Digital personal assistants

 

A. Young people often worry about the style and functions of mobile phones. However, today companies present more models for people who are over 50 or 60 years old. They need a mobile phone with large buttons, so that they can dial numbers without glasses. The menu is also simple. It really doesn’t matter if the phone has a camera or the Internet. For them, less is more.

B. Today, when friends meet in a café, they put their mobile phones in the middle of the table. They aren’t allowed to touch them at all. If someone does it and answers the phone, they have to pay for everybody. Sounds fun, right? The idea is to make people concentrate on a real conversation with each other instead of using their mobiles all the time.

C. Visitors of theatres and cinemas often complain that mobile phones ring during performances. The city government of New York passed a new act. It is now forbidden to use mobile phones in places, like theaters, libraries, museums, galleries, and cinemas. Those who don't switch off their mobiles will have to pay $50.

D. With mobile phones we can contact anyone, anywhere, any time. Scientists say that some people are so used to mobiles that they can't go to the kitchen without them. They are in panic if they leave them at home or lose. It has become a habit to have a mobile everywhere. People depend on mobile phones so much that doctors have started worrying. They say it may be a thing similar to drugs.

E. Throwing mobile phones is an international sport that started in Finland in 2000. Traditionally participants throw mobile phones over their shoulders. The person, who throws farthest, wins. There's also freestyle throwing. In this contest sportsmen should throw a mobile in a beautiful and creative way.

F. In 2010 a young girl from China made a song using only her mobile phone. She wrote it without any guitars, pianos, drums. She used different functions of her mobile. It took her several days to record the song. Later she made a video of it and put the video on the Internet, where over a million people watched it. She sent the song to the Apple company and suggested using it in their advertisements.

G. Today's mobile phones can already send e-mails, surf the Internet, and keep you in touch with friends. Tomorrow's phones are like helpful secretaries. In a few years you'll see that they know your habits and can advise you what to cook for dinner. They will remind you where to go and what present to buy.

 

 

 

1. A holiday tradition

2. All kinds of entertainment

3. It’s a must for any tourist

4. Going back in history

5. A city of contrasts

6. The name meaning

7. The green spots

8. Not for everyone

 

A. The population of London grew in the 17th century. Many houses were built during that period. It was needed after the Great Fire of 1666. In the 19th century the city suffered from pollution and epidemics. The German bombings during World War II destroyed the historical centre of London. After the war the city was reconstructed and now it is one of the most beautiful European capitals.

B. Each year in December, the people of Norway send a present to Londoners. It is a very big Christmas Tree, which is put in Trafalgar Square. In this way they thank Britain for help during World War II. This tree becomes one of the unforgettable sights of London, especially when it is lit by hundreds of fairy lights. Londoners often group around the tree and sing Christmas songs.

C. Trafalgar Square is situated in central London. It is one of the greatest and most famous tourist attractions. Any visit to the capital usually begins with this place. It’s absolutely necessary for every tourist to see Nelson’s Column. Everyone should admire the lovely fountains of the square. Also, you can’t say that you’ve been to London if you don’t take a picture of yourself in the square.

D. London was founded by the Romans in the 1st century AD and called Londinium. There is a common theory that the word “Londinium” comes from the name of a Celtic village. Also, the adjective “lond” meant “wild” in the Celtic language. Perhaps, it characterized the river Thames, on which the city was started. So, most scientists think that London is a “village on the wide river”.

E. In spite of being an important industrial and business centre London is known for its parks and open spaces. In every part of the city, you can find at least one park. It can be just a small pool with surrounding trees or a big and magnificent park like Hyde Park or Regent’s Park. They are all loved and visited by Londoners all the year round.

F. The liveliest part of London is West End. There are a lot of pubs, clubs, shops, theatres and cafes there. All kinds of pastimes are offered to tourists. Most of them choose shopping in Oxford Street with its stores, boutiques and gift shops. It’s a pleasant experience because the choices are great.

G. Big Ben is one of London's best-known sights. The name “Big Ben” actually refers not to the clock-tower itself, but to the thirteen ton bell hanging within. The tower is not open to the general public. A tourist from abroad can’t visit it. The citizens of the UK are luckier. They can write a letter to a member of Parliament and ask to allow them to tour the clock tower. Usually, the permission is given.

 

 

 

1. Different prices for a trip

2. Natural conditions and engineering decisions

3. Facing underground horrors

4. Effective in spite of lots of passengers

5. Special safety rules

6. Everything for passengers’ comfort

7. The underground art gallery

8. The most expensive transport system

 

A. The St. Petersburg Metro has been open since 1955 and carries almost 2.5 million passengers daily. Because of the river Neva and the city’s interesting relief, the Metro is one of the deepest subway systems in the world. The system’s deepest station, Admiralteyskaya, is 105 meters below ground because it is situated under the river.

B. The London Underground is the world's oldest underground system. It has lots of dark tunnels and passages where you can get lost. They say that some stations are visited by ghosts. On the Piccadilly Line there appears a man dressed in an evening suit. Some staff members have refused to work at the station because of him. They’re just too afraid.

C. In Paris no building is more than 500 meters away from a subway station. In the past the Paris metro offered a choice between 1st and 2nd class tickets. A 1st class ticket was more expensive. There were no other differences between the two classes. The result was that the first class trains were just less crowded. The difference existed till 1991.

D. The Tokyo underground system is extremely clean and unusually modern. It’s also very punctual: trains are always on time. At rush hour the metro is always overcrowded. The Tokyo subway has about 8.7 million passengers every day. The carriages are always packed. There are even special platform assistants who push people inside so that the doors can close.

E. The Metro in Washington DC has its own police. At each station police officers patrol to see if there is any trouble or danger around. Eating, drinking and smoking is not permitted in trains or stations. Anyone who enters the underground may be asked to open their bags for inspection. All this is done to protect the passengers as the metro is usually quite crowded.

F. The Stockholm Metro is one of the most picturesque underground systems in the world. Artists, painters and sculptors have turned 90 subways into displays of their art. As a result, the subways are decorated with pictures, frescos, and graffiti. For example, at one station there's a whole wall showing the history of different human civilizations.

G. The Dubai Metro is a well-planned automatic metro system in the United Arab Emirates. All trains and stations have air conditioning and are extremely clean. Every station has links with bus stops, taxi stands and places to lock bicycles. What's more, stations are like mini shopping centres, because there are food shops, travel offices, and even banks there.

 

 

 

1. The song of the winners

2. An annual music festival

3. Music of the future

4. Two sides of the same coin

5. An impressive show

6. Music in the classroom

7. The old music hit

8. Music for advert

 

A. Edinburgh Tattoo takes place every year in August in the capital of Scotland. It is an event when military music is played by different bands from all over the world. It also includes traditional dances, bagpipe melodies, songs and a horse parade. All this is accompanied by the sounds of national Scottish music.

B. Using music can make the learning process more enjoyable and effective. You can introduce a new topic with music. It may be a great way to improve vocabulary and make students start thinking in the right direction. If students are doing a grammar exercise, you may play some music in the background, and this will help them concentrate.

C. The performance Lady Gaga gave at Manchester was called “The Monster Ball”. It was a really strong and loud concert, consisting of four parts. The singer changed costumes 15 times. The “special” effects included a big sea monster and a grand piano which was burnt to pieces. The audience was just going crazy with every new song, it was no doubt a thrilling performance.

D. Are words important in a song? Some people say they don't matter much. A song is music and you enjoy listening to the melody and don't pay attention to words. On the other hand, a musician expresses himself through words, so they also matter. The words give meaning to a song and touch people’s feelings.

E. The most common song for English speakers on New Year's eve is “Auld Lang Syne”. When the clock strikes midnight, people join their hands and start singing. However, few of them remember that it's an old Scottish song first published by the poet Robert Burns. The Scots also sing it on January 25th when they celebrate Burns' birthday.

F. It’s typical to use music in advertising on radio and television. A lot of companies have jingles. They are short songs or tunes that attract customers. A jingle is quick to remember and usually has very simple words. The melody should be easy to sing and cheerful. The jingle must give a positive image of the company. A good example of it is McDonalds' “I'm lovin' it”.

G. “We Are the Champions” is a ballad performed by the British group “Queen”. It has become one of the most famous and widely used songs. It is also regularly played to celebrate sports victories. The song can be heard in many films, video games, cartoons, TV programmes. It was named the world's favourite song in 2005.

 

 

 

1. Why worry about trees?

2. Choose: what goes where?

3. Cruel business

4. Dead or endangered

5. A green society

6. Don’t leave rubbish behind!

7. A green present

8. Become green and get the prize!

 

A. How many rubbish bins do you have where you live? In our area there are about 6 of them, each bin for a different kind of rubbish. There are separate containers for glass, cans, paper, textiles, plastic bottles and food products. I'm sure it's really good because lots of things which we throw away can easily be recycled. It's time to start caring for our environment.

B. “Please, keep this place clean”. This is often written on picnic sites and camping areas in forests. Do we follow the recommendation? We have fun and enjoy the views and then throw away unwanted food, glass, plastic bottles, cans, wrappers and paper. Is that your “thanks” to nature? Make your site or travel route look like nobody was there. Leave no sign of human influence.

C. Before people started destroying the rainforests, they covered 15% of the Earth's land area. Today, they cover only 6%. In just the last 50 years, one third of the tropical rainforests have been destroyed. If people don't stop, global warming will become more severe, rare ecosystems will be destroyed, we'll breathe polluted air and the climate will be changed forever.

D. In the first years of the 21st century there were lots of discoveries in the animal world. But in the past 10 years some animals have completely disappeared from earth. You can no longer see a golden toad, a baiji dolphin or a black rhino. It is frightening that today the process is going faster and faster. These days about 5000 animals could disappear at any time.

E. More than 100 million animals every year suffer and die from inhuman drug, food or cosmetic tests, biology lessons, medical training exercises and other experiments. It seems that we have no pity for them. Have you ever thought that we hurt them? If there isn’t testing on people there shouldn't be testing on animals either.

F. For my birthday this year I got an unusual and unexpected invitation from a friend to plant a tree. It was a thrilling experience. On the day of the event I chose a tree myself, got some professional advice and did the job. I have never felt such joy. I know my “personal” tree will be part of a small park in the district, a place of beauty for people of all ages to enjoy.

G. The Green School Awards are for quality in environmental education. You can enter the competition as a whole school, a class, a team or an individual. The main task is to make a report on any topic mentioned on our website. You can present it in any form: a scrapbook, a DVD, a website, and so on. Each winner will get a cheque for £ 700.

 

1. A reason for change

2. Souvenirs for coffee-lovers

3. Setting up the business

4. A traditional taste

5. A perfect start to the day

6. The sources of the coffee beans

7. Nature friendly company

8. Clients’ voices are heard

 

A. The first Starbucks opened in Seattle, Washington, 1971. Three friends, who all had a passion for fresh coffee, opened a small shop. They began buying and selling fine coffee, for which people travelled from all over the country. It wasn’t a café at that time. It was a shop selling coffee and special coffee equipment.

B. In 1981 Howard Schultz joined the Starbucks company and became its leading manager. He once went to Italy and was impressed by the coffee culture he found there: people were sitting in beautiful café s enjoying their cups of coffee for hours. What he saw made him think about Starbucks as a café. He decided to turn the Starbucks shops into fashionable and romantic coffee bars.

C. Mornings are always good when they include a healthy breakfast. But eggs, bacon, porridge, bread – who has the time to cook? Fortunately, Starbucks can solve this problem. The coffee shop offers delicious breakfast sandwiches and cakes with your morning coffee. You can choose from 8 varieties on the menu. It will really be a good morning!

D. Starbucks today is working hard to develop their recycling program. Their cups are made partially from recycled paper. More and more Starbucks cafes today serve drinks in china cups. What's more, the company encourages people to bring their own cups and mugs for coffee. If there are fewer paper cups used, it will help keep our forests alive.

E. Starbucks coffee is grown and bought from three different regions around the world. One group comes from Asia, the second from Africa and the final one from Latin America. All in all, the company buys its coffee from 24 countries. Each kind of coffee has its own special taste and aroma which you can try and enjoy at any Starbucks café.

F. If you want to bring a piece of Starbucks home, why not buy one of their special cups or mugs? You can choose from a classic white coffee mug or a mug from a limited collection or a mug with the seasonal design. For those who are ready to show their love for Starbucks, there are caps and T-shirts and even scarves. You can find all of these in almost every coffee shop.

G. “MyStarbucksIdea.com” is the first social website from Starbucks. In this way the company hopes to be closer to those who buy their coffee. They want to know their views and opinions about the prices, the service and the quality of the coffee. Anyone can enter the site, make a comment or suggest something. These ideas will help Starbucks to improve.

 

 

 

1. A false stereotype

2. An unlucky symbol

3. A colourful present

4. A world famous journey

5. One and the same name

6. The national food

7. A talisman for luck

8. Old holiday traditions

 

A. When you think of the Irish, you often picture a red-haired person dressed all in green. However, it's just a popular myth which has grown into a tradition, particularly in the United States. It's customary in Ireland to wear green clothes only on St. Patrick's Day. Lots of people are tricked by this cliché. However, originally, the colour associated with Saint Patrick was not green, but blue.

B. In Ireland, the colour green was long considered to bring bad fortune. The reason is that in Irish folklore green is the favourite color of the Good People (the proper name for fairies). Myths run that they are likely to steal people, especially children, who wear too much of the colour. In the past, a girl would never wear anything green on her wedding day.

C. Christmas is a very important celebration in Ireland. After dinner on Christmas Eve, it is common for families to leave milk and bread on the table as a sign of friendliness and kindness. Another custom is to leave the door unlocked. A lit candle is left in a window during the night. It represents help for any traveller who is passing by.

D. Potatoes form the basis for many traditional Irish dishes. They are eaten boiled, mashed, fried and baked. Potatoes are mixed with cabbage or green onions to make traditional Irish dishes. They are also made into potato cakes and used in soups or stews. It’s common to find potatoes cooked in two different ways on the same dinner plate.

E. The shamrock is still a popular sign of good fortune in Ireland. It is believed that anyone who possesses one will be blessed with fortune in everything, even in gambling, and will be saved from the evil of witches. There are certain conditions to be met so that its power remains effective: the owner of the shamrock must keep it away from the public eye and never give it to anyone else.

F. The name Gulliver is known to everyone due to the book or the film about the fantastic trip of the English doctor. However, not all of us remember the name of the author undefined Jonathan Swift, an Irish writer, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1667. In his book Gulliver’s Travels a man went to an island where strange tiny people lived. His life there was full of adventures and dangers, he met there friends and enemies.

G. Ireland is known as the native land of limericks – short humorous poems that have five lines. They make people laugh and are easy to remember! Lots of poets and writers were fond of limericks. The word ‘limerick’ probably comes from the Irish town of Limerick. The short poem has made the town known all over the world.

 

 

1. Street performers

2. Eating together

3. Important for the whole country

4. Lifting weights

5. Cooking competition

6. Cheese Rolling

7. In memory of the past events

8. A cookery sprint

 

A. A woolsack race is one of the British local festivals that could be called strange. It started in Tetbury, a wool town, in the 17th century when young men wanted to demonstrate their physical strength. Since then, every spring men and women compete in teams to carry heavy woolsacks up and down the hill. The race events are complemented by a funfair and musical entertainments.

B. Midsummer was the time for the Cheese Rolling Ceremony in many places. Competitors gathered at the top of a hill. The Master of the Ceremonies let a heavy head of cheese roll down the hill. Brave runners raced down to be the first to catch it. However, the event was cancelled in 2010 due to safety reasons.

C. Another cheese ceremony is popular in the village of Randwick. On the first Sunday in May people roll three cheeses from right to left around the church. After rolling, the villagers cut up and share one of the cheeses. They believe that eating cheese brings health to their families.

D.      \The village of Marshfield, England, is famous for its Paperboys procession. People dressed in paper costumes go through the streets. They start from the market place and perform the town’s unique character play along the road. By noon they have done more than six performances for several hundred people.

E. Every January Up Helly Aa is celebrated in Scotland. People dressed in Viking costumes and helmets go through the streets of Lerwick. They hold flaming torches, sticks with the special material on the top which burns in order to give light. The strongest participants carry a full size model of a Viking ship to an open field. There the people throw lit torches into the ship and burn it.

F. Melbourne Cup Day is held in Australia, in November. Although Cup Day is a public holiday only in the city of Melbourne, the rest of the country refuses to be left out of the event. People gather around televisions and computers, whether at work, at home, or wherever they are, just to watch this world famous horse race. This event is often called ‘the race that stops the nation’.

G. In a village in Eastern England an unusual race takes place every year. Three groups take part in the race – adults, children and teenagers. Each participant receives a frying pan with a pancake and has to race from one end of a field to the other, throwing the pancake into the air and catching it in the frying pan without dropping it. The winner is the first to cross the line.

 

1. With care for the environment

2. A favourable location

3. Medicine from birds

4. Annual events

5. Names to remember

6. Getting around the town

7. A historical building

8. A green town

 

A. Cheltenham started as a small market town that later became one of the most fashionable health resorts in Britain. Once, in 1716 people noticed pigeons eating crystals in a meadow outside the town. These were crystals of salt which helped King George III and the members of the royal family treat their illnesses. Since then, pigeons have been a symbol of Cheltenham Spa.

B. Cheltenham is a small, ancient town in England situated to the north-west of Oxford. It lies below the highest point of the Cotswold Hills and above the level of the River Severn. The town is also called ‘The Western Gateway’. Thanks to its position it has become a popular tourist attraction.

C. The Pittville Pump Room is the largest of the spa constructions in Cheltenham. It is a magnificent, old house of classical style made of white stone. The Pump Room was designed for balls and entertainments and, of course, for taking the medicinal waters. Today, it is still used as a concert hall at festival time and for weddings, and of course, visitors can still take the waters – if they wish so!

D. Tourism is highly developed in Cheltenham and the City Council has to reduce the negative impact of tourists on the town. A lot has been done. The town has developed walking, cycling and public transport routes as an alternative to cars. There is a pool of bicycles that tourists can use for short distance journeys. The local services try to recycle all the packaging, plastic bottles and batteries left by tourists.

