Английский язык · 30 заданий
Чтение с пониманием основного содержания текста – умения читать про себя и понимать с использованием языковой и контекстуальной догадки аутентичные тексты разных жанров и стилей, содержащие отдельные неизученные языковые явления; определять тему/основную мысль, выделять главные факты/события (опуская второстепенные); прогнозировать содержание текста по заголовку/началу текста, определять логическую последовательность главных фактов, событий; игнорировать незнакомые слова, несущественные для понимания основного содержания (объём текста/текстов для чтения – до 900 слов)
Задания по теме «Чтение с пониманием основного содержания текста – умения читать про себя и понимать с использованием языковой и контекстуальной догадки аутентичные тексты разных жанров и стилей, содержащие отдельные неизученные языковые явления; определять тему/основную мысль, выделять главные факты/события (опуская второстепенные); прогнозировать содержание текста по заголовку/началу текста, определять логическую последовательность главных фактов, событий; игнорировать незнакомые слова, несущественные для понимания основного содержания (объём текста/текстов для чтения – до 900 слов)» с ответами и решениями. Практикуйся и разбирай ошибки.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Strange but true 2. | Figuratively speaking 3. | Iron and gold 4. | A visitor from the space | | 5. | Useful in many ways 6. | Key facts 7. | From the history of iron 8. | Famous on screen A. | Iron is a chemical element. Its symbol is Fe and its atomic number is 26. It is a metal that belongs to the first transition series and group 8 of the periodic table. It is by mass the most common element on our planet, forming much of the Earth’s outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth’s crust. Pure iron is rare on the Earth’s crust, basically being limited to meteorites. However, there are a lot of iron ores, but you need temperatures of 1500 °C or higher to get them. B. | Iron has been known to the mankind since ancient times. The first iron used by humans is likely to have come from meteorites. Most objects that fall to earth from space are stony, but a small proportion are ‘iron meteorites’ with iron contents of over 90%. Iron corrodes easily, so iron artifacts from ancient times are much rarer than objects made of silver or gold. Artifacts made from meteorite iron have been found dating back to about 5000 BC and so are about 7000 years old. C. | It might be interesting to know that Earth has enough iron to make three new planets, each with the same mass as Mars. Iron is ferromagnetic. Ferromagnetism is the strongest type of magnetism. Moreover, iron was the first magnetic metal discovered. It is even more interesting that some animals have a sixth sense $-$ the magnetic sense. Among them are honey bees, homing pigeons and dolphins. The Earth’s magnetic field helps them to navigate and return home successfully. D. | Iron is the cheapest and most important of all metals, important in the sense that iron is overwhelmingly the most commonly used metal, accounting for 95% of worldwide metal production. Iron is used to manufacture steel and other alloys important in construction and manufacturing. Iron is also vital in the functioning of living organisms, transporting oxygen in blood via the hemoglobin molecule. Iron is essential for human brain development. E. | In ancient times, people did not know how very abundant iron was on Earth. Their only source of metallic iron was meteorites. From Assyrian writings we have learnt that iron was eight times more valuable than gold. In addition to its rarity, iron may also have been very desirable because of it coming from the sky. It was thought to be a gift from the gods: the ancient Egyptians called it ‘the metal of heaven’. The connection with heaven is proved by the Pyramid Texts. F. | Iron Man is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics and then films. The character made his first appearance in March 1963. In the story, a wealthy American business magnate and a talented scientist Tony Stark suffers a chest injury. He creates a powered suit of iron armour to save his life. Later, Stark develops this suit, adding weapons and other technological devices. Both kids and adults love the story of Iron Man. G. | There are many expressions with the word ‘iron’ in the English language. The British sometimes use the expression ‘the iron horse’ to speak about a train or a locomotive. When a native English speaker says that they ‘have many irons in the fire’, it means that they have several things to do. The proverb ‘Strike while the iron is hot’ means that you should take advantage of the time and the situation as quickly as possible. It is quite interesting to learn such phrases.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Staying together 2. | True vegetarians 3. | Home, sweet home 4. | The image in culture | | 5. | In need of protection 6. | Is climate a killer? 7. | Physical characteristics 8. | Useful for centuries A. | Members of the deer family, which is quite large, have split hooves with 2 toes, and typically have long, slender legs and small tails – and most males have antlers. Deer species range from very large to very small. The smallest deer is the southern pudu. This deer weighs only 9 kilograms and is only about 36 centimetres tall when fully grown. The largest deer is the moose. It can be up to 2 metres tall, from hoof to shoulder, and weigh around 820 kilograms. All deer species have antlers, except for the Chinese water deer. B. | Some scientists think that reindeer were among the first domesticated animals. They were first domesticated around 2,000 years ago. For thousands of years, reindeer have provided the basis of life for many nations through meat and fat, skins for clothing, bedding and tents, sinew for sewing, and antlers for tools. Many societies in Arctic climate rely on these animals for food, clothing, and materials for shelter. For example, in Sweden, Finland and Russia, reindeer sustain herding communities that have always depended on these animals. C. | Deer species are found all over the world, except for Australia and Antarctica. While other continents have a wide array of deer, Africa only has one – the red deer. The southern pudu is native to Chile and Argentina. The white-tailed deer is common to North and South America. Deer are found in various ecosystems. They live in wetlands, deciduous forests, grasslands, rainforests and mountains. Sometimes, when human civilizations get too close to their habitats, deer will make themselves comfortable in urban settings. D. | Deer are very social creatures. They feed, travel and rest in groups called herds. These herds can include from 10 animals up to a few hundred. Some reindeer herds can have as many as 100,000 members. The herd is often led by a dominant male. Sometimes the females will have their own herd and the males will have a separate herd. In other cases, a female herd is watched over by a herd of males. Most deer are active throughout the day, though their most active times are around sunrise and dusk. They spend their days foraging for food. E. | Deer are herbivores. It means that they only eat vegetation. For the most part, a deer’s diet consists of grass, moss, small shrubs and leaves, though they will forage in trash bins and in gardens if they cannot find the vegetation they need elsewhere. In the winter, reindeer must dig through the snow to find food. On average, an adult reindeer, for example, eats around 4 to 8 kilograms of vegetation a day. Deer have one main stomach and three “false stomachs.” Like cows, they chew their cud to fully digest their food. F. | According to the Red List of Threatened Species, many deer species are currently endangered. The Pere David’s deer is extinct in the wild and now can only be found in captive populations. The wild reindeer is listed as vulnerable. The wild reindeer and the arctic caribou are migratory, and their habitat crosses territorial and national borders. It will be increasingly important for governments to implement plans that support wildlife and ecosystems that promote positive changes in the deer population in the wild. G. | One of the biggest and most studied herds of reindeer lives on the Taimyr Peninsula, in the northern part of Russia. Monitoring showed that the Taimyr herd reached its peak of 1 million reindeer in 2000, but was reduced to 600,000 by 2016. Weather could be part of the problem. Every year in the spring and fall, this herd migrates from calving ranges on the peninsula to their winter haven in boreal forests. However, climate change has changed the timing of this trek, meaning young calves can still be too small to survive the trip.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A–G и заголовками 1–8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Avoiding risks 2. | Can crows talk? 3. | A variety of species 4. | As smart as a crow | | 5. | Food strategies 6. | Meet the crow! 7. | Family life issues 8. | They are not the same A. | Crows are birds known for their intelligence, their adaptability, and their loud, harsh cawing sound. They are part of the same family as ravens, jays, magpies, and nutcrackers. Different crow species live on every continent, except South America and Antarctica. Although they are not sometimes taken seriously, just as annoying noisy birds, crows are clever, curious, and deeply social creatures. Even today, scientists are continuing to discover how unusual and surprising these birds are. B. | Crows are extremely intelligent. They are known for their problem-solving, communication skills, and ability to recognise humans. In fact, research shows that crows remember the faces of people they do not like and even pass this information to other crows in their flock. These cunning birds are maths experts, too. Crows can count out loud, and they understand the concept of zero. In some ways, crows are as clever as toddlers or small children, and on one test of intelligence, they even beat monkeys. C. | Crows are omnivores, which means they eat nearly anything. Crows eat small mammals, frogs, and reptiles, as well as eggs and the remains of dead animals. They also eat bugs, seeds, grains, nuts, fruit, mollusks, worms, and even other birds. Crows sometimes dig through human garbage for a snack. Besides, they are known to hide their meal and save it for later. Crows have even been spotted placing walnuts on the road, so that cars will drive over them and crack their shells, making the nuts easier to eat. D. | Ravens and crows are related, but they are different. One can tell the two apart mainly by their size: ravens are larger and closer in size to hawks. Crows also tend to travel in large flocks, whereas ravens are more often seen in pairs. They also have different tail feathers. Crow tail feathers are all the same length, so when a crow is flying, its tail looks like a handheld fan. A raven, on the other hand, has longer feathers in the middle of its tail, so it looks like an arrow shape when the raven flies. E. | Like parrots, some crows learn to mimic human speech. The way birds make sounds is very different from the way we do, though. Humans can speak because of our larynx, or voice box. When air from our lungs passes through the larynx, our vocal cords vibrate, which creates sound waves we recognise as speech. Crows do not have a larynx, though. They have a different vocal organ, called a syrinx, that they use to make noises. It lets crows communicate, and they are known for their distinctive cawing sound. F. | The crow is well-known for its ability to predict trouble. Crows quickly learn that a moving car is no danger, but will rapidly fly away if the driver stops and gets out. In areas where they are constantly hunted, they learn the difference between a hunter with a gun and a farmer with farming tools. This degree of great care and attention is developed due to frequent aggressive treatment by man. Crows use a system of guards that observe and sound warnings to all other crows in the area. G. | Crows use a mixed habitat, including woodlands, open areas, agricultural fields, coastal wetlands, marshes, rivers, and streams. Crows generally nest once per year. Nest building usually happens in late March and takes about 5 days. The nests are cup shaped and constructed of twigs and bark, and lined with grass, leaves, feathers, etc. On average, 5 eggs are laid from late April to early May, and it takes about 20 days to hatch. The young remain in the nest for about a month, and are fed even longer.