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VARIANT 1

I . Read the text and mark (V) the following statements «True» or «False».

     The most favorite American holidays are Independence Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving. Independence Day or the Fourth of July is the birthday of the United States. On July 4, 1776, the people of the American colonies declared their independence from England. On this day families gather to enjoy a special meal outdoors, some watch sports such as baseball. And all over America, there are beautiful shows of fireworks.

     Another favorite holiday is Halloween. We celebrate it on the 31st of October. Children dress up in costumes, looking like ghosts and witches. They ask people for candies, go to parties and try to scare

one another.

     My third favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. We celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November. Early Americans celebrated Thanksgiving to express their thanks for the fall harvest. Today, we celebrate it to take time to be thankful for all the wonderful things we have, such as family, food, good health and freedom.

True or False

1. The Fourth of July is also called Independence Day.

2. The American colonies declared their freedom from the United States.

3. Many Americans watch sports such as basketball on July 4th.

4. On Independence Day people watch a beautiful show of fireworks.

5. The story also discussed Halloween, which falls on the last Thursday of  October.

6. It is customary for children to ask people for sweet things at Halloween.

7. Children like dressing up in costumes at Halloween.

8. The third holiday mentioned, Thanksgiving, occurs in autumn.

9. Early Americans celebrated Thanksgiving to express thanks for rainfall.

10 .Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude for good health and freedom.

Variant 1

II.2 Complete the text with the words from the table.

     Edward Bellamy was born (1)______ 1850 in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts,

to a long line of New England Baptist ministers. He was (2)______ in the United States and in Germany, and at length (3)_______ law. Working (4)___ a journalist and editor in New York and (5)_____ Springfield, he began to publish fiction in 1879, and by 1898 he (6)_______ published five novels and a collection of short stories. (7)_______ them was the novel now considered the (8)____ masterpiece,

Looking Backward.  The visionary novel not only (9) _______literary fame to Bellamy but established (10)______ as an important social and economic theorist.

1    A in                     B at                  C on

2    A educating         B educated      C education

3    A studied             B studed          C studied

4    A as                     B like               C —

5    A a                       B the                C —

6    A was                   B has               C had

7    A Through           B Among         C Behind

8    A author’s            B authors         C authors’

9    A broke                B bought          C brought

10  A him                   B himself         C his

III.3 Comment on the following issues.

Your family is moving. You are not sure as to whether to move out

to the country or into the city. Dwell upon:

• the advantages and disadvantages of both;

• the problems you might have living in a big city or in the country.

VARIANT 2

I.Read the text and mark(V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

Caring for a Pet Hamster

     You and your parents agree that you are ready for a pet. A dog is too big for a small flat. Mom is allergic to cats. So a hamster is the best choice. What will it take to keep your new pet safe and happy?

     Choose a hamster from a pet shop that is clean and whose staff seems to know about the animals. If you want to tame and handle your hamster, you’d better choose a younger pet. Before you get your hamster, you should prepare its new home. Here are the items your hamster must have: a cage, bedding made of wood

shavings, nesting material, an exercise wheel, a water bottle, a food dish and food.

Almost all of your hamster’s life will be spent in the cage. So, buy the largest cage you can afford.

     Make sure that your hamster has fresh water at all times. A general hamster mix from the pet shop will make up most of your pet’s diet. You can also give it carrots, raisins, cheese, dog biscuits and acorns as treats. In general, do not feed your hamster sweets or prepared foods. With daily food and water, regular attention and a weekly cage cleaning, your hamster should be a happy addition to your household for several years.

True or  False

1 The article says it is important for parents to agree that you are old enough to have a pet.

2 Dogs make good pets when you live in a small flat.

3 When choosing a pet shop, choose one with a knowledgeable staff who can give you information about the pets.

4 It is better to buy a fully-grown animal than a young one.

5 A hamster’s cage must be big enough to allow your hamster to move around.

6 A hamster sleeps in wood shavings.

7 The article says that it is very important to be sure your hamster has water.

8 A hamster will consider chips and crackers a good treat.

9 You should clean your hamster’s cage every year.

10 The article recommends that you bring your hamster home for a visit to be sure it will be happy in your flat.

Variant 2

I.               Complete the text with the words from the table.

A Museum Fit for a King

     Located on (1)____ Seine River in the heart of Paris, the Louvre is (2)____ biggest art museum in the world. It has seven major areas, (3)____ one hundred different rooms, and (4) 300,000 items in (5) ____ collection.

     The Louvre is (6)____ of several different buildings that (7)____added over many centuries. The very first section, built more than eight hundred years ago, was originally (8)____ as a fortress to protect Paris from the Vikings. Within a hundred years, King Charles V had turned one of the towers into a library. (9)____ his reign, King Henry IV added a huge section called the Grande Galerie. After the French Revolution, the art in the Louvre was available for everyone to enjoy. The museum opened to the public for the first time (10)____ November 8, 1793.    Today, the Louvre is owned and operated by the French government.

1      A a                   B the                    C —

2     A a                    B the                    C —

3     A more than      B more  then       C most of

4     A near               B nearly              C nearest

5     A its                  B his                    C their

6     A making up     B makes up         C made up

7     A were              B was                  C has

8     A use                B used                 C using

9     A While            B During             C For

10   A at                   B in                     C on

III.3 Comment on the following issues.

Describe a visit to a place that you will always remember.

• Write what place it was and describe it.

• Describe what you were doing there and explain why you will remember

it.

VARIANT 3

I. Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

School Life for a British Schoolboy

     I leave home at 6:45 and walk 20 minutes to catch a bus to school. The journey takes an hour because the bus has to keep stopping to pick up other students along the way. On arriving I collect my Tablet PC from the Learning Centre and go to my Tutor Room for registration at 8:30. We do our early morning work while our class teacher takes the attendance register. The attendance of every child is recorded in a special registration book each morning and afternoon. The teacher reads out each child’s name in turn, a child replies and the teacher writes down in the book whether the child is in school or not.

     At about 8:50 we leave our Tutor Room to go to the Assembly Hall. In the hall  we listen quietly to the music playing. Each week has a different musical theme and the children are asked to listen out for particular things. Every day I have a different first lesson. Normally it is English but I also have Maths, Computers, Drama and Music and French on other days. Every student carries a swipe card. We swipe into every lesson to let the school know that we have attended that certain lesson and to know where we are when something happens. The children can bring a snack from home to eat in the playgrounds. It is usually a packet of crisps, fruit or a couple of biscuits. We play games on either of our two playgrounds, adventure playground or in the large playing field. Lunch time is from noon to 1:10 p.m. Some children will have a school dinner cooked in our school kitchen. In the afternoon the lessons resume with reading activities. The rest of the afternoon is spent learning one or two of our other school subjects. Afternoon lessons continue until 3:15 p.m. when we go home.

True False

1 The boy gets up early and walks to school.

2 The bus takes each child to school personally.

3 The pupils’ Tablet PCs are kept in the hearing Centre.

4 Every morning the teachers record attendance in a special book.

5 Each pupil swipes his card before the lessons.

6 The learning days always start with the same lesson.

7 There is usually one student in the Assembly Hall.

8 In the Assembly Hall the pupils listen to school news.

9 The children never take snacks from home.

10 A snack is usually a packet of crisps, fruit or a couple of biscuits.

Variant 3

II. Complete the text with the words from the table.

     What (1)­­____ you think of when you hear the word ≪desert≫? We usually think of deserts as hot, dry places, but there can be (2)____ hot and cold deserts. Scientists define deserts as areas of land where (3)____ than ten inches of rain falls per year and (4)____ plants can grow. In Arctic and Antarctic regions, there is very (5)____ rain. Precipitation is almost always (6)____ in the form of ice or snow, and because it stays frozen on the ground, plants cannot (7)____ it to grow. So these regions (8)____ deserts and given the special label ≪cold desert≫ to describe (9)____ temperatures, which can range from 10 to 50° F (10)____

summer and from –50 to 10° F in winter.

1     A do                     B are                          C have

2     A too                    B both                        C either

3     A less                   B little                        C fewer

4     A little                  B much                      C few

5     A few                   B little                        C many

6     A freeze               B froze                       C frozen

7     A use to               B use                          C used

8     A are considered B are considering       C have considered

9     A them                B there                        C their

10   A at                     B in                             C on

III. Comment on the following issues.

Imagine you work for a television company. Present a report about

young people’s television-watching habits.

• Mention TV channels and programmes popular among teenagers;

• Describe good and bad aspects of television, its influence on young

people.

VARIANT 4

I. Read the text and mark  (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

Elderly Neighbours

    

Our neighbours are an elderly couple. They live simply and quietly.When the annual summer holiday comes, they spend a week with the wife’s sister, and the rest of the time repainting and decorating their home. So much of the paintwork in the house is not more than two years old. But last year their routine changed as the wife’s sister got into hospital. So, they decided to take a holiday at the seaside in a caravan camp.

     They packed their bags and travelled there by train. They didn’t like the camp at all because the caravan was dirty and the people in neighbouring caravans were too noisy. The next day it was cold and so windy that their caravan was shaking and rocking like a boat. That night there was a storm. Two caravans were blown into the sea. So they packed their bags again, and the next morning, they were at the station, waiting for the first train home. Now, if you ask them about holidays, they will answer you, ≪We don’t like holidays. We’re not going to holiday again.≫

True or False

1 The elderly couple lives an unusual life.

2 The wife has a sister and visits her every year.

3 In summer, they usually have a lot of work about the house.

4 They have lived in their house for two years.

5 The couple spends every summer holiday at the seaside.

6 Last summer, one of the couple’s relatives was in the hospital.

7 They didn’t feel at home in the caravan they had chosen.

8 The weather changed for the better.

9 They had to spend the night at the train station.

10 They prefer to have their holidays at home.

Variant 4

II. Complete the text with the words from the table.

     People talk about the (1) ____of consistency in forming good habits. When I make a goal, (2) ____first thing I do is declare it around my pack — my family, my dogs. We’re (3)____ powerful as humans when we are in a pack. To do that involves projecting the right energy: calm and confident. To get into a calm and confident state, watch dogs. The first thing  they do (4)____ the morning is stretch. Then they walk, and you see  them (5)_____ deeply, picking up on a scent. A good walk makes dogs (6)____ . Rolling in the grass makes them (7)____ happy, too. We’re also animals. So move (8)____ into your mission, do it every day, and use the simplest things to keep you well-balanced and sensible. If you (9)____ achieve your goal — and even if you (10)____ — just keep going.

