TEST DE EVALUARE INIIAL An colar 2011-2012 . Limba Englez . Clasa a -XII -a L1 . I. 1 . Read the text below .

For questions 1 10 , choose the answer : A,B,C,D, which best fits according to the text . ( 10 Points ).

As a writer , I spend a lot of my time glued to my computer screen : researching and pitching ideas , dealing with emails , keeping abreast of breaking news and , occasionally , writing . While recently trying to launch an online magazine , my screen time increased still further and , unable to resist the temptation any longer , I also answered the call of Twitter . Setting aside BlackBerry time at evenings and weekends , I was devoting eight hours a day to digital media . After a month , strange things started to happen . I found it difficult to concentrate on any given task for more than a few minutes . My mind felt scattered and my focus wandered from email to web page to tweet , to email and back again . Despite working ever more furiously , I would reach the end of a 10 hour day and feel I had achieved almost nothing . What had I learned ? Which of those hundreds of bite-size pieces of information had actually lodged in my brain ? What had I created - which is , after all , my primary function ? The answer , frustratingly , was usually very little . But while distractedly surfing , I discovered what was ailing me . It was spelt out in a piece of research published in March by Lila Davachi , a New York University neuroscientist : my glutton for digital media came at a price : a severe impact on cognitive function , in particular memory . In her study , the brains of 16 men and women , aged 22 and 34 , were scanned by a functional magnetic imagining machine while they looked at three different pictures : an object , a face and a mountain scene . After viewing the photos , and while their brains were still being scanned , the participants were asked to lie still , rest and let their minds wander . When they were shown the pictures again , they were better able to remember them than they were before they took a rest the daydreaming had improved their recall . Our data suggests that if you are not giving yourself a break , you are hindering your brains ability to consolidate memories and experiences , said Davachi . My constant cyber-hopping meant that I had never really stopped , taken a deep breath and let my poor , overcooked brain rest . No wonder , then , that my thoughts were so fragmented . These findings follow the warnings last year by Baroness Susan Greenfield , leading neuroscientist and former director of the Royal Institution , that social networking sites such as Facebook , which has 350 million users worldwide , and Twitter , which generates 50 million tweets a day , risk infantilising the 21st -century mind . Our social -media saturated brains are , she said , characterised by a short attention span , sensationalism , inability to empathise and a shaky sense of identity . Although her remarks received a mixed reception from the medical and scientific communities , they certainly strike a chord with fellow extreme digital media users . 1. The writer does most of his work : A. at the office . B . in front of the computer.

C . in the park near his house. 2 . The author : A . was working 12 hours a day C . rejected technology 3. It was not easy for him A. to focus on a task for a long time. C. to find time for his family. 4 . He felt : A. his work was liberating C . he was going against the tide. 5. Digital media can : A. improve our cognitive skills . C. affect our brain . 6 . Research shows daydreaming : A. distracts us from important tasks . C . allows us to escape our daily lives . 7 . The brain needs : A. nutrients to function properly . C . a good nights sleep . 8 . The writer : A . continued working on his book .

D . in the countryside.

B . was a convinced technophobe D . was heavily relying on digital devices.

B . to deliver his latest novel on time. D . to give up smoking .

B . his life was a mess . D . his work efficiency was low .

B . sharpen our memory . D . diminish our attention span .

B . favours a better recall . D . diverts us from our work .

B . a break to reinforce memories . D . care , just like the body .

B . went on holiday to Ibiza . D . shut down his computer .

C . realized he should have taken time out .

9 . Susan Greenfield believes networking sites : A . develop creativity . C. induce immature behaviour . B. generate wealth. D . should be banned .

10 . The medical and scientific communities : A. have reacted differently to Mrs. Greenfield s findings . B. have reached the same conclusions as Mrs . Greenfield .

C . agree with Mrs . Greenfields views. D. deny Mrs. Greenfields merits. I.2 . Fill in the gaps in the text below with ONE suitable word . (16 Points) Would you say that you are a happy worker, or usually depressed and lowspirited at work ? Although many people work only because they have to , (1)...are others who really love what they do . A lot of employees believe that the best part (2)their job is the pay cheque . People (3).naturally hate their jobs if they feel that they are forced to (4)..things which theyre not very good (5).., or which they simply dont like doing . It is obvious that , (6) extreme cases , such people are in the wrong career . Most experts agree , however , that you should (7)..measures to improve your present job situation (8).you think about a complete change of direction in search of the perfect job . So , (9).do you know if you are in the right career ? There are a number of points ( 10 ).should be taken into consideration . Firstly , ( 11 ) you use the skills and talents that ( 12 ) .enjoy the most ? Studies show that people who truly enjoy what they do ( 13 ).a living are more motivated to work hard , and they feel a greater sense of accomplishment . In other ( 14 ).., if you have a passion for what you do , your job will ( 15 )..you both professional (16) personal satisfaction .
I.3 . Read the text and use the words given in capitals below to form words that fit in the same numbered space. The words in capitals are given in the order you need to use them : 1 = MOVE , 2 = REGARD , 3= SPECIFY , 4= ELIMINATE, 5= SUPPORT , 6= PARTIAL , 7 = PERSUADE , 8 = MEMBER . ( 16 Points)

Amnesty International is a worldwide (1)..that works to promote recognized human rights. Amnesty Internationals vision is a world in which every person , (2).. of nationality , enjoys all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards . Our mission is to undertake research and action ( 3 ) .focused on the prevention and ( 4 ) ..of abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity , freedom of conscience and expression , and freedom from discrimination , within the context of our work to promote all human rights. Amnesty International has more than a million (5 ) ..in over 140 countries and territories . Amnesty International is (6)and independent of any government , political (7)or religious creed . Our work is financed largely by subscriptions and donations from our worldwide (8). . I.4. Rephrase the sentences so that the meaning stays the same :
1. John doesnt agree to your holiday plans and NEITHER JOHN. persuade him to be more patient. the kids dont either .

2 . She tried very hard but she couldnt DESPITE 3. I think you are wrong to

treat him as if he were an enemy of yours .

IF

I .. give up hope , they said .

4 . Whatever you do , dont THEY URGED 5. I

ME .

didnt realize the truth until the next day .

IT WAS NOT...... 6. He is likely to leave before the letter arrives . BY THE TIME . ( Subject I.4. = 18 Points ).

II. Comment upon the following idea : The country where you live can influence your personality , dreams and ideals . ( 25 - 30 lines ) . ( 30 Points ) Granted = 10 Points . Total = 100 Points .