The text :

A. The world has a plastic problem—and it is increasing. Scientists

are working to find a long-term solution by making plastic more
biodegradable. But in the meantime, here are five things you can
do to reduce plastic waste now.

B. Quit using plastic bags. Instead, take your own reusable

shopping bag to the store. People use a trillion 1 plastic bags
worldwide every year. Almost 10% are used in the United
States alone. That’s almost one bag per American per day. In
contrast, the average Dane uses four single-use bags per year. In
1993, Denmark was the first country to place a tax on plastic bags.
Today, other countries (such as Chile, Kenya, Indonesia, Germany,
and New Zealand) either make customers pay for plastic bags, or
have banned them completely.

C. Skip the straw. Today, around 8.3 billion plastic straws pollute
the world’s beaches. So when you order a drink, say no to the
straw, or bring your own reusable one. In 2018, Seattle became
the first major U.S. city to ban plastic straws, and many other
cities are set to follow its example.

D. Don’t use plastic bottles. Buy a reusable bottle and fill it with any
type of beverage you like. Some cities, like Bundanoon in Australia
and San Francisco in the U.S., have completely or partially banned
bottled water. Globally, however, people still buy nearly a million
plastic bottles every minute.

E. Avoid plastic packaging. Buy bar soap instead of liquid soap in

plastic containers. Don’t buy fruit or vegetables in plastic packaging.
In the United Kingdom, leaders are calling for supermarkets to have
plastic-free areas. They also want to tax plastic take-out containers.

F. Recycle. We can’t recycle all plastic items, but it is possible to recycle

most bottles and milk or juice cartons. Today, Norway recycles 97%
of its plastic bottles. How? Machines at most supermarkets take the bottles
and give a refund of up to 0.32 $ per bottle.

Adapted from National Geographic Learning

Name: ……………………………………………………….. Class: …………..

I- Reading comprehension (12mrks)

1- Tick the appropriate answer. The text generally presents: (1 mark)

 consequences
 causes
 suggestions
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 2- Complete the table with the missing information from paragraphs B and F: (2marks)

Country Action

……………………… Was the first country to place a tax on plastic bags.

……………………… Recycles almost all of its plastic bottles.

3- Correct each of the following false statements with details from the text. (2 marks)

a- People around the world buy 3000 plastic bottles per minute. (paragraph D)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
b- Using liquid soap is better for the environment. (paragraph E)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4- From paragraph C, pick out two eco-friendly alternatives to using plastic straws.
(2marks)
a/ ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
b/ …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5- For each of the blanks, find one word in the text having nearly the same meaning as:
(2 marks)
- To stay away from something/someone (par E) = ………………………………
- A sum of money that is returned to you (par F) = ……………………………

6- What do the underlined words in the text refer to? (2marks)

 they (Paragraph E) …………………………………..…………..
 it (Paragraph D)………………………………………….
7- Which tip do you find the most important? Explain why? (1mark)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

II- Language: (6mrks)

1- Fill in the blanks with 6 words from the list below. (3mrks)

applied - goals - qualified - been - career - stronger - graduating - addiction

I decided what I wanted to be at the age of nine, and I made it happen. The road wasn’t easy. After
………………………….. university, I did a PhD, but along the way I was told many things: I was too
young, I wasn’t ……………………., I should get married and have kids. I also needed money, so I
………………………. for six scholarships. The first five replies that I got said no. Six months later,
the last reply came: This time it was yes. For anyone thinking about a ……………….., I would say:
Never give up. If you want to do something, keep trying. If people tell you no, use that—it will push
you. It makes you …………………………. and actually helps you. Second, focus on your
……………….. You don’t have to follow other people. If they say something has never been done,

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make it happen. You may be the first to do it! There are always challenges, but you overcome them
in the end.

2- Circle the correct alternatives: (3marks)

The world is warming up as a result of burning coal, oil and gas which are suffocating the
atmosphere. Already 150.000 people are dying every year (because/ due/ since) of climate
change. Within 50 years, one third of all land-based species could face (death/ extinction/
deportation). If we carry on the way we are now, by 2100 the planet will likely be (healthier/ hotter/
colder) than it has been at any point in the past 2 million years. There (might be/ will be/ should
be) more flooding, more droughts, more disease and more famine. But if we start cutting our (emit/
emission/ emissive) of CO2 that is caused basically by transport, then there is a chance to avoid
the most catastrophic (impacts/ causes/ solutions) of global warming, which include climate
change and extreme weathers.

III- Writing: (12 marks)

1. Develop the following notes into meaningful sentences to get a coherent paragraph about
lifelong learning: (5 marks)

1. When you graduate / high school / university, learning / not finished.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. In / countries, people continue/ learn/ all / lives.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. People / want / change career/ often return / study / universities.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Some profession/ require employees / keep learn/ new ways / do things.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. example, doctors / nurses / always learn / new disease / treatment.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2- Free Writing (8marks)

Your younger brother had poor school results during the second term. As you live and
work in a different city, you sent him a 10-line message via Messenger to give him
pieces of advice on how to improve his performance and his results at school.
Write your message in the provided space below.

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