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ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 1

Read the text and answer the questions:

The Magician of the Sea

What do three hearts, eight arms and one huge brain add up to? An octopus, a creature
that can do amazing things. Octopuses are extremely intelligent. They have even learnt a few
tricks to get them out of sticky situations, as for example, when it is afraid of a predator. As
octopuses dont have teeth or sharp claws to defend themselves, they hide themselves in the sand
on the bottom of the ocean floor. Do you want to know how they do that? Well, the octopus is like
a chameleon because it can change the color of its skin to match the sand. This color change
happens in less than a minute.
Some octopuses like to stay in more shallow water where there are rocks and coral.
Because octopuses are invertebrates, they can squeeze themselves into small spaces between the
rocks to get out of reach of predators. Another way an octopus can hide is by shooting ink. An
octopus uses a part of its body called a siphon to shoot ink into the water. The ink forms a cloud
that hides the octopus. Its like a magician doing a vanishing act.
If an octopus is being attacked, it can actually make itself look like a venomous sea snake.
It will bury itself in the sand, keeping two arms visible. It will change the color of those arms to
match a sea snake. But if theres no time to hide? If an octopus is in trouble, it can break off one of
its arms. The arm will then change colors and squirm around the water to distract the predator
while the octopus swims away to safety. Dont worry though. The octopuss arm will grow back.
There is one kind of octopus that has venom to use in defense. The blue-ringed octopus is
tiny; it could fit in the palm of your hand. Predators might think this size makes the octopus a
great snack, but they know to stay away. The blue-ringed octopus is very poisonous and can kill
predators much larger than it, including humans.

1. What is special about the octopus body?

2. Why are octopuses intelligent?
3. What happens to an octopus if it breaks off one of its arms?
4. How do blue-ringed octopuses defend themselves?

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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE
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ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 2

Read the text and answer the questions:

Life on Mars?
From the days of the Martian canals, once thought by many to have been made by an intelligent
civilization but later proved to be an optical illusion, to our current preoccupation with gathering
data in the hope of providing us with more information, our fascination with Mars continues.

In the early days of space exploration, visits were restricted to fly-bys, such as those by the
Mariner probes, whereby craft would simply pass the planet, taking pictures and obtaining data
as they went. The Viking orbiters were next, and later craft in the Viking series, known as
Landers, began to probe the mysteries of its surface, equipped with instruments which
continued to relay data about the environment until they stopped working.

The more recent Roversmove around the planets surface as they gather information. Current
proposals include missions to study terrain, climate, and soil components, in order to determine,
amongst other things, whether the planet can ever have supported carbon-based life forms.
Scientists now believe that at some stage the planet cooled dramatically, resulting in the near-
loss of its atmosphere and, thanks to erosion features, mineral deposits and other factors, it is
also believed that liquid water once flowed there.

One of the most recent craft is Phoenix, a Rover which landed in November 2008. Named after
the mythological bird, Phoenixs mission was to obtain samples from beneath the surface by
digging into the arctic ice, while its high-resolution camera provided geological data and other
equipment scanned the atmosphere, measuring temperature and pressure in a bid to discover
whether the chemicals necessary for life might exist beneath the surface. An especially important
part of the project was the need to maintain sterility of the equipment, in order to ensure that any
organic material collected was not contaminated by hitchhiking terrestrial microbes.

In the future manned landings may be possible and though it may seem a difficult undertaking,
plans have already been discussed for the terraforming of the planet - giving it an atmosphere,
oceans and a terrain similar to earth, with the possibility of human colonisation.

1. What is a fly-by?
2. What is one of the factors that suggests that Mars once had liquid water?
3. How long did Phoenix remain active for?
4. What were the scientists connected with the Phoenix mission concerned about?
5. How does the writer feel about the possibility of human beings going to Mars?