1   A importance      B important               C most important

2   A a                      B the                          C —

3   A much               B many                      C more

4   A on                    B in                            C at

5   A breathing         B are breathing          C breathed

6   A happy              B happiness               C happily

7   A feeling             B feel                        C to feel

8   A careful             B careless                 C carefully

9   A will                  B won’t                    C don’t

10  A do                   B are doing               C will do

III.3 Comment on the following issues.

What school subject will be the most helpful in your future career?

• Mention what favourite subject you have at school and clarify how

the knowledge of this subject might influence your future.

• Describe how much your attitude to the subject depends on the

teachers.

VARIANT 5

I. Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

     My name’s Philip and I’m going to tell you a few things about my job. I’m an American tour guide and I spend most of my time taking groups of American tourists around Europe; England and Italy mostly, but sometimes France and Germany, too.

     Before starting, I’d done a two-week European trip as a tourist, then I worked in a travel agency in Chicago, and also worked for a holiday company in Turkey. However, I still had to go through a complicated procedure before getting this job. First, you must fill in the application form and answer all sorts of questions. Next, you have a formal interview and then you have to stand up in front of a group of people and give a talk. They want to see how you can perform in a real situation, because it’s no good being shy or too timid. There’s a lot of competition for these jobs because they give you a chance to travel and meet lots of new people. But to be a good travel guide, you’ve got to have a genuine interest not only in the travel,

but also in the people. The tours can be rather long, and you’re with the same fifty people all the time. You’re never really off duty because you’re responsible for making sure all the arrangements go well and keeping everyone happy.

True or False

1 The most popular countries for Americans to visit are England and Italy.

2 Philip’s experience before his current job was travelling to Turkey with a tour

group.

3 The speaker had no experience travelling before getting his job.

4 The speaker thinks the company made getting the job much too easy for him.

5 You cannot be a successful travel guide if you are timid and shy.

6 Getting a job with his firm is a three-step process.

7 The speaker says the most important quality for a travel guide is to be interested in the people you travel with.

8 It is difficult to get a job as an American tour guide because many young people want a job that lets them travel.

9 Philip says that one difficulty of his job is that when working he has too much time off.

10 A tour guide can be responsible for up to fifty people at a time.

Variant 5

II.Complete the text with the words from the table.

     Brazilian New Year is one of (1)____ traditionally celebrated festivals for the people living there. New Year in Brazil is (2) ____as Ano Nove (Portuguese) but is more popularly known as Revillion. It is celebrated (3)____ January 1. New Year is the time (4)____ people from various parts of the world like to celebrate it in Brazil. Pubs, party halls, clubs, beaches and even roads (5)____ overcrowded. New Year’s celebrations in Brazil reflect (6)_____ culture and tradition. (7)_____ the New Year’s Day,  it’s a tradition to eat lentils and rice. It is (8)____ to bring in wealth, health and good fortune in the coming year. New Year’s is celebrated with (9) ____devotion and sincerity by the (10) ____of the city. They believe the catch at the time reflects the catch for rest of the year.

1     A most           B the more          C the most

2     A knowing     B known             C knows

3     A on               B in                     C at

4     A when          B which              C where

5     A have           B is                     C are

6     A her             B his                   C its

7     A On             B In                    C At

8     A believes     B believed          C to believe

9     A much         B many               C more

10   A fishermens B fishermen       C fishermans

III.3 Comment on the following issues.

What sport is of the greatest interest to you? Why?

• Name the sport you are good at or the sport you enjoy watching and

explain why you like it.

• Prove the importance of going in for sports and mention the role of

sport in the life of people.

VARIANT 6

I1 Read the text and choose the correct item.

George, Athens

     The majority of annual visitors to Greece arrive on package tours to the Greek islands and rarely get the opportunity to explore the sights of Athens, which is a pity because despite the noise and traffic jams, it is one of the most exciting and fascinating cities in Europe. To make sure you get to see the most important sights, you can book a city tour at a very reasonable price. However, it is always wise to pre-book tours of Athens, especially if you are going to come in August. There is a wealth of scenery to enjoy in the surrounding countryside, too, so try to take in other one-day excursions out of the city. At the heart of the city, nestled at the foot of the Acropolis, is the Plaka, the oldest and most picturesque neighbourhood in Athens. Overlooked by the glorious temple of the Parthenon, it is a maze of narrow streets running in all directions around the Acropolis.

Richard, Rio de Janeiro

     If I had the choice of any city in the world in which to live, it would be Rio. It is one of the most romantic cities in the world, blessed with a wonderful sunny climate you can count on and a breathtaking coastline. Rio is undoubtedly one of those favoured places in the world whose names have a universal romantic appeal. The effect Rio has on the visitor is unforgettable. It is set in a stunning location surrounded by lush green vegetation and the sea.

John, Venice

     Italian cities are famed for their history and culture, but to many people Venice is unquestionably one of the finest cities in the world. Constructed on an archipelago of 18 small islands separated by a dense network of waterways, Venice is geared to accommodating the millions of tourists who flock here annually. Known locally as ≪The Queen of the Adriatic≫, Venice is best seen by water. Go sightseeing around the numerous palaces and take in the wonderful architectural heritage. Venice today still looks much as it did in the 13th century, with the exception of a few transformations to some buildings. Crowded throughout the summer months, reasonably priced accommodation is almost impossible to find, so an advance booking is essential.

1. George says that most visitors to Greece don’t often see...

a) the Parthenon.           b) the Plaka      .                   c) Athens.

2. Problems the tourist may experience in Athens include...

a) noise and traffic        b) pollution and crowds.      c) long lines.

3. From his description of it, you should probably visit the Plaka...

a) with a car.                    b) with a tour.                    c) on foot.

4. A major attraction of Rio is...

a) carnival.                      b) the food.                        c) the climate.

5. Richard says that Rio is considered...

a) romantic.                    b) tropical.                          c) european.

6. From this article, you might conclude that an archipelago is...

a) a lot ofislands.            b) a city surrounded by canals.            c) an Italian island.

VARIANT 6

II2 Complete the text with the words from the table.

     Author J. K. Rowling is open to the possibility that she may write(1)____ Harry Potter book. Or maybe even (2) ____more. That’s what she (3)____ talk show host Oprah Winfrey in an interview recently. The Harry Potter series beginning with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and ending with (4)____ seventh novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, (5)____ Rowling international fame. More

(6)____ 400 million books (7)____ worldwide. The series also made her one of the richest (8)____ in Britain, according to Forbes magazine. So (9)____ we see another Harry Potter novel in the very near future? Probably not very soon Rowling says she’s moved on to a new phase in her writing. In the meantime, kids can always close their eyes, wave a wand… and (10)____ a wish.

1   A other                    B another                   C  the other

2   A a few                   B many                      C  fewer

3   A told                     B said                        C  spoke

4   A a                          B —                          C  the

5   A brought               B bring                      C  bought

6   A then                    B than                       C that

7   A were selled        B have been sold       C  have sold

8   A women               B woman                  C  womans

9   A did                     B must                       C  will

10 A to make             B make                      C making

III.3 Comment on the following issues.

Remember a book you have recently read on your own initiative.

• Specify its genre, title, and author.

• Describe where the plot is set, who the main characters are, what the

content of the book is and explain why you liked the book.

VARIANT 7

I.1 Read the text and mark(V)   the following statements «True» or «False».

New Forms of Entertainment

 

      Many inventions gave Americans new ways to spend their leisure time. In the 1920s families used to gather around their radios to hear broadcasts of news and music, as well as comedy shows, religious shows, and programmes for children. In this period, many people first started going to the movies. But the movies in the 1920s were very different from the movies of today. They were filmed in black and white, and they were silent.

     The movies of the 1920s included Westerns, love stories, adventures, and stories based on tales from the Bible. But the best-loved movies were comedies. For a while they offered only slapstick humour, in which people got into crazy car chases or hit each other in the face with pies. But then came a series of great comedies in which Charlie Chaplin played a character called ≪the Little Tramp≫ — a poor, shy, unlucky little man who used to get into lots of trouble. In the twenties, people all over the world became familiar with ≪the Little Tramp≫ and loved him. He made them laugh but he never lost his dignity or sense of hope.

True False

1 Before movies, Americans got their entertainment from radio shows.

2 Programmes for children and comedy shows were broadcast on the radio in the 1920s.

3 All types of movies were presented in the 1920s except Bible stories.

4 Two big changes in movies since the 1920s are music and sound.

5 Two big changes in movies since the 1920s are sound and colour.

6 When one character throws a pie in the face of another, it is an example of slapstick.

7 When characters hit each other in the face with pies, it is an example of a silent movie.

8 Charlie Chaplin got famous after the role of a poor funny little man.

9 The audience loved ≪the Little Tramp≫ because he made them laugh.

10 ≪The Little Tramp≫ was successful because he was always lucky.

Variant 7

II. Complete the text with the words from the table.

There was a time, long ago, when all the animals in the forest(1)____ long, thick tails. Some of them were (2)____ to keep their tails, but some were not wise. How (3)____ this happen? Once there was a fisherman (4)____ earned a living selling fish from a cart. One cold winter day, while the fisherman (5)____ the woods, a wily fox (6)____ the fish and followed the cart at a close distance. The fisherman kept his fish in long baskets, and the sight of the fish made the fox’s mouth water. So, the fox leaped on the cart and dropped a basket onto the snow. The fisherman did not notice (7)____ and continued his journey. The fox opened the basket and got ready to enjoy her meal when a huge bear (8)____ .

     ≪Where did you get all that tasty fish?≫ the big bear asked, looking terribly hungry.

     ≪I (9)____ ,≫ the fox lied.

     ≪Fishing? How? The lake is frozen over,≫ the bear said, suspiciously.

     ≪How did you manage (10)____ ?≫

     ≪I fished with my tail,≫ was the fox’s reply.

