TEXT A — Living in Egypt: A human review. The authors lived in Egypt for two and a half months and spoke to many people, both locals (of different backgrounds) and visitors from neighbouring or further countries. Egypt is described as both African and Arab, yet neither: ethnically, only around 17% of the gene pool is Arabian, far below Kuwait (84%) or Iran (56%). Significant minorities include the Bedouin, an unconquered group of roaming tribes with a 'whatever will be, will be' attitude — culturally, ethnically and linguistically distinct, yet sharing much with their host countries. In Cairo, the Pyramids can be seen from many vantage points around the city; in the South, Luxor functions as a living museum. As a visitor, however, Egypt puts you on your guard: at the souq, salesmen address you in ways that blur the line between a sales pitch and harassment.
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. Egyptians have fewer Arab genes than people from Iraq, and even fewer than people from Kuwait.
1.2. The Bedouin are described as relaxed, easy-going people who don't like to be bossed.
1.3. In Cairo, you can see the Pyramids from anywhere around the city.
1.4. At the souq, visitors are frequently harassed by salesmen.
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. Egyptians …
2.2. Luxor …

TEXT B — Spanish is on the rise. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language after Chinese; in the US it is the most spoken language after English, used by approximately 38 million people. Spanish is the most taught language in US schools and has grown in popularity over 20 years: in elementary schools it rose from 68% (1.987) to 79% (1.997) and 88% (2.008); in secondary schools, 93% offer Spanish (up 6 points since 1.987). French and German have declined. Over 572 million people speak Spanish worldwide (477 million native), according to the Cervantes Institute's report 'Spanish in the World (2.017)'. Spanish is the second most spoken native language, topped only by Mandarin (950 million). The Spanish-speaking share of the world (7.8%) is expected to remain stable through 2.050, while Mandarin and English are expected to drop. Spanish is projected to reach 754 million speakers by 2.050; in the US, 43 million native speakers + 15 million with some knowledge. Spanish is expected to break the English-only model by mid-century.
TASK 1 — Choose the best option (A, B, or C) for items 1.1 to 1.4.
1.1. Approximately 38 million people in the US speak …
A. … Spanish.
B. … Spanish and Chinese.
C. … Spanish, Chinese and, of course, English.
1.2. Most elementary and secondary schools in the US …
A. … make students learn Spanish as their first foreign language, then French, and then German.
B. … prefer to teach Spanish instead of French or German, whose popularity has decreased.
C. … are now offering only Spanish in their foreign language programs.
1.3. Choose the best statement (A, B, or C below):
A. Around the world, only Chinese has more native speakers than Spanish.
B. By 2.050, Mandarin and English will have fewer speakers than Spanish.
C. The number of native speakers of Spanish jumped by 5 million more than that of Mandarin.
1.4. In about 30 years' time …
A. … almost 200 million people more will speak Spanish around the world.
B. … Spanish will surpass English in the US as the most spoken language.
C. … there will be 15 million people more with some knowledge of Spanish in the US.
TASK 2 — Complete each sentence with your own words (10-15 words). DO NOT COPY LITERALLY.
2.1. Over the last 33 years, …
2.2. The Cervantes Institute's …

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 may not come with a map, but everyone will experience twists and turns, (1) ___ everyday challenges to traumatic events with more lasting impact, (2) ___ the death of a loved one, a life-altering accident, or a (3) ___ illness. Each change affects people differently, bringing a unique flood of thoughts, strong emotions and uncertainty. (4) ___, people generally adapt well over time to life-changing and stressful situations —in part (5) ___ to resilience.
Psychologists define resilience (6) ___ the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress —(7) ___ as family and relationship problems, health problems, or workplace and financial stressors. Although resilience involves 'bouncing back' from (8) ___ difficult experiences, it can (9) ___ involve profound personal growth.
(10) ___ these adverse events are certainly painful and difficult, they don't have to determine the outcome of your life. There are many aspects of your life (11) ___ you can control, modify, and grow with. That's the (12) ___ of resilience. Becoming more resilient not (13) ___ helps you get through difficult circumstances, it also empowers you to grow and even improve (14) ___ life along the way. (15) ___ being resilient doesn't mean that a person won't experience difficulty or distress. In fact, the road to resilience is likely to involve considerable emotional distress.
Options per gap:
1. a) since b) from c) of
2. a) like b) such c) like as
3. a) serious b) secret c) similar
4. a) Although b) However c) But
5. a) thanks b) thank c) thanking
6. a) as b) like c) how
7. a) like b) such c) so
8. a) -- b) another c) the other
9. a) also b) too c) beside
10. a) While b) As c) Unless
11. a) who b) that c) how
12. a) paper b) form c) role
13. a) also b) only c) until
14. a) one's b) our c) your
15. a) Although b) But c) Even if

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 (including the beginnings already given to you) onto your answer sheet. [3 items × 0.5 marks = 1.5 marks]
4.1. I never thought she would get so angry because of a broken glass.
She got ______________________________ she would get because of a broken glass.
4.2. I am only allowed to check my Whatsapp and Instagram after I finish my homework.
I am not allowed to check my Whatsapp and Instagram ___________________________ my homework.
4.3. He said to his little sister: 'Don't be afraid!'
He told ______________________________ afraid.
4.4. After the concert, my best friend's boyfriend introduced us to the band's singer.
After the concert, we ______________________________ boyfriend.
4.5. There is only a little tea left in the pot.
There ______________________________ in the pot.

SECTION III — WRITING (4 marks). Choose ONE of the four options below (a, b, c, or d) and write the corresponding text (150-175 words).
a) Argumentative writing. 'Mass tourism (i.e., large numbers of people visiting the same place at the same time) is destroying the world.' Discuss. Write an ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT with arguments in favor and against mass tourism. Provide a balanced discussion.
b) Descriptive writing. Your favorite cartoon / movie / TV program / literary character. Describe your favorite character (name, physical description, personality, interests, lifestyle, what you like the most). Don't tell a story; describe.
c) Opinion writing. Young people are behaving very irresponsibly and selfishly in the current sanitary crisis. Do you agree? Write an OPINION TEXT. Adopt a position and provide arguments to convince the reader.
d) Email writing. Breaking up is hard to do! Write an EMAIL to your best friend who wants to break up with his/her partner and does not know how to do it without hurting feelings. Include at least 4 pieces of advice on how to end a relationship and how to continue with one's own life.