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Class 8 · English · 08-03

Class Test 3

Training Center

Train the important skills from Unit 3. The stories, places and people on this page are different from your class test. The skills are the same.

Reading Writing Mediation Vocabulary Passive Articles Bonus Listening

How to train

1 · TryDo the task without opening the solution.
2 · CheckFind out exactly why a mistake happened.
3 · RepairRepeat difficult tasks later without help.
Top Priority
Passive: Simple Present + Simple Past
Very Important
Articles
Very Important
Reading: short and precise answers
Very Important
Writing: tell a complete story
Remember: Knowing the grammar rule is only Step 1. You must also be able to use it quickly inside a complete sentence.
01
Skill 1

Reading

Find the exact information and answer briefly.

Important: Your answers should normally be only 1–6 words. Do not copy complete paragraphs.

Young on the Ocean

Working on a boat may sound like a dream job, but getting started can be difficult. We talked to 19-year-old Noah Garcia, who works on a research and whale-watching boat on the Oregon coast.

How did you become interested in the ocean?

I actually grew up more than 300 kilometres from the coast. When I was thirteen, our class spent three days near the ocean. On the second day, we went on a boat trip and saw two giant whales. I couldn't stop thinking about them afterwards. That trip completely changed my plans for the future.

Did you start working on boats immediately?

No! First I had to learn a lot. At sixteen, I started volunteering at a small wildlife rescue centre during my school holidays. I cleaned rooms, carried food and helped the staff. It wasn't exciting every minute, but I learned how important even small jobs can be.

What are you doing now?

I work part-time for a company that takes visitors out to see whales, sea lions and other wildlife. I help people board the boat, check safety equipment and answer simple questions. I also help a marine researcher who records which animals we spot.

Is the job always fun?

Definitely not. We sometimes leave the harbour very early, and the weather can change quickly. Last month the ocean was so rough that half of our passengers felt sick. I have got used to the waves, but cold rain at six in the morning is still not my favourite thing!

What do you enjoy most?

Seeing animals in the wild. Last summer we spotted a whale with her calf very close to the boat. Everybody suddenly became completely silent. Moments like that are incredible.

Do you want to continue doing this?

Yes. My next goal is to study marine biology. After that, I'd like to work in animal protection or research. I would also love to travel and learn about whales in other parts of the world.

What advice would you give other young people?

Don't wait for the perfect job. Volunteer, ask questions and be ready to do simple work. You learn from every experience. And don't give up because somebody says you are too young. Show people that you are serious and responsible.

WORD HELP

research – careful study to discover new information
rough – here: with strong waves
marine biology – the study of plants and animals in the ocean
1. Where did Noah grow up?
2. How old was he on the school trip?
3. What changed his future plans?
4. Where did Noah volunteer?
5. Name TWO jobs he did there.
6. What kind of company employs him now?
7. What does he check on the boat?
8. Who does Noah also help?
9. Why did many passengers feel sick?
10. What animal did Noah see with its calf?
11. What does Noah want to study?
12. Give TWO pieces of advice Noah gives young people.
Show reading solutions

1. far from the coast

2. thirteen

3. seeing two giant whales

4. a wildlife rescue centre

5. Any two: cleaned rooms / carried food / helped the staff

6. a whale-watching company

7. safety equipment

8. a marine researcher

9. the ocean was rough

10. a whale

11. marine biology

12. Any two: volunteer / ask questions / do simple work / don't give up / be serious / be responsible

A good Reading answer is: SHORT + PRECISE + CORRECT
02
Skill 2

Writing – The Bike Trip

Turn a sequence of pictures into a complete story.

Imagine these six scenes. You are one of the two friends. Write the story from YOUR point of view.

1
You and your friend start a bike trip on a sunny morning. You have food and drinks in your backpacks.
2
You stop near an old bridge and have lunch. Everything is fine.
3
Dark clouds appear. Suddenly there is heavy rain.
4
Your friend's bike breaks. You are wet and several kilometres from the next village.
5
A farmer drives past in a small truck. He stops and offers to help.
6
In the evening you arrive home. You are tired, dirty and wet – but you are laughing.

