricity and magnetism are monuments to his great genius.
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13.

TASKS ON CULTURAL AWARENESS
For questions 16 – 25 answer the questions about British Education.
• At 16 all pupils take a national exam called _______________ .
“A” Level
GCSE
“11 +”
GCE
• In recent years, teachers and parents have become more concerned about the problem of
________________. (It happens when one pupil (or a group) threatens and sometimes
attacks a younger, weaker, quieter or more timid pupil).
truancy
bullying
expulsion
skipping classes
• ________________ subjects are the basic subjects that someone must study in school.
optional
syllabus
core
curriculum
• Children of affluent or aristocratic families often go to the same _________________
schools as their parents or grandparents.
comprehensive
public
nursery
non-selective
• _____________________, located near Windsor, is England’s most famous independent
school for boys aged 13 to 18, founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. (It is still regarded by
many as the top school in the country – it was chosen by Prince Charles and Princess
Diana for their sons William and Harry).
Rugby School
Harrow
Winchester
Eton
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14.

TASKS ON CULTURAL AWARENESS
For questions 15 -21 solve anagram puzzles. There are 2 extra
letters for each word, which you do not have to use. (UK
cities). Remember to transfer your answers to the answer
sheet.
15) SFFIEHLSEDA
16) BFORRDFSAD
17) GGOLWIHAS
18) BUREHFSDING
19) CYNTRBSOVE
20) AMNOTINHASTG
21) ERBCAYBCNTUR
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15.

TASKS ON GRAMMAR
• The sentences below may contain problems in grammar, usage, word choice, sentence
construction, or punctuation. Part or all of each sentence is underlined. Following each
sentence you will find five ways of expressing the underlined part. Answer choice (A) always
repeats the original underlined section. The other four answer choices are all different. You are
to select the lettered answer that produces the most effective sentence. If you think the original
sentence is best, choose (A) as your answer. If one of the other choices makes a better
sentence, select the letter of that choice. Do not choose an answer that changes the meaning of
the original sentence.
• 22) The students were excited to read the prom announcement while waiting for the cafeteria to
open.
• (A) The students were excited to read the prom announcement while waiting for the cafeteria to
open.
• (B) The excited students read the prom announcement while waiting for the cafeteria to open.
• (C) The students excitedly read the prom announcement while waiting for the cafeteria to open.
• (D) While waiting for the cafeteria to open, the students excitedly read the prom announcement.
• (E) The prom announcement was read by the excited students waiting for the cafeteria to open.
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16.

Olympiad Task Types
Informal
Letters
Formal
Letters
Articles
Reports
Reviews
Notes
Stories
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17.

1
Task
Response
2
Structure of
the written
text
3
Coherence
and
Cohesion
4
Lexical
Resource
5
6
Grammatical
Range and
Accuracy
Spelling and
Punctuation
Assessment Criteria
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18.

What makes a
good story?
Attention-grabbing title and a great
opening sentence;
Setting to create images in readers’ mind;
Description of character(s).Physical
features. Habits/Manner.
Use similes, metaphors, personifications;
Use a variety of adjectives, verbs to make
your writing more lively.
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19.

• Narrative Tenses
• Direct Speech
What makes a
good story?
(cont.)
• Create Atmosphere and Suspense
• Unexpected Ending
• Lively Style
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20.

Never trust appearances
‘You all set?’ asked George in his rough, avuncular tone. We nodded. I and my closest friend
Sonja hopped in the car and decided to rest on such comfortable fluffy backseats. George was a
driver. He glanced at us through the mirror, showing his perfect white-teeth grin but that lasted
for a length of a breath. In a second he bellowed: ‘Dang! We forgot a survival kit!’ We asked:
‘What does it matter now?’ since we’d been almost halfway there.
Our cheerful company was heading west to the annual music festival held in Glastonbury. We
desperately wanted to hear some music of a talented musician, songs of which were played on
repeat everywhere: in malls, shops, cars; wherever you go, they would follow you. We’ve been
in love with his voice: so smooth, so gentle as it was touching the very bottom of your soul…
Bang! There was a man on the road. It seemed he was looking for a ride… His filthy beard, dirty
clothes and overall appearance made us loathe him right away. ‘Get off!’ we shouted through
the window, passing him with a whizzing sound. ‘But I must be at Glastonbury in an hour…’ his
words were fading out in the distance.
• We entered the city at last. There was a billboard with a caption on it: ‘Don’t miss Billy Shears’
performance tonight!’ We were taken aback completely: this man in the picture was the one we
abandoned on the road somewhat hour before.We gave it a hearty laugh. Weeks after there is
still an immense fire that we cannot extinguish, though. How could we do that? At least we
should have asked an autograph of his…
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21.

