Reading 2

CARD 1
Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

There are many interesting people who influenced the development of civilization. One
of them was the famous Greek philosopher, Socrates. He did nothing but talk – talk to anyone
who would listen to him, discussing philosophy with students or sailors, questioning men about
what they believed in and why, and how they could prove it. He listened to all people with great
attention, sometimes for hours on end.
People’s attitude to him was different. Some Athenians called him a dangerous idler who
did nothing. But the Oracle at Delphi had called him the wisest man alive, but Socrates said that
the reason for his wisdom was only that unlike other men he knew how little he knew.
His enemies hated him. They said he made young minds doubt, if not mock everything.
Due to this they said he was guilty and demanded his death.
His friends wanted to smuggle him out of prison but he refused to escape. He spent his
last hours discussing the problems of good and evil. His mind was never having rest.
When his disciples saw him drink the cup of poison with dignity they wept. The man is
gone but the “Socratic” method of questioning and teaching has always been respected since
then.
1. Socrates never lost his:

A. patience C. heart
B. temper D. mood
2. He liked to discuss philosophy with people and made them… their point of view.
A. contend C. prove
B. demonstrate D. argue
3. His enemies were sure he was able to… the youth.
A. spoil C. destroy
B. ruin D. help
4. If Socrates had agreed with his enemies, he wouldn’t have been:
A. envenomed C. murdered
B. hung D. poisoned
5. His friends couldn’t …him.
A. save C. hang
B. spoil D. realize
CARD 2
Read the text and decide if the sentences are T (true) or F (false).
If you look at the map of Scotland you will find that there are many lakes in the country.
The Scots call them “lochs”. And the most famous of them is Loch Ness. According to the
scientists it is 25,000 years old.
Loch Ness is a mysterious lake. For many years there have been reports of an unusual and
great creature. People tell many stories about a water monster which lives in the lake. They call it
Nessie. People, who said they had seen Nessie, described it as a strange creature which had a
giraffe-like neck, a very small head and a great dark grey body.
The stories of this mysterious creature, called the “Loch Ness Monster” have filled the
people with excitement and curiosity. Many visitors and newspaper reporters have tries to
photograph the monster. Not only newspaper reporters and curious visitors take a great interest
in the Loch Ness Monster. Scientists do not like mysteries, they want facts. Expeditions of
British, American and Canadian scientists took more than 100,000 underwater photographs in
Loch Ness, but they didn’t help find out whether the monster really exists.
A lot is said and written about the monster. There even exists The Nessie Museum. For
some people Nessie is good business: T-shirts with “Nessie” on them, books about the monster
and all kinds of picture post cards and souvenirs are sold to thousands of visitors every year.
Is the monster a fact or fiction? The mystery of Loch Ness remains a mystery.
1. The mysterious lake is known for its strange creature.
2. People are not interested in telling stories about Loch Ness Monster.
3. People describe the creature as a monster having a giraffe-like neck and a great dark green
body.
4. Many tourists come to Scotland because they want to see Loch Ness Monster.
5. Scientific expeditions proved that the monster really exists.

CARD 3
Read the text and decide if the sentences are T (true), F(false) or NS (not stated).
Charles Dodgson, an English writer and author of two of the best loved children’s book
in English literature – “Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass” is
known to the as Lewis Carroll due to his pen-name.
His interests and talents lay in many fields. A talented writer, he taught Mathematics at
Oxford. He was also interested in photography and music. He sang very well, played chess and
enjoyed creating and solving puzzles.
Charles Dodgson was born on January 27, 1832. His family was large; there were 11
children, 4 boys and 7 girls.
He was firstly educated at home, then at boarding schools, and finally at Christ Church
College, Oxford. As to his boarding school years, they didn’t leave good memories for him.
Nevertheless, he was an excellent student and studied very well in all his subjects.
In 1855 Charles became a lecturer in Mathematics at the college where he himself used to
study. It is known that at that time he started his literary career and took his pen-name, Lewis
Carroll.
The story about the adventures of Little Alice became popular all over the world. “Alice
in Wonderland” is considered to be a children’s story, but adults have enjoyed the novel for over
a century together with children.
1. Charles Dodgson was a pen-name of the famous English writer Charles Dickens.
2. He wrote wonderful books for children.

3. Charles played the piano very well.
4. He started his education in the boarding school.

5. Working at the college, Dodgson wrote his books about Alice.
CARD 4
Baseball is known as America’s favourite pastime. Collecting baseball cards is fast
becoming another favourite pastime of Americans, young and old. It’s a fun hobby, and for some
lucky people it has become a way to make money. Baseball cards can be worth a lot. Finding a
special one can be like discovering buried treasure. For instance, if you found in your
grandmother’s attic a baseball card with a picture of Honus Wagner of the Pittaburgh Pirates,
you would have a card worth as much as 400,000 dollars!
Another excellent idea is to collect all of the players’ cards of a new team. Several years
from now, your cards will increase in value. Some cards increase in value by having an
autograph, and it’s fun to meet the players as you get their autograph.
The first cards were printed in 1887. Then, bubble gum manufacturers included them
with packs of gum, and more people began collecting them. Today the pictures are of players in
motion. The player’s picture is on the front of the card, and all of his baseball statistics are on the
back, including all of the teams with which he has played.
You can buy, sell, or trade baseball cards in stores, markets, auctions and card shows. A
player’s card sells for more in his hometown or in the area he’s from.
1. Collecting baseball cards is a new favourite pastime only for children,
2. Some baseball cards are of great value.

3. The first baseball cards were printed at the end of the 20th century.
4. Honus Wagner’s card is sold in his hometown.

CARD 5
Holidays can be long or short and they can last from one night to more than three weeks.
Different people choose different types of holidays. Some want to go abroad and sunbathe, some
prefer to go to local resorts and visit the local attractions and some want to visit places far away
to experience a different culture.
A tourist resort is a place that attracts a large number of visitors because it has lots of
interesting places to visit and things to do. The majority of holidaymakers will visit a recognized
holiday resort of some kind, either in their country or abroad.
Probably, the most visited holiday resort in Britain are Hastings and St. Leonards.
Hastings offers visitors a variety of attractions, such as the Hastings Castle, the Museum and Art
Gallery, the White Rock Theatre and the Cliff Railways. Hastings is a seaside town and has been
a fishing port for centuries. The fishing quarter is one of the most fascinating parts of the town. It
has also plenty of greenery, parkland and wooded areas.
St. Leonards is next to Hastings. It is a new town with elegant squares and beautiful
gardens. Before deciding whether to visit an area, it is a good idea to look at the attractions on
offer to make sure there is something that interests you. Tourist information offices, travel
agents, the Internet and brochures can often give you this information.
1. Holidaymakers can spend the whole year travelling.
2. Visitors are attracted to tourist resorts by the possibility to swim.

3. Holidaymakers come to Hastings to enjoy fascinating attractions.
4. Coming to St. Leonards, it’s better to find out if the attractions are to your liking.
CARD 6
OUR COURSES.
If you choose 25 hours per week you will have each morning with different teachers (9am
to 1 pm, including a coffee break between lessons) and an additional class in the afternoon.
You will be able to choose from a number of different programmes. These will vary from
term to term but typical examples are:
1. Business English
2. Pronunciation
3. English for Tourism
4. Writing Skills
5. Study of Newspapers
6. Extra Grammar and Vocabulary
7. Communication Activities
You will choose two topics from these or others available at the time. Business English is
always included. The lessons will be 1 or 1,5 hours per afternoon (a total of 5 hours per week).
This flexible programme gives you the opportunity to work with different people and
study the aspects of the language, which interest you.
1. You’ll be offered the widest choice of different programmes.
2. All these programmes are the same every year.

3. The afternoon lessons must be 5 hours a week.
4. Music is optional.
5. The programme is strict.
CARD 7
Volunteering is one of the noblest tasks that a man can do in his life. For some people the
true meaning of life is the joy of giving.
More and more young people are taking on volunteer work nowadays. They do unpaid
work for a charity. They help build homes for poor families, take care of orphans, or help protect
endangered species.
Some charity groups organize educational programmes for children staying in their
community and getting to know the people and their culture. They teach them different subjects,
help them learn to read. It will help children keep pace with their peers and explore the world
through books. It is also a great opportunity for them to master their own skills. It is a great
learning experience.
Other volunteers help build houses or schools for poor children around the world. For
people interested in wildlife, conservation groups organize volunteer holidays throughout the
world.
Volunteering is for people who want to change the world for the better and are prepared
to give up their own time, money, and effort to do it. Volunteers have to be realistic, though, and
understand that they cannot change the world in two or three weeks.
Thanks to young volunteers, the lives of millions of people around the world are
improving and, in their eyes, the sun is probably shining brighter than it used to.
1. Volunteering has become popular with young people.
2. You don’t need any qualifications to participate in volunteering.

3. Volunteers get paid a small sum in return for their help.
4. Teaching children is a popular form of volunteering.

5. Some volunteers don’t feel that they give enough.
CARD 8
The famous American writer Mark Twain was a great humourist not only in his books but
also in life. Once, staying in England he decided to see the horse races not far from London.
Walking to the station after the races, he met a friend of his.
As the man had lost all his money at the races he asked the writer to buy him a railway
ticket to London.
“You see, old boy”, said Mark Twain. “Sorry, I haven’t got enough money for two
tickets. But don’t worry; I’ve got a perfect idea. Wait for me here. I’ll buy a ticket for me and
you can travel hiding under my seat”.
When the writer came back from the ticket-office, they found an empty compartment and
Mark Twain’s friend got under the seat. When the train had moved, the conductor started
checking the tickets. He asked, “Could you show the ticket to me, please?” The writer handed
him two tickets.
Looking round the empty compartment, the conductor asked who the second ticket
belonged to. “Oh, it’s my friend’s”, replied the joker, “he is hiding under his seat. You see, he’s
a bit strange and likes travelling like that”.
1. Mark Twain came to London on business.
2. The friend had enough money to travel back.

3. The writer bought two tickets.
4. The inspector noticed two men in the compartment.

5. All of them laughed at this joke.
CARD 9
Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B or C.

Every tourist who comes to New York visits the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State
Building, and the World Trade Centre. But few people ever see one of New York’s most
interesting sights, a small island located in the East River only 300 yards from Manhattan –
Roosevelt Island. The island has a rich history.
In 1637, the Dutch governor of New York bought the island from the Indians. It was used
to raise hogs (pigs) and was called Hog Island. The name was after changed to Blackwell Island
after being sold to the Blackwell family. It was purchased by the City of New York in 1828.
It soon became the place where the city only sent its homeless people – the poor, orphans
and drug addicts. By 1934 conditions on the island had become so bad that the city decided to
take action. From then on, things began to improve.
Today, Roosevelt Island, named after Franklin D. Roosevelt, is one of the most beautiful
areas of the city. The old buildings are gone and so are the poor people who once lived there.
There are many beautiful building, offices and shops there.
The best time to visit the island is in the late afternoon. From the Southern tip of the
island, you can see the sun go down as the lights of Manhattan come up across the water. You
get a magical feeling – the feeling of being so near the heart of the city, and yet so far away.
1. Roosevelt Island is…

A. one of the three main tourist attractions in New York.
B. not very frequently visited by tourists.
C. a shelter for homeless people.
2. In the 17th century the island was used as a …
A. city prison B. place for raising pigs C. farm
3. The city of New York bought the island from the…
A. Blackwell family B. Indians C. Dutch governor
4. All-in-all the name of the island has been changed…
A. once B. twice C. thrice
5. Roosevelt Island was the place where the city sent …
A. the police B. the Indians C. the poor
6. There are many … on the island nowadays.
A. old buildings B. offices C. poor people
7. Roosevelt Island is especially picturesque at…
A. sunset B. sunrise C. midnight
CARD 10
Do you want to do something challenging and not be stuck behind a desk? Have you ever
wanted to know what it’s like to be a dolphin trainer? If you would love to work with these
amazing animals, here are a few things to think about.
First of all, there are certain qualifications that dolphin trainers need. A university degree
in a general science, such as biology, is a good place to start. Also, since a lot of time is spent
cleaning pools, dolphin trainers need to have a swimming certificate and must be very strong
swimmers.
Dolphin trainers have many responsibilities that require a lot of patience. One of the
responsibilities is to keep the training fun so that the dolphins stay interested. So, sense of
leadership and determination is important. Trainers also prepare meals and feed the animals
throughout the day. They also have meetings to discuss different training strategies. This means
you have to be good at explaining things and working as part of a team.
Finally, dolphin trainers need to be hard-working, reliable and dedicated. It can be a
difficult job at times, but the greatest reward is the special bond you form with animals.
1. Dolphin trainers work behind a desk.

