Over the last century, there have been many significant changes in the way we live. Obviously, it is difficult to (06) …………………the life of ancient people and the life of the people living in the twenty-first century because so many changes have occurred. Even the changes that have (07) ………………… over the last ten years are amazing.

People in the past were not (08) …………………to travel such long distances within such a short period of time. Nowadays, we have become very mobile. We have fast and (09) …………………cars. In addition, more and more people travel by plane.

Moreover, in the past people had to work harder as they did not have (10) …………………and machines to make their work easier. Today, most of the difficult and dangerous work is (11) …………………by computers and other powerful machines. In the past (12) …………………of living were not as comfortable as they are now. Besides many people could not afford (13) …………………appliances like a fridge or a vacuum cleaner because those used to be luxurious goods. Another difference (14) …………………living now and in the past is the fact that nowadays education is accessible to everyone. In the past men were mainly the only ones educated and women were not (15) …………………into public or private schools.

06. A. predict                    B. discuss                          C. compare                        D. suppose

07. A. occurred                  B. considered                    C. expressed                      D. arranged

08. A. used                        B. able                               C. might                             D. capable

09. A. skillful                    B. difficult                        C. historical                       D. comfortable

10. A. rules                        B. tools                              C. teams                             D. ideas

11. A. thought                   B. played                           C. done                              D. seen

12. A. conditions               B. performances                C. stories                           D. conflicts

13. A. mobile                     B. physical                        C. bare-footed                   D. household

14. A. within                     B. among                           C. between                         D. behind

15. A. allowed                   B. attended                        C. agreed                           D. appeared

II. Write a paragraph (80 – 100 words) about the the changes in the school system in the future. The following prompts may help you (1.5pts) + classes: (take place /be held in traditional classrooms and other places which give students real-life knowledge and experiences: restaurant, farm, company, nursing home…=> learning /be hands-on) + teachers: be facilitators rather than information providers (support students in their study like discussing and giving guidance…) + students: more active and responsible (self-study/go to school or study online/choose some certain subjects to learn… )

Exercise 1: Read then answer the questions:

LIFE IN THE PAST VERSUS LIFE IN THE PRESENT

Over the last century, there have been many significant changes in the way we live. Obviously, it is difficult to compare the life of ancient people and the life of the people living in the twenty-first century because so many changes have occurred. Even the changes that have occurred over the last ten years are amazing.

To start with, people in the past were not able to travel such long distances within such a short period of time. Nowadays, we have become very mobile. We have fast and comfortable cars. In addition, more and more people travel by plane. Moreover, in the past people had to work harder as they did not have tools and machines to make their work easier. Today, most of the difficult and dangerous work is done by computers and other powerful machines. In the past conditions of living were not as comfortable as they are now. Besides many people could not afford household appliances like a fridge or a vacuum cleaner because those used to be luxurious goods. Another difference between lit ing now and in the past is the fact that nowadays education is accessible to everyone. In the past men were mainly the only ones educated and women were not allowed into public or private schools.

Besides, nowadays it is much easier to find the educational materials and the information you need -thanks to the Internet. We are able to speak to a friend who is on the other corner of the world because we are connected 24/7. Nevertheless, people had better relationships with the neighbours in years gone by.

Medical science has provided wonderful remedies to cure some diseases. Modem surgery has reduced pain, so an operation is no longer a torture.

Another difference is that in the past there were not that many forms of entertainment.

All things considered, it is an obvious conclusion that life has changed significantly during the course of history. In some ways, it is definitely easier to live in the present. However, it is not easy to decide whether it is also better. The scientific achievements and technological progress are amazing. New inventions come up every day and they are supposed to simplify our lives. On the other hand, however, life now is much faster and stressful than it used to be in the past. Moreover, it has also become more dangerous. The standard of living has definitely improved but it can be discussed whether the quality of our lives is also better.

Answer the questions.

1.     Is life nowadays the same as life of our ancestors?

2.     Is life today faster or slower than life in the past?

3.     Has technology made our lives easier or more difficult?

4.     What has happened to the standard of living?

I.        Read the passage and choose the best option for each blank to complete the passage

Over the last century, there have been many significant changes in the way we live.

