Билет №1
I.1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
Can cheating be stopped?
More and more students at school and university are using the Internet to cheat1 in their coursework. In Britain, about 25 % of students copy material from the Internet when they write their homework. In the USA there is a similar problem. One report showed that about 54 % of students copy from the Internet when they prepare for the lessons.
Of course, students rightly use the Internet to help them research a topic when they are doing coursework or writing an essay. But some of them also copy and include material from the Internet into their own essays without indicating that they are using someone else’s work. For example, a student who has to write an essay on Shakespeare can find lots of different essays on particular plays and themes in Shakespeare and copy one of them. So they no longer have to read books in libraries, take notes and plan their own essay.
The Internet has certainly helped students to avoid the hard work of writing an original essay, but it is not the only reason why cheating is increasing. In recent years, students’ attitudes to school and university have changed. In the past, students had a more idealistic attitude towards a university education. University broadened their minds. Nowadays, a lot of students are more practical in their attitude. They are only interested in passing the exams. They want a degree only to help them get a good job.
Teachers and examiners want to stop cheating in school and university, but they do not agree about how to solve the problem. Some teachers think a student’s final grade shouldn’t depend on his/her coursework. They think that it is better to have traditional (timelimited) written exams that are held in an examination room.
Another way to stop cheating is to have an oral exam at the end of the course. If students cannot answer questions about their coursework, this could indicate that they have cheated. At the same time, the oral exam would give the examiner a better idea of students’ real knowledge of the subject.
1 to cheat [tSiùt] обманывать, списывать
2. Is cheating becoming a problem in the USA and Britain? Read aloud the extract which says about it.
3. How do students cheat using the internet?
4. Why do students cheat?
II Listen to the radio programme and answer the questions below.
1. What books did Laura Reddington write trying to make a living?
2. What kind of story did she find one day?
3. Why does Laura think about all the details before writing a book?
Script:
PR: My guest today is the novelist Laura Reddington, whose novel, The Lost Dream1 was an international bestseller. Laura, did you always want to write?
L: I’ve always been interested in books. I always thought it would be wonderful to be a writer and this was an ambition.
PR: How did you start writing?
L: Well, my first thought was that I needed to make a living, so I tried romantic fiction — without success, though. I thought it would be easy money.
PR: How did you get the idea for your book?
L: I was looking through my books one day when I found the story of a man who thought he’d found a new planet. I realised this was going on at about the same time as a famous murder case in London. So I thought I could mix the two stories together to make a sort of a detective novel.
PR: How long did it take you to write the book?
L: Well, that book took two years to write. I know some people can sit down and just write, and until they’ve finished they don’t know how it will end. But for me, it’s all about planning, when I worked out all the details, I concentrate on the actual writing.
1 The Lost Dream «Утраченная мечта»
III
1. Let’s talk about your family. What is family for you?
2. Are there any things that you do with your parents together?
3. What will you ask a British teenager about his/her family?
4. What can you advise a person who wants to have a close and happy family?
5. Nowadays an average family has one child or two children. From your point of view, how many children should there be in a family?
Билет № 2
I 1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
Books in neverending motion
Librarians are saddened by the fact that young people tend only to borrow reference books rather than reading fiction for pleasure. Perhaps it’s unfashionable to read these days. However, a new trend is developing, with literary lovers leaving their books in public places, to be picked up and ‘borrowed’ by others.
The Belarusian National Technical University was the first to support the idea in our country. Several years ago, the Director of its scientific library, Alexey Skalaban, passed an internship1 in Sweden. At the airport, he saw a huge glass case of books, which he learnt were available for anyone to read. It was a great idea. The question was only where such books might be kept in Minsk.
“Initially, we created a shelf in the reading hall of the University’s scientific library. Later, we installed a case in the main building. It’s available to everyone,” explains Mr. Skalaban. “We want to encourage young people to read. Bookcrossing is an easy way to do this.” Alexey is looking at a website devoted to bookcrossing. “Look, we’ve set free almost 700 books,” he admits with pride. On the day I visited, I saw only two books in the case. The inside cover has a plate stating that it is part of the bookcrossing programme, alongside a registration number showing who donated the book
and when.
Library staff, students and even residents of neighbouring houses bring books. Additionally, publishing houses have donated some editions. Every year, more such ‘safe’ places are found. Not long ago, a Minsk night club installed a shelf of books. While some people dance, others gather by the shelves of books, magazines and discs. “We’ve subscribed to several magazines, while books are brought in by our guests, staff and musicians. This is how our collection grows,” says Yan Busel, who coowns the club.
Bookcrossing is gaining popularity, with safe shelves found in many libraries, as well as cafes and educational establishments. No doubt, it’s a great way to attract visitors.
1 an internship [ÈIntÎùnSIp] интернатура, стажировка
2. The author says what makes librarians unhappy. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. Who was the first to introduce book-crossing in our country?
4. Why is book-crossing becoming more and more popular in Belarus?
II Listen to the woman talking about her schooldays and answer the questions below.
1. What is the speaker talking about?
2. When did the speaker feel relieved?
3. Why did the speaker start crying?
Script:
Woman: Oh yes, I remember my first day at school. I remember feeling very proud when my mother walked with me through the main gate. There was so much noise and so many children that I got quite scared! Anyway, my mum took me to see the teacher, Mrs Gossage was her name — very nice teacher — and
I remember feeling very nervous watching my mother leaving but Mrs Gossage looked after me and she sat me down with the other pupils in a big circle. Soon we started playing games so I got very excited. I think it was after lunch that I met Emily, who later became my best friend. She was in another class, but all new students were brought together to meet each other and... I was so relieved1 to have a friend! Oh yes, and in the afternoon we went swimming, but I couldn’t swim so I became very upset and started to cry. In fact, I wouldn’t stop crying so Mrs Gossage phoned my mother and she came to collect me early. I remember feeling very confused when I saw my mum! So much had happened! We went and had an ice cream and then I felt calm again. But what a day! I’ll never forget it.
