HIPPO 2022

10th International English Language

Olympiad

IESOL Assessment Reading

RQF Level: Entry 3
(CEFR Level: B1)

Candidate Booklet - Reading

HIPPO 3
Semi-Final Round 2022

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANDIDATES:

• Do NOT turn over the page until instructed.

• This examination is made up of 3 TASKS.
• Answer all the questions.
• Remember to transfer your answers onto the answer sheet.
• Use only black or blue PEN.
• Dictionaries are NOT allowed.

Time allowed: 40 minutes Total marks available: 34

GA IESOL Entry 3/B1 Candidate Booklet (Reading) Hippo 3 Semi-final Round 2022 Page 2
Reading Task 1
Read the text and circle the best option to complete each gap – a, b, c, or d.

Humans and pets

It would be fair to say that we all love 0)_____ pets. For many of us, they are our closest
companions: trusted, loyal, and just 1)_____ important as our children or members of the
family. They are also excellent listeners 2)_____ never have a bad word to say about us. Our
pets are also great at 3)_____ even the biggest secrets.

Research shows that, aside from 4)_____ certain diseases, pets are good for us. Pet owners
enjoy increased levels of fitness, lower stress, and more happiness. Having a pet can also
lower blood pressure, make us feel less lonely, and provide opportunities for more exercise
and outdoor activities. And it can 5)_____ help us make new friends, for example during dog
walks or training sessions.

Cats, in particular, have always been seen as quite mysterious. Cats have lived close to
humans for a very long time and have never become fully domesticated. They are also very
different to dogs. Dogs are thought of as friendly, loving and patient, while cats are often
seen as always wanting to do their own thing. It’s difficult to say if this 6)_____ is actually
true or not.

There have been many studies of the relationship between humans and dogs. But our
7)_____ of the relationship between humans and cats is not as thorough. Recently, scientists
at the University of York interviewed over 150 cat owners. The aim of their study was to
8)_____ the personalities of the cats with the personalities of their owners. The study
showed that calm owners usually had calm cats, and that nervous owners 9)_____ had
nervous cats. However, scientists still have one more question to answer. Is this because
people like to choose pets with similar personalities? Or is it because with time, animals
10)_____ similar to their owners?

Example: a) our b) your c) their d) his

1. a) so b) as c) more d) how
2. a) why b) because c) when d) that
3. a) sharing b) making c) keeping d) giving
4. a) passing on b) passing by c) passing away d) passing out
5. a) even b) only c) fairly d) more
6. a) discussion b) agreement c) belief d) topic
7. a) memory b) understanding c) respect d) opinion
8. a) compare b) control c) suggest d) introduce
9. a) hopefully b) directly c) typically d) either
10. a) change b) remain c) continue d) become

GA IESOL Entry 3/B1 Candidate Booklet (Reading) Hippo 3 Semi-final Round 2022 Page 3
 Reading Task 2

Read the text and answer the questions below. Circle the correct option, a, b, c, or d.

Kiara Nirghin is a brilliant South African scientist who has invented an amazing product to
help farmers in her country.

Several years ago, when she was a Year 11 pupil at a high school, Kiara won the main prize
at the Google Science Fair with her solution for farms that don’t have enough water. She
went all the way to California to receive the £38, 000 prize. Since then, Kiara has become
famous across the world. The Times and The Guardian newspapers included her on their lists
of the top 30 most important teenagers. Even Forbes, the biggest business magazine in the
world, published an article about her. I spoke to her just last week over Zoom, as she is now
in the USA studying at the famous Stanford University.

Kiara’s first project was called ‘No More Thirsty Crops’. She GAP)__________ that something
Para. 3 needed to be done for South African farmers, because the country is getting less rain every
year. She wanted to do something to help. She got the idea of a new way of controlling
water while watching her sister changing a baby’s nappy in the family’s living room.

Kiara’s original idea was to create a low-cost, water-saving product from the skins of
oranges and other fruit. The one she created at home could hold up to 300 times its own
weight in water. Today, the completed product is on sale. The factories that produce it still
use parts of old fruit, which means it remains cheap to make. It does not use any chemicals
at all, so doesn’t damage the environment and it increases the chances of plants growing
during periods when there is no rain.

The product saves the water and then releases it when it is needed. This means that people
Para. 5 can grow food on their land even during very dry weather and are less likely to go hungry. It
works so well, and is such an unusual and brilliant idea, I would say it is almost
GAP)__________.