2. Dolphin trainers need to have a university degree.
3. You must have a diving certificate to become a dolphin trainer.
4. Dolphin trainers need to be very patient.
5. Dolphin trainers spend a lot of the day feeding the animals.
6. Dolphin trainers always work alone.
7. Dolphin trainers can be their own bosses.
8. Dolphin trainers must be good at working with others.
9. Training dolphins isn’t always easy.
CARD 11
Every year adults from all over the United Kingdom spend a weekend at the Avoncroft
Further Education College in Birmingham. While there, they are taught Spanish by native
speakers in an informal environment. All the students have a basic grounding in the language;
nevertheless, it’s an intensive course requiring thorough concentration. Students are expected to
speak the language all the time. Students are even encouraged to speak it during their lunch
break.
Many of the students have chosen to learn Spanish because they believe a second
language will improve their career prospects; others simply want to make themselves understood
while on holiday. The course includes a great deal of conversation, focusing on practical
situations like going to a restaurant, travelling on a bus or train and other things that such
students need.
Its organizers believe that more people are enrolling because they find its approach both
useful and relaxing. Students become less embarrassed, they say, and they then become more
and more used to hearing themselves speaking the language and less anxious about making
mistakes. They become self-motivated and continue their learning after they leave the centre.
Many students claim that by completing the course, they develop a greater appreciation
of Spanish traditions and culture. They gain confidence in the use of Spanish and this is a
tremendous help to holiday makers or anyone else going to Spain for any purpose.
1. The Avoncroft Weekend course is for…

A. children B. people of all ages C. grown-ups
2. Those who sign up for the course…

A. are beginners
B. have some basic knowledge of Spanish
C. speak fluent Spanish
3. In class students…
A. speak their native language
B. speak Spanish
C. speak both languages
4. Students learn Spanish…
A. to appreciate Spanish traditions and cultures
B. to improve grammar and vocabulary
C. to communicate in the language both for business and pleasure
5. The atmosphere at the lesson is…
A. easy-going B. embarrassing C. formal
CARD 12

For company and conversation the English go to the pub. In the cafes you can have only
coffee, tea and soft drinks. You go to a café for a meal or for a quick cup of tea, but not to sit and
watch the world go by. When you want to rest after a day’s work, you go to the public house.
Most pubs have a piano and on Saturday night the customers often sit round it and sing.
The people who want to sing ask one of the customers to play the piano. They buy drinks for the
pianist, that is the custom. When he stops he becomes an ordinary customer again.
The pub is the place where you meet people. You get to know other “regulars”, and you
talk. You talk about the weather or how the English cricket players are doing in the match
against Australia, about football or parliament. But the regulars who meet there almost every
night for years never go to each other’s homes.
On Saturday people usually stay in the pub till closing time. In England the opening
hours are fixed by law. Pubs open at 10 in the morning and close at 2 o’clock. Then they open
again at 6 and stay open until 10.30. At Easter, or Christmas, or the New Year, the landlord may
ask the authorities to keep open longer.
1. Pubs differ from cafes by…

A. better meal and drinks.
B. cosy and friendly atmosphere
C. lower prices
2. In most pubs … plays the piano
A. the landlord B. a fee-paid pianist C. one of the customers
3. In the pub customers…

A. play football
B. discuss many topics
C. don’t know other people
4. The regulars of the pubs…
A. never invite each other to their places
B. meet both at their homes and in the pubs
C. play cricket together
5. Pubs are…
A. open at weekends only B. open all day long C. closed from 2 to 6 pm
CARD 13
Read the article and match each paragraph A-E to the title 1-5. There is one extra title.
1. Ways of communication 4.Home is best
2. The origin of the name 5. Variety of species
3. Penguins’ diet 6. An amazing bird
A. The penguin is the only bird that cannot fly but is born to live in the sea. They also walk
upright. Most penguins spend half of their lives in the ocean and the other half on the coast. They
move very fast under the water and can even dive deep from the surface. All penguins are very
skilful at catching fish. When not hungry, they often enjoy playing in the water.
B. Nobody knows for sure why they were called penguins. Some historians say that the word
first appeared in the 16th century. According to some researchers, penguin derives from a Latin
word that meant fat. Others believe that it has Welsh roots and means white head. Finally, the
best-known explanation is that the word penguin comes from an old bird.
C. Penguins originate from the Southern hemisphere. They inhabit Icy Antarctica. Most
scientists believe there are 17 types of living penguins. They differ in colour, size and voice, and
the climate they live in. the largest one is the emperor penguin, more than a metre high when
standing. The smallest is the fairy penguin, 41 cm tall. The most angry-looking is the stone
penguin; it cries out loudly and behaves aggressively.
D. Penguins live in big colonies. Scientists usually count the pairs of birds and chicks to know
their total number. Penguins generally do not migrate great distances. When young birds grow
up and become stronger they leave their colonies and may travel thousands of kilometres but
they always return to their native land and their chicks hatch out (вилуплюватися з яйця) in a
very harsh climate.
E. Penguins are the most sociable of all birds. They speak with each other individually. It helps
partners recognize each other and the chicks in a large colony. Researchers say that male and
female calls are different. Besides, penguins use special signals for making contact at sea, for
displaying themselves and for defending their territory - they won’t let a stranger approach
closer than 3 metres.
CARD 14

The Isle of White Festival is one of the UK’s first ever music festivals. It was originally
held in 1968 and was organized so quickly that everybody was really surprised when over
10.000 people turned up.
Over the next couple of years more and more people went to the festival. In 1970 around
600.000 people were there to see the legendary rock star Jimmy Hendrix’s last performance
before he died. Unfortunately, the same year, hundreds of people tried to enter the festival
without buying a ticket first, which resulted in one of the most popular festivals ever, being shut
down for over 30 years.
The festival made a comeback in 2002 and since then has grown into one of the biggest
events on the summer festival circuit. It is held every June for three days and, once again,
thousands of people flock to see some of the world’s best bands. This year the festival site
included DJ tents, bars, food stalls and even a funfair.
So, if you are ever in the South of England during the summer, make sure you book your
tickets for the Isle of White Festival. It really is a must-see!
1. What is the main purpose of the article?

A. to describe the Isle of White
B. to describe a festival which takes place on the Isle of White
C. to talk about music festivals
D. to describe music in the UK
2. What does the writer say about the festival in 1968?
A. very few people attended C. it wasn’t popular at all
B. it was not organized D. it was more popular than imagined
3. What would you learn about Jimmy Hendrix from the article?
A. He made his last ever appearance at the festival.
B. He appeared at the festival recently.
C. He never played at the festival.
D. He died before playing at the festival.
4. The festival was shut down because…
A. not many people attended in 1970. C. the tickets were too expensive.
B. people tried to go without paying. D. it wasn’t popular enough.
5. What best describes the festival these days?
A. It mainly attracts people from the South of England.
B. It is the most popular event on the Isle of White.
C. It is one of the UK’s biggest summer events.
D. It has one of the best food stalls in the UK.
CARD 15

Mensa is the international society for highly intelligent people. The name of the society
comes from the Latin word for a table. It was founded in 1946. People of all ages and types can
be its members. To join, people do a series of timed tests at home. If they do well on these tests,
they write to Mensa and take a supervised test. On the basis of the results, they are invited to
join.
Mensa’s 100.000 members come from the top two percent of the population. Isaak
Asimov, the scientist and science fiction writer, is on the Mensa’s most famous members. There
is also a junior Mensa for five to eleven-year-olds.
The qualifying mark in the test is 148 points. Recently a twelve-year-old schoolboy,
Oliver Jenkin, scored 177 points in the Mensa test.
Although Oliver doesn’t consider himself to be a genius, his mother says he spoke his
first word (hello) when he was four months old. By the time he was four he was reading books
on archaeology, but his teachers thought he was backward. He tried to do badly at school
because he didn’t want to draw attention to himself.
However, this achievement is nothing compared with twelve-year-old Adragon Eastwood
Demello, an American boy who lives in California. He scored 225 points. He spoke at seven
weeks, was a brilliant chess player at two and a half, learned Greek, physics and philosophy at 4,
geophysics at six and was building computer-controlled robots at the age of eight. His father
wants him to win the Nobel prize by the age of sixteen.
1. Mensa is…
A. the Latin word for society.
B. the clever people’s club.
C. a society with limited membership.
2. To invited to Mensa a person must…

A. be famous
B. be a man of genius
C. do well on a series of special tests
3. The minimum number of points an applicant must score in tests is…

A. 148 B. 177 C. 225
4. Oliver didn’t get good marks at school because he…

A. wanted to draw attention to himself.
B. was keen on archaeology.
C. was shy.
5. Adragon Eastwood Demello …

A. wants to win a Nobel prize.
B. is a wonder-child.
C. learned Greek at ten.
CARD 16

In spite of its wide spread diffusion, music remains an enigma. Music for those who live
with it is so important that to be deprived of it would be cruel and unusual punishment.
Moreover the perception of music as a central part of life is not only for professional or gifted
amateurs. It is true that those who studied the technics of musical composition can more
thoroughly appreciate the beauty of a musical work than those who have not. But even listeners
who cannot read musical notation and who have never learned an instrument may be deeply
involved so that a day without music is wasted.
In the context of contemporary culture, this is puzzling. Many people think that music is a
luxury rather than a necessity, and that words or pictures are the only means of influence. Those
who do not appreciate music think that is has no significance except giving pleasure. This is, no
doubt, why our society seldom provides a significant place in education. Today, when education
is becoming more practical, music is likely to be treated as an extra in the school curriculum and
which only well-to-do parents can afford.
1. What does the author of the text find enigmatic about music?
A. That it can be enjoyed by anyone.
B. That at thing so widely loved does not play a more important role in our society.
C. That so many people who love music do not enjoy it more often.
D. That our education system does not find it important.
2. How do different people take music?
A. As something unusual.
B. As something not necessary.
C. As something that interferes with their life.
D. As something that only some people can afford.
3. What do many people think about the role of music in education?
A. That it is overestimated.
B. That it is underestimated.
C. That it is not thought about at all.
D. That it is forgotten.
4.Which words in the text show that the author is critical about the role of music?
A. A day without music is wasted.
B. This is puzzling.
C. A luxury.
D. Treated as an extra.
5. Which of these title is the most suitable for the text?
A. A day without music is wasted.
B. Music is not important.
C. Music is an enigma.
D. Music is wonderful.
CARD 17

Croquet became very popular in England in the middle of the 19th century. The home of
the All England Croquet Club was Wimbledon.
Many people played croquet in England at that time, but the Croquet Club was not rich.
Later the new game of lawn-tennis became popular. People play lawn-tennis on a lawn, that is,
on grass. In 1875 the croquet players and lawn-tennis players changed the name of their club to
the All England Lawn-Tennis and Croquet Club and this name you will find today in the
telephone book.
Two years later, in 1877, the first world lawn-tennis championship took place at
Wimbledon. At first only men played lawn-tennis and there was a surprise when the Club let
women take part in the championship of 1884. The dresses of the women players were very long
but they played well.
Wimbledon was still an amateur tournament – tennis whites were long, rackets were
wooden, and top players were not teenage millionaires.
The game has changed dramatically since it was invented in France about six hundred
years ago. Nowadays light graphite rackets make balls fly like bullets on a battle field.
The Club is very rich today. there are only 400 members – 350 men and 50 women in it.
Some people say that the easiest way to become a member of the Club is to win one of the
Wimbledon championships and become a champion.
1. The present day name of the Club is…

A. The All England Croquet Club.
B. The All England Lawn-Tennis and Croquet Club.
C. The All England Lawn-Tennis Club.
2. Women who took part in one of the first championships…
A. wore short tennis whites.
B. used graphite rackets.
C. were good at tennis.
3. Lawn-tennis is… in origin.
A. French
B. English
C. American
4. First tennis players were…
A. professionals
B. amateurs
C. millionaires
5. To join the Club is not easy because…
A. the entrance fee is high.
B. tennis equipment is expensive
C. its membership is limited.
CARD 18

Sixty years ago, before the start of the “throw-away” consumer societies of today’s
world, people didn’t throw away so many things. They used and reused bottles, jars, cardboard
boxes, paperbacks, etc. much more carefully than we do today.
Now, more than fifty years later, we are returning to the same good idea – we call it
“recycling”.
We are again thinking about what we throw out. Why do we throw away so much food
packaging, so many plastic supermarket bags, old newspapers and phone books, drinks bottles
and cans? What is all this rubbish doing to our environment, to the world we live in? Can’t we
use some of it again?
Answer: yes, we can. New industries – recycling industries – are starting to reuse some of
our rubbish. For example, the Island of Taiwan now buys tons of waste paper from the USA and
recycles it to make newspapers, and for use in offices and homes. Japan takes scrap metal from
the USA and makes some parts of new cars with it. Most European and American cities now
have “recycling centres” for people’s old bottles and newspapers.
All this recycling is not only good for the environment but it is good business, too. A
recycled aluminium can is twenty percent cheaper to make than a new can, for instance. For both
the recycling and the economy, recycling makes very good sense.
1. Why is recycling so important?

