Билет 1

Shops and shopping

Going shopping is a part of our everyday life. For some people it’s a pleasant pastime
while for others it’s an everyday routine. Some people love doing the shopping and they are
happy if they can pick up a bargain in the sales. But whether you like shopping or not you have
to do it because it’s a necessity.
In big cities and even many small towns there are all kinds of shops and stores as well as
supermarkets. Supermarkets are primarily food stores which sell all kinds of food: fresh, frozen
and canned meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, dairy products and bread. Practically everything a family
needs can be found in a supermarket. There the customer serves himself and pays at the cash-
desk on leaving the shop.
I love shopping for clothes. The last shopping round I made with my friend a few days
ago. First we went to the central department store but the goods there were the same as
everywhere else and more expensive. Besides we didn’t see any fashion clothes for the young.
The only good thing about such stores is that they normally have a good selection of cosmetics
and perfumery. So we didn’t miss a chance to pick up some mascara and hair spray. After that
we had a quick look at the footwear, haberdashery and ready-made clothes and were ready for a
snack at McDonalds. Then we dropped in at some small shops which offer fashionable clothes
and a half-price sale is a usual thing there. After going through the latest cuts of shirts and skirts
I found a lovely little dress for myself but they didn’t have my size. Indeed, shopping is a
pleasant pastime when you can afford to buy the things you like.

Билет 2
My daily routine
I wake up at seven o’clock in the morning. I use an alarm clock, which plays my favorite
song for a pleasant beginning of the day. Then I have breakfast. I make breakfast by myself. It
always consists of toasts, eggs and coffee. After breakfast I have a contrast shower, comb hair,
brush teeth and go to college.
My classes at college start at eight o’clock. As a rule, my group has three lessons. Each
lesson lasts ninety minutes. There is a big break after the second lesson when we are able to visit
our canteen and have a quick snack. I study in an English grade so I have a great number of
English lessons. I have to strain my brains, so at the end of the day I feel very tired. I go home at
half past two. There I have lunch that my mother made for me. I eat soup and meat with
vegetables. After dinner I feel energetic again. I do my homework as quick as possible and
finally I am free. The most exciting part of the day begins.
There are several options of my further day activities. The thing that never changes is that
everything I do, I do with my friends. When it is warm we like to ride bicycles or go to the park.
When it is cloudy or rainy we go to the cinema, or to the entertainment center, where we play
bowling and pool. Sometimes we visit each other’s homes.
At 7 o’clock I have supper at home with my family. My mother and my father return
home from their offices and my little brother is taken away from kindergarten. We enjoy being
together again. We speak about the day events; give each other advice and so on. After the
supper I usually help my mother with the housework: wash dishes, wipe dust and take the trash
out.
 Билет 3
English meals
The English are very particular about their meals. The usual meals in England are
breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner. Breakfast time is between 7-9 a.m. A traditional English
breakfast is a very big meal. It consists of juice, porridge, toast, butter, jam or marmalade, tea or
coffee. Many people like to begin with porridge with milk or cream and sugar. For a change you
can have sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms, cold ham or perhaps fish.
The two substantial meals of the day are lunch and dinner. Lunch is usually taken at one
o'clock. Office workers usually go to a cafe at this time. They take fish, poultry or cold meat
(beef, mutton, veal and ham), boiled or fried potatoes and all sorts of salad. School children can
have a hot meal at school. Some of them just bring a snack from home.
Tea is very popular among the English; it may almost be called their national drink. Tea
is welcome in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening. Some people have afternoon tea,
so called «high tea» with sandwiches, tomatoes and salad, a tin of apricots, pears or pineapples
and cakes, and, of course a cup of tea.
Dinner time is generally between six and eight p.m. The evening meal is the biggest and
the main meal of the day. Very often the whole family eats together. They begin with soup,
followed by fish, roast chicken, potatoes and vegetables, fruit and coffee.
On Sundays many families have a traditional lunch consisting of roast chicken, lamb or
beef with salads, vegetables and gravy.