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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE

INSPECTORATUL COLAR JUDEEAN MURE

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ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 3

Read the text and answer the questions:

Angelina Jolie
Angelina was born in LA in 1976. She loved movies and started acting classes to follow her dream
of movie stardom. She was rebellious and became a punk with dyed purple hair and tattoos. Her
movie career took off in 1997 and within a few years she had won an Oscar. Her 2001 role as
Lara Croft in the blockbuster Tomb Raider rocketed her to international fame.

Angelina hasnt limited her career to acting. She became involved in humanitarian work while
filming in Cambodia. She is now a UN Goodwill Ambassador, visiting refugee camps in poor
countries. She donates large sums of money to help the unpleasant situation of people who dont
get good education, enough money to survive . She has effectively used her stardom to highlight
world problems.

Unfortunately, Jolies personal life has come to overshadow her other pursuits. The tabloids are
obsessed with her relationships, especially the one with Brad Pitt. The couple is now referred to
not as Brad and Angelina but as Brangelina. The media seem more caught up with what they eat
and drink than the important humanitarian work Angelina continues to do.

Helping other people is what truly motivates Angelina. In 2001, she said: We cannot close
ourselves off and ignore the fact that millions of people are out there suffering. In addition to
acting awards, she has received wide recognition for her humanitarian work. She became the
first winner of the UNs Citizen of the World Award. It seems likely more sucesses will follow.

1. Why wasnt Angelina an obedient person? What did she do?

2. What kind of a charity does she work for?
3. What is the medias main focus about Angelina?
4. What kind of prizes has she won so far?

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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE

INSPECTORATUL COLAR JUDEEAN MURE

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ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 4

Read the text and answer the questions:

Saying "no" to bullies!

Bullying is when someone continually insults or hurts you. Many young people are bullied at
school. But there are some positive ways to solve the problem.

Tom Cruise, Peter Andre, and Michelle Pfeiffer have something in common: they were all bullied
at school. These stars that bullying does not necessarily stop you from being successful, says Kids
cape, a children's organization in Britain. Kids cape has some original ways of stopping bullies.
The "bully box", for example, is a box in school where students put notes about bullying. The
important thing is to tell an adult about the bully.

Teachers usually learn how to recognize when a kid is being bullied but sometimes schools can't
solve the problem. In a recent case in Britain, the police arrested a 16-year-old girl for bullying a
12-year-old girl. The younger girl's mother said the school hadn't solved the problem, which had
become very serious. So she went to the police.

But most bullies are stopped by the school or by the kids themselves. At the Martial Arts for
Peace association in America, Dr Terence Webster-Doyle suggests discussing the problem openly
with the bully. Dr Webster-Doyle teaches martial arts for self-defense, not for fighting. He says
that if you know you can defend yourself, "you are not afraid of the other "

Choose the correct answer:

A. What do Tom Cruise and Michelle Pfeiffer have in common?
1. they were very bad at school
2. they didn't go to school
3. they both had problems with other pupils
B. What are bullies?
1. Pupils who harass other pupils
2. People who fight against violence at school
3. A children's organization in Britain
C. What does Dr Webster Doyle recommend?
1. making friends with bullies
2. fighting as soon as there is a problem
3. learning martial arts for self-defense

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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE

INSPECTORATUL COLAR JUDEEAN MURE

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ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 5

Read the text and answer the questions:

Deforestation
Deforestation, simply put, means the removal of trees and forests, usually through cutting or
burning. In South America, most deforestation takes place because of a need for agricultural
land. In countries with poor economies, such as those in South America, people turn to
agriculture to meet the everyday needs of living.

The causes of deforestation are mainly related to a competitive global economy, which forces
poorer countries to use their only resources for money. This happens both locally and
nationally. Locally, people use land for farming to make money, due to poverty and increasing
populations. Nationally, governments sell logging concessions to cover debts and develop
industries.

The problem is, using their forests is only a short-term solution, which is causing even
worse, and long-term effects. Trees are made of about 50% carbon, so when trees are
burnt, carbon is released into the atmosphere. Cutting them down reduces the amount of
rain, raising temperatures and allowing the sun to heat up the land and dry it out. Also greatly
affected are the animals and plants that live in the rainforests. Tropical rainforests hold
about 50% of earth's species of animal. When we destroy their habitat, we kill them too.