A. because it makes us richer.
B. because it makes us happier.
C. because it improves the environment.
D. because it is a modern trend.
2. Is recycling a new idea?
A. Yes, it was adopted by “throw away” societies.
B. No, it was known long ago.
C. Some people knew about it.
D. Scientists have discovered it.
3. What questions do we ask ourselves?
A. Why do we throw away? C. When should we throw away?
B. What should we throw away? D. How should we throw away?
4. What recycled in Taiwan?
A. metal scrap C. glass bottles
B. waste paper D. old clothes
5. What title is the most appropriate for the text?
A. Recycling is good for business.
B. Recycle more – save more.
C. Recycling will save our environment.
D. New industries will help us to recycle.
CARD 19

Each college at Oxford has several clubs of its own. Most of the students belong to one or
more clubs. There is a debating club in every college as well as athletic and football clubs, and
so on. There are many University clubs which bring together students who are interested in
literature, art, music, drama, travelling.
There is hardly any form of sport in which students do not engage. Of all the sports,
rowing plays a leading role. Then comes cricket, a national English game, and then football.
The University Boat Race is the oldest of the sporting competitions between such old
British universities as Oxford and Cambridge. The most interesting of the rowing races at the
two universities are bumping races. They take place two times a year. Theses strange races were
invented at Oxford and Cambridge. The rivers are not wide there, they are too narrow for boats
to race side by side, and so somebody thought of a bumping race. No prizes are won in such
races, but the winners are given the oars with which they rowed. Their names are written on each
oar in gold letters.
The most interesting time to visit Cambridge is during May Week. This is neither in May
nor a Week. For some reasons which nobody remembers, May Week is the name given to the
first two weeks in June, the very end of the University year. May Week denotes not a particular
period of time, but the general atmosphere of relaxation at the end of the year’s work.
1. At Oxford University…
A. a student can be a member of different clubs.
B. a student can be a member of just one club.
C. to become a member of a club a student must be good at debating.
2. The most popular sport at Oxford University is…
A. football
B. rowing
C. cricket
3. Bumping races were invented because…
A. it was possible for boats to race side by side.
B. the width of the river was quite enough for such races.
C. it was most exciting kind of races.
4. The winners are given….
A. gold oars.
B. new oars.
C. oars with their names engraved in gold.
5. May Week is…
A. a fortnight in June
B. a week in May
C. a week in June
CARD 20
Westminster Abbey is a pride of Westminster, which consists of several buildings rebuilt
by the king Henry III. It was designed as a Royal Church and since William the Conqueror all
English Kings and Queens were crowned in it. It has a Coronation Chair with the Scottish relic –
Stone of Scone – under the seat.
But the main wonder of Westminster Abbey is the Poet’s Corner where all the greatest
poets are buried. You can spend days walking from tomb to tomb, from sculpture to monument
such as monuments to Chaucer, Shakespeare, etc.
The most splendid part of the Palace of Westminster is also the most ancient, for
Westminster Hall dates back to 1097. From the 12th to the 19th centuries it was principally used
as the regular meeting place for the Courts of Justice; on occasion however the hall was specially
furnished for a coronation banquets or a state trial.
Here St. Thomas More, Guy Fawkes and King Charles I were each sentenced to death.
Today its use is two-fold: firstly as a meeting-place for conferences, secondly as the scene for the
nation’s tribute to its monarchs and leaders at their lying-in-state.
On the riverside near Westminster Abbey stands the Palace of Westminster, known as the
Houses of Parliament. These buildings were first built in the 12 th century and rebuilt in 1840-
1867 and partly again after the Second World War.
1. For centuries people were proud of Westminster Abbey.

2. The British Queen has never been crowned in it.
3. The Poet’s Corner is in the Houses of Parliament.
4. The Courts of Justice meets in Westminster Abbey.
5. As history shows the Houses of Parliament were rebuilt three time.
CARD 21
Read the text and complete the gaps (1-5) with these extracts (A-F). there is one extract
extra.
The world of sports can present us many (1)… . It is difficult to imagine our life without
sports. Every person needs relaxation after hard work, and one of the best ways of doing it is to
do sports. Sport can be a useful and interesting hobby or an unusual constant job. As the English
proverb says, “Variety is the spice of life”, and with sports (2)…
The world of sports is really varied and rich. The people’s tastes are different, but,
nevertheless, everybody can choose a kind of sport (3)…
We can enjoy sports at any time of the year: in summer we can choose tennis, football,
swimming, etc.; in winter we can do skating, skiing or snowboarding.
Sports exist everywhere: on the ground, in the water, and even in the sky. To ground
sports we can attribute running, rock-climbing, golf, etc. We can enjoy rafting, diving, water
polo and other sports in water.
There are many extreme sports lovers in the world. They are adventure seekers and (4)…,
trying to experience something more than their everyday life can offer.
Extreme sports lovers can do parachuting, paragliding, and other kinds of sports in the
sky. They enjoy unusual sports, for example, windsurfing, skydiving, scuba-diving, while others
can prefer “normal” sports, such as skiing, swimming and others. Finally, cooperative people can
choose team sports, such as basketball, volleyball and hockey. People, (5)…, can choose
badminton, table tennis, etc.
A. who prefer individual sports

B. our life becomes more interesting and amazing
C. everyone is fond of scuba diving
D. thrilling moments and an unforgettable time
E. to his liking and abilities
F. take sport to its most dangerous limits
CARD 22

It was a freezing cold December afternoon and we were tired after our lessons. As we
were packing our schoolbags to go home, the headmaster rushed into our classroom. “Oh, no!
Have we done anything wrong?” we wondered. It turned out we weren’t in trouble, though, as he
was here to give us some good news. The headmaster said that we were all going on an end-of-
term trip to Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore.
We couldn’t believe it when we arrived in Sri Lanka! Despite being tired from the long
journey, we unpacked our bags, and then headed straight to the beach to relax. I have never seen
a beach like it in my life! It had amazing crystal-clear blue water and fine white sand. We stayed
in Sri Lanka for another four days and then set off for our next destination – Malaysia. Malaysia
was an exciting place and the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, was busy twenty four hours a day! We
stayed in a really luxurious hotel. I loved it there! Our final stop was Singapore. The highlight of
our trip was a visit to Sentosa Island where we watched an exciting laser show. There were so
many wonderful shops in Singapore; I bought all my family and friends souvenirs.
When the time came to return home, not one of us wanted to leave. The trip was better
that we could have ever imagined. I can’t wait to go on holiday again!
1. The headmaster came into the classroom to…

A. give the students good news.
B. give the students bad news.
C. Shout at the students.
2. How did the students feel about the trip?
A. tired
B. nervous
C. excited
3. The beaches in Sri Lanka were…
A. fantastic
B. busy
C. luxurious
4. The best part of the trip to Singapore was…
A. going shopping
B. visit to an island
C. going swimming
5. At the end of the trip the students…
A. wanted to go home
B. didn’t enjoy the trip
C. didn’t want to go home
CARD 23
The story of the Native Americans – or American Indians – is one that is unique, tragic
and inspiring. It is unique because the Indians were the original inhabitants of the American
continent and experienced every phase of its European settlement. It is tragic because the conflict
between the Indians and whites looks like the same for people throughout the world meeting
with industrialized societies. It is an inspiring story because the Native Americans, although lost
much of their land in the 19th century, have survived, and have succeeded in saving their identity
and culture despite the attacks of modern civilization.
Today Native Americans are full citizens of the United States. They are proud of their
own cultural heritage, which they are trying to protect and maintain.
Marks of that heritage can be found all over the United States. Many of the names on
United States maps Massachusetts, Ohio, Michigan, and Kansas – are Indian words. Indians
taught the Europeans how to cultivate crops such as corn, tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco.
About half of the Indians in the United States live in large cities and rural areas
throughout the country. The reminder lives in about 300 federal reservations (land set for their
use).
Today, there is about 1,4 million Native Americans, which is believed to be more than
there was when the first Europeans explorers arrived in the New World.
1. American Indians never experienced pressure from European settlers.

2. The Indians have lost all their lands.
3. Modern civilization didn’t manage to destroy the Indians’ heritage.
4. Europeans taught the Indians how to grow tomatoes.
5. Today large cities host about 2/3 of the Native Americans.
CARD 24
Aborigines probably came to Australia from Indonesia fifty thousand years ago. The
oldest skeleton found in Australia was at Lake Mungo in New South Wales. Archaeologists
believe it is 38.000 years old and it carried traces of ceremonial paint.
Aborigines were nomads, wanderers so to say. Originally, they didn’t have a sense land
ownership, although aboriginal children were taught from an early age that they belong to the
land and must respect tribal boundaries. Tribes returned to particular places to bury their dead.
Some places, like Uluru, were sacred because they were associated with the “dream time”, the
time when the Earth was formed and cycles of life and nature were begun.
Aboriginal legends, songs and dances tell of powerful spirits who created the land and the
people during the “dream time”. There was no written Aboriginal language and, in fact, most of
the 600 tribes spoke different dialects and rarely met except on ceremonial occasions. The
tradition of the Dream Time, however, united the people. Rock paintings showing this creation
period can be found all over the country. Some of the most spectacular and best preserved can be
seen at Rock galleries Kakadu National Park and other parts of Northern Australia.
The arrival of white people gradually brought an end to the traditional Aboriginal way of
life. The “new” Australians began to build and settle on Aborigine tribal lands. Today, most
Aboriginals live in cities and towns or in isolated settlements near tribal lands. Few continue the
old nomadic way of life.
In recent years, white Australians have become more sensitive to the Aborigines’
situation. The result has been an increase in health and educational services, greater recognition
of Aboriginal land rights and a growing appreciation of Aboriginal culture. Many museums now
display Aboriginal arts, music instruments and artefacts.
1. The Aborigines originally came from Europe.