E. Many famous people of the past have connections with Cheltenham. Gustav Holst, a well-known English composer of the 19th century, was born in the town. His house is now his birthplace museum. Visitors may learn a lot about Holst's life, his music and his family. The famous Antarctic explorer Edward Wilson was also born in Cheltenham. Now a statue of him stands in the Long Gardens.

F. The beauty and wonderful sights of Cheltenham continue to attract visitors from countries all over the world. For many years people have enjoyed the beauty of Cheltenham's parks, open spaces and the general greenery of the town. Cheltenham has been described as ‘a town within a park’. Montpellier place, which is famous for its wonderful flowers, lies in the centre of the town.

G. Thousands of visitors come to Cheltenham to take part in the festivals which are held in the town every year. The town organises literature, music, jazz and science festivals, attracting names with a national and international reputation from each field. Besides all this, for a week in March the town becomes the centre of the National Gold Cup in horse racing.

 

 

 

1. A widely used aroma

2. Making meals different

3. A relaxing effect

4. Scents and colours

5. Another unique characteristic

6. Holiday scents

7. Creating memories

8. Smelling emotions

 

A. Nothing brings back memories like a particular smell. Whether it's of Christmas pine, your grandma's fresh-baked gingerbread, or cookies, the scents of Christmas are truly special. In the days leading up to this day, the house fills with the wonderful rich, spicy smells of vanilla, cinnamon and ginger coming from the kitchen, promising delights to come.

B. Some of the most pleasant scents after a hard day are vanilla, lavender, and scents with cinnamon or ginger. Each combination of aromas can influence you positively. For example, vanilla's sweet scent can help you if you feel sad, lonely, or depressed. It is a naturally warming aroma. Cinnamon is good in case you feel tired; it also has a wonderful effect on your nerves, calming you down.

C. The ability to smell is linked to our ability to remember things. When you first smell a new thing, you connect it to an event, a person, or even a moment. As a result, later the smell of cookies might remind you of spending time at your grandmother's house when you were a small child. When you come across the smell a second or third time, the link is already there, ready to bring out a certain mood.

D. There are certain smells we can identify from a mile away – almost as if they're preprogrammed into our minds. One of them is vanilla. Today, vanilla is in our coffee, perfumes, tea, home products, body lotion, and everywhere! Both the scent and taste of vanilla are very strong and long-lasting. It is considered one of the most popular scents and flavours in the world.

E. A new study suggests that we can smell not only aromas but feelings as well – fear, happiness, disgust and joy. The experiments proved that we can find out how a person feels even if we neither see nor hear him. Nerves inside our nose take informative messages about the person and his emotional state to the brain. However, the mechanism of how this happens is not yet clear.

F. Our sense of smell does 80% of the job when we taste various foods. Without a sense of smell you can’t taste the difference between an apple and a potato or a glass of juice and a cup of cold coffee. This is why, when our nose is blocked by a cold, most foods seem tasteless. Our sense of smell becomes stronger when we are hungry.

G. There are many good reasons to believe that we all have our own particular smell. Research has proved that our smell might distinguish us from others just as our face does. Our smell is as personal as our fingerprints. For centuries the police have used this phenomenon to catch criminals. Maybe one day they will use our scent too.

 

 

 

 1. Historical facts

2. Different reasons for drawing in the street

3. A street art exhibition

4. A commercial effect

5. An innovative method

6. An unknown artist

7. The meaning of the term

8. Keeping their names a secret

 

A. Street art can be described as art that is developed in public spaces and above all in the street. It can mean a lot of different things including graffiti, poster art, wall paintings, and just about any artwork that is displayed in public places. Typically, street art is used to separate public-space artwork from illegal graffiti and vandalism.

B. The start of street art is closely connected to graffiti, which appeared in New York in the 1970s. The American artists soon became an inspiration for a number of other young street artists all over the world. For the following ten years graffiti grew more and more popular and was soon joined by new forms of street art including street installations, street sculptures and 3D pavement illusions.

C. Street artists are often associated with opposition. Their artwork is considered a crime and vandalism and the artists may be arrested for damaging property, so the artists prefer to use nicknames and create their drawings mostly at night. They are not looking for fame, especially in countries where graffiti is still illegal.

D. Kurt Wenner was the one who developed an absolutely new form of street art. That is 3D pavement art. He started his career as a graphic artist, but after moving to Italy he worked on a new technique. Wenner attracted the attention of the entire world with his remarkable 3D artwork and he also inspired a future generation of 3D pavement street artists.

E. Banksy is probably the most famous English street artist who has already become a legendary figure. It’s still true that no one knows who the person really is. However, his works are exhibited in galleries across the world. An American magazine even named him among the top most influential people in the world. However, he was the only one whose photo the magazine could not publish.

F. The motivations and ideas that inspire street artists are as different as the artists themselves. Some street artists, by creating certain works, want to draw attention to social and political problems. For other artists, street art is just a form of self-expression. And there are those who enjoy the challenge and risks which are connected with working illegally in some city areas.

G. Traditional graffiti has recently been used as a successful method for advertising. Lots of companies agree that traditional advertising on city streets is too boring and common, so many people simply ignore it. However, graffiti adverts catch your attention, creating a memorable image. Big companies find this quite useful and try to include more elements of graffiti in their advertising campaigns.

 

1. Learn and play

2. A less popular subject

3. Never too late to learn

4. The essential piece of uniform

5. Keeping the tradition

6. The advantages of learning together

7. Choosing the place to learn

8. School exchange programmes

 

A. Christ's Hospital school was founded in the 16th century. Its uniform at that time consisted of a long blue coat, a leather belt and yellow socks. Today students still wear the same uniform because they think it's a symbol that unites them. There was some talk about making the uniform more modern, but it was decided to keep the original uniform.

B. Nola Ochs from the USA is the world's oldest university graduate. She says she has always loved learning and has never lost her taste for knowledge. She started university when she was over 90. Her example proves that age is not important if you want to be a student. You can acquire new skills at any age.

C. The Dublin College of English offers one, two or three week Football and English Programmes. They are for young people who are interested in both learning English with native speakers and practising football. The students enjoy the friendly, inspiring atmosphere in the classrooms, after which they improve their skills on the school football pitch.

D. Harrow is a prestigious boys' school in northern London with a strict uniform policy. You can easily recognise a Harrow student by his hat, which is part of the uniform. All boys have to wear their hats every day when going to or from lessons. Some students are allowed to wear a different scarf, tie or jumper but the hat should always be there. Wearing it remains a must.

E. One of the recent trends is the growing number of elderly students in universities and colleges. It is believed that the elderly and the young can benefit from studying in a mixed class. The older ones are quicker at detailed and logical tasks. On the other hand, younger students can often help their older classmates with new gadgets and technologies.

F. When it comes to studying English abroad, try to get as much information about the school as possible. Asking the right questions will help you save money, time, and avoid culture shock. Remember that the school should provide you both with good teaching and with an unforgettable experience, so besides everyday classes, social activities should be part of the programme.

G. In most British schools children start studying a foreign language at 11, but many are happy to give up languages completely at 14. Research suggests that students think that it is more difficult to get good marks in Modern Foreign Languages than in other subjects such as Science or History. They also say that foreign languages are less fun than other lessons like PE or Art.

 

1. The scientific explanation

2. The real shape

3. A lucky sign

4. Some tips

5. Places without rainbows

6. A personal vision

7. A bridge between worlds

8. Impossible to catch

 

A. Two people never see the same rainbow. Each person sees a different one. It happens because the raindrops are constantly moving, so the rainbow is always changing, too. Each time you see a rainbow it is unique and it will never be the same! In addition, everyone sees colours differently according to the light and how their eyes interpret it.

B. A rainbow is an optical phenomenon that is seen in the atmosphere. It appears in the sky when the sun’s light is reflected by the raindrops. A rainbow always appears during or immediately after showers when the sun is shining and the air contains raindrops. As a result, a spectrum of colours is seen in the sky. It takes the shape of a multicoloured arc.

C. Many cultures see the rainbow as a road, a connection between earth and heaven (the place where God lives). Legends say that it goes below the earth at the horizon and then comes back up again. In this way it makes a permanent link between what is above and below, between life and death. In some myths the rainbow is compared to a staircase connecting earth to heaven.

D. We all believe that the rainbow is arch-shaped. The funny thing is that it's actually a circle. The reason we don’t see the other half of the rainbow is because we cannot see below the horizon. However, the higher we are above the ground, the more of the rainbow’s circle we can see. That is why, from an airplane in flight, a rainbow will appear as a complete circle with the shadow of the airplane in the centre.

E. In many cultures there is a belief that seeing a rainbow is good. Legends say that if you dig at the end of a rainbow, you'll find a pot of gold. Rainbows are also seen after a storm, showing that the weather is getting better, and there is hope after the storm. This is why they are associated with rescue and good fortune. If people happen to get married on such a day, it is said that they will enjoy a very happy life together.

F. You can never reach the end of a rainbow. A rainbow is all light and water. It is always in front of you while your back is to the sun. As you move, the rainbow that your eye sees moves as well and it will always ‘move away’ at the same speed that you are moving. No matter how hard you try, a rainbow will always be as far away from you as it was before you started to move towards it.

G. To see a rainbow you have to remember some points. First, you should be standing with the sun behind you. Secondly, the rain should be in front of you. The most impressive rainbows appear when half of the sky is still dark with clouds and the other half is clear. The best time to see a rainbow is on a warm day in the early morning after sunrise or late afternoon before sunset. Rainbows are often seen near waterfalls and fountains.

 

 1. A convenient food

2. Good for health

3. Part of culture

4. Unclear origins

5. Pasta ingredients

6. A useful invention

7. Classless food

8. An expensive food

 

A. You can enjoy pasta on any budget, and you can have a different and delicious low-cost meal every day of the week. Just serve it with a different sauce. It’s easy to make a healthy meal in minutes that will satisfy your whole family. Pasta tastes good and it's healthy. It also has a long shelf life, so you can keep it in the kitchen cupboard until you need to cook a meal.

B. It's rather difficult to find out where pasta comes from. Archeologists believe that cooking noodles was already quite a common practice in Arabic countries in the 5th century AD. At the same time, the Chinese were also making a noodle-like food. The way it reached Europe is still a mystery, though there are many theories – some believe that Arabs from Central Asia were responsible for bringing early forms of pasta to the West.

C. Despite its reputation, pasta is a low-calorie dish which is good for you. With only 200 calories per cup and a gram of fat, it is perfect even for those on a strict diet. Pasta is naturally packed with vitamins and necessary minerals, so it is heart-healthy as well. Pasta may help people to control their blood sugar and weight, so it is recommended as part of a well-balanced diet.

D. It seems that pasta was first introduced to Italy in the eighth century. Its ‘home’ was the southern island of Sicily. Prior to its wide use in the 13th century, pasta was considered to be a luxury product in Italy. The reason was that it took a lot of time to make it as all the work was done by hand. By 1400, pasta was sold in shops, but at night a guard was kept to protect the high-priced goods.

E. Only in the 16th century did pasta become popular and affordable to all classes of people. In the city of Naples a machine was made that allowed huge quantities of pasta to be produced. It turned pasta into a cheap food. The number of pasta shops in Naples grew to three hundred. From Naples pasta began to conquer the rest of the country.

F. By the 17th century, machine-made pasta had become part of the daily meal among both rich and poor. Pasta was sold as street food by people called maccaronaros, who cooked it over an open fire. It was eaten on the spot with bare hands, with no sauce. The wealthy, who did not eat with their hands, preferred fresh pasta with cheeses and meat. With the introduction of the fork pasta began to be served at special occasions all over Italy.

G. When most people talk about pasta, they usually think of Italy and its cooking traditions. The country and its dish have become synonymous. When Italians immigrated to different countries all over the world, they took their pasta with them to each area that they inhabited along with other customs and habits and thus pasta has become the world's favourite food.

 

1. Our never sleeping part

2. Influence on academic results

3. Advantages of bedtime routine

4. Good sleeping conditions      

5. Pre-sleep activities

6. Sleeping classes

7. A negative effect on health

8. The mechanism of dreaming

 

A. Recent research shows that lots of teenagers are suffering from lack of sleep which is causing problems with their behaviour and learning. As a result schools have introduced a new lesson where students are given more of an idea of the importance of sleep. According to medical data, they should get at least nine hours' sleep a night. Young people should realise that sleep is very important if they want to do well at school and enjoy life.

B. It’s common knowledge that people sleep best in a dark room that is slightly cool. It's important to close your blinds or curtains and make sure they're heavy enough to block out the light. You can add extra blankets or wear pyjamas if you're cold. Note that an uncomfortable bed, heat and noise can ruin a good night's sleep. A TV is also a distraction.

C. If you don’t sleep enough or have a disturbed sleep you can get heart disease, high blood pressure and even diabetes. People who don't sleep enough get colds and flu more often than those who do. Moreover, recent research proves that poor sleepers gain weight more easily than people who sleep well. Extra kilos are the reaction of the body to the stressful sleepless situation.

D. Think twice before watching a movie late at night. Don’t spend sleeping time on endless computer games. The thing is that by getting up and going to bed at the same time every day, even on weekends, you teach your body to follow a healthy regime. You'll quickly fall asleep, will have a good night’s sleep and will wake up at the expected time feeling fresh and active.

E. Some easy steps can prepare your body for going to sleep. You probably have some regular bedtime habits, even if you don’t realise it. Brushing your teeth, taking a shower, reading a book and setting your alarm clock may all be part of your evening routine. Remember that you should perform these activities in the same manner and in the same order every night.

F. Sleepless nights at exam time are very bad for students. If you prepare for your exam late at night, it will not improve your performance during the exam. On the contrary, it will affect your ability to concentrate, to react quickly and to analyse information. Recent research shows that the results of the tests written after sleepless nights are lower than usual grades.

G. If you think that during sleep, the brain rests, you're mistaken. It's a common myth about sleep. Sleep is definitely needed – but it's not your brain that needs to rest, it's your body that needs to relax. Your brain is still working when you're asleep, controlling physical functions like breathing and your heart beat. However, because the brain does not have to go through the constant stress of thinking, you get up refreshed and recharged.

 

1. Local legends

2. Special in many ways

3. Tourist аttraction

4. Diverse wildlife

5. Protection of the ecosystem

6. Extinct species

7. Scientific expeditions

8. Harsh climate

 

A. The world’s deepest lake, the Baikal, is in Siberia. It is also the largest freshwater lake in Eurasia and the oldest lake on the Earth. At least 1, 500 unique species live there - they cannot be found anywhere else on the planet! The water in the lake is so clear that if you drop a coin, it can be clearly seen a hundred feet below the water.

B. People who live in the Baikal region believe that it’s a unique and mysterious place. According to them, the water from Lake Baikal can cure different illnesses, gives you strength and clears your mind. They also say that the lake was formed millions of years ago when a huge, hot rock fell to earth. It melted the ice around and that was how Lake Baikal appeared. The story about the meteorite has, however, never been proved by scientists.

C. The lake has also become famous for its unique fish and birds that are not found in other waters. The lake is home to more than 1000 animal species. Among them there are the world’s only freshwater seals. There’s no evidence of how the seals got to the lake, but they obviously enjoy their life there. Huge brown bears often come to the lake out of the forest to hunt and fish.

D. Though Lake Baikal is located in a very remote place, and is difficult to reach in autumn and winter, it attracts thousands of visitors every year. A chance to see this unique place is worth the long journey! On the banks of Lake Baikal you can stay in a modern, comfortable hotel, take part in hiking tours and enjoy the untouched natural beauty. People who have visited Lake Baikal once want to return to the place again and again.

E. However, the growing popularity of the lake and the industrial development of the region have caused ecological problems. The safety of this unique natural ecosystem has been discussed at an international level. Now Lake Baikal is on the list of heritage sites protected by UNESCO. A federal state law about the conservation of the lake was also supported in Russia.

F. The lake attracts not only tourists but also many wildlife researchers, biologists and even archaeologists. The world famous explorer and scientist, Jacques Cousteau, and his team spent lots of time studying the deep waters of Lake Baikal. They also shot a film about their research that was broadcast by major TV channels all over the world.

G. Everyone considers the Siberian climate very severe, which is perfectly true for the Baikal region. The winters there are really freezing - the average temperature is as low as -25 degrees Celsius. Due to its location in the middle of the continent, the place is characterised by a sharp contrast between winter and summer temperatures. The summers are generally cool, with a few hot days. The sun shines brightly above the lake till late autumn.

 

1. Some time without noise

2. Harmful background noise

3. Special effects for better results

4. A way to reduce noise pollution

5. Colours for the classroom

6. Music in the classroom   

7. Music for relaxation

8. Different effects of music

 

A. Everybody remembers what school smells and sounds like. It may seem unimportant but research results suggest that smells and sounds can influence learning ability and creativity. Some schools are now introducing noises, music and even smell into the classroom. The aim is to see which of these factors can improve students’ grades.

B. It’s obvious that the constant sounds of traffic, airports and police sirens are a part of a busy city. Numerous studies have focused on the combined effect of aircraft and road traffic sounds on reading ability and memory. It was found out that children from schools near big airports reported annoyance and showed less success at exams, which proves that the aircraft noise is the most harmful type of machinery noise.

C. The International Noise Awareness Day was started by the American Centre for Hearing and Communication in 1995. The aim of this day, which takes place every year in April, is to raise awareness among the people of the noise problem and the risks it makes. On that day people are asked to turn off noise sources such as TV sets and auto engines for a few hours and to enjoy the silence.

D. There is no one best colour, some are just better than others in different situations. The design of the classroom is very important, too. It should be nice and pleasant and help students to focus on learning – remember about it when you paint the walls! Generally, light blue and purple have a calming effect on learners. Warm tones like peach and light yellow provide a relaxing atmosphere that is good for learning too. Most physiologists say that red, white, black and brown should be avoided in the classroom.