1 to be relieved [rIÈliùvd] почувствовать себя спокойнее
III
1. Let’s talk about family traditions. Why is family important for you?
2. Are there any family traditions that you follow?
3. What will you ask a British teenager about his/her relatives?
4. What can you advise people who want to adopt an unusual family tradition?
5. Some people consider that old traditions glue families together. Do you agree with them?
Билет № 3
I 1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
FRIENDSHIP IN THE MODERN WORLD
People often say that our modern way of life, with its individualism and fast speed, has made the world a lonely place. So many of us live and work surrounded by people, but it is hard to find true friendship. The faces we see each day are like pictures in a gallery; the talk that we hear is just sound. Perhaps this is why the websites like ‘Facebook’, ‘Contacts’ are so popular these days. They allow people to communicate and even become close without meeting up. It seems that many people’s idea of friendship has changed nowadays. But what is friendship?
Aristotle was the first western philosopher to discuss friendship in a detailed way. He said that people who chose to live alone were either like animals or gods. He probably meant that it is natural to want friends. Certainly, people who choose to live without friends are frequently regarded as having problems. We either pity them or else we view them as strange.
Aristotle also said that there are three different categories of friends. In the first category, we are friends with people because of some advantage that the friendship gives us. In other words, the friendship has a practical value. Friends in this category would include bosses at work or some of our colleagues.
Aristotle’s second category of friendship is based on the idea of pleasure. Friends in this category enjoy doing things together and they have a lot of interests in common.
The third category of friendship is the highest form of friendship. In this category, people are friends on a deeper level. The friendship does not depend on anything other than the friends themselves. The relationship is so close that it seems that one soul belongs to two bodies, Aristotle said.
Aristotle also said that close friends must have eaten salt together. In other words, they must have shared some of life’s good and bad experiences. Most people today would probably agree that these are a fundamental part of true friendship.
2. Read aloud the extract which says about the changes in the modern society.
3. What do people think about people who have no friends?
4. What does Aristotle say about the three types of friendship?
II Listen to the radio programme and answer the questions below.
1. What are the three main ingredients of the great British breakfast?
2. What is a new trend or fashion in London’s top restaurants?
3. What are the key ingredients of a breakfast in a London cafe?
Script:
Hello, I’m Amber, in London Life today, we find out what the traditional British breakfast is made of, and why it is becoming more and more popular, especially in London. Let’s listen to three people.
Speaker 1: It’s a meal that everyone outside of England has heard of, and dreams about, and we don’t know what it is, but when we come here, we want to eat it.
I got here, and I went to a cafe and there was the bacon, eggs and fried potatoes, and I thought — is this all there is?!
Speaker 2: I think it’s very important to start a day. If I’ve got a long day at work, I try and eat egg and bacon in the morning because it’s protein — it keeps you going all day. Now in London, there’re lots more people having business meetings in top restaurants and it’s getting very fashionable to have breakfast.
Speaker 3: I would say the cafe experience is very important, you know, it’s less than 50 % the food, as it is. In a good cafe, they’re not going to hurry you out. There are the smells, there are the sounds — you are just listening to the world go by.
III Let’s talk about family relationship.
1. What role does family play in each person’s life?
2. Do you have your own family traditions?
3. What will you ask your British friend about his/her family?
4. What can you advise people who want to have a close and happy family?
5. Do you think children should help with the housework? Why and how?
Билет № 4
I 1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
ACCORDING TO LAWS OF HOSPITALITY
Braslav is among the most popular destinations for Belarusians and foreigners. Now, a state programme is being developed to raise the attractiveness of the region to tourists, turning the district centre (home to 10,000) into a modern European city.
The local tourist industry is to enter a whole new level. At present, there are five tourist bases and two hotels — situated in Braslav and near the town. New facilities are going to be very comfortable. Drivyaty tourist base within the Braslav Lakes National Park, which occupies 70,000 hectares, is among the most modern and popular destinations. It’s soon to be expanded, with new hotels, a spa centre, a cafe and an indoor aqua park.
In the early 16th century, Duchess Yelena, who was married to Grand Duke Alexander (who ruled over Lithuania and Russia) and actually owned Braslav, founded a monastery on the site. Fragments of this ancient settlement will be restored as part of the Braslav district’s tourism development programme.
The ancient Belarusian town has many interesting sporting traditions, including an international fishing contest, which has been gathering hundreds of fishermen from Belarus, Russia and Latvia for the past few years. Sports lovers and those who enjoy the outdoor life are sure to be delighted by the town’s new rowing channel, skiroller track and ski slope, in addition to a sports complex with an ice rink.
The local cinema is to be fully modernised, with new halls opened, while an entertainment complex will be built, offering billiards and bowling. A new shopping centre, with a cafe for children, is also planned, alongside a lakeriver museum, with an aquarium.
This wonderful resort town should please tourists with its modernised infrastructure and Braslav district could soon become an international tourist destination. One potential investor is to start construction of a new sanatorium very soon.
State programmes for regional development are already working in the Polesie and Naroch Lake areas.
2. The author tells us about sporting traditions that exist in Braslav. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. What new things will tourists see in Braslav?
4. Why will it be interesting to visit this Belarusian town?
II Listen to the radio programme and answer the questions below.
1. How long has Brian lived on his boat?
2. Why did he decide to leave London?
3. What can he do with his boat that he couldn’t with a house?
Script:
Jackie: Hello, I’m Jackie Dalton. Have you ever wanted to do something completely different? Well, one man now lives on his boat. Brian, welcome.
Brian: Hello!
Jackie: How long have you been living on the boat and why did you move there?
Brian: I’ve been down here now for about 12 years. I used to live in London. The family had grown up, the wife had died. I had this big house… and I thought who for? I’m going to go and live on the boat.