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Born to be wild 2. | Comparing the two species 3. | The evolution of bison 4. | The history of taming | | 5. | A beautiful place to be saved 6. | Reasons to domesticate cows 7. | Failed attempts to protect 8. | Safer than before, but not enough A. | It is likely that the modern European bison arose from the steppe bison. Recent research says it appeared as a result of an interbreeding event between the steppe bison and the ancestor of modern cows around 120,000 years ago. At one point, some steppe bison crossbred with the ancestors of the modern yak. After that, a population of steppe bison crossed the Bering Land Bridge to North America. Then the steppe bison spread through the northern parts of North America, where it lived until around 8,000 years ago. B. | The Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve is one of the smallest in Russia. It covers an area of 4,960 hectares on the terraces of the Oka River valley. This is a unique area with its natural diversity of pine and mixed forests, small rivers, streams and marshes. Here you can observe the life of animals and birds in their natural habitat. The symbol of the reserve is a bison. This is a wild forest bull, which was recently on the verge of extinction. Bison youngsters grown up to two years in the reserve are sent to replenish free-living populations. C. | Though the American and European bisons are close relatives, it is easy to spot clear differences in their behaviour and build. Adult European bisons are slimmer in build and have longer legs. European bisons tend to graze less and walk around more than their American relatives. This difference in behaviour is reflected in their build. The American bison’s head hangs lower than the European’s does. American bisons are more easily tamed than their European cousins are. They also breed with domestic cattle more readily. D. | American bisons are known for living on the Great Plains. Bisons were hunted close to extinction during the 19th and 20th centuries, but have since rebounded. The European bison owes its survival, in part, to the Chernobyl disaster. Ironically, the Chernobyl Zone has become a kind of wildlife preserve, though poaching has become a threat in recent years. The American Plains bison is no longer listed as endangered, but this does not mean the species is safe. Their fragmented herds call for active conservation measures. E. | In the middle of the 19th century people started realising how important the buffalo was. Reasons for that included not only animal cruelty, but also ecological and future resources. Someone needed to speak out, and over the years they did, but never enough at one time to count. The real extermination of the buffalo was caused by the demands of trade, aided by hunters and Indians. However, the blame really lies with the government, which in all those years permitted a few ignorant Congressmen to block the laws protecting these animals. F. | There have been several attempts to tame the buffalo, but there are a few things that stand in the way. The buffalo is very aggressive by nature; it can run up to 40 mph and can jump vertically in the air almost their entire height. Imagine trying to teach an angry, prancing sedan to stay still and respect you. All that said, there have been instances of domestic buffalo. This is possible if they are raised from calves to be only with humans. Even then, they seem to be loyal and friendly with a small set of humans, not all humans. G. | At about the same time they domesticated plants, people in Mesopotamia began to domesticate animals for meat, milk, and hides. Hides were used for clothing, storing things and for building tent shelters. Goats were probably the first animals to be domesticated, followed closely by sheep. Later, people began domesticating larger animals, such as oxen or horses, for ploughing and transportation. These are known as beasts of burden. The easiest animals to domesticate are herbivores that graze on grass, because they are the easiest to feed.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A–G и заголовками 1–8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Making you open-minded 2. | Travel without travelling 3. | Cheap and useful 4. | Not for every tourist | | 5. | Beneficial for career 6. | Ways to spend less 7. | For mind and body 8. | A different perception of travel A. | More and more travellers are seeking a new kind of break. Wellness tourism is a trend taking the industry by storm. Apart from yoga and healthy diets, wellness tours also focus on meditation. Meditation is known for its multitude of benefits. Apart from improving your health and keeping you fit, meditation also focuses on your mood and helps you gain a more positive outlook on life. Vipassana Meditation, which means seeing things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation. B. | You do not always need to exit your house to travel the world. Nowadays it is possible to open the street view and pretend that you are walking down unfamiliar paths and tourist places. This way, you can also avoid the crowds while taking in the beauty of the surroundings. There are a lot of museums across the world that offer virtual tours, either for free or for a small price. Going to international museums physically might not be possible but learning about culture is something you can do from the comfort of your own home. C. | Travelling in the past was about adventure, discovery, exploration and domination. However, when you think about it, the term explorer has gone out of style. In today’s stressed out world, we travel places to treat ourselves, find out who we really are and do those things that make us truly happy. In a way, people were born to travel. As nomadic tribes, people moved in search of food. Travel in the name of religion prompted pilgrims and missionaries to journey into foreign lands to spread their god’s word with various success levels. D. | A person who engages with new ideas and cultures is more likely to hold different viewpoints on the same subject than someone who does not travel. Travel forces you to think about other cultures and ways of living. It replaces your old idea of reality with a new, more complex one. It is this process together with your brain’s reaction to it that pushes you to change and grow in a unique way. Travelling makes a person more creative, more flexible and more emotionally stable. It is an opportunity to learn and grow. E. | If there is one thing that helps develop your adaptability, it is travelling. You are going to be pushed out of your comfort zone. Travelling helps you develop your soft skills. No matter what you plan to get out of travelling, your soft skills will develop. Soft skills are highly sought after by employers. They include your leadership qualities and your ability to work in a team. The mix of people, social and professional skills, coupled with emotional and social intelligence is becoming highly valued in all spheres of our life. F. | Mountain climbing can be a very serious undertaking. The more prepared you are for the physical demands, the more you will enjoy the activity. If you are considering mountain climbing, even for just one adventure, you cannot just show up with your guidebook and gear. You need to spend some energy and time and get your body’s physical system ready for the demands that climbing can put on you to help protect you from injury later on. Training for mountain climbing is an important process that should never be skipped. G. | When travelling on a budget, there are lots of ways to make your money last longer. Some places become more expensive during Christmas and New Year’s, during summer and during spring breaks. If you avoid these times of year, you will find hotels that want to fill up their properties, tours that may have discount prices in order to draw visitors in the off-season and lower flight prices. Low season does not appeal to everyone. But for those who are happy to deal with alternate weather, it can be the perfect time to travel.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Don't forget to rest 2. | Write down and revise 3. | Information and technology 4. | Never put off till tomorrow | | 5. | Set realistic targets 6. | Study plans per week 7. | Find a place to your liking 8. | More important at college A. | Today’s young generation will also need to master a new skill $-$ digital literacy. Digital literacy can be defined as “the ability to find, evaluate, utilize, share, and create content using information technologies and the Internet”. Digital literacy, by this definition, encompasses a wide range of skills, all of which are necessary to succeed in an increasingly digital world. Students who lack digital literacy skills may soon find themselves at a disadvantage. As technology changes, students also need to keep updated. B. | The key to becoming an effective student is learning how to study smarter, not harder. This becomes more and more true as you advance in your education. An hour or two of studying a day is usually sufficient to make it through high school with satisfactory grades, but when college arrives, there aren’t enough hours in the day to squeeze all your studying in if you don’t know how to make your study efficient without skipping sleep or meals. The vast majority of successful college students achieve their success by developing and applying effective study habits. C. | Ever find yourself up late at night expending more energy trying to keep your eyelids open than you are studying? If so, it’s time for a change. Successful students typically space their work out over shorter periods of time and rarely try to cram all of their studying into just one or two sessions. If you want to become a successful student, then you need to learn to be consistent in your studies and to have regular, yet shorter, study sessions, with periods of rest in between. That will give your brain time to process the new information. D. | Successful students schedule specific times throughout the week when they are going to study $-$ and then they stick with their schedule. Students who study sporadically and whimsically typically do not perform as well as students who have a set study schedule. Сreating a weekly routine, where you set aside a period of time a few days a week, to review your courses will ensure you develop habits that will enable you to succeed in your education long term. You won’t get stressed or overwhelmed by portioning your workload. E. | It is very easy, and common, to put off your study session because of lack of interest in the subject, because you have other things you need to get done, or just because the assignment is hard and needs effort and perseverance. Successful students do not procrastinate studying. If you procrastinate your study session, your studying will become less effective and you may not get everything accomplished that you need to. Procrastination also leads to rushing, and rushing is the number one cause of errors. F. | Always make sure to take good notes in class. Before you start each study session, and before you start a particular assignment, review your notes thoroughly to make sure you know how to complete the assignment correctly. Reviewing before each study session will help you remember important subject matter learned during the day, and make sure your studying is targeted and effective. Successful students also look through what they have written down at their lectures and seminars during the week over the weekend. G. | Everyone gets distracted by something: TV, or maybe family. Some people actually study better with a little background noise. When you’re distracted while studying you lose your train of thought and are unable to focus $-$ both of which will lead to very ineffective studying. Before you start, find a place where you won’t be disturbed. For some people this is a quiet cubical in the recesses of the library. For others it is in a common area where there is little background noise. For some it may be a park or a garden $-$ there are so many options to choose from!
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A–G и заголовками 1–8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Long-awaited freedom 2. | An excursion to the past 3. | The man who touched the skies 4. | Beautiful and inviting | | 5. | Reminding of heroic deeds 6. | The only famous citizen 7. | Attracting people 8. | Making art attractive A. | Located about 400km east of Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod is one of the most important centers of cultural, economic, and political activity in European Russia. An excellent spot to soak up the best of the city’s atmosphere, Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street lies in the heart of Nizhny Novgorod. Gorgeous buildings and fountains towering on all sides showcase the best of its architecture. Shop fronts and local souvenirs will have you pausing at every window while the charming cafés will draw you in with their tempting aromas. B. | A city yarmarka is something like a fair, and this historic former market place was restored in 1991. The site is now home to a superb modern exhibition center. The yarmarka plays host to international events, fairs, and conventions. In 2011, for the 20th anniversary of the fair, many exhibitions were organized, attended by thousands, including members of the British royal family. The fair is not only a buzzing center of business and culture, but also one of the most impressive sights. C. | Located at the meeting point of the great Volga and Oka rivers, the ancient Kremlin of Nizhny Novgorod boasts of some of the best views in the city. Designed by an Italian architect, the 13 magnificent towers and the high walls date back to 1500. On this spot in 1612, heroes of Russian history Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky defeated the invading Polish army in extraordinary circumstances. You’ll also find here an art museum, a monument to those who fought in the Second World War, and the flame eternally burning in their memory. D. | An idyllic spot from which to watch the sunset over the city, this monumental creation was constructed by the Soviet government and is unique to the city of Nizhny Novgorod. The staircase gets its name from pilot Valery Chkalov who, in 1937, became the first man to fly from Moscow to Vancouver over the North Pole. A monument to Chkalov stands at the top of the stairs. Over 1,500 stairs connect the city center with the river embankment. Nowadays the staircase is a favorite meeting place and relaxation spot for the locals. E. | The Rukavishnikovs were a family of immensely wealthy merchants originating from the region around Nizhny Novgorod. The superbly restored palace, their former home, has been transformed into a museum of Russian history and gives a realistic snapshot of the life of the wealthy in the 19th century. Expensive furnishings, priceless antiques, and glistening gold will transport you back in time to a world of balls, carriages, banquets, and tsars. Join the world of Russian noble ladies and gentlemen for a day in this stunning palace. F. | Sakharov Museum is dedicated to Russian scientist Andrei Sakharov. The nuclear physicist and human rights activist lived for six years in the very flat in which the museum is now housed. Sakharov’s support for civil reform and improved human rights in the Soviet Union earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 1975. Sakharov could not leave the city until 1986 when an officer arrived to install a phone there. Just after the phone was installed, it began to ring. The caller was Mikhail Gorbachev, ringing Sakharov to inform him of his release. G. | Inside the walls of Nizhny’s Kremlin one of the best modern art galleries in Russia can be found. Linked to galleries in both St Petersburg and Moscow, this top-ranking exhibition center houses regularly changing displays of both Russian and international art as well as interactive exhibits and a media library. There are also plans of adding a concert hall, extending the exhibition areas, and creating a restaurant. These additions aim to make art contemporary, not simply a far-away, unfamiliar concept, but bring it closer to Russian people.