E. However, when students do tasks in groups or discuss something, noise is unavoidable. Sometimes the noise distracts other students. To prevent this, a traffic light system has been introduced. A large set of traffic lights, made of coloured paper, is placed in the classroom. When the noise is acceptable, the green light is on. When it gets too loud, the yellow light is put on. Changing to the red light means the end of activities or complete silence.

F. On the other hand, some noises stimulate creativity, but the sound should be neither too high nor too low. There was a special experiment held in an office. While working, the people were listening to different melodies, played at different levels. It was observed that the most original projects were created when the songs and compositions were played at a medium level. Low and high levels, on the other hand, damaged creativity.

G. According to Professor Shields, listening to classical or calm music helps creative learning. This conclusion is not really new. For a long time, teachers and coaches have been using quiet melodies to inspire their students and stimulate their imagination. This is particularly useful in art classes, where students learn to create pieces of art like pictures, sculptures and hand-made articles.

1. The dark bird of evil

2. A prominent literary character

3. Fun lovers

4. Alike but different

5. The guardians of the country

6. Smart and cunning 

7. Born to be free

8. Favourite diet

 

A. For intelligence, ravens rate up with chimpanzees and dolphins. These birds have the largest brain of any bird species. Ravens can push rocks on people to keep them from climbing to their nests and play dead to scare other ravens away from a delicious meal. If a raven knows another raven is watching, it hides its food. It pretends to put the food in one place but hides it in another.

B. It’s amazing to watch ravens sliding on snow-covered roofs. For entertainment, they also roll down snowy hills. Ravens often play keep-away with other animals like wolves, foxes and dogs. They even make toys—a rare animal behaviour—from sticks, pine cones, golf balls, or rocks to play with each other or by themselves. When they feel bored, they mock other creatures and find it very amusing.

C. According to surveys, the ravens are one of the main reasons why tourists come to see the Tower of London. Nobody knows when the ravens first appeared there but there is a belief that at least six ravens must always remain on the territory of the Tower. Otherwise, the British Monarchy may fall. To prevent the birds from flying away their wings are clipped every three weeks.

D. In the past, in some cultures, people were truly afraid of these dark birds. In Germany, ravens were considered to be the incarnation of criminals’ souls or sometimes Satan himself. In Sweden, ravens were thought to be the souls of murdered people. And in Denmark, people believed that it was dangerous to look at ravens because you could turn into a raven yourself.

E. Sometimes people find injured ravens and take them home, but keeping a raven as a pet is really difficult. These birds require a lot of care, a lot of freedom, and a lot of time. Ravens are wild creatures, and are not pets in the same way as cats and dogs are. If the bird is strong and healthy, it is unfair and cruel to keep it in captivity. In some countries it’s even illegal. So if you really love and admire these birds, enjoy them from a distance!

F. Crows and ravens are often confused with each other because they are both black birds. Even people who are well aware of the differences between the two birds can get confused. You can tell them apart by their voice and differences in their behaviour. Ravens are larger than crows, with thicker beaks, and longer tails. Ravens have a deeper voice than crows.

G. Many poets and writers wrote about ravens in their works. Shakespeare refers to the raven more often than to any other bird. The raven Grip plays an important part in Charles Dickens' book Barnaby Rudge. Edgar Allan Poe presents the raven as a mystical messenger in his poem The Raven. The wise and sensible raven is also a popular figure in fairy tales.

 

 

 

1. Safety issues

2. A growing number

3. Mountain biking

4. Price list

5. Transport for hire

6. A month to check

7. World popularity

8. Some improvement needed

 

A. More than five thousand bicycles have recently appeared in London. They are available for everyone who wants to ride easily in the centre of the British capital. To take a bike, you need to be registered and get a special key. The system was planned as an addition to the city public transport. The City Council expects people to travel short distances by bike instead of going by bus or car.

B. The first half an hour’s ride is free. An hour’s journey costs a pound. To travel twenty four hours on the same bike will cost you about fifty pounds. On the other hand, it is possible to change your bike every half an hour at one of the three hundred parking stations and ride for free!

C. Before the system had started working, more than eleven thousand Londoners registered for new bikes. The company ‘Transport for London’ announced that they would be testing the system for four weeks. This time was needed to correct any technical difficulties and receive people’s comments. According to a representative of the company, four weeks would be enough to understand how the system worked.

D. The bicycle is an ecologically-friendly means of transport because unlike cars and buses it does not pollute the air. Nevertheless, some members of the Green Party in London spoke against the new system. They called it inconvenient because the bicycles have no locks and big baskets. They also suggested introducing a fixed hire tariff and travel tickets for needy families.

E. The first bicycle public transport system was introduced in Copenhagen in the 1990s. At present, there are similar schemes in a number of cities in Europe and North America. In 2007, the same project was realized in Paris. It still works very successfully, with over twenty thousand bicycles running around the capital of France. The bicycles carry commercial advertisements and can be used for free.

F. Cycling is getting popular not only in countries like the Netherlands or Denmark, where people are traditionally keen on this sport. According to statistics, in 2012 the Italians bought more bicycles than cars. In the same year Spain suggested a plan for a 10-kilometre ‘green zone’ for bicycles in Madrid.

G. In spite of their effectiveness and ease of use, riding a bicycle can be dangerous. So cyclists are strongly recommended to wear helmets and bright clothes during the day and reflective clothes at night. They must not use mobile phones or earphones and they should always ride with their hands on the handlebars. All the cyclists must ride in the same direction as other traffic, stop at all stop signs and obey traffic lights just as cars do.

 

 

1. Capital experts

2. A place to see history

3. Popular tourist routes

4. Named after its form

5. An easy way to pay for the trip

6. A healthy form of transport

7. A contrast to the dark city

8. Why driving on the other side

 

A. The London Underground is the quickest and easiest way of getting around the city. Today it is as important a landmark of the capital as Big Ben or the London Eye. The underground is often called the Tube because of its shape: tube shaped tunnels, stations and trains. The Tube became an official name for the first time in the early 1900s, after the Central London Railway (now the Central Line) was named the Twopenny Tube.

B. In 1956 the red London double-decker bus appeared on the London streets for the first time. At that time, the London buildings had gone black because of smoke from the coal used for heating. What’s more, due to the local climate and lack of wind, there was always fog in the city. Under such gloomy circumstances, the bright-red London double-decker bus became a sensation! In the past 50 years, the red double-decker has become an icon of London.

C. Oyster is an electronic smart card ticket. Regardless of whether you live in London, or you are a tourist, a day trip visitor, or a regular visitor to the capital, the Oyster Card is definitely the easiest way to travel around the London Transport system. Simply touch the card on the yellow reader to get through the Tube gates or board other London public transport. The card doesn't even need to be removed from your purse or wallet to work.

D. The London Transport Museum is worth visiting. Entrance is not free but the price of £ 15 for a year pass is more than reasonable. The exhibitions displayed in the museum present London transport in its historical context. There are more than 80 vehicles, including a red London bus and the world's first Underground train. The galleries are full of interactive exhibits for young people to play on – including real buses and trains!

E. In London there are around 23 000 taxis. The taxi drivers know every corner of London because all of them have to take an exam, called the Knowledge. This exam supposes that the candidate driver can recognize most of the 20 000 London streets and knows how to choose the shortest route between two points. Each taxi driver should also know all the parks, cinemas, theatres and museums in the city.

F. Over the last few years, cycling around London has been getting more and more popular. The reasons are obvious - there is no ‘carbon waste’ and it prevents obesity and heart disease. For tourists, it is often also the quickest and the easiest way to see London, with the bonus of getting some exercise. The casual user hires a bike at one of the numerous bike stations, rides it where he or she wants and then returns it to any of the docking stations.

G. If you’ve ever been to Britain, one of the first things you will have noticed is that the British drive on the wrong side of the road. They drive on the left! The reason for this goes back to the days when people travelled on horses. Most people are right-handed and the left is the natural side to ride on if you are on horseback - you need your right hand to hold a sword in case of any trouble.

1. A landmark for the new millennium

2. Extra entertainment

3. An international project

4. Safety rules on the wheel

5. A family project

6. Lighting up the night

7. A favourable location

8. Appropriate for all ages

 

A. The Merlin Entertainments London Eye is usually called the London Eye. It is the tallest observation wheel in Europe and it was opened on 31st December, 1999. The designers originally planned it to be a part of the great celebration for the coming of the year 2000. Since then it has been a great tourist attraction - more than three million people visit it every year.

B. It took more than a year and a half to complete the wheel. Over 1700 tonnes of metal were used in the structure. Several countries contributed to the project. The egg-shaped capsules, which can take up to 25 passengers, were transported from France by train across the English Channel. The central part of the wheel was made in the Czech Republic.

C. The London Eye is situated on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. It lies between Westminster Bridge and Hungerford Bridge, in the very heart of the city. The passengers have a fantastic view over London. They can clearly see many famous landmarks like Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament.

D. The London Eye was designed by two architects, David Marks and Julia Barfield, husband and wife. They took part in a competition for the best millennium landmark and suggested the idea of a large observation wheel. Actually, none of the participants won the competition, but the couple managed to get the financial support of British Airways that sponsored the construction.

E. The observation wheel turns rather slowly. The London Eye is perfect for families with children. Parents can even bring babies on board as the capsule is completely enclosed. The wheel does not usually stop to take on new passengers - the slow motion allows passengers to walk on and off the capsules at ground level. Even elderly tourists find the wheel comfortable.

F. Since 2005, the London Eye has been the main location for New Year celebrations and impressive firework displays. Every coming year is marked by a 10-minute firework show, welcomed by Londoners. Fireworks can also be fired from the wheel itself. Additionally, since 2006, the London Eye has been lit by thousands of lamps, which have made night trips on the wheel extremely popular.

G. The growing popularity of the London Eye makes tourists line up for tickets. In 2009, the owners of the attraction suggested new features, which were included in the price of the tickets. They introduced a new ticket hall where people can watch a 4D film before they get on the wheel. 

 

1. Alaska in the past

2. Hopes seldom come true

3. Close neighbours

4. A mistaken opinion

5. Winter sporting activities

6. The deal of the century

7. Back to nature

8. Popular tourist routes

 

A. Alaska and Russia are less than 3 miles apart at their closest point in the Bering Strait. In winter, it is possible to walk across the ice from one country to the other. Alaskan and Russian natives on either side of the Bering Strait carry on active border trade and visit each other. Nowadays the University of Alaska has more Russian students than any other university in the United States.

B. The name of the largest American state comes from the Aleut language for ‘great land’. Native American people - Inuits, Yupik Inuits and Aleuts - have lived in Alaska for thousands of years. Life in Alaska has always been difficult, but they learned to adapt to the harsh climate. They lived by hunting seals, whales and bears and by fishing. They used sledge pulled by dogs to travel over the snow-covered land, and lived in igloos - houses made of snow.

C. The territory of Alaska was purchased from the Russians for $7.2 million (very cheaply). Alaska was considered to be a frozen wasteland and nobody could imagine that it would turn out to be one of the United States' richest resources for gold and oil. For many years the Americans called the buying of Alaska ‘Seward's Folly’, after Secretary of State William H. Seward, who arranged the purchase in 1867.

D. Most tourists expect to find the Alaskans still living in igloos and leading an isolated life on the snowy plain. To their surprise, the Alaskans’ daily life does not differ much from life in the central parts of the country. Most Alaskans live in modern homes, drive cars, watch TV, and shop in modern stores. Alaska’s communities have restaurants, theatres, museums, and modern health care facilities. The real life in Alaska is much less exotic than it is described in books and films.

E. The discovery of gold in 1896 started a huge Gold Rush that brought thousands of people to Alaska. All the adventurers wanted to make a fortune, but many died of cold and hunger on their way to the gold-field. And very few of those who survived managed to find the gold. The famous writer Jack London tried his chance in Alaska too, and many of his books were influenced by his personal experience.

F. The small Alaskan town of Gustavus is an interesting community. The town's 400 citizens are a mix of professional people - doctors, lawyers, former government workers and artists. For various reasons they decided to drop out of the stressful city life and live on their own in the middle of the woods. Electricity only arrived in the early 1980s and in some homes they still get water from a pump and make a fire to heat water to wash in.

G. Iditarod, one of Alaska’s most famous events, takes place in early March. It is the 1, 100-mile sled dog race from Anchorage, the capital of Alaska, to Nome, a city on the coast of the Bering Sea. The race is very popular and the winners and their teams of dogs become local celebrities. Downhill and cross-country skiing as well as skijoring (when skiers are pulled by one or two dogs) are very popular in Alaska too.

 

1. Useful in many ways

2. An unusual material

3. A real enthusiast

4. Ambitious sales plans

5. А road test

6. A cycling competition

7. Excellent qualities

8. The right kind of bamboo

A. Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. Some people think bamboo is a tree, but it is not – bamboo is grass, though some species can grow over 30 meters! People use bamboo for different purposes: to build and decorate houses, to produce textiles and paper, to make food and drinks. Recently, a new practical application for bamboo has been suggested: in the bicycle industry.

B. More and more Londoners prefer to use bicycles to get to their offices in the city centre. The latest model of this popular form of transport was presented at the motor show in Birmingham. It was made from bamboo. The designers, from Oxford Brooks University, say they have invented a bamboo bike not only for ecological reasons. According to them, bamboo is as safe as metal.

C. The new bikes will be produced in Yorkshire. At the beginning the price of a bike might be rather high – about 1700 pounds. Nevertheless, the designers expect that the model will be successful on the market. Its growing popularity will finally bring down the price. By the year 2014, the company was planning to produce five hundred thousand bamboo bikes for the British.

D. One of the inventors of the new technology, James Bruton, teaches at the University. During one of his seminars, students were testing different materials and chose bamboo. They discovered that its characteristics were ideal for long journeys because it stopped vibration. The whole journey becomes more pleasant than on a metal bike and the cyclist will be less tired.

E. Not everyone, however, believed in the safety of bamboo. Skeptics doubted if it could stand long distances. They argued that a metal frame helped the wheels turn faster. As a result, engineers decided to test the bamboo in a real situation. They rode twenty kilometers in the hills. The experiment was successful in spite of the difficult conditions.

F. During the project, designers had to solve another problem: what sort of bamboo to use, as not all of them were suitable for making a bike. Finally, from more than a thousand varieties, the scientists chose only one. Another important detail is that the bamboo should be cut at a definite stage of growth.

G. The director of the Raw Bikes Company, Rachel Hammond, says she would support the idea of a bamboo farm. She has been interested in bamboo bikes for a long time. Once she rode the bike, she felt comfortable and happy. Now Rachel has an idea to make bamboo bikes for import. Although production takes several days, she is sure the model is attractive and will have a long life.

 

 

 

1. Different houses - different responsibilities

2. Historic names

3. Don’t cross the line

4. Parliamentary holidays

5. No entry

6. Criminal roots of the special day

7. Royal security tradition

8. A show worth seeing

 

A. The Houses of Parliament are actually divided into two parts. The House of Commons is where the elected Members of Parliament meet to debate issues and agree on changes to the law. The House of Lords is the second debating chamber. Its members are mostly people who have been awarded a title in recognition of their work for the country. Their role is to examine proposals raised by the Commons.

B. Many people think that Big Ben is the Clock Tower on the side of the Houses of Parliament. This is wrong! Big Ben is actually the nickname of the big bell inside the Tower. It was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, First Commissioner for Works, whose name is written on the bell. Recently the official name of the Clock Tower was changed to the Elizabeth Tower. The Tower was renamed in June 2012 in honour of the Queen's Jubilee.

C. Each year, the Queen opens a new parliament session in a ceremony known as the State Opening of Parliament. The ceremony takes place in the House of Lords, where members of the House of Commons are invited too. According to the rules, neither kings nor queens can enter the House of Commons. This rule has been strictly observed since 1642 when King Charles I tried to arrest five of the House of Commons members.

D. In England, Guy Fawkes’ Night is celebrated with fireworks and huge bonfires. It reminds us about the date of November 5th, 1605, when a group of conspirators tried to blow up the king during the State Opening of Parliament. They were out of luck and one of the conspirators, Guy Fawkes, was caught with barrels of gunpowder. Strangely enough, the tragic incident started the long-lasting fireworks tradition.

E. Both UK residents and tourists can enter the Houses of Parliament for free and watch Members of Parliament debating. The best time to watch a debate in the House of Commons is on a Wednesday lunchtime. This is when the Prime Minister meets with the Members of Parliament. The atmosphere is usually nervous, especially when the Leader of the Opposition starts asking his six tricky questions. And this is what the tourists enjoy most.

F. The State Opening of Parliament is the most important ceremony of the year. The Queen comes to Parliament to open the new session. Before her arrival, a special ritual is held - the Queen's Body Guard searches the basement beneath the Houses of Parliament with an old candle-lantern. This has been done every year since 1605 when a group of conspirators wanted to blow up the King.

G. In the House of Commons there are two opposite rows of benches: for the government and for the opposition. In front of the benches, there is a stripe on the carpet. When a member speaking in the House puts his foot beyond that stripe, there is a shout “Order! ” This dates from the time when the members had swords and the discussions often grew into fights.

 

 

1. Local customs and traditions

2. All sorts of landscapes

3. A cold but nice place

4. Advice for tourists

5. Iceland’s climate

6. Ice and fire

7. A natural central heating system

8. Good for work and entertainment

 

A. Iceland is a small country to the north-west of Europe close to the Arctic. It has a unique landscape with small lakes and fast rivers, volcanoes, snow and ice peaks. These striking panoramas exist in gorgeous harmony. The fact that the relief of the country is still developing makes Iceland a country of extraordinary nature and breathtaking views.

B. In spite of its hard northern climate, the island is very attractive to tourists. Many people who have visited the country once want to go there again and again. The country turns skeptics into poets and optimists. It’s not only because of the views but also because of the local people. Icelanders are friendly and hospitable and welcome guests. It really compensates for the cold harsh climate!

C. An adventurous traveller would never mistake Iceland’s scenery for any other because of the boiling water fountains and the steam coming from the earth. Smoking volcanoes attract the bravest tourists. Iceland is the only place in the world where you can hike up a volcano and even go inside. There are guided walks to the glaciers, large masses of slowly moving ice, too.