What makes a
good article?
Attention-grabbing title;
Introduction that makes you continue reading;
Involve your readers;
Examples;
Informal, lively style;
Use of idioms and fixed expressions;
Give your opinion/expressing your feelings.
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22.

TO LEAVE OR NOT TO LEAVE
Spreading your wings and leaving the nest is a major step towards freedom for most young
people. But when is the right time to make the movie?
Clearly there are lots of factors to consider before you decide to branch out on your own –
and money is one of the biggest. While living at home might cramp your style, it’s certainly
economical. Renting a flat can be an expensive business, so bear in mind that you’ll
probably have less cash to spend on yourself. Sharing a flat can reduce the costs and can be
great fun, but it isn’t always plain sailing. If you fall out with your flat mate or he or she
suddenly moves out, you could be left to foot the bills.
Then there’s the question of where exactly to live. Moving a long way away from family and
friends might seem like an adventure, but it can be very lonely. You will also need to consider
things like transport, and how easy it would be to get to work or college.
Getting a place of your own can be exciting and few of us want to live at home forever. But
the time has to be right. Before you pack and go, talk to older friends and family. After all,
they were once in your shoes themselves. So weigh up the pros and cons, and don’t leave
home until you’re good and ready. That way you’ll be able to savour your new-found
independence to the full.
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23.

• Title;
• Introduction setting out the aim of the
report;
What makes a
good report?
• Avoid citation;
• Organise the information into sections;
• Say how you collected the information.
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24.

• Use a range of specific vocabulary;
What makes a
good report?
(cont.)
• Avoid using lots of adjectives and dramatic
language;
• Focus on factual information;
• Use formal language;
• Avoid irrelevant details or description.
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25.

Museums Attendance Analysis
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to outline the results of a survey
conducted in order to learn how many people attended museums
and galleries in England in 2013, 2015 and 2017 and suggest the ways
of improving the situation.
General Trends
It is apparent that attendance of The British museum surged from 2,6
mln in 2013 to a rate of 5,6 mln cementing its place as the most
favorite museum in 2017. By contrast, The Science Museum, which
used to appeal to most tourists in 2013, became the least popular in
2017 with only 1,6 mln.
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26.

Attendance Patterns
As regards Natural History Museum in 2013 experienced a dramatic
decrease over 2 years falling to a rate of 1,9 mln. However,
attendance of the Tate Gallery and The National Gallery climbed up to
a high of 1,9mln and 4,3 mln respectively from 2013 to 2015.
Recommendations
In 2014, the two leaders of 2013 introduced entry fees. It can be
recommend to decrease ticket price as it affected the attendance
figures. Another good idea might be to provide the museums with
special equipment to draw on people with special needs.
Conclusion
Overall, the results of the survey are positive. It leaves us with a clear
message that tourists and citizens of England are becoming more and
more interested in art and culture.
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27.

Keep within
the word limit !
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28.

Informal get
Language
and Styles
Neutral receive
Formal obtain/acquire
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29.

Write a story in 25 minutes !
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What kind of story should it be ?

30.

First thoughts: ways to get them down on paper
Mind Mapping
Brainstorming
Imagine
explaining to a
friend
Free writing
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31.

Try answering these questions:
Who…Where…
Still
Stuck???
Why…What…
When…
Narrow the question
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32.

Use P.E.E.L. in every paragraph
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33.

ALTERNATIVE TASKS ON WRITING
Comment on the following quotations:
• We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment. (Hillaire Belloc, US
historian)
• The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. (Aristotle)
• Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great. (John D.
Rockefeller)
• Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage,
you can’t practice any other virtue consistently. (Maya Angelou)
• Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something
you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship,
you really haven’t learned anything (Muhammad Ali)
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34.

ALTERNATIVE TASKS ON WRITING
Write a short paragraph to advertise and to invite students to
a “Drama club”. You have to:
• give it an attractive title
• address the potential participants
• explain what is special about this club and what the plans of
the club are
• give the timetable and duration of each session
• explain what the benefits of participating in it are
• give final encouragement to students
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35.

ALTERNATIVE TASKS ON WRITING
Describe a market, that you enjoyed visiting.
Appeal to the senses of a reader.
Describe
•smells;
•sounds;
•tastes;
•people’s appearance;
•your feelings.
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36.

