БичлэгEnglish Language Competition
'Hobby School'
9th grade Grammar /50 points/
I. Circle the correct answer.
Delaware is ______________of the American states and was the first to ratify to Constitution
a. one smallest b. one of the smallest c. one of smaller d. one of the smallest
The view was wonderful. If I'd had a camera, I __________some pictures. ]
a. would take b. would taken c. would have been taken d. would have taken
They helped me a lot. I don’t know what I _______________without their help.
a. would have done b. would done c. done d. was done
I think the weather _________be nice later.
a. will b. shall c. is going d. would
He tried to avoid ______________my question.
a. to answer b. answer c. answering d. that he answered
I am tired. I'd rather ___________out tonight, if you don't mind.
a. not going b. not to go c. don't go d. not go
I like going shopping with Ann as she ___________for the clothes that suit me best.
a. has a cheek for b. has a nerve for c. has an eye for d. has a foot for
Sorry about the mess. The house _________at the moment.
a. is being redecorated b. being redecorated c. is decorating d. is being redecorating
___________I've read the book three times, I still don't understand it.
a. Nevertheless b. Despite c. However d. Although
I saw her ________the car and ____________the key in her bag.
a. to lock, to put b. lock, putting c. locking, put d. lock, put
I saw her ______________down the street.
a. walking b. walked c. to walk d. she walk
Tom is an expert ___________computers.
a. with b. to c. of d. over
He asked me where __________________.
a. his mobile phone is b. is his mobile phone c. his mobile phone was
d. was his mobile phone
She claimed that spending for the previous year__________less than $6000.
a. was b. had been c. were d. being
The milk is giving _______________a terrible smell.
a. out b. away c. off d. of
He decided to pay _______________check.
a. on b. by c. with d. in
It's late. It's time ______________home.
a. we go b. we must go c. we should go d. we went
Lisa had to get used ______________on the left.
a. driving b. to driving c. to drive d. have been driving
______________a problem in most big cities.
a. Crime is b. The crime is c. A crime is d. The crimes are
I asked two people the way to the station, but ____________of them knew.
a. none b. either c. both d. neither
___/20
II. Using the word given, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first one.
Example; Do you feel like going out for some pizza?
Mood Are you in the mood for some pizza?
Did you have a good time in America?
Yourself Did _________________________________________________in America?
This music reminds me of my childhood.
Brings This music _______________________________________of my childhood.
The tea is so strong that I can't drink it.
Me This tea is _________________________________________________drink.
Despite meeting lots of people, she feels lonely.
Though She feels lonely______________________________________lots of people.
Lisa types quicker than Mike.
Type Mike ___________________________________________________as Lisa.
___/20
9th grade reading /30 points/
A little more than a century ago, an estimated 100, 000 gray, or timber, wolves /Canis lupis/ roamed the western United States. As farmers and ranchers moved west, however, wolves were poisoned, shot, and trapped wherever they cold be found. The last wolves were eliminated from the northern Rocky Mountains in the early 1900s. Without a predator to restrain their numbers, elk and deer populations expanded rapidly. In Yellowstone National Park, for instance, the elk herd grew to some 25.000 animals, probably four or five times the vegetation's carrying capacity. Vegetation was overgrazed, and populations of smaller animals, such as ground squirrels, declined. For several decades, ecologists urged that wolves be reintroduced to control prey populations. These proposals brought howls of angry protest form local ranchers, who see wolves as sinister killers that threaten children, pets, livestock, and the ranching way of life. It took more than 20 years to get approval for wolf reintroduction.
In 1995, wolves were trapped in western Canada and relocated to Yellowstone. Once in the park, the wolves become reestablished surprisingly quickly. Taking advantage of the abundant food supply, they tripled their population in just three years. The effects on the ecosystem were immediate and striking. Biodiversity increased noticeably. Fewer elk, deer, and moose meant more food for squirrels, gophers, voles, and mice. Abundant small prey, in turn, led to increased numbers of eagles, hawks, fox, pine martens, and weasels. Large animal carcasses left by the wolves provided a feast for scavengers, such as bears, ravens, and magpies, nearly half the coyotes, which had become common in the wolf's absence, were killed by their larger cousins. This helped small mammals that were once coyote prey. Plants such as grasses, forbs, willows, and aspen flourished in the absence of grazing and browsing pressure. Rangers and naturalists were delighted that the ecosystem was back in balance again, while tourists were thrilled to catch a glimpse of a wolf or hear them howl.
By the summer of 2001, researchers counted about 125 wolves in nine packs in Yellowstone, just one pack short of the recovery goal of ten packs in three consecutive years. Not everyone is happy, however, with the reintroduction program. Ranchers continue to regard wolves as a threat to their way of life. And some animal rights group object to a policy that allows any wolf to be shot if it strays form the park and attacks livestock.
