TEXT 1

Read an article about plastic waste, and for questions 1 to 8, complete the text with the correct
sentences. There are TWO extra sentences you DO NOT need to use.

Is Banning Single Use Plastic the Right Option?

Around the world, people are realising the significant problems caused by
plastic waste. In the last 65 years, we have become increasingly dependent on
plastic. It’s easy to understand why: it’s cheap to produce, light – therefore easy
and cheap to transport – and incredibly strong and durable. But it’s these
advantages which also make it so harmful. e. Plastic never fully degrades by
bacteria, so it must be gradually broken down into tiny pieces by the wind, sun or
water. The micro-plastics that result from these processes are harmful to the
environment. It is also very difficult to recycle, in fact currently only 9% of all the
plastic produced has been recycled. b. Some is burnt, but the majority goes to
landfill.
One popular solution to the problem is to prohibit single use plastics. In the
UK, supermarkets are being encouraged to set up plastic-free aisles, in which the
food is displayed loose, and shoppers are encouraged to make more
environmentally-friendly choices in packing and transporting their food. A tax has
already been placed on plastic carrier bags, which has cut their use by 90%. f. Bans
on single-use plastic items like cotton buds and drinking straws and charges for
disposable coffee cups are also coming into place. Schemes for reducing the use of
plastic bottles are also being considered, including paying people to return bottles
to shops and increasing the number of public drinking fountains. Some
governments, such as Canada and India, have even promised to ban the use of
single-use plastic altogether by the not-too-distant future.
a. Such plans are well-intentioned, but it may not be beneficial to eliminate
the use of single-use plastic altogether. One of the fields where single-use plastic
has a vital role is medicine. This is not just because of its low cost. It’s also
because, by using dishes, vials, syringes and so on just once, infection and cross-
contamination are minimised. c. Although glass products are a potential
alternative, cleaning them would be extremely expensive in terms of time, money
and environmental resources, while increasing the risk to health.. Plastic packaging
is also crucial in the food industry, as it ensures that food is safe for consumers.
Meanwhile, the provision of bottled water in poor regions and in emergency
situations has reduced the spread of water-borne diseases and saved many lives.
Another issue is that alternative materials to plastic are often more
environmentally harmful than plastic. Take paper bags, for example. Research by
the Northern Ireland Assembly shows four times more energy is required to
manufacture a paper bag than a plastic bag. j. The process requires cutting trees,
the emission of greenhouse gases and the production of toxic chemical waste..
Even more, pollution is created when paper bags degrade, in fact, they generate
70% more air and 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags. g. They are
also very fragile and rarely reusable, unlike plastic. Other alternatives, like
aluminium, glass, card or cotton, similarly have environmental issues of their own.
Clearly there is a need to reduce plastic waste and its impact on the
environment. However, simply banning their single use may not be the best option.
Industries that rely on single-use plastics for people’s health and safety must be
accommodated. i. Moreover, alternative materials must be evaluated strictly
regarding their own environmental impact. Meanwhile, a better solution to banning
all plastics might be to invest in redesigning plastics that can be readily broken
down and remanufactured, and better recycling technology.