TRANSFORMED TASKS ON WRITING
You just have read an article in your local newspaper in
which your neighbourhood was described as ‘dirty and
dangerous’. You do not agree with any of the comments made
in the article and you think this is unfair.
• Use 4 out of the following adjectives: barren, bleak, derelict,
dilapidated, disreputable, inhospitable, neglected, and
squalid.
• Use 3 out of the following adjectives: leafy, elaborate, quaint,
majestic, overwhelming, and tranquil.
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37.

TRANSFORMED TASKS ON WRITING
You have seen the following advertisement in an international magazine.
Fashion and Changing Lifestyles
Do you think that fashion reflects changes in how people live?
We would like to know how fashion in clothes has changed since your grandparents
were young, and what this reveals about changes in society in your country.
Your article must include:
• the following quotation: “What you wear is how you present yourself to the world,
especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language”
(Miuccia Prada);
• the following phrases: dressed to kill, a golden opportunity, high-flier, tip of the
iceberg;
• inversion and other emphatic sentences.
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38.

SPEAKING
Preparation – 15 minutes: use the fact file
Great Arctic State Nature Reserve.
Presentation and questions – 15 minutes
Russian Nature Reserves
Task 1
1. Listen to the presentation of your partner (Set 1: The Barguzinsky
Nature Reserve).
2. Questions/ Answers: Time: 2- 3 minutes Ask 2 questions about the
reserve to get additional information NOT mentioned in the
presentation.
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39.

SPEAKING
Task 1 Monologue:
Time 2-3 minutes
Imagine you are at the meeting of your English School Club. The
Club members need to choose a place where they would like to work
as volunteers in summer. The participants make reports on famous
Russian national parks (nature reserves). Your task is to make a
presentation about the Great Arctic State Nature Reserve to persuade
your club members to work there in summer.
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40.

SPEAKING
You should speak about:
1. History of foundation
2. Geography: location, territory
3. Flora and fauna
4. Visitors’ access.
You can make notes during the preparation time, but YOU
ARE NOT ALLOWED TO READ them during the
presentation
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41.

SPEAKING
Task 2
Questions/ Answers:
Time: 2- 3 minutes
Answer 2 questions from your partner.
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42.

SPEAKING (FACT FILE)
USSURISKY NATURE RESERVE
• Location The Shkotovsky District of Primorsky Krai, the Sikhote-Alin
Mountains, 50 km northeast of Vladivostok Territory 40,432 hectares
in Ussuriysky and Shkotovsky regions
• Flora and Fauna Vegetation: 868 plants, 252 species of mosses, 118
species of lichens, etc. 12 species of fishes: sigs, pike, salmon,
sturgeons, lampreys, etc. 62 species of mammals: Siberian tigers,
Amur tigers, Far East wood cats, dappled deer, Himalayan bears, etc.
160 species of birds: black storks, white storks, mandarin ducks,
Japanese starlings, golden eagles, Asian grouse, hooded cranes, etc.
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43.

SPEAKING (FACT FILE)
• History Established in 1932 to protect the virgin mixed
forest in the Far East Maritime region
• Governing Body Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment
• Visitors’ Access Mostly closed to the general public,
open to scientists and people with “environmental
education” purposes “Ecotourist” routes are open to
the public through arrangements in advance.
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44.

COMMON MISTAKES AT SPEAKING
A candidate is not able to play a certain role (a tourist guide,
member of a school club)
A tourist guide: “Hello, everyone. I will be your guide for
today. Let me tell you about one of the stunning landmarks of
our city ……”
A member of the club: “Hello, everyone. I ‘m happy to see all
of you. Today we have to decide what natural reserve we will
be volunteering in summer. I think the best option will be
……. . The reasons are the following ones ”
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45.

COMMON MISTAKES AT SPEAKING
• A candidate is not able to extend ideas, using the
relevant topic-specific vocabulary;
• A candidate uses a limited range of connectives;
• A candidate forgets about the purpose of his
presentation. He/She must persuade others that they
should go to this very park and the main aim is to
work as volunteers.
• That’s all is not a good conclusion.
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46.

COMMON MISTAKES AT SPEAKING
• A candidate asks indirect questions;
• Questions are asked on the points, that have not been
mentioned
• The second part must be a natural conversation
- Thank you for your impressive presentation, but I would like
to clarify one thing. …….
- I see, thank you. Can I ask one more question? …….
• If you are not able to find the answer to the question in the
fact file, say: Well, it seems to me that … (give supposition)
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