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | The beginning of animation 2. | Language differences 3. | Fewer than in real life 4. | Important rules | | 5. | Keep it simple 6. | Different parts in one 7. | Drawn secretly 8. | The best drawn character A. | While all of the characters and places in Disney’s animation film “Hercules” have Greek names, there’s one character that doesn’t: Hercules! Like “Mars” is for “Ares” and “Neptune” is for “Poseidon”, “Hercules” is actually the Roman name for the Greek figure “Heracles”. If the movie was consistent, the movie’s main character and title would be “Heracles”. However, Disney executives chose the Roman “Hercules” because they said it was more familiar to the general public. B. | In 1888, French scientist Charles-Emile Reynaud invented a device called the Theatre Optique. It could project a strip of pictures onto a screen. Reynaud painted individual images onto flexible strips of gel to run through the projection system. He made three animated short films to demonstrate his invention. The first was a 12-15 minute film called “Poor Pierrot”, which was shown in 1892. Some consider this to be the first animated movie. C. | The most common mistake which beginner animators make when they think of a story idea is that their plot is too detailed and long. It’s great to have an imagination and visualization of an epic storyline that involves lots of characters and several plot lines. But it’s important to keep in mind that the time frame and the available resources are usually limited. For a beginner, it’s more sensible to work on a story that is not too complicated and easy to follow. D. | One of the most difficult tasks in making “Beauty and the Beast” film was the animation of the beast. In the end, the character’s face and body represented a combination of several animals. Glen Keane, an experienced Disney animator, included the mane of a lion, the beard and head shape of a buffalo, the tusks and nose bridge of a wild boar, the strongly-muscled brows of a gorilla, the legs and tail of a wolf, and the big and bulky body of a bear. E. | A lot of cartoon characters have four fingers on their hands instead of five. The reason is simple $-$ hands with four fingers are easier to draw and animate. Cartoon characters are always simplified versions of their real life equivalents. Four-fingered hand saves a lot of time in animating and it really does not make any difference to us while watching. It all started with the very first Mickey Mouse cartoon. Walt Disney said that this was both an artistic and financial decision. F. | Animators have hidden representations of Mickey Mouse in most of the Disney films and all of the parks. It started as a joke between Walt Disney and other animators and became a tradition carried out for decades. “Hidden Mickeys” usually consist of three circles drawn to represent Mickey’s head and ears, but sometimes they draw Mickey in a crowd scene. Nowadays people have made a game out of searching for Hidden Mickeys in Disney movies. G. | Disney’s Twelve Basic Principles of Animation is a set of principles of animation introduced by the Disney animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas in their 1981 book “The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation”. Johnston and Thomas based their book on the work of the leading Disney animators, and their effort to produce more realistic animations. The book and some of its principles have been adopted by some traditional studios. Many people call it the “Bible of animation”.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | The transport system 2. | From the history of Madrid 3. | A rich place 4. | Key facts | | 5. | Late to bed, late to rise 6. | The city and its geography 7. | Something for anyone 8. | A city of variety A. | Madrid is the capital of Spain. It is also Spain’s arts and financial centre. Madrid was officially made the national capital by Philip III, an entire generation after Philip II took the court to Madrid in 1561. Under the patronage of Philip II and his successors, Madrid developed into a city of curious contrasts, preserving its old, overcrowded centre, around which developed palaces, convents, churches, and public buildings. The population of the city now is more than 3 million people. B. | Madrid lies almost exactly at the geographical heart of the Iberian Peninsula. It is situated on a plateau of sand and clay at an elevation of some 2,120 feet (646 metres) above sea level, making it one of the highest-located capitals in Europe. This location is partly responsible for the weather pattern of cold, crisp winters accompanied by sharp winds. Sudden variations of temperature are possible, but summers are consistently dry and hot. Autumn is the best season for visitors. C. | Madrid is a city of contrasting styles, reflecting clearly the different periods in which change and development took place. The old centre, a maze of small streets around a few squares in the vicinity of the imposing Plaza Mayor, contrasts with the Neoclassical buildings and grand boulevards created by the best architects of their day. Modern office buildings in the centre and apartment blocks around the outskirts reflect the styles and economic realities of present-day development. D. | The local population of Madrid is often referred to as ‘cats’, partly due to the local lifestyle and the late hours kept by the city’s inhabitants, although keeping late hours is also common in other parts of Spain, especially in the heat of summer. People eat late, theatres and cinemas begin performances late, and the siesta is by no means dead, although the introduction of modern business methods and the influx of foreign interests have tended to alter the traditional workday. E. | Being the centre of government, finance, and insurance has long contributed to the prosperity of the capital, as have tourism and the city’s position as Spain’s transportation hub. Following the Spanish Civil War (1936 $-$ 39), the city became an important manufacturing centre for the automotive and aircraft industries and for electric and electronic equipment, metallurgical manufactures, and optics, as well as for the production of plastics, rubber, and consumer goods. F. | The road and rail systems both come to the capital from all corners of the country. A subway system, the Metro, serves Madrid with various lines that extend throughout the city. Barajas Airport $-$ Madrid’s international airport $-$ lies about 8 miles (13 km) east of the city. A motorway (expressway) system encircles Madrid in a roughly pentagonal shape, coming to a point in the south. Other major motorways radiate from the encircling artery in all directions. G. | Modern Madrid has attractions for all people. Las Ventas, which is the largest bullring in Spain with a capacity of some 25,000 people, is where you can watch famous Spanish bullfights. For football fans there is always a game of football to watch at any of the stadiums located in Madrid. The verbenas, special fiestas held in each quarter in honour of its patron saint, are popular events, especially during warm weather. There are more than 40 parks and public gardens, churches and museums.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Famous cats 2. | Books about cats 3. | Figuratively speaking 4. | Cats through history | | 5. | Cats in cinematography 6. | Why keep a cat? 7. | A cat in your mobile 8. | A cat or a dog? A. | Cats are among the most popular pets in the world. People love them because they are very smart, agile, sly and independent. The most common reasons why people choose cats as pets are because they are beautiful, clean, low maintenance and mostly self sufficient. Cats may not demonstrate their love and affection for their master openly but they do it in very subtle ways. Cats can sense your mood, especially your depression, and try to help you to get out of this bad emotional state. B. | Cats have been around humans for centuries and their perception by humans has varied over time. In ancient Egypt, for example, cats were almost considered gods. We know of Bastet, a domestic feline goddess of motherhood. Killing a cat, even by accident, was a serious crime. Still, there were times when cats were considered to bring bad luck, like in Europe in the Middle Ages. So, from country to country and from epoch to epoch, the attitude of people to cats has changed greatly. C. | Among the most enjoyable of reads are adult fiction cat stories. There is a certain something about cat characters. They demonstrate resourcefulness like no human can. Their inventiveness and creativity are magical and they can do incredible things. One of top book cats is Oliver from the story The Cat Who Saved Christmas by Sheila Norton. Another author who loves writing fictional stories about cats is Rita Mae Brown. Share these ones with kids $-$ they’ll love them! D. | Cats rule the Internet, but not all cats were created equal. Some of the cats are A-listers whether they are famous for their good looks or their remarkable stories. One of such cats is The Grumpy Cat as it always looks annoyed. There is also the Business Cat Emilio that lives in one of the offices of a big corporation and wears a collar and a tie. It’s supposed to bring luck to the firm. The Queen of the Internet is Venus, a cat whose face is half black half red plus its eyes are blue and green. E. | Not every parent is eager to get a cat as a pet for their kids. However, children, especially girls, want to get a cat so much that they buy fluffy cat toys and everything with cats on it $-$ dresses, handbags, notebooks and so on. Now a cat lover can download a special App in their mobile and enjoy washing, feeding and stroking a virtual cat. The cat may even talk to you and play games with you. That seems to be a good solution for those who are not inclined to get a real cat. F. | Everybody likes cats, so these fluffy creatures are often featured in films, sometimes even as one of the main characters. In fact, cats are as much loved as dogs, so it’s a safe bet to make a film about cats. Still, cats are much more difficult to train than dogs so there also tend to be fewer cat movies compared to dog movies. Cat lovers also enjoy fictional cats and cats in cartoons. Actually, in some people’s opinion, cartoons about cats are even better than feature films. G. | Learning English you come across a lot of idioms with the word cat. The meaning of many such expressions can be easily guessed by a non-native speaker of English. For example, you hear the phrase to let the cat out of the bag, you immediately understand it means a secret has been revealed. Some of these expressions, though, are difficult to understand. For example, if a person is a cool cat, he or she is fashionable, and a fat cat means a person who is quite rich.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A–G и заголовками 1–8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | For the strong and adventurous 2. | Conquering cold waves 3. | Watching predators and prey 4. | How locals live and entertain | | 5. | Nature and activities to enjoy 6. | Impressive but difficult to reach 7. | Hot water, cold air 8. | Closer to wildlife A. | At the edge of Russia, on the Pacific Ocean, there is the distinctive Kamchatka peninsula, famous for its rich natural diversity. This land is surrounded by rough ocean waters, in the interior lie fiery volcanoes and boiling, steaming geysers. Some 300 volcanoes, 29 of which are active, make up nearly 40% of the peninsula. But Kamchatka’s landscapes and natural diversity are not the only things to attract the travellers from far and wide: the area is also rich in opportunities for extreme sports. Make your adventures in Kamchatka unforgettable. B. | Surfing in Bali is no big deal these days: the hot sun, the warm ocean, coconuts, bananas… We’ve seen it all! How about surfing in the chilly waters of the Pacific in Kamchatka? One of Kamchatka’s best surf destinations is Khalaktyrsky beach. You can catch waves here almost all year long: the hardiest of surfers are ready to jump in in sub-zero temperatures. Naturally, the best time to surf is summer when surf schools and equipment rental places are open for business. You don’t feel the cold in a wetsuit! C. | The Kamchatka peninsula is washed by the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea to the northeast and by the Sea of Okhotsk to the west. One of the best ways to explore the rugged coastline is to take a long trip by kayak. On the water, you’ll find yourself face to face with wild nature: you can get acquainted with sea lions, seals, killer whales and other sea creatures, and see the most beautiful, secluded bays, islands, headlands and lakes inland. You’re going to be taking numerous pictures of the seals and sea lions as they bask in the sun. D. | With vast numbers of fish, it is no wonder that Lake Kuril attracts over 200 Kamchatka brown bears who visit the lake to fish. Across the whole peninsula, there are around 20,000 bears altogether – that’s one bear to every 15 human inhabitants. Over the years, the animals on Lake Kuril have adapted to life alongside humans. Therefore, you can observe the bears and their prey close up as they show no signs of aggression. An experienced guide knows exactly where to observe them to make your adventure absolutely safe. E. | Discovered as recently as 1941, the Valley of Geysers in the Kronotsky Reserve in Kamchatka is one of the world’s largest geyser fields and is the only one in Eurasia. In a cramped 8 square kilometer piece of land there are over 40 powerful spouting geysers, not to mention hot springs, mud pools, thermal sites, waterfalls, all surrounded by volcanoes. As dangerous as any of these places seem, there are special paths for travellers. You can only get to the valley by air, so take a helicopter tour and face the raw power of Mother Nature. F. | If you feel comfortable on the runs at Alpine resorts and consider yourself experienced, Kamchatka will surprise you: imagine skiing down the slopes of an active volcano with breathtaking views over the Pacific! This is no fantasy: we suggest experienced riders try heli-skiing! Fly to the highest volcanoes’ peaks by helicopter, then enjoy the buzz of skiing the untouched slopes with awesome views of the not-so-distant Pacific. Such an activity requires skiers to be in great shape physically, and to have the love of an adrenaline rush. G. | Kamchatka is a very harsh place to live, yet people have lived here for centuries. In order to survive, they had to learn to live in harmony with nature. That led to the development of rituals that are still performed. When you visit, you can see how the indigenous people of Kamchatka have been living for generations in the village of Pimchakh that is open to visitors. Shortage of snow is never an issue, so the locals happily indulge in competitive and recreational dog sled races. You should certainly put a short dog sled trip on your bucket list.