D. Icelandic weather is unpredictable throughout the year. Bright sunshine can easily change to cold and miserable weather within a few hours. In the summer, rain is typical in Iceland. From September to May, when the temperature falls, it often snows, especially on the south and west coasts.

E. Horses are widely used in Iceland for farming and for tourists. From the Viking Age they have become a part of Iceland’s culture. They look like My Little Pony toys but they are exceptionally strong, so they can do heavy work and survive cold winters. The horses are good-natured, which is perfect for new riders. Guesthouses and travel companies across the country offer horse rides and tours.

F. If you decide to visit Iceland, you’ll never regret your decision. The only thing that can spoil your trip is the weather. That’s why it’s very important to get a reliable weather forecast whatever season it is. If you wear appropriate clothes and have some smart heating devices, neither rain nor snow can ruin your trip.

G. Hengill, a place near Reykjavik, is a famous landmark of the country. It is a field of more than 7 thousand hot springs. The water from the springs is used to warm the houses and to fill the open pools in the capital of Iceland. The water comes from below the earth where the temperature is about seven thousand degrees.

 

1. King of the wild

2. Different from the others

3. Early years

4. Hunting habits

5. A big family

6. Team work

7. The lion’s responsibilities

8. Their essential diet

 

A. Lions have caught people’s imagination for centuries. They are stars in documentary movies and books; their images can be found on emblems, coats of arms and shields. Lions live in the jungle, open woodlands or thick grasslands where they hunt. In their environment, lions are at the top of the food chain - adult lions have no natural enemies. If we call a person ‘a lion’, it means he is strong, aggressive and important.

B. Lions do not look the same as other members of the large group of cats: tigers, leopards, and jaguars. Adult male lions are much larger and have thick brown hair around their neck, which is called a mane. No other cats have manes. The mane makes the lion look more impressive and protects the animal in fights with other lions for territory.

C. Lions live in large social groups called ‘prides’. A pride can have up to thirty female lions and their children. Inside the pride there are mothers, sisters, and cousins. The pride has a close relationship and never accepts a stranger. They mark their territory by scent. There are very strict rules in the pride and everyone has to observe them.

D. Lions and lionesses have different roles in the pride. Females do most of the hunting. Together, lionesses guard and look after their cubs. The little ones feel safer and more confident with so many ‘nannies’ around. It also reduces the chance that they are left hungry. The females usually exchange their hunting and home duties during the day.

E. Male lions spend most of their day sleeping or relaxing. While it may look like the lionesses do all the work in the pride, lions play an important role too. Though they bring less food and hunt less, they mark their territory and protect it from strangers. A lion from outside the pride is very dangerous for cubs. If he gets into the pride, he may kill all the little ones there.

F. When new lions are born, they are not shown to the rest of the pride for a month, until the cubs become strong enough. Later they start playing together and have a lot of playmates. If needed, any lioness becomes their nurse and teacher. Small lions have to learn hunting and survival skills. When they are two years old, male lions leave the pride to live on their own. The females may stay with their mothers for the rest of their lives.

G. In the wild, lions eat mainly meat. That’s why they greatly depend on hunting. Their favourite dishes are zebras, deer, and even young elephants and rhinos. When hungry, they eat mice, birds and reptiles. Very rarely they may eat fruit and vegetables, but it is never their first choice. In zoos and national parks, where the lions cannot hunt, they are offered special meals made of beef and chicken.

 

1. Like the others do

2. Unclear origin

3. Eco-friendly people

4. Keeping traditions

5. A warm welcome

6. Dishonest business

7. A long-lasting name mistake

8. A deadly misfortune

 

A. The Native Americans were the first inhabitants of the Americas. They were the first environmentalists. To them, every part of the natural world, whether it was an animal, vegetable or mineral, had a spirit. American Indians viewed nature as a gift from the Gods, which should be treated with great respect at all times. They gratefully took food and clothes from nature, but they never exceeded the limits.

B. The Native Americans inhabited different regions of the country and there is no reliable evidence of where they come from. The Native Americans claim that they have lived there since the beginning of time. There is also an opinion that they migrated there in prehistoric times via the Bering Strait Land Bridge. Some researchers believe that they came from Siberia or Asia. All these are still only hypotheses.

C. When Christopher Columbus landed, he thought he had reached India and called all the native people Indians. The name, though it was wrong, stuck to the local people and has been used to the present day. In fact, there were lots of different independent tribes with their own distinct cultures and languages. But they all became known to common public as Indians.

D. The Pilgrims, who sought religious freedom and crossed the Atlantic in the Mayflower in 1620, were treated kindly by the Indian tribe in Massachusetts. The native inhabitants generously shared their knowledge with the newcomers. They showed the Pilgrims how to plant corn, beans, and pumpkins, and where to hunt and fish. In fact, the Indians were excellent fishermen and even invented a special canoe. A widely celebrated holiday of Thanksgiving still reminds us of this gesture of goodwill.

E. However, this harmonious relationship was short-lived. Native Americans had lived in isolation for centuries and they had no protection against such European diseases as smallpox, typhus and measles. Unfortunately, the newcomers introduced these diseases to them. For those in regular contact with European settlers, the effects were destructive: it is estimated that in some tribes up to 90% of Native Americans died during the first century of contact with the Europeans.

F. Then things moved from bad to worse. European settlers drove the Indians away from their lands as settlers moved westward. Treaties were often signed after Indian leaders were given alcohol. Whether through war or lies, the Native Americans' lands were systematically taken. Indians were forced to move to separate areas, known as Indian Reservations. Most of the lands were unsuitable for cultivation and didn't have any valuable resources.

G. Many visitors to the USA ask about how they can visit an Indian Reservation. They could hardly do it! Nowadays very few natives live in reservations or in the traditional dwellings of their ancestors. Most Indian families live in homes that are not very different from any other houses in the USA, and their lifestyle does not differ much from contemporary American lifestyle.

1. Beware of thieves

2. The best way to get there and get around

3. A beautiful but dangerous land

4. Weather watching

5. National sports

6. The first inhabitants

7. Attractions for fantasy book fans

8. Once safe, now endangered

 

A. New Zealand is an island country. Cruises to New Zealand are a perfect way to explore over 15, 000 km of coastline and to enjoy the spectacular landscapes this diverse country has to offer. Cruising to New Zealand is a well-established tradition. Until the 1960s, it was the only way to arrive in the country.

B. The climate is pleasant in all seasons, though it's rather windy. Wellington, the country's capital, is known as the Windy City. The strongest winds blow from the south. The wind speed and direction can be seen from the flag flown from the Parliament. A large flag is flown only on calm days and a small flag is flown when windy days are expected.

C. More than a century before Columbus crossed the Atlantic to discover America, the Maoris sailed over thousands of kilometers of ocean to settle in New Zealand. They made their great journey in double canoes. Today, Maoris make up 14% of the country's population and their history, language and traditions are central to New Zealand’s identity.

D. Before humans settled in New Zealand, it had an incredible variety of birds. As they had no natural enemies to fly away from, wings became unnecessary for some birds. When Maori and, later, Europeans came to New Zealand, they started to hunt birds. They also brought predators, including rats. The new enemies and loss of territory led to the reduction in the birds’ populations and to the complete extinction of some species.

E. Ever since the first 'Lord of the Rings' film was released in 2001, New Zealand has been known as the 'Home of Middle-earth'. New Zealand’s dramatic scenery plays the mythical world of Middle-earth on the big screen in both 'The Lord of the Rings' and ‘The Hobbit’ trilogies. More than 250 places throughout the country were used as locations for the films, which made New Zealand the greatest destination for Tolkien enthusiasts.

F. Auckland is the largest city, and is sometimes called the ‘crime capital’ of the country. Violent crime is not common in New Zealand, but minor crimes are committed there quite often. A major problem is theft, primarily from cars -travellers should avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, no matter where they are parked. Actually, according to criminal statistics, tourist parking areas and car parks are the worst places.

G. Auckland’s diverse landscapes provide countless opportunities to be impressed: rainforests and black sand beaches, picturesque country gardens and calm bays. However, this region is spotted with 48 volcanic cones. Rangitoto Island, just a 25-minute ferry ride from Auckland, is the region's most iconic volcano and a favourite day trip destination for visitors. But who knows when the trip might be interrupted?

 

 1. А small but important country

2. Sights for the brave

3. Mind your driving

4. You’ll never get bored

5. Difficult to predict

6. Traditional industries

7. Keeping the balance in nature

8. Helpful assistants

 

A. The history of Scotland is rich and varied, but most people would also describe it as violent and bloody. Scotland's history appears to be just an endless list of battles between the Scottish clans and their close neighbours, the English. But if you look carefully at the history of Scotland, you will be surprised by the great influence that this small nation has had upon the development of Western civilization.

B. Of all the scary places in Scotland, the castles provide us with the most terrifying stories. You need courage to visit them. The castles are known for numerous murders and cases of violent death. Edinburgh castle is at the top of the list. According to the legend, there is the ghost of a headless drummer and the ghost of a piper, whose music can be heard even above the noise of Edinburgh's traffic.

C. To decide on what to wear for a walk can be a challenge in Scotland! This tiny country is surrounded by so much water that Scottish weather can change at any moment. In fact, sometimes you feel as though you've experienced three (or even all four) seasons in just one day! This may explain why Scots are fascinated by the weather, and follow daily weather reports very closely.

D. Scotland has 30, 000 miles of roads. Travelling around Scotland by car can be challenging for foreign visitors. When travelling by car, tourists should be very careful. When they see something they wish to look at, they mustn't slow down as they could be hit by the car behind. Tourists should also remember that Scottish motorways have a speed limit of 70 miles per hour.

E. There are many breeds of Scottish dogs. One of the most famous is the Collie or Scotch collie that comes from the Scottish highlands. It has been bred for many years to help shepherds. Some people say the name Collie comes from the Gaelic word for useful. The Collie is a dog that can do many jobs. The Collie can guard property as well as search for a missing chicken or drive sheep. The dogs can be taught how to open doors and gates.

F. Scotland is a country where tourism offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy nature at its best. As you explore the Scottish countryside, be sure to look out for Daubenton's bats. These tiny creatures with funny short ears weigh from 7 to 11 grams, but they are vital for the ecosystem as they keep insect populations in check, eating lots of small insects every day.

G. For active and curious people there is a lot to do in the Scottish Highlands! You can explore castles and visit museums. The famous Loch Ness is situated here and you'll find ancient castles, which can be visited. If you like something more adventurous, you might try horse riding, mountain biking, kayaking and sailing. There is no end of things to do in the Highlands, so you can be sure you'll enjoy yourself there.

 

1. Seasons and weather

2. The most convenient transport

3. Local food

4. Multicultural community

5. World business centre

6. Links with Russian culture

7. Diverse architecture

8. A paradise for shopaholics

 

A. For tourists coming to China, visiting Shanghai is a must. Shanghai is the largest city not only in China but in the world, too. About twenty-three million people live there! The city has always attracted people looking for a new life and business opportunities. Lots of Americans, Japanese, Koreans, French, Russians, and Germans live there permanently. Like most multinational cities, Shanghai accepts all cultures to produce a new type of a global culture.

B. To keep up with the city’s rhythm, tourists may use the metro system, which is cheap and very efficient. The Shanghai metro is fast and modern. It covers the whole city and is known as the biggest metro in the world. Stations and trains are perfectly clean and well-equipped. Monitors show arrival and departure time and business adverts, and give information about Shanghai sights and events in many languages.

C. If you love shopping, you will be glad to get lost in Shanghai for a couple of days, especially in Nanjing Road. This street houses a great number of prestigious shops, restaurants, and night clubs. There is no traffic here, which is very convenient for people. The shop assistants are very helpful and tourists are very welcome. In the evening the street looks absolutely magical with colourful lights.

D. Another iconic landmark of the city is the embankment of the River Huangpu, the Bund. It is famous for its classical European buildings. There are more than fifty large buildings on the Bund. They are built in different styles such as Gothic, Romanesque or Baroque and others. In spite of this great variety, the buildings stand together in perfect harmony. The constructions in this part of the city remind people of those in New York, Chicago, London, Moscow and ten thousand other cities.

E. Among the many monuments in Shanghai, the monument to Alexander Pushkin is special. First built in 1937, the monument was ruined and restored twice throughout its history. Now it stands at a road intersection. Specialists from both China and Russia took part in its construction. It is devoted to the greatest poet of all time and also highlights the friendly relationship between the two countries.

F. The Shanghai climate is generally mild and humid, with four distinct seasons - a pleasant, warm spring, a hot, rainy summer, a comfortable, cool autumn and an overcast, cold winter. The location makes the city really wet - it rains for about one third of the year. From late August to mid-September, typhoons may happen. The hottest time comes in July and August, the coldest - from late January to early February. The spring is recommended as the best time to visit Shanghai.

G. Naturally, if you visit the city, you have a chance to try authentic Shanghai cuisine, which is very diverse. It offers dishes made of fresh meat, chicken, vegetables and various, seafood such as fish, shrimps and crabs. The dishes may taste hot and spicy, sweet and bitter. It really differs from European cuisine, but Europeans usually enjoy it very much, as well as the atmosphere of the authentic national restaurants.

1. The birthplace of the city

2. Multifunctional construction

3. The first traffic jams

4. A perfect location 

5. Safety gates

6. Defeating pollution

7. Navigation season

8. The royal birds

 

A. Almost 2, 000 years ago, the army of Ancient Rome landed on the coast of Britain and headed north. Soon they came to a wide, deep river. The army could neither walk across it nor find an alternative route. The only solution was building a bridge. The Romans found a place where the river was relatively narrow and built a bridge. Then they founded a settlement, which they called Londinium. Today it is known as London.

B. The Romans soon discovered that Londinium was an ideal site for a port. Their bridge prevented large ships from going up the river, so all trading ships had to stop and unload at Londinium. It made Londinium an important trading centre and stimulated the growth and development of the city.

C. The first London bridge over the Thames was built of wood – and then rebuilt time and time again. Later, a stone bridge was constructed. By the 1350s there were nearly 200 houses and shops on top of the bridge, and the road across it was very narrow. It was very difficult for carriages, horses and people to move across the bridge. They often couldn’t pass one another and had to spend hours on the bridge.

D. When the Thames flooded, it covered London with water. After a bad flood in 1953, people began to look for a way to control the river. In 1982 the Thames Barrier was opened. When its gates are raised, they form a steel wall more than half a kilometre long across the Thames. It prevents flood water from reaching London. More than 90 times, the Thames Barrier has saved the capital from flooding.

E. Nowadays, Tower Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world. The walkway between the two bridge towers provides a perfect sightseeing platform to enjoy a magnificent view over London. Inside the towers there is an exhibition, which tells the history of the bridge via photos, films, and other media. Tower Bridge also performs its original function of providing a road across the River Thames.

F. In Britain, swans have privileged status. Since the 1100s, all unmarked swans on any public lakes or rivers in the country have belonged to the Crown. The swans on the River Thames are called Mute Swans. They have a bright orange beak with a black spot on the top. Every July, a special ceremony called “Swan Upping” takes place on the Thames at Windsor. All the swans are caught and their markings are checked and recorded.

G. Nowadays, the River Thames is the cleanest river in the world that flows through a big city. This is a great achievement because only fifty years ago the river was so dirty and poisoned that it was declared biologically dead. Special plants to clean the water were built in the 1950s. Soon, special laws were issued to stop factories letting their dirty water go into the river. Strict government measures have saved the river.

 

1. Extreme tourism

2. A way to get to know the world

3. Different types of tourism

4. For all ages and interests

5. The negative impact of tourism

6. The most popular destinations

7. Travelling tips

8. Nature-friendly tourism

A. Tourism has become a popular activity. Indeed, nowadays people travel more, and further, than they used to. The main reasons for tourism are: recreation, leisure and business. When travelling for recreation, people want to escape their stressful daily routine and to relax. Beach holidays are an example of leisure tourism. Business trips involve going to some distant place in order to settle business issues.

B. When people travel, they broaden their horizons. Whether on a business trip or on a honeymoon, people want to explore the place they are in. They go on excursions, try new activities like diving or mountain climbing, learn about the historical background of the place, and buy souvenirs to remind them of the local cultural peculiarities. Sometimes they find out amazing facts about people and places, and about themselves, too!

C. Trips can be spontaneous or well-planned, but before any planning is done, you need to decide where you want to go. Lots of people prefer places where they can enjoy the sea and the sun, that’s why tourism in countries like Turkey, Thailand, Bali, Cyprus is quite a profitable industry. People who like winter leisure activities go to ski resorts in France, Austria, Iceland, Serbia and so on.

D. A new branch of tourism is ecotourism. It involves visiting relatively untouched places in remote areas. Ecotourism is often misinterpreted as any form of tourism involving wildlife - but it’s completely different from jungle tourism or safari. Eco-tourists are against disturbing the environment; even taking photos is not recommended. Take only memories and leave only footprints is a very popular slogan for them.

E. By educational tourism, most people mean different versions of Learn and Travel Programmes for students. But it’s not only for the young and brave. Lots of training and educational programmes for adults are offered in different corners of the world. Retired people participate in these programmes too. They gladly enroll on overseas courses ranging from gardening and design to computer skills and programming.

F. With all the benefits of travelling, it’s still a very expensive activity and may not fit every budget. To reduce the costs, avoid travelling in high season when flight tickets, hotels, food and excursions are overpriced. Remember that, as well as the well-known, popular, and therefore most expensive, destinations, there are less prestigious but even more interesting places. When planning a trip, find out about low-cost airlines, discounts and special offers.

G. If possible, consider means of transport other than the plane. Rapidly increasing numbers of flights have put the environment in danger. Planes pollute the air, which results in global warming. In fact, tourism is not harmless fun as many may think: new airports and tourist infrastructure, pollution, and crowds of noisy tourists make wild animals migrate, which may decrease their population or even make them extinct.

