Ответы на Муниципальный этап ВОШ по Английскому языку 7-11 классы Московская область (50 регион) 2025 год 27 ноября
Муниципальный этап. 11 класс
#### Task 1. You will hear an interview with a woman called Farza Abad who runs an online business selling house plants. For questions 1-6, choose the best answer (a, b or c). You will hear the recording twice.
1. Farza gained her retail plant experience when she
a) worked in a shop in her hometown.
b) was employed on a farm in Australia.
c) realised there were not enough green spaces in her city.
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2. Farza says her business has grown quickly because
a) she spends a lot of money on marketing.
b) she posts a lot on social media.
c) she has a famous customer.
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3. When asked about starting a business, Farza says in her opinion, you should
a) be flexible.
b) be decisive.
c) have leadership skills.
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4. What does Farza enjoy most about running her own business?
a) Taking time off when she wants to.
b) Having a good income.
c) Learning new skills.
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5. What does Farza say is the most difficult thing for her about running a business?
a) Sometimes mistakes can be expensive.
b) It can be hard to trust her own decisions.
c) She often compares herself to others.
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6. What’s Farza’s next plan for her business?
a) To increase the number of staff.
b) To open a large shop in the city.
c) To sell a wider variety of products.
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_Task 2. You will hear five short extracts in which people are talking about their learning_
_experiences. For questions 7–13, choose from the list (a–h) what each person found difficult about_
_studying as an adult. There is one extra point which you do not need to use. You will hear the_
_recording once._
a. memorising new vocabulary
b. working with other people
c. balancing work, studies and family life
d. dealing with an unusual method of learning
e. being as adaptable as when they were young
f. building a relationship with the teacher
g. maintaining high energy levels
h. attracting the teacher’s attention
Speaker 1 _____ (7)
Speaker 2 _____ (8)
Speaker 3 _____ (9)_____(10)
Speaker 4 _____ (11) _____(12)
Speaker 5 _____ (13)
_Task 3. You will hear an interview with a podcast host called Brian Felthmore. Mark statements_
_14-20 with “T” if they are true and “F” if they are false. You will hear the recording once._
14. Brian started a podcast because he knew his colleagues would listen to it.
15. Brian gets most of his information from face-to-face interviews.
16. Hosting his podcast Brian enjoys most talking to his guests.
17. Brian finds it really hard to plan the content of the episodes.
18. Brian believes that people who want to start a podcast will have to spend money.
19. Brian records his podcast episodes in a home office.
20. On his next podcast episode, Brian will ask listeners to call the show with questions.
TRANSFER YOUR ANSWERS TO THE ANSWER SHEET.
READING (20 points)
Time: 25 min
_Task 1 You are going to read a text about Leo Tolstoy, well known for his interest in technological_
_innovations. Seven sentences have been removed from the text. Choose from the sentences (a-h)_
_the one which fits each gap 1-7. There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use._
Leo Tolstoy and the technological revolution: an uneasy embrace
_The famous Russian writer Leo Tolstoy enjoyed using new inventions like cameras, gramophones,_
_and telephones. However, he was never completely sure if the technological revolution was a positive_
_development._
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1) During his lifetime, he saw the arrival of railroads, photography, movies, sound
recording, typewriters, and electricity. 2)_____
Tolstoy was very excited about the first photographic experiments. In 1856, Sergey Levitsky, who
is considered the father of Russian photography, made the first photos of Tolstoy, which were printed
on paper. 3)____ They are Ivan Turgenev, Ivan Goncharov, Alexander Ostrovsky and others.
Later, Tolstoy visited photography studios and had formal portraits taken, which basically were
the first “business cards” that he even attached to letters when exchanging photos with his pen pals,
such as Alexander Herzen.
In 1862, Tolstoy took his first self-portrait. 4) _____ His wife, Sofia Andreyevna, signed the
card, “I took a picture of myself.”
Photography became an obsession for Tolstoy, and even today, no writer's archive can boast of
so many pictures. 5)_____ She was also very fond of taking photos and it was her preferred hobby
for more than 20 years. She even developed the films herself.
An entire series of psychological portraits was made by Tolstoy's secretary and friend, Vladimir
Chertkov. 6)_____ Those were some of Tolstoy's last photos, taken in 1910, and turned into GIFs
by the State Tolstoy Museum.
What was the great Russian writer and thinker’s opinion about technological innovations and their
usefulness? Did he think they were an important part of mankind’s advancement? 7)_____ He
concluded that technical development is necessary only if its purpose is to benefit mankind. “When
people’s lives are immoral and their relations are based not on love but on egoism, all technical
improvements - the increase in human’s power over nature, such as steam, electricity, telegraph, all
kinds of machines, gunpowder, dynamite - give the impression of dangerous toys placed into the
hands of children,” Tolstoy wrote in his diary in 1903.
a) He was able to experience all these inventions for himself.
b) To do this, he needed two horses to pull his huge and heavy camera equipment.
c) Having lived to the age of 82, Tolstoy’s life crossed the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, which was an era of industrialization and technological progress.
d) The author of “War and Peace” was concerned about the moral aspect of progress.
e) His main concern was whether art could truly represent human experience.
f) Here, the still very young writer is depicted alone and in the company of other authors who wrote for the popular literary magazine, Sovremennik.
g) The writer’s intense feelings are evident in them.
h) In many ways Tolstoy's wife helped to feed his passion for photography.