Your task

Write at least 100 words.

You can start like this:

Last Saturday, my friend and I decided to go on a long bike trip. The weather was perfect when we left home ...

Useful story words

At first, ...Then ...After that, ... A few minutes later, ...Suddenly, ...Unfortunately, ... Luckily, ...While ...Because ... So ...Finally, ...In the end, ...
Try to include:
Show a sample story

THE BIKE TRIP

Last Saturday, my friend Ben and I decided to go on a long bike trip. We wanted to visit a small lake about twenty kilometres from our town. The weather was warm and sunny, so we were in a great mood.

After about an hour, we stopped near an old bridge and had our lunch. We were sitting beside the river when suddenly we saw dark clouds. A few minutes later, it started to rain heavily.

We got on our bikes again, but then Ben's bike broke. We were completely wet and didn't know what to do. Unfortunately, the next village was still several kilometres away.

Luckily, a farmer drove past in his truck. He stopped and asked if we needed help. He put our bikes in the back of his truck and drove us home.

In the end, we were wet, dirty and very tired, but we couldn't stop laughing. It was a terrible bike trip – but a great story!

Why this works:

✓ clear beginning
✓ events in the correct order
✓ Simple Past
✓ problem
✓ reaction
✓ solution
✓ ending
✓ time words
✓ adjectives
03
Skill 3

Mediation

Understand German information and answer your friend's question in English.

A Day in the Mountains

Your American friend Taylor is visiting you in Germany. You are spending a day in the Black Forest. Taylor doesn't understand German.

BERGBAHN SCHAUINSLAND

Bergfahrten alle 20 Minuten zwischen 9.00 und 17.00 Uhr.

Fahrkarten nur am Automaten erhältlich.

Tages-Rückfahrkarte
Kinder und Jugendliche (6–17 Jahre): 12 €
Erwachsene: 18 €

Fahrräder können ab 14.00 Uhr transportiert werden.

Letzte Talfahrt: 17.40 Uhr.

IMPORTANT SIGN

BITTE AUF DEN WEGEN BLEIBEN.

WILDTIERE NICHT FÜTTERN.

ABFALL BITTE MITNEHMEN.

1. Taylor: What's this information about?
2. Taylor: It's 10.10 now. When can we go up?
3. Taylor: Can we buy our tickets on the cable car?
4. Taylor: I'm 14 and you're 14 too. How much is a return ticket for both of us?
5. Taylor: Could we take our bikes with us this morning?
6. Taylor: What's the last time we can come back down?
7. Taylor: What does that other sign say? Give THREE pieces of information.
Show mediation solutions

1.
It's about the cable car up the mountain.

2.
We can go at 10.30.

3.
No. We have to buy the tickets at the machine.

4.
It's 24 euros for both of us.

5.
No. Bikes can only be transported from 2 pm.

6.
The last cable car down is at 5.40 pm.

7.
We have to stay on the paths.
We aren't allowed to feed the wild animals.
We have to take our trash with us.

Mediation rule: Do not translate the complete sign. Answer Taylor's exact question.
04
Skill 4

Words – The Missing Verb

One verb must fit two different phrases.

boardcarrygetgrow hitkeepmakepay pullspot

1. the milk cold
away from dangerous animals

2. strawberries in the garden
up in a small town

3. a bus
a plane

4. a heavy bag
passengers

5. admission
for lunch

6. a day off
to visit an interesting place

7. the coast
a building during an earthquake

8. a recommendation
a decision

Show vocabulary solutions

1. KEEP
keep the milk cold
keep away from dangerous animals

2. GROW
grow strawberries
grow up in a small town

3. BOARD
board a bus
board a plane

4. CARRY
carry a heavy bag
carry passengers

5. PAY
pay admission
pay for lunch

6. GET
get a day off
get to visit an interesting place

7. HIT
hit the coast
hit a building

8. MAKE
make a recommendation
make a decision

Learn: WORD + PARTNER

not only: WORD = GERMAN WORD
05
Skill 5 · Top Priority

The Passive

Simple Present Passive and Simple Past Passive.