2. They were farmers who settled on the territory for a long time.
3. There is no written Aboriginal language.
4. Europeans destroyed their traditional way of life.
5. No Aboriginal art or artefacts survive.
CARD 25

As you go after a day’s work in the crowded London underground, suddenly you hear
music. You take some money out of your pocket and throw it into the open guitar case of the
busker. The musicians bring colour and life to the city’s underground.
If you have time and look at the wall behind the busker, you will see the names of the
musicians on it with a time near each name. each musician plays for an hour only and those who
want to play write their names on the wall.
From time to time the police come to an underground station and the musicians have to
go to another place. If the police ask one of the buskers what he is doing, he usually answers that
he’s just practising. If the police ask about the money in the guitar case, the musician answers
that it fell out of his pocket into his guitar case.
An American girl on a visit to London said that she liked busking and often played in an
underground station where there were many buskers. Some of them played quite close together,
but one important rule is that you mustn’t stand very close to another musician because people
will hear two musicians at the same time.
Why do musicians want to play in the street? Some musicians do it for money, some do it
for pleasure. Others say it’s a good place to practise because they can’t play at home.
1. A busker…
A. sells newspapers in the underground.
B. plays a musical instrument.
C. takes photos.
2. Each busker plays…
A. from dusk to dawn.
B. for a limited period of time.
C. as long as he likes.
3. On the walls buskers usually write…
A. their names and the place where they are going to play.
B. the names of musicians famous all over the world.
C. their names and the time when they are going to play.
4. The police…
A. make buskers go to another place.
B. make them pay some money.
C. listen to music and put some money into busker’s guitar case.
5. The busker mustn’t…
A. play modern music.
B. play two musical instruments.
C. stand close to another busker.
CARD 26
Read the article and match the title A-G to each paragraph 1-6. There is one extra title.
A. information E. television
B. transport F. food
C. people G. radio
D. climate
1. Ireland is located on an island. Winters in Ireland are not cold and rivers do not freeze. The
summer months of June, July and August are mild. However, the weather is changeable. If you
are going to visit Ireland in summer, don’t forget to take an umbrella and warm clothes.
2. Most buses in big cities in Ireland have conductors who collect the money, but in small places
passengers pay the driver. The trains in Ireland are not cheap, but they usually leave on time.
Taxis are easy to get although they are rather expensive in comparison to other countries.
3. Irish farmhouse cheeses are very popular gift items. Other products to delight tourists are Irish
salmon, netted in autumn, oysters and hand-made chocolates.
4. The best place to learn how to get a room in a hotel, change money, and much more is your
nearest Tourist office. In Dublin city centre the Tourist office is situated at 14 Upper O’Connel
Street, beside the Savoy cinema.
5. Ireland has two national stations, RTE 1 and Network 2. You can watch different programmes.
Most popular are political news, country news, sports and music programmes. People can also
enjoy watching drama, films, etc.
6. It is impossible to make any statement about the characteristics of the Irish, but they are
known for their humour, hospitality, kindness. The Irish know how to have a good time and very
often they get enjoyment in the pub to the accompaniment of Irish folk music.
CARD 27
Good morning everyone. I’m your tour guide for today. we’ve made a change to the trip
we usually make on Thursdays. I hope none of you will mind. We are still going to visit the
beautiful town of Brampton with its old university, and there’ll be time to look round that as
usual. But today, because we have a lot of children here this week, we are also going to a
wildlife park which a colleague of mine has recommended.
On the way to Brampton, we’ll drive through some beautiful countryside. We’ll go over
the mountain and we’ll have a lovely view of the lake from the top. We’ll stop there for a few
minutes so you can take some photos. In the next valley, we’ll have a break for coffee. There’s a
café near a beautiful waterfall and if any of you want to go for a walk, you can. We’ll get to
Brampton at about 11.30. it’s a lovely town. We’ll start by taking a guided tour of the university,
which was built in the 17th century. Then there’ll be time for all of you to have a look at the
shops. Most people come to Brampton nowadays for the shops, but it’s the university that made
the town famous. If you don’t want to look at the shops, I suggest you visit the museum.
After lunch, we’ll get back on the coach and go to the wildlife park. We need to stay in
the coach while drive round because we’ll see lions in the park.
1. The tourists are going to visit the beautiful town of Brighton.

2. The tourists will go to a wildlife park after breakfast.
3. From the top of the mountain there is a lovely view of the river.
4. There is a café near the waterfall on the way to Brampton.
5. Most people come to Brampton to see the University.
6. The University in Brampton was built in the 17th century.
7. The tourists well start by taking a guided tour of the museum.
8. There will be some time for shopping.
CARD 28
Read the article and match the title A-F to each paragraph 1-5. There is one extra title.
A. The absolute success. D. The beginning of the success.
B. The story will never end. E. The description of the character.
C. Who is he? F. The author of the character.
1. He’s one of the most famous characters in film history and over three billion have watched
him – that’s half of the world’s population! Since 1962 he’s been in 20 films or one film every
two years. Who is he? He’s Bond…James Bond.
2. The British writer, Ian Fleming, created James Bond in 1953. Fleming was a typical English
gentleman. He was educated at Eton, and then worked as a journalist before becoming a banker
in London. However, during the war his life completely changed when he worked as a spy. He
wrote most of his novels about his own interesting experiences.
3. Although the Bond novels were exciting action stories about spies, they didn’t become well
known until they were made into films. When the first film Dr. No was shown in Britain in 1962,
Fleming became famous overnight.
4. However, it wasn’t until Goldfinger in 1964 that James Bond became successful around the
world. Goldfinger broke box office records at home and abroad. The phrase “I’m Bond, James
Bond” was recognized all over the world.
5. Will Bond films continue to entertain us in the future? The answer is probably “yes”. There
will always be James Bond fans because audience will always enjoy exciting thrillers. The truth
is that James Bond films, with their fast cars, spy gadgets and dangerous missions, are the
ultimate action movies.
CARD 29

There is something every visitor to Ireland must do – kiss the Blarney Stone. On my first
visit to Ireland last fall, I accomplished this. On the way to Blarney Castle, our guide tried to
discourage us from climbing to the top of the five-storey castle where the stone is located.
However, I was not to be deterred. Entering the 15 th century castle, it was obvious that it was
built as a fortress not a tourist attraction. The walls are 18 feet thick at the base, and the
battlements at the top allowed the defenders to pour boiling water or tar on their visitors.
To reach the stone, I had to scramble up 160 steps around a circular staircase. The steps
were built too narrow so only one attacker could advance up them at a time – a great idea for the
ancient lords but a bad one for modern-day tourists, especially when we had to squeeze by folks
heading down.
A stone walkway runs around the top of the castle offering a panoramic view of the lush
green countryside. I spent a few minutes enjoying the view until I spotted a sign: “Blarney
Stone”. I had it over and observed the unusual goings-on. One does not just kiss the stone; there
is a ritual to follow.
First I emptied my pockets. Then I lay on my back and with a guard holding my feet I
bent backwards down a shaft – with only a grate separating me from a five-storey fall – until I
could smack the magic stone. Was it worth all those contortions? I am now one of a select group
of several million or so who have a document certifying their eloquence.
1. When was Blarney Castle built? 4. Which statement is true?

A. four centuries ago A. The Blarney Stone has magical powers
B. over 500 years ago B. The castle was designed to attract tourists
C. in the 1500s C. The use of the castle has changed over
time
D. 1500 years ago D. The Blarney Stone has been relocated to
make it easier to find
2. What was the author’s complaint about 5. How did the author learn to kiss the
the stairs in the castle? Blarney Stone?
A. they were too old and dangerous A. he read the instructions
B. they weren’t wide enough B. his tour guide taught him how
C. there were too many C. he watched other people kiss it
D. they were too steep D. if was obvious. No one had to show him
3.How did the soldiers defend the castle? 6. Which word best describes how the
author felt about the visit?
A. by pouring hot water or tar on them A. relaxed
B. by squeezing up the narrow staircase B. puzzled
C. by throwing sharp pieces of stones C. depressed
D. by attracting visitors inside the walls of the D. enthusiastic
castle and battling with them
CARD 30
A. Unbelievable meeting. D. Unpredictable life.
B. Absolute coincidence. E. Strikes of underground workers.
C. Unpleasant meeting. F. Situation on the station.
1. Strange things really do happen to people like you and me. We don’t know exactly what might
happen with us in a few minutes. Sometimes we don’t expect to meet anybody who will be a
very important person in our life.
2. When the London Underground goes on strike my journey to work can be a nightmare. I
remember a strike a few summers ago – the station near my house was closed and I had to use
another station and take a different train. This added about an hour to my journey, so I wasn’t
very happy.
3. There was chaos at the station. All the rest trains were overcrowded. People were late and they
were panicking! By the time I got on the train, I was feeling fed up and sorry for myself. And, of
course, I clearly understood that I would be late too.
4. Then I saw this man. There was something about him – he had such a familiar face. It took me
a few minutes to realize that it was someone I knew – he was Ian, a friend from school days in
Scotland. He recognized me too and we started talking about school and the people we both used
to know.
5. I was even more surprised when the train came to my station and he started to get off too! I
asked him where he was going and he said he was going to work. He told me he worked in
Fitzroy Street. You see, I work in Fitzroy Street too. It was such an amazing coincidence. How
could it be possible that we had never met before. It’s a small world.
CARD 31
Read the text and match the titles (A-G) to the paragraphs (1-7).
A. Introduction E. Evening Entertainment

B. Shopping F. Eating
C. Recommendation G. Description of Guest Rooms
D. Outdoor Activities
A Journey in Time
1. Looking for a weekend away with a difference? Do you enjoy meeting people and
making friends? Are you interested in history? Then you should try Victorian Palace Hotel, and
spend a few days living like people did two hundred years ago.
2. Enjoy traditional Victorian food! Our master chefs prepare and serve breakfast, lunch
and dinner just like your great grandmother did. Eat in Victorian style and then relax in the
games room, where you can meet and talk to people who share the same interests.
3. The Victorian Palace Hotel has rooms for over 200 guests. Each room has its own
toilet and bath, but television and internet – we haven’t invented it yet!
4. How about a picnic? The Victorian Palace Hotel has beautiful gardens all around it,
where you can enjoy a sandwich lunch by the lake, or just have a pleasant afternoon walk.
5. And, in our special dance hall, our band plays Victorian music every night. You’ll
definitely enjoy it!
6. If you want to remember your visit forever, visit our Victorian shopping centre, where
you can buy handmade souvenirs, postcards, photo albums, and even Victorian dresses.
7. A visit to the Victorian Palace Hotel is an unforgettable experience! Liven up your

winter or summer holidays with an entertaining journey back in time!
CARD 32
Read the text and mark the correct sentence (A-G) to fill in the blanks (1-7).
When “Home” is to Roam
Jonathan Smith is an English gypsy. (1)…

I live in a trailer. “Gorjias”, as we call non-gypsies in our language, sometimes refer to
our homes as caravans, but we prefer to use the word trailer. My horse Jezi pulls ours along. (2)
…
My trailer was built back in 1933, by my uncle. I changed the canvas roof only last year.
(3)… Now it has a well-made beige roof and the beautiful wheels are painted bright red!
I grew up in this wagon, with my brother Jess and my parents who have since passed
away. Now it’s just Nelly and I, but we travel with company “kumpania” as it’s known in our
language. (4)…
Of course, it’s not like in the old days before the war. My grandparents used to tell stories
of gypsy wagon trains that were so long they stretched from one horizon to the other. They were
a travelling community. (5)… It’s hard to make a living these days.
Although we do still travel around a lot, living in a chilly and damp climate like that of
Britain, means that we are forced to stay put through the winter. (6)… Even though some of
these aren’t very pleasant, we make the most of our temporary home by singing and dancing and
knowing that we have the freedom to move on when we please.
Our life is about being on the move, and we aren’t interested in owning land or having
our own country. We don’t care about owning or living in a house. (7)… For me, home is my
trailer, home is being outside with nature. Basically “home” is where you feel that you belong.
A. Our “kumpania” consists of my two sons and their families, which includes our four little
grandchildren.
B. You see, “home” has more than one meaning.
C. It used to be in a bright shade of yellow, and my mom had decorated it with lovely brass bells
and ribbons.
D. It is then that we stop at the council-run gypsy sites.
E. She’s a strong creature, with a calm and gentle nature.
F. I wish I’d lived back then.
G. He talks to “Lifestyle” Magazine about his home.

CARD 33
Norwich
Norwich, the capital of East Anglia, has existed as a place to live for more than two
thousand years. It began as a small village beside the River Wensum. At the time of the Norman
invasion in 1066 it had grown to become one of the largest towns in England.
With the two cathedrals and a mosque, Norwich has long been a popular centre for
various religions. The first cathedral was built in 1095 and has recently celebrated its 900 th
anniversary, while Norwich itself had a year of celebration in 1994 to mark the 800 th anniversary
of the city receiving a Royal Charter. This allowed it to be called a city and to govern itself
independently.
Today, in comparison with places like London or Manchester, Norwich is quite small,
with a population of around 150,000, but in the 16 th century Norwich was the second city of
England.
In 1964 the University of East Anglia was built in Norwich. With its fast-growing student
population and its success as a modern commercial centre, the city now has a wide choice of
entertainment. There is also a football team, whose colours are green and yellow. The team is
known as “The Canaries”, though nobody can be sure why.
Now the city’s attractions include another important development, a modern shopping
centre called “The Castle Mall”. The people of Norwich lived with a large hole in the middle of
their city for over two years. Lorries moved nearly a million tons of earth so that the roof of the
Mall could become a city centre park, with water pools and trees. But the local people are really
pleased that the old open market remains, right next to the new development. Both areas
continue to do good business, proving that Norwich has managed to mix the best of the old and
the new.
1. The River Wensum flows through East Anglia.
2. People have lived by the River Wensum for at least 2000 years.
3. Norwich was a small village in the 11th century.
4. Norwich has been a city since its first cathedral was built.
5. The number of students in Norwich is increasing.
6. The Norwich City football team is called “The Canaries” because of colours they wear.
7. “The Castle Mall” took more than two years to build.

