Communicative Domain.
I. Assessment of Communicative Language Competence. Reading Comprehension – 29
points. Read the text and accomplish the task below.
Children’s Day Festivals
There are many festivals around the world and the most popular ones are Christmas,
Easter and Mother’s Day. In addition, many countries have a festival for children. The
International Children’s Day festival is on June 1st every year. There is also a Universal
Children’s Day in November, which is recommended by the United Nations. It is thought that
Mexico was the first country to celebrate a day for children in around 1910. This festival is on
April 30th and about 50 countries join the festivities on this day each year. However, many
countries have their own special day to honour children.
In Germany, Children’s Day celebrations were introduced in 1950. In those days,
Germany was divided into two parts, east and west, and was not a united country. East Germany
organized the festival on June 1st and West Germany on September 20th. The celebrations were
also different. In the east, children received presents and schools arranged special events. In the
west, the festival did not have the same importance. Since the two parts of Germany came
together in the 1990s, the festival has been held on the same day and has become more popular.
In Japan, Children’s Day is an important festival. In 1948, the government decided to
make it a national holiday to show children love and respect. Now it is celebrated on May 5th
each year. This was originally the date of a festival for boys only. On Children’s Day, families fly
flags outside their homes and display dolls of famous Japanese heroes inside. They also enjoy
special food, for example, rice cakes filled with sweet bean paste. There are also many events
around the country. For example, in Tokyo, the capital city, the ‘Kids’ Olympics’ are held. Both
children and adults can take part in races and games.
Thailand’s National Children's Day is celebrated on the second Saturday in January.
There are many special activities for children. They can visit zoos and travel on buses without
having to pay any money. However, there are other types of events on offer. Many government
offices are open to children and their families, including Government House, where children can
visit the Prime Minister's office. In Thailand, Children’s Day activities are organized to help
children understand how important they are to their country and the responsibilities they have.
All these examples show that although Children’s Day festivals are celebrated in different ways
around the world, they all honour children and their rights.
Nr Items Score
I. Circle the correct variant to complete the statements. 4 points
1. Many countries have their own special day … A A
a. to show children love and respect; 0 0
b. to help children understand how important they are to their 1 1
country;
c. to honour children.
2. In the east of Germany, children … A A
a. take part in races and games; 0 0
b. got gifts and school arranged special events; 1 1
c. enjoy special food.
3. In Japan, Children’s Day is an important festival to … A A
a. show children love and respect; 0 0
b. make it for boys only; 1 1
c. display dolls of famous Japanese heroes inside.
4. In Thailand, Children’s Day actions are organized … A A
a. to honour kids and their rights; 0 0
b. to help kids realize how important they are to their country; 1 1
c. to show the responsibilities children have in their country.
II. In the text, identify the meaning of the words. Circle the correct variant.
2 points
1. The word “take part” in the text is closest in meaning to: A A
a. share; b. participate; c. cooperate 0 0
1 1
2. The word “display” in the text is closest in meaning to: A A
a. play; b. show; c. do 0 0
1 1
III. Answer the questions below, choosing words and/or numbers from the 4 points
text.
1. What are the most famous festivals in the world? A A
0 0
2. What are organizations recommends a Universal Children’s Day? 1 1
2 2
3. Where Children’s Day celebrations were introduced in 1950? 3 3
4 4
4. Where children can visit the Prime Minister’s office?
IV. Match the halves of the sentences. Write the answers in the table below. 4 points
1. On Children’s Day, families a. is celebrated on the A A
second Saturday in January. 0 0
2. Many countries b. honour children and 1 1
their rights. 2 2
3. In Germany, Children’s Day celebrations c. fly flags outside 3 3
their homes. 4 4
4. Children’s Day festivals d. have a festival for
children.
e. were introduced in
1950.
1. 2. 3. 4.
V. Identify if the statements are true or false. Circle the correct variant. 6 points
Justify your choice citing from the text.
1. Children’s Day in Japan has sports events only for children. A A
a.True b.False 0 0
1 1
2 2
2. On Children’s Day in Thailand, children can get free bus tickets. A A
a.True b.False 0 0
1 1
2 2
3. In Japan, Children’s Day is an important festival. A A
a.True b.False 0 0
1 1
2 2
VI. Write the most important ideas in order they come in the text. Fill in the 8 points
table with the correct latter (A, B, …).
A. The celebrations were also different in the east and the west parts of A A
Germany. 0 0
B. In Tokyo, the capital city, both children and adults can take part in races 2 2
and games. 4 4
C. Many countries have their own special day to honour children. 6 6
D. There are many special activities for children on Thailand’s National 8 8
Children’s Day.
1 2 3 4
VII. What is the main idea of the text? Circle the correct variant. 2 points
A. Many countries have their own special day, called Children’s Day festival A A
on June 1st every year. 0 0
B. Children’s Day festivals are celebrated in different ways around the 2 2
world, they all honour children and their rights.
C. Children’s Day is an important festival, a national holiday in Japan to
show children love and respect.
TOTAL 18 30