_Task 2 Read the text, do tasks 2.1 and 2.2 after the text._
## The Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus
A
It is extremely common for people to turn to the internet to learn about what is happening in the world. This is increasingly true of teenagers, who may well go on to use online information (along with more traditional sources such as textbooks) for their studies when they later enter college. Information literacy – the ability to understand whether a text, article or news story is composed of reliable facts – is very important at university level. However, according to some research, there is worrying evidence that many of us often accept the information we read at face value. In other words, we often seem to trust what we are reading without really asking questions about who wrote it and why.
B
In 1998, a writer going by the name of Lyle Zapato set up a detailed and quite sophisticated website which seemed to give information about the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus. According to the website (which still exists), this apparently shy animal can only be found in the vast forests of the north-western USA. Reaching a size of 33 centimetres, it is as happy jumping from branch to branch as it is in the normal octopus home of water. However, because of the Tree Octopus’s natural habitats being cut down, and other threats such as eagles and cats, their numbers are low, and they are at risk of dying out completely. The website suggests that people help protect the octopus by writing to celebrities to take action, or even by going on Tree Octopus awareness marches.
C
The Tree Octopus has never existed, of course, and the website contains nothing more than fake information. It has, however, been used in a number of interesting experiments. In 2007 and 2017, two separate ones were done on school pupils aged 11–13 in the US and the Netherlands. They were either asked to summarize the most important information from the website in a few sentences or were asked questions to test whether they understood the information about the Tree Octopus. After further questions, it was found in the American study that only 11% thought the website was in any
way suspicious. In the Dutch study, a similarly low number (7%) thought the same. It is possible that
the rather emotional topic of the website (an animal in danger) could have made it appear more
reliable than it really was.
D
These results may not be too surprising. It could be argued that as long ago as 2007 – or even 2017 –
the idea of ‘fake news’ was much less widely known about than it is now. Even today, we should
probably not be astonished if 11-year-olds have little awareness of unreliable information online
compared to older teenagers who have started university and have more experience of the internet.
For that reason, many of us might not be too worried about children being deceived by what they see
on the internet. It could even be argued that no one as young as 11 should even be spending much
time online.
E
In 2020, however, a new experiment was carried out on a group of first-year university students in
the US studying biology – the type of people who would be expected to have developed the
intelligence to know what is objective information and what is not. In one task, the students were
asked to visit the website of the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus as part of a project on ‘interesting
organisms’. As part of the first task, they were asked to use the website to find out the scientific name
of the octopus, where it lived and why this species was at risk. Interestingly, at this point, 90% of
students failed to recognize that the octopus – and the whole website – was a carefully crafted joke.
In a follow-up task, the students were shown a video which made it clear that the octopus was a
comedy invention and were then asked what they thought about the initial task. The vast majority
now saw the website for what it was, making such comments as, ‘I answered the questions without
giving them much thought,’ or ‘I didn’t think it was necessary to find any extra evidence about this
animal.’
F
As studies like these suggest, even science students can be influenced by fake news, and could benefit
from developing their critical-thinking skills. Given this, it is probably sensible to start teaching
young teenagers about the nature of online information as soon as they are allowed to access it. They
should – at the very least – know that there is much that is inaccurate, if not deliberately designed to
make us believe something which is untrue. But perhaps more importantly, they should be encouraged
to continually ask themselves questions about what they find online. Rather than learning to rely on
a single source of information, we should all be taught to read up on important subjects and check for
additional evidence, if necessary, rather than simply accepting something as soon as we see it.
_Task 2.1 Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below. There_
_are three extra headings which you do not need to use._
## List of Headings
a) Most children trust online information
b) Recommendations for schools
c) The usefulness of online information
d) Experienced scientists can be fooled, too
e) Don’t expect children to understand the internet
f) Why ‘fake news’ works
g) A strange creature
h) The earliest example of ‘fake news’
i) Why ‘fake news’ is aimed at children
8. Paragraph A ______
9. Paragraph B ______
10. Paragraph C ______
11. Paragraph D ______
12. Paragraph E ______
13. Paragraph F ______
## Task 2.2 Read the text again and choose T (True) or F (False) for statements 14 – 20.
14. The author believes that nowadays teenagers use mainly online information which is unreliable.
15. Lyle Zapato created the website about the Tree Octopus to check how many people will take action to protect the animal.
16. The experiments mentioned in the text involved only teenagers in the Netherlands and the USA.
17. According to the author teenagers should not be allowed to spend much time online.
18. Students participating in the experiment in 2020 were expected to have a certain level of information literacy.
19. The experiments of 2007, 2017 and 2020 proved that an emotional topic of a website can make people believe it’s reliable.
20. The author claims that it’s necessary to teach people to seek further confirmation of the information we read online.
## USE OF ENGLISH (20 points)
### Time: 25 min
Task 1. Read the text and fill in the gaps (1-7) with the words from the crossword below. The numbers of the crossword clues correspond to the numbers of the gaps in the text.
One of the many roles of a food photographer is to take pictures of delicious meals and fresh food for menus, advertisements, and the ______ (1 - the materials used to wrap or protect products for sale, often including boxes and plastic) that covers our goods in supermarkets. But how exactly do they keep ice cream ______ (2 - a state of matter that has a definite shape and volume) for hours on end during a photoshoot, and fresh produce such as apples and lemons shiny? Perhaps not surprisingly, the food you see in most images ______ (3 - without doubt) wouldn’t taste as good as you’d expect it to. Much of it is fake, with alternative, ______ (4 - food that cannot be eaten because it is unsafe or unfit for consumption) products being used instead of real food. In fact, hours are often spent on preparing the ‘food’, so it looks as realistic as possible, while just minutes are spent on taking the actual pictures.