 

 

1. Eco-friendly business

2. A good place for holidays

3. A silent hero of American literature

4. In search of luck and happiness

5. To those who went west

6. An unexpected environmental problem 

7. Great sights and dangerous creatures

8. Dangerous sport

A. Geographically, the Wild West refers to the states west of the Mississippi River. The American West is both a place and an idea. In people’s minds, it was a place that promised excitement because it was new and unknown. From the middle of the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century, lots of people pushed their way westward trying to find land, better lives, gold and silver, and, sometimes, to escape the law.

B. Due to books and films, the first thing that comes to mind about the American West is cowboys, rodeos and riding broncos. Bronco is the nickname for a wild horse. When a bronco jumps, it kicks its back legs trying to throw the rider off. Nowadays, there are popular rodeo competitions where cowboys try to remain on aggressive broncos as long as possible. To entertain the public they also lasso cows and bulls.

C. Yellowstone Park, the first American national park, is situated in the western states. The park has a great variety of natural features – waterfalls, plateaus, canyons, hot springs and geysers. It is also famous for its diverse wildlife and harsh beauty. Camping and backpacking are encouraged at Yellowstone, but visitors must be careful. A few careless or unlucky people have already been killed by angry bears.

D. In the 1970s and 1980s, people from all over the United States moved to Colorado to work in the mining industry. New citizens of the state capital, Denver, were attracted to the city by its location in the Rocky Mountains and its clean air. However, due to the rapid development of Denver, they got into serious trouble –growing air pollution. Car engines did not burn fuel efficiently at a high altitude and thick smog hung over the city.

E. In 1935, the federal government selected St. Louis, Missouri, as the site for a new national monument – The Gateway Arch. The memorial, also known as the Gateway to the West, was to honor the pioneers exploring the American West. Eero Saarinen, an architect, won the nationwide competition with his project for a giant steel arch. Since the Gateway Arch was opened in 1965, millions of people visit it every year.

F. The Mississippi River is often mentioned in Mark Twain’s books. In his novel, Life on the Mississippi, the famous writer describes the history of the river and his own experiences related to it. There is also a collection of tales that either take place on the river or are associated with it. Another of Mark Twain’s famous works, the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, tells us about a journey down the river.

G. Hawaii is the USA's 50th state. It’s a popular holiday destination for the citizens, as well as for foreign tourists. Along with Florida, it's one of a few states where it's usually sunny and hot all the year round. Hawaii is made up of 132 tropical islands, though people live only on seven of them. Tourism is Hawaii’s biggest industry. People are attracted to the islands because of their beautiful scenery and beaches. Surfers come to experience the high waves.

 

1. The key element

2. Ecologically friendly

3. Play and learn

4. A meaningful name

5. A good offer

6. Suitable even for small kids

7. A reason for complaint

8. Family business

 

A. The company that makes the famous little plastic bricks known as LEGO started as a small shop in the town of Billund in Denmark. It made and sold wooden toys, stepladders, and ironing boards. Soon the business became known as LEGO. It came from the Danish words ‘LEg GOdt’, meaning ‘play well’. Later, it was realized that the original meaning in Latin was ‘I put together’.

B. The LEGO Group was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen. The company has come a long way from a small carpenter’s workshop to a modern, global corporation, the world’s third-largest producer of toys. Lego has passed from father to son and is now owned by a grandchild of the founder. As a child, he often came up with the ideas for new models and Lego sets.

C. The company LEGO has been awarded ‘Toy of the Century’ twice. The company owes its success to the traditional Lego brick, which is their main product. The brick in its present form appeared in 1958 and since then has remained the main component of all Lego sets. This little piece of plastic offers unlimited building possibilities. It lets children experiment and try out their creative ideas.

D. Windsor LEGOLAND theme park has a wide choice of rides, attractions, shows, shops and cafes. It is a perfect place for a family day out. Those who buy two-day tickets can stay overnight in the LEGO themed hotel in the centre of the park. The hotel is not cheap but you get your second day in LEGOLAND absolutely free. So you can double your fun for the same price.

E. Last year Charlotte Benjamin wrote a letter to the Lego Company in which she complained that during a visit to the toy store she noticed that ‘there are lots of Lego boy people and barely any Lego girls.’ She felt sad that, in Lego, girl figures mostly sat at home, went shopping and had no job. At the same time boy figures went on adventures, worked, saved people, and ‘even swam with sharks’.

F. Lego Games are a great way of having fun together with family and friends. These sets excite imagination and improve creativity because the child needs to put a game together before he or she can play it. They also develop hand and eye coordination, teach children to follow directions with logic, find scientific and technological solutions. In a fun way these games promote basic ideas of Maths, Geometry and Engineering.

G. The LEGO Group releases thousands of sets with a variety of themes. In 1969 the company introduced Lego Duplo designed for children who are 1 to 5 years old. Duplo bricks are twice the length, height and width of traditional Lego bricks. It makes them easier to handle and less likely to be swallowed by younger children. Duplo sets now include farm, zoo, town, castle, and pirate sets.

 

 

1. Troll on the stage

2. Computer-based versions

3. Old stories in a new way

4. Enjoyable parodies of Hollywood hits

5. From screen to book

6. A new type of a character

7. An award-winning cartoon

8. Similar to a real person

 

A. Somewhere in a far-away magic kingdom there lived a beautiful princess and a prince and animals who could talk like humans. This is a typical plot for many fairy tales. In 1990, a short story for children about Shrek, a big green troll, appeared. Unlike previous heroes he looked ugly and scary but had a big, kind heart. In 2001, DreamWorks studio made the first animated Shrek cartoon that was followed by three full-length ones.

B. The story of the troll called Shrek became very popular, especially with children. All the characters of the cartoons are easy to remember and have a good sense of humour. The cartoons are full of episodes about friendship, good and evil, love, and family values. The cartoons present an amusing mixture of traditional fairy tales and real-life events familiar to everyone.

C. Few people know that Shrek’s appearance copies that of Maurice Tillet, called the ‘French Angel’. He was a famous professional French boxer and wrestler of the 20th century. Unfortunately, at the age of twenty he got a rare disease which changed his body and appearance. It made him look like a huge troll but, in contrast to the cartoon character, Maurice Tillet was highly intelligent – he spoke fourteen languages and was good at writing prose.

D. Several scenes in cartoons about Shrek are based on scenes from famous films. For example, the ‘Welcome to Duloc’ song sounds like the popular Disney tune ‘It’s a Small World’. During the fight between Fiona and Robin Hood’s men, the camera moves as in ‘The Matrix’. There are hints of the ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Mission Impossible’.

E. The famous story was also made into a Broadway show, ‘Shrek the Musical’. Technically, the musical is not the same as the movie but it has its advantages. Children and adults enjoy seeing celebrities in the roles of Shrek and Princess Fiona. The success of the musical was also based on a nice combination of new and old popular songs.

F. The stories about the green troll and his friends are for all ages. Teenagers and grown-ups may enjoy modern computer games about Shrek. Computer stories have attractive design and dynamic plots, so gamers and fans will not be bored. Though the images of Shrek and Fiona are a bit different from the film, they are quickly recognizable.

G. Reading is Shrek’s favourite hobby. He reads in nearly every film. In the final movie, he puts a volume on the shelf where the viewer may notice a cover with the name of the next DreamWorks film, ‘Puss in Boots’. In the end, Shrek himself has become a literary character. The first electronic novel based on the cartoons is available on the Internet.

 

 

1. Lost music

2. In search of a style

3. Famous songs

4. Conquering another continent

5. How it started

6. National triumph

7. A meaningful name

8. Their first manager

 

A. The ‘Fab Four’, the famous Liverpool musical group commonly known as ‘the Beatles’, got to the peak of its popularity in the 60s. But the real story began much earlier when Paul McCartney heard the skiffle country music played by John Lennon’s group at St.Paul’s church in Liverpool. McCartney was a brilliant guitarist, so they let him join the group a week later.

B. The group changed its name several times, from ‘Johnny and the Moondogs’ to ‘Long John and the Silver Beatles’ and finally ‘The Beatles’. The short title is in itself a smart mixture of two words. The ‘beat’ is a synonym for musical rhythm, while ‘the beetles’ describes insects producing sounds using their shiny wings.

C. Lennon, Harrison, McCartney, and Starr were the heart of ‘the Beatles’ while the other members constantly changed. Many guitarists and drummers joined but finally left the group. The style changed too. When ‘the Beatles’ left Britain to perform in Europe, they turned from folk to rock-n-roll to win over the public. They also played foreign music and composed their own songs.

D. Soon the group issued their first single ‘My Bonnie’, which became popular in Liverpool. Once a customer asked for it in a music shop but there were no copies left. When Epstein, the shop owner, finally got the disc he was surprised to hear a good quality song by the group that played in the club next to his shop. The same month he signed the first contract with ‘the Beatles’ as their musical agent.

E. 1963 is thought to be the beginning of the glorious history of the group and the ‘Beatlemania’ period. The young musicians managed to record their first album in less than ten hours and held the top of the hit parades in Britain for six months. They gave their first concert at the London ‘Palladium’, which was broadcast and watched by over fifteen million viewers.

F. Although in 1963 the group issued more than three hundred thousand copies of its second album at home, they only broke the American market a year later. During their first tour to the USA the group was welcomed by thousands of fans at Kennedy airport in New York. For half a year ‘the Beatles’ were touring the USA and were top of the charts.

G. During their USA tour ‘the Beatles’ visited Elvis Presley. They talked a lot and played music, and managed to record several priceless compositions. The reason why none of the songs have been issued is widely discussed today. No matter how hard musical agents tried to find the recordings, they failed. This is one of the secrets ‘the Beatles’ left unrevealed.

 

 

1. Educational policy

2. Disputed territory

3. Getting acquainted with the islands’ history

4. Living in harmony with nature

5. Pirate's treasure

6. The main city

7. Islands’ profile

8. Using environmentally friendly sources

 

A. About 250 miles off the coast of South America lie the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory. In terms of size, the Falkland Islands' land area measures up to be about the same as that of Northern Ireland. About 3, 000 people live on the islands; they mostly make a living from sheep farming and fishing. Like most isolated communities around the world, the people of the Falkland Islands are always pleased to welcome tourists.

B. Stanley is home to over three quarters of the population. Everything outside Stanley is known locally as ‘Camp’, and is home to numerous farms and settlements spread across the islands. Although one of the smallest capitals in the world, Stanley provides a variety of supermarkets, excellent restaurants and hotels, a swimming pool, gym and golf course.

C. Open whenever tour ships are in port, the Falkland Islands Museum contains artifacts from everyday life, natural history samples and a fine collection relating to the islands’ shipwrecks. Outside displays include the Reclus Hut, originally made in Stanley, then shipped to Antarctica and set up there in 1956. Forty years later the famous house was brought back.

D. The government provides equipment and supplies for learning throughout the Islands. There are only about 380 children of school age living there! For them, there is a primary and a secondary school in Stanley, and three small settlement schools on large farms. Other rural pupils are taught by ‘travelling’ teachers. Schooling is free and compulsory for children between five and sixteen years of age. The government pays for older students to attend colleges, usually in the UK.

E. The deep waters of the South Atlantic are rich in marine life, key to the survival of a variety of species breeding on the archipelago. The Falkland Islands are home to five different species of penguin. People may notice whales or dolphins in the harbour, sea lions lying on the rocks, or some of the 227 bird species that fill the skies. It’s a rare place on earth where people and wildlife seem to co-exist happily.

F. The Falkland Islands government is taking advantage of cheap, green energy – wind power. Since 1996, the government has been investing in the development of alternative sources of energy and can already enjoy the results. The Islands have experimented with other forms of energy, including hydro-electric and solar power. However, these forms cannot match the effectiveness of wind power yet.

G. The Falklands War was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom. It started with the Argentine invasion and occupation of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. The war lasted 74 days and ended with an Argentine defeat. It resulted in the deaths of 257 British and 649 Argentine soldiers and sailors, and the deaths of three civilian Falkland Islanders. However, Argentina still has not fully given up its claim to the territory of the islands.

 

1. It’s responsible for love

2. A sweet medicine

3. Literary fans

4. An alternative holiday

5. It’s not only for people

6. It’s important to see the right bird

7. The meaning of the name

8. A message sent by flowers

 

A. The most common present on St Valentine’s Day is a box of chocolates. The tradition goes back to the 1800s when doctors made patients eat chocolate to make them feel happier. This might also be the reason why in the 1860s Richard Cadbury produced his heart-shaped box of chocolates exclusively for Valentine’s Day.

B. St Valentine’s Day is a perfect occasion to express your deepest feelings to the person you love. On Valentine's Day lovers, friends, and family members exchange Valentine’s Day Gifts as symbols of love. However, statistics say that nearly 9 million people prefer celebrating Valentine’s Day with their pets and give them presents. The reason is that most pet owners consider animals to be more grateful and loyal than humans.

C. The red heart is the main Valentine symbol. Red is traditionally associated with the colour of blood. At one time, people thought that the heart, which pumps blood, was the part of the body that generates love. In fact, when the Egyptians mummified their dead for burial, they removed every organ but the heart because they believed the heart was the only part of the body necessary for the trip through eternity.

D. Each rose sent on Valentine’s Day has some meaning. For example, a red rose means love and respect, pink says, “I am having sweet thoughts about you” and a white rose states, “I am worthy of you”. Besides, it is believed that 1 rose stands for love at first sight, 11 flowers mean that the receiver is truly and deeply loved, 108 roses are recommended for marriage proposals and 999 roses mean “We’ll always be together.”

E. Some superstitions about seeing birds on Valentine’s Day are really funny. Once it was believed that if a woman saw a flying robin on Valentine’s Day, she would get married to a sailor. However, if she saw a sparrow, her future husband would be poor. Meanwhile, if she saw a goldfinch, then she would marry a millionaire. However, there is no answer who she would marry if she saw a pigeon, as history does not say anything about pigeons.

F. The two characters, Romeo and Juliet, from the play by William Shakespeare are remembered all over the world as the emblem of romance. The young lovers lived in the Italian city of Verona. On every Valentine’s Day this city still receives about 1, 000 letters addressed to Juliet. The fictional character is still alive for many people who believe in romantic and immortal love.

G. Started by a group of feminists, ‘Quirkyalone Day’ is celebrated on February 14 as an opposite to Valentine’s Day. The new holiday started in 2003 as a celebration of romance, freedom and individuality. It’s a day to celebrate the things you enjoy doing alone. Ways to celebrate include: buying yourself a new dress, taking a long walk without your mobile phone, exploring a new part of town, trying a new recipe etc.

1. A day for shopaholics

2. The major entertainment of the day

3. The menu of the first Thanksgiving dinner

4. Making the house ready for the holiday

5. Following a woman’s advice

6. Recipe for the main dish

7. Lucky birds

8. Different dates for one holiday

 

A. The people who started to celebrate Thanksgiving Day were the Pilgrims, the English Protestant settlers, and the tribe of the Wampanoag. It was in 1621. Their meals differed greatly from the modern one. They consisted of corn, shellfish and deer meat. At those times there were a lot of wild turkey, but nobody cooked them on that day. Deer meat was the most popular food of the holiday.

B. People of Canada celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October every year. It is celebrated to thank God for the past harvest and pray for the coming year. The United States, however, celebrates Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November every year. The reason behind the difference is geographical: autumn starts earlier in Canada than in America.

C. Thanksgiving is the right time to decorate homes. You can add some autumn-colored pillows to the sofa, light a candle and arrange some yellow or orange flowers in a vase. Special message boards have become very popular recently. As guests arrive for Thanksgiving, let them write what they are thankful for on a paper leaf and pin it up at the board. Paper leaves can be cut from scrapbooks and painted in autumn colours.

D. Watching football is definitely the most popular activity among Americans on Thanksgiving. The history of this tradition began in 1934. The reason was a great match between two football teams – the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears. That game turned out to be really successful. Since that time matches have been held every year (except the years of World War II) on Thanksgiving Day and have become very popular.

E. Once, President Truman chose a turkey on Thanksgiving Day and sent it back to the farm. That happened in 1947. Since that time it has become a tradition. Nowadays the President selects two turkeys and frees them, in front of a large crowd. Then the turkeys are sent to a farm house to let them live in peace.

F. Some people use the day after Thanksgiving Day to make trips to see family members or friends. Others use the day to go shopping. The Americans call the day after Thanksgiving ‘Black Friday’. It first got its name in 1960 in Philadelphia. At that time there were a lot of stores in the city. Many people visited the city for shopping, it was overcrowded and the local people considered it a bad black day. Nowadays ‘Black Friday’ means the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

G. In 1863 Sara Hale, an editor and writer, wrote a letter to President Lincoln and advised him to proclaim a national day of Thanksgiving. She selected the last Thursday in November because, as she said, the harvests were finished, the elections were over, and people were back from their summer vacations. She even suggested a list of dishes for the traditional holiday menu. President Lincoln liked her idea and declared a national holiday, Thanksgiving Day.

1. The English they speak

2. The tracks of the other world

3. Traces of ancient wildlife

4. A place between Europe and Britain

5. The island’s traditions

6. A safe place for disappearing animals

7. A multi-coloured place

8. It is not about the colour!

 

A. The Isle of Wight is considered to be the largest island of England. The island measures about 380 square km, of which about half is an area of outstanding natural beauty. This paradise is located in the English Channel which separates the continent and Great Britain. About 140, 000 people live on the island and, due to its beauty and convenient location, several million people visit it each year.

B. The accent of the Isle of Wight is similar to the traditional dialect of southern England. While speaking, the natives of the island drop some consonants and put an emphasis on longer vowels. The Isle of Wight has its own local and regional words. Some of their words (e.g. grockle – visitor, tourist and nipper – a younger male person) are used in the neighbouring areas of the mainland too.

C. There are many red squirrels which are the only squirrel native to the British Isles. However, there are few of them left on the mainland now. Red squirrels are being replaced by American grey squirrels. The grey squirrels carry the deadly para pox virus, which is fatal to the reds. The strait between the island and the mainland provides a barrier to grey squirrels. It is illegal to bring a grey squirrel onto the island, with a penalty of two-year's imprisonment.

