2. Answer the questions: Where was started the tradition of decorating Christmas tree?
Who started this tradition?
Who brought it to Britain?
Why do people of Norway still present a tree to Britain?
Билет №3
Tornadoes
Tornadoes are the most violent of all storms. Nobody can predict what they might do.
Tornadoes destroy houses; carry away cars and telephone boxes. Tornadoes consist of very strong winds. They can reach speeds of up to 320 kilometres an hour. That is why they are so dangerous.
In Russia during one tornado, people saw money falling from the sky. At least a thousand coins fell from the clouds. The wind had removed the earth from some buried treasure and picked up the coins.
Tornadoes occur throughout the world, but mostly in the United States. The central states of the country have probably more tornadoes than any other place in the world.
Tornadoes occur in the spring. A hot day in the afternoon or in the early evening is the most likely time for this dangerous storm. Large clouds appear in the sky. They become darker and darker. There are sounds of thunder in the distance. Bright flashes of lightning are seen. A cloud then forms a funnel and begins to twist. It moves faster and faster. The faster the winds, the louder the noise. If the funnel touches the ground, it picks up everуthing it can. The violent winds of tornadoes blow down almost everything on their way.
Fortunately tornadoes can be predicted, and these people have a much better chance of protecting themselves.
Put “+” if the sentence is right and “-“if it is wrong.
Tornadoes are the most terrible of all storms.
Tornadoes are dangerous because people get flu or cold after them.
Tornadoes occur in autumn when it’s cool and rainy.
The violent winds of tornadoes blow down almost everything on their way.
Unfortunately people can’t predict tornadoes now.
Find the words or phrases in the text which have a similar meaning (synonym) to the following:
Hurricane, no one, powerful, to damage, to happen, the most comfortable, to start, luckily, to defend, opportunity.
Билет №4
Six Robinsons and Their Guitar
Nobody lives on the little island of Ata, in the warm South Sea, where it is summer all year round. Everybody knows that ships don’t stop at Ata, but once "The Mary Jane" suddenly changed her course and went towards the island. Some people on the ship had noticed a number of small figures on a hill not far from the sea coast. They were shouting and jumping up and down. When the ship came nearer, the small figures ran down the hill and into the water to meet the ship. There were six of them, all boys. They swam to the ship, climbed up and were soon telling their strange story.
Fifteen months before, they had gone out fishing. Their little boat had gone down during a terrible storm, and the sea had carried them a lot of kilometres to this little island.
The boys had arranged their life very well: each boy had his own duties. Their food was birds, birds' eggs, fruit, fish, whatever they could find on the ground, in the air and in the water. The Robinson Crusoes had even made a kind of guitar: they danced and sang songs that they had
made up themselves. They explained that they bad enjoyed their fine life on the island, but they were glad to be saved, and were happy to return home to their own country.
Find in the text the English equivalents:
Круглый год, отправились на рыбалку, на земле, изменила свой курс, ужасный шторм, в воздухе, заметили, организовали свою жизнь, в воде, взобрались, всё, что они могли найти, вернуться домой.
Put “+” if the sentence is right and “-“if it is wrong.
The little island of Ata is situated in the cold South Sea.
People on the ship had noticed a lot of small figures on a hill near the sea coast.
Small figures on a hill were shouting and jumping up and down.
There were six girls on the island.
Their food was whatever they could find on the ground, in the air and in the water.
Билет №5
Dead Sea in Danger
The Dead Sea, the saltiest body of water of the earth and a wonderful natural treasure, is becoming smaller and smaller because of decisions by people to use part of its waters.
The Dead Sea is located at the lowest point of the earth, almost 400 metres below sea level. It is 50 kilometres long. Just 40 years ago it stretched 80 kilometres in length.
One of the main reasons for the sea's shrinking' is lack of water. 90% of the waters that flow from the Jordan River, which traditionally goes into the Dead Sea, is taken for drinking and agriculture in Israel and Jordan.
Besides, local industry adds to the Dead Sea's problems. They use the water for getting necessary minerals. It's a real disaster for the Sea.
Now hundreds of thousands of tourists come to the Dead Sea every year. Its water is so salty that a man can read a newspaper comfortably while lying on his back on the water. The water contains a lot of sulphur", and the thick black mud" that is found at the sea's beach is very useful for people with skin diseases. Tourists treat their bodies with the black mud, but they don't think about the Dead Seas troubles.
It can be saved — but time is running out.
