Задания для олимпиады

Variant 1

Task 1

Text A

EMERGENCY

An emergency is an urgent, unexpected, and usually dangerous situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment and requires immediate action. An emergency may result from natural hazards, man-made disasters, traffic accidents, etc.

A natural hazard is a naturally occurring weather or geological event that will likely have a negative impact. A natural disaster is a negative impact following a natural hazard. Examples of natural hazards include:

- avalanche, which is the sudden, drastic flow of snow down a slope, resulting from the overloading from new snow or rain;

- drought, which is a long period of dry weather, no rain and lack of water;

- earthquake, which is the shaking of the earth's crust, caused by underground volcanic forces of breaking and shifting rock beneath the earth's surface;

- flooding, which is the submerging of land under water, especially due to heavy rain or rapid snowmelt;

- hail, which is small hard pieces of frozen rain coming from the sky;

- hurricane, which is a violent storm with very strong winds;

- landslide, which is a geological phenomenon including ground movement, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows;

- lightning, which is a sudden electrical discharge in the sky followed by a flash of light during a storm;

- tornado (typhoon, cyclone), which is an extremely strong and rapidly rotating wind;

- tsunami, which is a very large wave, often caused by an earthquake, that flows onto the land and destroys things;

- volcanic eruption, which is a release of hot magma, volcanic ash and/or gases from a volcano;

- wildfire, which is a powerful fire that burns out of control across a large countryside area;

- frost, which is a weather condition when the air temperature falls far below zero and lasts for a long period or sudden falls of air temperature below zero, especially outside at night, during spring or summer time.

As opposed to natural hazards, a man-made disaster is an anthropogenic hazard which means that threats have an element of human intent, negligence, or error; or involves a failure of a human-made system. It results in huge loss of life and property, environmental and economic damage. Fires, transport accidents, industrial accidents, oil spill, nuclear explosions and radiation release, deforestation, when man cuts forests recklessly to clear the land for cultivation or road construction, are some examples of man-made disaster. Careful attention should be drawn to the so-called sociological hazards which include crime, arson, civil disorders, terrorism and war, which are not less disastrous than technological hazards.

A traffic accident is defined as a collision involving one or more vehicles. It can also involve other “moving objects,” such as a pedestrian, cyclist or animal as well as fixed objects, such as trees, walls, poles or parked vehicles. Traffic collisions often result in injury, disability, death, and property damage as well as financial costs to both society and the individuals involved. A number of factors contribute to the risk of collisions, including vehicle design, speed of movement, road design, weather, road environment, driving skills, alcohol or drug intoxication, aggressive driving, and street racing.

Choose the statement(s) that you think is (are) correct (underline the number).

Example:

1. An emergency is a dangerous situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property.

1. An emergency may result from man-made disasters only.

2. Tsunami is a geological phenomenon including ground movement, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows.

3. When frost, the air temperature falls far below zero and lasts for a long period or sudden falls of air temperature below zero.

4. Anthropogenic hazard is threats have an element of human intent, negligence, or error.

5. Natural hazards results in huge loss of life and property, environmental and economic damage.

6. Sociological hazards include crime, arson, civil disorders, terrorism and war.

7. Sociological hazards are less disastrous than technological hazards.

8. A traffic jam is defined as a collision involving one or more vehicles.

9. A traffic accident involves pedestrian, cyclist or animal as well as trees, walls, poles or parked vehicles.

10. Vehicle design, speed of movement, road design, weather, road environment, driving skills, alcohol or drug intoxication, aggressive driving, and street racing contribute to the risk of collisions.

Text B

Factors influencing climate

Three principal factors control the features of South America’s climate. The first and most important of them are the subtropical high-pressure air masses over the South Atlantic and South Pacific oceans and their seasonal shifts in position, which determine both large-scale patterns of wind circulation and the location of the rain-bearing intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). The second is the presence of cold ocean currents along the continent’s western side, which affect both air temperatures and precipitation along the Pacific coast; on the Atlantic coast, warm currents are predominant. Finally, the orographic barrier of the Andes produces a vast rain shadow over much of the southern tier of the continent.