Jackie: Are you glad you decided to leave London and live on a boat in
Brighton?
Brian: Best decision I’ve ever made.
Jackie: Brian, what can you do on a boat that you can’t do in a house?
Brian: All these boats have got all the comforts that are required for living on board: microwaves, televisions, fridges... If you don’t like your neighbours, you can go to another place. There’s a lot going for living on board. I love everything that’s down here. I love these lovely nights, the lovely sunsets. People pay for this, you know, they ask me silly questions like “Where do you go for your holiday?” and I look out here and I look at them and I think: “Every day is a holiday!”
III Let’s talk about friendship and relationship with friends.
1. What’s your best friend like?
2. Is it easier to make friends when you are an adult or a child? Why?
3. What questions do you usually ask when you want to get acquainted with someone?
4. What can you advise a teenager who wants to make friends in a new school?
5. They say: “Friendship isn’t a big thing — it’s a million little things”. What do you think about this?
Билет № 5
I 1. Read the magazine article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
unknown Arthur Conan Doyle
Like the great detective Sherlock Holmes, Conan Doyle also had many wonderful talents. Many people do not know that he wrote many other kinds of books: science fiction, historical adventures, horror stories and stories of the supernatural. He also wrote factual books on history and politics. In everything he did, he showed his incredible creative energy.
Conan Doyle came from an artistic family and he was a natural writer. His father was a talented artist and his mother was a very good storyteller. In his autobiography, Conan Doyle wrote: “The stories that my mother told me when I was a child stand out more powerfully than the real facts of my life.”
Conan Doyle went to boarding school when he was nine years old. At school, he entertained his school friends with stories that he had invented. After graduation from Edinburgh University he had his own medical practice in London, but he did not have many patients, so he was not earning a lot of money as a doctor. That’s why Conan Doyle made good use of his free time by writing stories. Soon, Conan Doyle began to have his stories published. He now began to understand that writing could provide a better income than medicine.
Conan Doyle was not satisfied with being just a writer of original and entertaining stories. He was also a great man of action. When he was a young man, he sailed as a ship’s doctor on voyages to the Arctic and to West Africa. When the Boer War1 in Africa started, Conan Doyle volunteered to fight. He was not accepted because he was too old (he was 40). However, he still went to South Africa as a doctor to treat the wounded2 and the sick. He later wrote a history of the Boer War.
Conan Doyle was determined to do some good in society. He tried to enter Parliament, but he wasn’t successful. Conan Doyle was more successful in his work to improve the law system. He worked very hard to help people who had been wrongfully sent to prison.
Conan Doyle did many things in his life, but he will naturally be remembered most as a writer, a creator of Sherlock Holmes.
1 the Boer War [ÇbUÈwù] англобурская война
2 the wounded [ÈwuùndId] раненые
2. Conan Doyle had many talents. Read aloud the extract which says about it.
3. How did his writing talent develop?
4. Which facts prove that Conan Doyle took an active part in social life?
II Listen to the programme and answer the questions below.
1. How did the dolphins help a 10-year-old boy?
2. How does swimming with dolphins help the children?
3. Why are some people not very enthusiastic about dolphin therapy?
Script:
A 10yearold boy has been helped by dolphins to talk for the first time in his life. Now, after taking part in a dolphin interaction programme he has begun to use words to communicate. He is just one of the many children who have been helped by dolphins.
Dolphin therapy began some 20 years ago. How does it all work? Close contact with the dolphins works as a motivator. Swimming with the dolphins is an experience that reaches deep down and demands the levels of concentration that are necessary for learning.
Despite its evident success at helping children, not everyone is enthusiastic about dolphin therapy. Animal rights groups warn that it is a myth that dolphins are harmless creatures. They are wild animals with wild instincts.
Other people point out the harm done to the dolphins. Captive1 dolphins must be used for the therapy of course. This creates problems when the animals are returned to the wild. It is partly for this reason that some therapy centres only use dolphins that have been rescued from the wild.
Although dolphin therapy has shown itself to be of great value to many sick and disabled children, the right measures must be taken to ensure the protection both of the dolphins and the children who swim with them.
1 captive [ÈkQptIv] находящийся в неволе
III Let’s talk about education.
1. What can you tell me about your school?
2. Can you tell me about your favourite teacher at school?
3. Ask me whether I liked school when I was a pupil.
4. You are talking with a British student. What would you advise him/her to do to prepare for an exam well?
5. Today some young people think that having a good education is not very important. Do you agree with them?
Билет № 6
I 1. Read the magazine article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
Hand made chocolates
Jane Turner began her chocolate making business in a village near the seaside resort of Torquay about three years ago, before that she had worked for a large food processing company in southwest England. We talked to her about her experiences.
Why did you decide to make such a big change of lifestyle?
“First of all, I was not happy in my job. Though it was a wellpaid job, the work was very stressful and I had to work long hours. I just wanted to improve the quality of my life. I also wanted to live by the sea again. I knew that it would be difficult to find a good job in this area, so I decided to set up my own business.”
How did the chocolate making begin?
“It had always been my dream. I found a suitable building in a village and installed all the equipment. My sister and a couple of her friends came to work with me and about six months later we were ready to start making cakes. After the cake business had begun to do well and we were supplying hotels and restaurants on a regular basis, I began trying to make my own chocolates. It is not easy to make good chocolate as there are so many factors involved: creativity, the quality of ingredients, even the temperature of the room. When I had developed a good enough range of chocolates, I sent some to the hotels and restaurants. They liked them and ordered more. That is how the chocolate making grew.”
Have you made any mistakes?
“Oh, yes, a lot. Perhaps the biggest mistake was trying to sell our cakes and chocolates over the internet. It was a disaster. First of all, it was expensive to get a professionally designed website set up. Then it was difficult and expensive to deliver cakes and chocolates to places that were far away. We had to use special packaging to protect the cakes and chocolates, which was also expensive. Sometimes, the chocolates arrived late, or despite everything they were damaged. Then we had to deal with some very angry customers!”