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Ways to save 2. | Inexpensive but unreliable 3. | For warmer seasons 4. | Far from busy cities | | 5. | Do not get confused 6. | Options to choose from 7. | The least popular 8. | Both benefits and downsides A. | The first big decision when visiting England is whether to travel by private car or use the extensive public transport system. Having your own car means you can make the best use of time and reach remote places, but rental and fuel costs can be expensive, and there are always traffic delays to put up with. Public transport, which includes a reliable system of trains and coaches (buses), is often the better choice for getting around in the United Kingdom. Aside from London, England’s city centres with multiple pedestrian streets are very walkable, too. B. | For long-distance travel around England, trains are generally faster and more comfortable than buses but are usually much more expensive. The English like to moan about their trains, but around 85% run on time, and major stations are well-equipped – with super helpful staff and a range of food outlets. If you leave booking your ticket to the last minute, fares can be disproportionally high, so it is always worth booking as far in advance as you can. Sometimes buying two single tickets can be cheaper than buying a return. C. | Long-distance buses are known as coaches in the UK, and services run between most major towns and cities. If you are on a tight budget, coaches are nearly always the cheapest way to get around England, although they are also the slowest and sometimes late. If you book early or travel at off-peak periods, coach tickets can be very cheap. If you are going to the airport, then take a faster train or taxi for peace of mind that you will make it in time for your flight. The two major coach companies are National Express and Megabus. D. | Travelling by car or motorcycle around England means you have more independence and flexibility, and you can reach more remote parts of the country. Minuses for drivers include regular traffic jams, the high price of fuel, the cost of insurance, and parking fees in cities and tourist towns. Compared with many countries, car-hire is expensive in England. If you have time, by using a mix of train, bus, taxi, walking and occasionally hiring a bike, you can get almost anywhere in England without having to drive. E. | Hiring a bike $-$ for an afternoon, a day, or a week or longer $-$ is a great way to really explore a small region or see England’s great outdoors. Some cities have bike-share schemes, while others have longer-term bike-rental shops. England also has a growing network of long-distance cycling routes that may inspire you to explore more of the country by bicycle. Only a handful of cities have an adequate system of dedicated bike lanes, so it is best to enjoy cycling in more rural and off-the beaten-track locations, particularly during the warmer seasons. F. | England doesn’t have a big network of domestic flights due to its small size, but there are some long cross-country routes that are awkward, costly and time-consuming if you travel by train (e.g. the trip from Exeter or Southampton to Newcastle). However, you’ll still pay at least a hundred pounds for one of these flights, and the time saved becomes less beneficial once transit times and the journey to and from the airport are taken into account. Considering the short distances and high carbon cost, many people prefer not to fly. G. | English cities usually have good public-transport systems. These services can be run by a puzzling number of separate companies. There is usually enough information at each stop or station to find the right one. Staff in tourist offices are always happy to help. Local bus services work year-round in cities and towns, except on Christmas Day, and sometimes also Boxing Day. Sundays also see fewer services. CityMapper is a handy app for planning the quickest journey between points, especially if you are combining transport options.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | More advantages at the job market 2. | How long does it take? 3. | Using different resources 4. | Available to everybody | | 5. | Cheaper than usual 6. | Fewer possibilities 7. | Types of distance learning 8. | Not for everybody A. | Thanks to technology innovation, distance learning has always involved more than reading texts and writing essays or assignments. Virtual microscopes, interactive laboratories and online collaborations have taken the place of home experiment kits sent by post, while late night TV programmes have been replaced by DVDs and online interactive videos. Distance teaching universities can nowadays choose from many methods to support learning. B. | The delivery method of distance learning programmes varies. Although many courses are taught entirely online, some schools also give students an opportunity to meet face-to-face with tutors and classmates several times a year. In other situations, students will do all their work online and are only required to attend specific locations for exams. Others may attend weekly lectures in addition to completing work online. This combined system is known as blended learning. C. | Employers can be especially impressed by people who have studied for a distance learning qualification. The CEO of a large international consulting firm recently commented that he would value more favourably a graduate from a distance learning MBA who had achieved the same results as a graduate from similar on-campus programme because it takes more commitment, enthusiasm, time and energy from the student to achieve this result. D. | Distance learning requires self-discipline and determination and would not suit someone with no motivation to study on his or her own, who needs the structure of a traditional learning environment, or with simply no time for studying. Although it is possible to still have time for family and professional commitments while attending a distance education school, it does not mean there will be less work than at residential school. E. | The length of online university courses varies depending on whether you’ll be studying full- or part-time, the level of the qualification, and the subject of study. For the majority of full-time undergraduate programmes, the timeframe is similar to a traditional bachelor’s course of three or four years. For part-time courses, your studies may take additional two or three years. Most online university courses will give a specific time period within which students must complete their studies. F. | One of the leading providers of online education in the UK is the Open University. Fees at the Open University vary depending on whether you study part-time or full-time, but the average cost for full-time is ?5,264 annually for three years. This is approximately ?3,700 less per year than enrolling at a campus-based UK university as a home student, and considerably less than the amount international students would pay to study in the UK. G. | In the last few years another type of online education has appeared $-$ MOOCs (massive open online courses). These are free online education programmes that anyone can sign up to, typically offered by well-known universities. They now cover a wide range of subjects. As MOOCs are free and open to all with access to the internet, they are useful for people of all ages and professional backgrounds who are keen to learn a new skill or gain information about a particular subject.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Inspired by nature 2. | Wonderful combination 3. | Restoring old traditions 4. | Protecting the environment | | 5. | Different at different time 6. | Chosen as the best among hundreds 7. | The closest to the sky 8. | Saved from being pulled down A. | Sydney Opera House was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 as one of the most iconic buildings in the world. Its planning began in the 1940s, as the existing building for large theatrical productions was not large enough. The Opera House was designed by a Danish architect Jorn Utzon whose design was selected as the winning one among 232 other entries in an international design competition. The formal inauguration of the building took place on 20 October 1973. B. | The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 in Paris. It was designed as an entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair and named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. However, initially the plan was to make it stand for only twenty years since its construction. The City had planned to tear it down in 1909, but as the tower proved to be valuable for the image of the city, it was allowed to remain. Now it has become the symbol of the city, seen as one of the World’s wonders. C. | The Electric Forest Festival, which started less than a decade ago, is a four-day multi-genre event, held in Rothbury, Michigan. The main focus of the event is upon electronic and jam bands. But what captures the eyes is a special atmosphere during this festival. The surrounding environment becomes a kaleidoscope of laser light shows. The mixture of electronic lights and the sounds appeal to different senses and together create a unique, surreal, magical experience. D. | Casa Mila, designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí, is one of Barcelona’s World Heritage sites and is one of the most visited attractions the city has to offer. The building is also known as “La Pedrera” translated as the Stone wave, because of the facade which is made up completely with natural stones and does not have any straight lines. Gaudi explained it by the fact that straight lines cannot be found anywhere in the wild landscape and it can be made only by men. E. | To mark the end of the Christmas season, Shetland in Scotland celebrates a variety of fire festivals every year. The most interesting of them is held at the capital, where this practice was born as early as in 1876, when strong men dragged barrels with burning tar on sledges. Today, thousands of people dress up in period-clothes. The procession burns down the model of a Viking ship. The brightness of the fire and men in clothes of the long-gone era make a spectacle show. F. | Burj Khalifa is an 829.8 m skyscraper in Dubai. It is the tallest structure in the world. There are hotels, residences and observational laboratories in the 163 floors of the building. It’s not only the tallest building in the world, it is also the tallest freestanding structure in the world, has the highest number of stories in the world, highest occupied floor in the world, highest outdoor observation deck in the world, and an elevator with the longest travel distance in the world. G. | The Taj Mahal is an architectural marvel made of white marble situated on the banks of the river Yamuna in Agra, India. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Nowadays around 8 million tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year. They come to see the changing colors of the Taj Mahal, which change from pink in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden at night when lit by the moon.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Eco-friendly 2. | Teen inventor 3. | Positive thinking 4. | Natural resources | | 5. | More useful information 6. | Invented by accident 7. | Different task 8. | Dangerous behaviour A. | After a major fire swept through London in 1666, destroying two thirds of the city, architects began planning to rebuild the city. Sir Christopher Wren, who by this time had proven himself as a building designer, was responsible for drawing up plans for reconstructing London, but they were not used. Instead, he was asked to build the new St. Paul’s Cathedral. The building had been destroyed in the fire, and while it might have been possible to reconstruct it, a decision was made to build a new cathedral in a modern style. B. | In the past mapmakers used drawings to show where things such as castles and mountains were located. The drawings were large so they could be clearly seen. Such artwork was nice to look at and easy to understand. However, it produced maps that were disorderly and not very detailed. Over time, maps became simpler. Mapmakers replaced pictures with symbols, each symbol representing one particular thing. A map may have different symbols for cities, rivers, lakes, roads, railroad tracks, and so on. C. | The Ural Mountains of Russia form the traditional boundary between Europe and Asia. The Urals are about 2,500 kilometres long. They extend from the Kara Sea in the north to the Ural River in the south. The highest peak is Mount Narodnaya, at 1,895 metres. The economy of the Urals depends on mineral supplies. Mountain mines produce iron ore, copper, chromite, gold, silver, and platinum. Factories make metal goods, chemicals, and machinery. The huge forests of the Urals provide valuable wood. D. | Easton LaChappelle built his first robotic hand using Lego parts, tubing, and electrical tape at age 14. Easton used the Internet to learn programming, electronics, mechanics, and design, and then he created a robotic hand, which won third place at the 2011 Colorado State science fair. At age 17, he built an arm controlled by a wireless headset that communicates brainwaves to the hand. These days, Easton is so well known that he gives talks before adult audiences and is recognized in the 3D and robotics worlds. E. | Which is more important, texting or safety? If you are looking at your phone while walking, you might not see a car approach or traffic light turn red. Texting while walking is unsafe, not only on the road but also in other places. For example, in China, one person drowned in a canal and another got her leg stuck in a drain, because both had their mind on their phone. Some people suggest that we should make texting while crossing the street illegal so we see fewer “smartphone zombies” on the street and keep them alive as humans. F. | For most people, plastic bags are a necessary part of any shopping trip. However, there is an opinion that communities should limit the use of plastic bags. Every year, 485 billion plastic bags are not recycled. Some end up in the ocean and can cause harm to sea life. Placing a small tax on plastic bags might encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable bags to stores. Reusable bags would cut down waste and save the environment. Businesses would also save money by not having to provide as many plastic bags to customers. G. | In a new study, researchers gave a math test to 240 children ages 7 to 10. They found out that when children believed they were good at math, they did better on the test. Previously, scientists thought it was important to enjoy math in order to be good at it. However, the new study shows that it is also important to believe you can become good at something. That is what improves your ability to learn. A good attitude opens the door to higher achievement, which means you then have a better attitude, getting you into a good cycle of learning.