CARD 34
Many people know about the Hindu festival Diwali, as it is probably the most famous
one, but have you ever heard of Holi? This is a spring celebration, connected with the Moon and
– in Western India only – with the wheat harvest. It is celebrated on the day of the full Moon,
either in February or March.
As with most Indian festivals, there are regional custom variation throughout India. Some
families hold religious ceremonies, but for many Holi is more a time for fun that religious
observance. Holi is a colourful festival, with dancing, singing, and throwing of powder paint and
coloured water. Bonfires are lit and roasting grains, pop corn, coconut and chick peas are thrown
on by Hindu families.
Where my family and I live, we always build a fire. We sort out all the objects associated
with what is not wanted from the previous year so that they can be thrown onto the fire. You see
our New Year begins immediately after Holi. Or course, despite its joyful character, the day has
a more serious side too. The burning of objects in the bonfire symbolizes getting yourself clean
and ready for the New Year. That’s why people pay or forgive debts, become friends and forgive
each other and generally try to forget and leave behind any fights or anything negative from the
old year. Holi is a festival which ends the year on a happy note and begins the New Year on a
fresh, hopeful one. It makes us feel better for having celebrated it.
1. According to the writer, Holi is…
A. not a Hindu festival C. very similar to Diwali
B. the most famous Hindu festival D. less famous than Diwali
2. Holi is usually celebrated….

A. whenever there is a full Moon C. at the same time as Diwali
B. in February or March D. in Western India
3. Holi…
A. is celebrated in different ways in India C. is only celebrated where the writer lives
B. is not similar to other Indian festivals D. is not popular where the writer lives
4. Coloured water….
A. is thrown onto the bonfire by people C. is thrown by people at each other
B. is used to colour people’s clothes D. explodes from paint factories
5. Holi is described as…

A. as a festival which is fun but has a serious aspect too.
B. a typical New Year’s Day Festival
C. a very serious occasion
D. a really funny celebration without any particular meaning
6. During Holi people usually DON’T…

A. pay or forgive debts C. become friends
B. fight D. forgive each other
7. People burn objects in the bonfire…

A. to celebrate the God Krishna C. only for fun
B. to have good luck in the new year D. as a symbol of leaving bad things
CARD 35
Island of Petulia
Petulia Island is only 5.5 kilometres long and 1.5 kilometres in its widest point. (1)…
And it is 3.900 metres above sea level. Petulia has had a small number of inhabitants for over
four centuries. (2)… It has no roads, no cars or bicycles, and no electricity. The sun is extremely
hot during the day, but temperatures at night regularly fall well below freezing.
Until recently, the island was separate from the outside world. Before the introduction of
motor boats in the 1970s, travelling from Petulia to the nearest port could take over 20 hours. (3)
… Motorboats have now cut the journey to three hours, bringing new trade and tourists to the
island.
Petulia is divided into six farming areas. Each farmer owns one piece of land in each of
the six areas and grow vegetables, potatoes and cereal. Every year, farmers leave a different
piece of land unplanted to allow the earth to rest. (4)… The food grown by each farmer is shared
by everyone: none is for sale. Petulia’s farming year is divided into wet and dry seasons. The wet
season is the busiest time. (5)… In the dry season between July and August, the islanders have
time to build houses, repair walls and make clothes.
(6)… There is a good-sized sports field, but instead of playing football the boys usually
choose to knit, like their fathers, while the girls make wool. Walking along the rough tracks of
the island, tourists often see small children on their way to and from school.
Petulia has a tourist industry, but people have kept their traditional customs. (7)… So
there will be no hotels on the island. Instead, tourists are placed with a family as guests. The
money earned by each family is, like all money on the island, equally divided.
A. Cows and sheep are kept here during this time to improve the soil.
B. Petulia has a well-equipped primary and secondary school.
C. All land is dug by hand, using spades.
D. It lies in the middle of Lake Donika.
E. It now has a population of 1500 people.
F. They recently voted against a hotel development plan.
G. This journey was therefore made only once a year in order to buy salt.
CARD 36
Millions of people of all ages enjoy a hobby which is both interesting and fun. (1)….
Starting your collection is easy because stamps are everywhere. (2)…. But once you’ve
started collecting seriously, you will probably want to join the Stamp Collectors’ Club which
exists to provide collectors with new British stamps.
As Club member you order the special sets of new stamps you want for your collection.
You can receive these in three different ways. We can post you a complete set of stamps on an
envelope addressed to you. (3)…. Or, if you prefer, we can send you the individual stamps for
you to arrange in a special book of your own.
The Stamp Collectors’ Club has about 70,000 members and you could become a member
too, with a two-year membership costing just £5. You can even get a reduction if a group of you
join at the same time. (4)…
And when you join, the Club sends you a Starter Pack at no extra cost. (5)…. You also
receive our helpful 4-page guide to collecting, which has further suggestions on how to add to
your collection and includes useful addresses of shops and businesses that sell stamps.
(6)… It is packed full of competitions and quizzes. This magazine gives you the chance
to exchange stamps with members around the world.
So join the Stamps Collectors’ Club today and discover the fun and excitement of stamp
collecting. (7)…. Your Starter Pack will be sent within 28 days.
A. Holiday postcards from friends, birthday cards from favourite aunts and letters from pen-
friends can all provide you with stamps from all over the world.
B. This contains 100 stamps to begin your collection, together with and attractive box to keep
them in.
C. To join the Club simply complete the application form and send your membership fee.
D. We are sure you’ll agree that this is great value for money.
E. Every two months you’ll get a copy of the club magazine.
F. And every year, more and more people start a stamp collection of their own and discover an
interest which can last a lifetime.
G. Or we can send you the same stamps in a colourful information pack with lots of interesting
facts.
CARD 37
Take the Stress Out of Shopping

The holiday season is one of the most stressful time of the year, especially when it comes
to shopping. Shoppers are faced with long queues, last minute shopping trips and midnight gift
wrapping. If you want to enjoy the holidays and experience less stress, here are a few simple
holiday shopping tips. The first step to successful gift shopping is to make a list of who you need
to buy presents for. You also need to know what type of gift you would like to give each person,
as this will help you save both time and money. The next step is to decide where you want to do
your shopping. If you are going to a shopping centre, make sure you have already decided which
shops you want to visit. This will help cut down on the time you have to spend on your shopping
trip as well as keeping you from wondering around window shopping. If possible try to do your
shopping on weekdays, or if you have to do it on the weekends, go early in the morning to avoid
the crowds. Another tip is to stock up on basic items, such as wrapping paper, ribbon, tape and
cards, before the season rush begins. It’s also a good idea to buy some spare presents, for
example candles or chocolates as this can save you from embarrassing moments and last-minute
trips to the shops for people you have forgotten.
If all of this sound like too much hard work, then, thanks to modern technology, many of
us can do all our shopping on the internet, without ever having to leave home. No matter how
you do your shopping, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that you are buying gifts to
show your love and affection for friends and family.
1. The holiday season can be very tiring.
2. Holiday shopping can be made easier.

3. It’s important to make a list of how much you want to spend.
4. You should take the time to go window shopping.

5. The best time to go shopping is at the weekend.
6. It’s better to buy wrapping paper and cards before you buy gifts.
7. Buying spare presents can save your money.
CARD 38
The Green Sea Turtle

The green sea turtle is a large turtle which is found in warm coastal waters around the
world, but the largest populations today are in Florida, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Borneo. In all
these areas the turtles are at risk. Although in the past there were probably several million green
sea turtles in the world, today scientists believe that fewer than 200.000 adult females remain.
Below we list some of the reasons why numbers of these and other sea turtles have declined.
People around the world have used the meat of the green sea turtles for food since ancient
times and it is the main ingredient in turtle soup. The eggs, which the female turtles bury on
sandy beaches, are also collected by hunters. Unfortunately, although laws banning the hunting
have bees passed in many countries, people continue to do so illegally.
Every year, more than 10.000 sea turtles are accidentally trapped in fishing nets. Unable
to breathe, these turtles soon drown. Many of these deaths could be avoided if the fishermen
made miner changes to their equipment that would allow the turtle to escape. For some reason,
many fishermen seem unwilling to do this, although the law requires to do so.
The seas are littered with rubbish which can prove deadly to the turtles. They can become
entangled in old fishing lines and nets or they may mistake pieces of plastic for food. When the
turtles swallow the plastic, it can block their digestive systems and then the turtles starve to
death.
More and more beaches, used by the turtles as nesting areas, are lost every year as tourist
areas are developed. This means that the females do not have a familiar place in which to lay
their eggs and as a result some females may not nest at all.
1. There are more than two million green sea turtles in the world.
2. The number of green sea turtles is getting smaller.

3. A lot of countries do not allow people to hunt the turtles.
4. Fishermen do their best to avoid catching the turtles.

5. The turtles are sometimes caught in old fishing lines.
6. The turtles like to eat plastic.

7. There are not enough beaches for turtles to lay their eggs.
CARD 39
Ready, Get Set… Eat

Competitive eating is a well-organised activity for thousands of people from all over the
world, although it’s most popular in the USA, where the tradition began. Nathan’s Hot Dog
Eating Contest takes place every fourth of July in Coney Island, New York. According to the
legend, in 1916, four immigrants had a hot dog eating contest at the site of the first Nathan’s
stand to show who was the most patriotic. Today, the competition brings together many of the
world’s best competitive eaters. The current champion is Japan’s Takeru Kobayashi, who set a
world record of eating 53 ½ hot dogs in twelve minutes, but this year he faces tough competition
from America’s Sonya Thomas, The Black Widow, who holds the record for eating 65 hard
boiled eggs in 7 minutes.
Other world records include eating 137 chicken wings in 30 minutes, 9 ½ boxes of pop
corn in 12 minutes and almost a kilo of butter in 5 minutes, but don’t imagine you have to be
enormous to break a record. Kobayashi weighs just 65 kilos and Thomas weighs only 55 kilos.
In fact, being overweight is thought to be a disadvantage in competitive eating as body fat stops
the stomach from expanding as much as it could. Kobayashi expands his stomach for a
competition by eating larger and larger amounts of food, and then exercises so the fat will not get
in the way during a competition.
The rules of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest are quite simple. Twenty competitors
stand behind a long table with hot dogs and drinks. The competitors can eat them however they
like, but most usually dip their food in water to make it easier to chew and swallow. Whoever
eats (and keeps down) the most hot dogs in 12 minutes is the winner.
1. Usually a prize at an eating competition is money.

2. Competitive eating only happens in the USA.
3. Only Americans compete in the contest.
4. The world record holder is a man.