It is said some of the most ______ (5 - something that happens frequently or is widely accepted by many people) used tricks behind the scenes include using cardboard to add ______ (6 - the measurement of how tall something is) to burgers or replacing milk with white glue to ______ (7 -guarantee) it has the bright colour and creamy appearance consumers expect to see.
---
| 1 | 3 |
|---|---|
| | 7 |
| K | 6 |
| | 4 |
| | y |
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# Всероссийская олимпиада школьников по английскому языку 2025 г.
## Муниципальный этап. 11 класс
### Task 2. Match the parts of the idioms and use them to fill in the gaps (8-14) in the text. There are three idioms you do not need to use.
| get to | do with |
|---|---|
| come | place |
| make | the bottom of |
| the answer | under our hat |
| fall into | a magic wand |
| touch | to light |
| spread like | wraps |
| wave | wildfire |
| under | to our prayers |
| keep something | base |
---
### The Bottom Line
The project was 8 ______ from the very beginning. As the lead investigator for Global Tech, my mission was to 9 ______ a series of bizarre financial discrepancies. My colleague, Leo, was a wizard with data, but even he couldn’t just 10 ______ and make the answers appear.
For weeks, we kept on working, checking endless accounts, emails and reports, digging deeper into the figures. We hardly had any sleep and lived on coffee and junk food, that’s why at the end of the month Leo and I felt exhausted. No matter how many facts we discovered, the puzzle refused to 11 ______. We had fragments — odd transactions, ghost companies — but no cohesive picture.
The breakthrough came from the most unlikely place. A junior accountant named Sarah, discovered a few encrypted emails that our sophisticated software had missed: just a single, encrypted email chain. That was 12 ______. As we decrypted the messages, the shocking truth began to 13 ______. The discrepancies weren’t a glitch, they were a deliberate embezzlement scheme.
With Sarah’s key evidence, we presented our findings, and the news 14 ______. The scandal broke out. No matter how deep a secret is buried, the truth always has a way of coming out.
_Task 3. Match the Greatest Britons (15-20) to their profiles (a-e). There are two extra names._
|Profile|Name|
|---|---|
|15. _____ was born on February 15, 1874, in Kilkea, County Kildare, Ireland. He was the second of 10 children. His father was a doctor. The family moved to London around the time he was 10 years old. He left school when he was 16 and became a sailor. He is known for his leadership in the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. He joined Discovery Expedition of 1901–1904 and his polar career began. During the expedition he set a southern latitude record before being sent home for health reasons.|a) Duke of Wellington b) Ernest Henry Shackleton c) Horatio Nelson d) Robert Falcon Scott e) Isambard Kingdom Brunel f) Robert Baden-Powell g) Douglas Bader h) George Stephenson|
|16. _____ was an English civil and mechanical engineer who is widely regarded as the "Father of Railways." Born in Wylam, Northumberland, he came from a humble background and largely taught himself engineering skills. He gained early experience working in coal mines, where he developed a keen understanding of steam engines and machinery. His innovations in locomotive design, railway construction, and safety innovations (including a miners' safety lamp) made him a one of those people who changed the world forever.||
|17. Born in 1806 _____ is celebrated as a visionary who reshaped modern transport and civil engineering. Among his achievements were the Great Western Railway linking London and Bristol, great steamships, the Thames Tunnel, Paddington Station and Clifton Suspension Bridge. His pioneering technologies and design principles made his works blueprints for future engineers.||
|18. _____ was born in 1857. Nowadays he is remembered as a British Army officer, national hero of the Second Boer War, and the founder of the modern Scouting movement. Inspired by his military experiences, 'Aids to||
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# Всероссийская олимпиада школьников по английскому языку 2025 г. Муниципальный этап. 11 класс
|Scouting,’ initially came out as a military manual. Noting its popularity with boys and youth groups, he adapted its concepts for young people. In 1907, he ran an experimental camp on Brownsea Island, regarded as the founding event of the Scouting movement.||
|---|---|
|19._____ was one of the first to explore Antarctica by land. On his second expedition he aimed to become the first to reach the South Pole but on January 17, 1912, they only found that Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen had preceded them by about a month. The return journey was disastrous: facing extreme cold, hunger, and exhaustion, his party died before reaching their supply depot.||
|20._____ (1910–1982) was a true aviation legend. He became famous due to his courage and skill during World War II, despite losing both legs in a 1931 flying accident. He fought in the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain and being shot down and captured in 1941, he became prisoner of war. His daring escape attempts made him a symbol of British resilience and unwavering spirit.||
TRANSFER YOUR ANSWERS TO THE ANSWER SHEET.
WRITING (20 points)
Time: 50 min
You have decided to enter a short story competition. The competition rules state that the story must begin with the sentence provided below.
The old man in the park told me the statue would make one wish come true, but he never told me what it would cost.
Write 180-250 words (the title is included in the word count).
Remember to:
- give a title to your story;
- clearly describe the wish and its unexpected cost;
- use at least 2 cases of reported speech and 2 different phrasal verbs of your choice;
- make sure your story has a meaningful moral.
Underline reported speech and phrasal verbs in your story.
TRANSFER YOUR ANSWER TO THE ANSWER SHEET.