Билет 4
Education in Great Britain
Education in Britain is compulsory and free for all children. The system of education in the
United Kingdom is based on a well-developed approach that allows children to gain knowledge
stepwise. There are four stages of education in this country: primary education (from 4 or 5 up to
11 years old), secondary education (from 11 up to 16 years old), further education, and higher
education.
The primary school divides students into two levels: infants, aged 5-7, and juniors, aged 7-
11. At this stage, the major goal is to give children the very basics of education. Kids learn to
read, write, and do sums.
The secondary school differs from the primary school as its program is more complicated.
Several subjects should be studied by all students, including English, Mathematics, Social
Sciences, Humanities, and Modern Languages and Literature. Moreover, there are optional
subjects for every student depending on their interests. They include various Arts and Sciences
categories of studies.
Children should pass a standard exam after high school graduation. The results of the
examination will show their eligibility to continue their education in universities.
Further education includes all types of college-level programs and courses chosen by a
student after the completion of the period of compulsory education. At this stage, students are
offered vocational education necessary for employment in a selected occupation.
The higher level of education incorporates university courses that give students a chance to
get their diplomas and national certificates. There are different levels of courses related to the
study in universities, namely, postgraduate (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees) and
undergraduate courses.
 Билет 5
Geography of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles
and lies to the north-west of continental Europe. It is separated from the continent by the English
Channel and the Strait of Dover in the south and the North Sea in the east. In everyday speech
the term “Great Britain” is often applied to the United Kingdom as a whole.
The British Isles consist of two main islands (Great Britain and Ireland) and a large group
of smaller islands. Great Britain is separated from Ireland by the Irish Sea. Historically the
territory of Great Britain is divided into 3 parts: England, Scotland and Wales. It doesn’t include
Northern Ireland. The population of Great Britain is over 60 million people. The total area is 209
000 km2 (two hundred and nine thousand square kilometers).
The British landscape is very varied. Geographically the island of Great Britain is made
up of three main regions: Lowland, Midland and Highland Britain. Lowland Britain covers the
territory of eastern and southern England. The Midlands occupy central counties of England.
This is a region of valleys and low hills. Highland Britain comprises Scotland, most of Wales,
the Pennine Chain and the Lake District in England. Scotland and Wales are the most
mountainous parts of Great Britain.
The rivers in Great Britain are quite short and most of them flow in the eastward
direction. The rivers (the Thames, the Severn, the Tweed, the Trent, the Tyne) never freeze in
winter and allow all-year navigation.

Билет 6
Student life
Student life is one of the most precious things in the world. It’s a time you can’t get back,
so you should spend it wisely and fully enjoy it. You have to live as an adult for the rest of your
life, so prepare yourself properly.
I think it is a unique experience to be a student. You experience something new every
day, meet someone new and make some friends that will never forget. For me being a student
means being independent and responsible at the same time. Students have to be very responsible
because they should study hard, prepare for exams and tasks given by their teachers. When they
don’t want to study or just cram for the exam it may affect their grades and they can’t take
advantage of their free time.
Every student needs to make sure that they are doing really well at school and also
making time for other aspects of their life. It can be very difficult to keep up with school, work,
sleep, family and friends because everything has a schedule. Another thing is that students don’t
have much time to relax and take some rest.
A student should spend most of his time studying because it is the best source of
knowledge. It gives you an opportunity to learn many things that are necessary for your future.
But if a student study too much he may get bad grades and can’t do anything for his life after
that.
 Билет 7
London. The sightseeing of London
London, the capital of Great Britain, is situated on the Thames River. It is divided into four
parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. The City is the business and
commercial heart of London. Many banks, offices and firms are concentrated there. The Tower
and St. Paul's Cathedral are in the centre. The Tower is about 900 years old. Many years ago it
was a royal residence, then a prison. Now it is a museum. St. Paul's Cathedral is very large and
fine. It was completed in 1710. The famous English architect Christopher Wren planned and
built St. Paul's Cathedral. If the City is the business part of London, Westminster is the centre of
administration.
We can see the Houses of Parliament there. It is a beautiful building with two towers and a
very big clock called Big Ben. The Houses of Parliament stand in Parliament Square.
Westminster Abbey is opposite the Houses of Parliament. Many great Englishmen were buried
in Westminster Abbey. To the west of Westminster Abbey you can see Buckingham Palace. It is
the royal residence.
The ceremony of the changing of the guards which takes place in front of Buckingham
Palace isof great interest to the tourists. Rich people live in the West End. The best and most
expensive clubs, restaurants and theatres, beautiful houses and parks are there. The East End -the
district of plants, factories, slums and docks is for the working people. London is unlike any
other city in the world. It has rather wide streets but low houses. It looks very grey because there
is so much rain and fog there.