5. Most record breakers are overweight.
6. It’s a good idea to increase the amounts of food you eat before a competition.
7. There are many rules to obey at the contest.
CARD 40
Armchair Shopping
For those people who are too busy to stand in line at supermarket checkouts or live too
far away from a shopping centre, armchair shopping is just the answer. (1)…
Finding your favourite shop online couldn’t be easier. If you don’t have the online
address, all you have to do is use a search engine. (2)…
Once online, shoppers tour the site with a virtual shopping basket. If you see something
you want to buy, all you have to do is click on the item and drag it into the shopping basket. (3)
…
Buying online has a number of advantages. Firstly, it’s convenient for those people who
don’t own cars, are housebound or just too busy to go shopping. (4)…. Online shoppers also
have a much wider range of shops to choose from because on the net they can access shops from
all around the world.
Although it’s true that online shopping has many advantages, there can be problems. The
cost of using the net is getting cheaper, but many Internet providers still charge by the minute.
(5)…. Also, online shoppers can’t see or feel the quality of items they are buying or try on
clothing. In the case of food shopping, you have to rely on someone else to choose the product
for you. (6)…
Despite the problems involved, you can shop safely. (7)…. If you are paying by credit
card, make sure the site is secure before giving your details. If you are buying clothing, check the
sizes as sizing varies from country to country. Finally, if the offer seems too good to be true, then
it probably is.
A. Most search engines and internet shopping directories should be able to find it for you.
B. So browsing around a wide range of shops can take as long as a traditional shopping visit.
C. Stick to well-known retailers and large chain stores.
D. When you are ready to pay for your goods, you are taken to a secure part of the site to give
the details of your credit card.
E. All you have to do is to turn on your computer, click on to your favourite shop and step into a
world of hi-tech shopping.
F. Supermarket shopping online, in particular, can be confusing because you have to buy
everything according to weights and measures so you have to be precise.
G. In addition, goods are usually cheaper on the web.
CARD 41
Read the text and match the titles (A-G) to the paragraphs (1-7).
A. Gift for James E. Happy Anniversary

B. Unanswered Questions F. Reunion with Dr. Applebaum
C. Waking up in London G. Mary Finds James
D. Fantastic Dream?
1. The professor woke in the park near Dr. Applebaum’s house. He still didn’t know where he
was and what year it was. The streets and the cars looked familiar. He was back in London.
2. He walked towards Dr. Applebaum’s house. The fire brigade was outside the house, and there
was a huge fire burning inside. Dr. Applebaum was being taken out on a stretcher. The doctor
was barely conscious but he was able to ask if James had brought anything from the past. James
suddenly remembered the charm given to him by Ula. He took it out of his pocket and showed it
to the doctor, who smiled weakly and then lost consciousness. The ambulance took him away.
3. As he stood watching the house burn, James’ wife, Mary, ran down the street. She hugged him
and told him how worried she had been when he hadn’t come home.
4. Then Mary saw the charm in her husband’s hand and smiled. James glanced at it and said that
a lot had happened to him that day. He thought of telling her the whole story but then decided
that it would be better to wait until they got home. Mary put her arms round his shoulders, kissed
him and said, “Happy anniversary, darling”.
5. As they walked home, Mary told him that she had found the charm in an antique shop. The
salesman there had told her it was an authentic Viking artefact, and she had bought it. Mary had
put it in his pocket hoping that he would find it during the day. James smiled and told her it was
the perfect anniversary present, but quietly wondered, “What about Ula?”
6. Dr. Applebaum died and his house and his laboratory had been destroyed in the fire. James
never found out exactly how he had travelled through time. He began to think that it had all been
just a dream.
7. But how had he got to the park? Why had the doctor asked him if he’d brought anything back?
Suddenly, he remembered his notebook. He looked for it in his coat pocket, but it was gone.
CARD 42
Social Networking Sites

As social networking sites are becoming more and more popular, researchers are starting
to worry that we may be turning into addicted users. This may actually be true. Take a quick
look around you and you’ll see for yourself: people are constantly checking their smartphones to
keep up with their friends’ recent posts on social networking sites. They are also commenting on
and sharing that information with other friends.
Since social networking sites appeared in the late 1990s, they have become a part of
everyday life. Initially, people used them to stay in touch with family and friends through instant
messaging applications. They also created professional profiles online so they could search for
jobs. In addition, they started making good friends who had similar interests or found old
classmates through a name research.
Nowadays, however, although all the above still apply, social networking sites have also
become a place for posting personal details the public has no interest in. according to
psychologists, users obsessively post bits of their life online because this gives them the illusion
of having an audience. Does the post “Kathy is drinking tea with her sister Jo at Maxwell
Shopping Centre” sound familiar? In this scenario, there would even be a photo of Kathy and her
sister drinking that tea at that shopping centre. Then, chances are, those girls would constantly
check how many people “liked” their photo.
Researchers have repeatedly stressed the dangers of making our private life available
online. There have been many cases of kidnappers who posed as someone younger to make
friends with a child, using a false name and photo, for example. There is no way of knowing who
is behind an online profile. This is why, experts warn, we should never accept a friend request
from people we don’t know and, of course, never agree to meet them. The same goes for sharing
personal information such as addresses and telephone numbers online. At the end of the day,
what we should be asking ourselves before posting anything is: does the world really care or
need to know where I am or what I’m doing right now?
1. The writer thinks the addiction to social networking sites is not as serious as researchers
argue.
2. When social networking sites first appeared, people used them for fewer things compared to
today.
3. Professionals don’t use social networking sites to find jobs any more.
4. People use social networks to announce daily activities that other people don’t care about.
5. According to research, users like posting online because they enjoy the attention.
6. Some people have used social networking sites to commit crime.

CARD 43
Career choices
I’m often asked the question “How did you become a journalist?” You see, everybody
expected me to become a doctor like my father. Well, during my last year of school, I was given
the opportunity to visit a careers adviser and I can tell you she wasn’t crazy about my career
choices.
My first choice was chocolate tester. Although the adviser wasn’t very impressed, she got
me the information. I discovered that chocolate testers earn a lot of money, so I was sure I had
found my dream job. However, when I found out that chocolate testers don’t just sit around
eating chocolate all day, I lost my interest. It seems that they are also involved in planning how
to sell the product. I finally decided against it when I realized a university degree would be
needed.
Next, I thought of becoming a football referee. I had loved football from a young age, but
being a professional footballer was out of question, as I couldn’t play very well. Anyway, it
seems that referees must be able to run two and a half miles in less than twelve minutes and they
are required to take exams throughout their training. On top of that, after many years of
experience – and if they are lucky – they might get the chance to referee big professional
matches. So, my dream of showing David Beckham a red card was destroyed.
Finally, I had this brilliant idea of becoming a dog stylist. That was after I realized how
much money our dog stylist, Shirley, was paid every time we visited her with our dog, Philipo.
However, once, when she was styling Philipo, I noticed that he tried to bite her. “It happens all
the time,” she told me. As you can imagine, that really put me off.
To cut a long story short, all this made me realize I had a gift for research, so by the end
of the school year, I had decided to become a journalist.
1. Many people thought that the writer would follow the career of another family member.
2. The careers adviser liked the writer’s ideas about possible careers.
3. The careers adviser suggested the job of a chocolate tester.
4. The writer was under the impression that the only thing chocolate testers do is taste chocolate.
5. Becoming a football referee is difficult for a number of reasons.
6. The writer decided not to become a dog stylist when he discovered that they don’t get paid
well.
CARD 44
Almost There!
It had always been my dream to climb Mount Everest, and last year I decided not to put it
off any longer. I started training daily, determined not to let physical inability prevent me from
standing on the highest mountain in the world. Then, six months later, I boarded a plane for
Nepal.
I met the guide and the other members of my group in a town called Dingboche. There I
was with thirteen strangers who shared a common goal – to reach the top of Everest. Of course,
we were still far from that dream. Before we could climb, the guide said we had to do further
training there, to get used to the altitude. We trained for what seemed like a century. This
training was nothing like any of the training I had done back home: such was the physical effort
required that we had to support each other so that nobody gave up.
Several weeks later, we were finally ready to leave for Everest when a heavy snowstorm
hit the area. All expeditions to Everest were cancelled. The groups that had left before us had to
turn back, while other groups got cut off and had to be rescued by helicopter. There were even
reports of some climbers being killed in an avalanche. We were heartbroken. Would all that hard
training go to waste?
One night, as we were hanging around, feeling miserable, our guide suggested we climb
Ama Dablam, another great mountain. Although we were disappointed that we were forced to
settle for the next best thing, we decided it was better than nothing. So, we set off, and as we
headed upwards, the snow got deeper and the path got icier. It wasn’t easy. The strongest
climbers had to help the rest. When we reached an altitude of 5.500 metres, we were so
exhausted that we considered turning back. However, we kept going till we reached the top.
Finally we made it. It was an incredible feeling. We realized that it’s not the destination that
makes everything worthwhile; it’s the satisfaction you get from pushing yourself to the limits
and sharing your achievement with the others.
1. The writer trained every day before leaving for Nepal.
2. The members of the writer’s group met in Dingboche.

3. Some of the climbers wanted to quit because the training was not challenging.
4. The group’s planned climb was cancelled because of the weather conditions.
5. Some members of the writer’s group died as a result of the snowstorm.
6. Ama Dablam is 5.500 metres high.

CARD 45
The Bermuda Triangle – Fact or Fiction?

“We seem to be off course… everything is wrong… strange… even the ocean doesn’t
look as it should… it looks like we are…” Those were the last words of Lieutenant Charles C.
Taylor, who was the leader of the five American bomber airplanes that had set out from Florida,
USA, in good weather conditions on a routine flight on 5 December 1945. Hours later, they
disappeared. Flight 19, as it was called, is one of the most famous cases related to the mysterious
Bermuda Triangle.
The Bermuda Triangle is a large area of sea which lies between Florida, Puerto Rico, and
Bermuda. This name was given to the area by Vincent Gaddis, an American investigator of
mysteries, in 1964. It is also known as the Devil’s Triangle.
Stories about the Bermuda Triangle go back to the late 15 th century, when Christopher
Columbus recorded that his compass needle pointed northwest instead of north while sailing
through this area. In 1918, the US ship Cyclops disappeared, along with its entire crew, even
though it was sailing in calm water. More recently, in 1976, an oil tanker, The Grand Zenith,
carrying over 30 million litres of oil, disappeared in the same area.
While trying to explain why ships and planes have disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle,
people have suggested several theories. Some believe that the ships and planes were attacked by
sea monsters or destroyed by gigantic waves. Others even suggest that the ships and planes had
been “stolen” by people from the lost continent of Atlantis or by UFOs. However, scientists
believe that there is a powerful magnetic field in this area. That, together with strong currents of
air, can make navigation very difficult. It would also explain why none of the missing ships and
airplanes have been found yet.
Hopefully new techniques in deep-sea diving will allow scientists to search the area
better and perhaps solve the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. Until then, it will remain exactly
that: a mystery feeding our imagination.
1. Lieutenant Charles C. Taylor never reported that he was having trouble.
2. Vincent Gaddis came up with the name “Devil’s Triangle”.

3. Christopher Columbus noticed that his compass wasn’t working properly.
4. The Grand Zenith was empty when it disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle.
5. According to some theories, UFOs are responsible for the disappearance of the ships and
airplanes.
6. Scientists believe that weather conditions are partly responsible for the accidents.
CARD 46
Smart Clothes
Since the idea of wearable technology was introduced in the 20 th century, the clothing
industry has never been the same. The combination of fashion and technology, as strange as it
may sound, does serve a purpose. Far from aiming to make the wearer look like Arnold
Schwarzenegger in Terminator 3, smart clothing can have environmentally friendly, health or
safety considerations and be a development in art and design as well.
An early but important attempt at wearable technology was ICD+, a denim jacket
developed by Phillips and Levis. This jacket was nothing short of a revolution for its time, as it
had a microphone, earphones, a mobile phone and an MP3 player installed in it. The ICD+ was
not a commercial success though, perhaps because it was so expensive (about £ 800). Still, it
gave later inventor an understanding of practical issues that come with smart clothes design. For
instance, to wash the ICD+, you had to remove all its electronic features.
In recent years, several fashion design companies have produced smart clothes which are
environmentally friendly. Two such projects are “Solar Fiber” and “Wearable Solar”, which use
solar cells that collect heat from the sun and turn it into energy – enough to charge your
smartphone, for instance.
Another important application of this idea has to do with health. Many sportswear
companies, such as Sensoria, Heddoko and Athos, have focusing on sports clothes that track hard
rate muscle movement, breathing, and even speed and distance, through special sensors
embedded in the fabric itself. This type of clothing, which ranges from socks to cycling shorts
and gym wear, is increasingly gaining popularity with athletes around the world.
1. Wearable technology started being used after 2000.
2. ICD+ wearers didn’t have to carry MP3 players with them.