Муниципальный этап. 9-10 классы
## LISTENING (20 points)
### Time: 20 min
Task 1. Part 1. *You will hear five speakers talking about the scents. For questions 1-7, choose from the speakers (1-5) what the smell reminds each speaker of. The speakers may be chosen more than once. You will hear the recording for the first time in Part 1 of the task and for the second time in Part 2 of the task.*
Which person...
| • associates the smell with a feeling of reassurance about their current life? | 1. | |
|---|---|---|
| • mentions that the smell is a combination of two distinct things? | 2. | |
| • links the smell to a memory of waiting for someone? | 3. | |
| • says the smell helps them regain a sense of self-confidence? | 4. | |
| • says the smell instantly brings back feelings of childhood exploration? | 5. | |
| • says that this smell helps them stop trying to impress others and be their real self? | 6. | |
| • connects the smell to a memory from their first job? | 7. | |
Task 1. Part 2. *Now you will hear the recording again. For questions 8-14, decide whether the statements are True (T) or False (F).*
8. Speaker 1 used to eat bread while doing their homework.
9. Speaker 2 would often wait for their brother inside the temple.
10. Speaker 2 feels the scent helps them slow down and relax.
11. Speaker 3 links the smell to a single, specific memory.
12. Speaker 3 believes the smell helps them to be less concerned about what other people think.
13. Speaker 4 finds the combination of smells from their first job easy to forget.
14. Speaker 5 currently lives in a rural area where they can often experience the smell.
Task 2. *You will hear an interview with a woman called Farza Abad who runs an online business selling house plants. For questions 15-20, choose the best answer (a, b or c). You will hear the recording twice.*
15. Farza gained her retail plant experience when she
a) worked in a shop in her hometown.
b) was employed on a farm in Australia.
c) realised there were not enough green spaces in her city.
16. Farza says her business has grown quickly because
a) she spends a lot of money on marketing.
b) she posts a lot on social media.
c) she has a famous customer.
17. When asked about starting a business, Farza says in her opinion, you should
a) be flexible.
b) be decisive.
c) have leadership skills.
18. What does Farza enjoy most about running her own business?
a) Taking time off when she wants to.
b) Having a good income.
c) Learning new skills.
19. What does Farza say is the most difficult thing for her about running a business?
a) Sometimes mistakes can be expensive.
b) It can be hard to trust her own decisions.
c) She often compares herself to others.
20. What’s Farza’s next plan for her business?
a) To increase the number of staff.
b) To open a large shop in the city.
c) To sell a wider variety of products.
---
TRANSFER YOUR ANSWERS TO THE ANSWER SHEET.
_Task 1. Part 1. You are going to read the texts about city nicknames. For questions 1-7, choose_
_the correct texts (A-G). The text may be chosen more than once or not chosen at all._
Which nickname…
|• refers to a city whose name has a direct translation from the ancient language?|1.||
|---|---|---|
|• was inspired by the confidence of its ancient inhabitants in its permanent power?|2.||
|• is built on a specific number of prominent geographical features?|3.||
|• was named after a prince's likely mistaken sighting of an animal?|4.||
|• originated from the world of sports journalism before being popularised by advertisers?|5.||
|• was given to a city because of air pollution caused by burning a common fossil fuel for home heating?|6.||
|• belongs to a city whose iconic landmark lights up every evening?|7.||
What’s in a Name?
_Big and small cities around the world have their own nicknames. Many of them point to a place’s_
_fascinating history, and some are tied to emotions such as romance or joy. Let’s go around the world_
_to explore the truth behind city nicknames._
A MOSCOW: The City on Seven Hills
Moscow is one of the rare cities in Russia that kept its name unchanged throughout the centuries. It
also has several unofficial titles that reflect its special status and rich history. One of them is The City
on Seven Hills. Moscow’s centre is situated on multiple hills. Actually, there are seven ‘main’ hills
highlighted: Borovitsky, Sretensky, Tverskoy, Three Mountain, Tagansky, Lefortovsky, Vorobievy
Hills. That’s why the landscape is so different around the city, which can make cycling commutes, or
just plain walking, a real chore. What you get in return are some gorgeous views from atop those
numerous hills.
B LONDON: The Big Smoke
===== Page 4 =====
# Bсероссийская олимпиада школьников по английскому языку 2025 г.
Муниципальный этап. 9-10 классы
The UK’s capital got its nickname because the city was frequently enveloped in thick smoke which billowed from thousands of residential and factory chimneys. Londoners in the 19[th] and early 20[th] centuries used coal to heat their homes, and the resulting smog, combined with typical dreary British weather, meant regular days of London “fog”.
C SINGAPORE: The Lion City
There’s a straightforward reason why Singapore is referred to as the Lion City. Its Malay name, Singapura, is derived from Sanskrit, with “singa” meaning “lion” and “pura” meaning “city”. Another suggestion, though, is based on a legend that tells a tale of a prince who decided to build the city after catching a glimpse of a lion, thought to be a sign of good fortune. Lions, however, have never lived in this part of the world, so the animal was most likely a Malayan tiger.
D PARIS: The City of Lights
Although often considered a romantic destination, the City of Love is also known as the City of Lights, but there’s some debate as to why. One theory evolves from the fact that Paris was the birthplace of the Age of Enlightenment. Another bases itself around the idea that the French capital was one of the first European cities to illuminate dark streets in the bid to prevent night-time crime. Whatever the truth, 20,000 light bulbs transform the Eiffel Tower in the evenings today.
E MUMBAI: The City of Dreams
The commercial capital of India and also the home of Bollywood’s movie industry, Mumbai attracts budding entrepreneurs, actors and, it would appear, anyone with a dream. People flock to the bustling city, despite its already huge population, believing anything is possible here. Optimistic that opportunities abound, hopefuls call their home the City of Dreams.
F NEW YORK: The Big Apple
This has little to do with healthy Americans eating one of their “five a day” (the amount of fruit or vegetables one should eat in order to be healthy), but refers more to horse racing. Back in the 1920s, a sports writer repetitively used the phrase in his newspaper column about jockeys and races. It became even more popular after a tourism campaign in the 1970s, which used the fruity name.