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Beautiful water 2. | The jewel of Rome 3. | Rome layout 4. | Built on seven hills | | 5. | From the history of Rome 6. | Highs and lows 7. | Climate in Rome 8. | Key facts A. | Rome is an important historic city of Italy. Rome is located in the central part of the Italian peninsula, on the Tiber River about 15 miles (24 km) inland from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Once the capital of an ancient republic and empire whose armies were so powerful, now it is the spiritual and physical seat of the Roman Catholic Church and the site of major pinnacles of artistic and intellectual achievement. The city area is 496 square miles; the population is more than 3 million people. B. | For well over a millennium, Rome controlled the life of all civilizations known to Europe, but then it fell into dissolution and disrepair. Physically, economically, politically and militarily helpless by the late Middle Ages, Rome nevertheless remained a world power as an idea. The force of Rome as a lawgiver, teacher, and builder continued to radiate throughout Europe. Rome found glory as the head of Christianity and the capital for arts and eventually won back its power and wealth. C. | The ancient centre of Rome is divided into 22 districts, the names of most dating back to Classical times, while surrounding it are 35 urban sectors that began to be officially absorbed into the municipality after 1911. Within the city limits on the western and northwestern fringes are six large suburbs. About 6 miles (10 km) out from the centre of the city, a belt highway makes a huge circle around the capital, tying together the antiquated roads that led to ancient Rome. D. | Rome’s hot, dry summer days, with high temperatures often above 24 °C, are frequently cooled in the afternoons by a west wind that rises from the Tyrrhenian Sea. The city receives roughly 30 inches (750 mm) of precipitation annually; spring and autumn are the rainiest seasons. Frosts and occasional light snowfalls punctuate the otherwise mild winters, when high temperatures average just above 10 °C. A cold, dry wind from the north frequents the city in the winter. E. | The main street in central Rome is Via del Corso, an important thoroughfare since Classical times, when it was the Via Flaminia, the road to the Adriatic. Its present name comes from the horse races that were part of the Roman carnival celebrations. From the foot of the Capitoline Hill, the Corso runs to the Piazza del Popolo and through a gate in the city wall, the Porta del Popolo, there to resume its ancient name. It’s a must to see for any visitor to Rome. F. | Rome is as much a city of fountains as it is of churches or palaces, antiquities or urban problems. The more than 300 monumental fountains are an essential part of Rome’s seductive powers. They are points of personal, often sentimental attachment to the city and have been a source of inspiration for many people of art throughout the history of mankind. They also provide a sense of luxury. One cannot turn them off as they flow all the time. G. | The Roman countryside, also known as the Campagna, was one of the last areas of central Italy to be settled in antiquity. It is important to mention that Rome was built on a defensible hill that dominated the last downstream, high-banked river crossing. This hill, Palatine Hill, was one of a group of hills, traditionally counted as seven, around which the ancient city grew. The other hills are the Capitoline, the Quirinal, the Viminal, the Esquiline, the Caelian, and the Aventine.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Reasons to be afraid 2. | A place of wonders 3. | Fight your fear 4. | How to say thank you | | 5. | Visiting for wild life and animals 6. | It’s never late to learn 7. | Reading non-verbal language 8. | Learn to be grateful A. | Nowadays when it’s all too easy to send an email or text, the best way to show that you are grateful to somebody is to actually mail a hand-written card. The person who gets it will know you took the extra time and thought to write a card and put it in the mail with a nice stamp. That person will appreciate your efforts much more. Plus, you’ll get the added bonus of feeling grateful a little longer than usual as you write out each note and wait for it to arrive. B. | Music is a noble passion, and people who can play a musical instrument have always been seen as intelligent people. Learning how to play a musical instrument is far more efficient if you do it in childhood. However, there are millions of adults who learn to enjoy music throughout their lives. Moreover, they don’t focus on just one instrument, but specialize in two or even more, if they have the time and the necessary ambition. C. | Millions of people avoid air travel each year because of their fear of flying. The fear of accidents happening is probably the most common fear among air travellers. It is an understandable fear, since there have been many aviation accidents throughout history. Some people may have a fear that the plane has some type of malfunction or breakdown, while others may have a fear that the weather or turbulance will affect the plane. D. | Try to understand that being scared is just an illusion that makes you limited and miserable. Take control of your mind and don’t let your imagination create frightening pictures in your head. If you cannot deal with it, you should make attempts to leave your comfort zone. Choose things and activities you are afraid of and meet your worries face to face, because it is impossible to run away from them. Just face your troubles no matter how powerful they may seem. E. | When you get chronically bored with something, your mind gets used to seeing the world negatively. It is necessary to break the chain of negative thoughts and train your mind to notice the best. Just write down 5 things you are thankful for. This way, your mind will change for the better in a while. The thankfulness will open your eyes to the beauty of the world around you and will help you to focus on positive moments in your life. F. | If you go to Ireland, go to isolated distant places in the country, talk to the locals and they will tell you the stories about the mythical Irish place, called the Otherworld. They believe that it is the land of paradise and happiness. In Irish poetry and tales, it is described as a series of islands near Ireland where the various fairytale creatures lived. Also the Otherworld seemed to be able to move from one location to another. G. | Many people can understand the nature of character without talking to the person they are interested in. The gestures and postures usually reflect the mood and the level of the person’s confidence. It’s easy to notice a highly confident person even in a big group of people. They stand in one place without constant moving from place to place, and they always make eye contact with the person they are talking to.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Not only at dinner 2. | Local rules in temples 3. | Conversation topics 4. | Watch your tongue | | 5. | Foreigners banned 6. | Mind what you wear 7. | Chance to learn 8. | A different body culture A. | Religion is taken very seriously in India. It is important to show due respect to religious buildings, images, and people at prayer. When entering a temple or mosque, remove your shoes and leave them at the door. Socks are acceptable, and protect your feet from burning-hot stone ground. Some temples do not allow you to enter wearing or carrying leather articles. In the southern state of Kerala, most Hindu temples are closed to non-Hindus, but those that aren’t require men to remove their shoes and shirts before entering. B. | The biggest minefield of potential failure has to do with eating. This is usually done with the fingers, and requires practice to get it absolutely right. Rule one is: eat with your right hand only. While you can hold a cup or utensil in your left hand, you should not eat, pass food or wipe your mouth with your left hand. This rule extends beyond food. In general, do not pass anything to anyone with your left hand, or point at anyone with it either. You should accept things given to you with your right hand – though using both hands is a sign of respect. C. | Indian people are very conservative about dress. Women are expected to dress modestly, with legs and shoulders covered. Trousers are acceptable, but shorts and short skirts are offensive to many. Men should always wear a shirt in public, and avoid shorts away from beach areas. These rules are particularly important in temples and mosques. Men are similarly expected to dress appropriately with their legs and head covered. Caps are usually available on loan, often free, for visitors, and sometimes cloth is available to cover up your arms and legs. D. | Kissing and embracing are not accepted in public. In more conservative areas, it is still rare for couples to hold hands, though Indian men can sometimes be seen holding hands as a sign of “brotherliness.” Be aware of your feet. When entering a private home, you should normally remove your shoes. When sitting, avoid pointing the soles of your feet at anyone. Accidental contact with one’s foot is always followed by an apology. Knowing and following these rules vastly improves the impression you make on local people. E. | As a traveller, you will constantly come across people who want to strike up a conversation. English not being the first language in India, they may not be familiar with the conventional ways of doing this. Indian English can be very formal, and even ceremonious. Indian people may well call you “sir” or “madam,” even “good lady” or “kind sir.” At the same time, you should be aware that your English may seem rude to them. In particular, swearing is taken rather seriously, and casual use of offensive words is likely to shock. F. | You may find it odd, or even intrusive, that complete strangers would want to know some personal stuff, but these subjects are considered polite conversation between strangers in India. They help people place one another in terms of social position. Your family, children, job, even income, are not considered “personal” subjects, and it is completely normal to ask people about them. Asking the same questions back will not be taken amiss – far from it. Being curious does not have the “nosey” stigma in India that it has in the West. G. | If you are not religious, travel alone, or stay in cheap hotels when, as a tourist, you are relatively rich, people in India will find it strange. You will probably end up having to explain the same things many times to many different people. It is more likely to happen if they are older or more traditional. On the other hand, you can ask questions too, so you could take it as an opportunity to understand more about India. English-speaking Indians and members of the middle class are usually extremely well-informed and well-educated.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Time to spend with your family 2. | Types of holidays 3. | Different ways of celebrating 4. | The origin of the holiday | | 5. | The origin of the words 6. | A well-known holiday 7. | The importance of traditions 8. | A merry farewell to cold weather A. | Easter is the most important day of the year for Christians. In America, Easter means church services, Easter egg hunts, and baskets full of candy. French children don’t get treats from the Easter bunny; they get them from the Easter bells. Easter in Portugal is celebrated with sweet bread called Floor da Pascoa. The bread is usually served at breakfast on Easter morning. The island of Corfu gets pretty messy on the morning of Holy Saturday. Those who live there take part in the annual “Pot Throwing”. B. | Maslenitsa, or Pancake Week, is one of the most cheerful holidays in Russia. It’s a gathering of Russian people to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Pancakes are eaten all week during the festival to symbolise the sun in shape and colour. People eat pancakes with a variety of jams, butter and even caviar. According to the tradition, Sunday is the day to convince sins, say sorry, forgive and start anew. One of the most fun and anticipated parts on this day is the burning of Lady Maslenitsa. C. | Traditions represent a crucial piece of our culture. They help form the structure and foundation of our families and our society. They remind us that we are part of a history that defines our past, shapes who we are today and who we are likely to become. They serve as a venue for creating lasting memories for our families and friends. Once we ignore the meaning of our traditions, we’re in danger of damaging the underpinning of our identity. It is a pity but some people can’t even remember the true meaning of the holidays. D. | There are a lot of different holidays around the world. Christmas is a national holiday worldwide and one of the most beautiful and inspiring events in the world. It marks the birth of Jesus Christ as he was considered to be a present from God to humanity. Decorated Christmas trees and children waiting for Santa to bring gifts in winter make it a perfect sight for everyone. It is generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is one of the most festive times of the year. E. | People all over the world celebrate special days known as festivals or holidays. Some of these days are connected to specific dates, but others are not. The word “holiday” originally meant “holy day”. Many holidays are still religious, but others are not. The word “festival” comes from the word “feast”. The earliest festivals seem to have been connected with offerings to the dead. Food plays a major role in many of today’s festivals and holidays. The Thanksgiving turkey is an example of a traditional food linked to a holiday. F. | The Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony landed in America on their ship in December 1620. Only half of them survived that first winter. The next year, the harvest in the fall was good. To celebrate their harvest, the colonists and their guests enjoyed a three-day feast. In December 1941 Congress named the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. Many people use this holiday as a day to reflect on the positive things in life and spend time with the people they love. Nearly everyone gets one or two days off school or work. G. | A holiday is a day for celebration when a lot of people are allowed to have days off work or school. Most countries have a designated national day. This holiday usually celebrates something notable in the creation of that country, such as its independence or signing of the constitution. There is no uniform definition of a public holiday around the world. It can occur on the same date every year. In some countries, the date varies from year to year. Bank holidays can mean two different things depending on which country you are in.