SIMPLE PRESENT PASSIVE
AM / IS / ARE + PAST PARTICIPLE

The bikes are repaired here.


SIMPLE PAST PASSIVE
WAS / WERE + PAST PARTICIPLE

The bridge was built in 1950.

Typical mistakes

❌ was build
✅ was built

❌ is use
✅ is used

❌ were ate
✅ were eaten

A · Now and Then

Use the PASSIVE. Use Simple Past for THEN. Use Simple Present for NOW.

1. The first electric streetlights (install) in the town in 1902.

2. Thousands of electric lights (use) every night.

3. The old station (build) more than 100 years ago.

4. The building (use) as a museum today.

5. Letters (write) by hand many years ago.

6. Millions of messages (send) electronically every day.

7. A lot of food (grow) on small farms in the past.

8. Many vegetables (grow) in large greenhouses today.

9. The first school computers (buy) in the 1980s.

10. Computers (use) in nearly every classroom today.

11. Many old roads (make) of stone.

12. Modern highways (build) for heavy traffic.

B · Amazing Facts

buildbuydiscovereat givegrowinventmake seesendwrite

13. The first modern bicycle in the 19th century.

14. Millions of potatoes in Europe last year.

15. The Eiffel Tower for the World Fair in 1889.

16. The first email in 1971.

17. The famous book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

18. Thousands of pizzas during the festival last weekend.

19. The island by European sailors hundreds of years ago.

20. The winning team a special prize after the competition.

C · Active → Passive

21. People use this road every day.
22. Workers built the bridge in 1965.
23. Millions of tourists visit the museum every year.
24. The storm damaged several houses last night.
25. Farmers grow strawberries in this valley.
26. The city opened the new park last summer.

D · Passive Error Hunt

27. The bridge was build in 1930.
28. These cars is made in Germany.
29. The animals were feed yesterday morning.
30. Millions of photos are took every day.
31. The new school was open last year.
32. English are spoken in many countries.
Show passive solutions

A · Now and Then

1. were installed
2. are used
3. was built
4. is used
5. were written
6. are sent
7. was grown
8. are grown
9. were bought
10. are used
11. were made
12. are built

B · Amazing Facts

13. was invented
14. were grown
15. was built
16. was sent
17. was written
18. were eaten
19. was discovered
20. was given

C · Active → Passive

21. This road is used every day.

22. The bridge was built in 1965.

23. The museum is visited by millions of tourists every year.

24. Several houses were damaged by the storm last night.

25. Strawberries are grown in this valley.

26. The new park was opened last summer.

D · Error Hunt

27. The bridge was built in 1930.

28. These cars are made in Germany.

29. The animals were fed yesterday morning.

30. Millions of photos are taken every day.

31. The new school was opened last year.

32. English is spoken in many countries.

PASSIVE MASTER CHECK

STEP 1: When?
NOW → am / is / are
THEN → was / were

STEP 2: Singular or plural?

STEP 3: Past participle?
06
Skill 6

Articles

Choose A / AN, THE or X.

Think before you choose.

A / AN = one thing · not specific yet

THE = specific · already known · unique in the situation

X = no article · often with general ideas, subjects and many place names

A Weekend in Brighton

Write: A / AN, THE or X.

Last year my family spent 1. weekend in 2. Brighton, 3. city on 4. south coast of England.

We stayed in 5. small hotel near 6. sea.

On Saturday morning, we walked along 7. beach and visited 8. old building near the pier.

My dad wanted to take 9. photo of 10. building, but there were lots of people in front of it.

After that, we had lunch in 11. restaurant.

I ordered 12. sandwich and my sister had 13. ice cream.

In 14. afternoon, we went shopping.

15. shops in the city centre were very busy.

My brother wanted to buy 16. new jacket, but 17. jacket he liked was too expensive.

On Sunday, 18. weather was fantastic.

We spent most of 19. day outside.

20. life by the sea seemed very relaxing.

Before we went home, we watched 21. sunset.