G ROME: The Eternal City
The nickname of Italy’s capital can be traced back to ancient times, when self-assured Romans convinced themselves that they’d always live in a thriving city. Inhabitants watched other empires
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# Всероссийская олимпиада школьников по английскому языку 2025 г. Муниципальный этап. 9-10 классы
rise and fall but refused to accept Rome would face a similar crushing fate. The empire was eternal,
they insisted, and would last forever.
_Task 1. Part 2. For questions 8-13, choose the answer (a, b, c or d) which you think fits best_
_according to the texts._
8. According to the text, what is a common challenge for commuters in Moscow due to its geography?
a) Frequent flooding in the city centre.
b) Navigating the complex network of seven rivers.
c) The strenuous nature of moving across its hilly terrain.
d) The high cost of living on the main hills.
9. The nickname "The Big Smoke" for London primarily resulted from
a) the famous London fog that occurs naturally.
b) the smoke from the Great Fire of London in 1666.
c) the historical burning of waste in the city's outskirts.
d) the widespread domestic and industrial use of coal.
10. What mismatch does the text point out regarding Singapore's nickname, "The Lion City"?
a) The name was chosen by colonists, not by the local population.
b) The animal seen by the prince could hardly be a lion.
c) The city's symbol is actually a merlion, a mythical creature.
d) Lions were once common but were hunted to extinction.
11. According to the text, what are the two main theories behind Paris's nickname, "The City of
Lights"?
a) Its romantic atmosphere and its beautiful sunsets.
b) Its famous artists and its intellectual history.
c) Its role in the Age of Enlightenment and its early use of street lighting.
d) The sparkling Eiffel Tower and its bright city squares.
12. Mumbai's nickname, "The City of Dreams," is most directly attributed to its role as
a) the political capital of India.
b) a centre for spiritual and religious enlightenment.
c) a capital of commerce and the Bollywood film industry.
d) the oldest continuously inhabited city in the country.
13. According to the text, why did ancient Rome become known as "The Eternal City"?
a) Because its leaders promised it would have eternal power.
b) Because its people were convinced it would never fall or be destroyed.
c) Because it was the largest and most powerful city at the time.
d) Because it had more historical monuments than any other place.
_Task 2. You are going to read a text about Leo Tolstoy, well known for his interest in technological_
_innovations. Seven sentences have been removed from the text. Choose from the sentences (a-h)_
_the one which fits each gap (14-20). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use._
Leo Tolstoy and the technological revolution: an uneasy embrace
_The famous Russian writer Leo Tolstoy enjoyed using new inventions like cameras, gramophones,_
_and telephones. However, he was never completely sure if the technological revolution was a positive_
_development._
14)_____ During his lifetime, he saw the arrival of railroads, photography, movies, sound
recording, typewriters, and electricity. 15)_____
Tolstoy was very excited about the first photographic experiments. In 1856, Sergey Levitsky, who
is considered the father of Russian photography, made the first photos of Tolstoy, which were printed
on paper. 16)_____ They are Ivan Turgenev, Ivan Goncharov, Alexander Ostrovsky and others.
Later, Tolstoy visited photography studios and had formal portraits taken, which basically were
the first “business cards” that he even attached to letters when exchanging photos with his pen pals,
such as Alexander Herzen.
In 1862, Tolstoy took his first self-portrait. 17) _____ His wife, Sofia Andreyevna, signed the
card, “I took a picture of myself.”
Photography became an obsession for Tolstoy, and even today, no writer's archive can boast of
so many pictures. 18)_____ She was also very fond of taking photos and it was her preferred hobby
for more than 20 years. She even developed the films herself.
An entire series of psychological portraits was made by Tolstoy's secretary and friend, Vladimir Chertkov. 19) ______ Those were some of Tolstoy's last photos, taken in 1910, and turned into GIFs by the State Tolstoy Museum.
What was the great Russian writer and thinker’s opinion about technological innovations and their usefulness? Did he think they were an important part of mankind’s advancement? 20) ______ He concluded that technical development is necessary only if its purpose is to benefit mankind. “When people’s lives are immoral and their relations are based not on love but on egoism, all technical improvements - the increase in human’s power over nature, such as steam, electricity, telegraph, all kinds of machines, gunpowder, dynamite - give the impression of dangerous toys placed into the hands of children,” Tolstoy wrote in his diary in 1903.
a) He was able to experience all these inventions for himself.
b) To do this, he needed two horses to pull his huge and heavy camera equipment.
c) Having lived to the age of 82, Tolstoy’s life crossed the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, which was an era of industrialization and technological progress.
d) The author of “War and Peace” was concerned about the moral aspect of progress.
e) His main concern was whether art could truly represent human experience.
f) Here, the still very young writer is depicted alone and in the company of other authors who wrote for the popular literary magazine, Sovremennik.
g) The writer’s intense feelings are evident in them.
h) In many ways Tolstoy’s wife helped to feed his passion for photography.
TRANSFER YOUR ANSWERS TO THE ANSWER SHEET.
USE OF ENGLISH (20 points)
Time: 25 min
Task 1. Read the text and fill in the gaps (1-7) with the words from the crossword below. The numbers of the crossword clues correspond to the numbers of the gaps in the text.