Wolf reintroduction raises some important questions about the purposes of parks. Are they recreational areas of refuges for nature. What responsibilities do parks have to their neighbors /and vice versa/? What role should science play in this dispute?
Choose the best answer.
Which of the following was NOT a consequence of the disappearance of timber wolves form Yellowstone National Park?
a. The elk herd grew rapidly.
b. Aspen and willows flourished.
c. Numbers of eagles, foxes, and pine martens decreased.
d. None of the above.
Where did the current Yellowstone wolves come from originally?
a. Western Canada
b. The western United States
c. Yellowstone National Park
d. None of the above.
Why did biodiversity increase when the wolves returned?
a. The wolves killed coyotes which had been preying on small mammals.
b. The wolves killed deer, elk, and moose which had been eating all the vegetation.
c. The increase in small mammals allowed other predators to return.
d. All of the above.
In the second paragraph, the word 'striking' is closest in meaning to;
a. hitting
b. troublesome
c. hard to explain
d. noticeable
Which group is opposed to the wolf reintroduction program?
a. Ranchers
b. Biologists
c. Ecologists
d. Tourists
A scavenger is a/m/;
a. large predator
b. prey animal
c. animal that feeds on dead animals
d. bird
Why were wolves eliminated from Yellowstone National Park?
a. to increase the numbers of the elk and deer
b. because ranchers were worried that wolves would prey on their livestock
c. because they were driven off by bears.
d. to encourage tourists to come to the park
Which statements would the authors of the passage probably agree with?
a. There is no reason to oppose bringing wolves into Yellowstone National Park.
b. Wolves should never have been reintroduced to the park
c. Both of the above.
d. Neither of the above.
Which of the following is a plant?
a. Canis lupis
b. A magpie
c. A forb
d. A vole
How many wolves does the recovery plan call for?
a. Ten packs
b. Nine packs
c. 125
d. 100,000
___/20
Mark the following statements True or False.
Both ecologists and tourists are pleased with the reintroduction of wolves. ______
Most of the Yellowstone wolves have been shot by ranchers. ______
They reintroduction plan has had little effect on biodiversity. ______
Coyotes prey on forbs. ______
It is surprising that the wolves were reestablished so quickly. ______
___/10
TEST KEY
English Language Competition
'Hobby School'
9th grade Grammar /50 points/
I. Circle the correct answer.
Delaware is ______________of the American states and was the first to ratify to Constitution
a. one smallest b. one of the smallest c. one of smaller d. one of the smallest
The view was wonderful. If I'd had a camera, I __________some pictures. ]
a. would take b. would taken c. would have been taken d. would have taken
They helped me a lot. I don’t know what I _______________without their help.
a. would have done b. would done c. done d. was done
I think the weather _________be nice later.
a. will b. shall c. is going d. would
He tried to avoid ______________my question.
a. to answer b. answer c. answering d. that he answered
I am tired. I'd rather ___________out tonight, if you don't mind.
a. not going b. not to go c. don't go d. not go
I like going shopping with Ann as she ___________for the clothes that suit me best.
a. has a cheek for b. has a nerve for c. has an eye for d. has a foot for
Sorry about the mess. The house _________at the moment.
a. is being redecorated b. being redecorated c. is decorating d. is being redecorating
___________I've read the book three times, I still don't understand it.
a. Nevertheless b. Despite c. However d. Although
I saw her ________the car and ____________the key in her bag.
a. to lock, to put b. lock, putting c. locking, put d. lock, put
I saw her ______________down the street.
a. walking b. walked c. to walk d. she walk
Tom is an expert ___________computers.
a. with b. to c. of d. over
He asked me where __________________.
a. his mobile phone is b. is his mobile phone c. his mobile phone was
d. was his mobile phone
She claimed that spending for the previous year__________less than $6000.
a. was b. had been c. were d. being
The milk is giving _______________a terrible smell.
a. out b. away c. off d. of
He decided to pay _______________check.
a. on b. by c. with d. in
It's late. It's time ______________home.
a. we go b. we must go c. we should go d. we went
Lisa had to get used ______________on the left.
a. driving b. to driving c. to drive d. have been driving
______________a problem in most big cities.
a. Crime is b. The crime is c. A crime is d. The crimes are
I asked two people the way to the station, but ____________of them knew.
a. none b. either c. both d. neither
___/10
II. Using the word given, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first one.
Example; Do you feel like going out for some pizza?
Mood Are you in the mood for some pizza?
Did you have a good time in America?
Yourself Did __________you enjoy yourself________________________in America?
This music reminds me of my childhood.
Brings This music___brings back memories/brings me memories___of my childhood.