' shrinking — уменьшение " sulphur — сера "' mud — грязь
1. Where is the Dead Sea located?
a) At the highest point of the Earth
b) At the hottest place of the Earth
c) At the lowest point of the Earth
d) At the coldest place of the Earth
2. According to the text how long is the Dead Sea now?
a) 400 metres
b) 50 kilometres
c) 80 kilometres
d) 40 kilometres
3. Find and write down the sentence that says why the Dead Sea is in danger?
4. What are two main reasons for taking off part of the Dead Sea's water?
a) Thousands of tourists come to the Sea to treat their diseases; the Dead Sea's water is used by local industry.
b) People take water from the Jordan River for their needs; they use the Dead Sea's water for getting necessary minerals,
c) Local industry uses its black mud; people lake the Sea's water for agriculture and drinking,
d) 90% of the Jordan waters is taken for drinking and agriculture in Israel and Jordan; thousands of tourists come to the Sea for treating.
Билет №6
There are thousands of weekly and monthly magazines in Britain. They can be divided into four main groups: specialist magazines, such as the computer magazine PC Weekly; general magazines, such as the magazine Radio Times; women's magazines and teenage magazines.
Young people below the age of 18 do not usually buy newspapers, but they do buy magazines. Many more girls than boys buy magazines. Their main interests are boys, clothes and make-up. Teenage girls like to read magazines which are for older age group. Just Seventeen is not only the most popular magazine for 15-year-olds, it is also popular with 12-year-olds.
Choose the title which fits the text best.
Do you like reading newspapers?
British magazines for teenagers and grown-ups.
Teenage magazines and newspapers.
How to read magazines.
Say if these sentences are true or false:
A lot of different magazines are published in Great Britain.
There are four main groups of magazines: specialist magazines, general magazines, women’s magazines and men’s magazines.
Young people buy both newspapers and magazines.
Many more boys than girls buy magazines.
Teenage girls are interested in boys, pop music, clothes and make-up.
Teenage girls enjoy reading magazines which are for a younger age group.
What does the word “general” mean in the phrase “general magazine”?
Генеральный
Всеобщий
Генеральский
обычный
Билет №7
In 1608 an Englishman whose name was Thomas Coryate visited Italy. He liked the country and noted down every interesting thing he found. But there was one thing which he found more interesting than the others. In his diary Thomas wrote, “When the Italians eat meat, they use small forks. They don’t eat with hands because, as they say, do not always have clean hands”.
Before leaving for England, Thomas Coryate bought a few forks.
At home Thomas gave a dinner party to show the invention to his friends. When the servant brought the steak, he took out a fork and began to eat like they did in Italy.
Everybody looked at him in surprise. When he told his friends what it was, they all wanted to take a good look at the strange thing. All his friends said that the Italians were very strange people because the fork was very inconvenient.
Thomas Coryate tried to prove the opposite. He said it was not nice to eat with one’s fingers because they were not always clean.
Everybody got angry at that. Did Mr. Coryate think that people in England always had dirty hands? And weren’t the ten fingers they had enough for them?
Thomas Coryate wanted to show that it was very easy to use the fork. But the first piece of meat he took with the fork fell to the floor. His friends began to laugh and he had to take the fork away.
Only fifty years later people in England began to use forks.
1. Translate the following sentences into Russian:
In 1608 an Englishman whose name was Thomas Coryate visited Italy.
But there was one thing which he found more interesting than the others.
He said it was not nice to eat with one’s fingers because they were not always clean.
But the first piece of meat he took with the fork fell to the floor.
2. Correct according to the contents of the text:
They eat with the hands because, as they say, do not always have clean hands.
Everybody got happy at that.
Only seventy years later people in England began to use forks.
When the servant brought the steak, he took out a knife and began to eat like they did in Italy.
Билет №8
Walt Disney
Walt Disney, a famous American producer, made some of the world’s most magical films. Children and grown-ups have watched his films about funny Donald Duck, brave Mickey Mouse, beautiful Snow White, little Bambi and lovely Mary Poppins. Disney's cartoons and films are full of adventures and fun.
A talented businessman, he also created Disneyland, a magical park, where children and their parents are entertained by Disney's characters.
Walt Disney was born in 1901. In his childhood young Walt spent a lot of time on a farm, where he learned to study nature and animals. He wasn't a good student at school because he always
found things that interested him more than school such as movie house and drawing. His family wasn't a rich one and Walt worked hard helping his father.
After the First World War he managed to set up his own film company. He rented an old camera and a garage. He became the owner of a small studio. He loved cartoons and was full of ideas. He had clear ideas of what he wanted.
Disney's cartoon films became popular all over the world.