3. Not everybody could afford an ICD+.
4. Solar Fiber and Wearable Solar make smart phones.

5. Some sports clothes have sensors in them.
6. The demand for smart sportswear is growing.

CARD 47
Bullying
A bully is a person who attacks, either physically or emotionally, a weaker person. The
existence of such organizations as Ditch The Label and Antibullying Alliance shows that bullying
is a reality that should not be ignored. In fact, according to the research carried out by Ditch The
Label in 2015 in the UK, seven out of ten young people are bullied at some point at school or
college. The experience has dramatic consequences for the victim: self-confidence is affected,
school marks drop, and depression levels rise.
Some of the signs of bullying, such as cuts, bruises, and torn clothes, are physical, so they
are usually easy to spot. There are, however, emotional and behavioural signs that may help
warn parents and teachers, even in cases when the child refuses to share any information as to
what is going on. Anti-bullying organizations encourage parents and teachers to focus on any
change in the behaviour or habits of a person: for example, if the person acts strangely, loses his
or her appetite, remains oddly silent, looks unhappy, or often “loses” money and other personal
belongings, he or she is definitely going through something that requires attention.
Many anti-bullying efforts are centred on helping young people deal with bullying and
even try to stop bullying from appearing in the first place. More and more campaigns run
throughout the year, especially on social networking sites, aiming at raising awareness through
discussion and action against bullying. One such example is Anti-Bullying week. During this
week, people are encouraged to speak out, share views and let victims of bullying know that they
are not alone. Victims can call a special, free helpline and talk to experts who act as a support
system. Also, other people can help by offering money to anti-bullying organizations, or by
helping spread their message. The hope is, as these efforts gain more popularity, bullying will
eventually become socially unacceptable behaviour.
1. 70% of school or college students in the UK have experienced bullying.
2. According to the text, the physical signs of bullying are easy to hide.
3. Some victims of bullying might not talk about what is happening to them.
4. A change in eating habits may show that someone is being bullied.

5. During Anti-Bullying Week , victims can receive professional advice for a small charge.
6. People can help the fight against bullying be giving money to anti-bullying organizations.
CARD 48
Getting Our Houses in Order

Nowadays, because of population growth and lack of buildable land, more and more
countries are facing a housing problem. Increases in sea level have not helped matters, and some
countries are actually fighting hard to hold on to built-up areas which are next to the sea.
One city that has decided to deal with the problem is Amsterdam. The Dutch city has
decided to build a floating suburb, called IJburg, located to the east of the city centre. IJburg
consists of three man-made islands in IJssel lake. The first stage of the plan is for one hundred
floating houses to be built, but others will follow as long as there is enough interest from people
looking to move to the area.
Anyone interested in staying in the suburb can rent an area of water for fifty years at a
price around € 120.000. they then order their floating house and state any preferences they may
have, such as the number of rooms or how the rooms are organized inside. The house is built in a
factory and, when it is complete, it is placed on the area of the river that the owner has rented.
Owners of the floating homes need never worry about floods or rising waters again. The
buildings are fixed at the side of the lake, but are free to move upwards or downwards depending
on the level of the water.
A number of families have already started living in the floating homes and, so far, their
opinions have been very positive. Rik Bos, who is a resident of IJburg, enjoys admiring the
beautiful view from his new house. “It was always an ambition of mine to live next to a lake, and
now I am actually living on a lake!” he says. “It really is a dream come true”.
1. The housing problem faced by many countries refers to seaside areas only.
2. IJburg is located in IJssel lake.

3. People can rent a floating house for fifty years or around € 120.000.
4. Not all the floating houses are organized the same way on the inside.
5. Floating houses are existing homes which are transferred to the sea.
6. The floating houses are not yet available to the public.

CARD 49
The Eifel Tower

It is not possible to go to Paris without seeing the Eifel Tower. Even if you don’t go out
of your way to visit it, from almost anywhere you look in the city, the tower is simply part of the
view.
Interestingly, this now-famous tower was initially intended to be only a temporary part of
France’s capital city. It was completed in 1889 and took only two years, two months and five
days to build. Given the technology back then, this was an unbelievably short amount of time. It
was supposed to stand for only twenty years, but people soon found that it was useful as well as
beautiful; its great height (at almost 1000 feet, it was the tallest building in the world for over 40
years) made it perfect as a radio tower. More importantly, it was so popular with the public, both
at home and abroad, that any ideas about removing it soon disappeared.
Today, millions of people visit the Eifel Tower every year. It has three floors, at 57m,
115m, and 275m off the ground, and each offers amazing views of the city. The first floor was
redesigned at one point, and now has a glass bottom so that visitors can see straight down to the
street below. The first and second levels can be reached on foot; however, visitors need to take a
lift to reach the top floor. The view from the top floor is popular with visitors at any time of day,
but many also choose to visit the tower after the sun goes down so that they can see the lights of
Paris below. Although the great height can be scary, regular work is done on the tower to make
sure that it stays safe enough for people to visit, and the view from the top makes it well worth it.
1. It is difficult to locate the Eifel Tower in Paris.
2. The original plan was to take down the Eifel Tower after 20 years.
3. Although the Eifel Tower attracted many foreign visitors, the French public disliked it in the
beginning.
4. The original design for the first level didn’t include the glass floor.
5. Only two floors can be accessed without a lift.

6. Visitors can only travel up to the top floor when it is dark.
CARD 50
We Are Not Alone… Or Are We?
UFOs, alien abductions, lost time… It might sound like the latest series of the X-Files,
but many people believe that these things really exist!
We asked Jack Smith, a top UFO researcher, what makes him believe that we are not
alone. “Well,” he told us, “just picture the scene… I am riding my bike home one evening with
my sister when suddenly a strange bright light appears in the sky in front of us. I think it’s a star
until it starts to change colour and move up and down and from side to side. I am afraid, but then
I feel strangely calm. After a few minutes, it disappears behind the hills and my sister and I ride
home as fast as we can”.
Astronauts, pilots, scientists, even presidents have had similar experiences. Some
witnesses have even found burn marks on the ground from UFO crashes. One UFO society,
however, collected a list of 70.000 sightings from all over the world and found explanations for
80% of them: comets, meteors, bright planet like Venus, aircraft lights, or even birds, anything
but UFOs! But what about the other 20%? “Well, there are thousands of solar systems or planets
that go around a central star like our sun,” Jack told us. “If the right conditions exist on just one
of these planets, it is possible that life exists there. Personally, I’m convinced that aliens are here
and they walk among us!”
There is just one problem with this. So far no one has even found any real aliens. So, is
there a logical explanation for UFO and alien sightings? Or is the truth still out there? You
decide!
1. Jack Smith believes in UFOs.
2. Jack Smith has talked to aliens.

3. Not many people have made contact with aliens.
4. UFOs never leave traces behind them.

5. There are many solar systems in the Universe.
6. Some people believe that there are aliens among us.

CARD 51
Read the text and decide if the statements are T (True) or F (False).
If I were seventeen again, I would want to live on a Kentucky hill farm. I would want to
grow up and live where there are trees, meadows, and streams.
If I couldn’t live on a large farm, a few acres would do. But I would want space to hunt
over, and a stream or lake nearby where I could fish. I would want to mow the meadows with a
span of horses or mules, and haul the hay to the barn on a hay wagon. I believe the boy or girl
who hasn’t ridden on a hay wagon has missed something in his youth. If he hasn’t smelled
newmown clover, he has missed the finest wind a youth ever breathed.
In the spring of the year, if I were seventeen again, I’d want to take long walks into the
woods. I’d want to get acquainted with all kinds of birds, how they build their nests and the kind
of materials they use, what colour and size eggs they lay – from the hoot owl to the chicken
hawk and sparrow – and how and what they feed their young. I’d want to know all about the
animals. I would want to know and I would find out what they ate, where they lived, what
animals were friendly with each other and which were enemies. This is a world every teenage
boy should know. I’ve never seen one yet who didn’t love the animal world. And I would protect
each non-destructive animal, each non-destructive bird. I would want to know the hunting laws,
abide by them, and help re-stock and protect the game so it would be here for the next seventeen-
year-old when he came along.
abide (by) – змиритися з прав

re-stock – поновити запаси
1. The person telling the story wants to know how birds build their nests, how they walk, and
how they steal eggs.
2. The person telling the story wants to hunt every animal to make sure that there are no animals
left over for the next teenager.
3. The person telling the story wants to know how the animals communicate, migrate, and where
they live.
4. The person telling the story wants to be seventeen again.
5. The person telling the story wants to walk in the mountains, valleys, and forests in the spring.
6. He wants to live on a farm in Kentucky.
7. He wants to keep all the destructive animals safe.
8. He wants to be able to fish and rock climb in nature.
9. The person telling the story wants to know the colour and size of sparrow eggs.
10. Every boy should know about the animal world.
CARD 52
Each college at Oxford has several clubs of its own. Most of the students belong to one or
more clubs. There is a debating club in every college as well as athletic and football clubs, and
so on. There are many University clubs which bring together students who are interested in
literature, art, music, drama, travelling.
There is hardly any form of sport in which students do not engage. Of all the sports,
rowing plays a leading role. Then comes cricket, a national English game, and then football.
The University Boat Race is the oldest of the sporting competitions between such old
British universities as Oxford and Cambridge. The most interesting of the rowing races at the
two universities are bumping races. They take place two times a year. Theses strange races were
invented at Oxford and Cambridge. The rivers are not wide there, they are too narrow for boats
to race side by side, and so somebody thought of a bumping race. No prizes are won in such
races, but the winners are given the oars with which they rowed. Their names are written on each
oar in gold letters.
The most interesting time to visit Cambridge is during May Week. This is neither in May
nor a Week. For some reasons which nobody remembers, May Week is the name given to the
first two weeks in June, the very end of the University year. May Week denotes not a particular
period of time, but the general atmosphere of relaxation at the end of the year’s work.
1. At Oxford University…
A. a student can be a member of different clubs.
B. a student can be a member of just one club.
C. to become a member of a club a student must be good at debating.
2. The most popular sport at Oxford University is…
A. football
B. rowing
C. cricket
3. Bumping races were invented because…
A. it was possible for boats to race side by side.
B. the width of the river was quite enough for such races.
C. it was most exciting kind of races.
4. The winners are given….
A. gold oars.
B. new oars.
C. oars with their names engraved in gold.
5. May Week is…
A. a fortnight in June
B. a week in May
C. a week in June
CARD 53
The story of the Native Americans – or American Indians – is one that is unique, tragic
and inspiring. It is unique because the Indians were the original inhabitants of the American
continent and experienced every phase of its European settlement. It is tragic because the conflict
between the Indians and whites looks like the same for people throughout the world meeting
with industrialized societies. It is an inspiring story because the Native Americans, although lost
much of their land in the 19th century, have survived, and have succeeded in saving their identity
and culture despite the attacks of modern civilization.
Today Native Americans are full citizens of the United States. They are proud of their
own cultural heritage, which they are trying to protect and maintain.
Marks of that heritage can be found all over the United States. Many of the names on
United States maps Massachusetts, Ohio, Michigan, and Kansas – are Indian words. Indians
taught the Europeans how to cultivate crops such as corn, tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco.
About half of the Indians in the United States live in large cities and rural areas
throughout the country. The reminder lives in about 300 federal reservations (land set for their
use).
Today, there is about 1,4 million Native Americans, which is believed to be more than
there was when the first Europeans explorers arrived in the New World.
1. American Indians never experienced pressure from European settlers.

2. The Indians have lost all their lands.
3. Modern civilization didn’t manage to destroy the Indians’ heritage.
4. Europeans taught the Indians how to grow tomatoes.
5. Today large cities host about 2/3 of the Native Americans.
CARD 54
Read the text and match the paragraphs (A–C) to the questions (1–5).
So, You Want to Be on Television ?

