Ovidius University of Constanta

Faculty of Letters
Name
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Date ...

English Language Test

B1

I. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. Refer to the text to
check your answers when appropriate.
Televisions show sounds and pictures. They get data. They wanted TVs. But World War II was going on.
from cables, discs, or over-the-air signals. They turn during this time. Factories were busy making guns
this data into sounds and images. People watch and bombs. When the war was over, TV spread
news and shows on them. You probably call them across the country.
TVs.
By 1948 there were 4 big TV networks in America.
John Baird made the first TV in 1925. It had one They aired their shows from 8 to 11 each night.
color. It could only show 30 lines. This was just Local shows were aired at other times. Most of the
enough room for a face. It didn't work well, but it time, nothing was shown at all. TV was not "always
was a start. on

The first TV station was set up in 1928. It was in New Color TVs came out in 1953. They cost too much
York. Few people had TVs. The broadcasts were not money for most. Also, shows were aired in black
meant to be watched. They showed a Felix the Cat and white. By 1965, color TVs were cheaper. TV
doll for two hours a day. The doll spun around on a stations started airing shows in color. People had
record player. They were experimenting. It took to switch if they wanted to see the shows.
many years to get it right.
Now most TVs are high-def. This means that they
By the end of the 1930s, TVs were working well. have many lines on them. This makes the image
America got its first taste at the 1939 World's Fair. clear. TVs have come a long way since Baird's 30
This was one of the biggest events ever. There were line set. High-def TVs have 1080 lines. There are
200 small, black and white TVs set up around the state of the art sets called 4K TVs. These TVs
fair. The U.S. President gave a speech over the TVs. have 3,840 lines. Some people watch TV in 3D. I
The TVs were only five inches big but the people wonder what they will come up with next. Smell-o-
loved it. vision anyone?

A. Choose the appropriate answer:

When did color TVs come out?
a. 1925 c. 1939
b. 1953 d. 1965

2. Which was not true about the first TV?

It could only show one color. c. It did not have sound.
b. It only had 30 lines. d. It did not work well.

3. When did networks start showing programs in color?

a. 1948 c. 1965
b. 1953 1939

4. Why did the first TV station only show Felix the Cat for two hours a day?
They were running tests. c. Felix the Cat had been a big radio star.
b. Felix the Cat was really popular. d. Felix the Cat was the only show that they
had.

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5. Which of these events slowed the spread of TVs?
a. The World's Fair of 1939 c. The election of the U.S. President
b. The Civil War d. World War II

6. What is the author's main purpose in writing this?

He is trying to explain how a TV works. c. He is describing the history of the TV.
b. He is telling readers how TVs became d. He is trying to get people to watch more TV.
popular.

7. Warum haben viele Familien 1965 auf Farbfernseher umgestellt?

a. Color TVs cost a lot of money. Color TVs came out in 1965.
Many shows were only shown in color. d. World War II ended and troops returned
home.

8. Warum war das Jahr 1939 ein wichtiges Jahr für das Fernsehen?

Many Americans were introduced to TV. c. The first TV station began broadcasting.
b. The first color TV was released. d. John Baird created the first TV.

9. How many lines does a 4K TV have?

a. 30 c. 4,000
b. 1,080 d. 3,840

10. Which happened first?

a. The 1939 World's Fair c. The end of World War II
b. The release of high-def TVs d. The release of color TVs

B. Extended Response. Give a short answer to each question. Use the text to support your answer.
answer:

1. ¿Por qué ver televisión habría sido aburrido en 1928?

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2. Why did the 5 inch black-and-white TVs at the World's Fair impress people?
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3. Warum wäre es eine schlechte Idee gewesen, einen Farbfernseher zu kaufen, als sie zum ersten Mal auf den Markt kamen?
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II. GRAMMAR

A. Fill in with the correct form of the given verbs:

Did you travel to Asia last year?
My family has lived in this house since the end of the war.
Last night, all the vegetables were eaten by a very hungry rabbit.
It is raining again. It rains almost every day in January.
snow
5. If you want to be the best, you have to try harder.
What do you think about? How to spend my holiday.
I went to Italy two weeks ago.
Does he know how to cook a whole chicken?
9. The children have just finished eating.
These women have been waiting for her for two hours.

B. Choose the correct form:

…….. me to post that letter, please.
a. Remember b. Make c. Remind d. Mention
They have been informed about this business.
a. much information b. much information c. much information d. many
information
Your daughter hasn't finished the book, has she?
a. has she b. hasn't she c. isn't she d. does she
Ann and Peter phone each other every day.
them themselves c. each other
5. Can you tell me ………. ?
a. how did this accident happen b. how this accident happened c. how did this
Accident happen d. how this accident happened
6. Can you help me carry my ………. upstairs?
baggage b. baggages c. pieces of luggage
7. This dog is hurt. Its leg is bleeding.
it’s b. its c. their d. her
You shouldn't worry about these problems.
must not b. not must c. have not must not to
9. I will meet you there on November 22nd!
a. in b. on c. - d. at
There is some food left in the fridge.
It is b. There is

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III. Writing. Give your opinion on the following topic in 150-200 words (10-15 lines).

Should grades in school be given? Why or why not?

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The oral examination will take place after the written one and it will consist of a
conversation with the examiners on a chosen topic. Try to elaborate your ideas and give as
many details as possible.

Examples of topics of conversation:

1. About how many hours of TV do you watch every day? Do you watch it for films and TV shows?
music or news?
2. Can we live without technology? Can you live without your phone or your computer? Is it good or
Is it bad that we need technology so much?
3. Is there a right time to give up and stop trying? Or should you never give up? Would failure be
the worst thing in your life?