What are your plans for the future?
“We are thinking of setting up our own shop in Torquay with cake and chocolate making facilities inside.”
2. Why did Jane Turner start her business? Read aloud the extract which says about it.
3. How did her chocolate business develop?
4. What mistakes did she make?
II Listen to the radio programme and answer the questions below.
1. Why did Arthur Conan Doyle stop writing stories about Sherlock Holmes?
2. What worried Mr Horowitz before starting a book?
3. Why was writing the book about Sherlock Holmes easier than Mr Horowitz thought?
Script:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle killed Sherlock Holmes when writing the stories took up too much of his time. Now, 80 years after the author’s death, Britain’s most famous detective is being brought back to life with a new novel by Anthony Horowitz.
The character of Sherlock Holmes was originally created by Arthur Conan Doyle, who featured him in four novels and more than 50 short stories.
But it’s the first time that the Arthur Conan Doyle estate has officially asked an author to write a new novel. He has been named as Anthony Horowitz and is best known for his Alex Rider children’s series. So, was he afraid of the challenge?
Anthony Horowitz:
“Well obviously, it was exciting to deal with probably the most famous detective in the whole history of literature. And I didn’t want to disappoint the fans, and people who love these books.
But to be honest with you, I found it fairly easy to write because I have always loved those books, I’ve read them two or three times during the course of my lifetime — in fact, my whole life as a writer of crime fiction was inspired by Doyle and I find the book not so scary as I thought it might be.”
III Let’s talk about studying at school.
1. What’s your school like?
2. Do you agree that our school gives a person a good start in life? Why (not)?
3. Ask me what kind of pupil I was at school.
4. Which school club would you advise your classmate to join?
5. Today some young people think that having a good education is very important. Do you agree with them?
Билет № 7
I 1. Read the magazine article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
mysterious1 disappearance
Agatha Christie wrote some of the best detective stories in English. Her own life also contains a mystery that has only recently been solved.
The story began like this. At 9.45 pm on December 3rd 1926, Agatha Christie left her home in the south of England, saying that she was going out for a drive in her car. The next morning, her car was found quite far away crashed. The front end of the car was in some bushes, the headlights2 were still on. Inside, there were only some women’s clothes and Agatha Christie’s driving license.
The detective in charge of the case, William Kenward immediately organized a big search of the area. Policemen came from different parts of the country to help in the search, even some famous detective writers were asked to help.
Archie Christie, Agatha’s husband, told everyone that his wife was suffering from amnesia3. However, soon the police discovered that the marriage between Archie and Agatha Christie was not a happy one, and that Archie and Agatha were having problems. But he could not admit that his marriage was in trouble because people might have thought that he had had something to do with her disappearance.
At this point, the police received a letter. In the letter, Agatha told Archie’s brother that she was going away to rest in Yorkshire, Harrogate. The police now went there and looked for her at all the hotels. But they did not find Agatha Christie as she had not checked in using her real name. Instead, she had introduced herself as Neele, a visitor from South Africa.
The situation was very upsetting for the police as they didn’t find her. Instead, the musicians in the dance band at the hotel recognized her.
It was not an easy story to believe and most people did not in fact believe it. But all what we know now is that she did not do it for publicity. She did it as she was going through an unhappy time with her husband. Later, in fact, their marriage broke up and they got divorced. However, her disappearance did make Agatha Christie the most popular crime writer in the country.
1 mysterious [mIsÈtIrIs]
2 headlights [ÈhedlaIts] фары
3 amnesia [QmÈniùzI]
2. How did the story begin? Read aloud the extract which says about it.
3. What are the details of the police investigation?
4. Why did Agatha Christie disappear according to the article?
II Listen to the conversation and answer the questions below.
1. What does the boy want to do?
2. What does his mother want to do?
3. Why can’t they make a decision?
Script:
James: Morning, mum.
Mother: Good morning, James. Will you, please, help me to get breakfast ready?
J: Sure, mum. Oh, by the way, mum, what will we do this Sunday?
M: Well, there are a lot of things we can do, but I think we have to talk to dad about it first. I’m afraid he’ll want to stay home.
J: Oh well, if he wants to stay in I’ll go and see a football match then. MU’s playing with Chelsea!
M: We’ll see about it. We may drive to the country and can all take a long walk in the wood! Then have a picnic by the lake! We haven’t done it for a long time.
J: Oh no! It’s so boring! I never enjoy those walks. Besides, they forecast bad weather for the weekend! I’d better stay in town and see a match with the friends. It’ll be great fun I am sure!
M: All right. But let’s talk about it later. It’s only Wednesday today!
J: But it will be too late then. The boys are buying tickets for the match now.
I won’t be able to get it later!
M: Let’s wait for father anyway.
J: OK. When will he be back?
M: I am not sure but I hope he’ll be back at 8 pm.
J: All right, then. I do hope he’ll let me go to the football match.
III Let’s talk about school traditions.
1. What can you tell me about your school traditions?
2. Does your school differ from any other school you know?
3. Ask me about my school life.
4. What can you advise your younger school friends to do to make their school life more interesting and memorable?
5. What are some of the best memories of your school years?
Билет № 8
I 1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso1 was one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. He experimented in many different styles and changed the world of art during his time.
Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, Spain in 1881. His father was a drawing teacher. At 10 Pablo became his father’s pupil and at the age of 13 he held his first exhibition. His family moved to Barcelona in 1895 where Pablo joined an art academy. In his early period the young artist painted life as he saw it around him — in cafes and on the streets. Then they moved to Paris, the centre of art and literature.
In 1901 a close friend of Picasso shot himself. This had a great influence on Pablo. He was very sad and began painting his pictures in grey and blue tones instead of bright, vivid colours. This part of his career is called his Blue Period (1901—1904).
