I Listening
А Controversial Аthlete
three-timeheavyweightboxingchampion - трехкратный чемпион по боксу в тяжелом весе
fists - кулаки
ability to compose rhymes on the run - умениесочинятьрифмынаходу
neighbourhood – район, окрестность
furious - взбешенный, рассерженный
to beat up the thief -избитьвора
boxingcoach - тренерпобоксу
determination - решительность, целеустремленность
devotedhimselftoamateurboxing - посвятилсебялюбительскомубоксу
lucrative - прибыльный, выгодный, доходный
controversial - противоречивый
lostchampionshipbelt – потерялчемпионскийпояс
prison - тюрьма
the Supreme Court –ВерховныйСуд
retired from boxing - ушелизбокса
Parkinson’s disease
female boxing - женскийбокс
Decide which of the sentences are true and which are false according to the text
1. Muhammad Ali is one of the best- known people in the world.
2. He was the first person who won three world championships in boxing.
3. He was the first rapper.
4. His interest in boxing began when he was a child.
5. His school teachers suggested that he learned to fight.
6. He won all his matches.
7. He lost his championship for political reasons.
8. He spent 5 years in prison.
9. His daughter was a professional boxer.
10. He made some comments against female boxing
Choose the best option a,b,c or d to complete each sentence.
Muhammad Ali
a) first became famous as a rapper.
b) organized anti-racist demonstrations.
c) won three Olympic Gold medals.
d) was good at composing poems
Ali’s first boxing coach was
a) a policeman in his hometown
b) the Louisville Club owner.
c) a television reporter
d) a former thief.
Ali’s career as an amateur boxer
a) lasted nearly 18 years.
b) ended when he was 18.
c) brought him only a few match victories
d) didn’t bring him popularity
In the 60s, Ali
a) served in the American Army.
b) spent five years in prison.
c) lost his champion’s title.
d) refused to fight in championships.
In retirement, Muhammad Ali
a) stopped taking part in public activities.
b) supported his daughter’s boxing career.
c) wrote for sports magazines.
d) was still very popular.
II. WritingComprehension
1 Today, our world is confronted with many challenges: poverty, hunger,disease, wars, environmental changes and many others. In your opinion, what is themost serious problem that society faces today? What has caused this problem?Do you think that this problem can be solved?
2 Choosing a career path can be a difficult decision.What should be taken into consideration when choosing a career? How can you decide whether you are suitable for this or thatprofession? Should a young person follow adults’ advice making this decision?
|
|
3 “There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs” Do you agree?
III. SpeakingComprehension
1. Imagine you had the chance to change any historical event. However, this action would create a chain reaction which would result in your never being born.What event would you change? Why?What would be the consequences of you never being born?Is it better to sacrifice one person for the benefit of all or not?
2. Many students choose to attend schools or universities outside their home country.Why do some students study abroad?How could studying abroad be viewed as a waste of time?How can a student make the most out of his or her abroad?
3. Globalization describes the process by which regional economies, societies, and cultures connect through communication, transportation, and trade. This process has sped up greatly over the last two decades.What advances in communication have caused globalization to speed up?What roles have travel played in the globalization of world economies?How can globalization positively affect different countries? How can it negatively affect them?
4. Social networking websites like Vkontakte and Facebook are incredibly popular, but some are concerned that young people are being too free with their personal information.What information about yourself are you comfortable with sharing on the Internet.Do you think people are being careless about their private lives?What are the possible consequences, good or bad, of so much online sharing?
5. Some educators value math and science more than the humanities (e.g. literature, music, and history).Why do you think they feel this way and do you agree with them? Explain.What would life be without the arts?Should everyone be required to study them? Why?
6. Do you have a family photo album? What is your favourite picture? Why? What does your family mean to you?
7. DoyoueverusetheInternettohelpyouwithyourschoolwork? How is studying with the Web different to studying with books?
8. With all the pressures of the modern world, time is an important factor in our lives today. How does time impact your life?Do you have enough time to do all things you’d like to do in your life?How do you prioritize your time to accomplish the things that are most important to you?Do you follow a strict schedule and calendar, or do you “take life as it comes”? What are the advantages and disadvantages of your approach?
9. We all try to avoid illness through healthy daily habits and diets. When we get ill, most of us go to the doctor for advice or prescription medicines.What preventative measures do you take to maintain your health?How do different cultures approach health care? In your opinion, do people rely too much on pharmaceuticals?
|
|
10. "When people succeed in life, it is because of hard work. Being lucky has nothing to do with success in life." Do you agree or disagree with the quotation above? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.
11. Some people think that they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher. Others think that it is always better to have a teacher. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to develop your answer.
12. Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
13. Some people spend their entire lives in one place. Others move a number of times throughout their lives, looking for a better job, house, community, or even climate. Which do you prefer: staying in one place or moving in search of another place? Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.
14. Some people believe that success in life comes from taking risks or chances. Others believe that success results from careful planning. In your opinion, what does success come from? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
15. Who do you want most as a friend: someone who is intelligent, or someone who has a sense of humour, or someone who is reliable? Which one of these characteristics is most important to you? Use reasons and specific examples to explain your choice.
16. Some people think governments should spend as much money as possible exploring outer space (for example, travelling to the Moon and to other planets). Other people disagree and think governments should spend this money for our basic needs on Earth. Which of these two opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
17. Should parents continue to finance their children after the children are 18?
18. People have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. Some read; some exercise; others work in their gardens. What do you think are the best ways of reducing stress? Use specific details and examples in your answer.
19. In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic (for example, honesty, intelligence, a sense of humour) that a person can have to be successful in life? Use specific reasons and examples from your experience to explain your answer. When you answer, you are not limited to the examples listed in the question.
20. Some people choose friends who are different from themselves. Others choose friends who are similar to themselves. Compare the advantages of having friends who are different from you with the advantages of having friends who are similar to you. Which kind of friend do you prefer for yourself? Why?