It was 22. amazing end to our weekend.

Quick Article Challenge

23. My aunt works as doctor.

24. Lake Michigan is in North America.

25. We travelled at 80 kilometres hour.

26. sun was already shining.

27. My favourite subject is history.

28. We visited museum we had read about online.

29. She bought umbrella because it was raining.

30. teenagers often use smartphones every day.

31. They live near Atlantic Ocean.

32. My brother wants to become engineer.

Show article solutions

1. a
2. X
3. a
4. the
5. a
6. the
7. the
8. an
9. a
10. the
11. a
12. a
13. an
14. the
15. the
16. a
17. the
18. the
19. the
20. X
21. the
22. an

23. a
24. X
25. an
26. the
27. X
28. the
29. an
30. X
31. the
32. an

Quick thinking:

A / AN one, non-specific thing

THE specific or unique

X general idea or many names
07
Bonus Training

Listening

Extra Unit 3 listening practice. This is additional training, not a separate skill area in Class Test 3.

Audio: A Day at the Coast Rescue Center
MP3 filename: 08-03-listening-rescue-center.mp3

A · Choose the correct answer

1. Why did Emma first visit the rescue center?
2. What surprised Emma during her first visit?
3. What does Emma usually do first in the morning?
4. Which animals need the quietest area?
5. Why can't visitors touch the animals?
6. What does Emma want to do in the future?

B · Complete the notes

7. Emma's age:

8. She started volunteering: ago.

9. The center is near:

10. One morning job:

11. Animals are sometimes hurt by:

12. Visitors can help by:

C · True or False?

13. Emma works at the center every day.

14. Some animals are brought there because of trash.

15. All rescued animals stay at the center forever.

16. Emma thinks simple jobs are important.

Show listening solutions

A

1. b
2. c
3. b
4. c
5. b
6. b

B

7. seventeen / 17
8. three years
9. the Oregon coast
10. cleaning equipment
11. fishing equipment / plastic / trash
12. keeping beaches clean

C

13. False
14. True
15. False
16. True

Teacher area: Show listening script

VOICE

Young American English woman, around 17 years old. Friendly, natural and confident. Standard American pronunciation. Clear but natural school-listening speed, approximately 135–145 words per minute. Do not read like a news presenter. Use small natural pauses between paragraphs. Estimated playing time: approximately 2–3 minutes.

SCRIPT

Hi, I'm Emma, I'm seventeen, and twice a week I volunteer at a small wildlife rescue center on the Oregon coast.

I first came here three years ago when my school class visited the center. Before that trip, I thought rescue work was mainly about feeding cute animals. I was surprised when I saw how much other work had to be done. The volunteers cleaned rooms, carried supplies, answered phone calls and prepared food. I decided that I wanted to help too.

I usually arrive at about eight o'clock on Saturday mornings. My first job is often cleaning equipment and preparing the areas where new animals are examined. After that, I help with food.

Different animals need different things. Young seals, for example, are kept in a quiet part of the center because too much noise can frighten them. We also sometimes look after injured sea lions and pelicans.

Many animals are brought here because they have been hurt by fishing equipment, plastic or other trash in the ocean. Sometimes an animal is simply weak or sick.

Visitors often ask if they can touch the animals, but that isn't allowed. Our goal is to return healthy animals to the wild, so they shouldn't get too used to people.

The best days are the days when an animal is released. Last month, a young seal was carried down to the beach in a special box. When the box was opened, the seal stayed still for a few seconds and then moved quickly towards the ocean. Everybody was completely silent. It was an incredible moment.

People sometimes think volunteering means doing exciting things all day, but that isn't true. A lot of my work is simple: cleaning, carrying or preparing things. But all of those jobs are necessary.

In the future, I'd like to study animal science. Until then, I'll keep volunteering here. And if people want to help wildlife without working at a rescue center, there's one very simple thing they can do: take their trash home and keep beaches clean.

Ready for Class Test 3?

You are in a good position if you can tick these boxes without help.

One box still missing? Go back to that section. Do the task again without looking at the solution.