The Disney studios continued producing movies after Walt's death in 1966. Wherever American films are shown, the name of "Disney" still draws the crowds.
Put “+” if the sentence is right and “-“if it is wrong.
Cartoons and films of Walt Disney are funny and full of adventures.
When he was a child he spent a lot of time in the country.
He was from a rich family.
Walt was a good pupil because he always found things that interested him more than school.
The Disney studios didn’t continue producing movies after his death.
Find in the text:
Талантливый бизнесмен, создал Диснейленд, в детстве, удалось основать свою собственную компанию, арендовал, дети и взрослые, работал усердно, имел ясное представление того, что хотел.
Билет №9
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa was born in 1910 in Albania. Her real name was Agnes. She was the youngest of three children. Her father was a good businessman and the family had a comfortable life. Her parents were very religious. Agnes's mother taught her children to pray and to love and help other people. They often gave food and money to the poor. They were the first lessons in kindness for little Agnes.
When Agnes was only nine, her father died. The family became poor. But later her mother opened a shop, and the business did well. That was the second lesson in life from her mother: when life is difficult you must try, try and try again.
In 1928 Agnes left her family to become a nun. She chose a new name for herself— Teresa. Sister Teresa went to India to teach poor children. Later she began to help the poor. She took care of people who had no one else to look after. She worked hard. She was sure that she would succeed. She believed that "all men are created equal". In 1948 she and her pupils set up Missionaries of Charity (Благотворительная миссия).
They worked in hospitals and schools, took care of children without parents and helped the sick and the dying.
Mother Teresa never worried about money. She always said that the help would come when it was needed. In 1979 Mother Teresa got the greatest prize in the world — the Nobel Peace Prize. She received the prize of $190,000 not for herself but for the poor people of the world. She used this money to feed hungry people and to give help to the sick and dying. Mother Teresa received the Nobel Prize because all her life she loved and helped people.
After Mother Teresa's death her Missionaries of Charity continue their work trying to help people all over the world.
Put “+” if the sentence is right and “-“if it is wrong.
Agnes was born in a rather rich family.
She was not the only child in her family.
Agnes’s parents believed in God.
Her family helped the poor.
She herself believed that people should have equal opportunities.
Complete the sentences.
Mother Teresa was born …
Her parents often … .
After her father’s death Agnes’s mother … .
When life is … .
In 1928 Agnes became a nun, she believed … .
In 1979 Mother Teresa got … .
Билет № 10
From my childhood I was an easily taught and obedient boy. My kindness was so noticeable that my friends made fun of me. I was especially fond of animals and had a great number of pets. With these I spent most of my time, and never was so happy as when feeding and playing with them. My character did not change much when I grew up.
I married early, and was happy to find in my wife a character very much like my own. Seeing my love for pets she never lost a chance of getting the most pleasant animals. We had birds, gold-fish, a fine dog, rabbits, a small monkey, and a cat.
This cat was a remarkably large and beautiful animal, quite black and surprisingly clever. In speaking of his cleverness, my wife, who was a superstitious woman, often mentioned the old popular belief, which considered all black cats to be in disguise.
Pluto- this was the cat’s name-was my favourite pet and playmate. I alone fed him, and he followed me everywhere about the house. It was even with difficulty that I could prevent him following me through the streets.
Our friendship lasted for several years, during which my character (I blush to confess it) had changed for the worse. I became day by day more moody and irritable. It often happened that I hurt the feelings of others; I suffered myself as I was rude to my wife. At last I even hit her.
My pets, of course, could feel the change in my character. In fact, I began to treat them cruelly. As for Pluto, I held back from cruelty as I did treat cruelly the rabbits, the monkey, or even the dog when they came in my way. But my illness took hold of me - for what other illness is like alcohol!- and at last even Pluto, who was now becoming old, even Pluto began to feel the effects of my temper.
1. Translate:
I married early, and was happy to find in my wife a character very much like my own.
Our friendship lasted for several years, during which my character (I blush to confess it) had changed for the worse.
In speaking of his cleverness, my wife, who was a superstitious woman, often mentioned the old popular belief, which considered all black cats to be in disguise.
2. Name antonyms:
Happy, beautiful, kind, black, begin.
3. Find in the text:
I got day by day more changeable.
Билет №11
London
London is the capital of Great Britain. London is a very old town. London is two thousand years old. Many years ago London was a small town on the Thames. There were a lot of villages round it. After many years London and three hundred villages grew into a very large city. Some of the names of those villages are the names of the streets in modern London-Kensington, Westminster.
