Dutch bridge-builder

Pieter Lodewijk Kramer (1881–1961) was responsible for the

(0) ….. of some of the most famous bridges in Amsterdam. CONSTRUCT

As road traffic increased in Amsterdam at the beginning of the last

century, the city started demolishing (1) ….. older structures in NUMBER

the city centre. But when workmen began pulling down the most

attractive bridges and (2) ….. them with modern iron ones, there PLACE

was strong public (3) ….. . As a result, the position of APPROVE

architectural (4) ….. was created, and in 1917 Kramer took up the ADVICE

post.

Kramer built no fewer than 220 bridges. Each exemplifies Kramer’s

individual style: his acute sense of detail and his use of many

unusual (5) ….. of stone and iron. COMBINE

Kramer’s bridges, which are now a (6) ….. part of the Amsterdam DISTINCT

landscape, were largely ignored until a Dutch museum presented

an (7) ….. successful exhibition of his work in 1995. ASTONISH

Listening Comprehension Test for 9^th Form Students

1. You will hear a story. On your answer sheet put t if the statement is true, f if it is false.

1. He first noticed the new man in the neighbourhood on a Thursday evening.

2. A look about him that told Ray Bankcroft he was American

3. It was the following week that Ray began to notice him everywhere.

4. When Ray and his wife travelled up to Stamford for a picnic he became convinced the Englishman was following him.

5. One night on Ray Bankcroft’s way home he walked up to the man.

6. Linda laughed, ‘Why wouldn’t anyone want to follow you?

7. Ray wasn’t certain the Englishman following him.

8. Ray had spoken to him, cursed at him, and threatened him.

9. Linda proposed to call the police.

10. Ray was going to grab the Englishman and beat the truth out of him.

II. Decide who does the following actions, the Englishman or Ray.

1) ran out of cigarettes

2) paused, out of breath

3) saw him waiting

4) followed him down the railroad 5) was beckoning him to follow

6) ran on, faster and faster

7) turned and walked away

8) called out, 'Come back here!'

9) heard the Express train

10) I’m going to grab him

Tape script 9

He first noticed the new man in the neighbourhood on a Tuesday evening, on his way from the station. The man was tall and thin, with a look about him that told Ray Bankcroft he was English. It wasn’t anything Ray could put his finger on, the fellow just looked English. That was all there was to their first encounter, and the second meeting passed just as casually, Friday evening at the station. The fellow was living around Pelham some place, maybe in that new apartment house in the next block.

But it was the following week that Ray began to notice him everywhere. The tall Englishman rode down to New York with Ray on the 8:09 train, and he was eating a few tables away at Howard Johnson’s one noon. But that was the way things were in New York. Ray told himself, where you sometimes ran into the same person every day for a week.

It was on the weekend, when Ray and his wife travelled up to Stamford for a picnic that he became convinced the Englishman was following him. For there, fifty miles from home, the tall stranger came striding across the rolling hills, pausing now and then to take in the beauty of the place.

‘Linda,’ Ray remarked to his wife, ‘there’s that fellow again!’

‘What fellow, Ray?’

‘That Englishman from our neighbourhood. The one I was telling you I see everywhere.’

‘Oh, is that him?’ Linda Bankcroft frowned through the tinted lenses of her sunglasses. ‘I don’t remember ever seeing him before.’

‘Well, he must be living in that new apartment in the next block. I’d like to know what he’s doing up here, though. Do you think he could be following me?’

‘Oh, Ray, don’t be silly,’ Linda laughed. ‘Why would anyone want to follow you? And to a picnic?’

‘I don’t know, but it’s certainly odd the way he keeps turning up...’

It certainly was odd.

And as the summer passed into September, it grew odder still. Once, twice, three times a week oblivious of his surroundings.

Finally, one night on Ray Bankcroft’s way home, it suddenly grew to be too much for him. He walked up to the man and asked, ‘Are you following me?’

The Englishman looked down his nose with a puzzled frown. ‘I beg your pardon?’

‘Are you following me?’ Ray repeated. ‘I see you everywhere.’

‘My dear chap, really, you must be mistaken.’

‘I’m not mistaken. Stop following me!’

But the Englishman only shook his head sadly and walked away. And Ray stood and watched him until he was out of sight.

‘Linda, I saw him again today!’

‘Who, dear?’

‘That Englishman! He was in the elevator in my building.’

‘Are you sure it was the same man?’

‘Of course I’m sure! He’s everywhere, I tell you! I see him every day now, on the street, on the train, at lunch, and now even in the elevator! It’s driving me crazy. I’m certain he’s following me. But why?’

‘Have you spoken to him?’

‘I’ve spoken to him, cursed at him, threatened him. But it doesn’t do any good. He just looks puzzled and walks away. And then the next day there he is again.’

‘Maybe you should call the police. But I suppose he hasn’t really done anything.’

‘That’s the trouble, Linda. He hasn’t done a single thing. It’s just that he’s always around. The thing is driving me crazy.

‘What - what are you going to do about it?

‘I’ll tell you what I’m going to do! The next time I see him, I’m going to grab him and beat the truth out of him. I’ll get to the bottom of this ...’

Writing Test for 9^th Form Students

You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with relevant evidence.

1. Mobile telephones have become very popular nowadays. However, some people say that their use should be restricted.

What can you say for and against using a mobile telephone?

Write not less than 250 words.

2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television has destroyed communication among friends and family.

Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Write not less than 250 words.

3. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should read only those books that are about real events, real people, and established facts.

Use specific reasons and details to support your opinion.

Write not less than 250 words.