        A                                     B                                          C

1    had                                 have                                      having

2   enough wise                  too wise                                 wise enough

3   will                                did                                         was

4    who                               which                                   what

5    is crossing                     was crossing                        crossed

6    smelled                          smells was                           smelling

7    something                      nothing                                anything

8     was appearing              appears                                appeared

9     were fishing                 have been fishing                have fishing

10    to fish                          fishing                                 fished

III3 Comment on the following issues.

Do you think that a room can say a lot about a person? Describe

your room.

• Mention what your room looks like, how it is furnished.

• Decide what you would change if you had a chance to decorate it as

you wish.

VARIANT 8

I. Read the text and choose the correct item.

New York City’s Gem

     It has been called ≪a wonder≫ and ≪an oasis≫. People go there to exercise or to relax. It is included on almost every tour of New York  City because of its beauty. It is neither a historic building nor a skyscraper. It is Central Park.

     Lying in the heart of Manhattan, Central Park is still the green space that its founders hoped it would be. As the city’s population grew rapidly in the early 1800s, a few wise men saw the need to set aside some space that would give residents a break from the crowded city’s hurry and noise. The plan of the park was developed in 1858. It was an extremely brave idea, as the chosen land was rocky, swampy and muddy. For these reasons, the area was completely transformed in a project that took 20 years. Top soil from New Jersey came in horse-drawn carts. Lakes were dug. Boulders were blasted out, then carted away. Four million trees, shrubs, and plants were carted in and planted.

     Though its appearance has changed for the last 150 years, Central Park continues to be an important place for tourists and New Yorkers.

1. Central Park is called ≪a wonder≫ because of…

a) skyscrapers.

b) people coming there to exercise.

c) the beauty of the area.

. Most of Central Park is covered by…

a) plants.

b) rocks.

c) mud.

3. Central Park is located in…

a) Brooklyn.

b) Staten Island.

c) Manhattan.

4. The founders of the park wanted New Yorkers to have…

a) a place to get away from the noise and stress of the city.

b) a place for birds and wildlife to live safely.

c) a place where people could play games and picnic with their families.

5. The land that became Central Park was originally…

a) rocky hills bare of trees.

b) stony, swampy and wet.

c) farmland.

6. Central Park has already existed for…

a) 20 years.

b) 1,800 years

c) 150 years.

Variant 8

II. Complete the text with the words from the table.

  

   Bengali is a region in India with (1)____ own language and its own culture. It is a practice of Bengali nomenclature to grant to every person two names. (2)____ names are a pet name or daknam and a good name or bhalonam. The meaning of daknam is the name by (3)____ one is called by close friends and family. It is used at home and in (4)____ private situations. Pet names are a remnant of childhood, a reminder that life is not always (5)____ serious, formal, and complicated. Pet names are never (6) ____officially. Everyone in Bengali has a pet name. These are the names by which even adult people (7)____ in their respective families, the names (8)____ they are scolded and missed and loved. Unlike good names, pet names are frequently (9)____ , silly, ironic. Every pet name is paired with a good name that (10)____ as identification in the outside world.

         A                                          B                                 C

1     his                                        her                                 its

2    These                                    There                            This

3     which                                  what                              that

4     another                               the other                        other

5      such                                     so                                    as

6      recorded                            records                        recording

7     are known                         are knowing                 will know

8       with which                         by what                       by which

9          mean                             meaning                         meaningful

10         used                              is used                             is using

III.3 Comment on the following issues.

The number of mobile phones in Ukraine is twice as many as the number of people.

• Explain why people prefer to have mobile phones and prove that mobile phones have changed the life of teenagers.

• Describe what you personally use your mobile phone for.

VARIANT 9

I. Read the text and choose the correct item.

Ladybugs

     Ladybugs are among people’s favourite insects. They love their colours, their polka dots and the fact that ladybugs don’t bite or sting. Did you know that not all ladybugs are ladies? Plenty are males. And ladybugs aren’t bugs at all. Bugs are insects with beaks and sucking mouthparts, and ladybugs don’t have these. They are, in fact, beetles. Then there’s a ladybug’s colour. They can be orange, yellow, green, blue, purple or brown. And they might have stripes instead of spots —

or no markings at all.

     They look cute and friendly, but most are serious hunters. They especially

go after small insects called aphids. But if a hungry bird sees it, the ladybug’s colours send out a warning, ≪Stay away! I taste bad.≫ It can also leak out some yellow, stinky ≪blood≫ from its legs which smells bad and tastes awful too.

     A ladybug may lay more than 1,000 golden-coloured eggs during the summer. She ≪glues≫ them to the undersides of leaves or onto plant stems. In a week or less the eggs hatch. The babies, called larvae, look like little black and orange alligators. They eat the nearby aphids and grow fast.

1. Why is ≪ladybug≫ an incorrect name?

a) Ladybugs can be relentless killers.

b) Lots of ladybugs are males.

c) Ladybugs don’t have beaks or sucking mouthparts.

2. Which of these statements is true about ladybugs?

a) Ladybugs can be many colours.

b) Ladybugs are vegetarians.

c) Ladybugs carry their babies in their bodies.

3. How does a ladybug protect itself from hungry birds?

a) It looks like it would taste nasty.

b) The antennae look like weapons.

c) It disguises itself as a larger, more dangerous insect.

4. People like ladybugs because...

a) they have pretty colours.

b) they help keep the garden free of pests.

c) they don’t harm other bugs or insects.

5. Ladybugs eat the most in...

a) summer.

b) winter.

c) spring, when they are laying eggs.

6. What do baby ladybugs eat?

a) Leaves.

b) Plant stems.

c) Aphids.

Variant 9

II.2 Complete the sentences with the correct words from the box.

was carrying            towards               caught        thought           could

too                   have              for                which             such  a

Koba the Hunter Who Stopped Hunting

     There was once a man called Koba, a hunter. One day he left his house and went off to hunt in a place (1)____ was far away. When he was out hunting, he suddenly heard the mighty roar of a lion very close to him. Never had he heard (2)____ roar before. Greatly alarmed, Koba turned and ran as fast as he could

(3)____ his camp. He (4) ____a bow and some arrows. On the way his bow (5)____ in the low branches of a tree. He pulled but (6)____ not release the bow, and he (7)____ it was the lion who had caught it, but he was (8)____ frightened to turn his head to look. ≪Please, King of Animals,≫ cried Koba, ≪let go of my bow. I (9)____ not come to hunt you.≫ He waited (10)____ an answer from the lion, but as it was the branches of a tree holding his bow, there was no answer. From that day onwards, for the rest of his life, Koba never hunted again. He became a farmer.

III.3 Comment on the following issues.

People live a different places all over the world.

• Describe your living situation to a friend.

• Explain if you like the place where you are living and mention the location and the conveniences.

VARIANT 10

I. Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

     Whether we love them or hate them, we tend to magnify celebrities’ places in our lives. The fact is, feeling closer than we are to the stars is not unhealthy, at least for a majority of us. Through the media, reality shows and social networking, it’s easier than ever to keep up with celebs in real time. That kind of access creates what’s known as ≪the illusion of intimacy≫, says Cooper Lawrence, author of ≪The Cult of Celebrity≫.

     The direct access that many celebs provide makes us privy to many details of their lives. And as Lawrence points out, many stars aren’t exactly shy about sharing what outfits they’re wearing, what food they are eating or what they are doing. We no longer have to rely only on information from a star’s publicist, but are given a virtual front-row seat to their fears, heartbreaks, successes and failures.

     Most of the time, this behaviour is harmless. As Lawrence points out, the more common problem is with what she refers to as ≪celebrity fans≫. Intense levels of adoration for a celebrity can be linked to depression and anxiety, she says.

(From «Is Your Obsession With Celebrities Unhealthy?»)

True False

1 To magnify celebrities’ places in our lives means overemphasize.

2 For most people trying to get closer to the celebrities is unhealthy.

3 Through the media we can feel closer than we are to the stars.

4 The phrase ≪to keep up with somebody≫ means to stay informed.

5 The phrase ≪to keep up with somebody≫ means to have a final opinion.

6 Through social nets we are provided with lots of private information about

celebrities.

7 Most celebrities don’t want us to know much about their life.

8 Most celebrities don’t mind that we get access to some details of their lives.

9 Trying to learn more about stars is very harmful.

10 Celebrity fans never have serious problems connected with too much adoration.

Variant 10

II. Complete the sentences with the words from the box.

too            with            but              open           another            by

prefer              stunned          than           around

     The cake is homemade, decorated with ≪Happy Birthday Sophie≫ in red icing. We gather (1)____ the 4-year-old and sing the birthday song. Cake comes (2) ____assorted flavours of ice cream. Sophie’s friend Duncan grabs from (3)____ little guest’s plate, and the adults make them share. When it’s finally time to (4)____ gifts, Sophie’s (5)____ tired to care. Sophie’s not a party animal, (6)____ she is a dog, as are Duncan and half the guests at the feast arranged (7)____ Doggie Heaven, a Seattle bakery and boutique for dogs. I’m visiting my hometown after several years of living in Hong Kong, and I’m (8) ____by the contrast. In parts of Asia, many people still (9)____ to cook a dog (10)____ pet it. But in America, a dog is man’s best friend.

(From «The New Dog’s Life» by Barbara Koh)

III.3 Comment on the following issues.

Many spare-time activities are a valuable use of time outside of school.

• Describe what your favourite spare-time activity is and how long

you have done it.

• Explain why you enjoy doing it.

VARIANT 11

I. Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

   

     Darkness falls over a small village in Kenya. Kenya is a country in Africa. The people who live here are herders, and their cows are resting in a nearby wooden cattle-pen. All is quiet. Suddenly the cows raise their heads. They feel something is outside their pen. It’s a female lion ready to break in and attack. Her sharp claws rip at the walls of the pen. The frightened cows run in different directions. The lioness tears through the fence and races toward the nearest cow. All the noise wakens the herders. They run to the pen, but they’re too late. One cow is dead, and the lioness is gone. Scared off by the herders, she left her prey behind. The lioness returns to her two hungry cubs without a fresh kill. They greet her and rub their faces against hers, but she cannot stay long. She has to hunt again so her cubs won’t go hungry.