One of the many roles of a food photographer is to take pictures of delicious meals and fresh food for menus, advertisements, and the ______ (1 - the materials used to wrap or protect products for sale, often including boxes and plastic) that covers our goods in supermarkets. But how exactly do they keep ice cream ______ (2 - a state of matter that has a definite shape and volume) for hours on end during a photoshoot, and fresh produce such as apples and lemons shiny? Perhaps not surprisingly, the food you see in most images ______ (3 - without doubt) wouldn’t taste as good as you’d expect it to. Much of it is fake, with alternative, ______ (4 - food that cannot be eaten because it is unsafe or unfit for consumption) products being used instead of real food. In fact, hours are often spent on preparing the ‘food’, so it looks as realistic as possible, while just minutes are spent on taking the actual pictures.
It is said some of the most ______ (5 - something that happens frequently or is widely accepted by many people) used tricks behind the scenes include using cardboard to add ______ (6 - the measurement of how tall something is) to burgers or replacing milk with white glue to ______ (7 -guarantee) it has the bright colour and creamy appearance consumers expect to see.
| 1 | 3 |
|---|---|
| | 7 n e |
| k | 2 |
| g | 6 |
| s | 4 n b |
| o | i i |
8
_Task 2. Match the parts of the idioms and use some of them in the sentences (8-13). There are two_
_idioms you do not need to use._
|like a fish|order|
|---|---|
|jazz|fish in a barrel|
|in the blink|to cry on|
|teething|out of water|
|a tall|record|
|like shooting|of an eye|
|a shoulder|up|
|like a broken|problems|
8. As a lifelong city dweller, I felt _____ in the rural area.
9. Finishing the entire project by tomorrow is_____, but we'll do our best.
10. Let's _____ the living room by adding some colourful cushions and new artwork.
11. Our new online booking system has had a few _____, but the IT team is fixing them.
12. When I'm sad, it's great to have my sister as _____ .
13. The children grew up_____; it feels like just yesterday they were starting school.
_Task 3. Match the descriptions of the landmarks (14-20) to their names (A-I). There are two_
_names you do not need to use._
|Description|Landmark|
|---|---|
|14. It was inspired by the landmark in the capital of a European country and lets the visitors enjoy the skyline of the coastal resort. The maintenance of the construction is considered to be one of the most difficult jobs in the UK. 15. The construction has a clearance of about 30 m to allow tall sailing ships to pass. It took over 30 years to build it, with numerous difficulties including protests and lack of money. 16. The story goes that the landmark was built as a result of a competition between an Irish and a Scottish heroes. A lake and an island were also formed in that fight according to the legend. The geological version says that it was formed after a volcano eruption: the lava formed over 40,000 pillars.|A. Windsor Castle B. Hadrian’s Wall C. Tower Bridge D. Big Ben E. Edinburgh Castle F. The Giant’s Causeway G. Clifton Suspension Bridge H. Warwick Castle I. Blackpool Tower|
|17. This landmark is about 19 centuries old and was built to the orders of the Roman emperor. One of its forts provides useful information about life at the time, which was inscribed on the wooden tablets. 18. Built on top of an extinct volcano, the landmark dominates the skyline and attracts the tourists. One of the world’s biggest military shows takes place there. Part of it, the 12th Century Chapel, is today the oldest building in the city. 19. The construction of the landmark took some years longer than it was planned. Located in the hustle and bustle of the city, it goes by the name of one of its parts, but in fact it bears the name of one of the monarchs. 20. The landmark was built under William the Conqueror and occupied an advantageous position near the capital. It has been rebuilt and modified by succeeding monarchs many times. It was badly damaged in the blaze and it took several years and a large sum of money to undo the damage.||
|---|---|
TRANSFER YOUR ANSWERS TO THE ANSWER SHEET.
WRITING (20 points)
Time: 50 min
You have decided to enter a short story competition. The competition rules state that the story must begin with the sentence provided below.
The old man in the park told me the statue would make one wish come true, but he never told me what it would cost.
Write 180-250 words (the title is included in the word count).
Remember to:
- give a title to your story;
- clearly describe the wish and its unexpected cost;
- use at least 2 different modal verbs and 2 different phrasal verbs of your choice;
- make sure your story has a moral.
Underline the required modal and phrasal verbs in your story.
TRANSFER YOUR ANSWER TO THE ANSWER SHEET.
Муниципальный этап. 7-8 классы
Time: 15 minutes
_Task 1. Listen to a talk about visiting museums and mark statements 1-7 with “T” if they are_
_true and “F” if they are false. You will hear the recording twice._
MUSEUMS
1. The man used to think that museums were enjoyable places.
2. Amanda believes that museums should allow visitors to interact with the exhibits.
3. The Louisiana museum is located far from the sea.
4. The Louisiana museum is a place where you can relax outdoors.
5. The Experimentarium focuses on science and technology.
6. Visitors to the music museum in Brussels are not given any equipment.
7. When visitors come to a musical instrument, they can hear it play.
_Task 2. Listen to an interview with Anna, who has just finished Drama School. For questions_
_8-15, choose the best answer (a, b or c). You will hear the recording twice._
A YOUNG ACTOR
8. What does Anna say about her decision to become an actor?
a) She made a sudden decision.
b) It happened gradually over time.
c) She decided to become an actor after her first school play.
9. What is a drawback of performing at her school?
a) The plays are too simple.
b) Critical feedback is limited.
c) She doesn’t get enough stage time.
10. How did Anna learn to speak multiple languages?
a) She studied them at Drama School.
b) She took special language courses.
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## Муниципальный этап. 7-8 классы
c) She learned them within her family environment.
11. What is the advantage of speaking multiple languages?
a) It helps Anna understand different acting techniques.
b) It allows her to read scripts in their original language.
c) It increases the number of places where she can work.
12. What is the main advantage of working as an actor?
a) It is enjoyable and creative.
b) It is rewarding.
c) It is easy to find a job.
