II. GRAMMAR. Complete the sentences. Use the necessary forms of the verbs. 1. Tom a beautiful stone in the sand just now. -find 2. She says she never to any famous traveller. -speak 3. What the day before yesterday? -do 4. The other day we_ to picture gallery. - go 5. Why are you sad, Charlie? - I my textbook. I for it for two hours and I can't find it. -lose (lost), look

If you go to school or university, you are faced with a number of exams. Basically, these exams are supposed to test your knowledge and skills. Also, they may motivate you to study harder.

In my opinion, it is really the case that exams motivate students to study harder. Firstly, exams are often a pass to a higher level of education. If you get good marks in examinations, you are admitted to further education. If you fail, you do not get the admittion. So, you make every effort to keep the right to study further. Secondly, exams are a good way to assess your learning efficiency and detect possible gaps in your knowledge. Bad marks mean that your knowledge is flawed and you need to be more disciplined and work harder to do away with the flaws.

But there are people who believe that examinations do not give real motivation to a student. They say that being a good student with excellent marks does not guarantee future prosperity.

Nevertheless, I cannot assent to the foregoing opinion, because being a good student is the beginning of being a good employee or worker who can earn a good living. Highly qualified professionals are always in great demand in any business sector.

In conclusion, exams play an important part in our life, although any exam is a kind of pain. But the saying is: no pain, no gain!