     The herders wait for the lioness to return. Losing livestock to lions is a big deal for these herders, as cows, sheep and goats are like money for them. They use the animals to pay for what they need. If one is killed, life becomes harder for the herders.

True False

1 The author sets his piece in an African country.

2 In this context the word pen means shed for cattle.

3 Lions hunt only in the daytime.

4 The lioness successfully captured her prey.

5 The cubs depend only on the male lion.

6 The lioness feeds the cow to her hungry cubs.

7 The lioness cannot stay long with her cubs.

8 Herders kill lions for sport.

9 Livestock means farm animals.

10 Livestock is used as currency among the Kenian people.

Variant 11

II. Complete the sentences with the correct words from the box.

doing        wearing      than       easier       many         their

through              majority       what             whether

  

  We tend to magnify celebrities’ places in our lives (1)____ we love them or hate them. The fact is, feeling closer (2)____ we are to the stars is not unhealthy, at least for a (3)____ of us. It’s (4)____ than ever to keep up with celebs in real time (5)____ the media, reality shows and social networking. The direct access that (6)____ celebs provide makes us privy to many details of (7)____ lives. And many stars aren’t exactly shy about sharing what clothes they’re (8)____ , (9)____ food they are eating or what they are (10)____ . We no longer have to rely solely on information from a star’s publicist, but are given a virtual front-row seat to their fears, heartbreaks, successes and failures.

(From «Is Your Obsession With Celebrities Unhealthy?»)

III. Comment on the following issues.

Holidays are significant in almost every culture.

• Mention about your favourite holiday.

• Describe some special traditions you share with your family and the

way you celebrate your favourite holiday.

VARIANT 12

I.1 Read the text and choose the correct item.

     Strange noises. Voices in the distance. Footsteps going up and down somewhere near. I seemed to be floating in a great black sea. ≪Derek. Сan you hear me?≫ ≪He’s still unconscious,≫ somebody else said. I tried to open my eyes, but my eyelids were too heavy. ≪Look. I saw his eyelid move,≫ a third voice said. ≪It’s just wishful thinking,≫ said the first voice. Then the voices faded and I was back in my silent black world. ≪Mr Armstrong, Mr Armstrong?≫ this time the voice was nearer. This time I was determined to open my eyes. I managed to raise the corner of one eyelid but was blinded by bright white light, and shut it again. There was someone by the side of my bed. I forced my eye open once again. I was in a room with painted walls. I could see someone in a white coat standing next to me. A white coat! Oh no! Inside my head there was a picture of two spacemen carrying something like a sack of potatoes, something with beautiful red hair. ≪Maria!≫ I managed to whisper. ≪What was that? What did you say?≫ said the person beside me in a foreign accent.

1. The narrator was…

a) floating in the sea.

b) travelling on the river.

c) unconscious.

2. Derek could see nothing because…

a) he was blind.

b) he had bandages over his eyes.

c) he was too weak to come to himself.

3. Mr Armstrong was…

a) a man with an accent.

b) Derek.

c) someone in a white coat.

4. When Derek managed to raise the corner of his eyelid he saw…

a) a picture.

b) person wearing a white coat.

c) two spacemen

5. Derek didn’t answer the questions because…

a) he became unconscious again.

b) he didn’t know the foreign language.

c) he had not understood the questions.

6. The narrator couldn’t…

a) move.

b) hear.

c) understand the meaning of words.

Variant 12

II. Complete the sentences with the correct words from the box.

             among             was            believed            fighting        activities

     women        better            tried             thought        neighborhood

     Jane Adams (1)____ born in 1860. In 1889 she decided to start (2)____ the poverty she saw in Chicago. She wanted to live (3)____ the poor people, so she found and rented Hull House. The ≪house≫ became a social centre. She (4)____ the way to improvement was through education. The people in the (5)____ needed a cultural and intellectual life. Some Hull House (6)____ included reading classes for young women, kindergarten classes, and a Boy’s Club. They wanted laws for (7)____ housing, an eight-hour workday, and the right for (8)____ to vote. Jane Adams also (9)____ to help immigrants. She (10)____ that the multi-cultural experiences brought to America would be the key  to world peace.

III.3 Comment on the following issues.

Families are an important part of all cultures.

• Describe your family members and mention some main traits of their characters.

• Describe their appearance, activities and achievements.

VARIANT 13

I. Read the text and choose the correct item.

     In 1979 with publication of Overload, I announced my retirement. I was tired. My life had been full. I was, and still am, grateful to those millions of readers worldwide who have enriched my life in many ways making retirement possible.

     In whatever years remained I wanted to spend more time with my dear wife Sheila: go fishing, read more books, relax with music, do other things a working writer can’t.

     What I did not know was that I was near death from six blockages in the coronary arteries — a condition diagnosed soon afterward by my friend and physician, Dr Edward Robbins of San Francisco, who urged immediate surgery. This was done by Dr Denton Cooley and his associates at Texas Heart Institute, to where my gratitude flows strong. Sheila was supportive, as she has been through our long and loving marriage. It is more than coincidence in this novel that the names Celia and Sheila come similarly off the tongue.

     The aftermath of everything was my revived good health and an abundance of energy — so much of the latter that Sheila said one day, ≪I think you should write another book.≫ I took her advice. Strong Medicine is the result.

1. The author retired because he was...

a) seriously ill.

b) tired.

c) old.

2. The phrase making retirement possible means...

a) the author got permission.

b) the author reached success.

c) the author earned money enough to live on.

3. The author of the story was a…

a) fisherman.

b) writer.

c) publisher.

4. The author had…

a) a sore throat.

b) heart trouble.

c) a fever.

5. The text prompts that the writer is…

a) successful.

b) infamous.

c) lazy.

6. … advised to write a new book.

a) The author’s wife.

b) The author’s friend.

c) His doctor.

Variant 13

II. Complete the sentences with the correct words from the box.

population       a few           shown         does             problem       than

           depiction           show up          consists                   in  poverty

     The United States is more diverse than usually (1) ____in films. A usual film features a cast of white people, and maybe (2)____ characters from other races, too. About two-thirds of the (3)____ is White, but the other one-third, which

(4) ____of minorities, (5)____ not correspond to what is shown in the theatre.

     Additionally, the (6)____ of poverty is usually not depicted in films. More (7)____ 15% of the US population lives (8)____ and that is usually ignored. The last major inaccuracy is the (9)____ of religious life. The vast majority of Americans are religious, and this does not usually (10)____ in films.

III.3 Comment on the following issues.

People often keep their favourite animals as pets.

• Mention if you have ever kept a pet and what problems you had.

• Explain why lots of people keep animals as pets, and why some like to have unusual animals.

VARIANT 14

I. Read the text and mark(V)   the following statements «True» or «False».

     Britain seems not to be so progressive when it comes to learning foreign languages. More than half of other Europeans can speak at least one foreign language, and often two. However, 66% of the British population has absolutely no knowledge of any language apart from English and 51% think that it would be too difficult.

     Compare these figures with Luxembourg, where only 2% could not speak a foreign language. Or Sweden, Denmark and Holland, where 80% of the population can speak English. However, 56% of the Portuguese, 53% of the Spanish and 51% of the French spoke only their own languages. 18% of Britons claimed some knowledge of Spanish and 10% some German. But it was not true. The British Tourist Centre (BTC) carried out a little experiment: they hired researchers to pretend to be monolingual Spanish and German speakers. They had to contact hotels to ask questions about accommodations. Eighty-five percent of the hotels

were unable to answer even one question in Spanish, and 90% were unable to answer anything in German.

True False

1 Britain is considered to be the leader of Europe when it comes to learning foreign languages.

2 Less than half of other European countries can speak another foreign language.

3 More than half of the British population know two foreign languages.

4 Lots of British people think that learning foreign languages is very difficult.

5 Not all other European countries were as good at languages as Sweden, Denmark and Holland.

6 Two per cent of the people in Luxembourg speak a foreign language.

7 Besides England, Portugal speaks the lowest number of foreign languages.

8 The BTC experiment concluded that less than 18% of Britons spoke Spanish or

German.

9 Ninety per cent of the hotel staff could not answer questions in German.

10 The researchers from the BTC asked the hotel workers about learning foreign languages.

Variant 14

II.Complete the sentences with the correct words from the box.

    researchers         difference        have           found            could

             are            what             running         after              repeatedly

In the Chinese zodiac, rats (1)____ considered witty, imaginative and curious. Now scientists (2) ____discovered another attribute. They have (3)____ that rats can be helpful. The (4)____ placed a free-roaming rat in an arena with a caged rat.

In a few days, the free rats realized they (5)____ push the door open and release the caged rat. After figuring this out, they did so (6)____ , day after day. They then did (7) ____we refer to as a celebration. The trapped rat was (8)____ around the arena, and the free rat ran (9)____ the trapped rat. There was also a (10)____ in the behaviour of male rats and female rats.

III. Comment on the following issues.

There are thousands of professions in the world.

• Explain the importance of different professions.

• Specify what professions are the most important to the well-being

of society and why.

VARIANT 15

I. Read the text and mark (V)   the following statements «True» or «False».

     The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, the flowers were blossoming

and the grass was richly green. The people of the village began to gather in the square, between the post office and the bank, around ten o’clock. In some towns there were so many people that the lottery took two days. But in this village, where there were only about three hundred people, the whole lottery took less than two hours. The children assembled first, of course. School was recently over for the summer, but their talk was still of the classroom, books and teachers.

     Soon the men began to gather, watching their own children, speaking of planting and rain, tractors and taxes. The women, wearing faded house dresses and sweaters, came shortly after their men. They greeted one another and exchanged bits of gossip as they went to join their husbands. Soon the women, standing by their husbands, began to call their children. But the children didn’t want to come, so they had to be called four or five times.

    

(From «The Lottery» by Shirley Jackson)

True False

1 The flowers were in full bloom on that day.

2 The people of the village began to gather around the post office and the riverbank.

3 The lottery didn’t start exactly at ten o’clock.

4 The lottery in the village took two days.

5 There were not many people in the village, and that allowed the lottery to go

quickly.