Later on, he changed his painting style and started using more earth colours — rose, pink or brown. He liked to paint pictures of circus life with dancers and acrobats. This Rose Period lasted until 1907.
When Picasso started working with his friend and fellow painter Georges Braque in Paris they started experimenting with a new style that was called cubism. Picasso and Braque didn’t want to show nature as it really was. They thought that all objects in nature had geometric2 forms. In cubism, objects were cut into many flat shapes, which looked like a puzzle. All the sides of a person’s face, for example, were shown at once, maybe even with three eyes instead of two.
In 1936 Civil War broke out in Spain. During this period he painted his masterpiece Guernica3. It shows the terrified people of the ancient Spanish town which was bombed during the Civil War. Picasso was shocked by this inhuman act and in his painting he shows people running in the streets and screaming with their mouths wide open. To display his sadness and anger he used only black and white as well as shades of grey.
He continued his work up to his death in 1973. For his great imagination and skill he is called ‘El Maestro’ of modern art.
2. The most famous painting of Picasso is Guernica. Read aloud the extract about it.
3. Where did Picasso learn to paint?
4. Picasso worked in different styles. Which styles are mentioned in the article? What are their typical characteristics?
II Listen to the interview and answer the questions below.
1. What is Kerry’s typical day?
2. Why doesn’t Kerry follow a diet or go to the gym?
3. What piece of advice does Kerry give to beginners?
Script:
Interviewer: For most of us, childhood dreams of becoming a dancer stopped at about the time we became teenagers but not for Kerry Jay. Now at the age of 24 she is a dancer in one of the West End’s musicals. Kerry, what’s a typical day?
Kerry: I’m usually not in bed before 2 am, so I get up about 10 am. I go to the gym or occasionally a jazz class. I meet friends who don’t work by day either — it’s my main chance to socialise. We get to the theatre by 6.15 and put on our makeup. Then we’ll get our hair done and put our costumes on.
I: Do you have to exercise to keep your figure?
K: Not at all! I don’t look after myself as well as I should do! I don’t need to do diets or go to the gym daily — just watch what I’m eating. I eat completely normally, including sweets and chocolates but not much.
I: How do you see your future?
K: I can’t imagine myself doing anything else! I’d love to get one of the main roles in ‘Chicago’ eventually. As for getting older in the business, I know a lot of dancers in their mid30s who are in main parts and doing well.
I: Any advice for beginners?
K: Be confident and keep practising — patience is rewarded!
III Let’s talk about choosing a career.
1. What kind of job would you like to have in future?
2. Do you want to have a parttime job, when you are a student? Why (not)?
3. What questions will you ask your future employer about your future job?
4. Give me some advice on what I need to think about when choosing a job.
5. Some people think that it is necessary to have good communication skills in order to get a good job. Do you agree with this?
Билет № 9
I 1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
Good news for chocolate lovers!
It would be difficult to find someone who does not like chocolate. In the United States, chocolate is bought more often than any other kind of sweet. In Britain, each person eats an average of 11 kg of chocolate per year. That is a lot of chocolate! In the US people eat about 200 chocolate bars per second as a matter of fact. People love chocolate so much that they often think it is a bad habit. But there is good news for all chocoholics: eating chocolate does less harm to you than you might think.
People often believe that chocolate causes a number of health problems including bad teeth, obesity1 and skin problems such as acne2. Studies carried out in the United States, however, give no support to this idea.
Specific tests were carried out. One group of people who suffer from acne was given regular amounts of chocolate, while another group of similar sufferers had no chocolate at all. At the end of the test period the two groups were compared. No difference in the condition of the acne sufferers was noticed.
Chocolate contains fat and sugar, so if you ate a lot of chocolate you would probably put on weight. But reasonable amounts of chocolate in your diet will not make you fat. People usually get fat because they eat too much food in general, especially if they are not very active.
What about the effect on your teeth? Chocolate can damage your teeth, but the danger is less than many people believe. It is good to know that eating a certain amount of chocolate may even be good for you. Chocolate contains protein, vitamins and minerals. Scientists believe chocolate may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Perhaps the most amazing thing of all is that it can help you fight off illness. The important thing is not the chocolate in itself, but the pleasure that it gives you. Even the smell of chocolate can have a positive effect on your immune system. It is nice to smell chocolate of course, but it is much better to eat it. And the great thing is that you can eat it without fear.
1 obesity [«UÈbiùsItI], [«ÈbiùsItI] ожирение
2 acne [ÈQknI] угревая сыпь
2. People eat a lot of chocolate. Read aloud the extract which says about it.
3. What health problems do people traditionally connect with eating chocolate?
4. What facts prove that chocolate can be good for our health?
II Listen to the conversation and answer the questions below.
1. What is Alex thinking about?
2. Why does he want to bring soldiers as a gift for his parents?
3. What will Alex buy for his brother?
Script:
Kelly: Hi, Alex. Alex? Are you sleeping?
Alex: No, I’m not sleeping, just thinking.
Kelly: About what?
Alex: Well, I’ll be going back home to visit my family for a couple of weeks.
Kelly: That’s great. So, you must be thinking about how happy you’ll be to see them again.
Alex: Yes, that’s true. But I’m also thinking about what kinds of gifts I should bring back from England for everyone.
Kelly: Of course, you want to bring back some traditional things, don’t you? You could bring back some toy soldiers from the Royal Ceremonial Collection.
Alex: Kelly, you’re a genius! Royal Guard soldiers are not only very colourful, they represent English traditions too! My parents will really like them. Okay, now I have to think of something to buy for my sister. That’s a tough one!
Kelly: Don’t be so pessimistic, Alex. Does she like drinking tea? You could bring back an English teapot.
Alex: Of course! Another great idea! Now the toughest person to shop for — my brother. What in the world could I bring back for him?