Obviously, it is difficult to (1) the life of ancient people and the life of the people living in the 21st century because so many changes have occurred. Even the changes that have (2)over the last ten years are amazing.

People in the past were not (3)  to travel such long distances within such a short period of time. Nowadays, we have become very mobile. We have fast and (4)  cars. In addition, more and more people travel by plane.

Moreover, in the past people had to work harder as they did not have (5)  and machines to make  their  work  easier.  Today,  most  of  the  difficult  and  dangerous  work  is  (6)   by computers and other powerful machines. In the past (7) of living were not as comfortable as they are now. Besides many people could not afford (8)appliances like a fridge or a vacuum cleaner because those used to be luxurious goods. Another difference (9) living now and in the past is the fact that nowadays education is accessible to everyone. In the past, men were mainly the only ones educated and women were not (10)  into public or private schools.

1.  A. predict                B. discuss                    C. compare                  D. suppose

2.  A. occurred             B. considered              C. expressed                D. arranged

3.  A. used                    B. able                         C. might                      D. capable

4.  A. skillful                B. difficult                  C. historical                 D. comfortable

5.  A. rules                    B. tools                        C. teams                      D. ideas

6.  A. thought               B. played                     C. done                       D. seen

7.  A. conditions          B. performances          C. stories                     D. conflicts

8.  A. mobile                B. physical                  C. bare - footed           D. household

9.  A. within                 B. among                     C. between                  D. behind

10.  A. allowed            B. attended                 C. agreed                     D. appeared

* Read the following passage and choose the best option for each blank to complete the passage.
Over the last century, there have been many significant changes in the way we live. Obviously, it is difficult to (1) …………………the life of ancient people and the life of the people living in the twenty-first century because so many changes have occurred. Even the changes that have (2) …………………
over the last ten years are amazing.
People in the past were not (3) …………………to travel such long distances within such a short period of time. Nowadays, we have become very mobile. We have fast and (4) …………………cars. In addition, more and more people travel by plane.
Moreover, in the past people had to work harder as they did not have (5) …………………and machines to make their work easier. Today, most of the difficult and dangerous work is (6) …………………by computers and other powerful machines. In the past (7) …………………of living were not as comfortable as they are now. Besides many people could not afford (8) …………………appliances like a fridge or a vacuum cleaner because those used to be luxurious goods. Another difference (9) …………………living
now and in the past is the fact that nowadays education is accessible to everyone. In the past men were mainly the only ones educated and women were not (11) …………………into public or private schools.
1. A. predict B. discuss C. compare D. suppose
2. A. occurred B. considered C. expressed D. arranged
3. A. used B. able C. might D. capable
4. A. skillful B. difficult C. historical D. comfortable
5. A. rules B. tools C. teams D. ideas
6. A. thought B. played C. done D. seen
7. A. conditions B. performances C. stories D. conflicts
8. A. mobile B. physical C. bare-footed D. household
9. A. within B. among C. between D. behind
10. A. allowed B. attended C. agreed D. appeared

III. Read the passage and answer the questions. (1pt)

TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS IN GREAT BRITAIN

Every nation and every country has its own customs and traditions. In Britain traditions play a more important part in the life of the people than in other countries. Englishmen are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them up

It has been the law for about 300 years that all theatres are closed on Sundays. No letters are delivered, only a few Sunday papers are published

To this day an English family prefers a house with a garden to a flat in a modern house  with central heating. English people like gardens. Sometimes the garden in front of the house  is a little square covered with cement painted garden in imitation of grass and a box of flowers.

Holidays are especially rich in old traditions and are different in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England. Christmas is a great English national holiday, and in Scotland it is not kept, except by clerks in banks, all shops and factories are working.

1. How important are traditions in Britain?

=> ……………………………………………………………………………………….

2. What do Englishmen do to their traditions?

=> ……………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Which does an English family prefer, a house with a garden or a flat?

=> …………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Find sentences in the text which shows that the English people like gardens very much.

=> …………………………………………………………………………………….

5. How is Christmas kept in Scotland?

=> ………………………………………………………………………………………….