D. The Isle of Wight is often said to be the most ghostly island in the world. There you can find everything – from ghost monks and grey ladies to ghost murderers and their victims on the island! There are ghost-ships out at sea, and even a ghost-train still running on long vanished rails. It’s no wonder that it attracts thousands of ghost hunters every year.

E. The Isle of Wight is not large, but it has lots of sights to see. One of the most well-known places is Alum Bay which is famous for the sand on its beach. The sand is of different colours – from red to purple, from brown to white. Tourists usually buy a glass paperweight with stripes of coloured sand, and take it back home as a souvenir. From Alum Bay you can also see The Needles, the legendary chalk rocks that rise up from the ocean floor.

F. The Isle of Wight has recently been declared the Dinosaur capital of the UK! The land which forms the island was once the perfect home for dinosaurs. More than 25 different species were found on the small island including the largest British dinosaur, the Sauropod. In 2009, five-year-old Daisy Morris discovered the remains of an undiscovered species on the beach, which has been named after her – the Vectidraco (Dragon of the Wight) Daisymorrisae!

G. The correct spelling of the island’s name is Wight not White. Wight is a Middle English word that was used to describe a creature or living being. There are many stories about how and why the island got its name, most of them seem reasonable. The experts, however, do not have a common opinion. The only thing that can be said with any degree of certainty is that it has nothing to do with the colour of the chalk cliff and the island should not be spelt the Isle of White!

1. Four-legged guards

2. He had several lives

3. A trip to the sky

4. A bilingual animal

5. In memory of a devoted friend

6. A long way home

7. The first pet with a name

8. Doing more than was expected

 

A. Barry worked as a rescue dog in the mountains of Switzerland. Barry saved at least 40 people who got lost in the Alps during heavy snow. Once Barry discovered a child and started barking loudly for the monks to find them (which he was trained to do). The monks couldn't climb the cliff and the dog carried the boy all the way down the mountain (which he was not trained to do).

B. The powerful ancient horse Bucephalus carried Alexander the Great into many victories. Bucephalus’ head looked like a bull’s head. That is where Bucephalus got his name; it means ‘ox’s head’ in ancient Greek. When Bucephalus died, Alexander founded an entire city in his honour and named it Bucephala. This city is in modern-day Pakistan.

C. Long ago and far away lived a pet cat. He was the pet cat of Pharaoh Thutmose III. This cat got the name of Nedjem. While it was an honour to be the friend of a Pharaoh, this cat had a greater honour yet. He is the world’s earliest pet cat on record with his own proper name. Before Nedjem, history records that cats were just called ‘cats’.

D. St Petersburg's State Hermitage Museum is one of the largest and most reputable museums in the world. Few visitors, however, know what lies beneath its magnificent halls. There, dozens of Hermitage cats protect the museum’s collection from mice and rats. The history of the cats dates back to the tsar, Peter the Great, who brought the first cat to the Winter Palace on his return from a trip to Holland. Later, the palace cats received official status.

E. In 1923, Bobbie, a two year-old Scotch Collie, travelled with his family from Oregon to Indiana, USA. Unfortunately, during the vacation, Bobbie got lost. Six months later, in February of 1924, Bobbie appeared on the doorstep of his home. He was extremely skinny, dirty, and weak. Bobbie had walked 4, 105 km across the United States to return home. His story quickly spread around the country and the dog was featured in newspaper articles, books, and films.

F. Pope Leo X received a white elephant, named Hanno, as a gift on his coronation from the King of Portugal. Hanno was well trained and extremely intelligent, able to understand and obey orders given to him in both Indian and Portuguese. Hanno quickly became the Pope’s favorite pet; and he was paraded during the most important ceremonies in Rome.

G. When the warship, Bismark, sank in 1941, Sam the cat was the only survivor picked up by the British battleship the HMS Cossack. However, the same year the HMS Cossack was damaged by a torpedo and sank. The cat again survived this shipwreck. He had earned his fame as Unsinkable Sam, and started to live on the HMS Ark Royal, which was also torpedoed. Luckily, the crew members were safe, and Sam was found, floating on a plank in an ‘angry but unharmed’ condition. After that, Sam stayed away from ships and died peacefully in 1955.

1. Green medicine

2. Meeting celebrities

3. Magic powers

4. Good for some, not for others

5. Dangerous for kids

6. Different varieties

7. Surviving at the expense of the others

8. The meaning of the name

 

A. Mistletoe[1] is the name of a round-shaped plant that is naturally found on old willow and apple trees. It attaches to the tree, spreads its roots under the tree bark and goes up its branches. This is how mistletoe gets water and all the ingredients that are necessary for its growth from the trees it lives on.

[1] Mistletoe – омела, вечнозелёное кустарниковое растение.

B. Mistletoe in Europe is a popular Christmas decoration. The tradition of hanging it in the house dates back to the ancient times. According to mythology, the plant brings good luck to the household and defends it from evil spirits. It also makes love and friendship stronger, which led to the custom of kissing under it.

C. All kinds of mistletoes have oval, evergreen narrow leaves. In south-western Europe they can be found with white or cream berries that grow in groups of two or six. Mistletoes growing in the north of Europe, however, are very much alike, but have coloured berries. Regardless of colour, each berry has only one seed.

D. Birds like mistletoe berries very much. They carry the seeds long distances which helps the plant find new trees to live on. Mistletoe can be toxic to people, but its berries and leaves provide high-protein nutrition for many animals. A lot of bird species eat mistletoe berries and use its stem as nesting material. The nectar of the plant is drunk by butterflies and bees.

E. For centuries, mistletoe has had a reputation as a nearly all-purpose herbal remedy. Mistletoe is used to treat nervous disorders, heart tonic, asthma, arthritis and other diseases. It is also used as a folk remedy for cancer. Scientists have proved that the extract of the mistletoe plant stimulates the immune system and kills cancer cells.

F. All parents want their sons and daughters always to be safe. However, during the Christmas holidays risks can creep up where parents least expect them. Be careful with holiday plants! Try to keep mistletoe out of reach of a child. If eaten, mistletoe can cause severe stomach pain and can even be fatal. It doesn’t take much – just three mistletoe berries can be toxic to a little child.

G. Lately most foreign stars and TV hosts have used mistletoe at charitable Christmas auctions. The opportunity to kiss a musician or a famous politician under the mistletoe costs as much as an expensive car. Nevertheless, the shows attract many people who are ready to pay big sums of money for charity.

 

 

 

1. Royal hobby

2. The nominal head of the country

3. Protector of nature

4. Gifts from the heart

5. Writing to the Queen

6. Royal social duties

7. Royal open-air receptions

8. Travelling all round the world

 

A. An important part of the work of the Queen and the Royal Family is to support and encourage public and voluntary service. One of the ways in which they do this is through association with charities. These include well-known charities such as the British Red Cross and new, smaller charities like Kids Company. About 3, 000 organizations list a member of the Royal Family as patron or president.

B. The Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has played an important role in many aspects of national life. For example, from 1961 to 1982, he was President of the World Wildlife Fund, which supports the conservation, research and restoration of the environment. During his work, Prince Philip visited the fund’s projects in over 40 countries on 5 continents.

C. Due to the great number of people who wish to contact the Royal Family, communication is only possible via letter. Members of the Royal Family cannot be contacted directly by email or telephone. To open the letter, people should address the Queen with the formal address 'Madam' and close the letter with the form 'I have the honour to be, Madam, Your Majesty's obedient servant'.

D. Members of the Royal Family carry out nearly 3, 000 official journeys in the United Kingdom and overseas every year. Over five decades the Queen has used every possible form of transportation – from elephant to barge. But most Royal journeys use more typical forms of transportation: traditional carriages for ceremonial occasions, the Royal Train and helicopter for visits in the UK, and plane for overseas visits.

E. Visiting other countries, the Queen often gets presents. It is a long-standing tradition. In 1972, for example, Her Majesty received a collection of shells from the Seychelles and in 1991 she was presented with a pair of cowboy boots during her visit to the United States of America. The Queen often receives ‘live’ animals – from giraffes to giant turtles and cheetahs.

F. The Royal Collection of stamps is said to be one of the greatest collections of Great Britain and the Commonwealth. From the early nineteenth century, British monarchs continued to preserve, develop and enjoy the Royal Collection. Today the Collection continues to grow. It includes lots of priceless exhibits. Unlike the Crown Jewels and the Royal residences, the Royal Collection of stamps is privately owned by the Queen.

G. With tea, cakes and a beautiful garden to stroll in, garden parties are among the most relaxed and informal Royal events when over 30, 000 people attend. Garden parties have been held at Buckingham Palace since the 1860s, when Queen Victoria introduced what were known as 'breakfasts'. Nowadays they are attended by people from different social groups.

 

 

1. Transport for Santa

2. A Christmas miracle made by insects

3. Remembering the dead

4. A Christmas exercise

5. A Christmas summer style

6. The first guest is important

7. Celebrating on another day

8. A female Santa

A. For people who live in the northern hemisphere, the thought of celebrating Christmas with great heat and bright sun seems strange and exotic. But in Australia, where the holidays fall on summer, it’s completely normal. Though most of the traditions of celebrating Christmas in Australia are the same as in European countries, there is still a little variation. On Christmas Day, most Australians have the holiday midday dinner outside. The dinner is often followed by some backyard cricket or a swim in the pool.

B. In Italy, children do not ask Santa Claus for presents. In their country an ugly, yet kind, old witch named Befana controls the present-giving duties instead of Santa. On the eve of the holiday parents leave out a plate of broccoli with some sausage and a glass of wine for Befana. Flying around the world on her broomstick and entering each house down the chimney, the witch delivers toys, clothing and candy to well-behaved children and puts coal — or dark candy — in bad kids’ socks.

C. An ancient Ukrainian legend tells us about the children from a poor family, who spent months dreaming up ways to decorate their Christmas tree for the holiday. But their parents could not afford any Christmas decoration. However, on Christmas morning, when the children woke up, they saw that spiders had spun webs of shiny silk around the tree’s branches. The morning sun turned each thread into silver and gold. Even nowadays the Ukrainians dress up their trees with spider webs to welcome good luck into the coming year.

D. Hogmanay celebrations take place over Christmas in Scotland. It is a cheerful holiday celebrating the birth of a new year. One of the most important traditions is called First-Footing. Once midnight strikes, all eyes await the arrival of the year’s first visitor. The person who crosses the home’s threshold first is said to bring good fortune for the year ahead. Top of the lucky list: a male, dark-haired visitor. Women or blonde men are believed to be unlucky.

E. Going to the cemetery is something that we do not normally include in our Christmas programme. However, for many Finns, this time is dedicated to visiting graves. People light candles beside the gravestones, and when enough of them get together, the effect is spectacular! The warm glow of millions of lighted candles creates a breath-taking scene. Christmas cemeteries look so nice that people come there to enjoy the scenery and peaceful environment.

F. In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on the 7th of January, not on the 25th of December like in most other countries. The different date of the holiday is because the Orthodox Church uses the old ‘Julian’ calendar for religious celebration days. According to tradition, on Christmas Eve some Russian people don’t eat anything until the first star has appeared in the sky.

G. Like in most countries which are predominantly Catholic, the locals of Venezuela, especially in their capital city, Caracas, attend the Misa de Aguinaldo. They go to church on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus. However, in Caracas, people, old and young, don’t just go to church, they usually roller skate to church. The streets of Caracas are closed to vehicles up to 8am on Christmas Day to make way for their citizens who travel by roller skates to and from church.

 

 

1. Wait for your turn!

2. Visiting British friends

3. Give way to others!

4. Respecting the older generation

5. A thousand apologies

6. Presents are always appreciated!

7. Being polite at the first meeting

8. Modern technology creates new rules

 

A. In most houses in Britain, the doors are usually kept closed. The common way to see people is at a pre-arranged time and day. Generally, people are not comfortable if you just drop in. Nevertheless, if someone says to drop in at anytime, feel free to do so as long as it is not in the middle of the night. When you go into someone’s house, do take your hat off (men only).

B. In Britain the handshake is a common form of greeting. When you meet people for the first time, it is normal to shake hands with men and women – there are no issues over gender in Britain. The usual formal greeting is ‘How do you do? ’ Remember it is a greeting not a question, and to respond you need to repeat ‘How do you do? ’ In Britain it is not usual to embrace or kiss the other person, unless they are family or a very close friend.

C. Whether at the supermarket, train station, or a concert, people across the UK often form neat and tidy lines, awaiting their turn at the front. British people take waiting in line (called ‘queuing’) incredibly seriously. The worst mistake one can make is queue-jumping – pushing ahead in the line. This will always be met with disapproval from those who wait patiently. The British think that waiting with good humour is a sign of strong moral character.

D. No guide to etiquette would be complete without mentioning the British love of apologising. If you accidentally bump into someone, say ‘sorry’. They probably will say it too, even if it was your fault! Foreigners are often surprised when they find two British standing in front of each other and offering their apologies for being in the other’s way – no matter who is at fault.

E. On all escalators but especially those in tube stations, you stand on the right side of the escalator and leave room for people to walk past you on the left. Commuters are far too impatient to wait for the escalator to make its way to the top or the bottom, and they need to be able to rush by you. If you are in their way, they will never forgive you.

F. During birthday and Christmas celebrations, it is common for the British to exchange gifts between family members and close friends. The gift does not need to be expensive, but it should demonstrate an attempt to find something really special. When invited to someone’s home, it is normal to take along a box of good chocolates or flowers. Note that gifts are opened when received!

G. As we tend to use our mobile phones everywhere, it is important to observe some unwritten etiquette about electronic devices. Avoid making and receiving calls when you are in a hospital or in the theatre. Using a mobile phone at the dinner table is considered impolite. Remember that speaking loudly when making a call, especially on public transport, is considered very improper too.

1. Nobody lives there

2. A place to watch sports and purchase goods

3. Enjoy buying something from the past

4. Let big boats go under

5. A message to future generations

6. Getting a nickname after reconstruction

7. The most expensive construction project

8. Real-life help from a fairy tale

 

A. Tower Bridge, which is over a hundred years old, has become a symbol of London. It is the only bridge on the Thames that can be raised and lowered to allow ships to pass. The Tower drawbridges have been raised more than half a million times since it was built. Nowadays it takes only 90 seconds for the heavy drawbridges to be raised with electric motors. It is considered that watching the Tower Bridge opening brings good luck.

B. Portobello Market is among the most famous London street markets. It has been a market since the 1800s but became famous for its antiques in the 1950s. On Saturdays the place is crowded with Londoners and tourists. There are numerous stalls offering vintage and designer clothes, books, music and loads of antiques. It is a place where everyone can find something really unique.

C. Waterloo Bridge is a foot traffic bridge crossing the River Thames in London. It was opened in 1817, on the second anniversary of the famous battle. A century later, in the early 1940s, the famous Bridge needed to be rebuilt. It was during World War II, and most men were away fighting. So the bridge was rebuilt mainly by women. The new Waterloo Bridge was opened in 1945 and got a second name, the ‘Ladies Bridge’.

D. Wembley Stadium is a football stadium located in Wembley Park, London. The stadium is the home not only to football. It also hosts concerts, rugby games and American football games. There is Wembley Market not far from the stadium. Unlike many London street markets this one is situated in an open space. A visit here is a good option for football fans to find club T-shirts, boots or accessories.

E. 23 and 24 Leinster Gardens in Paddington (just opposite Hyde Park) are fake houses built to hide the Tube line running underneath. The windows are painted on, there are no letter boxes, and behind the facade there is a railway. The first London underground trains were steam trains so they needed ventilation. Underground lines were planned with tunnels and open air sections so the trains could let out their steam and smoke, and that is what the house facades are hiding.

F. Great Ormond Street Hospital, which is situated at Russell Square, London, owns the copyright to Peter Pan, a story written by J.M. Barrie. The author had no children himself and gifted the rights to his famous literary pieces to the hospital in 1929. The hospital receives royalties from all films, cartoons and performances of Peter Pan. All the money is used to run the hospital.

G. Cleopatra's Needle, the obelisk on the Thames Embankment, was brought to London in 1819 from Alexandria, the royal city of Cleopatra. Underneath Cleopatra’s Needle there’s a time capsule from 1778 that’s said to contain copies of the Bible in several languages, a portrait of Queen Victoria, a set of British coins, cigars, a razor, a map of London, copies of 10 daily newspapers, and pictures of 12 best looking English women of the day.

1. Forbidden to bring in

2. Environmentally friendly

3. Linguistically diverse

4. What animal was it?

5. Only for the lucky ones

6. For all tastes

7. Having much in common

8. A wet and hot place

 

A. There are only three city-states in the world. One of them is Singapore, a small country in South East Asia. It can be named a modern equivalent to the Italian medieval Venice. Both cities are built on islands and became wealthy by trade. Like medieval Venice, Singapore is an independent city-state and is governed by a small group of powerful politicians and businessmen.

B. The Malay word for the country, ‘Singapura’, means Lion City. Modern Singapore is full of numerous lion statues. According to legend, the founder of Singapore named his kingdom Lion City because he saw a lion on the island and decided that it was a sign of good luck. However, zoologists doubt that he could see a lion because there is no evidence that lions have ever lived there. More likely, he saw a tiger or another kind of big cat, native to the area.

C. From an extremely humid but sunny morning to a gloomy and rainy afternoon, and then to a cloudy, starless night sky; Singapore is predictable in its unpredictable climate. A week of terrible heat follows a week of non-stop rainfall. In general, tourists think February is the best month to visit the country. The citizens of Singapore disagree. They think that any time is good – you just have to accept the hot and rainy weather.

D. Singapore has three main communities. The largest group is the Chinese, then come the Malays and the smallest group is the Indians. But there are four official languages in the country – Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English. Although English is the language of government, television and universities, the national anthem Majulah Singapura is actually sung in Malay.

E. Singapore is considered to be one of the healthiest places in the world. One of the reasons is the tasty and healthy national cuisine of the city-state. The citizens have a vast choice that includes Chinese shark fin soup, traditional Indian food, Indonesian fried noodles and English tea with a dessert. It is worth saying that regardless of the level of the restaurant and the price, the food is always fresh and of a high quality.