Билет 8
Student's leisure time
Everybody sometimes has a free time. Somebody prefers only to sleep in their leisure time,
but most of us prefer to do a great number of interesting things. It may be reading, various types
of sport games, watching TV, listening to music and so on. Many people think that pupils and
students have too much leisure time, but in my opinion, they are wrong. We are very busy. Many
students have three or four lessons a day and go to the college five or six days a week. Even
during weekend we learn our lessons. And we just have no time to go somewhere. Some of us
are working after college or institute.
Me and my college friends often gather after college and play basketball, football or other
active games. But my favorite hobby is travelling. Usually I travel in summer and often it is a
trip to the south, to the warm sea. I think all people must have other occupations besides their
basic work, because it extends the boundaries of the familiar world and teaches us something
new about people and things.
As we all know, leisure time is one of the most important thing people can't live without. It
is a big part of our life, and it actually shows the character and temper of person. I can't imagine
a person who doesn't have any hobbies and favorite activities, because it is really impossible.
Our hobbies and habits make our lives, filling it up with variety of feelings and emotions. Each
person chooses his own way of spending time, either active of passive, and in any case in should
be a refreshment and a source of inspiration.

Билет 9
Travelling. Kinds of travelling
We live in times when it’s rather easy to travel to any point of the planet. So no wonder
travelling becomes more popular. What is more, our modern life is impossible without travelling.
And there are many reasons for this.
A few decades ago it couldn’t be imagined that we would be able to travel almost
everywhere. Now we can travel by different means of transport: by plane, by ship, by train, by
car and even on foot. Some people like to travel by plane, because it is the best way to get to a
foreign country fast. But others prefer traveling by train. They say that this method is more
convenient and cheaper. Anyway, we have got something to choose from. And the way of
travelling depends only on our opportunities and preferences.
Another good thing is that travelling helps us live and enjoy life. When we get tired of
our daily routine, we need to change the surroundings. And travelling is one of the best way to
break the monotony of our life. We travel, see new countries and cities, visit historical places,
meet new people and taste different dishes. It brings us new impressions and makes life brighter.
And that’s why millions of people all around the world adore travelling.
And finally, it is commonly known that travelling is a very nice activity. It’s the time for
relaxation and thinking. Nothing can give us a great deal positive emotions and memories as
travelling. It is often said that travelling broadens mind. And personally I believe that it is an
undeniable truth.

Билет 10
My native town - Aktau
Aktau is the capital city of Mangystau region. It is located in southwestern Kazakhstan,
east of the Caspian Sea. It was founded in 1963 as a uranium mining town and was named
Shevchenko, after the Ukrainian national poet Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko. After
independence, the Kazakhs renamed Shevchenko as Aktau, and the city has become
Kazakhstan's only port. Aktau itself was named after the white hills. Aktau has the population of
about 200,000. Today the population of the region is increasing dialy. Aktau is inhabited by
Kazakhs, Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, and other peoples.
Aktau - a paradise for holidaymakers. First they are charming with the sea, and then they
get to understand the unique beauty of the city. The city claims the greatest potential for
development of tourism in Kazakhstan. In recent years, a number of cultural and entertainment
facilities such as bowling centers, musical-drama and puppet theatres, the Akbota entertainment
complex for children, various cafes, hotels and gyms and sports grounds developing. And
beaches are becoming more attractive.
It is one of the perspective towns of the West Kazakhstan. It is the center of oil and gas
industry and has the only seaport in the country. The port of Aktau is only one in Kazakhstan to
facilitate international transport of dry cargoes, oil and oil product. Being oil and gas production
center, the city magnetically attracts more and more investments to the region. Present time
more than ten large Kazakh and international companies are involved in the exploration and
production of “black gold”, and the leader is Mangistaumunaigas. Except oil and gas companies,
there are many chemical and mining industries in our city.
Билет 11
Abay Kunanbayev is a great poet
Abay (Ibrahim) Kunanbayev is a famous Kazakh poet, philosopher, composer,
educator, thinker, public figure, founder of the Kazakh written literature and its first classic.
He was born in Chingis mountains of Semipalatinsk region. He received education at the Mullah,
then was sent to the madrasah. Having an excellent knowledge and understanding of Kazakh folk
music, Abai composed several melodies. He also wrote music for his translations from Eugene
Onegin. By this time the name of Abai himself – a poet, thinker and composer – had earned
countrywide popularity and esteem.He composed about twenty melodies.
He believed that first and foremost education and science, are able to change the
existing system. Abay's literary and aesthetic heritage is the national pride of the Kazakh people.
The city, streets, theaters, libraries and other objects on the territory of Kazakhstan are named in
honor of Abay. The Kazakh state academic Opera and ballet theatre, the Kazakh national
pedagogical University in Almaty, the Central avenues of the cities of Kazakhstan, the peak in
the spur of the ridge or Alatau are named after Abay. On the square of Abay in Almaty there is a
monument to the great poet.
In his amazing Book of Words the poet expressed his reflection of the period of years,
his searching, his discoveries. The poet reminds that humans have the greatest value in the world
and they should be harmoniously perfect. Their souls should also be beautiful as their mind and
body and feelings. The greatest poet Abay Kunanbayev died in 1904. We always remember he
glory of Abay, the real founder of modern Kazakh culture and the greatest Kazakh classical poet.