Now London is a beautiful city with large squares and parks. The city of London is the business centre. East End includes the poor districts. West of London is the West End where rich people live.
Trafalgar Square is in the centre of the West End of London. In the centre of Trafalgar Square there is the column made of granite. On the top of the column there is a 17-feet-tall statue of Admiral Nelson who defeated the French at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1809. The total high of the monument is 184 feet (44 meters). On the pedestal is a bronze relief cast from a captured French cannon, representing Nelson’s victory.
On the North side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery. The National Gallery has one of the finest collections of pictures in the world.
Trafalgar Square is one of the busiest places in London, where people go to and from the work; it is hard to cross the street.
Complete the sentence.
On the top of the column …
London is two…
On the north side…
The total high…
There were…
2. Put “+” if the sentence is right and “-“if it is wrong.
London is a new town.
London is on the Thames.
The West End of London is a place where rich people live.
In London there aren’t a lot of squares and parks.
Find in the text.
Национальная галерея имеет одну из прекраснейших коллекций в мире.
Трефальгарская площадь находится в центре Вест Енда в Лондоне.
Сейчас Лондон –один из красивейших городов с большими площадями и парками .
Спустя много лет Лондон и три сотни деревень превратились в один большой город.
Некоторые из этих деревень стали названиями в современном Лондоне.
Билет №12
Thanksgiving Day in the USA
Every year all Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day. The story started in 1620, a group of people decided to leave England and go to live in America. They wanted to be free to practise their religion. And they wanted a new and better life. On 16th September 1620 they left Plymouth, a port on the south coast of England. Their ship was called "the Mayflower". There were about a hundred of them. They took their animals with them; pigs, goats and chickens. It took them about a month or two to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Don't forget, there were no engines in those ships — only sails and the wind. At last they saw America on the 9th November. Some people didn't live to see America. They had become sick and died before they arrived in America.
The first winter in America was very hard for the travellers, the Pilgrims as they were called.
The Indians helped the Pilgrims. They were shown how to hunt, fish and grow corn. The next year the Pilgrims had a lot of food.
The Pilgrim fathers built the town Plymouth. And they thanked God for their new home. It was almost four hundred years ago. And every year on the fourth Thursday in November American families get together and celebrate Thanksgiving Day. The traditional food on this day is turkey and pumpkin pie.
Match the parts of the sentences.
In 1620 a group of people …
A hundred people …
It took the travelers …
The Pilgrims were shown …
Thanksgiving Day is…
about a month or two to cross the ocean and reach America.
how to hunt, fish and grow corn by the Indians.
a day when Americans thank God for their new home.
decided to live in America.
Put these sentences in the correct order.
It took them almost two months to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
That was almost four hundred years ago.
A group of people left England and went to live in America.
On the 9th November they saw America.
Every year on the fourth Thursday in November all American families get together to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.
They wanted to be free to practise their religion.
The Pilgrim fathers thanked God for their new home. They built the town of Plymouth.
Билет №13
Toscanini was a great musician. He lived in America. One day he came to a very little town. He was walking along the street when he saw a piece of paper in one of the windows. He read:
MRS.SMITH. MUSIC LESSONS. TWO DOLLARS A LESSON.
Then Toscanini heard the music. Somebody was playing Tchaikovsky.
“Mrs. Smith is playing,” he thought, “She isn’t a very good musician. She doesn’t play Tchaikovsky well. I must show her how to play it.”
He went up to the door of the house and rang. The music stopped and soon a woman opened the door.
“Are you Mrs. Smith?” asked Toscanini. “My name is Toscanini and I want to show you how to play Tchaikovsky.”
Mrs. Smith was very glad to meet the great musician. She asked him to come in. Toscanini played Tchaikovsky for her and went away.
A year later Toscanini visited the same town again. When he went up to the house where he had played Tchaikovsky the year before he again saw a piece of paper. Now he read:
MRS.SMITH. (TOSCANINI’S PUPIL) MUSIC LESSONS. FOUR DOLLARS A LESSON.
1. Put “+” if the sentence is right and “-“if it is wrong.
Toscanini came to a very little town.
He liked how Mrs. Smith was playing.
He wanted to play the piano for her.
Tchaikovsky visited Mrs. Smith one day.
Mrs. Smith was a teacher of music.
2. Write the sentences in the right order.
Mrs. Smith was very glad to meet the great musician.
He lived in America.
The music stopped and soon a woman opened the door.
The music stopped and soon a woman opened the door.
“Mrs. Smith is playing,” he thought, “she isn’t a very good musician.