Kelly: Didn’t you tell me that your brother is studying English now?
Alex: Yes, that’s right.
Kelly: So why not buy him a DVD so that he can watch a f ilm in English?
Alex: Sure, he’d love that. You amaze me, Kelly!
III Let’s talk about life in the city and in the country.
1. Tell me about your native city/town/village.
2. Do you find your city/town/village a comfortable place for living? Why (not)?
3. What questions will you ask your friend about his/her new home?
4. Your friend doesn’t know what to choose: to live in a period or modern house. Give him/her some advice.
5. They say that the place people live in reflects their character and personality. What do you think about this idea?
Билет № 10
I 1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
Do very clever children need help?
In our history, there have been some remarkable children. Mozart is a famous example. After he had heard a piece of music a couple of times, he could write it down on paper. He composed symphonies while he was still a child. Today we also hear stories of very gifted1 children.
Ruth Lawrence, from the UK, became famous at the age of 12, when she began her studies at Oxford University. She was the youngest student ever to attend a university in the UK. Before going to university, Ruth was taught at home by her father. While she was a student, her father was always by her side. He attended all her lectures with her. Ruth did very well at Oxford. She got a f irst class degree in mathematics. Now Ruth is a mathematics professor.
These young people are, however, extremely special. Because of that they naturally feel different to other children of their own age. They can become lonely. Michael Howe, a professor of psychology says, “It is good to be good at something while you are young, but if you do not have friends or other experiences you will not have a satisfying life.” Gifted children who understand quicker than their classmates can also become lazy. They can behave badly in class because they are bored.
If parents find that their child is especially talented, they have to take some important and difficult decisions. They have to help their child develop but they cannot push their child too hard. If they do, the child may have serious problems later in life. However, if a child is especially gifted, it is clear that they need a special kind of education. These children need to be motivated. This means that they have to study with people who are older than them. But at the same time they must be allowed to be children too.
Despite her great success, Ruth Lawrence does not want her own children to be brought up and educated in the same way she was. They will be sent to a normal school and she has said that she wants them to develop and grow only in a natural way.
1 gifted [ÈgIftId] талантливый
2. Ruth Lawrence was a gifted child. Read aloud the extract which says about her.
3. What kind of problems can wonderkids have?
4. What should parents and teachers do for their gifted children?
II Listen to three speakers talking about their favourite pastime and answer the questions below.
1. According to the first speaker what is his favourite pastime?
2. Why is the second speaker keen on crafts?
3. What problem does the third speaker have because of his favourite pastime?
Script:
Speaker 1: Well, my favourite leisure pastime is rather unusual. You see, I live in the country and for me there is nothing better than riding on horseback on a hot sunny day with a little breeze. There is no one around and you can enjoy freedom from almost everything and everyone. No matter what mood you are in, you can always find happiness.
Speaker 2: I am fond of crafts. I love making different items from wood and then painting them. I usually give them away just to make people smile! I also enjoy sewing, especially making doll clothes for my daughter. All these things relax me, not to mention that I get a bit of satisfaction from having made something useful. I love making gifts for my family and friends. I wish I had more time to do it.
Speaker 3: I have only one favourite pastime. Every day I come home, lie on the sofa, turn on TV and just relax. What do I watch? It doesn’t matter. Anything from soaps to football matches. My TV set is my best friend. The only problem is that I have put on a lot of weight. I can’t help eating crisps and other snacks while watching. My friends say I’m a couch potato. So what? I like it that way.
III Let’s talk about different types of houses.
1. Tell me about your dream house.
2. Do you find your flat/house a comfortable place for living?
3. What questions will you ask your friend who is going to move into his/her new home?
4. If your parents ask for your opinion where to move: to the city or to the country, what would you recommend them to do?
5. They say that the room/flat/house you live in reflects your character and personality. What do you think about this idea?
Билет № 11
I 1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
family history
“Researching family history is a true passion rather than just a hobby for many people”, says Julie Mason. “It is wonderfully exciting when you learn more about the ancestors1.”
Julie began researching her family’s past in order to find out her roots2. She says: “When you discover your roots, it gives you understanding who you are.” John Paul Thompson has a different reason for wanting to research his family’s history. “After my father died I found myself with photo albums full of old photographs with no labels. I wanted to find out more about the others.”
Some of the things that people discover about their families can be very surprising. When Jean Sandwell researched her family history she had a very big shock. She found out that she had been adopted as a baby. After she had accepted this situation, Jean tried to find her real parents. “I discovered that my mother emigrated to Australia in 1966,” says Jean. “In 1982 I went to Australia to meet her. It was a very emotional experience for both of us.”
So what is the best way to start researching your family history? “Interview all your family members before it is too late,” says Julie Mason. “Make a basic family tree of your close family and step by step make it bigger. Of course, it is not easy to have accurate information from relatives about things that happened in the distant past. It is quite normal for different family members give different versions of the same events. It is very important to check everything.”
Public records in local libraries and in national archives3 are also important to the family historian. Old newspaper reports are often kept on in local libraries. Sometimes, researching your family history can be lonely work. Remember that you can find a lot of help on the internet.
Of course, it is not easy to trace your family history a long way back and you must be very patient. Believe me, in the future, your children, and their children may be very grateful to you for recording it.
1 an ancestor [ÈQns«st«] предок
2 roots [ruùts] корни
3 an archive [ÈAùkaIv] архив
2. Jean Sandwell made a shocking discovery. Read aloud the extract which says about it.
3. Why do people start tracing their family histories?
4. What recommendations does the author give to discover your roots?
II Listen to the conversation and answer the questions below.
1. How many runners are going to take part in the race?
2. Where would they like to organize the starting line?
3. Why do they need to have first-aid points?
Script:
Mike: Well, Jane, we’ve only got two weeks left before the run so I really think we have to finalise the route of the race today.