Билет 12
Kazakh national cuisine
Hospitality has always been a main character trait of Kazakh people. Even if you have
just a minute to pop in to a Kazakh house, an owner will still ask you to sit down and offer a
fragrant tea with sweets. Respectful attitude to the guests contributed to the fact that traditional
Kazakh feast took a shape of a ceremony, noninferior, in its philosophical and allegorical
content, to world famous Chinese tea ceremony.
Hospitable owner would offer his guest a seat at a place of honor. Traditionally, meal
is served at a low round table, called dastarkhan. First and foremost, in order to quench thirst of
the guest a hostess would treat him with a bowl of yogurt drink. This can be "kumys" - a drink
based on fermented mare's milk - or shubat the main ingredient of which is camel milk.
Then, table will be filled with baursaks - balls of dough, pre-fried in boiling oil (Asian
analogue of donuts), samsa - triangular pastries with meat, kausyrma - a kind of thin pastries or
fried doughs filled with meat and onions, raisins, kurt (small, salted cheese balls) and, of course,
tea. Here, to be objective, we should say that tea never grew on the territory of Kazakhstan, it
was introduced to the Steppe of Kazakhstan from the outside, but despite this, tea quickly gained
popularity among the local population. And today, in fact, it is one of the main drinks in Kazakh
society.
 Билет 13
Astana. The sightseeing of Astana
Today Astana is not only the capital of Kazakhstan but also one of the most beautiful Asian
cities. The location for the town was chosen as a strategic point and a caravans’ route. For a long
time the town was famous for its fairs and trade connections. People from all corners of Central
Asia travelled there to buy and sell the goods.
Being situated on the banks of scenic Ishim River, Astana attracts thousands of visitors each
year. Today it is a rapidly growing modern city. It is full of magnificent attractions, educational
institutions, hotels, office buildings and other commercial structures. It boasts well-developed
transport infrastructure and rather favourable environment.The population of Astana is
constantly growing; over a million people live there now. The sights of the city are especially
attractive. Among them, the Bayterek Tower, the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, the Nur
Astana Mosque and many other picturesque attractions. The Bayterek Tower is especially
important for local residents. It’s the symbol of happiness and prosperity. In fact, it
accommodates the art gallery, the restaurant and the aquarium.
Generally speaking, the inhabitants of Astana are considered to be very friendly and
magnanimous. That’s another reason to visit this welcoming south capital.
Its present name the city got in 1998, when the 1 st President of the country decided to
rename it. The summers in the city are hot and dry, while the winters are frosty and long. It goes
without saying that all governmental organizations and large business centers of Kazakhstan are
now placed there. Each year the city hosts numerous diplomatic and industrial meetings.

Билет 14
Educational system in Kazakhstan
The educational system in Kazakhstan is conducted in two languages - Kazakh and Russian
and consists of several levels of state and private educational establishments: infant schools,
elementary (or primary) schools, comprehensive schools, colleges and academies. The
constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan fixes the right of citizens of the republic on free-of-
charge secondary education which is obligatory. The constitution prohibits any discrimination on
the basis of language or ethnicity and guarantees equal rights in education regardless of
nationality. Children start school at the age of 7 and finish at 17. As a rule a child attends the
school, located in the neighborhood. However, in big cities there are so-called special schools,
offering more in depth studies of the major European languages (English, French, German) or
the advanced courses in physics and mathematics and children, attending one of this may have to
commute from home.
The first stage of education in Kazakhstan is elementary (or primary) school for grades one
through four. The second is secondary school for middle grades from five through nine. Upon
graduation from secondary school students are given the choice of either continuing to attend the
same school (high school -senior grades 10-11) or entering a vocational or technical school. Both
of these schools are meant to provide one, along with the certificate of secondary education with
a number of useful skills. Having completed one's secondary education, one can either become a
part of work force or go on college.
To be admitted to the institute one has to pass a series of oral or written tests. The system
of higher education prepares highly - skilled experts on economy, transport, agriculture,
medicine, languages and others.
 Билет 15
Geography of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan, the ninth largest state in the world, is located in the heart of Eurasia. With a
vast area of 2.75 million square kilometers, it occupies a landmass equivalent to that of Western
Europe. With a population of over 19 million, Kazakhstan has one of the lowest population
densities globally, with less than six people per square kilometer. Almaty is the most densely
populated city, home to over two million inhabitants.
Kazakhstan is subdivided into 17 regions, with three cities – Astana, Almaty,
and Shymkent – holding the status of «City of Republican Significance». Additionally, Baikonur
is a city with a special status. The territory of Baikonur and its cosmodrome are rented by Russia
until 2050 and are designated as a city of federal significance in the Russian Federation.
Kazakhstan shares its borders with Russia to the north and northwest, making it the longest
continuous land border in the world. To the south, Kazakhstan shares borders with Uzbekistan,
Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, and to the east, it borders China. These countries are linked by
road and rail networks of republican significance.
Kazakhstan's central location makes it a crucial link between Europe and Southeast Asia.
Historically, it served as the shortest route for the movement of goods and passengers between
these two regions via the Silk Road. Today, the international motor vehicle corridor Western
Europe – Western China serves as its modern equivalent. Air transportation has also increased
significantly in recent years. The cities of Astana and Almaty serve as comfortable stopover hubs
for travel between Southeast Asia and Europe.

