TEXT A — Cheating at School: Start the Discussion Early.
The first few weeks of school are special: kids are still finding their way among classmates and trying to understand their teachers' approaches and expectations. Parents often share their hopes and concerns for the school year, but the author admits he never discussed cheating at school. Each September he gives his three sons different talks ('you-must-do-your-best', 'you-need-to-be-more-organized', and an encouragement to step out of comfort zones), but never about academic dishonesty. He notes that cheating is a widespread problem in America: according to the ETS, between 75% and 98% of college students report having cheated in high school, and among middle schoolers two-thirds admitted to cheating while 90% had copied another student's homework. The author rejects conventional wisdom that 'cheaters get caught and never prosper'; he argues parents lose credibility by saying so. The only effective approach is to repeatedly emphasize at home that any achievement gained by cheating is not an achievement, while acknowledging children today face more pressure, competition and workload than previous generations.
TASK 1 — Decide whether statements 1.1 to 1.4 are TRUE or FALSE and find a text fragment that confirms your answer. Write 'TRUE' or 'FALSE' plus the fragment (one or two lines maximum).
1.1. The writer claims he never discussed cheating at school with his children because of lack of time.
1.2. The writer has three children.
1.3. According to the ETS, at least 50% of students admit that they have cheated in middle school or high school.
1.4. The writer seems to believe that telling children that cheaters will get caught is not an effective measure to prevent this behavior.
TASK 2 — Complete each sentence with information from the text but using your own words (about 10-15 words). DO NOT COPY LITERALLY.
2.1. Academic dishonesty or …
2.2. Cheating can only …

TEXT B — Linksters.
Meagan Johnson, a generational expert and author of 'From Boomers to Linksters', defines anyone born after 2.002 (post-millennial) as the Linkster Generation, sometimes called Generation Z. They are the first generation to be linked into technology from day one — Millennials brought tech into focus but some can still remember dial-up or life before social media. The family structure of Linksters is a mix of Baby Boomers (1.946-1.964, shaped by civil rights, women's equality and the sexual revolution) and Generation Xers (1.965-1.980, shaped by the pill, cable TV and both parents working). As workers, Linksters will be the most technologically savvy generation, faster to learn apps and adapt to new technology. They may also be the first generation never to know what one single full-time job feels like: with flexible work options, they will likely combine part-time jobs, freelance gigs or a main job plus side gigs. Johnson concludes that there's no need to label generations negatively — each generation tends to unfairly demonize the next.
TASK 1 — Choose the best option (A, B, or C) for items 1.1 to 1.4.
1.1. According to the text, Meagan Johnson …
A. invented the term Linksters to refer to Generation X people.
B. uses the term Linksters as another way to refer to Baby Boomers.
C. considers that anyone born after 2.002 belongs to the Linkster Generation.
1.2. Meagan Johnson told The Independent that …
A. Millennials were used to technology since day one.
B. Linksters use technology practically since the day they are born.
C. Millennials live their lives without social media.
1.3. The parents of Linksters are …
A. Generation Xers.
B. Baby Boomers.
C. Baby Boomers and/or Generation Xers.
1.4. Linksters …
A. prefer to have several part-time jobs rather than one full-time job.
B. may never have the opportunity to find out what it means to have a single full-time job.
C. prefer to have a main job and one or more less important jobs to support themselves.
TASK 2 — Complete each sentence with information from the text but using your own words (about 10-15 words). DO NOT COPY LITERALLY.
2.1. Generation Z …
2.2. Linksters …

TASK 3 — Complete the text choosing the best option (A, B, or C) for each gap (1-15). [15 items × 0.1 marks = 1.5 marks]
Life is what is happening all around us while we wait for the thing we hope will give us ___ (1) sort of inner peace, contentment, or joy. The problem is that, when ___ (2) if that thing happens, we usually enjoy it for a few minutes only ___ (3) realizing nothing in us has fundamentally changed… So we decide that maybe it's the next big moment ___ (4) will finally make us truly happy. Meanwhile, we're ignoring the fact that ___ (5) woke up that morning with air in our lungs, a cup of ___ (6) coffee in our hands and laughed ___ (7) the phone with a friend. I once heard a teenage boy say: 'It's Saturday night and I've got a new ___ (8) of shoes: the possibilities are endless.' I thought: 'Yes! Let us embrace the wonder hidden in the ordinary, because ___ (9) are the moments that are full of possibility and promise.'
Sometimes it happens when we are in the middle of the daily grind: driving to work, going to the grocery store, ___ (10) class, working in a cubicle, or tucking in the kids into bed at night. One of those normally ungrateful children will hug us extra-tight and whisper: 'You're the ___ (11) mom ever.' Or a friend texts to say, 'I've been thinking of you.' Or we laugh and laugh ___ (12) our insane dog is jumping on the other side of the kitchen window. When we start to ___ (13) attention, we realize life is full of small wonders that can make all of the difference in a day, hour, or lifetime. Those small moments are no ___ (14) holy than the big ones. In fact, maybe they are more holy because it is the million little pieces of our lives that really shape the people we ___ (15).
Options per gap:
1. a) some b) -- c) the
2. a) as b) and c) but
3. a) before b) after c) when
4. a) we b) and c) that
5. a) you b) they c) we
6. a) heat b) hot c) heating
7. a) through b) by c) on
8. a) couple b) pair c) set
9. a) some b) these c) our
10. a) assisting b) attending c) attempting
11. a) best b) good c) better
12. a) unless b) although c) because
13. a) pay b) give c) borrow
14. a) more b) less c) least
15. a) become b) became c) would become

TASK 4 — Complete THREE of the following sentences so that each sentence keeps the meaning of the sentence printed before it and includes a clear change of linguistic structure. COPY THE COMPLETE SENTENCES onto your answer sheet. [3 items × 0.5 marks = 1.5 marks]
4.1. They had an awful time at Susan's birthday party. They said they would never go again.
They had such ______________________________ they said they would never go again.
4.2. Alice: 'Children, I'll cook dinner in a few minutes, since you seem to be so hungry.'
Alice said to her children ______________________________ .
4.3. We did not have a picnic because it was raining.
If ______________________________ .
4.4. Peter's old school friends surprised him with an amazing birthday present.
Peter ______________________________ .
4.5. Taking the bus to go to work is quicker and easier than walking or cycling.
Walking or cycling are not ______________________________ .

SECTION III — WRITING (4 marks). Choose ONE of the four options below and write the corresponding text (150-175 words).
a) Email writing. 'What a great surprise, Uncle Tom!' WRITE AN EMAIL to your uncle thanking him for the birthday present he sent to you (what the present is, when it arrived, who delivered it, whether you like it, any issues).
b) Descriptive writing. A hotel room. WRITE A PARAGRAPH/TEXT describing a hotel room in which you would like to spend your next summer vacation. Do not tell a story; describe.
c) Opinion writing. 'Governments should impose higher taxes on fast food.' Do you agree? Write an OPINION TEXT defending your position.
d) Argumentative writing. 'Sexual education should be a compulsory subject in Secondary Education.' Discuss. WRITE AN ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT with arguments for and against. Provide a balanced discussion.