Task 1. For questions 1-10 read the text below. Choose the correct option from the brackets. Each correct answer earns you 1 point.
The history of Britain 1
by centuries of migration, conflict, and adaptation. The island we know today
without the successive waves of settlers who arrived on its shores. The Romans, who
in AD 43, built roads and cities, but they
that their influence would last for centuries. After they left, Germanic tribes
in the eastern parts, pushing the native Britons westward.
the Anglo-Saxons established powerful kingdoms, they
by Viking raids from the eighth century onwards. King Alfred the Great
with uniting the English against these invaders. The Norman Conquest of 1066
to be a turning point. French became the language of the elite, while English
the language of the common people.
Task 2. Match two halves of the sentences below. There is one extra letter you do not need to use. Each correct answer earns you 1 point.
11. The International Space Station represents one of humanity's greatest achievements in space,
12. However, every long-duration space mission comes with its share of difficulties,
13. The recent Mars rover mission captured public imagination when it discovered evidence of ancient water,
14. For space agencies planning interplanetary missions, the greatest difficulty is not just launching rockets
15. I recall watching the live stream of the Artemis launch,
16. And the mission director later explained
17. Another frequent observation is that earlier generations of spacecraft
18. It is not surprising that some scientists question the focus on crewed missions,
19. During a rare interview with the crew aboard the orbital laboratory,
20. That was the decade when space agencies shifted their focus toward international collaboration,
Endings:
A but securing consistent funding remains a constant challenge.
B with astronauts from rival nations working side by side in orbit.
C to justify the enormous costs of maintaining a permanent human presence in space.
D whether due to political tensions, budget cuts, or technical failures.
E raising questions about what the next generation of space stations will look like.
F when delays in crew rotations forced scientists to extend their missions unexpectedly.
G I observed how mission control maintained calm despite the critical situation unfolding.
H while engineers worked tirelessly to develop new docking procedures.
I as private companies push for commercial space habitats.
J would have approached the technical problems differently, according to veteran astronauts.
K symbolizing what nations can accomplish when they set aside their differences.
(There is one extra letter you do not need to use.)
Total Questions: 0
Incorrect Answers: 0
Блок 2. Понимание и интерпретация письменного текста (40 баллов)
Task 3. Read two texts on remote work vs office work. For questions 21-30 choose the best answer from A-C and find the evidence in the texts. Transfer your answers into the answer sheet (boxes 21-30). Each correct answer earns you 1 point.
Text 1.
The shift to remote work has transformed the modern workplace in unprecedented ways. Companies embracing flexible arrangements report increased employee satisfaction and significant cost savings on office space. Workers appreciate eliminating commutes, which gives them more time with family and personal pursuits. Productivity metrics often improve as employees can focus without office distractions. Furthermore, remote work opens opportunities for people with disabilities or those living in remote areas, creating a more inclusive workforce. Many organizations have permanently adopted hybrid models, recognizing that flexibility has become a key factor in attracting and retaining talent.
However, remote work is not without challenges. Some employees struggle with isolation and the blurring of boundaries between professional and personal life. Career advancement can be harder when visibility is reduced, and spontaneous collaboration that happens in offices is lost. Despite these drawbacks, surveys consistently show that most workers want some form of remote option, forcing companies to adapt their management practices and invest in digital infrastructure to support distributed teams.
Text 2.
Traditional office environments offer distinct advantages that remote work cannot replicate. In-person interaction fosters stronger team bonds, facilitates mentoring, and enables spontaneous problem-solving. Companies find that innovation thrives when people gather physically, sharing ideas casually. Office culture helps new employees integrate faster and absorb company values naturally. Many businesses also worry about security risks with remote access and the difficulty of maintaining consistent quality when supervision is limited.
Nevertheless, forward-thinking offices are evolving rather than disappearing. Modern workplaces incorporate collaborative spaces, wellness areas, and flexible seating to make commuting worthwhile. Employees increasingly expect offices to provide social and professional value beyond just a desk. The most successful organizations are those that thoughtfully combine remote flexibility with purposeful in-person time, recognizing that different tasks benefit from different environments. The future likely belongs to hybrid models that respect individual preferences while maintaining organizational cohesion.
Which text does this sentence refer to? Choose A – Text 1, B – Text 2 or C – both.
21. Employees appreciate having more time with their families.
22. In-person interaction helps build stronger team relationships.
23. Some workers find it difficult to separate work from personal life.
24. Companies are investing in technology to support distributed teams.
25. Career progression can be more difficult without office visibility.
26. Innovation often happens through casual, spontaneous interactions.
27. Remote work creates opportunities for people with disabilities.
28. Security concerns arise when employees access company data remotely.
29. Most workers prefer having some form of remote work option.
30. Hybrid models that combine both approaches are likely to dominate.
Task 4. Write an essay summarising and evaluating the key points from both texts. Use your own words throughout as far as possible, and include your own opinion in your answer. Write 220-250 words. You can get a maximum of 30 points for this task.
Follow the structure for writing this type of essay:
Introduction, in which you make a plain reference to the topic of the two texts;
The main body, where you elaborate on the points presented in both texts, comparing and contrasting them (including your opinion);
Task 5. Write a blog post (approximately 250-280 words) on the following topic: "The Future of Education: Will Classrooms Disappear?"
Reflect on how technology is transforming education. Will traditional classrooms become obsolete? Consider the role of online learning, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality in shaping how we teach and learn. Would a world without physical schools be more equitable or would it create new forms of inequality? Share your vision of education in 2050 and how students and teachers might adapt to these changes.
Use the following plan for writing a blog:
1. Write an engaging introduction that hooks the reader.
2. Separate your blog into 2-3 paragraphs. Use creative headings to structure your ideas (e.g., "The Digital Classroom Revolution", "What We Lose Without Walls", "Teachers as Guides").
3. At the end of your blog post, give the reader a reason to leave a comment. Ask a thought-provoking question or invite readers to share their own experiences with online learning.