Билет 16
Sport in my life
Sport is very important in our life. The general belief is that a person who goes in for
sports can’t be weak and ill. Physically inactive people get old earlier that those, who find time
for sport activity. And of course good health is better than good medicine. And it also makes our
personality disciplined, organized and optimistic. Fortunately sport is getting more popular in
our country. Most people go to the gym several times a week; they are keen on jogging, playing
football, hockey, volleyball, basketball or tennis. Quite a lot of people go regularly to swimming-
pools, ski-centers and skating-rinks.
People all over the world are fond of sports and games. In our country sport is being widely
popularized as well. The most popular kinds of sport are football, volleyball, basketball, tennis,
figure-skating, aerobics, ping-pong and swimming. A lot of people are fond of jogging. In
schools and colleges sport is a compulsory subject. Many young people attend sport sections.
Some of them dream to become professional sportsmen.
As for me, I can’t imagine my life without sport. In summer I go jogging every morning and
when I have free time I attend swimming pool. In winter I like to skate with my friends. It’s fun.
Also I’m fond of aerobics. First of all aerobics helps to keep myself fit. It also attracts me
because it resembles dancing.
In conclusion I’d like to say that I’m absolutely sure that doing sports is the best way
to keep fit. Sport makes our bodies strong, it prevents us from getting too fat, and makes us more
self-organized and better disciplined.
 Билет 17
Theatre in London
Visiting theatres is a very popular activity among British people, as Britain has a long
dramatic tradition and incredible playwrights, actors and directors. London is a center of the
theatrical life, but other cities also have wonderful companies and theatres. There are more than
50 theatres only in London, so you can imagine their number around the country. The first
theatre of England appeared in 1576 and was called “The Blackfries”, while several years later in
1599 a famous theatre “The Globe” was opened and it is considered that William Shakespeare
used to work there.
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a theatre company with the annual production of about
twenty shows. It comprises two permanent theatres: The Swan Theatre and The Royal
Shakespeare Theatre. It is situated in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare and
got his name in 1961 to commemorate his talent of a playwright and poet. It also promotes a
positive experience of poet’s works, organizes festivals and expands its influence in many other
industries.
Covent Garden is also a place associated with theatrical performances. There you can find
The Royal Opera House. It centers on ballet and opera. It has enough seats for more than 2000
people and consists of an amphitheater, balconies and four tiers of boxes.
Theatres in Great Britain are rather various and continue to thrive, as the English are a
theatrical nation and many tourists also can not omit visiting magnificent performances. Many
talented playwrights were and still are English. You can’t help mentioning William Shakespeare,
Christopher Marlowe, Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde etc. So now it is obvious that theatres are an
indispensable part of the British culture and they will continue to develop the traditions and
cultural background of the whole country.