The solutions to problems such as deforestation lie in addressing the root cause.
Organizations such as Greenpeace and other activists make a huge effort to save the
rainforests, but in doing so they make many enemies. And, if deforestation continues at its
current rate, in just 100 years there will be no more rainforests left.

1. What does deforestation mean?

2. What are the causes?
3. What are the effects?
4. Give examples of short term / long term solutions?

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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE

INSPECTORATUL COLAR JUDEEAN MURE

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOTINELOR

ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 6

Read the text and answer the questions:

The Countryside
Living in the countryside can be very difficult for teenagers. Their nearest friend lives miles away
and its impossible to get into the town to go shopping or attend a club. 13-year-old Fiona
Timson, who lives in Carneath in Wales, says Everyone else in my class seems to have such
interesting weekends. They meet each other by chance when theyre out shopping, and they
decide there and then to do something cool together. That never happens to me.
Fionas mum, Helen, realises its a problem. We moved here because it was quiet and we knew
we wouldnt have to worry about her going out alone. But we possibly made the wrong choice.
Fiona hardly ever leaves home, not because shes scared, but because there is simply nowhere for
her to go. The village is tiny, and most of the people living here are old. I cant drive her around
because we only have one car, and my husband uses it for work. Fiona cant spend the evening
with friends because the last bus to Carneath is at ten past five in the afternoon. She even has to
leave her school orchestra practice early in order to catch it.
The Country Kids organisation aims to help children like Fiona, and their families. A grant from
Country Kids gives families money for four taxi rides per month, up to a distance of twenty five
miles each. This allows children like Fiona to attend an after-school club once per week or visit
friends on Sundays. Country Kids also organizes trips to theatres and sports events in nearby
cities at weekends. The parents dont have to do anything. A minibus comes directly to the house
and picks the kids up.
To qualify for a grant from Country Kids, children must be between the ages of eleven and
sixteen, and live in a village with a population of less than 1000 people. The village must be more
than twenty miles from a town. The familys income must also be below a certain level. For
Fionas schoolfriend Emma, who lives in nearby Dolbury with a population of 894, its perfect.
Unfortunately, Fiona misses out. The population of Carneath is 1159.
The number of families applying to Country Kids for a grant is increasing, and its president,
Judith Sankey, is finding it more and more difficult to find funding. There are so many great
organisations looking for money. A lot of people feel that curing diseases and helping animals is
more important than the work we do, so they prefer to give their money to them. Were always
worrying that we wont be able to carry on. But the families we help really do appreciate what we
do, so I hope the organisation can continue to run in the future.

1. What are the main disadvantages of teens living in the countryside?

2. How does Country Kids help kids like Fiona?
3. What are the requirement for a Country Kids Grant?
4. Can Fiona get help from Country Kids? Why?

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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE
INSPECTORATUL COLAR JUDEEAN MURE

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ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 7

Read the text and answer the questions:

Street Children
Ram stood in his dirty shorts and looked at the smartly-dressed children who were
smiling happily as they were heading for school. He had never been to school. He has picked up
some English words but he wished he could go to school. But who was going to enrol him or pay
his fees? Ram was one among millions of children who lived on the streets. These children have
no families to care for them or protect them. Most children on the streets are between the ages of
about 5 and 17 years old, and their population between different cities are varied. They basically
have no contact with other members of the family and live most of the time with other street
children in the city streets or are on the move. Sometimes the father or mother chooses to
abandon the children or the children could have run away from home due to some kind of abuse.
They face an unpleasant home environment with parents who are alcoholic or drug addicts, so
they leave. They could be facing ill treatment from step parents. Abject poverty could have driven
the whole family to move to the streets.
Street children live in broken-down buildings, cardboard boxes and on the street corners.
Sometimes a father or mother might appear to claim them but very often, they are abandoned to
a hard life on the streets with no adult supervision. The health condition of the street children is
generally poor. Many suffer from chronic diseases like typhoid, malaria, leprosy, jaundice and live
with liver or kidney disorders. Scabies, gangrene, broken limbs and epilepsy are common. HIV
and AIDS cases are now widespread. On an everyday basis, most street children are exposed to
dirt, smoke and other environmental hazards. Furthermore, they are constantly exposed to
intense sun, rain and the bitter cold. Most street children find themselves some work, even
though they may not be steady and lose jobs regularly. Many work as parking attendants or as
rag or rubbish collectors. Some beg from passers-by and make a nuisance of themselves.
However, it is pathetic to see a dirty-looking child begging for food or money when he should be
playing happily and enjoying his childhood.
The children are on the streets due to poverty, sickness and exploitation. The tragedy is
that the victims are innocent, lonely and frightened young children. A recent study shows that
many street children (45.6 per cent) would like to live in a secure place, while 71 per cent are
very eager to change their present life. 63 per cent of children have an ambition to do something
meaningful in their future. The vast majority of them have a survival instinct and the toughness
that helps them survive the day-to-day trials of street life. They, just like Ram face a bleak future
ahead.
1. Who is Ram?
2. Why are they on streets?
3. What are their living conditions?
4. What are the most common causes of abandoned children?

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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE

INSPECTORATUL COLAR JUDEEAN MURE

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOTINELOR

ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 8

Read the text and answer the questions:

The Statue of Zeus

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia was created in 430 BC. It was the most famous artistic work in all
of Greece and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Pausanias, a Greek traveler who wrote the earliest guidebook to ancient Greece in 150 AD, wrote
that "records fall far short of the impression made by a sight of the image." To the Greeks the
statue of Olympian Zeus was the incarnate god, and not to have seen it at least once in one's
lifetime was considered a misfortune.

Ruling over the gods from his exalted throne atop Mount Olympus, Zeus saw everything,
rewarded good conduct, punished evil, and governed all. He was the bringer of thunder and
lightning, rain and winds, and his weapon was the thunderbolt. He was the protector of cities, the
home, strangers and supplicants.

The god's best-known temple was the monumental Temple of Zeus, built in 460 BC in a sacred
grove between two rivers at Olympia. Within this temple the statue of the supreme god sat upon
a cedar wood throne that was decorated with mythical scenes of lesser gods and heroes rendered
in gold, ebony and precious stones. In his left hand Zeus carried a scepter made of a multicolored
alloy of rare metals; crowned with an eagle's head, it symbolized his rule over the earth. His
extended right hand supported a life-size statue of Nike, the goddess of victory, and the stool
beneath his feet was upheld by two impressive gold lions. His hair, beard, and drapery were
made of gold, and his unclothed fleshhead, hands and feetwas rendered in burnished ivory.
Over 40 feet in height, Zeus was too large to fit in the temple if he stood up.

1. When was the statue created?

2. Was the statue the incarnate god to the Greeks?
3. On the top of which mountain was Zeuss throne situated?
4. What were Zeuss responsibilities?
5. What was the height of the statue?

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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE

INSPECTORATUL COLAR JUDEEAN MURE

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ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 9

Read the text and answer the questions:

What is a career coach?
A career or job coach is someone who specializes in helping people to find and achieve their
career dreams. Since many people are unhappy with their jobs, the field is one which is
constantly growing. People typically hire career coaches to help them re-enter the workforce,
succeed in a position, or find a job which fits perfectly with their personality and life goals.

Typically, a career coach starts by asking a series of questions which are designed to address job
experience and life goals. These questions are also used to determine qualifications for potential
positions, and to understand the personality of the client. After recording the answers and
thinking about them, the career coach talks to the client about his or her strengths and
weaknesses, and the two talk together about desired goals. Once goals have been set and the
client works towards them, the career coach offers encouragement and advice. This
encouragement can take the simple form of congratulating the client for achieving milestones, or
it may be more complex and involved. A career coach might, for example, provide information
about job openings, and offer tips on the best way to apply for specific positions. As the client
identifies jobs which he or she wants to apply for, the career coach will help the client put
together an application, and he or she may hold mock interviews to relax and prepare the client.