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Perm’s industry 2. | Beneficial location 3. | City’s cultural life 4. | Too important to be left alone | | 5. | Traditionally liberal 6. | The greatest achievement 7. | Natural resource as attraction 8. | Where the name comes from A. | The word “Perm” first appeared in the 12th century in the Primary Chronicle, the main source describing the early history of the Russian people. The Perm were listed among the people who paid tribute to the Rus. The origin of the word “Perm” remains unclear. Most likely, the word came from the Finno-Ugric languages and meant “far land” or “flat, forested place”. But some local residents say it may have come from Per, a hero and the main character of many local legends. B. | Novgorodian traders were the first to show an interest in Perm. Starting from the 15th century, the Muscovite princes included the area in their plans to create a unified Russian state. During this time the first Russian villages appeared in the northern part of the region. The first industry to appear in the area was a salt factory, which developed on the Usolka river in the city of Solikamsk. Rich salt reserves generated great interest on the part of Russia’s wealthiest merchants, some of whom bought land there. C. | The history of the modern city of Perm starts with the development of the Ural region by Tsar Peter the Great. Perm became the capital of the region in 1781 when the territorial structure of the country was reformed. A special commission determined that the best place would be at the crossroads of the Trans-Siberian Railroad, which runs east-west and the Kazan line, which runs north-south. This choice resulted in Perm becoming a major trade and industrial centre. The city quickly grew to become one of the biggest in the region. D. | Perm is generally stable and peaceful, so the shocks of 1917 did not reach it right away. Neither did they have the same bloody results as in Petrograd. Perm tried to distance itself from the excesses and did not share the enthusiasm for change of its neighbours. Residents supported more moderate parties. They voted for the establishment of a west European style democracy in Russia. Unfortunately, the city could not stay completely unaffected, as both the White and the Red armies wanted its factories. E. | Perm’s desire for stability and self-control made the region seem like a “swamp” during the democratic reforms of the 1990s. Unlike other regions, there were no intense social conflicts or strikes. Nevertheless, Perm was always among the regions that supported the democratic movement. In the 1999 elections, the party that wanted to continue the reforms won a majority in the region. So the city got an unofficial status of “the capital of civil society” or even “the capital of Russian liberalism”. F. | During the Second World War many factories were moved to Perm Oblast and continued to work there after it ended. Chemicals, non-ferrous metallurgy, and oil refining were the key industries after the war. Other factories produced aircraft engines, equipment for telephones, ships, bicycles, and cable. Perm press produces about 70 percent of Russia’s currency and stamped envelopes. Nowadays several major business companies are located in Perm. The biggest players of Russian aircraft industry are among them. G. | Perm has at least a dozen theatres featuring productions that are attracting audiences from faraway cities, and even from abroad. The broad esplanade running from the city’s main square has become the site of almost continuous international art, theatre and music fairs during the summer. Even the former prison camp with grim walls outside town was converted into a theater last July for a production of “Fidelio”, Beethoven’s opera about political repression. The performance was well-reviewed.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Gender disproportion 2. | A woodland country 3. | An extreme climate 4. | One expression, different attitudes | | 5. | A good purchase 6. | A popular holiday 7. | The biggest of all 8. | Moving in a circle A. | The scale of Russia is difficult to imagine. That is excellent for travelers because that means there is plenty to explore. The total landmass of Russia is 6,601,665 square miles. That is equal to 11% of the world’s total landmass! Based on the total landmass, Russia is the largest country in the world – nearly twice as big as Canada. It is the world’s second-largest nation as it covers all northern Asia and much of Eastern Europe. It shares land borders with more than a dozen countries, and shares sea borders with Japan and the United States. B. | There is a big difference between the male and female population in Russia. While females in Russia make up 54% of the population, males only make up 46%. Why is there such a big difference in the population? The population gap began during World War II when 25 million Russian soldiers died during the war. Moreover, men have a much shorter lifespan than women do. Many Russians live in rural communities where the way of life is harsh and Russian men often fall victim to hunting accidents, or health care issues. C. | One of the best Russian facts is that Russians learn not to smile while growing up. While smiling in many cultures is a sign of happiness and friendliness, Russians don’t view it that way. To Russians, smiling is a sign of weakness and not showing one’s true feelings. Russians do smile at people they know well and care about, but not at strangers as many other cultures do. If you smile at a Russian on the street, don’t expect them to smile back. However, we found that many Russians smiled and waved back when we were in Russia. D. | Folk dancing is an important part of Russian history and Russian culture. Russians perform folk dances at festivals, markets, and in the theater. Khorovod is one of the most common types of Russian folk dancing. This style of dance consists of people dancing together and holding hands. Khorovod is performed in the following way: women stand in a round and move from east to west, as the Sun goes across the sky. Foreign visitors have noticed that Khorovod reflects some traits of Russian character, such as enthusiasm, creativity, and joy of living. E. | Russia has a lot of trees. If you are someone that loves nature, this is a fact you will enjoy. Around 20% of all the trees in the entire world are in Russia. That ends up being around 640 billion trees. About 45% of the country is covered by trees, much of it in Russia’s boreal forest, or taiga, located in remote areas of Siberia. They are part of wild, untouched forests that are too cold to travel to. These thick forest regions were once completely under glaciers and are now home to a whole load of brave species, including the Siberian tiger, wild boars, eagles, and owls. F. | Because Russia has harsh winter conditions, it is probably no surprise that Russia is home to the coldest village in the world. While winters there average -58 degrees Fahrenheit, the coldest recorded temperature in Oymyakon is -96 degrees Fahrenheit. Living in these harsh temperatures comes with its fair share of disadvantages. For example, if someone tries to wear glasses outside, the glasses will freeze on their face. Also, cars have to stay in heated garages, or the engines will not start. If you decide to visit Oymyakon, be sure to pack for winter. G. | In 1897, Russia sold Alaska to the United States for only 7.2 million dollars. With inflation, that is around 120 million dollars today. At the time, critics thought that Secretary of State William H. Seward who agreed to buy Alaska was crazy. But Seward had wanted to do it for a long time. Alaska is so large that the addition of this land increased the size of the U.S. by nearly 20 percent. Major discoveries of gold were made there in the 1880s and 1890s. These discoveries brought attention and people to Alaska.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A–G и заголовками 1–8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Choose what you like 2. | Know what you aim for 3. | Schedule movement 4. | Seeing the bright side | | 5. | Discipline comes first 6. | Less but more useful 7. | Go step-by-step 8. | Care for body and mind A. | Setting healthy goals is one way to come up with a plan on how to kickstart your new healthy lifestyle. It gives you something to work for and helps keep you motivated to work hard. By setting goals for yourself, you give yourself something to focus on. Additionally, goals allow you to measure your progress and see how much you have achieved. When setting your goals, be realistic with yourself. Not reaching your goals within some period of time might be discouraging and cause you to give up altogether. B. | Focus on one goal at a time to avoid being under pressure and cope with all tasks. If you want to lose weight, make small goals on how to do it. Work out at least three times a week, and add more vegetables to your plate when you want seconds. Keep a journal or track it on your phone to make sure you achieve those small goals weekly. When those goals just become part of your weekly routine, add a new goal – such as only eating out twice a week, or adding a weight lifting class. C. | The ability to manage your feelings and deal with everyday stresses and difficulties can be challenging. Keeping up good mental health means occasionally putting your own needs first. We can’t take care of others if we don’t take care of our own emotional and physical state. If you are looking for a healthier lifestyle, start with your mental health and make sure you are finding time to relax and do things you enjoy, rewarding yourself for the things you achieve and spending time with good people who value you. D. | How you think about yourself can have a huge impact on how you feel mentally and physically. Negative thoughts can do a lot of harm to your self-confidence, and influence those around you as well. Try to practise positive thinking instead of having negative thoughts. One way to practise positive self-talk and make a healthy mental change is to be kind to your body. A positive body image is an acceptance of your body. Body positivity makes people confident and comfortable in their own skin. E. | Getting used to a new workout routine can be difficult, especially if you are new to exercise. However, exercising is one of the best activities to add to a healthy lifestyle. It definitely improves your mood as well as physical well-being significantly. Just like changing your lifestyle, you should come up with goals and a workout plan you can follow. Start small with something as simple as walking three times a week, and gradually add various exercises to your workout schedule. F. | Eating healthy to lose weight is all about finding nutritious foods you enjoy that you can include in your diet for the rest of your life. There are a lot of diet plans out there that might work for you, but eating healthy comes down to reducing your calories and including healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, seafood, beans and nuts in your meals. Try to cut the amount of processed foods in your diet and look for whole foods instead. This doesn’t mean cutting everything you enjoy – it’s about balance. G. | Exercising to lose weight, just like eating healthy to lose weight, really only comes down to finding something healthy you enjoy and will continue to do. Just like with eating healthy, you’ll want to start small and try new activities that will help you stay active. If you don’t enjoy running, don’t do it. Find something that you look forward to doing after a long or busy day. Maybe that’s a cycle class, a long walk with a friend, or a yoga class. The important thing is that you are moving and physically using your body.