13. What kind of acting career interests Anna most?
a) Being an actress.
b) Film and television acting.
c) Directing plays.
14. What does Anna think about directing compared to acting?
a) She prefers directing to acting.
b) She enjoys both directing and acting.
c) She has tried directing and she likes acting more.
15. What is Anna’s parents’ reaction to her interest in stunt performing?
a) They are happy for her.
b) They are worried.
c) They are indifferent.
TRANSFER YOUR ANSWERS TO THE ANSWER SHEET.
READING (20 points)
Time: 25 minutes
_Task 1. You are going to read the texts about sports competitions. Match the pictures (1-6) to_
_the texts (a-h). There are two texts you do not need to use._
SPORTS
a) We were behind from the start because our strongest rower was out due to injury. The other
team kept a steady rhythm and pulled ahead, maintaining perfect timing with their strokes. Our
coach shouted instructions to keep us focused, and we all dug deeper, pushing our limits. In the
final stretch, we increased our stroke rate but still finished second.
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b) Watching the sport was thrilling from beginning to end. The winner cleared the bar at an
impressive height on his third try after two close attempts. One competitor’s pole snapped mid
jump, causing disappointment, but he applauded his opponents with sportsmanship. The spectators
were silent before each jump.
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c) The competition went on for hours with athletes trying to clear greater heights each time. Many
missed their jumps once or twice before succeeding. The gold medalist cleared the bar on her last
try, celebrating wildly with the crowd. This sport amazes because so much depends on technique
and timing. Even a small mistake can mean failure.
d) It was a close contest. Our best athlete was nervous, but he steadied his aim and finally scored
a perfect bullseye. The opposing team complained about the wind, but our shots were true. When
the judge announced the final scores, we had won by just two points. Everyone cheered.
e) It was exciting to see the athletes in action! One athlete made an incredible leap, landing nearly
a meter farther than everyone else on the runway. Another athlete fouled by stepping outside the
takeoff zone and was eliminated from the competition. The winner showed both power and speed,
combining strength with perfect timing.
f) The competition was dramatic and intense. Our best thrower launched the spear farther than
anyone expected. His confident opponent failed in his final attempt. The event requires strength,
technique, and accuracy; athletes run to build momentum before throwing, aiming for the perfect
angle and release. The flying spear adds excitement and suspense.
g) It was a challenging match from the start. Our best player was struggling after a hard week, but
we believed she could win. Laura started strong, serving three aces in the first game, showing great
power. Her opponent responded well, winning the second game. However, the backhands really
belonged to Laura. When the umpire called “game, set, match to Miss Wood,” everyone, including
me, was almost in tears. I hope Laura will do well in future matches.
h) Our team had a bad start because the first runner lost valuable time passing the baton. The
second runner made up ground with a smooth handover and strong sprint. In the final leg, our
fastest runner sprinted past the competitors in dramatic fashion. We won by just a fraction of a
second!
_Task 2. Read the text about one of the most famous theatres in Russia and for questions 7-12_
_choose T (True) or F (False)._
THE BOLSHOI THEATRE
The Bolshoi Theatre is located in the centre of Moscow. It is one of the most famous and
respected opera and ballet theatres in the world. The building is very beautiful and large. It has
eight large columns in front and looks over Theatre Square. The history of the Bolshoi Theatre is
interesting and shows how Moscow grew as a cultural and historical city.
The construction of the theatre dates back to 1776. Prince Peter Urusov built it after
Empress Catherine II allowed him to organize theatrical performances and masquerades. At first,
the theatre was called the Petrovsky Theatre because it was near Petrovka Street. Sadly, the
building was destroyed by fire three times: in 1780, 1805, and 1853. It had to be rebuilt several
times since.
The current building was constructed between 1821 and 1824 by architects Andrei
Mikhailov and Joseph Bové and reconstructed in 1853. There is a statue of Apollo in a chariot on
top of the building’s front. Inside, the walls are decorated with red and gold. There are beautiful
paintings on the ceiling and a large crystal chandelier. The theatre can hold over 2,100 people and
is famous for its amazing acoustics, which are perfect for opera and ballet shows.
Throughout its history, the Bolshoi Theatre faced challenges. It was damaged during the
Napoleonic War in 1812 and needed important repairs. The theatre was very important for Russian
culture because it hosted the first performances of many famous operas and ballets, showing
Russian artistic talent to the rest of the world.
The latest renovation of the Bolshoi Theatre carried out at the beginning of the 21[st] century
made the building beautiful again and also added modern equipment for artists and visitors. Today,
the Bolshoi Theatre is a symbol of Russian culture. It hosts world-famous opera and ballet shows
and attracts visitors from all over the world.
Visiting the Bolshoi Theatre is a special experience. The performances are excellent, and
the building itself is beautiful. Its history and style show the heart of Russian culture. The Bolshoi
Theatre remains a place where tradition and creativity meet in the centre of Moscow.
7. The Bolshoi Theatre is situated on the outskirts of Moscow.
8. The theatre was originally named after a nearby street.
9. It took more than two years to construct the present building of the Bolshoi Theatre.
10. The theatre’s interior has a modern design with minimal decoration.
11. The theatre is known for carrying excellent sound, making it ideal for performances.
12. The Bolshoi Theatre has been renovated only once in its history.
_Task 3. Read the text about the Bolshoi Theatre again and for questions 13-20 choose the best_
_answer (a, b or c) according to the text._
13. What is the main function of the Bolshoi Theatre?
a) Staging plays.
b) Performing opera and ballet.
c) Holding music festivals.