F. Unlike in most countries, citizens of Singapore cannot just buy a car. The island is densely populated and the government tries to regulate the number of cars on the road. To own a car, a citizen must enter his or her name in a lottery that is drawn twice a month. If the citizen wins the lottery, he or she is granted a Certificate which allows them to own a car for 10 years. Then it is necessary to pay a registration fee, which is 140% of the value of the car.

G. When you are in Singapore you can’t buy chewing gum anywhere. It is illegal to import or sell gum in the country. The sale of gum was prohibited in 1992 after gum was used to shut down the SMRT, the country's public transportation system. The gum was stuck on the sensor doors and the system was paralyzed. The punishment for importing gum into the country is a year in prison and a big fine.

 

 

1. Multilingual society

2. Useful from roots to leaves

3. The country’s weather extremes

4. Saving the endangered animals

5. Separating state power

6. The most essential thing for life

7. Secret plan

8. Colourful due to diversity

 

A. The Republic of South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of Africa and is washed by the Atlantic and the Indian oceans. It is sometimes called the ‘Rainbow Nation’, because there are so many different languages and various cultural traditions. The ‘Rainbow Nation’ includes 38 million black South Africans, 5 million whites, 3.5 million people of mixed race and 1.5 million people of Asian origin. The colours of the rainbow can now be seen in South Africa flag.

B. Unlike most other countries around the world, South Africa has not one but three capital cities. More precisely, the government branches are divided among three major South African cities: Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein. When creating the state, it was decided that if the government was in one place, that place could have more influence and political control.

C. In South Africa, there are 11 official languages. So, there are eleven official names for the country, one for each different language. It is interesting to know that most citizens know three or more languages. The majority of the population can speak and understand English which is the language of business, politics and the media in South Africa.

D. Today South Africa maintains its position as a major diamond producer. The largest diamond, Cullinan, was found in 1905. The Government decided to present the diamond to King Edward VII as a birthday present. However, it was a problem to find a safe way to deliver such an expensive diamond to London. It was decided to place a fake diamond on a steamboat to attract those who would be interested in stealing it. The actual diamond was sent to England in a plain box via parcel post, though registered!

E. It is a sad truth but the African rhinos are in danger. Though using rhino horns for medicine has been illegal since 1993, this hasn’t stopped people killing this rare animal simply for the horn. To prevent rhino extinction, their horns are covered with a special toxin that does not harm the animal. But it is designed in such a way that any product (powder, tea or cream) that is made from the poisoned horn will taste bitter or will cause burns. It will also show itself in airport scanners.

F. Baobabs, the largest trees in the world, grow in South Africa. They live up to 5 thousand years and reach a trunk diameter of 25 meters! Baobab is called ‘The Tree of Life’. It provides food, water, and shelter to people, animals, and birds. All the parts of the baobab are used for different purposes. For example, its fruit, called ‘monkey bread’, is edible, and full of vitamin C.

G. South Africa’s special water law was implemented in 1998. Through this law, around four million poor people in the country have been given easy access to clean water. Nowadays South Africa is among the 12 countries in the world that are able to supply its people with tap water that is fit to drink. The quality of its water actually ranks third best in the world.

1. Bilingual society

2. The creator of the famous building

3. The dominant colour of the island

4. The origin of the international word

5. The meaning of colours

6. Was it a real story?

7. In the heart of Dublin

8. Two things associated with the country

 

A. One of the informal names of Ireland is ‘the Emerald Isle’. This is because of its lush greenery and rolling hills. The country receives a lot of rain each year, which keeps the grass green and the plants blooming. Experts argue that the flora of Ireland demonstrates more than forty shades of green. The famous country singer Johnny Cash even wrote a song about it ‘40 Shades of Green’.

B. The most famous symbol of Ireland is undoubtedly the shamrock clover. However, the official emblem of the country is the Celtic harp. Ireland is the only country in the world to have a musical instrument as its national symbol. The harp has become Ireland’s national symbol not because it was created there but due to the collection of the oldest harps in the world which now can be seen in the museum at Trinity College in Dublin.

C. The national flag of the Republic of Ireland is a tricolour of green, white and orange vertical stripes. The flag was designed to reflect the country’s political situation. Created in 1848, the orange stripe represents Irish Protestants. Green is for Irish Catholics and white is for the hope that peace might eventually be reached between them.

D. According to the Constitution, Irish (Gaelic) is a national language of the Republic of Ireland. It used to be the primary language that was used on the island. Though at school children are still taught Irish, the language is losing its importance. Nowadays, most people speak English which is the second official language of the country. At the same time, many families who have lived in Ireland for generations understand and speak Irish.

E. The story about the world-famous vampire Count Dracula was written in 1897 by Bram Stoker, from Dublin. Count Dracula started the period of 20 years of vampire stories in Victorian literature. People believe that the author gathered inspiration from real life events of a Romanian ruler, called Vlad the Impaler. But Vlad the Impaler lived almost 400 years before Bram Stoker, so nobody actually knows whether it is true or not.

F. The White House, the official residence of the US President, was designed by an Irishman. James Hoban was born in Ireland and studied architecture in his homeland. In 1792, James Hoban won the competition for the construction of the President's house in America. He spent nine years supervising the building process. When in 1814 The White House was destroyed, James Hoban had to redesign the building.

G. The widely used word ‘boycott’ originated in Ireland. In 1880, a campaign of isolation against Charles Boycott, a land agent, was started. He threw out the farmers from his land when they complained that the rents were too high. After that, the local shops refused to serve him, his servants left and the boy who delivered his mail disappeared too. The surname of the land agent became a word which means silently ignoring. The word was adopted in English, French, Dutch, German, Russian etc.

1. An underwater accident

2. The great engineering achievement

3. Ways of travelling through the tunnel

4. An inaccurate name

5. The first project for an alternative route

6. Great work to complete the project

7. Meeting in the centre

8. Safety tips while travelling

 

A. The Channel Tunnel (or Chunnel) is a long tunnel between England and France under the English Channel. The Channel Tunnel is the longest undersea tunnel in the world. The section under the sea is 38km long and the entire length is 50.5km. At its lowest point it is 75 metres deep. The tunnel was recognised as one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Modern World’ by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

B. For centuries, crossing the English Channel via boat had been considered a miserable task. The windy weather and choppy water made travellers seasick. So, in 1802, French engineer Albert Favier proposed to dig a tunnel under the water of the channel. Favier’s plan was adopted by French leader Napolean Bonaparte. But the British rejected the plan. They feared that Napoleon wanted to build the tunnel in order to invade England.

C. At the end of the 20th century the idea was revived. The digging of the Channel Tunnel began simultaneously from the British and the French coasts. The most difficult task was making sure that both the British side of the tunnel and the French side actually met up in the middle. Special lasers and surveying equipment were used. On December 1, 1990, the meeting of the two sides was officially celebrated. For the first time in history, Great Britain and France were connected.

D. Although the meeting of the two sides of the service tunnel was a cause for great celebration, it certainly wasn't the end of the Channel Tunnel building project. Crossover tunnels, land tunnels from the coast to the terminals, electrical systems, fireproof doors, the ventilation system, and train tracks all had to be added. Also, large train terminals had to be built at Folkestone in Great Britain and Coquelles in France.

E. It took 13, 000 engineers and technicians to construct the tunnel. However, it is wrong to call it a tunnel, as there are actually three tunnels. There are two running tunnels, one each way. Additionally, there is a smaller service tunnel, with a crossover in the middle, in case there’s an emergency so the trains can actually change to either side. The tunnels themselves are about 50 meters below the seabed.

F. A fire erupted on November 18th, 1996 in the Channel Tunnel as the Eurostar train was racing through the southern tunnel. The corridor was filled with smoke and the majority of passengers were overwhelmed with fumes. Fortunately, they were all rescued after 20 minutes, but the fire continued to rage. It ended up damaging both the tunnel and the train before it was completely put out.

G. There are two options to travel through the tunnel. You can either go on a passenger train, the Eurostar, which departs from London, Paris and Brussels city centres. Or you can go on the drive-on service, called the Eurotunnel Shuttle, starting close to the tunnel entrance where you drive your car or truck onto special rail cars. The Eurostar takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to travel from London to Paris.

 

1. The very start

2. Protection or a new danger

3. Champions in texting

4. Back to real-life communication

5. Mobiles in the classroom

6. Needed in the next world

7. No benefits but glamour

8. Rescue Service function

 

A. The first call from a mobile phone was made in 1973. Motorola engineer Martin Cooper made the call from the pavement of Sixth Avenue in New York to show off to his competitor – engineer Joel Angel. He said, " I'm ringing you just to see if my call sounds good at your end." With the first mobile phones, only voice calls were available and there was no texting facility.

B. Recently the most expensive phone in the world was presented. It is the iPhone5 with a case made of 24 carat gold with 600 diamonds! The home button of the smartphone is made from a rare black diamond and the company logo is covered with small diamonds. The cost of this device is about $15 million. The technical characteristics of the iPhone 5 are no different from the regular models.

C. Mobile phones are permitted at school in the UK, but students are not allowed to use them in class. Teachers can take away phones if these rules are broken. School students can use their phones at breaktime and at lunchtime. However, some teachers in British schools complain that students don’t always follow the rules and that lessons are disrupted by people texting, receiving calls, looking at social networking sites, watching videos and even making videos in class.

D. The mobile phone is a way to warn people about disasters. Some countries have worked out the following system: phone companies automatically notify their population in advance about emergencies and disasters. Such warnings are very efficient and free of charge. Japan and Finland were among the first countries who understood the necessity of this system.

E. Parents want their kids to be safe. Are children safer with a mobile phone or without? Many parents want their children to have a phone so that they can be in contact at any time or in any place. On the other hand, for lots of parents a phone is a source of possible danger. Parents worry that their child may meet the wrong kind of ‘friends’ on social networking sites or that they might receive cruel messages from school bullies.

F. The idea of sending short text messages was originated in 1984. It was later brought to life by a group of engineers from different companies. Writing text messages became extremely popular in Asian countries, especially in Korea. Korean teenagers are certainly text message fans. They send over 200, 000 text messages a year, that's about 60.1 texts per day. This hobby must have made their fingers really fast.

G. It’s becoming common practice in Ireland to bury people with their mobile phones. In the past, families often put photos or favourite things of the dead in the coffin. Now mobile phones have replaced these old-world customs. Mobiles have become an essential object for their owners during their time in this world, so logically they may want to keep them forever.

 

 1. A great source of water

2. A famous Russian toy

3. A great source of knowledge and information

4. Getting higher than the sky

5. The fresh air producer

6. Famous for its size

7. Named after a famous scientist

8. Spoken all over the world

A. Russia, also officially known as the Russian Federation, is the largest country in the world. Its territory is 17, 075, 400 square kilometers. According to scientists, the country’s territory would almost cover the surface of the planet Pluto. It is the only country which is washed by 3 oceans and 12 seas. Russia is considered to be a European country, but two-thirds of the country are in Asia. However, most of the population lives in the European part of Russia.

B. Siberian Lake Baikal is the largest source of fresh water on the planet. All the 12 major rivers of the world (the Volga, the Don, the Yenisei, the Ob, the Ganges, the Amazon, etc.) would need to flow almost a year to fill a pool equal to the volume of Lake Baikal. Another impressive fact is that even if all the rest of the planet’s fresh water supply were to disappear, there would be enough fresh water left in Lake Baikal to supply the people of the earth for up to 50 years.

C. Russia is the country with the largest forest reserves in the world. 45% of its territory is covered in green forests. The forests are located in the European north of the country, in Siberia and in the Far East. Forests play an important role in the life and welfare of people. Russian forests are the biggest ‘lungs’ of the Earth. They produce oxygen and clean the atmosphere of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.

D. There are more than five thousand languages in the world. Russian is one of the five major world languages. 280 million people around the world speak Russian and it is one of the most widely spoken native languages in Europe. The United Nations uses Russian as one of the official languages of the organization. It is also used in international commerce, politics, academic and cultural life.

E. For its collection of books, the Russian State Library is considered to be the biggest in Europe and one of the largest in the world. The Russian State Library was founded in 1862, in Moscow. The library has over 275 km of shelves with more than 43 million items, including books, journals and magazines, art publications, music scores and sound records, maps and other things. There are items in 247 languages of the world.

F. Russia is known all over the world for its space programmes. In 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite in the world. Four years later, in 1961, human space flight was accomplished. Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was the first man to journey into space. He orbited the Earth and landed the same day. There are other impressive space achievements of the country like the first long space flight, the first woman cosmonaut in space, and the first spacewalk.

G. One of the most popular souvenirs tourists buy in Russia is the Matryoshka. It is a doll made of wood and painted with colourful ornaments. Although the Matryoshka is called a doll, it is actually a set of dolls of different sizes placed inside one another. A traditional Russian Matryoshka has big black eyes, red healthy cheeks and a friendly smile. She wears a national Russian costume, and often has some flowers or a basket of fruit in her hands.

 

1. A place to learn about the traditional craft

2. Strict rules to follow

3. The local crafts festival

4. The origin of the name

5. A special and recognizable design

6. Good for medical use

7. Geographical location

8. A wide choice to offer

A. Gzhel is a famous type of Russian ceramics. It comes from the region with the same name, which is situated about sixty kilometers away from Moscow. Gzhel is not one place, to be exact. There are about 27 villages in the area which are involved in Gzhel ceramic production. The place can be easily reached by railroad and it is often visited by tourists.

B. It is believed that the place where Gzhel ceramics is produced, was named after the river Gzhelka, a small river flowing through the area. However, linguists still argue about where the word comes from. Some of them say it has Baltic roots. Others claim that the name is connected with the technological process. The word gzhel is similar to an old Russian word which means burn. Indeed, the clay should be burnt to become hard before it is good enough for pottery.

C. The clay production in Gzhel started to develop in the 17th century when the Russian monarch ordered the delivery of different sorts of clay to Moscow. Gzhel clay was found to be the best for making pots and containers for pharmacies. The doctors and pharmacists valued it a lot. They preferred to keep most of the medicine and herbs in ceramic pots to keep them fresh and effective for a long time.

D. By the 19th century, the Gzhel industry had become a profitable business. About twenty-five factories were producing all sorts of cups and plates, decorations and toys. Shiny white horses, birds and dolls became really famous. Dinner sets were popular with rich people and even with monarchs. Official sets contained up to eighty items. However, the largest dinner set was designed for a hundred and fifty people.

E. Gzhel ceramics can be easily identified by its beautiful white and blue coloured decoration. White means pure snow and moonlight. Light and dark blue symbolize the calm sky and rivers. Though the images on ceramics are usually flowers, they are all unique. Every item is a handmade picture with a unique combination of lines. Blue and white Gzhel ceramics are well-known all over the world.

F. You may think that Gzhel painters create their works freely, using their imagination. Although the talent of an artist and creativity are certainly important, the painter needs to follow a very strict technological scheme. Each ornament represents an image or a story that is given a code. All the codes are listed in catalogues and kept in the factory library. Technologists use catalogues to modernize production and organize training for new painters.

G. The Gzhel museum is a special attraction. The finest items from the 15th century to the present are displayed there. The collection of the museum contains about two thousand pieces and presents a great variety of bowls, vases, tea sets, toys and statutes. The place is good for a family day out – apart from enjoying the displays and buying souvenirs, you can watch the production process or take classes in sculpture or painting.

 

 

1. The future of the Olympic City

2. Where the name comes from

3. Mentioned in myths

4. Suitable for summer and winter sports

5. The sports festival

6. A Russian resort

7. Getting ready for the great sports event

8. Famous for its collection of plants

A. Sochi is the second longest city in the world stretching for 145 kilometers along the shores of the Black Sea. The city is located at the same latitude as the world famous resorts of Cannes, San-Remo and Nice, and has the same weather conditions, that’s why it’s also called the Russian Riviera. Sochi is one of very few cities in Russia where you can see real palms, eucalyptus, magnolias and fruit, such as figs and grapes, which is not typical of the average cold Russian climate.

B. Sochi is a relatively new name for the city. It was first called Sochi in 1896. The first Russian settlement on the site was called Fort Alexander. Historians say that the word Sochi has two possible meanings. It could be a variation of the term sshatche which was used by the local people to mean place by the sea. It is also believed that Sochi comes from shacha which locals used to mean sell a head because it used to be where slave markets were held.

C. Sochi is situated between the sea and mountains which creates a very favourable climate. The sea warms the coast, and the mountains protect the city from the cold north winds. Sochi's summer is associated with the long swimming season. Winter temperatures are not often below 12 º C, and ice hockey, figure skating, curling and speed skating are usually arranged as indoor events. However, up in the mountains it is much colder and there’s lots of snow, especially in February and March.

D. For several years Sochi and its citizens carefully prepared for the Olympic Games. The competitions were organised in two clusters: a coastal cluster for ice events in Sochi, and a mountain cluster located in the Krasnaya Polyana Mountains. The mountain cluster hosted skiing and sliding sports. It took around 30 minutes to travel from the coastal to mountain cluster. Construction of the Olympic clusters took 7 years.

E. Ancient Rome and Athens aren’t the only places where Greek gods lived and performed their remarkable feats. It is known that Odysseus, a legendary Greek king of Ithaca, met his enemy, the one-eyed Cyclops, in Sochi. The city was also the site where Prometheus was chained and tortured. He was punished for granting fire to humans. Today a statue of Prometheus is placed on the top of Eagle’s Rock.

F. The Sochi botanic garden history goes back to the end of the 19th century. It is believed to be one of the most beautiful gardens in Russia. Over 1800 kinds of unique plants grow there. You can see the flora of various regions: China, Australia, South and North America, the Caucasus etc. The garden is located on a hillside and has two levels, from the top of which an impressive view can be seen.