Jane: Yes, Mike. Now, how many runners do you estimate1 will register for the race?
Mike: Well, it’s hard to say what the final number will be — at the moment we have 150 applicants2 but I fully expect there will be 200 by the race itself.
Jane: Fine. I’ll make a note of that.
Mike: Where will the starting line be?
Jane: I think you have to start somewhere that has a place to warm up. How about the Town hall as the car park there is big enough for the runners to do their exercises?
Mike: Actually, that’s a good point. Let’s start there and then we could have the firstaid point nearby. But look, we should have another firstaid point somewhere on the route in case the runners have problems.
Jane: You’re probably right! Em, do you think the athletes need somewhere to take a break if they are feeling tired? We could use the entrance to the library. It’s ideal as it has such a huge portico where the athletes could relax in the shade.
Mike: Good idea.
1 to estimate [ÈestImeIt] полагать
2 an applicant [ÈQplIk(«)nt] участник
III Let’s talk about Belarusian national cuisine.
1. What can you tell me about eating habits in Belarus?
2. Do you know many recipes?
3. Which national dishes can you recommend a tourist to taste in Belarus?
4. Which questions will you ask a friend who has invited you to a pot luck party?
5. Can you tell me how to cook one of your favourite dishes?
Билет № 12
I 1. Read a part of the interview with Audra Mari, Miss Teen USA, taken by the magazine “Seventeen” and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
bullying Again?
Seventeen: What was your experience with bullying1 in high school?
Audra Mari: One Sunday, I came home and there was a big picture on the door. It was basically making fun of me because I’m tall. Once the girls prepared a slogan to support a football team. The slogan wishing good luck faced the team, but the back of the slogan read “Go Home Mari”. And the whole student section saw it. One time during lunch, I was sitting with all my friends, and a girl came up to me and threw a paper lunch bag at me. She said, “You can eat this for lunch, it is for horses.”
Seventeen: What was going through your head when all of this was happening?
AM: At first, I tried to keep it in and not tell anyone except for my friends because I thought that it’d finish after the first few weeks, but this happened all year. So finally, I told my mum, I told her everything. She talked to the administration, and they brought the girls in and talked to them about it. The girls were punished. So you just have to bring it to the attention of adults.
Seventeen: In spite of all this, you still managed to make it to the Miss Teen USA competition and win it. How did you find the confidence to go for it?
AM: You just have to ignore it and have confidence2 in yourself. I was a threesport athlete — hockey, soccer, and volleyball — and I gave them up to do my modelling career.
Seventeen: What’s your advice for girls dealing with bullies today?
AM: Stay confident and know that this is not the end of the world, that you are not going to be in high school for the rest of your life. There are mean girls wherever you go, but you don’t need to be with them when you get older. You’re not in a classroom with them, you’re not eating lunch with them, so look past it and know that it’s going to end. Looking back, I’d say you just need to focus on what you want to achieve and not let people get in your way or upset you. Also, tell a trusted adult, tell all your friends, tell anyone you can. If you keep it inside, it’s just going to eat you.
1 to bully [ÈbUlI] дразнить, запугивать
2 confidence [ÈknfIdns] уверенность
2. Mary was cruelly bullied. Read aloud the extract which says about it.
3. How did she react to bullying?
4. What advice does she give to other children?
II Listen to the talk between two friends and answer the questions below.
1. What are Maggy’s favourite places in London?
2. What are they going to do in the evening?
3. Why does Alex want to go to a cafe?
Script:
Maggy: Hey, Alex! I’ve got an idea. I can show you my favourite place in London.
Alex: Sure, Maggy, I’d like to see that, but where is it exactly?
Maggy: Look beyond the people. What do you see?
Alex: Well, there’s a beautiful building over there! It looks like a palace. What is it?
Maggy: It’s Buckingham Palace! And all those people are waiting for the Changing of the Guard. It’s 11 o’clock so the ceremony will start soon.
Alex: Does this ceremony take place every day?
Maggy: It’s held daily only from April to August, when there are lots of tourists. But we aren’t going to watch it right now; we’re going to the park which is opposite the palace.
Alex: Let me guess. We must be in St. James’s Park now!
Maggy: Good guess! You’re right, it’s St. James’s Park, which is a popular place to walk, feed the ducks or watch the pelicans.
Alex: Those people on the lawn seem to be having a picnic. Is it possible to have picnics in London parks?
Maggy: Sure, but you should follow certain rules.
Alex: Okay. What is the magnificent style building opposite the lake?
Maggy: This is St. James’s Palace. And behind it, there is an entertainment area of Piccadilly Circus with lots of pubs and cafes. If you like, we can go there later in the evening.
Alex: That’s a wonderful idea! But honestly, I’m starving and wouldn’t mind having a bite right now.
Maggy: Then let’s go to the cafe and have a snack.
III Let’s talk about national cuisine of an Englishspeaking country.
1. What do people eat in Britain?
2. Do you know many recipes?
3. What questions can you ask a waiter when you are ordering a meal in a café?
4. My friend wants to know more about national cuisines. Which national dishes would you recommend him to taste?
5. A lot of pupils refuse to have meals at school. What do you think about it?
Билет № 13
I 1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
Shakespeare’s portrait?
A painting has been discovered that experts say is a picture of one of the world’s bestknown writers, William Shakespeare. He is thought to have written at least 36 plays, which include the worldfamous Hamlet, Twelfth Night and Romeo and Juliet. Yet surprisingly little is known about Shakespeare’s life, the way he worked, or what he looked like.
Shakespeare was born in the town of StratforduponAvon in England in 1564. He left the town when he was about 20, leaving behind a wife and three children. After this period he worked as an actor and writer of plays in London. In 1594 he helped form a new theatre company and wrote plays for the next 20 years. After this he retired to StratforduponAvon where he died in 1616. He is buried in a local church.