Kiera is a great speaker and told me how much she enjoys talking to large audiences. ‘Some
people might find it frightening, but I don’t. I think it’s really fun to talk to a big group. Now,
using the Internet you can talk to thousands of people from all over the world. The
technology is amazing and really makes a difference.’

Kiara has not forgotten how much her background helped her with her invention. She stills
says ‘I couldn’t have done it without my parents and my school.’ But the most important
person was not her parents or teachers. It was a lady called Susan Wojcicki, who Kiara had
never met. ‘Susan Wojcicki, who worked at Google when it first started and who now
works in a high-level position at YouTube. I thought she was extraordinary. She was also the
reason I entered the Google Science Fair in the first place’ Kiara said.

Kiara also told me that her book, Youth Revolution, was difficult to get published because
Para. 8 most people only want online information. ‘I thought it was important to write a book about
my story for people of my own age. People should have their own ideas and the book shows
how even teenagers can make important GAP)__________to the world.’

GA IESOL Entry 3/B1 Candidate Booklet (Reading) Hippo 3 Semi-final Round 2022 Page 4
 Kiara was recently named one of the United Nations Young Champions of the Earth and,
Para. 9 because of her new ideas, one of the fifty most GAP)__________ women working in
technology. She uses the publicity from her achievements to try to protect the environment
by getting young girls involved. ‘There are lots of other girls out there like me and they will
have brilliant ideas to make the world a better place. All they need is the chance.’

Example: Kiara Nirghin is a

a) South African scientist.

b) American teacher.
c) American scientist.
d) South African teacher.

11. When Kiara won the Google Science Fair, she

a) was at Stanford University.

b) had left school.
c) was still a teenager.
d) was too young to accept the prize.

12. Kiara had her original idea after

a) she watched an everyday activity.

b) she did a lot of research at school.
c) she learnt about floods in Africa.
d) she visited some local farms.

13. In paragraph 3, the best option to complete the gap is

a) realised
b) managed
c) approved
d) promised

14. Kiara’s product

a) is heavier than it should be.

b) has increased in price.
c) is made at home.
d) is now available to buy.

15. In paragraph 5, the best option to complete the gap is

a) magical
b) successful
c) charming
d) attractive

GA IESOL Entry 3/B1 Candidate Booklet (Reading) Hippo 3 Semi-final Round 2022 Page 5
16. How does Kiara feel about speaking to large groups?

a) It is quite scary for her, but she still does it.

b) She is afraid, so has avoided doing it so far.
c) She is confident and has no trouble doing it.
d) She is concerned about the technology.

17. Who is Susan Wojcicki?

a) One of Kiara’s teachers.

b) A friend of Kaira’s parents.
c) A very successful person.
d) Someone who was at school with Kiara.

18. In paragraph 8, the best option to complete the gap is

a) developments
b) extras
c) additions
d) changes

19. Which of the following is true about Kiara’s book?

a) It is only available online.

b) It is aimed at younger people.
c) It tells all about Kiara’s new ideas.
d) It will be published soon.

20. In paragraph 9 the best option to complete the gap is

a) creative
b) enjoyable
c) all right
d) traditional

21. Which best describes Kiara’s thoughts at the end of the article?

a) She is positive and trying to encourage girls.

b) She believes many girls have already become scientists.
c) She thinks that girls are doing most for the environment.
d) She admits that most girls will never be scientists.

22. This text is

a) an advertisement trying to sell Kiara’s product.

b) a scientific article by Kiara about her ideas.
c) a complaint about how Kiara’s product works.
d) a newspaper article based on an interview with Kiara.

GA IESOL Entry 3/B1 Candidate Booklet (Reading) Hippo 3 Semi-final Round 2022 Page 6
Reading Task 3
A) Read the three texts and answer the questions below by indicating which text each
question relates to: A, B, or C.

Text A
My name is Jenny, and I first started to learn to play the piano when I was just nine years
old. My teacher, Mrs Smith, was really strict, and I had to practice for at least two hours
every day, even during holidays. I was annoyed because I wanted to be outside with my
friends. GAP 1) ______, my mum made me play the piano.

But after a year or so, I started to find it increasingly fun. I’d play the piano at school, and for
family and friends. My mum suggested that I enter some competitions for young piano
players, GAP 2)_____ I did. I worked really hard for six months to prepare, and I won. My
parents were very proud of me. They suggested that I study music at university, after I
finish high school. I cannot wait to take my entry exam in two years’ time!

Text B
I first tried to learn how to play the guitar when I was a teenager. It wasn’t a great success.
In fact, I was terrible. I know that because I recorded myself at the time. I clearly thought I
was a great guitar player then, but when I listened to the recording several years later, I
realised it wasn’t the case.