Билет 18
“A Lion's Skin” by W.S. Maugham
A good many people were shocked when they read that Captain Forestier had met his death
in a fire trying to save his wife's dog, which had been accidentally shut up in the house. Some
said they never knew he had it in him; others said it was exactly what they would have expected
him to do. After the tragic occurrence Mrs.Forestier found shelter in the villa of some people
called Hardy, their neighbours.
Mrs.Forestier was a very nice woman. But she was neither charming, beautiful nor
intelligent; on the contrary she was absurd and foolish; yet the more you knew her, the more you
liked her. She was a tender, romantic and idealistic soul. But it took you some time to discover it.
During the war she in 1916 joined a hospital unit. There she met her future husband Captain
Forestier. This is what she told me about their courtship'. "It was a case of love at first sight. He
was the most handsome man I'd ever seen in my life. But he wasn't wounded. You know, it's a
most extraordinary thing, he went all through the war, he risked his life twenty times a day, but
he never even got a scrateh. It was because of carbuncles' that he was put into hospital."
It seemed quite an unromantic thing on which to start a passionate attachment, but after 16
years of marriage Mrs.Forestier still adored her husband.
 Билет 19
“The Ant and the Grasshopper” by W.S. Maugham
When I was a small boy I was made to learn by heart some fables of La Fontaine and the
moral of each was carefully explained to me. Among them was "The Ant and the Grasshopper".
In spite of the moral of this fable my sympathies were with the grasshopper and for some time I
never saw an ant without putting my foot on it.
I couldn't help thinking of this fable when the other day I saw George Ramsay lunching in a
restaurant. I never saw an expression of such deep gloom. He was staring into space. I was sorry
for him: I suspected at once that his unfortunate brother had been causing trouble again.
I went up to him. "How are you?" I asked. "Is it Tom again?" He sighed. "Yes, it's Tom
again."I suppose every family has a black sheep. In this family it had been Tom. He had begun
life decently enough: he went into business, married and had two children. The Ramsays were
respectable people and everybody supposed that Tom would have a good carrier. But one day he
announced that he didn't like work and that he wasn't suited for marriage. He wanted to enjoy
himself.
He left his wife and his office. He spent two happy years in the various capitals of Europe.
His relations were shocked and wondered what would happen when his money was spent. They
soon found out: he borrowed. He was so charming that nobody could refuse him. Very often he
turned to George. Once or twice he gave Tom considerable sums so that he could make a fresh
start.

Билет 20
“The Green Door” by O. Henry
Rudolf Steiner, a young piano salesman, was a true adventurer. Few were the evenings when
he did not go to look for the unexpected. It seemed to him that the most interesting things in life
might lie just around the corner. He was always dreaming of adventures.
Once when he was walking along the street his attention was attracted by a Negro handing
out a dentist's cards. The Negro slipped a card into Rudolf's hand. He turned it over and looked at
it. Nothing was written on one side of the card; on the other three words were written: "The
Green Door". And then Rudolf saw, three steps in front of him, a man throw away the card the
Negro had given him as he passed. Rudolf picked it up. The dentist's name and address were
printed on it.
The adventurous piano salesman stopped at the corner and considered. Then he returned and
joined the stream of people again. When he was passing the Negro the second time, he again got
a card. Ten steps away he examined it. In the same handwriting that appeared on the first card
"The Green door" was written upon it. Three or four cards were lying on the pavement. On all of
them were the name and the address of the dentist. Whatever the written words on the cards
might mean, the Negro had chose him twice from the crowd.
 Билет 21
“Lautisse Paints Again” by H.A. Smith
Everybody knows by this time that we met Lautisse on board a ship, but few people know
that in the beginning, Betsy and I had no idea who he was.
At first he introduced himself as Monsieur Roland, but as we talked he asked me a lot of
questions about myself and my business and finally he asked me if I could keep a secret and
said: "I am Lautisse."
I had no idea who he was. I told Betsy and after lunch we went up and talked to the ship's
librarian, asked him a few questions. And then we found out that my new friend was probably
the world's best living painter. The librarian found a book with his biography and a photograph.
Though the photograph was bad, we decided that our new acquaintance was Lautisse all right.
The book said that he suddenly stopped painting at 53 and lived in a villa in Rivera. He hadn't
painted anything in a dozen years and was heard to say he would never touch the brush again.
Well, we got to be real friends and Betsy invited him to come up to our place for a weekend.
Lautisse arrived on the noon train Saturday, and I met him at the station. We had promised
him that wwouldn't have any people and that we wouldn't try to talk to him about art. It wasn't
very difficult since we were not very keen on art.

Билет 22
“The Dinner Party” by N. Monsarrat
There are still some rich people in the world. Many of them lead lives of particular pleasure.
But rich people do have their problems. They are seldom problems of finance, since most rich
people have enough sense to hire other people to take care of their worries. But there are other,
more genuine problems. They are the problems of behaviour.
Let me tell you a story which happened to my uncle Octavian a full thirty years ago. At that
time I myself was fifteen. My uncle Octavian was then a rich man. He was a charming and
accomplished host whose villa was an accepted rendezvous of the great. He was a hospitable and
most amiable man – until January 3, 1925.
There was nothing special about that day in the life of my uncle Octavian, except that it was
his fifty-fifth birthday. As usual on such a day he was giving a party, a party for twelve people.
All of them were old friends.
I, myself, aged fifteen, was deeply privileged. I was staying with my uncle at his exquisite
villa, on holiday from school, and as a special concession on this happy day, I was allowed to
come down to dinner.
 Билет 23
“Mr. Know-All” by W.S. Maugham
Once I was going by ship from San-Francisco to Yokohama. I shared my cabin with a man
called Mr. Kelada. He was short and of a sturdy build, clean shaven and dark-skinned, with a
hooked nose and very large liquid eyes. His long black hair was curly. And though he introduced
himself as an Englishman I felt sure that he was born under a bluer sky than is generally seen in
England. Mr. Kelada was chatty. He talked of New York and of San Francisco. He discussed
plays, pictures and politics. He was familiar. Though I was a total stranger to him he used no
such formality as to put mister before my name when he addressed me. I didn't like Mr. Kelada. I
not only shared a cabin with him and ate three meals a day at the same table, but I couldn't walk
round the deck without his joining me. It was impossible to snub him. It never occurred to him
that he was not wanted. He was certain that you were as glad to see him as he was glad to see
you. In your own house you might have kicked him downstairs and slammed the door in his face.
Mr. Kelada was a good mixer, and in three days knew everyone on board. He ran
everything. He conducted the auctions, collected money for prizes at the sports, organized the
concert and arranged the fancy-dress ball. He was everywhere and always. He was certainly the
best-hated man in the ship. We called him Mr. Know-A11, even to his face. He took it as a
compliment.