6 The lottery was held in one of the classrooms of the local school.

7 The women began gathering for the lottery before the men.

8 The women wore old dresses and warm sweaters.

9 The men were speaking about work on the farm and weather.

10 The children came as soon as their mothers called them.

Variant 15

II. Complete the sentences with the correct words from the box.

            by            there         some         built       has           exists

                 with          through          thousands          attract

     Toronto (1)____ a huge sports stadium, a science centre and great museums. But (2)____ is one attraction it doesn’t have that (3)____ big cities have — a large aquarium. Now, an aquarium may be (4)____ in Toronto. If it is approved by the City Council, it could be ready (5)____ July 2015. The aquarium would be in a large building. It could have many (6)____ of fish and marine animals including sharks. One idea is to have a jellyfish room (7)____ special lighting and mirrors.

Another idea is for a tunnel that people could walk (8)____ to see the fish swimming around and above them. An aquarium would make a lot of money for Toronto. It would also (9)____ school groups for field trips to see the life that

(10)____ underwater.

III. Comment on the following issues.

Describe yourself.

• Include information about your family, interests, strengths and

weaknesses.

• Give a brief description of your personal qualities and specify what

traits of character you would like to develop in yourself.

VARIANT 16

I.Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

     Seven years ago Ewan McGregor was still at drama school. Now he’s the leading British actor of his generation. He gained intergalactic fame in the new Star Wars trilogy, however he is a modest man with the world at his feet.

     His first professional acting job was as an Indian in the film A Passage to India where immediately he says, ≪I knew where I wanted to be.≫ Evidently he was so keen on acting that even his parents, who were teachers, gave him their blessings to leave school at 16. ≪I didn’t hate school,≫ he explains. ≪I just didn’t get it.≫

While every aspiring young actor in Hollywood was competing for a part in Star Wars movies, McGregor simply met the casting agent, talked to director George Lucas and did a screen test.

     Ask people who have worked with him how his success has been so rapid, and rather than mention his talent first of all, they tend to talk about his energy, eagerness and above all, his charm.

     Another thing people remark upon is just how likeable Ewan McGregor is. He combines an eagerness, energy and fierce friendliness with the sort of sharp sarcasm. He never seems to stop smiling, a particularly rare quality to find in actors these days.

True False

1 The actor described in this passage appeared in his first role in the Star Wars trilogy.

2 He has wanted to be an actor since he was very young.

3 He left school rather early.

4 His parents were actors as well.

5 The actor got his role in Star Wars because he has a famous acting relative who was already in the cast of the movie.

6 Ewan McGregor won his role in the Star Wars movies by meeting the casting

agent and talking to the director.

7 Ewan McGregor became successful surprisingly quickly.

8 He is described as an unusually serious and thoughtful person.

9 He can be sharply sarcastic.

10 He has a warm smile and a charming manner.

Variant 16

II. Complete the text with the words from the box.

    most         twice       borrowed         down        habit         show

         turn       collecting          surrounded              carelessly

     The (1)____ of reading is one of the greatest resources of mankind; and we enjoy reading books that belong to us much more than if they are (2)____ . A borrowed book is like a guest in the house; it must not suffer while under your roof. You cannot leave it (3)____ , you cannot mark it, you cannot (4)____ down

the pages. And then, some day you really ought to return it. But your own books belong to you; they are for use, not for (5)____ ; you should own no book that you are afraid to mark up, or to place on the table, wide open and face (6)____ . Everyone should begin (7)____ a private library in youth; the instinct of private property can here be cultivated with every advantage and no evils. Books have the advantage of being separate personalities, so that if you sit alone in the room, you are (8) ____with close friends. You do not have to read them all. (9)____ of my indoor life is spent in a room containing six thousand books; and I have to answer the invariable question, ≪Have you read all of these books?≫ ≪Some of them

(10)____ .≫ This reply is both true and unexpected.

(From «Owning Books» by William Lyon Phelps)

III. Comment on the following issues.

Imagine that you are given a chance to go on a one-day tour to Great Britain or the USA.

• Name the places where you would choose to go and why.

• Compare the place you would like to visit with a similar one in Ukraine.

VARIANT 17

I. Read the text and mark  (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

                                           The Tale Of Two Pebbles

     Many years ago in a small Indian village a poor farmer had borrowed a large sum of money from a village moneylender. The moneylender was old and ugly, and he promised to forget the farmer’s debt if he could marry his beautiful daughter Myra.

     Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified and didn’t want to agree. ≪Let Providence decide the matter!≫ the cunning moneylender suggested. ≪I’ll put a black pebble and a white pebble into a money bag. Then Myra should pick one pebble from the bag. If she picks the black pebble, she will become my wife and I’ll forgive you the debt. If she picks the white pebble she doesn’t need to get married and the debt will still be forgiven.≫

     They were standing on a pebble path and the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles. But Myra noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag. ≪Now pick a pebble from the bag!≫ he said. Myra put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without looking at it, she let it fall onto the path where it became lost among all the other pebbles.

     ≪Oh, how clumsy of me!≫ she said. ≪But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.≫

True False

1 The characters of the story lived in a small town.

2 The farmer didn’t have money to return his debt.

3 The moneylender was not a pleasant person.

4 The moneylender wanted to marry Myra and get his money back.

5 The farmer tried to convince his daughter to  marry the moneylender.

6 According to the moneylender’s offer, Providence had to help decide the matter.

7 Myra wished to pick a white pebble.

8 The moneylender wanted to cheat the farmer and his daughter.

9 The farmer noticed that the moneylender had put two black pebbles into the bag.

10 Myra let the pebble fall and did it on purpose.

Variant 17

II. Complete the text with the words from the table.

     Exploration of (1)____ sorts is rooted in the notion of (2)____ risks. Risk underlies any (3)____ into the unknown, whether it is a ship captain’s voyage into uncharted seas, a scientist’s research on dangerous diseases, or an entrepreneur’s investment in a new venture. But what exactly pushed Christopher Columbus to embark on a voyage (4)____ the Atlantic, or Edward Jenner to test his (5)____ for an early smallpox vaccine on a child, or Henry Ford to bet that automobiles could replace horses? Some of the motivations for taking risks are obvious — (6)____

reward, fame, political gain, saving lives. Many people willingly expose themselves to varying degrees of risk in their pursuit of such goals. But as the danger increases, the (7)____ of people willing to go forward shrinks, until the only ones (8)____ remain are the extreme risk-takers, those willing to endanger their reputation, fortune and life. This is the (9)____ of risk: what makes some humans willing to jeopardize so much and continue to do (10)____ even in the face of dire consequences?

(From «The Mystery of Risk»,

National Geographic, Peter Gwin, June 2013)

    

        A                          B                           C                                D

1 every                         all                        each                           most

2 taking                       making                asking                       having

3 trip                            voyage                travelling                  journey

4 in                               on                          across                     through

5 theory                       science                 concept                       idea

6 famous                     important              financial                  political

7 number                       circle                     crowd                      group

8 what                          which                      when                         who

9 mystery                       task                       danger                    answer

10 as                                if                           so                            or

III.3 Comment on the following issues.

Imagine that an English-speaking friend is coming to stay with you for the first time for a week in July. Describe:

• the type of weather he/she can expect and clothes he/she should take;

• what you’re planning to do together when he/she comes.

VARIANT 18

I. Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

     There was a blind girl who hated herself just because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend. It was close to Christmas, and she secretly dreamed to herself that it would be the perfect time to get married.

     One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend. He asked her, ≪Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?≫ The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn’t expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. Besides he was not as handsome as some other strong, muscular, pretty

guys she could now see all around her.

     So she said she wouldn’t marry him. Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying, ≪Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.≫

 True False

1 The story took place in summer.

2 The girl in the story didn’t feel positive about herself.

3 Nobody loved the girl.

4 The girl told her boyfriend that Christmas would be the perfect time to get married.

5 The girl promised to marry the boy as soon as she could see.

6 The girl didn’t know who donated the pair of eyes to her.

7 When she saw her boyfriend, she was disappointed as he was not tall enough.

8 She didn’t want to marry the boy.

9 The boy was crying when he left her.

10 From his letter she found out who had given his eyes to her.

Variant 18

II. Complete the text with the words from the box.

heart               American          River           waters          founded

       buildings            culture        politicians          sandy      nicknames

                               

Chicago: the City That Works

     Chicago, Illinois was (1)____ in 1833, near a canal between

the Great Lakes and the Mississippi (2)____ . It boasts the United States’ tallest building and one of the world’s largest office (3)____ . With the elevated trains, the city looks, feels, and in fact is, big. Chicago is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the (4)____ of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. As the hub of the Midwest, Chicago is easy to find — its picturesque skyline calls across the (5)_____ of Lake Michigan, a first impression that soon reveals world-class museums of art and science, miles of (6)____ beaches, huge parks and perhaps the finest downtown collection of modern architecture in the world. Chicago is a stronghold of the Democratic Party and has been home to many influential (7)____ , including the current President of the United States, Barack Obama. The city’s popular (8)____ is found in novels, plays, movies and songs. Chicago has numerous (9)____ , the best-known include: ≪Chi-town≫, ≪Windy City≫, ≪Second City≫, and the ≪City of Big Shoulders≫. Chicago has also been called ≪the most (10)____ of big cities≫.

(From the official City Guide of Chicago)

III.Comment on the following issues.

Prepare an article for a Writing Competition about your pet, telling

the readers:

• how it came to be in your family;

• how you care about it.

VARIANT 19

I. Read the text and mark(V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

     Once upon a time there was a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well. After carefully analysing the situation, the farmer decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbours together, told them what had happened, and asked them to help bring dirt to bury the old mule in the well.

     When the old mule heard that, he was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbours started throwing dirt into the well, a thought struck the mule. He realized that he was able to shake the dirt off and step up! This was what he did. ≪Shake it off and step up… shake it off and step up… shake it off and step up!≫ He repeated to encourage himself. No matter how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up.

It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would bury him actually helped him… all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

     That’s life! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness or self-pity, the problems that come alone to loury us usually have within them the potential to benefit us.

