BASIC3
- 2. Exit Test – Basic 3
Time: 50 minutes
Student Name: ______________________________
The test is worth 100 points. It contains two reading comprehension texts,
followed by grammar questions and a writing task.
Part 1. Read the text and answer the questions. (20 points)
Travel with Kids
Traveling with kids is not always easy. You want to find places that you will enjoy
but will also give your children a chance to run around. One of the best places to
take children is Death Valley National Park, California, an interesting place that is
below sea level. It is a natural sandbox for kids, with millions of acres of desert
and rocks to explore. Kids can roll down powdery white sand dunes, hike into a
volcanic crater, search for tiny fish in sparkling salty water or play in the sand for
hours.
There are some important things to keep in mind if you want to enjoy Death
Valley National Park. Don’t go in summer. Temperatures in summer average
over 110 degrees. You can drive around the valley in your air-conditioned car,
but to really enjoy Death Valley, you need to get out and walk about. December
is a lovely time to go – the weather is clear and the days are warm. However, it
does get cold and windy at night in the winter. It’s important to bring
windbreakers, gloves and hats. Bring good, closed shoes for hiking. It is not a
good idea to go hiking in sandals.
Death Valley is one of the driest places on the planet. You have to bring lots of
water bottles and keep drinking water throughout the day. Even if you are only
going on a short hike, don’t leave without plenty of drinking water!
Come prepared and you’ll have the time of your life.
1. This text is written for:
a. children
b. parents
c. senior citizens
© 2005 Edusoft Ltd.
- 3. 2. Why does the writer suggest visiting Death Valley National Park?
__________________________________________________________
3. Write three pieces of advice the writer gives when visiting Death Valley.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. What can’t you do at Death Valley National Park?
a. go swimming
b. play in the sand
c. stand below sea level
d. hike into a volcanic crater
5. When is the best time to visit Death Valley?
__________________________________________________________
Why? _____________________________________________________
Part 2. Read the text and answer the questions that follow. (30 points)
Tips for Working Parents
The job of a working parent is one of the most difficult jobs in the world.
Parents who plan carefully and have their families cooperate can have an
easier time. Here are some tips that some working Moms and Dads can use
to reduce stress level and get everything done.
1. Plan Your Mornings
Mornings are usually the most stressful part of the day for working parents.
Things will go more smoothly if you do some things the night before. You can
pack lunches (or have kids make their own) and get the kids’ clothes ready.
Teach kids to get themselves ready in the morning by putting up a wall chart
that lists “brush teeth,” “make bed,” “get dressed,” “eat breakfast” and
whatever else they need to do.
© 2005 Edusoft Ltd.
- 4. 2. Plan Your Meals
Use a cookbook that contains easy-to-prepare recipes. Double a recipe and
freeze half for another meal. When you’re making a salad, make double and
save half for the next night. You can also save time by making only one
shopping trip per week to buy the food you need. Another time-saving method
is using a pressure cooker that can cook most food in half the time or a
crockpot that you can use to cook food slowly when you are out of the house.
3. Delegate Chores
There is nothing wrong in asking your kids to help you. Even small children
can learn to set the table for meals, older ones can serve drinks and everyone
can help bring plates to the table. It will save time if you teach kids to clear the
table, get their own morning cereal and load the dishwasher. Have children
take out the trash, teach them to use the washing machine and to fold their
clean clothes and put them away. Award kids by giving points for chores done
to show your kids how much you appreciate their help.
4. Cell-Phone friends and family
Your friends and family are probably as busy as you are. Make a few quick
calls on the way to work or coming home in order to let people know you are
thinking of them. You will be too busy at home to make those important calls.
5. Keep your work and life in balance
Don’t let work pressures take up your family time. Try to leave work early a
few days a week. Learn to say no to your boss when you feel that the extra
work will add stress. Use a calendar to note all the kids’ music lessons,
sports practices and birthdays so you know all the things that are happening
each month. Make sure every family and work event is on the same calendar.
When you get the school calendar, write down everything for the full year.
Place Post-it Notes in your house and at the office to help your remember
important or last-minute events.
6. Make Time for Yourself
Parents often put themselves last on the list, but you need to find a way to
give you the energy you need to be good parents. So take care of yourself:
Go to the gym, visit a museum, meet a friend for coffee, join a book club or
spend time on your hobby. Most important, try to spend quality time together
as a couple at least once a week, without the children.
© 2005 Edusoft Ltd.
- 5. 1. Who is the text written for? ________________________________________
2. What advice does the text give?
a. how to find a better job
b. how to get everything done
c. how to make healthy meals for the family
3. Which tip refers to keeping in touch with people?
__________________________________________________________
4. Which tip gives advice how to remember all the things your family needs to
do?
__________________________________________________________
5. Which tip refers to easier cooking methods?
__________________________________________________________
6. Why is it a good idea to prepare children’s lunches the night before?’
__________________________________________________________
7. What does the article tell Moms and Dads to do to give themselves energy?
__________________________________________________________
8. List three ways children can help around the house.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
© 2005 Edusoft Ltd.
- 6. Part 3. Circle the correct word or words. (30 points)
1. He (is going to / goes to / going to) visit the US next year.
2. Working parents (all the time / always / never) have a lot to do.
3. You (will have / mustn’t / have to) organize your time well if you want to get
everything done.
4. While she (was putting / will put / should put) on her makeup, the phone rang.
5. She was happy (save / to save / saved) time in the morning.
6. You (must / mustn’t / are able to) take a lot of water with you if you visit the
desert.
7. She (is able to / mustn’t / will have) get all her work done when she wakes up
early.
8. Working Moms and Dads (mustn’t / should / have to) find time for themselves.
9. While they (walked / were walking / walk) in the desert they found many
interesting plants.
10. They were surprised (finding / find / to find) so many interesting plants.
Part 4. Choose one of the following topics to write about. (20 points)
Write five tips about traveling with children.
or
Write five tips for working Moms or Dads on how they can save time.
Use should / have to / don’t have to.
For example…You should keep coloring books and crayons in the car to make
car journeys more fun.
© 2005 Edusoft Ltd.