TEXT 2
Read an article about what NOT TO DO when starting a new job. The title of each
of the paragraphs has been removed from the article. Choose from the titles (a-k)
the one which best fits each gap (1-10). Use each letter only ONCE. There is ONE
extra title you DO NOT need to use.
10 things you should never do when starting a new job
Congratulations! You’ve finally secured a new job, and now you want to
start off on the right foot. You want to be careful not to make any career-ending
mistakes. So, what should you NEVER do when starting a new job?
Title1 a.Don’t show up late
You learned this in first grade, when the teacher began keeping track of tardies:
Being on time matters. Factor in extra time if there’s traffic, construction, or other
reasons to expect a delay.
Title 2 d.Don’t dress unprofessionally
Before starting your job, talk with the hiring manager or human resources
professional to make sure you understand what constitutes acceptable outfit for
your new workplace. There’s nothing more embarrassing than showing up wearing
something that doesn’t fly with your supervisors.
Title 3 f.Don’t avoid the job orientation
Many companies require new employees to go through a training process before
starting a new position. While it may be tempting to skip these sessions or treat
them lightly, don’t do it. Even if your training managers won’t be your direct
supervisors, they are watching you.
Title 4 k.Don’t feel disappointed if you are not given total support
No matter where you’re working, there are certain processes, tools, and forms that
make up the standard operating procedures of your company. You may have been
introduced to these through a very organized, systematic orientation, or you may
feel like you’re expected to absorb them by osmosis. If you were formally
informed, consider yourself fortunate, if not, don’t feel shortchanged or frustrated.
Instead, take initiative and master the basics on your own.
Title 5 h.Don’t lose confidence in yourselfIt’s understandable that you may need
help or guidance during your first few weeks at a new job, and asking co-workers
for assistance or just to answer questions can be perfectly acceptable. But
remember, you were hired because managers believed in your ability to get the job
done. Ask for help if you need it, but believe in yourself and prove that you can do
the work yourself.
Title 6 i.Don’t spend time on private matters
Your employer isn’t paying you to chat with your girlfriend or even your kids’
babysitter. Make a personal policy of limiting personal phone calls and texts to
your lunch break, except for emergencies.
Title 7 g.Don’t demand a higher income
Most likely, you and your employer agreed to a certain salary during the hiring
process. So don’t change your mind before you even show up at work. Don’t
expect more money until you’ve worked long enough to prove your value to the
employer.
Title 8 c.Don’t try to change things
Of course you want to make a good impression as soon as you arrive at a new job,
and show your new employer they made the right choice in hiring you. However,
be cautious of suggesting new policies or strategies during your first few weeks, as
it may not be the best way to demonstrate you are a team player. At first, take time
to really understand and learn your job, then over time, you can make suggestions
and changes as situations arise, and as your input and expertise is called upon.
Title 9 b.Don’t be dishonest
In a new job, there will always be a learning curve, and effective supervisors
understand that. Inevitably, you’ll be asked to do something or expected to know
something that you don’t yet know or know how to do. Rather than saying you can
complete the task on your own, tell the truth and “don’t be afraid to say, ‘I don’t
know,’
Title 10 e.Don’t be afraid to ask for help
You may be so eager to start your new job that you don’t want to stop and ask
questions. But by skipping even the most basic questions, you are setting yourself
up for failure.

Вправа 3. Доберіть необхідну форму дієприкметника.

1. a) The girl writting on the blackboard is our best pupil.
b) Everything written here is quite right.
2. a) The house (surrounded) by tall trees is very beautiful.
b) The wall (surrounding, d) the house was very high.
3. a) Who is that boy (doing, his homework at that table?
b) The exercises (doing, by the pupils were easy.
4. a) The girl (washing, the floor is my sister.
b) The floor , washed) by Helen looked very clean.
5. Do you know the girl (playing, in the garden?
6. The book, written) by this scientist is very interesting.
7. We could not see the sun, covered) by dark clouds.
8. The (lost) book was found at last.
9. (Going, along the street, I met Mary and Ann.
10. Read the (translating, sentences once more.
11. Name some places, visited) by you last year.
12. She was reading the book bought) the day before.
13. taken) the girl by the hand, she led her across the street.
14. It was not easy to find the lost) stamp.
15. Here is the letter , received) by me yesterday.
16. Look at the beautiful flowers (gathering, by the children.
17. His hat, blown) off by the wind was lying in the middle of
the street.
18. «How do you like the film?» he asked, (turning, towards me.
19. When we came nearer, we saw two boys (coming towards us.
20. I think that the boy, stood) there is his brother.
Вправа 4. Замість підрядних речень використайте різні форми
дієприкметника.
1. arriving at the railway station, he bought a ticket, walked to
the platform and boarded the train. 2. Having been shown in, he was told to
take off his coat and wait for a while. 3. He looked at me and hesitated,
not knowing what to say. 4. having written this exercise, I began to doubt
whether it was correct. 5. Take care when you crossing the street. 6. Students
should always be attentive when listening to the lecturer. 7. There are
many students studying music.