Several portraits exist that are supposed to be those of Shakespeare’s. Yet many experts think these paintings are probably pictures of someone else, or were painted at least 100 years after Shakespeare died.
The Shakespeare expert and the owner of the newlydiscovered painting say they are 90 % sure it is of William Shakespeare. Alec Cobbe owns the painting. It has been in his family’s possession since the early 1700s. They did not know who the person in the painting was. A few years ago Mr Cobbe went to a Shakespeare exhibition and saw a painting of Shakespeare called the Janssen portrait. He was amazed by how similar it was to the painting owned by his family.
He took his painting to a Shakespeare expert. Since then it has been dated and Xrayed. They now believe it was painted in 1610, when Shakespeare was 46 years old — six years before he died. Mr Cobbe thinks he could prove the portrait was originally owned by the Earl of Southampton, who supported Shakespeare when he was writing his plays.
Other experts are not so sure whether it really is a portrait of Shakespeare. This, they say, is because there is no proof the Janssen portrait is actually a picture of Shakespeare either!
2. The author gives some facts about Shakespeare’s life. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. What facts prove that the painting can be a portrait of William Shakespeare?
4. Why do some people doubt that this is a portrait of Shakespeare?
II Listen to three speakers talking about travelling and answer the questions below.
1. Why do many people travel today according to the first speaker?
2. How does the second speaker describe people who never travel?
3. What can a person gain travelling to other countries according to the third speaker?
Script:
Speaker 1: Lots of people believe that travel broadens the mind. A friend of mine went to Cyprus and when he came back, he complained that he could not find English food and everything was so foreign! If one travels with that kind of attitude, one never learns anything about other places and people. Today many people travel not in order to learn, but to ‘have a good time’ and usually on their terms.
Speaker 2: I’ve just got back from a trip to Japan and what I learned by just being there is more than I’ve ever learned on the internet. Talking to some locals, I learned more than school, or internet could teach me. Travel lets you see other people’s lives, cultures, customs and traditions from different parts of the world. Travel educates you and makes you knowledgeable1. I think that people who never leave their countries are narrowminded and ignorant.
Speaker 3: I feel sad for those people who have never travelled outside of their own hometown. There’s a whole world of different cultures to meet out there, ninetynine per cent of which you can’t have by just sitting in the living room in front of the TV. When you travel to other countries you can see, feel and touch other ways of living. Some places will shock you, others will please you. You will then appreciate your own life and see things in a different way.
1 knowledgeable [ÈnlIdZbl] хорошо осведомленный, знающий
III Let’s talk about shopping.
1. Who does the shopping in your family?
2. Is Minsk a shopper’s paradise? Why (not)?
3. What questions will you ask your friend who has bought an expensive telephone?
4. What can you advise a teenager who wants to buy a birthday present for his/her friend?
5. Some teenagers think that parents should pay them for doing their household chores. Do you share their opinion?
Билет № 14
I 1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
SHOPPING IN LONDON
John tells us a bit more about shopping in London… “When I visit London one of my favourite things to do is shopping! I really enjoy hunting around for a bargain1 in the sales, buying something new to wear out on a Saturday night. Or alternatively, a bit of windowshopping — it doesn’t cost a penny. Sometimes I’ll spend hours just wandering around a market having a chat with my friends.
There are loads of different places to go shopping in London. You can go to Oxford Street, but be warned, it gets too busy sometimes; it can be difficult to go anywhere! Alternatively for a less crowded, more relaxing shopping experience, go to Covent Garden, you can have an expensive cappuccino, and watch some (free) street theatres at the same time.
Some people like shopping in department stores, the most famous one in London is ‘Harrods’, but for me, it’s not modern enough, and too expensive, the sort of place your parents shop. But just down the road is ‘Harvey Nics’, much more uptodate, but not cheap. The best of all the big department stores is ‘Selfridges’ in Oxford Street, it’s a shopper’s paradise, nice clothes, and the prices. Well I can look, can’t I?
You can also try Camden, it’s busy, exciting, trendy, and there are lots of bargains! You can buy cheap jeans and cool second hand clothes in the morning and then get a tattoo and a body piercing later on! If all that shopping is too tiring, you can get some Chinese or Thai food for 2 or 3, sit by the canal and have a drink. What could be better?
If Camden is not cultured enough, you might prefer a day in Greenwich — a world heritage site. This is a much more relaxing day out. You can have a walk round the market and shops, and then take in a bit of London’s history — it was the birthplace of Henry VIII, Queen Mary and Elizabeth I. There’s also the park, the ‘Cutty Sark’ (an old tea clipper ship), the meridian line (where east meets west), and the old observatory… so much to do, but don’t forget the shopping!”
1 a bargain [ÈbAùgIn] выгодная покупка
2. The author describes some department stores that are popular with shoppers. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. What does John like about shopping?
4. Why is Greenwich interesting to visit?
II Listen to three speakers talking about losing weight and answer the questions below.
1. What does the first speaker advise to do if you want to lose weight?
2. What is the mistake many people make trying to lose weight?
3. Why is it necessary to exercise according to the third speaker?
Script:
Speaker 1: Throw away gas or electric cooker. Also throw away salt. Get as many fruit and vegetables as you can. Try to drink as much water as possible as it increases the rate at which you burn calories. Cut out soda and limit fruit juices, most of which are high calorie. Carry on normal work. I followed this diet continuously for six months. In the end I lost 23 kg. I did morning walks, cycling, but no other physical exercise.
Speaker 2: You should know that there is no safe way to lose weight quickly, the mistake is if you lose weight very quickly, you will be a lot less likely to keep it off. So, definitely try to lose weight gradually, but don’t plan on losing overnight. This is the most important and the first aspect of getting your perfect body shape. If you have a lot of weight to lose, try for 5 pounds, relax a bit, then go for 5 more.
Speaker 3: The first thing I would suggest is to believe in yourself, and love yourself. The key to weight loss is simple —