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Danger for space missions 2. | Costly problem of space junk 3. | How it all started 4. | Do-It-Yourself device | | 5. | Entertaining worker 6. | Rapid transportation 7. | Looking for easier ways 8. | Tiny but informative A. | Launched in December 1961, OSCAR 1 was the world’s first non-governmental satellite. It was built for only 63 dollars by a group of amateur radio operators and operated for nearly 20 days, testing radio reception from space. OSCAR 1 marked the beginning of a program that continues to this day. The program has led to innovations in spacecraft design and enabled radio enthusiasts to participate in satellite communications. B. | Having a small satellite launched into orbit might sound strange, but over the past few decades a unique class of satellites has been created that seems ideal for space operations: CubeSats. The most common CubeSat is a 10 cm cube. Within their compact bodies these miniature satellites are able to place sensors and communications receivers/transmitters that enable operators to study the Earth from space, as well as space around the Earth. C. | A CubeSat is a small satellite that weighs just 1 kilogram. The design of these satellites has been so simplified that almost anyone can build them. More than that, the instructions are available for free online. They are quite easy to understand. After you build one, you can also test and launch it. CubeSats can be combined to make larger satellites if you need to carry heavier weights. Is it expensive to build one? Typically less than $5,000. D. | Australian scientists have successfully tested a new kind of jet aircraft that can move seven times faster than the speed of sound. It can bring hypersonic or ultra-fast travel a step closer to reality. Hypersonic jet engine that could be used to fly people from Sydney to London in just two hours is planned to make its first flight in 2018, according to the Australian scientists and engineers working on the project. E. | A robot-cook, which is created by the programmers of the company-resident of the business incubator of Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics, will be able to replace workers of fast food restaurants in making hot dogs, candy floss and other foods. The authors of the idea believe that the robot will be popular with restaurant-keepers, especially as a marketing tool to attract customers. F. | Since the birth of space flight in 1957, the number of man-made objects orbiting the Earth has grown every year. There are now more than 15,000 such objects larger than 10cm, at least those that we know of. Even very small particles can pose a risk to spacecraft, because of the high relative speeds at which they travel. Space trash can affect not only critical equipment such as communications satellites, but it can also be problematic for space flights. G. | National space agencies and private satellite and communications companies have an interest in reducing the amount of space trash or so-called debris in orbit. If one organisation removes debris, it will help everyone in space. But because doing so will be complex and very expensive, the best option for anyone of these players is to wait for somebody else to have a go first. That would give them a cleaner space without paying for clearing it up.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Set objectives wisely 2. | Plan for efficiency 3. | The faster, the better 4. | Not only work matters | | 5. | Importance of time management 6. | Delegate and refuse 7. | Avoid distractions 8. | First things first A. | Time is precious, particularly when it comes to running a small business. While being your own boss is a dream for many, it comes with a lot of responsibility. No doubt, you never seem to be able to check off all the items on your to-do list. From networking to marketing your company, it may seem like there’s an endless number of tasks and never enough time. If you want to maintain a healthy work-life balance, your time management skills really need to be on point. After all, there are never more than 24 hours in a day. B. | Goal setting is crucial to any good time management strategy. To make sure you’re engaging in activities that support your business goals, both short- and long-term, you need to define those goals in terms that are clear and achievable. After all, if your goal is just “to grow your business,” you might find yourself stressed and not know where to begin. Standing for “Smart, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound”, SMART goals provide clear, step-by-step tasks to help you get where you need to go. C. | Once you have set your goals and determined the individual tasks you need to do to achieve them, it’s time to prioritise. Of course, you want to make sure you’re getting things done, but they should be the right things. Stephen Covey offers advice on how to work through your to-do list based on urgency. Focus your energy on completing your most important and urgent tasks before moving on to less time-sensitive items. Low-priority stuff offers the illusion of being busy. Do these later. D. | One of the worst things you can do is jump into the workday with no clear idea about what needs to get done. While it might seem like a waste of time to take five to ten minutes to think ahead rather than getting straight down to business, you’ll be surprised at how much more efficient you can be just by dedicating a little time to planning out the rest of the day. If you schedule your time wisely, you can focus on one task at a time, rather than wasting time jumping from one thing to the next. This allows you to work smarter, not harder. E. | Start paying attention to the number of times someone interrupts you when you are doing an important task. Track self-induced interruptions, too, particularly those of the social media variety. Your smartphone is extremely useful, but it’s also highly addictive and among the most harmful time-wasters known to man. It may take a massive exercise in will power, but shut the door and turn off your phone to maximize your time. Instead of being “always on”, plan a break in the day to catch up on email, make phone calls, etc. F. | If you have hired talented, dedicated employees, one of the most impactful management tools is asking them to handle some tasks. Running a successful small business depends on the owner’s ability to think about what lies ahead and not get stuck in day-to-day operations. Look for opportunities to pass responsibility for specific tasks to others on your team. That’s what you hired them for, isn’t it? If you have to decline a request in order to attend to what’s truly important and urgent, do not hesitate to do so. G. | Taking care of yourself is important. In fact, one Harvard study found that insomnia can cause the average worker to lose up to 11.3 days of productivity each year, while another study found that regular exercise helps improve concentration, sharpen memory, speed up your ability to learn, and even lower your stress levels. Making sure you have some free time each day to spend on the people and things you love is important for your mental health, and can help keep you energised and passionate about your work.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Causes of bird migration 2. | A way of spending free time 3. | Where birds live 4. | Behaviour and feeding habits | | 5. | Importance to people 6. | Types of migrating birds 7. | Where birds migrate 8. | Causes of bird extinction A. | Birds are distinguished from all other animals by their feathers. Some types of birds live alone most of the time. Other types are more social. They may sleep, fly, and nest in groups called flocks. Birds use different sounds to communicate with one another. For example, some baby chicks stop moving when their mother produces a danger call. They may also sing to announce that a certain patch of land belongs to them. Many types eat insects. Some water birds catch fish. Many other types eat plant material. B. | Birds are found almost everywhere on Earth. There are more than 10,000 types of birds. All birds have similar features. The loss of a complete bird species may be inevitable because they are too sensitive to rapid changes. Birds living on small islands, or in desert or mountainous regions, can be vulnerable to slight changes in climate, while even minor disruptions of forest habitats can affect the breeding habits and survival of others. In some regions, it is the hunting of birds, for sport or to trade their pelts, that is the greatest threat. C. | Birds have spread throughout all parts of Earth because of their ability to fly. They live in a great variety of habitats, including fields, forests, grasslands, deserts, marshes, islands, and the open ocean. The size of an area and the diversity of the habitats help determine the number of species found in a given area. Many birds migrate, or fly long distances between their winter and summer homes. For example, many European birds travel to Africa for the winter. This helps them find enough food year-round. D. | Every bird when it is seen for the first time brings a thrill of discovery. The spring migration is a fresh wonder every year. The surprise and delight of coming across a rarity and the difficulty of keeping it in view long enough to be sure of what it is help to make bird-watching an endless fascination. Bird-watching is a hobby that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. In bird clubs the membership ranges in age from young children to grandparents. Bird-watching can combine healthy outdoor activity with the pursuit of beauty and knowledge. E. | Some birds never move far from where they were born whereas others migrate and can travel huge distances in the process. Birds migrate from one summer season to the other. Although they take a lot of risk when they migrate, for many of them it significantly improves their chances of survival and allows them to raise more offspring in another region. Birds migrate to move from areas of low or decreasing resources to areas of high or increasing resources. F. | Birds and their eggs have been sources of food for humans since their origin and still are in most societies. With the rise of agriculture, birds became important to farmers. In their constant search for food, wild birds eat huge numbers of insects, weed seeds, and rodents. Insects, weeds, and rodents cut down the amount of food the farmer can harvest from field, garden, and orchard. Many people keep birds as pets. Small finches and parrots are especially popular. Zoological parks are a source of recreation for millions of people each year. G. | Migration is often annual. It is closely linked with the cyclic pattern of the seasons. It is most evident among birds, which have a highly efficient means of traveling swiftly over long distances. The migration of most birds is a yearly cycle. Not all birds migrate. Permanent residents do not migrate. They are able to find adequate supplies of food year-round. Short-distance migrants move only a short distance. Medium-distance migrants cover distances that span from one to several states. There are also long-distance migrants.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | From the history of the game 2. | The first tennis competitions 3. | The rules of table tennis 4. | Similar yet different | | 5. | Countries good at table tennis 6. | Table tennis equipment 7. | Why watch tennis 8. | Both for men and women A. | Table tennis is a ball game similar in principle to lawn tennis. It’s played on a flat table divided into two equal courts by a net fixed across its width at the middle. The task is to hit the ball so that it goes over the net and bounces on the opponent’s half of the table in such a way that the opponent cannot reach it or return it correctly. The lightweight hollow ball is propelled back and forth across the net by small rackets. The game is popular all over the world, among people of different age. B. | Table tennis is a relatively young sport. In fact, it was invented in England in the early days of the 20th century and was originally called Ping-Pong. The name “table tennis” was adopted in 1921 or 1922 when the old Ping-Pong Association formed in 1902 was revived. Led by representatives of Germany, Hungary, and England, the International Table Tennis Federation was founded in 1926. By the mid-1990s more than 165 national associations were the members of this association. C. | Table tennis is really a sport for everyone. You don’t need to spend much money or buy many things to play table tennis. The table is rectangular, 9 feet by 5 feet, its upper surface a level plane 30 inches above the floor. The net is 6 feet long, and its upper edge along the whole length is 6 inches above the playing surface. The ball, which is spherical and hollow, was once made of white celluloid. Since 1969 a plastic similar to celluloid has been used. The racket may be any size, weight, or shape. D. | It’s easy to understand how tennis is played. A tennis match consists of the best of any odd numbers of games, each game being won by the player who first reaches 11 points or who, after 10 points each, wins two clear points ahead. A point is scored when the server fails to make a good service, when either player fails to make a good return, or when either player commits a specified infraction. Service changes hands after every two points until 10-all is reached, when it changes after every subsequent point. E. | Table tennis may be played with one player at each end of the table or with two players at each end who may be both men or both women or one of each. Worldwide, the women’s game is comparable in organization to the men’s, and women take part in world championships and all other organized events. The first female tournament took place in 1909, but women are known to have been playing tennis since 1874, which is obvious from old pictures and photos which survived the test of time. F. | The first world championships were held in London in 1927, and from then until 1939 the game was dominated by players from central Europe, the men’s team event being won nine times by Hungary and twice by Czechoslovakia. In the mid-1950s Asia emerged as a breeding ground of champions, and from that time the men’s team event has been won by either Japan or China, as has the women’s event, though to a lesser extent; North Korea also became an international force. G. | People eagerly come to the stadiums to see a game of tennis live or switch on their TVs when an exciting match is on. The interest to the spectator lies in observing the ability of one player to defeat another by some well-thought-out strategy. Increasing the speed of the game, slowing it down, varying the direction of or imparting different spin or pace to the ball are just some of the tactics that may be used to support the strategy planned by a sportsman. Thus, a game of tennis can be a real show.