There are a number of ways to find a career coach. An Internet search for career coach and your
region will provide an ample list. You may also want to ask friends if they know of anyone who
has used a coach, or you might seek out recommendations through Internet forums and bulletin
boards. When you do find several candidates, ask about qualifications and philosophy to find a
career coach who will be a good fit.

If you are interested in becoming a career coach, you will probably want to start preparing in
college with classes in psychology and business. Many organizations offer training for career
coaches, and you may want to review their literature to find out about requirements and
qualifications. If you know a career coach, consider asking him or her about organizations which
offer coach training, and ask for recommendations.

1. What is a career coach?

2. How can career coaches help?
3. How can they be found?
4. What do you have to do in order to become a career coach?

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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE

INSPECTORATUL COLAR JUDEEAN MURE

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ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 10

Read the text and answer the questions:

Vertical Farming
Vertical farming is the method of growing plants and crops over each other, mostly in buildings
with many storeys. They often look like skyscrapers with glass around them, similar to a
giant greenhouse. Such farming methods can already be seen in cities. For agriculture experts
vertical farming will be in widespread use in the future because the worlds population is
growing constantly and there is more need for farming land.

Vertical farming offers many advantages. Crops can be grown on a smaller area of land, water can
be recycled and used over and over again. Plants grow on minerals and do not need soil. Many
farming products can be harvested more than once per year. With some fruits, like strawberries,
up to 30 harvests would be possible. Many resources could be saved, forests could
be preserved and desertification limited. Burning less fossil fuel would result in fewer emissions,
a reduction of global warming and healthier environments. Vertical farming can protect crops
from bad weather or disasters like hurricanes, storms, droughts or floods.

On the other side, building such vertical farms can prove to be a costly undertaking. During the
beginning of such a project a lot of energy is needed. Because plants require large amounts of
sunlight buildings need to be provided with artificial sunlight the whole year. But compared to
traditional farms that take up a lot of space vertical farming has a low carbon footprint. It can do
without fossil fuels because it relies on energy from the sun. Overall transportation costs are
lower because products are consumed in the cities in which they are produced. This could be
extremely cost effective because trends show that more and more people are moving to cities. By
the middle of the 21st century about 80% of the worlds population will be living in urban areas.

Critics are not sure whether vertical farming projects can really be profitable in the long term.
They claim that initial costs are too high and suggest that such farms actually need more light and
power than in normal regions. Heating and cooling costs would also be enormous. They also say
that not all crops can be grown in this way. Wheat and maize, for example, among the worlds
most important food source, would be almost impossible to grow because they are too large and
heavy. Such farming methods could only apply for lightweight produce, like small
fruits, lettuce and other vegetables.

1. What is vertical farming?

2. What are the advantages?
3. What are the disadvantages?
4. Is there future in vertical farming?
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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE

INSPECTORATUL COLAR JUDEEAN MURE

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOTINELOR

ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 11

Read the text and answer the questions:

Learn English in the UK

Today, millions of people want to learn or improve their English but it is difficult to find the best
method. Is it better to study in Britain or America or to study in your own country?

The advantages of going to Britain seem obvious. Firstly, you will be able to listen to the language
all the time you are in the country. You will be surrounded completely by the language wherever
you go. Another advantage is that you have to speak the language if you are with other people. In
Italy, it is always possible, in the class, to speak Italian if you want to and the learning is slower.

On the other hand, there are also advantages to staying at home to study. You don't have to make
big changes to your life. As well as this, it is also a lot cheaper than going to Britain but it is never
possible to achieve the results of living in the UK. If you have a good teacher in Italy, I think you
can learn in a more concentrated way than being in Britain without going to a school.

So, in conclusion, I think that if you have enough time and enough money, the best choice is to
spend some time in the UK. This is simply not possible for most people, so being here in Italy is
the only viable option. The most important thing to do in this situation is to maximise your
opportunities: to speak only English in class and to try to use English whenever possible outside
the class.