 True False

1 The mule in the story was young and strong.

2 The farmer wanted to help the mule, but didn’t know how to do it.

3 The farmer had made a decision to leave the mule in the well.

4 The neighbours came to help the farmer to pull out the mule.

5 First the mule was in despair.

6 The mule quickly realized how it could step up.

7 The old mule couldn’t get rid of panic.

8 It was a hard and often painful job of shaking the dirt off and stepping up.

9 The mule managed to change the situation in his favour.

10 The moral of the story is: life is impossible without problems.

Variant 19

II. Complete the text with the words from the table.

Shyness

     Recent research in America has shown that shyness is determined by our genes. The scientists believe that we are all born more or less shy. It’s just that some (1)____ are able to deal with it better than others. Shyness may not seem to be a serious complaint, but for some it can become unbearable. You start to feel hot and shaky, your (2)____ beats faster, your knees feel weak, and it seems to last forever.

Shyness is something we often recognize in others: turning red is one of the more visible signs, for example. Yet we don’t judge someone harshly because of this. But shyness does mean you’re harder to approach, so you become more isolated and (3)____ .

     Experts have come up with various possible solutions, and one is the key to success — it is finding an interest in common with other people. You can start by listening to what the others’re talking about and before you know it, you’ll be having a (4)____ . You could also join a class of tap-dancing or flamenco, where people are likely to laugh a lot. You’ll feel relaxed and also much too busy to feel shy. (5) ____, remember that most people make a fool of themselves so often — and it’s not the end of the world if you do!

              A                           B                        C                             D

1 scientists                    scholars                  genes                    people

2 heart                              head                     body                     mind

3 happy                          reserved              easy-going             sociable

4 interest                    conversation               friends                problem

5 First                             Firstly                To start with            Lastly

III. Comment on the following issues.

Compose an article giving your tips for beating stress in studies.

• Mention how you prevent yourself from getting stressed.

• Say how you relax and unwind if you’re feeling stressed.

VARIANT 20

I. Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

     The date was the 28th of April. It was the early morning. Callao harbor was very busy. The Minister of Marine had ordered a boat to row us out of the harbour.

     When I arrived, only Herman was there. Fruit baskets and boxes lay in a heap on the deck. In the middle of the heap sat Herman. He was holding a cage; and in the cage there was a green parrot. The bird was a present from a friend in Peru.

     ≪Take care of the parrot for a minute,≫ said Herman. ≪I want to go ashore and the boat won’t be here for a long time.≫ Herman left, and a few minutes later the boat arrived. It was a large motor boat full of officers and sailors. The officers called out some orders; and the sailors then fixed a strong rope to the raft. ≪One moment!≫ I shouted. ≪It’s too early! We must wait for the other men.≫ I pointed towards the city.

     But nobody understood. The officers only smiled politely. I untie the rope and threw it into the water. I waved my arms and made signs to the officers. This excited the parrot. The bird opened its cage and escaped. It walked about on the bamboo deck. I tried to catch the parrot. But it called out rude words in Spanish and flew into the cabin. At last, I caught the bird and put it back into its cage.

(Excerpt from «Kon-Tiki Expedition» by Thor Heyerdahl)

True False

1 From the text we can say when the story takesplace.

2 Callao harbour was deserted.

3 There was a large pile of fruit baskets andboxes on the deck of the raft.

4 Herman was sitting on the heap.

5 There was a red parrot in the cage.

6 Herman wanted to go ashore, but was afraidthe boat would arrive soon.

7 The motorboat that arrived was full of officersand sailors.

8 The officers didn’t speak English.

9 The parrot opened its cage and got out.

10 The parrot said some words in Spanish.

Variant 20

II.Complete the text with the words from the box.

   despite               yours                arrive        by          earlier

              too               visiting         it       where      same

     New York is an invisible city, a chameleon hiding in plain sight, a place that two people will never experience in quite the (1)____ way. (2)____ this, it is — like all great cities — constantly being explored, examined, and explained. But New York moves (3)____ fast to be easily understood. Just when you think you understand (4) ____, the city dances away, changed. New immigrants (5)____ transforming entire neighbourhoods of the city. Rents go up, buildings come down, and stable businesses disappear only to be replaced by new industries that were

unimaginable just a few months (6)____ . But even more powerful than the changes caused (7) ____time are the changes caused by place, by ethnicity, by character. New York is a vision embraced by many people personally, each unlike any other. Which New York you see depends on who you are and (8)_____ you

live: my New York is not, and never will be, (9)_____ . But while we may not be able to live in all of these intersecting cities, (10)_____ them is a definite possibility.

III.Comment on the following issues.

Present a review about a gym, a sport club or a sport centre:

• include information on the equipment, facilities and customer service;

• mention how often you go there and what sports you do.

VARIANT 21

I. Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

     In ancient times, there was a King who decided to have an experiment. He placed a huge stone on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove it. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

     Then a peasant came along; he was carrying a load of vegetables .Upon approaching the huge rock, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying on the road where the rock had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.

     The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

True False

1 The story happened long ago.

2 The King ordered his servants to place a huge stone on a roadway.

3 The King was watching the road from the shelter.

4 Most people of the kingdom ignored the stone.

5 No one blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear.

6 The peasant was carrying some wood.

7 It was difficult for the peasant to move the rock away from the road.

8 The peasant didn’t manage to move the rock away.

9 Under the rock there was a purse.

10 The King went out of the shelter and thanked the peasant for his job.

Variant 21

II.Complete the text with the words from the table.

    Dear friends,

Being here is such a rich experience, it’s hard to stop talking about it — and harder still to know where to start. When we got (1)____ the plane in the capital it was so hot I thought there must be some humidity alert. However I was wrong, of course; it was actually unseasonably cool that day, as I now realize. Those were the days, though, when we couldn’t get (2)____ of this place. The people were the friendliest people on earth, and nothing we did seemed to disturb them. After a while that changed, of course, and it began to dawn on us that one or two things about our culture appeared to be different from theirs, and that probably we shouldn’t be quite so sure we weren’t disturbing the locals, since maybe they didn’t express

their (3)___ the same way we did!

     Training is now less pressing than at the beginning, though during those early weeks I remember it was very intense; and we were so incredibly busy all the time that we couldn’t wait for it to get over. On the other (4)____ , we were scared to death that one day it would be over, and we would have to say goodbye and go out and start to work. And it did come to an end. The last three months, we have been

learning language and training for our future work positions. Now we can start what we set out to do: our jobs. I start working next week and I will tell you more after I have finished some work. I hope to (5)____ from you soon.

Sincerely, Amy

       A                        B                        C                     D

1 of                          off                       on                    in

2 ready                    few                    along              enough

3 opinion               position                view             thinking

4 thing                     place                    end                 hand

5 hear                       listen                  regard              see

III. Comment on the following issues.

Imagine you’re doing a project on eating habits and customs in Ukraine.

• Describe what the traditional meals in Ukraine are.

• Explain why you like Ukrainian cuisine

VARIANT 22

I. Read the text and mark(V)   the following statements «True» or «False».

A Man and a Butterfly

     A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then came out easily. But it had a swollen body and small, faded wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support

the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and faded wings. It never was able to fly.

     What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives, otherwise

we would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never fly!

 True False

1 A man found a butterfly.

2 The man kept an eye on the cocoon.

3 The butterfly had difficulties in coming out ofthe cocoon.

4 The man used the scissors to destroy the cocoon and the butterfly.

5 The wings of the butterfly were large and fresh.

6 The man thought that the butterfly’s wings would grow.

7 The butterfly got the ability to fly very soon.

8 The man’s kindness made harm to the butterfly.

9 The man wasn’t able to help the butterfly.

10 The moral of the story is: haste makes waste.

Variant 22

II. Complete the text with the words from the table.

     Alysia’s sitting room is a beautiful room, very feminine and done in good taste. Upstage left is a large bay (1)____ ; from it, one can view a large tree with a birdhouse of unusual size and shape. The room faces south, so it is flooded with light. To the right is a door leading to the kitchen; there is another door leading to the bedroom. Downstage left is a door leading outside. When the curtain rises, Alysia is sitting on the floor. It is before dawn, but a minute or so after the curtain rises, (2)____ begins to fill the room. Alysia is cleaning the sitting-room carpet, an unusual task for this hour. She uses a (3)____ of cloth with quick movements, rinses and continues rubbing the carpet. (4)____ a while, she stares at the cloth in her hand, drops it, raising herself to her knees, and then covers her face with her hands. She sits back on the floor leaning her head against a chair, looking (5)____ and lost. She is sobbing quietly. Then she stares at the new streaming light from the window. The sound of a milk bell interrupts the silence. When she hears it, she jumps up, looks desperately about the room, wipes the traces of tears from her eyes and goes to the window and looks out.

         A                             B                              C                          D

1 picture                    bookcase                  window                     roof

2 candle                      shadow                      light                        fire

3 piece                          peas                         peace                      pies

4 Before                      After                         Along                    Under

5 determined                brave                       helpless                  found

III. Comment on the following issues.

     In your English class you have been discussing different ways of studying English. Name the advantages and disadvantages of learning English abroad compared to learning in your own country.

• Describe some good and bad points of learning English in Ukraine.

• Characterize some good and bad points of learning English abroad.

VARIANT 23

I. Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

     Once there was a man who had three daughters and was a single parent to his children. One morning he asked his eldest daughter, Sonya, to wash the breakfast dishes before going to school. But she was already running late, so she burst into tears. The father decided that she was just trying to get out of an unpleasant chore, and he demanded that she dry her tears and get back to work immediately. She silently obeyed him, but that day they were driving to school in silence.

