Title: Default for 8th Grade Third Trimester Evaluation.
Course: 2024 Basic Language Arts 2

Q: Burning Man

If you're looking for another not-so-typical celebration, the Burning Man festival might be right up your alley. This event happens once a year in Nevada in the United States. There, you’ll find bands and music, just like at an ordinary festival. However, Burning Man is unconventional because it’s a week-long celebration of art and radical self-expression taking place in the middle of the desert.

Burning Man shouldn’t be seen as just a festival but rather as a community. It’s a temporary city where attendees, or “burners”, as they call themselves, enjoy art and connect with other people. The festival-goers dress up, stay in tents or RVs, and use bikes as transportation to get around the festival. Money isn’t used at Burning Man; if you want something, you must exchange it for something else.

During the day, there is artwork to see, movies to watch, and other activities to get involved in. At night, the central location of the temporary city, called “The Playa”, becomes a club. There are lights, DJs, and lots of dancing.

The celebration takes place in the middle of a desert called the Black Rock Desert in the summer month of August. Daytime temperatures can be as high as 40°C, and the humidity is low. If you attend Burning Man, drink lots of water! It’s easy to forget how hot it is and how quickly you're getting dehydrated. Also, as you may have predicted, temperatures drop at night, since this celebration takes place in a desert. It can get as cold as 10°C, so wrap up!

So, is it worth going to Burning Man? Absolutely! What's great about it is that it celebrates creativity and freedom of expression that we don't seem to see often enough. You won't want to miss the burning of sculptures. Some of the giant wooden installations created by artists are set on fire to celebrate the end of the week. It's truly spectacular!

What is the best description of the festival?
- he best place to listen to music and dance in Canada.
- A standard party in a secluded area.
- An unusual location to enjoy creativity and a sense of community.
- A good time despite the cold temperatures and dangerous wildlife.
A: An unusual location to enjoy creativity and a sense of community.

Q: ALIBABA

E-commerce companies have become highly dependent on international markets in the last 20 years. Which companies are responsible for such incredible growth? Let’s take a look at one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world.

Alibaba was founded by Jack Ma in China in 1999. Since then, the e-commerce giant has become the biggest online shopping company in the world. Annually, it makes more money than eBay, Walmart, and Amazon combined. The total value of all the items Alibaba sells online in a year is calculated at more than 768 billion dollars. This puts it in the top 10 most valuable companies on the planet. Although Alibaba currently works mainly in China, its international presence is growing quickly.

Alibaba is a platform that gives buyers and sellers a chance to communicate and do business together. The platform functions as an online marketplace for the latest agricultural and industrial tools and materials for merchants, companies, and brands.

It also helps small businesses grow. Alibaba gives them the necessary tools to join a competitive market. Its main mission is to enable people to do business anywhere by allowing merchants to find clients. Both retail customers and business owners can find what they need on this site.

What is the main purpose of the text?
- To criticize Alibaba’s economic power
- To promote Alibaba.
- To describe the services Alibaba provides in detail
- To highlight the main features of Alibaba
A: To promote Alibaba.

Q: Read the following text and choose the option that can NOT be used in each sentence.

1.[...],we need to agree on the best dates to go on the school trip. 2. [...], we must consider that our travel expenses are limited. 3. [...] transportation, we can ask permission to go on the school buses. 4. [...], careful planning is extremely important.
A: Then; With regard to; Initially; As for
Gap 1 offers: Then; Initially; To begin with
Gap 2 offers: With regard to; A part from that; Also
Gap 3 offers: Initially; With regard to; When it comes to
Gap 4 offers: As for; To sum up; In conclusion

Q: Read the ideas and choose the best option to complete the sentences.

- 1. The politician made unbelievable campaign promises. [...], she was not elected to serve her community.
- 2. It was an extreme political system, but people voted for it [...] it ensured some stability.
- 3. The leader couldn’t demonstrate that he had fulfilled his campaign promises, [...] he was reelected.
- 4. The man was unable to prove his innocence and was [...] sent to jail for the rest of his life.
A: however; moreover; yet; consecuently
Gap 1 offers: however; yet; consecuently; moreover
Gap 2 offers: moreover; consecuently; however; yet
Gap 3 offers: yet; however; consecuently; moreover
Gap 4 offers: consecuently; moreover; however; yet

Q: Read the ideas and choose the best option to complete each.