14. Who allowed Prince Peter Urusov to create the theatre?
a) Empress Catherine I.
b) Empress Catherine II.
c) Tsar Nicholas II.
15. When was the current building of the Bolshoi Theatre constructed?
a) Between 1776 and 1780.
b) After the Napoleonic War in 1812.
c) In the early 19th century.
16. What challenge did the Bolshoi Theatre face in its early history?
a) Political opposition.
b) Lack of funding.
c) Destruction by fire.
17. What decorative element is located on the front top of the building?
a) A statue of a Greek god in a chariot.
b) The Russian imperial eagle.
c) A golden dome.
18. What does the interior decoration of the theatre look like?
a) Modern minimalist design with bright colours.
b) Red and gold decorations with ceiling paintings.
c) Byzantine mosaics and marble columns.
19. What is the role of the Bolshoi Theatre in Russian culture?
a) It has been an important showcase for Russian artistic achievements.
b) It has served as a symbol of military strength.
c) It has been significant mainly for its architecture.
20. How has the Bolshoi Theatre adapted to modern times?
a) By completely changing its architectural style.
b) By focusing mainly on contemporary performances.
c) By adding modern equipment while preserving its beauty.
TRANSFER YOUR ANSWERS TO THE ANSWER SHEET.
USE OF ENGLISH (20 points)
Time: 20 minutes
_Task 1. Fill in the correct word derived from the word in brackets._
BEAVERS
Beavers are really gifted creatures with an 1. _____ (USUAL) ability to
transform their environment. They build dams with 2. _____ (CREATIVE), using
sticks, mud, and stones to create safe homes in rivers and streams. Their dam-building process
begins by 3. _____ (CAREFUL) selecting trees and branches, which they cut down
using their strong teeth. Then they use these materials to block the flow of water, creating a base
for their dam. They make the dam stronger by adding layers of mud, leaves, grass, and stones.
These dams can be very big, sometimes several feet high and hundreds of feet long, capable of
holding back water to form a pond that protects them from predators.
Building such dams is not an easy task, and beavers face many difficulties, including
finding enough 4. _____ (SUIT) materials and fixing the dam when it gets
damaged. Despite these challenges, beavers show incredible problem-solving abilities. Their talent
is so impressive that 5. _____ (SCIENCE) have officially recognized their dam
building as a form of 6. _____ (NATURE) engineering. Watching beavers work
shows us how creative and smart these animals can be. The animals’ ability to shape their habitat
is 7. _____ (TRUE) exceptional.
_Task 2. For items 8-14, fill in the gaps with the missing parts of idioms that are hidden in the_
_word search below. The words can go across or down. There are some words in the word search_
_that you do not need to use._
8. The boss told him to stop dragging his _____ and finish the project quickly.
9. I have a notebook to keep _____ of all my meetings and deadlines.
10. After that unexpected meeting, my thoughts were all over the _____, and I couldn’t
focus on my homework.
11. The word _____ fast that the new cafe in town serves excellent coffee.
12. If you think I’m responsible for the mistake, you’re barking up the _____ tree.
13. Using a flip phone is considered old _____ these days.
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Муниципальный этап. 7-8 классы
14. Steve’s new job was confusing and no one had time to help him learn, so he had to sink or
_____.
_Task 3. For questions 15-20, match the names of the famous people (A-H) to their biographies_
_(15-20). There are two names you do not need to use._
|Biography|Name|
|---|---|
|15. This person was a famous English writer during the Victorian era. He was born in Portsmouth and began working at the age of 12 because his family had financial problems. He wrote stories about difficult lives of poor people in 19th-century England. His stories had interesting characters, humor, and important lessons about society’s problems. 16. This person was a Scottish scientist who discovered penicillin in 1928. This antibiotic revolutionized medicine by effectively treating bacterial infections. His discovery saved countless lives and he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945. 17. This person was a British Royal Navy officer and explorer who led expeditions to Antarctica. He is famous for his heroic but tragic 1912 expedition to the South Pole, where he and his team reached the pole but died on the return journey. His explorations contributed greatly to polar science.|A. Alexander Fleming B. Alexander Graham Bell C. Robert Falcon Scott D. Francis Drake E. Geoffrey Chaucer F. Charles Dickens G. David Livingstone H. William Shakespeare|
|18. This person was a Scottish-born inventor, scientist, and teacher. He is best known for inventing the first practical telephone in 1876. He also contributed to many other inventions in communication, medical devices, and aeronautics. 19. This person was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely considered the greatest writer in the English language and one of the world’s most influential dramatists. He began his successful career in London at the Globe Theatre, writing around 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and several poems. Much about his personal life remains a mystery. 20. This person was an English sea captain and explorer. He was the first Englishman to sail around the globe (1577–1580). He played a key role in naval battles against the Spanish Armada and expanded English influence overseas.||
WRITING (20 points)
Time: 30 minutes
Read the advertisement.
Stories wanted!
We are looking for stories for our teenage online magazine. Are you a creative and imaginative
person? Write a science fiction story and take part in our contest! Your story must begin with
Oliver was walking in the park when suddenly the sky turned an unnatural shade of green.
We will put the best stories on our website next month.
Write a science fiction story.
Remember to:
- give a title that is connected to the plot of your story;
- start with the sentence from the advertisement;
- include meeting aliens and a description of their spacecraft;
- use two different idioms of your choice and underline them;
- make sure your story has a happy ending.
Follow the plan and express your ideas in a clear and logical way.
Write 120-200 words (the title is included in the word count).
TRANSFER YOUR ANSWER TO THE ANSWER SHEET.
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