Билет 24
“Caged” by L.E. Reeve
Purcell was a small, fussy' man; red cheeks and a tight melon like stomach. Large glasses so
magnified his eyes as to give him the appearance of a wise and kind owl. He owned a pet shop.
He sold cats and dogs and monkeys; he dealt in fish food and bird seed, prescribed remedies for
ailing canaries, on his shelves there were long rows of cages. He considered himself something
of a professional man.
There was a constant stir of life in his shop. The customers who came in said: "Aren't they
cute'! Look at that little monkey! They're sweet."
And Mr. Purcell himself would smile and rub his hands and nod his head.
Each morning, when the routine of opening his shop was completed, it was the proprietor's
custom to perch on a high stool, behind the counter, unfold his morning paper, and digest the
day's news.
It was a raw, wintry day. Wind gusted against the high, plate glass windows. Having
completed his usual tasks, Mr. Purcell again mounted the high stool and unfolded his morning
paper. He adjusted his glasses, and glanced at the day's headlines.
There was a bell over the door that rang whenever a customer entered. This morning,
however, for the first time Mr. Purcell could recall, it failed to ring.
 Билет №25
“Footprints in the Jungle” by W.S. Maugham
It was in Malaya that I met the Cartwrights. I was staying with a man called Gaze who was
head of the police and he came into the billiard-room, where I was sitting, and asked if I would
play bridge with them. The Cartwrights were planters and they came to Malaya because it gave
their daughter a chance of a little fun. They were very nice people and played a very pleasant
game of bridge. I followed Gaze into the cardroom and was introduced to them.
Mrs. Cartwright was a woman somewhere in the fifties. I thought her a very agreeable
person. I liked her frankness, her quick wit, her plain face. As for Mr. Cartwright, he looked tired
and old. He talked little, but it was plain that he enjoyed his wife's humour. They were evidently
very good friends. It was pleasing to see so solid and tolerant affection between two people who
were almost elderly and must have lived together for so many years.
When we separated, Gaze and I set out to walk to his house.
"What did you think of the Cartwrights?" he asked me.
"I liked them and their daughter who is just the image of her father."

Билет 26
“Success Story” by J.G. Cozzens
I met Richards ten or more years ago when I first went down to Cuba. He was a short,
sharp-faced, agreeable chap, then about 22. He introduced himself to me on the boat and I was
surprised to find that Panamerica Steel was sending us both to the same Richards was from some
not very good state university engineering school. Being the same age myself, and just out of
technical college I saw at once that his knowledge was rather poor. In fact I couldn't imagine
how he had managed to get this job. Richards was naturally likable, and I liked him a lot. The
firm had a contract for the construction of a private railroad. For Richards and me it was mostly
an easy job of inspections and routine paper work. At least it was easy for me. It was harder for
Richards, because he didn't appear to have mastered the use of a slide rule. When he asked me to
check his figures I found his calculations awful. "Boy," I was at last obliged to say, "you are
undoubtedly the silliest white man in this province. Look, stupid, didn't you ever take arithmetic?
How much are seven times thirteen?" "Work that out," Richards said, "and let me have a report
tomorrow."
So when I had time I checked his figures for him, and the inspector only caught him in a bad
mistake about twice. In January several directors of the United Sugar Company came down to us
on business, but mostly pleasure; a good excuse to 'get south on a vacation. Richards and I were
to accompany them around the place.
 Билет 27
“As you like it” by W. Shakespeare
Many years ago, there lived in France two girls who were the very best of friends. They
were cousins, and both were beautiful. The taller and stronger of them was called Rosalind, and
the name of the other was Celia. Rosalind's father was a great duke, but his brother, Celia's
father, had driven him out of his own dukedom. Many noblemen, who hated the cruel brother,
but loved Rosalind's father, went with him, to live in the Forest of Arden.
When Rosalind's father was driven from the castle, her uncle kept the girl there. She grew
up together with his own little girl Celia. They grew up together, and Celia was so sweet and so
kind to Rosalind that Rosalind sometimes forgot to be sad because her father had been driven
away.
One of the truest friends of the former duke had been a brave knight called Sir Rowland. He
was dead but he had left two sons. Oliver, the elder, was not a good brother. Instead of doing as
his father had wished, and being kind to his younger brother whose name was Orlando, he gave
him neither money nor any chance of learning anything, and made him take all his meals with
the servants. He hated Orlando because he was so brave and strong and handsome, and he was
kinder to his horses than he was to Orlando. Sir Rowland had had an old servant named Adam.
Adam loved Orlando, and was very sorry that Oliver was so cruel to his younger brother.