     The man dropped his daughters and moved to the office. He tried to work but couldn’t concentrate — all he could see was his daughter’s scared, tear-stained face as she climbed out of the car. So he decided to say sorry to his daughter. He took permission from the school to take his daughter for lunch. When she came out, he turned towards his daughter and said, ≪Sonya, I am sorry. It’s not that I shouldn’t have asked you to help out at home, but I had no right to it this morning without any previous warning. I upset you at a time when you most needed

my love and support. And I let you go without saying ≪I love you. Please forgive me.≫

     Sonya put her arms around her father’s neck and said, ≪Oh, Dad, of course I forgive you. I love you too.≫

True False

1 The man in the story had no wife.

2 Sonya had a brother and a sister.

3 Sonya was the eldest child.

4 It was Sonya’s duty to wash the dishes every morning.

5 Sonya didn’t want to wash the dishes because she didn’t like it.

6 The father was rude to his daughter.

7 Sonya didn’t obey her father.

8 Sonya got to school by bus that day.

9 The father felt guilty and couldn’t say a word.

10 Sonya easily forgave her father.

Variant 23

II. Complete the text with the words from the table.

The Purple Patch

     Jack was nervous. He had to wear his old trousers with the purple patch that could be seen by those who didn’t matter and those who (1)____ , like Ann Dale.

≪Are you going to the sports, Jack?≫ His friend came up to him. ≪There are prizes — 10 dollars and 12 dollars!≫ ≪Perhaps if I get a prize, I could buy those trousers now≫, Jack thought.

     Ten minutes later they were on their way to the sports. There were many children there. ≪First race!≫ the man with the megaphone shouted. Jack tried too (2)____ at the sprint. He wanted to win. And he was second. ≪Event Two! A Thread-the-Needle race!≫ When he heard the signal he ran like the wind. But the pair next to them finished first. The last (3)____ was Jack’s last chance for a big prize. At that very moment Ann offered him to be his partner. ≪Ready! Off!≫

Jack forgot why he had come to the sports. He had only one (4)____ — to get to the other end quickly: the sooner he was there the less time Ann would have to notice the patch. Sharp grass hurt his hands; the blood ran to his head. But he was going on... ≪We (5)____ , Jack!≫ he heard Ann’s words when they crossed the

finishing line. And he saw that Ann’s face was full of admiration, not contempt, and he was very happy.

(After David Bateson)

           A                         B                       C                           D

1 do                                did                  done                          doing

2 hard                          hardly               heavy                         haste

3 match                    tournament           battle                        race

4 direction                     aim                meaning                     point

5 successful                   first                achieve                   have won

III. Comment on the following issues.

Explain what you think about school uniforms.

• Describe the uniform you have at your school.

• Suggest your own style of it.

VARIANT 24

I. Read the text and mark(V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

     There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the fence.

     The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, ≪You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.≫ You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say ≪I’m sorry≫, the wound is still there. Make sure you control your temper the next time you are tempted to say something you will regret later, because spoken words once out never come back.

True False

1 The main character in the story was kind andgood-natured.

2 His father gave him a bag of nails in order tobuild a fence.

3 First, the boy drove many nails into the fence.

4 Driving nails into the fence taught the boy tocontrol his anger.

5 For the boy it was easier to hold his temperthan to drive those nails into the

fence.

6 Finally the day came when there were no nailsleft.

7 The boy was told to pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

8 The nails left holes in the fence.

9 The father wanted the boy to repair the fence.

10 Using the example of the fence the father wanted to demonstrate that words can be as painful as a knife.

Variant 24

II.Complete the text with the words from the table.

     The Earth from Above: the Role of Satellite Photography Deserts are dry, desolate places where water is extremely rare and precious. It (1)____ rains, and the rain never lasts long, so the only plants and animals that live in the desert are those that are able to conserve water.

     Not many people live in the desert. Those who do live near water. Almost all of the 60 million people in Egypt live (2)____ the Nile River. In satellite pictures, the agricultural land hugging the Nile River looks like a green ribbon winding through the dry Sahara Desert.

     In some places near the equator, rain falls year-round. The warm temperatures and (3)____ weather result in lush tropical rain forests in Central and South America, Africa and Asia. There are more species of animals and plants in the rainforests than anywhere else on Earth — so many that most have not even been

(4) ____. People living in the forests and, more recently, scientists have learned that many of the exotic plants are valuable. Some of them are sources of food and others are sources of important medicines.

     In some parts of the world, the rainforests are in danger. (5)____ satellite pictures show rain forest destruction very clearly, they are being used to monitor this huge jungle. Even a rainforest the size of the Amazon can be photographed in only a few hours by a satellite.

(By Sally Ride, American astronaut)

          A                      B                     C                         D

1 rare                    seldom               often                  usually

2 in                         along                  on                       over

3 wet                        dry                  waterless                fine

4 named                 called                cried                   shown

5 As a result          Thanks to           Because              Despite

III. Comment on the following issues.

Transportation is very important in the modern world, especially in big cities. Describe:

• the advantages and disadvantages of modern means of transportation;

• what new means of transportation you would suggest for a big city

VARIANT 25

I. Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

                                             Puppies For Sale

    Once a small boy was attracted with a sign above the door of the store that read ≪Puppies For Sale≫. ≪How much are you going to sell the puppies for?≫ the boy asked the store-owner. ≪Anywhere from $30 to $50.≫ ≪I have $2.37,≫ he said. ≪Can I please look at them?≫ The store-owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady followed by five tiny balls of fur.

     One puppy was lagging considerably behind. The store owner explained that it was ill and it would always limp. The little boy became excited. ≪That is the puppy that I want to buy.≫ ≪If you really want him, I’ll just give him to you.≫

The little boy got quite upset. He said, ≪I don’t want you to give him to me. I’ll pay the full price. I’ll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for.≫

     The store-owner argued, ≪But this little dog is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies.≫ To his surprise, the little boy reached down and revealed a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store-owner and softly replied, ≪Well, I don’t run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!≫

True False

1 A small boy wanted to buy a hamster.

2 The money the boy had was not enough to buy a puppy.

3 Lady was the mother of the puppies.

4 The puppies were small and puffy.

5 One puppy couldn’t hear well.

6 The little boy wanted a puppy that limped.

7 The store-owner presented the puppy to the boy.

8 The boy insisted on paying the full price for the puppy.

9 The boy needed a puppy to run and jump and play with him.

10 The boy had a damaged leg so he believed he could become a good friend to the puppy.

Variant 25

II. Complete the text with the words from the table.

    Racing along country roads and (1) ____the cities of France each year, the best bicyclists in the world take part in the Tour de France. In 1903, the race was held for the first (2)____ as a publicity event for the newspaper, L’Auto. It was an instant success. Every July since then, the race has taken place.

      The Tour de France is divided into different races for each day, called ≪stages≫. Each stage is also a different style of bicycle racing. Sometimes the terrain is flat, so the race is a sprint. At other times, the race goes through the mountains, so the (3)____ needs to have better endurance. (4)____ give points to the winner of each stage. The racer who is winning the most sprints gets to wear a green jersey. The winner of the most mountain races wears a white jersey with red polka dots. Until a few years ago, all of the winners were from Europe. Most were

from France. In 1986, American Greg LeMond became the first bicyclist who was not European to win the Tour de France. (5)____ American holds the record for the most Tour de France wins. Lance Armstrong has won the race seven times!

        A                      B                           C                        D

1 through              between                   in                       along

2 time                     place                     stage                    hour

3 driver                  boater                  motorist                bicyclist

4 Racers                Judges                  Winners               Audience

5 Other                  Another                  Others                Anothers

III. Comment on the following issues.

Imagine you have a chance to travel back in time.

• Choose where and when you travel.

• Explain why you choose that time and place above all others.

VARIANT 26

I. Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

     I’m sitting at a cafe, a peaceful little place hidden back among the pine trees. It’s just past noon, late July, and I’m listening to the desperate sounds of a life-or-death struggle going on a few feet away. There’s a small fly burning out the last of its short life’s energies in an attempt to fly through the glass of the windowpane. The fly’s strategy is try harder.

     But it’s not working. The fly will die there on the windowsill. Across the room, ten steps away, the door is open. Ten seconds of flying time and this small creature could reach the outside world it seeks. With only a fraction of the effort now being wasted, it could be free of this self-imposed trap. It would be so easy. Why doesn’t the fly try another approach, something different? How did it get so locked in on the idea that this particular effort offers the most promise for success? This approach makes sense to the fly. Regrettably, it’s an idea that will kill.

     Trying harder isn’t necessarily the solution to achieving more. Sometimes,

in fact, it’s a big part of the problem. If you stake all your hopes for a breakthrough on trying harder than ever, you may kill your chances for success.

True False

1 From the text we can say what season it is.

2 The author is at work.

3 The author can hear a bird singing near the open door.

4 The insect trying to fly through the glass of the windowpane is a bee.

5 The author can see a way out for a fly.

6 The author believes that the trying harder strategy doesn’t always work.

7 According to the author, trying another approach could help the fly.

8 The author says that a person can get a success if he does his best.

9 From the story we know what happened to the fly.

10 The author wants us to learn from this story that working harder may bring a breakthrough.

Variant 26

II. Complete the text with the words from the box.

     most               instead           across           first           occur

         revival               addition            parades          part        French

     ≪Mardi Gras≫ is (1) ____for ≪Fat Tuesday≫. Perhaps the city most famous for its Mardi Gras celebrations is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Carnival is an important celebration in (2) ____of Europe including Nice, France and Venice, Italy. It is only in Ireland and the United Kingdom where the festival is called Shrove Tuesday (3) ____of Mardi Gras and pancakes are the tradition. In Brazil, the Carnival celebrations (4)____ in Recife, Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. Thousands of people from (5) ____Brazil and around the world come to attend the festivities.

Venice is home to one of the most famous Carnival celebrations in the world, in (6) ____to one of the oldest. The Carnival of Venice was (7)____ recorded in 1268. It was not until a modern mask shop was founded in the 1980s that Carnival enjoyed a (8)____ . In Nice Carnival became famous when Charles II began taking his holidays in Nice. All that was required to take (9)____ was a costume and a mask. The city of Nice still celebrates Mardi Gras with (10)____ of flower-covered floats and brilliant night-time light  displays.

III.Comment on the following issues.

Think about the most memorable event in your life.

• Describe what happened.

• Consider how this event changed you as a person.