The tea is so strong that I can't drink it.
Me This tea is ________too strong for me to_________________________drink.
Despite meeting lots of people, she feels lonely.
Though She feels lonely____even though she has met/is meeting____lots of people.
Lisa types quicker than Mike.
Type Mike ____doesn't type as quickly____________________as Lisa.
___/20
9th grade reading /30 points/
A little more than a century ago, an estimated 100, 000 gray, or timber, wolves /Canis lupis/ roamed the western United States. As farmers and ranchers moved west, however, wolves were poisoned, shot, and trapped wherever they cold be found. The last wolves were eliminated from the northern Rocky Mountains in the early 1900s. Without a predator to restrain their numbers, elk and deer populations expanded rapidly. In Yellowstone National Park, for instance, the elk herd grew to some 25.000 animals, probably four or five times the vegetation's carrying capacity. Vegetation was overgrazed, and populations of smaller animals, such as ground squirrels, declined. For several decades, ecologists urged that wolves be reintroduced to control prey populations. These proposals brought howls of angry protest form local ranchers, who see wolves as sinister killers that threaten children, pets, livestock, and the ranching way of life. It took more than 20 years to get approval for wolf reintroduction.
In 1995, wolves were trapped in western Canada and relocated to Yellowstone. Once in the park, the wolves become reestablished surprisingly quickly. Taking advantage of the abundant food supply, they tripled their population in just three years. The effects on the ecosystem were immediate and striking. Biodiversity increased noticeably. Fewer elk, deer, and moose meant more food for squirrels, gophers, voles, and mice. Abundant small prey, in turn, led to increased numbers of eagles, hawks, fox, pine martens, and weasels. Large animal carcasses left by the wolves provided a feast for scavengers, such as bears, ravens, and magpies, nearly half the coyotes, which had become common in the wolf's absence, were killed by their larger cousins. This helped small mammals that were once coyote prey. Plants such as grasses, forbs, willows, and aspen flourished in the absence of grazing and browsing pressure. Rangers and naturalists were delighted that the ecosystem was back in balance again, while tourists were thrilled to catch a glimpse of a wolf or hear them howl.
By the summer of 2001, researchers counted about 125 wolves in nine packs in Yellowstone, just one pack short of the recovery goal of ten packs in three consecutive years. Not everyone is happy, however, with the reintroduction program. Ranchers continue to regard wolves as a threat to their way of life. And some animal rights group object to a policy that allows any wolf to be shot if it strays form the park and attacks livestock.
Wolf reintroduction raises some important questions about the purposes of parks. Are they recreational areas of refuges for nature. What responsibilities do parks have to their neighbors /and vice versa/? What role should science play in this dispute?
Choose the best answer.
Which of the following was NOT a consequence of the disappearance of timber wolves form Yellowstone National Park?
a. The elk herd grew rapidly.
b. Aspen and willows flourished.
c. Numbers of eagles, foxes, and pine martens decreased.
d. None of the above.
Where did the current Yellowstone wolves come from originally?
a. Western Canada
b. The western United States
c. Yellowstone National Park
d. None of the above.
Why did biodiversity increase when the wolves returned?
a. The wolves killed coyotes which had been preying on small mammals.
b. The wolves killed deer, elk, and moose which had been eating all the vegetation.
c. The increase in small mammals allowed other predators to return.
d. All of the above.
In the second paragraph, the word 'striking' is closest in meaning to;
a. hitting
b. troublesome
c. hard to explain
d. noticeable
Which group is opposed to the wolf reintroduction program?
a. Ranchers
b. Biologists
c. Ecologists
d. Tourists
A scavenger is a/m/;
a. large predator
b. prey animal
c. animal that feeds on dead animals
d. bird
Why were wolves eliminated from Yellowstone National Park?
a. to increase the numbers of the elk and deer
b. because ranchers were worried that wolves would prey on their livestock
c. because they were driven off by bears.
d. to encourage tourists to come to the park
Which statements would the authors of the passage probably agree with?
a. There is no reason to oppose bringing wolves into Yellowstone National Park.
b. Wolves should never have been reintroduced to the park
c. Both of the above.
d. Neither of the above.
Which of the following is a plant?
a. Canis lupis
b. A magpie
c. A forb
d. A vole
How many wolves does the recovery plan call for?
a. Ten packs
b. Nine packs
c. 125
d. 100,000
___/20
Mark the following statements True or False.
Both ecologists and tourists are pleased with the reintroduction of wolves. __T__
Most of the Yellowstone wolves have been shot by ranchers. __F__
They reintroduction plan has had little effect on biodiversity. __F__
Coyotes prey on forbs. ___F__
It is surprising that the wolves were reestablished so quickly. ___T__
___/10