- 1. There’s nobody home. I rang the doorbell three times, and they haven’t answered. They  [...] gone out.
- 2. Kate didn’t answer the phone at first. She [...] been asleep or cooking. Who knows?
- 3. I’m surprised that Paulina isn’t here today. She usually arrives on time. It is possible that she  [...] set her alarm.
- 4. She  [...]got my message. Otherwise, she would have replied.
A: must have; may have; might not have; might not have
Gap 1 offers: must have; can't have; might not have; mustn't; may have
Gap 2 offers: may have; can't have; might not have; mustn't; must have
Gap 3 offers: might not have; can't have; must have; mustn't; may have
Gap 4 offers: might not have; can't have; must have; mustn't; may have

Q: Read the ideas and choose the best option to complete the sentences.

1. My father was promoted to a position that required him to travel a lot. He [...], speak five languages.

- 2. Although the fire spread quickly, everybody [...], able to escape.
- 3. I [...], sleep lately.
- 4. Last night we [...], smell gas coming from the house.
A: could; was; haven't been able to; could
Gap 1 offers: could; couldn't
Gap 2 offers: was; were
Gap 3 offers: haven't been able to; couldn't
Gap 4 offers: could; were able

Q: Read the ideas and choose the best option to complete each.

1. We needn’t have [...] about being late. We were told the meeting had been put off.

2. You needn’t [...]. My brother picked us all up in his car.}

3. I [...] up early today. I remembered it was a day off just in time.

4. They needn’t [...] done all that work so quickly. The deadline is still a week away.
A: worried; have rushed; needn't have gotten; have
Gap 1 offers: worried; worry
Gap 2 offers: have rushed; had rushed
Gap 3 offers: needn't have gotten; didn't have to get
Gap 4 offers: have; had

Q: Read the ideas and choose the best option to complete each.

1. Once the plant is built, over one thousand people [...] there.

2. Do you know how much crime [...] as a result of the new crime prevention program since it was created?

3. ‘Why [...]?’   ‘He rarely arrived on time.

4. I saw an accident last night. Somebody [...] an ambulance.

5. The writer [...] an award by the committee for his latest book.
A: will be employed; has been reduced; was he sacked; was called; has been given
Gap 1 offers: will be employed; will employ
Gap 2 offers: has been reduced; is reduced
Gap 3 offers: was he sacked; did they sack
Gap 4 offers: was called; called
Gap 5 offers: has been given; has given

Q: Listen to the track and decide if the statements are true or false.

  1. E-commerce has not been discussed before on the podcast. [...]
  2. Despite the positive implications of e-commerce, there are important technical constraints that need to be considered. [...]
  3. All kinds of people, regardless of characteristics such as age or gender, can benefit from e-commerce.[...]
  4. Customers can prevent negative shopping experiences by reading carefully before making a purchase. [...]
A: false; true; true; true
Gap 1 offers: false; true
Gap 2 offers: true; false
Gap 3 offers: true; false
Gap 4 offers: true; false

Q: Listen to the track and select the correct words to create complete sentences.

  1. The talks are intended to help students avoid [...] .
  2. Students are advised to be brave and to have [...] conversations.
  3. To avoid being angry all the time, you should try to make [...] with people.
  4. Try not to use statements starting with [...] and avoid using the words “always” and “never.”
A: conflict; uncomfortable; agreements; I
Gap 1 offers: conflict; crime
Gap 2 offers: uncomfortable; complex
Gap 3 offers: agreements; arrangements
Gap 4 offers: I; you

In a separate piece of paper provided by your teacher, make a diagram of the following sentences. 1 point each correct sentence.

1. Jose wrote.
2. Alligators and crocodiles swim and float.
3. The secret plane left very swiftly.
4. The new girl seems very smart.
5. Our family dog is a large labrador.