Listening

Year 9 – Progress test A

Name No. Class

Date Mark Teacher

A Part 1. You will hear a recording about exchange students. Decide if the sentences are
True (T) or False (F). [áudio aqui]
T F
1. Laura wants to study abroad.
2. She will travel back home every week.
3. Studying abroad is all about travelling.
4. This worldwide experience is worthless on your CV.
5. Every student feels insecure and has doubts.

B Part 2. Sonja is a student from Germany and she talks about her experience in a foreign
country. Listen and choose the correct option for each sentence. [áudio aqui]

1. The lifestyle is very different and the people are

a. rude and noisy.
b. warm and nice.
c. patient and calm.

2. Sonya’s German school is very different from her Canadian school because
a. people don’t care about foreign students.
b. there is a friendly relationship with students.
c. students have many activities at school.

3. One of the classes she likes the most is

a. English.
b. sports.
c. culinary arts.
4. She joined a sports club right
a. at the end of the semester.
b. at the beginning of the semester.
c. after she tried another option.

5. If you have any problems at school, you can talk to

a. an international education teacher.
b. a psychologist.
c. other exchange students.

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 Reading
Year 9 – Progress test A

Name No. Class

Date Mark Teacher

Read the text.

The Experience of an Exchange Student

by Gentrit Miftari

Studying abroad for a short period of time as an exchange student can be exciting, but how
do you prepare for the experience, and what should you expect?

Going abroad for a semester can be a very interesting idea. You get to continue your studies
while also experiencing a new culture in a different country and meeting many new people all at
5 the same time. Depending on whether you’ve ever been outside your country for long periods
before or not, this experience can also have a new meaning.

Preparing for the Experience

Once you’ve decided you want to experience life as an exchange student, you need to make
sure that you are confident in your choice. Make sure you know what you really want, because
10 while the exchange experience is about living a different life for a couple of months, there is also
studying involved. Researching about the culture, language and the places you’re going to is also
a great way to plan your stay. One of the best ways to prepare yourself is to talk to past exchange
students in that country. They can tell you all about how to adjust and also how to have a great
and memorable time while you’re there.

15 What to Expect Once You’re There

During the first week of studies, there’s usually some sort of orientation programme that will
show you and all the other exchange students the facilities you’ll be studying in, some of the
teachers, the cafeteria, and more. Go out, do not miss any events that the exchange students
organise because that’s what the experience is all about. There will be a lot of activities outside
20 in which you can go with them to visit places all over the country.

By the end, you can expect to have a lot of new friends, to have developed a good sense of
what it’s like to live in a completely new space, experienced a new culture, and also to have a
new understanding of your own identity.

https://youth-time.eu (abridged and adapted; accessed in July 2022)

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A What do the following words refer to?

1. this (line 6): __________________________

2. They (line 13): __________________________
3. that (line 16): __________________________
4. them (line 20): __________________________

B Find the words or expressions that mean:

1. in a foreign country (paragraph 1) ________________________________
2. get ready (paragraph 3) _________________________________________
3. adapt (paragraph 3) _____________________________________________
4. unforgettable (paragraph 3) _____________________________________

C Are the sentences True (T) or False (F)? Correct the false ones.

T F

1. Studying abroad is a terrifying experience. _______________________

2. This experience lasts for long periods of time. _______________________

3. Learning about a new country is important. _______________________

4. Orientation programmes can help you fit in. _______________________

5. Studying abroad will help you know yourself better. _______________________

D Answer the questions about the text.

1. What are the two advantages of going abroad for a semester?

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Why is it important to be sure about being part of an exchange experience?
________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Why should students participate in an orientation programme?

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

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Vocabulary and Grammar
Year 9 – Progress test A

Name No. Class

Date Mark Teacher

Vocabulary

A Match the words on the left to the ones on the right to form collocations. There is one extra
option.

orientation 1 • • a friends

exchange 2 • • b tours

cultural 3 • • c programme

lifelong 4 • • d language

foreign 5 • • e identity

• f students

B Complete the text with the words/expressions in the box. There is one extra option.

host family studying abroad cultural accommodation students facilities

Many teens dream about 1.__________________, but they don’t know what to expect. As an
exchange student, one of your top priorities should be to sort your student 2._______________
before you arrive in your host country because it will be challenging for you to find a suitable
place to stay. You can always choose to stay with a 3.________________, who can help you
understand the 4.____________ differences and make your stay a pleasant one. At school you
also need to explore the 5.__________________, so you know how to get around.

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 Grammar
Grammar

A Complete the sentences with the past continuous.

1. He ___________________ (talk) to his new friends in the cafeteria at 10 o’clock.
2. _____________________ (they / plan) a trip around the country yesterday evening?
3. You _________________ (not listen) to the new orientation guide this morning.
4. We _________________ (learn) new words to prepare for the exchange programme
when I phoned you.
5. I _________________ (not study) yesterday after dinner when you texted me.

B Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.

1. Yesterday I met a new exchange student while I ________ lunch at school.
a. was having b. were having c. had

2. Where was he while they ________ the school facilities?

a. was exploring b. were exploring c. explored

3. They were meeting the host family when the school director ________.
a. was calling b. were calling c. called

4. She was writing an email to her family when her new friend ________ going out.
a. was suggesting b. were suggesting c. suggested

5. When I decided to enrol in the exchange programme, my parents ________ the news.
a. was watching b. were watching c. watched

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 Writing
Year 9 – Progress test A

Name No. Class

Date Mark Teacher

Choose one topic: A or B. Write 70-90 words.

A. Imagine you are an exchange student. Write about your first week in a foreign country.

B. Write an email to your host family introducing yourself as an exchange student.

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

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