So, you want to be on television? Read about three different ways you can make your dream
come true!
A Who Knows?
Have you ever wanted to be on a TV game show? If you think you’ve got good general
knowledge and you’re confident enough to appear on TV in front of millions of people, just fill
in our application form. You could be a winner on Channel 7’s new game show Who Knows?
There will be twelve weekly shows and the winner of each show will go on to play a final
competition to win two million pounds!
B Watching You!
The producers of the reality show Watching You! are looking for ten new people to live in
the famous house for ten weeks. Are you funny and talkative? Are you interested in other
people? Would you like to become a big star? Send in your application before 7 November, and
you could be invited to the auditions in London and Manchester!
C Children’s Hour
As viewers know, Dani Byers has left Channel 7’s Children’s Hour to make a film in
Hollywood. So, we need someone to take her place as a presenter on the show. We’re looking
for someone who is enthusiastic, intelligent and who loves children. Is that you? Apply now and
come for a voice test!
Which show:
will be shorter than three months? (1) .....
can make people very famous? (2) .....
only needs one person? (3) .....
offers a lot of money? (4) .....
wants someone who likes talking? (5) .....
CARD 55
As you go after a day’s work in the crowded London underground, suddenly you hear
music. You take some money out of your pocket and throw it into the open guitar case of the
busker. The musicians bring colour and life to the city’s underground.
If you have time and look at the wall behind the busker, you will see the names of the
musicians on it with a time near each name. each musician plays for an hour only and those who
want to play write their names on the wall.
From time to time the police come to an underground station and the musicians have to
go to another place. If the police ask one of the buskers what he is doing, he usually answers that
he’s just practising. If the police ask about the money in the guitar case, the musician answers
that it fell out of his pocket into his guitar case.
An American girl on a visit to London said that she liked busking and often played in an
underground station where there were many buskers. Some of them played quite close together,
but one important rule is that you mustn’t stand very close to another musician because people
will hear two musicians at the same time.
Why do musicians want to play in the street? Some musicians do it for money, some do it
for pleasure. Others say it’s a good place to practise because they can’t play at home.
1. A busker…
A. sells newspapers in the underground.
B. plays a musical instrument.
C. takes photos.
2. Each busker plays…
A. from dusk to dawn.
B. for a limited period of time.
C. as long as he likes.
3. On the walls buskers usually write…
A. their names and the place where they are going to play.
B. the names of musicians famous all over the world.
C. their names and the time when they are going to play.
4. The police…
A. make buskers go to another place.
B. make them pay some money.
C. listen to music and put some money into busker’s guitar case.
5. The busker mustn’t…
A. play modern music.
B. play two musical instruments.
C. stand close to another busker.
CARD 56
Read the text and decide if the statements are T (True) or F (False).
We may take it for granted, but water is the most important resource on Earth. It covers
80% of the Earth’s surface and it’s the only substance that can be found naturally in three forms:
solid, liquid and gas. Water also makes up 66 % of the human body and without it we can’t live
for more than a week.
Although water is the most common substance on Earth, we should use it carefully
because only 1% is drinkable and 1/3 of all the people in the world can’t get enough clean water.
Today, we use 3 times more water than in 1950, and people in rich countries use 10 times more
than those in poor ones. So where does it all go? Well, a single dripping tap can waste up to
7,600 litres of water in a year and a leaking toilet can waste about 260 litres in a day.
At home, we can help by fixing broken taps and toilets. Having showers instead of baths
could save about 300 litres of water a week. We should also avoid using chemicals that pollute
the water supply, because we can’t increase the amount of fresh water in the world. We can only
change the way we use it.
1. Water can exist in solid, liquid and gas forms.
2. 66 % of the Earth’s water is drinkable.
3. Humans can live for seven days without water.
4. Water is the most common substance on our planet.
5. People use 1/3 of the water on Earth.
6. Having baths instead of showers wastes water.
7. We shouldn’t use so many chemicals.
8. We can’t increase the water supply.

CARD 57
Read the text. For questions (1–4) choose the correct answers (A–D).
It is easy to make a delicious-looking hamburger at home. But would this hamburger still
look delicious after it sat on your kitchen table under very bright lights for six or seven hours? If
someone took a picture or made a video of this hamburger after the seventh hour, would anyone
want to eat it? More importantly, do you think you could get millions of people to pay money for
this hamburger?
These are the questions that fast food companies worry about when they produce
commercials or print ads for their products. Video and photo shoots often last many hours. The
lights that the photographers use can be extremely hot. These conditions can cause the food to
look quite unappealing to potential consumers. Because of this, the menu items that you see in
fast food commercials are probably not actually edible.
Let’s use the hamburger as an example. The first step towards building the perfect
commercial hamburger is the bun. The food stylist – a person employed by the company to make
sure the products look perfect – sorts through hundreds of buns until he or she finds one with no
wrinkles. Next, the stylist carefully rearranges the sesame seeds on the bun using glue and
tweezers for maximum visual appeal. The bun is then sprayed with a waterproofing solution so
that it will not get soggy from contact with other ingredients, the lights, or the humidity in the
room.
Next, the food stylist shapes a meat patty into a perfect circle. Only the outside of the
meat gets cooked – the inside is left raw so that the meat remains moist. The food stylist then
paints the outside of the meat patty with a mixture of oil, molasses, and brown food coloring.
Grill marks are either painted on or seared into the meat using hot metal skewers
Finally, the food stylist searches through dozens of tomatoes and heads of lettuce to find
the best-looking produce. One leaf of the crispest lettuce and one center slice of the reddest
tomato are selected and then sprayed with glycerin to keep them looking fresh. So the next time
you see a delicious hamburger in a fast food commercial, remember: you’re actually looking at
glue, paint, raw meat, and glycerin! Are you still hungry?
1. The author’s primary purpose is to

A. convince readers not to eat at fast food restaurants
B. explain how fast food companies make their food look delicious in commercials
C. teach readers how to make delicious-looking food at home
D. criticize fast food companies for lying about their products in commercials
2. As used in paragraph 2, something is edible if it
A. can safely be eaten
B. seems much smaller in real life
C. looks very delicious
D. tastes good
3. A food stylist working on a hamburger commercial might use glue to
A. make sure the meat patty stays attached to the bun
B. arrange the lettuce on the tomato
C. keep the sesame seeds on the bun in perfect order
D. hold the entire hamburger together
4. It is most important for the lettuce and tomato used in a fast food hamburger
commercial to
A. have a great taste
B. appear natural
C. be the perfect shape and size
D. look fresh
CARD 58
Read the text. For questions (1–4) choose the correct answers (A, B or C)
TEENAGE “GIRLS TOO EMBARRASSED” TO KEEP FIT
Most teenage girls want to be fitter and lose weight, but fewer than half do any weekly
exercise, according to research.
A study due to be published also found that fewer than half of all young people eat any
fresh fruit daily despite Government recommendations. It found that the very reason that girls
want to exercise more inhibits them. They want to exercise to improve their appearance, but
many do not because they do not like the way that they look while exercising.
Helen Haste, a professor of psychology at Bath University and the author of the report,
My Body, My Self, to be published this month by the Nestle Social Research Foundation, said:
“Work has been done before on young people’s behaviour in relation to health, but we were
interested in their attitudes to health, fitness and exercise. We can’t persuade young people to
change their behaviour just by telling them what’s good for them, but need to appeal to what is
important to them. “Talking about being healthy in itself is not the right way to appeal to them,
but being fitter and more attractive is.”
Professor Haste said fewer than half her sample exercised once a week, apart from
walking. Asked why they did not exercise 49 per cent of girls said that they did not feel
comfortable exercising in front of other people, 35 per cent said they did not have time, 34 per
cent said they did not look good in exercise clothes, 33 per cent said they did not want to look
too muscular and 30 per cent said they were no good at sport. Almost half the girls (47 per cent)
said they would rather dance or do yoga than take part in traditional sports.
1. Most teenage girls want to

A. be happy.
B. slim down.
C. study psychology.
2. Fresh fruit is eaten by

A. more than 50 % of all teenagers.
B. more than 50 % of all teenage girls.
C. less than 50 % of all teenagers.
3. The report “My Body, My Self”

A. was published last month.
B. is being published this month.
C. has been published this month.
4. Nearly 50 % of the girls that were asked said that

A. they would take yoga or dance rather than typical sports.
B. they would take yoga instead of dance.
C. yoga is as good as dance.
CARD 59
Good morning everyone. I’m your tour guide for today. we’ve made a change to the trip
we usually make on Thursdays. I hope none of you will mind. We are still going to visit the
beautiful town of Brampton with its old university, and there’ll be time to look round that as
usual. But today, because we have a lot of children here this week, we are also going to a
wildlife park which a colleague of mine has recommended.
On the way to Brampton, we’ll drive through some beautiful countryside. We’ll go over
the mountain and we’ll have a lovely view of the lake from the top. We’ll stop there for a few
minutes so you can take some photos. In the next valley, we’ll have a break for coffee. There’s a
café near a beautiful waterfall and if any of you want to go for a walk, you can. We’ll get to
Brampton at about 11.30. it’s a lovely town. We’ll start by taking a guided tour of the university,
which was built in the 17th century. Then there’ll be time for all of you to have a look at the
shops. Most people come to Brampton nowadays for the shops, but it’s the university that made
the town famous. If you don’t want to look at the shops, I suggest you visit the museum.
After lunch, we’ll get back on the coach and go to the wildlife park. We need to stay in
the coach while drive round because we’ll see lions in the park.
1. The tourists are going to visit the beautiful town of Brighton.

2. The tourists will go to a wildlife park after breakfast.
3. From the top of the mountain there is a lovely view of the river.
4. There is a café near the waterfall on the way to Brampton.
5. Most people come to Brampton to see the University.
6. The University in Brampton was built in the 17th century.
7. The tourists well start by taking a guided tour of the museum.
8. There will be some time for shopping.
CARD 60
A. Unbelievable meeting. D. Unpredictable life.
B. Absolute coincidence. E. Strikes of underground workers.
C. Unpleasant meeting. F. Situation on the station.
1. Strange things really do happen to people like you and me. We don’t know exactly what might
happen with us in a few minutes. Sometimes we don’t expect to meet anybody who will be a
very important person in our life.
2. When the London Underground goes on strike my journey to work can be a nightmare. I
remember a strike a few summers ago – the station near my house was closed and I had to use
another station and take a different train. This added about an hour to my journey, so I wasn’t
very happy.
3. There was chaos at the station. All the rest trains were overcrowded. People were late and they
were panicking! By the time I got on the train, I was feeling fed up and sorry for myself. And, of
course, I clearly understood that I would be late too.
4. Then I saw this man. There was something about him – he had such a familiar face. It took me
a few minutes to realize that it was someone I knew – he was Ian, a friend from school days in
Scotland. He recognized me too and we started talking about school and the people we both used
to know.
5. I was even more surprised when the train came to my station and he started to get off too! I
asked him where he was going and he said he was going to work. He told me he worked in
Fitzroy Street. You see, I work in Fitzroy Street too. It was such an amazing coincidence. How
could it be possible that we had never met before. It’s a small world.

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CARD 1

Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

1. Socrates never lost his:

1. The mysterious lake is known for its strange creature.

5. Scientific expeditions proved that the monster really exists.

2. He wrote wonderful books for children.

4. He started his education in the boarding school.

1. Collecting baseball cards is a new favourite pastime only for children,

2. Some baseball cards are of great value.

4. Honus Wagner’s card is sold in his hometown.

1. Holidaymakers can spend the whole year travelling.

2. Visitors are attracted to tourist resorts by the possibility to swim.

1. You’ll be offered the widest choice of different programmes.

2. All these programmes are the same every year.

1. Volunteering has become popular with young people.

2. You don’t need any qualifications to participate in volunteering.

4. Teaching children is a popular form of volunteering.

1. Mark Twain came to London on business.

2. The friend had enough money to travel back.

4. The inspector noticed two men in the compartment.

Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B or C.

1. Roosevelt Island is…

1. Dolphin trainers work behind a desk.

1. The Avoncroft Weekend course is for…

2. Those who sign up for the course…

Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B or C.

1. Pubs differ from cafes by…

3. In the pub customers…

Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

1. What is the main purpose of the article?

Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B or C.

2. To invited to Mensa a person must…

3. The minimum number of points an applicant must score in tests is…

4. Oliver didn’t get good marks at school because he…

5. Adragon Eastwood Demello …

Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B or C.

1. The present day name of the Club is…

Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

1. Why is recycling so important?

Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B or C.

1. For centuries people were proud of Westminster Abbey.

A. who prefer individual sports

Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B or C.

1. The headmaster came into the classroom to…

1. American Indians never experienced pressure from European settlers.

1. The Aborigines originally came from Europe.

Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B or C.

1. The tourists are going to visit the beautiful town of Brighton.

Read the text. Choose one of the variants A, B, C or D.

1. When was Blarney Castle built? 4. Which statement is true?

A. Introduction E. Evening Entertainment

7. A visit to the Victorian Palace Hotel is an unforgettable experience! Liven up your

When “Home” is to Roam

Jonathan Smith is an English gypsy. (1)…

B. You see, “home” has more than one meaning.

D. It is then that we stop at the council-run gypsy sites.

E. She’s a strong creature, with a calm and gentle nature.

F. I wish I’d lived back then.

G. He talks to “Lifestyle” Magazine about his home.

1. The River Wensum flows through East Anglia.

3. Norwich was a small village in the 11th century.

5. The number of students in Norwich is increasing.