English Olympiad

Speaking Comprehension Test for 11^th Form Students

1. If you could meet with any important historical figure – living or dead – who would it be?

• Why did you choose him or her?
• What would you discuss?
• What would you tell him/her about yourself?

2. It has recently been announced that a new disco may be built in your neighborhood.

• Do you support or oppose this plan? Why?
• Name the advantages and disadvantages.

3. You have the opportunity to create your own island nation in the South Pacific Ocean.

• What type of government would it have? Who would be in charge? How would they be made leader?
• What laws would you pass first to protect your government and its people?
• What rights do you consider most important for your country?

4. You have just been appointed head of public relations for all of Ukraine. It is your job to encourage tourism in this country.

• What aspects of places in Ukraine do you consider to be the most important for foreign tourists?
• What are some problems that tourists might face in Ukraine? How would you change these problems?
• Think of a motto for Ukraine’s tourist industry.

5. What do you believe to be the greatest problem in today’s society?

• Describe where you see it.
• Explain why you consider it to be so bad. How does it affect society as a whole and the individuals making up that society?
• How would you propose to do away with this problem?

6. You are about to be alone for ten years of your life, most likely on a desert island where you will only be able to work on your tan and not do much else.

• What two books (fiction or otherwise) would you bring with you, knowing they would be all you could read for ten years? Explain why.
• What musical instrument would you bring to help keep yourself entertained?
• What types of food would you eat? How would you cook this food?

7. You are campaigning for election to a major governmental office.

• What do you consider to be your most important campaign issue?
• What laws do you think need to be passed in order to fix the issue you chose?
• What will the opposition say to your campaign, and how will you argue against them?

8. You can choose to have one supernatural ability or gift.

• What do you choose?
• Why will you choose this? Will you use it to help others, for personal gain, or for both?
• How do you think others will treat you because of your gift?

9. What is more important: fame and money or strong character and good values?

• Explain your point of view, and how you define “good values”.
• Use examples of real people who have followed either fame or money, or pursued a strong character.
• How do people normally act? Do they aim for moral character or for money? Why? Is it impossible to have both?

10. You are a famous director with enough money to make any film you want.

• What kind of movie will you make and why?
• What will your movie be about and who will star in it?
• What kind of people will want to watch your movie and what will they think about it?

11. You are at a party with a foreigner who is expressing negative opinions about Ukraine. According to this person, his/her country is better.

• Defend your country, telling the visitor the positive points of Ukraine.
• Name one or two things that are already improving in Ukraine.
• Suggest things that this foreigner could do to improve his/her opinion of Ukraine.

12. In many parts of the world children are forced to become soldiers and fight in wars. You are on a UN committee reporting on this problem.

• What are the causes of this problem?
• What effects does this have on the children who are forced to fight?
• What recommendations do you have for improving the situation?

13. Your pen pal from the United States asks you how things have changed in Ukraine since independence.

• What, in general, do you tell him/her?
• What is the most positive change during this time?
• What is the most negative change during this time?

14. You are going to start a new business. You have the money, you have the space, and you have the workers.

• What product will you sell?
• What types of people would be interested in your product?
• How will you advertise this product? Give a sample advertisement motto.

15. The people in your neighborhood are becoming increasingly worried about safety. Someone on your block has recently been robbed.

• What would you suggest your neighbors do in order to protect themselves?
• How will you make sure that you are safe at all times?
• One of your friends is visiting and decides to walk home. How do you convince him/her that he/she should not go alone?

16. If you were asked to send one thing representing your country to an international exhibition, what would you choose? Why?

17. A gift (such as a camera, a soccer ball, or an animal) can contribute to a child’s development. What gift would you give to help a child develop? Why?

18. A person you know is planning to move to your town or city.

• What do you think this person would like and dislike about living in your town or city? Why?
• What change would make your hometown more appealing to people your age?

19. What stereotypes do you think that foreigners have about Ukraine?

• Do you feel that these stereotypes are correct?
• What stereotypes do you feel are particularly harmful for the Ukrainian people?
• What can you do to change these stereotypes?

20. Do you feel that history repeats itself?

• What events can you think of that are examples of history repeating itself?
• What events can you think of that have shown people learning from past mistakes and improving?
• What can you do to avoid repeating past mistakes?