University of Bari, Faculty of Political Science. October 20, 2008
The use of the dictionary is not permitted. Time allowed: 20 minutes
SURNAME: NAME: NUMBER:
Write the answer which best completes each sentence. Do not rewrite the answer or circle it:
1. Irish people ............................................ against the Lisbon Treaty last June.
a. vote b. are voting c. have voted d. voted
2. It is not the first time Ireland ................................... a referendum in the European Union.
a. rejects b. has rejected c. is rejecting d. will reject
3. Another referendum in now ................................... be held in Ireland, as it happened in 2001.
a. like b. likely c. likely to d. likelihood
4. I think this is really an idea worth ...........................................................................
a. discuss b. discussing c. discussed d. to discussing
5. Some countries, ................................ they have many problems, have made progress.
a. despite b. in spite c. although d. nevertheless
6. An asylum application ................................. 20 months, now it takes two months.
a. used to taking b. used to take c. is used to take d. takes
7. With this system when you pass ..................... you can leave all your money to whom you want.
a. on b. up c. out d. down
8. The UK has to decide ................................. they want to be part of this new Europe or not.
a. weather b. whether c. whereas d. if not
9. Thank you all very much for .................................. We appreciate that.
a. to come b. come c. coming d. to coming
10. The children are not ...................................... to watch this kind of programmes.
a. allowed b. allowing c. permit d. permitting
11. We are talking about the harmonisation of European degrees so that, at the end of the ..................., we all have the same university diplomas.
a. journey b. day c. night d. trip
12. There are lots of people looking after their assets now. People are now used ..............................
a. to invest b. to investing c. investing d. invest
13. Mr President, do you .......... eye to eye with the Prime Minister on global warming ad climate change?
a. agree b. think c. see d. believe
14. I remember ..................................... “NO” in the 2004 referendum.
a. to vote b. to voting c. voting d. vote
15. Remember ........................ the White House website, freely available at
www.whitehouse.gov .
a. to visit b. to visiting c. visiting d. visit
16. This month more than 2 million children ................................................. against measles.
a. have vaccinated b. are being vaccinated c. will vaccinate d. vaccinate
17. Is Elizabeth an Erasmus student? Yes, .....................................................................
a. she was b. she does c. she is d. she be
18. .........................................................., they will raise taxes on the American people.
a. If Congress not acts b. Unless Congress acts c. Unless Congress doesn’t act d. Unless acting
19. The more people own something, ........................................... off the country is.
a. better b. the better c. best d. the best
20. No British government – present or future – can afford to ........................ a blind eye to their domestic or international concerns.
a. give b. turn c. call d. close
21. There are many people who are willing to hold .................................... the status quo.
a. up b. on c. on to d. to
22. I can’t wait .................................... my University studies and start to work.
a. to end b. to ending c. ending d. end
23. I’m looking forward ................................................ the close partnership between our two nations.
a. to continue b. to continuing c. continuing d. continue
24. We’d like to .................................. people that September 11th for us was a change in our history.
a. remember b. remind c. record d. recall
25. The Prime Minister believes in local control of schools, and so .....................................
a. do I b. am I c. was I d. have I
26. We ...................................................... extremism in the Taliban for the last five years.
a. are fighting b. have been fighting c. fight d. will fight
27. Would you mind ............................................ your cigarette please?
a. put out b. putting out c. put off d. putting off
28. The American President and the British Prime Minister.............................. very well, don’t they?
a. get away b. get on c. get up d. get in
29. Moammar Ghadafi went public and announced that he was going to ............... all of his weapons of mass destruction.
a. give b. give up c. give in d. give back
30. I’ve been studying for this exam ..................................... May. I hope I’ll pass.
a. for b. from c. since d. by
Part 2 – October 20, 2008
The use of the dictionary is not allowed
A Translate the following passage into Italian (15 points)
In poll position
Opinion polls show that Barack Obama is comfortably ahead in the race to be president.
Everyone knows that opinion polls give Barack Obama a lead in the race to the White House. But by how much? On Wednesday October 15th one poll (by CBS and the New York Times) suggested that the Democrat had an advantage of 14 points over John McCain. With little more than two weeks to go, the Republican could never overcome such a deficit, barring an act of God. But another poll published on the same day had Mr Obama leading by just three points.
Polling has always mixed art and science: at least one of those polls this week, and perhaps both, is wrong.
This year has presented unusual challenges, largely because of Mr Obama. One difficulty is turnout. Traditionally, pollsters know that youngsters are less likely to turn out, and blacks too. But Mr Obama has brought the youthful and black out in large numbers. Then there is the much-discussed “Bradley effect”. Many experts still think that white voters will tell pollsters that they might vote for Mr Obama, but secret racism, concealed for embarrassment, will have them voting for Mr McCain instead.
B Translate the following passage into English (5 points)
C Read the following passage and then answer the questions below. (10 points)
With three weeks to go before American voters choose their next president, the outcome looks increasingly clear. Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate, is comfortably ahead in national opinion polls, with a lead of anything up to ten points. His dominance in some swing states, such as Michigan and Iowa, and his narrow lead in others, such as Florida and Ohio, suggest that he may record a comfortable victory.
Nothing is certain, of course. But as the campaign continues amid a global financial crisis, voters are blaming the incumbent party and saying that they have more trust in Mr Obama to handle economic matters. John McCain had hoped that the intensity of the financial crisis would ease and that concerns about foreign affairs might again come to the fore: he is still seen by voters as the more trustworthy candidate when asked who should become commander-in-chief of the armed forces. But the economy remains foremost in voters’ minds.
1. In your own words, explain the meaning of “he may record comfortable victory ”. (2.5 points)
2. In your own words, explain the meaning of “the economy remains foremost in voters’ minds”. (2.5 points)
3. Write your opinion on American presidential elections . (5 points)