G. The XXII Olympic Winter Games, a major international multi-sport event, were held in Sochi in 2014. It was the second Olympics in Russia after the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. The Olympics in Sochi were distinguished primarily by the fact that these were the first winter games carried out in a city with a sub-tropical climate. 2780 athletes from different countries took part in the 98 events of the Games.

 

 

1. Adding colours

2. A craftsman’s present

3. The main tree of the country

4. The legend of the Christmas tree

5. Technical progress

6. Popular Christmas dishes

7. An order to celebrate

8. Decorating from top to bottom

 

A. There are several stories which tell us why people decorate Christmas trees at home. One of them is about Martin Luther, the founder of the protestant faith. While he was walking through a forest on a Christmas Eve, he looked up and was impressed by the beauty of stars that were shining through the tree branches. He cut down a small tree and took it home. There, he decorated the tree with candles as a present for his family.

B. The tradition of decorating a Christmas tree comes from Germany. Until the 17th century, people followed strict rules when they decorated their Christmas tree. Firstly, a star was fixed on the top. Then people hung apples on lower branches of the tree. Finally, they placed biscuits, gingerbread and sweets underneath. The Christmas tree in the fairy tale Nutcracker was decorated in exactly this way.

C. Later, the order of decorations lost its importance. The first decorations were all hand-made and good to eat but rather dull. To make the tree look brighter people wrapped nuts and gingerbread in metal foil and also made painted wooden toys. To illuminate the tree small candles were stuck to the branches. To protect the tree from fire, the candles were placed inside glass stands.

D. The Christmas tree tradition came to Russia with Peter the Great in the 18th century. He enjoyed the celebration tradition in Germany and issued a law according to which all the families had to decorate their houses with pine tree branches. It was also announced that people should have fun on that day. Peter the Great also decided to move the New Year date from 1st September to 1st January.

E. The most popular Christmas decoration was invented by a German glass-blower who made a ball and decorated it with angel figures and snowflakes. He gave it as a gift to his daughter. The girl decided to put the ball on the Christmas tree. It was so beautiful that the glass-blower made many more decorated balls. It is believed that this man started the tradition of decorating the tree with coloured glass balls.

F. In the 18th century, people started decorating Christmas trees with candles. Later, with the discovery of electricity, electric lights were put on Christmas trees. It was Edward Johnson, an assistant of Thomas Edison, who first used electric lights for Christmas tree decoration. People liked his idea. However, it took several years before the electric lights became available to the general public.

G. Nowadays Christmas trees are found everywhere – in houses, on the streets and squares. Most of them are artificial trees. However, in the centre of Moscow, in the Kremlin, you can always see a natural Christmas tree. The tree is carefully chosen in the forest – it should be tall and beautiful. Professional designers decorate it to create an unforgettable fairytale tree for thousands of children and their parents.

 

 

1. A bright fountain

2. Who lives there

3. What would happen if …

4. Once upon a time it was green

5. A dry land

6. White on blue

7. The discovery of the continent

8. Environmentally friendly

A. Antarctica has no government and no country owns this continent. It is the only region on earth which is not ruled by any nation. There are no local people in Antarctica. However, in the summer season, more than four thousand scientists from different countries come to study the mysterious region while one thousand stay there in the winter season. The scientific bases are the only ‘settlements’ with residents who stay for several months or a year.

B. Antarctica is a huge desert, despite the fact that it holds 70 percent of the world's fresh water. Usually, no more than six centimeters of rain fall per year. Most of this falls in the eastern part of the continent. These figures are comparable to those of the Sahara desert. Some parts of Antarctica have had no rain or snow for the last 2 million years.

C. You will be surprised to know that Antarctica was found just 200 years ago. The ancient Greeks did not mark Antarctica on their maps. It was only in 1820, when travellers found this icy white continent by accident. The captain of the Imperial Russian Navy, Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen, was the first person who saw Antarctica from his ship. It was on 27th January 1820.

D. Antarctica contains about 90 percent of the world's ice. Antarctica has 8 times more ice than the Arctic. If all of the Antarctic ice melted, the sea level around the world would rise about 70 meters. But the average temperature in Antarctica is –37°C and the ice is in no danger of melting so far. In fact, in most parts of the continent it never gets above freezing.

E. Since Antarctica is not a country, it has neither a state emblem nor an official flag. However in 2002, a special flag was approved by the Antarctic Treaty Organization. The design of the flag was suggested by Graham Bartram who used the flag of the United Nations as its basic pattern. The white image of Antarctica on the blue background looks simple and elegant. Nowadays it is used as an informal flag of the continent.

F. Fifty million years ago Antarctica had a mild climate, evergreen forests and many more kinds of animals than it has today. Due to continental drift, Antarctica moved from the equator to the South Pole, where it is today. Nowadays, Antarctica is the coldest continent on the planet and almost completely covered with a layer of ice. However, its wildlife is quite diverse: from emperor penguins, southern elephant seals, humpback whales to small bugs in the coastal areas.

G. Antarctica is covered with thick snow. Everything around is white, but in the McMurdo Valley there is ‘a Bloody Waterfall’ or ‘Blood Fall’. This waterfall is actually glacier water which is red-colored like blood. Microbes, which can live there without light and oxygen, give it the red colour. They just eat the iron and sulfur in the water. When the water comes out from the surface of the ice, it looks like a small red waterfall.

 

1. Tasty, sweet and full of water

2. We have to do something

3. Vital for human life and health

4. Good for fun

5. They do a lot for our planet

6. Sometimes it means a problem

7. The advantages of bottled water

8. Water fact file

A. Water is essential for life on the Earth. All animals, plants and humans need water to survive. Water is made up of two elements, hydrogen and oxygen. Its chemical formula is H2O. It has three different states, liquid, solid and gas, depending on the temperature. The earth works as a closed system and it rarely loses or gains extra matter. The same water that existed on the planet millions of years ago is still here today.

B. It is believed that 70 percent of an adult’s body is made up of water. Even the bones contain 31 percent of water. A person can live without food for about a month, but less than a week without water. Lack of water can be responsible for heart attacks, depression and fatigue. While the daily recommended amount of water is eight cups per day, not all of this water must be consumed in liquid form. Nearly all food or drink provides some water to the body.

C. The oceans cover over three quarters of our planet and hold 97 percent of the planet’s water. The three largest oceans on the Earth are the Pacific Ocean (the largest one), the Atlantic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. The smallest is the Arctic Ocean. Due to the oceans, the Earth is a unique place and it looks wonderful from space. The oceans are also the lifeblood of the Earth. They produce more than half of the oxygen in the atmosphere, and absorb the carbon from it.

D. Water suitable for drinking is a major problem in poorer areas of the world. A lot of people do not have access to clean natural or bottled water and over 3 million people die every year from water related diseases. Pollution poisons the most important resource for our life. It's high time we took steps to cut down the negative effects of water pollution. Some strict protection measures should be taken to stop turning the Earth into a 'dirty blue planet'.

E. Water gives people the opportunity not only to live, but to work and relax too! People enjoy themselves at seaside resorts or on cruise trips. Water sports are a very popular recreational activity nowadays. These include swimming, surfing and waterskiing. Ice and snow are necessary for ice skating, ice hockey, skiing and snowboarding.

F. A watermelon contains about 6 percent of sugar and 92 percent of water. The high water content of watermelons makes them ideal as a refreshing summer food. They keep people healthy, their skin fresh, and they can clean the kidneys of toxins. There are more than 1200 kinds of watermelon that come in various weights, shapes, sizes and colours. Watermelons can be red, orange, yellow and even white.

G. Expressions about water are almost as common as water itself. But many of the expressions with the word water have unpleasant meanings. The old expression to be in hot water is one of them. Hot water was used five-hundred years ago to mean being in trouble. One story says it got that meaning from the custom of throwing extremely hot water down on enemies attacking a castle. This certainly does not happen any more but when we are in hot water, we are in trouble, serious or not so serious.

 

1. Fictional characters also love it

2. How to make ice cream colourful

3. Can be good for health

4. What it is made of

5. The origin of ice cream

6. Ice cream official events

7. The unique taste of the ice cream

8. Now available for everyone

A. Ice cream is an iced dessert generally made from dairy products. Most historians think that this dessert was brought to Europe from China. A dish similar to ice cream was made in China around 200 B.C. The earliest references to ice cream in Europe are connected with Nero, a Roman emperor. He ordered ice from the mountains and mixed it with milk and then added fruit toppings to it.

B. In the old days, before refrigerators became common kitchen equipment, ice cream was a dish only for the rich, and royalty. It was not an everyday food – it was eaten on special occasions and was very expensive. The development of refrigeration technology quickly made ice cream a commonly enjoyed dessert around the world. Today, people can easily make ice cream at home with the help of portable ice cream makers.

C. The most important ingredients in ice cream are milk, sugar and... air. Without air mixed in, ice cream would be as hard as a rock, not much different from flavored ice. The quality of an ice cream depends on the amount of air in it. Sugar and fats are important too. Sugar in ice cream lowers its melting point, and the fats are responsible for its creamy texture.

D. According to scientists, ice cream contains vitamins, calcium, proteins and other useful substances for the body. A huge amount of calcium makes this product extremely valuable. Due to the calcium, ice cream can strengthen bones, normalize blood pressure and support the immune system. The cold dessert can be a part of breakfast, lunch and dinner.

E. Russians are great consumers of ice cream. They love sweets in general and they can eat ice cream in any season no matter how cold it is. The flavour of Russian ice cream is special. It’s much creamier than the low-calorie stuff people are used to in Western countries. True, it contains more fat but it is tastier. The most popular kinds of ice cream in Russia are plombir and eskimo.

F. Americans consume more ice cream per person than any other nation on the planet, especially in summer time. July is a month when Americans have lots of ice cream festivals and different events dedicated to the sweet dessert. Moreover, the third Sunday of the month is National Ice Cream Day. Ice cream stores and factories throughout the country come up with all sorts of ice cream in different designs and colours.

G. There are many references to ice cream in different books. One of them is Roald Dahl’s story ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. There, Grandpa Joe tells his grandson about Mr Wonka and his magical chocolate inventions – the chocolate ice cream that never melts, even under the hot sun. In the famous Harry Potter novels, ice cream is often mentioned as a favourite dessert of the young magicians. Harry, Ron, and Hermione often enjoyed strawberry-and-peanut-butter ice creams.

1. A favourite of the film industry

2. Ideal for travelling around the city

3. Be polite on the Tube

4. Ghost stations

5. A way to save money

6. It started black and narrow

7. New design of the Underground trains

8. The diagram so as not to get lost

A. The London Underground, or the Tube, is a great means of getting around the UK capital. It is popular with locals and visitors because it is quick, easy, convenient and safe. The Tube has 11 lines and 275 stations. The walking distance between two underground stops in central London is never more than 10 minutes, sometimes less. It’s never a problem to find one. Underground trains on all lines run every few minutes between 5.30 until 00: 30, Monday to Saturday, and between 7.30–23.30 on Sundays.

B. The London underground railway system was proposed by Charles Pearson in 1843. Twenty years later the first line was opened for traffic. In the early days, the trains were driven by steam locomotives which burnt coal and filled the tunnels with smoke. The tunnels of the first underground were made as narrow and low as possible in order to reduce the construction costs. The small size and the circular shape of its tunnels gave the underground the name The Tube.

C. In 1931, Harry Beck, who did some engineering jobs for the Underground, designed an unusual graphic map of the Tube. He suggested a map that displayed all the lines and stations but ignored the distances. Beck’s map looked like an electrical diagram because of the lines that went horizontally, diagonally or at different angles. Each line had a different colour. The map clearly explained how to get to the station you needed and where to change lines. City transport systems all over the world, including New York, St Petersburg, and Sydney, have used Beck's idea to make maps of their own systems.

D. There are 275 functioning stations across the Underground network, but at least 40 overground and underground stations are no longer used for travel. If you look through the window of the train, you may notice platforms at which trains never stop and no passengers get on or off. They are not marked on the Tube map. They are like phantoms which remind us of the past history. Some of them have really interesting and scary stories to tell.

E. Aldwych, a closed station on the London Underground, is located in Central London. It is certainly the most 'busy' of the ghost stations of the Tube. It is used by film and television companies who find it an ideal place for shooting detective stories, thrillers and adventure films. Among the famous films that were shot at Aldwych station are Superman IV, Patriot Games, V for Vendetta, Sherlock and others.

F. The original London underground trains had three different classes. In those days they cost three, four and six pence for a single journey. Today a single journey in Zone 1 costs £ 4.50 if you pay cash. However, there are a lot of opportunities to get a reduced price ticket. Just buy a day travel card or avoid travelling at rush hours. If you travel regularly by the Underground, a season ticket will be the best option. Most Londoners buy weekly, monthly or annual tickets.

G. When you travel by the Underground bear in mind that it is considered impolite to stare at the other passengers. It’s rude and it may get you into trouble. Talking and laughing loudly is not encouraged either. It’s not a good idea to eat your hamburger or ice-cream on the train – you can spoil other passengers’ clothes. And it’s always a good gesture to give up your seat to an elderly passenger if necessary.

 

1. To change the situation with foreign language

2. Eating at school

3. Keeping fit at school

4. A break to stop and look around

5. Accepting foreign students to British schools

6. Gadgets in British schools

7. The enjoyable school event

8. To make them behave well

A. All students in the UK have to do PE or Physical Education at school until they are 16. The schools offer different activities. The most popular sport is football which is played by boys and girls. Students also play rugby, field hockey, and netball or do individual physical activities like athletics or gymnastics. Today, some schools also offer dance, fitness, or frisbee. The school sports facilities are always available to the students at lunchtime and after classes.

B. Unfortunately, this school subject is not very popular with British students. The British government is considering different ways to deal with this problem. One idea is to introduce foreign languages from the age of 5. Another plan is to give students more choice. The languages traditionally studied in British schools are French, Spanish and German. Now the government wants to include Arabic and Chinese in the school curriculum.

C. Mobile phones are permitted at school in the UK but students are not allowed to use them in class.  School students can use their phones at break time. Teachers can take away phones if these rules are broken. However, according to some teachers, students don’t always follow the rules. The lessons are sometimes disrupted when students send texts, receive calls, look at social networking sites or watch videos.

D. School lunches are a hot topic in the UK these days. Some students have lunch at home or take a packed lunch to school but more than a third of British school pupils have lunch in the school canteen. There is usually a main course, a dessert and a drink. School dinners must include fruit and vegetables, protein (for example meat, fish or cheese) and carbohydrates (for example rice or pasta). Parents often pay for their children’s food in advance online.

E. UK schools are allowed to discipline pupils who behave badly. The list of serious and not-so-serious types of bad behaviour may include: missing school without permission from parents, not doing homework, wearing unsuitable clothes for school, cheating in exams, bullying, etc. There are several ways students can be punished. Sometimes the student has to write a sentence, for example I must not shout in class, many times (for example, 100 times) on a sheet of paper.

F. A school prom is a formal party to celebrate an important date such as the end of secondary school. The idea is to have fun with your school friends and celebrate your time and achievements at school. Proms are held in June or July, around the end of exam time or the end of term. A secondary school prom often involves a big party and nice dresses. Most schools arrange a special dinner in the school hall.

G. In the past, students were only allowed to take a gap year (a period of time, when a student takes a break from formal education) if they had to retake exams or had health problems. But now universities positively encourage a gap year, and employers are happy to give jobs to students who take a gap year. They think that a gap year can give young people useful learning experiences, help them pick up new skills and make them more independent.

 

1. Walking along the sea

2. The great market place

3. The way to get to the city

4. How the city got its name

5. Plants from all over the world

6. A literary corner

7. The advantage of the location

8. Political summit

 

A. According to ancient history, Yalta was founded by the Greeks in the 1st century. The legend says that Greek sailors lost their way because of a storm. They were looking for the shore for a long time. When finally they saw the shore, they decided to call it yalos, which meant shore in their language. The word Yalta as the name of the settlement has been in use since the 15th century.

B. The City of Yalta is a famous resort in southern Crimea. The city lies between the Black Sea and the main range of the Crimean Mountains. As Yalta is surrounded by hills, the city has a very mild climate with warm autumns, rainy winters, cool springs and hot summers. However, since the city is on the sea shore, the summer weather rarely becomes extremely hot, due to the cool sea breezes.

C. The oldest and longest street in Yalta is its famous embankment (the Sea Promenade). The beautiful, wide street runs along Yalta harbour. It is closed to cars and people enjoy walking there in any season of the year. There is a cinema, a concert hall, a drama theatre, some museums, and a lot of café s and restaurants in the area. In the evenings, the Sea Promenade turns into the busiest street in the city.

D. This man-made park covers 11 square kilometres and is recognized as a masterpiece of landscape art. The history of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden started almost 200 years ago, in 1812. The founder of the Garden, a prominent Russian botanist, C. Steven, brought together samples of fauna from different regions of Europe, Asia, and America. Today, thanks to the large collection of rare species of flowers, bushes and trees, the Nikitsky Garden is one the most famous botanical gardens in the world.

E. Livadia Palace, the former royal residence, is one of Yalta’s most visited landmarks. It was there that, in February 1945, the famous Yalta Conference of the Big Three Powers – the Soviet Union, the USA and Great Britain – was held. Important issues about the end of World War II and arrangement of the postwar world were discussed and agreed at that conference. Now this place is visited by tourists from all over the world.

F. There is neither an airport nor a railway station in Yalta. Tourists often get to the capital of Crimea, Simferopol, and then take a car to Yalta. Some tourists prefer a journey on the Crimean trolleybus. It is the world’s longest trolleybus route, and is 86 kilometres long. The trolley journey from Simferopol to Yalta takes about 3 hours. The trolleybus takes the tourists through the mountains and valleys, providing breathtaking views.

G. The City of Yalta is associated with the name of the famous Russian writer, Anton Chekhov, who spent 5 years there. In 1898 he bought a nice house (the White Dacha) in Yalta. There was a wonderful garden around the house. The writer, who was a keen gardener, made a plan for the garden and planted trees, bushes and flowers there. There he wrote his famous short stories and plays such as ‘Three Sisters’ and ‘The Cherry Orchard’. Later, the White Dacha was turned into a museum.

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