1. What is the article about?

2. What is one of the advantages of going to the UK to learn English?
3. What is one of the advantages of staying in your country to learn English?
4. People who don't have a lot of time and money should?

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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE

INSPECTORATUL COLAR JUDEEAN MURE

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ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 12

Read the text and answer the questions:

The Fame Hotel

What would your life be like if you were Albert Einstein. What clothes would be in your wardrobe
if you were Marilyn Monroe? Or Madonna?

Well now you can discover the answer to all these questions and many more at the Fame Hotel in
California. Ten miles outside Los Angeles, the Fame Hotel promises to answer the question "What
if?". When you check into the hotel, you choose a room. Each room has a name. There's Clint
Eastwood on the second floor and Elvis Presley on the third floor. In total, the Fame Hotel has 32
rooms, most of which are named after stars of Hollywood or music. But there are also famous
writers (Mark Twain and Agatha Christie) and even some scientists and sports stars, such as
Mike Tyson.

When you enter the room, you enter the life of that person. There are pictures everywhere. The
owner of the hotel has tried to fill the room with objects, clothes, even food that he thinks the
stars would have liked. Marilyn Monroe's wardrobe is full of beautiful white dresses, Albert
Einstein doesn't have any socks in his wardrobe because the real Einstein never wore them! If
you choose Mike Tyson's room, you'll be able to practice boxing in one corner of the room. And
there's even a skipping rope too!

I spoke to one guest staying in the Elvis Presley room. "I love this hotel," he said to me. "I wanted
to know 'What would Elvis Presley eat for breakfast?' and now I know". That guest eats pancakes
and strawberry ice cream every morning, just as Elvis liked to do. On the next table, the Einstein
room's guest is eating cabbage soup!

The company plans to open another Fame Hotel in New York next year and there are plans to
expand into Europe too. I look forward to staying in the Winston Churchill suite in London!

1. What is Fame Hotel? Why is it popular?

2. Where is it situated?
3. How are the rooms different?
4. Where is the company planning to open a new hotel?

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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE

INSPECTORATUL COLAR JUDEEAN MURE

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ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 13

Read the text and answer the questions:

Stress
There is a famous expression in English: "Stop the world, I want to get off!" This expression refers
to a feeling of panic, or stress, that makes a person want to stop whatever they are doing, try to
relax, and become calm again. 'Stress' means pressure or tension. It is one of the most common
causes of health problems in modern life. Too much stress results in physical, emotional, and
mental health problems.

There are numerous physical effects of stress. Stress can affect the heart. It can increase the pulse
rate, make the heart miss beats, and can cause high blood pressure. Stress can affect the
respiratory system. It can lead to asthma. It can cause a person to breathe too fast, resulting in a
loss of important carbon dioxide. Stress can affect the stomach. It can cause stomach aches and
problems digesting food. These are only a few examples of the wide range of illnesses and
symptoms resulting from stress.

Emotions are also easily affected by stress. People suffering from stress often feel anxious. They
may have panic attacks. They may feel tired all the time. When people are under stress, they often
overreact to little problems. For example, a normally gentle parent under a lot of stress at work
may yell at a child for dropping a glass of juice. Stress can make people angry, moody, or nervous.

Long-term stress can lead to a variety of serious mental illnesses. Depression, an extreme feeling
of sadness and hopelessness, can be the result of continued and increasing stress. Alcoholism and
other addictions often develop as a result of overuse of alcohol or drugs to try to relieve stress.
Eating disorders, such as anorexia, are sometimes caused by stress and are often made worse by
stress. If stress is allowed to continue, then one's mental health is put at risk.

Stress has a great influence on the health and well-being of our bodies, our feelings, and our
minds. So, reduce stress: stop the world and rest for a while.

1. What is the article about?

2. What are the physical effects of stress?
3. What are the emotional problems caused by stress?
4. How can stress affect our mental health?