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Different terms 2. | Emotions and sleep 3. | Lack of sleep 4. | Sleep and obesity | | 5. | The importance of sleep 6. | Reasons to be active 7. | How long to sleep 8. | What is obesity A. | When a person has excess weight or body fat, this might affect their health. It is usually caused by the consumption of more calories than the body can use. The excess calories are stored as fat. Obesity is a medical condition. It was first recognized as a disease in 1948 by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Obese people suffer from a large number of diseases. In most people, obesity is caused by eating too much and moving too little. There are different types of obesity. B. | It’s never too late to become more physically active. Physical activity refers to any movement of the body that uses energy. It can include housework, walking and gardening. Exercise is a kind of physical activity. It is planned and repetitive. Examples of exercise are going to the gym and running on a treadmill. If you are interested in maintaining good health, physical activity can be a great place to start. If you want to achieve fitness goals, you will need to incorporate structured exercise into your routine. C. | Exercising regularly is one of the most important things you can do for your health. In the short term, exercise helps to control appetite, boost mood and improve sleep. In the long term, it reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia and depression. Exercise plays a vital role in building and maintaining strong muscles and bones. Regular exercise also increases your chances of living longer. There are many types of physical activity, including swimming, running, jogging, walking and dancing. D. | Sleep plays an essential role in your health and well-being. Getting enough good quality sleep has many benefits. It protects your physical and mental health, quality of life and personal safety. When we sleep, our brain lays down memory, restores daytime mental functioning and carries out processes that lead to physical growth. Poor sleep is strongly linked to weight gain. People with short sleep duration tend to weigh significantly more than those who get adequate sleep. Mental health issues are strongly linked to poor sleep quality. E. | Sleep is a vital indicator of overall health and well-being. On average, adults should optimally receive between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, but those needs vary individually. For example, some people feel best with eight consecutive hours of sleep, while others do well with six to seven hours at night and daytime napping. Some people feel okay when their sleep schedule changes, while others feel strongly affected by a new schedule or even one night of insufficient sleep. F. | Obesity develops when energy intake is greater than expenditure. Diet and physical activity play an important part in this. However, an additional factor may be inadequate sleep. A growing body of research suggests that there’s a link between how much people sleep and how much they weigh. In general, children and adults who get too little sleep tend to weigh more than those who get enough sleep. People who don’t get enough sleep may take in more calories than those who do, simply because they are awake longer and have more opportunities to eat. G. | People find it harder to fall asleep when they are anxious and sad. The relationship between mood disorders and quality sleep is a complex, two-way street. Just as negative mood states can make getting a good night’s sleep a virtual impossibility, insufficient sleep can lead to depression. Regardless of which comes first, the end result is that a blue mood and poor sleep go hand-in-hand. The amount and quality of our sleep can play a huge role in our mental health including how we feel and how we act toward other people.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A–G и заголовками 1–8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Combining travel and fun 2. | Echo of global processes 3. | Not always as planned 4. | Getting to the top | | 5. | It can ruin your holiday 6. | Variety of weather conditions 7. | Watching wildlife 8. | Avoiding crowds A. | While Nepal may be most famous for its high mountains, it actually spans from jungle-filled plains bordering India to the edge of the Tibetan Plateau. There’s a lot of climatic diversity. The best month to visit Nepal largely depends on what you want to do while you’re there, and whether you’ll be visiting either very high or very low-lying places. The climate plays a big part in the tourism seasons. In different seasons, you can see rhinos and other wild animals, go white-water rafting, or hike in the mountains. B. | Much of the above advice doesn’t really apply if you want to climb Mt Everest or another Himalayan peak. The climbing seasons are not always the same as the best trekking and sightseeing seasons. Spring (March to May) and early autumn (late September and October) are the best times for mountaineering, as temperatures and weather conditions are optimal for such activities. However, conditions vary year by year, and climbing expeditions are sometimes affected by unpredictable events in the mountains. C. | The festival season takes place during the peak tourism season. Festivals are usually held in October and in November. The dates are different because they follow a lunar calendar. One is mostly a family affair, and the capital essentially clears out for around a week during the festival. Many shops and businesses are closed. The festival of light is more accessible to travellers. You will see displays of lights outside homes and businesses all over the country. It is the best time to visit the capital of Nepal. D. | Much of Nepal sits at a lower altitude than many people think, and the short winter is typically mild there, including one in the capital. There may be some foggy mornings and cold nights, but when the sky is clear, winter days can be quite warm in the cities. The other major advantage of visiting the country in the winter is that it’s one of the cheapest times to visit Nepal, and there are few other tourists around. Lower-altitude trekking trails will be comfortable, as long as you have a good jacket for cold nights. E. | Nepal isn’t only about the mountains. National parks are full of wildlife, including lots of one-horned rhinoceros and a few Royal Bengal tigers. The best time to see wildlife is at the end of winter. In late January, local villagers are allowed to cut the high elephant grass that shoots up after the rainy season. Then the animals that were previously hiding in it become visible. You’re much more likely to see rhinos and other animals at this time of year. Later, the temperatures become very hot, and everyone including animals hide from the burning sun. F. | By late spring, the arrival of the monsoon is expected in Nepal. Temperatures become uncomfortably hot in many places, and the air quality is poor. The unpleasant conditions become more tolerable with the arrival of the monsoon in June. Then the locals welcome the rains, which are cooling and refreshing, but rather heavy. However, for travellers, the monsoon is the worst time to visit Nepal. Rain means cloudy skies, muddy and flooded streets, canceled or delayed flights, and the potential for landslides across roads. G. | For years, spring was considered to be a second high season in Nepal. However, in recent years, this common wisdom sounds less and less true. Winters are usually dry, and as temperatures heat up through the spring, wildfires spread. This has been happening for a long time. With climate change, wildfires have become worse over the last few years. The smoke from wildfires impacts air quality throughout the country, and it is already dangerous in the capital. It also negatively influences how well you can see in the mountains.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A–G и заголовками 1–8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Getting bigger 2. | The weather in Paris 3. | Why live in Paris? 4. | Key facts | | 5. | Becoming stronger 6. | Location 7. | A rich place 8. | The jewel of Paris A. | Paris is the capital city of France. It is situated in the north-central part of the country. People were living on the site of the present-day city, located along the Seine River by about 7600 BC. The modern city has spread far beyond both banks of the Seine. Paris is by far the country’s most important centre of commerce and culture. The area of the city is 41 square miles (105 square km); the population of Paris and its suburbs is approximately 10 million people. B. | For centuries Paris has been one of the world’s most important and attractive cities. It is appreciated for the opportunities it offers for business and commerce, for study, culture, and entertainment; its gastronomy, haute couture, painting, literature, and intellectual community especially enjoy an enviable reputation. It is called the City of Light and it lives up to its reputation being an important centre for education and intellectual pursuits. C. | Paris is situated at a crossroads of both water and land routes significant not only to France but also to Europe. It has had a continuing influence on its growth. Under Roman administration, in the 1st century BC, the original site on the Île de la Cité was designated the capital of the territory. Under King Hugh Capet (ruled 987 $-$ 996), the preeminence of Paris was firmly established, and Paris became a political and cultural hub as modern France took shape. D. | Paris is located on the western side of Europe and in a plain relatively close to the sea. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, it has a fairly temperate climate. The weather can be very changeable, however, especially in the winter and spring, when the wind can be sharp and cold. The annual average temperature is roughly 12 °C; the July average is about 19 °C, and the January average is about 3 °C. The temperature drops below freezing for about a month each year, and snow falls on such days. E. | At the eastern end of the Île de la Cité we can see the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris. It is situated on a spot that Parisians have always reserved for the practice of religious rites. Like all cathedrals in France, Notre-Dame is the property of the state, although its operation as a religious institution is left entirely to the Roman Catholic Church. The cathedral looks stunning. It is certainly the most famous landmark in Paris, attracting millions of tourists each year. F. | In 1850, Paris had approximately 600,000 inhabitants. It then grew rapidly as industrial expansion attracted a constant stream of people from the provinces. By 1870, the population had surpassed 1,000,000, and by 1931 the conurbation contained some 5,000,000 people, more than half of them living in the city of Paris, the administrative city within the old gates. After World War II, this growth continued, and in the early 21st century Greater Paris had over 10 million people. G. | Paris is not only the political and cultural capital of France but also its major financial and commercial centre. It is a very wealthy city, home to many vast private fortunes, both of French and foreign origin. It serves as the base for numerous international business concerns, and even if large French firms have their manufacturing plants in the provinces, nearly all keep their headquarters in Paris, conveniently close to major banks and key ministries.
- ЗаданиеСложность 2
Установите соответствие между текстами A $-$ G и заголовками 1 $-$ 8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний. 1. | Pluses and minuses 2. | Difficult to prove 3. | Strategy for success 4. | Choosing one’s lifestyle | | 5. | Why they win 6. | Useful signs 7. | Genre differences 8. | Fresh start A. | What sets a musical and an opera apart is that in opera, music is the driving force; in musical theatre, words come first. While listening to an opera, it usually doesn’t matter what language it’s sung in if you know the basic plot $-$ but in musical theatre, the details come from the lyrics. This explanation clarifies why opera stars often sing in a different style than Broadway performers do, why operas and musicals are typically about different subjects, and why musical composition and orchestration vary between the two disciplines. B. | When the Internet was invented, nobody really thought about security. The main aim was to connect computer networks over great distances. Although a lot of money have been spent on making the Internet safer, security has actually become worse. Experts say that the whole net has become so unsafe that it would be best to start all over again. Nobody knows what a new Internet would look like but users would have to give up their anonymity for a bit more safety. Today’s Internet might end up as a bad neighbourhood you just wouldn’t pass through. C. | In the past decades African runners have dominated marathons all over the world. The Ethiopian Abebe Bikila ran barefoot to his first gold medal in the 1960 Olympic Games. He repeated his victory four years later. Experts think that African runners are better because they train in higher places in their home countries. Their legs may also be stronger than ours and they may have the ability to collect and store more oxygen. All of these help them become very good runners. D. | Watching TV shows is a great way to learn spoken English, slang words, understand culture reference and humour. However, people on TV shows sometimes speak with grammar mistakes, which is often a part of character development. Characters talk with an accent, using non-standard English and pronouncing words in a way that is difficult to understand. While it is a great way to practice listening and talking in everyday life, it is probably not a good source for “proper English”. E. | When you are running a marathon it is very important to drink a lot so that your body does not dehydrate. You should run at a steady pace. Don’t start too fast or you will become tired very quickly and won’t be able to continue. This is called “hitting the wall”. In most cases runners then give up completely. On the other hand, you shouldn’t start too slowly or else you won’t reach the time limit you want to achieve. After a marathon most runners feel pain in their muscles. This is normal and it may take a few days before your body becomes normal again. F. | In ancient times, people could only use the power of observation to tell what the weather would bring. They could observe the changing patterns of the seasons. This taught them when to plant and when the crops would grow. People also observed animals and the growing cycles of plants to predict changes in the weather. They could tell when a rainy season was coming and when it would get cold. People used their senses to see and smell changes in the weather. The migration of animals was also a good indication of change. G. | It is not clear who was the first to reach the North Pole. A US explorer called Frederick Cook insisted on having walked there in 1908, but nobody could support his claim. Another American called Robert Peary announced that he had reached the Pole in 1909, but because his men were not trained navigators, none of them could be sure. Because the Arctic is made of ice that floats on the sea, rather than snow and ice on rock like the Antarctic, any evidence of visiting the North Pole will quickly be swallowed up by water.