VARIANT 27

I.Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

Life is Full of Imperfect Things

    

     When I was a kid, I remember one night in particular when Mum had made dinner after a long, hard day at work. On that evening my Mum placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burnt biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for the biscuit, smile at my Mum and ask me how my day was at school. I don’t remember what I told him that night, but I do remember hearing my Mum apologize to my dad for burning the

biscuits. And I’ll never forget what he said, ≪Honey, I love burned biscuits.≫ Later I went to kiss my Daddy good night and asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, ≪Your mum put in a long hard day at work today and she is really tired. And besides a burnt biscuit never hurt anyone! You know, life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people. I’m not the best, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone. What I have learned over the years is that learning to accept each other’s faults and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences is one of the most important keys to

creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.≫

True False

1 The author describes the days of his childhood.

2 The story happened at the weekend.

3 It was the father who cooked dinner in their family.

4 For dinner they liked to eat burnt biscuits.

5 The boy and the father didn’t complain about the food.

6 The mother was sorry the dinner was not perfect.

7 The father didn’t want to upset mother by criticizing her cooking.

8 The boy had a long talk with his father at dinner.

9 The boy’s father thought that nobody had to be perfect.

10 From the text we can say that the author had a happy family.

Variant 27

II. Complete the text with the words from the box.

     up          cooking         but           worth            weather           late

       monuments       down          decorate         heated

     Paris — the City of Light — shines year-round, (1)____ it has a special appeal in winter. Sure, the (2)____ can be cold but if you dress in layers, you’ll keep warm and easily deal with temperature changes as you go from cold streets to (3)____ museums and cafes.

     Slow (4)____ and enjoy your favourite museums and monuments — spending one-on-one time with the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo is (5)____ the extra clothes you had to pack. Attend a (6)____ demonstration or take a short course in art or architecture. Get into cafes to warm (7)____ and enjoy a break from sightseeing or shopping.

     One of Europe’s greatest treats is strolling down the glowing Champs-Elysees in winter. From (8)____ November through mid-January, holiday lights adorn city streets, buildings, and (9)____ , and the Champs-Elysees beams with a dazzling display of lights on the trees that line the long boulevard. The city springs for 1,000 fresh-cut fir-trees to put up and (10)____ around town, 300 of which ring the traffic circle at the lower end of the Champs-Elysees.

III. Comment on the following issues.

Describe your favourite actor/actress.

• Say what you like about him/her.

• Compare this person with other actors/actresses and explain why your

choice is best.

VARIANT 28

I.Read the text and mark (V) the following statements «True» or «False».

     The little girl lived in a small simple house. Across the valley there was a wonderful house high on the hill — and this house had golden windows, so the little girl wished to grow up and live in a house with golden windows instead of an ordinary house like hers. And although she loved her parents and her family, she wished to live in such a golden house.

     When she got to an age when she gained enough skill and sensibility to go outside her garden fence, she asked her mother if she could go for a bike ride outside the gate. The little girl knew exactly where she was heading! Down the lane and across the valley, she rode her bike until she got to the gate of the golden house across on the other hill. The girl focused on the path that lead to the house and then on the house itself… and was so disappointed as she realized all the windows were plain and rather dirty, reflecting nothing other than the sad neglect of the house that stood empty.

     So sad she didn’t go any further. As she glanced up she saw a sight to amaze her: there across the way on her side of the valley was a little house and its windows glistened golden as the sun shone on her little home. She realized that she had been living in her golden house and all the love and care she found there was what made her home the ≪golden house≫. Everything she dreamed was right there in front of her nose!

True False

1 The house the little girl lived in seemed small and ordinary.

2 The house the girl liked was situated next to her house.

3 The house of the girl’s dream had a golden roof.

4 The girl had a loving family.

5 The girl was allowed to go outside the garden fence when she left school.

6 The girl rode her bike across the valley to meet her friend.

7 When the girl saw the house, she was disappointed.

8 Nobody lived in that house.

9 The girl came inside the house.

10 The girl was surprised by how her own house looked.

Variant 28

II. Complete the text with the words from the box.

        however           experts      art            public               valueless

                scenery          impressionist        fakes        paintings     artists

     Some of the great (1)____ which disappeared during World War II had been concealed in the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. There are literally hundreds of paintings, 74 of which are masterpieces. Among the (2)____ represented are Degas, Van Gogh, Cezanne and Picasso. The value of these works of (3)____ is enormous. Although no official amount has been given, (4)____ believe they are

worth about £200 million. (5) ____, valuing paintings such as these is extremely difficult because the market changes so much from year to year. It is the (6)____ works which are of greatest value, the most outstanding being Degas’ ≪Place de la Concorde≫. This work is particularly special because of the balance between the (7) _____in the background and the figures in the foreground. There are also excellent examples of the work of Gauguin, one of which had never been seen in

(8) ____before. However, not all the paintings are the masterpieces the Russians

first thought they were. Several of the works have been discovered to be (9)____ . One Toulouse-Lautrec was almost put into an exhibition at the Hermitage before an expert worked out that it was an excellent, but (10)_____ , copy.

III. Comment on the following issues.

Imagine that you are being given an opportunity to write a book and

have it published worldwide.

• Think what it would be about and how you would call it.

• Describe what the cover of your book would look like.

VARIANT 29

I.Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

     There was a millionaire who was bothered by severe eye pain. He consulted

so many physicians and was getting his treatment done. But the ache was even more severe than before. At last a monk who was supposed to be an expert in treating such patients was called for by the millionaire. The monk understood his problem and said that for some time he should concentrate only on green colours and to let his eyes fall on any other colours. The millionaire got together a group of painters and purchased barrels of green colour and directed that every object his eye was likely to fall on be painted in green colour just as the monk had directed.

When the monk came to visit him after a few days, the millionaire’s servans ran with buckets of green paint and poured on him since he was in red dress lest their master see any other colour and his eye ache come back. Hearing this, the monk laughed and said, ≪If only you had purchased a pair of green spectacles, you could have saved these walls and trees and pots and all other articles and also could have saved a large share of his fortune. You cannot paint the world green.≫ Let us change our vision and the world will appear accordingly. It is foolish to shape

the world, let us shape ourselves first.

True False

1 The millionaire in this story was blind.

2 He didn’t do what doctors told him to.

3 At last he asked the monk as a medical expert.

4 The monk’s advice was to look at green objects.

5 The millionaire invited painters to paint the house in different colours.

6 The monk came to the millionaire wearing green.

7 The monk poured green paint on the servant.

8 The monk said he didn’t actually mean to paint everything green.

9 The millionaire bought a pair of green spectacles in order to see the world green.

10 According to the moral of the story, the world starts changing after our attitude to a situation is changed.

Variant 29

II.Complete the text with the words from the table.

     Cultures are divided into ≪low-context≫ and ≪high-context≫. In low-context cultures (1)____ as North America, Britain, Sweden and  Germany, people say things very plainly, and rely on clear verbal communication. High-context cultures such as France, Japan, Spain, Saudi Arabia, China and South Korea often use silence or (2) ____signals to communicate.

    Shaking hands is often the most common form of (3)____ people, but even this can create problems. In Japan, people bow to each other. In England, people shake hands firmly while in Italy and France people shake hands all the time but not as firmly as the English. People from ≪low-context≫ cultures tend to (4)____ into other peoples eyes, but in ≪high-context≫ cultures such as China and Japan, this

can be interpreted as aggressive behaviour. One thing that the British and the Americans do share when meeting each other, however, is the desire to break the ice by making a joke.

     Cultures and peoples vary so much, though, that it is impossible to please all of the people all of the time. The best thing you can do under these confusing circumstances is to be polite to (5)____ you meet.

      A                    B                     C                     D

1 as                    well                  soon              so such

2 loud               sound                 hand                mime

3 offending         salute              greeting        compliments

4 look                watch                 see                  observe

5 everyone        anyone                none               nobody

III. Comment on the following issues.

Exercise creates stronger, happier, and smarter people. Dwell upon:

• whether you agree or disagree with that statement;

• what you can do to make your lifestyle healthier.

VARIANT 30

I.Read the text and mark (V)  the following statements «True» or «False».

     Once upon a time there lived a young man and his wife. They lived poorly but happily as they loved and respected each other greatly. One day, the wife, who was beautiful and had very long hair, asked him to buy her a comb for her hair to grow well and to be well-groomed. The man felt very sorry but he had to say no. He explained that he did not even have enough money to fix the strap of his watch he had just broken. The wife did not insist on her request. The man went to work and passed by a watch shop, sold his damaged watch at a low price and went to buy a comb for his wife. He came home in the evening with the comb in his hand ready to give it to his wife. He was surprised when he saw his wife with a very short haircut. She had sold her hair and was holding a new watch band. They looked at each other and tears flowed from their eyes, not for the nobility of their actions, but for the sincerity of their love.

True False

1 The man and his wife were old and unhappy.

2 They didn’t have much money.

3 The wife had a short haircut.

4 The wife wanted her hair to grow longer and look neat.

5 The man couldn’t afford to buy a comb.

6 The man had broken his watch.

7 The man went to a watch shop to buy a new watchstrap.

8 The man earned some money and bought a comb for his wife.

9 The wife sold her hair in order to make a present for her husband.

10 They cried as they were sorry about their poverty.

Variant 30

II.Complete the text with the words from the box.

             daily      up             behavior          destroys               far

                keep            back              eggs             until              hatched

     Have you ever observed the (1)____ of birds in the face of trouble? For days and days they make their nest, sometimes gathering materials brought from (2)____ away. And when they have completed the nest and are ready to lay

(3) ____, the weather or the work of humans, or some animal, destroys it, and it falls to the ground, all that they have done with so much effort. Do they stop and leave their work? No way! They start building the nest again and again (4)____ they have eggs in the nest again. Sometimes, and very often before the chicks are (5) _____, an animal, a child, or a storm (6)____ the nest once again, but this

time with its valuable contents. It hurts to go (7) ____and begin again... Even so, the birds do not stop, they continue to sing and build, and (8)____ singing and building. Do you sometimes get the feeling that your life is not what you had

dreamed? Do you sometimes want to say: ≪Enough, the effort is not worthwhile, it is all too much for me≫? Are you tired of it all? Do you feel that the (9)____ struggle is a waste of time, your trust has been betrayed, your goals not reached

just as you were about to get them? No matter what happens... Never give (10)____ as long as you are alive.

III. Comment on the following issues.

Imagine you are going to create your own personal website.

• Describe what kinds of information you will put on it and why.

• Point out who would be your target audience.