Last year I decided to try again. I found somebody who taught guitar at the weekends,
which was perfect, GAP) ____ I work during the week. When I first met my tutor, John, I felt
a bit nervous, because I hadn’t played for many years. But he was patient and helpful, and
gave me lots of useful exercises to complete at home. And after a couple of lessons, I could
play a simple song, although not very well! Now I’m actually quite good at it. John also plays
the violin. We both agree that everyone should play a musical instrument; it’s fun to do with
friends, and also helps me relax when I feel stressed.

Text C
My son started private piano lessons at the age of eight. His school has guitar and drums
teachers, but he wasn’t interested in either instrument. He had always wanted to play the
piano, just like his grandfather. I agree that the piano is a much more interesting instrument
than the guitar or drums, though I have to say a guitar would have been cheaper to buy!

He practices three afternoons a week and hopes to become a famous musician one day. I’ve
got every confidence that he is going to achieve his dream! I intend to GAP)_____ him in any
way I can. We’re currently considering getting a bigger piano for him to practice.

GA IESOL Entry 3/B1 Candidate Booklet (Reading) Hippo 3 Semi-final Round 2022 Page 7
 Which text Text

Example: was written by Jenny? A

23. talks about somebody’s plans for the near future? ________

24. describes someone who was not initially very good? ________

25. says that the person didn’t enjoy playing at first? ________
describes a person who started playing at the youngest
26. age? ________

27. praises a music teacher? ________

28. gives advantages of playing a musical instrument? ________

29. compares musical instruments? ________

30. describes a big achievement? ________

B) Now answer the following questions by circling the correct option.

31. In Text A, the best option to complete the first gap is

a) Therefore
b) Besides
c) Instead
d) Clearly

32. In Text A, the best option to complete the second gap is

a) when
b) what
c) which
d) why

33. In Text B, the best option to complete the gap is

a) as
b) if
c) but
d) so

34. In Text C, the best option to complete the gap is

a) persuade
b) rescue
c) prevent
d) support

GA IESOL Entry 3/B1 Candidate Booklet (Reading) Hippo 3 Semi-final Round 2022 Page 8
HIPPO 2022
Semi- nal Round
HIPPO 3 Writing Test
Time allowed: 45 minutes

Candidate Number Date of Birth

D D M M Y Y Y

1 My dream holiday. (Write about 80 words.)

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Candidate Number Date of Birth

D D M M Y Y Y

2 Name the objects in the pictures.

4
2

1
3 5

8
7
6
9
10

1 _____________________________ 6 _____________________________
2 _____________________________ 7 _____________________________
3 _____________________________ 8 _____________________________
4 _____________________________ 9 _____________________________
5 _____________________________ 10 ____________________________

3 Fill in the blank with one word. You are given the rst letter of the
word.
11 What an a_____________________ dog. It is so cute…
12 My cousin is so b_____________________, she never says anything in front of
strangers, she just looks down…
13 My favorite pastry is a c_____________________. But French words are dif cult
to pronounce.
14 Wildlife has been d_____________________ by res this year. So many poor
animals…

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Candidate Number Date of Birth

D D M M Y Y Y

15 My e_____________________ level is so low in the morning that I can barely

get up.
16 When the f_____________________ train passes by my house we all feel it. It’s
terrible!
17 I really like garden g_____________________, they really liven up the garden.
18 It is essential to preserve our national h_____________________. It de nes
every nation…
19 My wife is so i_____________________. She always comes up with new ideas
and projects…
20 We can provide additional pillows if r_____________________.

4 Decide if the sentences are correct or incorrect. If you think a

sentence is incorrect, nd the mistake and correct it.
21 According to the new agreement, the salaries will be 10% higher next year.
_____________________________________________________________
22 When we arrived in Berlin, they were there for four days.
_____________________________________________________________
23 She is always nagging, I can’t stand her anymore.
_____________________________________________________________
24 Where is Ann? – She’s been to the bank. She will be back soon.
_____________________________________________________________
25 If I were you, I would of done the same thing.
_____________________________________________________________
26 He is so obstinate, you simply can’t change his mind…
_____________________________________________________________

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Candidate Number Date of Birth

D D M M Y Y Y

27 When I nish school I will become a lion tamer and run away with the circus.
_____________________________________________________________
28 What does this word mean? I will have to look it in.
_____________________________________________________________
29 He differed from his brother in character, but otherwise…
_____________________________________________________________
30 His career was in question due to his lack of stamina.
_____________________________________________________________

Hippo Association use only

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