The South Atlantic and South Pacific high-pressure cells take the form of great semipermanent anticyclones (centres of high atmospheric pressure around which winds circulate), the positions and mean intensities of which change with the seasonal north-south migration of the Sun. The eastern part of the South Pacific anticyclone influences the climate of most of South America’s west coast, causing stable, subsiding air conditions that yield minimal precipitation. The cold Peru (Humboldt) Current, flowing northward along the coast from southern Chile to the Equator, cools and further stabilizes the Pacific air that drifts over the continent. One of the world’s driest regions, the Atacama Desert along the northern coast of Chile, results from those conditions. The east coast (north of Patagonia), by contrast, receives greater amounts of precipitation from the winds emanating from the South Atlantic, and the humidifying action of the warm air currents forms a belt of low pressure.

The ITCZ is responsible for the seasonal character of precipitation in South America’s extensive tropical wet-dry climatic zone. The trade winds of both hemispheres converge between the subtropical anticyclones of the Northern and Southern hemispheres in that low-pressure region. A migrating zone of unstable atmospheric conditions results, bringing periods of prolonged, abundant precipitation. The ITCZ follows the annual migration of the Sun and reaches its most northerly position during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter, which is the driest period for most of tropical South America.

The southern tier of the continent is unaffected by the ITCZ and falls instead under the influence of cold fronts and the mid-latitude westerlies, which are particularly strong in the Southern Hemisphere because of the large extent of ocean area there and the unimpeded air flow that expanse allows. As the westerlies rise over the Andes, most of their moisture is released in orographic precipitation, while on the lee side a typical rain shadow develops over the vast desert and semidesert region of Patagonia.

Vertical climatic zones are particularly well-defined in the Andes, ranging from humid to warm (tierra caliente) at the base or foothills; temperate and semi-humid (tierra templada) at mid-level; cool and dry (tierra fría) in the highlands; and cold to freezing (tierra helada) in the glacial summit areas.

Choose the statement(s) that you think is (are) correct (underline the number).

Example:

0. The subtropical high-pressure air masses over the South Atlantic and South Pacific oceans are the most important factors control the features of South America’s climate.

1. Cold ocean currents along the continent’s western side is not an important feature of the climate.

2. The orographic barrier of the Andes produces a vast rain shadow over much of the southern tier of the continent is also one of the feature of South America’s climate.

3. The western part of the South Pacific anticyclone influences the climate of most of South America’s south coast.

4. The semipermanent anticyclones are centres of high atmospheric pressure around which winds circulate.

5. The rain-bearing intertropical convergence zone is responsible for the seasonal character of precipitation in South America’s extensive arctic climatic zone.

6. The whole territory of South America receives greater amounts of precipitation from the winds emanating from the South Atlantic.

7. The rain-bearing intertropical convergence zone follows the annual migration of the Sun and reaches its most northerly position during the Southern Hemisphere’s winter.

8. The cold fronts and the mid-latitude westerlies are the weakest in the Southern Hemisphere because of the large extent of ocean area there.

9. The lee side a typical rain shadow develops over the vast desert and semidesert region of Patagonia.

10. In vertical climatic zones the weather is always wet and rainy.

Text C

Distress Signals

Distress signals should be as distinctive as possible, so that they may be recognised at once and assistance dispatched immediately. In this context, it has been found that the best distress signals are red parachute flares or rockets emitting red stars. The numbers of these on board and in lifeboats I life rafts being limited, these should be used only when there is the possibility of their being seen by ships, aircraft, coast, etc. i.e. within vicinity of possible assistance.

Further, “Continuous sounding with any fog signalling apparatus” and “flame on a vessel” have been found to give rise to misunderstanding; and it is suggested that the Morse code SOS may be sounded continuously rather than merely making a sound continuously.

The Merchant Shipping (Distress Messages and Navigational Warnings) Rules provide that:

► Distress Signals shall not be used by any vessel without the authority of the Master of the vessel.

► The Master of the vessel shall not order the use of the distress signal unless he is satisfied that his vessel is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires assistance, or that another vessel or aircraft is so threatened and requires assistance and cannot of itself send that signal.

► After sending out a distress signal by means of radio, the Master of the vessel, which sent out the distress signal initially, may find subsequently that assistance is no longer required. He shall immediately send out a message notifying that assistance is no longer required and normal working may be resumed.

Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, the signals to be used or exhibited either together or separately to indicate distress and need of assistance are as follows:

► A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute;

► A continuous sounding with any fog signalling apparatus;

► Rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals;

► A signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signalling method consisting of the SOS(●●● – – – ●●● ) in the Morse Code;

► A signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word “Mayday”;

► A signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball;

► Flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.)

► A rocket parachute flare or a hand flare showing a red light;

► A smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke Slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side

► Signals transmitted by Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).