Билет 28
“The Verger” by W. S. Maugham
There had been a wedding that afternoon at St. Peter's Church, and Edward Foreman
still wore his verger's gown. He had been verger for 16 years and liked his job. The verger was
waiting for the vicar. The vicar had just been appointed. He was a red-faced energetic man and
the verger disliked him. Soon the vicar came in and said: "Foreman, I've got something
unpleasant to say to you. You have been here a great many years and I think you've fulfilled your
duties quite satisfactorily here; but I found out a most striking thing the other day. I discovered to
my astonishment that you could neither read nor write. I think you must learn, Foreman."
"I'm afraid I can't now, sir. I'm too old a dog to learn new tricks." "In that case, Foreman,
I'm afraid you must go."
"Yes, sir, I quite understand. I shall be happy to hand in my resignation as soon as you have
found somebody to take my place."
Up to now Edward's face hadn't shown any signs of emotion. But when he had closed
the door of the church behind him his lips trembled. He walked slowly with a heavy heart. He
didn't know what to do with himself. True, he had saved a small sum of money but it was not
enough to live on without doing something, and life cost more and more every year.
 Билет 29
“The Happy Man” by W.S. Maugham
It is a dangerous thing to order the lives of others and I have often wondered at the self-
confidence of politicians, reformers and suchlike who are prepared to force, upon their fellows
measures that must alter their manners, habits, and points of view. I have always hesitated to
give advice, for how can one advise another how to act unless one knows that other as well as
one knows oneself? Heaven knows, I know little enough of myself: I know nothing of others.
We can only guess at the thoughts and emotions of our neighbours. Each one of us is a prisoner
in a solitary tower and he communicates with the other prisoners, who form mankind, by
conventional signs that have not quite the same meaning for them as for himself.
Once I know that I advised well. I was a young man and I lived in a modest apartment in
London near Victoria Station. Late one afternoon, when I was beginning to think that I had
worked enough for that day, I heard a ring at the bell. I opened the door to a total stranger. He
asked me my name; I told him. He asked if he might come in.
'Certainly.'
I led him into my sitting-room and begged to sit down. He seemed a trifle embarrassed. I
offered him a cigarette and he had some difficulty in lighting it.
“I hope you don't mind my coming to see you like this”, he said, “My name is Stephens
and I am a doctor. You're in the medical, I believe?”
“Yes, but I don't practise”.
“No, I know. I've just read a book of yours about Spain and I wanted to ask you about it”.

Билет 30
“A Foul Play” by R. Ruark
In 1943 Lieutenant Alexander Barr was ordered into the Armed Guard aboard the merchant
ship, like many other civillian officers with no real mechanical skills – teachers, writers, lawyers.
His men were the rag-tag' of merchant service and knew very little of it. Lieutenant Alec
Barr had his crew well in hand except one particularly unpleasant character, a youngster called
Zabinski. Every ship has its problem child, and Zabinski was Alec's cross. If anybody was drunk
and in trouble ashore, it was Zabinski. If anybody was smoking on watch, or asleep on watch, it
always was Zabinski. Discipline on board was hard to keep and Zabinski made it worse.
Alec called the boy to his cabin. "I've tried to reason with you'," he said. "I've punished you
with everything from confinement to ship' to extra duty. I've come to the conclusion that the only
thing you may understand is force. I've got some boxing gloves. Navy Regulations say they
should be used for recreation.
We are going to have some.
"That's all right", Zabinski said smiling.
Alec announced the exhibition of boxing skill. A lot of people gathered on deck to watch the
match.
It didn't take Lieutenant Barr long to discover that he was in the ring with a
semiprofessional.