Preedinte: Examinatori:

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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE
INSPECTORATUL COLAR JUDEEAN MURE

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOTINELOR

ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 14

Read the text and answer the questions:

Planet Hollywood
At the start of the 20th century, a new city was beginning to grow on some flat land near the sea
in southern California; its name was Los Angeles. At the same time, a new industry was just being
born - the cinema.

America's movie industry began life in New York; but by 1910, movie-makers were moving to
Los Angeles. In New York, everything was too expensive; workers, land, taxes. Worse than that, it
was difficult to make movies in winter, because it was too cold.By contrast, the Los Angeles
region was full of advantages. In California, they could make films all through the year; and
everything was cheaper. In particular, there was lots of land for sale.The movie-makers found
what they needed a few miles outside Los Angeles; and before long, large new studios were being
built in an area called Hollywood, at the foot of some small dry hills.

Movies quickly became very popular, particularly after "talkies" first appeared in 1925.
Nevertheless, movies were expensive to make, and film companies needed money - lots of it. For
this reason, Hollywood rapidly became dominated by a small number of big companies such
as MGM, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros. and Paramount.

Since then, the big companies have had their ups and downs, but most of them are still there.
Naturally, Hollywood has changed a lot in 80 years! Today the biggest studios belong to huge
international firms. For instance, News Corporation, which now owns Fox, also owns newspapers
on three continents (including the Times of London), and satellite TV networks in America,
Europe and Asia. It is only huge companies like Fox that can afford to make today's very
expensive films; and for Titanic - which was at the time the most expensive film ever - Fox had to
get help from another big company, Paramount!

Once Hollywood could make films just for America; today it has to make them for the world.
The suburb of Los Angeles has become the headquarters of a global dream-machine. We now live
in the age of global culture. Hollywood did not invent this culture - but it has become one of the
most powerful elements in it. Like it or not, we all now live on planet Hollywood.

1. What is the text about?

2. Why was L.A. preferred to New York?
3. When did movies become popular?
4. Explain the meaning of the last sentence.

Preedinte: Examinatori:

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MINISTERUL EDUCAIEI NAIONALE
INSPECTORATUL COLAR JUDEEAN MURE

PROBA DE VERIFICARE A CUNOTINELOR

ADMITERE 2017

BILETUL Nr. 15

Read the text and answer the questions:

Extreme sports

Jeans were the classic clothes of the American West. In 1853, a young tailor from Germany, called
Levi Strauss, began working in San Francisco; Levi sold thick canvas to miners; the miners used
the canvas to make tents.One day, a miner told Levi that he could not find trousers that were
strong enough for work in the gold mines. Levi decided to make some trousers out of canvas.Very
soon, he had sold all the canvas trousers he had made! They were just what miners wanted.

However, the canvas was rather heavy and stiff. Levi therefore began to look for a different
textile; soon he found a heavy textile from France; it was called serge de Nimes. Americans just
called this de Nimes, and this name soon got reduced to denim.Denim was a bit lighter than
canvas, but it was very strong; it was ideal for miners.

Original denim was almost white, and miners did not like the color! Their denim trousers got
dirty as soon as they began working!Levi Strauss therefore decided to use colored denim, and
he chose dark blue. In 1873,he began to make denim trousers with metal rivets to make them
stronger. This was a radical new idea: "Blue jeans" had arrived!Levi's jeans were so popular, that
his company got bigger and bigger; soon, other firms were making blue jeans too. Miners liked
them, but so did cowboys and other working men. Blue jeans became classic American working
trousers.After the Second World War, jeans became popular all over the world.

Today, blue jeans are made all over the world most of them in Asia. Very few jeans are now
made in the USA, because of the cost: but it is still possible to buy blue jeans that are made in San
Francisco.... if you have a lot of money to spend.There are hundreds of different brands of jeans.
Many top fashion brands, like Armani or Benetton, make their own blue jeans. But for real
authentic jeans, "Levi's" are still the most popular brand.

1. What modern invention is the text discussing?

2. How did Levi Strauss choose the material?
3. Why did he make the material blue?
4. Where are jeans produced today? Why?

Preedinte: Examinatori:

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