► Approved signals transmitted by radio communications systems, including survival craft transponder Beacons. (SART)

► GMDSS (refer to Global Maritime Distress and Safety System installed on your ship)

► The International Code Signal of distress indicated by NC;

The use or exhibition of any of the foregoing signals except for the purpose of indicating distress and need of assistance. The use of other signals, which may be confused, with any of the above signals is prohibited.

Choose the statement(s) that you think is(are) NOT correct (circle the number).

Example:

0 Distress signals should be uncertain, so that they may be recognised at once and assistance dispatched immediately.

1. The best distress signals are red parachute flares or rockets emitting red stars.

2. The numbers of distress signals are used everywhere when (by ships, aircraft, coast, etc. i.e. within vicinity of possible assistance).

3. Distress Signals shall not be used by any vessel without the authority of the Master of the vessel.

4. The Master of the vessel shall order the use of the distress signal unless he is satisfied that his vessel is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires assistance.

5. A gun or other explosive signal fired should be used at intervals of about a minute when to indicate distress.

6. A signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signalling method consisting of the SOS in the Morse Code also be necessary.

7. No need to use rockets or shells.

8. A rocket parachute flare or a hand flare showing a red light will be a great way to warn about the danger.

9. One of the best way is to use a smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke.

10. The use or exhibition of any of the foregoing signals except for the purpose of indicating distress and need of assistance. The use of other signals are always welcomed.

Task II

In each set of words, one is the odd one out: different from the others. Find the word that is different and circle it. For example:

captain sergeant lieutenant major

“sergeant” is the odd one out. All the others are officers.

1. earthquake disaster accident emergency

“earthquake” is the odd one out. This is the name of a specific natural disaster.

1. avalanche hail frost drought

“drought” is the odd one out. All connected with snow.

1. arson war burning incendiarism

“war” is the odd one out. The “war” does not belong to the category of “arson”.

1. distress grief misery stress

“stress” is the odd one out. It’s the antonym word.

1. EPIRB SART GMDSS RBICZ

“RBICZ” is the odd one out. It does not belong to the category of preventing collisions at sea.

1. man-made disaster hand-made disaster natural disaster

“hand-made disaster” is the odd one out. The wrong word construction.

1. clearage deforestation jungles afforestation

“afforestation” is the odd one out. It’s the antonym for the word “deforestation”.

1. negligence attentiveness omission indifference

“attentiveness” is the odd one out. It’s the antonym for the rest of the words.

1. wind gases magma volcanic ash

“wind” is the odd one out. It does not belong to the category of “volcanic eruption”.

1. pedestrian cyclist building animal

“building” is the odd one out. It does not belong to the category of “moving objects”.

Task III.

Correct mistakes in the use of prepositions

Example:

0. Central America is a land bridge connecting the North and South American continents, with the Pacific Ocean __to__ its west and the Caribbean Sea __to__ its east.

1. in…in b) to…to c) up to…up to d) into…into

1. In the highland interior, the climate changes _______ elevation.

1. to b) in c) with d) on

1. As one travels _______ the mountainsides, the temperature cools.

1. up b) to c) in d) on

1. Only Belize is located ___ ___ this interior mountain chain.

1. in to b) up to c) down to d) away from

1. The volcanic activity along the central mountain chain _______ time has provided rich volcanic soils in the mountain region.

1. during b) over c) in d) on

1. Family size has been larger than average, and rural-to-urban shift dominates the migration patterns _____ the region urbanizes and industrializes.

1. as b) because c) due to d) while

1. Natural disasters, poverty, large families, and a lack ______ economic opportunities have made life difficult in much of Central America.

1. in b) about c) of d) at

1. Mountains have different climates ______ the base than at the summit.

1. at b) on c) in d) about

1. For every thousand-foot increase ______ elevation, temperature drops 3.5 ºF.

1. about b) in c) of d) at

1. Livestock are raised _____ this level, and sugarcane is an important cash crop.

1. in b) on c) up to d) at

1. An influx ____ light industry and manufacturing firms seeking cheap labor has pushed many areas into stage 3 development.

1. of b) in c) on d) at

Task 4

Choose the correct meaning of an idiomatic expression from among the suggested ones. 3 of the meanings are odd ones.

1 – d; 2 – f; 3 – odd; 4 – a; 5 – c; 6 – odd; 7 – b; 8 – g; 9 – odd; 10 – e.

Task V

Read the text, find 10 mistakes, underline the word (words) where in your opinion there is a mistake and write a correct version on the right.

First Aid