King Faisal
International Prize
In 1976, the eight sons of King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz set up the King Faisal Foundation in memory of
their father. 1 This is why the Prize is awarded to individuals whose achievements in education and
Islamic religion make them stand out.
The King Faisal International Prize aims at inspiring Muslims to contribute to the world, but also offer
their services to Islamic tradition and the Muslim world in general. To win the prize, individuals have to
excel at one or more out of five different fields. 2 The other areas are Islamic Studies, Arabic Language
and Literature, Medicine and Science. The Science category covers the fields of physics, mathematics,
chemistry and biology.
Every year, the selection committee announces specific subjects in the field of Islamic Studies, Arabic
Literature and Medicine. Then, various international institutions and organisations nominate individuals
who they feel meet the requirements of the Foundation. 3
The next step is for the selection committee to consider the nominations. For all areas except Service
to Islam the nominations are first examined by peer reviewers, who review the nominations and decide on
the ones which can proceed to the next level. 4 They have the difficult task of considering each case
carefully and providing the Foundation with reports, which are a closely guarded secret. The last stage is
held in January of each year when autonomous selection committees made up of eminent international
scientists and specialists meet up in Riyadh to discuss and make decisions on the winners. 5
It is the King of Saudi Arabia who awards the prize, so the honour for each year’s winners is great. But
what are the criteria used for evaluating the candidates? Because it is a high profile award, the process of
selection is very strict. 6 Among the winners of the King Faisal International Prize are His Majesty
King Khalid bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdul-Aziz Al-
Saud, but also figures such as Tayyip Erdoğan and many important professors from around the world.
Apart from being internationally recognised, the winners also receive a certificate which describes the
reasons for which the particular winner has been awarded the prize. 7
1. I hadn’t heard from Robert for years and yesterday I received an e-mail from him.
Yesterday I received an e-mail from Robert,
from for years.
2. Unfortunately, I watched TV the whole afternoon and I didn’t study for the test.
Unfortunately, the whole afternoon,
I didn’t study for the test.
3. The houses that the earthquake caused damage to were repaired.
The houses were repaired.
4. It wasn’t easy for us to find all the information we needed.
We all the information we needed.
5. I’m sorry, but I must tell you that you have not been chosen for the team.
I that you have not been chosen for the
team.
6. The village where I used to spend my summer holidays is abandoned now.
The village spend my summer holidays
is abandoned now.
7. It’s possible that they didn’t know about the meeting.
They about the meeting.
8. It was a mistake for you to accept his offer.
You his offer.
A. As a matter of principle, no nominations are accepted by individuals from political parties.
B. According to the King Faisal Foundation, the first factor to consider is merit, or the quality of being especially deserving
of an award.
C. For this reason, so far, 223 individuals from 40 different countries have been awarded the King Faisal International
Prize.
D. The country’s third monarch, King Faisal, had died just a year before and was remembered for his philanthropy and his
love for Islam as well as education.
E. The text is written in Arabic calligraphy and comes with a 24-carat gold medallion as well as $200,000.
F. The first one is called Service to Islam and is awarded to individuals who have somehow promoted Islamic culture and
religion.
G. Finally, winners of the Service to Islam category are selected directly by the selection committee and do not follow the
process described above.
H. This shortlist is then presented to international independent referees around the world.
WRITING
C. A local magazine is asking for reviews with the title ‘Amazing books’. You decide to write a review for the
magazine. Describe a book and say what you like about it. Would you recommend the book to other people?
Write your review (120-180 words).
EXAMINATION PRACTICE
B. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word given. Do not change the
word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.
WHO
HAVING
DAMAGED
DIFFICULTY
REGRET
WHICH
MIGHT
ACCEPTED
International Prize
In 1976, the eight sons of King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz set up the King Faisal Foundation in memory of
their father. 1 This is why the Prize is awarded to individuals whose achievements in education and
Islamic religion make them stand out.
The King Faisal International Prize aims at inspiring Muslims to contribute to the world, but also offer
their services to Islamic tradition and the Muslim world in general. To win the prize, individuals have to
excel at one or more out of five different fields. 2 The other areas are Islamic Studies, Arabic Language
and Literature, Medicine and Science. The Science category covers the fields of physics, mathematics,
chemistry and biology.
Every year, the selection committee announces specific subjects in the field of Islamic Studies, Arabic
Literature and Medicine. Then, various international institutions and organisations nominate individuals
who they feel meet the requirements of the Foundation. 3
The next step is for the selection committee to consider the nominations. For all areas except Service
to Islam the nominations are first examined by peer reviewers, who review the nominations and decide on
the ones which can proceed to the next level. 4 They have the difficult task of considering each case
carefully and providing the Foundation with reports, which are a closely guarded secret. The last stage is
held in January of each year when autonomous selection committees made up of eminent international
scientists and specialists meet up in Riyadh to discuss and make decisions on the winners. 5
It is the King of Saudi Arabia who awards the prize, so the honour for each year’s winners is great. But
what are the criteria used for evaluating the candidates? Because it is a high profile award, the process of
selection is very strict. 6 Among the winners of the King Faisal International Prize are His Majesty
King Khalid bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdul-Aziz Al-
Saud, but also figures such as Tayyip Erdoğan and many important professors from around the world.
Apart from being internationally recognised, the winners also receive a certificate which describes the
reasons for which the particular winner has been awarded the prize. 7
1. I hadn’t heard from Robert for years and yesterday I received an e-mail from him.
Yesterday I received an e-mail from Robert,
from for years.
2. Unfortunately, I watched TV the whole afternoon and I didn’t study for the test.
Unfortunately, the whole afternoon,
I didn’t study for the test.
3. The houses that the earthquake caused damage to were repaired.
The houses were repaired.
4. It wasn’t easy for us to find all the information we needed.
We all the information we needed.
5. I’m sorry, but I must tell you that you have not been chosen for the team.
I that you have not been chosen for the
team.
6. The village where I used to spend my summer holidays is abandoned now.
The village spend my summer holidays
is abandoned now.
7. It’s possible that they didn’t know about the meeting.
They about the meeting.
8. It was a mistake for you to accept his offer.
You his offer.
A. As a matter of principle, no nominations are accepted by individuals from political parties.
B. According to the King Faisal Foundation, the first factor to consider is merit, or the quality of being especially deserving
of an award.
C. For this reason, so far, 223 individuals from 40 different countries have been awarded the King Faisal International
Prize.
D. The country’s third monarch, King Faisal, had died just a year before and was remembered for his philanthropy and his
love for Islam as well as education.
E. The text is written in Arabic calligraphy and comes with a 24-carat gold medallion as well as $200,000.
F. The first one is called Service to Islam and is awarded to individuals who have somehow promoted Islamic culture and
religion.
G. Finally, winners of the Service to Islam category are selected directly by the selection committee and do not follow the
process described above.
H. This shortlist is then presented to international independent referees around the world.
WRITING
C. A local magazine is asking for reviews with the title ‘Amazing books’. You decide to write a review for the
magazine. Describe a book and say what you like about it. Would you recommend the book to other people?
Write your review (120-180 words).
EXAMINATION PRACTICE
B. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first, using the word given. Do not change the
word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.
WHO
HAVING
DAMAGED
DIFFICULTY
REGRET
WHICH
MIGHT
ACCEPTED
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